EP2969786A1

EP2969786A1 - A packaging

Info

Publication number: EP2969786A1
Application number: EP14719861.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sergio Mezzini
Original assignee: Gima SpA
Current assignee: Gima SpA
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-13
Publication date: 2016-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-13
Also published as: ITBO20130023U1; CN105246788B; WO2014141131A1; EP2969786B1; CN105246788A

Abstract

Described is a packaging (10), in particular of the box-shaped type, for containing a respective product, preferably in the form of chewing gum, comprising respective means (12) for housing the product, which comprise a plurality of bodies (14) for containing a respective product, each defining a respective opening (15) for taking out the product. The packaging comprises covering means (16), which are in the form of a shared covering element for a corresponding plurality of the containing bodies (14).

Description

DESCRIPTION

A PACKAGING

Technical field

This invention relates to a packaging for containing a respective product. More specifically, the product is in the form of a food or pharmaceutical product, and especially in the form of a product in pieces, bars or sticks. The product is, preferably, in the form of chewing gum.

Background art

Known in the prior art are packagings, in particular of the box-shaped type, for containing bars or sticks of chewing gum, which comprise respective means for housing the product defining respective means for access to the product.

More specifically, multiple packagings are known in the prior art, wherein a plurality of containing bodies, or boxes, are held together by a corresponding cellophaning outside the packaging, that is, by a corresponding mutual joining band.

However, in these multiple packagings, each of the containing bodies has its own individual cover, which, in order to allow access to the product, must be opened individually, and in any case, once open, the respective containing body is used individually.

The operations make the use, and the handling in general, of these prior art packagings rather awkward, which are therefore not very popular amongst the consumers.

Moreover, the prior art packagings, after the first opening, when they are kept, for example, inside bags or pockets of clothing worn by the users of these products, run the risk, as a result of the shaking to which the packagings are subjected during movement to which the bags or pockets are subjected, of opening in an undesired fashion, with the consequent loss of the product contained. Moreover, the multiple packagings do not have exterior elements which give, to the plurality of containing bodies of the packaging, the appearance of a single packaging, and they are therefore not very popular amongst the consumers.

A particular need felt in the field is to have a multiple packaging, which allow an easy viewing and/or taking out of the product.

Another particular need felt in the field is to have a multiple packaging with a low production cost. Disclosure of the invention

This invention proposes a novel solution, alternative to the solutions known up to now and which can overcome one or more of the above mentioned drawbacks and/or meet one or more of the needs mentioned in or inferable from the above.

It is accordingly provided a packaging for containing a respective product, in particular a food or pharmaceutical product, in particular a product in pieces, bars or sticks, the product being preferably in the form of chewing gum; the packaging comprising respective means for housing the product and having respective means for access to the product; characterised in that the means for housing the product comprise a plurality of containing bodies housing a respective product and having respective means for access to the product; and in that it comprises means for covering a corresponding plurality of the containing bodies, the covering means being in the form of a common covering element, in particular designed to cover the means for access to the product of the containing bodies.

In this way, advantageously, it is possible to protect the access to a plurality of containing bodies with a single covering element.

In this way, this packaging, thanks to the use of a shared covering element, has the appearance of a completely single packaging, thereby being extremely well-liked by the consumers. Brief description of the drawings

This and other innovative aspects of the packaging are set out in the appended claims and its technical features and advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows of non-limiting example embodiments of it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the packaging;

- Figure 3 shows a side view, in the open condition, of the first preferred embodiment of the packaging;

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the packaging, in a fan-style open condition;

- Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention, in a closed condition;

- Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the packaging, in the open condition;

- Figure 7 shows a rear perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the packaging, in the open condition;

- Figure 8 shows a plan view of a first preferred embodiment of a blank for making a covering element according to the invention;

- Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the pack according to this invention;

- Figure 10 shows a front view of the third preferred embodiment of the packaging;

- Figure 11 shows a side view of the third preferred embodiment of the packaging, in a closed condition;

- Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of the packaging, in a fan-style open condition;

- Figure 13 shows a perspective view, from the side of the packaging, of the third preferred embodiment of the packaging, in a fan-style open condition;

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The accompanying drawings from 1 to 4 show a first preferred embodiment of the packaging, which is, in particular, in the form of a box- shaped packaging, and is designed to contain a respective product, especially in the form of a food product, or a pharmaceutical product, and in particular in the form of a product in pieces, pills, sticks or bars.

Preferably, the product is chewing gum, possibly groups of chewing gum, having different flavours, with each group, which is housed in a respective containing body 14, described in more detail below.

Preferably, the products, denoted in their entirety by the reference numeral 17, are in the form of respective sticks, in particular having the shape of a parallelepiped. It will be understood that the sticks 17 might also be in the form of elongate and thin bars.

More specifically, the sticks, or the bars, 17 comprise an outer wrapper, in the form of a respective sheet, which is wrapped around and in contact with the outer surface of the product, which is in turn preferably in the form of a respective chewing gum.

In practice, the sticks, or products, 17 are in the form of respective elongate bodies, in particular defining respective front and rear faces 171 , 172 and perpendicular end faces, of which only the upper face 173 is shown in the corresponding drawings.

As illustrated, preferably, the products 17 are positioned, in the respective containing body 14, placed alongside each other.

As illustrated, preferably, the products 17 are, in the respective containing body 14, in the form of a single row of products 17 placed alongside each other.

