WO2015145339A1

WO2015145339A1 - Adhesive closing label for a container and container

Info

Publication number: WO2015145339A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/052130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Ernestino Zanarella; Leonardo ZAGO; Elisa FANTINATO; Andrea RODIGHIERO
Original assignee: Smilesys S.R.L.
Priority date: 2014-03-28
Filing date: 2015-03-24
Publication date: 2015-10-01
Also published as: ITMI20140121U1

Abstract

An adhesive closing label (5) for containers (1), which containers (1) comprise a body (2) provided with an access opening (3) to an internal compartment (4), said adhesive closing label (5) comprising an adhesive part (6) suitable for associating to an adhesive layer (7) for application to the body (2) of the container (1) to close the access opening (3) thereof, and a gripping part (8), wherein the gripping part (8) has at least a through-opening (9) through a thickness of the adhesive closing label (5) having a shape and dimensions suitable for gripping and facilitating detachment of the adhesive closing label (5) from the body (2) of the container (1).

Description

ADHESIVE CLOSING LABEL FOR A CONTAINER AND WITH A CONTAINER

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an adhesive closing label for containers and to a container.

Containers are known, in particular flexible containers comprising a body provided with an access opening and an internal compartment for containing, for example, food, cosmetic or other products.

The access opening is generally closed by an adhesive closing label provided with a gripping flap, preferably arranged at a non-adhesive coated part of the label.

In order to open the container it is necessary to grip the gripping flap with two fingers, for example generating a pincer grip between the thumb and the index finger, and to pull the closing label in a distancing direction from the container.

This movement, though simple, requires application of a gripping force and a traction force which some individuals may not be able to exert.

These persons might for example be children or elderly people suffering from degenerative disorders.

In the sector of containers, a need is perceived to guarantee that weaker individuals are able to autonomously open food containers or industrial containers in daily use, without the aid of objects such as scissors and knives, keeping the packaging whole.

In particular, in the case of degenerative disorders such as arthrosis or arthritis, often the person's hands are not able to squeeze, hold, open, close, force, indicate, throw away and such-like.

Arthritis is an illness that causes degeneration of joints.

Persons suffering from these illnesses often need help in order to carry out even simple daily tasks like opening a bag of sweets or pasta.

In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to disclose an adhesive closing label for containers and a container which respectively obviate the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, an aim of the present invention is to disclose an adhesive closing label, and a relative container, enabling a facilitated opening not only by means of the usual "pincer grip" between thumb and index fingers, but by using any means.

A further aim of the present invention is to disclose a container aimed at improving the quality of life for people in the areas of the home, work, free time and private life.

The technical task set and the objects specified are substantially attained by an adhesive closing label and a container, comprising the technical characteristics as set out in one or more of the accompanying claims.

The dependent claims correspond to different embodiments of the invention.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an adhesive closing label for containers comprising a body provided with an access opening and an internal compartment.

The adhesive closing label comprises an adhesive part suitable for associating to an adhesive layer for application to the body of the container so as to close the access opening and a gripping part.

The gripping part exhibits at least a through-opening through the thickness of the adhesive closing label having a shape and dimensions that are suitable for being gripped and facilitating detachment of the adhesive closing label of the container.

The gripping part enables normal "pincer-type" gripping with thumb and index finger.

Further, the presence of the through-opening enables use of any means that can be inserted through the opening: a single finger, or an object such as a pen or an item of cutlery.

This label can be used in normal industrial processes, not forcing manufacturers to adapt or slow down packaging machines in their possession, and without reducing the normal shelf-life of the product. Further, this label makes the opening and closing of the container simpler, thus excluding the need to use pegs, elastic bands or other means, for maintaining the product fresh, thanks to its reclosability.

Lastly, no additional elements or accessories are required as the label is completely integrated into the final container.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an adhesive closing label for containers comprising a body provided with an access opening and an internal compartment and an adhesive closing label applied to the body of the container for closing the access opening thereof.

The through-opening preferably has a circular shape.

This conformation is the most versatile and most easily realisable.

The gripping part preferably has a substantially triangular shape.

In particular the through-opening is arranged at a free vertex of the gripping part.

In this way a flap is generated that is easily gripped, in the conventional way.

Two or more through-openings are preferably included, where for example each through-opening is suitable to receive a user's finger.

The through-opening preferably defines a gripping ring.

The gripping ring can be gripped conventionally or by introduction of a single finger or other objects internally of the through-opening.

A print is preferably included, for example a screened print, made in relief and at least partly arranged about the through-opening.

A print is preferably included, for example a screened print, in relief at least partly configured such as to indicate the through-opening.

Such print enables exact and precise identification of the through-opening even for visually impaired people, for example by use of Braille printing.

The adhesive closing label is preferably constituted by polypropylene or other plastic or complex materials.

In this way the label and the whole container are 100% recyclable.

The plastic, ink and glue used are preferably certified for food use. In the assembled container, the adhesive closing label preferably comprises the adhesive part associated to the adhesive layer and arranged such as to close the access opening.

The gripping part is arranged externally of the access opening.

The gripping part is preferably non-adhesive coated so as to enable easy access even of one finger alone through the through-opening.

