U.S. patent application number 11/596656 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-01 for tamper-evident lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEDA S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Gianfranco D' Amato.
Application Number | 20080099481 11/596656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34968030 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080099481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
D' Amato; Gianfranco |
May 1, 2008 |
Tamper-Evident Lid
Abstract
The invention relates to a tamper-evident lid (1) for a
container (2), said container comprising an opening edge (4) which
runs around an upper container opening and, in particular, is
flanged, with a lid piece (5) essentially covering the upper
container opening and a lid edge (6), running essentially downwards
from the lid piece towards the container, comprising, at least in
some positions, a locking element (7) which grips below the opening
edge, which may be definitively separated from the lid, in
particular, together with a lower edge section (8) of the lid edge,
for removal of the lid from the container. The lid edge runs
essentially inclined downwards and outwards from the lid piece and
the locking element is embodied as a locking edge (10), running in
the circumferential direction of the lid.
Inventors: |
D' Amato; Gianfranco;
(Arzano Napoli, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
455 N Cityfront Pl Dr, NBC Tower - Suite 3600
Chicago
IL
60611-5599
US
|
Assignee: |
SEDA S.P.A.
Arzano Napoli
IT
|
Family ID: |
34968030 |
Appl. No.: |
11/596656 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
May 19, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/05451 |
371 Date: |
August 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/276 ;
220/781 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00537
20130101; B65D 2543/00768 20130101; B65D 43/0262 20130101; B65D
2543/00638 20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/0024
20130101; B65D 2543/00268 20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101; B65D
2543/00027 20130101; B65D 2543/00527 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/276 ;
220/781 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/10 20060101
B65D043/10; B65D 17/40 20060101 B65D017/40; B65D 43/03 20060101
B65D043/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 19, 2004 |
DE |
20 2004 008 076.1 |
Claims
1. Tamper-evident lid for a container, the container comprising an
opening edge running around an upper container opening and being in
particular flanged, having a lid piece essentially covering the
upper container opening, and a lid edge extending essentially
downwards from the lid piece towards the container, the lid edge
comprising a locking element at least in some positions gripping
below the opening edge which locking element can be definitely
separated from the lid in particular together with a lower edge end
section of the lid edge for removing the lid from the container,
characterized in that the lid edge runs essentially inclined
downwards and outwards from the lid piece and the locking element
is designed as locking edge running in the circumferential
direction of the lid, the lid edge comprising between the upper
edge end section and its lower end at least one upper and one lower
edge section which extend each inclined outwards away from the lid
piece and are connected by an essentially vertical intermediate
edge section.
2. Lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid piece is
essentially plane.
3. Lid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid
piece comprises an edge flange running in the circumferential
direction and essentially vertically projecting from it
upwards.
4. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid edge
is connected to the edge flange.
5. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid edge
comprises an essentially inverted U-shaped upper edge end section,
the edge flange being inserted in the U-opening and fixed
there.
6. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid edge
comprises between the upper edge end section and its lower end at
least one upper and one lower edge section which extend each
inclined outwards away from the lid piece and are connected by an
essentially vertical intermediate edge section.
7. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the lid edge
comprises the essentially vertically extending lower edge end
section between the lower edge section and the lower end.
8. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the
intermediate edge section and the lower edge section extend
inclined outwards with a smaller angle of inclination than the edge
sections.
9. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the angles of
inclination of the edge sections and/or of the intermediate and
edge end sections are each the same.
10. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least the
lower edge end section has a two-layer design with outer and inner
layer.
11. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking
edge can be designed as prolongation of the inner layer.
12. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner
layer furthermore extends essentially along the lower edge section
with the corresponding angle of inclination.
13. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking
edge essentially extends inclined upwards towards the container
wall with the same angle of inclination as the lower edge section
when the lid is placed on the container.
14. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking
edge can be elastically deflected radially outwards.
15. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking
edge comprises an end edge of cut at its free end essentially
extending in parallel to the container wall when the lid is placed
on.
16. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a tear device
projects from the lid edge.
17. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the region
of the tear device and in particular at its front edge with respect
to the tear direction, an essentially vertical tear aid is formed
in the lid edge.
18. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tear aid
is designed as material weakening line.
19. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an edge
separation aid extending in the circumferential direction is formed
essentially perpendicularly to the tear aid in the lid edge spaced
apart from its lower end.
20. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the edge
separation and is arranged closer to the lower end of the lid edge
than the opening edge of the container when the lid is placed on
the container.
21. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid is
essentially formed of one or several paper layers.
22. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least in
the region of the lid piece, a fluid-tight plastic foil is applied
to its bottom side.
23. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid is
stackable and unstackable.
24. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an internal
diameter of the lid edge and in particular of the lower edge
section is larger than an external diameter of the upper edge
section at least at its lower end.
25. Lid according claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking
edge is designed as stack stop element which abuts the upper end
section from outside when the lids are stacked.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a tamper-evident lid for a
container, the container comprising an opening edge which runs
around an upper container opening and is in particular flanged with
a lid piece essentially covering the upper container opening, and a
lid edge running essentially downwards from the lid piece towards
the container, comprising, at least in some positions, a locking
element which grips below the opening edge, which may be definitely
separated from the lid in particular together with a lower edge end
section of the lid edge for removal of the lid from the
container.
[0002] Such a lid is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,198. The
corresponding lid piece is placed on the opening edge from above
and covers the container opening. This lid piece is connected to
the lid edge extending from the lid piece vertically downwards. The
lid edge essentially tangentially abuts the curled or flanged
container edge, and a locking element projects from its free end
and ends below the opening edge essentially gripping below the
same.
[0003] In order to release the lid from the container in a
tamper-evident or break-open evident manner, a portion of the lid
edge and in particular a lower edge end section is separated
together with the locking element. Subsequently, the lid can be
removed from the container. The definite separation of the edge end
section with locking element from the rest of the lid essentially
ensures that even if the lid is still or again placed on, one can
find out whether the same had been already removed by another user
or was at least prepared for removal. This permits to detect any
manipulation or any attempt of breaking open or opening the
container. Such a lid can, for example, prevent that the
corresponding container is opened, the contents is somehow
influenced or else partially taken out and the container is
subsequently closed again without the opening of the container
being identifiable from outside.
[0004] In the above-mentioned lid, there is, however, the
possibility that a manipulation takes place at the locking element,
so that the same can be elastically deflected radially outside so
far that the locking element no longer grips below the container
edge and the lid can be released from the container even without
definite separation of the lower edge end section. Furthermore, the
vertically extending lid edge can be only slightly elastically
deflected, so that when the lid is being placed onto the container,
the locking element has to have a correspondingly high elasticity
so that it can be sufficiently deflected radially outside in the
region of the opening edge curled outwards. This relatively high
elasticity of the locking element permits a corresponding
manipulation for removing the lid in that due to this relatively
high own elasticity of the locking element the same can be more
easily deflected outwards and the lid can then be removed from the
container.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to improve a
tamper-evident lid of the type mentioned in the beginning, such
that the same is secured against possible manipulations of the
locking element for removing the lid in a constructively simple
manner, and that on the other hand the closing function of the lid
is ensured.
[0006] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.
[0007] The invention is in particular characterized by the lid edge
extending essentially inclined downwards and outwards from the lid
piece and the locking element being designed as locking edge
running in the circumferential direction of the lid.
[0008] By the use of a surrounding locking edge, there are no
possibilities of coming laterally between the locking edge and the
inclined extending lid edge and for example thereby releasing the
locking edge from the engagement below the container edge. By the
inclined downward and outward extension of the lid edge, the same
can also be elastically deflected when the lid is being placed on,
so that the locking edge as well as the lid edge are elastically
deflected when the lid is being placed on, and thus the elasticity
essentially does not only exist in the region of the locking
element.
[0009] Moreover, with the inclined extending lid edge, the
corresponding locking edge can not be brought into an essentially
vertical arrangement without simultaneously manipulating the lid
edge in order to possibly remove the lid from the container.
Instead, by the inclined arrangement of the lid edge, the
corresponding locking edge is held in a certain inclined position
even if it abuts the lid edge from the inside, so that it is almost
impossible to shift it past the opening edge for removing the lid
without any visible traces.
