package

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package comprising, on the one hand, a plastic container having a sidewall, a top opening, and a bottom, and, on the other hand, a removable plastic lid configured to cover the top opening of the container, wherein the top opening (25) of the container has a first engagement portion (27) with an outwardly facing rim (28) extending around its periphery, the outer periphery of the lid has a downwardly folded second engagement portion (40) with an inwardly facing rim (41) that can latch into the underside of the outwardly facing rim (28) of the container, and the second engagement portion of the lid has a skirt with a bendable skirt section (44), the free end (EI) of which is captured in the receiving portion (7) of the container.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a package which on the one hand comprises a container with side walls meeting at corners, a bottom and a top opening, and additionally comprises a lid intended to cover the top opening of the container.

[0002] The field of the invention is that of plastic packaging, conventionally obtained by injection moulding of the lid and the container, and their synergistic effect due to elasticity. [Background technology]

[0003] From the current state of the art, packages are known in which the container has a first engagement portion at the top opening of the container and the lid has a second engagement portion at the periphery of the lid, and these engagement portions are intended to be elastically interlocked with each other.

[0004] The first engagement portion of the lid has an outward rim extending around the periphery, and the second engagement portion of the lid has an inward rim disposed on the second engagement portion skirt so as to be able to latch under the outward rim of the container, ensuring that the lid is locked to the container.

[0005] The outward facing rim of one container and the inward facing rim of the other lid have curved corner sections at the corners where the side walls meet, the curved corner sections connecting the side sections of the respective rims.

[0006] In such current technology, placement and locking of a lid onto a container is traditionally accomplished by applying force using a cylinder actuator that presses against the center of the lid to interlock a first engaging portion with a second engaging portion of the container and until the inward facing rim of the lid passes over the outward facing rim of the container, the interengaged surfaces between the two rims resisting removal of the lid.

[0007] Removal of the lid is typically performed by the end user and can be difficult for some people and may even require the assistance of a tool such as a screwdriver to remove the lid from the container.

[0008] However, current state of the art packaging with functional portions of the lid and / or container allow for easy removal of the lid.

[0009] One solution is disclosed in document EP 0110859 and involves providing a bendable skirt section, such as a flexible hinge, on top of the second engagement portion of the lid, which is articulated at a folding region on one of the curved corner sections of the inward ridge on the lid, which can be bent from an engagement position to an outward position by using a lever action so that a central portion of said at least one curved corner section of the inward ridge is spaced from the outward ridge of the upper opening, and therefore the engagement between the inward ridge and the outward ridge, respectively, is weakened across said central portion.

[0010] In the engaged position, the bendable skirt section is separated from the remaining skirt section by two grooves formed on the outer surface of the skirt and extending downward from the folding area to the lower edge of the skirt, the grooves reducing the wall thickness of the skirt so that the skirt can be broken along the grooves to fold the bendable skirt section from the engaged position to the outward position.

[0011] Such a solution including a bendable skirt section significantly simplifies opening the lid in the most difficult places (i.e., at the corners) by weakening the connection between the lid and the container at these corners, and advantageously combines the tamper-evident feature of irreversibly breaking the two breakable grooves after the skirt section is lifted. In document EP 0 110 859, an inward rim is provided by the bendable skirt section and is located below the flexible hinge between the bendable skirt section and the second engagement part. However, as disclosed in document EP 2 523 866, it is possible to provide an inward rim above the flexible hinge, which rim cannot be cut when the bendable skirt section is lifted, in order to maintain the seal between the lid and the container after the initial opening.

[0012] One drawback of such packages, especially during transport, is that, for example, when they are stacked on a pallet, shocks can cause unfortunate forces under the foldable skirt sections, resulting in their accidental folding. In such cases, both the grooves separating the skirt and the foldable skirt sections can break, indicating an opening in the package. When transporting high-value products, the end customer may find that the breakable grooves, which serve as tamper evidence, have been destroyed during transport and therefore decide to reject the delivery, resulting in a significant financial loss.

[0013] The applicant has proposed in document FR1854484 to address this problem by strategic placement of external vertical ribs with a stacking pitch function. - Thus, each of the external ribs extends vertically below the first engaging portion of the container (with the outward rib) and has a flat portion at its bottom end intended to cooperate in abutment with the upper edge of the top opening of the container inside which it is stacked. Such vertical ribs initially serve to ensure a constant stacking pitch between the two containers when they are stacked on top of each other. However, the aforementioned external ribs are advantageously positioned at the corners of the container, as taught by FR 1854484, with each rib strategically extending from its bottom edge to the height of the foldable skirt section when it is in the engaged position. The slope, in effect, created by the vertical position of the external ribs adjacent to and below the foldable skirt section advantageously constitutes a risk barrier, limiting the risk of accidental opening of the foldable skirt section, where accidental and unfortunate pressure during uncontrolled handling pushes the lower part of the skirt section until it folds and breaks the unwanted groove that serves as a tamper-evident device.

[0014] The applicant has observed that such positioning of the outer ribs perpendicular to the bendable skirt section makes it possible to reduce the number of accidental openings and breakages of the tamper-proof breakable grooves during shipping and delivery. However, even if the rate of accidental tamper-evident openings is significantly reduced, it is still not zero. This relates to the first problem for which the present disclosure provides a solution.

[0015] Furthermore, the inventors have found that such tamper-proof systems are still not completely reliable. It is still possible to remove the lid from a container while maintaining the bendable skirt section in its engaged position, i.e., without having to lift and break the two breakable grooves. For example, it is often possible to remove the lid at the corners by applying force under the skirt section with one hand, exerting a force to remove the lid, while simultaneously pushing the skirt section radially toward the container with the other hand, thus avoiding breaking the grooves. In this way, lid removal is achieved without breaking the breakable grooves. The art also knows of adding a pair of corner latching rims, each facing outward and inward, located on the first and second engaging portions of the container, respectively, to enhance the corner latching. The inventors have found that providing a double pair of mutually latching rims at the corners does not always provide tamper resistance, since it is still possible to remove the lid without breaking the breakable grooves by exploiting the elasticity of the plastic. This brings us to the second problem to which the present disclosure, according to at least one embodiment, provides a solution. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The object of the present disclosure is to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks by proposing a package comprising a lid and a container of the type described in documents EP 0110859 or FR 1854484, which includes a bendable skirt section that facilitates removal of the lid and dramatically reduces the number of accidental openings of the bendable skirt section.

