Packaging with integrated disinfection system

Abstract

Described herein is a packaging (10) with integrated disinfection system, comprising; - a container (20) comprising at least one compartment (S) for housing articles, and a closed top edge (22A) defining an opening (23) via which the compartment (S) is accessible from outside the container (20); and - a lid (40), which is configured to close the opening (23) of the container (20) so as to prevent access to the compartment from outside and can be fixed in a releasable way to the top edge (22A) of the container (20). The lid (40) further comprises: - at least one UV-radiation emitter (52), configured to emit UV radiation within the compartment (S) of the container (20); and - a battery (53) for supplying power to the at least one UV-radiation emitter (52).

Description

[0001] "Packaging with integrated disinfection system"

[0002] ****

[0003] The present invention relates to a packaging with integrated disinfection system.

[0004] In particular, the present invention regards a packaging comprising:

[0005] - a container comprising at least one compartment for housing articles, and a closed top edge defining an opening via which the compartment is accessible from outside the container; and

[0006] - a lid, which is configured to close the opening of the container so as to prevent access to the compartment from outside and can be fixed in a releasable way to the top edge of the container.

[0007] In the field of packagings of the type referred to above, there is felt the need to guarantee that the inside of the packaging is sterile and will also remain so following upon first opening of the packaging, above all in applications with articles or products that are to be consumed or used in direct contact with the consumer.

[0008] To solve the aforesaid technical problem, the present invention proposes a packaging with integrated disinfection system.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a packaging with integrated disinfection system that will be able to carry out an effective action of disinfection in conditions of total safety for the consumer.

[0010] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a packaging with integrated disinfection system that will be easy to use by the consumer.

[0011] Finally, the object of the present invention is to provide a packaging of the type referred to above that will present a simple structure and contained cost.

[0012] In general, the present invention regards a packaging having the characteristics specified in claim 1.

[0013] The present invention moreover regards a method for disinfecting articles contained within a packaging according to claim 13.

[0014] The claims form an integral part of the teaching provided herein.

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description, with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which: - Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the packaging described herein;

[0016] - Figure 2 illustrates the packaging of Figure 1 in an open condition;

[0017] - Figure 3 is a view from beneath of the lid of the packaging of Figure 1;

[0018] - Figure 4 is an exploded view of the packaging of Figure 1; and

[0019] - Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an example of electrical circuit of the packaging described herein.

[0020] In the ensuing description, various specific details are illustrated aimed at enabling an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be provided without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, or materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that various aspects of the embodiment will not be obscured.

[0021] The references provided herein are used merely for convenience and hence do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

[0022] With reference to the figures, the packaging described herein - designated as a whole by the reference number 10 - comprises a container 20 that includes at least one compartment S for housing articles, and a lid 40, which can be fixed in a releasable way to the container 20 and is configured to prevent access to the compartment S from outside.

[0023] The shape and dimensions of the container 20 and of the lid 40 illustrated in the figures are provided purely by way of example and may evidently vary according to the requirements of the specific applications.

[0024] In general, the container 20 comprises a bottom 21 and a side wall 22 that delimit the compartment S. The side wall 22 has a closed top edge 22A defining an opening 23 via which the compartment S is accessible from outside the container 20.

[0025] The lid 40 itself also comprises a side wall 41 and a top wall 42. The side wall 41 has a bottom edge 41A configured to couple with the top edge 22A of the container 20. Fixing means of a releasable type are prearranged on the top edge 22A and / or on the bottom edge 41A to connect the lid 40 to the container 20.

[0026] Preferably, the lid 40 can be fixed in a releasable way to the container 20 as a result of a movement thereof, performed on the container itself, from an opening position to a closing position; the lid 40 can be removed from the container 20, after it has, instead, been brought back from the closing position into the opening position.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the two edges 22A and 41 A comprise respective threaded portions configured to provide a screw connection of the lid 40 to the container 20. Alternatively, surface formations of various types may be prearranged on the aforesaid edges to obtain a bayonet coupling, or a coupling of an equivalent type.

[0028] According to an important characteristic of the packaging described herein, the lid 40 comprises at least one UV-radiation emitter 52, configured to emit UV radiation within the compartment S of the container 20, and a battery 53 for supplying power to the emitter 52. In the example illustrated, the lid 4 comprises four UV-radiation emitters 52.

[0029] Preferably, the emitter 52 is an emitter of UV-C radiation (having a wavelength in the range between 100 and 280 rnn).

