CHILD-PROOF PACKAGE AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME, METHOD FOR CLOSING AND OPENING SAID PACKAGE
20220306336 · 2022-09-29
Inventors
- Alessio Bressan (Varese, IT)
- Michel Bressan (Induno Olona, IT)
- Alberto GANDOLLA (Induno Olona (VA), IT)
Cpc classification
B65D2215/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/685
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D50/046
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A package (100) including a container (1) and a case (102) configured for receiving the container; the case is movable between a closed condition and an open condition in which respectively it prevents and allows the access to the container. The package also comprises a safety device (11) having: a first coupling portion (12) internally carried by the case, a second coupling portion (13) externally carried by the container. At least one between the first and second coupling portion (12, 13) is movable with respect to the other between a first operative position in which they can be engaged with each other and a second operative position in which cannot be engaged with each other.
Claims
1.-21. (canceled)
22. A child-proof package comprising: a container defining a compartment for housing a product, said container having a predetermined number of first lateral walls defining an opening delimited by a first free edge, said opening configured to allow insertion and removal of the product from the container; a case having a predetermined number of second lateral walls defining an access delimited by a second free edge configured to allow passage of the container, said predetermined number of second lateral walls of the case delimiting an internal volume configured to receive at least part of the container, wherein the container is moveable relative to the case between: (i) a closed condition in which the case obstructs the opening of the container, wherein the container, in said closed condition, is arranged at least partly in the internal volume, and (ii) an open condition in which the case allows communication between the compartment and the external environment, and a safety device comprising: a first coupling portion directly carried by one of the second lateral walls of the case and at least partly arranged in the internal volume, a second coupling portion carried by the container and arranged outside the compartment, wherein at least one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion, while in the closed condition, is movable relative to the other of the second coupling portion and the first coupling portions between: (i) a first operative position in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are configured to stably engaged with each other to define a locking condition of the safety device, and (ii) a second operative position in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion cannot be engaged with each other and the container is able to move from the closed condition to the open condition, and wherein the first coupling portion is movable along a trajectory which lies on a plane parallel to a lying plane of the one of the second lateral walls carrying said first coupling portion.
23. The child proof package according to claim 22, wherein the one of the second lateral walls of the case directly carrying the first coupling portion has a through opening configured to allow, in the closed condition of the case and the container and from outside the package, contacting at least one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion to allow movement between the first operative position and the second operative position.
24. The child proof package according to claim 23, wherein the at least one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion is movable relative to the other between said first coupling portion and the second coupling portion, and comprises at least one handling portion facing the through opening of the case and configured to allow movement of said the first coupling portion and/or the second coupling portion between the first to the second operative position, and, the through opening is configured to allow a user, at least during the closed condition of the container and the case, to contact, from outside the package, the handling portion and to move the first coupling portion and/or the second coupling portion between the first operation position and the second operative position.
25. The child proof package according to claim 24, wherein the first coupling portion comprises at least one tab arranged in the internal volume, wherein the tab defines an undercut delimited by at least one gripping edge placed entirely in the internal volume, distinct and distanced from the free edge of the access, and wherein the gripping edge of the tab of the first coupling portion is at least for one section tilted with respect to the free edge of the access by an angle in a range of 20° to 80°.
26. The child proof package according to claim 25, wherein the gripping edge of the tab of the first coupling portion has a “V” or “C” shape with a concavity directed on an opposite side with respect to the free edge of the access of the case.
27. The child proof package according to claim 22, wherein the second coupling portion comprises at least one panel engaged with at least one lateral wall of the container and emerging from said lateral wall according to a direction exiting from the compartment, wherein the panel of the second coupling portion defines an undercut delimited by at least one gripping edge placed outside the compartment, distinct and distanced from the free edge of the opening of the container itself, wherein the undercut defined by the panel of the second coupling portion, in the closed condition and when the first and/or second coupling portion is in the first operative position, is stably engaged with the undercut of the tab of the first coupling portion to define said locking condition.
28. The child proof package according to claim 27, wherein the gripping edge of the panel of the second coupling portion has a “V” or “C” shape whose concavity is substantially directed towards the free edge of the opening of the container.
29. The child proof package according to preceding claim 22, wherein the case comprises at least one external panel and one internal panel defining a seat within which the first coupling portion is housed, movable between the first and the second operative position, and wherein the external panel defines at least part of a lateral wall of the case, the internal panel being arranged, at least in the closed condition, in interposition between the external panel and the container.
30. The child proof package according to claim 29, wherein the external panel and the internal panel are integrally joined at a folding edge and face each other to define a folded portion, the folding edge of the external panel and internal panel defining at least part of said free edge of the case, wherein the first coupling portion is movable via translation relative to the case along a direction substantially parallel to said folding edge.