[0017] Another object of the present disclosure is to propose a package, according to at least one embodiment, that limits the risk of tampering, i.e. removing the lid without breaking the tamper-evident groove.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a package design that does not complicate the injection molding equipment and manufacturing costs required for production.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to propose a package whose resistance to loads during stacking of the packages is significantly improved over the current technology mentioned above.

[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example only.

[0021] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a package according to the invention, wherein said container and said lid are obtained by injection molding.

[0022] To that end, the present disclosure provides a package comprising, on the one hand, a plastic container having side walls meeting at corners, a top opening, and a bottom, and, on the other hand, a removable plastic lid configured to cover the top opening of the container, wherein the top opening of the container has a first engagement portion having an outwardly facing rim extending around its periphery, the periphery of the lid has a second engagement portion folded downwardly, the second engagement portion having an inwardly facing rim capable of latching with an underside of the outwardly facing rim of the container, the second engagement portion of the lid having a skirt extending over the underside of the second engagement portion, and the outwardly facing rim of the container, on the other hand, and the other inward rim of the lid has a curved corner section connecting the side sections of the respective rims at the corner where the side walls meet, at least one of the curved corner sections of the inward rim has a foldable skirt section that is articulated at a folding region on the top of the second engagement portion and can be folded from an engaged position to an outward position, in a manner such that a central portion of at least one curved corner section of the inward rim is separated from the outward rim of the top opening by lever action, thereby weakening the engagement between the rims across the central portion.

[0023] According to the present disclosure, the container includes a receiving portion in the bendable skirt section of the lid that forms a shield for the free end of the bendable skirt section, a receptacle that receives the free end in an engagement position of the bendable skirt section, the receiving portion configured to prevent the bendable skirt section from being folded toward the outward position, and the receiving portion configured to deform to release the free end and approve pivoting of the bendable skirt section from the section engagement position toward the outward position.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the receptacle includes a front wall extending to overlap in front of the free end of the bendable skirt section in the engagement position of the bendable skirt section, the front wall then forming an abutment that prevents the bendable skirt section from being folded towards the outward position, and the front wall is configured to be deformed by the operator towards a retracted position to allow the free end to be released and to accept pivoting of the bendable skirt section from the engagement position to the outward position about the folding region.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the front wall is fixed at its longitudinal ends by material bridges in the form of vertical ribs connecting the longitudinal ends of the front wall to the side walls or corners of the container, respectively, and a groove is provided at one of the longitudinal ends of the front wall that reduces the thickness of the front wall and is configured to break by separating the longitudinal ends of the material bridge when the front wall is deformed towards the retracted position.

[0026] According to one embodiment, after the groove breaks, the front wall deforms towards the retracted position and the skirt section is folded into an outward position, still joining the container via its other longitudinal edge.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the engaging portion of the container having an outward rim extends and is elongated below the first rim and terminates below the first rim by a second rim that is also outward, and the receptacle that receives the free end of the foldable section includes a rear wall whose upper end is integral with the second rim, and the rear wall is integral with the front wall via a bottom wall that connects the lower end of the rear wall to the lower end of the front wall, and the section including the front wall, rear wall and bottom wall forms a U-shaped section of the receptacle that receives the free end of the foldable skirt section.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the bendable skirt section has at least one inwardly directed lug that, in an engaged position of the bendable skirt section, can be latched under the second outwardly directed rim of the first engagement portion at least when a force is applied to the lid to remove the lid, and the latching engagement of the at least one lug with the second rim is achieved in a localized area only along the curved corner section of the second outwardly directed rim in the engaged position of the bendable skirt section by a latching overlap between the interengaging surfaces of the at least one lug and the second rim, when viewed radially relative to the curved section of the second rim, that is greater in dimension than the latching overlap between the interengaging surfaces of the inwardly directed rim and the first outwardly directed rim, when viewed radially relative to the curved section of the first rim.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the latching of the at least one lug under the second rim is achieved in a localized area that does not have a rear wall.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the foldable skirt section of the lid has a through recess extending along the height of the foldable skirt section above and perpendicular to the at least one lug.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the through recess extends from its lower part only over the length of the at least one lug to the folding region between the bendable skirt section and the upper part of the second engagement part.

[0032] According to one embodiment, in the engaged position of the bendable skirt section, when no external force is applied to the lid, the latching engagement between the inward rim and the first outward rim is released, while a gap separates the second outward rim from at least one lug positioned below the second rim, which only comes into latching contact with the second rim when the lid is subjected to a force.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the free end of the bendable skirt section has a curved profile along a plane parallel to the lid, and the receptacle of the receiving portion has a curved trajectory whose length receives the curved profile of the free end.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the bendable skirt section is separated from the remaining skirt section by two grooves formed in the outer surface of the skirt and extending downward from the folding area to the lower edge of the skirt, the grooves reducing the wall thickness of the skirt so that the skirt can be broken along the grooves to fold the bendable skirt section from its engaged position to its outward position.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the container comprises four side walls meeting at four corners, an inward-facing rim of the lid having four curved corner sections with four foldable skirt sections, and four receiving portions for respectively receiving the free ends of the four foldable skirt sections.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the foldable skirt section has at least one lug as well as an inwardly directed rim, both located below the folding area and at an engagement position of the foldable skirt section.

