(19)
(11) EP 2 089 288 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
23.03.2011 Bulletin 2011/12

(21) Application number: 07822374.0

(22) Date of filing: 08.11.2007
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B65D 43/02(2006.01)
(86) International application number:
PCT/EP2007/062071
(87) International publication number:
WO 2008/055955 (15.05.2008 Gazette 2008/20)

(54)

CONTAINER WITH LID

BEHÄLTER MIT DECKEL

CONTENEUR AVEC COUVERCLE


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 08.11.2006 EP 06123699

(43) Date of publication of application:
19.08.2009 Bulletin 2009/34

(73) Proprietor: Le Marais B.V.
3055 BL Rotterdam (NL)

(72) Inventors:
  • SCHEPEN, Arjen
    3051 JE Rotterdam (NL)
  • RAATGEVER, Gert-Jan
    2312 AL Leiden (NL)

(74) Representative: van Looijengoed, Ferry Antoin Theodorus et al
De Vries & Metman Overschiestraat 180
1062 XK Amsterdam
1062 XK Amsterdam (NL)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 931 729
DE-U1-202004 015 220
US-A1- 4 813 563
EP-A- 1 120 091
DE-U1-202004 017 788
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present disclosure pertains to an assembly, comprising a container, comprising a profiled closure such as a screw thread or a bayonet fitting, whereby the closure part of the container is arranged on the inside thereof, and a lid, having a closure counterpart matching that of the container for providing a seal, whereby the closure part of the lid is arranged on the outside thereof. The disclosure also relates to a container and a lid.

    [0002] An assembly of a container for a beverage and a lid providing a seal therefor, preferably in the form of a closure which may be opened and closed more than once, is generally known, e.g. in the form of a bottle. In order to drink from such a container, a consumer has to remove the lid and either drink straight from the bottle, which is considered uncivilised by many, or pour the beverage in a separate container for drinking, which forces the consumer to provide or carry an additional container such as a cup, a glass or a mug etc.

    [0003] Further, when drinking straight from a container, the mouth of the consumer generally touches the closure of the container. Especially when the closure comprises a profiled part such as a screw thread, this may give an unpleasant feeling and may cause the fluid to collect in and/or leak along the profile. This may cause staining of objects and clothes by the fluid and/or unhygienic microbial growth in the collected fluid.

    [0004] Solutions to the above problems have been presented in the art. WO 2005/077774, e.g., discloses a container with a closure portion defining a center axis, said closure portion having an outer side and an inner side, said inner side having a thread, the bottom of the groove of said thread lying on a revolved surface, where the thread is divided into a number of segments along the helical path of said thread, said thread segments separated by a number of gaps, each of said gaps extending in depth at least to said revolved surface. In this way a container is provided which is comfortable to the mouth of a person drinking directly from the container. In addition, a container is provided which has low flow resistance and helps to prevent fluid from collecting in the thread. WO 2005/077774 thus teaches to drink straight from the bottle.

    [0005] Further, US 2005/0092760 discloses a beverage container convertible to a stemmed drinking glass and a method of fabricating the same. The convertible wine bottle comprises four main elements which are assembled and filled with wine in a bottling process. The wine bottle has basically four integrated components with ancillary structure. These four integrated components are manipulated by the consumer to transform the wine bottle into a stemmed drinking glass with an appropriate portion of beverage therein. Such a convertible beverage container provides users the pleasure of drinking their beverage from a stemmed glass. Once completed, the structure may be reassembled and recycled.

    [0006] GB 468 161 relates to a paper container with a screw cap closure. The closure cap is provided with an outwardly flanged rim adapted to be pressed against the sharp upper edge of the container when the cap is in sealing position. In operation the flanged rim of the cap bears against the upper edge of the container when the cap is screwed into the container, whereby an effective closure is obtained.

    [0007] Other containers with internal closures and lids sealing on the upper edge of the container are disclosed in DE 20 2004 015 220 U1 and in DE 20 2004 017 788 Ul.

