Breakable container
阅读说明:本技术 可断裂容器 (Breakable container ) 是由 J·A·雷达普 于 2017-04-11 设计创作,主要内容包括:一种容器(10)包括具有用于容纳一个或多个内含物的腔体(23)的主体(11)。容器(10)包括布置在主体(11)的周边周围的凸缘(20)。盖(24)附接至凸缘(20)以封闭腔体(23)内的内含物。可断裂部分(30)包括跨主体(11)从第一凸缘部分(21)延伸至第二凸缘部分(22)的弯曲部(31)。可断裂部分(30)将主体(11)二等分成弯曲部(31)一侧上的第一主体部分(12)及弯曲部(31)另一侧上的第二主体部分(13)。可断裂部分(30)限定折断路径(35),主体(11)适于在使用者将超过预定水平的力施加至弯曲部(31)任一侧上的第一主体部分(12)及第二主体部分(13)中的每个时沿折断路径(35)断裂。折断路径(35)有起始断裂点及一对末端(33),其中一个末端(33)在第一凸缘部分(21)及第二凸缘部分(22)中的每个处,使得主体(11)适于沿折断路径(35)在相对方向上从断裂点朝向各末端(33)断裂。可断裂部分(30)具有沿折断路径(35)彼此隔开的多个断裂导体(40)。各断裂导体(40)由可断裂部分(30)刚度局部变化限定,使得断裂导体(40)有助于引导断裂沿折断路径(35)传播。(A container (10) includes a body (11) having a cavity (23) for containing one or more contents. The container (10) includes a flange (20) disposed about a periphery of the body (11). A lid (24) is attached to the flange (20) to enclose the contents within the cavity (23). The breakable portion (30) comprises a bend (31) extending across the body (11) from the first flange portion (21) to the second flange portion (22). The breakable portion (30) bisects the body (11) into a first body portion (12) on one side of the bend (31) and a second body portion (13) on the other side of the bend (31). The breakable portion (30) defines a break path (35), the body (11) being adapted to break along the break path (35) when a user applies a force exceeding a predetermined level to each of the first body portion (12) and the second body portion (13) on either side of the bend (31). The break path (35) has an initial breaking point and a pair of ends (33), one of the ends (33) being at each of the first flange portion (21) and the second flange portion (22) such that the body (11) is adapted to break in opposite directions along the break path (35) from the breaking point towards the respective end (33). The breakable portion (30) has a plurality of broken conductors (40) spaced from one another along a break path (35). Each broken conductor (40) is defined by a local variation in stiffness of the breakable portion (30) such that the broken conductor (40) helps to guide the propagation of the break along the break path (35).)
1. A container, comprising:
a body having a cavity for containing one or more contents;
a flange disposed about a perimeter of the body;
a lid attached to the flange for enclosing contents within the cavity; and
a breakable portion including a bend extending across the body from a first flange portion to a second flange portion, the breakable portion bisecting the body into a first body portion on one side of the bend and a second body portion on the other side of the bend,
wherein the breakable portions define a break path along which the body is adapted to break when a user applies a force exceeding a predetermined level to each of the first and second body portions on either side of the bend, the break path having an initial break point and a pair of ends, one at each of the first and second flange portions, such that the body is adapted to break in opposite directions along the break path from the break point towards each end, and
wherein the breakable portion comprises a plurality of break conductors spaced from one another along the break path, each break conductor being defined by a local change in stiffness of the breakable portion such that the break conductors assist in guiding a break propagating along the break path.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein each broken conductor comprises a local variation in the depth and/or cross-sectional shape of the bend.
3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the local variation in the depth and/or cross-sectional shape of the bend extends over a distance of 0.5mm to 5mm of the breakable portion.
4. A container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the local variation in depth and/or cross-sectional shape of the bend is a depth variation of 15% to 90% of the total depth of the bend.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the body is formed of a crystallizable material and each break conductor comprises a localized variation of material crystallization at the bend.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein the change in material crystallization is caused by heating or ultrasonic excitation.
7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the local change in stiffness of the breakable portion is a local increase in stiffness of the breakable portion.
8. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the broken conductors are spaced along the elongate straight section of the break path to help guide the break to propagate along the elongate straight section of the break path.
9. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the break conductor is positioned at a transition point on the curved section of the break path to help guide the break to propagate along the curved section of the break path.
