Closure cover

Abstract

A closure lid (20) for closing a container element (30) of a thermal container (10) is disclosed, comprising a lid element (21) with a passage (220) extending through the lid element (21) in an axial direction and a plug (210) arranged in the passage (220), which is movably mounted in the passage (220) in the axial direction (11) between a closure position and a vent position and is pre-tensioned in the closure position, wherein the plug (210) comprises a sealing element (211) for liquid-tight closure of the passage (220) on a lid underside (230) in the closure position and an actuating element (212) which is connected to the sealing element (211) in such a way that the plug (210) can be moved out of the closure position when the actuating element (212) is moved and the sealing element (211) can release the passage (220).wherein the sealing element (211) can optionally be detached from the actuating element (212) and removed from the cover element (21), and a closure lid (20) can be used to close a container element (30) of a thermal container.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure lid for sealing a container element of a thermal container, in particular a thermal container for storing temperature-controlled food. The invention further relates to the use of such a closure lid and to a thermal container with such a closure lid.

[0002] In a thermal container, for example, for storing and transporting temperature-controlled goods, the desired temperature difference between the contents, such as heated or chilled food, results in a lower or higher pressure inside the closed container than outside, for example, lower or higher than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. Since this pressure difference makes opening the thermal container considerably more difficult, a pressure equalization passage can be provided in the lid of one of the container sections. This passage can be opened and closed by means of a plug that moves between a closed and a vented position.However, if the plug needs to be cleaned, access to the parts of the plug that need cleaning is significantly restricted, so that adequate cleaning of the plug is regularly associated with considerable effort.

[0003] One object of the present invention is therefore to provide, in light of the aforementioned problems, an improved closure lid for closing a container element of a thermal container, which in particular has a plug that can be actuated for pressure equalization and that can be cleaned with less effort.

[0004] The inventive solution lies in the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] According to the invention, a closure lid for closing a container element of a thermal container is disclosed, comprising a lid element with a passage extending through the lid element in an axial direction and a plug arranged in the passage, which is movably mounted in the passage in the axial direction between a closure position and a venting position and is pre-tensioned in the closure position, wherein the plug comprises a sealing element for liquid-tight closure of the passage on a lid underside in the closure position and an actuating element which is connected to the sealing element in such a way that the plug can be moved out of the closure position when the actuating element is moved and the sealing element can release the passage, wherein the sealing element can optionally be detached from the actuating element and removed from the lid element.

[0006] The closure lid according to the invention can, for example, be designed as a closure lid for liquid-tight sealing of a container element arranged on the underside of the lid of a thermal container for storing temperature-controlled food.

[0007] The invention relates to an advantageous embodiment of a lid for a thermal container for storing and transporting temperature-controlled goods. It offers a means of pressure equalization by actuating a plug located in a passage within the lid element and movably mounted. This results in a compact design of the thermal container to be sealed, significantly reducing the effort associated with cleaning the plug. By sealing the passage on the underside of the lid with a sealing element of the plug, which can optionally be detached from the actuating element and removed from the lid element, the sealing element—which requires intensive cleaning due to regular contact with the goods—can be removed from the lid element and cleaned separately.Since the passage is closed by the sealing element in the closed position, other parts of the stopper, such as the actuating element, typically do not come into contact with the contents, or only to a very limited extent. This reduces the risk of extensive contamination that would necessitate costly cleaning. Therefore, in the closure cap according to the invention, the surfaces of the stopper that typically require particularly thorough cleaning can be made easily accessible, thus significantly simplifying the cleaning process.

[0008] A container element of a thermal container, which is to be closed by means of the lid, can be positioned on the underside of the lid element and connected to the lid in a suitable manner. For example, the container element and the lid element may have corresponding components of a screw or clamp closure. In particular, the container element may have an external thread and the lid element a corresponding internal thread.

