Closure cover for closing a goods-receiving container, and container comprising a closure cover and a goods-receiving container
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GREINER PACKAGING INT
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure AT2026060017_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Closure lid for closing a goods receptacle and container comprising a closure lid and a goods receptacle
[0002] The invention relates to a closure lid for closing a goods receiving container to form a closed container, and to a container comprising a closure lid and a goods receiving container to be closed therewith.
[0003] A wide variety of goods, such as food products available in supermarkets, are stored and offered for sale in (re)sealable plastic containers, comprising a container and a sealing lid. These goods must, of course, also be transported in this packaged form from the packaging location to the point of sale.
[0004] For reasons of material conservation, but also for other reasons such as the elastic deformation required for opening or closing resealable containers, both the containers themselves and the lids of such packaging are usually very thin-walled. However, this very high deformability of such plastic containers can cause problems during transport, and additional measures are often necessary to stabilize the transport arrangements of such filled and sealed containers in order to prevent, for example, unintentional opening or damage.
[0005] The object of the present invention was to remedy this situation and to provide a sealing lid that is advantageous in terms of transport logistics, as well as a container comprising such a sealing lid, by means of which the transport of the containers and the goods contained therein can be carried out in the simplest possible yet safest way.
[0006] This task is solved, on the one hand, by a closure lid made of a plastic material to close a goods receiving container to form a sealed container.
[0007] The plastic lid comprises a cover surface and a continuous, flat wall area surrounding the cover surface. The wall area is positioned at an angle of between 70° and 110°, preferably substantially 95°, to the cover surface. Furthermore, the wall area is designed such that, when the container is closed, it runs essentially parallel to a surrounding side wall of the container and is located within the container. The cover surface is positioned within this surrounding wall area.
[0008] The surrounding wall area and the top surface of the lid form a stacking area. A lid rib with a sealing surface facing the receiving container is formed on the surrounding wall area of the lid. This sealing surface is designed to seal the lid against a corresponding sealing surface on the receiving container. Additionally, locking mechanisms for securing the lid to the receiving container are provided on the outward-facing sides of the surrounding wall area of the lid.
[0009] This design of the closure lid allows for the creation of a filled and sealed container with improved properties from a transport logistics perspective. In particular, the container, in its initial sealed state—that is, with freshly filled goods and sealed for the first time for transport—is given increased rigidity, and thus improved stability, in a transport or packaging arrangement, by allowing the closure lid to seal against the container. The initial sealed state refers to the condition of a container formed by a container and the closure lid after the container has been initially filled with goods, closed with the closure lid, and the sealing surface of the lid has been sealed against the container's sealing surface.While a sealed container can be created by rusting the lid, even under light weight, this rust can be broken by deformation of the typically thin-walled container, leading to unintentional opening. Only when the lid is sealed to the container can the sealed container achieve increased rigidity for transport. In particular, the specified characteristics of the lid, with comparable wall thicknesses, allow for the creation of a container with improved stackability, specifically one that can withstand higher loads. This, in turn, enables greater stacking heights and improved flexibility in container placement during transport.Conversely, the material thicknesses of the components of a goods container that can be closed with a lid, and of the lid itself, can be kept low. For example, the wall thickness of the side wall of a goods container that can be closed with a lid can range from 150 mm to 2200 mm. The stacking area formed on the lid can be designed to hold the goods container or its base. Simultaneously, the stacking area can also be designed to hold another lid. The stacking area thus enables simple and efficient centering and holding.Stacking multiple lids or multiple sealed containers on top of each other, and consequently, improved transport logistics and safer transport of lids or containers filled and sealed with goods in transport arrangements.
[0010] The locking mechanisms allow a container to be opened and reclosed multiple times. These mechanisms can be designed, for example, to create a friction-fit or form-fit connection between the lid and the container. Such locking mechanisms also provide the user with at least tactile feedback during the (re)closing process, allowing them to feel the lid snap into place.
[0011] The lid's ridge, and thus its sealing surface, can be essentially horizontal, allowing it to seal the lid to a corresponding, also essentially horizontal, sealing surface of the container. To seal the lid's sealing surface against this container's sealing surface, thereby creating the aforementioned initial sealed state of a container closed with the lid, virtually any known sealing agent, such as hot melt adhesives, sealing lacquers, and so on, can be used. A professional in the field can select a specific sealing agent primarily based on the type of goods to be contained or packaged in the container.Basically, all known methods suitable for sealing two surfaces can be used for sealing, such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, and so on.
[0012] The stacking area formed by the surrounding wall and the top surface of the lid can be geometrically designed in such a way that it corresponds, at least substantially, to the geometric shape of the base of a container to be sealed with it. This can particularly improve the stackability of the sealed containers formed in this way.
