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(11) | EP 4 151 551 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | CLOSING CAP FOR TUBULAR CONTAINERS |
| (57) A closing cap (1) for tubular containers (2), comprising: a first portion (4) made
of the same material as the container and configured to be inserted inside an open
end (3) of the respective tubular container (2); a second portion (8) also made of
the same material as the container and engaged with the first portion (4) and configured
to remain outside said tubular container (2); said first portion (4) having at least
one side wall (12) configured to abut against the inner surface (2a) of the tubular
container (2) and having a plurality of fins (13) protruding from the side wall (12)
and configured to define a mechanical engagement between the cap (1) itself and the
tubular container (2).
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[0002] In particular, the invention refers to a closing system for tubular containers having a cross-section of any shape and size. Such tubular containers may be made of various materials, such as paper material typically used to contain sheets, drawings, printouts or other sheet products.
[0003] It should be noted, however, that the present invention is applicable to tubular containers used in any field, regardless of the nature of the material they are made of and the specific purpose they are intended for. As known, tubular profile containers generally have a circular or rectangular profile (cross-section) depending on the type of products contained therein. For example, in the above-mentioned case of paper containers for containing sheet products, containers with a circular cross-section are mostly used. In this case, the sheets are rolled up to be inserted and housed in the container in a space-saving configuration.
[0004] The containers have at least one open end to allow access to the inner containment compartment. Such an open end is also provided with a closing cap, made in the form of a flat element substantially counter-shaped to the section of the tubular container.
[0005] For example, in the case of tubular containers with a circular cross-section, the cap is also shaped in the form of a disc, or, in the case of tubular containers with a rectangular cross-section, the cap is also provided with a rectangular peripheral development.
[0006] The cap is generally made of plastic material and has a side wall that abuts by mechanical interference against the open end of the container. Such a mechanical interference, possibly encouraged by suitable surface reliefs obtained on the side wall, ensures that the cap is retained in the container.
[0007] Generally, the cap also has a side edge defining a gripping lip to ease the manual removal of the cap from the container. Such a lip may, for example, be obtained by means of an outer protrusion extending beyond the transverse size of the container.
[0008] However, the caps described above, although widespread and practical to use, have major drawbacks.
[0009] Firstly, it must be considered that plastic caps are not versatile as they cannot be adapted to the various types and sizes of tubular containers. Therefore, for each type of tubular container (shape and size), suitable plastic caps with adequate characteristics are moulded.
[0010] Such a production process is expensive also considering the multiple types, in terms of shape and size, of caps that must be provided for the various tubular containers.
[0011] In addition, the plastic material is subject to thermal deformation, which, over time, may lead the cap to structurally change with the consequent loss of its mechanical sealing.
[0012] A further major drawback results from the difficulty in disposing of the caps themselves. It must be noted in particular that, when using tubular containers made of paper material, the presence of the plastic cap makes it necessary to dispose of paper (tubular container) and plastic (cap) separately.
[0013] In this context, the separation and separate disposal of the materials that make up the entire container is particularly inconvenient.
[0014] Finally, a further major drawback of the aforementioned plastic closing caps is the inefficient mechanical sealing action achieved by the side surface of the cap.
[0015] As described above, in fact, surface retaining reliefs may be provided, which, however, cannot be adapted to the various materials (paper, plastic, etc.) the tubular container may be made of.
[0016] For this reason, such as in the use of paper containers, the mechanical sealing of the cap is ensured by applying additional closing members, such as metal staples that pierce the side surface of the cap and container and maintain a stable constraint.
[0017] In this context, however, the application of staples involves, in addition to damaging the integrity of the cap and the container, an additional action in the steps of closing the container with the consequent inconveniences in terms of overall packaging costs and time.
[0018] In addition, the steps for removing the cap from the container are also difficult and may indeed damage the structure of the cap and/or container. In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a closing cap for tubular containers capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.
[0019] In particular, it is the object of the present invention to make available a closing cap that is simple and cost-effective to manufacture as well as versatile in that it may be used with different types of containers.
[0020] A further object of the present invention is to make available a closing cap made of paper material and thus easily disposable and fully recyclable.
[0021] Furthermore, one object of the present invention is to make available a closing cap capable of engaging stably to the container without the need for additional anchoring operations likely to damage the structure of the cap and the container.
[0022] The specified technical task and objects are achieved by a closing cap for tubular containers according to the characteristics of claim 1.
[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative and thus not limiting description of a preferred, though non-exclusive, embodiment of a closing cap for tubular containers. Such description will be set forth herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for merely indicative and therefore non-limiting purposes, wherein:
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a closing cap for tubular containers in accordance with the present invention;
- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the closing cap of Figure 1 being coupled to the respective tubular container;
- Figure 3 shows a side and sectional view of the closing cap in accordance with the present invention applied to the respective tubular container; and
- Figures 4 and 5 show plan views from above of respective blanks for making the closing cap according to the present invention.
