CONTAINER PACKAGING

Abstract

There is provided a packaging for a container wherein the packaging is formed from a plurality of shell pieces that are hinged together to wrap around the container. When wrapped around the container, a first shell piece is secured to a second shell piece using a two-point locking feature. The shell pieces are formed with a substantially constant wall thickness such that the packaging substantially conforms to the shape of the container. Thus, advantageously, any distinctiveness in the shape of the container is not lost when wrapped by the packaging.

Claims

1. A packaging for a container comprising a first shell piece and a second shell piece that are interconnected by a hinge, a fastener is provided to hold the first shell piece to the second shell piece, wherein the fastener comprises a clasp that fits over a catch and abutment between the clasp and catch restricts relative movement between the first shell piece and the second shell piece to expand the packaging, wherein the packaging is arranged to provide a second abutment provided by the second shell piece overlapping the first shell piece to produce a transition point at which the first shell piece abuts the second shell piece to restrict relative movement between the first shell piece and the second shell piece to contract the packaging.

2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the clasp covers substantially all of the catch and wherein the second abutment is provided by an extension portion that extends from a main body of the second shell piece.

3. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the first shell piece includes a flap that is hinged to a main body of the first shell piece and the clasp is provided on the flap.

4. The packaging of any of claim 3, wherein the clasp covers substantially all of the catch and wherein the second abutment is provided by an extension portion that extends from a main body of the second shell piece.

5. The packaging of any of claim 1, wherein the clasp covers a portion of the catch wherein the catch extends through an aperture of the clasp to extend over the first shell piece and so that the second abutment is provided by the catch overlaying the second shell piece and such that the transition point is provided at the catch.

6. The packaging of claim 1 wherein the first shell piece and the second shell piece are moulded to conform to the shape of said container, wherein the second abutment is provided at the transition by abutment between respective distal end edges of the first and second shell pieces.

7. The packaging of claim 1 further comprising a third abutment formed by a transition point between the first shell piece being overlaid on the outside of the second shell piece and the first shell piece not overlaying the second shell piece, and wherein the abutment restricts contraction of the packaging at a point spaced from the second abutment.

8. The packaging of claim 7, wherein the third abutment is provided at the transition by abutment between respective distal end edges of the first and second shell pieces.

9. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the hinge is provided as a double hinge.

10. The packaging of claim 1, including a container wrapped in said packaging.

11. The packaging of claim 1, wherein: the clasp covers substantially all of the catch and wherein the second abutment is provided by an extension portion that extends from a main body of the second shell piece; and the first shell piece and the second shell piece are moulded to conform to the shape of said container, wherein the second abutment is provided at the transition by abutment between respective distal end edges of the first and second shell pieces.

12. The packaging of claim 1, wherein: the clasp covers substantially all of the catch and wherein the second abutment is provided by an extension portion that extends from a main body of the second shell piece; and the packaging further comprising a third abutment formed by a transition point between the first shell piece being overlaid on the outside of the second shell piece and the first shell piece not overlaying the second shell piece, and wherein the third abutment restricts contraction of the packaging at a point spaced from the second abutment.

13. The packaging of claim 1, wherein: the first shell piece includes a flap that is hinged to a main body of the first shell piece and the clasp is provided on the flap; the clasp covers substantially all of the catch and wherein the second abutment is provided by an extension portion that extends from a main body of the second shell piece; and the first shell piece and the second shell piece are moulded to conform to the shape of said container, wherein the second abutment is provided at the transition by abutment between respective distal end edges of the first and second shell pieces.

14. The packaging of claim 1 further comprising a third abutment formed by a transition point between the first shell piece being overlaid on the outside of the second shell piece and the first shell piece not overlaying the second shell piece, wherein: the third abutment restricts contraction of the packaging at a point spaced from the second abutment; and the first shell piece and the second shell piece are moulded to conform to the shape of said container, wherein the second abutment and the third abutment are provided by abutment between respective distal end edges of the first and second shell pieces.

15. A method of wrapping a container in packaging, the method comprises wrapping a first shell piece and a second shell piece that are interconnected by a main hinge about the container, and securing a fastener to secure the two shell pieces together, wherein the fastener prevents the two shell pieces from moving relative to each other to expand the packaging, and the fastener is secured by covering a catch on the second shell piece with a clasp on the first shell piece, wherein the method further comprises causing a second abutment between the first shell piece and the second shell piece by overlaying the second shell piece on the outside of the first shell piece to create an abutment between the shell pieces at the transition between the first shell piece being under the second shell piece and the first shell piece being over the second shell piece.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method comprises forming a third abutment between the first shell piece and the second shell piece by transitioning the first shell piece from an overlaid portion to a non-overlaid portion, wherein an abutment point between the two parts is created at the transition.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the clasp is secured to the catch by pushing the clasp over the catch, wherein the clasp is provided on a flap hinged by a flap hinge, which is separate to the main hinge, to a main body of the first shell piece and pushing the clasp onto the catch comprises pivoting the flap about the hinge.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the method comprises forming a third abutment between the first shell piece and the second shell piece by transitioning the first shell piece from an overlaid portion to a non-overlaid portion, wherein an abutment point between the two parts is created at the transition.

