Patent Grant
11964810
This application is the U.S. national phase of PCT Application No. PCT/AU2017/050315 filed on Apr. 11, 2017, the disclosures of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
The present invention relates to the field of containers and particularly to containers which can be opened by fracturing along a break path.
Containers are used for a variety of products and will often have a desired or required shape depending on the product being contained or for aesthetic purposes. Many current containers include a body that defines a cavity for containing material and a lid to cover an opening over the cavity. Such containers can be opened along a desired path through weakening of a wall of the body by using perforations, scoring or thinning along a line. It is undesirable in some circumstances to use weakened walls because this can lead to unwanted opening of the container or poor barrier performance along the weakening.
Some alternative containers have geometric fracture features where an opening is formed in the body of the container through the application of a force on either side of a break path. Such containers can deliver a more robust product with increased barrier performance.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,485,360, of the present applicant, provides a container with a so-called ‘snap feature’, fracturable along a break path that has a generally constant wall thickness across the break path. The body of the container is configured to concentrate stress along the break path by increasing the distance (y) between a neutral axis and the base surface of the bend and decreasing the second moment of area (Ix) at the break path. The material forming the body of the container must be brittle enough to allow the container to fracture along the break path at the bend. This arrangement provided by U.S. Pat. No. 8,485,360 is also restricted to applications with containers and break paths having certain sizes and shapes. Particularly, the break paths are limited to traversing relatively small distances. Altering the geometry of the break path, such as by increasing the length of fracture, or the material forming the container body, such as by using less brittle material, can lead to fractures that do not follow the break path consistently, form cracks or serrated edges, or that do not open all the way along the desired path. Circumstances where a container fractures along a cracked or uneven path are undesirable to consumers who consider them to be visually unappealing and who may suspect that part of the container has shattered into the product within the container. Some such cracked or uneven, or even shattered paths may also present a risk to the user who might tear their skin by getting it caught on uneven edges of the opened container.
The snap features described in US '360 limit the possibility of changing the overall appearance of the container. The requirements of the snap feature can also result in an element of dead space in the container. This means that the visual appeal of containers containing the snap features is limited and can also lead to perceptions of wasted space and over packaging.
In nature, cracks will not naturally follow a straight path. Commonly, naturally forming cracks are jagged and branched, such as cracks created in the ground following an earthquake, cracks appearing in ice or cracks in an object, such as a glass, when it has been dropped. This natural phenomenon makes it difficult to create fractures along straight lines over extended distances. This may be one reason behind the limitations of the prior art.
It would be desirable to provide a container which can be opened by fracturing that overcomes one or more of the problems associated with the prior art. For example, it would be desirable to provide one or more of: a container with a break path that is longer than previously possible; a container with a fracturable portion that can more easily follow paths in three dimensions; a container that can be shaped to more easily contain and dispense products of varying shapes and sizes; a container which can be manufactured from a lighter material; or a container which fractures along a clean path more consistently.
Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art on or before the priority date of the claims herein.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a container including: a body having a cavity for containing one or more contents; a flange arranged about a perimeter of the body; a cover affixed to the flange for enclosing the contents within the cavity; and a fracturable portion including a bend extending across the body from a first flange portion to a second flange portion, the fracturable portion bisecting the body into a first body portion on one side of the bend and a second body portion on the other side of the bend, wherein the fracturable portion defines a break path along which the body is adapted to fracture when a user applies a force exceeding a predetermined level to each of the first and second body portions on either side of the bend, the break path having an initiating fracture point and a pair of termini, with one said terminus at each of the first and second flange portions, such that the body is adapted to fracture from the fracture point in opposing directions along the break path towards each terminus, and wherein the fracturable portion includes a plurality of fracture conductors spaced apart from one another along the break path, each fracture conductor being defined by a localised change in rigidity of the fracturable portion such that the fracture conductors aid in guiding propagation of the fracture along the break path.
