EP2675719B1 - Reclosable drinks can - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container and an application of such a container, according to the features of the respective preamble of the independent claims 1 and 7.

Such containers, for example drinking cans made of a light metal material, are known in principle. These containers, for example, take a drink and are initially completely hermetically sealed from their exterior. In a lid of such a container is then arranged a closure which is brought from a first to a further position in order to realize an opening in the lid, so that the beverage accommodated in the container is made accessible. There are applications in which the closure remains captive on the lid of the container so that it is not lost. In this embodiment, however, there is the disadvantage that the once introduced into the lid opening, which is released from the closure is not resealable.

Therefore, in principle, there is a need to realize a container for receiving a medium, in particular a liquid such as a beverage, which is initially completely sealed relative to the exterior of the container in the container. By operating the shutter, the medium should be made accessible, but at the same time To ensure that the opening in the container can be closed again when the medium has not been completely removed from the container. A typical example of this is carbonated drinks in a beverage can, where it is necessary to reclose the beverage can when the carbonated beverage has not been completely drunk from the beverage can. Of course, the same applies to other types of drinks, such as hot drinks. Here is also the need to be able to close the once prepared opening for the purpose of removing the beverage again, on the one hand to ensure that the temperature of the hot beverage is almost maintained and on the other hand prevents that due to movements of the beverage can the hot beverage from the beverage can on the Opening spills out.

To meet the above requirements, for example, from the DE 20 2010 002 240 U1 has already become known a closing and opening device for a liquid receiving container, with an attachable to the open end of the container lid base, which has an axial opening, with a bistable lid, which is a concave after exposure to a first axial force in a first stable state Geometry and after application of a second axial force in its second stable state has a convex geometry, wherein the cover covers the axial opening of the lid base from above, and with a valve spool which is connected at its upper side to the underside of the lid and the axial opening in the lid base penetrates, and in which a radially outer portion is sealingly engageable with an axially lower sealing surface of the lid base, wherein on the valve spool this Flüssigkeitsentnahmeventils a pressure relief valve is formed, which durc as well as the valve spool of the Flüssigkeitsentnahmeventils h acting on the lid in axial force Opening direction is actuated, however, the pressure relief valve is actuated in time before the valve spool in the opening direction. Although this embodiment makes it possible to open this with comparatively low actuation forces during a first use. However, the entire structure of the closure device of this known container is extremely complicated and complex, so that it brings disadvantages in terms of manufacturing, in particular in an automated production, as well as in terms of cost aspects.

Generic containers or container closures are also disclosed in the publications JP 2006/290415 comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1, WO 2009/022745 A1 and JP 2001/072112 A1 ,

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a container and an application of such a container, whereby a simple operation is maintained, at the same reclosability is realized and with which it is also allowed to produce such a container quickly and inexpensively, in particular automated ,

This object is achieved by the claims of the invention.

With regard to the container itself, it is provided according to the invention that the lower part of the container is completely closed by a cover and the closure is designed to realize at least one opening in the cover when the closure is brought from the first into the at least further position. First, it is provided that the lower part is completely closed by a cover. In this case, the cover may be an integral part of the lower part, but also designed as a separate component thereof. Are cover and lower part integrally formed, they are realized in an advantageous manner with production. If the cover is a separate component with respect to the lower part, it can be subsequently attached to the lower part, so that the interior of the lower part of the cover completely opposite to the Outside environment is closed. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cover is part of the lid, in which case lid and cover may also be configured in one piece or alternatively separately from each other. In a particularly advantageous manner, the cover is a film. If the cover is a film, this is further connected to the lower part in a particularly advantageous manner. For example, if the lower part and the cover, in particular the film, made of a plastic material, these two components can be glued together, welded or connected in an analogous manner so sealingly that the medium, for example a liquid which is in the Lower part is hermetically sealed from the outside environment. This advantageously ensures that the medium in the container, in particular in the lower part, is permanently stored there.