Moreover, the sticks, or products, 17 have respective longitudinal lateral faces 174, 175, which are facing each other and preferably in contact with the opposite lateral faces of the adjacent sticks or containing bodies. As will become clearer as this description continues, as illustrated, the end upper face 173 of the respective sticks extends substantially at the same level, or slightly below the upper edge 14"' of the respective containing body 14.

As illustrated, the body of the stick, or product, 17 protrudes beyond the lower edge 14' and/or 14" of the respective wall, respectively front and/or rear, of the corresponding containing body 14, the edge delimiting the corresponding opening 15 for access inside the containing body 14.

Moreover, as illustrated, the products, or sticks, 17, which are supported by a respective containing body 14, are longitudinally aligned with the products, or sticks, 17 of one or more of the other containing bodies 14 of the plurality of containing bodies 14 of the packaging.

As illustrated, the packaging comprises respective means 12 for housing the product defining respective means for access to the product.

The means 12 for housing the product comprise, advantageously, a plurality of bodies 14 for containing a respective product having respective means for access to the product, in particular in the form of a respective opening 15 for accessing and taking out the product.

In practice, each containing body 14 has a respective opening 15 for taking out the product, in particular opening at one end, preferably upper, of the containing body.

Advantageously, there are covering elements 16, in the form of a shared covering element for a corresponding plurality of containing bodies 14.

More specifically, the packaging comprises elements for covering a corresponding plurality of the containing bodies, the covering elements being in the form of a shared covering element 15, which is designed to cover the means for access to the containing bodies.

More specifically, the covering element 16 is designed to define a cover for the containing bodies 14, as may be inferred from the above- mentioned Figure 1 and, in particular, forms an element for closing the respective opening 15 of the corresponding containing body, that is to say, for closing the opening 15 of the plurality of containing bodies 14.

More specifically, the covering element 16 defines a closing element which can be, advantageously, opened and closed again, in particular to allow the taking out, at successive times, of corresponding products 17 from the packaging.

More specifically, the housing means 12, that is, the plurality of containing bodies 14, and/or the covering element 16, are made of paper-based material, preferably of card.

More specifically, the housing means 12, that is, the plurality of containing bodies 14, and/or the covering element 16, are made of foldable and/or suitably flexible material.

Advantageously, there are means 18 for joining the covering element 16 to the means 12 for containing or housing the product.

In this way, the multiple housing means and the shared covering element 16 form, in use, a single body, that is, they are integral with each other.

Advantageously, the joining means 18 comprise a corresponding band, or wall, 19, which is integral with the housing means 12, in particular integral with the back of the containing or housing means 12, that is, integral with the rear wall of the housing means 12.

Also, advantageously, the means 18 for joining the covering element 16 to the housing means 12 comprise a corresponding second band, or wall, 20, which is integral with the means 12 for housing the product, and which extends from the first band or wall 18.

More specifically, advantageously, the joining band or wall 20 is integral with the bottom of the housing means 18, in particular with the plurality of containing bodies 14.

Advantageously, as will become clearer as this description continues, there are means, in particular a band, or wall 20, for joining together the bottom of the containing bodies 14 designed to allow the containing bodies 14 to open, or arrange themselves in a position apart from each other, in a fan-style arrangement. Advantageously, the joining means 18, 20 are bonded to the housing means 12.

In practice, the covering element 16 is made as a single body with the means for joining between the containing bodies, as will become clearer as this description continues.

Advantageously, the covering element 16 is movable relative to the housing means 12, and, in particular, relative to the corresponding means 18 for joining to the housing means 12.

More specifically, the covering element 16 is movable relative to the band 10 or rear joining wall 19.

More specifically, as may be easily inferred from Figures 1 and 2, the covering element 16 is movable in rotation, in particular relative to the rear part of the packaging.

Advantageously, the covering element 16 is hinged to the joining means 18.

The hinge for moving the covering element 16 is, in particular, defined by a corresponding fold, or crease, line 181 , which separates the cover 16 from the wall 18 for rear attachment to the housing means 12.

As illustrated, the fold, or crease, line 181 extends horizontally and is situated at a height lower than that of the upper edge of the corresponding containing body 14, in particular of the containing body to which the covering element 16 is connected.

Advantageously, as illustrated, the covering element 16 is movable between a position, in particular lowered, for covering or closing the respective containing body 14 and a position, in particular raised, for opening the containing body 14.

Advantageously, this embodiment of the packaging 10 comprises a plurality of containing bodies 14, which are longitudinally aligned with each other.

Thus, as illustrated, relative to the first preferred embodiment, the plurality of containing elements 14 is in the form of a plurality of containing bodies 14 which are longitudinally aligned with each other and which comprises a rear containing body 14p, a front containing body 14a and, possibly, one or more intermediate containing bodies 14i, and in particular, according to the first preferred embodiment, a first and second intermediate containing body 14i, 14i.

More specifically, as illustrated, the respective containing body has corresponding front and rear faces which are facing each other and, in use, in contact with the front and/or rear face of the respectively adjacent containing body 14, that is, of the containing body 14 which is positioned in front of and/or to the rear of the corresponding containing body.

As illustrated, the containing bodies 14 have respective side walls, which are longitudinally aligned with the side walls of one or more, in particular of all, the other containing bodies of the packaging.

