WO2014202927A1

WO2014202927A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: WO2014202927A1
Application number: PCT/GB2014/000221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mohammed Pervaz; Tanweer Hussain
Original assignee: Mohammed Pervaz; Tanweer Hussain
Priority date: 2013-06-19
Filing date: 2014-06-11
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Also published as: GB201310881D0

Abstract

A container (100) and method of using said container is provided. The container (100) has a closure region (7) defined by lines of weakness, the weakened region (104) comprising two sections, the first section (106) of the weakened region (104) can be opened by breaking the weakened lines, thereby permitting access to an interior face of the second section (108) which can then secondarily be removed to allow materials such as foodstuffs within the container (100) to be poured out. The container (100) finds use as a retail package for foodstuffs, in particular cereals.

Description

CONTAINER

The invention to which this application relates is a container which allows the contents stored therein to be stored in a manner which allows the same be available for selective and efficient removal. The invention also extends to a counter which ensures that the contents are maintained in a fresh or other desired manner.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to use of a container for the storage of foodstuffs in the form of cereal, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used in other applications, such as containers for medications, agriculture products, etc.

Conventional cereal boxes typically comprise an outer box made of paperboard such as cardboard, within which is disposed a plastic bag which contains the cereal. The plastic bag is impermeable to air and moisture and thus keeps the cereal fresh, whereas the cardboard provides structural rigidity to allow the box to stand upright in an optimal way.

However, when a conventional cereal box is opened, several steps are involved. Initially a person has to open the cardboard box. Next, the bag within the box has to be carefully opened, to allow the cereal contents to be poured out. The opening of the bag can be difficult, particularly in order to produce a uninterrupted and smooth aperture for the expulsion of the contents. The apertures produced by these boxes can results in difficulties of use and loss of contents. Finally the bag is folded down to maintain the freshness of the cereal and the box is closed.

A further problem which occurs is that the quality of the contents of the conventional cereal box deteriorate over time and this is especially the case when successive quantities of the cereal are removed for consumption as, every time access is gained, then the contents are exposed and, although the consumer may attempt to preserve the condition of the contents by rolling up the bag to reduce the empty volume of the same, the contents are found to become stale relatively quickly.

It will therefore be appreciated that the number of opening steps is time- consuming, and if the bag is not closed properly the cereal will spoil. An aim of the present invention is to provide a container which allows the contents to be stored therein in a more effective manner and to overcome or at least minimise the above problems. According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a container comprising a container body and a cbsure region of the container body defined by lines of weakness, the weakened region of the container body comprising at least a first section and a second section, wherein at least the first section of the weakened region is operable to be moved from a first closed positron by breaking the weakened section to an open position to permit access to an interior face of the second section.

The invention extends to a container cbsure incorporating cbsure region referred to above.

Allowing a user to gain access to an internal face of a second weakened section preferably enables the user to actuate the second section, preferably outwards from the container. The second section is preferably adapted be movable, preferably removable, to form an opening in the container, for example movable to move the second section externally away from the remainder of the container. This is in contrast to the prbr art wherein a partially detached portion would be forced into the cavity of the container. Advantageously, actuation of the second section to a position external to the container means that an unimpeded aperture is provided for the expulsion of the contents from the container.

Preferably, the lines of weakness are at least partially formed by perforating a line of weakness on the container body. Optionally, the lines of weakness are at least partially formed by the use of thinner container body relative to the bulk of the container body, or the use of weaker material relative to the material of the bulk of the container body. Preferably, the container closure region of the present invention does not comprise more than 30% of the surface of the container body on which it is arranged, more preferably not more than 20%, most preferably not more than 10%. Preferably, the first section is arranged such that a first movement from the closed position to an open position is, in normal use, a movement of the first section into the interior of the container.

Preferably, the first section and the second section are arranged on a side, front or back section of the container body. Preferably, when the first section and the second section are arranged on a side, front or back section, the first section is arranged substantially above the second section. In such a configuration, upon actuation of the second section, a smooth and uninterrupted closure is provided for the expulsion of contents from the container.

Optionally the first section and the second section may be arranged on a top section of the body container. In such an embodiment, preferably the second section is arranged to be in closer proximity to a side edge of the top section than the first section.

