Patent Description:
The invention was developed in particular in view of its application to containers for laundry and dishwasher detergents, in particular detergent pods.

Nowadays, reclosable containers for household products are almost entirely made of plastics (mono- or poly-coupled, flexible or rigid), which are produced from fossil resources and therefore have a significant energy and environmental impact both for their production and their recycling. The energy and environmental impact is not reduced even when recyclable plastics are used.

Therefore, there is a strong need of containers for household products that are recyclable in the paper chain.

However, containers made from paper materials have limitations regarding re-closable closures. In fact, paper materials, whether cellulose pulp, paper, or cardboard, do not have the same elasticity as plastics, and re-closable closures made from these materials cannot achieve the same functions as those achieved using plastic material. In particular, opening and closing operations tend to bend and wear out the closure elements, which after a short time are no longer capable to ensure an effective closure.

Additionally, if the containers are entirely made from paper materials it is difficult to ensure compliance with child-proof standards, such as UNI EN ISO <NUM>:<NUM> standard "Child-resistant packaging - Requirements and test procedures for reclosable packaging".

<CIT> discloses a prior art container made of cellulosic material, with a latching element made of polyethylene.

Eco-compatible plastic solutions are known. For instance, <CIT> discloses a thermoplastic composition made of cellulose and a hydrolysable or hydrosoluble polyhydroxylated polymer which is water-soluble.

A container made of this material would be recyclable in the paper chain as it would dissolve in water and the residue after dissolution consists of cellulose.

However, water-soluble plastic materials are not suitable for producing containers for household products such as detergent pods, detergent powders, and the like. In fact, containers of household products are often stored in kitchen and bathroom compartments and are often exposed to moisture and water, which would rapidly deteriorate the containers. Also, the user may grasp such containers with wet hands, which would leave sticky residues on the hands of the user and would deteriorate the parts of the containers which have been in contact with water.

Additionally, water-soluble plastic materials have a plastic-like appearance, which may confuse the user about the correct way of conferring to the recycling waste collection. In fact, containers made of water-soluble plastic materials must not be disposed of in the plastic chain as they would pollute the plastic recycling chain, contrary to a first and immediate evaluation that could lead the user to a disposal as plastic.

Furthermore, water-soluble plastic materials are expensive and would substantially increase the packaging costs as compared to the costs of paper packaging.

An object of the present invention is to provide an eco-sustainable container for household products which overcomes the problems of the prior art.

More specifically, the present invention aims to provide a container that is entirely recyclable in the paper chain and has an appearance and a tactility that spontaneously induces the consumer to the correct option of conferring.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a container which is totally recyclable in the paper chain and which complies with the child-proof standards for reclosable containers.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects are achieved by a container according to claim <NUM>.

Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The claims form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided here in relation to the invention.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, given purely by way of non-limiting example, wherein:.

It should be appreciated that the attached drawings are schematic and various figures may not be represented in the same scale. Also, in various figures some elements may not be shown to better show other elements.

<FIG> show seven different embodiments of a reclosable container <NUM>.

The reclosable container <NUM> comprises a container body <NUM> and at least one closing formation including a first closure element and a second closure element, engageable with each other to keep the container in a closed configuration and disengageable from each other to open the container.

In the seven different embodiments of the reclosable containers <NUM> shown in the figures the container bodies <NUM> and the closing formations have different shapes and structure. In all the embodiments that will be described below, the container body <NUM> is made of a cellulosic material and the least one of said first closure element and second closure element is made of a hydrosoluble thermoplastic material.

The term "cellulosic material" indicates a material primarily or completely made of cellulose, such as, paper, cardboard, cellulose pulp, and the like.

The container body <NUM> is entirely recyclable in the paper chain.

The definition "hydrosoluble thermoplastic material" indicates a material suitable to be submitted to common methods of heat forming, or thermoforming, of thermoplastic materials, and which dissolves in the presence of water. An example of a hydrosoluble thermoplastic material is disclosed in <CIT> which relates to a material formed by a combination of cellulose with a thermoplastic material comprising a hydrolysable or hydrosoluble polyhydroxylated polymer. The hydrosoluble thermoplastic material disclosed in <CIT> is marketed under the trade name "PolyPaper" by NextMaterials Srl, Milano, Italy. A remarkable feature of a hydrosoluble thermoplastic material according to <CIT> is that it is entirely recyclable in the paper chain. Therefore, a container including a container body <NUM> of cellulose material and one or more closure elements made of a hydrosoluble thermoplastic material is recyclable in the paper chain without the need of separating the closure elements of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material from the container body of cellulose material.

In various possible embodiments, the container body <NUM> has an aperture <NUM> and a movable cover <NUM> of cellulosic material removably applied to the aperture <NUM> and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. As it will be described more in detail in the following, said first closure element and second closure element are provided, respectively, on said container body <NUM> and movable cover <NUM>.

