EP3771657A1 - Packaging containers with secure closing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging container comprising a container (1) and an adjoining lid (2), said container (1) comprising a peripheral wall having, at an opening, a first peripheral profile delimiting said opening and which can be closed by the cover (2), said cover (2) comprising a second peripheral profile, said first and second profiles fitting into each other and together constituting secure mutual securing means, the first and second profiles extending over the periphery of the container (1) and the cover (2) respectively except on at least one peripheral sector, the container (1) and the cover (2) being in one piece and connected at each peripheral sector by means hinge (3) comprising two tabs (31, 32) projecting radially outwards from the peripheral profiles respectively of the container (1) and of the lid (2), with a shape parallel to the plane of separation of the container (1) and d u cover (2) in the closed position and interconnected at their free end by at least one groove (33, 34) forming a hinge fold, said hinge means being provided with at least one weakening line allowing the separation, by manual tearing of the hinge means (3) at the level of at least said line, of the container (1) and of the cover (2). The container is characterized in that said hinge means (3) have on each tab (31, 32) a gripping region (4, 4 ') for the fingers, said gripping regions (4, 4') being located opposite from each other and, for each tab (31, 32) provided with a line of weakness, between the line of weakness and a crease (33, 34) forming a hinge fold, the line d 'weakening comprising at least one portion coincident with a crease (33, 34) forming a hinge fold.

Description

The present invention relates to packaging containers whose closure is secure, and whose opening involves a visible operation because it changes the appearance of the container, in general by destroying a mechanical connection. This means that if the container has been opened, it can obviously be closed again, but it immediately appears that the container has already been if not used for consumption, at least opened. In other words, they are first-opening control containers.

In most cases, the containers affected by this functionality are intended for the packaging and storage of edible products, an area in which it is important to provide consumers with assurance that the contents have not already been touched by d 'other. In fact, in the presence of the packaging presented for sale, the consumer must be able to know that the content is in the state of the first closure of the container, at the time of packaging.

These packages, conventionally consisting of a container and a cover, must therefore be designed in such a way that the connection between the latter is locked and in principle secure, this connection comprising unlocking means which has. must allow a change of state which reflects the opening, b. are not reversible and therefore not liable to be restored to their initial state indicating a lack of opening and c. must allow re-closing in the initial closed state, under the same conditions except for the first opening indicator. The possibility of multiple uses, that is to say of a plurality of openings / closings, must obviously be preserved, the locking function only intended to guarantee the first use.

There are already food containers which obey these constraints, aimed at providing consumers with first-opening information, such as those described in the patent, for example. EP 1 651 532 , which proposes a solution comprising a breakable section in the form of a tab placed in a hinge connecting the lid and the container, in a transverse position relative to the hinge and oriented vertically, said tab comprising two tearing zones of parallel appearance between them and the theoretical pivot axis of the hinge. This tab protrudes from both sides of the hinge, so as to provide gripping tabs facilitating handling aimed at separating the cover from the rest of the container with a view to unlocking the mechanical link established between them. In this solution, the hinge and its tongue have a vertical configuration, in close proximity to the walls of the container.

The document US 2010/01022074 presents a solution which can be qualified as more horizontal, since the hinge between the cover and the container consists of two tabs which are substantially parallel to their plane of separation. A tear zone is available on one of said tabs, with primers which are directed towards the interior of the container, which makes it difficult to handle with a view to separating the lid from the container in order to be able to open said container, in particular because the major part of the tear takes place in an area close to the walls thereof.

The preferred solution in the context of the invention differs significantly from that which is described in these documents, with the aim of making handling much easier and ensuring that the separation is as simple as possible, that is, that is, it can be done with minimal effort. The very design of the mechanism for securing and guaranteeing first opening is in particular made with the aim of mechanically amplifying the force applied by the user's fingers, so that the unlocking operation has maximum efficiency.

