EP3870515B1

EP3870515B1 - A composite container with separable top, a blank and methods for separating a rim from a tubular body

Info

Publication number: EP3870515B1
Application number: EP19877425.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eva Sunning
Original assignee: GPI Systems AB
Current assignee: GPI Systems AB
Priority date: 2018-10-26
Filing date: 2019-10-28
Publication date: 2023-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-28
Also published as: SE1851334A1; EP3870515A4; EP3870515C0; SE543142C2; EP3870515A1; WO2020085992A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure pertains to a composite container comprising a tubular body, the tubular body having an inside surface and an outside surface and being closed at a bottom end of the tubular body opposite a container opening at a top end of the tubular body, the tubular body being made from a laminate sheet material comprising a carton layer. The composite container further comprises a top rim and/or a bottom rim, such as a plastic rim, surrounding the container opening and being attached to an end portion of the tubular body. The composite containers as disclosed herein also comprise a lid for opening and closing the composite container. A body blank for forming a tubular body of a composite container and a method for separating a rim from the tubular body are also disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND

In the area of disposable containers for products such as infant formula, tobacco, detergents, etc. there is an ongoing need of diminishing the carbon footprint of such products, by minimizing the resource use for the disposable containers as well as making the containers recyclable. The disposable containers referred to herein are composite containers having a tubular body which is made from a laminate sheet material comprising a carton layer, i.e. a layer made predominantly from cellulosic fibres. The tubular body may also comprise additional layers such as a barrier layer in the form of a metal foil, e.g. an aluminum foil layer and one or more polymeric film layers. A polymeric film layer is commonly applied over a metal foil layer to protect the foil layer. The polymeric film layer is commonly a thermoplastic film layer which may contribute to forming a good seal when attaching components such as a top sealing member, a rim, etc. to the tubular container body by heat sealing techniques such as welding. The outside of the carton layer may be printed, and a further polymeric layer may be arranged on the outside of the carton layer to protect the carton layer from ambient moisture and to enhance the appearance of the container. The bottom of the container may be made from a folded-in end portion of the tubular body or may be a bottom disc which is attached to the tubular body at a bottom end thereof. In order to obtain good protection against air and moisture penetration for the whole interior space in the container, also the bottom disc may be made from a laminate sheet material comprising a carton layer and layers of metal foil and thermoplastic film.
In addition to the carton based laminate sheet materials used for the tubular body and an optional bottom disc, a composite container as disclosed herein has at least a top rim which is attached as a separate component to the tubular body and which is made from a more durable material than the tubular body, such as plastic or metal. Commonly used disposable composite containers are provided with a firmly attached plastic top rim which is glued to the tubular body of the container at the container opening. The top rim may be part of a lid component and the lid component may include a lid being attached by a hinge to the rim.
There is an increasing demand for efficient waste handling and recycling of the different components of composite containers. Hence, there is a need for an improved composite container allowing carton based container components to be processed separate from plastic and metal components after the composite container has been used and discarded.
Document WO2012044235A1 discloses a bottle having score lines to facilitate the separation of the plastic neck from the paper tubular body.
An object of the present disclosure is to offer a means for improving recyclability of composite carton/plastic containers by facilitating removal of a firmly attached plastic component such as a rim or a lid component.

