EP0706950A1 - Plastic lid with pull-tab - Google Patents

Plastic lid with pull-tab Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0706950A1
EP0706950A1 EP95420277A EP95420277A EP0706950A1 EP 0706950 A1 EP0706950 A1 EP 0706950A1 EP 95420277 A EP95420277 A EP 95420277A EP 95420277 A EP95420277 A EP 95420277A EP 0706950 A1 EP0706950 A1 EP 0706950A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
skirt
tongue
cover
lid
curve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP95420277A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0706950B1 (en
Inventor
Michel Philippe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire
Original Assignee
Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP0706950A1 publication Critical patent/EP0706950A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0706950B1 publication Critical patent/EP0706950B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
    • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0204—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
    • B65D43/0212—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
    • B65D2251/0018—Upper closure of the 43-type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
    • B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
    • B65D2251/0093—Membrane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
    • B65D2543/00074—Shape of the outer periphery curved
    • B65D2543/00092—Shape of the outer periphery curved circular
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259—Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00509—Cup
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00527—NO contact
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00555—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on both the inside and the outside
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00611—Profiles
    • B65D2543/00648—Flange or lip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00675—Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00685—Totality
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00722—Profiles
    • B65D2543/00731—Groove or hollow bead
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00787—Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00796—Totality
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00787—Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00805—Segments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00824—Means for facilitating removing of the closure
    • B65D2543/00833—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
    • B65D2543/00842—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar outside of the lid

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

The lid (1) has a peripheral skirt (2) to cover the open top of the container, and a gripping tongue (7) fixed to the edge of the skirt. The tongue has a shape and volume such that its intersection with the skirt is a curve with its centre at a height corresponding to at least 3 times the thickness of the tongue, and is joined to the lower edge of the skirt on either side of its centre. The lid can be made from polypropylene or polystyrene and is suitable, e.g. for pots containing dairy products.

Description

DOMAINE DE L'INVENTIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

L'invention se situe dans le domaine de l'emballage en matière plastique, et plus particulièrement des récipients munis d'un couvercle en matière plastique comportant une languette de préhension servant à l'ouverture du récipient.The invention is in the field of plastic packaging, and more particularly containers provided with a plastic cover having a gripping tab for opening the container.

ETAT DE LA TECHNIQUESTATE OF THE ART

Il est connu d'utiliser, notamment pour le conditionnement des produits laitiers frais, des pots en matière plastique avec un orifice à bord roulé ou aplati, fermés ou non par un opercule étanche et recouverts d'un couvercle en matière plastique. Dans le cas des pots operculés, le couvercle est dit "coiffant" car il vient coiffer l'opercule au moment de la fermeture. Dans le cas des pots non operculés, le couvercle est dit "rentrant" et comporte une gorge périphérique qui vient se serrer sur l'orifice au moment de la fermeture. Cette gorge comporte, soit sur sa paroi du côté intérieur du récipient, soit sur l'autre paroi côté extérieur, soit sur les deux parois, un bourrelet ou un épaulement de direction parallèle à la gorge qui va servir à pincer le bord roulé ou aplati du récipient de manière à assurer une fermeture étanche, l'étanchéité étant complétée par divers moyens de scellage.
Après une première ouverture du pot, le couvercle peut être réutilisé par le consommateur pour le refermer si le contenu n'a pas été complètement consommé.
Le couvercle comporte une languette de préhension qui va servir à enlever le couvercle la première fois et les fois suivantes. Le couvercle étant généralement réalisé par thermoformage d'une bande de matière plastique, par exemple du polypropylène, la languette de préhension est une petite surface plane s'étendant parallèlement à la face supérieure du couvercle et se raccordant à lui sur sa partie périphérique. Ce mode de réalisation habituel de la languette présente plusieurs inconvénients. Si on veut avoir une étanchéité suffisante du couvercle, il faut un effort assez important à l'ouverture qui peut conduire à une rupture de la languette par le consommateur, qui n'arrive plus ainsi à ouvrir le pot. De plus, le maintien des pots à une température de l'ordre de 4°C sur les linéaires réfrigérés des supermarchés rend la matière plastique plus cassante, et ainsi il peut arriver qu'à l'ouverture on déchire le couvercle.It is known to use, in particular for the packaging of fresh dairy products, plastic pots with an orifice with a rolled or flattened edge, closed or not with a tight seal and covered with a plastic cover. In the case of sealed pots, the lid is said to be "styling" because it covers the lid at the time of closing. In the case of non-sealed pots, the lid is said to be "re-entrant" and has a peripheral groove which is tightened on the orifice at the time of closing. This groove has, either on its wall on the inside of the container, or on the other wall on the outside, or on both walls, a bead or a shoulder of direction parallel to the groove which will be used to pinch the rolled or flattened edge of the container so as to ensure a tight seal, the seal being supplemented by various sealing means.
After a first opening of the jar, the lid can be reused by the consumer to close it again if the contents have not been completely consumed.
The cover has a grip tab that will be used to remove the cover the first time and the following times. As the cover is generally produced by thermoforming a strip of plastic material, for example polypropylene, the gripping tab is a small flat surface extending parallel to the upper face of the cover and connecting to it on its peripheral part. This usual embodiment of the tongue has several drawbacks. If you want to have sufficient tightness of the lid, it takes a fairly large effort to open which can lead to a rupture of the tab by the consumer, who can no longer open the jar. In addition, maintaining the pots at a temperature of the order of 4 ° C on the refrigerated shelves of supermarkets makes the plastic more brittle, and so it may happen that when opening the lid is torn.

