DE8900367U1 - Closed serving container for liquids, especially condensed milk - Google Patents

Description

Closed storage container for liquids, especially condensed milk

Be.sc_h_reJ.b_u_ng

The invention relates to a closed serving container for liquids, in particular condensed milk, with a hollow base body made of plastic, in the top of which a removable removal opening is provided, and whose downwardly extending container walls run into an approximately horizontal, circumferential base flange which surrounds a filling opening of the container and to which a base which closes the filling opening and is adapted to the outline of the container is attached.

Recently, there has been an increasing trend for condensed milk to be served directly from the sales containers. In addition to an attractive shape, such containers must also have pouring properties that are comparable to conventional milk jugs. They must also be easy to open without liquid leaking out of the inside of the container. For this reason, the tear-off opening is usually kept quite small, so that it is hardly possible to fill the container through the opening due to its size.

In a serving container known from practice, which is also described in DE-OS 33 37 456, the container is filled with the base removed. The base, like the wall material of the container, is also made of a plastic that is approximately the same thickness as the wall material. In practice, this plastic base is ultrasonically welded to the

Bottom flange. This process is relatively difficult to handle and requires expensive machines. It is also possible to glue the bottom in, but this is even more complex and often does not meet the high sealing requirements. Furthermore, the handle and pouring part of the known plastic container are molded into the container wall, which can increase the filling volume of the container, but on the other hand creates dead corners in the container that make pre-cleaning the container difficult, which can have a negative effect on the shelf life of the condensed milk. Pouring the milk out of the known container is also difficult.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a serving container of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular with regard to its handling.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the base is designed in several parts in that a heat-sealable film is sealed onto the base flange, sealing the filling opening, the outside of which is covered by a rigid plastic lid held on the base flange.

This solution considerably simplifies handling the serving container when filling it with milk. The use of heat-sealable films to seal disposable containers is common practice in the packaging industry; however, the heat-sealable films are always used to seal the top of the container. The rigid plastic lid covering the outside of the film and held to the base flange provides mechanical stiffening of the base, which reduces the

heat-sealable film is not capable of, and on the other hand, the film is protected against damage. By separating the sealing function and the stiffening function of the
The bottom is divided into two separate parts, which allows the serving container to be closed after
Filling is very easy. The
the same machines that are used to
conventional disposable cups, such as yoghurt cups
The rigid plastic cover can simply be clamped to the floor flange, as its sealing properties are no longer important. In
The plastic cover I in the
essentially the same wall thickness as the
container walls; it is preferably ay^h, in the same
Material held.

A particularly simple way of attaching the plastic cover to the floor flange is to have a downward-extending
Outer circumference of the plastic coverIs surrounding apron
in which the plastic cover is clamped. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if an inward-facing circumferential locking shoulder is formed on the lower inner edge of the apron, which
Outer ring of the plastic cover. This
A particularly simple installation of the plastic ceiling I s is possible, above all this ensures
that removing the plastic cover by the
end user is avoided. The plastic cover I is
cannot be recognized as such, since the outer edge is covered by the inward-facing locking shoulder of the apron
It would also be possible to discuss the extent
distributed locking lugs that provide the holding function
could guarantee similarly, but then under
Circumstances the outer edge of the plastic cover can be seen.

It is particularly preferred if the plastic lid is S-shaped in cross-section in the outer edge area, with the lower part of the S-shape forming a circumferential support bead and the upper part of the S-protrusion forming the outer edge of the plastic lid, which rests on the base flange and follows the contour of the apron up to the locking shoulder. Since the support bead extends to below the lower edge of the apron, it is possible, for example, to design the container in two colors by giving the plastic lid a different color than the base body of the serving container. In addition, the support bead stiffens the plastic lid. At the same time, the outer edge area with its S-shaped cross-section achieves a radially elastic flexibility of the lid, which makes it easier to insert the plastic lid into the apron.

It is also particularly advantageous if the middle area of the plastic cover I is arranged at a distance from the film. This not only protects the heat-sealable film even better, but also this gap between the film and the plastic cover I achieves a certain insulating effect, which ensures that even if there are only small amounts of milk left in the serving container and the serving container is on the table for a longer period of time, the temperature of the milk does not rise as much as with conventional serving containers, so that the milk stays fresh for longer.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the heat-sealable film is designed as a plastic-laminated metal foil, in particular aluminum foil. These are so-called composite films, which have long been used in the disposable container sector.

