U.S. patent application number 13/938876 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for recyclable compost container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Richard Guertin. Invention is credited to Richard Guertin.
Application Number | 20140263304 13/938876 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51522937 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140263304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guertin; Richard |
September 18, 2014 |
RECYCLABLE COMPOST CONTAINER
Abstract
The present invention provides a recyclable composite container.
The recyclable composite container comprises a cardboard hollow
body having an open end defining an opening. The body is formed by
a sidewall having an inwardly rolled rim at the open end. The
container also comprises a framing element which is removably
connectable to the open end of the cardboard hollow body. The
framing element has a peripheral portion and a hook-shaped
connector linked to this peripheral portion. The connector is for
engaging with the inwardly rolled rim of the cardboard hollow body.
Such construction thereby allows connection of the framing element
to the cardboard hollow body by hooking the connector to the rim of
the cardboard hollow body, and disconnection of the framing element
from the cardboard hollow body by pulling the framing element so as
to disengage the connector from the rim.
Inventors: |
Guertin; Richard; (Beauport,
CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Guertin; Richard |
Beauport |
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CA |
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Family ID: |
51522937 |
Appl. No.: |
13/938876 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13698925 |
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PCT/CA2011/000580 |
May 16, 2011 |
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13938876 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.28 ;
220/345.3; 220/495.08; 220/625 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/16 20130101;
B65D 2543/00435 20130101; B65D 3/04 20130101; Y02W 90/14 20150501;
B65D 2565/385 20130101; Y02W 90/10 20150501 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.28 ;
220/495.08; 220/345.3; 220/625 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/16 20060101
B65D025/16; B65D 41/16 20060101 B65D041/16; B65D 90/08 20060101
B65D090/08; B65D 88/08 20060101 B65D088/08; B65D 88/52 20060101
B65D088/52 |
Claims
1. A recyclable composite container comprising: a cardboard hollow
body having an open end defining an opening, the body being formed
by a sidewall having an inwardly rolled rim at the open end; a
framing element removably connectable to the open end, the framing
element having a peripheral portion and a hook-shaped connector
linked to the peripheral portion for engaging with the inwardly
rolled rim of the cardboard hollow body; thereby allowing
connection of the framing element to the cardboard hollow body by
hooking the connector to the rim of the cardboard hollow body, and
disconnection of the framing element from the cardboard hollow body
by pulling the framing element so as to disengage the connector
from the rim.
2. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1, wherein
the connector comprises an axial section ending with a hook
extending radially and outwardly, and the rolled rim comprises an
axial section and a free end, and when the framing element is
connected to the open end, the axial section of the connector is
adjacent the axial section of the rolled rim, and the hook
interlocks the free end of the rolled rim.
3. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1, wherein
the connector comprises a flange having an outwardly curved end,
the flange extending continuously along said peripheral
portion.
4. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1,
comprising a plurality of said of hooked-shaped connector
distributed along said peripheral portion.
5. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1, wherein
the peripheral portion comprises a collar sized and shaped for
fitting snugly over the open end of the cardboard hollow body when
the framing element is connected to the open end.
6. The recyclable composite container according to claim 4, wherein
the framing element comprises a cover wall integral to the collar,
for closing the opening of the cardboard hollow body when the
framing element is connected to the open end.
7. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1, wherein
the peripheral portion of the framing element is a lid flange
defining an aperture, for sealingly and removably receiving a
lid.
8. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1, further
comprising a bag for lining an inner surface of the sidewall the
cardboard hollow body, the bag having an open end clampable between
the inwardly rolled rim and the connector.
9. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1, wherein
the cardboard hollow body further comprises: a second open end
having an inwardly rolled rim defining a second opening; a second
framing element removably connectable to the second open end, said
second framing element having a peripheral portion and a
hook-shaped connector, said connector of the second framing element
extending from the peripheral portion of the second framing
element, for engaging with the inwardly rolled rim of the second
open end of the cardboard hollow body.