SUMMARY

The above object may be achieved with a composite container in accordance with claim and separation methods according to claims 16 and 19. Further embodiments are set out in the dependent claims, in the following description and in the drawings.
A composite container as set out herein and according to a first aspect comprises a tubular body. The tubular body is closed at a bottom end over a container bottom opening of the tubular body opposite a container top opening at a top end of the tubular body and has an inside surface and an outside surface. The tubular body extends in a longitudinal direction of the container from the bottom end to the container opening. The tubular body is made from a laminate sheet material comprising a carton substrate and a rim surrounding the container top opening and/or the container bottom opening. The rim is attached to an end portion of the tubular body along an end edge of the tubular body. The rim has an inner portion facing the inside surface of the tubular body and the rim inner portion has a distal inner edge located at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body of from 2 to 20 millimeter. The composite container further comprises a lid for opening and closing the composite container. The composite container comprises a separation arrangement for separating the attached rim from the tubular body, the separation arrangement comprising a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line arranged in a circumferential direction in the inside surface or alternatively in the outside surface and extending only partially through the thickness of the tubular body. The first score line is located at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body and at level with or at least not more than 3 mm below the distal inner edge of the rim as seen in the longitudinal direction. The first score line is provided along from 50% to 100%, optionally from 60% to 100%, of the circumference of the inside surface, and/or of the outside surface
The tubular body may have a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and two side wall portions, being connected by corner portions. The corner portions of the tubular body may be rounded corner portions. The first score line may be provided in the front and rear wall portions and in the two side wall portions. The first score line may additionally or alternatively be provided in the corner portions, such as each of the corner portions.
The tubular body may alternatively have a circular cross-section. The tubular body may also have an essentially square, triangular or oval cross-section.
The first score line may be provided at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body of from 2 to 15 mm.
The provision of the first score line in the inside surface or in the outside surface in the tubular body enables delamination of the laminate sheet material in the carton substrate when applying pressure to the tubular body wall for separating the rim from the tubular body during disposal of the composite container.
The score line may be continuous or discontinuous, this including a continuous score line provided around the complete container body periphery and by "discontinuous" is meant that the container body is provided with a series of discontinuous slits, perforations or the like, allowing rupture of the container body wall at one or more predefined locations or that only parts of the container body periphery is provided with a score line.
As set out herein, the rim, such as a top rim and/or a bottom rim, can be readily separated from the tubular body by using the separation arrangement. If the lid is connected to the top rim, the lid is removed at the same time as the top rim. In this way the recyclability of the composite container by facilitating removal of the firmly attached rim is achieved.
The attachment of the rim to the end portion of the tubular body may be an adhesive attachment. The adhesive may be applied between the inner portion of the rim and the inside surface of the tubular body. The adhesive may alternatively or additionally be applied to an outer portion of the rim and the outside surface of the tubular body. The attachment of the rim to the end portion may alternatively or additionally be made by induction welding.
By "the end edge" it is meant the end edge of the tubular body end portion to which the rim is attached and from which the rim is intended to be separated at disposal of the composite container. By "distal inner edge" is meant a lower inner edge when the rim to be removed by the separation arrangement is a top rim and an upper inner edge of the rim when the rim to be removed by the separation arrangement is a bottom rim. The distal inner edge is essentially perpendicular to the inner surface of the tubular body.
The rim is preferably attached to the inside surface of the tubular body when the first score line is arranged in the inside surface of the tubular body and the rim is preferably attached to the outside surface of the tubular body when the first score line is arranged in the outside surface of the tubular body.
The tubular body of a composite container as disclosed herein is formed from a body blank which is bent into a tube shape, thereby bringing two opposing side edges of the body blank together in an end-to-end join, also known as a "butt join" or in an overlapping join. The join extends in a height direction of the tubular body between the top end and the bottom end of the tubular body. An end-to-end join is subsequently sealed by means of a sealing strip which is welded to the inside surface of the tubular body. A sealing strip may also be applied over an overlapping join, in order to avoid cut edges of the carton layer to be exposed to the contents in the composite container.
The tubular body may be sealed over the container bottom opening at the bottom end by application of a bottom sealing member, also referred to herein as a "bottom disc". The bottom disc may be formed from a laminate bottom sheet material which is similar to the material in the tubular body of the composite container. Accordingly, the bottom disc may comprise a carton substrate layer, and optional additional layers such as a metallic foil layer and one or more polymeric layers. A thermoplastic polymeric layer is suitably arranged at an inside surface of the bottom sealing member, i.e. at a surface facing towards an interior of the tubular body, with a metallic foil layer being arranged between the carton layer and the thermoplastic polymeric layer. The bottom sealing member may be applied to the tubular body in the same manner as a top sealing member, as disclosed herein.
An alternative way of sealing the bottom end of the tubular body is by folding in and sealing the sheet material over the container bottom opening of the tubular body.
The sealing strip is preferably welded to the inside surface of the tubular body by means of high frequency induction welding. Application of container components such as a top sealing member, a bottom sealing member, a top rim and a bottom rim may be performed using an attachment unit comprising a welding unit, such as a high frequency welding unit, which is configured to fasten the component to the tubular body during production of the composite container. The welding unit may comprise an inductive welding energy generator for softening or melting a weldable layer that forms part of the tubular body and/or the applied container component. The sealing strip may also be adhesively attached to the inside surface of the tubular body, the attachment unit may in such case comprise a gluing unit. The sealing strip may of course be attached by any other suitable means.
The composite container as disclosed herein preferably comprises a top sealing member which is attached to the inside surface of the tubular body at a distance from the top end of the tubular body. If arranged at the top end portion, the separation arrangement is preferably arranged between the top sealing member and the top rim.
The top sealing member may be an openable or peelable top sealing member, implying that it may be fully or partly removed by a user in order to provide initial access to an interior compartment of the composite container either by breaking a seal between the top sealing member and the inside surface of the tubular body, or by tearing or otherwise breaking the top sealing member itself.
The top sealing member may be gastight or gas-permeable. A gastight top sealing member may be manufactured from any material or material combination suitable for providing a gastight sealing of a compartment delimited by the sealing membrane, such as aluminium foil, silicon-coated paper, carton, plastic film, or laminates thereof. A gastight top sealing member is particularly advantageous when the contents in the composite container are sensitive to air and/or moisture.
The top sealing member may be attached to the tubular body by welding a peripheral flange of the top sealing member to the inside surface of the tubular body. As disclosed herein, the top sealing member is commonly a flexible component made from a laminate of one or more layers of aluminium foil and outer layers of thermoplastic polymeric material and the peripheral flange is created by folding an edge portion of the top sealing member out of the plane of the top sealing member and into alignment with the inside surface of the tubular body. The top sealing member is applied at a distance from the top end edge of the tubular body to allow for attachment of the top rim above the top sealing member. If the composite container comprises a scoop, a leaflet, or other supplementary item, the top sealing member may be applied at a sufficient distance from the top end edge of the tubular body to allow the item to be accommodated in a space formed between the top sealing member and an inside surface of the lid. The distance between the top sealing member and the top end edge of the tubular body may be in the order of from 10 to 60 millimeters, such as in the order of from 20 to 50 millimeters. The space above the sealing membrane may be used to accommodate a scoop or other utensil provided together with the packaged goods.
Depending on whether the top sealing member is applied from the upper end of the tubular body or from the bottom end of the tubular body, the flange of the top sealing member which is joined to the inside surface of the tubular body may be directed upward toward the container opening or downward, toward the bottom end of the composite container.
The top sealing member constitutes a transport seal and is provided in addition to the openable and closable lid, to keep the contents in the composite container fresh and protected against contamination up until a first opening of the composite container by a consumer. A common type of top sealing member is a sealing disc comprising a top member and a bottom member. The top member is provided with cuts, forming a tear strip and a tear-away area which includes the tear strip. The tear-away area is delimited by a contour cut which forms an outer tear line extending in the top member along the full contour of the tear-away area. The tear-strip is formed by a different cut arranged inward of the contour cut in the top member. The top member and the bottom member are selectively interconnected in a peripheral border seal and at one or more locations within the tear strip and usually also within a further location in the tear-away area, outside of the tear strip. By pulling at the tear-strip formed in the top member, the connection or connections between the top member and the bottom member within the area constituted by the tear strip will cause the bottom member to break along the cuts in the top member. Thereby, both the top member and the bottom member within the tearable area can be removed from the container, making the contents in the container available for use.
A peelable top sealing member commonly takes the form of a flexible foil which may be provided with a grip tab or other gripping device for facilitating removal of the top sealing member.
The lid of the composite container as disclosed herein may be a part of a lid component, the lid component comprising the top rim and a lid part.
Alternatively, the lid may be a separate part of the composite container which can be completely removed when opening the composite container, such as a plug-in lid.
When the lid is part of a lid component, it is connected to the top rim by means of a hinge. The hinge may be a live hinge, i.e. a bendable connection between the lid and the top rim or frame structure. A live hinge may be formed integrally with the lid and/or with the top rim or frame structure or may be a separately formed element which is attached to the lid and to the top rim or frame structure. Alternatively, the hinge may be a two-part hinge, with a first hinge part arranged on the lid and a second hinge part arranged on the top rim or frame structure.
The first score line may be provided along from 50% to 100%, optionally from 60% to 100%, of the circumference of the inside surface of the tubular body or alternatively of the outside surface of the tubular body, and may extend over one or more of the corner portions and/or one or more of the wall portions, such as a front wall portion, rear wall portion and a side wall portion. This has been found by the present inventors to significantly reduce the force needed to completely separate the rim from the tubular body as the carton layer is partially delaminated around the circumference of the tubular body.
By "completely" separating the rim from the tubular body is meant that the rim is separated from the tubular body such that it be separately disposed. Small strips of material from the tubular body, or adhesive residues may still remain attached to the rim.
The separation arrangement may comprise a second, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential score line arranged in a circumferential direction and parallel to the first score line in the inside surface or alternatively in the outside surface and extending only partially through the thickness of the tubular body. The second score line is located in the same surface, inside or outside, as the first score line. The second score line may be located at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body of from 1 to 9 millimeter, and the second score line may be provided in the front and rear wall portions and in the two side wall portions.
The second score line may be provided at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body of from 1 to 10 mm.
The provision of a second score line, arranged closer to the relevant end edge than the first score line, may even further reduce the force needed when separating the rim from the tubular body, especially when the attachment of the rim to the tubular body is relatively strong.
The second score line may be provided along from 50% to 100%, optionally 60% to 100%, of the circumference of the inside surface or outside surface of the tubular body.
If the first and the second score lines are discontinuous score lines, the first and the second score lines may be arranged in the same parts of the tubular body circumference.
The second score line may be provided closer to the end edge of the tubular body than the distal inner edge of the rim.
The separation arrangement may further comprise one or more stabilization zone(s) being arranged in the tubular body, each stabilization zone comprising a set of stabilization elements, such as in the form of embossed lines or reinforced lines, The set of stabilization elements may comprise a plurality, such as 2 to 20, embossed or reinforced lines being arranged perpendicular to the end edge and extending from the first score line towards the opposing end edge of the tubular body. The embossed or reinforced lines of the set of stabilization elements may have a length of from 5 to 25 millimeter. A number of stabilization zones may be from 1 to 12, such as from 2 to 8. The embossed or reinforced lines of the set of stabilization elements may be provided at a distance from the end edge from 5 to 25 millimeter, such as from 10 to 20 millimeter.
The one or more stabilization zone(s) is/are provided to give stability to the tubular body in a region adjacent to the score line promote stability and a more distinct partial delamination of the carton layer.
The one or more stabilization zone(s) may be arranged in a curved wall portion, such as in a rounded corner portion or in a wall portion of a tubular body having a circular cross-section. For this embodiment only one stabilization zone is needed. However, the stabilization zones may also be arranged in two, three or four of the curved wall portions.
The separation arrangement may comprise two or more stabilization zones, wherein of the front wall portion and/or the rear wall portion may comprise two or more stabilization zones. The separation arrangement may comprise four or more stabilization zones and wherein each of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion comprises two or more stabilization zones, wherein the stabilization zones arranged on the front wall portion are arranged to oppose the stabilization zones arranged on the rear wall portion.
For a composite container having two stabilization zone in the front wall and/or two stabilization zone in the rear wall the user may grip the container at the front wall and rear wall and apply a simultaneous pressure with a thumb pressing slightly below each the stabilization zones. This gives a good grip and facilitates the partial delamination of the tubular wall at the first score line and the subsequent separation of the rim from the tubular body.
The separation arrangement may comprise one or more deformation zones arranged further away from the end edge compared to the first score line, as seen in a longitudinal direction, the deformation zone(s) comprising deformation indicating element(s).
The deformation zones provide indication as to where the user is intended to apply pressure during separation of the rim from the tubular body to improve positioning of the user hands and location and thereby effectiveness of the pressure applied. The deformation may provide deformation facilitating elements, such as embossed lines elements promoting folding and deformation. The deformation facilitating elements may for example have a lower bend indication, such as a straight base line and an upper rounded portion.
The separation arrangement may comprise one or more deformation zones comprising deformation indicating element(s), the deformation zone(s) may be arranged further away from the end edge compared to the stabilization zone(s) and at least partly in register with the stabilization zone(s), as seen in a longitudinal direction.
The deformation zones may be arranged below the stabilization zones when the rim to be separated is a top rim and above the stabilization zones when the rim to be removed is a bottom rim, as seen in the longitudinal direction. During separation of a bottom rim, the composite container is believed to be most likely turned up-side-down during separation. The deformation zones provide indication as to where the user is to apply pressure during separation of the rim from the tubular body. When the rim is to be separated the pressure should be applied below the score line, as seen in a longitudinal direction of the composite container. If it is the bottom rim which is to be removed, and the container for some reason is not held in an up-side-down position, the pressure should then naturally be applied above the score line. Otherwise the pressure is most likely just applied onto the rim interior part which will not lead to any delamination of the carton layer.
The deformation zone(s) may comprise a plurality, such as 2 to 20, embossed lines. The embossed lines may optionally have an angle deviating from 90°, as measured from the end edge and may have a curved shape. The embossed lines may being contiguous with the embossed lines forming the set of stabilization elements or being arranged at a distance in the longitudinal direction from the embossed lines forming the set of stabilization elements of from 2 to 20 millimeters. Such embossed lines in the deformation zone has been found to facilitate deformation of the tubular body and inwardly folding of the tubular body wall when applying pressure thereto which may require less pressure to be applied to achieve an inwardly deformation of the tubular body and thereby weakens the wall at the score line and thereby requiring less force of the user for subsequently remove the rim.
The first score line may extend into the carton substrate layer from the inside surface if provided in the inside surface or from the outside surface if provided in the outside surface to a depth corresponding to 15%-60% of a thickness of the carton substrate layer, such as 20%-55% of carton substrate layer.
The deformation indicating element(s) may comprise one or more of the following element(s); printed indication(s), weakening line(s), embossed indications, curved embossed line(s), embossed line(s). The embossed lines may optionally have an angle deviating from 90°, as measured from the end edge.
The rim may be a top rim surrounding the container top and being attached to a top end portion of the tubular body along a top end edge of the tubular body. The top rim may have an inner downwards extending portion facing the inside surface of the tubular body, the rim inner portion comprising an inner lower edge being located at a distance from the top end edge.
The lid may be a part of a lid component. The lid component may comprise the top rim and a lid part.
The rim may be a bottom rim surrounding the container bottom opening and being attached to a bottom end portion of the tubular body along a bottom end edge of the tubular body. The bottom rim may have an inner upwards extending portion facing the inside surface of the tubular body, the rim inner portion comprising an inner upper edge being located at a distance from the bottom end edge.
The composite container may also comprise both a top rim and a bottom rim intended to be separated from the tubular body of the container during disposal and according to this present disclosure.
A rectangular body blank (not claimed) for forming a tubular body as set out herein a longitudinal direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the tubular body. The rectangular body blank further has a transverse direction corresponding to a circumferential direction of the tubular body in a composite container in accordance with the first aspect. The body blank has a top edge and a bottom edge and two side edges, an inside surface and an outside surface. The body blank is made from a laminate sheet material comprising a carton substrate layer. The body blank furthermore comprises a separation arrangement comprising a, continuous or discontinuous, transverse first score line arranged in the transverse direction in the inside surface and extending only partially through the thickness of the body blank. The transverse score line being located at a distance from the top edge and/or from the bottom edge of the rectangular body blank of from 2 to 20 millimeter.
A method of separating a rim from a tubular body of a composite container as set out herein comprises a tubular body. The tubular body is closed at a bottom end over a container bottom opening of the tubular body opposite a container top opening at a top end of the tubular body and has an inside surface and an outside surface. The tubular body extends in a longitudinal direction of the container from the bottom end to the container opening. The tubular body is made from a laminate sheet material comprising a carton substrate and a rim surrounding the container top opening and/or the container bottom opening. The rim is attached to an end portion of the tubular body along an end edge of the tubular body. The rim has a rim inner portion facing the inside surface of the tubular body, the rim inner portion having a distal inner edge being located at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body of from 2 to 20 millimeter. The composite container further comprises a lid for opening and closing the composite container. The tubular body has at least a first and a second wall portion, for example three or four wall portions. The tubular body may have a circular cross-section. The composite container comprises a separation arrangement for separating the attached rim from the tubular body, the separation arrangement comprising a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line arranged in a circumferential direction in the inside surface or alternatively in the outside surface and extending only partially through the thickness of the tubular body. The first score line is located at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body and at level with or at least not more than 3 mm below the distal inner edge as seen in the longitudinal direction. The first score line is provided along from 50% to 100%, optionally from 60% to 100%, of the circumference of the inside surface, and/or of the outside surface and the method comprises the steps of:

