EP4011800B1 - Container lid with closable ventilation opening - Google Patents

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to a lid for a container, in particular for a beverage can, which has a lid mirror with a first opening penetrating the lid mirror; an inner element arranged on an inside of the cover mirror with a ventilation opening penetrating the inner element and aligned with the first opening; and an actuating element arranged on an outside of the cover surface, and wherein a pin is provided for closing the ventilation opening.

State of the art

Lids for a container of the type mentioned are known from the prior art. The closing element in the form of a pin is usually pressed into the ventilation opening with a certain amount of force and is secured by, for example, a seal pressing against the side of the pin. An embodiment of a closure for the ventilation opening with a pin is, for example, in EP 2711307 A1 and US 2013/320013 A1 disclosed. The ventilation openings according to the prior art have a sufficiently small cross section so that they remain securely closed, even if, for example, there is a carbonated drink in the container and therefore there is internal pressure. However, the internal pressure can also arise from heating of a portion of the gas in the container and can be up to approx. 8 bar.

However, if the ventilation opening is to have a larger cross section, for example to enable the insertion of a drinking straw, the force acting on the pin in the closed state can be so great that it is pressed open, since, for example, doubling the diameter of the ventilation opening quadruples the diameter the force acting on the pin. Conventional measures to hold the pin in the ventilation opening, such as a bead running around the pin that snaps into a recess in the inner element, are then no longer sufficient to prevent unintentional pressing due to the pressure acting from the inside.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantage mentioned and to enable the ventilation opening to be closed several times.

This task is solved by a lid for a container according to claim 1.

• einen Deckelspiegel mit einer ersten den Deckelspiegel durchdringenden Öffnung; ein auf einer Innenseite des Deckelspiegels angeordnetes Innenelement mit einer das Innenelement durchdringenden Ventilierungsöffnung, die mit der ersten Öffnung ausgerichtet ist; ein auf einer Außenseite des Deckelspiegels angeordnetes Betätigungselement, wobei das Betätigungselement einen Gelenkbereich aufweist, welcher das Betätigungselement in einen ersten Abschnitt und einen zweiten Abschnitt unterteilt; wobei der erste Abschnitt des Betätigungselements am Deckelspiegel anliegend angeordnet ist; der zweite Abschnitt des Betätigungselements relativ zum ersten Abschnitt um den Gelenkbereich verschwenkbar ist und der zweite Abschnitt einen Zapfen zum Verschließen der Ventilierungsöffnung aufweist, und wobei der Zapfen ein Rastelement aufweist, das in eine Ausnehmung des Innenelements lösbar einrastbar ist, wobei das Rastelement insbesondere
• einen Rastwulst umfasst, der vorzugsweise um den Zapfen verläuft; und ein Verriegelungselement zum Verriegeln des Rastelements in der Ausnehmung, wobei das Verriegelungselement in einer Verriegelungsposition das eingerastete Rastelement in der Ausnehmung verriegelt und in einer Entriegelungsposition des Verriegelungselements das Rastelement aus der Ausnehmung ausrastbar ist, um den Zapfen zum Öffnen der Ventilierungsöffnung freizugeben. Der erfindungsgemäße Deckel ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zapfen einen nach außen offenen Hohlraum aufweist und dass das Verriegelungselement einen Stopfen aufweist, und sich der Stopfen des Verriegelungselements in der Verriegelungsposition innerhalb des Hohlraums des Zapfens befindet.

