CONTAINER AND OPENING MEANS

Abstract

Disclosed is a container and opening means for use with, and/or incorporating the same. The opening means may be advantageously used for cutting open the plastic surface of a container such as a clam-shell sealed container containing one or more articles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container and opening means for use with, and/or incorporating the same. The present invention further relates to a method of opening a container by use of an opening means and to a kit comprising an opening means and a container.

Although the following description refers to plastic blister pack containers and/or clam shell containers and opening means for use therewith, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the apparatus and method of the present invention can be used for a wide variety of containers, including those made from paper, card, foil, metal and/or the like and is not limited to plastic blister pack containers and/or clam shell containers. The opening means may also be used to open a film or sheet not necessarily associated with a container, such as plastic or cellophane. Thus the present invention further relates to a kit comprising the opening means and the film or sheet.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of plastic blister packs and clam-shells as containers is extensive. Such containers are routinely used to sell many different types of products such as electronic articles, for example disposable cameras, memory cards sticks, hard-drives; household articles including lightbulbs; small replacement parts for cars such as sparking plugs; childrens toys and so on. Blister packs generally have a moulded plastic front and a cardboard back. Clam-shells generally have a plastic front and back, one or both of which is moulded. Both of these types of containers are generally described as preformed containers. These types of containers are usually thermoformed and/or heat sealed around the edges of the container defining an interior volume within the container in which is provided the product. Such containers have many advantages including being inexpensive, relatively easy to produce, strong, transparent and thus the contents can be readily viewed, and the forming process ensures that the surface container follows the shape of contents, thereby reducing the overall size of the container whilst being aesthetically pleasing. The containers, being sealed, also provide security for the contents as well as protecting said contents from exposure to moisture, static and general environmental conditions.

A significant problem of such containers is that they are very difficult to open. Typically a sharp knife is used to open the containers which can injure the person and/or damage the contents. Indeed, it has been reported that thousands of people every year need medical treatment after injuring themselves opening or attempting to open such containers. Furthermore, once the containers have been opened, the edges of the openings are usually sharp enough to cut a person.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a container including an opening means which attempts to negate the abovementioned problems and allow the container to be easily opened in order to remove the contents provided within.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a new type of blister pack and/or clam-shell container that attempts to negate the abovementioned problems.

It is a yet further aim of the invention to provide an opening means for a container which attempts to negate the abovementioned problems.

In is a yet further aim of the invention to provide a method of opening a container with an opening means which attempts to negate the abovementioned problems.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container, said container including at least one plastic surface and at least one opening means located adjacent to at least one face of said plastic surface whereby said opening means are arranged such that movement of at least a portion of the opening means cuts through said plastic surface of the container.

The container and opening means may be provided in a kit form wherein the opening means may be assembled to be located adjacent to at least one face of said surface.

One or more of the plastic surfaces may comprise moulded plastic.

Typically the term “cut” refers to a break, split, incision, slice and/or the like of the plastic surface of the container.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container for one or more articles, said container including at least one surface and an opening means arranged relative to the at least one surface such that moving the opening means in at least one direction causes the same to cut the surface wherein the resulting edges of the cut are substantially smooth.

Typically the term “smooth” when used in relation to the cut edges refers to edges that are substantially free from protuberances and/or protrusions which extend from the cut edges when viewed from any direction by the naked eye.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided an opening means for a container, at least part of said opening means located adjacent to at least one surface of a container in use, whereby moving the opening means in one or more directions moves at least a portion of the opening means substantially through said at least one surface, thereby substantially creating an opening in said surface.

The opening means may be a wire means.

In one embodiment at least a portion of the opening means is located on a first side of a container surface and at least a further portion of the opening means is located on a second side of the surface.

According to an embodiment, the opening means is a widget comprising one or more cutting edges. The one or more cutting edges may be provided by one or more incisions in the widget. A portion of the widget may be provided on one side of a major face of the plastic surface e.g. within the container and a portion of the widget may be provided on the other side of the major face of the plastic surface, e.g. an exterior to the container, wherein part of the plastic surface is positioned within an incision. Thus movement of the widget relative to the plastic surface causes a cutting edge to effectively cut through said plastic surface. Positioning of the plastic surface within the incision enables the plastic surface to be effectively held in position, such that the cutting of the plastic surface may be intermittently stopped and restarted without the plastic surface disengaging from the opening means. The length of the incision would typically be between 3-20 mm.

