GB2544090A

GB2544090A - Container

Info

Publication number: GB2544090A
Application number: GB1519599.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: King Steve
Original assignee: Alexir Packaging Ltd
Current assignee: Alexir Packaging Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-06
Filing date: 2015-11-06
Publication date: 2017-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-06
Also published as: GB201519599D0; GB2544090B

Abstract

A re-closable container 35 comprising an inner box 3, an outer sleeve 5 and at least one tear strip 17. The inner box and the outer sleeve are releasably attached to each other in a closed configuration by a tear strip, such that on removal of a tear strip the inner box is slideably held within the outer sleeve and moveable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. Preferably the inner box further comprises a releasable opening with similar dimensions to that of a coffee pod and maybe opened via a tear strip. Also preferably, the inner box comprises a stopper tab 27 that protrudes from an elongated rectangular aperture 29 in the outer sleeve that may have rounded edges. Also preferably the inner and outer boxes are made from a single blank of cardboard or paperboard material and the tear strip is a Concorra tear-strip.

Description

Container

The present invention relates to packaging, particularly a disposable container. The container can be conveniently formed from a flat blank into a three-dimensional, re-closable container.

Existing disposable containers, which are re-sealable, include cardboard trays which are sealed with a plastic film having an adhesive rim or tabs, or plastic bags that are re-sealed using an adhesive tab. However, it has been found that the consumer experience of these products is disappointing, not least because the contents are not securely held after re-sealing. Re-sealable adhesive has only limited effectiveness and the seal is often inadequate after repeated re-sealing, such that products often escape or are damaged. In the case of high value food products, such as coffee "pods" or individually-wrapped chocolates, the product can often end up being damaged if the product is not securely held within the container. In the case of coffee pods, it is necessary to ensure that the plastic casing of each pod is not damaged because, if the pod becomes misshapen, it will not be compatible with the coffee machine in which it is to be used. If this occurs, pods are wasted and/or the coffee machine can become jammed.

Commonly, multiple coffee pods are packaged in cardboard sleeves and, once the user has removed the pods, it is not possible to re-seal the packaging to preserve the contents. Furthermore, the sleeves are not designed to allow a user to remove one coffee pod at a time.

Re-closable packaging for household or cosmetics products, or confectionary items is often made of plastic to provide the required security of re-sealing. For example, mints, washing tablets and batteries may be provided in a plastic container. However, the cost and complexity of manufacturing plastic packaging product is greater than cardboard or paperboard packaging.

The present invention sets out to provide a container, which alleviates the problems described above by providing a re-closable container, particularly well-suited to the dispensing of individually-wrapped food, beverage, cosmetics or household articles.

In one aspect, the invention provides a re-closable container comprising an inner box and an outer sleeve, wherein the inner box and the outer sleeve are releasably attached to each other in a closed configuration by at least one tear strip, such that on removal of the or each tear strip the inner box is slideably held within the outer sleeve and moveable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

The container of the present invention uses a tear strip to lock the container in a sealed or closed configuration prior to opening. By removal of the tear strip, a user is able to slide the inner box through the outer sleeve to allow access to the food products contained therein. After the food, beverage, cosmetics or household product/s is removed by a user, the container can be re-sealed or re-closed by sliding the inner box back into the outer sleeve. The re-sealing or re-closing of the container is both secure and convenient. Between uses the container protects the product contained therein from damage and prevents any of the contents being wasted by accidental opening. It has been found that the sliding mechanism of the present invention also offers a much improved consumer experience.

Preferably, the inner box further comprises a releasable opening.

More preferably, the releasable opening comprises a removable seal having a tear strip around its perimeter.

Preferably, the releasable opening has dimensions substantially similar to that of a conventional coffee pod.

Preferably, the releasable opening has a width or diameter of about 30mm to about 50mm, more preferably a width or diameter of about 35mm to about 45mm, and more preferably still, a width or diameter of about 38mm to about 42mm

Preferably, the inner box further comprises at least one protruding tab configured to slideably mate with an elongate aperture in the outer sleeve.

More preferably, the elongate aperture is substantially rectangular.

Preferably, the elongate aperture is substantially rectangular having rounded ends.

Preferably, the elongate aperture is centrally positioned along an edge of the outer sleeve spanning a front wall and a side wall thereof. A protruding tab slideably engaged with an elongate aperture in the outer sleeve, allows the sliding movement of the inner box to be constrained according to pre-determined requirements; that is, the protruding tab prevents the inner box sliding fully out of the outer sleeve. In a preferred embodiment, the movement of the inner box is constrained to control the amount of product that is released from the container. Furthermore, the combination of protruding tab and elongate aperture are such that, when the container is fully open and then moved into a closed configuration, a tactile indication is provided to the consumer.

