WO2015090289A1

WO2015090289A1 - Closure device for hinged-lid containers

Info

Publication number: WO2015090289A1
Application number: PCT/DE2014/200291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralph Butter-Jentsch; Carsten Bertram; Ingomar Henning
Original assignee: Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2014-07-01
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Also published as: DE102013226962A1; EP3083427A1; EP3083427B1; US20170203889A1

Abstract

A closure device (10) comprises an opening-defining frame (20), an opening-covering hinged lid (30) and a first closing means (40) as well as at least one second closing means (50), which is spaced apart from the first closing means (40). The closing means each have a lid portion (41, 51) and a frame portion (42, 52), wherein the first closing means (40) can be opened by the associated frame portion (42) being manipulated and the second closing means (50) can be opened by the associated lid portion (51) being manipulated. The lid portion (51) of the second closing means (50) has a pressure-exerting surface and a counter-pressure surface, wherein the pressure-exerting surface serves as an abutment surface for a first retaining force and the counter-pressure surface serves as an abutment surface for a second retaining force, counter to the first, wherein the lid portion (51) can be fixed by the retaining forces such that a pivoting force acting substantially transversely to the retaining forces can be introduced into the lid portion (51), via the pressure-exerting surface and counter-pressure surface, in order for the lid (30) to be pivoted out of the closed position.

Description

LOCKING DEVICE FOR SWIVEL COVER TANK

The invention relates to a closure device having a frame defining an opening, a lid which covers the opening in a closed position, and a first closing means and at least one second closing means. The closing means serve to hold the lid in the closed position.

It is customary today to use active substances, for example from the group of laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, agricultural auxiliaries, building materials, dyes, adhesives or foodstuffs, in a free-flowing or pourable form or else as predosed quantities, which are e.g. be stored as pre-dosed units in a container. In the field of storage of commercial quantities of these active substances are plastic containers, which may be transparent, inter alia, known.

These containers have said closure device, wherein the frame of the closure device is attached to the container or may be integrally formed thereon. By the lid of the closure device, the container can then close accordingly.

The closing means are intended to hold the lid in the closed position on the frame, even if external, unintentional forces act on the frame or on the lid. These forces can elastically deform the closure device and in the worst case undesirably open the closure device. Such forces can z. B. occur during transport, or in the context of mishandling, for example, if a child tries to open the lid in an unintended manner. In this respect, there is a need, on the one hand interpret the closed position of the closure device safely, on the other hand, not complicate the intended opening of the closure device unnecessarily. For this purpose, the closing means u. a. easy to use to open the lid in a planned way.

From WO 2001/48757 A1 a closure device with lid and frame is known, wherein the lid is held in a closed position by two closing means, each having a lid portion and a frame portion. The first closing means can be opened by direct action of an opening force on the associated frame portion, while the second closing means can be opened by direct action of an opening force on the associated lid portion. The cover of WO 2001/48757 A1 is rectangular. On one of its four sides it is pivotally attached to the frame. On an opposite side, the two closing means are arranged side by side. The invention is based on the object to provide a closure device with lid, frame and at least two closing means, which provides some protection against accidental opening of the lid, but at the same time easy to handle and easy to open according to its intended purpose.

The object underlying the invention is achieved with the feature combination according to claim 1. Embodiments of the invention can be taken from the subclaims.

The closure device according to the invention is characterized in that the lid portion of the second closing means has a pressure surface and a counter-pressure surface, wherein the pressure surface serves as a contact surface for the opening force or for a first holding force. The counterpressure surface serves as a contact surface for a second holding force opposing the first holding force. The lid portion can be fixed or clamped by the holding forces such that a substantially transversely directed to the holding forces pivoting force for pivoting the lid from the closed position on the pressure surface and the counter-pressure surface in the lid portion can be initiated.

The closure device can only be properly opened when the first closing means are in an open position and also the second closing means are in an open position. In order to bring the second closing means in the open position, the opening force is introduced into the lid section via the pressure surface. First, the second closing means is transferred to the open position, wherein the second holding force is equal to zero or relatively small. Thereafter act on the lid portion over the surface and the counter-pressure surface, the first and the second holding force, said holding forces are approximately equal in magnitude. By the holding forces of the lid portion or a portion of the lid portion is clamped or fixed. This makes it possible to pull the lid portion transversely to the holding forces in one direction, so that the lid is pivoted from its closed position.

