Enclosure with locking edge and sealing ribs

Abstract

An enclosure comprising an annular base secured to the upper edge of a container and defining an entry opening for the container. The enclosure also includes a cap movable relative to the annular base between a closed position and an open position. The annular base includes a circumferential skirt having an integral, non-removable end portion adapted to be disposed above the upper edge of the container, and the annular base further includes a circumferential locking edge integrally formed on the end portion of the circumferential skirt, the circumferential locking edge having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the circumferential locking edge is hinged to the circumferential skirt such that the circumferential locking edge can be moved to a folded state in which the circumferential locking edge is folded inward toward the inner surface of the end portion of the circumferential skirt, such that when the locking edge is in the folded state, the distal end of the locking edge can be moved across a circumferential protrusion of the container and engage below the circumferential protrusion of the container to lock the annular base to the upper edge of the container. The locking edge has a radially inward surface in the folded state, wherein at least one circumferentially extending sealing rib is formed on the circumferential surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a containment for a container having an opening top side defined by an upper edge including an outwardly extending circumferential projection surrounding the opening top side. The containment includes an annular base secured to the upper edge of the container and defining an entry opening. The containment also includes a cap movable relative to the annular base between a closed position, in which the cap covers the entry opening, and in an open position, in which the cap is not closed. The annular base includes a circumferential skirt having an integral, non-removable end portion adapted to be disposed above the upper edge of the container. The annular base also includes a circumferential locking edge integrally formed on the end portion of the circumferential skirt, the circumferential locking edge having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the circumferential locking edge is hinged to the circumferential skirt, allowing the circumferential locking edge to move into a folded state in which the inner surface of the end portion of the circumferential locking edge toward the circumferential skirt is folded inward, such that when the locking edge is in the folded state, the distal end of the locking edge can move over the circumferential protrusion of the container and engage below the circumferential protrusion of the container to lock the annular base to the upper edge of the container. Background Technology

[0002] WO 96 / 19388 discloses an enclosure made of plastic material, comprising a circumferential skirt having a lower portion forming a conical locking member. The neck of the container includes an outwardly oriented protrusion. When the enclosure is assembled to the neck of the container, the locking member strikes the protrusion of the container, and the locking edge rotates about the hinge to an upwardly oriented position. As the enclosure moves further axially, the locking member passes over the protrusion until it enters a bottom notch such that the free end of the locking member is below the protrusion. When the locking member is below the protrusion, the enclosure is effectively locked in place, preventing the skirt from separating from the neck of the container without damaging or destroying the locking device or the container.

[0003] Enclosures similar to those disclosed in WO 96 / 19388 are disclosed in WO 2016 / 022744, and the enclosures include the same locking mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a better seal between the enclosures on a container.

[0005] This objective is achieved by the enclosure of the preamble of claim 1, wherein the locking edge has a radially inward surface in the folded state, and wherein at least one circumferentially extending sealing rib is formed on the circumferential surface.

[0006] The seal provided by at least one sealing rib helps to better preserve the contents of the container. The precise dimensions of the outer surface of the container relative to the annular base of the enclosure may vary, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances. At least one sealing rib allows the locking edge to always engage with the outer circumferential surface beneath the container's protrusion. Even if the locking edge is slightly deformed, this provides a seal between the container's circumferential wall and the locking edge.

[0007] Furthermore, the sealing ribs eliminate radial clearance between the locking edge and the outer surface of the container caused by manufacturing tolerances. This enhances the sealing function and also gives the connection between the enclosure and the container a robust feel and texture.

[0008] In a possible embodiment, the sealing rib has a triangular cross-section. This shape of the sealing rib helps the rib adapt to the actual radial distance between the locking edge and the outer surface of the container, which may vary due to manufacturing tolerances.

[0009] In a possible embodiment, the sealing rib is spaced apart from the distal end of the circumferential locking edge. This has the effect that the distal end can engage with the outer surface of the container and provide an initial seal, while the sealing rib provides a further seal.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the locking edge has two spaced-apart parallel sealing ribs. These two ribs improve the sealing function in practice.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, one or more sealing ribs are located closer to the distal end of the locking edge, rather than the proximal end. This location, at least, better ensures the sealing function. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 A front view of an embodiment of the enclosure according to the present invention is shown.

[0014] Figure 2 Shown in perspective Figure 1 Details of the enclosure, showing the foldable edges in the unfolded state.

[0015] Figure 3 It shows a foldable edge in its unfolded state. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the enclosure.

[0016] Figure 4 Shown in perspective Figure 1 Details of the enclosure, showing the foldable edge in its folded state.

[0017] Figure 5 It shows a foldable edge in a folded state. Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the enclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] exist Figure 1 The image shows a possible embodiment of a containment 1 for a container holding powdered or granular products, such as infant formula. The containment 1 includes an annular base 2 and a lid 3, which can be opened to allow access to the interior of the container. The annular base 2 defines an access opening to the interior of the container.