19. A method of forming a packaging, the method comprising moulding a first shell piece, a second shell piece and a hinge that interconnects the two shell pieces in a single mould wherein the packaging is moulded in an open orientation.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a third shell piece is moulded, wherein the third shell piece interconnects the first and second shell pieces, and a first hinge 42 is moulded between the third shell piece and the first shell piece and a second hinge is moulded between the third shell piece and the second shell piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a side view of a packaging for a container according to a first embodiment and shown in a wrapped configuration;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the packaging of the first embodiment shown in an open configuration;

[0035] FIG. 3 is an end perspective view of the first embodiment of the packaging;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of packaging in accordance with the first embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a side view of a packaging for a container according to a second embodiment and shown in a wrapped configuration;

[0038] FIG. 6 is a side view of a neck area of a packaging container according to either the first embodiment or the second embodiment; and

[0039] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the packaging of the first and second embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Aspects and embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a packaging 10 for a container (not shown) according to a first exemplary embodiment. The packaging 10 comprises a first shell piece 20 and a second shell piece 30. The shell pieces are moulded to correspond to a shape of the container. Suitably, the shell pieces are moulded to have a substantially consistent thickness. The first shell piece is connected to the second shell piece at a hinge 40 (see FIG. 6). The first and second shell pieces wrap around the container and are secured together by a fastening 50. Because the shell pieces are moulded to conform to the shape of the packaging, the packaging adopts substantially the shape of the container. Thus any distinctiveness in the shape of the container is also adopted by the packaging.

[0042] The packaging 10 is shown as a moulded one-piece packaging. Here the first and second shell pieces are moulded from a single moulding along with any additional shell pieces as herein described. The moulding may comprise further and additional features as herein described or otherwise required by the specific requirements of the packaging. For instance, the moulding includes a clasp and catch as herein described. The hinge 40 is also integrally moulded. The moulding may be formed from any appropriate material. However, according to the referred embodiments, the moulding is formed from a paper based material as is known in the art. The moulding is shown in the figures as having a surface texture moulded into the surfaces of the first and second shell pieces 20, 30, for instance by etching the surfaces of the mould. Moulding a surface texture is optional and other surface patterns or textures or plain surface label areas, by way of example, are also envisaged as is required or preferred for the specific packaging. The packaging may undergo one or more post moulding processing steps to finalise the packaging. For instance, the moulding may be cut or trimmed or scored or embossed as is required. Further the packaging 10 may be printed or graphics or artwork applied as is known in the art.

[0043] As will be appreciated, the container may be adapted to fit various and numerous containers. For instance, the packaging 10 is shown as being suitable to fit a bottle. It is envisaged the bottle will contain a liquid such as a beverage or the like and in particular, a wine bottle. Indeed, the packaging is shown as being conformed to a specific shape of bottle used by a single supplier. Thus, the distinctive shape of the bottle is retained by the packaging 10 and remains recognisable. However, it will be appreciated that the packaging can be adapted in shape so that the shell pieces conform to a different design of bottle or a different size of bottle, or a container other than a bottle by simply altering the shape and design of the shell pieces. Thus the specific shape of the shell pieces is not necessarily limiting unless otherwise required herein. However, the exemplary embodiments are further described in relation to the container comprising a bottle. Here, the bottle has a main cylindrical section towards a base of the bottle. The main cylindrical section is closed by a base. The base may include an indentation. The bottle further includes a neck that is closed by a stopper such as a lid or cap or more typically for a wine bottle, a cork or the like. The neck is connected to the main cylindrical body by a shoulder. The bottle has an axis that runs from the base of the bottle to an opening in the next that is closed by the cork. The bottle is generally circular in cross section about the axis.

[0044] Thus, when the packaging 10 is wrapped around a container being a bottle, each of the first and second shell pieces 20, 30 includes a main cylindrical portion 2a, 2b, a neck portion, 4a, 4b, and a shoulder portion 6a, 6b. As shown, the packaging is formed from a first shell piece and a second shell piece. Here each shell piece covers substantially half of the bottle in the circumferential direction. Consequently, when the shell pieces are wrapped around the bottle, the ends of first and second shell pieces generally meet. Here, the packaging substantially covers the bottle protecting the liquid for exposure to sunlight and other Ultra Violet rays.

