EP3583047B1 - Container having a supporting structure between a closure membrane and lid - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the technical field of packaging technology. Specifically, the invention relates to the field of supporting a film or membrane sealed to the inside of a container, particularly during filling of the container with a solid or liquid product or by applying excess pressure.

When producing a filled container with a membrane sealed or glued to the inside of the container, such as instant coffee cans or baby food cans, a packager, e.g., an instant coffee or baby food manufacturer, typically uses prefabricated container blanks manufactured by a packaging manufacturer. The packaging manufacturer often adds the membrane and a push-in or slip-on lid to the top section of the container blanks (the top section a consumer would find in a supermarket). The membrane is often attached by a membrane collar that is glued all the way around the inside of the container. The packager fills the container blanks from below and closes the underside of the container, for example, by flanging. This creates a filled container.

Filling from below is problematic for the tightness of a membrane sealed to the inside of a container. When a packer fills a solid or liquid product from below, the product hits the membrane. This exerts a significant force on the membrane surface (plane perpendicular to the container axis), which is transmitted into the circumferential and axially extending bonding area between the membrane collar and the inside of the container. This causes peeling forces on the bonds, which are particularly unfavorable for bonding. In addition, the space in which the product is stored is often gassed (e.g. with a protective gas). This typically occurs during filling. If the lower opening of the container, through which the product and gas were introduced, is closed, the pressure in the space in which the product is stored may be higher than the pressure on the other side of the membrane. Accordingly, an additional force can act on the membrane, which in turn is transferred to the bonding area between the membrane collar and the inside of the container, and is poorly absorbed by the bonding. Furthermore, overpressure can occur in the space in which the contents are stored when the container is closed, if filling is carried out without overpressure, if the container is stored after filling by the filler in a location that has a lower air pressure than the filling location and the lower pressure is applied to the side of the The membrane acts on a side that is not facing the contents. Such air pressure differences arise, for example, from different altitudes and, in the case of a space that is at least not completely sealed, above the membrane (not the side of the membrane facing the contents). All of this can compromise the integrity of the membrane bond or even completely destroy it.

A container according to the preamble of claim 1 is made of FR1077437 known.

The invention is aimed at providing a container with a membrane sealed or glued to the inside of the container, wherein the force acting on the membrane bond during filling from below is favorable for the bonding or can be easily tolerated.

This object is achieved by a container according to claim 1, which according to claim 13 can be used in a method for producing a filled container. Claim 14 describes the filling of the container with the support structure to protect the fastening band of the film lid. The container comprises a container wall, a container opening, a lid, a membrane (or film), and a support structure. The lid closes the container opening. The membrane has a membrane collar, and a portion of the membrane collar is attached to an inner side of the container wall. A fastening region is formed in the area where the portion of the membrane collar is attached to the inner side of the container wall. The support structure has a support portion and a supporting portion. The supporting portion of the support structure is assigned to the membrane, and the supporting portion of the support structure is assigned to the lid.

The support structure can redirect a force acting on the membrane (especially on the membrane base) towards the cover (and the support structure), so that a resulting force acts in the fastening area whose shear component is greater than its peel component.

It is also possible that the support structure redirects a force acting on the membrane (membrane base) towards the cover or support structure in such a way that the resulting force acting in the fastening area has a greater shear component than the shear component of a force that occurs in the fastening area without the use of the support structure (under otherwise identical conditions). In other words, the use of the support structure can increase the shear component of the force acting in the fastening area compared to the force acting without the use of the support structure. (other conditions being equal). This improves the load-bearing capacity of the fastening area.

The shear component of a force acting on the fastening area acts parallel to the fastening area and the peel component of a force acting on the fastening area acts perpendicular to the fastening area.

The membrane can be attached (via the membrane collar) to the inside of the container wall by bonding or sealing. For example, an adhesive can be applied to the side of the membrane that is to be attached to the container wall. The adhesive can exhibit adhesive properties without further treatment. The adhesive can also be fusible, e.g., a polymer (polyethylene). One of the adhesives can also be applied to the container wall, specifically in the area where the membrane collar is to be attached. One of the adhesives can be applied to both the membrane collar and the container wall.

The membrane is preferably secured by the membrane collar in such a way that two spaces are formed in the container that are separated from each other in a fluid-tight manner. In fluid-tightly separated spaces, the mass transfer between these spaces is considerably (many times) smaller than the mass transfer between two spaces that are separated from each other but not fluid-tightly. Those skilled in the art are aware that a complete fluid-tight separation between two spaces is (practically) impossible to achieve, and that even in fluid-tightly separated spaces, a slight, often negligible, mass transfer occurs. A slight mass transfer already occurs through diffusional processes.

