DE202004007079U1 - Vacuum sealing lid for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

Closure cover made of sheet metal for attachment to an opening of a container, in particular for foodstuffs, the container contents of which are to be kept under negative pressure until the cover is opened for the first time, with a closure part spanning the opening and sealing against a peripheral edge of the opening, and an integral part with the closure part connected, surrounding the peripheral edge on its outside edge part, the closure part is provided with a ventilation opening closed by a film seal and the edge part is provided with an inwardly projecting circumferential or interrupted bead which, after the lid is attached to the container, from the outside the peripheral edge of which is pressed, characterized in that the closure part (8) is provided in the middle with a molded-in click bubble (22) which pops up when the film seal (18) is pulled off the ventilation opening (22).

Description

The invention relates to a closure cover Metal sheet for attachment to an opening of a container, in particular a food-containing container, the content of which up to opening for the first time the lid should be kept under a vacuum, with a spanning the opening and against a peripheral edge of the opening sealing closure part and one piece with the closure part connected edge part surrounding the peripheral edge on its outside, wherein the closure part with a sealed by a film seal Provide ventilation opening is and the edge part with an inwardly protruding or broken bead is provided after attaching the lid the container from the outside is pressed against its peripheral edge.

They are sealing covers made of sheet metal in stores where the edge part protrudes inwards circumferential or interrupted bead is provided. This lid are used quite often around with a food like mustard, mayonnaise or the like, filled Glass container airtight to close where the one running around the container opening Circumferential edge not sufficient thickness to attach a screw thread has and / or in which the container after the consumption of the container contents should be suitable for further use as drinking glass. To ensure the quality of the container contents becomes the content of this container normally under vacuum until it is opened for the first time kept a control of maintaining the seal between cover and opening edge allowed. However, this means that the first time you open one Lid not only the mechanical anchoring of the lid on the container due to the engagement of the bead behind the usually thickened peripheral edge of the container but also the vacuum in the container has to be overcome. In particular with closures with a larger diameter this is only with considerable effort or using technical aids possible, which is not uncommon for damage of the lid leads.

In order to solve this problem, the DE 297 11 363 U1 already proposed a closure cover of the type mentioned, which has a small ventilation opening in the middle, which is closed by a sealing film. This sealing film can be removed before the container is opened for the first time in order to allow ambient air to enter the container through the ventilation opening. This removes the negative pressure in the container, whereupon the lid can usually be opened effortlessly.

However, in the known Sealing lid for the consumer before the sealing film is removed not recognizable whether the container contents is still under a vacuum and therefore one since filling uninterrupted tightness guaranteed was. Even when peeling off the sealing film is at most accurate Listen to a slight hiss can be heard, that by the entry of the ambient air through the ventilation opening in the container is caused.

The invention is based on this based on the task of a cover of the aforementioned Kind of improving that when peeling off the foil seal for the Consumers can clearly see whether the lid is the container has hermetically sealed up to this point.

This object is achieved according to the invention solved, that the closure part in the middle with a molded-in click bubble is provided after pulling off the foil seal from the ventilation opening soaring above.

Click bubbles that also act as a flip or Button labels have long been used on a large scale on metal screw caps of canned glass with preserves, jam or the like glass containers used. These click bubbles are circular arches, those in the manufacture of the screw cap under special tension conditions have been molded into the middle of their closure parts and the from the ambient pressure down into the interior of the container, when the pressure difference between ambient pressure and negative pressure in the containers exceeds a predetermined level. If the screw cap when opening the container for the first time solved that there is ambient air between one on the bottom the lid molded seal and the peripheral edge of the container can enter the latter, the click bubbles snap with a audible Clicks up again in their unloaded position. Indeed is also openable the well-known screw caps mostly a not inconsiderable one Force required. For one thing, this leads to many Consumers open their palms to unscrew the lid place the top of the lid so that the one created when the click bubble flies up Muted click sound or at all no audible Click sound is generated. Concentrate because of the effort Moreover also many consumers when opening of the container so much on the opening process even that the click sound is not perceived consciously. Furthermore is not the snap-up bubble for the consumer either visually verifiable, because there is hardly a way there to grasp the screw cap so that the click bubble remains visible.

