U.S. patent application number 12/515266 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-05 for container, in particular flexible tubular-bag and/or enclosure-like packaging container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Huhtamaki Ronsberg Zweigniederlassung der Huhtamaki Deutschland GmgH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Andreas Michalsky, Arnold Schneider.
Application Number | 20090272744 12/515266 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38608781 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090272744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Michalsky; Andreas ; et
al. |
November 5, 2009 |
CONTAINER, IN PARTICULAR FLEXIBLE TUBULAR-BAG AND/OR ENCLOSURE-LIKE
PACKAGING CONTAINER
Abstract
Container (10), especially a flexible tubular-pouch-like and/or
can-like packaging container, preferably a round pouch, having a
container body (20) and a lid part (30) and also, optionally, a
base part (40), which is made at least in part from a film,
especially a composite film, or a laminate, wherein the container
has at least one peel tab (50), by means of which the at least one
withdrawal (60) and/or venting opening is covered over.
Inventors: |
Michalsky; Andreas;
(Memmingerberg, DE) ; Schneider; Arnold; (Kempten,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
Huhtamaki Ronsberg
Zweigniederlassung der Huhtamaki Deutschland GmgH & Co.
KG
Ronsberg
DE
|
Family ID: |
38608781 |
Appl. No.: |
12/515266 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
August 9, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP07/07063 |
371 Date: |
May 15, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/270 ;
220/600 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/0013 20130101;
B65D 2517/5083 20130101; B65D 2231/005 20130101; B65D 5/74
20130101; B65D 17/502 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/270 ;
220/600 |
International
Class: |
B65D 8/04 20060101
B65D008/04; B65D 17/34 20060101 B65D017/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 17, 2006 |
DE |
DE102006054372.6 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
DE |
DE102007017339.5 |
Claims
1. Container, especially a flexible tubular-pouch-like and/or
can-like packaging container, preferably a round pouch, having a
container body and a lid part and also, optionally, a base part,
which is made at least in part from a film, especially a composite
film, or a laminate, wherein the container has at least one peel
tab, by means of which at least one withdrawal and/or venting
opening is covered over.
2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawal and/or
venting opening is formed on the container body and/or the lid part
and/or the base part.
3. Container according to claim 1, wherein the peel tab is so
formed that, in the case of a closed container, it is fixed at
least to the peripheral margin of the withdrawal and/or venting
opening by means of lap-seal sealing.
4. Container according to claim 1, wherein the lid part and/or the
base part is/are of substantially disc-shaped construction and, in
each case, joined to a folded-over peripheral margin of the
container body by means of a lap seal.
5. Container according to claim 3, wherein the lid part and/or the
base part is/are of substantially dish-shaped construction and, in
each case, joined to a peripheral margin of the container body by
means of a fin seal and/or lap seal.
6. Container according to claim 1, wherein the base part is of
V-shaped or W-shaped construction.
7. Container according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawal and/or
venting opening(s) is/are of polygonal, especially approximately
three- to eight-sided, rectangular, trapezoidal, round, oval, or
stellate, especially serratedly stellate, construction or is/are
constructed as a slot, especially as an X-, Y-, T-, W-, C-, L-, Z-,
S-, H-, E- F- or I-shaped slot.
8. Container according to claim 1, wherein the peel tab, in the
case of a closed container, covers over, starting from the
withdrawal opening, more than one third, preferably more than two
thirds and especially nine tenths up to the entire external surface
of the lid part and/or base part.
9. Container according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawal and/or
venting opening is reversibly coverable, especially re-closable, by
means of the peel tab.
10. Container according to claim 3, wherein the peel tab has a
deformation which is complementary to the withdrawal and/or venting
opening and which is suitable for engaging in the withdrawal and/or
venting opening, optionally snapping into place therein, when
closing, especially re-closing, the container.
11. Container according to claim 1, wherein the peel tab has a
gripping portion, for example in the form of a folding-up or
folding-back, and/or the peel tab and/or the gripping portion
extends slightly beyond the peripheral margin of the container.
12. Container according to claim 11, wherein the peel tab is fixed
in the region between the withdrawal and/or venting opening and the
gripping portion by means of adhesive bonding or sealing,
especially pointwise sealing or pointwise adhesive bonding.
13. Container according to claim 1, wherein the peel tab is
captively fixed to the container.
14. Container according to claim 1, wherein the lid part has a
withdrawal channel, especially like a straw, which co-operates with
the withdrawal opening and, optionally, is part of the peel
tab.
15. Container according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral margin
is partly folded back, the folding-back optionally being extended
and co-operating with, especially being joined to, the peel tab to
form a channel.
16. Container according to claim 3, wherein there is provided a
pressure and/or volume equalisation arrangement, especially in the
form of a membrane which is deformable and preferably capable of
snapping back into place and/or in the form of an accordion-like
arrangement.
17. Container according to claim 16, wherein the pressure and/or
volume equalisation arrangement, especially an accordion-like
arrangement, is arranged inside the container body.
18. Container according to claim 1, wherein the peel tab is of
integral construction with the lid part.
19. Container according to claim 1, wherein an end of the container
body that is located opposite the lid part is closed by means of a
fin seal.
20. Container according to claim 1, wherein the container body
comprises an upper peripheral margin that is crimped and/or laid
around a corresponding peripheral margin of the lid part.
21. Container according to claim 1, wherein the container body is
formed by means of a lap seal or is extruded.
22. Container according to claim 1, wherein the container body, the
lid part and also, optionally, the base part and the peel tab are
made from the same material.
23. Container according to claim 1, wherein the lid part and/or
base part and/or the peel tab is in the form of an
injection-moulded part or produced by deep drawing.