Furthermore, it is provided that the closure is designed to realize at least one opening in the cover, when the closure is brought from the first to the at least further position. This makes it possible in a simple manner, in the cover, which initially completely closes the lower part, at least to introduce an opening to make the medium located in the lower part accessible. If this opening is a drinking opening, it is furthermore advantageously provided that, in addition to this drinking opening, a further opening for the purpose of pressure equalization (circulation opening) is provided.

Thus, the closure according to the invention is first designed and configured to open the cover completely closing the lower part, for example by breaking through a film by actuating the closure. It will realized an opening, but initially in this position of the closure, after he has been moved from its first to its further position, is still closed. The movement of the closure from this second closing position to a further, third position causes the previously realized opening in the cover to become freely accessible, so that the medium located in the lower part can be removed. While it has been exemplified above that the medium is a liquid, of course, other media, such as gel-like or free-flowing media come into consideration.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the closure, which is now in its third position, can be brought back into the second position, in order to close the hitherto released opening or the two released openings, again. In this case, the closure and the associated region of the lid are designed so that the closure is brought back into its second position in which it seals the at least one opening. It is conceivable, but not intended for the practical case, that the closure of this second, the at least one opening sealingly closing position to move back to its first, and thus to its original position. As a rule, this first starting position (original state) is intended to allow the closure not yet to provide the opening with the opening, and only when the closure has been moved from the first to the second position, the at least one opening is realized.

For the described movement of the closure according to the invention it is provided that this is mounted both linearly and pivotally on the lid. This means in a concrete embodiment, that the shutter first is moved linearly from its first to its second position. This linear movement can be a pressing of the closure in the axial direction of the container from the upper side in the direction of the lower part of the container. Depending on the geometric configuration of the closure, of the associated cover and of the lower part, it is also possible to conceive of a linear movement oriented obliquely to the axial orientation of the container. Now that the closure is in its second position, in which the at least one opening in the cover is realized, but the opening is not yet accessible, the at least one opening is released by a simple pivoting movement of the closure. Thus, the medium located in the lower part is freely accessible and can, for example, be distributed or drunk. By the reverse pivotal movement of the closure, namely of the third, the at least one opening releasing position, back into the second, namely the at least one opening occluding position, the at least one opening is closed in a simple manner, so that the still in the lower part located remainder of the medium is protected in the lower part is arranged. That is to say advantageously the remainder of the medium still present in the lower part is prevented from outgassing (especially in the case of carbonated medium) and the temperature level (for example in the case of a hot beverage) is almost maintained. In the latter case, the maintenance of the desired temperature level can be realized by appropriate materials of the lower part, the lid and the closure and / or by the choice of materials (materials with insulating properties) or a combination of both measures.

Another advantage of the embodiment of the invention is to mention that due to the arrangement of the closure on the lid, the closure is attached captive there, so that when using the invention No waste is generated in the container and the entire container can be disposed of after use.

With regard to the use of such a container, the invention provides that the lower part is initially completely closed by a cover and at least one opening in the cover is realized when the closure is actuated, when the closure is brought from the first into the at least further position. This means; that with a simple hand movement, the shutter is linearly actuated (pressed) to first realize the opening in the cover. If, as a result of this process, the closure has advantageously been brought from its first to its at least further position, the cover (or more than one opening) is made in the cover, although this opening (or openings) is not yet produced is accessible (are). This means that with movement of the closure from the first to the second position, although the opening in the cover is realized, but in the lower part located medium can not be removed yet. The removal of the medium located in the lower part is effected only by advantageously bringing the closure into a third position, preferably by a pivoting movement, in order to release the at least one opening in the cover, after it has moved from the first to the second Position, preferably by a linear movement was brought. It is also advantageous that the previously described movement of the closure from the second to the third position is reversible, thereby causing the initially released at least one opening is closed again after the closure has been moved from its third to its second position , It is also advantageous that these two movements (from the second to the third position and back again) are repeated as often as desired.