[0009] The passage extends through the cover element in an axial direction. It runs from the top to the bottom of the cover element. In particular, the axial direction can be perpendicular to the top and / or bottom of the cover. The cross-section of the passage can vary along its axial length. In particular, the passage can have one or more sections with different cross-sections along its axial length.

[0010] The plug is arranged and movably mounted within the passage, and accordingly extends through the passage. The plug can comprise only the sealing element and the actuating element, and thus be formed from these elements. The sealing element can be arranged at the lower end of the plug, and in particular, form the lower end of the plug. The actuating element can be arranged at the upper end of the plug, and in particular, form the upper end of the plug.

[0011] To open the passage, the plug must be moved from the closed position, and the actuating element moved axially towards the underside of the cover, against the preload. To ensure that the plug is moved from the closed position when the actuating element is moved, and that the sealing element can open the passage, the actuating element and the sealing element must be connected to each other in a suitable manner, for example, directly. In particular, the actuating element can be rigidly connected to the sealing element, especially in the axial direction.

[0012] The sealing element is designed to create a liquid-tight, and also a gas-tight, seal of the passage when the plug is in the closed position. This not only prevents the passage of liquids and provides effective leakage protection, but also prevents the passage of gas. This effectively enhances the thermal insulation provided by the cap.

[0013] With proper connection between the sealing and actuating elements, the plug's axial movement, i.e., along the passage, is limited to between the closed and vented positions. Accordingly, the plug cannot be fully inserted through the passage. Its movement is restricted both inwards and outwards of the container, thus preventing uncontrolled loss of the plug. With proper connection between the sealing and actuating elements, the plug cannot be removed from the lid element.

[0014] The lid element can be molded in one piece, which simplifies its construction. Alternatively, the lid element can be made of multiple parts. This allows for individual assembly and different shaping of the lid element, for example, to seal differently shaped container elements. The lid parts can be nested within each other and, with proper connection of the sealing element and the actuating element, held in their relative position by the preload of the plug. When the actuating element moves axially, the lid parts can also move axially relative to each other. The lid parts can also be separated from each other when the sealing element is detached from the actuating element.

[0015] For example, the cover element can provide an axial stop for the actuating element, defining the venting position of the plug. Alternatively or additionally, the cover element can provide an axial stop for the sealing element, defining the closed position of the plug. In particular, the stop for the sealing element can provide a sealing surface for closing the passage.

[0016] The cover element can, for example, provide at least one such stop arranged in an axial sub-region along the passage. Accordingly, the extent of the passage in this sub-region in a radial direction is less than the maximum extent of the respective element in that direction. For example, the sealing element and / or the actuating element can have a flange, such as a center flange, along its axial extent for axial contact with the cover element. In particular, the maximum extent of the sealing element and / or the actuating element in a radial direction, such as a maximum cross-section, can be formed at an end face of the plug. For example, the sealing element and / or the actuating element can have a flange at an end face for axial contact with the cover element.

[0017] The actuating element can be convexly curved towards the end face of the plug. This allows for better tactile perception of the actuating element and thus simplifies its handling for pressure balancing.

[0018] The lid element may be designed with a recess on its underside, adjacent to the passage, for example a trough-shaped depression, for the recessed storage of at least part of the sealing element in the closed position. This improves the thermal insulation of the lid. Furthermore, it reduces the surface area of ​​the sealing element that could potentially come into contact with the product, thereby minimizing areas of the plug that regularly require particularly intensive cleaning.

[0019] In one embodiment, the actuating element, once detached from the sealing element, can be removed from the cover element. For example, the actuating element, in its detached state, can be moved out of the cover element, particularly the passage. It is conceivable that the axial movement of the actuating element out of the cover element is limited only when properly connected to the sealing element in the direction of the top of the cover.

[0020] This allows the actuating element of the stopper to be separated from the lid and cleaned separately, thus reducing the effort associated with cleaning the actuating element. This is particularly advantageous, for example, when used in a dusty environment, as the exterior of a thermal container sealed with a lid, and therefore also the actuating element on the outside of the lid, is regularly soiled.

