DE202014009195U1 - Container with lock - Google Patents

Abstract

Container (1) for a food product, in particular a dairy product, having a first container part (3) having an opening (2) for receiving the food product and a second container part (4) serving to close the opening (2) of the container, wherein, in the closed state of the container, a first edge region (5) of the first container part (3) bounding the opening (2) and a second edge region (6) of the second container part (4) complementary thereto are engaged with one another, characterized in that first edge region (5) has a first locking region (7) and the second edge region (6) has a second locking region (8), wherein the relative position of the first and second locking regions (7, 8) is characterized by a reversible deformation between the opening of the closed Container (1) hindering engagement position and a release enabling enabling position is changeable.

Description

The invention relates to a container for a food product, in particular a dairy product, with a receiving the food product serving, having an opening first container part and serving to close the opening of the container, second container part, wherein in the closed state of the container, an opening limiting first edge portion of the first container part and a complementary second edge region of the second container part are engaged with each other.

Food, especially dairy products, such as butter, and spreadable fats, such as margarine, spreads and pasty foods, are usually in a food-safe plastic container consisting of a food receiving first container part, such as a shell, a box or a cup, and the first container part occlusive second container part packed in the form of a lid. Usually, such products are not consumed shortly after the first opening of the container, but over days or weeks consumed in portions by the consumer.

In order to counteract a rapid deterioration, for example moldiness or rancidity, of the foodstuff, it is necessary to seal the container receiving the food as tightly as possible. Butter or margarine, when packaged improperly, also picks up unpleasant odors and flavors from a foodstuff stored in the refrigerator and can discolor in an unappealing yellow color.

A particularly consumer-friendly packaging is therefore resealable. This is particularly advantageous for poorly fillable food products, such as spreadable fats, such as butter or margarine, or spreads where transfer to a sealed storage box may be considered impractical by the consumer.

In general, the reclosability and the tight closure of a container are mutually opposite requirements. A tight-fitting, the first container part as close as possible closing second container part is difficult to remove from the opening of the container in general. If the lid is made of a flexible material, frequent opening may cause irreversible deformation and the closure of the container will leak. On the other hand, if the lid is made of a rigid material, there is a risk that the lid will break when opened frequently, thus rendering the container unusable for longer storage of the food.

In view of these problems in the prior art, the invention has the object, a container of the type mentioned in such a way that a safe, dense and reliable resealing is possible.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the first edge region of the container has a first locking region and the second edge region has a second locking region, wherein the relative position of the first and the second locking region by a reversible deformation between an opening position of the closed container preventing engagement position and the Open enabling release tag is changeable.

The reversible change according to the invention of the relative position of the locking areas between the engagement position and the release position enables a simple, safe, and frequently feasible opening for removal and tight closure of the container for storing the food. Due to the reversibility, it is possible to store the product in the container until it is completely consumed.

Due to the relatively tight closure of the container in the engaged position, the food is longer lasting, which is positively noticed by the consumer. Furthermore, it can be dispensed with an addition of preservatives or at least reduced their amount. On the one hand this saves costs, and on the other hand, the absence of preservatives or their reduction can be a reason for the consumer to decide on the product. In addition, fat-reduced foods, which tend to spoil faster due to their higher water content, get a longer shelf life.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second edge region has a region which encompasses the first edge region and on which the second locking region is formed. If the second container part is a lid and the first container part is a bowl or a cup, then the cross-encircling region favors sealing of the container contents. Furthermore, the overlapping prevents slipping of the lid.

An embodiment according to the invention is characterized in that a region of the first locking region which is connected in one piece with the first container part and an area of the part which is connected in one piece with the second container part Locking second interlocking area in the engaged position positively. As a result, the locking areas can be produced together with the container parts in a manufacturing process, which is cost-saving, and also allows easy disposal. Furthermore, the one-piece design causes a permanent cohesion of the locking areas with the container parts.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is based on the fact that the reversible deformation which changes the relative position between the engagement position and the release position can be effected by a deflection of the first locking region and / or the second locking region. It is particularly advantageous if the reversible deformation is such that the shape of the food receiving portion of the first container part is not changed, and thus prevents leakage of the container contents by swelling or spilling over in the course of deformation of the / the locking region (s) becomes.

An embodiment of the invention in which the deformation between the engagement position and the release position is elastic is also advantageous. The deformation can also be done plastically. In general, the choice between plastic and elastic deformation will depend on the desired material properties of the first and second container parts, such as insulation, feel, stability, printability, and foodstuff integrity.

The first interlocking area may consist of a single contiguous area. This embodiment is particularly easy to manufacture and use. The first locking area can also consist of several, separate areas. Locking in several areas achieves greater security against locking, but it is more expensive to manufacture. If reversible deformation must be made to change between the engaged and released positions at each of the areas, handling may be difficult. According to the invention, it is expedient for the first locking region to have two separate regions opposite the opening of the container, since this produces a compromise between the secure locking and the simple handling.

