EP2718194A1

EP2718194A1 - Bottle having a shell

Info

Publication number: EP2718194A1
Application number: EP12725789.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michel DIRICQ
Original assignee: Saspadel Nv Services De Participations De Derection Et D'elaboration Ste
Current assignee: Saspadel Nv Services De Participations De Derection Et D'elaboration Ste
Priority date: 2011-06-07
Filing date: 2012-06-06
Publication date: 2014-04-16
Also published as: BE1019999A3; WO2012168269A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rigid shell (1) for finishing a container (2) made of a plastic material. The container includes a neck (6) provided with a collar (7). The rigid shell includes a rigid sleeve section (9) substantially corresponding to a section of said container to be finished, a snap-fitting device (11) arranged so as to grip said collar of said container and attach said rigid shell to said container, and a first opening (13) located at a first end of said rigid sleeve section, arranged so as to enable the insertion of said container made of a plastic material.

Description

"BOTTLE HULL"

The present invention relates to a rigid shell for covering a plastic container.

Currently, there is a need to reduce the amount of plastics in packaging, especially plastic containers, to produce greener packaging with reduced environmental impact.

Generally, a container such as a bottle or a bottle intended to contain drinks or liquids must satisfy several criteria. Indeed, a container must be able to guarantee a use of the container that is acceptable to the consumer. More specifically, said container must be rigid enough to transport drinks or liquids to prevent its bursting and its change of shape that would constitute a real constraint during its use. Indeed, it is important to be able to pour the contents of said container without the latter is deformed and make it impossible to pay or service the liquid content.

Given the growing interest in lighter packaging, it becomes difficult to maintain the two criteria of rigidity and deformation resistance mentioned above.

Therefore, to reduce the amount of plastics container such as vials or bottles, a positive pressure of inert atmosphere is introduced above the surface of the liquid, for example with the aid of nitrogen. Therefore, the liquid content of the bottle or bottle is under pressure and stiffens the container (bottle or bottle) of plastic material, which allows it to be easily transported. This positive pressure makes it possible to stiffen the bottle or bottle only before opening. Once the bottle is open, the inert atmosphere under positive pressure has escaped into the surrounding environment and rigidity is no longer assured.

Unfortunately, it becomes difficult and impractical to handle the bottle or bottle at the opening and even more so when is open and partially emptied. This is particularly limiting to further reduce the amount of plastic. It is in this context that is the context of the rigid shell according to the present invention.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a rigid shell for covering a plastic container, comprising a neck provided with a collar comprising:

a rigid sleeve section substantially corresponding to a section of said plastic container to be dressed,

a clipping device, at one end of said rigid shell, arranged to clamp said flange of said plastic container and fix said rigid shell to said plastic container, and

- A first opening at a first end of said rigid sleeve section, arranged to allow the introduction of said plastic container.

Such a rigid shell for covering a plastic container is known, for example, from document DE 202005003527.

Document DE 202005003527, for example, discloses a rigid shell as mentioned above in FIGS. 3 to 5. The rigid shell disclosed only partially covers the plastic container. The rigid shell comprises a clipping device which fixes the neck of the bottle under the collar. The rigid shell also includes a first opening at a first end of a rigid sleeve section, arranged to allow the introduction of said plastic container.

A disadvantage of such a rigid shell lies in the fact that it is only suitable for rigid plastic containers whose shape collaborates closely with that of the partial sleeve to prevent any movement of the container in a longitudinal direction, which does not does not achieve a weight reduction of the plastic of the container. Unfortunately, the rigid hull known from DE 202005003527 does not therefore reduce the amount of plastic used in the container when it is exposed to the environment and is no longer protected. Indeed, the reduction of the amount of plastic material to make the container causes many constraints namely the flexibility and fragility of the container resulting in the hull according to DE202005003527 can not be suitable for this type of container.

Another example of such rigid hulls for bottles is disclosed in US 4510769 or EP 91 1270. These documents disclose rigid hulls which are held in place on the bottle through the bottom of the hull. Indeed, the support is carried out on a rim of the neck by a circular clamping above it. When a user grasps the bottle, it can be lifted only because the rigid shell includes a screwed bottom that holds the shell on the bottle. Without bottom screwed, the user could only grab the shell, the bottle remaining on the table. On the other hand, in the service of the contained liquid, the circular clamping exerts a force on the rim of the neck which blocks the bottle in the hull.