24. Container according to claim 1, wherein the peel tab is in the
form of a stiff, preferably very stiff or rigid part, optionally
having a fold crease.
25. Container according to claim 1, wherein the peel tab has a
thickness in the range from 50 .mu.m to 1000 .mu.m, preferably in
the range from 150 .mu.m to 800 .mu.m and especially in the range
from 400 .mu.m to 700 .mu.m.
26. Container according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawal
opening(s), or the venting opening(s) comprise stamped edges that
are covered with a polymer, preferably a meltable polymer.
27. Container according to claim 26, wherein the polymer comes from
a polymer layer of the composite film or laminate.
28. Container according to claim 26, wherein the polymer is derived
from an additional polymer layer.
29. Container according to claim 1, wherein the composite film or
laminate includes at least one barrier layer, preferably a metal
foil, especially aluminium, AlO.sub.x, SiO.sub.x, ethylene vinyl
alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyamide (PA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN),
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or mixtures of the afore-mentioned
materials.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a container in accordance with the
preamble of patent claim 1.
[0002] Containers, especially can-like packaging containers, are
known, for example in the form of containers for liquids in the
technical sector, for example for oil, and/or in the food sector,
for example the classic "cola can" or "beer can". Such containers
are usually made of aluminium or tinplate and can be opened by
means of a tear-open tab, which can be gripped by means of a ring.
Furthermore, rigid cans based on the model of the afore-mentioned
containers and made from stiff cardboard laminates are known.
[0003] The afore-mentioned containers require an onerous sealing
technique, by means of which the cut and stamped edges therein have
to be sealed off from the contents and from external factors in
order to avoid, for example, swelling--in the event of moisture
entry--of the cardboard laminates used or oxidisation of the
aluminium or tinplate materials used. Accordingly, making, for
example, a hole for drinking or also, however, a seam that joins
the cardboard laminates is problematic. Furthermore, formation of
the base therein, that is to say the fitting of a base and the
joining of the bases therein to the container bodies, is carried
out by means of adhesive bonding and crimping, which is, however,
onerous and readily results in lack of sealing.
[0004] A further disadvantage of those known containers is that
they have to be brought to the filling station whole, that is to
say already in their finished formed state. Consequently, making
available existing rigid cans and like containers requires onerous
logistics, because they have first to be manufactured at one site
and then transported to the filling site by truck and intermediate
stores.
[0005] In those containers, the high price of manufacture, firstly,
and also, because of their rigidity, the difficult and
space-intensive logistics for the purpose of making them available
as well as for disposing of them have proved to be disadvantageous,
an additional problem being the opening tab which in many instances
has to be disposed of as an individual part, because following
opening of the container the tab takes the form of an individual
part to be disposed of separately but which, because of its sharp
metal edges, has to be handled with care. This problematic
situation has been solved in the past by arranging the tear-open
tab on a lid of the container so that, on being opened, it is torn
open and pressed in the direction of the interior of the container,
remaining captively joined to the container.
[0006] A further disadvantage of those previous containers,
moreover, is that, without an additional covering arrangement such
as, for example, a plastics cover which can be snapped on, as
provided as an additional component in some containers, their lids
can readily become dirty in the region of the tear-open tab or of a
future withdrawal opening, so that when a container was opened the
contents being poured out came into contact with that dirt and were
accordingly contaminated. Furthermore, because of the fact that,
when such containers are used for refreshment drinks, drinking is
frequently carried out directly from the container, the lips of the
person drinking come into contact with the dirt on the can, which
is problematic for hygiene reasons. In addition, there is a risk of
injuring oneself on the sharp edges of the drinking opening of
known containers.
[0007] Because, as mentioned hereinbefore, expensive additional
covering arrangements, for example additional lids, are required
according to the prior art in order to avoid such soiling, this
adds to the cost of such a container, with its also being necessary
to dispose of a separate part.
[0008] A further problematic situation of afore-mentioned metal and
cardboard containers is the necessity to use relatively thick
materials, which results in a correspondingly high waste volume.
Furthermore, thick aluminium layers above all have to be regarded
as problematic from an ecological point of view because they have
to be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner in order
to prevent soil and ground-water contamination. In addition, the
afore-mentioned packagings even in the empty state have a
relatively high deadweight, which in turn has a disadvantageous
effect on transportation costs, on the one hand, and on the
deadweight-to-contents ratio, on the other hand.
[0009] For this reason, in the manufacture of the afore-mentioned
packagings, efforts have, in the past, been directed at reducing as
far as possible the requisite material thicknesses, although a
limit is reached here caused by the requisite stability of the
packaging.
[0010] The problem underlying the present invention is to make
available, whilst avoiding the afore-mentioned disadvantages, a
container which can be cheaply produced and disposed of, which is
suitable both for technical liquids and also for food, for example
drinks, and which ensures that the contents can be safely and
hygienically withdrawn from the container.
[0011] The problem is solved by a container according to patent
claim 1.
[0012] In particular, the problem is solved by a container,
especially a flexible tubular-pouch-like and/or can-like packaging
container, preferably a round pouch, having a container body and a
lid part and also, optionally, a base part, which is made at least
in part of a film, especially a composite film, or a laminate, the
container having at least one peel tab, by means of which at least
one withdrawal and/or venting opening is covered over.
[0013] The basic advantage of such a container according to the
invention consists, firstly, in the use of a film to produce and
form the container and also in the provision of a peel tab, by
means of which a withdrawal opening of the container in the closed
state of the container is covered over.