[0021] For example, the sealing element can be at least partially, and in particular completely, molded from silicone. Specifically, a flange of the sealing element formed at one end face of the plug can be molded from silicone.

[0022] This allows for the provision of a sealing element that, on the one hand, has good sealing properties and, on the other hand, can be easily detached from the actuating element and connected with sufficient rigidity.

[0023] The cover element, the plug, the sealing element, the actuating element, and / or the passage can be cylindrically shaped or have cylindrical sections. A cylindrical shape or a design with cylindrical sections of the passage, the cover element, and / or its components is particularly advantageous with regard to the desired thermal insulation capacity as well as ease of handling.

[0024] The sealing element and the actuating element, and in particular the cover element, can be arranged coaxially. Coaxially arranged components should have at least one common axis of symmetry, in particular an axis of symmetry of the passage, for example along the axial direction. This allows for a simple design of the cover and a favorable configuration of the cover with regard to thermal insulation.

[0025] For the releasable connection of the sealing element to the actuating element, both elements can each comprise components of a cooperating closure, for example, several positively engaging lugs and corresponding undercuts of at least the same number. These can, for instance, be components of a snap-lock or rotary closure. In one embodiment, the sealing element and the actuating element are connected to each other by means of a releasable bayonet closure. Accordingly, the elements can have suitable components for this purpose, such as at least two suitable lugs on the sealing element side and at least two corresponding undercuts on the actuating element side. In this way, a particularly secure yet easily releasable fastening of the sealing element and the actuating element to each other can be achieved.In particular, the venting position can be designed such that an end-face area, for example, an area with an enlarged cross-section, such as a flange, of an element to be rotated for actuating the bayonet lock is located entirely outside the cover element. This improves the handling of the bayonet lock.

[0026] In one embodiment, the actuating element includes a blind hole for the engagement of the sealing element. For example, suitable undercuts for a bayonet fitting corresponding to lugs of the sealing element can be arranged in the blind hole. Advantageously, the sealing element can have a pin-shaped section, in particular with an end for engaging in a blind hole of the actuating element. For example, the sealing element can include a pin-shaped shaft. Such a design provides a sufficiently stable construction for a suitable connection between the sealing element and the actuating element and for a detachable fastening to one another, for example by means of a bayonet fitting.

[0027] The actuating element can include a spring, in particular a coil spring, to pre-tension the plug in the closed position. This represents a structurally simple way to reliably generate the pre-tension.

[0028] In one embodiment, the spring can be detachably attached to the actuating element. For example, the actuating element can have one or more undercuts for the positive locking of a spring. The spring can be sufficiently flexible to overcome the respective positive locking. This reduces the likelihood of uncontrolled loss of the spring when the sealing element detaches from the actuating element, particularly if the actuating element is also removable.

[0029] The movement between the closed and vented positions can be guided, particularly by the edge of the passage. The plug or individual elements of the plug can have suitable guides, in particular one or more projections or springs, which interact with corresponding guides of the cover element, for example, arranged in the edge of the passage, in particular one or more corresponding recesses or grooves. In one embodiment, the actuating element and the cover element each have guides for a cooperating anti-rotation device. These guides can be configured as one or more projections on the actuating element side and as corresponding grooves on the cover element side.

[0030] In this way, rotation of the actuating element relative to the cover element can be avoided, and both the detachment of the sealing element from the actuating element and the overall operation of the actuating element can be simplified. Furthermore, in conjunction with a bayonet fitting between the sealing element and the actuating element, such an element, especially the actuating element, can be mounted in a rotationally secure manner, and the relative movement of the elements required to actuate the bayonet fitting can be carried out particularly easily.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the invention, a thermal container, in particular for storing temperature-controlled foodstuffs, is disclosed, comprising a container element and a closure lid according to the invention for closing the container element.

[0032] The container element encloses a cavity that can be filled with the goods to be stored. The cavity can be sealed using the lid, making it particularly liquid-tight or gas-tight.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the invention, the use of a closure lid according to the invention for closing a container element of a thermal container according to the invention is disclosed.