    [0008] EP 0 931 729 describes a container closure assembly, wherein the container has an access opening covered by a central portion having a weakened portion. A removable closure member is provided over the container covering the inner closure plus the container rim and preferably at least a portion of the container neck. Twisting the removable closure such as by threading action on the inner closure breaks the weakened portion of the central portion and opens the container.

    [0009] EP 1 120 091 discloses a receptacle for infectious waste with an aperture and a closing lid. The aperture and lid are of truncated conical section and shaped to seal against one another when closed. The lid locks in place by means of lugs or spiral cams. The seal is provided by a flexible skirt on the lid engaging with a groove with an elastic joint round the inner surface of the aperture. When the lid is locked in place, the container is closed permanently.

    [0010] Closure assemblies are also known. E.g. US 2,026,304 discloses a container having a neck, walls of the neck being internally threaded from its upper end for a portion of its length. Underneath, the neck is unthreaded and tapered downwardly and in spaced relation to the lower end of the threaded portion an internal circumferentially extending shoulder portion is arranged. A flat disk of rigid material is fitted into the neck and rests upon said shoulder with its margins contacting with walls of the neck. A stopper separate from the disk is formed of resilient and compressible material and is screwed into the neck with its lower portion compressed by the tapered portion of the walls of the neck and its lower end face in flat contacting engagement with the disk.

    [0011] GB 1 236 637 discloses a closure construction comprising a plug receiving flange moulded of plastics material, a metal securing ring having an inner portion, and a closure plug moulded of plastics material. The closure plug, when threadedly engaged with the receiving flange, forces a wall portion against the metal securing ring. The annulus of the receiving flange terminates at its lower end in a weakened tearing strip section. A pocket receives a pull member when the plug is united with the receiving flange. The top surface of plug has four finger engaging recesses.

    [0012] The assemblies described in these prior art documents still show shortcomings, such as the nature of drinking from a bottle and/or the complexity, materials use and size of the described containers and lids, which poses limits on their practical use. It is therefore desired to provide an improved assembly of a container, e.g. such as a drinking cup, glass or mug, and matching lid.

    [0013] To that end, the assembly is characterised in that the container is provided with a sealing surface, such as provided by an edge, a rim or a facet and the lid is provided with a matching sealing surface, such that, in the closed state of the assembly, at least the closure part and the sealing surface of the lid, preferably all functional features such as the closure and sealing portions and a portion of the lid blocking the aperture of the container to be closed by the lid, are located inside the container and below the rim thereof, the seal being fluid tight and arranged underneath the closure part. This allows to use less material compared to a lid or cap according to the prior art, since the lid of the inventive assembly obviates the need for a skirt gripping over the rim of the container and effecting a closure on (at least) the top-edge of the container, as taught in the prior art.

    [0014] The seal is fluid tight, such that the assembly is suited for containing and transporting fluids.

    [0015] The inventive assembly may be sized so that the lid approaches, or even touches, the fluid level of a filled container in the natural upright position so that the empty volume of the container between the fluid level, in particular the liquid level and the lower inner surface of the lid is minimised. Thus less air is trapped and the contents of the container can be kept longer compared to packages wherein more volume remains, while no more material is needed for providing a skirt or for otherwise resizing the lid.

    [0016] In comparison, in prior art containers, in order to decrease the empty volume, the size of the lid has to be increased to reach down inside the container and/or the fluid level has to be raised to lie in the neck of the container, which causes an increased ratio of packaging material/content compared to the inventive assembly. Raising the fluid level in a narrow neck of a container results in an increased sensitivity to the filling process, as a small variation, e.g. only a few millilitres, of the filled quantity can cause the fluid level to vary over appreciable distances. This may cause the container to overflow during filling, leading to spilling, or to filled containers appearing to contain varying and possibly too little content, leading to dissatisfied customers.

    [0017] According to the disclosure, the closure of a beverage container is preferably located more than approximately 0.5 cm, preferably more than approximately 1 cm or even more from the top of the container, suitably between approximately one twentieth and one fifth of the interior height of the container, so that the chance of a consumer touching the closure, e.g. a screw thread, with his/her mouth are minimised and the customary sensation of drinking from a container such as a drinking cup, glass or mug is unaffected.

