SE539737C2 - Container in the form of a receptacle with removable lid - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A container (1) in the form of a receptacle (2) with a removable lid (3) forclosing and opening a storage space (4) in the receptacle (2), wherein thereceptacle (2) has a base (5) and an outer wall (6) with a first edge (7)connected to the base (5), where the outer wall (6) has a second edge (8)with an upper periphery delimiting an opening (10) of the container (1) and acircumventing rim element (9) with a flange (14) arranged below the secondedge (8) projecting radially outwards from the outer wall (6), wherein the lid(3) has an outer peripheral edge (20) and a circumventing U-shaped track(21) located radially inside the outer peripheral edge (20) connecting the lid(3) to the rim element (9), where an outer edge part (24) of the outerperipheral edge (20) is in direct contact with the flange (14) along essentiallythe whole peripheral length of the outer edge part (24) when the container (1)is in a closed state and that the outer edge part (24) is provided with one or more opening slots (33). (Figure 2c)

Description

CONTAINER IN THE FORM OF A RECEPTACLE WITH REMOVABLELID TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a container in the form of a receptaclewith removable lid for closing and opening a storage space in thereceptacle, where the receptacle has a base and an outer wall with a firstedge connected to the base and a second edge with an upper peripheryforming a circumventing rim element delimiting an opening of thecontainer, wherein the lid has an outer periphera| edge and acircumventing U-shaped track located radially inside the outer periphera|edge connecting the lid to the rim element. The type of container described is suitable for storing liquid or solid goods.

BACKGROUND Containers of different kinds are commonly used for transporting andstoring liquid or solid goods, such as for example paint or other liquidmaterials, solid powder materials or granular materials. Such containersoften have a receptacle with a storage space for receiving the goods to betransported or stored and a removable lid establishing a tight seal betweenthe receptacle and the lid to secure that the goods is securely contained inthe container.

After filling the storage space with goods, the container is closed bysecuring the lid to the receptacle. The lid is usually secured to thereceptacle by applying a pressure to the lid so that a groove in the lidengages with the edge of the receptacle. The circumference of the groovein the lid may be slightly larger than the circumference of the edge of the receptacle so that the groove in the lid exerts a force on the edge of thereceptacle in order to keep the lid firmly in place. For containers of theabove described type, there is a groove formed between the lid and thereceptacle extending along the outer periphery of the container when thecontainer is closed. To open the container a tool can be inserted into thegroove between the lid and the receptacle and when applying a bendingforce with the tool, the lid can be removed from the receptacle to giveaccess to the storage space and the goods stored therein. A commonissue with the groove formed between the lid and receptacle is that whentransporting containers placed next to each other on for example pallets,the lid on one container may exert a force on the lid on another containervia the groove and vice versa. There is thus a risk that duringtransportation the forces exerted between the lids of containers arrangednext to each other may result in the opening of the containers simplythrough the engagement of two or more adjacent lids, especially when transporting containers on bumpy surfaces.

One common solution to this problem is to use a clamp or other meansthat secures the lid to the container. ln WO2013/041226 a container with aremovable lid for sealing and opening a storage compartment in thecontainer is disclosed. The lid is provided with a protecting devicecomprising a circumventing skirt to prevent the lid from unintentional opening.

A major disadvantage with a protecting device of this kind is that is anexpensive solution that needs a separate securing means that addscomplexity when manufacturing and using the container. ln addition to thisthe opening and closing of the container is more complicated, since theprotecting device needs to be removed from the container before opening.

There is thus a need for an improved container in the form of a receptaclewith removable lid, where the lid can be secured to the receptacle so thatthe lid stays in place during transportation and handling of the container, which container is inexpensive, simple to produce and also easy to usewhen opening and closing the container.

SUMMARY An object of the present disclosure is to provide a container in the form ofa receptacle with removable |id, where the previously mentioned problemswith securing the |id to the receptacle are avoided. This object is at leastpartly achieved by the features of the independent claim. The dependentclaims contain further developments of the container.