The membrane or film preferably has a thickness of less than 1 mm, especially less than 250 µm. It can consist of or comprise metal (especially aluminum), plastic, a coated plastic (especially coated with metal, especially aluminum), paper or cardboard, or a composite material of two or more of the materials. Specifically, the membrane comprises a plasma-coated plastic, wherein the coating comprises a metal.

The container may be a metallic container. Preferably, the container is a metallic can. The container may be cylindrical.

The internal volume of the container in the closed state can be less than 25 L, preferably less than 10 L, particularly preferably less than 5 L, even more preferably less than 3 L. The container can have a height of less than 500 mm, preferably less than 300 mm, particularly preferably less than 150 mm.

The container may have a circular (wall) cross-section. The outer diameter of the container or the container wall may be less than 300 mm, preferably less than 200 mm, particularly preferably less than 150 mm.

The lid can be a push-in lid, a slip-on lid, or a tear-off lid. Within the scope of the invention, a "container" does not have to be an object whose openings are all completely closed. Typically, containers within the scope of the invention comprise two openings, preferably on opposite sides. One of the openings is closed with the lid. The other opening is typically open. A filling material can be introduced into the open opening, and the opening is then closed, thus protecting the filling material from "falling out." The filling material is then stored in a space inside the container, which is delimited by a membrane, the container wall, and the closure of the opening that was open before the filling material was introduced. Such a closure can be connected to the container wall by a flange.

The fastening region, formed by fastening a portion of the membrane collar of the membrane to the container wall, can have an extension in the axial direction (z-direction) that is many times greater than in the radial direction (r-direction).

The attachment area is typically the area where the membrane collar is attached to the vessel wall, for example, by bonding. The attachment area ensures secure attachment of the membrane (via the membrane collar) and ensures secure separation of the space above the membrane from the space below the membrane.

Preferably, the support section of the support structure contacts the membrane.

Such contact can also be partially formed, so that the support section partially contacts the membrane. Contact is made without applying any force to the membrane, so that no additional force (caused or transmitted by the support section) needs to be absorbed in the mounting area.

The support section may also not contact the membrane (claim 4). The non-contact typically occurs in the ground state of the membrane. The ground state of the membrane exists when the pressure in the space above the membrane (in the space in which the support structure is arranged) is slightly greater than the pressure in the space below the membrane, whereby the membrane is not elastic or plastic. deformed (e.g., stretched). The slightly higher pressure is, for example, between 100 mbar and 200 mbar above ambient pressure.

Preferably, the support section contacts the membrane, and a force is exerted by the support section on the membrane. The force can be caused by the support section, or a force can be transmitted or passed on by the support section. The force thus acting on the membrane is absorbed in the attachment area, for example, by an adhesive bond.

A gap exists between the support section and the membrane collar. If a gap forms between the support section and the membrane collar (the closest surface of the membrane collar), the support section does not contact the membrane collar, at least in some sections. The gap is preferably formed over the entire circumference.

The gap is preferably smaller than 20 mm, particularly preferably smaller than 10 mm, even more preferably smaller than 5 mm, especially smaller than 2 mm, in each case in the radial direction (r-direction) perpendicular to the container wall.

The support section can be annular. The support section can have, at least in sections along its circumference, a circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, especially a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, or a square cross-section, especially with rounded corners. The support section can be integrally connected to the support section. Preferably, the support structure is formed integrally from the support section and the support section.

The load-bearing section of the support structure can be connected to the lid. The load-bearing section is connected to the lid in such a way that the weight of the load-bearing section or the support structure can be fully supported by the lid via the connection.

According to the invention, the support section comprises a support element which is rod-shaped. Preferably, the support section comprises three support elements, each of which is rod-shaped. The supporting section or sections specifically have, at least in sections, a circular cross-section or a rectangular cross-section.

The lid may comprise a snap-in element, wherein an upper portion of the support element is snapped into the snap-in element. The lid preferably comprises three Snap elements, whereby the upper section of three support elements is snapped into one snap element each.

In this sense, a snap connection is a connection between two elements, wherein at least one of the elements is deformed during the joining of the elements (connection) until a final position of the elements relative to each other is reached, and the deformed at least one element returns to its original shape through elastic recovery. After recovery, the elements are connected at least positively in the final position.

