US20060138156A1 - Container with a safety seal - Google Patents

Container with a safety seal Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060138156A1
US20060138156A1 US10/535,079 US53507905A US2006138156A1 US 20060138156 A1 US20060138156 A1 US 20060138156A1 US 53507905 A US53507905 A US 53507905A US 2006138156 A1 US2006138156 A1 US 2006138156A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
lip
receiving area
lid
latch
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/535,079
Inventor
Richard Kellerer
Jens Bartusel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schoeller Allibert GmbH
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE10260225.5A external-priority patent/DE10260225B4/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to SCHOELLER WAVIN SYSTEMS SERVICES GMBH reassignment SCHOELLER WAVIN SYSTEMS SERVICES GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BARTUSEL, JENS, KELLERER, RICHARD
Publication of US20060138156A1 publication Critical patent/US20060138156A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0235Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0237Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0235Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0237Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element
    • B65D43/0239Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element inside a peripheral U-shaped channel in the mouth of the container
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00027Stackable lids or covers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00064Shape of the outer periphery
    • B65D2543/00074Shape of the outer periphery curved
    • B65D2543/00092Shape of the outer periphery curved circular
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296Plastic
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00342Central part of the lid
    • B65D2543/00398Reinforcing ribs in the central part of the closure
    • B65D2543/00407Reinforcing ribs in the central part of the closure radial
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00453Contact between the container and the lid in a peripheral U-shaped channel of the container
    • B65D2543/00472Skirt
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/0049Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00509Cup
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00537Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00555Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on both the inside and the outside
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00611Profiles
    • B65D2543/00629Massive bead
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00601Snapping means on the container
    • B65D2543/00675Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00685Totality
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00722Profiles
    • B65D2543/0074Massive bead
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00592Snapping means
    • B65D2543/00712Snapping means on the lid
    • B65D2543/00787Periphery concerned
    • B65D2543/00796Totality
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00824Means for facilitating removing of the closure
    • B65D2543/00861Non-integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
    • B65D2543/0087Non-integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar outside of the lid

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to container closures and specifically sealing container closures utilizing multiple latch-detent catch members.
  • Containers for the safe transport of liquid or pasty hazardous substances have been known for a long time.
  • One feature that these containers have in common is that they must be sufficiently leak-proof to prevent any escape of the transported hazardous substances.
  • containers of this kind and their closures must withstand loads that may occur also in the event of an accident, for example falling of the container from a certain height.
  • Containers of this type are known in the prior art and generally include, in particular, pails or drum-like containers whose lids are screwed on firmly to form a screw closure.
  • metal clips may be provided additionally, which press the lid onto the container or prevent the screw closure from unscrewing.
  • closure systems where the lid, after being fitted onto the container, is appropriately flanged to make the arrangement leak-proof.
  • Systems are furthermore known in which the lid or closure is bonded or welded, or in which additional sealing films are bonded or welded.
  • the object of this invention is thus to provide a leak-proof and securely closable container that is suitable for the transport of liquid or pasty hazardous substances, both the production and handling of said container being uncomplicated and effective.
  • the container of the invention which is preferably configured as a pail or in drum-like form, has a lid for closing the container, the lid having a receiving area in which, in the closed state, the lip of the container opening engages and is held there.
  • the container of the invention is based on known containers.
  • the container of the invention is based on the realization that by providing positively interconnectable catch members and correspondingly interacting sealing surfaces, it is possible to close a container securely and tightly.
  • the use of positive connections formed by latch-detent hook pairs or catch members and of appropriate sealing surfaces ensures that both handling and production are kept simple. Effective use of the container is thus ensured.
  • the positive connections formed by catch members are preferably configured such that the lid of the container can only be loosened if at least part of the lid of the container is destroyed.
  • the user thus has a verifiable first-opener guarantee, since only a container that has never been opened is undamaged, whereas a container that has already been opened will have a visibly damaged lid.
  • the receiving area of the lid and the lip of the container opening, which engage on closure of the container, i.e. the catch members that form the positive connection, and the sealing surfaces are engineered such that putting on of the lid, i.e. closing of the container, is effected by way of translational movement of the lid relative to the container. It is particularly advantageous if the lid is simply pushed onto or clipped onto the container from above. This permits automatic closing of the container by a machine, since a translational movement or pushing or clipping on operations can easily be performed by a machine.
  • catch-member pair does not refer here to just two catch members that lock positively together, but may also refer to a large number of catch members, which, however, on account of their similar configuration and identical mode of action, are deemed to be just one catch-member pair. This applies, for example, to catch members formed simply by a sub-division.
  • the at least two, preferably three or more catch-member pairs are engineered such that at least one of these catch-member pairs is configured differently to the other catch-member pairs in such manner that the movement necessary to disengage some of the catch-member pair differs from that for other catch-member pairs.
  • the different movements required to disengage the catch-member pairs in their entirety ensure that a complex movement is necessary. It has proved particularly useful to provide at least two kinds of catch-member pairs, which require opposing movements to disengage the catch.
  • a particularly interesting approach here is to necessitate a portion of the receiving area to move both outwards and inwards for purposes of opening the container. This measure, in particular, thus goes beyond that of the need for different, in particular opposing, movements to disengage circumferential catch members located on opposing sides.
  • catch-member pairs that opposing movement to disengage are located close by each other, for example, one above the other require.
  • additional seals may be provided in the receiving area of the lid and/or in the lip area of the container, particularly in the form of inserted or injected gaskets.
  • the first-opening guarantee it may also be advantageous to provide a predetermined partition location in the receiving area of the lid and/or in the lip area of the container opening in order that those areas which guarantee a safe and unreleasable connection can be easily detached.
  • the cross-section of the receiving area of the lid is essentially an inverted U-shape, the receiving area being open at the bottom in order to accommodate, from there, the lip of the container opening.
  • the legs of the U-shaped receiving area straddle the lip of the container opening and hold it firmly, in positive-locking manner, by means of the catch members.
  • the sealing surfaces, meanwhile, are pressed firmly together, thus ensuring the sealing effect.