The ‘break path’ is a defined path along which the body of the container fractures. In other words, the beak path is the path the fracture will take when the container is opened. The ‘fracturable portion’ is the portion of the body of the container which fractures.
The ‘predetermined level’ is the amount of force above which the fracturable portion is adapted to fracture along the break path. If forces below or equal to the predetermined level are applied, the fracturable portion will not fracture and the container will remain in an unopened state. Whereas, when forces that exceed the predetermined level are applied, the fracturable portion will fracture at initiating fracture points and then along the break path until the entire break path has fractured and the container is in an opened state. The application of force to each of the first and second body portions may be provided by a user holding the second body portion securely and then pressing on a front surface of first body portion. When the force caused by holding the second body portion securely and pressing on the first body portion exceeds the predetermined level, the fracturable portion will fracture along the break path. Opening the container by fracturing along the break path may be performed through a one handed or two handed action of a user.
The fracture conductors assist the fracture to propagate along a desired path. The fracture conductors may therefore allow containers to fracture along break paths which may not be possible without the conductors in place. The fracture conductors may prevent the fracture from deviating from the break path. The fracture conductors may increase the consistency of fracturing of like containers, whereas some containers of the prior art would fracture less consistently along the desired break path. The fracture conductors therefore assist in creating a fracture on the body of the container that is aesthetically pleasing to consumers.
The change in rigidity of the fracturable portion at the fracture conductor may refer to a change in rigidity of the material from which the body of the container is formed. Alternatively, the change in rigidity of the fracturable portion at the fracture conductor may refer to the rigidity of a predetermined length of the fracturable portion at the fracture conductor being different to the same length of fracturable portion where no fracture conductor is present.
According to a preferred embodiment, each fracture conductor includes a localised change of depth of the bend. The depth of the bend is the maximum distance of a point on the bend above or below a surface level of a body portion on one side of the bend. In embodiments where the bend projects from the surface level into the cavity, the depth of the bend is the maximum distance below the surface level. Whereas, in embodiments where the bend extends from the surface level outwardly from the cavity, the depth of the bend is the maximum distance from the surface level outwardly from the cavity. The point of the bend at the maximum distance above or below the surface level is preferably on the break path. The change of depth of the bend at a fracture conductor is therefore the difference between the depth of the bend at a cross-section where no fracture conductor exists and the depth of the bend at a cross-section where a fracture conductor is present. In some embodiments, the depth of the bend at a fracture conductor is increased compared to the depth of the bend where no fracture conductor is present. In other embodiments, the depth of the bend at a fracture conductor is reduced compared to the depth of the bend where no fracture conductor is present.
One or more fracture conductors may consist of a localised change of depth of the bend. Alternatively, at least one of the fracture conductors includes a localised change of depth of the bend. Preferably, the localised change of depth of the bend extends over a distance from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm of the break path. The localised change of depth of the bend may extend over a distance from about 1 mm to about 4 mm of the break path. The localised change of depth of the bend may extend over a distance from about 2 mm to about 3 mm of the break path. Preferably, the change of depth of the bend is from about 15% to about 90% of a total depth of the bend. More preferably, the change of depth of the bend is from about 30% to about 70% of a total depth of the bend. Most preferably, the change of depth of the bend is from about 40% to about 60% of a total depth of the bend. Alternatively, the change of depth of the bend is over 90% of a total depth of the bend. In other embodiments, the change of depth of the bend may be less than 15% of the total depth of the bend.
Preferably, at locations on the break path where no fracture conductor is present, the depth of the bend will be substantially constant. The depth of the bend at regions where no fracture conductors are present may be from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm. Alternatively, the depth of the bend at regions where no fracture conductors are present is preferably from about 0.3 mm to about 5 mm. More preferably, the depth of the bend at regions where no fracture conductors are present is from about 0.5 to about 3 mm. The depth of the bend at regions where no fracture conductors are present is most preferably from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. The depth of the bend at regions where no fracture conductors are present may be altered as required depending on the properties of the material from which the body is formed and/or thickness of material of the body.