Moreover, the containing bodies 14 also have a respective base, or bottom wall, that is also longitudinally aligned with the base, or bottom wall, of one or more, in particular of all, the other containing bodies of the packaging.

Moreover, the containing bodies 14 have a respective upper edge 14'", which is at the same level, or aligned, in height with the upper edge 14"' of one or more, in particular of all, the other containing bodies 14 of the packaging.

Advantageously, the covering element 16 extends longitudinally to cover the plurality of the containing bodies 14 longitudinally aligned.

Advantageously, the covering element 16, in the closed position, peripherally surrounds the housing means 12, in particular the plurality of containing bodies 14, 14.

In practice, as may be inferred in particular from Figure 1 , the covering element 16, in particular in the lowered closed position, peripherally surrounds the housing means 12, that is, it peripherally superposes the corresponding peripheral walls of the housing means 12, that is to say, the corresponding peripheral walls of the containing bodies 14, in particular superposing the top end of the peripheral walls of the housing means 12, that is, the plurality of containing bodies 14.

As illustrated, the respective containing body 14 is in the form of a box- shaped body, in particular made of cardboard, comprising a bottom wall 4 , and one or more peripheral walls, in particular comprising a front wall 142, a rear wall 143, and opposite side walls 144, 145.

As illustrated, the front wall 142 of the containing body extends parallel to the rear wall 143 and both perpendicularly to the bottom wall 141.

The opposite narrow side walls 144, 145 of the containing body connect together the wide front and rear walls 142, 143, also extending perpendicularly from the bottom 141 of the respective containing body. As may be inferred from the drawings, the side walls 144, 145 have a respective thickness, that is slightly greater than the thickness of the product supported 17, which are, preferably, defined by a respective single row of products transversely aligned with each other and placed side by side.

Advantageously, as illustrated, each containing body 14 is open at the top, defining a respective opening 15 for access and taking out of the product, as may be clearly inferred from Figure 4.

As illustrated, the side walls 144, 145 of the respective containing body are parallel to each other, as are the front and rear walls 142, 143 of the containing body.

Moreover, as illustrated, the side walls 144, 145 of the plurality of the containing bodies 14 are longitudinally aligned with each other.

As illustrated, the peripheral walls of the respective containing body 14 extend perpendicularly from the bottom wall 141 of the respective containing body.

In turn, the covering element 16 has a top wall 182 and one or more peripheral walls, in particular a front wall 183, opposite side walls 184, 185 and possibly, or optionally, a rear wall 186.

The side walls 84, 185 of the covering element 18 are also parallel to each other, as are the front and rear walls 183, 186 of the covering element.

The peripheral walls of the covering element extend perpendicularly, in particular downwards, in the closed condition, relative to the top wall 182 of the covering element 18.

As illustrated, preferably, this packaging comprises a plurality of containing bodies 14 which have the same height, and the bottom walls of which are longitudinally aligned.

Advantageously, this packaging comprises a plurality of containing bodies 14, which are mutually joined together.

More specifically, the containing bodies 14 are mutually joined together at opposite longitudinal walls, respectively front and rear, of adjacent containing bodies 14.

More specifically, as illustrated, the containing bodies 14 are mutually joined together by respective flap means 22, 22.

The flap means comprise, in particular, a first and a second flap 22, 22, especially transversely aligned and preferably identically shaped and symmetrically positioned relative to the centre line of the respective containing body 14.

More specifically, the flap means 22, 22 protrude from a respective peripheral wall, in particular from a rear wall 143, of the respective containing body 14, and engage with a facing wall, in particular front wall 142, of the adjacent containing body 14 positioned behind.

In practice, advantageously, the containing bodies 14 are joined together, by mutual joining means 22, 22, which are movable between a prolonged, or extended, position, for mutual spacing of the containing bodies 14 and a retracted position for bringing the containing bodies closer together.

As illustrated, the flap means 22, 22 of the rear containing body 14p protrude from a respective rear wall 143 of the same containing body 14, and they engage with a facing wall 8 of the joining means of the cover. More specifically, as may be clearly inferred from Figure 4, the respective flap 22 is formed by a corresponding slot 23, which is provided in the respective wall, in particular rear wall 143, of the corresponding containing body 14, that is, of the containing body from which it extends.

These containing bodies 14, 14 are joined together by adhesive means, that is to say, by suitable spots of glue, in particular a permanent type glue, the adhesive means being, in particular, provided between the free end of the respective flap 22 and the opposite portion of the corresponding wall of the adjacent containing body 14.

As may be clearly inferred with reference to Figure 4, the packaging comprises a plurality of containing bodies 14, in particular containing bodies 14 which are aligned longitudinally with each other, the bodies 14 being movable relative to each other between a close position, in particular in the closed condition of the packet, and a spaced-apart position, in particular designed to facilitate the viewing and taking out of the products contained in the corresponding containing bodies 14, in particular those which are positioned at the rear.

Advantageously, therefore, the packaging comprises a plurality of containing bodies 14, in particular aligned longitudinally, which are movable to a spaced-apart position in which they open in a fan-style, as may be clearly inferred with reference to Figure 4.

In practice, as illustrated, in the spaced-apart position, the containing bodies 14 define a respective angle between each other.

Moreover, as may be seen, in the spaced-apart position, the containing body 14 has the respective lower portion, or base, close to the lower portion, or base, of the adjacent containing body 14, in particular with the containing bodies 14 extending substantially in a spoke-style fashion from the lower zone of contact with each other.