Typically, the snap connection can be released again by an analogous elastic deformation of at least one of the elements.

The membrane may have a membrane base with an upper side, and the support section may have a support section bottom. An axial height (or length) H ₁ between an axial reference height and the support section bottom is preferably less than or equal to an axial height (or length) H ₂ between the (same) axial reference height and the upper side of the membrane base.

The membrane base is the section of the membrane that is essentially flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, i.e. the section that extends flat between the container wall and through which there are separated spaces above and below the membrane.

The top side of the membrane base is the side (or surface) of the membrane that faces the support structure.

The determination of the axial height between the top of the membrane base and the reference height is carried out in the ground state of the membrane, whereby the above statements on the ground state of the membrane apply.

The height H ₁ between an axial reference height and the support section bottom is preferably less than 5 mm smaller than the height H ₂ between the axial reference height and the top of the membrane bottom, more preferably the height H ₁ is less than 3 mm smaller than the height H ₂ , even more preferably the height H ₁ is less than 1 mm smaller than the height H ₂ , most preferably the height H ₁ is less than 0.5 mm smaller than the height H _2.

In principle, any height or point can be used as a reference height or reference point, but the preferred method is to use the axial height of the lid or the axial height of a container rim as the reference height.

A force F _Füll acting on the membrane (or on the membrane base), which can be caused, for example, by a filling process or an overpressure as described above, is preferably at least partially absorbed by the support section.

By absorbing part of the force acting on the membrane, the load in the fastening area is reduced. The force can, for example, be transferred from the support section to the load-bearing section, and from there to the lid or its connection to the container wall.

A force F _Fill acting on the membrane (or membrane base), which in turn can be caused during the filling process or by an overpressure, can be partially deflected by the support section, in such a way that in the fastening area between the membrane collar and the section of the inside of the container a force F _Res acts which has a larger shear component than peel component.

Part of the force F _Füll acting on the membrane is absorbed by the connection of the lid to the container wall as described above.

By redirecting the force, a force acts in the fastening area that can be absorbed by, for example, an adhesive bond much better than the force that would act if the force F _Füll were not redirected. Without redirection, the force acting in the fastening area would be characterized by a peel component, i.e., the peel component would be greater than the shear component. Based on the direction of a force relative to the fastening area, its components can be broken down into the components described above (shear component, peel component).

Preferably, an object can be arranged between the lid and the membrane.

Such an object can be, for example, a spoon or chopsticks.

The lid and the support structure can be designed as a single piece.

In this case, the cover and the support structure are integrally connected, whereby the cover and the support structure can be manufactured as a unit (in one piece), or the cover and the support structure can be manufactured as individual parts and the individual parts are integrally connected to one another (for example, by welding). The support structure can comprise a predetermined breaking point. Preferably, the predetermined breaking point is arranged on a supporting element of the support structure. If the support structure comprises several supporting elements, several predetermined breaking points can be arranged on the support structure. Preferably, there is one predetermined breaking point per supporting element.

A predetermined breaking point, especially in combination with a one-piece design of the lid and support structure, allows the support structure to be separated from the lid when a consumer first removes the lid from the container. The consumer can then discard the support structure, as it is primarily required during the packaging process and storage (before removing the membrane).

Preferably, the distance between the predetermined breaking point and the lid is small. Specifically, less than 20 mm, less than 10 mm, or less than 5 mm. A filled container can be produced by providing one of the containers shown here, wherein the container has an opening opposite the lid or at the end of the container opposite the end closed with the lid (also called a filling opening). A solid or liquid filling material can be introduced into the opening opposite the lid or at the end of the container opposite the lid. In addition, the space into which the filling material has been or is to be introduced can be flushed with a gas (for example, nitrogen). The opening through which the filling took place can then be closed.

After filling, the opening can be closed, for example, by flanging it with a piece of sheet metal.

By closing the container, the contents lie in a space that is limited by the membrane, the container wall and the closure that closes the opening through which the contents were poured.

If a gas, such as nitrogen, is also introduced into the container during the filling process (solid or liquid), an overpressure (relative to the ambient pressure) may prevail in the space into which the filling material was introduced after the filling opening is closed. The overpressure is preferably less than 500 mbar, more preferably less than 350 mbar, and especially not more than 200 mbar, in each case relative to the ambient pressure.

