EP0868357B1 - Plastic packaging with nested preformed parts - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a plastic packaging of specified shape stability and relatively large volume. The two parts (2, 3) which form the bottom part and top part respectively are essentially identical in form but of different sizes such that they have regions (6, 28, 29) which co-operate with one another to a limited degree and, when the parts are stacked together, have a positive or non-positive secure connection (7, 8, 25, 26, 27) e.g. a squeeze-grip or snap-in connection. Each of the stacked parts has a sheet thickness or strength which is not, either on its own or combined with the other part, sufficient to maintain the specified shape stability. The information medium (4), which is preferably not made of plastic and which is of a shape and substance such as to contribute to the desired shape stability of the packaging, is accommodated between the stacked parts (2, 3). Despite the immense reduction in the plastic content, the hygienic advantages of plastic packaging are retained in full. A high proportion of the total packaging is made up of paper or cardboard-type material to give stability.

Description

The invention relates to a plastic packaging of predetermined dimensional stability, especially as a lid or in the form of a bowl of larger volume.

Plastic packaging is widely available and in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and for various purposes in practical use. Problems with these On the one hand, packaging prepares the cost of materials for plastic, the disposal the no longer required packaging and the attachment of the usual and necessary information and advertising information.

GB-A 921 830 (BEF Products) shows improvements in injection molded products such as containers. Based on the problem there, plastic containers or containers are proposed which should have different external designs and which should be able to be changed in a simple manner as desired in design (ornamentation or pattern), the injection molding devices for the basic container not being changed or exchanged. For this purpose, nested two parts are proposed, which are made of synthetic plastic and a synthetic plastic disc is sandwiched between them (see page 1, lines 18 to 23 and 28 to 30). The plastic containers described there relate to any suitable form of a product and especially to those articles which have a flat plate shape or tray shape. Such forms are also addressed, which are boxes, flower pots and drinking cups, the solution described there relating both to the wall or walls of the container and to the bottom of the container.

The nested parts are joined together in any suitable manner (firmly) connected (see page 1, lines 48/49 there as "bonded together"), while at mentioned elsewhere that the connection is generally permanent (cf. there Page 2, lines 8 to 16), but should be of a separable or tearable shape (detachable character). The connection at the edge of the nested parts is described as "being cemented together", cf. there page 2, lines 16 to 32, alternatively by wedge-shaped coupling at the top / bottom of the container, e.g. with a circumferential flange arranged at the top and stepped (there 5) and an annular receptacle (there 6 and Figure 2), which around the lower end of the Flange section runs. This wedge connection is called "tight fit and being cemented together ". It is all-round and emphasizes an adhesive connection.

It is an object of the invention to provide a plastic packaging which, as far as possible, provides a significant improvement with regard to all three problem areas mentioned at the outset, the reduction in the amount of plastic used, the disposal of the packaging which is no longer required and, if appropriate, the attachment of the usual or necessary information brings.

This object is solved with claim 1 and claim 2, respectively. This solution opens up itself for the lower part as packaging, only for the lid part as packaging, such as also for both parts of a plastic packaging.

The parts forming the lower part or the cover part are only "essentially" of the same design, but otherwise differently dimensioned so that limited, interacting areas in the nested state of the Share a positive or non-positive connection, for example pinching or snapping effect.

Each of the nested molded parts has a film thickness or one Film strength, which is not sufficient for either itself or for both parts together, in order to maintain sufficient dimensional stability of the overall plastic packaging. she are, however, each dimensionally stable. Take the nested parts sandwich the liner between them, which is preferably not made of plastic exists and by its shape and material to achieve the predetermined Dimensional stability of the plastic packaging contributes.

The liner is made on the basis of paper or sturdy cardboard. Of the Weight percentage of the material of the liner should be in the total weight of the packaging assume a comparatively high value. It can handle up to 50% and more of the Total weight.

The outer shell or the upper preform part of the cover is advantageous transparent material (claim 6). The liner can be used as Serve information carriers.