10. The recyclable composite container according to claim 9,
further comprising a bag wrapable around the sidewall the cardboard
hollow body for lining both inner and outer surfaces of the
sidewall, the bag being clampable at both ends of the cardboard
hollow body between each of the inwardly rolled rim and the
connector of the corresponding framing element.
11. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1,
wherein the cardboard hollow body is tubular and the framing
element has an annular shape.
12. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1,
wherein the framing element comprises two components, a first
component comprising the peripheral portion and a second component
comprising the connector, one of the components being provided with
a groove, and the other one of the components being provided with a
clipping element for fitting in said groove, the groove and
clipping element forming a tongue-and-groove joint for connecting
the first and second components together.
13. The recyclable composite container according to claim 1,
wherein the framing element comprises two components, a first
component comprising the peripheral portion and a second component
comprising the connector, one of the components being provided with
a first threaded surface, and the other one of the components being
provided with a complementary second threaded surface, whereby the
first and second components are screwable to one another.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to packaging and
more particularly relates to a composite container system which can
be disassembled and the components thereof recycled.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Packaging, such as box-shaped containers, are normally made
entirely from a single material such as metal, plastic, wood or
cardboard. Also known are composite containers made from
combinations of either metal and plastic or metal and cardboard.
When an impervious or leak-proof container is required for
substances such as paint, toxic or harmful chemical products and
the like, which may include volatile or other chemically active
components, the containers are generally made entirely of a single
material such as metal or plastic because these materials enable
the containers to be made both leak-proof and structurally
rigid.
[0003] The known composite containers typically comprise cardboard
tubes closed at either end with metal end framing structures. The
peripheral edges of these end framing structures are typically
joined to the cardboard tube by a crimping or seaming process
wherein the edge of the end framing structure is bent around one of
the cylinder's extremities, thereby permanently deforming and
connecting both the end framing structure and the cylinder's
extremity. The crimping can also retain a metallised liner which is
provided along the interior surface of the cardboard cylinder.
[0004] Other known composite containers are for containing food
products. They are typically made of a cardboard tube having both
extremities ending with outwardly rolled rims.
[0005] The inside wall of the tube is provided with an impervious
liner in order to render it airtight and watertight. The bottom of
such a container is generally provided with a metallic closure and
the top end is closed with a membrane sealed to the impervious
liner. The rim of the top end must be outwardly rolled in order to
allow the membrane to be sealed to the exposed liner of the rim, as
the sealing of the membrane would not be possible with inwardly
rolled rims. A reusable end cap is snapped over the outwardly
rolled rim.
[0006] When manufacturing such containers, the liner ply is applied
over the cardboard ply using an adhesive, and the combined plies
are heated in such a way that they are bonded together thus forming
a single thicker ply, which is then rolled into a tube. The
recycling of the different components of such containers is simply
not possible because of the crimped metallic closure, and because
the cardboard plies are bonded with polymeric liners using
adhesive.
[0007] Also known to the Applicant is document U.S. Pat. No.
7,703,626, describing a container having an outwardly rolled rim
and closed by a cover. The cover has an annular ring provided with
a projection located underneath the rim. The cover also has a
detachable portion which must be removed in order to access the
interior of the container. The rolled rim must thus be rolled
outwardly in order for users to access the detachable portion of
the cover.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,708 describes an adhesively secured
container cover. The cover includes a ring fitted over the rolled
edge of a container wall. The ring is maintained in place with an
adhesive, the ring having an annular cavity for receiving the
adhesive. As it can be appreciated, the closure of the container
can not be removed from the sidewall of the container once in
place, and thus can not be easily recycled.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,867 describes a sleeved container used
to contain juice concentrates and the like. The container includes
an outer cardboard sleeve and an inner plastic sleeve. The inner
plastic sleeve is provided with an outturned flange fitted over the
upper end of the cardboard sleeve and includes an upper portion
which is moulded or formed such as to include a groove into which
the tongue of the closure can fit.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,459 describes a paint can rim cover and
a lid, the rim cover being used to prevent paint from drying within
the groove of the rim of a paint can of well-known construction. A
typical paint can is formed of a cardboard cylinder having its
upper end outwardly rolled and of a metallic rim rolled and crimped
around the outwardly rolled end of the cardboard cylinder. The
connection between the cardboard cylinder and the metallic rim is
made so as to be permanent. The plastic rim cover of the invention
is destined to cooperate with the metallic rim of the paint can,
the rim cover having a lip which cooperates with the bead of the
metallic rim. U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,110 describes yet another type of
device connectable to the metallic rim of a typical paint can.