The first locking portion may have a projection. This can be arranged on the inside of the first container part. Thereby, the outer appearance of the first container part is not changed, and the container may have the same outer mass as a container without first locking portion, which may have a favorable effect on the common packaging of multiple containers in boxes for transport purposes. The projection may also be mounted on the outside of the first container part. Thus, when properly used, the projection does not come into contact with the container contents, so that the projection is not contaminated by the container contents. Furthermore, a projection mounted on the outside of the first container part does not reduce the filling volume of the container.

The projection can be integrally connected to the first container part and made of the same material as this, which is particularly simple and inexpensive. The projection can also be made of a different material. This can be addressed separately to the desired properties of the first container part and the projection. For example, the requirements of insulation, foodstuff stability, stability, printability and ease of disposal on the material of the first container part, and the requirements of stability and plastic or elastic deformability are placed on the material of the projection. The protrusion may be edged or rounded, with a rounded protrusion reducing the risk of injury. The protrusion may have a coloring that easily marks the locking area. If the projection and the first container part have the same color, this is inconspicuous.

Advantageously, the projection extends only over a part of the circumference and has a small thickness and radial extent in comparison to its circumferential extent. This saves material and is therefore inexpensive. For example, the projection may extend arcuately along the circumference. If the protrusion is attached to the outside of the first container part, a small radial expansion reduces the risk of being caught on the protrusion with a body part or a garment. If the projection is attached to the inside of the first container part, then a projection of small thickness and radial expansion changes the filling volume only slightly.

The second locking area may consist of one area or of several separate areas. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and the second locking region have the same number of separate regions, which engage in a form-fitting manner in pairs in the engagement position. The reversible change between the engagement and release positions is effected by deformation of at least one portion of each pair located at the first or second locking portions. According to the number of separate areas on the first and second locking areas, a container according to the invention has a pair or more such couples. While a pair allows a particularly quick opening and closing of the container, the safety and strength of the lock increases with the number of pairs. Particularly advantageous is an embodiment of the invention, which has two diametrically opposite pairs at the opening of the container part, since thus a good compromise between the stability and the handling of the lock is achieved.

In a further possible embodiment of the container, the second locking region has a recessed area in the second edge region. It is expedient to choose the shape of the first locking portion so that it engages positively in the engaged position in the recessed area. The recessed area may be in the form of a slot extending in the direction of rotation of the second edge area. Conveniently, the first locking portion is then selected in the form of a formed on the first edge region, mounted on the outside of the container, in the engagement position positively engaging in the slot projection.

In an expedient embodiment, the second locking region is arranged on a section of the circumferential region, which is delimited by a recess which is open towards its free edge. The section may be identical to the second locking area, but it may also have a greater extent than this. The recess may be shaped such that the section is arranged on a movable relative to the second edge region tab. Through the recess of the locking area is easily recognizable as such. According to the invention, the reversible deformation necessary for the change between the engagement position and the release position can be effected by engaging behind the portion delimited by the recess with a finger or a fingernail, followed by a pull orthogonal to the peripheral edge region. In an embodiment in which the second locking region consists of several regions, one, several or all of these regions may be arranged on recessed portions. When the deformed portion is made of an elastic material, it returns to the original shape by springback.

Engages in the engagement position on the attached to the outside of the second container part, a projection having a first locking portion positively into a mounted on the above-described movable tab incised area, the train causes the tab orthogonal to the peripheral edge region a relative position of the first and the second locking portion changing movement of the second locking portion, so that the projection is no longer engaged in the slot, and the release position is established.

In a further embodiment of the container according to the invention described above train generates a biasing force on the second locking portion. This causes after a lifting of the tensile load that the second locking portion snaps back by itself to its original position, and the engagement position can be made. In one embodiment of the invention, the snap-back of the second locking portion produces a snap-in sound indicating the formation of the engagement position. This will alert the consumer to the successful locking of the container. This is particularly beneficial for consumers with limited visual acuity.

An inventive container allows that in the engaged position of the container on the first container part can be raised. This allows easy handling of the container, since when lifting a typical container without locking on the lid, usually the contents of the filling contents first container part from the lid dissolves and falls down. This can lead to pollution of the environment due to the leaking filling contents. Furthermore, in the case of cold filling contents, the possibility of lifting on the second container part may be advantageous, since the temperature of the container contents thus does not increase due to the heat released by the hand. In the case of a hot filling content, this possibility allows lifting without risk of injury to the hand due to the heat.

In order to ensure the hygiene required for the handling of foodstuffs, in particular dairy products, such products are generally sold in a sealed container after their manufacture. In an embodiment of the container according to the invention, the first edge region has a sealing edge encircling the opening of the container with a sealing surface for a sealable film sealable onto the sealing surface for sealing the opening of the container. The chosen shape of the first and the second locking area allow easy application and release of the sealing film.

