Airtight covers and containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealed container having an opening, and a sealable cover detachably coupled to the opening of the container body. Here, the sealable cover may include: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably connected to the hinge base by a bending portion provided on one side; and a support protrusion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and having a contact portion formed at an end thereof, the contact portion being configured to contact the container body. When the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the sealable cover may be coupled to the container body while a contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body. If an imaginary line extending from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface along a horizontal direction is defined as a reference line, and a point where the container body applies a normal force toward the outside to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, the bending portion may be configured to be located below the pressing point and located outside the pressing point along the direction of the reference line when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealed container, and more particularly to a sealable cover and sealed container that is easy to manufacture, convenient to use, and easy to open. [Background technology]

[0002] Airtight containers are widely used to store food hygienically and increase its storage period. In commonly used airtight containers, one or more protrusions are formed on the container body, and one or more locking wings having a locking portion configured to engage with the protrusion are formed on the cover. In the case of such airtight containers, a user can close the airtight container by rotating the locking wings of the cover downward so that the locking portions of the locking wings are hooked onto the protrusions, and can open the airtight container by rotating the locking wings of the cover upward so that the lock between the locking portions of the locking wings and the protrusions is released.

[0003] In such a sealed container, a protrusion must be formed on the container body to firmly engage with the engagement portion of the locking wing, and the protrusion is formed along the entire top of the container body or on all four sides of the container body so that the cover can be attached to the container body regardless of the direction. In other words, the cover cannot be properly used with containers other than the container body manufactured to include a protrusion, and the usability is significantly reduced.

[0004] In addition, the protruding portion from the surface of the container body may make cleaning of the protruding portion difficult. That is, the protruding portion may require special care to clean the protruding portion because the upper and lower parts of the protruding portion form a sharp gap with respect to the container body. This may cause a hygiene problem when the sealed container is used to store food, etc., because the protruding portion is formed around the opening at the upper part of the container body, which is the part that requires the highest level of cleanliness, and the cleanliness level is particularly low in this part. In addition, the protruding portion of the container body may act as an element that makes it inconvenient to store and carry the container, and may act as an obstacle during use, such as by colliding with the cover or locking wings even after the locking portion of the cover is separated.

[0005] Meanwhile, in consideration of the manufacturing method of the sealed container, a sealed container using a locking wing requires a relatively sophisticated manufacturing method because it can only be used if the locking part of the locking wing and the protruding part of the container body are accurately engaged. Considering that general storage containers are made of materials such as glass, ceramic, and stainless steel, and that manufacturing tolerances of these materials can often be up to + / - 2 mm, the above-mentioned conventional technology is highly likely to cause defects in which the locking part does not engage properly with the protruding part. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sealable cover and a sealable container that can be used on a container body that does not have a protrusion, is easy to manufacture, convenient to use, and easy to open.

[0007] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following embodiments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a sealed container according to one aspect of the present invention may include a container body having an opening, and a sealable cover detachably coupled to the opening of the container body. Here, the sealable cover may include: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably connected to the hinge base by a bending portion provided on one side; and a support protrusion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and having a contact portion formed at an end thereof, the contact portion being configured to contact the container body. When the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the sealable cover may be coupled to the container body while a contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body. If an imaginary line extending from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface along a horizontal direction is defined as a reference line, and a point where the container body applies a normal force toward the outside to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, the bending portion may be configured to be located below the pressing point and located outside the pressing point along the direction of the reference line when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

[0009] A sealed container according to another aspect of the present invention may also include a container body having an opening, and a sealable cover detachably coupled to the opening of the container body, and the sealable cover may include a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably coupled to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side; and a support protrusion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and having a contact portion formed at an end thereof and configured to contact the container body. When the flap is rotated downward relative to the hinge base, the sealable cover can be attached to the container body while the contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body, and if an imaginary line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface is defined as a reference line, and a point at which the container body applies a normal force extending outward and downward to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, when the sealable cover is attached to the container body, the folding portion can be configured to be located inward relative to the pressing point along the direction of the reference line.

[0010] The sealed container according to the present invention may have one or more of the following embodiments: For example, the container body may include a body rim having an outer diameter at a first point larger than an outer diameter at a second point lower than the first point, and the contact support surface may contact the first point and the second point when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

[0011] When the flap reaches a certain angle while rotating downward relative to the hinge base, the end of the contact portion can come into contact with the container body, and when a greater force is applied to the flap, at least one of the contact portion, the support protrusion, and the bent portion elastically deforms to allow the contact portion to pass through.