The handling of the serving container when pouring out the condensed milk is made considerably easier if the visible opening in the top of the base body is at least partially surrounded by a rim forming a pouring spout that extends upwards beyond the top of the base body. This separates the pouring spout from the tear-open opening - so that a uniform pouring stream can always be formed, which is completely unaffected by whether the opening is cleanly torn open or whether burrs remain there. Since these improved pouring properties also occur when the base is closed in a different way, independent protection is required for the special design and arrangement of the pouring rim.

If the pouring rim is positioned in the edge area of the top where it merges into the container walls, the pouring rim encloses a relatively large area, creating a pouring situation that is very similar to conventional milk jugs made of porcelain or the like.

The pouring properties are further improved if the tear-open removal opening is arranged in the area of the pouring spout and is limited by two interconnected weakening lines running through the material of the top, which run out on the edge of the removal opening facing away from the pouring spout into a common swivel hinge line aligned transversely to the pouring spout. This has a further advantage, namely that the removal opening can be resealed. The removal opening is only torn open in the area of the

both weakenings. The swivel hinge line running across this is also weakened compared to the material on the top, but it is thicker than the weakening lines intended for tearing. The area torn open from the top is thus held to the top via the swivel hinge line and can be swung back into the top when the container is put back in the refrigerator, thus closing the opening for removal. This also ensures a relatively tight resealing, as the material in the area of the weakening lines is slightly stretched when it is torn open, so that a type of sealing lip is formed.

If the two weakening lines, forming a point, converge in a V-shape towards the pouring spout, on the one hand, tearing open the dispensing opening is made easier, since the forces are concentrated on the point at the beginning of the tearing, and on the other hand, the point already causes a pre-bundling of the milk coming out of the dispensing opening, so that pouring can be carried out even more precisely.

It also helps to make tearing easier if a tear ring is attached between the weakening lines in the area of the tip of the tear-open removal opening.

It is particularly advantageous if the base body of the container is essentially made up of two truncated cones arranged one above the other in a stepped manner, with the insides of the container walls enclosing the hollow space being essentially rotationally symmetrical to the vertical axis of the container. This achieves a relatively large, secure base for the serving container, and also

the top, in which the dispensing opening is located, is advantageously made smaller. The stepped arrangement also ensures that a horizontal surface, namely the top of the lower truncated cone, runs around the edge below the pouring edge. This has the advantage that a drop of milk running down the outside of the pouring spout reaches this surrounding surface and dries there without this drop being able to run down the lower truncated cone and dirty the tablecloth. Another significant advantage is that the cavity has no dead corners. If the serving container is therefore rinsed before filling with condensed milk, the probability of condensate remaining inside the container is much lower than with conventional containers, so that the condensed milk in the container lasts longer. Since these advantages also occur when the base is sealed in a way other than with a heat-sealable film, independent protection is also required for the shape of the base body.

The interior becomes even easier to access for rinsing and cleaning if the upper truncated cone is inclined more towards the horizontal than the lower truncated cone.

In order to simplify the stacking of the serving containers before filling, it is advantageous if the upper edge of the pouring edge lies essentially in a common plane that is parallel to the bottom surface of the container. In this way, it is possible to stack the containers that are open at the bottom into one another without having to pay attention to the orientation of the containers around their vertical axis. The upper container rests on the upper inside of the lower truncated cone on the

Upper edge of the pouring rim of the container located below.

It is also beneficial for handling the serving container if a handle is attached to the side of the hollow base body facing away from the pouring spout, the upper edge of which is in the same plane as the upper edge of the pouring rim. Particularly if the pouring rim is not guided through 360°, the upper edge of the handle together with the upper edge of the pouring rim provide even support for the containers stacked one inside the other.

If the radial extension of the pouring rim and handle protruding outwards over the upper truncated cone ends within an imaginary, upwardly extended surface of the lower truncated cone and outside the base of the upper truncated cone, this not only contributes to the favorable stackability, but also ensures that the pouring spout in the pouring rim can be extended outwards as far as possible, while still ending above the top of the lower truncated cone, so that a falling drop falls on this top and cannot run down the outer wall of the container.

In the following, an example of the invention is explained in more detail using a drawing. Shown are:

Fig. 1 shows a serving container according to the invention in a partially sectioned side view, and

Fig. 2 the serving container from Fig. 1 in a top view.

