Packaging Container, Especially Can-Like Container

Abstract

Packaging container, especially can-like packaging container (10) having a cylinder-like or tube-like container body (11) produced from composite foil, a lid arrangement (12), and also a base closure, especially a standing base (13). The lid arrangement (12) comprises a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, annular collar (16), which is fixed on, especially sealed to, the circumferential rim (14) of the container body (11) and which marks the boundary of a container opening (15), as well as a cover foil (18), which extends over the container opening (15) and is sealed to the rim (17) thereof.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging container, especially a can-like container having a cylinder-like or tube-like container body produced from composite foil, a lid arrangement, and also a base closure, especially a standing base.

Containers of that kind are generally known and are used to keep, store and transport liquid, paste and solid contents, the low weight of such packages and the ease with which they can be printed being extremely advantageous. A disadvantage from time to time, however, is the handling, especially the opening, of such containers because of the flexibility of the container body, which is produced from a composite foil. Owing to the lack of adequate stability of the container body, the contents of the package can very easily be spilled uncontrollably when the container is being opened. This is a risk especially when the container opening is also of flexible construction.

The problem underlying the present invention is accordingly to provide an alternative to inflexible packaging containers made of plastics, glass or metal that, despite being produced from flexible composite foil, can be opened in a controlled manner and optionally also closed again. The packaging containers according to the invention are intended especially to be an alternative to inflexible packaging cans.

That problem is solved in accordance with the invention by the characterising features of claim 1.

An important aspect of the invention is accordingly that a dimensionally stable lid arrangement be provided that can easily be opened so that the contents of the package can be properly accessed. Specifically, the lid arrangement comprises a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, annular collar, which is fixed on, especially sealed to, the circumferential rim of the container body and which marks the boundary of a container opening, as well as a cover foil, which extends over the container opening and is sealed to the rim thereof. That construction also allows relatively large, dimensionally stable container openings that can be so closed that the container contents are protected against contamination. The container contents can especially also be sterile-packed.

In a preferred embodiment a neck, onto which a lid is lockable or screwable, extends between the annular collar and the container opening. In the first-mentioned solution, the neck has a locking protrusion, especially an annular protrusion, extending radially outwards, or a locking notch, extending radially inwards, which in each case match complementary locking means on the lid.

In the second embodiment or alternative, there is embossed on or carved in the outer circumference of the neck a thread that matches a corresponding internal thread in a screw lid or a screw cap.

The lid can also, in the form of a hinged lid, be hinge-mounted at the collar by way of a film hinge. Collar and lid are thus joined to one another in one piece. In principle, a multi-part articulated hinge joint is naturally also possible. It is equally possible for the lid itself to be of bendable construction. For that purpose, the lid itself can in a sub-region be constructed in the form of a film hinge.

The hinge-joint can also be prebiased into the closing position of the lid, either by appropriate stamping-in of a tension in the material or by the provision of a torsion spring.

The opening rim can be of annular, oval or triangular shape or the like. No restrictions are imposed in terms of shape. The opening rim can especially include a pouring funnel or spout. The lid is then correspondingly shaped.

It is furthermore advantageous if the cover foil has at least one grip tab which extends radially beyond the rim of the container opening. By means of the tab, the cover foil can easily be removed from, that is pulled off, the opening rim of the container.

The container body preferably consists of a foil that is formed by means of fin-seal or lap-seal into a cylindrical, truncated cone-shaped or tube-shaped basic body. Alternatively, the container body can also be a portion of an extruded foil tube.

The container body, and optionally also the base and the cover foil, preferably consist of a laminate, especially aluminium laminate, having at least one sealing layer and optionally at least one barrier layer, especially of SiO₂, ethyl vinyl alcohol or a metal foil.

The thickness of the foil is in the range from 50μ to 1000μ, especially from 100μ to 500μ, preferably from 150μ to 350μ. Ultimately, the thickness of the foil also depends on the contents and on the size of the packaging container.