Typically, containers for packaging spreadable fats, such as butter or margarine, or spreads, consist of a bowl-shaped first container portion and a flat lid-shaped second container portion. This form is realized in a further embodiment of the invention. In this case, the product can be easily removed with the knife from the shell. The flat lid shape allows a space-saving Storage and stacking of several containers for transport and sale.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first container part made of plastic, in particular of a thermoplastic material. The use of moldable plastic allows a simple and inexpensive production of the first locking portion. Furthermore, the second container part can be produced by injection molding, which allows a simple and cost-effective production of the second locking region. The materials used for the first and second container parts may be the same or different. The materials may consist of one or more layers, which may consist of different materials. Thus, the side facing the container contents of a different material than the side facing away from the container contents and the intermediate layers, which are enclosed by the container contents facing away from and layer. By choosing different materials, the requirements of food authenticity, aesthetics, printability, ductility and insulation can be taken into account separately.

In the following description, the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. In the drawing shows

1 a perspective view of a container in its closed state consisting of a first and a second container part with a first and second locking portion in the engaged position,

2 a section in a plane parallel to the opening direction along the line AA in 1 .

3 a plan view of the first container part with a first embodiment of the first locking portion,

4 a perspective view of the second container part with a first embodiment of the second locking portion,

5 a view of the second locking area 8th in a second embodiment,

6 a perspective view of the second container with a third embodiment of the second locking portion,

7 a supervision on the in 6 illustrated second locking area 8th .

8th a perspective view of the container consisting of a first and a second container part with a second embodiment of the first locking portion and a third embodiment of the second locking portion, in the engaged position.

9 a section in a plane parallel to the opening direction along the line DD of in 8th illustrated container in the release position.

The in 1 in its closed state, containers shown in perspective 1 has a first container part 3 with an opening 2 on, at whose the opening 2 limiting first edge area 5 a first locking area 7 is arranged. From the first edge area 5 from extends a jacket-shaped circumferential side edge area 19 against the opening direction of the container 1 to a transverse to the opening direction bottom wall area 20 so that the first container part 3 overall is cup-shaped. In addition, the container has a second container part 4 on, with one to the first edge area 5 of the first container part 3 complementary border area 6 is provided. The one from the second border area 5 enclosed wall area 21 of the second container part 4 runs approximately transversely to the opening direction, so that the second container part 4 is formed overall lid-shaped.

The first locking area 7 consists of two separate areas 7a . 7b , which one each on the outside of the first container part 3 arranged, transversely to the opening direction of the container 1 extending projection 9 have, in 1 is shown in cuboid. In the illustrated engagement position engages each a projection 9 positively in each case a recessed area 10 one of two separate areas 8a . 8b existing second locking area 8th one, which at one the first edge area 5 cross-border area 6a to the first edge area 5 complementary second edge area 6 a second container part 4 is trained.

This engaged position of the in the form of a projection 9 formed first locking area 7 and the second locking area 8th when the container is closed 1 is also in the sectional view of 2 clearly. The the first edge area 5 comprehensive area 6a has a bead 22 on, which is convexly curved cross-sectionally in the opening direction.

In 3 is a supervision of a further education of in 1 shown cup-shaped first container part 3 in the direction of its opening 2 shown. The first locking area 7 consists of two at the first edge area 5 on the outside of the container 1 arranged, at the opening 2 of the container 1 diametrically opposite, separate areas 7a . 7b , each having a transversely extending to the opening direction projection 9 exhibit. The free edge of each tab 9 runs arcuately transversely to the opening direction. In this embodiment, the first edge region 5 one the opening 2 of the container 1 encircling sealing margin 17 with a sealing surface 18 for one on the sealed surface 18 for sealing the opening of the container 2 seal on the sealing film.

4 shows a perspective view of the in 1 illustrated lid-shaped second container part 3 , The at the second edge area 6 Trained, from two areas 8a . 8b existing second locking area 8th points to each of the two areas 8a . 8b a recessed area 10 on. As in 1 represented, may be the recessed area 10 for example, with a correspondingly shaped, at the first locking area 7 trained lead 9 are positively engaged, whereby the engagement position is produced.

5 shows a plan view of the second locking area 8th in an embodiment of the lid-shaped second container part 4 in which the excluded area 10 the shape of a in the circumferential direction of the second edge region 6 extending slot 12 having.

6 and 7 show ever a further education of 4 and 5 , Each of the two areas is separate 8a . 8b of the second locking area 8th at each a portion of the overarching area 6a arranged by two open to its free edge recesses 13 is limited. Each of the two separate areas 8a . 8b of the second locking area 8th each has a recessed area 10 on which the shape of a along the circumferential direction of the second edge region 6 extending slot 12 Has.