[0019] Enclosure 1 can be made from a suitable plastic material (such as PP or PE) by injection molding.

[0020] Figure 1 The embodiment of the enclosure 2 shown may include a hinge (not shown) such that the cover 3 can be opened from the hinge. Figure 1 The closed position is rotated to the open position. The hinge can be a movable hinge integrally formed with the annular base 2 and the cover 3. Alternatively, the cover and the annular base can be formed separately and connected by a hinge. However, there is also an embodiment in which the cover is not connected to the annular base by a hinge and can be completely removed from the annular base. The arrangement of the cover and the annular base relative to each other is not important to the present invention.

[0021] A locking piece 4 is formed on the front side that is radially opposite to the side where the hinge is located to lock the cover in the closed position.

[0022] The annular base 2 is adapted to be disposed on an opening at the top of the container. The container includes an upper edge having a circumferential protrusion that extends radially outward relative to the outer surface of the container wall.

[0023] The annular base 2 includes a circumferential skirt 5. As shown, the circumferential skirt 5 has a lower end portion 6, which can be disposed on the upper edge of the container. The end portion 6 of the circumferential skirt 5 includes a locking edge 7, which extends circumferentially from the lower end of the circumferential skirt 5, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 Best visible. Locked edge 7 is integrally formed with skirt 5.

[0024] The locking edge 7 is connected to the circumferential skirt 5 at its proximal end 8. The locking edge 7 also has a distal end 9, which is located away from the proximal end 8 and is a free end (see...). Figure 3 ).

[0025] The proximal end 8 of the circumferential locking edge 7 is hinged to the circumferential skirt 5. For example... Figure 3As shown, the proximal end portion 8 includes a circumferential hinge region 10. The hinge region 10 allows the circumferentially locking edge 7 to be released from its initial state ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown) towards the folded state ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 (As shown) move.

[0026] In the initial state (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 The locking edge 7 extends away from the lower end of the skirt 5, so the distal end 9 of the locking edge 7 is away from the end portion 6 of the circumferential skirt 5. In the folded state (see...) Figure 4 and Figure 5 The circumferential locking edge 7 is folded inward toward the inner surface 6A of the end portion 6 of the circumferential skirt 5.

[0027] Preferably, before assembling the enclosure 1 and the container, the locking edge 7 is folded in place by a device. Specifically, the locking edge 7 can be folded in place immediately after the enclosure 1 is removed from the mold in which it is formed. Therefore, when the enclosure 1 and the container are assembled together, the enclosure 1 has the locking edge 7 in a folded state, as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown. Therefore, the manufacturer of enclosure 1 can... Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the state shown, the sealing element 1 is supplied to the filling company, which fills the container and assembles the sealing element 1 and the container. During assembly, the locking edge 7 slides along the outer surface of the protrusion of the container and pushes outward toward the inner surface 6A of the skirt 5 so as to move over the protrusion.

[0028] The precise dimensions of the upper edge of the container relative to the annular base 2 of the enclosure 1 may vary, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, when the locking edge 7 passes the protrusion, a gap may exist between the folded locking edge 7 and the inner surface.

[0029] The distal end 9 of the locking edge 7 is elastically hinged rearward as it passes the circumferential protrusion to engage below the circumferential protrusion of the container. This state is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the container and protrusion are drawn with dashed lines. The container is indicated by reference numeral 20, and the protrusion by reference numeral 21. In this state, the locking edge 7 prevents the annular base 2 from moving upward relative to the upper edge 22 of the container 20. Therefore, the annular base 1 is locked to the upper edge 22 of the container 20.

[0030] The annular base also includes an inner skirt 17, which is coaxial with and integrally connected to the circumferential skirt 5 on its upper side. The inner skirt 17 has a lower end portion 17A, which is spaced above the upper edge of the container 20 when fixed to the container. When fixed to the container, the inner skirt 17 is positioned radially inward from the upper edge of the container 20.

[0031] An axially extending rib 11 is formed on the inner side of the circumferential skirt 5. The axial rib 11 has an end portion 12 that is close to the end portion 6 of the circumferential skirt 5. Figure 5 As shown, the end 12 of the axial rib 11 forms a stop for stopping the upper side of the upper edge 22 of the container. In the inwardly folded state, the axial distance between the end 12 of the axial rib 11 and the distal end 9 of the circumferential locking edge 7 is greater than the height of the circumferential protrusion 21 of the container 20, as shown. Figure 5 As shown. In other words, when the end 12 of the axial rib 11 abuts against the upper edge 22 of the container, there is a small gap (maximum 1 mm) between the distal end 9 of the locking edge 7 and the underside of the protrusion 21, which in Figure 5 As can be seen in the image. This measure allows the annular base 2 to always be mounted on the upper edge of the container 20, even in practice, where the height of the protrusion 21 may vary due to manufacturing tolerances, for example, with a slight clearance.

