Container comprising a removable lid

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) comprising a removable lid (2) which is locked in the closed position, which container has the following features: - the container (1) and the lid (2) have mutually engaging detent edges (12), - a circumferential, channel-like reinforcing rib (4) which is open in the direction of the lid (2) is provided on the container (1) underneath the detent edges (12) and parallel thereto, - a skirt-like raised edge (13) which delimits the lid at the edge engages in the reinforcing rib (4), - the reinforcing rib (4) is provided with at least one interruption (5), wherein an opening tab (6) is provided which is located in the interruption (5) and has material weakening portions (10) on both sides in the circumferential direction of the container (1), which material weakening portions are connected to the reinforcing rib (4).

Description

[0001] CONTAINER WITH A REMOVABLE LID

[0002] The invention relates to a container with a removable lid according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Such containers are preferably made of plastic and are used, for example, to store and transport free-flowing, pasty or flowable materials.

[0004] In the functional position, i.e. when the container is filled, a filling and removal opening opposite the bottom of the container is closed by the lid, with the locking edges of the lid and the container engaging positively with each other.

[0005] In order to release the locking mechanism, it is known from the prior art, namely from EP 0565967 A1 and WO 03 / 076290 A1, to provide a pivoting tab on the edge, by means of which a peripheral edge of the lid is pressed outwards when pivoting, whereby at the same time the rust is released and the lid is pushed up.

[0006] The containers in question are often used to hold relatively heavy substrates, so the wall thickness of the container must be dimensioned accordingly. However, this is often undesirable and, especially for lighter substrates, is oversized. Furthermore, the container's production is relatively expensive due to the high material content.

[0007] In order to remedy this situation, it is proposed in the generic document WO 2022 / 184912 A1 to provide a continuous reinforcing rib on the outside of the edge region of the container, which rib has at least one interruption which is covered by an opening tab of the lid.

[0008] This reinforcing rib is groove-shaped in cross-section with an open longitudinal side towards the lid, with the folded edge of the lid dipping into this groove-shaped reinforcing rib.

[0009] In principle, this container design has proven itself. However, the production of the lid is relatively complex, so there are calls for a simpler design and manufacturing process for the container opening to enable more cost-effective production, especially since such containers are manufactured in large quantities.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of further developing a container with a lid of the generic type in such a way that its production is simpler and more cost-effective.

[0011] This object is achieved by a container having the features of claim 1.

[0012] The invention provides a container with a lid which can be manufactured very inexpensively, with both parts, i.e. the lid and the container, being made of plastic in a manner known per se.

[0013] In principle, the invention can be implemented with any floor plan shape of the container, preferably with a rectangular or square floor plan.

[0014] Due to the groove-shaped design of the reinforcing rib, which is round or square in cross-section, in the latter case U-shaped, the outer leg of the reinforcing rib covers the immersed folded edge of the lid to such an extent that access to the folded edge in its original state, ie when the reinforcing rib is closed all around, is not possible.

[0015] According to the invention, the reinforcing rib has at least one interruption in the circumferential direction, which is closed by an opening tab. The opening tab is connected to the two adjacent areas of the reinforcing rib with a weakened material.

[0016] The weakening of the material in the sense of a film hinge now enables the opening tab to be broken out of its composite structure, so that the folded edge is exposed in this area and can be opened manually by lifting the lid. For this purpose, only an interruption of the reinforcing rib is required, i.e. only one opening tab, which according to a further concept of the invention is flush on the outside with the adjacent areas of the reinforcing rib. Usually the corners of the container and the lid are rounded, i.e. they describe a quarter circle. If the opening tab is arranged in the corner area of ​​the reinforcing rib, this also describes the aforementioned shape. If there are several closed containers stored next to one another, for example on a pallet, the opening tabs are therefore located in the opening space formed jointly by four containers and are thus protected.

[0017] According to the invention, it is further provided that the opening tab is held on at least one holding tab which is connected to a holding web of the reinforcing rib, which web adjoins the regions of the reinforcing rib which delimit the interruption.

[0018] The retaining tab essentially forms a pivot bearing and a loss protection for the opening tab, which is thus held captive in the open position, i.e. after a tear in the area of ​​the material weaknesses.

[0019] The retaining bar is attached to the side wall of the container and its radial width is smaller than the radial width of the opening flap. The folded edge dips into the resulting gap.

[0020] To secure the position of stacked containers, the lid can have a bead on its top side, at least in some areas, preferably all the way around, at a distance from the outer edge, and the base of the container can be lower than the side wall. This means that the peripheral side wall protrudes from the base. The clear dimension of the container on the underside of the base corresponds to the corresponding outer dimension of the lid in the area of ​​the peripheral bead.

[0021] This allows several containers to be stacked to form a column, in which the stacked containers are centered and secured against displacement. Preferably, the outer side of the bead is designed as an insertion bevel, which, for example, has a trapezoidal cross-section, while the side wall of the container is vertically aligned.

