U.S. patent application number 11/908121 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for packaging container, especially can-like container.
Invention is credited to Andreas Michalsky.
Application Number | 20080283484 11/908121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36220167 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080283484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Michalsky; Andreas |
November 20, 2008 |
Packaging Container, Especially Can-Like Container
Abstract
Packaging container, especially can-like packaging container
(10) having a cylinder-like or tube-like container body (11)
produced from composite foil, a lid arrangement (12), and also a
base closure, especially a standing base (13). The lid arrangement
(12) comprises a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable,
annular collar (16), which is fixed on, especially sealed to, the
circumferential rim (14) of the container body (11) and which marks
the boundary of a container opening (15), as well as a cover foil
(18), which extends over the container opening (15) and is sealed
to the rim (17) thereof.
Inventors: |
Michalsky; Andreas;
(Memmingerberg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
36220167 |
Appl. No.: |
11/908121 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/001746 |
371 Date: |
June 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/235 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5883 20130101;
B65D 3/268 20130101; B65D 15/08 20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101; B65D
2207/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/235 |
International
Class: |
B65D 39/00 20060101
B65D039/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 010 639.0 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A can-like or other packaging container, said container
comprising: a container body of cylinder-like or tube-like form
produced from composite foil having a circumferential rim; a lid
arrangement; and a standing or other base closure; wherein: the lid
arrangement comprises: a relatively rigid, dimensionally stable,
annular collar, said collar being fixed on or sealed to the
circumferential rim of said container body, and marking the
boundary of a container opening; and a cover foil extending over
said container opening and being sealed to the rim thereof.
22. A container according to claim 21, wherein a neck extends
between said annular collar and said container opening and said
container further includes a lid adapted to be locked or screwed
onto said neck.
23. A container according to claim 22, wherein said neck has a
locking member selected from the group consisting of a protrusion
extending radially outwards, and a locking notch extending radially
inwards, said locking member in each case matching complementary
locking means provided on said lid.
24. A container according to claim 22, wherein a thread is embossed
on the outer circumference of said neck and matches a corresponding
internal thread in a screw lid or a screw cap of said
container.
25. A container according to claim 21, further comprising a folding
lid hinge-mounted by way of a film hinge at a location selected
from the group consisting of at said collar, at said opening neck,
and at a region of the lid.
26. A container according to claim 21, wherein said opening rim
includes a spout-like or other pouring funnel.
27. A container according to claim 21, wherein said cover foil has
at least one grip tab extending radially beyond said rim of said
container opening.
28. A container according to claim 21, wherein said base is a base
selected from the group consisting of a base of shallow-pot-like
form, a base constructed with a V-shaped fold, and a base
constructed with a W-shaped fold, and is bonded, welded or sealed
at the rim side to said circumferential rim of said container body
at the base side thereof.
29. A container according to claim 22, wherein a part(s) selected
from the group consisting of the base, the lid, and the base and
the lid is/are produced from injection moulded, deep-drawn
relatively rigid, dimensionally stable, material.
30. A container according to claim 22, wherein said lid has a top
side that falls away at an angle.
31. A container according to claim 22, wherein said lid is in the
form of a truncated cone.
32. A container according to claim 21, wherein said container body
has a varying height over its circumference so that said container
opening of a standing container falls away at an angle.
33. A container according to claim 21, wherein a ring segment or
ring is provided and is operative to be snapped on at least around
a partial region of said neck of said lid arrangement to engage
around said neck at least partially, said ring segment or ring
being connected to said lid by way of a film hinge or other
connection.
34. A container according to claim 21, wherein said lid and said
cover foil are joined to one another in separable manner, a part
selected from the group consisting of said lid, said cover foil,
and said lid and said cover foil containing substances that reduce
the sealing and/or bonding ability.
35. A container according to claim 22, wherein said lid has a
recess for housing an object, or other purpose, said recess being
openable on the outside and, prior to use, being closed or sealed
by a foil or other closure or seal.
36. A container according to claim 21, wherein said base is a
standing base and said lid is so formed that it can be brought into
engagement with said standing base.
37. A container according to claim 21, wherein said container body
is formed from a composite foil that is shaped by means of a seal
selected from the group consisting of a fin-seal and a lap-seal
into a basic body selected from the group consisting of a
cylindrical basic body, a truncated cone-shaped basic body, and a
tube-shaped basic body.
