Patent Publication Number: US-2022228410-A1

Title: Container having a self-supporting cover for an outlet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the United States national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/058407, filed Mar. 25, 2020, which claims the benefit of priority of European Application No. 19 172 036.6, filed Apr. 30, 2019. The contents of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/058407 and European Application No. 19 172 036.6 are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a container for transporting and storing liquid, viscous, or free-flowing substances, in particular of the intermediate bulk container type, having a bottom, a side wall, and at least one outlet recess in the bottom and/or in the side wall, in which an outlet valve is arranged or arrangeable and which is closable via a cover on the container side. 
     BACKGROUND 
     So-called Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) are used for the transport and storage of liquid and free-flowing substances. They are used, for example, in the production of chemicals, foodstuffs, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Such containers usually have an outlet valve near the bottom, which is mounted in an outlet recess or valve-mounting duct in the outer wall of the container and via which the flowing or free-flowing contents of the container can be removed. 
     It is generally known in the prior art to provide such IBCs with a cover in the form of a flap on the outside of the outlet recess (of the valve-mounting duct). With such a cover, a protective effect against dust, for example, can be achieved to a certain degree. However, the known flap-like covers cannot completely cover the outlet recess in some cases, as they only dangle loosely in front of it, resulting in poor dust-tightness. In addition, in order to reach the outlet recess or the outlet valve in such known containers, the user often has to hold the cover manually in an open position, so that only one hand remains for operating or mounting the valve or for connecting a hose to it. 
     Another problem that frequently arises in connection with the covers described above is that they are damaged when the containers are handled with floor conveyors. 
     Some containers from the prior art have devices via which the cover can be latched onto the container in the open state. However, such solutions are impractical if the cover is damaged, as often both the locking device on the container as well as the cover have to be replaced. 
     For example, EP 2 894 111 A1 discloses a container with an outlet that is closable via a cover. The cover is divided by a hinge into a fitting portion and the flap portion, wherein the fitting portion is connected to the container by dowel pins. Closure openings are provided on the cover, which can engage with ribs on the container to hold the flap portion of the cover in an open position. 
     There are other solutions in the prior art where the cover is completely removed from the container to reach the outlet valve. With such containers, the user also has to manually place the cover on the outlet recess again after installing the valve or performing an emptying process, which increases the number of work steps required. In addition, with such containers the cover has to be stowed away in the dismantled state so that it does not become lost. 
     There is a need for a container for the transport and storage of liquid, viscous, or free-flowing materials, in particular of the intermediate bulk container type, which provides a cover for an outlet recess of the container with improved handling, which advantageously is also easily replaceable in case of a defect. 
     SUMMARY 
     In principle, a container according to the invention for transporting and storing liquid, viscous, or free-flowing substances has a bottom, a side wall and at least one outlet recess in the bottom and/or in the side wall, in which an outlet valve is arranged or arrangeable. The outlet recess can be closed on the outside of the container via a cover. The cover has a base portion and a closure portion. The base portion is configured to be attached or attachable to the container. The closure portion is configured to be able to close the outlet recess. The closure portion is hinged to the base portion via a hinge assembly so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis, so that the closure portion is transferable from a first position closing the outlet recess to a second position releasing the outlet recess. The hinge assembly is configured to hold or lock the closure portion in the second position releasing the outlet recess in a self-supporting manner. In other words, a pivotable cover/flap for an outlet recess of a container is configured such that its hinge assembly locks/secures the closure portion or the flap of the cover in the open position. Moreover, when the cover is opened upwards (against gravity), the holding force of the locking device is designed to be at least strong enough to hold the closure portion against gravity in a self-supporting manner. 
     The base portion has a guide rib and the container has a corresponding guide slit in the area of the outlet recess. In this way, the assembly of the cover on the container can be further simplified. 
     The container according to the invention has the advantage that the cover can be reliably held in an open position when the outlet recess or the outlet valve have to be reached. This means that the user has both hands free for assembly or operating activities on the valve, and it also prevents the cover from being closed accidentally during an assembly operation. According to the invention, locking in the open position is accomplished by the hinge assembly of the cover per se. This has the advantage that the entire locking mechanism is part of the cover and can be easily replaced together with the cover in the event of a defect. 