The base of the packaging container can either be of shallow-pot-like form or be constructed with a V-shaped or W-shaped fold, and bonded or sealed at the rim side to the circumferential rim of the container body at the base side. Conventional techniques are used for that purpose. Alternatively, the base can also be closed simply by the formation of a transverse sealing seam, corresponding to the base closure of a tube of toothpaste or the like.

Preferably, however, the base consists of a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, material and is formed as a standing base so that, overall, a can-like container is obtained that is characterised by a relatively rigid base, a relatively rigid and dimensionally stable lid arrangement, and a container body that is produced from composite foil. Such containers are relatively light, simple to produce, adequately dimensionally stable and can reliably be opened and optionally closed again. They can be used to store liquid, pulverulent or granular-type products, especially food, drink or also medicines. In view of the flexibility of the container body and because of the ease with which the composite foil from which the container body is produced can be deformed, it is also possible for as many different forms of container as desired to be produced. Printing of the containers is also very simple; all that is required is that the composite foil is correspondingly printed in advance.

Further, the lid, too, can be produced from a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, material so that, after the container has been opened, the lid is suitable for further uses, such as, for example, as a support for the container.

Preferably, the relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, base and/or lid is/are produced by injection moulding or deep-drawing. Those production processes are extremely favourably priced and are especially well suited to the production of large numbers of items.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lid has a top side that falls away at an angle and thus has a certain height extension. According to the invention, the lid can also be constructed in the form of a truncated cone, the lid being tapered upwards. It should be mentioned that a combination of the features of the top side of the lid falling away at an angle and a taper can be combined.

The embodiments mentioned above are suitable for containers having a lid of which the inclined top side is available, for example, for advertising purposes, and faces the observer for improved visibility. This is advantageous especially when the containers are placed in sales stands, particularly since such a three-dimensionally shaped lid has an unusual lid form and therefore tends to catch the eye.

In addition, such a three-dimensionally shaped lid having a truncated cone body and a lid top-side that falls away at an angle is also usable as a standing aid for the container once it has been removed from the top of the container, the container with its standing base, which is preferably at least in part approximately complementary in shape to the truncated cone shape of the lid, being placed on the latter.

As has already been mentioned hereinbefore, the base can be of shallow-pot-like form or constructed with a V-shaped or W-shaped fold, and bonded, welded or sealed at the rim side to the circumferential rim at the base side of the container body. The circumferential rim, which usually serves at least as a partial standing face for the container, takes up an inclined position as a result of the container's being positioned on the lid, so that then the container as a whole is slightly inclined. The degree of filling of the container is obviously such that the filling material does not, as a result of that slightly inclined position, pour out of the container, especially when the container is fully opened.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the lid can be placed either with its bottom side, but optionally instead with its top side, onto a supporting surface, and that the standing base of the container, when used as a standing aid, engages internally or externally with the lid, with the result that the container is not able to slip off the lid incline.

Here, it is preferred for the circumferential rim of the lid to have a somewhat larger external diameter than the standing base or the upper opening rim, so that the lid is placed on a support with its original top side now directed downwards, and the container comes to stand in an opening in the lid and is held, for example by a lip or bar, on the now upwardly directed circumferential rim of the lid.

In view of the slight inclined position of the opened container, its contents are more readily accessible, especially also for small children; in addition, there is a better view into the container.

A similar effect can be achieved by the container body's having a varying height over its circumference, so that the container opening of a horizontally-standing container falls away at an angle. In that case, the lid is made oval in shape in such a way that it is suitable for closure of the container opening.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a ring segment or ring is provided, which can be snapped on at least around a partial region of the neck of the lid arrangement and engages around the neck at least partially, which ring segment or ring is connected to the lid, especially by way of a film hinge.