[0045] The first shell piece 20 is shown including a flap 22. The flap extends from a main part 24 of the first shell piece 20. The flap 22 and main part 24 are connected by a hinge 26. The hinge extends generally parallel to the axis of the bottle. Suitably, the hinge 26 extends parallel to a distal end edge 28 of the first shell piece. As explained, the hinge 26 can be moulded in to the packaging 10. The flap is shown carrying a clasp 52 that forms part of the fastening 50. Here, the second shell piece 30 includes a corresponding catch 54 (see FIG. 2). The clasp 52 is shown as a protrusion moulded into the first shell piece 20. The protrusion is shaped to cover the catch 54. Although the clasp 52 is shown as being circular other shapes are envisaged.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, the packaging 10 is shown in an open configuration. The hinge 40 is visible connecting the first and second shell pieces 20, 30. Flap 22 is shown extending from the first shell piece 20 and carrying the protrusion forming the clasp 52. The underside of the flap, that is the side of the flap that faces inwards towards the bottle, is shown in FIG. 2, thus the clasp is shown as a depression for receiving the catch 54. As mentioned, the second shell piece 30 carries a catch 54 that forms the fastening 50 by engaging the clasp 54. The catch 54 is shown as a depression in FIG. 2, but it will be understood that when viewed from an external face visible to the outside of the packaging, the catch 54 is a protrusion. In use, the fastening 50 can be engaged by pressing the clasp 52 over the catch 54. Here, the catch includes a nose wherein a corresponding portion of the clasp 52 is pushed over the nose to engage the fastening 50. The two portions push past each other so that once engaged, the two parts are held together unless a reverse force urging the parts back past each other is applied. For instance the fastening closes by moving the portions generally radially. That is, by folding the flap about the hinge to push the clasp 52 onto the catch 54. The nose of the catch 54 and the corresponding portion of the clasp 52 may be undercut such that when the parts pass over each other, some movement in the first and second shell pieces is tolerated whilst maintaining an engagement of the clasp and catch such that unfastening of them is resisted by the nose abutting the portion of the clasp. When fastened, abutment between the clasp 52 and catch 54 resists relative movement of the first shell piece 20 and the second shell piece 30 in a first direction that expand the packaging. For instance, the packaging would expand by the first and second shell pieces moving apart in the first direction. At the interface between the two shell pieces, the movement would be seen as movement in a first tangential direction of a point on the first shell piece moving away from a point on the second shell piece. The fastening 50 therefore resists opening of the packaging 10.

[0047] When the clasp 52 is pushed over the catch 54, there is resilient movement of the catch 54 and portion of the clasp 52 in the second direction opposed to the first direction. The second direction is a direction that would contract the packaging or, in other words, shrink the packaging into the bottle. Thus, if the first and second shell pieces 20, 30 are able to contract sufficiently, the fastening 50 can become inadvertently unfastened and the packaging can therefore dislodge from the bottle. The packaging 10 is therefore configured to have a feature that prevents contraction of the packaging. The feature is shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the feature comprises an abutment between the first shell piece and the second shell piece. The abutment is independent of the bottle and therefore the packaging can remain secured by the fastener 50 even in the event that the bottle is sized so as to allow some contraction of the packaging. The feature combined with the first abutment between the clasp 52 and catch 54 therefore forms a two-point locking feature that secures the packaging wrap securely across a range of size tolerances of the same bottle design.

[0048] As explained, the second point of contact of the two-point locking feature is an abutment between the first shell piece and the second shell piece. Suitably, the abutment is shown as being between the distal end edge 28 of the first shell piece 20 and a distal end edge 38 of the second shell piece 30. The distal end edges 28, 38 are the distal edges of the respective shell pieces that are not connected by the hinge 40 and can be seen in FIG. 2 as the distal edges facing upwards. The distal end edges are brought into abutment by causing a portion of the second shell piece 30 to overlap a portion of the first shell piece. Here, the second shell piece 30 includes an extension portion 32 that is provided to extend from the main body 34 of the second shell piece 30. The extension portion 32 is arranged to sit on top of the first shell piece. That is, to overlap the first shell piece on an outside thereof. By causing the extension portion 32 to overlay the first shell piece 20, the distal edges of the two shell pieces abut at a transition point wherein the second shell piece transitions from being overlaid on the outside of the first shell piece to being laid under, on the inside of the first shell piece. The transition is necessary to allow the clasp 52 to fit over the catch 54. The abutment of the distal end edges 28, 38 is indicated in FIG. 3 generally at reference 56.

