FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION : 'A tubular package endclosure, method of
closure and tool for closure'

2. APPLICANT
(a) NAME :
(b) NATIONALITY :
(c) ADDRESS :

Bell Packaging Ltd
United Kingdom
Barratt Industrial Park, Airport- _ Way Luton LU2 9 NH, London


3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION The following specification particularly
describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

Title of the Invention:
A tubular package, end closure, method of closure and tool for closure
Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to packaging field and more particularly to the field of tubular
packaging that has both ends open, to an end closure, to a method for completing closure
of tubular package by means of the end closure and to a tool for achieving closure of the
tubular package.
Background of the Invention:
Tubular packaging is used to package various products. Conventionally, a tubular
package is manufactured from a plastic film material, which has been folded along
parallel longitudinal crease lines to form an elongate tubular body. The longitudinal
edges of the film overlap each other and are sealed together to maintain shape of the
tubular body. A product to be packaged is placed within the resulting tubular body,
which is then closed at each end by inserting and fastening to each end of the tubular film
by means of staples a plug-like end closure. Purchaser must remove the staples to gain
access to the product purchased, often ending up with an awkward and time-consuming
exercise.

A known alternative to use of staples to fasten end closure to tubular body is to use end closure having projecting lugs which engage into holes punched into ends of tubular body of package. The lugs interlock with the holes, fastening the end closure to the tubular body. This type of packaging is expensive to manufacture and entails destroying either
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the tubular package or the closure to gain access to product packaged. These are the drawbacks of tubular packaging, employing projecting lugs.
There are a few prior works of art in the field, which are summarized to highlight their
shortcomings.
WO 2008058579 : It employs a peel-back tab at one end. It is suitable for packaging
liquid or granular products.
FR 2902084 : It relates to an envelope-like packaging that has lateral panels.
Manufacture and utility of the packaging are costly in terms of labour input.
WO 2007113782 : It employs an embedded strip. Fastening end closure to body is not
reliable especially in packaging heavy products due to failure of the strip.
FR 2897599 : It relates to a packaging that is complex and is suitable for liquids.
JP 2006225002 : ft is suitable for liquids or ice candies and can not package heavy
objects.
FR 2881397 : It relates to an envelope, made of four panels, with one panel having a
tab, engaging into a slot. The packaging is costly to manufacture and calls for higher
degree of labour input. Product reception volume is small, as compared size of
packaging.
FR 2878508 : It is complex and allows laterally packaging a product. Complexity
adds to its cost of manufacture. It is different from the present invention.
WO 2005007522 : It employs a peripheral channel for interiorly receiving a tubular
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package with a rim at each end. Plurality of latching members is provided in proximity to each end to engage latching apertures to secure fastening. This work is different from the present work, since the latter employs no rimmed ends and no latching members. The latter has end closure inserted into tubular package unlike the prior work under reference.
Objects of the Invention:
A primary objective of the present invention is to rely upon tubular package with both ends open and is closed by inserting a closure at each end.
Another object of the present invention is to achieve closure of the ends by fastening end closures with tubular body by means of inexpensive fastening device such that accessing packaged product does not destroy tubular body or the end closure.
Another object of the present invention is to flexibly provide product reception volume without having to alter end closures.
Summary of the Invention:
The invention - to overcome the drawbacks of the prior works - comprises a) a tubular package, made of tubular body of square (25), circular (125), hexagonal or any cross section, that is open at both ends to receive an end closure - at each end -having marginally smaller, identical, square cross section (16) or round cross section (116) or other identical cross section. The tubular body (25 or 125) itself has no fastening device at ends thereof and is made from overlapping two ends of a sheet
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to form required square (25) or round (125) or other shape and permanently bonding the ends.