[0011] Also known in the art or in related fields of the art are
the following documents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,052; U.S. Pat. No.
3,815,778; U.S. Pat. No. 3,973,719; U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,653; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,160,063; U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,550; U.S. Pat. No.
6,250,492; U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,971; U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,218; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,703,626; EP0952087, EP1081051, EP1092526, EP1092647 ; EP
1104744; US 2009/0283526; WO97/47525; GB 2235920; U.S. Pat. No.
3,730,382; U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,511; U.S. Pat. No. 3,770,156; U.S.
Pat. No. 3,792,797; U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,420; U.S. Pat. No.
3,915,336; U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,686; U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,459; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,491,238; U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,097; U.S. Pat. No.
4,676,392; U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,699; U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,707; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,700,867; U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,571; U.S. Pat. No.
4,856,708; U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,387; U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,689; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,246,134; U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,632; U.S. Pat. No.
5,316,169; U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,853; U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,814; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,806,710; U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,861; U.S. Pat. No.
6,220,471; U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,110; U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,348; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,350,789; U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,789; U.S. 20090159607; and
U.S. 20110056976.
[0012] The main drawback of prior composite containers is that once
assembled these containers cannot be easily disassembled, making
recycling of their various components very difficult.
[0013] It would therefore be desirable to provide a composite
container system which can overcome this disadvantage.
[0014] It would also be desirable to provide a container system
which can be dissembled and then recycled, at least partly, and
that would also be versatile, lightweight, inexpensive and/or
easily manufactured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In accordance with the present invention, a recyclable
composite container is provided.
[0016] The recyclable composite container comprises a cardboard
hollow body having an open end defining an opening. The body is
formed by a sidewall having an inwardly rolled rim at the open
end.
[0017] The container also comprises a framing element which is
removably connectable to the open end of the cardboard hollow body.
The framing element has a peripheral portion and a hook-shaped
connector linked to this peripheral portion. The connector is for
engaging with the inwardly rolled rim of the cardboard hollow
body.
[0018] Such construction thereby allows connection of the framing
element to the cardboard hollow body by hooking the connector to
the rim of the cardboard hollow body, and disconnection of the
framing element from the cardboard hollow body by pulling the
framing element so as to disengage the connector from the rim.
[0019] The container according to the invention provides a
connection of the framing element and the cardboard hollow body
sturdy enough to allow a normal use of the container, for example
for containing paint, silicone or food, and for resisting pressure
and temperature variations that can occur during transportation or
handling of the container. The connection is at the same time
removable such that by applying sufficient amount of force, the
framing element can be dissembled from the cardboard hollow body,
in order to recycle the main components of the container. When
describing the relation of the connector to the peripheral portion
of the framing element, it should be understood that the word
"linked" means that the connector can be either integral to the
peripheral portion of the framing element, or connected to it,
either directly or indirectly, via another component.
[0020] Having the container with an inwardly rolled rim provides
the advantage of hiding the rolled rim and the connector inside the
container, such that the person handling the container during
normal use does not have readily access to these connecting
elements. Having the rims rolled inwardly also allows providing a
more compact and uniform container when viewed from the outside,
thus improving its aesthetics, because the connector and the rolled
rims are hidden inside the container.
[0021] By composite container, it is meant the container is made of
different parts made of different materials.
[0022] By framing element, it is meant an element substantially
rigid to provide rigidity and structure to the cardboard hollow
body.
[0023] By peripheral portion, it is meant a zone, an area or a
section of the framing element located along its periphery.
