Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to packaging solutions for contents like tablets, capsules, or similar solid oral dosage forms. More specifically, the present invention is directed to develop a universally sized packaging system with dual chambered container units for accommodating variable quantity of packing contents inside free of unwanted headspace and with better storage stability. The universally sized packaging system for using automatic packaging line and also provides uniform visibility on the shelf with different volumes of packing contents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Edible contents, particularly tablets, capsules, or similar solid oral dosage forms are commonly packed in sealed containers, such as bottles. However, a significant issue arises from empty space, or "headspace," that typically remains in such container after the edible contents have been filled.
The empty space or the headspace in the container is often filled with air, which contains oxygen. This oxygen exposure can lead to the oxidation of active ingredients, especially in tablets and capsules that are sensitive to oxygen. This oxidation can result in the degradation of these active ingredients, compromising the potency and effectiveness of the contents packed in such container. Therefore, reducing the amount of oxygen in the container is crucial for preserving the shelf life and quality of the contents.
To address the above problem, the typical approach in the packaging industry is to use containers that are sized according to the volume of contents being packed. By selecting a container that closely matches the volume of the product, the empty space is minimized, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen in the container and mitigating the risk of oxidation. However, implementing this in automatic packaging line, requires frequent switching of different container sizes, or recalibrate their filling lines to accommodate the different packaging volumes. These adjustments can be time-consuming leading to production inefficiencies and increased downtime.
Use of a single container size for all tablet or capsule volumes could eliminate the need for frequent changes in packaging size during production, however, this also leads to a larger amount of unused space, or headspace, when the contents of the container are fewer than the maximum capacity. As a result, when the container is not fully filled, a significant volume of air, and consequently oxygen, remains inside the container, increasing the risk of oxidation and reducing the shelf life of the contents.
Thus, there has been a need for a standardized universally sized pack with provision for minimizing the headspace to reduce oxidation while maintaining efficient production processes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
It is thus the basic object of the present invention to enable faster online filling of packages with variable contents involving standard filling lines and with selected variable quantity contents and yet avoiding unwanted free space to arrest oxidation of contents like medicinal tablets and the like filling and thus enabling also extended storage stability
Another object of the present invention is to develop a universally sized packaging system for accommodating variable quantity of contents inside free of unwanted headspace for better storage stability.
Another object of the present invention is to develop a universally sized packaging system with dual chambered containers for safely packing different quantities of tablets, capsules, or similar solid oral dosage forms using standard filling lines and still addressing problem of excess headspace in containers packed with contents, even when the volume of the contents is relatively low compared to the container's full capacity.
Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a universally sized packaging system suitable for multiple packing volumes, such as that manufacturers can avoid the need to frequently switch between different container sizes, streamline production processes in a standard filling lines, and still addressing problem of excess headspace in the containers packed with contents of multiple packing volumes.
A still further object of the present invention is to develop a universally sized packaging system for addressing problem of excess headspace in containers packed with contents, even when the volume of the contents is relatively low compared to the container's full capacity thereby reducing amount of oxygen in the container and mitigating the risk of oxidation of the packing contents and improving shelf life.
Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a universally sized universally sized packaging system for a variety and volume of quantities ensuring a consistent and uniform appearance on retail shelves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
Thus, according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging system for accommodating variable quantity of contents inside free of unwanted headspace for better storage stability comprising:
a bottom cup shaped container base having an open top and internal peripheral wall including (a) spaced apart vertical ribs, each rib configured to have a radially inwardly projecting broader base and a narrower top and (b) a circular lock groove ring on top of said vertical ribs;
said bottom cup shaped container adapted to accommodate any variable shape and size based top container based on any desired quantify of contents free of unwanted headspace upon capping including (a) a peripheral outer wall with a broader top and a narrower base and having anti-rotation spaced slot to co-act with said spaced apart vertical ribs of said bottom cup having a radially inwardly projecting broader base and a narrower top for housing said variable quantity content based top container inside said bottom cup free of any rotation and (b) a lock ring protruding externally above said anti-rotation slots adapted for press fit permanent locking of the top container in its anti-rotation position with respect to said bottom cup ribs upon press fitted insertion into said a co-acting circular lock groove ring on top of said ribs in said bottom cup;
said top container having an externally projecting portion including a capping provision.