38. A container according to claim 21, wherein said container body
is a portion of an extruded foil tube.
39. A container according to claim 21, wherein a part selected from
the group consisting of said container body, said base, said cover
foil, said container body and said base, and said container body,
said base and said cover foil is/are produced from an aluminum or
other laminate, said cover foil having a layer(s) selected from the
group consisting of at least one sealing layer, at least one
sealing layer and at least one barrier layer, at least one sealing
layer and at least one barrier layer of SiO.sub.2, at least one
sealing layer and at least one barrier layer of ethyl vinyl
alcohol, and at least one sealing layer and at least one metal foil
barrier layer.
40. A container according to claim 21, wherein said foil has a
thickness selected from the group consisting of in the range from
50.mu. to 1000.mu., in the range from 100.mu. to 500.mu., and in
the range from 150.mu. to 350.mu..
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging container,
especially a can-like container having a cylinder-like or tube-like
container body produced from composite foil, a lid arrangement, and
also a base closure, especially a standing base.
[0002] Containers of that kind are generally known and are used to
keep, store and transport liquid, paste and solid contents, the low
weight of such packages and the ease with which they can be printed
being extremely advantageous. A disadvantage from time to time,
however, is the handling, especially the opening, of such
containers because of the flexibility of the container body, which
is produced from a composite foil. Owing to the lack of adequate
stability of the container body, the contents of the package can
very easily be spilled uncontrollably when the container is being
opened. This is a risk especially when the container opening is
also of flexible construction.
[0003] The problem underlying the present invention is accordingly
to provide an alternative to inflexible packaging containers made
of plastics, glass or metal that, despite being produced from
flexible composite foil, can be opened in a controlled manner and
optionally also closed again. The packaging containers according to
the invention are intended especially to be an alternative to
inflexible packaging cans.
[0004] That problem is solved in accordance with the invention by
the characterising features of claim 1.
[0005] An important aspect of the invention is accordingly that a
dimensionally stable lid arrangement be provided that can easily be
opened so that the contents of the package can be properly
accessed. Specifically, the lid arrangement comprises a relatively
rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, annular collar, which is
fixed on, especially sealed to, the circumferential rim of the
container body and which marks the boundary of a container opening,
as well as a cover foil, which extends over the container opening
and is sealed to the rim thereof. That construction also allows
relatively large, dimensionally stable container openings that can
be so closed that the container contents are protected against
contamination. The container contents can especially also be
sterile-packed.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment a neck, onto which a lid is
lockable or screwable, extends between the annular collar and the
container opening. In the first-mentioned solution, the neck has a
locking protrusion, especially an annular protrusion, extending
radially outwards, or a locking notch, extending radially inwards,
which in each case match complementary locking means on the
lid.
[0007] In the second embodiment or alternative, there is embossed
on or carved in the outer circumference of the neck a thread that
matches a corresponding internal thread in a screw lid or a screw
cap.
[0008] The lid can also, in the form of a hinged lid, be
hinge-mounted at the collar by way of a film hinge. Collar and lid
are thus joined to one another in one piece. In principle, a
multi-part articulated hinge joint is naturally also possible. It
is equally possible for the lid itself to be of bendable
construction. For that purpose, the lid itself can in a sub-region
be constructed in the form of a film hinge.
[0009] The hinge-joint can also be prebiased into the closing
position of the lid, either by appropriate stamping-in of a tension
in the material or by the provision of a torsion spring.
[0010] The opening rim can be of annular, oval or triangular shape
or the like. No restrictions are imposed in terms of shape. The
opening rim can especially include a pouring funnel or spout. The
lid is then correspondingly shaped.
[0011] It is furthermore advantageous if the cover foil has at
least one grip tab which extends radially beyond the rim of the
container opening. By means of the tab, the cover foil can easily
be removed from, that is pulled off, the opening rim of the
container.
[0012] The container body preferably consists of a foil that is
formed by means of fin-seal or lap-seal into a cylindrical,
truncated cone-shaped or tube-shaped basic body. Alternatively, the
container body can also be a portion of an extruded foil tube.
[0013] The container body, and optionally also the base and the
cover foil, preferably consist of a laminate, especially aluminium
laminate, having at least one sealing layer and optionally at least
one barrier layer, especially of SiO.sub.2, ethyl vinyl alcohol or
a metal foil.
