EP0842091A1

EP0842091A1 - Container, in particular a container for food

Info

Publication number: EP0842091A1
Application number: EP96929210A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Pappler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-08-04
Filing date: 1996-08-05
Publication date: 1998-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-05
Also published as: WO1997006067A1; EP0842091B1; DE19528771A1; DE59602114D1; ATE180732T1

Abstract

The invention proposes a container for use in particular for food and consisting of two parts which can be placed one over the other so that they coincide and which can be detachably locked to each other by means of a tab integrally moulded, via a hinge joint, to the rim of one part, the tab having a hooked zone designed to engage behind the rim of the other part and an actuation zone (34) extending outwards at an angle.

Description

Container, in particular for food

The invention relates to a container consisting of two shells, in particular for dishes, according to the preamble of claim 1. Such containers are used regularly when it comes to assembling dishes, in particular warm dishes, in a commercial kitchen and then through a suitable logistics system to end users, such as To supply hospitals or the like. A container of the type described at the outset is described, for example, in the applicant's older patent applications P 43 25 205, P 19506394, P 44 10 945 and P 19526719.2. The disclosure content of these older patent applications is to be included in this present patent application.

In such containers, it is important that the two shells can be connected to one another with a good seal of the recesses provided therein, but that at the same time there is a locking mechanism for the detachable connection of the shells, which can also be opened by people with simple hand movements can, for example, due to their age, are no longer able to grasp a complicated technical kinematics or to apply large forces with their hands or fingers. At the same time, the locking mechanism must be such that it meets the hygienic requirements that are placed on such containers, such as easy cleanability in machine washing systems. In this context it is important to avoid so-called flushing shadows and to reduce the number of components to be cleaned to a minimum.

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26) In addition, such containers are to be designed in such a way that they are able to keep food in the containers at the corresponding target temperature even over relatively long periods of time.

For this purpose, it has already been proposed to enclose the containers with an insulating body arrangement, in which case the task is to secure this insulating body arrangement on the one hand against loss and on the other hand with a minimum of assembly steps on the Secure container.

The object of the invention is to develop a container of the type described in the introduction in such a way that the above-mentioned, partially contradicting requirements are met, with particular emphasis being placed on the fact that the operation for the shell locking is kept simple and for zu¬ Additional purposes can be used in the handling of the containers.

This object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1.

According to the invention, the actuating section of the tab is oriented such that on the one hand it can be reliably grasped and actuated by a finger, but on the other hand it is given a surface which points away from the edge of the border and which yields elastically. The actuating section can thus be pulled in as a spring device, which can be used in pretensioning force for fixing the insulating body arrangement to the container.

REPLACEMENT BUTT (RULE 26) Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

With the development of claim 2, there is the advantage that the actuating section can be easily gripped by a finger even if no additional recesses are provided in the other shell. This makes the shell geometry easier.

In principle, it is possible to design the bend in such a way that the actuating section forms an acute angle with the web section, i.e. that the actuating section is bent back with respect to the web section. A particularly space-saving arrangement results, however, if the container is further developed according to claim 3, in which case the obtuse angle is preferably in the range between 140 and 160 °.

In order to control the elasticity of the tab and the action of the material hinge, it is advantageous to equip the web section with a breakthrough. In this way, a material hinge is created on both sides of the opening. This allows the tab to be made relatively wide, that is to say to form the lock over a relatively long distance, without, however, making the forces required to release the lock too great. The release force is controlled by the remaining material thickness in the area of the material hinge. In addition, the elasticity of the material hinge can be controlled with simple means via the wall thickness of the web section. If the material hinge according to claim 8 lies outside the border, preferably outside the web section, there is the additional advantage that the border edge is not twisted when the force for releasing the locking is applied. It is thus possible to set the stability of the bezel edge independently of the elasticity or the locking force of the actuating section. Furthermore, any canting that occurs between the edging edges of the opposing shells is effectively counteracted in this way.

The container can have several tabs of the type described above distributed over the circumference. However, it has been shown that with the design of the tab according to the invention, sufficiently large locking forces can be applied in any case if only two locking areas are preferably provided on the opposite sides of the border. A particularly simple design results from the development of patent claim 9, according to which there is only one tab of the type described above, only a simple locking section being provided on the opposite side, which has only the task of being a Brace to work.

