RIGID CONTAINER

Abstract

A rigid container, made by folding a sheet material, including a first and a second end and including a front face wall, a rear face wall, a first and a second lateral wall; the front face wall and the rear face wall converging at the first end and the first and second lateral walls diverging at the first end.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a rigid container and in particular to a rigid container for tubes, such as tubes of toothpaste and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Tubes for toothpaste, food products and the like consist of a tubular body having a main direction of extension and are usually packed and put on sale inside a respective rigid container or box made, for example, of paperboard, plastic or in any case of a sheet material which may even have multiple layers.

[0003] One end of the tubular body is generally closed by a cap, whilst the opposite end is closed by a closing portion extending in a direction transversal to the main direction of extension and determines the maximum dimension of the tube in a cross-section of the tube.

[0004] The boxes used to package tubes are normally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and the tubes are inserted in the boxes with the closing portion positioned according to a smaller diagonal of a smaller face of the box.

[0005] The above-mentioned types of containers have several disadvantages.

[0006] The need for a base diagonal at least as long as the maximum dimension of the closing portion means that it is necessary to make a box with parallelepiped shape which is extremely large compared with the volume of the tube to be inserted in it.

[0007] Therefore, the prior art boxes require a lot of sheet material compared with the actual dimensions of the tube and have a volume much greater than the volume of the tube, with consequent negative logistics implications.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In this context, the main technical purpose of this invention is to provide a rigid container which is free of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0009] This invention has for an aim to provide a rigid container, in particular for tubes, which allows a saving in terms of sheet material compared with the prior art solutions.

[0010] A further aim of this invention is to provide a rigid container which is easy to group in relatively limited spaces.

[0011] The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a rigid container according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting, embodiment of a rigid container as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a rigid container according to this invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the container of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 2A is a schematic front view of an alternative embodiment of the container of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the container of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic top plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a composition of three containers according to this invention;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of the composition of FIG. 6;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view of the composition of FIG. 6;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a schematic bottom plan view of the composition of FIG. 6;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a set of containers according to this invention comprising the composition of FIG. 6;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of a different embodiment of a container according to this invention;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of a different embodiment of a container according to this invention;

[0026] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a rigid container according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0027] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a container according to this invention.

[0028] The container 1 is a rigid container, preferably made of a sheet material such as paperboard or plastic.

[0029] The container 1 is preferably intended for packaging a tube 100, illustrated for example with a dashed line in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, of the substantially known type and described only as far as is necessary for an understanding of this invention, for example tubes containing toothpaste or containing food products such as mayonnaise or tomato concentrate paste.

[0030] In short, the preferred references tubes comprise a tubular body 101 having a main direction of extension X1. One end of the tubular body is generally closed by a cap 102, whilst the opposite end is flattened and is closed by a closing portion 103 extending in a direction X2 transversal to the main direction of extension X1 and determines the maximum dimension of the tube 100 in a cross-section of the tube 100.

[0031] The container 1 comprises a first end 2 and a second end 3.

[0032] In an example embodiment illustrated, the container 1 has a main direction of extension D.

[0033] The container 1 comprises a plurality of walls extending along the direction D, there being four in the embodiments illustrated.

[0034] In particular, the container 1 comprises a front face wall 4, having a respective end portion 4a at the first end 2 of the container 1.

[0035] The container 1 comprises a first lateral wall 5, having a respective end portion 5a, connected to the face wall 4.

[0036] The container 1 comprises a rear face wall 6, having a respective end portion 6a at the first end 2 of the container 1, connected to the lateral wall 5.

[0037] The container 1 comprises a second lateral wall 7, having a respective end portion 7a at the first end 2 of the container 1, connected to the rear face wall 6 and to the front face wall 4.

[0038] In one embodiment the walls 4, 5, 6, 7 are connected to each other at corresponding edges.

[0039] The edges are in particular formed by fold lines of the above-mentioned sheet material.

[0040] The walls 4, 5, 6, 7 each extend mainly in the direction D. The ends 2 and 3 are opposite one another relative to the direction D.

[0041] At the second end 3, the container comprises a bottom wall 8 connected to the walls 4, 5, 6, 7.

[0042] In the example embodiment illustrated, the bottom wall 8 is a quadrilateral and in particular it is square and, preferably, orthogonal to the direction D.

[0043] A corresponding edge is formed by each wall 4, 5, 6, 7 with the bottom wall 8.

[0044] In particular with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it should be noticed that the front face wall 4 and the rear face wall 6 converge at the first end 2 of the container 1, whilst the first lateral wall 5 and the second lateral wall 7 diverge at the first end 2.