[0012] The container body may be fabricated by blow molding and may include a portion below the body rim having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter at the first point.

[0013] The sealable cover may further include a cover rim extending downward from an edge of the cover body, and the hinge base may extend outward from a designated position on an outer surface formed by the cover body and the cover rim.

[0014] The flap may be connected to a pair of hinge bases by a pair of bent portions, the support protrusion may extend in a direction toward the cover body between the pair of bent portions, and a clearance groove may be formed in the cover rim at a position corresponding to the space between the pair of hinge bases, and when the flap rotates, the support protrusion may pass through the clearance groove.

[0015] The sealable cover may further include a locking protrusion extending inward from a lower portion of the cover rim. When the container body includes a body rim having an outer diameter at a first point greater than an outer diameter at a second point lower than the first point, the locking protrusion may include an inclined surface contacting the first point and the second point when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

[0016] The cross section of the container body may be any one of a circle, a polygon, and a combination of a circle and a polygon.

[0017] The sealable cover may include a plurality of flaps.

[0018] At least a portion of the contact support surface, the contact portion and the support protrusion may be replaceably coupled to the flap, in which case the contact support surface, the contact portion and the support protrusion may have a lower elastic modulus than the flap.

[0019] In another aspect of the present invention, a sealable cover that is detachably coupled to an opening of a container body may be provided. The sealable cover may include: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably coupled to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side; and a contact portion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and configured to contact the container body, the contactable cover may be coupled to the container body while a contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body when the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base. When a virtual line extending from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface along a horizontal direction is defined as a reference line, and a point where the container body applies a normal force toward the outside to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, the bent portion may be configured to be located below the pressing point and located outside the pressing point along the direction of the reference line when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

[0020] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a sealable cover that is detachably coupled to an opening of a container body may be provided. The sealable cover may include: a cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outward from the cover body; a flap rotatably coupled to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side; and a contact portion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and configured to contact the container body, the contactable cover may be coupled to the container body while a contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body when the flap is rotated downward relative to the hinge base. When an imaginary line extending from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface along a horizontal direction is defined as a reference line, and a point where the container body applies a normal force toward the outside and downward to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, the bent portion may be configured to be located inside the pressing point along the direction of the reference line when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

[0021] According to the means for solving the problems of the present invention as described above, various effects including the following can be expected. However, the present invention is not established unless all of the following effects are achieved.

[0022] The sealable cover and the sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention can seal the container body even if no protrusion is formed on the container body, which provides the effect of making it easier to manufacture the sealable cover and the container body and easier to use and open the sealed container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a container body of a sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from above. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a sealable cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process in which the sealed container according to the embodiment of the present invention is sealed. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process in which the sealed container according to the embodiment of the present invention is sealed. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating a process in which the sealed container according to the embodiment of the present invention is sealed. [Figure 7] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a contact portion of a sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Since the present invention can be modified in various ways and can have a plurality of embodiments, a specific embodiment will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment, and it should be understood that the present invention includes any modifications, equivalents, or alternatives that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if a detailed description of related known technology is deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0025] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components will be given the same reference numbers regardless of the drawing symbols, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sealed container 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of container bodies 500a and 500b of the sealed container 1000 as viewed from above, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the sealable cover 100 as viewed from below.

[0029] 1 to 3, a sealed container 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a sealable cover 100 and a container body 500, and the sealable cover 100 may be detachably coupled to an opening 550 of the container body 500 to seal the inside of the container body 500.

[0030] 2, the container body 500 may form an internal space, which may be opened through an opening 550 formed in the upper portion. For ease of explanation, a portion of the container body 500 surrounding the opening 550 is referred to as a body rim 510, and the outer diameter of a portion of the body rim 510 that has the largest outer diameter is referred to as a first outer diameter.

[0031] In the container body 500a shown in (a) of Figure 2, a second outer diameter portion 520 having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter is formed below the body rim 510, and a third outer diameter portion 530a below the second outer diameter portion 520 has an outer diameter smaller than the second outer diameter.

