EP1541485B1 - Food container - Google Patents

Abstract

A food tray has a base tray (1) with a cover (2) which seals onto the tray and which is retained by a spring loaded release catch (4) gripping a sealing profile (6) on the cover. The cover is released by pressing the release catch which is attached to a lever (5), pivot mounted on the tray, to prise up the cover. The release catch is attached to the tray by a moulded flexible hinge strip. The release catch is operated with one hand leaving the user free to hold the cover with the other hand.

Description

The invention relates to a container for food, consisting of a base plate and a fixable by means of fastening elements on the base cover according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such containers are often used as a butter dish or cheese bell, and preferably made of plastic, in order to be able to store and serve the corresponding food therein.

Especially in the storage of food - usually in the refrigerator - it has been proven to provide fasteners that detachably connect the cover to the base plate. The fasteners are preferably formed by a fixedly attached to the cover or on or molded-in holding element and by a holding element engages behind or engaging in this locking element on the base plate, wherein the locking element against a spring force out of engagement with the holding element is movable. In particular, for the formation of the retaining element, there are many different possibilities, ranging from a protruding nose over a hook to a molded-in recess or opening in the wall of the cover. The locking element on the other side may be formed, for example, as a slide, pivot lever or pushbutton.

In such containers, fasteners are usually present on two opposite sides to ensure the desired stability of the closed container. However, since the locking element against a spring force has to be moved out of engagement with the holding element, the user of the corresponding container must use both hands to move the locking elements and to be able to solve the engagement in the holding elements can. It then lacks the "third" hand to lift the thus freed cover from the base plate can. The handling of such a container according to the prior art is therefore quite cumbersome.

A container according to the preamble of claim 1 is made US 4,741,452 A1 known.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to improve a container of the type just described in terms of its handling.

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

Preferred embodiments and further developments of the container according to the invention are laid down in the claims 2 to 15.

An initially mentioned container according to the invention thus improved by the fact that the locking element is in operative connection with a lifting mechanism for lifting the cover. Once the locking element is thus moved against the spring force out of engagement with the holding element, the cover is raised automatically via the lifting mechanism, so that the locking element when releasing, despite it moves back due to the spring force or move back, no longer in Engagement with the retaining element passes and the cover therefore can be easily lifted by the operator with his now freed hands from the base plate.

According to the invention, therefore, the cover is not constantly under bias when the fasteners are locked; the lifting mechanism is activated only when the locking element is actuated. This has decisive advantages in terms of the load capacity and durability of the container.

Normally, as is common in the art, two locking elements will be provided on opposite sides of the container. The following For reasons of simplicity, embodiments relate in each case only to one locking element; but this is of course to be understood that two or more locking elements or fasteners may be present.

The locking element may be formed in the invention on the base plate, which is particularly useful when the container is made by injection molding of plastic. In this case, preferably an elastically deformable spring part - which does not exclude that this may also be two or more spring parts - provided, via which the locking element is integrally formed on the base plate.

The locking element is preferably designed such that it moves out of engagement with the retaining element by pressure from above. This can be done via a pivoting operation when the locking element is pivotally mounted hinged; However, in connection with the above-mentioned elastically deformable spring part, a complex deformation movement of the spring part can lead to the desired result.

The lifting mechanism preferably comprises at least one lever arm, which engages under the edge of the cover and causes the lifting of the same by an upward movement. This lever arm can be substantially rigidly connected to the locking element and arranged so that it moves approximately upwards when the locking element is moved out of engagement with the retaining element out. In the simplest case, this can be realized in that the locking element and the lever arm form a rocker, which - as far as a spring member is present - is suspended from this.

Here again, especially when the container is produced as a plastic injection-molded part, it is particularly advantageous to integrally form the locking element, the spring part and the lever arm on the base plate.

In order to be able to ensure a defined movement sequence, a first deformation region and a second deformation region may be provided in such a spring part, the first deformation region being a pivoting movement of the locking element and a second deformation region being a lifting movement causes the lever arm. These deformation areas then each form a kind of hinge, wherein both deformation areas can be deformed simultaneously. On the other hand, it is particularly advantageous if the deformation regions are not deformed simultaneously but one behind the other. Because in this way it is possible that the first deformation region for the pivoting movement of the locking element when releasing the lifting mechanism moves back to its initial position before the second deformation region, so that the lever arm remains raised while the locking element already moved back. This then causes the locking element pivots back to the or under the raised cover, which is reliably excluded that the locking element unintentionally comes back into engagement with the support member. Only then then moves the second deformation range for the lifting movement of the lever arm back, so that then the resting on the locking element cover can be easily removed.

