FR3126404A1 - CONTAINER WITH AUTOMATIC MAGNETIC LOCKING LID - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container with a lid (3) that can be removably closed by a magnetic connection between the lid and the body of the container, a sealing means (8) and a locking means (15) in the closed position being provided. An external radial peripheral shoulder (11) defines a flat bearing zone for the free end of the cover, said bearing zone and said end having complementary magnetized portions (13, 14) adapted to slide freely one on the other during a rotational movement. The wall (16) delimiting the reception volume comprises at least one relief (15) configured to be in blocking support on a relief of complementary shape provided on the internal face of the cover (3) when the latter is in position and a magnetic connection between the lid (3) and the container body is established. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 3

Description

CONTAINER WITH AUTOMATIC MAGNETIC LOCKING LID

The present invention relates to a container with an automatic magnetic locking lid.

Here, the term container must be understood as designating all types of container whatever the external geometric configuration of the latter, for example cylindrical with a circular base, with a square base or in the shape of a parallelepiped, whatever the constituent material of the container. , for example metal, wood, polymers, composite materials or others. Similarly, the product intended to be introduced into the container may be solid, liquid or pasty, mono or multi-component, for industrial, chemical, medical, veterinary, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food or other use. In all cases, such a container is fitted with a sealing and closing device, generally a lid, ensuring the closure of the volume for receiving the product, whether or not the product is present in the container. Thereafter, the term lid will be preferably used. In all cases within the scope of the invention, if the external shapes of the container and of its lid are arbitrary, the opening of the container providing access to the volume for receiving the product and on which the complementary part of the cover must be circular, as well as the complementary part of the cover.

The cover is positioned on the container so as to prevent any unauthorized or accidental access to the interior of the container and to protect the contents of the latter against any external contamination, for example of chemical or physical biological origin. The lid also prevents any loss of the product, for example when the container is overturned. When such a container is initially filled with a product and/or when it is a product for food, cosmetic, medical, pharmaceutical, veterinary, chemical or even industrial use, it is necessary that the product be preserved from any contamination. before its first use and/or between two uses. In addition, it is necessary that no removal or loss of the product takes place before the container is delivered to its end user. In some cases, the container is delivered closed and possibly sterile to a user, the latter himself introducing a product into the reception volume clean and devoid of any contaminants, before closing and dispatching the product to an end user. Thus, any contact between the inside of the volume for receiving the product and the outside should be limited as much as possible, for example when handling the lid by a user. However, with each handling and in particular with each opening of the container, dirt and/or biological contaminants can be introduced, unintentionally or not, into the latter and contaminate the receiving volume and/or the product present.

It is therefore necessary to avoid or at least to limit contact between the user and the interior of the container, and therefore with the product that may be present, this via the opening of the container and/or the handling of the lid. For this, various devices are known which allow the cover to be fitted and/or removed from the container with limited contact between the user and the container. In this respect, mention may be made of FR-B-3 030 461 which describes a reservoir whose mouth is provided with a lid forming an applicator for the product contained in the reservoir. Magnets of complementary polarity are mounted on the tank and on the applicator and ensure that the applicator is held in the locking position, by magnetic connection, on the tank. Cams make it possible to rotate the applicator and therefore reduce the magnetic attraction in order to move the tank away from the applicator in order to open the tank and use the applicator. A gasket seals between the applicator and the tank, in the closed position. Here, the maintenance in the closed position is ensured by the magnetic attraction between the reservoir and the applicator. Also known from FR-B-3 015 441. is a container equipped with a closure cap held in the closed position by a magnetic connection between annular magnets located on the cap and on the mouth of the container. The magnetic connection takes place axially, the magnets in the closed position being concentric. US-A-2017/026 56 18 describes a container whose opening includes reliefs. A lid is equipped with a groove for receiving reliefs. The groove forms an inclined guide ramp during the rotation of the lid on the container. Magnets on the lid and the container maintain the latter in the closed configuration of the container. US-B-8 636 167 discloses a container equipped with automatic closing means. Magnets of opposite polarities are arranged on the container and on the lid. In particular, the arrangement is such that the magnets of the lid are both attracted and repelled by the magnets of the container, which induces a rotational movement of the lid in a given direction. During this rotation, a cylindrical lug on the lid moves along an inclined ramp provided on the container and locks under a relief of suitable shape. In such a position, the closure and the locking of the container are ensured by a magnetic and mechanical connection. An O-ring or sealing disc is compressed between the lid and the container in the locking position and provides the seal.