[0032] On the other hand, in the container body 500b shown in Fig. 2(b), the body rim 510 and the second outer diameter portion 520 are formed to be the same, but the third outer diameter portion 530b has an outer diameter larger than the second outer diameter. The container body 500b shown in Fig. 2(b) can be produced by, for example, blow molding, and the use of blow molding can make the container body 500b include a portion below the body rim 510 that has an outer diameter larger than the first point (e.g., the portion having the first outer diameter) of the body rim 510.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, in a structure in which the container body 500 includes a second outer diameter portion 520 below the body rim 510, the body rim 510 may have a shape in which the outer diameter at a first point 512 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) is larger than the outer diameter at a second point 517 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) that is lower than the first point 512. The sealed container 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the container bodies 500a and 500b shown in FIG. 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, even if the first point 512 and the second point 517 of the body rim 510 do not form a gradual slope or bend but form a sharp protrusion or step, it is possible to realize the first point 512 having a large outer diameter at a high position and the second point 517 having a small outer diameter at a low position.

[0034] Furthermore, the body rim 510 of the container body 500 does not necessarily have to have a shape in which the outer diameter decreases at the second point 517 compared to the first point 512, and it is possible to connect the sealable cover 100 of one embodiment of the present invention even if the body rim 510 maintains the same outer diameter over a certain length in the vertical direction.

[0035] Since the sealable cover 100 can be applied even when the body rim 510 maintains the same outer diameter, the sealable cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of container bodies 500. The container body 500 can be embodied with a cross section that is circular, polygonal, a combination of a circular and polygonal shape, and various other shapes, and the body rim 510 can also have a cross section that is circular or polygonal.

[0036] 3, the sealable cover 100 may be detachably coupled to the opening 550 of the container body 500, and may be configured to seal the inside of the container body 500 when the sealable cover 100 is coupled to the container body 500. The sealable cover 100 may include all or some of the cover body 110, the cover rim 120, the internal rib 130, the cover step jaw 140, the clearance groove 150, the locking protrusion 160, the hinge base 170, the bent portion 180, and the flap 190. The flap 190 may also include a support protrusion 200 and a contact portion 210, and the contact portion 210 may include a contact support surface 220.

[0037] The cover body 110 is a portion configured to cover the opening 550 of the container body 500, and may generally occupy the maximum area of ​​the sealable cover 100. The cover body 110 may be configured to be generally flat, but may be embodied in various shapes as necessary. In some embodiments, a transparent material may be used for all or a part of the cover body 110. Since the cover body 110 serves to cover the opening 550 of the container body 500, the diameter of the cover body 110 may be equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the body rim 510.

[0038] The cover rim 120 may extend downward from the edge of the cover body 110. The inner rib 130 may extend downward with a smaller diameter inside the cover rim 120, and preferably the outer diameter of the inner rib 130 may be formed smaller than the opening 550 of the container body 500. When a user couples the sealable cover 100 to the container body 500, the body rim 510 of the container body 500 may be inserted between the cover rim 120 and the inner rib 130 of the sealable cover 100. The cover rim 120 may be formed with a locking protrusion 160 at a required position, and when a hole 135 is formed at a corresponding position in the inner rib 130, the sealable cover 100 may be manufactured by injection molding using a slide core mold.

[0039] The step jaw 140 may be formed on the edge of the cover body 110 inside the cover rim 120. The step jaw 140 may form a packing groove 145 for inserting a packing (not shown) together with the inner rib 130. When a user couples the sealable cover 100 to the container body 500, the packing (not shown) of the container body 500 may press the body rim 510 to seal the inside of the container body 500.

[0040] The clearance groove 150 is a portion corresponding to a groove formed in the cover rim 120. As shown in Fig. 3, the clearance groove 150 can be formed in the cover rim 120 at a position corresponding to the support protrusion 200 and the contact portion 210 so that the cover rim 120 does not interfere with the movement of the contact portion 210 when the user moves the flap 190.

[0041] The locking protrusion 160 may be formed in a form that extends inward from the lower part of the cover rim 120 at a specific position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface of the locking protrusion 160 has a flat shape in a horizontal plane parallel to the cover body 110, while the upper part of the locking protrusion 160 forms an inclined surface 165. As described in relation to FIG. 2, when the body rim 510 has a shape in which the outer diameter decreases at a second point 517 lower than the first point 512, the locking protrusion 160 may be configured to contact the first point 512 and the second point 517 of the body rim 510, and in some embodiments, the locking protrusion 160 may contact the first point 512 and the second point 517 of the body rim 510 via the inclined surface 165. In particular, when the cross section of the main body rim 510 has an inclined shape in which the outer diameter decreases from the first point 512 to the second point 517, the inclined surface 165 of the locking protrusion 160 can be formed into a shape corresponding to the inclination of the main body rim 510.

