DE20201624U1 - Closing device for a container - Google Patents

Description

OIYO 0345DEG

Synkrona AG

Locking device for a container

The invention relates to a closing device for a container in general and for a cooking pot or pressure cooker in particular.

As health awareness continues to grow, there is a growing need for nutritionally beneficial ways of preparing food. There is also a need for quick and efficient food preparation. Pressure cookers meet these two seemingly contradictory requirements in an excellent way by cooking food quickly and gently.

Basically, pressure cookers have been around for many decades. However, the well-known pressure cookers have a number of disadvantages.

For example, a pressure cooker with a lid that is closed by means of three claws that grip the edge of the lid is known from the 1950s. The disadvantage of this locking mechanism is that a great deal of force is required to close it, which is applied via an awkward lever handle.

Recent developments in the field of pressure cookers are described, for example, in the publications WO 96/01070, EP-A-I 029 483 and EP-A-I 082 932.

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A closure device known from the publication WO 96/01070 has a lid with two radially movable clamping jaws which are pulled together by a spring mechanism. The disadvantage here is that a seal is pre-tensioned in an undefined way by vertical pressure on the lid before the clamping jaws are closed. The clamping jaws then slide jerkily inwards and cause unpleasant noise when they hit the edge of the pot. The publication EP-A-I 082 932 shows a pressure cooker with a similar lid to the publication WO 96/01070.

Because the clamping jaws of the last two pressure cookers are held in a closed position by spring force, the user has to work against the spring force to open them. This makes opening the clamping jaws and therefore one-handed operation more difficult. Furthermore, the locking elements typically run and move parallel to the top of the pot, so that when the pressure is applied, only frictional forces and the pressure-independent spring forces counteract the opening of the clamping jaws.

The published patent application EP-A-I 029 483 shows a cover for a pressure pot with four movable clamping jaws that can be moved radially via a crank mechanism. This crank mechanism comprises a large number of movable components, some of which are made of plastic. This crank mechanism is therefore complicated and expensive to manufacture and assemble, and not very durable.

However, all of the above devices have other serious disadvantages in common. They can typically only be used on specially adapted pots

These pots usually have reinforced and U-shaped edges in order to interact adequately with the devices and to be able to withstand the pressure loads during operation. As a result, these pots and devices are aesthetically unattractive, difficult to clean and must also be manufactured with tight tolerances.

A further disadvantage of the known devices is that they typically only have a safety mechanism that prevents accidental opening when pressurized, so that handling these pressure cookers can be life-threatening if this safety mechanism fails.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a secure closing device for a container, in particular for a cooking pot or pressure cooker, wherein the closing device effectively prevents unintentional opening in the pressurized state and/or can be opened and closed with little effort in the depressurized state.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closing device with which various commercially available cooking pots, in particular with a pouring rim projecting obliquely outwards and upwards, can be closed in such a way that a pressure cooker arrangement is created.

A further object of the invention is to provide a closing device for a container, in particular for a cooking pot or pressure cooker, which avoids or at least reduces the disadvantages of known devices, is aesthetically pleasing, inexpensive, easy to clean and/or easy to operate.

The object of the invention is solved in a surprisingly simple manner by the subject matter of claims 1 and 2.

The closing device according to the invention is intended for a container, in particular for a cooking pot or pressure cooker, wherein the container or cooking pot or pressure cooker has an opening on its upper side which can be closed with the closing device and wherein the container and the closing device form, for example, a pressure cooker arrangement. The closing device comprises a first lid and a closing element arrangement with at least one closing element. The closing element arrangement defines at least one closed position. Furthermore, the closing element comprises an upwardly pointing retaining section and the first lid comprises an upwardly pointing contact section, wherein the retaining section can be placed against the contact section in the closed position.

