EP3041762B1 - Cover for a container, container - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a lid for a container according to the preamble of claim 1.

STATE OF THE ART

For example, in the field of plastics processing, lids for bulk containers, e.g. Octane, rectangle or round containers, known. Commercially available lids for such containers are usually made of corrugated cardboard and are designed such that they are continuously closed on the lid surface and provided with glued short side elements.

These covers are usually used once or only a few times, dirty and damage easily and are therefore quickly unusable. They only have the function of closing the container and possibly holding or supporting its side walls in the form. In particular, they are not suitable for guiding conventional granulate suction pipes through the lid or holding them.

For example, heavy, high strength octabin lids for special stackable plastic octabins are also offered which are relatively expensive, heavy, and also not designed to guide suction tubes through the lid.

Significantly disadvantageous in the prior art, the lid is that these covers can not accommodate suction tubes, quickly pollute and are very bulky and thus difficult to handle. In the case of a corrugated cardboard lid they are still easy to damage and not durable.

In order to perform a filling or emptying of the container, the known lid must be completely removed or placed on the container to form a through-slot, so that a suction tube is inserted.

This causes, among others, the following disadvantages of use:
In the partial edition of the lid to form a through slot or with the lid removed, the bulk material is less well or not protected from contamination. In particular, in high-quality, statically charged and / or transparent plastic granules and / or those for demanding applications, contamination of the granules or bulk material, however, must be avoided. Due to, for example, the most varied types of granules in plastics processing and often extensive dust development, the bulk materials in the container must be well protected. The contamination of the bulk material otherwise leads to unacceptable additional costs during further processing.

Many plastic granules and powders (for example, grain / flour in bakeries) are also increasing partially closed lid due to the ambient conditions moisture from the air, resulting in additional post-drying and considerable energy costs. Especially the weather-related environment variables are a significant problem here.

Furthermore, with the suction tube simply plugged in, it can be used for off-center displacement of the suction tube and thus for inhomogeneous evacuation, e.g. in the case of granule mixtures with colored batch particles or recycled materials, which as a rule are distributed inhomogeneously in the container. The suction tube can change its own weight and its position with increasing emptying because it "floats" in the granules. This can lead to an uneven emptying process, with subsequently increased control and intervention costs. Such an inhomogeneous discharge process can result in significant quality variations in production. A slipping suction tube can push the lid away, which in turn can lead to increased contamination of the bulk material, or get jammed and / or only suck in air. In the worst case, it comes to production losses.

Rigid slip covers require a lot of space and can be dirty on the unprotected inside surfaces. In the documents US5,192,134 ; US2006 / 0222270A1 ; US2008 / 0073353A and WO92 / 14660 Lids are revealed.

THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a lid for containers of the type mentioned, which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above.

This object is achieved by a cover having the features of claim 1 and a container having the features of claim 13, advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims. According to the invention, the second cover elements can be folded below or above the first cover element and the second cover elements in particular each have the same or a smaller surface area than the first cover element. The foldable page elements can hereby less than 99.9%, more preferably less than 90%, more preferably less than 75% and at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70% of the length of the lid member. In this way, a particularly compact folding of the lid with an optimized (minimized) space is created.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that at least at one of the first side of the lid member different second side of the lid member are provided two opposite this foldable first side elements. Preferably, these side elements are designed so that they can be attached to the container wall and thus exert a fastening function. For this purpose, it can be provided, in particular, that the first side elements are formed with connecting means for connecting the side elements to the container to be covered. This is particularly advantageous when the lid is combined with a tube for filling or emptying. The side elements also serve to stabilize the entire lid system. According to the invention, in order to improve the attachment of the lid to the container, it is provided that second side elements which are foldable on the second lid elements are connected via one or more folding edges and / or hinges and / or film hinges. These second page elements can turn with Be provided connecting means to fix them to the container wall. In general, suitable as connecting means such as adhesive, Velcro or other connecting means such as For example, magnets, snap fasteners, hooks, eyes, tabs or straps.

