Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE
"CHILD-PROOF PACKAGE AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME, METHOD FOR CLOSING AND
OPENING
SAID PACKAGE"
DESCRIPTION
FIELD OF THE FINDING
The object of the present invention is a child-proof package and a process of
making the same, as well as a method
for closing and opening the package. The package can have application in the
field of packaging for products of various
kind, such as: drugs, cosmetics, cleaning products (detergents for
linens/sheets and dishes), foods and tobacco-based
products (cigars and cigarettes).
STATE OF THE ART
As is known, child-proof packages are available on the market that are
designed in order to be difficult for children
under 5 years old to open; these packages are employed for preventing children
from coming into contact with products
that are potentially dangerous for them.
One known child-proof package comprises a paper case adapted to receive a
plastic material blister at its own interior
that is intended to contain a plurality of products. The case has, at opposite
lateral walls, two slits intended to receive
in engagement two projections of the blister: in the condition in which the
blister is housed in the case, the engagement
of the projections with the slits prevents the extraction of the blister by
means of only a pulling action of the same. For
the extraction of the blister, it is necessary to press on the projections so
as to cause the disengagement thereof from
the slits: only at this point it is possible to extract the blister from the
case. The Applicant has detected that such
packages, due to the closure type are poorly flexible in their use: in order
to be able to define a child-proof safety
system, the case can only receive a blister specially designed for that
particular case. The blisters must therefore be
made by means of specific production methods, preventing the manufacturing
thereof by means of standard production
machines. It is also indicated that the blisters of the described packages
have a rather complex structure due to the
presence of the protuberances, which negatively affects the production and
product costs.
A further known child-proof package is described in the patent application No.
WO 2017/216662 Al. The package
comprises a case adapted to receive a casing for housing products at its own
interior. The case, in the form of a hollow
casing, internally has an engagement portion which is configured for engaging
with an abutment element carried by
the container in order to allow the locking of the container itself within the
case and consequently preventing the picking
up of products. The disengagement between the case and the container occurs
following the insertion of an opening
device within the package.
A further known package is described in the patent application No. US 3 116
007 A. Such package comprises a
container with tray form configured for defining a compartment for containing
products and having a single top opening,
delimited by a free edge, through which it is possible to deposit/pick up the
products. The package comprises a case
configured for being placed outside the container in closing the top opening.
The container comprises two tabs folded
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outside the compartment starting from the free edge and which are configured
for being engaged with two respective
undercuts defined within the case. The cover comprises two through accesses
configured for allowing a user, during
a closed condition of the package, to disengage the tabs from the undercuts of
the case in order to allow the opening
of the package.
A further known package is described in the European patent application No. EP
0 571 711 A2. Such package
comprises a container configured for defining a compartment for containing
products and having a single top opening,
delimited by a free edge, through which it is possible to deposit/pick up the
products. The package also comprises a
case configured for being placed outside the container in closing the top
opening. The container comprises two through
pockets defined on the two opposite lateral walls of the container, which are
configured for engagingly receiving two
respective folded tabs defined on a free edge of the case.
The Applicant has detected that the above-described known solutions have
several limitations and therefore they can
be improved with regard to several aspects.
OBJECT OF THE FINDING
Object of the present invention is therefore that of substantially resolving
at least one of the drawbacks and/or limitations
of the preceding solutions.
One objective of the present invention is that of providing a package that is
flexible in its use, having a safety system
that is highly effective, capable of preventing the opening of the package by
children, but which simultaneously can be
easily openable by an adult. Another objective of the present invention is
that of providing a package having a structure
that can be handled with difficulty by children and hence is capable of
preventing the correct grip thereof for the opening
thereof. Another object of the present invention is that of providing a
package having a simple structure, which can be
manufactured in a quick and inexpensive manner. Another object of the present
invention is to provide a package
having a stable structure that is able to ensure its own integrity following
multiple openings and closings of the same.
These and other objects, which will be clearer from the following description,
are substantially attained by a package,
a process for making the package and a method for closing and opening the same
in accordance with that expressed
in one or more of the enclosed claims and/or of the following aspects.
SUM MARY
In one aspect, a child-proof package (100) is provided comprising:
- at least one container (1) defining a compartment (3) for housing at least
one product, said container (1) having a
predetermined number of lateral walls (4) defining an opening (5) delimited by
a free edge (6), said opening (5)
being configured for allowing the insertion and picking up of the product from
the container (1),
- at least one case (102) having a predetermined number of lateral walls (104)
defining at least one access (105)
delimited by a free edge (106) configured for allowing the passage of the
container (1), said predetermined number
of lateral walls (104) of the case (102) delimiting an internal volume (103)
configured for receiving in insertion at
least part of the container (1), wherein case (102) and container (1) are
relatively movable with respect to each
other at least between:
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o a closed condition in which the case (102) obstructs the opening of the
container (1), wherein the container (1),
in said closed condition, is at least partly arranged in the internal volume
(103),
o an open condition in which the case (102) allows the communication
between the compartment (3) and the
external environment,
- at least one safety device (11) comprising:
o at least one first coupling portion (12) carried by the case (102),
o at least one second coupling portion (13) carried by the container (1),
o at least one selector (90) carried by at least one selected between the
container (1) and the case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the selector (90),
at least in the closed condition of container
and case, is relatively movable with respect to at least one between the first
and the second coupling portion (12, 13).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector is relatively movable with respect
to at least one between the first and the second coupling portion (12, 13) at
least between:
- a first operative position in which said selector (90) allows, at least
in said closed condition, the first and the second
coupling portion (12, 13) to be stably engaged with each other to define a
locking condition of the safety device
(11).
- a second operative position in which the selector (90) prevents, at least
in said closed condition, the engagement
between the first and the second coupling portion (12, 13) in a manner such
that case and container can freely
pass from the closed condition to the open condition.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector is relatively movable with respect
to at least one between the first and the second coupling portion (12, 13) at
least between:
- a first operative position in which the selector (90) is distanced from
the first and from the second coupling portion
(12, 13) and configured for allowing the engagement of the latter,
- a second operative portion in which the selector is interposed between
said first and second coupling portions (12,
13), preventing the latter, in the closed condition of the package, from being
engaged with each other.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first and the second coupling portion (12,
13), in the first operative position of the selector, are configured for being
stably engaged with each other in order to
define a locking condition of the safety device in which said first and second
coupling portion (12, 13) are configured
for preventing case and container from passing from the closed condition to
the open condition.
In a further aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect the first coupling
portion (12) is substantially arranged
within the case (102). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the first coupling portion
is arranged at least partly in the internal volume (103).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
second coupling portion is arranged outside
the compartment (3). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects in the locking condition
said first and second coupling portions (12, 13) are configured for preventing
case and container from passing from
the closed condition to the open condition.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector (90) is arranged entirely in the
internal volume of the case (102). In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects the selector
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(90), during the movement between the first and the second operative position,
is entirely arranged in the internal
volume of the case (102). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of
the preceding aspects, the selector is
engaged with at least one lateral wall (104) of the case (102). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the selector (90) is stably only carried by at least one
lateral wall of the case (102). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the case comprises
at least one external panel (10a) and
an internal panel (10b) defining a seat (49) within which the selector (90) is
housed.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
external panel (10a) defines at least part
of a lateral wall (104) of the case (102). In a further aspect in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects the
lateral wall of the case is an external lateral wall.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
internal panel (10b) is arranged, at least
in the closed condition, in interposition between the external panel (10a) and
the container (1). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the external panel (10a) and
the internal panel (10b) are integrally
joined with a folding edge (10c) and facing each other to define a folded
portion.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
predetermined number of lateral walls
(104) of the case (102) defines a top opening delimited by the free edge
(106). In a further aspect in accordance with
any one of the preceding aspects the folding edge (10c) of the external panel
(10a) and internal panel (10b) defines at
least part of said free edge (106) of the case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
external panel (10a) and the internal panel
(10b) have, in section, a substantially "V" shape whose concavity is directed
towards the top wall (109) of the case
(102). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
the selector is entirely engaged within
the seat (49), at least partly interposed between the external panel (10a) and
the internal panel (10b). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the external panel
(10a) and the internal panel (10b) face
each other. In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the external panel (10a) and the
internal panel (10b) are extended along planes substantially parallel to each
other.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector is made of sheet material,
optionally paper.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
external panel (10a) has at least one
through opening (48) configured for allowing, in the closed condition of the
case and the container and from outside
the package, the intervention on the selector (90) in order to allow the
movement thereof from the first to the second
operative position, and vice versa. In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects the through
opening (48) is configured for placing in communication, at least in the
closed condition of container and case, the seat
(49) and the environment outside the package.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector (90) comprises a handling portion
(91) facing the through opening (48) of the case and configured for allowing
the movement of the selector itself from
the first to the second operative position, and vice versa. In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the through opening (48) is configured for allowing a user, at least
during the closed condition of container and
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case, to contact from outside the package the grip portion and to move the
selector between the first and the second
operative position, and vice versa.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector, in the second operative position,
is at least partly interposed between the first and second coupling portion
(12, 13) of the safety device (11) in order to
prevent the engagement thereof.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector, in the second operative position,
is configured for acting thrustingly against the second coupling portion (13)
carried by the container (1).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector, during the movement between
the first and the second operative position, is configured for pushing the
second coupling portion (13) close to the
compartment (3) of the container. In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects the selector,
during the movement between the first and the second operative position and
during the closed condition of the
package, is configured for relatively moving away said first and second
coupling portion (12, 13). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the selector, during the
movement between the first and the second
operative position and during the closed condition of the package, is
configured for directly moving the second coupling
portion (13) away from the first coupling portion (12).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the at
least one first coupling portion (12) is
defined on the lateral wall of the case (102) carrying the selector (90). In a
further aspect in accordance with any one
of the preceding aspects the first coupling portion (12) is defined on the
internal panel (10b). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the at least one first
coupling portion (12) is integrally joined with
the lateral wall of the case (102) directly facing (optionally directly
carrying) said selector.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
container is made of sheet material,
optionally paper. In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the case (102) is made of
sheet material, optionally paper.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first coupling portion (12) is entirely
arranged in the internal volume of the case. In a further aspect in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects
the at least one coupling portion (12) is distanced from the free edge (106)
of the case (102). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the second coupling portion
(13) is distanced from the free edge (6)
of the container (1).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first and the second coupling portion (12,
13), in the locking condition, are engaged outside the compartment (3) of the
container (1).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first and the second coupling portion (12,
13), in the locking condition, are engaged inside the internal volume (103) of
the case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
container (1), in the open condition, is
distinct and completely separate from the case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
through opening (48) is distinct and
separate from the free edge (106) of the case (102). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the through opening (48) is defined in interposition between the top
wall (109) and the free edge of the case.
