ES1071783U - Packaging for seasonal or semifluided products (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Re-closable container for pasty or semifluid products, of the type comprising a flexible metallic tubular body (1) provided, at one of its ends, with a mouthpiece (17) having an external thread (18) and it is closed by a sealing membrane (19), as well as a closing cap (2) having an external body (3; 3.1, 3.2) provided with an internal thread (15) that can be screwed onto said thread (18) of the mouthpiece (17), characterized in that said external horn (3; 3.1, 3.2) of the cap (2) is also provided with an upper base (9) from which a sleeve (14) extends, extended at least in part by the inside of said cap body (3; 3.1, 3.2) in correspondence with the corresponding internal thread (15), and perforation means (16) of the sealing membrane (19), located internally to said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2) in correspondence with said internal thread (15), as well as a top cover (4) linked said at least partially removable to said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2), said cover (4) being arranged on the opposite side to said internal thread (15) with respect to the upper base (9) of the external body (3; 3.1, 3.2) of the cap (2), and said perforation means (16) on said sealing membrane (19) during the screwing of said cap (2) on said embouchure (17). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Packaging for pasty products or semi-fluids

The present invention relates to a container for pasty or semi-fluid products, such as products food, toothpaste, liquids, gel, glues, silicones or medicated creams, etc., of the type comprising a tubular body flexible metal fitted with a mouthpiece, externally threaded and equipped with a sealing membrane, and a corresponding cap that it can be screwed onto said mouth.

It is a known technique to perform that type of container by extrusion of a metal tablet, usually of aluminum, to form a flexible cylindrical tube provided with a closed end mouth by means of a diaphragm, or membrane, sealing, which is an integral part of the tube itself and that meets the function of constituting an important security element for guarantee the integrity of the content and prevent any improper handling of the product itself.

In order to facilitate the opening of a tube flexible metal of this type, it is known to provide the container of a cap, usually of plastic material, which is constituted by an external body, normally cylindrical or conical trunk, which has an intermediate base that acts as a lid For the mouth. Said cap body is also provided, in one part with respect to the intermediate base, of an internal thread that it attaches to the thread of the mouth, and on the opposite side to the of the thread, of a pointed projection intended to pierce the sealing membrane of the metal tube.

Such a container is described, for example, in the Japanese patent application JP-A-2000-203620 (KYODO PRINTING Co. Ltd.), or in the French patent application FR-A-2558443 (LACESSEUR).

Such a container is distributed to the user. finish with the integral sealing membrane and the cap screwed on the mouth of the cylindrical tube. Then, the user, to open said container, you must unscrew the cap, rotate it so that present the pointed projection in correspondence with the membrane of security, and must therefore exert pressure on one's own cap, so that it is enough to pierce the membrane. A Once the membrane is perforated, the cap can be screwed again over the mouth, now open, in order to act as closing lid

That type of packaging is not exempt from inconvenience

During the storage of this type of container, In fact, dust and dirt can be deposited on the projection pointed that serves as a perforator, and therefore, during the opening of the mouth, can be transferred to the product contained inside the metal tube when the projection pointed penetrates into the mouth, after having perforated the membrane.

In addition, since normally the product content in such tubes reaches the proximity of the mentioned Mouthpiece safety membrane, pointed protrusion, after having pierced the membrane, it usually enters contact with the product contained in the tube, which gives as result that, once extracted, is coated with said product. Since said pointed protrusion, when the cap has been screwed back into the mouth of the tube, it is exposed to outside environment, may cause inappropriate transfer of the product at the hands of the user, or where appropriate to objects undue exteriors.

In order to overcome, at least in part, the mentioned problems of the known technique, the French patent FR-A-1290640 (PERFECTUBE) teaches make a cap comprising a cylindrical cap body which is internally threaded, and has a top base from which it is projected, internally to the cylindrical body of the own cap corresponding to the corresponding thread, a annular projection that carries the means of perforation of the membrane sealing which is provided with the tubular body to which it is Associated the cap.

Thus, the cap described in the patent of PERFECTUBE provides that the user, to open the container corresponding, completely screw the cylindrical body of the cap over the mouth of the tube, so that it allows protrusion membrane perforation annular provided with the aforementioned drilling means.

