WO1997008057A2

WO1997008057A2 - Plastics container, in particular for foodstuffs

Info

Publication number: WO1997008057A2
Application number: PCT/EP1996/003768
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kurt Lohwasser
Original assignee: Rpc Containers Ltd.
Priority date: 1995-08-30
Filing date: 1996-08-27
Publication date: 1997-03-06
Also published as: DE29513993U1; WO1997008057A3

Abstract

The invention concerns a plastics container comprising side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) disposed in a substantially cuboid manner and a base (2), the top of the container forming a filling and removal opening (7) which can be closed by a lid (9). One side wall (3) is outwardly inclined towards the opening (7) at an angle of inclination ( alpha ) to the perpendicular of preferably between 20 DEG and 40 DEG , in particular approximately 30 DEG .

Description

Plastic containers, in particular for food

The invention relates to a plastic container with a substantially cuboid side walls and bottom, the top of the container forming a filling and removal opening which can be closed with a lid, and a removal spoon adapted to the container.

A large number of plastic containers are known in the field of packaging. For example, cylindrical, slightly conically shaped containers are known as so-called yoghurt cups or also rectangular plastic containers. The containers are provided with an opening at the top for filling or removal. The opening is closed, for example, by a plastic lid. With "yogurt cups", an aluminum foil is also often stuck on to close the opening.

From DE-GM 72 27 210 cup-shaped containers made of plastic are known, the side walls and bottoms of which are provided with reinforcing ribs. The wall thickness can be reduced in the unreinforced area to preferably 0.3 mm, so that only a relatively small amount of material is required compared to smooth-walled cups.

Both the cylindrical and the cuboid containers are mostly conical, widening towards the opening. This achieves, on the one hand, that empty and unlocked plastic containers can be stacked one inside the other to save space, and, on the other hand, that plastic containers provided with lids engage with their bottom in a raised edge area of the container lid when they are stacked in place.

A disadvantage of such packaging is, however, that in particular in the case of products which are neither free-flowing nor pourable, such as yoghurt, tartar sauce,

Children's porridge or non-food, such as colors, a wide range residue-free emptying is hardly possible. Therefore, product residues that are not or only extremely difficult to remove remain at the bottom areas of known plastic containers. This is particularly unpleasant for the end user when taking delicatessen products, since even small remnants often still represent a significant value. In addition, the food residues represent both a hygienic and a recycling-technical problem during disposal. In the case of reusable plastic containers, the product residues burden the wastewater cycle after washing.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a plastic container which is designed so that an almost residue-free drainage is possible.

This object is achieved in that a side wall towards the opening is formed inclined to the outside at an angle of inclination to the vertical.

The provision of a single, inclined side wall improves access to the bottom area of the container. The remaining three side walls of the container are usually constructed in an almost steeply upright position, so that the largest possible volume remains in the container. In the event of a residual emptying, the product located on the floor remains difficult to reach directly in the transition area from the floor to the three steep side walls. However, it is possible to use a removal object, for example a spoon, to push together the remnants of the product to be removed at the bottom of the container, to collect them at the transition area from the bottom to the inclined side wall and to remove them there without any problems.

If the angle of inclination is between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably about 30 °, the floor retains a sufficiently large footprint so that the containers can be stacked easily when filled.

The fact that the other side walls are slightly inclined outwards towards the opening means that the containers can be stacked even when empty and without a lid. The containers can then be placed one inside the other to save space, with each beveled side wall acting as a support for the next one to lie on it. If the transitions between the side walls and the floor are rounded, it is avoided that remnants of the product in the container can become attached to the transition area between the side walls and the floor. Rounded transitions facilitate access with a removal object, for example a spoon, and also make cleaning of the container easier.

If the lid has a limited area on its top, which corresponds to the size of the bottom, the containers can be stacked on top of one another in a non-slipping manner with the lid placed on them. The boundary provided on the top of the lid serves to fix the next container placed on it.

Characterized in that the boundary in the lid above the inclined side wall is formed by a raised area, the slightly asymmetrical design of the container is taken into account by the inclined side wall. The raised area compensates for the difference in size between the opening side of the container and the bottom side due to the inclined side wall. When the containers are stacked, a corresponding alignment is also achieved. The inclined side walls of the containers point in one direction.