In particular, in a case of more than one through-openings, more than one finger can be used, preferably each being inserted in a through-opening. The container is preferably of a flexible type.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative, and hence non- limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a container and a relative adhesive closing label, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container in a first operating condition;

figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the container of figure 1 in a second operating condition.

With reference to the appended figures, 1 denotes a container preferably of a flexible type.

The example illustrated is indicative as containers of various shapes and dimensions can be formed, even different from the shape illustrated.

The container 1 comprises a body 2 provided with an access opening 3 to an internal compartment 4 containing a product, for example a food product, a cosmetic product or a product of a different nature.

The container further comprises an adhesive closing label 5 applied to the body 2 of the container 1 so as to close the access opening 3 thereof. Considering the assembled container 1 , the adhesive closing label 5 comprises an adhesive portion 6 associated to an adhesive layer 7 and arranged so as to close the access opening 3.

The adhesive is selected from among adhesives able to maintain the characteristics thereof even after various uses.

Considering the assembled container 1 , the adhesive closing label 5 comprises a gripping part 8 arranged externally of the access opening 3. The gripping part 8 exhibits at least a through-opening 9 through the thickness of the adhesive closing label 5 having a shape and dimensions that are suitable for being gripped and facilitating detachment of the adhesive closing label 5 of the body 2 of the container 1 .

The gripping part 8 is preferably non-adhesive coated so as to enable easy access even of one finger alone through the through-opening.

The gripping part is configured so as to enable normal "pincer-type" gripping with thumb and index finger.

Further, the presence of the through-opening enables use of any means insertable through the opening, a single finger or more than one finger (in particular, in the case of a plurality of through-openings) or an object such as a pen or an item of cutlery.

With reference to a possible embodiment, of which the accompanying figures provide a non-limiting example, the through-opening 9 has a circular shape.

With reference to a possible embodiment, of which the accompanying figures provide a non-limiting example, the gripping part 8 has a substantially triangular shape.

In particular the through-opening 9 is arranged at a free vertex 10 of the gripping part 8.

In this way the gripping part 8 defines a flap that is easily gripped, including in the conventional way.

With reference to a possible embodiment, of which the accompanying figures provide a non-limiting example, the through-opening has a gripping ring.

In other words, the through-opening is defined by a surrounding portion 1 1 which can advantageously have a ring shape.

With reference to a possible embodiment, of which the accompanying figures provide a non-limiting example, a print 12 is included, for example a screened print, in relief and at least partly arranged about the through- opening 9 and/or a print 13, for example a screened print, in relief and at least partly configured so as to indicate the through-opening 9.

The print can be a writing in Braille so as to facilitate use by visually impaired persons.

With reference to a possible embodiment, the adhesive closing label is constituted by polypropylene or other plastic or complex materials and preferably all the container is 100% recyclable.

In general, the present invention also relates to only the adhesive closing label in which the adhesive portion is suitable for being associated to an adhesive layer for application to the body 2 of the container 1 for closing the access opening 3 thereof.

The production process of the container can be conventional, including for example the body 2 can be made starting from an appropriately-profiled flexible film cut to form the container.

In this case each adhesive closing label can be applied to the flexible film before the conformation and cutting thereof.

The adhesive closing label can be applied to any type of container, in particular flexible.

In more detail, the adhesive closing label can be used in any automatic packaging plant with requiring modifications and/or integrations.

Claims

1. An adhesive closing label (5) for containers (1 ), which containers (1 ) comprise a body (2) provided with an access opening (3) to an internal compartment (4), said adhesive closing label (5) comprising an adhesive part (6) that can be associated to an adhesive layer (7) for application to the body (2) of the container (1 ) to close the access opening (3) thereof, and a gripping part (8), wherein the gripping part (8) has at least a through-opening (9) through a thickness of the adhesive closing label (5) having a shape and dimensions designed for allowing gripping and facilitating detachment of the adhesive closing label (5) from the body (2) of the container (1 ).

2. The adhesive closing label (5) according to claim 1 , wherein the through-opening (9) has a circular shape.

3. The adhesive closing label (5) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said gripping portion (8) has a substantially triangular conformation and wherein said through-opening (9) is arranged at a free vertex (10) of said gripping portion (8).

4. The adhesive closing label according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said through-opening (9) defines a gripping ring.

5. The adhesive closing label according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a print (12), for example a screened print, at least partly arranged about said through-opening (9).

6. The adhesive closing label according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a print (13), for example a screened print, in relief at least partly configured such as to indicate said through-opening (9).

7. The adhesive closing label according to one or more of the preceding claims, constituted by polypropylene or other plastic or complex materials.

8. A container (1 ) comprising a body (2) provided with an access opening (3) to an internal compartment (4), and an adhesive closing label (5) according to one or more of the preceding claims, applied to the body (2) of the container (1 ) so as to close the access opening (3) thereof.

9. The container (1 ) according to claim 8, wherein said adhesive closing label (5) comprises said adhesive portion (6) associated to said adhesive layer (7) and arranged so as to close the access opening (3), and said gripping portion (8) arranged externally of the access opening (3).

10. The container according to claim 8 or 9, being of a flexible type.