In possible embodiments, at least one of said closure elements of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material may be provided as a separate element fixed by water-sealing or by glue either said container body <NUM> or movable cover <NUM>. Water-sealing is a property of "Polypaper" which, having a PVOH matrix, partially melts in contact with water and can be bonded to cellulose-based materials.

With reference to <FIG>, the container body <NUM> comprises a body bottom wall <NUM>, a pair of body front walls <NUM> and a pair of body side walls <NUM>.

The movable cover <NUM> comprises a cover top wall <NUM> hinged to the container body <NUM> along a hinge line <NUM> extending along a side of the cover top wall <NUM> and along a top side of one of said body front walls <NUM> of the container body <NUM>. The movable cover <NUM> may comprise a pair of cover sides <NUM> and a cover front wall <NUM> which, in the closed configuration of the reclosable container <NUM>, are in contact with respective portions of the body side walls <NUM> and to the body front wall <NUM> opposite to the hinge line <NUM>.

The reclosable container <NUM> comprises a pair of closing formations <NUM>. Each closing formation <NUM> includes a first closure element <NUM> made of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material and a second closure element consisting of a through hole <NUM> formed on a respective body side wall <NUM>.

The first closure element <NUM> comprises an engagement button <NUM> set at a distal end of an arm <NUM> fixed to an inner surface of a respective cover side <NUM>.

In the closed configuration of the reclosable container <NUM>, each of said engagement buttons <NUM> snap engages into a respective through hole <NUM> and retains the cover <NUM> to the container body <NUM>. A user may release the cover <NUM> from the container body <NUM> by pressing inwardly on said engagement buttons <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the container body <NUM> comprises a body bottom wall <NUM>, a pair of body front walls <NUM> and a pair of body side walls <NUM>. The top edges of the front walls <NUM> and side walls <NUM> define an aperture <NUM>. In this embodiment the movable cover <NUM> is detachable from the container body <NUM> and comprises a cover top wall <NUM>, at least one pair of cover sides <NUM>, and a pair of cover front walls <NUM>.

The reclosable container <NUM> of <FIG> comprises a pair of closing formations <NUM> each including a first closure element formed by an engagement tooth <NUM> made of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material and a second closure element consisting of a through slot <NUM> formed on a respective body side wall <NUM>. The engagement teeth <NUM> are fixed to respective cover sides <NUM>, e.g. by water sealing or by glue. In the closed configuration of the reclosable container <NUM> each of the engagement teeth <NUM> snap engages into a respective through slot <NUM> and retains the cover <NUM> to the container body <NUM>. A user may release the movable cover <NUM> from the container body <NUM> by pressing inwardly on said engagement teeth <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the container body <NUM> comprises a body bottom wall <NUM>, a pair of body front walls <NUM> and a pair of body side walls <NUM>, defining an aperture <NUM>. In this embodiment, the movable cover <NUM> has a tubular shape elongated along a longitudinal axis A and is detachable from the container body <NUM>. The movable cover <NUM> comprises a cover top wall <NUM>, a cover bottom wall <NUM> and a pair of cover sides <NUM>. The movable cover <NUM> is slidable on the container body <NUM> along the longitudinal direction A.

The reclosable container <NUM> of <FIG> comprises a pair of closing formations <NUM>, each including a first closure element formed by an engagement button <NUM> made of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material and a second closure element consisting of a through hole <NUM> formed on a respective cover side wall <NUM>. The engagement buttons <NUM> are fixed, e.g. by water sealing or by glue, to outer surfaces of respective body side walls <NUM>.

In the closed configuration of the reclosable container <NUM> of <FIG> each of the engagement buttons <NUM> snap engages into a respective through hole <NUM> and retains the movable cover <NUM> to the container body <NUM>. A user may release the movable cover <NUM> from the container body <NUM> by pressing inwardly on the engagement buttons <NUM> and by sliding the movable cover <NUM> with respect to the container body <NUM> in the longitudinal direction A.

With reference to <FIG>, the container body <NUM> has a bucket-like shape and comprises a body lateral wall <NUM> and a body top wall <NUM> in which an aperture <NUM> is formed. A movable cover <NUM> is detachable from the container body <NUM> and comprises a cover top wall <NUM> which closes the aperture <NUM> when the movable cover <NUM> is applied to the body top wall <NUM>.

The reclosable container <NUM> comprises a pair of closing formations <NUM>, each including a first closure element formed by a flexible engagement tab <NUM> made of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material and a second closure element consisting of a through slot <NUM> formed in said cover top wall <NUM>.

Each flexible engagement tab <NUM> is fixed to an outer surface of the body top wall <NUM> and projects upwardly from said outer surface.

