PACKAGING CONTAINER COMPRISING A LOCKING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A packaging container for bulk solids includes a container body, a container lid and a locking arrangement. The container body comprises a container wall that defines a container opening and an inner compartment. The container lid comprises a peripheral portion at a peripheral edge of the container lid. The container lid is joined by a hinged connection to the container body at a rear edge portion of the container opening. The locking arrangement comprises at least one locking tab permanently joined to the container body at a front edge portion of the container opening and/or at an opposing side edge portion of the container opening. The locking tab comprises a free end portion extending in the height direction. The free end portion of the locking tab comprises a first locking element arranged to mate with a second locking element arranged on the peripheral portion of the container lid.

Claims

1. A paperboard packaging container (1, 101, 201) for bulk solids, said container comprising a container body (2, 102, 202) comprising a container wall (3, 103, 203) extending from a container bottom (4, 104, 204) to a container opening (5, 105, 205) in a height direction of said container (1, 101, 201), said container wall (3, 103, 203) and said container bottom (4, 104, 204) delimiting an inner compartment (6, 106, 206), said container opening (5, 105, 205) having a front edge portion (5′, 105′, 205′), a rear edge portion (5″, 105″, 205″) and two opposing side edge portions (5*, 105*, 205*), a container lid (7, 107, 207) being arranged to close said container opening (5, 105, 205), said container lid comprising a peripheral portion (15, 115, 215) at a peripheral edge of said container lid (7, 107, 207), said container lid (7, 107, 207) being joined by a hinged connection (14, 114, 214) to said container body (2, 102, 202) at said rear edge portion (5″, 105″, 205″) of said container opening (5, 105, 205), and a locking arrangement (8, 108, 208) for locking said container lid (7, 107, 207) in a closed position at said container opening (5, 105, 205), characterized in that said locking arrangement (8, 108, 208) comprises a locking tab (9, 109, 209), said locking tab (9, 109, 209) being permanently joined to said container body (2, 102, 202) at said front edge portion (5′, 105′, 205′) of said container opening (5, 105, 205) and/or at said side edge portion (5*, 105*, 205*) of said container opening (5, 105, 205) and having a free end portion (10, 110, 210) extending upward in said height direction, said free end portion (10, 110, 210) of said locking tab (9, 109, 209) comprising a first locking element (11, 111, 211), said first locking element (11, 111, 211) being arranged to mate with a second locking element (12, 112, 212) on said peripheral portion (15, 115, 215) of said container lid (7, 107, 207) in a locked position of said locking tab, said locking tab extending parallel with said container wall in said locked position of said locking tab.

2. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral portion (15, 115, 215) of said container lid (7, 107, 207) is a peripheral flange (15, 115, 215) extending at a peripheral edge of said container lid (7, 107, 207) downward towards said container bottom (4, 104, 204) in said height direction.

3. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said locking arrangement (1, 108, 208) comprises at least two locking tabs (9, 109, 209) being permanently joined to said container body (2, 102, 202).

4. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to claim 3, wherein said locking arrangement (1, 108, 208) comprises two locking tabs (9, 109, 209) being permanently joined to said container body (2, 102, 202) at said front edge portion (5′, 105′, 205′) of said container opening (5, 105, 205) and/or at said opposing side edge portions (5*, 105*, 205*) of said container opening (5, 105, 205).

5. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking arrangement (8, 108, 208) is a snap-fit locking arrangement such as a snap-in locking arrangement or a snap-on locking arrangement.

6. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking tab (9, 109, 209) comprises a hinge portion.

7. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container (1, 101, 201) comprises an inner peelable or tearable sealing gastight membrane forming a cross-sectional seal between an inner compartment (6, 106, 206) in said container body (2, 102, 202) and said container opening (5, 105, 205).

8. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an edge rim (13, 113, 213), such as a plastic rim, is applied to an end edge of said container body (2, 102, 202) being located at said container opening (5, 105, 205).

9. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to claim 8, wherein said container lid (7, 107, 207) is arranged to engage with said rim (13, 113, 213) to form a closure on said container (1, 101, 201).

10. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said container lid (7, 107, 207) is attached by a hinged connection (14, 114, 214) to said edge rim (13, 113, 213).

11. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said locking tab (9, 109, 209) is arranged on said rim (13, 113, 213) and is permanently attached to said rim (13, 113, 213) or is integrally formed with said rim (13, 113, 213).

12. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking tab (9, 109, 209) is provided with a tamper evidence arrangement.

13. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to claim 12, wherein said tamper evidence arrangement comprises a breakable connection between said locking tab (9, 109, 209) and said container body (2, 102, 202).

14. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to claim 13, wherein said breakable connection between said locking tab (9, 109, 209) and said container body (2, 102, 202) is a connection between said locking tab (9, 109, 209) and a plastic edge rim (13, 113, 213), which is permanently attached to an end edge of said container body (2, 102, 202).

15. A packaging container (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said packaging container (1, 101, 201) is a cuboid or near-cuboid container, said container wall (3, 103, 203) comprising a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and two side wall portions, said wall portions being connected at container body edge portions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The present invention will be further explained hereinafter by means of non-limiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0056] FIG. 1A shows a packaging container of the present invention comprising a locking arrangement according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 1B shows a detail of the locking arrangement in FIG. 1A;

[0058] FIG. 2A depicts a cross-section of the packaging container shown in FIG. 1 taken along the plane II-II;

[0059] FIG. 2B-2F show different embodiments of locking elements;

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a packaging container of the present invention comprising two locking tabs;

[0061] FIG. 4 shows the packaging container of FIG. 1A when the lid is open;

[0062] FIG. 5 shows a rim and a container lid to be used with a packaging container according to the present invention;

[0063] FIGS. 6A-6B show different shapes of the container body; and

[0064] FIG. 7 shows a packaging container comprising a slanted lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] It is to be understood that the drawings are schematic and that individual components, such as layers of material are not necessarily drawn to scale. The packaging containers and locking arrangements shown in the figures are provided as examples only and should not be considered limiting the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined solely by the appended claims. A height direction of a packaging container as disclosed herein is the vertical direction of the packaging container when standing with its bottom placed on a horizontal surface. Accordingly, the height direction is perpendicular to the horizontal direction which may also be referred to as the transverse direction of the packaging container.

[0066] FIGS. 1A, and 4 illustrate a packaging container 1 for bulk solids. The locking arrangement of the packaging container in FIG. 1A differs somewhat from the locking arrangement of the packaging container in FIG. 4. The packaging container 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 4 comprises a container body 2 having a container wall 3 extending from a container bottom 4 to a container opening 5 in a height direction of the container 1. The container opening 5 comprises a front edge portion 5′, a rear edge portion 5″, and two opposing side edge portions 5*. The container wall 3 and the container bottom 4 delimit an inner compartment 6 of the packaging container 1. A container lid 7 is arranged to close the container opening 5, and has a peripheral flange 15 extending centrally from a front peripheral edge portion 16 of the container lid 7 downward towards the container bottom 4 in the height direction of the packaging container 1. The container lid 7 is joined by a hinged connection 14 to the container body 2 at the rear edge portion 5″ of the container opening 5. The connection between the container lid 7 and the container body 2 is an indirect connection in that the lid 7 is hingedly joined to an edge rim 13 which is attached around the container opening 5.

[0067] The container lid 7 has an outer lid surface 7′ facing away from the inner compartment 6 and an inner lid surface 7″ facing towards the inner compartment 6 when the container lid 7 is closed. The packaging container 1 further comprises a locking arrangement 8 for locking the container lid 7 in a closed position at the container opening 5. The locking arrangement 8 which is depicted in FIG. 1A and in FIG. 1 B comprises one locking tab 9 which is permanently joined to the container body 2 at the front edge portion 5′ of the container opening 5.