As a printing surface here is an area to understand that can be operated with a finger of a human hand of the user. The printing surface may have elevations, depressions or other aids to provide better adhesive properties of the adjacent finger. In addition, the printing surfaces may have suitable markings, which facilitates finding the printing surface. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the counter-pressure surface.

It can be provided that at least one of the closing means comprises a tamper-evident closure. Furthermore, it is preferred that this closing means comprises a recessed pressure surface, so that the tamper-evident closure is planar with an outer wall region of the frame or lid, preferably the lid, ie, is in the same plane. The tamper-evident closure is configured in such a way that it must preferably be completely separated from the closure device before the lid is first opened, at least partially broken off. In one embodiment, the closing means are designed and arranged such that a simultaneous actuation of the two closing means is usually possible only with both hands of a user. In principle, the closure device may also comprise further closing means in addition to the first and second closing means. The opening forces for the first and second closing means and optionally for further closing means are each independent of each other. It follows that the closure device can not be opened in an unintentional manner, for example by children easily.

The first closing means and / or the second closing means may be designed as a latching connection. Accordingly, the lid portion of the second closing means may comprise a latching hook, which engages in a locking position, a latching intersection of the frame portion of the second closing means behind.

The lid portion of the second closing means may comprise a tab having a front side and a back side, the front side forming the pressure surface and the rear side forming the counterpressure surface, and wherein the latching hook is integrally formed on the tab. In order to convert the second closing means into its open position, the opening force initially acts on the pressure surface of the tab, as a result of which the latching hook is moved out of its locking position. It can already act on the counter-pressure surface a certain counterforce, so that the tab is held, for example, by the thumb and forefinger of one hand of the user. By pulling the tab with thumb and forefinger then the lid portion and thus the lid can be pivoted out of the closed position.

In one embodiment, the tab is connected to the remainder of the lid via a flexible connector that defines a pivot axis for the latching hook. Preferably, the latching hook between the pivot axis and the latching intersection is arranged. The distance between an upper open end of the tab and the latching hook (reference should be the latching surface of the latching hook) may be 1 to 5 cm, preferably 1, 5 to 3 cm. If the opening force engages at the upper end, the tab is bent and the latching hook is pushed out of its locking position. This opening force may assume values between 5 to 15 N, preferably 8 to 10 N. The pivoting force, ie the tensile force, in order to pivot the lid portion and thus the lid out of its closed position when the latching hook is unlocked, can assume values between 1 and 10 N, preferably between 1 and 5 N. The opening force for the first closing means may be 1 to 30 N, preferably 3 to 8 N.

The first closing means and the second closing means may be arranged on an arrangement side of the shutter device. Preferably, the arrangement side is arranged opposite to the pivot axis. The first closing means and the second closing means may also be arranged on sides of the closure device which adjoin the side with the pivot axis. Zen. It is also possible for the first closing means and the second closing means to be provided at a corner, that is to say at two sides forming a corner

In one embodiment, a distance between the first closing means and the second closing means is less than 15 cm. Preferably, the distance is in a range between 3 and 8 cm.

The lid and the frame can be designed as a one-piece component. Frame and lid can be connected to each other via at least one film hinge. The closure device can thus be produced in an injection mold as an inexpensive plastic part. Lid and frame can also be in a multi-part design made of the same or different plastic

As plastic any suitable plastic material can be used, preferably plastics are selected from the group of polyolefins. Particularly preferred are the following plastics from the class of polypropylenes; Polyethylene; Polypropylene-containing blends; Polyethylene-containing blends; Polypropylene-containing co-polymers and / or random co-polymers; Polyethylene-containing co-polymers.

Preferably, the lid is colored. If the lid and the frame are integral, it is further preferred that the lid and frame are made of the same colored plastic.

Through the film hinge, a stable open position of the lid can be defined. This is to avoid that, when the lid has been opened after unlocking the locking means, can not accidentally fold back into its closed position without further notice. For example, the film hinge may be formed with a Totpunktkinematik in which a certain force must be overcome in order to fold the lid from the stable open position to the closed position.