b) said end closure/plug (16 or 116) comprising:
- base flange (19 or 119), having, integral thereto and on underside thereof, at least one pair of tabs (20 orl20)
- hollow top (17 or 117), which - along with said base flange (19 or 119) - conforms in cross section to said tubular body (25 or 125) of the tubular package
c) a method for closing open ends of said tubular package, comprising:
- inserting, into each said open end, said end closure (16 or 116) and resting end of said tubular body (25 or 125) onto said base ring (19 or 119);
- engaging outer surface of said tab (20 or 120) on opened one jaw (32) of a pliers and interior side of said hollow top (17 or 117) on opened other jaw (33) of said pliers;
- closing said two jaws of said pliers such that pressure is exerted by a pin (22 or 122) of said tab (20 or 120), enough to pierce a hole (24 or 124) onto wall of said tubular surface (25 or 125) of said packaging;
releasably, fully engaging said pin (22 or 122) of said tab (20 or 120) into said
hole (24 or 124);
repeating the aforesaid process on the remainder tabs of said hollow plug (16 or
116), while firmly holding in position said plug onto said one end of said tubular
package;
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d) a tool (26), a pair of pliers, for attaching said end closure (17 or 117) to said tubular body (25 or 125) comprising: a pair of pivotally connected handles (27, 28), with an intervening spring (31); a pair of co-operating jaws (32, 33), representing active surfaces of said pliers (26) for respectively engaging outer surface of said tab (20 or 120) and inner surface of said hollow plug (16 or 116).
Description of the Drawings:
Drawing # 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a conventional tubular package,
comprising a tubular body (3) and an end closure (7)- devoid of a fastening
device. Drawing # 2 illustrates a perspective view of a square end closure (17) for a tubular
package (26), embodying the present invention and of said end closure
(17), inserted in one end of said tubular body (25) of square cross section. Drawing # 3 illustrates a perspective view of a pressure-applying, said pair of pliers
(26) for use in fastening together said end closure (17) with said tubular
body (25 or 125) of said tubular packaging. Drawing # 4 illustrates said pliers (26) engaging outer surface of said tab (20 or 120)
onto said one jaw (32) and interior surface of said hollow top (17 or 117)
of said plug (16 or 116). Drawing # 5 illustrates pressure being applied, outer surface (25 or 125) being
pierced by said pliers (26) into a hole (24) and engaging said pin (22)
into said hole (24) to fasten said end closure (17 or 117) with said
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tubular body (25 or 125) of said tubular package. Drawing # 6 illustrates a perspective view of said tubular body (25 or 125) and
said end closure (17 or 117) fastened together by means of two pairs of
said (20 or 120). Drawing # 7 illustrates a perspective view of said circular end closure (117) for
said tubular package and of said end closure (117) inserted in one end of
said cylindrical cross-sectioned body (125) of said tubular package, both
embodying the present invention. Drawing # 8 illustrates said pliers (26) engaging outer surface of said tab (120)
onto said one jaw (32) and interior surface of said hollow top (117)
of said plug (116). Drawing # 9 illustrates pressure being applied, outer surface (125) being
pierced by said pliers (26) into a hole (124) and engaging said pin (122)
into said hole (124) to fasten said end closure (117) with said
tubular body (125) of said tubular package. Drawing # 10 illustrates a perspective view of said tubular body (125) and
said end closure (117) fastened together by means of two pairs of
said (120).
Description of the Invention:
In one embodiment, the invention provides an end closure (25 or 125) for a tubular package (16 or 116), having a tubular body having an open end, the end closure including
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a plug (16 or 116), which is insertable into the open end of the tubular body (25 Or 125) of the package and a locking tab (20 or 120) with a pin (22 or 122), which is engagable with said plug (16 or 116) through said tubular body (25 or 125) to fasten said enclosure to said tubular body (25 or 125), with said pin (22 or 122) having pierced said tubular body (25 or 125) to be releasably engage said plug (16 or 116).
In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching an end closure (16 or 116) to a tubular body of a tubular package having an open end, comprising inserting said plug (16 or 116) into one end of said tubular body (25 or 125), engaging exterior side of said tab (20 or 120) onto one jaw (32) of said pliers (26) and interior side of said hollow plug (16 or 116) onto said other jaw (33) of said pliers (26), exerting pressure enough to pierce a hole (24 or 124) on wall of said tubular body (25 or 125) of said tubular package and releasably, fully engaging said pin (22 or 122) through said hole (24 or 124) with said hollow plug (16 or 116) for fastening said plug (16 or 116) with said tubular body (25 or 125).