The special advantage of that embodiment is that the container can first of all be filled and closed with a cover foil, before the lid is fastened to the container by means of a ring or by means of a ring segment that engages at least partially around the neck. It is especially advantageous here when the lid arrangement is produced from a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, material, and it should be stressed that not only the lid but also the lid arrangement as a whole can be injection moulded or deep-drawn.

The ring segment or the ring is placed around at least a partial region of the neck and connected in that way to the container. A lid formed in that manner, with the fastening arrangement engaging at least partially around the neck, can be removable, so that the lid can be used by the end user for different containers. In that manner it is possible for the container to be sealed at a favourable cost using the cover foil only. The lid with the fastening arrangement engaging at least partially around the neck can thus be used by the end user to re-close an opened container, as required.

It is also within the scope of the concept of the invention for the lid and the cover foil to be joined to one another in a separable manner, the lid and/or the cover foil being sealed or bonded to one another, wherein at least the portions of the lid and of the cover foil that are sealed or bonded to one another are provided with substances in the sealing or bonding material that reduce the sealing and/or bonding ability. In the case of the sealing material polyethylene, substances reducing the sealing ability may be, for example, polybutylene or polypropylene or a mixture of both, especially with an admixture of from 20% by weight polybutylene to polypropylene. In that manner it is possible to produce a lid having a cover foil that is weakly adherent which, on sealing of the container, is sealed or bonded to the opening rim of the container more strongly than to the lid. When the container is being opened, therefore, first of all only the lid is removed, while the cover foil remains on the opening rim of the container, or more precisely the lid arrangement thereof, and then, for example with the aid of the grip tab, the cover foil can be removed separately and the container can thus be opened fully.

It is thus possible to provide one side of the cover foil with substances that reduce the sealing and/or bonding ability and, in that manner, reduce the sealing ability of the cover foil towards that side, while the sealing ability on the opposite side of the cover foil is fully retained, with the result that the cover foil has two sides having different sealing abilities, especially in respect of sealing strength.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the lid has a recess which is openable on the outside and which, prior to use, is closed, especially sealed, preferably by a foil. An article, such as, for example, a spoon, knife or fork or similar implement or addition can be arranged in the recess. The implement can preferably be of folding or collapsible construction.

To use the implement, a cover foil is thus removed from the top side of the lid comprising the recess, so that the recess with the product located therein becomes accessible. The lid of the container can then be opened so that the interior of the container becomes accessible.

Further, the lid can serve as a standing aid for the container once it has been removed from the top of the container. The lid in that variant preferably has an extent greater in surface area than the base of the container and is provided with a recess into which the base of the container is insertable with a substantially exact fit. That embodiment is especially preferred for use by smaller children, because knocking over or tipping over the container is made appreciably more difficult in view of the resulting increased standing area. If required, the container itself can be provided with a cover foil in addition to its lid.

According to a further embodiment, the neck of the lid arrangement is provided with a thread onto which a lid can be screwed. The lid has a sealing membrane which is preferably applied concentrically relative to its circumferential rim, which sealing membrane can be pressed out of the top of the lid to separate it therefrom, resulting in a circular aperture in the top of the lid. A teat for infants and/or small children can be inserted into that circular aperture according to conventional manner, the size of the resulting aperture in the top of the lid obviously being dimensioned for commercially available teats. In that way the container according to the invention can be used as a “bottle” for small children and infants.

In the following, various embodiments of packaging containers according to the invention are explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a first embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a packaging container corresponding to FIG. 1, likewise in diagrammatic side view;

FIGS. 3a-3e are each a perspective view of a can-like container showing the attachment of a lid arrangement according to the invention;

FIGS. 4a-4d are each a perspective view of an alternative can-like container showing the attachment of a lid arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a further alternative of a can-like container in perspective view;

FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show three different embodiments of packaging containers (soft packagings) having a lid arrangement according to the invention, each in perspective view;

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention in closed and partially opened form, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 9a, 9b show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention in closed and opened form, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 10a-10c show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention in a closed illustration and in two opened illustrations, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 11a-11c show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention in open, partially closed and fully closed form, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 12a-12c show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention in closed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 13a-13c show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention with a special construction of the lid, in closed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 14a-14c show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention with a lid having a film hinge, in closed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each case in perspective view;

FIGS. 15a-15c show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention based on FIGS. 13a-13c and 14a-14c, in closed, partially opened and fully opened form, in each case in perspective view;

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention having a standing-base lid; and

FIGS. 17a-17c show a further embodiment of a packaging container according to the invention for use as a “bottle”, in closed, partially opened and ready-to-use form, in each case in perspective view.