[0013] The plastic material of the closure lid may contain, in addition to one or more polymer(s), fillers, additives, and so on, as is generally known and common.
[0014] In particular, the plastic material of the closure lid can be selected from a single plastic material or a combination of several plastic materials from the group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, modified polyester plastic, polycarbonate, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, starch-based thermoplastics, and polylactide.
[0015] These plastic materials have proven to be well suited for manufacturing the closure lid.
[0016] The lid can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding, deep drawing, folding, folding and gluing or thermoforming processes.
[0017] These manufacturing methods allow the closure lid to be produced efficiently and cost-effectively.
[0018] In one variant of the closure lid, it can be provided that the surrounding wall area for closing a goods receiving container is designed with a side wall that has a circular cross-section.
[0019] This, in combination with the container to be sealed, can create a container that is particularly easy for a user to handle.
[0020] Alternatively, it can also be provided that the surrounding wall area for closing a goods receiving container is designed with a rectangular side wall in cross-section with rounded side wall corner areas.
[0021] This allows containers to be formed in combination with the goods containers to be sealed, which can be arranged next to each other in a particularly space-saving manner in one layer, for example a layer of a pallet or transport arrangement, and are therefore particularly efficient, cost-saving and sustainable in terms of transport logistics.
[0022] In further training, the locking devices of the closure lid can be designed to positively lock the closure lid to the goods receiving container when the container is closed.
[0023] This design of the closure lid allows for both tactile and audible feedback for the user when the corresponding, form-fitting locking mechanism engages during the (re-)closing of a container. In particular, the user can more easily determine whether a container is indeed securely closed by the locking mechanism engaging.
[0024] In particular, a design of the closure lid has proven to be especially advantageous in which the locking means of the closure lid are formed by under-gripping lips for gripping projections formed on an inner side wall surface of the side wall of the goods receiving container.
[0025] In a further development of the closure cover, it can be provided that a circumferential groove is formed between the circumferential wall area of the closure cover and the cover surface of the closure cover, wherein a groove base surface is formed in the circumferential groove.
[0026] The outer wall of the groove, or the outward-facing side of such a circumferential groove, can naturally be formed by the wall area of the closure lid. The cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove can be rectangular, for example, but it can also be trapezoidal with the outer groove wall or wall area beveled outwards at the top. The width of the circumferential groove can range from 0.15 mm to 20 mm. The distance in a vertical direction, or in the direction of the height of the goods container, between the lid surface and the base of the groove can, for example, range from 0.1 mm to 30 mm.
[0027] The formation of such a circumferential groove has proven beneficial to the stability of a transport arrangement using containers formed by such closure lids. Furthermore, the circumferential groove allows for the introduction of a laterally acting preload into the closure lid, resulting in a further improved locking mechanism of the closure lid onto the receiving container when the container is closed. This also allows for the provision of a closure lid with enhanced functionality. In particular, the circumferential groove can expand and improve the functionality of the stacking area of the closure lid, which is formed in combination with the lid surface.Such a circumferential groove can, for example, serve as a receiving element for groove walls and a groove base for another, particularly identically designed, closure lid, thus enabling stable, efficient, and space-saving stacking and better secured transport or delivery of a large number of closure lids. The circumferential groove facilitates, for instance, improved and easy centering of the closure lids on top of each other. Simultaneously, such a stacking receiving area encompassing the circumferential groove also ensures efficient stacking of containers, and consequently, improved transport of filled and sealed containers, as will be explained in more detail below.
[0028] For example, it may be provided that the locking means of the closure cover are provided on an outer groove wall of the circumferential groove.
[0029] Furthermore, it may be provided that the circumferential groove has a minimum depth of 0.1 mm.
[0030] In another embodiment of a closure lid, it can also be provided that recesses are formed in the outer groove wall and / or an inner groove wall of the circumferential groove, such that corresponding recesses are formed in the circumferential groove. These recesses are designed to receive shaped extensions formed on the bottom of the goods receiving container and corresponding to the recesses. Furthermore, it can, for example, be provided that struts are formed in the circumferential groove, such that these struts form shaped receptacles. These shaped receptacles are designed to receive shaped extensions formed on the bottom of the goods receiving container and corresponding to the shaped receptacles.
[0031] These design features of the circumferential groove on the lid, in conjunction with appropriately designed bases of goods containers, allow for the creation of containers with even greater transport stability. Specifically, stacked containers can be stabilized against twisting and, in particular, against tipping during transport, such as on pallets.
