GB2552882A

GB2552882A - Packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2552882A
Application number: GB1708987.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Adam
Original assignee: CHARPAK Ltd
Current assignee: CHARPAK Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-07
Filing date: 2017-06-06
Publication date: 2018-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-06
Also published as: GB2552882B; GB201609912D0; GB201708987D0

Abstract

A lid 30 rotatably engages a container 20 by a rim 28A on one being received by a channel 38 on the other so that their surfaces engage. Ideally the channel is a downward facing channel on the lid and the rim is on the container. The container could also have an upstanding wall surrounding the rim forming a further channel to receive the outer wall of the lids channel. The surfaces could have complementary tapered inter engaging formations 42, 52 which move with minimal interference until they snap fit 46, 56 with the leading end of a flange on the lid abuts against the seat 48 of a flange on the container. The formations can be parallel, axially spaced, circumferentially aligned, circumferentially spaced and/or radially recessed with axially extending portions. There could be a tamper evident hinged pawl (60 figs 6-9) allowing the lid to close but not reopen without damage. The pawl could project up from the rim of the container and be received in an aperture (39 figs 6-9) in the containers channel. The container and lid could be plastic with gripping formations 36 on the lid.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Charpak Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

St Peters Road, HUNTINGDON, Cambridgeshire, PE29 7DG, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Adam Martin (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Maguire Boss

East Street, ST IVES, Cambridgeshire, PE27 5PD, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

B65D 43/02 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2417240 A US 3339770 A US 20140238994 A1 JPH0948450 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B65D Other: WPI, EPODOC

GB 2306162 A US 20150375906 A1 US 20110011947 A1 (54) Title of the Invention: Packaging

Abstract Title: Lid engaging a container by flanges projecting into channels (57) A lid 30 rotatably engages a container 20 by a rim 28A on one being received by a channel 38 on the other so that their surfaces engage. Ideally the channel is a downward facing channel on the lid and the rim is on the container. The container could also have an upstanding wall surrounding the rim forming a further channel to receive the outer wall of the lid’s channel. The surfaces could have complementary tapered inter engaging formations 42, 52 which move with minimal interference until they snap fit 46, 56 with the leading end of a flange on the lid abuts against the seat 48 of a flange on the container.

The formations can be parallel, axially spaced, circumferentially aligned, circumferentially spaced and/or radially recessed with axially extending portions. There could be a tamper evident hinged pawl (60 figs 6-9) allowing the lid to close but not reopen without damage. The pawl could project up from the rim of the container and be received in an aperture (39 figs 6-9) in the containers channel. The container and lid could be plastic with gripping formations 36 on the lid.

IO '/6

U&uke χ

pGrU£& 2

3/6

A&<e έ

δ A

έ/6

TITLE: PACKAGING

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to packaging and particularly, but not exclusively, to vacuum-formed packaging for foodstuffs.

It is known in the art to package foodstuffs in plastics-based packaging comprising a container with a pull-off lid. The lid may be attached to the container in a variety of ways and 20 is typically configured to allow reattachment to the container. A tamper evidence seal may be provided as part of the packaging (e.g. to indicate that the lid has not been removed). Typically removal of the pull-off lid requires a user to peel a starting section of the lid away from the rim of the container before enabling the lid to be fully removed from the rim. Depending on the flexibility of the lid and container rim, the lid can in practice be difficult to remove. The 25 inclusion of taper evidence seals coupling the lid to the container may further hinder the removal ofthe pull-off lid.

The present applicant has identified the need for an improved form of packaging which overcomes or at least alleviates problems identified with the prior art.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided packaging comprising: a lid; and a container defining a chamber for receiving a product (e.g. foodstuff), the chamber having an opening configured to be covered by the lid when the lid is attached to the container; wherein the lid and container together define at least one pair of 5 interengageable profiles for securing the lid to the container, the or each pair of interengageable profiles being configured to allow relative rotational movement between the lid and container about a central axis between a first position in which the lid and container are secured together and a second position in which the lid and container are separable from one another, the or each pair of interengageable profiles comprising a channel/channel10 engaging part pairing, the channel being configured to receive and guide the channelengaging part as the lid rotates relative to the container from the second position towards the first position; characterised in that a radially innermost surface of one of the or each pair of interengageable profiles and a radially outermost surface of the other of the or each pair of interengageable profiles are configured to engage in the first position upon rotation about the central axis from the second position to the first position and be separated upon counter rotation.

In this way, packaging with a screw-threadless twist-lock lid action is provided allowing simplified opening/closing compared with a conventional pull-off lid. Advantageously, the present invention provides packaging which may offer improved ease of manufacture, and which is particularly suitable for vacuum form moulding.