[0045] The wall 4 and the wall 6 converge and, as illustrated, are connected to one another along a closing portion 9 at the end 2 of the container 1.

[0046] The divergence of the portions 5a, 7a allows closing of the container 1 at the end 2.

[0047] Advantageously, the closing portion 9 extends in a direction D1 which is transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the main direction of extension D.

[0048] In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 the wall 4 and the wall 6 converge and are connected by a top wall 10 which forms the closing portion 9.

[0049] The top wall 10 is preferably orthogonal to the direction of extension D of the container 1.

[0050] The convergence of the face walls 4, 6 is determined by the convergence of the respective end portions 4a, 6a.

[0051] The divergence of the lateral walls 5, 7 is determined by the convergence of the respective end portions 4a, 7a.

[0052] The front face wall 4 comprises a respective base portion 4b connected to the bottom wall 8 and from which the end portion 4a projects on the opposite side to the bottom wall 8.

[0053] The lateral wall 5 comprises a respective base portion 5b connected to the bottom wall 8 and from which the end portion 5a projects on the opposite side to the bottom wall 8.

[0054] The front face wall 6 comprises a respective base portion 6b connected to the bottom wall 8 and from which the end portion 6a projects on the opposite side to the bottom wall 8.

[0055] The lateral wall 7 comprises a respective base portion 7b connected to the bottom wall 8 and from which the end portion 7a projects on the opposite side to the bottom wall 8.

[0056] The base portions 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b of the above-mentioned face walls 4, 6 and lateral walls 5, 7 are parallel to the main direction D of extension as far as the connection with the bottom wall 8.

[0057] In that way, it is possible to minimise the packaging material used, yet maintain the structural rigidity given by the convergences and divergences at the first end 2 of the package. In particular, as is described in detail below, the material needed to make the container is minimised compared with the prior art solutions and the volume of the container 1 is preferably comparable with that of the tube 100 to be placed inside it.

[0058] In particular, the base portions 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b may extend from the bottom wall 8 to the centre line of the package along the longitudinal length corresponding to the main direction D of extension. Alternatively, the base portions 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b may extend from the bottom wall 8 as far as two thirds of the way up the package along the longitudinal length corresponding to the main direction D of extension.

[0059] In one embodiment, the base portions 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b form a rectangular parallelepiped preferably extending in the direction D.

[0060] In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the portions 4a, 6a are convex and the portions 5a, 7a are concave to obtain the above-mentioned convergence of the face walls 4, 6 and divergence of the lateral walls 5, 6.

[0061] Preferably, at least the portions 4a, 6a of the face walls 4, 6 are curvilinear.

[0062] At least the end portion 5a of the first lateral wall 5 and the end portion 7a of the second lateral wall 7 are curvilinear.

[0063] The end portions 4a, 6a of the face walls converge, whilst the end portions 5a, 7a of the lateral walls diverge and are joined to one another at the closing portion 9.

[0064] In that way, the container 1 takes on a shape similar to that of the tube 100 to be placed inside it.

[0065] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, the above-mentioned parallelepiped portion is preferably sized to substantially circumscribe the tubular body 101 of the tube 100, whilst the end 2 follows the usual shape of the closing portion 103 of the tube.

[0066] The material needed to make the container is minimised compared with the prior art solutions and the volume of the container 1 is preferably comparable with that of the tube 100 to be placed inside it.

[0067] In one embodiment, the bottom wall 8 has a diagonal longer than the dimension of the portion 103 in such a way that it is possible to insert the tube 100 in the container 1 once the container 1 has been made before closing the wall 8.

[0068] In that case, advantageously, the container 1 has an outer surface area much greater than a conventional box which is for example a parallelepiped, guaranteeing more space for brands and/or indications for consumers.

[0069] As illustrated, the end portions 4a, 6a of the face walls 4, 6 are formed as the same portion of a same curvilinear surface, that is to say, they substantially have the same shape and curvature.

[0070] The end portions 5a, 7a of the lateral walls 5, 7 are formed as the same portion of a same curvilinear surface, that is to say, they substantially have the same shape and curvature.

[0071] Advantageously, the portions 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a all have the same shape and they differ in that the portions 4a, 6a are convex and the portions 5a, 7a are concave.

[0072] In that way, in particular with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, it is possible to place a series 20 of containers 1a, 1b, 1c side by side, for example by abutting the lateral wall 5 of a first container 1a with the face wall 4 of a second container 1b, the face wall 6 of the container 1b with the lateral wall 7 of a third container 1 with a lateral wall 5, 7.

[0073] Advantageously, the containers 1a, 1b, 1c can be placed in a plurality of series 20, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0074] As illustrated, the series 20, which can be created using the preferred embodiment of the containers 1, have dimensions seen in bottom plan view, shown in FIG. 9, determined by the bottom walls 8, preferably quadrilateral, which are drawn near along respective edges.

