Container for delivering a prefixed number of products at a time and a process for making of said container

Abstract

A container for delivering a predetermined number of products at a time includes a compartment defining an inner volume and configured to house multiple products, a passageway having an outlet configured to enable the delivery of the multiple products outside of the container, a door defining an opening configured to put the compartment in communication with the passageway, and a delivery mechanism arranged at the door and configured to manage passage of the multiple products through the door. The delivery mechanism is configured to be placed in a closing condition in which the delivery mechanism prevents passage of the multiple products through the door, and the delivery mechanism is further configured to be placed in a passage condition in which the delivery mechanism allows passage of one or more products of the multiple products through the door, thus allowing the one or more products to exit the compartment.

Claims

1. A container for delivering a predetermined number of products at a time, the container comprising: a compartment defining an inner volume and configured to house a plurality of products, a passageway having an outlet configured to enable delivery of the plurality of products outside of the container, a door defining an opening configured to put the compartment in communication with the passageway, and a delivery mechanism arranged at the door and configured to manage passage of the plurality of products through the door, the delivery mechanism being configured to be placed in a closing condition in which the delivery mechanism prevents passage of the plurality of products through the door, and the delivery mechanism being further configured to be placed in a passage condition in which the delivery mechanism allows passage of one or more products of the plurality of products through the door, thus allowing the one or more products to exit the compartment, the delivery mechanism comprising: a shutter located at the door and defining, in cooperation with the opening, a pathway, wherein the shutter, in the closing condition, defines a first portion of the pathway configured to prevent passage of the plurality of products, and wherein the shutter, in the passage condition, defines a second portion of the pathway configured to enable passage of the plurality of products, and a maneuvering element acting on the shutter to effect the closing and passage conditions of the delivery mechanism, wherein the shutter is made at least partially of sheet material and has a folded portion configured to directly define a shutting and opening body of the door, wherein the folded portion comprises a first tab and a second tab connected at an end of the folded portion, the first and second tabs normally being arranged in the closing condition of the delivery mechanism in which the first and second tabs are spaced apart from each other and define an angle therebetween, wherein the folded portion is configured to deform and to allow the first and second tabs to fold toward each other to define the passage condition of the delivery mechanism, and wherein the folded portion comprises an elastic body configured to maintain the shutter in the closing condition, the elastic body being configured to automatically adjust the shutter from the passage condition to the closing condition.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first and second tabs lie in respective planes parallel to a crossing direction along which the one or more products cross the door, wherein the first and second tabs, in the closing condition, exhibit a substantially V shape that is transverse to the crossing direction and configured for obstructing the opening to prevent passage of the one or more products.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the delivery mechanism is made at least partially of paper sheet material.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the folded portion directly defines both the shutting and opening body of the door and the elastic body for a springback of the shutter.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the maneuvering element is located inside of the passageway and extends from a first end located at the outlet to a second end connected to the shutter and arranged at the opening, the maneuvering element being configured to: receive, at the first end, a thrust directed towards the shutter, following the thrust, slide internally within the passageway to exert the thrust on the shutter, and following the sliding action, wherein the passageway comprises a duct extending along a prevalent development direction, wherein the outlet is located at a first longitudinal end of the duct, wherein the opening is substantially located in a first lateral wall of the duct at a second longitudinal end of the duct substantially opposite to the first longitudinal end, and wherein the prevalent development direction extends transverse to a crossing direction of the one or more products, wherein the duct and the compartment share a same lateral partition wall, and wherein the compartment and the passageway are made of folded paper sheet material.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second tabs, in the closing condition of the shutter, define an angle therebetween, the angle being in a range of 10 to 90, and wherein the first and the second tabs, in the passage condition of the shutter, are substantially parallel to each other.

7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a closing element engaged with the passageway and/or the compartment, the closing element being located at the outlet outside of the passageway and outside of the compartment, wherein the closing element is configured for being placed, in a condition of passage wherein the closing element enables delivery of the plurality of products from the outlet, and wherein the closing element is further configured for being placed in a locking condition wherein the closing element closes the outlet and prevents the delivery of products from the outlet.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the folded portion defines, in the closing condition of the delivery mechanism and in cooperation with the opening, a housing seat configured to retain one and only one product of the plurality of products, the housing seat being configured to substantially define a dosing chamber which, in the passage condition of the delivery mechanism, enables delivery of the one and only one product retained in the housing seat.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the first tab, in the closing condition of the delivery mechanism, cooperating with the opening to define the housing seat, and during transit from the passage condition to the closing condition, is configured to approach or to move away from the second tab for defining the passage condition and enabling the delivery of the one and only one product retained in the housing seat.

10. A container for delivering a predetermined number of products at a time, the container comprising: a compartment defining an inner volume and configured to house a plurality of products, a passageway having an outlet configured to enable delivery of the plurality of products outside of the container, a door defining an opening configured to put the compartment in communication with the passageway, and a delivery mechanism arranged at the door and configured to manage passage of the plurality of products through the door, the delivery mechanism being configured to be placed in a closing condition in which the delivery mechanism prevents the passage of the plurality of products through the door, the delivery mechanism being further configured to be placed in a passage condition in which the delivery mechanism allows the passage of one or more products of the plurality of products through the door, thus allowing the one or more products to exit the compartment, the delivery mechanism comprising: a shutter located at the door and configured to define, in cooperation with the opening, a pathway, the shutter, in the closing condition, defining a first portion of the pathway configured to prevent the passage of the one or more products, the shutter, in the passage condition, defining a second portion of the pathway configured to enable the passage of the one or more products, wherein the shutter is made at least partially of sheet material and has a folded portion, the folded portion being configured to directly define a shutting and opening body of the door, the folded portion exhibiting at least a first and a second tab connected at one end, said first and second tab being normally arranged in a condition in which they are angularly spaced from each other for defining said closing condition of the delivery mechanism, said folded portion being configured to deform and allow said tabs to angularly approach to each other so as to define said passage condition of the delivery mechanism, and at least one maneuvering element acting on the shutter so as to effect the closing and passage conditions of the delivery mechanism, wherein the maneuvering element is located inside of the passageway and extends from a first end located at the outlet to a second end directly connected to the first tab of the shutter and arranged at the opening, the maneuvering element being configured to: receive, at the first end, a thrust directed towards the shutter, following the thrust, slide internally within the passageway to exert the thrust on the shutter, and following the sliding action, elastically deform the shutter to move the delivery mechanism from the closing condition to the passage condition.

