Opening device for packaging containers

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening device for packaging containers that comprises at least one base element, which is placed on an opening of the container and which, in particular, completely surrounds the edge area of the opening on the outside and/or inside of the container. The opening device also comprises a covering element, which can be placed on the base element in order to cover the opening of the container. Said covering element has joining means for joining the covering element to the base element once the base element has been placed on the container, and has functional means for performing a predetermined function. The covering element advantageously comprises snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw joining means for joining to the base element and, as a functional means, can comprise, for example, a closure part for reclosing the opening, a protective part for protecting the base element or a safety seal, which is irreversibly changed the first time the packaging container is opened.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening device for packaging containers, more particularly a container for liquids, produced from a material web or a material sheet according to the preamble of claim 1 and a covering element for such a device according to claim 21.

[0002] Such opening devices for packaging containers are for instance known from EP 0 658 480 A1 or EP 95 920 224.3, according to which at least one base element is placed on a package produced from a material web or a material sheet, in particular, which comprises an opening in the form of a hole or a hole indication, for instance, in the region of this container opening. Furthermore, these known opening devices comprise at least one covering element for closing the opening, wherein the covering element may be placed on the base element in such manner that the opening may both be closed and opened.

[0003] The preferred package type, which is produced from a laminate, which is produced from a cardboard or paper core with thermoplastic layers and, optionally, aluminium foil, can be produced from a continuous material web or from individual blanks. This package type is frequently provided with an opening device which consists of a so-called tear-off strip which is torn off when the package is opened. From EP-A-0 558 946, it is also known to provide this package type with an outer thermoplastic structure which surrounds this strip. This thermoplastic structure may be provided with a pouring element and a covering element which may be folded onto each other by means of a hinge function and may be rigidly interlocked due to their design. The strip, which is most of the time situated beneath this thermoplastic structure, often has a part which is unsealed and folded over the sealed portion of the strip. This facilitates gripping the strip when the package is being opened and to tear it off for opening the hole or the hole indication.

[0004] Moreover, it is known from DE 44 09 946 A1 or DE 199 04 837 C1, for instance, to tightly close the opening of packaging container, which is formed of a web of packaging material which mainly consists of paper or plastic material, by means of a film-shaped foil or, respectively, a pull tab or a plastic tab consisting of synthetic resin. In order to open the seal of the opening, the foil or, respectively, the pull tab is torn off or, respectively, the foil is pierced with a drinking straw. The pull tab may be connected with the innermost layer of the container laminate so that the aseptic requirements are met when the container is being filled. This layer is initially torn during opening and then removed together with the tab in the opening area.

[0005] Finally, it is known from WO 00/47480 to provide an opening device for opening the sealing of a packaging container at a position for the opening such that an opening section is provided for opening the sealing of the sealing portion, an actuating section for actuating the opening section and a supporting section for supporting the actuating section in such a manner that the device for opening the sealing is safely attached to the packaging container. The opening section can for instance be used inwardly in a hinge-like manner for piercing the optionally pre-perforated opening.

[0006] All the above-mentioned opening devices comprise a thermoplastic structure mounted on the opening of the packaging container, which is attached to the container surface in the opening area by means of a hot-melt adhesive. The drawback of these conventional opening devices particularly consists in that it is, most of the time, difficult to apply these thermoplastic structures since expensive positioning devices are provided and that it cannot always reliably be avoided that the thermoplastic structure becomes detached during transport.

[0007] Also, the material edges of the opening of the packaging container are not sealed by a thermoplastic structure applied onto the surface of the packaging container so that the package material softens on the edges of the opening when the package content is poured out. It is also difficult to reliably disinfect or, respectively, sterilize such opening arrangements before the package is formed and filled.

[0008] There also arise difficulties during the gripping of the strip closing the opening or during the initial tearing or, respectively, piercing of the strip, for instance when the unsealed unfolded section is pressed against the sealed section, due to the production process and the treatment in the filling machine, such that it closely bears against it and cannot be gripped, or when the thermoplastic structure is glued onto the strip intended for tearing off due to positioning errors. In the known opening devices, strip parts often are left in the pouring opening and make it difficult to pour the package content unimpededly.

