Lid for a food storage container

Abstract

A lid (20) for connection to a food storage container (10) includes a snap-on element designed to engage with a snap-on tab (30) pivotally connected to the lid (20). This snap-on element can be snapped against a locking projection (14) on the storage container (10). The lid (20) comprises a central zone (21) and an edge zone (23) surrounding the central zone, which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. A vent valve (40) is designed to engage with the lid (20), which includes at least one vent channel (41) extending through the elastomer edge zone (23) and a closure element (42) for closing an opening in the vent channel (41). The valve closing element (42) is designed as a convex partial body and is formed on the lower side of the snap tab (30).The cross-section of the valve closing element (42) is larger than the cross-section of the opening of the vent channel (41). The closing element (42) engages in the locked position with part of its height extending into the elastically deformed edge zone (23; 23') surrounding the vent channel (41). Fig. 14.

Description

Title of the invention: Lid for a food storage container. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a lid for a food storage container. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Such a lid, as part of an assembly forming a storage container, is known from DE 10 2004 063 398 A1. The peripheral sealing gasket on the underside of the lid presses against the upper edge of the storage container, creating a liquid-tight seal when the lid is snapped into place against a locking protrusion on the side wall of the storage container, via several snap-on tabs distributed around the periphery. Simultaneously, when the lid is snapped into place, a force is exerted on it, pulling the lid and its elastomer sealing gasket up to the upper edge and holding it in a pre-tensioned position. This airtight and liquid-tight seal ensures hygienic food storage and trouble-free transport.Users find it inconvenient that a high preload must be applied to the locking tabs, requiring significant force to open and close them. Furthermore, multiple locking tabs must always be opened or closed, typically two pairs of tabs facing each other.

[0003] For such a lid, it is further known to provide, as an additional feature, a venting valve in a central surface area to, e.g., allow food contained within the storage container to be reheated in a microwave oven without having to lift the lid. The venting valve comprises an elastomer stopper that can be inserted into an opening in the lid. The drawback is that a separate component is required for the venting, which, on the one hand, incurs manufacturing costs, and on the other hand, must be handled separately before opening to create pressure equalization with the container's interior space. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to improve a lid for a storage container of the prior art mentioned in the input, so that more comfortable handling is made possible when opening and closing the lid, in particular that locking and unlocking the lid and pressure compensation can be carried out concurrently. On the other hand, a reliable airtight and liquid-tight seal must be guaranteed between the storage container and the lid when the lid is locked against the container.

[0005] This objective is achieved by means of a lid for connection to a food storage container, wherein at least one snap-on element is designed against at least one snap-on tab pivotally connected to the lid, which snap-on element can be snapped against a locking projection against the storage container; and

[0006] characterized in that - the lid includes a central area and an edge area surrounding it, which is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer; - a vent valve is designed against the cover, which includes at least one vent channel extending through the elastomer edge area and a closing element for closing an opening of the vent channel, - The valve closing element is designed as a convex partial body and formed on the lower side of the latching tab to rotate towards the edge area in the locked position, - the cross-section of the valve closing element is larger than the cross-section of the opening of the vent channel and - the closing element engages in the locking position with part of its height up to the elastically deformed edge area all around the mouth of the ventilation channel.

[0007] The vent valve is integrated into the lid so that pressure compensation can be achieved with respect to the environment. This eliminates the pressure exerted by the lid on the storage container, based on differential pressure. Only a small force is still required to lift the lid, just enough to overcome the friction of the sealing lip rubbing against the inner wall of the container. The vent valve thus facilitates one-handed operation or makes it possible when, due to temperature differences between the food in the container and the ambient temperature, a pressure difference develops after the lid has been placed and locked.

[0008] The vent valve includes at least one vent channel extending from the outer side of the lid through the elastomer rim area and to an opening in the interior of the container. A vent channel opening on the outer side is locked by a closing element. The valve is sealed when the movable locking tab is engaged against the storage container. The container is thus sealed. As soon as the locking tab is disengaged, the vent channel is also released, allowing pressure equalization between the inside of the container and the surrounding environment. Whereas in the prior art, for vent openings, a small elastic valve closing element is most often pressed against an opening in a rigid structure, the invention reverses the choice of material properties, i.e., a rigid valve closing element is pressed against a mouth opening in an elastic structure. In this way, a small, concave, hump-shaped valve closing element is sufficient, which is formed directly against the locking tab.Therefore, no separate part is needed to counter the snap-on tab; such a separate part would have had to be fixed as a single piece and could easily detach during use.