a) gripping the tubular body and applying pressure to the first wall portion, at a distance from the circumferential score line, as seen in a direction from the end edge of the tubular body towards the opposing end edge of the tubular body, in a direction towards an interior of the tubular body and such that a distinct fold line is formed in the laminate sheet material at the circumferential score line,
b) rotating the composite container and applying pressure to the second wall portion, at a distance from the first score line, as seen in a direction from the end edge of the tubular body towards the opposing end edge of the tubular body, in a direction towards an interior of the tubular body and such that a distinct fold line is formed in the laminate sheet material at the first score line, and
c) tearing off the rim of the composite container from the tubular body.

The first wall portion may be the front wall portion, the rear wall portion or a side wall portion. The second wall portion is preferably a wall portion adjacent to the first wall portion, i.e. the first and the second wall portion being connected by a corner portion to each other. If the tubular body has a circular cross-section, the first and the second wall portions are sections of a continuous wall. If the tubular body has a rectangular or square cross-section, the tubular body may have a front and a rear wall portions and two side wall portions.
The composite container may have an essentially circular, oval, triangular, square or rectangular cross-section. The edges may be rounded edges.
When tearing of the rim in step c), the user may hold the tubular body with one hand while gripping the rim with the other hand and tearing off the rim.
Optionally, in the method of separating a rim from a tubular body of a composite container according to the third aspect, the separation arrangement may further comprise two or more stabilization zones being arranged in the first wall portion. The stabilization zones comprises a set of stabilization elements in the form of a plurality, such as 2 to 20, embossed or reinforced lines being arranged perpendicular to the end edge and extending from the first score line towards the opposing end edge of the tubular body. The embossed or reinforced lines may have a length of from 5 to 25 millimeter. The separation arrangement may further comprise two or more deformation zones arranged in the first wall portion and further away from the end edge compared to the stabilization zone, the at least two or more deformation zones being partly in register with the stabilization elements stabilization zone, as seen in a longitudinal direction. The deformation zones may comprise deformation indicating element(s), wherein the step a) further comprises:

a) applying pressure to the first wall portion on the two or more deformation zones.

Optionally, the separation arrangement may further comprise two or more deformation zones arranged in the first wall portion and further away from the end edge compared to the first score line, as seen in a longitudinal direction, the deformation zone(s) comprising deformation indicating element(s), wherein the step a) further comprises:

a) applying pressure to the first wall portion at the deformation zones.

A method of separating a rim from a tubular body of a composite container as set out herein comprises a tubular body. The tubular body is closed at a bottom end over a container bottom opening of the tubular body opposite a container top opening at a top end of the tubular body and has an inside surface and an outside surface. The tubular body extends in a longitudinal direction of the container from the bottom end to the container opening. The tubular body is made from a laminate sheet material comprising a carton substrate and a rim surrounding the container top opening and/or the container bottom opening. The rim is attached to an end portion of the tubular body along an end edge of the tubular body. The rim has a rim inner portion facing the inside surface of the tubular body, the rim inner portion having a distal inner edge being located at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body of from 2 to 20 millimeter. The composite container further comprises a lid for opening and closing the composite container. The tubular body has a curved wall portion, such as a rounded corner portion. The composite container comprises a separation arrangement for separating the attached rim from the tubular body, the separation arrangement comprising a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line arranged in a circumferential direction in the inside surface or alternatively in the outside surface and extending only partially through the thickness of the tubular body. The first score line is located at a distance from the end edge of the tubular body and at level with or at least not more than 3 mm below the distal inner edge as seen in the longitudinal direction. The first score line is provided along from 50% to 100%, optionally from 60% to 100& of the circumference of the inside surface, and/or of the outside surface, and the method comprises the steps of:

a) applying a simultaneous pressure, using both thumbs, onto to the curved wall portion at a distance from the first score line, as seen in a direction from the end edge of the tubular body towards the opposing end edge of the tubular body, in a direction towards an interior of the tubular body such that a distinct fold line is formed in the laminate sheet material at the circumferential score line and the tubular body detaches from the rim,
b) tearing off the rim of the composite container from the tubular body.

The curved wall portion may either be a rounded corner portion or a wall portion of a tubular body having a circular cross-section. The radius of curvature may be from 10 to 500 mm, such as 15 to 150 mm. The radius of curvature of the curved corner portions may be in the range of from 10 to 60 mm, preferably from 13 to 50 mm, more preferably from 15 to 50 mm. The radius of curvature for a tubular body having a circular cross-section may be from 60 to 150 mm, such as from 70 to 130.
When tearing of the rim in step b), the user may hold the tubular body with one hand while gripping the rim with the other hand and tearing off the rim.
In the method recited above, the separation arrangement may further comprise a stabilization zone being arranged in the tubular body in the curved wall portion, the stabilization zone comprising a set of stabilization elements in the form of a plurality, such as 2 to 20, embossed or reinforced lines being arranged perpendicular to the end edge and extending from the first score line towards the opposing end edge of the tubular body. The embossed or reinforced lines may each have a length of from 5 to 25 millimeter. The separation arrangement may further comprise a deformation zone arranged further away from the end edge compared to the stabilization zone and at least partly in register with the stabilization zone, as seen in a longitudinal direction. The separation arrangement may alternatively include a deformation zone arranged in the tubular body in the curved wall portion with no additional stabilization element. The deformation zone may comprise deformation indicating element(s). The step b) may furthermore comprise to apply pressure, preferably by using both thumbs, onto the curved wall portion at the deformation zone.
The tubular body may comprise two or more curved wall portions, each comprising a stabilization zone and/or a deformation zone according to the present disclosure.