In contrast to this, the invention is based on the idea that when the film seal is removed, the consumer will focus his attention on the sealing cover, so that he can do so Can quickly perceive the click bubble provided in the center of the lid visually as well as acoustically. This is achieved to a particularly high degree if the ventilation opening with the film seal according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is arranged eccentrically in the closure part of the lid next to the click bladder, so that the process of the click bladder flipping up is not obscured by the fingers of the consumer acting on the film seal is still hindered. This latter arrangement also has the advantage that the click sound generated when the click bubble pops up, unlike a film seal that completely or partially overlaps the click bubble, is not dampened by the seal.

Another preferred embodiment the invention provides that the sealed with the film seal Ventilation opening in radial direction of the lid between an outer edge of the click bubble and an elevated, sealing edge provided on the underside with a sealing material the closure part is arranged, preferably within a annular Section of the sealing cover, the bottom of the groove between the outer edge the click bladder and the gasket edge arranged flat ring groove forms. When arched upwards When the click bubble is not loaded, this groove base is essentially parallel to the levels from the flat top of the raised sealing edge of the lid or from the lower edge of the edge part.

If there is a negative pressure of around 0.2 to 0.3 bar inside the container, this negative pressure depending on the diameter of the lid and being adjustable within certain limits, for example by changing the thickness of the lid and other parameters, the click bubble will change from the ambient pressure to its own retracted position in which it is under tension. If the vacuum when opening the lid for the first time 2 is relieved, the click bubble pops up, producing a clearly audible click sound.

In order to manipulate the container to complicate sees a further advantageous embodiment of the Invention before that the film seal is not after its peeling more sticks to the lid. However, a seal variant can also be used if necessary be who over again the ventilation opening on Let the lid stick.

According to another advantageous Embodiment of the invention, the film seal has one on the The top of the lid is sealed onto the edge of the ventilation opening and one piece handle tab connected to the sealing part, which on one side over the preferably essentially circular Seal part survives, its central axis expediently essentially perpendicular to one running through the ventilation opening Cover radius is aligned. In this way, the foil seal be pulled in a direction that is on the side of the click bubble runs past so that when you pull it off from the one with the handle in the Engaging fingers of the consumer is covered.

The film seal itself is preferably there from a gas-tight film, such as an aluminum or composite film, the around the circular Vent around is connected to the lid, on a surface whose Radius is a multiple of the radius of the ventilation opening.

Around the foil seal with the lid to connect, it is preferably on its lid facing Underside coated with a plastic-containing lacquer, which with a corresponding one, applied to the outside of the lid plastic-containing paint melts when the one placed on the lid Briefly seal the foil in the area of its sealing part onto a die Melting temperature of the paint exceeding Temperature warmed and is pressed against the lid. The Sealing film or the outside of the lid either over the entire surface or only partially in the areas to be sealed with the paint be coated, although in the first case only the Sealing part warmed and may be pressed against the lid.

For gripping the grip tab of the foil seal, the grip tab can be embossed that will cause you to face away from the sealing part Edge a little bit above the lid surface protrudes. Alternatively or additionally can also be used for the same purpose the closure part of the lid in the Near the Ventilation opening with a small embossed high curvature be provided.

The invention is explained below of an embodiment shown in the drawing. It demonstrate:

1 : a top view of a closure cover according to the invention;

2 : a sectional view through the entire closure cover along the line AA 1 ;

3 : A sectional view through a part of the cover along the line BB from 1 ;

4 : a partially broken sectional view through a container closed with the closure lid;

5 : a view accordingly 4 , but with the cap partially open;

6 : a partially sectioned side view of a modified cover;

7 : a partially sectioned side view of another modified closure cover;

8th : a partially sectioned side view of a further modified cover.

The sealing caps shown in the drawing 2 for a container 4 , for example a mustard or mayonnaise glass, essentially consist of a lid body made in one piece from aluminum sheet 6 with a locking mirror 8th and one-sided over the locking mirror 8th protruding edge part 10 , one adjacent to a transition 12 between the shutter mirror 8th and the edge part 10 on the underside of a raised sealing edge 14 of the locking mirror 8th ring-shaped sealing material 16 , as well as one on the top of the locking mirror 8th attached foil seal 18 , the one the locking mirror 8th penetrating ventilation opening 20 closes.