The widget may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic. The type of material and dimensions, e.g. thickness, as well as the incision provided within the widget, may be chosen such that the widget may be moved relatively easily by a user in order to cut through the plastic surface. The widget may be rigid to enable it to be gripped and guided through the plastic surface when cutting. The portion of the widget provided on the exterior face of the plastic surface may be of a size such that it may be gripped readily by a user. This portion may comprise a grooved or roughened surface or the like to facilitate ease of gripping. The portion of the widget exterior to the container may be releasably secured to the container surface, such as by means of glue, or by physical engagement. The portion of the widget exterior to the container may be provided such that it lies substantially against the exterior surface of the plastic container.

The widget may be may be made for example from a single piece of injection moulded plastic for example 500 um thick allowing it to cut through the plastic surface.

In an embodiment the widget may have two incisions wherein the incisions are spaced apart to provide two cutting edges. The incisions may be provided on either side of the widget and angled towards one another. Thus, in use, two cuts may be made simultaneously through the plastic surface such that a section or track of the plastic surface may be removed. The cuts may be substantially parallel to one another. The width of the removed section would depend upon the extent to which the two incisions are spaced apart and could be varied accordingly depending upon the opening required. This embodiment finds particular utility with opening of thin plastic films such cellophane or polyethylene (polythene) wrapping or a metal foil.

In one embodiment the container is a pre-formed blister pack type container, pre-formed clam shell type container and/or the like.

Preferably when the container is of a blister pack type, the one or more articles contained inside are located between one or more sheets of moulded plastics material. Further typically at least one surface of the blister pack is formed from heat and/or vacuum moulding a plastic sheet to closely fit the package contents to be located in the same in use.

Preferably when the container is a clam shell type container, the one or more articles are held between two or more sheets of plastics material in use at least one of which is moulded.

Typically the plastics material is substantially includes Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and/or copolymers of the aforementioned, and/or plastics material with similar characteristics. The container is typically constructed from plastics material that is relatively sturdy where the container is not intended to be opened by hand.

In one embodiment the wire means is a substantially flexible wire, filament, line, string, twine and/or the like which is arranged to beheld substantially taut as the wire means moves through and/or cuts and/or intersects the surface of the container in use.

Typically the opening means is constructed substantially from plastics material. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the wire means can be constructed from metal, metal alloy and/or combinations of such materials.

In one embodiment the wire means is pulled substantially taut by the user before and/or during use of the same.

In one embodiment the wire means is held substantially taut by one or more portions of the opening means to which the wire means is connected or associated with.

In one embodiment the opening means and/or the wire means comprises substantially plastics material.

In one embodiment the material of the wire means is such that the tensile strength of the wire means is greater than that of the surface through which it is to move in use.

In one embodiment the wire means resembles fishing wire and/or line.

In an alternative embodiment the opening means comprises a blade. Typically the blade is of substantially rigid plastics material. Further typically the blade is substantially linear in shape.

In one embodiment at least a portion of the blade tapers in cross sectional width to a substantially sharp edge. The sharp edge can be the edge to cut through the surface of the container.

In one embodiment the opening means has portions located on the first and second sides of the container surface and in use the wire means is drawn through the surface thereby cutting and creating an opening into the container. Typically the opening means is attached to one side of the surface forming a predetermined or predefined path and thus when the opening means is drawn through the surface the cut follows said path.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the opening means can be attached to the surface in any shaped path and thus the resulting cut-line can also be in any shape corresponding to the path.

In one embodiment the opening means includes a free end and a substantially fixed end. Typically the free end is gripped by the user and pulled to draw the wire means through the container surface, cutting a path towards the substantially fixed end.

In one embodiment the free end or at least a portion of the opening means is substantially located under a film, sticker and/or the like, prior to use. Typically the film or sticker forms a tamper evident seal.

A portion of the opening means provided exterior to the container may include a tab portion. The tab portion may function as a grip for the user. The tab portion or otherwise portion of the opening means provided exterior to the container may comprise a roughened surface or other gripping means to facilitate gripping by a user.