DEFINITIONS

A composite container as disclosed herein is a container having a tubular body made from carton based sheet material and at least one polymeric container component such as a rim, or a lid component which has been separately produced and subsequently attached to the tubular body of the composite container.
The carton based sheet materials used for forming the tubular body and the base sealing member are predominantly made from cellulose fibres or paper fibres forming a carton substrate layer of the sheet material. The carton layer may be a single ply or multi ply material. The sheet materials are generally laminates which in addition to the carton layer comprise at least one thermoplastic polymeric layer in the form of a film or a coating on a surface of the material which is intended to be facing towards an interior of the composite container. The laminates may further comprise a barrier layer in the form of a metal foil layer, preferably an aluminum layer. The metal foil layer, if present, is covered by the at least one polymeric layer and is arranged at a surface of the sheet material which will form an inside surface of the composite container, i.e. at a surface which will be facing the interior of the composite container. A polymeric layer may also be arranged at a surface of the sheet material which will form an outer surface of the composite container. In addition to the inside polymeric layer, an optional metal foil layer and an optional outer polymer layer, the sheet material may be coated, printed, embossed, etc. and may comprise fillers, pigments, binders and other additives as known in the art.
The term "tubular body" should be understood to mean any hollow tubular shape a body blank assumes during manufacturing and filing of the composite containers as disclosed herein, as well as the shape the body has in the finally assembled and filled composite container. Accordingly, a tubular shape as used herein may be a cylindrical shape, or a shape with any other useful cross-section such as a square, rectangular or other polygonal cross section or modified polygonal cross sectional shapes with rounded corners. A tubular shape also includes any transient shape that the tubular body may assume during the manufacturing process. By way of example, the cross section of the tubular body may initially take on a drop-shape appearance with a distinct peak at the end-to-end join between the edges of the body blank and a curved portion opposite the peak.
The term "container component" as used herein refers to the tubular body of the composite container and any component which is directly or indirectly attached to the tubular body and forms a part of the composite container as disclosed herein. Examples of container components which may be part of a composite container as disclosed herein are: a tubular body, a body sealing strip, a top sealing member, a bottom sealing member, a top rim, a reclosable lid, a lid component, a bottom rim, a scoop holder, and a scoop.
Top and bottom sealing members are sheet form components which are applied inside the tubular body of the composite container such that they cover a cross-sectional area of the tubular body. A bottom sealing member, or bottom disc, forms a bottom end closure of the composite container and the top sealing member forms an inner transport seal of the composite container. The top sealing member is usually attached at the access opening of the composite container, at a distance from the opening edge which is at least sufficient to allow for attachment of the top rim above the top sealing member and which may also allow for a scoop or other added item to be accommodated in the space between the top sealing member and the inside surface of the reclosable lid.
The top and bottom sealing members may be made from paper, carton, plastic film, aluminium foil and laminates of such materials. Usually, the bottom sealing member is a relatively stiff disc which is made from a laminate comprising a carton substrate layer and an aluminium foil layer on the side which will be facing towards the interior of the composite container. The bottom sealing member may further comprise at least one layer of thermoplastic polymeric material. The top sealing member is commonly a more flexible component made from a laminate of one or more layers of aluminium foil and outer layers of thermoplastic polymeric material. However, carton based top sealing members are also known in the art and may be used in the composite containers as disclosed herein. The top sealing member is commonly arranged to be partly or fully removed at an initial opening of the composite container and may be provided with opening means such as a tear strip, a grip tab, etc. as known in the art.
Top and bottom rims are commonly made from polymeric material, such as thermoformable polymeric material and take the form of a closed loop. The rims may be made by injection molding. A bottom rim is an optional component of a composite container as disclosed herein. The top rim, and the bottom rim, if present, are applied at the top and bottom ends of the tubular body of the composite container and are attached to the tubular body by means of adhesive, such as a thermoplastic adhesive. The rims provide the tubular body with enhanced rigidity at the end edges of the tubular body. The top rim cooperates with the container lid to form a reliable closure at the top end of the container. The top rim may be attached to the outer surface of the tubular body, to the inside surface of the tubular body or to both the outer surface and the inside surface of the tubular body. The top rim may be applied to cover an end edge of the tubular body and may optionally extend into the container on the inside surface of the tubular body.
The composite containers as disclosed herein are containers for dry or moist goods, often referred to as "bulk solids". Such products are non-liquid, generally particulate materials capable of being poured, scooped or taken by hand out of the cans. The containers are disposable containers, which are intended to be discarded after having been emptied of their contents.
A "particulate material" or "particulate product" should be broadly understood to include any material in the form of particles, granules, grinds, plant fragments, short fibres, flakes, seeds, pieces, etc. The particulate products which are suitable for packaging in the composite containers as disclosed herein are generally flowable non-liquid products, allowing a desired amount of the packaged product to be poured, scooped or taken by hand out of the composite container.
A composite container as disclosed herein may be a container for alimentary or consumable products such as infant formula, coffee, tea, rice, flour, sugar, rice, peas, beans, lentils, cereals, soup powder, custard powder, pasta, snacks, or the like. Alternatively, the packaged product may be non-alimentary, such as tobacco, detergent, dishwasher powder, fertilizer, chemicals, or the like.
By an openable or peelable top sealing member is meant a sealing member that may be fully or partly removed by a user in order to provide initial access to an inner compartment of the composite container either by breaking a seal between the sealing member and the inside surface of the tubular body of the container, or by tearing or otherwise breaking the sealing member itself. Tearable sealing members may be provided with one or more predefined weakenings, such as perforations or a cut partly through the membrane and may have a tear strip arranged therein for facilitating removal of the sealing member. A peelable top sealing member is usually provided with a grip tab for facilitating initiation of the separation from the inside surface of the tubular body and subsequent removal of the sealing member.
A "firm" or "irreversible" connection as used herein is a connection which cannot be broken without destroying or damaging the connected parts.
High frequency induction welding may be a preferred method for attaching container components such as the body sealing strip, a bottom rim, and the top and bottom sealing members. However, other means for attaching container components may be used such as adhesive attachment, ultrasonic welding and thermowelding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further explained hereinafter by means of non-limiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

