GB2038780A - Package - Google Patents

Abstract

A package comprises a disposable container 6 removably housed in a rigid outer container 1 which can be stacked on similar containers and is nestable when empty. This package is especially useful for a method of packaging of dyestuffs and pigments. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Package and method for packaging This invention relates to a package and a method of packaging.

It is known to package various materials, e.g.

liquids, pastes and powders, in cheap disposable containers. Such containers are usually not sufficiently robust to permit transport and storage under many conditions. It has been proposed to protect such disposable containers with a rigid outer container. These outer containers may themselves be disposable, e.g. of cardboard, in which case they often have limited strength and weather resistance or they may be of more durable construction. Such durable outer containers are normally expensive and are therefore often returned for re-use. The bulk of these empty outer containers causes problems and expense in transport and storage. It is known to have rigid reusable containers which may be "nested", i.e. placed one largely inside another when empty thereby reducing their collective bulk. The cleaning of rigid reusable containers can be difficult and expensive.We have devised a package and method of packaging which overcomes some ofthese problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a package comprising a disposable container housed within a rigid outer container, said rigid outer container being capable of being stacked on other similar containers and of being nested within other similar containers when the disposable containers have been removed.

The disposable container may be flexible, .e.g a polythene bag, or it may be partially or wholly rigid in which instance it will need to be appropriately shaped to fit within the rigid outer container. Examples of rigid disposable containers include blow moulded containers in PVC or polythene which may have a simple opening or be provided with a screw cap.

The rigid outer container is normally intended for re-use and is accordingly of robust construction to permit this and to provide protection for the disposable container. The rigid outer container may be of any suitable material, e.g. wood, metal, polythene or PVC. It will have an opening which will permit the disposable container to be inserted and removed.

This opening will also serve to enable these containers to nest one within another. To facilitate nesting, the rigid outer containers will be provided with a suitable taper or draw. The opening in the rigid outer container may be closed by lid or cover which may, for example, sit upon a lip provided within the containerjust below the opening or it may be sprung into a groove at the same location.

Stackability of the rigid outer containers may be provided in any conventional manner. For example the lid or cover may be sufficiently stiff to enable a second container to stand upon it or handles or other hinged members may be provided to swing over the opening to form a support and to swing clear to enable nesting to take place. Alternatively, the rigid outer container may have a non-circular crosssection so that in one relative orientation two contains may nest and at another orientation one stacks upon the other by its base standing on the top edge of the other perhaps with locating notches or flanges to provide greater stability.

The invention provides a method of packaging which comprises filling a disposable container with the material to be packed before or after the disposable container is placed within the rigid outer container as defined above.

This method of packaging is especially suited to many materials, e.g. dyestuffs, pigments and other chemicals, all in the form of powders, pellets, granules or pastes and liquids of all types, e.g. acids, dyestuffs solutions, milk, wine and other beverages.

By way of illustration, a specific embodiment of the present invention is given by reference to the attached drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 are elevations of a rigid outer container in mutually perpendicular directions, Figure 3 is a plan of a rigid outer container and Figure 4 is a sectioned view of a rigid outer container with disposable container showing part of a second container stacked upon it.

Atapered, rigid container 1 of square section is provided with handles 2 formed from metal rod and pivoted in ears 3 integral with the container. The opposite top edges have notches 4 which receive the handles 2 when these are swung over the opening in container 1. Formed in the outer surface of the base of the container are two parallel grooves 5 whose separation equals the separation of the handles when these are in the notches 4.

In use, a disposable container 6 filled with material for storage/transport is located inside container 1, and if desired a lid 7 may be placed to cover the disposable container. To achieve stacking the handles 2 are swung into the notches 4. A second container 8 may be placed on top, the spacing of the grooves 5 being such that they accommodate the handles of the underneath container, thereby provided some stabilisation.

After use and removal of the disposable container 6, the rigid outer containers may be nested one within the other with the handles 2 hanging outside.

The handles limit the extent one container may enter another thereby preventing jamming.

1. A package comprising a disposable container housed within a rigid outer container, said rigid outer container being capable of being stacked on other similar containers and of being nested within other similar containers when the disposable containers have been removed.

