EP3357378A1 - Portable food container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable food container (2) having a plate-shaped bottom part (4) and a cover (6) which can be placed on the bottom part (4). The bottom part (4) is in each case movable locking elements via a fixed pivot axis (10) (8) connected, and the locking elements (8) are in the locking position on the locking elements (8) formed contact surfaces (26) with corresponding contact surfaces (28) on the hood (6) non-positively and / or positively engaged. The hood (6) actuates the locking elements (8) during a lowering movement into the bottom part (4) with downwardly pointing actuating lugs (18), which thereby move from the open position into their locking position.

Description

The present invention relates to a portable food container with a plate-shaped bottom part and a bottom-mounted hood, with the bottom part are each connected via a fixed pivot axis movable locking elements, the bottom part and the hood are connected to each other with the locking elements, wherein the locking elements to the associated pivot axis are pivotable back and forth between an open position and a locking position, the respective pivot axis is located between the ends of the associated locking element, a first end of a respective locking element remote from the pivot axis is an actuating surface, and the opposite second end is formed as a locking body , The locking elements block in their locking position with the locking body formed at the second end a lifting movement of the hood from the bottom part, and di e locking elements are in the locking position via formed on the locking elements contact surfaces with corresponding contact surfaces on the hood non-positively and / or positively engaged.

A generic food container is from the Scriptures DE 20 2010 001 881 U1 known. Such food containers are used for the transport of cakes, cakes, pastries, but also other foods such as cheese, bread, salad and the like. Some of these foods are very sensitive to acting forces and must therefore be well and safely shielded in the transport container become. It is advantageous if, if possible, no components of the transported food reach the outside during transport, such as liquids.

If the floor part is to be covered with the hood, the hood must be set exactly in the appropriate fit. The locking elements disclosed there must then be pressed by hand into the locking position. Because the locking bodies have only a small spatial dimension, the contact surfaces must be positioned exactly to each other. This does not always work in the first attempt, so that several attempts are required to lock a hood securely. In addition, because a large force can be applied to the comparatively small locking body over the large actuating surface, there is the risk that the locking body in the contact area are overloaded, deform and leach. Then the hood is not secure lockable.

It is the object of the present invention to simplify the operation and handling of the food container.

The object is achieved for a generic food container by the actuating surface of a respective locking element is formed on the inwardly facing the bearing surface of the bottom part side of the pivot axis, the bottom part at least in the region of a respective locking element has a receiving space into which a at the bottom edge of the Hood trained, downwardly facing actuating lug can be lowered along a Einsenkweg along, designed as an actuating surface formed first end of a respective locking element so far into the receiving space that extends from the open position into the locking position in the Einsenkweg the actuating lug in the receiving space, the first end his open position by a pivoting movement about the associated pivot axis down around in the locking position is movable, and the first end as a lever arm after the impact of the actuating lug on the actuating surface in a continued Einsenkbewegung the actuating lug on Einernweg along from this from the open position down in the Locking position is movable, with the pivoting movement of the first end of the respective locking element and the second end of this locking element is pivoted from the open position to the locking position.

Due to the inventive design of the locking elements, it is possible to lock by simply placing the hood on the bottom part of the locking elements. The locking takes place via the lifting movement, which execute the operating lugs on the hood in the receiving space along along the Einsenkweges when placing the hood on the bottom part. The lifting movement of the actuating lugs triggers pivoting movements of the locking elements, in the course of which they are pivoted from the open position into their locking positions. It does not matter whether the transport container is round, oval or with several corners. The locking elements can be attached to any desired Container mold are mounted at suitable positions, preferably at least two, three or four locking elements.

The contact surfaces on the actuating lugs and the locking elements can be formed correspondingly large depending on the width and circumferential extent of the receiving space. The larger areas allow a low specific load of a unit area, as is the case in the device known from the prior art. Due to the lower specific load of a surface unit resulting in less material wear, larger sized components, better positioning of the hood on the bottom part, a lower deformation of the locking elements with an acting locking force and the resulting a defined locking behavior.