In one embodiment, the or each pair of interengageable profiles are provided on a radially outer facing and radially inner facing surfaces of the lid and container respectively (e.g. radially outer facing surface of a rim of the lid and radially inner facing surface of a rim of the container).

In one embodiment, a leading portion of the or each pair of interengageable profiles is configured such that the channel-engaging part is allowed to move with minimal interference with inner surfaces of the channel as the lid rotates relative to the container between the second position and an intermediate position between the first and second positions (e.g. with radially opposed surfaces of the channel and channel-engaging part not being urged against each other during movement between the second position and intermediate positions) and/or the or each pair of inter engageable profiles have a positive engaging action operative to secure the lid to the container when the lid reaches the first position.

In this way, packaging may be provided in which the twist-lock lid action is configured to both provide a smooth rotary opening/closing action and, by virtue of the positive 10 engaging action (typically a snap-fit action), an affirmative indicator that the lid is secured in the first position.

In one embodiment, the positive engaging action is configured to provide an audible locking/unlocking noise as the pair of interengageable profiles lock in the first position/unlock from the first position.

In one embodiment, the channel/channel-engaging pairing have complementary tapered profile sections (e.g. upper tapered profile sections).

In one embodiment, the or each pair of interengageable profiles include a trailing portion including a protuberant member/seat pairing, the seat being configured to trap the protuberant member in the first position (e g. in a snap-fit action). The protuberant member may be released from the seat by a user rotating the lid towards the second position with sufficient force to overcome the holding force of the snap-fit connection.

In one embodiment, the or each pair of interengageable profiles define a stop for preventing relative rotation between the lid and the container beyond the first position.

In one embodiment, the protuberant member/seat pairing are provided in parallel to 25 the channel/channel-engaging part pairing. For example, the protuberant member/seat pairing may be axially spaced from the channel/channel-engaging part pairing. In this way, relative movement of the leading portion of the channel/channel-engaging part pairing can take place without interference with the protuberant member/seat pairing, with engagement between the protuberant member/seat pairing only occurring once the trailing portion of the interengageable profiles become aligned in the first position.

In one embodiment, the protuberant member/seat pairing are circumferentially aligned with a trailing portion of the channel/channel-engaging part pairing.

In one embodiment, the protuberant member comprises a rib having a longitudinal axis extending axially relative to the central axis and the seat comprises an axially extending notch.

In one embodiment, the protuberant member/seat pairing are radially recessed relative to the channel/channel-engaging part pairing. In this way, access to the protuberant member/seating pairing from outside the packaging is made more difficult when the lid is secured in the first position.

In one embodiment, the container and lid comprise a plurality of pairs of interengageable profiles as previously defined spaced circumferentially around the opening. In one embodiment, at least one of (e.g. both) the lid and the container comprise plastics material (e.g. one or both of the parts are vacuum formed).

In one embodiment, the container further comprises an outer sleeve formed from paper or paperboard (e.g. to enable the addition of graphics to the container).

In one embodiment, the lid comprises an underside peripheral channel (e.g. continuous underside peripheral channel) configured to snugly fit over a rim (e.g. inner rim) of the container.

In one embodiment, the container further comprises an outer rim spaced radially form the first-defined rim (e.g. inner rim) and forming in combination with the first-defined rim an upper peripheral channel (e.g. continuous upper peripheral channel). In this way access to the rim of the lid is restricted making it more difficult to unclip the lid from the container by applying an axial force.

In one embodiment, the upper peripheral channel is configured to receive a peripheral 5 end flange formed on the lid. In this way, lateral access to the lid is blocked by the outer rim.

In one embodiment, the first-defined rim is axially recessed relative to the outer rim.

In one embodiment, the lid comprises one or more gripping portions (e.g. finger recesses).

In one embodiment, the lid comprises a pair of opposed (e.g. diametrically opposed) 10 gripping portions.

In one embodiment, the packaging comprises a tamper evident feature configured to be activated as the lid rotates relative to the container from the first position to the second position.

In one embodiment, the tamper evident feature comprises a protuberant member 15 having a first end configured to prevent rotation of the lid relative to the container from the first position to the second position.

In one embodiment, the protuberant member comprises a second end circumferentially spaced from the first end, the second end being configured to allow rotation of the lid relative to the container from the second position to the first position.

In one embodiment, the first end defines a profile extending substantially normal to the central axis.

In one embodiment, the second end defines a tapered profile (e.g. to form an inclined ramp surface).

In one embodiment, the protuberant member is provided on an upper rim of the container.