[0037] According to one embodiment, a first engagement portion of the container extends below the outward rim by a first snap-on means, and a second engagement portion extends below the inward rim by a second snap-on means, and the first snap-on means and the second snap-on means engage with each other in an intermediate localized region along the edge of the container on the side section between the curved corner sections, thereby causing the inward rim of the lid to latch onto the outward rim of the container.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the first snap-on means comprises at least one opening and the second snap-on means comprises elastically deformable teeth configured to be elastically inserted into the opening by latching engagement with the opening.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the peripheral wall of the lid, from which the second engagement portion directly extends, has longitudinally protruding, outwardly oriented opposing support ribs located below the lid in the side sections along the edge of the lid between the curved corner sections where the inward rim of the lid latches with the outward rim of the container, the opposing support ribs forming a plurality of opposing support portions on the inner surface of the side wall of the container between the curved corner sections and distributed around the periphery of the container, reinforcing the latching engagement between the rims latched along the edge of the lid between the curved corner sections.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the package comprises wedge-shaped ribs extending around the peripheral edge of the lid, inwardly relative to the second engagement portion and projecting upwardly relative to the horizontal wall of the lid, the wedge-shaped ribs being distributed around the inner periphery of the second engagement portion so as to center and receive between the ribs the lower portions of containers of a similar package stacked on the horizontal wall of the lid, the wedge-shaped ribs forming an abutment with the lower portions of the side walls of the stacked containers.

[0041] According to one embodiment, each has an outer rib extending vertically below the first engagement portion, each rib intended to abut and cooperate with the upper edge of the upper opening of the container inside which the container is stacked, and the outer rib has a flat area at its lower end that is at least partially provided in a corner substantially below each receiving portion and extending at least to the height of the receiving portion.

[0042] The present disclosure further relates to a method for manufacturing a package according to the invention, wherein the lid and the container are obtained by injection molding. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent from reading the following detailed description and examining the accompanying drawings.

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a top opening of a container of a package according to the present disclosure closed by a lid of the package, a foldable skirt section of the lid in an engaging position with the container at a corner of the container, and a lower end of the foldable section received and captured within a receiving portion of the lid.

[0045] [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view along a substantially horizontal plane, parallel to the lid, passing through the four receivers at their mid-height and receiving the free ends of the four foldable skirt sections at the four corners of the container while forming a shield for each of the foldable skirt sections to prevent unintentional lifting.

[0046] [Figure 3] A detailed view of a snap-on system located between the corners on the side and having elastically deformable teeth that engage with openings provided by the first engaging part, in addition to the engagement system between the outward rims of the first engaging part and the outward rims of the second engaging part, and that engages with openings provided by the second engaging part.

[0047] [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view along a vertical plane showing a local snap-on system with openings and elastically deformable teeth. FIG.

[0048] [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane passing through the skirt section, showing the interlocking of the first engagement portion of the container with the second engagement portion of the lid, with the inward ribs cooperating and latching under the outward ribs, showing the snap-on system in the background, with the flange located at an intermediate position between the two corners and protruding downwardly with resiliently deformable teeth on the second engagement portion of the lid, being received in an opening in the flange of the first engagement portion of the container, the flange providing an opening in the first engagement portion of the container and extending downwardly by wings forming a handle protruding laterally from the side wall of the container.

[0049] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a substantially vertical plane passing through the snap-on system and the wings forming the handle of FIG. 5, in which reinforcing ribs extend connecting between the side wall of the container and the handle forming the wings, the ribs extending downwards towards the flat area, and the ribs forming ribs that perform a stacking pitch function, particularly in combination with vertical ribs extending below the first engagement portion at the curved corner section.

[0050] [Figure 7] A detailed perspective view of the foldable skirt section in its engaged position, while the free end of the skirt section is received in a receptacle of a receiving part integral with the container, which forms a shield against accidental folding of the foldable skirt section.

[0051] [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along a vertical plane passing through the first and second engagement portions engaged with each other, more particularly through the bendable skirt section while in an engaged position, wherein the free end of the skirt section captured in the U-shaped receptacle includes a front wall extending to overlap the bendable skirt section in front of it, a rear wall extending behind it, and a bottom wall connecting the lower end of the rear wall to the lower end of the front wall, and FIG. 8 shows in dotted lines how the front wall is deformed to release the bend in the bendable skirt section, thereby enabling the lid to be opened.

[0052] [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane passing through the area of ​​the receiving portion, slightly offset from the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, in which locally the receptacle has no rear wall, and the lugs of the bendable skirt section are positioned below the inward rim and overlap below the second rim of the first engagement portion, below the outward rim and above the latch overlap between the outward and inward rims by the latch overlap between the lugs and the second rim, respectively.

[0053] [Figure 10] A cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane showing the end of a bendable skirt section, with a curved track along the horizontal plane, captured in a receptacle between a front wall extending continuously in front of the free end of the bendable skirt section and a rear wall extending discontinuously behind the bendable skirt section.

[0054] [Figure 11] 8 is a bottom view of the receiving portion of FIG. 7 showing the bottom wall, front wall, and discontinuously extending rear wall of the receptacle, leaving openings that allow the two lugs of the bendable skirt section to function as latch overlaps with the second rim of the first engagement portion of the container.

[0055] [Figure 12]An alternative view of Figure 7 in which two additional ribs extend along with the stacking pitch ribs in the space and corner walls of the container and receiving portion to form a barrier against unauthorized unlatching of the lug from underneath (e.g., by inserting a finger, screwdriver, etc. into the space).

[0056] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of FIG. 12. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] The drawings and the following description substantially include certain elements that are specific in nature, and as such, these drawings not only aid in a better understanding of the present disclosure, but also contribute to its definition, where applicable.

[0058] The present invention relates to a package 1 comprising, on the one hand, a plastic container 2 including side walls 20, 21, 22, 23 meeting at corners 24, a top opening 25 and a bottom 26, and, on the other hand, a removable plastic lid 4 configured to cover the top opening of the container.

[0059] The side walls 20, 21, 22, 23 may be generally divergent and together form a truncated pyramid, configured to allow the container to be stacked within like containers.

[0060] The top opening 25 of the container 2 has a first engagement portion 27 with an outward rim 28 extending around the periphery, and the lid 4 has a second engagement portion 40 folded around its outer periphery and extending downward, the second engagement portion 40 having an inward rim 41 that can latch into engagement with the underside of the outward rim 28 of the container.

