Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Closure Lid
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a closure lid for a
packaging for non-food or food products like frozen
confectionery, such as ice-cream cups or ice-cream cone
sleeves, to a packaging comprising such a closure lid, and
to a packaged frozen confectionery product.
Background of the Invention
Frozen confectionery products are often packaged in
individual portions. Common examples are ice-cream cones
and also ice-cream cups or tubs. Ice-cream cones comprising
a wafer and an ice cream filling are typically wrapped in a
cone-shaped sleeve which is commonly made of a paper and
aluminum foil laminate substrate rolled into a cone shape
with a tip at one end and an opening on the other end. Ice-
cream tubs are also commonly made of a cardboard or paper
and aluminum foil laminate substrate having a substantially
cylindrical or frustum shape and having an opening at one
end while being closed at the other end by a base member
fixed to the packaging wall. The aluminum foil in the
packaging material provides a certain form stability and a
moisture barrier. The open end of the packaging is usually
closed by a cardboard or plastic lid. The upper end of the
packaging is usually crimped down towards the centre of the
cone or packaging to hold the lid to the product.
A typical packaging for an ice-cream cone is disclosed in
US 2006/0157544 Al. The sleeve is made from a polymer film
and is crimped down to hold a lid. Alternatively, the
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opening of the packaging can be closed by a press-in
recessed lid having a flat center portion and an upward
turned outer edge. The lid may be sealed to the sleeve by a
snap-in structure or by an adhesive or heat seal operation.
EP 0 276 333 Al shows a packaging for an ice-cream cone,
the sleeve and lid of which are made of a liquid
impermeable and transparent material. The lid is glued into
the opening of the sleeve.
It has become more and more important to provide a
sustainable and recyclable packaging, and manufacturers
would thus like to have a packaging that can be recycled
easily unlike the present laminates. Another reason to seek
for an alternative to the aluminum and paper laminate is
the target to eliminate metals from any such packaging.
During production products are checked for metal parts with
metal detectors, and the aluminum present in the packaging
of common ice-cream cone sleeves thus requires special
equipment. The use of a packaging not containing any metal
would allow for a use of more simple and thus less
expensive detectors.
However, paper or cardboard sleeves lack the shape memory
provided by the aluminum in the usual composite sleeves,
and cannot be crimped down for holding the lid in the usual
way.
Further, the lids being glued or heat sealed into the
opening of the packaging require a laborious and complex
and thus cost-wasting manufacturing process to provide the
lid onto the packaging. In addition, lids being glued or
sealed to the opening cannot be easily removed from the
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packaging once the consumer wants to consume the product.
Such lids thus call for an easy-to-open feature which must
be provided in or on the packaging thus further increasing
the complexity of the packaging and manufacturing steps.
Furthermore, the conventional crimped or glued lids are not
always easy to open.
Object of the invention
The present invention aims to improve on the above-
mentioned drawbacks, and an object thereof is to provide a
closure lid which can be used for easily and securely
closing and opening of a packaging for food products, such
as ice-cream cones or tubs, independent of the packaging
material. Furthermore, the present invention also aims at
providing a packaging solution that is more attractive and
provides a certain playfulness to consumers.
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a closure lid for a packaging for food products
like frozen confectionery, such as ice-cream cups or ice-
cream cone sleeves, comprising a plate-shaped centre
member, an outer ring dimensioned to conform with the
packaging, and a circumferential non-continuous flange
member extending essentially in a right angle from the
circumference of the outer ring,
wherein the lid is designed such that the plate-shaped
centre member can manually be changed between a convex
configuration and concave configuration, and
wherein said change translates into a change of the angular
position of the flange member relative to the plane defined
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by the outer ring, and wherein depending on said angular
position, the flange member is in contact with an inner
wall or an outer wall of the packaging or not.
By means of the closure lid according to the invention
there is no need to crimp down the packaging or to seal the
lid to the packaging for holding the lid. In a closed state
of the packaging, the lid is simply held on the packaging
by the flange member which is in contact with an inner or
an outer wall of the packaging to securely and ? close the
opening of the packaging. Hence, there is no need for an
additional adhesive application or heat sealing to fix the
lid onto the packaging. As the flange member can be easily
tilted by a transfer of the domed centre member from a
convex to a concave configuration (and the other way
around), the flange member can be moved between a position
of being in tight and flush contact with the inner or outer
wall of the packaging and a position where the flange
member is distanced from the inner or outer wall of the
packaging to allow for an easy removal of the lid without
the need of any additional easy-to-open features.
