Container with a removable lid

Abstract

Container (1) with a removable lid (2) that locks into the closed position and has the following features: - the container (1) and the lid (2) have interlocking locking edges (12), - on the container (1) below the grid edges (12) and parallel thereto, a circumferential, channel-shaped reinforcing rib (4) open in the direction of the lid (2) is provided, - a skirt-like, overlapping rim (13) that borders the lid at its edge is inserted into the reinforcing rib (4), - the reinforcing rib (4) is provided with at least one interruption (5), characterized by an opening tab (6) which is arranged in the interruption (5) and has material weakenings (10) on both sides in the circumferential direction of the container (1) which are connected to the reinforcing rib (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container with a removable lid according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such containers are preferably made of plastic and are used, for example, to store and transport free-flowing, pasty or flowable materials.

[0003] In the functional position, i.e. when the container is filled, a filling and removal opening opposite the bottom of the container is closed by the lid, with the locking edges of the lid and the container engaging positively with each other.

[0004] In order to release the locking mechanism, it is known from the prior art, namely from EP 0565967 A1 and WO 03 / 076290 A1, to provide a pivoting tab on the edge, by means of which a peripheral edge of the lid is pressed outwards when pivoting, whereby at the same time the locking mechanism is released and the lid is pushed up.

[0005] The containers in question are often used to hold relatively heavy substrates, so the wall thickness of the container must be dimensioned accordingly. However, this is often undesirable and, especially for lighter substrates, is oversized. Furthermore, the container's production is relatively expensive due to the high material content.

[0006] In order to remedy this situation, it is proposed in the generic document WO 2022 / 184912 A1 to provide a circumferential reinforcing rib on the outside in the edge region of the container, which rib has at least one interruption which is covered by an opening tab of the lid.

[0007] This reinforcing rib is groove-shaped in cross-section with an open longitudinal side towards the lid, with the folded edge of the lid dipping into this groove-shaped reinforcing rib.

[0008] In principle, this container design has proven itself. However, the production of the lid is relatively complex, so there are calls for a simpler design and manufacturing process for the container opening to enable more cost-effective production, especially since such containers are manufactured in large quantities.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of further developing a container with a lid of the generic type in such a way that its production is simpler and more cost-effective.

[0010] This object is achieved by a container having the features of claim 1.

[0011] The invention provides a container with a lid which can be manufactured very inexpensively, with both parts, i.e. the lid and the container, being made of plastic in a manner known per se.

[0012] In principle, the invention can be implemented with any floor plan shape of the container, preferably with a rectangular or square floor plan.

[0013] Due to the groove-shaped design of the reinforcing rib, which is round or square in cross-section, in the latter case U-shaped, the outer leg of the reinforcing rib covers the immersed folded edge of the lid to such an extent that access to the folded edge in its original state, ie when the reinforcing rib is closed all around, is not possible. According to the invention, the reinforcing rib has at least one interruption in the circumferential direction, which is closed by an opening tab. The opening tab is connected to the two adjacent areas of the reinforcing rib with a weakened material.

[0014] The weakening of the material, acting as a film hinge, now allows the opening tab to break free from its composite structure, leaving the folded edge exposed in this area and allowing it to be opened manually by lifting the lid. This requires only a break in the reinforcing rib, i.e., only one opening tab, which, according to a further concept of the invention, is flush on the outside with the adjacent areas of the reinforcing rib.

[0015] Typically, the corners of the container and lid are rounded, i.e., they form a quarter circle. Therefore, if the opening tab is located in the corner area of ​​the reinforcing rib, this also describes the aforementioned shape. If several closed containers are stored next to each other, for example, on a pallet, the opening tabs are located in the opening space formed by the four containers and are thus protected.

[0016] According to the invention, it is further provided that the opening tab is held on at least one holding tab which is connected to a holding web of the reinforcing rib, which web adjoins the regions of the reinforcing rib which delimit the interruption.

[0017] The retaining tab essentially forms a pivot bearing and a loss protection for the opening tab, which is thus held captive in the open position, i.e. after a tear in the area of ​​the material weaknesses.

[0018] The retaining bar is attached to the side wall of the container and its radial width is smaller than the radial width of the opening flap. The folded edge dips into the resulting gap.

[0019] To ensure the position of stacked containers in place, the lid can have a bead on its upper side, at least in some areas, preferably all the way around, at a distance from the outer edge, and the base of the container can be lower than the side wall. This means that the peripheral side wall protrudes from the base. The clear dimension of the container on the underside of the base corresponds to the corresponding outer dimension of the lid in the area of ​​the peripheral bead.

[0020] This allows several containers to be stacked to form a column, in which the stacked containers are centered and secured against displacement. Preferably, the outer side of the bead is designed as an insertion bevel, which, for example, has a trapezoidal cross-section, while the side wall of the container is vertically aligned.

[0021] Without any element impairing the external appearance of the side walls of the container, the side walls are fully available and therefore unrestricted for decorations, instructions, descriptions or the like.