[0009] JP 09 254 967 discloses an opening device which is glued to the base part on the inside of the package in the area of the opening.

[0010] It is the object underlying the invention to improve an opening device for packaging containers of the known type to the effect that the above-described problems are avoided and to specify an opening device which has a low overall height in order to ensure a flawless production method and distribution method for the package and which may be universally employed for different packages and opening types.

[0011] The invention meets the underlying object by means of the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized and explained in detail in the subclaims. A covering element for a device according to the invention is characterized in claim 21.

[0012] The inventive opening device for packaging containers which are, more particularly, produced from a laminate having a core of paper or cardboard onto which thermoplastic layers and, optionally, aluminium are laminated, and which are most often produced from a continuous web, but may also consist of individual material sheets, comprises at least one base element which is placed on an opening of the packaging container, the opening having been pre-fabricated in the material web or the material sheet by punching, for instance.

[0013] A covering element, which may be used for closing or covering the opening, can be placed on the base element such that the opening is covered or closed. The covering element according to the invention fulfills a double function: on the one hand, the covering element comprises joining means for joining the covering element to the base element once the base element has been placed on the container and, on the other hand, functional means for performing a predeterminable function. More particularly, the covering element comprises snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw joining means for joining to the base element.

[0014] The covering element advantageously comprises a base portion, said base portion being joinable to the base element by means of a snap, detent, clamping or screw connection. As functional means, the covering element advantageously has a closure part which serves for closing the package and may be joined to the base part of the covering element by means of snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw connection.

[0015] The covering element may be produced and mounted separately and may be shaped in different ways according to the desired application. While the package together with the base element can be completely filled, folded and produced to be ready for packing or distribution, respectively, the covering element is advantageously fitted in a second production step only.

[0016] The covering element may comprise, as a functional means, a closure part for reclosing the opening, a protective part for protecting the base element against damage due to the transporting of the package or, for instance, also a safety seal which can be irreversibly changed the first time the packaging container is opened or, respectively, which is destroyed so that one can biuniquely determine whether third persons had already opened the package prior to that. However, other functions can also be realized; for example, consumer information on paper may be applied beneath the closure part, stickers may be applied as well as figures or a combination of the above-mentioned functions may be realized.

[0017] Instead of the conventional strips or membranes for sealing the opening of the packaging container, the base element of the opening device according to the invention advantageously comprises an opening element which can be removed for opening the container and which is joined to the base element before the container is opened. Both the base element and the opening element are advantageously formed or injected from a common thermoplastic structure so that the base element and the opening element are only separated when the container is opened for the first time as the opening element is removed from the base element.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base element is attached to the edge area of the opening of the packaging container such that it completely surrounds the edge area on the outside and/or inside of the container and thus seals the packaging material edges in the opening area on the inside of the container, in particular.

[0019] Since it is advantageously provided that the laminate edges of the packaging container are completely bordered, it is prevented that, for instance, a liquid in the container penetrates into the laminate and, thus, that the material edges in the opening area get soaked. At the same time, the base element of the opening device according to the invention may safely and tightly be attached to the packaging container so that it is avoided that the opening device gets torn off during the forming, folding and filling of the container as well as during distribution and at the end-user.

[0020] The base element for instance consists of an injectable plastic material which may be injected, in the injection process, around the edge area of the opening for sealing the edges of the container material. This so-called DIM technology (Direct Injection Molded) enables a quick and inexpensive production of the base element which is thereby tightly and firmly injected around the opening of the packaging container and is advantageously also produced in one working process together with the opening element as well as, optionally, further parts of the base element.

[0021] The opening device according to the invention further comprises a covering element which may be produced separately. Due to the fact that the base element and the covering element are separate, there is also achieved a separation of functions for the opening device. Thus, different materials may be used both for the base element and the covering element, which are especially adapted to the respective applicational purpose.