Alternatively or additionally, each fracture conductor includes a localised change of cross-sectional shape of the bend. The cross-sectional shape of the bend is the shape of the body at the bend along a cross-section taken perpendicularly to the bend. Preferably, the localised change of cross-sectional shape of the bend extends over a distance of 0.5 mm to 5 mm of the break path. The localised change of cross-sectional shape of the bend may include a transitional point between being recessed on a first bend portion to being recessed on a second bend portion. The first bend portion may be on the bend on one side of the break path and the second bend portion may be on the bend on the other side of the break path.
Alternatively or additionally, each fracture conductor includes a localised change of direction of the bend.
According to another embodiment, the body is formed from a crystallisable material and each fracture conductor includes a localised change of crystallisation of the material at the bend. Alternatively, at least one fracture conductor includes a localised change of crystallisation of the body material at the bend. One or more fracture conductors may consist of a localised change of crystallisation of the body material at the bend. The change of crystallisation of the material may be caused by heating or ultrasonic excitation. Alternatively, any other method may be used to cause crystallisation of the material. Preferably, the crystallisable material is a polymer material. For example, the crystallisable material may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or amorphous polyurethane terephthalate (APET).
The fracture conductor including or consisting of a localised change of depth at the bend or a localised change of crystallisation of the body material at the bend causes an increased rigidity of the break path at the fracture conductor compared to other sections of the break path where no fracture conductor is present. The increased rigidity means the break path is more easily fractured at the fracture conductor. An increased rigidity may additionally or alternatively mean an increased brittleness of the body at the fracture conductor. When the body is fractured, a fracture propagates along the break path from the fracture point towards each terminus. The fracture may be drawn along the break path toward and then past each fracture conductor due to the increased rigidity. The fracture may be more likely to break along the break path when fracture conductors are positioned correctly.
In possible alternative embodiments, the fracture conductors include means other than localised change of depth at the bend or a localised change of crystallisation of the body material at the bend.
In a preferred embodiment the thickness of the walls forming the body is substantially constant throughout. In other words, the thickness of the material from which the body is formed is constant throughout. The thickness of the body is preferably substantially constant across the length and width of the bend. The thickness of the body is preferably substantially constant along the entire break path. This means that the break path does not have any perforations or weakened areas caused by thinning of the thickness of the body material. Some very slight differences in thickness of the body may be caused by the manufacturing process, although these would not intentional. The substantially constant thickness of the body may provide a container which has improved barrier properties, is robust and less prone to accidental opening compared to containers which have lines of weakness caused by perforations or thinning of material.
The fracture conductors are preferably spaced apart along the break path such that the accumulative distance of fracturable portion where fracture conductors are present is less than the distance of fracturable portion where fracture conductors are absent. The number of fracture conductors along a break path may depend on the overall length of the break path. It is preferable that a larger number of fracture conductors are used on longer break paths than on shorter break paths. The number of fracture conductors may depend on the shape of the break path. It is preferable that the number of fracture conductors on break paths with a number of undulations, curves or angles is less than on break paths with fewer undulations, curves or angles. The number and position of fracture conductors may be selected depending on the shape and size of the container to optimise the consistency of fracturing when opened.
In one embodiment, the fracture conductors are spaced apart along an elongate straight section of the break path to aid in guiding propagation of the fracture along the elongate straight section of the break path. The elongate straight section of the break path may be substantially parallel to the flange. Creating consistent fractures along a break path along elongate straight sections parallel to the flange was difficult or impossible in the prior art. Spacing conductors along a straight elongate path provides localised regions of changed rigidity which assists in keeping a fracture in a straight line along the break path with a reduced probability of deviation.
