WO2018036961A1

WO2018036961A1 - Closing device and container with such a closing device

Info

Publication number: WO2018036961A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/071024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert RUIZ HERNANDEZ; Julia Breisinger; Stefan Strathmann
Original assignee: Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa
Priority date: 2016-08-23
Filing date: 2017-08-21
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Also published as: EP3504131B1; EP3504131A1; DE102016215846A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing device with a frame (10) and a swivel lid (30). It comprises at least first locking means (70) for holding the lid (30) in the closed position. In the locked state, a latching hook (71) reaches behind a locking surface (74) of a latching tongue (72), and can be swiveled about a swivel axis (76). The latching hook (71) can further be moved from a rest position into an unlocking position. A distance between the swivel axis (76) and an outer edge (71a) of the latching hook (71) is larger than a distance between the swivel axis and the locking surface (74) in the rest position of the latching hook (71), and smaller than the distance between the swivel axis (76) and the locking surface in the unlocked position of the latching hook (71). The invention also relates to a container with such a closing device.

Description

"Closure device and container with such a closure device"

The invention relates to a closure device comprising a frame defining an opening, a lid which covers the opening in a closed position, and at least first locking means. Furthermore, the invention relates to a container with such a closure device.

It is common today, active ingredients, for example from the group of laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, agricultural auxiliaries, building materials, dyes, adhesives or food, in a flowable or pourable form, which are stored as pre-dosed units in a container. In the field of storage of commercial quantities of these active substances are plastic containers, which may be transparent, inter alia, known.

These containers have said closure device, wherein the frame of the closure device is connected to a container edge whose shape substantially corresponds to the shape of the frame with the container. By the lid of the closure device, the container can then close accordingly.

The locking means are intended to hold the lid in the closed position on the frame, even if external, unintentional forces act on the frame or on the lid. In particular, the closure device should be childproof. A requirement for a child-resistant closure device is that an opening of the closure device is only possible by a certain, predetermined manner and that deviating attempts to open the closure device, if possible, do not lead to success.

From WO 2014/1 1 1284 A1 a closure device with lid and frame is known, wherein the lid is held in a closed position by two arranged on a same edge of the closure device, but spaced from each other locking means. The locking means each have a latching tab and a latching hook, wherein the latching hook in the locked state engages behind a locking surface of the latching tab to prevent opening of the lid. A certain child safety of this closure device results from the fact that the two locking means for opening the lid must be unlocked at the same time, which is difficult for a child to realize.

The closure device of WO 2015/090289 A1 also has spaced-apart locking means which have to be actuated simultaneously in order to be able to open the lid. The locking means are arranged so that by the interaction of both hands of a Adult's lid can be opened. In one of the locking means, the latching hook can be pivoted by an exposed grip tab about a pivot axis, thus releasing the lock.

The invention is based on the object to provide a closure device with lid, frame and locking means, which provides good protection against inadvertent opening of the lid, childproof and can be opened at the same time easy.

The object underlying the invention is achieved with the feature combination according to claim 1. Embodiments of the invention can be taken from the subclaims.

The locking device according to the invention is characterized in that the latching hook can be pushed from a rest position into an unlocking position, wherein a distance between the pivot axis and an outer edge of the latching hook in the rest position of the latching hook is greater than a distance between the pivot axis and the locking surface of the latching tab and wherein the distance between the pivot axis and the outer edge of the latching hook in the unlocked position of the latching hook is smaller than the distance between the pivot axis and the locking surface of the latching tab. Thus, it is not possible to release the locked state of the first locking means by a mere rotation of the latching hook from the rest position, in which no external forces acting on the latching hook. Upon rotation of the latching hook about the pivot axis, at least the outer edge of the latching hook abuts against the locking surface, since the pivot radius of the outer edge of the latching hook is greater than the distance between the pivot axis and the stationary locking surface.

However, if the latching hook in the unlocked position, it is possible to dissolve the locked state by turning the latching hook. In this case, the pivot radius of the outer edge of the latching hook is smaller than the distance between the fixed locking surface and the pivot axis whose position does not necessarily have to be stationary, but may also depend on the position of the latching hook. For example, if the latching hook has been moved by a certain amount from the rest position to the unlocked position, and the pivot axis proportionately, for example, be shifted up to 10, 20 or up to 50% by this amount. For unlocking, therefore, the latching hook must be moved (with the pivot axis) in a first step and then pivoted only about the pivot axis.

