EP1483165A1

EP1483165A1 - Container with a cover

Info

Publication number: EP1483165A1
Application number: EP03717138A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gustav Dengel; Frank Diesterbeck; Robert George Georgiadia; Marcus Blumenschein
Original assignee: Jokey Plastik Gummersbach GmbH
Current assignee: Jokey Plastik Gummersbach GmbH
Priority date: 2002-03-11
Filing date: 2003-03-06
Publication date: 2004-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-06
Also published as: US20100243654A1; HRP20040938B1; PL200770B1; CA2478441A1; DE50307371D1; EP1483165B1; DE10210486A1; CY1106836T1; ATE363439T1; CN1321040C; AU2003221598A1; RU2288149C2; CA2478441C; JP4059444B2; US20060011631A1; PL371790A1; IL163922A; IL163922A0; ES2287461T3; UA79449C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1), especially a bucket or similar, comprising an opening which is orientated upwards and which can be closed by a cover (3) and a peripheral container edge (2) which is drawn outwards in a downward direction on the container wall (5), whereby the cover (3) is detachably connected thereto, and whereon at least one tongue-like element (8) is connected in such a way that at least one part of the cover (3) is raised due to a pivoting movement away from an initial point on the container wall (5). According to the invention, the tongue-like element (8) engages with the container edge (2) from behind with part of said tongue-like element which can be guided outwards by the pivoting movement to a position in front of the container wall (2) and the part of said tongue-like element is prevented from being guided behind the container edge (2) when the tongue-like element (8) pivots back in the direction of the initial position.

Description

Container with a lid

The invention relates to containers, in particular buckets or the like, with an upward-facing opening which can be closed by a lid and a peripheral container edge which is drawn downwards on the outside of the container wall and to which the lid can be detachably connected, and to which at least one flap is articulated is that its pivoting movement leading away from the container wall from an initial position lifts at least part of the lid.

Such containers or vessels, which can be produced in particular from elastic plastic materials by injection molding, are widely used due to their cheap manufacture and their low weight. They are ideal for storing, storing and transporting packable goods in liquid or granulated form in handy containers without the container itself having to accept significant weight or shape restrictions. In addition, the content of the container does not have to be consumed in one operation, since this can be closed again with a lid and the contents can therefore still be used after the container has been opened one or more times.

However, this initially very positive property has the disadvantage that the container must consequently be provided in some way for a user or buyer with an indication of whether an opening process has already taken place or not, in other words, the If possible, the integrity or originality of the container should be obvious even if only a brief glance is made.

In general, the removal of a lid from a container is facilitated by lifting the same in regions, an aid in the manner of a tab being used, as is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 3,753,512.

A container of the type mentioned at the outset is known, for example, from EP 0 565 967 B2. There, a container is described, on the container edge of which a tab is articulated, which lifts the lid from a starting position by means of a pivoting movement. At least one of the front edges of the ends of a fastening flange should be connected to the associated edge of the tab via thin-walled, easily tearable plastic webs or a plastic film. This type of tamper-evident closure is disadvantageous because these webs can also unintentionally detach due to their easy tear-off and thus indicate a failure to open. In addition, the intended notification of the opening is not necessarily clear. If the lid that has been lifted is put back on the container and the flap is brought into its initial position, it may happen that the webs remaining at least at one end of the edges indicate that the container has not yet been opened.

In the case of a container disclosed in EP 1 052 183 AI, a flap hinged to the container also serves to lift the lid. In its initial position, the tab is overlapped in sections without engagement by one or more web-like elements, these elements being intended to break open or to be deformed when the tab is moved away from the initial position to open the container. However, it can happen that this or that Elements after a subsequent reclosing, when the tab is again in its starting position, also find their original position, ie lie on the tab, so that the display of the previous opening of the container is not guaranteed. The web-like elements overlapping the flap are nevertheless also susceptible to being damaged or torn off during transport, which in turn would indicate that the container had not been opened.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a container with a device for lifting the lid located on the container, which has a device that is able to display a prior opening of the container in a simple and inexpensive manner.

