COMBINATION OF A CONTAINER AND A CLOSING ELEMENT

Abstract

A combination of a container and of a closing element. The container defines a containment space and includes a portion defining an access opening to the containment space. The closing element is movable relative to the portion to open or close the opening and defines with the portion a closing assembly for the container. The portion and/or the closing element is provided, on a surface portion of interaction between the portion and the closing element subjected to friction during opening or closing of the container, with an interface layer suitable for facilitating a sliding between the portion and the closing element. At least the portion and the closing element are made of polyethylene terephthalate and the layer is made of polyethylene. A quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the combination.

Description

This invention relates to a combination of a container and a closing element.

The term container may be understood to refer to a bottle or other device defining a containment space and having an upper portion suitable for being closed with a cap or another similar device.

One of the materials most used for making containers, such as bottles, is PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). In contrast, PE (Polyethylene) is usually used for making caps, or closing elements for a container.

To this day, if recycling the container and the cap, the two elements must be separated in order to throw them in the appropriate containers.

Disadvantageously, the two elements are not always separated and this results in difficulties for the effective recycling of the container and/or of the cap.

One possible solution examined is the possibility of making both of the materials PET so that there is no need to separate them for subsequent recycling.

Disadvantageously, a cap made of PET coupled on a container neck made of PET is difficult to screw on and unscrew because the material of the cap does not easily slide on the material of the neck.

Therefore, due to the difficult screwing on/unscrewing plastic residues may remain on the cap and/or on the neck which further obstruct separation of the two elements and/or effective closing of the container.

The term residues may refer to dust, filaments, agglomerates and the like which may be created due to the difficult screwing on/unscrewing between cap and neck.

Moreover, due to the difficult screwing on/unscrewing it is possible that the neck and/or the cap may be damaged (for example with the creation of scratches, deformations and the like) with the cap or the neck consequently losing the ability to form a seal.

Similar problems may occur for cellulose products, or for products obtained using natural fibres.

The technical purpose of this invention is therefore to provide a combination of a container and a closing element which is capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

The aim of this invention is therefore to provide a combination of a container and a closing element which allows correct separation of a cap from the container neck without that operation creating residues.

A further aim of this invention is therefore to provide a combination of a container and a closing element which is easy to recycle.

The technical purpose specified and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a combination of a container and a closing element comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.

In particular, the technical purpose specified and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a combination of a container and a closing element.

The container defines a containment space and comprises a portion defining an access opening to the containment space.

The closing element is movable relative to the portion to open or close the opening and defining with the portion a closing assembly for the container.

According to one aspect of this invention, the portion is provided, on a surface portion of interaction between the portion and the closing element subjected to friction during opening or closing of the container, with an interface layer suitable for facilitating a sliding between the portion and the closing element.

According to a further aspect of this invention, the closing element is provided, on a surface portion of interaction between the portion and the closing element subjected to friction during opening or closing of the container, with an interface layer suitable for facilitating a sliding between the portion and the closing element.

According to a further aspect of this invention, both the portion and the closing element are provided, on a surface portion of interaction between the portion and the closing element subjected to friction during opening or closing of the container, with an interface layer suitable for facilitating a sliding between the portion and the closing element.

In other words, the portion of the container and/or the closing element may be provided with an interface layer with improved sliding.

According to one aspect of this invention, the portion and the closing element are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer is made of a material with reduced friction against polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer is made of a material which can be recycled together with polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer is made of a material which does not compromise the recyclability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer is made of polyethylene (PE).

According to one aspect of this invention, the quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the combination of the container and the closing element.

Preferably, the quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the closing assembly which allows it to be recycled together with the polyethylene terephthalate.

Preferably, the quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the bottle which allows it to be recycled together with the polyethylene terephthalate.

In one embodiment, the container is a bottle and the closing assembly is defined by the bottle neck and a cap.

According to one aspect of this invention, the portion and the closing element are made of material obtained from natural fibres. Preferably, the portion and the closing element may be made of cellulose and the interface layer may be made of polyethylene which may be separable from the portion and/or from the closing element.

According to one aspect of this invention, the portion and the closing element may be made of cellulose and the interface layer may be made of PLA so as to facilitate composting of the closing assembly.

Advantageously, the portion and the closing element made of cellulose, with the aid of the interface layer, give the closing assembly an improved seal, that is to say, a barrier to liquid.

According to one aspect of this invention, the portion and the closing element may be made of cellulose and the interface layer may be made of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) or nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC).