31. The child proof package according to claim 29, wherein the tab of the first coupling portion is movable relative to the case between the first operative position and the second operative position, within the seat, wherein the external panel, defining at least part of one of the second lateral walls of the case, lies on a plane, wherein the first coupling portion is movable, between the first operative position and the second operative position, along a direction substantially parallel to the lying plane of the external panel of the case.
32. The child proof package according to claim 29, wherein the internal panel has a through pocket configured allow the second coupling portion, emerging from the first lateral walls of the container, to engage the tab in the closed condition and in the first operative position of the first coupling portion.
33. The child proof package according to claim 22, wherein the second coupling portion is movable close to and away from the compartment of the container along a predetermined trajectory, wherein the first coupling portion, in the closed condition, is movable at least along a direction transverse to the trajectory along which said second coupling portion is movable.
34. The child proof package according to claim 22, wherein the first coupling portion, during the movement from the first operative position to the second operative position, is configured to move the second coupling portion close to the compartment of the container to allow disengagement between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.
35. The child proof package according to claim 22, further comprising a selector carried by the case, wherein the selector is movable relative to the case.
36. The child proof package according to claim 35, wherein the case comprises at least one external panel and one internal panel defining a seat, wherein the selector is housed and slidably movable within the seat, wherein the selector extends substantially parallel to at least one of the external panel and the internal panel delimiting said seat, and wherein the selector is movable along a plane substantially parallel to a lying plane of at least one between the internal panel and the external panel of the case defining the seat.
37. A child-proof package comprising: a container defining a compartment for housing at least one product, said container having a predetermined number of lateral walls defining an opening delimited by a free edge, said opening configured to allow insertion and picking up of the product from the container, a case having a predetermined number of lateral walls defining at least one access delimited by a free edge configured for allowing the passage of the container, said predetermined number of lateral walls of the case delimiting an internal volume configured to receive at least part of the container, wherein the container moves relative to the case between: (i) a closed condition in which the case obstructs the opening of the container and the container is at least partly in the internal volume, and (ii) an open condition in which the case allows communication between the compartment and the external environment, and a safety device comprising: a first coupling portion carried by the case and at least partly arranged in the internal volume, a second coupling portion carried by the container and arranged outside the compartment, wherein at least one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion, at least while in the closed condition, is movable relative to the other of the second coupling portion and the first coupling portion and between: (i) a first operative position in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are configured to stably engaged each other to define a locked condition of the safety device, and (ii) a second operative position in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion cannot be engaged with each other and the case is able to move with respect to the container from the closed condition to the open condition, wherein the case comprises at least one external panel and one internal panel defining a seat, wherein the external panel defines at least part of one of the lateral walls of the case, and the internal panel is arranged, at least in the closed condition, in interposition between the external panel and the container, and wherein the first coupling portion is housed within the seat and movable between the first and the second operative position.
38. The child proof package according to claim 37, wherein the external panel and the internal panel are integrally joined at a folding edge and facing each other to define a folded portion, the folding edge of the external panel and internal panel defining at least part of said free edge of the case, and wherein the first coupling portion is movable via translation relative to the case along a direction substantially parallel to said folding edge.
39. The child proof package according to claim 37, wherein the internal panel has a through pocket configured to allowing the second coupling portion to emerge from a lateral wall of the container, to engage the first coupling portion, in the closed condition and in the first operative position of the first coupling portion.
40. The child proof package according to claim 37, further comprising a selector carried by the case on which at least one of: the first coupling portion is defined, and the selector, at least in the closed condition of the package, is movable relative to the case inside the seat.
41. A child-proof package comprising: a container including first lateral walls each having side edges each connected to one of the side edges of an adjacent one of the first lateral walls, and a bottom wall having side edges connected to a bottom edge of each of the first lateral walls, wherein the first lateral walls and the bottom wall define a compartment configured to house a product, and each of the first lateral walls has a free top edge opposite to the bottom wall, wherein the free top edges define an opening to the compartment and the opening is configured to receive the product; a case including second lateral walls each having side edges each connected to one of the side edges of an adjacent one of the second lateral walls, and a top wall having edges connected to a top edge of each of the second lateral walls, wherein the second lateral walls each have a free edge defining an opening configured to receive container, wherein the top wall forms a top of the compartment, and a safety device comprising: a first coupling portion integral with the one of the second lateral walls of the case, a second coupling portion integral with the container and arranged outside the compartment, wherein at least one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion is movable relative to the other of the second coupling portion and the first coupling portions and between: (i) a first operative position in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are configured to stably engaged each other to define a locking condition of the safety device in which the container is locked to the case, and (ii) a second operative position in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are disengaged and the container is free to slide away from the case, and wherein the first coupling portion is movable along a plane parallel to a lying plane of the one of the second lateral walls carrying said first coupling portion while in the second operative position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0135] Several embodiments and several aspects of the finding will be described hereinbelow with reference to the enclosed drawings, provided only as a non-limiting example wherein:
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DEFINITIONS AND CONVENTIONS
[0149] It is observed that in the present detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the various figures are indicated with the same numeric references. The figures could illustrate the object of the invention by means of representations that are not in scale; therefore, parts and components illustrated in the figures relative to the object of the invention might only regard schematic representations.