In one embodiment, before use, the tab portion is detachably attached to a portion of the container. Typically the tab portion is attached to the container surface and can be easily removed from the same along a line of weakening, frangible portion and/or the like, prior to use.

In one embodiment a portion of the opening means provided exterior to the container may be positioned under a security tag and/or a tamper evident seal or the like so that the container can only be opened once the security tag or seal is removed or disabled. Alternatively a security tag may be inserted through a portion of the opening means provided exterior to the container such that the opening means can only be operated following removal or disablement of the security tag.

In one embodiment the opening means is substantially removed from the container during opening of the container.

In an alternative embodiment the opening means is held in position by the opening means at an angle relative to the plane of the surface through which the line means is to move.

The wire means may be rigidly held by the opening means at an angle non-parallel to the plane of the surface.

In one embodiment the container contains one or more grooves and/or the like to form a channel by which to substantially guide the opening means.

The container may comprise a moulded channel defining an interior volume along which the opening means is guided. The moulded channel may be provided separately from the moulded interior volume provided to contain product. The moulded channel may extend along a substantial section of one surface of the plastic container forming essentially a “U” or “C” shape. The channel may be for example between 1-5 mm wide and 3-10 mm deep.

In one embodiment a channel by which to guide the opening means is formed by two or more raised areas forming a channel therebetween.

In one embodiment the groove and/or channel allows selective sectional opening of a container which has more than one section. Typically this is for use when opening a pack or container containing more than one item, where only a portion of the total items are used at a time and the container is retained to store the remaining items. Further typically when the retained items are required the user simply moves the opening means further through the container to open a further section.

In one embodiment the opening means includes at least first and second portions that are located adjacent opposite faces of the container surface. Typically the opening means is held in position between the first and second portions.

In one embodiment the opening means is formed from a single piece of material. Typically the material is plastics material. Further typically the plastics material is moulded.

In one embodiment the first and second portions form studs. Typically the studs are pressed together to form first and second portion of an opening means. Further typically the studs are pressed together when the container is formed.

In one embodiment the wire means is located between the first and second parts and when the same are moved the wire means cuts the container surface.

In one embodiment the opening means is drawn through a surface by gripping the same between the users thumb and finger and pulling or pushing the same.

In one embodiment the substantially smooth edges of the openings created in the containers are formed by the frictional forces between the opening means and the container surface, through which the opening means moves, generating sufficient heat to substantially melt and/or soften the surfaces and/or edges in use, thereby producing a smooth edge. Evidence for this is the observation that when the opening means is actuated relatively quickly the two edges formed can be substantially re-adhered together; thus suggesting at least the edges are soft and pliable.

In one embodiment the smooth edge is not sharp. Typically the smooth edge is not sharp enough to cut or break a person's skin.

In one embodiment the opened container can be re-sealed.

In one embodiment the opening means can be retrofitted to an existing container.

In one embodiment the container includes a substantially small preformed slit or opening. Typically the small preformed slit or opening is a ‘starter slit’ which cannot be opened further or expanded by hand. Further typically the starter slit is present so that the initial movement of the opening means through the container is comparatively easier than without the starter slit. The starter slit may be formed by incision of the plastic surface during manufacture, for example by a metal tool arranged to incise the plastic. The opening means, such the widget, can thereafter be partially inserted into the starter slit such that the cutting edge provided within an incision of the widget is provided either side of the plastic surface such a portion of the plastic surface effectively slots into the incision. The incision may be provided such that the widget is held in place or locked.

More than one opening means may be provided for example for a multipack type container comprising multiple individually contained products.

In a further embodiment, the widget comprises an angled blade or barb wherein said blade or tab in use is provided on the underside of the face of the plastic surface to facilitate ease of cutting.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of opening a container with an opening means, said opening means located adjacent to a first surface of the container in a first position comprising the step of moving at least part of said opening means between the first position and a second position whereby at least a portion of the opening means moves through the surface of the container substantially creating an opening wherein the edges of the opening are substantially smooth.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of opening a plastic container with an opening means, said opening means located adjacent to a first surface of the container in a first position comprising the step of moving at least part of said opening means to a second position whereby at least a portion of the opening means cuts the surface of the container and wherein the container is moulded and at least the portion of the opening means which is moved substantially through said container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a plan view of a container and opening means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 1b and c are side views of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1d is a plan view of a container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2a is a side view of a container and opening means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2b is a plan view of a container and opening means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3a is a side view of a widget having a single cutting edge in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3b is a plan view of a widget having two cutting edges in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are plan views of a widget having two cutting edges when engaged with a plastic sheet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5a is a side view of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5b is a side view of a widget having a barb in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following figures describe apparatus and a method for opening tough preformed plastic packaging by cutting a surface of the packaging with an opening means. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apparatus and method could be used to open a wide number of difficult to open containers which are not intended to be opened easily and/or by hand.

