Food container with easy-opening system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure IB2025062031_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] FOOD CONTAINER WITH EASY-OPENING SYSTEM
[0002] DESCRIPTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a food container with an easy-opening system.
[0004] The hermetically sealed containers that are known on the market do not let air enter or escape from the container, ensuring hygiene and safety against external contamination.
[0005] These containers can be made in various sizes and shapes, and generally comprise a receptacle, a lid, and a seal pressed between the receptacle and the lid to ensure the hermetical seal of the container. It should be noted that vacuum is created inside the container when the lid is closed on the receptacle, making it difficult to open the lid.
[0006] In a first type of containers according to the prior art, the lid usually comprises one or more tabs that project externally from the lid and allow a user to grab and detach the lid. Such a type of container is impaired by the fact that, if the seal and the vacuum are strong, the user encounters great difficulties in detaching the lid. In fact, the user must lift the container, hold it between one hand and his / her stomach, and energetically pull the tab of the lid with his / her other hand to overcome the vacuum and friction of the seal. Such an operation is even more complicated if the user's hands are wet, as the tab of the lid will slip out of the user's hand.
[0007] A second type of containers is known, wherein the lid is provided with flaps that are rotatably coupled to the lid in such a way to be fastened to the receptacle in order to press and hold the lid on the receptacle. Such a solution ensures a proper closure of the lid, but the difficult opening remains due to the formation of vacuum inside the container.
[0008] In the name of the same applicant, EP3995058A1 discloses a container with easy opening, wherein the lid of the receptacle comprises an oscillating control lever that presses the rim of the receptacle to lift the lid in such a way to eject the air and eliminate the vacuum to facilitate the opening of the lid.Although it solves the problem of easy opening, such a solution is complicated, expensive, and not versatile, as it is necessary to modify the lid in order to install the control lever.
[0009] KR20090043718 discloses a food container in which the closing device and the lid are made of stainless steel. In particular, if the closing device for the seal is formed on the lid, the provision of the closing device guarantees easy use and excellent quality design.
[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by devising a food container provided with an easy-opening system that is efficient, simple, and inexpensive to produce.
[0011] Another purpose of the invention is to devise such a food container provided with an easy-opening system that is versatile and suitable for being installed on traditional containers without having to modify the structure of the lid.
[0012] Yet another purpose of the invention is to devise such a food container provided with an easy-opening system that is easy to open for both right-handed and left-handed users.
[0013] These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention having the characteristics listed in the appended independent claim 1.
[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the dependent claims.
[0015] The container according to the invention is defined by claim 1.
[0016] For the sake of clarity, the description of the container according to the invention continues with reference to the appended drawings, which only have an illustrative, non-limiting value, wherein:
[0017] Fig. 1 is a front view of a container according to the invention in closed position;
[0018] Fig. 2 is a side view of the container of Fig. 1 ;
[0019] Fig. 3 is a top view of the container of Fig. 1 ;
[0020] Fig. 4 is a top view of the container according to the invention with the control lever in open position;Fig. 5 is a front view of the container according to the invention with the control lever in open position and rotated clockwise;
[0021] Fig. 6 is a front view of the container according to the invention with the control lever in open position and rotated counterclockwise;
[0022] Fig. 7 is a side view of the container with the control lever in open position;
[0023] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the container, taken along a vertical plane VIII-VIII of Fig. 4, passing through the control lever;
[0024] Fig. 9 is a view as in Fig. 8, wherein the lid and the receptacle are detached from each other;
[0025] Fig. 10 is an axonometric view of the control lever of the container according to the invention;
[0026] Fig. 11 is a side view of the control lever of the container according to the invention;
[0027] Fig. 12 is a perspective rear view of the control lever;
[0028] Fig. 13 is a rear view of the control lever of the container according to the invention; and
[0029] Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the container taken according to a vertical section plane XIV-XIV of Fig. 7.
[0030] With reference to the Figures, a container according to the invention, which is generally indicated with reference numeral 100, is described.
[0031] The container (100) is a hermetically sealed container used for storing food. The container (100) comprises a receptacle (1) and a lid (2).
[0032] With reference to Fig. 9, the receptacle (1) comprises a bottom wall (10) and a side wall (11) that rises from the bottom wall so as to generate a compartment (V) that is open at the top. The bottom wall (10) is suitable for resting on a horizontal plane. Hereinafter, a horizontal plane is a plane parallel to the bottom wall (10).
