WO2019015984A1

WO2019015984A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: WO2019015984A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/068249
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert RUIZ HERNANDEZ; Julia Breisinger; Stefan Strathmann
Original assignee: Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa
Priority date: 2017-07-21
Filing date: 2018-07-05
Publication date: 2019-01-24
Also published as: DE102017212589A1; EP3655340A1; EP3655340B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) having a bottom (2), side walls (3), and an opening (4) surrounded by a peripheral edge (5), wherein the container (1) has a closure device (10) for the opening (4) having a frame (11) and a cover (12), wherein the frame (11) is connected by means of a latching connection to the peripheral edge (5) of the container (1), wherein a holding force of the frame (11) on the peripheral edge (5) equals FH, characterized in that the stiffness of the side walls (3) is so low that the container (1) is deformed under the influence of a force F1 on the side walls (3), such that a releasing force FL, caused by the influence of the force F1 on the side walls (3), on the latching connection does not exceed the holding force FH.

Description

container

The invention relates to a container having a bottom, side walls and an opening surrounded by a peripheral edge, the container having a closure device for the opening with a frame and a lid.

It is common practice to use active substances, 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 or semi-transparent, inter alia, known.

Such containers typically include a closure device having a frame and a lid, the frame being connected to the peripheral edge of the container. Through the lid of the closure device, the container can be opened or closed.

Often locking means are provided which hold the lid in the closed position on the frame, even when external, unintentional forces act on the frame or on the lid. In particular, the closure device should be childproof.

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 locking means. The locking means each have a latching tab and a latching hook, wherein the latching hook in the closed position of the lid engages behind an undercut of the latching tab to prevent opening of the lid. In both locking means, the locking between the latching hook and locking tab can be solved by an externally accessible actuating element, wherein the actuating element is coupled to the latching hook and the latching tab. The

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 problem with such containers that the connection between the frame of the closure device and the container is often too easy to solve. The container can then be opened by removing the entire closure device and the parental control thus be bypassed. The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a container that provides good protection against accidental opening of the lid, childproof and can be easily opened at the same time when used as intended.

This invention is solved with the subject matter of patent claim 1. Further

Embodiments and advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a container having a bottom, side walls and an opening surrounded by a peripheral edge, the container having a

Closing device for the opening having a frame and a lid, wherein the frame is connected by means of a latching connection with the peripheral edge of the container, wherein a holding force of the frame at the peripheral edge FH amounts. The rigidity of

Side walls of the container is so small that the container is deformed upon application of a force Fi on the side walls, so that a caused by the action of the force Fi on the side walls release force Fi on the latching connection does not exceed the holding force FH.

The stiffness of the sidewalls is understood here and below to mean the resistance which the sidewalls oppose to a deformation by a force acting on them, in particular a force component acting perpendicular to the surface normal.

The container has the advantage that it is impossible or very difficult to release the frame of the closure device from the container by pressure on the side walls. If a force is exerted on the side walls of the container, they buckle and are deformed - at least when the force exceeds a threshold, but is chosen so low that even a force applied by a child can cause a deformation. As a result, it is not possible by pressure on the side walls to transfer sufficient force to the peripheral edge of the container in order to overcome the holding force of the frame at the peripheral edge. In other words, pressure on the side walls does not result in a displacement of the outer edge which would be sufficient to release the holding force of the frame at the peripheral edge.

The deformation of the side walls thus prevents the side walls

Transfer force components to the peripheral edge, which are large enough to detach the frame from the peripheral edge.

According to one embodiment, at least the bottom and the side walls of the container are formed from deep-drawn plastic. This has the advantage over an injection-molded container that smaller wall thicknesses of the container and thus lower stiffness of the

Side walls can be achieved. According to one embodiment, the side walls of the container may be reinforced by a cardboard band. Such a band has the advantage that it does not appreciably increase the stiffness of the side walls, but protects the container from damage and at the same time can stiffen the side walls in the vertical direction. At the same time, the banderole offers a way to label the container.

Such a band can be glued at least in places on the side walls.

The wall thickness of the side walls is according to one embodiment at least 0.1 mm and at most 0.8 mm. As has been found, wall thicknesses below 0.8 mm, in particular below 0.5 mm, are sufficient for producing a stable container, but also sufficiently well deformable.

The circumferential edge of the container may in particular have a U-shaped cross-section and the wall thickness may be at least 0.5 mm and at the most 1, 8 mm in the region of the peripheral edge. The U-shaped cross section of the peripheral edge has the advantage that the frame can be fixed by means of latching hooks on the peripheral edge. A wall thickness between 0.5 mm and 1, 8 mm in the region of the peripheral edge gives the edge sufficient stability and protects it from bending, which could result in a loosening of the locking connection between the frame and the edge.