Preferably, it is further provided that for the optimized storage position the second cover elements and in particular the first side element are placed in a transport or storage position with its inner surface on the cover element. According to the invention, it is provided that the cover element has at least one connection opening for filling or emptying. Also, a plurality of such openings may be provided to allow about the emptying of the container into several production lines. The at least one opening is preferably round and preferably has a diameter of 76 to 36 cm, preferably less than 20 cm, more preferably less than 10 cm and even more preferably less than 5 cm. In particular, a suction tube or a hose or the like can be inserted into the connection opening. Preferably, the connection opening on a molding of plastic and / or metal and / or natural materials. This molding serves as an adapter for attaching the suction pipe or the like.

The named plastic or metal moldings which form and / or frame and / or stiffen the at least one through-opening can have different inner and outer diameters, and / or with different guide elements, and / or different lengths of the guide elements, preferably be designed as a pipe socket.

The molded part is preferably formed with at least one through opening and either sealing or largely sealing the einzusteckenden suction tube, wherein the lid and / or the molded part can have additional Zuluftöffnungen or columns or air-permeable devices with drying means for pressure equalization. Alternatively or additionally, the molded part may not be designed to be sealing to the suction pipe in order to allow secondary air for pressure equalization.

Preferably, the at least one connection opening or the adapter is designed such that it extends the at least one inserted suction tube with the tube longitudinal axis at an angle to the lid surface. Preferably, this angle can be 90 °, but it is also possible that the angle is preferably more than 75 °, more preferably more than 45 ° and even more preferably more than 30 ° and / or 30 °. The holder of the suction tube is thus either 90 ° degrees to the lid but also executed in different variants with different inclinations and thus allows optimal emptying of the container. The inclinations are preferably carried out in fixed units and / or also variably rotatable in smaller steps and are fixed by means of locking elements.

The connection opening can be arranged substantially centrally, in particular, on the cover element. In this way is achieved that when the intake manifold is introduced a displacement of the lid due to asymmetrical force introduction via the suction pipe is avoided. But also an eccentric arrangement is conceivable, for example, to provide a balance, if the container is to be stored approximately on an inclined plane. The molded part with the connection opening can for example be inserted into two parallel running guide rails which are attached to the cover, so that it can be removed for folding the cover.

It can preferably be provided that the connection opening is configured with a pierceable elastomer unit and / or a closure element. The connection opening, which is preferably designed as a through opening, may be self-closing with sealing lips and / or rubber sleeves and / or elastic valves. In this way it is ensured that the passage of contaminants through the lid is avoided in the interior of the container. Also, the lid can be protected in the folded state against contamination during storage.

If according to the invention of suction tube or connecting pipe is mentioned, this is not exclusively a pipe meant, but it may also be a hose or another form of bulk material. Also, not only must be sucked on the suction pipe to empty the container, but this can also be provided for filling the container.

Said molding is formed according to an advantageous embodiment to at least one side of the lid member flat. The molding is preferably 5 cm or less, preferably 3 cm or less, in particular less than 2 cm, more preferably less than 1 cm, more preferably less than 5 mm over the surface of the cover member via.

In order to simplify the attachment of the connection pipe to the cover, provision can be made, in particular, for the molding to have at least one guide element and / or at least one retaining element for at least one connection pipe or suction pipe.

The cover according to the invention is made of compact sheets and / or multi-layer sheets and / or lightweight panels of commercially available compact and / or foamed plastics (for example PP, PE, PUR, PVC or the like) or corrugated or organo sheets or fiber composites. Also combinations of these are possible.

Also, the use of commercially available wood and / or building boards and / or composite panels and / or aluminum plates may be advantageous in special applications as a material for the lid. Furthermore, the lid material may be antistatic to reduce dust buildup.

