Container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for solids or liquid and a method of opening a container. The container comprises a hollow body which holds the contents and a closure which cooperates with the body to close the container. The closure comprises an opening member which is movable from a retracted position to an opening position in which the closure can be opened. The container further comprises a locking member for securing the opening member, the locking member being movable between a locking position in which the opening member is kept secured in the retracted position and an unlocked position in which the opening member is movable into the opening position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, for exemplary purposes, in more detail by way of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side-view of a first embodiment of the container in the locked position,

FIG. 2 shows a side-view of a first embodiment of the container in the unlocked (but closed) position,

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the container in the opening position,

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the container with the closure opened,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the top of the container of a first embodiment having a piece of the lid cut out showing details on the locking member,

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the locking member,

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view from underneath of the opening member of a first embodiment, and

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the lid.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container in the locked position,

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container in the unlocked position and ready for opening,

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the locking member,

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the container with the closure opened,

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the top of the container of a second embodiment having a piece of the closure cut out showing details on the locking member, and

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view from underneath of the opening member of a second embodiment.

Claims

1. A container for solids or liquids, the container comprising: a hollow body which holds the contents,a closure which cooperates with the body to close the container, the closure comprising an opening member which is movable from a retracted position to an opening position in which the closure can be opened, anda locking member for securing the opening member, the locking member being movable between a locking position in which the opening member is kept secured in the retracted position, and an unlocked position in which the opening member is movable into the opening position.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is movable with respect to both the body and the closure.

3. The container according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator means which automatically moves the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position.

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the actuator means automatically moves the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position as the opening member of the closure is moved to the retracted position from the opening position.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the actuator means comprises a protruding part on the locking member which co-operates with a protruding edge on the opening member to move the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position as the opening member is moved to its retracted position.

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the protruding part is resiliently attached onto the locking member.

7. The container according to claim 3, wherein the actuator means comprises at least one spring member arranged on the locking member to automatically move the locking member from the unlocked position to the locked position.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the closure further comprises a lid onto which lid the opening member is slidable mounted.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the lid comprises a first section firmly attached to the body and a second section which is snap fitted to the body.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the first and the second sections of the lid are pivotally arranged to each other via a hinge.

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the second section of the lid is provided with a sealing ring for sealing the access hole of the container.

12. The container according to claim 1, wherein the opening member is provided with at least one lip that fits into at least one indentation in the container when the opening member is in the retracted position.

13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the opening member and the locking member are provided with indication marks.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the indication marks on the opening member and the locking member are aligned in the unlocked position.

15. The container according to claim 13, wherein the indication marks on the opening member and the locking member are not aligned in the locked position.

16. The container according to claim 13, wherein the indication marks are protruding from the material of the container such that they can be felt by touch.

17. A method of opening a container for solids or liquids, the container comprising a hollow body which holds the contents and a closure which cooperates with the body to close the container, the closure comprising an opening member, and a locking member for locking the opening member, the method comprising the steps of: a) moving the locking member to an unlocked position,b) moving the opening member from a retracted position to an opening position, andc) opening the closure of the container by lifting the opening member.