The nested different sized preforms have due to the shell shape limited corner areas (claim 1), in which nested condition positively or non-positively (or both) one Connection takes place. The connection becomes jamming or snapping Get effect. Should the liner from the boxed plastic packaging are removed in shell form, the two preforms are deinterleaved while removing the clamping holding forces in the limited corner areas, so that Access to the liner is created. The plastic parts and the intermediate layer can then disposed of separately. The same applies to plastic packaging as a lid (Claim 2), which also has limited corner areas in which a positive or non-positive connection.

The new plastic packaging saves substantial amounts of plastic material, without losing the shape stability of the container. Applying the required information and the factual and advertising information no longer occurs the plastic. Rather, the cheap material such. B. paper or cardboard existing separate information carriers are cut and printed separately become. Disposing of the packaging is much cheaper because, on the one hand, the Plastic content is much lower than usual, while the material of the Information carrier is much easier to dispose of than the plastic material, and because the outside of the nested plastic parts by the content of the Packaging is not dirty, but as a so-called clean plastic again can be processed. Another advantage arises, especially with Plastic packaging for ice cream, due to the increased insulation effect of the sandwich-like walls, with the thinnest between the individual layers Air layers contribute to thermal insulation. The rigidity and thus the dimensional stability of the Packaging can be increased by the stiffness of the information carrier.

Figur 1

zeigt im Ausschnitt einen Querschnitt durch den Unterteil einer Kunststoffverpackung 1.

Figur 1a

zeigt einen verkleinerten Ausschnitt und einen Querschnitt in einer anderen Ebene als der Querschnitt nach Figur 1.

Figur 1b

ist eine perspektivische Darstellung von zwei ineinandergeschachtelten Unterteilen 2,3.

Figur 2

zeigt im Ausschnitt eine Aufsicht auf die Verpackung nach Figur 1.

Figur 3

zeigt eine Aufsicht auf einen Deckel 20 einer Verpackung, z. B. der nach Figur 1.

Figur 3a

zeigt im Ausschnitt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Eckenbereiches des Deckels nach Figur 3.

Figur 3b

zeigt im Ausschnitt einen Querschnitt durch den Deckel nach Figur 3.

The invention is explained below with reference to schematic drawings of several execution examples .

Figure 1

shows a section of a cross section through the lower part of a plastic packaging 1.

Figure 1a

shows a reduced section and a cross section in a different plane than the cross section of Figure 1.

Figure 1b

is a perspective view of two nested parts 2,3.

Figure 2

shows a detail of the packaging according to FIG. 1.

Figure 3

shows a plan view of a lid 20 of a package, for. B. that of Figure 1.

Figure 3a

shows a detail of a perspective view of a corner region of the cover according to FIG. 3.

Figure 3b

shows a section of a cross section through the lid of Figure 3.

The container part 1 of a plastic packaging according to FIG. 1 consists of two nested bowl-shaped cups 2 and 3. Both consist of thin plastic film, the film of the outer part 3 preferably having a smaller thickness than the film of the inner part 2. The film material of part 3 is transparent, while the film material of part 2 is preferably opaque. The two nested parts 2, 3 are essentially of the same shape. However, they are dimensioned slightly differently, in such a way that they can only be nested in a certain order. It is therefore not possible to fully insert Part 3 into Part 2, but vice versa.
Both parts 2 and 3 have, in the upper edge region 5, preferably in the packaging corners 6, regions 9 which are matched to one another and which are shaped differently from the regions lying between them. When the parts 2 and 3 are nested, these separate areas 9 engage in one another in a force-locking or form-fitting manner, so that the parts 2 and 3 are firmly connected to one another. In the example shown, the upper wall areas 7, 8 in the corner area 6 are designed to be slightly to significantly (outwardly) inclined to the vertical, as is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 1b . Outside the special corner areas 6 used to connect the parts, the walls 7a, 8a of both parts 2 and 3 are essentially vertical, as can be seen in FIGS. 1b and 1a , only the areas 6 of the two parts 2 and 3 being used to produce a Clamping seat are matched to each other, while the wall sections 7a, 8a apply no clamping force. Both parts 2 and 3 have edge flanges 10, 11 which are used for connection to a corresponding cover. Below the shoulder 14, the walls of parts 2 and 3 are spaced apart and sandwich between them a correspondingly shaped information carrier, which preferably consists of paper or cardboard-like material of such stiffness that the information carrier can contribute to the plastic packaging predetermined dimensional stability is achieved, while the parts 2 and 3 consist of a plastic material of such a thickness that, even when nested together, do not yet provide the dimensional stability. Near the bottom 12, the nested parts 2, 3 can be stiffened accordingly by a further shoulder 13.

