Technical Field The present invention relates to a locking means for containers and lids, where the lid is cast in e.g. paper pulp and where the locking means is an integrated part of the edge of the lid.

Background

It is known to make locking means between a lid and a container by having holes in the bottom part, which the container represents in this case, and where in the top part, which the lid represents, provides tabs, which can enter into the holes of the bottom part, e.g. as known from egg boxes.

The system is fairly stable, when taking into consideration that in this case, the box itself is only relatively small, but if the system is applied to larger boxes, then the system is inapplicable as the lid can easily be detached. A second disadvantage is that each "locking-tab" must be unlocked before the lid and bottom part can be removed from each other in general or more specifically, before the lid can be opened.

Disclosure of the Invention

One aspect of the invention is to provide a locking means between a lid and a container as mentioned, which is stable, but where it is also possible at the same time to open the entire lid from the bottom container without having to unlock a significant number of locking-tabs.

The invention is novel in that an edge of the lid has wedge-shaped and downward- pointed locking hasps and in that the edge of the lid with the locking hasps are turned upwards and inside the lid, providing a reinforced double edge or bulb and such that the locking hasp, which is now in its wedge shape, turns inwards and thereby has an upward-pointed wedge shape. Hereby, it is achieved that the locking means becomes a compact and reinforced part of the lid itself, which furthermore in terms of manufacture is established rationally in the same cast as the lid itself. Further, the invention is novel in that the upper edge of the container or board is turned at an angle outwardly with a bevel in the lid, said bevel corresponding to the bevel on the now integrated locking hasp and in that the edge of the container is further reinforced in its strength by a folding along the upper edge. Hereby, it is now achieved that it is possible for the inwardly turned locking hasp of the lid to grab hold of an edge, which has the same bevel as the locking hasp itself, and hereby fixes lid and container together, but only by such strength that they can be separated easily and fairly effortlessly because of the material of the lid and container. Further, the invention is novel in that the edge of the lid has an extra horizontal fold, which both reinforces, but, especially in this case, also functions as a levelling stop for the lid against the edge of the upper board of the container.

Hereby, it is achieved that even with an extra load on the horizontal surface of the outer lid, the lid cannot be pushed into the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a sectional and perspective view of a locking means, which is not yet engaged and where the top lid with the integrated locking means can be seen as this has not yet been engaged. On the edge of the lid, a locking hasp can be seen, which is downward-pointed and should be turned up under the inside edge on the edge of the lid in order for this to be functional and able to fix the lid to the edge of the bottom container.

Here, the lid is seen with the edge equipped with a horizontal levelling stop, which makes it impossible to push the lid down into the bottom container. Fig. 2 shows a sectional and perspective view of a locking means, where the integrated locking means of the lid itself is folded, such that the locking hasp is inward- pointing. The underlying edge is here seen reinforced, such that it neither folds nor "dives" when the locking means of the lid itself is pressed down towards the underlying edge of the container.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional and a perspective view of the locking means shown in Fig. 2, but where this has been engaged to fix the lid to the container.

Detailed description of the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a locking means 1 according to the invention in a sectional and perspec- tive view, where the locking means is in an open state, i.e. where it is not engaged. The locking means 1 has an upper part, which can be part of a lid 2, and which can have a projection 3 protruding from the edge of the lid 2. The projection 3 then continues in a descending stiff edge 4, where a locking hasp 5 is turnably connected to the descending edge. The locking hasp 5 is wedge-shaped such that in the bottom part, it has a thin edge and in the top part a thicker edge when it is in the position shown in Fig. 1. The locking hasp is turnably connected to the edge 4, such that the locking hasp 5 can be bent in the direction shown with the arrow A, where it can abut the stiff edge 4, as shown in Fig. 2, where the locking hasp is in an engaged position, i.e. it can be fixed to an opposing surface.

The container 6 has a reinforced edge 8, which is shaped as a slanting edge 7, and which is shaped to interact with the wedge-shaped locking hasp 5 when it is in its engaged position. Fig. 2 shows the same as Fig. 1 , but where the locking hasp 5 is turned in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1 , where the locking hasp is in an engaged position, where it can be fixed with an opposite surface, which in this case is the slanting edge 7, which is part of the reinforced edge 8 of the container 6. Fig. 3 shows the same as Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, but where the lid 2 has been moved in the direction shown with arrow B in relation to the container 6 and the wedge-shaped lock- ing hasp 5 has engaged with the slanting edge 7. The wedge-shaped design of the locking hasp 5, the stiffness of the projection 3 and downward edge 4 of the lid 2 and the stiffness in the reinforced edge of the container 6 ensure that in its engaged position, the locking hasp 5 holds the lid in place because of friction between the outer sur- face of the locking hasp 5 and outer surface of the slanting edge 7. Further, the stiffness in the lid 2 and the container 6 and the slanting connection between the locking hasp 5 and the slanting edge 7 result in that, when the lid 2 is fixed against the container 6, as shown in Fig. 3, the properties and design of the material hold the lid in a constant tension in the direction shown with arrow C.

When the locking means is engaged to be fixed, it can be seen that the collective assembly in itself stabilises the "unit", i.e. the container and lid.