The containers described here, which are containers closed on one side with a film membrane, can be filled using the method described below. For this purpose, a container as described is provided, wherein the container has an opening opposite the lid or the opening is located at the end of the container opposite the end closed with the lid (filling opening). The contents are poured into the opening opposite the lid (filling opening). whereby the filling material falls onto the membrane (or the membrane base) and the support section of the support structure introduces or redirects the resulting force into the fastening area, whereby the force in the fastening area acts predominantly as a shear force.

The containers described can be used to store or preserve food. Specifically, the food is at least partially powdered.

Figur 1

zeigt seitlich einen Behälter 1 in einer axialen Schnittansicht.

Figur 2

zeigt schematisch den Schnitt A-A aus Figur 1 ohne Darstellung des Löffels 50 aus Figur 1.

Figur 3

zeigt eine Stützkonstruktion 20 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

Figur 3a

zeigt eine Stützkonstruktion 120 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

Figur 3b

zeigt eine Stützkonstruktion 220 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

Figur 3c

zeigt eine Stützkonstruktion 320 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

Figur 4

zeigt eine detaillierte schematische Darstellung der im Befestigungsbereich 33, gebildet durch die Befestigung des Membrankragens 31 der Membran 30 mit der Innenseite 41 der Behälterwand 40.

Figur 5

zeigt eine detaillierte Schnittansicht eines oberen Bereichs eines Behälters 1.

Figur 6

zeigt einen Behälter 1 in einer axialen Schnittansicht.

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and are not disclosed in a manner that transfers or reads limitations from the figures into the claims. The examples are to be read and understood as examples even if "e.g.,""inparticular," or "e.g." is not used everywhere and in every place. Nor should the presentation of an embodiment be read as implying that no other embodiment exists or excluding other possibilities if only one example is presented. These provisos should be read into the entire following description.

Figure 1

shows a container 1 in an axial sectional view from the side.

Figure 2

shows schematically the section AA from Figure 1 without depiction of spoon 50 from Figure 1 .

Figure 3

shows a support structure 20 in a perspective view.

Figure 3a

shows a support structure 120 in a perspective view.

Figure 3b

shows a support structure 220 in a perspective view.

Figure 3c

shows a support structure 320 in a perspective view.

Figure 4

shows a detailed schematic representation of the fastening area 33, formed by the fastening of the membrane collar 31 of the membrane 30 with the inner side 41 of the container wall 40.

Figure 5

shows a detailed sectional view of an upper portion of a container 1.

Figure 6

shows a container 1 in an axial sectional view.

Figure 1 shows a container 1 with a lid 10, a support structure 20, a membrane 30, and a container wall 40. The container 1 has a filling opening 60 at its lower end (in the negative z-direction). The filling opening 60 is located at the end on the side of the container 1 opposite the lid 10. A food manufacturer or food packager, for example, can use the filling opening 60 to fill a food product into the open space formed by the membrane 30 and the container wall 40.

During filling of the filling material, the container 1 is typically rotated by 180 ° compared to the illustration in Figure 1 rotated so that the side of the container 1 ending with the filling opening 60 is at the top and the side of the container 1 ending with the lid 10 is at the bottom. This allows a food manufacturer or food packager to drop, trickle, or flow a filling material into the space accessible through the filling opening 60 (filling). During filling, a force F fill acts on the membrane 30 due to the weight of the filling material and the impact of the filling material on the membrane 30 (the filling material can be filled from a considerable height), with the force _{F fill acting} largely on the membrane base 32 of the membrane 30.

The membrane 30 has a membrane collar 31 connected to an inner side 41 of the container wall 40. Typically, the membrane collar 31 has an axial extent or height (z-direction) of less than 20 mm, preferably less than 15 mm.

Preferably, the connection of the membrane collar 31 to the inner side 41 of the container wall is completely circumferential, so that above and below the membrane 30 or the membrane bottom 31 there are two fluid-tight separated spaces, wherein the spaces can be open.

The area (circumferential and axially extending) in which the membrane collar 31 is connected to the inner side 41 of the container wall 40 forms a fastening area 33.

Typically, the membrane is secured by bonding or sealing, as described above. The fastening region 33 does not have to fill the entire height of the axial extension of the membrane collar 31; rather, the axial height or extension of the fastening region 33 is often smaller than the axial extension of the membrane collar 31. The axial extension of the fastening region 33 can be less than 15 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, and particularly preferably less than 8 mm.