Preferably, the movement of the first section from a closed position to an open positron does not under normal use substantially disturb the second section from the initial closed position. Preferably, the first section and the second section are at least partially delineated by a shared a line of weakness.

Preferably, the first section has at least a part of one edge that has a lower level of weakness compared to the remaining lines of weakness defining the first section. In such an embodiment, the first section is operable to hinge around the line of lower weakness

Preferably, the lower edge of the second section is concavely curved relative to the remainder of the second section. Preferably, the upper edge of the second section is concavely curved relative to the remainder of the second section. Preferably, both the upper edge and the lower edge of the second section are concavely curved relative to the remainder of the second section. When the lower edge of the second section is concavely curved, advantageously a more accurate closure is provided. Preferably, the second section is removed from the container body in use.

Preferably, at least part of the container body located adjacent to the weakened region is reinforced, preferably reinforced with varnish. Advantageously, reinforcement of an area of a container body adjacent to the weakened region helps to reduce undesired tearing of the container body outside of the weakened region.

The closure region of the present invention may further comprise a closure portion, wherein the closure portion is operable to move from a closed position to an open position and when in the ctosed position the closure portion is adapted to cover the weakened region of the container wall,

Preferably, the closure portion is fixedly attached along at least a portion of one edge. When attached in such a manner, the closure portion is able to hinge about the attached edge, thus permitting movement from a closed position to an open position. Preferably, the closure portion is fixedly attached along at least a portion of a upper edge of the closure portion when the closure is arranged on a side, front or back container wall, or along at least a portion of an edge in furthest proximity of a side edge when the container closure is arranged on a top wall of a container. Preferably, when the closure portion is in the closed position the closure portion forms a seal over the weakened region. Preferably, the seal is substantially resistant to the passage of air into and from the container, more preferably the seal is substantially resistant to the passage of air and moisture. In such an arrangement, the closure portion serves to provide a lid for the container.

Preferably, the closure portion is in the form of a flexible film or label. Opttonally, the closure portion may be at least partially formed from one or more of metal foil, plastic or paper.

In one embodiment the closure portion is provided with fastening means. Typically the fastening means is a catch located on the container and with a lip portion positioned to form a friction fit with an edge of the closure portion such that once the closure portion is moved past the iip towards the container wall the lip acts to retain the cbsure portion in position. Alternatively the fastening means may include any combination of hooks, bops, catches, latches, and/or the like. Typically the closure portion, when in a cbsed position, forms a seal with the container which is air-tight and/or water-tight so as to close an opening into the interior of the container.

In one embodiment the container includes a projecting section for pouring out the contents thereof.

The container may be formed of any material suitable to hold the desired contents. For example, the container may be at least partially formed from one or more of plastic, paper, wood, metal. Thus to access the contents of the box, the user moves the closure portion to the open position, and tears along the line of weakening to define an opening section. The user can then remove a portion of the contents, and re-seals the box by closing the cbsure portion to close the opening. It will be appreciated that the tearing actbn is only required on the first access, as the opening section will already be open on subsequent use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an aperture for the expulsbn of contents from a container, the method comprising:

a) providing a container cbsure according to the present invention, the container closure optionally comprising a cbsure portion; b) optionally lifting the cbsure portion from a closed position to an open position

c) moving a first weakened region of the container cbsure from a cbsed position by breaking the weakened section to an open position to permit access to an interior face of the second section of the container cbsure;

d) actuating the second region by breaking the weakened edges e) optionally removing the second region

f) optionally closing the cbsure portion In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container for a pourable or flowable foodstuff, said container formed initially to wholly enclose the foodstuff therein in a substantially sealed condition, said container also including a container closure according to the present invention.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a container according to any other aspects of the present invention, the container including: an outer layer comprising paper or card board; an inner layer comprising a material substantially impermeable to moisture; wherein the inner layer is formed substantially as a lining or coating on the outer layer.

In one embodiment the container is suitable for storing foodstuffs therein. Typically the foodstuffs include any of cereal, frozen foods, dried food, and or the like. Thus as the inner layer is impermeable to moisture and is formed as part of the box rather than being a separate bag inside the box, the contents of the box stay fresh while being more easily accessible. Typically the contents stay fresh for up to 12 months or more. In one embodiment the inner layer comprises a bioplastic sheet material.