[0032] Furthermore, it can be advantageous to have fixing elements on the inward-facing sides of the surrounding wall area for at least temporarily securing a flat insert to the lid's surface. This allows for the flexible and secure attachment of additional information or promotional materials to the lid, enhancing the container's presentation and informational value. The fixing elements ensure that the insert is securely fixed to the lid without the need for additional fasteners. In particular, the insert can be attached without adhesives or similar techniques, facilitating the separation of materials for proper recycling.
[0033] When the lid is attached to a container and seals it at the designated sealing surface, it can be advantageous for the insert to detach itself upon initial opening if lifting and bending the lid causes the bond between the fixing agents and the insert to loosen. This further improves recycling. Additionally, the lid can then be "taper evident," allowing a user to immediately see whether the container has already been opened or is still sealed.
[0034] Furthermore, the fixing elements may include inwardly projecting nubs and / or inwardly projecting extensions, allowing an insert element to be fixed between the underside of the fixing elements and the top surface. This design of the fixing elements enables simple and reliable fixation of the insert element, with the nubs and extensions ensuring uniform force distribution and secure retention of the insert element. This increases flexibility and the ability to use different types of insert elements.
[0035] Furthermore, the fixing elements can be positioned on the outer wall of the circumferential groove. This arrangement ensures stable and uniform fixation of the insert element, with the outer groove wall serving as additional guidance and support. This increases the stability and security of the fixation.
[0036] In a training course, it may be stipulated that the lid includes a flat insert element, particularly in the form of a flat insert blank or a flat, flexible cardboard insert. This allows for the presentation of additional information or promotional materials directly on the lid, increasing the container's appeal and informational value. The insert element can be easily and securely attached, simplifying handling.
[0037] Additionally, it can be advantageous if the contour of the insert element essentially matches the contour of the top surface. Ideally, the insert element's contour should extend to the edge of the container, allowing it to cover the largest possible area of the top surface. This ensures an optimal fit and even fixation of the insert element to the top surface, enhancing the container's attractiveness and stability. The matching contour of the insert element enables seamless integration and improves the container's overall appearance.
[0038] However, it is also possible that the contour of the inlay element differs from the contour of the top surface and, for example, has a wavy contour. It is also possible that the inlay element has a special shape, such as a star, heart, etc. Of course, a wide variety of designs are conceivable and may be appropriate, and the examples mentioned are merely illustrative.
[0039] The object of the invention is also solved by providing a container.
[0040] The container comprises a bowl- or cup-shaped receiving receptacle made of a plastic material and a lid. The receiving receptacle includes a base, a circumferential side wall attached to the base, and an opening opposite the base. Within the opening area of the receiving receptacle, a circumferential rib with a sealing surface facing away from the base is formed at an upper end of the side wall. Furthermore, at least one stacking support is provided on an inner and / or outer side wall surface.
[0041] On the inward-facing sides of the side wall in the area of the opening of the goods receiving container, locking elements are provided. These locking elements of the goods receiving container are designed to interact with the locking elements of the closure lid. The container specifically includes a closure lid, as described above, for closing the goods receiving container to form a sealed container.
[0042] The technical effects and advantages achievable by forming a suitable container have already been described above in connection with the closure lid, and reference is made here to those passages above.
[0043] The plastic material of the product container can also be selected from a single plastic material or a combination of several plastic materials from the group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, modified polyester plastic, polycarbonate, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, starch-based thermoplastics, and polylactic acid. The plastic materials of the closure lid and the product container can be of different types. Preferably, the plastic materials of the closure lid and the product container can be of the same type. Furthermore, the product container, like the closure lid, can be manufactured by an injection molding, thermoforming, folding, folding and bonding, or thermoforming process.
[0044] The circumferential ridge and the sealing surface of the receiving container, and thus also the lid ridge and the sealing surface of the closure lid, can, of course, be designed to run essentially horizontally. To seal the lid sealing surface against the container sealing surface, creating the aforementioned initial sealed state of a closed container, virtually all known sealing agents, such as hot melt adhesives, sealing lacquers, and so on, can be used. The average professional can select a specific sealing agent primarily based on the goods to be received or packaged in the container. Essentially, all known sealing methods suitable for sealing two surfaces can be applied, such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, and so on.
[0045] The stacking area formed by the surrounding wall and the lid's surface can be geometrically designed to correspond, at least substantially, to the geometric shape of the base of the container. This can further improve the stackability of the containers formed from the container and lid, or stabilize a stacked arrangement of the containers for transport.
[0046] The side wall of the goods receiving container can generally have a vertical profile along or in the direction of the container's height, so that all side wall sections are parallel to each other. However, it is also possible for the side wall to have a conical profile or to taper downwards towards the bottom along its height, as is quite common and well-known for such containers.