Unfortunately, such a shell or dressing device is only suitable for glass bottles having such a rim at the neck and can in no way be adapted to flexible and fragile containers.

Also known is a rigid shell of FR 2549009 which discloses a shell comprising a sleeve and a shoulder for dressing a glass bottle of Champagne. The shoulder surrounds the neck of a vial.

The shoulder or neck of the shell comprises two longitudinal slots which can deviate strongly and increase the diameter of this part of the shell to introduce a bottle. The neck has a transverse elasticity and tightening, it comes to position in abutment against the transverse rim provided between the neck and the neck of the bottle.

Unfortunately, in use, such a bottle, when liquid contained must be poured, is not stable. Indeed, the server takes in hand the rigid shell and reverses the direction of the bottle. Therefore, the weight of the bottle is exerted on the neck of said shell which is elastic through the slots. This causes the spacing of the flanks of the neck between the slots and a longitudinal movement of the bottle. This is not acceptable for the consumer or the server and is not adaptable to flexible and fragile containers.

Finally, the teaching of DE 29915618 presents the same problem of longitudinal movement of the container within the hull, which is not compatible with the service of the liquid contained in the container. The stop ring for screwing the plug defines in fact a hollow peripheral cavity within which is housed and dislodges the reinforced portion 9a at the service of the liquid contained in the container. In addition, it is the shoulder of the neck of the bottle which is a stop to reduce this longitudinal movement, which requires a certain rigidity of the container.

As can be seen, no known hull solves the problem of dressing more environmentally friendly plastic containers, the amount of plastic material is reduced appropriately.

To solve this problem, the present invention provides a rigid shell as mentioned above for wrapping a container whose amount of plastic material is reduced while allowing to minimize the longitudinal movement within the rigid shell service. In addition, the rigid shell according to the present invention allows easy insertion of the container before use and its protection throughout use. In addition, said rigid shell according to the invention is reusable and further reduces the amount of plastic material. Furthermore, the rigid shell according to the invention also allows the container to exit through the clipping device of said shell and lead to the crushing of the container, thus facilitating its elimination after use.

To this end, the present invention provides a rigid shell, characterized in that said clipping device has a bearing surface arranged to exert pressure on an area of said neck of said container extending between said collar of said container and a body of said container and thus prevent any movement along a longitudinal axis of said container by engagement of said neck of said container between said flange and said body of said container and in that said rigid shell further has a second opening at a second end, opposite at said first end of said rigid sleeve section, said second opening being provided with said clipping device and arranged to allow the output of said plastic container and its crushing.

In this way, the solid plastic container is stiffened by the internal pressure in the container (the liquid is introduced into the container and is then pressurized before closure of the container by the stopper with an inert gas) . The solid container is thus inserted into the rigid shell through the first opening and pushed through the second opening to the passage of the collar (after the plug) through it. The clipping device thus encloses the neck of the container under the flange via the support surface. The bearing surface of the rigid shell exerts pressure on the neck area under the collar which holds the container in place in the rigid shell and thus reduces any possibility of longitudinal movement. Indeed, the clipping device is a part of the shell which is sufficiently rigid but not too much, to be deformed at the passage of the collar while taking directly back to its original shape where the bearing surface exerts pressure on the neck area under collar because of the elasticity of the clipping device. This elasticity can come from different factors, namely the elasticity of the material used, its memory to the deformation, the shape and the presence of cuts, ...

The area under flange between the flange and the body of the container is thus firmly in contact with the bearing surface of the clipping device located at the second opening of the shell. The collar comes in this way abuts on the second opening, which prevents the disengagement of the container under the effect of its weight when the container is full and the shell is taken in hand for the service of the liquid contained. In addition, the flange abutting on the second opening provides an easy means of catching the empty container to extract the shell according to the invention when it is empty.

Of course, the firm hold of the area under flange and the abutment formed by the flange ensure optimum service of the liquid contained in the container which is flexible and fragile and allows complete protection when the height of the rigid shell according to the invention corresponds to the distance between the flange and the bottom of the container.

However, removal of the container can not easily be done in the opposite direction (from the second opening to the first opening) to the insertion direction (from the first opening to the second opening). For this reason, the present invention provides a rigid shell in which the direction of insertion of the container and the direction of extraction of the container have a similar orientation (in extension of one another). This effect is achieved by the elasticity of the clipping device together with the elasticity of the container, which being flexible crushes it for its extraction from the rigid shell, thereby providing a waste whose quantity of plastic material is reduced and its volume. , which further improves the reduction of the environmental impact.

