Snap-action non-separable connection between a lid and container, the latter intended particularly for beverages

A snap-action non-separable connection between the lid and container, incorporating snap-action profiles formed in the top part of the container around the opening for filling the container, and snap-action profiles formed in the lid, where the said profiles interlock, is characterised in that the snap-action profiles in the top part of the container are formed on the front surface of that part into segments which do not contact one another, where formed on the side surface of each segment is at least one snap protrusion and where in the top part of the lid are slots on the side surface of which formed is at least one snap ledge, and where the number of the slots in the lid is equal to the number of the said segments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/PL2020/000081, filed on Oct. 9, 2020, which claims priority to Polish Application P.434267, filed on Jun. 9, 2020, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a snap-action non-separable connection between a lid and container, the latter intended particularly for beverages, carbonated beverages in particular. The solution is intended especially for containers and lids formed of plastic.

In view of the fact that recycling of materials has become an important factor in the production and sale of containers, it is highly desirable that they are made of the same material.

One of the problems encountered in the production of plastic containers is the need to ensure an appropriate connection between the container and its lid, which will be sufficiently safe and resistant to the inner pressure generated by carbonated beverages.

Since plastic containers come in different shapes, it is desirable to provide a uniform connection which would satisfy the above requirements, and to ensure that assembly of the lid on the container is simple.

Disclosed in patent document U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,326 A is a plastic container closed with a flexible plastic lid, intended for pressurised beverages. The lid features a convex surface bulging towards the inside of the container and having a rim incorporating an annular axial wall, radial wall, and circumferential wall which interlocks with the wall of the container rim. In addition, the lid has a sealing surface.

Known from patent document U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,435 A is a plastic can for carbonated beverages, fitted with a plastic lid which snaps on the can. The can incorporates a neck section ended with a blocking flange extending outwards, given the shape of the reversed letter V in cross section. The top wall of the lid is concave and fits into the can opening, it also features a circumferential rim which is bent outside and downwards so as to form a blocking groove pointing downwards, given the shape of the reversed letter V in cross section.

The so-far known structures of connection between a lid and container made of plastic require complicated and costly formation process, while not offering easy assembly or guaranteeing sufficient tightness and capability to withstand high pressures for the long shelf life of a carbonated beverage.

The described invention solves the problems mentioned above, irrespective of the shape of the container or the lid.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a universal and tight non-separable snap-action connection between a lid and container, which would guarantee easy assembly, partially due to reduction of the number of connected elements, and enable eliminating threaded connections.

A snap-action non-separable connection between the lid and container, incorporating snap-action profiles formed in the top part of the container around the opening for filling the container, and snap-action profiles formed in the lid, where the said profiles interlock, according to the invention is characterised in that the snap-action profiles in the top part of the container are formed on the front surface of that part into segments which do not contact one another, where formed on the side surface of each segment is at least one snap protrusion, and where in the top part of the lid the are slots on the side surface of which formed is at least one snap ledge, and where the number of the slots in the lid is equal to the number of the said segments, where the said segments fit into the said slots in the lid so that resting on the said snap ledges in the slots in the lid are the said snap protrusions of the segments, and the top parts of the segments above the snap protrusion contact tightly the slots in the lid, and the bottom surface of the lid contacts the front surface of the top part of the container.

Preferably, formed in the lid, above the snap ledge around its bottom edge, is a socket to accommodate the container flange.

Preferably, the front surface of the top part of the container around the inner edge of the container opening incorporates a bearing ledge.

SUMMARY

Preferably, the segment is longitudinal and the snap protrusion is formed on its side lengthwise outer surface in the form of a flange, while the opposite lengthwise side inner surface of the segment runs up at an angle, outwardly with respect to the vertical cross section of the container, and the snap ledge is formed on the side lengthwise surface closer to the side edge of the lid, where under the snap ledge the said side lengthwise surface runs down at an angle, outwardly with respect to the vertical cross section of the lid, while the opposite side lengthwise surface in the slot runs down at an angle, inwardly with respect to the vertical cross section of the lid so that the said slanted surface of the segment contacts tightly the slanted surface in the slot, located opposite the snap ledge.

Preferably, the side lengthwise surface which runs at an angle within the slot, under the snap ledge is rounded.

Preferably, the length of the snap ledge in the slot is shorter than the length of the snap protrusion of the segment.

Preferably, the contact point between the bottom surface of the lid and front surface of the top part of the container is fitted with a sealing element.

The solution according to the invention ensures tight non-separable closure of a plastic container with a plastic lid, and guarantees protection of the closure area against deformation, breaking, ripping off, swiveling, cracking, or detachment of interlocking structural elements in the conditions of high pressure inside the container. Thanks to the shape of the snap-action profiles in the form of segments which do not contact one another the invention can be used in containers of various shapes.