Desirably, external cross section of said plug (16 or 116) conforms to internal cross section of said tubular body (25 or 125). Conveniently, locking tab (20 or 120) is hinged to said plug (16 or 116) and is provided in a single pair or two pairs.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a tool - pliers (26) - for attaching an end closure plug (16 or 116) to said tubular body (25 or 125) of said tubular package, having two open ends. Said tool (16) comprises a pair of pivotally connected handles (27, 28),
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formed with co-operating first jaw (32) and second jaw (33), which respectively present engaging surface for exterior side of said locking tab ( 20 or 120) and for interior side of said hollow plug (16 or 116). Said pliers (26), upon closing together said jaws (32 and 33) to exert enough pressure on said tubular body (25 or 125), pierces said hole (24 or 124) to fasten said plug (16 or 116) by means of said pin (22 or 122) with said tubular body (25 or 125) of said tubular package.
Detailed Working of the Invention & Description of the Drawings:
Referring to drawing # 1, a known package (1) comprises a blank in the form of a rectangular sheet (2) of plastic film material, such as polyethylene, which has been folded along parallel longitudinal crease lines (3) to form an elongate tubular packaging body (4) having a square cross section. Longitudinal edges (5) of said sheet (2) overlap each other and are permanently sealed to maintain the square shape of said tubular body (4). A plastic injection moulded end closure (6) is inserted in each open end of said tubular body (4) to close the tube. In conventional packaging, the end closure (6) is usually stapled to the ends of said tubular body (25 or 125).
Each said end closure (16 or 116), in drawing # 1, comprises a square base (7), which is formed with a peripheral flange (7A) extending substantially perpendicular to the base (7) to form a hollow plug 8 and which is provided with a peripheral lip (9) extending substantially parallel to the base and projecting outwardly from the plug (8). The end closure (6) is adapted to snugly fit into an open end of said tubular body (4), square cross section of said tubular body (4) conforming to peripheral flange of said end closure (6).
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Said plug (8) of said end closure (6) is inserted into said tubular body (4), until the open end of said tubular body (4) comes into abutment with said lip (9) of said end closure (6). In this inserted position of said end closure (6), each side of said flange (7A) lies adjacent to an end region of a corresponding side wall (5) of said tubular body (4). Said end plug (6) is fastened to said tubular body (4) by applying one or more staples through said peripheral flange (7A) and adjacent side wall (10) of said tubular body (4).
Tubular packages, embodying the present invention, use the same kind of said tubular body (4) - as illustrated in drawing # 1 - but employ different end closures. Drawing # 2 illustrates one example of an end closure (16), embodying the present invention. Said end closure (16) is injection moulded from relatively hard plastic material, such as polypropylene. Said end closures (16) are made of opaque material but could, however, be transparent. Each said end closure (16) comprises a square base (17) formed with a peripheral flange (17A), extending substantially perpendicular to said base (17) to forma hollow plug (18), which is provided with a peripheral lip (19), extending substantially parallel to said base (17) and projecting outwardly from said plug (18).
In addition, locking tabs (20) in the forms of wings extend substantially parallel the plane of said base (17) from said perpendicular lip (19). In the illustrated embodiment, said tabs (20) are located on three of the sides of said plug (18), although only two said tabs (20) are visible in drawing # 2. The root end of each said tab (20) is integrally formed with said peripheral lip (19) and tapers into a head portion (21), which carries an integrally formed pin (22), projecting perpendicularly from said tab (20) and orthogonal to the
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plane of said base (17). Said pin (22) is generally cylindrical with a substantially bullet-shaped tip (22A). Said tab (20) is hingeable with respect to said peripheral lip (19) about a hinge (23), formed at the root of said wing-shaped tab (20) by a portion of said wing material (20), which has a reduced thickness.
An aperture (24) is formed in said peripheral flange (17A) at a position such that, when said tab (20) is hinged with respect to said lip (19), said pin (22) engages in said aperture (24). Said pin (22) and said aperture (24) are dimensioned such that said pin (22) is a push fit in said aperture (24) so as to releasably lock said pin (22) in said aperture (24). Said pin (22) is also removable from said aperture (24) without damaging said pin (22) or said aperture (24).