According to another embodiment, the fracture conductors are positioned at transitional points on curved sections of the break path to aid in guiding propagation of the fracture along the curved sections of the break path. The transitional points on curved sections of the break path may be inflection points. An inflection point is a point on a curve at which the curve changes from being concave to convex, or vice versa. Alternatively or additionally, the transitional points on curved sections of the break path may be points where a shape of the curve changes more or less steeply than at an adjacent point on the break path. A transitional point may be a point on the break where the break path is transitioning from a straight line to a curve. In the prior art, creating curved sections of a desired shape of break path or a break path that follows one or more curves in three dimensions which would fracture consistently along the break path could be difficult or impossible.
According to a further embodiment, the fracture conductors are positioned at transitional points on angled sections of the break path to aid in guiding propagation of the fracture along the angled sections of the break path. One or more fracture conductors may be positioned at the corner of an angled transition from one substantially straight section of the break path to another substantially straight section of the break path.
Positioning the fracture conductor at a transitional point of a curved or angular section may assist in guiding the propagation of a fracture around the desired curve or angle without the fracture deviating off at a tangent.
The localised change of rigidity of the fracturable portion also means a localised change of rigidity of the break path. The localised change of rigidity of the fracturable portion at the fracture conductor means that the rigidity at the fracture conductor is different to the rigidity at points on the fracturable portion where no fracture conductor is present. In a preferred embodiment, the localised change in rigidity of the fracturable portion at the fracture conductor is an increase in the rigidity of the fracturable portion. Wherein, the rigidity of the fracturable portion at the fracture conductors includes a localised increase in rigidity compared to portions of the fracturable portion where no fracture conductor is present. Alternatively, the localised change in rigidity of the fracturable portion at the fracture conductor is a decrease in the rigidity of the fracturable portion. In circumstances where the fracture conductor has a decreased rigidity, the sections of the fracturable portion where no fracture conductor is present would have an increased rigidity compared to the sections where the fracture conductors are present.
The body of the container should be formed from a material that allows the body to fracture along the break path when a force is correctly applied by a user. A material that is too resilient or deformable or has a very high elasticity may not be suitable. The body may be formed from a polymer. The body is preferably formed from a material including: polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyurethane terephthalate (APET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), bio material, mineral filled material, thin metal formed material, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or laminate.
The body may be formed by at least one of sheet thermoforming, injection moulding, compression moulding or 3D printing. In the prior art it has been difficult or impossible to create a fracturable container using 3D printing which will fracture along a break path consistently. The addition of fracture conductors along the break path may allow more consistent fracturing of containers formed by 3D printing.
The cover is preferably bonded and sealed to the flange. The cover may be bonded and sealed to the flange through any suitable means, including heating, ultrasonic welding, pressure sensitive adhesive or heat actuated adhesive.
The first and second body portions intersect at the bend. The bend includes the regions of the first and second body portions adjacent the intersection. The intersection between the first and second body portions provides at least a portion of the break path. Preferably, the intersection between the first and second body portions is the break path. At sections of the bend where no fracture conductors are present each of the first and second body portions may approach the intersection as a straight line or a curve. For example, if both the first and second body portions approach the intersection as a straight line, a cross-section of this area around the intersection would resemble a V-shape. Alternatively, if both the first and second body portions approach the intersection as a curve, a cross-section of the area around the intersection could resemble a U-shape or could show both sides curving steadily downwards to a point or may have one side creating half a U-shape and the other side steadily curving downwards to meet an outward curve of the U-shape.
According to a preferred embodiment, the intersection between the first and second body portions forms an angle of from about 20° to about 170°, and more preferably the angle is from about 45° to about 105°. The intersection between the first and second body portions is formed by the intersection between a first bend portion on the first body portion and a second bend portion on the second body portion. The angle formed between the first and second bend portions is preferably from about 20° to about 170°. More preferably, the angle is from about 45° to about 120°. An angle from about 70° to about 100° may assist in creating a consistent fracture when the body of the container is opened. More preferably the angle formed between the first and second bend portions is preferably from about 75° to about 90°. The most preferred angle for fracturing a body formed from one material may not be the same as the most preferred angle for fracturing a body formed from another material. Further, the thickness of the material used to form the body may also have an effect on the most preferred angle. The depth and overall size of the bend may additionally lead to certain angles providing a greater benefit than others.
