GB2053852A - Containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for small confectionery articles, has a cylindrical side wall (10), formed of a thin sheet of thermoplastic material with separately formed lid and base (16). At the lower end of the side wall (10) there is an inturned bead (13) and close above it an internal groove (15) for locating the base (16). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Containers This invention relates to small light-weight containers suitable for holding loose confectionery or other like separate articles or particulate material. The invention is concerned particularly with containers of generally cylindrical shape having a side wall formed of a thin sheet of a synthetic plastic material wrapped into a cylinder, and having separately formed elements to act as a base and a lid.

In such containers it is usual to attach a base by bonding or an adhesive, but this is a laborious operation, and if a solvent is used the fumes can be obnoxious. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved container of this type which will be more simple to construct and will avoid the use of a bonding agent.

Broadly stated, the invention consists in a containear for confectionery or the like, comprising a generally cylindrical wall formed of a thin sheet of a plastic material, having at least one internal annular constriction adjacent one end thereof, and a separate end piece in the form of a substantially circular disc, located against the constriction.

Conveniently, there are two spaced constrictions and the constriction closer to the said end of the side wall is of smaller internal diameter than the other constriction, and may for example be an inturned rolled bead.

According to another preferred feature of the invention the constriction more remote from the said end of the container is curved or chamfered in cross-section, to facilitate a snap-in location of the disc.

The invention may be performed in various ways and one specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a container according to the invention; Figure2 is a sectional side elevation through the container; Figure 3 is a detailed partial sectional side elevation on an enlarged scale illustrating the location of the base in the bottom of the container, and Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 illustrating an alternative.

In this example the side wall (10) of the container is cylindrical, and is formed from a sheet of thin pliable transparent synthetic plastic material such as PVC. A thermoplastic material is preferred or may be essential. A strip of this material is wound into a tube and sealed along a vertical joint (11) by means of a suitable solvent.

The two ends of the cylinder are then formed with inturned rolled beads 12 and 13 by means of conventional beading equipment and, simultaneously or thereafter, a shallow groove 14 is formed around the wall close to the lower bead 13.

This groove is formed by heating the wall and turning the tube between co-operating rollers. The effect is to form a shallow groove or channel 15 between the ribs 13 and 14.

A base 16 in the form of a flat disc of cardboard can then be inserted and located in the annular groove 15. For this purpose the rib 14 has inclined or curved flanks, as seen in Figure 2, thus providing a snap-in effect which effectively locates the base and prevents it tilting. No cement, glue or solvent is required.

It will be noted from Figure 3 that the internal diameter at the groove 14 is somewhat larger than the minimum internal diameter of the lower bead 13.

Also it will be seen that the lower inclined flank 18 of this groove 14 extends close to the upper part of the bead. The external diameter of the disc 16 is slightly greater then the internal diameter of the groove 14.

Thus it is possible to press the disc downwards past the restriction formed by this deformed groove 14 but having passed the restriction the disc will not easily be forced beyond the bead 14. This is prevented partly by the fact that the upper surface of the bead is perpendicular to the side wall 10. It will be noted that since the flank 18 slopes downwards close to the bead 13 the disc 16 is firmly trapped in position. This provides a rigid construction which strengthens the overall container.

In the alternative form illustrated in Figure 4, the bead 13 is deformed partly outwards as illustrated at 19, and in addition has an inward part 20 of smaller diameter than the side wall 10. This generates an annular groove 21 of greater external diameter than the dise wall 10 and also greater in diameter than the inner part 20 of the bead. The base disc 16 is thus firmly trapped and located in this groove.

1. A container for confectionery or like separate articles or particulate material, comprising a generally cylindrical drum with a side wall formed of a thin sheet of a plastic material, and a separately formed end piece in the form of a substantialy circular disc located adjacent one end of the drum, characterised in that the end disc (16) is located in an annular groove in the side wall, formed adjacent an annular constriction (13) at the end of the drum.

2. A container according to claim 1 characterised in that the end piece (16) is located in an annular groove formed by annular constrictions (13, 14).

3. A container according to claim 2, characterised in that the constriction (13) closer to the said end of the side wall is of smaller internal diameter than the other (14).

4. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, iii which the constriction (13) closer to the said end of the side wall is an inturned rolled bead.

5. A container according to any of claims 2,3 or 4, in which the constriction (14) more remote from the said end of the container is curved, or chamfered in cross-section, to facilitate a snap-in location of the disc (16).