[0024] The expression "removably connected" refers to the framing
element rather that to a lid, and is intended to mean that when
applying a predetermined amount of pulling force on the framing
element, the connector can be disengaged from the inwardly rolled
rims, allowing the framing element to be disconnected from the
cardboard hollow body.
[0025] Preferably, the connector comprises an axial section ending
with a hook extending radially and outwardly, and the rolled rim
comprises an axial section and a free end, and when the framing
element is connected to the open end, the axial section of the
connector is adjacent the axial section of the rolled rim, and the
hook interlocks the free end of the rolled rim.
[0026] In accordance with a first variant of the container, the
connector comprises a flange having an outwardly curved end, the
flange extending continuously along said peripheral portion.
[0027] In accordance with a second variant of the container
comprises a plurality of said of hooked-shaped connector
distributed along said peripheral portion.
[0028] Preferably, the framing element comprises a cover wall
integral to the collar, for closing the opening of the cardboard
hollow body when the framing element is connected to the open
end.
[0029] Preferably, the peripheral portion of the framing element is
a lid flange defining an aperture, for sealingly and removably
receiving a lid.
[0030] Preferably, the recyclable composite container comprises a
bag for lining an inner surface of the sidewall of the cardboard
hollow body, the bag having an open end clampable between the
inwardly rolled rim and the connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading the following
non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given
for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a framing element
according to a first variant.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the framing element
of FIG. 2.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a top view of the framing element of FIG. 2.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a close-up of a portion of the cross-sectional
view of the framing element of FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a framing element
according to a second variant.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the framing element
of FIG. 6.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a top view of the framing element of FIG. 6.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a close-up of a portion of the cross-sectional
view of the framing element of FIG. 8, taken along line 9-9.
[0041] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a framing element
according to a third variant.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the framing element
of FIG. 10.
[0043] FIG. 12 is a top view of the framing element of FIG. 10.
[0044] FIG. 13 is a close-up of a portion of the cross-sectional
view of the framing element of FIG. 12, taken along line 13-13.
[0045] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of preferred variant of a
cardboard hollow body.
[0046] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cardboard hollow
body of FIG. 15.
[0047] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a container according to
another preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0048] FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG.
16 when assembled.
[0049] FIG. 18 is a top view of the container of FIG. 16, when
assembled, without the lid.
[0050] FIG. 19 is a close-up view of a portion of the container of
FIG. 18, taken along lines 19-19.
[0051] FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of a framing element
according to a fourth variant.
[0052] FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the framing element
of FIG. 20.
[0053] FIG. 22 is a top view of the framing element of FIG. 20.
[0054] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the framing element of
FIG. 22, taken along line 23-23. FIG. 23A is a closed view of a
portion of FIG. 23.
[0055] FIG. 24 is a top view of a cardboard hollow body lined with
a bag.
[0056] FIG. 25 is a cross-section view of the cardoboard hollow
body of FIG. 24, taken along lines 25-25.
[0057] FIG. 26 is a top perspective view of a container according
to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0058] FIG. 27 is a top view of the container of FIG. 26.
[0059] FIG. 28 is a close-up view of a portion of the container of
FIG. 27, taken along lines 28-28.
[0060] FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of a container according
to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0061] FIG. 30 is a top view of the container of FIG. 29.
[0062] FIG. 31 is a close-up view of a portion of the container of
FIG. 27, taken along lines 31-31.
[0063] FIG. 32 is a top perspective view of a container according
to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0064] FIG. 33 is a top view of the container of FIG. 32.
[0065] FIG. 34 is a close-up view of a portion of the container of
FIG. 27, taken along lines 34-34.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0066] In the following description, similar features in the
drawings have been given similar reference numerals. In order to
preserve clarity, certain elements may not be identified in some
figures if they are already identified in a previous figure.
[0067] With reference to FIG. 1, a recyclable composite container
10, hereafter referred as container, is shown. The container 10
comprises a cardboard hollow body 12 having an open end 14,
defining an opening 16. The body 12 is formed by a sidewall 18
having an inwardly rolled rim 20 at the bottom open end 14. The
container also comprises a framing element 22 removably connectable
to the open end 14.
