Packaging means

Abstract

A packaging means includes a first member, in particular a container ( 1 ), a tube or a bottle, having a peripheral wall ( 4 ) which is flexible at at least a portion thereof in a direction perpendicularly to the peripheral direction and a second member in the form of a bandage ( 2 ) which encompasses the peripheral wall ( 4 ) and comprises first inter-engagement means ( 30, 31 ) which can engage in complementary first inter-engagement means ( 11, 12 ) on the peripheral wall of the first member ( 1 ) whereby the bandage and the peripheral wall are jointly deformable in the direction perpendicular to the peripheral direction. The bandage ( 2 ) may consist of a synthetic material having a softer surface texture than that of the synthetic material of the peripheral wall ( 3 ).

I claim:  
     
         1 . A packaging means including a first member, in particular a container, a tube or a bottle, having a peripheral wall which is flexible at at least a portion thereof in a direction perpendicularly to the peripheral direction, characterised by a second member in the form of a bandage ( 2 ) which encompasses the peripheral wall ( 3 ,  4 ) and comprises first inter-engagement means ( 30 ,  31 ) adapted to engage with complementary first inter-engagement means ( 11 ,  12 ) on the peripheral wall of the first member ( 1 ) whereby the bandage and the peripheral wall are jointly deformable in said direction perpendicular to the peripheral direction.  
     
     
         2 . The packaging means according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the first inter-engagement means comprise on one of said members at least a pair of inter-engagement ribs ( 30 ,  31 ) essentially axially extending and provided at oppositely located positions of the peripheral wall ( 3 ) of the first member ( 1 ) and the bandage ( 2 ), said inter-engagement ribs being insertible axially into complementarily extending inter-engagement seats ( 11 ,  12 ) on the other of said members.  
     
     
         3 . The packaging means according to  claim 2 , characterised in that each inter-engagement rib ( 30 ,  31 ) has a substantially L- or T-shaped cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         4 . The packaging means according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the first inter-engagement means ( 11 ,  12 ,  30 ,  31 ) have a complementary conical construction for additionally creating an clamped seating.  
     
     
         5 . The packaging means according to  claim 2 , characterised in that each inter-engagement seat ( 11 ,  12 ) is provided on the peripheral wall ( 3 ) of the first member ( 1 ), and each inter-engagement rib ( 30 ,  31 ) is provided on the bandage ( 2 ).  
     
     
         6 . The packaging means according to  claim 1 , characterised in that second inter-engagement means ( 32 ,  33 ) are provided on the bandage ( 2 ) at positions which are different from the locations of the first inter-engagement means, said second inter-engagement means being adapted to engage with complementary second inter-engagement means ( 15 ,  16 ) on the peripheral wall ( 3 ) of the first member ( 1 ) so as to prevent relative rotation between the bandage and the peripheral wall.  
     
     
         7 . The packaging means according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the second inter-engagement means ( 15 ,  16 ,  32 ,  33 ) further comprise complementary latching means ( 20 ,  34 ) for fixing the axial position of the bandage ( 2 ) relative to the peripheral wall ( 3 ).  
     
     
         8 . The packaging means according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the second inter-engagement means ( 15 ,  16 ,  32 ) are provided at oppositely located positions of the bandage ( 2 ) and the peripheral wall ( 3 ).  
     
     
         9 . The packaging means according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the second inter-engagement means each comprise a peripherally spaced pair of inter-engagement recesses ( 15 ,  16 ) on the peripheral wall ( 3 ) adapted to accommodate a pair of complementary spaced inter-engagement elements ( 32 ,  33 ) on the bandage ( 2 ).  
     
     
         10 . The packaging means according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the first and second inter-engagement means ( 11 ,  12 ,  30 ,  31 ;  15 ,  16 ,  32 ,  33 ) are provided at mutually orthogonally displaced locations having differing rigidity of the peripheral wall ( 3 ) and the bandage ( 2 ).  
     
     
         11 . The packaging means according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the bandage ( 2 ) surrounds an end portion ( 4 ) of the peripheral wall ( 3 ) in cap-like manner and comprises a bottom ( 28 ).  
     
     
         12 . The packaging means according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the bandage ( 2 ) consists of a synthetic material having a softer outer surface texture than that of the synthetic material of the peripheral wall ( 3 ).  
     
     
         13 . The packaging means according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the synthetic material having the softer outer surface texture is an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         14 . The packaging means according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the bandage ( 2 ) and the peripheral wall ( 3 ) have complementary flexible broad sides and stiff narrow sides, and in that the first inter-engagement means ( 11 ,  12 ;  30 ,  31 ) are provided on the flexible broad sides.