[0024] With reference to the enclosed figures, reference number 1 globally denotes a closing cap 2 for tubular containers.
[0025] In the accompanying figures, a tubular container 2 having a square cross-section and defining at least one open end 3 configured to receive the cap 1 which is the object of the present invention is shown for merely exemplary and non-limiting purposes. In this case, the cap 1 also has a square peripheral development adapted to be inserted by mechanical interference into the aforementioned open end 3.
[0026] However, it should be specified that the present invention may be used for any type of tubular container 2 of any shape and size. For example, the container 2 may have a circular section. In this case, the cap 1 is made in the form of a disc of the same size as the end 3.
[0027] In addition, the cap 1 may be used independently of the container material 2. For example, the container 2 may be entirely made of paper or other material suitable for its specific use.
[0028] Advantageously, the cap 1 and the container 2 are made of single-material, i.e. the same material.
[0029] Preferably, both may be made of paper material, such as cardboard, or plastic material, such as corrugated plastic.
[0030] For the sake of clarity and ease of exposition, reference will be made in the hereinafter description to the square-section container 2 shown in the accompanying figures, without, however, limiting the use of the cap 1 to other geometrical shapes.
[0031] With reference to Figure 1, the closing cap 1 comprises a first portion 4 entirely made of paper or plastic material, such as cardboard or corrugated plastic, provided with dimensions suitable to be inserted inside the open end 3 of the tubular container 2.
[0032] Note in this regard that the open end 3 of the container 2 is defined by an edge 3a, in this case with a square profile, defining a passage port larger than the perimeter development of the aforementioned first portion 4.
[0033] In particular, with reference to Figure 4, the first portion 4 is made from a flat blank 5, suitably die-cut to form three elements 6a, 6b, 6c having a square peripheral development and arranged as aligned along a single development line. The central element 6b is connected to the two outermost elements 6a and 6c by means of respective joining zones 7. Thereby, the elements 6a, 6b, 6c are configured to overlap each other (Figure 1 and Figure 2) by folding each joining zone 7.
[0034] In other words, the outermost elements 6a, 6c are folded along their respective zones 7 to abut against the opposite faces of the central element 6b to define an overlapping stack of elements 6a, 6b, 6c.
[0035] The cap 1 further includes a second portion 8 also entirely made of paper or plastic material, preferably cardboard or corrugated plastic, and engaged to the first portion 4.
[0036] In particular, the second portion 8 is configured to remain outside the tubular container 2 as it has dimensions equal to or greater than the width of the aforementioned edge 3a. In this situation, as better shown in the sectional view of Figure 3, the cap 1 engaged to the container 2 has the first portion 4 inserted into the open end 3 and the second portion 8 outside the container 2 and abutting against the edge 3a.
[0038] The flat blank 9, made of cardboard or corrugated plastic, is suitably die-cut to form three elements 10a, 10b, 10c having a square peripheral development and arranged as aligned along a single development line. The central element 10b is connected to the two outermost elements 10a and 10c by means of respective joining zones 11. Note in particular that elements 10 have a larger square shape than elements 6 also having a square shape in the first portion 4.
[0039] Thereby, the elements 10a, 10b, 10c are configured to overlap each other (Figure 1 and Figure 2) by folding each joining zone 11.
[0040] In other words, in this case as well, the outermost elements 10a, 10c are folded along their respective zones 11 to abut against the opposite faces of the central element 10b to define an overlapping stack of elements 10a, 10b, 10c.
[0041] The first and second portions 4, 8 thus made have a flat development and are coupled to each other at the respective faces of mutual engagement 4a, 8a by means of suitable bonding means. For example, such means (not shown and described in detail as they are of a known type) may consist of vinyl glue or hot-melt glue.
[0043] The first portion 4 also defines a side wall 12 configured to abut against the inner surface 2a of the tubular container 2.
[0044] The side wall 12 is defined by the mutually overlapping side edges 12a of each element 6a, 6b, 6c.
[0045] The part 12 preferably has a plurality of fins 13 protruding and configured to define a mechanical engagement between the cap 1 and the tubular container 2.
[0046] In greater detail, the fins 13 are spaced apart from each other and develop along the peripheral profile of the first portion 4.
[0047] In accordance with the exemplary solution shown in the accompanying figures, the fins 13 extend from respective opposite sides of the square development of the first portion 4.
[0048] It should be specified, however, that the position, number and size of the fins 13 may be any, depending on the shape of the cap 1 and the specific use.
[0049] For example, in the case of circular-development caps, the fins may be protruding at least along an arcuate tract of the side wall.
[0050] Alternatively, in the case of a polygonal-development cap (as in the case shown in the figures), the fins 13 may protrude from at least one of the sides defining the side wall 12.
[0051] Again, the fins 13 are made in the form of a sheet protruding from the wall 12 and have a substantially wavy profile, which is also obtained by die-cutting the blank 5 of the first portion 4.