[0061] 4, first engagement portion 27 passes through a groove in downwardly opening second engagement portion 40. First engagement portion 27 has an inverted U-shaped cross section including a first longitudinal section extending the inner wall upwardly, followed by a second longitudinal section that is inclined, e.g., horizontal, relative to the first section, followed by a third longitudinal section that is inclined relative to the second section and extends downwardly and has an outwardly facing rim 28.

[0062] 4, second engagement portion 40 forms a downwardly opening groove for receiving first engagement portion 27. Second engagement portion 40 has an inverted U-shaped cross section including a first longitudinal section extending the top wall of the lid, followed by a second longitudinal section that is inclined, e.g., horizontal, relative to the first section, followed by a third longitudinal section that is inclined relative to the second section and extends downward to form skirt 42 and has inward rim 41.

[0063] The second engaging portion of the lid therefore has a skirt 42 extending over the lower part of the second engaging portion 40, and on the one hand the outward rim 28 of the container and on the other hand the inward rim 41 of the lid 4, with curved corner sections 29, 43 at the corners where the side walls meet, which connect the side sections of the respective rims.

[0064] At least one of the curved corner sections 43 of the inward rim 41 has a bendable skirt section 44 that is articulated at a folding region 46 at the top of the second engagement part 40 and can be bent from the engagement position P1 to an outward position by using a lever action so that the central portion of said at least one curved corner section of the inward rim 41 is spaced from the outward rim 28 of the upper opening, and therefore the engagement between the rims 28, 41 is weakened across said central portion.

[0065] Such a bendable skirt section facilitates removal of the lid by the user without the need for tools such as a screwdriver, with weakening being achieved by simply outwardly biasing the bendable skirt section 44 which pivots relative to the remainder of the lid around the fold region 46.

[0066] According to the invention, the foldable skirt section 44 is separated from the remaining skirt section in its engaged position by two grooves 45 formed in the outer surface of the skirt and extending downward from the folding area to the lower edge of the skirt, said grooves 45 reducing the wall thickness of the skirt so that the skirt can be torn along the grooves in order to fold the foldable skirt section to its outward engaged position P1. When irreversibly destroyed, these grooves 45 constitute a tamper evidence.

[0067] According to the present disclosure, the container includes a receiving portion 7 that forms a shield for the free end EI of the bendable skirt section 44 in the foldable skirt section 44 of the lid 4, and a receptacle 70 that receives the free end EI of the bendable skirt section 44 in an engagement position P1 of the bendable skirt section 44.

[0068] Such a receiving portion 7 is shown in detail in the embodiment shown in the diagrams of FIGS.

[0069] The receiving portion 7 is advantageously configured to prevent folding of the bendable skirt section 44 into an outward position when the free end EI of the bendable section is captured in the receptacle 70. During transport of the package, and in the event of impacts and undue forces on the curved corners of the section resulting from transport, the receiving portion provides a shield that prevents undue forces from unintentionally folding the skirt section outward and thus destroying any tamper-evident grooves 45.

[0070] Furthermore, the receiving portion 7 is adapted to be deformed by an operator to release the free end of the bendable skirt section 44 and to accept its pivoting from the engagement position P1 to the outward position.

[0071] Therefore, and to allow removal of the lid, the operator first deforms the receiving portion 7 to pivotally release the bendable skirt section 44 about the folding region 46. The bendable skirt section is then folded from the engagement position P1 to an outward position, allowing the connection at that corner to be weakened. If there are several bendable sections at different corners of the container, the operator performs these two actions consecutively for each corner 24.

[0072] For example, as seen in FIG. 8, and generally, the receptacle may include a front wall 71 extending in front of the free end of the bendable skirt section 44 in the engagement position P1 to overlap the free end of the bendable skirt section 44, which is then located between the corner 24 and the front wall 71, so that the front wall 71 forms an abutment that prevents the bendable skirt section 44 from folding to the outward position.

[0073] The front wall 71 is configured to be deformed by an operator to a retracted position PE, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8, allowing the free end to be released and allowing the bendable skirt section 44 to be pivoted from the engagement position P1 to the outward position.

[0074] The front wall 71 may be secured at its longitudinal ends via material bridges 75 connecting the longitudinal ends of the front wall 71 and the side walls or corners of the container, respectively. These material bridges 75 may take the form of vertical ribs.

[0075] A groove 72 reducing the thickness of the front wall 71 may be provided in one of the longitudinal ends of the front wall 71 configured to break by disengaging the longitudinal ends of the material bridge when the front wall 71 is deformed to the retracted position PE.

[0076] When deformed to the retracted position PE, the groove 72 is broken, but preferably the front wall 71 is still adjacent to the body of the container, for example by the other longitudinal end of the front wall 71 and / or through a portion of the bottom wall 24.

[0077] According to one advantageous embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 9, the engagement portion 27 of the container having an outwardly facing rim 28 is extended below said rim, referred to as the first rim, and terminates below the first rim as a second rim 30, also facing outward.

[0078] The receptacle 70 that receives the free end of the bendable skirt section 44 may include a rear wall 73, the upper end of which is integral with the second rim 30. The rear wall 73 is integral with the front wall 71 via a bottom wall 74 that connects the lower end of the rear wall 73 to the lower end of the front wall 71.

[0079] As seen in FIG. 8, the section including the front wall 71, rear wall 73, and bottom wall 74 forms a U-shaped portion of the receptacle 70 that receives the free end EI of the bendable skirt section 44 in the engagement position P1.

[0080] As can be seen in the figure, the free end of the bendable skirt section 44 may have a curved profile along a plane parallel to the lid. The receptacle 70 of the receiving portion 7 has a curved track along its length that accommodates the curved profile of the free end of the bendable skirt section 44.

[0081] The receiving portion 7 according to one advantageous embodiment extends over the entire length of the free end of the bendable skirt section 44. The receiving portion 7 then advantageously forms a shield over the entire length of the free end of the bendable skirt section 44 that blocks unwanted forces.

[0082] According to the present invention, and in a notable manner, when the first engagement portion 27 of a container having an outwardly directed rim 28 extends and extends below the rim and terminates below the first rim within the second rim 41, the foldable skirt section 42 may have at least one lug 47.