The object is achieved in that the tab engages behind the container edge with at least one tab part, the tab part can be guided in front of the container edge by the pivoting movement and the tab part cannot be returned behind the container edge when the tab is pivoted back in the direction of the starting position.

With a lug part behind the container edge, it is first ensured that no parts of the container

The lug protrudes unfavorably and none to deform,

Tear off or break open provided parts are at risk of being damaged even before the intended use. During the pivoting movement to be carried out for lifting the lid, the tab part engaging behind the container edge is guided outwards in front of the container edge. This provides an optical display that clearly shows whether the container has already been opened or not, since the part of the flap previously covered by an area of the container edge is suddenly visible to the user is. The tab part is designed in such a way that pivoting the tab back or putting the lid back on after the opening of the container does not result in the tab part being able to be returned behind the edge of the container. Rather, it is the case that the tab part lies on the container edge during this movement and mechanically counteracts the return movement. A further indication of the previous use is that the tab itself can no longer be completely returned to its starting position and protrudes from the wall of the container by a certain amount, without prejudice to the fact that the container can of course still be closed again by means of the lid. Finally, the design of the tab part also allows a certain amount of unintentional movement of the tab without this being detrimental to the information to be conveyed, the tab part being simultaneously protected against accidental damage.

In a preferred embodiment, the tab part is formed in one piece as part of the tab. As a result, it is easy to manufacture, no additional molding tools and no subsequent molding processes have to be provided. The tab, in turn, is received in a free opening of the circumferential container edge and corresponds in its radial extent essentially to that of the rest of the container edge. Although there are no restrictions on the shape, it is often rectangular or trapezoidal.

The tab part is preferably deformable or breakable during the pivoting movement of the tab. In this way, the tab part can be guided outwards past the comparatively rigid edge regions of the container during the pivoting movement. When the flap is swung back, the flap parts or parts then lie on the outside of the formerly overlapping edge regions, they are then arranged between the container edge and the side of the flap facing this edge, which makes the pivoting movement of the flap in the direction of the starting position more difficult and prevents complete swiveling back, in particular when the lid is replaced. Both the lying of the tab parts on the edge of the container and the position of the tab itself can thus be optically detected as an indication of a successful opening of the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the container according to the invention, the container edge has a downward-facing edge projection in the area of the tab, which engages in a recess in the tab. The essentially arbitrary contour of this downward edge projection adapts to the recess provided in the tab, with a clear dimension being provided between the edge projection and the tab. As a result, the tab can be pivoted away from the edge protrusion when the pivoting movement running over a hinge is carried out, so that the edge protrusion disengages from the recess. The edge projection is preferably provided with a tongue which is engaged behind by the tab part. This tongue is curved and jumping forward. The tab part arranged in the region of the recess is consequently overlapped by the tongue arranged on the edge projection, which therefore does not itself engage in the recess of the tab. The pivoting movement of the tab leads to the tab part engaging on the side of the tongue facing the container wall, which in turn causes a deformation of the tab part in the direction of the container wall. The rest of the tab then pulls the tab part past the tongue so that it reaches the side of the tongue facing away from the container wall. The length and shape of the tongue now prevent the tab part from being able to be fed back behind the tongue in the opposite direction. In order to facilitate the lifting process of the cover caused by the tab, it can be provided in a further preferred embodiment that a break line is arranged in the area of the tab engaging behind the tongue. When the tab part engages the edge projection or the tongue, the material of the tab part then partially breaks open, so that less effort is required to carry out the pivoting movement. In this embodiment, too, a corresponding design of the edge projection or of the tongue ensures that it is not possible to guide the tab part again behind the edge region which it previously gripped.

In an advantageous embodiment, webs partially overlapping the recess are arranged on the side of the tab facing the container wall as tab parts between the edge projection and the container wall. These webs are, for example, bar-shaped and connected to the tab at one or more points in the edge region of the recess. During the pivoting movement of the tab, they engage on the side of the edge protrusion facing the container wall and are first bent back in the direction of the container wall and subsequently passed past the edge protrusion through the clear dimension between the edge protrusion and the tab. When the tab is swung back, the webs cannot be threaded back and lie on the edge projection from the outside. As a result, the tab cannot return to its original position.

