WO2025057105A1

WO2025057105A1 - Process for the production of a sealed container for an inconsistent material or loose articles and relative sealed container

Info

Publication number: WO2025057105A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/058887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Polloni; Lorenzo CACACI; Roberto Ghiotti
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2023-09-15
Filing date: 2024-09-12
Publication date: 2025-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-15
Also published as: IT202300018999A1

Abstract

A sealed container (1) for inconsistent materials or loose articles, in particular for shredded tobacco, is described with a cup-shaped body (2) made of a material having at least one heat-sealable layer that defines the inner surface of the cup-shaped body (2); the cup-shaped body (2) comprises a base wall (5) and a number of side walls (6); an adapter (3) made of plastic material and comprising a rim (12), which is designed to establish the connection, through sealing to the inner surface of an upper end of the cup -shaped body (2), and a collar (13), which defines and surrounds an opening (15) having dimensions such as to enable a user to at least partially insert their hand inside the cup-shaped body (2) so as to access the base wall (5); and a lid (4) made of a plastic material and designed to be coupled to the collar (13) in order to seal said opening (15).

Description

“PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A SEALED CONTAINER FOR AN INCONSISTENT MATERIAL OR LOOSE ARTICLES AND RELATIVE SEALED CONTAINER”

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102023000018999 filed on September 15, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a process for the production of a sealed container for inconsistent material or loose articles and to a sealed container for inconsistent material or loose articles, in particular shredded tobacco.

PRIOR ART

The fibrous or powdered or granulated inconsistent materials like, for example, shredded tobacco and loose articles like, for example, candy-coated almonds or sweets or chewing gum are typically collected in sealed containers that comprise a cup-shaped body, a lid and, potentially, an adapter connected to the cup-shaped body and provided with a collar to establish the coupling with the lid and prevent the inconsistent materials or loose articles from coming out. Known containers are described, for example, in the following patents: WO2019156617, GB2057400, WO9610524, US2643815, JPH1059351, and US2014353202. The known containers are almost entirely made of plastic and, though offering satisfactory performance in terms of sealing, there is a growing need to have containers with a smaller plastic content to reduce their environmental impact and that are, at the same time, simple to produce.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to provide a process for the production of a sealed container for inconsistent material or loose articles; this process is free of the drawbacks of the state of the art and is easy and cost-effective to implement.

An additional purpose of this invention is to provide a sealed container for inconsistent material or loose articles; this container is free of the drawbacks of the state of the art and is easy and cost-effective to make. According to this invention, a process for the production of a sealed container for inconsistent material or loose articles and a sealed container for inconsistent material or loose articles are provided according to what is outlined by the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings that illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a sealed container for inconsistent material or loose articles made in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an adapter of the container in Figure 1 ;

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a plan view and a side view of the adapter in Figure 2;

Figures 5 and 6 are two perspective views of a lid of the container in Figure 1;

Figure 7 illustrates, in plan view, a blank with which to obtain the container in Figure 1;

Figures 8 and 9 are a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sealed container made in accordance with this invention and a plan view of a related blank;

Figures 10 and 11 are a perspective view of a third embodiment of a sealed container made in accordance with this invention and a plan view of a related blank;

Figures 12 and 13 are a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a sealed container made in accordance with this invention and a plan view of a related blank;

Figures 14 and 15 are a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a sealed container made in accordance with this invention and a plan view of a related blank;

Figures 16 and 17 are a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a sealed container made in accordance with this invention and a plan view of a related blank; and

Figures 18 and 19 are a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a sealed container made in accordance with this invention and a plan view of a related blank.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In Figures 1 to 19, reference number 1 indicates, as a whole, a sealed container for inconsistent materials or loose articles. Advantageously, the inconsistent materials are fibrous or powdered or granulated materials like, for example, shredded tobacco. Advantageously, the loose articles comprise, for example, sugar-coated almonds or sweets or chewing gum. The sealed container 1 collects a given quantity of inconsistent material or of loose articles inside. The container 1 comprises a cup-shaped body 2 with a polyhedral extension, an adapter 3, and a lid 4. The cup-shaped body 2 is made of heat- sealable material; the cup-shaped body 2 is preferably made of a material having a multilayer structure (i.e., it is formed from layers of different materials coupled together). More specifically, the material used to create the cup-shaped body 2 typically comprises at least one fibrous material layer (like, for example, paper or cardboard) and at least on layer of heat-sealable material defining the inner surface of the cup-shaped body 2. The adapter 3 and the lid 4 are made of plastic.