The packaging container shown in FIG. 1 is a can-like container 10 having a cylinder-like or tube-like container body 11 produced from composite foil, a lid arrangement 12, as well as a standing base 13. The lid arrangement 12 comprises a relatively rigid, that is, dimensionally stable, annular collar 16, which is applied to, specifically sealed externally to, the circumferential rim 14 of the container body 11 and which marks the boundary of a container opening 15, as well as a cover foil 18, which extends over the container opening 15 and is sealed to the rim 17 thereof. Formed between the annular collar 16 and the container opening 15 is a neck 19 onto which a lid 20 can be screwed. For that purpose, there is embossed on the outer circumference of the neck 19 a thread 21 that matches a corresponding internal thread, not shown here, in the screw lid 20. The container body 11 can be produced from a rectangular piece of foil, of which the longitudinal edges overlapping one another are joined to one another either in fin-seal or lap-seal manner. Alternatively, and also preferably, the container body 11 is a portion of an extruded foil tube. A dimensionally stable, shallow-pot-like standing base 13 is inserted in the base region and sealed to the container body 11 internally at the base side along the circumferential rim. The standing base 13 is inserted in known manner into the cylindrical container body 11 at the base side, optionally with a slight radial extension, and is welded or sealed thereto.

The cover foil 18 has a grip tab 22 which extends radially beyond the rim 17 of the container opening 15 and by means of which the cover foil 18 can easily be pulled off the rim 17 of the container opening 15 after removing the screw lid or screw cap 20.

The container body 11 and the cover foil 18 preferably consist of an aluminium laminate having at least one sealing layer and optionally at least one barrier layer, especially of SiO₂, ethyl vinyl alcohol or a metal foil. The laminate of the container body 11 should especially also be sealable because the lid arrangement, that is, the annular collar thereof, on the one hand, and the standing base 13 on the other hand, should be sealable thereto along the upper and low circumferential rims of the container body 11.

The embodiment according to FIG. 2 differs from that according to FIG. 1 only in the respect that the lid 20 is lockable onto the neck 19, in the direction of the arrow 23. Removal of the lid 20 naturally occurs in the opposite direction. The lid 20 has a circumferential rim with an annular protrusion 24 extending radially inwards that matches an annular protrusion 25 extending radially outwards in the region of the rim 17 of the container opening 15.

FIGS. 3a-3e show a can-like container 10 illustrating the attachment of a lid arrangement 12 according to the invention in the sequence of the corresponding operative steps. Starting from FIG. 3a, an annular collar 16, including neck 19, is sealed externally to the upper circumferential rim 14 of the container body 11, resulting in the configuration according to FIG. 3b. A cover foil 18 with grip tab 22 is then sealed onto the opening rim 17 marking the boundary of the container opening 15 (see FIGS. 3c and 3d). Finally, a locking lid 20 is locked on over that arrangement, so that the lid arrangement is completed according to FIG. 3e.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 4a-4d differs from that according to FIGS. 3a-3e in the respect that the first of all a cover foil 18 is sealed into the container body 11 at the lid side, internally, along the circumferential rim 14. Then, according to FIG. 4b, a lid arrangement 12 having an annular collar 16 and a hinged lid 20, which is hinge-mounted on the collar by way of a film hinge 26, is sealed on in such a manner that a seal is effected between the annular collar 16 and the outside of the circumferential rim 14. The composite foil from which the container body 11 has been produced should thus preferably be sealable both internally and externally. A barrier layer, for example of aluminium, can be arranged between those two sealing layers.