According to an embodiment, the first and second flange portions have an increased flange width compared to sections of the flange adjacent the first and second flange portions. The flange width may be increased at the first and second flange portions due to the bend being oriented inwardly towards the cavity, such that the intersection between the first and second body portions at the flange provides the increased width.
According to another embodiment, the first and second flange portions have a flange width that is substantially the same as sections of the flange adjacent the first and second flange portions. The bend may transition from the body to the flange in a straight line in order to provide said substantially the same flange width at the first and second flange portions. The bend may transition from the body to the flange in a curve in order to provide said substantially the same flange width at the first and second flange portions. Alternatively, the bend may transition from the body to the flange at the first and second flange width portions in a combination of a straight line and a curve.
Alternatively, the flange may be decreased in width at the first and second flange portions compared to sections of the flange either side of the first and second flange portions. In another alternative embodiment, the flange width may be decreased at the first and second flange width portions compared to a section of the flange on a first side of the first and second flange portions, and increased compared to a section of the flange on a second side of the first and second flange portions. Alternatively, the flange may be the same width at the first and second flange portions as a section of the flange on a first side of the first and second flange portions, and increased or decreased compared to a section of the flange on a second side of the first and second flange portions.
The break path may have more than one fracture point. Where there is more than one fracture point, the body will fracture simultaneously or substantially simultaneously at each fracture point and the fracture propagating from each fracture point will travel towards an adjacent fracture point. If a fracture point is between two other fracture points on the break path then the fracture from that fracture point will propagate along the break path in each direction towards each of the other fracture points. If a fracture point has another fracture point in one direction along the break path and a terminus in the other direction along the break path, the fracture from that fracture point will propagate along the break path in one direction towards the other fracture point and in the other direction towards the terminus.
Preferably, at locations on the break path where no fracture conductor is present the depth of the bend will be substantially constant. In some embodiments it is possible that the depth of the bend will be substantially constant even where a fracture conductor is present.
The bend extending across the body between the first flange portion and second flange portion may extend into the cavity of the body. Alternatively, the bend extending across the body between the first flange portion and second flange portion may extend outwardly from the body away from the cavity. The bend extending outwardly means that the bend extends out of the body cavity compared to regions of the first and second body portion on either side of the bend. In a preferred embodiment, the bend extends inwardly into the cavity. The bend extending inwardly means that the bend extends into the body cavity compared to regions of the first and second body portion on either side of the bend.
In situations where the fracture conductors are formed by changes in depth of the bend, where the bend extends inwardly into the body cavity the fracture conductors also preferably extend inwardly into the body cavity. The fracture conductors may extend more deeply into the container body than sections of the bend where no fracture conductors are present. Preferably, the fracture conductors are reduced in depth compared to sections of the bend where no fracture conductors are present.
The bend may be in the form of a indent, groove or channel, which would mean the bend extends into the cavity of the container. The depth of the bend is preferably constant throughout all sections where no fracture conductors are present. Alternatively, the bend may have a depth at the sections where no fracture conductors are present that varies depending on the position on the body of the container.
The bend may be in the form of a ridge or elongate elevation in the surface, which would mean that the bend extends outwardly of the container body away from the cavity. The height of the ridge or elongate elevation is preferably constant throughout sections where no fracture conductors are present. Alternatively, the bend may have a height at the sections where no fracture conductors are present that varies from one position on the body of the container to another.
