EP1746031B1

EP1746031B1 - Multiple package

Info

Publication number: EP1746031B1
Application number: EP05109771A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pietro Giornelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-18
Filing date: 2005-10-20
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-20
Also published as: DK1746031T3; DE602005016542D1; ES2333729T3; ITBO20050478A1; ATE442304T1; PT1746031E; EP1746031A1; SI1746031T1; PL1746031T3

Abstract

A multiple package (1), comprising a plurality of containers (2), each associated with at least one other container and substantially shaped complementarily with respect to each other, so as to constitute, in a closed configuration in which they are substantially mutually adjacent in a predefined ordered manner, a solid which has a minimal space occupation.

Description

The present invention relates to a multiple package comprising a plurality of containers.
Packages used to contain products of various kinds are known; at home and in the workplace, the need is felt to utilize in an optimum manner the spaces available, and therefore it is important also for said packages to have limited dimensions, so that they can be stored conveniently in limited spaces, small cabinets and shelves, or in refrigerators (if they contain food products or products which can deteriorate at ambient temperature), even small ones.
Some packages, such as for example detergent boxes, occupy considerable space even as the product inside them is gradually used up, and cannot be removed until they are completely empty.
Multiple packages are also known, but they are rather bulky and are poorly suited to utilize in the best way the spaces available.
Multiple packages of the type having a combination of features as set forth in the pre-characterizing portion of the appended are disclosed for example in FR-A-1 503 901 , US-A-4 799 590 , and EP-A-1 048 576 .
The aim of the present invention is to meet the mentioned requirements, by providing a multiple package which has reduced dimensions but at the same time is easy and quick to access.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a multiple package which, by way of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple package which is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, effective in operation, and further competitive from an economic standpoint.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a multiple package as defined in the appended claims.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive example of a multiple package according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multiple package in the open configuration, according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a multiple package in a partially open configuration;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a multiple package in the closed configuration;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a container of a second example of embodiment of the invention of the package.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a multiple package according to the invention.
The multiple package 1 comprises a plurality of containers 2, each associated with at least one other container and substantially complementarily shaped with respect to each other, so as to constitute, in a closed configuration in which they are substantially adjacent in a predefined ordered manner, a solid with minimal space occupation.
Said solid can be of any type, for example polyhedral, regular, irregular, or even a sphere, an ellipsoid, and others.
In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, which is absolutely non-limiting, the multiple package 1, in the cited closed configuration, is shaped like a cube.
Each one of the six exemplary containers 2 that compose the package 1 comprises an outer face, which forms a side 3 of the cube, and at least one edge of the side 3 is shared with another container 2.
Each container 2 is shaped like a pyramid having a square base, but in other examples of embodiment, which are fully equivalent, the containers 2 can have a different shape (for example, they can be shaped like a truncated pyramid, as illustrated in Figure 4, conical, frustum-shaped, and have other shapes).
Conveniently, each container 2 comprises a removable portion, which allows access to its interior, and for example the sides 3 comprise at least one removable portion or can also be completely removable in order to access the inside of the respective container 2.
In the example of embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the removable portion can be constituted by the smaller end face of the truncated-pyramid container 2.
Conveniently, the edges that mate in said closed configuration, i.e., the non-shared edges of the faces 3, which are mutually adjacent in this configuration, can be mutually associated by way of provided connecting means, which comprise for example removable adhesive bonds provided along said edges, or even adhesive labels distributed along said edges.
Advantageously, the containers 2 can be removed sequentially (and are for example of the disposable type), and for this purpose there are means for separating them.
Positively, the separation means comprise cutting lines 4 provided along the shared edges of the removable containers 2.
The materials used to manufacture the package 1 may be any according to the requirements, and for example the containers 2 can be made of thermoformed rigid material and the sides 3 can be constituted by a removable film made of aluminum, or even by a film made of transparent material, so as to allow inspection of the contents C of the containers 2.
If the package 1 is intended to contain food products and the like, it is conveniently made of a material which is specific for food use.
The containers 2 may also contain beverages, for example, and in this container at least one portion thereof is suitable to be pierced with a straw (for example, the sides 3 can be constituted by a pierceable film).
The containers 2 can also be made of glass and closed appropriately.
The package 1, in the cited closed configuration, advantageously occupies a reduced amount of space and can be stored conveniently in shelves, refrigerators, pieces of furniture, and the like: the user removes sequentially a single container 2 (or even more than one at a time, according to the requirements), which contains for example the correct dose of detergent, or a food product, and others. Conveniently, at least one first container 2 can comprise a tab or even a recess (both not shown in the figures) in order to allow easier lifting from the package 1 in the closed configuration.
Favorably, the package 1 has a space occupation which decreases gradually as the containers 2 are removed in succession.
In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. Further, the configuration of the package 1 positively achieves a particular visual effect, which stimulates the interest and curiosity of the potential buyer.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the claims; in further examples of embodiment, not shown in the figures, the faces 3 can have a circular shape and each one can be associated with at least one other container tangentially, or they can even have a polygonal shape (for example, diamond-shaped) and be associated by means of their comers: in this manner, the package 1, in the closed configuration, has large openings, which allow visual inspection of its interior. In other examples of embodiment, not shown in the figures, some containers or even all the containers may be provided separately from each other and be associated subsequently with each other by way of suitable connection and articulation means, constituted for example by an adhesive band. Further, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.
In the examples of embodiment shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiment.
Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

A multiple package, comprising a plurality of containers (2), each associated with at least one other container and substantially shaped complementarily with respect to each other, so as to constitute, in a closed configuration in which they are substantially mutually adjacent in a predefined ordered manner, a solid polyhedral structure which has minimal space occupation, characterized in that each one of said containers (2) comprises a single outer face which forms a side (3) of said solid polyhedral structure in the closed configuration, at least one edge of said said side (3) being shared with another one of said containers (2), and the other faces of each of said containers (2) being arranged completely inside the sides (3) of the solid polyhedral structure in the closed configuration.
The package according to claim 1, characterized in that each one of said containers (2) comprises a portion which can be removed in order to access its interior.
The package according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said sides (3) comprise at least one portion which can be removed in order to access the interior of the respective container (2).
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mating edges of said sides (3), in said closed configuration, can be mutually associated by way of provided connecting means.
The package according to claim 4, characterized in that said connecting means comprise removable adhesive bonds provided along said mating edges of said sides (3).
The package according to claim 5, characterized in that said connecting means comprise adhesive labels which are distributed along said mating edges of said sides (3).
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containers (2) can be removed sequentially.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for separating said containers (2).
The package according to claim 8, characterized in that said separation means comprise cutting lines (4) provided along the shared edges of said containers (2).
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containers (2) are of the disposable type.
The package according to claim 5, characterized in that its space occupation decreases gradually as a consequence of the sequential removal of said containers (2).
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said polyhedral structure is a cube, and in that it comprises six containers (2), each container (2) being shaped like a pyramid with a square base, said base coinciding with a side (3) of said cube.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containers (2) are made of thermoformed rigid material.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containers (2) are made of semirigid material.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sides (3) are constituted by a removable aluminum film.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sides (3) are constituted by a film made of transparent material.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a material for food use.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of transparent material.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one portion of said containers (2) is suitable to be pierced with a straw.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said containers (2) is provided separately and is articulated to at least one other container.
The package according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containers (2) are formed separately and are mutually sequentially associated by way of provided connection and articulation means.
The package according to claim 21, characterized in that said connection and articulation means comprise at least one adhesive band.