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the folded portion comprises a first tab and a second tab connected at an end, the first and second tabs being normally arranged in a closing condition of the delivery mechanism in which they are angularly spaced from each other, the folded portion being configured to deform and allow the first and second tabs to angularly approach each other so as to define the passage condition of the delivery mechanism, wherein the first and second tabs lie in respective planes parallel to a crossing direction along which the plurality of products cross the door.

12. The container according to claim 11, wherein the first and second tabs, in the closing condition, exhibit a substantially V shape that is transverse to the crossing direction and configured for obstructing the opening to prevent passage of the one or more products.

13. The container according to claim 10, wherein the container comprises a closing element engaged with the passageway and/or the compartment, the closing element being located at the outlet outside of the passageway and outside of the compartment, wherein the closing element is configured for being placed, in a condition of passage wherein the closing element enables delivery of the plurality of products from the outlet, and wherein the closing element is further configured for being placed in a locking condition wherein the closing element closes the outlet and prevents the delivery of the plurality of products from the outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the attached drawings, provided only in an indicative and therefore non limiting way, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of a container according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cut-away of a container according to the present invention arranged in a closing condition;

(5) FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a delivery mechanism of a container according to the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the delivery mechanism of the container arranged in an operative condition;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention arranged in a condition of passage;

(8) FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the delivery mechanism of the container arranged in a condition of passage;

(9) FIG. 8 is an outline of a blank for making a container according to the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a cut-away of the blank in FIG. 8;

(11) FIGS. 10-12 schematically and in a non limiting way illustrate the possible steps of folding the blank in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) Container

(13) 1 generally indicates a container or dispenser for delivering a prefixed number of products P at a time, particularly for delivering only one product P at a time. The present description will not specify the type of deliverable products P because such container 1 can be used for defining portable dispensers adapted to house/deliver different kind of products. For example, the container 1 can find an application in the confectionery field for dispensing candies, mini chocolates and/or chewing-guns. A further field of application can be represented by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields; de facto, the container can be used for delivering also tablets and/or pills. However, the above cited examples are considered in a non limiting way because the container 1, object of the present invention, can find an advantageous application in all the fields providing to deliver, from a portable dispenser, a prefixed number of products; the products P can also comprise, in a non limiting way, cigarettes.

(14) As it is visible for example in FIGS. 1-3, the container 1 comprises at least one compartment 2 defining an inner volume 3 configured for housing a plurality of products P. The compartment 2 substantially represents the container 1 compartment adapted to house and support the plurality of products P before delivering these latter. The attached figures illustrate a non limiting configuration of the compartment 2 which exhibits a prismatic rectangular shape; however, it is not excluded the possibility of making a compartment of a different shape, for example trapezoidal or cylindrical.

(15) As it is visible, the compartment 2 extends, in a non limiting way, substantially along a prevalent development direction and exhibits a thickness lower than the length and width of the same. The compartment 2 is configured for exhibiting a minimum size, in this case, the thickness, greater than a transversal maximum size of each product P; the compartment 2 minimum size is, in a non limiting way, greater than 7 mm (the thickness S can vary and be suitably sized based on the product P and the quantity to deliver). Generally, the compartment 2 defines an inner volume greater than 20,000 mm.sup.3, particularly comprised between 40,000 and 100,000 mm.sup.3. Advantageously, the compartment 2 is made of sheet material and is obtained by folding. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the compartment 2 is made of paper sheet material (paper or paperboard); particularly, the used sheet material exhibits a grammage comprised between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 200 and 400 gr/m.sup.2. As above described, the container, specifically the compartment 2, can also be used for housing food or pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Under such condition, it is advantageous to cover a compartment 2 inner surface by a plastic material coating, for example a film. The object of the coating is to define a barrier interposed between the compartment 2 and the plurality of products P; further, the coating is adapted to define a water and/or humidity barriers useful for avoiding the weakening and loss of structurality with consequent warping of the paper material forming the compartment 2. Advantageously, the coating can be an extrusion coating on one (compartment 2 inner side) or both the sides (inner and outer surfaces of the compartment 2) of the paper material defining the compartment 2 with values which can, for example, vary between 10 and 50 gr/m.sup.2 of the coating material (in other words polyethylene). The coating plastic material can be for example selected among the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

(16) As it is visible in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the container 1 comprises at least a volume of passage 4 exhibiting at least one outlet 5 configured for enabling to supply the products P outside the container 1. The volume of passage 4 is substantially configured for receiving one or plural products P from the compartment 2 and guiding them towards the outlet 5 for enabling to deliver them towards the outer environment. The volume of passage 4 substantially comprises a duct extending along a prevalent development direction Y (see for example FIG. 3) and flanking the compartment 2. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the volume of passage 4 is integrally joined to the compartment 2 to form a single detail; in such condition, the duct and compartment advantageously share the same partition lateral wall.