[0009] The invention preferably provides that the cover comprises a central zone and an edge zone surrounding it, which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The vent valve comprises at least one vent channel extending through the elastomer edge zone and a closing element for closing an opening of the vent channel.

[0010] In this way, the elastic edge zone serves according to the invention not only as a deformable seal between the lid and the storage container, but also allows deformability all around the opening of the vent channel. The corresponding valve closing element is designed as a concave partial body formed on the underside of the movable latching tab of the lid. When the latching tab is pivotally brought against the storage container for locking, the valve closing element simultaneously closes the opening of the drain channel.

[0011] In doing so, the valve closing element engages only with a part of its height up to the elastically deformed edge area around the mouth of the ventilation channel, and only until the seal is guaranteed by an elastic deformation and a resulting elastic restoring force for the assembly forming a closed storage container and fitted with the lid.

[0012] Compared to known solutions in which a small elastic valve closing element is pressed against an opening of a ventilation channel via a movable tab from the outside, this design offers the advantage of simple and inexpensive manufacturing. This avoids the need to manufacture and attach a separate elastic sealing element, or the risk of it detaching and being lost during use.

[0013] Compared to an equally known solution in which a rod-shaped element is pushed as a valve closing element from the outside far into the venting channel, the advantage is that damage, e.g. breakage by bending, and a resulting leakage of the storage container assembly are avoided.

[0014] In order for the valve closing element to cause the elastic deformation of the edge area without getting stuck because it has penetrated too far into the ventilation channel, it is provided that the cross-section of the valve closing element is larger than the cross-section of the opening of the mouth of the ventilation channel and that it thus engages only with part of its height up to the edge area which is elastically deformed all around the mouth of the ventilation channel.

[0015] Preferably, the valve closing element is designed with a spherical cross-section, and thus the portion of the valve closing element's height that bears against the edge area, which engages in the elastically deformed opening of the vent channel, is less than 70% of its total height and / or between 30% and 80% of its diameter. This relationship ensures that the spherical valve closing element penetrates the vent channel sufficiently far to create a secure seal, but not so far as to become stuck. Preferably, only half of the spherical valve closing element penetrates the vent channel.

[0016] A preferred embodiment provides that two ventilation channels open side by side into a section of the edge zone, and that a handle is recessed into the edge zone between them. The movable latching tab consequently has two valve-closing elements of the same type on its underside. Thanks to the recessed handle, the latching tab, which is held tightly against the edge zone in the locked position, can be more easily grasped and unlocked.

[0017] If the lid is combined with a suitable storage container, the result is an assembly forming a storage container which is easy to handle when the seal is good.

[0018] In doing so, it is particularly provided that the lid engages with a rigid hook section on one side under a rim against the storage container and that only a movable snap-on tab is provided on the periphery and facing the hook section, which must be manipulated.

[0019] In order to guarantee the airtightness of the assembly forming a closed storage container despite the reduced number of locking positions compared to the prior art, a special sealing system is provided, which is based on a lip a flexible seal that is applied from the inside against the container wall. The sealing lip forms the end of a sealing profile designed in a J shape in the cross section, which also forms an edge section of the lid and is made of an elastomeric material, in particular a TPE.

[0020] In this way, an upper cross-section of the sealing profile is provided to come into contact with the upper edge of the side wall when the lid is placed. Even though a pressure force from this cross-section on the upper edge can only be exerted in the peripheral areas where the locking units are arranged, the upper elastomer cross-section nevertheless increases the sealing of the storage container assembly by creating a second sealing layer in addition to the sealing lip located inside.

[0021] The shaping of the sealing profile is also essential thereafter. Thus, a central section connects to the upper cross-section, which central section is guided downwards towards the interior space of the container, and then extends into an arched section at the end of which the sealing lip is in turn designed. Thanks to the arched shape, the sealing lip can spring back elastically when the lid is placed on the storage container, but nevertheless remains pressed against the inner wall.

