Container lid with closable ventilation opening

Abstract

The invention relates to a lid for a container, in particular for a can, comprising a lid surface having a first opening through the lid surface, an inner element arranged on the inner side of the lid surface and having a ventilation opening through the inner element and aligned with the first opening, and an actuating element arranged on the outer side of the lid surface, the actuating element having a joint region dividing the actuating element into a first part and a second part, wherein the first part of the actuating element is arranged to be supported on the lid surface, the second part of the actuating element is pivotable about the joint region relative to the first part, and the second part comprises a pin for closing the ventilation opening, wherein the pin comprises a latching element, in particular a latching lip extending preferably around the pin, which can be releasably latched in a recess of the inner element. The lid according to the invention is characterized in that a locking element is provided for locking the latching element in the recess, wherein the locking element locks the latched latching element in a locked position and an unlocked position of the locking element, from which the latching element can be unlatched from the recess in order to disengage the pin in the ventilation opening and thus open the ventilation opening.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a lid for a container, in particular for a beverage can, comprising a lid surface having a first opening through the lid surface, an inner element arranged on the inner side of the lid surface, the inner element having a ventilation opening through the inner element and the ventilation opening being aligned with the first opening, and an actuating element arranged on the outer side of the lid surface, and wherein a pin is provided for closing the ventilation opening. BACKGROUND

[0002] Lids for containers of the above-mentioned type are known from the prior art. The closure element in the form of a pin is usually pressed into the ventilation opening with a certain amount of force and is fixed by a seal, for example, pressed laterally against the pin. An embodiment of a closure for a ventilation opening with a pin is disclosed, for example, in EP 2711307 A1. The ventilation openings of the prior art have a sufficiently small cross-section to ensure that the ventilation opening can remain safely closed even if, for example, a carbonated beverage is present in the container and thus an internal pressure. However, the internal pressure can also be caused by heating of the gas components present in the container and can be up to about 8 bar.

[0003] However, if the ventilation opening is to have a larger cross-section, for example to allow the insertion of a drinking straw, the force acting on the pin in the closed state can be so great that it is pushed out because, for example, the diameter of the ventilation opening is doubled, which makes the force acting on the pin four times as great. The conventional measures to keep the pin in the ventilation opening, such as a bead running around the pin, which engages in a recess in the inner element, are no longer sufficient to prevent unintentional pushing out by the pressure from the inside. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the invention to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a safe multiple closure of the ventilation opening.

[0005] The lid for a container according to claim 1 solves this problem.

[0006] A lid for a container, in particular for a can, according to the invention comprises a lid surface having a first opening through the lid surface, an inner element arranged on the inner side of the lid surface and having a ventilation opening through the inner element, which ventilation opening is aligned with the first opening, and an actuating element arranged on the outer side of the lid surface, which actuating element has a joining area dividing the actuating element into a first part and a second part, wherein the first part of the actuating element is arranged to be supported on the lid surface, the second part of the actuating element is pivotable about the joining area relative to the first part, and the second part comprises a peg for closing the ventilation opening, wherein the peg comprises a latching element, in particular a latching lip extending preferably around the peg, which latching lip can be releasably latched in a recess of the inner element. The lid according to the invention is characterized in that a locking element is provided for locking the latching element in the recess, wherein the locking element locks the latched latching element in a locked position and an unlocked position of the locking element, from which unlocked position the latching element can be unlatched from the recess in order to disengage the peg in the ventilation opening, thereby opening the ventilation opening.

[0007] When the ventilation opening is closed, the latching element of the peg engages in the recess of the inner element. The peg can be designed to be flexible / resilient in order to achieve a force-locking and form-fitting engagement / engagement of the latching element. The peg can be pulled out again by an outwardly directed traction force on the second part of the actuating element, whereby the coupling of the latching element and the recess requires a minimum force on the peg in order to release the coupling again and thus disengage the latching element. In the locked position, the locking element ensures that the latching element cannot be pushed out of the recess in the inner element due to internal pressure on the peg. The peg and the latching element arranged thereon are preferably formed integrally in one piece and are preferably made of a plastic material. Likewise, the inner element together with the recess is preferably made of a plastic material. In this way, in addition to the design of the peg, flexibility or resilience also arises due to the material.