A similar embodiment is also described in the Japanese patent application already mentioned JP-A-2000-203620 (KYODO PRINTING Co. Ltd.).

Said embodiment, although it prevents the dust or dirt can penetrate the tube during the drilling of the sealing membrane, does not otherwise prevent the product content in the tube is deposited, soiling it, on the projection equipped with said drilling means.

On the other hand, once the membrane is perforated sealed, during use of the container, the PERFECTUBE cap remains exposed to the outside environment and, consequently, the outgoing with the drilling means may come in contact with dust or dirt that, once screwed back the cap completely on the corresponding mouthpiece, they can penetrate directly into the interior of the latter and thereby eventually contaminate the product contained in the flexible tube.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, make a container of the type indicated above, which does not present the drawbacks of the known technique indicated previously as unwanted.

Another object of the present invention consists in provide a container for pasty or semi-fluid products, which prevent accidental perforations of the safety membrane, and that at the same time avoid the entry of dust or dirt inside the tubular container body.

A further object of the present invention It consists of making a container of the type described above, which do not present exposed parts that can get dirty with the product content in it.

This and other objects are reached with the container according to the first independent claim and the successive ones dependent claims.

The container that can be closed again to pasty or semi-fluid products, according to the present invention, It comprises a flexible metal tubular body, or foldable, endowed, at one end, of a mouth that has a thread external and that is closed by means of a sealing membrane as well as a closure cap comprising an external body, preferably, but not exclusively, cylindrical or conical trunk, equipped with an internal thread that can be screwed on said mouthpiece thread. The outer body of the cap it also comprises an upper base from which a sleeve, at least partly extended inside said external body of the cap corresponding to the internal thread corresponding, and sealing means of the sealing membrane also arranged internally to the external body of the cap, in correspondence with said internal thread, as well as an upper cover linked, in at least partially removable way, to the body of the cap, the lid being arranged on the opposite side to said thread with respect to the upper base of the external body of the cap and acting the drilling means on the membrane of sealed when the cap is screwed onto the mouth.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, moreover, the cap comprises, in the base itself bottom, at least one separable ring, arranged in correspondence with part of the mouthpiece thread, when said Cap is screwed in part over the mouth itself.

As you can easily deduce the expert in the technique, the package according to the present invention does not provide that Membrane perforation media are exposed to dust or dirt before or after opening the tubular body metallic, or that such drilling means are exposed to external environment, once coated with product, after perforation of the sealing membrane.

On the other hand, in case it is planned said separable ring prevents excessive unwanted screwing of the body of the cap on the mouth of the metal tube, which could cause accidental perforation of the membrane of sealed.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tubular body, made in one piece With the mouth and the corresponding sealing membrane, it is of aluminum, while the cap, also made so integral in one piece, it is made of plastic material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, In addition, the cap can be retained at the mouth thanks to timely means, of the type of contraposition of parts complementary, suitable to prevent the removal of the hood of the tubular body, for example constituted by one or more teeth or sectors, or by an annular projection, integral internally with the cap body, which are engaged inside the corresponding grooves lowered by the outside of the mouthpiece.

Now they will be described, by way of example not limiting, some embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the container cap is closed by the respective lid;

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the container of figure 1, in which the cap has been represented with the corresponding lid open;

Figure 3 is a partially sectioned view of the cap and the corresponding metal tubular body of the container of figures 1 and 2, taken before the first container opening;

Figure 4 is a partially sectioned view of the cap and the corresponding metal tubular body of the container of figures 1 and 2, taken after the first container opening, and

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Figure 5 is a partially sectioned view of a cap, with the corresponding metallic tubular body, of Another embodiment of the present invention.

With reference, first, to figures 1 to 4, the container that can be closed again for pasta products or semi-fluids, according to a particular aspect of the present invention, comprises a flexible, or foldable, metal tubular body, 1, preferably of aluminum, provided with a mouthpiece 17 which has, on the outer surface, a thread 18 and which is closed by means of a corresponding sealing membrane 19. Tubular body metallic 1, which in the specific embodiment shown is a tube flexible aluminum to contain pasty or semi-fluid products, it is preferably performed by extrusion of a metal tablet and back turning, in one piece with the corresponding mouth 17, the corresponding external thread 18 and the membrane of sealed 19.