It is also no longer several handles needed to lock a hood on a bottom part. It is sufficient to put the hood on the bottom part so that the actuation lugs thereby slide into the receiving spaces. Then the hood must be pressed only with some emphasis on the bottom part, causing the locking elements to pivot into their locking position. On a subsequent manual locking of the individual locking elements can be omitted.

The hood and the locking elements can not solve so easily unintentionally from the locking position, because the locking elements would have to raise the hood during an opening movement, so that they are even out can move out of their locking position. The weight of the attached hood and the frictional forces that result from the installation of the hood on surface parts of the bottom part, so provide additional security that the hood does not move out of the locked position during transport of the transport container.

The pivoting movements that perform the locking elements in a locking process, can also be checked visually during a Aufsetzvorgangs the hood. When the locking elements have moved into the locking position, the Aufsetz- and locking operation of the hood is completed, without the need for further manipulation. If this is not the case, the hood can be removed immediately to check whether there are any foreign bodies in the Einwegweg of the hood in the receiving space.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking elements in their locking position surround the lower and outer edge of the hood from the outside with its second end. The locking elements form in this way a part of the outer periphery and the outer surface of the transport container. When the transport container is to be grasped and lifted, the locking elements can thereby be grasped by the hands and thereby additionally secured against unintentional opening. The locking elements can for this purpose have a particularly convenient shape, which is adapted to a hand engaging the locking elements. The locking elements can laterally over form the outer periphery of the hood body and the bottom part protruding carrying handles on which the transport container can be detected and carried.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a gripping edge is formed on the second end of a respective locking element, on which the locking elements can be detected and each manually moved from the locking position to the open position. The grip edge is formed so that it extends exactly or at least approximately parallel to the pivot axis at a distance to this and along the pivot axis. In a pulling movement on the grip edge then a locking body can be pivoted from the locking position in the direction of the open position. In order to be able to be detected well and to provide a good slip resistance, the grip edge is in the locking position of the locking element at least about finderdick on the surrounding outer surface of the hood and / or the bottom part. Below the uppermost edge of the grip edge, a contact surface for the fingers which undercuts the uppermost edge may be formed, so that the fingers can not slip off so easily when pulling on the locking element. As a pivotal movement of the second end about the pivot axis about the first end of the locking member is moved about the pivot axis around, causes an opening movement of a locking element on the implicit movement of the first end also always a lifting movement of the hood out of its locked position. The hood can then be easily removed from the bottom part.