[0014] A basic advantage of the container according to the
invention lies in the use of a film for its production, which makes
it possible to squash or fold up the container to a small size
after use, that is to say in the empty state, and as a result to
dispose of it in space-saving manner. The possibility further
exists, in accordance with the invention, of use of the film in the
form of a composite film or a laminate which, if desired, has one
or more barrier layers, for example of ethylene vinyl alcohol
copolymer, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene
terephthalate, SiOx, or AlOx or mixtures of the mentioned
substances. By this means it is possible to make available a
container which in respect of its permeability characteristics
and/or its barrier properties is optimally matched to the
chemico-physical properties of the contents in question. A
sterilisable film can, moreover, be used to produce the container
according to the invention. This is advantageous especially when
the container according to the invention is used for food.
[0015] A further core concept of the invention lies in there being
arranged on the container at least one peel tab, preferably a
lap-seal opening tab, by means of which the container can be opened
in simple manner, namely by simply pulling, with release of the
seal by which the tab is held on a withdrawal opening of the
container. As previously mentioned, the peel tab can be in the form
of a lap-seal opening tab, which is arranged at least peripherally
to the withdrawal opening of the container by means of lap-seal
sealing. Alternatively, the peel tab can be in the form of a
fin-seal tab, in which case the tab, which in this case is of
fin-like form, is likewise pulled off by pulling away from the
counterpart film necessary for its sealing. The latter possibility,
namely the provision of a fin-seal tab, is especially well suited
to channel-like withdrawal openings and also for the possibility of
pressure equalisation, in the latter case the fin-seal sealing
being capable of bulging outwards like a dome without the closure
seal coming away.
[0016] In accordance with the invention, the peel tab, preferably
the lap-seal opening tab, is formed on the container body and/or
the lid part and/or the base part. It further lies within the frame
of the invention that a plurality of opening tabs are provided on
the container, for example in order to allow pouring out from a
withdrawal opening whilst the container is simultaneously vented by
means of a second opening, in this case a venting opening, in order
to avoid deformation of the container if pressure equalisation
cannot take place through the withdrawal opening during emptying of
the container.
[0017] It further lies within the scope of the invention that,
depending on the contents, the container body itself or, however,
its lid part and/or base part is opened. By that means it is
possible to withdraw the greatest variety of contents from the
container without any problem, in which case it should be
emphasised that, in the case of large withdrawal openings, even
paste-like, powdered and solid contents can be filled into the
container according to the invention, stored therein and withdrawn
therefrom.
[0018] In accordance with the invention the peel tab is so formed
that, in the case of a closed container, it covers over at least
one withdrawal opening, especially an opening for drinking, at the
peripheral margin of which the peel tab is fixed by means of
sealing, preferably lap-seal sealing. Furthermore, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention, the peel tab can be so formed
that, in the case of a closed container, it covers over, starting
from the withdrawal opening, more than one third, preferably more
than two thirds and especially nine tenths up to the entire
external surface of the lid part and/or base part. Consequently, in
accordance with that embodiment, not only the withdrawal opening
itself but also a considerable part of the surface, especially the
external surface, of the lid part and/or base part is also covered
over, so that soiling of the lid itself, especially in a withdrawal
region, is no longer a fear because the peel tab constitutes
protection for the actual lid part surface and/or base part surface
against soiling.
[0019] At this point it should be mentioned that by means of the
peel tab, as mentioned hereinbefore, it is possible not only for at
least one withdrawal opening but also, if desired, one or more
venting openings to be covered over. This covering-over of the
venting opening(s) can preferably be carried out with the same peel
tab as the covering-over of the withdrawal opening(s). In
accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the venting
opening(s) can however also be covered over and closed using a
separate peel tab.
[0020] In accordance with the invention, the peel tab, namely
preferably the lap-seal opening tab, is, in the case of a closed
container, firmly joined to the container, or the container body,
lid part or base part thereof, at least along the peripheral margin
of the withdrawal opening; however, it lies within the frame of the
invention to join parts of the lap-seal opening tab which extend
beyond the withdrawal opening or the peripheral margin thereof to
container components in contact therewith, especially in simply
releasable manner, so that a gripping portion or gripping region of
the opening tab is fixed to the container itself even in the case
of vigorous movements but which can be gripped when desired and
used on the container for opening.
[0021] As a result of the covering-over, by the lap-seal opening
tab, of a relatively large region of the container surrounding the
withdrawal opening, it is possible to protect that region of the
container from impurities and thereby to ensure that the container
contents are not contaminated with impurities when poured out or
otherwise withdrawn through the withdrawal opening.
[0022] Furthermore, it is thereby ensured that the underside, that
is to say that side of the lap-seal opening tab which faces the
closed container, also remains free of dirt so that, for example in
the case of use of the container for refreshment drinks, that
underside of the lap-seal opening tab can be used as a lip
protector, in which case when drinking directly from the container
according to the invention the lips are placed against that side of
the lap-seal opening tab which in the closed state faces the
container and the drink can flow out from the container over that
side of the lap-seal opening tab and into the mouth of the user or
into a vessel made available by the user. Because, in accordance
with the invention, the lap-seal opening tab has no sharp edges
and, in the folded-over state, extends over a lid-sealing seam,
mechanical injury is also precluded by structural means, for
example when drinking directly from the container according to the
invention.
[0023] The container according to the invention can of course be
used in the same manner as hitherto customary cans, especially also
drinks cans, without the peel tab being used as a lip protector. In
this case, the peel tab is first removed from the opening of the
container and the contents of the container are then poured
directly, for example, into a vessel.
