WO2023047086A1

WO2023047086A1 - A base structure for a container, a kit of parts and a method

Info

Publication number: WO2023047086A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph PRETTEJOHN
Original assignee: Par-Pak Europe Limited
Priority date: 2021-09-22
Filing date: 2022-09-07
Publication date: 2023-03-30
Also published as: GB2611040A

Abstract

There is described a base structure for a container, the base structure comprising a base volume comprising an opening; and a flange (110), the flange extending from the base volume about the perimeter of the opening; the flange comprising at least one channel (115) configured to receive a portion of a lid structure, the at least one channel extending along the length of at least two substantially opposing internal surfaces (135) of the flange, wherein the flange comprises at least one line of weakness (140) extending substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the at least one channel, the flange configured to deform along the at least one line of weakness such that, in use, a lid structure received within the at least one channel may be removed from the channel.

Description

A BASE STRUCTURE FOR A CONTAINER, A KIT OF PARTS AND A METHOD

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a base structure for a container. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising a lid structure and the base structure and to a method.

Background to the Invention

Containers often comprise a base structure with a corresponding lid structure to cover the contents of the container. By providing a lid structure which can be removed and replaced on the container, the contents of the container can be protected from contaminants, spillages and a modified atmosphere may be maintained within the container.

Alternatively, a lid structure can be provided which cannot be replaced on the container after its removal. However, this prevents the user from re-covering the contents of the container, which is a particular issue in food packaging applications, wherein often the goods are not fully consumed once opened.

It is often not evident whether the container or its contents have been opened, accessed or otherwise tampered with. As such, there is a need for a tamper-evident base structure which allows a lid structure to be removed and replaced on the base structure.

Objects and aspects of the present claimed invention seek to alleviate at least these problems with the prior art.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a base structure for a container, the base structure comprising a base volume comprising an opening; and a flange, the flange extending from the base volume about the perimeter of the opening; the flange comprising at least one channel configured to receive a portion of a lid structure, the at least one channel extending along the length of at least two substantially opposing internal surfaces of the flange, wherein the flange comprises at least one line of weakness extending substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the at least one channel, the flange configured to deform along the at least one line of weakness such that, in use, a lid structure received within the at least one channel may be removed from the channel.

In this way there is provided a tamper-evident base structure which allows a lid structure to be removed and replaced on the base structure. The base structure and a lid structure can be arranged in a first retained configuration, wherein the lid structure is housed within the at least one channel and the at least one line of weakness is intact. The base structure and a lid structure can further be arranged in a second retained configuration, wherein the at least one line of weakness has been deformed and the lid structure is housed in the at least one channel. To arrange the lid structure in the second retained configuration, the lid structure may be inserted into the channel via an opening in the channel made by the deformed line of weakness. A tamper-evident base structure is provided, evident by the visible difference in the line of weakness before and after deformation.

Preferably, the at least one channel is located along all internal surfaces of the flange. In this way, an entire perimeter portion of a lid structure can be housed substantially within the at least one channel, such that a user cannot access the perimeter portion and lift the perimeter portion to remove the lid structure from the at least one channel without deforming one or both of the lid structure or the base structure. As such, when the at least one line of weakness is intact, the lid structure is trapped within the at least one channel and any removal of the lid structure from the channel would be evident as permanent deformation the lid and/or base structure would occur.

In some embodiments, a portion of the inner surfaces of the flange are at an acute angle with the normal axis of the opening. Preferably, the portion of the inner surfaces at an acute angle with the normal axis of the opening is a portion of the flange located adjacent the channel but distal the opening. In this way, it is harder for a lid structure housed within the channel to be forcibly removed from the channel without evident and permanent deformation of the lid and/or base structure.

Preferably, a top surface of the flange extends in a direction perpendicular to the internal surfaces of the flange. In this way, a lid can be housed in the at least one channel in a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface of the contents of the container. Such a configuration advantageously reduces the risk of uneven forces or leakages occurring on and about the lid structure when it is in the first retained configuration. Preferably, the flange extends in substantially the same plane as the opening of the base volume. Preferably, the upper surface of the flange is stepped.

Preferably, the line of weakness comprises a scored portion. Preferably, the scored portion extends along the majority of the line of weakness. In this way, the material at the line of weakness is weakened by the reduction in thickness at the line of weakness. Preferably, the flange comprises a hinged portion defined by the line of weakness. Preferably, the scored portion is located on the surface of the flange adjacent the opening. In this way, the hinged portion is configured to be hinged along the line of weakness such that the hinged portion can be folded away from the opening.