In one exemplary embodiment, in the insertion position of the closure device, the latching hook can be displaced in a horizontal direction. In its operative position, the closure device should be attached to an edge of the container, wherein the edge of the container is in a horizontal plane. Similarly, the opening defined by the frame and closable by the lid also extends in a horizontal plane. Basically, the latching hook and the locking tab can take any shape. The term "latching hook" is to be understood here as meaning a movable latching element, whereas the latching latch should be a non-movable or stationary latching element.

The latching hook may have a hook projection, which meets on pivoting of the latching hook from the rest position to an outer edge of the locking surface of the latching tab. The hook projection can be shaped so that it engages in the circumferential direction of the pivoting movement, the outer edge of the locking surface engages. Further pivoting of the latching hook beyond the point at which the hook projection comes into contact with the outer edge of the locking surface is therefore not possible.

In the insertion position of the closure device may be given a vertical gap between the locking surface and the outer edge of the latching hook. The vertical gap should set when no external forces act on the latching hook (rest position). The vertical gap facilitates or enables the horizontal relative movement between the locking tab and the latching hook or the pivot axis.

For actuating the latching hook, an actuating element can be provided that is integrated in an edge strip of the lid, which preferably runs along the entire circumference of the lid. The actuating element is therefore not beyond the peripheral edge strip and thus is not in an exposed position.

The actuating element may have at least one reinforcing rib. By the reinforcing rib not only the structure of the actuating element, but also the coupling between the actuating element and the latching hook can be strengthened. The introduced on the actuator force can thus be completely transferred to the latching hook.

The lid may be pivotally connected to the frame with a pivot axis disposed on a first edge of the frame. Preferably, the frame has a quadrangular basic shape, so that in addition to the first edge it also has a second edge as well as a third and a fourth edge. The first edge and the second edge should face each other. The third edge and the fourth edge are then perpendicular to the first edge and the second edge.

The substantially rectangular basic shape should not preclude that one of the four edges or several edges are curved. For example, the second edge facing the first edge with the pivot axis may have an outward curvature (convex curvature) while the other three edges are substantially rectilinear. The corners between two abutting edges may be rounded. In one embodiment, the first locking means are arranged at the closed position of the lid on the second edge of the frame. By such an arrangement spaced from the pivot axis, the lid can be well maintained in its closed position.

In addition to the first locking means, it is also possible to provide second locking means which, in a preferred embodiment, are arranged mirror-symmetrically relative to the first locking means with respect to a central axis of the closure device. If, for example, the first locking means are arranged on the second edge of the frame, the second locking means are also arranged on this edge, namely at the same distance from the central axis of the closure device.

The frame may have a peripheral outer web which defines a support surface for the lid to the outside. If the lid is in the closed position and flat on the support surface, it is difficult or impossible to lift the cover from the side by a screwdriver by the circumferential outer web.

The frame and the lid can be made in one piece. The closure device is preferably an injection-molded part made of plastic. As plastic any suitable plastic material can be used, preferably plastics are selected from the group of polyolefins, for example polyethylene or polypropylene.

A further object of the invention, the provision of a container that can be opened easily, but at the same time makes improper opening difficult, especially by children, is achieved by the feature combination according to claim 12. The container according to the invention is equipped with a closure device in one of the described embodiment.

Preferably, the container and the closure device are separate components, both of which may be plastic. The frame may be fastened to the container via suitable connecting means (for example latching means). Alternatively, it is possible that the container and at least the frame of the closure device are integrally formed.

Reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the invention will be explained in more detail. Show it:

1 shows a closure device according to the invention in plan view;

FIG. 2 shows the closure device of FIG. 1 with an opened lid;

3 shows a container which can be closed by the closure device; Figure 4 is a section along the line IV-IV in Figure 1; and

5 shows a section along the line V-V in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a closure device in plan view, which is designated in its entirety by 1. The closure device 1 comprises a cover 30, which largely obscures a frame 10 in the representation of FIG. Figure 2 shows the closure device 1 with the lid 30 in an open position. In a closed position, as shown in Figure 1, the lid 30 covers an opening 2, which is defined by the frame 30. The closure device 1 is a one-piece plastic injection molded part. The frame 10 and the lid 30 are connected via two film hinges 3

