Package for dispensing a dose of product

Abstract

A package for dispensing a dose of product comprising a rigid or semirigid support (2) partly shaped to define at least a concave portion (3) and a flat portion (4) at the perimeter of the concave portion (3); a flexible sheet (5) is joined to the support (2) at least at the flat portion (4) defining at the concave portion (3) a cavity (6) for containing a dose of product; the cavity (6) is formed partly by a portion of an inner surface (3a) of the concave portion (3) and by a portion of an inner surface (5a) of the flexible sheet (5); the support (2) has at least one notch (7) positioned at the inner surface (3a) of the concave portion (3).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] PACKAGE FOR DISPENSING A DOSE OF PRODUCT

[0003] Technical field

[0004] This invention relates to a package for dispensing a dose of product.

[0005] The type of product has no limitation in terms its shape, meaning for example granular, or liquid without any limitation in terms of degree of density, and in terms of the type of product, meaning for example food, pharmaceutical, non-food.

[0006] This dispenser package falls within the type of packages which can be opened with a single hand.

[0007] Background art

[0008] Dispenser packages are known in the prior art type consisting of a support shaped in such a way as to form a pocket for containing a granular or liquid product, coupled to a flexible sheet of heat-sealable material which encloses the product in a compartment.

[0009] The flexible sheet is made with a pre-notch in such a way that, by folding the package, a breakage is caused at the latter to allow the escape of the product.

[0010] However, these solutions are not free from drawbacks, due to the slimness of the flexible sheet, such as accidental breakages and the difficult control of the pre-notch which during production could cut the barrier layer which prevents the contamination of the product with the outside environment.

[0011] In this technical sector, it is requested that the packages are of practical use, guaranteeing a positive experience to the user during the opening, which allows an optimum extraction of the product, in such a way that it is possible to use the entire dose contained therein, and which preserve the integrity of the product contained therein.

[0012] Disclosure of the invention In order to meet these needs, the Applicant has developed a package for dispensing a dose of product as set out in independent claim 1 .

[0013] Brief description of drawings

[0014] Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting, embodiment of package for dispensing a dose of product as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] - Figures 1 to 6 are schematic perspective views of different variant embodiments of a package for dispensing a dose of product according to this invention in a closed configuration;

[0016] - Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a package for dispensing a dose of product according to this invention in an open configuration;

[0017] - Figure 8 is a cross-section of the package in Figure 1 ;

[0018] - Figure 9 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 8;

[0019] - Figure 10 shows an variant embodiment of the detail of Figures 8 and 9;

[0020] - Figure 11 shows a further variant embodiment of the detail of Figures 8 and 9.

[0021] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0022] The numeral 1 denotes a package for dispensing a dose of product according to the invention.

[0023] The package 1 is preferably rectangular or quadrangular in shape whose sides are from 40 mm up to 100 mm in length.

[0024] For example, the package 1 has the following formats: 40x40 mm, 100x100 mm, 50x80 mm, and others.

[0025] The package 1 comprises a rigid or semi-rigid support 2 at least partly shaped to define at least a concave portion 3 and a flat portion 4 at the perimeter of the concave portion 3.

[0026] The concave portion 3 defines a housing of a dose of product. The flat portion 4 at the perimeter of the concave portion 3 imparts resistance to the opening of the package 1 as described in more detail below.

[0027] The package 1 comprises a flexible sheet 5 joined to the support 2 at least at the flat portion 4 defining at the concave portion 3 a cavity 6 for containing a dose of product.

[0028] In other words, the flexible sheet 5 closes the concave portion 3 in which the dose of product is positioned.

[0029] On one side of the package 1 there is the rigid or semi-rigid support 2 and on the opposite side there is the flexible sheet 5.

[0030] The cavity 6 is formed partly by a portion of an inner surface 3a of the concave portion 3 and by a portion of an inner surface 5a of the flexible sheet 5.

[0031] The flexible sheet 5 and the support 2 have respective outer surfaces 5b, 2b facing towards the outside environment.

[0032] The outer surface 2b of the support 2 comprises both the concave portion 3 and the flat portion 4.

[0033] In order to open the package 1 to be able to extract the contents, the support 2 has at least one notch 7 positioned at the inner surface 3a of the concave portion 3.

[0034] The notch 7 faces in the cavity 6.

[0035] In use, gripping the package 1 along the end edges opposite to each other and moving these ends towards each other, referring to the side of the package 1 wherein the flexible sheet 5 is positioned, the support 2 yields at the notch 7, opening the cavity 6 and allowing the escape of the dose of product.