[0032] like Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the circumferential locking edge 7 has a radially inward surface 13 in its folded state. A pair of parallel, spaced-apart, circumferentially extending sealing ribs 14 and 15 are formed on the circumferential surface 13. The sealing ribs 15 are spaced apart from the distal end 9 of the circumferential locking edge 7. The pair of sealing ribs 14 and 15 are located closer to the distal end 9 of the locking edge 7 than to the proximal end 8 of the locking edge 7.

[0033] Sealing ribs 14 and 15 have triangular cross-sections, and the triangular cross-sections are in... Figure 5 The triangle is best visible in the folded state. In this state, the triangle has downward-facing sides 14A and 15A. These sides 14A and 15A form an angle α with surface 13, where α < 90°, preferably 40° ≤ α ≤ 80°, and in the figure, α is approximately 45°.

[0034] Sealing ribs 14 and 15 allow the locking edge to always engage with the outer circumferential surface beneath the protrusion of the container. This provides a seal between the circumferential wall of the container 20 and the locking edge 7, but also makes it possible to eliminate radial play between the locking edge 7 and the outer surface of the container 20, even if the precise dimensions of the outer surface of the container relative to the annular base 2 of the enclosure 1 may vary, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances. This gives the connection between the enclosure 1 and the container 20 a robust feel and texture.

Claims

1. Closing (1) for a container having an open top side defined by an upper edge comprising an outwardly extending peripheral projection (21) surrounding the open top side, the closing (1) comprising a ring-shaped base (2) fixed to the upper edge of the container and defining an access opening of the container, the closing further comprising a lid (3) movable with respect to the ring-shaped base between a closed position, in which the lid (3) covers the access opening, and an open position, in which the access opening is not closed by the lid (3), the ring-shaped base (2) comprising a peripheral skirt (5) having an integral non-detachable end portion (6) adapted to be arranged above the upper edge of the container, and further comprising a peripheral locking edge (7) integrally formed on the end portion of the peripheral skirt (5), the peripheral locking edge (7) having a proximal end (8) and a distal end (9), the proximal end (8) of the peripheral locking edge (7) being hinged to the peripheral skirt (5) so that the peripheral locking edge (7) can be moved to a folded state in which it is folded inwardly towards an inner surface (6A) of the end portion (6) of the peripheral skirt (5) so that, when the peripheral locking edge (7) is in the folded state, the distal end (9) of the peripheral locking edge can be moved over and engaged under the peripheral projection (21) of the container to lock the ring-shaped base (2) to the upper edge of the container, characterized in that the peripheral locking edge (7) having, in the folded state, a radially inward circumferential surface (13) on which at least one circumferentially extending sealing rib (14, 15) is formed.

2. An enclosure according to claim 1, wherein, the sealing rib (14, 15) has a triangular cross-section, wherein, in the folded state, at least one downward directed side of the triangle is at an angle a < 90°.

3. An enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, at least one of the sealing ribs (14, 15) is spaced apart from the distal end (9) of the peripheral locking edge (7).

4. An enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the peripheral locking edge (7) has two spaced apart parallel sealing ribs (14, 15).

5. An enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, one or more of the sealing ribs (14, 15) are located closer to the distal end (9) of the peripheral locking edge (7) than to the proximal end (8) of the peripheral locking edge.

6. An enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the ring-shaped base (2) further comprises an inner skirt (17) coaxial with the peripheral skirt and integrally connected to the peripheral skirt on an upper side.

7. An enclosure according to claim 6, wherein, the inner skirt (17) has a lower end (17A) spaced apart above the upper edge of the container in the state of being fixed on the container.

8. An enclosure according to claim 6, wherein, the inner skirt (17) is positioned radially inwardly from the upper edge of the container in the state of being fixed on the container.

9. An enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The circumferential skirt (5) has an axially extending rib (11) on the inner side, wherein the axially extending rib has an end portion (12) which is close to the end portion of the circumferential skirt (5), wherein the end portion of the axially extending rib forms a stop for the upper edge of the container.

10. An enclosure according to claim 9, wherein, In the inwardly folded state, the axial distance between the end portion (12) of the axially extending rib (11) and the distal end portion (9) of the circumferential locking edge (7) is greater than the height of the circumferential protrusion (21) of the container.

11. An enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The annular base (2) and the lid (3) are connected by a hinge.

12. An enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The annular base (2) and the lid (3) are formed as one piece.

13. An enclosure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The annular base (2) and the lid (3) are separately formed parts which are assembled to form the enclosure.

14. An enclosure according to claim 2, wherein, In the folded state, at least one of the downwardly directed sides of the triangle is angled at 40°≤ a ≤ 80°.

15. Assembly of an enclosure (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a container (20).

16. A method for manufacturing an enclosure according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The enclosure (1) is formed by injection molding.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The circumferential locking edge (7) of the enclosure (1) enters the folded state immediately after the enclosure is removed from the injection mold. The circumferential locking edge (7) of the enclosure (1) enters the folded state immediately after the enclosure is removed from the injection mold.

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