According to one embodiment, the side walls are at least partially reinforced by ribs. Such ribs typically contribute to increased stiffness of the sidewalls. However, such an increase in rigidity is at least in some areas of

Side walls not desired. In other areas, such as in the corners or in

Areas in which no latching means are arranged for connection of the frame to the container, such stiffening or reinforcement may be advantageous.

According to one embodiment, the closure device has at least first

Locking means which hold the lid in a closed position on the frame. The locking means may be configured in particular as a child safety device.

The frame and the lid can be made in one piece in particular. When

Manufacturing processes are thermoforming or injection molding. The frame and the lid may be connected to each other by at least one film hinge.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic figures. Show it: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of an open closure device according to

Embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a cross section through the edge region of the container according to Figure 1 with

attached closure device and

Figure 4 shows a cross section through the edge region of an alternative container with

attached closure device.

1 shows a perspective view of a container 1 with a bottom 2, side walls 3 and an opening 4, which is surrounded by a peripheral edge 5. The bottom 2 and the side walls 3 and the peripheral edge 5 are formed of plastic and manufactured in a deep-drawing process. The container 1 serves to receive and provide predosed units of an active substance.

The side walls 3 are surrounded by a band 6 made of cardboard. The band 6 encloses the side walls 3 and is at least selectively glued to the side walls 3 and thus secured against slipping. The band 6 has the task to reinforce the side walls 3 against a load from above (top load).

Figure 2 shows a closure device 10 for the container 1 in the unfolded state in a plan view. The closure device 10 is divided into a frame 1 1 and a lid 12. The frame 1 1 and the lid 12 are integrally formed of a plastic and connected to each other by a number of film hinges 17. By means of the film hinges 17 10 are frame 1 1 and cover 12 against each other about the pivot axis 19 pivotally.

The closure device 10 can be produced, for example, in an injection molding process.

The frame 1 1 has a U-shaped profile with an outer web 13 and an inner web 14. The frame 1 1 encloses an opening 15 which is aligned in the assembled state of the closure device 10 with the opening 4 of the container 1.

The frame 1 1 has a number of latching hooks 16 which are arranged on the outer web 13 of the frame 1 1 and which serve to connect the frame 1 1 with the peripheral edge 5 of the container 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, 12 snap hooks along the circumference of the frame 1 1 are arranged. The lid 12 is used to close the opening 15 of the frame 1 1 and thus in the assembled state of the closure device 10 also for closing the opening 4 of the container 1. For this purpose, the lid 12 from the open positions shown in Figure 2 by pivoting about the pivot axis 19th be folded into a closed position in which the lid 12 rests on the frame 1 1.

For safe, especially child-safe connection between the frame 1 1 and the lid 12 first locking means 18 on the frame 1 1 and the cover 12 are provided. These can be configured in a known manner such that the with the closure device 10th

closed container 1 can be opened only in a predetermined manner. In particular, the first locking means 18 are designed child-resistant.

Figure 3 shows an Ouerschnitt through the edge region of the container 1 according to Figure 1 with attached closure device 10 according to Figure 2. It can be seen that the frame 1 1 surrounds the peripheral edge 5 of the container 1.

The peripheral edge 5 of the container 1 has a U-shaped Ouerschnitt with a first leg 22, a second leg 23 and a connection 24 between the two legs 22, 23. The side wall 3 has basically a small wall thickness between 0, 1 mm and 0.8 mm. In the area of the peripheral edge 5, however, it has a higher

Wall thickness between 0.5 mm and 1, 8 mm. The transition region between the connection 24 and the second leg 23 has a bevel 20 on which can slide down the mounting frame 1 1 on the container 1 latching hooks 16 of the frame 1 1.

The frame 1 1 is mounted for mounting on the peripheral edge 5 from above on this. In this case, the latching hook 16 slides on the slope 20 down until it has reached the open end of the leg 23 and locked with its raised end 25 behind this. This condition is shown in FIG. In this assembled state of the frame 1 1 of the inner web 14 is located inside on the leg 22 of the peripheral edge 5, while the outer web 13 rests on the outside of the leg 23. The frame 1 1 is connected to the peripheral edge 5 by the latching connection, which form the latching hooks 16 with the leg 23. The latching hooks 16 form in the assembled state of the frame 1 1 a contact surface 21 with the leg 23.