Advantageously, in the close position, the respective containing body 14 has the respective peripheral wall which is in contact, and in particular parallel, with the facing peripheral wall of the adjacent containing body 14. More specifically, as may be clearly inferred from Figure , in the closed condition, the rear wall of the respective containing body 14 is in contact with the front wall of the adjacent containing body 14, that is, of the containing body which is positioned behind.

Advantageously, the flap means 22, 22 for mutual joining are movable between a prolonged, or extended, position, for mutual spacing of the containing bodies 14 and a retracted position for bringing the containing bodies closer together.

More specifically, in the retracted position for bringing the containing bodies closer together, the flap means 22, 22 enter the respective slot 23, 23, which is provided in the wall of the respective containing body 14 from which they extend.

Advantageously, there are means 16 for retaining the containing bodies in the corresponding close position.

The means for retaining the containing bodies in the corresponding close position are defined by the covering element 16.

In practice, advantageously, the covering element 16 is movable between a position, in particular lowered, for engaging and retaining the containing bodies in a close position and a position, in particular raised, for free movement away of the containing bodies 14.

More specifically, as may be clearly inferred from Figure 1 , the covering element 16, in the engaged position, extends in front of and engages the front face 142 of the containing body 14a, which is positioned at the front. As illustrated, the first preferred embodiment of the packaging comprises four containing bodies 14.

It should be understood, however, that a greater or smaller number of containing bodies could also be used. More specifically, one could simply use a first and a second containing body, in particular longitudinally aligned with each other, and made of any size required.

It should also be understood that the containing bodies could be connected to each other simply by spots of glue provided between the front and rear walls of mutual contact of adjacent containing bodies. In that case, the fan-style opening of the containing bodies, even though it has a more limited extension than that which can be obtained with the first preferred embodiment of packaging, can still be achieved in an appreciable fashion, using the flexibility of the walls joined together of the containing bodies.

A second preferred embodiment 100 of the packaging is illustrated in figures 5 to 7. The components of this second preferred embodiment of the packaging 100, which are similar to those of the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference labels and, to avoid making this description too lengthy, will not be commented upon again in detail.

Advantageously, the second preferred embodiment of the packaging has respective containing bodies 14, 14 which are positioned alongside each other.

More specifically, the containing bodies 14, 14 of the second preferred embodiment 100 are joined together at the opposite side walls of the same containing bodies 14, 14.

Advantageously, the covering element 16 of the second preferred embodiment extends transversely, or laterally, to cover the plurality of containing bodies 14, 14 positioned side by side.

However, it should be understood that although these embodiments of the containing bodies aligned longitudinally, or positioned alongside each other transversely, are particularly preferred, other preferred configurations of containing bodies, in particular, comprising several containing bodies longitudinally aligned and several containing bodies positioned alongside each other transversely are, however, also imaginable.

Moreover, in this second preferred embodiment 100, advantageously, there is a band 180, which extends transversely and is such as to join, or fix, in particular further the containing bodies 14, 14 positioned side by side.

Advantageously, the band 180, which extends transversely to fix the containing bodies 14, 14 positioned side by side, defines the means 10 for joining the covering element 16 to the housing means 12, that is, to the containing bodies 14, 14.

In effect, the covering element 16 extends from and is integral with, in a freely rotatable fashion, the joining or fixing band 180.

In practice, as illustrated, the covering element 16 is located at one end, in particular the top end, of the housing means 12 and, in the closed position, partly covers the housing means 12, that is the upper end of them.

A preferred embodiment of the blank for making the covering element 16 is shown in Figure 8.

The blank comprises a panel 8, defining the means for joining the cover 16 to the housing means, which is connected, through a respective fold line 181 , to corresponding panel means for making the covering element 16.

More specifically, the fold line 181 , which extends transversely and which defines the hinge or rotation line of the covering element 6 relative to the joining means, that is, to the containing bodies 14, separates the joining means 18 by a respective panel 186 of the covering element 16.

More specifically, the panel means for the covering element 16 comprise a transversal panel 186, which forms the rear wall of the cover 16, from which the corresponding flaps 187, 187 extend laterally, for making the cover 16. The flaps 187, 187 are separated from the transversal panel 186 by respective longitudinal fold lines 1801.

The transversal panel 186 is, in turn, separated, through a respective transversal fold line 1841 , from a respective panel 182 defining the top wall of the same cover.

The corresponding flaps 1821 , 1822, designed to form part of the side walls of the cover, extend laterally from the panel 182. The flaps 1821 , 1822 are separated from the transversal panel 182 by respective longitudinal fold lines 1802.

The panel 182 is also separated by a corresponding transversal fold line 1823 from a transversal panel 183 defining the front wall of the cover; corresponding tabs 1831 , 1832, which are also designed to define the side walls of the cover, extending laterally from the transversal panel.

The flaps 1831 , 1832 are separated from the transversal panel 183 by respective longitudinal fold lines 1803.

Moreover, the flaps 187, 187 are separated from the flaps 1821 , 1822 by respective transversal cut lines and, in turn, the flaps 1821 , 1822 are separated from the flaps 1831 , 1832 by respective transversal cut lines. Advantageously, therefore, the covering element 16 is made from a respective, in particular single, flat blank, made of foldable material, preferably card.