Typically the container is recyclable and/or biodegradable. Typically a biodegradable container may biodegrade within 12 months or so.

In a further embodiment the inner layer comprises aluminium, typically in the form of a foil lining.

In a yet further embodiment the inner layer comprises a lining of aluminium- coated plastic. Aluminium foil is useful in food packaging as it prevents the migration of moisture, oxygen and volatile aromas. In addition, aluminium foil provides a greater degree of protection to the contents of containers against the impact of light compared to plastic materials. In one embodiment the inner layer is attached to the outer layer using adhesive, but it will be appreciated that other methods could be used to join the layers together such as by laminating the layers together to form a multiply sheet material from which the biank can be formed. In one embodiment, once attached, the inner and outer layers effectively form integral walls of the container. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a retail pack for a foodstuff, said pack provided as a container in an initial sealed condition for display, and openable to allow a portion of the foodstuff to be dispensed therefrom via the opening, and wherein said opening is selectively re-sealabie via a lid portion provided on the retail pack.

Typically the opening is formed by breaking a line of weakening passing through an inner and outer layer of the wall of the pack.

Typically the retail pack is a cereal pack with the cereal being maintained in a sealed environment when on retail display as the container is initially closed, and thereafter being retained in a sealed condition even after being opened to albw removal of the cereal, by the provision of the lid being movable to a closed position to close the opening. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming and using a container for a pourable foodstuff, said method comprising the steps of forming the container from a blank of at least two ply sheet material comprising an outer layer of paper or card and in inner layer substantially impermeable to liquid, filling the container with the contents, closing the same to retain the contents in a substantially sealed manner, defining a portion of the container by a line of weakening, providing a lid portion to overlie said portion, wherein access is initially gained to the contents by removing said portion of the container by breaking the line of weakening to define an opening and once access is no longer required moving the lid to a closed position to close and reseal the container whereupon subsequent access to the contents is gained by moving the lid to an open position.

In one embodiment the pourable foodstuff is a cereal.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a container as herein described. Ail of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the components of a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a container being constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates the lid of a container according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 illustrates a cross-section of the iid of a container in (a) a closed position, and (b) an open positron.

Figure 6 illustrates a side plan view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7a illustrates a side plan view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7b illustrates a top plan view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 8a to 8d show a method of operating a container according to an embodiment of the invention. With reference to Figure 1 , there is illustrated a container comprising an inner layer 1 in the form of a lining material which is adhered to an outer layer 3 of cardboard, as indicated by arrow 2. The inner layer may be formed of a bioplast ic material, a metal foil, or a combined metal and plastic. The blank inner layer 1 and outer layer 3 are joined together, typically using adhesive to form, in effect, a one piece blank which, in this embodiment, is provided with a series of fold lines which define front and rear panels 10, 12 and end walls 14, 16, with the flap 16' provided to adhere to the end wall 16 when forming the container. The top and bottom faces are formed by the joining together of portions 18, 18', 18" and 20, 20', 20" respectively. With the inner layer joined to the outer layer, thus, when the container is fonried, the inner layer faces inwardly of the container 6, as shown in figure 2. The container further comprises a container closure region (not shown) according to the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in figure 3, there is provided a container closure region 7 according to the present invention with a closure portion 4 which is movable from a closed position which is illustrated, to an open position by a user gripping the closure portion 4. The container closure region is attached to the container or may be formed as an integral part of the same and is provided to overlie an weakened region 21 in the container wall as will now be described. This is shown in more detail with regard to figures 4-5b in which the container closure region 7 is shown in greater detail to include fastening means 5 provided in the form of a catch so as to retain the closure portion 4 in a closed positron and hence form an air type and water tight seal of the opening 21. The provision of the opening allows the contents of the container, such as a cereal, to be poured out from the container for use or consumption, as and when required with the closure portion 4 open as shown in Figure 5b and, when the desired amount of the cereal has been poured out, the closure portion 4 can be moved back to a closed sealing position as shown in Figure 4 and 5a to thereby retain the contents within this container in a fresh condition until consumption of the same is next required. When initially formed, the container is completely sealed in a preferred embodiment and a portion of the wall of the container which is to define the opening 21 is defined by a line of weakening formed by perforating at least one of the inner or outer layer but more typically, by forming a line of weakening through both the inner and outer layer of the container wall. The container is typically a retail pack and so can be displayed in this initially sealed position. Thus, once subsequently purchased, in order to initially gain access, the consumer has to break the line of weakening of the first section (9) by the user lifting the closure portion 4 as illustrated in figure 5b and then gaining access to the line of weakness to break through the first region (9), enabling the user to move or remove the second section (9a) as shown in figures 5a and 5b. This allows the opening 21 to be formed and access to be gained to the contents of the container.

