EP3453637B1 - Tamper-evident coupling system, process of making said coupling system, container comprising said coupling system and use thereof - Google Patents

Tamper-evident coupling system, process of making said coupling system, container comprising said coupling system and use thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3453637B1
EP3453637B1 EP18190257.8A EP18190257A EP3453637B1 EP 3453637 B1 EP3453637 B1 EP 3453637B1 EP 18190257 A EP18190257 A EP 18190257A EP 3453637 B1 EP3453637 B1 EP 3453637B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupling
coupling portion
condition
hook
supporting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18190257.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3453637A1 (en
Inventor
Michel BRESSAN
Alessio BRESSAN
Alberto GANDOLLA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IGB SRL
Original Assignee
IGB SRL
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3453637A1 publication Critical patent/EP3453637A1/en
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Publication of EP3453637B1 publication Critical patent/EP3453637B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/64—Lids
    • B65D5/66—Hinged lids
    • B65D5/6626—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank
    • B65D5/665—Hinged lids formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank the lid being held in closed position by self-locking integral flaps or tabs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/64—Lids
    • B65D5/66—Hinged lids
    • B65D5/6602—Hinged lids formed by folding one or more extensions hinged to the upper edge of a tubular container body
    • B65D5/6608—Hinged lids formed by folding one or more extensions hinged to the upper edge of a tubular container body the lid being held in closed position by self-locking integral flaps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2585/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D2585/56—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for medicinal tablets or pills

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a tamper-evident coupling system and a process for making the same.
  • the present invention further relates to a container comprising said coupling system and a use of said coupling system for containers, packaging, envelopes and/or bands for the containment and/or wrapping of products of various kinds.
  • the coupling system may find application in all the fields providing for the packaging of products and requiring a degree of security which enables to show a possible tampering of the package.
  • the coupling system may be employed in the fields of packaging, communication (for example, for postal services), transport and logistics.
  • tamper-evident The employment of packages - made of paper or plastic material - is known, for products of various kinds and equipped with security systems defined as "tamper-evident".
  • tamper-evident systems have the purpose of showing a first opening of the package, so as to warn of the danger of possible tampering of the product.
  • containers made of paper material which use, as tamper-evident system, adhesive labels positioned on the closure of the container and configured for preventing the opening of the latter without the previous removal of the label.
  • Such containers although equipped with a security system, are certainly more expensive with respect to conventional containers (containers without tamper-evident systems) since they require additional raw materials, such as seals/labels, as well as additional steps for the preparation and application of such elements.
  • the adhesive labels do not allow the containers to be effectively made tamper-proof; the labels can easily be removed by removing the same without this operation clearly damaging the package: after opening the container, it is possible to tamper with the contents thereof and replace the same label removed - or a new label - on the closure of the container without the user having evidence of the tampering of the product.
  • a first example, described in patent application BE410524A relates to a box made of paper material exhibiting a storage provided with an opening delimited by a free edge.
  • the container also has a closing tab engaged on the free edge of the storage and movable by rotation around the latter between a closed and an open condition of the container.
  • the closing tab bears a inserting portion adapted to be inserted inside the container in the closed condition thereof; on the inserting portion, two folded flaps are defined opposite to each other, joined to the inserting portion by means of a weakened portion.
  • the container also comprises a coupling portion defined by a tab integrally joined to the free edge of the storage, V-folded inside the storage itself.
  • a pocket is defined for receiving the coupling portion in the closed condition of the container: the tabs, in the closed condition of the container, are configured to fit into the pocket and constrain to the coupling portion in such a way as to lock the closure tab to the storage.
  • the flaps are configured for detaching from the inserting portion.
  • the container described in application no. BE410524A is an improvement over the containers described above, however it is noted that the tamper-evident safety system of the application BE410524A does not allow clear evidence if the container has been previously tampered with: the user must be able to notice the container tampering only on the basis of the perceived resistance which opposes the opening of the container.
  • a second example described in patent application WO2015170203A1 of the same Applicant, relates to a tamper-evident container of sheet material exhibiting a storage provided with an opening delimited by a free edge.
  • the container comprises a closing system associated to the free edge of the storage and movable by rotation around the latter between a closed condition and an open condition of the container.
  • the container comprises a security device exhibiting a first coupling portion associated with the closing system and a second coupling portion arranged inside the storage; the first and the second coupling portions are configured for engaging under a first closed condition of the container.
  • the security device further comprises a removable portion defined by at least one between said first and second coupling portions; the removable portion is configured for breaking and separating from the container under a first opening condition of the latter immediately following the first closed condition.
  • a through opening is present on the storage, enabling the display of the removable portion.
  • the object of the present invention therefore is to substantially solve the drawbacks and/or limitations of the above prior art.
