WO2018053606A1

WO2018053606A1 - Packaging for a bottle

Info

Publication number: WO2018053606A1
Application number: PCT/BE2017/000042
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Jan Maria Valeer BULENS
Original assignee: Lynx Consulting Bvba
Priority date: 2016-09-20
Filing date: 2017-09-20
Publication date: 2018-03-29
Also published as: BE1024589B1; BE1024589A1

Abstract

Packaging for a bottle (1), which packaging comprises a lower part (2) and an upper part (3) which are formed to wholly enclose the bottle in assembled state, wherein the lower part and upper part comprise a compatible closing mechanism (13, 14) for closing the packaging, and wherein the compatible closing mechanism is formed by a bayonet closure with a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism is formed by magnets (12).

Description

Packaging for a bottle

The invention relates to a packagiiig for a bottle.

Bottles, particularly wine bottles, champagne bottles or liquor bottles, and in particular the higher-quality segments thereof, are generally considered luxury products. Such bottles are therefore highly suitable to be given as gifts on various occasions. Social convention dictates that gifts are typically packaged in a gift packaging. The gift packaging has the purpose here of giving a first impression of the quality and value of the gift, without immediately showing the gift itself. The packaging is of particular importance in the case of gifts, more specifically for conveying a sense of value, appreciation and surprise.

Because bottles are often fragile, the packaging for the bottle has to provide sufficient strength for the bottle not to become damaged during transport or have a tendency to fall easily when the gift is handed over. Bottles are therefore often packaged in elongate bags with a handle, wherein the bags are made from an attractive material. Bottles are alternatively also packaged in wooden crates which enclose the bottle well and which create an impression of luxury.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative packaging for a bottle, which allows a luxurious impression to be made and which is provided for the purpose of wholly and firmly enclosing the bottle.

The invention provides for this purpose a packaging for a bottle, which packaging comprises a lower part and an upper part which are formed to wholly enclose the bottle in assembled state, wherein the lower part and the upper part comprise a compatible closing mechanism for closing the packaging, characterized in that the compatible closing mechanism is formed by a bayonet closure with a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism is formed by magnets.

The packaging according to the invention allows a bottle to be wholly enclosed by means of an upper part and a lower part. The upper part and the tower part comprise a closing mechanism such that the upper part can be secured on the lower part. This allows the lower part and the upper part to be manufactured from a rigid material, wherein a choice of material can be made and the upper part and lower part can be given a form for creating the impression of luxury.

The closing mechanism is formed by a combination of a bayonet closure with a locking mechanism which is formed by magnets. The bayonet closure ensures that a good connection between upper part and lower part is realized, which is necessary so as not to damage the bottle during transport and/or handing over of the packaging and/or manipulation during use. This is because, were the lower part and the upper part not connected sufficiently firmly to each other and were the packaging to be lifted by its upper part, the lower part could detach from the upper part as a result of its weight and the weight of the bottle, and fall, with the risk of the bottle breaking. A bayonet closure is a closure which is realized by a sequence of a translation movement and a rotation movement Such a sequence of movements will not take place accidentally or unintentionally during transport, during displacing or handing over of the packaging, or during use, making the closure reliable. The final position of the lower part relative to the upper part can be held by further providing a locking mechanism. Holding the lower part in the final position relative to the upper part will mainly have aesthetic advantages, and the packaging will be able to make a solid impression.

Forming the closing mechanism by a combination of a bayonet closure with a locking mechanism formed by magnets results in the closing mechanism being wholly concealed from view in the closed state of the packaging. No hooks, openings, connections or other elements serving for the closure will be visible on the outer side of the packaging. No limitations in respect of form and aesthetics are hereby imposed in the creation of the lower part and the upper part, so that the lower part and the upper part can be freely manufactured from different types of material. This further increases the luxurious impression which can be created by the packaging. This makes it possible to manufacture the packaging from a solid material in a manner such that the packaging becomes an art object.

The upper part and the lower part preferably each have a mounting face, and the closing mechanism is preferably formed in each case within the periphery of the mounting face. In assembled state the mounting race of the upper part will lie against the mounting race of the lower part. The mounting face of the upper part and the lower part preferably have corresponding dimensions and have the same form, such that the mounting faces fit together. In the assembled state of the packaging the mounting faces will no longer be visible. Because the closing mechanism is formed within the periphery of the mounting face, the closing mechanism will also be concealed from view when the packaging is assembled. No elements of the closing mechanism are hereby visible.