[0022] Without any element impairing the exterior appearance of the container's side walls, the side walls are fully available and thus unrestricted for decorations, notices, descriptions, or the like. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] They show:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a container according to the invention with a lid in a perspective view

[0026] Figure 2 shows an enlarged section of the container according to the marking II in Figure 1

[0027] Figure 3 shows the section according to Figure 2 in a plan view

[0028] Figure 4 a top view of the container

[0029] Figure 5 shows a section through a part of the container along the line VV in Figure 4

[0030] Figure 6 shows a section through the container in a section along the line VI-VI in Figure 4

[0031] Figure 7 shows two containers stacked on top of each other according to the invention in a side view

[0032] Figure 8 shows a partial section through the stacked containers according to the marking VIII in Figure 7

[0033] Figure 9 is a plan view of a section of four containers arranged next to each other.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a container 1 closed with a lid 2, which is rectangular in plan, particularly square, with rounded corners, as can be seen in Figure 2. In the closed position, the lid 2 is secured to the container 1, for which purpose both the lid 2 and the container 1 have locking edges 12 that engage with one another. This is particularly clearly visible in Figures 5 and 6.

[0035] In continuation of the locking edge 12, the lid 2 has on the outside a circumferential apron-like folded edge 13 which dips into a groove-shaped, specifically U-shaped in cross-section, reinforcing rib 4 formed on the side walls 3 of the container 1 in such a way that it is not possible to reach behind the folded edge 13 to open the lid 2.

[0036] According to the invention, the reinforcing rib 4 in the example has an interruption 5 provided in the corner region of the container 1 (Figure 3), in which an opening tab 6 is arranged. This has a material weakening 10 at both ends in the circumferential direction of the container 1, which is connected to the reinforcing rib 4.

[0037] In order to gain grip access to the folded edge 13 and thus to be able to open the lid 2, the opening tab 6 is manually pressed downwards in such a way that the material weakenings 10 are severed and access to the folded edge 13 is free.

[0038] In order to maintain the stability of the reinforcing rib 4 even in the interruption area, a retaining web 14 is formed onto the container 1, as shown in Figure 6.

[0039] As Figure 3 clearly shows, the opening tab 6 is held on the retaining web 14 by two retaining tabs 11, so that the opening tab 6 is held in place after being pressed down. This prevents the opening tab 6 from being positioned uncontrollably.

[0040] Figure 4 shows the top view of the container 1 from the lid side, wherein it can be seen that a circumferential protrusion is provided which rests on the inner sides of the side walls 3 and which has a plurality of support webs 8 arranged at intervals from one another for stability.

[0041] Adjacent to this protrusion, a raised bead 9 is further formed circumferentially on the lid 2, which has a trapezoidal cross-section. The base of the container 1 rests on this bead 9, which acts as a centering aid and prevents displacement for another container 1 placed on top, as shown in Figure 8. Figure 7 shows, by way of example, two containers 1 with lids 2 stacked to form a column. In Figure 8, according to section VIII, it can be seen that the bead 9 lies within the side walls 3. The height of the bead 9 corresponds approximately to the height of the distance to the lower edge of the side walls 3 created by the recessed base.

[0042] Figure 9 depicts an arrangement of containers 1 in which four containers 1 are positioned side by side, for example on a pallet, with their reinforcing ribs 4 abutting against each other, forming a free space, as is created by the quarter-circle shape in the area of ​​the opening tabs 6. In this situation, the opening tabs 6 are protected, so that the lids 2 cannot be opened.

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] 1 container

[0045] 2 Lid 3 Side wall

[0046] 4 Reinforcing ribs

[0047] 5 Interruption

[0048] 6 opening tab

[0049] 7 8 support bridges

[0050] 9 bulge

[0051] 10 Maternal weakening

[0052] 11 Retaining tab

[0053] 12 locking edge 13 slip edge

[0054] 14 Holding bridge

Claims

Claims 1 . Container (1 ) with a removable lid (2) locked in the closed position, having the following features: - the container (1) and the lid (2) have interlocking locking edges (12), - a circumferential, groove-shaped reinforcing rib (4) open in the direction of the lid (2) is provided on the container (1 ) below the locking edges (12) and parallel thereto, - an apron-like rim (13) which borders the edge of the lid is inserted into the reinforcing rib (4), - the reinforcing rib (4) is provided with at least one interruption (5), characterized by an opening tab (6) which is arranged in the interruption (5) and has material weakenings (10) on both sides in the circumferential direction of the container (1) which are connected to the reinforcing rib (4).

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material weakenings (10) can be broken by hand pressure.

3. Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening tab (6) is aligned with the reinforcing rib (4) adjoining it on both sides.

4. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interruption (5) and the opening tab (6) are provided in at least one corner region of the polygonal container (1).

5. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening tab (6) is fastened to at least one holding tab (11) which is arranged on the container (1).

6. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region of the interruption (5) a holding web (14) is connected to the container (1), which in its radial width is smaller than that of the reinforcing rib (4).

7. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (2) has a preferably circumferential bead (9).

8. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom of the container (1) is set back in the axial direction relative to the side walls (3) of the container (1).

9. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer dimension of the bead (9), measured across the width of the lid (2), is smaller than the clear width of the container (1) in the region of the underside of the base.

10. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bead (9) is provided on the outside with an insertion bevel.

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