Fig. 1: shows a composite container with a separation arrangement as disclosed herein;
Fig. 2: shows a rectangular body blank as disclosed herein, from the inside surface;
Fig. 3: shows a rectangular body blank as disclosed herein, from the outside surface;
Fig. 4a-4d: shows a method of separating a rim from a tubular body of a composite container shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5a: shows a composite container with a separation arrangement as disclosed herein;
Fig. 5b-d: shows a method of separating a rim from a tubular body of a composite container shown in Fig. 5a;
Fig. 6: shows a composite container with a separation arrangement as disclosed herein;
Fig. 7: shows a composite container with a separation arrangement as disclosed herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will, in the following, be exemplified by embodiments. The embodiments are included in order to explain principles of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. It is to be understood that the drawings are schematic and that individual components, such as layers of material are not necessarily drawn to scale. The packaging container and body blank shown in the figures are provided only as examples and should not be considered limiting to the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined solely by the appended claims.
Fig. 1 shows a composite container 100 comprising a tubular body 101. In analogy with the body blank 1 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the tubular body 101 has an inside surface 124 and an outside surface 125.
The tubular body 101 of the composite container 100 which is shown in Fig. 1 has a modified square cross-sectional shape including a front wall portion 111, a rear wall portion 112 and two side wall portions 113,114 being connected by curved corner portions 115. The cross-sectional shape of the composite container 100 which is shown in Fig. 1 should not be considered to be limiting to the invention. Accordingly, any suitable cross-sectional shape may be used, as known in the art.
As set out herein, the tubular body 101 may be formed by bringing together the side edges of a body blank, such as the side edges 4, 5 of the body blank 1 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, causing the material to assume a tubular shape and sealing the side edges together. Sealing of the side edges may be made by any suitable method as known in the art, such as by welding or gluing, with high frequency induction welding being preferred, as set out herein. Sealing of the side edges of the body blank may involve using a sealing strip, as known in the art.
The tubular body 101 is closed at a bottom end 102 of the tubular body 101 in a container bottom opening 106 by means of a bottom sealing member. Alternative bottom sealing arrangements may be used, as set out herein. The closure at the bottom end is opposite a container top opening 104, shown in figure 4A, arranged at a top end 103 of the tubular body 101. The tubular body 101 may also comprise a bottom rim attached to a bottom end portion 107 at a bottom end edge 107a.
The tubular body 101 is made from a laminate sheet material 8, as set out herein and comprises a carton layer 110 and an inside polymeric layer, the inside polymeric layer being arranged on the inside surface of the tubular body 101, the inside surface 124 facing towards an inner compartment 127, shown in figure 4A, in the composite container 100.
The composite container 100 comprises a top rim 108 which is a loop-shaped component surrounding the container opening 104. The top rim 108 is firmly attached to a top end portion 105 of the tubular body 101 at the top end 103 of the tubular body 101 by means of adhesive arranged between the inner surface 124 of the tubular body 101 and the top rim 108. An inner part 108b of the top rim 108 extends on an inner side of the tubular body 101. The rim inner part 108b has a distal inner edge 108a, here in the form of a lower inner edge 108a. The adhesive may be arranged between the inner surface 124 of the tubular body 101 and the rim inner part 108b. The top rim 108 is part of a lid component 123, the lid component 122 further comprising a lid 122 for opening and closing the composite container 100. The lid 122 is attached to the top rim 108 by means of a hinge, such as a live hinge, formed integrally with the top rim 108 and the lid 122, as set out herein. Furthermore, a locking arrangement 128 is arranged at the front wall portion 111 of the tubular body 101 for locking the lid 122 in a closed position over the container top opening 103. The lid may alternatively be of a plug-in type lid and thus be separable from the top rim.
The inner compartment 127 (disclosed in figure 4A) may be sealed by a fully or partly removable top sealing member which is applied over the contents in the composite container and which is sealed with an edge flange to the inside surface 124 of the tubular body 101, as set out herein. The top sealing member is an optional feature of the composite container 100.
When the composite container 100 has been emptied of its contents, it may be prepared for recycling by a user by removing the plastic rim part from the carton tubular body 101. The plastic rim may be either a top rim or a bottom rim or both the top rim and the bottom rim.
To facilitate such removal, the composite container 100 is provided with a separation arrangement 116, for separating the top rim 108 of the tubular body 101 from the tubular body 101. The separation arrangement 116 comprises a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line 118a arranged in a circumferential direction in the inside surface 124 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 8 of the tubular body 101. The first score line 118a is located at a distance from a top end edge 105a of the tubular body 101. The first score line 118a is located less than 5 mm further away from the top end edge 105a compared to the lower inner edge 108a of the top rim 108 as seen in the longitudinal direction L. The first score line 118a is provided in the front and rear wall portions 111,112 and in the two side wall portions 113,114.
The separation arrangement 116 furthermore comprises a second circumferential score line 118b arranged in a circumferential direction and parallel to the first score line 118a in the inside surface 124 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 8 of the tubular body 101. The second score line 118b is located at a distance from the top end edge 105a of the tubular body 101 of from 1 to 10 millimeter and between the top end edge 105a and the lower inner edge 108a of the top rim 108, as seen in a longitudinal direction L. The second score line 118b is like the first score line 118a provided in the front and rear wall portions 111,112 and in the two side wall portions 113,114.
In both the examples shown, both the first score line 118a and the second score line 118b extend continuously and parallel to each other along the full circumference of the composite container 100, i.e. also over the curved corner portions 115. As set out herein, continuous score lines are optional to the separation arrangement. Hence interruptions may be made at the corner portions or at the wall portions.
In figure 1, the separation arrangement 116 additionally comprises stabilization zones 120. The stabilization zones 120 each comprises a set of embossed lines 119 arranged in the tubular body 101 to provide stabilization of the tubular body 101 when applying pressure to the tubular body 101 prior to removal of the rim 108.
The separation arrangement 116 furthermore comprises four deformation zones 121 of which only two deformation zones are visible. The deformation zones 121 comprises deformation indicating element(s) in the form of embossed lines having an angle deviating from 90°, as measured from the top end edge 105a of the tubular body 101. The deformation zones 121 are arranged further away from the top end edge 105a compared to the stabilization zones 120 and are at least partly in register with the corresponding stabilization zones 120 as seen in a longitudinal direction L.
The composite container 100 furthermore comprises deformation crease lines 129 arranged in a circumferential direction of the composite container 100, being a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and being arranged at a level with a lower end of the sets of embossed lines 119 in the stabilization zones 120.
Figures 2 and 3 show a rectangular body blank 1 for forming a tubular body in a composite container as disclosed herein. The body blank 1 has a top edge 2, a bottom edge 3, two side edges 4, 5, an inside surface 24 and an outside surface 25. The body blank 1 is made from a laminate sheet material 8 comprising a carton layer 10 and an inside polymeric layer 11. As is shown in Fig. 3, the inside polymeric layer 11 is arranged at the inside surface 24 of the body blank. The body blank comprises a separation arrangement 16.
The distance between the top edge 2 of the body blank and the first score line 18a is selected to be sufficient for accommodating a top rim being attached at a level with the first score line 18a or slightly above the first score line18a. The separation arrangement 16, including the first score line 18a, may alternatively be a separation arrangement provided close to the bottom edge 3 in the same manner as illustrated for the top edge 2 in Fig. 2 and 3. A further alternative is that one separation arrangement is provided above the bottom edge 3 and one arrangement is provided below the top edge 2, each at a distance as described above such that a top rim attached to a top end portion and a bottom rim attached to a bottom end portion both may be separated from the tubular body at disposal of the composite container.
As set out herein, the laminate sheet material 8 comprises a carton layer 10 which forms a base layer constituting a major part of the thickness of the sheet material. An inside polymeric layer 11 is applied on the side of the carton layer 10 which is intended to be facing towards an inner compartment in a composite container as disclosed therein. The inside polymeric layer 11 is an outer layer of the laminate sheet material 8 and forms the inside surface 24 of the laminate sheet material 8, corresponding to the inside surface 6 of the body blank 1 and the inside surface 124 of the tubular body 101 as disclosed with reference to Fig 1, above. In Fig. 2, the outside surface 25 of the laminate sheet material 8 is constituted by an outer surface of the carton layer 10. However, the outside surface 25 of the laminate sheet material 8 may alternatively be constituted by a printed layer, and/or by a polymeric coating or layer applied on the carton layer 10.
The laminate sheet material 8 shown in Fig. 2 further comprises a polymeric bonding layer applied to the inner side of the carton layer 10 and a metal foil layer applied on the polymeric bonding layer such that the polymeric bonding layer is applied between the metal foil layer and the carton layer 10. The polymeric bonding layer and the metal foil layer are optional parts of the laminate sheet material 8 as disclosed herein.
A common order of layers in a laminate sheet material which may be used in a composite container as disclosed herein is, as seen in order from the outside to the inside:

a) a polymeric coating, such as a laquer,
b) a printed and/or coloured layer
c) a carton layer
d) a polyethylene (PE) layer
e) an aluminum (Al) foil barrier layer
f) a polyethylene (PE) layer
g) a low density polyethylene (LDPE) layer