     Preferably, the container may be a bulk carrier of the intermediate bulk container type having an internal tank with an outlet valve housed within an external support structure of bottom and side wall. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge assembly may comprise a prestressing or spring element configured to hold the closure body in the second, open position. Such an embodiment of the invention has the advantage that under the prestressing action, the cover can be automatically transferred into a defined, open position, i.e. even if a user does not fully open the cover manually, the cover snaps into a fully open position by itself. 
     According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the hinge assembly may be configured as a bistable hinge that is prestressed either to the first position closing the outlet recess or to the second position releasing the outlet recess, depending on its relative position with respect to a pressure point. In other words, the hinge of the cover may be configured as a so-called snap hinge, that it is either snapped into a defined closed position or a defined open position, depending on the relative position of the closure portion relative to a pressure point. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the cover is always either in a completely closed position or in a defined open position, thus preventing operating errors such as incomplete closure of the cover. 
     In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the cover may be manufactured in one piece as a plastic component, in particular from a thermoplastic material. This makes it possible to design the cover as a replacement part that is easy to manufacture and inexpensive to produce. According to a further preferred embodiment, the bistable hinge may be configured as a film hinge assembly. The implementation of the hinge as a film hinge supports the configuration of the cover as a simple replacement part to be manufactured in one piece. Preferably, the cover may be manufactured in one piece as an injection molded part. 
     According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the bistable hinge may be a curved film hinge. By introducing a curvature or bend into the film hinge, tension can be easily applied to the hinge and a snap effect can be created. In such a case, the film hinge per se forms the prestressing or spring element that prestresses/holds the closure body in the second, open position. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the bistable hinge may have a resilient bending element or tensile element as a prestressing or spring element that produces a snap effect. 
     In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the hinge assembly may include complementary latch or friction elements at the adjacent ends of the base portion and of the closure portion configured to hold the closure portion in the second position in a self-supporting manner. Accordingly, as an alternative to an embodiment having prestressing elements, the hinge assembly may also be configured to be self-supporting by having teeth or a friction closure that engage in various pivot positions. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, in the second position releasing the outlet recess, the closure portion may be rotated about the pivot axis (A) by an angle of 135° to 190°, preferably between 150° and 170°, with respect to the first position. Preferably, the closure portion may be oriented substantially vertically in the first position closing the outlet recess. In commercially available containers, the closure portion in the first position closing the outlet recess is mostly oriented vertically or parallel to the container side surface. It is advantageous if the cover is rotated by slightly less than 180° from this position closing the outlet recess to the defined open position, so that on the one hand the outlet recess is reliably released, but on the other hand it is still easy to reach behind the open cover (it does not rest against the side wall). 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the base portion may be detachable and attachable to the container without tools. This enables fast replacement of a damaged cover. Since the complete device for locking the cover in the open position is part of the cover itself, this can also be easily replaced by replacing the cover. 
     According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the base portion may include a latch recess which is in particular located on a side of the base portion facing away from the hinge assembly and which is configured and provided to engage a corresponding latch projection on the container close to the outlet recess. A reverse arrangement of latch projection and latch recess is also possible. In other words, a snap connection may be provided for easy, tool-free clipping of the cover to the container. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, both the base portion and the closure portion may have a substantially plate-like structure and may be joined together at adjacent side edges by the hinge assembly. Such a shape enables a simple tool design for the production of the cover. 
     According to a preferred aspect of the invention, in the first position closing the outlet recess, the closure body may fit flush into the outer surface of the bottom and/or of the side wall. Such a configuration of the container and of the cover avoids damage to the latter, since no edge of the cover in the closed position protrudes from the container side surface on which one could get caught. For this purpose, an area of the outer surface of the container adjacent to the outlet recess may preferably be indented so that the cover, which is in particular plate-shaped, can be inserted/placed into the indent. 