Although not specifically illustrated, the respective containing body 14, 14 is also preferably made from a respective, in particular single, flat blank, made of foldable material, preferably card.

The cover 16, at least in the closed condition, has the respective front wall superposing the front wall of the respective containing body, that is, of the containing body which is located at the front.

Moreover, the cover 16, at least in the closed condition, has the opposite side walls superposing the side walls of the respective containing body, in particular the plurality of side walls of the containing bodies, when these are longitudinally aligned with each other. Thus, this packaging comprises a plurality of containing bodies 14, and in particular at least a first and a second containing body 14, 14, in particular designed to contain products identical or different to each other, possibly to be used in a complementary fashion.

Advantageously, in the closed position, the covering element 16 covers the entire the access opening of the respective containing body 14, that is, the plurality of access openings 15 of the plurality of containing bodies 14. Moreover, in the closed position, the covering element 16 extends below beyond the edge 14', 14" defining the respective opening 15 for access inside the containing body 14. As illustrated, the respective containing body 14 has, to form the upper opening from which the product is taken out, at least one lowered upper edge 14', at the front wall of the containing body 14 and, possibly, a second lowered upper edge 14" at the rear wall of the same containing body 14.

As illustrated in the first preferred embodiment, the lowered upper edge 14' of the respective front wall of the corresponding containing body and the lowered upper edge 14" opposite the respective rear wall of the same containing body are at the same height, or substantially at the same height.

Moreover, the respective containing body 14 has, to form the upper open mouth 15 for taking out the product, opposite lateral edges, that is, opposite edges 14"', 14"', at the side walls of the containing body 14, which are raised to advantageously protect the product.

In practice, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the respective containing body has a respective upper edge 14"', 14"', defined mainly by the side walls of the respective containing body and corresponding front and/or rear walls, which have a respective upper edge 14', 14", which are at a height less than that of the upper edge 4"' of the containing body. As illustrated, the front wall 142 and/or the rear wall 143 of the respective containing body is defined by a main lowered central portion 140a and by corresponding side portions 140b, 140b, extending beyond the edge 14' and/or 14" of the corresponding central portion 140a, up to the upper edge 14"' of the corresponding side wall 144, 145.

The multiple packaging can be made starting from box-shaped products 14 of a substantially prior art type which can, therefore, be made using existing machines.

Moreover, this packaging has a particularly low production cost, since it does not require the preparation of special production machines, as it is sufficient to suitably modify of the existing machines.

Advantageously, the packaging comprises means for keeping the covering element 16 in the closed condition.

The means for keeping the covering element 16 in the closed condition are formed by the interference by friction of the inner faces of the front lateral edges of the covering element 16 with the opposite front lateral edges of the respective containing body 14.

More specifically, the inner faces of the front lateral edges of the covering element 16 engage, in the first preferred embodiment, with the opposite lateral edges of the respective containing body 14 positioned in front and, in the second preferred embodiment, with the opposite and outer front lateral edges of containing bodies 14, 14 positioned side by side.

Figures 9 to 13 illustrate a third preferred embodiment of the packaging 200.

As illustrated, the third preferred embodiment 200 of the packaging is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment and the respective components which are similar to those of the first embodiment keep the same numerical labels and will not be commented upon again in detail, to avoid making this description too lengthy.

More specifically, this third preferred embodiment 200 of the packaging differs from the first preferred embodiment in that it comprises a front containing body 14a, a rear containing body 14p and a single intermediate containing body 14i.

Moreover, the containing bodies 14 of the third preferred embodiment are substantially similar to those of the first preferred embodiment, having, however, a rear wall 143 the upper edge 14" of which extends in height vertically above the upper edge 14' of the front wall 142 of the corresponding containing body 14.

More specifically, as illustrated, the upper edge 14" of the rear wall 143 is at a height less than, and close to, the upper edge 14"' of the containing body formed by the side walls 144, 145.

Advantageously, the third preferred embodiment 200 of the packaging has covering means, or element, 216, made as one with a respective containing body 14p.

More specifically, the covering means, or element 216 are made as one with the rear containing body 14p of the plurality of containing bodies of the packaging.

Preferably, as illustrated, the covering means, or element 216 are made as one with the rear wall 143 of the containing body, in particular of the rear containing body 14p, of the plurality of containing bodies 14 of the packaging.

More specifically, the covering means, or element, 216 has a top wall 282 which extends from the rear wall 143 of the respective containing body, preferably of the rear containing body 14p, in particular with respect to which rear wall 143 it is folded along a respective crease, or fold line 181 , especially extending horizontally, or parallel to the bottom of the respective containing body or the edges 14', 14" defining the access opening of the respective containing body.

Moreover, the covering means, or element, 216 also have a respective front wall 283 superposing the front wall 142 of the front containing body 14a of the plurality of containing bodies 14 of the packaging, the front wall 283 of which, in particular, extends from the top wall 282 of the covering means 216, especially relative to which it is folded through a respective crease, or fold, line 2832 especially extending horizontally or parallel to the bottom wall of the containing body or to the edges 14', 14" defining the access opening of the respective containing body.

