EP2952438B1 - Container lid with closure - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a lid for a container, in particular for a can, which has a lid mirror with a first lid mirror penetrating opening; an inner member disposed on an inner side of the lid mirror and having a ventilation opening penetrating the inner member and aligned with the first opening; and an actuator disposed on an outer side of the lid mirror, and wherein a closing member is provided for closing the vent opening.

State of the art

Lid 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 with a certain force in the ventilation opening and thereby secured, for example, that a seal presses laterally against the pin. An embodiment of a closure for the ventilation opening with a pin is, for example, in EP 2711307 disclosed. The ventilation openings according to the prior art have a sufficiently small cross section, so that it remains securely closed, even if, for example, a carbonated beverage is in the container and thereby an internal pressure is present. However, the internal pressure can also be caused by a heating of a portion of air in the container. However, if the vent opening is to have a larger cross-section to allow for the introduction of a drinking straw, the pressure on the pin may be so great that it is pressed on, which is disadvantageous.

WO 2013/079730 A1 discloses a lid for a container, in particular for a can, comprising: a lid mirror having a first lid mirror penetrating opening; an inner member disposed on an inner side of the lid mirror and having a ventilation opening penetrating the inner member and aligned with the first opening; a disposed on an outer side of the lid mirror actuating element, which is preferably made of plastic, wherein the actuating element has a hinge portion which divides the actuating element into a first and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the actuating element is arranged adjacent to the lid mirror; the second portion of the actuating element is pivotable about the joint area relative to the first portion and the second portion has a closing element, in particular a pin, for closing the ventilation opening.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is to overcome the mentioned disadvantage and to allow a safe multiple closure of the ventilation opening.

This object is achieved by a lid for a container according to claim 1.

The lid according to the invention for a container, in particular for a can, comprises: a lid mirror with a first opening that penetrates the lid mirror; an inner member disposed on an inner side of the lid mirror and having a ventilation opening penetrating the inner member and aligned with the first opening; a disposed on an outer side of the lid mirror actuating element, which is preferably made of plastic, wherein the actuating element has a first and a second hinge portion which divide the actuating element into a first, a second and a third portion, and the second portion between the first and the third section is arranged; wherein the first portion of the actuating element is arranged adjacent to the lid mirror; the second portion of the actuating element is pivotable relative to the first portion about the first hinge portion and the second portion has a closing element, in particular a pin, for closing the ventilation opening; the third portion of the actuating element is pivotable relative to the second portion about the second hinge portion and the third portion has a first coupling element; and the inner member has a second coupling element which is couplable to the first coupling element.

By providing the first and second coupling elements which can be coupled to one another on the third section or on the inner element, a connection is established between the third section and the inner element.

The lid according to the invention can be further developed in that the first and second coupling element in the coupled state when exerting pressure on the closing element, starting from an interior of the container provide a retaining force, in particular a retaining force perpendicular to the lid mirror, which prevents the pressing out of the closing element from the ventilation opening. This prevents that, for example, when a pin as a closing element, this is pushed out of the ventilation opening at a pressure exerted on the pin from the inside of the container (for example, by a carbonated beverage enclosed therein).

According to another embodiment, the first and the second coupling element may be complementary to each other and engageable with each other. As a result, a connection between the third section and the inner element can be produced in a simple manner.

In another development, the first coupling element may be formed as one or more eyelets and the second coupling element as one or more detents or vice versa, wherein respective detents are engageable with respective eyelets. This is an embodiment of the coupling elements that is easy to manufacture.

Another development consists in that the coupling between the first and the second coupling element can be self-locking, in particular in such a way that a pressure force on the closing element is transmitted to the first coupling element in such a way that it counteracts a decoupling direction of the coupling elements. In this way it is prevented that a pressure exerted from the inside of the container ago unintentional opening, ie pushing out of the closing element, the result, for example, by bending the actuating element and associated decoupling of the coupling elements.

According to another embodiment, the joint areas may be formed in a straight line, in particular parallel to each other.

According to another development, the joint areas may be formed as areas of the actuating element with reduced material thickness, in particular as notches, which are preferably provided on a side facing away from the lid mirror. In this way, the joint areas manufacturing technology can be easily realized.

Another development consists in that in the second joint region, one or more struts between the second and third sections can be provided which, starting from a planar alignment of the second and third sections, enable pivoting in a first direction, in particular by compressibility or buckling of the struts , and make the pivoting in a second direction opposite to the first direction difficult, in particular by the application of force when pivoting in the second direction relative to the application of force when pivoting in the first direction is greater. This has the advantage that buckling of the third section against the opening direction is made more difficult when the closure is open. In addition or alternatively, a buckling or compression of the struts serve as a tamper-evident, to recognize an already opened and re-closed container.

The aforementioned development can in turn be developed to the effect that the first direction can be directed away from the cover mirror, wherein in particular the first direction is a Aufklapprichtung the third section in an opening of the container. In this way, an undesired folding in of the third section in the direction of the cover mirror is avoided or at least made more difficult.

