EP0447329B1 - Plastic tray cover - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an improved plastic container lid.

It is well known to produce plastic trays closed by a lid and intended to contain a wide variety of food products, such as for example butter. To date, more generally, the cover consists of a central plate and a peripheral rim in the shape of an inverted U defining two branches, respectively external and internal connected by a portion, the internal branch being connected in turn to the tray. The peripheral rim of the cover is intended to be fitted onto the corresponding rim of the tray. Although very widely used, this solution still has the drawback that it is sometimes difficult to remove the cover once it has been placed on the tray. This operation is more difficult when the tray is kept cold such as for example in a refrigerator.

The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It is aimed at a cover of the type in question which is easy to produce, does not require modification of the molding materials, allows the possibility of receiving labels, but does not present the opening difficulties mentioned above.

• en ce que la portion de raccordement des deux branches du U présente une fente qui s'étend sur partie essentielle de toute la périphérie du rebord, en définissant ainsi deux lèvres disposées en regard ;
• et en ce que cette fente présente :
  • . de part en part, des portions sécables reliant les deux lèvres ;
  • . d'un côté du couvercle, un ergot de préhension solidaire de la lèvre reliée à la branche interne, donc au plateau ;
  • . du côté opposé à celui présentant cet ergot, deux portions reliant les deux lèvres de la fente et formant ainsi charnière.

The plastic tray cover according to the invention, constituted by a central plate and a peripheral rim in the shape of an inverted U defining two branches, respectively external and internal connected by a portion, and whose internal branch is in turn connected to the tray, said peripheral rim being intended to be fitted onto the rim corresponding to the tray, is characterized :

• in that the connection portion of the two branches of the U has a slot which extends over an essential part of the entire periphery of the rim, thereby defining two lips arranged opposite;
• and in that this slot presents:
  • . right through, breakable portions connecting the two lips;
  • . on one side of the cover, a gripping lug secured to the lip connected to the internal branch, therefore to the plate;
  • . on the side opposite to that having this lug, two portions connecting the two lips of the slot and thus forming a hinge.

• la lèvre solidaire de la branche externe présente un dégagement disposé en face de l'ergot de préhension pour ainsi en faciliter l'accès ;
• les lèvres de la fente disposées entre les deux portions formant charnière, comportent une butée venue de moulage, destinée à maintenir le couvercle en position ouverte.

Advantageously, in practice:

• the integral lip of the external branch has a clearance disposed in front of the gripping lug so as to facilitate access thereto;
• the lips of the slot disposed between the two hinge portions, comprise a stop coming from molding, intended to maintain the cover in the open position.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the embodiment which follows, with the support of the appended figures.

Figure 1 shows seen from above, a cover according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a summary isometric representation of a tray intended to receive this characteristic cover.

Figure 3 shows in isometric view a cover according to the invention shown in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a summary section view along the axis IV-IV 'of FIG. 1.

The cover according to the invention designated by the general reference (1), is intended to be fitted onto a tray designated by the general reference (2) shown in FIG. 2, which comprises a flange (3), with a lip (4 ) directed outwards and on which said cover (1) is fitted. The cover (1) and the tray (2) are produced in a known manner, in particular by molding, in suitable plastic material depending on the end use envisaged, such as for example polypropylene or high density polyethylene. The cover usually comprises a central plate (10), intended for example to receive a label, and a peripheral rim (11) defining two branches, respectively external (12) and internal (13) connected by a portion, designated by the general reference (14). The internal branch (13) is connected at (15) to the plate (10).

According to the invention, the connection portion (14) of the peripheral rim (11) of the two branches of the U (12,13), has a slot (16) which extends over an essential part of the entire periphery of this rim ( 10), more precisely of this portion (14), thus defining two facing lips (17,18). This slot (16) also has through and through breakable points (20-25) regularly spaced and coming from molding, initially connecting the two lips (17,18).

According to another characteristic of the invention, one of the long sides (26) of the cover has a lug or a gripping tab (30), also molded, secured to the internal lip (17) and by way of Consequently, connected to the internal branch (13), therefore to the plate (10). Advantageously, at this height, a clearance (40) is provided on the external lip (18) intended to facilitate access to the lug (30).