  • a first objective of the invention is to provide a coupling system which may effectively guarantee that tampering is shown at a first opening thereof; in particular, it is the object of the invention to provide a tamper-evident coupling system having a tamper-evident security system which is easily armable (activatable) under a first closed condition thereof. It is a further object of the invention to provide a coupling system of simple and rapid manufacturing, which enables to reduce product and production costs to a minimum. It is an additional object to provide a coupling system which is flexible in the use thereof, which may be effectively employed on different types of products, such as, for example, containers of sheet material (both made of paper and plastic), envelopes, product wrapping bands.
  • An additional object is to facilitate and make the activation step of the coupling system more reliable during the automatic implementation process.
  • product it is instead meant an article or a mixture of articles of any kind.
  • product may also mean a package, for example, bearing a plurality of items.
  • paper material means paper or cardboard, optionally having at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 70% by weight, of organic material comprising one or more between cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, lignin derivatives.
  • the paper sheet material which may be used to manufacture the coupling system, the container or the envelope (optionally a band) may have a grammage from 50 to 500 g/m 2 , in particular from 200 to 400 g/m 2 .
  • the subject paper material extends between a first and a second prevailing development surface.
  • the sheet paper material used for manufacturing the coupling system and the container can, in an embodiment variant, be covered for at least a part of the first and/or second prevalent development surface by a coating made of plastic material, for example a film, whose purpose is to reinforce the paper material.
  • the coating may also be employed to define a sort of water and/or humidity barrier, useful to avoid the weakening and loss of structurality of the coupling system and of the container (optionally of the envelope or the band) with consequent uncontrolled deformation of the paper material constituting the latter component.
  • the coating can be applied to the paper material in the form of a coating or varnish deposited from solution or sprayed, whose thickness is generally, without limitation, between 0.2 and 10 ⁇ m.
  • the coating may comprise a plastic film, for example, a polyethylene lining, which may be applied by means of a rolling process, on one or both sides of the paper material.
  • the values of the plastic film (coating) may, for example, vary from 5 to 400 ⁇ m, in particular, from 10 to 200 ⁇ m, even more in particular, from 10 to 100 ⁇ m, of coating material (i.e., polyethylene).
  • the plastic coating material may be selected, by way of example, from the following materials: PP, PE (HDPE, LDPE, MDPE, LLDPE), EVA, polyesters (including PET and PETg), PVdC.
  • the envelope (optionally the band or the container) may be made of at least partly plastic sheet material or, alternatively, at least partly made of plastic material and partly of paper material.
  • Reference numeral 1 overall indicates a tamper-evident coupling system of sheet material, for example, of paper material, associable to packages of various kinds - for example, containers, envelopes or bands also made of sheet material - for the containment and/or wrapping of products.
  • the coupling system 1 comprises a first base portion 11, a second base portion 12, a first coupling portion 13 borne by the first base portion 11, a second coupling portion 14 borne by the second base portion 12 and configured for cooperating with the first coupling portion 13.
  • the first and the second coupling portions 13, 14 are configured for defining at least one arming condition in which the first and second coupling portions 13, 14 are stably engaged with each other.
  • the first base portion 11 comprises a sheet body spreading in thickness between a first and a second surface.
  • the first base portion 11 stably bears the first coupling portion 13.
  • the first coupling portion 13 is engaged at an end portion of the first base portion 11: such portions 11, 13 are reciprocally engaged to essentially define a single perimetric edge.
  • the first coupling portion 13 may be integrally joined to the first base portion 11 and extend as a prolongation, seamlessly, with respect to said first base portion 11.
  • the first coupling portion 13 may have a substantially arrow or trapezoidal shape. The possibility of manufacturing a first coupling portion 13 exhibiting a different shape, for example triangular or rectangular, is not excluded.
  • the first coupling portion 13 is also made of sheet material, for example paper, and extends in thickness between a first and a second surface. The first surface of the first coupling portion 13 is directly connected and extends continuously without interruption to the first surface of the first base portion 11. Likewise, the second surface of the first coupling portion 13 is directly connected and extends continuously without interruption to the second surface of the first base portion 11.
  • the first coupling portion 13 comprises at least one hook 23 of sheet material defining at least an undercut portion delimited by a respective gripping edge 23a.
  • the first coupling portion 13 may exhibit two respective hooks 23, symmetric to each other with respect to a mid-axis of the first coupling portion 13.
  • the two respective hooks 23 define two gripping edges 23a.
  • the coupling system 1 may comprise at least one through opening 28 defined on the first base portion 11 and/or on the first coupling portion 13 as shown in figures 8 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 16B , 17 .
  • the through opening 28 may have a rectangular shape; alternatively, the through opening may have a circular, trapezoidal, triangular shape.
  • the through opening 28 may be arranged on at least one between the first base portion 11 and the first coupling portion 13.
  • the second base portion 12 comprises a sheet body spreading in thickness between a first and a second surface.
  • the second base portion 12 stably bears the second coupling portion 14.
  • the second coupling portion 14 is engaged at an end portion of the second base portion 12.
  • the second base portion is facing and at least partly in contact with the second surface of the second base portion 12.