    [0018] Preferably, the lid comprises means, such as protrusions and/or recesses, for manually opening and/or closing the container with the lid, so that no tools are necessary and a convenient package is provided.

    [0019] In a preferred embodiment, the container and/or lid are/is provided with a portion having a tapered and/or stepped shape so as to render them/it stackable on and/or in an other similarly shaped, possibly closed, container or lid. Thus, a number of containers and/or lids may be stored space-efficiently. The tapered and/or stepped portion may comprise the entire container.

    [0020] In a more preferred embodiment, the container and lid are provided with cooperating features, e.g. one or more ridges or protrusions and matching recesses, for providing a stable stacking arrangement of the container on the lid and/or of the container on a similarly shaped closed beverage container assembly. In this way, the stacking and storing efficiency and security may be increased, so that there is less chance of a stack of filled containers falling over. Such features are especially useful for display-purposes, where additional packaging material, such as cardboard boxes surrounding the containers would decrease the attractiveness of the display. Such features can (also) be arranged on the inside of the lid, so that an inverted lid, possibly showing a different colour or image than a non-inverted lid, may serve as a stable and/or attractive stand or coaster for the container.

    [0021] For advertisement purposes the container and/or the lid may be partially, preferably fully, covered with a printable or printed packaging material, which may have transparent or translucent parts, especially when the container and/or lid is/are transparent or translucent themselves. The container, lid and/or packaging material may comprise a breakable portion and/or a removable region, e.g. a tear-off tab, for providing a tamper-evident package. Packaging covering the rim of the container may also improve the hygienic aspects of the assembly, as the drinking part of the container is protected from collecting dirt, germs etc. during storage and handling.

    [0022] The invention will hereafter be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments by way of example.

    Fig. 1A shows a top view of an assembly of a beverage container and a lid according to the present disclosure in closed state.

    Fig. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 1A, taken along the line D-D.

    Fig. 1C shows a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the assembly of Fig. 1A, as indicated in Fig. 1B.

    Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of two stacked containers and stacked lids of an assembly according to Figs. 1A-1C.

    Figs. 3A shows a top view of a second embodiment of an assembly of a container and a lid.

    Fig. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 3A, taken along the line B-B.

    Fig. 3C shows detail C of Fig. 3A on an enlarged scale.

    Fig. 3D shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Fig. 3A, taken along the line P-P.

    Fig. 4A and 4B show cross-sectional views of two stacked containers and stacked lids of the assembly of Figs. 3A-3D, wherein Fig. 4A corresponds to the view of Fig. 3B and Fig.4B corresponds to the view of Fig. 3D.



    [0023] Figures 1A-2 show an assembly 1, comprising a beverage container 2 in the shape of a generally round drinking glass 2, and a matching lid 3. The glass 2 is provided with a screw thread profile 4 and a sealing ridge 5 on its interior wall, both located below the rim 6 of the glass. The lid 3 is provided with a matching screw thread profile 7 on its outer wall and with three ridges 8A,8B,9 at its underside, underneath the closure part. The lid 3 is further provided with a rim 10 and three protrusions 11, arranged in a star-shaped pattern, providing finger grips for opening and closing the container 2 with the lid 3.

    [0024] A liquid-tight and, depending on the materials used, substantially gas-tight seal between the container 2 and lid 3 is provided by the ridges 8A and 8B of the lid 3, fitting around the sealing ridge 5 of the container 2 when the lid 3 is screwed into the container 2. The ridges 8A,8B may be generally somewhat resilient or flexible to snugly engage the sealing ridge 5. Further sealing contact may be provided by the outer ridge 9 and/or the rim 10 of the lid 3 with the inner wall of the glass 2. Thus a reliable and reproducible fluid-tight sealing may be provided, which may be opened and/or closed with a, to a certain extent, predetermined amount of force.