[0068] The locking tab 9 has a free end portion 10 extending upwards in the height direction of the container 1. The free end portion 10 of the locking tab 9 is shown in FIG. 1 to terminate in the plane of the container lid 7 with an edge grip in the form of a small flange 19 along the free end portion 10 of the locking tab 9. As set out herein, for reasons of stackability, it is generally preferred that the edge portions of the upper surface of the container be without irregularities such as a protruding part of the locking tab. However, a small gripping tab or ridge on the locking tab which protrudes above the upper surface of the container lid 7 may be compensated for by arranging one or more stacking members which protrude past the locking tab in the height direction. By way of example only, and with reference to FIG. 1, the edge rim 13 may serve as a stacking member and may be arranged to protrude beyond the free end portion 10 of the locking tab 9.

[0069] In the shown example, the locking tab 9 is formed as an integral part of the edge rim 13 and is joined to the container body 2 together with the edge rim 13. The locking tab 9 is shown to be of generally rectangular shape and to be arranged in a frame 20 which is formed in the edge rim 13 and is placed at the front of the packaging container 1. The join between the edge rim 13 and the locking tab 9 is constituted by a live hinge 21 placed opposite the free end portion 10 of the locking tab 9. It is to be understood that the particular arrangement shown in FIG. 1 with the locking tab being arranged in a frame on an edge rim should not be considered limiting to the invention. Accordingly, the locking tab 9 may alternatively be separately formed and/or be arranged on the edge rim 13 in the manner shown in FIG. 4 or may be directly attached to the container body 2. Furthermore, the locking tab 9 need not have a well-defined hinge 21, as shown in FIGS. 1A and FIG. 1B. Instead, the locking tab may be made of a material which is sufficiently flexible to allow the locking tab to be bent by manual force. The shape of the locking tab may be different from the shapes shown in the figures. Accordingly, the locking tab may have any suitable shape including simple geometrical shapes such as oval, circular, triangular, etc. as well as complex shapes such as drop-shape, leaf-shape, flower-shape, etc.

[0070] The free end portion 10 of the locking tab 9 comprises a first locking element 11 which is configured to mate with a second locking element 12 which is arranged on the peripheral flange 15 of the container lid 7. For reasons of stackability the shown arrangement wherein the locking tab 9 does not extend past the upper edge of the container lid 7 may be preferred. However, as set out above, it is not excluded that a small portion of the locking tab 9 may protrude above the outer surface of the container lid 7.

[0071] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the locking arrangement may be provided with a tamper evidence arrangement such as two breakable connections 22 which are arranged between the locking tab 9 and the frame 20 in the edge rim 13. The breakable connections 22 are shown to be arranged opposite each other at the side edges of the locking tab 9. Such symmetrical configuration of breakable connections may be preferred as it provides for a more even force distribution when pulling at the locking tab. However, a symmetrical configuration of two or more breakable connections may not always be desired or even possible to accomplish if the locking tab itself has a non-symmetrical configuration.

[0072] As set out herein, two or more pairs of breakable connections may be arranged opposite each other at opposite side edges of the locking tab.

[0073] The breakable connections shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be formed simultaneously with forming the locking tab 9 and the edge rim 13, e.g. in an injection molding process, or may be formed separately. In the latter case, the connection may be formed in any suitable manner such as by welding, by gluing, by a connection member, etc.

[0074] When the locking tab is formed as a separate component which is attached to an edge rim or directly to the container body, one or more breakable connections between the locking tab may be formed in any suitable manner such as by welding, by gluing, by a connection member, etc.

[0075] The breakable connections 22 between the locking tab 9 and the container body 2 are optional features of the invention and may be omitted.

[0076] As mentioned above, when the user wishes to access the inner compartment 6 of the packaging container 1, the first and the second locking elements 11, 12 of the locking arrangement 8 are disengaged and the locking tab 9 is opened by moving the free end portion 10 in a direction A as indicated in FIG. 1A, i.e. away from the front edge portion 5′ at which the locking tab 9 is arranged. At the same time as the locking elements 11, 12 are disengaged for the first time, the breakable connections 22 between the locking tab 9 and the edge rim 13 on the container body 2 are broken, as is illustrated in FIG. 1B. Then, the container lid 7 is opened in a direction B indicated in FIG. 1A towards the rear edge portion 5″, at which the container lid 7 is arranged. Thus, the opening of the locking tab 9 and the subsequent opening of the container lid 7 constitute two different and distinct opening steps which are performed sequentially by moving the locking tab 9 and the lid 7 in opposite directions. The risk of unintentional opening of the container lid is thus minimized, as set out herein.

