SIPLID FOR A CONTAINER HAVING A TWISTING EFFECT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH SIPLID

Abstract

The invention relates to a siplid 2, a container provided with such siplid and a method therefor. The siplid comprises: • - a container side 4, a consumer side 6, and a siplid plane 12 having a siplid axis 14; • - an edge 8 configured for surrounding a container opening to cover the container opening; • - a drinking opening 18 in the siplid having a length L substantially extending in the circumferential direction of the siplid, and having a width W substantially extending in the radial direction of the siplid; • - a moveable tab 20 configured for covering the opening in a closed position; • - a recess 22 configured for receiving the moveable tab in an open position; • - a hinge 32 configured for enabling rotational movement of the tab around a hinge axis; and • - a section line 16 extending in the siplid plane dividing the opening in two equal parts, and a division line 34 in between the opening and the recess extending substantially perpendicular to the section line wherein the hinge axis is provided at a lid angle to the division line.

Claims

1. Siplid for a container, comprising: a container side, a consumer side, and a siplid plane having a siplid axis; an edge configured for surrounding a container opening to cover the container opening; a drinking opening in the siplid having a length substantially extending in the circumferential direction of the siplid, and having a width substantially extending in the radial direction of the siplid; a moveable tab configured for covering the opening in a closed position; a recess configured for receiving the moveable tab in an open position; a hinge configured for enabling rotational movement of the tab around a hinge axis; and a section line extending in the siplid plane dividing the opening in two equal parts, and a division line in between the opening and the recess extending substantially perpendicular to the section line, wherein the hinge axis is provided at a lid angle to the division line.

2. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle is at least 0.45°.

3. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle is in the range of 0.45° to 7.5°.

4. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle lies in the siplid plane.

5. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle lies in a plane at an angle to the siplid plane.

6. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the siplid is manufactured from a moulded pulp.

7. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the siplid is biodegradable.

8. Siplid according to claim 7, wherein the siplid is compostable.

9. Siplid according to claim 7, wherein the moulded pulp comprises an amount of a biodegradable aliphatic polyester.

10. Siplid according to claim 6, wherein the moulded pulp comprises an amount of calcium carbonate.

11. Siplid according to claim 6, wherein the moulded pulp comprises an amount of natural fibers and/or alternative fibers.

12. Drinking container comprising a siplid according toany of the foregoingclaims .

13. Method for manufacturing a siplid according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: providing a raw material; forming the siplid; and providing the hinge axis for the movable tab at a lid angle to the division line.

14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of performing a twisting movement when moving the moveable lid from the open position to the closed position.

15. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle is at least 0.5°.

16. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle is at least 0.7°.

17. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle is at least 0.85°.

18. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle is in the range of 0.6° to 3.5°.

19. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle is in the range of 0.75° to 2°.

20. Siplid according to claim 1, wherein the lid angle is in the range of 0.9° to 1.2°.

Description

[0057] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a siplid according to the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the opening in the siplid of FIG. 1;

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a detail of a stack of siplids according to FIG. 1; and

[0061] FIG. 4 shows a drinking container that is provided with the siplid of FIG. 1.

[0062] Siplid 2 (FIG. 1) is provided with container side 4 and consumer side 6. Siplid 2 is further provided with clamping edge 8 that is configured for clamping around the bead-like mouth edge of a container. In the illustrated embodiment one or more markings and/or embossings 10 are provided to display information. Siplid 2 is further provided with siplid plane 12. In the illustrated embodiment lid axis 14 extends in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to siplid plane 12. Section line 16 is provided so that opening 18, tab 20 and recess 22 are divided in two (symmetric) parts. In the illustrated embodiment section line 16 extends substantially perpendicular to lid axis 14. In the illustrated embodiment siplid plane 12 is provided substantially parallel to a plane that is defined by clamping edge 8. Section line 16 extends substantially perpendicular relative to lid axis 14. It will be understood that siplid plane may be provided at an angle relative to the plane defined by clamping edge 8 in other embodiments. Optionally, undercut portions 24 are provided to improve the clamping of siplid 2 on a container.

[0063] Opening 18 in siplid 2 is defined by opening plane 26 within rupture line 28 that is connected with breaking elements 30 to siplid plane 12. Hinge 32 extends substantially parallel between opening 18 and recess 22 at a lid angle a relative to the division line extending between opening 18 and recess 22 and extending substantially perpendicular to section line 16. This division line is indicated in FIG. 2 with reference number 34. Hinge 32 is provided at an angle β relative to section line 16. In the illustrated embodiment a + β is 90°. Opening 18 is provided with length L in a radial direction of siplid 2 and width W in a radial direction towards lid axis 14. Tab 20 is provided with tab upper side edge 36, tab lower side edge 38 and two tab side edges 40.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment siplid 2 (FIG. 3) is provided with clamping edge 8 having an outward extending edge 42 and a colar portion 44. A first radial circumferential edge 46 is configured for clamping around the container edge. Furthermore, there is provided a second radial circumferential edge 48 and a groove 50 for liquid collection and allowing some resilient movement when positioning siplid 2 on a container.

[0065] Container 52 (FIG. 4) is provided with siplid 2. Container 52 has a container axis 54 and a container edge or bead-like mouth edge 56. In the illustrated embodiment lid axis 14 and container axis 54 extend in the same direction and overlap.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment natural fibres 58 are provided in siplid 2.

[0067] When using siplid 2 it is often denested from stack 60 and then positioned above bead-like mouth edge 56 of container 52. Pushing siplid 2 downwards moves clamping edge 8 slightly outwards using some resilient movement that is (partly) enabled by groove 50. Pushing siplid 2 further downwards positions siplid 2 around edge 56. The, breaking elements 30 are ruptured, tab 20 is rotated around hinge 32 and is preferably positioned in recess 22. By pushing tab 20 downwards into recess 22 an efficient lock is achieved as a result of performing a twisting movement that is caused by providing hinge axis 32 at the lid angle α. Then, container 52 with siplid 2 is ready for use.

[0068] In the manufacturing process of siplid 2 first a moulded pulp material is prepared. Optionally, an amount of biodegradable aliphatic polyester, such as PBS and/or PBAT, is blended or mixed into the moulded pulp material. Preferably, the raw siplid is moulded and dried. Post-moulded operations can be performed involving decoration. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, an amount of natural fibres can be added to the moulded pulp. Also optionally, a refining step can be performed to the material of the moulded pulp.

[0069] Experiments were performed with siplid 2. For example, measurements at a temperature of about 23° and a relative humidity of about 50% involved a compression test. This showed a sufficient compression value that is even better as compared to conventional siplids. Other tests related to further properties of the siplid, such as denesting. It is noted that experiments showed that providing an amount of biodegradable aliphatic polyester in the moulded fibre improves denesting properties of the siplid from a stack over a range of conditions.

[0070] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.