[0047] In further training, the container can include a closure lid as described above with a wall area that has a circular cross-section, and the side wall of the goods receiving container can then have a circular cross-section.
[0048] These features allow a container to be provided that is particularly easy for a user to handle.
[0049] However, it can also be provided that the container includes a closing lid, as described above, with a surrounding wall area having a rectangular cross-section with rounded wall corner areas, and that the side wall of the goods receiving container has a rectangular cross-section with rounded side wall corner areas.
[0050] This allows containers to be provided or created that can be arranged side-by-side in a particularly space-saving manner in a single layer, for example, a layer of pallets or transport arrangements, and are therefore particularly efficient, cost-saving, and sustainable from a transport logistics perspective. In a further embodiment, the container can be designed to include a locking lid with locking elements for positive locking, as described above, and the locking elements of the receiving container are designed to positively lock the locking lid to the receiving container when the container is closed.
[0051] This design allows for the provision of a container where, particularly advantageous for the user, both tactile and audible feedback are provided when the corresponding, form-fitting locking mechanism engages during the (re-)closing of a container. Specifically, this allows the user to better determine whether the formed container is indeed properly sealed by the locking of the lid onto the container.
[0052] Specifically, the container can then include a locking lid as described above with locking means formed by under-grip lips, and the locking means of the goods receiving container can be formed by extensions formed on an inner side wall surface of the side wall of the goods receiving container.
[0053] Furthermore, the container can include a closure lid as described above with molded recesses formed by struts in the groove, or a closure lid as described above with recesses formed by moldings, and that corresponding molded extensions are formed on the bottom of the goods receiving container with the molded recesses or the recesses.
[0054] This design allows for containers with even greater transport stability. Specifically, stacked containers can be stabilized against twisting and, in particular, tipping during transport, such as on pallets.
[0055] In a further development of the container, the outer surface of the side wall of the goods receiving container can be encased, at least partially along its height and completely, by an outer part wound into a sheath. This outer part can be made, for example, of a material comprising cellulose fibers and / or plastic. With such an outer part, it can also be provided that the outer surface of the side wall of the goods receiving container is encased by the outer part in the area of the base of the goods receiving container, such that, when sealed containers are stacked on top of each other, the outer part projects into the stacking area of the lid of a container below it in a stacking arrangement.
[0056] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.
[0057] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation:
[0058] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a closure lid and a container comprising this closure lid, with each separately shown goods receiving container and closure lid, in perspective view;
[0059] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view through the container from Fig. 1 in a closed state;
[0060] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a closure lid and a container comprising this closure lid, with each separately shown goods receiving container and closure lid, in perspective view;
[0061] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view through the container from Fig. 3 in a closed state;
[0062] Fig. 5 shows a partial embodiment of a groove section of a closure lid in a top view and a partial embodiment of a base of a goods receiving container corresponding to the groove section in a bottom view;
[0063] Fig. 6 shows in part a further embodiment for a groove section of a closure lid in a top view and in part an embodiment for a base of a goods receiving container corresponding to the groove section in a bottom view;
[0064] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view through two stacked closure lids with insert element;
[0065] Fig. 8 shows a three-dimensional detail view of a closure lid with an insert element. It should be noted by way of introduction that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations are to be applied analogously to the new position if the position is changed.
[0066] Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a closure lid 1 and a container 2 for receiving, storing, and / or transporting goods, particularly food products, comprising the closure lid 1. Figures 3 and 4 show a further embodiment of a closure lid 1 and a container 2 for receiving, storing, and / or transporting goods, particularly food products. In the following, the embodiments of the closure lid 1, as well as the embodiments of the container 2 formed by means of a closure lid 1 in combination with a goods receiving container 3, will be discussed at least partially together with reference to the illustrations in Figures 1 to 4, since their designs and elements naturally correspond at least partially.For better identification of the elements and designs of the closure lid 1 and the goods receiving container 3, i.e., the components of a (re)sealable container 2, the embodiments of the goods receiving container 3 are shown in perspective views of a top surface in Figures 1 and 3, and the embodiments of the closure lid 1 are shown in perspective views of a bottom surface. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the container 2 from Figure 1 in the closed state, and Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the embodiment of the container 2 from Figure 3, also in the closed state.
[0067] The closure lid 1, made of a plastic material, is designed to close a goods receiving container 3, forming a sealed container 2. As shown in the figures.
[0068] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 4, the closure lid 1 comprises a cover surface 4 and a flat wall section 5 surrounding this cover surface 4. The wall section 5 is arranged at a first angle 37 between 70° and 110°, preferably substantially 95°, to the cover surface 4, as can be clearly seen in Figures 1 and 3. The wall section 5 is formed on the closure lid 1 such that, in a closed state of the container 2, the wall section 5 runs substantially parallel to a surrounding side wall 6 of the receiving container 3 and is located within the receiving container 3, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The cover surface 4 is located within the surrounding wall section 5.
