[0001] The present invention concerns a container for blister packs, particularly suitable
for use in highly-automated packaging plants. In particular, it concerns a container
for the packaging and subsequent display of a series of blister packs for toothbrushes.
[0002] As known, the packaging of small objects intended for large-scale retail trade employs
almost entirely blister packs, which have the advantage of being able to later be
displayed at the retail point without undergoing further processing.
[0003] A blister pack usually consists of two half-portions (one of the two, or both, being
clear) between which the object to be purchased lies. Due to packaging standards and
packaging bulk, the majority of blister packs have a substantially rectangular plan
shape or at least one having two opposite parallel edges.
[0004] In the present context, reference will be made by way of a non-limiting example to
a toothbrush package. These packages typically consist of a suitably thick, rectangular
cardboard sheet, with which a clear plastic material cover is coupled, which allows
to see the toothbrush contained therein; the perimeter edge of this packaging is consequently
rectangular. Furthermore, along the perimeter region, where coupling of the cardboard
sheet with the clear cover occurs, said packaging has a substantially even and rather
limited thickness, for example of 1.5 mm.
[0005] In general, the industrial process which allows to obtain the product fully packaged
in a blister pack, starting from the corresponding raw materials, may be automated
with no particular problems. By means of automatic handlers and other conveying systems,
nowadays it is possible to obtain the packaged product with no human intervention;
returning to the reference example, at the end of the automatic chain of production
it is possible to obtain a toothbrush already contained in its blister pack.
[0006] Before being able to be delivered from the manufacturer to the distributor in an
economically convenient manner, however, the blister pack must be packaged in larger
containers suitable for transport. In order to do that, it may be sufficient to jumble
the blister packs into large boxes arranged at the end of the chain of production.
However, doing so, in addition to not being efficient in terms of bulk, is positively
unacceptable for the distributor. Consequently, it is necessary to orderly arrange
the blister packs in the box, necessarily resorting to the intervention of an operator.
[0007] A final packaging mode, which meets with market approval, is that of orderly arranging
the blister packs in suitable boxes (of a moderate capacity, for example of a dozen
blister packs) which are also suitable for subsequent display of the product at the
retail point.
[0008] These known-type boxes are entirely made of cardboard or paper material and obtained
by punching. They consist of a base part, wherein the blister packs are arranged in
an upright position (i.e. in the same position they are to appear in at the retail
point), and of a cover part (normally fully closed and bearing the manufacturer's
or distributor's specifications and trademarks on the outside). The base substantially
consists of an open-top tray, wherein a rather complex structure is inserted, obtained
from a punched blank folded according to multiple folding lines, which determines
a series of slits into which the opposite edges of the blister packs are inserted
and supported. Thereby the packaging units can be kept steadily upright, one next
to the other engaged on the base. The cover is coupled with the base and provisionally
fastened by sticky tape or removable fastening means.
[0009] When the box thus assembled arrives at the retail point, the cover is removed and
the blister packs are displayed engaged with the base.
[0010] This known-art solution, however, despite being appreciated for its practicality,
has two serious disadvantages.
[0011] The first inconvenience concerns the manufacturing process of the base. Said base
is in fact obtained by ready-made cardboard packing techniques which provide complex
carving and folding operations, resulting in significant costs which greatly affect
the entire economy of this container.
[0012] Moreover, precisely because the base is obtained by ready-made cardboard packing,
it cannot be obtained with limited tolerances and it has no smooth joining surfaces:
in particular the slits for introducing the blister packs have shoulders with sharp
corners, due to folding lines, which do not facilitate at all blister pack introduction.
For these reasons, even to this day introduction of blister packs in these known containers
is performed entirely by hand, because it would be inconceivable to implement an automatic
system capable of working productively in this context.
[0013] It is evident that, in a process wherein - as was mentioned earlier - it is possible
to obtain a blister-packaged product in a fully automated way, this latter packaging
step, to be carried out manually, negatively affects the costs of the entire production.
[0014] An object of the present invention is hence that of providing a container for the
packaging and display of blister packs which is extremely inexpensive and which has
features which make it suitable for an automatable packaging process.
[0015] Such object is achieved by means of a container as described in its essential features
in the accompanying main claim.
[0016] Other inventive aspects of the container are described in the dependent claims.
[0017] Further features and advantages of the container according to the invention will
in any case be more evident from the following detailed description of some preferred
embodiments of the same, given by way of example and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the base according to the invention;
figs. 2 and 3 are a top plan view and a side elevation view, respectively, of the
base of fig. 1;
fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cover according to the invention;
figs. 5, 6 and 7 are similar views to figs. 1-3 of a base according to another embodiment
of the invention;
figs. 8 and 9 are perspective and side elevation views, respectively, of another preferred
embodiment of the invention;
figs. 10A-10C are side elevation, top plan, and front elevation views, respectively,
of a variant of the base of figs. 8 and 9; and
fig. 10D is an enlarged partial view of the detail enclosed in circle D of fig. 10C.