(17) The duct of the volume of passage 4 extends beside the compartment 2, parallelly to the prevalent development direction of this latter, between a first and second ends 4a, 4b; the outlet 5 of the volume of passage is placed at the first end 4a (FIG. 2). As it is visible for example in FIGS. 2 and 6, the duct of the volume of passage 4 comprises, at the first end 4a, a recess 15 extending along the duct prevalent development direction Y; the recess 15 defines a cut crossing the duct lateral wall which fluidically communicates the duct inner volume with the outer environment. More specifically, the recess 15 defines a through opening 16 at a container 1 lateral wall and delimited by a free edge 17 having a substantially U shape communicating with the outlet 5 of the volume of passage 4. The free edge 16 substantially defines a duct perimetral edge portion: the concavity of the U shape of the free edge 16 faces away from the duct second end 4b (FIGS. 2 and 6).

(18) More particularly, the duct flanks the compartment 2 so that a duct lateral wall directly contacts a compartment 2 lateral wall. From the geometrical point of view, the duct exhibits, in a non limiting way, a square prismatic shape; de facto, according to the duct cross section (section normal to the prevalent development direction Y), the duct defines a substantially square or rectangular shape. However, the duct can exhibit several shapes, for example a circular cross section tubular, elliptical, diamond or trapezoidal shapes (these configurations are not illustrated in the attached figures).

(19) Instead, with reference to the dimensional aspect of the volume of passage 4, this latter defines an area of passage (surface extension of the duct cross section) greater than 200 mm.sup.2, particularly comprised between 250 and 500 mm.sup.2. Besides such area (area of passage of the products P through the duct) it is possible to evaluate the duct minimum transversal size, measured normal to the development direction Y of the same, which is greater than 10 mm, particularly is comprised between 15 and 25 mm. The duct minimum size is in this case representative, in a non limiting way, of the duct thickness; the duct minimum sizeas the compartment 2 minimum sizeis configured for granting the passage (sliding) of the products P inside the volume of passage 4, therefore, this latter must be greater than a maximum transversal size of the products P. The attached figures illustrate only ducts of prismatic shape; however, it is not excluded the possibility of making ducts of a different shape, for example tubular, cylindrical, elliptical, trapezoidal or diamond shape.

(20) Advantageously, but in a non limiting way, the inner volume defined by the duct is smaller than the compartment 2 inner volume, because the volume 4 is only adapted to enable only one product at a time to exit; de facto, the duct inner volume is greater than 20,000 mm.sup.3, particularly is comprised between 30,000 and 80,000 mm.sup.3. It is possible to evaluate the duct inner volume also by the ratio of the compartment 2 inner volume; de facto, the ratio of the compartment 2 volume to the duct volume is greater than 1.5, particularly is comprised between 2 and 4.

(21) Advantageously, also the volume of passage 4, as for the compartment 2, is made of sheet material and is obtained by folding. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the volume of passage 4 (duct) is made of paper sheet material (paper or paperboard); particularly, the paper sheet material used for making the volume 4 exhibits the same characteristics of paper/paperboard used for making the compartment 2. As hereinbefore described, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the volume of passage 4 is integrally joined to the compartment 2, in such configuration the sheet material used for making this latter is the same as the one used for forming the duct because of the definition of only one integrally joined detail.

(22) The used paper sheet material can exhibit a grammage comprised between 150 and 400 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 200 and 300 gr/m.sup.2. As hereinbefore discussed, the container 1 can also be used for housing food products or products of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields. In such condition, it is advantageous to cover a duct inner surface by a plastic material coating, for example a film. The object of the coating is to define a barrier adapted to prevent the products to contact the paper material; further, the film defines a water and/or humidity barriers useful for avoiding the weakening and the loss of structurality with subsequent warping of the paper material forming the duct. Advantageously, it is possible to define an extrusion coating on one (duct inner side) or on both sides (duct inner and outer surfaces) of the paper material defining the volume of passage 4 with values which can for example vary between 10 and 50 gr/m.sup.2 of coating material (in other words polyethylene). The coating plastic material can be for example selected among the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

(23) It is possible to observe in the attached figures (for example FIGS. 3-5), that the container 1 further comprises a door 6 defining an opening 7 configured for communicating the compartment 2 with the volume of passage 4. De facto, the opening 7 comprises a passage placed, in a non limiting way, substantially at the second end 4b of the volume of passage 4; the passage (opening) is defined on one or more of the partition lateral walls of the compartment 2 and duct: it extends along a crossing direction X of the products P for enabling the fluid communication between the compartment 2 inner volume 3 and the volume of passage 4. As it is visible, the crossing direction X is transversal, particularly normal, to the prevalent development direction Y of the volume of passage 4.

(24) From the geometrical point of view, the opening 7 is perimetrally delimited by an edge having a substantially rectangular or square shape. The attached figures illustrate a preferred but non limiting configuration of the invention in which the opening 7 edge exhibits at least one side, particularly the side facing the volume 4 first end 4a, curvilinear, particularly an arc or circle (see for example FIGS. 3-5). Despite it has been shown only one configuration of the door 6 placed at the duct second end 4b, and exhibiting a substantially square shape, it is not excluded the possibility of forming an opening 7 in different positions of the duct (placed at the centerline of the duct or at the first end 4a) and/or having a shape different from the represented one, for example defining a circular, elliptical, diamond or trapezoidal shape (these configurations are not illustrated).

