GB2107284A

GB2107284A - Impact resistant container

Info

Publication number: GB2107284A
Application number: GB08128257A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duncan Hamilton Stewart; James Malloy
Original assignee: UNIVERSAL PULP PACKAGING Ltd
Current assignee: UNIVERSAL PULP PACKAGING Ltd
Priority date: 1981-09-18
Filing date: 1981-09-18
Publication date: 1983-04-27

Abstract

A postal container for a bottle is made of moulded pulp and comprises two portions (2, 3) connected by a hinge (4). The container is generally cuboid in shape and when opened each portion has a generally triangular cross section. Each wall portion has ribs (5, 6) for engaging a bottle and stiffening ribs (7, 8). In use a bottle is enclosed in the container which in turn is enclosed in a closed condition in a sleeve box which only opens at one end. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Postal bottle container The present invention relates to a container particularly, but not exclusively, for use with postal bottles and the like.

Postal bottle containers are known in the art and are usually made of plastic, foam polystyrene and moulded pulp. Plastic containers are usually manufactured by an injection moulding process; equipment for such a process is expensive to install and although the plastic container is usually rigid, it is not resilient and its rigidity enables force to be transmitted to the bottle such fas may occur for example, if the container is dropped. This effect means that there is higher probability of breakage occurring in the event of this type of container being dropped. This is a disadvantage of such plastic bottle containers.

Expanded foam polystrene containers are generally moulded around the article to be protected. Polystyrene has the disadvantage that its closed cell structure tends to separate at the boundaries when subjected to deformations and stresses which may be produced by impacts if the container is dropped. Thus the foam may shatter when subjected to repeated stresses thus reducing the protection given to the bottle.

Existing moulded pulp bottle containers are made by injection moulding equipment which is expensive to install. In addition the container is in two separate parts; a bottom part generally square in cross-section in which the lower part of the bottle is located, and an upper portion adapted to be engaged with the lower portion enclosing the bottle therein. The upper portion is also square in cross-section and has a flange with an aperture therein, the aperture receiving the neck of the bottle and the flange restricting movement of the bottle axially and laterally. This type of container is fairly resistant to impacts due to the mechanical properties of the moulded pulp which is fibrous and provides resilience to absorb impact due to dropping for example.The design of this container is such that it permits the bottle to be subjected to impact forces higher than is desirable which again increases the probability of breakage with this container.

An object of the present invention is to obviate or to mitigate the above said disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a container for articles comprising two portions adapted to be connected together, each portion having an inner surface, the inner surface of each portion being formed with a plurality of ribs, the ribs being shaped and dimensioned to conform to the article contained when said portions are connected together, whereby when the container is subjected to an impact force, the ribs in proximity to the impact area deform and dissipate the energy of impact.

Preferably the container is for use with postal bottles or fragile articles and is made of moulded pulp.

Preferably also, the portions of the container have inner surfaces which are substantially triangular in cross-section, the portions being connected together by a moulded pulp hinge along one common axis, the common axis being substantially perpendicular to the triangular sross-sections.

Preferably also, the common axis is a longitudinal axis where adjacent walls meet at adjacent ends to form the hinge.

Preferably also, the ribs are formed in the walls of the portions and in the triangular end pieces during vacuum moulding, the ribs in the walls being generally perpendicular to the long axis of the bottle, the ribs imparting stiffness to the container.

Alternatively, the ribs may be located substantially parallel with the long axis of the bottle.

Preferably also, the ribs are dimensioned and arranged to engage surfaces of articles of varying cross-sections, and in particular bottles.

Preferably also, there are three ribs on each wall which engage the curved body surface of the bottle, and one rib on each wail which engages the neck of the bottle when the container is assembled. Alternatively there may be two ribs on each wall which engage the curved surface of the bottle.

Preferably also, the container is located within a box sleeve openable at one end which serves to retain the container in a closed position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a postal bottle container of moulded pulp comprising a generally cuboid shaped container hinged along one axis and openable therealong to provide two generally identical and generally triangular cross-section portions about said hinge, each portion having two mutually perpendicular side walls and two generally triangular end walls, the end walls being parallel with each other and substantially perpendicular to the side walls, each end wall having a plurality of rib portions therein, each side wall having a plurality of rib portions therein, the rib portions in the side wails being dimensioned and arranged to conform to the bottle surface, the rib portions in the side walls being substantially parallel to the end walls, the bottle being locatable between the container portions, the container being locatable in a box operable at one end and when the container is retained in a closed position and whereof when the box and container are subjected to an impact force the container ribs, in proximity to the area of impact, deform to dissipate the impact energy.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram of a closed bottle container in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 shows the container in Fig. 1 when opened along one axis; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Fig. 1 taken along A-A and showing a bottle having a body of circular cross-section in position.

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3 except that the bottle is of generally square cross-section.

Fig. 5 is similar to Figs. 3 and 4 with the respective portions having ribs which are common to both walls.

Figs. 6a-d are similar to Figs. 3, 4 and show different arrangements of ribs which may also be used.

Referring now to the drawings, a moulded pulp bottle container 1 comprises two portions, 2, 3 connected by a moulded pulp hinge 4 (Figs. 3, 4).

The container is generally cuboid in shape and when opened (Fig. 2) each portion has a generally triangular cross-section. Each portion 2, 3 thus has wall portions 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b respectively and end portions 2c, 2d and 3c, 3d respectively.

The container is manufactured by a vacuum forming process in one piece. In each wall portion 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b there are a plurality of ribs 5, 6 and respectively, the ribs being of varying size and the ribs are formed by indenting the walls of the container by the mould during the vacuum forming process. There are three ribs 5 in each wall portion; each of the ribs 5 having a face 5a which is concave and adapted to engage the outer curved surface 9a of a bottle 9 (Fig. 3), usually a standard spirits bottle (Figs. 3, 4).

