Packaging Container

Abstract

The invention relates to a closable packaging container (1), comprising several container parts (10, 20) and a closing mechanism (3) having at least two stable positions, wherein the closing mechanism (3) comprises an unlocking part (30) designed as a multiple joint and a locking part (31), wherein the locking part (310) acts correspondingly on the unlocking part (30) in a locking position, wherein the unlocking part (30) can be moved in a pivoting motion at least in some positions in order to unlock the closing mechanism (3), and such that the unlocking part (30) remains persistently in an unlocking position after being actuated and releases the locking part (31).

Description

The invention relates to a packaging container, to a closing mechanism for a packaging container, to a method for temporarily closing and locking a packaging container, to the use of a packaging container and to a device and a method for producing a packaging container according to the preamble of the independent claims.

DESCRIPTION

Closable packaging containers are used for packaging all types of products. For certain products, for example foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products or the like, the packaging container has a closing mechanism which serves, after the container is opened for the first time and some of the products are removed, for at least temporarily closing said packaging container again. Closure mechanisms of this type are known, for example, in beverage bottles, in tubes or in egg cartons.

In certain cases, it is necessary to be able to ensure, by means of a seal, that the closing mechanism has not been opened. This is achieved in the prior art, for example, by a tearable adhesive tape being applied over a reclosable packaging container, or a film being stretched over the latter or a tear-off sealing strip being molded onto the latter. Closing mechanisms or closures sealed in such a manner are also known as a “one time open seal” or “tamper-resistant seal”.

One of the disadvantages of these solutions consists in the fact that seals of this type have to be destroyed or removed, i.e. for example, by removal of material, before the opening for the first time. A further disadvantage here is that most seals which are removed have to be disposed of as waste. In addition, in terms of process technology, said seals are frequently able to be attached or molded on during the production of the packaging only with a particular outlay.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to propose a packaging container and a device and method for producing same, a closing mechanism for a packaging container and a method for temporarily closing and locking a packaging container and use of a packaging container that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a packaging container with a securing mechanism is proposed, in which no waste occurs and which can be produced in a simple manner and which is user-friendly.

In particular, the object is achieved by a packaging container, a closing mechanism, a method for temporarily closing and locking a packaging container, use of a packaging container and by a device and a method for producing such a packaging container according to the characterizing part of the independent claims.

One of the advantages of the invention consists in that the packaging container according to the invention has a closing mechanism which is designed as a tamper-resistant closure or safety closure, wherein said closure neither generates waste nor is produced by a special addition of adhesive, adhesive films, protective films or the like. A further advantage of the invention consists in that, because of the tamper-resistant closure, it is immediately apparent to the observer of the packaging container whether the closing mechanism has already been actuated and the container opened.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a packaging container is proposed, in which a first container part is molded onto a second container part directly or indirectly in a molding-on point, in particular by injection molding. For this purpose, an injection mold can be configured in such a manner that the material from two parts of the cavity of the injection mold flows together in a separating region and is connected there. Such a container has various advantages: the molding-on point can specifically form a hinge region for the articulated connection of the two container parts. As a result, the container parts can be moved in a pivoting movement from an open position for receiving or for removing an article into a closed position. It is also conceivable to form the first container part and the second container part from material having different properties. Typically, material having different optical properties, such as, for example, different transparency, opacity or color can be used. The two container parts can be formed from the same plastics material or else from different plastics materials. Particularly preferably, a lower container part for receiving the article is colored, and therefore said container part is less transparent and an upper container part or container part to be opened is designed to be substantially transparent and colorless. This makes it possible for the observer to observe the article in the packaging which is still closed. It is also conceivable, depending on the field of application, to produce the upper and lower container parts with differing strength. While containers of this type are particularly preferably used in combination with the above-described closing mechanism, it goes without saying that such containers may also be advantageous without such closing mechanisms.