As already stated at the beginning, the container can be combined in a particularly advantageous manner with an insulating body arrangement according to claim 11. In this case, the elasticity of the tab is advantageously used to provide a force accumulator with which the insulating bodies are constantly biased into a locking position. This is particularly advantageous if the locking bodies are coupled to one another via a snap connection. In this case, the elasticity of the tab leads to the advantage that the snap-in force can be controlled much more easily without running the risk that after repeated removal and replacement of the insulating bodies, the snap-in connection will weaken. In particular, the elasticity or the resilience of the tab or the actuating section of the tab can be used to allow a slight longitudinal displacement of this insulating body part when the relevant insulating body part (bottom or lid part) is placed on until the snap engagement is complete . The stored spring force is then used to push the insulating body part back by the undercut dimension of the snap-in engagement and thus to ensure a firm, form-locking locking of the two insulating body parts, which can be fixed exactly in position.

So that the elasticity of the tab can be used as best as possible for closing the insulating body arrangement, it is advantageous according to claim 16 to attach at least one knob to the covering shell, which can be brought into engagement with the bottom part of the insulating body arrangement. This does not allow a relative movement between the shells which have the tab, preferably covering them, and thus the bottom part of the insulating body arrangement, so that the flexibility of the tab can be used to a greater extent for bracing the insulating body parts than if the knob was not there. Furthermore, it is achieved that the closing mechanism of an inner body, here a container, closes two rigid outer bodies, here no insulating mechanism, here insulating bodies. per arrangement, is improved and the flexibility caused by the flap closure can be better controlled or adjusted. In general, the presence of the knob makes the manufacture of the insulating body arrangement easier, since the tolerances with regard to the inserted shells can be increased in relation to the insulating parts lying against the shells, because the position fixing between the bottom part of the insulating body arrangement and ab¬ covering shell is advantageously accomplished by the knob. The manufacture of the insulating body arrangement is also facilitated by the fact that, according to the invention, no separate locking mechanism has to be provided.

In order to most effectively prevent the relative movement of the tab with respect to the positionally fixed shell and insulating part caused by the intermeshing of the knobs, two knobs can be provided to the side of the tab, as a result of which the mobility of the bordering edge section, via which the Tab is connected via the material hinge, which thus benefits an improved control of the spring force effect.

If, according to a further embodiment, which relates to the design of the bordering edges, the bordering edge of the base part is provided with a recess and the bordering edge of the cover part is provided with a projection that partially fills the recess Edging edge of the bottom part extending edge surface of the recess act as a contact surface for the knob. This has the advantage that when the cover part of the insulating body arrangement is put on, it is simple How a game necessary for the relative movement of the tab between the lid and the bottom part can be provided, in particular with regard to the undercut dimension of the snap engagement.

Further advantageous refinements are the subject of the further claims.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings. Show it:

1 shows the top view of an embodiment of a lid part of the container - viewed from below;

2 shows the representation of section II-II in FIG. 1;

3 shows the representation of the section according to III-III in FIG. 1 on a somewhat enlarged scale;

Figure 4 on a modified scale the view "IV" in Figure 1;

5 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of the insulating body arrangement in the region of a first engagement area between the cover part and the base part;

6 shows a schematic perspective view of the connection area between the cover part and the bottom part of the insulating body arrangement, this area being arranged opposite the connection area according to FIG. 5; 7 shows a schematic view of the edge flange of the insulating body bottom part according to FIG. 6 with a viewing direction corresponding to "VII" in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 on a modified scale the view "IV" in FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment of the invention; and

9 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of the insulating body arrangement in the region of the first engagement area between the cover part and the base part according to a further embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a shell of the container designed as a cover part 10 with several depressions from below. In the side gusset area 12 of the lid part 10, a tab 14 and a hole 18 are preferably formed on one side, which are used to open the container. The tab 14 is directed outward from the border edge 16 of the cover part 10. Opposite the gusset area 12, a locking section 20 is also formed on the border edge 16. As can be seen more clearly in the side view along the section II-II in FIG. 2, this locking section 20 has a hook 22 as a rear grip, into which the border 24 of the other shell, which is designed as a congruent bottom part 30 , can be attached. The bottom and the lid part 10, 30 are sealed by a seal 26.