In practice, advantageously, both for the first and for the third preferred embodiment of the packaging, the respective covering means, or element, 16, 216 have a respective top wall 182, 282, which extends for a longitudinal length "L" such as to cover a plurality of containing bodies 14, longitudinally aligned with each other, that is to say, such as to cover two or more containing bodies, in particular, respectively, a first and a second, or a first, a second and a third, or a first, a second, a third and a fourth containing body. According to another aspect, the covering means, or element, 16, 216 have a respective top wall 182, 282, which extends for a respective longitudinal length "L", corresponding to the length or longitudinal depth "I" of a plurality of containing bodies 14 longitudinally aligned with each other, in particular corresponding to a multiple of the length or longitudinal depth of a plurality of containing bodies 14 longitudinally aligned with each other and having the same length or longitudinal depth "I".

Moreover, as may be inferred from the second preferred embodiment 100 of the packaging, the covering means, or element, 16 have a respective top wall 182 which extends for a width such as to cover the plurality of containing bodies 14, which are positioned transversally side by side, in particular to cover two or more containing bodies, and in any case, as illustrated, to cover, preferably, a first and a second containing body 14. For the first preferred embodiment the side walls 184, 185 of the covering means, or element, 16 have the same longitudinal length "L".

In practice, as may be inferred from the second preferred embodiment 100 of the packaging, the covering means, or element, 16 have a respective top wall 182 which extends for a width "W" corresponding to the transversal width "v" of a plurality of containing bodies 14, which are positioned transversally side by side.

More specifically, as may be inferred from Figures 5 to 7, the covering means, or element, 16 have a respective top wall 182 which extends for a width "W" corresponding to a multiple of the transversal width "v" of a plurality of containing bodies 14, which are positioned transversally side by side, which have the same transversal width "v".

Advantageously, the covering means, or element, 16, 216 of the preferred embodiments illustrated have a respective front wall 183, 283, the inner face, or surface, of which engages, in the closed condition, the outer face, or surface, of the front wall 142 of the front containing body 14a of the plurality of containing bodies 14 of the packaging.

Advantageously, the covering means, or element, 216 of the second preferred embodiment 200 comprise respective means 250 for coupling with the respective containing body 14a.

In the third preferred embodiment, the coupling means also define means for keeping the covering element in the closed position, or condition, of the containing bodies 14.

More specifically, the covering means, or element, 216 have means 250 of coupling with the corresponding front containing body 14a of the plurality of containing bodies 14 of the packaging.

More specifically, the covering means, or element, 1 16 have means 250 for coupling with the front wall 142 of the respective containing body, or front containing body 14a.

Advantageously, the coupling means 150 comprise a respective tab 251 for inserting into a corresponding slot 252.

Advantageously, the coupling means 250 comprise a respective tab 251 extending from the front wall 183 of the covering element 216 which inserts into a respective slot 252 extending in the front wall 142 of the front containing body 14a of the plurality of containing bodies 14 of the packaging.

Advantageously, as illustrated, the coupling tab 251 extends in the direction of, or towards, the upper wall 282 of the covering element 216. The tab 251 and the slot 252 defining the coupling means 250 are, in particular, positioned centrally relative to the respective wall, that is, to the front wall of the covering element and the front wall of the front containing body 14a.

As illustrated, the slot 252 is in the form of a rectilinear fissure, extending transversely, defined by corresponding horizontal elongate edges, respectively upper and lower, which are parallel to each other and connected by corresponding short vertical edges.

As illustrated, the coupling tab 251 is made by a respective slot extending and shaped transversally made in the front wall 233 of the covering element 216. The slot has a stretch with a perpendicular extension 2511 , in particular having an arched shape, and protruding, in particular towards the top wall 282 of the covering element 216, and by corresponding and opposite linear side stretches 2512, 2513, preferably horizontal.

On the extension of the side sections 2512, 2513 of the slot for defining the insertion tab a line 2830 is provided for creasing or folding an end portion 2831 of the front wall 283 of the covering element 216, allowing it to rotate relative to a main portion 2832' for coupling with the top wall 282 Of the same covering element 216, allowing the insertion and removal of the coupling tab 251 in the corresponding receiving and retaining slot 252. The reference numeral 284 denotes in the drawings a protrusion for gripping with the fingers of the user, which extends, in particular centrally, from the free end edge of the corresponding wall, in particular of the front wall 283, of the covering element 216.

The packaging thus has, advantageously, a single covering element by which it is possible to allow access to a plurality of containing bodies in view of the selection of the desired product for consumption, or in any case, for the use, acting in a particularly quick and easy fashion for the consumer on a single cover 16.

More specifically, the fan-style opening of the containing bodies, as can be clearly seen in the drawings of the above-mentioned first and a third preferred embodiment, allows easy access to the products located inside the containing bodies positioned behind, all with a simple opening operation, which may also be performed with merely one hand which supports the packaging.

The packaging, when it is sold to the end consumer and before its use by the consumer, may be wrapped with a respective covering film, in particular made of plastic material, forming an outer cellophaning of the packaging.

The invention described above is susceptible of industrial application.

It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that several changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, described in depth above. More specifically, one skilled in the art could easily imagine further embodiments of the invention comprising one or more of the features described herein. It will also be understood that all the details of the invention may be substituted for technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A packaging (10) for containing a respective product, in particular a food or pharmaceutical product, in particular a product in pieces, bars or sticks, the product being preferably in the form of chewing gum; the packaging comprising respective means (12) for housing the product and having respective means for access to the product; characterised in that the means (12) for housing the product comprise a plurality of containing bodies (14) housing a respective product and having respective means (15) for access to the product; and in that it comprises means for covering a corresponding plurality of the containing bodies (14), the covering means being in the form of a common covering element (16), in particular designed to cover the means (15) for access to the product of the containing bodies (14).