The lid according to the invention for a container, in particular for a can, comprises:

• a cover mirror with a first opening penetrating the cover mirror; an inner element arranged on an inside of the cover mirror with a ventilation opening penetrating the inner element and aligned with the first opening; an actuating element arranged on an outside of the cover mirror, the actuating element having a joint region which divides the actuating element into a first section and a second section; wherein the first section of the actuating element is arranged adjacent to the cover mirror; the second section of the actuating element can be pivoted relative to the first section about the joint area and the second section has a pin for closing the ventilation opening, and wherein the pin has a locking element which can be releasably snapped into a recess in the inner element, the locking element in particular
• comprises a locking bead which preferably extends around the pin; and a locking element for locking the latching element in the recess, wherein the locking element locks the latched latching element in the recess in a locking position and in an unlocking position of the locking element the latching element can be disengaged from the recess in order to release the pin for opening the ventilation opening. The lid according to the invention is characterized in that the pin has a cavity that is open to the outside and that the locking element has a plug, and the plug of the locking element is in the locking position within the cavity of the pin.

The locking element of the pin locks into the recess of the inner element when the ventilation opening is closed. The pin can be designed to be flexible/elastic in order to effect a non-positive and positive locking/snapping of the locking element. The pin can be pulled out again by an outwardly directed tensile force on the second section of the actuating element, the coupling of the locking element and the recess requiring a minimum force on the pin in order to release this coupling again and thus disengage the locking element. In the locking position, the locking element ensures that the locking element cannot be pressed out of the recess in the inner element due to internal pressure forces on the pin. The pin and the locking element arranged on it are preferably made in one piece and preferably made of plastic material. Likewise, the inner element including the recess is preferably made of plastic material. In this way - in addition to the design of the pin - there is flexibility or elasticity due to the material.

An advantageous optional embodiment is that before the first opening there is a connection between the locking element and the second section of the actuating element or the outside of the cover mirror, which is destroyed when the locking element is moved from the locking to the unlocking position for the first time (predetermined breaking point). Alternatively or additionally, a part of the locking element can be permanently bent when the locking element is moved from the locking to the unlocking position for the first time. Each of these configurations represents an originality assurance, since an initial opening that has already taken place can be recognized due to the destroyed connection or the folding.

The pin with the cavity is flexible/elastic if it is made of a plastic material and thereby enables the wall of the pin to be deformed towards the cavity and there is flexibility or elasticity of the pin due to the cavity. By pressing the plug into the cavity of the pin, this deformation is prevented, so that the locking element arranged on the outside of the pin can no longer move out of the recess, but only again after the plug has been removed/pulled out of the cavity. The plug can also be provided with a cavity and open to at least one side (top and/or bottom). Furthermore, the pin and the plug can have a cylindrical shape.

The plug can have at least one cam and at least one projection can be provided in the cavity of the pin, wherein the at least one cam can be clamped in the locking position with the at least one projection. Preferably there are two cams on opposite sides of the plug or three spaced cams with respective projections located at complementary, opposite positions of the cavity. The at least one cam and the at least one projection can in particular be arranged so that jamming only occurs at the end of the insertion process of the plug.

The plug can be rotatable about an axis within the cavity in order to clamp the at least one cam with the at least one projection. Thus, the locking of the cam with the projection in the locking position can be done by simply turning the pin after it has been inserted into the cavity.

The locking element can also have a tab on which the plug is arranged, the plug then being able to be pulled out of the cavity by means of the tab or the plug being rotatable in the cavity by means of the tab. In this way the stopper can be moved easily and conveniently.

The tab can be connected to the actuating element and/or the cover mirror; or the tab may be non-rotatably connected to the plug and may be arranged in a first orientation with respect to the second portion of the actuation element in the locking position and in a second orientation with respect to the second portion of the actuation element in the unlocking position. In the second alternative, the orientation of the tab is also associated with information as to whether the locking element is in the locking position or in the unlocking position. In an advantageous optional embodiment, before the first opening, in particular the tab of the locking element can be connected to the second section of the actuating element or to the outside of the cover mirror via a predetermined breaking point in the sense of the originality assurance mentioned above. For the second alternative, this connection can be permanently and visibly destroyed the first time the tab is rotated from the first to the second orientation.

According to another development, the plug can be pushed into the cavity for moving from the locking position into the unlocking position. For example, the at least one cam of the plug can be moved further into the cavity, resulting in decoupling from the at least one projection.

