EP0600350A1 - Package made of plastics - Google Patents

Abstract

A package made of plastics and consisting of a beaker-shaped or dish-shaped container and a lid set up for reclosure after the initial opening of the container is provided with means for indicating the original closure state of the container. These means have at least one moulded-on pin which is arranged on the container (1) and/or the lid (2) as the one part and, in the original closure state when the lid (2) is fitted on, projects through a corresponding opening (19) on the respective other part and is riveted to the other part at the end. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a packaging made of plastic, consisting of a cup-shaped or bowl-shaped container and a lid which can be placed thereon and is arranged for reclosing after the container has been opened for the first time, with means cooperating with the container and the lid being provided for indicating the original closed state of the container .

Packaging of this type made of plastic material is widely used in the most varied of embodiments. They all have a small wall thickness and are manufactured using the thermoforming process from plastic film, the blow molding process or also using the injection molding process.

Particularly when it comes to packaging food, but also for other everyday items, manufacturers place great value on the fact that after the filled packaging has been sold off the retail shelves, the end user has a packaging in his hands that still bears the original closure. The packaging that has not been opened guarantees the hygiene and quality of the packaged food, the correspondingly defined quantities of non-food items, etc.

In order to ensure the original closed state of the packaging, special measures are required for such plastic packaging ("tamper-evident closure"), for which a number of different construction principles are used in practice.

It is known, in the case of so-called blister packs, to seal or weld a blister card or a rear wall made of plastic onto a deep-drawn plastic part. Similarly, for example, when packaging meat salad and the like. Easily perishable food is sealed on a container made of plastic, a sealing plate made of aluminum or from the container material, which means that the sealing plate is applied under the action of pressure and heat so that it is usually easily peeled off, but not after the first opening more can be sealed with the container. The blister pack damaged or destroyed when it is opened for the first time, or the at least partially removed sealing plate, clearly indicate to the consumer that the packaging is no longer in the original closed state. While the contents of the packaging are properly protected if the original locking condition is intact, temporary locking is required packaging after opening for the first time is no longer possible. In cases in which a temporary reclosure is required, a separate reclosure lid must be added to the packaging, which means an additional expense in terms of costs and packaging.

In addition, when using a sealing film made of aluminum or another material that is alien to the material of the container, there is the disadvantage that the packaging then becomes a two-substance packaging, which runs counter to the efforts that are increasingly coming to the fore today to simply recycle the packaging material.

More favorable conditions with regard to the reuse of the used packaging material result from other known plastic packaging which consist of a plastic container or lower part and a plastic lid, the original closed condition being ensured by a self-adhesive label which is glued to the lid and the container. There are also embodiments in use in which the lid edge is designed so that it closes vertically with the cup edge so tightly that the lid can not be detached from the container without using a handle hole provided, which in the original closed state by a Label or a plastic band is closed. The basic disadvantage of these solutions is, on the one hand, that it is difficult to design a self-adhesive label in such a way that it cannot be carefully removed and reattached, and, on the one hand, that a foreign material is introduced into the packaging through the label.

Finally, there are also plastic packaging in which a lid is put on the container, which is locked to the container by appropriate design of the container and / or lid edge. The lid can only be removed from the container when it is opened for the first time after a lower lid edge region adjoining a predetermined breaking line has been pulled off. In order to rule out that this tamper-evident closure is outwitted by a user by elastically pressing the container wall inwards until the cover can be removed without tearing off the lower edge of the cover, the container must have a relatively stable wall. Such containers are often quite acceptable, for example in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic field, but they are out of the question because of the cost of packaging many common foods.

Finally, it is also known to provide the lid with a tear-open flap in such plastic packaging, which is torn open or torn off at a defined predetermined breaking point when it is opened for the first time. Lids designed in this way can generally only be produced by injection molding; they are too costly for many purposes.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a plastic packaging which is characterized by the most secure and inexpensive solution possible to the problem of the so-called tamper-evident closure.