[0010] This increases the tamper-evidence of the lid according to
the invention in a simple manner. Simultaneously, placing on the
lid onto the container is facilitated by the distribution of
elasticity on the lid edge and the locking edge, without the
tamper-evidence or the tightness of the lid being reduced
thereby.
[0011] According to the invention, it is possible for the
corresponding lid piece to have various shapes. On the one hand,
the geometric shape of the lid piece along the opening edge
essentially corresponds to the shape of the container opening. On
the other hand, it is possible that outside the opening edge the
lid piece is, for example, curved, buckled or deformed in any other
way towards the inside of the container, or else that it is
correspondingly deformed away from the container. A simple lid
piece that is also easy to manufacture can be essentially plane. It
then rests on the container edge and covers the complete container
opening in order to secure the same against external influences and
simultaneously seal the contents of the container.
[0012] In order to facilitate for example the handling of the lid
for removing it from the container, the lid piece can comprise an
edge flange running in the circumferential direction and
essentially vertically projecting upwards.
[0013] The lid edge can be directly connected to the plane lid
piece or else to the edge flange.
[0014] In a simple example for a direct connection with the edge
flange, the lid edge comprises an essentially inverted U-shaped
upper edge end section, the edge flange being inserted into the
U-opening and fixed there. The depth of the U-opening can
essentially correspond to the vertical length of the edge flange.
In this manner, the edge flange is gripped on both sides by the
corresponding U-legs of the upper edge end section and can, for
example, be fixed to them by gluing, heat sealing or otherwise.
[0015] There is the possibility for the lid edge to uniformly
extend from the upper to the lower end inclined downwards and
outwards. However, to facilitate or improve the placing on and
simultaneously the sealing by the lid edge, the lid edge can
comprise between the upper edge end section and its lower end at
least one upper and one lower edge section which extend each
inclined outwards away from the lid piece and which are then
connected by an essentially vertical intermediate edge section.
This intermediate edge end section can serve in particular for
abutment with the opening edge from the outside, so that the lid
itself can be securely placed onto the container and held there
even if the edge end section is definitely separated.
[0016] This essentially stepped inclined extension of the lid edge
results in an optically advantageous appearance for the lid, and
the lid can be more easily gripped and placed onto the
container.
[0017] The already mentioned lower edge end section can in this
connection be designed such that it essentially vertically extends
between the lower edge section and the lower end of the lid edge.
This results in the space between the lower edge end section and
the container wall being smaller than in case of an inclined
extension of this lower edge end section, so that there is less
space for possible manipulations.
[0018] The essentially vertical extension of the intermediate edge
section and the lower edge end section can also be replaced by a
certain inclined extension of these sections, these sections
extending inclined outwards with a smaller angle of inclination
than the upper and lower edge sections.
[0019] For the optical appearance and for the manufacture of the
lid, it is furthermore considered to be advantageous for the angles
of inclination of the upper and lower edge sections and/or of the
intermediate and lower edge end sections to be the same.
[0020] A stabilisation of the lower edge end section and thus
equally a stabilisation of the locking edge can result by designing
at least the lower edge end section with two layers, i. e. an outer
and an inner layer. Thereby, this lower edge end section has an
increased stiffness which on the one hand complicates its
manipulation for removing the lid and on the other hand reinforces
the locking edge.
[0021] In a simple embodiment, the locking edge can be designed as
prolongation of the inner layer. In this case, it simply extends in
prolongation of the inner layer towards the container in order to
grip below the corresponding opening edge.
[0022] The locking edge can project directly as prolongation of the
inner layer in the region of the lower edge end section. However,
there is also the possibility for this inner layer to extend at
least partially to the lower edge section and for the corresponding
angle of inclination of this edge section to serve for deflecting
the inner layer and thus the locking edge towards the container
wall.
[0023] In this case, the angle of inclination of the lower edge
section can equally be continued in the locking edge, so that this
extends inclined upwards towards the container wall when the lid is
placed on and grips below the opening edge.