As can best be seen from Fig. 1, the serving container consists of a substantially hollow base body made of plastic. The base body is constructed of two truncated cones 1 and 2 arranged one above the other in a stepped manner, with the upper truncated cone 1 having a significantly smaller average diameter than the lower truncated cone 2. The angle of inclination OC of the upper truncated cone is 15 ° and is thus considerably greater than the inclination of the lower truncated cone 2. In the substantially horizontal, flat upper side 3 of the upper truncated cone

I is provided with a tear-open removal opening 4. The removal opening 4 is, as can be seen better in Fig. 2, surrounded by a pouring edge 5, which runs forward into a pouring spout 6. Strictly speaking, the rubble and 5 is arranged on the outer edge of the top 3, where the top 3 merges into the downwardly sloping container walls 7. Diametrically opposite the pouring spout 6 is a truncated cone 2 on the top of the lower cone and on the outer wall of the upper

A handle 8 is provided for the truncated cone 1. The upper edge 9 of the handle 8 and the upper edge 10 of the pouring rim 5 lie in a common, also horizontal plane. The radial extension of the handle 8 and the pouring rim 5 goes so far that the handle 8 and the :? pouring rim 5 are still within the upwardly extended

P lateral surface of the lower truncated cone 2.

As can be seen particularly well in Fig. 2, the removal opening 4 is delimited by two weakening lines 11 that converge in a V shape in the direction of the pouring spout 6. At their rear end, the weakening lines 11 are connected to a transversely running swivel hinge line 12. The weakening lines

II and the swivel hinge line 12 differ in

essentially only because the material thickness in the area of the weakening lines is less than in the area of the swivel hinge line. A tear ring 13, which is known per se, is attached to the tip of the triangle formed by the weakening lines 11 and the swivel hinge line 12, which is facing the pouring spout 6. With this ring, the triangle can be torn open, starting at the tip and then along the weakening lines 11, without damaging the swivel hinge line 12 running transversely to it. This means that this triangle can be used to re-seal the removal opening by simply swiveling it back.

If you follow the container walls 7 further downwards, you will see that the container walls 7 end at the bottom in a radially outward-extending, approximately horizontal, circumferential base flange 14 which surrounds a filling opening of the container. This filling opening of the container is closed by a base adapted to the outline of the container. This base is made up of several parts and consists of a heat-sealable film 15 sealed onto the base flange 14, sealing the filling opening, and a rigid plastic lid 16 covering the film at the bottom. The heat-sealable film in this embodiment is a commonly used aluminum foil.

The outer circumference of the base flange 14 is adjoined by a skirt 17 extending downwards and surrounding the outer circumference of the cover 16, into which the plastic cover 16 is clamped. On the lower inner edge of the skirt 17, an inward-facing, circumferential locking shoulder door 18 is formed, which engages under the outer edge 19.

In the cross-sectional view in Fig. 1, it is clearly visible that the plastic cover 16 is S-shaped in cross-section in the outer edge area (see right half of Fig. 1). The upper part of the S-shape forms the outer edge, which on the one hand rests against the film 15 sealed onto the base flange and on the other hand extends parallel to the skirt 17 to the locking shoulder 18. The outer edge 19 is also slightly truncated cone-shaped. The lower part of the S-shape is designed as a circumferential support bead 20, which extends to below the lower edge of the skirt 17 and on which the container stands. The middle area of the cover 16 is arranged offset upwards from the lower edge of the support bead, but is spaced from the underside of the film 15. This not only improves the protective function of the deck ice, but at the same time creates an air space that contributes to insulating the floor.

The S-shaped design of the outer edge area of the cover 16 not only increases its torsional rigidity, but also allows a certain radial elastic flexibility, which facilitates the insertion of the cover 16 into the apron 17.

It should also be added that due to the two truncated cones 1 and 2 arranged one above the other, the inner cavity of the container is essentially rotationally symmetrical about the vertical axis of the container. The container itself, as well as the plastic lid 16, can be manufactured by injection molding.

The handling of the serving container is explained in more detail below.

When the base bodies have been manufactured and need to be temporarily stored before filling, it is important that the containers can be stored in a space-saving manner. Fig. 1 shows how the containers can be stacked one inside the other. The containers can be stacked without having to pay attention to any particular orientation of the containers around their vertical axis.

When the containers are to be filled, they are taken out of the stack and turned so that the bottom side faces upwards. Turned in this way, the container is filled from above, after which the film 15 is sealed onto the bottom flange 14. The plastic cover I 16 is then inserted into the apron so that its outer edge 19 snaps into place behind the locking shoulder 18. It is then no longer possible to remove the plastic cover I 16.

