WO2015189784A1

WO2015189784A1 - Reclosable container structure

Info

Publication number: WO2015189784A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/054388
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea ALESSIO
Original assignee: Internova Pack S.A.S. Di Alessio Pietro & C.
Priority date: 2014-06-10
Filing date: 2015-06-10
Publication date: 2015-12-17

Abstract

A reclosable container structure (1) comprising a hollow body (2) with an open upper edge (3) and an annular element (9) disposed at the periphery of the upper edge (3) and adapted to be associated with a membrane (10) to define a lid (11). The container structure (1) comprises at least one first projection (18) of predetermined thickness (s₁) which is formed in the upper edge (3) and extends radially outwards, and at least one second projection (19) which is formed in the annular element (9) and extends radially inwards; the second projection (19) is vertically offset relative to the first projection (19) by a value (h) at least equal to the thickness (s₁) of the latter to allow reciprocal overlapping.

Description

RECLOSABLE CONTAINER STRUCTURE

Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The present invention generally finds application in the field of packaging and particularly relates to a reclosable container structure.

Background art

[0002] Reclosable containers have been long known to be used for containing various types of products.

[0003] Namely, in the field of food and commodities, reclosable container structures are known to be used for food, beverages, creamy or granular products, and which are obtained by thermoforming of polymer sheets or injection molding of thermoplastic materials.

[0004] Generally, these known container structures comprise a hollow body, e.g. in the form of a food-containing tray, and a lid connected to the end edge of the body by means of rupturable connecting extensions.

[0005] The rupturable extensions may be broken by the user upon opening, e.g. by lifting the lid upwards,to remove the lid from the body and allow withdrawal of the product contained therein.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the lid may be used to reclose the hollow body and allow the user to protect the product after initial opening.

[0007] One drawback of these known arrangements is that the connection of the lid to the hollow body does not ensure safe and stable closure of its inner cavity.

[0008] This drawback is a strong limitation when the container structure is carried in bags or shoppers after being opened, because, during movement or due to contact with other objects, the lid may be released from the body and the product contained therein may be dispersed.

[0009] In view of at least partially obviating this drawback, containers have been developed which have a removable cover element ensuring an improved sealing effect with the hollow container body.

[0010] EP1 930253 discloses a reclosable container comprising a substantially cylindrical or frustoconical body manufactured by thermoforming and having a single, substantially circular peripheral rim. A frangible line of weakness is later formed along the circular rim, for delimiting an outer annular portion that can be separated from the body. A thin film is sealed on the outer annular portion, to form a lid that can be separated by the user upon first use by breaking the annular rim along the line of weakness.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the annular portion has a few pairs of inward projections, which are designed for engagement in respective recesses formed in the side wall of the hollow body.

[0012] By later rotating the annular portion relative to the hollow body, the projections will be allowed to engage the side surface of the body by interference fit, thereby closing the container.

[0013] A first drawback of this known arrangement is that the interference fit between the rim of the lid and the body does not ensure stable closure of the container

[0014] In particular, such fit has a poor resistance to vertical pull forces deliberately or accidentally applied to the lid.

[0015] Furthermore, this fit also has a poor resistance to rotations that may be imparted to the lid when the projections freely rotate until they reach their respective recesses, thereby causing the lid to be released from the hollow body.

[0016] In this case, the annular body would be easily released from the body because the pairs of projections cannot vertically retain the lid against the hollow body.

[0017] A further drawback of this arrangement is that the body and the lid can be only manufactured by thermoforming of a polymer sheet and have variable thicknesses, with generally high tolerance values.

[0018] Also, another drawback of this arrangement is that the thermoformed container must undergo a punching step to form the line of weakness along the peripheral rim, which will increase the times and costs of the container manufacturing process.

[0019] Finally, another serious drawback of this known arrangement is that a line of weakness formed by rim punching is not easily breakable, and the user is required to apply a non-negligible force on the lid. [0020] This might accidentally cause the container to be become unbalanced as it is opened, and hence release part of the food product contained therein.

[0021 ] US3515334 and US201 3/1 05482 disclose container structures comprising all the features of the preamble of claim 1 .

[0022] These containers have a lid that is removably joined to the main body by an upper wall having a continuous line of weakness or by a force fit between its edge and the outer surface of the body.

[0023] Nevertheless, these container configurations do not allow easy separation of the lid from the body and have a very complex construction.

Disclosure of the invention

[0024] The object of the present invention is to obviate the above drawbacks, by providing a reclosable container structure that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.