     A container for transporting and storing liquid, viscous, or free-flowing substances has a bottom, a side wall and at least one outlet recess in the bottom and/or the side wall, in which an outlet valve is arranged or arrangeable. The outlet recess is closable on the outside of the container via a cover and sealable via a sealing device to secure the cover in the closed state. 
     The cover preferably has a base portion and a closure portion. The base portion is configured to be attached or attachable to the container. The closure portion is configured to be able to close the outlet recess. The closure portion is hinged to the base portion via a hinge assembly so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis, so that the closure portion can be transferred from a first position closing the outlet recess to a second position releasing the outlet recess. 
     Preferably, the hinge assembly is further configured to hold or lock the closure portion in the second position releasing the outlet recess in a self-supporting manner. 
     The closure portion of the cover preferably has a cover sealing hole preferably formed on a side of the closure portion opposite the hinge assembly. The outlet recess has a transverse rib which extends transversely to the outlet recess (i.e., narrowing the outlet recess or parallel to the side wall towards which the outlet recess opens). The transverse rib forms a transverse-rib sealing hole which is aligned with the cover sealing hole of the closure portion when closed. The cover sealing hole and the transverse rib with the transverse-rib sealing hole form the sealing device and are configured to receive a seal. 
     Preferably, the cover sealing hole and the transverse-rib sealing hole (in short: the holes) have the same size and shape, preferably polygonal or oval, further preferably rectangular, and are oriented relative to each other. Furthermore, the transverse rib may form a circumferential collar or may extend only along a circumferential portion of the outlet recess. Preferably, the transverse rib is arranged in only one corner of the outlet recess in order to reduce its opening and/or volume as little as possible. In particular, the transverse rib is arranged on a side of the closure portion opposite the hinge assembly. This ensures a particularly secure closure of the cover. Furthermore, the transverse rib preferably forms a stop for the closure portion in the closed position. It is also useful if the transverse rib is offset towards the container inside via a setback, wherein a depth of the setback corresponds to a thickness of the closure portion. This allows the closure portion to rest against the transverse rib on the inside in the closed state and to be aligned on the outside with a side wall or with an outer surface of the bottom of the container. The cover sealing hole and the transverse-rib sealing hole are preferably completely closed circumferentially. Alternatively, however, one or both of the holes may be open towards a rim of the closure portion or towards a rim of the transverse rib. It is only necessary to ensure that the seal cannot slip out of the sealing device. For example, one of the holes may be closed all around and the second one of the holes may form a setback whose rim supports the seal on two diametrically opposite sides of the seal. 
     It is further advantageous if the closure portion in the area of the cover sealing hole has an indentation towards the container inside. If the seal is arranged in the sealing device, it is thus located in the indentation and is protected against damage by impacts or the like. In addition, one or more troughs are preferably provided directly next to the cover sealing hole, or possibly inside the indentation, which allow reaching under an external portion of the seal in order to remove it. In particular, it is advantageous if a trough is provided in the direction of each possible arrangement of the seal around the cover sealing hole or if an at least partially circumferential trough is provided around the cover sealing hole. 
     Optionally, the sealing device may be provided as a set with a cover plug, via which the cover sealing hole may be closed if a seal is not desired, in order to prevent dust or the like from penetrating or to prevent surrounding objects from getting caught in the cover sealing hole. 
     The seal is configured to be clipped into the sealing device, i.e., into the cover sealing hole and the transverse-rib sealing hole. In other words, the seal is designed to be inserted through the cover sealing hole and through the transverse-rib sealing hole up to a stop of the seal, wherein it locks in this position in order to connect the transverse rib and the closure portion to each other in such a way that the closure portion cannot be opened without destroying the seal. This ensures that opening of the cover by unauthorized persons is prevented or that it is at least immediately apparent, since this would lead to destruction of the seal. 
