MXPA98006428A - A container or container, for example for food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) comprises a body (2) as a cup, closed at the top by a sealing sheet (4). The sheet (4) in question is protected by means of a bonnet portion (5) that can be perforated (6). An additional cap portion (7), hooked on the base (12) of the cup-like body (2), forms a receptacle for the maintenance of accessories such as toys, explanatory sheets or small utensils. Alternatively, the same function can be performed by the cap (5) that covers the sheet (4) seal

Description

A CONTAINER OR CONTAINER, FOR EXAMPLE FOR FOOD PRODUCTS The present invention relates to containers and in particular, refers to a container according to the pre-characterizing part of claim 1.

Containers of this type are known in the state of the art and are widely used, for example, for the packaging of food products such as, for example, creamy substances and beverages. For example, the use for the packaging of yogurts or beverages such as tea can be mentioned by way of example.

The present invention addresses the problem of improving the characteristics of a container of the type specified above, from at least two points of view, i.e. - the protection of the sealing sheet from the outside atmosphere prior to its use, and - the ability to associate with the container accessories such as, for example, a toy (also called "gift"), one or more sheets containing REF .: 28137 information and instructions in relation to the product and / or the toy, or a utensil usable to consume the product such as, for example, a pallet or a small spoon.

According to the present invention, this object has been achieved by means of a container having the specific characteristics mentioned in the following claims.

The invention will now be described, by way of non-illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general, exploded, perspective view of a possible embodiment of a container according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a diametrical section through the same embodiment of container, in assembled condition.

In the appended drawings, a container generally usable, for example, for the packaging of food products such as, for example, creamy substances or beverages, has been indicated in general with 1. The invention can, in any case, be used in fields completely different, for example, for the packaging of pharmaceutical products.

The container 1 comprises, as a main element, a body 2 in the form of a cup (or cup-like) which is made, for example, from a molded plastic material. During use, the body 2 is intended to contain a filling of food product C (Figure 2) constituted, for example, by a creamy substance or a beverage.

The cup-like body 2 has an upper embouchure portion surrounded by a flange 3 like a flange, to which a sealing sheet 4 is applied. The sheet 4 has a periphery corresponding to the periphery of the embouchure portion of the cup-shaped body 2 (circular in the embodiment shown) and may be made, for example, by an aluminum foil, possibly covered by a layer of aluminum. polymeric material on the side that has to face the body 2. This is so that it forms a material of the type that is generally known as "combined" material. This solution facilitates the sealing of the periphery of the sheet 4 with respect to the flange 3, for example, by means of a heat sealing or ultrasonic welding operation.

In any case, the methods adopted for attaching the sealing sheet 4 to the mouth portion of the cup-like body 2 can vary widely according to the specific needs of construction and use. These methods are, in any case, widely known to those skilled in the art and do not need to be described here in detail, and furthermore, they are not in themselves relevant to the understanding of the feeding of the invention.

The consumer can access the product C inside the body 2 in several ways. For example, it can detach ("peel off") the sheet 4 from the periphery of the embouchure portion of the body 2, or tear the sheet 4 or, according to the preferred solution discussed below, can perforate the sheet 4 with a tool such as a straw T with a pointed end IT. As is known, the use of a straw T as a drilling tool has the additional advantage that, after being possibly used to stir or mix the product C for consumption, the straw also allows the product to be sucked.

- A first cap element, indicated with 5, is normally made of plastic material, which has been shaped, possibly in such a way as to provide a coding-like configuration in general, its periphery portion 5a adopting the appearance of a tab that can be applied (directly or possibly with the interposition of an additional sealing sheet, not shown explicitly in the drawings), to the periphery of the sheet 4 in the area of the flange 3 as a flange that surrounds the portion of the embouchure of the body 2.

Under these conditions, the cap 5 located in the upper part of the container 1, covers the sealing sheet 4, shielding it with respect to the external atmosphere.

This is particularly advantageous since it protects the outer surface of the sheet 4, in particular, in relation to any contamination of the environment.

At least in some possible applications, such as, for example, in the packaging of pharmaceutical products, the cap 5 can be applied so as to cover the sheet 4 (in this case, also by joining by means of heat sealing, welding by ultrasound, etc., according to known criteria), in a sterile or inert packaging environment. The outer surface of the sheet 4 can thus be maintained in such conditions throughout the subsequent handling until the container is opened in order that the product C contained therein can be used. .

At this time, the sheet 4 can be discovered by separating the cap 5 or, as shown schematically in Figure 2, the cap can be perforated with the use of the same tool T to be used to perforate the sheet 4. In in particular, the tool T (straw) can be prepared for the cap 5 to penetrate through a hole 6 provided in the body of the cap 5. The hole 6 is initially kept closed by means of a seal 6a of sheet material such as, for example, aluminum, if necessary, of the "combined" type. The seal 6a is intended to be torn by the tool T, it is applied to the cap 5 in the area of the hole 6, preferably on its internal surface facing the sheet 4.