In one embodiment, the lid comprises a rim part defining a channel for receiving the upper rim of the container.

In one embodiment, the lid (e.g. rim part of the lid) is configured to receive at least a part of the protuberant member.

In one embodiment, the lid defines an aperture (e.g. aperture formed on an upper surface of the rim part of the lid) for receiving the part of the protuberant member (e.g.

thereby allowing a user to make direct contact with the protuberant member).

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided packaging comprising: a lid; and a container defining a chamber for receiving a product, the 10 chamber having an opening configured to be covered by the lid when the lid is attached to the container; wherein the lid and container together define at least one pair of interengageable profiles for securing the lid to the container, the or each pair of interengageable profiles being configured to allow relative rotational movement between the lid and container about a central axis between a first position in which the lid and container 15 are secured together and a second position in which the lid and container are separable from one another; wherein the packaging comprises a tamper evident feature configured to be activated as the lid rotates relative to the container from the first position to the second position.

In one embodiment, the or each pair of interengageable profiles comprising a channel/channel-engaging part pairing, the channel being configured to receive and guide the channel-engaging part as the lid rotates relative to the container from the second position towards the first position.

In one embodiment, the tamper evident feature comprises a protuberant member having a first end configured to prevent rotation of the lid relative to the container from the first position to the second position.

In one embodiment, the protuberant member is provided on an upper rim of the container (e.g. protruding upwards from the upper rim).

In one embodiment, the lid defines an aperture (e.g. aperture formed on an upper 15 surface of the rim part of the lid) for receiving the part of the protuberant member (e.g. thereby allowing a user to make direct contact with the protuberant member).

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of packaging in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention with the lid detached from the container;

Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the packaging of Figure 1 with the lid secured to the container;

Figure 3 is a schematic close-up cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2 showing the lid when secured connected to the container;

Figure 4 is schematic side view of the packaging of Figure 1 with the lid secured to the container;

Figures 5A and 5B are schematic close-up views taken along line B-B in Figure 4 showing the lid and container in unsecured and secured configurations respectively;

Figure 6 is a is a schematic view of packaging in accordance with a second 5 embodiment of the present invention with the lid detached from the container;

Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of the packaging of Figure 6 with the lid secured to the container;

Figures 8A and 8B are schematic close-up views of a tamper evident feature of the packaging of Figure 6;

Figure 9A is a schematic plan view of the packaging of Figure 6 with the lid secured to the container; and

Figure 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view of an upper part of the packaging of Figure 6 taken along line C-C in Figure 9A.

Figures 1-4 show plastics-based, vacuum formed packaging 10 comprising a container 20 and a twist-lock lid 30 .

Container 20 comprises a substantially cylindrical body 22 suitable for mounting a paper or paperboard sleeve and defining a substantially cylindrical chamber 24 for receiving a product (e.g. foodstuff) and an opening 26 for accessing chamber 24. Body 22 further comprises a peripheral rim 28 surrounding opening 26, peripheral rim 28 comprising an inner rim 28 A and an outer rim 28B spaced radially from inner rim 28 A to form a continuous upper peripheral channel 28C. As illustrated in Figure 3, inner rim 28A is axially recessed relative to outer rim 28B.

Lid 30 comprises a body 32 including a central region 34 defining a pair of diametrically opposed finger recesses 36 and an outer rim 38 defining a continuous underside 25 peripheral channel 38A figured to snugly fit over inner rim 28A of container 20 when lid 30 is positioned to cover opening 26. Body 32 further defines a peripheral end flange 38B configured to be received in continuous upper peripheral channel 28C.

In accordance with the present invention, container 20 and lid 30 together further define a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of interengageable profiles 40, 50 for 5 securing lid 30 to container 20, each pair of interengageable profiles 40, 50 being configured to allow relative rotational movement between lid 30 and container 20 about a central axis “R” between a first (secured) position in which lid 30 and container 20 are secured together and a second (unsecured) position in which lid 30 and container 20 are separable from one another.

Each profile 40 is formed as part of peripheral rim 28 of container 20 and comprises a circumferentially extending channel 42 formed by axially spaced lower and upper flange sections 44A, 44B. Each channel 42 includes a leading section 42A and a trailing section 42B. Upper flange section 44B includes an axially extending notch 46 axially spaced from channel 42 and circumferentially aligned with trailing section 42B.

Each profile 50 is formed as part of outer rim 38 of lid 30 and comprises a circumferentially extending channel-engaging part 52 and a protuberant rib 56 each projecting radially outward from an outer surface 54 of outer rim 38. Each channel-engaging part 52 includes a leading section 52A and a trailing section 52B. Protuberant rib 56 is axially spaced from channel-engaging part 52 and circumferentially aligned with trailing section

52B.