According to one embodiment of the invention locking lugs are formed on the locking elements and / or on the hood in the region of the contact surfaces, which engage in the pivotal movement of the locking elements in the locking position in corresponding locking lugs of an adjacent component and thereby fix the locking elements in the locking position form fit. By locking the locking elements in their locking position they are even better secured against accidental opening of the locking elements. The latching lugs are preferably located on the inside of the locking elements in the region of the second end. There, the second end can be easily raised when opening the locking element and the locking lug are guided over the associated locking lug of the corresponding component to cancel the lock by the latch again.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the actuating lug is formed as a extending in the direction of the Einsenkweges web extending downwardly facing away from the lower peripheral edge of the hood, and the lower peripheral edge of the hood has in the locking area with a locking element at least approximately or exactly in a direction transverse to the Einsenkweg extending support web on the outwardly facing end face in the locking position of the hood, a portion of the bottom part abuts, which is connected to the pivot axis, and on the upper side contact surfaces are formed, where the contact surfaces of a locking element abut in its locking position. The bridge is well suited to actuating forces from the lowering movement of the hood to the first end of the locking element transfer. The web extends at least in part over the distance that the first and second ends of a locking element have to each other. The bridge also supports the support bar in the locking position downwards. The support web extends in the radial direction of the bottom part outwardly across the receiving space. The support bar is supported in the locking position with its outwardly facing end face of the portion of the bottom portion in the transverse direction inwardly from, which is connected to the pivot axis. The web, the support web, the first and second ends of a locking element and formed in the bottom part pivot axis with its support in the bottom part form a geometry in the locking position, in which these parts support each other backlash and fix the locking element firmly and securely in the locked position , The lock can only be repealed by the second end of the locking element with its contact surfaces and / or - depending on the version - lifted and pivoted away with a detent by a pivoting movement of the contact surfaces on the support web, thereby the support web upwards of the Section of the bottom part, which is connected to the pivot axis, can be removed and then only the web with the first end of the locking element in contact before the located on the hood web is lifted against the Einsenkrichtung along the Einsenkweges from the receiving space. On the other hand, the locking is made particularly stable after a Einsenkbewegung the web into the receiving space only when the end face of the support web engages with the corresponding contact surface of the bottom part, which is connected to the pivot axis.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiving space for receiving the web is also formed outside the extension of the locking elements on the bottom part, the support web is in this area in the locking position of the hood with its end face on the inside of the wall of the receiving space and the web is in this Area in the locking position of the hood with its bottom on the bottom of the receiving space. By the hood is also supported outside the areas where the hood is connected via the locking elements with the bottom part, via the web and the support bar on the bottom part, results in a very rigid connection, in which the transport container even when unevenly on him acting loads only slightly twisted. Again, the web and the support bar act in different directions of force to absorb acting loads. If the receiving space on the outside revolves around a substantial part of the bottom part or the entire bottom part, it can also good liquids are collected therein, which emerge from the transported in the transport container food, such as cream or juice from a cake. The web and the support bar then form a kind of barriers that hinder the free leakage of fluids. The space between the web and the support web and the receiving space itself is then a channel in which at one point in the receiving space entering liquid can be distributed over its length before the liquid exits to the outside. Even if the web and the crossbar do not have to be completely sealed, they form in each case an additional barrier in the receiving space, which prevents the liquid from escaping to the outside.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking elements are connected via a formed in the respective locking element pivot locking device with the pivot axis. The locking elements of the swivel locking device allow a simple clipping of the locking elements on the stub axles of the pivot axes in the bottom part. The locking elements can thereafter, for example, for cleaning purposes, also relatively easily withdrawn. But they are held firmly enough on the pivot axis to fill the locking function can. For this purpose, the tabs of the pivot locking elements are dimensioned according to their material and the material thickness accordingly.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the surfaces of the locking elements, the hood and / or the bottom part are provided in grip-relevant areas with a soft plastic. By the term soft plastic is meant materials which, in relation to the rest of the material used for the transport container, provide a softer, more comfortable grip. The provided with the soft plastic surface parts also give a valuable impression of the product. By correspondingly different color designs, the areas exported in the soft plastic also signal where the transport container can be best handled.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a releasably connected Präsentierplatte is placed on the bottom part. The presentation plate can be lifted off the bottom part to release the food positioned thereon from the bottom part and to present its connection technology on a footprint. The presentation board can be designed visually particularly valuable, for example, by an inserted in-mold label that makes a valuable impression, such as a wood, stone or marble or porcelain decor, or be made directly from one of these materials, or other for the presentation of foods show suitable representations, such as fruits, bread articles, herbs or the like. The presentation board can be retrofittable and / or interchangeable, so that in a product package, for example, a set of a bottom part and a hood are sold combined with several differently shaped presentation boards. The presentation plates can also be purchased separately and combined with the transport container. The presentation plate may have separate formations, for example for muffins, they may have cutting grooves to facilitate the cutting of, for example, pies, or there may be air holes formed in the surface, also to dissipate liquids down.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a cavity is formed between the presentation board and the bottom part. The cavity allows for an increased presentation level of the food placed on the presentation board. The cavity can also be used to carry cutlery, napkins and decorations for the food.

It is expressly understood that each of the above-described embodiments of the invention each individually, but also in any combination can be combined with each other with the subject of the main claim, as far as no technically imperative obstacles.

Further modifications and embodiments of the invention can be taken from the following description and the drawings.