According to another embodiment, the first and second coupling element can be coupled to one another several times in succession and decoupled again, thereby providing reclosability of the ventilation opening. Thus, the ventilation opening can be repeatedly opened and closed again, which in particular, for example, outgassing of CO _{2 is} avoided from a carbonated beverage in an already open container.

According to another development, a second opening may be provided in the cover mirror and by folding away the inner element from the inside of the cover mirror, a fluid connection between the second opening and a container interior can be produced. This second opening may be, for example, a pouring and / or drinking opening. This second opening is sealed on the inside of the lid mirror by the inner member and it can be released by folding away the inner member of the lid mirror away into the interior of the container, so that, for example, the liquid can be poured into the container.

The aforementioned development can in turn be developed to the effect that the first portion of the actuating element is connected to the inner element or contactable, in particular a sliding movement permitting each other, and the inner member is folded away by a displacement of the first portion of the actuating element. In this way, a folding away of the inner member in a workable manner by a displacement of the actuating element, in particular the first portion thereof, achieved.

Alternatively, the lid may further include an inner slider disposed on the inside of the lid knob, wherein the first portion of the actuator is connected to the inner slider and a unit of the first portion of the actuator and the inner slider is slidable along the lid mirror , wherein furthermore the inner sliding element with the Innelement connected or contacted, in particular a sliding movement permitting each other, and the inner member is folded away by a displacement of the unit.

The two developments mentioned above can in turn be further developed such that a displacement of the first portion is possible only after opening the third portion and a subsequent unfolding of the second portion, in particular after the first and second coupling element are decoupled and then the closing element the ventilation opening and the first opening is removed. This has the advantage that unintentional shifting is not possible if the ventilation opening is still closed.

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

The cited developments can be used individually or combined as claimed suitable.

Further features and exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. It is understood that the embodiments do not exhaust the scope of the present invention. It is further understood that some or all of the features described below may be combined with each other in other ways.

drawings

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

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

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

Fig. 5

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

embodiments

In Fig. 1 schematically a first embodiment of a lid 100 according to the invention is shown.

In this first embodiment, the cover 100 according to the invention comprises a cover mirror 110 with a first opening 115 penetrating the cover mirror; an inner member 120 disposed on an inner side of the lid mirror 110 having a ventilation opening (pressure compensating opening) 125 penetrating the inner member 120 and aligned with the first opening 115; a disposed on an outer side of the lid mirror actuator 130 which is formed for example of plastic, wherein the actuating member 130 has a first hinge portion 141 and a second hinge portion 142, which the actuator 130 in a first portion 131, a second portion 132 and a third portion Divide 133, and the second portion 132 is disposed between the first portion 131 and the third portion 133; wherein the first portion 131 of the actuating member 130 is disposed adjacent the lid mirror 110; the second portion 132 of the actuating member 130 is pivotable relative to the first portion 131 about the first hinge portion 141 and the second portion 132 has a pin 135 for closing the vent opening 125; the third portion 133 of the operating member 130 is pivotable about the second hinge portion 142 relative to the second portion 132, and the third portion 133 has a first coupling member 161; and the inner member 120 has a second coupling member 162 which is couplable to the first coupling member 161. The actuating element 130 is connected to the inner element 120, for example by riveting 150 of the first section 131 through the cover mirror 110 with the inner element 120. In this first embodiment of the lid 100, the first coupling element 161 is exemplarily formed on the actuating element 130 as an eyelet 161 and the second coupling element 162 on the inner element 120 is formed as a nose which can engage in the eyelet. When from inside (in Fig. 1 under the lid mirror 120), a force is exerted on the pin 135, the second portion 132 of the actuating member 130 can bulge slightly outward. As a result, the eyelet 161 is pressed against the inner element 120 and the nose 162, ie counter to the decoupling direction. The ventilation opening is therefore self-locking locked. To open the in Fig. 1 taken on the left side of the actuator and raised thereby causing a release of the coupling connection between the eyelet 161 and nose 162 and at the same time a folding movement of the third portion 133 is performed around the second hinge portion 142.

In Fig. 2A, B . C schematically a second embodiment of a lid 200 according to the invention is shown. With Fig. 1 Comparable elements are provided with a reference number increased by 100.

To simplify the illustration here the lid mirror is omitted. The first coupling element in this embodiment comprises two eyelets 261 and the second coupling element comprises two latching noses 262. Die Fig. 2A, B . C each show a different perspective view, wherein in Fig. 2C a closed state is shown.

In Fig. 3 a third embodiment is shown. With Fig. 1 comparable elements are provided with a reference number increased by the number 200.

In this embodiment, webs 370 are provided between the second portion 332 and the third portion 333 (only one side in FIG Fig. 3 shown). These webs 370 buckle when opening and thus represent a tamper-evident because an already performed opening it is recognizable. Furthermore, the webs 370 prevent folding of the third portion 333 about the second hinge portion 342 in the direction of the cover mirror.