  • the preferred embodiment of this invention has an inverted U-shaped receiving area formed by an outer and an inner leg, two latches or detent hooks are located on the inside of the outer leg, these two latches or detent hooks interacting with two latches located on the outside of the lip of the container opening.
  • catch-member pairs ensures, for one thing, that the lid can easily be put onto the container by a vertical downward movement of the lid.
  • this triple locking system ensures that the lid is fitted securely on the container.
  • the different kind of catch-member pairs with the opposing opening movements ensures additionally that the lid cannot be removed without incurring damage.
  • a constriction is engineered in the wall of the outer leg of the inverted U-shaped receiving area, so that in this area an integral hinge, or film hinge, forms, which constitutes a lower segment of the outer leg.
  • an integral hinge, or film hinge forms, which constitutes a lower segment of the outer leg.
  • the film hinge i.e. the constriction, additionally offers the possibility of detaching the lower segment by simply cutting along the film hinge with a cutting tool such as a knife.
  • the receiving-area catch members for two different catch-member pairs are preferably provided in the lower segment of the outer leg, only one catch remains after detachment of the lower segment. This last catch may be released via a slight outward movement of the outer leg of the receiving area.
  • This single remaining catch permits continued use and renewed closure of the container after it has first been opened, although it does not provide for secure closure with a first-opening guarantee.
  • This single remaining catch also permits continued use and re-closure of the container after it has first been opened, although secure closure with a first-opening guarantee is no longer ensured.
  • catch members or catch-member pairs are located circumferentially around the container opening and lid; interruption or sub-division of a catch member by recesses, lands, etc. may result in the formation of a corresponding plurality of catch members, although, as defined in this invention, the purpose of uniform closure and treatment as one catch member or two catch members making up one catch-member pair is upheld.
  • Standard materials can be used for the container of the invention, without the need for special measures.
  • Polyolefin-based plastics are preferred, in particular polyethylene and polypropylene.
  • the sealing aids preferably used in addition need not fulfill any special requirements either regarding the choice of material, although, depending on the application in question, special requirements regarding the choice of material may exist. Alone the dimensioning of the components, for example the wall thicknesses, must be adjusted to suit the application in order to withstand the necessary forces also in the case of exceptional loads, caused, for example, by accidents.
  • FIG. 1 shows a partially cut-away side view of a container with its lid on
  • FIG. 2 shows details of FIG. 1 at various stages of closure ( FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c );
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 2 b;
  • FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 2 c;
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the container with its lid on
  • FIG. 6 shows a perspective partial view of the container with its lid off
  • FIG. 7 shows two containers stacked one inside the other
  • FIG. 8 shows a transverse view ( FIG. 8 a ) of two lids stacked on top of the other, and details ( FIG. 8 b ) of FIG. 8 a;
  • FIG. 9 shows a top view of the container lid.
  • FIG. 1 shows a partially cut-away side view of a closed container 1 according to the invention, that is, with its lid 2 on.
  • the container 1 is in the form of a pail to which, to facilitate carrying, a rotatable handle 27 is attached.
  • the container 1 has a slightly inward-arching or convex closed bottom 30 that has supporting feet 31 at its outer edge. There is thus a small space between the closed bottom 30 and the surface on which the pail stands.
  • the container 1 furthermore has a slightly conical, albeit essentially cylindrical, outer shape terminating in an open end, so that empty containers can be nested.
  • FIGS. 2 a to 2 c show details of the upper portion of the cutaway section of FIG. 1 , with the receiving area 4 and the lip 3 of the container open end, at various stages of closure of the container 1 .
  • the container is still completely open.
  • the lid 2 is resting lightly on the open end of the container, that is, on the lip 3 of the open end of the container.
  • the receiving area 4 at the periphery of the lid 2 is essentially inverted U-shaped, with the receiving area open at the bottom so as to accommodate from there the element 9 of the lip 3 of the open end of the container.
  • the receiving area 4 of the lid 2 thus has two legs 5 and 6 , namely an outer leg 5 and an inner leg 6 , which are interconnected in the connecting area 7 at the foot of the U.
  • the inner part 32 of the lid 2 is connected via the lip connection 22 with the receiving area 4 .
  • the lip connection 22 forms an opposing U with the inner leg 6 of the receiving area 4 , so that the inner part 32 of the lid 2 is located at the level of the upper portion of the receiving area 4 .
  • the receiving area 4 in the embodiment shown forms a circumferential stacking edge 4 a, so that closed containers 1 can be stacked one above the other. Any shifting relative to one another is largely prevented by the stacking edge 4 a of the receiving area 4 .
  • a detent hook 14 is integral with the end of the outer leg 5 .
  • the latches 12 and 13 and the detent hook 14 are spaced at approximately equal distances apart along the outer leg 5 .
  • a constriction is provided in the outer leg 5 of the U-shaped receiving area 4 , so that an integral hinge 15 , or film hinge 15 is formed.
  • the integral or film hinge on the inside of the outer leg 15 immediately adjacent to the latch 13 , is partially formed by a grooved depression 2 a along the inside of the outer leg 15 .
  • the side of the inner leg 6 that is opposite to the inside of the outer leg 5 is engineered as a smooth sealing surface. This sealing surface is angled somewhat relative to the vertical.
  • a space 29 is provided for accommodating a gasket that is not shown.
  • the container I has a lip 3 that is double-walled in the lower portion.
  • this lower portion of the lip 3 of the container 1 there is, in addition to the inner element 9 , also an outer element 8 that forms the double wall.
  • the lip 3 of the container 1 is thus made up of two sections, namely an upper first section in which the lip 3 defines the element 9 that is single-walled, and a lower second section in which the lip 3 defines the outer element 8 and the inner element 9 , making it double walled.
  • two detent hooks 10 and 11 are provided which, in cross-section, are configured in cross-section as almost triangular shaped projections.
  • the second lower section of the lip 3 of the container 1 has openings 25 at the top.