According to a further aspect of the invention, two container parts of a packaging container are connected in an articulated manner to each other in a hinge region having a connecting strip. The connecting strip is designed as a separate film and preferably extends beyond the hinge region in such a manner that one part of the connecting strip is printable or that the connecting strip is partially printed. With this embodiment, an additional connecting strip can be used simultaneously as a hinge and as a printable label. Particularly preferably, the container parts are molded onto the connecting strip during the production process, in particular by injection molding.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a packaging container which comprises first regions which are produced by injection molding, and second regions which are formed by thermoforming or blow molding after the injection molding. In this case, the first regions define means for closing or connecting container parts and the second regions define a receiving region for receiving an article, in particular eggs. The closing mechanism can be, in particular, a closing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, a stabilizing means as claimed in claim 8 or connecting means for connecting a plurality of packaging containers. Regions for which high precision is required, that is to say, in particular, regions having elements engaging in one another, are thus precisely formed by injection molding. Regions in which less great precision is required, such as, for example, the receiving regions for the article, can be formed by thermoforming. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the injection mold and to produce the containers more cost-effectively. According to yet another aspect of the invention, spring elements are arranged in one or in the two container parts, in regions which serve for receiving the article. Spring elements in the container part serving as the base serve for damping the impact of the articles being packaged when the latter are placed into the packaging from a certain height during the filling operation. This is expedient in particular in the case of breakable articles to be packaged, such as, for example, eggs. The spring elements on the lid part can serve, in the case of products of different size, to hold said products stably in the container irrespective of their size. This is likewise expedient in particular in the case of eggs where there are naturally different sizes.

The spring elements can be designed, in particular, as tabs which protrude in approximately a vertical direction from the lid and/or from the base and are arranged along a circle. Three to five tabs arranged regularly along the circumference of a circle are typically provided.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing such a packaging container by injection molding and subsequent deformation.

In addition, according to a further aspect of the invention, a method is proposed for producing a packaging container comprising at least two container parts which are connected pivotably to each other in a hinge region. A first container part here is molded onto a second container part in a molding-on point by injection molding such that the molding-on point forms the hinge region. Particularly preferably, the first and the second container parts are molded onto a connecting strip which is placed into the injection mold and forms the hinge region.

A further advantage of the invention consists in that the packaging container can be produced as a single piece, in various shapes. In addition, in order to produce such a container, a device according to the invention is proposed.

As anticipated, the packaging container with a tamper-resistant closure is found to be highly acceptable by the end user, since said packaging container can also be produced form recyclable plastic. In addition, various material properties can be combined, and therefore the lid of the packaging container is formed, for example, to be transparent and the base is formed in a preferred color.

In addition, the packaging container according to the invention has the advantage that, for example by comparison to a container produced from wood pulp, said packaging container has exact dimensions and therefore is also closed in a precisely fitting manner, grasped and able to be stacked industrially, for example by means of pick-and-place robots during the packaging operation.

Another advantage of the invention consists in that the open packaging container is stackable compactly and is therefore transportable cost-efficiently.

Further measures improving the invention and a method and a device for producing same are illustrated in more detail below together with the description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures and the further claims.

FIG. 1 shows a closable packaging container according to the invention in a perspective view, wherein the packaging container has one container part formed as a base and two container parts formed as symmetrical lid parts, wherein the one lid part is illustrated in the open state and the other lid part in the closed state, and wherein there are two closing mechanisms of the packaging container, which closing mechanisms are independent of each other;

FIG. 2 shows, as a detail of FIG. 1, in a perspective, broken-away illustration, a closing mechanism of the packaging container according to the invention with a lid part in a closed and locked position;

FIG. 3 shows, in a perspective and broken-away illustration, a partially sectioned lid part in an intermediate position which is not closed and is not locked;

FIG. 4 shows, in a perspective and broken-away illustration, a partially sectioned lid part in a further intermediate position which is not closed and is not locked;

FIG. 5 shows, in a perspective and broken-away illustration, the closing mechanism of the packaging container according to the invention comprising an unlocking part, which is designed as a multiple joint, and a locking part, wherein, in the locking position illustrated, the locking part correspondingly acts on the unlocking part and is latched therein;

FIG. 6 shows, in a perspective and broken-away illustration, the unlocking part which, after being actuated by the action of a force remains permanently in an illustrated unlocking position and releases the locking part;

FIG. 7 shows the packaging container according to the invention in an open state in a top view with the section lines III-III and IX-IX;

FIG. 7a shows, in turn, a detail from FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 shows the packaging container according to the invention in an embodiment in which the one container part, which is designed as a lid, consists of one part;