[0022] In order to maintain the sealing effect resulting from the elastic restoring force of the arched section and the sealing lip in a lasting manner, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides two additional measures:

[0023] Thus, what is called the central section, from which the arched section originates, is supported against a vertical support cross member that forms part of the central area of ​​the lid. The central area of ​​the lid is made of a plastic material that is harder than the plastic material of the edge section. The central area is, for example, made of polypropylene and the edge section of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0024] The central zone comprises a surface section that covers the entire interior space within the edge element and further includes at least one support cross member inclined relative to the central zone, which is in contact with the edge zone. Thanks to the support cross member of the central zone, its contact surface with the elastomer edge zone is increased, thereby making the bond between the two more secure against delamination.

[0025] In addition, the support cross member supports the central section of the elastomer edge zone, thus preventing it from having the possibility of moving inwards under the effect of elastic prestress, whereby the sealing lip could lose its firm contact with the inner wall.

[0026] Furthermore, to prevent the container wall from being pushed outwards, a clamping ring is connected to the rim section, which is located immediately before the outer wall of the container. The clamping ring prevents the container wall from bulging outwards.

[0027] Preferably, the outer wall of the storage container has a locking projection on its upper edge that extends continuously around its entire periphery and is therefore not only present at the locations against which the locking units described above are applied. The locking projection serves to hook snap-on elements against the lid and, moreover, due to the enlargement of its cross-section, has a stiffening function for the upper edge area of ​​the outer wall of the container.

[0028] The clamping ring is preferably an external profile section integrated into the edge section of the lid, formed from an elastomer. When the storage container assembly is closed, the upper edge of the storage container is positioned between the clamping ring located on the outside and the central crossbar located on the inside, the central crossbar maintaining a sufficient distance from the inner side of the container wall to facilitate the deformation of the arched area and the sealing lip.

[0029] The profiling of the edge area, including the adjacent sections of the central area, is essential to obtain the sealing of the assembly forming a storage container according to the invention; however, it must also fulfill other functions during the use of the assembly forming a storage container, such as for the manufacture of the lid.

[0030] Thus, the cross-section, the central and arched sections connecting to it and the sealing lip connecting to it in turn are preferably profiled so that the upper side of the sealing lip is oriented horizontally with respect to a lifting plane when the assembly forming the storage container is closed, or even ends slightly sloping outwards, in any case so that the formation of a groove in which liquid can accumulate is avoided.

[0031] Furthermore, the profiling of the edge area must allow the cover to be manufactured using the two-component injection molding process. Since significant inward deformation of the elastomer edge area is not possible due to the hardness of the central area with its support cross member, it is necessary to allow the cover to be demolded from an injection mold. This is achieved by creating a trapezoidal internal space between the external clamping ring and the central cross member, the cross section of which narrows slightly upwards, and the support cross member of the central area extending downwards only to a certain extent. so that the arched section with the sealing lip can move away under the lower edge of the support cross member.

[0032] Preferably, a parting plane is located in the injection mold approximately at the height of the bearing surface formed by the upper cross-section, such that the outer periphery of the edge section is divided into a lower and an upper part, both parts extending towards the parting plane at a slight outward angle. The lower part of the outer periphery of the edge section is formed by the clamping ring, which, viewed in cross-section, has a slightly trapezoidal shape and tapers downwards.

[0033] Such an assembly forming a storage container therefore requires only a minimum of two locking units facing each other on the periphery of the lid. Among these, at least one locking position is designed with at least one pivoting snap-on tab connected to the lid. This snap-on tab can be fixed without a hinge, by means of a molded element, against a locking projection on the storage container.

[0034] The second locking unit is formed either by a second snap-on tab of the same type, or, according to a preferred embodiment, by a non-movable locking element which, when the lid is slightly angled, can be hooked under the locking protrusion of the storage container and initially holds the lid on one side by complementary shape. The lid is then pressed against the opposite end on the upper edge of the storage container and locked against the container by complementary shape with the movable snap-on tab present therein.

[0035] In this preferred embodiment with a single rigid locking element and a single movable locking element, only one locking element, in the form of a movable snap-on tab, needs to be manipulated to connect the lid to the storage container, or to release it from the container, in order to achieve a liquid seal. This facilitates one-handed operation: the lid can first be hooked on one side against the storage container, then the movable snap-on tab is pressed down with one hand on the other side until it is in the hooked position. Conversely, to open, it is sufficient to release a single snap-on tab, position the lid at an angle, and then remove it from the hook by aligning its shape with the storage container.

