EP1227047A1

EP1227047A1 - Easily openable container

Info

Publication number: EP1227047A1
Application number: EP00310312A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alan Feary
Original assignee: Snap Pak Ltd
Current assignee: Snap Pak Ltd
Priority date: 2001-01-26
Filing date: 2001-01-26
Publication date: 2002-07-31

Abstract

The object of the invention is to provide an easy openable airtight container, which eliminates spillage problems and control over the direction of pouring. The objective is achieved by means of a semi-rigid frangible top (2) connecting to a flexible cellophane type of material underside (3). The top is scored along its width (at 4) such that by bending the container causes, by one action, the crease to break and the contents to be forced out by internal pressure.

Description

Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to a container for holding a portion of liquid, gel, paste or solid wherein the contents can be dispensed with minimal effort through the exertion of force on the container.

Background of the Invention

Containers are known e.g. sachets or tubs with foil sealing means, which are used for holding various goods e.g. sauce, creamer. One of the drawbacks of these containers is the difficulty with which they are opened, often requiring a fiddly procedure thus presenting difficulties to young children or the elderly, say. Also spillage, drippage and violent ejection of the contents are all prone to occur.

Brief Description of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an easily openable container which eliminates the above opening and spillage problems and which allows a degree of control over the direction of pouring. This object is achieved by means of a semi-rigid frangible top connected to a flexible cellophane underside. The top is scored along its width such that bending the container causes, by one action, the crease to break and the contents to be forced out by internal pressure.
The container is also airtight and can be flat-packed for convenience during bulk shipment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention can be more easily understood with reference to the following drawings in which:
Fig. 1 shows a side view of the container; Fig. 2 shows an end perspective view;
Fig. 3 shows a top plan view;
Fig. 4A shows the method of opening;
Fig. 4B shows the method of ejecting the contents.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The container 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a semi-rigid top 2 and a flexible cellophane underside 3 forming an open topped pouch sealed at its edges to the top 2. The top is frangible by means of a crease 4, running transversely to the length of the top, shown in FIG. 3. The contents are located in the space 5 defined between top 2 and underside 3.
In a preferred embodiment, the crease 4 traverses the whole width of the top 2, thus providing a large exit aperture for the contents but generally, the crease width can be of a size less than the whole width.
Advantageously, the crease 4 is positioned centrally along the length of the top, so that during bending of the container all the contents in the pouch are forced towards the aperture and not back into the container. The crease could however, be positioned nearer to one end of the top 2, if so desired.
Further, the top 2 is slightly arched as shown in FIG. 2, thereby causing widespread distribution of the pressure during bending, allowing thorough removal of the contents.
It will be apparent that many materials can be used to manufacture the container and that the top can preferably be made from plastics. The underside is also plastics and can be made from any one of a number of flexible plastics sheet material e.g. cellophane, polyethylene or polyurethane. The container can be any suitable shape e.g. circular, oval, square and is not necessarily formed in the rectangular shape shown in the preferred embodiment.
The container can be opened and its contents removed by one simple bending action shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B, which can be performed using one hand. Initially, the bending action causes the crease 4 to break; further bending until opposite portions of the underside 3 contact each other also exerts pressure on the contents 6, which are thus forced out through the broken crease,

Claims

A container comprising a semi-rigid frangible top connected along its edges to a flexible underside arranged to receive material, said top having a line of weakness in the form of a scored crease, whereby said container is openable by means of a bending action and the sections of the top on either side of said crease define the opening thereby formed.
The container of claim I wherein said top is made from plastic.
The container of claim 1 wherein said underside is made from cellophane.
The container of claim 1 wherein said crease spans the whole width of the top, thereby providing a large exit aperture for the contents.
The container of claim 1 wherein said crease lies across the middle of the top, thereby ensuring all contents are forced towards the aperture during bending.
The container of claim 1 wherein said top is arched about an axis transverse to the crease such that during bending the arch collapses, thereby spreading pressure over the whole interior of said container, ensuring complete removal of the contents.