[0150] With the term “product” it is intended an article or a compound of articles of any kind. For example, the product can be in the solid state, liquid state or in gel form, or in the form of two or more of the aforesaid aggregation states. The product can also be intended as a package, e.g. a blister, carrying a plurality of articles. The product can comprise: The product can comprise: drugs, cosmetic products, capsules for dishwashers and washing machines, cleaning products for the home and for linens/sheets (e.g. detergents), foods and cigarettes.
[0151] With the term “paper material” it is intended paper or cardboard, e.g. having at least 50% by weight, optionally at least 70% by weight, of organic material comprising one or more from among cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, lignin derivatives. The paper material can be made of sheet material having a basis weight comprised between 100 and 500 g/m.sup.2. The paper sheet material can be covered at least partly by means of a coating made of plastic material, e.g. a film, whose object is that of: reinforcing the paper sheet material, defining a water and/or moisture barrier. The coating can have a thickness variable between 10 and 50 μm and can be made with one or more of the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.
[0152] The term “blank” refers to a flat semifinished product made of sheet material, for example made of paper sheet material, foldable on itself in order to make the package. The blank can be made of a single piece and obtainable by means of die cutting a single sheet.
[0153] With the expression “folded configuration of the blank” it is intended a configuration in which the blank has been folded to form the container.
[0154] With the term “sheet material” it is intended a material that has two dimensions, for example the length and the width, considerably greater than a third dimension, such as the thickness.
[0155] With the term “opening device” it is intended any one tool usable by a user for opening the package. For example, the opening device can comprise at least one selected from the group between: a body made of sheet material e.g. a payment card, a loyalty card or a suitable key), an elongated body (e.g. a pen or a suitable key).
[0156] With the term “manually intervening” or “manual intervention” referred to the user, it is intended a manual action performed by the user without the aid of tools, such as an opening device. With manual action it is therefore intended the intervention of the user by means of his/her hands directly on the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Package 100
[0157] With 100, a child-proof package for containing products was indicated in its entirety. Such package can have application in the fields which require, for safety reasons, preventing the opening of the same package by children; for example, the package 100 can be employed for containing: drugs, cosmetics, cleaning products (detergents for linens/sheets and dishes), foods and tobacco-based products (cigars and cigarettes).
[0158] As is visible for example from
[0159] The container 1 can have a quadrangular prismatic shape as illustrated in the enclosed figures, even if not excluding the possibility to make a container 1 having different shape, e.g. square, trapezoidal or cylindrical shape. In detail, the container 1 can comprise a front lateral wall 4a and a rear lateral wall 4b facing and parallel to each other: the front wall 4a and the rear wall 4b are connected to each other by means of a first and a second lateral wall 4c, 4d, also facing and parallel to each other. the front wall 4a is distanced from and opposite the rear wall 4b; the first and second lateral wall 4c, 4d are also distanced and opposite each other. The ends of the front, rear and lateral walls (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) define the opening 5, delimited by the free edge 6.
[0160] The container 1 also comprises a bottom wall 9 (
[0161] The package 100 also comprises a case 102, that can also be made of sheet material, e.g. paper, and having a predetermined number of lateral walls 104 defining at least one access 105 delimited by a free edge 106 configured for allowing the passage of the container 1. The predetermined number of lateral walls 104 of the case 102 delimits an internal volume 103 configured for receiving at least part of the container 1; in fact, the access 105 is configured for placing in communication the internal volume 103 with the external environment, as well as allowing the insertion and the removal of the container 1 from said internal volume 103. The case 102 and the container 1 are defined by elements that are distinct and completely separable from each other. In particular, case 102 and container 1 are relatively movable with respect to each other at least between: [0162] a closed condition in which the case 102 obstructs the opening 5 of the container 1, and [0163] an open condition in which the case 102 allows the communication between the compartment 3 and the external environment.
[0164] The relative movement between case and container can be obtained by moving both the parts, i.e. both the case and the container or it can be obtained by means of the movement of only one of the parts: for example it is possible to maintain the container fixed and only move the case relative to the container.
[0165] In detail, the container 1, in the closed condition (schematized for example in
[0166] The case 102 has a structure at least partly counter-shaped with respect to the container 1 in a manner such that, in the closed condition, the case 102 is fit outside the container 1. In detail, the case 102 comprises a front wall 104a and a rear wall 104b opposite each other and connected by means of a first and a second lateral wall 104c and 104d, also distanced and opposite each other. In detail, also the case 102 has a rectangular prismatic shape: the front wall 104a and the rear wall 104b (with square or rectangular shape) are facing and parallel to each other and connected to each other by means of the first and of the second lateral wall 104c,104d (with square or rectangular shape) also facing and parallel to each other. In the closed condition: [0167] the front walls 4a, 104a, respectively of the container and of the case, directly face each other, [0168] the rear walls 4b, 104b, respectively of the container and of the case, directly face each other, [0169] the first lateral walls 4c, 104c, respectively of the container and of the case, directly face each other, [0170] the second lateral walls 4b, 104d, respectively of the container and of the case, directly face each other.