Fig. 1:

eine Ansicht von schräg oben auf das Bodenteil mit der darüber befindlichen Haube,

Fig. 2:

den Lebensmittelbehälter mit einer auf dem Bodenteil verriegelten Haube aus einer Ansicht von schräg oben,

Fig. 3:

eine Schnittansicht durch den in Fig. 2 gezeigten Lebensmittelbehälter,

Fig. 4 - 6:

eine vergrößerte Schnittdarstellung der Verriegelungszone mit dem Ablauf einer Verriegelung, wobei die Fig. 4 das Verriegelungselement in der Offenstellung, in Fig. 5 in einer Zwischenstellung und in Fig. 6 in einer Verriegelungsstellung zeigen.

The invention will now be described with reference to an embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a view obliquely from above on the bottom part with the hood located above,

Fig. 2:

the food container with a hood locked on the bottom part from a view obliquely from above,

3:

a sectional view through the in Fig. 2 shown food container,

4 - 6:

an enlarged sectional view of the locking zone with the passage of a lock, wherein the Fig. 4 the locking element in the open position, in Fig. 5 in an intermediate position and in Fig. 6 show in a locked position.

In Fig. 1 a food container 2 is shown, which is essentially composed of a bottom part 4 and a cap 6 can be placed thereon prevent the hood 6 unintentionally dissolves during transport, the bottom part 4 with the hood 6 via the locking elements 8 can be locked together. With a secure locking of the food container 2 can also be worn on its located in the hood 6 carrying handle.

The locking elements 8 are each pivotable about a pivot axis 10. To pivot the locking elements 8, the hood 6 is lowered with the located on the bottom edge of the hood 6 operating lugs 18 on each of the first end of a locking element 8 located actuating surface 12. Upon further lowering of the hood 6 along a Einsenkweges in the receiving space 16 into the respective actuating lug 18 presses its associated actuating surface 12 of a locking element 8 down. By the downward movement of the actuating surface 12 at the first end of the locking element 8, this pivots about the pivot axis 10 around, with the second end of the respective locking element pivots from the open position in the direction of the locking position. Reached the hood 6 with the operating lugs 18 their end position along the Einsenkweges, the locking elements 8 have reached their locking position by the respective pivoting movements about the pivot axes 10 in which they secure the hood 6 against unwanted lifting of the bottom part 4.

If the hood 6 is to be removed from the bottom part 4 again, the locking elements 8 can be detected at the grip edge 20 and pulled in the radial direction to the outside. In the thus generated pivotal movement of the locking elements 8, the hood 6 is raised above the actuating surfaces 12 formed on the first end, so that they can easily be lifted off the bottom part 4 again after the pivoting elements 8 have been pivoted away from the locking position.

In Fig. 1 It can be seen that a separate presentation plate 22 is placed on the actual bottom part 4 in the exemplary embodiment. The presentation board 22 can be lifted off the bottom part 4 in order to be able to present foodstuffs located on the presentation board 22 independently of the bottom part 4. The presentation board 22 is already simpler in shape and thus visually appealing than the bottom part 4, on which the locking elements 8 are attached. The presentation board 22 may have additional functional or design elements, such as surface cut guides or in-mold optical enhancement labels.

In Fig. 2 the food container 2 is shown in a closed state. In Fig. 2 It can be seen that the locking elements 8 comprise the collar-like edge at the lower end of the hood 6 from the outside.

The details of the locking technique and the procedure of a locking operation are the Fig. 4-6 shown in enlarged sectional views. While the Fig. 4 shows a locking element 8 in the open position, the locking element 8 in the Fig. 5 pivoted into an intermediate position and has in Fig. 6 finally reached the locking position.

In the enlarged view in Fig. 4 can be seen that the actuating lug 18 acts on the hood 6 on the actuating surface 12 of the locking element 8. The actuating lug 18 may be particularly shaped, but it is also possible to use as an actuating nose 18 a matching portion of the simple lower peripheral edge of the hood 6, without this having a special shape. While the pivot axis 10 is fixedly connected to the bottom part 4, the locking element 8 can rotate with its clamp-like cross-section about the pivot axis 10 around. The Einsenkweg, along which the actuating lug 18 is moved into the receiving space 16 is in Fig. 4 indicated by a dashed arrow. In the in Fig. 4 shown starting position of a locking operation, the actuating lug 18 has been placed only on the actuating surface 12, without thereby the locking element 8 would already be pivoted about the pivot axis 10. In the open position, the locking body 14 of the locking element 18 is pivoted in a position remote from the hood 6 position.