Further advantages arise when the base plate is provided with at least one lateral shoulder or web for placing the edge of the cover, wherein the lever arm is arranged in the plane of the shoulder or the web. With such a design of the base plate, the lever arm is then not only optically integrated in the line of the shoulder or the web, but it is then not from the base plate, so that the risk of damage is minimized.

The edge of the cover can be provided for reasons of stability with a circumferential collar; However, this collar can also be present only in areas, in particular in the area corresponding to the locking element. The locking element can then be designed so that it engages behind this collar, so that the collar serves not only as a stiffener, but also as a holding element. The holding element can - as far as a special form of the same is necessary - are of course also integrated into the collar.

Finally, the locking element and the retaining element are preferably designed so that the locking element when placing the cover on the Base plate snaps into engagement with the retaining element, if necessary by additional pressure from above. This can be achieved in a manner known per se by means of bevels in connection with the present invention spring preload of the locking element.

Figur 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Behälter in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 2

die Abdeckhaube des Behälters aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

die Grundplatte des Behälters aus Figur 1;

Figur 4

das an der Grundplatte angeordnete Riegelelement in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Figur 5

eine Seitenansicht des Befestigungselements;

Figur 6

eine Schnittdarstellung der Ansicht aus Figur 5.

An embodiment of the invention will be described and explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a container according to the invention in a perspective view;

FIG. 2

the cover of the container of Figure 1;

FIG. 3

the base plate of the container of Figure 1;

FIG. 4

the arranged on the base plate locking element in a perspective view;

FIG. 5

a side view of the fastener;

FIG. 6

a sectional view of the view of Figure 5.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention in a perspective view. The container consists of a base plate 1 and a cover 2, both made of plastic. The container serves as a butter dish both for storage in the refrigerator and for serving. The base plate 1 has on its longitudinal sides in each case a web 3 for placing the cover 2. At the end faces of this web 3 is interrupted and is continued in a rocker, formed from a locking element 4 and two lever arms 5 optically. The edge of the cover 2 is provided with a peripheral collar 6, which rests on the webs 3 on the longitudinal sides of the container. The lever arms 5 as an extension of the webs 3 are with their ends also under the collar 6 of the cover 2, whereas the locking element 4, the collar 6 engages behind the top and thus defines the cover 2 on the base plate 1.

Figure 2 shows the cover 2 with its peripheral collar 6 in the same perspective as Figure 1 without the base plate 1 to make the collar 6 more clearly visible.

Figure 3 shows the base plate 1 also in the same perspective as in Figure 1, but without patch cover 2. Here, it is clear that the webs 3 and the lifting arms 5 lie in the same plane, while the locking element 4 is slightly higher to be able to reach behind the collar 6 of the cover 2.

In Figure 4, a front side of the base plate 1 is shown in detail in a slightly different perspective, to illustrate the structure of the fastening elements according to the invention by way of example. Deposited from the webs 3 of the base plate 1, form the lever arms 5 together with the locking element 4 and an actuating surface 9 a rocker, which is mounted on two spring parts 10 - made in one piece by injection molding - movably mounted on the base plate 1. The deformability of the spring parts 10 ensures that a pressure from above on the actuating surface 9, the rocker moves so that the rigidly connected to the actuating surface 9 lever arms 5 move upward while the entire rocker, and thus the locking element 4, pivots to the outside to the (not shown here) collar 6 of the cover 2 free.

This mode of operation of the fastening element according to the invention is again illustrated in FIG. 5, a side view of the front side of the container with attached cover 2: If the actuating surface 9 is pressed downwards (as indicated by an arrow), the spring part 10 deforms in such a way that, firstly the lever arms 5 are pushed upward (also indicated by an arrow) and on the other hand, the locking element 4 is pivoted away from engagement with the collar 6 of the cover 2. The cover 2 is thereby simultaneously released both from the locking element 4 as well as from the lever arms 5, which lie next to the webs 3 under the collar 6, pushed upwards (symbolized by the third arrow), so that as a result, a pressure on the actuating surface 9 causes the release of the cover 2 and a lifting of the same.

The movement is optimized by a corresponding design of the spring member 10 such that when re-releasing the actuating surface 9, the locking element 4 due to elastic bias back to its rest position that is, the locked position, is moved back, but that takes place in a moment in which the collar 6 of the cover 2 is not completely rests again on the web 3, so that the top-rounded surface of the locking element 4 on the lower edge of the collar 6 of the cover 2 impinges, whereby the locking element 4 pushes under the cover 2. Even after releasing the actuating surface 9 so the cover 2 is released and can then be easily lifted from the base plate 1 away. Conversely, when placing the cover 2, the collar 6 of the cover 2 slides over the rounded upper surface of the locking element 4 and pushes this aside, so that as a result, a slight pressure from above on the cover 2, a locking of the locking element 4 behind the collar. 6 causes.