If the container closed with the closing device is subjected to an internal pressure or internal overpressure, a first force component directed outwards or upwards acts on the closing device, in particular on the first lid. Because the contact section and the retaining section both point upwards - i.e. in particular because they form an angle between 0° and less than 90° with the direction of the first force component - unintentional opening of the container is prevented or at least made more difficult. This increases the safety of the pressure cooker arrangement in a highly advantageous manner.

The container preferably comprises a base on its underside opposite the opening and a preferably cylindrical wall which defines a container axis which runs essentially parallel to the wall and/or essentially perpendicular to the base. Alternatively, the closing device can also be adapted to non-cylindrical pots, in particular to oval, square or rounded square pots and/or can have such a shape itself. The contact section and/or the retaining section preferably point obliquely upwards, i.e. they form an angle between less than 0° and less than 90°, preferably between 10° and 60°, with the first force component acting vertically upwards or parallel to the container axis on the first lid at at least one point of the closing element cross-section at which the retaining section rests against the contact section.

The closing element preferably encompasses an outer edge of the first lid and an outwardly projecting pouring edge of the container, wherein a holding section of the closing element rests against the pouring edge from below in the pressurized state and thus holds or fastens the closing device to the container. At the same time, the internal pressure presses the contact section, which is located on an upper side of the first lid, against the retaining section of the closing element, in particular on its underside. As a result, the first force component acting on the first lid causes a second force component on the closing element, pointing inwards or in the direction of the container axis. The closing element is preferably movable or displaceable radially between an outer open position, in which the closing device can be removed from the container, and the inner closed position. As a result, the second force component acts on the closing element in the closing direction and ensures that

this is held in the closed position. Furthermore, the closing element is preferably also movable upwards and downwards or parallel to the pot axis in the closed position.

The locking device according to the invention is characterized by an advantageously simple handling, self-explanatory functionality and clear recognition of the opening and closing positions for the user.

Advantageously, the magnitude of the second force component is proportional to the internal overpressure, so that the higher the internal overpressure, the more difficult it is to open accidentally, which considerably increases the safety when handling the pressure cooker arrangement.

Preferably, the container with the closing device is fluid-tight in the closed position and in the pressurized state and is pressure-resistant up to at least about 5 bar internal overpressure, so that usual safety requirements are met.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking device comprises a crank gear for driving the locking element. In this embodiment, a rotatable handle or a handle is located on the top of the first cover. A crank disk connected to the handle in a rotationally fixed manner transfers the rotational movement to the locking element via a rod in an advantageously simple manner. The rod is mounted on the crank disk and on an opening in the first cover and protrudes outwards through this, in particular elongated, opening.

Advantageously and therefore preferably, the actuating device or more precisely the crank mechanism comprises a torque limiter. The torque limiter is

preferably by means of a spring connection between the handle and the crank disk. This has the advantage that the torque limiting spring can only transmit a predefined outward-acting, opening force to the locking element, so that the locking device can only be opened by the user up to a predefined internal overpressure, even if all other safety devices, if present, fail. Alternatively, another type of force limitation can also be provided.

Preferably, the closing device, or more precisely the closing element arrangement, comprises a plurality of, in particular identical, closing elements which have the properties mentioned above. In practice, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more closing elements have proven particularly useful. The closing elements are preferably arranged radially symmetrically around the essentially circular first lid. Preferably, the diameters of the first lid and the circular pouring rim are essentially the same size.

In a preferred development of the invention, the locking device comprises an inner second cover in addition to the outer first cover. The second cover is preferably detachably attached to the first cover by means of a threaded bolt and a central nut. This advantageously allows the locking device to be at least partially dismantled very easily for cleaning.

Preferably, an annular seal, in particular made of rubber or other elastic material, is attached to the outer edge of the second lid or is attached between the first and second lids, e.g. clamped between them. The seal seals against the second lid on the one hand and radially from the inside against the container wall on the other hand, so that

the second lid with the seal closes the container essentially fluid-tight and transfers the first force component to the first lid by means of a contact.
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Preferably, the closing device has a first and/or second vent valve, an overpressure relief valve and/or a blocking device for blocking e.g. the actuating device or handle.