[0022] According to a first advantageous variant of the present invention, the covering element is, for instance, integrally formed and is joined to the base element by means of a snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw connection. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the covering element is formed in two parts with a closure part and a base part, wherein the base part can be joined to the base element by means of a snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw connection and the closing or, respectively, opening action is carried out by the closure part which can be realized as a lid, screw or bayonet closure part. According to the respective embodiment, the closure part can also be joined to the base part by means of a snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw connection.

[0023] Thus, the invention discloses in an advantageous manner a covering element or, respectively, a closure part of the covering element which is configured to be exchangeable, i.e. detachable from the base element, in particular, or, respectively from the base part of the base element. Thus, opening devices may be produced which are provided with a uniform base element whereas different covering elements may be realized according to the respective embodiment of the package or, respectively, the applicational field for the user of the package, which elements can be joined to the very same base element by means of a standardized connection. Thus, the container is closed and sealed by the base element and can be opened for the first time with the aid of the opening element of he base element. Reclosing of the package may be effected, according to the respective form of application, by means of a covering element configured to be a screw closure, a lid, a bayonet closure or a snap closure, for instance.

[0024] Since the covering element has two parts, standardized base parts may be produced according to the respectively used base element as joining means which may firmly be joined to the base element while the functional means may be configured in different shapes or colour designs.

[0025] According to another embodiment of the invention, the base part may also be abandoned if the closure part is joined, for instance by means of a screw connection or a hinge, directly to a corresponding seat like, for instance, a thread or a hinge carrier of the base element.

[0026] According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the opening element comprises an opening section which is joined to the opening element, wherein the opening element is removable by means of the opening section for opening the container and wherein the opening element is provided with weakenings or, respectively, predetermined breaking points at the sites of connection to the base element. The opening section may consist of a pull tab with the aid of which the opening element, which is for instance realized as a membrane, may be pulled off or, respectively, torn off.

[0027] In addition thereto, the opening section is advantageously connected with a joining web with an aeration site of the opening element, wherein the joining web opens the aeration site when the opening section is actuated and before the opening element itself is removed. Since the aeration site is opened, air may enter the packaging container before the opening of the packaging is actually opened so that the product level of the package content drops and an unintentional pouring-out or spillage of the package content is prevented when the opening element is opened. The aeration site is, for instance, constituted by a material weakening or a thin membrane of the opening element and is, in the area of the joining web, connected with the joining web so that, when the opening section is actuated, the thin membrane or the material of the opening element, which is weakened at this site, is torn so that air can penetrate into the packaging container.

[0028] When the covering element is placed onto the base element, there are provided various means for sealing the covering element or, respectively, the base part of the covering element, in case the covering element is realized in two parts. For example, these sealing elements can be, in the case of a screw joining, sealing lips provided on the lower end of the cylinder of the covering element, which is provided with an internal thread, which lips hit the basis of the base element, when the covering element is screwed onto the base element, which basis surrounds the edge area of the opening, in order to seal the opening in such a manner. In case the covering element is realized as a lid, this lid may equally be provided with sealing means on corresponding webs or edges protruding in the direction of the base element, which means seal the opening with corresponding surfaces or, respectively, parts of the base element when the lid is clapped on.

[0029] Advantageously, the covering element or, respectively, the base part of the covering element is provided with a pouring element, said element being a further functional means for pouring pourable package contents situated on the edge side of the package, where the opening is advantageously provided. Also, the covering element may be provided with an extension on this side so that the covering element may be gripped and opened.

[0030] The covering element or, respectively, the closure part and the base part is advantageously produced from a harder plastic material like polypropylene, for example, whereas the base element or, respectively, the base element or, respectively, the opening element consists of a softer plastic material like polyethylene, for example, which is optionally injectable.