Thus, the packaging containers according to the invention, comprising an adjoining container and a cover, are conventionally such that said container has a peripheral wall having, at the level of an opening, a first peripheral profile delimiting said opening and which can be closed by the cover, said cover comprising a second peripheral profile. Said first and second profiles fit into each other and together constitute secure mutual securing means. To this end, the first and second profiles extending over the periphery of the container and the cover respectively except on at least one peripheral sector, the container and the cover being in one piece and connected at each peripheral sector by means of hinge means comprising two tabs projecting radially outwardly from the peripheral profiles respectively of the container and of the cover, of appearance parallel to the plane of separation of the container and the lid in the closed position and interconnected at their free end by at least one groove forming a hinge fold. These hinge means are provided with at least one line of weakness allowing separation, by manual tearing of the hinge means at at least said line, of the container and the cover. The invention is such that said hinge means have on each tab a gripping region for the fingers, said gripping regions being located opposite one another and, for each tab provided with a line of weakness, between the line of weakness and a crease forming an articulation fold, the line of weakening comprising at least one portion coincident with a crease forming an articulation fold.

So that the hinge means can have such gripping regions, horizontal or quasi-horizontal in most cases of use of the container, it is necessary on the one hand that they offer a sufficient surface for the fingers to be able to. pose and on the other hand that these regions are two and positioned opposite one another to allow the exercise of the clamp necessary to provide the tearing force. The hinge means are therefore in practice oriented so that the articulation (s) can (s) be offset (s) at a certain distance from the cover and the container when they are in the closed state.

The two legs are in practice articulated around this (s) fold (s) or end creases, which (s) is (are) not located in the immediate vicinity of the volume of the container to leave space for the gripping and breaking area.

One possible configuration is for example such that the two tabs of the hinge are connected, at their free end, by two grooves defining a connecting section of the tabs. The latter is then more vertical in appearance, and it gives the hinge a lying U-shaped configuration.

To improve the operation of breaking the hinge, which precedes the opening of the secure mutual securing means constituted by the interlocking of the first and second profiles, the hinge means may include two lines of weakness surrounding two knurled areas present on the two legs and located opposite one another, the surface of each knurled zone constituting a sufficient grip region for the placement of the end of a finger. The two areas facing each other make it possible to use a gripper between fingers, for example between the thumb and forefinger, putting the user in an optimal position to tear the hinge without unnecessary effort.

More precisely, according to one possible configuration, each tab may include a knurled zone having a rectilinear side coinciding with at least one creasing portion. In this case, preferably, at least one of the knurled zones is delimited by a line of weakness except for its rectilinear side, said line of weakness continuing on the crease portion (s) coincident with said side. . Maximum mechanical efficiency is then achieved, since the lines of weakness are placed in the immediate vicinity of the fingers, which begin by tearing around their contact and pinching zone, at the limits of the knurled zones, the tearing of the rectilinear portions lines of weakness belonging to the creases forming articulation folds then take place very naturally, and practically without effort.

Preferably, according to the invention, each line of weakness may consist of a line, made in the material of the hinge means, with precut sections alternating with solid sections. It is then easy to separate the lid from the container by tearing at least one line along the pre-cut dotted lines.

In practice, the first profile may, according to one possible configuration, include a radial groove extending outwardly a shoulder of the peripheral wall of the container, said first profile being surrounded by an outer peripheral rim provided with an outer flange, the second profile comprising a flat peripheral surface bearing on the shoulder and an outer lip extending said surface outwards and fitting into the groove. The insertion of the lip of the lid in the radial groove, opening towards the inside of the volume of the container and of which the bottom constitutes the most eccentric part, allows the locking by elastic clipping of one into the other, in a secure manner because without additional means, the connection is not reversible. These additional means consist precisely of the system of the invention, not in its initial state but once at least one weakening line is torn, releasing one of the tabs which makes it possible to exert an action on the lid to separate it from the container.

Preferably, said outer lip can form an obtuse angle with the flat peripheral surface, which allows it to come into contact with the upper face of the proximal groove of the peripheral rim, ensuring better locking without requiring too large a radial dimension, necessary if the lip were to touch the back of the throat, however, making unlocking noticeably more difficult.

More precisely, the two tabs of the hinge means can be connected respectively to a peripheral relief projecting from the cover located radially inside the second profile and to an external flange of the container. According to a possible variant, the two tabs of the hinge means can be connected respectively to the outer lip of the cover and to the outside of the radial groove of the first section. Many other variants of shape and configuration can be found, the important thing being to keep the "radial" configuration of the hinge means allowing the existence of the most easily manipulated gripping zones, that is to say of horizontal appearance. This presupposes, as we have seen, a dimensioning which moves the actual hinge away from the volume of the container and offers easily accessible and visible working surfaces.