(25) With reference to the door 6 dimensional point of view (which is defined in an illustratively way since the sizes of the container and also of the door are completely variable because they are a function of the article to be delivered), it is possible to define a prefixed area of passage of the opening 7 which is comprised between 100 and 600 mm.sup.2, particularly between 300 and 400 mm.sup.2. It is further possible to define a minimum passage size of the opening 7 which is greater than 7 mm, particularly is comprised between 15 and 25 mm. The minimum passage size is defined by the minimum distance between two facing points of the opening 7 perimetral edge and it is advantageously greater than the transversal maximum size of the products P.

(26) As it is visible for example in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the container 1 further comprises at least one closing element 18 engaged with the volume of passage 4 and/or with the compartment 2; said closing element 18 is, in a non limiting way, placed at the outlet 5 outside the volume of passage 4 and outside the compartment 2. The closing element 18 is configured for being arranged in a condition of passage in which the element 18 itself enables to deliver the products P from the outlet 5 (FIG. 2); further the closing element 18 is configured for being arranged in a locking condition wherein the element 18 itself closes the outlet 5 and interdicts the products P delivery from this latter (FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, the closing element 18 is, in a non limiting way, constrained to the duct at an outlet 5 free edge and opposite to the recess 15. More particularly, the closing element 18 and the duct are integrally joined and engaged by an interconnection perimetral edge 72 (FIGS. 2 and 6); the closing element 18 is configured for rotating with respect to the duct around the edge 72 for switching from the condition of passage to the closing condition, and viceversa. Also in the condition wherein there is one or plural products inside the volume of passage 4, ready to be delivered, the closing element 18, in the locking condition, prevents the passage through the outlet 5. More specifically, the closing element 18 comprises at least one first wall 73 engaged with the duct and exhibiting a surface extension equal to or greater than the area of passage of the outlet 5. The first wall 73 is substantially countershaped to the outlet 5 and defines the element directly configured for interdicting the passage of products P during the locking condition of said element 18. Further, the closing element 18 comprises a second wall 74 integrally joined to the first wall 73 and emerging transversally, particularly normal, to the first wall 73 to substantially define a L element. The second wall 74 is configured for facing, during the element 18 locking condition, the recess 15. Further, the second wall 74 is configured for entering, at least partially, inside the recess 15 for stably holding the element 18 in the locking condition. Advantageously, the closing element 18 further comprises a third wall 75 emerging transversally, particularly normal, to the first and second walls 73, 74; the third wall 75 is configured for facing a duct lateral wall immediately adjacent the recess 15; the third wall 75 is further configured for guiding and supporting the movement of the element 18 when switches from the passage condition to the locking one, and viceversa. As it is visible in the attached figures, the walls 73, 74 and 75 emerge transversally to each other on approach to each other to define a housing cavity; in the passage condition of the closing element 18, this latter is configured for receiving the products P exiting the volume of passage 4 and prevents them from dropping: the housing cavity is configured for substantially acting as an element gripping the products P exiting the volume of passage 4 (FIG. 6). In a preferred but non limiting configuration of the invention, the walls 73, 74 and 75 are integrally joined to define a single body, particularly are integrally joined to the volume of passage 4 (duct) to define with this latter a single piece.

(27) Advantageously, also the closing element 18, as for the compartment 2 and/or the volume of passage 4, is made of sheet material and is obtained by folding. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, also the closing element 18 is made of paper sheet (paper or paperboard); particularly, the paper sheet material used for making the element 18 exhibits the same characteristics as the paper/paperboard used for making the compartment 2 and/or volume of passage 4. As hereinbefore described, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing element 18 is integrally joined to the duct and/or compartment 2; the sheet material used for making the compartment 2 and/or duct is the same sheet used for forming the closing element 18: in this way said closing element 18 is integrally joined to the duct and/or compartment. Advantageously the compartment 2, volume of passage 4 and closing element 18 are made of the same paper material sheet to define a single integrally joined detail.

(28) As hereinbefore described, the container 1 can be also used for housing food products or pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In such condition, it is advantageous to cover an inner surface of the element by a plastic material coating, for example a film. The coating has the object of defining a barrier adapted to prevent the contact of the products with the paper material; the film further defines a water and/or humidity barriers useful for avoiding the weakening and the loss of structurality with subsequent warping of the paper material forming the element 18. Advantageously, it is possible to define an extrusion coating on one (the inner side facing the compartment 2 inner volume 3) or both the sides (inner and outer surfaces) of the paper material defining the closing element 18 with values which can for example vary between 10 and 50 gr/m.sup.2 of coating material (in other words polyethylene). The coating plastic material can be for example selected among the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

(29) As it is visible in the attached figures, the container 1 further comprises at least one delivery mechanism 8 engaged at least partially inside the volume of passage 4 and/or inner volume 3 of the compartment 2, at the door 6. The delivery mechanism 8 is configured for managing the passage of products P through the opening 7. Specifically, the delivery mechanism 8 is configured for being placed at least in a closed condition in which the mechanism itself prevents the passage of products P through the door 6; the delivery mechanism 8 is further configured for being placed at least in a condition of passage in which the mechanism itself enables the passage of one or plural products P through the door 6 to enable therefore the products P to exit the compartment 2. More particularly, the delivery mechanism 8 comprises at least one shutter 9 (see for example FIG. 3) placed at the door 6 and apt to define, in cooperation with the opening 7, a prefixed section of passage: the shutter 9, in the closing condition, defines a section of passage apt to interdict the passage of products P while, in the passage condition, the shutter 9 defines a section of passage apt to enable the passage of the products P. quantitatively, the section of passage, defined by the cooperation between the shutter 9 and opening 7, exhibits a surface extension comprised between 5 and 250 mm.sup.2, particularly between 150 and 250 mm.sup.2. De facto, the ratio of the area of passage defined by the opening 7 and the section of passage defined by the cooperation between the shutter 9 and opening 7, is equal to or greater than 2, particularly is comprised between 2 and 5.