[0031] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained in detail upon reference to the following drawings; therein:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional sectional view through the opening device according to the invention;

[0033] FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the opening device according to FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional sectional view through the opened opening device;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional sectional view through the opening device after it has been opened for the first time and the opening element has been removed;

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional aspect of the base element disposed on the package; and

[0037] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a preferred covering element.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional sectional view through the opening device for packaging containers according to the invention, comprising a base element 1 which is placed on an opening of container 11. Base element 1 is joined to a two-piece covering element which may be used for closing the opening (preferred function).

[0039] Base element 1 comprises an opening element 1a which may be removed for opening container 11 and is joined to base element 1. Base element 1 encircles edge area 9 of the opening 26 of container 11 by means of an outer edge 14a and an inner edge 14b so that the material edges in edge area 9 of container 11 are completely encircled. It may also be seen from FIG. 2 that outer edge 14a and inner edge 14b are joined by means of an edge 15 of base element 1 which is perpendicular thereto and protrudes from opening 26. Edge 25 rises above outer edge 14a, opening element 1a being joined to base element 1 on the side of edge 25 facing away from opening 26.

[0040] It may also be seen from FIG. 2, which shows a sectional view of an aspect of the opening according to the invention following FIG. 1, that opening element 1a has an opening section 4 in the form of a pull tab loosely hanging over opening element 1a, opening section 4 being joined to opening element 1a. Opening element 1a may be removed by means of opening section 4 for opening container 11, opening element 1a being provided, on edge 21 of base element 1 in particular, with weakenings 14 or, respectively, predetermined breaking points. Opening section 4 is joined to opening element 1a for opening container 11 via a joining section 10 and to an aeration site 20 of opening element 1a via a joining web 21, joining web 21 opening aeration site 20 when opening section 4 is actuated before removal of opening element 1a.

[0041] Aeration site 20 can be realized as a material weakening or a thin membrane of opening element 1a in the area of joining web 21. This area is joined to joining web 21 such that aeration site 20 is opened and air may penetrate into the packaging container when opening section 4 is lifted or, respectively, actuated, whereby the product level drops and an unintentional pouring-out of the package content is prevented when opening element 1a is opened, especially when forces act on the package during opening.

[0042] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, covering element 2 is realized in two parts. Covering element 2 comprises a closure part 3a and a base part 3b. Closure part 3a and base part 3b are joined to a hinge-like section 8 which serves for lifting closure part 3a by means of an extension 16 (see also FIG. 3 and FIG. 6). Base part 3b is joined to base element 1 by means of a snap-connection, base part 3b comprising a hook-shaped detent element 15 in the form of a circumferential shoulder which grips under a web 18 laterally protruding from edge 25 of base element 1 and optionally comprises a shoulder 13 lying on the side of base part 3b facing base element 1, which is supported on outer edge 14a of base element 1.

[0043] Covering element 2 comprises a sealing web 17 which protrudes downwardly from covering element 2 or, respectively, from closure part 3a, in the direction of opening 26, and which comes to rest on edge 25 and/or laterally protruding web 18 of base element 1 in the area of sealing surface 12 when opening 26 is closed. This sealing surface 12, which is represented in FIG. 1, is situated on the upper area of edge 25 or, respectively, laterally protruding web 18, but outside the area of weakening 19 of opening element 1a so that, after removal of opening element 1a, sealing of opening 26 of container 11 is ensured.

[0044] Covering element 2 or, respectively, base part 3b advantageously comprises a sealing edge 23 which is optionally bent, which points upwardly in the direction of detent element 15 opposite opening 26 and which comes to rest on the side of edge 25 opposite opening 15 and/or of laterally protruding web 18 of base element 1 when opening 26 is closed, i.e. when covering element 2 or, respectively, closure part 3a is clapped on. Sealing web 17 and/or sealing edge 23 is advantageously provided with an additional sealing lip for sealing the package.