[0069] Specifically, the surrounding wall area 5 and the top surface 4 of the closure lid 1 form a stacking area 7, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. This stacking area 7, formed by the surrounding wall area 5 and the top surface 4 of the closure lid 1, can be geometrically designed such that it corresponds, at least substantially, to the geometric shape of the base of the goods receiving containers 3 to be closed or corresponding with the closure lid 1.
[0070] As further shown in Figures 1 to 4, a lid rib 8 with a lid sealing surface 9 facing the goods receiving container 3 is formed on the circumferential wall region 5 of the closure lid 1 for sealing the closure lid 1 against a corresponding container sealing surface 10 of the goods receiving container 3. In addition, locking means 12 for locking the closure lid 1 onto the goods receiving container 3 are formed on the outwardly facing sides 11 of the circumferential wall region 5 of the closure lid 1.
[0071] Regarding the container 2, which is formed from the lid 1 and the goods receiving container 3, Figures 1 to 4 also show exemplary embodiments of goods receiving containers 3 corresponding to the respective lid 1. The container 2 for receiving, storing, and / or transporting goods, in particular food products, comprises a tray- or cup-shaped goods receiving container 3 made of a plastic material and a lid 1.
[0072] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, the goods receiving container 3 comprises a base 13 and a circumferential side wall 6 attached to the base 13, as well as an opening 14 opposite the base 13. In the area of the opening 14 at an upper end region 15 of the side wall 6, a circumferential web 16 with a container sealing surface 10 pointing away from the base 13 is formed. Furthermore, at least one stacking support aid 19 is formed on an inner side wall surface 17 and / or an outer side wall surface 18 of the side wall 6. Such a stacking support aid 19 can be provided or designed to support stacked, empty goods receiving containers 3 and / or as a support for stacked, filled, and sealed containers 2.
[0073] In the goods receiving container 3, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, locking elements 21 are provided on the inwardly facing sides 20 of the side wall 6 in the area of the opening 14 of the goods receiving container 3. These locking elements 21 of the goods receiving container 3 are designed to interact with the locking elements 12 of the closure lid 1. The container 2 comprises a closure lid 1, designed as described above, for closing the goods receiving container 3 and forming a closed container 2, as shown particularly in Figures 2 and 4.
[0074] The side wall 6 of the goods receiving container 3 can, in principle, have a vertical profile along or in the direction of a height extension 22 of the goods receiving container 3, so that all side wall sections are parallel to each other. However, it is also possible for the side wall 6 to have a conical profile along the height extension 22, or a profile tapering downwards towards the bottom 13, as is quite common and known for such containers 2, and is also shown in the exemplary embodiments in Figs. 1 to 4. The wall thickness of the side wall 6 of the goods receiving container 3 can, for example, range from 150 µm to 2200 µm.
[0075] The circumferential rib 16 and the container sealing surface 10 of the goods receiving container 3, and thus of course also the lid rib 8 and the lid sealing surface 9 of the closure lid 1, can of course be designed to run essentially horizontally, as can be clearly seen from Figs. 1 to 4.
[0076] The plastic material of the closure lid 1 and the plastic material of the product container 3 can, in principle, be different plastic materials. Preferably, the plastic materials of the closure lid 1 and the product container 3 are of the same type. As is known per se, such plastic materials can contain, in addition to one or more polymers, fillers, additives, and so on. In particular, the plastic material of the closure lid 1 and / or the plastic material of the product container 3 can consist of a plastic material or a combination of several plastic materials from the group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, modified polyester plastic, polycarbonate, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, starch-based thermoplastics, and polylactic acid.
[0077] The closure lid 1 and / or the goods receiving container 3 can be manufactured by an injection molding, deep drawing, folding, folding and gluing or thermoforming process.
[0078] As illustrated in particular by Figures 2 and 4, a container 2 can be formed by closing the receiving container 3 with the lid 1. Specifically, in a first originally closed state of the container 2, the lid sealing surface 9 can be sealed against the container sealing surface 10. This first originally closed state of the container 2 refers to the state that exists after the receiving container 3 has been initially filled with goods, closed with the lid 1, and the lid sealing surface 9 has been sealed against the container sealing surface 10. In principle, all known sealing agents, such as hot melt adhesives, sealing lacquers, and so on, can be used to seal the lid sealing surface 9 against the container sealing surface 10 in order to create the first originally closed state of the container 2.Basically, all known methods suitable for sealing two surfaces can be used for sealing, such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, and so on.