  • the second coupling portion 14 is joined in one piece to an end portion of the second base portion 12 and bent above it so that said second coupling portion faces the second base portion.
  • the second coupling portion 14 comprises a respective hook 22 made of sheet material having a substantially "C" or "V" shape.
  • the hook 22 may have a rectangular, trapezoidal, circular or semicircular shape.
  • the hook 22 defines at least one undercut portion delimited by a gripping edge 22a.
  • the gripping edge 22a is delimited laterally by the two connecting edges 21 of the hook 22 which is symmetrical with respect to a centerline axis passing through the same hook 22.
  • the second coupling portion 14 may comprise a single undercut portion defining a single hook 22.
  • the second coupling portion 14 comprises a base body 25 which directly carries the hook 22, movable by rotation with respect to said body 25.
  • the hook 22 is movable by rotation around an axis defined by the connecting edges 21 by an angle smaller than 90°, in particular between 0° and 70°, even more particularly between 0° and 45°.
  • the rotation is measured starting from a configuration in which the hook 22 is substantially parallel to the second base portion 12 as shown in figure 7, 8 , 12 .
  • the hook 22 and the base body 25 may be joined together to form a single body, for example made of paper-like material, folded over the second base portion 12; in this configuration, the second coupling portion 14 is substantially parallel to the second base portion 12.
  • the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14 may comprise distinct bodies bound together by means of adhesive material.
  • the hooks 23, 22 respectively of the first and second coupling portion 13, 14, are configured to firmly engage with each other during the arming condition of the coupling system 1: said hooks 22, 23 - during the arming condition - have respective concavities facing each other.
  • the gripping edge 22a of the hook 22 and the respective gripping edges 23a of the respective hook 23 are configured for stably engaging with each other under the arming condition of the coupling system 1.
  • the coupling step of the hooks takes place by means of an initial contact condition between the first and second coupling portion 13, 14; in particular, the first coupling portion is inserted in interposition between the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 and the second base portion 12: in this condition, the first coupling portion is slid onto the hook 22.
  • the first coupling portion 13 is pressed below the second coupling portion 14 so that the hook 23 (optionally the hooks 23) couples with the hook 22 defining the arming condition.
  • the first and the coupling portion 13, 14 are substantially aligned along a coupling direction (see for example figures 5 and 6 ): at least the first base portion 11 carrying the first coupling portion 13 is directly interposed between the second base portion 12 and the hook 22.
  • the coupling system 1 may comprise at least one indentation 29 associated with the second base portion 12 ( figures 8 , 15 , 16 , 17 ) and defining on said portion 12 an open perimetric profile exhibiting a "C" shape, a "U” shape or a "V” shape.
  • the indentation 29 is placed at a perimetric edge of the second base portion 12 to define a part of the perimetric edge of the second base portion 12 at the end portion of the latter carrying the second coupling portion 14.
  • the indentation is a through opening defined on the second base portion 12, facing the second coupling portion 14.
  • the indentation 29 may be defined at the joining edge between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14.
  • the through opening 28 is arranged, at least in the arming condition of the coupling system 1, at the indentation 29: the indentation 29 and the through opening 28, in the arming condition of the coupling system 1, are facing each other.
  • the coupling system 1 comprises at least one removable portion 15 of sheet material borne by at least one between the first and the second coupling portions 13, 14; the removable portion 15 is configured for separating from the coupling system 1 upon a first disengagement condition between the first and second coupling portions 13, 14 following the arming condition.
  • the separation of the removable portion 15 determines the impossibility of a following engagement between the first and second coupling portions 13, 14, so as to show a tampering of the coupling system 1.
  • a possible attempt to open or tamper with the coupling system 1, following the arming condition of said system 1 would determine the breaking and therefore the detachment of the removable portion 15 from the coupling system 1 itself.
  • the removable portion 15 it is possible to highlight the tampering of the coupling system 1 and inhibit a following anchoring between the first and the second coupling portion 13, 14.
  • the removable portion 15 may be borne by the second coupling portion 14 ( figures 3 , 12 and 13 ) and in particular be defined by the hook 22.
  • the second coupling portion 14 comprises a weakening element 26 which delimits the hook 22 and defines the removable portion 15.
  • the second coupling portion 14 has the weakening element 26 placed between the base body 25 and the hook 22, in particular at the connecting edge 21 between the hook 22 and the base body 25.
  • the removable portion 15 is defined by the hook 22 which has two lateral weakening elements 26 adapted to allow separation of the removable portion 15 from the base body 25 during an initial opening attempt of the coupling system 1 subsequent to the arming condition, so as to show the tampering thereof and prevent a subsequent arming condition.
  • the removable portion 15 defined by the hook 22 may exhibit a projection 30, shown in Figures 18, 1712, 2313, configured for allowing the user a tactile perception of the removable portion 15 itself.