[0045] While the inside of container 11 may be sterilized without any problems due to the integrated design of base element 1, there remain, even after opening element 1a has been removed, only insignificant product residues in the area of sealing web 17 which closes opening 26 in the area of sealing surface 12. This prevents, for instance, liquids contained in the package from penetrating into or under detent element of covering element 2. Sealing web 17 is advantageously situated on closure part 3a and sealing edge is situated on base part 3b of covering element. Furthermore, sealing means may be provided in the form of a collar area 7 being molded outwardly and optionally being provided with a sealing lip, which is situated between closure part 3a and base part 3b of closure element 2 so that these two parts are tightly locked to each other. This collar area 7 is situated on the upper end, i.e. the one facing away from opening 26, and perpendicularly with respect to sealing edge, in parallel with outer edge 14a of base element 1.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional section through the opening device according to the invention with closure part 3a being opened. On can see collar area 7, which adjoins hinge-like section 8, as well as a pouring element 24 for pouring pourable package contents, which equally adjoins collar area 7 of base part 3b of covering element 2, and an extension 16 on the side of covering element 2 opposite hinge-like section 8, or of closure part 3a, for opening covering element 2.

[0047] Moreover, FIG. 3 represents weakenings 19, whereby opening element 1a can easily be removed and separated by means of opening section 4. Opening element 1a is advantageously pulled off along edge 25 of base element 1 along weakenings 19, successively and in a circular or helix-like movement. Thus, weakenings 19 are not only situated on edge 25 of base element 1a, but also on or, respectively, within opening element 1a so that this may be pulled off with little force in circular or helix-like movements.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional section through the opening device according to the invention with opening element 1a being pulled off, i.e. removed. Closed closure part 3a rests, with sealing web 17, on edge 25 or, respectively, web 18 of the base element 1. Pouring element 24 is encircled or, respectively, covered by extension so that an outwardly pleasing and aesthetical design may be realized for the covering element or, respectively, the opening device according to the invention.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the rectangular base element 1 having an outer edge 14a, an opening section 4 and weakenings 19 which are attached to be helix-shaped or circular. One can also see web 18 of edge 25 of base element 1, which is attached for the attachment of covering element 2 and which is rectangularly circumferential. As can be seen in FIG. 5, container 11 is tightly closed after base element 1 has been applied. Now, different shapes and designs of covering elements 2 may be applied on this base element 1, web 18 for instance serving to provide detent action for corresponding covering elements 2.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of covering element 2 which is realized in two parts, a closure part 3a and a base part 3b. Closure part 3a and base part 3b are joined to each other by means of a hinge-like section 8 while base part 3b comprises detent element 15 for detent action on base element 1, which is formed as an inwardly potruding and circumferential edge.

[0051] Due to the opening device according to the invention, the use of hot-melt adhesives for applying base element 1 can be renounced. The production method may also be configured to very easy since covering element 2 may be “clicked” onto base element 1 by means of a simple applicator. Positioning of covering element 2 is also easy to realize by means of the snap connection.

[0052] The forces required for opening the opening device are very low due to the incorporation of the predetermined breaking points or, respectively, weakenings 19 into opening element 1a so that almost no load is put onto the package and any spillage of the package content is avoided during opening. Also, the device according to the invention comprises a favourable geometrical ratio between the outer geometrical dimensions of base element 1 and covering element 2 and the net surface of the pouring opening since almost the whole area of base element 1 may be realized as a pouring opening. A low overall height of between 3.5 and 7.5 mm, about 5.8 mm in the embodiment shown, may be realized for the opening device so that the production, transport and logistics of corresponding packages may be realized to be easy.

[0053] Due to the functional, technical and marketing-strategical separation between base element 1 and covering element 2, base element 1 may, as an opening solution with a technically determined design, may be realized to be flat and simple, whereby well injectable geometrical shapes may be produced which are suitable for DIM technology.

[0054] On the other hand, covering element 2 may comprise a more complex, aesthetically determined geometrical shape or, respectively, design various screw, snap, click or bayonet closures may be realized which may be designed in different colours. Thus, the very same base element can be employed for the most varying applicational cases according to the covering element used.

Claims

1. An opening device for packaging comprising at least one base element (1) which is firmly joined to the packaging container in the area of an opening (26) of the container (11) and a covering element (2) which can be placed on the base element (1) for covering the opening (26) of the container, characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises joining means for joining the covering element (2) to the base element (1) once the base element (1) has been placed on the container (11) and functional means for performing a predeterminable function.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw joining means for joining to the base element (1).