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In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first coupling portion (12) comprises at
least one tab (12a) engaged with at least one lateral wall (104) of the case
(102). In a further aspect in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects the tab (12a) of the first coupling
portion (12) is substantially arranged in the
internal volume (103). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the tab (12a) of the first
coupling portion is extended from a lateral wall of the case (optionally
defining an external wall of the case) according
to a direction entering said internal volume (103).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
tab (12a) defines an undercut delimited by
at least one gripping edge (12b) placed entirely in the internal volume (103).
In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects the gripping edge (12b) of the tab is distinct
and distanced from the free edge (106) of
the access (105). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the gripping edge (12b) of
the tab (12a) of the first coupling portion (12) is at least partly tilted
with respect to the free edge (106) of the access
(105), optionally by an angle comprised between 20 and 80 , still more
optionally by an angle comprised between
30 and 70 . In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the gripping edge (12b) of the
tab (12a) of the first coupling portion (12) has a substantially "V" or "C"
shape whose concavity is directed towards the
top wall (109) of the case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first coupling portion (12) is integrally joined
with at least one lateral wall (104) of the case (102). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the first coupling portion (12) is integrally joined with at least one
lateral wall (104) of the case (102) by means
of a folding edge to define a folded portion. In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
the folding edge between first coupling portion (12) and the lateral wall with
which said portion is integrally joined,
defines at least one part of the free edge (106) of the access (105) of the
case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first coupling portion (12), optionally the
tab (12a), faces a lateral wall of the case (102). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
the first coupling portion (12), optionally the tab (12a), is extended along a
plane substantially parallel to a lying plane
of the lateral wall of the case with which said first coupling portion is
directly carried (optionally integrally joined).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
predetermined number of lateral walls
(104) of the case (102) comprises:
- a front wall (104a),
- a rear wall (104b) opposite the front wall (104b),
- a first lateral wall (104c) which connects the front and rear wall (104a,
104b),
- a second lateral wall (104d) opposite the first lateral wall and which
also connects the front and rear wall (104a,
104b).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first coupling portion (12) is engaged at
least with the front wall (104a) of the case (102). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the package comprises two first coupling portions (12) engaged with
respective lateral walls (104) of the case
(102) opposite each other. In a further aspect in accordance with any one of
the preceding aspects the package
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comprises a first coupling portion (12) carried by the front wall (104a) of
the case and a first coupling portion (12)
carried by the rear wall (104b) of the case.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the
top wall (109) of the case (102) is
configured for being abutted, in the closed condition of container and case,
against the free edge (6) of the opening (5)
in order to obstruct the latter. In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects the predetermined
number of lateral walls (104) of the case (102) emerges from a perimeter edge
from the top wall (109). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the gripping edge
(12b) of the first coupling portion (12)
is arranged in interposition between the top wall (109) and the access (105)
of the case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
second coupling portion (13) comprises at
least one panel (13a) engaged with at least one lateral wall (4) of the
container (1). In a further aspect in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects, the panel (13a) of the second coupling
portion (13) substantially emerges from
a lying plane of the lateral wall (4) of the container directly carrying said
panel (13a), according to a direction exiting
from the compartment (3).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
(13) defines an undercut delimited by at least one gripping edge (13b) placed
outside the compartment (3). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the gripping edge
(13b) of the panel (13a) is distinct and
distanced from the free edge (6) of the opening (5) of the container.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
undercut defined by the panel (13a) of the
second coupling portion (13), in the closed condition and when the selector is
arranged in the first operative position,
is stably engaged with the undercut of the tab (12a) of the first coupling
portion (12) to define said locking condition.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
(13) has a substantially triangular shape or substantially trapezoidal shape
or "V" or "C" shape. In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects at least one section of the
gripping edge (13b) of the panel (13a)
has a substantially triangular shape or substantially trapezoidal shape or "V"
or "C" shape.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects at
least one section of the gripping edge (13b)
of the panel (13a) of said second coupling portion (13) is tilted with respect
to the free edge (6) of the opening (5). In a
further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects at least
one section of the gripping edge (13b) of
the panel (13a) is tilted with respect to the free edge (6) of the container
(1) by an angle comprised between 20 and
80 , still more optionally by an angle comprised between 30 and 70 .
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
(13) is extended substantially along a plane which is tilted with respect to a
lying plane of the lateral wall (4) of the
container (1) directly carrying said panel, optionally by an angle comprised
between 1 and 30 , still more optionally
by an angle comprised between 10 and 20 . In a further aspect in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects
the tilt angle of the panel (13a) is measured between facing surfaces of the
panel (13a) and of the lateral wall of the
container directly carrying (optionally integrally joined) said panel (13a).
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In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a), in the locking condition, is
interposed between the at least one tab (12a) of the first coupling portion
(12) and the lateral wall (104) of the case
directly carrying said at least one tab.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
second coupling portion (13) is integrally
joined with at least one lateral wall (4) of the container (1).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
is joined, by means of a folding edge, to a lateral wall (4) of the container
(1) to define a folded portion, the panel (13a)
facing and at least partly superimposed on the lateral wall (4) with which it
is directly integrally joined. In a further aspect
in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the panel (13a) is
integrally joined with the lateral wall of the
container (4) essentially defining, in cooperation with the latter, a single
external lateral wall of the container. In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the panel (13a) is
made on a lateral wall (4) of the container
by means of a through cut of said lateral wall, optionally the panel (13a)
defining at least part of the lateral wall (4) of
the container with which the same panel is integrally joined. In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the panel (13a) projects from the lateral wall (4) with
which it is integrally joined according to a
direction exiting from the compartment (3).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) projects from the lateral wall
(4) with which it is integrally joined according to a direction exiting from
the compartment (3).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
safety device (11) comprises a second
coupling portion (13) for each first coupling portion (12) present on the case
(102). In a further aspect in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects the safety device (11) comprises at
least two second coupling portions (13)
engaged with at least one lateral wall (4) of the container (1). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the safety device (11) comprises a second coupling portion
(13) for each first coupling portion (12)
present on the case (102). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of
the preceding aspects the two second
coupling portions (13) are engaged with respective lateral walls (4) of the
container (1) opposite each other.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
predetermined number of lateral walls (4)
of the container (1) comprises:
- a front wall (4a),
- a rear wall (4b) opposite said front wall (4b) of the container,
- a first lateral wall (4c) which connects the front and rear wall (4a, 4b)
of the container,
- a second lateral wall (4d) opposite the first lateral wall of the container
and which also connects the front and rear
wall (4a, 4b) of the container.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
wherein, in the closed condition:
- the front walls (4a, 104a) respectively of the container and of the case
directly face each other,
- the rear walls (4b, 104b) respectively of the container and of the case
directly face each other,
- the first lateral walls (4c, 104c) respectively of the container and of the
case directly face each other,
- the second lateral walls (4b, 104d) respectively of the container and of
the case directly face each other.