In order to secure the tab against unintentional actuation, it can advantageously also be provided that the tab is connected to the edge projection by means of breakable connections. At certain points, these bridge the clear dimension between the flap and the edge projection and prevent relative movement of the tab with respect to the rest of the container. The connections can then be easily loosened the first time the tab is actuated in a lifting process of the cover. In a further development, the tab can also be connected to the container edge by breakable connections, for example in the sense of an additional safeguard against inadvertent actuation of the tab.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the container according to the invention, tab parts are provided on the side ends of the tab, which engage behind the side ends of the container edge facing the tab. These tab parts can initially also be in the form of bar-shaped webs which engage behind the container edge opposite the side ends of the tab at individual points. In addition, however, an embodiment of tab parts is also conceivable, for example, in which they grip wing-like or lamella-like initially vertically towards the container wall and then angled behind the container edge over parts or the entire height of the tab. The mode of operation of these lamella-like tab parts is basically identical to that of the webs during the pivoting movements. It is also evident here that a large number of possible variants appear conceivable with regard to the tab parts engaging behind the edge projection or the side edge of the container.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide ribs between the side of the flap facing the container wall and the container wall, which make it more difficult to pivot towards the container wall. This also ensures that the attempt to force the tab into its starting position by force when swiveling it back is unsuccessful. Furthermore, the tab can be additionally stiffened and stabilized by these ribs. In the sense of an additional transport lock, it is advantageous in a further embodiment that the downward-facing edge side of the tab protrudes relative to the lower end of the container edge pulled down on the outside of the container wall. This takes into account the fact that tilting movements and tilting can occur during transport, so that this measure attempts to prevent the unwanted actuation of the tab and the associated lifting of the lid due to a more difficult intervention on the tab.

It is also advantageous that, in the case of a container according to the invention, the tab for performing the pivoting movement has at least one actuation intervention. This simplifies the intended use of the tab, since the user is provided with an intervention for the hand or the fingers performing the pivoting movement of the tab, and can thus carry out the movement easily and safely.

It is also advantageous in a further development that the tab has a structured surface on its side facing away from the container wall. In this way, slipping off of the user's hand area that comes to rest on this surface when the tab is actuated can be avoided, so that the surface provided with ribs, for example, benefits the safe handling of the container.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one tab part arranged on the tab has a marking which is at least partially covered by an area of the container edge in the initial position of the tab. The marking can be both a lettering and a color identification, for example an execution of the tab parts in a different one than that Container color would be conceivable in order to ensure increased attention of a viewer after the opening process of the then fully visible tab part. However, the marking is not limited to this type of identification, rather, other, very different types of marking are conceivable.

The invention is explained in more detail below using several exemplary embodiments. In the accompanying drawing, the

1 shows an end view of the edge region of a first embodiment of the container according to the invention with a tab;

2.3 shows a sectional view of the container from FIG. 1 along the line II-II with the cover attached and the tab in the starting position or in the pivoted position;

4 shows a perspective front view of another

Embodiment of the container with container rim,

Tabs and webs engaging behind the edge projection and the side edge of the container as tab parts;

5 shows a view of the edge area of another

Embodiment from below with webs engaging behind the edge projection and lamella-like tab parts which engage behind the side edge; and

Fig. 6.7 end views of two further embodiments of the tab with actuation interventions.

8,9 the front view of a further embodiment with the tab in the starting position or in the pivoted position.