In another development, the locking element of the pin can be arranged at a distance from each end of the pin. The locking element is therefore provided in an area between the two ends of the pin and not at one of the ends. This has the advantage, particularly in combination with a hollow pin, of increased flexibility of the pin in the area of the locking element, which makes it possible to easily insert and remove the pin into or out of the ventilation opening.

The pin may have a wall with a circular cross-section whose diameter decreases in a step, thereby forming a relatively larger diameter portion of the pin and a relatively smaller diameter portion, and wherein the locking element is disposed on an outside of the larger diameter portion can be, in particular adjacent to the step.

The step can form a support surface in the cavity, on which an end surface of the plug at least partially rests in the locking position.

According to another development, a central, outward-pointing pin can be formed in said cavity, onto which the plug can be placed by means of a corresponding central opening formed therein.

Another development is that a second opening can be provided in the lid mirror and that a fluid connection can be established between the second opening and the interior of the container by folding the inner element away from the inside of the lid mirror, the first section of the actuating element being connected to the inner element or can be contacted, in particular enabling a sliding movement towards one another, and the inner element can be folded away by moving the first section of the actuating element.

This can be further developed in such a way that the lid can further comprise an inner sliding element which is arranged on the inside of the lid game gel, the first section of the actuating element being connected to the inner sliding element is and a unit consisting of the first section of the actuating element and the inner sliding element is displaceable along the cover mirror, wherein furthermore the inner sliding element is connected or contactable with the inner element, in particular enabling a sliding movement towards one another, and the inner element can be folded away by a displacement of the unit , and wherein a displacement of the first section is only possible after the second section has been opened, in particular after the pin has been removed from the ventilation opening and the first opening.

The invention also provides a container, particularly a can, comprising:
a basic body; and a lid according to the invention or one of its developments listed above.

The further developments mentioned can be used individually or suitably combined with one another as claimed.

Further features and exemplary embodiments as well as advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that the embodiments do not exhaust the scope of the present invention.

drawings

Fig. 1

shows a first embodiment of a lid according to the invention.

Fig. 2 A, B

shows a second embodiment of a lid according to the invention.

Fig. 3

shows a third embodiment of a lid according to the invention.

Fig. 4 A, B

shows details of a fourth embodiment of a lid according to the invention.

Fig. 5

shows a fifth embodiment of a lid not according to the invention.

Embodiments

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or comparable elements.

In Figure 1 A first embodiment of a cover 100 according to the invention is shown schematically.

In this first embodiment, the lid 100 according to the invention comprises a lid mirror 10 with a first opening 15 penetrating the lid mirror; an inner element 20 arranged on an inside of the cover mirror 10 with a ventilation opening (pressure equalization opening) 25 which penetrates the inner element 20 and is aligned with the first opening 15; and an actuating element 30 arranged on an outside of the cover mirror, which is made of plastic, for example.

The actuating element 30 has a joint region 33, which divides the actuating element 30 into a first section 31 and a second section 32; wherein the first section 31 of the actuating element 30 is arranged adjacent to the cover mirror 10; the second section 32 of the actuating element 30 can be pivoted relative to the first section 31 about the joint region 33 and the second section 32 has a pin 40 for closing the ventilation opening 25. The pin 40 comprises a locking bead 41, which preferably runs around the entire circumference of the pin 40 and can be snapped into and out of a recess (notch) 21 in the inner element 20. For this purpose, the design of the pin 40 with the locking bead 41 on the one hand and the inner element 20 with the recess 21 on the other hand is such that elasticity is present and the pin can be pressed into the ventilation opening 25 with a minimum force until the locking bead 41 enters the recess 21 clicks into place (snaps into place). In a corresponding manner, by applying a minimum tensile force to the pin 40, the locking bead 41 can be pulled out of the recess 21 and thus the pin 40 can be pulled out of the ventilation opening 25.