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In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
predetermined number of lateral walls of
the case is at least partly counter-shaped with respect to the predetermined
number of lateral walls of the container.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
second coupling portion (13) is engaged
at least with the front wall (4a) of the container (1). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the second coupling portion (13) is engaged at least with the front
wall (4a) and with the rear wall (4b) of the
container (1).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector (90) is carried by the front wall
(104a) of the case.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
container (1) comprises a bottom wall (9),
the predetermined number of lateral walls (4) of the container (1) emerging
from a perimeter edge of the bottom wall
(9). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
the bottom wall (9), in the closed condition,
is opposite the top wall (109) of the case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the at
least one second coupling portion (13)
of the container (1) is defined in interposition between the bottom wall (9)
and the opening (5) of the container (1).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the at
least one second coupling portion (13)
of the container (1) is defined in interposition between the bottom wall (9)
and the opening (5) of the container (1). In a
further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the at
least one second coupling portion (13) of
the container (1) is defined in interposition between the bottom wall (9) and
the free edge (6) of the container (1). In a
further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the at
least one second coupling portion (13),
optionally the panel (13a), is distinct and distanced from the free edge (6)
of the opening (5) of the container (1). In a
further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the at
least one coupling portion (13), optionally
the panel (13a), is placed at a minimum distance of the free edge (6) of the
container (1) equal to or greater than 5
mm, optionally equal to or greater than 7 mm, still more optionally comprised
between 7 mm and 30 mm.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
(13) is extended starting from an attachment portion (13c) along a
longitudinal direction away from the free edge (6) of
the container (1). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the attachment portion (13c)
of the panel (13a) is integrally joined with the lateral wall (4) of the
container (1) directly carrying said panel (13a). In a
further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
attachment portion (13c) of the panel (13a) is
distanced from the free edge (6) of the container (1).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
(13) is extended length-wise starting from a lateral wall (4) of the container
(1) directly carrying said panel (optionally
starting from the attachment portion 13c) along a predetermined longitudinal
direction, wherein said panel (13a) has a
predetermined length equal to or greater than 15 mm, optionally comprised
between 15 mm and 100 mm; wherein the
predetermined length of the panel is measured along said predetermined
longitudinal direction.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
(13) is extended length-wise starting from a lateral wall (4) of the container
(1) along a predetermined longitudinal
direction, wherein the ratio between the distance present between the panel
(13a) and the free edge (6) of the container
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(1) and the length of said panel (13a) is equal to or lower than 2, optionally
comprised between 0.05 and 1, still more
optionally comprised between 0.2 and 1; wherein the predetermined length of
the panel is measured along said
predetermined longitudinal direction.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
tab (12a) faces the lateral wall of the case
directly carrying said tab. In a further aspect in accordance with any one of
the preceding aspects, the tab (12a) is tilted
with respect to the lateral wall with which it faces by an angle lower than
400, optionally comprised between 10 and
300; optionally said angle being measured between facing surfaces of the tab
(12a) and of the lateral wall of the closure
system directly carrying (optionally integrally joined) said tab (12a). In a
further aspect in accordance with any one of
the preceding aspects the tab (12a) of the first coupling portion (12) is
extended along a plane. In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the tab (12a) of the first
coupling portion (12) is extended
substantially parallel to the lateral wall (104) of the case (102) directly
carrying said tab (12a).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
(13) faces the lateral wall (4) of the container directly carrying said panel
(13a).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
panel (13a) of the second coupling portion
(13) is extended along a plane. In a further aspect in accordance with any one
of the preceding aspects the selector is
movable, between the first and the second operative position and vice versa,
along a direction substantially parallel to
a lying plane of the lateral wall (104) of the case directly carrying said
selector.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
external panel (10a), defining at least part
of a lateral wall of the case (102), lies on a plane. In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the selector substantially lying on a plane parallel to the lying
plane of the external panel (10a). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the selector is
movable, between the first and the second
operative position and vice versa, along a direction substantially parallel to
the lying plane of the external panel (10a)
of the case.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector, during the movement of the first
and second operative position and vice versa, translates relatively to the
case and to the container, substantially
maintaining a same distance from the top wall (109) of the case.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector, during the movement of the first
and second operative position and vice versa, is configured for relatively
sliding to the case in the internal volume of
the latter. In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects, the direction of movement of the
selector is substantially parallel to the folding edge (10c) of the external
and internal panels (10a, 10b).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the
selector comprises a pocket (92)
configured for:
- facing the panel (13a) of the second coupling portion (13), in the first
operative position of the selector and in the
closed condition of the package, in a manner such that the panel (13a) of the
second coupling portion (13) can be
engaged with the tab (12a) of the first coupling portion (12),
- being offset with respect to the panel (13a) of the second coupling
portion (13), in the second operative position of
the selector and in the closed condition of the package, in a manner such that
a part of the selector (90) can be
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interposed between the first and the second coupling portion (12, 13),
preventing the respective engagement
thereof.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
safety device (11) comprises a release
portion (17) configured for allowing, at least in the locking condition of the
safety device (11), intervention from outside
the package on at least one between said first and second coupling portions
(12, 13) in order to allow the
disengagement thereof and hence allow the passage of case (102) and container
(1) from the closed condition to the
open condition.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
release portion (17) is configured for
defining at least one through access (18) on the case (102). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the release portion (17), in the locking condition, is
arranged at a first and a respective second
coupling portion (12, 13). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of
the preceding aspects the release portion
(17) is configured for allowing a user, at least in the locking condition of
the safety device (11), intervention from outside
the package on at least one of said first and second coupling portion (12, 13)
manually and/or by means of an opening
device insertable through the through access (18).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
release portion (17) comprises at least
one through access (18) defined on at least one lateral wall (104) of the case
(102) and which allows the communication
between external environment and the internal volume (103). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the release portion (17), optionally the through access
(18), is configured for allowing, at least in the
locking condition of the safety device (11), intervention from outside the
package (100) directly on the second coupling
portion (13).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
through access (18) of the release portion
(17) has an open perimeter profile. In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects the through
access (18) of the release portion (17) is integrally joined with the free
edge (106) of the access (105) of the case (102)
and essentially defines a groove of said free edge (106). In a further aspect
in accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the through access (18) of the release portion (17) has a closed
perimeter profile. In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the through access (18) of
the release portion (17) is distanced from
the free edge (106) of the access (105) of the case (102). In a further aspect
in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the through access (18) of the release portion (17) is
interposed between said free edge (106) of
the access (105) and the top wall of the same case (102).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
second coupling portion (13), optionally
the panel (13a) of the second coupling portion (13), is interposed - in the
locking condition - between the release portion
(17) and the first coupling portion (12).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
through access (18) of the release portion
is configured for allowing a user, during the locking condition, to
thrustingly act directly on the panel (13a) of the second
coupling portion (13) in order to allow the disengagement with the tab (12a)
of the first coupling portion (12).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
package (100) comprises:
- two first coupling portions (12), one for each of said front and rear
wall (104a, 104b) of the case,
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- two second coupling portions (13), one for each of said front and rear
wall (4a, 4b) of the container, each of said
second coupling portions (13) being configured for cooperating with a
respective first coupling portion (12) of the
case (102),
- at least one selector (90) carried by the case (102) and placed at the
front wall (104a) of the latter,
- a release portion (17) defined on the rear wall (104b) of the case.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector (90) is configured for allowing and
preventing the engagement between the first and the second coupling portion
(12, 13) respectively carried by the front
wall (104a, 4a) of the case and of the container. In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
the release portion (17) is configured for allowing a user to intervene, from
outside the package and in the locking
condition of the latter, on at least one between the first and the second
coupling portion (12, 13) respectively carried
by the rear wall (104b, 4b) of the case and of the container.
In a further aspect, a process of making a package (100) is provided in
accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects. In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the process comprises the following
steps:
- arranging a first flat blank (50) made of sheet material, optionally made of
paper sheet material, said first blank (50)
comprising:
o a central sheet (51),
o a predetermined number of lateral sheets (52) integrally joined with the
central sheet (51) and emerging from
the latter starting from a perimeter edge,
o at least one peripheral sheet (53) engaged with at least one of said lateral
sheets (52),
- folding the predetermined number of lateral sheets (52) in order to
define the predetermined number of lateral walls
(104) of the case (102),
- defining the first coupling portion (12) of the safety device (11) by
means of the peripheral sheet (53) of the first
blank (50),
- arranging a second flat blank (70) made of sheet material, optionally made
of paper sheet material, said second
blank (70) comprising:
o a central sheet (71),
o a predetermined number of lateral sheets (72) integrally joined with the
central sheet (71) and emerging from
the latter starting from a perimeter edge,
- folding the predetermined number of lateral sheets (72) in order to define
the predetermined number of lateral walls
(4) of the container (1),
- defining, on at least one of said lateral walls (4) of the container, at
least the second coupling portion (13) of the
safety device (11),
- arranging at least one selector (90),
- engaging said selected with at least one selected between the container (1)
and the case (102).
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In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
second blank is distinct from the first blank
(50). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
the second blank is completely separate
from the first blank.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
central sheet (51) of the first blank (50)
has a rectangular shape. In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects each lateral sheet
has a rectangular shape.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
folding of the lateral sheets (52) of the first
blank (50) defines the front wall (104a), the rear wall (104b), the first and
the second lateral wall (104c, 104d) of the
case (102). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects the central sheet (51), following
the folding of the lateral sheets (52) of the first blank (50), defines the
top wall (109).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
peripheral sheet (53) of the first blank is
integrally joined with at least one lateral sheet (52) of the first blank (50)
itself, the peripheral sheet (53) of the first blank
(50) emerging from a perimeter edge of at least one lateral sheet (52) of the
first blank (50) itself on the side opposite
the central sheet (51) of the first blank.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
step of defining the first coupling portion
(12) provides for the folding of the peripheral sheet (53) of the first blank
(50) above the lateral sheet (52) of the same
first blank (50) with which said peripheral sheet (53) is integrally joined.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first blank (50) comprises at least two
peripheral sheets (53) engaged respectively with opposite lateral sheets (52)
of the first blank (50) itself with respect
to the central sheet (51).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
process comprises the following steps:
- folding and constraining each peripheral sheet (53) above the lateral
sheet with which said peripheral sheet is
directly connected, optionally integrally joined,
- subsequently folding the lateral sheets to define the lateral walls (104)
of the case (102) in a manner such that each
peripheral sheet (53) defines a respective first coupling portion (12) placed
in the internal volume of the case.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first blank (50) comprises at least one
connection sheet (55) which integrally joins two adjacent lateral sheets (52).
In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects wherein, following the folding of the lateral
sheets (52) of the first blank (50), two adjacent
lateral sheets are stably constrained, e.g. by means of gluing, in a manner
such that the case can stably maintain a
three-dimensional configuration. In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects the process
also comprises, simultaneously with the folding of the lateral sheets, the
superimposition and joining, e.g. by means of
gluing, of the connection sheet (55) to folded adjacent lateral sheets.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
central sheet (71) of the second blank (70)
has a rectangular shape. In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the second blank
(70) comprises a lateral sheet (72) for each side of the central sheet (71),
optionally each lateral sheet also has a
rectangular shape.
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In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
folding of the lateral sheets (72) of the
second blank (70) defines the front wall, the rear wall, the first and the
second lateral wall (4c, 4d) of the container (1).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
central sheet (71), following the folding of
the lateral sheets (72), of the second blank (70) defines the bottom wall (9)
of the container.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
step of defining the second coupling portion
comprises:
- arranging a peripheral sheet (73) integrally joined with at least one of
said lateral sheets (72) of the second blank
(70), said peripheral sheet (73) of the second blank (70) emerging from a
perimeter edge of at least one lateral
sheet (72) of the second blank (70) itself on the side opposite the central
sheet (51) of the second blank,
- folding said peripheral sheet (73) above said lateral sheets (72) of the
same second blank (70) with which said
peripheral sheet (73) is integrally joined,
- constraining, e.g. by means of gluing, said peripheral sheet folded on
the lateral sheet (72) of the same second
blank (70) with which said peripheral sheet (73) is integrally joined.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects,
wherein the step of defining the second
coupling portion (13) comprises a step of executing a through notch (76) of
one of said lateral sheets (72) of the second
blank (70) in order to define, directly on said lateral sheet, the panel (13a)
of the second coupling portion (13).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
second blank (70) comprises at least one
connection sheet (75) which integrally joins two adjacent lateral sheets (72).