10. The container of any preceding claim, wherein the break conductor is positioned at a transition point on an angled section of the break path to help guide a break propagating along the angled section of the break path.
11. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body and flange are formed from a material comprising: polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyurethane terephthalate (APET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), biomaterials, mineral filler materials, thin metal forming materials, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or laminates.
12. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body and the flange are formed by at least one of sheet thermoforming, injection molding, compression molding, or 3D printing.
13. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid is bonded and sealed to the flange by one of heat, ultrasonic welding, pressure sensitive bonding, heat activated bonding or other types of bonding.
14. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bend is formed by an intersection between the first and second body portions, and wherein at a section of the bend where no broken conductor is present, each body portion approaches the intersection as a straight or curved line.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein the intersection between the first and second body portions forms an angle between 20 ° and 170 °, and more preferably, the angle is between 45 ° and 105 °.
16. The container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second flange portions have an increased flange width compared to a section of the flange adjacent the first and second flange portions.
17. The container of any of claims 1-14, wherein the first and second flange portions have substantially the same flange width as a section of the flange adjacent the first and second flange portions, and wherein the bend transitions linearly or curvilinearly from the body to the flange to provide the flange width at the first and second flange portions.
18. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the break path has more than one breaking point.
19. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the body is substantially uniform along the break path.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to the field of containers, and in particular to containers that can be opened by breaking along a breaking path.
Background
Containers are used for a variety of products and generally have a desired or required shape depending on the product contained or for aesthetic purposes. Many current containers include a body defining a cavity for containing a material and a lid covering an opening over the cavity. These containers can be opened along a desired path by weakening the walls of the body using perforations, folds, or thinning along a line. The use of weakened walls is in some cases undesirable as it may lead to accidental opening of the container along the weakened portion or poor shielding performance.
Some alternative containers have geometric fracture features in which an opening is formed in the body of the container by applying a force on either side of the fracture path. Such containers can deliver more durable products with increased shielding effectiveness.
Applicant's united states patent 8,485,360 provides a container having a so-called "snap feature" that can break along a break path with a substantially uniform wall thickness across the break path. The body of the container is configured to reduce a second moment of area (I) at the break path by increasing a distance (y) between the central axis and a base surface of the bend and reducing a second moment of area (I) at the break pathx) To concentrate stress along the break path. The material forming the container body must be sufficiently brittle to allow the container to break at the bend along a break path. The arrangement provided by us patent 8,485,360 is also limited to applications that utilize a particular size and shape of container and break path. In particular, the break path is limited to traversing relatively small distances. Altering the geometry of the break path, such as by increasing the length of the break, or altering the material forming the container body, such as by using a less brittle material, may result in failureCan consistently follow the break of the break path, form a fracture or jagged edge, or result in a break that does not open all the way along the desired path. Consumers do not expect the container to break along a broken or uneven path, which may be perceived by the consumer as visually unattractive and may suspect that portions of the container have been shredded into the product within the container. Some such broken or uneven or even broken paths may also pose a risk to users who may have their skin torn by being caught on uneven edges of the open container.
The snap feature described in the united states' 360 limits the possibility of altering the overall appearance of the container. The need for snap features can also lead to the presence of dead corners in the container. This means that the visual appeal of containers that accommodate snap features is limited and may also be perceived as wasted space and over-packed.
In nature, a fracture does not naturally follow a straight path. In general, naturally occurring fractures are jagged and branched, such as fractures generated in the ground after an earthquake, fractures present in ice, or fractures in objects such as glass when dropped. This natural phenomenon makes it difficult to produce cracks along a straight line over extended distances. This may be one reason behind the limitations of the prior art.
It would be desirable to provide a container that can be opened by breaking and overcomes one or more problems associated with the prior art. For example, it may be desirable to provide one or more of the following: containers with a longer break path than previously possible; a container having a breakable portion that can more easily follow a path in three dimensions; containers that can be shaped to more easily accommodate and arrange products of different shapes and sizes; containers that can be made of lighter materials; or containers that break more consistently along a clear path.
Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material forming part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art was at or before the priority date of the claims herein.