     More specifically, the seal has a base portion, which is preferably plate-shaped, and which forms the stop limiting the insertion of the seal through the transverse-rib sealing hole and/or the cover sealing hole. In other words, an extension of the base portion in at least one direction is larger than the widest extension of the transverse-rib sealing hole and/or preferably of the cover sealing hole. The base portion is preferably rectangular, but may have any other shape suitable for covering the hole, such as circular or oval. The base portion is connected to a spreading portion via at least one predetermined breaking point. The (anchor-shaped) spreading portion has a spring arm which spreads outwards in such a way that it forms a stop which prevents removal of the seal in a direction opposite to insertion. This means that in the expanded state, the spring arm has a larger dimension than the widest dimension of the cover sealing hole and/or preferably of the transverse-rib sealing hole. Furthermore, the spring arm is configured in such a way that when the seal is inserted through the cover sealing hole and through the transverse-rib sealing hole, it compresses and thereby narrows in order to be insertable through the holes (i.e. to fit through the holes), and that after passing through the two holes, it resiliently returns and spreads out again. Preferably, the spreading portion protrudes inwards when the seal is inserted, and thus cannot be removed from the sealing device by manually compressing the spring arm. 
     Preferably, the spreading portion is anchor-like, wherein at least two, preferably three or four, anchor arms are provided as spring arms, which extend outwards in different directions and preferably in the direction of the base portion. Optionally, at least two main spring arms are provided, which bear a main load, in particular a tensile load acting on the base portion, in the event of an attempt to remove the seal, and at least two secondary spring arms arranged alternately with the main spring arms, which bear a secondary load, preferably a supporting load in the event of tilting of the seal within the sealing device. In particular, the spring arms are arranged in the form of an arrow pointing in the opposite direction to the base portion. The spring arms thus form a ramp by which they are deflected inwards by pressure against a rim of the holes upon insertion into the cover sealing hole and the transverse-rib sealing hole. In the direction of the base portion, the spring arms form a hook or a stop edge so that the spring arms spread wider and/or block movement when an attempt is made to remove the seal in the direction of the base portion and prevent removal. 
     Further preferably, the spreading portion is eccentrically arranged on the base portion. In particular, the base portion forms a (finger) tab at least in one direction, such that the tab projects further beyond the rim of the cover sealing hole in one direction than in other directions when the seal is inserted. Preferably, the extent of the tab is such that it extends beyond the trough as described above directly adjacent to the cover sealing hole. 
     Furthermore, it is advantageous if the base portion and/or the spreading portion form a foot connecting the base portion and the spreading portion, wherein a foot cross-section corresponds at least partially to a cross-section of the cover sealing hole and/or of the transverse-rib sealing hole, so that rotating of the seal in the sealing device is prevented. For example, the cross-section of at least one of the holes as well as the cross-section of the foot is rectangular, wherein dimensions of the foot cross-section correspond to the dimensions of the holes or the respective hole only in one direction. Thus, the orientation of the seal in the sealing device is fixed when the seal is inserted therein. Since the seal is thus not freely movable in the sealing device, in particular it cannot twist, the risk of unintentional damage to the seal is reduced. 
     In addition, it has proven practical if the base portion has a through opening through which the spreading portion or preferably the predetermined breaking point between the base portion and the spreading portion can be accessed from the outside of the container, preferably (only) via a tool. In this way, the seal can also be removed if, for example, the predetermined breaking points do not break as intended or the seal cannot be gripped sufficiently well from the outside to tear it off. 
     The seal can also be provided with an identification element such as a barcode or something similar. This improves data acquisition and makes it possible to check the seal used. The security of the seal is thus increased. 