  • the outer element 8 with the edge of the opening 25 forms an undercut shoulder 21 .
  • a smooth sealing surface 17 is engineered, which matches the sealing surface 16 on the outside surface of the inner leg 6 of the receiving area 4 of the lid.
  • FIGS. 2 b and 2 c The closing stages are shown in FIGS. 2 b and 2 c.
  • FIG. 2 b shows that on closure of the container 1 with the lid 2 , the element 9 is inserted into the U-shaped receiving area 4 , with the latch 13 first sliding past the detent hook 10 , while the lower end of the outer leg 5 with the detent hook 14 is introduced into the opening 25 of the double-walled section of the lip 3 of the container 1 .
  • the latch 12 also slides past the detent hook 10 , and the latch 13 past the second detent hook 11 .
  • the latches 12 and 13 and the detent hooks 10 and 11 are configured such that they have complementary leading inclined surfaces which permit the latches to slide past the hooks in the direction of closure, whereas they are prevented from sliding back again by the positive-locking catch due to the configuration of the detent hook.
  • the lower the part of the outer leg 5 is accommodated completely in the double-walled section of the lip 3 , the detent hook 14 coming to rest beneath the undercut shoulder 21 .
  • the latch-detent 13 hook member pairs in particular the latch-detent hook member pair 12 and 10 , also press sealing surfaces together, in this case the sealing surfaces 18 and 19 , as shown in FIG. 2 c.
  • an additional gasket that is not shown may be included, which is pressed by the upper end of element 9 against the inside surface of the connecting area 7 in the receiving area 4 , thus producing an additional sealing effect.
  • the positive connection formed by the latch-detent hook member pair 13 , 11 is further reinforced by a groove 20 engineered on the inside at the film hinge 15 , into which groove the detent hook 11 is engineered to engage.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show, in cross-section, details from FIGS. 2 b and 2 c, in each case along the line D-D.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show how the element 9 engages between the outer leg 5 and the inner leg 6 on closure of the container 1 .
  • the cross-section views make it clear that both between the outer element 8 and the inner element 9 of the lip 3 and between the inner leg 6 and the lip connection 22 of the lid 2 , partitions 23 and reinforcing walls 24 are provided, so that the second, lower, double-walled section of the lip 3 has openings 25 at the top that are essentially rectangular in cross-section.
  • the lower the area of the outer leg 5 is accordingly provided with complementary recesses into which the partitions 23 can engage in the closed state.
  • FIG. 4 like FIG. 2 c, show part of the handle 27 , which is likewise hinged in the double-walled portion of the lip 3 .
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the container 1 with its lid 2 on it. This perspective view shows especially well how the handle 27 is rotatably hinged to the double-walled portion of the lip 3 , in particular to the outer element 8 .
  • FIG. 5 also shows the configuration of the stacking supports 26 , which are located on the outside of the container 1 , underneath the lip 3 , in the vicinity of the hinging points for the handle 27 .
  • FIG. 7 shows more clearly how the stacking supports work.
  • the lid 2 also has a pull means or handle 28 attached to it, with which the lid 2 may be removed after the lower segment 33 of the outer leg 5 of the receiving area 4 (as shown above) has been detached.
  • FIG. 6 likewise shows a perspective view of part of the container 1 and of a lid 2 which has been removed therefrom. It is additionally evident from this projection that the outer leg 5 of the receiving area 4 , at the lower end of which leg the detent hook 14 is provided, has a plurality of recesses 34 so that the outer leg 5 can engage the openings 25 and the partitions 23 have room in the area of the recesses 34 .
  • FIG. 7 shows, in a partially cut-away side view, two containers 1 and 1 ′ stacked one inside the other. It becomes clear here how the stacking supports 26 and 26 ′ work, which, when the containers are nested, rest on the upper edge of the element 9 . This prevents the nested pails from jamming and ensures a defined load distribution.
  • the side view illustrated in FIG. 7 also shows clearly that the detent hooks 10 and 11 are engineered as circumferential ridges on the lip 3 , that is, on the outer periphery of the element 9 .
  • FIGS. 8 a and 8 b not only the containers can be nested, but also the lids, as shown in FIG. 8 a.
  • the connecting area 7 of the receiving area 4 forms a circumferential stacking rim into which the lower end of the inner leg 6 of the lid 2 ′ positioned above can engage.
  • a reinforcing wall 23 prevents the inner leg 6 from being clearly apparent.
  • the outer leg 5 is dimensioned such that the lower end of the leg 5 with the detent hook 14 is somewhat shorter than the lower end of the inner leg 6 , so that the outer leg 5 ends above the connecting area 7 of a lid 2 positioned underneath.
  • FIG. 9 shows, in a top view of the lid 2 , the uniform subdivision of the perimeter of the lid 2 with the receiving area 4 by the reinforcing walls 24 and the recesses 34 and detent hooks 14 .
  • this plurality of detent hooks 14 is to be understood for the purpose of this application as one catch member, since, in particular, all the detent hooks 14 interact with the circumferential undercut shoulder 21 and therefore form one latch-detent hook member pair.
  • one latch-detent hook member pair can also be formed from a large number of detent hooks and latches.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A container, in particular a plastic container, preferably in the form of a pail, having a lid for closing the container. The lid having a receiving area in which, when the container is in the closed state, the container lip limiting the container opening engages and is held, mutually interacting catch members and sealing surfaces being provided in the receiving area of the lid and on the lip of the container opening. The catch members being configured such that when the container is in the closed state, the sealing surfaces are pressed together reliably to form seals, and, in particular, can only be released by destroying the lid and/or the rim.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 102 53 371.7, filed Nov. 15, 2002, and German Patent Application No. 102 60 225.5, filed Dec. 20, 2002 and International Application No. PCT/EP03/11313, filed Oct. 13, 2003.
  • FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
  • Not applicable.
  • REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
  • Not applicable.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates in general to container closures and specifically sealing container closures utilizing multiple latch-detent catch members.