Preferably, the seal, the first lid, the second lid and/or the closing device are arranged parallel to the base and/or the opening plane of the container and/or parallel to the container wall or axially displaceable. This enables the following simple yet safe functionality:

The closing device is placed on the pouring rim of the pot in the open position, whereby the seal and the first lid cause the closing device to be centered on the pot. In the pressure-free state, the closing device reaches a lower position on the container, in which the first lid rests on the pouring rim. The closing device is now closed by turning the handle, whereby the closing elements are moved radially inwards from the open position to the closed position. The closing elements first slide inwards on the outer edge of the first lid and then, before the closed position is reached, slide down or downwards on the contact section. In this pressure-free state, the seal already seals the pot, but it is not yet fluid-tight, since the first vent valve is still open. The pot is now heated. When the water inside begins to boil, the resulting steam displaces the water still in the pot.

which escapes through the first vent valve. At the same time, the internal pressure rises above a first predefined threshold value, at which the first vent valve closes automatically. When a second predefined threshold value is exceeded, the blocking device goes into a state in which the handle is blocked. When a third threshold value is exceeded, the closing device lifts until the holding section comes to rest on the underside of the pouring rim from below, with the seal being in sealing contact with the pot wall at all times. In other words, the closing device goes from a pressure-free position with respect to the pot or a pressure-free state to a pressurized position or a pressurized state by axial displacement. In the pressurized position, the first lid is therefore at a predefined distance from the pouring rim. In other words, in the pressurized position, there is a gap between the first lid and the container. When a fourth threshold value is exceeded, the pressure relief valve releases pressure. The fourth threshold value is above the first, second and third threshold values and the order in which the first, second and third threshold values are reached, i.e. their relative height to one another, can be selected differently. When the cooking process is finished, the aforementioned functional steps take place in reverse order, whereby when the handle is turned to the open position, a second vent valve is opened, e.g. via a cam, in order to reduce any excess or negative pressure that may still be present. The first and second vent valves can also be combined in one venting device.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail using preferred embodiments and with reference to the figures

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explained, whereby identical or similar components are provided with the same reference symbols.

Brief description of the figures 5

Show it:

Fig. 1 A cross section through a first embodiment of the locking device according to the invention and a cooking pot,

Fig. 2 shows a partial cross-section through an edge region of the first embodiment of the locking device in an open position, 15

Fig. 3 shows the section from Fig. 2 with the first

Embodiment in a half-closed position,

Fig. 4 shows the section from Fig. 2 with the first

Embodiment in a closed position in a pressureless state,

Fig. 5 shows a cross section through an edge region of a second embodiment of the inventive

Locking device in an opening position,

Fig. 6 shows the section from Fig. 5 with the second

Embodiment in a closed position in a pressureless state,

Fig. 7 shows the section from Fig. 5 with the second

Embodiment in the closed position in a pressurized state,

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Fig. 8 a bottom view of the first

Version with second cover removed and

Fig. 9 is a partial cross-section through a third embodiment of the locking device according to the invention and a cooking pot.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows the first embodiment of the closing device 1 according to the invention, which is placed on a container or cooking pot 90. The cooking pot 90 has a cylindrical ring-shaped wall 92, which defines a container or pot axis 96, and a base 94. The pot axis 96 forms the rotational symmetry axis of the pot 90 and is perpendicular to the base 94. The pot 90 defines an upper side, on which a circular opening 98 is located, and a lower side, on which the base 94 is arranged.

The pot 90, more precisely the pot wall 92, further comprises an annular pouring rim 99 which has an arcuate cross-section and extends upwards and outwards from the pot wall 92 in a curved manner.

The closing device 1 is placed on top of the pot 90. The closing device 1 comprises an outer first cover 10. The outer cover 10 has, as seen from the pot axis 96 outwards, a horizontally extending, circular central section 12, adjacent to this a connecting section 14 running downwards, i.e. in the direction of the base 94, adjacent to this an arcuate or U-shaped valley section 16 and adjacent to this a extending upwards, i.e. in a direction away from the base 94, and radially outwards, i.e. away from the pot axis 96.