As illustrated in Figure 3, channels 42 and channel-engaging parts 52 have complementary inner and outer profiles respectively including upper tapered profile sections 43, 53. Each channel 42 is configured to slidingly receive and guide a corresponding channel-engaging part 52 as lid 30 rotates relative to container 20 from the second position 25 towards the first position. The profiles of each channel/channel-engaging part pairing 42, 52 are configured to such that channel-engaging part 52 is allowed to move with minimal interference with inner surfaces of channel 42 as lid 30 rotates relative to container 20 between the second position (see Figure 5A) and an intermediate position between the first and second positions and hence lid 30 rotates smoothly and accurately between the first and intermediate positions. As lid 30 further rotates from the intermediate position towards the first position, each protuberant rib 56 (which has a longitudinal axis extending axially relative to the central axis “R”) moves to positively engage axially extending notch 46 with a snapfit action which secures lid 30 relative to container 20 in the first position. Since each protuberant rib/axially extending notch pairing 56, 46 is axially spaced from its 10 corresponding channel/channel-engaging part pairing 42, 52, relative movement of the leading portion of each channel/channel-engaging part pairing 42, 52 can take place without interference with the protuberant rib 56, with engagement between each protuberant rib/axially extending notch pairing 56, 46 only occurring once the trailing portion of the interengageable profiles 40, 50 become aligned in the first position (see Figure 5B). Stops 15 48 formed to block the leading end of each channel 42 prevent relative rotation between lid 30 and container 20 beyond the first position. Fid 30 may be unlocked by a user rotating lid 30 towards the second position with sufficient force to overcome the holding force of each snapfit connection to release protuberant ribs 56 from their respective axially extending notches

46.

In this way, packaging is provided in which a twist-lock lid action is configured to provide both a smooth rotary opening/closing action and, by virtue of the positive snap-fit engaging action, an affirmative indicator that lid 30 is secured in the first position generating an audible locking/unlocking noise. Furthermore, the design of packaging 10 includes a number of tamper resistant features as discussed below.

As illustrated in Figure 3, peripheral end flange 38B is configured to abut a lower surface of channel 28C. In this way access to outer rim 38 of lid 30 is restricted since access to the lid is blocked by outer rim 28B of the container making it more difficult to unclip lid 30 from container 20 by applying an axial force. Furthermore, as can been seen from Figures

5A and 5B, each protuberant rib/axially extending notch pairing 56, 46 is radially recessed 5 relative to their respective channel/channel-engaging part pairing 42, 52. In this way, access to protuberant rib/axially extending notch pairings 56, 46 from outside the packaging is made more difficult when lid 30 is secured in the first position.

Figures 6 and 7 show plastics-based, vacuum formed packaging 10’ based on packaging 10 (features in common are labelled accordingly) comprising a tamper evident 10 button 60 provided on an upper surface of peripheral rim 28’of container 20’. Packaging 10’ differs from packaging 10 in that it includes a simplified body 22’ with a single peripheral rim 28’ configured to be a snug fit inside peripheral channel 38A’ formed on an underside of outer rim 38’ of lid body 32’.

As illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8A, tamper evident button 60 comprises a 15 protuberant body 62 having first part 62A defining a stopper profile 64 and a second part 62B spaced circumferentially from first part 62A, second part 62B having tapered profile 66 extending from an upper surface of peripheral rim 28’ to an upper part of stopper profile 64. Outer rim 38’ of lid body 32’ defines an opening 39 configured to receive tamper evident button 60 when the lid 30’ is initially secured to container 20’ in the first position. Tapered profile 66 is configured to allow lid 20’ to ride smoothly over tamper evident button 60 as lid

20’ rotates from the second position to the secured first position (e.g. in an initial closing step carried out after the packaging 10’ is first filled with produce - step 1 shown in Figure 9B).

As shown in Figures 8B and 9B, tamper evident button 60 is formed with a line of weakness (e.g. perforated line) 68 extending around the base of the protuberant body 62. In 25 use, stopper profile 64 acts to stop rotation of lid 20’ relative to container 20’ from the first (secured) position to the second position. In order to open the packaging 10’, a user must push down on protuberant body 62 to displace tamper evident button 60 into a position in which stopper profde 64 does not interfere with lid 20’ (step 2 in Figure 9B).

As illustrated in Figure 9B, the pushing force applied to the protuberant body 62 by the user 5 causes protuberant body 62 to at least partially separate from peripheral rim 28’ resulting in a visual indicator that tamper evident button 60 has been activated.