3. A device according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in the covering element (2) comprises, as functional means, a closure part (3a) for reclosing the opening (26), a protective part for protecting the base element (1) or a safety seal which can be irreversibly changed the first time the packaging container is opened.

4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (1) completely surrounds the edge area (9) of the opening (26) on the outside and/or inside of the container.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (1) consists of an injectable plastic material which may be injected, in an injection process, around the edge area (9) of the opening (26) for sealing the edges of the container material.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (1) comprises an opening element (1a) which may be removed for opening the container (11) and which is joined to the base element (1) before the container (11) is opened.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (1) completely encircles the edge area (9) of the opening (26) with an outer edge (14a) and an inner edge (14b), that the outer edge (14a) and the inner edge (14b) are joined to each other by means of an edge (25) of the base element (1) being perpendicular thereto and protruding from the opening (26), and that the opening element (1) is joined to the base element (1) on the side of the edge (25) facing away from the opening (26).

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening element (1a) comprises an opening section (4) which is joined to the opening element (1a), and that the opening element (1a) is removable by means of the opening section (4) for opening the container (11), wherein the opening element (1a) is provided with weakenings or, respectively, predetermined breaking points on the edge (25) of the base element (1), in particular.

9. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening section (4) is joined, via a joining section (10), with the opening element (1a) for opening the container (11) and, with a joining web (21), with an aeration site (20) of the opening element (1a), wherein the joining web (21) opens the aeration site (20) when the opening section (4) is actuated and before the opening element (1a) is removed.

10. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aeration site (20) is a material weakening or a thin membrane of the opening element (1a) in the area of the joining web (21) and is joined to the joining web (21).

11. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises, as a functional means, a closure part (3a) and, as a joining means, a base part (3b), that the closure part (3a) and the base part (3b) are joined to a hinge-like section (8) and that the base part (3b) may be joined to the base element (1) by means of a snap-connection, wherein the base part (3b) comprises a hook-shaped detent element (15) which grips under a web (18) laterally protruding from the edge (25) of the base element (1) and optionally comprises a shoulder (13) which is supported on the outer edge (14a) of the base element (1).

12. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises a sealing web (17) which comes to rest on edge 25 and/or the laterally protruding web (18) of the base element (1) in the area of a sealing surface (12) when the opening (26) is closed.

13. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises a sealing edge (23) which is optionally bent, which comes to rest on the side of the edge (25) opposite the opening (26) and/or of the laterally protruding web (18) of the base element (1) when the opening (26) is closed.

14. A device according to any of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the sealing web (17) and/or the sealing edge (23) is provided with an additional sealing lip.

15. A device according to any of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the sealing web (17) is placed on the closure part (3a) and the sealing edge (23) is placed on the base part (3b) of the covering element (2).

16. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part (3a) and the base part (2) of the covering element are tightly locked to each other by means of a collar area (7) being molded outwardly and optionally being provided with a sealing lip.

17. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises, as further functional means, a pouring element (24) for pouring out pourable package contents and an extension (16) on the side of the covering element (2) opposite the hinge-like section (8), for opening the covering element (2).

18. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering element (2) or, respectively, the closure part (3a) and the base part (3b) consist of a harder plastic material like polypropylene, for example, and the base element (1) or, respectively, the opening element (1a) consists of a softer plastic material like polyethylene, for example.

19. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering element (2) or, respectively, the closure part (3a) is configured to be exchangeable, i.e. detachable from the base element (1), in particular, or, respectively, from the base part (3b).

20. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure part (3a) is a lid, screw or bayonet closure.

21. A covering element for a device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the covering element (2) can be placed on the base element (1) for covering the opening (26) of the container (11), characterized in that the covering element (2) comprises joining means for joining the covering element (2) to the base element (1) after the base element (1) has been placed on the container (11), and functional means for performing a predeterminable function.