These various solutions are more or less complex to achieve. In particular, the rotation of the cover requires a guide means, such as a ramp of more or less curved shape, which impacts production costs. The invention proposes a solution making it possible, in a simple and low-cost way, to automatically put a lid on a container in the closed position and to lock this closed position with parts that are simple to produce, in an efficient manner.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a container with a lid comprising a main body defining a volume for receiving a product, the volume being removably closable by a lid, the main body being provided in the vicinity of the opening access to the volume of at least one magnet, said lid being provided with at least one magnet arranged facing said magnet located on the main body when the lid is in position on the main body, reliefs of complementary shapes placed on the lid and on the main body ensuring the locking of the lid in the closed position on the main body, a sealing means being placed between the lid and the access opening to the reception volume, characterized in that a peripheral shoulder external radial made on the wall of the main body delimiting the reception volume in the vicinity of the access opening, circular, to the reception volume defines a flat support zone for the wafer plate of the circular free end of the cover, said support zone and said edge having complementary magnetized parts, said support zone and edge being adapted to slide freely one on the other during a rotational movement of the cover with respect to the main body and in that the vertical part of the wall of the main body delimiting the reception volume located between the shoulder and the access opening to the reception volume comprises at least one relief configured to be in blocking support against a relief of complementary shape provided on the internal face of the cover when the latter is in position on the main body and a magnetic connection between the magnetized parts of the free end of the cover and the support zone of the shoulder on the main body is established.

The presence of circular and complementary flat areas on the lid and on the main body defining the receiving volume allows free rotation with minimal friction, under the effect of the magnetic attraction of the lid on the main body. In this way, the reliefs of the cover and of the main body come easily into engagement and achieve an optimal locking, which allows a leaktight closure of the container. Closing takes place automatically once the user has placed the lid on the access opening to the volume of the container, by clockwise or counterclockwise rotation depending on the zone in which the lid is placed on the main body, by attraction magnetic between the magnets. Thus the user does not have to precisely position the cover on the main body to initiate the magnetic connection.

According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a container may include one or more of the following characteristics:

The magnetized parts of the cover and of the main body are at least two in number.

The magnetized parts of the cover and the main body are three in number.

The magnetized parts comprise magnets inserted into housings, the magnets being flush with the opening of the housings.

The main body includes an outer wall defining a housing for receiving a removable container.

The external diameter of the lid is identical to the external diameter of the container.

The reliefs provided on the lid and on the main body are at least three on each constituent element of the container.

At least one relief formed on the outer wall of the main body is T-shaped.

The free end of the vertical leg of the T rests on the flat bottom of the shoulder.

The crossbar of the T is configured as an open V.

At least one relief on the cover is configured as an open V bar whose angle is similar to that of the crossbar of the T.

The angle of the V of the transverse bar of the T and of the barrette is between 160° and 180°.

The magnetic parts of the end edge of the cover and of the support zone are adapted to allow rotation of the cover relative to the main body either clockwise or counterclockwise.

The sealing member is brought into the active position by crushing during the rotation of the lid relative to the main body.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the invention, in the closed configuration,

is a section along line II-II, on another scale, the container being empty for more readability,

is a perspective view, on another scale, of the constituent elements of the container of the in the exploded assembly position,

is a perspective view, at another scale, from the inside of the lid of the container of the , a single relief being illustrated for greater readability and

is a side view, at another scale, of the receiving volume of the container of the , a T-shaped relief being visible.