According to a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the cup-shaped body 2 has a basically parallelepipedal extension and comprises a base wall 5 (or bottom wall) and four side walls 6 in pairs parallel and opposite each other, orthogonal to the base wall 5 and defining longitudinal edges 7. According to a first embodiment, the four side walls 6 have basically uniform dimensions. Alternatively, the four side walls 6 are divided into two bigger side walls and two smaller side walls.

The cup-shaped body 2 then comprises a longitudinal sealing line (not illustrated) and a transverse sealing (not illustrated), which is arranged at the base wall 5 and has a sealing fin that, in a known way, is initially perpendicular to the base wall 5 and is subsequently folded 90° against the base wall 5. The base wall 5 then has, at the ends, two triangular tabs that are folded against the base wall 5 and fixed to the base wall 5 using heat sealing or gluing.

The cup-shaped body 2 then comprises four upper tabs 8 that are for connecting with the adapter 3 and define a respective side wall 6 of the upper transverse edges 9. The upper tabs 8 are inclined relative to the respective side wall 4 so as to form an angle ranging from 30° to 60°; preferably, the angle is about 45°. The container 1 also comprises four upper sealing fins 10 that are defined by two, overlapping triangular tabs 11 and are initially perpendicular to the upper tabs 8 and are subsequently folded by 90° against the upper tabs 8 and fixed to the upper tabs 8 using heat sealing or gluing.

According to a first embodiment, the four sealing fins 10 are folded 90° all in the same direction (towards the right or left) against the upper tabs 8; in this way, each upper tab 8 is connected to a respective sealing fin 10. In accordance with a second and preferred embodiment, the four sealing fins 10 are folded 90° so as to be arranged in pairs facing and connected to the same upper tab 8 (that is to say, that two sealing fins 10 are folded to the right and two sealing fins 10 are folded to the left); in this way, two upper tabs 8 (opposite each other) are connected to two respective sealing fins 10 and the remaining two upper tabs 8 are, instead, free and without connected sealing fins 10.

The adapter 3 comprises a connection rim 12 with the upper tabs 8 and a collar 13 designed to form the connection with the lid 4. The connection rim 12 has a tapered form towards the collar 13 that is basically a truncated-pyramid; the connection rim 12 comprises four wall portions 14 connected to each other and inclined in relation to the collar 13 so as to form an angle ranging between 30° and 60°; the angle is preferably about 45°. Each wall portion 14 is for connecting, preferably via heat sealing, to a respective upper tab 8. In particular, the angle formed by the wall portions 14 with the collar 13 corresponds to the angle formed by the upper tabs 8 in relation to the side walls 6. In other words, the wall portions 14 and the upper tabs 8 have the same inclination.

The collar 13 defines and surrounds an opening 15. The opening 15 has dimensions such as to enable a user to at least partially access the content of the container 1 with their hand. The collar 13 comprises four side walls 16 that project outwards from the container 1 and are basically parallel to the side walls 6. The outer surface of said side walls 13 is provided with peripheral projections 17 to establish the connection with the lid 4.

The lid 4, in turn, comprises an upper wall 18 that is basically flat and four side walls 19 for coupling with the other side walls 16. To seal the opening 15, the upper edge of the collar 13 engages and elastically deforms a corresponding surface of the upper wall 18 of the lid 4; for example, the upper edge of the collar 13 engages and elastically deforms a throat formed in the inner surface (i.e., in the surface facing the collar 13) of the upper wall 18. Advantageously, the lid 4 is interlocked with the collar 13 using the pressure exerted by the user. According to a possible embodiment, the lid 4 is hinged to the adapter 3.

The cup-shaped body 2 is made by folding and welding a blank 20 obtained from a rectangular- shaped wrapping sheet illustrated in Figure 7. The blank 20 comprises four rectangular-shaped panels 6’ that constitute the side walls 6 and a sealing panel 21 arranged at one end to create the longitudinal sealing. Each panel 6’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 6’ using a respective folding line 7’ defining the longitudinal edge 7.

The blank 20 next comprises four upper panels 8’ with a trapezoid shape defining the upper tabs 8; each of the panels 8’ is connected to a respective panel 6’ using a respective folding line 9’ defining the upper transverse edge 9. Each panel 8’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 8’ using a pair of triangular panels I E that identify the tabs 11 defining the sealing fins 10.

The blank 20 finally comprises four, rectangular- shaped lower panels 5’ defining the lower wall 5; each of the panels 5’ is connected to a respective panel 6’ using a respective folding line 22’ defining a lower transverse edge 22. More specifically, the lower panels 5’ are divided into two flat panels 5’ alternating with two panels 5’ divided into four triangular panels 5” connected along the folding lines. More specifically, the four triangular panels 5” define a respective triangular tab that is refolded against the panels 5’ and fixed to the panels 5’. Finally, the blank 20 comprises a sealing panel 23 arranged at one end of the panels 5’ (and that extends across the whole width of the group of panels 5’) to create the transverse sealing.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a second, alternative embodiment of the cup-shaped body 2 to the one illustrated in Figures 1 and 7 and the shared parts will be identified, where possible, with the same reference numbers.