[0171] However, the possibility of making a case 102 having different form, e.g. with trapezoidal section, cannot be excluded. As is visible for example in
[0172] As mentioned above, the case 102 is counter-shaped with respect to the container 1. The counter-shaped configuration of container 1 and case 102 allows the lateral walls of the case 102 to slide (relatively) externally side-by-side the lateral walls 4 of the container 1 during the passage from the closed condition to the open condition and vice versa. In order to allow such relative movement, the case 102 has a size slightly greater than the container 1, sufficient to allow the insertion of the latter in the internal volume 103.
[0173] As for example in
[0174] The package 100 also comprises a safety device 11 comprising: [0175] at least one first coupling portion 12 carried by the case 102 and at least partly arranged in the internal volume 103, [0176] at least one second coupling portion 13 carried by the container 1 and arranged outside the compartment 3.
[0177] At least one between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13, at least in the closed condition between the container and the case, is movable relative to the other between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 at least between: [0178] a first operative position in which the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 are configured for being stably engaged with each other to define a locking condition of the safety device 11 in which said first and second coupling portion 12, 13 prevent case and container from passing from the closed condition to the open condition, [0179] a second operative position in which the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 cannot be engaged with each other in a manner such that case and container can freely pass from the closed condition to the open condition.
[0180] In fact, the first coupling portion 12 can be movable relative to the case 102 and/or the second coupling portion 13 can be movable relative to the container, at least in the closed condition of the case and the container.
[0181] The first coupling portion 12 is carried by at least one lateral wall 104 of the case 102 and comprises at least one tab 12a defining an undercut delimited by at least one gripping edge 12b placed entirely in the internal volume 103, distinct and distanced from the free edge 106 of the access 105. The gripping edge 12b of the tab 12a is at least for one section tilted with respect to the free edge 106 of the access 105 optionally by an angle comprised between 20° and 80°, still more optionally by an angle comprised between 30° and 70°. In detail, the tab 12a is extended along a plane and directly faces the lateral wall 104 of the case directly carrying the tab 12a. The tab 12a is extended substantially along a plane substantially parallel to the lateral wall of the case directly carrying said first coupling portion 12. The at least one tab is entirely facing and superimposed on the lateral wall 104 of the case directly carrying said tab 12a. As mentioned above, the safety device 11 can comprise at least one first coupling portion 12. In detail, the safety device 11 can comprise at least one from among: [0182] at least one of said first coupling portion 12 carried by the front wall 104a of the case 102, [0183] at least one of said first coupling portion 12 carried by the rear wall 104b of the case 102, [0184] at least one of said first coupling portion 12 carried by the first lateral wall 104c of the case 102, [0185] at least one of said first coupling portion 12 carried by the second lateral wall 104c of the case 102.
[0186] In the enclosed figures, a non-limiting configuration of the invention is illustrated wherein the safety device 11 comprises a first coupling portion 12 carried by the front wall 104a and a first coupling portion 12 carried by the rear wall 104b. Of course, the possibility of arranging two or more first coupling portions on the same lateral wall and/or at least one first coupling portion for each lateral wall 104 of the case 102 cannot be excluded.
[0187] As mentioned above, the safety device comprises at least one second coupling portion 13. In particular, the safety device 11 could comprise only one second coupling portion 13 configured for cooperating with one or more of said first coupling portions 12. Alternatively, the safety device 11 can comprise a second coupling portion 13 for each first coupling portion 12.
[0188] The second coupling portion 13 can comprise a panel 13a directly integrally joined with at least one of said lateral walls 4 of the container 1 and at least partly folded above the latter. The panel 13a is at least partly superimposed and facing the lateral wall 4 with which said panel 13a is directly connected (integrally joined). Even if the panel 13a is integrally joined with the lateral wall 4, only a part of said panel 13a defines the undercut adapted to cooperate with the first coupling portion 12: the gripping edge 13b is always distinct and distanced from the free edge 6 of the opening 5. In fact, in such configuration the at least one panel 13a of the second coupling portion 13 directly and entirely faces the lateral wall 4 of the container directly carrying said panel 13a: the panel 13a is entirely superimposed on the lateral wall 4 of the container 1 directly integrally joined with the panel 13a, and distanced from the free edge 6.