The locking mirror 8th has a so-called click bubble in the middle 22 on that of three consecutive concentric sections 24 . 26 . 28 of the locking mirror 8th consists of a circular inner section 24 , an annular middle section 26 and an annular outer portion 28 , From these sections 24 . 26 . 28 aligns with the lid unloaded 2 the inner section 24 essentially with one from the flat top of the seal edge 14 spanned plane E, while the middle of the two sections 26 at a flat angle of inclination away from this plane E to the outer section 28 is inclined, which in turn at a slightly larger angle of inclination away from the plane E to the bottom 32 a flat ring groove 30 is inclined which is concentric with the three sections 24 . 26 . 28 is, its inner flank from the two sections 26 . 28 is formed. As best in the 1 . 2 and 5 shown, the annular groove extends 30 radially outwards to the edge of the seal 14 , with your groove bottom 32 with the lid unloaded 2 ( 2 ) approximately parallel to plane E of the top of the sealing edge 14 is.

If the cover 2 so on a previously filled container 4 has been attached that the locking mirror 8th the flat mouth opening 34 of the container 4 spanned and the sealing material 16 at the bottom of the sealing edge 14 around the container opening 34 around on its thickened peripheral edge 36 and when due to condensation of steam in a cavity 38 below the lid 2 the pressure in the tank 4 drops until the pressure difference to the ambient pressure is about 0.8 bar, the click bubble 22 pressed from the ambient pressure towards the inside of the container into a retracted position, as in 4 shown. In this position the circular inner section is aligned 24 essentially with the container opening 34 while the two annular sections 26 . 28 are each inclined towards each other at a small angle of inclination in the direction of the plane E. The groove bottom 32 the ring groove 30 is then also inclined away from the plane E towards the center of the cover at a slight angle of inclination. As a result of the deformation of the lid 2 is the click bubble 22 in this state under a preload, which means that when you open the lid for the first time 2 skyrockets, creating a clearly audible click sound. Because the pressure in the container 4 but not only when opening the lid for the first time 2 may increase, but also as a result of a leak if there is small amounts of ambient air between the edge of the seal 14 of the lid 2 and the peripheral edge 36 of the container 4 enter this, the click bubble 22 in its retracted position a visible sign of the integrity of the sealing of the container 4 represents.

The one with the foil seal 18 closed ventilation opening 20 has a diameter in the millimeter range and is approximately in the middle of the bottom 32 the ring groove 30 arranged, that is approximately in the middle between an outer edge 40 the click bubble 22 and one to the edge of the seal 14 towards the rising flank of the groove 42 so that the foil seal 18 essentially entirely within the ring groove 30 the click bubble 22 however, it does not overlap.

The foil seal made of aluminum foil 18 consists essentially of a sealed part 44 , which is approximately circular, the edge of the ventilation opening 20 covered on all sides and all over on the top of the locking mirror 8th is attached, as well as a square or rectangular handle tab 46 that are integral with the sealing part 44 is connected and survives unilaterally over it. To avoid pulling the foil seal 18 grip tab held between two fingers 46 via the click bubble 22 must be moved, which is covered by the fingers, is by the sealing part 44 and the grip tab 46 extending central axis 50 of the foil seal 18 essentially perpendicular to a radius R through the ventilation opening 20 aligned.

For gas and liquid-tight fastening of the foil seal 18 is this on his the lid 2 facing underside coated with a paint (not shown) containing finely dispersed plastic, such as polypropylene. The outside of the lid body 6 is coated with the same paint. In this way, the two layers of paint before attaching the lid 2 on the container 4 be fused together if that with the sealing part 44 above the ventilation opening 20 positioned foil seal 18 in the area of the sealing part 44 heated to a temperature of 200 to 250 ° C over a period of 200 to 300 ms and against the lid 2 is pressed.

This type of sealing is suitable for hot and cold filling of the container contents, with or without thermal aftertreatment, pasteurization up to 100 ° C and / or sterilization up to 125 ° C. For products without thermal aftertreatment, the foil seal could be attached 18 also take place in another way, for example by means of an adhesive, preferably a hot glue.

For gripping the grip tab 46 To facilitate, this has an imprint protruding over its underside 52 on that the free rear end 54 the grip tab 46 at a distance from the bottom of the groove 32 holds ( 3 ).

To open the gas-tight with the lid for the first time 2 sealed container 4 ( 4 ), the film seal first becomes 18 peeled off before the lid 2 is lifted from the container ( 5 ). To remove the foil seal 18 becomes the grip tab 46 gripped with two fingers and in the direction of arrow P in 1 withdrawn until ambient air comes through the opening 20 in the cavity 38 in the container 4 occurs and the vacuum inside the container is removed. The click bubble located in the center of the consumer’s field of vision is soaring 22 visible to him and clearly audible upwards with a clear click, so that the maintenance of the tightness of the closure up to this point in time is clearly recognizable both acoustically and visually for the consumer. Then the lid 2 effortlessly from the container 4 be lifted off on its peripheral edge 36 he from a bead protruding inwards over the edge part 56 which is held to the thickened edge 36 reaches from the outside and is pressed against it.

