WO2017015706A1

WO2017015706A1 - Container having a fracturable opening arrangement for containing bait

Info

Publication number: WO2017015706A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/050658
Authority: WO
Inventors: David John Stevens; Jacob Anthony REDRUP
Original assignee: Sands Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-24
Filing date: 2016-07-22
Publication date: 2017-02-02

Abstract

A container including: an elongate body (3) having a longitudinal axis (5) and containing at least a first body section (7) and a second body section (9), and an interconnecting section (1 1 ) located between the first and second body sections thereof; the body including a shell portion (8) providing a cavity (17) for accommodating a product, and a cover portion (6) for covering the cavity, the shell portion including a peripheral flange (4), the cover portion being secured to the flange, the first and second body sections, thereby respectively having a first and second peripheral flange (19,21 ); wherein a fracturable arrangement (23) is located at the interconnecting section of the body, the fracturable arrangement including at least one channel (25) within the shell portion extending from the cavity, the channel having a channel wall (25a) and including a first channel part (26) connected to the cavity, and a second channel part (27) narrower than the first channel part, the first channel part being connected to the second channel part at a bend (29) provided in the wall of the channel along which a fracture can be generated when there is an angular displacement of the second body section towards the first body section such that the second body section can be relocated to a folded position adjacent to the first body section, the fracture thereby producing an opening into the cavity through the first channel part; and wherein the interconnecting section (1 1 ) extends at an angle (20) relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body so that the angular displacement of the second body section to the folded position results in a portion (9a) of the second body section extending beyond the first peripheral flange of the first body section, an engagement arrangement (31 ) being provided for engaging the first and second peripheral flanges of the first and second body sections together and thereby retaining the second body section in the folded position.

Description

CONTAINER HAVING A FRACTURABLE OPENING ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTAINING BAIT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention is generally directed to containers, and in particular to containers having a fracturable opening arrangement. While the present invention will be described in relation to its use for containing bait, and as a bait station, it is to be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to this application, and that other applications are also envisaged. For example, the present invention could be used in cosmetic and hair care applications for delivering flowable substances such as solutions or pastes.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Pest control in commercial and domestic situations often requires the distribution of bait around the control area. An online video at:

nttps:vw w youtube con watc ^;?v:_; F P8Asi:H:)k Zl shows the use of an insect bait sold in the North American market under the trade mark Terro^®' (Senoret Chemical Company Corporation). The bait is typically contained in a rigid plastic container having an opening portion which needs to be snipped off using scissors before the opened container is then deposited at suitable locations around the control area. This results in a portion of the container being separated from the main container, with this scrap portion needing to be subsequently discarded.

[0003] In the example of a commercial kitchen, a pest controller will typically need to open and distribute a large number of these bait containers around the kitchen, while at the same time ensuring that the location of each bait container is recorded. The pest controller must also ensure that all of the scrap portions are safely disposed of to prevent residual bait from these scrap portions entering the food chain. However, due to the large number of containers that need to be distributed, and the other activities that the pest controller must undertake during distribution of the containers, there is always a potential that not all scrap portions are safely disposed of. This can lead to a serious health and safety situation if one of the scrap portions enters the food chain. [0004] Another problem associated with the use of the plastic containers such as those exemplified by the Terro^® product is that the width of the opening is relatively narrow thereby restricting the number and type of pests that can enter the container to access the bait. Furthermore, there is little or no internal surface area within the container to allow multiple pests to travel through and access the bait at one time. Ideally, the container would also provide means to encourage the pests to access the container through the container opening.

[0005] United States Patent No. 8266839 describes an insect bait station having a snap open arrangement that avoids the above noted disposal issue. The bait station is formed from a thermoformed shell so as to contain the insect bait. The bait station has a tab which is folded over to break a shallow channel formed in the shell thereby producing an opening in the side of the bait station. In order to form the foldable tab in the shell, the plastic blank used for producing the shell must be scored or perforated prior to thermoforming of the blank. A ramp is also provided within the bait station to facilitate the travel of insects towards the bait as well as to allow several insects to access the bait at one time. The size of the opening is determined by the depth of the channel. However, the maximum depth of the channel is restricted because of the thermoformed construction of the channel. Relative to the thickness of the shell, a deep channel or scoreline cannot be formed because doing so will result in rupturing of the perforation within the blank. This particular construction of a bait station also necessitates the use of a separate cradle to keep the tab folded and to keep the bait station open. The requirement for a cradle complicates the use of such a bait station because the pest controller must also have a supply of cradles to accommodate each bait station.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above noted disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] The above discussion of background art is included to explain the context of the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any part of the documents or other material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge at the priority date of any of the claims of this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a container including: an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and containing at least a first body section and a second body section, and an interconnecting section located between the first and second body sections thereof; the body including a shell portion providing a cavity for accommodating a product, and a cover portion for covering the cavity, the shell portion including a peripheral flange, the cover portion being secured to the flange, the first and second body sections, thereby respectively having a first and second peripheral flange; wherein a fracturable arrangement is located at the interconnecting section of the body, the fracturable arrangement including at least one channel within the shell portion extending from the cavity, the channel having a channel wall and including a first channel part connected to the cavity, and a second channel part narrower than the first channel part, the first channel part being connected to the second channel part at a bend provided in the wall of the channel along which a fracture can be generated when there is an angular displacement of the second body section towards the first body section such that the second body section can be relocated to a folded position adjacent to the first body section, the fracture thereby producing an opening into the cavity through the first channel part; and wherein the interconnecting section extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body so that the angular displacement of the second body section to the folded position results in a portion of the second body section extending beyond the first peripheral flange of the first body section, an engagement arrangement being provided for engaging the first and second peripheral flanges of the first and second body sections together and thereby retaining the second body section in the folded position.

[0009] The container according to the present invention utilises a fracturable arrangement described in the applicant's United States Patent No. 8485360. This document describes a container where a fracturable arrangement is provided by forming a bend in the container wall. When a force is applied to the container on either side of the bend, stress is provided to a base surface of the bend, located at the point of inflexion of the bend. The stress at the base surface of the bend can be characterised by the Bernoulli-Euler beam stress equitation:

[0010]

[001 1 ] ^σ - Average stress on the beam component.

[0012] ^M - The moment about a neutral axis provided by the force applied at a surface located data distance from the bend.

[0013] ^ - The perpendicular distance from the neutral exis to the failure point, represented by the base surface of the bend in an unfractured container.

[0014] - The second moment of area about the neutral axis.

[0015] A fracture occurs along the base surface of the bend when a sufficient stress is applied at the base surface. The use of this fracturable arrangement enables a larger opening than would otherwise be possible to be produced within a container having a thermoformed shell portion. The angular displacement of the second body section relative to the first body section results in a stress

concentration at the bend of the channel wall due to the tensile stress applied to either side of the bend. This can result in a fracture being generated along the bend so that an opening is produced at the fracture area of the channel into the cavity.

[0016] The second body section may be folded about a fold line extending through the cover portion and the bend in the channel may be located at or adjacent the fold line. The bend may extend in a lateral plane around the channel and the lateral plane may pass through the fold line. This helps to facilitate the fracture along the bend during angular displacement of the second body section relative to the first body section.

[0017] The use of the engagement arrangement between the first and second body sections eliminates the need for any ancillary components such as a cradle to keep the container open after the opening(s) has been made in the container. The engagement arrangement preferably includes a cut provided through the first or second peripheral flange of the first and second body section extending from an external periphery of the first or second peripheral flange. The cut may accommodate a part of the first or second peripheral flange of the opposing first or second body section when the second body section is in the folded position. The cut in the peripheral flange may include a first part extending generally perpendicular to a peripheral edge of the first or second peripheral flange, and a second part that extends generally parallel to the peripheral edge of the first or second peripheral flange. This cut therefore produces an engagement tab within the first or second peripheral flange which can be bent over the peripheral flange of the opposing body section such that the peripheral flange of the first or second body section is interlaced between the peripheral flange and engagement tab of the opposing first or second body section when the second body section is in the folded position.

[0018] Preferably, a plurality of said channels extend from the cavity to thereby provide a plurality of said openings along the interconnecting section when the second body section is in the folded position. This therefore increases the total opening areas of the container due to the greater number of openings provided for the container.

[0019] The elongate body may also preferably include a third body section located at the opposing end of the elongate body to the second body section, and wherein a second interconnecting section is located between the third body section and the first body section, the third body section having a third peripheral flange. A second fracturable arrangement may be located at the second interconnecting section of the body, the second fracturable arrangement including at least one channel within the shell portion extending from the cavity, the channel having a channel wall and including a third channel part connected to the cavity, and a fourth channel part narrower than the third channel part, the third channel part being connected to the fourth channel part at a bend provided in the wall of the channel along which a fracture can be generated when there is an angular displacement of the third body section towards the first body section such that the third body section can be relocated to a folded position adjacent to the first body section, the fracture thereby producing an opening into the cavity through the third channel part. The second interconnecting section may extend at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body so that the angular displacement of the third body section to a said folded position results in a portion of the third body section extending beyond the first peripheral flange of the first body section, a second engagement arrangement being provided for engaging the respective first and third peripheral flanges of the first and third body sections together and thereby retaining the third body section in the folded position. The container may preferably be adapted to contain bait. The bait may be used to exterminate insects including ants and cockroaches.

[0020] When adapted to contain bait, the cavity may be provided with a ramp area extending from the opening into the cavity. This ramp may extend along the outer periphery of the cavity with the insect bait being provided within a central area of the cavity. This facilitates a greater number of insects accessing the bait as it provides a larger area surrounding the bait for the inspects to be supported. The ramp is effective when the container is positioned with the cover portion facing upwardly, and with the second body section folded back over the first body section. It is also envisaged in another embodiment that the container be positioned in a reverse position with the cover portion facing downwards towards the surface upon which it is placed, and the second body section being provided under the first body section in the installed position. In this reverse position, the second body section may be preferably provided with abutment members which extend downwardly when the container is in use. In this adaptation, the cover portion of the container in use is located in an inclined position so as to prevent the loss of insect from the container, the bait being provided at the lower portion of the cavity. The inclined position of the container also provides an internal surface area for allowing a greater number of insects to be supported within the container, and to have access to the bait.

[0021 ] The container according to the present invention is described using terms such as 'upwardly' and 'downwards' based on the typical orientation of the container when used to contain bait. It is however also to be appreciated that the container is not limited to the described orientations, and that the use of terms relating to the orientation of the container should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with respect to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the container according to the present invention. Other embodiments of the invention are possible, and consequently, the particularities of the accompanying drawings are not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

[0023] In the drawings:

[0024] Figures 1 a to 1 c are respectively plan, side and bottom views of a first preferred embodiment of the container according to the present invention;

[0025] Figures 1 d to 1 f are respectively perspective, side and bottom views of the container of Figures 1 a to 1 c when in an opened position;

[0026] Figures 2a to 2c are respectively perspective, side and bottom views of a second preferred embodiment of the container according to the present invention;

[0027] Figures 2d to 2f are respectively perspective, side and end views of the container of Figures 2a to 2c when in an open position; [0028] Figures 3a and 3b are respectively plan and side views of a third preferred embodiment according to the present invention; and

[0029] Figures 3c and 3d are respectively plan and side views of the container of Figures 3a and 3b when in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring initially to Figures 1 a to 1 f, there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention. The container 1 includes an elongated body 3 having a longitudinal axis 5. The elongated body 3 has a first body section 7 and a second body section 9, the first and second body sections 7, 9 being connected by an interconnecting section 1 1 . The body 3 is formed from a shell portion 8 which is typically thermoformed to provide a cavity 17 for accommodating a product therein (not shown). The shell portion 8 is provided with a peripheral flange 4 which extends around the periphery of the body 3. The first body section 7 therefore has a first body section peripheral flange 19, while the second body section 9 has a second body section peripheral flange 21 . A cover portion 6 is secured to the flange 4 to thereby cover and retain the product within the cavity 17.

[0031 ] The interconnecting section 1 1 includes a fracturable arrangement 23 including three channels 25 formed within the shell portion 3 and extending from the cavity 17. Each channel 25 has a channel wall 25a, and includes a first channel part 26 connected to and extending from the cavity 17, and a second channel part 27 narrower than the main channel part 26. The second channel part 27 is joined to the first channel part 26 by a bend 29 in the wall 25a of channel 25. The bend 29 is located at or adjacent a fold line 16 along which the second body section 9 can be folded relative to the first body section 7. The bend 29 extends in a lateral plane around the channel 25. The lateral plane of the bend 29 passes through the fold line 16.

[0032] The fold line 16 extends through the cover portion 6, and the second body section 9 can be folded along that fold line 16 to a folded position adjacent to the first body portion 7, with the cover portion 6 folding and acting as a hinge connection, as shown in Figures 1 d to 1 f . The angular displacement of the second body section 9 to the folded position results in a fracture being generated along the bend 27 within the wall of the channel 25. This is due to the stress concentration at the bend 29 as a result of bending forces being applied on the container body on opposing sides of the bend as a result of the angular displacement. This fracturable arrangement 23 is described in more detail in the applicant's United States Patent No 8485360. This fracture produces an opening 18 into the cavity 17 of the container 1 through the main channel part 26.

Because of the fracturable arrangement 23, a relatively large opening 18 can be produced within the container when compared with openings that can be provided in other thermoformed packaging.

[0033] The fold line 16 about which the second body section 9 is folded is at an angle 20 to the longitudinal axis 5 of the elongate body 3. The angle may be around 80^Q, although the container 1 is not restricted to this angle. This results in a portion 9a of the second body section 9 extending beyond the first peripheral flange 19 of the first body section 7 when in the folded position as best shown in Figure 1 f. This then allows an engagement arrangement 31 to be provided between the first body section peripheral flange 19 and the second body section peripheral flange 21 . The engagement arrangement 31 may include a cut 33 provided in the second body section peripheral flange 21 . This cut 33 can include a first part 35 extending generally perpendicular to the second peripheral edge 32 of the second body section peripheral flange 21 . The cut 33 may include a second part 37 extending generally parallel to the peripheral edge 38 of the second body section peripheral flange 21 . This cut 33 produces a tab 39 which can be displaced to thereby enable the peripheral edge of the first body section peripheral flange 19 to be accommodated between the tab 29 and the second body section peripheral flange 21 . This engagement ensures that the container 1 remains open once the second body section 9 has been engaged with the first body section 7.

[0034] Figure 1 e shows the container 1 in the open position with the shell portion 7 on top and the cover portion 6 below. The second body section 7 is provided with abutments 41 which hold the container 1 in an inclined position relative to the surface upon which the container 1 is supported. This ensures that the insect bait is held towards the lowermost end of the cavity 17 which is furthermost from the openings 18. This also helps to ensure that the cover portion 6 provides an internal surface upon which insects can gain access to the bait. This also enables several insects to be accommodated within the container 1 at any one time due to the large area of internal surface that can support the insects.

[0035] Figures 2a to 2f show a second preferred embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for features corresponding to features of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 a to 1 f for clarity reasons. The second embodiment shares most of the features of the first embodiment, and these features will not be described again in detail. It is noted that the container 1 also includes a first body section 7 and a second body section 9 interconnected by an interconnection section 1 1 . The second body section 9 can also fold along a fold line 16 extending at an angle 20 to the longitudinal axis 5 of the body 1 .

[0036] The principal difference is that the container 1 in the open position as shown in Figures 2d to 2e has the shell portion 8 located in contact with the supporting surface, with the cover portion 6 facing away on the top of the shell portion 8. The cavity 17 is provided with an internal peripheral ramp area 22 which extends around the central area of the cavity 17. This ramp area 22 is connected to and extends from the openings 18. With the insect bait located within the central area of the cavity 17, the ramp area 22 will allow pests entering the container 1 to travel into the container and access the bait. Furthermore, the ramp area 22 provides a surface area within the container cavity 17 for several pests to be accommodated within the container at one time.

[0037] Figures 3a to 3d show a third preferred embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention. In addition to the elongated body 3 having a first body section 7 and a second body section 9 interconnected by an

interconnecting section 1 1 , the third embodiment also includes a third body section 10. This third body section 10 is located at the opposing end of the elongate body 3 to the second body section 9. The third body section 10 is interconnected with a second interconnecting section 13 to the first body portion 7. The second interconnecting section 13 is also provided with a fracturable arrangement similar to the fracturable arrangement of the first interconnecting section 1 1 . The second body section 9 and third body section 10 can be respectively moved to a folded position as best shown in Figures 3c and 3d. The second body section 9 and third body section 10 also respectively engage the first body section 7 in the same manner using an engagement arrangement 31 as in the earlier two embodiments. The third embodiment includes a single channel 25 at the first interconnecting section 1 1 . A single channel 25 is also provided at the second interconnecting section 13. The use of a single channel 25 enables a single relatively large opening 18 to be provided at each end of the opened container 1 . This makes the container 1 suitable for larger pests such as cockroaches.

[0038] The fracturable arrangement used in the container 1 according to the present invention maximises the opening area provided for the container 1 . In addition, the engagement arrangement 31 ensures that the container 1 remains open when in its open installed position. Also, no portion of the container 1 is required to be disposed of as in the case known bait, such as the container used for the Terro ^® product.

[0039] Modifications and variations as would be deemed obvious to the person skilled in the art are included within the ambit of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A container including:

an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and containing at least a first body section and a second body section, and an interconnecting section located between the first and second body sections thereof;

the body including a shell portion providing a cavity for accommodating a product, and a cover portion for covering the cavity, the shell portion including a peripheral flange, the cover portion being secured to the flange, the first and second body sections, thereby respectively having a first and second peripheral flange;

wherein a fracturable arrangement is located at the interconnecting section of the body, the fracturable arrangement including at least one channel within the shell portion extending from the cavity, the channel having a channel wall and including a first channel part connected to the cavity, and a second channel part narrower than the first channel part, the first channel part being connected to the second channel part at a bend provided in the wall of the channel along which a fracture can be generated when there is an angular displacement of the second body section towards the first body section such that the second body section can be relocated to a folded position adjacent to the first body section, the fracture thereby producing an opening into the cavity through the first channel part; and wherein the interconnecting section extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body so that the angular displacement of the second body section to the folded position results in a portion of the second body section extending beyond the first peripheral flange of the first body section, an engagement arrangement being provided for engaging the first and second peripheral flanges of the first and second body sections together and thereby retaining the second body section in the folded position.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein the second body section is folded about a fold line extending through the cover portion, and the bend in the channel is located at or adjacent the fold line.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the bend extends in a lateral plane around the channel and the lateral plane passes through the fold line.

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement arrangement includes a cut provided through the first or second peripheral flange of the first or second body section extending from an external first or second periphery of the peripheral flange.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the cut in the first or second peripheral flange includes a first part extending generally perpendicular to a first or second peripheral edge of the peripheral flange, and a second part extending generally parallel to the first or second peripheral edge of the peripheral flange to thereby form an engagement tab.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of said channels extend from the cavity to thereby provide a plurality of said openings along the interconnecting section when the second body section is in the folded position.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate body includes a third body section located at the opposing end of the elongate body to the second body section, and wherein a second interconnecting section is located between the third body section and the first body section, the third body section having a third peripheral flange, a second fracturable arrangement is located at the second interconnecting section of the body, the second fracturable arrangement including at least one channel within the shell portion extending from the cavity, the channel having a channel wall and including a third channel part connected to the cavity, and a fourth channel part narrower than the third channel part, the main channel part being connected to the fourth channel part at a bend provided in the wall of the channel along which a fracture can be generated when there is an angular displacement of the third body section towards the first body section such that the third body section can be relocated to a folded position adjacent to the first body section, the fracture thereby producing an ooenina into the cavitv throuah the third channel oart, the second interconnecting section extending at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body so that the angular displacement of the third body section to a said folded position results in a portion of the third body section extending beyond the first peripheral flange of the first body section, a second engagement arrangement being provided for engaging the respective first and third peripheral flanges of the first and third body sections together and thereby retaining the third body section in the folded position.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the third body section is folded about a fold line extending through the cover portion, and the bend in the channel is located at or adjacent the fold line.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein the bend extends in a lateral plane around the channel and the lateral plane passes through the fold line.

10. A container according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second engagement arrangement includes a cut provided through the first or third peripheral flange of the first or third body section extending from an external periphery of the peripheral flange.

1 1 . A container according to claim 10, wherein the cut in the first or third peripheral flange includes a first part extending generally perpendicular to a peripheral edge of the first or third peripheral flange, and a second part extending generally parallel to the first or third peripheral edge of the peripheral flange to thereby form an engagement tab.

12. A container according to any one of claims 7 to 1 1 , wherein a plurality of said channels extends from the cavity to thereby provide a plurality of said openings along the second interconnecting section when the third body section is in the folded position.

13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity is provided with a ramp area extending from the opening into the cavity.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the ramp extends along an outer periphery of the cavity.

15. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second body section is provided with abutment members which extend downwardly for supporting the cover portion in an inclined position.

16. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product contained within the container is insect bait.

17. A container according to claim 16, wherein the insect bait is for ants.

18. A container according to claim 16, wherein the insect bait is for cockroaches.