     The seal and the sealing device preferably form a system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The present invention is explained below with reference to exemplary configuration examples, which are shown in the figures for better illustration. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an intermediate bulk container according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration to show an outlet recess of a container according to a preferred embodiment and to show an insertion procedure for an outlet valve; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a cover for an outlet recess according to a first preferred configuration example in a closed state; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of the cover for an outlet recess in an opened state; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  show an opening operation of the cover for an outlet recess according to the first configuration example; 
         FIG. 6  shows the cover according to the first configuration example in a cut-away view; 
         FIG. 7  shows a cover according to a second configuration example in a cut-away view; 
         FIG. 8  shows a latch mechanism for a self-supporting cover according to a third configuration example; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  show detailed views of the latch mechanism for securing the cover to the container; 
         FIG. 10  shows an external view of a sealing device for securing a cover for an outlet recess according to a modification of one of the configuration examples described above, in a closed and sealed state; 
         FIG. 11  shows an internal view of the sealing device from  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows the outlet recess according to the modification; 
         FIG. 13  shows an external view of the cover according to the modification with a cover plug and a detailed view of a sealing portion of the cover without the cover plug; 
         FIG. 14  shows an internal detail view of the sealing portion of the cover from  FIG. 13  with the cover plug; 
         FIG. 15A ,  FIG. 15B  and  FIG. 15C  show a seal according to the modification from different perspectives; 
         FIG. 16A  shows the sealing device being broken open; 
         FIG. 16B  shows the open outlet recess after being broken open; and 
         FIG. 16C  shows the broken seal, each according to the modification. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a container  1  according to a preferred configuration example of the present invention. The container  1  shown is a so-called intermediate bulk container. Containers of this type have a bottom  2 , which usually has a pallet-like underbody structure, and a side wall  4  extending upwards from the bottom. The container  1  shown also has a lid, which is not described in further detail. The elements described above form an outer structure of the container  1 , which shield an internal tank or bag (not shown) from external influences and also provide stackability of identically constructed containers  1 . Such intermediate bulk containers enable safe transport of liquid, viscous, or free-flowing goods. In order to be able to remove said goods from the container  1 , the internal tank or bag is equipped on its underside or in a lower area with an outlet valve  8 , which is not shown in greater detail in  FIG. 1 . In order to make this outlet valve  8  accessible from outside the container  1 , the container  1  has in its outer structure, i.e. in its bottom  2  and/or its side wall  4 , an outlet recess  6 , which represents an opening through said outer structure or a mounting duct for the valve  8 . For protection against dust and other external influences, said outlet recess  6  is protected on the outside of the container by a cover  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed perspective view of the outlet recess  6 , which, in the preferred configuration example shown, is arranged in the container bottom  2  or in a bottom rim  3  formed by it.  FIG. 2  also shows an exemplary valve assembly  8  that can be inserted into the outlet recess  6  from the inner container side. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the outlet recess  6  may be closed on the outside of the container with a cover  10 . The cover  10  shown here has a flap-like configuration. In its basic structure, the cover  10  has a base portion  12 , which is arranged in the direction of the upper container side in the example shown and with which the cover is fixed to the container  1  or to the bottom  2 , and has a closure portion  16 , which represents the structure closing the outlet recess  6 . The closure portion  16  is pivotably connected to the base portion  12  via a hinge assembly  14 . 
     As can also be seen clearly in  FIG. 3 , the cover  10  fits substantially flat into the outer surface to of the bottom rim  3 . For this purpose, an area of the outer surface of the bottom rim  3  directly adjacent to the outlet recess  6  is indented relative to the remaining lateral outer surface so that the cover  10  can be inserted into this indent. In order to nevertheless ensure good accessibility to the cover  10  and to be able to open it, a handle recess  5  is provided at the lower edge of the bottom  2  adjacent to the indent into which the cover  10  is inserted. 
       FIG. 4  shows the cover  10  of  FIG. 3  in an open state. For opening, the closure portion  16  is pivoted about a pivot axis A defined by the hinge assembly  14 . According to the invention, the shown cover  10  or its hinge assembly  14  is constructed in a self-supporting manner, i.e. it locks itself automatically in a defined open position, as will be explained in more detail below. As can be clearly seen in  FIG. 4 , the defined open position in which the closure portion  16  is locked is selected in such a way that the opening is completely released, but the flap is not completely pivoted by 180°, but an opening angle of between 10° to 30° remains relative to the side surface of the container  1 . This has the advantage that the closure portion  16  can be more easily reached from behind for closing, since it does not rest against the side surface of the container  1 . 