Pour améliorer la résistance du couvercle, on est amené soit à augmenter l'épaisseur, soit à utiliser un matériau plus résistant que celui du récipient, par exemple un copolymère de polypropylène, au lieu du polypropylène homopolymère utilisé pour le pot. Dans les deux cas, on augmente le coût du couvercle. Enfin, une languette plate et lisse glisse facilement entre les doigts, ce qui rend parfois l'ouverture problématique.To improve the resistance of the lid, it is necessary either to increase the thickness, or to use a material more resistant than that of the container, for example a polypropylene copolymer, instead of the homopolymer polypropylene used for the jar. In both cases, the cost of the cover is increased. Finally, a flat, smooth tongue slides easily between the fingers, which sometimes makes opening problematic.

L'invention a pour but de remédier à ces inconvénients et à permettre une ouverture aisée du récipient, en réduisant les risques de rupture de la languette et du couvercle, sans obérer le coût de fabrication du couvercle.The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and to allow easy opening of the container, reducing the risk of rupture of the tongue and the cover, without affecting the cost of manufacturing the cover.

OBJET DE L'INVENTIONOBJECT OF THE INVENTION

L'invention a pour objet un couvercle en matière plastique pour fermer de manière étanche un récipient, muni d'une jupe périphérique venant coiffer l'orifice du récipient par accrochage sur la bordure de cet orifice et comportant une languette de préhension fixée à cette jupe et servant à enlever le couvercle du récipient, caractérisé en ce que la languette a une forme en volume telle que son intersection avec la jupe périphérique est une courbe comportant une partie centrale dont le sommet est situé à une hauteur h supérieure à 3 fois l'épaisseur de la languette à partir du bord inférieur de la jupe, et se raccordant de part et d'autre de cette partie centrale au bord inférieur de la jupe. Cette courbe peut avoir par exemple une forme rectangulaire, trapézoïdale ou une forme plus arrondie en dos d'âne.The subject of the invention is a plastic cover for sealing a container, provided with a peripheral skirt covering the orifice of the container by hooking on the edge of this orifice and comprising a gripping tab fixed to this skirt and serving to remove the container lid, characterized in that the tongue has a volume shape such that its intersection with the peripheral skirt is a curve comprising a central part whose apex is situated at a height h greater than 3 times the thickness of the tongue from the lower edge of the skirt, and connecting on either side of this central part at the lower edge of the skirt. This curve may for example have a rectangular, trapezoidal shape or a more rounded shape on the back of a donkey.

DESCRIPTION DES FIGURESDESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Les figures 1a et 1b et 1c représentent respectivement en vue de face et vue de dessus un couvercle rentrant pour pot non operculé de l'art antérieur et en coupe axiale le pot correspondant.Figures 1a and 1b and 1c respectively show a front view and a top view of a re-entrant lid for a non-sealed pot of the prior art and in axial section the corresponding pot.

Les figures 2a et 2b représentent respectivement en vue de face et en vue de dessus un couvercle coiffant pour pot operculé de l'art antérieur.Figures 2a and 2b respectively show a front view and a top view of a styling cover for a sealed pot of the prior art.

Les figures 3a et 3b représentent un couvercle rentrant selon l'invention.Figures 3a and 3b show a re-entrant cover according to the invention.