The illustrated package also comprises a cap 2, intended to close the mouth 17, constituted by an external body 3, in this case generally cylindrical or conical trunk, which has a thread on its inner side surface 15, shaped to be screwed into the respective external thread 18 of the mouth 17, as well as a base 9, located superiorly with respect to such internal thread 15.

In more detail, the embodiment particular of the cap 2 shown, provides that the external body 3 of the cap 2 is constituted by an internal cylinder 3.1 and by a 3.2 outer sheath, also cylindrical and coaxial to the cylinder internal 3.1, linked together, by a respective end, by means of said upper base 9.

From base 9, as can be seen in the figures 3 and 4, a sleeve 14 is projected, or a hollow tubular body, which at least partly extends internally to the outer body 3 of the cap in correspondence with the thread 15, and partly prolongs in a dispensing mouth 10, which protrudes from its own base 9, on the opposite side with respect to said thread 15.

The dispensing mouth 10, as can be seen from example in figure 2, it can have an exit hole molded to confer to the dispensed product, when it is of type pasty, a given form, not necessarily cylindrical section circular.

The sleeve 14 also presents, in correspondence with its lower base, or with its part located in correspondence with, or close to, the sealing membrane 19 of the mouth 17 when the cap 2 is partially screwed the own mouthpiece 17, specific means 16 for drilling the membrane 19, consisting of a circular edge that has a non-zero inclination with respect to such sealing membrane 19.

The drilling means 16 are shaped to act on the sealing membrane 19 during screwing the own cap 2 on the mouth 17, after said cap has reached and exceeded a certain angle of screwing, or well a certain number of twists of the cap 2 with respect to the tube 1.

This circular edge 16, according to one aspect Particular of the present invention, has dimensions, profile and physical characteristics (also of the corresponding material) such which allow an effective perforation of the membrane 19, without suffering substantially no considerable deformation.

Note that any other type of perforator known in the art, as long as it is arranged internally to said external body 3 of the cap 2, can be used also, without departing from the scope of protection provided by the following claims.

Thus, such drilling means 16 they can comprise, for example, an edge at least partially serrated end of sleeve 14, or they may comprise a pointed projection located next to the sleeve 14 itself, or they can affect only part of the end edge of the latter, etc.

The cap 2 is also provided with a cover upper 4 than, articulated 23 to body 3 of cap 2 in correspondence with its upper base 9, extends from the part opposite, with respect to said base 9, to that identified by the thread 15, and can move from a closed position of the mouth of dispensing 10 (figure 1), to an opening position of the own mouth 10 (figure 2).

Cap 14, of the type known as "flip top "is not only linked through a joint 23, constituted by a flexible suitable laminar region of the own cap 2, but is also molded to bind so reversible to external body 3, using a "snap" link fit ", or a reversible pressure coupling, in which verifies a temporary elastic deformation of the parts to continuation of the pressure, or flexion, thereof induced by the Username.

In the case of the "snap fit" type link, the upper cover 4 may have a region 12 that is located in position opposite to that of joint 23, and which is provided to facilitate manual operation of the lid 4 itself of the user.

In correspondence with region 12, on the other part, the outer lateral surface of the case 3.2 of the body external 3 of the cap 2 can have an inlet 7, in the form of axial groove, for the user's own finger.

Finally, the cover 4, according to a form Particular of the present invention, may have a projection annul 11, turned inwards, which is intended to circling said dispensing mouth 10, when the lid 4 itself is in the closed position of such mouth 10, and thereby prevent substantially accidental exits of the product from the own 10 dispensing mouth.

In an embodiment of the present invention not shown, the annular projection 11 may be provided, in inside, of an outstanding shutter, properly molded to be inserted with a minimum play inside the light of the opening of the dispensing mouth 10, and thereby guaranteeing the substantial fluid tightness of tube 1.

Also the cap 2, like the tube metallic 1, can be done completely by stamping a plastic material in one piece.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the package illustrated further comprises a ring separable security 5 which, preferably linked to the base lower of the external body 3 of the cap 2, is arranged in correspondence with part of the external thread 18 of the mouth 17, when the cap 2 is partially screwed on this last.