[0025] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a reclosable container structure that can be stably and safely reclosed for a long time.

[0026] A further object of the present invention is to provide a reclosable container structure that has a considerably reduced risk of accidental opening.

[0027] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a reclosable container structure that has much shorter manufacturing times than those required in conventional injection molding processes.

[0028] A further object of the present invention is to provide a container structure that can considerably reduce design costs and the amount of required raw material.

[0029] A further object of the present invention is to provide a container structure that can considerably reduce storage and transportation costs.

[0030] Also, a particular object of the present invention is to provide a reclosable container structure that has a particularly versatile configuration, allowing the use of different materials, thicknesses and shapes as needed, and adapted to be decorated during manufacture. [0031 ] A further object of the present invention is to provide a reclosable container structure that can be easily opened by a user in any condition of use.

[0032] These and other objects, as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a reclosable container structure as defined in claim 1 .

[0033] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained in accordance with the dependent claims.

[0034] The advantages afforded by a container structure of the present invention include good resistance to separation of the lid from the hollow body, very strong coupling maintained between these two elements through later closing operations, simpler method of sealing the led immediately after filling the inner cavity of the container with the product, regular thickness of the structure and reduced tolerances therefor as well as dramatic reduction of waste when using an injection molding process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a few preferred, non-exclusive embodiments of a reclosable container structure according to the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container structure of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial cross-sectional views of the structure of Fig. 1 , as taken along the planes ll-ll and Ill-Ill;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are full cross-sectional views of the structure of Fig. 1 , as taken along the planes ll-ll and Ill-Ill;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of Fig. 1 , comprising a covering sheet-like membrane;

FIG. 7 is a top view of Fig. 6;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial cross-sectional views of the structure of Fig. 7, as taken along the planes XIII-XIII and IX-IX;

FIGS. 1 0 and 1 1 are full cross-sectional views of the structure of Fig. 1 , as taken along the planes XIII-XIII and IX-IX; FIG. 1 2 is a perspective view of a container structure of Fig. 6 with the lid omitted;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional side view of the structure of Fig. 6 with the lid omitted;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross sectional view of the structure of Fig. 6 in the closed state;

FIGS. 1 5 and 1 6 are partial cross-sectional views of a container structure of the invention in an alternative configuration.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0036] The above figures show a container structure, generally designated by numeral 1 , which is designed to be used to contain various types of products P, such as food and cosmetic products and other similar, possibly non-perishable commodity products.

[0037] Particularly, the container structure 1 is of reclosable type to afford optimized preservation of the product P even when a portion thereof has been consumed and the container has been reclosed.

[0038] In its basic form, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the container structure

1 comprises a hollow body 2 with an open upper edge 3.

[0039] The inner cavity 4 of the body 2 may extend along a vertical axis X and the upper edge 3 may define an opening 5 for introducing the product P to be stored.

[0040] The hollow body 2 may have a side wall 6, which is connected at its top to the open upper edge 3 and is closed by a bottom wall 7 having a substantially flat lower surface 8, orthogonal to the vertical axis X, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and designed to lay upon a support base S and to delimit the inner cavity 4.

[0041 ] In the particular inventive configuration of the figures, the upper edge 3 may be substantially circular and the side wall 6 may have a substantially frustoconical cross section.

[0042] The bottom wall 7 will be also substantially circular and its diameter φ may be equal to or substantially smaller than the diameter φ₂ of the circular opening 5 of the hollow body 2. [0043] An annular element 9 extends from the periphery of the edge 3, and is adapted to be associated with a covering membrane 1 0, as best shown in FIGS. 6 to 14, to define therewith a lid 1 1 for the hollow body 2.

[0044] The annular element 9 is removably joined to the upper edge 3 by at least one rupturable connecting extension 12.

[0045] Nevertheless, the structure 1 may comprise a plurality of rupturable connecting extensions 1 2 arranged along the upper edge 3 at uniformly offset angular positions.

[0046] In the inventive configuration of the figures, the structure comprises six substantially radial rupturable connecting extensions 1 2, which are uniformly arranged along the upper edge 3.

[0047] Furthermore, the connecting extensions 1 2 may have a very small thickness, possibly ranging from 0.05 mm to 0.4 mm, preferably close to 0.2 mm.

[0048] In order to separate the annular element 9 from the hollow body 2, the user may hold the latter by one hand and use the other hand to break the rupturable connecting extensions 1 2 by lifting and/or rotating the annular element 9.