To achieve this object, the packaging mentioned at the outset is characterized according to the invention in that the means for displaying the original closed state have at least one on the container and / or the lid have as one part arranged molded pin, which protrudes in the original closed state when the cover is placed through a corresponding opening on the other part and is riveted at the end to the other part.

The spigot can be solid or preferably in the form of a hollow spigot, with the end being provided with a rivet head spanning the opening. In the case of a hollow pin, the riveting can be carried out by means of a mandrel, so that a rivet head results which widens outwards in a funnel shape.

The arrangement is such that when the container is closed, the at least one pin is riveted, so that the undamaged pin can easily be seen that the original closed state is still preserved. When opening the container for the first time, the pin is either torn off - for which purpose it may have a predetermined breaking point - or the diameter of the opening is matched to the "rivet head" in such a way that the lid is still removed when it is opened, but then not when it is replaced can be riveted again. After opening the lid for the first time, the consumer then sees that the opening sits on the rivet head, which means that the original closed state is no longer present.

The new packaging is characterized by the fact that the tamper-evident seal does not require any additional foreign substances or parts. The secured packaging remains in two parts without additional connection aids such as labels and the like. Since the at least one pin is formed from the material of the container and / or the lid, it is ensured that the packaging is a Single-material packaging is, which can be produced in a known manner from easily recyclable plastics, for example polypropylene.

At the same time, the production of the packaging parts, namely the container and the lid including the new tamper-evident closure, is possible without a significant increase in the manufacturing time, so that there is also no significant increase in cost compared to known packaging without such tamper-evident closure. The packaging can be produced and processed on the conventional packaging machines without the need for new purchases or additional units which are expensive. Since the pins have a relatively small diameter and can be arranged at any appropriate point on the container and / or the lid, the inventive idea is also not tied to a specific container or lid shape. Cases are also conceivable in which at least one such pin is arranged, for example, on the side wall of the container and interacts with an overlapping tab or overlapping edge of the cover, which contains the respectively assigned opening.

While in the known heat sealing of an aluminum or plastic sealing plate, heat has to be supplied to the container to produce a tamper-evident closure, which heat must then be removed immediately, in order to prevent food from spoiling, in particular, the small pins can be practically thermal without any appreciable Stress on the packaging material. Depending on the packaging material used, this riveting can be done cold or hot. Of course, the new packaging can be printed without problems or decorated with labels, without being hampered by this the cones or their riveting would occur.

Each of the pins can be designed in cross-section as desired; It is useful if it is cylindrical. In a preferred embodiment, each of the pegs is aligned substantially at right angles to the container edge, in order to ensure, in the usual vertical placement of the lid on the filled container, that the peg easily finds its way into the associated opening of the other part.

As already noted, the choice of the appropriate location for the arrangement of the pin or pins depends on the design of the container and the lid. In the case of the usual cup-shaped or bowl-shaped containers, it is generally advantageous if riveted pins are provided on at least two sides of the container edge that are opposite one another.

However, there are also packaging designs that are provided with a pull tab, for example, and in which it then makes sense to arrange at least one riveted pin in such a pull tab.

The demand is often made that the lid must be able to be put back on the container after the first opening in order to be able to use up the contents of the container gradually. Nevertheless, the consumer must know that the packaging has already been opened. In order to achieve this, the lid can have a circumferential sealing lip facing the interior of the container, which sealingly rests on a sealing surface of the container when the lid is attached. As a rule, the width of the sealing lip measured in the direction of the container depth is one predetermined dimension greater than the length of the riveted pin to ensure that when reclosing after the first opening of the container, the sealing lip seals the inside of the container properly, while the lid sits on the rivet heads.

Finally, with a view to fully automatic packaging, which requires mechanical unstacking and filling of the containers as well as mechanical capping, it is advantageous if the empty containers are designed to be stackable and the pegs in stacked containers are located in free spaces between adjacent containers.