The Fig.l shows an area of the circumferential container edge 2 of a container 1 made of a thermoplastic in front view without a lid 3. Starting from the invisible container opening at the upper end of the container edge 2 and the flange 4 arranged there, the container edge 2 extends along the Container wall 5 in the downward direction. Between two side edges 6 of the container edge 2 there is an opening 7 which is open at the bottom and into which a tab 8 articulated on the container edge is fitted in its starting position at a distance from the side edges. The flat cross section of the flap 8, which is provided with ribs 9 on its side facing the viewer, tapers in the downward direction, while the downward-facing edges of the flap 8, which in principle can be designed in any shape, and the side edges 6 at the same height to lock. The ribs 9 can be provided both as a slip protection and for stiffening the tab 8.

In the middle of the upward-facing edge region of the tab 8 there is a recess 10, in which a downwardly projecting edge projection 11, which tapers slightly in this direction, protrudes from the container edge 2. A tongue 12 is arranged on the edge protrusion 11, which leads obliquely downwards in the direction away from the container and overlaps the tab part 13 which is arranged opposite the edge protrusion 11 and is arranged on the tab 8. A pivoting movement of the tab 8 in the direction of the viewer leads the tab part 13 past the tongue 12, so that the tab part 13 previously covered by the tongue 12 is then visible, while the invisible rear side then lies opposite the tongue 12 and on the bottom the shape and arrangement of the tongue 12 is not passed past this again can be.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a sectional illustration of the edge region 1 of the container from FIG. 1 along the line II-II with the cover 3 attached. In FIG. 2, the tab 8 is initially in its initial position. It can also be seen that the lid 3 is detachably connected to the edge region of the container via a flange 4 and a latching device 14. The circumferential inner edge 15 of the lid sits in the region of the flange 4 sealingly on the inner wall 16 of the container 1. The outer edge 17 of the lid is formed with an inwardly projecting projection 18 so that it has a latching device with a protruding nose 19 of the container edge 2 14 forms. The underside of the outer edge 17 is supported on the edge projection 11 of the container edge 2 and the tab 8. In addition, reinforcing ribs 21 are formed on the inside of the tab 8, which should make it more difficult for the tab 8 to pivot toward the container wall 5.

3 shows the tab 8 hinged to the container edge 2 after a pivoting movement to be carried out in the direction of the arrow has taken place. During the pivoting movement, the tab part 13 arranged on the tab 8 engages the tongue 12 and presses it together with the edge projection 11 in the upward direction. Here, the locking device 14 disengages, the projection 18 of the outer edge 17 of the lid 3 is moved past the nose 19 of the container edge 2 and comes to rest on the side facing upwards. The inner edge 15 of the lid 3 still pushes upwards in a sealing manner on the inner wall of the container. As a result, the lid 3 can easily be detached from the container 1. In a continuation of the pivoting movement, the tab part 13 is finally guided past the tongue 12, so that the side of the tab part 13 facing the container wall 2 and the Tab 8 opposite the tongue. The pivoting movement of the tab 8 reveals the view of the side edge 6 previously hidden in FIG. 2. It can also be seen from FIG. 3 that the shape and arrangement of the edge projection 11 and the tongue 12 prevent the tab 8 from pivoting back into its starting position; this movement leads to the back of the tab part 13 and the tab 8 being on the tongue from the outside 12 place.

The further embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in a perspective front view shows, in principle similar to the illustration in FIG. 1, an area of the container edge 2 without a lid 3. The container edge 2 is here on both side ends of the tab 8 and in the area of the edge projection 11 Provide axial interruptions 24 which continue in the axial direction into the opening 7 between the side edges 6 and the recess 10 of the tab 8. These interruptions 24 allow the tab 8 to move independently of the edge projection 11 and the side edges 6.