[0008] An advantageous alternative embodiment is that there is a connection between the locking element and the second part of the actuating element or the outside of the lid surface before the first opening, which connection is broken when the locking element is moved for the first time from the locked position to the unlocked position (predetermined breaking point). Alternatively or additionally, a part of the locking element can be permanently bent when the locking element is moved for the first time from the locked position to the unlocked position. Each of these embodiments represents a tamper-evident seal, since the broken connection or the bending can be used to detect that the locking element has already been opened once.

[0009] The cover part according to the application can be further developed in that the pin has a cavity which opens outwards and the locking element has a plug and the plug of the locking element is inside the cavity of the pin in the locked position. When made of a plastic material, the pin with the cavity is flexible / resilient, allowing the walls of the pin to deform in the direction of the cavity and the pin has flexibility or resilience due to the cavity. By pressing the plug into the cavity of the pin, this deformation is prevented so that the latching element arranged outside the pin can no longer be moved out of the recess but only after the plug has been removed / pulled out of the cavity. The plug can also be provided with a cavity and be open to at least one side (top and / or bottom). Furthermore, the pin and the plug can have a cylindrical shape.

[0010] The plug can have at least one cam and at least one protrusion can be provided in the cavity of the plug, wherein the at least one cam can be clamped with the at least one protrusion in the locked position. Preferably, there are two cams or three spaced-apart cams on opposite sides of the plug, with the respective protrusions being provided at complementary opposite positions of the cavity. In particular, the at least one cam and the at least one protrusion can be arranged such that clamping only occurs at the end of a straight insertion process of the plug.

[0011] The plug can be rotatable about an axis for clamping the at least one cam to the at least one protrusion inside the cavity. Thus, by simply rotating the plug after it has been inserted into the cavity, clamping of the cam to the protrusion in the locked position can be achieved.

[0012] The locking element can also comprise a tab on which the plug is arranged, wherein the plug can then be pulled out of the cavity by means of the tab, or wherein the plug can be rotated in the cavity by means of the tab. In this way, the plug can be moved easily and conveniently.

[0013] The tab can be connected to the actuating element and / or the cover part surface; or the tab can be non-rotatably connected to the plug and can be arranged in the locked position in a first orientation relative to the second part of the actuating element and can be arranged in the unlocked position in a second orientation relative to the second part of the actuating element. In a second alternative, the orientation of the tab is further associated with information about whether the locking element is in the locked position or in the unlocked position. In an advantageous alternative embodiment, in particular before the first opening, the tab of the locking element can be connected to the second part of the actuating element or to the outside of the cover part surface by a predetermined breaking point in the sense of the above-mentioned tamper-proof seal. For the second alternative, this connection can be visibly permanently destroyed when the tab is turned for the first time from the first orientation to the second orientation.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the plug can be pushed into the cavity to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. For example, at least one cam of the plug can be moved further into the cavity, resulting in disengagement from the at least one protrusion.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the locking element can comprise at least one pin which can be inserted into a corresponding externally accessible opening between the wall of the peg and the latching element to lock the latching element and can be pulled out of the opening to unlock.

[0016] In another embodiment, the latching element of the peg can be spaced apart from each end of the peg. Thus, the latching element is provided in a section of the peg between the two ends, rather than at one of the ends. This has the advantage that, particularly when used in combination with a hollow peg, the flexibility of the peg in the section of the latching element is increased, allowing the peg to be inserted and removed from the ventilation opening smoothly.

[0017] The peg can have a wall with a circular cross-section, the diameter of which decreases in steps, thereby forming a section of the peg of a relatively large diameter and a section of a relatively small diameter, and wherein the latching element can be arranged outside the larger diameter section, in particular adjacent to the step.

[0018] In the case of a peg having a cavity, the step can form a bearing surface in the cavity on which an end face of the plug rests at least partially in the locked position.

[0019] According to another embodiment, in the case of a peg having a cavity, a central outwardly directed pin can be formed in the cavity, the plug can be fitted on the cavity by means of a corresponding central opening formed therein.