• Fig. 1 eine Verpackung gemäß der Erfindung in der Ausführung als sogenannte Stülpverpackung im axialen Schnitt in einer Seitenansicht, teilweise mit aufgesetztem Deckel und Originalitätsverschluß, teilweise mit abgenommenem Deckel.
• Fig.2 die Verpackung nach Fig. 1 in einer Draufsicht,
• Fig. 3 einen Zapfen des Originalitätsverschlusses der Verpackung nach Fig. 1 im Schnitt III-III der Fig. 2, in einer Seitenansicht und in einem anderen Maßstab,
• Fig. 4 den Zapfen nach Fig. 4 im vernieteten Zustand in einer entsprechenden Darstellung entsprechend dem Schnitt IV - IV der Fig. 2,
• Fig. 5 den Behälter nach Fig. 1 im wiederverschlossenen Zustand nach dem erstmaligen Öffnen, im axialen Schnitt in einer Seitenansicht und im Ausschnitt,
• Fig. 6 zwei ineinander gestapelte Behälter der Verpackung nach Fig. 1, im Vergleich zu einem mit dem Deckel verschlossenen Behälter im Originalverschließzustand im axialen Schnitt in einer Seitenansicht und in einem Ausschnitt und,
• Fig. 7 eine Verpackung gemäß der Erfindung in einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform im axialen Schnitt in einer Seitenansicht und in einem anderen Maßstab.

Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown in the drawing. Show it:

• Fig. 1 is a package according to the invention in the embodiment as a so-called slip packaging in axial section in a side view, partly with a lid and tamper-evident closure, partially with a removed cover.
• 2 shows the packaging according to FIG. 1 in a top view,
• 3 shows a pin of the tamper-evident closure of the packaging according to FIG. 1 in section III-III of FIG. 2, in a side view and on a different scale,
• 4 in the riveted state in a corresponding representation corresponding to the section IV - IV of FIG. 2,
• 5 shows the container according to FIG. 1 in the re-closed state after opening for the first time, in an axial section in a side view and in a cutout,
• 6 shows two containers of the packaging according to FIG. 1 stacked one inside the other, in comparison to a container closed with the lid in the original closed state in axial section in a side view and in a cutout, and
• Fig. 7 shows a package according to the invention in a modified embodiment in axial section in a side view and on a different scale.

The plastic packaging shown in FIGS. 1, 2 consists of an essentially cup-shaped container 1 with an approximately oval cross-sectional shape and a slip lid 2 serving to close this container, which can be placed on the container 1 in a sealed manner. Both the container 1 and the slip lid are injection molded from a suitable plastic.

The container 1 is provided with a bottom 4 drawn in at 3, to which a circumferential side wall 5 adjoins, to which a horizontal ring flange 6 is formed at the end, which forms an outwardly projecting circumferential shoulder 7. On the outside of the ring flange 6 there is an all-round essentially straight vertical sealing surface 8 with which the inclined side wall 5 encloses a small acute angle. At the end, the sealing surface merges into an all-round, flat, horizontal edge surface 9 which is designed in the manner of an annular surface and is angled downwards at 10 on the outside. The surface part 10, which has a slight taper, ends at 11 with a straight all-round end face.

The lid 2 is formed with a flat lid surface 12, to which a peripheral, essentially vertical sealing lip 13 adjoins the edge, which, when fitted, lies sealingly against the inner sealing surface of the container 1 in the manner shown in the left-hand side of FIG. 1 . The sealing lip 1 is connected at the top to an integrally formed circumferential ring surface 14 which merges externally into a circumferential flange 15 which is provided with a circumferential bead 16 in the region of its free edge. In the attached state, the annular surface 14 of the lid 2 rests on the surface 9 of the container 1, while the bead 16 engages under the front edge 11 of the container with pretension so that the lid is securely clamped against the edge of the container. The cover surface 12 is at a small axial distance from the shoulder 7, as can be seen in FIG. 1 (left part).