[0068] The framing element 22 has a peripheral portion 24 and a
hook-shaped connector 26 linked to the peripheral portion 24 for
engaging with the inwardly rolled rim 20 of the cardboard hollow
body 12. In this variant of the framing element, the connector 26
extends from the peripheral portion 24. The framing element 22 can
be connected to the cardboard hollow body 12 by hooking the
connector 26 to the inwardly rolled rim 20 of the cardboard hollow
body 12, and disconnected from the cardboard hollow body 12 by
pulling the framing element 22 so as to disengage the connector 26
from the rim 20.
[0069] During assembly, the framing element 22 is forced into the
cylinder 12 until the connectors 26 are past the rolled rim 20.
Preferably, the connector 26 has a tapered surface opposite the rim
30 of the cylinder 12 so as to ease this process.
[0070] FIGS. 14 and 15 show the cardboard hollow body 12 with
greater details. Although the cardboard hollow body 12 is shown as
cylindrical, it will be appreciated that the shape of the body 12
is not limited to circular cross-sections. The cardboard body 12
has at least one rim, and in the present case two inwardly rolled
rims 20, 30 which can have different types of shapes, such as a
semi-circular or a semi-oval shape. At least one of the rims 20, 30
must be sufficiently curved to allow a connector to interlock with
the rim, thus forming a flange-like portion, or engaging surface,
at angle from the sidewall 18 of the body 12.
[0071] A cardboard hollow body is typically formed by convoluting
or spiralling plies of cardboard or kraft-type paper material. The
rolled rims 20, 30 can be formed by forcing the edge of the
cylinder 12 inward so as to form an inwardly extending, flange-like
portion. Preferably, these rolled rims 20, 30 extend all around the
first and second open ends 14, 28. Given a cardboard of suitable
thickness and construction, the rims 20, 30 are stable and will
generally not unroll or otherwise deform during regular use.
[0072] Back to FIG. 1, the container 10 also comprises a second
framing element 32 removably connectable to the second open end 28,
corresponding to the top end of the body 12. The second framing
element 32 also has a peripheral portion and a hook-shaped
connector (not shown in FIG. 1). Best shown in FIG. 3, the second
framing element 32 is similar to the first framing element 22 in
that it is provided with a peripheral portion 24 and a connector 34
extending from that portion 24 to engage with the rolled rim
30.
[0073] When assembled, the cardboard cylinder 12 is thus reinforced
at either end by the first and second framing elements 22 and 32.
Preferably, the end framing elements 22 and 32 are formed from
moulded plastic. The first and second end framing structures 22 and
32 reinforce the bottom and top of the container 10, respectively.
It will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as "top",
"bottom" and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken
in the context of the figures and should not be considered
limiting.
[0074] Now referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the first variant of the
framing element 32 is best shown. The framing element 32 is
provided with a variant of the hook-shaped connector 34 which is
formed by a flange 36 having an outwardly curved end 38. The flange
36 extends continuously along the peripheral portion of the framing
element 32. The framing element 32 is also provided with apertures
to allow the product it contains to be poured out.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the second variant of the framing
element 22 is best shown. The framing element 22 is provided with a
plurality of hooked-shaped connectors 26 distributed along the
peripheral portion 24 of the framing element 22.
[0076] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, these two variants of
framing elements, 22 and 32, both comprise respective collars 40,
42 sized and shaped for fitting snugly over the corresponding open
ends 14, 28 of the cardboard hollow body 12 when the framing
elements 22, 32 are connected cardboard body 12.
[0077] The framing elements 22, 32 are also each provided with
cover walls, 44 and 46 respectively, integral to collars 40 and 42.
The cover walls 44, 46 are for closing the opening 16 of the
cardboard hollow body when the framing elements 22, 32 are
connected to the open ends 14, 28. When the container 10 is
assembled, the cover walls 44, 46 integrally extend from the
respective collars 40, 42, perpendicularly across the body 12, the
framing element 22 closing the bottom of the container 10
completely, while the framing element 32 almost completely closes
the top end of the container 10, safe for the apertures. Such
container can be used for example for powdered cleanser.