According to another characteristic of the invention, the side (31) opposite (26) has two portions, respectively (32) and (33) spaced, connecting the two lips (17,18) of the slot (16) for thus form a hinge. Advantageously, at the location of the two connecting portions (32,33), the thickness is less. In a preferred embodiment of the hinge, the internal lip (17) has a stop (34) also molded, intended to facilitate holding the cover in the open position.

In an advantageous embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the internal face of the external branch (12) has an annular lug (41) intended to come to cooperate with the external lip (4) of the rim (3) of the tray ( 2) to properly maintain the cover.

It is easily understood that the characteristic cover (1) of the invention can be produced under conditions completely identical to the current molding conditions, without modifying the injection presses. The fitting of the cover is also carried out in the traditional way, after possibly having affixed a label on the plate (10).

When the user wishes to open the tray (2), he just has to grasp the lug (30) and pull it upwards, thereby breaking the breakable points (20-25). The cover is then hinged around the portions (31,32) which form a hinge (see Figure 3).

There is thus a convenient access to the contents of the container (2). When the user has finished drawing the food he needs, he folds the tray (10) around the hinge (31,32) and thus fits the internal lip (13) on the rim (3) of the tray which is then closed. The operation can be repeated several times without difficulty.

This arrangement thus facilitates access to the contents of the tray (2).

In addition, the breakable points (25) constitute a characteristic of inviolability considered sometimes useful.

• la facilité d'ouverture du couvercle ;
• la simplicité de réalisation tant en ce qui concerne l'opération de moulage que la conception des outillages, ce qui se traduit par un prix de revient économique ;
• la facilité de mise en place du couvercle lors du conditionnement sans faire appel à des précautions spéciales ou un équipement spécial, ce qui se traduit également par une économie appréciable ;
• le fait que le couvercle reste en position ouverte verticale grâce à la présence des crans situés à côté des charnières, et ce sans entraîner de gêne pour l'utilisateur ;
• comme le couvercle reste attaché à la barquette, il n'est pas sali ni perdu en cours de manipulation ;
• une fermeture aisée et rapide après chaque utilisation ;
• une conception qui fait qu'après chaque ouverture et fermeture, on assure à l'ensemble une bonne étanchéité, ce qui évite de faire appel à des suremballages, d'où gain de place et économie et meilleure hygiène.

The tray lid according to the invention has many advantages over the solutions known to date. We can cite :

• the ease of opening the cover;
• the simplicity of production both with regard to the molding operation and the design of the tools, which results in an economic cost price;
• the ease of fitting the cover during packaging without the need for special precautions or special equipment, which also results in appreciable savings;
• the fact that the cover remains in the vertical open position thanks to the presence of the notches located next to the hinges, without causing discomfort to the user;
• as the lid remains attached to the tray, it is not soiled or lost during handling;
• easy and quick closing after each use;
• a design which means that after each opening and closing, the assembly is ensured a good seal, which avoids the need for overpacks, thereby saving space and saving money and improving hygiene.

Although the invention has been described in its application to food trays, its use is not limited to this preferred embodiment.

Claims (3)

1. Plastic cover (1) for container (2), comprising a central cover plate (10) having a peripherical flange (11) in the form of a U-inverted shaped cross-section, defining two arms, respectively outer (12) and inner (13) which are connected by a portion (14), the inner arm (13) being integral with the plate (10), said peripherical flange (11) being adapted to snap onto a corresponding flange (3) of the container (2), characterized :

   - that the joining portion (14) of the two arms (12,13) of the U includes a slot (16) which extends through substantially the entire periphery of the flange (14), thereby defining two opposite lips (17,18) ;

   - and that this slot (16) comprises :

   . several spaced tab-spots (20-25) connecting the two lips (17,18) ;

   . on one side (26) of the cover (10), a gripping tab (30) integral with the lip (17) linked to the inner arm (13) thus to the plate (10) ;

   . on the side (31) opposite to this one (30) comprising this gripping tab (30), two portions (32,33) linking the two lips (17,18) of the slot (16) thereby forming hinge.
2. Cover according to claim 1, characterized that the lip (18) integral with the outer arm (12) comprises a clearance (40) opposite to the gripping tab (30), to facilitate access to the gripping tab.
3. Cover according to any claims 1 and 2, charaterized that the two lips (17,18) of the slot (16) located between the two hinge portions (32,33) comprise a stop (34) for maintaining the cover in its open position.

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