When the container is to be sealed once again, the opening 21 is sealed by moving the portion 4 into an engaged position with the catch 5 and hence provides water type and air tight seal.

There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention, a form of container which provides support for contents held therein, altows the contents to have the required shelf and subsequent consumption life in the terms of maintaining the condition of the same, particularly with regard to foodstuffs, and, furthermore, provides a structure which enables the contents of the container to be maintained in a good condition even after the container has initially been accessed to remove a portion of the material therefrom.

Figure 6 shows an external view of a container closure region according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container lid (100) comprises a perforated region (104) in a side wall of a container (102). The outer edges of the perforated region define an aperture through which the contents of the container may be expelled upon removal of the container wall within the perforated region (104). The perforated region (104) contains two independently operable portions, a first section (106) and a second section (108) arranged directly below the first section (106). The first section (106) and the second section (108) are separated by a downwardly curving line which defines the lower edge of the first section (106) and the upper edge of the second section (108). The first section (106) is joined to the reminder of the container wall (102) by two straight sloping laterally spaced perforated lines which extend from a top edge outwardly to the perforated curved lower edge, the top edge of the first section (106) being hingeably connected to the container wall (102). The second section (108) is joined to the container wall with perforated edges on all sides, the upper and lower edge of the second section (108) being concavely curved relative to the body of the second section (108). Advantageously, the hinged first section (106) provides tamper protection for the container lid (100). Figures 7a and 7b show an external view of a container lid (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of figures 7a and 7b performs substantially as described for the embodiment of figure 6. However, in addition figures 7a and 7b further show the perforated region (104) overlain with a closure portion (110). The closure portion (110) extends beyond all peripheral edges of the perforated region (104) such when in the closed position (as shown in figure 7a and 7b) the closure portion (110) contacts the container wall (102) outside the perforated region (104). Advantageously, this enables the closure portion (110) to substantially form a seal over the aperture formed by opening and removal of the perforated sections. The body of the lid (110) is in the form of a flexible film and the lid (110) is primarily attached to the container wall (102) at the fixing point (112).

In addition to the above, figure 7b further shows a deconstructed view of the container wall (102). Optionally, the second section (108) may not be removed from the remainder of the container wall (102) (not shown). In such an embodiment, the second section may remain attached to the remainder of the container wall preferably along at least part of one edge. When the second sectton remains attached to the container wall, the closure portion in the closed position extends so as to cover the weakened region, and, further, the actuated second sectton of the container wall when the second section is interposed against a portion of the remaining container wall.

Figures 8a to 8d show a process of operating a container closure region (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 8a the user (114) first lifts up the closure portion (110) at the lower edge, thereby uncovering the perforated region (104). Figure 8b shows that when the perforated region (104) is exposed, the user ( 14) can push the first sectton (106) of the perforated region (104) such as to tear the perforated edges and permit the first section (106) to swing into the interior of the container about a hinged upper edge. As shown in figure 8c, after the first section (106) has been opened, advantageously the user (114) is able to reach into the interior of the container (102) and apply pressure to the interior surface of the second section (108) of the perforated region (104). This allows the user to remove the second section (108) externally from the container (102) with ease. Finally, figure 8d shows that the user (114) can reapply the closure portion (110) such as to substantially seal the aperture formed in the container wall (102). The process thus allows the expulsion of the container contents whilst proving an easy to use method of access and preservation.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container comprising a container body and a closure region of the container body defined by lines of weakness, the weakened region of the container body comprising at least a first section and a second section, wherein at least the first section of the weakened region is operable to be moved from a first dosed position to a second open position by breaking the weakened section, thereby permitting access to an interior face of the second section.