Claims

Claims:

1. Packaging compri sing:

a lid; and

5 a container defining a chamber for receiving a product, the chamber having an opening configured to be covered by the lid when the lid is attached to the container;

wherein the lid and container together define at least one pair of interengageable profiles for securing the lid to the container, the or each pair of interengageable profiles being configured to allow relative rotational movement between the lid and container about a

10 central axis between a first position in which the lid and container are secured together and a second position in which the lid and container are separable from one another, the or each pair of interengageable profiles comprising a channel/channel-engaging part pairing, the channel being configured to receive and guide the channel-engaging part as the lid rotates relative to the container from the second position towards the first position;

15 characterised in that a radially innermost surface of one of the or each pair of interengageable profiles and a radially outermost surface of the other of the or each pair of interengageable profiles are configured to engage in the first position upon rotation about the central axis from the second position to the first position and be separated upon counter rotation.

2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein a leading portion of the or each pair of interengageable profiles is configured such that the channel-engaging part is allowed to move with minimal interference with inner surfaces of the channel as the lid rotates relative to the container between the second position and an intermediate position between the first and

25 second positions and the or each pair of interengageable profiles have a positive engaging action operative to secure the lid to the container when the lid reaches the first position.

3. Packaging according to claim 2, wherein the positive engaging action is a snap-fit action.

5

4. Packaging according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the channel/channel-engaging pairing have complementary tapered profile sections.

5. Packaging according to any of claims 2-4, wherein the or each pair of interengageable profiles include a trailing portion including a protuberant member/seat pairing, the seat being

10 configured to trap the protuberant member in the first position.

6. Packaging according to claim 5, wherein the protuberant member/seat pairing are provided in parallel to the channel/channel-engaging part pairing.

15

7. Packaging according to claim 6, wherein the protuberant member/seat pairing are axially spaced from the channel/channel-engaging part pairing.

8. Packaging according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the protuberant member/seat pairing are circumferentially aligned with a trailing portion of the channel/channel-engaging

20 part pairing.

9. Packaging according to any of claims 5-8, wherein the protuberant member comprises a rib having a longitudinal axis extending axially relative to the central axis and the seat comprises an axially extending notch.

10. Packaging according to any of claims 5-9, wherein the protuberant member/seat pairing are radially recessed relative to the channel/channel-engaging part pairing.

11. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container and lid 5 comprise a plurality of pairs of interengageable profdes as previously defined spaced circumferentially around the opening.

12. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the lid and the container comprise plastics material.

13. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid comprises an underside peripheral channel configured to snugly fit over an inner rim of the container and the container further comprises an outer rim spaced radially form the inner rim and forming in combination with the inner rim an upper peripheral channel.

14. Packaging according to claim 13, wherein the upper peripheral channel is configured to receive a peripheral end flange formed on the lid.

15. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid comprises one

20 or more gripping portions.

16. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging comprises a tamper evident feature configured to be activated as the lid rotates relative to the container from the first position to the second position.

17. Packaging according to claim 16, wherein the tamper evident feature comprises a protuberant member having a first end configured to prevent rotation of the lid relative to the container from the first position to the second position and a second end circumferentially spaced from the first end, the second end being configured to allow rotation of the lid relative

5 to the container from the second position to the first position.

18. Packaging according to claim 17, wherein the protuberant member is provided on an upper rim of the container.

10

19. Packaging according claim 18, wherein the lid defines an aperture configured to receive at least a part of the protuberant member.

20. Packaging comprising:

a lid; and

15 a container defining a chamber for receiving a product, the chamber having an opening configured to be covered by the lid when the lid is attached to the container;

20 central axis between a first position in which the lid and container are secured together and a second position in which the lid and container are separable from one another;

wherein the packaging comprises a tamper evident feature configured to be activated as the lid rotates relative to the container from the first position to the second position.

25

21. Packaging according to claim 20, wherein the or each pair of interengageable profiles comprising a channel/channel-engaging part pairing, the channel being configured to receive and guide the channel-engaging part as the lid rotates relative to the container from the second position towards the first position.

5

22. Packaging according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the tamper evident feature comprises a protuberant member having a first end configured to prevent rotation of the lid relative to the container from the first position to the second position and a second end circumferentially spaced from the first end, the second end being configured to allow rotation of the lid relative to the container from the second position to the first position.

23. Packaging according to claim 22, wherein the protuberant member is provided on an upper rim of the container.

24. Packaging according claim 23, wherein the lid defines an aperture configured to 15 receive at least a part of the protuberant member.

Intellectual

Property

Office

GB1708987.1

1-19