The lid 100 according to the invention also includes a locking element (plug) 50 for locking the locking bead 41 in the recess 21, the locking element 50 locking the engaged locking bead in a locking position and the locking bead 41 out of the recess in an unlocking position of the locking element 50 21 can be disengaged to release the pin 40 in the ventilation opening 25 to open the ventilation opening 25.

In the Figures 2A and 2B a second embodiment of a lid 200 according to the invention is shown in a schematic representation.

In this embodiment, the plug 50 is provided with one or more cams 52. In the case of a single cam (bead/crown) 52, this can, for example, be designed to run completely or partially around the circumference. When the lid is in the unopened state, the stopper is connected (eg welded) on the top to relatively thin plastic bridges on the second section 32 of the actuating element. The cam 52 or the cams 52 are then located opposite respective projections 42 of the pin 40. This locking position is in Figure 2A shown. To unlock the pin 40 in the ventilation opening 25, the plug is pressed into the cavity, destroying the bridge connection. This unlock position is in Figure 2B shown. The cam 52 is now no longer opposite the projection 42, so that when a tensile force is applied upwards to the pin 40, the locking bead 41 can disengage from the recess 21 of the inner element 20, essentially due to the flexibility of the plastic material of the pin 40 and thus the flexibility of the side walls of the pin 40 in the direction of the cavity. The destruction of the bridge connection between the plug 50 and the second section 32 of the actuating element when it is opened for the first time also serves as a guarantee of originality, since an opening that has already taken place can be recognized due to the destroyed connection.

Figure 3 represents a third embodiment of the lid according to the invention.

The pin 40 has a level 45. The stopper 50 has a corresponding, complementary step, so that part of the underside of the stopper 50 can rest on the step 45. The locking bead 41 is arranged on the outside of the pin 40 in the area above the step 45. In this way, on the one hand, there is a good locking effect when the plug 50 is in the cavity of the pin 40 and, on the other hand, there is good flexibility of the pin 40, so that it can be easily pulled out of the ventilation opening 25 while the bead 41 slips out of the notch 21 can. The plug 50 is here only as an example with two tabs 55 and 56 Mistake. The tab 56 is connected to the top of the actuating element 30, for example welded, and the plug 50 can be pulled out by pulling on the tab 55 upwards. The locking state can be restored by reinserting (pushing) the plug 50 into the cavity of the pin 40. This means that after a first use and incomplete emptying of a beverage can with this lid, it can be securely closed again.

Figures 4A and 4B represent a detailed view of a fourth embodiment of the lid according to the invention.

Figure 4A is a sectional view of the actuating element 30 with the first section 31, the second section 32 and the hinge region 33 around which the second section 32 can be folded upwards. In this embodiment, the pin 40 also has a step 45 in the cavity. On the step 45, at least one projection 44 is arranged in the cavity of the pin 40, preferably two on opposite sides of the step 45 or evenly spaced.

Figure 4B shows an associated plug 50 for locking. This has respective cams 54 which can be clamped with the corresponding projections 44 by rotating the plug 50 within the cavity. For this purpose, the plug 50 includes a tab 55 arranged in a rotationally fixed manner. The projections 44 can be provided with starting bevels so that the cams 54 can be clamped more easily with the projections 44. The location of the tab on the top of the lid also indicates whether the plug 50 is in the locking or unlocking position.

Figure 5 schematically represents a fifth embodiment of a lid not according to the invention.

The pin 40 and the locking element 40 (not shown here) can be designed, for example, according to one of the previously described embodiments.