In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects wherein, following the folding of the lateral
sheets (72) of the second blank (70), two
adjacent lateral sheets are stably constrained, e.g. by means of gluing, in a
manner such that the container (1) can
stably maintain a three-dimensional configuration. In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding
aspects wherein the process also comprises, simultaneously with the folding of
the lateral sheets (72) of the second
blank, the superimposition and joining, e.g. by means of gluing, of the
connection sheet (75) to folded adjacent lateral
sheets (72).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the
folding of the peripheral sheet of the first
blank (50) above at least the lateral wall defining the external panel and the
internal panel.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
peripheral sheet (53) defines said internal
panel (10b) while the lateral sheet of the first blank, with which said
peripheral sheet is directly integrally joined, defines
said external panel (10a). In a further aspect in accordance with any one of
the preceding aspects wherein, before the
definition of the external and internal panels, the process provides for the
positioning of the selector above the lateral
wall of the first blank directly integrally joined with the peripheral sheet,
the selector, following the folding of the
peripheral sheet, situated interposed between external and internal panels
(10a, 10b).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
step of defining the first coupling portion
(12) comprises the execution of a through notch (58) of a peripheral sheet
(53) in order to define, directly on said
peripheral sheet, the tab (12a), optionally defining the gripping edge (12b),
of the first coupling portion (12).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
process also comprises a step of defining
on the lateral sheet (52) of the first blank (50), directly joined with the
peripheral sheet (53), at least one through cut
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(57) adapted to define the through opening (48) of the case (102) through
which it is possible to contact and move the
selector.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
step of arranging the selector (90)
comprises a step of cutting a base semifinished sheet made of sheet material,
optionally flat. In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the cutting step defines the
shape of the selector together with the
shape of the pocket (92).
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
selector (90) following its formation is
inserted in interposition between a lateral sheet (52) and a peripheral sheet
(53) of the first blank that are folded
together, optionally the selector being situated between an external lateral
wall of the case defined by the folded lateral
sheet (52) and the internal panel (10b) of the same case defined by the folded
peripheral sheet (53). In a further aspect
in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects following the folding of
the lateral sheet (52) and of the peripheral
sheet (53), integrally joined with said lateral sheet, said sheets are
constrained with each other by gluing, said glued
sheets defining the seat (49) within which the selector (90) is engaged.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
first blank (50) comprises a first and a
second auxiliary sheet (79a, 79b) integrally joined with each other and
emerging from a lateral sheet (52) on the side
opposite the central sheet (51) of the first blank,
wherein the first auxiliary sheet (79a) is interposed between the second
auxiliary sheet (79b) and the lateral sheet (52)
of the first blank,
the selector (90) is obtained by means of a step of notching the second
auxiliary sheet (79b). In a further aspect in
accordance with any one of the preceding aspects following the notch of the
second auxiliary sheet (79b), said second
sheet (79b) is folded on the first auxiliary sheet (79a), the first and the
second superimposed auxiliary sheet are in turn
folded on the lateral sheet (52) in a manner such that said lateral sheet can
define an external lateral wall (104) of the
case (102) while the first auxiliary sheet (79a) defines the internal panel
(10b) of the same case.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
process provides for at least one step of
arranging at least one release portion (17). In a further aspect in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects
the step of arranging the release portion (17) comprises at least one step of
defining a notch (59) of at least one lateral
sheet (52) of the first blank configured for defining the through access (18).
In a further aspect in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects the notch (59) is of the type passing through the
lateral wall (52), said notch being
executed on the lateral wall (52) directly integrally joined with a peripheral
sheet (53).
In a further aspect, a method is provided for closing a package in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects said
closing method comprises the following
steps:
- positioning the case (102) outside the container (1) in a manner such that
the latter can be at least partly housed
in the internal volume of the case (102),
- moving the case (102) and the container (1) relatively with respect to each
other to define the closed condition,
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- arranging the selector (90) in the first operative position so as to
allow the engagement of at least one first coupling
portion (12) with at least one second coupling portion (13) of the safety
device (11) in order to define the locking
condition.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
wherein - before the step of positioning the
case (102) outside the container (1) - said case and container are completely
separate and distinct from each other. In
a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
relative movement between case and
container provides for the relative translation of the case (102) with respect
to the container up to an end stop position
wherein the top wall (109) of the case (102) is abutted against the free edge
(6) of the container (1). In a further aspect
in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects wherein, in the end stop
position, the free edge (106) of the case
(102) is arranged at the bottom wall (9) of the container (1). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of the
preceding aspects the selector is arranged in the first operative position
before the definition of the closed condition.
In a further aspect a method for opening a package is provided in accordance
with any one of the preceding aspects.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
opening method comprises the following
steps:
- moving, in the locking condition and from outside the package (100), the
selector (90) from the first to the second
operative position so as to disengage the first and the second coupling
portion (12, 13),
- following the step of disengaging the first and the second coupling
portion (12, 13), relatively moving away the
container (1) and the case (102) up to reaching the open condition of the
package.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
step of movement of the selector occurs
from outside the package (100) through the through opening (48). In a further
aspect in accordance with any one of
the preceding aspects the disengagement step provides for the thrust of the
second coupling portion (13) of the
container (1) close to the compartment (3) by means of the selector.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
opening method comprises the following
steps:
- contacting, in the locking condition and from outside the package (100), at
least one between the first and the
second coupling portion (12, 13) through the release portion (17),
- disengaging the first and the second coupling portion (12, 13),
- following the step of disengaging the first and the second coupling
portion (12, 13), relatively moving away the
container (1) and the case (102) up to reaching the open condition of the
package.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects
wherein, the step of contacting at least one
between the first and the second coupling portion (12, 13) comprises at least
one between the following sub-steps:
- inserting at least one opening device through the through access (18) of
the release portion (17),
- manually contacting at least one between the first and the second
coupling portion (12, 13), for example by means
of insertion of a finger of a user through the through access (18) of the
release portion (17),
- deforming a thrust portion of the same case (102) in a manner such that such
thrust portion can contact at least
one between the first and the second coupling portion (12, 13).
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In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the
disengagement step comprises the thrust
of the second portion of the container (1) close to the compartment (3),
optionally by means of a manual intervention
of a user or by means of an opening device.
In a further aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects the
opening of the package (100) provides for
the movement of the selector into the second operative position and the
intervention of the user on at least one between
said first and second coupling portion (12, 13) through said release portion
(17).
In a further aspect, a use of the package is provided in accordance with any
one of the preceding aspects for containing
products comprising at least one selected in the group from among: drugs,
cosmetics, detergents for linens/sheets,
detergents for dishes, foods, cigars, cigarettes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Several embodiments and several aspects of the finding will be described
hereinbelow with reference to the enclosed
drawings, provided only as a non-limiting example wherein:
¨ figures 1 and 2 respectively illustrate a blank for making a case and a
container of a package in accordance with
the present invention;
¨ figure 3 is a perspective view of a case of a package in accordance with
the present invention;
¨ figure 4 is a perspective view of a container of a package in accordance
with the present invention adapted to
cooperate with a case in accordance with figure 3;
¨ figure 5 is a perspective view of a case of a package in accordance with
the present invention;
- figure 6 is a perspective view of a container of a package in accordance
with the present invention adapted to
cooperate with a case in accordance with figure 5;
¨ figures da 7 and 8A are cross sections of a package in accordance with
the present invention illustrated in different
operative conditions;
¨ figure 9 is a sectional view, according to the trace IX-IX, of the
package of figure 7;
- figure 10 is a sectional view, according to the trace X-X, of the package of
figure 8;
¨ figures 11 and 12 are schematic views of a container of a package in
accordance with the present invention,
¨ figures 13 and 14 are schematic views of further blanks for making a case
and a container of a package in
accordance with the present invention;
¨ figure 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a case of a
package in accordance with the present
invention;
¨ figure 16 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a container of
a package in accordance with the present
invention;
¨ figure 17 illustrates a package in a closed condition;
¨ figure 18 schematically illustrates a step of a method for opening a
package in accordance with the present
invention.
DEFINITIONS AND CONVENTIONS
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It is observed that in the present detailed description, corresponding parts
illustrated in the various figures are indicated
with the same numeric references. The figures could illustrate the object of
the invention by means of representations
that are not in scale; therefore, parts and components illustrated in the
figures relative to the object of the invention
might only regard schematic representations.
With the term "product" it is intended an article or a compound of articles of
any kind. For example, the product can be
in the solid state, liquid state or in gel form, or in the form of two or more
of the aforesaid aggregation states. The
product can also be intended as a package, e.g. a blister, carrying a
plurality of articles. The product can comprise:
The product can comprise: drugs, cosmetic products, capsules for dishwashers
and washing machines, cleaning
products for the home and for linens/sheets (e.g. detergents), foods and
cigarettes.
With the term "paper material" it is intended paper or cardboard, e.g. having
at least 50% by weight, optionally at least
70% by weight, of organic material comprising one or more from among
cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, lignin
derivatives. The paper material can be made of sheet material having a basis
weight comprised between 100 and 500
g/m2. The paper sheet material can be covered at least partly by means of a
coating made of plastic material, e.g. a
film, whose object is that of: reinforcing the paper sheet material, defining
a water and/or moisture barrier. The coating
can have a thickness variable between 10 and 50 pm and can be made with one or
more of the following materials:
LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.
The term "blank" refers to a flat semifinished product made of sheet material,
for example made of paper sheet material,
foldable on itself in order to make the package. The blank can be made of a
single piece and obtainable by means of
die cutting a single sheet.
With the expression "folded configuration of the blank" it is intended a
configuration in which the blank has been folded
to form the container.
With the term "sheet material" it is intended a material that has two
dimensions, for example the length and the width,
considerably greater than a third dimension, such as the thickness.
