CN112236371A

CN112236371A - Single-serving container for food products

Info

Publication number: CN112236371A
Application number: CN201980036741.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿尔贝托·巴尔托利; 安德里亚·巴尔托利
Original assignee: Sarong SpA
Current assignee: Sarong SpA
Priority date: 2018-05-29
Filing date: 2019-05-28
Publication date: 2021-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-28
Also published as: CN112236371B; IT201800005811A1; EP3802356A1; WO2019229642A1

Abstract

Single-serve container (1) for solid or semi-solid food products obtained by thermoforming, comprising: a first half-shell (2) provided with a first peripheral edge (4) surrounding a first cavity (6); and a second half-shell (3) provided with a second peripheral edge (5) surrounding a second cavity (7), the first cavity (6) and the second cavity (7) defining a cavity (8) within the container (1) containing said food product, the first peripheral edge (4) and the second peripheral edge (5) being welded together by at least partial peel welding, so that at least a first portion (4a) of the first peripheral edge (4) is separable from a first portion (5a) of the second peripheral edge (5), wherein the first half-shell (2) is configured such that when the first portion (4a) of the first peripheral edge (4) is separated from the first portion (5a) of the second peripheral edge (5), the first portion (2a) of the first half-shell (2) is rotatable about a first axis of rotation (A) relative to the second portion (2b) of the first half-shell (2).

Description

Single-serving container for food products

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a single-serve container for solid or semi-solid food products, such as ice cream, snacks, cheese, etc.

Background

In the prior art, single-serve containers are known for solid or semi-solid food products, which are made of thermoformable plastic and are composed of a pair of half-shells welded together with a peelable weld along respective peripheral edges.

Peel welding refers to welding in which the two peripheral edges are separated without causing rupture of the container by applying a traction force in a direction perpendicular to the welding plane, while ensuring that the two peripheral edges are completely bonded together.

The container is thus opened by separating the two half-shells along the respective peripheral edges.

In order to enable the user to handle the food inside the container, the latter is provided with small sticks or picks which are inserted in the food and protrude therefrom, and which enable the user to easily grip and handle the food after removing the half-shells of the container again without dirtying the hands.

Such a container is disclosed in WO2004/086875 in the name of the applicant of the present application.

Containers of the type disclosed above have the drawback that the insertion of the small stick or pick inside the container considerably complicates the production of the container, thus increasing the production costs.

Furthermore, the disposal of the used container is complicated by the presence of the stick or pick, since the stick or pick must generally be disposed of separately from the body of the container.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to make a single-serve container for solid or semi-solid food products which is simpler and cheaper to manufacture than the containers of the prior art and which is simpler to dispose of the used container.

The object of the invention is achieved by a container according to claim 1.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to make a single-serving container of food that does not have to be equipped with a stick or pick to enable the user to handle the food contained therein.

The container according to the invention is easy to manufacture and can be opened simply and easily, further enabling the user to handle the food contained therein without soiling his hands.

Finally, the container according to the invention can be simply disposed of after use.

Drawings

Some embodiments of the invention are disclosed below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a single-serve container according to the present invention in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 1 in a fully open configuration;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 along line III-III;

fig. 4 to 8 show various opening steps for opening the container of fig. 1, wherein fig. 4 is a plan view of the container of fig. 1 in a first opening step; FIG. 5 is a side view of the container of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 in a second opening step of the container; FIG. 7 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 1 at the beginning of opening; and figure 8 is a side view of the container of figure 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a single-serve container according to the invention in the closed configuration;

fig. 10 is a plan view of the container of fig. 1 in a fully open configuration.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 9 taken along line XI-XI;

fig. 12 to 16 show various opening steps for opening the container of fig. 9, wherein fig. 12 is a plan view of the container of fig. 9 in a first opening step; FIG. 13 is a side view of the container of FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 in a second opening step of the container; FIG. 15 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 9 at the beginning of opening; and FIG. 16 is a side view of the container of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a single-serve container according to the invention in a closed configuration;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 17 in a fully open configuration;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 17 taken along line XIX-XIX;

fig. 20 to 24 show various opening steps for opening the container of fig. 17, wherein fig. 20 is a plan view of the container of fig. 17 in a first opening step; FIG. 21 is a side view of the container of FIG. 20; FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 in a second opening step of the container; FIG. 23 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 17 at the beginning of opening; and figure 24 is a side view of the container of figure 23;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a single-serve container according to the invention in the closed configuration;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 25 in a fully open configuration;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 25 taken along line XXVII-XXVII;