[0189] The second coupling portion 13 can be obtained directly on the lateral wall (external wall of the container) by means of a through cut operation of said lateral wall 4: in this manner, on said lateral wall is is possible to extract the panel 13a which projects with respect to said lateral wall as illustrated for example in
[0190] Each second coupling portion 13 comprises one and only one panel 13a having a substantially triangular shape or in any case pointed shape adapted to cooperate with the first coupling portion 12. As mentioned above, the safety device 11 can comprise at least one second coupling portion 13. In detail, the safety device 11 can comprise at least one from among: [0191] at least one of said second coupling portion 13 carried by the front wall 4a of the container 1, [0192] at least one of said second coupling portion 13 carried by the rear wall 4b of the container 1, [0193] at least one of said second coupling portion 13 carried by the first lateral wall 4c container 1, [0194] at least one of said second coupling portion 13 carried by the second lateral wall 4c of the container 1.
[0195] In the enclosed figures a non-limiting configuration of the invention is illustrated wherein the safety device 11 comprises two second coupling portions 13 respectively carried by the front wall 4a and rear wall 4b of the container.
[0196] At least one of said first coupling portions is slidably movable relative to the case 102 within the seat 49 defined by the external panel 10a and internal panel 10a, along a direction substantially parallel to a lying plane of the external panel 10a. The tab 12a, in the first operative position (condition illustrated in
[0197] The first coupling portion 12, optionally the tab 12a, is movable within the seat 49 (
[0198] In detail and as is visible for example in
[0199] In
[0200] In the configuration illustrated in the enclosed figures, the first coupling portion 12 is movable with respect to the case 102 while the second coupling portion 13 is fixed to the container. The possibility of making a second coupling portion 13, optionally a panel 13a, movable relative to the container between the first and the second operative position, and vice versa, cannot be excluded. Also in such configuration, the panel 13a can be offset with respect to the tab 12a along a direction parallel to a section of the free edge 6 with which the panel 13a is directly integrally joined. In the condition in which the panel 13a is aligned with the tab 12a, these can be engaged with each other, in the closed condition of the case and the container; vice versa, when the panel 13a is offset with respect to the panel (hence placed in the second operative position) the undercut of the panel 13a does not engage the undercut of the tab. In such configuration, the second coupling portion 13 can be moved relative to the container 1 along a direction substantially parallel to at least one section of the free edge 6 directly carrying the second coupling portion 13 and/or substantially parallel to a lying plane of the bottom wall. In such configuration, the first coupling portion 12 (the tab 12a) can be directly integrally joined with at least one lateral wall 104 by means of a folding edge to define a folded portion. The tab 12a can be made of a single piece with a lateral wall 104 and folded with respect to the latter in a manner such that the tab is at least partly superimposed on and faces the lateral wall 104 with which said tab is directly connected (integrally joined). In such configuration, the folding edge joining the tab 12a and the lateral wall 104, defines at least part of the free edge 106 of the access 105. Even if the tab 12a is integrally joined with the lateral wall 104, only a part of this defines the undercut adapted to cooperate with the second coupling portion 13: the gripping edge 12b is always distinct and distanced from the free edge 106 of the access 105.
[0201] In the closed condition and in the first operative position of at least one between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13, the undercut defined by the panel 13a of the second coupling portion 13 is stably engaged with the undercut of the at least one tab 12a of the first coupling portion 12 to define said locking condition (
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[0203] As mentioned above, the panel 13a has a substantially “V” shape whose pointed portion is directed away from the free edge 6. The (end) pointed portion of the “V” is configured for defining an introduction portion adapted to facilitate the engagement with the first coupling portion 12; in detail, the pointed portion is configured for ensuring the connection of the panel 13a in interposition between the at least one tab 12a of the first engagement portion 12 and the lateral wall 104 carrying said first engagement portion 12.
[0204] As is visible in the enclosed figures, the first coupling portion can be defined on a selector 90 made of sheet material interposed between the external panel 10a and the internal panel 10b: the selector 90 is movable via translation within the seat 49 along a direction substantially parallel to a lying plane of the external panel 10a and/or internal panel 10b.
[0205] The movement of the selector 90 and hence of the first coupling portion 12 can be executed during the closed condition: the selector 90 is movable between a first and a second operative position substantially coinciding with the first and second operative positions of the first coupling portion 12.
[0206] As is visible in the enclosed figures, the case 102 has at least one through opening 48 configured for allowing a user, in the closed condition of the case and the container and from outside the package, to contact at least one between said first and second coupling portion in order to allow the movement thereof from the first to the second operative position, and vice versa. The user can manually contact the movable first and/or the second coupling portion in order to push such movable portion between the first and the second operative position. In any case the possibility that user can contact the movable coupling portion (first and/or second coupling portion) through the through opening 48 by means of an opening device or key cannot be excluded.
[0207] The through opening 48 is configured for placing in communication, at least in the closed condition of the container and the case, the internal volume 103 of the case 102 and the external environment the package. In detail, the through opening 48 is defined on the lateral wall of the case directly carrying the first coupling portion 12 (in the configuration illustrated in the enclosed figures, the through opening is defined on the front wall 104a carrying the first coupling portion 12).