As discussed in detail above, the force F _fill acting on the membrane 30 as a result of the filling of the filling material would act as a force with a large peeling component in the fastening area 33, which could not be tolerated by an adhesive, for example. Due to the arrangement of the support structure 20 in the container 1, the force F _fill acting on the membrane 30 during filling is at least partially deflected, so that a force acts in the fastening area 33 whose peeling component is smaller than a peeling component of the force acting in the fastening area of a container 1 without a support structure (all other conditions being equal). In addition, the force F _fill acting on the membrane 30 is partially transmitted by the support structure 20.

The support structure 20 comprises a support section 21, which is assigned to the membrane 30, and a support section 22, which is assigned to the lid 10. The force F _fill acting on the membrane 30 is deflected and/or transmitted by the support section 21, since the membrane base 32 contacts the support section at least during the filling of the filling material and the support structure 20 is connected to the lid 10 via the support section 22.

The support section 21 consists in the embodiment of the Figure 1 from a support outer ring 21a, wherein the support section 21 may comprise further elements in other embodiments.

By filling, the typically flexible membrane 30 can be deformed in the direction of the support section 21 of the support structure 20.

The cover 10 is in Figure 1 Designed as a slip-on lid and secured with a rolled edge 42, wherein the rolled edge 42 is formed at the upper end (in the positive z-direction) of the container wall 40. The supporting section 22 of the support structure 20 can transmit a force transmitted from the supporting section 21 to the lid 10, wherein the transmitted force can be absorbed by the fastening of the lid 10 with the rolled edge 42. Likewise, the force deflection by the supporting section 21 is made possible by the assignment of the supporting section 22 to the lid 10 and the fastening of the lid 10 with the rolled edge 42.

The supporting section 22 comprises Figure 1 three supporting elements 23, 23', 23", whereby only two supporting elements 23, 23' are visible due to the sectional view. A perspective view of the support structure 20 with the supporting elements 23, 23', 23" can be found in Figure 3 , which is described in detail below.

The support elements 23, 23', 23" are rod-shaped and each have a spherical section 24, 24', 24" at the upper end (in the positive z-direction), whereby again due to the sectional view in Figure 1 only two spherical sections 24, 24' are visible.

On the underside of the cover 10 (in the negative z-direction) snap elements 11, 11', 11" are arranged, of which Figure 1 only two snap elements 11, 11' are visible. The snap elements 11, 11', 11" are designed such that at least the spherical sections 24, 24', 24" can snap into them, thereby providing a (releasable) connection of the support structure 20 to the lid 10.

The lid 10 closes a container opening 2 of the container 1, which is located (at the end) on the side of the container 1 opposite the filling opening 60. The container opening 2 typically serves to enable a consumer to reach into the container 1 when the container is filled with a product and the filling opening 60 is closed (and the lid 10 is removed).

After opening the filled container 1 by removing the lid 10, with the filling opening 60 closed, a consumer can remove the support structure 20 from the space above the membrane 30 (in which the support structure 20 is arranged). Typically, the support structure 20 is a disposable item that is disposed of after removal by the consumer. This is also because the function of the support structure 20 primarily comes into effect during the filling with a filling product, i.e., before a consumer can purchase the filled container.

In the space that has become accessible by opening or removing the cover 10 (in which the support structure 20 is or was arranged) Figure 1 a spoon 50 is arranged. The consumer can reach through the container opening 2 and reach the spoon 50.

For example, using a tear-off tab on the membrane 30, the consumer can remove the membrane 30 or a portion of the membrane 30, making the contents accessible to the consumer. The contents can be removed with the spoon 50.

Instead of the spoon 50, a cutlery set can generally be arranged in the space above the membrane 30 (in the positive z-direction). Other objects can also be arranged there, such as an advertising medium or a sachet (pouch) of spices.

The container opening 2 is preferably resealable by the lid 10.

The lid 10 can be a push-in lid.

In Figure 1 There is a gap s between the support section 21 of the support structure 20 and the membrane collar 31 of the membrane 30. The length of the gap s in the radial direction (r-direction) is preferably small, as shown above.

The membrane 30 can be attached at different axial height positions to the inner side 41 of the container wall 40. Preferably, the distance of the membrane 30, determined by the axial height position of the membrane base 32, from the upper end of the container 1 (in the positive z-direction) is less than 70% of the total container height, particularly preferably less than 55% of the total container height, even more preferably less than 40% of the total container height, most preferably less than 30% of the total container height.

Two or more than two membranes 30 may also be arranged at different height positions described above.

