U.S. patent application number 14/909408 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for rigid container.
This patent application is currently assigned to G.D S.p.A. The applicant listed for this patent is G.D S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Lorena D'ALFONSO, Marco GHINI, Stefano NEGRINI.
Application Number | 20160167828 14/909408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49304068 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160167828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GHINI; Marco ; et
al. |
June 16, 2016 |
RIGID CONTAINER
Abstract
A rigid container for containing articles, preferably solid
soap, the container extending along a main axis and includes a top
wall and a bottom wall lying in respective planes transversal to
the main axis, and a front face, a rear face, which extend from the
top wall to the bottom wall and two sides or lateral faces which
extend from the top walk to the bottom wall; the front face of the
container includes a convex front panel which has a first
supporting portion, and the rear face of the container includes a
rear panel which has a second supporting portion shaped to mutually
match the first supporting portion.
Inventors: |
GHINI; Marco; (Monte San
Pietro (Bologna), IT) ; D'ALFONSO; Lorena;
(Lettomanoppello (Pescara), IT) ; NEGRINI; Stefano;
(Calderara di Reno (Bologna), IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
G.D S.P.A. |
Bologna |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
G.D S.p.A
Bologna
IT
|
Family ID: |
49304068 |
Appl. No.: |
14/909408 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
August 5, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2014/063712 |
371 Date: |
February 1, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/503 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4266 20130101;
B65D 5/0209 20130101; B65D 5/0015 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/02 20060101
B65D005/02; B65D 5/42 20060101 B65D005/42; B65D 5/00 20060101
B65D005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 5, 2013 |
IT |
BO2013A000441 |
Claims
1. A rigid container for containing solid articles, preferably
soap, extending along a main axis and comprising at least: a top
wall and a bottom wall opposite each other and lying in respective
planes transversal to the main axis, a front face and a rear face
extending from the top wall to the bottom wall the front face
comprising a front panel and the rear face comprising a rear panel,
at least the front panel being convex, and two sides or lateral
faces, extending from the top wall to the bottom wall; the
container being characterized in that the convex front face
comprises a first supporting portion and the rear panel comprises a
second supporting portion at least the first and second supporting
portions being shaped to mutually match; a first container being
stackable on a second container by superposing the second
supporting portion of the first container on the first supporting
portion of the second container.
2. The rigid container according to claim 1, wherein the convex
front panel is delimited by a first fold line and a second fold
line, each defined by two curved stretches between which are
interposed a first straight stretch and a second straight stretch,
respectively, the first supporting portion being a flat surface
defined by the first straight stretch and the second.
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the rear panel is
convex and is delimited by a third fold line and a fourth fold
line, each defined by two curved stretches between which are
interposed a third straight stretch and a fourth straight stretch,
respectively, the second supporting portion being a flat surface
defined by the third straight stretch and the fourth the first and
second supporting portions being parallel and opposite to each
other.
4. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
two sides comprises a convex side panel having at least one
respective supporting portion, the convex side panel being
delimited by a first fold line and a second fold line, each defined
by two curved stretches between which are interposed a first
straight stretch and a second straight stretch, respectively, the
first supporting portion being a flat surface defined by the first
straight stretch and the second.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the rear panel is
flat and entirely defines the second supporting portion; the first
and second supporting portions being parallel and opposite to each
other.
6. The container according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the
two sides comprises a convex side panel having at least one
respective supporting portion, the side panel being delimited by a
fifth straight fold line corresponding to the side edge for
connection to the flat rear panel and by a sixth fold line defined
by two curved stretches between which is interposed a sixth
straight stretch, the first supporting portion being a flat surface
defined by the fifth fold line and the sixth straight stretch.
7. The container according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at
least one concave panel connecting two respective faces consecutive
with each other.
8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the concave panel
extends from one of the vertices of the top wall to one of the
vertices of the bottom wall.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the rear panel is
concave and entirely defines the second supporting portion, the
first supporting portion being entirely defined by the front panel;
the front panel and the rear panel being parallel to each
other.
10. The container according to claim 9, wherein it comprises at
least one concave panel connecting the front face with one of the
sides or lateral faces.
11. The container according to claim 9, wherein the concave panel
extends from a pair of vertices of the top wall to a pair of
vertices of the bottom wall.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a rigid container.