Preference is also given to at least impregnated and / or lacquered and / or plastic-film and / or plastic-fabric-laminated panels and / or boards as well as natural fiber materials. For better durability, wiping and cost reasons are outer layers and / or films of commercially available plastics (homopolymers or copolymers) in particular polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PUR) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and / or coated therewith fabric and / or textiles preferred.

For special applications, which depend in particular on the nature of the goods to be filled into the container, according to a further embodiment of the invention, the lid on its - the container in the use position facing - inside a moisture-absorbing device with desiccant (eg silicates or other hygroscopic substances), preferably a replaceable desiccant unit with ventilation openings. In this way, existing disturbing moisture can be absorbed in the container or in the bulk material therein.

Further, the lid may have a grounding device for dissipating a static charge. Thereby, the subsequent processing of the bulk material can be simplified, as this would otherwise charge due to the internal friction during emptying of the container. This is certainly avoided with the grounding.

In addition, it can be provided that the lid is made in one piece. For example, it may be stamped or constructed of assembled, for example glued and / or welded, elements. Folded edges may be formed from the lidding material by embossing, die cutting, perforation, ultrasonic welding or embossing, and / or formed by flexible films and / or textile materials or fabrics connecting the foldable elements. These connecting materials can be welded onto the lid material and / or glued and / or formed by film hinges or double / multiple folds directly by plastic compounds.

Finally, the lid may have at least one additional opening. This serves to guide measuring technology, in particular measuring probes or measuring sensors or venting or pressure compensation devices, into the interior of the container in order to provide information about the state of the bulk material - e.g. its humidity or temperature - to get.

• Beim Entleerungsprozess mit einem Saugrohr wird der Behälterinhalt vor Schmutz sicher geschützt;
• Mittels der Durchstecköffnung bzw. Anschlussöffnung kann ein Saugrohr angeschlossen stabil und sicher gehalten werden, wobei dies insbesondere durch die Ausführung als Formteil unterstützt wird,
• Der Deckel kann sehr kompakt zusammengefaltet werden und ist dadurch für den Transport und für die Lagerung stapelbar und beansprucht wenig Stauraum. Zudem kann durch Zusammenfalten des Deckels der Schmutzeintrag bei der Lagerung durch die Anordnung der zur Innenseite gerichteten Deckel- und Deckelseitenelemente im zusammengefalteten Zustand erreicht werden;
• Der Deckel lässt sich sehr kostengünstig herstellen;
• Der Deckel lässt sich sehr einfach mittels der Seitenelemente am Behälter fixieren;
• Durch wenigstens ein verlängertes Seitenelement wird zusätzlich eine Beschwerung und Versteifung des Deckels erreicht,
• Der Deckel eignet sich für das Anbringen von einem Trockenmittel, mit dem das im Behälter gelagerte Material getrocknet und sauber gehalten werden kann. Dadurch lassen sich Qualitätsmängel oder auch Ausfallraten von Maschinen aufgrund von Ansaugen verschmutzten Materials erheblich verringern, der Herstellungsprozess wird hochwertig und sicher.
• Hinzu kommt ein umweltgerechter Einsatz des Deckels durch einen energiesparenden Effekt (Vortrocknung hygroskopischer Materialien), seine Mehrfachnutzung, seinen platzsparenden Aufbau, die Erhöhung der Arbeitssicherheit sowie schließlich die Minimierung des Ausschusses in der Produktion durch optimal aufbereitetes und sauberes Material.