[0078] Now referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, a third variant of a
framing element 48 is shown. This variant 48 can be used for
example with the container 10 of FIG. 1, in replacement of the top
framing element 22. This variant of the framing element 48 has an
annular shape and has its peripheral portion defining a lid flange
50, which defines in turn an aperture in the framing element 48.
This lid flange 50 allows for sealingly and removably receiving a
lid (not shown), allowing to close off the aperture. This variant
of the framing element is particularly advantageous for container
food product, such as pasta or coffee for example. The lid could be
hinged to or snap fitted over the lid 50. This third variant 48 is
also provided with hook-shaped connectors 26 extending from the lid
flange 50, and a collar 40 for snugly fitting over the rim 30.
[0079] After using the container, and when time comes to dissemble
it, the lid flange 50 advantageously provides a support for
exerting the pulling force required to remove the framing element
48 from the cardboard body 12. Since the rolled rim 30 is made of
cardboard, it has a relative flexibility and is able to be deformed
when a substantial amount of pulling force is applied on the
framing element 48. Such construction of the container 10, when
assembled, is particularly advantageous since it is sturdy enough
to allow normal usage of the container and resist impacts, changes
of temperature and humidity generally occurring during normal use
of the container, and yet it allows the container to be dissembled
such that its main components can be recycled or even reused if
their state permits it, when a sufficient amount of force is
applied to disengage the framing elements from the cardboard tube
12.
[0080] With reference to FIGS. 16 to 23, another preferred
embodiment of a recyclable composite container is shown. The
container 52 comprises a framing element 22 for closing off the
bottom end of the container. The container 52 includes a bag 54 for
lining an inner surface 56 of the sidewall 18 the cardboard hollow
body 12. The bag 54 comprises an open end 58, a closed end and a
diameter that is sized to fit within the cylinder 12. The framing
element 53 provides an end framing structure to the upper end of
the body 12, and allows clamping and maintaining in place the bag
54 within the body 12. As best shown in FIG. 19, the bag 54 has an
open end 58 clampable between the inwardly rolled rim 30 and the
connector 26. The container 52 also includes a removable lid 70
which can be sealingly closed over the framing element 53.
[0081] The container 52 is provided with the bag 54 for containing
a liquid, a gel or similar substance. In addition, a bag 54 may be
desirable in order to protect the contents of the container 52 from
humidity and/or to prevent odours from escaping the container 52.
In addition, the bag 54 can advantageously be used to protect the
cardboard cylinder 12, whose main role is to provide structure to
the container 52, from being damaged by the substance contained
therein. For embodiments where a liquid should be contained within
a metallic surface, a metalized bag comprising an interior metallic
layer can be used.
[0082] The closed end of the bag 54 could be fixed to the bottom
end framing structure 14 or could simply be left loose, extending
downwards within the cardboard body 12 as illustrated. As such,
whatever is stored within the container 52 is sealed within the
walls of the bag 54, the collar 40 and the lid 70. In addition, it
will be appreciated that even if the bag 54 is loose, a desirable
vacuum may be created between the bag 54 and the cardboard body 12
as the container 10 is assembled and filled. This vacuum can serve
to keep the bag 54 tight against the inside of the cardboard body
12 even as it is emptied.
[0083] In FIG. 19, it can be seen that the connector 26 comprises
an axial section 60 ending with a hook 62 extending radially and
outwardly towards the sidewall of the container, and the rolled rim
30 comprises an axial section 64 and a free end 66, and when the
framing element 53 is connected to the open end, the axial section
60 of the connector 26 is adjacent the axial section 64 of the
rolled rim 30, and the hook 62 interlocks the free end 66 of the
rolled rim 30, underneath the free end 66. Preferably, the ratio of
the length of the hook 62 and of the length of the axial section 60
varies between 15% and 45%, and more preferably between 20% and
35%. As shown, the clamped section of the bag 38 extends all the
way in the collar 40 of the framing element 53, further retaining
the bag 54. As it can be appreciated, the bag 54 is not attached or
fixed to the inner surface 56 of the cardboard hollow body 12 with
any adhesive or glue. The bag 54 can simply be held loose within
the body 12 or be maintained in contact with the inner surface 56
of the sidewall of the body 12 by vacuum. Both alternatives
advantageously allow, after use of the container, easy removal of
the bag from the cardboard body, in order to recycle the cardboard
body 12 or both the cardboard body 12 and the plastic bag 54.