[0083] The at least one lug 47 faces inward. In the engagement position P1 of the bendable skirt section 4, the at least one lug 47 can latch under the second outward rim 30 of the first engagement portion at least when a force is applied to the lid to separate it.

[0084] Notably, latching engagement of the at least one lug 47 on the second rim 30 is achieved at engagement position P1 of the foldable skirt section in only one localized area along the curved section of the second outward rim 30. The lug 47 extends along the length of the second rim 30 over only a portion of the second rim 30, for example, the lug extends along less than one-third or even one-fifth of the length of the second rim 30 over the curved corner section.

[0085] In particular, the latch overlap Rac2 between the at least one lug 47 and the interengagement surfaces of the second rim 30 along the radial direction relative to the curved section of the second rim 30 is greater in size than the latch overlap Rac1 between the interengagement surfaces of the inward rim 41 and the first outward rim 28 along the radial direction relative to the curved section of the first rim 28.

[0086] In FIG. 9, latch overlaps Rac2 and Rac1 may be shown for illustrative purposes, and it should be noted that the latch overlap Rac2 between lug 47 and second rim 30 is significantly greater than the latch overlap Rac1 between inward rim 41 and outward rim 28.

[0087] Also, if there is a tamper attempt, and assuming the inward rim 41 is released from the first rim 28 due to the weaker latch overlap Rac1, the at least one lug 47 will still latch onto the second rim 30 thanks to the larger latch overlap Rac2. For example, the latch overlap Rac2 between the at least one lug 47 and the second rim 30 is at least twice the latch overlap Rac1 between the inward rim 41 and the first outward rim 28.

[0088] Advantageously, therefore, the at least one lug 47 can only be released from the second rim 30 by bending the bendable skirt section 44 by the amount of displacement required to break the groove 45. The reliability of the tamper-evident system is therefore greatly improved.

[0089] In this regard, it should be noted that the size of the inward lugs 47 is significantly larger than the size of the inward rim 41. In this regard, the foldable skirt 42 section of the lid 4 may have a through recess 48 extending along the height of the foldable skirt section 44 above and perpendicular to at least one lug 47. The function of this recess is to facilitate demolding of the lid after injection molding during its manufacture; without this recess, the large inward lugs required to obtain the latch overlap Rac2 would make demolding cumbersome or even impossible without special arrangement of the mold.

[0090] It should be noted that this through recess 48 essentially weakens the bendable skirt section 44 and that this recess extends only over the area necessary to facilitate demolding, i.e., it is positioned perpendicular to the at least one lug 47 and as such extends over a small longitudinal section along the corner section 43 to limit the size of the recess. Ultimately, a compromise is reached between ease of implementation during the injection molding manufacturing process and the strength of the latching engagement between the bendable skirt section and the container at the corner.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7, the through recess 48 extends only the length of the lug 47, for example from the lower part of at least one lug 47 to the folding region 46 between the bendable skirt section 44 and the upper part of the second engagement portion 40.

[0092] In engagement position P1 of the bendable skirt section, as shown in Figure 9, when no external force is applied to the lid, the latching engagement between the inward rim 41 and the first outward rim 28 is open, while a gap J can separate the second outward rim 30 from at least one lug 47 located below the second rim 30. In such a case, said lug 47 will only come into latching contact with the second rim 30 when a force is applied to the lid 4 that attempts to remove the lid or when the lid is under a large load, for example when packages according to the invention are stacked on top of each other.

[0093] 11, it should be noted that the latching engagement of at least one lug 47 under the second rim is performed in a localized area Z that does not have a rear wall. Thus, the rear wall 73 extends discontinuously along the curved trajectory of the receptacle 70, leaving only one or a few localized areas Z as areas where one or more lugs 47 can provide latching overlap on the second rim 30.

[0094] In this regard, such an embodiment of the lug 47 can improve the stacking resistance of the package, and more specifically, the performance of the lid of the bottom package in the stack. In current technology packages, under the influence of the weight of the stack, the lid may not latch and may literally collapse during opening of the container. This embodiment can have greater resistance to collapse due to the latching of the at least one lug. In such cases, at least one lug 47 and at least one foldable skirt section may be provided at each corner of the package.

[0095] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the bendable skirt section 44 also has the at least one lug 47 as described above, as well as an inward rim 41, both of which are located below the folding region 46 at the engagement position P1 of the bendable skirt section 44. Thus, when the bendable skirt section 44 is raised from its engagement position P1, the inward rim 41 is cut off. Alternatively, as taught by document EP2523866, the inward rim 41 may be located above the folding region 46 such that the raising of the bendable skirt section does not cut off the inward rim 41, thereby preserving the sealing properties of the lid at the first opening.

[0096] According to the illustrated embodiment, the container has four side walls meeting at four corners, and the inward rim 41 of the lid has four curved corner sections 43 with four foldable skirt sections 44, at least one lug 47 of each foldable skirt section capable of latching with the second outward rim 30 of the container. The at least four lugs 47 provide positive latching engagement of the lid at the four corners of the container, further enhancing the latching connection between the lid and the container.

[0097] First, in Figure 2, it should be noted that the latching engagement may optionally be reinforced at the curved corner sections with two lugs 47 present on each bendable skirt section 44 at the corners. Two lugs 47 per corner may be a common practice according to this embodiment. Advantages and disadvantages of the first embodiment

[0098] The bendable skirt section(s) 44 are protected from unintentional opening, with the receiving portion 7 of each receptacle 70 capturing the free end of the bendable skirt section, for example over the full curved length of the free end EI.

[0099] Folding each foldable skirt section 44 from its engagement position P1 (preventing removal of the lid) to an outward position (facilitating removal of the lid) is only possible after deformation of the receiving portion 70, in particular when the front wall 71 has deformed to the retracted position PE and no longer forms an abutment that prevents the folding of the foldable skirt section to the outward position.