Turning firstly to FIGS. 1a-c where there is shown a moulded clam shell blister pack container 2, comprising upper 4 and lower 6 surfaces which are preformed and heat sealed together. The container includes the shell or blister portion 8 where the upper and lower surfaces are spaced apart, and thus not sealed together. It is in the shell or blister portion 8 in which the contents of the container are located. The container 2 also includes an opening means 10 which is situated between the upper 4 and lower 6 surfaces. In this example the opening means includes a free end 12 to which a tab portion 14 is attached. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tab and/or free end could be located under a sticker, label, security tag and or the like to prevent unauthorised opening and/or provide a tamper evident seal. The tab portion 14 can be formed integrally with the upper surface of the container on a frangible portion of the same. The free end 12 forms part of the wire means 16 which forms a path between the upper and lower surfaces substantially around the blister portion 8.

When the user wants to open the container, the tab 14 and/or the free end 12 is typically pulled away from the surface to be opened as shown in FIG. 1c. In this example the surface to be opened is the upper surface 4 and the wire means 16 is pulled in a direction substantially away from said surface. During this movement the wire means 16 is drawn through the upper surface 4, thereby cutting the same along the path formed by the wire means 16 and creating an opening 18. This path follows the edge of the blister 8 portion of the pack thereby opening the same to the user. Often there is a small ‘starter slit’ (not shown) in the packaging which makes the initial cut by the wire means easier to perform and can ensure the first pull or cut is in the desired direction.

The wire means 16 is of a similar construction to fishing line and is surprisingly easy to pull through the packaging. The edges of the opening formed are smooth but not sharp. It is thought the friction on the wire means being pulled through the packaging is sufficient to slightly melt the opening edge, thereby leaving it smooth, but not sharp. This is also evidence for the wire means cutting the container surface rather than ripping the same.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the path formed by the wire means can be of any shape and does not need to follow the outer edge of the blister portion. Indeed it is possible that only a section of the blister portion and/or the upper surface needs to be removed to open the container. Often this type of opening is used if the container is intended for re-use. Furthermore is will be appreciated that the container can include means, such as clips, studs and/or the like to re-seal the container.

Turning now to FIGS. 2a and 2b where there is shown an alternative opening means 20 for a container. The opening means includes an upper 22 and lower 24 part which are attached and typically mechanically pressed together when the container is formed. In this example the opening means is a stud. The opening means 20 also includes a wire means 16, which can be of the ‘fishing line’ type described in FIG. 1. However, in this embodiment, the wire means is a wedge which includes a sharp blade 26 held within the stud. In use, the upper part is held between the user's thumb and a finger and pushed/pulled over a surface 4 to cut the same. The resulting edges of the opening are also typically smooth but not sharp. Also, in this example the wedge is formed as a moulded single piece of plastics material.

The path of the opening means 10, 20 can be guided along a groove or by other features of the packaging such as raised surface portions and/or the like. In addition, the opening means and/or the wire means are typically constructed from plastic, however it will be appreciated that other materials such as metal and metal alloys can also be used.

FIG. 3a shows a side view of widget 30 having an incision 31 and a cutting edge 32. The portion of the widget 34 is exterior to the container (not shown). In use the widget is substantially perpendicular to the plastic surface and is pulled in the direction of the arrow to provide a cut in the plastic surface along line 33.

FIG. 3b shows a plan view of a widget having two incisions 36 and cutting edges 37. The widget may be folded along line 38 to facilitate insertion into a starter slit or incision.