More particularly, in the embodiment Preferred container shown in Figures 1 to 4, the ring separable 5, substantially annular, is linked to through frangible bridges 13, to the lower edge (opposite to the base 9) of the outer cylindrical sleeve 3.2 of the cap body 3 2, and is shaped in such a way that it rests on step 8 of the tube 1, arranged geometrically around the mouth 17, made without continuity solution with the latter, when the Cap 2 is partially screwed on the latter.

The interference between ring 5 and the stepping 8, as well as the link between the ring 5 and the body external 3 of cap 2, prevent them from being screwed in undue completeness of the cap 2 on the mouth 17.

The separable ring 5 also comprises a tab 6, preferably arranged in correspondence with the cited axial groove 7, of which the surface is provided outer side of the sheath 3.2, which is molded in such a way which is an easy support for the fingers of a user who wants remove the ring, breaking the bridges 13 and separating it.

Figure 5 illustrates an additional form of packaging realization for pasty or semi-fluid products, according to the invention, completely analogous to the embodiment of the figures 1 to 4, but also equipped with means to retain the cap 2 in coupling with tubular body 1.

Therefore, in Figure 5, they have been used the same numerical references in figures 1-4 to indicate the same parts of the two embodiments.

The package of Figure 5 therefore differs from the shown in figures 1 to 4 in the fact that it comprises means of retention 20, 21, 22 of the cap 2 on the mouth 17 of the tube 1, of the type of contraposition of complementary parts.

Specifically, such retention means they comprise an annular projection 20, or by sectors, made in a single piece with cap 2 and protruding internally from a appendix, also annul or by sectors, of which the inner cylinder 3.1 of outer body 3 of cap 2 in its external opposite of the base 9.

Such annular projection 20, or by sectors, is gear inside a groove 21 lowered in the outer surface of the mouth 17, below the thread 18 corresponding, between a tooth 22 protruding externally from the mouthpiece 17 itself and the staggering 8 of the tube 1.

The groove 21, and naturally also the projection 20, have dimensions and profiles such that allow the axial displacement of the projection 20 itself inside said groove 21, during the complete screwing of cap 2 on the mouthpiece 17.

The appendix of cylinder 3.1, from which protruding annular projection 20, or by sectors, is made of such that it presents a certain elasticity, necessary for allow the insertion of the projection 20 itself inside the groove 21, when the cap 2 is coupled to the tube one.

It is observed that, as an alternative to described embodiment, the retention means may comprise one or more teeth integral with the external body 3 of the cap 2, turned inwards of the external body 3 itself, and provided to engage with corresponding seats lowered in the outer surface of the mouth 17, or with an annular groove lowered at the mouth 17, which serves as accommodation for such teeth

The realization and use of the container according to The present invention, with reference to Figure 5, are the following.

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After having done, preferably in one piece, flexible metal tube 1 (preferably, of aluminum), completed with the mouthpiece 17, with the thread 18 and with the sealing membrane 19, and after having been made, also in this case in one piece, the cap 2 (preferably, of plastic material), the latter is assembled on the mouthpiece 17.

In particular, first, or in a way Simultaneously with the screwing, it is inserted, by elastic deformation of the parties involved, the annular projection 20 inside the grooving 21, and thereby proceeding to screw the cap 2 on the mouthpiece 17 itself, thanks to the gear of the external thread 18 of the latter, with the internal thread 15 of the internal cylinder 3.1 of the cap 2.

The screwing operation is finished, before that complete screwing is achieved and therefore before punching means 16 of the sleeve 14 reach the membrane 19, when the detachable safety ring 5 becomes coupled against the staggering 8 of the tube 1.

The container described above, properly filled and closed in correspondence with the opposite end of the mouthpiece 17, is thus ready to be distributed to end users

The latter, in order to use said container, they should grab the tongue 6 of the ring 5, break the bridges frangibles 13, and thereby separate the ring 5 itself to allow the additional screwing of the cap 2 on the mouth 17.

Once the ring 5 is separated, in fact, the user must fully screw cap 2 over the mouth 17 to cause the gear of the drilling means 16 with the sealing membrane 19 and the subsequent perforation of this last.