The lower part and the upper part preferably each comprise a finishing layer which define the visual aspects of the packaging in closed state, and the closing mechanism is preferably positioned in the lower part and the upper part such that in the closed state of the packaging the finishing layer of the lower part has a predetermined orientation relative to the finishing layer of the upper part in order to achieve a visually continuous finishing layer. The predetermined orientation will in many cases be understood as the finishing layers lying mutually in line. Because it is possible to achieve a continuous finishing layer by placing the finishing layer of upper and lower part in line, the boundary between the upper part and the lower part can be visually mmimized. The packaging can hereby make a solid impression. The finishing layer can for instance be formed by wood, metal or by plastic. It will be apparent that these materials are only examples, and that the packaging can be formed in many ways, with many materials or combinations of materials. It will farther be noted here that a continuous finishing layer does not necessarily mean that two surfaces lie mutually in line. It does mean that one visual whole is obtained by positioning the lower part on the upper part. When the packaging is formed in the shape of a building, such as a tower or monument, an offset of surfaces between the upper part and the lower part of the packaging, corresponding to an offset of surfaces of the building, can be realized so as to thus form a single visual, without surfaces lying mutually in line herein.

The lower part and the upper part preferably each have a base body comprising the finishing layer, and the base body of each of the lower part and the upper part is preferably provided with a recess for receiving the closing mechanism, and wherein the closing mechanism is arranged in the recess of each base body by means of fastening means. Distinguishing between the base body with the finishing layer on the one hand and the closing mechanism on the other and providing the base body with a recess in which the closing mechanism can be arranged by means of iastcning means further increases the freedom of design of the packaging, This is because different producers can produce packaging*, more specifically base bodies with a lower part, an upper part and a finishing layer, from different materials, wherein a recess is in each case provided for placing of the closing mechanism. This allows the packaging to be produced exclusively. This also allows the packaging to be manufactured from materials which are less suitable or unsuitable for manufacturing the closing mechanism. It will be apparent in this context that it can be particularly complex to manufacture a wooden packaging wherein the closing mechanism is integrated in and forms one whole with the wood. Providing a wooden packaging with a recess in which a closing mechanism can be placed via fastening means can however be realized in technically simple manner.

One of the lower and upper part preferably comprises at least two protrusions and the other of the lower and upper part comprises at least two grooves formed for receiving the protrusions. The grooves are preferably formed here so as to allow a movement in two stages of the protrusions relative to the grooves, so that in a first stage the protrusions are movable in the grooves via a movement along the axis of the bottle and so that in a second stage the protrusions are movable in the grooves via a rotation around the axis. A bayonet closure is thereby formed via the protrusions and the grooves. It will be apparent here that the form and dimensions of the grooves and protrusions can be realized in different ways in order to realize a horizontal fixation. The invention is therefore not limited to a bayonet closure as described above.

The closing mechanism is preferably provided with openings in which the magnets are received, such that an active surface of the magnets lies substantially parallel to and in line with a contact surface of the closing mechanism. This contact surface is also referred to above as the mounting face. It is noted in this context that where reference is made in this description of a magnetic connection, mis can be realized in two ways. The magnetic connection can be realized between two magnets or can be realized between one magnet and an element of ferrous metal. An element of ferrous metal does have magnetic properties but does not form a magnetic field per sc, and is therefore not considered a magnet on its own. Where reference is made in the context of this invention to magnets, these two situations will be understood to be possible emrxxiiments. A first situation in which two magnets are provided opposite each other so as to attract each other, and a second situation in which a magnet and an element of ferrous metal are provided opposite each other so as to obtain a similar attraction.

Providing openings in which the magnets are received in the closing mechanism enables the closing mechanism to the arranged integrally in the base body of the lower part and the upper part. It will also be possible to obtain an automatically correct closure in that the position of the bayonet closure relative to the magnets is predetermined.

The openings preferably each have a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is provided to close tightly round each of the magnets, while the second section is formed to close round each of the magnets with a clearance. The first section is preferably formed here at the position of the contact surface of the closing mechanism. The clearance at the position of the second section allows adhesive to be provided between the magnets and the opening in order to secure the magnets in the opening.