A container according to the present invention may be easily opened by a user with one hand. Depending on the size of the container and its contents a user may prefer to use two hands to open the container.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
and
A fracturable portion 30 extends across the width of the body 11. The fracturable portion 30 extends from the intersection between a first flange portion 21 and side wall 17 of the body 11 on one side and runs along said side wall 17, the front wall 14 and opposite side wall 17 until to reach the intersection between the other side wall 17 and the second flange portion 22. The fracturable portion 30 includes bend 31, which in this embodiment is an indented channel. The fracturable portion 30 substantially extends across the body 11 parallel to the upper and lower walls 15, 16 of the body 11.
The fracturable portion 30 bisects the body 11 into a first body portion 12 on one side of the bend 31 and a second body portion 13 on the other side of the bend 31. The first body portion 12 and the second body portion 13 intersect at the bend 31. The bend 31 includes the regions of the first and second body portions 12, 13 adjacent the intersection.
The fracturable portion 30 includes a break path 35. The body 11 is adapted to fracture along the break path 35 when a user holds the second body portion 13 and applies a force exceeding a predetermined level to the front wall 14 of the first body portion 12. Due to the user holding one body portion securely and applying pressure to the other body portion, a force will be applied to body portions 12, 13 on either side of the break path 35. The break path 35 is at the intersection between the first body portion 12 and the second body portion 13.
The body 11 of the container 10 is adapted to fracture initially at one or more fracture points along the break path. The initiating fracture points are the positions on the break path 35 where the most force or stress will be concentrated to cause the initial fracturing. In the embodiment of
The force required to initiate the fracture is greater than that required to propagate the tear along the break path 35. As a result, the container 10 is able to withstand higher stress and maintain a sealed condition, but allows for easy opening once the container 10 has been initially fractured.
To assist in the propagation of the fracture along the break path 35 and to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the fracture deviating from the predetermined break path 35, a number of fracture conductors 40 are provided. Each fracture conductor 40 provides a localised region of increased rigidity along the break path. The increased rigidity at the fracture conductors 40 means that the body is more easily fractured at these points and after being initiated, the fracture will be drawn towards each fracture conductor 40. The fracture conductors 40 are spaced apart along the break path 35; the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
In
The fracture conductor 40 depicted in
In addition to the reduced depth at the bend 31, the fracture conductor 40 also provides a change in the shape of the bend 31. At positions on the bend 31 where no fracture conductor 40 is present the cross-sectional profile is substantially constant. Whereas, each fracture conductor 40 provides a nose shape on the profile of the bend 31. At positions where no fracture conductor 40 is present, the bend 31 has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional profile, as seen in
The point of intersection between the first bend portion 37 and the second bend portion 38 is on the break path 35. The first bend portion 37 is on the first body portion 12. The second bend portion 38 is on the second body portion 13. The fracture conductor 40 is positioned on one or both of the first and second bend portions 37, 38. In the embodiment shown in
The front wall 14 of the first body portion 12 includes an engageable surface 18, which is dimensioned or shaped to be easily pressed by one thumb or both thumbs of a user. The engageable surface 18 may include a recessed portion or inwardly curved section.
The break path 235 extends across the body 211 between each terminus 233. A first termini 233 is positioned adjacent the first flange portion 221 and a second termini 233 is positioned adjacent the second flange portion 222. In the embodiment shown in
The break path 235 extends along each side wall 217 substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the flange 220. The break path 235 transitions gradually in a curve between the side walls 217 and the front wall 214. From the left side of the front wall 214 of the body 211 and travelling to the right as shown in
The fracture conductors 240 are spaced apart along the break path 235 and positioned to assist in guiding a fracture along the break path 235 when the container 210 is opened. Four fracture conductors 240 are provided, with one on either side of the front wall 214 of the body 211 in proximity to the transition of the break path 235 from the front wall 214 to each side wall 217. Another fracture conductor 240 is positioned at the vertex 251. The other fracture conductor 240 is positioned in a transition point on the curve of the break path 235. Preferably, where the break paths are non-linear, the fracture conductors should be positioned such that they assist in guiding a fracture along the break path without veering off at a tangent, which is a greater possibility when fracture conductors are not used.