La figure 4 représente l'intersection de la languette et de la jupe périphérique d'un couvercle selon l'invention. La figure 5 est un schéma du dispositif de mesure de la force d'ouverture du récipient.Figure 4 shows the intersection of the tongue and the peripheral skirt of a cover according to the invention. Figure 5 is a diagram of the device for measuring the opening force of the container.

Les figures 6 et 7 représentent les courbes de traction obtenues respectivement avec un couvercle de l'art antérieur et un couvercle de même type selon l'invention à l'aide du dispositif de mesure de la figure 5.FIGS. 6 and 7 represent the traction curves obtained respectively with a cover of the prior art and a cover of the same type according to the invention using the measuring device of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION DE L'INVENTIONDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Le couvercle (1) en matière plastique comporte une jupe périphérique (2) qui va coiffer le bord aplati (3) du récipient (4) lors de la fermeture de celui-ci. Dans le cas du couvercle "rentrant" tel que celui représenté aux figures 1 et 3, la jupe (2) comporte du côté externe une rainure (5) en relief vers l'intérieur de la jupe (2) dont le clippage sur le bord (3), associé à des moyens de scellage, va assurer la fermeture étanche du récipient (4). Dans le cas d'un couvercle "coiffant", tel que celui représenté à la figure 2, destiné à fermer un récipient dont l'orifice a déjà été fermé par un opercule en film plastique ou métalloplastique scellé sur le bord aplati (3), la jupe (2) comporte des crans (6) assurant la fermeture.The plastic cover (1) has a peripheral skirt (2) which will cover the flattened edge (3) of the container (4) when it is closed. In the case of the "re-entrant" cover such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the skirt (2) has on the external side a groove (5) in relief towards the inside of the skirt (2), the clipping of which on the edge (3), associated with sealing means, will seal the container (4). In the case of a "styling" cover, such as that shown in FIG. 2, intended to close a container, the orifice of which has already been closed by a seal made of plastic or metalloplastic film sealed on the flattened edge (3), the skirt (2) has notches (6) ensuring closure.

Le couvercle (1) comporte une languette de préhension (7). Cette languette est représentée sous forme rectangulaire, mais peut avoir une autre forme, par exemple trapézoïdale ou hémicirculaire.The cover (1) has a grip tab (7). This tab is shown in rectangular form, but may have another shape, for example trapezoidal or semi-circular.

Dans les couvercles de l'art antérieur, tels que ceux représentés aux figures 1 et 2, la languette (7) est plate et se raccorde au couvercle (1) le long du bord inférieur de la jupe (2). La courbe d'intersection est donc située dans le plan horizontal de la languette (7).In the covers of the prior art, such as those shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tongue (7) is flat and connects to the cover (1) along the lower edge of the skirt (2). The intersection curve is therefore located in the horizontal plane of the tongue (7).

Pour les couvercles selon l'invention, tels que celui représenté aux figures 3a et 3b, la languette (7) se raccorde au couvercle par une courbe d'intersection (8) qui n'est plus dans le plan horizontal du bord inférieur de la jupe périphérique (2), mais qui s'élève sur une partie de la hauteur de cette jupe. Cette courbe d'intersection (8) comporte ainsi une partie centrale (9) dont la partie la plus haute ou le sommet se trouvent à une hauteur h égale à au moins 3 fois l'épaisseur de la languette (7), hauteur minimale en dessous de laquelle les effets bénéfiques de l'invention ne sont plus perceptibles. Cette partie centrale (9) se raccorde symétriquement de part et d'autre par des parties latérales (10) et (11) au bord inférieur de la jupe (2).For covers according to the invention, such as that shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the tongue (7) is connected to the cover by an intersection curve (8) which is no longer in the horizontal plane of the lower edge of the peripheral skirt (2), but which rises over part of the height of this skirt. This intersection curve (8) thus comprises a central part (9), the highest part or the top of which are at a height h equal to at least 3 times the thickness of the tongue (7), minimum height in below which the beneficial effects of the invention are no longer perceptible. This central part (9) is connected symmetrically on either side by lateral parts (10) and (11) to the lower edge of the skirt (2).

La courbe d'intersection de la languette (7) et de la jupe (2) peut être par exemple une ligne brisée de forme approximativement rectangulaire ou trapézoïdale s'écartant vers le bas, avec des angles arrondis nécessités par la mise en oeuvre de la matière plastique. Cette courbe d'intersection (8) peut aussi être une courbe continue symétrique en forme de dos d'âne ou de courbe de Gauss, dont le sommet se situe à une hauteur h égale à au moins 3 fois l'épaisseur de la languette (7).The intersection curve of the tongue (7) and the skirt (2) may for example be a broken line of approximately rectangular or trapezoidal shape deviating downward, with rounded angles required by the implementation of the plastic material. This intersection curve (8) can also be a continuous symmetrical curve in the shape of a donkey or Gauss curve, the apex of which is at a height h equal to at least 3 times the thickness of the tongue ( 7).