Disclosure of Invention
A first aspect of the invention provides a container comprising: a body having a cavity for containing one or more contents; a flange disposed about a periphery of the body; a lid attached to the flange for closing the contents within the cavity; and a breakable portion including a bend extending across the body from the first flange portion to the second flange portion, the breakable portion bisecting the body into a first body portion on one side of the bend and a second body portion on the other side of the bend, wherein the breakable portion defines a break path along which the body is adapted to break when a user applies a force exceeding a predetermined level to each of the first and second body portions on either side of the bend, the break path having an initial break point and a pair of ends, one of which is located at each of the first and second flange portions such that the body is adapted to break in opposite directions along the break path from the break point toward the respective ends, and wherein the breakable portion includes a plurality of broken conductors spaced from each other along the break path, each fracture conductor is defined by a local change in stiffness of the fracturable portion such that the fracture conductor helps to guide fracture propagation along the fracture path.
A "break path" is a defined path along which the body of the container breaks. In other words, the break path is the path that will break when the container is opened. The "breakable portion" is a portion of the body of the container that breaks.
The "predetermined level" is the amount of force at which the breakable portion is adapted to break along the break path. If the force is less than or equal to the predetermined level applied, the rupturable portion will not rupture and the container will remain unopened. And when a force exceeding a predetermined level is applied, the breakable portion will break at the initial breaking point and then along the break path until the entire break path is broken and the container is in the open state. Applying a force to each of the first and second body portions may be provided by a user firmly gripping the second body portion and then pressing on the front surface of the first body portion. The breakable portion will break along the break path when the force generated by firmly gripping the second body portion and pressing on the first body portion exceeds a predetermined level. Opening the container by breaking along the break path may be performed by a single or double hand action of the user.
The fracture conductor helps the fracture to propagate along the desired path. Thus, breaking the conductor may allow the container to break along the break path, which may not be feasible when the conductor is not in place. The broken conductor prevents the break from deviating from the break path. The broken conductors may increase the uniformity of breakage of, for example, the container, while some containers of the prior art will be less likely to consistently break along the desired break path. Thus, the broken conductor helps to form a consumer-friendly break in the container body.
A change in stiffness of the rupturable portion at the ruptured conductor may refer to a change in stiffness of the material forming the container body. Alternatively, the stiffness variation of the breakable part at the broken conductor may mean that the stiffness of the breakable part of a predetermined length at the broken conductor is different from the same length of the breakable part without the broken conductor.
According to a preferred embodiment, each broken conductor comprises a local depth variation of the bend. The depth of the bend is the maximum distance above or below the point of the surface level of the body portion on one side of the bend. In embodiments where the bend projects from the surface level into the cavity, the depth of the bend is the maximum distance below the surface level. And in embodiments where the bend extends outwardly from the cavity beyond the surface level, the depth of the bend is the maximum distance from the cavity outwardly from the surface level. The bend is preferably on the break path at the point of maximum distance above or below the surface level. Therefore, the depth of the bent portion at the broken conductor is changed to the difference between the depth of the bent portion at the cross section where the broken conductor does not exist and the depth of the bent portion at the cross section where the broken conductor exists. In some embodiments, the depth of the bend at the broken conductor may be increased as compared to the depth of the bend in the absence of the broken conductor. In other embodiments, the depth of the bend at the broken conductor may be reduced as compared to the depth of the bend where the broken conductor is not present.
One or more broken conductors may contain local depth variations of the bend. Alternatively, at least one of the broken conductors includes a local depth variation of the bend. Preferably, the local depth variation of the bend extends over a distance of about 0.5mm to about 5mm of the break path. The local depth variation of the bend may extend over a distance of about 1mm to about 4mm of the break path. The local depth variation of the bend may extend over a distance of about 2mm to about 3mm of the break path. Preferably, the depth of the bend varies from about 15% to about 90% of the total depth of the bend. More preferably, the depth of the bend varies from about 30% to about 70% of the total depth of the bend. More preferably, the depth of the bend varies from about 40% to about 60% of the total depth of the bend. Alternatively, the depth of the bend varies by more than 90% of the total depth of the bend. In other embodiments, the depth of the bend may vary by less than 15% of the total depth of the bend.
Preferably, where there is no broken conductor on the broken path, the depth of the bend will be substantially uniform. The depth of the bend at the area where no broken conductor is present may be about 0.1mm to about 10 mm. Alternatively, the depth of the bend at the region where no broken conductor is present is preferably about 0.3mm to about 5 mm. More preferably, the depth of the bend at the area where no broken conductor is present is about 0.5mm to about 3 mm. The depth of the bend at the area where no broken conductor is present is most preferably from about 2mm to about 3 mm. The depth of the bend at the region where no broken conductor is present may be varied as desired depending on the material of the body formation and/or the thickness of the body material.