Similarly, to the previously discussed embodiment, the container 210 includes an engageable surface 218 on the first body portion 212 to be engaged by a thumb or thumbs of a user opening the container 210. Due to the offset between the positions of the termini 233 and first and second flange portions 221, 222, when the body 211 is fractured and the container 210 is opened, the first and second body portions 212, 213 will be hinged at an oblique angle. The opening action of the container 210 is otherwise similar to the previously discussed embodiment. When opened, the first and second bend portions 237, 238 of the first and second body portions 212, 213 display the non-linear shape of the break path 235. The fractured body portions also show protrusions or deflections reflecting the positioning of the fracture conductors 240.
The container 510 is of similar overall shape to that of the previous embodiments. The container 510 includes a body 511 with first and second body portions 512, 513. The body 511 having a front wall 514, upper wall 515, lower wall 516 and side walls 517. The front wall 514 has a curved cross sectional shape, as seen in
The fracturable portion 530 extends across the width of the body from the intersection of the side wall 517 and a first flange portion 521 on one side, across the front wall 514 and to the intersection between the other side wall 517 and the second flange portion 522 on the other side of the body 510. The fracturable portion 530 extends across the body 511 substantially parallel the upper and lower walls 515, 516 of the body 511. The fracturable portion 530 includes bend 531, which in this embodiment is an indented channel that includes alternating recesses 545 on either side of the break path 535. The fracturable portion 530 bisects the body 511 into a first body portion 512 on one side of the bend 531 and a second body portion 513 on the other side of the bend 531. The first body portion 512 and the second body portion 513 intersect at the break path 535. A first bend portion 537 is part of the first body portion 512 and a second bend portion 538 is part of the second body portion 513. The recesses 545 are positioned on the bend such that they alternate between the first bend portion 537 and the second bend portion 538.
The depth of the bend 531 at the break path 535 remains substantially constant across the front wall 514 of the body 511, as shown by
Each recessed region 545 of the first or second bend portions 537, 538 includes a gradual transition 546 partially around its perimeter. The gradual transition 546 is a curved region between the depth of the recess 545 and the height of the non-recessed portions surrounding the recess 545.
The fracture conductors 540 of the embodiment of
When a user holds the package and applies force greater than a predetermined level to the first and second body portions 512, 513 on either side of the fracturable portion 530, a fracture will initiate at an initiating fracture point. It is possible that there may be more than one initiating fracture point. The fracture point is the position or positions on the break path 535 where stress is concentrated when the force is applied to each of the first and second body portions 512, 513. A fracture will initiate at each fracture point and propagate in each direction along the break path 535 towards each terminus 533. The fracture conductors 540 including localised regions of increased rigidity mean that the body 511 will fracture more easily at desired positions. The fracture conductors 540 therefore aid in guiding a fracture to propagate in the desired direction along the break path 535.
The fracturable portion 630 extends across the width of the body from the intersection of the side wall 617 and a first flange portion 621 on one side, across the front wall 614 and to the intersection between the other side wall 617 and the second flange portion 622 on the other side of the body 611. The fracturable portion 630 extends across the body 611 substantially parallel the upper and lower walls 615, 616 of the body 611. The fracturable portion 630 includes bend 631. The bend 631 is a channel that runs across the body 611 from one side wall 617 to the other side wall 617. Break path 635 is at the lowest points on the bend 631 at any given position along the length of the bend 631.
As shown in
The container 610 is opened in a similar manner to the previous embodiments by being held at the second body portion 613 by a user who applies a force greater than a predetermined level to an engageable surface 618 of the first body portion 612. The body 611 of the container 610 will fracture initially at one or more fracture points on the break path 635 where the stress of the force applied will be focused most greatly. A fracture will then propagate along the break path 635 from each fracture point in each direction towards each terminus 633.