The fact that the lid has a peripheral, raised edge which can be snapped onto a peripheral edge of the filling and removal opening and forms the boundary in the lid above the other side walls, this design feature fulfills both the function of a snapping connection between the lower part of the container and the lid ensure, and on the other hand the function of forming a boundary for a non-slip stacking of several closed containers.

If short stacking ribs are arranged on the top of the lid within the circumferential, raised edge pointing towards the center of the container, a precise centering of a container stacked on the cover can be achieved. If centering cams are provided on the inside of the lid, preferably at the corner areas near the edge, an independent centering of the lid is achieved when the lid is placed on the peripheral edge of the container opening. By slight pressure exerted on the lid with the support of the centering knobs, the peripheral edge of the lid slips over the peripheral edge of the lower part of the container and a latching connection is established.

Due to the fact that the side walls and possibly the bottom have reinforcing ribs, the ribs preferably being arranged in a diamond or rectangular cross shape, the material thickness of the plastic walls of the container can be greatly reduced, although sufficient stability of the container is nevertheless ensured. Despite the additional material expenditure for the reinforcing ribs, overall material savings of up to 20% compared to a smooth-walled container with comparable load-bearing capacity can be achieved.

If centering cams are arranged on the inside of the cover, preferably at the corner areas, precise centering of the stacked covers can also be achieved.

It is particularly advantageous if the reinforcing ribs are provided exclusively on the outside of the container, since then the inside of the container, which is still smooth, has good residual emptying properties and can be cleaned easily.

If the container is made of polypropylene, environmentally friendly packaging is provided since polypropylene is unproblematic in both waste incineration and recycling. In addition, polypropylene is particularly suitable for the food sector.

A further improved emptying behavior can be achieved in that the side walls are curved slightly outwards. Furthermore, the bulging of the side walls, in particular in connection with reinforcing ribs arranged on the outside, increases the strength of the container. For emptying a plastic container according to the invention, a spoon with a handle and a spoon pan is also provided, which is very flat and has a substantially straight front edge. With this spatula, which is shaped like a spatula, product removal, in particular in the case of residual emptying, is supported. With the spoon, the slanted side can be slid directly along the side wall and the bottom can be emptied of the product almost completely.

In the case of a container with rounded transitions between the side walls and the bottom, the transition between the side edges of the spoon and the front edge of the spoon must be provided with essentially the same curve on the removal spoon. The residual emptying properties are further improved.

The side walls are particularly smooth-walled. However, it may be useful in special applications, for example to increase the stability, in particular when stacking a large number of containers on top of one another in a corrugated manner, that is to say while maintaining the smooth-walling which promotes easy removal, sections in the largest possible radii before or to let it kick back. These sections receding forward or backward can go through approximately the same dimension from top to bottom or can also go out gently upwards and / or downwards, although demolding problems should be taken into account.

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

1 shows a container without a lid in a side view, FIG. 2 shows a view of the container shown in FIG. 1 from below,

3 shows a lid in the container matching the one shown in FIG

4 the top view shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 a removal spoon in plan view, FIG. 6 the removal spoon in side view,

7 shows the upper edge region of the container in section and

8 shows the upper edge region of the container with the lid in place

Cut.

Figure 1 shows a container 1 made of plastic in side view. The container 1 has an essentially cuboid shape and has a bottom 2 and four side walls 3, 4, 5, 6. The side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 protrude from the floor 2; due to the overall rectangular shape that arises in the first approximation, the angles between the floor 2 and the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 are likewise vertical in the first approximation. According to the invention, however, one of the four side walls is designed as an inclined side wall 3. With this side wall 3, the angle of inclination α between the perpendicular and the side wall surface is 30 °. The remaining three side walls 4, 5, 6 have an angle of inclination β between the side wall surface and the perpendicular of approximately 5.5 °, which leads to a particularly high rigidity of the container.

The transition areas between the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 and the container bottom 2 are rounded. Likewise, the corner areas between the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 are rounded. The container 1 is open at the top, so that a filling and removal opening 7 is formed. The upper edge area around the opening 7 is closed with a peripheral edge 8. The peripheral edge 8 is shaped to be flared. From the view of the plastic container 1 shown in FIG. 2 from below, the outward slight curvature of the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 can be seen. The flanged region of the peripheral edge 8 is also shown. The bottom 2 of the container 1 has reinforcing ribs 14 on its underside, which are distributed in a perpendicularly crossed arrangement on the bottom. The reinforcing ribs 14 enable the wall thickness in the floor area to be greatly reduced without the stability of the container being significantly reduced.