[0024] It was already pointed out that according to the invention
the elasticity for deflecting the lid edge and the locking edge and
thus for placing the lid onto the container is distributed to the
lid edge and the locking edge. Just when the lid is being placed
onto the container, it is an advantage for the locking edge to be
elastically deflectable radially outwards. This at least concerns
the portion of the locking edge projecting from the lower edge
section or the lower edge end section, respectively.
[0025] In order to ensure a space as small as possible between the
free end of the locking edge and a container wall and
simultaneously complicate a manipulation of the locking edge, the
locking edge can have at its free end an end edge of cut
essentially extending in parallel to the container wall when the
lid is placed on. This end edge of cut can also directly abut the
container wall when the lid is placed on. The corresponding
extension of the end edge of cut complicates a spreading and thus
passing by of the free end of the locking edge at the opening
edge.
[0026] For opening the lid, the definite separation of the lower
edge end section and the locking edge from the rest of the lid is
necessary. In order to be able to perform this in a simple manner,
a tear device can project from the lid edge. It is also possible
that more than one tear device is arranged. The tear device can,
for example, approximately perpendicularly project from the lid
edge, so that it can be easily gripped laterally of the lid edge
and can then be used for separating the corresponding portion of
the lid. It is also possible that the tear device extends in
prolongation of the lid edge at its lower end.
[0027] To permit a rupture in the lower edge end section in a
secure and controlled manner by the tear device, in the region of
the tear device and in particular at its front edge in the tearing
direction, an essentially vertical tear aid can be formed in the
lid edge. If the tear device is then gripped and moved into the
tearing direction, first the lid edge is ruptured along the
vertical tear aid, and subsequently a further separation of the
corresponding portion of the lid edge essentially in the
circumferential direction is effected.
[0028] Such a tear aid can have various designs. In general, it is
designed as material weakening line. Such a material weakening line
can be a material thinning, a perforation or the like.
[0029] In order to also permit the further removal of the
corresponding portion of the lid edge in a simple and controlled
manner and simultaneously not to deteriorate the appearance of the
lid even after this portion has been removed, an edge tear-off aid
extending in the circumferential direction can be formed
essentially perpendicularly to the tear aid in the lid edge spaced
apart from its lower end. This aid intersects the perpendicular
tear aid, so that when the tear device is moved into the tearing
direction, after the rupture of the tear aid subsequently the
further separation of the corresponding portion of the lid edge is
effected along the edge tear-off aid.
[0030] The edge tear-off aid can be designed as material weakening
line similarly to the tear aid.
[0031] In order to ensure in this connection that even with a
correspondingly separated portion of the lid edge a placing on of
the lid onto the container and a holding of the lid by means of the
lid edge at the opening edge are still possible, the edge tear-off
aid can be arranged closer to the lower end of the lid edge than
the opening edge when the lid is placed on the container. This
ensures that after the corresponding portion has been torn off, a
sufficient portion of the lid edge remains for it to essentially
extend over the opening edge downwards and a replacing of the lid
and secure holding of the lid at the container is possible.
[0032] For the lid, essentially various materials are conceivable.
The lid can be completely or only partially made of a plastic
material. This can be at least partially transparent or
translucent. This can in particular apply to the lid piece. Thus,
the contents of the container are visible. A lid easy to be
manufactured and recycled can result from the lid essentially being
made of one or more paper layers. Moreover, such a paper layer can
be easily imprinted for advertising purposes or for giving an
indication of the contents of the cup.
[0033] As, if the lid is placed on, the lid piece is to protect the
contents contained in the container from the penetration of
undesired substances, but also from a leaking of the container
contents, at least in the region of the lid piece, a fluid-tight
plastic foil can be applied to its bottom side. Such a plastic foil
additionally prevents that, for example in case of a liquid being
contained in the container, the paper layer of the lid and in
particular the lid piece is soaked by the liquid and possibly
optically affected.
[0034] It is naturally also possible that the lid or one of its
parts does not consist of only one paper layer, but of
interconnected and in particular laminated paper layers. It was
already pointed out that at least in the region of the lower edge
end section the construction consists of two layers, where the
inner layer forms the locking edge. Here, too, the corresponding
layer can be a paper layer.
[0035] In order to be able to store the lid in a simple manner for
closing the container or after its manufacture, respectively, the
lid can be stackable and unstackable.
[0036] Such a stackability and unstackability can be achieved, for
example, by an internal diameter of the lid edge being, at least at
its lower end, larger than an external diameter of the upper edge
end section. A corresponding relation between internal diameter and
external diameter can also be present for the lower edge end
section, possibly down to the region of the lower edge section
which improves the stackability of the lids.
[0037] For the lids not to get stuck when they are stacked such
that an end stack, for example by a corresponding automaton, is
complicated, the locking edge can be designed as stack stop element
which abuts the upper edge end section from outside and in
particular from above when the lids are stacked.
[0038] In the following, one embodiment of the invention is
illustrated more in detail with reference to the figures enclosed
in the drawing.
[0039] In the drawings
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a partially sectional side view of a first
embodiment of a tamper-evident lid according to the invention
placed on the container;
[0041] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged representation of a detail "X" of
FIG. 1;
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a view analogous to FIG. 2 with two lids
stacked one upon the other;
[0043] FIG. 4a shows a first step when the lid is being placed onto
a container;
[0044] FIG. 4b shows a second step when the lid is being placed
onto a container;
[0045] FIG. 4c shows a lid placed on the container after the steps
of FIGS. 4a and 4b;
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a partially sectional side view of two lids
stacked one upon the other analogous to FIG. 3;
[0047] FIG. 6a shows a partially sectional side view of an
embodiment of a lid according to the invention with tear
device;
[0048] FIG. 6b shows the lid according to FIG. 6a in a partially
torn open state, and
[0049] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment for a lid according to the
invention with another shape of the tear device.
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a partially sectional side view of an
embodiment of a lid 1 according to the invention on a cup-like
container 2.
[0051] The container 2 has an upper container opening 3, also see
the other figures, being surrounded by an opening edge 4 flanged to
the outside. At its lower end, a bottom piece is inserted in the
container 2 and held there and sealed in a manner known per se by
an end section of a container wall 24 bent over inwards.
[0052] The lid 1 is placed on the top of the container 2. The lid
comprises an essentially plane cover piece 5 lying on the opening
edge 4 from above in a sealing manner. The lid 1 furthermore has a
lid edge 6 which extends from the lid piece 5 inclined downwards
and outwards. The lid edge 6 extends along the opening edge 4 in
the circumferential direction 9 around the container. At the lid
edge 6, in particular at a lower end 14, also see FIG. 2, a tear
device 27 is arranged. This can be gripped by a user and moved
along a tearing direction 29 essentially in the circumferential
direction 9 around the container 2, also see FIGS. 6a, 6b and
7.
[0053] If the tear device 27 is moved into the tearing direction
29, the lid edge 6 begins to break in the region of a front edge 29
of the tear device 27 in the tearing direction 29. In prolongation
of this front edge 28 or else as edge itself, a tear aid 30 as
formed as material weakening line 31 in the lid edge 6. It extends
essentially vertically upwards towards the opening edge 4.
Perpendicularly to the tear aid 30, in the circumferential
direction 9 and also in the tearing direction 29, an edge tear-off
aid 32 extends. This is also designed as material weakening
line.
[0054] By moving the tear device 27 into the direction of the
tearing direction 29, a lower portion of the lid edge 6 is
separated along the edge tear-off aid 32 together with a locking
edge 10 as locking element 7, so that the lid 1 can be removed from
the container 2, also see FIGS. 6b and 7.
[0055] By separating the corresponding portion of the lid edge for
removing the lid 1, one gets an indication that the container 2
with lid 1 is already being used, or that at least first attempts
have been made for removing the lid 1 from the container 2. This
makes the lid tamper-evident, as this attempt of opening cannot be
undone and can be also detected by another user.
[0056] In FIG. 2, a detail "X" of FIG. 1 is shown in enlargement.
Same parts are always designated by the same reference numerals in
all figures and are partially mentioned only in connection with one
figure.