The flange member preferably comprises at least one slit in
an axial direction with respect to the lid to form said
non-continuous flange member. In a more preferred
embodiment, the flange member comprises a plurality of
slits in an axial direction with respect to the lid to
divide the flange member in a plurality of flange portions,
which slits are preferably evenly distributed over the
circumference of the flange member. The slits thus
constitute a possible solution for enabling the flange
member to carry out the change of angular position in case
the plate-shaped centre member is manually transferred
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between its convex and concave configuration. As the flange
member is provided over the whole circumference of the
packaging and the flange portions are also evenly
distributed over said circumference, the pressure of the
5 flange member applied onto the packaging wall to securely
hold the lid thereon is well distributed.
In a preferred embodiment, the flange portions taper to an
end distanced from the circumference of the plate-shaped
centre member. Hence, in case the flange portions are lying
on the surface of the outer wall of a cone- or frustum-
shaped packaging body (i.e. cone, truncated cone or cup)
without any overlap, thus allowing tight contact to the
wall of the packaging.
According to the invention, the lid comprises an outer ring
extending around the plate shaped centre member.
Preferably, the ring member lies in the plane defined by
the circumferential edge of the plate-shaped centre member.
Further, the transition between the domed centre member and
the ring member as well as the transition between the ring
member and the flange member is substantially inflexible.
By means of this configuration or layout of the plate-
shaped centre member, the domed centre member can be easily
transferred between the convex and concave configuration
while allowing a sufficient stiffness of the whole plate-
shaped centre member such that the transfer of the domed
centre member can be securely and sufficiently translated
to the flange member or flange portions to obtain a change
of their angular portion.
The lid is preferably made of a rigid plastic material.
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According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a packaging for food products, such as frozen
confectionary like ice cream, having an opening being
closed by a lid according to any of the preceding claims. A
shape memory of the packaging is not required as the
closure lid or better its flange member or flange portions
are in tight and contact over the whole circumference of
the packaging. The choice of possible materials for the
packaging is thus increased with respect to common
packaging. Further, the positioning and fixing of the lid
on the (opening of) the packaging is very convenient and
only relatively simple tools are necessary for assembly.
Preferably, the flange member is in contact with an inner
or outer wall of the packaging in case the plate-shaped
domed centre member defines a convex configuration thus
being exposed or protruding or extending away from the
packaging or at least extending in a direction to the
opening or away from the inside of the packaging, and the
flange member is distanced from the inner or outer wall of
the packaging in case the plate-shaped domed centre member
defines a concave configuration thus extending to an inside
of the packaging. The lid of the packaging can thus be
easily removed by simply pushing onto the domed centre
member exposing from the packaging to manually transfer it
from its convex to its concave configuration. When doing
so, the flange member or flange portions are brought in a
condition in which they are distanced from the packaging
wall to allow for the user to remove the lid without using
any additional easy-to-open feature.
Preferably, the outer contour of the plate-shaped centre
member or ring member defined by the circumferential edge
of the plate-shaped centre member matches the contour of
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the opening. Hence, a tight closure and sealing of the
packaging can be attained when using the lid.
The packaging preferably is an ice-cream cup or an ice-
cream cone sleeve.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a packaged frozen confectionary product comprising
a packaging according to the invention having the lid
according to the invention as well as a frozen
confectionery product. The frozen confectionery product can
be an ice-cream cone, bulk ice cream or any other frozen
dessert. Obviously, the packaging can also be used for
other food and non-food products.
Further features, advantages and objects of the present
invention would come apparent for the skilled person when
reading the following detailed description of embodiments
of the present invention, when taking in conjunction with
the figures of the enclosed drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging having a
closure lid according to a first embodiment of
the invention as well as method steps for opening
said packaging.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a packaging having a
closure lid according to a second embodiment of
the invention as well as method steps for opening
said packaging.
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Figure 3 shows a schematical side view of the packaging
and closure lid according to figure 2 as well as
method steps for providing the lid onto the
packaging.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Figures 1 and 2 show perspective side views of a packaging
1 having a closure lid 20 according to a first and second
embodiment of the invention.