Such reinforcement can also be applied to the outside of the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6. In Figure 1, a diamond-shaped pattern of reinforcing ribs 14 is shown, which ensures the dimensional stability of the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 despite the low material thickness.

The inside of the container 1 is completely smooth in order to enable unobstructed access during the residual emptying.

The filling and removal opening 7 of the container 1 can be closed with a lid 9. The cover 9 is shown in FIG. 3 in a longitudinal cross section. The lid 9 has a circumferential, raised edge 10 which is designed such that it engages around the peripheral edge 8 of the container 1 and fixes the lid 9 in a latching manner on the peripheral edge 8. The lid 9 also has a raised area 11, which limits the free area within the peripheral, raised edge 10 in the lid 9 to the size of the bottom 2 of the container 1. Stacking ribs 12 are provided in this cover area, which is delimited by the edge 10 and the raised area 11, for the exact centering of a further container stacked therein. The stacking ribs 12 are short webs directed radially inward from the edge 10, which prevent a stacked-up container from slipping. Preferably, two stacking ribs 12 are arranged on each side of the edge 10 near the corner areas. The stacking ribs 12 are not necessary at the edge 10 assigned to the raised area 11.

Centering cams 13 are arranged on the underside of the cover 9. The centering cams 13 are arranged close to the edge 10, preferably at the corners of the cover 9. When the cover 9 is placed on the peripheral edge 8 of the container 1, the centering cams 13 facilitate threading the peripheral edge 8 of the container 1 into the peripheral, raised edge 10 of the cover 9 slight pressure exerted on the cover 9 slips on the outer flanks of the centering cams 13 on the inside over the peripheral edge 8.

In the circumferential, raised edge 10 of the cover 9, a latching lip 15 is provided which, when the container 1 is closed, slips over the peripheral edge 8 of the container which is flared outwards. The locking lip 15 prevents inadvertent opening of the container 1. To open the container 1, a tab 16 is arranged on the outside of the cover 9 on the circumferential, raised edge 10, as shown in particular in the top view in FIG. By pulling the tab 16, the consumer can easily lift the lid 9 from the container 1.

The advantages of use according to the invention are described below using the exemplary embodiment.

The approximately cuboid plastic container 1 can be stacked both in the empty and unlocked state and in the filled and closed state. The slight inclination of the side walls 4, 5, 6 with an inclination angle β and the inclined side wall 3 with an inclination angle α allow the empty, unsealed containers to be stacked one inside the other. Each inclined side wall 3, 4, 5, 6 can act as a support for the next side wall of the next container to be placed on it, stacking webs or a stacking edge can also be provided in the area below the peripheral edge. In the case of containers 1 closed with the lid 9, stacking is also possible, since the lid 9 of each container provides a secure standing surface for the next stacked container, the bottom 2 of the stacked container precisely in a defined area within the lid 9 of the container below engages. The stacking layers are therefore guided to prevent slipping. The angle of inclination α of the inclined side wall 3 is chosen such that the center of gravity of the filled container, which is projected downward, is still clearly within the base standing area on the container.

The lid 9 can be designed in such a way that its raised area 11 can only be placed on the container and closed with the orientation oriented above the inclined side wall 3. This could be achieved that the filled containers are stacked with the inclined side wall 3 aligned if stacked, if this is desired.

When emptying the container according to the invention, the inclined side wall 3 facilitates access to the bottom 2 of the container. This configuration provides a large filling and removal opening 7, at the same time reducing the number of corners of the container that are difficult to reach. In particular, it is possible to get from the gently sloping side to the opposite, steep side wall at an angle with a removal object, for example a spoon, and to easily remove the product residues still present there.