  • the projection 30 is made of sheet material and exhibits a substantially triangular shape, optionally it exhibits a trapezoidal, rectangular or semi-circular shape. in fact, the projection 30 of the removable portion 15 enables visually-impaired users to verify the presence of the removable portion 15 by means of a tactile perception thereof and therefore to verify the integrity or the tampering of the coupling system 1.
  • the through opening 28 allows the passage of the projection 30 of the removable portion 15 as shown in figures 13 and 15 , so as to allow the tactile perception thereof by the user.
  • the removable portion 15 is defined by at least one part of the first coupling portion 13, in particular the removable portion 15 is defined by the respective hook 23 of the first coupling portion 13.
  • the removable portion 15 is defined by the respective hooks 23 of the first coupling portion 13.
  • the first coupling portion 13 comprises a weakening element 26 which delimits the respective hook 23 and defines the removable portion 15.
  • the first coupling portion 13 has a weakening element 26 between a base body 27 of the base portion 11 and the respective hook 23 so that the latter can define the removable portion 15.
  • the weakening element 26 of the first or second coupling portion 13, 14 may by defined by one or more cuts passing through the sheet material, an incision of the sheet material, a local squashing of the sheet material.
  • the weakening element 26 enables the separation of the removable portion 15 from the coupling system 1, allowing to show the tampering following a first arming condition of the coupling system 1 itself.
  • the removable portion 15 may be defined on the first and/or the second coupling portion 13, 14. In the event that the portion 15 is defined by the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14, this portion 15 is visible - at least in the arming condition described above - through the through opening 28, optionally through the through opening 28 and the indentation 29. If, on the other hand, the removable portion 15 is defined on the first coupling portion 13, the portion 15 is immediately and directly visible exclusively through the indentation 29; in the latter configuration, the opening 28 defined on the first base portion 11 is optional.
  • the coupling system 1 further comprises at least one supporting portion 16 ( figures 1-6 , 15 , 17 ) of sheet material and constrained to at least one between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14.
  • the supporting portion 16 is configured, at least during an initial step of putting in contact the first and the second coupling portion 13, 14 of the coupling system 1 before the arming condition, for sustaining at least part of the second coupling portion 14.
  • the supporting portion 16 comprises a reciprocal coupling portion 17 ( figures 11 , 12 ) overlapped and stably constrained to at least one respective reciprocal coupling portion 18 of at least one selected between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14; the supporting portion 16 may comprise two symmetrical reciprocal coupling portions 17 with respect to a longitudinal development trajectory of the supporting portion 16: the two reciprocal coupling portions 17 may be constrained to two respective reciprocal coupling portions 18 of the second base portion 12 ( figures 11 and 12 ).
  • the reciprocal coupling portion 17, constrained to the respective reciprocal coupling portion 18, enables the supporting portion 16 to keep a substantially fixed position, reducing the possibility of a distancing rotation of the supporting portion 16 itself with respect to the second coupling portion 14 or to the second base portion 12.
  • the reciprocal coupling portion 17 is fastened by means of adhesive material to at least one between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14.
  • the reciprocal coupling portion 17 defines a surface of the supporting portion 16 stuck to at least one between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14.
  • the reciprocal coupling portion 17 is defined at a bottom area 20 from which a thrusting portion 19 emerges ( figures 4-8 , 15 , 17 ) configured for abuttingly receiving the second coupling portion 14.
  • the thrusting portion 19 emerges from the bottom portion 20 of the supporting portion 16 along a longitudinal development trajectory of the supporting portion 16 itself; the thrusting portion may exhibit a rectangular, alternatively trapezoidal or triangular or semi-circular shape.
  • the thrusting portion 19 is configured for supporting the second coupling portion 14 during an initial step of contact between the first and the second coupling portion 13, 14 of the coupling system 1 before the arming condition.
  • the thrusting portion 19 and the reciprocal coupling portion 17 of the supporting portion 16 may be integrally joined to define a tab of sheet material: the thrusting portion 19 is not directly constrained to the first coupling portion 13, to the second one coupling portion 14, to the first base portion 11 and to the second base portion 12. The thrusting portion 19 is constrained to the second base portion 12 by the reciprocal coupling portion from which it emerges.
  • the supporting portion 16 is positioned in such a way that the second coupling portion 14 is interposed between the second base portion 12 and the supporting portion 16 itself.
  • the second coupling portion 14, the second base portion 12 and the supporting portion 16 are substantially parallel to one another, at least in an arming condition of the coupling system.
  • the second coupling portion 14, the second base portion 12 and the supporting portion 16 are obtained by the multiple folding of a single sheet, in particular of paper material as shown in figure 11 .
  • Figure 15 shows a section of the coupling system 1 depicted in figure 13 in a first arming condition, highlighting the substantial parallelism between the second base portion 12, the second coupling portion 14 and the supporting portion 16.
  • the supporting portion 16 comprises a weakening portion 24 which may be defined by means of one or more cuts, incisions or veinings of the sheet material bearing the supporting portion 16.
  • the supporting portion 16 may have two weakening portions 24, particularly symmetrical with respect to an axis passing through the centerline of the coupling system 1 ( figures 4, 5 , 11 , 12 ).
