EP1645516A1

EP1645516A1 - Tubular container

Info

Publication number: EP1645516A1
Application number: EP04256279A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Julian Haswell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-11
Filing date: 2004-10-11
Publication date: 2006-04-12

Abstract

A tubular container is formed from a base (8) and a sleeve (2). Detent fingers (30) engage with holes (58) in sleeve (2). The sleeve is held in place in the base in slot (28) between outer (24) and inner flanges (26). Ribs (34) may extend into the slot (28) to provide further location of the sleeve.

Description

The invention relates to a tubular container, and in particular to a tubular container that can be made up from a base and a tube, and optionally a lid. The invention also relates to the base, the tube and the lid that make up the container.
Tubular containers are used in the packaging industry for a variety of products. For example, luxury whisky bottles and other drinks bottles are often packaged in tubular containers. Tubular containers are also used for some snack foods. Such containers may also be used for many other types of product.
However, compared with some other forms of packaging, the use of tubular containers can add significantly to manufacture and storage costs. Firstly, tubular containers of the type used for drinks bottles are relatively complex to manufacture, and are accordingly somewhat expensive. Secondly, tubular containers are very bulky to store and transport, even when empty, and this can also add significantly to manufacturing costs. In view of these high costs, one whisky manufacturer has gone to the trouble and expense of integrating tubular container manufacturing into its whisky bottling plant. Such a solution is not merely expensive but is also only practicable for the largest manufacturers. The fact that any manufacturer is prepared to go to these lengths merely highlights the impracticality of conventional tubular containers.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a tubular container, comprising:

a tubular sleeve formed of flexible material formed into a tube defining a mouth end and a base end at opposed ends of the tube, having a plurality of base holes through the tubular sleeve circumferentially spaced around the base end;
a base having a base piece, an outer flange extending around the circumference of the base piece, an inner flange extending around the circumference of the base piece radially spaced from and inside the outer flange to define a circumferential slot between inner and
a plurality of detent fingers extending into the slot interlocked with the holes in the base end of the tube to hold the tubular sleeve with the base end in the slot.

The inventor has realised that by using interlocking components, in particular an interlocking tubular sleeve and base, many of the difficulties of the prior art can be avoided. A key advantage lies in the use of separate base and tubular sleeve components, wherein the tubular sleeve is of flexible material. The tubular sleeve can therefore be manufactured and transported flat. Only when the container is to be made up need the tubular sleeve be formed into a tube and inserted into the base. The plurality of detent fingers then interlock with the holes in the sleeve to grip the sleeve at a plurality of locations along the base to firmly interlock the base with the sleeve and so fix the base to the sleeve. Preferably, there are at least three, most preferably at lest four, detent fingers to adequately fix the sleeve to the base. Large numbers of fingers are not necessary; more than six many be superfluous.
Preferably, the tubular sleeve is formed from a sleeve sheet extending circumferentially from a first edge around the circumference of the tube to a second edge overlapping the first edge to form a seam extending from the base end to the mouth end of the tube, further comprising a plurality of arms depending from and spaced along the first edge of the seam, and a plurality of seam holes spaced along the second edge of the seam, the arms being interlocked with the holes to fix the first edge to the second edge along the seam.
The sleeve sheet can be manufactured and printed as a simple sheet, stored flat, and only assembled into a tube using the arms and seam holes at the point of use.
Glue or other fixing means may be used to fix the first and second edges together.
However, the use of interlocking arms and holes is preferred since it avoids the need for extra equipment to align the edges.
In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve has a tab hinged to at the mouth end of the tubular sleeve fixed to the sleeve at the outermost of the first and second edges, the tab being folded over the innermost of the first and second edges. This can protect the corner of the outermost of the first and second edges from being caught and folding back when the packaging is being transported.
Preferred arrangements include a hinge piece hinged to the tubular sleeve at each of the base holes. Before assembly, the hinge piece may cover the base holes and therefore reduce the likelihood of something catching in the base hole and tearing the sheet. During assembly, the hinge piece makes it easier to fit the tubular sleeve on the base. When the sleeve approaches the detent fingers, the hinge piece hinges away to allow the detent finger to pass through the hole.
A preferred form for the detent fingers includes an upper surface facing the mouth, the upper surface being angled away from the mouth along the length of the finger away from the flange from which the detent fingers depend to allow the tubular sleeve to be introduced into the base piece. The preferred form also includes a lower surface defining a notch for locating the tubular sleeve after the tubular sleeve has been introduced into the base piece, the notch being adjacent to the flange from which the detent fingers depend.
To allow room for the hinge pieces to hinge away from the detent fingers, the inner flange may be spaced further away from the outer flange in a region around each detent finger than elsewhere.
To further locate the sleeve, a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs may be provided extending outwardly from the inner flange towards the outer flange.
The package may further include a removeable lid having a cylindrical outer component of length at least 15% the diameter of the lid , the lid being sized to engage with the mouth end of the tubular sleeve. Such a lid is substantially longer than many existing lids but this is useful in assisting the stability of the tubular form especially during transport.
In embodiments, the lid comprises a cylindrical inner component, a neck extending between the outer component and the inner component at the base end of the lid and a top piece closing the mouth end of the inner component.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a sleeve for forming a tubular container in cooperation with a base having an outer flange extending around the circumference of the base, an inner flange extending around the circumference of the base radially spaced from and inside the outer flange to define a circumferential slot between inner and outer flanges; and a plurality of detent fingers extending into the slot, wherein
the sleeve is of flexible material;
the sleeve defines opposed mouth and base edges and further defines first and second edges extending between the mouth and base edges; and the sleeve comprises:

a plurality of holes spaced along the base edge for engagement with the detent fingers of the base to hold the sleeve in the base;
a plurality of holes spaced along the second edge;
a plurality of arms spaced along the first edge shaped to interlock with the plurality of holes to form a tube from the sleeve.

Preferably, the sleeve further includes a tab hinged to the mouth edge of the sleeve adjacent to one of the first and second edges.
The sleeve may also further include a hinge piece hinged to the tubular sleeve at each of the base holes, the hinge piece being shaped to fill the hole but hinged to the tubular sleeve along one edge of the hinge piece to allow the hinge piece to hinge away from the hole to permit a detent finger to pass through.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a base for forming a tubular container in cooperation with a sleeve in the form of a tube defining a mouth end and a base end at opposed ends of the tube, having a plurality of base holes through the tubular sleeve circumferentially spaced around the base end;
the base comprising:

a base piece defining a base surface having an outer circumference; an outer flange around the outer circumference of the base extending in a mouth direction substantially perpendicular to the base surface, an inner flange extending in the mouth direction, the inner flange being arranged around the circumference of the base radially spaced from and inside the outer flange to define a circumferential slot between inner and outer flanges; and
a plurality of detent fingers extending into the slot shaped to interlock with the holes in the base end of the tube to hold the tubular sleeve with the base end in the slot.

For a better understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a general perspective view of the invention;
Figure 2 is a section through the base of an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a top view of the base of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a detail section showing a rib in the base of Figure 1 engaging a sleeve;
Figure 5 is a detail section showing a detent finger in the base of Figure 1 engaging a sleeve;
Figure 6 is a plan view of a flat sleeve; and
Figure 7 is a section through a lid.