[0014] The thickness of the foil is in the range from 50.mu. to
1000.mu., especially from 100.mu. to 500.mu., preferably from
150.mu. to 350.mu.. Ultimately, the thickness of the foil also
depends on the contents and on the size of the packaging
container.
[0015] The base of the packaging container can either be of
shallow-pot-like form or be constructed with a V-shaped or W-shaped
fold, and bonded or sealed at the rim side to the circumferential
rim of the container body at the base side. Conventional techniques
are used for that purpose. Alternatively, the base can also be
closed simply by the formation of a transverse sealing seam,
corresponding to the base closure of a tube of toothpaste or the
like.
[0016] Preferably, however, the base consists of a relatively
rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, material and is formed as a
standing base so that, overall, a can-like container is obtained
that is characterised by a relatively rigid base, a relatively
rigid and dimensionally stable lid arrangement, and a container
body that is produced from composite foil. Such containers are
relatively light, simple to produce, adequately dimensionally
stable and can reliably be opened and optionally closed again. They
can be used to store liquid, pulverulent or granular-type products,
especially food, drink or also medicines. In view of the
flexibility of the container body and because of the ease with
which the composite foil from which the container body is produced
can be deformed, it is also possible for as many different forms of
container as desired to be produced. Printing of the containers is
also very simple; all that is required is that the composite foil
is correspondingly printed in advance.
[0017] Further, the lid, too, can be produced from a relatively
rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, material so that, after the
container has been opened, the lid is suitable for further uses,
such as, for example, as a support for the container.
[0018] Preferably, the relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally
stable, base and/or lid is/are produced by injection moulding or
deep-drawing. Those production processes are extremely favourably
priced and are especially well suited to the production of large
numbers of items.
[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lid
has a top side that falls away at an angle and thus has a certain
height extension. According to the invention, the lid can also be
constructed in the form of a truncated cone, the lid being tapered
upwards. It should be mentioned that a combination of the features
of the top side of the lid falling away at an angle and a taper can
be combined.
[0020] The embodiments mentioned above are suitable for containers
having a lid of which the inclined top side is available, for
example, for advertising purposes, and faces the observer for
improved visibility. This is advantageous especially when the
containers are placed in sales stands, particularly since such a
three-dimensionally shaped lid has an unusual lid form and
therefore tends to catch the eye.
[0021] In addition, such a three-dimensionally shaped lid having a
truncated cone body and a lid top-side that falls away at an angle
is also usable as a standing aid for the container once it has been
removed from the top of the container, the container with its
standing base, which is preferably at least in part approximately
complementary in shape to the truncated cone shape of the lid,
being placed on the latter.
[0022] As has already been mentioned hereinbefore, the base can be
of shallow-pot-like form or constructed with a V-shaped or W-shaped
fold, and bonded, welded or sealed at the rim side to the
circumferential rim at the base side of the container body. The
circumferential rim, which usually serves at least as a partial
standing face for the container, takes up an inclined position as a
result of the container's being positioned on the lid, so that then
the container as a whole is slightly inclined. The degree of
filling of the container is obviously such that the filling
material does not, as a result of that slightly inclined position,
pour out of the container, especially when the container is fully
opened.
[0023] For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that
the lid can be placed either with its bottom side, but optionally
instead with its top side, onto a supporting surface, and that the
standing base of the container, when used as a standing aid,
engages internally or externally with the lid, with the result that
the container is not able to slip off the lid incline.
[0024] Here, it is preferred for the circumferential rim of the lid
to have a somewhat larger external diameter than the standing base
or the upper opening rim, so that the lid is placed on a support
with its original top side now directed downwards, and the
container comes to stand in an opening in the lid and is held, for
example by a lip or bar, on the now upwardly directed
circumferential rim of the lid.
[0025] In view of the slight inclined position of the opened
container, its contents are more readily accessible, especially
also for small children; in addition, there is a better view into
the container.
[0026] A similar effect can be achieved by the container body's
having a varying height over its circumference, so that the
container opening of a horizontally-standing container falls away
at an angle. In that case, the lid is made oval in shape in such a
way that it is suitable for closure of the container opening.
[0027] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a ring
segment or ring is provided, which can be snapped on at least
around a partial region of the neck of the lid arrangement and
engages around the neck at least partially, which ring segment or
ring is connected to the lid, especially by way of a film
hinge.