The layers f) and g) may be coextruded layers and constitute together the inside polymeric layer.
As set out herein, the tubular body may also comprise additional layers such as a barrier layer in the form of a metal foil, e.g. aluminium foil layer and one or more polymeric film layers. A polymeric film layer is commonly applied over a metal foil layer to protect the foil layer. The polymeric film layer is commonly a thermoplastic film layer which may contribute to forming a good seal when attaching components such as a top sealing member, a rim, etc. to the tubular container body by heat sealing techniques such as welding. A further plastic layer may be arranged on the outside of the carton layer to protect the carton layer from ambient moisture and to enhance the appearance of the container.
In figure 2, the rectangular body blank 1 is illustrated from the inside surface 24, corresponding to the inside surface 124 of the tubular body 101 as illustrated in figure 1. A first and second score line 18a, 18b made in the laminate sheet material 10 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 10 and partially through the carton layer 8 are shown.
At regular intervals along the first and second score lines 18a, 18b vertical score lines 30 are arranged in the inside surface 124 of the tubular body 101 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 8 of the tubular body 101, i.e. score lines extending an extension perpendicular to the extension of the first and the second score lines 118a, 118b. The vertical score lines 30 further contribute to improve the removal of the rim from the tubular body and reduce the risk for long strips of the carton layer remaining stuck to the rim after removal. The vertical score lines 30 are, however, optional to the body blank 1.
With a laminate sheet material according to the disclosure above, the inside score lines are arranged in said laminate sheet material 8 from said inside surface of said body blank 1 through a full thickness of said inside polymeric layer, through a full thickness of an optional metal foil layer and through only a part of a thickness of said carton layer. The inside polymeric layer may have a thickness of from 10 micrometer to 120 micrometer, such as from 20 micrometer to 60 micrometer.
In figure 3, the rectangular body blank 1 is illustrated from the outside surface 25, corresponding to the outside surface 125, of the tubular body 101 as illustrated in figure 1. The body blank 1 is provided with set of embossed lines 19a,19b,19c,19d in stabilized zones 20a,20b,20c,20d. The carton blank is furthermore provided with curved crease lines/embossed lines 21a,21b,21c,21d which are at least partly in register with a corresponding set of embossed lines 20a,20b,20c,20d, respectively, as seen in a longitudinal direction L. At level with the lower point of the set of embossed lines 19a,19b,19c,19d, i.e. the point which is furthest away from the top edge 2, the carton blank 1 is provided with transverse crease lines 29a,29b,29c extending in a generally transverse direction between the set of embossed lines 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d in stabilized zones 20a,20b,20c,20d.
Figure 4A illustrates the first step in a method of separating the top rim 108 from the tubular body 101 of the composite container 100 illustrated in figure 1. In the first step for separating the top rim 108 from the tubular body 101, a pressure is applied simultaneously to the front wall portion 111 and the rear wall portion 112 at the deformation zones 121 being provided at a distance from the first circumferential score line 118a as seen in a direction from the top end edge 105a of the tubular body 101 towards the opposing end edge 107a of the tubular body. The pressure is applied in a direction towards an interior of the tubular body 101 and with a magnitude causing a distinct fold line or crack to be formed in the laminate sheet material 8 at the first circumferential score line 118a. The stabilization zones 120 provide stabilization to the tubular body 101 such that a more distinct break at the first score line 118a is achieved.
In a second step, illustrated in figure 4B, the composite container 110 is turned about 90° and a simultaneous pressure is applied to the two opposing side wall portions 113,114. The pressure is applied at a distance from the first score line 118a, as seen in a direction from the top end edge 105a of the tubular body 101 towards the opposing bottom end edge 107a of the tubular body 101. The pressure is applied in a direction towards the interior of the tubular body and such that a distinct fold line is formed in the laminate sheet material 8 at the first score line 118a. When applying pressure to the side wall portions 113,114 after having weakened the laminate sheet material 8 at the first score line 118a the laminate sheet material 8 may begin to delaminate within the carton layer 10 at the first score line 118a such that an opening is formed at the front and/or rear wall 111,112 when these walls are pressed outwardly as a result of the pressure applied onto the side walls 113,114. The crease lines 129, shown in figure 1, provide folding support at the lower ends of the stabilizing zones.
In the final step in the method disclosed in figure 4C, the top rim 108 is removed from the tubular body 101 by gripping the top rim 108 and tearing off the top rim 108 from the tubular body 101. As the laminate sheet material 8 is weakened, both by the first score line 118a and by the effect of the pressure being applied according to the first and the second step, the tearing of the top rim 108 is rendered easier. When gripping and tearing off the top rim 108, the laminate sheet material 8 will delaminate within the carton layer 10 and thereby allow removal of the top rim 108. It has been found that the second score line 108b provides further facilitated removal of the top rim 108 and easier delamination of the layers and thus an even further improved separation of the rim, especially when the attachment between the tubular body 101 and the rim 108 is stronger. Vertical score lines 130 are provided and may reduce the risk for long strips of the carton layer to be stuck in the rim when the tubular body and the rim are being separated by tearing of the tubular body from the rim along the score lines. The vertical score lines disclosed herein are however optional to the composite container.
Figure 4D illustrates the removed top rim 108 and the tubular body 101 with the rim 108 and the lid component 123 including the rim 108 and the lid 122.
In figures 5A to 5D an alternative composite container 200 and an alternative method of separating a rim 108 from a tubular body 201 of the composite container 200 are illustrated, with the rim 108 and the tubular body 201 being intended to be separated by applying a pressure at one of the corner portions 215. Figure 5A illustrates the composite container 200 comprising the tubular body 201, the tubular body 201 having an inside surface 224 and an outside surface 225. The tubular body 201 is closed at a bottom end 202 over a container bottom opening 206 of the tubular body 201 opposite a container opening 204 at a top end 203 of the tubular body 201. The tubular body 201 is made from a laminate sheet material 8 comprising a carton substrate layer 10,210. The composite container 200 comprises a rim 208 surrounding the container opening 204, the rim 208 being attached to a top end portion 205 of the tubular body 201 along a top end edge 205a of the tubular body 201. The composite container 200 could also include a bottom rim attached to bottom end portion 107 of the tubular body 201 along a bottom end edge 207a.
The tubular body 201 has a front wall portion 211, a rear wall portion 212 and two side wall portions 213,214 being connected by corner portions 215. The composite container 200 further comprises a separation arrangement 216, for separating the attached top rim 208 from the tubular body 201. The separation arrangement 216 comprises a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line 218a arranged in a circumferential direction in the inside surface 224 or alternatively in the outside surface 225 and extending only partially through the thickness of the tubular body 201. The first score line 218a is located at a distance from the top end edge 205a of the tubular body 201 and at level with or at least not more than 3 mm below a lower inner edge 208a of an rim inner portion 208b, as seen in the longitudinal direction. The first score line 218a is provided in the front, rear and both side wall portions 211,212,213,214. The separation arrangement 216 furthermore comprises a second circumferential score line 218b arranged in a circumferential direction and parallel to the first score line 218a in the inside surface 224 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 8 of the tubular body 201. The second score line 218b is located at a distance from the top end edge 205a of the tubular body 101 of from 1 to 10 millimeter and between the top end edge 205a and the lower inner edge 108a of the top rim 108, as seen in a longitudinal direction L. The second score line 218b is like the first score line 218a provided in the front and rear wall portions 211,212 and in the two side wall portions 213,214.
The separation arrangement 216 further comprises at least one stabilization zone 220 being arranged in the tubular body 201 in a corner portion 215. The stabilization zone 220 comprises a set of stabilization elements 219 in the form of 2 to 20 embossed lines being arranged perpendicular to the top end edge and extending from the first score line 218a towards the opposing bottom end edge of the tubular body 201. The separation arrangement 216 further comprises a deformation zone 221 arranged further away from the top end edge 205a compared to the stabilization elements 219 and at least partly in register with the stabilization zone 220, as seen in a longitudinal direction L. The deformation zone 221 comprises deformation indicating elements in the form of embossed curved lines. The first step, illustrated in figure 5B, in the method of removing the rim 208 from the tubular body 201 includes gripping of the rim 208 using both hands. Figure 5C illustrates the second step which is to apply a simultaneous pressure, using both thumbs and while keeping the rim 208 in a firm grip, onto to the corner portion 215 at the deformation zone 221 such that a distinct fold line is formed in the laminate sheet material 8 at the circumferential score line 218a and the tubular body 201 detaches from the rim 208. Figure 5D shows the third step, where the rim 208 is held in a firm grip and the rim 208 is torn off from the tubular body 201.
Figure 6 illustrates a composite container 300. Figure 6 shows a composite container 300 comprising a tubular body 301. The tubular body 301 is made from a laminate sheet material 8, as set out herein and comprises a carton layer 110 and an inside polymeric layer, the inside polymeric layer being arranged on the inside surface of the tubular body 301, the inside surface 324 facing towards an inner compartment 327 in the composite container 300.
The composite container 300 comprises a top rim 308 which is a loop-shaped component surrounding the container top opening 304 and a bottom rim 109 which is a loop-shaped component surrounding the container bottom opening 306. The bottom rim 309 is firmly attached to a bottom end portion 307 along an bottom end edge 307a of the tubular body 301 at the top end 303 of the tubular body 301 by means of adhesive arranged between the inner surface 324 of the tubular body 301 and a inner portion 309b of the bottom rim 309 extending on an inner side of the tubular body 301 comprising an inner distal edge 309a. The top rim 308 is attached to a top end portion 305 along an top end edge 307a and is part of a lid component 323, the lid component 323 further comprising a lid 322 for opening and closing the composite container 300. Furthermore, a locking arrangement 328 is arranged at the front wall portion 311 of the tubular body 301 for locking the lid 323 in a closed position over the container top opening.
When the composite container 300 has been emptied of its contents, it may be prepared for recycling by a user by removing the plastic rim part from the carton tubular body 301.
To facilitate such removal, the composite container 300 is provided with a separation arrangement 316, for separating the bottom rim 309 of the tubular body 301 from the tubular body 301. The separation arrangement 316 comprises a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line 318a arranged in a circumferential direction in the inside surface 324 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 8 of the tubular body 301. The first score line 318a is located at a distance from the top end edge of the tubular body 301. The first score line 318a is located at level with or not more than 3 mm further away from the bottom end edge 305a compared to the upper inner edge of the bottom rim 30 as seen in the longitudinal direction L. The first score line 318a is provided in front and rear wall portions 311,312 and in the two side wall portions 313,314.
The separation arrangement 316 furthermore comprises a second circumferential score line 318b arranged in a circumferential direction and parallel to the first score line 318a in the inside surface 324 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 8 of the tubular body 301. The second score line 318b is located at a distance from the bottom end edge 307a of the tubular body 301 of from 1 to 9 millimeter and between the bottom end edge 307a and the upper inner edge 309a of the bottom rim 109, as seen in a longitudinal direction L. The second score line 118b is like the first score line 118a provided in the front and rear wall portions 311,312 and in the two side wall portions 313,314.
In figure 6, the separation arrangement 316 additionally comprises stabilizations zone 320. The stabilization zones 320 each comprises a set of embossed lines 319 arranged in the tubular body 301 to provide stabilization of the tubular body 301 during
The separation arrangement 316 furthermore comprises deformation zones 321 comprising deformation indicating element(s) in the form of embossed lines having an angle deviating from 90°, as measured from the top end edge 105a,107a. The deformation zones 321 are arranged further away from the top end edge 105a compared to the stabilization zones 320 and are as may be seen in figure 1 at least partly in register with the stabilization zones 320 as seen in a longitudinal direction L.
The composite container 300 furthermore comprises deformation crease lines 329 arranged in a circumferential direction of the composite container 300, being a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and being arranged at a level with a lower end of the set of embossed line 319.
Fig. 7 shows a composite container 400 comprising a tubular body 401, the tubular body 401 having an inside surface 424 and an outside surface 425.
The tubular body 401 has a modified square cross-sectional shape including a front wall portion 411, a rear wall portion 412 and two side wall portions 413,414 being connected by curved corner portions 415. The cross-sectional shape of the composite container 400 which is shown in Fig. 7 should not be considered to be limiting to the invention. Accordingly, any suitable cross-sectional shape may be used, as known in the art.
The tubular body 401 is closed at a bottom end 402 of the tubular body 401 in a container bottom opening 406. The closure at the bottom end is opposite a container top opening, arranged at a top end 403 of the tubular body 401.
The composite container 400 comprises a top rim 408, the top rim 408 is firmly attached to a top end portion 405 of the tubular body 401 at the top end 403 of the tubular body 401. The top rim 408 is part of a lid component 423, the lid component 422 further comprising a lid 422 for opening and closing the composite container 400. A locking arrangement 428 is arranged at the front wall portion 411 of the tubular body 401 for locking the lid 422.
When the composite container 400 has been emptied of its contents, it may be prepared for recycling by a user by removing the plastic rim part from the carton tubular body 401. The plastic rim may be either a top rim or a bottom rim or both the top rim and the bottom rim.
To facilitate such removal, the composite container 400 is provided with a separation arrangement 416, for separating the top rim 408 of the tubular body 401 from the tubular body 401. The separation arrangement 416 comprises a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line 418a arranged in a circumferential direction in the inside surface 424 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 8 of the tubular body 401. The first score line 418a is provided in the front and rear wall portions 411,412 and in the two side wall portions 413,414.
The separation arrangement 416 furthermore comprises a second circumferential score line 418b arranged in a circumferential direction and parallel to the first score line 418a in the inside surface 424 and extending only partially through the thickness of the laminate sheet material 8 of the tubular body 401.
In figure 7, the separation arrangement 416 comprises two deformation zones 421 provided in the front wall 411. Optionally, two additional deformation zones could be provided in the rear wall 412. The deformation zones 421 comprises deformation indicating elements in the form of creased elements providing indication as to where the user is intended to apply pressure during separation of the rim 408 from the tubular body 401 to improve positioning of the user hands and location and thereby effectiveness of the pressure applied. The creased deformation elements may facilitate deformation at the deformation zones. In Fig. 7 the deformation indicating elements have a straight base line portion and a rounded upper portion.
In the simplest version of a separation arrangement as disclosed herein, the material in the tubular body is provided with a score line through the thickness of the material, the material extending along a lower inner edge of a top rim or along an upper inner edge of a bottom rim. The score line serves to form an initiation for delaminating the body material from the top or bottom rim, and is achieved by applying pressure beneath (or above) the score line depending of the location of the rim, to create a fold or crack at the score line.

