WO2002040372A1

WO2002040372A1 - Container lid

Info

Publication number: WO2002040372A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/003577
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Marthouret
Original assignee: Robert Marthouret
Priority date: 2000-11-15
Filing date: 2001-11-15
Publication date: 2002-05-23
Also published as: AU2002223071A1; EP1335865A1; EP1335865B1; ATE320984T1; FR2816591A1; DE60118250D1; FR2816591B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a package comprising a sealed and tamperproof adhesive-free and seamless closure. The package comprises on its upper part a fixed element called groove (1) whereof the base is perforated with one or several orifices (8). A film (4) is unwound over the entire surface of the package, including the groove (1). The package comprises a second mobile and removable element called band (2) made of plastic or rubber, or any other semirigid material, comprising a central recess (3) perforated with one or several orifices (8) in its lower part. In closed position, the band (2) encloses the film (4) and locks it in the groove (1). The absence of play and the flared shape of the band base (5) provide tightness to the whole assembly. The package is made tamperproof through affixed spear-shaped pins (9) whereof the stem (10) which passes through the recess (3) of the bead (2) is tipped with barbs (11), which, after having passed through the superimposed orifices (8) themselves, provided in the base of the groove (1) and the band (2) are urged to be housed beneath the outer lower end surface of the groove. Several pins can be linked together by a flexible strip which can act as handle.

Description

LID FOR CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a container or container, generally for packaging use, such as box, bucket, pot, tray, tray, comprising a closure device, the sealing and inviolability of which are obtained by simple mechanical process, without welding. no use of glues. This container will most often be made of plastic, but it can be made of any other type of material, such as glass, cardboard, aluminum, zamak, sheet metal or composite material. Only the movable elements of the closure device must be made of plastic, rubber or other semi-rigid material.

Usually, the tightness or inviolability of the closure of a container or of a packaging is obtained, either by crimping the lid if it is a sheet steel packaging or d aluminum, either by heat welding or by gluing a plastic or aluminum film to the upper edge of the packaging, in the case of a container or a packaging made of material plastic, this film can sometimes completely surround the packaging, and form gathers which are welded or glued together on the outer bottom wall of the packaging.

When it is a transparent or opaque plastic film completely surrounding the box, the presence of the latter hinders the affixing of a rigid cover intended to ensure effective protection of the product, in particular from crushing or light. In addition, this method of affixing the protective film closes the holes reserved in the side walls of the packaging, and intended to allow the aeration of the products and their protection against mold in the case of fruits or vegetables in particular. In addition, this method quadruples the amount of plastic film used.

When it is an aluminum film glued to the upper edge of the packaging, its opacity prevents the user from seeing the product through the transparent rigid cover, only the opaque metallic film appears.

In addition, existing systems require either the use of films or films covered with an adhesive material or glue, or else the use of expensive heat-sealing materials requiring the presence of a source of electrical energy. They are unsuitable for small series, and for the most part cannot be used in an environment devoid of an electric power source.

When packages, such as boxes, bowls, buckets, trays, trays, etc., of plastic are produced using the injection process, it is common for burrs to form on the upper edge of the package. These flatness defects cause tearing of the film intended to protect the packaged product. This tear removes the seal. The product is therefore no longer protected against external aerobic germs and risks being contaminated. Existing packaging does not have the sealing and inviolability qualities without the use of a system of welded or glued seals, the implementation of which requires costly investments, therefore unsuitable for semi-industrial or artisanal or even domestic use. . Existing packaging does not offer the possibility of successive re-uses with the same sealing and inviolability qualities, without the need to use bonding or welding of a new seal, which are only possible if the flatness of the upper edge of the packaging was preserved when the previous cover was removed. The existing packaging does not allow to put away from the air the products they contain such as paints, varnishes, mastics, which are not fully used after the first opening, and which tend, once the container open, allow their volatile components to evaporate and therefore dry out.