  • This weakening portion 24 is configured to allow the supporting portion 16 itself to define a holding operative condition and a releasing operative condition.
  • the holding operative condition shown in figure 16B and in the corresponding section in figure 17 , is defined during an initial step of the arming condition under which the first coupling portion 13 rests against the second coupling portion 14; in the holding condition, the weakening portion 24 is intact and enables the supporting portion 16 itself to sustain the second coupling portion 14 limiting the movement thereof.
  • the thrusting portion 19 of the supporting portion 16 allows supporting the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14: the thrusting portion 19, during the holding operative condition, exerts a thrust on the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 to increase the flexural stiffness thereof.
  • the supporting portion 16, in particular the thrusting portion 19, is therefore configured for limiting the angular displacement of the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 during the holding operative condition to values lower than 90°, in particular between 0° and 70°, even more particularly between 0° and 45°. These angular values are measured as rotation of the hook 22 away from the second base portion 12.
  • the angular displacement is understood as the relative rotation of the hook 22 considered between an initial position of the hook 22 shown in figures 7, 8 and 12 , before the holding operative condition, essentially aligned with the base body 25 and optionally parallel to the second base portion 12, and a final position which the hook 22 may assume under the holding operative condition.
  • the support provided by the supporting portion 16 allows obtaining a greater arming efficiency of the coupling system, allowing to correctly guide the approach and the contact between the first coupling portion 13 and the second coupling portion 14.
  • the thrusting portion 19 prevents a possible overturning of the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 due to the thrusting force exerted by the respective hook 23 of the first coupling portion 13 during the initial anchoring step of the coupling system 1.
  • the supporting portion 16 constrained to the base portion 12 is, therefore, an improvement during the first anchoring step of the coupling system 1.
  • the releasing operative condition is defined at least under the arming condition in which the total or partial breaking of the weakening portion 24 occurs, so that the supporting portion 16 may enable a greater movement of the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 with respect to the holding operative condition.
  • the weakening portion 24 is configured for allowing the passage of the supporting portion 16 from the holding operative condition to the releasing one during the definition of the arming condition of the coupling system 1.
  • the release operative condition defines a reduction in the bending stiffness of the supporting portion 16, in particular the release operative condition reduces the thrust exerted by the thrusting portion 19 on the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 during the arming condition.
  • the supporting portion 16, under the releasing operative condition is configured for enabling an angular displacement of the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 greater than the angular displacement enabled to the hook 22 itself under the holding operative condition.
  • the greater freedom of movement of the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 under the releasing operative condition, with respect to the holding operative condition, increases the security of the coupling system 1, since it makes the tampering thereof more difficult.
  • the releasing operative condition follows the holding operative step. In fact, the greater mobility of the hook 22 during the release condition allows it to follow any displacements of the hook 22 of the first coupling portion 23 thus making the coupling between the portions 13 and 14 highly effective.
  • the supporting portion 16 in addition to acting as a support element for the second coupling portion 14, may perform the signaling function to more clearly show a tampering of the coupling system 1. As previously described, due to the possibility of verifying the lack of the removable portion 15, it is possible to signal a possible tampering of the system 1.
  • the supporting portion 16 is adjacent to the removable portion; it is therefore possible to arrange a marker on the supporting portion 16 (for example, a change of color with respect to the removable portion) so that, in the absence of the portion 15, the supporting portion 16 may highlight, by means of the marker, the absence of said removable portion 15.
  • the supporting portion 16 may act as a marker both in case the removable portion 15 is defined on the second coupling portion 14 (the supporting portion would be visible at least from the indentation 29 and/or from the through opening 28) and in case it is defined on the first coupling portion 13 (the supporting portion would be visible at least from the indentation 29 of the second base portion).
  • the coupling system 1 previously described in each embodiment thereof may be coupled to a container 100 as shown in figures 7-8 and 13-17 .
  • the container 100 may comprise at least one storage 2 defining an internal volume 3 configured for housing products, for example pills, tablets or blister packs (the products are not shown); the storage 2 essentially represents the compartment suitable for housing and supporting the products.
  • the storage 2 comprises a predetermined number of lateral walls 4 defining at least one passage opening 5 delimited by a free edge 6: the passage opening 5 is configured for putting in communication the internal volume 3 of the storage 2 with the external environment.
  • a storage 2 is shown, exhibiting two opposite passage openings 5 with respect to the storage 2 itself, so that the latter may substantially define a duct or tube laterally delimited by the wall 4 and open at the longitudinal ends.
  • the possibility of manufacturing, for example, a storage 2 exhibiting a single passage opening 5 or even a number of openings 5 greater than two (conditions not shown in the accompanying Figures) is not excluded.
  • a storage 2 has been shown which has a rectangular prismatic shape (flat lateral walls 4 having a rectangular shape). However, the possibility of manufacturing a storage 2 having a different shape, for example square, trapezoidal or cylindrical, is not excluded.
