DE202023103175U1 - Container system with information device - Google Patents

Abstract

Container system (1), comprising:
a container (2) for containing a content;
an information device (4) for displaying information (5) about the contents of the container; and
a holding device (6) connected to the container system (1), wherein:
the holding device (6) is arranged on an outside of the container system (1),
the holding device (6) is designed to hold the information device (4) on the container system (1), and
the information device (4) interacts with the holding device (6) in such a way that the information device (4) is held in the holding device (6) by gravity (S).

Description

field of invention

The present invention relates to a container system with an information device, an information device for a container system and a container for use in a container system.

Technical background

Food that is ready to eat and/or drink is increasingly being offered to take away, e.g. by restaurants, cafes or other sales outlets. For this purpose, the food is often packed in disposable packaging, which can lead to a large amount of waste. In order to conserve resources and reduce the pollution of the environment with waste, there is a desire among customers for sustainable packaging. In addition, there are more and more laws intended to limit the use of disposable packaging. There is thus an increasing need to provide sustainable, recyclable and/or reusable packaging for food.

Known reusable packaging mostly consists of a container and a lid, which in particular can be dishwasher-safe, so that they can be cleaned particularly easily. In order to mark the contents of the packaging, however, labels are mostly stuck on, which have to be removed before cleaning and are not reusable themselves. In particular, when groceries are sold by retailers to end customers, there may be an obligation to label the contents of the container. A corresponding label can, for example, contain information about ingredients, production date, best-before date, selling price, allergens, etc.

Known information devices or labels are usually glued directly to the container or the lid. The disadvantage here can be that such labels are often difficult to remove and the containers are therefore often thrown away. On the other hand, easily removable labels can have the disadvantage that they don't stick well and can get lost.

From the DE 600 04 701 T2 a container labeling system is known. The one taken from this document 1a rear shows a flower pot 10, on the side wall 11 of which a curved wall area 15 is arranged at the top in order to form a curved slot 17. In this slot 17 an in 1b and 1c label shown with the associated information must be inserted. The label is secured in slot 17 by barbs 18 and ribs 21 .

Technical task

Proceeding from the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container system with an information device that is improved compared to the prior art. In particular, the information device should be reusable and particularly easy to attach to the container.

solution of the task

According to one aspect of the present invention, a containment system according to claim 1 is provided. According to a second aspect of the present invention, an information device according to claim 18 is provided. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a container according to claim 21 is provided. Further aspects of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the following description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

A container system according to the invention comprises a container for receiving a content and an information device. For example, the container may be a substantially cylindrical vessel having a bottom and a peripheral side wall, where the bottom may be circular or oval, for example. Alternatively, the container may be in the shape of a bowl, such that the bottom and side wall may be a curved surface, particularly in the shape of a spherical shell (e.g. hemisphere).

An upper edge of the side wall forms an opening of the container. The opening can also be circular or oval.

Alternatively, the container can essentially have the shape of a parallelepiped or a cube. Correspondingly, the bottom and the opening can be rectangular or square. The preferred forms of the container mentioned here are not to be understood as limiting. According to preferred embodiments, the container may have other convenient shapes.

A preferred container system includes a lid for closing the container. In particular, the lid can be detachably attached to the upper edge of the side wall in order to close the opening of the container. Depending on the shape of the container, the lid can be, for example, circular, oval, rectangular or polygonal. In In preferred embodiments, another container can serve as the lid of a container. Correspondingly, the container system can preferably comprise a multiplicity of stackable containers. If the container system has a plurality of containers that can be stacked, a first container can serve as a lid for a second container, for example.

The container and/or the lid are each preferably reusable. Correspondingly, containers and/or lids can preferably be dishwasher-safe, so that they can be cleaned and reused particularly easily.

The cover itself can have an opening which can preferably be closed. For example, the opening in the lid may allow a user to drink from the container without removing the lid.

The container system includes an information device for displaying information about the contents of the container. The information can be printed and/or written, for example.

Preferably, the information can include text and/or images. The information can include, for example, information about ingredients, manufacturer, date of manufacture, best-before date, allergens, place of manufacture, batch number, etc. Furthermore, for example, a barcode and/or a QR code or the like and/or a brand can be displayed on the information device.

Preferably, the information on the information device can be removable, so that the information device is reusable. For example, the information device can have a surface that enables an imprint or a written text to be easily wiped off.

The information device can preferably be made of a material that includes paper and/or cardboard and/or plastic and/or metal.

A holding device for receiving and holding the information device is arranged on the container system. The holding device can be arranged on the container and/or on the lid. The information device interacts with the holding device in such a way that the information device is held in the holding device by gravity. The information device can thus be received and held by the holding device in a particularly simple and repeatable manner. This makes it easier, for example, to replace the information device.

