Lid for closing a container

Abstract

The invention relates to a lid for closing a container (100), the lid comprising a main body (1) and a seal (2) which is held on the main body (1) and which comprises a planar central region (6) and a flexible sealing bead (7) surrounding the central region (6), wherein the main body (1) comprises an actuating mechanism which is designed to move the sealing bead (7) between a release position and a sealing position. Efficient sealing can be achieved in that the actuating mechanism comprises a centrally arranged actuating element (4) and a plurality of sliding elements (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) which the actuating element (4) can continuously radially displace relative to the actuating element (4) and on which the sealing bead (7) is tensioned.

Description

[0001] Lid for closing a container

[0002] The invention relates to a lid for closing a container with a base body and a seal held on the base body, which comprises a flat central area and a flexible sealing bead surrounding the central area, wherein the base body comprises an actuating mechanism designed to move the sealing bead between a release position and a sealing position.

[0003] The present invention relates to a lid that can tightly seal a container by allowing a sealing bead to be pressed radially outwards to form a seal against an inner wall of the container and simultaneously fix the lid in its position. The container can be, for example, cookware such as a pot or a food storage container commonly used in households and the catering industry. Applications in technical fields are also possible, for example, for selectively closing openings where ease of use and a tight seal are important.

[0004] AT 525 282 B describes a solution in which a cover incorporates a seal in the form of an elastic membrane with an external sealing bead. The membrane and sealing bead are adapted to the shape of the opening to be sealed. In the release position, the sealing bead is slightly retracted, allowing the cover to be inserted into the opening with some play. When the cover is correctly positioned, the actuating mechanism is engaged, pushing the sealing bead outwards and thus locking the cover in a sealed position. The solution described in the aforementioned publication only allows switching between the two positions and does not permit the user to adjust the contact pressure in the sealed position as needed. Consequently, the cover may not fit properly if there are tolerances in the dimensions of the opening.This solution is also relatively complex in its design and has a relatively large installation depth. Another disadvantage is that the sealing surface deteriorates continuously with wear and tear on the seal due to frequent use.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to further develop known devices, and in particular to provide a device that has a simple design and is insensitive to operating errors. Furthermore, the user should be able to adjust the contact pressure of the seal to the respective requirements in order to achieve optimal sealing regardless of the circumstances. The device should have the simplest possible design and a shallow installation depth.

[0006] This problem is solved by the device mentioned at the outset according to the invention in that the actuating mechanism comprises a centrally arranged actuating element and several slides which are radially and continuously displaceable relative to the actuating element and on which the sealing bead is stretched.

[0007] The essential feature of the present invention is that the movement of the sliders is fundamentally a translational movement in the radial direction. This movement is stepless, so that the contact pressure is adjustable and can also be consciously perceived by the user, because the actuating force or torque is approximately proportional to the contact pressure. This also allows any potential wear of the seal to be easily compensated for. The device according to the invention has a shallow installation depth and is structurally simple.

[0008] An important aspect of the present invention is also that the sealing of the opening is not effected by a closure element to whose edge a seal is attached, but that the seal completely covers the opening, which means that the central area has essentially the dimensions of the opening and that the sealing bead is preferably integrally formed.

[0009] A simple and reliable design can preferably be achieved by attaching the slides to a spring element. This spring element centers the slides and can also be adjusted to amplify the return movement. This helps to detach any seal that may be adhering to the container. It is also important that this ensures the reliable engagement of the actuating element.

[0010] It has proven particularly advantageous to have between four and eight valves. This helps to avoid sealing problems in the area between each pair of valves.

[0011] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the slides each have an edge region on which the sealing bead of the gasket is stretched. This results in a robust and reliable construction.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the edge areas of the slides cover almost the entire length of the sealing bead. This means that there are only minimal gaps between the slides, allowing the sealing bead to be pressed against a sealing surface by the slides along almost its entire length. In particular, it can be provided that the slides touch each other laterally in the release position.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the sliders are essentially flat and rigid. This optimizes the force transmission to the seal. However, it is beneficial if the sliders have a slight downward slope at the edges to improve the drainage of wash water during cleaning in the dishwasher. This significantly helps to prevent unwanted bacterial growth.

