Container lid for packaging the finished product

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of packaging, in particular to lids for containers intended for packaging, storing, transporting and selling finished food products, and can be used in the design of containers with finished products placed in a stacked form during storage and transportation. The lid (1) is made convex from a sheet polymer material and comprises an octagonal base (3) having a support projection (4) along the perimeter for fixing the bottom of the container located above during stacking; a side (5) located along the perimeter of the base (3) of the lid (1) with the possibility of installation on the side of the container (2), and inclined side walls (12) located between the base (3) and the side (5). On the upper edge of the support projection of the base (4) there are discrete recesses (13) forming sections with different heights alternating along the perimeter of the support projection of the base (4).The technical result is a reduction in warping of the lid installed on the container during stacking of containers. 7 clauses, 2 figs.

Description

[0001] Technical field

[0002] The utility model relates to the field of packaging, in particular to lids for containers intended for packaging, storage, transportation and sale of finished food products, and can be used in the design of containers placed in a stacked form during storage and transportation.

[0003] Technology level

[0004] Containers for packaging finished products are known, comprising a container for holding the product and a lid that fits onto the container. For ease of storage and transportation, such containers can be stacked, with the bottom of the container above resting on the lid of the container below.

[0005] The design closest to the claimed utility model is the one patented by the Russian Federation for utility model RU229202, issued September 26, 2024. This known design comprises a lid for a container for packaging finished products, made convex from a sheet polymer material. The lid comprises an octagonal base with a supporting projection around the perimeter for securing the bottom of the container above during stacking, a rim located around the perimeter of the lid base capable of being installed on the rim of the container, and inclined sidewalls located between the base and the rim.

[0006] The conventional lid allows for the container to be closed and the bottom of the container above it to be secured during stacking. However, when subjected to loads from the containers above, the lid can warp, particularly at the base and support ledge. This can impair the appearance of the packaging, reduce stack stability, and lead to a less stable positioning of the containers relative to each other.

[0007] Therefore, there is a technical problem of lids warping when subjected to the load from containers located above during stacking.

[0008] Disclosure of the essence of the utility model

[0009] The technical result of the utility model consists in reducing the warping of the lid installed on the container capacity when stacking containers.

[0010] The stated technical result is achieved by a lid for a container for packaging finished products, formed convexly from a sheet polymer material and comprising an octagonal base with a supporting projection around the perimeter for securing the bottom of the container above during stacking, a rim located along the perimeter of the lid base for mounting on the rim of the container, and inclined sidewalls located between the base and the rim. Discrete recesses are formed on the upper edge of the supporting projection of the base, forming alternating sections of varying heights around the perimeter of the supporting projection of the base.

[0011] The convex shape of the lid, octagonal base, and sloping sidewalls create a spatial lid structure. When stacked, the load from the container above is supported not only by the flat section of the base but also distributed through the sloping sidewalls to the edge of the lid, which is installed on the container's body. The supporting ledge of the base secures the bottom of the container above and is the section of the lid that directly bears the stacking load.

[0012] Discrete notches on the top edge of the support ledge form alternating sections of varying heights. This prevents the top edge of the support ledge from being a continuous, flat area, but instead features additional bends and localized areas of stiffness. These areas act as stiffening ribs, increasing the base support ledge's resistance to bulging and, consequently, reducing lid warpage under the load of the container above.

[0013] In specific embodiments, the lid edge comprises a horizontal edge surface, an outer side edge surface, and an inner side edge surface. A lower edge projection is formed between the inner side edge surface and the inclined side walls. The base support projection preferably has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, forming a support projection cavity on the inner side of the lid. The base support projection is preferably formed as an octagonal frame, and the side walls form eight side walls corresponding to the sides of the octagonal base. The outer side surface of the edge may additionally feature lateral locking recesses. The lid can be thermoformed from a sheet polymer material.

[0014] Specific implementation cases are aimed at enhancing the stated technical result of the utility model. Thus, the profile of the side with horizontal, outer lateral, and inner lateral surfaces forms the peripheral contour of the lid, which further helps maintain the lid's shape when transferring loads to the container. The lower projection of the side can additionally help secure the lid and limit deformation of its peripheral portion. The U-shaped profile of the base support projection creates a three-dimensional section of the lid, which is more resistant to crushing than a single flat wall. Designing the support projection as an octagonal frame allows the bottom of the container above to be secured along the perimeter of the base. Eight side walls, corresponding to the sides of the octagonal base, create corner zones, further increasing the rigidity of the domed portion of the lid.The rectangular shape of the discrete recesses is preferable because the straight sections and corners of such recesses create additional folds in the material, which increases the rigidity of the support ledge. The side retaining recesses on the edge further help secure the lid to the container and stabilize its position during stacking.