FIG. 4d shows the can-like container 10 in the closed state, that is, with the hinged lid 20 in the closed position.

The embodiment according to FIG. 5 corresponds substantially to that according to FIGS. 3a-3e, except that the lid 20 is hinge-mounted in the form of a hinged lid on the neck 19 of the lid arrangement 12 by way of a film hinge 26. The embodiment according to FIG. 5 also differs from the afore-described embodiments in the respect that the opening rim 17 includes a spout-like pouring funnel 27. The lid 20 is constructed in corresponding manner with the result that, after the cover foil has been removed (already removed in FIG. 5), the container 10 can be closed again in a fluid-tight manner by the hinged lid 20. The hinged lid 20 is lockable on the opening rim 17, that is, on the neck 19.

The embodiments according to FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c each show a packaging container in which the container body differs appreciably from a cylindrical shape. The lid arrangement, however, is constructed according to the afore-mentioned embodiments; it is simply differently shaped. The lid arrangement 12 in the embodiment according to FIG. 6a is roughly droplet-shaped in plan view. In the embodiment according to FIG. 6b, the lid arrangement 12 is constructed according to that in FIG. 1, except that the mouth of the container opening is of relatively small dimensions.

The embodiment according to FIG. 6c is distinguished by the fact that in cross-section, that is, in plan view, both the container body and the lid arrangement are approximately triangular. The same is true of the container opening 15. Both in the embodiment according to FIG. 6a and in the embodiment according to FIG. 6c, the lid 20 is in the form of a hinged lid and is hinge-mounted by way of a film hinge 26.

The embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8 are constructions corresponding to that according to FIG. 1. They differ from the latter only in the respect that no separate screw lid or locking lid is provided in the embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8. It is, however, entirely possible for a locking lid to be provided in addition, corresponding to the embodiment according to FIG. 2. A decisive factor also in the embodiments according to FIGS. 7 and 8 is that the container opening 15 is bounded and stabilised by an annular collar 16 having an opening rim 17. That container opening 15 is covered by a cover foil 18, which has a grip tab 22 and is sealed onto the opening rim 17. FIG. 8 shows clearly how the cover foil 18 can be pulled off the opening rim 17 by means of the grip tab 22.

FIG. 9a shows a container 10 according to the invention with the lid 20 put on. The container 10 has a container body 11 and also a standing base 13 joined to the lower circumferential rim 14 thereof. Arranged at the upper circumferential rim thereof is a lid arrangement 12, the annular collar 16 of which engages externally around the circumferential rim 14 of the container body 11 and is sealed thereto. A lid 20 seals off the container 10 at the top, the lid 20 having a top side that falls away at an angle and that, in the form of a cut-off cone frustum, has an upwardly directed conical taper.

FIG. 9b shows the container 10 from FIG. 9a in an opened representation in which it is possible readily to see the opening rim 17 and the container opening 15 as well as goods located in the container. The lid 20 is arranged with its opening beneath the standing base 13, which bounds the container 10 at the bottom, and is engaged with the standing base 13. As mentioned hereinbefore, the lid has an upwardly extending taper, so that the lid is able to engage in a corresponding shallow-pot-like recess in the standing base. It may be mentioned at this point that that engagement can be fixable in a releasable manner by way of a clamping or locking connection. The two arrows symbolically associating FIGS. 9a and 9b with one another show in what fashion the container according to the invention is to be used. As a result of the container's being placed onto the inclined lid, the container 10 itself is subject to an inclined position, with the result that the interior of the container is readily accessible through the container opening 15 and it is possible to see easily into the container in its inclined position.

At this point, attention may be drawn furthermore to the fact that the container opening 15, in addition to the closure by the lid 20, is covered by a cover foil (not shown), which is preferably welded, sealed or bonded to the opening rim 17 and needs to be removed from the container opening 15 in order to open the container.