[0020] Another embodiment is that a second opening can be provided in the cover surface and a fluid connection between the second opening and the interior of the container can be established by folding an inner element up from the inside of the cover surface, wherein a first part of the actuating element is connected to or can come into contact with the inner element, in particular to allow a sliding movement relative to each other, and the inner element can be folded up by displacing the first part of the actuating element.

[0021] This can further develop that the cover portion can also comprise an inner sliding member arranged at the inner side of the cover portion surface, wherein the first portion of the actuating element is connected to the inner sliding member and the unit of the first portion of the actuating element and the inner sliding member are slidable along the cover portion surface, wherein the inner sliding member is further connected with or contactable with the inner portion element, in particular allowing a sliding movement towards each other, and the inner portion element is foldable by the displacement of the unit, and wherein the displacement of the first portion is only possible after the second portion is unfolded, in particular after the pin is thereby removed from the ventilation opening and the first opening.

[0022] The present application also provides a container, in particular a can, comprising a base body and a cover portion according to the present application or one of its embodiments described above.

[0023] The aforementioned other embodiments can be used individually or in combination with each other as appropriate, as recited in the claims.

[0024] Further features and exemplary embodiments of the present application and advantages thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the embodiments cannot exhaust the scope of the present application. It should also be understood that some or all of the features described below can also be combined in other ways. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a cover portion according to the present application is shown.

[0026] Figure 2A A second embodiment of a cover portion according to the present application is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 A third embodiment of a cover portion according to the present application is shown.

[0028] Figure 4A Details of a fourth embodiment of a cover portion according to the present application are shown.

[0029] Figure 5 A fifth embodiment of a cover portion according to the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the drawings, identical reference numerals indicate identical or comparable elements.

[0031] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a cover portion 100 according to the present application is shown schematically.

[0032] In this first embodiment, the cover 100 according to the application comprises a cover surface 10 having a first opening 15 penetrating the cover surface, an inner element 20 arranged on the inner side of the cover surface 10 and having a ventilation opening (pressure equalization opening) 25 penetrating the inner element 20 and aligned with the first opening 15, and an actuating element 30 arranged on the outer side of the cover surface and formed, for example, of plastic.

[0033] The actuating element 30 has a joint region 33 dividing the actuating element 30 into a first part 31 and a second part 32, wherein the first part 31 of the actuating element 30 is arranged to abut the cover surface 10, the second part 32 of the actuating element 30 is pivotable about the joint region 33 relative to the first part 31, and the second part 32 comprises a peg 40 for closing the ventilation opening 25. The peg 40 comprises a latching bead 41 running, preferably, around the entire circumference of the peg 40, which can be engaged and disengaged in a recess (notch) 21 of the inner element 20. For this purpose, the design of the peg 40 with the latching bead 41 on the one hand and the inner element 20 with the recess 21 on the other hand is such that there is a resilience and the peg can be pressed into the ventilation opening 25 with minimal force until the latching bead 41 latches (snaps) into the recess 21. In a corresponding manner, by exerting a minimal traction force on the peg 40, the latching bead 41 can be pulled out of the recess 21, so that the peg 40 can be pulled out of the ventilation opening 25.

[0034] The cover 100 according to the application further comprises a locking element (plug) 50 for locking the latching bead 41 in the recess 21, wherein, in the locked position, the locking element 50 locks the latched latching bead, and, in the unlocked position of the locking element 50, the latching bead 41 can be unlatched from the recess 21 in order to disengage the peg 40 in the ventilation opening 25 in order to open the ventilation opening 25.

[0035] Figure 2A and 2B A schematic view of a second embodiment of a cover 200 according to the application is shown.