In the above packaging system, the externally projecting portion of the top container includes a threaded portion which can be covered by a correspondingly threaded lid.

In the above packaging system, the lock ring of the top container is provided at collar position of the top container.

In the above packaging system, the lock ring includes a gentle ramp on its entrance side and a sharper angle at retraction side, whereby the ramped entrance reduces assembly effort by allowing the top container to slide easily into the lock groove ring and the sharper angle at the retraction side of lock prevents disassembly.

In the above packaging system, the lock groove ring includes a complementary structure to the lock ring consisting of a circular hoop design that expands when the top container is pushed into the rigid and matching groove to accommodate the lock.

In the above packaging system, the anti-rotation spaced slots are provided on bottom periphery of the top container.

In the above packaging system, the ribs and slots are strategically placed to engage with each other such as that when the top container is inserted into the bottom cup, atleast one of the ribs appears in between two neighbouring anti-rotational slots which ensures that the top container remains properly oriented with respect to the bottom cup during assembly and prevents any unwanted rotation after assembly.

In the above packaging system, the anti-rotational slots in the top container are specifically shaped to have a gap between two neighbouring slots such as that at least one of the ribs can be positioned in the gap and act as an anti-rotation element to prevent any rotation between the top container and bottom cup during use.

In the above packaging system, the ribs are thin and wall shaped and incorporated into the bottom cup to further provide internal support to the cup.