[0077] As the locking arrangements disclosed herein require two separate manipulations to be carried out in different directions, the likelihood is considerably increased that the container lid remains in the closed position even if the locking tab has mistakenly been disengaged from the container lid. Accordingly, the risk of unintentional opening of the lid and spilling of the contents of the container in case the container is accidentally dropped, turned upside down or when the user needs to transport the container 1 between dispensing occasions is reduced in a container provided with a locking arrangement as disclosed herein. Further, the locking arrangement contributes to providing a tight sealing between the lid and the container body, which keeps the air and/or moisture sensitive bulk solids that may be contained in the inner compartment of the container away from contact with the ambient air, thus preserving the bulk solids for a longer period of time. The locking arrangements 8 depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B and FIG. 4 are snap-in locking arrangements, allowing repeated opening and closing of the locking arrangements 8.

[0078] Alternative locking arrangements for the packaging container shown in FIG. 1A are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2A-2F, which are cross-sectional views of the packaging container shown in FIG. 1A taken along the plane II-II. As may be seen in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the first locking element 11 which is arranged at the free end portion 10 of the locking tab 9 may be in the form of a flexible protrusion, and the second locking element 12 which is arranged on the peripheral flange 15 of the container lid 7 is in the form of an indentation. The indentation or second locking element 12 is shaped and configured such that it can retain the flexible protrusion on the locking tab 9 in the indentation and such that the flexible protrusion can be repeatedly received in the indentation and released therefrom in order to close and open the locking tab 9. Accordingly, when the lid 7 is locked in its closed position by means of the locking arrangement 8, the first locking element 11 is anchored in the second locking element 12. Further, as seen in FIG. 2B, the first locking element 11 may be in the form of an aperture, while the second locking element 12 may be in the form of a protrusion. Also, other embodiments of the locking elements 11, 12 are conceivable. Thus, FIG. 2E depicts locking elements 11, 12 in the form of hook-and-loop, while FIG. 2F shows locking elements 11, 12 in the form of magnets.

[0079] The packaging container 101 shown in FIG. 3 comprises two locking tabs 109, which are permanently attached to the container body 102 at the opposing side edge portions 105* of the container opening 105. The locking tabs 109 are provided with first locking elements 111 which are configured to mate with corresponding second locking elements 112 arranged on a peripheral flange 115. The FIG. 3 packaging container 201 is provided with a peripheral flange 115 extending downwardly in the height direction of the packaging container around the full periphery of the container lid 107. Analogous to the above, when the user wishes to access the inner compartment 106 of the packaging container 101, the first and the second locking elements 111, 112 of the locking arrangement 108 are disengaged and the locking tabs 109 are opened in a first direction A as indicated in FIG. 3, i.e. away from the opposing side edge portions 105* at which the locking tabs 109 are arranged. Then, the container lid 107 is opened in a second direction B, perpendicular to the first direction A, towards the rear edge portion 105″, at which the container lid 107 is arranged. Hence, the opening of the locking tabs 109 and the subsequent opening of the container lid 107 is performed in two different steps and in perpendicular directions, thus minimizing the risk of unintentional opening of the container lid 107. The first and second locking elements 111, 112 shown in FIG. 3 are attracting magnets. However, it is to be understood that any other type of locking elements may be used instead, as set out above.

[0080] A lid component comprising a rim 13 and a container lid 7 connected by a hinge 14 is depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The rim 13 is applied to the edge of the container opening 5. The rim 13 extends around the full periphery of the container opening 5 and is affixed to the container body 2 along the opening edge.