[0036] The locking units described on facing sides can also be formed by several locking elements located close to each other but separated from each other. In this case, the locations of interlocking refers to areas facing each other against the storage container, in which several functionally similar interlocking elements are arranged.

[0037] The locking projection against the container wall should preferably have an undercut in the profile, as should the corresponding movable or non-movable locking element, so that a safe form complementarity is obtained.

[0038] The locking projection can, for example, be designed as a crossbar extending outwards from the outer wall of the container. This configuration is preferred for plastic containers in order to maintain a thinner wall of the storage container. It is also preferred for stainless steel storage containers, for which a thinner wall is essential.

[0039] A recess can also be designed in an external side of the container, the upper edge of which forms the locking projection. This is advantageous for thick-walled storage containers, which are, for example, made of ceramic or glass.

[0040] Thus, it is possible to combine the same lid with storage containers made of different materials.

[0041] Preferred, but not limiting, aspects of this cover, alone or in combination, are as follows: - the valve closing element is designed in the shape of a spherical section. - the part of the valve closing element in the shape of a spherical section and supported on the edge area, which part engages in the elastically deformed environment against the mouth of the ventilation channel, is less than 70% of its total height and / or between 30% and 80% of its diameter. - the ventilation channel extends from the mouth over a support area for the upper rim of the storage container through the rim area and to a lower side of the lid. - the cross-section of the ventilation channel narrows from the interior space of the container to the opening on the outer side of the sealing profile. - the storage container has a rectangular cross-section with two short side wall sections and two long side wall sections, and the snap tab and vent valve are respectively arranged in the center of a short side wall section. - the central area is made of a thermoplastic material that is harder than that of the edge section; - the edge section is profiled in a J shape in the cross section, a central section connecting to an upper cross section, which central section is guided downwards along the support cross member and is supported against it while being connected to it by complementarity of material, and extends into an arched section which moves away from the support cross member and terminates in a sealing lip which is designed for application against an inner wall of the storage container. - the cover has a rectangular cross-section with two pairs of guide cross-sections facing each other in plan, with adjacent guide cross-sections connecting to each other via an arched section.

[0042] According to the invention, a food storage container assembly is also proposed, with a storage container and a lid that can be separated from it as described above, the storage container having a base and a side wall that terminates against a top edge and that has at least one locking element against at least two side wall sections respectively.

[0043] Preferred but not limiting aspects of this assembly forming a storage container, alone or in combination, are as follows: - against the cover is designed at least one locking element as a fixed hook section against the edge of the cover and in addition, on the periphery and facing, at least one locking element is designed as a snap hook against a pivoting snap tab; - at least one locking element is formed against the storage container by a peripheral locking projection against the side wall and / or by a snap-on edge against the upper edge of a recess in the side wall of the storage container; - the lid placed on the storage container engages with the hook section under the locking projection against the side wall or under the snap-on edge against the upper edge of a recess in the side wall and - the ventilation channel starts from the upper side of the rim area and extends diagonally downwards, unrolling just slightly over the upper rim of the storage container, then opening into the interior space of the container below the central area. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The figures show in detail:

[0045] [Fig. 1 A] and

[0046] [Fig. IB] respectively an assembly forming a storage container in a view in perspective;

[0047] [Fig.2] the lid in a perspective view from below;

[0048] [Fig.3] a perspective cross-sectional view;

[0049] [Fig.4] an enlarged representation of the area marked in [Fig.3];

[0050] [Fig.5] a cross-section of the assembly forming a storage container in the area of the locking unit;

[0051] [Fig.6] a detail of a perspective view from the bottom of the assembly forming storage container with open snap-on tab;

[0052] [Fig.7] a detail of a perspective view from the bottom of the assembly forming storage container with closed snap-on tab;

[0053] [Fig.8] a detail of a perspective view from the bottom of the assembly forming storage container with open snap-on tab;

[0054] [Fig.9] a detail of a perspective view from the bottom of the lid with tab open snap-on;

[0055] [Fig. 10] a portion of a longitudinal section through the container assembly storage with the snap tab closed;

[0056] [Fig. 11] a portion of a longitudinal section through the container assembly storage with the snap tab open;

[0057] [Fig. 12] a detail of a perspective view from below of an assembly forming storage container according to a second embodiment, with the snap-on tab open;

[0058] [Fig. 13] the assembly forming a storage container with the lid open in a side view; and

[0059] [Fig. 14] an enlarged detail of a longitudinal section through the assembly forming storage container with the snap tab closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] Figure 1A shows a storage container assembly 100 with a storage container 10 and a lid 20 placed on top of it, in a perspective view. The storage container 10 comprises a base 12 and a side wall 11 with a predominantly rectangular cross-section, and strongly rounded transition zones between sections of the side wall 11.1 and 11.2. The side wall 11 has a stacking rim 15.