    [0025] Another suitable sealing arrangement is a simple substantially flat surface in the inner wall of the container 2 which is engaged by a matching surface of the lid 3. All sealing surfaces may be provided with a soft and/or generally resilient lining to increase the sealing properties of the contact, if so desired.

    [0026] Arranging a seal underneath the closure, on the interior side of the container, may substantially prevent that the contents of the container penetrate into the closure, possibly soiling the closure and/or hampering its operation, e.g. in case of sticky and/or hardening fluids such as honey or paint.

    [0027] The twisting movement needed for opening and/or closing the container can be gently dosed by the fingers of most consumers. Further, the main force components are essentially directed parallel to the fluid surface. Thus, the container can remain substantially horizontal during opening and closing. This minimises shaking of the contents and reduces the chances of spilling of the contents of the container.

    [0028] The glass 2 has a generally single-walled conical shape, which shows a slight step at the position of the closure so that a number of empty, open glasses 2 may be stacked (Fig. 2). Similarly, lids 3 are stackable (Fig. 2). A glass 2 may also be stacked on the lid 3 of a closed glass 2 (not shown). The stacking arrangement of a glass 2 on a lid 3 may be rendered more stable by providing finger grips on the lid in the form of recesses in an otherwise flat top surface or by providing the parts 2,3 with matching profiles.

    [0029] In Figs. 3A-4B, another embodiment is shown. In these figures, parts and elements corresponding to those of Figs. 1A-2 are indicated with the same reference numerals.

    [0030] In this embodiment, the lid 3 is provided with a single ridge 9 at its underside, providing a sealing rim for snugly engaging the inner wall of the container 2. Further, the glass 2 is provided with a substantially flat sealing shoulder 5A and the lid 3 is provided with a matching sealing surface 9A, providing an additional seal.

    [0031] In this embodiment, the lid 3 is substantially symmetric and it is provided with a finger gripping ridge 12, formed by a raised portion with respect to the bottom of the lid 3. Or, put differently, the ridge 12 is formed by recesses 13 in the lid 3. On the top surface of the lid 3 four protrusions 14 are provided, between which the bottom of a container 2 may fit, improving the stability of a stack of containers and lids. The lid 3 is provided with an edge 14A on which the edge 9A of another lid 3 may rest for increasing stability and separability of stacked lids 3.

    [0032] As is shown most clearly in Fig. 3D, the interior surface 15 of the lid 3 is provided with a portion 16 which extends relatively further into the container 2 than the other portions of the surface. When the assembly 1 is placed upright as shown in the figures, fluid adhering to (the surface 15 of) the lid 3, e.g. condensate or fluid shaken against the lid, is likely to run down the interior surfaces and collect at the (locally) lowest portion 16. Thus, the formation of drops which are sufficiently large for falling off the lid is promoted and the risk of fluid drops spilling and/or dripping outside the container when the lid is removed from the container is reduced, compared to a flat, e.g. horizontal surface.

    [0033] In this embodiment the surface 15 underneath the recesses 13 is sloping downwards to collection points 16 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the lid 3 with respect to the container 2 for opening the assembly 1, as may be appreciated from Figs. 3A and 3D. When opening the assembly 1 by rotating the lid 3 and holding the container 2 essentially stationary, fluid adhering to the surface 15 will be spun towards the collection points 16. Thus, formation of drops sufficiently large for falling into the container is promoted further and the risk of leaking or spilling fluid outside the container is reduced further.

    [0034] The rim 9 forms an upstanding rim when the lid is turned upside down. Thus, fluid still adhering to the inside surfaces of the lid 3 will collect within the rim and spilling is further prevented.

    [0035] Such collection points or dripping points 16 and/or sloping surface 15 may also be used with a known lid, e.g. a lid gripping over the rim of a container and sealing on the upper rim of a container or on the outside thereof, for reducing spilling outside the container.

    [0036] The container 2 and the lid 3 of the embodiment of Figs. 3A-4B are again stackable (see Figs 4A and 4B). The container 2 of this embodiment is provided with interior ribs 17 at its bottom, for reinforcement and increasing stability and separability of a stacked series of containers, as indicated in Figs. 4A and 4B.