In Fig. 3 the side view according to section III-III is shown, in which the advantageous embodiment of

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26) Tab 14 is clearly illustrated on an enlarged scale. The tab 14 has a web section 32, a hook section 28 and an actuating section 34, the tab having a kink at the height of the hook section 28. The actuating section 34 thus forms an obtuse angle with the web section 32, preferably in the range between 140 to 170 degrees. The thickness of the web section 32 is weaker in the area of the tab 14 by the dimension WT than in the remaining circumferential web section of the border 16. After the bottom part 30 is hooked into the locking section 20 in the hook 22, the bordering edge 24 of the bottom part 30 is pressed behind the hook section 28 of the tab 14, whereby the container is closed.

FIG. 4 shows the tab 14 in a side view according to view IV in FIG. 1 in a different dimension. The tab 14 preferably has an opening 36, so that a material hinge 38 is formed on both sides of this opening 36. The opening 36 is preferably designed as an elongated hole. The elasticity of the tab 14 can be controlled via the thickness of the material hinges 38. The fixed point of the hinges 38 is preferably above and outside the web section 32, so that the rigidity of the border edge 16 of the cover part 10 remains unaffected, as a result of which a constant tightness can be ensured by the border edge 16.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an insulating body arrangement 40 with a base and cover part 44, 46, which has a first region 42 for positive connection. This first area is preferably in the form of a dovetail connection

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26) formed in the border edges 48 of the bottom and the lid part 44, 46. The guide surfaces of the dovetail connection run parallel to the direction of compliance of the tab, ie the guide surfaces are positioned so that a relative displacement of the parts in engagement is possible parallel to the direction of compliance of the tab. When the insulating body arrangement 40 is placed on the container, the dovetail 50 of the cover part 46 comes into contact with the actuating section 34 of the tab 14.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the second region of the insulating body arrangement 40, in particular the bordering edges 48 of the base part and of the cover part 44, 46 with a positive connection designed as a snap connection between the two parts. The rim of the cover part 44 has a projection 54, which is preferably of a trapezoidal or truncated pyramid shape, so that the side surfaces of the projection 54 form an angle β with the vertical. The bordering edge 48 of the base part 44 has a recess 62 which is designed to be complementary to the projection 54. In order to realize a snap closure, the side surfaces of the projection 54 are formed with at least one recess 56 which can accommodate the extensions 58 formed on the side surfaces of the complementary shape in the bordering edge of the base part. The extensions 58 are preferably hemispherical. In order to detach the cover part from the base part, a recess 60 is provided in the border edge of the cover part, into which the thumb is inserted, while at least one further finger engages the projection 54 which preferably penetrates the border edge.

REPLACEMENT BUTT (RULE 26) FIG. 7 shows a top view of the border edge 48 of the base part according to the arrow direction "VII". In order to support the snap function of the snap connection just described, the side surfaces of the recess 62 in the bottom part — as shown in FIG. 7 — form an angle α opening outwards.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the tab 114 (the same components with the same function has been preceded by a "1") is provided with two knobs 170 arranged on the side. These knobs 170 serve to establish a position, for example between the bottom part 144 of the insulating body arrangement 140, in order to better utilize, better control and adjust the tensioning of the insulating body arrangement provided by the elasticity of the tab 114.

It should be emphasized that the first region 42, which is preferably designed as a dovetail connection, can also have any other form of connection.

For example, according to the further embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9, the first region 142 in the bordering edge 148 of the bottom part 144 can have a recess 172 and in the bordering edge 148 of the cover part 146 a projection 150 partially filling the recess 172, so that an edge surface 176 of the recess 172, which preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the border 148 of the base part 144, is formed, which functions as a contact surface 174 for the knob 170. An advantageous contact point of the knobs is shown in FIG

REPLACEMENT BUTT (RULE 26) dark highlighted marking indicated. With this configuration of the first area 142, it is further ensured that the cover part 146 of the insulating body arrangement 140 can be displaced by the undercut dimension of the snap engagement. In order to allow the insulating parts to interlock, latching hooks 178 can be provided in a simple manner on the side surfaces 177 of the projection 150, the counter bearings 180 of which are attached to the lateral edges of the recess 172 in the rim 148. This position of the locking hooks 178 and their counter bearings makes it possible to maintain the outer smooth shape of the insulating body arrangement, since the locking hook and its counter bearing have been fully integrated in the closed state of the insulating body arrangement.