Referring to Figure 1, a container according to the present invention is formed from a tubular sleeve 2 having a mouth end 4 and a base end 6, the latter being locked into a base 8. A removeable lid 10 seals the mouth end 4 of the sleeve. Product 12, for example a whisky bottle, may be packaged in the container.
The base 8 has a specific form, as shown in Figures 2 to 4.
A substantially circular base piece 20 has outer circumference 22. An outer flange 24 extends around the outer circumference. An inner flange 26 is spaced inwardly from the outer flange 24 and also extends around the circumference of the base piece defining a slot 28 between the inner and outer flanges 26,24.
Four detent fingers 30 are spaced around the circumference. Each detent finger 30 extends from the outer flange 24 towards the inner flange. In the region 32 of the detent finger, the inner flange 26 is offset inwards from the outer flange so that the slot 28 is wider in the vicinity of the detent fingers 30 so that the inner flange 26 does not impede the interlocking action of the fingers 30 and sleeve 2.
Eight ribs 34 are spaced around the inner flange 26, extending across the slot 28 from the inner flange 28 towards the outer flange 24. The ribs 34 are located away from the detent fingers 30, and in particular not in the widened regions 32 of the slots. The ribs are of tapered form, widening towards the base piece 20.
The detent fingers 30 are also shaped. The upper surface 36 of each detent finger is angled downwards towards the base 20, moving outwards along the finger. The lower surface 38 of the detent finger 30 is more or less parallel to the base 20, except for a notch 40 at the proximal end of the finger 30 adjacent to the outer flange 24.
The base 2 may conveniently be made of plastics. Injection moulding provides a convenient method of manufacture.
Referring to Figure 6, the tubular sleeve 2 is shown in its flat, unassembled form as a sheet. The sheet 8 defines opposed parallel mouth 50 and base 52 edges, and first 54 and second 56 edges extending in parallel between the mouth and base edges 50,52. A series of four base holes 58 are arranged at regular intervals along the base edge 52. Note that the base holes are not open holes, but filled with a hinge piece 60 hinged to the rest of the sleeve 8 along hinge 62 which extends along the edge of the hole away from and parallel to the base. Thus, the holes are formed by cutting along the remaining edges and forming a fold line along hinge 62.
Arms 64 are arranged along the first edge, and holes 66 along the second edge. The arms 64 extend outwards of the first edge and have a single hook 70 facing the mouth edge.
A tab 68 is arranged, hinged to the mouth edge adjacent to the first edge.
The sheet may be conveniently preprinted with an advertising message or logo. The flat form of the sheet allows the manufacture, printing and transport of the sheet to be effected at low cost.
The sheet may be conveniently formed of plastics, for example polypropylene. Translucent polypropylene forms a particularly attractive effect, and allows the contents of the container to be viewed, but this is not essential. Alternatively, the sheet may be of cardboard. The key is that the sheet is sufficiently flexible to form a tube.
In use, when it is required to assemble the tubular container, the tubular sleeve is rolled up so that the first edge 54 is adjacent to the second edge 56 and the arms 64 are interlocked with the holes 66 to retain the tubular sleeve in its tubular shape. The base edge 52 of the sleeve then forms the base end 6 of the tube and the mouth edge 50 of the sleeve forms the mouth end 4 of the tube.
The base end 6 is then inserted into the slot 28 of the base 2. As shown in Figure 4, the ribs help guide the sleeve into place. Referring to Figure 5, the base holes 58 pass over the detent fingers 30 which open the base holes 58 by pushing back the hinge piece 60. When the sleeve is fully inserted so that the fingers 30 are fully in the base holes 58 the sleeve can be pulled back slightly to ensure that the sleeve engages with the notches 40 on the underside of the fingers 30.
In this position the tubular sleeve 8 is locked and held in place by the detent fingers 30 and the packaging is now formed and may be filled with the product to be used. The detent fingers around the base provide a stable grip. Although the form of the arms 64 shown in the specific embodiment does not form a locked join to the holes 66, after the tubular sleeve is locked in place the detent fingers 30 gripping the base prevent movement of the arms relative to the holes and so ensure that the arms 64 stay linked to the holes 66.
Four base holes prove to be a good number - it is sufficient to ensure good fixing without requiring too many fingers.
The tab 68 on the mouth end 4 of the sleeve adjacent to the first edge is then folded over the second edge to protect the upper corner of the first edge.
Glue may be applied if required, for example to fix the tab 68 down or to glue the seam formed by first and second edges 54, 56 if required for the particular application.
Referring to Figure 7, lid 10 includes outer cylinder 72 and inner cylinder 74. The outer cylinder 72 is joined to the inner cylinder 74 by a neck 76 at the base end. The mouth of the inner cylinder 74 is closed with a circular disc 78. A flange 80 is provided around the outer edge of the mouth end of the outer cylinder 72.
Lid 10 may also be formed of injection moulded plastics, or other material such as metal, as required.
The outer cylinder 72 is sized so that it just fits inside the mouth end 4 of the tubular sleeve 2 to close the container. The inner cylinder can be used to grip the lid and remove the lid 10 to access contents of the container. The inside of the inner cylinder may also be used to engage the neck of a drinks bottle within the container.
The length of the outer cylinder 72 is preferably at least 15% of the diameter of the cylinder, preferably at least 20% or even 25% or 30%. By providing a lid of this length the stability of the container, especially during transport, can be improved. For example, in the specific embodiment of a container for a drinks bottle the outer cylinder may have an outer diameter of 91mm and a total length of 34 mm, including 2mm for the flange.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and alternatives may be readily conceived by the skilled person. The shape and size of the components may be adapted depending on the size and form of the goods to be packaged, and the variety of types of goods that may be packaged is virtually endless.
Although the specific embodiment uses a circular cylinder and a circular tube, the invention may also be used with other shapes of tube and cylinder, including elliptical or even multisided with a plurality of straight or curved sides.
Instead of a single flat sheet, the sheet may be formed from two sheets joined together along opposed edges to form a flat cylinder that may be opened out when constructing the tubular cylinder.

