AU616482B2 - Closure device, particularly for packages of food products - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 6 68 COMLETE SPECIFICTION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: '"Priority Related Art: APPLICANT'S REFERENCE: E02094l BIEI-LB/ce Name(s) of Applicant(s): Ferrero S.p.A 9 ,Address(es) of Applicant(s): Piazzale Pietro Ferrero 1, Alba, Cuneo,

ITALY.

Address for Service is: PHILLIPS ORDaME FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Complete Specification for the invention entitled: CLOSURE DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR PACKAGES OF FOOD PRODUCTS Our Ref 125270 POE Code: 1249/4537 The following stateifent is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): 6003q/ 1-1 1 "Closure device, particularly for packages for food products" The present invention relates to closure devices (so-called lids or caps) for packages such as, for example, pots, glass jars, etc.

The present invention is set the task of providing a lid for a package which affords the possibility of housing an actual container in a recess in the lid without the need to modify the typical structure of the lid.

According to the present invention there is provided a closure device for packages, such as pots, jars and the like, wherein said closure device comprises: a substantially cylindrical body having a transversely-extending separating partition which defines a lower region in the body for coupling with the package 5444 f and an upwardly-open recess, and

S

4S a container, which is substantially completely and oremovably housed in the upwardly-open recess of the body, and is constituted by a bottom shell and a top shell which are coupled together, at least one of the shells hlaving coupling means for coupling the container in the recess.

po The present invention also provides a closure device including: a main body which can be coupled to a package and is .:oo provided with a generally-dished cavity intended to face outwardly of the package, a container insertible in the cavity in the main body and including a first dish member and a second generally flat member which can be fitted so as to close the first member, wherein the cavity in the main body has a peripheral wall with at least one grip formation facing into the cavity, and the first member of the container has a respective peripheral wall with a mouth edge, an inner face having a shoulder formation which forms an abutment surface for the second member, and an outer face having at least one respective grip formation for cooperating with the grip 39 formation on the peripheral wall of the cavity in the main la- I~ body so as to keep the container substantially completely and removably housed within the cavity.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description which follows, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a package provided with a closure device according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device according to the invention; t 20 2 3 Figure 3 is a section taken on the line III-III of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of one of the elements constituting the device of the invention, seen in cross-section and in the open position; Figure 5 shows the element of Figure 4 in the closed position; Figures 6 and 7 show the element of Figures 4 and 5 in °o perspective, in the open position and in the closed ooa position respectively; o0 o 0o Figure 8 shows a first possible variant of the element of Figures 4 to 7, 00 00 0 0 Figure 9 shows the element of Figure 8 in diametral section and in a closed condition, 00o 0.

0 eFigure 10 is a section substantially corresponding to 1~ o o the left-hand part of Figure 3, illustrated on an enlarged scale in order to reveal several characteristics of a further possible variant of the 4: invention, °m °Figure II is a section approximately corresponding to the sections of Figures 5 and 9 and relating to the j variant of Figure Figure 12 is a view of the element of Figure 11 developed in a plane, and Figures 13 and 14 are two views illustrating several constructional details of the element shown in Figures 4 11 and 12, on an enlarged scale.

With reference to Figures 1 to 9, a closure device (lid or cap), generally indicated 1, is intended for application to packages such as pots, jars, etc., for example, of the type used by the Applicant for the chocolate cream sold under the trade name "Nutella" The device or lid 1 comprises essentially a cylindrical body 2 which, in a central portion, has an annular flange 3 acting as an abutment element for a separating partition 4. In practice, the latter defines a lower do zone within the body 2 for coupling to a package such o as a pot, indicated 5. Threading 6 is also provided in a @0 this lower zone.

.0 0 O 0 The upper portion of the cylindrical body defines an upwardly-open recess 10 which has an annular groove 11 in its base zone.

f0 o ,o@ o 4 A container constituted by a bottom shell and a top o a shell which are releasably coupled together is 0removably housed in this recess.

a o aO In more detail, with reference to Figures 4 J 7, the *o container, generally indicated 20, has a bottom shell 21 connected by a weakened edge portion 22 to a top shell 23.

In the zone provided with the weakened portion 22,the bottom shell has a portion, indicated 24, formed along the chord of a circle. The bottom of the bottom shell has a completing flange 25 which effectively restores the circular shape of the bottom itself.

I

I The top shell has a lateral skirt 26 which will fit into the bottom shell 21 and has a projecting flange 27 which constitutes the element for snap-coupling the container within the recess 10 (groove 11). The container 20 is actually inserted upside-down within the recess (see Figure 3) so that the bottom of the bottorn shell 21 is in the upper part of the recess.

Thus, no purchase is provided which would enable extraction from the lid 1.

o The container illustrated in Figure 7 has a simpler r ,",shape in that the completing flange 25 (illustrated in ,,,Figure 6) is not provided and the container has a ,circular shape which is cut away along a chord.