The packaging 1 may comprise a conical sleeve 10 (only the
upper part of which is shown in figures 1 and 2) which
preferably consists of a paper sheet rolled into a cone.
Alternatively, the packaging 1 may comprise a cup 11 (as
shown in figures 1 and 2) preferably having the shape of a
cylinder or a truncated cone and being made of paper or
cardboard. Other materials can also be used. The lid can
for example be used with plastic cups or with cone sleeves
made from virtually any material. The packaging 1
preferably has a circular cross-section, but it can also
have a polygonal cross section (e.g., square or equilateral
triangle), provided the panel sizes are equal all around
the packaging.
The material of the packaging 1 is not limited to the
materials mentioned above, but can be made of any
(preferably flexible) material like paper, cardboard, rigid
plastics (e.g. polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE),
polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or
polylactic acid (PLA)) or composites. Particularly, paper
and cardboard are renewable materials and can be recycled
thus having a reduced impact on the environment. In case
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paper or cardboard is used, the packaging can be provided
with a coating to form a moisture barrier.
Further, the packaging 1 can have additional optical and/or
functional features. It can, for instance, be provided with
a transparent window or even be completely transparent.
Further, the packaging 1 can have a smooth, roughened or
irregular surface provided with embossings, engravings or
any other kind of three-dimensional structure. The
packaging 1 can also carry a perfume, for example an aroma
relating to the flavor of the frozen confectionery
contained therein.
The packaging can be used for all kinds of food products,
particularly for frozen confectionery products (like ice
cream) or any other frozen or chilled products. The
packaging 1 can thus be an ice-cream cup or tub or an ice-
cream cone sleeve or the like.
The packaging 1 has an opening 12 to fill in or bring in
the food product and also to provide an access to said food
product for the consumer. To protect the food product from
environmental influences, the opening 12 is closed by a
closure lid 20 (in the following also referred to as lid).
The lid 20 alone is also part of the invention and will
thus be described in detail herein.
The lid 20 according to the invention comprises a plate-
shaped centre member 21, an outer ring 210 dimensioned to
conform with the packaging 1, and a circumferential non-
continuous flange member 22 extending essentially in a
right angle from the circumference of the outer ring 210.
The lid 20 is designed such that the plate-shaped centre
member 21 can manually be changed between a convex
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configuration (see figure la and 2a) and a concave
configuration (see figure lb and 2b) wherein the plate-
shaped centre member 21 is domed. Said change translates
into a change of the angular position of the flange member
5 22 relative to the plane defined by the outer ring 210, and
depending on said angular position, the flange member 22 is
in contact with an inner wall 13 or an outer wall 14 of the
packaging - the packaging thus being closed - or not.
Preferably, the ratio of the diameter "d" of the plate-
shaped centre member 21 and the height "h" of the flange
member 22 is about 1/3 to 1/20, preferably 1/5 to 1/8.
Further, the ratio of the diameter "d" of the plate-shaped
centre member 21 and the height "H" of the domed plate-
shaped centre member with respect to the plane defined by
the circumferential edge of the plate-shaped centre member
preferably is about 1/5 to 1/20, more preferably about 1/8
to 1/12.
The flange member 22 is designed to be selectively in plane
contact with an inner wall 13 (figure 1) or an outer wall
14 (figure 2) of the packaging 1 as will be described
herein.
Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the
lid 20 is placed in the opening 12 of the packaging 1 for
closing said packaging 1. According to this embodiment, the
lid 20 is placed in the packaging 1 such that the flange
member 22 extends from the plane defined by the
circumferential edge 23 of the plate-shaped centre member
21 in a direction towards the opening 12 of the packaging
1, preferably such that the end 24 of the flange member 22
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being most distanced from (the circumferential edge 23 of)
the plate-shaped centre member 21 is substantially flush
with the circumferential edge 15 of the packaging 1 having
the opening 12. In a closing condition, the plate-shaped
centre member 21 is in its convex configuration, i.e. it is
domed to extend from the plane defined by the
circumferential edge 23 of the plate-shaped centre member
21 in the same direction as the flange member 22 that is in
a direction towards the opening 12 of the packaging 1. In
this case, the flange member 22 is tilted towards the inner
wall 13 of the packaging 1 to apply a pressure onto the
inner wall 13 thus providing for a tight and plane contact
between the lid 20 (the flange member 22) and the inner
wall 13 of the packaging 1.