[0015] However, the specific cases cited are not the only possible implementation options for the utility model. The declared technical result will also be achieved in other embodiments of the design.

[0016] Brief description of drawings

[0017] The utility model is explained by drawings, where: Fig. 1 schematically shows a general view of the lid from above in perspective; Fig. 2 schematically shows a fragment of a cross-section of a container containing a container with an installed lid.

[0018] The design elements are shown in the figures in the following positions: 1 - lid; 2 - container; 3 - base; 4 - base support projection; 5 - side; 6 - cavity of the support projection; 7 - horizontal surface of the side; 8 - outer side surface of the side; 9 - inner side surface of the side; 10 - side fixing recess of the side; 11 - lower projection of the side; 12 - inclined side wall; 13 - discrete recess.

[0019] Implementation of a utility model

[0020] The lid (1) is designed to be installed on the container (2) for packaging the finished product.

[0021] The lid (1) is convex and made of a sheet of polymer material. The lid (1) can be made of a transparent or opaque polymer material suitable for thermoforming and use in food packaging, such as polyethylene terephthalate, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, oriented polystyrene, polylactide, or multilayer polymer material based on the above polymers.

[0022] The cover (1) comprises a base (3), a base support projection (4), a side (5) and inclined side walls (12).

[0023] The base (3) is octagonal. A support projection (4) is provided along the perimeter of the base (3), designed to secure the bottom of the container above during stacking. The support projection (4) can be designed as an octagonal frame.

[0024] The base support projection (4) can have a U-shaped cross-section. With this design, the base support projection (4) forms a support projection cavity (6) on the inside of the cover (1). The U-shaped profile makes the base support projection (4) more resistant to deformation under overhead loads.

[0025] Discrete recesses (13) are made on the upper edge of the base support projection (4). The discrete recesses (13) form alternating sections of different heights along the perimeter of the base support projection (4).

[0026] In the preferred embodiment, the discrete recesses (13) are rectangular. Rectangular recesses (13) are preferred because their right angles and straight sections create additional bending points for the sheet material. This makes the base support projection (4) more rigid and better resists warping when stacking containers.

[0027] In other embodiments, the discrete recesses (13) may have a different shape, such as a semicircular, oval, triangular, trapezoidal, polygonal, or combined shape.

[0028] The dimensions of the discrete recesses (13), including the width, height, depth, pitch, quantity and location, can be selected based on the dimensions of the lid (1), the shape and dimensions of the base support projection (4), the thickness of the sheet polymer material, the properties of the lid material (1), the weight of the finished product, the number of containers in the stack, storage and transportation conditions, the shape of the bottom of the container located above and the parameters of the thermoforming tooling.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the base support projection (4) has eight sides. Discrete recesses (13) are formed on the four main sides of the base support projection (4), with two discrete recesses (13) formed on each of the said sides. On the four additional short sides of the octagonal base support projection (4), discrete recesses (13) are absent. This arrangement strengthens the extended sections of the base support projection (4), which are most susceptible to warping, and maintains the rigidity of the corner sections of the octagonal frame.

[0030] The side (5) is located along the perimeter of the base (3) of the lid (1) and is configured to be installed on the side of the container (2). The side (5) may comprise a horizontal side surface (7), an outer side surface (8), and an inner side surface (9). A lower side projection (11) may be formed between the inner side surface (9) and the inclined side walls (12).

[0031] Lateral fixing recesses of the rim (10) may be formed on the outer side surface of the rim (8). The lateral fixing recesses of the rim (10) may interact with the rim sections of the container (2) and facilitate the retention of the lid (1) on the container (2).

[0032] The inclined side walls (12) are positioned between the base (3) and the side (5). In this particular case, the inclined side walls (12) form eight side walls corresponding to the sides of the octagonal base (3). Due to this, the lid (1) has a multifaceted dome shape.