According to one aspect of this invention, the portion and the closing element may be made of cellulose and the interface layer may be made of a silicon-based material.

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer is made in the form of a film applied on the portion and/or on the closing element.

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer is made by moulding the portion and/or the closing element starting from a multi-layer material.

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer comprises, in a portion of it directed towards the surface of the portion and/or of the closing element on which it is applied, a layer for gluing which guarantees that the interface layer is kept fixed to the element on which it is applied.

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer is pre-treated (preferably with a plasma pre-treatment) to activate it for performing application on the portion and/or on the closing element.

Advantageously, the reduced quantity of polyethylene used for the interface layer reduces the overall costs of the container provided with the closing assembly.

Advantageously, the interface layer improves the sealing performance of the closing assembly.

Further features and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the example, non-limiting description which follows of an embodiment of a combination of a container and a closing element.

That description will be set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings, supplied only by way of example and, therefore, not limiting, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views of a first embodiment of the combination according to this invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic views of a second embodiment of the combination according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the combination according to this invention.

With reference to the accompanying figures, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a closing assembly for a container “C” which, for the sake of a simple description, hereinafter will be described as the assembly 1.

The term container “C” refers to a body defining a containment space suitable for containing liquids or other similar products. For example, the container “C” may be a bottle, a box-shaped body, a jar, a tube or other similar bodies.

Therefore, the term assembly 1 refers to one or more components used to close the container “C”, as will become more apparent in the description below.

The present invention therefore has as its object a combination of a container “C” and a closing element 4.

The container “C” defines the aforementioned containment space and comprises a portion 2 of the container “C” defining an access opening “A” to the containment space. Usually, the term opening “A” refers to an upper opening of the container relative to a resting surface thereof.

The closing element 4 is movable relative to the portion 2 to open or close the opening “A” of the container “C”. The closing element 4 defines, with said portion 2, the closing assembly 1 for the container “C”.

During the operations for opening or closing the container “C”, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 have surface portions which are subjected to friction. In other words, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 have respective faces or components which, during the opening or closing operations, rub against each other.

In one embodiment of this invention, the portion 2 is provided, on the surface portion of interaction between the portion 2 and the closing element 4 subjected to friction during opening or closing of the container “C”, with an interface layer 5 suitable for facilitating a sliding between the portion 2 and the closing element 4.

Advantageously, that layer 5 allows improved sliding between the portion 2 and the closing element 4, significantly reducing their frictions so as to avoid unwanted welding of the closing element 4 to the portion 2 or the creation of deformed portions which would obstruct or complicate their opening or closing action.

In a further embodiment, the closing element 4 is provided, on the surface portion of interaction between the portion 2 and the closing element 4 subjected to friction during opening or closing of the container “C”, with an interface layer 5 suitable for facilitating a sliding between the portion 2 and the closing element 4.

In a further embodiment, both the portion 2 and the closing element 4 are provided with the layer 5.

For simplicity in the figures, the layer 5 is schematically shown as a perimeter “coincident” with the portions of interaction between the portion 2 and the closing element 4.

In actual fact, the layer 5 is applied to the portion 2 and/or to the closing element 4, or is made in one piece with the portion 2.

Preferably, the interface layer 5 is made in the form of a film applied on the portion 2 and/or on the closing element 4. In other words, in that embodiment the assembly 1 comprises the layer 5, made for example in the form of a film, or other similar covering, which will be applied on the portion 2, on the closing element 4 or on both elements.

Preferably, the interface layer 5 is made by moulding the film 2 and/or the closing element 4 starting from a multi-layer material. In other words, the material used to make the portion 2 and the closing element 4 is a multi-layer compound including the basic material of the container “C” and the material defining the layer 5. Therefore, during the operations for forming the assembly 1, or the container “C”, the material is processed (for example by compression moulding) in such a way that the layer 5 of the portion 2 and/or of the closing element 4 is positioned in the respective surface portion of interaction.

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer 5 comprises, in a surface of it directed towards the surface of the portion 2 and/or of the closing element 4 on which it is applied, a layer for gluing which guarantees that the interface layer 5 is kept fixed to the element on which it is applied.

According to one aspect of this invention, the interface layer 5 is pre-treated (preferably with a plasma pre-treatment) to activate it for performing application on the portion 2 and/or on the closing element 4.

At least the portion 2 (or the container “C”) and the closing element 4 are made of polyethylene terephthalate and the layer 5 is made of a material with reduced friction against polyethylene terephthalate. Preferably, the layer 5 is made of a material with reduced friction.