The disclosure concerns a container in the form of a receptacle with aremovable |id for closing and opening a storage space in the receptacle,where the receptacle has a base and an outer wall with a first edgeconnected to the base, where the outer wall has a second edge with an uppercircumventing rim element with a flange arranged below the second edge periphery delimiting an opening of the container and aprojecting radially outwards from the outer wall, wherein the |id has anouter peripheral edge and a circumventing U-shaped track located radiallyinside the outer peripheral edge connecting the |id to the rim element,where an outer edge part of the outer peripheral edge is in direct contactwith the flange along essentially the whole peripheral length of the outeredge part when the container is in a closed state and that the outer edgepart is provided with one or more opening slots. Advantages with thecontainer described above are that the |id can be secured to thereceptacle so that the |id stays in place during transportation and handlingof the container and easy to use when opening and closing the container.This construction thus minimizes the problem with opening of containerssimply through the engagement of two or more adjacent containers,especially when transporting containers next to each other on for examplepallets on bumpy surfaces.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the inside of the U-shaped trackof the lid is in direct contact with the receptacle in an inner sealing surfaceand an outer sealing surface, where the inner sealing surface is formedbetween a radially outwards facing side of an inner wall of the U-shapedtrack and the inner side of the outer wall of the receptacle and wherein theouter sealing surface is formed between a radially inwards facing side ofan outer wall of the U-shaped track and the radially outwards facing sideof an outer rim part of the rim element on the receptacle. ln this way a tightsea| is established between the receptacle and the lid.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the rim element of thereceptacle is formed by the upper part of the outer wall close to thesecond edge constituting an inner section of the rim element and from anelongated part of the material forming the outer wall that is stretchingoutwards and downwards from the second edge constituting an outersection of the rim element. Advantages with these features are that thecontainer is inexpensive and simple to produce, since the rim element is made from the same sheet material that is forming the the outer wall.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the outer section of the rimelement of the receptacle has a ridge, an outer rim part stretchingdownwards from the ridge and radially inwards towards the outer surfaceof the outer wall and the flange is arranged below the outer rim part.Advantages with these features are that the receptacle has a stable construction providing a good connection to the lid.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the flange has an equal orlonger extension radially outwards from the outer wall of the receptaclethan the outer edge part of the lid. ln this way, the flange is protecting thelid from being unintentionally opened, for example during handling ortransportation.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a seal is arranged on theinside of the upper part of the U-shaped track. The seal further securesthat a tight connection is achieved between the lid and the receptacle andthe seal may be made of a suitable flexible material, such as an elastomer, a polymer, or a rubber material.

According to another aspect of the invention, in order to make thecontainer simple to produce, the receptacle and the lid is made from a thin sheet material, such as a tin plate made of steel with an even thickness.

According to another aspect of the invention, to provide an easy openingof the container, the extension of one individual opening slot in a directionalong the periphery of the outer edge part of the lid is about 5-20 mm, andthat the extension of a gap of the opening slot in the axial direction isabout 1-5 mm.

According to another aspect of the invention, the total combined peripheralextension of the one or more opening slots together may not exceed 15%of the total length of the periphery of the outer edge part. This to securethat the lid is unintentionally opened through interaction with surroundingobjects, such as for example other containers of the same type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will be described in greater detail in the following, withreference to the attached drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows schematically in a perspective view, a container in theform of a receptacle with a removable lid according to thedisclosure, Fig. 2a-c show schematically, cross-sections of, a receptacle, a lid and a receptacle with lid according to the disclosure, Fig. 3 shows schematically in a perspective view, a cross-section ofa receptacle with lid according to the disclosure, Fig. 4 shows schematically in a perspective view, a lid according tothe disclosure, and Fig. 5 shows schematically in a perspective view, an opening tool with a container in the form of a receptacle with a removable lid according to the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Various aspects of the disclosure will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings to illustrate and not to limit thedisclosure, wherein like designations denote like elements, and variationsof the described aspects are not restricted to the specifically shownembodiments, but are applicable on other variations of the disclosure.

Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a container 1according to the disclosure. The container 1 is, for example, intended fortransporting and storing liquid or solid goods, such as paint or other liquidmaterials, solid powder materials or granular materials. The container 1consists of a receptacle 2 with a removable lid 3, and the inner part of thereceptacle 2 is forming a storage space 4 for the goods to be stored ortransported. The container 1 is in an open state when the lid 3 is removedfrom the receptacle 2, giving access to the storage space 4, and in aclosed state when the lid 3 is attached to the receptacle 2, where the goods is safely enclosed within the storage space 4.

The receptacle 2 and the lid 3 may be made of a relatively thin sheetmaterial, normally a tin plate with an even thickness and is produced froma flat or rolled sheet material, for example a steel plate with a tin-plated surface on at least one side and possibly painted on at least one side constituting the outside of the container 1. The plate can also be paintedon the side constituting the inside of the container 1 to give increasedprotection against corrosion. Alternatively, the container 1 may be paintedafter it has been produced. The thickness of the plate is for instance 0.1-1.0 mm and usually 0.1-0.5 mm. ln order to reduce the amount of materialrequired producing the container 1 and hence the cost and weight, arelatively small thickness of material is selected but the container 1 isgiven a shape that has good shape stability, particularly at the upper edgeof the receptacle 2 and at the edge of the lid 3, whereby the wholecontainer has a high stability.

The receptacle 2 has at its lower side a base 5, that may be flat and theedge of the base 5 is attached to a first edge 7 of a circumventing outerwall 6 that extends upwards in an axial direction from the base 5, wherethe axial direction is indicated by the axis A in figure 1. The outer wall 6 ismade from a sheet material that is rolled to its desired tubular-like shapeand the outer wall 6 is usually slightly conical or optionally cylindrical. Thejoint between the base 5 and the outer wall 6 is for example made in aconventional way by folding and soldering the edges, so that a tight joint isobtained. The outer wall 6 may be closed by means of a plate seam orjoint (not shown in the figures), where edges of the sheet material of theouter wall 6 are tightly joined after being rolled. A handle loop 11 may befastened to the outer wall 6 of the receptacle 2. ln figure 2a a cross-section of a second edge 8 with a circumventing rimelement 9 of the receptacle 2 is schematically shown, where the secondedge 8 is forming an opening 10 of the receptacle 2. The rim element 9 ofthe receptacle 2 is forming the upper part of the receptacle 2 including thepart of the outer wall 6 that is close to the second edge 8 and anelongated part of the material forming the outer wall 6 that is stretchingoutwards from the second edge 8. This means that the rim element 9 hasan inner section formed of the upper part of the outer wall 6 close to the second edge 8 and an outer section formed by the same sheet materialthat is used to produce the outer wall 6, which material has an extensionforming the outer section of the rim element 9.

The outer section of the rim element 6 ot the receptacle 2 is formed bybenoing the same sheet material that is forming the outer weil 6 at thesecond edge 8 outwards to give a rouhded ridge 12, for instahee in theform ot an ere. From the ridge 12, the sheet material forms an outer rimpart 13 that is stretching downwards from the ridge 12 and radially inwardstowards the outer surface of the outer wall 6 with an angle towards theouter wall. in the example shown, the cross section of the outer rim part 13stretches ih a straight lihe from the ridge 12 towards the outer wait 6. Theouter rirri part 13 as a whole has the form of the ntahtie ot e eone with etrtinoated top, i.e. the outer rim part 13 is sohstahtialiy conioei. This outerrim part 13 may at the lower end be in contact with the outer wall 6 of thereceptacle 2 so that the outer rim part 13 is supported against the outsideof the outer wall 6 of the receptacle 2 to provide a stable construction. Theouter rim part 13 may alternatively have a curved shape or shaped inanother suitable form to cooperate with the lid 3 in a desired way asfurther described below.