With the term "opening device" it is intended any one tool usable by a user
for opening the package. For example, the
opening device can comprise at least one selected from the group between: a
body made of sheet material e.g. a
payment card, a loyalty card or a suitable key), an elongated body (e.g. a pen
or a suitable key).
With the term "manually intervening" or "manual intervention" referred to the
user, it is intended a manual action
performed by the user without the aid of tools, such as an opening device.
With manual action it is therefore intended
the intervention of the user by means of his/her hands directly on the
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Package 100
With 100, a child-proof package for containing products was indicated in its
entirety. Such package can have application
in the fields which require, for safety reasons, preventing the opening of the
same package by children; for example,
the package 100 can be employed for containing: drugs, cosmetics, cleaning
products (detergents for linens/sheets
and dishes), foods and tobacco-based products (cigars and cigarettes).
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As is visible from figures 3 to 8, the package 100 comprises a container 1
made of sheet material, e.g. made of paper
material, defining a compartment 3 for housing at least one product. The
container 1 has a predetermined number of
lateral walls 4 defining at least one opening 5 delimited by a free edge 6:
the opening 5 is configured for allowing the
insertion and picking up of the product from the container 1.
The container 1 can have a quadrangular prismatic shape as illustrated in the
enclosed figures, even if not excluding
the possibility to make a container 1 having different shape, e.g. square,
trapezoidal or cylindrical shape. In detail, the
container 1 can comprise a front lateral wall 4a and a rear lateral wall 4b
facing and parallel to each other: the front
wall 4a and the rear wall 4b are connected to each other by means of a first
and a second lateral wall 4c, 4d, also
facing and parallel to each other. the front wall 4a is distanced from and
opposite the rear wall 4b; the first and second
lateral wall 4c, 4d are also distanced and opposite each other. The ends of
the front, rear and lateral walls (4a, 4b, 4c,
4d) define the opening 5, delimited by the free edge 6.
The container 1 also comprises a bottom wall 9 having rectangular shape and
from which, starting from a perimeter
edge of the bottom wall 9, the lateral walls 4 and in particular the front
wall 4a, the rear wall 4b and the first and second
lateral walls 4c, 4d emerge. The container 1 then comprises a single opening 5
defined opposite the bottom wall 9.
However, the possibility of making a container 1 having two or more openings 5
cannot be excluded. The compartment
3 of the container can have a volume greater than 40 cm3, optionally greater
than 100 cm3 as a function of the products
to be contained. For example, if the container 1 is used for containing medium-
size products, the compartment 3 can
have a volume comprised between 800 and 1400 cm3. For large-size products, the
compartment 3 can reach volumes
greater than 10,000 cm3.
The package 100 also comprises a case 102, that can also be made of sheet
material, e.g. paper, and having a
predetermined number of lateral walls 104 defining at least one access 105
delimited by a free edge 106 configured
for allowing the passage of the container 1. The predetermined number of
lateral walls 104 of the case 102 delimits an
internal volume 103 configured for receiving at least part of the container 1;
in fact, the access 105 is configured for
placing in communication the internal volume 103 with the external
environment, as well as allowing the insertion and
the removal of the container 1 from said internal volume 103.
The case 102 and the container 1 are defined by elements that are distinct and
completely separable from each other,
as schematized in figure 2. In particular, case 102 and container 1 are
relatively movable with respect to each other at
least between:
- a closed condition in which the case 102 obstructs the opening 5 of
the container 1, and
- an open condition in which the case 102 allows the communication between the
compartment 3 and the external
environment.
The relative movement between case and container can be obtained by moving
both the parts, i.e. both the case and
the container or it can be obtained by means of the movement of only one of
the parts: for example it is possible to
maintain the container fixed and only move the case relative to the container.
In detail, the container 1, in the closed
condition (schematized for example in figures 7-10, 18), is at least partly
arranged in the internal volume 103: the case
102, in such condition, prevents the insertion and picking up of products from
the container. In the open condition, the
case 102 is completely separate (distanced) from the container 1 as visible
for example in figure 2. During the passage
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from the closed condition to the open condition, and vice versa, container 1
and case relatively slide with respect to
each other close to or away from each other: during such relative movement,
the container is placed at least partly
within the case and relatively translates (by movement of at least one between
said container and case) in a manner
such that the bottom wall 9 of the container 1 and the top wall 109 of the
case 102 are moved close to or away from
each other.
The case 102 has a structure at least partly counter-shaped with respect to
the container 1 in a manner such that, in
the closed condition, the case 102 is fit outside the container 1. In detail,
the case 102 comprises a front wall 104a and
a rear wall 104b opposite each other and connected by means of a first and a
second lateral wall 104c and 104d, also
distanced and opposite each other. In detail, also the case 102 has a
rectangular prismatic shape: the front wall 104a
and the rear wall 104b (with square or rectangular shape) are facing and
parallel to each other and connected to each
other by means of the first and of the second lateral wall 104c,104d (with
square or rectangular shape) also facing and
parallel to each other. In the closed condition:
- the front walls 4a, 104a, respectively of the container and of the case,
directly face each other,
- the rear walls 4b, 104b, respectively of the container and of the case,
directly face each other,
- the first lateral walls 4c, 104c, respectively of the container and of the
case, directly face each other,
- the second lateral walls 4b, 104d, respectively of the container and of
the case, directly face each other.
However, the possibility of making a case 102 having different form, e.g. with
trapezoidal section, cannot be excluded.
As is visible for example from figures 3, 5, 7, 8, 15, 17 and 18, the case 102
also comprises a top wall 109 having
rectangular shape and from which, starting from a perimeter edge of the top
wall 109, the lateral walls 104 and in
particular the front wall 104a, the rear wall 104b and the first and second
lateral walls 104c, 104d emerge. The case
102 then comprises a single access 105 defined opposite the top wall 109.
However, the possibility of making a case
102 having two or more accesses 105 cannot be excluded; for example, the case
102 could have an access 105 on at
least one of the lateral walls 104c, 104d of the same case 102. The top wall
109 is configured for being abutted, in the
closed condition, against the free edge 6 of the opening 5 in order to
obstruct the latter, as is visible in figure 6.
As mentioned above, the case 102 is counter-shaped with respect to the
container 1. The counter-shaped configuration
of container 1 and case 102 allows the lateral walls of the case 102 to slide
(relatively) externally side-by-side the
lateral walls 4 of the container 1 during the passage from the closed
condition to the open condition and vice versa. In
order to allow such relative movement, the case 102 has a size slightly
greater than the container 1, sufficient to allow
the insertion of the latter in the internal volume 103.
As is visible for example in figures 9, 10 and 15, the case 102 comprises at
least one external panel 10a and an internal
panel 10b defining a seat 49 within which a selector 90 is housed, which will
be better described in the following detailed
description.
At least one lateral wall 104 of the case 102, in particular at least one
between the front wall 104a and the rear wall
140c, is defined by the external panel 10a. It is useful to observe that the
internal panel 10b is arranged, at least in the
closed condition of the case 102 and of the container 1, in interposition
between the container 1 and the external panel
10a with which it is integrally joined at a folding edge 10c. The external and
internal panels 10a, 10b directly face each
other. The external panel 10a and the internal panel 10b therefore define a
folded portion along the folding edge 10c,
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the latter defining at least part of said free edge 106 of the case 102. In
fact, usually the external panel 10a defines at
least one part of a lateral wall 104 of the case 102: the internal wall 10b is
at least partly arranged in the internal volume
103.
The external panel 10a has at least one through opening 48 configured for
allowing, in the closed condition of the case
102 and of the container 1, intervention from outside the container on the
selector 90. The through opening 48 is hence
configured for placing in communication, at least in the closed condition of
container and case, the seat 49 and the
environment outside the package 100.
The package 100 also comprises a safety device 11 comprising:
- at least one first coupling portion 12 carried by the case 102 and which
is arranged at least partly in the internal
volume 103,
- at least one second coupling portion 13 carried by the container 1 and
arranged outside the compartment 3.
The first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 are configured for being
stably engaged with each other outside the
container 1, in the closed condition, to define a locking condition of the
safety device 11 in which the first and second
coupling portion 12, 13 prevent container and case from passing from the
closed condition to the open condition. The
at least one first coupling portion 12 is engaged with at least one lateral
wall 104 of the case 102 carrying the selector
90: for example, the coupling portion can be defined on the internal panel
10b. The first coupling portion 12 can
comprise at least one tab 12a projecting from the lateral wall 104 to define
an undercut delimited by at least one
gripping edge 12b placed entirely in the internal volume 103, distinct and
distanced from the free edge 106 of the
access 105. The gripping edge 12b of the tab 12a is at least partly tilted
with respect to the free edge 106 of the access
105, optionally by an angle comprised between 20 and 80 , still more
optionally by an angle comprised between 30
and 70 . In detail, the tab 12a is extended along a plane and directly faces
the lateral wall 104 of the case directly
carrying the tab 12a. The tab 12a can be parallel or at least partly tilted
with respect to the lateral wall 104 directly
carrying said tab 12a.
In the enclosed figures, a first coupling portion 12 (at least one tab 12a) is
illustrated, directly integrally joined with at
least one lateral wall 104 by means of a folding edge to define a folded
portion. In fact, the tab 12a is made in a single
piece with a lateral wall 104 and folded with respect to the latter in a
manner such that the tab is at least partly
superimposed and faces the lateral wall 104 with which said tab is directly
connected (integrally joined). In such
configuration, the folding edge joining the tab 12a and the lateral wall 104,
defines at least part of the free edge 106 of
the access 105. Even if the tab 12a is integrally joined with the lateral wall
104, only a part of this defines the undercut
adapted to cooperate with the second coupling portion 13: the gripping edge
12b is always distinct and distanced from
the free edge 106 of the access 105.