Claims

A composite container (100,200,300, 400) comprising a tubular body (101,201,301, 401), said tubular body (101,201,301, 401) being closed at a bottom end (102,202,302,402) over a container bottom opening (106,206,306) of said tubular body (101,201,301, 401) opposite a container top opening (104,204,304) at a top end (103,203,303, 402) of said tubular body (101,201,301,401) and having an inside surface (124,224,324,434) and an outside surface (125,225,325,424), said tubular body (101,201,301,401) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of said container (100,200,300,400) from said bottom end (102,202,302,402) to said container opening (104,204,304), said tubular body (101,201,301,401) being made from a laminate sheet material (8) comprising a carton substrate layer (10,110) and a rim (108,208,309,409) surrounding said container top opening (104,204,304) and/or said container bottom opening (106,206,306), said rim (108,208,309,408) being attached to an end portion (105, 205,307,405) of said tubular body (101,201,301,401) along an end edge (105a,205a,307a) of said tubular body (101,201,301,401), said rim (108,208,309,408) having an inner portion (108b,208b,309b) facing said inside surface (124,224,324,424) of said tubular body, said rim inner portion (108b,208b,309b) comprising a distal inner edge (108a,208a,309a) being located at a distance from said end edge (105a,205a,307a) of said tubular body of from 2 to 20 millimeter, and a lid (122,222,322,422) for opening and closing said composite container, characterized in that said composite container (100,200,300,400) comprises a separation arrangement (116,216,316,416) for separating said attached rim (108,208,309,408) from said tubular body, said separation arrangement (116,216,316,416) comprising a continuous or discontinuous circumferential first score line (118a,218a,318a,418a) arranged in a circumferential direction in said inside surface (124,224,324,424) and/or in said outside surface (125,215,315,415) and extending only partially through the thickness of said tubular body (101,201,301,401), said first score line (118a,218a,318a,418a) being located at a distance from said end edge (105a,205a,307a) of said tubular body (101,201,301,401) and at level with or at least not more than 3 mm below said distal inner edge (108a,208a,309b) as seen in said longitudinal direction (L), said first score line (118a,218a,318a) being provided along from 50% to 100%, such as 60 % to 100%, of the circumference of said inside surface (124,224,324,424), and/or of said outside surface (125,225,325,425).
The composite container (100,200,300,400) according to claim 1 wherein said separation arrangement (116,216,316,416) comprises a second continuous or discontinuous, circumferential score line (118b,218b,318b,418b) arranged in a circumferential direction and parallel to said first score line (118a,218a,318a,418b) in said inside surface (124,224,324,424) or alternatively in said outside surface (125,225,325,425) and extending only partially through the thickness of said tubular body (101,201,301,401), said second score line (118b,218b,318b,418b) being located at a distance from said end edge (105a,205a,307a) of said tubular body of from 1 to 9 millimeter.
The composite container (100,200,300,400) according to claim 2, wherein said second score line (118b,218b,318b,418b) is provided along from 50% to 100% of the circumference of said inside surface (124,224,324,424).
The composite container (100,200,300,400) according to claims 2 or 3, wherein said second score line (118b,218b,318b,418b) is provided closer to said end edge (105a,205a,307a,405a) of said tubular body than said inner distal edge (108a,208a,309b,408b) of said rim (108,208,309,408).
The composite container (100,200,300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said separation arrangement (116,216,316) further comprises one or more stabilization zone(s) (120,220,320) being arranged in said tubular body said stabilization zone(s) comprising a set of stabilization elements (119,219,319) in the form of embossed or reinforced lines, said set of stabilization elements comprising a plurality, such as 2 to 20, embossed or reinforced lines being arranged perpendicular to said end edge (105a,205a,307a) and extending from said first score line (118a,218a,318a) towards the opposing end edge (107a,207a,305a) of said tubular body, said embossed or reinforced lines of said set of stabilization elements having a length of from 5 to 25 millimeter.
The composite container (200) according to claim 5, wherein said tubular body (201) has a circular cross-section or wherein said tubular body (201) has a front wall portion (211), a rear wall portion (212) and two side wall portions (213,214) being connected by corner portions (215) and wherein one or more stabilization zone(s) (220) is arranged in one or more of said corner portions (215), such as in one or more rounded corner portions (215).
The composite container (100,300) according to claim 5, wherein said tubular body (101,301) has a front wall portion (111,311) and/or a rear wall portion (112,312) and wherein said separation arrangement (116,316) comprises two or more stabilization zones (120,320) and wherein said two or more stabilization zones are arranged on or in said front wall portion (111,311) and/or said rear wall portion (112,312).
The composite container (100,200,300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said separation arrangement (116,216,316) further comprises one or more deformation zones (121,221,321,412) arranged further away from said end edge (105a,205a,307a) compared to said first score line (118a,218a,318a,418a), as seen in a longitudinal direction (L), said deformation zone(s) (121,221,321,412) comprising deformation indicating element(s).
The composite container (100,200,300) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said separation arrangement (116,216,316) further comprises one or more deformation zones (121,221,321) comprising deformation indicating element(s), said deformation zone(s) being arranged further away from said end edge (105a,205a,307a) compared to said stabilization zone(s) (120,220,320) and at least partly in register with said stabilization zone(s) as seen in a longitudinal direction (L).
The composite container (100,200,300) according to claim 9, wherein said deformation zone(s) (121,321,321) comprises a plurality, such as 2 to 20, embossed lines, said embossed lines being contiguous with said embossed lines forming said set of stabilization elements (119,219,319) or being arranged at a distance in the longitudinal direction (L) from said embossed lines forming said set of stabilization elements of from 2 to 20 millimeters.
The composite container (100,200,300,400) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first score line (118a,218a,318a,418a) extend into said carton substrate layer (10,110) from said inside surface (124,224,324,424) if provided in said in said inside surface (124,224,324,424) or from said outside surface (125,225,325,425) if provided in said outside surface (125,225,325,425) to a depth corresponding to 15%-60% of a thickness of the carton substrate layer (10,110), such as 20%-55% of carton substrate layer (10,110).
The composite container (100,200,300,400) according to any one of claims 8-10 wherein said deformation indicating element(s) comprises one or more of the following element(s); printed indication(s), score line(s), weakening line(s), curved embossed line(s), embossed line(s).
The composite container (100,200,400) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rim (108,208,408) is a top rim (108,208,408), said a top rim (108,208,408) surrounding said container top opening (104,204), said top rim (108,208),408 being attached to a top end portion (105,205,405) of said tubular body (101,201,401) along a top end edge (105a,205a) of said tubular body (101,201,401), said top rim (108,208,408) having a lower inner edge (108a) facing said inside surface (124,224,424) of said tubular body (101,201,401) and being located at a distance from said top end edge (105a,205a).
A composite container (100,200) according to claim 13, wherein said lid (122,222,422) is a part of a lid component (123,223,423), said lid component (123,223,423) comprising said top rim (108,208,408) and a lid part (122,222,422).
The composite container (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said rim (309) is a bottom rim (309), said a bottom rim (309) surrounding said container bottom opening (306), said bottom rim (309) being attached to a bottom end portion (307) of said tubular body (301) along a bottom end edge (307a) of said tubular body (301), said bottom rim (309) having a upper inner edge (309a) facing said inside surface (324) of said tubular body (301) and being located at a distance from said bottom end edge (307a).
A method of separating a rim (108,309,408) from a tubular body (101,301,401) of a composite container (100,300,400), said composite container (100,300,400) comprising a tubular body (101,301,401), said tubular body (101,301,401) having an inside surface (124,324,424) and an outside surface (125,325,425) and being closed at a bottom end (102,302,402) over a container bottom opening (106,306,406) of said tubular body (101,301,401) opposite a container opening (104,304) at a top end (103,303,403) of said tubular body (101,301,401), said tubular body (101,301,401) being made from a laminate sheet material (8) comprising a carton substrate layer (10,110), said composite container (100,300,400) comprising a rim (108,309,408) surrounding said container top opening (104) and/or said container bottom opening (306), said rim (108,309) being attached to an end portion (105,307,405) of said tubular body (101,301,401) along an end edge (105a,307a) of said tubular body (101,301,401), said rim (108,309,408) having an inner portion (108b,309b) facing said inside surface (124,324,424) of said tubular body (101,301,401), said rim inner portion (108b,309b) comprising a distal inner edge (108a,309a) being located at a distance from said end edge (105a,307a) of said tubular body (101,301,401) of from 2 to 20 millimeter, and a lid (122,322,422) for opening and closing said composite container (100,300,400), said tubular body (101,301,401) having at least a first and a second wall portion (111,311,411,112,312,412,113,313,413, 114, 314,414), characterized in that said composite container (100,300,400) further comprises a separation arrangement (116,316,416), for separating said attached rim (108,309,408) from said tubular body (101,301,401), said separation arrangement (116,316,416) comprising a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line (118a,318a) arranged in a circumferential direction in said inside surface (124,324,424) or alternatively in said outside surface (125,325,425) and extending only partially through the thickness of said tubular body (101,301,401), said first score line (118a,318a,418a) being located at a distance from said end edge (105a,307a) of said tubular body (101,301,401) and at level with or at least not more than 3 mm below said distal inner edge (108a,309a) as seen in said longitudinal direction (L), and said first score line (118a,318a,418a) being provided along from 50% to 100%, such as 60 % to 100%, of the circumference of said inside surface (124,324,424), and/or of said outside surface (125,325,425) and wherein said method comprises the steps of:
a) gripping said tubular body (101,301,401) and applying pressure to said first wall portion (111,311,411,112,312,412,113, 313,413,114, 314,414), at a distance from said circumferential score line (118,318,418), as seen in a direction from said end edge (105a,307a) of said tubular body (101,301,401) towards the opposing end edge (107a,305a) of said tubular body (101,301,401), in a direction towards an interior of said tubular body (101,301,401) and such that a distinct fold line is formed in said laminate sheet material (8) at said circumferential score line (118a,318a,418a),