[0084] FIGS. 20 to 23 show the variant of the framing element 53.
This variant is provided with a flange lid 50 especially adapted to
receive a lid, such as the ones typically used for paint
containers. The framing element 53 is also provided with a tapered
inner flange 68 which can advantageously hide the inwardly rolled
rim and provides a smooth transition between the interior of the
container and the framing element 53, facilitating the pouring of
paint in a pan for example.
[0085] With reference to FIGS. 24 and 25, another alternative for
lining the cardboard hollow tube 12 is shown. The bag 54 is wrapped
around the sidewall 18 the cardboard hollow body 12 for lining both
inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall 18, the bag being then
clampable at both ends 14, 28 of the cardboard hollow body 12. When
the container 52 is assemble, the bag 54 is clamped between each of
the inwardly rolled rims 20, 30 and the connectors 26 of the
corresponding framing element 22, 53.
[0086] In this variant, a longer bag 54 is provided and extends not
just within the body 12, as discussed above, but along its exterior
as well. Rather than being clamped between the upper framing
element 53 and upper end 28 at its open end, it would be clamped
for example at the lower end first, with framing element 22,
approximately at midpoint of the bag 54. The framing elements in
FIGS. 24 and 25 are not shown for clarity purposes. The remainder
of the bag 54, i.e. the portion between its midpoint and open end
28, would pass back along the outer surface of the body 12,
preferably fitting tightly therearound. The bag 54 would then
clamped between the upper framing structure 53 and the upper end 28
of the cylinder 12. Such a bag 54 would therefore be able to both
contain a liquid within the container 52 and provide protection for
the exterior of the cardboard cylinder 12. The portion of the bag
54 which extends outside the body 12 could be heat-shrunk in order
to ensure the tightness of the bag 54 around the exterior of the
body 12. Of course, other ways of wrapping the inner and outer
surfaces of the cardboard hollow body 12 can be considered.
Preferably, the bag is not glued or fixed with an adhesive to the
cardboard body 12.
[0087] Now referring to FIGS. 26 to 28, another preferred
embodiment of a recyclable composite container 72 is shown. In this
embodiment, the framing element 74 includes two components, a first
component 74a comprising the peripheral portion 24 and a second
component comprising the connector and its hook 62. The two
components 74a, 74b are connectable to one another with
complementary connecting means. As illustrated, the first component
74a is provided with a groove 76, and the second component 74b is
provided with a clipping element 78 for fitting in the groove 76.
In other words, the groove 76 and clipping element 78 form a
tongue-and-groove joint for connecting the first and second
components 74a, 74b together. Optionally, as best shown in FIG. 28,
the connecting element 78 can be provided with a slight
protuberance, or lip, in order to maintain the connecting element
78 compressed within the groove 76.
[0088] Advantageously, this two-piece construction of the framing
element 74 is divided into into upper and lower portions which are
clipped together along complementary radial surfaces. This
two-piece construction is primarily advantageous when the framing
elements are formed by injection moulding or the like. Of course,
the axial portions of the components 74a and 74b can be fixed to
one another by any other type of complementary attachment
means.