The extension of the sheet material forming the outer section of the rimelement 9 continues after the outer rim part 13 in a flange 14 so that theflange 14 is arranged below the outer rim part 13. The flange 14 isprojecting in a radial direction outwards from the outer wall 6, where theradial direction is perpendicular to the axial direction A, and the flange 14extends around the periphery of the receptacle 2. The sheet materialforming the flange 14 is after the outer rim part 13 curved outwards andthen again downwards and inwards back towards the outer stirfaee ot theouter wall 6 by a combination of bends. The flange 14 ends with a rolledflange edge 15 that may be in contact with the outer wall 6 of thereceptacle 2 so that the rolled flange edge 15 is supported against the outside of the outer wall 6 of the receptacle 2. The rolled flange edge 15may more or less be hidden when viewing the receptacie froin outside thecontainer and has the furtcticn to strengthen the construction as a whoie.

The flange 14 is arranged a short distance below the second edge 8 of thereceptacle 2 following the outer rim part 13. As shown in figure 2a, theflange 14 is more in detail provided with three main surfaces. A first flangesurface 16 is projecting radially outvvards from the outer wall 6 of thereceptacle 2 so that it is facing upwards. The first flange surface 16continues into a second flange surface 17 that is facing radially outvvardsand the second flange surface 17 has in the example shown a curved orrounded shape. The second flange surface 17 in turn continues in a thirdflange surface 18 that faces downwards and projects radially inwardstowards the outer wall 6 of the receptacle. The third flange surface 18terminates in the rolled flange edge 15.

As can be seen in figure 2a, the first flange surface 16 has a curved shapeprojecting outwards from the outer wall 6 and downwards from the outerrim part 13. This curved shape has the function to strengthen theconstruction of the rim element 9 so that the flange 14 is protecting the lidwhen the container 1 is in its closed state. Alternatively, the first flangesurface may be projecting outwards from the outer wall 6 and upwards orstraight radially out from the outer rim part 13. The second flange surface17 is connecting the first flange surface 16 and the third flange surface 18.The second flange surface 17 has in the example shown a curved orrounded shape that is forming an outer flange edge 19, and canalternatively have a more straight shape if desired. The third flangesurface 18 also has a curved shape projecting inwards and slightlyupwards from the second flange surface 17 towards the outer wall 6 of thereceptacle 2. Alternatively, the third flange surface may be projectinginwards from the second flange surface 17 and downwards or straightradially in towards the outer wall 6. As the alternatives for the three main surfaces of the flange 14 suggest it can be designed with different shapesdepending on the type of receptacle and lid used, as long as the flange 14is projecting radially outwards from the outer wall 6 of the receptacle andis cooperating with the lid 3 in a desired way as further described below.The first flange surface 16 is forming a support surface for an opening tool(not shown in figure 2a) that may be used for removing the lid 3 when the container is closed. ln figure 2b a cross-section of the construction of the lid 3 is shown, andmore specifically the edge part of the lid 3. The lid is formed from onesingle piece of sheet material and has an outer peripheral edge 20. Acircumventing U-shaped track 21 that attaches the lid to the receptacle 2is located radially inside the outer peripheral edge 20, and as shown infigure 2b the U-shaped track has the form of an inverted U. The outerperipheral edge 20 has an outer surface 22 projecting radially outwardsfrom the U-shaped track 21 and the outer surface 22 is extending into acollar 23 projecting downwards from the outer surface 22. The sheetmaterial can around the periphery at an outer edge part 24 of the collar 23of the lid be bent inwards and upwards in the cross-sectional view toestablish an inner stiffening part 25 to increase the strength of the edge structure of the lid 3, also shown in figure 2b.