To open the packaging 1, the lid 20 or better the domed
plate-shaped centre member 21 is manually transferred from
its convex configuration as shown in figure la to its
concave configuration as shown in figure lb by pushing onto
the domed portion (preferably its centre portion) of the
plate-shaped centre member 21 as indicated by arrow Pl. In
the concave configuration, the domed plate-shaped centre
member 21 extends in a direction towards the inside of the
packaging 1. The transfer from the convex configuration to
the concave configuration translates into a change of
angular position of the flange member 22 relative to the
plane defined by the circumferential edge 23 of the plate-
shaped centre member 21. Preferably, this comes about since
the transition between the plate-shaped centre member 21
and the flange member 22 is stiff, preferably
(substantially) inflexible (e.g. as being made of plastic
materials or the like). Due to the change of angular
position, the flange member 22 is tilted towards a centre
of the lid 20 (as indicated by arrow P2 in figure lb) such
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that the flange member 22 is distanced from the inner wall
13 of the packaging as shown in figure lb. As in this
position or configuration the flange member 22 does not
apply a force onto the inner wall 13, the lid 20 is merely
loosely placed in the opening 12 of the packaging 1 and can
therefore be easily removed from the packaging 1 as
indicated by arrow P3 in figure lc. For a removal of the
lid 20, the flange member 22 can be used as a gripper means
to grasp and detach the lid 20.
It is noted that the lid 20 can also be placed in the
opening 12 of the packaging 1 for closing said packaging 1
in a way that the flange member 22 extends from the plane
defined by the circumferential edge 23 of the plate-shaped
centre member 21 in a direction towards the inside of the
packaging 1, preferably such that the plate-shaped centre
member 21 is substantially flush with the circumferential
edge 15 of the packaging 1 having the opening 12. In a
closing condition, the plate-shaped centre member 21 is
then in its concave configuration, i.e. it is domed to
extend from the plane defined by the circumferential edge
23 of the plate-shaped centre member 21 in the same
direction as the flange member 22 that is in a direction
towards the inside of the packaging 1. To open the
packaging 1, the domed plate-shaped centre member 21 is
manually transferred from its concave configuration to its
convex configuration in which it extends from the plane
defined by the circumferential edge 23 of the plate-shaped
centre member 21 in a direction away from the inside of the
packaging 1. Therefore, the consumer needs to pull at the
plate-shaped centre member 21. A gripper member can be
provided to extend from the plate-shaped centre member to
an outside of the packaging 1 to allow for an easy transfer
of the plate-shaped centre member into the convex
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configuration. The gripper member can be a knob, a pin or
any other three-dimensional structure to allow for a user
to grasp and pull it. In the convex configuration, the
flange member 22 is distanced from the inner wall 13 of the
packaging 1 as described above such that the lid 20 can
then be easily removed from the packaging 1 to expose the
opening 12.
According to another embodiment as shown in figure 2, the
lid 20 is placed onto the opening 12 of the packaging such
that the lid 20 lies with its plate-shaped centre member
21, preferably with the circumferential edge thereof, on
the circumferential edge 15 of the packaging 1 forming or
surrounding the opening 12. According to this embodiment,
the flange member 22 extends from the plane defined by the
circumferential edge 23 of the plate-shaped centre member
21 in a direction towards the packaging 1. In a closing
condition, the plate-shaped centre member 21 is in its
convex configuration, i.e. it is domed to extend from the
plane defined by the circumferential edge 23 of the plate-
shaped centre member 21 in a direction opposite to the
extension of the flange member 22 that is in a direction
away from the packaging 1. In this case, the flange member
22 is tilted towards the outer wall 14 of the packaging 1
to apply a pressure onto the outer wall 14 thus providing
for a tight and plane contact between the lid 20 (the
flange member 22) and the outer wall 14 of the packaging 1.
To open the packaging 1, the lid 20 or better the domed
plate-shaped centre member 21 is manually transferred from
its convex configuration as shown in figure 2a to its
concave configuration as shown in figure 2b by pushing onto
the domed portion (preferably its centre portion) of the
plate-shaped centre member 21 as indicated by arrow P4. In
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the concave configuration, the domed plate-shaped centre
member 21 extends in a direction towards the inside of the
packaging 1. Due to the transfer from the convex
configuration to the concave configuration, a change of
angular position with respect to the plane defined by the
circumferential edge 23 of the plate-shaped centre member
21 is translated to the flange member 22. Hence, the flange
member 22 is tilted to be distanced from the outer wall 14
of the packaging 1 as indicated by arrow P5 shown in figure
2b. As the flange member 22 does thus not apply a force on
the outer wall 14, the lid 20 is only loosely placed onto
the packaging 1 and can therefore be easily removed from
the packaging 1 as indicated by arrow P6 in figure 2c.