FIG. 9 shows a simplified and broken-away illustration of the unlocking part along the section line IX-IX indicated in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c show, in a schematic, simplified detailed view, the hinge between the respective container parts of the packaging container, and

FIGS. 11a and 11b show a novel device for producing the packaging container according to the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a closable packaging container 1 comprising a plurality of container parts 10, 20 and comprising at least one closing mechanism 3 having in each case at least two stable positions, in a perspective view. The or each closing mechanism 3 has an unlocking part 30 designed as a multiple joint (see FIGS. 3 to 6) and a locking part 31 (see FIGS. 3 to 6). In a first stable position, a locking position, the locking part 31 correspondingly acts on the unlocking part 30. To unlock the closing mechanism 3, the unlocking part 30 is actuated manually such that the unlocking part 30, after being actuated, remains permanently in a second stable position, an unlocking position. The unlocking part 30 is movable at least in sections in a pivoting movement, wherein, after the pivoting movement has taken place, said section permits release of the locking part 31. While such an arrangement with pivottable unlocking parts with joints is preferred, other closing mechanisms are also conceivable within the scope of the invention, for example also snap-in connections with predetermined tearing regions which are destroyed during opening for the first time.

The unlocking part 30 which is of multi-jointed design has at least one first unlocking element 300 (“latch”) which is mounted pivotably on a container part 10 and is intended for correspondingly acting on the locking part 31, and a second unlocking element 303 (“press button”) which is connected to the first unlocking element. The locking part 31 is connected to the second container part 20.

The multi-jointed unlocking part 30 preferably comprises a third unlocking element 301 (“web”) which is connected in an articulated manner to the first and second unlocking element 300, 303 such that, when the unlocking part 30 is actuated, the pivotably mounted latch 300 at least in places completes a pivoting movement. For this purpose, the latch 300 is pivottable at a functional axis or a functional joint.

The press button 303 is movably connected to the or each latch 300. Each latch 300 is arranged movably within a frame 314 (see FIG. 2) which is molded onto the container part 10. In the present case, the frame 314 or collar is arranged at the end of a column-like part of the one container part 10 (“base”). The press button is connected at least to one latch.

The packaging container 1 is preferably produced from a plastic. It can be produced by thermoforming and/or by injection molding. One of the advantages of the invention also consists in manufacturing the container from a single piece, wherein said piece has a plurality of container parts. Preferred materials include polyethylene (PE) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and biologically degradable plastics on the basis of naturally occurring polymers, such as, for example, polylactides (PLA). Particularly preferably, the upper, openable container part 20 is manufactured from a transparent material. The lower container part 10 here can be manufactured from a material which is less transparent than the upper container part 20. In particular, the upper container part 20 can be colorlessly transparent and the lower container part 10 can be colored in a color, but can still be transparent.

Reference number 501 denotes a stabilizing element which is designed as a cam and engages in a stabilizing element of the packaging container 1, which stabilizing element is denoted by 502 and is designed as a recess or hole, when the container parts 10, 20 bear against each other and the container 1 is closed. Said elements stabilize and guide the two container parts 10, 20 resting on each other. As a result, the container is torsion-proof. Of course, other stabilizing elements which produce a for-fit and/or a force-fit and/or frictional connection between the first container part 10 and the second container part 20 are also conceivable. In addition, the stabilizing elements 501 of the lower container part 10 can be designed in such a manner that they are connectable to an identically designed stabilizing element of an adjacent second packaging container. This makes it possible to provide a container with double the capacity from two identical packaging containers. For example, two containers for receiving six items can be assembled to form a container for receiving twelve items. Smaller packaging containers can therefore also be used on packaging lines which are configured for greater filling quantities.

FIG. 1 also shows a hinge or connecting part 40 which connects two container parts 10, 20 movably to each other. Said hinge 40 is formed by a plastic and consists of thin-walled material which at least partially extends along the outer edges, which are to be connected, of the container parts 10, 20. Particularly preferably, the connecting part 40 is formed by injection molding during the production process of the packaging container 1. In this case, a preform of the packaging container is produced by injection molding. One region of the cavity of the injection mold serves for producing the container part 10 and two regions serve for producing the container parts 20. The plastics material flows in the regions in the direction of a molding-on point in the region of the connecting part 40 where the material from the various regions of the mold meets and is combined. This results in the formation of the hinge. Different materials or materials having different properties can therefore be used for the container parts 10 and 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as a detail of FIG. 1, in a perspective, broken-away illustration, a closing mechanism 3 of the packaging container 1 according to the invention, with a lid part 20 in a closed and locked position.