FIGS. 10a to 10c show a further embodiment of a container 10 according to the invention in which the container body 11 has a varying height over its circumference, with the result that the container opening 15 of a standing container 10 falls away at an angle and has a shape, preferably an oval shape, that matches an associated lid. Other shapes can be triangular, quadrangular or polygonal, wherein polygonal container openings may have flats that are of equal or different lengths so that directed pouring, for example via one or more corners of the container, is possible.

FIG. 10a shows an afore-mentioned container 10 according to the invention in closed form, with container body 11, standing base 13, annular collar 16 and lid 20. In FIGS. 10b and 10c, the container according to FIG. 10a is shown in the open form, the container opening 15, the annular collar 16 associated with the lid arrangement 12, and the opening rim 17 being clearly visible. The opening rim 17 is in accordance with the invention flattened off somewhat. In that manner, a sealing face which is more or less planar is provided at which a sealing tool is readily engageable for attaching a cover foil to seal the package.

FIGS. 11a to 11c show a further container 10 according to the invention with container body 11 and standing base 13, and also with a lid arrangement 12, which has an annular collar 16, an opening rim 17 and a neck 19 as well as a cover foil 18 (FIG. 11b) fixed on the opening rim 17. A lid 20 is connected by way of a film hinge 26 to a ring 32 engaging around the neck 19. The ring 32 is arranged on the neck 19 of the lid arrangement 12 above the annular collar 16, an annular protrusion 25 on the lid arrangement 12 preventing the ring 32 from slipping off. The neck 19 of the lid arrangement 12 is thus bounded below by an annular ring 16 and above by an annular protrusion 25, adjacent to which is the opening rim 17. The ring 32 thus has a fixed seat on the neck 19 and there is no fear of its unintentionally slipping off. The ring 32 can be made from a material that is flexible like rubber, so that it is possible for it to be deliberately slipped over the annular protrusion 25 and, in another container 10, refastened to the neck 19 of the other container, so that it is then possible for the lid 20 to be used again on another container 10.

In FIG. 11c, the container is shown in closed representation in which the container may be in the originally sealed form, with the cover foil 18 present beneath the lid 20, but it is equally possible that the cover foil 18 may already have been removed from the opening rim 17 of the container 10, so that FIG. 11c shows a re-closed container 10. It can be seen in FIG. 11b that the cover foil 18 has a grip tab 22. According to FIGS. 11a to 11c there is likewise provided, for easier opening of the lid 20, a protrusion, which is easier to grasp than a lid of that kind having a smooth rim. An open container according to that embodiment is shown in FIG. 11a. FIGS. 12a to 12c show a further variant of the container 10 according to the invention, which again has a container body 11 as well as a standing base 13 and a lid arrangement 12. In addition, the lid 20 in FIGS. 12a to 12c is connected in separable manner to the cover foil, the sealing layer connecting the lid 20 and the cover foil 18 containing substances that reduce the sealing ability. Those substances are particles that consist of about 80% polypropylene and about 20% polybutylene and that are embedded in a sealing layer of polyethylene. In that manner, the lid 20 can be separated from the cover foil 18 without the cover foil's 18 being removed from the opening rim 17 of the container since, on the side facing the opening rim 17, the cover foil 18 does not contain any substances that reduce the sealing ability, thereby resulting in there being greater adhesion between the cover foil 18 and the opening rim 17 than between the lid 20 and the cover foil 18, because the sealing, that is, bonding, strength is reduced by the afore-mentioned particles.

A fully closed container 10 can be seen in FIG. 12a. In FIG. 12b, the lid 20 has already been removed to some extent from the cover foil 18, whilst in FIG. 12c the container 10 has been fully opened and the lid 20 lies next to it.