[0002] More specifically, by "rigid container" is meant a carton
for containing articles such as, for example, solid soap or bars of
soap, without thereby limiting the invention.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Typically, these cartons are substantially in the shape of
parallelepipeds, which makes them practical to transport and to
arrange on the shelves in points of sale and warehouses.
[0004] Since the overall impression of the article contained in the
carton is, however, given by the shape of the carton, market
attention continues to be focussed on developing containers with
attractive shapes having more consumer appeal.
[0005] Rigid containers with special shapes, however, have evident
drawbacks in terms of stackability.
[0006] This is not acceptable from the point of view of logistics
because the shelves where the containers are displayed in points of
sale must hold a defined number containers stacked in orderly
fashion.
AIM OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention has for an aim to provide a rigid container
as set out in independent claim 1, to overcome the above mentioned
drawbacks of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The invention is described below with reference to the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment
of it, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a first schematic perspective view showing a first
embodiment of a rigid container according to the invention in a
closed condition;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a second schematic perspective view showing the
rigid container of FIG. 1 in a closed condition;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic front or rear view of the rigid
container of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the rigid container of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the rigid container of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a first schematic perspective view showing a
second embodiment of a rigid container according to the invention
in a closed condition;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a second schematic perspective view showing the
rigid container of FIG. 6 in a closed condition;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the rigid container of
FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the rigid container of
FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the rigid container of
FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a first schematic perspective view showing a
third embodiment of a rigid container according to the invention in
a closed condition;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a second schematic perspective view showing the
rigid container of FIG. 11 in a closed condition;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of the rigid container of
FIG. 11;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of the rigid container of
FIG. 11;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the rigid container of
FIG. 11;
[0024] FIGS. 16 to 18 are schematic side views showing two stacked
containers according to the first, second and third embodiments,
respectively;
[0025] FIGS. 19 to 21 are schematic plan views showing the blanks
from which are obtained the containers according to the first,
second and third embodiments, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The reference numeral 1 denotes a rigid container for
containing solid articles 1b, preferably bars of soap.
[0027] The rigid container 1 for containing articles extends along
a main axis 1a and comprises at least a top wall 2 and a bottom
wall 3 lying in respective planes transversal to the main axis 1a.
More specifically, the top wall 2 and the bottom wall 3 are
opposite to each other and lie in planes at right angles to the
main axis 1a and are thus parallel to each other.
[0028] The container 1 also comprises a plurality of perimeter
walls extending from the top wall 2 to the bottom wall 3. In this
text, the term "perimeter wall" comprises the terms "faces" and
"panels" described in detail below.
[0029] At least three of the perimeter walls are outwardly convex
and at least two of the perimeter walls are inwardly concave. More
specifically, the concave perimeter walls are interposed between,
and connect, the convex perimeter walls.
[0030] Further, at least one of the convex perimeter walls has a
first supporting portion 8 and the wall 9 opposite to the first
supporting portion 8 comprises a second supporting portion 11. The
first and second supporting portions 8, 11 are parallel and flat or
have oppositely shaped profiles on the corresponding walls on which
they are made.
[0031] The first and second supporting portions 8, 11 are designed
to allow the container to be stacked, as described below.
[0032] In the first, second and third embodiments of the container
1, the top wall 2 and the bottom wall 3 are defined by respective
flat panels.
[0033] Preferably, the container 1 comprises at least one hinged
panel for opening and closing the container 1 and which defines at
least one of either the top wall 2 or the bottom wall 3.
[0034] The top wall 2 or the bottom wall 3 may each be defined by
at least two superposed panels connected to each other preferably
by an adhesive substance.
[0035] The container 1 then comprises a front face 4, a rear face 5
extending from the top wall 2 to the bottom wall 3, and two sides
or lateral faces 6, extending from the top wall 2 to the bottom
wall 3.
[0036] More specifically, the front face 4 and the rear face 5
comprise a front panel 7 and a rear panel 10, respectively.
[0037] In all the embodiments of this invention, at least the front
panel 7 is convex and has a first supporting portion 8.
[0038] The rear face 5 comprises a rear panel 10 having a second
supporting portion 11.
[0039] The rear panel 10 and the front panel 7 are connected to the
top wall 2 and to the bottom wall 3 by an upper connecting edge 31
and a lower connecting edge 32, respectively.