[0049] Preferably, the hollow body 2, the annular element 9 and the rupturable connecting extensions 1 2 may be made of the same material, selected from the group comprising thermoplastic materials.

[0050] Preferably, the hollow body 2 and the annular element 9 may be simultaneously formed by an injection molding process.

[0051 ] Particularly, during injection molding, the annular element 9 may be formed by injecting molten thermoplastic material into the mold and causing it to flow through the connecting extensions 1 2.

[0052] Thus, the connecting extensions 1 2 will be also molded at the same time as the hollow body 2 and the annular element 9, which will avoid any additional punching or shearing steps.

[0053] Conveniently, the annular element 9 will be substantially circular and concentric with the open upper edge 3, sharing a common vertical axis

X. [0054] Furthermore, the annular element 9 may comprise a radial flange 13, which is joined to the upper edge 3 by the rupturable connecting extensions 12. The flange 13 may be connected to a downwardly-directed cylindrical skirt 14.

[0055] Namely, the radial flange 13 may have a substantially flat outer peripheral surface 15 perpendicular to the common axis X, upon which the covering membrane 10 will be sealed along a first circular line 16, as shown in FIG. 7, to define the lid 1 1 for the hollow body 2.

[0056] As best shown in FIGS. 6 to 1 1 , the membrane 10 may be a polymeric film and be applied to the peripheral surface 15 after introduction of the food product P into the hollow body 2.

[0057] Preferably, the covering membrane 10 may be also sealed to the upper edge 3 of the container 2 along a second circular line 17, as particularly shown in FIG. 7, to hermetically seal the hollow body 2 before consumption of the product P by the user.

[0058] Conveniently, the membrane 10 will be sealed along the second line 17 to provide a lower resistance to separation than that provided along the first line 16.

[0059] Thus, as the connecting extensions 12 are ruptured to separate the annular element 9 from the hollow body 2, the seal between the upper edge 3 and the membrane 10 will fail without damaging the latter.

[0060] In a peculiar aspect of the invention, the structure 1 comprises at least one first projection 18 having a predetermined thickness s^, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, which is formed in the upper edge 3 and is directed radially outwards.

[0061] At least one second projection 19 is also provided, as shown for instance in FIGS. 1 , 2, 6 and 7, which is formed on the annular element 9 and is directed radially inwards.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 14, the second projection 19 is vertically offset relative to the first projection 1 by a value h at least equal to the thickness Si of the latter for these projections 18, 19 to overlap. [0063] In the embodiment of the figures, the structure 1 comprises a series of first projection 1 8 formed in the upper edge 3 and spaced apart by a substantially constant angular pitch ΔΘ.

[0064] Furthermore, a series of second projections 1 9 are formed in the annular element 9 in angularly spaced positions having the same angular pitch ΔΘ.

[0065] Namely, both series of first 1 8 and second 1 9 series have an equal number of first 1 8 and second 1 9 projections.

[0066] Advantageously, the plurality of substantially radial connecting extensions 12 may be uniformly arranged along the series of first projections 1 8.

[0067] The projections 1 8 may be separated from the annular element 9 by a predetermined radial clearance g, as shown in FIG. 7, and the connecting extensions 1 2 may extend radially h substantially to the same extent as such clearance g, as clearly shown in FIG. 3.

[0068] Furthermore, the first projections 1 8 of the series and the second projections 1 9 of the series may be angularly offset, such that they do not vertically overlap when the connecting extensions 1 2 are unbroken.

[0069] Of course, the series of first 1 8 and second 1 9 projections may be also advantageously formed by injection molding.

[0070] Once the connecting extensions 1 2 have been broken, by liifting or rotating the annular element 9 relative to the hollow body 2, the user may rotate the lid 1 1 relative to the upper edge 3 about the common vertical axis X between an angular open position an an angular closed position.

[0071 ] Particularly, in the angular open position the series of first projections 1 8 do not vertically overlap the series of second projections 19, to allow the lid 1 1 to be moved away from the hollow body 2,

[0072] Namely, each first projection 1 8 is spaced from the next one by an angle a slightly greater than the angular extent β of the second projection 1 9, for insertion and removal of the lid 1 1 from the hollow body 2.

[0073] Conversely, in the angular closed position, the series of second projections 1 9 substantially vertically overlap the series of first projections 18 to prevent the lid 1 1 from being lifted from the opening 5 of the hollow body 2.

[0074] Particularly, as shown in FIG. 14, in the angular closed position, the top face 20 of the second projections 1 9 faces and contacts the bottom face 21 of the first projections 1 8, to resist removal of the lid 1 1 when an vertical upward pull force F is applied thereto.