Alternatively or additionally, each broken conductor includes a local cross-sectional shape change of the bend. The cross-sectional shape of the bend is the shape of the cross-section of the body at the bend taken perpendicular to the bend. Preferably, the local cross-sectional shape change of the bend extends over a distance of about 0.5mm to about 5mm of the break path. The local cross-sectional shape change of the bend may include a transition point between a depression on the first bend portion and a depression on the second bend portion. The first curved portion may be on a bend on one side of the break path and the second curved portion may be on a bend on the other side of the break path.
Alternatively or additionally, each broken conductor includes a local change of direction of the bend.
According to another embodiment, the body is formed of a crystallizable material and each broken conductor includes a localized crystallographic change of the material at the bend. Alternatively, the at least one broken conductor comprises a local crystallographic change of the body material at the bend. One or more broken conductors may include localized crystallographic changes of the body material at the bend. The crystallization of the material may be caused by heat or ultrasonic excitation. Alternatively, any other method may be used to cause the material to crystallize. Preferably, the crystallizable material is a polymeric material. For example, the crystallizable material may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or amorphous polyurethane terephthalate (APET).
A fractured conductor that includes or includes a local depth change at the bend or a local crystallographic change of the body material at the bend may result in increased stiffness of the fractured path at the fractured conductor as compared to other sections of the fractured path where the fractured conductor is not present. The increased stiffness means that the break path is more likely to break at the broken conductor. Increasing the stiffness may additionally or alternatively mean an increased brittleness of the body at the broken conductor. When the body breaks, the break propagates along the break path from the point of break toward each of the ends. Due to the increased stiffness, the fracture may continue along the fracture path toward and then through each of the fractured conductors. When the broken conductor is properly positioned, the break is more likely to break along the break path.
In a possible alternative embodiment, breaking the conductor includes methods other than local depth changes at the bend or local crystallographic changes of the body material at the bend.
In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness forming the body is substantially uniform throughout. In other words, the thickness of the material forming the body is uniform throughout. The body thickness is preferably substantially uniform across the length and width of the bend. The body thickness is preferably substantially uniform along the entire break path. This means that the break path does not have any perforations or weakened areas due to thinning of the body material thickness. The manufacturing process may cause some very slight differences in body thickness, although this is not intended. The substantially uniform thickness of the body may provide a container with improved masking performance, which is strong and less prone to accidental opening, compared to containers having lines of weakness due to perforations or thinning of the material.
The broken conductors are preferably spaced along the break path such that the cumulative distance of the breakable portions where broken conductors are present is less than the distance of the breakable portions where broken conductors are not present. The number of broken conductors along the break path may depend on the total length of the break path. It is preferred to use a greater number of broken conductors over a longer break path than a shorter break path. The number of broken conductors may depend on the shape of the break path. The number of broken conductors on a broken path having a plurality of undulations, bends or angles is preferably less than the number of broken conductors on a broken path having fewer undulations, bends or angles. The number and location of the broken conductors may be selected depending on the shape and size of the container to optimize the consistency of the break upon opening.
In one embodiment, the broken conductors are spaced along the straight long section of the break path to help guide the break along the elongated straight section of the break path. The elongated straight section of the break path may be substantially parallel to the flange. It is difficult or impossible in the prior art to form a consistent break along the break path along an elongated straight section parallel to the flange. The spaced apart conductors along the elongated straight path provide regions of local stiffness variation which help to keep the break straight along the break path with reduced probability of deviation.
According to another embodiment, the break conductor is positioned at a transition point on the curved section of the break path to help guide the break to propagate along the curved section of the break path. The transition point on the curved section of the break path may be an inflection point. An inflection point is a point on the curve at which the curve changes from concave to convex, or vice versa. Alternatively or additionally, the transition point on the curved section of the break path may be a point at which the curve shape changes to be steeper or less steep than the adjacent points on the break path. The transition point may be the point of the break where the break path changes from a straight line to a curved line. In the prior art, it may be difficult or infeasible to create a curved section of the desired shape of the break path or a break path that follows one or more curves in three dimensions that will break consistently along the break path.