[0075] The end portions 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a allow maximum compactness of the series 20, with further significant optimisation of their dimensions.

[0076] In particular with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, in one embodiment the container 1 comprises supporting means for the container 1 itself 9.

[0077] The supporting means are positioned in the first end 2 of the container 1 and in particular at the closing portion 9.

[0078] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, the supporting means comprise a tab 11 projecting from the closing portion 9 in the direction D on the opposite side to the end 3.

[0079] The tab 11 is hook-shaped and allows the container 1 to be hung in a corresponding support, not illustrated.

[0080] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 12, the supporting means comprise a tab 12 projecting from the closing portion 9 in the direction D on the opposite side to the end 3.

[0081] The tab 12 is provided with a hole 13 which allows the container 1 to be hung in a corresponding support, not illustrated.

[0082] Advantageously, the container 1 according to this invention may also be hung using the diverging portions 5a, 7a on two prongs, not illustrated.

[0083] In one embodiment the container 1 is provided with an opening system 14 for extracting the tube 100.

[0084] The opening system 14 comprises a line of weakness 15 of the container 1, of the substantially known type, where a generic user, not illustrated, can easily open the container 1.

[0085] In particular with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, in one embodiment the line of weakness 15 is preferably provided at the first end 2, in particular at the closing portion 9 of the container 1.

[0086] In one embodiment, one or more lines of weakness 15 extend parallel to the direction X1.

[0087] In one embodiment, for example that illustrated in FIG. 12, the line of weakness 15 allows detachment of the tab 12.

[0088] In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the tab 12 forms a tear-off coupon preferably comprising a code or a text for example for promotional purposes.

[0089] The package 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be obtained by erecting a package previously pre-produced and flattened. As shown in FIG. 2A, the package 1 comprises two fold lines A (of which only one is illustrated, the two being specular), preferably made by means of creasing, starting from the centre line of the first end 2. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated the fold lines A start from the closing portion 9 of the container 1, made, by way of example, in the shape of a fin.

[0090] Advantageously, the above-mentioned fold lines A only extend on the face walls 4 and 6. The fold lines A are, therefore, positioned opposite one another relative to the central axis of the container 1. In that way, the two lateral walls keep their structural rigidity unchanged, preventing them from collapsing towards the inside of the container due to the concavity.

[0091] Preferably, the length of the two fold lines A, B is less than the length of the walls on which they are made. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.degree., said fold lines A, B cover a length extending from the first end 2 of the container 1 to its centre line. The above-mentioned lines A, B could equally extend from the same first end 2 to the first third of the above-mentioned container 1.

Claims

1. A rigid container made using a sheet material and comprising a first and a second end and comprising at least: a front face a rear face wall, a first and a second lateral wall having a main direction of extension and each comprising a respective end portion and a respective base portion, at said second end, said container comprising a bottom wall connected to said face walls and lateral walls; said first and second ends being opposite one another relative to said main direction of extension; said end portions of said front face wall and said rear face wall converging at said first end and said end portions of said first and second lateral walls diverging at said first end; said container being characterised in that said base portions of said face walls and lateral walls are parallel to said main direction of extension as far as the connection with said bottom wall.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said end portion of said front face wall and said end portion of said rear face wall converge at said first end and said end portion of said first lateral wall and said end portion of said second lateral wall diverge at said first end.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said end portion of said front face wall and said end portion of said rear face wall are convex.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein said end portion of said first lateral wall and said end portion of said second lateral wall are concave.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein said end portion of said front face wall and said end portion of said rear face wall are curvilinear.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein said end portion of said first lateral wall and said end portion of said second lateral wall are curvilinear.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein said end portion of said front face wall, said end portion of said rear face wall, said end portion of said first lateral wall and said end portion of said second lateral wall, are each formed by a same portion of a same curvilinear surface.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein said front face wall and said rear face wall are connected at said first end along a direction transversal to a transversal to a direction of extension of the container, said first end being a container closing end.

9. The container according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises supporting means positioned at said first end, said supporting means being provided for hanging said container.

10. The container according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a tab extending from said first end in a main direction of extension of the container.

11. The container according to claim 9, wherein said supporting means comprise said tab.

12. The container according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a container opening system.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein said opening system comprises a line of weakness preferably made substantially at said first end.

14. The container according to claim 1, wherein it is made of sheet material folded to form at least said front face wall, rear face wall, first and second lateral walls.

15. The container according to claim 10, wherein said tab forms a tear-off coupon preferably comprising a code or a text for example for promotional purposes.

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