In this fifth embodiment, the actuating element 30 is connected in the area of the first section 31 to an inner sliding element 90, for example by riveting, which rests on the inside of the cover mirror 10. The connecting elements 35, 36 (eg rivets) can be moved in slot-shaped recesses in the cover mirror 10, so that the unit consisting of the actuating element 30 and the inner sliding element 90 (after unfolding the second section 32 of the actuating element 30) can be moved along the cover mirror 10. The inner sliding element 90 can also have sliding lugs 80 which, when displaced, run onto inclined surfaces 28 of the inner element 20, whereby the inner element 20 can fold away downwards. Folding the inner element 20 away from the lid mirror 10 causes a sealing effect of the inner element 20 against the lid mirror 10 that exists in the closed state to be canceled and a fluid connection between the interior and the outside space is created, whereby a drinking or pouring opening 16 is released.

Claims (11)

1. A lid for a container, in particular for a beverage can, comprising:

   a lid surface (10) with a first opening (15) passing through the lid surface;

   an internal element (20) arranged on an inner side of the lid surface (10) and having a ventilation opening (25) passing through the internal element, the ventilation opening being aligned with the first opening (15); and

   an actuation element (30) arranged on an outer side of the lid surface (10), the actuation element (30) comprising a joint region (33) subdividing the actuation element (30) into a first portion (31) and a second portion (32); wherein the first portion (31) of the actuation element (30) is arranged so as to bear on the lid surface (10); the second portion (32) of the actuation element (30) is pivotable about the joint region (33) relative to the first portion (31) and the second portion (32) comprises a peg (40) for closing the ventilation opening (25), and wherein the peg (40) comprises a latching element (41) which can be releasably latched into a recess (21) of the internal element, wherein the latching element (41) comprises in particular a latching bead (41) which preferably extends around the peg (40); and

   a locking element (50) for locking the latching element (41) in the recess (21), wherein the locking element (50), in a locking position, locks the latched latching element (41) in the recess (21) and, in an unlocking position of the locking element (50), the latching element (41) is able to be unlatched from the recess (21) in order to disengage the peg (40) so as to open the ventilation opening (25);

   characterized in that

   the peg (40) comprises a cavity being outwardly opened and the locking element (50) comprises a plug (50), wherein in the locking position, the plug of the locking element is located within the cavity of the peg.
2. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the plug (50) comprises at least one cam (52) and at least one projection (42) is provided in the cavity of the peg (40), wherein the at least one cam (52) is arranged in the locking position opposite the at least one projection (42) and/or is clamped with the at least one projection (42).
3. The lid according to claim 2, wherein the plug (50) for clamping the at least one cam (52) with the at least one projection (42) within the cavity is rotatable about an axis.
4. The lid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking element (50) further comprises a tab (55, 56) on which the plug (50) is arranged, and wherein the plug (50) is extractable from the cavity by means of the tab (55, 56) and/or wherein the plug (50) is rotatable in the cavity by means of the tab (55, 56).
5. The lid according to claim 4, wherein the tab (55, 56) is connected to the actuation element (30) and/or the lid surface (10); or
   wherein the tab (55, 56) is non-rotatably connected to the plug (50) and, in the locking position, is disposed in a first orientation with respect to the second portion (32) of the actuation element (30) and, in the unlocking position, is disposed in a second orientation with respect to the second portion (32) of the actuation element (30).
6. The lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plug (50) is pushable into the cavity for movement from the locking position to the unlocking position.
7. The lid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the latching element (41) of the peg (40) is arranged spaced from each end of the peg (40).
8. The lid according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the peg (40) comprises a wall having a circular cross-section, the diameter of which reduces in an indentation (45), thereby forming a section of the peg (40) with a relatively larger diameter and a section with a relatively smaller diameter, and wherein the latching element (41) is arranged on an outer side of the section with the larger diameter, in particular adjacent to the indentation (45).
9. The lid according to claim 8, wherein the indentation (45) forms a bearing surface in the cavity on which an underside of the plug (50) at least partially bears in the locked position.
10. The lid according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a central outwardly facing pin is formed in the cavity onto which the plug can be fitted by means of a corresponding central opening formed therein.
11. A container, in particular a can, comprising:

    a base body; and

    a lid according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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