All of the features described above make it possible to significantly optimize the comfort of use of this type of closure container provided with secure locking means with indication of first opening, insofar as the user is naturally guided by organs. visible and immediately understandable, towards an operation whose mechanical logic is itself optimized. The configuration thus naturally encourages placing his fingers in pliers on a zone of the hinge means placed so that the tearing operation can be carried out without undue effort.

• La figure 1 montre en vue perspective d'un récipient du type de celui de l'invention, couvercle refermé sur le contenant ;
• La figure 2 représente en vue perspective un détail agrandi des moyens charnière selon l'invention, lorsque le récipient est fermé ;
• La figure 3 illustre les mêmes moyens charnière, toujours en vue perspective, mais lorsque le récipient est à l'état ouvert ;
• La figure 4 est similaire à la figure 3, pour une variante de récipient dans lequel le mode d'attache de chaque patte des moyens charnière respectivement au couvercle et au contenant est différent ;
• Les figures 5 et 6 montrent une variante de mise en œuvre de l'invention avec un pan non rabattu de la zone de préhension moletée déchirable ; et
• La figure 7 montre le système de fermeture sécurisé du récipient avec des premier et second profilés spécifiquement prévus à cet effet.

The invention will now be described by means of figures which represent an example of possible configuration, although not limiting, of the invention:

• The figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container of the type of that of the invention, lid closed on the container;
• The figure 2 shows in perspective view an enlarged detail of the hinge means according to the invention, when the container is closed;
• The figure 3 illustrates the same hinge means, still in perspective view, but when the container is in the open state;
• The figure 4 is similar to figure 3 , for a variant of a container in which the method of attachment of each tab of the hinge means to the lid and to the container respectively is different;
• The figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of the invention with a non-folded side of the tear-away knurled grip zone; and
• The figure 7 shows the secure closure system of the container with first and second profiles specifically designed for this purpose.

With reference to the figure 1 , the container of the invention essentially comprises a container 1 and a cover 2, which are configured to be able to be attached to each other in a secure manner. For this purpose, the two components 1 and 2 of the container comprise specific peripheral profiles provided to achieve a mutual engagement putting in tension the constituent materials of the container to achieve this securing. They allow in particular a non-reversible clipping, except special arrangements which are in particular the subject of the invention, of the cover 2 at the level of the peripheral edge of the opening of the container 1. These profiles are shown in more detail below, in particular with reference to the figure 7 .

The container 1 and the cover 2 comprise, on a peripheral sector clearly visible in figure 1 , hinge means 3 which project radially from the volume of the container in a direction substantially parallel to the general plane of the opening, which is also in this case the orientation of the median plane of the cover 2, and which is generally horizontal when the container is placed. These hinge means 3, which extract over a significant length of the container, consequently offer a comfortable handling surface for the user, away from the walls of the container, and in a plane - relative to the general geometry of the container. container - which makes any manual operation on the hinge means 3 easy. A gripping region or tab 4 is visible on the upper part of the hinge means 3, knurled to ensure the gripping, performed by the fingers of the user in order to transversely tear the hinge means 3 to allow the cover 2 to be opened.

The structure of the hinge means 3, in connection with the possibilities of tearing it to achieve the first opening of the container, appears in particular very clearly in the figures 1 to 3 . Said hinge means consist of two tabs 31, 32 (see in figure 3 ) separated by two grooves 33, 34 of articulation delimiting a side 35 of appearance perpendicular to the overall orientation of the hinge means 3 in the closed position, and parallel to the latter in the open position. Besides the tab 4, another tab 4 'is placed substantially symmetrically with respect to the panel 35 to ensure good non-sliding contact with a finger. These two tabs 4, 4 'which can be knurled must allow the production of a clamp with two fingers, in order to tear a portion of the hinge 3 before opening the cover 2. The gripping region can be fully knurled or not.

In fact, according to one possibility, a line of weakness obtained for example by punching / pre-cutting in broken lines alternating the solid and pre-cut portions runs through the curved lines (preferably in a half-moon, as in the figure, but of other shapes are possible) delimiting the tabs 4, 4 'as well as at least the portions of at least one of the grooves 33, 34 located on either side of said knurled tabs 4,4'. Given the configuration of the hinge means 3 and the position of the tabs 4 and 4 ', away from the volume of the container and immediately visible and accessible to the positioning of the fingers, tearing these hinge means in the vicinity of their free end proves to be very easy. This configuration offers enough space to allow the gripping of the tear-off members of the hinge means 3 while keeping the rest of the container stationary, hence maximum efficiency of the operation in terms of the efforts to be made.