Shown in FIGS. 13a to 13c is a container 10 according to the invention in which the lid has a recess 33, which is openable on the outside and which, prior to use, is closed by a foil, which recess is suitable for housing a spoon, especially a folding spoon, or a similar item. The recess 33 which is openable on the outside is closed prior to use by a foil. That foil is sealed on an upper circumferential rim which marks the boundary of the recess, and can be removed from the lid 20 by grasping a grip tab 22, with the result that the interior of the area in the lid 20 defined by the recess 33 becomes accessible.

The container is shown in closed form in FIG. 13a, in a partially opened form in FIG. 13b and in a fully open form in FIG. 13c. Shown in addition is a folding spoon, such as is placeable, for example, in the recess 33.

FIGS. 14a to 14c show a further embodiment of a container 10 according to the invention in which the lid 20 is provided with a film hinge 26. The film hinge 26 forms the bending line by way of which the lid 20 can be bent back to open the container 10.

FIGS. 15a to 15c show a further embodiment of a container 10 according to the invention in which a lid having a recess 33 is combined with a lid having an integral film hinge.

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment according to the invention in which the lid has an extent that is greater in area than the horizontal cross-section of the container 10. After its removal from the container, which in addition is still closed by a cover foil 18, the lid 20 can be used to enlarge the standing area of the container 10 and, for that purpose, has a recess 33 into which the standing base 13 of the container 10 is insertable, with a substantially exact fit, and fixable by a locking, click-shut or turning connection. As a result of the relatively large extent of the lid 20, tipping of the container 10 is now virtually impossible, so that a container according to the invention in accordance with that embodiment is especially suitable for children. The relatively large extent of the lid can be achieved by additional flat elements in the form of tabs, especially grip tabs, which are arranged around the recess 33 in the lid 20 which receives the container 10. It should be mentioned that the lid can be provided with motifs, or the lid itself may constitute a motif, such as, for example, a flower or a small bear, thereby increasing the attractiveness, especially for children, of the container according to the invention.

Indentations improving the stability of the container are preferably formed at the lid rim, relative to the recess 33, in opposing directions to one another and, especially preferably, extend around the whole of the lid.

FIGS. 17a to 17c show a further embodiment of a container 10 according to the invention which can be used as a “bottle” for infants and small children. For that purpose, the neck 19 of the lid arrangement 12 is provided with a thread 21 onto which a screw lid 22 can be screwed. As shown in FIG. 17a, there is provided in the closed and originally packaged state of the container a sealing membrane 31, which is arranged in the top side of the lid 20 concentrically relative to the centre, and is joined to the top side of the lid 20 in such a manner that it can be separated therefrom or pressed out therefrom.

FIG. 17b shows that the lid 20 can be removed from the thread 21 of the lid arrangement 12 by being turned and that the sealing membrane 31 can be removed by being pressed out of the top side of the lid 20, so that a concentric opening results in the top side of the lid 20. Also shown, arranged on the opening rim 17 of the lid arrangement 12, is a cover foil 18 which can be pulled off the container opening 15 using a grip tab 22. In known manner, a teat 30 can then be placed in the lid aperture 34 and fixed to the container 10 by screwing the residual lid ring, together with the teat 30 employed, back onto the thread 21 of the lid arrangement 12. It should be mentioned that the lid aperture 34 is obviously so dimensioned that conventional teats 30 can be used with such a lid 20 according to the invention and a container 10 according to the invention.

All features disclosed in the application documents are claimed as important to the invention insofar as they are novel, individually or in combination, compared with the prior art.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 10 container
• 11 container body
• 12 lid arrangement
• 13 standing base
• 14 circumferential rim
• 15 container opening
• 16 annular collar
• 17 opening rim
• 18 cover foil
• 19 neck
• 20 lid
• 21 thread
• 22 grip tab
• 23 arrow
• 24 annular protrusion
• 25 annular protrusion
• 26 film hinge
• 27 pouring funnel
• 28 lid recess
• 29 perforation
• 30 teat
• 31 sealing membrane
• 32 ring
• 33 recess
• 34 lid aperture

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A can-like or other packaging container, said container comprising:

a container body of cylinder-like or tube-like form produced from composite foil having a circumferential rim;

a lid arrangement; and

a standing or other base closure; wherein:

the lid arrangement comprises:

a relatively rigid, dimensionally stable, annular collar, said collar being fixed on or sealed to the circumferential rim of said container body, and marking the boundary of a container opening; and

a cover foil extending over said container opening and being sealed to the rim thereof.