To open the container, only the flange 15 needs to be pressed somewhat elastically outward, so that the locking of the bead 16 is released and the lid 2 can be received by the container 1.

On four sides of the container 1 that are opposite each other in pairs, hollow pins 17 are formed on the edge of the container, approximately in its "corners", which are arranged so as to project vertically upward from the annular surface 9, as shown in the section of the container 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 can be seen. The hollow pin 17 is beveled at the end at 18 somewhat conically. Its axial length is dimensioned such that its length exceeds the wall thickness of the cover 2 in the edge region by approximately twice.

Cylindrical holes or openings 19 are formed in the lid 2 in the area of its annular surface 14, at the points corresponding to the hollow pin 17 in the attached state, through which the associated hollow pin 17 projects when the lid 2 is attached.

After filling the container 1 and putting on the lid 2 corresponding to the left side of FIG. 1, the original closed state was secured by riveting the lid 2 to the container 1. For this purpose, the hollow pins 17 were expanded in the manner shown in FIG. 4 in a funnel or mushroom shape to the outside, which was done by a simple pressing process with or without the aid of a mandrel.

In practice, this riveting is done in the conventional packaging machines in such a way that the containers 1 are accommodated in the usual manner in metal or plastic frames before they are filled, on which they are supported at their outer U-shaped bent edge region at 9, 10. After filling, the lid 2 is mechanically placed on the container 1, the hollow pin 17 protruding through the holes 19. The hollow pins 17 are then expanded and riveted according to FIG. 4 by a corresponding reprint of the so-called lid setter used on the container edge which is stably supported on the frame mentioned. In principle, it is of course also possible to carry out this riveting in a separate riveting station, which is connected downstream of the cover placement station.

When inserting the lid into the container 1, its sealing lip 13 acts in cooperation with the sealing surface 8 as a centering means, so that the lid 2 is in any case placed in the correct position, in such a way that the hollow pins 17 easily find their way into the holes 19.

The diameter of each of the holes 19 is selected in relation to the diameter of the associated hollow pin 17 such that the "mushroom head" or rivet head 20 which arises during the pressing or riveting overlaps the hole edge radially outward to such an extent that secure riveting of the two surface areas 9, 14 is given. On the other hand, a corresponding choice of this diameter relation ensures that the cover 2 can be removed from the container 1 despite the riveting. During this removal of the cover 2, the rivet heads 20 slip through the associated holes 19 by appropriate elastic deformation, so that the cover 2 is released. When the cover is replaced again, the rivet head 20 can no longer be pushed through the associated hole 19 will. 5, in which the cover rests with its annular surface 14 on the rivet heads 20 of the four hollow pins 17. The fact that the lid 2 is no longer "riveted" to the container 1 gives a reliable indication that the original closed state is no longer present.

In order to ensure a certain sealing of the container interior when replacing the cover 2, the width of the sealing lip 13 measured in the direction of the depth of the container 1 is dimensioned such that it is larger by the dimension "X" entered in FIG. 5 than the axial Length of a riveted hollow pin 17. The inner lip 13 is so wide or "deep" that, as already noted, it centers the container 1 when the lid 2 is placed on it, and the tolerances in terms of production technology in the dimensions of the respective hole 19 are too the associated hollow pin 17 bridges.

The use of hollow pin 17 for the described riveting has the advantage that only a small mechanical force is required to expand the molded hollow pin 17 in order to achieve the necessary cold forming, such that the hollow pin spreads like a mushroom above the lid area at 20, such as this is shown in Fig. 4. Basically, however, embodiments are also conceivable in which molded, solid pins are used, to which the usual approximately hemispherical rivet heads are molded hot or cold after the cover 2 has been seated.

While in the illustrated embodiment the rivet heads 20 can "slip" through the associated holes 19 when removing the cover, constructions are also possible in which the rivet heads 20 have such a diameter or the material of the Cover 2 is so inelastic that such slipping is no longer possible. In these cases, the procedure can be such that the rivets are simply torn off when the cover 2 is first opened in the region of the respective shaft. For this purpose, the pins can also be designed with predetermined breaking points, as is shown in dashed lines at 21 in the hollow pins 17 in FIGS. 3, 4.

