Abstract
A container for transporting and storing liquid, viscous or pourable substances, in particular a container of the Intermediate Bulk Container type, includes a base, a side wall and at least one outlet recess in the base and/or the side wall, in which an outlet valve is or can be arranged and which is closable on the outside of the container by a cover. The cover has a base section, by which the cover is fastened or fastenable to the container, and a closure section that is hinged on the base section via a hinge assembly such that it can pivot about a rotational axis. The hinge assembly is designed to hold or lock the closure section in a self-supporting manner in a position releasing the outlet recess.
Claims
1. A container for transporting and storing liquid, viscous, or free-flowing substances, the container having a bottom, a side wall, and an outlet recess in at least one of the bottom and the side wall, in which an outlet valve is arranged or arrangeable and which is closable via a cover on an outside of the container, the cover comprising a base portion, via which the cover is attached or attachable to the container, and a closure portion that is hinged to the base portion via a hinge assembly so as to be pivotable about a rotation axis, so that said closure portion is transferable from a first position closing the outlet recess into a second position releasing the outlet recess, the hinge assembly configured to hold or lock the closure portion in the second position releasing the outlet recess in a self-supporting manner, the base portion comprising a guide rib, and the container comprising a corresponding guide slit in an area of the outlet recess.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a prestressing or spring element configured to hold the closure portion in the second position.
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the hinge assembly is configured as a bistable hinge that is prestressed either to the first position or to the second position, depending on where the bistable hinge is positioned relative to a pressure point.
4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the bistable hinge is a film hinge assembly.
5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the bistable hinge is designed as a curved film hinge.
6. The container according to claim 4, wherein the bistable hinge comprises a resilient bending element or tensile element as prestressing or spring element that produces a snap effect.
7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises complementary latch elements at adjacent ends of the base portion and of the closure portion, the latch elements configured to hold the closure portion in the second position in a self-supporting manner.
8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the closure portion, in the second position, is rotated about the pivot axis by an angle of 135° to 190° with respect to the first position.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the closure portion is oriented substantially vertically in the first position.
10. The container according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is detachable from and attachable to the container without tools.
11. The container according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is attachable to the container via a snap connection in an area of the outlet recess.
12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a monolithic one-piece plastic component of unitary construction.
13. The container according to claim 1, wherein both the base portion and the closure portion have a substantially plate-like structure and are joined together at adjacent side edges by the hinge assembly.
14. The container according to claim 1, wherein in the first position, the closure portion fits flush into an outer surface of said at least one of the bottom and the side wall.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0040] The present invention is explained below with reference to exemplary configuration examples, which are shown in the figures for better illustration.
[0041] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an intermediate bulk container according to a preferred embodiment;
[0042] 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;
[0043] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cover for an outlet recess according to a first preferred configuration example in a closed state;
[0044] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the cover for an outlet recess in an opened state;
[0045] FIGS. 5A to 5C show an opening operation of the cover for an outlet recess according to the first configuration example;
[0046] FIG. 6 shows the cover according to the first configuration example in a cut-away view;
[0047] FIG. 7 shows a cover according to a second configuration example in a cut-away view;
[0048] FIG. 8 shows a latch mechanism for a self-supporting cover according to a third configuration example;
[0049] FIGS. 9A and 9B show detailed views of the latch mechanism for securing the cover to the container;
[0050] 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;
[0051] FIG. 11 shows an internal view of the sealing device from FIG. 10;
[0052] FIG. 12 shows the outlet recess according to the modification;
[0053] 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;
[0054] FIG. 14 shows an internal detail view of the sealing portion of the cover from FIG. 13 with the cover plug;
[0055] FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C show a seal according to the modification from different perspectives;
[0056] FIG. 16A shows the sealing device being broken open;
[0057] FIG. 16B shows the open outlet recess after being broken open; and
[0058] FIG. 16C shows the broken seal, each according to the modification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0059] 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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] 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.
[0074] 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.
[0075] 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.
[0076] 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).
[0077] 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 41a, 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 41b which, from the perspective of the top view, are oriented perpendicular to the rectangular foot 44 and the main spring arms 41a and are preferably narrower than the latter. It should be noted that the main and secondary spring arms 41a, 41b 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.
[0078] 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.