[0079] As shown in the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the circumferential wall region 5 of the closure lid 1 for closing a goods receiving container 3 can have a side wall 6 with a circular cross-section. As also shown in Fig. 1, a container 2 with such a closure lid 1 with a wall region 5 having a circular cross-section can of course comprise a corresponding goods receiving container 3 with a side wall 6 having a circular cross-section.
[0080] For the purpose of arranging several containers 2 side by side in the most space-saving way possible, for example in a transport arrangement, the surrounding wall area 5 closure lid 1 can be designed, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, but also to close a goods receiving container 3 with a side wall 6 having a rectangular cross-section with rounded side wall corner areas 23, or with a rectangular cross-section with rounded side wall corner areas 24. As also shown in Fig. 3, a container 2 with such a closure lid 1 with a wall area 5 having a rectangular cross-section with rounded side wall corner areas 24 can of course include a corresponding goods receiving container 3 with a side wall 6 having a rectangular cross-section with rounded side wall corner areas 23.
[0081] The locking elements 12 of the closure lid 1 and the locking elements 21 can, in principle, be designed to create a frictional connection. Preferably, however, the locking elements 12 of the closure lid 1 can be designed to positively lock the closure lid 1 onto the receiving container 3 when the container 2 is closed, as is also shown in the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 4. If the container 2 comprises such a closure lid 1 with locking elements 12 designed for positive locking, the locking elements 21 of the receiving container 3 of the container 2 can accordingly also be designed to positively lock the closure lid 1 onto the receiving container 3 when the container 2 is closed. As further illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the locking elements 12 of the closure lid 1 can be designed to extend horizontally.As can also be seen, the locking means 21 of the goods receiving container 3 can accordingly be designed to run horizontally.
[0082] In the two embodiments according to Figs. 1 to 4, it can be provided, in particular, that the locking means 12 of the closure lid 1 are formed by under-gripping lips 25 for engaging projections 26 formed on an inner side wall surface 17 of the side wall 6 of the goods receiving container 3. If the container 2 comprises such a closure lid 1 with locking means 12 formed by under-gripping lips 25, the locking means 21 of the goods receiving container 3 can accordingly be formed by projections 26 formed on the inner side wall surface 17 of the side wall 6 of the goods receiving container 3.
[0083] As can be seen from Figs. 1 to 2, the wall area 5 of the closure cover can form an outer groove wall 29 of the circumferential groove 27. The locking means 12 of the closure cover 1 can be provided on such an outer groove wall 29 of the circumferential groove 27.
[0084] The circumferential groove 27 can, for example, have a minimum depth of 0.1 mm.
[0085] The cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove 27 can be rectangular, for example, but it can also be trapezoidal with an outer groove wall 29 or wall area 5 that slopes upwards and outwards, as can be clearly seen in Figures 2 to 4. The groove width of the circumferential groove 27 can range from 0.15 mm to 20 mm. The distance along the height 22, or in a vertical direction, between the top surface 4 and the groove base 28 can, for example, range from 0.15 mm to 30 mm.
[0086] In particular, lids 1 with such a circumferential groove 27 can be used functionally to form containers 2 with improved stackability.
[0087] Figure 5 shows a partial and more detailed top view of an embodiment of a closure lid 1. Figure 5 also shows a partial bottom view of the base 4 of a goods receiving container 3 corresponding to the closure lid 1, forming a container 2.
[0088] According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, projections 31 can be formed in the outer groove wall 29 and / or an inner groove wall 30 of the circumferential groove 27, such that corresponding recesses 32 are formed in the circumferential groove 27. These recesses 32 are provided for receiving projections 33 formed on a base 13 of the goods receiving container 3 and corresponding to the recesses 32. If the container 2 includes such a closure lid 1 with recesses 32 in a circumferential groove 27, corresponding projections 33 can be formed on the base 13 of the goods receiving container 3 of this container 2, as is also illustrated in Fig. 5.
[0089] Figure 6 shows a partial and more detailed top view of another embodiment of a closure lid 1. Figure 6 also shows a partial bottom view of the base 4 of a goods receiving container 3 corresponding to the closure lid 1, forming a container 2.
[0090] According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, struts 34 can be formed in the circumferential groove 27, such that these struts 34 form mold receptacles 35. These mold receptacles 35 are provided for receiving mold extensions 33 formed on a base 13 of the goods receiving container 3 and corresponding to the mold receptacles 35. If the container 2 includes such a closure lid 1 with mold receptacles 35 in a circumferential groove 27, mold extensions 33 corresponding to the mold receptacle(s) 35 can be formed on the base 13 of the goods receiving container 3 of this container 2, as is also illustrated in Fig. 6.