       FIGS. 5A to 5C  show a side view of the cover  10  with self-supporting closure body  16  according to a first configuration example. In the first configuration example, the hinge assembly  14  is formed as a so-called bistable hinge or snap hinge. The hinge assembly  14  comprises a film hinge  15 , which defines the basic pivot axis A of the closure portion  16 . In addition, in this example, the hinge assembly  14  has two prestressing or spring elements  18 , which act here as tension spring elements, in order to achieve a snap effect of the hinge  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the spring element  18  is in a relaxed state in the closed state of the cover  10 , in which the base portion  12  and the closure portion  16  are substantially aligned. The position of the closure portion  16  shown in  FIG. 5A  forms a first rest position of the bistable hinge assembly  14 . In the relaxed state of the spring element  18 , two end points  19  thereof have a distance r from each other. A first end point  19  of the spring element  18  is pivotally connected to the base portion  12  via a film hinge, and a second end point  19  of the spring element  18  is also pivotably connected to the closure portion  16  via a film hinge. Since the spring element  18  is pivotably connected to both the base portion  12  and the closure portion  16 , the spring element  18  can follow the pivotal movement of the closure portion  16 . However, since the end points  19  (film hinges) of the spring element are offset from the film hinge  15  between the base portion  12  and the closure portion  16 , the spring elements  18  do not perform a concentric rotation with the closure portion  16 . As a result, when the closure portion  16  is pivoted out of the position shown in  FIG. 5A , the spring element  18  has to elongate. 
       FIG. 5B  clearly shows how the distance of the two end points  19  of the spring element  18  in a pivoted position clearly exceeds the distance r from the relaxed state of the spring element  18 . In other words, the spring element  18  is stretched as soon as the hinge assembly  14  leaves rest position. Therefore, at small deflections from the closed state shown in  FIG. 5A , the closure portion snaps back to its original position under the prestress of the spring elements  18 . The state shown in  FIG. 5B  represents a pressure point in which the spring element  18  is maximally stretched when the closure portion  16  is pivoted about the film hinge  15 . When the closure portion  16  is pivoted further in a counterclockwise direction (in the selected illustration), the distance of the two end points  19  of the spring element  18  is shortened again. The prestressing force of the spring element  18  thus acts from exceeding the pressure point in the direction of a second relaxed state of the spring element  18  or a second rest position of the hinge assembly  14 . 
       FIG. 5C  shows this second rest position of the bistable hinge assembly  14 , which represents a defined open state of the cover  10 . As can also be clearly seen in  FIG. 5C , the distance of the two end points  19  of the spring element  18  in this second rest position again corresponds to the distance r, as already in the first rest position. In summary, the hinge assembly  14  according to the first configuration example causes the closure portion  16  to snap upwards automatically starting from a predetermined deflection or starting from exceeding a predetermined pressure point and is held or locked in this open position by the spring force of the prestressing element  18  in a self-supporting manner. In addition, the bistable hinge is prestressed into the closed position and can thus provide better tightness during closure. 
       FIG. 6  shows the cover  10  with bistable hinge assembly  14  according to a first configuration example in a cutaway view.  FIG. 7  shows a second, alternative embodiment for a cover  10  with bistable hinge  15 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the bistability or snap effect of the film hinge  15  is created by introducing a bend into the film hinge. Since the course of the film hinge  15  no longer coincides with the pivot axis A defined by it due to the incorporation of the bend, the film hinge  15  in this embodiment functions per se as a resilient bending element that creates a snap effect. 
       FIG. 8  shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which the self-supporting cover is not realized via a bistable hinge but via complementary latch elements  28 ,  30  between base portion  12  and closure portion  16 . As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the base portion  12  in the example shown has a kind of teeth running coaxially to the pivot axis A in the circumferential direction of the hinge assembly  14 , into which locking projections  30  carried on resilient arms  29  engage. The geometry of the teeth  28  and of the projections  30 , together with the spring force of the arms  29 , is adjusted in such a way that manual pivoting of the hinge assembly is easily possible, but the holding force generated by the complementary latch elements  28 ,  30  is sufficient to hold the closure portion  16  in a self-supporting manner. 
