(19)
(11) EP 0 717 707 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
04.02.1998 Bulletin 1998/06

(21) Application number: 95902327.6

(22) Date of filing: 01.11.1994
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6B65D 17/32
(86) International application number:
PCT/NL9400/265
(87) International publication number:
WO 9512/526 (11.05.1995 Gazette 1995/20)

(54)

CONTAINER COMPRISING AN END WALL HAVING A TILTABLE TAB AND SUCH AN END WALL

BEHÄLTER MIT EINER KIPPLASCHE AN EINER BEHÄLTERENDWAND UND DERARTIGE BEHÄLTERENDWAND

RECIPIENT COMPORTANT UNE PAROI TERMINALE MUNIE D'UN ONGLET PIVOTANT ET PAROI TERMINALE AINSI FORMEE


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 05.11.1993 NL 9301917

(43) Date of publication of application:
26.06.1996 Bulletin 1996/26

(73) Proprietor: Thomassen & Drijver-Verblifa N.V.
7418 AH Deventer (NL)

(72) Inventors:
  • BRILMAN, Gerrit, Willem
    NL-7437 CX Bathmen (NL)
  • LANDMAN, Dirk
    NL-7414 XH Deventer (NL)

(74) Representative: Prins, Hendrik Willem et al
Arnold & Siedsma, Advocaten en Octrooigemachtigden, Sweelinckplein 1
2517 GK Den Haag
2517 GK Den Haag (NL)


(56) References cited: : 
US-A- 3 923 193
US-A- 4 561 557
US-A- 3 980 214
US-A- 4 733 793
   
       
    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 invention relates to a container with an end wall which is provided with a tiltable tab, and to such a tiltable tab.

    [0002] A container which is filled with liquid, such as condensed milk, and powder, is supplied with an end wall provided with a tiltable tab so that with the tiltable tab an opening can be formed in the end wall in order to remove the contents from the container. The tiltable tab is herein usually connected non-detachably to the end wall so that, with a view to the environment, loss of the tiltable tab after arranging of the opening is substantially not possible. When the contents are removed from the container they flow over a part of the surface adjoining the end wall and then over an end wall edge. Certainly in the case of very viscous liquids and, where applicable, powders this results in dirtying of the end wall and to a possible undesired contamination when the contents flow over a dirtied end wall.

    [0003] The invention has for its object to provide a container which is supplied with a tiltable tab wherein the above described drawbacks substantially do not occur. This is achieved according to the invention in that the container, for instance for a liquid, with a body and an end wall which is provided with a tiltable tab for tilting in the end wall to form an opening, wherein the tiltable tab is provided with a tab passage such that in the tilted position the tiltable tab bounds the opening in the end wall and connects with the tab passage onto the opening, and that a tiltable tab portion forms a pouring element which extends at least as far as an end wall edge. Thus is achieved that in the tilted position the tiltable tab functions as pouring element and carries the contents of the container via the opening over the pouring surface of the pouring element to at least the end wall edge. An advantage herein is that the pouring surface of the pouring element is protected by the tiltable tab and the end wall until the opening in the end wall is opened.

    [0004] In order to ensure that in the tilted position the tiltable tab substantially retains this position it is further recommended that the tiltable tab portion engages on the end wall edge, wherein engagement preferably takes place by clamping, wherein the tiltable tab portion engages by clamping on the end wall edge.

    [0005] According to another embodiment engagement takes place on the formed opening and preferably through clamping on the formed opening.

    [0006] In order to facilitate pouring of the contents out of the container it is further recommended that in the tilted position the pouring element extends over the end wall edge.

    [0007] To avoid contents for pouring from spreading or being spilt in undesired manner it is recommended that the pouring element is provided with a standing edge.

    [0008] In order that manufacture, filling, storage and transporting of a container with a tiltable tab provided with a pouring element can be carried out as far as possible with existing machines it is further recommended that prior to tilting the tiltable tab lies within a plane passing through the end wall edge.

    [0009] After pouring, the contents must preferably return from the pouring element via the opening into the container. Liquid residue is avoided as far as possible if in further preference the surface of the pouring element is provided with a coating with a higher surface tension than the liquid.

    [0010] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an end wall for a container body which is provided with a tiltable tab according to the invention, which end wall can be arranged or formed in a container body.

    [0011] Mentioned and other features of the container and the end wall according to the invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of two embodiments given only by way of example, wherein reference is made to the annexed drawing.

    [0012] In the drawing:

    figure 1 is a perspective view of a container with end wall according to the invention;

    figure 2 shows detail II of figure 1;

    figure 3 is a view corresponding with figure 2 with the tiltable tab in the tilted pouring position; and

    figures 4 and 5 show views corresponding with figures 2 and 3 of another embodiment of the container according to the invention.



    [0013] Figures 1-3 show a container 1 according to the invention which comprises a body 2 and an end wall 3 seamed thereon. The end wall is provided with a tiltable tab 4 with which an opening 5 can be formed by tilting in the end wall, which opening is defined by an end wall portion 7 bounded by the score line 6.

    [0014] Figure 2 shows a detail of the tiltable tab in the starting position. Tilting tab 4 is riveted to end wall 3 using a rivet 9 and is further provided with a tab passage 8. The tiltable tab 4 can however also be joined to end wall 3 by glueing.

    [0015] A tab end 10 extends to a position above the end wall portion 7 and is provided with incisions 11.

    [0016] The other tab end 12 forms the pouring element 13.