[0028] The special advantage of that embodiment is that the
container can first of all be filled and closed with a cover foil,
before the lid is fastened to the container by means of a ring or
by means of a ring segment that engages at least partially around
the neck. It is especially advantageous here when the lid
arrangement is produced from a relatively rigid, that is,
dimensionally stable, material, and it should be stressed that not
only the lid but also the lid arrangement as a whole can be
injection moulded or deep-drawn.
[0029] The ring segment or the ring is placed around at least a
partial region of the neck and connected in that way to the
container. A lid formed in that manner, with the fastening
arrangement engaging at least partially around the neck, can be
removable, so that the lid can be used by the end user for
different containers. In that manner it is possible for the
container to be sealed at a favourable cost using the cover foil
only. The lid with the fastening arrangement engaging at least
partially around the neck can thus be used by the end user to
re-close an opened container, as required.
[0030] It is also within the scope of the concept of the invention
for the lid and the cover foil to be joined to one another in a
separable manner, the lid and/or the cover foil being sealed or
bonded to one another, wherein at least the portions of the lid and
of the cover foil that are sealed or bonded to one another are
provided with substances in the sealing or bonding material that
reduce the sealing and/or bonding ability. In the case of the
sealing material polyethylene, substances reducing the sealing
ability may be, for example, polybutylene or polypropylene or a
mixture of both, especially with an admixture of from 20% by weight
polybutylene to polypropylene. In that manner it is possible to
produce a lid having a cover foil that is weakly adherent which, on
sealing of the container, is sealed or bonded to the opening rim of
the container more strongly than to the lid. When the container is
being opened, therefore, first of all only the lid is removed,
while the cover foil remains on the opening rim of the container,
or more precisely the lid arrangement thereof, and then, for
example with the aid of the grip tab, the cover foil can be removed
separately and the container can thus be opened fully.
[0031] It is thus possible to provide one side of the cover foil
with substances that reduce the sealing and/or bonding ability and,
in that manner, reduce the sealing ability of the cover foil
towards that side, while the sealing ability on the opposite side
of the cover foil is fully retained, with the result that the cover
foil has two sides having different sealing abilities, especially
in respect of sealing strength.
[0032] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lid
has a recess which is openable on the outside and which, prior to
use, is closed, especially sealed, preferably by a foil. An
article, such as, for example, a spoon, knife or fork or similar
implement or addition can be arranged in the recess. The implement
can preferably be of folding or collapsible construction.
[0033] To use the implement, a cover foil is thus removed from the
top side of the lid comprising the recess, so that the recess with
the product located therein becomes accessible. The lid of the
container can then be opened so that the interior of the container
becomes accessible.
[0034] Further, the lid can serve as a standing aid for the
container once it has been removed from the top of the container.
The lid in that variant preferably has an extent greater in surface
area than the base of the container and is provided with a recess
into which the base of the container is insertable with a
substantially exact fit. That embodiment is especially preferred
for use by smaller children, because knocking over or tipping over
the container is made appreciably more difficult in view of the
resulting increased standing area. If required, the container
itself can be provided with a cover foil in addition to its
lid.
[0035] According to a further embodiment, the neck of the lid
arrangement is provided with a thread onto which a lid can be
screwed. The lid has a sealing membrane which is preferably applied
concentrically relative to its circumferential rim, which sealing
membrane can be pressed out of the top of the lid to separate it
therefrom, resulting in a circular aperture in the top of the lid.
A teat for infants and/or small children can be inserted into that
circular aperture according to conventional manner, the size of the
resulting aperture in the top of the lid obviously being
dimensioned for commercially available teats. In that way the
container according to the invention can be used as a "bottle" for
small children and infants.