Z Ft (tit Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a container 30 in which the Ft bottom shell 31 and the top shell 34 are separate from each other and are connected together like a box.

As shown in these drawings, the bottom member, indicated 31, has an annular tooth 32 on its free edge Sfor insertion in the groove 11. To advantage, the 3o bottom shell is provided with cut-outs 35 in diametral positions,in which corresponding appendages 36 defined by the top shell are accessible to facilitate the separation of the bottom shell and the top shell.

Figure 8 illustrates diagrammatically a possible form of internal arrangement for the container, in which small stamps, indicated 50, with a respective pad member 51 or gripper member 53 are provided.

In practice, the separating partition 4 has a tear-off portion 60 so as to allow the user to push the container out by means of a force exerted from the bottom of the recess towards the exterior.

Thus, after he has opened the pot, the user can easily remove the container and use it as an element in its own right, with its contents which can be modified in any way.

From the above, it is seen how the invention achieves the proposed objects; in particular, one may stress the fact that a container is made available which can be equipped in any way and which is removably snap- L housed in a lid of known type so that the container can then be used independently and thus constitutes a particularly useful or pleasing element for the purchaser.

4 Naturally, the closure device according to the A invention can be modified in numerous ways all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept.

As already stressed, in realising a device according to the invention, it is necessary to take account of two basic requirements, that is to say: the closure device with its associated container for promotional products must, from the point of view of its application to the package, be substantially similar to conventional devices: its arrangement for receipt of promotional products must not actually be prejudicial as regards manufacturing costs and complications; the container acting as a promotional vehicle must be mounted in the closure device so as not to be readily removable from the exterior: in other words, 3 one does not wish the container for the promotional products to be removed or even just tampered with while 7 the package is displayed for sale; at the same time, this result must be achieved without making the removal and opening of the container too difficult for whoever buys the package and wishes to get the promotional products out.

Figures 10 to 14 illustrate specific constructional details of a device according to the invention and able to fulfil the requirements set out above in an optimum manner.

*0 As best seen in the sectional view of Figure 1.0, the main body 2 is constituted essentially by a peripheral 0904 ~wall or skirt in which there can be seen: a lower part (in use) 104 with internal threading e 105 which allows it to be screwed onto the neck of the o pot or jar an upper portion 106 which defines the cavity 107 o intended to receive the container 120.

o U P The lower portion 104 and the upper portion 106 of the a 0 peripheral wall or skirt of the body 2 are separated by oo an annular flange 108 which projects inwardly of the body 2 perpendicular to the skirt 104, 106 and acts zoo. primarily as an abutment surface for a disc 109 (separating partition 4) of card (illustrated by a broken line in Figure 10) the lower face of which has a coating of aluminium intended (according to a well known solution) to act as a sealing layer against the mouth of the pot or jar to which the device 1 is applied.

The upper part 106 of the body 2 has an annular groove S 110 (usually defined by a rib ll0a projecting from the surface of the part 106) around its inner surface, 8 adjacent the annular flange 108, and intended to act as a seat for snap-engagement by a rib 111 provided on the exterior of the container 120.

The container 120 has a diameter approximately corresponding (that is, slightly less) than the diameter of the cavity 107 and is constituted essentially by two members 112 and 113 (preferably formed integrally).

The first member 112 is essentially a cup- or dishshaped body with a generally flattened development.

oo0 "o*o The mouth part of the body 112 is shaped so as to have a rib 111 on the outer face of the casing 120 for o oeoo engaging the groove 110, and at least one similar o annular shoulder 114 on its inner face for forming a seat for abutment by the peripheral edge of the other member or top 113.

o a .The position of the shoulder 114 (that is, its distance from the mouth edge 112) is selected so as to be practically identical to the thickness of the member eQ 3 113.

~This means that, when the member 113 is closed with the S member 112 (according to criteria which will be Oltdescribed more fully below), the member 113 itself acts as a top and is, so to speak, closed flush with the mouth edge of the member 112. In other words, the member 113 does not project relative to the overall volumetric shape of the member 112 in these conditions.

Preferably, in order to simplify the closure of the container 120, whilst if necessary providing a certain degree of sealing against the atmosphere, the 9* I 4r 9?99 9 49 9 9999 99I 99 99 9 9 9999 9 9 J 99 99 99

K

member 113 has an annular projection 115 within it which, when the member 113 is closed with the member 112, extends into the container 120 towards the bottom of the member 112. In general, the projection 115 does not touch the bottom but is held at a small distance therefrom so as to prevent any squashing of the container 120 from leading to bending of the member 113 into the container 120 with the consequent difficulties of opening it.

As stated above, the two members 112 and 113 of the container 120 are preferably formed integrally, usually from moulded plastics material, with an intermediate flexible portion 116 which acts as a hinge member.