The cup-shaped body 2 has a basically cube-shaped extension and comprises a base wall 5 (or bottom wall) and eight side walls. In particular, the cup-shaped body 2 comprises four convex side walls 6 in pairs opposite each other. Between each side wall 6 and the following or preceding side wall 6 there is a drop-shaped side wall 24 defined by a pair of shaped edges 25. In other words, the drop-shaped walls 24 extend for the whole dimension of the container 1, from the lower transverse edge 22 to the upper transverse edge 9. According to a first embodiment, the four side walls 6 have basically uniform dimensions. Alternatively, the four side walls 6 are divided into two bigger side walls and two smaller side walls.

The cup-shaped body 2 is made by folding and welding a blank 20 obtained from a rectangular- shaped wrapping sheet illustrated in Figure 9. The blank 20 comprises four panels 6’ that constitute the side walls 6 and a sealing panel 21 arranged at one end to create the longitudinal sealing. The blank 20 comprises four panels 24’ defining the dropshaped walls 24 and alternate with the panels 6’. Each panel 6’, 24’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 6’, 24’ using a respective folding line 25’ defining the shaped edge 25. The blank 20 next comprises four upper panels 8’ with a trapezoid shape defining the upper tabs 8; each of the panels 8’ is connected to a respective panel 6’ using a respective folding line 9’ defining the upper transverse edge 9. Each panel 8’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 8’ using a pair of triangular panels 11’ that identify the tabs 11 defining the sealing fins 10.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a third embodiment of the cup-shaped body 2 alternating with the one illustrated in Figures 1 and 7 and the shared parts will be identified, where possible, with the same reference numbers.

The cup-shaped body 2 has a basically cube-shaped extension and comprises a base wall 5 (or bottom wall) and eight side walls. In particular, the cup-shaped body 2 comprises four convex side walls 6 in pairs opposite each other. Each side wall 6 defines, with the following or preceding side wall 6, a longitudinal edge 7, along which a drop-shaped wall 24 is obtained, which is delimited by a pair of shaped edges 25. In other words, the dropshaped walls 24 do not extend for the whole dimension of the container 1, from the lower transverse edge 22 to the upper transverse edge 9, but only for a section of it. The dropshaped wall 24 portions are arranged at different heights of the respective longitudinal edge 7 so as to optimize the appearance and the ergonomics of the container 1. According to a first embodiment, the four side walls 6 have basically uniform dimensions. Alternatively, the four side walls 6 are divided into two bigger side walls and two smaller side walls.

The cup-shaped body 2 is made by folding and welding a blank 20 obtained from a rectangular- shaped wrapping sheet illustrated in Figure 11. The blank 20 comprises four panels 6’ that constitute the side walls 6 and a sealing panel 21 arranged at one end to create the longitudinal sealing. The blank 20 comprises four panels 24’ defining the dropshaped walls 24. Each panel 6’, 24’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 6’, 24’ using a respective folding line 7’, 25’ defining the longitudinal edge 7 and/or the shaped edge 25.

The blank 20 next comprises four upper panels 8’ with a trapezoid shape defining the upper tabs 8; each of the panels 8’ is connected to a respective panel 6’ using a respective folding line 9’ defining the upper transverse edge 9. Each panel 8’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 8’ using a pair of triangular panels 11’ that identify the tabs 11 defining the sealing fins 10. The blank 20 finally comprises four, rectangular- shaped lower panels 5’ defining the lower wall 5; each of the panels 5’ is connected to a respective panel 6’ using a respective folding line 22’ defining a lower transverse edge 22. More specifically, the lower panels 5’ are divided into two flat panels 5’ alternating with two panels 5’ divided into four triangular panels 5” connected along the folding lines. More specifically, the four triangular panels 5” define a respective triangular tab that is refolded against the panels 5’ and fixed to the panels 5’. Finally, the blank 20 comprises a sealing panel 23 arranged at one end of the panels 5’ (and that extends across the whole width of the group of panels 5’) to create the transverse sealing.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a fourth, alternative embodiment of the cup-shaped body 2 to the one illustrated in Figures 1 and 7 and the shared parts will be identified, where possible, with the same reference numbers.