Preferably, the material with reduced friction is recyclable together with the polyethylene terephthalate.

Preferably, the material with reduced friction does not compromise the recyclability of the polyethylene terephthalate. In particular, some types of material are allowed in small percentages for recycling of polyethylene terephthalate since they can be separated and if necessary recycled separately.

According to one aspect of this invention, the layer 5 is made of polyethylene.

In this way it is possible to recycle the entire container “C” without having to separate one or more elements of the assembly 1 from the container “C” itself.

The quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the combination of the container “C” and of the closing element 4.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the container “C”.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the closing assembly 1.

Advantageously, the quantity of polyethylene below the 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the combination, of the closing assembly 1 or of the container “C” allows it to be recycled together with the polyethylene terephthalate.

Advantageously, the layer 5 guarantees an improved seal for the container “C” or the closing assembly 1.

In an alternative embodiment, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 are made of material obtained from natural fibres. Preferably, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 may be made of cellulose and the interface layer 5 may be made of polyethylene which may be separable from the portion 2 and/or from the closing element 4.

In an alternative embodiment, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 may be made of cellulose and the interface layer 5 may be made of PLA so as to facilitate composting of the closing assembly 1.

Advantageously, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 made of cellulose, with the aid of the interface layer 5, give the closing assembly 1 an improved seal, that is to say, a barrier to liquid.

In an alternative embodiment, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 may be made of cellulose and the interface layer 5 may be made of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) or nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC).

In an alternative embodiment, the portion 2 and the closing element 4 may be made of cellulose and the interface layer 5 may be made of a silicon-based material.

In a first embodiment, the portion 2 defines a neck 3 of the container “C” comprising a lateral surface.

In that embodiment, the closing element 4 is made in the form of a cap comprising a lateral wall 6 and an upper wall 7 positioned transversally to the lateral wall 6.

The lateral wall 6 extends around an axis “Z”. In the example shown in the accompanying figures, the lateral wall 6 is substantially cylindrical.

When the cap is applied on the neck 3 of the container “C”, the lateral wall 6 is substantially vertical.

The upper wall 7 is positioned transversally, specifically perpendicularly, to the axis “Z”. The upper wall 7 is substantially flat and has a substantially circular shape in plan view.

When the cap is applied on the neck 3, the upper wall 7 is positioned higher up than the lateral wall 6, so as to close an open upper end (or the opening “A”) of the container “C”.

The lateral surface of the neck 3 of the container “C” and at least the lateral wall 6 define the surface portion of interaction. Therefore, the layer 5 is defined or applied on the lateral wall 6 (in an inner portion thereof directed towards the neck 3) and/or on the lateral surface (outer and directed towards the cap or the lateral wall 6) of the neck 3.

In this context, the cap is fitted by slotting into the neck 3 and the layer 5 prevents the rubbing action between the inner portion of the lateral wall 6 and the outer portion of the lateral surface of the neck 3 from being able to create damaging friction which in the long term could obstruct opening of the container “C” by removal of the cap.

With particular reference to the embodiment schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly 1 comprises an anchoring element 10 defining the surface portion of interaction and is made in the form of threads 10a and 10b which are made respectively on the inside of the lateral wall 6 of the cap and on an outer lateral surface of the neck 3.

The anchoring elements 10 allow the cap to be removably fixed to a neck 3 of the container “C” to be closed. In the example shown, the anchoring elements 10 comprise a plurality of portions of thread 10a suitable for engaging with corresponding threads 10b made on the neck 3 of the container “C”.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the anchoring elements 10 may have a shape different from that of the portions of thread 10a and 10b shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the anchoring elements 10 could comprise protuberances or cam elements.

In particular, the threads 10a and 10b allow a rotation of the cap relative to the neck 3 for screwing on or unscrewing the cap to close or open the container “C”. Moreover, the presence of the layer 5 (on the threads 10a and/or on the threads 10b) allows prevention of welding between the threads 10a and 10b or the creation of deformations which would obstruct cap screwing onto/unscrewing from the neck 3.

Preferably, the cap (or the closing element 4) described above comprises a connecting zone 8, in which the lateral wall 6 is connected to the upper wall 7, comprising a first portion of wall 8a which projects from the lateral wall 6 towards the inside of the cap and a second portion of wall 8b which joins the first portion of wall 8a to the upper wall 7.