[0100] Advantageously, any accidental folding of the skirt section 44 is eliminated or at least dramatically reduced, so that breaking of the grooves 45 between the foldable skirt section and the skirt 42 acts as a tamper-evident system, and these grooves 45 cannot be accidentally broken.

[0101] According to at least one embodiment, the presence of lugs 47, particularly in the four curved corner sections 43, firstly significantly improves the reliability of the tamper-evident system, requiring the user to break grooves 45 to disengage second rim 30 from lugs 27.

[0102] The present disclosure also allows for improved resistance to stacking of packages, and more specifically, the performance of the lid of the bottom package in the stack under the influence of the weight of the tier when lugs 47 are provided on the skirt section. Other improvements

[0103] It is also notable that the lid peripheral wall 49, from which the second engagement portion 40 directly extends, may further include opposing support ribs 50 extending longitudinally, positioned below the lid, and oriented outward, along the edge of the lid in the side sections between the curved corner sections 43 where the inward rim 41 of the lid latches onto the outward rim 28 of the container.

[0104] These opposing support ribs 50 are advantageous in that they form a plurality of opposing supports Ap on the interior surfaces of the container side walls 20, 21, 22, 23 and are distributed around the periphery of the container on the side sections of the rims 28, 41 between the curved corner sections 43. These opposing supports Ap advantageously strengthen the latching engagement between the rims 28, 41 along the edges of the lid on the side sections of the rims 28, 41 between the curved corner sections 43.

[0105] Advantageously, during stacking of the package on the lid of a like package, the presence of lug 47 on foldable skirt section 44 at one corner, in combination with opposing support rib 50 along the edge between the corners on the other, ensures that the container lid remains well latched around the entire periphery of the lid, i.e., not only at the corners but also along the edge between the corners, without disengaging ribs 28, 41.

[0106] As shown in Figure 5, the second engagement portion 40 opens downwards to form a groove G that receives the first engagement portion 27. The second engagement portion 40 has an inverted U-shaped cross-section including a first longitudinal section that extends the top wall of the lid (including a peripheral wall 49 that is extended directly by the central horizontal wall of the lid), followed by a second longitudinal section that is inclined, e.g., horizontal, relative to the first section, followed by a third longitudinal section that is inclined relative to the second section and extends downwards to form a skirt 42 and has an inwardly facing rim 41.

[0107] The peripheral wall 49 extends the second engagement portion 40 by connecting the second engagement portion to the horizontal wall of the lid. As shown in FIG. 5, the peripheral wall 49 can be inclined relative to the horizontal wall, with the center of the lid at an angle α of, for example, 30° to 70°, particularly 45° to 70°. The wall 49 slopes downward from the second engagement portion 40 toward the horizontal wall. The peripheral wall 49, together with the side walls 20, 21, 22, and 23, defines a groove G that opens below the underside of the lid 4 and extends around the inner periphery of the container when the lid is attached to the container (by latching the ribs 28 and 41). Note also that opposing support ribs 50 extend into the groove G at opposing supports Ap on the inner surfaces of the side walls 20, 21, 22, and 23. These supports prevent the peripheral wall 49 from converging under load during stacking. Advantageously, such deformation is thus avoided, which would tend to open the U-shaped section of the second engagement portion 40 and facilitate removal of the rims 28, 41 along the edges. Advantageously, better maintenance of the latching engagement is achieved between the rims 28 and 41 along the edges of the package between the corners.

[0108] The density of opposing support ribs 50 along the edge of the lid 4 on the center of the side section between the two curved corner sections 43 may be higher than the linear density of opposing support ribs 50 on the ends of the side section adjacent to the curved corner sections 43 on either side of the center.

[0109] Each opposing support rib 50 may be triangular in shape, with the longest side 51 of the triangle, referred to as the first side, joining the peripheral wall 49, the second side 52 of the triangle, which is generally horizontal, oriented in an extension of the horizontal wall of the lid, particularly its underside, and the third side 53 forming a support area on the inner surface of the container. It should also be noted that the third side 52 has a long section that forms an opposing support area Ap on the inner surface of the side wall of the container and a short section that is reduced so as not to press against the side wall. The angle formed between the second side 52 and the third side 53 is advantageously rounded. This avoids the presence of sharp angles that could damage the contents or even puncture a flexible pouch used to package the material in the container.

[0110] As shown in Figure 6, the lid 4 may also include wedge-shaped ribs 54 that project from the periphery of the lid and extend inward relative to the second engagement portion 40 and upward relative to the horizontal wall of the lid. The wedge-shaped ribs 54 are distributed around the inner periphery of the second engagement portion 40 so as to center and receive between the ribs the lower portions of containers of a similar package stacked on the horizontal wall of the lid. The wedge-shaped ribs form an abutment with the lower portions of the side walls of the stacked containers, ensuring their centering on the lid.

[0111] The opposing support ribs 50 are ribs that are at least partially located in the extensions of the wedge-shaped ribs 54 relative to the peripheral wall 49, and the opposing support ribs 50 and the wedge-shaped ribs 54 are in pairs and on the same plane.

[0112] Each wedge-shaped rib 54 extends from the horizontal wall of the lid above a lower portion of the second engagement portion 40 and inward from the second engagement portion 40 toward the horizontal wall, partially covering the horizontal wall. As shown in FIG. 6 , each wedge-shaped rib 54 abuts the remainder of the lid at a first rim 55 along the horizontal wall, a second rim 56 along the sloped perimeter wall 49, and a portion of the height of the second engagement portion along a third rim 57. In combination with the opposing support ribs 50, these wedge-shaped ribs 54 may help limit the transmission of force to the second engagement portion under load.

[0113] According to one embodiment, by interengaging the first snap-on means 6 and the second snap-on means 8 in an intermediate localized region along the edge of the container on the side section between the curved corner sections, the first engagement portion 27 of the container extends below the outward rim 28 and the second engagement portion 40 extends below the inward rim 41.

[0114] The first snap-on means and the second snap-on means cooperate only in the intermediate region and reinforce the latching engagement between the rims 28, 41. The first snap-on means 6 may comprise at least one opening 60, for example two openings, and the second snap-on means comprises elastically deformable teeth 80 configured to be elastically inserted into said openings when latching it. As illustrated, the openings and teeth may each be doubled.