[0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the lid
part and/or the base part is/are of substantially disc-shaped
construction and, in each case, joined to a folded-over peripheral
margin of the container body by means of a lap seal. That lap-seal
sealing of the lid part and/or base part with the folded-over
peripheral margin of the container body can be provided using an
external surface or an internal surface of the container body, the
lid part and/or base part in question being, in the case of
internal-surface sealing to the folded-over peripheral margin of
the container body, first inserted into the container and then
sealed with the peripheral margin. In the case of external-surface
fixing of the lid part and/or base part to the folded-over
peripheral margin of the container body, the lid part and/or base
part can be simply placed on top of the associated peripheral
margin of the container body and then sealed therewith. In each of
the two cases it is possible to seal a part of the lap-seal opening
tab together with the lid part and/or base part and the peripheral
margin of the container body so that the lap seal opening tab is
fixed, and therefore captive, in the seal joining the lid part
and/or base part to the folded-over peripheral margin. This fixing
of the lap-seal opening tab to the peripheral margin of the
container body is preferably carried out in such a way that the
lap-seal opening tab can, in the opened state, be folded back over
the peripheral margin of the container body.
[0025] In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
invention, the lid part and/or the base part is/are of
substantially dish-shaped construction and, in each case, joined to
a peripheral margin of the container body by means of fin-seal
and/or lap-seal sealing. In the case of fin-seal joining, the
dish-shaped lid part and/or base part is inserted with an outwardly
directed upstanding peripheral margin into that of the container
body, the respective peripheral margins of the lid part and/or base
part and of the container body being joined, that is to say sealed,
adhesively bonded or welded, to one another in the manner of a fin
seal.
[0026] In the case of lap-seal joining of the lid part and/or base
part of respectively dish-shaped construction, that part either is
inserted into the container body or is overlaid, as an enveloping
lid or base of somewhat larger extent, over the peripheral margin
of the container body and sealed with the peripheral margin of the
container body with an overlap.
[0027] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,
the base part can be of alternatively V-shaped or W-shaped
construction, the surrounding margins of that V-shaped or W-shaped
base part being in turn joined to the peripheral margin of the
container body. For that purpose the V-shaped or W-shaped base part
is inserted into the container body so that the peripheral margins
of the base part and the container body are in sealing abutment.
Where appropriate, the peripheral margin of the container body can
in that case extend slightly beyond the peripheral margin of the
base part. Such a projecting portion of the peripheral margin of
the container body can then, if desired, be folded over the
peripheral margin sealing of the base part and container body so
that, firstly, the standing surface of the container is somewhat
strengthened and, secondly, no open seal surfaces are externally
visible. In accordance with the invention, such a procedure can
also be used for dish-shaped lid parts and/or base parts.
Especially in the case of use of such an arrangement for a lid
part, an upper sealing edge resulting from sealing of the
peripheral margin of the lid part and that of the container body
can be covered over. The strengthening that results therefrom
improves the stackability of the containers according to the
invention and stabilises their shape.
[0028] It should furthermore be mentioned that the withdrawal
openings of the container according to the invention can take any
desired shape. Feasible in this context are, especially, an
approximately triangular shape, which can be torn open especially
well, but also a round shape, especially for a venting hole, but
also as a withdrawal opening, and also a stellately serrated shape
which is especially well suited for the withdrawal of, for example,
moist wipes or like flexible solid materials. Further shapes,
depending on the desired or intended use and/or implementation, for
withdrawal and/or venting opening(s) are of polygonal, especially
approximately three-sided to eight-sided, rectangular, trapezoidal,
round, oval, or stellate, especially serratedly stellate,
construction or constructed as a slot, especially as an X-, Y-, T-,
W-, C-, L-, Z-, S-, H-, E- F- or I-shaped slot.
[0029] The particular dimensions of the withdrawal opening(s)
and/or venting opening(s) here are governed by the particular use,
it being possible, for example, to provide a round drinking-straw
hole of small dimensions as a withdrawal opening. In the case of
paste-like or powdered contents, however, a withdrawal opening that
is almost as large as the container, that is to say a withdrawal
opening which extends almost over the entire lid surface of the
container, is likewise feasible, in which case the peel tab can be
fixed either at the peripheral margins located in the plane of the
lid or alternatively, however, at the upstanding peripheral margin
of a dish-shaped lid part.
[0030] In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the withdrawal opening is reversibly openable by means
of the peel tab, that is to say especially re-closable. For that
purpose, it lies within the frame of the invention to use a
re-closable cold adhesive for fixing the lap-seal opening tab,
which after opening has adhesion properties which are high enough
to at least substantially avoid or prevent liquid contents of the
container from slopping over or out.
[0031] In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the peel tab
has a deformation which is complementary to the withdrawal and/or
venting opening and which is suitable for engaging in the
withdrawal and/or venting opening, optionally snapping into place
therein, when closing, especially re-closing, the container. In the
originally closed state of the container, the peel tab can
accordingly be releasably sealed, for example by means of lap-seal
sealing, at its underside, to the surrounding peripheral margin of
a withdrawal or venting opening, whereas the upper side of the peel
tab can be structured with a prominence, that prominence having a
shape complementary to the withdrawal or venting opening. For
re-closing, the upper side of the peel tab is then placed on, and
closes, the withdrawal or venting opening, optionally snapping into
place in the openings, there being provided, for example, a nose
and also, optionally, a sealing lip on the peel tab structure.
[0032] As previously mentioned, a gripping portion or gripping
region is provided on the peel tab. This gripping portion is
preferably formed by the peel tab being folded up or folded back at
that end thereof which forms the gripping portion, so that said
folding-up or folding-back can be simply gripped. In accordance
with an alternative embodiment, the gripping portion can also be
formed by the peel tab and/or the gripping portion extending
slightly beyond the margin of the container so that it is possible
to simply grip the peel tab and/or the gripping portion.
