ES2961730T3 - Resealable container - Google Patents

Abstract

A reclosable container, comprising a container body (12) made of a cellulosic material and having a container opening (14) and a movable cover (16) of a water-soluble thermoplastic material applied to said container opening container (14). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Resealable container

field of invention

The present invention relates to containers, in particular containers for household products.

The invention was developed in particular with a view to its application to containers for laundry and dishwashing detergents, in particular detergent tablets.

Previous technique

Today, resealable packaging for household products is almost entirely made of plastics (mono or polycoupled, flexible or rigid), which are produced from fossil resources and, therefore, have a significant energy and environmental impact both for its production and for its recycling. The energy and environmental impact is not reduced even when recyclable plastics are used.

Therefore, there is a great need for packaging for household products that is recyclable in the paper chain.

However, containers made from paper materials have limitations in reclosable closures. In fact, paper materials, whether pulp, paper, or cardboard, do not have the same elasticity as plastics, and reclosable closures made from these materials cannot achieve the same functions as those made from plastic. achieved with plastic material. In particular, opening and closing operations tend to bend and wear the closing elements, which after a short time are no longer capable of guaranteeing effective closing.

Furthermore, if containers are made entirely of paper materials, it is difficult to ensure compliance with child-resistant standards, such as the UNI EN ISO 8317:2005 standard "Child-resistant packaging - Requirements and test procedures for containers that can be closed again.

An example of a prior art container can be seen in US4852764, which discloses a cardboard box provided with a plastic pouring spout that can be closed by a hinged plastic flap. Eco-compatible plastic solutions are known. For example, WO2016/207849 discloses a thermoplastic composition made of cellulose and a hydrolyzable or water-soluble polyhydroxylated polymer that is soluble in water.

A container made with this material would be recyclable in the paper chain since it would dissolve in water and the residue after dissolution would be cellulose.

However, water-soluble plastic materials are not suitable for producing containers for household products such as detergent tablets, washing powders and the like. In fact, containers for household products are often stored in kitchen and bathroom compartments and are often exposed to humidity and water, which would quickly deteriorate the containers. Additionally, the user may grasp said containers with wet hands, which would leave sticky residue on the user's hands and deteriorate the parts of the containers that have been in contact with the water.

Additionally, water-soluble plastic materials have a plastic-like appearance, which can confuse the user about the correct way to proceed with recycling waste collection. In fact, containers made of water-soluble plastic materials should not be disposed of in the plastic chain, as they would contaminate the plastic recycling chain, contrary to a first and immediate evaluation that could lead the user to dispose of them as plastic.

Additionally, water-soluble plastic materials are expensive and would substantially increase packaging costs compared to the costs of paper packaging.

Object and summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an eco-sustainable container for household products that overcomes the problems of the prior art.

More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a container that is completely recyclable in the paper chain and that has an appearance and tactility that spontaneously induces the consumer to the correct option to consult.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container that meets child resistant standards for resealable containers.

According to the present invention, these objectives are achieved by a container according to claim 1.

Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The claims form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided herein in relation to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, given solely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

• Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a container according to the present invention.

• Figure 2 is a cross section taken along line II-II of figure 1,

• Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a container according to the present invention.

• Figure 4 is a cross section taken along line IV-IV of figure 3,

• Figure 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a container according to the present invention.

• Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line VI-VI of figure 5,

• Figure 7 is an enlarged detail of the part indicated by arrow VII in figure 6,

• Figure 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container according to the present invention.

• Figure 9 is a cross section taken along line IX-IX of figure 8,

• Figure 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a container according to the present invention.

• Figure 11 is a cross section taken along line XI-XI of figure 10,

• Figure 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a container according to the present invention, and

• Figure 13 is a cross section taken along line XIII-XIII of figure 12.

It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are schematic and several figures may not be represented to the same scale. Additionally, in several figures some elements may not be shown to better show other elements.

Detailed description

Figures 1 to 13 show six different embodiments of a reclosable container 10.

In all of the different embodiments, the reclosable container 10 comprises a container body 12 made of a cellulose material and having a container opening 14. The reclosable container 10 comprises a movable cover 16 made of a water-soluble thermoplastic material applied to the container opening 14 and movable between an open position and a closed position.

The term "cellulose material" indicates a material made primarily or entirely of cellulose, such as paper, cardboard, cellulose pulp, and the like.

The definition "water-soluble thermoplastic material" indicates a material suitable for being subjected to common methods of thermoforming thermoplastic materials, and which dissolves in the presence of water. An example of a water-soluble thermoplastic material is disclosed in document WO2016207849A1, which refers to a material formed by a combination of cellulose with a thermoplastic material comprising a hydrolyzable or water-soluble polyhydroxylated polymer. The water-soluble thermoplastic material disclosed in WO2016207849A1 is marketed under the trade name "PolyPaper" by NextMaterials Srl, Milan, Italy. A notable characteristic of a water-soluble thermoplastic material according to WO2016207849A1 is that it is fully recyclable in the paper chain. Therefore, a container that includes a container body 12 of cellulose material and a cover 16 made of a water-soluble thermoplastic material is recyclable in the paper chain without the need to separate the cover 16 of water-soluble thermoplastic material from the container body 12. of cellulose material.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 7, the reclosable container 10 comprises a support frame 18 made of a water-soluble thermoplastic material. The support frame 18 is fixed to an outer surface 20 of the container body 12 and surrounds the container opening 14. The support frame 18 can be fixed to the outer surface 20 of the container body 12 by water sealing or by glue. Water sealing is a property of "polypaper" which, having a PVOH matrix, partially melts in contact with water and can bond to cellulose-based materials.