[0034] The embodiments and configurations described above are merely to be understood as examples and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way.

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and by way of example of advantageous embodiments. The drawings show: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a thermal container in a side view; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a closure lid in a top view; and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a closure lid in a sectional view.

[0036] In Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a thermal container 10 in a side view. The thermal container 10 is designed for storing temperature-controlled food and comprises a container element 30 and a closure lid 20, by means of which the container element 30 can be closed. For this purpose, the container element 30 can be arranged along a central axis 11 on the underside 230 of the lid element 21 of the closure lid 20.

[0037] The container element 30 encloses a cavity that can be filled with the food to be stored and sealed by means of the lid 20. The container element 30 and the lid 20 have corresponding components of a screw closure, by means of which the container element 30 can be gas-tightly connected to the lid 20 and the cavity sealed. The container element 30 has an external thread, as shown in Fig. 1 indicated, and the closure cover 20 has a corresponding internal thread.

[0038] The closure lid 20, some components of which are already in Fig. 1 As indicated, the following will be further elaborated upon with additional reference to the information contained in the Fig. 2 and 3 The illustrated examples describe the implementation. Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a closure lid 20 in a top view. Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a closure lid 20 in sectional view along the in Fig. 2 dashed line.

[0039] The closure cover 20 comprises a cover element 21 with a passage 220 extending through the cover element 21 in an axial direction along the central axis 11. Furthermore, the cover element 21 comprises a plug 210 arranged in the passage 220.

[0040] The plug 210 is movably mounted in the passage 220 in the axial direction 11 between a closed position and a vented position. In the illustrated embodiments, the plug 210 is in the closed position, in which it is pre-tensioned. The plug 210 comprises a sealing element 211 arranged at its lower end and an actuating element 212 arranged at its upper end and rigidly connected to the sealing element 211 in the axial direction 11. The plug 210 is formed by the sealing element 211 and the actuating element 212.

[0041] The cover element 21, the sealing element 211, the actuating element 212 and the passage 220 are each cylindrically shaped and arranged coaxially to each other in the central axis 11. The plug 210 also has a cylindrical shape.

[0042] The passage 220 runs along the central axis 11 from the top of the cover 231 to the bottom of the cover 230, where it is sealed liquid-tight by the sealing element 211 when the plug 210 is in the closed position. By moving the actuating element 212 axially 11 against the preload, the plug 210 can be moved from the closed position to the vented position, and the sealing element 211 releases the passage 220.

[0043] The sealing element 211 can optionally be detached from the actuating element 212 and removed from the cover element 21. The actuating element 212, once detached from the sealing element 211, can also be removed from the cover element 21.

[0044] The sealing element 211 comprises a silicone-molded flange at one end opposite the actuating element 212. The cover element 21 provides a stop 221 in the axial direction 11 for this flange of the sealing element 211, which defines the closed position of the plug 210. Furthermore, the cover element 21 has a recess 223 adjacent to the passage 220, in which the sealing element 211 can be recessed and stored in the closed position.

[0045] At an end opposite the sealing element 211, the actuating element 212 comprises a flange that is convexly curved towards the end of the plug 210. The cover element 21 also provides an axial stop 222 for this flange, which defines the venting position of the plug 210.

[0046] The actuating element 212 comprises a blind hole into which one end of the pin-shaped sealing element 211 engages, and is connected to the sealing element 211 by means of a bayonet fitting. For this purpose, the sealing element 211 comprises two radially extending and circumferentially evenly distributed lugs, and the actuating element 212 comprises two corresponding undercuts formed for rotational engagement by the lugs.

[0047] The actuating element 212 comprises a coil spring 213, which acts against a stop 224 enclosed by the cover element 21 and arranged in the passage 220, so that the plug 210 is pre-tensioned in the closed position. The coil spring 213 is detachably attached to the actuating element 212, which for this purpose has four undercuts 214 arranged evenly in the circumferential direction, by means of which the coil spring 213 is positively locked to the actuating element 212 and thus held in place.