[0033] The side wall (11 ) has an upper edge (12). The upper edge (12) has an outward-facing thickened section (13).
[0034] The lid (2) has an annular seat (20) that accommodates the upper edge
[0035]
[0036] disposed in the annular seat (20) of the lid to ensure a hermetic seal between lid and receptacle. In fact, the seal (4) is pressed between lid and receptacle, preventing the passage of air.
[0037] The lid (2) has a perimeter edge (21) that projects externally from the upper edge (12) of the receptacle when the lid is closed on the receptacle. In particular, the perimeter edge (21) of the lid is bent downwards in such a way that the perimeter edge (21) of the lid surrounds the upper edge (12) of the receptacle when the lid (2) is closed on the receptacle. The perimeter edge (21 ) of the lid has an inward-facing tooth (22).
[0038] Although Figs. 1-9 show a container (100) comprising a receptacle (1) having one side wall (11) with circular cross-section and a lid (2) with circular shape, the receptacle (1) and the lid (2) may have a polygonal shape. In such a case, the receptacle will have multiple side walls.
[0039] By way of example, the receptacle (1 ) may have a quadrangular (square or rectangular) perimeter with four side walls (11 ). Likewise, the lid (2) will have the same shape as the receptacle (1 ) in order to be coupled with the receptacle (1). Therefore, also the lid will have a quadrangular shape, but larger than the receptacle, to ensure that the perimeter edge (21) of the lid projects externally from the receptacle.
[0040] The perimeter edge (21 ) of the lid is made of a flexible material suitable for elastically bending outwards to provide an interlocking coupling between the tooth (22) of the perimeter edge of the lid and the thickened section (13) of the upper edge of the receptacle. In such a way, the lid securely closes the receptacle (1).
[0041] In such a case, the seal (4) is arranged between the upper edge (12) of the receptacle and the perimeter edge (21 ) of the lid.
[0042] In the example shown in Fig. 9, the annular seat (20) of the lid has an inverted U-shape defined between the perimeter edge (21) and an inner edge (23) of the lid. When the lid (2) is closed on the receptacle (1), the inner edge (23) of the lid is positioned inside the compartment (V) of the receptacle.
[0043] The upper edge (12) of the receptacle has an inner surface (14) that faces the inner edge (23) of the lid.In addition to or as an alternative to the seal (4), another seal may be provided between the inner surface (14) of the upper edge (12) of the receptacle and the inner edge (23) of the lid.
[0044] With reference to Figs. 1, 10 and 13, the container (100) comprises a control lever (3) suitable for lifting a portion of the lid (2) from the receptacle (1 ).
[0045] The control lever (3) is hinged to the receptacle (1) by means of pivoting means (5) with axis of rotation (P), so that the control lever (3) rotates to abut against the perimeter edge (21) of the lid (2) in such a way to lift a portion of the lid from the container and disengage a portion of the annular seat (20) of the lid from the upper edge (12) of the container (as shown in Fig. 8) in such a way to let the air escape, eliminating the vacuum inside the container.
[0046] The axis of rotation (P) of the pivoting means is horizontal. If the base of the receptacle is polygonal, the axis of rotation (P) of the pivoting means is orthogonal to a side wall (11) of the container. If the base of the receptacle is circular, the axis of rotation (P) of the pivoting means is radial.
[0047] With reference to Fig. 10, the control lever (3) has a first arm (31 ) defined between the axis of rotation (P) and a first ending portion (32). Advantageously, the control lever (3) has a second arm (33) defined between the axis of rotation (P) and a second ending portion (34). The second arm (33) extends in the opposite direction to the first arm (31 ).
[0048] The control lever (3) comprises a handle (30) suitable for being manually operated by the user. The first arm (31) and the second arm (33) are formed on the handle (30).
[0049] To operate such a control lever (3), the user applies a force couple to the handle (30) in clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
[0050] With reference to Fig. 5, if a force couple (F1) is applied in clockwise direction, the control lever (3) rotates clockwise and the first ending portion (32) abuts against the perimeter edge (21) of the lid, lifting a portion of the lid from the receptacle to let the air escape and eliminate the vacuum inside the container. In this way, the lid can be easily detached from the receptacle.