[0036] After the notch 7 has yielded and the package 1 is totally folded, the cavity 6 is in the form of two open chambers 8, each having an outlet opening 9, as shown clearly in Figure 7.

[0037] The chambers 8 being partly shaped by concave portions 3 of the support 2 allow a complete emptying of the product contained therein. Advantageously, this feature is suitable for the granular products which are dispensed without leaving traces in the package 1 .

[0038] For products of a pharmaceutical type the package 1 according to this invention is particularly advantageous since total escape of the dose of product is guaranteed.

[0039] According to the variant embodiment illustrated, the notch 7 is positioned in a central position of the inner surface 3a of the concave portion 3 of the support 2.

[0040] The arrangement of the notch 7 favours the folding of the package 1 at it, consequently if positioned in a central position of the inner surface 3a of the concave portion 3 of the support 2 it favours, in use, the folding of the package 1 at its centre line, as shown clearly in Figure 7.

[0041] It should be noted that the term “notch 7” means a single continuous stretch or a plurality of continuous stretches.

[0042] The notch 7 is straight or curvilinear.

[0043] With reference to the concave portion 3, it has a top wall 10 and a plurality of side walls 11 connecting the top wall 10 with the flat perimeter portion 4. The side walls 11 are inclined relative to the top wall 10 at an angle of between 0° and 90°.

[0044] In particular, the side walls 11 are inclined relative to the top wall 10 at an angle of between 10° and 60°, and more specifically, 45°.

[0045] The distance between the outer surfaces 5b of the flexible sheet 5 and of the outer surface 2b of the support 2 at the top wall 10 defines the thickness of the package, which is variable between 3 mm and 10 mm.

[0046] The notch 7 is positioned at least at the top wall 10 with reference to the inner surface 3a of the concave portion 3.

[0047] According to the embodiment illustrated, the notch 7 is positioned at the top wall 10 and a pair of side walls 11 opposite each other relative to the top wall 10 with reference to the inner surface 3a of the concave portion 3.

[0048] According to the variant embodiments illustrated, the top wall 10 is flat having a plurality of edges 12. With regard to the shape of the top wall 10, at each edge 12 of the top wall 10 extends a side wall 11 with a trapezoidal shape.

[0049] According to the variant embodiments of Figures 1 to 5, the top wall 10 is rectangular in shape.

[0050] The notch 7 is located at the centre line of a long side of the rectangle, transversely to that long side.

[0051] According to a variant embodiment of Figure 6, the top wall 10 has an hourglass shape having a pair of polygonal heads symmetrical to each other and a connecting portion of the heads.

[0052] The connecting portion is rectangular.

[0053] The notch 7 is positioned at the centre line of this connecting portion, transversely relative to the extension of this portion.

[0054] In order to gradually open the package 1 , at the notch 7, the extension of each flat portion 4, at the sides of the concave portion 3, is greater than the extension of the concave portion 3.

[0055] This is because the larger flat portion 4 of the concave portion 3 provides resistance to the folding of the package 1 following the yielding of the notch 7.

[0056] In order to form a snap-on opening of the package 1 , at the notch 7, the extension of each flat portion 4, at the sides of the concave portion 3, is less than the extension of the concave portion 3.

[0057] This is because the smaller flat portion 4 of the concave portion 3 does not provide particular resistance to the folding of the package 1 following the yielding of the notch 7.

[0058] It is possible to appreciate the difference in extension between the flat portion 4 and the concave portion by comparing Figures 1 and 2.

[0059] Nevertheless, any shape of the concave portion 3 can be combined with flat portions 4 of lesser or greater extension.

[0060] According to a variant embodiment, the flexible sheet 5 comprises at least one heat sealable layer 13 intended to join the support 2 at least at the flat portion 4. As illustrated in Figure 8, the heat sealable layer defines the inner surface 5a of the flexible sheet 5.

[0061] The flexible sheet 5 comprises a layer 18 of printable material adhering to the heat sealable layer 13.

[0062] The layer 18 defines the outer surface 5b of the flexible sheet 5.

[0063] As illustrated in Figure 8, the support 2 comprises at least three layers of which a first layer 14 is intended to be joined to the flexible sheet 5 a second barrier layer 15 and a third layer 16.

[0064] The notch 7 passes through at least the first layer 14, as shown in Figure 9.

[0065] The first layer 14 defines the inner surface 2a of the support 2.

[0066] The first layer 14 is made of polymeric material, such as, for example, “PS”, “CPP”, “PBS”.

[0067] The thickness of the first layer 14 depends on the material from which it is made.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the thickness is variable in a range of from 200 to 400 pm, if, for example, it is made of “PS”.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the thickness is variable in a range of from 30 to 90 pm, if, for example, it is made of “CPP” and “PBS”.