The U-shaped track 21 of the lid 3 consists of an inner wall 26, an upperwall 27 that is curved and an outer wall 28. On the inside of the upper partof the U-shaped track 21, i.e. on the underside of the curved upper wall27, a seal 29 is arranged. The seal 29 may be in the form of a gasket andmade of a suitable flexible material, such as an elastomer, for example apolymer, such as PVC or polyurethane, or a rubber material for forming atight seal between the receptacle 2 and the lid 3 when the container is inits closed state. The seal 29 may also be made of a foamed polymer. lnfigure 2b, the inner wall 26 and the outer wall 28 has a generally straightshape, but as an alternative these walls may be slightly curved or have 11 other suitable shapes. Also the upper wall 27 may have a different shapethan the curved shown in figure 2b, for example a more straight shape inthe radial direction, as long as a suitable track or groove is formed thatcooperates with the receptacle 2 in a desired way as further describedbelow. The lid 3 may further be provided with stiffening elements 30 in theform of grooves or tracks that increases the stability of the lid 3. ln figures 2c and 3, cross-sections of the container 1 are shown in itsclosed state, where the lid 3 is firmly attached to the receptacle 2. The lid3 is of the clamp-fit type, which means that the outer peripheral edge 20 ofthe lid surrounds the edge of the opening 10 of the receptacle, so that theouter peripheral edge 20 extends beyond the opening 10 in the radialdirection and projects downwards below the ridge 12 of the second edge 8of the receptacle 2.

As explained above, the U-shaped track 21 of the lid 3 consists of an innerwall 26, an upper wall 27 and an outer wall 28. These walls extend inside,above and outside the upper second edge 8 of the receptacle respectively.ln order to establish a tight seal between the lid 3 and the receptacle 2, theinner wall 26 of the U-shaped track 21 of the lid 3 is cooperating with theinner side of the outer wall 6, the upper wall 27 with the ridge 12 and theouter wall 28 with the outer rim part 13 of the receptacle. The inside of theU-shaped track 21 is in direct contact with the receptacle in an innersealing surface 31 and an outer sealing surface 32 to secure a tight seal.The inner sealing surface 31 is formed between the radially outwardsfacing side of the inner wall 26 of the U-shaped track 21 and the inner sideof the outer wall 6. The outer sealing surface 32 is formed between theradially inwards facing side of the outer wall 28 of the U-shaped track 21and the radially outwards facing side of the outer rim part 13. ln addition tothis, the seal 29 in the upper wall 27 of the U-shaped track 21 interactswith the ridge 12 to further increase the sealing properties. 12 To hold the lid 3 firmly in place on the receptacle 2, the circumference ofthe U-shaped track 21circumference of the opening 10 of the receptacle so that frictional forces can be made slightly smaller than the through a spring effect hold the lid 3 in place when pushed onto thereceptacle 2. When pushing the lid 3 onto the receptacle 2, the rimelement 9 of the receptacle 2 will bend slightly inwards in the radialdirection to hold the lid 3 firmly in place. Alternatively, the circumference ofthe lid 3 can be made slightly larger than the circumference of the opening10 to achieve the same effect as described above with frictional forcesholding the lid 3 in place, where the rim element 9 of the receptacle 2instead will bend slightly outwards in the radial direction. A further optionwould be to make the inner part of the U-shaped track 21 slightly narrowerin the radial direction than the outer width in the radial direction of theupper section of the rim element 9 formed by the upper part of the innerside of the outer wall 6, the ridge 12 and the outer rim part 13 of thereceptacle. ln this way the inner wall 26 and the outer wall 28 of the U-shaped track exert forces on the second edge 8 of the receptacle to holdthe lid 3 firmly in place.

