container

Abstract

A container (1) comprising a receptacle (4) and a cap (5), the cap comprising means (2) configured to secure the cap (1) to the receptacle, the cap comprising an insert (8) made of a moisture-absorbing material, the insert (8) being a solid element, with a defined shape, which features a finned surface (8B), characterised by the fact that the insert (8) is secured inside the cap (5) with the finned surface (8B) facing the ceiling (5A) of the cap (5) and a active surface (8A) facing the inside of the receptacle (4) when the cap is over the receptacle (4), the active surface (8A) being substantially flat.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a container.

[0002] In particular, it refers to a container equipped with a cap into which a moisture-absorbing element is incorporated in order to preserve the contents of the container.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Conventional containers (for example those for loose large and small tablets or powders) comprise a cap that features a compartment in which desiccant pellets are housed (for example silica gel). The compartment is sealed by a cardboard element that allows the migration of moisture contained in the container, so as to make effective use of the moisture-absorbing pellets.

[0004] In the event that the cardboard breaks or is not fixed properly or of tampering, the silica gel may fall into the container, contaminating the product contained therein.

[0005] A container equipped with a desiccant or moisture-absorbing element in a solid form is also disclosed in EP 0 454 967 B1.

[0006] A container of this kind may feature a desiccant element placed either directly inside the container or fixed to the cap.

[0007] The desiccant element fixed to the cap has a finned surface with concentric circles, which faces the inside of the container when the cap is closed.

[0008] US 2015 / 259115 A1 and US 5 605 240 describe containers known in the art.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a container which is an improvement on the prior art.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a container that improves the effectiveness of the desiccant insert while maintaining the same volume thereof with respect to the commonly known inserts.

[0011] Yet another object of the invention is to make the cap more cost-effective by minimising the number of constituent pieces thereof.

[0012] This and other objects are achieved by means of a container produced according to the claims appended hereto.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] Further features and advantages of the innovation will become clearer in the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device, illustrated - by way of a non-limiting example - in the drawings appended hereto, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective top-down view of an insert for the container according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective bottom-up view of the insert in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top-down plan view of the insert in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a bottom-up plan view of the insert in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a bottom-up perspective view of a cap for a container according to the present invention, in the closed position; Figure 6 is a bottom-up plan view of the cap in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a partially sectioned, schematic side view of a container according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] With reference to the figures stated, reference number 1 is used to denote, as a whole, a container.

[0015] The container 1, which is clearly visible in Figure 7, comprises a receptacle 4 and a cap 5.

[0016] The receptacle 4 can have any shape, for example a bottle, with a mouth 4A which is quite separate from the body thereof, or a cylindrical tube, whose free end therefore forms a mouth, etc.

[0017] The cap obviously comprises means 2 configured to fasten the cap 1 to the receptacle.

[0018] Such fastening means 2 can be of any known type, such as a tooth 2 that interlocks with a corresponding tooth on the receptacle 4 (not shown), a thread, a simple pressure coupling (therefore, in this case, the means work simply by friction), etc.

[0019] The cap comprises an insert 8 made of a material that absorbs moisture.

[0020] Advantageously, the insert 8 is made of a single piece of the aforesaid material.

[0021] The insert 8 is, in fact, a solid element, with a clearly defined shape (therefore solid at a room temperature of 25°C).

[0022] As can be clearly seen from the comparison of Figures 1 and 2, the said insert features a finned surface 8B.

[0023] The finned surface 8B can be formed of a plurality of alternating reliefs C and valleys V.

[0024] The reliefs C, and consequently the valleys V, can be essentially rectilinear.

[0025] The distance between two adjacent reliefs C (which determine the valley V) can be essentially similar or equal to the thickness of the reliefs C, as shown in Figure 7, but better in Figure 3.

[0026] The height HC of the reliefs can be comparable to the total height H of the insert; for example, the reliefs can have a height HC corresponding to between 60% and 95% of the total height H of the insert.

[0027] Further reliefs UC can extend from the end reliefs, which may be, for example, median or perpendicular to the end reliefs, to further increase the exposed surface area of the insert.

[0028] Obviously, the finned surface 8A can feature reliefs and valleys with different shapes, for example with concentric circles from a plan view, possibly with broken or discontinuous reliefs to create communication between the various valleys.

[0029] As can be seen in Figure 2, the insert can also feature an active surface 8A (which is substantially flat) positioned on the opposite side to that where the finned surface 8B is made.

[0030] According to the invention, the finned surface 8B is facing the cap 5, more specifically the ceiling 5A of the cap, therefore the side facing away from the inside of the receptacle 4.

[0031] When the cap 5 is closed, the active surface 8A faces the inside of the container (Fig. 7), in direct communication therewith.

[0032] In this way, unlike with the commonly known techniques of the prior art, in addition to the finned surface 8B, the active surface 8A is also a desiccating surface, which is in contact with the internal volume of the container when the cap is closed, and is therefore effective for the purposes of the moisture-absorbing action of the cap.

[0033] It should be noted that the absorbent power of the insert does not depend as much on its weight, volume, or thickness, as it does on the extent of the surface area of the exposed active surface thereof.

[0034] The embodiment shown here features an active surface 8A that is flat, because it simulates the most popular shape currently on the market for caps with a desiccating action.

[0035] It is particularly effective because it can be easily cleared of any powder residues (that have deposited in the container or have detached from the - small or large - tablets contained therein), as it does not feature any significant cavities or reliefs.

[0036] To fix the insert 8, the cap 5 can provide a skirt 9 (which protrudes from the ceiling 5A) of the cap, and which forms, together with the ceiling 5A of the container, a compartment 10 which is open towards the container, within which the insert 8 is housed.

[0037] The insert 8 is therefore simply inserted into the skirt 9, which can feature a free end with a lip 9A facing the central axis A of the cap to hold the insert 8 in place.

[0038] Obviously, the distance between the lip 9A and the ceiling will be essentially equivalent to (or slightly greater than) the height H of the insert 8, so as to hold the said insert in the compartment 10 in a very stable manner.

[0039] In order to make the finned surface 8B inside the compartment 10 of the cap 5 also effective (therefore active), there may be air passages 11 present which provide communication between the compartment 10 with the inside of the receptacle 4 when the cap 5 is closed.

[0040] The passages may be obtained on the skirt 9, for example determined by ribs or holes in the said skirt 9.

[0041] More advantageously, as shown, the said air passages 11 are made in the insert 8 and may be facing the surface 8A.

[0042] For example, they may have a semicircular shape (from a plan view) and be positioned along the external edge of the insert.

[0043] The number thereof may be such that, for each valley V, there is at least one passage 11 that connects the said valley V with the inside of the container.

[0044] Advantageously, the insert 8 is coupled with a closure 12 of the cap 5 which is uncoupled from at least a mouth 4A of the receptacle 4 when the cap 5 is open.

[0045] According to a preferred form, the cap is of the flip-top type, with the said closure 12 hinged to a collar 13 which is stably coupled with the receptacle 4 (for example via the aforesaid means 2).

[0046] In this case, a breakable seal 14 can be featured between the closure 12 and the collar 13, which must be removed prior to a first opening of the cap 5.

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, the skirt 9 can serve a dual function. That of holding in place or housing the insert 8 that forms the compartment 10 and that of forming a sealing element, which fits tightly into the mouth 4A of the said receptacle 4 when the cap is closed.

[0048] Therefore, preferably, the said skirt 9 is made on the said closure 12.

[0049] To complete the description, it must be emphasized that the closure 12 can include a flap 20 that guides - and therefore facilitates - the insertion of the receptacle 4 into the mouth 4A.

[0050] Furthermore, the material that absorbs the moisture is advantageously an absorbent polymer, preferably a water-absorbent polymer, which is in a solid state at room temperature (25°C).

[0051] The parts of the cap other than the insert (closure, collar, seal, etc.), , can be made of a conventional plastic material, therefore devoid of moisture-absorbing characteristics.

[0052] Preferably in this text, the 'conventional plastic material' of which the cap 5 is made (except the insert 8) can be one or more of those in the following group: PE-PA-PP.

[0053] Last but not least, for the moisture-absorbing material (that of the insert 8), an absorbent polymer can be used, preferably a water-absorbent or hygroscopic polymer that can be moulded using conventional techniques. The water-absorbent or hygroscopic polymer, at room temperature, is in a solid state and has physical characteristics which are comparable or similar to the conventional plastic materials of which the other parts of the cutter are made.

[0054] For example the said polymer can have comparable (or even greater) hardness than PE-PA-PP etc. in the same environmental conditions. The moisture-absorbing polymer may be a plastic compound polymer. This compound polymer is preferably identical to polypropylene and therefore can be recycled therewith.

[0055] Various embodiments of the innovation have been disclosed herein, but further embodiments may also be conceived using the same innovative concept.

Claims

1. Container (1) comprising a receptacle (4) and a cap (5), the cap comprising means (2) configured to secure the cap (1) to the receptacle, the cap comprising an insert (8) made of a moisture-absorbing material, the insert (8) being a solid element, with a defined shape, comprising a finned surface (8B), characterized in that the insert (8) is fixed to the cap (5) with its finned surface (8B) facing the cap (5), the insert further providing an active surface (8A), opposite to the finned surface (8B), the active surface (8A) facing the inside of the container (4) when the cap (5) is closed, the said active surface (8A) being substantially flat.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the cap provides a skirt (9) defining, together with the ceiling (5A) of the container, a compartment (10) in which the insert (8) is housed, and air passages (11) connecting the compartment (10) with the interior of the container when the cap is closed.

3. Container according to claim 3, wherein said air passages (11) are made in the insert (8).

4. Container according to claim 1, wherein said insert is associated with a closure (12) of the cap (5) that is away from at least one mouth (4A) of the container (4) when the cap (5) is open.

5. Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the cap is of the flip-top type, with said closure (12) hinged to a collar (13) stably associated with the container (4).

6. Container according to the preceding claim, wherein between said closure (12) and the collar (13) is provided a breakable seal (14) to be removed prior to a first opening of the cap (5).

7. Container according to claim 3, wherein said skirt (9) defines a sealing element, which engages tightly in the mouth (4A) of said container (4) when the cap is closed.

8. Container according to claims 3 and 5, wherein said skirt (9) is made on said closure (12).

9. Container according to claim 4, wherein said closure (12) provides a flap (20) that helps the insertion of the cap into the mouth (4A) of said container (4).

10. Container according to claim 1, wherein the moisture-absorbing material is an absorbent polymer, preferably a water-absorbing polymer, which results in a solid state at room temperature.

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