[0048] Along its course in axial direction 11, the passage 220 has sub-areas with different cross-sectional sizes, forming shoulders of the cover element 21 through which the stops 221, 222 and 224 are provided.

[0049] The actuating element 212 and the cover element 21 each have guide means for a cooperating rotation lock 240. These guide means are formed on the side of the actuating element 212 as two springs arranged uniformly in the circumferential direction, which engage in two grooves arranged on the side of the cover element 21 in the passage 220.

[0050] The closure lids 20 of the exemplary embodiments in the Fig. 1 and 2 comprise a one-piece lid element 21. In the case of the Fig. 3In the illustrated closure cover 20, the cover element 21 is designed in multiple parts and comprises the cover parts 21a and 21b. The cover parts 21a and 21b are nested within each other and, when the sealing element 211 and the actuating element 212 are properly connected, are held in their relative axial position by the preload of the plug 210 by means of a coil spring 213. When the actuating element 212 is moved, the cover parts 21a and 21b can be moved relative to each other in the axial direction 11. When the sealing element 211 is released from the actuating element 212, the cover parts 21a and 21b can also be separated from each other.

Claims

1. A closure lid (20) for closing a container element (30) of a thermal container (10), comprising a lid element (21) with a passage (220) extending through the lid element (21) in an axial direction and a plug (210) arranged in the passage (220), which is movably mounted in the passage (220) in the axial direction (11) between a closed position and a vented position and is pre-tensioned in the closed position, wherein the plug (210) comprises a sealing element (211) for liquid-tightly closing the passage (220) on a lid underside (230) in the closed position and an actuating element (212) which is connected to the sealing element (211) in such a way that the plug (210) can be moved out of the closed position when the actuating element (212) is moved and the sealing element (211) can release the passage (220),wherein the sealing element (211) can optionally be detached from the actuating element (212) and removed from the cover element (21).

2. Closure cover (20) according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element (212) detached from the sealing element (211) can be removed from the cover element (21).

3. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (211) is at least partially, in particular completely, formed from silicone.

4. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (21), the plug (210), the sealing element (211), the actuating element (212) and / or the passage (220) is cylindrically shaped or has cylindrical sections.

5. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (211) and the actuating element (212), in particular also the cover element (21), are arranged coaxially to each other.

6. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (212) comprises a blind hole for engaging the sealing element (211).

7. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (21) provides a stop (222) in the axial direction (11) for the actuating element (212) which defines the venting position of the plug (210).

8. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (211) has a pin-shaped section, in particular with an end for engaging in a blind hole of the actuating element (212).

9. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover element (21) provides a stop (221) in the axial direction (11) for the sealing element (211) which determines the closure position of the plug (210).

10. Closure cover (20) according to claim 9, wherein the cover element (21) has a recess (223) adjacent to the passage (220) for recessed storage of the sealing element (211) in the closure position.

11. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing element (211) and the actuating element (212) are connected to each other by means of a bayonet closure.

12. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (212) comprises a spring (213), in particular a coil spring, for pre-tensioning the plug (210) in the closed position, wherein preferably the spring (213) can be detachably attached to the actuating element (212), wherein further preferably the actuating element (212) has one or more undercuts (214) for positive locking retention of the spring (213).

13. Closure cover (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating element (212) and the cover element (21) each have guide means of a cooperating rotation lock (240), wherein preferably the guide means of the rotation lock (240) comprise one or more springs of the actuating element (212) and corresponding grooves arranged in the passage (220).

14. Thermocontainer (10), in particular for storing temperature-controlled foodstuffs, comprising a container element (30) and a closure lid (20) according to one of the preceding claims for closing the container element (30).

15. Use of a closure lid (20) according to one of claims 1 to 13 for closing a container element (30) of a thermal container (10) according to claim 14.

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