Maximum efficiency comes from the fact that the tear line is systematically arranged at the greatest possible distance from the container itself: when possible, it is located at the level of the folds of the joint 33, 34, which form the distal part of the hinge means 3. Otherwise, it strictly delimits the gripping zone 4, 4 ', that is to say the surface on which a finger can be placed to perform the clamp, this location respecting the condition set below above: at the clamp, the tear line must be placed between the finger and the container, but as close as possible to the finger, in other words as far as possible from the container.

Many variations of shapes are of course possible without compromising the qualities specific to the configuration, and provided that its essential characteristics, as they appear in the figures 1 to 3 . Thus, in figure 4 , the two legs 31, 32 have the same width while in the version of the figure 3 , one 32 is slightly narrower than the other 31. Furthermore, the method of fixing the hinge means, that is to say more precisely the tabs 31, 32 respectively to the cover 2 and to the container 1, can vary. It also differs between the variant of figures 1 to 3 and that of the figure 4 . In the first case, the tab 31 is connected, via an inclined face 36, to a peripheral relief 21 projecting from the cover 2 located, radially, inside the second tamper-proof fixing profile. The tab 32 is for its part connected to an external peripheral flange 11 of the container 1, which is best shown in figure 7 .

In the configuration of the figure 4 , the tab 31 of the hinge means 3 is secured to an outer lip 22 of the cover 2 and to the outside of a radial groove of the first section of the container 1 (see detailed structure in figure 7 ). In this variant, the two legs 31, 32 have substantially the same width, but it could obviously obey the same construction as in the version of figures 1 to 3 . Generally speaking, this figure 4 shows that it is possible to make modifications without altering the spirit of the invention, either directly on the hinge (shape of the tabs 31 and 32, of the panel 35 ..., or on the methods of fixing respectively to the cover 2 or container 1).

The version of figures 5 and 6 moreover establishes an alternative which is not really different in its structure but rather in its implementation. Thus, by taking again for example the configuration of the figure 4 , one of the tabs 4 'is pre-cut to serve as a gripping tab in order to tear the rest of the hinge means 3. The figure 6 , in particular, clearly shows how the tongue thus created benefits from excellent accessibility for a grip by the user, who can grasp said tongue / tab 4 'with one hand and grasp with the other hand for example the 'one of the side edges of the hinge 3, each time by pinching between the thumb and preferably the index finger. The conditions are then optimal for carrying out the operation of tearing the hinge means 3 with a force lesser, to release the upper tab 31 which then serves to extract the cover by progressive release of its outer lip 23 from a peripheral groove 13 of the container 1 (see figure 7 ).

In fact, the structure conferring security, when the container is closed, and the mode of cooperation between the container 1 and the cover 2 with a view to closing one by the other, are more particularly illustrated in figure 7 , which shows two successive positions respectively of centering the lid 2 in the container 1 (on the right) and of locking one in the other (on the left). A mutual interlocking of the first and second profiles occurs, as follows: the peripheral relief 21 of the cover 2 is bordered, outwardly by an external lip 23 from which it is separated by a flat peripheral surface 22, the assembly constituting the second peripheral profile, linked to the cover 2.

This peripheral surface 22 is designed to bear flat on the radial surface of a shoulder 12 of the container 1, which extends outwardly by a radial groove 13 into which the lip 23 fits. The shoulder assembly 12. / radial groove 13 constitutes the first section, connected to the container 1. The groove 13, being oriented so that its bottom is the most eccentric, therefore comprises a wall, opposite the radial flat surface of the shoulder 12, which is closes on lip 23 of cover 2.

There is then good locking, secured without additional operations, however warning signs of a first opening, of the cover 2 in the container 1 by means of the mechanical connections brought into play at the level of the first and second profiles. In practice, it is very difficult to extract the cover 2 from the container 1, owing to the fact that its outer lip 23 is elastically inserted, which implies elastic bending at the time of closing and a release of energy which allows it to resume its initial radially extended configuration, in the groove 13 of the container 1. The outer lip 23 is then no longer accessible from the outside.

On the other hand, when by tearing a zone of weakness comprising the tabs 4, 4 'and at least one of the creases 33, 34 the tab 31 is released, the cover 2 of the container 1 can be removed by gradually releasing the outer lip. 23 by bending the lip portions in contact with the container 1. It is note that said lip 23 is, at rest, inclined upwardly of the groove 13 in the configuration illustrated by figure 7 . The groove 13 is, in the example shown, surmounted by a peripheral edge provided with an external flange 11.