Amongst others, the invention offers the following advantages over previous solutions:

• During the emptying process with a suction pipe, the contents of the container are reliably protected from dirt;
• By means of the insertion opening or connection opening, a suction pipe can be connected connected stable and secure, this being supported in particular by the design as a molded part,
• The lid can be folded very compact and is therefore stackable for transport and storage and requires little storage space. In addition, can be achieved in the folded state by folding the lid of the dirt entry during storage by the arrangement of the inner side facing lid and lid side elements;
• The lid can be produced very inexpensively;
• The lid can be very easily fixed by means of the side elements on the container;
• By at least one extended side member additionally a weighting and stiffening of the lid is achieved
• The lid is suitable for attaching a desiccant to dry and clean the material stored in the container. As a result, quality defects or failure rates of machines due to suction of contaminated material can be significantly reduced, the manufacturing process is high-quality and safe.
• In addition, an environmentally friendly use of the lid by an energy-saving effect (predrying hygroscopic materials), its multiple use, its space-saving design, increasing safety at work and finally minimizing the Committee in production through optimally prepared and clean material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in detail with reference to the following embodiment:

Fig. 1

eine Aufsicht des aufgefalteten Deckels für einen Behälter,

Fig. 2A

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters mit erfindungsgemäßem Deckel,

Fig. 2B

eine Seitenansicht eines Teils eines erfindungsgemäßen Deckels,

Fig. 3

eine Aufsicht eines zusammengefalteten erfindungsgemäßen Deckels,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters und eines erfindungsgemäßen Deckels in einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a top view of the unfolded lid for a container,

Fig. 2A

a side view of a container according to the invention with inventive lid,

Fig. 2B

a side view of a portion of a lid according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a plan view of a folded lid according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a perspective view of a container according to the invention and a lid according to the invention in a further embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The lid 100, which in the example shown is an octagonal lid with eight corners, comprises a first lid element 1, which has at its, on the opposite long first sides 11, 12 connected via a folding edge second lid elements 1a. In the present example, two second cover elements are shown. At the likewise opposite, short second sides 13, 14 of the cover element 1, two almost equally long side elements 2 are also connected via one folding edge in the example shown.

At least one connection or insertion opening 4 is preferably arranged centrally on the first cover element 1 and formed with a flat side upwards. It can also be provided a plurality of openings 4, as the embodiment of FIG. 4 shows. Also, the side parts 2, 3, 3a may be different in length (long refers to the direction from the fold edge to the respective lid member 1, 1a away) or - as in FIG. 4 shown - same length. Preferably, the first side parts 2 (of which only one may be provided) longer than the second side parts 3, 3a, preferably at least twice as long. On the second cover elements 1a, further folding elements 30, 30a (in the example shown three for each second cover element 1a) side elements 3 and 3a are connected. The second cover elements 1a can be placed on the cover element 1 for protection against contamination, in particular during transport or storage, with its inner surface, with folding in of the second side elements 3, 3a. The folded state of the container is particularly in the FIGS. 2B and 3 shown.

The long first side elements 2 in this exemplary embodiment do not quite have the length of the cover element 1, so that they are folded onto the second side elements 1a can. The connection or insertion opening 4 is enclosed by a molded part 7, 7a (see. Fig. 2A, 2B . 3 ) having a preferably variable inner diameter. The connection or insertion opening 4 preferably has a sealing means 4a.

The molded part 7, 7a, which protrudes on one side of the lid member 1, has a holding plate 7, with which it is attached to the lid or integrally connected thereto. Next, the molding preferably has a connected to the support plate 7 adapter or Rohrstutzten 7a, in which a suction tube or the like on or can be plugged. The molding 7, 7a may e.g. a two-part irreversible or reversible zusammenschnappbares component made of plastic and / or metal with a connected via a film hinge closure cap for the pipe socket 7a of the plastic molding or a rubber sleeve. The retaining plate 7 can be inserted into corresponding guides attached to the cover 100.

Furthermore, a drying means 5, preferably designed as an inlay, can be provided on the underside (facing the container) of the lid 100 in order to remove moisture from the bulk material in the container or to absorb it. At the same time, the inlay or the inlay receiving device can also serve to fix the lid and as a spacer or as a stiffener to possibly stiffen the container with increasing emptying.