Cette forme de languette permet une préhension plus commode qu'une languette plate. Elle réduit les risques de déchirure de la languette ou du couvercle au moment de l'ouverture du récipient.This tongue shape allows a more comfortable grip than a flat tongue. It reduces the risk of tearing the tab or the lid when the container is opened.

Le couvercle selon l'invention peut être réalisé en tout type de matière plastique compatible avec le produit à conditionner et satisfaisant à la réglementation pour les produits alimentaires, par exemple en polypropylène et ses alliages ou en polystyrène et ses alliages.The cover according to the invention can be made of any type of plastic material compatible with the product to be packaged and satisfying the regulations for food products, for example polypropylene and its alloys or polystyrene and its alloys.

Comme il permet un effort d'ouverture plus faible, de l'ordre de 20%, que les couvercles de l'art antérieur à languette plate, il n'est pas nécessaire de prévoir pour le couvercle un matériau plus résistant que pour le récipient lui-même. Ainsi, dans le cas de pots pour produits laitiers frais en polypropylène, on peut réaliser le couvercle en polypropylène homopolymère comme le pot au lieu d'un copolymère, ce qui simplifie l'approvisionnement et réduit les coûts.As it allows a lower opening force, of the order of 20%, than the lids of the prior art with flat tongues, it is not necessary to provide for the lid a more resistant material than for the container. himself. Thus, in the case of pots for fresh dairy products made of polypropylene, the homopolymer polypropylene cover can be made like the pot instead of a copolymer, which simplifies the supply and reduces costs.

La languette, mieux ancrée sur le couvercle, est mieux maintenue et ne se courbe pas vers le haut, ce qui simplifie la manutention des piles de couvercles au moment de l'impression ou du conditionnement, tout en ayant un matériau suffisamment mou pour le marquage sur la languette d'indications telles que la date de peremption.The tongue, better anchored on the lid, is better held and does not curve upwards, which simplifies the handling of stacks of lids during printing or packaging, while having a sufficiently soft material for marking on the tab with indications such as the expiry date.

EXEMPLEEXAMPLE

On a comparé deux couvercles de type "rentrant" réalisés par thermoformage à partir d'une feuille de polypropylène, de diamètre 116 mm, destinés à fermer des pots cylindriques de 50 cl remplis de fromage blanc. Les deux couvercles comportent une jupe périphérique de hauteur 7,8 mm munie d'une rainure. Le premier est muni d'une languette plate, de forme approximativement rectangulaire 12 x 22 mm et d'épaisseur 0,4 mm. Le second est muni d'une languette selon l'invention de même épaisseur mais de forme prismatique, dont l'arête haute se situe à une hauteur de 2,6 mm au dessus du plan du bord inférieur de la jupe.Two lids of the "reentry" type were made by thermoforming from a polypropylene sheet, 116 mm in diameter, intended to close 50 cl cylindrical jars filled with fromage blanc. The two covers have a 7.8 mm high peripheral skirt provided with a groove. The first is provided with a flat tongue, approximately rectangular in shape 12 x 22 mm and 0.4 mm thick. The second is provided with a tab according to the invention of the same thickness but of prismatic shape, the high edge of which is located at a height of 2.6 mm above the plane of the lower edge of the skirt.