The container described above and the use of such a container will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment, which is shown in the figures.

In FIG. 1 is, as far as shown in detail, a container 1 shown, which has a lower part 2 and a lid 3 with a closure 4. The said components of the container 1, for example, all consist of the same type of material or the same material (for example, plastic or a light metal material such as aluminum), and it is also conceivable that the individual components consist of different materials. Particularly advantageous is the design of the lower part 2, the lid 3 and the closure 4 made of a plastic material, these components of the container 1 can be made quickly, easily and inexpensively, especially in large quantities, in a plastic injection molding process. However, this production method, as well as the geometry of the container 1 shown by way of example, is not necessarily binding for the invention. Thus, in particular other geometries of the container 1 are conceivable and not excluded.

The lower part 2 and the lid 3 can be produced by using a plastic material in an injection molding process. Also in the case of the material plastic is also for the production of the lower part 2 and / or the lid 3, a deep-drawing process into consideration. If these components consist of a metallic material, in particular a light metal material such as aluminum, these can also be produced by a blow molding process, a rolling-pressure process or similar processes. The closure 4 is advantageously for reasons of hygiene also made of a plastic material or a metallic material, in which case in particular the injection molding process is used again. The abovementioned list of production methods is not exhaustive and may also be a different method, depending on the design of the part to be produced.

FIG. 2 left shows a view of the lid 3 and right a section of the upper part of the container 1. In the right-hand illustration can be seen that the lower part 2 is provided with a cover 5. In this embodiment, the cover 5 is, for example, a film which forms a separate component with respect to the lower part 2 and the cover 3. The cover 5 is sealingly joined together with the peripheral upper edge of the lower part 2, after in the lower part 2 of the container 1, a medium not shown here was filled. After filling and the closure of the lower part 2 of the lid 3, which was already prepared with the shutter 4, placed. Due to the practicality is according to the left illustration of the FIG. 2 the lid 3 has already been provided with the closure 4, wherein the closure 4 is arranged captively in a storage 6 on the lid 3 movable.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned embodiment, it is also conceivable that the cover 5 is not attached to the lower part 2, but that the cover 5 is produced in one piece with the cover 3 or as a separate component on the cover 3, in particular on its peripheral lower edge, is attached. In such a case, it is important that the lower part 2 and the lid 3 enter into a very good sealing connection with each other when the lid 3 was placed with its cover 5 on the lower part 2. This can for example be done by the lid 3 with the lower part 2 sealing and insoluble (for Example by gluing, welding or the like) is connected. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the lid comes to rest under a very large bias on the lower part 2 in order to effectively seal the medium located in the lower part 2 against the outside environment.

In the right-hand illustration of the FIG. 2 It can also be seen that the closure 4 has a projection 7 and a projection 8. If only one opening is to be introduced into the cover 5 by actuation of the closure 4, it is sufficient for the closure 4 to have a projection pointing in the direction of the cover 5 (either only the projection 7 or only the projection 8). However, when two openings are to be inserted into the cover 5 by operation of the shutter 4, it is necessary that the shutter 4 has two projections 7, 8 facing the cover 5. The one projection 7 or 8 or both projections 7, 8 are made similar in geometry or may differ from each other. At the end, the two projections 7, 8 or only the one projection 7 or 8 are designed such that upon actuation of the closure and the movement from its first to the second position, the cover 5 is pierced to realize the at least one opening.

In the area around the later to be realized opening around the lid has a circumferential edge 9. The peripheral edge 9 of the lid 3 corresponds to a peripheral edge 10 of the closure 4. In this position of the closure 4, that is spaced from the lid 3, have both the end of the at least one projection 7, 8 and the upwardly facing end portion the at least one circumferential edge 9 distance from the at least one peripheral edge 10 of the closure 4. In this in FIG. 2 shown state of the container 1 is thus the cover 5 intact, which in the Lower part 2 located medium is completely hermetically sealed relative to the outer environment of the container 1 is housed. The shutter 4 is thus in its original, first position (state of delivery of the cover 3 or of the entire container 1).