On the locking element 8 are contact surfaces 26 which in the locking position with contact surfaces 28 on the hood 6, but depending on the design of the bottom part 4 can also be in contact with contact surfaces 30 on the bottom part 4 in addition.

In the representations in the Fig. 4-6 It can be seen that the actuating surface 12 formed as the first end of the locking element 8 so far into the receiving space 16 protrudes that it extends into the Einsenkweg the actuating lug 18 into the receiving space 16. In the Fig. 5 and 6 It can be seen that the actuating surface 12 finally extends even in the locking position into the Einsenkweg the actuating lug 18 in the receiving space 16.

The rotational movements that execute the actuating surface 12 at the first end of the locking element 8 on the one hand and the locking body 14 on the second end of the locking element 8 on the other hand during a locking operation are in Fig. 1 illustrated by the corresponding arc segment arrows. While the actuating surface 12 substantially moves downward during a Einsenkbewegung the actuating lug 18 into the receiving space 16, the locking body 14 is pivoted from a lateral position to the pivot axis 10 in a position which lies approximately above the pivot axis 10. The Einsenkbewegung the actuating lug 18 and the associated pivoting of the locking element 8 are good by comparing the positions of the corresponding elements in the Fig. 4 . 5 and 6 recognizable.

In Fig. 6 It is clear that the locking element 8 engages in its locking position, the lower and outer edge of the hood 6 from the outside to the second end. In this case, the locking body 14 engages over the outer edge of the hood 6 at least partially, so that the hood can not be moved upwards out of the locking position.

To the locking element 8 from the in Fig. 6 to be able to solve again shown locking position, a grip edge 20 is formed on the locking element 8. If at the grip edge 20 in the in Fig. 6 shown arrow direction, the locking member 8 pivots back in the direction of the open position.

In the exemplary embodiment are located on the locking element 8 and the hood 6 locking lugs 32 located in the in Fig. 6 shown locking position are engaged with each other.

In the Fig. 4-6 It can be seen that in the embodiment, the actuating lug 18 is the lower end of a extending in the direction of the Einsenkweges web 34 which extends downwardly facing away from the lower peripheral edge of the hood 6 away. Furthermore, the lower peripheral edge of the hood 6 in the locking area with a locking element 8 at least approximately or exactly in a direction transverse to the Einsenkweg extending support web 36. In Fig. 6 It can be seen that the at least approximately or exactly in a direction transverse to the Einsenkweg extending support web 36 has an outwardly facing end face 38 which abuts in the locking position of the hood 6 to a portion of the bottom part 4. The portion of the bottom part 4, to which the end face abuts 38, is connected to the pivot axis 10. Due to the fixed contact of the support web 36 with its end face 38 on a portion of the bottom part 4 in the region of the pivot axis 10 results in a particularly stable and firm connection of the hood 6 with the bottom part 4 in the region of a locking element eighth

On the top of the support bar 36 also contact surfaces 28 are formed, against which abut the contact surfaces 26 of a locking element 8 in its locking position.

In the Fig. 1 and 3 It can be seen that the receiving space 16 for receiving a web 34 is also formed outside the extension of the locking elements 8 on the bottom part 4. In the embodiment, the support web 36 is in this region of the receiving space 16 in the locking position of the hood 6 with its respective end face on the inside of the outer wall of the receiving space 16 at. In addition, the web 34 is in this area in the locking position of the hood 6 with its underside on the bottom of the receiving space 16. The multiple investment of components of the hood 6 on corresponding surfaces of the bottom part 4 results in a very stable and torsionally rigid connection of the respective parts ,

In the Fig. 4-6 it can be seen that the locking element 8 is connected via a pivot-locking device with the pivot axis 10.