At least one cavity is preferably provided transversely relative to the opening at a boundary between the first section and the second section, which cavity is provided to receive excess adhesive when adhesive is provided in the second section, following which the magnets are placed in the opening. The cavity ensures that the adhesive is not pushed out, whereby neither the contact surface of the closing mechanism nor the active surfaces of the magnets are soiled by adhesive. A good adhesion can still be obtained with the adhesive because sufficient adhesive can be provided, as excess adhesive is given the opportunity to be received in the cavity. Such a construction allows the magnets to be secured such that their active surface lies parallel to the contact surface of the closing mechanism. Tolerances in size of the magnets, size of the openings and quantity of adhesive used are compensated by the cavity which is provided for the purpose of receiving excess adhesive.

The invention will now be further described on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

In the drawing:

figure 1 shows a bottle which is half-packaged in a packaging according to an embodiment of the invention;

figure 2 shows a top view and section of a female part of the closing mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; figure 3 shows a top view and section of a male part of the closing mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; and

figure 4 shows a section of a magnet, assembled according to a preferred embodiment. The same or similar elements arc designated in the drawing with the same reference numerals.

A bayonet closure is defined as a closure wherein two objects are interconnected by providing on the one object pins or protrusions which fit in slots or openings in the other object so that, after the pins or protrusions are inserted into the slots or openings, both objects can then be rotated through a limited angle in order to fix the closure.

Lower part and upper part are two elements which in a non-assembled state are completely separate from each other.

Figure 1 shows a bottle 1 which is half-packaged in a packaging according to an embodiment of the invention. The packaging comprises two parts, a lower part 2 and an upper part 3. These parts 2 and 3 are formed such that they fit together and they wholly enclose bottle 1 when they are placed on each other. In figure 1 bottle 1 has already been placed in lower part 2, and upper part 3 is shown in a removed position.

Lower part 2 and upper part 3 each have a mounting face, designated respectively with reference numerals 4 and 5. The other sides of lower part 2 and upper part 3 are finished by means of a finishing layer 6 and determine the visual impression created by the packaging when the packaging is closed. The packaging is closed by connecting upper part 3 to lower part 2. Upper part 3 and lower part 2 are connected to each other by positioning mounting faces 4 and 5 against each other. The bottle is received in cavities 7 and 8, shown in figures 2 and 3, which are provided in the mounting face. The other sides of upper part 3 and lower part 2 are preferably closed, such that bottle 1 is wholly enclosed when mounting faces 4 and 5 are placed against each other.

Fmishing layer 6 can be manufactured in different ways, with different dimensions, in different forms and from different materials or combinations of materials. In a first embodiment each part 2, 3 is constructed from a base body and a finishing layer arranged thereon. The base body can be formed from plastic or from another material which is easy to process. The finishing layer is arranged on an outer side of the base body so as to determine the visual impression created by the packaging. Examples of finishing layer are leather, wood, which is adhered to the base body as for instance a layer of veneer, coloured film, a drawing, print and/or pattern, paint layer, coating, metal finishing layer or combinations thereof.

In an alternative embodiment no distinction can be made between the base body and the finishing layer, and the base body is formed integrally with and from the same material as the finishing layer. The base body can thus be manufactured from a block-shaped piece of material, wherein the cavities 7, 8 are provided in the block by means of drilling or milling or other processing technique, and wherein finishing layer 6 is formed directly by an outer surface of the block-shaped material. The outer surface can still be provided here with a coating, colouring, or be provided with decorations made of other materials. In this embodiment the base body can be manufactured from different materials, for instance from a block of wood, metal, plastic or from combinations thereof, wherein a lower part is for instance manufactured from one material and an upper part from another material. As further alternative the base body can be directly manufactured with the cavities 7, 8 already provided via 3D printing, instead of working from a block-shaped material by means of machining techniques. The 3D printing also provides options here for forming finishing layer 6, for instance in the shape of a building, monument, an object or a person.

Figures 2 and 3 show a detail of a closing mechanism according to the invention. The closing mechanism according to the invention is basically a combination of a bayonet closure and a locking mechanism formed by magnets. The closing mechanism can be provided in the parts 2 and 3 of the packaging in two ways, m a first embodiment the closing mechanism is formed integrally with the base body of the lower part and the upper part 2, 3. This embodiment is particularly preferred when the base body of each of me parts is manufactured from plastic. According to a further embodiment, a space or cavity for receiving the closing mechanism in is provided in each of the lower part and upper part, and the closing mechanism is manufactured individually, separately of the lower and upper part, and then connected to lower part 2 and upper part 3. This embodiment is particularly preferred when the lower part and upper part are integrally formed, for instance from wood. The skilled person will understand which situations are more suitable for an integrated closing mechanism and in which situations it is preferred to form the closing mechanism individually and arrange it in the base body. In the further embodiment the closing mechanism can be formed as an annular element, wherein both the bayonet closure and the magnets are integrated in the annular element and wherein the annular element is optimized to be arranged via fastening means in the base body of lower part 2 and the base body of upper part 3.