There illustrates a container 1 of cylindrical shape with a circular base. The container 1 comprises a main body 2, also cylindrical with a circular base, defining a volume V for receiving a product. A cover 3 of cylindrical shape with a circular base caps the upper part 4 of the main body 2 and closes, in a removable manner, access to the reception volume V. Here the external shape of the container 2 is configured as a cylinder of low height, by example a jar. In a variant not shown, the outer shape of the container may be different, for example square-based or parallelepiped-shaped. In all cases, the access to the reception volume V and the complementary part of the cover 3 which closes off this access are circular in shape.

It is noted here, in the illustrated embodiment, the presence of a ring 5 in the form of a flat circular ring and of small thickness. This ring 5 is positioned between the lid 3 and the body 2 when the container is closed. It is easily understood that such a container 1 is made of a variable material which may be metallic, polymer, wood or other. Similarly, the cover 3 and the main body 2 of the container 1 can be made of different materials. The external appearance of the container 1 both at the level of the main body 2 and of the lid 3 may be smooth as illustrated in or provided with decoration, grainy, embossed, grooved or otherwise. In the configuration shown in the container 1 is closed and the product, which is possibly contained in the reception volume V, is protected from any external dirt by the lid 3. In addition, the closure of the container 1 is sealed, which prevents any leakage of the product from the container 1 as well as any unwanted entry of liquid into the container 1, for example when the latter is overturned.

There is a sectional view along section plane II-II of container 1. It is therefore a section oriented along a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of cylindrical body 2. It is noted in this embodiment that the volume receiving V of the container 1 comprises a pot 6. This pot 6 is removable, of dimensions slightly smaller than those of the volume V so as to fit easily into the latter with minimal play. It is thus possible to remove the pot 6 from the volume V in order to fill it outside the container 1 or to put another pot 6 already filled, like a refill.

The upper part of the main body 2 defines a circular opening 7 for access to the interior of the volume V or of the pot 6 when the latter is present. It is understood that the dimensions of the volume V are reduced to that of the pot 6 when the latter is present. Here a disc or sealing pad 8 is placed on this opening 7. The pad 8 has dimensions such that it completely masks the opening 7 and it prevents any exit of the product and/or entry of dirt into the volume V. The The sealing disc is 8 held in contact and bearing against the periphery of the opening 7 by the internal part 9 of the cover 3 when the cover 3 is in the closed and locked position on the body 2 of the container 1. The disc sealing 8 is advantageously reusable and in this case integral with part 9, by means known per se. As a variant, the tablet 8 is for single use. It is, for example, placed on the opening 7 before positioning and locking the cover 3.

In the upper part of the body 2, in the vicinity of its access opening 7 to the volume V, a shoulder 10 is made from the outside of the body 2 in the direction of the volume V. The shoulder 10 is particularly visible in Figures 3 and 5. It is a peripheral shoulder which is therefore circular given the configuration of the cylindrical main body 2 . The shoulder extends over the entire circumference of the body 2. The shoulder 10 extends radially. It thus defines a flat zone 11 forming a rim on the outer part 9 of the body 2. Subsequently, the terms flat zone and rim will be used interchangeably. The flat zone 11 is produced, for example, between 5 mm and 7 mm from the opening 7 and over a depth ranging from 9 mm to 11 mm for containers with a capacity of between 10 ml and 100 ml. In any case, the dimensions of the shoulder are adapted to the dimensions of the container and the lid, taking into account whether or not the container is intended to be moved. Thus when the rest in a given position, therefore when nomadic use of the container is not provided, it may have a capacity greater than 100 ml, for example several liters. In this case, the shoulder has dimensions similar to those made on a nomadic container of smaller capacity. In the case of a non-nomadic container, the force of the magnetic connection between the lid and the main body must only be sufficient to hold the lid on the main body in the usual position of use of the container, it is not no need to maintain the lid in any position of the container as for a nomadic container.