[0036] In the following, various embodiments of packaging
containers according to the invention are explained in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of
a packaging container according to the invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a packaging
container corresponding to FIG. 1, likewise in diagrammatic side
view;
[0039] FIGS. 3a-3e are each a perspective view of a can-like
container showing the attachment of a lid arrangement according to
the invention;
[0040] FIGS. 4a-4d are each a perspective view of an alternative
can-like container showing the attachment of a lid arrangement
according to the invention;
[0041] FIG. 5 shows a further alternative of a can-like container
in perspective view;
[0042] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show three different embodiments of
packaging containers (soft packagings) having a lid arrangement
according to the invention, each in perspective view;
[0043] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention in closed and partially opened
form, in each case in perspective view;
[0044] FIGS. 9a, 9b show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention in closed and opened form, in
each case in perspective view;
[0045] FIGS. 10a-10c show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention in a closed illustration and
in two opened illustrations, in each case in perspective view;
[0046] FIGS. 11a-11c show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention in open, partially closed and
fully closed form, in each case in perspective view;
[0047] FIGS. 12a-12c show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention in closed, partially opened
and fully opened form, in each case in perspective view;
[0048] FIGS. 13a-13c show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention with a special construction of
the lid, in closed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each
case in perspective view;
[0049] FIGS. 14a-14c show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention with a lid having a film
hinge, in closed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each
case in perspective view;
[0050] FIGS. 15a-15c show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention based on FIGS. 13a-13c and
14a-14c, in closed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each
case in perspective view;
[0051] FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of a packaging container
according to the invention having a standing-base lid; and
[0052] FIGS. 17a-17c show a further embodiment of a packaging
container according to the invention for use as a "bottle", in
closed, partially opened and ready-to-use form, in each case in
perspective view.
[0053] The packaging container shown in FIG. 1 is a can-like
container 10 having a cylinder-like or tube-like container body 11
produced from composite foil, a lid arrangement 12, as well as a
standing base 13. The lid arrangement 12 comprises a relatively
rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, annular collar 16, which is
applied to, specifically sealed externally to, the circumferential
rim 14 of the container body 11 and which marks the boundary of a
container opening 15, as well as a cover foil 18, which extends
over the container opening 15 and is sealed to the rim 17 thereof.
Formed between the annular collar 16 and the container opening 15
is a neck 19 onto which a lid 20 can be screwed. For that purpose,
there is embossed on the outer circumference of the neck 19 a
thread 21 that matches a corresponding internal thread, not shown
here, in the screw lid 20. The container body 11 can be produced
from a rectangular piece of foil, of which the longitudinal edges
overlapping one another are joined to one another either in
fin-seal or lap-seal manner. Alternatively, and also preferably,
the container body 11 is a portion of an extruded foil tube. A
dimensionally stable, shallow-pot-like standing base 13 is inserted
in the base region and sealed to the container body 11 internally
at the base side along the circumferential rim. The standing base
13 is inserted in known manner into the cylindrical container body
11 at the base side, optionally with a slight radial extension, and
is welded or sealed thereto.
[0054] The cover foil 18 has a grip tab 22 which extends radially
beyond the rim 17 of the container opening 15 and by means of which
the cover foil 18 can easily be pulled off the rim 17 of the
container opening 15 after removing the screw lid or screw cap
20.
[0055] The container body 11 and the cover foil 18 preferably
consist of an aluminium laminate having at least one sealing layer
and optionally at least one barrier layer, especially of SiO.sub.2,
ethyl vinyl alcohol or a metal foil. The laminate of the container
body 11 should especially also be sealable because the lid
arrangement, that is, the annular collar thereof, on the one hand,
and the standing base 13 on the other hand, should be sealable
thereto along the upper and low circumferential rims of the
container body 11.
[0056] The embodiment according to FIG. 2 differs from that
according to FIG. 1 only in the respect that the lid 20 is lockable
onto the neck 19, in the direction of the arrow 23. Removal of the
lid 20 naturally occurs in the opposite direction. The lid 20 has a
circumferential rim with an annular protrusion 24 extending
radially inwards that matches an annular protrusion 25 extending
radially outwards in the region of the rim 17 of the container
opening 15.
[0057] FIGS. 3a-3e show a can-like container 10 illustrating the
attachment of a lid arrangement 12 according to the invention in
the sequence of the corresponding operative steps. Starting from
FIG. 3a, an annular collar 16, including neck 19, is sealed
externally to the upper circumferential rim 14 of the container
body 11, resulting in the configuration according to FIG. 3b. A
cover foil 18 with grip tab 22 is then sealed onto the opening rim
17 marking the boundary of the container opening 15 (see FIGS. 3c
and 3d). Finally, a locking lid 20 is locked on over that
arrangement, so that the lid arrangement is completed according to
FIG. 3e.