[0033] The lid (1) can be made of a sheet polymer material with a thickness of 170 to 400 μm. The container (2) can be made of a sheet cellulose or cardboard material, also having a thickness of 170 to 400 μm. The specific thickness of the lid (1) and container (2) material can be selected based on the container size, the weight of the finished product, the required rigidity of the lid (1), stacking, transportation and storage conditions, as well as the parameters of the process equipment.

[0034] The lid (1) can be manufactured by thermoforming a sheet polymer material. In this case, the base (3), the base support projection (4), the edge (5), the cavity (6) of the support projection, the horizontal surface of the edge (7), the outer side surface of the edge (8), the inner side surface of the edge (9), the side fixing recesses of the edge (10), the lower projection of the edge (11), the inclined side walls (12) and the discrete recesses (13) can be formed within the framework of a single molding process.

[0035] The operation of the cover (1) is as follows.

[0036] The finished product is placed in the container (2), after which the lid (1) is installed on the edge of the container (2). The edge (5) of the lid (1) covers the corresponding section of the container (2), and the side fixing recesses of the edge (10) and the lower projection of the edge (11) additionally help to hold the lid (1) on the container (2).

[0037] When stacking, the bottom of the container above is placed on the base (3) of the lid (1) and secured by the base support projection (4). The load from the container above is transferred to the base (3), the base support projection (4), the inclined side walls (12), and then to the side (5) installed on the container (2).

[0038] Discrete recesses (13) created on the upper edge of the base support projection (4) form alternating sections of the base support projection (4) along the height. These sections act as localized stiffeners and reduce the tendency of the base support projection (4) to dent. This reduces warping of the base (3) and lid (1) as a whole when stacking containers.

[0039] To confirm the effect of discrete notches, comparative tests were conducted on lids of identical geometry made from the same sheet polymer material. The lids were compared with lids with discrete notches on the upper edge of the base support protrusion and control lids with a base support protrusion without discrete notches.

[0040] The lids were installed on identical containers, stacked in threes, and maintained under an equal load of 10 kgf (98 N) on the lid of the bottom container for 1 hour. After the load was maintained, the lid warpage was measured at the base and the supporting protrusion of the base.

[0041] The average warpage of the control caps without discrete notches was 2.6 mm, while the average warpage of the caps with discrete notches was 0.9 mm. The maximum warpage of the control caps was 3.4 mm, while the maximum warpage of the caps with discrete notches was 1.3 mm.

[0042] The obtained results showed that the implementation of discrete notches on the upper edge of the base support projection reduces the warping of the lid installed on the container when the containers are stacked.

[0043] The claimed lid design provides the following advantages: reduced lid warping when stacking containers; increased resistance of the base support projection to deformation; reduced lid base denting under load; increased stability of the position of the container located above; reduced risk of container displacement in a stack; increased rigidity of extended sections of the base support projection; maintaining the rigidity of the corner sections of the octagonal frame; reliable installation of the lid on the container; the possibility of manufacturing the lid by thermoforming with the formation of discrete recesses together with the rest of the lid elements; maintaining a simple design without separate reinforcements and additional parts.

Claims

1. A lid (1) for a container for packaging a finished product, having a dome shape, made of sheet polymer material and containing an octagonal base (3) having a support projection (4) along the perimeter for fixing the bottom of the container located above during stacking; a side (5) located along the perimeter of the base (3) of the cover (1) with the possibility of installation on the side of the container (2), and inclined side walls (12) located between the base (3) and the side (5), characterized in that discrete recesses (13) are made on the upper edge of the supporting projection of the base (4), forming sections with different heights alternating along the perimeter of the supporting projection of the base (4).

2. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the side (5) comprises a horizontal side surface (7), an outer side surface (8) and an inner side surface (9), and a lower side surface (11) is formed between the inner side surface (9) and the inclined side walls (12).

3. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting projection of the base (4) has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile that forms a cavity (6) of the supporting projection on the inside of the cover (1).

4. The cover according to item 1, characterized in that the discrete recesses (13) are made rectangular.

5. The cover according to item 1, characterized in that the supporting projection of the base (4) is made in the form of an octagonal frame.

6. The lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined side walls (12) form eight side walls corresponding to the sides of the octagonal base (3).

7. The cover according to item 1, characterized in that on the outer side surface of the side (8) there are side fixing recesses of the side (10).

8. The cover according to item 1, characterized in that the cover (1) is made by thermoforming a sheet polymer material.

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