EP0146011A2 - Container with lid - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Container (2, 28, 46) with closure cap (4, 30, 48) firmly sealed to the container and removable, having two sealing lips (20, 36, 54, 22, 42, 60) made of elastic material surrounding the container opening, thereby defined, that a primary sealing lip (20, 36, 54) is forming an angle of alpha < 90 degrees with a top surface (12, 38, 56) of the container (2, 28, 46) and surrounding the container opening (10, 40, 58) and a secondary sealing lip (22, 42, 60) forming an angle of beta =< 90 degrees with a side surface (16, 44, 62) adjacent to the top surface, whereby the side surface (16, 44, 62) is diverging from the top surface (12, 38, 56) with an angle (vtheta) relative to the container axis (14).

Description

The invention relates to a container with a cover according to the preamble of claim 1.

A container with a cover of the type mentioned at the outset is known, for example, from Sun Coast PLastics, Inc. The two sealing lips are arranged concentrically in the ceiling surface and form a circumferential channel between them, which widens towards the open side of the ceiling. When the cover is attached to the container, the upper edge of the container engages in the channel, so that the sealing lips lie against the edges of the end face that surrounds the container opening. This brings decisive disadvantages. On the one hand, no membrane closing the container opening can be attached to the end face of the container surrounding the container opening. On the other hand, the inner sealing lip touches a container surface which is unsuitable as a sealing surface because it is geometrically asymmetrical or scratched. Furthermore, these edges of the end face rub against the sealing lips, so that they are exposed to considerable wear. Finally, there is a risk that a screw cap will be tightened so much that the sealing lips will be permanently deformed or even destroyed, so that their sealing function will be lost.

So far, containers with a cover that have only a circumferential sealing lip or sealing disk, which engages on the end face surrounding the container opening, have been most widespread. Containers with sealing washers are also generally provided with a sealing membrane that covers the container opening and around the container opening giving face is connected. Such a sealing membrane must then be removed to open the container. As a rule, however, residues of the binding agent and the sealing membrane remain on the end face surrounding the container opening, which prevents the container from being tightly re-closed with the cover. In addition, there is also the risk that the sealing washer may be damaged, for example, by screwing a screw cover too tightly.

The object of the invention is to design a container of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the disadvantages mentioned are avoided.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The two sealing lips, which engage on different surfaces of the container, ensure that the container is completely sealed, since the sealing functions are distributed over two different surfaces. This even makes it possible to dispense with a sealing membrane. However, a closure membrane can also be used, which can be placed on the end face surrounding the container opening or connected to it. Any remnants of the binding agent remaining after the removal of the sealing membrane will then still not cause the blanket to leak, since the second circumferential sealing lip ensures adequate sealing. The two sealing lips, which also attack surfaces, put increasing resistance to the sealing process when the container is closed with the cover, thereby preventing damage to the seal lips when the cover is attached. It is also the case with the sealing lips that engage on two different surfaces It is possible to compensate for the manufacturing tolerances of the container and the cover, so that there is always sufficient contact pressure of the sealing lips on the surfaces of the container to ensure that the cover is sealed. The interacting sealing lips regulate the contact pressure in the various surfaces of the container. Overuse of the sealing lips and thus cracks, signs of fatigue and the like are avoided.

Advantageous designs of the container are described in claims 2 to 10.

The first and second sealing lips can have different configurations and angular positions. The design according to claim 2 has the effect of a pressure relief valve, so that an excessively high pressure in the container space enables the first sealing lip to be lifted off. The training according to claim 3 ensures an increased sealing function and is particularly suitable for containers where there is no risk that the permissible nominal pressure inside the container will be exceeded. Similar considerations also result for the formation of the second sealing lip. A training of the second sealing lip according to claim 4 causes a particularly tight container closure. The training according to claim 5 also has a certain valve function. Moreover, if such a sealing lip is used on a diverging side surface, a progressively increasing resistance can be generated when a cover is attached to the container. A configuration according to claim 6 offers the possibility of bending the edge region of the second sealing lip back against the container opening when the cover is being applied, which on the one hand results in a strong contact of the sealing lip on the side surface and on the other hand a high sealing function.

The sealing lips can be formed directly on a cover or formed on an insert body. The latter makes it possible to manufacture the cover part and the insert body from different materials adapted to the individual functions.

The end face surrounding the container opening is expediently designed in accordance with claim 8, which is particularly advantageous if a closure membrane is to be attached to the end face. However, training of the container according to claim 9 is also possible.

Although the cover with the two sealing lips already provides excellent sealing functions, the closure can be further improved by training according to claim 10.