The holding device is arranged on an outside of the container and/or the lid. In particular, the holding device can be arranged on a peripheral edge of the container and/or the lid.

The holding device has a bulge with an opening on the outside of the container and/or the lid. The opening serves to accommodate the information device. In other words, the information device can be inserted into the opening of the holding device and is then held by gravity. Thus, easy placement and replacement of the information device is possible.

Holding device and container or holding device and lid can preferably be designed in one piece. In particular, these one-piece components can be produced in an injection molding process. The container or the lid can thus be produced in large quantities in a particularly cost-effective manner.

The information device preferably has an upper section and a lower section. The lower section preferably serves to insert the information device into the opening. For example, the lower section and the opening are designed in such a way that the information device can be inserted into the opening with the lower section first. The upper section preferably serves to hold the information device in the bulge. For example, part of the upper section can rest on the bulge and prevent slipping through the opening. For example, the opening may be in the form of a simple slit.

The information device has in particular the form of a flat, in particular essentially rectangular, card. The card-shaped information device preferably comprises an upper section with a projection and a lower section with an area for displaying the information.

A width of the lower section is preferably smaller than a width of the opening of the holding device. Consequently, the information device can be inserted through the opening with the lower section. Furthermore, a width of the upper portion at the projection is preferably larger than the width of the opening of the holder. The projection thus prevents the information device from completely passing through the opening falls through. In the held state, the projection can preferably rest on the bulge of the holding device and the information device is held by gravity.

The information device is preferably designed in such a way that a center of mass of the information device is located below the holding device when the information device is completely inserted into the opening or when the information device is held by the bulge. The direction of gravity points downwards. If the center of mass of the information device lies below the holding device, a stable position of the information device in the holding device can be ensured.

The center of mass of the information device may preferably be in a range between 0.25 cm and 6 cm below a lower edge of the support device when the information device is supported by the support device.

Particularly preferably, the center of mass can be about 1 to 4 cm below the lower edge of the holding device.

The container can preferably be designed to hold liquids. For example, the container can be a reusable coffee mug. In addition, the container can be designed to hold food. In particular, the container can be a bowl or dish or a dinner plate, which can in particular be partitioned.

According to a preferred embodiment, the container may have a shape adapted to receive a pizza. In particular, the container can thus have a flat shape, with the bottom of the container being able to be, in particular, circular or square.

character list

Further advantageous configurations are described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings and to which the invention is not restricted, however.

• 1A-C ein aus dem Stand der Technik bekanntes Behältersystem mit einer Informationseinrichtung;
• 2 ein Beispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Behältersystems mit einer Informationseinrichtung;
• 3 ein weiteres Beispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Behältersystems mit einer Informationseinrichtung;
• 4 ein anderes Beispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Behältersystems mit einer Informationseinrichtung;
• 5 eine Detailansicht einer Halteeinrichtung mit einer Informationseinrichtung.

They show schematically:

• 1A-C a container system known from the prior art with an information device;
• 2 an example of a container system according to the invention with an information device;
• 3 a further example of a container system according to the invention with an information device;
• 4 another example of a container system according to the invention with an information device;
• 5 a detailed view of a holding device with an information device.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the same reference symbols designate the same or comparable components.

2a 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a container system 1 according to the invention. The container system 1 comprises a slightly conical, cylindrical container 2 for accommodating a content, in particular food, which can be closed by a lid 7 . The container 2 has a peripheral side wall, a bottom and an opening for filling. The container 2 can be made of glass, metal or plastic, for example. The lid 7 has a circumferential groove which can be pressed onto the edge of the side wall in order to close the container 2 in a substantially airtight and/or liquid-tight manner so that the contents can be prevented from leaking out.

A holding device 6 for receiving and holding an information device 4 is arranged on the peripheral edge on the outside of the cover 7 . The holding device 6 is later based on 5 described in more detail.

The information device 4 is here a substantially rectangular card with a projection at the top and is used to display information 5 about the contents of the container.

2 B shows two modifications of the first embodiment. In the left figure the 2 B the holding device 6 is arranged on the peripheral edge of a side wall of the container in the vicinity of the opening. In the right figure the 2 B holding devices 6 are arranged both on the cover 7 and on the container 2 .

3a and 3b show further exemplary embodiments of the container system according to the invention 1. In 3 the container 2 is designed as a partitioned menu plate. The arrangement of the holding device 6 essentially corresponds to the examples in FIG 2 .