As shown on the right side of the housings 12 of variable shape, here for example in the shape of a parallelepiped, are arranged in the flat zone 11 of the shoulder 10. Inside these housings 12, which are at least two in number and advantageously three and regularly distributed over the flat area 11, magnets 13 of a shape complementary to the housings 12 are inserted. These magnets 13 are preferably inserted permanently into the housings 12. In all cases the dimensions and in particular the depth of the housings 12 and the dimensions of the magnets 13 are such that when a magnet 13 is placed in a housing 12 provided in the flat zone 11, a pole, north or south, of the magnet 13 is flush and coplanar with the plane defined by the zone plate 11. In other words, the pole of the magnet 13 then constitutes a part of the flat zone 11. Thus, on the flat zone or edge 11 are defined magnetized parts which are at least two in number. , advantageously three. It is conceivable that the magnets 13 are arranged so that their polarity, north or south, is on the flat zone 11 of the body 2 of the container 1. The flat zone or rim 11 thus defines a surface having alternately magnetic zones and non-magnetic areas, the magnetic areas being of similar polarity.

The cover 3 comprises a free end whose edge 30 is flat, that is to say perpendicular to the side wall 31 of the cover 3. In this end edge 30 of the housings 120 for receiving magnets 14 are formed. Here, the housings 120 are of complementary dimensions and shape to the housings 12 fitted to the rim 11. Alternatively, they are of different dimensions and/or shapes. The housings 120 also preferably receive the magnets 14 in a definitive manner. These housings 120 are at least two in number, advantageously three. In all cases they are regularly distributed over the end edge 30 of the cover 3 and in the same number as the housings 12. The magnets 14 are, like the magnets 13, arranged so that their poles, north or south, are flush to the end edge 30. In this way, magnetic parts formed on the edge 30 of the cover 3 are defined, thus a surface having alternately magnetic zones and non-magnetic zones, the magnetic zones being of similar polarity.

As emerges from the when the cover 3 is in the closed and locked position on the body 2 of the container 1, the magnetic parts of the rim 11 of the body 2 and the magnetic parts of the end edge 30 of the cover 3 are facing one above the other. Their arrangements are such that their polarities are opposite which ensures a magnetic connection between the lid 3 and the body 2 of the container 1. In the embodiment illustrated here, the ring 5 is positioned between the two surfaces 11 and 30 partially magnetized of, respectively, the body 2 and the cover 3. Such a configuration makes it possible to insert a non-magnetic element between the magnets 13 and 14. In a variant not shown, this ring 5 is not present. In addition to an aesthetic role, the ring 5 provides a smooth and non-magnetic zone facilitating the sliding of the cover 3 on the rim 11, therefore de facto magnets 13, 14 on each other during a rotational movement around a central longitudinal axis A of the container 1, this up to a so-called locking position where all the magnets 13 and 14 having complementary polarities are positioned opposite each other, thus producing a magnetic connection between the body 2 and the cover 3. In all cases, the magnets 13 and 14 are not directly visible when the cover 3 is removed from the body 2 of the container 1. This improves the aesthetics of the product. As a variant, they remain visible at all times once the cover 3 and the body 2 have been separated, the magnets 13 and 14 being, for example, colored or provided with a colored coating.

There illustrates the various constituent parts of the container 1 in assembly configuration. These parts are described starting from the top of the . The lid 3 comprises, in the example shown, a cover 32, which may be removable, which caps all of the constituent parts of the cover 3. This cover 32 makes it possible to personalize the container 1 by adapting the material and/or the external appearance and /or the color according to the user's needs. Housed in the cover 32, the internal part 9 is in the form of a cylindrical ring with a circular base open at the ends, the height of which is substantially equal to the height of the wall 31. The part 9 comprises a cylindrical part with a circular base 90 closed at one end 91 and of smaller diameter than that of the cover 32, this end 91 defining the bottom of the cover 3. At its open end, the part 90 comprises an outer ring 92 of larger diameter equipped, on its outer periphery, with 'connecting members with connecting members of complementary shapes provided on the inner face of the open end of the cover 32. Here, it is rounded teeth facilitating the insertion of the part 9 in the cover 32 while avoiding the mutual rotation of these two parts relative to each other. It is thus possible to fix, definitively or not, the part 9 to the cover 32. It is the part 92 which is provided with the housings 120 for receiving the magnets 14, the latter coming to rest on the cylinder 90. Once covered by the cover 32, the part 9 is protected and the magnets 14 hidden. The lower free end of ring 92, looking at the , defines the free end edge 30 of the cover 3.

