GB2137954A

GB2137954A - Container

Info

Publication number: GB2137954A
Application number: GB08309567A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Shepherd
Original assignee: Manuplastics Ltd
Current assignee: Manuplastics Ltd
Priority date: 1983-04-08
Filing date: 1983-04-08
Publication date: 1984-10-17
Also published as: EP0122106A3; EP0122106A2

Abstract

A container, for cosmetic creams or the like, comprises a hollow body (1) having a base (3) and a side wall (4) defining an opening, and a closure (2) for the opening, the side wall (4) being of single thickness construction, and there being a sleeve (9) extending about the side wall (4) to provide an outer surface flush with a depending portion of the closure (2) which fits over a portion of the side wall (4). The sleeve may locked in position by a circumferential rib (8) on the side wall fitting in a groove in the sleeve, the sleeve end abutting a further circumferential rib (7). Serrations may be provided on the side wall to inhibit rotation of the sleeve. The sleeve may be transparent in order to see a label inserted between the sleeve and the container. Preferably the body is of polypropylene and the sleeve and closure of polystyrene. <IMAGE>

Description

1

GB 2 .137 954 A 1

SPECIFICATION Container

The present invention relates to a container having a top closure which is arranged to lie flush 5 with the side wall of the container.

Cosmetic creams have traditionally been packaged in double-walled containers. This construction facilitates the provision of a container such as a jar in which a top such as a 10 screw top lies flush with the outer wall of the container base. Also, this construction facilitates the use of different materials for the interior and exterior of the jar. Materials such as polypropylene are more compatible with 1 5 ingredients of cosmetics whilst materials such as polystyrene provide a more acceptable exterior from the point of view of finish, feel and compatibility with printing.

The traditional double-wall cosmetic jar is now 20 however falling into disuse. This is because there is a move against what may be termed "deceptive packaging".

There is therefore a need for alternative container constructions which will provide 25 benefits previously associated with double-wall containers.

The present invention provides a container having a base, a side wall, an open top, a closure for the open top having a side wall portion fitting 30 over the upper portion of the side wall of the container, a sleeve closely fitting over the side wall of the container below the closure, the side wall portion of the closure lying flush with the outer surface of the sleeve.

35 Preferably, the container base and side wail are formed from polypropylene or a like material compatable with the contents for which the container is intended.

Preferably, the sleeve is formed from a material 40 such as polystyrene chosen to provide the desired appearance, feel, finish and to be compatible with processing operations such as printing to which the container is to be subjected.

Preferably therefore, the sleeve is composed of 45 a different material from the base and side wall of the container. The closure may be of the same material as the sleeve.

Preferably, each part of the container but in particular the sleeve is suitable for manufacture 50 by injection moulding.

By this means, it is possible to avoid the presence of a split line which would spoil the apperance of the sleeve. The presence of a split line and the base and side wall portion of the 55 container will largely be consealed by the sleeve and closure.

The invention also provides a container having a base, a side wall, an open top and a closure therefore and a sleeve closely fitting over the side 60 wall of the container wherein the base and side wall are formed of polypropylene or a like material and the sleeve of polystyrene or a like material.

Preferably, in containers according to the invention the closure is a screw cap and

65 complimentary threads are formed on the interior of the side wall portion of the closure and on the upper portions of the side wall of the container.

Preferably, means are provided for locking the sleeve in position on the outside of the side wall 70 of the container such as interlocking formations on the interior of the sleeve, e.g. adjacent the top thereof, and on the outside of the side wall of the container.

Preferably, means are provided to inhibit 75 rotation of the sleeve upon the container such as serrations on the outside of the container wall and on the inside of the sleeve.

Alternative means for positively locating the sleeve on the container may of course be adopted 80 such as cooperating screw threads on the interior of the sleeve and the exterior of the container wall.

Most preferably however, the sleeve has a groove on the interior wall thereof immediately 85 below the top edge and the container has a corresponding circumferential rib on the outer surface of the side wall thereof.

The sleeve may be transparent and decorative or informational material may be visible 90 therethrough. For instance, a printed label may be inserted between the sleeve and the container.

The sleeve may be in either the same colour as the container or may be in a contrasting colour.

The invention will be further illustrated with 95 reference to the accompanying drawing in which the figure shows a container according to the invention, the left side being sectioned.

In the figure, the container shown comprises a base portion 1 and a closure 2. The base portion 100 comprises a base 3 and a side wall 4. The base is circular and indented upwards centrally.

The side wall 4 has screw threads 5 which cooperate with corresponding threads 6 on the interior of a depending side wall portion of the 105 closure 2.

The side wall 4 also has a pair of circumferential ribs or ridges 7 and 8 immediately below the closure 2. The larger ridge 7 lies above the smaller ridge 8.

110 The container is provided with a sleeve 9 which is a close fit over the side wall 4 of the container. The sleeve 9 has a circumferential groove 10.

In assembly, the sleeve 9 is slid over the side 115 wall 4 of the container from the base end so that the groove 10 overrides the rib 8 and the top edge of the sleeve abuts the underside of the rib 7.

Means not shown such as serrations are 120 present on the inside surface of the sleeve and on the exterior of the container wall 4 to inhibit mutual rotation of the sleeve and container.

The sleeve and the closure 2 are formed of polystyrene, suitably by injection moulding. 125 The base and side wall 4 constituting the base portion 1 of the container are formed from polypropylene.

The container illustrated is particularly suitable for the packaging of cosmetic creams and the like.

2

GB 2 137 954 A 2

By virtue of the presence of the sleeve the container presents an attractive flush appearance and has an outer surface suitable for receiving printing and capable of being finished to a high 5 standard.

Claims

1. A container comprising a hollow body having a base and a side wall defining an opening, and a closure for the opening, in which the side 1 o wall is of single thickness, there being a sleeve closely fitted over the side wall, and the closure having a depending portion fitting over a portion of the side wall of the body and lying flush with the outer surface of the sleeve. 15

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, in which the closure is a screw cap, there being complimentary threads on the inner surface of the depending portion of the closure and on the underlying portion of the side wall of the body. 20

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, including means for locking the sleeve in position on the side wall of the body.

4. A container as claimed in Claim 3, in which the means for locking comprises a circumferential 25 rib on the outer surface of the side wall of the body and a corresponding groove in the inner surface of the sleeve, which groove receives the rib.

5. A container as claimed in Claim 4, in which

30 the outer surface of the side wall of the body is formed with a further circumferential rib against which an end of the sleeve abuts.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, including means to inhibit rotation of the

35 sleeve about the body.

7. A container as claimed in Claim 6, in which the means for preventing rotation comprises serrations on the outer surface of the side wall of the body and in the inner surface of the sleeve.

40

8. A container as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 6, in which said means comprises cooperating screw threads on the inner surface of the sleeve and on the outer surface of the side wall of the body.

45

9. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sleeve is transparent.

10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body is of polypropylene and the sleeve is of polystyrene.

50

11. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the drawing.

Printed in the United Kingdom for Her IVlajesty's Stationery Office, Demand No. 8818935, 10/1984. Contractor's Code No. 6378. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.