[0115] Said means 6, 8 make it possible to reinforce the strength of the lid and its latching by means of the rims 28, 41, especially when the latter are subjected to heavy loads such as those from packages supported on the lid. The resistance of the lid to load increases especially when packages are stacked on top of each other.

[0116] On the two opposite side walls, the flanges with the openings 80 of the first engagement part of the container are downwardly extended by wings 9f forming handles Pg which project laterally from the side walls of the container. These two handles Pg project laterally from the two side walls of the container and allow the package to be lifted.

[0117] It should also be noted that the container may have external ribs N extending below the first engagement portion 27. Each of these external ribs N therefore extends vertically (having an outward rim 21) below the first engagement portion 27 of the container. Each external rib N has a flat portion at its bottom end intended to abut and cooperate with the upper edge of the top opening of an identical container inside which said container is stacked. The primary function of such vertical external ribs N is to ensure a constant stacking pitch between two containers when said container is stacked within another container, as described in the applicant's application FR1854484.

[0118] These ribs N may be provided at the corners and extend vertically below each receiving portion 7 at least to the height of the receiving portion 7. Two ribs N may be provided below each receiving portion. These ribs N may also provide connecting wings 9 forming the handle Pg and the juxtaposed side walls 20 or 33.

[0119] As can be seen in the figures, vertical ribs may be advantageously provided between the receiving portion 7 perpendicular to the area Z without the rear wall and the corner wall, particularly in the smaller vertical dimension and may include ribs N for stacking pitch, either alone or in combination with additional ribs NS, as can be seen in Figures 12 and 13.

[0120] The location of these ribs, and in particular of rib N (alone or in combination with additional rib NS), makes it possible to prevent unauthorized unlatching of second rim 30 from lug 47 (i.e. without requiring folding of skirt section 44 and breaking of tamper-evident groove 45) in the space between receiving portion 7 and corner wall, thus improving the reliability of the tamper-evident system.

[0121] Naturally, other embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1. Package, 2. Container, 20, 21, 22, 23. Side wall, 24. Corners, 25.Top opening 26. Bottom, 27. First engagement portion 28. First outward rim, 29. Curved corner section (rim 28), 4. Lid, 40. Second engagement portion, 41. Inward rim, 42. Skirt, 43. Curved corner section (rim 41), 44. Foldable skirt section, 45. Breakable grooves, 46. ​​Folding regions (e.g., flexible hinges); 47. Rug 48.Through-hole recess 49. Peripheral wall of the extension of the second engagement portion 40; 50. Opposing support ribs, 51. Long sides of triangles forming opposing support ribs 52. The second side of the triangle on the horizontal extension of the lid 53. The third side of the triangle forming the opposing support rib; 54.Wedge-shaped rib 55. First rim (rib 54) 56. Second rim (rib 54) 57. Third rim (rib 54) 6, 8. First snap-on means and second snap-on means; 60. Opening, 80. Teeth 7. Receiving part, 70. Receptacle, 71. Front wall, 72. Groove (front wall), 73.Back wall 74. Bottom wall, 75. Material Bridge, 9.Wings El. Lower end (foldable skirt section), G. Groove P1 engagement position PE. Retracted position Rac1.Rac2.Latch engagement J. The gap separating the lug and the second rim when no force is applied to the lid. Pg.Handle N. Internal ribs that serve as stacking pitches, NS. Additional Ribs Z. Area without posterior wall

Claims

1. A package (1) comprising a plastic container (2) and a plastic lid (4), The plastic container (2) has side walls (20, 21, 22, 23) that meet at corners (24), an upper opening (25), and a bottom (26); the plastic lid (4) is removable and configured to cover the top opening of the container; The top opening (25) of the container (2) comprises a first engagement portion (27) having an outwardly extending rim (28) extending around its periphery; The outer periphery of the lid (4) is provided with a second engagement portion (40) bent downward, and the second engagement portion (40) an inwardly directed rim (41) that can be latched under the outwardly directed rim (28) of the container; The second engagement portion of the lid has a skirt (42) extending across a lower portion of the second engagement portion; the outward rim (28) of the container and the inward rim (41) of the lid (4) each have a curved corner section (29, 43) that joins with each other at the corner where the side walls meet; At least one of the curved corner sections (43) of the inward rim (41) comprises a bendable skirt section (44); when a central portion of the at least one curved corner section of the inward rim (41) is pried away from the outward rim (28) of the upper opening, thereby weakening the engagement between the rims (28, 41) across the central portion, the skirt section is articulated at a folding region (46) at the top of the second engagement portion (40) and folded from the engagement position (P1) to an outward position; the container comprises at least one receiving portion (7) in the bendable skirt section (44) of the lid (4) forming a shield for a free end (EI) of the bendable skirt section (44); The at least one receiving portion (7) is adapted to connect the free end to the foldable skirt section. a receptacle (70) for receiving the bendable skirt section (44) in the engagement position (P1), the at least one receiving portion (7) being configured to prevent the bendable skirt section (44) from being bent towards the outward position; the at least one receiving portion (7) is configured to deform to release the free end (EI) and to cause the bendable skirt section (44) to pivot from the engagement position (P1) towards the outward position; the receptacle includes a front wall (71) extending to overlap in front of the free end of the bendable skirt section (44) at the engagement position (P1) of the bendable skirt section (44), the front wall (71) being configured to prevent the bendable skirt section (44) from being folded toward the outward position by abutting against the bendable skirt section (44), and the front wall (71) being configured to be deformed by an operator toward a retracted position (PE) to allow the free end to be released and the bendable skirt section (44) to pivot about the folding region (46) from the engagement position (P1) to the outward position; The front wall (71) has longitudinal ends, the longitudinal ends are connected to the side walls or corners of the container by material bridges (75) and fixed in the form of vertical ribs, a groove (72) is provided at one of the longitudinal ends of the front wall (71) that reduces the thickness of the front wall (71) and is configured to break by separating the longitudinal end from the material bridge when the front wall (71) is deformed towards the retracted position (PE).