The cup- shaped body 2 has a basically truncated-pyramid shaped extension and comprises a base wall 5 (or bottom wall) and four side walls 6. The cup-shaped body 2 has a tapered shape towards the base wall 5 to improve the appearance and ergonomics of the container 1 and facilitate the formation of the cup-shaped body 2. The cup-shaped body 2 comprises four side walls 6 that are basically flat and in pairs opposite each other, transverse to the base wall 5. Each side wall 6 defines a longitudinal edge 7 with the subsequent or preceding side wall 6. According to a first embodiment, the four side walls 6 have basically uniform dimensions. Alternatively, the four side walls 6 are divided into two bigger side walls and two smaller side walls.

The cup-shaped body 2 is made by folding and sealing a blank 20 obtained from a wrapping sheet that has the shape of a circular crown sector illustrated in Figure 13. The blank 20 comprises four trapezoid-shaped panels 6’ that constitute the side walls 6 and a sealing panel 21 arranged at one end to create the longitudinal sealing. Each panel 6’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 6’ using a respective folding line 7’ defining the longitudinal edge 7.

The blank 20 finally comprises four lower panels 5’ with a trapezoid shape defining the lower wall 5; each of the panels 5’ is connected to a respective panel 6’ using a respective folding line 22’ defining a lower transverse edge 22. More specifically, the lower panels 5’ are divided into two flat panels 5’ alternating with two panels 5’ divided into four triangular panels 5” connected along the folding lines. More specifically, the four triangular panels 5” defining a panel 5’ create a respective triangular tab that is refolded against the flat panels 5’ and fixed to the flat panels 5’. Finally, the blank 20 comprises a sealing panel 23 arranged at one end of the panels 5’ (and that extends across the whole width of the group of panels 5’) to create the transverse sealing. Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a fifth, alternative embodiment of the cup-shaped body 2 to the one illustrated in Figures 1 and 7 and the shared parts will be identified, where possible, with the same reference numbers.

The cup- shaped body 2 has a basically truncated-pyramid shaped extension and comprises a base wall 5 (or bottom wall) and eight side walls. The cup-shaped body 2 has a tapered shape towards the base wall 5 to improve the appearance and ergonomics of the container 1. In particular, the cup-shaped body 2 comprises four convex side walls 6 in pairs opposite each other, transverse to the base wall 5. Between each side wall 6 and the following or preceding side wall 6 there is a drop-shaped side wall 24 defined by a pair of shaped edges 25. In other words, the drop-shaped walls 24 extend for the whole dimension of the container 1, from the lower transverse edge 22 to the upper transverse edge 9. According to a first embodiment, the four side walls 6 have basically uniform dimensions. Alternatively, the four side walls 6 are divided into two bigger side walls and two smaller side walls.

The cup-shaped body 2 is made by folding and sealing a blank 20 obtained from a wrapping sheet that has the shape of a circular crown sector illustrated in Figure 15. The blank 20 comprises four, basically trapezoid-shaped panels 6’ that constitute the side walls 6 and a sealing panel 21 arranged at one end to create the longitudinal sealing. The blank 20 comprises four panels 24’ defining the drop-shaped walls 24 and alternate with the panels 6’. Each panel 6’, 24’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 6’, 24’ using a respective folding line 25’ defining the shaped edge 25.

The blank 20 next comprises four upper panels 8’ with a trapezoid shape defining the upper tabs 8; each of the panels 8’ is connected to a respective panel 6’ using a respective folding line 9’ defining the upper transverse edge 9. Each panel 8’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 8’ using a pair of triangular panels 11’ that identify the tabs 11 defining the sealing fins 10.

The blank 20 finally comprises four lower panels 5’ with a trapezoid shape defining the lower wall 5; each of the panels 5’ is connected to a respective panel 6’ using a respective folding line 22’ defining a lower transverse edge 22. More specifically, the lower panels 5’ are divided into two flat panels 5’ alternating with two panels 5’ divided into four triangular panels 5” connected along the folding lines. More specifically, the four triangular panels 5” defining a panel 5’ create a respective triangular tab that is refolded against the flat panels 5’ and fixed to the flat panels 5’. Finally, the blank 20 comprises a sealing panel 23 arranged at one end of the panels 5’ (and that extends across the whole width of the group of panels 5’) to create the transverse sealing.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a sixth, alternative embodiment of the cup-shaped body 2 to the one illustrated in Figures 1 and 7 and the shared parts will be identified, where possible, with the same reference numbers.