The two parts 2 and 3 can also additionally in their connecting areas 5,6 be firmly connected by the action of heat. To dispose of a to facilitate such packaging can in the outer shell 3 around Connection area 5.6 around a tear, perforation or pre-weakening line provided that the outer part is easily torn off from the inner part 2 with the exception of the connection areas 5.6. This allows parts 2 and 3 are disposed of separately, the outer part 3 in contrast to part 2 represents a so-called "clean" plastic, for which the disposal effort is less. The cardboard insert 4 can also be removed and separated to be disposed of.

The outer part 3 can have small suction openings distributed over its extension have, so that - in the manufacture - the inserted in the outer part 3 Information carrier 4 held in its exact position in part 3 by negative pressure can be inserted until the inner part 2 and in areas 5 and 6 with the outer part 3 is positively or non-positively connected. Instead it is also possible, the information carrier 4 on the outer part 3 at a few points thermal way to secure its position. This attachment hampers not easy removal of the information carrier from part 3 during disposal.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 3a and 3b , a lid 19 made of plastic is provided, which can be used, for example, to close the container according to FIG . However, it can also be used in containers of a different design. As described above for the shell 1, the cover part 19 consists of two parts 20 and 30, each preformed from plastic foils and nestable into one another, and an information carrier 40 sandwiched between them, preferably of cardboard or paper material. Like the lower parts according to FIG. 1 , the parts 20 and 30 are of essentially the same design and both have a profiled edge which serves to engage with a container, as can be seen in section from FIG. 3b . The detailed information that has been given for the lower part according to FIG. 1 essentially also applies to the cover part. This also preferably has, in its corner regions 28, 29, mutually coordinated and slightly differently dimensioned engagement sections 23, 24, which achieve a positive or non-positive connection between the two parts 20 and 30 when the parts are nested in a predetermined order. In this case, the nubs 25 provided in different numbers in the corner areas in conjunction with an outer edge area 26 drawn in along the line 27, which can also serve for clamping the entire cover onto the lower part, are used to also in the corner areas 28, 29 between the two parts 20 and 30 to produce a fixed connection in the nested state, which is snap action in the case shown.

Within the upper ring piece or oval or rectangular web 22 with rounded edges can be one or more stiffening shoulders 22a, 22b be provided.

The insert 40 clearly contributes to the total weight and to the shape retention and rigidity of the packaging lid. The corner areas guaranteeing the connection can be designed differently, as shown at 23 and 24. Usually it is not necessary, but even with such a cover, a through Exposure to heat in the corner areas achieved an inseparable connection between the parts 20 and 30 may be provided, also not shown in this case Lines of weakness surround the connection area to the outer part 20 of to make the inner part 30 tearable so that both parts are disposed of separately or the cardboard insert can be removed. Otherwise leave the two parts 20 and 30 easily by lifting the snap lock separate from each other.

For the manufacture of the lid, refer to the corresponding information for the manufacture of the Lower part referenced. The trays and lids for frozen foods are preferred - used as ice cream or salads.

The invention also avoids the disadvantage of inaccuracy in larger containers of the information and advertising imprint, since this information on the Information carriers in a simple and safe way with optically good quality can be applied.