[0018] A container or box for the orderly packaging of blister packs consists, in a way
known per se, of a base 1, in which the packs are introduced, and of a closing cover
100.
[0019] According to the invention, base 1 is integrally moulded, preferably in plastic material.
[0020] It has a rectangular lower side 2 from which four perimeter walls rise, two end walls
3 and 4 and two side walls 5 and 6, so as to define a sort of open-top rectangular
tray. The lower side 2 goes slightly over, for example by 2 mm, the plan print of
the perimeter walls 3-6, defining a peculiar perimeter flange 2a, the usefulness of
which will be clear from the following.
[0021] On the outer surface of the perimeter walls a plurality of wedge members C is provided,
the height of which progressively increases towards the lower side 2 and which end
in a step at a certain distance from the same. The wedge members C are arranged at
least on the side walls, preferably in opposing positions.
[0022] The two side walls 5 and 6 further have, on the inner side, a plurality of slits
F which are perpendicular to the wall itself, which are respectively opposed and which
are apt to house and support the two opposing edges of blister packs (not shown).
[0023] In figs. 1-3 a base having bottom plan dimensions 248x68 mm is shown as an example,
wherein a set of 13 slits F is obtained (12 usable slits, apt to house an equal number
of blister packs) with a pitch of 20 mm.
[0024] Since the blister packs are intended to be introduced in the slits from above (in
fig. 1), according to the invention, advantageously slits F are radiussed or bevelled
in their top portion, which facilitates introduction of the pack even if, during the
approaching step, alignment with base 1 is not perfect.
[0025] In order to provide the blisters with a certain degree of retention and support,
engagement slits F must be sufficiently deep, for example 4 mm.
[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, in order not to have to provide excessively
thick side walls (which would result in waste of material), for the purpose of ensuring
sufficient depth of such slits, they consist of a plurality of small arches placed
side by side, the vertical columns 7 of which are apt to define the two opposing sides
of slits F (figs. 1 and 3). As can be clearly seen in the drawings, each slit (except
those adjacent to end walls 3 and 4) is defined by the small columns 7 of two small
adjacent arches, upwardly closed by respective horizontal vaults 8.
[0027] The various small arches are then mutually reinforced by thin filling walls 5a and
6a.
[0028] In figs. 5-7 another embodiment of the invention is shown. In this case the base
has a double set of slits F, the two sets being aligned in a parallel manner - partly
on side walls 5 and 6 and partly on a partition 10. In the illustrated exemplary case,
the base has perimeter dimensions of about 130x200 mm and a double set of 7 slits
(of which 6+6 are usable, totalling 12) with a pitch of 32.5 mm.
[0029] In figs. 8 and 9 still another similar, preferred, single-tray embodiment is shown.
In this case, continuous side walls 5 and 6 are provided, of a small thickness, on
the inner side of which pairs of columns 7 are obtained - integrally moulded - standing
side by side to define individual slits F.
[0030] At the upper end, columns 7 are advantageously rounded off, so as to define a smooth
bevel for each slit F.
[0031] In the junction point with base 2, columns 7 preferably have extension feet 7a which
define a short length of horizontal slit F2.
[0032] On base 2, substantially in an intermediate position between two opposing slits F,
pairs of lips 7b are provided, apt to define further horizontal slits F3 between them.
The latter are useful to secure also in a central position the lower edge of the blister
packs, so as to provide the package with further stability, whenever that is useful.
[0033] According to this variant, wedge members C are provided only along side walls 5 and
6.
[0034] Closing cover 100 has a shape corresponding to that of base 1 and is sufficiently
tall to house the blister packs.
[0035] In particular, it has four sides which define a perimeter coinciding with that determined
by the walls of base 1. Therefore, the sides of cover 100 are intended to match with
the base wall on the outside of the same wall.
[0036] The cover can be made of cardboard or other sufficiently deformable thin material.
[0037] According to the invention, cover 100 further has a plurality of apertures 101 obtained
on its side walls in the proximity of the open mouth. Apertures 101 are arranged so
as to correspond to wedge members C of base 1 when the cover is engaged with the latter.
[0038] Fig. 4 shows a cover suitable for the base according to the embodiment shown in fig.
8, as a result apertures 101 are provided only along the longer sides; nevertheless,
similar apertures or cut-outs can be provided, if necessary, on the short sides too.
[0039] Since, as is understandable, wedge members C protrude from the perimeter of the walls
of the base, they represent an obstacle to the engagement of the cover with the base.
Due to the wedge-like shape sloping towards the open side of the base, in any case
wedge members C allow fitting of the cover to the base, provided sufficient force
is imparted to temporarily deform the sides thereof.