(30) In addition, the mechanism 8 comprises at least one maneuvering organ 10 (see for example FIG. 3) active on the shutter 9 for commanding the closing and passage conditions of the delivery mechanism 8; the maneuvering organ will be better described hereinbelow. With reference to the shutter 9, this latter comprises an elastic body configured for holding the shutter 9 itself in the closing condition: the elastic body is configured for automatically moving the shutter 9 to the closed condition from the passage condition. As it is possible to observe in the attached figures, the shutter 9 defines both the opening and obstructing element of the opening 7 and the spring-back element capable of moving the shutter 9 itself to a normally closed condition. In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the shutter 9 is advantageously engaged inside the volume of passage 4 at the duct second end 4b: the shutter 9 fully faces the opening 7. More particularly, it is possible to observe that the shutter 9 is at least partiallyparticularly completelymade of sheet material and has a folded portion 11 which directly defines both the obstructing and opening body of the door 6 and the spring back body of the shutter 9 itself.

(31) As it is visible for example in FIGS. 3-5, the folded portion 11 comprises a first and second tabs 12, 13 (FIGS. 3-5) facing the opening 7 and longitudinally extending away from this latter substantially parallelly to the products crossing direction X (FIG. 3). De facto, the first and second tabs 12, 13 extend transversally, particularly normal, to the duct prevalent development direction Y, particularly from the opening 7 to a duct lateral wall opposite to said opening 7. In other words, the first and second tabs 12, 13 extend between respective longitudinal edges, one of them faces the door 6 opening 7.

(32) As it is visible in the attached figures, the first tab 12 is directly connected to the maneuvering organ 10 and faces the outlet 5, while the second tab 13 is connected to the first tab 12, facing a duct bottom wall 4c, opposite to the outlet 5. From the geometrical point of view, the first tab 12 extends along a rectilinear direction from a first to a second end edges 12a, 12b; the first end edge 12a of the first tab 12 is directly engaged with the maneuvering organ 10 while the second end edge 12b is engaged with the second tab 13. Also the second tab 13 extends along a respective rectilinear direction from a first to a second end edges 13a, 13b; the first end edge 13a of the second tab 13 abuts on the duct bottom wall 4c, while the second end edge 13b is engaged with the second end edge 12b of the first tab 12. Substantially, the first and second tabs 12, 13 are engaged with each other at the respective second end edges 12b, 13b (FIG. 5). De facto, each tab 12, 13 comprises a sheet having, in a non limiting way, a rectangular or square shape. From the dimensional point of view, the first tab 12 exhibits a prefixed length comprised between 15 and 25 mm, particularly between 18 and 22; the length of the first tab 12 is defined by the maximum distance between the first and second end edges 12a, 12b of the tab itself. The second tab 13 has also a prefixed length comprised between 16 and 30 mm, particularly between 20 and 26 mm; the second tab 13 length is defined by the maximum distance between the first and second end edges 13a, 13b of the tab itself. Advantageously, the ratio of the second tab 13 length to the first tab 12 length is equal to or greater than 1.1, particularly is comprised between 1.15 and 1.2.

(33) As hereinbefore described, the folded portion 11 is configured for being normally arranged in a normally closed condition (shutter 9 closed condition); in such condition, the tabs 12, 13 are normally placed in a condition wherein they are angularly spaced from each other for defining the mechanism 8 closing condition. More particularly, in such a condition, the first end edges 12a, 13a respectively of the first and second tabs 12, 13 are spaced from each other; in such condition, the tabs 12 and 13 define, according to section transversal to the longitudinal development direction thereof, a substantially V shape arranged for obstructing the passage of the products P from the opening 7. Still more particularly, the first and second tabs 12, 13, in the shutter 9 closed condition, exhibit an angular offset inside the two tabs 12, 13 comprised between 10 and 35, particularly between 15 and 25.

(34) As hereinbefore described, the folded portion 11 is configured for elastically warping for defining the condition of passage of the mechanism 8 (FIG. 7); in such condition, the first and second tabs 12, 13 are arranged in an approached condition making them substantially to face each other (FIG. 7). In such configuration, the first end edges 12a, 13a of the respective tabs 12, 13 are close to each other, particularly are at least partially in contact.

(35) It is observed that thanks to the folded portion 11 structure, in cooperation with the door 6, it is possible to define, in the delivery mechanism 8 closing condition, a housing seat 14 configured for holding only one product P (FIG. 5); the housing seat 14 is configured for substantially defining a dosing chamber which, in the delivery mechanism 8 passage condition, enables at least to deliver the product P held in the housing seat 14. More particularly, the first tab 12 (specifically the longitudinal edge facing the door 6), in the delivery mechanism 8 closing condition, in cooperation with the opening 7 perimetral edge, defines said housing seat 14. The first tab 12, during the switching from the passage condition to the closed one, is configured for approaching the second tab 13 for defining said passage condition and enabling to deliver the product P placed in the housing seat 14 (FIG. 7).

(36) In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the folded portion 11, and particularly the first and second tabs 12, 13, is made of paper sheet material (paper or paperboard) and is obtained by folding; particularly, the paper sheet material used for making the portion 11 exhibits the same characteristics as the paper sheet material used for making the compartment 2 and/or the duct. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, also the folded portion 11 is integrally joined to the compartment 2 and/or with the duct; in such configuration, the sheet material used for making said portion 11 is the same used for forming the duct and/or compartment for defining only one integrally joined detail.