Despite the enormous reduction in the proportion of plastic, the invention achieves that the hygienic advantages of plastic packaging are fully preserved stay. A high proportion by weight of the total packaging is due to the paper or Cardboard-like material made to give stability.

The invention relates to a plastic packaging of predetermined Dimensional stability and larger volume, in which the lower part or Cover part forming parts (2, 3) are each essentially the same are, but are dimensioned differently so that they are limited to each other cooperating areas (6,28,29), which in the nested condition of the parts a positive or non-positive (7,8,25,26,27) firm connection, for example with a clamping or snap-like Effect.

Each of the nested parts has a film thickness or one Film strength, which is not sufficient for either itself or for both parts together, in order to maintain the predetermined dimensional stability of the plastic packaging. The nested parts (2, 3) sandwich the information carrier (4) between themselves, which is preferably not made of plastic and which through its Shape and its material to achieve the predetermined dimensional stability of the Plastic packaging contributes.

Despite the enormous reduction in the proportion of plastic, the invention achieves that the hygienic advantages of plastic packaging are fully preserved stay. A high proportion by weight of the total packaging is due to the paper or Cardboard-like material made to give stability.

Claims (11)

1. Plastic packaging in bowl form of particularly larger volume, in which

   (a) the lower part (1) comprises two pre-moulded parts (2,3) of different dimensions for nesting, pre-moulded from in each case plastic film, which (2,3) are connected to one another (7,8) positively or/and non-positively in the nested state in defined first corner regions (6);
   characterised in that

   (b) a paper or cardboard material (4) contributing to the dimensional stability of the bowl is inserted between the nested pre-moulded parts (2,3).
2. Plastic packaging of adequate dimensional stability, in which

   (a) the lid (19) comprises two nested flat pre-moulded parts (20, 30), pre-moulded from in each case plastic film, which have different dimensions at least in predetermined defined regions (28, 29) only inasmuch as to be connected to one another there positively or/and non-positively in a nested state;
   characterised in that

   (b) a paper or cardboard material (40) contributing to the dimensional stability of the lid is inserted between the nested pre-moulded parts (20, 30).
3. Plastic packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the nested lower parts or lid parts in each case made from plastic films have different dimensions so that they can be nested in only one sequence.
4. Plastic packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the type of material and/or the thickness of each of the individual nested parts (2, 3; 20, 30) is selected to be insufficient to achieve adequate dimensional stability.
5. Plastic packaging according to claim 4, characterised in that the inserted paper or cardboard material (4; 40) is designed so that as the lid or as the bowl it also contributes essentially to the material weight of the total plastic packaging.
6. Plastic packaging according to one of the previous claims, in which the outer bowl (3) or the upper lid (2) is formed to be transparent and the inserted paper or cardboard material (4; 40) is designed as an information carrier and is visible from the outside.
7. Plastic packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer (3; 20) of the nested parts (2, 3; 20, 30) is designed to have thinner walls than the inner part.
8. Plastic packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the nested parts (2, 3; 20, 30) in the region of their corners (7, 8; 23, 24) of rounded shape are connected to one another non-positively or positively in peripherally defined region starting from the upper edge.
9. Plastic packaging according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the outer of the nested parts (2, 3; 20, 30) has weakened lines which in each case surround integral connecting regions (7, 8; 23, 24) to separate the outer part (3; 20) from the inner part (2; 30) along these weakened lines with the exception of the connecting regions.
10. Plastic packaging according to one of the above claims, in which (a) the locking zone (7, 8) in the comers (6) consists of sections slightly inclined counter to the direction of insertion of the lower parts (3, 2) to be nested, so that during snapping-in, the lower shoulder of the inner bowl locks over the upper shoulder of the outer bowl; or (b) the locking region is arranged mutatis mutandis on the lid comers (28, 29), wherein peripherally spaced snap zones (25, 27) are provided in the corner region.
11. Plastic packaging according to claim 10, alternative (a), wherein each corner locking zone (7, 8; 9) is continuous around the corners.

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