The first unlocking element, denoted by reference number 300 also as a latch, is mounted pivotably at least in places about a functional axis or a functional joint G1. In the present case, the joint G1 is formed by a thin-layered material, for example a plastic, which connects the latch 300, which is designed as a strip, to the frame-like part 314 at two contact sites. The thin-layered material acts in the manner of a flexible band. The joint G1 is produced in one piece with the frame-like part 314 by injection molding.

The closing mechanism 3 which is illustrated here in the detail from FIG. 1 shows a press button 303 which is connected oppositely symmetrically to two latches 300. A container part 20 which is illustrated broken-away, is designed as a lid and has an engagement groove, cam or rib 201 can be seen located at the rear in FIG. 2. The engagement rib 201 serves for the user to raise the lid when the locking mechanism 3 is unlocked.

The lid 20, or the lid half, is kept in the unlocked state by a form-fit connection by means of a cam 305 which is molded thereon and engages in a recess 315. The recess 315 is formed in the frame 314 of one of the container parts 10, 20 in such a manner that said recess receives two cams 305 of each container half. In addition, cams and recess interact in such a manner that, after opening for the first time, the half lids are provided with sufficient support in the closed state such that no lid automatically opens.

The illustrated packaging container 1 according to the invention comprising two closing mechanisms is designed as an egg box for receiving six eggs. Of course, the container can also be produced for a greater number of eggs, with at least one closing mechanism being present. Instead of being produced as an egg box, the packaging container can also be produced for other foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products and the like.

FIG. 2 also illustrates the functional joints G1, G2 and G3. Joint G3 connects the press button 303, which is realized here as a disk, in an articulated manner, wherein joint G3 is formed from thin-walled material and is preferably arranged, substantially rectilinearly, on a section of the disk edge of the press button.

The joint G2, likewise composed of thin-walled material, connects web 301 and latch 300. The latch, for its part, is arranged movably on a container part 10, 20 via a functional joint G3. In addition, the press button 303 can optionally be connected by means of further joints (not separately denoted) in the frame 314 on the inner side thereof.

FIG. 3 shows, in a perspective and broken-away illustration, a partially sectioned cover part 20 in an intermediate position which is not closed and is not locked. The closing mechanism 3 has latching means 3031, 3151 which are molded on in such a manner that they engage in one another in an unlocking position (FIG. 6) and fix the unlocking part 30. In the state illustrated, the latching means 3031, 3151, which are designed as corresponding hooks, are not latched.

The cam 305 which is designed for guiding and for holding the lid or lid half fits in the circumferential direction on the recess 315. A locking element, denoted by reference number 310, or latching means of the locking part 31 is spaced apart from the free end of the latch 300 and does not act on the latch. The projection, which is referred to as a lug 311 of the locking part 31, supports the closing operation of the lid 20. The lug 311 is likewise guided by means of a lip 325, which is molded onto the container part 10. The lug 311 is elastically deformable and partially absorbs the pressure of the locking part 31 sliding along. Press button 303, web 301 and latch 300 are stable in a first position, which is referred to here as the original position. This position is forced on the unlocking part 30 during the production of the packaging container.

FIG. 4 shows, in a perspective and broken-away illustration, a partially sectioned lid part 20 in a further intermediate position which is not closed and is not locked. This position of the unlocking part 30 is said foresaid stable, first position which is forced during the production of the packaging container.

The lid 20 has been pressed somewhat further against the container part 10, which is designed as a base. The narrow lip 311 has been elastically deformed by the lug 325 of the locking part 31. The locking element 310 of the locking part 31, which locking element is designed as a hook, is moved closer to the free end of the latch 300.

The cam 305 which is designed for guiding and stabilizing the lid 20 has been engaged in the recess 315. The or each locking part 31 of the lid 20 is guided approximately concentrically around the unlocking part 30 during the closing operation.