The rigid shell according to the invention is of course reusable and will be retained by the consumer for later use. For the purposes of the invention, the term "container" is intended to mean both a bottle or a bottle, or any plastic container intended to contain a liquid such as a beverage, a liquid detergent, a detergent, etc. comprising an opening closed by a plug. This also includes resealable DOY PACK® pockets.

The conventional bottle or bottle comprises various parts in succession, from bottom to top, which are, the bottom of the bottle (the bottom), the body of the bottle which is the substantially majority part in volume, for example cylindrical for a bottle water or conventional drink. Then, the diameter of the bottle is reduced and the outer surface has a shoulder. This part is the neck of the bottle. Once the neck diameter has reached a minimum value, a substantially uniform portion of smaller diameter is present, called the neck of the bottle. This neck, in the case of plastic material comprises a collar against which the cap rests when the container is closed.

By the term "sleeve section" is meant an envelope for wrapping a bottle which may have a circular, oval, rectangle, hexagonal or any other shape.

This vocabulary and these terms will be used in the present application to describe the parts of the container that interact with the rigid shell according to the invention.

Advantageously, the rigid shell according to the invention further comprises a shoulder section located at the second end of said rigid sleeve section, opposite said first end thereof, and said second opening of said rigid shell, having dimensions substantially corresponding to a neck of said plastic container, said bearing surface of said clipping device then extending between said collar and said neck of said container. Generally, a bottle or bottle has a shoulder that is the neck of the bottle or bottle. The rigid shell according to the invention also makes it possible to dress containers provided with said shoulder. The clipping device then extends between said flange and said neck of said container to prevent longitudinal movement of the container in the rigid shell.

In a preferred embodiment, said clipping device has an elasticity intended to allow the passage of said flange through it during the introduction of said neck of said container.

The elasticity of the clipping device has several effects. First, the container provided with a plug is inserted through the first opening and then through the second opening through the passage of the neck of said container through said clipping device. Then, the latter then grips the neck of said container under the flange via the support surface which extends between the flange and the container body or between the flange and the neck of the container. This attachment of the container by the presence of the clipping device on a particular bearing area avoids a longitudinal movement of said container in the rigid shell and disengagement during the service of the liquid. Finally, the presence of said clipping device makes it possible to extract the empty container from the rigid shell and thus lead to its crushing when it is released.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, openings are provided near said bearing surface of said clipping device and transversely to said bearing surface. This embodiment also makes it possible to impart the necessary elasticity to the substantially rigid clipping device for introducing the solid container while ensuring sufficient rigidity to block any longitudinal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the bottle in service. Advantageously, said openings are in the form of slots extending from said second opening to said first opening and provides the necessary elasticity to the clipping device, or flaring downwards.

Preferably, said openings according to the invention have an irregular section for imparting elasticity to said clipping device, for example, a triangular section tapering downwards or a section having a median constriction, for example a section in the form of bean, eight or drop.

In this way, the clipping device has an elasticity such that it is able to pass the neck and the collar of the container provided with a cap, to enclose said neck of said container and then lead to the crushing of the container during its extraction from the rigid shell.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said clipping device has an internal dimension smaller than an external dimension of a flange of said plastic container.

In this way, said clipping device has a diameter adjusted to the diameter of the neck of the container such as the bottle but is sufficiently elastic to let the cap and the flange. It has a height similar to the height of the neck between the collar and the neck of the bottle or the body of a bottle and this clipping device thus makes it possible to engage the neck of the bottle so as to prevent any translation into the bottle. longitudinal axis of the bottle relative to said rigid shell, which makes the rigid shell stable and optimal for the use of the bottle / bottle.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, said clipping device is a sub-collar ring having an internal diameter smaller than the external diameter of a collar of said container, in particular of said plastic bottle and having sufficient elasticity to allow passage of said flange and tighten after passing said flange.

Advantageously, said clipping device has a radial thickness greater than the distance between the outer diameter of a neck of the plastic container and the outer diameter of said collar. In this way, the radial thickness of the clipping device provides a sufficiently large bearing surface for the collar of the plastic container. This improves the strength and stability of the bottle or bottle assembly and the rigid shell.