The serving container filled in this way is then sold to the retail trade and from there to the end consumer. The serving container is ready to serve, i.e. it can be placed on the table without having to be poured into another container. If you want to use the container, you tear open the removal opening 4 by pulling the tear ring 13 upwards. This releases the approximately triangular-shaped removal opening 4. The container can now be handled like a normal porcelain milk jug by grasping it by the handle δ and pouring the milk in the container into a coffee cup or the like. The milk initially comes out of the discharge opening 4 and, bundled by the pouring rim 5, reaches the pouring spout 6. This pouring spout 6, which is completely smooth and not disturbed by any tear edges of the discharge opening in the surface, guarantees

a smooth pouring stream, so that spilling of the milk is practically impossible. The container is then placed back on the table so that it stands upright on the table with the support bead. If a drop of milk remains on the pouring spout 6, it only reaches the top of the lower truncated cone 2, which is horizontal, and dries there. This prevents the drop of milk from running further along the lower container wall 7 and possibly soiling the tablecloth.

The container that is not completely emptied and is usually stored in the refrigerator can be resealed because the triangle bordered by the weakening lines 11 and closing the removal opening 4 can be swung back until it is in the plane of the top 3. This means that an opened milk container can be stored in the refrigerator for some time without the milk spoiling.

Claims (16)

Closed serving container for liquids, especially condensed milk SjÜiy. £ £&Agr;&OHgr;.&Zgr; QlSlSLh. § 1. Closed serving container for liquids, in particular condensed milk, with a hollow base body made of plastic, in the top of which container (3) a tear-open removal opening (4) is provided, and whose downwardly extending container walls (7) run into an approximately horizontal, circumferential base flange (14) which surrounds a filling opening of the container and to which a base is attached which closes the filling opening and is adapted to the outline of the container, characterized in that the base is designed in several parts, in that a heat-sealable film (15) which seals the filling opening is sealed onto the base flange (14), the outside of which is covered by a rigid plastic lid held on the base flange (14). (16) is covered. 2. Serving container according to claim 1, characterized in that on the outer circumference of the base flange (14) there is a downwardly extending apron surrounding the outer circumference of the plastic cover (16). (17) into which the plastic cover I (16) is clamped. 3. Serving container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the lower inner edge of the apron (17) an inwardly directed, circumferential locking shoulder (18) is formed, which engages the outer edge (19) of the plastic cover (16). 4. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plastic lid (16) is S-shaped in cross-section in the outer edge area, wherein the lower part of the S-shape forms a circumferential support bead (20) and the upper part of the S-shape forms the outer edge (19) of the plastic lid (16), which rests against the base flange (14) and follows the contour of the apron (17) up to the locking shoulder (18). 5. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the middle region of the plastic cover (16) is arranged at a distance from the film (15). 6. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heat-sealable film (15) is designed as a plastic-laminated metal foil, in particular aluminum _foil . 7. Serving container for liquids, with a tearable removal opening arranged on the top, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tearable removal opening (4) in the top of the base body is at least partially surrounded by a pouring rim (5) forming a pouring spout (6) which extends upwards beyond the top (3) of the base body. 8. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pouring rim (5) is arranged in the edge region of the upper side (3) where it merges into the container walls (7). 9. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tearable Removal opening (4) is arranged in the area of the pouring spout (6) and is delimited by two interconnected weakening lines (11) running in the material of the upper side (3), which run out on the edge side of the removal opening (4) facing away from the pouring spout (6) into a common pivoting hinge line (12) aligned transversely to the pouring spout (6). 10. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the two weakening lines, forming a point, converge in a V-shape towards the pouring spout (6). 11. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a tear-open ring (13) is attached between the weakening lines (11) in the region of the tip of the tearable removal opening (4). 12. Serving container with a base body enclosing a cavity, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the base body of the container is essentially formed from two truncated cones (1, 2) arranged one above the other in a step-like manner, the inner sides of the container inner walls (7) enclosing the cavity being essentially rotationally symmetrical to the vertical axis of the container. 13. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper truncated cone (1) is inclined more towards the horizontal than the lower truncated cone (2). 14. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the upper edge C10) of the pour-out edge lies essentially in a common plane which is parallel to the bottom surface of the container. 15. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that on the side of the hollow base body facing away from the pouring spout (6) a handle (8) is attached, the upper edge (9) of which lies in the same plane as the upper edge (10) of the pouring rim (5). 16. Serving container according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the radial extension of the pouring edge (5) and handle (8) projecting outward beyond the upper truncated cone (1) ends within an imaginary, upwardly extended lateral surface of the lower truncated cone (2) and outside the base surface of the upper truncated cone (1).