FIG. 5 shows, in a perspective and broken-away illustration, the closing mechanism 30 of the packaging container 1 according to the invention comprising the unlocking part 30, which is designed as a multiple joint, and the locking part 31, wherein, in the locking position illustrated, the locking part correspondingly acts on the unlocking part 30 and is latched therein. The unlocking part 30 is in the original, stable, first position as previously.

The hook or the locking element 310 which, acting as a latching means, is molded onto the locking part 31 designed in the form of a tab acts on the free end of the latch 300. The latch 300 automatically locks the locking element 310. The lip 325 acts with a certain pressure against the locking part 31. However, an embodiment can also be realized without the lip 325. For this purpose, the locking element 310 requires a certain pretension acting in the direction of the latch.

The guide cam 305 engages virtually completely in the recess 315. The cam 305 rests in places on a section of a container part 10. The lid 20 is thereby held in a stabilized manner. The latching means 3031, 3151 are spaced apart from each other and are not latched.

FIG. 6 shows, in a perspective and broken-away illustration, the unlocking part 30 which, after being actuated, remains by means of the action of a force permanently in an illustrated unlocking position and releases the locking part 31. The action of the force and consequent movements are indicated by corresponding assisting arrows. The latching means 3031, 3151 are latched. The press button 303, once actuated and latched, remains in a position which is referred to here as the second stable position or “unlocking position”. The distance a between the latch 300 and the hook 310 is greater than zero and, in the unlocking position shown, permits the lid 20 to be opened and closed as frequently as desired. The free end of the latch 300 is pivoted in such a manner that the hook 310 of the locking part 31 no longer touches said free end. The packaging container according to the invention, which is closable again as before, is unlocked. The tamper-resistant seal is broken open. However, the container can be kept closed again because of the connection between the cam 305 and the recess 315, which connection is form-fit in the circumferential direction and is frictional in the axial (i.e. vertical) direction.

In another embodiment, the press button 303 can also be fixed by the length of the or each web 301 being selected in such a manner that, when the press button 303 is depressed or actuated, each web is pivoted or tilted approximately about an obtuse angle, and therefore the or each web comes to lie between the disk edge of the press button and the upper end of the corresponding latch. In this case, latching means 3031, 3151 are optional.

FIG. 7 shows the packaging container 1 according to the invention in an open state in a top view with the intersecting line III-III. The reference number 30 indicates unlocking parts, and the reference number 31 indicates corresponding locking parts. It is apparent in this figure that there are two lid halves 20, wherein corresponding locking parts are molded onto each half. The container part 10 designed as a base has two column-like parts on which the unlocking parts are arranged. Reference number VIII refers to a detailed view in FIG. 7a. Depending in each case on the size of the packaging container and the number of objects to be received, it is conceivable to provide one such column-like part with unlocking parts, two column-like parts (as shown in FIG. 7) or more than two such parts on the container part 10 designed as a base. Correspondingly, one, two or more locking parts 31 can be provided on the lid halves 20. In the present case, the term closing mechanism with an unlocking part and a locking part for each mechanism is understood as meaning that the closing mechanism comprises at least one unlocking part and a corresponding locking part. In this case, a plurality of unlocking parts and locking parts can be arranged together as a group (for example two unlocking parts on a column-like part) and a plurality of such groups can be provided (for example two groups on column-like parts, as shown in FIG. 7). FIG. 7 also shows spring elements 16 which serve for the resilient holding of the articles. The spring elements 16 are designed as webs protruding vertically from the base of the container part 10. Said webs are produced in the injection molding process of a preform. Similar webs can also be provided in the container parts 20 serving as a lid (not expressly shown in FIG. 7). The spring elements 16 are arranged on a circle around each receiving position 17 for an article.

FIG. 7a illustrates, in a detail from FIG. 7, a top view of an unlocking part 30 with a press button 303 to which two latches 300 are connected by means of a respective web 301. Each latch is connected to the container part 10 at the functional joint G3. The reference numbers 3031, 3115 denote the latching means, which are illustrated here one above the other, for fixing the press button in the second stable position, the unlocking position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the packaging container 1 according to the invention in another embodiment, in which the one container part 20 which is designed as a lid is in one piece. The lid is connected to a container part 10 designed as a base, wherein the connection is designed as a hinge. The lid is illustrated broken away, and therefore the unlocking part 30 and the functional hinge 40 which connects the two container parts 10, 20 can be seen.