b) rotating said composite container (100,300,400) and applying pressure to said second wall portion (111,311,411,112,312,412,113, 313,413,114, 314,414), at a distance from said first score line (118a,318a,418a), as seen in a direction from said end edge (105a,307a) of said tubular body (101,301,401) towards the opposing end edge (107a,305a) of said tubular body (101,301,401), in a direction towards an interior of said tubular body (101,301,401) and such that a distinct fold line is formed in said laminate sheet material (8) at said first score line (118a,318a,418a), and

c) tearing off said rim (108,309,408) of said composite container (100,300,400) from said tubular body (101,301,401).
The method of separating a rim (108,309) from a tubular body (101, 301) of a composite container (100,300) according to claim 16, wherein said separation arrangement (116,316) further comprises two or more stabilization zones (120,320) being arranged on said first wall portion (111,311,112,312,113,114,313,314), each of said stabilization zones comprising a set of stabilization elements (119,319) in the form of a plurality, such as 2 to 20, embossed or reinforced lines being arranged perpendicular to said end edge and extending from said first score line (118a,318a) towards said bottom end (102,302) of said tubular body (101, 301), said embossed or reinforced lines having a length of from 5 to 25 millimeter, said separation arrangement (116) further comprising two or more deformation zones (121,321) arranged in said first wall portion (111,311,112,312,113,114,313,314) and further away from said end edge (105a,307a) compared to said stabilization zone and said at least at least two or more deformation zones being partly in register with said stabilization zones, as seen in a longitudinal direction (L), said deformation zone(s) comprising deformation indicating element(s), wherein said step a) further comprises:
a) applying pressure to said first wall portion (111,311,112,312,113,114,313,314) at said deformation zones (121,321).
The method of separating a rim (108,309,408) from a tubular body (101,301,401) of a composite container (100,300,400) according to claim 16, wherein said separation arrangement (116,316,416) further comprising two or more deformation zones (121,321,421) arranged in said first wall portion (111,311,411) and further away from said end edge (105a,307a) compared to said first score line (118a,318a,418a), as seen in a longitudinal direction (L), said deformation zone(s) comprising deformation indicating element(s), wherein said step a) further comprises:
a) applying pressure to said first wall portion (111,311,411) at said deformation zones (121,321,421).
A method of separating a rim (208) from a tubular body (201) of a composite container (200), said composite container (200) comprising a tubular body (201), said tubular body (201) having an inside surface (224) and an outside surface (225) and being closed at a bottom end (202) over a container bottom opening (206) of said tubular body (201) opposite a container opening (204) at a top end (203) of said tubular body (201), said tubular body (201) being made from a laminate sheet material (8) comprising a carton substrate layer (10,110), said composite container (200) comprising a rim (208) surrounding said container opening (204), said rim (208) being attached to an end portion (205) of said tubular body (201) along an end edge (205a) of said tubular body (201), said rim (208) having an inner portion (208b) facing said inside surface (224) of said tubular body (201), said rim inner portion (208b) comprising a distal inner edge (208a) being located at a distance from said end edge (205a) of said tubular body (201) of from 2 to 20 millimeter, and a lid (222) for opening and closing said composite container (200), said tubular body (201) having a curved wall portion, such as a rounded corner portion (215), characterized in that said composite container (200) further comprises a separation arrangement (216), for separating said attached rim (208) from said tubular body (201), said separation arrangement (216) comprising a, continuous or discontinuous, circumferential first score line (218a) arranged in a circumferential direction in said inside surface (224) or alternatively in said outside surface (225) and extending only partially through the thickness of said tubular body (201), said first score line (218a) being located at a distance from said end edge of said tubular body (201) and at level with or at least not more than 3 mm below said distal inner edge (208a) as seen in said longitudinal direction (L), and said first score line (218a) being provided along from 50% to 100%, such as 60% to 100%, of the circumference of said inside surface (224) and/or of said outside surface (225), wherein said method comprises the steps of:
a) applying pressure, preferably using both thumbs, onto to said curved wall portion (215) at a distance from said first score line (218a), as seen in a direction from said end edge of said tubular body (201) towards the opposing end edge of said tubular body (201), in a direction towards an interior of said tubular body (201) and such that a distinct fold line is formed in said laminate sheet material (8) at said first score line (218a)such that a distinct fold line is formed in said laminate sheet material (8) at said circumferential score line (218) and such said tubular body (201) detaches from said rim (209),

c) tearing off said rim (208) of said composite container (200) from said tubular body (201).
The method of separating a rim (208) from a tubular body (201) of a composite container (200) according to claim 19, wherein said separation arrangement (216) further comprising one or more stabilization zone(s) (220) being arranged in said tubular body (201) in said curved wall portion, said stabilization zone(s) (220) comprising a set of stabilization elements (219) in the form of a plurality, such as 2 to 20, embossed or reinforced lines being arranged perpendicular to said end edge (205a) and extending from said first score line (218a) towards the opposing end edge (207a) of said tubular body (201), said embossed or reinforced lines having a length of from 5 to 25 millimeter, said separation arrangement (216) further comprising one or more deformation zones (221) arranged further away from said end edge (205) compared to said stabilization zone(s) (220) and at least partly in register with said stabilization zone(s) (220), as seen in a longitudinal direction (L), said deformation zone(s) (221) comprising deformation indicating element(s), wherein said step a) further comprises:
- applying a pressure to said curved wall portion at said deformation zone (221).