[0049] It will be appreciated that for the shell pieces to overlap, the distal end edges 28, 38 that are formed as the periphery of the moulded packaging, should have a constant thickness with the wall thickness of the shell pieces. That is, any localised increase in wall thickness at the distal end edges caused, for instance, by the peripheral edge of the moulding having a flange would reduce the ability of the shells to overlap. Also, as discussed below, a peripheral flange around the distal end edges would inhibit the functioning of the double hinge. As mentioned above, if the moulding is produced with a peripheral flange, it is possible to use a number of post processing techniques to remove the flange, for instance, die cutting or stamping. The need for and chosen post processing technique may depend on the material used for the mould. In the preferred embodiments, the material is a paper based material. Here, pulp is used in the mould and generally, when the packaging is ready to be removed from the mould, excess pulp forms a peripheral flange. It has been found that by controlling the parameters and mould design, an in-mould wash cut can be used to trim the excess material to remove the flange. Here, as is known, a water jet is used to remove the excess material. As mentioned, by controlling the process, the cut can be made almost vertically in the mould to trim any excess flange material to leave a constant wall thickness at the distal end edges.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the second shell piece 30. The catch 54 is shown as a protrusion and the nose 55 is visible and faces away from distal end edge 38. Extension 32 is shown. The distal end edge 38 is configured here to cut back before the extension 32 to provide a convenient location for the transition of the overlaying portions. The extension is formed on the portion of the main cylindrical portion of the bottle. The catch is shown located around the centre or middle of the main cylindrical portion, relative to the axial direction.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 5 a second embodiment is shown of the packaging 10. The packaging 10 comprises a first shell piece 20 interconnected to a second shell piece 30 by a hinge 50 (not visible). The packing varies due to the design of the fastening 50. Whilst the fastening still comprises a clasp 52 formed on a flap 22 of the first shell piece 20 and a catch 54 formed on the second shell piece 30, the clasp does not entirely cover the catch 54. Rather, the clasp only covers the catch 54 at the nose region 55. The first-point of contact between the nose and the portion of the clasp 52 continues to function in the same manner as the first embodiment. However, the clasp fits over the catch whilst allowing a leading end 57 of the catch to protrude through an aperture in the clasp 52. The leading end 57 of the catch 54 is configured to form a part of the distal end edge of the second shell piece 30. Thus, the transition from the distal end edge of the second shell piece 30 from overlaying the first shell piece to laying under the first shell piece occurs at the abutment of the distal end edges at the catch. Moreover a transition and therefore abutment point is provided on both sides of the catch, where the catch extends through the aperture formed in the flap 22. The abutment points are indicated in FIG. 5 generally at reference 58 and 59.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 6, the embodiments may include a third abutment point located spaced from the second abutment point and towards the neck area or shoulder area of the bottle creating a three-point locking feature. The third abutment point is formed from a transition of one of the first shell piece or the second shell piece transitioning from an overlaid arrangement wherein said shell piece is arranged on the outside of the other, to an arrangement on the other side of the transition wherein the part is not overlaid on top of the other. As shown, suitably, it is the first shell piece 20 that is overlaid on top of the second shell piece to one side of the transition. On the other side of the transition (indicated generally by reference 70), the first shell piece 20 is not arranged to overlay the other part. Here, the bottle can be used to urge the parts of the shell pieces outwards to ensure an abutment of the distal end edges at the transition. Alternatively, although not shown , the first part could include an extension to fit underneath the second part such that the distal end edge of the first shell piece 28 transitions from being on the outside of the second shell piece to being underneath the second shell piece 30.

[0053] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary hinge 40 for connecting the shell pieces 20, 30. The hinge is shown as a double hinge 42, 44. Each hinge 42, 44 is generally parallel. The hinges 42, 44 are shown extending parallel to the axis of the bottle. Whilst a single hinge would suffice, the moulding process might require a rim to be formed that projects outwards from the packaging. However, by providing a double hinge, the hinge can lay substantially flat against the bottle. Here, the packaging includes a third shell piece 80. The third shell piece 80 interconnects the first and second shell pieces. Thus, the third shell piece is connected by the respective hinges 42, 44 on each side. Here, the first and second shell pieces include notches for receiving a portion each of the third shell piece 80. Thus, when wrapped around the container, as shown in FIG. 7, the third shell piece fits in the aperture formed by the combination of the notches in each of the first and second shell pieces. The double hinge may find application in other packaging or moulded parts where the hinge between two shell pieces might be beneficial to lay flat against the container.

[0054] The packaging can be moulded in the open configuration generally as shown in FIG. 2. Here the third shell piece extends in a first plane. With the hinges 42, 44 moulded in the interconnection to the first and second shell pieces. The first and second shell pieces are moulded in the open configuration wherein faces interconnecting with the hinges drop away. That is, the concave faces of the first and second shell pieces do not overlap each other, rather they are arranged on either side of the third shell piece.

[0055] The packaging herein described provides an improved packaging wherein the packaging wraps around the container or other product, to form a second skin packaging. In combination with the first and second abutment and preferably also the third abutment, the packaging's fastener can be maintained secured in an engaged configuration even when the packaging wraps an article made to a minimum manufacturing tolerance that allows some contraction of the packaging around the article.

[0056] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0057] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0058] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0059] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0060] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0061] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/−10%.