[0022] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 a container according to the invention with a lid in a perspective view Fig. 2 an enlarged section of the container according to the marking II in Fig. 1 Fig. 3 the section after Fig. 2 in a top view Fig. 4 a top view of the container Fig. 5 a section through a part of the container according to the line VV in Fig. 4 Fig. 6 a section through the container in a section along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4 Fig. 7 two containers stacked on top of each other according to the invention in a side view Fig. 8 a partial section through the stacked containers according to the marking VIII in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 a plan view of a section of four containers arranged next to each other.

[0025] In the Fig. 1 shows a container 1 closed with a lid 2, which is rectangular in plan, in particular square with rounded corners, as in the Fig. 2 recognizable.

[0026] In the closed position, the lid 2 is locked to the container 1, for which purpose both the lid 2 and the container 1 have locking edges 12 that engage with each other. This is particularly evident in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 recognizable.

[0027] In continuation of the locking edge 12, the lid 2 has on the outside a circumferential apron-like folded edge 13 which dips into a groove-shaped, specifically U-shaped in cross-section, reinforcing rib 4 formed on the side walls 3 of the container 1 in such a way that it is not possible to reach behind the folded edge 13 to open the lid 2.

[0028] According to the invention, the reinforcing rib 4 has, in the example, an interruption 5 provided in the corner area of ​​the container 1 ( Fig. 3), in which an opening tab 6 is arranged. This has a material weakening 10 at both ends in the circumferential direction of the container 1, which is connected to the reinforcing rib 4.

[0029] In order to gain grip access to the folded edge 13 and thus to be able to open the lid 2, the opening tab 6 is manually pressed downwards in such a way that the material weakenings 10 are severed and access to the folded edge 13 is free.

[0030] To maintain the stability of the reinforcing rib 4 even in the interruption area, a retaining web 14 is formed on the container 1, as shown in Fig. 6. As in particular the Fig. As Figure 3 clearly shows, the opening tab 6 is held on the retaining web 14 by two retaining tabs 11, so that the opening tab 6 is held in place after being pressed down. This prevents the opening tab 6 from being positioned uncontrollably.

[0031] The Fig. 4 shows the top view of the container 1 from the lid side, wherein it can be seen that a circumferential protrusion is provided which rests on the inner sides of the side walls 3 and which has a plurality of support webs 8 arranged at intervals from one another for stability.

[0032] Adjacent to this protrusion, a raised bead 9 is formed circumferentially on the lid 2, which has a trapezoidal cross-section. The base of the container 1 rests on this bead 9, which forms a centering aid and anti-displacement device for another container 1 placed on top, as shown in the Fig. 8 shown.

[0033] In the Fig. 7 shows two containers 1 with lids 2 stacked to form a column, where in the Fig. 8, according to section VIII, it can be seen that the bead 9 lies within the side walls 3. The height of the bead 9 corresponds approximately to the height of the distance created by the recessed base to the lower edge of the side walls 3.

[0034] In the Fig.Figure 9 shows an arrangement of containers 1 in which four containers 1 are positioned side by side, for example on a pallet, with their reinforcing ribs 4 abutting against each other, forming a free space, as is created by the quarter-circle shape in the area of ​​the opening tabs 6. In this situation, the opening tabs 6 are protected, so that the lids 2 cannot be opened. List of reference symbols 1 container 2 lids 3 side wall 4 Reinforcing ribs 5 Interruption 6 opening tab 7 8 support bridges 9 bulge 10 Material weakening 11 Retaining tab 12 rest area 13 Fold-over edge 14 Holding bridge QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 0565967 A1

[0004] WO 03 / 076290 A1

[0004] WO 2022 / 184912 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Container (1) with a removable lid (2) locked in the closed position, having the following features: - the container (1) and the lid (2) have interlocking locking edges (12), - a circumferential, groove-shaped reinforcing rib (4) open towards the lid (2) is provided on the container (1) below the locking edges (12) and parallel thereto, - an apron-like rim (13) which borders the edge of the lid is inserted into the reinforcing rib (4), - the reinforcing rib (4) is provided with at least one interruption (5), characterized by an opening tab (6) which is arranged in the interruption (5) and has material weakenings (10) on both sides in the circumferential direction of the container (1) which are connected to the reinforcing rib (4). [2] Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the material weakenings (10) can be broken by hand pressure. [3] Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the opening tab (6) is aligned with the reinforcing rib (4) on both sides. [4] Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interruption (5) and the opening tab (6) are provided in at least one corner region of the polygonal container (1). [5] Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the opening tab (6) is attached to at least one retaining tab (11) which is arranged on the container (1). [6] Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the area of ​​the interruption (5) a retaining web (14) is connected to the container (1), which is smaller in its radial width than that of the reinforcing rib (4). [7] Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover (2) has a preferably circumferential bead (9). [8] Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bottom of the container (1) is set back in the axial direction relative to the side walls (3) of the container (1). [9] Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the outer dimension of the bead (9), measured across the width of the lid (2), is smaller than the clear width of the container (1) in the area of ​​the underside of the base. [10] Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bead (9) is provided with an insertion bevel on the outside.

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