• Figur 1 einen ersten BehäLter mit einem DeckeL im VertikaLschnitt und im Ausschnitt;
• Figur 2 einen zweiten BehäLter mit einem DeckeL im VertikaLschnitt und im Ausschnitt; und
• Figur 3 einen dritten BehäLter mit einem DeckeL im VertikaLschnitt und im Ausschnitt.

Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a first container with a cover in the vertical section and in the cutout;
• Figure 2 shows a second container with a cover in the vertical section and in the cutout; and
• Figure 3 shows a third container with a cover in the vertical section and in the cutout.

In Figure 1, a container 2 is indicated, which is closed with a cover 4. The cover can be designed as a screw cover or as a snap cover as in the present case. For this purpose, a circumferential bead 6 is provided on the container 2, on which a circumferential inner bead 8 of the cover 4 engages.

The container 2 has a container opening 10 which is surrounded by an end face 12. The end face 12 forms an angle γ of 90 ° with the container axis 14 of the container 2. On the outside, the end face 12 is adjoined by a side surface 16 which diverges from the end surface at an angle ϑ to the container axis 14.

The cover 4 contains an insert 18 on which a first circumferential sealing lip 20 is formed, which is inclined at an angle α to the end face 12. The first sealing lip 20 is inclined outwards from the container axis 14. A second sealing lip 22 is integrally formed on the insert 18 and forms an angle β with the side surface 16. The second sealing lip is directed away from the container opening 10.

Between the first sealing lip 20 and the end face 12, which surrounds the container opening 10, a sealing membrane 24 is arranged, which can lie loosely on the end face 12 and is pressed by the first sealing lip 20 or connected to the end face 12, for example glued. The closure membrane 24 has an outwardly projecting edge 26, on which the closure membrane for opening the container can be gripped and torn off from the end face 12.

In the example shown, the first sealing lip 20 points outward from the container axis 14 and the second sealing lip 22 is directed away from the container opening 10. The sealing lips thus bring about a certain valve function, which enables pressure equalization from the inside of the container to the outside.

FIG. 2 shows a further container 28 with a cover 30 designed for screwing. Threaded parts 32 of the cover interact with threaded parts 34 of the container. A first sealing lip 36 is arranged in the cover 30 which abuts an end face 38 which surrounds the container opening 40. The first sealing lip 36 is inclined at an angle α to the end face 38 and inwards against the container axis 14. The cover 30 contains a second sealing lip 42, which is inclined in the direction of the container opening 40 and abuts the side surface 44, which is inclined to the container axis 14. The second sealing lip 42 forms an angle β with the side surface. In this example, both sealing lips 36, 42 are inclined in the opposite direction of flow from the container, so that they are pressed more strongly against the end face 38 and the side face 44 due to an internal pressure in the container.

FIG. 3 shows a third variant of a container 46 with a cover 48, which in turn is equipped with a snap lock analogous to that of the example in FIG. 1. For this purpose, the container 46 has a bead 50, against which an inner bead 52 of the cover 48 rests. The cover L contains a first sealing lip 54, which is inclined at an angle α to the end face 56 which surrounds the container opening 58. The cover 48 also contains a second sealing lip 60, which bears at an angle β on a side surface 62 of the container. The side surface 62 is arranged to diverge from the container axis 14 and forms an angle ϑ with the vertical. The second sealing lip 60 is practically approximately perpendicular to the side surface 62, so that when the cover 48 is placed on the container 46 it forms an edge 64 which is bent back against the container opening 48.

In this embodiment, the first sealing lip 54, which is inclined away from the container axis 14, practically forms an overpressure valve with the end face 56. If the pressure in the container 46 is too high, gas can escape via the first sealing lip 54 into the annular chamber 66, which is formed in the cover 48 between the first sealing lip 54 and the second sealing lip 60. An increase in pressure in the annular chamber 66 causes the edge 64 of the second sealing lip 60 to be pressed more strongly against the side surface 62, as a result of which the sealing effect is improved.

• α<90°, vorzugsweise 10° bis 50°
• β≤90°, vorzugsweise 10° bis 90°

The angles α and ß of the sealing lips, the angle γ of the end face and the angle ϑ of the side face depend on various factors, such as the material for the sealing lips and the container, as well as overpressure or underpressure in the container, but the following basically apply Relationships

• α <90 °, preferably 10 ° to 50 °
• β≤90 °, preferably 10 ° to 90 °

Based on the teaching of the present invention, it is readily possible for the person skilled in the art to find the angles suitable for the respective case.