In addition, preferably, said clipping device comprises one or more lugs or ridges arranged to prevent rotation of said plastic container. This avoids the mutual rotation between the rigid shell and the bottle or the bottle. This further increases the stability of the container in said rigid shell.

Advantageously, the rigid shell according to the present invention comprises a lower cover to said first opening, opposite to said second opening. Although not essential for maintaining the shell on the bottle, it may be advantageous to provide a lower lid, for example when the liquid contained must be substantially isolated from the light or when it is expected that the rigid shell according to the invention is an isothermal material to maintain the temperature of the liquid contained in the bottle or in the bottle. For example, the rigid shell is made of a material selected from the group of cardboard, resin, plastic, metal, glass, wood, terracotta and the like.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising a rigid shell according to the invention and a plastic container.

Advantageously, the plastic container has a plastic mass of between 8 and 12 g per liter of said container. This makes it possible to further reduce the quantity of plastic material of a container compared to the quantities currently used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the type of container is chosen from the group consisting of bottles, berlingots, flasks, DOY PACK®-type bags. The rigid shell according to the invention makes it possible to protect several forms of plastic container.

The present invention also relates to a manufacturing method. The method of manufacturing a rigid shell according to the invention comprises the steps of:

blowing a rigid shell comprising a rigid sleeve section corresponding substantially to a plastic container section to be clad and a clipping device arranged to clamp a collar of a plastic container and fix said rigid shell to said container; plastic material;

- radial cutting, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said rigid sleeve section, a first opening at a first end of a rigid sleeve section, arranged to allow the introduction of said plastic container;

transverse cutting, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said rigid sleeve section, of a series of slots located at a radially cut second end, opposite to said first opening of said rigid shell, arranged to impart elasticity to said clipping device sufficient to allow the passage of a flange and to exert pressure on the neck of the container, said second opening being arranged to allow the output of said plastic container and lead to crushing on its output.

Other embodiments are mentioned in the appended claims. The present invention also relates to a method of using a rigid shell according to the invention. The method of using the rigid shell according to the invention to use a plastic container comprising a neck with a flange comprises the steps:

an introduction of a plastic container through a first opening at a first end of a rigid sleeve section, arranged to allow the introduction of said plastic container,

a clipping of said neck of said plastic container into a second opening at a second end, opposite said first end of said rigid shell, provided with a closure cap,

at least one pouring of a liquid contained in said plastic container after removal of said closure cap from said container, and

an outlet of said plastic container by pulling said flange of said plug through said second opening causing the collapse of said container upon its exit.

Other embodiments are mentioned in the appended claims.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given below, without limitation and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 represents a rigid shell according to the present invention, part of which has been removed for a view in transparency on a bottle.

Figure 2A shows a conventional plastic bottle. Figure 2B illustrates a rigid shell according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rigid shell according to the invention comprising a bottle provided with a stopper.

Figure 4 shows a top view of a rigid shell according to the invention comprising a conventional bottle.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rigid shell according to the invention comprising a bottle ready to be extracted from the rigid shell.

Figures 6 and 7 show a rigid shell according to the invention comprising openings and a bottle, the major part of which is extracted from said shell.

Figure 8A shows another plastic container that does not have a shoulder.

Figure 8B shows a rigid shell according to the invention adapted for the container of Figure 8A.

In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the rigid shell 1 is designed to house a conventional plastic bottle 2.

The conventional plastic bottle 2 comprises a bottom end 3, a bottle body 4, a bottle neck 5, a neck 6, a flange 7 and a stopper 8.

The rigid shell 1 according to the invention has, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, a rigid sleeve section 9 whose diameter is substantially similar to the diameter of the body 4 of the bottle 2 and a shoulder 10 in an upper part of the section rigid sleeve 9, whose dimensions substantially correspond to the dimensions of the neck 5 of the bottle 2. The rigid shell 1 has a first opening 13 located at a first end of the rigid sleeve section 9, intended to allow the introduction of the bottle 2 in the rigid hull 1. The latter has, in addition, a second opening 14 located at a second end, opposite said first end 13 of said rigid sleeve section 9. This second opening is provided with a clipping device, for example in the form of a clipping ring 1 1. After leaving pass the cap 8 and the flange 7 through the clipping ring January 1, the clipping ring exerts pressure on an area of said neck 6 of the bottle 2 extending between the flange 7 and the neck 5 of the bottle 2. The clipping ring 1 1 thus exerts pressure on an area of said neck 6 of the bottle 2 in order to fix the bottle 2 to the rigid shell and thus prevent any movement along a longitudinal axis.