The hinge means 3, formed of two parallel tabs 31, 32 connected - via two grooves 33, 34 - by a panel 35 of reduced width, occupy only a very limited portion of the periphery of the container, so that the locking lip 23 / groove 13, which covers almost all of it, is effective. The very eccentric configuration of the hinge means 3, implying that the tabs 31 and 32 are of a not insignificant length, additionally confers on the first opening indicator that it constitutes particularly high visibility, a guarantee of safety for the user.

These figures, illustrating different versions of the invention, clearly show that the latter is not limited to the examples which are shown, but that it also covers the variants of shapes, possibly of materials, without departing from the protected field. . Thus, we have seen that many modifications could affect the hinge means 3, mainly in the outline of the tabs 31, 32 and of the connecting panel 35, but also in the characteristics of attachment to the rest of the container, the shape of which may be modified. in turn feed variants of solidarity. Furthermore, the invention can be implemented using plastic materials, cardboard, bio-sourced materials, etc. The design of the two main components is not fixed either within the meaning of the invention: the cover 2 can be solid or have openings, depending on what is contained in the container, and the container 1 can be stiffened by ribs. , etc.

Claims (10)

Packaging container comprising a container (1) and an adjoining cover (2), said container (1) comprising a peripheral wall having, at the level of an opening, a first peripheral profile delimiting said opening and which can be closed by the cover (2), said cover (2) comprising a second peripheral profile, said first and second profiles fitting into each other and together constituting secure mutual securing means, the first and second profiles extending over the periphery respectively of the container (1) and the cover (2) except on at least one peripheral sector, the container (1) and the cover (2) being in one piece and connected at each peripheral sector by hinge means (3) comprising two tabs (31, 32) projecting radially outwards from the peripheral profiles respectively of the container (1) and of the cover (2), of parallel appearance to the plane of separation of the container (1) and of the cover (2) in posit ion closed and interconnected at their free end by at least one groove (33, 34) forming an articulation fold, said hinge means being provided with at least one line of weakness allowing separation, by manual tearing hinge means (3) at at least said line, container (1) and cover (2), characterized in that said hinge means (3) have on each tab (31, 32) a gripping region (4, 4 ') for the fingers, said gripping regions (4, 4') being located opposite each other and, for each tab (31, 32) provided with a line of weakness, between the line of weakness and a crease (33, 34) forming an articulation fold, the line of weakening comprising at least one portion coincident with a crease (33, 34) forming an articulation fold. Packaging container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two tabs (31, 32) of the hinge means (3) are connected, at their free end, by two grooves (33, 34) delimiting a connecting panel (35 ) of the legs (31, 32). Packaging container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge means (3) comprise two lines of weakness surrounding two knurled zones (4, 4 ') present on the two tabs (31, 32) and located opposite each other, the surface of each knurled zone (4, 4 ') constituting a sufficient grip region for the placement of the end of a finger. Packaging container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each tab (31, 32) comprises a knurled zone (4, 4 ') having a rectilinear side coinciding with at least one creasing portion (33, 34). Packaging container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the knurled areas (4, 4 ') is delimited by a line of weakness except for its rectilinear side, said line of weakness continuing on the creasing portion or portions (33, 34) coincident with said side. Packaging container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each line of weakness consists of a line, made in the material of the hinge means (3), with precut sections alternating with solid sections. Packaging container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first profile comprises a radial groove (13) extending outwardly a shoulder (12) of the peripheral wall of the container (1), said first profile being surrounded by an outer peripheral edge provided with an outer flange (11), the second profile comprising a flat peripheral surface (22) bearing on the shoulder (12) and an outer lip (23) extending said surface towards the outside and fitting into the groove (13). Packaging container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said outer lip (23) forms an obtuse angle with the flat peripheral surface (22). Packaging container according to one of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the two tabs (31, 32) of the hinge means (3) are respectively connected to a peripheral relief (21) projecting from the lid (2) located, radially, inside the second profile, and to an outer flange (11) of the container (1). Packaging container according to one of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the two tabs (31, 32) of the hinge means (3) are respectively connected to an outer lip (23) of the cover (2) and to the outside of a radial groove (13) of the first section of the container (1).

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