[0033] In order to prevent the peel tab from potentially being
pulled away from the lid part unintentionally if the gripping
portion becomes caught, without opening of the container actually
being desired, measures are furthermore provided in accordance with
the invention so that the peel tab is fixed on the lid by means of
sealing in places. This can be accomplished, for example, by
pointwise sealing or by the use of an adhesive. In this case, the
peel tab is secured against undesired opening of the container.
When it is desired to open the container, the retention seal or
adhesive then first has to be released by deliberate pulling on the
gripping portion of the peel tab before opening of the container
becomes possible by means of continued pulling.
[0034] Consequently, in accordance with this embodiment, the peel
tab is fixed in the region between one or more withdrawal and/or
venting opening(s) and the gripping portion by means of adhesive
bonding or sealing, especially punctiform or linear sealing or
adhesive bonding. By that means, unintentional protrusion of the
peel tab and, as a result, unintentional pulling on the peel tab
are avoided.
[0035] In accordance with the invention, the peel tab is
furthermore captively fixed to the container. As a result of such a
captive fixing, the peel tab does not need to be disposed of
separately but rather can be disposed of together with the
container after the latter has been emptied. A risk of the
environment being degraded as a result of the peel tab being thrown
away is accordingly avoided.
[0036] At this point it should be noted that the peel tab can be
opened both in the direction of the peripheral margin of the
container and also by pulling in the opposite direction, depending
on the constructional arrangement. For a captive construction of
peel tab, non-peelable sealing or adhesive bonding is used at the
end point in question, it also being possible for the peel tab to
be of integral construction with the rest of the lid element.
[0037] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,
the lid part has a withdrawal channel, especially like a straw,
which co-operates with the withdrawal opening and, optionally, is
part of the peel tab.
[0038] For the formation of such a withdrawal channel, several
variants are feasible in accordance with the invention. Firstly,
there can be provided at the withdrawal opening a folding-over of
the peripheral margin of one side of the withdrawal opening. The
peel tab can then be sealed to that folding-over by means of
fin-seal sealing. In accordance with the invention, the
folding-over can be in the form of an extended tab-like fold-over
margin, onto which the peel tab is sealed so as to form a fin-seal
sealing, an unsealed withdrawal channel being left open between the
tab-like folding-over and the peel tab. This withdrawal channel can
be closed by means of its being creased or folded over again, the
actual closure of the container being accomplished by means of the
crease in the withdrawal channel. Advantageously, both the
folding-over and also the creasing of the extended lid tab portion
and of the peel tab, or the folded-over peel tab, are fixed to the
container so that the fin-seal sealing is prevented from protruding
up from the container.
[0039] Furthermore, there is provided on the container in
accordance with the invention a pressure and/or volume equalisation
arrangement, especially in the form of a membrane which is
deformable and preferably capable of snapping back into place
and/or in the form of an accordion-like arrangement. This pressure
and/or volume equalisation arrangement, especially an
accordion-like arrangement, is advantageously arranged inside the
container body.
[0040] The pressure and/or volume equalisation arrangement can be
implemented, for example, by the lid part and/or base part being in
the form of a fin seal wherein only the external ends of the film
ends brought together to form the fin seal are actually sealed,
whilst a remaining portion of the converging films, although
extending in parallel in the non-pressurised state, can deform like
a dome if pressure comes to be exerted or the volume increases.
This dome-like deformation advantageously takes place in reversible
manner so that the original container shape is re-assumed. This
dome-like deformation is provided in accordance with the invention
in the base region and within the container body so that the
deformation advantageously is apparent only when the container is
viewed from below. Furthermore, the deformation element, or the
pressure and/or volume equalisation arrangement, is so far removed
from the standing base of the container that the latter retains its
standing stability even whilst the actual base is deformed.
[0041] Consequently, special preference is given, for example, to a
base part which has, in its central region pointing in the
direction of the interior of the container, a folding which extends
into the container. This folding extends like an accordion or a
balloon into the container and can, in the event of increasing
pressure in the interior of the container, itself be pushed
together, in which case the air occupying the balloon or the
accordion can escape through an opening formed as a result of the
base being, as previously mentioned, folded in towards the inside.
This opening is accordingly formed by the folding-over of the base
towards the inside so that only a small opening or a narrow slot is
to be seen from the outside.
[0042] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,
the peel tab is of integral construction with the lid part. By this
means, the peel tab is reliably prevented from being lost. It is
furthermore ensured by this means that the peel tab is available
for re-closing the container.
[0043] Furthermore, an end of the container body that is located
opposite the lid part can be closed by means of fin-seal sealing.
In this case, the container is in the form of a cylindrical,
optionally tube-like, container.
[0044] As previously mentioned, an upper peripheral margin, but
also a lower peripheral margin, of the container body can be
crimped and/or laid around a corresponding peripheral margin of the
lid part and/or base part, in order by that means to obtain,
firstly, stabilisation of the peripheral margins in question and,
by virtue thereof, better stackability and robustness of the
container. Furthermore, rounding-off of the container edges can be
simply accomplished by that means.
[0045] Advantageously, the container body is formed by means of a
lap seal or is already extruded in the form of a round container
body. It is furthermore advantageous if the container body, the lid
part and also, optionally, the base part and the peel tab are made
from the same material. The lid part and/or the base part and/or
the peel tab are, in accordance with a further embodiment of the
invention, in the form of an injection-moulded part or produced by
deep drawing. This is advantageous especially when these parts are
to have a certain intrinsic stability, which is advantageous, for
example, in the event of the container according to the invention
being re-closable.