[0208] As is visible in the enclosed figures, the movable coupling portion (first and/or second coupling portion 12, 13) comprises at least one handling portion 91 configured for allowing the user to move the movable coupling portion from the first to the second operative position, and vice versa. As is visible, the handling portion 91 faces the at least one through opening 48 of the case. The case 102 can comprise two through openings 48; the movable coupling portion can comprise two respective handling portions configured for facing a respective access opening 48. For example, an access opening 48 can be configured for allowing the display and the contact of only one handling portion for the movement of the movable coupling portion from the first to the second operative position while the other through opening can be configured for allowing the display and the contact of the other handling portion for the movement of the movable coupling portion from the second to the first operative position. Each through opening 48 is distinct and separate from the free edge of the case 102, optionally it is defined in interposition between the top wall 109 and the free edge of the case.
[0209] In the enclosed figures, illustrated in a non-limiting manner, a package 100 in which the through opening 48 is defined on the front wall 104a of the case 102 and allows intervening on the first movable coupling portion 12 (optionally on the selector 90) slidably engaged between the external and internal panels 10a, 10b.
[0210] As is visible in the enclosed figures, the package 100 can also comprise a further safety device comprising a first and a second coupling portion 12, 13 substantially identical in the structure to the above-described coupling portions 12, 13 and which are fixed (optionally integrally joined) to the case and to the container. The first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 of the further safety device can be disengaged by means of a release portion 17 (
[0211] In detail, the release portion 17 is configured for allowing a user, at least in the locking condition of the safety device 11, to intervene from outside the package 100 directly on at least one of said first and second coupling portions 12, 13 of the further safety device manually and/or by means of an opening device insertable through the through access 18 definable by said release portion. In still more detail, the release portion 17 is configured for allowing, at least in the locking condition of the further safety device, intervention from outside the package 100 directly on the panel 13a of at least one of said second coupling portions 13. The release portion 17 can comprise, in a non-limiting manner, a through access 18 defined on at least one lateral wall 104 of the case 102: the through access 18 is configured for allowing the communication between external environment and the internal volume 103. Alternatively, the release portion 17 could comprise a deformable portion placed, in the locking condition, across from the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 of the further safety device: in such configuration, the release portion 17 essentially comprises a thrust portion configured for being moved (manually by the user or by means of an opening device) between a thrust position and a rest position. In the rest position, the thrust portion is distanced from the safety device, while in the thrust position the thrust portion operates on the safety device in order to allow the disengagement between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13. In fact, the thrust portion can functionally act as a button. The thrust of a finger of a user on the thrust portion according to a direction entering the package allows the thrust portion to come into contact with the second coupling portion 13, disengaging it from the undercut of the first coupling portion 12. The thrust portion can be reversibly movable between the thrust position and the rest position. For such purpose, the thrust portion can be elastically deformable between the thrust position and the rest position. If the safety device 11 is present, having at least one movable coupling portion and the further safety device, the package can be opened following the disengagement of the first and second coupling portions of all the safety devices present on the package.
Manufacturing Process
[0212] Also forming the object of the present invention is a process of making a package 100 in accordance with one or more of the enclosed claims and/or in accordance with the above-reported description.
[0213] The process provides for arranging the case 102 attainable by means of a first flat blank 50 made of sheet material, optionally paper. The first blank 50 comprises: [0214] a central sheet 51, [0215] a predetermined number of lateral sheets 52 integrally joined with the central sheet 51 and emerging from the latter starting from a perimeter edge, [0216] at least one peripheral sheet 53 engaged with at least one of said lateral sheets 52.
[0217] The central sheet 51 has a polygonal shape, optionally rectangular or square. From each side of the central sheet 51, a lateral sheet 52 is extended, also having a polygonal shape, optionally rectangular or square.
[0218] The arranging of the case 102 comprises the sub-step of folding the predetermined number of lateral sheets 52 in order to define the predetermined number of lateral walls 104 of the case 102. In detail, the lateral sheets are folded with respect to the central sheet 51 in a manner such that from the flat blank it is possible to obtain a case having three-dimensional conformation. The lateral sheets 52 are constrained with each other in a manner such that the case 102 can maintain its three-dimensional form; the lateral sheets 52 can be constrained directly with each other by means of glue or any one adhesive material. Alternatively, the blank 50 can be provided with at least one connection sheet 55 which integrally joins two adjacent lateral sheets 52 (
[0219] The process also provides for defining the external panel 10a and internal panel 10b by means of a step of folding the at least one peripheral sheet 53 on the lateral sheet 52 integrally joined with said peripheral sheet.