The thickness of the flange along the base structure may be any reasonable thickness for the desired application, namely for the desired force required to deform the line of weakness. For applications where it is desirable for the hinged portion to be permanently removed from the flange, the line of weakness may have a reduced thickness and/or a greater proportion of the line of weakness may be scored.

Preferably, the flange comprises a groove located at either end of the at least one line of weakness. In this way, ease of user deformation of the line of weakness is improved.

In some embodiments, the flange is configured to irreversibly break along the at least one line of weakness. In this way, the hinged portion is permanently removed from the flange. Preferably, the flange is configured to resiliently deform along the at least one line of weakness. In this way, after the flange has deformed along the at least one line of weakness without the hinged portion breaking away from the flange. As such, the flange remains intact and can be wholly recycled, instead of the hinged portion requiring separate disposal. Further, the hinged portion can be folded up and returned to its position in the first retained configuration to further reduce accidental motion of the lid structure within the channel.

In this way, the base structure comprises an undeformed configuration wherein the line of weakness is neither deformed nor broken, and a deformed configuration wherein the line of weakness is deformed and/or broken along substantially its length.

Preferably, the flange is discontinuous. Preferably, the flange is discontinuous about the line of weakness. In this way, the ease of deformation of the line of weakness is improved.

Preferably, the base structure comprises a lid retention member located on an internal wall of the flange, the lid retention member configured to removably retain a lid structure at a specified location within the at least one channel. In this way, a lid can be removably retained at a desired location within the channel. Preferably, the lid retention member comprises one or more projections. Preferably, the lid retention member is located on two opposing internal walls of the flange. In some embodiments, the lid retention member is located within the channel.

Preferably, the cross section of the channel is identical along the at least two substantially opposing internal surfaces of the flange. In this way, there is greater freedom of direction of orientation for a lid structure housed within the at least one channel. In some embodiments, each of the at least one channel is of identical cross section along substantially its entire length. Alternatively, the cross section of the at least one channel varies along its length and/or along each internal surface of the flange. In this way, the base structure is best suited to the desired application and corresponding lid structure.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a lid structure and the base structure of the first aspect of the invention. Preferably, the lid structure comprises a base retention member, the base retention member configured to removably retain the lid structure at a specified location within the at least one channel. In some embodiments, the base retention member is configured to be housed within a portion of the lid retention member of the base structure. Alternatively, the lid retention member of the base structure is configured to be housed within a portion of the base retention member. For example, a projection of the lid retention member can be configured to be housed within a groove of the base retention member or vice versa.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, the method comprising; providing the base structure of the first aspect of the invention; placing at least one product in the base volume of the base structure; and covering the base volume with a lid structure by forcing the lid structure underneath a portion of the flange and into the channel.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a base structure in accordance with the claimed invention in a first retained configuration with a lid structure;

Figure 2 depicts an underside perspective view of the base structure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 depicts a deconstructed view of the base structure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 depicts a topside perspective view of the base structure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 depicts a magnified view of a line of weakness of the base structure of Figure 1 ; Figure 6 depicts a magnified side view of a line of weakness of the base structure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 depicts a perspective view of a lid structure; and

Figure 8 depicts a method in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention.

With reference to Figures 1-6, there is illustrated a base structure 100 comprising a base volume 105 and a flange 110. The base volume 105 comprises an opening 120 and the flange 110 extends from the base volume 105 about the perimeter of the opening 120. The flange 110 comprises four internal walls 135 and the internal walls 135 are perpendicular to the opening 120 of the base volume 105.

The flange 110 comprises a channel 115 configured to receive a portion of a lid structure 10. The channel 115 extends along the length of all four internal walls 135. In this way, the channel 115 extends the length of two pairs of substantially opposing internal surfaces 135. The channel 115 has a substantially rectangular cross section and is continuous about the perimeter of the opening 120. The channel 115 is of substantially constant cross-section along its length.

The flange 110 extends in substantially the same plane as the opening 120 of said base volume 105. The flange 110 comprises a top surface 130 which extends in a direction perpendicular to the internal surfaces 135 of the flange 110. The top surface 130 extends the entire perimeter of the flange 110 and is substantially planar. In this way, the base structure 100 can be placed in a stable position on a surface with only the top surface 130 of the base structure 100 in contact with the surface.

The flange 110 further comprises an overhang portion 160 extending from the top surface 130 and downwards towards the base volume 105. The angle of projection of the overhang portion 160 forms an acute angle with the normal axis of the opening 120, such that the overhang extends slightly away from the base volume 105. In this embodiment, the acute angle is around 10 degrees. The overhang portion 160 extends the entire perimeter of the flange 110 and allows a user to easily grip and handle the base structure 100. Further, the overhang portion 160 increases the rigidity and sturdiness of the flange 100.