[0070] The second layer 15 is made of a metallic material, such as “ALU”, “DOPP ALOX”, “MET PLA”.

[0071] The thickness of the second layer 15 depends on the material from which it is made.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the thickness is variable in a range of from 7 to 13 pm, if, for example, it is made of “ALU”.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the thickness is variable in a range of from 10 to 30 pm, if, for example, it is made of “DOPP ALOX”, “MET PLA”.

[0074] The third layer 16 is made of printable material, such as, for example “LLDPE”, “BOPP”, “PLA”.

[0075] The third layer 16 defines the outer surface 2b of the support 2. The thickness of the third layer 16 depends on the material from which it is made.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the thickness is variable in a range of from 30 to 90 pm, if, for example, it is made of “LLDPE”, “BOPP” According to an embodiment the thickness is variable in a range of from 200 to 400 pm, if, for example, it is made of “PLA”.

[0077] According to an embodiment, there is a fourth layer 17 interposed between the second layer 15 and the third layer 16, see Figure 10.

[0078] The fourth layer 17 is a supporting layer. The thickness of the fourth layer 17 is variable in a range of from 200 to 400 pm.

[0079] According to this variant embodiment, the notch 7 cuts two layers, the first layer 14 and the second layer 15.

[0080] If the support 2 comprises a single first layer 14, as illustrated in Figure 10, the notch 7 partly cuts the layer itself.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A package for dispensing a dose of product comprising a rigid or semirigid support (2) partly shaped to define at least a concave portion (3) and a flat portion (4) at the perimeter of the concave portion (3); a flexible sheet (5) is joined to the support (2) at least at the flat portion (4) defining at the concave portion (3) a cavity (6) for containing a dose of product; the cavity (6) is formed partly by a portion of an inner surface (3a) of the concave portion (3) and by a portion of an inner surface (5a) of the flexible sheet (5); characterised in that the support (2) has at least one notch (7) positioned at the inner surface (31 ) of the concave portion (3); the notch (7) faces in the cavity (6).

2. The package according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the notch (7) is located at a central position of the concave portion (3).

3. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the notch (7) is positioned at the centre line of one of the sides of the package (1 ) along a direction transversal to that side.

4. The package according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the notch (7) is in the form of a single continuous stretch or a plurality of continuous stretches.

5. The package according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the notch (7) is straight or curved.

6. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the concave portion (3) has a top wall (10) and aplurality of side walls (11 ) connecting the top wall (10) with the flat portion (4); the notch (7) is positioned at least at the top wall (10) with reference to the inner surface (3a) of the concave portion (3).

7. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the concave portion (3) has a top wall (10) and a plurality of side walls (11 ) connecting the top wall (10) with the flat portion (4); the notch (7) is positioned at the top wall (10) and a pair of side walls (11 ) which are opposite each other relative to the top wall (10) with reference to the inner surface (3a) of the concave portion (3).

8. The package according to claim 6 or 7; characterised in that the top wall (10) is flat and in relation to the shape of the top wall (10), a side wall (11 ) with a trapezoidal shape extends at each edge (12) of the top wall (10).

9. The package according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the top wall (10) is rectangular in shape, the notch (7) is located at the centre line of a long side of the rectangle.

10. The package according to claim 8, characterised in that the top wall (10) has an hourglass shape having a pair of polygonal heads symmetrical to each other and a connecting portion of them; the notch (7) is positioned in that connecting portion.

11. The package according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that the side walls (11 ) are inclined with respect to the top wall (10) at an angle of between 0° and 90°.

12. The package according to any one of claims 6 to 11 , characterised in that the side walls (11 ) are inclined with respect to the top wall (10) at anangle of between 10° and 60°.

13. The package according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterised in that the distance between the top wall (10) and the flexible sheet (5), with reference to the respective outer surfaces (2b, 5b), defines the thickness of the package, which is variable between 3 mm and 10 mm.

14. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at the notch (7), the extension of each flat portion (4) is greater than the extension of the concave portion (3).

15. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that at the notch (7), the extension of each flat portion (4) is less than the extension of the concave portion (3).

16. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible sheet (5) comprises at least one heat sealable layer intended to join the support (2) at least at the flat portion (4)17. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rigid or semi-rigid support (2) comprises at least a first layer (14) intended to be joined to the flexible sheet (5); the notch (7) strikes at least part of the first layer (14).

18. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rigid or semi-rigid support (2) comprises a plurality of layers (14,15,16,17) and the notch (7) strikes from one to two of said layers (14,15,16,17).

Images