figures 28 to 32 show various opening steps for opening the container of figure 25; wherein fig. 28 is a top view of the container of fig. 25 in a first opening step; FIG. 29 is a side view of the container of FIG. 28; FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 in a second opening step of the container; FIG. 31 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 25 at the beginning of opening; and FIG. 32 is a side view of the container of FIG. 31;

fig. 33 schematically illustrates the manufacture of a container according to the embodiment shown in fig. 9-16 and 25-32;

fig. 34 schematically illustrates the manufacture of a container according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1-8 and 17-24.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention is shown. The container 1 is composed of a first half-shell 2 and a second half-shell 3, the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 being respectively thermoformed from a sheet of thermoformable material for food (for example polypropylene, polylactic acid, biodegradable thermoplastic). The first half-shell 2 is provided with a first peripheral edge 4 surrounding a first cavity 6. Similarly, the second half-shell 3 is provided with a second peripheral edge 5 surrounding a second cavity 7, the second cavity 7 possibly having a shape and dimensions substantially corresponding to those of the first cavity 6.

To form the container 1, the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 are joined together by welding the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 together, for example by thermal or ultrasonic welding.

When the first 2 and second 3 half-shells are welded together, the first 6 and second 7 cavities define, inside the container 1, a cavity 8 for containing a solid or semi-solid food product (for example ice cream, snacks, cheese, etc.).

On the first peripheral edge 4, on the opposite side to the first cavity 6 in the intermediate zone 22 of the container 1, a first non-through cut 9 and a second non-through cut 10 are made, i.e. with a depth less than the thickness of the first peripheral edge 4. The first peripheral edge 4 is divided into a first portion 4a and a second portion 4b by a first non-through cut 9 and a second non-through cut 10.

Similarly, on the second peripheral edge 5, on the opposite side to the second cavity 7 in said intermediate region 22, a third non-through cut 11 and a fourth non-through cut 12 are made, i.e. with a depth less than the thickness of the second peripheral edge 5. The third non-through incision 11 and the fourth non-through incision 12 divide the second peripheral edge 5 into a first portion 5a and a second portion 5 b. The third non-through cuts 11 and the fourth non-through cuts 12 are preferably made in positions corresponding to the first non-through cuts 9 and the second non-through cuts 10, so that when the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 are welded together, the first non-through cuts 9 are superimposed on the third non-through cuts 11 and the second non-through cuts 10 are superimposed on the fourth non-through cuts 12. However, the third non-through cuts 11 and the fourth non-through cuts 12 may be in staggered positions with respect to the first non-through cuts 9 and the second non-through cuts 10.

On the first peripheral edge 4, at the first and

second non-through cuts

9, 10, respective first and second through

cuts

13, 14 can be made, which extend over a portion of the width of the first peripheral edge 4. The first and second through

cuts

13, 14 may be made by removing material so as to present a cut (e.g., a "V" shaped cut as shown in fig. 2) type appearance. Alternatively, each through cut 13, 14 may be made as a through cut, i.e. a cut affecting the entire thickness of the first peripheral edge 4.

Similarly, on the second peripheral edge 5, at the third non-through incision 11 and the fourth non-through incision 12, a third through incision 15 and a fourth through incision 16 can be made, each extending over a portion of the width of the second peripheral edge 5. The third and fourth through

cuts

15, 16 may be formed by removing material to present a cut (e.g., "V" shaped cut as shown in fig. 2) type appearance. Alternatively, each through-

cut

15, 16 may be made as a through-cut, i.e. as a cut affecting the entire thickness of the second peripheral edge 5.

The weld joining together the first 2 and second 3 half-shells is peelable at least at the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 and at the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5. The weld may be peelable over the entire extent of the first and second

peripheral edges

4, 5, or may be peelable at a first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 and a first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5, and non-peelable at a second portion 4b of the first peripheral edge 4 and a second portion 5b of the second peripheral edge 5.

In the area 17 at one end of the container 1, the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 are only partially welded together, i.e. are welded together over only a portion of the respective width, so that the user can open the container 1 by gripping the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 at said area 17 and can break the peelable weld by exerting a traction force on the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5, so as to separate the first half-shell 2 from the second half-shell 3 at least at the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 and at the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5.