When the container is in its closed state, the lower end of the outer edgepart 24 of the lid 3 formed by the collar 23 is in direct contact with theflange 14 of the receptacle 2. More specifically the outer edge part 24 isalong essentially the whole peripheral length of the outer edge part 24 incontact with the first flange surface 16. The only very limited lengthsections along the periphery of the outer edge part 24 that is not in directcontact with the flange 14 are where one or more opening slots 33 areprovided, which the expression along essentially the whole peripherallength of the outer edge part 24 refers to. The one or more opening slots33 are shown in figure 4 and are further described below. The purposewith this direct contact between the outer edge part 24 and the flange 14along essentially the whole peripheral length of the outer edge part 24 is toprevent the lid 3 from being opened during transportation and handling 13 due to interaction with other containers placed adjacent to the outer edgepart 24 and the flange 14 of the container 1. lf there is no gap between theouter edge part 24 and the flange 14 there is no or only a minimal risk thatthe |id is unintentionally opened through interaction with surroundingobjects, such as for example other containers of the same type. Thisconstruction thus minimizes the problem with opening of containers simplythrough the engagement of two or more adjacent containers, especiallywhen transporting containers next to each other on for example pallets onbumpy surfaces. When forces are exerted from one container ontoanother or from another object onto a container, the flange 14 protects theouter edge part 24 of the |id so that it cannot be opened accidentally. ln order to secure that the flange 14 protects the |id 3 in a satisfactory way,the flange 14 has an equal or longer extension radially outwards from theouter wall 6 of the receptacle 2 in the radial direction than the outer edgepart 24 of the |id 3. ln the example in figures 2c and 3, the outer edge part24 is flush with the second flange surface 17 of the flange 14. ln this way,objects such as other containers cannot get in direct contact with the outeredge part 24 of the |id 3 from below the flange 14. The flange 14 henceprotects the outer edge part 24 of the |id 3 from forces exerted by otherobjects directed upwards from below the flange 14 or radially towards theflange 14. Forces exerted by other objects directed downwards fromabove the container 2 towards the outer edge part 24 of the |id 3 will pushthe |id 3 into the direction where it is closed and is hence not critical in this SenSe.

The container as described in the example above thus provides a safe,simple and inexpensive container construction with two sealing surfacesbetween the receptacle 2 and the |id 3 and further a flange 14 of thereceptacle 2 that protects the |id 3 through direct contact between theouter edge part 14 of the |id 3 and the flange 14. 14 ln order to open the container 1 by removing the lid 3 from the receptacle2, the one or more opening slots 33 are provided in the outer edge part 24of the lid 3, as shown in figures 3-5. The one or more opening slots 33establish a small gap between the outer edge part 24 of the lid and theflange 14 in the axial direction A, in which a flat surface or blade of anopening tool 34, such as for example a screwdriver or similar device, canbe inserted. The extension of the one or more opening slots 33 along theperiphery of the outer edge part 24 are limited so that the lid 3 isprevented from being unintentionally opened. The lid 3 is opened asshown in figure 5 by inserting the flat end of an opening tool 34 into one ofthe provided one or more opening slots 33, and after insertion of the toolapplying a rotational movement to the tool to exert forces on the outeredge part 24 of the lid 3 and the first flange surface 16 of the flange 14 onthe receptacle 2. ln this way the lid 3 can be removed from the receptacle2 in an easy way. The one or more opening slots 33 further provide a clear indication on where to open the container 1.