The cup- shaped body 2 has a basically truncated-pyramid shaped extension and comprises a base wall 5 (or bottom wall) and four side walls 6. The cup-shaped body 2 has a tapered shape towards the base wall 5 to improve the appearance and ergonomics of the container 1. In particular, the cup-shaped body 2 comprises four convex side walls 6 in pairs opposite each other, transverse to the base wall 5. Each side wall 6 defines, with the following or preceding side wall 6, a longitudinal edge 7, along which a drop-shaped wall 24 is obtained, which is delimited by a pair of shaped edges 25. In other words, the drop-shaped walls 24 do not extend for the whole dimension of the container 1, from the lower transverse edge 22 to the upper transverse edge 9, but only for a section of it. The drop-shaped wall 24 portions are arranged at different heights of the respective longitudinal edge 7 so as to optimize the appearance and the ergonomics of the container 1. According to a first embodiment, the four side walls 6 have basically uniform dimensions. Alternatively, the four side walls 6 are divided into two bigger side walls and two smaller side walls.

The cup-shaped body 2 is made by folding and sealing a blank 20 obtained from a wrapping sheet that has the shape of a circular crown sector illustrated in Figure 17. The blank 20 comprises four, basically trapezoid-shaped panels 6’ that constitute the side walls 6 and a sealing panel 21 arranged at one end to create the longitudinal sealing. The blank 20 comprises four panels 24’ defining the drop-shaped walls 24. Each panel 6’, 24’ is connected to the subsequent and/or preceding panel 6’, 24’ using a respective folding line 7’, 25’ defining the longitudinal edge 7 and/or the shaped edge 25.

Figures 18 and 19 illustrate an additional embodiment of the alternative container to the one illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 and the shared parts will be identified, where possible, with the same reference numbers.

The cup- shaped body 2 has a basically truncated-pyramid shaped extension and comprises a base wall 5 (or bottom wall) and four side walls 6. The cup-shaped body 2 has a tapered shape towards the base wall 5 to improve the appearance and ergonomics of the container 1. In particular, the cup-shaped body 2 comprises four, basically flat side walls 6 in pairs opposite each other, transverse to the base wall 5. Each side wall 6 defines, with the following or preceding side wall 6, a longitudinal edge 7, along which a drop- shaped wall 24 is obtained, which is delimited by a pair of shaped edges 25. In other words, the drop-shaped walls 24 do not extend for the whole dimension of the container 1, from the lower transverse edge 22 to the upper transverse edge 9, but only for a section of it. The drop-shaped wall 24 portions are all, preferably, arranged at the same height of the respective longitudinal edge 7. Advantageously, the drop-shaped wall 24 portions extend from the lower transverse edge 22 to approximately halfway of the side wall 6. According to a first embodiment, the four side walls 6 have basically uniform dimensions. Alternatively, the four side walls 6 are divided into two bigger side walls and two smaller side walls.

The cup-shaped body 2 then comprises a longitudinal sealing line (not illustrated) and a transverse sealing (not illustrated), which is arranged at the base wall 5 and has a sealing fin that, in a known way, is initially perpendicular to the base wall 5 and is subsequently folded 90° against the base wall 5. The base wall 5 then has at the ends, two triangular tabs that are folded against the base wall 5 and fixed to the base wall 5 using heat sealing or gluing.

The adapter 3 comprises a connection rim 12 with an inner surface of the upper ends of the side walls 6 and a collar 13 designed to form the connection with the lid 4. The connection rim 12 comprises four wall portions connected together and basically parallel to the side walls 6 to which they are connected, preferably using heat sealing.

The collar 13 defines and surrounds a basically square, or alternatively rectangular, opening 15. The opening 15 has dimensions such as to enable a user to at least partially access the content of the container 1 with their hand. The collar 13 comprises four side walls 16 that project outwards from the container 1 and are basically parallel to the side walls 6. Advantageously, the outer surface of said side walls 13 is provided with peripheral projections 17 to establish the connection with the lid 4.

The lid 4, in turn, comprises an upper wall 18 that is basically flat and four side walls 19 for coupling with the other side walls 16 to seal the opening 15. Advantageously, the lid 4 is interlocked with the collar 13 using the pressure exerted by the user. According to a possible embodiment, the lid 4 is hinged to the adapter 3.

According to one possible alternative embodiment to that described in the above discussion (not illustrated), the blank 20 does not have the sealing panel 23 and an end panel 5’ has a larger dimension (in the orthogonal direction compared to the folding line 22’) than the other panels 5’ for overlapping an opposite panel 5’ to which it is connected (using sealing or gluing) when the blank 20 is folded.

Advantageously, the opening 15 has a square or, alternatively, a rectangular shape. The opening 15 is provided with a diagonal D (that joins two non-adjacent/consecutive vertices in the square/rectangle) whose length ranges between 80 and 140 mm; in particular, the length of the diagonal D ranges between 100 and 120 mm and, preferably, the length of the diagonal D is 105 mm.