[0057] The container 2 has an opening edge 4 flanged outwards at
the upper end of its container wall 24. The lid piece 5 of the lid
1 rests on the upper side thereof with its bottom side 33. In the
region of this opening edge, the lid piece 5 comprises an edge
flange 11 essentially projecting vertically upwards. Along this
edge flange as well as along the bottom side 33, a fluid-tight
plastic foil 34 is applied to the lid piece 5. The lid piece 5 as
well as the remaining part of the lid 1 is otherwise formed of one
or several paper layers 38. Instead of one paper layer, two paper
layers, in particular connected by means of lamination,
correspondingly one or several cardboard layers and the like, can
also be used.
[0058] A lid edge 6 of the lid 1 is connected with the lid piece 5
via its edge flange 11. This lid edge 6 extends from the lid piece
5 inclined downwards and outwards.
[0059] The lid edge 6 comprises an upper edge end section 12. This
has essentially the shape of an inverted U. The edge flange 11 is
inserted into a corresponding U-opening 13 and there fixed between
the corresponding U-legs.
[0060] The lid edge 6 comprises, following the upper edge end
section 12, an upper edge section 15, an intermediate edge section
17, a lower edge section 16 and a lower edge end section 8. The
upper and lower edge sections 15, 16 extend outwards with an angle
of inclination with respect to the container 2. The intermediate
edge section 17 and the lower edge end section 8 are less inclined
outwards and can also extend essentially vertically, see FIGS. 7a
to 7.
[0061] The corresponding edge sections 15, 17, 16 and 8 of the lid
edge 6 result in an approximately stepped extension of the lid edge
to its lower end 14.
[0062] The corresponding angles of inclination of the upper edge
section 15, intermediate edge section 17, lower edge section 16 and
lower edge end section 8 are represented in FIG. 3, see there
reference numerals 18, 19, 20 and 21.
[0063] With respect to the angles of inclination 20 and 21 for the
upper and lower edge sections 15, 16, there is the possibility for
them to be the same, also see FIGS. 4a to 7, as well as the angles
of inclination 18, 19 of the intermediate edge section 17 and the
lower edge end section 8. In another embodiment, also see FIG. 3,
the angles of inclination 20, 21 are different, and in particular
the angle of inclination 21 can be larger than the angle of
inclination 20.
[0064] The different angles of inclination result each from the
corresponding angle between a vertical and the corresponding
outward inclination of the corresponding edge section.
[0065] In the region of the intermediate edge section 17, the edge
tear-off aid 32 can be seen below the opening edge 4. It is
arranged at a smaller distance to the lower end 14 of the lid edge
6 than a bottom side of the opening edge 4. This ensures that even
if a part of the lid edge 6 is separated along the edge tear-off
aid 32, the lid 1 can still be placed onto the container 2, and
correspondingly a holding of the lid at the opening edge 4 by its
abutment to the corresponding inner side of the lid edge 6 is
possible.
[0066] The lower edge end section 8 is essentially designed in two
layers of an outer layer 22 and an inner layer 23, also see FIG. 3.
This two-layer construction results from folding or bending a
prolongation of the outer layer as inner layer to the inside of the
outer layer and a corresponding connection of both layers at least
in the region of the lower edge end section 8. As to the other
parts, the inner layer 23 is a continuation of the outer layer 22.
The inner layer 23 extends to the lower edge section 16 at an angle
of inclination 21 and correspondingly extends inclined inwards and
upwards towards the lid piece 5. The inner layer essentially
extends following the lower edge section 16 separate from the rest
of the lid edge 6 towards the container wall 24 and thereby forms
the locking edge 10 as locking element 7. The locking edge 10
extends around the complete container 2 in the circumferential
direction 9.
[0067] A free end of the locking edge 10 grips below the opening
edge 4 and is arranged closely to an outer side of the container
wall 24 when the lid 1 is placed on the container 2, or else it is
possibly in abutment with the container wall.
[0068] The abutment of the free end 25, also see FIG. 3, of the
locking edge 10 at the outer side of the container wall 24 can be
effected such that after a corresponding placing on of the lid 1
onto the container 2, the free end 25 is further deflected by the
abutment with the container wall 24 towards the opening edge 4 in
order to increase the tamper-evidence of the lid 1. The deflection
can be effected in this connection so far that the free end
essentially at least partially engages a gap 39 between the opening
edge 4 and the container wall 24.