    [0017] Figure 3 shows the pouring tab 4 in the tilted position. The end wall portion 7 is broken out of the end wall by the tab end 10 with forming of the opening 5. The latter is partly covered by tiltable tab 4 and partly falls together with the tab passage 8. An edge 14 of tab passage 8 engages onto and clamps against an end wall edge 15, in this case the seamed edge. The tab 4 is further provided with a bent standing edge 16 which ends in a pouring opening 17. The surface 18 of pouring element 13 is further coated with a material whereby the surface 18 has a higher surface tension than the condensed milk held in container 1.

    [0018] Figure 4 shows a container 19 according to the invention with an end wall 3 which is provided with a pouring tab 20 according to the invention which is provided with a tab passage 21.

    [0019] In this case (figure 5) the pouring tab 20 engages with a lowered tab passage edge 22 into the formed opening 23 and clamps on the opening edge 24. Contents leaving container 19 via opening 23 flow directly over the surface 25 of the pouring element 26.


    Claims

    1. Container, for instance for a liquid, with a body and an end wall which is provided with a tiltable tab for tilting in the end wall to form an opening, characterized that the tiltable tab is provided with a tab passage such that in the tilted position the tiltable tab bounds the opening in the end wall and connects with the tab passage onto the opening, and that a tiltable tab portion forms a pouring element which extends at least as far as an end wall edge.
     
    2. Container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tiltable tab portion engages on the end wall edge.
     
    3. Container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tiltable tab portion engages by clamping on the end wall edge.
     
    4. Container as claimed in claims 1-3, wherein the tiltable tab portion engages on the formed opening.
     
    5. Container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tiltable tab portion engages by clamping on the formed opening.
     
    6. Container as claimed in claims 1-5, wherein in the tilted position the pouring element extends over the end wall edge.
     
    7. Container as claimed in claims 1-6, wherein the pouring element is provided with a standing edge.
     
    8. Container as claimed in claims 1-7, wherein prior to tilting the tiltable tab lies within a plane passing through the end wall edge.
     
    9. Container as claimed in claims 1-8, wherein the surface of the pouring element is provided with a coating with a higher surface tension than the liquid.
     
    10. End wall for a container body with a tiltable tab as claimed in claims 1-9.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Behälter, z.B. für eine Flüssigkeit, mit einem Gehäuse und einer Endwand, die mit einer kippbaren Lasche versehen ist, die in die Endwand hinein kippbar ist, um eine Öffnung zu bilden,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die kippbare Lasche mit einem Laschendurchlaß derart versehen ist, daß die kippbare Lasche in der gekippten Position die Öffnung in der Endwand umgrenzt und mit dem Laschendurchlaß an die Öffnung anschließt, und daß ein Teil der kippbaren Lasche ein Gießelement bildet, welches sich mindestens bis zu einer Kante der Endwand erstreckt.
     
    2. Behälter nach Anspruch 1,
    bei dem der Teil der kippbaren Lasche an der Kante der Endwand eingreift.
     
    3. Behälter nach Anspruch 2,
    bei dem der Teil der kippbaren Lasche an der Kante der Endwand durch Verklemmung eingreift.
     
    4. Behälter nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 3,
    bei dem der Teil der kippbaren Lasche auf der gebildeten Öffnung eingreift.
     
    5. Behälter nach Anspruch 4,
    bei dem der Teil der kippbaren Öffnung an der gebildeten Öffnung durch Verklemmung eingreift.
     
    6. Behälter nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 5,
    bei dem das Gießelement in der gekippten Position sich über die Kante der Endwand hinaus erstreckt.
     
    7. Behälter nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 6,
    bei dem das Gießelement mit einer hochstehenden Kante versehen ist.
     
    8. Behälter nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 7,
    bei dem die kippbare Lasche vor dem Kippen in einer Ebene liegt, die durch die Kante der Endwand verläuft.
     
    9. Behälter nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 8,
    bei dem die Oberfläche des Gießelementes mit einer Beschichtung versehen ist, die eine höherer Oberflächenspannung hat als die Flüssigkeit.
     
    10. Endwand für ein Behältergehäuse mit einer kippbaren Lasche nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 9.
     


    Revendications

    1. Récipient, par exemple pour un liquide, qui comporte une partie principale et une paroi d'extrémité munie d'un onglet pivotant susceptible de pivoter dans la paroi d'extrémité et de former une ouverture, caractérisé en ce que l'onglet pivotant est muni d'un passage d'onglet tel que, dans la position pivotée, l'onglet pivotant soit attaché à l'ouverture de la paroi d'extrémité et soit relié au passage d'onglet sur l'ouverture, et que la partie d'onglet pivotant forme un bec verseur qui s'étend au moins aussi loin qu'un bord de la paroi d'extrémité.
     
    2. Récipient selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la partie d'onglet pivotant vient en prise avec le bord de la paroi d'extrémité.
     
    3. Récipient selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la partie d'onglet pivotant vient en prise par serrage sur le bord de la paroi d'extrémité.
     
    4. Récipient selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel la partie d'onglet pivotant vient en prise avec l'ouverture formée.
     
    5. Récipient selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la partie d'onglet pivotant vient en prise par serrage sur l'ouverture formée.
     
    6. Récipient selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel, dans la position pivotée, le bec verseur s'étend au-dessus du bord de la paroi d'extrémité.
     
    7. Récipient selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel le bec verseur est muni d'un bord vertical.
     
    8. Récipient selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel, avant d'être pivoté, l'onglet pivotant se trouve dans un plan passant par le bord de la paroi d'extrémité.
     
    9. Récipient selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel la surface du bec verseur est enduite d'un revêtement ayant une tension superficielle supérieure à celle du liquide.
     
    10. Paroi d'extrémité pour une partie principale de récipient avec un onglet pivotant selon les revendications 1 à 9.
     




    Drawing