In fact, the at least one tab 12a of the first coupling portion is entirely
directly facing the lateral wall 104 of the case
directly carrying said tab 12a: the tab 12a is entirely superimposed on said
lateral wall 104 of the case 102 directly
integrally joined with the tab, and distanced from the free edge 106. On the
other side, the gripping edge 12b of each
first coupling portion 12 is arranged in interposition between the top wall
109 and the access 105 of the case 102.
As mentioned above, the safety device 11 can comprise at least one first
coupling portion 12. In detail, the safety
device 11 can comprise at least one of the following:
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- at least one of said first coupling portion 12 carried by the front wall
104a of the case 102,
- at least one of said first coupling portion 12 carried by the rear wall
104b of the case 102,
- at least one of said first coupling portion 12 carried by the first
lateral wall 104c of the case 102,
- at least one of said first coupling portion 12 carried by the second
lateral wall 104c of the case 102.
In the enclosed figures a non-limiting configuration of the invention is
illustrated, in which the safety device 11 comprises
a first coupling portion 12 carried by the front wall 104a and at least one
respective first coupling portion 12 carried by
the rear wall 104b: said first coupling portions 12 are placed opposite each
other. Of course, the possibility of arranging
two or more first coupling portions on the same lateral wall and/or at least
one first coupling portion for each lateral wall
104 of the case 102 cannot be excluded.
As mentioned above, the safety device 11 also comprises at least one second
coupling portion 13. In particular, the
safety device 11 could comprise only one second coupling portion 13 configured
for cooperating with one or more of
said first coupling portions 12. As an alternative, the safety device 11 can
comprise a second coupling portion 13 for
each first coupling portion 12 (non-limiting configuration illustrated in the
enclosed figures).
The second coupling portion 13 is engaged with at least one lateral wall 4 of
the container 1 and emerges from the
latter according to a direction exiting with respect to the compartment 3. The
second coupling portion 13 comprises at
least one panel 13a projecting from the lateral wall 4 to define an undercut
delimited by at least one gripping edge 13b
placed outside the compartment 3, distinct and distanced from the free edge 6
of the opening 5. The panel 13a has a
substantially triangular shape or substantially trapezoidal shape or
substantially "V" or "C" shape: in which the gripping
edge 13b has at least one section, optionally two rectilinear sections, tilted
with respect to the free edge 6 of the opening
5 optionally by an angle comprised between 20 and 80 , still more optionally
by an angle comprised between 30 and
70 . In more detail, the free edge 13b of the panel 13a has a substantially
"V" or "C" shape whose concavity is directed
towards the free edge 6 of the container. In detail, the panel 13a is extended
along a plane and directly faces the lateral
wall 4 of the container 1 directly carrying the panel 13a; the panel 13a can
be tilted with respect to the lateral wall 4
directly carrying said panel 13a by an angle lower than 40 , optionally by an
angle comprised between 1 and 30 .
The angle is measured between the surface of the panel 13a directly facing the
lateral wall 4 and the same lateral wall
4 of the container 1 directly carrying (directly integrally joined) said panel
13a.
The second coupling portion 13 can comprise a panel 13a directly integrally
joined with at least one of said lateral walls
4 of the container 1 and at least partly folded above the latter. The panel
13a is at least partly superimposed and facing
the lateral wall 4 with which said panel 13a is directly connected (integrally
joined). Even if the panel 13a is integrally
joined with the lateral wall 4, only a part of said panel 13a defines the
undercut adapted to cooperate with the first
coupling portion 12: the gripping edge 13b is always distinct and distanced
from the free edge 6 of the opening 5. In
fact, in such configuration the at least one panel 13a of the second coupling
portion 13 directly and entirely faces the
lateral wall 4 of the container directly carrying said panel 13a: the panel
13a is entirely superimposed on the lateral wall
4 of the container 1 directly integrally joined with the panel 13a, and
distanced from the free edge 6.
The second coupling portion 13 can be obtained directly on the lateral wall
(external wall of the container) by means
of a through cut operation of said lateral wall 4: in this manner, on said
lateral wall is is possible to extract the panel
13a which projects with respect to said lateral wall as illustrated for
example in figures 4, 11, 12 and 16. In such
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configuration, the entire panel 13a can be extended from the lateral wall 4,
distanced from the free edge 6, away from
the latter by an angle lower than 400, optionally comprised between 10 and
300, with respect to the lateral wall 4 from
which the same panel 13a has been obtained. Indeed, also in such configuration
(figure 4A), the panel 13a is defined
at least partly within a through notch of the lateral wall 4; the panel 13a
has an attachment portion 13c distanced from
the free edge and integrally joined with the lateral wall 4: the panel is
extended from said attachment portion 13c away
from the free edge 6 of the container. In detail, the coupling portion 13,
optionally the panel 13a, is placed at a minimum
distance of the free edge 6 of the container 1 equal to or greater than 5 mm,
optionally equal to or greater than 7 mm,
still more optionally comprised between 7 mm and 30 mm. Indeed, the minimum
distance is measured (defined) by the
attachment portion 13c of the panel 13a to the free edge 6.
Each second coupling portion 13 comprises one and only one panel 13a having a
substantially triangular shape or in
any case pointed shape adapted to cooperate with the first coupling portion
12. The safety device 11 can comprise at
least one second coupling portion 13. In detail, the safety device 11 can
comprise at least one from among the following:
- at least one of said second coupling portion 13 carried by the front wall
4a of the container 1,
- at least one of said second coupling portion 13 carried by the rear wall
4b of the container 1,
- at least one of said second coupling portion 13 carried by the first lateral
wall 4c container 1,
- at least one of said second coupling portion 13 carried by the second
lateral wall 4c of the container 1.
In the enclosed figures a non-limiting configuration of the invention is
illustrated, in which the safety device 11 comprises
a second coupling portion 13 carried by the front wall 4a and a respective
second coupling portion 13 carried by the
rear wall 4b: said second coupling portions 13 are placed opposite each other.
In a non-limiting embodiment, the panel 13a can comprise, as shown in figure
6, at least two portions 13a' and 13a"
each configured for being engaged respectively with one of said tabs 12a. The
portions 13a' and 13a" also have a
substantially triangular shape or substantially trapezoidal shape. The
gripping edge 13b of each of said portions 13a',
13a" defines a gripping edge having substantially "V" shape whose concavity is
directed towards the free edge 6 of the
opening 5. The portions 13a' and 13a" are side-by-side each other.
Each panel 13a can be extended length-wise starting from a lateral wall 4
(optionally starting from the attachment
portion 13c) of the container along a predetermined longitudinal direction. To
define a predetermined length of the
panel 13a equal to or greater than 15 mm, optionally comprised between 15 mm
and 100 mm; in which the
predetermined length of the panel 13a is measured along said predetermined
longitudinal direction. The ratio between
the distance present between the panel 13a and the free edge 6 of the
container 1 and the length of said panel 13a is
equal to or lower than 2, optionally comprised between 0.05 and 1, still more
optionally comprised between 0.2 and 1;
in which the predetermined length of the panel is measured along said
predetermined longitudinal direction.
In the configuration illustrated in the enclosed figures, the second coupling
portion 13 carried by the front wall 4a of the
container 1 is configured for cooperating, in the closed condition, with the
first coupling portion 12 carried by the front
wall 104a of the case while the second coupling portion 13 carried by the rear
wall 4b of the container 1 is configured
for cooperating, in the closed condition, with the first coupling portion 12
carried by the rear wall 104b of the case.
In the closed condition the undercut defined by the panel 13a of the second
coupling portion 13 is stably engaged with
the undercut of the tab 12a of the first coupling portion 12 to define said
locking condition. In the locking condition, the
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safety device prevents case and container from passing from the closed
condition to the open condition. In fact, due
to the presence of the first and second coupling portion, the safety device 11
stably maintains the package in the closed
condition, preventing the access from outside to the products housed in the
container 1.
In figure 9, the engagement between the first and second coupling portion 12,
13 (locking condition of the safety device
11) is schematically illustrated; as is visible, in the locking condition, the
second coupling portion 13 is interposed
between the first coupling portion 12 and the lateral wall 104 of the case
102, carrying said first coupling portion, to
define an undercut adapted to limit the moving away movement between case 102
and container 1 so as to prevent
the passage from the closed condition to the open condition.
As mentioned above, the panel 13a has, at least partly, a substantially "V"
shape whose pointed portion is directed
away from the free edge 6. The pointed (end) portion of the "V" is configured
for defining an introduction portion adapted
to facilitate the engagement with the first coupling portion 12.
As mentioned above, the package 100 comprises at least one selector 90 made of
sheet material, optionally paper,
carried by at least one between the container 1 and the case 102 and movable
at least between a first and a second
operative position.
In the first operative position the selector 90 allows, upon verifying the
closed condition of container 1 and case 102,
the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 to be stably engaged with
each other to define a locking condition of
the safety device 11 in which said first and second coupling portion 12, 13
prevent case and container from passing
from the closed condition to the open condition. Vice versa, in the second
operative position the selector 90 prevents,
upon verifying the closed condition of container 1 and case 102, the
engagement between the first and the second
coupling portion 12, 13 in a manner such that case and container can freely
pass from the closed condition to the open
condition.
It is useful to observe that the selector 90 is arranged, during the movement
between the first and the second operative
position, within the internal volume of the case 102. The selector 90 is at
least partly engaged and stably carried by at
least one lateral wall of the case 102. In detail, the selector 90 is entirely
engaged within the seat 49, hence lying in
interposition between the external panel 10a and the internal panel 10b.
The selector 90 comprises a handling portion 91 directly facing the through
opening 48 of the case and configured for
allowing a user, at least during the closed condition of container and case,
to contact the grip portion from outside the
package and to move the selector between the first and the second operative
position, and vice versa. During such
movement, taking place within the internal volume of the case, the selector 90
translates, maintaining substantially a
same distance from the top wall 109 of the case, along a direction
substantially parallel to the lying plane of the external
panel 10a of the case 102, in particular substantially parallel to the folding
edges 10c of the external and internal panels
10a, 10b. Finally, it is useful to observe that the selector 90, during the
movement between the first and the second
operative position, is configured for pushing the second coupling portion 13
close to the compartment 3 of the container
1, allowing the passage of the case and of the storage from the closed
condition to the open condition. The selector
90, in the second operative position, acts thrustingly against the second
coupling portion in interposition between the
first and the second coupling portion 12, 13. In said position, the selector
90 prevents, following the at least partial
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introduction of the container 1 within the internal volume of the case 102,
the engagement between the first and the
second coupling portion 12, 13 and consequently the verification of the
locking condition of the safety device 11.