[0042] Of course, the locking projection 160 does not necessarily have to have an inclined surface 165 to contact the first point 512 of the body rim 510 and the second point 517 located lower than the first point 512. The locking projection 160 may have a shape bent into an L-shape, for example. In some embodiments, the locking projection 160 may be configured to extend only in the horizontal direction and contact only the second point 517 of the body rim 510, which has a reduced outer diameter below the first point 512. As described above, in the case where the body rim 510 maintains the same outer diameter over a predetermined length in the vertical direction, the locking projection 160 may correspondingly have a shape having the same inner diameter over a corresponding length in the vertical direction.

[0043] 3 shows an example in which the closure cover 100 includes one flap 190 and two locking projections 160, the number and location of the flaps 190 and locking projections 160 may vary. In particular, in some embodiments in which the closure cover 100 includes multiple flaps 190, the locking projections 160 may be omitted.

[0044] The hinge base 170 may extend outward from the cover body 110, specifically, from a designated position on an outer surface formed by the cover body 110 and the cover rim 120. As shown in Fig. 3, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flap 190 may be connected to a pair of hinge bases 170, and a clearance groove 150 may be formed between the pair of hinge bases 170.

[0045] The bent portion 180 is a portion where the flap 190 is connected to the hinge base 170, and can connect the flap 190 to be rotatable relative to the hinge base 170. The bent portion 180 can be formed along a straight line so that the flap 190 can easily rotate. In some embodiments, the hinge base 170 and the flap 190 can be integrally molded from the same material, and in this case, the bent portion 180 can be formed to a thickness that provides sufficient strength to prevent easy breakage while allowing the flap 190 to rotate.

[0046] The flap 190 is connected to the hinge base 170 by a bent portion 180 provided on one side thereof so as to be rotatable relative to the hinge base 170. A support protrusion 200 is provided on the same side of the flap 190 on which the bent portion 180 is provided. When the flap 190 is lifted as shown in Fig. 3, the sealable cover 100 can be separated from the container body 500, and when the flap 190 is rotated downward, the contact portion 210 formed on the end of the support protrusion 200 is in close contact with the container body 500, so that the sealable cover 100 can be coupled to the container body 500.

[0047] As mentioned above, in some embodiments not shown, the closure cover 100 may include multiple flaps 190, which may be connected to multiple hinge bases 170 formed at different positions. If a sufficient number of flaps 190 are provided, the closure cover 100 may not include the locking protrusions 160.

[0048] The support protrusion 200 may extend in a direction toward the cover body 110 from the same side of the flap 190 where the bent portion 180 is provided. A contact portion 210 may be provided at an end of the support protrusion 200. When the user rotates the flap 190 downward, the support protrusion 200 and the contact portion 210 provided thereon pass through the clearance groove 150, and therefore can move without being caught by the cover rim 120.

[0049] The contact portion 210 is a portion formed at an end of the support protrusion 200 and configured to contact the container body 500. In particular, a contact support surface 220 may be formed at a portion where the contact portion 210 contacts the container body 500 when the flap 190 is fully rotated downward. For reference, the contact portion 210 may be formed to a size that presses against the body rim 510 while the flap 190 rotates downward. For example, when the flap 190 reaches a certain angle while rotating downward with respect to the hinge base 170, the end of the contact portion 210 may contact the container body 500. In this state, when a larger force is applied to the flap 190, at least one of the contact portion 210, the support protrusion 200, and the bent portion 180 may be elastically deformed, and a locking process may be performed in which the contact portion 210 passes beyond the portion where the pressing contact occurs. This structure allows the sealable cover 100 to be more firmly locked to the container body 500.

[0050] The contact support surface 220 is part of the contact portion 210, and can be configured to be in intimate contact with the container body 500 when the flap 190 is rotated downward relative to the hinge base 170. As described above, if the body rim 510 of the container body 500 has a larger outer diameter at a first point 512 and a smaller outer diameter at a second point 517 that is lower than the first point 512, the contact support surface 220 can be configured to contact both the first point 512 and the second point 517 when the sealable cover 100 is coupled to the container body 500.

[0051] In some embodiments, the flap 190, support protrusion 200, contact portion 210, and contact support surface 220 may be integrally molded from the same material, in which case the contact portion 210 and contact support surface 220 may be formed with materials and dimensions suitable for the locking process and maintaining an effective seal.