It should also be emphasized that the projection 54 shown in FIG. 6 need not be oriented vertically, but can also be oriented horizontally, although the side surfaces of the projection must then open outwards (see FIG. 7). With this configuration of the snap connection, the bordering edge 148 of the base and the cover part can be arranged one behind the other in a horizontal plane or the bordering edge 148 of the base part 144 can then encompass the bordering edge 148 of the cover part 146 .

ERSAπBLAπ (RULE 26)

Claims

Expectations

1. A container consisting of two shells, in particular for food, in which the shells can be arranged congruently one above the other and releasably locked together, in that at least one flap is integrally formed on the circumferential border of the one shell by means of a material hinge, which has a hook section in Can be brought into engagement with the border of the other shell and has an actuating section, characterized in that the actuating section (34) extends obliquely outwards.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the tab (14; 114) with a Stegab¬ section (32) from the border edge (16) of the one shell in the direction of the other shell to er¬ and at the level of the hook portion (28) has a kink.

3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the kink is designed so that between

Web portion (32) and actuating portion (34) is included an obtuse angle.

4. Container according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the web portion (32) for forming a material hinge pair (38; 138) has an opening (36; 136).

5. A container according to claim 4, characterized in that the opening (36; 136) has the shape of an elongated hole.

SPARE BLADE (RULE 26)

6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the hook section (28) extends substantially over the entire length of the opening (36; 136).

7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the elasticity of the hinge Material¬ (38; 138) on the wall thickness of the web portion (32; 132) is controllable.

8. Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the material hinge (38; 138) outside the border (16), preferably outside the web portion (32; 132).

9. Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuating section (34) opposite a locking section (20) is provided which can be brought into engagement with a hook (22) in the rear edge with the border edge (24) of the other shell is.

10. Container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container is enclosed by an insulating body arrangement (40; 140).

11. A container according to claim 10, characterized in that the insulating body arrangement (40; 140) has a bottom part (44; 144) and a cover part (46; 146) for the positive reception of the shells.

12. Container according to claim 10 or 11, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the actuating section (34; 134)

REPLACEMENT BLADE (RULE 26) acts as a spring for the closure of the insulating body arrangement (40; 140).

13. Container according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the Isolierkör¬ per arrangement (40; 140) in the region of the joint between the base and cover part (44, 46; 144, 146) a first and a has a second region (42, 52; 142, 152) in which the parts (44, 46; 144, 146) interlock positively.

14. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that the second region (52, 152) has a preferably trapezoidal or truncated pyramid-shaped projection (54; 154) which can be snapped into a complementary recess (62; 162) with the formation of a snap connection.

15. Container according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the first region (42) in the form of a

Dovetail connection is formed, the guide surfaces of which are placed in such a way that a relative displacement of the parts in engagement parallel to the direction of compliance of the tab (14) is made possible.

16. A container according to claim 13 or 14, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that at least one knob (170) is attached to the covering shell, which engages when closing the container with the bottom part (144) of the insulating body assembly (140) is feasible.

REPLACEMENT BUTT (RULE 26)

17. A container according to claim 16, characterized in that two knobs (170) are placed on the side of the tab (114).

18. A container according to claim 17, characterized in that the first region (142) in the border edge (148) of the bottom part (144) has a recess (172) and in the border edge (148) of the cover part (146) one of the recess (172) partially filling projection (150).

19. A container according to claim 18, characterized in that the edge surface (176) of the recess (172), which preferably runs in the longitudinal direction of the border (148) of the base part (144), serves as an attachment surface (174) for the knob (170). acts.

20. Container according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that a latching hook (178) is provided on at least one side surface (177) of the projection (150), its counter-bearing (180) on the lateral edges of the recess (172) is positioned in the bezel edge (148).

21. Container according to one of claims 15 to 20, characterized by the fact that the projection (154) extends substantially horizontally and partially protrudes from the border edge (148) of the cover part (146).

SUBSTITUTE (RULE 26)