For the child safety of the container 1 is not only important that the locking of the lid 12 on the frame using the first locking means 18 is childproof. In addition, it is also important that not the entire closure device 10 can be easily removed from the container 1. As has been found, it is often possible in such containers 1, by pressure on the side walls 3, here represented by the action of a force Fi, the locking connections between the frame 1 1 and the peripheral edge 5 to solve. By exerting pressure on the side walls 3, it can namely in conventional Packaging may be possible to exercise so much force on the latching hooks 16 on the contact surface 21 via the leg 23 that they yield and open the latching connection. The force Fi acts on the distance h, which serves as a lever arm, on the latching connection.

To prevent this, the side wall 3 is formed slightly deformable. Their rigidity is thus relatively low. This has the consequence that the container 1 is deformed upon the action of the force Fi on the side wall 3. Thus finds no transmission of the force on the

Leg 23 and from there via the contact surface 21 on the latching hook 16 instead; At least the transmitted force FL is not sufficient to the holding force FH of the frame 1 1 at the

to overcome peripheral edge 5. Accordingly, according to the invention, the distance h can no longer serve as a lever arm and transmitter of the force.

The low rigidity of the side walls 3 can be achieved in particular by a small wall thickness of the side walls 3. In addition, it is also achieved by a suitable aterialwahl.

The forces acting are shown only schematically in FIG. The release force FL and the holding force FH counteracting it are shown for the case of a force Fi acting perpendicular to the contact surface 21. Depending on the deformability of the locking latch 16 and the leg 23, which in turn depends on the materials used, the wall thickness and the geometry of the latching hook 16 and the leg 23, the latching connection can also be solved by forces acting in other ways.

The absolute value of the holding force FH of the frame 1 1 on the peripheral edge 5 is also dependent on the exact geometry of the latching connection, for example, the size of the contact surface 21st

FIG. 4 schematically shows a further embodiment of the frame 1 1, which differs from that shown in FIG. 3 only in that the latching hooks 16 do not surround the leg 23 because they do not have a raised end 25. Instead, the latching hook 16 has a greater length, so that the distance a, on which it engages in the mounted state, the leg 23, is sufficiently large to prevent easy removal of the frame from the container 1.

Also in this embodiment, the container 1 has a low rigidity. As a result, the leg 23 is only slightly displaced upon the action of a force Fi on the side wall 3. As a result, although the distance a is shortened, but not sufficient, that the latching hook 16 releases the leg 23. The shortening of the distance a causes a reduction of the holding force FH of the latching connection. By pulling the outer web 13 to the outside while then selectively solving the locking connection can be achieved. However, pulling the outer bar 13 outwardly causes adjacent latching hooks 16 to be pushed inward, which locally increases the length a. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 container

2 floor

3 side wall

4 opening

5 circumferential edge

6 banderole

10 closure device

1 1 frame

12 lids

13 outer bridge

14 inner bridge

15 opening

16 snap hooks

17 movie hinge

18 first locking means

19 pivot axis

20 slants

21 contact area

22 thighs

23 thighs

24 connection

25 raised end h range

a route

Claims

claims

1 . Container (1) having a bottom (2), side walls (3) and an opening (4) surrounded by a peripheral edge (5), the container (1) comprising a closure device (10) for the opening (4) with a frame (1 1) and a cover (12), wherein the frame (1 1) by means of a latching connection with the peripheral edge (5) of the container

(I), wherein a holding force of the frame (1 1) at the peripheral edge (5) is FH, characterized in that the rigidity of the side walls (3) is so low that the container (1) upon application of a force Fi is deformed on the side walls (3), so that a by the action of the force Fi on the side walls (3) caused release force Fi on the latching connection does not exceed the holding force FH.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein at least the bottom (2) and the side walls (3) of the container (1) are formed from deep-drawn plastic.

3. Container (1) according to claim 2, wherein the side walls (3) are reinforced by a band (6) made of cardboard.

4. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wall thickness of the side walls (3) is at least 0, 1 mm and at most 0.8 mm.

5. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peripheral edge (5) of the

Container (1) has a U-shaped Ouerschnitt and the wall thickness in the region of the peripheral edge (5) is at least 0.5 mm and at most 1, 8 mm.

6. Container (1) according to claim 5, wherein the latching connection between the frame (1 1) and the peripheral edge (5) by means of a number of along the circumference of the frame

(I I) arranged latching hooks (16) which engage in the circumferential U-shaped edge (5).

7. Container (1) according to claim 6, wherein the latching hooks (1 6) each have a raised end (25) which in the mounted state of the frame (1 1) engages around a portion of the peripheral edge (5).

8. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the side walls (3) are at least partially reinforced by ribs.

9. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the closure device (10) at least first locking means (18) which hold the lid (12) in a closed position on the frame (1 1). Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the frame (1 1) and the lid (12) are made in one piece and connected to each other by at least one film hinge (17).