6. A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side wall (10) is formed of a thermoplastic material.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Containers This invention relates to small light-weight containers suitable for holding loose confectionery or other like separate articles or particulate material. The invention is concerned particularly with containers of generally cylindrical shape having a side wall formed of a thin sheet of a synthetic plastic material wrapped into a cylinder, and having separately formed elements to act as a base and a lid. In such containers it is usual to attach a base by bonding or an adhesive, but this is a laborious operation, and if a solvent is used the fumes can be obnoxious. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved container of this type which will be more simple to construct and will avoid the use of a bonding agent. Broadly stated, the invention consists in a containear for confectionery or the like, comprising a generally cylindrical wall formed of a thin sheet of a plastic material, having at least one internal annular constriction adjacent one end thereof, and a separate end piece in the form of a substantially circular disc, located against the constriction. Conveniently, there are two spaced constrictions and the constriction closer to the said end of the side wall is of smaller internal diameter than the other constriction, and may for example be an inturned rolled bead. According to another preferred feature of the invention the constriction more remote from the said end of the container is curved or chamfered in cross-section, to facilitate a snap-in location of the disc. The invention may be performed in various ways and one specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a container according to the invention; Figure2 is a sectional side elevation through the container; Figure 3 is a detailed partial sectional side elevation on an enlarged scale illustrating the location of the base in the bottom of the container, and Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 illustrating an alternative. In this example the side wall (10) of the container is cylindrical, and is formed from a sheet of thin pliable transparent synthetic plastic material such as PVC. A thermoplastic material is preferred or may be essential. A strip of this material is wound into a tube and sealed along a vertical joint (11) by means of a suitable solvent. The two ends of the cylinder are then formed with inturned rolled beads 12 and 13 by means of conventional beading equipment and, simultaneously or thereafter, a shallow groove 14 is formed around the wall close to the lower bead 13. This groove is formed by heating the wall and turning the tube between co-operating rollers. The effect is to form a shallow groove or channel 15 between the ribs 13 and 14. A base 16 in the form of a flat disc of cardboard can then be inserted and located in the annular groove 15. For this purpose the rib 14 has inclined or curved flanks, as seen in Figure 2, thus providing a snap-in effect which effectively locates the base and prevents it tilting. No cement, glue or solvent is required. It will be noted from Figure 3 that the internal diameter at the groove 14 is somewhat larger than the minimum internal diameter of the lower bead 13. Also it will be seen that the lower inclined flank 18 of this groove 14 extends close to the upper part of the bead. The external diameter of the disc 16 is slightly greater then the internal diameter of the groove 14. Thus it is possible to press the disc downwards past the restriction formed by this deformed groove 14 but having passed the restriction the disc will not easily be forced beyond the bead 14. This is prevented partly by the fact that the upper surface of the bead is perpendicular to the side wall 10. It will be noted that since the flank 18 slopes downwards close to the bead 13 the disc 16 is firmly trapped in position. This provides a rigid construction which strengthens the overall container. In the alternative form illustrated in Figure 4, the bead 13 is deformed partly outwards as illustrated at 19, and in addition has an inward part 20 of smaller diameter than the side wall 10. This generates an annular groove 21 of greater external diameter than the dise wall 10 and also greater in diameter than the inner part 20 of the bead. The base disc 16 is thus firmly trapped and located in this groove. CLAIMS

1. A container for confectionery or like separate articles or particulate material, comprising a generally cylindrical drum with a side wall formed of a thin sheet of a plastic material, and a separately formed end piece in the form of a substantialy circular disc located adjacent one end of the drum, characterised in that the end disc (16) is located in an annular groove in the side wall, formed adjacent an annular constriction (13) at the end of the drum.

2. A container according to claim 1 characterised in that the end piece (16) is located in an annular groove formed by annular constrictions (13, 14).

3. A container according to claim 2, characterised in that the constriction (13) closer to the said end of the side wall is of smaller internal diameter than the other (14).

4. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, iii which the constriction (13) closer to the said end of the side wall is an inturned rolled bead.

5. A container according to any of claims 2,3 or 4, in which the constriction (14) more remote from the said end of the container is curved, or chamfered in cross-section, to facilitate a snap-in location of the disc (16).

6. A container according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side wall (10) is formed of a thermoplastic material.