     The cover  10  according to the preferred embodiment is provided with a latch mechanism that is detachable and attachable without tools. In particular, the illustrated preferred embodiment of the cover  10  can be attached to the container  1  in an uncomplicated manner via a latch mechanism. This is advantageous, since the cover is a wearing part of the container  1 . Corresponding covers  10  are often damaged when handling containers  1  via floor conveyors such as forklifts. 
     In the embodiment shown, as can best be seen in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a latch nose or latch projection  20  is arranged above the outlet recess  6  on the outer surface of the indent. This latch projection  20  is adapted and provided to engage with a corresponding latch recess  22  on the base portion  12  of the cover  10 . The latch recess  22  is located in an upper portion of the base portion  12  facing the container inside. A guide chamfer  23  is formed between the upper edge of the base portion  12  and an upper edge of the latch recess  22  to allow sliding over the latch nose  20 , which is also chamfered, to create a snap effect. A guide rib  24 , which is inserted into a complementary groove or into a guide slit  26  on the upper rim of the indent above the outlet recess  6  in the container  1 , ensures a guided assembly movement and a secure snap-in of the cover  10  during assembly on the container  1 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an external view of a sealing device  31  for securing a cover  10  for an outlet recess  6  according to a modification of one of the configuration examples described above in a closed and sealed state. This modification may be combined with any of the embodiments described above. Apart from the differences described below, the container according to the modification corresponds to one of the preceding embodiments, in particular to the first embodiment, and corresponding features are not described twice. 
     The sealing device  31  shown in  FIG. 10  is provided on a side opposite the hinge assembly  14 , in this example on a lower corner, of the closure portion  16  of the cover  10 . The closure portion  16  forms an indentation  32  in the area of the sealing device  31 , so that the sealing device  31  is recessed with respect to an outer surface of the closure portion  16  towards the container inside. A seal  33  is inserted into the sealing device  31 , wherein a rectangular, plate-like base portion  34  of the seal  33  is arranged outside the container  1  in the indentation  32 , while a spreading portion  35  of the seal projects inwards. Through an elongated opening  40  of the base portion  34 , a foot  44  of the spreading portion  35  of the seal  33  arranged therein is visible. The structure of the seal  33  will be described in more detail later with reference to  FIGS. 15A to 15C . The elongated opening  40  is arranged decentrally with respect to the base portion  34  and is preferably oriented according to a longitudinal direction of the rectangular base portion  34 . The base portion  34  is arranged such that it protrudes laterally and forms a kind of tab  36 . Troughs  37  are provided in the indentation  32  on both sides of the seal  33 . The tab  36  extends to the side in such a way that it is arranged at least partially above one of the troughs  37  and it is thus possible to reach into the corresponding trough  37  and under the tab  36 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an internal view of the outlet recess  6  in the area of the sealing device  31  from  FIG. 10 . The sealing device  31  has a transverse rib  38 , which is formed in a corner of the outlet recess  6  and extends into the outlet recess  6  parallel to a corresponding side wall  4  of the container  1  or to a corresponding outer surface of the bottom  2 . The closed closure portion  16  is arranged on the outside of the transverse rib  38 . A transverse-rib sealing hole  39  is arranged in the transverse rib  38 . Since the seal  33  is inserted in the sealing device  31 , the seal  33 , or more precisely a spreading portion  35  of the seal  33 , protrudes from the transverse-rib sealing hole  39  towards the container interior. Anchor-like spring arms  41  of the spreading portion  35  are spread on the inside of the transverse rib  38 , thus blocking outward movement of the seal  33 . Furthermore, it can be seen that a cross-section of the foot  44  of the spreading portion  35  is rectangular and a length of the rectangular cross-section of the foot  44  substantially corresponds to a length of the transverse-rib sealing hole  39 , so that slippage of the seal  33  in the transverse-rib sealing hole  39  is at least partially restricted. The foot  44  is connected to the base portion  34  and, when the seal  33  is inserted, extends