[0052] Meanwhile, in some embodiments, at least a part of the support protrusion 200, the contact portion 210, and the contact support surface 220 may be formed of a material different from that of the flap 190. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the material used for the contact support surface 220 may have a lower elastic modulus than the material used for the flap 190. A material having a lower elastic modulus than a comparison object means that the material is more likely to undergo elastic deformation than the comparison object. When the contact support surface 220 has a lower elastic modulus, the contact support surface 220 may be more closely attached to the surface of the container body 500. For example, when a plastic such as polypropylene (PP) is used as the material of the flap 190, a rubber agent such as silicone having a lower elastic modulus may be used for the contact support surface 220. As yet another example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the material used for the contact portion 210 and / or the support protrusion 200 may have a lower elastic modulus than the material used for the flap 190. In this case, the above-mentioned locking process can be performed more easily.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the support projection 200, contact portion 210, and contact support surface 220 can be configured to couple to the flap 190. This allows for different materials to be applied to the aforementioned components, and allows for worn or damaged portions to be replaced as needed.

[0054] Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 4 to 7, a process of sealing the sealed container 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figs. 4 to 6 are views showing a process of sealing the sealed container 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the contact portion 210 in the sealed container 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For reference, the term "reference line" is used in this specification, and the reference line L refers to an imaginary line extending from the center of the cover body 110 toward the center of the contact support surface 220 along the horizontal direction. In Figs. 4 to 6, the cross-sectional view shown in (b) is a cross-sectional view cut along the line A-A shown in the plan view in (a), and a part of the line A-A is parallel to the reference line L.

[0055] First, the structure of the sealable cover 100 can prevent the inner surface of the cover body 110 from contacting a surface such as a table when the sealable cover 100 is separated from the container body 500. Since the cover rim 120 extends downward from the cover body 110, it can first contact a surface such as a table, allowing the cover body 110 to maintain a horizontal position. This can prevent the inner surface of the cover body 110 from being contaminated by foreign matter, and conversely, can also prevent the contents of the sealed container 1000 that may be attached to the inner surface of the cover body 110 from contaminating the surface such as a table.

[0056] 4, when closing the sealed container 1000, the user can place the sealable cover 100 on the container body 500, and the body rim 510 is located between the cover rim 120 and the internal rib 130. Here, when viewed from the perspective of the flap 190, the sealable cover 100 can be placed in a state in which it is retracted slightly rearward from the container body 500 (to the left in FIG. 4(b)).

[0057] 4, the locking protrusion 160 is not yet in full contact with the main body rim 510. For reference, the position at which the locking protrusion 160 is formed on the sealable cover 100 is preferably located within a range exceeding 90 degrees to the left and right of the reference line L (i.e., a 180 degree range on the opposite side of the flap 190). Even when the locking protrusion 160 is not yet in contact with the main body rim 510, the sealable cover 100 can maintain a stable posture because the internal rib 130 is formed slightly smaller than the opening 550 of the container body 500.

[0058] 5 shows a state in which the user rotates the flap 190 downward. Even in FIG. 5, the locking protrusion 160 does not have to be in close contact with the main body rim 510 yet. Meanwhile, as the flap 190 rotates downward, the contact portion 210 formed at the end of the support protrusion 200 comes into contact with the surface of the container main body 500.

[0059] 5(b), a first point 512 having a larger outer diameter at a higher position on the body rim 510 and a second point 517 having a smaller outer diameter at a lower position are shown. The body rim 510 is naturally connected between the first point 512 and the second point 517, and the cross section of the body rim 510 can form a slope or bend.

[0060] 5(b), the upper part of the contact portion 210 is shown overlapping with a part of the main body rim 510, which shows the position of the contact portion 210 together with the main body rim 510 when no elastic deformation occurs in any part of the sealable cover 100. In other words, if no elastic deformation occurs in the sealable cover 100, the contact portion 210 will get caught on the main body rim 510 and the flap 190 will not be able to rotate downward all the way.

[0061] However, as described above, at least a portion of the sealable cover 100 may be made of a material capable of elastic deformation, and elastic deformation may occur in at least one of the contact portion 210, the support protrusion 200, and the bent portion 180, so that the contact portion 210 may pass through the portion where the pressing contact occurs against the body rim 510. Specifically, when the user rotates the flap 190 downward and the flap 190 reaches a certain angle, the end of the contact portion 210 may come into contact with the container body 500, for example, the second point 517 shown in Fig. 5(b). In this state, when the user applies a larger force to the flap 190, the contact portion 210 is pressed against the body rim 510, and at least one of the contact portion 210, the support protrusion 200, and the bent portion 180 may be elastically deformed by the pressing force, so that the contact portion 210 may pass through the portion where the pressing contact occurs.