Figure 2 shows schematically the section AA from Figure 1 , whereby the size ratios of the Figure 2 The elements shown do not always correspond to those in Figure 1 and the spoon 50 from Figure 1 is not shown. In addition, the gap s is Figure 1 equal to 0 (zero), so that the support section 21 (support outer ring 21a) of the support structure 20 bears radially against the membrane collar 31 of the membrane 30.

The membrane collar 31 is connected (fluid-tight) to the inner side 41 of the container wall 40 all the way around. The outer support ring 21a of the support structure 20 is annular.

Three support elements 23, 23', 23" are integrally connected to the support outer ring 21a. As shown in Figure 1 shown and described for the third support element 23", the support elements 23, 23', 23" are connected to the lid 10 as components of the support section 22, so that a force acting via the membrane 30 on the support outer ring 21a (support section 21) is transmitted from the connection of the lid 10 to the container wall 40, or as in Figure 1 with the rolled edge 42, can be partially absorbed.

In addition, the connection of the lid 10 to the container wall 40, as is the case when using a push-in lid, or the rolled edge 42 provides the counterforce or holding force necessary to enable the force acting on the membrane 30 (or on the membrane base 32) to be redirected into the fastening area 33 as a more advantageously absorbable force with an increased shear component (reduced peel component).

The support elements 23, 23', 23" are arranged circumferentially uniformly on the (circular) ring-shaped support outer ring 21a.

The outer support ring 21a can also be oval (with or without an axis of symmetry) or polygonal. The shape of the outer support ring 21a preferably corresponds to the shape of the cross-section (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container) of the container wall 41 in the section of the container wall 41 to which the membrane 30 is attached.

More than three support elements can be arranged on the support section 21, for example, on the support outer ring 21a. Specifically, four, five, or more than five support elements can be arranged on the support section 21. Depending on the number of support elements, the same number of snap elements can be arranged on the cover 10. The more than three support elements are preferably arranged evenly distributed around the circumference.

Two supporting elements are also possible.

A support structure 20, as in Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, is perspective in Figure 3 shown, where the size ratios of the Figure 3 The elements shown do not always correspond to the proportions of the elements of the supporting structure Figure 1 and Figure 2 are equivalent to.

The supporting structure 20 in Figure 3 comprises a support outer ring 21a as support section 20 and three support elements 23, 23', 23", which are integrally connected to the support outer ring 21a. The support outer ring 21a has a rectangular cross-section.

The support elements 23, 23', 23" are rod-shaped and have a circular cross-section. The support elements 23, 23', 23" have a spherical end (upper section of the support elements 23, 23', 23").

Figure 3a shows a further embodiment of a support structure 120 with a support section 121 and a support section 122. The support section 121 comprises a support outer ring 121a, a support inner ring 128 and a plurality of support rods 127, 127', 127", 127‴, 127"", which are evenly distributed around the circumference. The support inner ring 128 is connected to the support outer ring 121a by the support rods 127, 127', 127", 127"', 127ʺʺ.

This configuration of the support section 121 of the support structure 120 allows a membrane 30 to be supported over its entire surface. As a result, forces acting on the membrane 30 (membrane base 32) as described above can be transmitted to a greater extent into the connection between the lid 10 and the container wall 40 or the rolled edge 42 than is possible through the support structure 20. Figure 3 is the case.

This embodiment further comprises support elements 123, 123', 123" with spherical upper sections 124, 124', 124", which are analogous to the support elements 23, 23', 23" with upper spherical sections 24, 24', 24" of the embodiment in Figure 3 is.

Figure 3b shows an embodiment of a support structure 220 with a support section 221 and a support section 222. The support section 221 comprises a support outer ring 221a, a support inner ring 228 and several support rods 227, 227', 227", 227"', 227"". The support section 221 of this embodiment is analogous to the support section 121 in Figure 3a .

The support section 222 comprises three support elements 223, 223', 223", which are connected to the support outer ring 221a and a support ring 229. The support ring 229 is (circular) ring-shaped and has a rectangular cross-section. The snap element or snap elements of the cover 10 are adapted accordingly, so that the support ring 229 can snap into one or more snap elements of the cover 10. The support ring 229 can also have a circular cross-section.

Preferably, the support ring 229 has the same diameter as the support outer ring 221a. The support ring 229 and the support outer ring each span a plane, wherein the planes may be parallel.

Figure 3c shows a further embodiment of a support structure 320 with a support section 321 and a support section 322. The support section 321 consists of a support outer ring 321a. The support section 322 comprises three support elements 323, 323', 323", which are connected to the support outer ring 321a and a support ring 329. The support section 322 is analogous to the support section 222 in Figure 3c designed.