The widget of FIG. 3b engaged with a plastic surface is shown in FIG. 4a. The widget 41 is provided substantially parallel to the surface of sheet 40 and the portion 43 is pulled in the direction shown by the arrow to cut a ribbon section 42 formed by the cutting edges 45 cutting the plastic sheet. The widget engages with the plastic surface such that the portion of the widget 43 is on one (the upper) face and the portion 44 (as illustrated by dashed line) is provided on the other (lower) face.

FIG. 4b shows further the widget of FIG. 3b in use wherein a curved track is made.

FIG. 5a shows a side view of a container 50 having sealed edges 51. The portion of the container 53 is thermoformed to provide an interior volume in which the product is placed. A track 52 is also thermoformed to provide a volume in which the opening means may be provided (not shown). Thus cutting of the container may take place through the surface defined by the track.

FIG. 5b shows a side view of a widget having a blade or barb 51 provided on the lower face of the plastic surface 54. In use the portion 52 is gripped by the user and pulled in the direction shown by the arrow.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a container 60 having a sealed edges 61 sealing the major faces of the container and a thermoformed track 62 having a volume in which the opening means is provided. The article is placed in section 63 also having a thermoformed volume. Also shown is starter slit 65 in which the widget is placed. In use the opening means is pulled in the direction shown and guided around the track to enable a portion of the upper face of the container 67 to be peeled back to reveal the contents. A hinged section 66 may be provided for ease of opening. The container may be provided with press studs 64.

Other shapes of widget enabling cutting of the plastic surface other than illustrated may be envisaged within the scope of the invention and the invention is not restricted as such to widgets having one or two cutting edges or incisions.

Claims

1. A container including at least one plastic surface and at least one opening means located adjacent to a respective at least one face of said at least one plastic surface whereby said opening means is arranged such that movement of at least a portion of the opening means cuts through said at least one plastic surface of the container.

2. The container according to claim 2 wherein one or more of the at least one plastic surfaces comprises moulded plastic.

3. The container according to claim 1 wherein said container is of a moulded blister pack type of container, or a moulded clam shell type.

4. The container according to claim 1 wherein the opening means is wire.

5. The container according to claim 4 wherein the wire means comprises a blade.

6. The container according to claim 1 where the opening means is a widget comprising one of more cutting edges provided by one or more incisions in said widget.

7. The container according to claim 4 wherein the opening means has portions located on respective first and second sides of at least one plastic surface such that in use, the wire is drawn through the surface thereby cutting and creating an opening into the container.

8. The container according to claim 4 wherein the wire includes a free end and a substantially fixed end.

9. The container according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the opening means external to the container is at least partially located under a tamper evident seal.

10. The container according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the opening means external to the container includes a tab portion.

11. The container according to claim 10 wherein the tab portion is detachably attached to a portion of the container.

12. The container according to claim 1 wherein the opening means is located on a first side of a container surface and at least a further portion of the opening means is located on a second side of the surface.

13. The container according to claim 1 wherein the surface contains one or more grooves to form a channel by which to substantially guide the opening means.

14. The container according to claim 13 wherein the channel by which to guide the opening means is formed by two or more raised areas forming a channel therebetween.

15. The container according to claim 1 wherein the opening means includes at least first and second portions that are located adjacent opposite faces of the container surface.

16. The container according to claim 1 wherein the opening means is formed from a single piece of material.

17. The container according to claim 16 wherein the material is plastic.

18. The container according to claim 15 wherein the first and second portions form studs which are capable of being pressed together.

19. The container according to claim 1 wherein the opening means is arranged relative to the at least one surface such that moving the opening means in at least one direction causes the same to cut the respective at least one surface wherein the resulting edges of the cut are substantially smooth.

20. The container according to claim 19 wherein the substantially smooth edges of the openings are formed by the frictional forces between the opening means and the container surface, through which the opening means moves.

21. The container according to claim 1 further comprising a substantially small preformed slit or opening.

22. A method of opening a container with an opening means, said opening means located adjacent to a first surface of the container in a first position comprising the step of moving at least part of said opening means between the first position and a second position whereby at least a portion of the opening means moves through the surface of the container substantially creating an opening wherein the resulting edges of the opening are substantially smooth.

23. The container according to claim 1 wherein said container is a moulded clam shell type container.

24. The container according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the opening means external to the container is at least partially located under a security tag.