The closure device is preferably used for a container for detergents and cleaners. Thus, a container with washing and cleaning agent and with a closure device is disclosed, the latter may be carried out according to the embodiments described herein. The detergents and / or cleaners can be pre-portioned detergents and / or cleaners which measure at least one lateral measure equal to or more than 31.7 mm and preferably not in a cylinder according to ISO standard 8124-1 (second edition, dated 2009 -03-15), 5.2 and thus pass the "small parts test".

Based on the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the invention is explained in detail. Show it: 1 shows a container with a closure device according to the invention, wherein Figure 1 shows different phases of the opening operation of the closure device;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a first closing means; and

3 shows a cross section of a second closing means.

With the aid of Figure 1, the basic operation of a closure device 10 according to the invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows three different phases (phase 1, phase 2 and phase 3) of an opening process of the closure device 10.

The closure device 10 comprises a frame 20 and a lid 30. The frame 20 is attached to an upwardly open container 5. Figure 1 a shows the lid 30 in a closed position. In this closed position, the lid 30 abuts the frame 10 and closes an opening defined by the frame. In the phase 1 of the opening process shown in FIG. 1a, the container 5 is thus still closed.

The closure device 10 further comprises a first closure means 40 and a second closure means 50. The closure means 40, 50 are arranged on one side of the substantially rectangular closure device 10. This page can be referred to as arrangement page and is marked in Figure 1 a with 1 1. On one of the arrangement page 1 1 opposite pivot side 12 frames 20 and 30 are connected to each other via in the figure 1 unrecognizable film hinges. The film hinges define a pivot axis 6 about which the lid 30 can be folded upwardly when the closing means 40, 50 are in an open position (see Figure 1 c).

In phase 1, a user sets the thumb of his right hand to the first closure means 40. The remaining fingers of the right hand engage behind the pivot side 12 of the closure device 10. As will be described in more detail below, can be described by an opening force exerted by the thumb first closing means 40 open.

In phase 2 (see FIG. 1 b), the user sets the thumb of his left hand against the second closing means 50. The opening means in the direction of the pivoting side 12 makes it possible to open the second closing means. In phase 2, the user continues to press the thumb of the right hand on the first closure means 40, so that this continues to maintain its open position.

In phase 3 (see FIG. 1 c), the user grasps with his thumb and forefinger a cover section 51 of the second closing means 50, the thumb exerting a first holding force and the index finger exerting a second holding force. Thus, the thumb and forefinger clamp the lid portion 51, which is connected to the lid 30, so firmly that the lid portion 51 with the lid 30 pull up. Since the thumb of the right hand continues to hold the first closing means 40 in the open position, the lid 30 can be completely folded up. In this case, by certain frictional forces or clamping forces between the frame 20 and cover 30, the lid 30, as shown in Figure 1 c, easily twist.

It should be noted that phase 2 and 3 can also be combined into a common phase. In this case, the lid portion 51 of the second closing means 50 is gripped with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand and then moved in the direction of the pivot axis 6. Once this has been the closing means 50 has been opened, the lid portion 51 can be pulled up.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first closing means 40 is arranged approximately centrally on the arrangement side 11 of the closure device 10. At a distance of about 6 cm next to the second closing means 50 is provided.

In the following figures, features or components which are similar or identical to the features or components of the figure are given the same reference numerals.

Figure 2 shows a possible embodiment for the first closing means 40 in section. FIG. 2 also shows the lid 30 and the frame 20. The lid 30 has a lid cover 31 which is more deeply located and rests on a support surface 21 of the frame 20. The lid 30 has a substantially peripheral upper edge 32, wherein between the lid bottom 31 and top edge 32 a slightly inclined connecting wall 33 extends.

The first closing means 40 has a lid portion 41 and a frame portion 42. The lid portion 41 comprises a latching hook 43, which engages behind a latching intersection 44 in the position shown in FIG. The undercut 44 is formed by a web 45, which is formed integrally with the frame 20. If an opening force (see arrow 47) now acts on a pressure surface marked 46, the web 45 in the representation of FIG. 2 is pressed to the left with the pressure surface 46. Thus, the lock between latching hook 41 and latching intersection 44 can be solved. When the closing means 40 have been unlocked, the lid 30 can be folded upwards as far as the second closing means 50 has also been opened. The opening force 47 is, if one assumes the opening process of Figure 1, generated by the thumb of the right hand of the user.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment for the second closing means 50 in section. The closing means 50 comprises the above-mentioned lid portion 51, which is made integral with the lid 30, and a frame portion 52, which can also be considered as part of the frame 20. The lid portion 51 comprises a latching hook 53 and a tab 54 connected thereto. The tab 54 has an open end 55 and is connected at an opposite end to the latching latch 55. ken 53 connected. Between the latching hook 53 and the lid base 31, a flexible connecting piece 56 is provided, which defines a pivot axis 57 for the latching hook 53. The

Swivel axis 57 lies below the lid bottom 31 and is also arranged below the latching hook 53. In the position of the latching hook 53 shown in FIG. 3, there is a latching connection between latching hooks 53 and a latching undercut 58.