Preferably, the support elements 23, 23', 23"; 123, 123', 123"; 223, 223', 223"; 323, 323', 323" have a length (extension in the container longitudinal axis) of a maximum of 100 mm, more preferably a maximum of 80 mm, even more preferably a maximum of 50 mm.

Figure 4 shows, using a detailed view of a section showing a connection of the membrane 30 to the container wall 40, how a force deflection can be carried out by a support structure 20.

During the filling of a filling material into the filling opening 60 of a container 1 (cf. Figure 1 ), the filling material can hit the membrane bottom 32, whereby a force F _Fill acts on the membrane 30. The membrane 30 is connected via a membrane collar 31 to the inside 41 of the container wall 40. The connection is in the embodiment of Figure 4 designed as an adhesive bond, wherein an adhesive layer is encompassed by the fastening region 33.

On the side of the membrane 30 opposite the (later) introduced filling material, the support structure 20 is arranged, with the support section 21 resting against the membrane base 32. The support structure 20 can redirect the force F _Füll acting on the membrane 30 (membrane base 32) into the fastening area 33 in such a way that a resulting force F _Res acts there. The force F _Res resulting in the fastening area 33 must be absorbed in such a way that no damage to the connection between the membrane collar 31 and the inner side 41 of the container wall 40 endangers the tightness of the connection. Bonding in Figure 4 the resulting force F _Res is compensated by a force F _Kleb provided by the bond and can be absorbed accordingly.

Due to the deflection, the shear component (force acting parallel to the fastening area 33) of the resulting force F _Res is greater than the shear component of the force that would act in the fastening area if the support structure 20 were not used. For a clearer illustration, the Figure 4 The force F _Res shown only has a shear component, whereas in reality a peel component can also occur, which would mean that the resulting force F _Res is not parallel to the fastening area.

Even if the force redirection does not result in a force that only has a shear component, the increase in the shear component leads to a reduction in the requirement for the quality of the bond or, with the same quality of the bond, a better tightness can be ensured.

In Figure 5 A container 1 is shown with a lid 10, a support structure 20, and a membrane 30. The membrane 30 is in the basic state described above. The membrane 30 comprises a membrane base 32 with a membrane base top 35 and a membrane collar 31. The lid 10 comprises a lid bottom 12. The support structure 20 comprises a support section 21 with a support section bottom 25.

An axial (in the z-direction) distance H ₁ (also length or height) is formed between the cover bottom 12, as a reference point, and the support section bottom 25. An axial (in the z-direction) distance H 2 (also length or height) is formed between the cover bottom ₁₂ , as a reference point, and the membrane bottom top 35. The length H ₁ is in Figure 5 smaller than the length H ₂ .

As a result, no pressure is exerted on the diaphragm base 32 of the diaphragm 30 when the diaphragm 30 is in its ground state. If a force is exerted on the diaphragm base 32 in the positive z-direction, the diaphragm base 32 can deform toward the support section underside 25, whereby the force acting on the diaphragm base 32 can be redirected and/or transmitted by the support structure 20.

In general, the filling material that is to be introduced or is introduced into the space below the membrane 30 in the container 1 can be a food product, especially a powdered food product. The space below the membrane 30 is the space that is bounded at least on one side by the membrane 30, but does not include the support structure 20.

The protective gas preferably comprises nitrogen, specifically the protective gas comprises nitrogen with a concentration of more than 80 vol.% (proportionate to the composition of the total protective gas).

In Figure 6 A container 1 is shown, which is similar to the container of Figure 1 wherein the support structure 20 is designed in one piece or in one part with the cover 10. The cover 10 is integrally connected to the support structure 20, specifically the support elements 23, 23', 23" (support element 23" is not shown due to the sectional view).

In this embodiment, a predetermined breaking point 71, 71', 71" is arranged on each of the support elements 23, 23', 23", wherein the predetermined breaking point 71" on the support element 23" is not visible due to the sectional view. The predetermined breaking points 71, 71', 71" are shown in the illustration of Figure 6 designed as a slot in the support elements 23, 23', 23", whereby the slot causes a material weakening against mechanical stress compared to unslotted support elements 23, 23', 23".

At the positions of the predetermined breaking points of the support elements 23, 23', 23", a separation of the support structure 20 from the lid 10 is to be expected if a consumer opens the lid 10 and, during opening, removes the lid 10 from the container 1 with a sufficiently large force and deviation from an exclusively axial removal, so that the support section 21 rests against the inner side 41 of the container wall 40.