[0091] As shown in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the container 2 can also be provided that the outer side wall surface 18 of the side wall 6 of the goods receiving container 3 is at least partially and completely encased along its height 22 by an outer part 36 wound into a jacket. Such an outer part 36 can, for example, be made of a material comprising cellulose fibers and / or plastic. It can also be provided that the outer side wall surface 18 of the goods receiving container 3 is encased by the outer part 36 in the area of the base 13 of the goods receiving container 3, such that when sealed containers 2 are stacked on top of each other, the outer part 36 projects into the stacking receiving area 7 of the lid 1 of a container 2 arranged below it in a stacking arrangement.
[0092] Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment of a closure lid 1. Figure 7 shows a stack of two closure lids 1, each lid having a flat, preferably flexible, insert element 40. Figure 8 shows in detail how the insert element 40 can be fixed between the fixing element 39, in particular the underside 41 of the fixing element, and the cover surface 4.
[0093] On the inwardly facing sides 38 of the surrounding wall area 5, fixing means 39 can be formed for at least temporarily fixing a flat insert element 40 to the cover surface 4 of the closure lid 1. For this purpose, the fixing means 39 can comprise inwardly projecting nubs and / or inwardly projecting extensions, whereby an insert element 40 can be fixed between a fixing means underside 41 of the fixing means 39 and the cover surface 4.
[0094] As already described, the closure cover 1 can have a circumferential groove 27 between the surrounding wall area 5 and the cover surface 4, wherein a groove base 28 can be formed in the circumferential groove 27. Furthermore, the fixing means 39 may be provided on an outer groove wall 29 of this circumferential groove 27.
[0095] It is also conceivable that the flat insert element 40 is designed in the form of a flat insert blank or a flat insert box.
[0096] It is also possible that the contour of the insert element 40 essentially corresponds to the contour of the top surface 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 4 is circular, and so is the contour of the insert element. However, a multitude of other shapes are conceivable. It is also conceivable that the contour of the insert element 40 deviates from the contour of the top surface 4.
[0097] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment variants, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in this technical field due to the teaching on technical action by the present invention.
[0098] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can, in themselves, represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.
[0099] All references to value ranges in this description are to be understood as encompassing any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the reference 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e. all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.
[0100] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. Reference symbol list
[0101] 32 Recess in container 33 Mold extension 34 Strut 35 Top surface 36 Mold mounting 37 Side wall 38 Angle 38 Side
[0102] Lid bridge 39 Fixing agent Lid sealing surface 40 Insert element Container sealing surface 41 Fixing agent underside Side
[0103] Resting agent
[0104] Floor
[0105] opening
[0106] End area
[0107] web
[0108] Side inner wall surface
[0109] Side outer wall surface
[0110] Stacking support aid
[0111] Page
[0112] Resting agent
[0113] Vertical extension
[0114] Side wall corner area
[0115] W wall ceiling area
[0116] Underhand lip
[0117] extension
[0118] Nut
[0119] groove base
[0120] tongue wall
[0121] tongue wall
[0122] Shaping
Claims
Patent claims 1. Closure lid (1) made of a plastic material for closing a goods receiving container (3) to form a closed container (2), comprising a cover surface (4) and a flat wall area (5) surrounding the cover surface (4), wherein the wall area (5) is arranged at a first angle (37) between 70° and 110°, preferably substantially 95° to the top surface (4), wherein the wall area (5) is formed on the closure lid (1) such that the wall area (5) in a closed state of the container (2) runs substantially parallel to a circumferential side wall (6) of the goods receiving container (3) and is arranged within the goods receiving container (3), wherein the cover surface (4) is arranged within the surrounding wall area (5), characterized in that the surrounding wall area (5) and the top surface (4) of the closure cover (1) form a stacking receiving area (7), and that a lid rib (8) with a lid sealing surface (9) facing the goods receiving container (3) is formed on the surrounding wall area (5) of the closure lid (1) for sealing the closure lid (1) on a corresponding container sealing surface (10) of the goods receiving container (3), wherein locking means (12) for locking the closure lid (1) to the goods receiving container (3) are formed on outwardly facing sides (11) of the circumferential wall area (5) of the closure lid (1).
2. Closure cap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic material of the closure cap (1) is selected from a plastic material or a combination of several plastic materials from the group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, modified polyester plastic, polycarbonate, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, starch-based thermoplastics, and polylactide.
3. Closure cap (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it is manufactured by an injection molding, thermoforming, folding, folding and gluing process or thermoforming process.
4. Closure lid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circumferential wall area (5) for closing a goods receiving container (3) is formed with a side wall (6) having a circular cross-section.