According to another embodiment, the break conductor is positioned at a transition point on the angled section of the break path to help guide the break to propagate along the angled section of the break path. One or more broken conductors may be positioned at corners of an angled transition from one substantially straight section of the broken path to another substantially straight section of the broken path.
Positioning the break conductor at the transition point of a curved or angled section may help the break to propagate in a desired curve or angle without deviating the break tangent.
Local stiffness variations of the breakable portion also mean local stiffness variations of the break path. The local stiffness variation of the breakable part at the broken conductor means that the stiffness at the broken conductor is different from the stiffness at the breakable part where the broken conductor is not present. In a preferred embodiment, the local stiffness change of the breakable portion at the broken conductor is an increase of the stiffness of the breakable portion. Wherein the stiffness of the breakable portion at the broken conductor comprises an increase in local stiffness compared to a portion of the breakable portion where the broken conductor is absent. Alternatively, the local stiffness change of the breakable portion at the broken conductor is a decrease in stiffness of the breakable portion. In the case of a broken conductor having a reduced stiffness, the section without breakable portions of the broken conductor will have an increased stiffness compared to the section with broken conductor.
The body of the container should be formed of a material that allows the body to break along the break path upon proper application of force by the user. Materials that are too elastic or deformable or have very high elasticity may not be suitable. The body may be formed of a polymer. The body is preferably formed from a material comprising: polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyurethane terephthalate (APET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), biomaterials, mineral filler materials, thin metal forming materials, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or laminates.
The body may be formed by at least one of sheet thermoforming, injection molding, compression molding, or 3D printing. In the prior art, it was difficult or infeasible to create a rupturable container using 3D printing that would rupture consistently along the break path. Adding a fracture conductor along the fracture path may allow the container formed by 3D printing to fracture more consistently.
The lid is preferably bonded and sealed to the flange. The lid may be bonded and sealed to the flange by any suitable method including heat, ultrasonic welding, pressure sensitive bonding, or heat activated bonding.
The first body portion and the second body portion intersect at a bend. The bend includes a region of the first body portion and the second body portion adjacent the intersection portion. The intersection between the first body portion and the second body portion provides at least a portion of the break-off path. Preferably, the first body portion and
the intersection between the second body portions is a break path. Each of the first and second body portions may approach the intersection portion linearly or curvilinearly at a section where there is no bend of the broken conductor. For example, if both the first body portion and the second body portion are in line proximate to the intersection, the cross-section of the area around the intersection will resemble a V-shape. Alternatively, if both the first and second body portions are curved to approximate the intersection, the cross-section of the area around the intersection may resemble a U-shape, or may exhibit both sides steadily curving down to a point or may have one side half U-shaped and the other side smoothly curving down to intersect the outward curve of the U-shape.
According to a preferred embodiment, the intersection between the first body portion and the second body portion forms an angle of about 20 ° to about 170 °, and more preferably, the angle is from about 45 ° to 105 °. The intersection between the first body portion and the second body portion is formed by the intersection between a first curved portion on the first body portion and a second curved portion on the second body portion. The angle formed between the first curved portion and the second curved portion is preferably between about 20 ° and about 170 °. More preferably, the angle is from about 45 ° to about 120 °. An angle of about 70 ° to about 100 ° may help to produce a consistent fracture when the body of the container is opened. More preferably, the angle formed between the first curved portion and the second curved portion is preferably between about 75 ° and about 90 °. The most preferred angle for rupturing a body formed of one material may be different from the most preferred angle for rupturing a body formed of another material. Further, the thickness of the material used to form the body may also have an effect on the most preferred angle. The depth and overall size of the bend may additionally result in certain angles that provide greater benefits than other angles.
According to an embodiment, the first flange portion and the second flange portion have an increased flange width compared to a flange section adjacent to the first flange portion and the second flange portion. As the bend is oriented inwardly towards the cavity, the flange width may increase at the first and second flange portions such that the intersection between the first and second body portions at the flange provides an increased width.
According to a further embodiment, the first and second flange portions have substantially the same flange width as the flange sections adjacent the first and second flange portions. The bend may transition linearly from the body to the flange so as to provide the substantially same flange width at the first flange portion and the second flange portion. The bend may curve from the body to the flange to provide the substantially same flange width at the first flange portion and the second flange portion. Alternatively, the bend may transition from the body to the flange at the first flange width portion and the second flange width portion in a combination of straight and curved lines.