2. The packaging according to claim 1 , characterised in that the means for access to the product comprise, for the respective containing body, a respective opening (15) for accessing and taking out the product.

3. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (16) defines an element for closing the respective opening (15) of the corresponding containing body (14).

4. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble to claim 1 , characterised in that there are means (18) for joining the covering element (16) to the housing means (12).

5. The packaging according to claim 4, characterised in that the means (18) for joining the covering element (16) to the housing means (12) comprise a corresponding band, or wall, (19) integral with the housing means (18).

6. The packaging according to claim 5, characterised in that the means (18) for joining the covering element (16) to the housing means (12) comprise a corresponding band, or wall, (180) integral to the rear of the housing means (18), in particular to a plurality of containing bodies (14).

7. The packaging according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the means (18) for joining the covering element (16) to the housing means (12) comprise a corresponding second band, or wall, (20) integral with the housing means (18).

8. The packaging according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the means (18) for joining the covering element (16) to the housing means (12) comprise a corresponding band, or wall, (20) integral below with the housing means (18), in particular with a plurality of containing bodies (14).

9. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble to claim 1 , characterised in that the covering element (16) is movable relative to the housing means (12), in particular relative to the joining means (18).

10. The packaging according to claim 9, characterised in that the covering element (16) is movable in rotation.

11. The packaging according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the covering element (16) is hinged to the joining means (18), in particular thanks to a respective fold line.

12. The packaging according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , characterised in that the covering element (16) is movable between a position, in particular lowered, for covering or closing the respective containing body (14) and a position, in particular raised, for opening.

13. The packaging according to any one of claims 4 to 12, characterised in that the joining means (18) are bonded to the housing means (12).

14. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a plurality of containing bodies (14) aligned longitudinally with each other.

15. The packaging according to claim 14, characterised in that the covering element (16) extends longitudinally to cover the plurality of containing bodies (14) longitudinally aligned.

16. The packaging according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of containing bodies (14), in particular aligned longitudinally with each other, which are movable relative to each other between a close position and a spaced-apart position.

17. The packaging according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of containing bodies (14), in particular aligned longitudinally, which are movable to a spaced-apart position in which they open in a fan-style.

18. The packaging according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that, in the spaced-apart position, the containing bodies (14) define an angle between each other.

19. The packaging according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that, in the spaced-apart position, the respective containing body (14) has the respective lower portion which is close to the lower portion of the adjacent containing body (14).

20. The packaging according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterised in that, in the close position, the respective containing body (14) has the respective peripheral wall which is in contact with the facing peripheral wall of the adjacent containing body (14).

21. The packaging according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterised in that it comprises means for retaining the containing bodies (14) in the corresponding close position.

22. The packaging according to claim 21 , characterised in that the means for retaining the containing bodies in the corresponding close position are defined by the covering element (16).

23. The packaging according to claim 21 or 22, characterised in that the covering element (16) is movable between a position, in particular lowered, for engaging and retaining the containing bodies in a close position and a position, in particular raised, for free movement away of the containing bodies (18).

24. The packaging according to claim 23, characterised in that the covering element (16) in the engaged position extends in front of and engages the front face (142) of the respective containing body (14) which is positioned at the front.

25. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a covering element (16), which, in the closed position, peripherally surrounds the housing means (12), more specifically, the plurality of containing bodies (14, 14).

26. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective containing body (14) is in the form of a box-shaped body, in particular having a bottom wall (141), and one or more peripheral walls, in particular comprising a front wall (142), a rear wall (143) and opposite side walls (144, 145).

27. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective containing body (14) is at the top open.

28. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (18) has a top wall (182), and one or more peripheral walls, in particular a front wall (183), opposite side walls (184, 185) and, possibly, a rear wall.

29. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a plurality of containing bodies (14) which are joined together.

30. The packaging according to claim 29, characterised in that the containing bodies (14) are joined together at opposite longitudinal walls, front (142) and rear (143), respectively, of adjacent containing bodies (14).

31. The packaging according to claim 29 or 30, characterised in that the containing bodies (14, 14) are joined together at opposite side walls.

32. The packaging according to any one of claims 29 to 31 , characterised in that the containing bodies (14) are joined together by mutual joining means (22, 22), which are movable between a prolonged, or extended position, for mutual spacing of the containing bodies (14) and a retracted position for bringing the containing bodies closer together.

33. The packaging according to any one of claims 29 to 32, characterised in that the containing bodies (14) are joined together by respective flap means, in particular comprising a first and a second flap (22, 22), which are designed to protrude from a respective peripheral wall of the respective containing body (14), which engage with a facing wall of the adjacent containing body (14).

34. The packaging according to claim 33, characterised in that the respective flap (22) is formed by an incision of the respective wall of the containing body (14) from which it extends.

35. The packaging according to any one of claims 29 to 34, characterised in that the containing bodies are joined together by adhesive means.

36. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble to claim 1 , characterised in that the containing bodies (14, 14) are positioned side by side.

37. The packaging according to claim 36, characterised in that the covering element (16) extends transversally, or laterally, to cover the plurality of containing bodies (14, 14) positioned side by side.