In the above packaging system, bottom surface of the bottom cup is recessed or concaved inward to allow a stable bearing surface on outside edge and prevent rocking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Fig 1 shows (a) side view, (b) cross sectional view and (c) capped cross sectional view of the present universally sized dual chambered container units based packaging system.
Fig 2 shows (a) top container and bottom cup forming the present universally sized packaging system before assembly, (b) top container and bottom cup forming the present universally sized dual chambered container unit after assembly, (c) lid covered top container and bottom cup forming the present universally sized packaging system before assembly and (d) lid covered top container and bottom cup forming the present universally sized dual chambered container unit after assembly.
Fig 3 shows isomeric view of the top container and the bottom cup while assembling and forming the present universally sized packaging system.
Fig 4 shows side sectional view of the top container and the bottom cup assembled to form the present universally sized packaging system.
Fig 5 shows top view of the top container and the bottom cup assembled to form the present universally sized packaging system.
Fig 6 shows the top container of the present universally sized packaging system.
Fig 7 shows the bottom cup of the present universally sized packaging system.
Fig 8 shows common size of bottom cup with different sizes of top container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
As stated hereinbefore, the present invention provides a universally sized dual chambered container units-based packaging system that enable faster online filling of packages with variable contents involving standard filling lines and with selected variable quantity contents and yet avoiding unwanted free space to arrest oxidation of contents like medicinal tablets and the like filling and thus enabling also extended storage stability. The present universally sized dual chambered packaging system is suitable for multiple packing volumes without the need to frequently switch between different container sizes in the packaging line thus it streamlines the production processes.
The present dual chambered packaging system includes a top container and a bottom cup shaped container base. The bottom cup shaped container is adapted to accommodate any variable shape and size based top container based on any desired quantify of contents free of unwanted headspace upon capping. This top container and bottom cup combination ensures secure, stable, and efficient storage of tablets, edible items while minimizing the possibility of oxidation in the air present in the empty headspace of the container.
Reference is now invited from the Fig 1 and Fig 2. The Fig 1 shows (a) side view and (b) cross sectional view of the present packaging system involving the top container and bottom cup combination. The Fig 2 shows (a) the top container and bottom cup before assembly and (b) top container and bottom cup after assembly. The Fig 2 also shows same (c) lid covered top container and bottom cup before assembly and (d) lid covered top container and bottom cup after assembly.
Form above illustration, it would be clear that the top container is disposed within the bottom cup. The top container features a specially designed locking mechanism in its collar position to engage with corresponding locking portion provided on top of the bottom cup. The topmost portion of the top container includes threaded portion. A correspondingly threaded lid covers this top container by threadedly engaged with the threaded topmost portion of the top container, as shown in the Fig 1 (c) and Fig 2(c) (d).
Reference is now invited from the accompanying Fig 3 which shows an isomeric view of the top container and the bottom cup during assembling.
As shown in the Fig 3 and also in Fig 7, bottom cup shaped container base has an open top and peripheral wall. Multiple spaced apart vertical ribs (02) are provided on the undersurface of the peripheral wall. Each of the ribs is configured to have a radially inwardly projecting broader base and a narrower top. A circular lock groove ring (04) is provided on the on peripheral wall, specifically on top of the vertical ribs.
As shown in the Fig 3, the top container is comprising of a peripheral outer wall with a broader top and a narrower base for easy housing inside the bottom cup. The top container includes protruding lock ring lock (01) at the collar position. Below this lock ring lock (01) multiple anti-rotation spaced slots (05) are provided on the top container.
Each of the anti-rotation spaced slots (05) having a radially inwardly projecting broader base and a narrower top to co-act with the spaced apart vertical ribs (02) for housing the top container inside the bottom cup free of any rotation. The lock ring lock (01) which is protruding externally above the anti-rotation slots (05) are adapted to press fit in the circular lock groove ring (04) for permanent locking of the top container in its anti-rotation position with respect to the bottom cup ribs upon press fitted insertion therein.
When the top container is inserted into the bottom cup, the protruding lock ring (01) of the top container is permanently secured within the corresponding lock groove ring (04) of the bottom cup. This engagement between lock (01) and groove (04) ensures that the top and bottom containers remain permanently attached during use and cannot be easily separated. The engagement of the lock (01) with the groove (04) is clearly shown in the Fig 4 inset.
As shown in the Fig 3, The ribs and slots are strategically placed to engage with each other, when the top container is inserted into the bottom cup. As shown in the Fig 5 inset, atleast one of the ribs (02) appears in between two neighbouring anti-rotational slots (05). This ensures that the top container remains properly oriented with respect to the bottom cup during assembly and prevents any unwanted rotation after assembly. This design eliminates the need for additional readjustment or repositioning, making the assembly process more efficient.
The lock ring (01) of the top container and the lock groove ring (04) of the bottom cup are designed with specific shapes and dimensions to ensure a secure, permanent attachment. The lock ring (01) of the top container features a gentle ramp on its entrance side and a sharper angle at the retraction side. The ramped entrance reduces assembly effort by allowing the top container to slide easily into the lock groove ring (04). The sharper angle at the retraction side of lock ring (01) prevents disassembly by making it impossible for the top container to be separated from the bottom cup once the two are engaged.
The lock groove ring (04) has a complementary structure to the lock ring (01), consisting of a circular hoop design that expands when the top container is pushed into the rigid, matching groove. The structure of the groove (04), in combination with the sharp retraction angle of the lock (01), ensures that once the top container and bottom cup are locked together, they cannot be separated without causing damage.
The anti-rotational slots (05) of the top container are specifically shaped to have a gap between two neighbouring slots (05) such as that at least a rib (02) can be positioned in the gap. These ribs provide internal support to the cup and also act as an anti-rotation element to prevent any rotation between the top container and bottom cup during use.
The ribs (02) are thin, wall-like features incorporated into the geometry of the bottom cup. The positioning of the ribs (02) shown in the Fig 7. The bottom surface (03) of the bottom cup is recessed or concaved which is known as ‘push-up” to allow a stable bearing surface on the outside edge and prevent rocking.
The interaction between the anti-rotational slots (05) and the ribs (02) ensures the correct positioning of the top container relative to the bottom cup, thus eliminating the possibility of misalignment or rotation. This feature is critical in maintaining the structural integrity and stability of the dual-container system during storage, transport, and use.
In the present container unit, the top cup is used to store the packing items. Thus, without changing the bottom cup size or the container unit size, the top cup inner space can be varied for various volumes, including but not limited to 36ml, 49ml, 51ml, 69ml, 85ml, and 89ml. This reduces excess empty headspace in single sized container packed with contents, even when the volume of the contents is relatively low compared to the container unit’s full capacity. By reducing the headspace in the container, the design of the present invention minimizes the exposure of the contents to air, thereby reducing oxidation. This results in increased shelf life for products, particularly in the case of sensitive materials such as tablets.
The design of the present invention is particularly suited for applications where a consistent fill volume is essential, as the single-size pack can accommodate multiple quantities of tablets while maintaining a constant filling line without the need for adjustments. The present container unit with a common size of bottom cup and different sizes of top container which offers volume from 36ml, 49ml, 51ml, 69ml, 85ml & 89ml is shown in the Fig 8. This also provides uniform visibility on the shelf with different volumes of top container.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A packaging system for accommodating variable quantity of contents inside free of unwanted headspace for better storage stability comprising:
a bottom cup shaped container base having an open top and internal peripheral wall including (a) spaced apart vertical ribs, each rib configured to have a radially inwardly projecting broader base and a narrower top and (b) a circular lock groove ring on top of said vertical ribs;
said bottom cup shaped container adapted to accommodate any variable shape and size based top container based on any desired quantify of contents free of unwanted headspace upon capping including (a) a peripheral outer wall with a broader top and a narrower base and having anti-rotation spaced slot to co-act with said spaced apart vertical ribs of said bottom cup having a radially inwardly projecting broader base and a narrower top for housing said variable quantity content based top container inside said bottom cup free of any rotation and (b) a lock ring protruding externally above said anti-rotation slots adapted for press fit permanent locking of the top container in its anti-rotation position with respect to said bottom cup ribs upon press fitted insertion into said a co-acting circular lock groove ring on top of said ribs in said bottom cup;
said top container having an externally projecting portion including a capping provision.