Fracture conductors 71, 76 provide long conductors which travel along an extended length of the bend compared to the other displayed fracture conductors 72, 73, 74, 75. Fracture conductors 72, 75 provide curve shaped conductors which provide a parabolic increase or decrease in the depth of the bend 80, respectively, as seen in
In any of the embodiments, the body and flange are preferably formed as a single member. The body and flange can be formed by an appropriate manufacturing process, in particular one of sheet thermoforming, injection moulding, compression moulding or 3D printing. Preferably, the body and flange are formed from a material including one of or a combination of more than one of: polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), bio material, mineral filled material, thin metal formed material, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or laminate. Particularly, embodiments of the container may have a body and flange formed from a polystyrene material or a polypropylene material with a thickness of around 100 μm to 1000 μm, more preferably around 300 μm to 900 μm and more preferably in the region of 400 μm to 750 μm. The material used and the thickness thereof should be selected to ensure that a container fracturable along the break path is formed. The use of fracture conductors means that materials and thicknesses thereof that were not previously able to provide consistently fracturing containers may now achieve the goal of providing a container which will consistently fracture along a predefined break path.
When the body and flange are formed from one of the above methods, the contents can be inserted or deposited into the cavity. The cover must then be applied over the outer surfaces of the flange to enclose the contents. In some circumstances, such as where the contents is a liquid or other flowable substance or is perishable, it is desirable that the body, flange and cover form an airtight seal around the contents. The cover is preferably bonded and sealed to the flange through heating, ultrasonic welding, pressure sensitive adhesive, heat actuated adhesive or another type of adhesive. Although, any other known manner for bonding and sealing the cover to the flange may be used.
In alternative embodiments, the localised regions of changed rigidity are not created through geometrical features of depth or shape of the fracture conductors. In some embodiments, the fracture conductors may include localised regions of increased rigidity in the form of crystallisation of the material of the body at the spaced apart fracture conductors. In such embodiments, the body of the container is formed from a crystallisable material. For example, a polymer material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and amorphous polyurethane terephthalate (APET) could be used. Alternative crystallisable polymer materials could also be used, including polypropylene and/or other polymers which exhibit properties of increased crystallization and mechanical property change when heated over an extended period. The localised regions of increased rigidity in the form of spaced apart fracture conductors including increased crystallisation of material can be formed by heating or ultrasonic excitation of the body material at the desired positions of the fracture conductors.
International Publication No. WO2016/081996 provides a method for manufacturing a container having a fracturable opening, details of which are incorporated herein by reference. Crystallisation of the body material along the break path to provide localised regions of increased rigidity could be caused by selective heating at the fracture conductors to increase the level of crystallisation of the crystallisable material to above 30% and potentially as high as 85%. The optimal temperature for crystallisation of the fracturable area will be above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the crystallisable polymer material. This glass transition temperature is typically about 70° C. depending on the formulation of the polymer material. The maximum rate of crystallisation may be reached at a temperature range from about 130° C. to about 200° C., and more preferably in the range from about 160° C. to about 170° C. The temperature may most preferably be about 165° C. The optimum length of time for the selective heating of the fracturable area can vary depending on whether the selective heating occurs within or after the production cycle of the shell portion. This time period may be from 3 to 5 seconds when the selective heating occurs within a standard production cycle. Alternatively, the localised crystallisation of the material could be produced through methods other than heating, such as ultrasonic excitation.
In each of the embodiments described above the thickness of material is substantially constant throughout the body and across the fracturable portion. Slight variations in the thickness may be apparent following the forming process of the container body, although these variations do not represent perforations or other intentional lines of thinning of the material.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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| PCT/AU2017/050315 | 4/11/2017 | WO |
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| WO2018/187824 | 10/18/2018 | WO | A |
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