8th shows a perspective view of a development of in 1 illustrated container 1 with a bowl-shaped first container part 3 and one the opening 2 of the container 1 occlusive second lid-shaped container part 4 , The second border area 6 has one the first edge area 5 cross-border area 6a on, at which one out of two at the second edge area 6 diametrically opposite areas 8a . 8b existing second locking area 8th is arranged. Both areas 8a . 8b have a recessed area 10 in the form of a slot extending in the direction of rotation 12 on and are each by two to the free edge of the second container part 3 open recesses 13 limited. The two separate, along the circumferential direction of the second edge region 6 opposite areas 7a . 7b of the first locking area 7 each have a transversely to the opening direction extending projection 9 with a small thickness and radial extent compared to its circumferential extent. The free edge of each tab 9 runs arcuately transversely to the opening direction. In the in 8th illustrated engagement position engages each a projection 9 positively in each case a slot 12 one.

Will be one of the two areas of the second lock area 8th With a finger or fingernail behind, can train by orthogonal to the direction of rotation of the second edge region 6 the engagement of the projection 9 in the slot 12 be solved, and thereby the release position are made. This is in 9 , which is a section of the in 8th shown container in a plane parallel to the opening direction along the line DD shows shown. The in 8th recesses shown 13 a slight release of the slot 12 from the lead 9 by a bending of the second locking portion B. Conveniently, there is the second container part 4 made of an elastic material, so that the second locking area 8th after canceling its tensile load springs back to its original shape.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

container

2

Opening of the container

3

first container part

4

second container part

5

first edge area

6

second border area

6a

the first edge region across the surrounding area

7

first locking area

7a

first area of the first locking area

7b

second area of the first locking area

8th

second locking area

8a

first area of the second locking area

8b

second area of the second locking area

9

head Start

10

exempt area

12

slot

13

recess

17

sealing edge

18

sealing surface

19

Side edge region

20

Bottom wall portion

21

area enclosed by the second edge area

22

bead

Claims (20)

Container ( 1 ) for a food product, in particular a dairy product, with an opening ( 2 ) having first container part ( 3 ) and one for closing the opening ( 2 ) of the container, second container part ( 4 ), wherein in the closed state of the container a the opening ( 2 ) limiting first edge area ( 5 ) of the first container part ( 3 ) and a complementary second edge region ( 6 ) of the second container part ( 4 ) are engaged with each other, characterized in that the first edge region ( 5 ) a first locking area ( 7 ) and the second border area ( 6 ) a second locking area ( 8th ), wherein the relative position of the first and the second locking region ( 7 . 8th ) by a reversible deformation between an opening of the closed container ( 1 ) hindering engagement position and an opening enabling release position is changeable. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second edge region ( 6 ) one the first edge area ( 5 ) encompassing circulating area ( 6a ), on which the second locking area ( 8th ) is trained. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one piece with the first container part ( 3 ) connected area of the first locking area ( 7 ) and an integral with the second container part ( 4 ) connected area of the second locking area ( 8th ) intermesh positively in the engaged position. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reversible deformation which changes the relative position between the engagement position and the release position by means of a deflection of the first locking region (FIG. 7 ) and / or the second locking area ( 8th ) is feasible. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reversible deformation is plastic or elastic. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first locking region ( 7 ) has at least two separate regions. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the first locking region ( 7 ) at least two at the opening ( 2 ) of the container has diametrically opposite separate regions. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first locking region ( 7 ) one at the first edge area ( 5 ) trained advantage ( 9 ) having. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the projection ( 9 ) extends over only part of the circumference and has a small thickness and radial extent compared to its circumferential extent. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking region ( 7 ) has at least two separate regions. A container according to claim 10, characterized in that the separate areas are diametrically opposite each other in pairs. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking region has a recess in the second edge region ( 6 ) area ( 10 ) having. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that in the second edge region ( 6 ) excluded area ( 10 ) the shape of a in the circumferential direction of the second edge region ( 6 ) extending slot ( 12 ) Has. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second locking region ( 8th ) at a portion of the circumferential area ( 6a ) is arranged, which by a free edge towards its open recess ( 13 ) is limited. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a snap-in sound indicating its production can be caused by the transition into the engagement position. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the engaged position the container ( 1 ) on the first container part ( 3 ) is liftable. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first edge region ( 5 ) one the opening of the container ( 2 ) surrounding sealing edge ( 17 ) with a sealing surface ( 18 ) for one on the sealing surface ( 18 ) for sealing the opening of the container ( 2 ) has sealable sealing film. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first container part ( 3 ) cupped and the second container part ( 4 ) is cap-shaped, in particular flat. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first container part ( 3 ) made of plastic, in particular of a thermoplastic material. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second container part ( 4 ) is produced by injection molding.

Images