  • the storage 2 may be made of sheet material, for example paper, and is obtained, for example, by means of folding.
  • the container 100 comprises the coupling system 1 previously described.
  • the first base portion 11 is rotatively constrained to the free edge 6 of the storage 2: the first coupling portion 13 is borne by the first base portion 11 so that this latter is interposed between the free edge 6 of the storage 2 and the first coupling portion 13.
  • the first base portion 11 and the first coupling portion 13 are movable, in particular, rotatively, with respect to the storage 2 and are configured for defining at least one closed condition in which at least part of the first base portion 11 interdicts the communication between the internal volume 3 of the storage 2 and the external environment.
  • the first base portion 11 and the first coupling portion 13 are further configured for defining an open condition in which the latter themselves enable the communication between the internal volume 3 and the external environment.
  • the first base portion 11 is integrally joined to the free edge 6 of the storage 2: in particular, the first base portion 11 is integrally joined to at least one lateral wall 4 of the storage 2 defining a single body of paper material.
  • the second base portion 12 of the coupling system 1 defines at least part of the lateral wall 4 of the storage 2, while the second coupling portion 14 is at least partially disposed in the internal volume 3 of said storage 2.
  • the coupling system 1 under a first closed condition of the container 100, is configured for defining the arming condition in which the first and the second coupling portions 13, 14 are engaged with each other.
  • the coupling system 1 - under a first open condition of the container 100 following the first closed condition - is configured for defining the first disengagement condition under which the removable portion 15 is configured for separating from the coupling system 1 to show a tampering of the coupling system 1 itself and therefore of the container 100.
  • the first and second coupling portions are entirely arranged in the internal volume 3 of the storage 2, optionally spaced from the free edge 6.
  • the supporting portion 16 of the coupling system 1 is arranged, particularly in its entirety, in the storage 2 ( figure 15 ).
  • the supporting portion 16 of the coupling system 1 is entirely arranged in the internal volume 3 of the storage 2.
  • the supporting portion 16 is substantially parallel to at least one lateral wall 4, in particular, to the lateral wall 4 defined by the second base portion 12.
  • the reciprocal coupling portion 17 of the supporting portion 16 is engaged with an internal surface of at least one lateral wall 4 of the storage 2 spaced from the free edge 6.
  • the thrusting portion 19 of the same supporting portion 16 extends from said reciprocal coupling portion 17 nearing the free edge 6, in particular, the thrusting portion 19 extends up to the free edge 6.
  • the first coupling portion 13 extends as a prolongation of the first base portion 11 from the opposite part to the storage 2, in which, under the first closed condition of the container 1 and therefore under the arming condition, the first and the second coupling portions 13, 14 are configured for engaging with each other in the internal volume 3 of the storage 2.
  • the first base portion 11 comprises a closing portion 7 of sheet material directly engaged with the free edge 6 of the storage 2 and movable, in particular rotatively, with respect to the latter.
  • the closing portion 7 is adapted to delimit the opening 5 of the storage 2, so that, under the closed condition of the container 100, the closing portion 7 may interdict the passage from the internal volume 3 of the storage 2 to the external environment.
  • the closing portion 7 exhibits a rectangular or square shape ( figures 13 and 14 ; however, the possibility that the closing portion may exhibit geometrical shapes other than those shown in the accompanying Figures is not excluded.
  • the first base portion 11 further comprises at least one inserting portion 8 configured for being inserted, under the closed condition of the container, inside the volume 3 of the storage 2.
  • the inserting portion 8 substantially comprises a plane body of sheet material having, by way of non-limiting example, a rectangular shape. As shown in figure 16 , the inserting portion 8 extends between a first and a second prevalent development surface, respectively facing outwards (directly facing a lateral wall 4 of the storage 2) and towards an internal volume 3 of the storage 2. In the closing condition of the coupling system 1, at least a portion of the first development surface of the inserting portion 8 faces, in particular contacts, directly a part of a lateral wall 4 of the storage 2: the surface extends at least in part parallel to the wall 4 of the storage 2, in particular to a front wall of the storage 2 opposed to the wall directly connected to the closing portion 7.
  • the closure portion 7 and the coupling portion 8 have a reciprocal connection edge opposite to the free edge 2 of the storage 2 with respect to the closure portion 7 itself: the coupling portion 8 is movable by rotation with respect to the closure portion 7 around to this reciprocal connection edge.
  • the inserting portion 8, in the arming condition of the coupling system 1 is configured to define, according to a cross section and in cooperation with the closure portion 7, a substantially "L" shape: in this condition, the coupling portion 8 extends substantially parallel to a lateral wall 4 of the storage 2.
  • the closing portion 7 and the inserting portion 8 of the first base portion 11 are integrally joined defining a closing tab 9 of the container 100 made of sheet material, for example, paper.
  • the closing portion 7 and the inserting portion 8 are exhibited on each of the openings 5 of the container 100 so as to define the closing system.