The emptying is further improved if a removal spoon 20 specially adapted to the container is used, which is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The spoon 20 has a handle 21 and a spoon pan 22. According to the invention, the spoon pan 22 is kept as flat as possible. In addition, the spoon pan 22 has a substantially straight front edge 23. With this straight front edge 23, product residues can be removed from the smooth inside of the container 1 practically without residue. In order to also ensure good residual emptying at the transition areas between the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 with one another and to the bottom 2, the spoon 20 has rounded corners at the ends of the spoon leading edge 23 which has just been formed, the rounding of which essentially corresponds to the rounding at the Transitions between the side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 and the bottom 2 corresponds. This means that product residues can also be removed from the corner areas with as little residue as possible.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a cut and enlarged representation of the upper edge area of the container 1 without and with the cover 9 attached. Stacking cams 17 are clearly visible below the area of the cover engagement, which enable the containers to be reliably stacked on top of one another. The lid 9 engages over the edge of the container and is held in place by an elastic snap-in thickening 18.

Sufficient stability is also achieved in one embodiment of the plastic container according to the invention if two opposing side walls of the bevel according to the invention are provided. This bevel accordingly also has an angle between 20 ° and 40 ° and preferably corresponds in its bevel to the angle of the first side opposite it. The volume equalization then takes place in this area in the area above the bevelled side walls, that is, the container becomes higher.

The container according to the invention thus allows a largely residue-free emptying, in particular in conjunction with the matching removal spoon. High-priced foods with a creamy consistency, such as crab salad with mayonnaise, can be removed from the container practically without loss. In the case of other products, it is particularly advantageous to be able to dispose of the packaging without residues, since, for example, paint residues and adhesive residues make disposal more difficult. In addition, the hygienic cleaning of the container is made easier with reusable plastic containers. In addition, the wastewater cycle is hardly burdened with washing.

Reference number list

1 container

2 floor

3 inclined side wall

4 side wall

5 side wall

6 side wall

7 Filling and removal opening

8 peripheral edge

9 lids

10 all-round raised edge

11 raised area

12 piles of rib

13 centering cam

14 reinforcement rib

15 locking lip

16 tab

17 stacking cams

18 thickening

20 spoons

21 stem

22 spoon pan

23 Bucket front edge α inclination angle ß inclination angle

Claims

Patent claims

1. Plastic container with essentially cuboidal side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) and bottom (2), the upper side of the container forming a filling and removal opening (7) which ver¬ with a lid (9) is closable, characterized in that towards the opening (7) a side wall (3) is designed to be inclined to the outside with an angle of inclination (α) to the vertical.

2. Plastic container according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of inclination (α) is between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably about 30 °.

3. Plastic container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the remaining side walls (4, 5, 6) are slightly inclined outwards towards the opening (7) (angle of inclination β).

4. Plastic container according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the opening (7) towards the first side wall (3) opposite side wall to the outside with an inclination angle (χ) is inclined to the vertical.

5. Plastic container according to claim 4, characterized in that the angle of inclination (χ) between 20 ° and 40 °, preferably about

30 °.

6. Plastic container according to claim 5, characterized in that the angle of inclination (χ) is equal to the angle of inclination (α).

7. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transitions between the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) and the bottom (2) are rounded.

8. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (9) has a limited area on its top, which corresponds to the size of the bottom (2).

9. Plastic container according to claim 8, characterized in that the boundary in the lid (9) above the inclined side wall (3) is formed by a raised area (11).

10. Plastic container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the lid (9) has a circumferential, raised edge (10) which can be latched on a peripheral edge (8) of the filling and removal opening (7) and the boundary in the cover (9) above the other side walls (4, 5, 6).

11. Plastic container according to claim 10, characterized in that on the top of the lid (9) within the circumferential, erha¬ benen edge (10) to the container center, short stacking ribs (12) are arranged.

12. Plastic container according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that on the inside of the lid (9) centering cams (13), preferably at the corner areas near the edge (10), are provided.

13. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) and optionally the bottom (2) have reinforcing ribs (14), the ribs (14) preferably having a diamond or rectangular shape are arranged crossed.

14. Plastic container according to claim 13, characterized in that the reinforcing ribs (14) are provided exclusively on the outer sides of the container.

15. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (1) is made of polypropylene.

16. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) are slightly curved outwards.

17. Plastic container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) have gentle curves and / or areas in front or back.

18. Spoon for emptying a plastic container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, the spoon (20) having a handle (21) and a spoon pan (22), characterized in that the spoon pan (22) is flat and has a substantially straight front edge (23).

19. A spoon according to claim 18, characterized in that the side edges of the spoon pan (22) in the front spoon edge (23) with a curve that essentially rounds the transitions between the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) and corresponds to the floor (2) according to claim 7.