In this way, the flange 110 comprises a substantially U-shaped outer channel 165 formed from the internal walls 135, top surface 130 and the overhang portion 160. The outer channel 165 is configured to allow a user to insert a portion of the fingers within the outer channel 165 for handling of the base structure 100. Such a feature is particularly advantageous when the base container 100 and its contents are heated, as the overhang portion 160 provides a cooler temperature region which the user can grip to handle the base structure 100.

Goods can be placed in the base volume 105 of the base structure 100 and a lid structure 10 can then be placed on the top surface 130 of the flange 110. The lid 10 can be pushed and forced downward such that the lid 10 and base structure 100 resiliently deform and the lid 10 is received within the channel 115. In this way, the base structure 100 allows the lid 10 or a substantial portion thereof to snap downward under the flange 110 and into the channel 115. The force required to force the lid structure 10 into the channel 115 is such that it can be done manually and the lid structure 10 and base structure 100 are elastically deformed and return to their original shape once the lid structure 10 is received in the channel 115. Alternatively, the lid structure 10 may be placed on base structure 100 and forced downward to be received into channel 115 via standard automation equipment.

In this embodiment, the flange 110 comprises two lines of weakness 140, each line of weakness 140 extending substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the channel 115. The two lines of weakness 140 are parallel to one another and to two opposing internal walls 135 of the flange 110. Each line of weakness 140 extends the majority of the width of the base structure 100 and comprises a scored portion which extends substantially entirely along the line of weakness 140. In this way, the thickness of the flange at the line of weakness 140 is reduced and the strength of the flange 110 along the line of weakness is reduced. The flange 110 is discontinuous about each line of weakness 140 such that there is a discontinuous channel 170 extending from either end of each line of weakness 140. The discontinuous channel 170 and line of weakness form a substantially straight line. In this way, the flange comprises two hinged portions 125 defined by the line of weakness 140 and the two discontinuous channels 170 on each side. Each hinged portion 125 is only connected to the main body of the flange 110 along the line of weakness 140 such that there is a break in the flange 110 at each discontinuous channel 170. The discontinuous channel 170 is narrow and it is envisaged that the portions of the flange 110 on either side of the discontinuous channel 170 may be in removable contact with one another in use.

Each line of weakness 140 is configured to resiliently deform along the line of weakness 140 such that, in use, a lid structure 10 received within the channel 115 may be removed from the channel 115. Each line of weakness 140 is configured to deform such that the flange 110 may be bent across the line of weakness 140 and the hinged portion 125 can be folded down away from the opening 120, exposing a portion of the channel 115 on either side of the discontinuous channel 170.

The flange 110 comprises four grooves 145 located at either end of each line of weakness 140. The grooves 145 are formed in the top surface 130 of the flange 110 and provide a region which a user can grip to assist in folding down each hinged portion 125. Each groove 145 is bisected by one of the discontinuous channels 170.

The base structure 100 comprises a lid retention member 150 located on the internal walls 135 of the flange 110. The lid retention member 150 comprises two base projections 155 projecting inwardly from the internal walls 135 towards the base volume 105. The lid retention member 150 is configured to removably retain a lid structure 10 at a specified location within the channel 115. In this way, the lid 10 can be temporarily retained at a desired point within the channel 115. In this embodiment, the lid retention member 150 is arranged such that a lid structure 10 is removably retained concentrically on the base structure 100. Figures 1 , 5 and 7 illustrate a lid structure 10 for covering the base structure 100 of Figures 1-6. The lid structure 10 comprises a perimeter portion 15, the perimeter portion 15 configured with a clearance fit with the channel 115 of the base structure 100. The perimeter portion 15 is the portion of the lid structure 10 configured to be received in the channel 115.

The lid structure 10 further comprises a base retention member 20 comprising four lid projections 25 projecting outwardly from opposing sides of the lid structure 10. In this way, the lid structure 10 can be pushed into the channel 115 of the base structure 100 until, on either side of the lid structure 10, a lid projection 25 is located on either side of each base projection 155. In this configuration, the lid 10 is temporarily retained on the base structure 100, with each lid projection 25 preventing motion of the lid 10 along the channel 115 due to the temporary blocking of motion of the base projections 155. A user’s force can overcome the temporary barrier provided by the lid projections 25 and base projections 155 such that the lid 10 can be slid along and out of the channel 115.