[0040] Advantageously, the first and second supporting portions 8,
11 are shaped to mutually match.
[0041] The term "to match" as used here means that the profile of
the first supporting portion 8 fits onto the profile of the second
supporting portion 11 without leaving any gaps.
[0042] That way, a first container 12 can be stacked on a second
container 13 by superposing the second supporting portion 11 of the
first container 12 on the first supporting portion 8 of the second
container 13.
[0043] Advantageously, the stack formed by the first container 12
on the second container 13 is stable because the second supporting
portion 11 of the first container 12 is superposed on the first
supporting portion 8 of the second container 13
uninterruptedly.
[0044] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, in the first embodiment of
the container 1, the convex front panel 7 has a first supporting
portion 8 which is defined by a flat surface.
[0045] Preferably, the flat supporting portion 8 is located at a
median position on the front panel 7 so as to guarantee that the
container 1 is balanced when stacked.
[0046] It should be noted that the convex front panel 7 is
delimited by a first and a second fold line 14, 15, each defined by
two curved stretches between which are interposed a first and a
second straight stretch T1 and T2, respectively. The first
supporting portion 8 is thus a flat surface defined by the first
straight stretch T1 and the second T2.
[0047] More precisely, the first straight stretch T1 of the first
fold line 14 is interposed between two curved stretches.
[0048] The second straight stretch T2 of the second fold line 15 is
interposed between two curved stretches.
[0049] Each of the curved stretches of the first and second fold
lines 14, 15 extends from a respective vertex of the top wall 2 and
of the bottom wall 3.
[0050] In other words, the first and second fold lines 14, 15
extend from respective vertices of the top wall 2 and of the bottom
wall 3.
[0051] The term "vertex" means the meeting point between two
respective edges delimiting respectively the top wall 2 and the
bottom wall 3.
[0052] The curved stretches of the first and second fold lines 14,
15 give the front panel 7 its convex shape, while the first and
second straight stretches T1 and T2 define and delimit the first
flat supporting portion 8.
[0053] In the first embodiment of the container 1, the rear face 5
comprises a convex rear panel 10 which has the second flat
supporting portion 11.
[0054] In the same way as the front panel 7, the convex rear panel
10 is delimited by a third and a fourth fold line 16, 17, each
defined by two curved stretches between which are interposed a
third and a fourth straight stretch T3 and T4, respectively, which
delimit the second flat supporting portion 11.
[0055] In other words, the third and fourth fold lines 16, 17
extend from respective vertices of the top wall 2 and of the bottom
wall 3, different from the vertices from which the first and second
fold lines 14, 15 extend.
[0056] More precisely, the respective third straight stretch T3 of
the third fold line 16 is interposed between two curved
stretches.
[0057] The respective fourth straight stretch T4 of the fourth fold
line 17 is interposed between two curved stretches.
[0058] Each of the curved stretches of the third and fourth fold
lines 16,17 extends from a respective vertex of the top wall 2 and
of the bottom wall 3.
[0059] The curved stretches of the third and fourth fold lines 16,
17 give the rear panel 10 its convex shape, while the third and
fourth straight stretches T3 and T4 define and delimit the second
flat supporting portion 11.
[0060] The first and the second supporting portion 8, 11 of the
front face 4 and of the rear face 5, respectively, are parallel and
opposite to each other relative to the main axis 1a.
[0061] At least one of the two sides 6 of the container 1 comprises
a convex lateral panel 18 having at least one supporting portion
19.
[0062] Preferably, both of the sides 6 of the container 1 each
comprise a respective first and second convex lateral panel 18
having a third and a fourth supporting portion 19, 20
respectively.
[0063] The first and second lateral panels 18 are delimited
respectively by a fifth and a sixth fold line 23, 24, each defined
by two curved stretches between which are interposed a fifth and a
sixth straight stretch T5 and T6, respectively, which delimit the
third and fourth flat supporting portions 19, 20, respectively.
[0064] More precisely, the respective fifth straight stretch T5 of
the fifth fold line 23 is interposed between two curved
stretches.
[0065] The respective sixth straight stretch T6 of the sixth fold
line 24 is interposed between two curved stretches.
[0066] Each of the curved stretches of the fifth and sixth fold
lines 23, 24 extends from a respective vertex of the top wall 2 and
of the bottom wall 3.
