CN101370722A - Packaging cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a product package having a first package within a second package wherein the product is accessible with removing the second package.

Description

Packaging cover

field of invention

The present invention relates to a closure for packaging and sealing an inner package containing a product. The product can be dispensed without removing the inner packaging.

Background of the invention

Product sealing packages are well known in the art. When an inner package is to be positioned within an outer package or housing, it becomes very important to precisely position the inner package to avoid damage to the inner package during assembly and/or a defective product due to misalignment of the inner package and the failure of the inner package's discharge valve . US Patent 4,676,408 issued June 30, 1987 to Speitel discloses a refillable sprayer comprising an inner spray bottle with a valve and an actuator secured inside an outer packaging or housing by a locking collar. The inner package is aligned inside the outer package on the basis that its walls closely fit the walls of the outer package, wherein the vertical walls of the inner package and the outer package substantially contact each other. This arrangement requires the insertion of the inner packaging to be done manually or with complex assembly equipment.

To simplify assembly and eliminate inefficient manual assembly or the purchase and maintenance of expensive assembly equipment, the inner packaging should have sufficient space between the outer packaging or outer casing. The horizontal and vertical dimensions of the inner packaging should be significantly smaller than the outer packaging. However, this solution creates other problems. For example, if there is a large space between the inner packaging and the outer packaging, the inner packaging may shift or move when the product is shipped or used by the consumer. This can lead to mechanical damage to the inner packaging and/or its discharge valve. Even if no damage occurs, a product that needs to be shaken before use can rattle in excess space or rattle between inner and outer packaging. This can have a negative impact on the customer, in part by creating a false impression that the product is defective and causing the customer to return the product.

Therefore, there is a need for such a packaging assembly that avoids the aforementioned problems or disadvantages.

Summary of the invention

The invention is a cover for a product packaging assembly. The packaging assembly includes an object such as an inner package and a second or outer package, wherein the product inside the inner package can be dispensed without removing the inner package from the outer package. This packaging assembly is efficient and easy to assemble.

Figure overview

1A-1I are perspective views of various embodiments of a cover.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the closure.

Figure 3 is an underside view of the closure.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the closure along the axis IV-IV of Figure 2 .

Figure 5 is a front view of the packaging assembly.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the packaging assembly.

Figure 7 is a front view of the packaging assembly.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the axis VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 .

Figure 9 is a top view of the outer package.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the actuator.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now to the illustrations, Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a closure (100) having a plurality of locating ribs (101) extending from a central portion (102) of the closure. Locating ribs (101) terminate at the outer edge of the cover. Alternatively, however, the rib may terminate at a location where the rib has not yet fully extended from the central portion to the outer edge of the cover. Examples are shown in Figures 1B and 1C. Notwithstanding the illustration of FIG. 1A , alternatively, the positioning ribs ( 101 ) may be formed as a plurality of ribs parallel to the outer edge of the cover, radiating circumferentially around the central portion. For example, Figure 1H shows a single rib with a circular shape. Alternatively, there may be a variety of geometries, such as concentric circles in the target pattern of Figure II. Furthermore, the ribs can be arranged using a combination of the alternatives shown in Figures 1A and 1H, see Figures 1E, 1F and 1G.

Figure 1 shows a closure having a triangular shape, which is not limited to this shape, but may be of almost identical shape to the package it is a closure for, or other complementary shapes to the package. Figure 1 shows the protrusions (105) providing a plurality of means for attaching the closure to the package. Alternative joining means include adhesives/glues, tapes, ultrasonic welding, thermal welding, or any other means generally known to those skilled in the art, as well as combinations thereof. The closure may additionally or alternatively utilize flanges as other attachment features. The cover may employ a flange extending from an edge of the cover. The flange engages the cross-section of the vertical wall of the second package and may terminate just at the outer vertical wall of the second package, thereby providing a smooth contour to the outer surface of the second package. The flange may also extend beyond the vertical wall of the second package so as to form a base beneath the second package and may be crimped around the vertical wall of the second package.

Figure 1 shows an annular lip at the peripheral edge of the cover (103). The height of the annular lip can be extended as desired. When forming the closure with positioning ribs, said annular lip not only functions as the terminus of said positioning ribs, but also as a guide when inserting the closure into its complementary packaging. An alternative to such an annular lip comprises a plurality of separate segments positioned around the peripheral edge of the closure.

