EP1475314B1 - Container with lid - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (10) for solid, paste and pourable and scoopable products, and especially foodstuffs, has a bottom section (11) to hold the product and a top section (12) formed as a lid. The bottom section has a closed raised protruding edge (15) encompassing the mouth of the container and upon which is detachably fastened the top section of the container. The edge in cross section is formed in the fashion of a tongue. The bottom section of the container in the region of its mouth has a flange-like encompassing first collar (17) upon which is formed the raised edge.

Description

The invention relates to a container for solid, pasty as well as free-flowing and pourable products, especially for Food products comprising a container bottom for receiving the product as well as a container lid trained container upper part, wherein the container base a closed, running around its container opening, has raised protruding edge on the the container top is releasably secured.

A container of this type is known (GB-A-2 227 481). The known container has a separate element for Remove the top of the container from the bottom of the container on, in inactive position as a strip-shaped element essentially rests flat on the container top. To remove the top of the container from the bottom of the container becomes the strip-shaped element with the First fingers of a user along a predetermined Kinking of the surface of the container shell bent up, with the fingers at the free end of the element taken on projections provided there and essentially pulled away from the tank top at an angle, so that the container top, which is connected to the element is, from its connection with the container bottom can be removed, with a circumferential Edge of the container base slightly deformed, so that the container top comes free and from the bottom of the container can be removed.

Such containers, which are usually made of a plastic material exist and usually by means of known Injection molding techniques are made for the various uses and in the most diverse Sizes in the trade and are in the most diverse shapes for all sorts of hygienic products or germ-free packaging used. Products, the example. In such containers added as Verpakkungseinheiten be presented in grocery stores, are, for example, dairy products of all kinds, meat and meat Sausage products, but also vegetables and fruit products as well Ready meals in chilled and uncooled form.

Since it is in the generic containers to mass products which precedes the products by way of example described type hygienic, germ-free and To take airtight, they must be very inexpensive be prepared to be sold by the market, i. on the one hand by the manufacturers of the products and, on the other hand, the Consumers to be accepted. Furthermore, must Such containers as complete as possible, many times also separate legal requirements about content, composition of the product, energy content of the product and information on the manufacturing and expiry date and certain other In addition, legally required in certain countries Information on health compatibility of the Container recorded product and the like.

For this reason, such containers are usually provided with separate labels, such Information to the consumer as appropriate parameters Declare about the product. Many are on the labels also manufacturer name, special legally protected Brands and the like is appropriate and usually also recorded for many in such containers Products the product itself as such, for example, the sausage product, the cheese product or a product in the form of liver pate or the like

The separate labels have the disadvantage that they make the production of the container considerably more expensive because of the Container then after filling the product and closing of the container, the label either on the container itself, the container lid or possibly on container lid and the actual container got to.

Another serious problem with such containers is that, for example, when opening the container by lifting the lid, in the well-known Yoghurt and quark containers only by a Aluminum foil formed, the lid does not actually for certain locations in the edge region of the container tears off, but the actual lid ruptures, so that the opened container then not even more makeshift if the product received in the container not completely removed or consumed, can be closed. Another type of closure Such container, in which one on vorhend described way printed film on the actual Container lid has been glued, points at one Attempt to open the very serious disadvantage, that the film is the opening attempt from the actual Container lid separates, i. tearing off of this without the connection of the container lid with the actual Container is loosened, i. that the container is not opened can be, but that's the real goal.

A third variant of containers is known in which a in the course of the production of the container lid after the method of the so-called "Immolded Label (IML)" produced Lid in the injection mold already with the foil, which forms the outer end of the container lid, is connected and beyond the container lid hinausstehender Edge region of the film connected to the container becomes. Even such containers show the serious Disadvantage that in the edge region of the Behälterdekkels Reinforced label or the film uncontrolled tearing or tearing when opening the container and over also by the notch effect when tearing between film and container lid, despite the use of Technique according to the "Immolded Label" method, the film from the container lid tears uncontrollably and the container only with foreign tools such as a pair of scissors or a Knife can be opened. It goes without saying even that such a lid open no longer capable is, the container opening even to makeshift close when the product received in the container has not been completely removed. Another essential Disadvantage is that many times a pollution the environment or the consumer or user even the result is that of such a trained Wants to open container.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a To provide container of the type mentioned, the Disadvantages of known in the art containers does not have this type, i. which open easily leaves and in which a tearing of the film when opening the Container lid is avoided by the container base and the container lid when opening by detecting the Foil and the release of the container lid or container upper part from the bottom of the container is not damaged so that the container lid, if not airtight, but at least a closure of the container base can form if the product after the first Opening the container has not been completely removed is, the container is light and very inexpensive should be produced and thus for the most diverse Packaging can be provided inexpensively should be.