[0067] In other words, the fifth and sixth fold lines 23, 24 of
each lateral panel 18 extend from respective vertices of the top
wall 2 and of the bottom wall 3.
[0068] The curved stretches of the fifth and sixth fold lines 23,
24 give the lateral panel 18 its convex shape, while the fifth and
sixth straight stretches T5 and T6 define and delimit the third and
fourth flat supporting portions 19, 20 respectively.
[0069] The third and fourth supporting portions 19, 20 of the
lateral faces 6, respectively, are parallel and opposite to each
other relative to the main axis 1a.
[0070] The straight stretches T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 of the
respective fold lines 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24 extend along a
direction parallel to the main axis 1a.
[0071] Preferably, the straight stretches T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 of
the respective fold lines 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24 are positioned at
the same distance from the main axis 1a.
[0072] The container 1 comprises at least one concave panel 25, 26,
27, 28 connecting two respective faces 4, 5, 6 which are
consecutive with each other.
[0073] More specifically, in the first, second and third
embodiments, a first and a second concave panel 25, 26 each connect
the front panel 7 to a respective side or lateral face 6.
[0074] In the first embodiment, a third and a fourth concave panel
27, 28 each connect the rear panel 10 to a respective side or
lateral face 6.
[0075] The first, second, third and fourth concave connecting
panels 25, 26, 27, 28 extend from a respective vertex of the top
wall 2 to a respective vertex of the bottom wall 3.
[0076] It should be noted that the first and second concave
connecting panels 25, 26 are delimited by the first and sixth fold
lines 14, 24 and by the second and sixth fold lines 15, 24,
respectively.
[0077] The third and fourth second concave connecting panels 27, 28
are delimited by the third and fifth fold lines 16, 23 and by the
fourth and fifth fold lines 17, 23, respectively.
[0078] In the second embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10,
the rear face 5 of the container 1 comprises a concave panel 29 and
entirely defines the second supporting portion 11.
[0079] More precisely, the concave panel 29 extends from a pair of
vertices of the top wall 2, positioned along the upper connecting
edge 31, to a pair of vertices of the bottom wall 3 positioned
along the lower connecting edge 32.
[0080] In the second embodiment, the front face 4 of the container
1 comprises a convex front panel 7 which also entirely defines the
first supporting portion 8. More specifically, the front panel 7 is
delimited by a first and a second fold line 14, 15.
[0081] The front panel 7 and the rear panel 29 are thus parallel to
each other and allow stacking two or more containers by superposing
these panels.
[0082] The first and second fold lines 14, 15 are curved and extend
from respective vertices of the top wall 2 and of the bottom wall
3.
[0083] Unlike the first embodiment of the container 1, the first
and second fold lines 14, 15 do not have any straight stretch.
[0084] Consequently, the front panel 7 is an uninterruptedly convex
surface.
[0085] In this embodiment, the container 1 comprises a first and a
second concave panel 25, 26 connecting the front face 4 to a
respective side or lateral face 6.
[0086] It should be noted that a sixth fold line 24 delimits with
the first and second fold lines 14, 15 the first and second concave
connecting panels 25, 26, respectively.
[0087] The sixth fold line 24 is curved and extends from respective
vertices of the top wall 2 and of the bottom wall 3.
[0088] Unlike the first embodiment of the container 1, the sixth
fold lines 24 does not have any straight stretch.
[0089] The first and second concave panels 25, 26 extend from a
respective vertex of the top wall 2 to a respective vertex of the
bottom wall 3.
[0090] In the third embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15,
the convex front panel 7 of the container 1 has a first supporting
portion 8 which is flat.
[0091] As regards the front panel 7 and the first and second
concave connecting panels 25, 26, the reader is referred to the
description of the first embodiment of the container 1.
[0092] It should be noted that the first and second concave
connecting panels 25, 26 are delimited by the first and sixth fold
lines 14, 24 and by the second and sixth fold lines 15, 24,
respectively.
[0093] Unlike the first and second embodiments, the rear face 5 of
the container 1 in the third embodiment comprises a flat rear panel
10 which entirely defines the second supporting portion 11.
[0094] The flat rear panel 10 and the first supporting portion 8
are opposite and parallel to each other.