[0069] When the lid 1 is placed onto the container 2, the lid edge
6 can be elastically radially expanded outwards at least with the
lower edge end section 8, the lower edge section 16 and the
intermediate edge section 17 as well as the locking edge 10 so that
it can be passed along the opening edge 4. As soon as the free end
25 reaches the bottom side of the opening edge 4, it is pressed
towards the container wall 24 and in particular into the gap
opening 39 between the flanged opening edge 4 and the container
wall 24 due to the elasticity of the lid edge 6 and the locking
edge 10.
[0070] In FIGS. 4a to 4c, various steps of placing a corresponding
lid 1 onto a container 2 are shown. In these steps, in particular
the deflection of the locking edge can be seen.
[0071] In the lid 1 according to FIGS. 4a to c, it can in
particular be seen that the angles of inclination of the upper and
lower edge sections as well as of the intermediate edge section and
the lower edge end section are each the same, the intermediate edge
section and the lower edge end section essentially extending
vertically.
[0072] Furthermore, in FIGS. 4a to c a structuring of the lid 1 on
its outer side in the region of the upper edge end section 12 can
be seen. This structuring is formed by a plurality of indentations
and elevations, respectively, arranged in the circumferential
direction 9.
[0073] In FIG. 3, two lids 2 arranged one upon the other and being
stacked are depicted. With respect to the description of the
corresponding details, reference is made to the other figures as
well as the corresponding description.
[0074] In FIG. 3, one can in particular still see that an internal
diameter 35 of the lower edge end section 8 is larger than an
external diameter 36 of the upper edge end section 12. This permits
to stack the two lids 2 at least so far that the upper edge end
section 12 of a lower lid is inserted into the upper lid up to the
bottom side of the locking edge 10, also see FIG. 5. The locking
edge 10 forms at least in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 a
stack stop element 37 resting on the upper edge end section 8 of
the lower lid 2 from above and essentially from outside.
[0075] In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the lower edge end
section 8 and the upper edge end section 12 essentially extend
vertically, so that the stacked lids are arranged one upon the
other so as to precisely fit, and the lower lid is inserted into
the upper lid until it approximately abuts the lower end 14 of the
upper lid with the upper edge section 15.
[0076] In FIGS. 6a and b as well as 7, further embodiments of a
tear device 27 are shown. In FIG. 6b, the separable portion of the
lid edge 6 is at least partially already separated.
[0077] This analogously applies to FIG. 7, in this embodiment the
tear device 27 being essentially not formed as a separate part of
the lid edge 6 but by a part of the lid edge 6 arranged adjacent to
the tear line 30.
[0078] With respect to the container cross-sections and equally the
corresponding shapes of the lid, it should be moreover pointed out
that these can be round, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular or
the like. In cornered embodiments, rounded edges are
advantageous.
[0079] Furthermore, it should be pointed out that not only due to
the elasticity of the lid edge 6 and correspondingly of the locking
edge 10, a placing of the lid 1 onto the container 2 is possible.
Normally, also the container 2 is at least partially elastic in the
region of the opening edge 4 or the container wall 24,
respectively, so that the container, too, can elastically be
deformed when the lid is placed on.
[0080] In the embodiments according to FIGS. 4a to 7 it should be
noted that there a corresponding angle of inclination of the
locking edge 10 is essentially the same as the angle of inclination
20, 21 from the upper and lower inclined edge sections 15, 16.
Here, the corresponding angles of inclination 20, 21 are also
essentially the same, while the other edge sections 12, 17, 8 are
not inclined and essentially extend vertically.
[0081] In the embodiments according to FIGS. 4a to 7, another
difference exists in that there the lid piece 5 essentially extends
to the lower end of the upper edge section 15 radially outwards and
approximately ends with the outer contour of the opening edge 4.
This results in an improved seal of the container 2 by the lid
piece 5. Moreover, a smaller gap remains between the lid edge 6 and
the opening edge 4, see for example FIG. 2 in comparison with FIG.
4c.
[0082] In the embodiments of FIGS. 4a to 7, it is in particular
shown how the free end 25 of the locking edge 10 engages with the
gap opening 39 between the container wall and the opening edge
4.
* * * * *