The bead 56 can be as a continuous to the edge part 10 circumferential bead should be formed, as in the 2 . 5 and 7 shown, or in the form of several, for example depending on the lid diameter five to seven equally spaced beads around the circumference 56 as in the 6 and 8th shown, the latter lifting the lid 2 facilitated.

To the risk of cuts at the free lower end of the edge part 10 To minimize this end, either end is rolled inwards or outwards, as for example in 2 and 4 respectively. 6 and 7 at 58 shown.

Claims (17)

Closure cover made of sheet metal for attachment to an opening of a container, in particular for foodstuffs, the container contents of which are to be kept under negative pressure until the cover is opened for the first time, with a closure part spanning the opening and sealing against a peripheral edge of the opening, and an integral part with the closure part connected, surrounding the peripheral edge on its outside edge part, the closure part is provided with a ventilation opening closed by a film seal and the edge part is provided with an inwardly projecting circumferential or interrupted bead which, after the lid is attached to the container, from the outside whose peripheral edge is pressed, characterized in that the closure part ( 8th ) in the middle with a molded-in click bubble ( 22 ) which is provided when the foil seal is removed ( 18 ) from the ventilation opening ( 22 ) skyrockets. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the ventilation opening ( 20 ) eccentric in the closure part ( 8th ) is arranged. Closure cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ventilation opening ( 20 ) outside of the click bubble ( 22 ) is arranged. Closure cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation opening ( 20 ) and the foil seal ( 18 ) between an outer peripheral edge of the click bubble ( 22 ) and one on its underside with a sealing material ( 12 ) provided circumferential sealing edge ( 14 ) of the closure part ( 8th ) is arranged. Closure cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation opening ( 20 ) and the foil seal ( 18 ) in an annular section of the closure part ( 8th ) is arranged, the bottom of the groove ( 32 ) an annular groove ( 30 ) between the outer edge ( 40 ) the click bubble ( 22 ) and the sealing edge ( 14 ) forms. Sealing cover according to claim 5, characterized in that the groove base ( 32 ) with the bubble clicked upwards ( 22 ) essentially parallel to a plane (E) of the top of the raised sealing edge ( 14 ) is. Closure cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film seal ( 18 ) after pulling off the lid ( 2 ) is liable. Closure cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas-tight film seal ( 18 ) consists of aluminum foil or a composite foil. Closure cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film seal ( 18 ) around the ventilation opening ( 20 ) around with the lid ( 2 ) connected sealing part ( 44 ) and one piece with the sealing part ( 44 ) connected grip tab ( 46 ) having. Closure cover according to claim 9, characterized in that the grip tab ( 46 ) on one side over the essentially circular sealing part ( 44 ) with its central axis ( 50 ) essentially perpendicular to a radius (R) through the ventilation opening ( 20 ) is aligned. Closure cover according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the grip tab ( 46 ) and / or the closure part ( 8th ) of the lid ( 2 ) is locally raised, so that one of the sealing part ( 44 ) turned edge ( 54 ) the grip tab ( 46 ) at a distance from the top of the lid ( 2 ) is held. Closure cover according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the closure part ( 8th ) is coated on its upper side at least in some areas with a plastic-containing lacquer that the sealing part ( 44 ) of the foil seal ( 18 ) is coated on its underside with a plastic-containing varnish, and that the two varnishes in the area of the sealing part ( 44 ) are fused together. Closure cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that it is made of aluminum or consists of an aluminum alloy. Closure cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free end of the edge part ( 10 ) is rolled up. Cap according to claim 14, characterized in that the free end of the edge part ( 10 ) is rolled up to the outside. Cap according to claim 14, characterized in that the free end of the edge part ( 10 ) is rolled up inside. Container, in particular containing a foodstuff, with an opening delimited by a circumferential peripheral edge, characterized by an opening on the peripheral edge ( 36 ) attached cover ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, the click bubble ( 22 ) due to a negative pressure inside the container ( 4 ) is held in a retracted position and by pulling off the foil seal ( 18 ) from the ventilation opening ( 20 ) skyrockets.