The closure concept according to the invention only works in the presence of both sealing lips, which interact and in fact over the entire circumference of the container opening. The two sealing lips ideally balance the forces that occur within the closure. At the same time, the specific design of the sealing lips allows close contact with the container and balances its tolerances. The main element of the closure concept is the combination of a specific position and the angular position of the two sealing lips.

The position of the outer sealing lip is ideal for a good reclosure, especially if a membrane (safety closure, etc.) is also used. The closure concept according to the invention is in principle also suitable for applications in which the internal container pressure is greater or less than the atmospheric pressure.

The concept of the double sealing lips can also be used for a lid insert that can be sprayed independently of the ceiling and inserted into the ceiling using high-performance machines. Under certain circumstances, production can also be carried out using a modern combination injection molding process (injection of two different plastics in one operation). This closure concept is of particular interest if the filling material only allows specific plastics for migration reasons or special characteristics (flexibility, etc.) are necessary.

• - Die BehäLteröffnung kann von normaler Konstruktion sein und bedingt keine engeren ToLeranzen als ein normaler SchraubverschLuss. Bestehende Behälterkonstruktionen aus GLas können einfach und mit wenig Kosten dem neuen Verschlusskonzept angepasst werden.
• - Bei der HersteLLung des DeckeLs kann die normale Abstreifentformung angewendet werden. Weil das VerschLusskonzept in geschlossenem Zustand nur niedere Seitenkräfte CRadialkräfte) erzeugt, können auch Gewindeprofile beim Abstreifentformen angewendet werden.
• - Das Verschlusskonzept toleriert einen grossen Bereich für das Verschlussdrehmoment bei einer Verschliessmaschine und bleibt dennoch funktionstüchtig.

The closure concept has many advantages for both a plastics processor and a packaging company:

• - The container opening can be of normal construction and does not result in narrower tolerances than a normal screw cap. Existing glass container designs can be easily adapted to the new closure concept at little cost.
• - Normal stripping demoulding can be used to manufacture the cover. Because the locking concept generates only low lateral forces (radial forces) when closed, thread profiles can also be used for stripping.
• - The locking concept tolerates a large range for the locking torque in a capping machine and still remains functional.

Reference symbol list

• α angle of the first sealing lip
• β angle of the second sealing lip
• Angle of the forehead
• Angle of the side surface
• 2 containers
• 4 blanket L
• 6 bead of 2
• 8 inside bead of 4
• 10 container opening
• 12 end face
• 14 container axis
• 16 sides
• 18 use
• 20 first sealing lip
• 22 second sealing lip
• 24 sealing membrane
• 26 edge
• 28 CONTAINERS
• 30 blanket L.
• 32 threaded part of 30
• 34 threaded part of 28
• 36 first sealing lip
• 38 end face
• 40 container opening
• 42 second sealing lip
• 44 side surfaces
• 46 CONTAINERS
• 48 ceiling L
• 50 bead of 46
• 52 inside bead of 48
• 54 first sealing lip
• 56 forehead
• 58 Container opening
• 60 second sealing lip
• 62 side panels
• 64 edge of 60
• 66 ring chamber

Claims (10)

1. Container with a cover, which is positively and detachably connected to the container and has two cooperating with the container, around the container opening sealing lips made of elastic material, characterized in that a first sealing lip (20, 36, 54) at an angle α <90 ° on the end face (12, 38, 56) of the container (2, 28, 46) surrounding the container opening (10, 40, 58) and the second sealing lip (22, 42, 60) at an angle β ≤ 90 ° bear against a side surface (16, 44, 62) of the container, the side surface (16, 44, 62) extending away from the end surface (12, 38, 56) at an angle (ϑ) diverging to the container axis (14). 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sealing lip (20, 54) of the container axis (14) is inclined outwards. 3. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sealing lip (36) is inclined inwards against the container axis (14). 4. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sealing lip (42) is inclined in the direction of the container opening (40). 5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sealing lip (22, 60) is inclined opposite to the container opening (10, 58). 6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the second sealing lip (60) forms an angle β-10 ° to 90 ° with the side surface (62). 7. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing lips (20, 22, 36, 42, 54, 60) are arranged on an insert (18) used in the cover (4). 8. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the end face (12, 38, 56) is arranged perpendicular to the container axis (14). 9. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the end face (12, 38, 56) γ at an angle different from the 90 ^0, preferably less than 90 °, is inclined to the container axis. 10. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that between the first sealing lip (20, 36, 54) and the end face (12, 38, 56) a sealing membrane (24) covering the container opening (10, 40, 58) is arranged, preferably Is releasably attached.

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