2. 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the groove (72) is configured to be broken by separating the longitudinal end of the front wall (71) provided with the groove (72) from the material bridge when the front wall (71) is deformed towards the retracted position (PE), and the other longitudinal end of the front wall (71) is configured to be joined to the container (2).

3. 3. The package of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion (27) of the container having the outward rim (28) extends below a first rim and is terminated below the first rim by a second rim (30) also directed outward, and the receptacle (70) for receiving the free end of the foldable section includes a rear wall (73) whose upper end is integral with the second rim (30), and the rear wall (73) is integral with the front wall (71) via a bottom wall (74) connecting the lower end of the rear wall (73) to the lower end of the front wall (71), and the front wall (71), the rear wall (73) and the bottom wall (74) together form a U-shaped section of the receptacle (70) for receiving the free end of the foldable skirt section (44).

4. the bendable skirt section (42) has at least one inward lug (47) which, in the engagement position (P1) of the bendable skirt section (44), is capable of latching under the second outward rim (30) of the first engagement portion at least when a force is applied to the lid to remove the lid; The at least one lug (47) is configured to have a latch overlap (Rac2) between the inter-engagement surfaces of the at least one lug (47) and the second rim (30) in a cross section along a plane passing through the area of ​​the at least one receiving portion (7) in a local region only along the curved corner section of the second outward rim (30) at the engagement position (P1) of the bendable skirt section (44) when the latch overlap (Rac1) between the inter-engagement surfaces of the at least one lug (47) and the second rim (30) is greater in dimension than the latch overlap (Rac1) between the inter-engagement surfaces of the inward rim (41) and the first outward rim (28).

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the latch engages two rims (30).

5. 5. The package of claim 4, wherein the latching engagement of the at least one lug (47) under the second rim is latched with the second rim (30) in a localized area (Z) that does not have a rear wall.

6. 6. A package according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the foldable skirt section (44) of the lid (4) has a through recess (48) extending along the height of the foldable skirt section (44), above and perpendicular to the at least one lug (47).

7. 7. The package of claim 6, wherein the through recess (48) extends from its lower portion only the length of the at least one lug (47) to a folding region (46) between the bendable skirt section (44) and the upper portion of the second engagement portion (40).

8. 8. The package of claim 4, wherein, in the engaged position (P1) of the bendable skirt section, when no external force is applied to the lid, the latching engagement between the inward rim (41) and the first outward rim (28) is released, while a gap (J) separates the second outward rim (30) from the at least one lug (47) located below the second rim, the lug (47) coming into latching contact with the second rim (30) only when the lid (4) is subjected to a force.

9. 9. The package according to claim 1, wherein the free end (EI) of the bendable skirt section (44) has a curved profile along a plane parallel to the lid, and the receptacle (70) of the at least one receiving portion (7) has a curved shape that receives the curved profile of the free end (44).

10. 10. The package of claim 1, wherein the foldable skirt section (44) is separated from the remaining skirt sections by two grooves (45) formed in the outer surface of the skirt and extending downward from the folding area to the lower edge of the skirt, the grooves (45) reducing the wall thickness of the skirt such that the skirt can be broken along the grooves in order to fold the foldable skirt section from its engagement position (P1) to its outward position.

11. 11. The package of claim 1, wherein the container of the package comprises four side walls meeting at four corners, the inwardly facing rim (41) of the lid having four curved corner sections (43) with four foldable skirt sections (44), and four receiving portions (7) for respectively receiving the free ends of the four foldable skirt sections.

12. 12. The package of claim 1, wherein the foldable skirt section (44) has the at least one lug (47) and the inward rim (41), and when the foldable skirt section (44) is positioned in the engagement position (P1), the at least one lug (47) and the inward rim (41) are positioned below the folding area (46).

13. The container comprises: a portion extending from said first engagement portion (27) below said outward rim (28) by means of a first snap-on means (6); a portion extending from said second engagement portion (40) below said inward rim (41) by means of second snap-on means (8); and 13. The package of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the inward rim (41) of the lid latches onto the outward rim (28) of the container by interengaging the first snap-on means (6) and the second snap-on means (8) with each other in an intermediate localized area along the edge of the container on the side between the curved corner sections.

14. 14. The package of claim 13, wherein the first snap-on means comprises at least one opening (60), and the second snap-on means comprises a resiliently deformable tooth (80) configured to be resiliently inserted into the opening (60) by latching engagement with the opening (60).

15. a peripheral wall (49) of the lid arranged as an extension of the second engagement portion (40) comprising opposing support ribs (50) along the edge of the lid on the sides between the curved corner sections (43) where the inward rim (41) of the lid latches onto the outward rim (28) of the container; The opposing support ribs (50) a longitudinally protruding portion disposed beneath the lid and oriented outward; forming a plurality of opposing support portions (Ap) on the inner surface of the side wall (20, 21, 22, 23) of the container between the curved corner sections (43); 15. The package of claim 1, wherein the curved corner sections (43) are distributed around the periphery of the container to strengthen the latching engagement between the rims (18, 41) latched along the edge of the lid between the curved corner sections (43).

16. 16. The package according to claim 1, further comprising wedge-shaped ribs (54) extending around the peripheral edge of the lid, inwardly relative to the second engagement portion (40) and projecting upwardly relative to the horizontal wall of the lid, the wedge-shaped ribs (54) being distributed around the inner periphery of the second engagement portion (40) so as to receive between them, in a centering manner, the lower parts of containers of a package of the same kind stacked on the horizontal wall of the lid, the wedge-shaped ribs forming an abutment against the lower parts of the side walls of the stacked containers.

17. 17. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 16, having external ribs (N) each extending vertically below the first engagement portion (27), each said external rib (N) intended to abut and cooperate with the upper edge of the upper opening of the container in which the container is stacked, and each said external rib (N) having a flat area at its lower end that is at least partially provided in the corner (24) extending vertically below each receiving portion (7) and at least to the height of the receiving portion (7).

18. A method for manufacturing a package according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the lid and the container are obtained by injection molding.

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