Referring to drawing # 2, said end closure (16) is arranged to snugly fit into an end of said tubular body (25) of square cross section to form a package. Said tubular body is made of relatively soft plastics material, such as polyethylene. Said pin (22) is so constructed that it is capable of piercing the material of said tubular body (25). The hollow plug (18) of end closure (16) is inserted into said tubular body (25) until the end of said tubular body (25) comes into abutment with said lip (19) of said end closure (16). In this inserted position of said end closure (16), each side of the flange (17A) lies adjacent to an end region of a corresponding side wall (26) of said tubular body (25).
To fasten said inserted end closure (16) to said tubular body (25), said wings (20) are hinged about said peripheral lip (19) and pressed against said tubular body (25), so that
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said pins (22) pierce the material of said tubular body (25) and engage in said apertures (24) of said end closure (16). Said wings (20) are thus releasably secured to the hollow plug of said end closure (16), located within said tubular body (25) and can be released by pulling said pins (22) out of said apertures (24) without damaging either said tubular body (25) or said end closure (16). Accordingly, said end closure (16) can readily be reused after removal of the end closure (16) has afforded access to the contents of said tubular body (25).
To ensure that said pins (22) engage securely in said apertures (24), a pressure-applying tool (26) in the form of specially-adapted pliers (26) may be used to drive said pins (22) through the wall of said tubular body (25) and into said apertures 924). Said tool (26) is illustrated in drawing # 3 and comprises a pair of pivotally connected handles (27) and (28), provided with usual grips (27A) and (28A) respectively. First and second jaws (29) and (30) respectively formed at the ends of said handles (27) and (28) are closed together in conventional manner by squeezing said handles (27) and (28) together against the force of a return spring (31), which normally biases said jaws (29) and (30) into open position, as shown in drawing # 3. Said first jaw 929) has a completely plane active surface (32), while said second jaw (30) has a plane active surface (33) formed with a recess in the form of a groove (34).
Use of said tool (26) to fasten said end closure (16) to said tubular body 925) is illustrated in drawings # 4 and # 5. As shown in drawing # 4, the hollow plug (16) is inserted into said tubular body (25), until end of said tubular body (25) comes into abutment with said
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lip (19) of said closure (16), so that each side of the flange (17A) lies adjacent to an end region of a corresponding side wall of said tubular body (25). Said tool (26) is then applied to the end of the tubular package, so that said flange (17A) is positioned between said jaws (29) and (30) with said jaw (30) inside said hollow plug (18) and with said jaw (29) outside the end closure and said tubular body (25) and aligned with said wing (20) on that edge of said closure (16).Squeezing said handles (27) and (28) together then drives said pin (22) through wall of said tubular body (25) and into said aperture (24) in said plug (18). The groove (34) in said jaw (30) is deep enough to accommodate the portion of said pin (22), which projects into hollow end of said closure (16) through said aperture (14), so that said pin (22) is not damaged during this operation.
It should be appreciated that by using an appropriate number of crease lines, other shapes of tubular body can be produced from a rectangular sheet of material. For example, two crease lines would provide a substantially a flat package; six crease lines would provide a package of hexagonal section; and no crease lines would provide a package of oval or cylindrical section. The cross-section of the end plug can be customized to fit the shape of the tubular body.
By way of further example, drawings # 7 to # 10 show the formation of a cylindrical package using a tubular body (125) formed with no creases and circular end closure (116). In this case, only two locking tabs (120) are provided on the end closure (136) at diametrically opposite locations on the perimeter of said flange (117A).
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An end closure having a locking tab that is releasably engagable with a part of the end closure through a portion of the tubular body enables the provision of a package which allows easy access to packaged goods without requiring destruction of either the tubular body or the end closure.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may - separately or in any combination of such features - be utilized for realizing the invention in diverse forms thereof.
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We claim:
1. A tubular package comprising,
(i) a tubular body (25, 125), having square or cylindrical or hexagonal or oval or near flat or any other cross section and two open ends; (ii) an end closure (16, 116) for each said open end of said tubular body (25, 125), said end closure (16, 116) further comprising,
(a) a hollow plug (18, 118), having cross section identical and conforming to cross section of said tubular body (25, 125) to be smoothly inserted into said open end of said tubular body (25, 125);
(b) a peripheral lip (19, 119)
(b) one pair or more than one pair of wing-shaped tab (20, 120), integrally attached to underside of said peripheral lip (19, 119) of said end closure (16,116).