The inner diameter of the clipping ring 11 has an internal diameter smaller than the external diameter of the flange 7 to provide a stop contact point and avoid any longitudinal movement of the bottle 2 in the rigid shell 1.

The clipping device thus has a radial thickness greater than the distance between the outer diameter of a neck 6 of the bottle 2 and the outer diameter of the collar 7.

As mentioned above, said clipping device comprises one or more lugs or ridges arranged to prevent rotation of the bottle (not shown).

In addition, the rigid shell 1 comprises a lower cover 12 which may be a non-slip cover 12 or a conventional cover 12 in the same material as the rigid shell 1 (cardboard, for example isothermal, resin, plastic, metal, glass, wood , terracotta and the like.

In this way, the rigid shell 1 according to the invention makes it possible to satisfy the policy of continuously lightening plastic packaging intended for the packaging of mineral water or beverages, without causing the fact that it becomes impractical to handle the bottles both in the opening once opened. Figure 2A shows a conventional bottle 2 as previously described except that it is devoid of a plug.

FIG. 2B illustrates a rigid shell 1 comprising a rigid sleeve section 9, a first opening 13 located at a first end of the rigid sleeve section 9, a second opening 14, opposite to said first opening 13 of said rigid sleeve section. 9. The second opening 14 comprises a clipping device January 1 which has a bearing surface 15 which rests on the area under the flange 7 of the neck 6 of the bottle. This region of the neck 6 under the flange 7 is thus clamped by the bearing surface 15 of the rigid shell 1. The pressure exerted by the inner bearing surface 15 of the clipping device 11 on the region of the neck 6 between the flange 7 and the neck 5 of the bottle 2 prevents the movement of the bottle 2 longitudinally in the rigid shell 1 of the invention.

In this illustrated embodiment, the clipping device 1 1 is interrupted slots 16 transversely to give elasticity to the clipping device 1 1. The slots are extended on the shoulder section 10 of the rigid shell 1 in s' flaring downwards also to ensure the elasticity of this shoulder section 10 and to provide the pressure necessary for the longitudinal retention of the rigid shell 1 on the bottle 2 and the flexibility required for the strength of the rigid shell 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the first opening 13 does not have a bottom cover which is not necessary but may be present.

The rigid shell 1 illustrated in FIG. 2B is made by blowing to form a rigid sleeve section 9 having a diameter and a geometry substantially corresponding to a plastic container section to be clad and to form a clipping device 11, for example using the container as a mold. Slots 16 are then cut transversely, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said rigid sleeve section 9, at first level. of the clipping device and then through the shoulder zone 10 to the laser. The second opening 14 is also laser cut after blowing the rigid shell 1. Then, the first opening is cut radially, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said rigid sleeve section 9.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, where the full bottle 2 has been introduced through the first opening 13 and pushed towards the second opening 14 until the stopper 8 and the collar 7 of the bottle 2 have passed through the device. clipping 1 1 of the rigid shell 1 according to the invention.

At the introduction, the plug 8 stretches the resilient clipping device 11 and here, spreads the panels 17 of the clipping device 1 1 through the presence of openings 16 in the shoulder section 10 and openings or slots 19 in the clipping device 1 1 until the flange 7 of the bottle rests above the upper edge 18 of the clipping device 1 1. These openings 16 flare down.

Once the neck 6 engaged in the clipping device 1 1 of the rigid shell 1, any longitudinal movement is reduced by the stop against the flange 7 and the body of the bottle.

FIG. 4 is a view from above of the rigid shell illustrated in FIG. 3 in which it can be seen that the clipping device 1 1 comprises 4 slots 19 extending in the shoulder section 10 of the rigid shell 1. Between these slits are defined sections 17 in the clipping device 1 1 which, here, also extend in the shoulder section 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment of the rigid shell 1 according to the invention, this time comprising a lower cover 12 and longitudinal slots 16 which pass through the clipping device 11 and extend in the shoulder section 10. The section of the slots 16 imparting elasticity to the clipping device 1 1 tapers downwards and thus gives the necessary elasticity on the one hand to the introduction the plug 8 and the flange 7 of the bottle 2 through the clipping device 1 and, secondly, at the pressure of the bearing surface 15 against the neck region 6 under the flange 7.