Installation section 18. The installation section 18 is curved outwards and rests with a significant part of its cross-section flat on the pouring edge 99 and ends almost flush with it on the outside.
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The locking device further comprises an inner second cover 20, which has the shape of a spherical surface section in the center and is curved outwards. The inner cover 20 has an outer hook section 22 which is curved downwards and inwards again in a substantially U-shape. By means of the hook section 22, an annular or circular seal 30 is detachably fastened to the inner cover 20. The seal 30 has an upper holding section 32 which is fixed in the hook section 22 and a lower sealing section 34 which comes into contact with the pot wall 92 from the inside. Between the holding section 32 and the sealing section there is an annular recess 36 in which an edge 24 of the inner cover 20 engages.

The inner cover 20 is attached to the outer cover by a central nut 42 and a central threaded bolt 44 which is fixed to the outer cover. An elastic ring seal 46 seals a hole 48 through which the threaded bolt 44 projects into the interior of the pot in a fluid-tight manner.

The locking device 1 further comprises an actuating device 50 with a handle or a limitedly rotatable handle 52, a crank disk 54 and three rods 56a, 56b, 56c. The rods 56a, 56b, 56c are each attached to the crank disk 54 with an angle element 58a, 58b, 58c and a retaining bolt 59a, 59b, 59c. The crank disk 54 and the rods 56a, 56b, 56c form a crank gear known per se. A torque is transmitted from the handle 52 to drive the crank disk 54.

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by means of two retaining bolts 60, 62 to a spring or annular spring 64 and from there to the crank disk 54, so that the drive of the crank disk 54 is torque-limited by means of the annular spring 64. Alternatively, an intermediate disk (not shown) can be arranged between the handle 52 and the annular spring 64 for torque transmission.

In this embodiment, the locking device 1 comprises a first, second and third locking element 70a, 70b, 70c, of which only the first locking element 70a is shown in Fig. 1.

As can best be seen in Fig. 8, the three locking elements 70a, 70b, 70c form three circular ring sections arranged symmetrically around the locking device 1. Fig. shows in further detail the drive of the locking elements 70a, 70b, 70c via the crank disk 54, the angle elements 58a, 58b, 58c and the rods 56a, 56b, 56c, which are each designed as U-shaped double rods and are attached to the locking elements, or more precisely welded.

Referring again to Fig. 1, each of the closing elements 70a, 70b, 70c, viewed from the inside outwards, has an inner section 72 extending horizontally outwards, i.e. away from the pot axis 96, followed by a connecting section 74 extending essentially vertically downwards, adjacent to this a valley section 76 curved towards the inside of the pot, adjacent to this a retaining section 78 extending obliquely upwards or upwards and outwards, adjacent to this a substantially U-shaped, outwardly curved claw section 80 and adjacent to this a holding section 82 extending obliquely downwards or downwards and inwards. Viewed from the inside outwards

The cross-section of each of the three closing elements 70a, 70b, 70c thus initially runs horizontally outwards, then follows a 90° curve downwards, runs vertically downwards for a while, then follows an approximately 110° curve upwards, then follows a large radial slight curve downwards at the retaining section 78, then follows an almost 180° curve downwards and back inwards and then follows a large radial slight curve downwards at the holding section 82.
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The pot 90, the closing elements 70a, 70b, 70c, the outer cover 10, the inner cover 20 and a large part of the actuating device 50 are advantageously made of stainless steel.

Fig. 1 shows the closing device 1 in the pressure-free closed position. The outer lid 10 rests on the pot 90. More precisely, the contact section 18 rests on the pouring rim 99. Furthermore, the retaining section 78 rests with its underside on the contact section 18 from above. There is a gap between the retaining section 82 and the pouring rim so that they do not touch.