Claims

A tubular container, comprising:
a tubular sleeve formed of flexible material formed into a tube defining a mouth end and a base end at opposed ends of the tube, having a plurality of base holes through the tubular sleeve circumferentially spaced around the base end of the tube;

a base having a base piece, an outer flange extending around the circumference of the base piece, an inner flange extending around the circumference of the base piece radially spaced from and inside the outer flange to define a circumferential slot between inner and outer flanges; and

a plurality of detent fingers extending into the slot interlocked with the holes in the base end of the tube to hold the tubular sleeve with the base end in the slot.
A tubular container according to claim 1, wherein the tubular sleeve is formed from a sleeve sheet extending circumferentially from a first edge around the circumference of the tube to a second edge overlapping the first edge to form a seam extending from the base end to the mouth end of the tube,
further comprising a plurality of arms depending from and spaced along the first edge of the seam, and a plurality of seam holes spaced along the second edge of the seam, the arms being interlocked with the holes to fix the first edge to the second edge along the seam.
A tubular container according to claim 2, further comprising a tab hinged to the mouth end of the tubular sleeve at the outermost of the first and second edges, the tab being folded over the innermost of the first and second edges.
A tubular container according to any preceding claim further comprising a hinge piece hinged to the tubular sleeve at each of the base holes.
A tubular container according to any preceding claim wherein the detent fingers include an upper surface facing the mouth, the upper surface being angled away from the mouth along the length of the finger away from the flange from which the detent fingers depend to allow the tubular sleeve to be introduced into the base piece, and
a lower surface defining a notch for locating the tubular sleeve after the tubular sleeve has been introduced into the base piece, the notch being adjacent to the flange from which the detent fingers depend.
A tubular container according to any preceding claim wherein the inner flange is spaced further away from the outer flange in a region around each detent finger than elsewhere.
A tubular container according to any preceding claim further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending outwardly from the inner flange towards the outer flange.
A tubular container according to any preceding claim further comprising a removeable lid sized to engage with the mouth end of the tubular sleeve, the lid having a cylindrical outer component of length at least 15% the diameter of the lid.
A tubular container according to claim 8 wherein the lid comprises a cylindrical inner component, a neck extending between the outer component and the inner component at the base end of the lid and a top piece closing the mouth end of the inner component.
A sleeve for forming a tubular container in cooperation with a base having an outer flange extending around the circumference of the base, an inner flange extending around the circumference of the base radially spaced from and inside the outer flange to define a circumferential slot between inner and outer flanges; and a plurality of detent fingers extending into the slot, wherein
the sleeve is of flexible material so that it may be formed into a tube;
the sleeve defines opposed mouth and base edges and further defines first and second edges extending between the mouth and base edges;
and the sleeve comprises:
a plurality of holes spaced along the base edge for engagement with the detent fingers of the base to hold the sleeve in the base;

a plurality of holes spaced along the second edge;

a plurality of arms spaced along the first edge shaped to interlock with the plurality of holes to form the tube from the sleeve.
A sleeve according to claim 10 further comprising a tab hinged to the mouth edge of the sleeve adjacent to one of the first and second edges.
A sleeve according to claim 10 or 11 further comprising a hinge piece hinged to the tubular sleeve at each of the base holes, the hinge piece being shaped to fill the hole but hinged to the tubular sleeve along one edge of the hinge piece to allow the hinge piece to hinge away from the hole to permit a detent finger to pass through.
A base for forming a tubular container in cooperation with a sleeve in the form of a tube defining a mouth end and a base end at opposed ends of the tube, having a plurality of base holes circumferentially spaced around the base end of the tubular sleeve;
the base comprising:
a base piece defining a base surface having an outer circumference;

an outer flange around the outer circumference of the base extending in a mouth direction substantially perpendicular to the base surface, an inner flange extending in the mouth direction, the inner flange being arranged around the circumference of the base radially spaced from and inside the outer flange to define a circumferential slot between inner and outer flanges; and

a plurality of detent fingers extending into the slot shaped to interlock with the holes in the base end of the tube to hold the tubular sleeve with the base end in the slot.
A base according to claim 13 wherein the detent fingers include an upper surface facing the mouth, the upper surface being angled away from the mouth along the length of the finger away from the flange from which the detent fingers depend, and a lower surface defining a notch adjacent to the flange from which the detent fingers depend.
A base according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the inner flange is spaced further away from the outer flange in a region around each detent finger than elsewhere.
A base according to claim 13, 14 or 15 further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending outwardly from the inner flange towards the outer flange.
A kit, comprising a sleeve according to any of claims 10 to 12 and a base according to any of claims 13 to 16.
A tubular container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.