[0030] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the lid 40 further comprises a control unit 54 configured to activate and / or deactivate the emitter 52 on the basis of a timed disinfection cycle and / or of a ON / OFF signal coming from an interface module.

[0031] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the aforesaid interface module comprises a pushbutton 55 to enable a user to switch the emitter 52 on and / or off.

[0032] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the lid 40 further comprises an indicator 56 configured to provide a visual signal of the state of charge of the battery. For instance, as envisaged in the solution illustrated, the indicator 56 may comprise an orderly row of light sources 56A (for example, LEDs) pre-arranged for defining a scale indicating a level of charge of the battery; in operation, the number of emitters simultaneously turned on will be proportional to the level of charge of the battery. A further indicator 57, for example a single light source (such as a LED), may instead be configured to signal an active state of the UV-radiation emitters 52.

[0033] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the lid 40 comprises, at the top end thereof, an internal space S 1, housed in which is an electronic board 58 carrying on it the emitters 52, the battery 53, and the control unit 54 in the form, for example, of one or more microcontrollers, and the indicators 56 and 57.

[0034] In particular, in one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the top wall 42 of the lid 40 is set in with respect to a top edge 43 of the side wall 41; in this way, the internal space SI is obtained, which is closed at the top by a cap 44. The top wall 42 comprises openings 42A to enable the emitters 52 to emit radiation into the compartment S for housing the articles when the lid 40 is set on the container 20.

[0035] Likewise, the cap 44 has appropriate openings 44A for rendering the indicators 56 and 57 visible from outside.

[0036] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the bottom 21 and the side wall 22 of the container 20 have reflecting inner surfaces that delimit the compartment S for housing the articles and are configured to reflect the UV radiation emitted by the emitters 52 towards the articles themselves housed inside the compartment S. In this way, the UV radiation emitted by the emitters 52 can also impinge upon the articles or the parts thereof that do not directly face the emitters 52. Possibly, reflecting inner surfaces may also be provided on the lid 40.

[0037] The bottom 21 and the side wall 22 may, for example, be coated internally by a reflecting layer, such as a layer of aluminium.

[0038] In any case, the container 20 and the lid 40 may be made of a wide range of materials, for example plastic, metal, wood, cardboard, etc., according to the requirements of the specific applications.

[0039] In order to guarantee for the consumer total safety of the packaging described herein, as regards the risk of exposure to UV radiation, the packaging described herein comprises a switch system designed to enable switching-on of the emitters 52 only when the lid 20 is in its closing position.

[0040] In particular, with reference to Figure 5, in one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the switch system comprises an electrical circuit 60, set on the lid 20, which is connected to the emitters 52 and to the battery 63 and is interrupted between at least one first point Pl and one second point P2 of the circuit itself. Moreover, the switch system comprises an electrical-connection element 62 provided on the container 20 to come into contact with the first point Pl and the second point P2, when the lid is in the closing position, and in this way connect the points Pl and P2 electrically so as to close the circuit 60 and enable electrical supply to the emitters 52.

[0041] The packaging 10 described herein may comprise a unit for charging the battery, in particular for induction charging or charging via electricalcable coupling. In particular, in one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the packaging 10 comprises a charging base 64 for induction charging of the battery 53, on which it is sufficient to rest the container 20 with the lid 40 applied thereon to start charging of the battery. In this case, the lid 40 is provided with an electrical winding (not illustrated), for example carried by the electronic board 58, which is connected to the battery and is designed to interact electromagnetically with the charging base 64.

[0042] Operation of the packaging 10 described above envisages, when the packaging is closed, i.e., the lid 40 is in the closing position, switching-on of the emitters 52 to subject the articles contained in the compartment S of the container 20 to an action of disinfection via UV radiation. The control unit 54 may be configured to issue a command for a cycle of emission of UV radiation of a pre-set duration, and possibly at pre-set time intervals (between one cycle and another).

[0043] Moreover, the consumer, whenever he or she so wishes, can start a new cycle by pressing the pushbutton 55 provided on the lid 40.

[0044] At the moment when, instead, the lid 40 is no longer in the closing position, thanks to the switch system described above the electrical supply to the emitters 52 is disabled, and hence these cannot be switched on, even when the consumer were to try to switch them on by pressing the pushbutton 55.