2. A method of packaging dyestuffs and pigment which comprises putting the dyestuff or pigment in a disposable container before or after this is placed within a rigid outer container as defined in claim 1.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Package and method for packaging This invention relates to a package and a method of packaging. It is known to package various materials, e.g. liquids, pastes and powders, in cheap disposable containers. Such containers are usually not sufficiently robust to permit transport and storage under many conditions. It has been proposed to protect such disposable containers with a rigid outer container. These outer containers may themselves be disposable, e.g. of cardboard, in which case they often have limited strength and weather resistance or they may be of more durable construction. Such durable outer containers are normally expensive and are therefore often returned for re-use. The bulk of these empty outer containers causes problems and expense in transport and storage. It is known to have rigid reusable containers which may be "nested", i.e. placed one largely inside another when empty thereby reducing their collective bulk. The cleaning of rigid reusable containers can be difficult and expensive.We have devised a package and method of packaging which overcomes some ofthese problems. According to the present invention there is provided a package comprising a disposable container housed within a rigid outer container, said rigid outer container being capable of being stacked on other similar containers and of being nested within other similar containers when the disposable containers have been removed. The disposable container may be flexible, .e.g a polythene bag, or it may be partially or wholly rigid in which instance it will need to be appropriately shaped to fit within the rigid outer container. Examples of rigid disposable containers include blow moulded containers in PVC or polythene which may have a simple opening or be provided with a screw cap. The rigid outer container is normally intended for re-use and is accordingly of robust construction to permit this and to provide protection for the disposable container. The rigid outer container may be of any suitable material, e.g. wood, metal, polythene or PVC. It will have an opening which will permit the disposable container to be inserted and removed. This opening will also serve to enable these containers to nest one within another. To facilitate nesting, the rigid outer containers will be provided with a suitable taper or draw. The opening in the rigid outer container may be closed by lid or cover which may, for example, sit upon a lip provided within the containerjust below the opening or it may be sprung into a groove at the same location. Stackability of the rigid outer containers may be provided in any conventional manner. For example the lid or cover may be sufficiently stiff to enable a second container to stand upon it or handles or other hinged members may be provided to swing over the opening to form a support and to swing clear to enable nesting to take place. Alternatively, the rigid outer container may have a non-circular crosssection so that in one relative orientation two contains may nest and at another orientation one stacks upon the other by its base standing on the top edge of the other perhaps with locating notches or flanges to provide greater stability. The invention provides a method of packaging which comprises filling a disposable container with the material to be packed before or after the disposable container is placed within the rigid outer container as defined above. This method of packaging is especially suited to many materials, e.g. dyestuffs, pigments and other chemicals, all in the form of powders, pellets, granules or pastes and liquids of all types, e.g. acids, dyestuffs solutions, milk, wine and other beverages. By way of illustration, a specific embodiment of the present invention is given by reference to the attached drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 are elevations of a rigid outer container in mutually perpendicular directions, Figure 3 is a plan of a rigid outer container and Figure 4 is a sectioned view of a rigid outer container with disposable container showing part of a second container stacked upon it. Atapered, rigid container 1 of square section is provided with handles 2 formed from metal rod and pivoted in ears 3 integral with the container. The opposite top edges have notches 4 which receive the handles 2 when these are swung over the opening in container 1. Formed in the outer surface of the base of the container are two parallel grooves 5 whose separation equals the separation of the handles when these are in the notches 4. In use, a disposable container 6 filled with material for storage/transport is located inside container 1, and if desired a lid 7 may be placed to cover the disposable container. To achieve stacking the handles 2 are swung into the notches 4. A second container 8 may be placed on top, the spacing of the grooves 5 being such that they accommodate the handles of the underneath container, thereby provided some stabilisation. After use and removal of the disposable container 6, the rigid outer containers may be nested one within the other with the handles 2 hanging outside. The handles limit the extent one container may enter another thereby preventing jamming. CLAIMS

1. A package comprising a disposable container housed within a rigid outer container, said rigid outer container being capable of being stacked on other similar containers and of being nested within other similar containers when the disposable containers have been removed.

2. A method of packaging dyestuffs and pigment which comprises putting the dyestuff or pigment in a disposable container before or after this is placed within a rigid outer container as defined in claim 1.