It will be apparent in this context that the closing mechanism comprises two

complementary parts which are not necessarily identical, and that one of the two complementary parts is placed in one of the lower and upper part and the other of the complementary parts is placed in the other of the upper and lower part. The skilled person will also understand that the depth at which the closing mechanisms are placed in the upper and lower parts is adjusted such that mounting faces 4, 5 lie against each other in the closed state. Because the mounting faces lie against each other, a solid visual impression can be made by the packaging.

Figure 2 shows a top view and a cross-section of mounting face 5 of the upper part 3 according to an embodiment of the invention, while figure 3 shows a complementary mounting face 4 of a lower part 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figures 2 and 3 here show the closing mechanism, which is formed by a combination of a bayonet closure 10, 11 and magnets 12. Figure 2 shows a female part of the bayonet closure, designated with reference numeral 10, while figure 3 shows a male part of the bayonet closure, designated with reference numeral 11.

Figure 2 illustrates how a plurality of grooves 13 is provided within the periphery of mounting face 5, and figure 3 illustrates how a corresponding number of protrusions 14 is provided within the periphery of mounting face 4. Protrusions 14 and grooves 13 are formed such that the two parts can be connected to each other by performing two successive movements.

During closing of closing mechanism 9 protrusions 14 are moved by a relative translation movement of the lower and the upper part 2, 3, designated in figure 2 with arrow 1 S, until mounting faces 4 and 5 lie against each other. A rotation movement of the upper part relative to the lower part 2, 3 is then performed, illustrated in figure 2 with arrow 16, whereby protrusions 14 engaged in grooves 13 and whereby the upper part and the lower part 2, 3 come to lie in their final position relative to each other. In this final position the magnets in mounting face 5 of upper part 3 are aligned with the magnets in mounting face 4 of lower part 2 so that magnets 12 attract each other, this attraction having the effect that parts 2 and 3 will not unintentionally rotate relative to each other. Only by applying a predetermined rotation force great enough to overcome the attractive force of magnets 12 will it be possible to open the closing mechanism. The magnets thereby function as locking for bayonet closure 10, 11. The magnets are chosen as locking because they can be placed wholly within the periphery of mounting faces 4 and 5, so that no dements of closing mechanism 9 are visible at the position of fmishing layer 6.

A reverse sequence of steps will be necessary to open closing mechanism 9. A rotation movement with a force great enough to overcome the attractive force of magnets 12 will first have to be initiated, wherein the rotation movement is opposite to arrow 16 of figure 2. When a predetermined relative rotation of the lower and upper part 2, 3 has been realized, protrusions 14 can then be removed from grooves 13 by a translation movement of lower part 2, away from upper part 3. This translation movement is then opposite to arrow 15 of figure 2.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that the form of grooves 13 and protrusions 14, as well as the number of grooves and protrusions 13, 14, can be chosen without changing the essence of the closing mechanism thereby. The number of magnets 12 and the position of magnets 12 in mounting faces 4, 5 can also be chosen freely by the skilled person. It will further be apparent that a magnet can be used together with a ferrous metal element or together with another magnet in order to realize the attraction. An additional advantage of using magnets is that they automatically fix parts 2 and 3 at the correct position during closing, this enhancing the visual aspects of the packaging. This is because upper and lower part 2 and 3 are always positioned correctly relative to each other owing to this automatic fixing at the correct position.

Figures 2 and 3 show an embodiment wherein magnets 12 are positioned directly in the base body of the lower part and the upper part 2, 3. As already described above, the magnets can also be incorporated in a ring together with bayonet closure 10, 11 and be arranged in the base body as a separate component

Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment for arranging of magnets 12. Figure 4 shows here a section of mounting face 4, 5 at the position of magnets 12. Magnet 12 is placed in an opening 17. The opening has an upper section 18 with dimensions corresponding to outer dimensions of magnet 12. More specifically, the diameter at the position of upper section 18 of opening 17 will be substantially equal to the diameter of magnet 12. A tight fit of magnet 12 in opening 17 can hereby be obtained. Opening 17 further has a lower segment 19 with dimensions which are greater than the outer dimensions of magnet 12. This creates a space between magnet 12 and the walls of the opening at the position of lower section 19. Adhesive can be provided in this space for the purpose of adhering magnet 12 in opening 17 and, with this, fixedly secure magnet 12 in opening 17.