In the closed configuration of the reclosable container <NUM> each of the flexible engagement tabs <NUM> extends through the respective through slot <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, in the closed configuration a lateral portion of each flexible engagement tab <NUM> is askew with respect to the respective through slot <NUM> and retains the movable cover <NUM> to the container body <NUM>. A user may release the movable cover <NUM> from the container body <NUM> by deforming the lateral portions of the flexible engagement tabs <NUM> so as to align the flexible engagement tabs to the respective through slots <NUM>, and by moving the movable cover <NUM> upwardly.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the body lateral wall <NUM> has an open top edge and the body top wall <NUM> has an annular flat surface <NUM> in which the aperture <NUM> is formed. The flexible engagement tabs <NUM> are fixed to the annular flat surface <NUM>. The body top wall <NUM> has a flank portion extending upwardly from the annular flat surface <NUM> and fixed to an upper portion of the body lateral wall <NUM> and has a cover side wall which in the closed configuration is in contact with an inner surface of the flank portion of the body top wall <NUM>. The cover top wall <NUM> of the movable cover <NUM> is recessed with respect to an outer edge of the movable cover <NUM>, and in the closed configuration abuts on the annular flat surface <NUM> of the body top wall <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the container body <NUM> comprises a body bottom wall <NUM>, a pair of body front walls <NUM> and a pair of body side walls <NUM> defining an aperture <NUM>. The movable cover <NUM> is hinged to the container body <NUM> along a hinge line <NUM> extending along a top side of one of said front walls <NUM> of the container body <NUM>. The movable cover <NUM> comprises a cover top wall <NUM>, a pair of cover sides <NUM> and a cover front wall <NUM> opposite to the hinge line <NUM>. The reclosable container <NUM> comprises a pair of closing formations <NUM>, each including a first closure element formed by an engagement tooth <NUM> and a second closure element formed by a U-shaped bridge <NUM>, both made of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material,.

The engagement teeth <NUM> are fixed to the cover front side <NUM> and the U-shaped bridges <NUM> are fixed to the body front wall <NUM>. In the closed configuration of the reclosable container <NUM> each the engagement teeth <NUM> snap engages into respective U-shaped bridges <NUM> and retains the cover <NUM> to the container body <NUM>. A user may release the movable cover <NUM> from the container body <NUM> by pressing inwardly on the engagement teeth <NUM> and by simultaneously lifting the movable cover <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the container body <NUM> comprises a body top wall <NUM> in which an aperture <NUM> is formed. The reclosable container <NUM> comprises a movable cover <NUM> including a flat panel <NUM> of cellulosic material slidable on the body top wall <NUM> along a longitudinal direction A.

The reclosable container <NUM> comprises a first closure element formed by a plate <NUM> of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material fixed at an end of the flat panel <NUM> and having a pair of flexible teeth <NUM>.

The reclosable container <NUM> comprises a second closure element including a pair of straight guide sections <NUM> made of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material and fixed to an outer surface of the body top wall <NUM>. The straight guide sections <NUM> are parallel to said longitudinal direction A and extend outside of the aperture <NUM>. The straight guide sections <NUM> may be joined at respective ends by a transverse element <NUM>. The flat panel <NUM> is slidably movable between the straight guide sections <NUM> along the longitudinal direction A between an open position and a closed position, and vice versa.

The flexible teeth <NUM> of the plate <NUM> engage respective holes <NUM> formed in end portions of the straight guide sections <NUM> in the closed position of the flat panel <NUM>. A user may release the movable cover <NUM> from the container body <NUM> by pressing inwardly on the flexible teeth <NUM> and simultaneously sliding the movable cover <NUM> towards the open position.

With reference to <FIG>, which show a container not according to the claimed invention, the container body <NUM> may be formed by a flexible bag <NUM> of cellulosic material. In this container the closing formation <NUM> comprises a first elongated closure element <NUM> and a second elongated closure element <NUM> made of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material fixed to opposite walls of the flexible bag <NUM> and having respectively a slot and a ridge mutually engageable so as to form a zip device.

In all the previously disclosed embodiments, the closing formations <NUM> of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material are only a small fraction of the total surface of the container and are therefore less prone to degradation when the container is exposed to water or moisture as compared to a container entirely made of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material. The closing formations necessitate small quantities of hydrosoluble thermoplastic material and therefore do not increase in a substantial way the cost of the container. Also, the closing formations may ensure compliance with child-proof closure standards without compromising the recyclability of the containers in the paper chain.

Claim 1:
A reclosable container, comprising
- a container body (<NUM>) made of a cellulosic material and having an aperture (<NUM>),
- a movable cover (<NUM>) made of a cellulosic material removably applied to said aperture (<NUM>) and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and
- at least one closing formation (<NUM>) including a first closure element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second closure element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) provided on said container body (<NUM>) and movable cover (<NUM>), respectively, and engageable with each other to keep the container in a closed configuration and disengageable from each other to open the container, characterised in that at least one of said first and second closure elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is made of a hydrosoluble thermoplastic material.