The main body 2 of the device 1 is also usually formed from moulded plastics material whereby the rib 111 snap-engages in the groove 110.

Preferably, for reasons which will be explained below, the height of the peripheral wall of the member 112 (a height corresponding to the overall height of the container 120 when the member 113 is closed flush with the member 112) is selected so as to be slightly less than the height of the upper part 116 of the skirt of the body 2. This latter dimension defines the depth of the cavity 107 in which the container 120 is inserted.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate several constructional details of the two members 112 and 113 which constitute the container 120.

As stated, the member 113 (which acts as a top), when in the closed position, is housed completely within the 99 9 9 99 o 60 6 6a ooooa 0oo o o 6 o 6o0o o 0 a 0 00o6 6 00 00 06 6 00? 0 0a 0 *0 0r member 112 (which acts as a bottom).

In order to allow the user to grip the member 113 and open it, the member 113 has an appendage or tongue 117 arranged to extend through a notch 118 cut in the free edge of the member 112 in a position diametrally opposite the hinge 116.

As illustrated in Figure 13, the notch 118 is formed so as to have a depth greater than the thickness of the member 113.

This means that the notch 118 also extends through the shoulder 114 forming the abutment surface for the member 113, whereby a space or slot 119 remains available beneath the tongue 117 to facilitate the gripping of the tongue 117 and, consequently, the opening of the container 120 by the user.

As seen in Figure 14, the hinge 116 also extends into a notch 200 provided in the free edge of the member 112.

The hinge 116 is t1hus defined by one or more thin portions or tongues of the material constituting the container 120 as a whole, each of which is substantially coplanar and co-extensive with the member 113 itself at its end facing the member 113 and is connected at its opposite end to the member 112 close to the bottom of the notch or groove 200.

More precisely, this latter end of the hinge 116 is connected to a raised portion of the lateral wall of the member 112 which is separated from the two sides of the notch 200, indicated 121, by two cut-outs or grooves 122.

too& o 0 a c 00* 00 40 Do 09 40 V Doo 0 0 a0 00 0v 9 06 4 .4 0 0 9 60 *0 O 0LLZ' 11 This solution has been shown to be particularly advantageous in terms of the construction of the casing as a whole.

The seque, e of assembly of the closure device requires essentially, as a starting operation, the insertion of a promotional product within the member 112 of the container 120 and the subsequent closure of the container 120 by the overturning of the member 113 onto the mouth of the member 112.

At this point, the container 120 is inserted in the cavity 107 within the main body 2. During this operation, the container 120 is, so to speak, overturned, the member 113 which acts as a top being turned downwardly (that is, towards the flange 108) and being inserted into the cavity 107 until the rib 111 is snap-engaged with the groove 110 provided in the inner wall of the upper portion 100 of the skirt of the body 2.

Before or after the container 120 has been assembled, the disc 109 of sheet material carrying the aluminium sealing layer also inserted in the device 1.

At this point, the device according to the invention constitutes an element in its own right and can be conveyed to the station for application to a container according to criteria entirely analogous to those used for closure devices or caps of the prior art.

The position of assembly of the container 120 within the cavity 107 and the approximate correspondence between the diameters of the cavity 107 and the container 120 mean that the container 120 itself cannot 00 04 *06 00 6j 6.

0 00 12 easily be removed or separated from the main body 2.

The container 120 in fact leaves only a narrow annular space 122 free relative to the top of the skirt of the body 2 and this does not allow gripping from the exterior, particularly after the device 1 as a whole has been applied to a jar or pot forming a package intended to be displayed for sale.

In fact, it is practically impossible to remove the container 120 from the package 5 unless the device 1 is t unscrewed beforehand so as to separate it from the package itself, the disc 109 is then removed, and finally the container 120 is pressed in the direction such as to expel it from the body 2 through the central aperture defined by the annular flange 108.

The sequence of operations described may easily be achieved by the consumer who has purchased a package provided with the closure device of the invention and has subsequently opened it, but it is impossible to achieve when the package is displayed for sale on a counter.

Moreover, as is clearly seen in the upper part of Figure 10, the fact that the container 120 has an overall height slightly less than the depth of the cavity 107 means that the upper face of the device 1 according to the invention is not completely flat but is slightly depressed. The upper edge of the skirt 2 actually projects slightly beyond the upper surface of the device 1 (which is none other than the bottom wall of the bottom 112 of the container 120) and may thus -s contain the bottom of a similar, superposed package.

~9F~

Claims (14)

1. A closure device for packages, such as pots, jars and the like, wherein said closure device comprises: a substantially cylindrical body having a transversely-extending separating partition which defines a lower region in the body for coupling with the package and an upwardly-open recess, and a container, which is substantially completely and removably housed in the upwardly-open recess of the body, and is constituted by a bottom shell and a top shell which are coupled together, at least one of the shells having coupling means for coupling the container in the recess.