Alternatively, the width of the flanges at the first and second flange portions may be reduced compared to the flange sections on either side of the first and second flange portions. In another alternative embodiment, the flange width at the first and second flange width portions may be reduced compared to the flange section on the first side of the first and second flange portions and may be increased compared to the flange section on the second side of the first and second flange portions. Alternatively, the width of the flange on the first and second flange width portions may be the same as the flange section on the first side of the first and second flange portions and may be increased or decreased compared to the flange section on the second side of the first and second flange portions.
The break path may have more than one break point. When there is more than one breaking point, the body will break at each breaking point simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, and the break propagating from each breaking point will travel towards the adjacent breaking point. If the breaking point is located between two other breaking points on the break path, the break from that breaking point will propagate along the break path in each direction towards each of the other breaking points. If the breaking point has a further breaking point in one direction along the breaking path and an end in the other direction along the breaking path, the break from this breaking point will propagate along the breaking path in one direction towards the further breaking point and in the other direction towards the end.
Preferably, the depth of the bend will be substantially uniform at locations on the break path where no broken conductor is present. In some embodiments, the depth of the bend may be substantially uniform even in the presence of a broken conductor.
A bend extending across the body between the first and second flange portions may extend into the cavity of the body. Alternatively, a bend extending across the body between the first and second flange portions may extend outwardly from the body away from the cavity. The outwardly extending bend means that the bend extends outwardly from the body cavity compared to the regions of the first and second body portions on either side of the bend. In a preferred embodiment, the curved portion extends inwardly into the cavity. An inwardly extending bend means that the bend extends into the body cavity compared to the regions of the first and second body portions on either side of the bend.
In the case of a broken conductor formed by a change in the depth of the bend, which extends inwardly into the body cavity, the broken conductor also preferably extends inwardly into the body cavity. The broken conductor may extend deeper into the container body than the bend section where the broken conductor is not present. Preferably, the broken conductor is reduced in depth compared to a bend section where no broken conductor is present.
The bend may be in the form of a recess, groove or channel, which would mean that the bend extends into the cavity of the container. The depth of the bend is preferably uniform throughout all sections where no broken conductor is present. Alternatively, the curved portion may have a depth at a section where no broken conductor exists that varies depending on the position of the container body.
The bend may be in the form of a ridge or elongate ridge in the surface, which would mean that the bend extends outwardly from the container body away from the cavity. The height of the ridge or elongated ridge is preferably uniform throughout the section where no broken conductor is present. Alternatively, the height of the bend at the section where no broken conductor is present may vary from one location to another on the container body.
The container according to the invention can be easily opened by one hand of the user. Depending on the size of the container and its contents, the user may prefer to use both hands to open the container.
Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
fig. 1A to 1D show a container according to a first embodiment;
fig. 2A to 2D show a container according to a second embodiment;
3A-3F show the container according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1A and in a closed position;
4A-4E show a container according to the first embodiment of FIG. 1C and in an open position;
fig. 5A to 5E show a container according to a third embodiment;
fig. 6A to 6E show a container according to a fourth embodiment;
fig. 7A-7D show a container according to a fifth embodiment;
fig. 8A to 8I show a container according to a sixth embodiment;
fig. 9A to 9F show a variant of the first embodiment of fig. 1, in which the flange width at the intersection between the recess and the flange is different.