[0058] The embodiment according to FIGS. 4a-4d differs from that
according to FIGS. 3a-3e in the respect that the first of all a
cover foil 18 is sealed into the container body 11 at the lid side,
internally, along the circumferential rim 14. Then, according to
FIG. 4b, a lid arrangement 12 having an annular collar 16 and a
hinged lid 20, which is hinge-mounted on the collar by way of a
film hinge 26, is sealed on in such a manner that a seal is
effected between the annular collar 16 and the outside of the
circumferential rim 14. The composite foil from which the container
body 11 has been produced should thus preferably be sealable both
internally and externally. A barrier layer, for example of
aluminium, can be arranged between those two sealing layers.
[0059] FIG. 4d shows the can-like container 10 in the closed state,
that is, with the hinged lid 20 in the closed position.
[0060] The embodiment according to FIG. 5 corresponds substantially
to that according to FIGS. 3a-3e, except that the lid 20 is
hinge-mounted in the form of a hinged lid on the neck 19 of the lid
arrangement 12 by way of a film hinge 26. The embodiment according
to FIG. 5 also differs from the afore-described embodiments in the
respect that the opening rim 17 includes a spout-like pouring
funnel 27. The lid 20 is constructed in corresponding manner with
the result that, after the cover foil has been removed (already
removed in FIG. 5), the container 10 can be closed again in a
fluid-tight manner by the hinged lid 20. The hinged lid 20 is
lockable on the opening rim 17, that is, on the neck 19.
[0061] The embodiments according to FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c each show a
packaging container in which the container body differs appreciably
from a cylindrical shape. The lid arrangement, however, is
constructed according to the afore-mentioned embodiments; it is
simply differently shaped. The lid arrangement 12 in the embodiment
according to FIG. 6a is roughly droplet-shaped in plan view. In the
embodiment according to FIG. 6b, the lid arrangement 12 is
constructed according to that in FIG. 1, except that the mouth of
the container opening is of relatively small dimensions.
[0062] The embodiment according to FIG. 6c is distinguished by the
fact that in cross-section, that is, in plan view, both the
container body and the lid arrangement are approximately
triangular. The same is true of the container opening 15. Both in
the embodiment according to FIG. 6a and in the embodiment according
to FIG. 6c, the lid 20 is in the form of a hinged lid and is
hinge-mounted by way of a film hinge 26.
[0063] The embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8 are constructions
corresponding to that according to FIG. 1. They differ from the
latter only in the respect that no separate screw lid or locking
lid is provided in the embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8. It
is, however, entirely possible for a locking lid to be provided in
addition, corresponding to the embodiment according to FIG. 2. A
decisive factor also in the embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8
is that the container opening 15 is bounded and stabilised by an
annular collar 16 having an opening rim 17. That container opening
15 is covered by a cover foil 18, which has a grip tab 22 and is
sealed onto the opening rim 17. FIG. 8 shows clearly how the cover
foil 18 can be pulled off the opening rim 17 by means of the grip
tab 22.
[0064] FIG. 9a shows a container 10 according to the invention with
the lid 20 put on. The container 10 has a container body 11 and
also a standing base 13 joined to the lower circumferential rim 14
thereof. Arranged at the upper circumferential rim thereof is a lid
arrangement 12, the annular collar 16 of which engages externally
around the circumferential rim 14 of the container body 11 and is
sealed thereto. A lid 20 seals off the container 10 at the top, the
lid 20 having a top side that falls away at an angle and that, in
the form of a cut-off cone frustum, has an upwardly directed
conical taper.
[0065] FIG. 9b shows the container 10 from FIG. 9a in an opened
representation in which it is possible readily to see the opening
rim 17 and the container opening 15 as well as goods located in the
container. The lid 20 is arranged with its opening beneath the
standing base 13, which bounds the container 10 at the bottom, and
is engaged with the standing base 13. As mentioned hereinbefore,
the lid has an upwardly extending taper, so that the lid is able to
engage in a corresponding shallow-pot-like recess in the standing
base. It may be mentioned at this point that that engagement can be
fixable in a releasable manner by way of a clamping or locking
connection. The two arrows symbolically associating FIGS. 9a and 9b
with one another show in what fashion the container according to
the invention is to be used. As a result of the container's being
placed onto the inclined lid, the container 10 itself is subject to
an inclined position, with the result that the interior of the
container is readily accessible through the container opening 15
and it is possible to see easily into the container in its inclined
position.