Solved the task gem. of the invention the characteristics of claim 1.

The solution according to the invention has the extraordinary Advantage that the container upper part provided with a foil, which forms the container lid, defined by the invention trained, raised prominent edge the container base can be solved and exclusively the dimension of the raised protruding edge the attachment zone between container top and Container bottom part forms. This can be advantageous be dimensioned such that, depending on the nature of the material the container top and the container base and on the container top or the container lid attached foil, tearing open when opening the container or rolling the film is avoided and also by defined release of the connection between Tank shell and tank bottom a tearing of the Container upper part during the opening process and thus becoming unusable the container top or Behälterdekkels is avoided. The connection area between tank top and container base also requires by the very connection-effective nature of the constructive Design nevertheless no separate, elaborate Tools, so that the container itself with in the state of Technique known standard plastic injection molding can be produced and therefore also for this reason is extremely inexpensive to provide.

According to the invention, the container top is exactly like the Container bottom part a defined area of the connection created between the container top and container base so that the depression, as it were defined On the one hand and as a guide on the other hand, with the led out raised protruding edge of the container base can be joined together.

The fact that the bottom of the recess only from the formed on the container top film attached becomes, becomes the connection between container shell and container bottom between the film of the container top and the material of the edge of the container base, regularly identical to the material of the container bottom is formed. By the Foil, the container upper part of the connecting element or forms the connection area, can be achieved be that when opening the container shell, the film extremely defined by the junction with the container bases is detached without the container shell or the container lid damaged becomes.

Gem. An advantageous embodiment of the invention the edge in cross section in the manner of a spring trained, in the sense of a spring, as in a tongue and groove connection is used. The edge, for making the connection with the container shell is used by the upper surface of the spring formed, which regularly parallel to the container shell will be trained.

Thus, the defined surface side creates the actual defined connection point with the container upper part.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the container has the container bottom in the area of his Container opening a flange-like first Collar on which the protruding edge or the above Spring is formed. By this configuration it is possible, the container lid or the container top also on the flange trained first collar next to the actual connection with the Container lower part over the edge or the spring supporting to rest.

Depending on the shape of the container, which in itself arbitrary may be suitably formed, it may be advantageous be that the first collar is formed in such a way that he is substantially perpendicular from the container base projects. In this way, the above-described Supporting effect of the container shell on the container base supported in a simple manner advantageously.

On the one hand the dimensional stability of the container, the regular from a very thin plastic wall is to reinforce, the container base has a second collar on, at the free end of the first Collar is arranged and substantially rectangular sticking out from the first collar. With this measure it is also possible in a simple way, filled with products Containers, for example in presentation shelves in grocery stores and the like. Stack up without fear to have them slip off each other when they are stacked on top of each other. Furthermore, the offers second collar also an additional guide for the container top, if this to the execution of the connection with the container bottom in by the second Collar and the first collar formed support opening of the container is used, i. for the execution the connection between the container top and the container bottom do not need special fixation measures be provided.

Gem. Yet another advantageous embodiment of Invention, the second collar at least one extending into the region of the first collar recess on, by which in a simple way for the execution the opening process with the fingers of the user the container top part detected and from the container bottom can be solved.

Regularly, the container top is preferably as in formed essentially planar element, but it was pointed out that depending on the container In principle, other configurations are included in the recorded product the container top are possible.

Also like the edge of the container base is also the depression in the manner of a groove in the sense of a tongue and groove connection formed so that the groove of the recess with the spring of the container bottom leading or interacts and even then, when the container once it has been opened as intended sealing closure is possible when the product after opening from the container bottom not completely has been removed. The formation of a container towards the lower part, projecting, circumferential bridge, the quasi one Extension of the container top to the container bottom creates, creates an increase in the stability of the container shell.

To achieve that the film on the container top too the edges in the connected to the container base State not undefined deformed or "leaking", it is very beneficial to use the tank top form such that the container top over the Recess is extended out to the edge, i. only through the circumferential recess in the container top, which is formed in the manner of a groove interrupted becomes.

The oversight of this broadening also has the Advantage that this can be used to the outside Edge region of the container top, i. on this orbiting Strip adjacent to the depression, or it limits, at least two opposing ones To provide notches that as weakening or break points Act. This makes it possible when to open of the container, the container shell by the user For example, between finger and thumb is detected in the course of the opening process, the strip to buckle slightly can, along these wells, so that also by this measure in addition the probability the tearing of the film from the container top or Container lid is avoided.