[0081] The container lid 7 has a circumferentially extending peripheral flange 15 and is arranged to engage with the rim 13. The closure between the container lid 7 and the rim 13 is preferably liquid-tight and may also be gastight or at least substantially gas tight. A tight closure between the container lid 7 and the rim 13 is accomplished by mating contours on the lid 7 and on the rim 13, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0082] The container lid 7 is attached to the rim 13 by means of an integral live hinge 14. The locking tab 9 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to be indirectly attached to the container body 2 by being arranged on the rim 13 instead of being directly attached to the container body 2. The locking tab 9 may be integrally formed with the rim 13, but may alternatively be separately formed and permanently attached to the rim 13 such as by welding or by adhesive.

[0083] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate different shapes of the container body 2. In FIG. 6A, the front wall portion and the rear wall portion of the container body have an outwardly curved shape with a radius of curvature of 150 mm, while the side wall portions are substantially planar. The corner portions of the container body shown in FIG. 6A have a radius of curvature of 20 mm.

[0084] In FIG. 6B a container body having a generally D-shaped cross-section is depicted. The front wall portion has an outwardly curved shape, while the side wall portions and the rear wall portion are substantially planar. The corner portions adjacent to the front wall portion have a radius of curvature of 25 mm, while the other two corner portions have a radius of curvature of 20 mm. The advantages of a packaging container having a container body with a D-shaped cross-section have been mentioned above.

[0085] FIG. 7 illustrates a packaging container 201 comprising a slanted lid 207. The container lid 207 has a front lid edge 217′ which is adapted to be positioned at a front edge of the container opening 205 and a rear lid edge 217″ which is adapted to be positioned at a rear edge of the container opening 205. Further, the container lid 207 comprises two side lid edges 217* which are adapted to be positioned at corresponding side edges of the container opening 205 such that the outer lid surface 207′ is delimited by the lid edges 217′, 217″, 217*. A peripheral flange 215 extending downwardly in the height direction of the packaging container 201 is arranged at the front lid edge 217′ and is provided with a second locking element 212 cooperating with a first locking element 211 provided on a locking tab 209 which is attached to the container body 202. A recess 218 is arranged in the peripheral flange 215 to facilitate gripping of the free end portion 210 of the locking tab 209 when disengaging the locking tab 209 from the peripheral flange 215.

[0086] The outer lid surface 207′ comprise a slanted lid surface 207*, such that the outer lid surface 207′ and the slanted lid surface 207* each has a projected surface in the plane of the container opening. The projected surface of the slanted lid surface 207* constitutes 95% of the projected surface of the outer lid surface 207′. The slanted lid surface 207* is slanted such that when the container lid 207 is in a closed position at the container opening 205, a front end edge 217′ of the slanted lid surface 207* is located lower than a rear end edge 217″ of the slanted lid surface 207* in the height direction of the container 201. Accordingly, the slanted portion of the outer lid surface 207′ is slanted in a downward direction from the rear of the packaging container 201 towards the front of the packaging container 201, thus providing the container 201 with an increased display surface, especially when the packaging container 201 is viewed from the front of the container 201. The slant angle of the lid 207 shown in FIG. 7 is relatively small, so that the packaging container 201 is perceived as having a generally cuboid shape. A cuboid shape may be optimal for efficient transport and storage of the packaged goods, as mentioned above. A small slant angle is also desirable for making the packaging containers as disclosed herein stackable.

[0087] Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognise that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the detailed description be regarded as illustrative and that the appended claims including all the equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention. In particular, it is to be understood that the locking arrangements shown in the figures may be freely combined with features of the disclosed packaging containers such as an upper rim attached to the body of the packaging container, a slanted lid, a lid flange extending along only a part of the peripheral edge of the lid as shown in FIGS. 1A and 7 or a lid flange extending all the way along the peripheral edge of the lid as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The shown packaging containers may be provided with more than one locking arrangement arranged along the same portion of the container opening edge. Furthermore, any combination of locking arrangements as disclosed herein may be used, such as one or more locking arrangements placed at a front edge portion of the container opening in combination with one or more locking arrangements placed at one or two side edge portions of the container opening. The free end portion of the locking tab as disclosed herein may be provided with a gripping member such as the curve shaped end portion shown in FIG. 7 or the gripping ridge shown in FIG. 1A.