WO1996006016A1

WO1996006016A1 - Containers with decorative covers

Info

Publication number: WO1996006016A1
Application number: PCT/GB1995/001941
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Richard Wright; Helen Susan Kell
Original assignee: Prelude Uk Limited
Priority date: 1994-08-19
Filing date: 1995-08-16
Publication date: 1996-02-29
Also published as: GB2293599A; GB9508088D0

Abstract

A container (12) (Figure 1) is fitted with a removable cover (10). The container (12) has a planar surface (16) on which is located a cap (22), and the cover (10) has a tubular aperture (36) extending inwardly from a central surface portion (28) of the cover. The central surface portion (28) is recessed with respect to a peripheral surface portion (26) of the cover, the depth of recessing being such that outward bowing of the central surface portion (28) on manufacture does not project beyond the peripheral surface portion (26) so that when the cap is engaged with the tubular aperture in the cover the peripheral portion is closely adjacent the planar surface (16), preventing unsightly gaps where the external surfaces of the cover and the container meet. The central surface portion of the cover is provided with a bevel (32) for guiding the cap (22) into the tubular aperture (36). Also described is a container (12) (Figure 2) having a removeable cover (10) made from a flexible material. The cover and the container have interengageable retention means (56, 64) for retaining the cover on the container. The cover (10) is adapted to be used as glove puppet.

Description

CONTAINERS WITH DECORATIVE COVERS

The invention relates to containers having decorative covers .

The use of containers with decorative covers may be particularly desirable for some products, for example bubble bath for use by children.

An example of a known container with a decorative cover comprises a container having a planar surface from which projects a closure and a cover with a generally planar surface provided with an aperture therein. The container can be engaged with the cover such that their respective surfaces lie closely adjacent and the closure is received in the aperture. It is a problem with such container-cover assemblies that outward bowing of either surface prevents close seating of the cover against the container. Another problem with such assemblies is that young children may have difficulty in inserting the closure into the aperture for engaging the cover with the container .

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided ³ container having a planar surface on which is located a cap and a decorative cover having a surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion which is recessed into the cover with respect to the peripheral portion, the depth of recessing being such that outward bowing of the central portion on manufacture does not project beyond the peripheral portion so that when the cap is engaged with the cover the peripheral portion is closely adjacent said planar surface.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a container having a cap carrying a decorative cover wherein the cover includes a tubular aperture receiving the cap, the aperture opening onto a surface of the cover, and the cover being provided with a bevel to guide the cap into the aperture.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a container with a decorative cover made from flexible material, the cover and the container having inter-engageable retention means for retaining the cover on the container.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a container having a cap carrying a decorative cover, wherein the cover includes a tubular aperture receiving the cap, the aperture opening onto a surface of the cover, and wherein the cap and the cover are provided with respective means, said means co-operating to resist or limit rotation of the cover relative to the cap.

The following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a representation, partly in cross-section, of a container with a decorative cover;

Figure 2a shows another embodiment of a container having a decorative cover, and illustrates how the cover is fitted to the container;

Figure 2b shows the container of Figure 2a with the cover fitted;

Figure 3 shows elevations of alternative covers for containers similar to that of Figures 2a and 2b where the covers are adapted for use as puppets, a hand also being shown to indicate the size of the covers;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional representation of part of an alternative decorative cover for use with the container of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view from below of part of the cover shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a screw-cap for use with the cover of Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view from above of the screw-cap shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional representation of the screw-cap of Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view from below of the screw-cap of Figures 6 to 8;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a container similar to the container of Figures 2a and 2b; and

Figure 11 is a side elevation from the direction shown by the arrow marked A in Figure 10 of the container of Figure 10.

In Figure 1 the cover 10 is shown in place on the container 12.

The cover in may be formed in- o decorative shape such as, for example, the head of an animal or the head of a cartoon figure, and the container 12 may be formed in a corresponding decorative shape such as the body of the animal or the cartoon figure. Alternatively, the container 12 and the cover 10 could have geometrical shapes .

The cover 10 is preferably manufactured from a resilient material such as a resilient plastics material.

The container 12 comprises an upper end wall 14 having a planar outer surface 16. An annular neck 18 extends outwardly from a central region of the wall 14 to an opening 20. The neck 18 is provided on its external surface with a thread which engages with a corresponding thread of a removable screw-cap 22 of known type which is located on the neck 18 to close the opening 20.