Between the end edge 30 of the ring 32 and the body 2, the disc or sealing patch 8 is positioned. It is understood that sealing is achieved when the locking of the cover 3 on the body 2 is effective, the pellet 8 then being crushed, at its periphery between the end 30 and the open end 60 of the pot 6, when this latter is present as in the illustrated embodiment. Between the edge 30 of the cover 3 and the rim 11, surrounding the pot 6, the ring 5 is positioned, in a removable manner, being free to rotate. The outer diameter of ring 5 is identical to the outer diameter of body 2, the width of its solid part corresponding to the width of shoulder 10.

At least one, advantageously three, relief(s) 15 is (are) made, by machining, gluing, welding, overmolding or another technique known per se on the vertical wall 16 delimiting the volume V, therefore here the cylindrical wall 16 of the main body 2. This wall extends upwards, looking at the , from the shoulder 10. the wall 16 constitutes the vertical bottom of the shoulder 10.

Each relief 15 is T-shaped. The end of the leg 150 of the T-shaped relief rests on the rim 11. The crossbar 151 is slightly curved. The bottom dead center is located at the level of the junction between the bar 151 and the leg 150 of the T. The angle of each half of the transverse bar 151 with the leg 150 is between 90° and 100°, preferably close to 95°. Each relief 15, in particular the bar 150, is of complementary shape to a relief 17.

The relief(s) 17, depending on the number of relief(s) 15, are provided on the internal face 18 of the cylinder 90 of the cover 3. The reliefs 17 are formed of two strips 170, 171 secured by one of their ends so as to define a widely open V, at an angle similar to that of the transverse bar 151. In this case the strips 170, 171 form an angle of between 160° and 180°, advantageously close to 170°. The V formed by the transverse bar 150 is therefore open at an angle also between 160° and 180°, advantageously close to 170°. The dimensions and the position of the reliefs 17 are such that the reliefs 17, when the cover 3 is locked on the body 2, rest under the reliefs 15. More precisely, one of the strips 170 or 171 is under the bar 151 of the T and bearing against it, on one side or the other of the leg 150. The end of the strip 170 or 171 bears against the angle formed by the junction between the bar 150 and the leg 150 The inclined shape of the crossbar 151 in the direction of the leg 150 facilitates and guides the movement of the strips 170, 171. When the reliefs 15 and 17 are secured, in a removable manner, the cover 3 is locked on the body 2, the container 1 then being closed in a sealed manner thanks to the disc 8. The particular shape of the reliefs 15 and 17 allows the container to be locked regardless of the direction of rotation of the lid 3 on the body 2. The locking is obtained when all the magnets 13 and 14 established a magnetic connection by c complementarity of their polarities. For this, there is a rotation, clockwise or counterclockwise, of the cover 3 around the axis A, when the cover 3 is above the body 2 and a few millimeters at most above the latter or even, preferably, in sliding contact. The fitting of the cover 3 and its locking on the body 2 are now described with reference to the various figures 1 to 5.

When the container 1 is closed, once the pot 6 is in place, whether the latter is empty or not, the lid 3 is brought into contact by the end edge 30 with either the ring 5 if it is present on the rim 11 or with rim 11 directly. During this positioning, there is no constraint concerning the relative position of the cover 3 and the body 2. By attraction between the north and south poles of the magnets 13 and 14, there is a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the cover. 3 around the axis A until all the magnets 13 and 14 face each other and establish a magnetic connection. This rotation is done under the sole magnetic force, without any contact of the user with the container 1. If this connection corresponds to a position in which the reliefs 15 and 17 are in mutual engagement, then there is a tight locking of the closure of the container 1. This produces a closure and an automatic sealed locking of the container 1. If the position in which the magnets 13 and 14 establish the magnetic connection does not correspond to a position where the reliefs 15 and 17 are in mutual engagement, then there is a simple closure of the container 1, without tight locking. In all cases, whether or not the closure of the container is accompanied by a lock, it is carried out automatically without user intervention and without precise positioning of the lid 3 on the body 2, it suffices to place the lid on the body 2, cover 3 rotates in one direction or the other, depending on the proximity of magnets 13, 14 of opposite polarity. To open the container, whether it is locked or not, it is necessary to perform a rotation of the cover 3 in the opposite direction to that carried out during the automatic closing of the cover then a translation in order to move the cover 3 away from the body 2, according to a combined movement related to unscrewing. Thus, as opening and unlocking the container requires human intervention, it cannot happen alone, accidentally. In this way, the closure of the container 1 is secured.