  • Containers for the safe transport of liquid or pasty hazardous substances have been known for a long time. One feature that these containers have in common is that they must be sufficiently leak-proof to prevent any escape of the transported hazardous substances. Secondly, they must be equipped with a closure that ensures safe closing of the container even under extreme conditions. In particular, containers of this kind and their closures must withstand loads that may occur also in the event of an accident, for example falling of the container from a certain height.
  • Containers of this type are known in the prior art and generally include, in particular, pails or drum-like containers whose lids are screwed on firmly to form a screw closure. To secure the closure, metal clips may be provided additionally, which press the lid onto the container or prevent the screw closure from unscrewing. There are also closure systems where the lid, after being fitted onto the container, is appropriately flanged to make the arrangement leak-proof. Systems are furthermore known in which the lid or closure is bonded or welded, or in which additional sealing films are bonded or welded.
  • The disadvantage common to all of these containers or closure systems is that they are complicated and difficult to handle; this is particularly problematic in view of the need for largely automated handling of such objects, including the closure process.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The object of this invention is thus to provide a leak-proof and securely closable container that is suitable for the transport of liquid or pasty hazardous substances, both the production and handling of said container being uncomplicated and effective.
  • This object is established by means of a container having the features of claim 1. Useful embodiments form the subject matter of the dependent claims.
  • The container of the invention, which is preferably configured as a pail or in drum-like form, has a lid for closing the container, the lid having a receiving area in which, in the closed state, the lip of the container opening engages and is held there. In so far, the container of the invention is based on known containers.
  • Compared to the prior art, however, this invention pursues a completely different approach to solve the problem at hand. The container of the invention is based on the realization that by providing positively interconnectable catch members and correspondingly interacting sealing surfaces, it is possible to close a container securely and tightly. The use of positive connections formed by latch-detent hook pairs or catch members and of appropriate sealing surfaces ensures that both handling and production are kept simple. Effective use of the container is thus ensured.
  • The positive connections formed by catch members are preferably configured such that the lid of the container can only be loosened if at least part of the lid of the container is destroyed. The user thus has a verifiable first-opener guarantee, since only a container that has never been opened is undamaged, whereas a container that has already been opened will have a visibly damaged lid.
  • According to a preferred embodiment of the container, the receiving area of the lid and the lip of the container opening, which engage on closure of the container, i.e. the catch members that form the positive connection, and the sealing surfaces are engineered such that putting on of the lid, i.e. closing of the container, is effected by way of translational movement of the lid relative to the container. It is particularly advantageous if the lid is simply pushed onto or clipped onto the container from above. This permits automatic closing of the container by a machine, since a translational movement or pushing or clipping on operations can easily be performed by a machine.
  • According to a preferred embodiment, at least two, preferably three or more pairs of catch members are provided within the receiving area of the lid and the lip of the container opening, since a plurality of catch-member pairs makes it possible to secure the lid at several points and thus helps to close the container securely. The term “catch-member pair” does not refer here to just two catch members that lock positively together, but may also refer to a large number of catch members, which, however, on account of their similar configuration and identical mode of action, are deemed to be just one catch-member pair. This applies, for example, to catch members formed simply by a sub-division.
  • According to a preferred embodiment of the container, the at least two, preferably three or more catch-member pairs are engineered such that at least one of these catch-member pairs is configured differently to the other catch-member pairs in such manner that the movement necessary to disengage some of the catch-member pair differs from that for other catch-member pairs. This means that not all the catch-member pairs can be disengaged at once by way of a single movement of part of the lid, that is, of the receiving area of the lid, or of the lip of the container opening. On the contrary, the different movements required to disengage the catch-member pairs in their entirety ensure that a complex movement is necessary. It has proved particularly useful to provide at least two kinds of catch-member pairs, which require opposing movements to disengage the catch. A particularly interesting approach here, for example, is to necessitate a portion of the receiving area to move both outwards and inwards for purposes of opening the container. This measure, in particular, thus goes beyond that of the need for different, in particular opposing, movements to disengage circumferential catch members located on opposing sides. Here, it is performed that catch-member pairs that opposing movement to disengage are located close by each other, for example, one above the other require.
  • The provision of different kinds of catch-member pairs that differ in the different type of movement needed to disengage the catch has the additional advantage that in this way, with the members that form the positive connection, an adequate clamping action may also be generated for the sealing surfaces, provided likewise in the receiving area of the lid and at the lip of the container opening. Even if the pressure of the sealing surfaces against each other is already effected by appropriate dimensioning of the lid and the container opening, the provision of different kinds of catch-member pairs, as described above, ensures an additional contact pressure that can be reliably upheld in many stress situations.
  • In addition to separately located sealing surfaces, it is of advantage to provide matching sealing surfaces on the catch members forming the positive connection, since, particularly where different kinds of catch-member pairs are used that necessitate movements in different directions in order to disengage the catch, mutual keying can be effected which results in the positively-locking catch members pressing against each other to a certain extent and thus forming sealing surfaces.
  • According to a preferred embodiment, additional seals may be provided in the receiving area of the lid and/or in the lip area of the container, particularly in the form of inserted or injected gaskets.
  • To realize the first-opening guarantee, as it is called, it may also be advantageous to provide a predetermined partition location in the receiving area of the lid and/or in the lip area of the container opening in order that those areas which guarantee a safe and unreleasable connection can be easily detached. In particular, it is of advantage here to provide—in the receiving area of the lid or on the lip of the container opening—a predetermined partition location which results in being able to detach that part of the receiving area and/or of the lip that has the differently functioning catch-member pair(s), as this kind of catch-member pair, in particular, may prevent the positive connection from being released.
  • According to a preferred embodiment, the cross-section of the receiving area of the lid is essentially an inverted U-shape, the receiving area being open at the bottom in order to accommodate, from there, the lip of the container opening. The legs of the U-shaped receiving area straddle the lip of the container opening and hold it firmly, in positive-locking manner, by means of the catch members. The sealing surfaces, meanwhile, are pressed firmly together, thus ensuring the sealing effect.