A further type of use is that in which the container parts 10, 20 are separated from each other, i.e. are specifically not connected to each other in an articulated manner, for example by the container parts being designed as single-piece halves. The unlocking part 30 and locking part 31 also suitably interact in this case.

When the packaging container has been produced and the product packed, it is ensured, for the temporary closing and locking of a packaging container according to the invention, that the unlocking part 30 is in the locking position (FIG. 5). Accordingly, the two container parts 10, 20 are brought into an intermediate position (FIG. 4), wherein one section 300 of the unlocking part 30 is pivoted when acted upon by the locking part 31, and therefore the locking part 31 automatically moves into the locking position (FIG. 5). These method steps can take place manually and/or mechanically.

A particular use of a packaging container 1 according to the invention consists in using the container for packaging a product which is to be sealed, in particular foodstuffs, such as eggs, or pharmaceutical products. A particular advantage is afforded by the use of plastics for producing the packaging container, such as PE, PET, etc.

FIG. 9 shows a simplified and broken-away illustration of the unlocking part along the section line IX-IX indicated in FIG. 7. The first container part (“base”), onto which the unlocking part 30 is molded, is referred to here by reference number 10. Two latching means 3031 designed as hooks are molded onto the press button 303, which is arranged in an articulated manner on the latch 300 by means of web 301. In the unlocking position illustrated in FIG. 6, said latching means engage in the respective latching means 3151. Joints which permit the necessary mobility along a definable movement path during the unlocking operation are referred to by G1 and G3 (see FIG. 2). The joint G3 cannot be seen in this illustration and is covered by the press button 301, which is illustrated in sectioned form.

The latching means can also be designed as cams or the like instead of hooks, with it being possible, for example, for a cam to engage in a corresponding opening or hole.

FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c illustrate, in a schematic, simplified detailed view, the hinge 40 between the respective container parts 10, 20 of the packaging container 1 according to the invention. A hinge region is illustrated by reference symbol b. Depending on requirements, the hinge region has a width of a few tenths of a millimeter to several millimeters. The two edge regions of the container parts 10, 20 of the packaging container 1 according to the invention are movably connected by the hinge 40, according to one of the embodiments of FIGS. 10a to 10c.

FIG. 10a shows container parts 10, 12, illustrated broken away, along the section line III-III in FIG. 7. At least certain regions of the container parts are formed from a plastic. The or each second container part 20, designed here as a lid or lid half, has a thin-walled material 400 from which the hinge is formed. A container part 10, 20 is not present on either of the two outer sides or surfaces of the material 400 in the hinge region b, and therefore the latter is unimpeded and forms a flexible hinge.

In the production of the packaging container, the container part 20 is firstly molded onto the material 400, which is in the form of a film, and overlaps the material 400 with an overlap c. The first container part 10, here the base, is subsequently molded onto the thin-walled material 400, for example by injection molding. On the left side in FIG. 10a, the material 400 is guided further into the interior of the container part 20. This extension makes it possible to undertake printing on the material 400, and therefore the material 400 serves simultaneously as a film hinge 40 in the region b and as a printed or printable label in the region illustrated on the left in FIG. 10a. When the container part 20 is formed from transparent material, imprints on the material 400 can be seen from the outside. The later, separate insertion of a label is rendered superfluous here.

FIG. 10b shows a further possibility of molding the container parts 10, 12 onto the thin-walled material 400.

FIG. 10c shows an alternative, in which the hinge 40 is formed by an additional, thin-walled material 401 and flexibly connects the two container parts.

The thin-layered materials 400, 401 are preferably in the form of plastics films.

FIG. 11a illustrates a method and a device for producing the packaging container 1 according to the invention. The device 70 for producing a molded part from thermoplastically deformable material, for example a packaging container made of plastic, comprises an injection molding device S with a first mold, a thermoforming device T with a second mold and a turning part 700 mounted rotatably inbetween. The turning part 700 has molds which correspond to the first and second mold and are operatively connectable to said first and second molds.