Preferably provided between upper section 18 and lower section 19 are cavities 22, at least one cavity 22, preferably a plurality of cavities 22, which function as adhesive overflow cavity. When adhesive is provided in lower section 19 and magnet 12 is pressed into opening 17, the adhesive will typically be displaced and thereby flow upward. On the one hand this ensures a good securing of magnet 12 in opening 17, on the other hand this could result in soiling of the surface of the magnet if the adhesive were to flow up to an upper section 18 of opening 17.

By providing cavities 22 excess adhesive, which is pushed upward as a result of displacement during placing of magnet 12, will flow into the cavities so that the adhesive does not flow to upper section 18, or hardly so. Magnet 12 can hereby be fixedly secured in opening 17, with the necessary tolerances in quantity of adhesive, size of the opening 17, size of the magnet 12, while magnet 12 is guaranteed to remain properly secured in cavity 17. The position of the magnet can also be chosen optimally because excess adhesive can flow away into cavities 22. It will be apparent in this respect that it is an object to position the upper side of a magnet in the surrounding surface so as to obtain a good operation of the magnet.

The skilled person will appreciate on the basis of the above description that the invention can be embodied in aUfEerent ways and on the basis of different principles. The invention is not limited here to the above described embodiments. The above described embodiments and the figures are purely illustrative and serve only to increase understanding of the invention. The invention is not tlierefbre limited to the cmrxxiiments described herein, but is defined in die claims. Key to the figures

1. bottle

2. lower part

3. upper part

4. mounting face lower part

5. mounting face upper part

6. finishing layer

7. cavity for receiving top of bottle

8. cavity for receiving bottom of bottle

9. closing mechanism

10. bayonet closure (female part)

11. bayonet closure (male part)

12. magnets

13. groove

14. protrusion

15. translation movement

16. rotation movement

17. opening for magnet

18. upper section

19. lower section

20. upper diameter

21. lower diameter

22. cavity

Claims

1. Packaging for a bottle, which packaging comprises a lower part and an upper part which are formed to wholly enclose the bottle in assembled state, wherein the lower part and upper part comprise a compatible closing mechanism for closing the packaging, and wherein the compatible closing mechanism is formed by a bayonet closure with a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism is formed by magnets.

2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein the upper part and the lower part each have a mounting face and wherein the closing mechanism is formed in each case within the periphery of the mounting face.

3. Packaging according to claim 2, wherein the mounting face of the upper part is of the same form as and has corresponding dimensions to the mounting face of the lower part, such that the mounting faces fit together.

4. Packaging according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the lower part and the upper part each comprise a finishing layer which define the visual aspects of the packaging in closed state, and wherein the closing mechanism is positioned in the lower part and upper part such that in the closed state of the packaging the finishing layer of the lower part lies in line with the finishing layer of the upper part in order to achieve a visually continuous finishing layer.

5. Packaging according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the lower part and the upper part each have a base body comprising the finishing layer, and wherein the base body of each of the lower part and the upper part provides a recess for receiving the closing mechanism, and wherein the closing mechanism is arranged in each base body by means of fastening means.

6. Packaging according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein one of the lower and the upper part comprises at least two protrusions and wherein another of the lower and upper part comprises at least two grooves formed for receiving the protrusions.

7. Packaging according to claim 6, wherein the grooves are formed so as to allow a movement in two stages of the protrusions relative to the grooves, so that in a first stage the protrusions are movable in the grooves via a movement along an axis of the bottle and so that in a second stage the protrusions are movable in the grooves via a rotation around the axis.

8. Packaging according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the closing mechanism is provided with openings in which the magnets are received, such that an active surface of the magnets lies substantially parallel to a contact surface of the closing mechanism.

9. Packaging according to claim 8, wherein the openings each have a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is provided to close tightly round each of the magnets, while the second section is formed to close round each of the magnets with a clearance.

10. Packaging according to claim 9, wherein an adhesive layer is provided in the clearance at the position of the second section in order to secure the magnets in the openings.

11. Packaging according to claim 10, wherein at least one cavity is provided transversely relative to the opening at a boundary between the first section and the second section, which cavity is provided to receive excess adhesive when adhesive is provided in the second section, following which the magnets are placed in the openings.