5. Closure lid (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the circumferential wall area (5) for closing a goods receiving container (3) is formed with a side wall (6) having a rectangular cross-section and rounded side wall corner areas (23) having a rectangular cross-section and rounded wall corner areas (24).
6. Closure lid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (12) of the closure lid (1) are designed to form a positive locking connection of the closure lid (1) to the goods receiving container (3) in the closed state of the container (2).
7. Closure lid (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means (12) of the closure lid (1) are formed by under-gripping lips (25) for gripping under extensions (26) formed on an inner side wall surface (17) of the side wall (6) of the goods receiving container (3).
8. Closure cap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circumferential groove (27) is formed between the circumferential wall region (5) of the closure cap (1) and the cover surface (4) of the closure cap (1), wherein a groove base surface (28) is formed in the circumferential groove (27).
9. Closure cap (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking means (12) of the closure cap (1) are provided on an outer groove wall (29) of the circumferential groove (27).
10. Closure lid (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the circumferential groove (27) has a minimum depth of 0.1 mm.
11. Closure lid (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that in the outer groove wall (29) and / or an inner groove wall (30) of the circumferential groove (27) are formed, such that correspondingly formed recesses (32) are formed in the circumferential groove (27), which recesses (32) are provided for receiving formed extensions (33) formed on a base (13) of the goods receiving container (3) and corresponding to the recesses (32).
12. Closure lid (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that struts (34) are formed in the circumferential groove (27) such that these struts (34) form mold receptacles (35) which mold receptacles (35) are provided for receiving mold extensions (33) formed on a base (13) of the goods receiving container (3) and corresponding with the mold receptacles (35).
13. Closure lid (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fixing means (39) for at least temporarily fixing a flat insert element (40) on the top surface (4) of the closure lid (1) are formed on inwardly facing sides (38) of the circumferential wall area (5).
14. Closure lid (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the fixing means (39) comprise inwardly projecting nubs and / or inwardly projecting extensions, wherein an insert element (40) can be fixed between a fixing means underside (41) of the fixing means (39) and the cover surface (4).
15. Closure lid (1) according to claim 8, and according to any one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the fixing means (39) are provided on an outer groove wall (29) of the circumferential groove (27).
16. Closure lid (1) according to one of claims 13 to 15, comprising a flat insert element (40), in particular in the form of a flat insert blank or a flat insert carton.
17. Closure cover (1) according to claim 16, wherein a contour of the insert element (40) substantially corresponds to a contour of the cover surface (4).
18. Containers (2) for receiving, storing and / or transporting goods, in particular food products, comprising a bowl- or cup-shaped goods receiving container (3) made of a plastic material and a closure lid (1), wherein the goods receiving container (3) comprises a base (13) and a circumferential side wall (6) attached to the base (13) as well as an opening (14) opposite the base (13), wherein in the area of the opening (14) at an upper end area (15) of the side wall (6) a circumferential rib (16) with a container sealing surface (10) pointing away from the bottom (13) is formed, and wherein at least one stacking support aid (19) is formed on an inner side wall surface (17) and / or an outer side wall surface (18) of the side wall (6), characterized by that locking means (21) are formed on inwardly facing sides (20) of the side wall (6) in the area of the opening (14) of the goods receiving container (3), which locking means (21) of the goods receiving container (3) act to alternate with the locking means (12) of the closure lid (1), and that the container (2) comprises a closure lid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 for closing the goods receiving container (3) to form a closed container (2).
19. Container (2) according to claim 18, characterized in that the side wall (6) of the goods receiving container (3) has a circular cross-section, and that the container (2) comprises a closure lid (1) according to any one of claims 4, 6 to 17.
20. Container (2) according to claim 18, characterized in that the side wall (6) of the goods receiving container (3) has a rectangular cross-section with rounded side wall corner areas (23), and that the container (2) comprises a closure lid (1) according to one of claims 5 to 17.
21. Container (2) according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the locking means (21) of the goods receiving container (3) are designed for positive locking of the closure lid (1) to the goods receiving container (3) in the closed state of the container (2), and that the container (2) comprises a closure lid (1) according to one of claims 6 to 17.
22. Container (2) according to claim 21, characterized in that the locking means (21) of the goods receiving container (3) are formed by extensions (26) formed on the inner side wall surface (17) of the side wall (6) of the goods receiving container (3), and that the container (2) comprises a closure lid (1) according to one of claims 7 to 17.
23. Container (2) according to one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the container (2) comprises a closure lid (1) according to one of claims 11 or 12, and that corresponding mold extensions (33) are formed on the bottom (13) of the goods receiving container (3) with the mold receptacles (35) or the recesses (32).