[0095] In this embodiment, the flat rear panel 10 is connected to
the sides 6 by respective side connecting edges 29, 30 which define
a fifth fold line.
[0096] In this case, each side 6 comprises a convex lateral panel
18 having at least one respective supporting portion. The lateral
panel 18 is delimited by the fifth straight fold line 29, 30 and by
the sixth fold line 24. As in the first embodiment, the sixth fold
line 24 is curved except for a respective sixth straight stretch
T6.
[0097] More specifically, the presence of the concave panels 25, 26
interposed between the front face and the lateral face, defines the
above mentioned sixth fold line 24 so that it corresponds to the
edge of the first concave panel 25 and/or of the second concave
panel 26.
[0098] With reference to FIGS. 16 to 18, a first container 12 is
stacked on a second container 13 and the second supporting portion
11 of the first container 12 matches with the first supporting
portion 8 of the second container 13.
[0099] More specifically, with reference to FIG. 16, the second
flat supporting portion 11 of the first container 12 matches with
the first flat supporting portion 8 of the second container 13,
since the one is perfectly superposed on the other.
[0100] With reference to FIG. 17, the concave rear panel 10 of the
first container 12 stacked on the second container 13 is totally
superposed and matched with the convex front panel 7 of the second
container 13.
[0101] With reference to FIG. 18, the second flat supporting
portion 11 of the first container 12, defined in this case by the
flat rear panel 10, matches with the first flat supporting portion
8 of the front panel 7 of the second container 13, since the first
and second flat supporting portions 8, 11 are perfectly
superposed.
[0102] The container 1 overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and
brings important advantages.
[0103] In effect, the container 1 replicates the shape of the
article 1b contained therein so as to be more appealing to the
consumer.
[0104] Further, the use of convex panels alternated with concave
panels reduces the amount of packaging material required, with
savings in production costs.
[0105] FIG. 19 illustrates a blank 100 from which the first
embodiment of the container 1 is made by folding.
[0106] The rigid container 1 is made of a foldable material
defining the top wall 2, the bottom wall 3, the front face 4, the
rear face 5 and the side 6.
[0107] More specifically, the blank 100 from which the first
embodiment of the container 1 is made comprises the first, second,
third, fourth, fifth and sixth fold lines 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24
defining the respective panels 7, 10, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, extending
in a direction transversal to, in particular at right angles to,
the main axis of extension of the blank 100.
[0108] From FIG. 19, it is possible to observe the straight
stretches T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 of the respective fold lines 14,
15, 16, 17, 23, 24 relative to the curved stretches of the
lines.
[0109] FIG. 20 illustrates a blank 100 from which the second
embodiment of the container 1 is made by folding.
[0110] The first, second and sixth fold lines 14, 15, 24 of this
blank 100 delimit the front panel 7 and the first and second
concave panels 25, 26, extending in a direction transversal to, in
particular at right angles to, the main axis of extension of the
blank 100.
[0111] The first, second and sixth fold lines 14, 15, 24 do not
have straight stretches.
[0112] As may be observed in FIG. 20, the side connecting edges
29,30, extending in a direction transversal to, in particular at
right angles to, the main axis of extension of the blank 100, are
curved to define the concavity of the rear panel 10.
[0113] FIG. 21 illustrates a blank 100 from which the third
embodiment of the container 1 is made by folding.
[0114] More specifically, the blank 100 from which the third
embodiment of the container 1 is made comprises the first, second
and sixth fold lines 14, 15, 24, defining the respective panels 7,
25, 26, extending in a direction transversal to, in particular at
right angles to, the main axis of extension of the blank 100.
[0115] From FIG. 19, it is possible to observe the straight
stretches T1, T2 and T6 of the respective fold lines 14, 15, 24
relative to the curved stretches of the lines.
[0116] As may be observed in FIG. 21, the side connecting edges
29,30, extending in a direction transversal to, in particular at
right angles to, the main axis of extension of the blank 100, are
straight to define the flatness of the rear panel 10.
[0117] In the first, second and third embodiments of it, the blank
100 comprises a first and a second fold line 33 and 34 which extend
in a direction transversal to, in particular at right angles to,
the main axis of extension of the blank 100 and will define the
upper and lower connecting edges 31, 32 between the front panel 7,
the rear panel 10, the top wall 2 and the bottom wall 3.
* * * * *