In FIG. 3 is also shown again in the left illustration of the lid 3 with its closure 4 and right next to the container 1 in sections. It can be clearly seen that the shutter 4 has been brought by a linear movement of its first position in its further position. This linear motion was a push on the top of the shutter. 4 in the direction of the lower part 2. During the depressed in the storage 6 shutter 4 in the left representation of FIG. 3 is well recognizable, is complementary in the right representation of the FIG. 3 recognizable that the at least one projection 7, 8 (here in this embodiment, both projections 7, 8) of the closure 4, the cover 5 have pierced. After the execution of this linear movement not only the cover 5 is pierced by the at least one projection, preferably both projections 7, 8, but the at least one circumferential edge 9, preferably both circumferential edges 9, the lid 3 and the at least one corresponding edge 10, Preferably, both corresponding edges 10 of the closure 4 come to rest 11. By this Appendix 11 causes the openings 12, 13 produced by means of the projections 7, 8 in the cover 5 are still sealed against the exterior of the container 1. This means that, for example, accidental actuation of the closure 4 by pressing in first does not yet cause the medium located in the lower part 2 to be made accessible to the outside environment. Thus, the container 1 is also initially protected against accidental operation of the shutter 4 effectively.

Depending on the type of medium, which is located in the lower part 2, is introduced by the above-described operation of the shutter 4 either only an opening, so a removal opening, in the cover 5. In this case, only one opening can be introduced into the cover 5 even if it is sufficiently large to remove the medium from the lower part 2 without problems. If, for example, the container 1 is a drinking container and a drink is located in the lower part 2, it is advantageous that two openings are made in the cover 5 when the closure 4 is actuated. It is then at the two openings in an advantageous manner to a circulation opening 12 which is spaced from the edge of the lid 3 is present. Via this circulation opening 12, a pressure equalization with the exterior of the container 1 and its interior can take place. To remove the beverage from the lower part 2, a drinking opening 13 is still present. As a rule, it is sufficient for the surface of the opening 13 to be larger, preferably significantly larger, than the cross-sectional area of the circulation opening 12. For better accessibility, the drinking opening 13 is located in the edge region of the lid 3.