[0075] According to a further feature of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 5 and 16, lock means 22 may be provided for locking the lid 1 1 against the hollow body 2, which means are associated with the first 1 8 and second 19 projections.

[0076] Particularly, the lock means 22 may comprise a series of semicircular recesses 23 formed on the bottom faces 21 of the first projections 18 and a plurality of matingly shaped ridges 24 formed on the top face 20 of the second projections 1 9 and adapted for snap fit engagement into the corresponding recesses 23 to lock the lid 1 1 relative to the hollow body 2.

[0077] Conversely, in order to lift the lid 1 1 from the angular closed position, the annular element 9 must be first rotated about the common axis X to the angular open position, and then the lid 1 1 may be lifted from the hollow body 2.

[0078] In a further configuration of the invention, not shown, the hollow body 2 may comprise a substantially rigid frame obtained by injection of a thermoplastic material, and designed to support a polymer sheet defining the side wall 6 and/or the bottom wall 8 of the hollow body 2, to thereby further reduce the overall weight of the structure 1 .

[0079] The above disclosure clearly shows that the reclosable container structure of the invention fulfills the intended objects, and particularly that it has a simple construction and ensures reliability, as it affords maintenance of a stable and safe closed position with time.

[0080] The reclosable container structure of the invention is susceptible of a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept as disclosed in the appended claims.

[0081 ] All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.

[0082] While the reclosable vehicle structure has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Industrial applicability

[0083] The present invention may find application in industry, because it can be produced on an industrial scale in factories for manufacturing containers for commodities.

Claims

1 . A reclosable container structure (1 ), comprising

- a hollow body (2) with an open upper edge (3);

- an annular element (9) disposed at the periphery of said upper edge (3) and adapted to be associated with a membrane (1 0) to define a lid (1 1 ) for closing the container (1 );

- a series of first projections (1 8) of predetermined thickness (s-i) formed in said upper edge (3) and extending radially outwards, said first projections (1 8) being angularly offset by a substantially constant angular pitch (ΔΘ);

- a series of second projections (1 9) formed in said annular element (9) and extending radially inwards, said second projections (1 9) being angularly offset by said substantially constant angular pitch (ΔΘ);

wherein said second projections (1 9) are vertically offset relative to said first projections (1 8) by a value (h) at least equal to the thickness (s-i) of the latter to allow reciprocal overlapping thereof;

characterized in that said annular element (9) is separated and radially offset from said first projections (1 8) by a predetermined radial clearance (g), said upper edge (3) being initially joined to said annular element (9) by a plurality of substantially radial connecting extensions (1 2), which radially extend from said first projections (18) to a radial extent (h) substantially equal to said clearance (g), said connecting extensions (1 2) being adapted to be ruptured by lifting and/or rotating said annular element (9) relative to said body (2) to cause separation of said annular element (9) from said body (2).

2. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said rupturable connecting extensions (12) are uniformly and angularly spaced apart along said series of first projections (1 8).

3. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said annular element (9) has a radial flange (1 3) which is joined to said upper edge (3) and connected to a cylindrical skirt (14), this latter being designed to be grasped by a user to lift and/or rotate said annular element (9).

4. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said upper edge (3) and said annular element (9) are substantially circular and concentric and share a common vertical axis (X).

5. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said series of first projections (1 8) are in the same number as said series of second projections (1 9).

6. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said hollow body (2), said annular element (9) and said rupturable extensions (1 2) are formed from a thermoplastic material by a simultaneous molding process.

7. Structure as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said annular element (9) has a substantially flat outer peripheral surface (1 5) perpendicular to said common axis (X) and designed to be joined by sealing to said membrane (1 0) to define the lid (1 1 ).

8. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said series of first projections (1 8) and said series of second projections (1 9) are angularly offset such that they do not vertically overlap when the connecting extensions (1 2) are unbroken.

9. Structure as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, once said connecting extensions (1 2) are broken, said annular element (9) may be rotated relative to said upper edge (3) about said common axis (X) between an open position, in which said series of first projections (1 8) and second projections (1 9) do not vertically overlap to allow separation of said lid (1 1 ) from said body (2), and a closed position in which said series of first projections (1 8) and second projections (1 9) vertically overlap.

1 0. Structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said hollow body (2) comprises a substantially rigid frame made of a thermoplastic polymer material, which is designed to support a sheet portion of polymer material, defining the side wall (6) and/or the bottom wall (7) of said hollow body (2).