[0062] 6 shows the state where the flap 190 has rotated 90 degrees as the contact portion 210 has passed the pressed portion. As described above, when the upper end of the contact portion 210 is in contact with the surface of the main body rim 510, the user can continue to press the flap 190 downward, so that the contact portion 210 can overcome the pressing contact state where it is caught on the main body rim 510. Since the gap groove 150 is formed in the cover rim 120 of the sealable cover 100 at a position corresponding to the support protrusion 200 of the flap 190, the contact support surface 220 of the contact portion 210 can pass through the clearance groove 150 and come into close contact with the main body rim 510.

[0063] In particular, in this state, the cover body 110 can be pulled along the reference line in the direction of the flap 190 while the body rim 510 presses against the contact support surface 220, so that the locking projection 160 can be in close contact with the body rim 510 as shown in Fig. 6(b). The locking projection 160 may be in close contact with only the first point 512 of the body rim 510 as described above, may be in close contact with only the second point 517, or may be in close contact with both the first point 512 and the second point 517. When the cover body 110 is pulled in the direction of the flap 190, the packing (not shown) inserted in the packing groove 145 is aligned with the upper part of the body rim 510, so that the opening 550 can be completely sealed.

[0064] Hereinafter, the principle by which the sealable cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention tightly contacts the container body 500 will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a contact portion 210 in the sealed container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] 7 shows an example in which the contact support surface 220 of the contact portion 210 contacts the first point 512 and the second point 517 of the main body rim 510, and four sections A, B, C, and D are displayed around the first point 512. The four sections A, B, C, and D are intended to explain possible positions of the bent portion 180 based on the point where the contact support surface 220 abuts on the main body rim 510, and section A represents the inner upper part, section B the inner lower part, section C the outer lower part, and section D the outer upper part. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, the horizontal direction is parallel to the reference line L. As described above, the reference line L is a line extending horizontally from the center of the cover main body 110 toward the center of the contact support surface 220.

[0066] 7, the main body rim 510 applies an outward normal force to the contact support surface 220 of the contact portion 210 at a first point 512, the first point 512 serves as a pressing point, and the bent portion 180 is located relatively outwardly and below the pressing point. In other words, the bent portion 180 is located below the first point 512 that applies the outward normal force, and is located outwardly along the direction of the reference line L. That is, the bent portion 180 is located in section C.

[0067] When viewed from the reference line L that runs horizontally from the center of the cover body 110 to the center of the contact support surface 220, the bending portion 180, including the contact support surface 220 and the contact portion 210, and the part connected to the flap 190 corresponds to the axis that rotates relative to the hinge base 170.

[0068] Therefore, when the bent portion 180 is located in the C section, the normal force applied by the main body rim 510 due to the contact between the contact support surface 220 and the main body rim 510 acts on the bent portion 180, which is the rotation axis, and can apply a force in a direction that rotates the flap 190 downward around the bent portion 180. Taking the configuration of FIG. 7 as an example, the normal force in the outward direction applied to the contact support surface 220 at the first point 512, which is the pressing point, causes the flap 190 connected by the contact portion 210 and the support protrusion 200 to rotate clockwise around the bent portion 180. In FIG. 7, the clockwise rotation of the flap 190 is an operation in the direction that locks the sealable cover 100, so that the sealable cover 100 can maintain a state of being coupled to the opening 550 of the container body 500.

[0069] 7, the main body rim 510 applies a normal force in the outward direction to the contact support surface 220 at the first point 512, pulling the sealable cover 100 in the direction of the reference line L relative to the container main body 500. Other flaps 190 or locking projections 160 may be provided at positions other than the position of the illustrated flap 190, which may be similarly brought into close contact with the main body rim 510. As a result, the sealable cover 100 is fixed relative to the container main body 500 in the horizontal direction.

[0070] On the other hand, if the body rim 510 includes a second point 517 having a smaller outer diameter at a position lower than the first point 512, the contact support surface 220 can also contact the second point 517. In this case, since the contact support surface 220 contacts the second point 517, i.e., the portion having a reduced outer diameter below the first point 512, the sealable cover 100 can be maintained fixed in the vertical direction as well. In other words, if an upward force is applied to the sealable cover 100 when the sealable cover 100 is in the locked state, the contact support surface 220 can be caught on the upper part of the second point 517, preventing the sealable cover 100 from opening.