The support frame 18 has a frame opening 22 overlapping the container opening 14. The movable cover 16 is hinged to the support frame 18 along a hinge axis 24 and can be pivotally moved about the hinge axis 24 between an open position and a closed position.

The movable cover 16 may be formed by a flat panel having panel edges 26 that in the closed position abut against the respective opening edges 28 of the support frame 18 to prevent the movable cover 16 from being pushed into the body 12 of container.

The support frame 18 and the movable cover 16 comprise respective first and second closure elements formed integrally with the support frame 18 and with the movable cover 16 and which cooperate with each other to retain the movable cover 16 in the closed position.

The first and second closure elements may comprise teeth 30 and groove 32 that cooperate with each other. In the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3, one or more flexible teeth 30 are formed integrally on an edge of the frame opening 22 and are configured to engage a corresponding slot 32 positioned on a corresponding edge of the flat panel that forms the cover. 16 mobile. In the embodiment of Figures 5 to 7, the flexible teeth 30 and the slots 32 are arranged in respective ribs 34, 36 projecting from the flat panel that forms the movable cover 16 and the supporting frame 18. In the closed position, the flexible teeth 30 snap into the corresponding slots 32 and retain the movable cover 16 in the closed position.

In the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3, the container body 12 may be formed by a cardboard box. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the container body 12 may be formed of a flexible paper bag.

In the embodiments of Figures 8 and 9, the movable cover 16 is substantially U-shaped and comprises a flat central wall 38 and a pair of side walls 40 perpendicular to the flat central wall 38. The flat central wall 38 is hinged to the container body 12 along a hinge axis 24 that extends along an edge of the container opening 14 and along an edge of the flat central wall 38.

The side walls 40 have respective hook formations 42 at the respective distal ends, which are configured to engage the respective edges of the container opening 14 in the open position to retain the movable cover 16 in an inclined open position.

The container body 12 may comprise a flap 44 of cellulose material connected to a wall of the container body 12 along a fold line disposed on an edge of the container opening 14. The flat central wall 38 of the movable cover 16 is superimposed and fixed to the flap 44, so that the fold line between the flap 44 and the wall of the container body 12 forms the hinge axis 24 around which the cover 16 Mobile can be moved pivotally. The flat central wall 38 can be fixed to the fin 44 by water sealing or by glue.

A strip 46 of water-soluble thermoplastic material may be secured, for example, by water sealing or by gluing, to an outer surface of the container body 12 adjacent to an edge of the container opening 14 opposite the hinge axis 24. The movable cover 16 may comprise one or more teeth 30 formed integrally on an edge of the flat central wall 38, which in the closed position of the movable cover 16 engage an edge of the strip 46 to retain the movable cover 16 in the closed position.

In the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11, the movable cover 16 comprises a flat panel 48 made of water-soluble thermoplastic material, sliding on the outer surface 20 of the container body 12 along a longitudinal direction A. The container 10 which is reclosable comprises a pair of straight guide sections 50 made of water-soluble thermoplastic material, fixed to the outer surface 20 of the container body 12, for example by water sealing or by glue. The straight guide sections 50 are parallel to the longitudinal direction A and extend out of the container opening 14. The flat panel 48 can be slidably moved between the straight guide sections 50 along direction A between an open position and a closed position. The straight guide sections 50 may be connected to each other by a cross section 52.

The flat panel 48 comprises two flexible engagement teeth 54 formed integrally with the flat panel 48. In the closed position of the flat panel 48, the flexible engagement teeth 54 engage the respective slots 56 formed in the end portions of the straight guide sections 50 and retain the flat panel 48 in the closed position.

In the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13, the container body 12 has a cylindrical shape and the container opening 14 is formed at an open upper end of the container body 12. The movable cover 16 is removable from the container body 12 and comprises an upper cover wall 56 and a cylindrical cover side wall 58 that fits into the container opening 14. The cover side wall 58 comprises at least one flexible engagement tooth 60 formed integrally with the cover side wall 58. The at least one flexible engagement tooth 60 in the closed position of the movable cover 16 engages a respective through window 62 formed at the upper end of the container body 12 to retain the movable cover 16 in the closed position. In the embodiment shown in Figures 12 and 13, the side wall 58 of the movable cover 16 has two flexible coupling teeth 60 diametrically opposite each other, which engage the respective through windows 62.