To allow for a change of angular position, the
circumferential flange member 22 non-continuously extends
over the circumference of the lid 20 or better the plate-
shaped centre member 21. Therefore, the circumferential
non-continuous flange member 22 preferably comprises at
least one slit or a plurality of slits 26 in an axial
direction A with respect to the lid 20 to divide the lid 20
in at least one or a plurality of flange portions 25. The
number of slits 26 corresponds to the number of flange
portions 25 forming the flange member 22. In case only one
slit 26 is provided in the flange member 22, there is only
one non-continuous flange portion 25 present. In case of
"x" slits 26 provided in the flange member 22, the flange
member 22 is divided into the same number of "x" flange
portions 25 as can be seen in figures 1 and 2. In a
preferred embodiment, the lid 20 comprises 3 to 80 flange
portions 25, more preferably 12 to 15. However, the
invention is not limited thereto.
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In a preferred embodiment, the slits 26 are evenly
distributed over the circumference of the flange member 22
thus forming flange portions 25 being evenly distributed
over the whole circumference of the plate-shaped centre
5 member 21. Preferably, the flange portions 25 each taper to
an end distanced from the circumference of the plate-shaped
centre member 21 as can be clearly seen in figures 1 and 2.
Hence, the flange portions 25 do not overlap in any angular
position to securely obtain a plane and thus tight contact
10 between the flange member 22 and the inner wall 13 or outer
wall 14 of the packaging 1.
AS already mentioned above, the plate-shaped centre member
21 comprises an outer ring member 210 which outer
15 circumference forms the circumferential edge 23 of the
plate-shaped centre member 21, and a centre member 211
filling the inside of the ring member 210 and camber or
extending from the plane defined by the circumferential
edge 23 so as to be manually transferable between both the
convex and the concave configuration. The ring member 210
lies in the plane defined by the circumferential edge 23 of
the plate-shaped centre member 21. The transition between
the domed centre member 211 and the ring member 210 as well
as the transition between the ring member 210 and the
flange member 22 preferably is (substantially) inflexible.
By means of said layout, the ring member 211 securely
enables to translate the transfer of the plate-shaped
centre member 21 between the convex and concave
configuration into the change of the angular position of
the flange member 22. This comes about since the transfer
of the domed centre member 211 between the convex and
concave configuration results in the ring member 210 to be
tilted with respect to the plane defined by the
circumferential edge 23 of the plate-shaped centre member
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21. Due to the stiff and preferably inflexible transitions
between the domed centre member 211, the ring member 210
and the flange member 22, the tilt of the ring member 210
is translated to the flange member 22 resulting in the
change of angular position of the flange member 22 as
already described above. The ring member 210 thus increases
a secure change of angular position of the flange member 22
while the (substantially) inflexible transition also aims
for a secure, tight and plane contact of the flange member
22 with the inner wall 13 or outer wall 14, respectively.
The outer contour of the plate-shaped centre member 21 or
ring member 210 defined by the circumferential edge of the
plate-shaped centre member 21 preferably matches the
contour of the opening 12 to provide a lid 20 enabling a
secure, tight, plane and flush closure of the packaging 1.
Preferably, the ratio of the diameter "d" of the plate-
shaped centre member 21 and the width "W" of the ring
member 210 is about 1/10 to 1/25, more preferably about
1/12 to 1/20.
The lid 20 is preferably made of a plastic material and can
be partly or completely transparent, colored, printed or
labeled. Typical plastic materials are polypropylene (PP),
polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) or polylactic acid (PLA). Preferably,
the plate-shaped centre member 21 (including the ring
member 210 and the domed centre member 211) and the flange
member 22 are integrally formed. The lid 20 being made of
plastic materials, for instance, allows for a rigid and
(substantially) inflexible transition between the
respective members thereof and thus for a secure change of
angular position of the flange member 22.