In order to continue on the ecological path of packaging reduction while maintaining their practical and pleasant side, a rigid shell 1 which can be decorated has been developed to improve its multiple reuse.

In use, the rigid shell 1 for example decorated is kept in the consumer.

The container 2 is for example very flexible plastic material, which comprises, for example 8 to 12 g of plastic per liter of capacity, or half of what is currently used for bottles of mineral water, and this that these bottles are already particularly little plastivores. The highly flexible container is stiffened by positive pressure before opening for transport and is then used as a refill cartridge.

The method of using a rigid shell 1 according to the invention comprises first introducing a plastic container 2 through a first opening at a first end of a rigid sleeve section 9 Then, the container 2 is put in place by a simple pressure on the bottom of the container 2 by the user. The pressure allows the plug 8 and the flange 7 to pass through the clipping device 1 1 which holds the bottle 2 in the shell 1 to form a system according to the invention (see Figure 3). This passage is particularly easy since before opening, the bottle is stiffened by the positive pressure. After clipping the neck 6 of said container 2 provided with a plug in a second opening at a second end, opposite to said first opening of said rigid shell 1, the container 2 can be opened and closed as desired.

When the bottle 2 is empty, the user pulls it by pulling the rigid shell 1 through the second opening 14 and the material plastic bottle 2 is collected by passing through the clipping device 1 1 which leads to its crushing. The flange 7 of the bottle 2 further facilitates grip by traction and the screw thread of the neck 6.

As can be seen in Figure 6, as it is extracted through the second opening 14, the bottle 2 is crushed over its entire length since it is very flexible and the air contained therein thus escapes from it.

Fig. 7 also shows a perspective view of the system depicted in Fig. 6 except that the rigid shell 9 involved in the system comprises bean-shaped openings 16 instead of slit-like openings.

FIG. 8B illustrates a rigid shell 1 according to the invention intended to house a container 2, illustrated in FIG. 8A, made of plastics material.

The container, illustrated in FIG. 8A, is a plastic DOY_PACK® which comprises a body 4, a neck 6, a flange 7 and a plug 8. The rigid shell 1 of FIG. 8B has in the embodiment illustrated a rigid sleeve section 9 corresponding substantially to a section of the container 2, illustrated in FIG. 8A, made of plastic, a clipping device 1 1, located at one end of said rigid shell 1 having a bearing surface and close to said bearing surface of the openings 16 (only one shown in Figure 8B but they are preferably at least 3 or 4). Said openings 16 have an irregular section flaring downwards to give elasticity to said clipping device January 1, for example a section in the form of beans.

The operation of this system is identical to that of FIGS. 2 to 6 with the exception that the region of the neck 6 under the flange 7 terminates in the body of the container 2. The rigid shell 1 (FIG. 8B) has a first opening 13 located at a first end of the rigid sleeve section 9, intended to allow the introduction of the container 2 (FIG. 8A) into the rigid shell 1. The latter has, in in addition, a second opening 14 located at a second end, opposite said first end of said rigid sleeve section 9. This second opening 14 is provided with a clipping device 1 1. After allowing the plug 8 and the collar to pass 7 of said container through the clipping device 1 1, the clipping device 1 1 exerts pressure on an area of said neck 6 of said container 2 extending between the flange 7 and the body 5 of said container 2. The clipping ring 1 1 thus exerts pressure on an area of said neck 6 of said container of the bottle 2 in order to fix the container 2 to the rigid shell and thus prevent any movement along a longitudinal axis.

It is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Rigid shell 1 for covering a plastic container 2 comprising a neck 6 provided with a flange 7 comprising:

a rigid sleeve section 9 substantially corresponding to a section of said plastic container 2 to be dressed,

a clipping device 1 1, at one end of said rigid shell 1, designed to clamp said flange 7 of said plastic container 2 and fix said rigid shell 1 to said plastic container 2, and

a first opening 13 situated at a first end of said rigid sleeve section 9, arranged to allow the introduction of said plastic container 2,

characterized in that said clipping device 1 1 has a bearing surface arranged to exert pressure on an area of said neck 6 of said container 2 extending between said flange 7 of said container 2 and a body 4 of said container and thereby prevent any movement along a longitudinal axis of said container 2 by engagement of said neck 6 of said container 2 between said collar 7 and said body 4 of said container 2 and in that said rigid shell 1 further has a second opening 14 located at a second end, opposite said first end of said rigid sleeve section 9, said second opening being provided with said clipping device January 1 and arranged to allow the output of said plastic container 2 and its crushing.