(37) The paper sheet material used for the portion 11 can exhibit a grammage comprised between 150 and 400 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 200 and 300 gr/m.sup.2. As hereinbefore described, the container 1 can also be used for housing food products or pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In such condition, it is advantageous to cover at least part of the portion 11 with a plastic material coating, for example a film. The coating has the object of defining a barrier adapted to prevent the contact of the products with the paper material; the film further defines a water and/or humidity barriers useful for avoiding the weakening and the loss of structurality of the portion 11, and also the elastic characteristics useful for enabling the automatic spring back of the folded portion itself. Advantageously, it is possible to define an extrusion coating on one or both the paper material sides defining the folded portion 11 with values which can for example vary from 10 to 50 gr/m.sup.2 of the coating material (in other words polyethylene). The coating plastic material can be for example selected among the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

(38) Instead, with reference to the maneuvering organ 10, this latter is engaged inside the duct and extends from a first end 10a, located at the outlet 5, to a second end 10b connected to the first tab 12 and placed at the opening 7. The maneuvering organ 10 is configured for receiving, at the first end 10a, a thrust S (FIG. 6) directed along the duct prevalent development direction Y; due to the thrust S, the maneuvering organ 10 is configured for sliding inside the duct along the prevalent development direction Y of the same to exert a thrust on the first tab 12. Following the sliding, the maneuvering organ 10 is configured for elastically warping the folded portion 11 for enabling to angularly approach the tabs 12, 13 and defining the delivery mechanism 8 passage condition.

(39) More specifically, the maneuvering organ 10 exhibits a prevalent development direction which, in the engagement condition between the organ 10 and volume of passage, is substantially parallel to the duct development direction Y. As it is for example visible in FIG. 4, the maneuvering organ 10 second end 10b is directly connected to the first end edge 12a of the first tab 12; the maneuvering organ 10 thrust S therefore forcedly act on the thirst end edge 12a of the first tab 12, which, following such action, substantially rotates around the second end edge 12b of the same (therefore around the second end edge 13b of the second tab 13) for approaching the tab 13.

(40) As it is visible in FIGS. 2 and 6, the maneuvering organ 10 extends to the duct first end 4a; advantageously, the maneuvering organ 10 first end 10a exhibits at least one thrust portion placed on the same side of the recess 15, and longitudinally projects with respect to this latter (FIG. 2). De facto, the maneuvering organ 10 first end 10a is configured for facing the recess 15 in the mechanism closed condition; in such condition, the maneuvering organ 10 can be reached from the outside and is displaceable along the duct development direction Y: the organ 10 movement enables to activate the shutter 9 for bringing it in the passage condition. De facto, the recess 15 is configured for enabling to activate the maneuvering organ 10 by the thrust on the same at the first end 10a; the defined depth of the recess 15 is such to enable to correctly warp the folded portion 11 and therefore the passage of one or plural products P from the opening 7 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

(41) In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the maneuvering organ 10 is also made of sheet material and exhibits, again in a non limiting way, a rectangular shape: a sheet end edge is engaged with the tab 12 first end edge 12a. Advantageously, the sheet abuts on and is guided on the lateral wall of the duct carrying the recess 15 as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6. Advantageously, the delivery mechanism 8 is a single piece; in such condition, the maneuvering organ 10 is integrally joined to the shutter 9 to define a single detail.

(42) In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the maneuvering organ 10 is made of paper sheet material (paper or paperboard); particularly, the paper sheet material used for making the maneuvering organ 10 exhibits the same characteristics as the paper sheet material used for making the shutter 9. As hereinbefore described, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the maneuvering organ 10 is integrally joined to the shutter 9; in such configuration, the sheet material used for making said organ 10 is the same as the one used for forming the shutter 9 for defining a single integrally joined detail.

(43) However, it is possible to obtain at least two preferred configurations of the invention. In a first configuration, the maneuvering organ 10 and shutter 9 are integrally joined to but distinct from the other container 1 components (compartment 2, volume of passage 4 and closing element 18). In a second configuration, all the container details (shutter 9, maneuvering organ 10, compartment 2, volume of passage 4 and closing element 18) are integrally joined to define a container 1 made from a single sheet, particularly a single sheet of paper material.

(44) The paper sheet material used for the maneuvering organ 10 can exhibit a grammage comprised between 150 and 400 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 200 and 300 gr/m.sup.2. As hereinbefore described, the container 1 can also be used for housing food products or pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. In such condition, it is advantageous to cover at least part of the maneuvering organ 10 with a plastic material coating, for example a film. The coating has the object of defining a barrier adapted to prevent the contact of the products with the paper material; the film further defines a water and/or humidity barriers useful for avoiding the weakening and the loss of structurality of the maneuvering organ 10, which can impair the thrusting capacity of this latter. Advantageously, it is possible to define an extrusion coating on one or both the sides of the paper material defining the maneuvering organ 10 with values which can for example vary from 10 to 50 gr/m.sup.2 of the coating material (in other words polyethylene). The coating plastic material can be for example selected among the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

(45) Process for Making the Container

(46) Further, it is an object of the present invention a process for making the container 1 as hereinbefore described. The process comprises at least one step of preparing the compartment 2 which provides to prepare at least one flat sheet and folding the same to define the inner volume 3; as hereinbefore described, the compartment 2 is advantageously made of paper material, therefore, the raw flat sheet can comprise a blank made of paper and/or paperboard.