With regard to the automatic packaging machines, it is preferable to arrange the hollow pins 17 upright at the edge of the container 1 and to provide the lid 2 with the holes 19. In special cases, however, it can also be advantageous to proceed the other way round and to form the hollow pins on the cover 2, while the container rim is provided with the holes 19. The number of rivets along the edge of the container 1 depends on the design of the container. In the present case, as shown, 4 riveting points are sufficient, which are located opposite each other in pairs.

Depending on the packaging design, more or fewer riveting points can be provided; it only has to be ensured in any case that the lid 2 cannot be removed from the container 1 when it is opened for the first time without at least a part of the rivets described being irreparably released.

In the case of packaging whose lid is provided with a tear-open tab, it may be expedient to provide riveting in the area thereof, as indicated at 22 in FIG. 2. The tear-open tab 22 is assigned a corresponding tab on the edge of the container 1, so that basically the conditions according to FIG. 4 result.

While in the described exemplary embodiment the sealing lip 13 is designed as an annular shoulder in the cover 2, the invention can of course also be applied to those cover structures in which the inner or sealing lip 13a is “free-standing”, as is illustrated in FIG. 7 . The same or corresponding elements are otherwise provided with the same reference numerals with the embodiment already described, so that a further explanation is unnecessary.

In order to enable easy opening of the container for the first time when using a viscous or inelastic material for the production of the packaging, it can also be expedient in the part containing the respective hole 19 - here the cover 2 - one starting from the hole 19 or in to provide the vicinity of the predetermined breaking point, as indicated at 23 in FIG. 2. This predetermined breaking point then enables the hole 19 to be "torn out" or a whole area containing the hole 19 to be broken out when it is opened for the first time.

For the mechanical handling of the containers and the lids, it is necessary to stack them before filling. This stacking must not be hindered by the hollow pin 17. In the described embodiments of the container 1 and lid 2, this is also not the case. As shown in FIG. 6, the molded pins 17 each protrude into free spaces 24 of adjacent containers 1 of the stack, which in turn are supported on one another in the area of their annular shoulders 7. The lip 13a is shorter than the edge 15 so that the lid 2 can be stacked.

Claims (15)

Packaging made of plastic, consisting of a cup-shaped or bowl-shaped container and a lid which can be placed thereon and is arranged for reclosing after the container has been opened for the first time, with means for interacting with the container and the lid being provided for indicating the original closed state of the container, characterized in that that the means for displaying the original closed state have at least one molded-on pin (17) arranged on the container (1) and / or the lid (2) as one part, which in the original closed state with the lid (2) in place through a corresponding opening (19 ) protrudes from the other part and is riveted at the end to the other part. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin is designed as a hollow pin (17). Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pin (17) is provided at the end with a rivet head (20) which overlaps the opening (19). Packaging according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the rivet head (20) is funnel-shaped or mushroom-shaped, widening outwards. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (16) has a predetermined breaking point (21). Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part containing the opening (19) has a predetermined breaking point (23) in the region of the opening. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (17) is aligned essentially at right angles to the edge of the container (9). Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (17) is cylindrical in cross section. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (17) is cold riveted. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pin (17) is hot riveted. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that riveted pins (17) are arranged on at least two opposite sides of the container edge. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one riveted pin (17) is arranged in the region of a tear-open tab (22) of the cover (2). Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (2) has a circumferential sealing lip (13, 13a) which points towards the inside of the container and which, when the lid (2) is in place sealingly abuts a sealing surface (8) of the container (1). Packaging according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the width of the sealing lip (13, 13a) measured in the direction of the container depth is larger by a certain dimension (X) than the length of the riveted pins (17). Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the empty containers (1) are designed to be stackable and the pins (17) in stacked containers are located in free spaces (24) between adjacent containers.

Images