[0061] The lid 20 comprises a central zone 21, which is in particular made of a transparent plastic material, e.g., polypropylene, and an edge zone 23, which is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer. The lid 20 engages with a hook section 25 under a locking projection, not visible here, against the outer side of the storage container 10. The hook section 25 and the locking projection form a first locking unit.

[0062] On the narrow side of the storage container 10, facing the hook section 25, a snap-on tab 30 is connected to a bridge area 26 of the edge area 23 via a film hinge 32. The snap-on tab 30, the film hinge 32 and the bridge area 26 form a unit with the central area 21 and are therefore made of the same material.

[0063] The snap-on tongue 30 contains two snap-on hooks 31 on its lower side to be oriented towards the side wall 11. The snap-on tongue 30 and the hook section 25 serve to connect by complementary shape with the side wall sections 11.1, 11.2 facing each other in pairs, and form a second locking unit.

[0064] Figure 1B shows the entire assembly forming the storage container 100 completely closed in a perspective view. The snap-on tab 30 is brought close by pivoting against the side wall 11, so that there is a lock by complementary shape between the lid 20 and the storage container 10.

[0065] Figure 2 shows the lid 20 alone in a perspective view from below. In particular, an internally peripheral sealing lip 23.4 is visible. Below the snap-on tab 30, the edge area 23 is interrupted in a section of the edge area 28 to allow the snap-on tab 30 to be tightly pressed against the side wall 11 of the storage container. The sealing lip 23.4 extends without any interruption around its entire periphery.

[0066] On the lower side of the snap-on tab 30 are formed two snap-on hooks 31 as well as a valve closing element 42, through which the inlet opening of a ventilation channel 41 can be closed when the snap-on tab 30 is lowered and locked against the edge of the container.

[0067] Figure 13 shows how the lid 20 is brought close to the storage container 10 by guiding. It is positioned at an angle and hooked under the locking projection 14 with the hook section 25 located at the bottom, then placed on the upper rim 134, as indicated by the arrow.

[0068] Figure 3 shows a perspective cross-sectional view running along the central axis between the two long lateral walls 11.2 of the storage container assembly 100. The edge area 23 of the lid 20 rests on a rim The upper 13 of the side wall 11 is clamped to it. The elastomer edge zone 23 is pressed inwards against a cross member of the central zone 21 made of a hard thermoplastic material. The central zone 21 is connected to the support cross member 22 by complementary material. The support cross member 22 is interrupted where a ventilation channel 41 opens into the interior space of the container.

[0069] [Fig. 4] is an enlarged representation of the area marked in the upper left of [Fig. 3]. The profiling of the edge section 23 becomes particularly clear in this representation. This includes first of all an upper cross section 23.1 which has on its lower side a bearing surface with which the edge area 23 rests on the upper edge 13 of the side wall 11. On an inner side, the cross section 23.1 is connected by complementary material to the support cross member 22 of the central region 21.On this side and going downwards, the cross section 23.1 extends into a central cross member 23.2. The central cross member 23.2 is also supported by the support cross member 22. The edge zone 23 is connected to the central zone 21 by complementary shape.

[0070] Below the support cross member 22, the central cross member 23.2 extends into an arched section 23.3 which terminates in a tapering sealing lip 23.4. On the outer side of the edge area 23, another vertical cross member is provided which extends downwards from the cross section 23.1 and serves as a clamping ring 23.5 to prevent swelling of the side wall 11 under the pressure of the arched area 23.3, including the elastically deformed sealing lip 23.4.

[0071] In the representation of [Fig.4], the tip of the sealing lip 23.4 appears to continue into the side wall of the container 11. This representation is evident from the fact that the sealing lip 23.4 and the arched section 23.3 are shown undeformed and are in fact designed with a certain excess to ensure a constant application of the sealing lip 23.4 against the inner wall of the container in the context of maintaining a constant prestress.