While in terms of the FIG. 3 has been shown and described that now the at least one opening 12, 13 has been realized in the cover 5, it is not possible in this position of the closure 4, the medium located in the lower part 2 to remove this via the at least one opening. For this it is necessary that, as in FIG. 4 shown, the shutter 4 from its second position ( FIG. 3 ) into a third position ( FIG. 4 ) is brought by means of a pivoting movement. Like now in FIG. 4 is very clear, the shutter 4 has been pivoted about a pivot axis of the bearing 6 around. In this case, the at least one opening 13, in particular both openings 12, 13, released. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the third position of the closure 4 is fixed, for example, by means of a latching nose 14 which is arranged on the cover 3. This means that the shutter 4 held in its third position by means of the latching nose 14 does not interfere with removal of the medium from the lower part 2 via the opening 13. In FIG. 4 is also very clearly visible that the opening 13, in particular the drinking opening, has a larger cross section than the opening 12, in particular the circulation opening for the purpose of pressure equalization. Furthermore, in the right-hand illustration of FIG. 4 recognizable that the cover 3 has a film stabilizer 15. This film stabilizer 15, which may have been arranged as a planar component, for example, on the inside of the peripheral edge 9 of the lid 3, causes the part of the cover 5, which has initially closed the opening 13 is not returned to its original position, after this area of the cover 5 has been pierced by the projection 8 of the closure 4. Thus, by means of the film stabilizer 15 of the pierced portion of the cover 5, in particular the film, held in the direction of the lower part 2 and thus avoided that the pierced part of the film 4 is moved back toward the surface of the lid 3, when over the opening 13 medium is removed from the lower part 2.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 4 previously designated 6 bearing 6 of the closure 4 on the cover 3 is designed such that the cover 3 has a joint receptacle 17, wherein in the joint receptacle 17, a hinge 16 of the closure 4 is arranged such that the joint 16 and the joint receptacle 17 the realize linear and pivotal movement of the shutter 4. This means that the joint receptacle 17 has two legs, which are approximately U-shaped, wherein the hinge 16, which is attached to the end of the closure 4, initially in the upper end region between the two legs of the Joint receptacle 17 is mounted (see FIG. 2 ). Below the joint 16 is in this state ( FIG. 2 ) between the two legs of the joint receptacle 17 an inwardly facing projection is present, which causes the hinge 16 is held in the upper region of the joint receptacle 17. By pressing on the closure 4 is now causes this inward-facing projection between the two legs of the joint receptacle 17 is overcome by the joint 16 so that it can come to rest in the lower region of the joint seat 17 (see FIG. 3 ). Thus, the linear movement of the shutter 4 is limited. Since the joint receptacle 17 is designed U-shaped, the joint 16 on the one hand in its first position ( FIG. 2 ) and by applying a small force to its second position ( FIG. 3 ) to be brought. Since the joint 16, for example, as a propeller shaft, so cylindrical or tubular, is formed, it is also possible, the closure 4 in the storage now from its second position ( FIG. 3 ) into its third position ( FIG. 4 ) to pivot. By this movement described above (linear movement and then pivoting and back) so it is possible in a simple manner that the first located in the lower part 2 medium, which is completely sealed from the cover 5 relative to the exterior of the container 1, to make accessible by the required at least one opening is realized by the operation of the shutter 4, whereby this produced opening is made accessible by further movement of the shutter 4, but at the same time it is also possible, this at least one opening again by operation of the closure sealing to close. At this point, it should be added that the closure 4, as explained above, sealingly seals the at least one opening. Depending on the type of medium which is located in the lower part 2, however, it may also be possible that the closure 4 merely closes the at least one opening, but not necessarily sealing it closes. This would have the advantage that the closure 4 can be made simpler, if it allows the type of medium that the at least one opening does not have to be sealed.

With regard to the joint 16 and the joint receptacle 17, the following important detail should be mentioned. The hinge 16 is what when looking at the FIG. 2 can be seen very well, flattened in the direction of the two upper ends of the U-shaped joint receptacle 17. The corresponding geometry of the joint receptacle 17 is formed analogously, so that in the upper region, the joint receptacle 17 at the level of the joint 16 to each other has plane-parallel surfaces. This ensures that the closure 4 is not yet pivoted in this position (that is, the opening is not yet open) can be. Only after the shutter 4 of his in FIG. 2 position shown in the further, in the FIG. 3 In the position shown, it has been possible for the joint 16 to pivot in the lower position in the joint receptacle, which has a round cross-section there. This ensures that after production of at least one opening of the shutter 4 of his in the FIG. 3 shown position in the FIG. 4 shown position can be pivoted to the at least one opening 13, preferably both openings 12, 13, release.

The film stabilizer 15 is either a part of the cover 5 or to this an additional component. The film stabilizer 15 is formed in a preferred embodiment as a film hinge, which is moved when the shutter 4 of the in FIG. 2 shown position in the FIG. 3 shown position linearly moved (depressed) is. The initially parallel to the surface of the cover 5 aligned film stabilizer 15 is then pivoted by about 90 ° and causes the pierced by the closure 4 Cover 5 after piercing then can not close again when the medium is removed from the lower part 2. This means that the film stabilizer 15 advantageously causes the opening 13 to remain almost completely open after the cover 5 has been pierced there by the closure 4. The same can, but does not have to apply to opening 12. This means that in the region of the opening 12, a further film stabilizer may be present, but not necessarily.