(47) Further, the process provides to prepare the volume of passage 4, which provides to prepare at least one flat sheet 52 (FIGS. 8 and 9) comprising at least one first, second and third portions 52a, 52b, 52c each exhibiting a substantially rectangular shape. The first and second portions 52a and 52b are integrally joined to an interconnection longitudinal edge 55 while the second and third portions 52b, 52c are integrally joined to a respective interconnection longitudinal edge 56; the interconnection edge 55 of the first and second portions 52a, 52b is opposite to the interconnection longitudinal edge 56 of the second and third portions 52b, 52c with respect to the second portion itself. Advantageously, the second sheet 52 further comprises a fourth portion 52d connected to the third portion 52c at a respective interconnection longitudinal edge 60: the third portion 52c is interposed between the second and fourth portions 52b and 52d of the sheet 52. As it is visible in the attached figures, the third portion 52c of the second sheet 52 comprises an opening 58 which is configured for defining the opening 7 of the volume of passage 4 of the container 1. The opening 58 is delimited at a free edge 59 defining a substantially U shape whose concavity faces away from the third portion 52c itself.

(48) Then, the sheet 52 preparing step comprises at least one step of folding the same to define the duct 4. More particularly, the folding step provides the following sub-steps:

(49) folding, at the interconnection longitudinal edge 55, the first and second portions 52a, 52b so that these latter define, according to a cross section, a substantially L shape,

(50) folding, at the edge 56, the second and third portions 52b, 52c so that these latter define, according to a cross section, a substantially L shape, the first, second and third portions 52a, 52b, 52c defining, according to a cross section, a substantially U shape.

(51) In case the sheet 52 exhibits the fourth portion 52d, the process further exhibits at least one sub-step of folding, at the interconnection longitudinal edge 60, the third and fourth portions 52c, 52d so that these latter define, according to a cross section, a substantially L shape whose concavity is opposite to the volume of passage 4.

(52) As hereinbefore described, the volume of passage 4 and compartment 2 can be made in a single piece; in such condition, such elements are made of a single die-cut flat sheet defining a single blank 50. Particularly, such blank 50 can comprise the sheet 52 connected to two further sheets 53 and 54 (FIGS. 8 and 9). The sheet 53 comprises a main flat body 57 exhibiting a substantially rectangular shape delimited by a lower edge 53a, a first and second lateral edges 53a, 53b, and an upper edge 53d. As it is visible in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first lateral edge 53b is connected, particularly integrally joined, with the sheet 52, particularly with the first sheet 52 portion 52a. At the upper edge 53d, particularly at the joining angle between the first edge 53b and the upper edge 53d of the sheet 53, this latter exhibit a through opening 62 obtained by a step of cutting the sheet 53 itself. The opening 62 is configured for defining the container 1 recess 15. The sheet 54 comprises at least one main body 54a and a connecting portion 54b both exhibiting a substantially rectangular shape: said portions 54a, 54b exhibit an interconnection longitudinal edge 61 (FIG. 8). In order to make the compartment 2 and volume of passage 4 in a single piece, the process, following or simultaneously with the step of folding the sheet 52, provides to prepare the first, second and third portions 52a, 52b, 52c folded on the sheet 53 main body 57 in order to define the duct of the volume of passage 4.

(53) Then, the process further provides to fold the main body 54a and connecting portions 54b of the sheet 54 at the interconnection longitudinal edge 61 to define, according to a cross section, a substantially L shape. Then, it is possible to position the sheet 54 on the sheet 52 in order to define both the compartment 2 and duct. It is useful to note that the sheet 52 comprises at least one connecting portion 63 integrally joined to the first portion 52a and emerging longitudinally from this latter. The sheet 54 instead comprises a lower abutment portion 64 integrally joined to a main body 54a lower edge 54c and longitudinally emerging from this latter; the sheet 54 further comprises also two connecting portions 63 integrally joined respectively with an upper and lower edges of the sheet 54 connecting portion 54b and longitudinally emerging from these latter. Further, it is observed that the sheet 54 comprises at least one upper abutment portion 65 integrally joined to an upper edge 54b of the main body 54 and longitudinally emerging from this latter.

(54) Further the process provides, for defining the compartment 2 and duct, at least the following sub-steps:

(55) folding the lower abutment portion 64 towards the sheet 54 main body 54a,

(56) following positioning the sheet 54 on the sheet 52, engaging the sheet 54 connecting portion 63 with the abutment portion 64 of the same for holding the abutment portion 64 in the folded configuration,

(57) following positioning the sheet 54 on the sheet 52, engaging the sheet 52 connecting portion 63 with the sheet 54 lower abutment portion 64 for granting the engagement of the second and fourth sheets 52, 54,

(58) folding the upper abutment portion 65 towards the sheet 54 main body 54a,

(59) following positioning the sheet 54 on the sheet 52, engaging the sheet 54 connecting portion 63 with the upper abutment portion 65 of the same for holding the abutment portion itself in the folded configuration.

(60) De facto, the sheet 54 abutment portions 64 and 65 are configured for defining the container 1 upper and lower walls, and also the duct bottom wall 4c for abutting on the second tab 13. The connecting portions 63 are configured for granting to hold the container 1 in its folded (three-dimensional) configuration.

(61) Further, it is observed that the sheet 54 comprises locking portions 76 emerging from the abutment portions 64 and 65; such portions are configured for being folded after having positioned the sheets 52 and 54 in order to constrain them to the sheet 53 main body 57. Such portions can be folded and glued to the sheet 53 main body 57 in order to hold the container 1 in its three-dimensional configuration, for example.

