WO2015193670A1

WO2015193670A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: WO2015193670A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/051778
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Anthony SWAIN; Steven Lawrence WILLIAMS; David Raymond ROSE
Original assignee: Robinsons Soft Drinks Limited
Priority date: 2014-06-17
Filing date: 2015-06-17
Publication date: 2015-12-23
Also published as: EP3157835B1; EP3157835A1; GB201410782D0

Abstract

The disclosure relates to containers, and in particular to containers for storing liquids. Example embodiments include a container (100) comprising: a body (101); a cap (102) connected to the body with a hinge, the cap (102) having an extension portion (106) below the hinge when the container is in an upright position; and a sleeve (103) encompassing the container (100), wherein an upper edge (104) of the sleeve (103) surrounds the cap (102) such that the sleeve (103) covers the extension portion (106) and the upper edge (104) extends along or below the hinge.

Description

CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to containers, and in particular to containers for storing liquids. Background

Containers for storing foodstuffs or medicaments, especially liquid beverages, generally require some means for determining whether the container has been tampered with. Such means need to be readily removable by a normal user of the container, and yet remain securely in place before the product is to be opened, for example in place on a retail shelf. It should also be evident to the user whether a container has been opened, so that a particular container can be discarded.

A common way of providing a tamper evident seal for a container is by applying a sleeve around at least a removable cap of the container. In the case of a conventional plastic bottle with a screw-top cap, such a sleeve may be applied around the cap so that the cap cannot be removed until the sleeve is removed, for example by tearing. A problem with such arrangements is that it may be difficult to remove the sleeve. A further problem with such arrangements is that the sleeve typically needs to be completely removed before it is possible to remove the cap, which may be difficult particularly if the sleeve tears in an uncontrolled manner.

It is an object of the invention to address one or more of the above mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

In a general aspect there is provided a container comprising:

a body;

a cap connected to the body with a hinge; and

a sleeve encompassing the container, an upper edge of the sleeve surrounding the cap, the sleeve comprising an upper first portion and a lower second portion, wherein removal of the first portion from the body exposes the cap, thereby allowing the cap to be opened. The upper first portion and lower second portion of the sleeve may be connected by a first line of perforations extending around the body of the container below the cap, such that tearing along the first line of perforations allows the upper first portion of the sleeve to be removed.

The first line of perforations may extend around a portion of the body of the container or may entirely circumscribe the body of the container.

Alternatively, the upper first portion and lower second portion of the sleeve may be separate portions. A lower edge of the upper first portion may overlap an upper edge of the lower second portion. Alternatively, an upper edge of the lower second portion may overlap a lower edge of the upper first portion. The upper first portion may comprise a line of perforations, for example a pair of perforations, extending between upper and lower edges of the first portion, such that tearing along the line of perforations allows the upper first portion of the sleeve to be removed.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising:

a body;

a cap connected to the body with a hinge, the cap having an extension portion below the hinge when the container is in an upright position; and

a sleeve encompassing the container,

wherein an upper edge of the sleeve surrounds the cap such that the sleeve covers the extension portion and the upper edge extends along or below the hinge .

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising:

a body;

a cap connected to the body with a hinge; and

a sleeve encompassing the container, an upper edge of the sleeve surrounding the cap, the sleeve comprising a first line of perforations dividing the sleeve into an upper first portion and a lower second portion, the first line of perforations extending around the body of the container below the cap and arranged to allow removal of the first portion from the second portion by tearing along the first line of perforations to expose cap, thereby allowing the cap to be opened, wherein the sleeve comprises a second line of perforations extending from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations.

There may be only a single second line of perforations. The second line of perforations may be substantially vertical. The upper edge of the sleeve may be above the hinge which connects the cap to the body.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising:

a body;

a cap connected to the body with a hinge; and

a sleeve encompassing the container, an upper edge of the sleeve surrounding the cap, the sleeve comprising a first line of perforations dividing the sleeve into an upper first portion and a lower second portion, the first line of perforations extending around the body of the container below the cap and arranged to allow removal of the first portion from the second portion by tearing along the first line of perforations to expose cap, thereby allowing the cap to be opened, wherein the line of perforations includes a least one gap in the perforations configured to allow the first portion to be removed from the second portion by tearing along the first line of perforations. The gap should be sufficiently wide to allow the first portion to be removed by a finger action, typically by inserting a finger nail beneath the sleeve along the gap to allow the first portion to be pulled away. The gap should therefore usually be at least 5 mm wide, and may for example be between 5 and 15 mm in width

The following optional features may be applied to one or more of the above aspects of the invention.

The sleeve covering the extension portion of the cap but not the hinge allows one of the main purposes of the sleeve, which is that of showing evidence of tampering, to be achieved while reducing or minimising the obstruction provided by the sleeve to removing the cap. In some embodiments this also allows a smaller proportion of the sleeve to be removed, which can improve the appearance of the container in the opened condition, particularly when the sleeve contains graphical product information on the container. To allow the sleeve to be more easily removed, the sleeve may comprise a first line of perforations dividing the sleeve into an upper first portion and a lower second portion, the second portion by tearing along the first line of perforations to expose the extension portion of the cap, thereby allowing the cap to be opened.

The first line of perforations may be provided in a number of different ways. In some embodiments the perforations may extend around a part or the whole of the body of the container below the hinge and the extension portion of the cap. The perforations may for example entirely circumscribe the body of the container. In other embodiments the perforations may extend over only a portion of the body, for example by extending around the extension portion of the cap. In some embodiments, the first line of perforations may form an acute angle to the upper edge of the sleeve . The acute angle may for example be between 15 and 45 degrees. The first line of perforations may comprise a gap configured to allow the first portion to be removed from the second portion by tearing along the first line of perforations. The gap should be sufficiently wide to allow the first portion to be removed by a finger action, typically by inserting a finger nail beneath the sleeve along the gap to allow the first portion to be pulled away. The gap should therefore usually be at least 5 mm wide, and may for example be between 5 and 15 mm in width.

The sleeve may comprise a second line of perforations extending from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations. The second line of perforations allows the first portion of the sleeve to be more easily separated from the container. The second line of perforations may extend across the extension portion of the cap, or alternatively may be provided elsewhere around the body of the container. The second line of perforations may extend beyond the first line of perforations, for example extending also across the lower portion of the sleeve . The second line of perforations may vary in size between the upper edge of the sleeve and the first line of perforations. The perforations may, for example become progressively larger or smaller in at least one dimension from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations. The perforations may vary in a direction parallel to the first line of perforations and/or the upper edge of the sleeve. The second line of perforations may comprise a series of slits extending between the upper edge of the sleeve and the first line of perforations, each slit extending in a width direction parallel to the upper edge of the sleeve . The slits may vary in the width direction from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations, for example becoming wider or narrower.

The sleeve may also comprise a third line of perforations extending from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations, thereby allowing the first portion of the sleeve to be more easily separated from the container. The third line of perforations may extend across the hinge from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations.

Where the sleeve comprises both second and third lines of perforations, the second and third lines of perforations may become progressively closer together or farther apart between the upper edge of the sleeve and the first line of perforations.

The second and/or third line of perforations may comprise holes that are larger than holes in the first line of perforations, thereby allowing the first portion of the sleeve to be more easily torn before being separated from the second portion along the first line of perforations extending around the body of the container, and reducing the risk of tearing the second portion of the sleeve when removing the first portion.

The second line of perforations may comprise holes that are larger than the holes in the first line of perforations.

There may be provided only two lines of perforations, the first extending around the body of the container, and the second extending from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations. The cap may comprise an extension portion below the hinge when the container is in an upright position and an upper edge of the sleeve surrounding the cap such that the sleeve covers the extension portion and the upper edge extends along or below the hinge. The sleeve of the invention may a heat shrinkable film and may be applied by heat shrink wrapping the sleeve to the container. The sleeve may be made of any suitable material, for example a polyolefin, a polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG LV), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and combinations thereof.

The sleeve may be from about 40 to 55 microns. The sleeve may have a shrinkage rate of about 75 percent to about 85 percent, and a shrinkage ratio of about 2: 1 when applied by heat to a container.

Surface decoration, such as advertising and details of the contents of the container, may be applied to the sleeve prior to its application onto a container. According to another aspect the invention provide a process for applying a sleeve to a container comprising:

providing a container;

providing a sleeve as described herein on the container

placing the sleeve on the container and applying heat to shrink the sleeve to the container.

The skilled man will appreciate that preferred features of any one embodiment and/or aspect of the invention may be applied to all other embodiments and/or aspects of the invention.

Detailed Description

The invention is described in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an oblique view of an exemplary container;

figure 2 is a rear view of the container;

figure 3 is a left side view of the container;

figure 4 is a right side view of the container;

figure 5 is an oblique view of a container with a second line of perforations; figure 6 is a rear view of 1 container with a second or third line of perforations; figure 7 is a side view of a container with first, second and third lines of perforations;

figure 8 is a side view of a container with second and third lines of perforations having larger holes than in the first line of perforations;

figure 9 is an oblique view of a container having a first line of perforations around the extension portion of the cap;

figure 10 is a side view of a container having a second line of perforations in the form of a series of slits;

figures 1 1 and 12 are front and oblique views of a container with a first line of perforations around the extension portion of the cap;

figure 13 is a rear view of a container with a first line of perforations around the extension portion of the cap;

figure 14 is a front view of a container with a first line of perforations in the form of a V-shape across the front of the container;

figure 15 is a side view of a container with a second line of perforations extending between upper and lower edges of the sleeve;

figure 16 is an oblique view of a container with first and second sleeves, a first sleeve having a line of perforations to enable removal;

figure 17 is a side view of a container with a single second line of perforations extending between the upper edge of the sleeve and the first line of perforations;

figure 18 is a side view of a container with first and second lines of perforations extending around the container, and with additional holes adjacent the first line of perforations;

figure 19 is a side view of a container with first and second lines of perforations extending around the container, and with additional lines of perforations extending between the first and second lines;

figure 20 is a side view of a container with a first line of perforations having portions extending diagonally from the upper edge of the sleeve;

figure 21 is a side view of an container with a single second line of perforations extending between the upper edge of the sleeve and the first line of perforations; and

figure 22 is a front view of a container with a first line of perforations in the form of a curved U-shape across the front of the container; and

figure 23 is an oblique view of a container with a four lines of perforations, each line extending diagonally from the upper edge of the sleeve . Figures 1 , 2 and 3 show oblique, back and side views respectively of an exemplary container 100 in an upright position. The container 100 comprises a body 101 and a cap 102, the cap 102 being provided at an upper end of the body 101 with the container in the upright position. The cap 102 is connected to the body 101 by a hinge 1 13, allowing the container 100 to be opened by rotating the cap 102 away from the body 101 about the hinge 1 13. In the embodiment shown, the hinge 1 13 is a living hinge, or flexure bearing, i.e. is made of the same moulded material (typically a thermoplastic polymeric material such as polypropylene) as the cap 102 and body 101 , allowing the cap 102, body 101 and hinge 1 13 to be formed as part of the same injection moulding process.

The container 100 comprises a sleeve 103, which is defined by upper and lower edges 104, 105. The upper and lower edges 104, 105 , along with other features of the sleeve 103, are shown in the drawings as bold lines for clarity. In practice, the edges would not be as visible. The sleeve 103 encompasses the body 101 of the container. In the embodiments shown, the sleeve 103 covers a majority of the outer surface of the body 101. In other embodiments the sleeve 103 may cover a greater or lesser extent of the body 101.

The cap 102 comprises an extension portion 106, which extends below the level of the hinge 1 13 with the container in the upright position shown. This is shown more clearly in figure 3, in which a line 301 is drawn horizontally from the centre of the hinge 1 13. The extension portion 106 of the cap 102 can thereby be seen to extend below the level of the hinge 1 13.

The upper edge 104 of the sleeve 103 surrounds the cap 102 such that the sleeve 103 covers the extension portion 106, i.e. covers at least a portion of the cap that lies below the level of the hinge 1 13 when the container 100 is in the upright position with the cap 102 closed. The extent to which the extension portion 106 is covered may vary, but the common feature will be that the coverage is sufficient to prevent the cap 102 from being opened without removing or damaging a portion of the sleeve 103. The sleeve thereby serves one of its primary purposes of providing a tamper-evident seal for the container 100. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , the upper edge 104 of the sleeve 103 also extends along or below the hinge 1 13. Figure 2 shows the upper edge 104 extending just below the hinge 1 13. The upper edge 104 may be provided further below the hinge 1 13, provided the extension portion 106 is still sufficiently covered. Alternatively, the upper edge 104 may extend along the hinge 1 13, for example along a centre line of the hinge 1 13, provided the hinge 1 13 can still operate without interference from the sleeve 101 once a portion of the sleeve has been removed to uncover the extension portion 106 of the cap 102. In other embodiments, such as that illustrated in figure 13, the upper edge 104 may extend around the cap 102 above the hinge 1 13.

As also shown in figures 1 to 3, the sleeve 103 comprises a line of perforations 107, which are also shown in bold for emphasis. The line of perforations 107 extends around the body 101 of the container 100. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3, the line of perforations 107 entirely circumscribe the body 101. The line of perforations 107 divide the sleeve 103 into an upper first portion 108 and a lower second portion 109, the line of perforations 107 being arranged to allow removal of the first portion 108 from the second portion 109 to expose the extension portion 106 of the cap 102, thereby allowing the cap 102 to be opened by rotating about the hinge 103.

Figure 4 shows a side view of an alternative form of container 400, in which the line of perforations 407 dividing the sleeve 403 into upper and lower portions 408, 409 comprises a gap 410. The gap, or slit, in the sleeve 403 is configured to allow tearing along the line of perforations 407 to be initiated, for example by inserting a fingernail or other similar shaped implement into the gap 410. Typical dimensions of the gap 410 are between 5 and 15 mm. Other parts of the container 400 are similar to those of the container 100 in figures 1 to 3 and do not need to be described again in detail. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 408 may extend around the cap above the hinge.

Figure 5 shows an oblique view of an alternative form of container 500, in which first and second lines of perforations 507, 5 10 are provided in the sleeve 503. The first line of perforations 507 is similar to that in the container in figures 1 to 4. The second line of perforations 5 10 is provided to allow the upper portion 508 to be more easily removed from the lower portion 509 of the sleeve 503 by tearing along the second line 5 10 as well as the first line 507. In this illustrated embodiment, the second line of perforations 5 10 extends from the upper edge 504 of the sleeve 503 to the first line of perforations 507, extending across the extension portion 506 of the cap 502. The second line of perforations 5 10 may alternatively be provided in other locations within the upper portion 508 of the sleeve 503. One alternative is shown in figure 6, which shows a rear view of an alternative form of container 600 in which the second line of perforations 610 extends across the upper portion 608 of the sleeve 603 between the hinge 613 and the first line of perforations 607. A combination of the containers 500, 600 in figures 5 and 6 may be provided, in which one of the second lines of perforations 5 10, 610 may be considered a third line of perforations. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 504 may extend around the cap above the hinge . A method of applying perforations to the sleeve 503 is generally performed by punching through a tubular sheet prior to shrink wrapping on to the container. Embodiments of the type shown in figures 5 and 6 will therefore generally have matching lines of perforations on opposing faces or sides. If only one vertical line of perforations is required, a single line of perforations could be made by punching along a folded edge of the tubular sheet prior to shrink wrapping. A side view of a further alternative embodiment of a container 700 is shown in figure 7. The sleeve 703 encompassing the body 701 of the container 700 has a first line of perforations 707 with a gap 710 to allow for tearing of the line of perforations 707 to be initiated more easily. The sleeve 703 also comprises second and third lines of perforations 71 1 , 712 extending from the upper edge 704 of the sleeve 703 to the first line of perforations 707. In this embodiment, the second and third lines of perforations 71 1 , 712 extend to the first line of perforations 707 at opposing ends of the gap 710. The upper portion 708 can thereby be torn away from the lower portion 709 in a tearing motion towards the left or the right, allowing either a left or right handed motion depending on the user' s preferred handedness. In alternative embodiments, the gap 710 may be absent replaced by a continuation of the perforations 707. A tearing motion may instead be initiated by pulling downwards from the upper edge 704 of the sleeve 703, tearing along the second or third lines of perforations 71 1 , 712. The second and third lines of perforations 71 1 , 712 may become closer together or farther apart between the upper edge 704 and the first line of perforations 707, or alternatively may be parallel to each other. Making the second and third lines of perforations taper towards or away from each other allows the upper portion 708 of the sleeve 703 to be more easily removed in a single tearing action. In an alternative embodiment the upper edge of the sleeve part 704 may extend around the cap above the hinge.

Figure 8 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a container 800, having similarities to the embodiment in figure 7 but with the perforations in the second and third lines 81 1 , 812 having larger holes than in the first line of perforations 807. Other components of the container can be otherwise the same as that in figure 7. The larger size of holes in the second and third lines 81 1 , 812 allows the initial tearing motion initiated from the gap 810 to be more easily along either the second or third lines 81 1 , 812, followed by a tearing motion along the first line of perforations 807 around the container 800. In alternative embodiments, the gap 810 may be absent. A tearing motion may instead be initiated by pulling downwards from the upper edge 804 of the sleeve 803, tearing along the second or third lines of perforations 81 1 , 812. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 704 may extend around the cap above the hinge.

Figure 9 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a container 900, in which the first line of perforations 907 in the sleeve 903 extends around the extension portion 906 of the cap 902. The line of perforations 907 extends around the extension portion 906 between points on the upper edge 904 of the sleeve 903 on either side of the extension portion 906 of the cap 902. This allows for a smaller proportion of the sleeve 903 to be removed in order to allow the cap 902 to be released. A recessed region 914 in the body 901 allows the line of perforations 907 to be broken by pressing the sleeve 903 and lifting the upper portion 908 of the sleeve away from the lower portion 909. Having a smaller proportion of the sleeve removed, in this case so that just enough is removed to allow the cap 902 to be opened, allows for an improved appearance of the container once opened, particularly if the sleeve 903 serves as a carrier for printed visual material around the container. The line of perforations 907 may comprise a gap, similar to that described in relation to figures 4, 7 and 8, to allow the upper portion 908 to be more easily removed. In the embodiment shown in figure 9, the line of perforations 907 is U-shaped. The line of perforations may take other forms such as a V-shape, as shown in figure 14, or a truncated V-shape. The line of perforations 907 may alternatively extend between points on the upper edge 904 of the sleeve 903 more widely spaced than in the embodiment illustrated in figure 9, for example with a first point on the front of the container 900 and a second point on the rear of the container 900, as illustrated in figures 1 1 and 12. For manufacturing reasons relating to the way in which perforations are provided in the sleeve, as outlined above in relation to figures 5 and 6, the line of perforations 907 in each embodiment may be symmetrical along the front and rear of the container 900, thereby defining an upper portion 908 with a lower edge forming an acute angle to the upper edge 904 of the sleeve 903. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 904 may extend around the cap above the hinge .

Figure 10 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a container 1000 in which a first line of perforations 1007 is provided around the sleeve 1003 and a second line of perforations 101 1 extends between the upper edge 1004 of the sleeve 1003 and the first line of perforations 1007. The perforations in the second line of perforations 101 1 are in the form of slits that extend in a width direction parallel to the upper edge 1004 of the sleeve 1003. The width of the slits may be constant between the upper edge 1004 and the first line of perforations 1007 or may vary, as illustrated in figure 10. The width of the slits may for example vary by becoming larger or smaller between the upper edge 1004 of the sleeve and the first line of perforations 1007. In the embodiment shown in figure 10, the slits become narrower towards the upper edge 1004. The function of the slits becoming narrower or wider is to allow the upper portion 1008 of the sleeve 1003 to be more easily torn away in either direction depending on how the container is handled (for example whether it is being held in the left or right hand). A gap 1010 may be provided in the first line of perforations to perform the same function as described above in relation to the embodiments shown in figures 4, 7 and 8, i.e. .to allow the sleeve 1003 to be more easily separated along the first line of perforations 1007. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 1004 may extend around the cap above the hinge . Figures 1 1 and 12 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of a container 1 100, in which a line of perforations 1 107 in the sleeve 1 103 extends around the extension portion 1 106 of the cap 1 102. The line of perforations 1 107 is symmetrical along the front and rear of the container 1 100, thereby defining an upper portion 1 108 with the line of perforations 1 107 forming a lower edge of the upper portion 1 108 having an acute angle to the upper edge 1 104 of the sleeve 1 103. As shown in figure 12, the front and rear parts of the line of perforations 1 107 meet along the side of the container 1 100 in a V-shape. The line of perforations 1 107 joins the upper edge 1 104 of the sleeve 1 103 and extends across the sleeve 1 103 at an acute angle to the upper edge 1 104, the acute angle optionally being between around 15 and 45 degrees. An advantage of this form of perforations is that the upper portion 1 108 of the sleeve

1 103 can be more easily removed because only one line of perforations needs to be torn and tearing can be more easily initiated with the perforations meeting the upper edge 1 104 of the sleeve 1 103. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part

1 104 may extend around the cap above the hinge .

Figure 13 illustrates a rear view of a container similar to that in figures 1 1 and 12, i.e . where the line of perforations 1307 defines a lower edge of the upper portion 1308 having an acute angle of around 30 degrees to the upper edge 1304 of the sleeve 1303. The only difference in this case is that the upper edge 1304 of the sleeve 1303 is above the hinge 1 13, thereby allowing for added security of the container 1300.

Figure 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a container 1400 to that illustrated in figure 9, where the line of perforations 1407 is in a V-shape across the front of the container 1400. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part may extend around the cap above the hinge .

Figure 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a container 1500 to that shown in figures 5 and 6, in which a single second line of perforations 15 1 1 is provided that extends from the upper edge 1504 of the sleeve 1503 to the first line of perforations 1507. In the embodiment illustrated, the second line of perforations 15 1 1 also extends to the lower edge 1505 of the sleeve, although in other embodiments the second line of perforations 15 1 1 may extend only as far as the first line of perforations 1507. As with the embodiment shown in figure 7, a gap 15 10 may be provided in the first line of perforations 1507 to aid removal of the upper portion 1508 of the sleeve 1503. As with other embodiments, due to the manufacturing processes used a corresponding second line of perforations 15 1 1 may be provided on the opposing edge of the sleeve 1503. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 1504 may extend around the cap above the hinge . Figure 16 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a container 1600, in which the sleeve is divided into a first upper portion 1608 and a second lower portion 1609. A lower edge 1607 of the upper portion 1608 of the sleeve overlaps an upper edge 1610 of the lower portion 1609 of the sleeve. In alternative embodiments the upper and lower portions 1608, 1609 may be non-overlapping. The upper portion 1608 comprises one or more lines of perforations 161 1 , 1612 extending between upper and lower edges 1604, 1607 of the upper portion 1608, configured to allow the upper portion 1608 to be removed by tearing. The line or lines of perforations 161 1 , 1612 may be of the form as described above in relation to other embodiments. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the upper edge 1610 of the lower portion 1609 of the sleeve may overlap the lower edge 1607 of the upper portion 1608 of the sleeve . In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 1604 may extend around the cap above the hinge. Figure 17 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a container 1700 to that of figure 8. Instead of two vertical lines of perforations 81 1 , 812, the sleeve 803 comprises a single line of perforations 171 1 extending between the upper edge 1704 and the first line of perforations 1707. As with the embodiment in figure 8, the larger size of holes in the line of perforations 171 1 allows the initial tearing motion to be made more easily. The sleeve may also include a gap in the first line of perforations 1707, although as with the embodiment in figure 8 this is optional. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 1704 may extend around the cap above the hinge. Figure 18 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a container 1800, in which four holes 181 1a-d are provided adjacent the first line of perforations 1807a. A second line of perforations 1807b is also provided extending around the body of the container 1800, which defines a further section of the sleeve 1803 that can be removed. Removal of the portion of the sleeve 1803 between the first line of perforations and the upper edge 1804 of the sleeve is enabled by inserting a finger nail into one of the holes 181 1a-d and pulling on the sleeve 1803, tearing along the first line of perforations 1807a. In the embodiment illustrated, four holes are provided but only one hole would be required for removal of the section of sleeve 1803 between the first line of perforations 1807a and the upper edge 1804. Either of the holes 181 1a, 181 1b could be used to remove this section of sleeve. Each of these holes are elliptical in shape and are provided in the upper portion of the sleeve and oriented obliquely to the first line of perforations 1807a to allow for left and right handed operation. A similar effect is obtained using the further two holes 1812c, 1812d for removal of the portion of the sleeve 1803 between the first line of perforations 1807a and the second line of perforations 1807b. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 1804 may extend around the cap above the hinge .

Figure 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a container 1900 to that of figure 18, in which two lines of perforations 191 1a, 191 1b are provided, each of which extend between the first and second lines of perforations 1907a, 1907b extending around the container 1900. As with the embodiment of figure 18, the sleeve 1903 is separable by removal of a portion extending between the upper edge 1904 and the first line of perforations 1907a and removal of a portion extending between the first and second lines of perforations 1907a, 1907b. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 1904 may extend around the cap above the hinge .

Figure 20 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a container 2000, in which the first line of perforations 201 1 extends from the upper edge 2004 of the sleeve 2003, similar to the embodiments illustrated in figures 1 1 - 13. The line of perforations 201 1 extends diagonally in opposing directions through the sleeve 2003 from the upper edge 2004. The line of perforations may also be curved in opposing directions. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part 2004 may extend around the cap above the hinge. Figure 21 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of a container to that of figure 17, in which the single vertical line of perforations is made of smaller hole. In this embodiment the upper edge of the sleeve part extends around the cap above the hinge. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part may extend around the cap below the hinge.

Figure 22 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the container illustrated in figure 14, except the the line of perforations is in a curve across the front of the container rather than a sharp V-shape. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part may extend around the cap above the hinge . Figure 23 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a container, similar to that in Figure 20. In other embodiments the upper edge of the sleeve part may extend around the cap above the hinge.

Other embodiments are intentionally within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a body;

a sleeve encompassing the container,

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the sleeve comprises a first line of perforations dividing the sleeve into an upper first portion and a lower second portion, the first line of perforations arranged to allow removal of the first portion from the second portion by tearing along the first line of perforations to expose the extension portion of the cap, thereby allowing the cap to be opened.

3. The container of claim 2 wherein the first line of perforations extend around the body of the container below the hinge and the extension portion of the cap.

4. The container of claim 2 wherein the first line of perforations comprises a gap configured to allow tearing along the first line of perforations to be initiated.

5. The container of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the sleeve comprises a second line of perforations extending from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein perforations of the second line of perforations vary in size between the upper edge of the sleeve and the first line of perforations.

7. The container of claim 6 wherein the perforations of the second line of perforations become progressively larger or smaller in at least one dimension from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein the perforations of the second line of perforations vary in a direction parallel to the first line of perforations and/or the upper edge of the sleeve.

9. The container of any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the second line of perforations comprises a series of slits, each slit extending in a width direction parallel to the upper edge of the sleeve .

10. The container of claim 5 wherein the second line of perforations extends across the extension portion of the cap.

1 1. The container of claim 5 or claim 10 comprising a third line of perforations extending from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations.

12. The container of claim 1 1 wherein the second and third line of perforations become progressively closer together or farther away between the upper edge of the sleeve and the first line of perforations.

13. The container of claim 1 1 wherein the third line of perforations extend across the hinge .

14. The container of any one of claims 3 to 13 wherein the second and/or third lines of perforations comprise holes that are larger than holes in the first line of perforations.

15. The container of claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the first line of perforations extends around the extension portion of the cap between points on the upper edge of the sleeve on either side of the extension portion.

16. A container comprising:

a body;

a cap connected to the body with a hinge; and

a sleeve encompassing the container, an upper edge of the sleeve surrounding the cap and comprising a first line of perforations dividing the sleeve into an upper first portion and a lower second portion, the first line of perforations extending around the body of the container below the cap and arranged to allow removal of the first portion from the second portion by tearing along the first line of perforations to expose cap, thereby allowing the cap to be opened,

wherein the sleeve comprises a second line of perforations extending from the upper edge of the sleeve to the first line of perforations, the second line of perforations comprising holes that are larger than holes in the first line of perforations.

17. The container of claim 16 wherein the cap comprises an extension portion below the hinge when the container is in an upright position and an upper edge of the sleeve surrounds the cap such that the sleeve covers the extension portion and the upper edge extends along or below the hinge .

18. A container comprising:

a body;

a cap connected to the body with a hinge; and

a sleeve encompassing the container, an upper edge of the sleeve surrounding the cap and comprising a first line of perforations dividing the sleeve into an upper first portion and a lower second portion, the first line of perforations extending around the body of the container below the cap and arranged to allow removal of the first portion from the second portion by tearing along the first line of perforations to expose the cap, thereby allowing the cap to be opened,

wherein the first line of perforations extend from the upper edge of the sleeve around a portion of the body, an acute angle defined between the upper edge of the sleeve and the first line of perforations.

19. The container of claim 18 wherein the acute angle is between 15 and 45 degrees.

20. A container comprising:

a body;

a cap connected to the body with a hinge; and

a sleeve encompassing the container, an upper edge of the sleeve surrounding the cap, the sleeve comprising an upper first portion and a lower second portion, wherein removal of the first portion from the body exposes the cap, thereby allowing the cap to be opened, wherein the upper first portion and lower second portion of the sleeve are separate portions.

21. The container of claim 20 wherein an upper edge of the lower second portion overlaps a lower edge of the upper first portion.