A method 800 is shown in Figure 8, the method 800 including the steps of PROVIDE BASE STRUCTURE 801 , wherein the base structure 100 is provided. There follows a PLACE PRODUCT 802 step, wherein at least one product is placed in the base volume 105 of the base structure 100. Finally, there follows a COVER WITH LID STRUCTURE 803 step, comprising covering the base volume 105 with a lid structure 10 by placing the lid structure 10 on the flange 110 and forcing the lid structure 10 into the channel 115. In this way, the contents of the base structure 100 are covered and the lid structure 10 cannot be removed without tampering being evident. Namely, without visible deformation of a line of weakness 140 or without prising the lid structure 10 out of the channel 115 leaving visible permanent deformation or damage to the base structure 100 or lid structure 10.

The lid structure 10 and base structure 100 comprise a first retained configuration, as shown in Figure 1. In the first retained configuration, the lid 10 has been pushed down into the channel 115 of the flange 110 and both lines of weakness 140 are intact. The lid structure 10 and base structure 100 further comprise a second retained configuration, wherein at least one line of weakness 140 has been deformed and the lid structure 10 is housed within the channel 115. For example, the user may deform a line of weakness 140 when the lid structure 10 and base structure 100 are in the first retained configuration and fold down the hinged portion 125. The user can then slide the lid 10 along the channel such that it exits the channel at the end of the deformed line of weakness 140. The user can then return the lid 10 into the channel 115 and, optionally, fold the hinged portion 125 back to the position of the hinged portion 125 in the first retained configuration. In this way, the lid 10 is again retained within the channel 115 of the base structure 100 whilst it is visibly evident that the line of weakness 140 has been deformed. Each line of weakness 140 can be deformed and the hinged portions 125 can be folded up and down multiple times, providing no limitation to the number of times the lid structure 10 can be removed and reinserted into the channel 115.

As such, a tamper evident base structure 100 is provided, namely it is visible whether one or both of the line of weaknesses 140 have been deformed and the base structure 100 is in the first retained configuration or the second retained configuration.

Further embodiments within the scope of the present invention may be envisaged that have not been described above, for example, there may be different shapes of the base structure and base volume. The base structure and/or lid structure may comprise further grooves, ridges, projections and the like to improve the structural and/or ergonomical shape. In the described embodiment, the opening of the base structure is substantially rectangular and the hinge portions are located along the short edges of the flange of the base structure. It is envisaged that one or more lines of weakness may be located on one of more long edges of the flange of the base structure. The invention is not limited to the specific examples or structures illustrated, a greater number of components than are illustrated in the figures could be used, for example.

Claims

Claims A base structure for a container, said base structure comprising a base volume comprising an opening; and a flange, said flange extending from the base volume about the perimeter of the opening; said flange comprising at least one channel configured to receive a portion of a lid structure, said at least one channel extending along the length of at least two substantially opposing internal surfaces of said flange, wherein said flange comprises at least one line of weakness extending substantially perpendicular to and intersecting said at least one channel, said flange configured to deform along said at least one line of weakness such that, in use, a lid structure received within said at least one channel may be removed from said channel. The base structure of claim 1 , wherein said at least one channel is located along all internal surfaces of the flange. The base structure of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a top surface of said flange extends in a direction perpendicular to said internal surfaces of said flange. The base structure of any one preceding claim, wherein said flange extends in substantially the same plane as the opening of said base volume. The base structure of any one preceding claim, wherein said line of weakness comprises a scored portion. The base structure of claim 5, wherein said scored portion extends along the majority of said line of weakness. The base structure of any one proceeding claim, wherein said flange comprises a groove located at either end of the at least one line of weakness.

8. The base structure of any one preceding claim, wherein said flange is configured to irreversibly break along said at least one line of weakness.

9. The base structure of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said flange is configured to resiliently deform along said at least one line of weakness.

10. The base structure of any one preceding claim, wherein said flange is discontinuous.

11. The base structure of claim 10, wherein said flange is discontinuous about the line of weakness.

12. The base structure of any one preceding claim, wherein said base structure comprises a lid retention member located on an internal wall of the flange, said lid retention member configured to removably retain a lid structure at a specified location within said at least one channel.

13. The base structure of any one preceding claim, wherein said upper surface of said flange is stepped.

14. A kit of parts comprising a lid structure and the base structure of any one preceding claim.

15. A method, the method comprising providing the base structure of any one of claims 1 to 13; placing at least one product in the base volume of said base structure; and covering said base volume with a lid structure by forcing the lid structure underneath a portion of said flange and into said channel.