Preferably, the re-closable container is formed from a one-piece blank.

By forming the container from a single blank, any wastage of the cardboard/paperboard material from which the container is made is much reduced. The reduction of wastage reduces the environmental impact and the cost, time and complexity of producing the re-closable container of the present invention.

Preferably, the one-piece blank comprises an inner box component and an outer sleeve component joined by at least one elongate tear strip.

Preferably, the container is made of a carton board, cardboard or paperboard material.

Preferably, the or each tear strip is provided on a wall of the inner box.

More preferably, the or each tear strip provided on a wall of the inner box is configured to be accessible through an aperture in the outer sleeve of the container.

Preferably, the or each tear strip is a Concorra tear strip.

For the purposes of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments; however it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank from which the container is constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the container of Figure 1 folded into three-dimensional form, showing a fully-sealed configuration;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the container of Figure 2, showing a partially open, slideable configuration;

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the container of Figure 3, showing a fully-sealed configuration;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container of Figures 2 to 4, showing a partially open, slideable configuration wherein the inner box is partially slid out from the outer sleeve;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention, showing a fully-open configuration ready for dispensing;

Figure 7 is further perspective view of the container of the present invention, showing a fully-open configuration, dispensing the product contained therein; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention in a re-closed, storage configuration.

Referring to Figure 1, the blank 1, from which the container of the present invention is formed, comprises a first inner box component 3 and a second outer sleeve component 5. The blank 1 is made of a carton board, cardboard or paper board material. The outer sleeve component 5 comprises a rectangular front wall 7; a rectangular rear wall 9; two opposing rectangular side walls 11 and a trapezoidal joining flap 11a. The rectangular embodiment shown in Figure 1 is given by way of example only and it is envisaged that in alternative embodiments of the present invention the blank 1 comprises one or more square walls.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the front wall 7 comprises an elongate aperture or window 13, which is substantially rectangular having rounded ends. The front wall 7 and the rear wall 9 further comprise semi-circular notches 15. It is envisaged that, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the notches 15 comprises alternative shapes according to a user's requirements and the product to be dispensed therefrom. For example, the container of the present invention can be configured to dispense food (including confectionery), beverage, cosmetics and household items. In use, the notches allow the inner box 3 to be gripped by a user.

By way of example, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the outer sleeve 5 comprises front and rear walls 7, 9 having a length of 143mm and a width of 87mm; side walls having a length of 143mm and a width of 39mm. The notches 15 are centrally positioned along the width of the front and rear walls 7, 9.

The inner box component 3 of the blank 1 is connected to the outer sleeve component 5 by a tear strip 17; for example a Concorra tear strip. As shown in Figure 2, the tear strip 17 is substantially rectangular having rounded ends to allow for ease of gripping and removal of the tear strip 17, in use.

The inner box component 3 of the blank 1 comprises a trapezoidal joining flap lib, rear rectangular wall 19; front rectangular wall 21 and rectangular side walls 23. The inner box 13 also comprises end flaps 25.

By way of example, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner box 3 comprises front and rear walls 21, 19 each having a length of 145mm and a width of 86mm; side walls 23 each having a length of 145mm and a width of 38mm; and end flaps 25 having a height of 37mm.

As shown in Figures 2 to 8, a protruding tab or notch 27 is partially cutout of the trapezoidal joining flap lib, such that it is attached to the joining flap lib along one of its sides. The protruding tab 27 is configured, in use, to slideably mate with an elongate aperture or locking notch 29 arranged longitudinally along an edge of the outer sleeve component 5, between the front wall 7 of the outer sleeve 5 and the adjacent side wall 11.

Referring to Figures 1 and 5, a releasable opening member 31 is provided in the inner box 3 and is shown to traverse the upper end of a side wall 23 and adjacent rear and front walls 19, 21. The releasable opening member 31 is shaped according to the product to be held within the container 35. In the embodiment shown, the releasable opening member 31 is shaped according to coffee pods, which are to be releasably contained within the container 35. However, it is understood that the container of the present invention can be configured to dispense food (including confectionery), beverage, household and cosmetics items. The variety of products that can be contained, include chocolates, mints, batteries and washing tablets.

The releasable opening member comprises a side wall portion 31a and substantially semi-circular gripping portions 31b traversing rear and front walls 19, 21. The perimeter of the releasable opening member 31 comprises a perforated tear strip. In use, the gripping portions 31b enable a user to easily remove the opening member 31 from the container 35.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4, to manufacture the container 35, the blank 1 shown in Figure 1 is fed through a folding machine and adhesive is applied to the joining flaps 11a and lib. The container is folded into its three-dimensional form, which is shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The inner box 3 is formed and secured by the joining flap lib into an open cuboid before the outer sleeve 5 is wrapped around the inner box 3 and secured by adhesive applied to the joining flap 11a. The open, inner box 3 is then filled with the product to be contained and is sealed with adhesive applied to end flaps 25.