[0046] Furthermore, the peel tab can be in the form of a stiff,
preferably very stiff or rigid part, which optionally has a fold
crease. Such an arrangement is likewise advantageous with regard to
the containers being re-closable, the peel tab in that case being
bent up by means of the afore-mentioned fold crease when container
contents are to be withdrawn.
[0047] In this case the peel tab has a thickness in the range from
50 .mu.m to 1000 .mu.m, preferably in the range from 150 .mu.m to
800 .mu.m and especially in the range from 400 .mu.m to 700 .mu.m,
depending on the material in question and on the profile structure
of the peel tab, in which context it should be emphasised that the
peel tab can have, by virtue of a particular surface formation,
that is to say structuring and/or deformation, a particular
predetermined stability, on the one hand, and creasability or
foldability, on the other hand.
[0048] Furthermore, in accordance with the invention, the stamped
edges of the withdrawal opening(s) and, optionally, the venting
opening(s) are covered with a polymer, preferably a meltable
polymer. This polymer is advantageously derived from a polymer
layer of the composite film or laminate from which the container
and also, advantageously, the lid part and base part thereof are
made. This covering-over of the stamped edges of the mentioned
openings ensures that internal layers of the laminate or of the
composite film do not come into contact with the contents. By this
means, depending on the contents, corrosion of the laminate, and
contamination of the contents by laminate components from the inner
layers of the laminate are avoided. The covering-over of the
stamped edges of the mentioned openings is accomplished in
accordance with the invention by means of the fact that a certain
excess of meltable polymer in the region of those stamped edges is
melted out from the laminate or composite film in the course of the
stamping process or in a separate process or is transferred out by
other means and laid over the stamped edges. Should the laminate
used or composite film used not have any excess meltable polymer,
there can furthermore be provided an additional polymer layer of
such a meltable polymer, which is supplied separately and serves
for covering over such stamped edges.
[0049] It should furthermore be pointed out that the composite film
or laminate includes at least one barrier layer, preferably a metal
foil, especially aluminium, AlO.sub.x, SiO.sub.x, ethylene vinyl
alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyamide (PA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN),
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or mixtures of the afore-mentioned
materials.
[0050] Furthermore, both the container body and also the lid part
and also, optionally, the base part and the lap-seal opening tab
are advantageously made of the same material. This improves the
disposability of the container according to the invention, because
it is not necessary for any materials to be separated, for example
in relation to components made of film, on the one hand, and
injection-moulded components, on the other hand. It is furthermore
possible, by this means, for the container according to the
invention to be produced from the same laminate and, accordingly,
for all container components to be produced with the same barrier
properties.
[0051] As previously mentioned, the lap-seal opening tab is
preferably captively fixed to the container. This can be
accomplished, as previously mentioned, by sealing to the container,
especially also by sealing jointly with further container
components.
[0052] The container body itself is preferably formed by means of a
lap seal or extruded, in which context it should be emphasised that
the container according to the invention can either be in the shape
of a can which is capable of standing or in the shape of a
cylindrical, optionally tube-like, container wherein an end of the
container body which is located opposite the lid part is closed by
means of a fin seal.
[0053] Further embodiments of the invention arise out of the
subordinate claims.
[0054] The invention is described hereinbelow with reference to
examples of embodiments which are explained in greater detail with
reference to the Figures, in which:
[0055] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a container according to
the invention in a closed arrangement;
[0056] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a container according to
the invention in the closed state;
[0057] FIG. 3 is a view of a container according to the invention,
in accordance with FIG. 2, in the open state;
[0058] FIG. 4 is a view of a container according to the invention,
in accordance with FIG. 1, in the open state with a folded-over
lap-seal opening tab;
[0059] FIG. 5 is a further view of a container according to the
invention, in accordance with FIG. 1, during an opening
procedure;
[0060] FIG. 6 is a further view of the container according to the
invention, in accordance with FIG. 4, in use;
[0061] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a container according
to the invention in the closed state;
[0062] FIG. 8 is a view of a piece of laminate from which there has
been cut out a one-piece lid part with peel tab;
[0063] FIG. 9 is a further view of an embodiment of a container
according to the invention in the open state with a drinking straw
hole;
[0064] FIG. 10 shows, in diagrammatic form, a lid part according to
the invention with a peel tab having a fold crease;
[0065] FIG. 11 is a side view, in diagrammatic form, of a lid part
with a peel tab and withdrawal channel;
[0066] FIG. 12 is a view, in diagrammatic form, of a further
arrangement of a lid part according to the invention having a
withdrawal channel formed by the lid part and peel tab;
[0067] FIG. 13 is a view, in diagrammatic form, of a base part
according to the invention having a pressure equalisation slot;
[0068] FIG. 14 is a side view relating to the view according to
FIG. 13;
[0069] FIG. 15 is a view, in diagrammatic form, of a further
pressure and/or volume equalisation arrangement according to the
invention;
[0070] FIGS. 16a-g show further embodiments of containers according
to the invention;
[0071] FIGS. 17a-e show further forms of volume equalisation
arrangements according to the invention;
[0072] FIGS. 18a-c are further views, in diagrammatic form, of
containers according to the invention having various withdrawal
and/or venting openings; and
[0073] FIGS. 19.1-19.4 are further views, in diagrammatic form, of
various withdrawal and/or venting openings according to the
invention.
[0074] In the description that follows, the same reference numerals
are used for parts that are identical or that have an identical
effect.