This result, which leads to penetration partial or total of the sleeve 14 inside the mouth 17, it is obtained at the moment when the screwing of the cap 2 on the mouth itself 17.

It is observed that, in the event that a total penetration of the sleeve 14 inside the mouth 17, the upper base 19 of the outer body 3 of the cap 2 is supported on the upper edge of the mouth 17 itself, preventing with that the pasty or semi-fluid product can penetrate the game minimum between sleeve 14 and mouth 17, and from there reach the space between the cap 2, or better between its cylinder internal 3 and the mouthpiece 17.

At this point, the opening of the lid 4, by actuating the region 12 of the latter by the user and the subsequent rotation of the lid 4 itself in volume corresponding joint 23, entails opening the container and the possibility, for the user, of having the product contained in tube 1, through the dispensing mouth 10.

The back closure of the lid 4 over the mouth of dispensing 10, with the appropriate rotation of the latter in volume to the joint 23 and the coupling "under pressure" with the external body 3 of the cap 2, determines the closure of the own container.

Claims (16)

1. Container that can be closed again for pasty or semi-fluid products, of the type comprising a flexible metallic tubular body (1) provided, at one end, with a mouth (17) having an external thread (18) and which it is closed by a sealing membrane (19), as well as a closing cap (2) having an external body (3; 3.1, 3.2) provided with an internal thread (15) that can be screwed onto said thread (18) of the mouth (17), characterized in that said outer body (3; 3.1, 3.2) of the cap (2) is also provided with an upper base (9) from which a sleeve (14) extends, at least partly extended by the interior of said cap body (3; 3.1, 3.2) in correspondence with the corresponding internal thread (15), and perforation means (16) of the sealing membrane (19), located internally to said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2) in correspondence with said internal thread (15), as well as a linked upper cover (4), of a at least partially removable mode, to said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2), said cover (4) being arranged on the opposite side of said internal thread (15) with respect to the upper base (9) of the external body (3; 3.2, 3.2) of the cap (2), and said actuators acting drilling means (16) on said sealing membrane (19) during screwing of said cap (2) on said mouth (17). 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said cap (2) comprises at least one separable ring (5) located in correspondence with part of the external thread (18) of said mouth (17), when said cap (2) is , at least in part, threaded on the latter. 3. Container according to claim 2, wherein said flexible metallic tubular body (1) has a stepping (8) surrounding said mouth (17), said at least one separable ring (5) interposing between said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2) of the cap (2) and said stepping (8) of the tubular body (1), when said cap (2) is at least partially screwed into said mouth (17). 4. Container according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said at least one separable ring (5) is linked to said outer body (3; 3.1, 3.2) of the cap (2) through frangible bridges (13), in correspondence with the opposite end to said upper base (9) of said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2). 5. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said perforation means (16) are integral with said sleeve (14). A package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said perforation means (16) of the sealing membrane (19) comprise a circular end edge of said sleeve (14), inclined with respect to said membrane (19). 7. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper cover (4) is articulated (23) to said outer body (3; 3.1, 3.2) of said cap (2), in the vicinity of said upper base ( 9) of said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2). A package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper cover (4) is linked, at least in part, to said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2) by means of a snap-in snap-in coupling. 9. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cap (2) is made in one piece. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sleeve (14) extends in a cylindrical dispensing mouth (10), which protrudes from said upper base (9) of the external body (3; 3.1,3.2) of the cap (2). 11. The package of claim 10, wherein said top cover (4) comprises an annular (11) surrounding said cylindrical dispensing aperture (10) a projection, when said top cover (4) is coupled to said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2). 12. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer body (3; 3.1, 3.2) has at least one axial groove (7) on its outer surface, corresponding to a region for manual operation (12) of which is provided with said top cover (4). 13. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for retaining (20, 21, 22) of said cap (2) on said tubular body (1), of the type of counterpart of complementary parts. 14. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that said retention means comprise at least one projection (20), internally integral with said external body (3; 3.1, 3.2), which engages inside a corresponding groove (22) externally lowered on said mouth (17).

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15. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sealing membrane (19) is made in one piece with said mouth (17). 16. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said metallic tubular body (1) is made of aluminum and that said cap (2) is made of plastic material.