2. A container according to daim 1 wherein the lines of weakness are at least partially formed by perforating a line of weakness on the container body.

3. A container according to daims 1 or 2, wherein the container closure region of the present invention does not comprise more than 30% of the surface of the container body on which it is arranged.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the first section is arranged such that a first movement from the dosed position to an open position is, in normal use, a movement of the first section into the interior of the container.

5. A container according to any preceding daim, wherein the first section and the second section are arranged on a side, front or back section of the container body.

6. A container according to daim 5, wherein when the first section and the second section are arranged on a side, front or back section, the first section is arranged substantially above the second section.

7. A container according to any preceding daim, wherein the movement of the first section from a dosed position to an open position does not under normal use substantially disturb the second section from an initial closed position.

8. A container according to any preceding daim, wherein the first section and the second section are at least partially delineated by a shared a line of weakness.

9. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the first section provides tamper protection.

10. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the first section has at least a part of one edge that has a lower level of weakness compared to the remaining lines of weakness defining the first section.

11. A container according to any preceding claim , wherein a lower edge of the second section is concavely curved relative to the remainder of the second section.

12. A container according to any preceding daim, wherein the second section is removed from the container body in use.

13. A container according to any preceding daim, wherein at least a part of the container body located adjacent to the weakened region is reinforced.

14. A container according to any preceding daim, wherein the closure region further comprises a closure portion, wherein the closure portion is operable to move from a closed position to an open position, and when in the closed position the closure portion is adapted to cover the weakened region of the container body.

15. A container according to daim 14, wherein the dosure portion is fixedly attached along at least a portion of one edge.

16. A container according to daims 14 or 15, wherein when the closure portion is in the dosed position the dosure portion forms a seal over the weakened region.

17. A container according to daims 14 to 16, wherein the dosure portion is in the form of a flexible film or label.

18. A container according to claims 14 to 17, wherein the dosure portion is provided with fastening means.

19. A container according to daims 14 to 18, wherein the closure portion, when in a closed position, forms a seal with the container which is air-tight and/or water-tight.

20. A container according to any preceding daim, wherein the container comprises a projecting section for pouring out the contents thereof.

21. A container according to any preceding daim, wherein a container comprises: an outer layer comprising paper or card board; an inner layer comprising a material substantially impermeable to moisture; wherein the inner layer is formed substantially as a lining or coating on the outer layer.

22. A container according to daim 21, wherein the inner layer comprises aluminium, typically in the form of a foil lining.

23. A method of providing an aperture for the expulsion of contents from a container, the method comprising:

a) providing a container dosure according to the present invention, the container dosure optionally comprising a closure portion;

b) optionally lifting the dosure portion from a dosed position to an open position; c) moving a first weakened region of the container dosure from a dosed position by breaking the weakened section to an open position to permit access to an interior face of the second section of the container dosure;

d) actuating the second region by breaking the weakened edges;

e) optionally removing the second region;

f) optionally dosing the dosure portion

24. A container for a pourabte foodstuff, said container formed initially to wholly enclose the foodstuff therein in a substantially sealed condition, said container also including a closure region according to any of claims 1-22.

25. A retail pack for a foodstuff, said pack provided as a container in an initial sealed condition for display, and openable to allow a portion of the foodstuff to be dispensed therefrom via the opening, and wherein said opening is selectively re-sealable via a lid portion provided on the retail pack.

26. A retail pack according to claim 25, wherein the opening is formed by breaking a line of weakening passing through an inner and outer layer of the wall of the pack

27. A method of forming and using a container for a pourable foodstuff, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming the container from a blank of at least two ply sheet material comprising an outer layer of paper or card and in inner layer substantially impermeable to liquid;

(b) filling the container with the contents;

(c) closing the same to retain the contents in a substantially sealed manner;

(d) defining a portion of the container by a line of weakening;

(e) providing a lid portion to overlie said portion;

wherein access is initially gained to the contents by removing said portion of the container by breaking the line of weakening to define an opening and once access is no longer required moving the lid to a closed position to dose and reseal the container whereupon subsequent access to the contents is gained by moving the lid to an open position.

28. A container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

29. A method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

30. A retail pack substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.