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A method for opening the packaging 1 being closed by a lid
20 according to the invention has already been described
above. In the following, a method for closing a packaging 1
for food products like frozen confectionary, such as ice-
cream cups or ice-cream cone sleeves, having an opening,
will be described with reference to figure 3.
In a first step as depicted in figure 3a, the packaging 1
(sleeve or cup or the like) is preferably introduced in and
then held by a socket or pocket 30 which is not the object
of the present invention and will thus not be described in
detail herein.
In a second step, the closure lid 20 having the plate-
shaped centre member 21 and the circumferential non-
continuous flange member 22 extending essentially in a
right angle from the circumference of the plate-shaped
centre member 21 is preferably placed above the opening 12
of the packaging 1.
In a third step, the lid 20 is lowered to place the lid 20
(a) either (with its plate-shaped centre member 21) onto
the opening 12 or (b) in the opening 12 such that the
plate-shaped centre member covers the opening 12.
Regarding option (a), the plate-shaped centre member 21 is
placed with its outer circumferential portion or the ring
member 210 onto the opening 12 such that the flange
portions 25 extend downward so as to extend from the plane
defined by the circumferential edge 23 of the plate-shaped
centre member 21 in a direction towards the packaging 1.
The flange member 22 is distanced from the outer wall 14 of
the packaging 1 as can be seen in figure 3b. Further, the
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plate-shaped centre member 21 is in its concave
configuration, i.e. extends in a direction towards an
inside of the packaging 1.
Regarding option (b), the plate-shaped centre member 21 is
placed in the opening 12 such that its circumferential edge
23 preferably circumferentially touches the inner wall 13
of the packaging 1. The flange member 22 extends (i)
towards an opening 12 of the packaging 1 or (ii) towards an
inside of the packaging 1.
Regarding option (i), the flange member 22 extends from the
plane defined by the circumferential edge 23 of the plate-
shaped centre member 21 in a direction towards the opening
12 of the packaging; i.e. away from the inside of the
packaging 1. The domed plate-shaped centre member 21
extends in a direction towards the inside of the packaging
1 thus having a concave configuration.
Regarding alternative option (ii), the flange member 22
extends from the plane defined by the circumferential edge
23 of the plate-shaped centre member 21 in a direction
towards the inside of the packaging 1, i.e. away from the
opening 12. The domed plate-shaped centre member 21 is in
its convex configuration and thus extends in a direction
towards the opening 12 of the packaging 1.
In a fourth step, the flange member 22 or the flange
portions 25 are made to change their angular position
relative to the plane defined by the circumferential edge
23 of the plate-shaped centre member 21 to bring the flange
member 22 in plane and tight contact with the inner wall 13
or outer wall 14 of the packaging 1 as will be described
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herein. This is exemplarily shown in figure 3c (see arrow
P7).
Regarding options (a) and (b)(i), the change of the angular
position of the flange member 22 can be attained by the
plate-shaped centre member 21 being transferred from its
concave configuration to its convex configuration in which
the plate-shaped centre member 21 is domed to extend from
the plane defined by the circumferential edge 23 of the
plate-shaped centre member 21 in a direction away from the
inside of the packaging 1. The transfer can be attained by
applying a suction force to a side of the plate-shaped
centre member 21 exposed to an outside of the packaging 1
such that it is transferred from its concave to its convex
configuration as indicated by arrows P8. To apply a suction
force, any commonly known suction device can be used.
Regarding option (b)(ii), the change of the angular
position of the flange member 22 can be attained by the
plate-shaped centre member being transferred from its
convex configuration to a concave configuration in which
the plate-shaped centre member 21 is domed to extend from
the plane defined by the circumferential edge of the plate-
shaped centre member 21 in a direction towards the inside
of the packaging 1. The transfer can be attained by simply
pushing onto the side of the plate-shaped centre member 21
exposed to an outside of the packaging 1 such that it is
transferred from its convex to its concave configuration.
Then, the packaging 1 is securely and tightly closed by the
lid 20 while the package material does not need to have a
shape memory and can thus be made from a variety of
materials including paper or cardboard or any other
(preferably flexible) material such as a rigid plastic.
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It is noted that neither the dimensions of the lid nor of
the packaging itself are limited by the invention. The same
applies to the shapes and cross-sectional forms of these
5 features as long as being covered by the invention
according to the appended claims. All features of the
embodiments can be combined in any possible way as long as
being covered by the scope of the invention as given by the
appended claims.