    [0037] The inventive assembly 1, although suitable for reuse, is also very well suited for being sold as a disposable package, e.g. filled with a beverage, such as carbonated drinks or water, milk, fruit juices, wine etc. For this, the container is preferably sized to contain about a litre or less, e.g. a standardized quantity of the beverage, such as approximately 0.33, 0.25, 0.2, 0.15 or 0.1 litre, although 0.5 or even 1.0 litre are equally conceivable, generally depending on the type of beverage. The glass 2 may be provided with a mark for indicating a fill-level and/or content.

    [0038] The container 2 and/or lid 3 can be made of the same or of different (combinations of) materials. They may be glass or metal such as aluminium or steel, but are preferably made with a plastics material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylchloride or polystytrene, which allows to fabricate containers and/or lids using techniques which are well known in the art such as blow-moulding, injection-moulding and/or thermoforming. Such a container prevents risks due to broken glass, or due to sharp and/or rusty metal edges. Further, the container and/or lid can also readily be made disposable.

    [0039] In another embodiment the container and/or the lid is (are) made with a relatively cheap material, such as paper or cardboard, lined on the inside with a food-safe fluid-barrier.

    [0040] Preferably, the materials of the assembly are relatively rapidly bio-degradable such as maize-based plastics.

    [0041] The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance, the container can be provided with a gripping handle and the lid may have a single gripping ridge. Further, the lid and/or container may be provided with one or more, preferably integrally formed or detachable, objects such as grips, handles, ornaments, merchandise items or tokens for a contest. For this, the lid and/or the container may be provided with a dedicated space, e.g. in a recess in the lid, in a double bottom of the container or (partially) hidden underneath the packaging wrapping. The assembly should then preferably be appropriately shaped to (still) enable stacking thereof. As such objects do not form part of the lid per se, i.e. the functional features of the lid such as the closure part, the sealing surface and a main body portion blocking the opening of the container to be closed by the lid, they may protrude above and/or beyond the rim of the container.

    [0042] The lid may further be provided with a pressure relief system or mechanism for acting as a safety measure, e.g. a gas-permeable membrane and/or a tear-off tab which will give way at a predetermined pressure which might build up in a closed container due to a carbonated beverage and/or to increased temperature such as when left in the sun in a closed automobile. Such a tab may also be removable by a consumer prior to opening the lid, so as not to risk inadvertent splashing and spilling of contents under pressure.

    [0043] In addition, the lid may comprise a direct-drink arrangement, such as a spout or an opening or access for a drinking straw, which may be provided in the assembly.

    [0044] The container may comprise a plurality of openings, one or more being provided with a lid as described above or being arranged therefor.

    [0045] In general, a relatively large lid may, in turn, be provided with or arranged for a smaller lid according to the descriptions above. Conversely, a relatively large lid according to the descriptions above may be provided with or arranged for a smaller lid.

    [0046] Furthermore, features described in conjunction with one embodiment may be suitably combined with any other feature described with respect to the same or a different embodiment.


    Claims

    1. Assembly (1), comprising
    a container (2), comprising a profiled closure (4), such as a screw thread or a bayonet fitting, whereby the closure part (4) of the container (2) is arranged on the inside thereof, and
    a lid (3), having a closure counterpart (7) matching that of the container for providing a seal, whereby the closure part (7) of the lid (3) is arranged on the outside thereof for opening and/or closing the assembly (1) by rotation of the lid (3) with respect to the container (2),
    wherein the container (2) is provided with a sealing surface (5,5A), such as provided by an edge, a rim or a facet and the lid (3) is provided with a matching sealing surface (8A, 8B, 9, 9A) providing a fluid tight seal (5, 5A; 8A, 8B, 9, 9A), such that, in the closed state of the assembly (1), at least the closure part (7) and the sealing surface (8A, 8B, 9, 9A) of the lid (3) are located inside the container (2) and below the rim (6) thereof, characterized in that the seal (5, 5A; 8A, 8B, 9, 9A) is being arranged underneath the closure part (7).
     