[0071] However, as described above, since the locked state of the sealable cover 100 can be maintained by the main body rim 510 simply applying a normal force in the outward direction to the contact support surface 220 at the pressing point, the main body rim 510 does not necessarily have to have a shape in which the outer diameter is reduced at the second point 517 compared to the first point 512, and it is possible to connect the sealable cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention even if the main body rim 510 maintains the same outer diameter over a predetermined length in the vertical direction. In this case, the frictional force between the contact support surface 220 and the main body rim 510 can serve to fix the sealable cover 100 in the vertical direction.

[0072] Next, although not shown, a case where the bent portion 180 is located in a different section will be described. In some embodiments, the bent portion 180 may be located in section B. Since the sections A, B, C, and D are divided based on the first point 512 in a vertical plane including the reference line L, the case where the bent portion 180 is located in section B may include, for example, a case where the hinge base 170 and the bent portion 180 are separated from the contact portion 210 along the circumference in the circular cover body 110 (i.e., a virtual line from the center of the cover body 110 to the bent portion 180 forms a large angle with respect to the reference line L). Of course, the bent portion 180 may be located in section B even in a structure in which a recessed portion is formed on the inside of the cover body 110 and the main body rim 510 and the bent portion 180 is formed in the recessed portion.

[0073] Even when the bent portion 180 is located in section B, the normal force applied by the main body rim 510 due to contact between the contact support surface 220 and the main body rim 510 acts on the bent portion 180, which is the rotation axis, and can apply a force in a direction that causes the flap 190 to rotate downward around the bent portion 180. The outward normal force applied to the contact support surface 220 at the first point 512 causes the flap 190 connected by the contact portion 210 and the support protrusion 200 to rotate downward around the bent portion 180, so that the sealable cover 100 can maintain a state of being coupled to the opening 550 of the container body 500.

[0074] Although not shown, a case will be described in which the main body rim 510 applies a normal force toward the outside and the bottom to the contact support surface 220 of the contact portion 210 at the second point 517, the second point 517 serves as a pressing point, and the bent portion 180 is located relatively inside the pressing point along the direction of the reference line L. This corresponds to the case in which the bent portion 180 is located in section A or section B with respect to the second point 517.

[0075] When the folding portion 180 is positioned in section B based on the second point 517, the outward component of the normal force applied to the contact support surface 220 at the pressing point, the second point 517, acts to rotate the flap 190 downward, thereby maintaining the sealable cover 100 in an assembled state.

[0076] Meanwhile, when the bent portion 180 is located in section A based on the second point 517, the downward component of the normal force applied to the contact support surface 220 at the second point 517, which is the pressing fulcrum, can act in a direction that pulls the cover body 110 outward and downward. With the body rim 510 interposed between the contact support surface 220 and the cover body 110, the normal force of the pressing fulcrum pulls the contact portion 210 and the cover body 110 toward each other, so that the sealable cover 100 can maintain a fixed state in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0077] Of course, when the bending portion 180 is located in section A or section B based on the first point 512 or the second point 517, the normal force at the pressing point may act in a direction that partially rotates the flap 190 upward. Therefore, when the bending portion 180 is located in section A or section B, the sizes, shapes and positions of the hinge base 170, the flap 190, the support protrusion 200, the contact portion 210 and the contact support surface 220 may be designed so that the normal force component acting to close the closure cover 100 is greater than the normal force component acting to open the closure cover 100.

[0078] The sealable cover 100 and the sealed container 1000 equipped with the same according to one embodiment of the present invention can seal the container body 500 even if no protrusion is formed on the container body 500, and this feature provides a wide variety of advantages.

[0079] First, the fact that the container body 500 does not require a protrusion means that the sealable cover 100 can be coupled to a wide variety of existing container bodies 500, and therefore the utility of the sealable cover 100 can be significantly increased. Also, since the container body 500 does not have a protrusion, it is more convenient to carry and store the container body 500, and it is easier to clean the container body 500 and to maintain the cleanliness of the container body 500 at a high level. When the sealable cover 100 is opened, there is no possibility that the sealable cover 100 will hit or get caught on a protrusion of the container body 500, and therefore the sealed container 1000 can be opened more easily.

[0080] In terms of manufacturing, since there is no need to form a protrusion on the container body 500, the container body 500 can be manufactured in a fundamentally simpler shape, and since there are no parts that require precise dimensional processing such as protrusions and locking parts, the range of allowable tolerances can be significantly increased. The sealable cover 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can also be manufactured by a relatively simple injection molding process.