  • the closing tab 9 is integrally joined to the free edge 6 of the storage 2 and, therefore, to at least one lateral wall 4 of the container 100.
  • a closing tab 9 exhibiting a rectangular shape, entirely countershaped to free edge 6, has been schematized.
  • the through opening 28 of the coupling system 1 is defined on the closing portion 7 and/or on the inserting portion 8, and is arranged, under a closed condition of the container 100, in particular, at the removable portion 15 under the arming condition.
  • the through opening 28, upon the arming condition of the coupling system 1 and before the first disengagement condition, is adapted to allow the passage of the projection 30 and, therefore, the exit thereof from the storage 2 (see Figure 13 and the respective section of Figure 15 ).
  • the indentation 29 of the coupling system 1 is defined on at least one lateral wall 4 of the storage 2, in particular in which the through opening 28 is located at the opening 29, at least in the closed condition of the container 100 and in the arming condition of the coupling system 1.
  • the container 100 may further comprise at least one abutment portion 80 engaged on the free edge 6 of the storage 2 adjacent to the closing portion 7: the abutment portion 80, in the closed condition , is configured for being interposed between the internal volume 3 and the closing tab 9 so as to cooperate with the latter to keep it permanently in said closure condition.
  • the abutment portion 80 comprises a tab integrally joined to the free edge 6.
  • the abutment portion 80 exhibits a rectangular or trapezoidal shape.
  • the abutment portion 80 is configured for rotating around the free edge 6 to face, at least in the closed condition of the container 1, towards the inside of the storage 2.
  • the abutment portion 80 is constrained to the free edge 6 so as to engage, in the closed condition of the container 100, at least part of the inserting portion 8 and/or of the closing portion 7 to stably keep the closing tab 9 in said condition.
  • the container 1 may comprise two abutment portions 80 opposed to each other with respect to the closing tab 9: the latter is interposed between the two abutment portions 11. In such configuration, the two abutment portions 80 symmetrically work on the closing tab 9 to keep it stably under the closed condition.
  • the step of preparing the first base portion 11 comprises a step of preparing a first sheet 51 on a plane surface and at least one step of cutting the first sheet 51 defining the first base portion 11.
  • the step of preparing the first coupling portion 13 comprises a step of preparing a second sheet 52 on a plane surface and a step of cutting the second sheet 52 defining the first coupling portion 13.
  • this cutting step defines the respective hook 23 of the first coupling portion 13.
  • the cutting step defines the gripping edge 23a delimiting an undercut portion of the first coupling portion 13.
  • the first and the second sheet 51, 52 are integrally joined to form a single body.
  • the step of preparing the second base portion 12 comprises a step of preparing a third sheet 53 on a plane surface and a step of cutting the third sheet 53 defining the second base portion 12.
  • the step of preparing the second coupling portion 14 comprises a step of preparing a fourth sheet 54 on a plane surface and a step of cutting the fourth sheet 54 defining the second coupling portion 14.
  • said cutting step defines the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14.
  • the cutting step defines the gripping edge 22a delimiting an undercut portion of the second coupling portion 14.
  • the step of preparing the supporting portion 16 comprises a step of preparing a fifth sheet 55 on a plane surface and a step of cutting the fifth sheet 55 defining the supporting portion 16.
  • the cutting step defines the reciprocal coupling portion 17 and the thrusting portion 19.
  • the third, the fourth and the fifth sheet 53, 54, 55 may be integrally joined to form a single body.
  • the step of cutting the fifth sheet 55 defines the weakening portion 24 configured for allowing the supporting portion 16 the passage from the holding condition to the releasing one during the definition of the arming condition of the coupling system 1.
  • the step of preparing the removable portion 15 comprises a cutting step of the second 52 or fourth sheet 54 to define the weakening element 26 of the removable portion 15; this cutting step involves at least one operation between punching, etching, shearing and/or laser cutting of the first or second coupling portion 13, 14.
  • the step of constraining at least one part of the supporting portion 16 to at least one between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14 may comprise a step of sticking the supporting portion 16 to at least one between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14.
  • the step of constraining provides for the sticking of the reciprocal coupling portion 17 of the supporting portion 16 to the respective reciprocal coupling portion 18 of at least a selected one of the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14.
  • the sticking step provides for a step of dispensing adhesive material on at least one between the first, fourth and fifth sheet 51, 54, 55.
  • the sticking step provides for a step of dispensing adhesive material on at least one between the first and fifth sheet 51, 55.
  • the step of constraining at least one part of the supporting portion 16 to at least one between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14 comprises a step of anchoring the supporting portion 16 to at least one between the second base portion 12 and the second coupling portion 14, by means of at least one operation selected between deformation, cutting and pressing of at least one between the first, fourth and fifth sheet 51, 54, 55.
  • the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sheet are of paper sheet material.
  • the process of making the container 100 comprises at least the following steps:
  • the step of preparing the storage 2 comprises a step of preparing a sixth sheet 56 comprising at least one first and one second portion 57, 59 interconnected with a central connecting portion 58.