22. A container according to claim 21, wherein a neck extends between said annular collar and said container opening and said container further includes a lid adapted to be locked or screwed onto said neck.

23. A container according to claim 22, wherein said neck has a locking member selected from the group consisting of a protrusion extending radially outwards, and a locking notch extending radially inwards, said locking member in each case matching complementary locking means provided on said lid.

24. A container according to claim 22, wherein a thread is embossed on the outer circumference of said neck and matches a corresponding internal thread in a screw lid or a screw cap of said container.

25. A container according to claim 21, further comprising a folding lid hinge-mounted by way of a film hinge at a location selected from the group consisting of at said collar, at said opening neck, and at a region of the lid.

26. A container according to claim 21, wherein said opening rim includes a spout-like or other pouring funnel.

27. A container according to claim 21, wherein said cover foil has at least one grip tab extending radially beyond said rim of said container opening.

28. A container according to claim 21, wherein said base is a base selected from the group consisting of a base of shallow-pot-like form, a base constructed with a V-shaped fold, and a base constructed with a W-shaped fold, and is bonded, welded or sealed at the rim side to said circumferential rim of said container body at the base side thereof.

29. A container according to claim 22, wherein a part(s) selected from the group consisting of the base, the lid, and the base and the lid is/are produced from injection moulded, deep-drawn relatively rigid, dimensionally stable, material.

30. A container according to claim 22, wherein said lid has a top side that falls away at an angle.

31. A container according to claim 22, wherein said lid is in the form of a truncated cone.

32. A container according to claim 21, wherein said container body has a varying height over its circumference so that said container opening of a standing container falls away at an angle.

33. A container according to claim 21, wherein a ring segment or ring is provided and is operative to be snapped on at least around a partial region of said neck of said lid arrangement to engage around said neck at least partially, said ring segment or ring being connected to said lid by way of a film hinge or other connection.

34. A container according to claim 21, wherein said lid and said cover foil are joined to one another in separable manner, a part selected from the group consisting of said lid, said cover foil, and said lid and said cover foil containing substances that reduce the sealing and/or bonding ability.

35. A container according to claim 22, wherein said lid has a recess for housing an object, or other purpose, said recess being openable on the outside and, prior to use, being closed or sealed by a foil or other closure or seal.

36. A container according to claim 21, wherein said base is a standing base and said lid is so formed that it can be brought into engagement with said standing base.

37. A container according to claim 21, wherein said container body is formed from a composite foil that is shaped by means of a seal selected from the group consisting of a fin-seal and a lap-seal into a basic body selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical basic body, a truncated cone-shaped basic body, and a tube-shaped basic body.

38. A container according to claim 21, wherein said container body is a portion of an extruded foil tube.

39. A container according to claim 21, wherein a part selected from the group consisting of said container body, said base, said cover foil, said container body and said base, and said container body, said base and said cover foil is/are produced from an aluminum or other laminate, said cover foil having a layer(s) selected from the group consisting of at least one sealing layer, at least one sealing layer and at least one barrier layer, at least one sealing layer and at least one barrier layer of SiO2, at least one sealing layer and at least one barrier layer of ethyl vinyl alcohol, and at least one sealing layer and at least one metal foil barrier layer.

40. A container according to claim 21, wherein said foil has a thickness selected from the group consisting of in the range from 50μ to 1000μ, in the range from 100μ to 500μ, and in the range from 150μ to 350μ.