The frame 10 has a substantially quadrangular basic shape with a first edge 1 1, a second edge 12, a third edge 13 and a fourth edge 14. While the first edge 1 1, the third edge 13 and the fourth edge 14 are rectilinear, the second edge is bent and slightly curved outward. The second edge 12, which is spaced apart from the film hinges 3, runs, like the first edge 11, essentially parallel to a pivot axis 4, which is defined by the two film hinges 3. Around this pivot axis 4 around the lid 30 can pivot from the open position shown in Figure 2 in the closed position shown in Figure 1. At its edges 1 1, 12, 13, 14, the frame 10 a plurality of spaced locking means 15, through which the frame 10 with a container, as shown schematically in Figure 3, can connect. The container, indicated at 50, has a peripheral rim 51 defining an upper opening 52 of the container 50. The frame 10 can be placed on the peripheral edge 51. By the locking means 15, a firm connection between the container 50 and the closure device 1 can be produced. For example, dishwashing tablets which can be removed from the container 50 when the lid 30 is open can be filled into the container 50.

The frame 10 has an approximately annular bearing surface 16 on which the lid 30 rests in the closed position. Outwardly, the support surface 16 is limited by a circumferential, perpendicular to the support surface 16 ersteckenden outer web 17. The outer web 17 prevents the lid 30 can be levered open in the closed position from the side by a screwdriver or the like in a simple manner. Towards the opening 2, an inner web 18 adjoins the support surface 16 at almost right angles, which in the insertion position of the closure device 1 extends in the direction of the container 50. The outer web 17, however, extends in the opposite direction away from the container. At a lower end of the inner web 18 abuts a lowered bottom edge 19 which is narrower in the region of the edges 1 1, 12 and wider in the region of the edges 13, 14. The lid 30 also has a substantially quadrangular basic shape, which corresponds to the basic shape of the frame 10. A first edge 31 in the vicinity of the pivot axis 4, a second edge 32 opposite the first edge 31, which is arched outwards, as well as a third edge 33 and a fourth edge 34 form the said quadrangular basic shape.

A circumferential edge strip 35 is in the closed position of the lid 30 on the support surface 16 of the frame 10. Between a lower, flat lid base 36 and the peripheral edge strip 35 a circumferential groove 37 is arranged. An outer groove side wall 38 of the groove 37 is opposite the inner web 18 when the lid 30 is closed. The inner web 18 encloses the groove 37 from the outside.

The closure device 1 furthermore has first locking means 70 and second locking means 90 which, as in the exemplary embodiment shown, can be arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a central axis 5. The central axis 5 extends perpendicular to the pivot axis 4. Since the second locking means 90 are constructed mirror-symmetrically to the first locking means 70, only the first locking means 70 are described in more detail below. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the second locking means 90.

Referring to Figure 4, which shows a section along the line IV-IV in Figure 1, the first connecting means 70 a latching hook 71 and a latching tab 72 with a recess 73 on. FIG. 4 shows the first locking means in a locked state. In this state, the latching hook 71 engages behind a locking surface 74 of the latching tab 72. It is not possible, the lid 30, which is associated with the latching hook 71, from the frame 10 with the latching tab 72 to solve or raise.

The latching hook 71 is connected to an actuating element 75, by means of which the latching hook can be moved from the outside from the position shown in FIG. The latching hook 71 is pivotable about a pivot axis 76. A pivoting of the latching hook 71 can be achieved in that the actuating element 75 is pivoted upward by means of a finger, which can be placed on a grip region 77, according to an arrow 78. However, since a distance 79 between the pivot axis 76 and an outer edge 71a of the latching hook 71 is greater than a distance 80 between the pivot axis 76 and the stationary locking surface 74 of the latching tab 72, abuts in this movement, the latching hooks 71 against the locking surface 74. Conditional a hook projection 81 engages behind the locking hook 71 in the circumferential direction (see arrow 78) the locking surface 74, so that pivoting of the latching hook 71 beyond the point by the hook projection 81 comes to rest with the locking surface 74, can be safely avoided. It is therefore not sufficient to release the first locking means 70, the actuator 75 just to lever in the direction of arrow 78 upwards. Rather, it is necessary, before pivoting the actuator 75 along an arrow 82 to push horizontally inward, which has the consequence that the latching hook 71 and possibly also the pivot axis 76 moves partially in the illustration of Figure 4 to the right. Such a horizontal displacement of the latching hook 71 is possible because a small vertical distance or gap between the outer edge 71 a and the locking surface 74 is provided. If, due to the horizontal pressure on the grip area 77 along the arrow 82, the latching hook has been displaced from the rest position shown in FIG. 4 by a certain horizontal offset into an unlocking position, this can then be past the locking surface 74 in the direction of the arrow 78 pivot upwards, whereby the locking between latching hook 71 and latching tab 72 is released.