In fig. 4 to 8, the opening of the container 1 is shown.

In a first step, shown in figures 4 and 5, the user grasps the first peripheral edge 4 of the first half-shell 2 at the region 17 and breaks the peelable weld by applying a traction force to the outside of the container 1, thereby separating the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 from the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5 and rotating the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 relative to the second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 about a first rotation axis a passing through the first and

second non-through cuts

9, 10.

The rotation of the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 with respect to the second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 is facilitated if the through-

cuts

13 and 14 are present.

Similarly, the application of a traction force on the peripheral edge 5 of the second half-shell 3 towards the outside of the container 1 causes the first portion 3a of the second half-shell 3 to rotate with respect to the second portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 about a second axis of rotation passing through the third and

fourth non-through cuts

11 and 12.

The rotation of the first portion 3a of the second half-shell 3 with respect to the second portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 is facilitated if the through-

cuts

15 and 16 are present.

The rotation of the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 and of the first portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 can be continued until said first portion 2a is superimposed on said second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 and the first portion 3a is superimposed on said second portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 (as shown in figures 7 and 8), so as to enable the user to access the food product contained in the cavity 8 of the container 1.

It is possible for the user to grip the open container 1 using the

second portions

2b and 3b of the first 2 and second 3 half-shells, together with the

first portions

2a and 3a, while eating the food contained therein.

In this way, it is not necessary to provide the container 1 with a small stick or pick to enable the user to grip the opened container. This simplifies and reduces the manufacturing costs of the container 1. Furthermore, it optimizes the disposal of used containers as there is no small stick or pick to dispose of separately from the used container.

Furthermore, the user can cause the food product to be completely expelled from the container 1 by exerting pressure on the

second portions

2b and 3b of the first half-shell 2 and of the second half-shell 3, so as to be able to use the portion of product that remains enclosed between said

second portions

2b and 3b after opening the container 1.

Some further embodiments of the container 1 according to the invention will now be disclosed with reference to fig. 9 to 32. In the figures, features that are identical to the first embodiment of the container 1 disclosed previously and to the other embodiments disclosed below are indicated by the same reference numerals.

In fig. 9 to 16, a second embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention is shown.

Also in this embodiment, the container 1 is composed of a first half-shell 2 and a second half-shell 3, each of which is made starting from a sheet of thermoformable material for food (for example polypropylene, polylactic acid, biodegradable plastic) by thermoforming. The first half-shell 2 is provided with a first peripheral edge 4 surrounding a first cavity 6. Similarly, the second half-shell 3 is provided with a second peripheral edge 5 surrounding a second cavity 7, the second cavity 7 possibly having a shape and dimensions substantially corresponding to those of the first cavity 6.

The first half-shell 2 has, in a middle region 22 of the container 1, a first non-through cut 18 extending over the entire width of the first half-shell 2. The non-through cut is a cut of a depth less than the thickness of the first half-shell 2.

The first non-through cut 18 divides the first half-shell 2 into a first portion 2a and a second portion 2b, and the first peripheral edge 4 into a first portion 4a and a second portion 4 b.

The second half-shell 3 has, in said intermediate region 22 of the container 1, a second non-through cut 19, which second non-through cut 19 extends over the entire width of the second half-shell 3. The non-through cut is a cut of a depth less than the thickness of the second half-shell 3.

The second non-through cut 19 divides the second half-shell 3 into a first portion 3a and a second portion 3b, and the second peripheral edge 5 into a first portion 5a and a second portion 5 b.

The first non-through cut 18 and the second non-through cut 19 are preferably formed in corresponding positions so that, when the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 are welded together, the first non-through cut 18 and the second non-through cut 19 are on the same plane perpendicular to the surface of the container 1. However, the first non-through cuts 18 and the second non-through cuts 19 may be made in staggered positions with respect to each other.

On the first peripheral edge 4, a respective first through cut 13 and a respective second through cut 14 can be made at the first non-through cut 18, which extend over a portion of the width of the first peripheral edge 4. The first through cuts 13 and the second through cuts 14 may be made by removing material so as to present a cut (e.g., "V" shaped cut as shown in fig. 10) type appearance. Alternatively, each through

cut

13, 14 may be made as a through cut, i.e. a cut affecting the entire thickness of the first peripheral edge 4.