The container body 12 may comprise L-shaped formations 64 of water-soluble thermoplastic material fixed, for example, by water sealing or by glue, to the upper edges of the respective through windows 62, to prevent damage to the edge of the windows 62. throughs during repeated opening and closing of the container.

In all embodiments described above, the movable covers 16 of water-soluble thermoplastic material are only a small fraction of the total surface area of the container body 12 and, therefore, are less prone to degradation when the container is exposed to water or humidity. humidity compared to containers entirely made of water-soluble thermoplastic material. The movable covers 16 require relatively small amounts of water-soluble thermoplastic material and therefore do not substantially increase the cost of the container. Additionally, movable covers 16 can ensure compliance with child-resistant closure standards without compromising the recyclability of containers in the paper chain.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the construction details and embodiments may vary widely from those described and illustrated, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims (15)

1. A reclosable container, comprising a container body (12) made of a cellulose material and having a container opening (14) and a movable cover (16) applied to said opening (14). container and mobile between an open position and a closed position, characterized in that said mobile cover (16) is made of a water-soluble thermoplastic material. 2. The reclosable container according to claim 1, comprising a support frame (18) made of a water-soluble thermoplastic material attached to an outer surface (20) of said container body (12) and surrounding said container opening (14), the support frame (18) having a frame opening (22) superimposed on said container opening (14), wherein the movable cover (16) is articulated to said frame (18). support along a hinge axis (24) and can be pivotally moved about said hinge axis (24) between said open position and closed position. 3. The reclosable container according to claim 2, wherein said support frame (18) and said movable cover (16) comprise teeth (30) and grooves (32) that cooperate with each other, integrally formed with said support frame (18) and cover (16) movable and attachable to each other to retain the movable cover (16) in said closed position. 4. The reclosable container according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said movable cover (16) is formed by a flat panel having panel edges (26) that in said closed position are in contact with the respective opening edges (28) of said frame opening (22). 5. The reclosable container according to claim 3, wherein said teeth (30) and slots (32) that cooperate with each other are provided in the respective ribs (34, 36) of said frame (18). support and said mobile cover (16). 6. The reclosable container according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein said support frame (18) is fixed to said outer surface (20) of said container body (12) by water sealing or by glue. 7. The reclosable container according to claim 1, wherein the movable cover (16) is substantially U-shaped and comprises a flat central wall (38) and a pair of side walls (40) perpendicular to said flat central wall (38), and wherein said flat central wall (38) is hinged to said container body (12) along a hinge axis (24) extending along an edge of said container opening (14) and along an edge of said flat central wall (38). 8. The reclosable container according to claim 7, wherein each of said side walls (40) has a hook formation (42) at a respective distal end, wherein in said open position said formations Hook (42) engage the respective edges of the container opening (14). 9. The reclosable container according to claim 7 or 8, comprising a strip (46) of water-soluble thermoplastic material, secured to the container body (12) adjacent to an edge of said container opening (14), and wherein said movable cover (16) comprises at least one flexible tooth (30) formed integrally on an edge of said flat central wall (38), and wherein in the closed position of the movable cover (16) said at least one flexible tooth (30) snaps onto an edge of said strip (46) and retains the movable cover (16) in the closed position. 10. The reclosable container according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the container body (12) comprises a flap (44) of cellulose material connected to said container body (12) along along a bending line that forms said hinge axis (24), in which said flat central wall (38) of said movable cover (16) is superimposed and fixed to said fin (44). 11. The reclosable container according to claim 10, wherein said flat central wall (38) of said movable cover (16) is secured to said flap (44) by water sealing or by gluing. 12. The reclosable container according to claim 1, wherein the movable cover (16) comprises a flat panel (48) of water-soluble thermoplastic material, sliding on an exterior surface (20) of said body (12). of container along a longitudinal direction (A), wherein the reclosable container (10) comprises a pair of straight guide sections (50) made of water-soluble thermoplastic material fixed to said surface (20) exterior parallel to said longitudinal direction (A) and extending outside said container opening (14), wherein said flat panel (48) is slideably moveable along said longitudinal direction (A) between said sections (50) of straight guides between an open position and a closed position, in which said flat panel (48) comprises two flexible coupling teeth (54) integrally formed with said flat panel (48) that in the closed position of the panel ( 48) plane fits into the respective slots (56) formed in the end portions of said straight guide sections (50). 13. The reclosable container according to claim 12, wherein said straight guide sections (50) are fixed to said outer surface (20) of the container body (12) by water sealing or by gluing. 14. The reclosable container according to claim 1, wherein the movable cover (16) is removable from said container body (12) and comprises an upper cover wall (56) and a wall (58). ) side of the cover, in which the side wall (58) of the cover engages in said container opening (14), and in which the side wall (58) of the cover comprises at least one tooth (60) flexible coupling formed integrally with said side wall (58) of the cover, which engages at least one through window (62) formed in an edge portion of the container body (12) in the closed position of said mobile cover (16). . 15. The reclosable container according to claim 14, wherein an L-shaped formation (64) of water-soluble thermoplastic material is fixed at an upper edge of said at least one through window (62).