Figure 6 shows the arrangement of Figure 5 again in a sectional view to illustrate how the locking element 4, the collar 6 of the cover 2 engages behind. Here is also visible that the collar 6 has a ramp 13, with which he slides along the upper surface of the locking element 4, this pushes when placing the cover 2 aside until the locking element 4 due to the elastic spring force of the spring member 10 in the illustrated Snaps position and the cover 2 engages in the locking element 4.

The spring member 10 has, as best seen in Figure 6, a first deformation region 11 and a second deformation region 12, wherein the first deformation region 11 is responsible for the pivotal movement of the locking element 4, whereas the second deformation region 12 forms the pivot bearing for the lever arms 5 , However, in the present case, this is not to be understood as meaning that the spring part 10 would be equipped with two hinges; the actual deformation of the spring member 10 is more complex, but may be understood in the course of motion to be approximately provided with two virtual hinges. Here, the deformation regions 11 and 12 are arranged and configured so that when releasing the actuating surface 9, the locking element 4, the collar 6 no longer engages behind, but rather impinges on the ramp 13 and the cover 2 can be released. For as long as the actuating surface 9 is pressed down, both the first deformation region 11 and the second deformation region 12 are under tension. When letting go the actuating surface 9 moves the first deformation region 11 due to the shorter lever arm in front of the second deformation region 12 in the (relaxed) starting position. Therefore, the locking element 4 hits the run-on slope 13, whereby the collar 6 of the cover 2 additionally pressed up and re-engagement of the holding elements 4, 6 is prevented.

The invention thus provides, in particular, a fastening element which can be produced cost-effectively in plastic injection molding technology for easily releasable but nevertheless secure fixing of a covering hood on a base plate, which enormously improves the handling of a container of the present type and at the same time does not limit its durability.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

baseplate

2

cover

3

web

4

locking element

5

lever arm

6

collar

9th

actuating surface

10th

spring part

11th

Deformation range (first)

12th

Deformation range (second)

13th

approach ramp

Claims (15)

1. Container for food, with a base tray (1) and a cover (2) which can be fixed on the base tray (1) by means of fixing elements (4, 6), which fixing elements each comprise a retaining element rigidly attached or moulded on or in the cover (2) and a latching element (4) on the base tray (1) which engages behind or in the retaining element (6), wherein the latching element (4) is movable out of engagement with the retaining element (6) against a spring force, characterised in that the latching element (4) is operatively connected to a lifting and releasing mechanism (5, 9) for lifting the cover (2).
2. Container as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the latching element (4) is moulded on the base tray (1).
3. Container as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the latching element (4) is moulded on the base tray (1) by way of a resiliently deformable spring part (10).
4. Container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the latching element (4) is constructed so that it moves out of engagement with the retaining element (6) by pressure from above.
5. Container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the lifting and releasing mechanism comprises at least one lever arm (5) which engages under the edge of the cover (2).
6. Container as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the lever arm (5) is substantially rigidly connected to the latching element (4) and is disposed so that it moves upwards when the latching element (4) moves out of engagement with the retaining element (6).
7. Container as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the latching element (4) and the lever arm (5) form a rocker.
8. Container as claimed in Claims 3 and 7, characterised in that the latching element (4) and the lever arm (5) form a rocker attached to the spring part (10).
9. Container as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that the latching element (4), the spring part (10) and the lever arm (5) are moulded integrally on the base tray (1).
10. Container as claimed in any one of Claims 8 or 9, characterised in that the spring part (10) has a first deformation zone (11) for the pivoting movement of the latching element (4) and a second deformation zone (12) for the lifting movement of the lever arm (5).
11. Container as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that the first and the second deformation zones (11, 12) are designed so that the first deformation zone (11) moves back into its rest position in front of the second deformation zone (12).
12. Container as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 11, characterised in that the base tray (1) is provided with at least one lateral ledge or flange (3) for placement of the edge of the cover (2), the lever arm (5) being disposed in the plane of the ledge or flange (3).
13. Container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that at least one region of the edge of the cover (2) is provided with an outwardly directed collar (6) which serves as a retaining element in the region of the latching element (4).
14. Container as claimed in Claim 13, characterised in that the collar (6) is constructed so that it is encircling.
15. Container as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the latching element (4) and the retaining element (6) are constructed so that the latching element (4) snaps into engagement with the retaining element (6) when the cover (2) is placed onto the base tray (1).

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