(62) As hereinbefore described, both the compartment and volume of passage are advantageously made of paper material, therefore, the flat raw sheets 52, 53 and 54 comprise a single blank 57 of paper and/or of paperboard.

(63) As hereinbefore described, further the container 1 can comprise at least one closing element 18. The process provides to prepare at least one flat sheet and folding the same to define the element 18; as hereinbefore described, said element 18 is advantageously made of a paper material, therefore, the raw flat sheet can comprise a paper and/or paperboard blank. Advantageously, the sheet defining the element 18 is integrally joined to the sheet 54 (FIG. 8); particularly, the sheet 54 comprises, at an upper edge 54d, a closing portion 66 comprising at least one first and at least one second portions 67, 68 integrally joined by means of an interconnection longitudinal edge 69. The closing portion 66 being adapted to define at least part of the upper abutment portion 65 and is integrally joined to this latter by means of a tear longitudinal edge 70. The process further comprises at least the following sub-steps:

(64) folding, at the sheet 54 upper edge 54d, the closing portion 66 towards the lower abutment portion 64,

(65) folding, substantially at an intermediate tracing 71, the first and second portions 67, 68 towards the first lower abutment portion 64, the first and second folded portions 67, 68 define, according to a cross section, a substantially L shape; the first portion is configured for contacting the sheet 53 main body 57 while the second portion 68 is configured for contacting the sheet 52 first portion 52a,

(66) folding the second portion 68 towards the first portion 67,

(67) stably engaging said first and second folded portions for defining said closing element 18.

(68) Further, the process provides to step of preparing the delivery mechanism 8, during which the shutter 9 and maneuvering organ 10 are formed; as hereinbefore described, the shutter 9 is configured for defining both the section of passage of the container 1 and the spring-back element adapted to automatically restore the shutter itself to the closing condition. The step of preparing the shutter 9 comprises at least the following steps:

(69) preparing a sheet 51,

(70) folding said sheet 51 to form the folded portion 11,

(71) positioning said folded portion 11 at the door 6.

(72) As hereinbefore described, the folded portion 11 is configured for defining both the door 6 obstruction element and directly the shutter 9 spring-back element. The folded portion 11 forming step comprises at least a step of placing said portion 11 at the door 6 so that said portion 11 can cooperate with the opening 7 for defining the housing seat 14 configured for holding only one product P.

(73) The step of preparing the delivery mechanism 8 comprises at least the step of preparing the maneuvering organ 10 also made of sheet material.

(74) Advantageously, the shutter 9 and the maneuvering organ 10 are both made of the sheet 51, particularly of paper sheet material; as it is visible in FIGS. 8 and 9, the sheet 51 comprises at least one main portion 51a and a connecting portion 51b. The step of preparing the delivery mechanism 8 provides to fold the connecting portion 51b to define said first and second tabs 12, 13 while the main body 51a defines the whole maneuvering organ 10. The delivery mechanism 8 of sheet material can be placed inside the compartment 2 and duct before folding and forming these latter; particularly, the mechanism 8 can be abutted on the main body 57 and then the sheets 52, 53 and 54 can be folded for receiving the shutter 9 and organ 10. Advantageously, the flat sheet 51 used for defining the delivery mechanism 8 can be integrally joined to the sheet 53; particularly, in a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion 51b is integrally joined, on one side, with the sheet 51 main body 51a and, on the other side, with the sheet 53 lower edge 53a (FIG. 8).

(75) In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container 1 is obtained from a single blank 50 comprising the sheets 51, 52, 53 and 54 defined also as first, second, third and fourth sheets. In such condition, the process provides to cut a single flat sheet to define a single blank 50 as illustrated in FIG. 8. The first step of the process provides to fold the first sheet 51 connecting portion 51b and place the main body 51a of the same on the third sheet 53 main body 57. The connecting portion is folded to define the portion 11 which exhibits, according to a cross section, a V shape whose concavity faces the third sheet 53 main body 47. Then, the second sheet 52 is folded and is placed on the third sheet 53 so that the second sheet 52 duct houses the shutter 9 folded portion 11; de facto the folded portion 11 is interposed between the second portion 52b of the second sheet 52 and the third sheet 53 main body 57, while the fourth portion 52d of the second sheet 52 abuts at least on part of the maneuvering organ 10. Following positioning the first and second sheets 51, 52 on the third sheet 53, the process provides to place and then fix the fourth sheet 54 on the second sheet 52: the second, third and fourth sheets 52, 53, 54 define the compartment 2, the volume of passage and also the container 1 lateral walls. In FIG. 9 it is possible to observe with a detailed and exploded view the structure of the first, second, third and fourth sheets 51, 52, 53, 54. Instead, Figures from 10 to 13 schematically show the blank 50 folding steps adapted to define a semi-finished product folded in a compact form and ready for being arranged in the three-dimensional configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. FIG. 10 illustrates a first step of folding the whole first sheet 51 on the third sheet 53. FIG. 10 schematically shows a second step of folding at least part of the second sheet 52 on the first sheet 51. Particularly, the second, third and fourth portions 52b, 52c and 52d of the second sheet are all folded on the first sheet 51 around the interconnection longitudinal edge 55 of the second sheet 52. Then, the third sheet 53 with the first and second sheets 51, 53 are folded on the fourth sheet 54 around the second lateral edge 53c of the third sheet 53. The folded blank 50 is easily configurable in its three-dimensional shape in which it is possible to proceed with locking the same by fixing the different connection and locking portions 63 and 76 of the second and fourth sheets 52, 54.