The rib 6 has a complexly shaped surface 6a and extends more into the interior 1 a (Figs. 3, 4) of the container 1 than ribs 5 as these ribs 6 engage with the neck portion (not shown in the interest of clarity) of a standard spirits bottle. Ribs 6 prevent axial and lateral movement of the bottle 9 in the container 1 and it is closed. Ribs 7 are smaller than ribs 5 or 6 and principally serve to stiffen the portion of the wall between ribs 7 and the end portions 2c, 3c respectively. The end portions 2c, 2d and 3c, 3d have ribs 8 which are formed in the end portions 2c, 2d and 3c, 3d and provide stiffness for said end portions and also a convoluted surface which will deform to take up any impact energy transmitted to the end of the container, for example due to the container being dropped on its end.

Ribs 5 and 6 provide stiffness for the walls however they extend considerably from the surface 1 b of the container walls into the container interior 1 a. This depth of rib 5b resulting from the changing cross-sectional area of the walls 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b is designed to deform so as dissipate any impact energy which results if the container is dropped or otherwise and so protect the bottle therein from breakage.

In use, the container 1 is opened as shown in Fig. 2 and the bottle to be transported placed therein. The portions 2, 3 are folded to enclose the bottle and the closed cuboid container is then located in a sleeve box (not shown in the interest of clarity) of the Jagenberg-type which only opens at one end. Once in the box the container portions are kept closed and the bottle secure.

It will also be appreciated that, as shown in Fig.

4, a range of bottle cross-sections can be accommodated by the same container, the bottle 10 of cross-sectional area being held in the container 1 by the outer faces 1 Oa of the bottle engaging the faces 5a of the ribs 5.

It will be understood that several modifications may be effected to the embodiment described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the ribs 5, 6 and 7 may be replaced by ribs located axially of the container 1.

Also the corresponding ribs 5, 6 and 7 in adjacent walls 2a, 2b and 3a, 3b may be replaced by single ribs as shown in Fig. 5. Similarly, the size and shape of the ribs may be varied in accordance with the article to be protected e.g. porcelain articles and other fragile objects. Some examples are shown in Figs. 6a-d.

Furthermore, although the portions 2, 3 are connected by the hinge 4 in the embodiment described, they could be separate, being retained together in use by the sleeve box. The hinge 4 could also be located in the wall intermediate the adjacent walls (Fig. 6b).

It should also be understood that the principles of providing deformable ribs in the bottle container should not limit the invention to containers made of moulded pulp; other suitable materials may be used in accordance with the criteria defined for the present invention.

Advantages of the present invention include the use of a vacuum forming process considerably reducing expenditure and cost per unit produced, the container is adapted to receive articles of varying cross-section, and the selection of moulded pulp together with the provision of ribs on each face of the container enables the container to absorb and dissipate impact energy from any direction, due to variations reasons by deformation of the ribs.

Thus, there is provided a postal bottle or container which provides greater probability against accidental breakage of its contents and which is simple and inexpensive to produce.

Claims

1. A container for articles, comprising two portions adapted to be connected together, each portion having an inner surface, the inner surface of each portion being formed with a plurality of ribs, the ribs being shaped and dimensioned to conform to the article contained when said portions are connected together, whereby when the container is subjected to an impact force, the ribs in proximity to the impact area deform and dissipate the energy of impact.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein the container is for use with postal bottles or fragil articles and is made of moulded pulp. -

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portions of the container have inner surfaces which are substantially triangular in cross-section, the portions being connected together by a moulded pulp hinge along one common axis, the common axis being substantially perpendicular to the triangular cross-sections.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the common axis is a longitudinal axis where adjacent walls meet at adjacent ends to form the hinge.

5. A container according to claim 3, or 4, wherein the ribs are formed in the walls of the portions and in the triangular end pieces during vacuum moulding, the ribs in the walls being generally perpendicular to the long axis of the bottle, the ribs imparting stiffness to the container.

6. A container according to claim 3, or 4, wherein the ribs are located substantially parallel with the long axis of the bottle.

7. A container according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the ribs are dimensioned and arranged to engage surfaces of articles of varying cross-sections, and in particular bottles.

8. A container according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein there are three ribs on each wall which engage the curved body surface of the bottle, and one rib on each wall which engages the neck of the bottle when the container is assembled.

9. A container according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein there are two ribs on each wall which engage the curved surface of the bottle.

10. A container according to any preceding claim, the container being located within a box sleeve operable at one end, which serves to retain the container in a closed position.

11. A postal bottle container of moulded pulp comprising a generally cuboid shaped container hinged along one axis and openable therealong to provide two generally identical and generally triangular cross-section portions about said hinge, each portion having two mutually perpendicular side walls and two generally triangular end walls, the end walls being parallel with each other and substantially perpendicular to the side walls, each end wall having a plurality of rib portions therein, each.side wall having a plurality of rib portions therein, the rib portions in the side walls being dimensioned and arranged to conform to the bottle surface, the rib portions in the side walls being substantially parallel to the end walls, the bottle being locatable between the container portions, the container being locatable in a box operable at one end and when the container is retained in a closed position and whereof when the box and container are subjected to an impact force the container ribs, in proximity to the area of impact, deform to dissipate the impact energy.

12. A container for articles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A container for articles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A container for articles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 6a of the accompanying drawings.

1 5. A container for articles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 6b of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A container for articles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 6c of the accompanying drawings.

1 7. A container for articles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 6d of the accompanying drawings.

1 8. A container according to any one of claims 12 to 17, the container being located within a box sleeve openable at one end, which serves to retain the container in a closed position.