The rigid shell 1 according to claim 1, further comprising a shoulder section 10 located at the second end of said rigid sleeve section 9, opposite said first end thereof, and said second opening 14 of said said rigid shell 1, having substantially corresponding dimensions at a neck of said plastic container 2, said bearing surface of said clipping device 11 then extending between said collar and said neck of said container 2.

3. rigid shell 1 according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said clipping device 11 has an elasticity intended to allow the passage of said flange 7 through it during the introduction of said neck 6 of said container 2.

4. Rigid shell 1 according to claim 3, wherein openings 16 are provided near said bearing surface of said clipping device 1.

The rigid shell 1 according to claim 4, wherein said openings 16 are in the form of slots extending from said second opening 14 to said first opening 13.

The rigid shell 1 according to claim 5, wherein said openings 16 have an irregular section for imparting elasticity to said clipping device, for example, a downwardly tapering triangular section or a section having a median constriction, for example example a section in the form of beans, eight or drop.

Rigid shell 1 according to any one of the claims

3 to 6, wherein said clipping device 11 has an internal dimension less than an external dimension of said flange 7 of said plastic container 2.

Rigid shell 1 according to claim 3 or claim 7, wherein said clipping device 11 is a flanged ring having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of said flange 7 of said plastic container 2 and having an elasticity intended for allow the passage of said flange 7 through it during the introduction of said neck 6 of said container 2.

9. rigid shell 1 according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein said clipping device 1 1 has a radial thickness greater than the distance between the outer diameter of said neck 6 of said plastic container 2 and the outer diameter of said flange 7.

10. Rigid shell 1 according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said clipping device January 1 comprises one or more lugs or ridges arranged to prevent the rotation of said container 2 of plastic.

1. A rigid shell 1 according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a lower cover 12, at said first opening, opposite said second opening.

Rigid shell according to any one of the preceding claims, made from a material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, resin, plastic, metal, glass, wood, terracotta and the like.

13. System comprising a rigid shell 1 according to any one of the preceding claims and a container 2 of plastic.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said container 2 made of plastic material has a plastic mass of between 8 and 12 g per liter of capacity of said container 2.

15. System according to claim 14, wherein said plastic container 2 is selected from the group consisting of bottles, cartons, bottles, pouches of DOY PACK® type.

16. A method of manufacturing a rigid shell 1, according to claims 1 to 12, comprising the steps of:

- blowing a rigid shell 1 comprising a rigid sleeve section substantially corresponding to a plastic container section to be clad and a clipping device 1 1 arranged to pinch a flange 7 of a plastic container 2 and fix said rigid shell 1 to said container 2 made of plastic;

- radial cutting, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said rigid sleeve section 9, a first opening 13 located at a first end of a rigid sleeve section 9, arranged to allow the introduction of said plastic container 2 ;

transverse cutting, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said rigid sleeve section 9, of a series of slots located at a radially cut second end 14, opposite to said first opening 13 of said rigid shell 1, arranged to confer elasticity to said clipping device 1 1 sufficient to allow the passage of a flange 7 and to exert pressure on the neck 6 of the container 2, said second opening 14 being arranged to allow the output of said plastic container 2 and lead to its crushing when it comes out.

17. The manufacturing method according to claim 16, wherein said cuts are made by laser.

18. A method of using a rigid shell 1, according to claims 1 to 12, for using a plastic container comprising a neck 6 provided with a flange 7 comprising the steps:

an introduction of a plastic container 2 through a first opening 13 located at one end of a rigid sleeve section 9, arranged to allow the introduction of said plastic container 2,

a clipping of said neck 6 of said plastic container 2 into a second opening 14 located at a second end, opposite said first end of said rigid shell 1, provided with a closure cap, at least one pouring of a liquid contained in said plastic container 2 after removal of said closure cap of said container 2, and

an outlet of said plastic container 2 by pulling said flange of said plug through said second opening 14 causing the collapse of said container 2 upon its exit.