[0036] In this embodiment, the plug 50 is provided with one or more cams 52. In the case of a single cam (bead / crown) 52, for example, it can be formed running completely or partially around the circumference. In the unopened state of the cover, the plug is connected (e.g. welded) at the upper side to the second part 32 of the actuating element by a relatively thin plastic bridge. The cam(s) 52 are then located opposite the corresponding protrusion 42 of the peg 40. This locked position is shown in Figure 2A In order to unlock the plug 40 in the ventilation opening 25, the plug is pushed into the cavity, thereby breaking the bridge connection. The unlocked position is shown inFigure 2B The cam 52 is now no longer opposite the protrusion 42, so that the latching ledge 41 can be disengaged from the recess 21 of the inner element 20 in the case of a traction force being applied upwards to the pin 40, mainly due to the flexibility of the plastic material of the pin 40 and thus of the side wall of the pin 40 towards the cavity. The breaking of the bridge connection between the plug 50 and the second part 32 of the actuator element also serves as a tamper-evident seal during the first opening, as the opening that has taken place can be detected on the basis of the broken connection.

[0037] Figure 3 A third embodiment of the lid according to the application is shown.

[0038] In this respect, the pin 40 comprises a recess 45. The plug 50 has a correspondingly recessed design, so that a part of the underside of the plug 50 can rest on the recess 45. In the area above the recess 45, the latching ledge 41 is arranged on the outside of the pin 40. Thus, in one aspect, when the plug 50 is in the cavity of the pin 40, there is a good locking effect, and in another aspect, the pin 40 has good flexibility, so that it can easily be pulled out of the ventilation opening 25, with the ledge 41 sliding out of the recess 21. By way of example only, the plug 50 is provided here with two tabs 55 and 56. The tab 56 is connected, for example welded, to the top of the actuator element 30, and by pulling the tab 55 the plug 50 can be pulled out upwards. By inserting (pushing) the plug 50 back into the cavity of the pin 40, the locked state can be restored. Thus, after the first use of the beverage can and not completely emptying it, it can be closed again securely with the lid.

[0039] Figure 4A and 4B A detailed view of a fourth embodiment of the lid according to the application is shown.

[0040] Figure 4A is a sectional view of the actuator element 30, which comprises a first part 31, a second part 32 and a joining region 33 about which the second part 32 can be folded upwards. In this embodiment, the pin 40 also comprises a recess 45 in the cavity. At least one protrusion 44 is arranged on the recess 45 in the cavity of the pin 40, preferably two recesses 45 on opposite sides of the step 45 are equidistantly spaced apart.

[0041] Figure 4BAn associated plug 50 for the locking is shown. It comprises a corresponding cam 54 which can be clamped with the corresponding protrusion 44 by a rotation of the plug 50 within the cavity. To this end, the plug 50 comprises a tab 55 which is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner. The protrusion 44 can be provided with an inclined ramp, so that the cam 54 can be clamped with the protrusion 44 more easily. The position of the tab on the top of the lid also indicates whether the plug 50 is in the locked position or the unlocked position.

[0042] Figure 5 A fifth embodiment of a lid according to the application is shown schematically. The pin 40 and the locking element 40 (not shown here) can be designed according to one of the previously described embodiments, for example.

[0043] In this fifth embodiment, the actuating element 30 is connected in the region of the first portion 31 to an inner sliding element 90 which rests against the inner side of the lid surface 10, for example by riveting. The connecting elements 35, 36 (for example, rivets) are movable in a slot-shaped recess of the lid surface 10, so that the unit comprising the actuating element 30 and the inner sliding element 90 can be displaced along the lid surface 10 (after the second portion 32 of the actuating element 30 has been folded away). The inner sliding element 90 can also comprise a sliding lug 80 which, when displaced, runs onto the inclined surface 28 of the inner element 20, allowing the inner element 20 to fold away downwards. Folding the inner element 20 away from the lid surface 10 results in the sealing effect of the inner element 20 in the closed state relative to the lid surface 10 being cancelled and a fluid connection being created between the inside and the outside, thus exposing the drinking or pouring opening 16.