    2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container (2) is a container for a beverage, such as a drinking cup, glass or mug.
     
    3. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (3) comprises means (11,12,13), such as protrusions (11,12) and/or recesses (13), for manually opening and/or closing the assembly (1).
     
    4. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) and/or lid (3) are/is provided with a portion having a tapered and/or stepped shape so as to render them/it stackable on and/or in an other similarly shaped, possibly closed, container (2) or lid (3).
     
    5. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) and lid (3) are provided with cooperating features (14), for providing a stable stacking arrangement of the container (2) on the lid (3) and/or of the container (2) on a similarly shaped closed container assembly (1).
     
    6. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (3) comprises an interior surface (15) provided with a portion (16) extending relatively further into the container (2) than another portion of the surface (15) for collecting fluid adhering to the lid (3).
     
    7. Assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the assembly (1) is openable by rotating the lid (3) with respect to the container (2) in a particular direction and the surface at the underside of the lid (3) comprises a portion (13) with a downwards slope towards the portion for collecting fluid (16), wherein the slope is downwards in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation for opening the lid (3).
     
    8. Assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) and/or the lid (3) is (are) at least partially, preferably fully, covered with a printable or printed packaging material.
     
    9. Assembly (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (3) further comprises a pressure release mechanism.
     
    10. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) is sized for containing a standardized quantity of a beverage, such as approximately 1.0, 0.5, 0.33, 0.25, 0.2, 0.15 or 0.1 litre.
     
    11. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container (2) and/or lid (3) is (are) disposable and/or bio-degradable.
     
    12. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 2-11 wherein container (2) is closed with the lid (3) and contains a beverage.
     
    13. Assembly according to claim 12, whereby the container (2) and/or the lid (3) is (are) at least partially, preferably fully, covered with a printable or printed packaging material.
     
    14. Assembly according to claim 12 or 13, whereby the container (2), the lid (3) and/or the packaging material comprises a breakable portion and/or a removable region, such as a tear-off tab, for providing a tamper-evident packaging.
     
    15. Container (2) or lid (3) presenting all the features of the container (2) or the lid (3) according to any one of the preceding claims and thus constructed and evidently intended for use in an assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Anordnung (1), umfassend
    einen Behälter (2), der einen profilierten Verschluss (4), wie beispielsweise einen Schraubverschluss oder einen Bajonettverschluss, wobei der Verschlussteil (4) des Behälters (2) an der Innenseite davon angeordnet ist, und einen Deckel (3), der ein Verschlussgegenstück (7) aufweist, das dem des Behälters entspricht, zum Bereitstellen einer Dichtung, wobei der Verschlussteil (7) des Deckels (3) an der Außenseite davon angeordnet ist, zum Öffnen und/oder Schließen der Anordnung (1) durch Drehung des Deckels relativ zum Behälter (2),
    wobei der Behälter (2) mit einer Dichtungsoberfläche (5, 5A) vorgesehen ist, bereitgestellt beispielsweise durch eine Kante, einen Rand oder eine Facette, und der Deckel (3) mit einer entsprechenden Dichtungsoberfläche (8A, 8B, 9, 9A) vorgesehen ist, die eine fluiddichte Dichtung (5, 5A; 8A, 8B, 9, 9A) bereitstellt, so dass in dem geschlossenen Zustand der Anordnung (1) wenigstens der Verschlussteil (7) und die Dichtungsoberfläche (8A, 8B, 9, 9A) des Deckels (3) innerhalb des Behälters (2) und unterhalb des Rands (6) davon angeordnet sind,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Dichtung (5, 5A; 8A, 8B, 9, 9A) unterhalb des Verschlussteils (7) angeordnet ist.
     
    2. Anordnung (1) nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher der Behälter (2) ein Behälter für ein Getränk ist, wie beispielsweise eine Trinktasse, ein Glas oder ein Becher.
     