[0081] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sealed container includes a container body having an opening and a sealable cover detachably connected to the opening of the container body, The sealing cover is A cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outwardly from the cover body; a flap connected to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side thereof so as to be rotatable relative to the hinge base; a support protrusion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and having a contact portion formed at an end thereof, the contact portion being configured to contact the container body; When the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body, and the sealable cover is coupled to the container body; A sealed container configured such that, when an imaginary line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface is defined as a reference line, and a point at which the container body applies a normal force extending outwardly to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, the folded portion is located lower than the pressing point and is located outer than the pressing point along the direction of the reference line when the sealable cover is attached to the container body.

2. A sealed container including a container body having an opening and a sealable cover detachably connected to the opening of the container body, The sealing cover is A cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outwardly from the cover body; a flap connected to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side so as to be rotatable relative to the hinge base; a support protrusion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and having a contact portion formed at an end thereof, the contact portion being configured to contact the container body; When the flap is rotated downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body, and the sealable cover is coupled to the container body; A sealed container configured such that, when the sealable cover is attached to the container body, the folded portion is located inward relative to the pressing point in the direction of the reference line, where an imaginary line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface is defined as a reference line, and a point at which the container body applies a normal force extending outward and downward to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point.

3. The container body includes a body rim having an outer diameter at a first point greater than an outer diameter at a second point that is smaller than the first point; The sealed container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact support surface contacts the first point and the second point when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

4. The sealed container of claim 3, wherein when the flap reaches a certain angle while rotating downward relative to the hinge base, an end of the contact portion comes into contact with the container body, and when a greater force is applied to the flap, at least one of the contact portion, the support protrusion, and the bent portion elastically deforms to allow the contact portion to pass.

5. 4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the container body is produced by blow molding and includes a portion below the body rim having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter at the first point.

6. The sealable cover further includes a cover rim extending downward from an edge of the cover body; 3. The sealed container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge base extends outward from a designated position on an outer surface defined by the cover body and the cover rim.

7. 7. The sealed container of claim 6, wherein the flap is connected to a pair of hinge bases by a pair of bent portions, the support protrusion extends in a direction toward the cover body between the pair of bent portions, and a clearance groove is formed in the cover rim at a position corresponding to the space between the pair of hinge bases, and when the flap rotates, the support protrusion passes through the clearance groove.

8. The sealed container according to claim 6 , wherein the sealable cover further includes a locking protrusion extending inwardly from a lower portion of the cover rim.

9. The container body includes a body rim having an outer diameter at a first point greater than an outer diameter at a second point that is lower than the first point; The sealed container according to claim 8 , wherein the locking protrusion includes an inclined surface that contacts the first point and the second point when the sealable cover is coupled to the container body.

10. 3. The sealed container according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of the container body is any one of a circle, a polygon, and a combination of a circle and a polygon.

11. 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the sealable cover comprises a plurality of flaps.

12. The sealed container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the contact support surface, the contact portion and the support protrusion are removably coupled to the flap.

13. The sealed container according to claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the contact support surface, the contact portion and the support protrusion has a lower elastic modulus than the flap.

14. A sealable cover that is detachably coupled to an opening of a container body, A cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outwardly from the cover body; a flap connected to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side so as to be rotatable relative to the hinge base; a contact portion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and configured to contact the container body, the contact portion including a support protrusion formed at an end thereof; When the flap rotates downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body, and the sealable cover is coupled to the container body; A sealed container configured such that, when an imaginary line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface is defined as a reference line, and a point at which the container body applies a normal force extending outwardly to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point, the folded portion is located lower than the pressing point and is located outer than the pressing point along the direction of the reference line when the sealable cover is attached to the container body.

15. A sealable cover that is detachably coupled to an opening of a container body, A cover body configured to cover the opening; a hinge base extending outwardly from the cover body; a flap connected to the hinge base by a bent portion provided on one side so as to be rotatable relative to the hinge base; a contact portion extending from the one side of the flap in a direction toward the cover body and configured to contact the container body, the contact portion including a support protrusion formed at an end thereof; When the flap is rotated downward relative to the hinge base, the contact support surface of the contact portion is in close contact with the container body, and the sealable cover is coupled to the container body; A sealed container configured such that, when the sealable cover is attached to the container body, the folded portion is located inward relative to the pressing point in the direction of the reference line, where an imaginary line extending horizontally from the center of the cover body toward the center of the contact support surface is defined as a reference line, and a point at which the container body applies a normal force extending outward and downward to the contact support surface is defined as a pressing point.

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