The first portion of wall 8a is inclined relative to the lateral wall 6 and projects towards the inside of the cap. The first portion of wall 8a extends around the axis “Z”. The first portion of wall 8a is positioned transversally to the axis “Z”. The first portion of wall 8a projects towards the inside of the cap, or towards the axis “Z”, from an upper edge zone of the lateral wall 6.

The second portion of wall 8b is interposed between the first portion of wall 8a and the upper wall 7. In particular, the second portion of wall 8b connects the first portion of wall 8a to a peripheral edge of the upper wall 7. The second portion of wall 8b also extends around the axis “Z”.

The second portion of wall 8b has an inclination different from that of the first portion of wall 8a. In particular, the second portion of wall 8b may be less inclined, or positioned in a configuration nearer to a vertical configuration, than the first portion of wall 8a. The adjective “vertical” is used here with reference to the position which the cap adopts when it is applied on a container, in which the axis “Z” is substantially vertical and the upper wall 7 is positioned higher up than the lateral wall 6.

In the example shown, the second portion of wall 8b is substantially vertical.

The first portion of wall 8a has a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the second portion of wall 8b.

The second portion of wall 8b is delimited, inside the cap, by a sealing surface 8c suitable for engaging in a sealed fashion with an outer lateral surface of the neck 3 defining the surface portion of interaction.

The sealing surface 8c may be slightly convex towards the inside of the cap, or may be shaped like a lip which projects towards the inside of the cap, so as to more easily apply a sealing action when the sealing surface 8c makes contact with the neck 3 of the container “C”.

Preferably, the closing element 4, or rather the cap, also comprises an inner sealing lip 9 having an annular shape which projects from the upper wall 7 to engage with an inner lateral surface of the neck 3 defining a surface portion of interaction.

In other words, the inner sealing lip 9 is suitable for being inserted into the neck 3 of the container “C” for engaging in a sealed fashion with the inner lateral surface of the neck 3. In particular, the inner sealing lip 9 may be delimited by a convex sealing surface for making contact with the inner lateral surface of the neck 3 of the container “C”.

Preferably, the cap may also comprise a security ring 11, connected in a breakable way to a lower edge of the lateral wall 6, for example by a plurality of bridge elements.

The security ring 11 may comprise an outer annular portion 12, connected to the lateral wall 6 and extending below the latter. The security ring 11 may also comprise a bent portion 13, connected to the outer annular portion 12 and bent upwards inside the cap, so that it is surrounded by the outer annular portion 12. The bent portion 13 is suitable for interacting with an annular protrusion positioned on the outside of the neck 3 of the container “C”.

In the embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4, the assembly 1 may comprise one or more elements as previously described and the cap also comprises a retaining ring 14 suitable for being joined to the neck 3.

The cap 1 also comprises a hinge structure 15 interposed between the retaining ring 14 and the lateral wall 6 to allow the cap to be rotated relative to the retaining ring 14 as shown in FIG. 4.

In other words, the retaining ring 14, suitable for being fixed to the neck 3 of the container “C”, retains the cap on the neck 3. The retaining ring 14 extends around the axis “Z”.

The closing element 4 is therefore movable between the open position and the closed position substantially by means of a rotating movement, around a hinge axis which may be perpendicular to the axis “Z”.

In the closed position, defined between the closing element 4 and the retaining ring 14 there is a separating line 16, along which the closing element 4 is separated from the retaining ring 14.

The separating line 16 may extend in a plane positioned transversally, in particular perpendicularly, to the axis “Z”.

The separating line 16 has a circumferential extent around the axis “Z” which is less than 360°, because the closing element 4 is joined to the retaining ring 14 at least along the hinge structure 15.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the layer 5 is made or applied in the same portions previously described for the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In an embodiment not illustrated, the assembly 1 comprises a further closing element provided with an anchoring structure suitable for being removably fixed to the neck 3 of the container “C” or rather to the portion 2.

The further closing element also comprises a tubular body which extends from the anchoring structure and is in communication with the opening “A” defined by the neck 3.

In that embodiment, the closing element 4 is made in the form of a cap comprising a lateral wall 6 and an upper wall 7 positioned transversally to the lateral wall 6 suitable for at least partly sliding along the tubular body to open or close the opening “A”. In other words, the tubular body comprises its own opening which allows the contents of the container “C” to come out.

An inner portion of the lateral wall 6 and an outer surface of the tubular body define the surface portion of interaction. Therefore, the assembly 1 comprises a layer 5 defined by or applied to the inner portion of the lateral wall 6 and/or to the outer portion of the tubular body so as to prevent friction during removal of the closing element 4.