The attachment of the lid 100 to the container 200 is preferably done as follows:
The (still) folded lid 100 for container 200, such as octabins, can be placed on the filled container 200 on the container bottom 202 facing away from the front side of the container wall 201. Then, the long side members 2 are unfolded, as are the second lid members 1a and the second side members 3, 3a. All side elements 2, 3, 3a can be placed outside on the container wall 201 and possibly firmly but detachably connected to this, as shown in the FIGS. 2A and 4 is shown. The connecting or insertion opening 4 is now accessible in the lid 100 which has been unfolded such that a suction tube can be inserted into the container 100 for emptying.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

first cover element

1a

second cover element

2

first (long) page element

3

second side element

3a

second side element

4

Connection or insertion opening

4a

poetry

5

desiccant

6

guide

7

pipe socket

7a

Retaining plate

11, 12

first sides of the first cover element

13, 14

two sides of the first cover element

30, 30a

creases

100

cover

200

container

201

container wall

202

container bottom

Claims (13)

1. Cover for a pourable goods container, wherein the cover has a first cover element (1) having at least one connecting opening (4) for filling or emptying and with first opposing sides (11, 12), and wherein two first side elements (2) are provided on second sides (13, 14) of the first cover element (1) which are different from the first sides (11, 12) of the first cover element (1), wherein the two first side elements (2) are attached to the first cover element (1) so as to each fold over a folding edge with respect to the first cover element so that the first side elements (2) can be folded underneath or over the first cover element (1)
   characterised in that
   the cover comprises two second cover elements (la) which are connected to the first cover element (1) on opposite first sides (11, 12) of said first cover element, wherein the second cover elements (1a) more particularly each have a similar or smaller surface area than the first cover element (1) and that the cover is formed from compact plates and/or corrugated paper and/or film-lined corrugated board and/or webbed plastic boards and/or lightweight plastic boards and/or solid plastic plates and/or composite plates and/or aluminium and/or fibre compound plates and/or compound material, more particularly organic sheet wherein the second cover elements (la) are attached to the first cover element (1) so that they can each be folded over a folding edge with respect to this element so that the second cover elements (1a) can be folded underneath or over the first cover element (1).
2. Cover according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the foldable first side elements (2) have less than 99.9%, preferably less than 90%, further preferred less than 75% and at least 25%, further preferred at least 50%, further preferred at least 70%, of the length of the cover element (1).
3. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 2
   characterised in that
   the at least one connecting opening (4) has a moulded part of plastic and/or metal and/or natural materials.
4. Cover according to claim 3
   characterised in that
   the moulded part is formed flat for at least one side of the cover element (1), preferably projects 5 cm or less, further preferably 3cm or less, more particularly less than 2 cm, further preferably less than 1 cm, further preferably less than 5 mm beyond the surface of the cover element (1).
5. Cover according to claim 4 or 5
   characterised in that
   the moulded part has at least one guide element and/or
   at least one holding element (7) for at least one suction pipe.
6. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 6
   characterised in that
   the connecting opening (4) is formed with a pierceable elastomer unit and/or a closure element.
7. Cover according to one of claims 1 to 5
   characterised in that
   the opening (4) is arranged substantially centrally in the cover element (1).
8. Cover according to one of the aforementioned claims
   characterised in that
   the side elements (2, 3, 3a) are formed with connecting means for connecting the side elements to the container which is to be covered.
9. Cover according to one of the aforementioned claims
   characterised in that
   this has on an inside a moisture-permeable device with drying means, preferably a replaceable drying means unit with ventilation openings.
10. Cover according to one of the aforementioned claims,
    characterised in that
    it has an earthing device for diverting a static charge.
11. Cover according to one of the aforementioned claims
    characterised in that
    the second cover elements (1) and more particularly the first side elements (2) are placed in a transport or storage position with their inside surface on the first cover element (1).
12. Cover according to one of the aforementioned claims
    characterised in that
    it has at least one additional opening for passing through measuring means, more particularly measuring probes or measuring sensors.
13. Container, more particularly a pourable goods container, with a container base, a container wall encasing the container base, and a cover according to one of the preceding claims resting on the container wall or connected thereto.

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