[0051] With reference to Fig. 6, if a force couple (F2) is applied in counterclockwise direction, the control lever (3) rotates counterclockwise andthe second ending portion (34) of the handle abuts against the perimeter edge (21 ) of the lid, lifting a portion of the lid from the receptacle to let the air escape and eliminate the vacuum inside the container. In this way, the lid can be easily detached from the receptacle.
[0052] The fact that the control lever (3) has two arms (31 , 33) and can rotate both in clockwise and counterclockwise direction implies that the container can be opened easily by both right-handed and left-handed users. In fact, a right-handed user will operate the control lever with his / her right hand in clockwise direction. Instead, a left-handed user will operate the control lever with his / her left hand in counterclockwise direction.
[0053] By operating the handle (30), the control lever (3) can be moved between:
[0054] - a closed position (Figs. 1 - 3), wherein the handle (30) is in horizontal position and the lid is closed; and
[0055] - an open position (Figs. 5 - 8), wherein the handle (30) is inclined relative to a horizontal plane and a portion of the annular seat (20) of the lid is spaced from the upper edge (12) of the receptacle to let the air enter and eliminate the vacuum.
[0056] When the control lever (3) is in open position, the lid (2) is inclined relative to a horizontal plane. When the control lever (3) is in closed position, the lid (2) is parallel to a horizontal plane.
[0057] Therefore, when the control lever (3) is lifted to go from the closed position to the open position, the first ending portion (32) or the second ending portion (34) of the handle abuts against the perimeter edge (21) of the lid in such a way that the control lever (3) pushes the perimeter edge (21) of the lid (2), lifting a portion of the perimeter edge of the lid and disengaging the annular seat (20) of the lid from the upper edge (12) of the receptacle.
[0058] The pivoting means (5) comprise a pin (50) that projects outwards from the side wall (11 ) of the receptacle (1 ) and a bushing (51 ) formed on the control lever (3). The bushing (51) is rotatably coupled to the pin (50). The pin-bushing assembly allows the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the control lever (3) about the axis of rotation (P).Figs. 5 and 6 show the control lever (3) in open position; in fact, by grabbing the handle (30) and rotating the control lever (3) about the axis of rotation (P) in a given direction, one of the two ending portions (32, 34) of the handle is caused to impact against the perimeter edge (21) of the lid (2).
[0059] With reference to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the handle (30) of the control lever (3) comprises a first longitudinal edge (35) facing the receptacle (1) and a second longitudinal edge (36) opposite the first longitudinal edge (35) and facing outwards.
[0060] Preferably, the container (100) comprises stop means (6) suitable for limiting a rotation of the control lever (3). The stop means (6) are configured and arranged in such a way that, starting from a closed position in which the handle (30) lies on a horizontal plane, the control lever (3) can rotate both in clockwise and counterclockwise direction by an angle (a) of less than 90°, preferably comprised between 60° and 80°. In such a way, when the lid (2) is closed on the receptacle, the control lever returns to its closed position in which the handle (30) lies on a horizontal plane.
[0061] The stop means (6) comprise:
[0062] - a bracket (60) projecting from the side wall (11) of the receptacle (1) and positioned above the pin (50) of the pivoting means (5), and
[0063] - abutting projections (61) projecting from the control lever (3) to abut against the bracket (60) of the receptacle (1) when the control lever (3) goes from the closed position to the open position.
[0064] The stop means (6) comprise two abutting projections (61) projecting radially from the bushing (51). The abutting projections (61) are spaced angularly by an angle (P) comprised between 120° and 160°. In fact, the angle (P) between the two projections must be twice the rotation angle (a) in clockwise and counterclockwise direction of the control lever.
[0065] The control lever (3) may have an L-shaped cross-section, comprising a first wing consisting of the handle (30) and a second wing (37). The bushing (51) of the pivoting means (5) is located at the center of the second wing (37) of the control lever.
[0066] The operation of the container (100) is described below.Initially, the container (100) is hermetically sealed and the vacuum inside the container prevents the lid (2) from opening.
[0067] Starting from the position shown in Fig. 1 , wherein the lid (2) is closed on the receptacle (1) and the control lever (3) is in closed position, in order to open the container (100) and have access to the compartment (V) of the receptacle (1), the user must grasp the handle (30) of the control lever (3) and rotate it in one direction so that one of the two ending portions (32, 34) of the control lever (3) abuts against the perimeter edge (21) of the lid (2), pushing a portion of the perimeter edge of the lid upwards. In such a way a portion of the lid (2) is lifted and disposed in inclined position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
[0068] As a result, the annular seat (20) of the lid disengages from the upper edge (12) of the receptacle, letting the air pass between the outside of the container and the inside of the container and eliminating the vacuum inside the container.