4a and 4b show further exemplary embodiments of the container system according to the invention 1. In 4 the container 2 is designed as a coffee mug. The container 2 can of course also be used to hold other liquids. The arrangement of the holding device 6 essentially corresponds to the examples in FIG 2 and 3 .

5 shows a detailed view of the holding device 6. The holding device 6 is arranged here in each case on the peripheral edge of the lid 7 and the container 2. The holding device comprises a bulge 8 with a slit-shaped opening 9. A substantially rectangular card-shaped information device 4 is inserted into the opening 9. FIG.

The information device 4 indicates in 5 an upper portion 4a and a lower portion 4b. In order to hold the information device 4 in the holding device 6, the lower section 4b was inserted into the opening 9. The upper section 4a comprises a projection 4c for holding the information device 4 in the bulge 8. More precisely, the projection 4c rests on the bulge 8 and prevents slipping. The information device is held by gravity S, which is pointing downwards here.

A width w2 of the lower section 4b is smaller than a width of the opening 9 of the holding device 6, so that the information device 4 can be inserted through the opening 9 with the lower section 4b first. A width of the upper section 4a at the projection 4c is greater than the width of the opening 9 of the holding device 6, so that the projection 4c rests on the bulge 8 or on the edge around the opening 9, so that the information device 4 is held by gravity S in the holding device 6.

If the information device 4 as in 5 fully inserted into the opening 9 or when the information device 4 is held by the bulge 8, the center of mass M of the information device 4 is below the holding device 6. In the example shown, the center of mass M of the information device 4 is approximately in a range between 0.25 cm and 1 cm below a lower edge of the holding device 6.

In the 5 The information device 4 shown is printed with information 5 that preferably describes the “contents” of the container 2 .

The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings can be important both individually and in any combination for the implementation of the invention in its various configurations.

Reference List

1

container system

2

container

4

information facility

5

information

6

holding device

7

Lid

8th

bulge

9

opening

S

gravity

M

center of mass

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 60004701 T2 [0005]

Claims (21)

Container system (1), comprising: a container (2) for containing a content; an information device (4) for displaying information (5) about the contents of the container; and a holding device (6) connected to the container system (1), wherein: the holding device (6) is arranged on an outside of the container system (1), the holding device (6) is designed to hold the information device (4) on the container system (1), and the information device (4) interacts with the holding device (6) in such a way that the information device (4) is held in the holding device (6) by gravity (S). Container system (1) according to claim 1 , further comprising a lid (7) for closing the container (2). Container system (1) according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the holding device (6) is arranged on an outside of the container (2) and/or the lid (7). Container system (1) according to claim 3 , wherein: the holding device (6) has a bulge (8) with an opening (9) on the outside of the container (2) and/or the lid (7), and the opening (9) is designed to accommodate the information device (4). Container system (1) according to claim 4 , wherein the holding device (6) and the container (2) or the holding device (6) and the lid (7) are formed in one piece. Container system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the information device (4) has an upper section (4a) and a lower section (4b), the lower portion (4b) serves to insert the information device (4) into the opening (9), and the upper section (4a) serves to hold the information device (4) in the bulge (8). Container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information device (4) is designed in such a way that the center of mass (M) of the information device (4) is below the holding device (6) when the information device (4) is completely inserted into the opening (9) or when the information device (4) is held by the bulge (8). Container system (1) after claim 7 , wherein the center of mass (M) of the information device (4) is in a range between 0.25 cm and 6 cm below a lower edge of the holding device (6). Container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the information device (4) can be written and/or printed with information (5). Container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the information (5) on the information device (4) can be removed, so that the information device (4) can be reused. Container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the information device (4) is made of paper and/or cardboard and/or plastic. Container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) is designed to hold liquids. Container system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 11 , wherein the container (2) is designed to hold food. Container system (1) according to Claim 13 , wherein the container (2) is designed as a bowl or menu plate. Container system (1) according to Claim 13 , wherein the container (2) is designed for receiving a pizza. Container system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container system (1) has a plurality of containers (2) which can be stacked, so that a first container (2) serves as a lid (7) for a second container (2). Container system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the container (2) is a reusable container (2); and or the lid (7) is a reusable lid (7). Information device (4) for a container system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 17 . Information device (4) after Claim 18 wherein: the informing device (4) is in the form of a flat card, and the informing device (4) has a top portion (4a) with a projection (4c) and a lower section (4b) having an area for displaying the information (5). Information device (4) after claim 19 , wherein: a width of the lower portion (4b) is smaller than a width of the opening (9) of the holding device (6), and a width of the upper portion (4a) at the projection (4c) is larger than the width of the opening (9) of the holding device (6). Container (2) for use in a container system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 17 .

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