Figures 2 to 4 show an enlarged section of the edge area of the first

Embodiment. In Fig. 2 the closing device 1 is in the open position, in Fig. 3 in the half-closed position and in Fig. 4 in the pressureless closed position, as shown in Fig. 1.
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Figures 2 to 4 best illustrate how the locking device functions when moving from the open position to the closed position and vice versa.

Referring to Fig. 2, in the open position the valley section 76 of the closing element 70a rests on the contact section 18. During the transition to the closed position the closing element 70a moves inwards and the valley section 76 slides inwards on the contact section 18, which is shaped to rise radially from the inside to the outside, and downwards due to the weight of the closing element 70a. Alternatively the closing element 70a can also be subjected to downward force, e.g. by a spring.

Referring to Fig. 4, in the closed position, the retaining portion 78 rests flat on the contact portion 18 and the substantially U-shaped claw portion 80 engages around the outer edge 19 of the outer lid 10 and the pouring edge 99.

Figures 5 to 7 show an enlarged section of an edge region of the second embodiment of the locking device 101 according to the invention. In Fig. 5, a locking device 101 is shown in an open position, in Fig. 6 in a pressureless closing position and in Fig. 7 in a pressurized closing position.

Figures 5 to 7 best illustrate how the locking device functions when changing from the pressureless to the pressurized closing position and vice versa.

First, the closing device 101, more precisely the shape of an outer lid 110 and four closing elements 170a, 170b, 170c, 170d, of which only the first closing element 170a is shown, is adapted to a second cooking pot 190. The four closing elements 170a, 170b, 170c, 170d each cover a quarter of a circular ring, so that in the closed position the four closing elements

adjacent to each other, creating the optical impression of a uniform lid.

The cooking pot 190 comprises a wall 192 which extends essentially vertically. At the upper end of the pot wall 192, a horizontally extending first wall section 194 adjoins this and a vertically extending second wall section 196 adjoins this. Adjoining the second wall section 196 is a pouring rim 199 comprising a horizontal inner pouring rim section or flat section 197 and an adjacent outer pouring rim section 198 which extends obliquely outwards and downwards. As a result, the outer edge of the pouring rim 199 is not the highest point of the cooking pot 190.

The shape of the locking device 101 takes this circumstance into account in particular. The outer cover 110 has an outward and upward extending contact section 118 which curves horizontally towards an outer edge 119. There is therefore a flat section 120 between the contact section 118 and the outer edge 119.

The closing element 170a has a valley section 176, an adjoining retaining section 178 extending outwards and upwards and a substantially rounded, square U-shaped claw section 180. The claw section 180 comprises a flat section 179 extending horizontally and adjoining the retaining section 178, an adjoining vertical transition section 181 and an adjoining retaining section 182 extending obliquely inwards and upwards in the further course.

Referring to Fig. 6, in the pressureless closed position, the closing element 170a with the retaining section 178 rests from above on the contact section 118 of the outer lid 110. Furthermore, the flat section 120 of the outer lid 110 rests from above on the flat section 197 of the cooking pot 190, more precisely the pouring rim 199, wherein the claw section 180 engages around the outer rim 119 of the outer lid 110 and the pouring rim 199.

There is a gap between the holding section 182 and the pouring edge 199 so that these two do not touch each other in the pressureless state.

If the cooking pot is now subjected to pressure, e.g. by cooking the food inside, the closing device is raised until the holding section 182 comes into contact with the pouring rim 199 and a gap is created between the outer lid 110 and the pouring rim 199. The arrangement of the cooking pot 190 and the closing device 101 is now in the pressurized closed position, shown in Fig. 7.

The seal 30 is axially displaceable or movable with respect to the pot axis 96 and, when lifted, slides with the sealing section 34 upwards in a permanently sealing manner on the pot wall 192 until the pressurized closed position is reached.

In the pressurized closed position, two effects counteract the opening of the arrangement.