The object of the present invention is therefore a package comprising a closure device ensuring it by a purely mechanical process, both sealing and inviolability without the use of bonding or welding, this closure device can be combined with a gripping device facilitating handling and manipulation.

The object of the present invention is also a packaging comprising a closure device requiring no costly investment for its implementation which may consist either in carrying out a simple manual application of the protective film and the rod intended to block it, or using a press fitted with an unwinder and operated by hand;

Its use could therefore be artisanal, even domestic. It can also be used in a hospital environment as an effective way of protecting food, or even instruments, against aerobic pathogenic germs

The object of the present invention is also a packaging making it possible to return and keep away from the air all the products, such as paints, varnishes and industrial adhesives in particular, in the manufacture of which volatile components enter, and which of this fact is subject to rapid drying as soon as the cover is removed from the traditional packaging in which they are packaged.

The aim of the present invention is finally to offer a packaging, the closure device of which is a simple and effective means of protecting the products, either during their initial packaging, or on the occasion of subsequent repackaging. The invention mainly relates to a packaging such as, box, bowl, tray, tray, tray, bucket, pot, tube, without this list being limiting, characterized in that it comprises as first closure device, an element fixed formed by a U-shaped groove reserved around the entire periphery of its upper edge. The bottom wall constituting the bottom of this groove will have one or more orifices. The invention also relates to a packaging characterized in that it comprises a second movable and removable element, consisting of a single strand of plastic, rubber, or any other semi-rigid material, called a rod, exactly matching the U shape. of the groove reserved around the entire periphery of the upper face of the package, the surface of which it completely covers without overflowing.

The invention also relates to a packaging characterized in that the rod has over its entire length a central recess intended to provide it with the elasticity necessary for compensating for the thickness of the film once the latter has been inserted into the throat. This central recess will also serve to house the shank of the lugs in the form of harpoons intended to ensure the inviolability of the closure. To this end, the underside of the rod will be pierced with one or more orifices superimposed exactly on the orifices made in the lower face, or bottom, of the groove.

The subject of the invention is also a packaging comprising a closure device characterized in that it makes it possible to obtain sealing by the affixing of a protective film of polyethylene or similar material, transparent or opaque according to the desired result, the thickness of which will exceed by a few microns the intervals between each lateral wall of the groove and the rod, once the latter is inserted into the groove, this film being introduced into the groove using the rod by simple manual or mechanical pressure.

The invention also relates to a packaging comprising a closure device characterized in that it makes it possible not to close off by fallout of the protective film, the ventilation holes that the packaging may have on its side walls.

The invention also relates to a packaging comprising a closure device characterized in that after a first opening, the packaging can be closed again in a hermetic and tamper-proof manner, provided that the protective film and the pins are replaced lock ring.

The invention also relates to a packaging provided with a closure device characterized in that its upper edge comprises, when it is made of plastic, ribs intended to reinforce its resistance to the vertical pressure exerted during the introduction of the rod in the groove The invention also relates to a packaging whose closure device is characterized in that the rod intended to enclose the protective film in the groove, comprises horizontally on one of the internal angles, a tongue intended to facilitate it removal upon opening.

The subject of the invention is also a package, the closing device of which is characterized in that the recess made over the entire length of the rod also allows the pinning of pins intended to reinforce the solidarity between the rod and the groove, and to to prevent any risk of accidental tearing of the rod, therefore of unexpected opening of the packaging. The subject of the invention is also a package, the closure device of which is characterized in that the lugs will have a flat face which will rest on the upper part of the rod once the latter is inserted into the groove, and a pole, the length of which will be approximately equal to the depth of the recess in the rod, which pole will be provided at its lower end with barbs in the shape of an arrowhead, the whole being presented as a harpoon. These barbs will present a. slight elasticity, and will have a span slightly greater than the section of the orifices made in the lower walls of the throat and the rod.