  • While it is of course possible to provide a large number of different combinations of detent hooks, latches, snap-in grooves etc., and appropriately configured sealing surfaces, the preferred embodiment of this invention has an inverted U-shaped receiving area formed by an outer and an inner leg, two latches or detent hooks are located on the inside of the outer leg, these two latches or detent hooks interacting with two latches located on the outside of the lip of the container opening. On the outer leg of the inverted U-shaped receiving area there is located a further detent hook that interacts with an undercut shoulder in the lip of the container opening, the undercut shoulder being provided in a double-walled portion of the lip, on the outer arm of the lip. By locating detent hooks or latches both on the inside and on the outside of the outer leg of the inverted U-shaped receiving area, and configuring corresponding undercuts or catch members on the lip area of the container opening, two different types of catch-member pairs are formed which differ in that the catch formed by the one type of catch-member pair can be released by moving the outer leg outwards, whereas to release the catch formed by the other type of catch-member pair, the outer leg must be moved inwards.
  • This simple configuration of catch-member pairs ensures, for one thing, that the lid can easily be put onto the container by a vertical downward movement of the lid. For another, this triple locking system ensures that the lid is fitted securely on the container. The different kind of catch-member pairs with the opposing opening movements ensures additionally that the lid cannot be removed without incurring damage.
  • To permit easy opening of the container without the use of any particular specialty tools, and to ensure that the lid is easily put on, a constriction is engineered in the wall of the outer leg of the inverted U-shaped receiving area, so that in this area an integral hinge, or film hinge, forms, which constitutes a lower segment of the outer leg. One effect of this film hinge is that the lower segment of the outer leg can perform the movements necessary to get past the latches or detent hooks and the undercuts during closure of the container, that is, when the lid is put on. The film hinge, i.e. the constriction, additionally offers the possibility of detaching the lower segment by simply cutting along the film hinge with a cutting tool such as a knife. Since the receiving-area catch members for two different catch-member pairs are preferably provided in the lower segment of the outer leg, only one catch remains after detachment of the lower segment. This last catch may be released via a slight outward movement of the outer leg of the receiving area. This single remaining catch permits continued use and renewed closure of the container after it has first been opened, although it does not provide for secure closure with a first-opening guarantee. This single remaining catch also permits continued use and re-closure of the container after it has first been opened, although secure closure with a first-opening guarantee is no longer ensured.
  • To permit uniform closure of the container, it is preferable if the catch members or catch-member pairs are located circumferentially around the container opening and lid; interruption or sub-division of a catch member by recesses, lands, etc. may result in the formation of a corresponding plurality of catch members, although, as defined in this invention, the purpose of uniform closure and treatment as one catch member or two catch members making up one catch-member pair is upheld.
  • Thanks to the measures described above, standard materials can be used for the container of the invention, without the need for special measures. Polyolefin-based plastics are preferred, in particular polyethylene and polypropylene. The sealing aids preferably used in addition need not fulfill any special requirements either regarding the choice of material, although, depending on the application in question, special requirements regarding the choice of material may exist. Alone the dimensioning of the components, for example the wall thicknesses, must be adjusted to suit the application in order to withstand the necessary forces also in the case of exceptional loads, caused, for example, by accidents.
  • Further advantages, characteristics and features of this invention become clear from the following detailed description of an embodiment and the attached drawings. The figures are purely schematic.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 shows a partially cut-away side view of a container with its lid on;
  • FIG. 2 shows details of FIG. 1 at various stages of closure (FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c);
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 2 b;
  • FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 2 c;
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the container with its lid on;
  • FIG. 6 shows a perspective partial view of the container with its lid off;
  • FIG. 7 shows two containers stacked one inside the other;
  • FIG. 8 shows a transverse view (FIG. 8 a) of two lids stacked on top of the other, and details (FIG. 8 b) of FIG. 8 a; and
  • FIG. 9 shows a top view of the container lid.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • FIG. 1 shows a partially cut-away side view of a closed container 1 according to the invention, that is, with its lid 2 on. In the embodiment shown, the container 1 is in the form of a pail to which, to facilitate carrying, a rotatable handle 27 is attached.
  • As can be seen in the partially cut-away section of FIG. 1, the container 1 has a slightly inward-arching or convex closed bottom 30 that has supporting feet 31 at its outer edge. There is thus a small space between the closed bottom 30 and the surface on which the pail stands. The container 1 furthermore has a slightly conical, albeit essentially cylindrical, outer shape terminating in an open end, so that empty containers can be nested.
  • FIGS. 2 a to 2 c show details of the upper portion of the cutaway section of FIG. 1, with the receiving area 4 and the lip 3 of the container open end, at various stages of closure of the container 1.
  • In FIG. 2 a, the container is still completely open. The lid 2 is resting lightly on the open end of the container, that is, on the lip 3 of the open end of the container. As is clearly evident in this detailed view, the receiving area 4 at the periphery of the lid 2 is essentially inverted U-shaped, with the receiving area open at the bottom so as to accommodate from there the element 9 of the lip 3 of the open end of the container. The receiving area 4 of the lid 2 thus has two legs 5 and 6, namely an outer leg 5 and an inner leg 6, which are interconnected in the connecting area 7 at the foot of the U. The inner part 32 of the lid 2 is connected via the lip connection 22 with the receiving area 4. The lip connection 22 forms an opposing U with the inner leg 6 of the receiving area 4, so that the inner part 32 of the lid 2 is located at the level of the upper portion of the receiving area 4. The receiving area 4 in the embodiment shown forms a circumferential stacking edge 4 a, so that closed containers 1 can be stacked one above the other. Any shifting relative to one another is largely prevented by the stacking edge 4 a of the receiving area 4.