According to an additional embodiment (not illustrated), the collar 13 defines and surrounds an opening 15 with a circular or oval shape. Advantageously, in the case of an opening 15 with a circular shape, the lid 4 is screwed onto the collar 13. The opening 15 is provided with a diameter or greatest axis that has a length ranging between 80 and 140 mm; in particular, the diameter or greatest axis has a length ranging between 100 and 120 mm and, preferably, the diameter or greatest axis has a length of 105 mm.

In other words, the opening 15 of any shape (square or rectangular or oval or circular) is distinguished by having a greatest dimension ranging between 80 and 140 mm; in particular ranging between 100 and 120 mm, and preferably, of 105 mm. The opening 15 has dimensions such as to enable a user to at least partially access the content of the container 1 with their hand. In other words, the opening 15 has dimensions that enable a user to at least partially insert their hand inside the cup-shaped body 2 so as to access the base wall 5. More specifically, the opening 15 and the container 1 have dimensions such as to enable a user to fully insert their hand inside the container 1 or insert their hand partially inside the container and be able to, at the same time, touch the bottom wall 5.

In addition, the container 1 has a maximum width, indicated by L, ranging between 100 and 150 mm and, preferably, of 110 mm. The maximum width L coincides with the length of the upper transverse edges 9 (and, in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 11, with the length of the lower transverse edges 22 too). In addition, the container 1 has a maximum height, indicated by H (considered from the base wall 5 to an upper edge of the collar 13), ranging between 80 and 200 mm, in particular, the maximum height H ranges between 120 and 180 mm.

Advantageously, the ratio between the maximum width L and the maximum height H ranges between 1.5: 1 and 1: 1.5; preferably, the ratio between the maximum width L and the maximum height is 1: 1.35.

The process for the production of a container 1 made in accordance with any embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 19 involves moving the blank 20 forward along a forward path to an inlet (or supply) station of the blanks 20. In particular, the individual blanks 20 that have a flat configuration to create the cup- shaped body 2 are supplied at the inlet station. Below, a first embodiment of the process that is the subject of this invention, in which the container 1 is filled through the opening 15 of the container 1, is described.

According to a possible embodiment, the inlet station comprises feeding means of a continuous belt of a material having at least one heat-sealable layer configured to advance said continuous belt unwound by a reel at a cutting unit having at least one (known) cutting device; the blanks 20 are obtained from the transverse cutting of said continuous belt of material having at least one heat- sealable layer at the cutting unit.

According to one possible embodiment, the cutting and discarding of the processing waste occurs at the cutting station. Alternatively, the blanks are fed from the storage already formed and provided with creasing lines needed to prepare the folds.

Along the forward path, downstream of the inlet station, there is a first forming station configured for folding the blank 20 to bring the blank 20 to abandon the flat configuration and assume a tubular configuration. The first forming station comprises a forming element to cause the blank 20 to assume the tubular configuration. Advantageously, the forming element comprises a mandrel. The blank 20 is wound around the mandrel to assume the tubular configuration. At the forming station, a (known) sealing device is also preferably housed configured to seal the upper surface of the sealing panel 21 to the lower surface of the opposite panel 6’.

According to a possible embodiment, along the forward path, downstream of the inlet station, there is a pre-forming station arranged upstream of the first genuine forming station to create an elastic deformation of the blank 20, in particular, to refold the blank around the transverse, longitudinal, or shaped folding lines 7’, 9’, 22’, 25’.

According to a first embodiment, downstream of the first forming station along the forward path, there is a second forming station configured to fold along the folding lines 22’ of the panels 5’ so as to at least partially define the base wall 5; at the second forming station, a (known) sealing device is also housed configured to seal the portions facing the sealing panel 23. At the second forming station, the sealing fin (obtained from the sealing panel 23) is also folded; the fin is, in a known way, initially perpendicular to the panels 5’, 5” and is subsequently folded by 90° against the panels 5, 5”. Finally, at the second forming station, the two triangular tabs obtained from folding the panels 5” are refolded against the panels 5’ and fixed to the panels 5’, preferably using a known gluing device. Downstream of the second forming station along the forward path, there is a coupling station for coupling the cup-shaped body 2 obtained at the outlet of the second forming station with the adapter 3. More specifically, at the coupling station a (known) sealing device is housed, preferably of the ultrasound type, configured to seal the outer surface of the wall portions 14 at the upper ends of the inner surface of the panels 6’; at the coupling station, a forming element is also housed, which is used to insert the adapter 3 inside the cup-shaped body 2. Advantageously, the forming element comprises a mandrel. Preferably, but not necessarily, the mandrel is of the expansion type. In particular, if the adapter 3 is of the type illustrated in Figures 3-5, the mandrel is of the expansion type. In addition, in that case, at the coupling station, a (known) folding device is housed to fold the blank 20 along the folding lines 9’ so as to incline the panels 8’ on the wall portions 14 and a (known) sealing device, preferably of the ultrasound type, configured to seal the outer surface of the wall portions 14 to the inner surface of the panels 8’. In addition, at the coupling station the folding of the four upper sealing fins 10 is, advantageously, performed; each of the fins is defined by two overlapping panels 11’ that are initially perpendicular to the panels 8’ and are subsequently folded 90° against the panels 8’ and fixed to the panels 8’. Advantageously, after the formation of the sealing fins 10, the forming element is extracted from the partially formed container 2. For the additional embodiments described in the discussion above, it is not necessary to have an expansion mandrel. Downstream of the second coupling station along the forward path, there is a filling station for inserting, from above, the inconsistent materials or loose articles inside the cup-shaped body 2. Advantageously, the filling station comprises a dispensing device for feeding a given quantity of inconsistent material or loose articles inside the cup-shaped body 2.