[0045] Furthermore, the reflecting inner surfaces of the container 20 and of the lid 40 make it possible, on the one hand, to subject to UV radiation also the articles or the parts of these that are located in a hidden position with respect to the emitters 52, and, on the other hand, to guarantee that the UV radiation emitted will remain within the packaging and will not exit.

[0046] On the other hand, the high level of safety of the packaging, highlighted above, enables use of UV radiation of the UV-C type, which is the most effective for the action of disinfection envisaged for the packaging described herein.

[0047] A possible application of the packaging described herein may regard packaging of articles of the tobacco industry, in particular snus. Further possible applications may, instead, regard products of the pharmaceutical industry or of the cosmetics industry.

[0048] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what has been illustrated herein purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A packaging (10) with integrated disinfection system, comprising;- a container (20) comprising at least one compartment (S) for housing articles, and a closed top edge (22A) defining an opening (23) via which the compartment (S) is accessible from outside the container (20); and- a lid (40), which is configured to close the opening (23) of the container (20) so as to prevent access to the compartment from outside and can be fixed in a releasable way to the top edge (22A) of the container (20); wherein the lid (40) further comprises:- at least one UV-radiation emitter (52), configured to emit UV radiation within the compartment (S) of the container (20); and- a battery (53) for supplying power to the at least one UV-radiation emitter (52).

2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein said lid (40) can be fixed in a releasable way to the top edge (22A) of the container (20) as a result of a movement thereof from an opening position to a closing position, and wherein said packaging (10) further comprises a switch system (60, 62) configured to connect electrically the battery (53) to the at least one UV- radiation emitter (52) only when the lid (40) is set on the top edge (22) of the container (20), in the closing position.

3. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein said switch system comprises a electrical circuit (60), set on the lid (40), which is connected to the at least one UV-radiation emitter (52) and to the battery (53) and is interrupted between at least one first point (Pl) and one second point (P2) of the circuit (60), the switch system further comprising an electrical-connection element (62) provided on the container (20) to come into contact with the first and second points (Pl, P2) of the circuit (60), when the lid (40) is in the closing position, and in this way connect the first and second points (Pl, P2) electrically so as to close the electrical circuit (60).

4. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (40) is configured to be rotatable with respect to the container (20) between an opening position and a closing position.

5. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top edge (22A) of the container and the lid (40) compriserespective threaded portions configured to provide a screw connection of the lid to the container.

6. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one emitter (52) is an emitter of UV-C radiation.

7. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (20) comprises one or more reflecting inner surfaces, which delimit the compartment (S) for housing the articles and are configured to reflect the UV radiation emitted by the emitter (52) towards the articles housed inside the compartment (S).

8. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (40) comprises a control unit (54) configured to activate and / or deactivate the UV-radiation emitter (52) on the basis of a timed disinfection cycle and / or of an ON / OFF signal coming from an interface module (55).

9. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein housed inside the compartment (S) of the container (40) are articles of the tobacco industry, in particular snus.

10. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a unit (64) for charging the battery, in particular for induction charging or charging via electrical-cable coupling.

11. The packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (40) comprises, at a top end thereof, an internal space (SI), housed in which is an electronic board (58) that carries on it the at least one UV-radiation emitter (52), the battery (53), and moreover, preferably, a control unit (54) and at least one visual indicator (56, 57).

12. The packaging according to claim 11, wherein the lid (40) comprises a top wall (42) and a side wall (41), and wherein the top wall (42) is lowered with respect to a top edge (43) of the side wall (41) so as to obtain the internal space (SI) above the top wall (42), the lid (40) comprising a cap (44) configured to close the internal space (SI) housed in which is the electronic board (58).

13. A method for disinfecting articles contained within a packaging (10), said packaging (10) comprising:- a container (20) comprising at least one compartment (S) for housing the articles, and a closed top edge (22A) defining an opening (23)via which the compartment (S) is accessible from outside the container (20); and- a lid (40), which is configured to close the opening (23) of the container (20) so as to prevent access to the compartment (S) from outside and can be fixed in a releasable way to the top edge (22A) of the container (20); the method comprising:- providing on the lid (40) at least one UV-radiation emitter (52), configured to emit UV radiation within the compartment (S) of the container (20);- providing a battery (53) for supplying power to the at least one UV- radiation emitter (52); and- activating the at least one UV-radiation emitter (52) to emit UV radiation against the articles housed inside the compartment (S) of the container, when the lid (40) is applied on the container (20).

Images