The technical means used in the solution according to the invention are achievable in standard thermoplastic moulding processes and allow using the existing devices to close the container with the lid. Thanks to the above there is no need to develop new production infrastructure and high efficiency of the process is guaranteed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary snap-action non-separable connection between the lid1and the container6incorporates snap-action profiles formed on the top part8of the container6and snap-action profiles formed in the lid1. The said profiles interlock.

As shown inFIG.1,FIG.4A, a snap-action profiles on the container6are formed on the front surface8aaround the opening7for filling the container6into longitudinal segments9which do not contact one another, where on the side lengthwise outer surface9aof each segment formed is a snap protrusion10in the form of a flange, and where the side lengthwise inner surface9bruns up at an angle, outwardly with respect to the vertical section of the container6. As shown inFIG.1,FIG.3, there are slots2in the top part1aof the lid1, along the edge3, where formed on the side lengthwise surface2aof the slots positioned closer to the side part1bof the lid1is the snap ledge4, under which the lengthwise surface2a′ runs down at an angle, outwardly with respect to the vertical section of the lid1; preferably, the snap ledge is rounded (FIG.7A,FIG.9A,FIG.10A,FIG.12A), whereas the opposite side lengthwise surface2bin the slots2runs down at an angle, inwardly with respect to the vertical section of the lid1(FIG.9A). The edge3of the lid is extends above the top part1aof the lid1(FIG.1,FIG.2FIG.9A). The number of the slots2in the lid1is equal to the number of the segments9formed around the opening7of the container6. The length of the snap ledge4formed on the side lengthwise surface2aof the slot2in the lid1is smaller than the length of the snap protrusion10on the segment9formed on the top surface8aof the top part8of the container6, as shown inFIG.13A,FIG.14A,FIG.15A,FIG.16A. The segments9of the container6fit into the slots2in the lid1so that resting on the snap ledges4are the snap protrusions10of the segments9. In the side part1bof the lid1, along the bottom edge, there is a socket5to accommodate the flange11of the container6. The top parts of the segments9above the snap protrusion10contact tightly the slots2in the lid, and the slanted surfaces9bof the segments9located opposite the snap protrusions10contact tightly the slanted surfaces2bof the slot2, where the surfaces are located opposite the snap ledge4, thus closing tightly the slots2in the lid1, as shown inFIG.2,FIG.5,FIG.11A, while the bottom surface of the lid1contacts the front surface8aof the bottom part8of the container6, thus closing tightly the opening7in the container6, as shown inFIG.2,FIG.11A,FIG.12A,FIG.13AandFIG.15A.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG.4B,FIG.6BtoFIG.12B.

In this embodiment, described in the above example, the front surface8aof the top part8of the container6around the inner edge of the opening7of the container6incorporates the bearing ledge8a′, which additionally tightens and stabilizes the connection.

In addition, the contact point between the bottom surface of the lid1and the front surface8aof the top part8of the container6may be fitted with a sealing element.

In other embodiments, the snap protrusions on the segments and the snap ledges in the slots may be formed on other surfaces of the segments and slots than in the example described above, for example formed in mirror reflection, as shown inFIG.8CtoFIG.16C, or on transverse surfaces, as shown inFIG.17toFIG.20. Moreover, the segments and slots may take other shapes, for example the shape of a cylinder.

The segments may be formed transversely on the front surface8aof the top part8of the container.

The connection between the lid and the container can be used in containers of various shapes, as shown on the examples presented inFIG.1,FIG.21toFIG.23.

The top part1aof the lid1is fitted with any desired technical means to open the container (not shown on the drawing) for emptying it.

The procedure of closing the container with the lid progresses as follows. The lid1is put on the filled container6secured in place with the flange11, where the positioning of the lid takes place on one of the segments9of the container. Then, by engaging force the lid1is pressed against the container6, in effect of which the snap protrusions10of the segments9are slipped onto the snap panels4in the slots2and interlock, with the top parts of the segments9contacting tightly the slots2in the lid1, thus sealing them, where the bottom surface1cof the lid1contacts the front surface8aof the container between the segments9, and if the container is fitted with the flange11and/or bearing ledge8a′, the said surface also contacts their surfaces, thus sealing the opening7of the container6.

Thanks to the side edge3protruding above the top surface of the lid the closed containers may be stacked.

LIST OF NUMERICAL REFERENCES

1—lid1a—top part of the lid1b—side part of the lid1c—bottom surface of the top part of the lid2—slot in the lid2a—side lengthwise surface in the slot in the lid2a′—rounded part of the side lengthwise surface in the slot in the lid under the snap ledge2b—side lengthwise surface in the slot in the lid3—top edge of the lid4—snap ledge in the slot in the lid5—socket in the lid6—container7—container opening8—top part of the container8a—front surface of the top part of the container8a′—bearing ledge on the front surface of the top part of the container9—segment of the top part of the container9a—side lengthwise outer surface of the segment9b—side lengthwise inner surface of the segment10—snap protrusion of the segment11—container flange