[0089] Now referring to FIGS. 29 to 31, the container 76 includes
another variant of a two-piece construction for a framing element
78 is shown. Thee framing element 78 comprises two components, a
first component 78a comprising the peripheral portion 24 and a
second component 78b comprising the connector 26 and its hook 62,
the components 78a being provided with a first threaded surface
80a, and the other one of the components being provided with a
complementary second threaded surface 80b. The components 78a and
78b are thus screwable to one another. As explained previously, a
two-piece construction is primarily advantageous when the framing
elements are formed by injection moulding or the like. The framing
element 78 can then be assembled by positioning the first and
second components 78a, 78b on the top side of the rolled rim 30 and
by screwing them together, thereby sandwiching the rim 30 such that
the resultant hook-shaped connector 26 fixes the framing element 78
in place. It will be appreciated that constructing a framing
element from two moulded pieces, and more particularly separating
the outwardly extending hook 62 from the collar 40 such as shown
here, can greatly reduce the complexity of the moulds required to
form this part. Yet in another embodiment, a two-piece construction
of the framing element can include a first component provided with
a series of alternating grooves and bulges, and a second component
provided with complementary alternating grooves and bulges, the
first and second components being snapable or clipable to one
another.
[0090] With reference now to FIGS. 32 to 34, yet another embodiment
of the recyclable composite container 82 is illustrated. The
cardboard body 12 has an elongated form and comprises a framing
element 84. A bag (not visible) can be disposed within the body 12.
Best shown in FIG. 34, the top framing element 84 has a
construction similar to the one of the previous variant 78. The
framing element 84 has a threaded two-piece construction and
further comprises a centrally mounted spout 86 through which the
contents of the container 82 can exit. A bad can be positioned
within the cardboard cylinder 12 and a piercing device can extend
towards it, downwards from the spout 86, such as generally used in
container for silicone or other types of caulking. Instead of a
bottom end framing element, a bottom plate 88 is provided at the
opposite end of the body 12. This bottom plate 88 is positioned
initially at or near the bottom extremity of the cardboard cylinder
12 and is able to slide axially within the cylinder 12. Preferably,
a bag is also anchored to the bottom plate 88, although it is not
clamped between the framing element 84 and the cylinder 12, as
described for embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16-19.
[0091] Such a container 82 can be used to distribute a liquid or
gel substance, such as a silicone or polyurethane caulk or the
like. In such cases, a bag is inserted in the cardboard body 12 and
preferably comprises a metalized liner along its inside. As is
known in the art, such a cylindrical cartridge can be loaded into a
mechanical "gun" which is used to distribute the contents
thereof.
[0092] Prior to use, the contents of the bag are sealed
therewithin. In use, the bottom plate 88 is pushed into the
cylinder 12, for example through the action of a caulking gun.
Pushing the bottom plate 88 inwards will first force the bag
against a piercing device, thereby puncturing it, and second force
the contents of the bag out through the spout 86.
[0093] While the containers illustrated all comprise a circular
cross-section, it will be appreciated that various other shapes,
including oval, square or rectangle, could also be used. Moreover,
a composite container system in accordance with the present
invention could be embodied by various other storing devices or
containers.
[0094] In sharp contrast with existing containers, both composite
and not, it will be appreciated that a container system in
accordance with the present invention advantageously requires no
crimping, seaming, bonding or other permanent joining. The
cardboard hollow body can be connected to the framing element(s)
via engagement of the rolled rim (or rims) alone. As such, the
container system can be easily disassembled after use. It will be
appreciated that this ability to be disassembled advantageously
enables the individual components (the hollow body, the end framing
structures, the bag if present) to be separated and recycled as
desired. If the container system were filled with a non-recyclable
substance such as paint, the plastic bag liner can be thrown out
and, depending on the embodiment, the end framing structure if such
were in contact with the paint. The remainder, including the
cardboard hollow body, would nonetheless be recyclable.
[0095] The present container system, which can be used to store a
wide range of substances and items, from paint and caulk as
described above to foodstuffs such as pasta or coffee and various
other products. In addition, it will be appreciated that a
container system in accordance with the present invention may
advantageously enables considerable weight savings compared to
equivalently sized all-metal or all-plastic containers--up to 30%
for an all-metal container. In addition, the present container
system also enables considerable costs savings compared to
conventional cardboard composite containers.
[0096] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to these precise embodiments and that various changes and
modifications may be effected therein without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *