Method for sealing a pouring opening of a container and a container having a sealed pouring opening

Abstract

A method for sealing a pouring opening of a container and a container with corresponding structure are described. A sealing element formed of a flat laminated material that covers the pouring opening is connected peripherally of said pouring opening, preferably by welding, to a rim portion of the container. Furthermore, the sealing element is connected e.g. by adhesion, to a lid covering the pouring opening of a closure capmounted on the container. The adherence force of the connection between the closure cap and the sealing element is greater than that between the sealing element and the rim portion of the container. In order to break the sealing element away from the rim portion of the container, the lid must be pivoted away. The arrangement consisting of a container and a closure cap is particularly suitable for storing powdery chemical substances, such as are used e.g. in photographic developing equipment. Opening the lid for the purposes of gaining access to the contents of the container may be effected mechanically.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for sealing a pouring opening of a container having a rim portion surrounding the pouring opening, including the steps of providing a closure cap mountable on the container for covering the pouring opening thereof, connecting a sealing element formed of a flat laminated material to a wall portion of the closure cap covering the pouring opening, mounting the closure cap comprising the sealing element on the container so that the sealing element engages with the rim portion of the container, and subsequently producing a connection between the sealing element and the rim portion whilst maintaining said engagement of the sealing element with the rim portion, whereby the adherence force of the connection between the closure cap part and the sealing element is selected to be greater than that between the sealing element and the rim portion.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a weakened line is formed in the sealing element, said weakened line at least partially surrounds a sub-portion of the sealing element within a portion of the pouring opening covered thereby, and wherein the breaking force required to rupture the weakened line is selected to be smaller than the adherence force between the sealing element and the rim portion.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure cap and the container are formed of synthetic materials which can be welded together, and wherein the sealing element is connected to the rim portion of the container by welding.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure cap and the sealing element are connected to each other by means of an adhesive applied therebetween.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure cap is mounted on the container by means of a bounce-on operation producing a specific retention force between the sealing element and the rim portion.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a wall portion of the closure cap comprising the sealing element is provided on a lid so that, when opening the lid, the sealing element will be separated from the rim portion of the container.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the flat laminated material is formed of a plurality of interconnected layers, whereby a barrier layer consisting of a metallic material is provided between layers of a synthetic material that are respectively connectible to the closure cap part and the rim portion of the container.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein a further layer of foam-like material is arranged between the barrier layer and one of the layers of synthetic material.  
     
     
         9 . A container having a pouring opening and a rim portion surrounding the pouring opening, including a sealing element covering the pouring opening and formed of a flat laminated material, said sealing element is connected to the rim portion of the container peripherally of the pouring opening, and said sealing element is further connected to a wall portion of a closure cap mounted on the container, said wall portion covering the pouring opening, whereby the adherence force of the connection between the closure cap and the sealing element is greater than that between the sealing element and the rim portion of the container.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 9 , wherein the sealing element has a sub-portion within the portion covering the pouring opening, said sub-portion is at least partially surrounded by a weakened line, and wherein the rupture force required to rupture the weakened line is smaller than the adherence force between the sealing element and the rim portion.  
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 9 , wherein the sealing element is affixed to the closure cap by an adhesive and is welded to the rim portion of the container.  
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 9 , wherein the sealing element is provided on a lid formed on the closure cap.  
     
     
         13 . A container according to any of the claims  9 , wherein the closure cap is mounted on the container by a bounce-on operation.  
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 12 , wherein the lid is held in its closed position by a snap-action seating and is moveable into its open position against the retention force of the snap-action seating.  
     
     
         15 . A container according to any of the claims  9 , wherein means are provided at least on one of the closure cap and the container for engaging with complementary means on a device with which the container is used, for positioning the container and the closure cap relative to the device.