[0069] At this point, in order to detach the lid (2) from the receptacle (1), the user simply needs to pull the lid (2) upward, without any effort, thus providing free access to the compartment (V) of the receptacle (1).
[0070] In order to close the container, the lid (2) must be pushed against the upper edge (12) of the receptacle (1) until the annular seat (20) of the lid (2) engages with the upper edge (12) of the receptacle and the tooth (22) of the perimeter edge of the lid is interlocked with the thickened section (13) of the upper edge (12) of the receptacle (1 ).
[0071] The container (100) is hermetically sealed without having to manually move the control lever (3) from the open position to the closed position, simply by energetically pressing the lid (2) onto the receptacle (1). In fact, during such an energetic pressing, the perimeter edge (21) of the lid (2) impacts on one of the two ending portions (32, 34) of the control lever (3), causing the control lever (3) to rotate automatically from the open position with inclined direction to the closed position with horizontal direction. The control lever (3) is maintained in the closed position with horizontal direction thanks to the stop means (6).
[0072] Numerous variations and detailed modifications can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, within the reach of a person skilled in theart, however falling within the scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Hermetically sealed food container (100), comprising:- a receptacle (1) having an upper edge (12),- a lid (2) having an annular seat (20) suitable for being hermetically coupled with the upper edge (12) of the receptacle, and a perimeter edge (21) projecting outwardly from the upper edge (12) of the receptacle (1), and- a control lever (3) suitable for lifting a portion of the lid (2) from the upper edge (12) of the receptacle (1 );wherein said control lever (3) is hinged to the receptacle (1) by means of pivoting means (5) with axis of rotation (P), so that the control lever (3) rotates to abut against the perimeter edge (21) of the lid (2) in order to push a portion of the perimeter edge (21) upwards, disengaging a portion of the annular seat (20) of the lid from the upper edge (12) of the receptacle in order to let air enter the compartment (V) of the container, eliminating the vacuum and allowing the easy opening of the lid.
2. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein said control lever (3) comprises at least one arm (31, 33) extending from the axis of rotation (P) to an ending portion (32, 34) of the control lever suitable for abutting against said perimeter edge (21) of the lid to lift the perimeter edge of the lid.
3. The container (100) according to claim 2, wherein said control lever (3) comprises two arms (31 , 33) extending in opposite directions with respect to said axis of rotation (P); each arm (31 , 33) having an ending portion (32, 34) suitable for abutting against said perimeter edge (21 ) of the lid; and said control lever being rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise direction.
4. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said control lever (3) comprises a handle (30) operable by the user.
5. The container (100) according to claim 3 and 4, wherein said arms (31 , 33) of the control lever are formed on said handle (30) of the control lever.
6. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (1) has a polygonal shape and the axis of rotation (P) of the pivoting means is horizontal and orthogonal to a side wall (11 ) of the receptacleor the base of the receptacle (1) has a circular shape and the axis of rotation (P) of the pivoting means is horizontal and radial.
7. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said pivoting means (5) comprise a pin (50) projecting outwardly from the side wall (11) of the receptacle and a bushing (51) formed on the control lever (3); said bushing (51) being rotatably mounted on the pin (50).
8. The container (100) according to claim 7, wherein said control lever (3) has an L-shaped section comprising a first wing comprising a handle (30) and a second wing (37) on which said bushing (51) of the pivoting means is disposed.
9. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a seal (4) disposed between the upper edge (12) of the receptacle and the perimeter edge (21) of the lid.
10. The container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising stop means (6) suitable for limiting a rotation of the control lever (3).
11. The container (100) according to claim 10, wherein said stop means (6) comprise a bracket (60) projecting outwardly from the side wall (11) of the receptacle, and two abutting projections (61) projecting from said control lever (3) to impact against the bracket (60) of the receptacle when the control lever (3) is moved from a closed position to an open position.
12. The container (100) according to claim 11 , when dependent on claim 7, wherein said stop means (6) comprise two abutting projections (61) projecting radially from the bushing (51); said abutting projections (61) being angularly spaced apart by an angle ( ) comprised between 120° and 160°.