[0014] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the actuating element is rotatable and communicates with the slides via control surfaces. In particular, these control surfaces are designed as spirals. Rotation of the actuating element pushes the slides outwards, and retracts them when the rotation is reversed. Preferably, the slides are pre-tensioned in the direction of the release position by a spring element. This ensures the return movement of the slides independently of any pre-tensioning by the seal. The spiral's pitch is advantageously so shallow that self-locking occurs, preventing the seal from unintentionally disengaging.

[0015] A particularly robust design is achieved when the slides are captively connected to the actuating element at the control surfaces. The thickened leading edges of the slides run, for example, in an undercut groove in the sealing bead.

[0016] For sealing circular openings, the sealing bead is circular in plan view, and the valves are essentially shaped like circular segments. In the case of rectangular openings, the sealing bead is rectangular with rounded corners in plan view, and the valves have a generally straight edge.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a non-restrictive embodiment and the accompanying figures. These figures show:

[0018] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a lid and container according to the invention;

[0019] Fig. 2 shows the lid of Fig. 1 in an oblique view with the lid lifted.

[0020] Actuating element; Fig. 3 shows the cover of Figs. 1 and 2 in an oblique view;

[0021] Fig. 4 shows the lid from Figs. 1 to 3 in a top view;

[0022] Fig. 5 shows the lid from Figs. 1 to 4 in an oblique view with the seal omitted;

[0023] Fig. 6 shows a section along line VI - VI in Fig. 4;

[0024] Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention in an oblique view;

[0025] Fig. 8 shows the lid of Fig. 7 in a top view;

[0026] Fig. 9 shows a section along line IX - IX in Fig. 8;

[0027] Fig. 10 shows a third embodiment of the invention in a top view;

[0028] Fig. 11 shows a detail of the embodiment of Fig. 10 in an oblique view;

[0029] Fig. 12 shows a further detail of the embodiment of Fig. 10 in an oblique view;

[0030] Fig. 13 shows the lid of Fig. 10 in an oblique view;

[0031] Fig. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention in a cut oblique view;

[0032] Fig. 15 shows the lid of Fig. 14 in section;

[0033] Fig. 16 shows the lid of Figs. 14 and 15 in an oblique view;

[0034] Fig. 17 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention in a sectional oblique view; and

[0035] Fig. 18 shows the lid of Fig. 17 in an oblique view.

[0036] The lid of Fig. 1 consists of a base body 1 and a seal 2, which is stretched on the base body 1. The container to be sealed is designated 100. The base body 1 has a spring element 3, which consists of a central part 13 and four radially projecting arms 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d. Each arm 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d carries a slide 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d at its end, which is attached by spot welding. The spring element 3 is made of spring steel and is therefore resiliently elastic. The arms 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d are cranked to a certain extent, i.e., they do not lie in a common plane but on a common imaginary conical surface. The four slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are essentially rigid and their outer edges form a rectangle with rounded edges, which essentially corresponds to the upper opening of the container 100.On the outside, the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d have several retaining tongues 8 in a marginal area 18, which are designed to hold the seal 2. A main section 19 is essentially flat, with a sloping contact surface 20 adjoining it distally, which has the function of pressing the seal 2 against the side surfaces of the container 100.

[0037] The seal 2 consists of a central section 6 and a sealing bead 7. The central section 6 essentially covers the entire upper opening of the container 100. The sealing bead is formed externally and ensures a tight seal of the opening in the radial direction. The sealing bead 7 is inverted L-shaped and partially rests on the upper edge of the container 100. A downwardly sloping leg of the L is the main sealing section, which ensures a reliable seal when pressed against the container 100 by the contact surface 20. The projections 8 of the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are engaged in the sealing bead 7. A retaining element 9 is formed or bonded to the center of the central section 6. This retaining element is guided through and held in a central opening 10 of the spring element 3. This stabilizes and guides the seal 2 in its center.

[0038] A dome-shaped actuating element 4 is arranged above the spring element 3 and has an outer edge 11. The outer edge 11 is guided in tabs 12 that are integrally formed on the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. The outer edge 11 has four control surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, each formed in the shape of a spiral with a small pitch, so that the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are guided radially outwards or inwards by a rotation of the actuating element 4. The pitch of the control surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d is dimensioned such that the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d can be reliably moved between a release position, in which the lid can be easily removed, and a sealing position, in which the lid is tightly closed against the container 100.