through the transverse-rib sealing hole  39  and a cover sealing hole  42  described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the outlet recess  6  according to the modification. The arrangement of the transverse rib  38  in a lower corner of the outlet recess  6  as well as the rectangular transverse-rib sealing hole  39  arranged centrally therein are clearly visible. Furthermore, the transverse rib  38  is offset via a setback  21  with respect to an outer surface of the container  1 , in particular of the bottom  2 , surrounding the outlet recess  6 . A depth of the setback  21  corresponds substantially to a thickness of the closure portion  16 , so that in the closed state, the latter abuts the transverse rib  38  on the inside, as shown in  FIG. 11 , and is flush with the outer surface on the outside, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an external view of the cover  10  according to the modification to illustrate the arrangement of the sealing device  31  at the corner of the cover  10  opposite the hinge assembly  14 . Furthermore, a detailed view of the sealing portion  31  of the cover  10  is shown with a cover sealing hole  42  centrally located in the indentation  32 . In  FIG. 10 , this cover sealing hole  42  is covered by the seal  33  inserted therein. Since the seal  33  is not inserted in  FIG. 13 , the troughs  37  on both sides of the cover sealing hole  42  are not covered by the tab  36 . In the external view of the cover  10 , a cover plug  43  is inserted into the cover sealing hole  42  instead of the seal  33  in order to close it when a seal  33  is not required. The cover plug  43  forms a flat lid on the outside. On the inside, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the cover plug  43  has clip arms which engage in a step provided on the inside of the closure portion  16  in the area of the sealing device  31  (in particular formed to run around the cover sealing hole). 
       FIG. 15A ,  FIG. 15B  and  FIG. 15C  show a seal  33  according to the modification from different perspectives. As can be seen particularly well in  FIG. 15C , the spreading portion  35  is arranged via the foot  44  decentrally on the base portion  34 , more precisely, in the elongated opening  40  of the base portion  34 , and connected thereto via predetermined breaking points  45 . More specifically, a slit formed by the elongated opening  40  between the foot  44  and the base portion  34  is bridged by the predetermined breaking points  45 . In this example, three predetermined breaking points  45  are provided distributed in the slit by way of example. The foot  44  extends perpendicular to the base portion  34  (cf.  FIG. 15A ) and is narrowed in an area facing away from the base portion  34 , which is located on the inside of the transverse rib  38  when the seal is inserted in the sealing device  31 , in order to provide clearance  46  for the spring arms  41  arranged in an anchor-like manner at the inner end of the spreading portion  35 , said spring arms  41  bending in the direction of the narrowed area of the spreading portion  35  (i.e. into the clearance  46 ) during spring deflection, so that a total extension of the spreading portion  35  defined by the spring arms  41  can become smaller than a cross-section of the transverse-rib sealing hole  39  and of the cover sealing hole  42 . As can be seen in particular in a top view of the spreading portion  35  shown in  FIG. 15B , the spring arms  41  comprise two main spring arms  41   a , which are oriented parallel to the rectangular foot  44  from the perspective of the top view and are preferably of the same width as the foot  44  (have the same material thickness). Furthermore, the spring arms  41  comprise two secondary spring arms  41   b  which, from the perspective of the top view, are oriented perpendicular to the rectangular foot  44  and the main spring arms  41   a  and are preferably narrower than the latter. It should be noted that the main and secondary spring arms  41   a ,  41   b  additionally extend in the direction of the base portion  34 , i.e., run diagonally to the foot  44  to form arms of the anchor shape of the spreading portion  35 . 
       FIG. 16A  shows breaking open of the sealing device  31 , wherein the seal  33  is gripped or is grippable at the tab  36  formed by the base portion  34 , since the tab  36  in connection with the troughs  37  of the sealing device  31  is particularly suitable for gripping the seal  33 .  FIG. 16B  shows the opened outlet recess  6  after breaking open, wherein the spreading portion  35  was broken off from the base portion  34  (shown in  FIG. 16C ) at the predetermined breaking points  45  and fell inwards into the outlet recess  6 .  FIG. 16C  shows the broken seal  33 , in which the broken predetermined breaking points  45  are clearly visible.