Finally, downstream of the filling station, there is a station for feeding lids 4 that are coupled to the collar 3 to seal the container 1. Advantageously, the feeding station also comprises a unit for applying a closing film that is applied to the collar 3 before coupling with the lid 4.

Below, a second embodiment of the process that is the subject of this invention, in which the container 1 is filled through the base wall 5, is described.

The inlet station and the first forming station are similar to those described with reference to the first embodiment of the process described in the discussion above. According to this embodiment, downstream of the first forming station along the forward path there is a coupling station for coupling the tubular body obtained at the outlet of the first forming station with the adapter 3. At the coupling station, a forming element is housed for inserting the adapter 3 inside the tubular body obtained at the outlet of the first forming station. Preferably, the forming element comprises a mandrel.

According to a first variant, the adapter 3 may already be provided with a lid 4. Alternatively, according to a second variant, downstream of the coupling station, there is a station for feeding lids 4 that are coupled to the collar 3 to seal the container 1. In addition, the feeding station may also comprise a unit for applying a sealing film that is applied to the adapter 3 before coupling with the lid 4. In particular, if the adapter 3 is of the type illustrated in Figures 3-5, the mandrel is of the expansion type. In addition, in that case, at the coupling station, a (known) folding device is housed to fold the blank 20 along the folding lines 9’ so as to incline the panels 8’ on the wall portions 14 and a (known) sealing device, preferably of the ultrasound type, configured to seal the outer surface of the wall portions 14 to the inner surface of the panels 8’. In addition, at the coupling station the folding of the four upper sealing fins 10 is, advantageously, performed; each of the fins is defined by two overlapping panels 11’ that are initially perpendicular to the panels 8’ and are subsequently folded 90° against the panels 8’ and fixed to the panels 8’. Advantageously, after the formation of the sealing fins 10, the forming element is extracted from the partially formed container 2.

Downstream of the coupling station along the forward path, there is a filling station for inserting, from above (i.e. when the semi-formed container 1 is overturned), the inconsistent materials or loose articles inside the partially formed container 1. Advantageously, the filling station comprises a dispensing device for feeding a given quantity of inconsistent material or loose articles inside the partially formed container 1. Downstream of the filling station along the forward path, there is a second forming station configured to fold along the folding lines 22’ of the tabs 5’ so as to at least partially define the base wall 5; at the second forming station, a (known) sealing device is also housed configured to seal the portions facing the sealing panel 23. At the second forming station, the sealing fin (obtained from the sealing panel 23) is also folded; the fin is, in a known way, initially perpendicular to the panels 5’, 5” and is subsequently folded by 90° against the panels 5, 5”. Finally, at the second forming station, the two triangular tabs obtained from folding the panels 5” are refolded against the panels 5’ and fixed to the panels 5’, preferably using a known gluing device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 container

2 cup- shaped body 3 adapter

4 lid

5 base wall

6 side wall

7 longitudinal edges

8 upper tab

9 upper transverse tab

10 sealing fin

11 triangular tabs

12 connection rim

13 collar

14 wall portion

15 opening

16 side wall

17 projection

18 upper wall

19 side wall

20 wrapping sheet

21 sealing panel

22 lower transverse edge

23 sealing panel

24 drop-shaped side wall

25 shaped edge

5’ panel

5” panel

6’ panel

7’ folding line

8’ panel

9’ folding line i r panel 2’ folding line L maximum width

D diagonal

H maximum height

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A sealed container (1) for inconsistent materials or loose articles, in particular for shredded tobacco, comprising:

- a cup-shaped body (2) made of a material having at least one heat-sealable layer, which preferably defines the inner surface of the cup- shaped body (2); the cup- shaped body (2) comprises a base wall (5) and a number of side walls (6);

- an adapter (3) made of a plastic material and comprising a rim (12), which is designed to establish the connection, through sealing, to the inner surface of an upper end of the cup-shaped body (2), and a collar (13), which defines and surrounds an opening (15); wherein the largest dimension of the opening (15) ranges between 80 and 140 mm, in particular ranges between 100 and 120 mm, and is preferably equal to 105 mm; and

- a lid (4) made of a plastic material and designed to be coupled to the collar (13) in order to seal said opening (15).