[0040] Once fitting has been completed, flange 2a of base 1 abuts with the mouth edge of
cover 100 and as a result further deepening of the fitting movement is prevented.
On the other hand, since wedge members C protrude from apertures 101, step C
1 of the wedges abuts with the edge of apertures 101 and consequently prevents disengagement
of the cover from the base.
[0041] To prevent natural deformations of the cover from causing accidental disengagement
of apertures 101 from wedge members C, the latter must be sufficiently high at step
C
1, but not too much so in order to avoid permanent cover deformations during the coupling
step. For example, they can have a height ranging between 2 and 3 mm, preferably of
2.8 mm.
[0042] Since the cover has an extending capability which is more pronounced in the direction
of its longer side, any wedge member C arranged on end sides 3 and 4 can have a greater
height than those arranged on side walls 5 and 6, for example of 3.3 mm.
[0043] A preferable shape of the wedge members, which further hinders disengagement of apertures
101, is that shown in fig. 3. In this case, wedge members C of end walls 3 and 4 have
one side of step C
1 which is even sloping inwards. Since this shape results in a slight undercut, in
order to be able in any case to obtain the moulded base in a single piece, it is preferable
for the continuity of flange 2a to be interrupted at least in this area. This can
be detected from the presence of flares 9 which originate from the print left by a
male tool arranged in that position, during the moulding step, to obtain the undercut
of step C
1.
[0044] Preferably, at each wedge member C on a base wall, there is a corresponding wedge
member C on the opposing wall. This means that along the line connecting the two wedge
members, maximum cover deformation is imparted during fitting on to the base and,
conversely, cover removal requires a correspondingly great effort, which makes accidental
disengagement very unlikely.
[0045] According to a further alternative embodiment (figs. 10A-10D), at least on flanges
2a of the longer sides, the base has a pair of opposing flaps 11, rising perpendicularly
to the base at the outer edge of flange 2a (fig. 10D).
[0046] Flaps 11 serve the function of preventing the side of cover 100 from diverging from
the side wall of base 1, so that the likelihood is further reduced that apertures
101 disengage from the corresponding wedge members C.
[0047] Due to the coupling between wedge members C and apertures 101, a perfect and stable
engagement is obtained between cover 100 and base 1, without the need to resort to
other joining means, such as sticky tape.
[0048] In operation, base 1 is made to translate with respect to a conveying line of blister
packs, until the first free slit F lies at the point of introduction of the first
available blister pack. By this technique, all the slits of base 1 are filled with
corresponding blister packs. After which, a cover 100 is simply fitted above the base,
until wedge members C are securely engaged with corresponding apertures 101. At this
point the container is ready to be sent to the warehouse for subsequent delivery.
[0049] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, cardboard cover
100 is provided with a predetermined breaking line 102, such as a tear-off line or
a tear strip, which allows to easily separate a disposable portion 100a from a display
portion 100b intended to remain joined to base 1 at the retail point. Advantageously,
the display portion 100b can have a coloured outer surface or one marked as desired,
so as to stand out more in the retail point and contribute to display unit attractiveness.
[0050] Preferably, in order to ease division of cover 100, in correspondence of the predetermined
breaking line 102 there is provided a cut-out 103, into which a finger can be inserted
to force disposable portion 100a of cover 100.
[0051] As can be appreciated, the objects set forth in the preamble have been perfectly
achieved. In particular, the packaging container according to the invention consists
of only two members, a cardboard cover, of an extremely simple shape which makes it
inexpensive, and an integrally moulded base which is mass-produced, and consequently
very cost-effective.
[0052] Furthermore, since the base is obtained by integral moulding, it is possible not
only to observe limited tolerances, but also to obtain the shape most suitable to
automate blister pack introduction. In particular, the bevelled or flared shape of
the mouth of the slits (clearly visible in figs. 3, 7 and 8) greatly facilitates the
introduction of blister packs also by automatic mechanisms. Thanks to this bevelled
shape, it may even be assumed that the blister packs simply fall from above along
a slide on the underlying base.
[0053] Also the subsequent coupling between the base and the cover occurs by simply introducing
the one into the other and consequently no special handling or addition of further
joining means is needed.
[0054] In addition to making the container according to the invention extremely inexpensive,
all this also makes it suitable for fully automating the final packaging step of a
blister-packed product, with remarkable advantages in terms of manufacturing process
and cost-effectiveness.
[0055] Finally, also due to the specific cover construction, the box according to the invention
is ideally suited to become an effective and attractive display unit at the retail
point.
[0056] It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments
illustrated above, which represent only non-limiting examples of the scope of the
invention, but that a number of variants are possible, all within the reach of a person
skilled in the field, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0057] For example, although reference has always been made to a rectangular base, due to
the fact that it may be moulded in plastic, it can also have different shapes, dictated
for example by aesthetic or other requirements.