2. The packaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the externally projecting portion of the top container includes a threaded portion which can be covered by a correspondingly threaded lid.

3. The packaging system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lock ring of the top container is provided at collar position of the top container.

4. The packaging system as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the lock ring includes a gentle ramp on its entrance side and a sharper angle at retraction side, whereby the ramped entrance reduces assembly effort by allowing the top container to slide easily into the lock groove ring and the sharper angle at the retraction side of lock prevents disassembly.

5. The packaging system as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the lock groove ring includes a complementary structure to the lock ring consisting of a circular hoop design that expands when the top container is pushed into the rigid and matching groove to accommodate the lock.

6. The packaging system as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein the anti-rotation spaced slots are provided on bottom periphery of the top container.

7. The packaging system as claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein the ribs and slots are strategically placed to engage with each other such as that when the top container is inserted into the bottom cup, atleast one of the ribs appears in between two neighbouring anti-rotational slots which ensures that the top container remains properly oriented with respect to the bottom cup during assembly and prevents any unwanted rotation after assembly.

8. The packaging system as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein the anti-rotational slots in the top container are specifically shaped to have a gap between two neighbouring slots such as that at least one of the ribs can be positioned in the gap and act as an anti-rotation element to prevent any rotation between the top container and the bottom cup during use.

9. The packaging system as claimed in claims 1 to 8, wherein the ribs are thin and wall shaped and incorporated into the bottom cup to further provide internal support to the cup.

10. The packaging system as claimed in claims 1 to 9, wherein bottom surface of the bottom cup is recessed or concaved inward to allow a stable bearing surface on outside edge and prevent rocking.

Dated this the 8th day of January, 2025

Anjan Sen
(Applicants Agent)
IN/PA-199