[0066] At this point, attention may be drawn furthermore to the
fact that the container opening 15, in addition to the closure by
the lid 20, is covered by a cover foil (not shown), which is
preferably welded, sealed or bonded to the opening rim 17 and needs
to be removed from the container opening 15 in order to open the
container.
[0067] FIGS. 10a to 10c show a further embodiment of a container 10
according to the invention in which the container body 11 has a
varying height over its circumference, with the result that the
container opening 15 of a standing container 10 falls away at an
angle and has a shape, preferably an oval shape, that matches an
associated lid. Other shapes can be triangular, quadrangular or
polygonal, wherein polygonal container openings may have flats that
are of equal or different lengths so that directed pouring, for
example via one or more corners of the container, is possible.
[0068] FIG. 10a shows an afore-mentioned container 10 according to
the invention in closed form, with container body 11, standing base
13, annular collar 16 and lid 20. In FIGS. 10b and 10c, the
container according to FIG. 10a is shown in the open form, the
container opening 15, the annular collar 16 associated with the lid
arrangement 12, and the opening rim 17 being clearly visible. The
opening rim 17 is in accordance with the invention flattened off
somewhat. In that manner, a sealing face which is more or less
planar is provided at which a sealing tool is readily engageable
for attaching a cover foil to seal the package.
[0069] FIGS. 11a to 11c show a further container 10 according to
the invention with container body 11 and standing base 13, and also
with a lid arrangement 12, which has an annular collar 16, an
opening rim 17 and a neck 19 as well as a cover foil 18 (FIG. 11b)
fixed on the opening rim 17. A lid 20 is connected by way of a film
hinge 26 to a ring 32 engaging around the neck 19. The ring 32 is
arranged on the neck 19 of the lid arrangement 12 above the annular
collar 16, an annular protrusion 25 on the lid arrangement 12
preventing the ring 32 from slipping off. The neck 19 of the lid
arrangement 12 is thus bounded below by an annular ring 16 and
above by an annular protrusion 25, adjacent to which is the opening
rim 17. The ring 32 thus has a fixed seat on the neck 19 and there
is no fear of its unintentionally slipping off. The ring 32 can be
made from a material that is flexible like rubber, so that it is
possible for it to be deliberately slipped over the annular
protrusion 25 and, in another container 10, refastened to the neck
19 of the other container, so that it is then possible for the lid
20 to be used again on another container 10.
[0070] In FIG. 11c, the container is shown in closed representation
in which the container may be in the originally sealed form, with
the cover foil 18 present beneath the lid 20, but it is equally
possible that the cover foil 18 may already have been removed from
the opening rim 17 of the container 10, so that FIG. 11c shows a
re-closed container 10. It can be seen in FIG. 11b that the cover
foil 18 has a grip tab 22. According to FIGS. 11a to 11c there is
likewise provided, for easier opening of the lid 20, a protrusion,
which is easier to grasp than a lid of that kind having a smooth
rim. An open container according to that embodiment is shown in
FIG. 11a. FIGS. 12a to 12c show a further variant of the container
10 according to the invention, which again has a container body 11
as well as a standing base 13 and a lid arrangement 12. In
addition, the lid 20 in FIGS. 12a to 12c is connected in separable
manner to the cover foil, the sealing layer connecting the lid 20
and the cover foil 18 containing substances that reduce the sealing
ability. Those substances are particles that consist of about 80%
polypropylene and about 20% polybutylene and that are embedded in a
sealing layer of polyethylene. In that manner, the lid 20 can be
separated from the cover foil 18 without the cover foil's 18 being
removed from the opening rim 17 of the container since, on the side
facing the opening rim 17, the cover foil 18 does not contain any
substances that reduce the sealing ability, thereby resulting in
there being greater adhesion between the cover foil 18 and the
opening rim 17 than between the lid 20 and the cover foil 18,
because the sealing, that is, bonding, strength is reduced by the
afore-mentioned particles.
[0071] A fully closed container 10 can be seen in FIG. 12a. In FIG.
12b, the lid 20 has already been removed to some extent from the
cover foil 18, whilst in FIG. 12c the container 10 has been fully
opened and the lid 20 lies next to it.