[0052] In greater detail, the fins 13 are made at one of the side elements 6a of the blank 5 and develop along the edge 12a of at least one of the sides.
[0053] In this situation, note that the element 6a provided with fins 13 is the closest to the inner compartment of the container 2 (Figure 3). Advantageously, when the cap 1 is inserted into the opening 3, the fins 13 fold inwards, abutting against the inner surface 2a of the container 2.
[0054] In other words, the deformable nature of the paper or plastic of which the entire cap 1 is made allows the fins 13 to bend by engaging between the wall 12 of the first portion 4 and the inner surface 2a of the container 2.
[0055] In this situation, better shown in Figure 3, the fins 13 push outwards and thus towards the inner wall 2a defining the mechanical engagement in a stable manner.
[0056] Furthermore, the action of inserting the cap 1 into the container 2 causes a compression of the air inside the container 2, which further pushes the fins outwards and thus towards the wall 2a of the container 2. Advantageously, the cap 1 ensures a stable and in any case reversible engagement by a manual action of pulling and removing the cap 1 from the container 2.
[0057] Note in particular that the production of the cap 1 merely consists of the following operative steps:
- die-cutting the two above-described blanks 5, 9;
- folding the elements 6, 10 of each blank 5, 9 to define the aforementioned portions 4, 8;
- gluing the two portions 4, 8 to each other by joining the aforementioned mutually engaging faces 4a, 8a.
[0058] Such simple production process is very easy and versatile as it can be adapted to any type of container 2.
[0059] In fact, by simply changing the die-cutting parameters, portions of a shape and size adapted to specific requirements may be obtained.
[0060] Moreover, the use of paper or plastic (corrugated plastic) as the only material for making the cap 1 also makes the die-cutting operation, which is performed from a single flat sheet, easy.
[0061] Furthermore, the use of a single-material to make the cap 1 and container 2 allows the cap 1 to be easily disposed of and recycled. In this case, in fact, the entire packaging may be disposed of in the paper or plastic waste disposal without having to separate the various materials.
[0062] A further important advantage of the cap 1 described above results from the mechanical retaining action that the fins 13 perform on the container 2. Such an action, encouraged as described above by the compression of the air inside the container 2, ensures a stable engagement, adaptable to possible thermal deformations and does not require any additional system for anchoring the cap 1 on the container 2.
1. Closing cap for tubular containers, characterized in that it comprises:
- a first portion (4) made of single-material with a respective container (2) and configured to be inserted into an open end (3) of the tubular container (2);
- a second portion (8) made of single-material with the container (2) engaged with the first portion (4) and configured to remain outside said tubular container (2);
- said first portion (4) having at least one side wall (12) configured to abut against the inner surface (2a) of the tubular container (2) and having a plurality of fins (13) projecting from the side wall (12) and configured to define a mechanical engagement between the cap (1) itself and the tubular container (2).
2. Cap according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said projecting fins (13) are spaced apart from each other and develop at least partially
along the periphery of said first portion (4); each fin (13) being made in the form
of a sheet projecting from the wall (12).
3. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first portion (4) has polygonal peripheral development; at least one of the
sides defining the side wall (12) having said fins (13).
4. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each portion (4, 8) has a flat configuration defining respective faces (4a, 8a) of
mutual engagement.
5. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first portion (4) has a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the end opening
(3) of the container (2); and in that said second portion (8) has a cross-sectional dimension which is greater than or
equal to an edge (3a) defining the open end (3).
6. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first portion (4) is made starting from a flat blank (5) having three elements
(6a, 6b, 6c) connected by two respective joining zones (7); said elements (6a, 6b,
6c) being configured to be superimposed on each other by folding each joining zone
(7).
7. Cap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second portion (8) is made starting from a flat blank (9) having three elements
(10a, 10b, 10c) connected by two respective joining zones (11); said elements (10a,
10b, 10c) being configured to be superimposed on each other by folding each joining
zone (11).
8. Cap according to either of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that for each portion (4, 8), the respective elements (6a, 6b, 6c, 10a, 10b, 10c) have
the same shape and size; said side wall (12) being defined by the side edges (12a)
of each element (6a, 6b, 6c) of the first portion (4).
9. Cap according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one edge (12a) of one of the elements (6a, 6b, 6c) of the first portion
(4) has said projecting fins (13).
10. Tubular container comprising at least one open end (3) giving access to an inner containment
compartment defined by an inner wall (2a) of the container itself; said end (3) being
defined by an edge (3a) having a closed-loop development;
characterized in that it comprises a closing cap (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, which is engageable at said open end (3) to abut against the edge (3a) and block access to the inside of said compartment.
characterized in that it comprises a closing cap (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, which is engageable at said open end (3) to abut against the edge (3a) and block access to the inside of said compartment.
11. Container according to the preceding claim, wherein said cap (1) is made of cardboard
or corrugated plastic; and wherein said cap (1) is made of the same material as the
container.