Again, the tab 8 received by the opening 7 can be seen in its starting position. Here, however, the side ends of the tab 8 run parallel to the side edges 6 arranged in the vertical direction, so that the tab 8 does not taper downwards. Again, the edge protrusion 11 projects into the recess 10 arranged centrally in the upper edge region of the tab 8. On the end of the edge projection 11 facing the tab 8, a rectangular strip piece 22 with semicircular end pieces 23 is formed, the edges of the strip piece 22 and the end pieces 23 being spaced apart from the edges of the recess 10. For stabilization, on the outside facing away from the container wall 5 there is a stiffening web 25 partially covering the strip piece 22 and the end pieces 23. On the side of the tab 8 facing away from the viewer, between the Tab 8 and the container wall 5, the recess 10 partially overlapping tab parts 13 in the form of webs, which thus engage behind the strip piece 22 and the end pieces 23. In the same way, on the two ends of the flap facing the side edges 6, the side edges 6 are engaged behind as flap parts 13 by longitudinal webs attached to the flap there. When the pivoting movement takes place when opening, the tab parts 13 engage on the side of the container wall facing the rigid ledge / end pieces or the rigid side edge, are pivoted under deformation and are guided past the rigid parts to the front. Once they have passed the obstacles, they essentially assume their previously formed position on the tab 8 again due to the elasticity of the material. In this way, when the tab is pivoted back from the outside, they lie on those parts of the edge of the container 1 which were previously passed. For better handling, the top of the tab 8 is provided with ribs 9 in this embodiment.

5 shows a perspective bottom view of the edge region of a further embodiment. In this figure, the circumferential container edge 2 with the side edges 6 can first be seen. The opening 7, which is located between the side edges 6, continues into the interruptions 24. Arranged between the side edges 6 is the tab 8, the lower edge and the ribs 9 of which can be seen. Wing-like or lamella-like tab parts 13 are integrally formed on the two side ends of the tab 8. These engage behind the side edges 6 by first protruding perpendicularly towards the container wall 5 and then angled from the tab 8 in the direction of the side edges. The tab parts 13 extend in the vertical direction from the lower end of the tab 8 over the length of the tab edge opposite the side edge 6. Reinforcement ribs 21 are arranged at the rear of the tab, more to the center of the tab 8, in addition to the tab parts 13. Further tab parts 13, which are provided for guiding past the edge projection 11 (not shown), then follow even further towards the center of the tab 8. These tab parts 13 again have a region pointing vertically in the direction of the container wall 5 and a bent region, which, however, is directed away from the side edges 6 in this case. Between the ends of these tab parts 13, three domes 26 are arranged on the container wall 5, projecting perpendicularly therefrom. The back of the container edge 2 extends between these domes 26, which are attached for reinforcement and reinforcement, while the edge projection 11 is not shown on its top. In this embodiment, tab parts 13 are in turn guided past both the edge projection and the side edges during the pivoting movement. The formation of the lug parts 13 with a part perpendicular to the container wall 5 and an angled part is particularly favorable in order to counteract the attempted return movement of the lug 8 in the direction of its initial position. During this movement, the tab parts 13 lie from the outside on the edge regions which they have previously engaged, so that the tab protrudes at an angle with respect to the rest of the container edge 2.

In Figs. 6 and 7, two further embodiments of the tab 8 are shown, the mode of operation of the tab essentially corresponding to that from FIG. 1, the tab 8 itself, however, being pulled further into the container edge 2 at its end facing the container edge 2, so that a total of one larger edge projection 11 arises. The flap 8, which tapers up to the container edge 2 in the case of FIG. 6, has a plurality of actuation interventions 27 on its lower edge, into which a user can insert his fingers to perform the pivoting movement. Furthermore, reinforcing ribs 21 are formed on the side of the flap facing the container wall, indicated by dashed lines. Also shown in dashed lines on the side of the edge projection 11 facing the container wall 5 are the domes 26 formed there. In addition, the edge projection 11 in FIG Secure operation.

In FIG. 7, the opening 7 with the associated tab 8 is arranged inside the container edge 2, so that no opening 7, which is open at the bottom and is delimited by side edges 6, is created. The largest area of the tab 8 is occupied by the single actuation intervention 27, into which several fingers of an operating hand can be inserted simultaneously to carry out the pivoting movement of the tab.