  • On the inside of the outer leg 5 of the receiving area 4, two latches 12 and 13 each in the form of a raised rib are provided, while on the outside of the outer leg 5, almost at the bottom thereof, a detent hook 14 is integral with the end of the outer leg 5. The latches 12 and 13 and the detent hook 14 are spaced at approximately equal distances apart along the outer leg 5. In the immediate vicinity of the latch 13, in the area between the latch 12 and the latch 13, a constriction is provided in the outer leg 5 of the U-shaped receiving area 4, so that an integral hinge 15, or film hinge 15 is formed. The integral or film hinge on the inside of the outer leg 15, immediately adjacent to the latch 13, is partially formed by a grooved depression 2 a along the inside of the outer leg 15.
  • The side of the inner leg 6 that is opposite to the inside of the outer leg 5 is engineered as a smooth sealing surface. This sealing surface is angled somewhat relative to the vertical.
  • Directly in the area 7 connecting the legs 5 and 6 of the inverted U-shaped receiving area 4, in the curvature of the U-shaped receiving area, a space 29 is provided for accommodating a gasket that is not shown.
  • At its open end, the container I has a lip 3 that is double-walled in the lower portion. In this lower portion of the lip 3 of the container 1 there is, in addition to the inner element 9, also an outer element 8 that forms the double wall. The lip 3 of the container 1 is thus made up of two sections, namely an upper first section in which the lip 3 defines the element 9 that is single-walled, and a lower second section in which the lip 3 defines the outer element 8 and the inner element 9, making it double walled. In the first upper section of the lip 3 of the container 1, on the outside of the element 9, two detent hooks 10 and 11 are provided which, in cross-section, are configured in cross-section as almost triangular shaped projections. The second lower section of the lip 3 of the container 1 has openings 25 at the top. At the same time, the outer element 8 with the edge of the opening 25 forms an undercut shoulder 21.
  • On the inside of the inner element 9 of the lip 3 of the container 1, a smooth sealing surface 17 is engineered, which matches the sealing surface 16 on the outside surface of the inner leg 6 of the receiving area 4 of the lid.
  • The closing stages are shown in FIGS. 2 b and 2 c. FIG. 2 b shows that on closure of the container 1 with the lid 2, the element 9 is inserted into the U-shaped receiving area 4, with the latch 13 first sliding past the detent hook 10, while the lower end of the outer leg 5 with the detent hook 14 is introduced into the opening 25 of the double-walled section of the lip 3 of the container 1.
  • As the container 1 is closed further with the lid 2, as shown in FIG. 2 c, the latch 12 also slides past the detent hook 10, and the latch 13 past the second detent hook 11. The latches 12 and 13 and the detent hooks 10 and 11 are configured such that they have complementary leading inclined surfaces which permit the latches to slide past the hooks in the direction of closure, whereas they are prevented from sliding back again by the positive-locking catch due to the configuration of the detent hook. At the same time, on complete closure, the lower the part of the outer leg 5 is accommodated completely in the double-walled section of the lip 3, the detent hook 14 coming to rest beneath the undercut shoulder 21. It becomes evident here that on closure, the lower segment 33 of the outer leg 5 is on the one hand pressed outwards by the detent hook 11, whereas, on the other hand, the lower segment 33 of the outer leg 5 has to be bent inwards by the detent hook 14 in order for it to be inserted into the opening 25 of the double-walled lip 3. This is made possible, in particular, also by the configuration of the film hinge 15, which permits a different movement of the lower segment 33 depending on the stage of closing with the lid 2.
  • In the completely closed state as shown in FIG. 2 c, it is evident that the latches 12 and 13 form positive connections with the detent hooks 10 and 11, while the detent hook 14 forms a positive connection with the undercut shoulder 21. To release all three latch-detent hook member pairs, it would be necessary to move the outer leg 5 outwards to disengage the latch-detent hook member pairs 12 and 10 and 11 and 13, while an inward movement would be necessary to disengage the latch-detent hook member pair 14 and 21. As a result of the leading inclined surface 13, which is supported on the latch 11, the catch effect of the latch-detent hook member pair 14 and 21 is further reinforced, as a lever effect acts in the direction of the catch position. It is therefore impossible to release the catch mechanism without destroying the receiving area 4, i.e. without cutting or detaching the lower segment 33 along the film hinge 15. Only when the lower segment 33 has been detached by cutting along the film hinge can the still-remaining catch formed by latch-detent hook member pair 12 and 10 be released. This has added advantage that after the container has been opened the first time, which is visible to everyone due to the lower segment 33 remaining in the double-walled section of the lip, the container is still suitable for continued use and can be closed again with only the latch-detent hook member pair 12 and 10.
  • Besides the formation of the latch-detent hook member pairs, a seal is generated on closure of the container due to the sealing surfaces 16 and 17 coming into direct contact, in particular, being squeezed together by appropriate adjustment of the dimensions of the lid 2 to those of the container 1 or the lip 3 of the container, and to the appropriate configuration of the catch mechanism between the receiving area 4 and the lip 3. In addition, the latch-detent13 hook member pairs, in particular the latch-detent hook member pair 12 and 10, also press sealing surfaces together, in this case the sealing surfaces 18 and 19, as shown in FIG. 2 c. In the curvature zone 29 of the U-shaped receiving area an additional gasket that is not shown may be included, which is pressed by the upper end of element 9 against the inside surface of the connecting area 7 in the receiving area 4, thus producing an additional sealing effect.
  • As is also evident from FIG. 2 c, the positive connection formed by the latch-detent hook member pair 13, 11 is further reinforced by a groove 20 engineered on the inside at the film hinge 15, into which groove the detent hook 11 is engineered to engage.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show, in cross-section, details from FIGS. 2 b and 2 c, in each case along the line D-D. FIGS. 3 and 4 show how the element 9 engages between the outer leg 5 and the inner leg 6 on closure of the container 1. The cross-section views make it clear that both between the outer element 8 and the inner element 9 of the lip 3 and between the inner leg 6 and the lip connection 22 of the lid 2, partitions 23 and reinforcing walls 24 are provided, so that the second, lower, double-walled section of the lip 3 has openings 25 at the top that are essentially rectangular in cross-section. The lower the area of the outer leg 5 is accordingly provided with complementary recesses into which the partitions 23 can engage in the closed state.