[0039] The embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 9 differs from the embodiment discussed above primarily in that the container 100, and thus also the lid according to the invention, is round. Here, five slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e are provided, evenly distributed around the circumference and held by five arms 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e of the spring element 3. Likewise, five control surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e are provided. In the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 13, overlapping areas 21 are provided at the edge regions 18 of the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, which improve the contact pressure, particularly in the corners. To ensure optimal sealing in the overlapping areas 21, the seal 2 has a wedge-shaped thickening there, which on the one hand compensates for the offset of the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and on the other hand can also transmit lateral forces.

[0040] Thickenings 22 of the seal 2 serve to ensure uniform contact pressure even in the overlapping areas 21. An additional advantage is that fixation and support in the axial direction of the seal can also be achieved.

[0041] Fig. 10 further shows that the limits of the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d in the corners are not located in the middle of the corners, but slightly offset on the longer sides of the rectangle, which has proven to be advantageous because the slides 5b, 5d are subjected to greater stress on the longer sides anyway, thus improving the sealing.

[0042] In the fourth embodiment, shown in Figures 14 to 16, the slides 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are designed such that a V-shaped recess 23 is provided radially outside the main section 19, to which the edge region 18 adjoins. Opposite the contact surface 20, several openings 24 are provided, which serve to allow any condensation or rinse water to drain away.

[0043] This embodiment is specifically designed such that the main section 19 lies in a plane 25 that intersects the contact surface 20 approximately in half. This prevents the contact pressure from generating a significant torque in the main section 19.

[0044] The embodiment shown in Figures 17 and 18 differs from the embodiments shown above in that the seal 2 is suspended in the middle by projections 26 on the central part 13 of the spring element 3. Retaining tabs 27 support the projections 26. This makes it easier to suspend the seal 2 on the spring element 3.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Lid for closing a container (100) with a base body (1) and a seal (2) held on the base body (1), the seal comprising a planar central area (6) and a flexible sealing bead (7) surrounding the central area (6), wherein the base body (1) comprises an actuating mechanism designed to move the sealing bead (7) between a release position and a sealing position, characterized in that the actuating mechanism comprises a centrally arranged actuating element (4) and several slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) which are radially steplessly displaceable relative to the actuating element (4) by the actuating element (4), and on which the sealing bead (7) is clamped.

2. Lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are attached to a spring element (3).

3. Lid according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring element (3) has a central part (13) and radial arms (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e) which are each associated with a slider (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e).

4. Lid according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that between four and eight sliders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are provided.

5. Lid according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) each have an edge region (18) with retaining tongues (8) on which the sealing bead (7) of the seal (2) is stretched.

6. Lid according to claim 5, characterized in that the edge regions (18) of the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) have a contact surface (20) for a main sealing section of the seal (2).

7. Lid according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the edge regions (18) of the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) cover almost the entire length of the sealing bead (7).

8. Lid according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the edge regions (18) of adjacent slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) partially overlap each other.

9. Lid according to claim 8, characterized in that the seal (2) has thickenings (22) next to the overlapping areas (21) of the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e).

10. Lid according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) have a substantially planar main section (19).

11. Lid according to claim 10, characterized in that a recess (23) is connected to each of the main sections (19) of the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e).

12. Lid according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that openings (24) are provided in the recesses (23) of the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e).

13. Lid according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the sliders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are rigid.

14. Lid according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the actuating element (4) is rotatable and is in contact with the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) via control surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e).

15. Lid according to claim 12, characterized in that the control surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e) of the actuating element (4) are designed as spirals.

16. Cover according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are each captively connected to the actuating element (4) at the control surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e).

17. Lid according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are pre-tensioned in the direction of the release position by a spring element (3).

18. Lid according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the sealing bead (7) is circular and the slides (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) essentially have the shape of circular segments.

19. Lid according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the sealing bead (7) has the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners and the sliders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) have a substantially straight edge region (18).

20. Lid according to claim 19, characterized in that the sliders (5b, 5d) on the longer sides of the rectangle each cover a smaller corner area than the sliders (5a, 5c) on the shorter sides of the rectangle. 2025 08 26 Ba / Ec

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