Finally, it is mentioned with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures that the lower part 2 has a circumferential bead 18. Corresponding to this circumferential bead 18 of the lower part 2, the lid 3 has a peripheral edge 19. The bead 18 and the edge 19 are formed so correspondingly that the lid 3 can be easily placed without problems on the top of the lower part 2, wherein due to the design of the bead 18 and the edge 19 of the cover 3 captive and permanently on the lower part 2 is fixed. Again, that the cover 5 is permanently and sealingly connected to the lower part 2 before placing the lid 3 (as set), and it is also conceivable that with placing the lid 3, the cover 5, which then part of the lid 3 and not part of the lower part 2, is placed.

A very particular advantage of the embodiment of the container 1, as in the FIGS. 1 to 4 is the one-hand operation. So it is possible in particular in the illustrated cylindrical container 1, this grip on the lower part 2 with one hand and, for example, the closure 4 with the thumb down (sequence of movements in the Figures 2 and 3 is shown), which continues directly afterwards or later, for example, again with the Thumb the shutter 4 can be pivoted (sequence of movements of FIG. 3 to FIG. 4 ). It is also possible by means of one-hand operation, the in FIG. 4 shown and pivoted backwards closure 4 back into the in FIG. 3 shown position to at least one opening 12, 13, preferably both openings 12, 13, to close again. This advantageous one-hand operation is possible, in particular in the case of the cylindrical container 1, as shown in the figures. Depending on the geometric configuration of the container 1 but also an operation with two hands may be required, but the one-hand operation described above is to be regarded as particularly advantageous.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1.

container

Second

lower part

Third

cover

4th

shutter

5th

cover

6th

storage

7th

head Start

8th.

head Start

9th

Edge (especially circumferential)

10th

Edge (of the closure)

11th

investment

12th

Opening (circulation opening)

13th

Opening (drinking opening)

14th

latching lug

15th

film stabilizer

16th

joint

17th

joint Taping

18th

Wraparound bead

19th

Circumferential edge

Claims (8)

1. A container (1), comprising a lower part (2) and a lid (3) covering the lower part (2), wherein the lid (3) has a closure (4) which can be moved from a first position to at least one further position, wherein the lower part (2) is fully closed by a covering (5) and the closure (4) is configured to form at least one opening (13) in the covering (5), when the closure (4) is moved from the first position to the at least one further position, characterized in that the closure (4) is attached to the lid (3) both in a linear and a pivotable manner, and that the lid (3) comprises a hinge support (17), wherein a hinge (16) of the closure (4) is arranged in the hinge support (17) in such a manner that the hinge (16) and the hinge support (17) bring about the linear and pivotable movement of the closure (4).
2. The container (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closure (4) is configured to be moved to a third position to expose the at least one opening (13) in the covering (5).
3. The container (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closure (4) has at least one projection (8) directing towards the covering (5), wherein the projection (8) causes the opening (13) to be formed in the covering, when the closure (4) is moved towards the covering (5) in a linear manner.
4. The container (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the closure (4) has at least one further projection (7) directing towards the covering (5), wherein the projection (7) causes a further opening (12) to be formed in the covering, when the closure (4) is moved towards the covering (5) in a linear manner.
5. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (3) has a circumferential edge (9) extending around the at least one opening (12, 13).
6. The container (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the closure (4) has at least one circumferential edge (10) which interacts with the circumferential edge (9).
7. Use of a container (1) according to Claim 1, comprising a lower part (2) and a lid (3) covering the lower part (2), wherein the lid (3) has a closure (4) which can be moved from a first position to at least one further position, characterized in that the lower part (2) is at first fully closed by a covering (5) and actuating the closure (4) causes at least one opening (13) to be formed in the covering (5) when the closure (4) is moved from the first position to the at least one further position.
8. Use of container (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the closure (4) is moved to a third position, preferably by means of a pivoting movement, in order to expose the at least one opening (13) in the covering (5), after having been brought from the first position to the second position, preferably by means of a linear movement.

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