  • FIG. 4, like FIG. 2 c, show part of the handle 27, which is likewise hinged in the double-walled portion of the lip 3.
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the container 1 with its lid 2 on it. This perspective view shows especially well how the handle 27 is rotatably hinged to the double-walled portion of the lip 3, in particular to the outer element 8.
  • The partitions 23, the reinforcing walls 24 and the openings 25 can also be seen very clearly in this projection. FIG. 5 also shows the configuration of the stacking supports 26, which are located on the outside of the container 1, underneath the lip 3, in the vicinity of the hinging points for the handle 27. FIG. 7 shows more clearly how the stacking supports work.
  • The lid 2 also has a pull means or handle 28 attached to it, with which the lid 2 may be removed after the lower segment 33 of the outer leg 5 of the receiving area 4 (as shown above) has been detached.
  • FIG. 6 likewise shows a perspective view of part of the container 1 and of a lid 2 which has been removed therefrom. It is additionally evident from this projection that the outer leg 5 of the receiving area 4, at the lower end of which leg the detent hook 14 is provided, has a plurality of recesses 34 so that the outer leg 5 can engage the openings 25 and the partitions 23 have room in the area of the recesses 34.
  • FIG. 7 shows, in a partially cut-away side view, two containers 1 and 1′ stacked one inside the other. It becomes clear here how the stacking supports 26 and 26′ work, which, when the containers are nested, rest on the upper edge of the element 9. This prevents the nested pails from jamming and ensures a defined load distribution. The side view illustrated in FIG. 7 also shows clearly that the detent hooks 10 and 11 are engineered as circumferential ridges on the lip 3, that is, on the outer periphery of the element 9.
  • As is evident from FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, not only the containers can be nested, but also the lids, as shown in FIG. 8 a. As illustrated in the detailed drawing of FIG. 8 b, the connecting area 7 of the receiving area 4 forms a circumferential stacking rim into which the lower end of the inner leg 6 of the lid 2′ positioned above can engage. In the cross-sectional view illustrated in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, however, a reinforcing wall 23 prevents the inner leg 6 from being clearly apparent. The outer leg 5 is dimensioned such that the lower end of the leg 5 with the detent hook 14 is somewhat shorter than the lower end of the inner leg 6, so that the outer leg 5 ends above the connecting area 7 of a lid 2 positioned underneath.
  • FIG. 9 shows, in a top view of the lid 2, the uniform subdivision of the perimeter of the lid 2 with the receiving area 4 by the reinforcing walls 24 and the recesses 34 and detent hooks 14. Although, of course, a large number of detent hooks are formed around the perimeter by the recesses 34, this plurality of detent hooks 14 is to be understood for the purpose of this application as one catch member, since, in particular, all the detent hooks 14 interact with the circumferential undercut shoulder 21 and therefore form one latch-detent hook member pair. By analogy, of course, and in the meaning of the term as it is used here, one latch-detent hook member pair can also be formed from a large number of detent hooks and latches.

Claims (14)

1. A container, in particular a plastic container, preferably in the form of a pail, having a lid for closing the container, said lid having a receiving area in which, when said container is in the closed state, the container lip limiting the container opening engages and is held, wherein mutually interacting latch-detent hook members and sealing surfaces are provided in said receiving area of said lid and on said lip of said container opening, said catch members being configured such that when said container is in the closed state, said sealing surfaces are pressed together reliably to form seals, and, in particular, can only be released by destroying said lid and/or the rim.
2. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiving area of said lid and said lip of said container opening are engineered such that closure of said container with said lid is effected essentially by a translational movement or, in particular, by pushing or clipping said lid onto said container from above.
3. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two, preferably three or more latch-detent hook member pairs are provided, at least one of said latch-detent hook member pair preferably being engineered such that the catch is released by way of a different, in particular an opposing movement to that required to disengage the other of said latch-detent hook member pairs, so that in order to release the catch mechanism comprising differently acting said latch-detent hook member pairs, at least part of said lid's receiving area or of said lip of said container opening must be moved in different directions, especially opposite directions.
4. A container according as claimed in claim 1, said sealing surfaces are provided separately from said latch-detent hook members and/or on the catch members.
5. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one, preferably several of said seals are provided in said receiving area and/or on said lip of said container opening, said seals preferably being in the form, in particular, of inserted or injected gaskets.
6. A container as claimed in claim 1, the wherein said receiving area of said lid and/or said lip of said container opening and further comprises a predetermined partition location for detachment of a part of said receiving area and/or of said lip, in particular of that part that has the differently functioning said latch-detent hook member pair(s), so that only identically functioning said latch-detent hook member pairs remain, in order to permit openings of said container closed with said lid.
7. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-section of said receiving area is essentially U-shaped and is open at the bottom, said lip of said container opening being at least partially, in a first section, straight in said cross-section and being defined between two legs of said U-shaped receiving area, and, further comprising detent hooks, latches and/or engagement grooves that interlock on closure being provided on an inner side of one of said leg and on the corresponding side of the first section of said lip, while on the inside of the other of said leg and on the corresponding side of said first section of said lip of said container opening, said sealing surfaces are provided.
8. The container as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least two of said detent hooks are provided on the inside of said outer leg of said receiving area, and at least one of said detent hook on the outside of said outer leg.
9. The container as claimed in claim 7, wherein said lip of said container opening is at least partially—in particular in a second section extending over a portion of said lip insertable into the said receiving area—double-walled, said outer leg of said receiving area engaging at least partially in the space between the two walls of said lip.
10. The container as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an outer element in said second section of the double-walled lip has an undercut or a latch-detent hook member, which interacts with said detent hooks on the outside of said outer leg of said receiving area, and, in particular, forms said latch-detent hook member pair which, compared with said latch-detent hook members on the inside of said outer leg of said receiving area and with said latch-detent hook members on the outside of said element of the first section of the double-walled lip of said container opening, requires a different, in particular an opposing, opening movement in order to release said catch.