Figure 1 also shows a plurality of protrusions (106) extending from the cover. Said protrusion (106) is generally made of the same material as the cover. The protrusions (106) are of a size such that they are deformable and when such protrusions are loaded or compressed they can push up or support objects vertically. These protrusions (106) may originate from any point on the planar surface of the cover (100) so that they contact the underside of the object against which they rest. The size of the protrusion (106) is determined by a number of considerations related to the packaging assembly. For example, the length of these protrusions is dependent on the relationship or difference in height of the object relative to the complementary packaging of the closure. For example, the protrusion is longer when the difference between the object and the complementary package is large, and shorter when the opposite is true. Furthermore, other dimensions of the protrusions, including their width and thickness, depend on the function they serve. For example, if the protrusion is intended to hold an object vertically inside the complementary package, the protrusion is heavier or thicker. The protrusion may also be tapered to provide the desired deformation of the protrusion when abutting the underside of the object. This can be used for vertical positioning, horizontal positioning, or a combination of these. It may taper from top to bottom, or as shown in Figure 4, where a cross-section of the protrusion (shown as (406) in the figure) shows that the protrusion is thicker at the bottom than at the top. The protrusions may also be tapered on one side to direct this deformation towards one side, wherein the protrusions are directed to deform in a particular direction. For example, as shown in the protrusion ( 801 ) of FIG. 8 , where the taper is only on the outside of the protrusion, the protrusion deforms inwardly.

The positioning rib (101) does not have to extend completely from the central portion (102) to the peripheral edge of the cover (103). For example, the rib (101') of Figure IB extends from the peripheral edge to the second protrusion (106). Figure 1C shows another embodiment, wherein the rib (101") extends from the central portion to the second protrusion. Another embodiment may comprise a combination of these two embodiments. In a single embodiment In, ribs are not required, but instead have protrusions on the flat surface of the cover (100). These second protrusions can be patterned or randomly positioned on the flat surface of the cover as seen in FIG. On the surface. However, Fig. 2 not only adopts the rib, but also locates the rib (201) as three equidistant ribs extending from the central part (202) to the peripheral edge (203). In Fig. 2, the second protrusion ( 206) is molded onto each rib at about the middle of the rib radius. The first protrusion (205) shown in Figure 2 is positioned at the terminus of the rib on the outer edge of the cover. In the same manner, The protrusion (305) is also shown in FIG. 3 and the protrusion (405) is shown in FIG.

Figure 5 shows the packaging assembly of the present invention. The packaging assembly (500) includes an object, an inner packaging (511) and a complementary outer packaging (510). The outer package (510) may have the same shape as the cover (100). The outer package also includes a tapered collar (512). The collar comprises single or multiple parts. The shoulders (not shown) of the inner package limit the depth of the inner package (511) into the interior of the outer package (510). The depth of entry is sufficient to allow the valve stem of the inner package (511) to enter through the opening in the top of the collar. Furthermore, the protrusion contacts the concave base of the inner package, wherein the deflection of the protrusion is kept within the surface area of the concave base, thereby shielding the protrusion from view.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the packaging assembly and shows the individual parts of the assembly, including the actuator (613), the outer packaging (611) with the collar (612), the inner packaging (610) and the closure of Figure 1. cover (100). FIG. 7 is a front view of the packaging assembly of FIG. 5 , with a cross-section along the axis VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 8 . The packaging assembly (800) exemplifies an inner package (811) having a collar (812), wherein the depth of the inner package into the outer package (810) is determined by the shoulder (816) of the inner package and the outer package collar (812) The contact between the inner surfaces is defined. The valve stem (817) is accessible inside an aperture formed in the collar. When the actuator is inserted inside the collar, its dispensing channel (818) communicates with the stem valve to allow the contents to flow from the inner package when activated, to be delivered to the customer through the nozzle (814).

The vertical positioning of the inner package (811) inside the outer package (810) can be achieved by various means. For example, the protrusion (806) may support the inner package (811) vertically. Alternatively, shown in Figure 8 is a snap-lock feature comprising a lip (820) on the shoulder of the inner package (811) and a complementary lip (820) on the inner surface of the shoulder (816) of the outer package (810). Sealing strip (819). When force is applied to guide the inner package (811) inside the outer package (810), the lip (820) slides over the sealing strip (819), locking the inner package within said outer package. With sealing strip (819) and lip (820) engaged, protrusion (806) can provide additional vertical stability and prevent side-to-side rocking motion of the inner package within the secondary package. As mentioned earlier, this is important to eliminate packaging defects after shipping and also keep the inner packaging in place when the customer handles the outer packaging.

Figure 9 shows a top view of the outer container (910). Figure 9 also shows the location of the complementary sealing strip (919). As shown in Figure 9, the sealing strip can be a continuous sealing strip, an intermittent sealing strip or a segmented sealing strip around the entire circumference of the collar. The orifice (921) is where the valve stem of the inner package can enter. A valve actuator is inserted into the orifice, wherein the actuator is in fluid communication with the valve stem, allowing the contents of the inner package to flow when the actuator is depressed. It should be noted that the actuator shown in Figure 10 is intended to fit a particular orientation when inserted into aperture (921). To allow this to occur, guide vanes (922) are molded onto the inner surface of the collar and extend into the orifice. As shown in Figure 10, complementary slots (1010) are located on the surface of the actuator (1000). The slots engage the guide vanes (922), enabling the actuator (1000) to be inserted in a specific orientation. This slot and vane arrangement also prevents the actuator from turning when placed on the package.