The one or more opening slots 33 can be formed by simply pressing alimited part of the peripheral length of the sheet material of the collar 23and the inner stiffening part 25 upwards towards the outer surface 22 ofthe lid 3 along the outer peripheral edge 20, as shown in figure 3. Theextension of one individual opening slot 33 in the direction along theperiphery of the outer edge part may be about 5-20 mm, and the extensionof the gap of the opening slot in the axial direction about 1-5 mmdepending on the size of the container and the opening tool to be used. Asdescribed above, the outer edge part 24 is in direct contact with the flange14 along essentially the whole peripheral length of the outer edge part 24when the container 1 is in a closed state. The only very limited lengthsections along the periphery of the outer edge part 24 that is not in directcontact with the flange 14 are where the one or more opening slots areprovided, which the expression along essentially the whole peripherallength of the outer edge part 24 refers to, as described above. ln order to secure that the lid 3 is not unintentionally opened, the extension of anindividual opening slot 33 and also the total combined peripheral extensionof the opening slots 33 together should be limited. Thus, the totalcombined peripheral extension of the opening slots 33 depends on thelength of each opening slot 33 and the numbers of opening slots 33provided along the periphery of the lid 3. lf more than one opening slots 33are provided, the extension of each individual opening slot 33 in thedirection along the periphery of the outer edge part of the lid 3 may be thesame for each opening slot 33 or could differ between the opening slots33. lf more than one opening slots 33 are provided, they may besymmetrically arranged along the outer peripheral edge 20 of the lid 3, sothat they are distributed with equal distances between the opening slots 33along the outer peripheral edge 20. Alternatively, the opening slots 33 maybe unsymmetrically arranged so that the distances between the openingslots along the outer peripheral edge are not the same. To preventunintentional opening of the lid 3, as an example the total combinedperipheral extension of the one or more opening slots 33 together may notexceed 15% of the total length of the periphery of the outer edge part 24.To have an even higher security for the lid, the total combined peripherallength of the one or more opening slots 33 together may not exceed 10%or even 5% of the total length of the periphery of the outer edge part 24.

The container 1 may be symmetrical around an axis of symmetrystretching in the axial direction A, i.e. the container may for example havea circular shape when viewed from above as indicated in the figures.Alternatively, the container may have an oval shape, a triangular, squareor rectangular shape with rounded corners or other suitable shapes when viewed from above. ln one example, the lid has circular shape with a diameter of about 180mm and a circumference of about 565 mm along the periphery of the outeredge part of the lid. The lid is provided with four opening slots, where each 16 opening slot has an extension of about 15 mm in the direction along theperiphery of the outer edge part and an extension of the gap of theopening slot in the axial direction of about 3 mm. The total combinedperipheral extension of the four opening slots together are about 60 mm,and thus about 10.6% of the total length of the periphery of the outer edgepart. lf instead five opening slots are arranged on a lid of the type described inthe example above with an extension of about 15 mm in the directionalong the periphery of the outer edge part, the total combined peripheralextension of the five opening slots together are about 75 mm, and thusabout 13.3% of the total length of the periphery of the outer edge part. lf only one opening slot is provided on a lid of the type described in theexamples above with an extension of about 5 mm in the direction alongthe periphery of the outer edge part, the total combined peripheralextension is about 5 mm, and thus only 0.9% of the total length of the periphery of the outer edge part.

The initial closing of the container by securing the lid to the receptacle maybe carried out by hand or alternatively by means of a machine. lf using amachine for closing the container, the receptacle may be fed to its positionfor applying the lid after the receptacle has been filled with its liquid orsolid goods in a previous step in a filling machine. Having the receptaclestanding upright with its opening facing towards the lid, the lid is in turnpositioned directly above the receptacle in a correct position for applyingthe lid. From this position, the lid is lowered by means of a mechanism,such as for example known suction cups exerting vacuum to the uppersurface of the lid, until the lid makes contact with the upper second edgeof the receptacle. With the lid in this position, a downward-pressing device,such as for example a pressure plate driven by a power device is pressedagainst the upper surface of the lid to firmly secure the lid to the containerthrough the downward pressing force. The lid is firmly secured to the 17 container when the outer edge part of the lid is in direct contact with theflange of the receptacle. lt will be appreciated that the above description is merely exemplary innature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application oruses. While specific examples have been described in the specificationand illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure as defined in the claims. Furthermore, modificationsmay be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings ofthe present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to theparticular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in thespecification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out theteachings of the present disclosure, but that the scope of the presentdisclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoingdescription and the appended claims. Reference signs mentioned in theclaims should not be seen as limiting the extent of the matter protected by the claims, and their sole function is to make claims easier to understand.