Claims

1. A lid for a container, comprising: a lid surface (10) having a first opening (15) through the lid surface; an inner element (20) arranged inside the lid surface (10) and having a ventilation opening (25) through the inner element, the ventilation opening being aligned with the first opening (15); and an actuating element (30) arranged outside the lid surface (10), the actuating element (30) comprising a joint area (33) dividing the actuating element (30) into a first part (31) and a second part (32); wherein the first part (31) of the actuating element (30) is arranged to be supported on the lid surface (10); the second part (32) of the actuating element (30) is pivotable about the joint area (33) relative to the first part (31), and the second part (32) comprises a peg (40) for closing the ventilation opening (25), and wherein the peg (40) comprises a latching element that can be latched releasably into a recess (21) of the inner element; and a locking element (50) for locking the latching element in the recess (21), wherein the locking element (50) in a locked position locks the latched latching element in the recess (21), and in an unlocked position of the locking element (50) the latching element can be unlatched from the recess (21) in order to disengage the peg (40) and thereby open the ventilation opening (25), wherein the peg comprises an outwardly opening cavity and the locking element comprises a plug, wherein in the locked position the plug of the locking element is located within the cavity of the peg. The container is a beverage can.

2. The cap portion of claim 1, wherein The latching element comprises a latching ledge (41).

3. The cap of claim 1, wherein The latching ledge (41) extends around the peg (40).

4. The cover portion of claim 3, wherein The plug comprises at least one cam and at least one protrusion is provided in the cavity of the peg, wherein the at least one cam is arranged in the locked position opposite the at least one protrusion and / or clamps with the at least one protrusion.

5. The cap of claim 1, wherein The plug is rotatable about an axis for clamping the at least one cam with the at least one protrusion within the cavity.

6. The cover portion of claim 5, wherein The locking element further comprises a tab, the plug is arranged on the tab, and wherein the plug by means of the tab can be withdrawn from the cavity and / or wherein the plug by means of the tab can be rotated in the cavity.

7. The cap of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. The lid according to claim 7, the tab is connected to the actuating element and / or the lid surface; or characterized in that wherein the tab is non-rotatably connected to the plug, and in the locked position the tab is arranged in a first orientation relative to the second part of the actuating element, and in the unlocked position the tab is arranged in a second orientation relative to the second part of the actuating element. ​ 9. The cap of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The plug is pushable into the cavity for moving from the locked position to the unlocked position.

10. The cap of claim 1, wherein The locking element comprises at least one pin insertable into a respective externally accessible opening between the wall of the peg and the latching element to lock the latching element and removable from the opening to unlock.

11. The cap of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The latching element of the peg is arranged spaced apart from each end of the peg.

12. The cap of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The peg comprises a wall having a circular cross section with a diameter that is reduced in a recess, thereby forming a section of the peg having a relatively large diameter and a section having a relatively small diameter, and wherein the latching element is arranged on the outside of the section having a relatively large diameter.

13. The cap portion of claim 12, wherein The latching element is arranged adjacent to the recess.

14. The cap of claim 12, wherein The recess forms a bearing surface in the cavity on which a lower side of the plug is at least partially supported in the locked position.

15. The cap of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, A central outwardly directed pin is formed in the cavity, on which the plug is fittable by means of a corresponding central opening formed in the cavity.

16. The cap of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, A second opening is provided in the lid surface and is fittable by folding the inner element from the inside of the lid surface to establish a fluid connection between the second opening and the interior of the container, wherein the first part of the actuating element is connected to or contactable with the inner element and the inner element is foldable by displacing the first part of the actuating element.

17. The cap of claim 16, wherein The first part of the actuating element is connected to or contactable with the inner element, allowing a sliding movement relative to each other.

18. The cap of claim 16, wherein Further comprising an inner sliding member arranged on the inside of the lid surface, wherein the first part of the actuating element is connected to the inner sliding member and the unit of the first part of the actuating element and the inner sliding member is slidable along the lid surface, wherein the inner sliding member is further connected to or contactable with the inner element and the inner element is foldable by displacement of the unit, and wherein displacement of the first part is only possible after the second part is folded.

19. The cap of claim 18, wherein The inner sliding member is further connected to or contactable with the inner element, allowing a sliding movement towards each other.

20. The cap of claim 18, wherein The displacement of the first part is only possible after the second part is folded and thereby the peg is removed from the ventilation opening and the first opening.

21. A container comprising: a base body; and a lid according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. The container of claim 21, wherein The container is a can.

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