The invention also relates to a packaging provided with a closure device characterized in that it makes the packaging inviolable by means of these lugs which will act as keys intended to make the packaging, the rod and the film protector completely integral. For this purpose, the barbs in arrowheads will be forcefully inserted through the exactly superimposed orifices reserved for this purpose in the lower walls of the groove and the rod, and after having pierced the protective film, relaxing, they will return to their original shape and will become blocked under the external face of the lower wall of the groove making it impossible to remove the lugs by simple vertical traction. The lugs blocking the rod and the protective film can only be removed by cutting the barbs. The absence of barbed wire will be proof of the violation of the original closure of the packaging.

A subject of the invention is also a package comprising a closure device making it possible to facilitate the handling of the packages and the control of the products which they contain, in that at least two lugs can be connected together by means of a strip. acting as a handle. This strip may receive a printed or engraved marking mentioning the date of packaging, the origin of the product, and any other information likely to allow the monitoring of the product from its packaging to its exposure for sale or its use.

The invention also relates to a packaging comprising a closure device characterized in that it does not prevent, if they are required, the bonding or welding of the protective film overflowing on the outer walls of the groove, or the superimposition of a rigid cover exactly matching the shape of the packaging, to give, if necessary, resistance to crushing

The invention also relates to a packaging comprising a closure device characterized in that the principle of the rod with obviously central can be integrated in the cover itself. In this case, the cover will have on its underside a protuberance which will be received in the groove of the packaging. This protuberance will have the same characteristics as the single-strand rod, in particular with regard to its size and its elasticity which will be obtained thanks to the central recess; which will guarantee inviolability by the use of locking lugs in the shape of a harpoon under the same conditions as when using the rod. The subject of the invention is also a packaging comprising a closure device making it possible to return the contents to the shelter of air after a first opening of the packaging, and again ensuring a new sealed closure, after each of the successive openings Given the low price obtained thanks to mass production, the packaging comprising the closure device described above will be particularly suitable for packaging consumer products in the food industry, such as fresh products. distributed in trays, seafood, meats, cold meats, ready meals, fresh cheeses in jars, or even ice creams and sorbets. The tightness of the closure will ensure effective protection of the products against pathogenic germs.

The tamper-evident closure can guarantee the origin of the products and promote food safety. This device will therefore be particularly well suited to the methods of marketing products from organic farming. In addition, because of their solidity and their ease of re-use after sterilization, they will be an effective alternative to the usual use for the same use of disposable plastic packaging currently available on the market.

When they are used for the packaging of industrial products such as glues, varnishes or paints, the packaging comprising the closure device described above will contribute to the preservation of the environment in the sense that the membrane which will be used to obtain and maintain the seal after successive openings, will confine to the interior of the packaging itself the vapors of the volatile components from which these products are generally made. There will be no uncontrolled and unnecessary evaporation of these components in the atmosphere, and the preservation of the intrinsic qualities of the products inside their original packaging will be improved after successive openings.

The invention will be better understood by means of the description below and the appended figures given as nonlimiting examples. Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a rectangular-shaped packaging box, for use as a food tray, it being specified that all other forms of planar geometry: round, oval, or polygonal, can be adopted.

Figures 2 and 3 are sectional views of the packaging described in Figure 1 Figure 4 is a plan view of the rod (2) for clamping and locking the film (4). In the groove (l) of the tray.

Figures 5 and 6 are views in longitudinal section of the rod (2)

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the rod (2)

Figure 8 is an example of mounting the rod (2) in the groove (l). In Figures 1 - 2 and 3 the groove (1) reserved over the entire periphery of the tray to receive the rod intended to enclose the protective film appears clearly

The positioning of the groove (1) in the general architecture of the tray is highlighted in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tongue (7) intended to facilitate the withdrawal of the rod is positioned in FIG. 4.