Detailed Description
Fig. 1A shows a front view and fig. 1B shows an isometric view of a
The
The
The
The body 11 of the
The force required to initiate the break is greater than the force required to propagate the tear along the
To assist in propagating the fracture along the
In the embodiment of fig. 1, the break-off
Fig. 3B shows a cross-section of the
In fig. 3D, which shows a close-up view of section a of fig. 3A, the shape of the
The
In addition to the reduced depth at the
The intersection between the first
The front wall 14 of the
Fig. 1C and 4A-4E show the
Fig. 2A-2D show an alternative embodiment in which the overall size and shape of the
A break-off
The break-off
The
Similarly, for the previously discussed embodiments, the
Fig. 5A-5G show embodiments in which the break-off
The
The
As shown in fig. 5C, the depth of the
Fig. 5E shows an enlarged view of detail I of fig. 5A. Fig. 5F shows a cross-section along line K of fig. 5E. Fig. 5G shows a cross-section along line L of fig. 5E. The bold lines in fig. 5F and 5G show the contours of the
Each recessed
The
When a user holds the package and applies a force greater than a predetermined level to
Fig. 6A-6E show another embodiment in which a
The
Fig. 6C shows an enlarged view of detail N of fig. 6A. Fig. 6D is a cross-section taken along line P of fig. 6C. Fig. 6E is a cross section taken along line Q of fig. 6C. Fig. 6D shows a cross-section across the
As shown in fig. 6E, in the presence of
The
Fig. 7A-7D demonstrate possible variations in the shape and depth of
The
Fig. 8A-8I show embodiments where the
Fig. 9A and 9B show a variation of the embodiment of fig. 1A, in which the
Fig. 9C and 9D show the first flange portion in the same embodiment as fig. 1A. The flange width at the
Fig. 9E and 9F show a variation of the embodiment of fig. 1A, in which the flange width remains substantially uniform across the
In any embodiment, the body and flange are preferably formed as a single component. The body and flange may be formed by a suitable manufacturing procedure, in particular one of sheet thermoforming, injection moulding, compression moulding or 3D printing. Preferably, the body and flange are formed from a material comprising one or a combination of more than one of: polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyurethane terephthalate (APET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), biomaterials, mineral filler materials, thin metal forming materials, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or laminates. In particular, embodiments of the container may have a body and flange formed of a polystyrene material or a polypropylene material in the region of a thickness of about 100 μm to 1000 μm, more preferably about 300 μm to 900 μm, and more preferably 400 μm to 750 μm. The material used and its thickness should be selected to ensure that a container is formed which can be broken along the break path. The use of a fractured conductor means that the material and thickness of the container, which previously failed to provide a consistent fracture, can now achieve the goal of providing a container that will fracture along a predefined fracture path.
When the body and flange are formed by one of the methods described above, the contents may be inserted or placed into the cavity. The lid must then be placed over the outer surface of the flange to enclose the contents. In some instances, such as when the contents are liquids or other flowable substances or perishable items, it is desirable that the body, flange and lid form a hermetic seal around the contents. The lid is preferably bonded and sealed to the flange by heat, ultrasonic welding, pressure sensitive bonding, heat activated bonding or other types of bonding. However, any other known means for bonding and sealing the lid and flange may be used.
In an alternative embodiment, no areas of local stiffness variation are created by geometric features of the depth or shape of the fractured conductor. In some embodiments, the fractured conductors may include regions of increased local stiffness of the crystalline form of the host material at the spaced fractured conductors. In such embodiments, the body of the container is formed from a crystallizable material. For example, polymeric materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and amorphous polyurethane terephthalate (APET) may be used. Alternative crystallizable polymeric materials may also be used, including polypropylene and/or other polymers that exhibit increased crystallization and changes in mechanical properties upon prolonged heating. The regions of increased local stiffness in the form of spaced apart fractured conductors (including increased material crystallization) may be formed by heating or ultrasonically exciting the host material at the desired locations of the fractured conductors.
International publication No. wo2016/081996, the details of which are incorporated herein by reference, provides a method for manufacturing a container having a rupturable opening. The regions where crystallization of the bulk material along the break path provides a local increase in stiffness may be created by selective heating at the broken conductor to increase the level of crystallization of the crystallizable material to above 30% and up to possibly 85%. The optimum temperature for crystallization of the cleavable region will be above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the crystallizable polymeric material. This glass transition temperature is typically about 70 ℃ depending on the formulation of the polymeric material. The maximum crystallization rate may be achieved in a temperature range of about 130 ℃ to about 200 ℃, and more preferably in a range of about 160 ℃ to about 170 ℃. The temperature may most preferably be about 165 ℃. The optimal length of time for selectively heating the fracturable region can vary depending on whether selective heating occurs during or after the production cycle of the shell portion. When selective heating occurs during a standard production cycle, this time period may be 3 seconds to 5 seconds. Alternatively, localized crystallization of the material may be produced by methods other than heating (such as ultrasonic excitation).
In each of the embodiments described above, the material thickness is substantially uniform throughout the body and across the breakable portion. Although slight variations in thickness may be apparent after the formation process of the container body, such variations are not meant to imply perforating the material or intentionally thinning the line of material.
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