[0075] FIG. 1 shows a container 10 according to the invention
having a container body 20, a lid part 30 and a lap-seal opening
tab 50 fixed to the lid part 30, in the closed state. The container
body 20 is of lap-seal construction. The lid part 30 is of
dish-shaped construction and is inserted into the container body 20
with its upstanding peripheral margins directed towards the
outside, the respective peripheral margins of the lid part 30 and
of the container body 20 being sealed tight with one another in the
manner of a fin seal. In accordance with FIG. 1, the lap-seal
opening tab 50 closes the container 10 and covers, starting from
the withdrawal opening 60 (visible but merely indicated in FIG. 1),
80% of the area of the lid part 30.
[0076] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a container 10
according to the invention, the container 10 according to FIG. 1
having been so modified that the sealing seam joining the container
body 20 and the lid part 30 has been folded over in the radially
inward direction whilst at the same time fixing the lap-seal
opening tab 50. The lap-seal opening tab 50 covers 50% of the area
of the lid part 30 in the variant according to FIG. 2.
[0077] FIG. 3 shows a container 10 according to the invention, in
accordance with FIG. 2, the lap-seal opening tab 50 having been
partly pulled off from the withdrawal opening 60 so that the
peripheral margin 70 of the withdrawal opening 60, where the
lap-seal opening tab 50 had been fixed in the manner of a lap seal
in the closed state, becomes visible.
[0078] FIG. 4 shows the container 10 according to the invention, in
accordance with FIG. 1, the lap-seal opening tab 50 having been
folded over outwards in the direction of the container body 20 over
the seal which joins the container body 20 and the lid part 30. In
FIG. 4, that side of the lap-seal opening tab 50 which was
originally facing the lid part 30 is in a position such that it
serves as a lip protector or clean pouring aid when, for example,
liquid container contents are poured out of the container 10
through the withdrawal opening 60.
[0079] FIG. 5 shows a container 10 according to the invention in an
intermediate stage according to the views in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, its
being shown how the lap-seal opening tab 50 is gripped by a user at
a gripping portion 80 and pulled radially outwards, over the seal
seam joining the container body 20 and the lid part 30, into a
drinking position.
[0080] FIG. 6 shows, in a state of use that is merely indicated, a
container 10 according to the invention having a base part 40 and a
lap-seal opening tab 50, which has been passed over the seal
joining the container body 20 and the lid part 30 in a radially
outwards direction so as to lie against the container body 20.
[0081] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a container 10
according to the invention in the closed state. In accordance with
this embodiment, the lid 30 is in the form of a dish-shaped lid 30
having an upstanding peripheral margin. The lap-seal opening tab 50
is furthermore of integral construction with the lid 30. This can
be seen from the fact that the lap-seal opening tab 50 is folded
back onto the lid 30 of the container 10 where it is so sealed to
the peripheral margin 70 of the withdrawal opening 60 that it
covers over a drinking straw hole (visible but merely indicated),
which serves as the withdrawal opening 60.
[0082] Also shown in FIG. 7 is a circular portion 80 located on the
lap-seal opening tab 50 by which the lap-seal opening tab 50 can be
easily gripped. The gripping portion 80 is so constructed that it
readily lifts up from the lid part 30, as a result of which
gripping of this gripping portion 80 is facilitated.
[0083] FIG. 8 shows a remaining cut piece from which there has been
cut out, or stamped out, a cut piece of a lid part 30' of one-piece
construction and a cut piece of the lap-seal opening tab 50'. It
can be clearly seen in FIG. 8 that there is provided between the
lap-seal opening tab 50' and the lid part 30' a portion of narrower
construction which can also be simply folded back over a curved
peripheral margin.
[0084] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a container 10
according to the invention having an opened lap-seal opening tab 50
which had covered over a withdrawal opening 60 in the form of a
drinking straw hole. The gripping portion 80 of the lap-seal
opening tab 50 can also be clearly seen in FIG. 9, which for
opening of the lap-seal opening tab 50 is gripped and pulled back,
where it remains captive at the peripheral margin of the lid part
30 by virtue of its cut shape being integrally formed with the lid
part 30.
[0085] FIG. 10 is a view, in diagrammatic form, of a lid part 30
according to the invention, which is sealed along a peripheral
margin 140 of the container body. The lid part 30 has a withdrawal
opening 60, which is covered over by a lap-seal opening tab 50. The
lap-seal opening tab 50 is, for its part, sub-divided into a
liftable portion (denoted here by reference numeral 50) and a fixed
portion 52 of the lap-seal opening tab, which is firmly and
non-peelably fixed to the lid part 30. The two parts 50 and 52 of
the lap-seal opening tab are separated from one another by a fold
crease 90. By means of this fold crease 90, the releasable part of
the lap-seal opening tab 50 can be released from the lid part 30 so
that the withdrawal opening 60 is exposed. For easier liftability
of the lap-seal opening tab 50 there is provided a gripping portion
80 by which the lap-seal opening tab 50 can be gripped. The fixed
portion 52 of the lap-seal opening tab is so fixed to the lid part
30 that exact snapping back into place of the movable, releasable
part of the lap-seal opening tab into the original position, that
is to say the closed position in the original state, is possible.
By this means, the container 10 can be re-closed at least to the
extent that, even in the case of violent movements, slopping-over
and spillage of the liquid container contents is avoided.
Optionally, the underside of the lap-seal opening tab can also be
provided with a cold adhesive which reinforces re-closure as a
result of its fixing the lap-seal opening tab 50 on the top of the
lid part 30. In this arrangement, the lap-seal opening tab 50 and
its fixed portion 52 are preferably of reinforced construction so
that the lap-seal opening tab has a predetermined stiffness which
makes possible, on the one hand, snapping back into position on the
withdrawal opening 60 and, on the other hand, staying in place
above the withdrawal opening 60. In addition, the fold crease 90
has such stiffness that even though on the one hand the releasable
part of the lap-seal opening tab 50 can be comfortably folded back
and held there, for example using the fingers of one hand, it folds
back over the withdrawal opening 60 of the lid part 30 when it is
released.