[0072] Shown in FIGS. 13a to 13c is a container 10 according to the
invention in which the lid has a recess 33, which is openable on
the outside and which, prior to use, is closed by a foil, which
recess is suitable for housing a spoon, especially a folding spoon,
or a similar item. The recess 33 which is openable on the outside
is closed prior to use by a foil. That foil is sealed on an upper
circumferential rim which marks the boundary of the recess, and can
be removed from the lid 20 by grasping a grip tab 22, with the
result that the interior of the area in the lid 20 defined by the
recess 33 becomes accessible.
[0073] The container is shown in closed form in FIG. 13a, in a
partially opened form in FIG. 13b and in a fully open form in FIG.
13c. Shown in addition is a folding spoon, such as is placeable,
for example, in the recess 33.
[0074] FIGS. 14a to 14c show a further embodiment of a container 10
according to the invention in which the lid 20 is provided with a
film hinge 26. The film hinge 26 forms the bending line by way of
which the lid 20 can be bent back to open the container 10.
[0075] FIGS. 15a to 15c show a further embodiment of a container 10
according to the invention in which a lid having a recess 33 is
combined with a lid having an integral film hinge.
[0076] FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment according to the
invention in which the lid has an extent that is greater in area
than the horizontal cross-section of the container 10. After its
removal from the container, which in addition is still closed by a
cover foil 18, the lid 20 can be used to enlarge the standing area
of the container 10 and, for that purpose, has a recess 33 into
which the standing base 13 of the container 10 is insertable, with
a substantially exact fit, and fixable by a locking, click-shut or
turning connection. As a result of the relatively large extent of
the lid 20, tipping of the container 10 is now virtually
impossible, so that a container according to the invention in
accordance with that embodiment is especially suitable for
children. The relatively large extent of the lid can be achieved by
additional flat elements in the form of tabs, especially grip tabs,
which are arranged around the recess 33 in the lid 20 which
receives the container 10. It should be mentioned that the lid can
be provided with motifs, or the lid itself may constitute a motif,
such as, for example, a flower or a small bear, thereby increasing
the attractiveness, especially for children, of the container
according to the invention.
[0077] Indentations improving the stability of the container are
preferably formed at the lid rim, relative to the recess 33, in
opposing directions to one another and, especially preferably,
extend around the whole of the lid.
[0078] FIGS. 17a to 17c show a further embodiment of a container 10
according to the invention which can be used as a "bottle" for
infants and small children. For that purpose, the neck 19 of the
lid arrangement 12 is provided with a thread 21 onto which a screw
lid 22 can be screwed. As shown in FIG. 17a, there is provided in
the closed and originally packaged state of the container a sealing
membrane 31, which is arranged in the top side of the lid 20
concentrically relative to the centre, and is joined to the top
side of the lid 20 in such a manner that it can be separated
therefrom or pressed out therefrom.
[0079] FIG. 17b shows that the lid 20 can be removed from the
thread 21 of the lid arrangement 12 by being turned and that the
sealing membrane 31 can be removed by being pressed out of the top
side of the lid 20, so that a concentric opening results in the top
side of the lid 20. Also shown, arranged on the opening rim 17 of
the lid arrangement 12, is a cover foil 18 which can be pulled off
the container opening 15 using a grip tab 22. In known manner, a
teat 30 can then be placed in the lid aperture 34 and fixed to the
container 10 by screwing the residual lid ring, together with the
teat 30 employed, back onto the thread 21 of the lid arrangement
12. It should be mentioned that the lid aperture 34 is obviously so
dimensioned that conventional teats 30 can be used with such a lid
20 according to the invention and a container 10 according to the
invention.
[0080] All features disclosed in the application documents are
claimed as important to the invention insofar as they are novel,
individually or in combination, compared with the prior art.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0081] 10 container [0082] 11 container body [0083] 12 lid
arrangement [0084] 13 standing base [0085] 14 circumferential rim
[0086] 15 container opening [0087] 16 annular collar [0088] 17
opening rim [0089] 18 cover foil [0090] 19 neck [0091] 20 lid
[0092] 21 thread [0093] 22 grip tab [0094] 23 arrow [0095] 24
annular protrusion [0096] 25 annular protrusion [0097] 26 film
hinge [0098] 27 pouring funnel [0099] 28 lid recess [0100] 29
perforation [0101] 30 teat [0102] 31 sealing membrane [0103] 32
ring [0104] 33 recess [0105] 34 lid aperture
* * * * *