FIG. 5 shows a section along the line V-V in FIG. 1. The outer web 17, which extends perpendicularly from the bearing surface 16, can be seen. By the outer web 17, it is not possible to aufzuhebein the cover 30 by a laterally attached screwdriver. A height 83 of the edge strip 35 relative to the support surface 16 corresponds to a corresponding height 84 of the actuating element 75 (see Figure 4). By the same heights 83, 84, the actuating element 75 is integrated without offset in the edge strip 35. From the outside, the actuating element 75 can essentially only be recognized by the lateral separating gaps 39 between the actuating element 75 and the peripheral edge stiffener 35 (see FIG. 1).

Without special instructions, a child will intuitively try to pivot the actuating element 75 upwards to open the lid 30, but this does not lead to success according to the invention. As stated above, it is necessary to move the actuator and thus the latch hook laterally to open the lid.

For stabilizing the shape of the actuating element 75 and also for stabilizing the coupling between the actuating element 75 and the latching hook 71, one or more reinforcing ribs 85 may be provided. The pressure along the arrow 82 then leads to a lateral displacement of the latching hook 71, which is indicated by the arrows 86a, 86b and 86c.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

closure device

2 opening

3 movie hinge

4 pivot axis

5 central axis

10 frames

1 1 first edge

12 second edge

13 third edge

14 fourth edge

15 locking means

16 contact surface

17 outer pier

18 inner walkway

30 lids

31 first edge

32 second edge

33 third edge

34 fourth edge

35 edge stripes

36 lid bottom

37 groove

38 groove side wall

39 separating gap

40 advantage

50 containers

51 edge

52 opening

70 first locking means

71 latching hook

71a outer edge

72 latching tab 73 recess

74 locking surface

75 actuator

76 pivot axis

77 grip area

78 arrow

79 distance

80 distance

81 hook projection

82 arrow

83 distance

84 distance

85 reinforcing rib

86 arrow (84a, 85b and 85c)

90 second locking means

Claims

claims

A closure device (1) comprising a frame (10) defining an opening (2), a lid (30) covering the opening (2) in a closed position, and at least first locking means (70) serving therefor to hold the lid (30) in a closed position, the first locking means (70) having a latching tab (72) and a latching hook (71) in the locked state of the first locking means (70) has a locking surface (74) of the latching tab (72) engages behind, and wherein the latching hook (71) about a pivot axis (76) is pivotable, characterized in that the latching hook (71) is displaceable from a rest position to an unlocking position, wherein a distance between the pivot axis (76) and a outer edge (71 a) of the latching hook (71)

in the rest position of the latching hook (71) is greater than a distance between the pivot axis and the locking surface (74) of the latching tab (72) and in the unlocked position of the latching hook (71) is smaller than the distance between the pivot axis (76) and the locking surface (74 ) of the latching tab (72).

2. Closure device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the insertion position of the closure device (1) of the latching hook (71) is displaceable in a horizontal direction.

3. Closure device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the latching hook (71) has a hook projection (81) which upon pivoting of the latching hook (71) from the rest position on an outer edge of the Verrieglungsfläche (74) Latching tab (72) hits.

4. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the inserted position of the closure device (1) has a vertical gap between the Verrieglungsfläche (74) and the outer edge (71a) of the latching hook (71) in the rest position of the latching hook given is.

5. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the latching hook (71) with an actuating element (75) is coupled, which is integrated in a circumferential edge strip (35) of the lid (30).

6. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuating element (75) has at least one reinforcing rib (85).

7. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cover (30) is pivotally connected to the frame (10), wherein a pivot axis (4) at a first edge (1 1) of the frame ( 10) is arranged.

8. Closure device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first locking means (70) are arranged in the closed position of the lid (30) on a second edge (12) of the frame (10), the first edge (1 1 ) is opposite.

9. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that second locking means (90) are provided, which are arranged with respect to a central axis (5) of the closure device (1) mirror-symmetrical to the first locking means (70).

10. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the frame (10) has a substantially peripheral outer web (17) which defines a support surface (16) for the cover (30) to the outside.

1 1. Closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the frame (10) and the lid (30) are made in one piece.

12. container (50) with a closure device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 1 first