2. A closure device according to the preceding claim, wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are connected together by a weakened portion which can act as a connecting hinge.

3. A closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top shell has a lateral 4ar 0t skirt which can be inserted within the bottom shell, the top shell defining the coupling means which are constituted by a projecting tooth insertible in an annular r groove defined in the bottom of the recess.

4. A closure device according to any one of the 00 Spreceding claims, wherein the bottom shell has a 9,. S 25 completing flange in correspondence with the zone defining *the weakened portion which acts as a hinge. 4 5. A closure device according to any one of the o"i preceding claims, wherein the container is inserted in the cylindrical body with the bottom shell facing outwardly so S 30 as not to provide purchase for the removal of the container from the recess.

6. A closure device according to Claim i, wherein the bottom shell is coupled to the top shell whose free edge defines a tooth for coupling with the recess, the top shell defining outwardly-projecting appendages in correspondence with diametral cut-outs in the top shell, the bottom shell being inserted in the cylindrical body with its bottom facing outwardly. 39 7. A closure device including: X' ii 39 13 a main body which can be coupled to a package and is provided with a generally-dished cavity intended to face outwardly of the package, a container insertible in the cavity in the l'ain body and including a first dish member and a second generally flat memberc which can be fitted so as to close the first member, wherein the cavity in the main body has a peripheral wall with at least one grip formation facing into the cavity, and the first member of the container has a respective peripheral wall with a mouth edge, an inner face having a shoulder formation which forms an abutment surface for the second member, and an outer face having at least one 15 respective grip formation for cooperating with the grip formation on the peripheral wall of the cavity in the main o o body so as to keep the container substantially completely S: and removably housed within the cavity. o° 8. A closure device according to Claim 7, wherein the at least one grip formation and the at least one respective grip formation are constituted by a groove and a rib, respectively. o4 9. A closure device according to Claim 7 or Claim 44 wherein the peripheral wall of the cavity of the main body has a given height, and in that the container has a height less than the given height.

10. A closure device according to any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the peripheral wall of the cavity of the main body and the respective peripheral wall of the first member of the container have approximately corresponding diameters whereby the peripheral walls together define an annular space when the container is inserted in the cavity.

11. A closure device according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, wherein the main body and the container are made of deformable materials whereby the at least one grip formation and the at least one respective grip formation cooperate with each other in a general snap-arrangement. 39 12. A closure device according to any one of 14 Claims 7 to 11, wherein the main body has an annular skirt with two portions respectively lower and upper in use, the lower portion having internal threading for coupling with the package and the upper portion defining the cavity for the insertion of the container.

13. A closure device according to Claim 12, wherein the lower portion and upper portion of the main body are separated from each other by an annular flange which faces inwardly of the main body, and in that the at least one grip formation is provided immediately adjacent the annular flange.

14. A closure device according to Claim 13, wherein it includes a disc member for sealing the package, which can be applied so that it bears peripherally against -"4'15 the annular flange and can be removed to allow the container to be expelled from the main body. A closure device according to any one of Claims 7 to 14, wherein the shoulder formation is located at such a distance from the mouth edge of the respective 99 U peripheral wall of the first member of the container that the second member can close flush with the mouth edge of the first member.

16. A closure device according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the second member has an annular formation on its face intended to face inwardly of the container, the annular formation being able to extend beyond the shoulder formation when the second member bears against the shoulder formation itself.

17. A closure device according to any one of claims 7 to 16 wherein the first member and the second member are moulded integrally with a laminar connecting portion of flexible material which acts as a hinge.

18. A closure device according to Claim 17, wherein the first member has a notch in a position diametrically opposite the connecting portion, and the second member has an appendage which is in a position diametrically opposite the connecting portion and can extend through the notch when the second member is closed 39 on the first member. 15

19. A closure device according to claim 18, wherein the notch has a greater depth than the thickness of the second member whereby, when the sa3cond member is closed on the first memiber, a slot is present between the appendage and the bottom of the notch so as to enable the appendage to be grasped from the exterior for the opening of the container. A closure device according to Claim 17, wherein the connecting portion has one end facing the second member and substantially coplanar with the second member and an opposite end facing the respective peripheral wall of the first member, the respective peripheral wall having a respective notch in correspondence Tiith the connecting portion, the notch having a bottom wall from which tl-- opposite ends of the connecting portion extend. A closure device according to Claim wherein the opposite end of the connecting portion is isolated within the region of the bottom wall of the respective notch by two grooves whereby the said opposite end extends from a projection in the middle of the bottom wall of the respective notch.

22. A closure device according to claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to any 4 25 o~ne of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED: 29 July 1991 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: FERRERO S.p.A. 0621b 16