Figure 10 shows the actuator (1000). As shown in Figure 8, the actuator is located within the collar (812) and through it communicates with the engagement of the inner package stem valve at point (817) of Figure 8 and the product inside the inner package (811). When the actuator is depressed, product enters the vertical channel of said actuator (817) from the inner package (811) and is directed through the nozzle orifice (814). When the downward pressure is released, the actuator moves to its initial rest position in which no product is removed from the inner packaging. Normally, the actuator does not dislodge from the collar due to its movement during dispensing or transport of the product. However, to ensure that the actuator does not fall off the collar, the actuator tab (1013a) is formed such that the tab engages the inner edge (815) of the collar, which is also illustrated in FIG. 9 as (915 ). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the inner package is a pump sprayer. In this case, the dip tube rather than the valve stem communicates with the actuator located inside the collar.

Materials and methods of making closures and secondary packaging

Materials useful in the manufacture of the present invention include non-deformable and deformable materials. Non-deformable material options for the present invention include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), butadiene acrylonitrile Polyethylene styrene copolymer (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and their blends. Whether making deformable or non-deformable parts, the parts of the packaging assembly can be made by any number of plastic production methods known in the art, including but not limited to injection molding.

Dimensions and numerical values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the precise numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension means both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40mm" means "about 40mm".

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference herein, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall control.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (9)

1. A packaging assembly, characterized in that said packaging comprises an inner packaging positioned inside an outer packaging, wherein said packaging assembly comprises: A) the inner packaging capable of dispensing the product; B) outer packaging, which includes: 1) an opening for receiving said first package; 2) a collar opposite said opening, preferably attached directly to said second packaging collar, said second packaging collar having an orifice of sufficient size to provide access to said inner packaging; C) a cover securing the inner package inside the outer package, the cover comprising a plurality of vertical protrusions extending from the cover, the vertical protrusions being of sufficient length that when connected a component that engages the base surface of the inner package when attached to the outer package; said component preferably includes a connection component comprising a plurality of protrusions extending horizontally from an outer vertical surface of said vertical raised portion and a complementary recess on the inner wall of the outer container, wherein the protrusion is located within the recess to secure the closure to the outer packaging, and D) An actuator located inside said collar for dispensing product from said inner package. 2. A package as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a plurality of vertical raised portions around the periphery of the closure, preferably wherein the raised portions form an annular lip around the periphery of the closure . 3. The package of claims 1 to 2, wherein the inner package has a dispensing valve stem located inside the aperture of the collar and providing access to the valve stem from outside the outer package channel. 4. A package as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator is preferably through a series of slots formed in the vertical wall of the actuator and a plurality of apertures inside the collar Complementary vanes extending from the inner surface of the collar are located inside the orifice of the collar and the dispensing channel of the actuator communicates with the valve stem, wherein when the actuator is depressed , the contents of the first package are dispensed by the actuator. 5. The package of claims 1 to 4 having an actuator comprising a plurality of tabs arranged around the periphery of the actuator, wherein the tabs have outwardly A directed protrusion is received by a raised surface formed on the inner surface of the collar. 6. The package of claims 1 to 5, wherein said closure secures said inner package within said outer package, said closure comprising: A) a plurality of locating ribs radiating horizontally outward from the central portion of the cover, the ribs terminating at about the outer edge of the cover, preferably at the inner vertical surface of the vertical raised portion ; B) a plurality of vertical protrusions, which preferably extend from the outer vertical surface of the cover, preferably at the junction of the positioning rib and the inner vertical surface of the vertical raised portion, the vertical protrusions a portion having a length sufficient to engage the base surface of the inner package inside the outer package; C) connecting means for securing said closure to said outer packaging; and D) An actuator for dispensing product from said inner packaging. 7. The package of claims 1 to 6, wherein said inner package has a dispensing valve stem located inside the aperture of said collar and communicating with said valve, wherein upon depression of said actuator, The contents of the first package are dispensed by the actuator. 8. A package as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuator passes through a series of slots formed in the vertical wall of the actuator and a plurality of apertures inside the collar. aligned inside the bore of the collar and connected to the collar by a plurality of tabs arranged around the circumference of the actuator, wherein the The tab has an outwardly directed protrusion that is received by a raised surface formed on the inner surface of the collar. 9. A packaging assembly, characterized in that the packaging includes an inner packaging positioned inside the outer packaging, the packaging assembly comprising: A) the inner packaging capable of dispensing the product; B) outer packaging, which includes: 1) an opening for receiving said first package; 2) a collar opposite said opening, said collar having an orifice of sufficient size to provide access to the shoulder of said inner package; C) means for connecting the inner package to the outer package, said means comprising a sealing strip on the shoulder of the inner package and a complementary horizontal lip on the inner surface of the collar and wherein the sealing strip snap-engages the ridge on the collar when force is applied to guide the inner package into the outer package.

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