In another embodiment, visual markings on the lid and on the body make it possible to visualize whether the container is closed and/or locked. these markings may be accompanied by a tamper-evident strip to verify that the container has remained locked before first use.

In another embodiment, the reliefs 15 and 17, in addition to the shape cooperation, are magnetized in order to also produce a magnetic connection between them, in the locking position.

Thanks to the invention, an easy-to-use closing and locking solution is obtained, without user intervention and which does not require precise positioning of the lid on the body of the container.

Claims (13)

Container (1) with lid (3) comprising a main body (2) defining a volume (V) for receiving a product, the volume being removably closable by a lid (3), the main body (2) being provided in the vicinity of the opening (7) for access to the volume (V) with at least one magnet (13), said cover (3) being provided with at least one magnet (14) arranged facing said magnet ( 13) located on the main body (2) when the cover (3) is in position on the main body (2), reliefs (15; 17) of complementary shapes placed on the cover (3) and on the main body ( 2) ensuring the locking of the lid (3) in the closed position on the main body (2), a sealing means (8) being placed between the lid (3) and the opening (7) for access to the volume of reception (V), characterized in that an external radial peripheral shoulder (10) produced on the wall (16) of the main body (2) delimiting the reception volume (V) in the vicinity of the opening (7) of acc ès, circular, to the reception volume (V) defines a support zone (11) flat for the flat edge (30) of the circular free end of the cover (3), said support zone (11) and said edge (30) having complementary magnetized parts (13, 14), said support zone (11) and edge (30) being adapted to slide freely one on the other during a rotational movement of the lid ( 3) relative to the main body (2) and in that the vertical part (16) of the wall of the main body (2) delimiting the reception volume (V) located between the shoulder (10) and the opening ( 7) for access to the reception volume (V) comprises at least one relief (15) configured to be in blocking support against a relief (17) of complementary shape made on the internal face (90) of the cover (3) when this latter is in position on the main body (2) and that a magnetic connection between the magnetized parts of the free end of the cover (3) and the bearing zone (11) of the shoulder (1 0) on the main body (2) is established. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic parts (13, 14) of the lid (3) and of the main body (2) are at least two in number. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the magnetized parts comprise magnets (13, 14) inserted in housings (12, 120), the magnets (13, 14) being flush with the opening of the housings (12, 120 ). Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the main body (2) comprises an outer wall defining a housing for receiving a removable container (6). Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outer diameter of the lid (3) is identical to the outer diameter of the container (1). Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reliefs (15, 17) provided on the lid (3) and on the main body (2) are at least three on each constituent element of the container (1). Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one relief (15) provided on the outer wall (16) of the main body (2) is T-shaped. Container according to Claim 7, characterized in that the free end of the vertical leg (150) of the T (15) rests on the flat bottom (11) of the shoulder (10). Container according to Claim 7, characterized in that the transverse bar (151) of the T (15) is configured as an open V. Container according to Claim 7, characterized in that at least one relief (17) on the lid (3) is configured as a bar (170, 171) in an open V, the angle being similar to that of the transverse bar (151 ) of the T (150). Container according to Claim 10, characterized in that the angle of the V of the transverse bar (151) of the T (15) and of the bar (170, 171) is between 160° and 180°. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic parts of the end edge (30) of the cover (3) and of the support zone (11) are adapted to allow the rotation of the cover (3) with respect to to the main body (2) either clockwise or counterclockwise. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sealing member (8) is brought into the active position by crushing during the rotation of the cover (3) relative to the main body (2).