2. A tubular package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tubular body (25, 125) is made of a rectangular sheet (2) of polyethylene plastic material, which is folded along parallel, longitudinal crease lines (3) to form an elongate, tubular packaging body (25, 125) of square or any other said cross section, such that said longitudinal edges of said rectangular sheet (2) overlap each other and are permanently sealed together to maintain said shape of said tubular body (25, 125).
3. A tubular package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said end closure (16, 116) - made of injection-moulded, polyethylene plastics material - comprises a square base (7) or a round base or a hexagonal base or an oval base or any other shape, formed with a peripheral flange (7A), extending substantially and perpendicularly to said base (7) to form said hollow plug (18, 118).
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4. A tubular package as claimed in claimsl and 3, wherein said formed, hollow plug (18, 118) is further provided with a peripheral lip (19, 119), extending substantially parallel to said base (17, 117) and projecting outwardly to said hollow plug (18, 118).
5. A tubular package as claimed in claimsl, 3 and 4, wherein said wing-shaped tab (20, 120) - integrally formed at root end thereof with said lip (19, 119) - tapers into a head portion (21, 121) that carries an integrally formed pin (22, 122).
6. A tubular package as claimed in claimsl and 5, wherein said pin (22, 122) projects perpendicularly from said wing-shaped tab (20, 120) and orthogonally to said base (17,117).

7. A tubular package as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein said pin (22, 122) is generally cylindrical with a substantially bullet-shaped tip (22A, 122A).
8. A tubular package as claimed in claim I, wherein said wing-shaped tab (20, 120) is hinged with respect to said peripheral lip (19) about a hinge (23, 123), formed at the root end of said wing-shaped tab (20) by a portion of said tab's material, which has reduced thickness.
9. A tubular package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wing-shaped tab (20, 120) is located on opposite sides of said plug (18, 118).
10. A method for attaching end closure (16, 116) with tubular body (25, 125)ofa tubular package comprising,

(i) inserting said end closure (16, 116) in one open end of said tubular body (25, 125), until end of said tubular body (25, 125) comes into abutment
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with said lip (19) of said end closure (16, 116) Such that each side of said peripheral flange (17 A, 117A) lies adjacent end region of corresponding side wall of said tubular body (25, 125), (ii) engaging interior side of said hollow plug (18, 118) on one jaw (33) of
a special tool (26) (iii) engaging exterior side of said wing-shaped tab (20) on other jaw (32) of
said special tool (26), (iv) closing together said jaws (32, 33) of said special tool (26) by lightly
squeezing respective handles (27, 28) of said jaws (32, 33), (v) piercing an aperture (24, 124) each on said end region of wall of said tubular body (25, 25) and on peripheral flange {17A, 117 A) of said plug (18, \\8) (vi) driving said pin (22, 122) fully through said aperture by means of pressure
on said wing-shaped tab (20) by said special tool (26), (vii) releasably engaging said wing-shaped tab (20) with said hollow plug (18, 118) fastening thereby said plug (18,118) of said end closure (16, 116) with said tubular package. 11. A tool (26) for attaching said end closure (16, 116) with said tubular body (25, 125), said tool (26), being pliers, comprising, (i) a pair of pivotally connected handles (27, 28) (ii) a pair of co-operating jaws (29, 30) (iii) a spring (31), under tension, for keeping said javvs (29,30) in normally open
position, (iv) a pair of grips (27A, 28A) for extending said connected handles (27, 28) respectively,
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12. A tool (26) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said one jaw (29) has a completely plane active surface (32).
13. A tool (26) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said other jaw (30) has a plane active surface (33), formed with a recess in the form of groove (34).
14. A tubular package, an end closure thereof, a method for closure of said tubular package with said end closure and a tool for completing said closure, as substantially described herein above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings 1 to 10.
Jated : September , 2008
Dated : September , 2008
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