[0072] Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the assembly forming the storage container in the area of ​​the hook section 25. In doing so, it can be seen that the hook section 25 is designed with an undercut and that it is hooked into the area of ​​the upper rim 13 under the locking projection 14 which is also undercut.

[0073] Figure 6 is a detail of a slanted perspective view from the bottom of the storage container assembly. The lid 20 is placed on the side wall 11. The snap-on tab 30 is folded upwards; the valve closing element 42 formed against it is away from the ventilation channel.

[0074] Figure 7 shows the same view as Figure 6 after the snap-in tab 30 has been pivoted downwards. The snap-in hooks 31 of the snap-in tab 30 engage under the locking projection 14 against the side wall 11. The snap-on tab 30 is applied tightly against the storage container 10 so that its outer side is essentially flush with the edge area 23 of the lid 20.

[0075] Figure 8 again shows the situation before the lid 20 is locked against the storage container 10 from a slightly different, but similar, angle of approach to Figure 6. In doing so, the position of the closing element 42 near the opening of the vent channel 4L is particularly visible. The valve closing element 42 and the vent channel 41 together form a vent valve 40.

[0076] The edge zone 23 is partially interrupted in the edge zone section 28. A portion of the upper cross-section 23.1 is missing, and a portion of the clamping ring 23.5 connecting to it below has been removed. However, there is no interruption in the contact area with the side wall 11 to ensure the sealing of the assembly forming the storage container. The ventilation channel 41, which is not yet closed, allows air to enter or exit the interior space of the container.

[0077] Figure 9 shows the same approach as Figure 8, but without the storage container. This makes the position of the ventilation channel 4L particularly clear. It extends from the opening in the edge zone section 28 to the interior space, the ventilation channel 41 being guided so deeply that the casing of the ventilation channel 41 extends out of the cross-section profile of the edge section 23 and connects at this location, as a cross member 24, to the inside against the edge zone 23. Thanks to this arrangement of the ventilation channel 41, the central section 21 can, on the one hand, be arranged vertically to deploy its stiffening effect for the edge zone 23, which is particularly visible in Figures 3 to 5.On the other hand, the cross member 24 also serves to support the elastomer area all around the ventilation channel 41, because in this area, an interruption of the support cross member 22 is necessary for the mouth of the ventilation channel 41 (see [Fig.3]).

[0078] Figure 10 shows part of a longitudinal section which runs through the locking area of ​​the lid 20 with the storage container 10 by means of the snap tab 30. The valve closing element 42, on the rear side of the snap tab 30 made of hard plastic, presses on the environment of the relatively softer rim area 23, and thus closes the opening of the ventilation channel 4L. It can be seen in Figure 10 that the ventilation channel 41 starting from the upper side of the rim area 23 runs just slightly above the upper edge 13 of the storage container 10, thus extending diagonally downwards, and then opening into the interior space of the container below the central area 21.

[0079] [Fig. 11] shows an identical representation to that of [Fig. 10], but with the latching tab 30 open. The valve closing element 42 on the rear side of the latching tab 30 is moved away by pivoting from the opening of the ventilation channel 41 so that the latter is now open.

[0080] Figure 12 shows a detail of a perspective view of a storage container assembly 100' according to a second embodiment, viewed from below from a latching tab 30'. The storage container 10 remains unchanged. A lid 20' also largely corresponds to the embodiment of the lid 20 described above. The difference is that two ventilation channels 41 open into a section of the edge zone 28' of an edge zone 23', and a recessed handle 29' is designed between the two. This allows the latching tab 30', which is held tightly against the side wall 11 in the locked position, to be more easily grasped and unlocked.

[0081] Figure 14 shows an enlarged detail of a longitudinal section through the storage container assembly with the locking tab closed, to illustrate in particular the relationship between the outer diameter of the hemispherical valve closing element 42 and the diameter of the ventilation channel 4L. According to the invention, the valve closing element 42 is not simply pressed from the outside onto the opening of the ventilation channel 41; rather, it partially penetrates it, but only to about half its height and diameter, in particular to less than 70% of its total height and / or between 30% and 80% of its diameter. In this way, the valve closing element 42 does not become stuck in the ventilation channel and can be easily removed. A good sealing effect is nevertheless achieved. Reference signs#:

[0082] 100; 100' assembly forming a storage container

[0083] 10 storage container

[0084] 11 side wall

[0085] 11.1, 11.2 side wall sections

[0086] 12 background

[0087] 13 upper border

[0088] 14 locking projection

[0089] 15 stacking edge

[0090] 20, 20' lid

[0091] 21 central zone

[0092] 22 support cross member

[0093] 23, 23' edge zone

[0094] 23.1 upper cross-section

[0095] 23.2 central section

[0096]

[0097]

[0098]

[0099]

[0100]

[0101]

[0102]

[0103]

[0104]

[0105]

[0106]

[0107]

[0108]

[0109] 23.3 arched section 23.4 sealing lip 23.5 clamping ring 24 cross member 25 hook section 26 deck area 28, 28' edge area section 29' recessed handle 30; 30' snap tab 31; 31' snap hook 32 film hinge 40 vent valve 41 vent channel 42 valve closing element

Claims

Demands

1. Lid (20) intended to be connected to a food storage container (10), in which at least one snap-on element is designed against at least one snap-on tab (30) pivotally connected to the lid (20), which snap-on element can be snapped against a locking projection (14) against the storage container (10); and characterized in that - the lid (20) comprises a central zone (21) and an edge zone (23) surrounding it, which is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer;- a vent valve (40) is designed against the cover (20), which includes at least one vent channel (41) extending through the elastomer edge zone (23) and a closing element (42) for closing an opening of the vent channel (42), - the valve closing element (42) is designed as a convex partial body and formed on the underside of the latching tab (30) to rotate towards the edge zone (23) in the locked position, - the cross-section of the valve closing element (42) is larger than the opening cross-section of the vent channel opening (41), and - the closing element (42) engages in the locked position with a portion of its height extending into the elastically deformed edge zone (23; 23') surrounding the vent channel opening (41).;

2. Cover (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve closing element (42) is designed in the shape of a spherical section.

3. Cover (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the part of the valve closing element (42) in the form of a spherical section and supported on the edge area (23), which part engages in the elastically deformed environment against the mouth of the ventilation channel (41), is less than 70% of its total height and / or between 30% and 80% of its diameter.

4. Lid (20) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ventilation channel (41) extends from the mouth over a support area for the upper rim (13) of the storage container (10) through the rim area (23) and to a lower side of the lid (20).

5. Lid (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cross-section of the ventilation channel (41) narrows from the interior space of the container to the mouth on the outer side of the sealing profile.

6. Lid (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage container (10) has a rectangular cross-section with two short side wall sections and two long side wall sections (11.1, 11.2), and the snap tab and the vent valve are respectively arranged in the center of a short side wall section (11.2).

7. Lid (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central area (21) is composed of a thermoplastic material harder than that of the edge section (23).

8. Lid (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge section (23; 23') is profiled in the shape of a J in the cross section, in which a central section (23.2) connects to an upper cross section (23.1), which central section is guided downwards along the support cross member (22) and is supported against it while being connected to it by complementarity of material, and which extends into an arched section (23.3) which moves away from the support cross member (22) and terminates in a sealing lip (23.4) which is designed for application against an inner wall of the storage container (10).

9. Cover (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (20) has a rectangular cross-section with two pairs of guide cross-sections of the guide cross-section (25) facing each other in plan, in which adjacent guide cross-sections connect respectively to each other via an arched section.

10. Assembly forming a food storage container (100; 100') with a storage container (10) and a lid (20; 20') which can be separated therefrom according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage container (10) has a base (12) and a side wall (11) which terminates against a top edge (13) and which has at least one locking element against at least two side wall sections (11.1, 11.2) respectively.

11. Assembly forming storage container (100; 100') according to claim 10, characterized in that against the lid (20; 20') is designed at least one locking element as a hook section (25) fixed against the edge of the lid (20; 20') and furthermore, on the periphery and facing, at least one locking element is designed as a snap hook (31) against a pivoting snap tab (30); - at least one locking element is formed against the storage container (10) by a peripheral locking projection (14) against the side wall (11) and / or by a snap-on edge against the upper edge of a recess in the side wall (11) of the storage container (10); - the lid (20; 20') placed on the storage container (10) engages with the hook section (25) under the locking projection (14) against the side wall (11) or under the snap-on edge against the upper edge of a recess in the side wall (11) and - the ventilation channel (41) starts from the upper side of the edge area (23) and extends diagonally downwards, in which it runs just slightly over the upper edge (13) of the storage container (10), then opens into the interior space of the container below the central area (21).

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