[0086] FIG. 11 shows a further arrangement of a lid part 30
according to the invention, which co-operates with a peel tab 50.
The lid part 30 has an extended peripheral margin 70' which,
starting from a withdrawal opening 60, is folded over backwards,
that is to say extending away from the withdrawal opening 60. This
extended peripheral margin 70' is releasably fixed, by means of
retention sealing 100, to the surface of the lid 30. A peel tab 50
extends from the opposite side of the withdrawal opening 60 over
the withdrawal opening 60 and, together with the extended
peripheral margin 70', forms a fin-seal sealing which leaves free
an unsealed withdrawal channel 150, as can be clearly seen from the
cross-sectional view in FIG. 11. In the closed state of the
container 10, the withdrawal channel 150 is closed, for example, by
a terminal sealing, which is, for example, separable from the
fin-seal sealing formed by the extended peripheral margin 70' and
the peel tab 50.
[0087] A further possibility for closing the container 10 is shown
in FIG. 12, the extended peripheral margin 70' and the peel tab 50
being further extended and forming an extended withdrawal channel
150. As a result of creasing of that withdrawal channel 150,
besides the fin-seal sealing of the extended peripheral margin 70'
and the peel tab 50 which forms this withdrawal channel 150, the
withdrawal channel is closed by crease formation so that the
container 10 is also closed by means of this measure. By way of a
further retention sealing 100, the fin-seal sealing can be so fixed
besides the withdrawal channel 150 that opening of the withdrawal
channel 150 is avoided. Such opening can be achieved only manually
or, for example, by elevated pressure on the container body 20.
[0088] FIG. 13 is a view, in diagrammatic form, from below, of a
pressure and/or volume equalisation arrangement formed in a base
part 40.
[0089] FIG. 14, shows the same arrangement in a side view. In the
case of this pressure and/or volume equalisation arrangement, there
is provided in the base part 40 an accordion-like extension 120
into the interior of the container body, the space formed by this
accordion-like extension 120 being in fluid communication with the
surrounding air by way of a pressure equalisation slot 110 provided
in a portion of the base part 40. When the container body is filled
with a warm drink, the accordion-like pressure and/or volume
equalisation arrangement 120 is slightly compressed in a closed
container 10, because the warm contents occupy a slightly greater
volume than the same contents in the cold state. This volume
difference can be equalised by means of the accordion-like pressure
and/or volume equalisation arrangement 120 without the container
body 20 being deformed. Furthermore, even though on the one hand,
as a result of this pressure and/or equalisation arrangement, the
internal volume of the container is made variable, there is no fear
of deformation of the container at its external boundaries.
Consequently, a stable standing surface of the container 10 remains
advantageously preserved. In accordance with an advantageous
embodiment of the invention, the accordion-like pressure and/or
volume equalisation arrangement 120 extending into the container
body 20 is so constructed that it projects into the container body
with a certain resilient force, even when the container has been
filled, so that this pressure and/or volume equalisation apparatus
120 is not pressed against the upper face of the base part 40 by
the deadweight of the contents as long as the container contents
are not heated and the pressure in the interior of the container 10
is substantially the same as the external pressure prevailing
outside the container 10.
[0090] A further pressure and/or volume equalisation arrangement is
shown in cross-section in diagrammatic form in FIG. 15, there being
sealed into the peripheral margin 140 of the container body 20 a
base part 40 which has a fin-seal sealing pointing into the
interior of the container body 20. The broken lines therein show
how this fin-seal base part 40 can deform when the internal
pressure prevailing in the closed container 10 rises or falls. In
the case of this embodiment too, the external shape of the
container 10 does not change when the fin-seal pressure and/or
volume equalisation arrangement 130 deforms, as indicated by the
broken lines in FIG. 15, inwards in the case of negative pressure
in the container 10 or outwards in the case of positive pressure in
the container 10.
[0091] FIGS. 16a-g show further embodiments of containers according
to the invention; FIGS. 17a-e show further forms of volume
equalisation arrangements according to the invention; FIGS. 18a-c
show further views, in diagrammatic form, of containers according
to the invention having various withdrawal and/or venting openings;
and FIGS. 19.1-19.4 show further views, in diagrammatic form, of
various withdrawal and/or venting openings according to the
invention.
[0092] At this point it should be mentioned that all parts
described hereinbefore, especially the details shown in the
drawings, are claimed as being important to the invention
individually and in any combination. Modifications thereto are
routine to the person skilled in the art.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0093] 10 container [0094] 20 container body [0095] 30 lid part
[0096] 30' cut piece of lid part [0097] 40 basepart [0098] 50
lap-seal opening tab [0099] 50' cut piece of lap-seal opening tab
[0100] 52 fixed portion of lap-seal opening tab [0101] 60
withdrawal and/or venting opening(s) [0102] 70 peripheral margin of
withdrawal opening [0103] 70' extended peripheral margin of
withdrawal opening [0104] 80 gripping portion [0105] 90 fold crease
[0106] 100 retention sealing [0107] 110 pressure equalisation slot
[0108] 120 accordion-like pressure and/or volume equalisation
arrangement [0109] 130 fin-seal pressure and/or volume equalisation
arrangement [0110] 140 peripheral edge of container body [0111] 150
withdrawal channel
* * * * *