2. The container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rim (12) is connected, through sealing, to the inner surface of an upper end of the side walls (6).

3. The container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped body (2) comprises a number of upper tabs (8) connected to the side walls (6), with which they define upper transverse edges (9); and wherein the rim (12) is connected, through sealing, to the inner surface of the upper tabs (8).

4. The container (1) according to claim 3, wherein each upper tab (8) is inclined relative to the respective side wall (4) so as to form an angle ranging from 30° to 60°; preferably, the angle is about 45°.

5. The container (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cup-shaped body (2) comprises upper sealing fins (10), which are defined by two triangular tabs (11) on top of one another and are folded by 90° against the upper tabs (8); in particular, a respective sealing fin (10) is connected to each tab (8) or, alternatively, two sealing fins (10) are connected to half the upper tabs (8) and half the upper tabs (8) are non-provided with connected sealing fins (10).

6. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cup -shaped body (2) has the development of a parallelepiped or of a truncated-pyramid, tapered towards the base (5).

7. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein between each side wall (6) and the following or preceding side wall (6) there is interposed drop-shaped side wall (24) defined by a pair of shaped edges (25).

8. The container (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 6, wherein each side wall (6) defines, with the following or preceding side wall (6), a longitudinal edge (7), along which a drop-shaped wall (24) is obtained, which is delimited by a pair of shaped edges (25).

9. The container (1) according to claim 8, wherein the drop-shaped walls (24) are arranged at different heights of the respective longitudinal edge (7) so as to optimize the appearance and the ergonomics of the container (1).

10. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (4) is hinged to the adapter (3), in particular is hinged to the collar (13).

11. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar (13) comprises a number of side walls (16) provided with peripheral projections (17) to establish the connection to the lid (4).

12. The container (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 9, wherein the collar (13) defines and surrounds an opening (15) with a circular shape and the lid (4) is screwed onto the collar (13) in other to seal the opening (15).

13. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cupshaped body (2) is made of a material having a multi-layer structure comprising at least one fibrous material layer in addition to the heat-sealable material layer, which defines the inner surface of the cup-shaped body (2).

14. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims having a maximum width (L) ranging between 100 and 150 mm and preferably equal to 110 mm.

15. The container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims having a maximum height (H) ranging between 80 and 200 mm; in particular, ranging between 120 and 180 mm.

16. The container (1) according to claims 14 and 15, wherein the ratio between the maximum width (L) and maximum height (H) ranges between 1.5: 1 and 1: 1.5; preferably, the ratio is 1: 1.35.

17. A process for the production of a sealed container (1) for an inconsistent material or loose articles, in particular for shredded tobacco, comprising a cup-shaped body (2) made of a material having at least one heat- sealable layer, which preferably defines the inner surface of the cup-shaped body (2), and provided with a base wall (5); an adapter (3) made of a plastic material and comprising a rim (12) for the connection to the cup-shaped body (2) and a collar (13), which defines and surrounds an opening (15); and a lid (4) made of a plastic material and designed to be coupled to the collar (13) in order to seal said opening (15); the method comprises: supplying a blank (20) having a flat configuration for manufacturing the cup-shaped body (2); folding the blank (20) so that it loses the flat configuration and gains a tubular configuration so as to obtain an at least partially formed cup-shaped body (2); connecting the adapter (3) to the at least partially formed cup-shaped body (2) through sealing, preferably ultrasonic sealing, of the rim (12) to the inner surface of an upper end of the at least partially formed cup- shaped body (2); filling the at least partially formed cup- shaped body (2) with a given quantity of inconsistent material or of loose articles; folding the blank (20) to define the wall (5) so as to obtain the cup-shaped body (2); and coupling the lid (4) to the collar (13).

18. The process according to claim 17, wherein: the step of folding the blank (20) to define the wall (5) takes place before the filling step so as to obtain the cup-shaped body (2); and the step of coupling the lid (4) to the collar (13) takes place after the step of filling the cup-shaped body (2) so as to seal the opening (15).

19. The process according to claim 17, wherein: the step of coupling the lid (4) to the collar (13) takes place before the step of filling the at least partially formed cup- shaped body (2); and the step of folding the blank (20) to define the wall (5) takes place after the step of filling the at least partially formed cup- shaped body (2).