[0222] Following the folding of the peripheral sheet, at least one part of this is constrained, e.g. by means of gluing, to a part of the lateral sheet with which it is directly integrally joined (directly to the lateral wall 104). The folding of the at least one peripheral sheet 53 can be executed before, simultaneously or after the folding and constraining of the lateral sheets 52.
[0223] The central sheet 51, the lateral sheets 52 and the peripheral sheets 53 of the first blank 50 can be integrally joined to define a single blank made of a single piece, for example at least partly made of paper material. The case 102 is thus obtainable by means of steps of folding and gluing a single sheet blank (first flat blank 50). The first blank can be obtained by means of one or more steps of die cutting a single precursor sheet.
[0224] The process also comprises a step of defining, on the lateral sheet 52 of the first blank 50, directly joined with the peripheral sheet 53, at least one through cut 57 adapted to define the through opening 48 of the case 102 through which it is possible to contact and move at least one between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13. As described above, the case 102 can also have the release portion 17 which can be obtained by means of arranging a notch 59 of at least one lateral sheet 52 of the first blank 50: the notch 59 is of the type passing through the lateral wall 52 and is executed on the lateral wall 52 carrying the peripheral sheet 53.
[0225] The process can also provide or a step of providing the selector 90 which comprises a step of cutting a base semifinished sheet made of sheet material, optionally flat: the cutting step defining the shape of the selector. The selector 90, following the formation thereof, is inserted in interposition between a lateral sheet 52 and a peripheral sheet 53 of the first blank folded with respect to each other: in such condition, the selector is situated between an external lateral wall of the case defined by the folded lateral sheet 52 and the internal panel 10b of the same case defined by the peripheral sheet 53 folded. Following the folding of the lateral sheet 52 and of the peripheral sheet 53, integrally joined with said lateral sheet, said sheets are constrained to each other via gluing, said glued sheets defining the seat 49 within which the selector 90 is engaged. The semifinished product from which the selector is obtained can be distinct and completely separate from the first and second blanks.
[0226] Alternatively, the first blank 50 can comprise a first and a second auxiliary sheet 79a, 79b integrally joined with each other and emerging from a lateral sheet 52 on the side opposite the central sheet 51: the first auxiliary sheet 79a is interposed between the second auxiliary sheet 79b and the lateral sheet 52 of the first blank (
[0227] The process provides for arranging the container 1 attainable by means of a second flat blank 70 made of sheet material, optionally paper. The first blank 70 comprises: [0228] a central sheet 71, [0229] a predetermined number of lateral sheets 72 integrally joined with the central sheet 71 and emerging from the latter starting from a perimeter edge.
[0230] The central sheet 71 has a polygonal shape, optionally rectangular or square. From each side of the central sheet 71, a lateral sheet 72 is extended, also having a polygonal shape, optionally rectangular or square. The arranging container 1 comprises the sub-step of folding the predetermined number of lateral sheets 72 in order to define the predetermined number of lateral walls 4 of the container 1. In detail, the lateral sheets 72 are folded with respect to the central sheet 71 in a manner such that from the flat blank 70 it is possible to obtain a container 1 having three-dimensional conformation. The lateral sheets 72 are constrained with each other in a manner such that the container 1 can maintain its three-dimensional form; the lateral sheets 72 can be constrained directly to each other by means of glue or any one adhesive material. Alternatively, the blank 70 can be provided with at least one connection sheet 75 which integrally joins two adjacent lateral sheets 72 (
[0231] The process also provides for the definition of the at least one second coupling portion 13. Each second coupling portion 13 can be executed by means of the arranging of a peripheral sheet 73 integrally joined with at least one of said lateral sheets 72 and emerging from a perimeter edge of at least one lateral sheet 72 of the second blank 70 itself on the side opposite the central sheet 71 of the second blank. Then, the peripheral sheet 73 is folded above the lateral sheet 72 of the same second blank 70 with which said peripheral sheet 73 is integrally joined; following the folding, the peripheral sheet 73 is at least partly superimposed and facing the lateral sheet 72 with which it is directly integrally joined. Following the folding of the peripheral sheet 73, at least one part of this is constrained, e.g. by means of gluing, to a part of the lateral sheet 72 with which it is directly integrally joined (directly to the lateral wall 4). The folding of the at least one peripheral sheet 73 can be executed before, simultaneously or after the folding and constraining of the lateral sheets 72. In one embodiment, the peripheral sheets 73 are folded before the folding of the lateral sheets 72; only following the folding of the peripheral sheets 73, the process provides for the folding and constraining of the lateral sheets 72 in a manner such that simultaneously with the definition of the lateral walls 4, one obtains the definition of the second coupling portion 13.
[0232] Alternatively, the second coupling portion 13 can be obtained by means of a step of cutting one of said lateral sheets 72 of the second blank 70 in order to define, directly on said lateral sheet, at least one through notch 76 (
[0233] The central sheet 71, the lateral sheets 72 and the possible peripheral sheet 73 (if present) of the second blank 70 can be integrally joined to define a single blank made of a single piece, e.g. at least partly of paper material. The container 1 is then obtainable by means of steps of folding and gluing a single sheet blank (first flat blank 70).