As shown in Figure 4, the three-dimensional container 35 is formed such that the tear strip 17 is exposed through the elongate aperture 13. The protruding tab or notch 27 is exposed and protrudes through the elongate aperture or locking notch 29. In the fully closed position the releasable opening member 31 is fully concealed by the outer sleeve 5. The inner box 3 is also exposed through the outer sleeve 5 through semi-circular notches 15 in the outer sleeve 5.

As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, in use, the first step to open the container 35 is to remove the tear strip 17 through the elongate aperture 13 in the outer sleeve 5. By removing the tear strip 17, the inner box 3 is released from its rigid attachment to the outer sleeve 5 and is slideable therethrough. The notches 15 in the outer sleeve 5 allow a user to easily grip the inner box 3 and push it through the outer sleeve 5. The protruding tab 27 of the inner box, which is inserted through the elongate locking notch 29, ensures that the inner box can only be slid along and within the outer sleeve 5 in the correct direction and for a maximum predetermined distance (the length of the locking notch 29).

As shown in Figure 5, in use, when the inner box 3 has been slid through the outer sleeve 5 for the required distance, the protruding tab 27 acts as a stop to prevent further sliding of the inner box 3. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 5, the maximum sliding movement of the inner box 5 exposes the releasable opening member 31 beyond the upper edge of the outer sleeve 5.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the container 35 is shown in a partially open, slideable configuration, wherein the releasable opening member 31 has been removed from the inner box 5. The releasable opening member 31 is removed by tearing around its perimeter to fully detach the opening member 31 from the inner box 3. It is envisaged that, in alternative embodiments, the releasable opening member is only partially removed. Referring to Figure 7, a shaped opening 37 is then created through which, for example, food, beverage, household or cosmetics products 39 can be removed from the container 35. The shape and size of the opening 37 is configured so that the products 39 are released from the container 35 in a controlled manner. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the container 35 is tipped up to release a single coffee pod 39 before the container 35 is returned to an upright position to prevent the release of any further coffee pods. The container 35 is then tipped again to release a further coffee pod/s. In further alternative embodiments, it is envisaged that the shape and size of the opening 37 can be configured to allow products to freely flow from the container 35.

Referring to Figure 8, when the contents of the container 35 have been dispensed according to a user's requirements, the outer sleeve 5 is then slid over the inner box 3 to re-close the container 35 with the outer sleeve 5 concealing the opening 37. The remaining contents of the container 35 are securely held until a user re-opens the container using the sliding mechanism to move the outer sleeve 5 and expose the opening 37, as previously described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

The above described embodiment has been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A re-closable container comprising an inner box and an outer sleeve, wherein the inner box and the outer sleeve are releasably attached to each other in a closed configuration by at least one tear strip, such that on removal of the or each tear strip the inner box is slideably held within the outer sleeve and moveable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.

2. A re-closable container according to claim 1 wherein the inner box further comprises a releasable opening.

3. A re-closable container according to claim 2 wherein the releasable opening comprises a removable seal having a tear strip around its perimeter.

4. A re-closable container according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the releasable opening has dimensions substantially similar to that of a conventional coffee pod.

5. A re-closable container according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the releasable opening has a width or diameter of about 30mm to about 50mm, more preferably a width or diameter of about 35mm to about 45mm, and more preferably still, a width or diameter of about 38mm to about 42mm

6. A re-closable container according to any preceding claim wherein the inner box further comprises at least one protruding tab configured to slideably mate with an elongate aperture in the outer sleeve.

7. A re-closable container according to claim 6 wherein the elongate aperture is substantially rectangular.

8. A re-closable container according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the elongate aperture is substantially rectangular having rounded ends.

9. A re-closable container according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the elongate aperture is centrally positioned along an edge of the outer sleeve spanning a front wall and a side wall thereof.

10. A re-closable container according to any preceding claim formed from a one-piece blank.

11. A re-closable container according to claim 10 wherein the one-piece blank comprises an inner box component and an outer sleeve component joined by at least one elongate tear strip.

12. A re-closable container according to any preceding claim wherein the container is made of a cardboard or paperboard material.

13. A re-closable container according to any preceding claim wherein the or each tear strip is provided on a wall of the inner box.

14. A re-closable container according to claim 13 wherein the or each tear strip provided on a wall of the inner box is configured to be accessible through an aperture in the outer sleeve of the container.

15. A re-closable container according to any preceding claim wherein the or each tear strip is a Concorra tear strip.

16. A re-closable container substantially as hereinbefore described or referred to in Figures 2 to 8.