In Fig. 4 a fourth embodiment is shown. With Fig. 1 comparable elements are provided with a reference number increased by 300.

In this fourth embodiment, the inner member 420 is foldable inwardly to thereby release a pouring spout (not shown). After unfolding the third section 433 and the second section 432 of the actuating element 430, this can be displaced along the cover mirror surface, whereby the inner element 420 is caused to fold away from the cover mirror 410 by means of sliding lugs 480 of the actuating element 430 running on inclined surfaces of the inner element 420. As a result, an existing in the closed state sealing effect of Interior element lifted against the lid mirror and created a fluid connection between the interior and exterior.

In Fig. 5 a fifth embodiment is shown. With Fig. 1 Comparable elements are provided with a reference number increased by the number 400.

In this fifth embodiment, the actuator 530 is connected to an inner slider 590 in the region of the first portion 531, e.g. by riveting, which rests against the inside of the lid 510. The connecting members 550 (e.g., rivets) are movable in slit-shaped recesses of the lid mirror 510 so that the unit of operating member 530 and inner slide member 590 (after unfolding the third and second portions of the operating member) can be slid along the lid mirror 510. The inner slide member 590 may further include sliding lugs 580 which, when displaced, may be run on inclined surfaces 521 of the inner member 520 and folded away inwardly in accordance with the operation in the fourth embodiment with the slide lugs 480 of the actuator 430.

Claims (15)

1. Lid (100) for a container, in particular for a can, comprising:

   a lid surface (110) with a first opening (115) passing through the lid surface;

   an inner element (120), which is arranged on an inner side of the lid surface and has a ventilating opening (125), which passes through the inner element and is aligned with the first opening;

   an actuating element (130), which is arranged on an outer side of the lid surface and is formed preferably from plastics material, wherein the actuating element has a first and a second articulation region, said regions subdividing the actuating element into a first (131), a second (132) and a third portion (133), and the second portion is arranged between the first and the third portions; wherein

   the first portion of the actuating element is arranged in abutment against the lid surface;

   the second portion of the actuating element can be pivoted relative to the first portion about the first articulation region and the second portion has a closing element, in particular a pin (135), for closing the ventilating opening;

   the third portion of the actuating element can be pivoted relative to the second portion about the second articulation region and the third portion has a first coupling element (161); and

   the inner element has a second coupling element (162), which can be coupled to the first coupling element.
2. Lid according to claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling elements provide a retention force in the coupled state upon exertion of a pressure on the closing element, starting from an interior of the container, particularly a retention force perpendicular to the lid surface that prevents the closing element from being pushed out of the ventilating opening.
3. Lid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and the second coupling element are configured to be complementary to and engageable with each other.
4. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first coupling element is configured as one or plural eyelets and the second coupling element as one or plural snap-in noses, or vice versa, and wherein respective snap-in noses are engageable with respective eyelets.
5. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coupling between first and second coupling element is self-locking, particularly such that a compressive force on the closing element is transmitted to the first coupling element such that it acts against a decoupling direction of the coupling elements.
6. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the articulation regions are configured to be straight, particularly parallel to one another.
7. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the articulation regions are configured as regions of the actuating element with reduced material thickness, particularly as notches that are preferably provided at a side facing away from the lid surface.
8. Lid according to claim 7, wherein in the second articulation region one or plural struts (370) are provided between the second and third portion, which, starting from a planar orientation of the second and third portion, allow pivotability into a first direction, particularly by compressibility or bendability of the struts, and aggravate pivotability into a second direction opposite to the first direction, particularly in that the force application is greater upon pivoting into the second direction in relation to the force application upon pivoting into the first direction.
9. Lid according to claim 8, wherein the first direction is oriented away from the lid surface, particularly wherein the first direction is an unfolding direction of the third portion upon opening of the container.
10. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first and second coupling elements can be coupled with each other repeatedly one after the other and can be decoupled again and thereby provide reclosability of the ventilating opening.
11. Lid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a second opening is provided in the lid surface and a fluid connection can be established between the second opening and a container interior by folding away the inner element from the inner side of the lid surface.
12. Lid according to claim 11, wherein the first portion of the actuating element is connected to or contactable with the inner element, particularly allowing a sliding movement relative to one another, and the inner element can be folded away by shifting the first portion of the actuating element.
13. Lid according to claim 11, further comprising an inner slide element which is arranged on the inner side of the lid surface, wherein the first portion of the actuating element is connected to the inner slide element, and a unit consisting of the first portion of the actuating element and the inner slide element is shiftable along the lid surface, wherein further the inner slide element is connected to or contactable with the inner element, particularly allowing a sliding movement relative to each other, and the inner element can be folded away by shifting the unit.
14. Lid according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a shifting of the first portion is only possible after an unfolding of the third portion and a subsequent unfolding of the second portion, particularly after the first and second coupling elements are decoupled thereby and the closing element is subsequently removed from the ventilating opening and the first opening.
15. Container, particularly a can, comprising:

    a basic body; and

    a lid according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images