The tab 54 has a front side 59 and a rear side 60, the front side 59 being intended to form a printing surface and the back side 60 to form a counter-pressure surface. Assuming the opening process of Figure 1, wherein phase 2 and phase 3 can also be performed together, the thumb of the left hand is placed on the front side 59 and the index finger of the left hand accordingly to the back 60. By the thumb leaves Then an opening force (see arrow 61) to apply the tab 54, whereby the tab 54 and also attached to the locking hook 53 are moved in the illustration of Figure 3 to the left. At a certain point, the latching hook 53 no longer engages behind the latching intersection 58, so that the tab 54 and thus also the cover 30 can be pulled upwards. The thumb and forefinger of the left hand must pinch the tab 54 with a certain force. Accordingly acts on the front side 59, a first holding force (again, see arrows 61) and on the back 60, a second holding force (see arrow 62), which is directed against the first holding force.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

5 containers

6 pivot axis

10 closure device

1 1 arrangement page

12 swing side

20 frames

21 bearing surface

30 lids

31 lid bottom

32 circumferential edge

33 connecting wall

40 first closing means

41 cover section

42 frame section

43 locking hook

44 ratchet undercut

45 footbridge

46 printing surface

47 arrow

50 second closing means

51 cover section

52 frame section

53 locking hooks

54 tab

55 upper end

56 connector

57 pivot axis

58 snap-in intersection

59 front side

60 back side

61 arrow

Claims

claims

A closure device (10) comprising an opening defining frame (20), an opening covering cover (30) pivotally coupled to the frame (20) via a pivotal axis (6) disposed on one side of the frame, and first closing means (40) and at least a second second closing means (50) spaced from the first closing means (40), the closing means (40, 50) serving to hold the lid in a closed position and a lid portion each (41, 51) and a frame portion (42, 52), wherein the first closing means (40) can be opened by direct action of an opening force on the associated frame portion (42) and the second closing means (50) by direct action of an opening force the associated lid portion (51) can be opened, characterized in that the lid portion (51) of the second closing means (50) Druckfl The pressure surface acts as a contact surface for the opening force or for a first holding force and the counterpressure surface serves as a contact surface for a second holding force opposing the first holding force. The lid portion (51) can be fixed in such a manner by the holding forces. in that a pivoting force acting essentially transversely to the holding forces for swiveling out the lid (30) from the closed position via the pressure surface and counterpressure surface into the lid section (51) can be introduced.

2. Closure device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover portion (51) of the second closing means (50) has a latching hook (53) in a locking position, a latching intersection (58) of the frame portion (52) of the second closing means ( 50).

3. Closure device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover section (51) of the second closing means (50) has a tab (54) with a front side (59) and a rear side (60), the front side (59). the pressure surface and the back (60) form the counter-pressure surface and wherein the latching hook (53) on the tab (54) is integrally formed.

4. Closure device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the tab (54) with the lid (30) via a flexible connecting piece (56) is connected, which is a

Swivel axis (57) defined for the latching hook (53).

5. Closure device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the latching hook (53) between the pivot axis (57) and the latching intersection (58) is arranged.

6. Closure device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first closing means (40) and the second closing means (50) on an arrangement side (1 1) of the closure device (10) are arranged.

7. Closure device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the arrangement side (1 1) opposite to the pivot axis (6) is arranged.

8. Closure device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a distance between the first closing means (40) and the second closing means (50) is smaller than 15 cm.

9. Closure device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (30) and the frame (20) of the closure device (10) is designed as a one-piece component.

10. Closure device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (20) and the lid (30) are pivotally connected to each other by a film hinge.

1 1. A closure device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stable open position of the lid (30) is defined by the film hinge.

12. Container with a closure device according to one of claims 1 to 1 1.