REFERENCE SIGNS Second edge 1: Container 2: Receptacle 3: Lid 4: Storage space5: Base 6: Outer wall 7: First edge 8: 9: Rim element 10:11:12:13:14:15:16:17:18:19:20:21:22:23:24:25:26:27:28:29:30:31:32:33:34: 18 Opening Handle loop Ridge Outer rim part Flange Rolled flange edgeFirst flange surfaceSecond flange surfaceThird flange surfaceOuter flange edgeOuter peripherai edgeU-shaped trackOuter surface Collar Outer edge partlnner stiffening partlnner wall Upper wall Outer wall Seal Stiffening elementsInner sea|ing surfaceOuter sea|ing surfaceOpening slotOpening tool

Claims (10)

1. _ 19 A container (1) in the form of a receptacle (2) with a removablelid (3) for closing and opening a storage space (4) in thereceptacle (2), wherein the receptacle (2) has a base (5) and anouter wall (6) with a first edge (7) connected to the base (5),where the outer wall (6) has a second edge (8) with an upperperiphery delimiting an opening (10) of the container (1) and acircumventing rim element (9) with a flange (14) arranged belowthe second edge (8) projecting radially outwards from the outerwall (6), wherein the lid (3) has an outer peripheral edge (20)and a circumventing U-shaped track (21) located radially insidethe outer peripheral edge (20) connecting the lid (3) to the rimelement (9); ch a racterized in thatan outeredge part(24)oftheouter peripheral edge (20) is in direct contact with the flange(14) along essentially the whole peripheral length of the outeredge part (24) when the container (1) is in a closed state andthat the outer edge part (24) is provided with one or moreopening slots (33).

2. Container according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the inside of the U-shapedtrack (21) of the lid (3) is in direct contact with the receptacle (2)in an inner sealing surface (31) and an outer sealing surface(32), where the inner sealing surface (31) is formed between aradially outwards facing side of an inner wall (26) of the U-shaped track (21) and the inner side of the outer wall (6) of thereceptacle and wherein the outer sealing surface (32) is formedbetween a radially inwards facing side of an outer wall (28) ofthe U-shaped track (21) and the radially outwards facing side ofan outer rim part (13) of the rim element (9) on the receptacle (2)-

3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thattherim element(9)ofthereceptacle (2) is formed by the upper part of the outer wall (6)close to the second edge (8) constituting an inner section of therim element (9) and from an elongated part of the materialforming the outer wall (6) that is stretching outwards anddownwards from the second edge (8) constituting an outersection of the rim element (9). Container according to claim 3, characterized in thattheoutersection ofthe rimelement (9) of the receptacle (2) has a ridge (12), an outer rimpart (13) stretching downwards from the ridge (12) and radiallyinwards tovtfards the outer surface of the outer wall (6) and that the flange (14) is arrahgecl below the outer rim part (13). Container according to any of the preceding claims, ch aracterized in thattheflange (14) has an equal orlonger extension radially outwards from the outer wall (6) of thereceptacle (2) than the outer edge part (24) of the lid (3). Container according to any of the preceding claims,characterized in thataseal (29) isarrangedon theinside of the upper part of the U-shaped track (21). Container according to claim 6,characterized in thattheseal (29) ismadeofasuitable flexible material, such as an elastomer, a polymer, or a rubber material. 10. 21 Container according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the receptacle (2) and the lid(3) is made from a thin sheet material, such as a tin plate madeof steel with an even thickness. Container according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the extension of one individualopening slot (33) in a direction along the periphery of the outeredge part (24) of the lid (3) is about 5-20 mm, and that theextension of a gap of the opening slot (33) in the axial directionis about 1-5 mm. Container according to any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the total combined peripheralextension of the one or more opening slots (33) together maynot exceed 15% of the total length of the periphery of the outeredge part (24).