    3. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher der Deckel (3) Mittel (11, 12, 13) umfasst, wie beispielsweise Vorsprünge (11, 12) und/oder Aussparungen (13), zum manuellen Öffnen und/oder Schließen der Anordnung (1).
     
    4. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher der Behälter (2) und/oder Deckel (3) mit einem Abschnitt vorgesehen ist/sind, der eine zugespitzte und/oder gestufte Gestalt aufweist, um sie/ihn stapelbar auf und/oder in einem gleichermaßen gestalteten, möglicherweise verschlossenen, Behälter (2) oder Deckel (3) zu machen.
     
    5. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher der Behälter (2) und Deckel (3) mit zusammenwirkenden Merkmalen (14) zum Bereitstellen einer stabilen Stapelanordnung des Behälters (2) auf dem Deckel (3) und/oder des Behälters (2) auf einer entsprechend gestalteten geschlossenen Behälteranordnung (1) vorgesehen sind.
     
    6. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher der Deckel (3) eine innere Oberfläche (15) umfasst, die mit einem Abschnitt (16) vorgesehen ist, der sich verhältnismäßig weiter in den Behälter (2) als ein anderer Abschnitt der Oberfläche (15) zum Sammeln von Fluid, das an dem Deckel (3) anhaftet, erstreckt.
     
    7. Anordnung (1) nach Anspruch 6, bei der die Anordnung durch Drehen des Deckels (3) bezüglich des Behälters (2) in einer bestimmten Richtung geöffnet werden kann, und die Oberfläche an der Unterseite des Deckels (3) einen Abschnitt (13) mit einer Neigung nach unten zum Abschnitt zum Sammeln von Fluid (16) umfasst, wobei die Neigung nach unten in einer Richtung entgegen der Drehrichtung zum Öffnen des Deckels (3) verläuft.
     
    8. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher der Behälter (2) und/oder der Deckel (3) wenigstens teilweise, vorzugsweise vollständig, mit einem bedruckbaren oder bedruckten Verpackungsmaterial abgedeckt ist (sind).
     
    9. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher der Deckel (3) ferner einen Druckentspannungsmechanismus umfasst.
     
    10. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher der Behälter (2) dimensioniert ist, um eine standardisierte Menge eines Getränks aufzunehmen, wie beispielsweise 1,0, 0,5, 0,33, 0,25, 0,2, 0,15 oder 0,1 Liter.
     
    11. Anordnung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher der Behälter (2) und/oder Deckel (3) entsorgbar und/oder biologisch abbaubar ist (sind).
     
    12. Anordnung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 11, bei welcher der Behälter (2) mit dem Deckel (3) geschlossen ist und ein Getränkt enthält.
     
    13. Anordnung nach Anspruch 12, bei welcher der Behälter (2) und/oder der Deckel (3) wenigstens teilweise, vorzugsweise vollständig, mit einem bedruckbaren oder bedruckten Verpackungsmaterial abgedeckt ist (sind).
     
    14. Anordnung nach Anspruch 12 oder 13, bei welcher der Behälter (2), der Deckel (3) und/oder das Verpackungsmaterial einen zerbrechlichen Abschnitt und/oder entfernbaren Bereich, wie beispielsweise einen Abreißstreifen, zum Bereitstellen einer Sicherheitsverpackung aufweist.
     
    15. Behälter (2) oder Deckel (3), welche alle Merkmale des Behälters (2) oder des Deckels (3) gemäß irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche aufzeigen und somit zur Verwendung in einer Anordnung (1) gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche aufgebaut und augenscheinlich beabsichtigt ist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Ensemble (1), comprenant:

    un récipient (2), comprenant une fermeture profilée (4) telle qu'un filetage de vis ou un raccord à baïonnette, moyennant quoi la partie de fermeture (4) du récipient (2) est agencée sur son intérieur, et

    un couvercle (3) ayant une contrepartie de fermeture (7) correspondant à celle du récipient pour fournir un joint d'étanchéité, moyennant quoi la partie de fermeture (7) du couvercle (3) est agencée sur son extérieur pour ouvrir et/ou fermer l'ensemble (1) par la rotation du couvercle (3) par rapport au récipient (2),