38. The packaging according to claim 36 or 37, characterised in that it comprises a band (180), which extends transversely and is such as to fix the containing bodies (14, 14) positioned side by side.

39. The packaging according to claim 38, characterised in that the band (180), which extends transversely to fix the containing bodies (14, 14) positioned side by side, forms means for joining the covering element (18) to the housing means (12).

40. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises a plurality of containing bodies (14), in particular comprising at least a first and a second containing body (14, 14).

41. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (16) is made in one piece with the means (20, 180) for joining the containing bodies.

42. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble to claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises means for keeping the covering element (16) in the closed condition.

43. The packaging according to claim 42, characterised in that the means for keeping the covering element (16) in the closed condition are formed by the interference by friction of the inner faces of the front lateral edges of the covering element (16) with the opposite front lateral edges of the respective containing body (14).

44. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (16) is located at one end, in particular the top end, of the housing means (12).

45. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (16) partly covers, in the closed position, the housing means (12).

46. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing means (12), that is, the plurality of containing bodies (14) and/or the covering element (16), are made of paper-based material, preferably of card.

47. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective containing body (14) is made from a respective, in particular single, flat blank.

48. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective covering element (16) defines an element for closing the respective containing body (14), which can be opened and closed.

49. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there are means, in particular a band, or wall (20), for joining together the bottom of the containing bodies (14) designed to allow the containing bodies (14) to open, or arrange themselves in a position apart from each other, in a fan-style arrangement.

50. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (216) is made as one with a respective containing body (14p).

51. The packaging according to claim 50, characterised in that the covering element (216) is made as one with the rear containing body (14p) of the plurality of containing bodies of the packaging.

52. The packaging according to claim 50 or 51 , characterised in that the covering element (216) is made as one with the rear wall (143) of the respective containing body (14p).

53. The packaging according to any one of claims 50 to 52, characterised in that the covering element (216) has a top wall (282) which extends from the rear wall (143) of the respective containing body, preferably of the rear containing body (14p), in particular with respect to which rear wall (143) it is folded along a respective crease, or fold, line (181).

54. The packaging according to any one of claims 50 to 53, characterised in that the covering element (216) has a front wall (233) superposing the front wall (142) of the front containing body (14a), the front wall (233) in particular extending from the top wall (282) of the covering means (216), preferably relative to which it is folded along a respective crease, or fold, line (2832).

55. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (16, 216) has a top wall (182, 282) which extends for a length (L) such as to cover a plurality of containing bodies (14) longitudinally aligned.

56. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (16, 216) has a top wall (182, 282) which extends for a length (L) corresponding to the longitudinal length, or depth (I) of a plurality of containing bodies (14) longitudinally aligned with each other.

57. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (16, 216) has a top wall (182, 282) which extends for a length (L) corresponding to a multiple of the longitudinal length, or depth (I) of a plurality of containing bodies (14) longitudinally aligned with each other.

58. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element has a top wall (182) which extends for a width (W) such as to cover a plurality of containing bodies placed transversally side by side.

59. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element has a top wall (182) which extends for a width (W) corresponding to the transversal width (v) of a plurality of containing bodies (14) placed transversally side by side.

60. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element has a top wall which extends for a width (W) corresponding to a multiple of the transversal width (v) of a plurality of containing bodies (14) placed transversally side by side.

61. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (216) has means (250) for coupling with the respective containing body (14a).

62. The packaging according to claim 61 , characterised in that the covering element (216) has means (250) for coupling with the corresponding front containing body (14a) of the plurality of containing bodies (14) of the packaging.

63. The packaging according to claim 61 or 62, characterised in that the covering element (216) has means (25¾) for coupling with the front wall (142) of the respective containing body (14a).

64. The packaging according to any of claims 61 to 63, characterised in that the coupling means (250) comprise a tab (251) for insertion into a respective slot (252).

65. The packaging according to claim 64, characterised in that the coupling means (250) comprise a respective tab (251) extending from the front wall (283) of the covering element (216) and a respective slot (252) extending in the front wall (142) of the front containing body (14a) of the plurality of containing bodies of the packaging.

66. The packaging according to claim 64 or 65, characterised in that the tab (251) extends towards the top wall (282) of the covering element (216).

67. The packaging according to any of claims 64 to 66, characterised in that the tab (251) is made by a respective slot (2511 , 2512, 2513) extending and shaped transversally made in the front wall (283) of the covering element (216).

68. The packaging according to claim 67, characterised in that the slot has a perpendicular extension (2511), in particular having an arched shape, and protruding, in particular towards the top wall (282) of the covering element (216), relative to corresponding and opposite linear side sections (2512, 2513) of the slot.

69. The packaging according to claim 68, characterised in that on the extension of the side sections (2512, 2513) of the slot for defining the insertion tab a line (2830) is provided for creasing or folding an end portion (2831) of the front wall (283) of the covering element (216), allowing it to rotate relative to a main portion (2832) for coupling with the top wall (282) of the same covering element (2 6), allowing the insertion and removal of the coupling tab (251) in the corresponding receiving and retaining slot (252).

70. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the covering element (16, 216) has a front wall (183, 283), the inner face, or surface, of which engages, in the closed condition, with the outer face, or surface, of the front wall (142) of the front containing body (14a) of the plurality of containing bodies (14) of the packaging.

71. A pack characterised in that it is as in any of the preceding claims and/or as described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.