  • the sixth sheet 56 further comprises at least one first and one second lateral connecting portion 60, 61, in which the central connecting portion 58 is interposed between the first and the second portion 57, 59, the first portion 57 is interposed between the first lateral connecting portion 61 and the central connecting portion 58, the second portion 59 is interposed between the second lateral connecting portion 60 and the central connecting portion 58.
  • Each of the portions 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 comprise at least two opposite longitudinal edges and two opposite end edges.
  • the first and second portions 57, 59, the central connecting portion 58 and said lateral connecting portions 60, 61 are joined along the longitudinal edges and aligned along a single connection direction.
  • the step of preparing the storage 2 further comprises a step of folding the sixth sheet 56, joining the lateral connecting portions 60, 61, to form the storage 2 exhibiting the passage opening 5 delimited by at least one free edge 6.
  • the lateral connecting portions 60, 61 are joined to each other by means of adhesive material.
  • the step of preparing the storage 2 further comprises the step of preparing a seventh sheet 62 exhibiting at least one portion 63 connected to at least one central and/or lateral connecting portion of the sixth sheet 56 and emerging with respect to the latter.
  • the portion 63 of the seventh sheet 62 is adapted to form a resting portion 80 of the container 100.
  • the third sheet 53 defining the second base portion 12 of the second coupling portion 14 of the coupling system 1 is integrally joined to form a single body with the first portion 57 of the sixth sheet 56, in particular in which the third sheet 53 emerges from the longitudinal edges of the sixth sheet 56.
  • the first sheet 51 defining the first base portion 11 of the coupling system 1 is integrally joined to form a single body with the second portion 59 of the sixth sheet 56, in particular in which said first sheet 51 emerges from the longitudinal edges of the sixth sheet 56.
  • the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh sheet are integrally joined to one another defining a single body of sheet material, in particular of paper sheet material.
  • the process comprises a step of separately preparing the first coupling portion 13 and the second coupling portion 14 and a further step of exerting a reciprocal pressure between the first and the second coupling portions 13, 14 defining an initial contact condition of the coupling system 1.
  • Such process comprising the step of engaging the first and the second coupling portions 13, 14 defining the arming condition.
  • the step of exerting a reciprocal thrust between the first and second coupling portion 13, 14 comprises a sub-step of bringing the respective hook 23 of the first coupling portion 13 closer to the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 and contacting, optionally pushing, the respective hook 23 of the first coupling portion 13 at the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14.
  • the respective hook 23, during the step of exerting a reciprocal thrust may be interposed between the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 and the second base portion 12.
  • the step of exerting a reciprocal pressure between the first and the second coupling portions 13, 14 comprises a step in which the thrusting portion 19 receives against it, to sustain it, the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14.
  • the latter step corresponds to the holding operative condition of the supporting portion 16.
  • the step of engaging the first and the second coupling portions 13, 14 comprises the steps of inserting the respective hook 23 of the first coupling portion 13 at the gripping edge 22a of the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14, and of defining the grip between the undercut portions of the first and of the second coupling portion 13, 14 respectively delimited by the gripping edges 23a, 22a.
  • the latter step corresponds to the releasing operative condition, in particular in which the total or partial breaking of the weakening portion 24 of the supporting portion 16 occurs, enabling an upper movement of the hook 22 of the second coupling portion 14 with respect to the holding operative condition.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
EP18190257.8A 2017-09-07 2018-08-22 Tamper-evident coupling system, process of making said coupling system, container comprising said coupling system and use thereof Active EP3453637B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102017000100160A IT201700100160A1 (it) 2017-09-07 2017-09-07 Sistema di aggancio ad evidenza di manomissione, procedimento per la realizzazione di detto sistema di aggancio, contenitore comprendente detto sistema di aggancio ed uso di quest'ultimo

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3453637A1 EP3453637A1 (en) 2019-03-13
EP3453637B1 true EP3453637B1 (en) 2020-04-22

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EP18190257.8A Active EP3453637B1 (en) 2017-09-07 2018-08-22 Tamper-evident coupling system, process of making said coupling system, container comprising said coupling system and use thereof

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EP (1) EP3453637B1 (it)
IT (1) IT201700100160A1 (it)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT202100020438A1 (it) 2021-07-30 2023-01-30 Igb Srl Contenitore ad evidenza di manomissione e procedimento per la realizzazione dello stesso

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE410524A (fr) * 1935-01-16 1935-08-31 Georges Minidre Fermeture inviolable pour boites pliantes en carton, et paquetages similaires
WO2013007306A1 (de) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-17 Duropack Wellpappe Ansbach Gmbh Verpackungsbehälter
MX2016014502A (es) * 2014-05-05 2017-05-23 Igb Srl Recipiente de alteracion evidente y procedimiento para su fabricacion.

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EP3453637A1 (en) 2019-03-13
IT201700100160A1 (it) 2019-03-07

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