    dans lequel le récipient (2) est prévu avec une surface d'étanchéité (5, 5A), telle que prévue par un bord, une collerette ou une facette et le couvercle (3) est prévu avec une surface d'étanchéité correspondante (8A, 8B, 9, 9A) fournissant un joint d'étanchéité étanche au fluide (5, 5A ; 8A, 8B, 9, 9A), de sorte que, à l'état fermé de l'ensemble (1), au moins la partie de fermeture (7) et la surface d'étanchéité (8A, 8B, 9, 9A) du couvercle (3) sont positionnées à l'intérieur du récipient (2) et au-dessous de sa collerette (6), caractérisé en ce que le joint d'étanchéité (5, 5A ; 8A, 8B, 9, 9A) est agencé au-dessous de la partie de fermeture (7).


     
    2. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le récipient (2) est un récipient pour une boisson, tel qu'une tasse, un verre ou un mug de boisson.
     
    3. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le couvercle (3) comprend des moyens (11, 12, 13), tels que des saillies (11, 12) et/ou des évidements (13) pour ouvrir et/ou fermer manuellement l'ensemble (1).
     
    4. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le récipient (2) et/ou le couvercle (3) est /sont prévu(s) avec une partie ayant une forme progressivement rétrécie et/ou étagée afin de le rendre / de les rendre empilable(s) sur et/ou dans un autre récipient (2) ou couvercle (3) éventuellement fermé, et formé de manière similaire.
     
    5. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le récipient (2) et le couvercle (3) sont prévus avec des caractéristiques de coopération (14), pour fournir un agencement d'empilement stable du récipient (2) sur le couvercle (3) et/ou du récipient (2) sur un ensemble de récipient fermé formé de manière similaire (1).
     
    6. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le couvercle (3) comprend une surface intérieure (15) prévue avec une partie (16) s'étendant relativement plus loin dans le récipient (2) qu'une autre partie de la surface (15) pour collecter le fluide adhérant au couvercle (3).
     
    7. Ensemble (1) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel l'ensemble (1) peut s'ouvrir en faisant tourner le couvercle (3) par rapport au récipient (2) dans une direction particulière et la surface au niveau de la face inférieure du couvercle (3) comprend une partie (13) avec une inclinaison descendante vers la partie pour collecter le fluide (16), dans lequel l'inclinaison descend dans une direction opposée à la direction de rotation pour l'ouverture du couvercle (3).
     
    8. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le récipient (2) et/ou le couvercle (3) est (sont) au moins partiellement, de préférence complètement, recouvert(s) avec un matériau d'emballage imprimable ou imprimé.
     
    9. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le couvercle (3) comprend en outre un mécanisme de libération de pression.
     
    10. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le récipient (2) est dimensionné pour contenir une quantité standardisée d'une boisson, telle qu'approximativement 1,0, 0,5, 0,33, 0,25, 0,2, 0,15 ou 0,1 litre.
     
    11. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le récipient (2) et/ou le couvercle (3) est (sont) jetable(s) et/ou biodégradable(s).
     
    12. Ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 2 à 11, dans lequel le récipient (2) est fermé avec le couvercle (3) et contient une boisson.
     
    13. Ensemble selon la revendication 12, moyennant quoi le récipient (2) et/ou le couvercle (3) est (sont) au moins partiellement, de préférence complètement recouvert(s) avec un matériau d'emballage imprimable ou imprimé.
     
    14. Ensemble selon la revendication 12 ou 13, moyennant quoi le récipient (2), le couvercle (3) et/ou le matériau d'emballage comprend une partie cassable et/ou une région amovible, telle qu'une languette de déchirement, afin de proposer un emballage inviolable.
     
    15. Récipient (2) ou couvercle (3) présentant toutes les caractéristiques du récipient (2) ou du couvercle (3) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, et ainsi construit et évidemment prévu pour être utilisé dans un ensemble (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description