The film is finally designed such that these preferably in the area between the notches for formation a grip tab over the outer edge of the container top protrudes, so that the film on simple Way grabbed between a user's finger and thumb, slightly bent up and buckling of the tank top in the said notches in the opening direction the container top can be pulled and thus the Connection between tank top and tank bottom is solved defined.

The connection between tank top and tank bottom can be done in any suitable manner subject to the requirements of the connection effect, i.e. from the point of view of the intended Hygiene, sterility and tightness from the point of view of moisture and air. Many suitable connection methods can to be used. It is particularly advantageous but, the tank shell with the tank bottom to connect by a fusion welding, since this in a simple way a hygienic air and moisture-proof and also impermeable compound creates.

Fig. 1

in der Draufsicht ein Behälterunterteil,

Fig. 2

in der Seitenansicht ein Behälterunterteil,

Fig. 3

in der Stirnansicht ein Behälterunterteil mit sichtbarer Aussparung für den Durchtritt einer Grifflasche (hier nicht dargestellt),

Fig. 4

in der Seitenansicht ein Behälteroberteil,

Fig. 5

das Behälterunterteil in der Ansicht der Fig. 4 von unten,

Fig. 6

ein Detail des Verschließbereiches des Behälteroberteils mit dem Behälterunterteil in vergrößertem Maßstab

Fig. 7

in vergrößertem Maßstab ein Detail gem. Fig. 6, jedoch ohne Behälteroberteil, lediglich das Behälterunterteil darstellend,

Fig. 8a

ein Detail des Randbereiches des Behälteroberteils, eine Kerbung darstellend, und

Fig. 8b

eine Seitenansicht des Details gem. Fig. 8a.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the following schematic drawings using an exemplary embodiment. Show:

Fig. 1

in plan view a container base,

Fig. 2

in the side view, a container base,

Fig. 3

in the front view of a container base with visible recess for the passage of a grip tab (not shown here),

Fig. 4

in the side view, a container top,

Fig. 5

the bottom of the container in the view of FIG. 4 from below,

Fig. 6

a detail of the Verschließbereiches the container top with the container bottom in an enlarged scale

Fig. 7

on a larger scale a detail acc. FIG. 6, but without the upper part of the container, merely depicting the lower part of the container, FIG.

Fig. 8a

a detail of the edge area of the tank shell, representing a notch, and

Fig. 8b

a side view of the details gem. Fig. 8a.

First, reference will be made to the container 10 as it is only in the form of the container bases 11 in Figs. 1 to 3 is shown. The container 10 is the recording solid, pasty as well as free-flowing and pourable Products, in particular of food products. The container 10 includes the container base 11 for receiving of the product.

Container 10 of this kind are, for example, by the all sides known yogurt cups made of plastic material or Also as a container for the inclusion of dairy products like butter, cheese, meat products, such as liver pate and Like. Used. In this respect, here, as the fundamental Construction of such container 10 is known, only on The details are given to help understand the invention are necessary.

The container lower part 11 has a container opening 14 on. In the area of the container opening 14 is a flange circumferential first collar 17 is formed, the substantially perpendicular from the container base 11th protrudes, even if the container base 11 here a slightly protruding from a right angle, conical Container shape. Furthermore, the container lower part 11 a second collar 18, the on free end 19 of the first collar 17 is arranged and protrudes substantially at right angles from the first collar 17. The second collar 18, cf. Fig. 3, has a Recess 20. This extends into the area of the first collar 17 down. This recess 20 serves to pass a gripping lug 28, cf. the FIGS. 4 and 5, which will be discussed in more detail below becomes.

4 and 5, the container top 12 is shown, that together with the container bottom part 11, which, as described before, shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is, the container 10 according to the invention forms. The tank shell 12 is provided with a film 13, the by the known principle of the so-called. "Immolded Label (IML) "during the plastic injection process with the container top 12 is connected. The tank shell 12 is formed substantially as a planar element, see. Fig. 4.

The container upper part 12 has in its edge region 21st a circumferentially formed recess 22. The depression is formed in the manner of a groove 23. The floor the recess 22, cf. Fig. 6, is of the on the container top 12 applied film 13 is formed. Of another is on the underside of the container top 12th a web 25 is formed, cf. Figs. 4 and 6, in Direction of the container base 11 protrudes. The bridge 25 revolves the container top 12 at its bottom completely, as shown schematically in Fig. 4 is.