In detail, the selector comprises a pocket 92 configured for:
- facing the panel 13a of the second coupling portion 13, in the first
operative position of the selector and in the
closed condition of the package, in a manner such that the panel 13a of the
second coupling portion 13 can be
engaged with the tab 12a of the first coupling portion 12,
- being offset with respect to the panel 13a of the second coupling portion
13, in the second operative position of the
selector and in the closed condition of the package, in a manner such that a
part of the selector 90 can be interposed
between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13, preventing the
respective engagement thereof.
In fact, the pocket 92 defines a passage which allows the panel 13a of the
second coupling portion 13 to reach, when
the selector is in the first operative position, the tab 12a in order to allow
the engagement thereof. In the enclosed
figures, a selector 90 is illustrated having, in a non-limiting manner, a
pocket 92 substantially counter-shaped with
respect to the panel 13a.
The package 100 can also comprise a further safety device 11 also comprising
at least one release portion 17
configured for defining at least one through access 18 on at least one lateral
wall 104 of the case 102, at the first and
second coupling portion 12, 13: the release portion 17 is configured for
allowing, at least in the locking condition of the
safety device 11, the direct access from outside the package to at least one
between said first and second coupling
portion 12, 13 in order to allow the disengagement thereof and hence allow the
passage of case 102 and container
from the closed condition to the open condition. In detail, the release
portion 17 is configured for allowing a user, at
least in the locking condition of the safety device 11, intervention from
outside the package 100 directly on at least one
of said first and second coupling portion 12, 13 manually and/or by means of
an opening device insertable through the
through access 18 definable by said release portion. In still more detail, the
release portion 17 is configured for allowing,
at least in the locking condition of the safety device 11, intervention from
outside the package 100 directly on the panel
13a of at least one of said second coupling portions 13. The release portion
17 can comprise, in a non-limiting manner,
a through access 18 defined on at least one lateral wall 104 of the case 102:
the through access 18 is configured for
allowing the communication between the external environment and the internal
volume 103 and specifically allows a
user to reach the panel 13a in the locking condition of the safety device 11
and hence in the closed condition of the
case and the container. Alternatively, the release portion 17 could comprise a
deformable portion placed, in the locking
condition, in front of the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13: in
such configuration, the release portion 17
essentially comprises a thrust portion configured for being moved (manually by
the user or by means of an opening
device) between a thrust condition and a rest condition. In the rest
condition, the thrust portion is distanced from the
safety device, while in the thrust condition the thrust portion operates on
the safety device in order to allow the
disengagement between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 and
consequently the passage of case and
container from the closed condition to the open condition. In the thrust
condition, the thrust portion contacts the second
coupling portion 13 and allows the disengagement thereof with respect to the
first coupling portion 12. In fact, the thrust
portion can functionally act as a button. The thrust of a finger of a user on
the thrust portion according to a direction
entering the package allows the thrust portion to come into contact with the
second coupling portion 13, disengaging it
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from the undercut of the first coupling portion 12. The thrust portion can be
reversibly movable between the thrust
condition and the rest condition. For such purpose, the thrust portion can be
elastically deformable between the thrust
condition and the rest condition.
The release portion 17, optionally the through access 18, is defined in
interposition between the two tabs of the first
coupling portion 12: the two tabs 12a are positioned symmetrically with
respect to the release portion 17. Still in the
locking condition, the second coupling portion 13, optionally the panel of the
second coupling portion 13, is interposed
between the release portion 17 and the first coupling portion 12. The release
portion (optionally the through access 18)
allows the user - by means of a direct manual action or by means of the
insertion of an opening device ¨ to push the
panel 13a of the second coupling portion 13 against the lateral wall 4 of the
container carrying said portion in a manner
such to cause the disengagement with the at least one tab 12a of the first
coupling portion 12. The opening device can
be part of the package 100.
The package 100 can comprise two first coupling portions defined on opposite
walls of the case and two respective
second coupling portions defined at opposite lateral walls of the container;
the package can also comprise a selector
90, for one of said first and second coupling portions, and a release portion
17, for the other between said first and
second coupling portions. In such configuration in order to allow the opening
of the package, the user will have to move
the selector 90 from the first to the second operative position and also
intervene through the release portion on said
first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 placed in proximity to said
release portion. In other words, the latter
described configuration has a double lock and two different means for opening
the package.
Manufacturing process
Also forming the object of the present invention is a process for making a
package 100 in accordance with one or more
of the enclosed claims and/or in accordance with the above-reported
description.
The process provides for arranging the case 102 attainable by means of a first
flat blank 50 made of sheet material,
optionally paper. The first blank 50 comprises:
- a central sheet 51,
- a predetermined number of lateral sheets 52 integrally joined with the
central sheet 51 and emerging from the latter
starting from a perimeter edge,
- at least one peripheral sheet 53 engaged with at least one of said
lateral sheets 52.
The central sheet 51 has a polygonal shape, optionally rectangular or square.
From each side of the central sheet 51,
a lateral sheet 52 is extended, also having a polygonal shape, optionally
rectangular or square.
The arranging of the case 102 comprises the sub-step of folding the
predetermined number of lateral sheets 52 in
order to define the predetermined number of lateral walls 104 of the case 102.
In detail, the lateral sheets are folded
with respect to the central sheet 51 in a manner such that from the flat blank
it is possible to obtain a case having three-
dimensional conformation. The lateral sheets 52 are constrained with each
other in a manner such that the case 102
can maintain its three-dimensional form; the lateral sheets 52 can be
constrained directly with each other by means of
glue or any one adhesive material. Alternatively, the blank 50 can be provided
with at least one connection sheet 55
which integrally joins two adjacent lateral sheets 52 (figures 2, 13); in such
configuration, the process - simultaneously
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with the folding of the lateral sheets 52 ¨ provides for the superimposition
and joining, e.g. by means of gluing, of the
connection sheet 55 to folded adjacent lateral sheets: in this manner, the
case can maintain its three-dimensional form
with the lateral sheets 52 which define the lateral walls 104 and the central
sheet to define the top wall 109.
The process also provides for the definition of the at least one first
coupling portion 12 by means of the at least one
peripheral sheet 53. In detail, the peripheral sheet 53 is integrally joined
with at least one lateral sheet 52 of the first
blank 50; the peripheral sheet 53 of the first blank 50 emerges from a
perimeter edge of at least one lateral sheet 52
of the first blank 50 itself on the side opposite the central sheet 51 of the
first blank. In the enclosed figures, a first blank
50 comprising two opposite peripheral sheets 53 is illustrated in a non-
limiting manner. The possibility of providing for
one or more peripheral sheets integrally joined and emerging from each lateral
sheet 52 cannot be excluded.
The first coupling portion 12 is made via folding of the peripheral sheet 53
of the first blank 50 above the lateral sheet
52 of the same first blank 50 with which said peripheral sheet 53 is
integrally joined. Following the folding of the
peripheral sheet, at least one part of this is constrained, e.g. by means of
gluing, to a part of the lateral sheet with which
it is directly integrally joined (directly with the lateral wall 104). The
folding of the at least one peripheral sheet 53 can
be executed before, simultaneously or after the folding and the constraining
of the lateral sheets 52. In one
embodiment, the peripheral sheets are folded before the folding of the lateral
sheets; only following the folding of the
peripheral sheets, the process provides for the folding and constraining of
the lateral sheets in a manner such that
simultaneously with the definition of the lateral walls 104, the definition of
the first coupling portion 12 is obtained.
In particular (figures 1 and 13), the step of defining the first coupling
portion 12 comprises the execution of a through
notch 58 on the peripheral sheet 53 in order to define, directly on said
peripheral sheet, the tab 12a (optionally defining
the gripping edge 12b) of the first coupling portion 12 and following the step
of folding said notched peripheral sheet
on the lateral sheet 52; in this manner, the lateral sheet 52 defines a
lateral wall 104 of the case while the peripheral
sheet at least partly defines the coupling portion 12 substantially placed
inside the internal volume 103.
The central sheet 51, the lateral sheets 52 and the peripheral sheets 53 of
the first blank 50 can be integrally joined to
define a single blank made of a single piece, for example at least partly in
paper material. The case 102 is then
obtainable by means of steps of folding and gluing a single sheet blank (first
flat blank 50). The first blank can be
obtained by means of one or more steps of die cutting a single precursor
sheet.
As described above, the case 102 can also have the release portion 17 which is
obtainable by means of arranging a
notch 59 of at least one lateral sheet 52 of the first blank 50: the notch 59
is of the type passing through the lateral wall
52 and is executed on at least one lateral wall 52 directly integrally joined
with the a peripheral sheet 53. The notch 59
can have open profile 1 (figure 1) or closed profile (figure 13);
alternatively the notch 59 can be an open section adapted
to define the thrust portion as described above.
The process provides for the arranging of the container 1 attainable by means
of a second flat blank 70 made of sheet
material, optionally paper. The first blank 70 comprises:
- a central sheet 71,
- a predetermined number of lateral sheets 72 integrally joined with the
central sheet 71 and emerging from the latter
starting from a perimeter edge.
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The central sheet 71 has a polygonal shape, optionally rectangular or square.