Predetermined breaking points can also be designed as a cross-sectional taper in load-bearing elements or by using a section in the load-bearing elements with a material that is less mechanically resistant than the material of the remaining sections of the load-bearing elements.

Otherwise, the container corresponds to the design of the Figure 6 the embodiment of the Figure 1 and the disclosure of the embodiment of the figure is for the embodiment of the Figure 1 valid.

For container 1 of the Figure 6 all disclosed support structures can be used.

Claims (14)

1. Container with a container wall (40), a container opening (2), a lid (10), a membrane (30) and a support structure (20), wherein

   (a) the lid (10) closes the container opening (2);

   (b) a portion of a diaphragm collar (31) of the diaphragm (30) is attached to a portion of an inner side (41) of the container wall (40) so as to form an attachment area (33);

   (c) the support structure (20) comprises a support portion (21) and a bearing portion (22), the support portion (21) being associated with the membrane (30) and the bearing portion (22) being associated with the cover (10);
   characterized in that

   (d) the supporting portion (22) comprises a supporting member (23) which is rod-shaped (23, 23', 23") and a gap (s) is provided between the supporting portion (21) and the diaphragm collar (31) of the diaphragm (30).
2. Container of claim 1, wherein the support portion (21) contacts or does not contact the membrane (30), or wherein the support portion (21) contacts the membrane (30) such that a force is exerted by the support portion (21) on the membrane (30).
3. Container according to claim 1, wherein the gap s has a length of less than 20 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 5 mm, even more preferably less than 2 mm.
4. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support portion (21) is annular;
   and/or

   wherein the support section (21) is connected to the carrying section (22) in a materially bonded manner;
   and/or

   wherein the support section (22) is connected to the cover (10).
5. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support portion (22) comprises three support members (23, 23', 23") which are rod-shaped.
6. Container according to claim 5, wherein the lid (10) comprises a snap member (11) into which an upper portion (24) of the support member (23) is snapped, preferably one upper portion (24, 24', 24") of each of three support members (23, 23', 23") are snapped into one snap member (11) or into three snap members (11, 11', 11").
7. Container of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the diaphragm (30) comprises a diaphragm base (32) having a top surface (35) and the support portion (21) comprises a support portion bottom surface (25), wherein an axial height (H₁ ) between an axial reference height (R) and the support portion bottom surface (25) is less than or equal to an axial height (H₂ ) between the axial reference height (R) and the top surface (35) of the diaphragm base (32).
8. Container according to claim 7, wherein the height (H₁) is less than 5 mm smaller than the height (H₂ ), preferably the height (H₁) is less than 3 mm smaller than the height (H₂ ), particularly preferably the height (H₁ ) is less than 1 mm smaller than the height (H₂ ), even more preferably the height (H₁ ) is less than 0.5 mm smaller than the height (H₂ ).
9. Container according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the axial reference height (R) corresponds to the axial height of the lid (10) or corresponds to the axial height of a container rim (42) of the container.
10. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a force (F_Füll ) acting axially on the diaphragm (30) can be partially absorbed by the support section (21);
    and/or

    wherein a force (F_Füll ) acting axially on the diaphragm (30) can be deflected by the supporting portion (21) in such a way that in the fastening region (33) between the diaphragm collar (31) and the portion of the inner side (41) of the container (40) a force (F_Res ) acts which has a greater shear component than peel component;
    and/or

    wherein an object is arranged between the lid (10) and the membrane (30), in particular a spoon or chopstick;
    and/or

    wherein the cover (10) and the support structure (20) are formed in one piece.
11. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the supporting structure (20), in particular a supporting element (23) of the supporting structure (20), comprises a predetermined breaking point (71, 71').
12. Container according to claim 11, wherein a distance between the lid (10) and the predetermined breaking point (71, 71') is smaller than 20 mm, preferably smaller than 10 mm, particularly preferably smaller than 5 mm.
13. Method of filling a container closed on one side with a film membrane, comprising the steps:

    (a) providing a container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the container has an opening opposite the lid;

    (b) filling a filling material into the opening opposite the lid, which filling material falls onto the membrane (30), wherein the support section (21) of the support structure (20) introduces or deflects the resulting force into the fastening area (33) predominantly as a shear force.
14. Use of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for storing a food product, in particular an at least partially powdered or granular food product.

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