Preferably, closing or opening of the opening in the tubular body is performed by sliding the second closing element 4 along a portion or the entire height of the tubular body.

Preferably, if the sliding is only partial, the closing element 4 is provided with its own opening to allow the contents of the container “C” to come out. In the embodiment in FIG. 5, the portion 2 defines an upper opening of the container “C” and the closing element 4 is made in the form of a lid comprising a covering wall 17, positioned to close the upper opening “A” of the container “C”, and an anchoring wall 18 suitable for engaging with the upper opening “A” defining the surface portion of interaction. In other words, the layer 5 is applied or defined on the upper opening “A” of the container and/or on the anchoring wall 18. Preferably, the layer 5 is applied or defined on the anchoring wall 18 and on a perimetric portion of the covering wall 17.

Preferably, the anchoring wall 18 is provided with an annular projection 18a on its inner surface and the upper opening “A” comprises a thickened edge 19. The annular projection 18a is suitable for engaging with the thickened edge 19 defining the surface portion of interaction.

Therefore, the lid comprises a covering wall 17 or transversal wall positioned to close an upper opening of the container “C”, shown with a dashed line in FIG. 5. The lid also comprises an anchoring wall 18 or lateral wall, which has an annular projection 18a on its inner surface. The annular projection 18a is suitable for engaging, for example in a snap-on fashion, with a thickened edge 19 of the container “C”, so that it is removably fixed to the container “C”.

The covering wall 17 and the anchoring wall 18 give the lid a concave shape.

The covering wall 17 extends around the axis “Z”.

Advantageously, during repeated snap off or on actions for opening or closing the container “C” with the lid, the layer 5 prevents these actions from being able to damage the lid itself or the thickened edge 19 or prevents welding of the two elements.

Advantageously, this invention allows the disadvantages of the prior art to be overcome.

Advantageously, the layer 5 allows improved sliding of the portion 2 and the closing element 4 which are made of the same material.

Advantageously, the layer 5 adds to the closing assembly a trivial percentage of material which does not rule out the possibility of recycling the entire container together with the device used to close/open it.

Claims

1. A combination of a container and a closing element wherein:

the container defines a containment space and comprises a portion defining an access opening to the containment space;

the closing element is movable relative to the portion to open or close said opening and defining with said portion a closing assembly for the container;

wherein said portion and/or said closing element is provided, on a surface portion of interaction between said portion and said closing element subjected to friction during opening or closing of the container, with an interface layer suitable for facilitating a sliding between said portion and said closing element;

wherein at least said portion and said closing element are made of polyethylene terephthalate and wherein said layer (5) is made of polyethylene; and

wherein a quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the combination.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the container.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of polyethylene is below a 15% threshold relative to the total weight of the closing assembly.

4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said interface layer is made in the form of a film applied on said portion and/or on said closing element.

5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said interface layer made by moulding said portion and/or said closing element starting from a multi-layer material.

6. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said portion defines a neck of the container, comprising a lateral surface, and wherein said closing element is made in the form of a cap comprising a lateral wall and an upper wall positioned transversally to the lateral wall, said lateral surface of the neck of the container and at least said lateral wall defining said surface portion of interaction.

7. The combination according to claim 6, comprising an anchoring element defining said surface portion of interaction and made in the form of threads which are made respectively on the inside of said lateral wall of the cap and on an outer lateral surface of the neck.

8. The combination according to claim 6, wherein said cap comprises a connecting zone, in which the lateral wall is connected to the upper wall, comprising a first portion of wall which projects from the lateral wall towards the inside of the cap and a second portion of wall which joins the first portion of wall to the upper wall, said second portion of wall comprising a sealing surface suitable for engaging in a sealed fashion with an outer lateral surface of the neck defining said surface portion of interaction.

9. The combination according to claim 6, wherein said cap comprises an inner sealing lip, having an annular shape, which projects from the upper wall to engage with an inner lateral surface of the neck defining a surface portion of interaction.

10. The combination according to claim 6, wherein said cap also comprises a retaining ring suitable for being joined to said neck and a hinge structure interposed between the retaining ring and at least said lateral wall to allow the cap to be rotated relative to the retaining ring.

11. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said closing element is made in the form of a lid comprising a covering wall, positioned to close the opening of the container, and an anchoring wall suitable for engaging with said upper opening defining said surface portion of interaction.

12. The combination according to claim 11, wherein said anchoring wall is provided with an annular projection on an inner surface thereof and said opening comprises a thickened edge, said annular projection being suitable for engaging with said thickened edge defining said surface portion of interaction.