11. A container as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said outer leg of said receiving area of said lid has a predetermined partition location in the form of a film hinge for the purpose of parting with a cutting tool, in particular a knife, said predetermined partition location preferably being positioned such that the lower segment of said outer leg of said receiving area, which segment contains the two, in particular differently functioning, said latch-detent hook member pairs, is detached and remains, in particular, in said double-walled portion of said lip of said container opening.
12. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the connecting area of said legs of said receiving area, further comprises a gasket, in particular an O-ring, is provided, which, when said container is in the closed state, is pressed into said receiving area by the upper end of said lip of said container opening.
13. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said catch members are arranged as circumferential hooks or latches on said lip of said container opening and/or on said receiving area.
14. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container with said lid is securely and tightly closed at inside pressures of up to 1 bar, particularly up to 0.8 bar in the case of liquid and pasty substances in particular, and, in particular, satisfied the UN licensing conditions for the transport of hazardous liquid substances.
US10/535,079 2002-11-15 2003-10-13 Container with a safety seal Abandoned US20060138156A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10253371.7 2002-11-15
DE10253371 2002-11-15
DE10260225.5 2002-12-20
DE10260225.5A DE10260225B4 (en) 2002-11-15 2002-12-20 Plastic containers, in particular buckets
PCT/EP2003/011313 WO2004045978A1 (en) 2002-11-15 2003-10-13 Pail comprising a safety seal

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EP (1) EP1560767B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003283264B2 (en)
BR (1) BR0316251A (en)
CA (1) CA2506311C (en)
HR (1) HRP20050539A2 (en)
MX (1) MXPA05005181A (en)
WO (1) WO2004045978A1 (en)

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US20090012493A1 (en) * 2007-07-04 2009-01-08 Volker Harig Pre-evacuatable or pre-evacuated container for medical purposes
US20090294322A1 (en) * 2008-06-02 2009-12-03 Baltz Kyle L Pail with skirt and lid
US20100044389A1 (en) * 2008-08-20 2010-02-25 TBS Products, Inc. Resilient container grip device and related methods
WO2015137891A1 (en) * 2014-03-13 2015-09-17 Ustun Plastik Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. Sealed, breakable lid locking mechanism for packaging
US9376255B2 (en) 2013-02-22 2016-06-28 Orbis Corporation Waste container with gravity latch
US9828177B2 (en) 2013-02-22 2017-11-28 Orbis Corporation Waste container with gravity latch and latch deactivation system
JP2020055595A (en) * 2018-10-02 2020-04-09 三甲株式会社 Lid body and container
JP2021095180A (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-24 三甲株式会社 Lid body
USD1018296S1 (en) * 2019-08-01 2024-03-19 Ipl Plastics Inc. Lid

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IL184665A (en) 2007-07-17 2014-01-30 Darpack Ind Ltd Lidded container adapted to withstand internal pressure build-up
CN105877537B (en) * 2016-06-27 2018-08-17 中山市康龙电器科技有限公司 A kind of cup body component of cooking machine

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US5730309A (en) * 1994-10-13 1998-03-24 Poranunt Co., Ltd. Container with lid strongly lockable thereto
US6279774B1 (en) * 1996-08-30 2001-08-28 Southcorp Packaging Usa Cover locking mechanism
US20010010311A1 (en) * 1999-11-30 2001-08-02 Vince Ciccone Container lid with tear-off strip
US20040045966A1 (en) * 2000-01-27 2004-03-11 Von Holdt John W. Plastic container and lid construction
US20020175173A1 (en) * 2000-04-01 2002-11-28 Frank Diesterbeck Plastic container with snap lid
US20020175172A1 (en) * 2000-04-01 2002-11-28 Frank Diesterbeck Plastic container with snap lid and a sealing web located on the inside of the container
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090012493A1 (en) * 2007-07-04 2009-01-08 Volker Harig Pre-evacuatable or pre-evacuated container for medical purposes
US9011407B2 (en) * 2007-07-04 2015-04-21 Pfm Medical Ag Pre-evacuatable or pre-evacuated container for medical purposes
US20090294322A1 (en) * 2008-06-02 2009-12-03 Baltz Kyle L Pail with skirt and lid
EP2130777A3 (en) * 2008-06-02 2010-03-24 Rehrig Pacific Company Pail with skirt and lid
US20100044389A1 (en) * 2008-08-20 2010-02-25 TBS Products, Inc. Resilient container grip device and related methods
US9376255B2 (en) 2013-02-22 2016-06-28 Orbis Corporation Waste container with gravity latch
US9828177B2 (en) 2013-02-22 2017-11-28 Orbis Corporation Waste container with gravity latch and latch deactivation system
WO2015137891A1 (en) * 2014-03-13 2015-09-17 Ustun Plastik Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. Sealed, breakable lid locking mechanism for packaging
JP2020055595A (en) * 2018-10-02 2020-04-09 三甲株式会社 Lid body and container
JP7205822B2 (en) 2018-10-02 2023-01-17 三甲株式会社 lid and container
USD1018296S1 (en) * 2019-08-01 2024-03-19 Ipl Plastics Inc. Lid
JP2021095180A (en) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-24 三甲株式会社 Lid body
JP7475596B2 (en) 2019-12-18 2024-04-30 三甲株式会社 Lid

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Publication number Publication date
AU2003283264B2 (en) 2009-05-28
AU2003283264A1 (en) 2004-06-15
CA2506311C (en) 2012-07-24
BR0316251A (en) 2005-10-04
EP1560767B1 (en) 2015-12-09
EP1560767A1 (en) 2005-08-10
WO2004045978A1 (en) 2004-06-03
HRP20050539A2 (en) 2005-08-31
CA2506311A1 (en) 2004-06-03
MXPA05005181A (en) 2005-08-18

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AS Assignment

Owner name: SCHOELLER WAVIN SYSTEMS SERVICES GMBH, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KELLERER, RICHARD;BARTUSEL, JENS;REEL/FRAME:017360/0050

Effective date: 20050926

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION