AIRTIGHT PACKAGING

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging for airtight packing of products, such as cigars, comprising: a container (2) with an open end for containing the products; a ring (6) which is connnected to the container (2) and has a sealing foil (7) for sealing an open side of the ring (6); a lid (3) which is connected to the container (2) via a hinge (4) and which closes the open end of the container (2); and sealing means (10) for airtight sealing of the container (2).

Description: AIRTIGHT PACKAGING The invention relates to a packaging for airtight packing of products, the quality of which decreases when they are in contact with air, such as cigars . Packagings are known which are manufactured from tin. In the manufacture of such a packaging from tin, the tin is provided with curled edges and lips are bent from the wall to thus enable the forming of a hinge together with a tin lid. The drawback of packagings manufactured in this manner is that by bending out a lip an opening is created in the wall of the packaging, whereby the products can come into contact with the ambient air. In addition, the sealing of the lid onto the container of the packaging is not sufficiently airtight in known packagings . It is known to arrange a sealing strip on the lid, thereby creating an airtight closure between the lid and the container. There remains an opening however around the hinge, and when a lid does not close properly air will still reach the products. It is an object of the invention to prevent the above stated drawbacks . It is a further object of the invention to improve packagings according to the preamble. This object is achieved with a packaging according to the invention, comprising: - a container with an open end for containing the products; - a ring which is connected to the container and has a sealing foil for sealing an open side of the ring; - a lid which is connected to the container via a hinge and which closes the open end of the container; and - sealing means for airtight sealing of the container. The ring with sealing foil ensures that the packaging is properly closed on the side of the lid. Since the lid no longer has to fulfill the sealing function, less strict requirements can be set for the lid. According to one embodiment the hinge is formed from a part bent out of a container wall and a part of the lid. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the sealing means cover the opening formed by the part bent out of a container wall. Now that the ring with sealing foil seals the open side of the container, the sealing means need only seal the opening in the container wall formed by the hinge. A completely airtight sealing of the interior of the container is thus obtained. These sealing means can comprise an adhesive foil. The airtight sealing is obtained for instance by adhering a tape over the opening. According to a preferred embodiment the sealing means comprise a sealing compound arranged between a container wall and the ring. This sealing compound achieves an airtight sealing of the ring against the container wall . In another embodiment the ring has a first edge extending over the open end of the container. A firm connection is hereby created between the open end of the container and the ring, and an aesthetic design is hereby also obtained. In yet another embodiment of a packaging according to the invention the ring has a second edge extending radially outward up to the container wall. This makes it possible to create a practically flat inner wall of the container. In another further embodiment the peripheral wall part of the ring is cone-shaped. The ring can hereby be snapped into the container and the ring will remain fixedly clamped therein. In a particular embodiment of the packaging according to the invention, both the container wall and the peripheral wall part of the ring comprise a recess such that both recesses fit into each other in locking manner. The invention further comprises a method for filling and assembling a packaging according to the invention. This method comprises the steps of: - providing a ring with a foil sealing a first open side; - positioning the ring with a second open side directed upward; - placing the products in the ring; - providing a container with an open end; and - placing the container over the ring. Placing of the products in the ring on top of the sealing foil enables subsequent placing and fixing of the container over this ring in very simple manner without it coming into contact with the products. The invention further comprises the method for filling and assembling a packaging according to the invention, which comprises the steps of: - providing a container with an open end; - placing products in the container; - providing a ring with a sealing foil which seals a first open side; - placing the ring in the container such that the products fit inside the ring. These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings . Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a packaging according to the invention in perspective view; figures 2a and 2b show two embodiments in cross-section, wherein the lid hinges on the edge of the container; figures 3a-3c show three embodiments in cross- section, wherein the lid hinges round a part bent out of the container wall and wherein the ring is clamped round the edge of the container; figures 4a-4c show three embodiments wherein the lid hinges round a part bent out of the container wall and wherein the ring is clamped fixedly in the container; figures 5a and 5b show a first embodiment of a method according to the invention; and figures 6a and 6b show a second method according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a packaging 1 which comprises a container 2 and a lid 3. Lid 3 pivots by means of a hinge 4 on the edge of container 2. Figure 2a shows the packaging of figure 1 in cross-section. Out of container wall 2 is bent a lip 5 which forms a part of the hinge for lid 3. Placed in container 2 is a ring 6 which has a sealing foil 7 on the top side. The peripheral edge 8 of ring 6 is curved round the rim of container 2. The other end 9 of ring 6 is bent toward container wall 2 and a sealing compound 10 is applied between this other end 9 and the container 2. Because the lip 5 is bent out of container wall 2 an opening 11 is created in container 2. Since ring 6 runs therealong and is sealed at both ends, products accommodated in the interior 12 of packaging 1 are packed in airtight manner. In figure 2b is shown an alternative embodiment of a packaging 20 according to the invention. In respect of structure this packaging 20 corresponds in greater part with packaging 1 according to figures 1 and 2a. This packaging 20 also has a container 21 and a lid 22 arranged thereon. The lid is arranged hingedly on container 21 via an outward bent lip 23. In container 21 is placed a ring 24 which is provided on one side with a sealing foil 25. In order to close the ring in airtight manner against container wall 21 a narrowed portion 26 is arranged in container wall 21, whereby ring 24 clamps in container 21, so that the interior 27 of packaging 20 is closed in airtight manner. In figures 3a to 3c are shown embodiments of a packaging according to the invention, wherein the ring is bent round the outer end of the container. In figure 3a the packaging 30 has a container 31, the open end 32 of which is curled round. Arranged in container 31 is a ring 33 which is sealed relative to container 31 by means of a sealing compound 34. The other side of ring 33 has a sealing foil 35. Owing to the narrowing in container wall 31, the wall of ring 33 and container wall 31 run mutually in line on the inside, whereby a smooth inner wall is obtained. Arranged on container 31 is a lid 36 which hinges round a lip 37 bent out of container wall 31. Because this lip is bent out of container wall 31, an opening is created in the container wall. This opening is sealed by means of a sealing foil 38, whereby the interior 39 of packaging 30 is sealed in airtight manner. Figure 3b shows a packaging 40 which, largely corresponds with packaging 30 according to figure 3a. In order tp prevent the use of a sealing foil, the ring 41 is designed such that it extends beyond the opening 42. In figure 3c is shown a packaging 45 which largely corresponds with packaging 40 according to figure 3b, although ring 46 diverges here from the opening, which is provided with the sealing foil 47. In figures 4a, 4b and 4c are shown three packagings 51, 52, 53 which each comprise a container 54, 55 and 56 and a ring 57, 58 and 59 placed therein. While rings 57, 58 and 59 each have a different shape, they do have an identical upper edge 60 on which is placed a sealing foil and a lid 61 which hinges round an outward bent lip 62. Each open end of container 54, 55, 56 is bent inward, whereby an inward diverging inner surface results. Ring 57, 58, 59 is hereby held fixedly in the respective container 54, 55, 56. Figures 5a and 5b show the method for filling a rectangular packaging according to the invention. Firstly, the container 70 is filled with products, here cigars 71. There is further provided a ring 72 which is provided on the top side with a sealing foil 73. As soon as container 70 is filled with the cigars 71, ring 72 can be placed in container 70 so as to thus form an airtight sealed packaging. When a sealing compound is further also used, this can for instance be arranged at the position of step 74 on ring 72. Once the ring 72 and container 70 have been joined together, a lid must also be arranged on this assembly. The lid can then hinge round outward bent lip 75. Figures 6a and 6b show another method for packing a packaging according to the invention. Herein a ring 80, which is provided on the underside with a sealing foil (not shown), is filled with products 81. Once the ring 80 has been completely filled, wherein products 81 lie on the sealing foil, a container 82 is placed over ring 80. A lid must then also be arranged. Although not shown, it is also possible to have the lid hinge on the ring. The lid can hereby already be arranged on the ring before the products are placed in the ring.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Packaging for airtight packing of products, such as cigars, comprising: - a container with an open end for containing the products; - a lid which is connected to the container via a hinge and which closes the open end of the container; characterized by - a ring which is connected to the container and has a sealing foil for sealing an open side of the ring; and - sealing means for airtight sealing of the container. 2. Packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge is formed from a part bent out of a container wall and a part of the lid. 3. Packaging as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing means cover the opening formed by the part bent out of a container wall. 4. Packaging as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sealing means comprise an adhesive foil. 5. Packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the sealing means comprise a sealing compound arranged between a container wall and the ring. 6. Packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the ring has a first edge extending over the open end of the container. 7. Packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the ring has a second edge extending radially outward up to the container wall. 8. Packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the peripheral wall part of the ring and the container wall are cone-shaped such that both parts fit into each other in locking manner. 9. Packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein both the container wall and the peripheral wall part of the ring comprise a recess such that both recesses fit into each other in locking manner. 10. Method for filling and assembling a packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising the steps of: - providing a ring with a foil sealing a first open side; - positioning the ring with a second open side directed upward; - placing the products in the ring; - providing a container with an open end; and - placing the container over the ring. 11. Method for filling and assembling a packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-9, comprising the steps of: - providing a container with an open end; - placing products in the container; - providing a ring with a sealing foil which seals a first open side; - placing the ring in the container such that the products fit inside the ring.

Inventors: BOOGERT ROBERT MARCEL, ROETERDINK JOHAN WILLEM, BOOGERT, ROBERT, MARCEL, ROETERDINK, JOHAN, WILLEM
Applicants: BOOGERT ROBERT MARCEL, IMPRESS B V, ROETERDINK JOHAN WILLEM, BOOGERT, ROBERT, MARCEL, IMPRESS B.V., ROETERDINK, JOHAN, WILLEM
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B65D43
IPC codes: B65D43, B65D85