Les efforts d'ouverture de ces couvercles ont été mesurés à l'aide du dispositif représenté à la figure 5. Cette machine de traction comporte deux plateaux parallèles, un plateau inférieur fixe (12) et un plateau supérieur (13) mobile de bas en haut à une vitesse de 100 mm/mn. Le récipient (4) est fixé au plateau inférieur (12) par un disque (14) et un boulon. Il est fermé par le couvercle (1) dont la languette (7) est pincée dans une mâchoire (15) tenue par un support (16) solidaire du plateau mobile (13). On enregistre la courbe effort - déplacement jusqu'à l'ouverture du couvercle, l'effort d'ouverture étant égal à l'effort maximal enregistré. On a représenté respectivement aux figures 6 et 7 les courbes obtenues avec le couvercle à languette plate et le couvercle selon l'invention. Dans le premier cas, l'effort maximal est de 16,1 N pour un déplacement de 14 mm et une énergie de 0,0995 J. Dans le second cas, l'effort est de 12,9 N pour un déplacement de 11 mm et une énergie de 0,0512 J.The opening forces of these covers were measured using the device shown in Figure 5. This traction machine has two parallel plates, a fixed lower plate (12) and an upper plate (13) movable from bottom to top at a speed of 100 mm / min. The container (4) is fixed to the lower plate (12) by a disc (14) and a bolt. It is closed by the cover (1) whose tongue (7) is pinched in a jaw (15) held by a support (16) secured to the movable plate (13). The effort-displacement curve is recorded until the lid is opened, the opening effort being equal to the maximum effort recorded. FIGS. 6 and 7 show respectively the curves obtained with the flat tongue cover and the cover according to the invention. In the first case, the maximum force is 16.1 N for a displacement of 14 mm and an energy of 0.0995 J. In the second case, the force is 12.9 N for a displacement of 11 mm and an energy of 0.0512 J.

On constate que, pour le couvercle selon l'invention, l'effort et le déplacement sont réduits d'environ 20% et l'énergie d'ouverture d'environ 50%.It can be seen that, for the cover according to the invention, the force and the displacement are reduced by approximately 20% and the opening energy by approximately 50%.

Claims (5)

Couvercle (1) en matière plastique pour fermer un récipient (4), muni d'une jupe périphérique (2) venant coiffer l'orifice du récipient (4) par accrochage sur le bord (3) de cet orifice, et comportant une languette de préhension (7) fixée à cette jupe (2), caractérisé en ce que la languette (7) a une forme en volume telle que son intersection (8) avec la jupe périphérique (2) est une courbe comportant une partie centrale (9) dont le sommet est situé à une hauteur (h) supérieure à 3 fois l'épaisseur de la languette (7), et se raccordant de part et d'autre de cette partie centrale (9) au bord inférieur de la jupe (2).Lid (1) made of plastic to close a container (4), provided with a peripheral skirt (2) covering the orifice of the container (4) by hooking on the edge (3) of this orifice, and comprising a tab grip (7) fixed to this skirt (2), characterized in that the tongue (7) has a shape in volume such that its intersection (8) with the peripheral skirt (2) is a curve comprising a central part (9 ) the top of which is situated at a height (h) greater than 3 times the thickness of the tongue (7), and being connected on either side of this central part (9) to the lower edge of the skirt (2 ). Couvercle selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la courbe d'intersection (8) a une forme rectangulaire.Cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the intersection curve (8) has a rectangular shape. Couvercle selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la courbe d'intersection (8) a une forme trapézoïdale s'écartant vers le bas.Lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the intersection curve (8) has a trapezoidal shape deviating downwards. Couvercle selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la courbe d'intersection (8) a une forme de dos d'âne ou de courbe de Gauss.Lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the intersection curve (8) has the shape of a donkey or Gauss curve. Couvercle selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il est réalisé en polypropylène homopolymère.Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of homopolymer polypropylene.
EP19950420277 1994-10-12 1995-10-10 Plastic lid with pull-tab Expired - Lifetime EP0706950B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9412382A FR2725698B1 (en) 1994-10-12 1994-10-12 LID IN PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH A GRIPPING TONGUE
FR9412382 1994-10-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0706950A1 true EP0706950A1 (en) 1996-04-17
EP0706950B1 EP0706950B1 (en) 1997-09-24

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ID=9467937

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19950420277 Expired - Lifetime EP0706950B1 (en) 1994-10-12 1995-10-10 Plastic lid with pull-tab

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EP (1) EP0706950B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69500762T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2725698B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016003603A1 (en) * 2014-07-03 2016-01-07 International Paper Company Thermoformed articles from polypropylene polymer compositions

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR559108A (en) * 1922-11-25 1923-09-10 Box and device for easy opening and closing
BE825535A (en) * 1975-02-14 1975-05-29 BOTTLE NECK OR OTHER CONTAINER

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR559108A (en) * 1922-11-25 1923-09-10 Box and device for easy opening and closing
BE825535A (en) * 1975-02-14 1975-05-29 BOTTLE NECK OR OTHER CONTAINER

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016003603A1 (en) * 2014-07-03 2016-01-07 International Paper Company Thermoformed articles from polypropylene polymer compositions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2725698B1 (en) 1996-11-22
DE69500762D1 (en) 1997-10-30
EP0706950B1 (en) 1997-09-24
DE69500762T2 (en) 1998-03-12
FR2725698A1 (en) 1996-04-19

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