The film 13 is provided with a grip tab 28, the made of the same material as the film 13 is and actually provides an extension of the film 13th over the peripheral edge region 21. This grip tab 28 is through the recess 20, see. Fig. 3, through (not shown there).

The outer edge region of the container upper part 12, cf. also Fig. 6, extreme, there shown left Part of the container top 12, has at least two each other opposite notches 26, 27, cf. FIG. 5 and Figs. 8a and 8b, which is a detailed view the notches 26, 27 show.

The container base 11, see. FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 and 7, has a flange on the first collar 17th trained or raised by him before, or protruding Edge 15 up. The edge 15 is in cross section in the manner of a Spring 16 is formed, whereas the recess 22nd is formed in the manner of a groove 23, s.o. The floor 24 the recess 22 is, as already mentioned, by the said Slide 13 in the embodiment described here the container 10 is formed. The actual connection between the container top 12 and container base 11th takes place between the surface of the edge 15 and the Spring 16, the container top 12, at this point formed by the film 13, is directed towards. These Connection can be made in any suitable way, For example, by a fusion weld, by ultrasonic welding or any other suitable connection methods, possibly also using a separate Connecting means.

To open the container 10, the container upper part 12 grasped at the grip tab 28 between finger and thumb, see. Figs. 4 and 5 and, based on the illustrations 4 and 5, moved to the right. Thereby then dissolves in the illustrated and described here Embodiment of the container 10, the container top 12 first of the narrow side of the container base 11, cf. Fig. 3, lifting, i. under solution the connection between the container top 12 and container base 11 at this point and will, the farther the pull tab 28 is pulled to the right, over the entire area of the container opening 14 is lifted, whereby the container 10 is then opened.

The notches 26, 27 facilitate the non-destructive Lifting the container shell 12, since this already a desired weakening for buckling of the container shell 12 is reached at these points, so that for relief the lifting of the container top 12 to the Notches 26, 27 takes place a kink effect. The tearing off the film 13 is thereby avoided on the one hand i.e. this also remains with the container top during the opening process 12 connected, and the edge 15 and the Recess 22 are not damaged, so that the container shell 12 below also for provisional closing the container opening 14 can be used if the product received in the container 10 is not complete taken after opening the container 10 is.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

container

11

Container bottom

12

Container top

13

foil

14

container opening

15

edge

16

feather

17

first collar

18

second collar

19

free end (first collar)

20

recess

21

Edge area (container top)

22

deepening

23

groove

24

ground

25

web

26

notching

27

notching

28

handle bar

29

outer edge (container top)

Claims (12)

1. Container (10) for solid, pasty and free-flowing products, in particular for food products, comprising a container bottom part (11) for containing the product and a container top part (12) in the form of a container lid, a foil (13) applied to the container bottom part (11) being detachable to facilitate opening of the container top part (12) closing the container bottom part (11), which container bottom part (11) has a closed projecting rim (15) extending peripherally around its container opening (14) on which the container top part (12) is detachably secured, and the container top part (12) is provided in its peripheral region (21) with a recess (22) extending peripherally around the container top part (12) to permit insertion of the rim (15) of the container bottom part (11), the base (24) of the recess (22) being formed by the foil (13) applied to the container top part (12).
2. Container as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the rim (15) is designed in the form of a tongue (16) in cross-section.
3. Container as claimed in one or both of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the container bottom part (11) has a peripherally extending flange-type first collar (17) in the region of its container opening (14) on which the projecting rim (15) is formed.
4. Container as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the first collar (17) stands out from the container bottom part (11) in an essentially right-angled arrangement.
5. Container as claimed in one or both of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the container bottom part (11) has a second collar (18), which is disposed on the free end (19) of the first collar (17) and stands away from the first collar (17) in an essentially right angled arrangement.
6. Container as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the second collar (18) has at least one cut-out (20) extending into the region of the first collar (17).
7. Container as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the container top part (12) is provided in the form of a substantially flat element.
8. Container as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the recess (22) is provided in the form of a groove (23).
9. Container as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the container top part (12) has a peripherally extending, projecting web (25) directed towards the container bottom part (11).
10. Container as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the outer peripheral region (21) of the container top part (12) bordering the recess (22) has at least two notches (26, 27) lying opposite one another.
11. Container as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the foil (13) extends out beyond the outer rim (29) of the container top part (12) in the region between the notches (26, 27) to form a gripping tab (28).
12. Container as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the container top part (12) is joined to the container bottom part (11) by a fusion welded joint.

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