NZ211764A - Collapsible tube container:folding flange against skirt connection between neckpiece and tubular laminate - Google Patents

Description

2 // /L /I Priority Date(s): Complete S«~3cification Filed: Class: 8. (S.?35.f/A Publication Date: , H. 2 NOV. 1986...

P.O. Journal, Wo: ..

Patents Form No. 5 Number PATENTS ACT 1953 Dated COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IMPROVED CONTAINER NECK ifWe LAJOVIC HOLDINGS PTY. LIMITED a Company incorporated under the laws of the State of New South Wales, Commonwealth of Australia, of 78 Victoria Street, Smithfield, New South Wales, Australia do hereby declare the invention for which tywe pray that a Patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 211764 This invention relates to dispensing containers, and in particular to collapsible containers formed from a laminate having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics materials.

It is known for form collapsible containers by first moulding a neckpiece and then welding the neck to a tubular body of laminated material. Several different methods of attaching the neck and body have been used. In one method the upper marginal edge portion of the body is allowed to overlap the lower peripheral edge of the neckpiece and the two components are then welded together. In another method an annular rondelle overlies the neckpiece and the body is welded to the rondelle, either by butt or overlap welding.

The methods suffer from a number of disabilities, particularly lack of strength at the join between the neckpiece and body. Additionally, the methods may result in external exposure of metal foil, usually aluminium comprising the laminate material. The present invention has been developed to ameliorate this disability by providing an improved neckpiece which can be secured to the skirt from opposite sides, thereby providing a stronger joint and a complete seal over the end of the skirt.

According to one aspect of the invention there;ds provided a neckpiece for use in a collapsible container including a tubular laminate body having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics material, said neckpiece comprising a first substantially cylindrical flange adapted to fit into an end of the body 2 NJL PATENT OW* ;-5 SEP 1966 ;211764 ;and sealingly engage the inner plastics layer thereof, and a second flange extending from the neckpiece adjacent said first flange to form an annular collar projecting radially outwardly from said neckpiece and adapted to fold into overlapping and sealing engagement with the outer plastics layer of the body adjacent said end thereof. ;According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming a collapsible container from a tubular laminate body having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics material and a neckpiece comprising a first flange adapted to fit into an end of the body and sealingly engage the inner plastics layer thereof, and a second flange extending from the neckpiece adjacent said first flange and adapted to fold into overlapping and sealing engagement with the out plastics layer of the body adjacent said end thereof, said method comprising the steps of fitting the neckpiece to an end of the body by locating said first flange therein adhering the first flange to the inner plastics layer of the body; ;folding said second flange into overlapping engagement with the end of said body; and applying sufficient pressure to said first and second flanges to sealingly clamp the marginal edge of the body therebetween. ;A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: ;Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a neckpiece according to the invention. ;- 3 - ;?'/ «c. fatemv cwic* ■5 SEP 1986 21S 764 Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the neck attached to a skirt to produce a collapsible container.

Referring to the drawings, the neckpiece 1 is formed of weldable plastics material and includes a cylindrical threaded portion 2 extending from the apex of a generally frusto-conical lower portion 3. Threaded portion 2 is adapted to receive a correspondingly threaded closure. A first substantially cylindrical flange 8 depends from the lower portion 3 and extends around the circumference thereof. Flange 8 is adapted to fit into the end of a tubular laminate body 11 (shown in Figure 2) so that surface 6 of flange 8 abuts the inner layer of the laminate body 11. A second flange in the form of an 2 t1764 annular collar 9 extends radially outward from the lower portion 3 adjacent flange 8. Collar 9 is adapted to fold into overlapping and sealing engagement with the outer surface of a tubular laminate body as shown in Figure 2.

A collapsible container in accordance with the invention comprises a neckpiece 1 and a tubular laminate body having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics material. One end of the body is illustrated at 11 in Figure 2. The neckpiece 1 sealingly encases the edge of the body 11 to prevent exposure of the metal foil. This is achieved by the first flange 8 fitting inside the body 11 and the surface 6 sealingly engaging the inner plastics layer of the body 11. The collar 9 overlaps the outside of the body 11 adjacent the encased end and the surface 7 is sealingly engaged with the outer plastics layer of the body 11.

Sealing engagement between flanges 8, 9 and the respective inner and outer plastics layers of the body 11 can be achieved by pressure alone or one or both of the flanges can be adhered to the body, by welding or use of a suitable adhesive.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, the neck is sealingly connected to a tubular laminate body along both surfaces 6 and 7 as shown in Figure 2. This connection is preferably achieved by ultrasonic, high frequency or spin welding but any suitable means may be used. For example the components may be plastically deformed by force or joined by 1\ 17& adhesive.

The skirt is preferably formed of laminated polyethylene, including one or more layers of metal, preferably aluminium foil, but it can be formed from any material complimentary to the neck and the desired connection process.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (10)

WHAT WE CLAIM ISt

1. A neckpiece for use in a collapsible container including a tubular laminate body having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics material, said neckpiece comprising a first substantially cylindrical flange adapted to fit into an end of the body and sealingly engage the inner plastics layer thereof, and a second flange extending from the neckpiece adjacent said first flange to form an annular collar projecting radially outwardly from said neckpiece and adapted to fold into overlapping and sealing engagement with the outer plastics layer of the body adjacent said end thereof.

2. A neckpiece as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a frusto-conical portion, said first flange depending from the base thereof.

3. A neckpiece as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a threaded portion extending from the apex of the frusto-conical portion, said threaded portion being adapted to receive a correspondingly threaded closure.

4. A method of forming a collapsible container from a tubular laminate body having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics material and a. neckpiece comprising a first flange adapted to fit into an end of the body and sealingly engage the inner plastics layer thereof, and a second flange extending from the neckpiece adjacent said first flange and adapted to fold into overlapping and sealing engagement with the outer plastics layer of the body adjacent said end thereof, said 211764 method comprising the steps of fitting the neckpiece to an end of the body by locating said first flange therein adhering the first flange to the inner plastics layer of the body; folding said second flange into overlapping engagement with the end of said body; and applying sufficient pressure to said first and second flanges to sealingly clamp the marginal edge of the body therebetween.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising adhering the second flange to the outer plastics layer of the body.

6. A collapsible container formed from a tubular laminate body having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics material and a neckpiece as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A collapsible container when produced by a method according to any one of claims 4 or 5.

8. ■ A collapsible container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A neckpiece for use in a collapsible container including a tubular laminate body having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics materials, said neckpiece being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of forming a collapsible container from a tubular laminate body having at least one layer of metal foil sandwiched between layers of plastics material and a neckpiece, said method being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. west-vval:'r.~, r,i■.ca3£ 8 -