From each side of the central sheet 71,
a lateral sheet 72 is extended, also having a polygonal shape, optionally
rectangular or square. The arranging container
1 comprises the sub-step of folding the predetermined number of lateral sheets
72 in order to define the predetermined
number of lateral walls 4 of the container 1. In detail, the lateral sheets 72
are folded with respect to the central sheet
71 in a manner such that from the flat blank 70 it is possible to obtain a
container 1 having three-dimensional
conformation. The lateral sheets 72 are constrained with each other in a
manner such that the container 1 can maintain
its three-dimensional form; the lateral sheets 72 can be constrained directly
to each other by means of glue or any one
adhesive material. Alternatively, the blank 70 can be provided with at least
one connection sheet 75 which integrally
joins two adjacent lateral sheets 72 (figure 1); in such configuration, the
process - simultaneously with the folding of
the lateral sheets 72 - provides for the superimposition and joining, e.g. by
means of gluing, of the connection sheet
75 to folded adjacent lateral sheets 72: in this manner, the container 1 can
maintain its three-dimensional form with the
lateral sheets 72 which define the lateral walls 4 and the central sheet 71 to
define the bottom wall 9.
The process also provides for the definition of the at least one second
coupling portion 13. Each second coupling
portion 13 can be executed by means of the arranging of a peripheral sheet 73
integrally joined with at least one of
said lateral sheets 72 and emerging from a perimeter edge of at least one
lateral sheet 72 of the second blank 70 itself
on the side opposite the central sheet 71 of the second blank. Then, the
peripheral sheet 73 is folded above the lateral
sheet 72 of the same second blank 70 with which said peripheral sheet 73 is
integrally joined; following the folding, the
peripheral sheet 73 is at least partly superimposed and facing the lateral
sheet 72 with which it is directly integrally
joined. Following the folding of the peripheral sheet 73, at least one part of
this is constrained, e.g. by means of gluing,
to a part of the lateral sheet 72 with which it is directly integrally joined
(directly to the lateral wall 4). The folding of the
at least one peripheral sheet 73 can be executed before, simultaneously or
after the folding and constraining of the
lateral sheets 72. In one embodiment, the peripheral sheets 73 are folded
before the folding of the lateral sheets 72;
only following the folding of the peripheral sheets 73, the process provides
for the folding and constraining of the lateral
sheets 72 in a manner such that simultaneously with the definition of the
lateral walls 4, one obtains the definition of
the second coupling portion 13.
Alternatively, the second coupling portion 13 can be obtained by means of a
step of cutting one of said lateral sheets
72 of the second blank 70 in order to define, directly on said lateral sheet,
at least one through notch 76 (figure 2 and
14) adapted to define the panel 13a of the second coupling portion 13 in
accordance with that illustrated for example
in figure 14.
The central sheet 71, the lateral sheets 72 and the possible peripheral sheet
73 (if present) of the second blank 70 can
be integrally joined to define a single blank made of a single piece, e.g. at
least partly of paper material. The container
1 is then obtainable by means of steps of folding and gluing a single sheet
blank (first flat blank 70).
The process also provides for a step of providing the selector 90 which
comprises a step of cutting a base semifinished
sheet made of sheet material, optionally flat: the cutting step defining the
shape of the selector together with the shape
of the pocket 92. The selector 90, following its formation, is inserted in
interposition between a lateral sheet 52 and a
peripheral sheet 53 of the first blank that are folded together: in such
condition, the selector is situated between an
external lateral wall of the case defined by the folded lateral sheet 52 and
the internal panel 10b of the same case
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defined by the folded peripheral sheet 53. Following the folding of the
lateral sheet 52 and of the peripheral sheet 53,
integrally joined with said lateral sheet, said sheets are constrained with
each other by gluing, said glued sheets defining
the seat 49 within which the selector 90 is engaged.
The semifinished product from which the selector is obtained can be distinct
and completely separate from the first and
second blank. Alternatively, the first blank 50 can comprise a first and a
second auxiliary sheet 79a, 79b integrally
joined with each other and emerging from a lateral sheet 52 on the side
opposite the central sheet 51: the first auxiliary
sheet 79a is interposed between the second auxiliary sheet 79b and the lateral
sheet 52 of the first blank (figure 13).
The selector 90 can be obtained by means of a step of notching the second
auxiliary sheet 79b; following the notching
of the second auxiliary sheet 79b, said second sheet 79b is folded on the
first auxiliary sheet 79a in a manner such
that the first and the second auxiliary sheet are superimposed on each other.
At this point, the process provides a
further step of folding said auxiliary sheets superimposed on the lateral
sheet 52 (directly integrally joined with said first
auxiliary sheet) in a manner such that said lateral sheet 52 can define an
external lateral wall 104 of the case 102 while
the first auxiliary sheet 79a defines the internal panel 10b of the same case:
the second auxiliary sheet on which the
selector 90 was obtained will be interposed between the lateral wall of the
case 104 and the internal panel 10b. In the
enclosed figures, the flat sheet adapted to define the selector is represented
with the reference number 78. In figure 1,
the sheet 78 is distinct and separated from the blanks 50 and 70 while in
figure 13 the sheet 78 is obtained by notching
of the second auxiliary sheet 79b.
The second blank 70 can be obtained by means of one or more steps of die
cutting a single precursor sheet. The first
and second blank 50, 70 ¨ even if obtainable by means of a step of die cutting
a single sheet - are distinct and separate
pieces, separately workable in order to obtain a case 102 separated from the
container 1.
Closing method
Also forming the object of the present invention is a method for closing a
package 100 in accordance with one or more
of the enclosed claims and/or in accordance with the above-reported
description.
The method comprises a step of positioning the case 102 outside the container
1 in a manner such that the latter can
be at least partly housed in the internal volume of the case 102. Before the
step of positioning the case 102 outside
the container 1 - said case and container can be completely separate and
distinct from each other.
Then, case 102 and container 1 are relatively moved with respect to each other
in a manner such to define the closed
condition. The relative movement of case and container in the closed condition
allows carrying the first coupling portion
12 at the second coupling portion 13 where the two portions can be engaged
with each other. The relative movement
provides for the relative translation of the case 102 outside the container 1
with the lateral walls 104 of the case 102
strictly facing the lateral walls 4 of the container 1. The relative movement
provides for the relative translation of the
case 102 with respect to the container 1 up to an end stop position in which
the top wall 109 of the case 102 is abutted
against the free edge 6 of the container 1 (figure 6); in the end stop
position, the free edge 106 of the case 102 is
arranged at the bottom wall 9 of the container 1. In the end stop position the
free edge 6 of the container is abutted
against the top wall 109 of the case 102 and prevents a further relative
approaching between the bottom wall 9 of the
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container 1 and the top wall of the case 102. In the end stop position, the
first coupling portion 12 is situated facing the
second coupling portion 13 of the container 1 and ready to receive the latter
in engagement.
For the first coupling portion 12 placed at the selector 90, the engagement
with the second coupling portion is only
allowed if the selector is arranged in the first operative position. In order
to allow such engagement, the selector 90
can be moved, before or after, the closed condition of the package 100 into
the first operative position in a manner
such that the panel 13a of the second coupling portion 13 can reach and stably
engage the tab 12a of the first coupling
portion 12 placed at said selector 90. In fact, once such portions (12, 13)
are situated at each other (e.g. in the end
stop position with the selector placed in the first operative position), one
obtains the engagement of the first and of the
second coupling portion 12, 13 of the safety device 11 to define the locking
condition.
With relative movement of the case with respect to the container, it is
intended the movement of both the parts, i.e.
case and container, or the movement of only one of said parts (only the case
102 or only the container), maintaining
stopped the other of the two parts (maintaining fixed the case 102 or the
container) in a manner such that a relative
motion is defined between these (case and container).
If a first coupling portion 12 is present at the release portion 17 (lateral
wall 104 of the case lacking selector 90), such
first portion 12 is configured for being engaged with the respective second
coupling portion 13 of the container following
the simple passage of the package from the open condition to the closed
condition.
Opening method
Also forming the object of the present invention is a method for opening a
package 100 in accordance with one or more
of the enclosed claims and/or in accordance with the above-reported
description. Before the execution of the method
for opening the package 100, the latter is situated in the locking condition
of the safety device.
The opening method comprises the movement of the selector from the first to
the second operative position so as to
allow the disengagement between the first and the second coupling portion 12,
13. The step of movement of the
selector occurs from outside the package 100 through the through opening 48.
Due to the movement of the selector
90 the latter is capable of pushing the second coupling portion 13 away from
the first coupling portion 12 and in
particular close to the compartment 3.
Following the step of disengaging the first and the second coupling portion
12, 13 the process provides for the relative
moving away movement of the container 1 and of the case 102 up to reaching the
open condition.
If the package also comprises a release portion 17, the opening method
comprises the following steps:
- contacting, in the locking condition and from outside the package 100, at
least one between the first and the second
coupling portion 12, 13 through the release portion 17,
- disengaging the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13,
- following the step of disengaging the first and the second coupling
portion 12, 13, relatively moving away the
container 1 and the case 102 up to reaching the open condition of the package.
The step of contacting at least one between the first and the second coupling
portion 12, 13 can comprise at least one
from among the following sub-steps:
- inserting at least one opening device through the through access 18 of
the release portion 17,
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- manually contacting at least one between the first and the second
coupling portion 12, 13, e.g. by means of insertion
of a finger of a user through the through access 18 of the release portion 17,
- deforming a thrust portion of the same case 102 in a manner such that
such thrust portion can contact at least one
between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13.
The disengagement step comprises the thrust of the panel 13a of the second
portion of the container 1 away from the
tab 12a of the first coupling portion, i.e. close to the compartment 3.
If the package comprises two first coupling portions defined on opposite walls
of the case and two respective second
coupling portions defined at opposite lateral walls of the container, as well
as a selector 90, for one of said first and
second coupling portions, and a release portion 17, for the other between said
first and second coupling portions, the
opening method provides for both the movement of the selector 90 from the
first to the second operative position and
also the intervention, through the release portion 17, on said first and the
second coupling portion 12, 13 placed in
proximity to said release portion 17.
Only following the disengagement of all the first coupling portions from the
respective second coupling portions, the
method can provide for a step of moving away movement of the container 1 and
the case 102 up to reaching the open
condition of the package.
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