Firstly, by means of the internal pressure in the arrangement, the contact section 118 is pressed against the retaining section 178 with the outward or upward directed first force component Kl. Since these two obliquely

extend outwards and upwards and the retaining section 178 engages behind the contact section 118, this causes a second force component K2 directed inwards or in the closing direction S on the closing element 170a. To open the closing device, the gap between the outer lid 110 and the pouring rim 199 would have to decrease, which counteracts the internal pressure. This effect occurs in the first and second embodiments of the closing device 1 and 101, respectively.

In addition, a second effect in the second embodiment prevents the arrangement of cooking pot 190 and closing device 101 from opening. This second effect is based on the fact that the holding section 182 engages behind the outer pouring rim section 198 in the pressurized closed position, so that in this case too the gap between the outer lid 110 and the pouring rim 199 would have to be reduced in order to open it, which also counteracts the internal pressure. The closing elements 170a, 170b, 170c, 170d thus engage behind and surround the outer lid 110 like claws in both embodiments and additionally engage behind the pouring rim in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 shows the locking device 201 according to the invention with safety devices according to a third embodiment of the invention. Of course, the safety devices can also be combined with the first and second embodiment.

The locking device 201 has a first safety device 210, which comprises a blocking pin 212, a seal 214, a first spring 216 and a stronger second spring 218. Furthermore, an actuating device 250 has a rotationally fixed

connected cover plate 252 with an opening 254.

If the arrangement of the pot 90 and the closing device 201 is pressurized, the blocking pin 212 initially rises against the force of the first spring 216 and protrudes through the opening 254, thereby blocking rotation of the actuating device 250 and thus preventing unintentional opening. If the pressure rises above a predefined threshold value, the seal 214 opens against the force of the second spring 218, thereby releasing pressure.

The closing device 201 also comprises a vent valve 220 with a vent pin 222, a seal 224, a pressure spring 226 and an indicator cylinder 228. The pressure spring 226 presses the vent pin 222 against the seal 224 so that the vent device is closed fluid-tight in the closed position even in the pressureless state. When the closing device 201 is opened by turning the actuating device 250, the indicator cylinder 228 slides over a cam (not shown) protruding upwards over the vent pin before the open position is reached so that the vent pin opens the vent valve 220 against the force of the pressure spring 226 so that any excess or negative pressure that may be present is reduced before the closing device can be removed from the cooking pot.

In summary, it should be noted that the locking device according to the invention combines a very attractive design and an extremely high level of security through a plurality of safety features which effectively prevent unintentional opening.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be varied in particular with regard to the concrete design of the closing elements, the shape of the outer lid and the pouring rim, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (23)

1. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) for a container ( 90 ), in particular for a cooking pot, wherein the container ( 90 ) has an opening ( 98 ) on its upper side, which can be closed with the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ), the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) comprising a first lid ( 10 , 110 ) and a closing element arrangement, with at least one closing element ( 70a , 170a ), wherein
the closing element arrangement defines at least one closing position,
the closing element ( 70 a, 170 a) comprises an upwardly facing retaining portion ( 78 , 178 ) and
the first cover ( 10 , 110 ) comprises an upwardly pointing contact portion ( 18 , 118 ) against which the retaining portion ( 78 , 178 ) can be placed in the closed position. 2. Locking device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the closed position
the container ( 90 ) closed with the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) can be subjected to internal pressure,
the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) is subjected to an outwardly directed first force component (K1) by means of the internal pressure and
the first force component (K1) causes a second force component (K2) directed in the closing direction (S) of the closing element ( 70a , 170a ) onto the retaining section ( 78 , 178 ) of the closing element ( 70a , 170a ) via the contact section (18, 118 ) of the first cover ( 10 , 110 ). 3. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to claim 1 or 2 for a container ( 90 ) with an outwardly projecting pouring rim ( 99 , 199 ), characterized in that the closing element ( 70a , 170a ) in the closed position engages around an outer edge ( 19 , 119 ) of the first lid ( 10 , 110 ) and the pouring rim ( 99 , 199 ). 4. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims for a container ( 90 ) with an outwardly projecting pouring rim ( 99 , 199 ), characterized in that the closing element ( 70a , 170a ) comprises a holding section ( 82 , 182 ) which, in the closed position, can be placed against the pouring rim ( 99 , 199 ) from below. 5. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 90 ) can be closed in a substantially fluid-tight manner in the closed position. 6. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element arrangement defines an open position in which the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) can be removed from the container ( 90 ) and the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) comprises an actuating device ( 50 , 250 ) for transferring the closing element arrangement from the open position into the closed position and vice versa. 7. Locking device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the actuating device ( 50 , 250 ) comprises a handle ( 52 ) and a crank gear, wherein by means of the handle ( 52 ) a crank disk ( 54 ) of the crank gear can be subjected to a torque which causes a radial movement of the locking element ( 70a , 170a ) via a rod assembly ( 56a ). 8. Locking device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the actuating device ( 50 , 250 ) comprises a torque limitation or force limitation. 9. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element arrangement comprises a plurality of, in particular identical, locking elements ( 70 a, 70 b, 70 c, 170 a, 170 b, 170 c, 170 d). 10. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a second, in particular inner cover ( 20 ), to which a seal ( 30 ) is attached. 11. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to claim 10 for a container ( 90 ) with an annular container wall ( 92 ) which defines a container axis ( 96 ), characterized in that the seal ( 30 ) is fastened to the second lid ( 20 ) and seals substantially fluid-tight against the second lid ( 20 ) and radially from the inside against the container wall ( 92 ). 12. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims for a container ( 90 ) with an annular container wall ( 92 ) which defines a container axis ( 96 ), characterized by an axially displaceable seal ( 30 ). 13. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims for a container ( 90 ) with an annular container wall ( 92 ) which defines a container axis ( 96 ), characterized in that the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) in the closed position defines a first and second position relative to the container ( 90 ), wherein the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) can be transferred from the first to the second position by axial displacement. 14. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims for a container ( 90 ) with an annular container wall ( 92 ) which defines a container axis ( 96 ), characterized in that the closing element ( 70a , 170a ) is axially movable relative to the first lid ( 10 , 110 ). 15. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element ( 70a , 170a ) moves inwards and downwards during closing. 16. Locking device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to claim 15, characterized in that the locking element ( 70a , 170a ) moves downwards gravitationally by means of its own weight and/or by additional force application during closing. 17. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lid ( 10 , 110 ) can be centered with respect to the container ( 90 ) by means of the contact section. 18. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a first vent valve which automatically closes in a substantially fluid-tight manner when a predefined overpressure value in the container ( 90 ) closed with the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) is exceeded. 19. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to claim 18, characterized by an actuating device ( 250 ) by means of which the first or a second vent valve ( 220 ) can be opened when the closing element arrangement is transferred from the closed position into an open position. 20. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an overpressure relief valve and/or a blocking device ( 212 , 254 ), wherein the blocking device prevents the transfer of the closing element arrangement from the closed position to an open position in a pressurized state of the container ( 90 ). 21. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims for a container ( 90 ) with an annular container wall ( 92 ) which defines a container pocket ( 96 ), characterized in that the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) is adapted to a cylindrical, oval, angular or rounded-cornered container shape ( 90 ) and/or that the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) has a circular, oval, angular or rounded-cornered shape. 22. Closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, for a container ( 90 ) with an annular container wall ( 92 ) which defines a container axis ( 96 ), the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) comprising
an outer first cover ( 10 , 110 ),
an inner second cover ( 20 ) and
a seal ( 30 ), the seal ( 30 ) being attached to the second lid ( 20 ) and sealing substantially fluid-tight against the second lid ( 20 ) and radially from the inside against the container wall ( 92 ). 23. Pressure cooker assembly comprising a cooking pot ( 90 ) and the closing device ( 1 , 101 , 201 ) according to one of the preceding claims.