The cover 10 comprises an end wall 24 having a peripheral surface portion 26 and a central surface portion 28 which is recessed with respect to the peripheral portion 26. When, as illustrated in Figure 1, the cover 10 is fitted to the container 12, the peripheral surface portion 26 lies closely adjacent to the planar surface 16 whereas the central surface portion 28 is spaced apart from the planar surface 16 towards the interior of the cover 10.

The end wall 24 has a collar 34 which extends into the cover 10 and defines a tubular aperture 36 opening onto the central surface portion 28. The collar 34 is formed with a resilient, inwardly-extending circumferential lip 38, and the central surface portion 28 has an annular bevel 32 extending around the innermost edge of the lip. The lip 38 defines a restricted opening into the aperture 36, the opening being of a diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the cap 22.

When the cover 10 is attached to the container 12, the cap 22 is located within the tubular aperture 36, as shown in Figure 1.

In fitting the cover 10 to the container 12, the bevel 32 guides the cap into engagement with the lip 38. The cap 22 is then pushed past the lip 38 and is located with a 'snap-action' within the collar 34.

As shown in Figure 1, the lip 38 is positioned adjacent to the outer edge 39 of the cap 22, preventing accidental separation of the cover 10 from the container 12. However, the cover 10 can be readily detached, by pulling the cover 10 and the container 12 apart with sufficient force to overcome the resilience of the lip 38 and withdraw the cap 22 from the collar 34.

The cover 10 can be made by moulding processes rotational moulding is a particularly suitable process. The container 12 can also be made by a moulding process, and in this case blow moulding is a particularly suitable process .

A common problem with such moulding processes, especially rotational moulding, is a tendency for the external walls of the moulded article to bow during manufacture. For example, when the cover 10 is made by rotational moulding the end wall 24, particularly the central region thereof, may bow outwardly.

As already described, the central surface portion 28 of end wall 24 is recessed in relation to the peripheral surface portion 26. The recess is chosen to be of sufficient depth that outward bowing of the central surface portion 28 does not project beyond the plane of the peripheral surface portion 26. Accordingly, when the cover 10 is fitted to the container 12, the peripheral surface portion 26 will still lie closely adjacent to the planar surface 16 of the container, preventing an unsightly gap between adjacent exterior surfaces of the container 12 and the cover 10, and reducing any tendency for the container 12 and the cover 10 to separate. The depth of the recess is chosen to be greater than the maximum extent of bowing- encountered during the manufacturing process.

Parts of an alternative decorative cover 70 for the con¬ tainer 12 are shown in Figures 4 and 5. Parts common to Figures 1 to 3 and to Figures 4 and 5 will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail. The cover 70 has an end wall 24 with a peripheral surface portion (not shown) and a recessed central surface portion 28 similar to the end wall 24 of the cover 10 of Figure 1.

A collar 34, composed of a resilient material, extends from the end wall 24 into the cover 70 and defines an aperture 36 extending from the central surface portion 28 into the cover 70.

The aperture 36 has an innermost portion with a generally cylindrical inner surface 72 leading from the inner end of the collar 34 and terminating in an annular inwardly directed flange 74. The flange 74 has a radially extending wall 75 bounding the surface 72 and an angled wall 76 leading to a cylindrical outer surface 77 of greater diameter than the inner surface 72. The outer surface 77 terminates at a bevel 78 extending around the entrance to the aperture.

The angled wall 76 cai tries three equiangularly spaced ribs 82 lying in respective planes including the axis of the collar 34.

The cover 70 can be manufactured in one piece from a resilient material and may have any decorative shape compatible with the end wall 24 and the collar 34.

The cover 70 is intended for use with a modified screw-cap 84 which is shown in Figures 6 to 9.

The screw-cap 84 comprises an annular wall 86 which is closed at one end 88 by an end wall 90 and which is open at the other end 92. The annular wall 86 is provided on its outer surface with a series of side-by-side parallel triangular cross-section splines 94 extending in an axial direction from the closed end 88 approximately two thirds of the distance towards the open end 92. The splines 94 are arranged in three groups spaced equiangularly around the wall 86. Thus, each group of splines 94 is separated from the adjacent groups by a surface region gap 96 which is not provided with splines 94.

An annular flange 98 extends outwardly around the open end 92 and is connected to the wall 86 by three inwardly directed equiangularly spaced lugs 99. The flange 98 has an angled surface facing towards the end wall 90 and provided with three i i.hr; 10.n which l e in respective planes including the cap axis and are equiangularly spaced around the flange 98.

The region of the annular iiall 86 between the splines 94 and the open end 92 has an external diameter which is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the flange 74, and the diameter of an imaginary circle passing through the outer edges of the splines 94 is slightly greater than the diameter of the inner surface 72.

In use the screw-cap 84 closes the neck 18 of the container 12 - a thread 104 being provided on the internal surface of the annular wall 86 for co-operation with the thread of the container neck 18 (see Figure 1). The screw-cap 84 is such that when it is fully screwed onto the neck 18 the flange 98 is spaced from the wall 14 of the container 12.

The cover 70 is then fitted to the cap 84. This is done by pushing the collar 34 over the cap 84. The relative dimensions of the parts are such that the end 88 of the cap 84 first engages the ribs 82 carried by the angled wall 76 of the flange 74 and this flexes the ribs 82 and the flange 74 and expands the collar 34. The collar ribs 82 may be aligned with respective ones of the gaps 96 between the groups of splines 94 and continued pushing causes the collar flange 74 to ride over the splines 94 and the ribs 82 to pass between the groups of splines 94 until the tlange 74 passes the ends of the splines 94 remote from the end wall 90 of the cap 84. The flange 74 then locates under the splines 94 and the inner surface 72 of the collar 34 grips the splines 94. The angled wall 76 overlies closely the angled surface of the cap flange 98 with the greater diameter surface 77 of the collar 34 overlying the outer edge of the cap flange 98. The collar ribs 82 are adjacent and in circum¬ ferential register with the cap ribs 100.

By aligning the ribs 82 with the gaps 96, the fitting of the cover 70 is facilitated as the the ribs 82 do not have to be pushed over the splines 94.

The splines 94 serve two purposes when the cover 70 is fitted to the container 12. Firstly, they co-operate with the flange 74 to resist disengagement of the cover 70 from the cap 84. Secondly, by pressing into the collar 34, they act to resist rotation of the cover 70 relative to the cap 84. Thus when the screw-cap 84 is screwed tightly on the neck 18, the cover 70 always has the same position relative to the container 12. This is useful if the container 12 and cover 70 have corresponding designs such as the body and head of an animal respectively. In addition, they cause the cap 04 and Hie cover 70 always to rotate together so that the cap 84 can be unscrewed from and screwed back oni-π the container 12 by rotating the cover 70. The collar ribs 82 and the cap ribs 100 provide a back-up system for preventing relative rotation between the collar 34 and the cap 84. Should the splines 94 fail to prevent such relative rotation, the ribs 82,100 will engage after a little relative rotation and inter-engage to prevent further relative rotation.

Should it be desired to rotate the cover 70 relative to the container 12 to align the cover 70 and the container 12, this can be achieved by the following procedure. Firstly, the cover 70 is pulled away from the container 12 such that the ends of the splines 94 press against the flange 74, causing the flange 74 and the collar 34 to flex to an extent insufficient to allow withdrawal of the splined portion of the cap 84 from the innermost portion of the aperture 36 but sufficient to disengage the cap ribs 100 from the cover ribs 82. While pulling the cover 70 in this way the cover 70 can be rotated relative to the container 12 with a force sufficient to overcome the resistance to rotation caused by the co-operation of the splines 94 and the collar 34, and in the direction appropriate for tightening the cap 84 on the neck 18. If the cap 8^ is sufficiently tightly screwed on the container 12 the cover 70 will rotate relative to the container 12 and the cap 84 and can thereby be aligned in a preferred orientation. If this is not the case the cap 84 will tighten on the neck 18 before the cover 70 rotates relative to the cap 84. The cover 70 can be detached from the screw-cap 84 when the screw-cap 84 is in place on the container 12 by firmly pulling the cover 70 away from the container 12.

An exemplary embodiment of the third aspect of the invention comprising a container 12 fitted with a removable flexible cover 10 is shown in Figures 2a and 2b.

The container 12 comprises lower and upper portions 42,44 of approximately equal height (although this is not essential) - the lower portion 42 being wider than the upper portion 44.

The lower portion 42 has an annular end wall 46 which connects a side wall 48 of the lower portion 42 to a vertically extending cylindrical waist 50 which connects the lower and upper portions 42,44.

An annular inclined wall 52 of the upper portion 44 connects the waist 50 to a side wall 54 of the upper portion 44. The inclined wall 52 extends outwardly and upwardly from the waist 50. The horizontal annular wall 46, the waist 50 and the annular inclined wall 52 define a groove 56 extending around the container 12.

A screw-type closure 58 of known type is provided at the top of the upper portion 44. The cover 10 is formed as a one-piece moulding from a flexible, resilient material, such as PVC/latex rubber.

The moulding has an inwardly-projecting, annular flange 59 which is formed with a circumferential lip 64 bounding an opening 60 into the interior of the cover 10.

The upper portion 44 of the container is slightly wider than the opening 60. Therefore, when the cover is pushed onto the upper portion 44, the flange 59 and/or side walls 65 of the cover flex outwardly, as represented on an exagerated scale by arrows F in Figure 2a. Flexure of the flange 59 and/or side walls 65 in this manner allows the upper portion 44 of the container to pass through opening 60 into the interior of the cover and causes the lip 64 to be received within the groove 56, as shown in Figure 2b.

The lip 64 and the groove 56 co-operate to prevent accidental separation of the cover from the container. However, the cover can be readily detached from the container, by pulling the cover and the container apart with sufficient force to dislocate lip 34 from groove 56. In this embodiment, provision • f an inclined side wall 52 of groove 56 assists in reducing the force needed to separate the cover ft.om the coπtainei: .

Preferably, the cover 10 has a decorative external shape such as that of an animal or cartoon character. When the cover 10 is removed from the container 12, it can be used as a glove-type puppet by insertion of one or more fingers through the opening 60 into the internal space 62.

An alternative embodiment of the cover 10 comprises a bag which is made from a flexible material, such as plush fabric, and is open at one end. The bag is provided with a hem which extends around the open end and which contains an elasticated band. The exterior of the bag may have a form resembling an animal or a cartoon character.

The bag is of a size such that il can be placed over the closure 58 and the upper portion 44 and is retained thereon by the elasticated band which is located within the groove 56.

As described above for the cover 10, the bag can be removed from the container 12 by pulling the bag and the container apart, whereupon the bag can, where suitably shaped, be used as a glove puppet by inserting a hand or one or more fingers into the bag.

Figure 3 shows three covers lOa-lOc for containers similar to the on aine 12 shown i Figure.- a and 2b, and also shows a child's hand. The cover 10a has a head 66 and either one or two fingers can be inserted into the internal space 62 therewithin. The cover 10b is similar to the cover 10a but has two arms 68 and a larger opening 60. The larger opening 60 allows the insertion of three fingers or two fingers and a thumb for individual operation of the head 66 and each of the two arms 68. The cover 10b is suitable for use with larger containers than cover 10a. The cover 10c is similar to cover 10a but has a smaller opening 60 and is suitable for use with smaller containers 12.

An alternative container 110 similar to the container 12 described above with reference to Figures 2a and 2b is shown in Figures 10 and 11. Parts common to Figures 2a and 2b and to Figures 10 and 11 are given the same reference numerals and are not described below in detail.

The container 110 has an upper portion 112 connected to a lower portion 48 by a waist 50. The upper portion comprises an annular inclined wall 52 which extends upwardly and outwardly from the waist 50 to a lower cylindrical region 114 of an annular side wall 116 of the upper portion 112. The lower cylindrical region 114 is connected by a curved side wall region 118 to an upper cylindrical region 120 of the side wall 116 which has a smaller diameter than the lower cylindrical region 114. The annular side wall 116 is closed at the top of the upper cylindrical region 120 by an end wall 122 which is provided with a screw-type closure 58 of known type.

A fin 124 extends radially outward from the upper cylindrical region 120 and the curved side wall region 118, and has an outer edge 126 which is spaced from the central axis of the container 110 by a distance shorter than the radius of the lower cylindrical region 114. The fin 124 is provided with a hole 128 which extends between the two sides of the fin 124.

The container 110 can be used with the cover 10 described above with reference to Figures 2a and 2b or the bag-type cover described above.

After manufacture of the container 110 and the desired one of these covers, the container 110 is attached to the cover with a Dennison tag comprising a flexible plastic strand provided at each end with a respective plastic bar shorter than the strand; the strand being attached to the centres of the bars such that the bars lie generally normal to the respective adjacent regions of the strand (not shown). The strand passes through the material of the cover and also through the hole 128, such that one bar lies to the outside of the cover and prevents the tag from being pulled out of the cover and the other bar prevents the tag from being withdrawn from the hole 128. The length of the tag is such that the cover can be fitted to and removed from the container 110 in the appropriate manner described above with respect to the fitting to or removal from the container 12 of either the cover 10 or the bag-type cover.

The Dennison tag serves to prevent separation of the container 110 and the accompanying cover during retail of the container 112. After the container 110 has been puchased, the Dennison tag can be cut with a pair of scissors and removed.

As the outer edge 126 of the fin 124 lies radially between the regions 114 and 120 the fin 124 does not present any obstruction to the cover.

In an alternative embodiment the fin 124 of the container 110 may be provided with a weakened, central region of reduced thickness instead of the hole 128. In this case the weekend region is punctured so that the Dennison tag can be fitted.

It will be appreciated that the scope of the invention includes containers 12,110 and covers 10 , lOa-lOc, 70 having shapes different from those shown in Figures 1 to 11.

Claims

1. A container having a planar surface on which is located a cap and a decorative cover having a surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion which is recessed into the cover with respect to the peripheral portion, the depth of recessing being such that outward bowing of the central portion on manufacture does not project beyond the peripheral portion so that when the cap is engaged with the cover the peripheral portion is closely adjacent said planar surface.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the cap is engaged with a tubular aperture extending into the cover from the central portion.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the cover is provided with a bevel to guide the cap into the aperture.

4. A container having a cap carrying a decorative cover wherein the cover includes a tubular aperture receiving the cap, the aperture opening onto a surface of the cover, and the cover being provided with a bevel to guide the cap into the aperture.

5. A container according to any one of claims 2 to , wherein the cover is provided with a lip for retaining the cap within the tubular aperture.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the cap and the cover are provided with respective means, said means co-operating to resist or limit rotation of the cover relative to the cap.

7. A container with a decorative cover made from flexible material, the cover and the container having inter-engageable retention means for retaining the cover on the container.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein said retention means comprises a groove formed in an external surface of the container and groove-engaging means on the cover, the groove-engaging means being receivable in the groove to retain the cover on the container.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover is made from flexible fabric and has an open end, and said groove-engaging means comprises a resilient band provided around said open end of the cover.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least part of the cover is made from plush fabric.

11. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a moulding formed from a resilient material, and said groove-engaging means comprises a groove-engaging formation of said moulding.

12. A container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the groove-engaging formation comprises a lip formed around an open end of the moulding.

13. A container as claimed in claims 7 to 12, wherein the cover is in the form of a glove puppet.

14. A container according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the container is attached to the cover by a removeable means and wherein engagement and disengagement of said inter-engageable retention means are not prevented by said attachment.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein the removeable attachment means is a plastic tag which can be removed by cutting the tag.

16. Λ container according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the container is provided with a fin for attachment to the container of the removeable attachment means .

17. A container having a cap carrying a decorative cover, wherein the cover includes a tubular aperture receiving the cap, the aperture opening onto a surface of the cover, and wherein the cap and the cover are provided with respective means, said means co-operating to resist or limit rotation of the cover relative to the cap.

18. A container according to claim 6 or claim 17, wherein the cap means comprises at least one projection and the cover means comprises at least one projection projecting into the aperture.

19. A container according to claim 6 or claim 17, wherein the cap means comprises at least one projection and the cover means comprises a resilient wall into which the at least one projection presses.

20. A container according to claim 18, wherein the at least one cap projection is provided on a skirt extending outwardly from an open end of the cap.

21. A container having a cap and a cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 to 9 of the drawings.

22. A container substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.

23. A container substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings.

24. A cover for a container as claimed in any preceding claim.

25. A cover substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.