[0234] The central sheet 71, the lateral sheets 72 and the possible peripheral sheet 73 (if present) of the second blank 70 can be integrally joined to define a single blank made of a single piece, e.g. at least partly made of paper material. The container 1 is then obtainable by means of steps of folding and gluing a single sheet blank (first flat blank 70). The second blank 70 can be obtained by means of one or more steps of die cutting a single precursor sheet. The first and second blank 50, 70—even if obtainable by means of a step of die cutting a single sheet—are distinct and separate pieces, separately workable in order to obtain a case 102 separated from the container 1.
Closing Method
[0235] Also forming the object of the present invention is a method for closing a package 100 in accordance with one or more of the enclosed claims and/or in accordance with the above-reported description.
[0236] The method comprises a step of positioning the case 102 outside the container 1 in a manner such that the latter can be at least partly housed in the internal volume of the case 102. Before the step of positioning the case 102 outside the container 1—said case and container can be completely separate and distinct from each other. Then, case 102 and container 1 are relatively moved with respect to each other in a manner such to define the closed condition. The relative movement of case and container in the closed condition allows carrying the first coupling portion 12 at the second coupling portion 13 where the two portions can be engaged with each other. The relative movement provides for the relative translation of the case 102 outside the container 1 with the lateral walls 104 of the case 102 strictly facing the lateral walls 4 of the container 1. The relative movement provides for the relative translation of the case 102 with respect to the container 1 up to an end stop position in which the top wall 109 of the case 102 is abutted against the free edge 6 of the container 1 (
[0237] The method also provides for arranging at least one between the first and the second movable coupling portion 12, 13 in the first operative position (
[0238] In fact, once such coupling portions (12, 13) are situated at each other (e.g. in the end stop position) and in the first operative position of the movable coupling portion, the engagement is obtained of the first and of the second coupling portion 12, 13 of the safety device 11 to define the locking condition. With relative movement of the case with respect to the container it is intended the movement of both parts, i.e. case and container, or the movement of only one of said parts (only the case 102 or only the container), maintaining stopped the other of the two parts (maintaining fixed the case 102 or the container) in a manner such that a relative motion is defined between these (case and container).
Opening Method
[0239] Also forming the object of the present invention is a method for opening a package 100 in accordance with one or more of the enclosed claims and/or in accordance with the above-reported description. Before the execution of the method for opening the package 100, the latter is situated in the locking condition of the safety device.
[0240] The opening method comprises the movement (translation within the seat 49) by the first and/or second movable coupling portion 12, 13 into the second operative position in a manner such to allow the disengagement between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13. The step for moving the movable coupling portion (in the case illustrated in the enclosed figures, it is represented by the first coupling portion) occurs from outside the package 100 through the through opening 48. In detail, such step provides for the movement of the selector 90, on which the first coupling portion 12 is defined, into the second operative position in a manner such to move the first coupling portion into the respective second operative position. Due to the movement of the selector 90 the latter is capable of pushing the second coupling portion 13 away from the first coupling portion 12 and in particular close to the compartment 3. Following the step of disengaging the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 the process provides for the relative moving away movement of the container 1 and of the case 102 up to reaching the open condition.
[0241] If the package also comprises a release portion 17, the opening method comprises the following steps: [0242] contacting, in the locking condition and from outside the package 100, at least one between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 through the release portion 17, [0243] disengaging the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13, [0244] following the step of disengaging the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13, relatively moving away the container 1 and the case 102 up to reaching the open condition of the package.
[0245] The step of contacting at least one between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 can comprise at least one from among the following sub-steps: [0246] inserting at least one opening device through the through access 18 of the release portion 17, [0247] manually contacting at least one between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13, e.g. by means of insertion of a finger of a user through the through access 18 of the release portion 17, [0248] deforming a thrust portion of the same case 102 in a manner such that such thrust portion can contact at least one between the first and the second coupling portion 12, 13.
[0249] The disengagement step comprises the thrust of the panel 13a of the second portion of the container 1 away from the tab 12a of the first coupling portion, i.e. close to the compartment 3.
[0250] If the package comprises two first coupling portions 12 defined on opposite walls of the case and two respective second coupling portions 13 defined at opposite lateral walls of the container, as well as a selector 90, for one pair of said first and second coupling portions, and a release portion 17, for the other between said first and second coupling portions, the opening method provides for both the movement of the selector 90 from the first to the second operative position and also the intervention, through the release portion 17, on said first and the second coupling portion 12, 13 placed in proximity to said release portion 17. Only following the disengagement of all the first coupling portions from the respective second coupling portions, the method can provide for a step of moving away movement of the container 1 and the case 102 up to reaching the open condition of the package.