At the same time, in particular if the cap 5 has a concave shape uniformly marked, it defines a chamber (between the bonnet 5 and the sheet 4, or possibly another sheet, not shown, which closes the bonnet 5 on its opposite side). the sheet 4), in which an accessory of the container can be arranged such as, for example, a toy, an instruction sheet, a small utensil, etc. This "accessory" can also be constituted by an additive to be added to the product C by its introduction into the body 2 through a hole or breaks in the sheet 4 acting on the cap 5 in such a way that it deforms towards the body 2 by tightening.

Naturally, the ability to protect the outer face of the sheet 4, possibly under sterile conditions, also extends, if necessary, to the content of the aforesaid chamber.

In the embodiment shown in the attached drawings (emphasis is only given by way of non-limiting examples), it is provided that the bonnet 5 can exclusively perform the protection function of the sheet 4. In other words, the insertion of an accessory in any camera defined by the cap 5 in relation to the sheet 4 is not provided explicitly.

In the represented embodiment, this object has in fact been achieved by associating with the container 1 of another cap 7 acting as a container for retaining the accessory B. In the embodiment shown, the cap 7, which is located in a lower position, has in general cup or glass form. It therefore has a respective base portion that defines a chamber 8 (FIG. 2) in which the accessory B is located. The chamber 8 is closed at the top by a laminar element 9 as a lid that , in the represented embodiment, it has been generally formed as a disk.

The lid-like element 9 is inserted into the cap 7 above the chamber 8, and is held therein, for example, by a quick coupling on an annular clamping element 10 formed on the internal surface of the element 7.

Above the chamber 8, the cap 7 has an upper flange or collar 11, which is preferably annular in general and slightly tapered, and which allows the bonnet 7 to be hooked on the base portion of the body 2 as a cup, this portion being preferably slightly narrower and being defined in the upper part by a step 13. The arrangement is such that, in order that the cap 7 engages in the base portion of the body 2 as a cup, the collar 11 slides on the narrower base portion 12, until the collar end edge 11 is brought to bear against the step 13.

At this point, as shown schematically in Figure 2, the lower cap 7 can be fixed in its position, coupled with the base portion of the cup-like body 2, for example by a belt or band 14, for example, a band or adhesive tape, covering the portion of the body 2 formed as a cup, immediately above the step 13, and the collar portion 11 adjacent its end edge.

It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the manufacture of the objects to which it refers.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (14)

1. A container (1) comprising a cup-like body (2), having a closed mouth portion (3) by means of a sealing sheet (4), characterized in that the container (1) has at least one portion (5,7) of associated cap, applied so as to cover a respective portion of the container (1).

2. A container according to the claim 1, characterized in that it has a portion (5) of associated cap, applied so as to cover the sealing sheet.

3. A container according to the claim 2, characterized in that the cap (5) applied so as to cover the sealing sheet (4), is separable at least locally (6), in order to provide access to the sealing sheet (4).

4. A container according to the claim 3, characterized in that the cap (5) applied so as to cover the sealing sheet (4), has a portion (6) that can be perforated locally.

5. A container according to claim 4, characterized in that the portion that can be perforated locally is defined by a hole (6) closed by means of a laminar seal (6a) that can be selectively torn.

6. A container according to claim 5, characterized in that the laminar seal is applied to the face of the cap (5) facing the sealing sheet (4).

7. A container according to claim 2, characterized in that the cap applied to cover the sealing sheet (4) is separated from the sealing sheet (4) at least locally, in order to define, in relation to the sheet (4) sealant , an accommodation space.

8. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that a lower cap portion (7) is associated with the container, and can be hooked on the base portion of the cup-like body (2) in order to define, in relation to the cup-shaped body (2), a camera (8) for receiving objects.

9. A container according to claim 8, characterized in that the lower cap portion (7) is associated with a lid-like closing element (9) for closing the housing chamber (8).

10. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the lid-like element (9) is a laminar structure and can be quickly hooked into a corresponding hooking element (10) provided on the internal wall of the portion (7) of lower cap.

11. A container according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the cup-like body (2) has a narrower base portion (12) for engaging the lower cap portion (7).

12. A container according to claim 11, characterized in that the narrower base portion (12) is defined by a step (13) forming a stop limit for the lower cap portion (7) during its hook movement on the body (2) as a layer.

13. A container according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that it also comprises a band-like element (14) joining the cup-like body (2) and the lower-bonnet portion (7) engaged on the body (2) as a cup.

14. A container according to claim 2 and claim 8, taken in combination.