[0058] Moreover, the cover can be made of materials other than cardboard, such as plastic
or other man-made materials, provided it is sufficiently elastic to be engaged with
the base overcoming the resistance offered by the wedge members.
[0059] Again, to provide increased stability to the coupling between the blister pack and
the base, on the base bottom side grooves or slits carved in the base thickness can
be provided, instead of relief lips, which grooves or slits can be more or less pronounced
and deep according to the shape of the blister pack that is to be packaged.
[0060] Although in the preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided to constrain
the cover, in one direction, to the step of the wedge members and, in the other direction,
to the base flange, it is evident that the main teaching of the invention is still
observed, should the perimeter flange not be provided and, possibly, should wedge
members be provided extending along the entire height of the perimeter walls of the
base.
[0061] Finally, it is not ruled out that - for convenience sake, or in specific applications
- the cardboard cover is in the shape of a tubular casing open at the two ends: in
such case it would be closed both at the bottom and at the top by a moulded base as
illustrated above.
1. A container for the packaging of blister packs, of the type comprising a tray-shaped
base (1), provided with a set of slits (F) into which the edges of said blister packs
are introduced and supported, and a closing cover (100) which is sufficiently tall
to house said blister packs, characterised in that the base (1) is obtained by integral moulding and has perimeter walls (3, 4, 5, 6)
which are provided, on their outer surface, with a plurality of wedge members (C)
progressively taller in the direction of the bottom side (2) of the base and in that said cover (100) correspondingly has a plurality of apertures (101) with which said
wedge members (C) are intended to engage.
2. The container as in claim 1), wherein the perimeter dimension of the cover is such
that the sides thereof are intended to strictly adhere to the perimeter walls (3,
4, 5, 6) of the base (1).
3. The container as in claim 1) or 2), wherein said wedge members (C) end in a step (C1) at a certain distance from the bottom side (2) of the base.
4. The container as in claim 3), wherein said step (C1) has an end surface sloping inwards.
5. The container as in claim 3) or 4), wherein said bottom side (2) goes slightly over
the perimeter walls (3, 4, 5 and 6) defining a short flange (2a) on at least part
of the perimeter of the base (1).
6. The container as in claim 5), wherein said flange (2a) is interrupted at least in
correspondence of said wedge members (C).
7. The container as in any one of the previous claims, wherein said slits (F) are obtained
at least partly on the inner side of the side walls of said base and have, in correspondence
of their mouth, bevelled portions to ease introduction of the blister pack edges.
8. The container as in claim 7), wherein said slits are defined by columns or ribs (7)
adjacent in pairs, obtained on the inner side of the side walls (5, 6) of the base
(1), the adjacent columns or ribs (7) being rounded off or mutually diverging in the
mouth area to define said bevel.
9. The container as in claim 8), wherein said columns or ribs (7) are connected at the
mouth end, the non-adjacent ones in pairs, by a connecting crosspiece (8).
10. The container as in claim 9), wherein said columns (7) represent the leg portions
of adjacent arches, of which said crosspiece (8) represents the vault.
11. The container as in any one of the claims from 7) to 10), wherein said base (1) has
inside at least one partition (10) parallel to the side walls (5, 6), equipped with
slits (F) on both of its sides.
12. The container as in any one of the previous claims, further comprising at least one
horizontal slit portion (F2, F3) between each pair of opposing side slits (F).
13. The container as in claim 12), wherein said horizontal slit portion (F2, F3) is defined
by opposing relief members (7a, 7b) which rise from the bottom plane (2) of said base.
14. The container as in claim 5) or in any one of claims 6) to 13) when depending from
5), wherein the base further comprises one or more flaps (11) rising perpendicularly
to the bottom plane (2) from the peripheral edge of said flange (2a).
15. The container as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closing cover (100)
has a predetermined breaking line along which it is apt to be easily divided into
a disposable portion (100a), intended to be removed, and into a display unit portion
(100b) intended to remain attached to the base at the retail point.
16. Packaging box for blister packs of the type comprising a tray, equipped with a set
of slits into which at least the edges of the blister packs are introduced and supported,
and of a closure casing, which defines at least the longer sides of the box and tall
enough to house inside said blister packs, characterised in that said tray is integrally moulded in one piece and has perimeter walls equipped, on
the outer surface thereof, with a plurality of wedge members of a progressively increasing
height in the direction of the bottom side of the tray and in that said casing correspondingly has a plurality of apertures with which said wedge members
are intended to engage.
17. The box as in claim 16), wherein said casing has two opposing open mouths wherein
two corresponding end trays are engaged.
18. The box as in claim 16) or 17), wherein said tray is the base defined in claims 7)
to 15).