The embodiment described above is only illustrative of the invention. The invention is not limited to the embodiment. It is not difficult for the person skilled in the art to modify the exemplary embodiment in a manner which seems to him suitable in order to adapt it to a specific application.

Claims (10)

Portable food container (2) having a plate-shaped bottom part (4) and a hood (6) which can be placed on the bottom part (4), the bottom part (4) being connected to movable locking elements (8) via a fixed pivot axis (10), the bottom part (4) and the hood (6) are connectable to each other with the locking elements (8), wherein the locking elements (8) about the associated pivot axis (10) between an open position and a locking position are pivotable back and forth, the respective pivot axis (10 ) is located between the ends of the associated locking element (8), one of the pivot axis (10) remote first end of a respective locking element (8) as the actuating surface (12) and the opposite second end is formed as a locking body (14), the locking elements (8) block in their locking position with the locking body (14) formed on the second end a lift-off movement of the hood (6) from the bottom part (4), and the locking elements (8) are in the locking position via on the locking elements (8) formed contact surfaces (26) with corresponding contact surfaces (28) on the hood (6) force and / or positively in engagement, characterized in that the actuating surface (12) of a respective locking element (8) on the inwardly to the support surface of the bottom part (4) facing side of the pivot axis (10) is formed, the bottom part (4) at least in the region respective locking element (8) has a receiving space (16) into which a downwardly facing actuating lug (18) formed on the bottom edge of the hood (6) can be lowered along a Einsenkweg, formed as the actuating surface (12) first end of a respective locking element (8) so far into the receiving space (16) protrudes that it extends from the open position into the locking position into the Einsenkweg the actuating lug (18) into the receiving space (16) in that the first end is movable downwards from its open position to the corresponding pivoting axis (10) in its locking position, and the first end as a lever arm after the actuating lug (18) strikes the actuating surface (12) in a continuous lowering movement the actuating nose (18) along the Einsenkweg along from this from the open position down into its locking position is movable, with the pivoting movement of the first end of the respective locking element (8) and the second end of this locking element (8) pivoted from the open position to the locking position is. Portable food container (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking elements (8) engage in their locking position the lower and outer edge of the hood (6) from the outside with its second end. Portable food container (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the second end of a respective locking element (8), a grip edge (20) is formed on which the locking elements (8) detected and moved manually from the locking position to the open position can be. Portable food container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the locking elements (8) and / or on the hood (6) in the region of the contact surfaces (26, 28) locking lugs (32) are formed, which during the pivoting movement engage the locking elements (8) in the locking position in corresponding locking lugs (32) of an adjacent component and thereby set the locking elements (8) in the locking position form fit. Portable food container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating lug (18) is designed as a web (34) extending in the direction of the Einsenkweges, pointing away from the lower peripheral edge of the hood (6) extends, and the lower peripheral edge of the hood (6) in the locking region with a locking element (8) at least approximately or exactly in a direction transverse to the Einsenkweg extending support web (36), at its outwardly facing end face in the locking position of the hood (6) a portion of the bottom part (4) abuts, which is connected to the pivot axis (10) and on the upper side contact surfaces (28) are formed, against which abut the contact surfaces (26) of a locking element (8) in its locking position. Portable food container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving space (16) for receiving the web (34) also outside the extension of the locking elements (8) on the bottom part (4) is formed, the support web (36) in this area in the locked position the hood (6) rests with its end face on the inside of the wall of the receiving space (16) and the web (34) in this area in the locking position of the hood (6) with its bottom on the bottom of the receiving space (16) rises. Portable food container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking elements (8) are connected to the pivot axis (10) via a pivot locking device formed in the respective locking element (8). Portable food container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surfaces of the locking elements (8), the hood (6) and / or the bottom part (4) are provided in a handle-relevant areas with a soft plastic. Portable food container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a releasably connected presentation plate (22) is placed on the bottom part (4). Portable food container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cavity (24) is formed between the presentation plate (22) and the bottom part (4).

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