The figures 8 and 9 finally show two different positions of the tab 8 of a further embodiment, namely with the tab 8 in the starting position and in the pivoted position. The arrangement of the domes 26 arranged between the container wall 5 and the tab 8 corresponds to the illustration from FIG. 6. The tab part 13 arranged in the center of the tab 8 has essentially vertical, free side ends opposite the edges of the tab 8, which are connected to these by means of breakable connections 29. The tab part 13 is covered by the tongue 12 and is pivotally connected to the tab 8 at its end facing the actuating interventions 27 via a thin point 30. Furthermore, tab parts 13 are arranged on the tab 8 at their ends facing the side edges 6, which first engage behind the side edges 6 in FIG. After intervention in the actuation interventions 27, pivoting leads the tab 8 from the plane of the figure towards the viewer in that the connections 29 break open and both the tab part 13 arranged centrally on the tab 8 and the tab parts 13 engaging behind the side edges 6 are guided forward. During the swiveling movement, the centrally arranged tab part first lies against the tongue 12 from behind and, after the connections 29 have been broken open, is swiveled in the direction of the container wall 5, the thin point 30 acting as the swiveling axis. After the pivoting movement has taken place and the cover 3 (not shown) has been raised accordingly, the situation is as shown in FIG Connections 29 remain either on the tab part 13 itself, the tab 8 or both, while the lateral tab parts were guided past the side edges. A complete pivoting back of the tab 8 is prevented in that the central tab part 13 lies on the tongue 12 and the lateral tab parts 13 lie on the side edge 6, so that the tab 8 protrudes at a certain angle with respect to its starting position.

Container with a lid

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 container

2 container rim

3 cover 4 flange

5 container wall

6 page margin

7 opening

8 tab 9 rib

10 recess

11 ledge

12 tongue

13 tab part 14 locking device

15 inner edge of the lid

16 inner wall

17 outer edge of the cover

18 projection 19 nose

21 reinforcement rib

22 fillet piece

23 semicircular end piece

24 interruption 25 stiffening web

26 dom

27 actuation intervention

28 breakable connections 29 breakable connections 30 thin point

Claims

Containers with lids

1. Container, in particular bucket or the like, with an upward-facing, closable by a lid

Opening and a circumferential, on the outside of the container wall downwardly drawn container edge, with which the lid is releasably connectable, and to which at least one tab is articulated such that its pivoting movement away from the container wall from an initial position lifts at least part of the lid, thereby characterized in that the tab 8 engages behind the container edge 2 with at least one tab part 13, the tab part 13 can be guided in front of the container edge 2 by the pivoting movement and that

Tab part 13 when pivoting the tab 8 in

Direction of the starting position not behind the

Container edge 2 is traceable.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the tab part 13 is integrally formed as part of the tab 8.

3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tab part 13 is deformable or breakable during the pivoting movement of the tab 8.

4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized ge characterizes that in the area of the tab 8, the container edge 2 has a downward edge projection 11 which engages in a recess 10 of the tab 8.

Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the edge projection 11 is provided with a tongue 12 which is engaged by the tab part 13.

Container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a break line is arranged in the area of the tab 8 engaging behind the tongue 12.

Container according to one of claims 4 to 6, so that ge ge zei chnet that on the container wall 5 facing side of the tab 8 as tab parts 13 between the edge projection 11 and the container wall 5 the recesses 10 are partially overlapping webs.

Container according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the tab 8 is connected to the edge projection 11 by breakable connections.

Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tab is connected to the container edge by breakable connections 28.

Container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tab parts 13 are provided on the side ends of the tab 8, which are those of the Reach behind tab 8 each facing side ends of the container edge 2.

11. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that ribs 21 are provided between the side of the tab 8 facing the container wall 5 and the container wall 5, which complicate a pivoting movement towards the container wall 5.

12. Container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized ge z e i chnet, s s the downward facing edge of the tab 8 is opposite the lower end of the outside of the container wall 5 pulled down container edge 2.

13. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the tab 8 has at least one actuating engagement 27 for carrying out the pivoting movement.

14. Container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the tab 8 has a structured surface on its side facing away from the container wall 5.

15. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, since by ge mark that at least one tab part 13 arranged on the tab 8 has a marking which is at least partially covered by an area of the container edge 2 in the initial position of the tab 8.