(19)
(11) EP 0 409 799 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
23.01.1991 Bulletin 1991/04

(21) Application number: 90830262.3

(22) Date of filing: 11.06.1990
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5B65D 21/04, B65D 45/34
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR LI NL SE

(30) Priority: 18.07.1989 IT 2121989

(71) Applicant: IMBALLAGGI INVERNIZZI S.R.L.
I-20127 Milano (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Invernizzi, Francesco, IMBALLAGGI INVERNIZZI Srl
    I-20127 Milano (IT)

(74) Representative: Cicogna, Franco 
Ufficio Internazionale Brevetti Dott.Prof. Franco Cicogna Via Visconti di Modrone, 14/A
20122 Milano
20122 Milano (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Kraft paper or metal container including means for preventing the container from embedding in a like container stacked thereon


    (57) The present invention related to a kraft paper or metal container including means for pre­venting the container from embedding in a like con­tainer stacked thereon, characterized in that said container comprises a frustum of cone shaped body (1) with the inlet mouth arranged at the larger base thereof, a closing cover being provided for coupling to the mouth through a clamping collar (4).
    The main feature of the invention is that the clamping collar (4) is provided with a leg (10) which can be superimposed peripherally on the mouth and which at least in part inward projects in order to be removably engaged with the outer surface of a stacked container body (1) so as to prevent the top container from embedding in the underlaying contain­er body (1).




    Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION



    [0001] The present invention relates to a kraft paper or metal container including means for prevent­ing the container from embedding in a like container stacked thereon.

    [0002] As is known, in several industrial applica­tions there are used at present, for packaging chemi­cal substances and loose products in general, suita­ble containers which can be stacked onto one another.

    [0003] These containers are provided with a sub­stantially frustum of cone container body which is provided, at the top inlet mouth formed through the larger base of the container body, with a sheet metal edge which is clamped so as to operate as an engaging element for the clamping collar of a conventional disc-shaped closure cover.

    [0004] These containers, as they are in an empty condition, are mutually stacked for storing and ship­met purposes.

    [0005] As the containers are stacked, a container of the stack may be embedded in an underlaying con­tainer which will involve great difficulties in re­moving the stacked containers.

    [0006] In order to solve the above mentioned problems several solutions have been already proposed such as the provision on the container wall of projecting ages arranged at an intermediate portion of the side wall of the container and adapted to prevent stacked containers from embedding into one another.

    [0007] These solutions, however, require to great­ly modify the container making process and the thus equipped containers are very expensive.

    SUMMARY OF INVENTION



    [0008] Accordingly, the aim of the present invent­ion is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a kraft paper or metal container in­cluding means from preventing stacked containers from embedding into one another, which container can be easily and quickly made by a coventional con­tainer making process.

    [0009] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a container which comprises anti-stacking means which can be easily disengaged as a container is to be removed from a container stack.

    [0010] Another object of the present invent ion is to provide such a container which is very reliable in operation and, moreover, can be easily made start­ing from easily available materials and elements and which, furthermore, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.

    [0011] According to one aspect of the present in­vention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinaft er are achieved by a kraft paper or metal container including means for preventing the container from embedding in a like container stacked thereon, said container comprising a frustum of cone shaped body with the inlet mouth thereof arranged at the larger base of said body, a cover being provided for association with said inlet mouth through a clamping collar, characterized in that said clamping collar is provided with a leg which can be peripherally superimposed on said mouth and which at least in part inward projects so as to re­movably engage with the outer surface of the body of a stacked container to prevent the stacked con­tainer from embedding in the underlying container body.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawing, where:

    Figure 1 shows a plurality of stacked con­tainers;

    Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustra­ting a detail of the coupling region between two stacked containers;

    Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustra­ting the clamping collar associated with the con­tainer;
    and

    Figure 4 is a perpsective view of the clamp­ing collar.


    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT



    [0013] With reference to figures of the accompany­ing drawing, the kraft paper or metal container with means for preventing the container from embedding in a like container stacked thereon comprises a con­tainer frustum of cone shaped body, overally indica­ted at the reference number 1 which, in a known way, is made of a plurality of kraft paper layers which are superimposed onto one another and glued to one another.

    [0014] At the contained top inlet mouth there is applied, by any suitable clamping means, an edge member 2 which defines a top loop member 3 which slightly outward projects.

    [0015] To this loop 3 there is applied a clamping collar, indicated overally at the reference number 4, which operates so as to connect the closing cover of the container which is conventionally formed by a disc like element.

    [0016] A main feature of the present invention is that the clamping collar 4 has a substantially C-­shaped cross-section including a top leg 10 of great­er extension than a bottom leg 11 so as to be peripheral­ly superimposed on the edge 3 and including a portion inward projecting with respect to the container mouth so that it contact engages with the outer side sur­face of the body 1 of a stacked container.

    [0017] The clamping collar 4 is provided, as is known, with means for opening and closing the collar, indicated at the reference number 10, and comprising a lever 21 one end of which is articulated to a cor­responding end of the collar defining open loop and being moreover articulated, at an intermediate por­tion thereof, to a rod 22 which is in turn articula­ted to the other end of the clamping collar defining loop.

    [0018] Thus, the clamping collar can be opened and closed so as to allow the cover to be applied and removed and to apply the collar to container bodies 1 to be stacked, by tightening the collar so as to cause the inner periphery of the top leg 10 to in­ward project and engage with the outer side surface of the stacked container.

    [0019] For removing the container, it will be suffi­cient to open the clamping collar of the underlaying container.

    [0020] From the above disclosure it should be appa­rent that the invent ion fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

    [0021] In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that a kraft paper or other material container has been provided which solves the problem of preventing stacked containers from embedding into one another and this without constructionally modifying the con­tainer body but simply changing, in a very limited way, the shape of an auxiliary element which is used, in these containers, for holding the container cover.

    [0022] Thus, a simple increase of the length of a leg of the clamping collar permits to solve, at a very reduced cost, the above mentioned problem.

    [0023] While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will become within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.


    Claims

    1. A kraft paper or metal container includ­ing means for preventing the container from embedding in a like container stacked thereon, said container comprising a frustum of cone shape body with the in­let mouth thereof arranged at the larger base of said body, a cover being provided for association with said inlet mouth through a clamping collar, characterized in that said clamping collar is pro­vided with a leg which can be peripherally superim­posed on said mouth and which at least in part in­ward projects so as to removably engage with the out­er surface of the body of a stacked container to pre­vent the stacked container from embedding in the un­derlaying container body.
     
    2. A container, according to claim 1, cha­racterized in that said clamping collar has a sub­stantially C-shaped cross section with a top leg having a larger size than a bottom leg.
     
    3. A container, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said clamps bar comprises an open loop member having a lever arm articulated at one end of the open loop and articulated, at an in­termediate position thereof, to a rod in turn arti­culated to the other end of the open loop.
     
    4. A container, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said clamping collar can be engaged with an edge affixed to the container body at the mouth thereof.
     




    Drawing