The advantage of said device 70, which is illustrated in a top view in FIG. 11b and combines injection molding and thermoforming processes, consists in that precise mechanical regions of the molded part, here, for example, the unlocking part 30, can be combined with voluminous and extensive regions of the molded part, here, for example, the cavities in the base 10 of the packaging container 1. An advantage arising therefrom is the high degree of efficiency in the production of molded parts from plastic, since the logistics are simplified and a machine change in the known sense is rendered superfluous.

In a first step, a preform can therefore be injection molded, wherein, then, the turning part, which is square or polygonal in cross section, is rotated incrementally about a dedicated axis. The molded part can cool here in this step. In the next step, the extensive part, for example the base of the packaging container, can be formed from the injected preform by thermoforming. After this step, the turning part is rotated further, with the residues from the thermoforming method step being able to be severed or cut off. Regions which are mechanically precisely formed (typically the regions which have elements engaging in one another, such as unlocking part 30, locking part 31 or stabilizing elements 501, 502) are thereby produced by injection molding and are no longer deformed subsequently. Less sensitive regions, such as the cavities for receiving the article, are produced in the preform in the same production process, but are deformed in a further step, in particular by thermoforming or blow molding.

The device according to the invention for producing containers from plasticized material, in particular plastic, is preferably used for producing egg containers made of plastic with a closing mechanism according to the invention. It is particularly advantageous here that, by means of a machine, mechanically precise functional parts, such as said closing mechanism, and also extensive container parts, in the present case the container base for receiving the eggs, are produced in few method steps.

In method step S1, a preform with the unlocking parts 30 is injected in the injection molding process into the closed injection molding die or the mold partially arranged on the turning part 700. The die parts are subsequently opened and the turning part is rotated by a quarter revolution about the dedicated axis into position or method step S2. In this position, the molded part can cool and/or can be further processed. The next molded part is already injected in method step S1.

From the position S2, the turning part is rotated about a quarter rotation and brought into method step T1 where, in the present case, the cavities of the container part 10, which is designed as a base, are formed by thermoforming. The dies are opened and the turning part is rotated into the position T2 where the molded part can cool. In addition, further processing steps can be undertaken, such as, for example, the severing of protruding material.

Depending on requirements, a molded part can first of all be prefabricated by thermoforming and then corresponding functional parts, for example an unlocking part 30 or a locking part 31, can be molded on by injection molding.

The intermediate steps S2 and T2 can be dispensed with, if required. In this case, the turning part has an injection molding die and a thermoforming die which are arranged offset by 180 degrees with respect to each other. The manufactured molded part is preferably removed after the corresponding dies are opened at the position S1 or T1 or in an intermediate position which is reached by rotation of the turning part 700.

Claims

1-28. (canceled)

29. A closable packaging container comprising a plurality of container parts and comprising a closing mechanism having at least two stable positions, wherein

the closing mechanism has an in particular multi-jointed unlocking part and a locking part which acts on the unlocking part in a locking position,

the unlocking part is movable at least in places, in particular in a pivoting movement, in order, when said unlocking part is actuated to unlock the closing mechanism, to release the locking part, and

the unlocking part, after the actuation thereof, remains permanently in an unlocking position and releases the locking part.

30. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein the unlocking part, which is designed as a multiple joint, has at least one first unlocking element, which is mounted pivotably on a container part, for correspondingly acting on the locking part, and a second unlocking element which is connected to the first unlocking element.

31. The packaging container as claimed in claim 30, wherein the multi-jointed unlocking part preferably has a third unlocking element which is connected in an articulated manner to the first and second unlocking elements such that, when the unlocking part is actuated, the pivotably mounted first unlocking element at least in places completes the pivoting movement.

32. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein the closing mechanism has three corresponding latching means which engage in one another in the unlocking position and fix the unlocking part.

33. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein the unlocking part is of elastically deformable design at least in places.

34. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, further comprising closure means which keep the container parts in a closed position even when the closing mechanism is unlocked, wherein the closure means are designed in particular as cams which are molded onto the container parts, engage in recesses of the packaging container and keep the container parts in the closed position, in particular under friction and/or a positive connection.

35. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein the container parts comprise a first container part and at least one second container part, in that at least one unlocking part is arranged on the first container part, and in that at least one unlocking part is arranged on the or each second container part.

36. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein, in order to stabilize the packaging container when closing same, intermeshing stabilizing means which are arranged on an outer edge of each container part are present on the container parts.

37. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, further comprising connecting means on the outer edge, by means of which two packaging containers arranged next to each other are connectable to each other.

38. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein the container parts are separate from each other or are connected to each other in an articulated manner.

39. The closable packaging container as claimed in claim 38, wherein a first container part and a second container part are molded onto each other directly or indirectly in a molding-on point, in particular by injection molding.

40. The packaging container as claimed in claim 39, wherein the molding-on point forms a hinge region for the articulated connection of the container parts.

41. The packaging container as claimed in claim 39, wherein the first container part and the second container part are formed from materials having different properties, in particular from the same material having different optical properties, or from different materials.

42. The packaging container as claimed in claim 38, wherein a hinge region consisting of an additional connecting strip is provided for the articulated connection of two container parts, the container parts are molded onto a thin-walled material, and the container has a hinge region which is free from container parts.

43. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, comprising at least two container parts which are connected in an articulated manner to each other in a hinge region having a connecting strip, wherein the connecting strip is designed as a film which preferably extends over the hinge region in such a manner that one part of the connecting strip is printable or that the part of the connecting strip is partially printed.

44. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein said packaging container is produced from a plastic by injection molding and/or thermoforming.

45. The packaging container as claimed in claim 34, wherein the packaging container has first regions which are produced by injection molding and second regions which are formed by thermoforming or blow molding after the injection molding, wherein the first regions have a means for connecting two container parts,

intermeshing stabilizing means which are arranged on an outer edge of each container part are present on the container parts, and

connecting means on the outer edge, by means of which two packaging containers arranged next to each other are connectable to each other,

wherein the second regions are designed for receiving articles, in particular with cavities for receiving eggs.

46. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein the unlocking part is molded onto an in places column-like bulge of one of the container parts.

47. The packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein said packaging container has a plurality of closing mechanisms which are independent of one another.

48. A closing mechanism for a packaging container as claimed in claim 29.

49. A method for temporarily closing and locking the packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein the unlocking part is in the locking position, the two container parts are brought into an intermediate position, wherein a section of the unlocking part is pivoted when acted upon by the locking part, as a result of which the locking part is automatically brought into the locking position.

50. The use of a packaging container as claimed in claim 29 for packaging products to be sealed, in particular foodstuffs or pharmaceutical products.

51. A device for producing a molded part from thermoplastically deformable material, in particular a packaging container as claimed in claim 29, wherein said device comprises an injection molding device with a first mold, a thermoforming device with a second mold, and a turning part which is mounted rotatably in between said molds and has molds corresponding to the first and the second mold.

52. The device as claimed in claim 51, for producing a packaging container comprising a plurality of container parts and comprising a closing mechanism having at least two stable positions, wherein the closing mechanism has an in particular multi-jointed unlocking part and a locking part which acts on the unlocking part in a locking position, the unlocking part is movable at least in places, in particular in a pivoting movement, in order, when said unlocking part is actuated to unlock the closing mechanism, to release the locking part, and the unlocking part, after the actuation thereof, remains permanently in an unlocking position and releases the locking part.

53. A method for producing a packaging container comprising two container parts as claimed in claim 29, wherein, in a first step, a preform is produced by injection molding, wherein the preform has first regions with means for connecting two container parts, and in that, in a second step, the preform is deformed by thermoforming or blow molding in a second region which serves for receiving an article, in particular eggs.

54. A method for producing a packaging container comprising at least two container parts which are connected pivotably to each other in a hinge region, wherein a first container part and at least one second container part are molded onto each other directly or indirectly in a molding-on point by injection molding such that the molding-on point forms the hinge region.

55. The method as claimed in claim 54, wherein the container parts are molded onto a separate connecting part which forms the hinge region.

56. A closable packaging container comprising a plurality of container parts, wherein a first container part forms a base and a second container part forms a lid of the packaging container, wherein spring elements for holding the article to be packaged are arranged at least in one of the container parts in the region of at least one receiving position, wherein the spring elements are designed as at least one resilient tab protruding from the container part.