The central recess (3) formed in the rod (2), over its entire length or its circumference, and intended to give it the necessary elasticity, is shown in the vertical section view of FIG. 7

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the same rod The sectional view of the mounting example of the film tray rod assembly

(4) shows a close and uniform contact of the film (4) against the walls of the groove (l) the adhesion of the rod to the wall being reinforced by the slight bulge formed at the base (5) of the rod marrying the flaring (6) of the base of the groove (l) obtained by undercut during the machining of the tooling. In FIG. 9 appear on a rectangular rod, the orifices (8) which can be reserved in the lower wall of the recess to allow the passage of the barbs (11) of the lugs in the form of harpoons

Figure 12 is the plan view of a lug (9) for fixing comprising a shaft ((10) terminated by barbs (11)

Figure 14 is the sectional view of a variant of rush for a round shape packaging, type cheese jar or honey jar, or even putty or paint jar.

Figures 11 and 15 are plan views of the handle (12) obtained by connecting two pins together by a flexible strip.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the handle fixed to a round container of the pot type, by means of the two lugs (9) positioned at each of its ends. FIGS. 13 and 17 are sectional views of the handle (12) and lugs (9) with their shaft (lθ) terminated by barbs (ll) in the locking position of the rod (2) and the film (4) in the groove (l) of the tray or pot.

Claims

1 Container for packaging use, mainly made of plastic, but which may be of any other type of material or material, comprising a tight and tamper-proof closure device without the use of glue or solder, composed, on the one hand, of fixed element having the shape of a groove (1), reserved around the entire periphery of its upper part which makes it possible to insert a protective barrier film (4) covering the entire surface of the packaging including the groove, with or without fallout on the outer walls, according to the desired result, and on the other hand of a movable and removable element consisting of a single strand of plastic or rubber or any other semi-rigid material, called rod, and intended to block the protective film inside the groove (1) characterized in that over its entire length or circumference, this rod (2) has a central recess (3) which gives it the necessary elasticity.

2 container for packaging use comprising a sealed and tamper-proof closure device without glue or welding, according to claim 1 characterized in that the height of the rod (2) is equal to the depth of the groove (1), its width is less than the width of the groove, and in that its central recess (3) has a depth not exceeding eight tenths of its height.

3 container for packaging use comprising a sealed and tamper-proof closure device, according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the rod (2) and the groove (1) each have on their underside, one or more orifices (8 ), this or these orifices being exactly superimposed on each other when the rod (2) is inserted in the groove (l) in the locking position of the protective film (4).

4 container for packaging use comprising a sealed and tamper-proof closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises breakable lugs (9), having a flat upper face the width of the rod, extended by a shaft itself terminated by a device in the form of harpoons, the barbs (11) of which have passed through the orifices (8) reserved for this purpose both in the bottom of the rod (2) and in the bottom of the groove (l), are housed under the underside of the groove (l) reserved over the entire periphery of the packaging, to ensure the inviolability of the closure without affecting the seal.

5 container for packaging use comprising a sealed and tamper-proof closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two or more lugs (9) if necessary, can be connected together by one or more bands forming handle, (12) intended for handling the packaging and for recording the indications relating to the product it contains. 6 container for packaging use comprising a sealed and tamper-proof closure device without glue or solder, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (2) and the film (4) barrier which ensure the sealing and the pins (9) which ensure the inviolability do not prevent the optional superposition of a rigid cover covering the assembly to protect from crushing the products contained in the container.

7 container for packaging use comprising a sealed and tamper-proof closure device without the use of glue or welding, according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the inside the rod (2) has a tongue (7) intended to facilitate its removal.

8 container for packaging use comprising a leaktight and tamper-proof closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a variant of the flexible plastic barrier film (4) may also be a rigid thermoformed structure having on its inner face a protuberance having the same shape and the same dimensions as the removable rod, and which comprises a central recess (3) for elasticity, and orifices (8) reserved for the passage of the barbs (l 1) which are provided the locking pins.