Similarly, on the second peripheral edge 5, a respective third through cut 15 and a respective fourth through cut 16 may be formed at the second non-through cut 19, which extend over a portion of the width of the second peripheral edge 5. The third and fourth through

cuts

15 and 16 may be formed by removing material to present a cut (e.g., "V" shaped cut as shown in fig. 10) type appearance. Alternatively, each through-

cut

peripheral edges

In the area 17 at one end of the container 1, the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 are only partially welded together, i.e. over only a portion of the respective width, so that the user can open the container 1 by gripping the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 in said area 17 and break the peelable weld by exerting a traction force on the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5, so as to separate the first half-shell 2 from the second half-shell 3 at least at the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 and at the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5.

In fig. 12 to 16, the opening of the container 1 is shown.

In a first step, shown in figures 12 and 13, the user grasps the first peripheral edge 4 of the first half-shell 2 at the region 17 without welding and breaks the peelable weld by applying a traction force to the outside of the container 1, so that the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 is separated from the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5 and the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 is rotated relative to the second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 about a first rotation axis a passing through the projection of the first non-through cut 18 onto the plane containing the first peripheral edge 4.

The rotation of the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 with respect to the second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 is facilitated if the cut-

outs

13 and 14 are present.

Similarly, the application of a traction force on the peripheral edge 5 of the second half-shell 3 towards the outside of the container 1 causes the first portion 3a of the second half-shell 3 to rotate with respect to the second portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 about a second rotation axis passing through the projection of the second non-through cut 19 on a plane containing the second peripheral edge 5.

cuts

15 and 16 are present.

The rotation of the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 and of the first portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 can be continued until said first portion 2a is superimposed on said second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 and the first portion 3a is superimposed on said second portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 (as shown in figures 15 and 16), so as to enable the user to access the food product contained in the chamber 8 of the container 1.

It is possible for the user to grip the open container 1 using the

second portions

2b and 3b of the first 2 and second 3 half-shells, together with the

first portions

2a and 3a, while eating the food contained therein.

In this way, it is not necessary to provide the container 1 with a small stick or pick to enable the user to grip the opened container. This simplifies and reduces the manufacturing costs of the container 1. It further optimizes the disposal of the used container as no stick or pick is to be disposed of separately from the used container.

second portions

2b and 3b after opening the container 1.

In fig. 17 to 24, a third embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention is shown.

Also in this embodiment, the container 1 consists of a first half-shell 2 and a second half-shell 3, each thermoformed by starting with a sheet of thermoformable material for food (for example polypropylene, polylactic acid, biodegradable plastics). The first half-shell 2 is provided with a first peripheral edge 4 surrounding a first cavity 6. Similarly, the second half-shell 3 is provided with a second peripheral edge 5 surrounding a second cavity 7, the second cavity 7 possibly having a shape and dimensions substantially corresponding to those of the first cavity 6.

The first half-shell 2 has a first recess 20 in a middle region 22 of the container 1, which first recess 20 extends over the entire width of the first half-shell 2, but does not extend to the first peripheral edge 4.

The first recess 20 divides the first half-shell 2 into a first part 2a and a second part 2 b.

Similarly, the second half-shell 3 has a second recess 21 in said intermediate region 22 of the container 1, which second recess 21 extends over the entire width of the second half-shell 3, but does not extend to the second peripheral edge 5.

The second groove 21 divides the second half-shell 3 into a first portion 3a and a second portion 3 b.

The first recess 20 and the second recess 21 are preferably formed in corresponding positions so that the first recess 20 and the second recess 21 overlap each other in the planar projection of the container 1 when the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 are welded together. However, the first grooves 20 and the second grooves 21 may be manufactured at staggered positions with respect to each other.

On the first peripheral edge 4 on the opposite side of the first cavity 6 in said intermediate region 22 of the container 1, a first through cut 9 and a second non-through cut 10 are formed, i.e. with a depth less than the thickness of the first peripheral edge 4. The first peripheral edge 4 is divided into a first portion 4a and a second portion 4b by a first non-through cut 9 and a second non-through cut 10.

Similarly, on the second peripheral edge 5, on the opposite side to the second cavity 7 in said intermediate region 22, a third non-through cut 11 and a fourth non-through cut 12 are made, i.e. with a depth less than the thickness of the second peripheral edge 5. The third non-through incision 11 and the fourth non-through incision 12 divide the second peripheral edge 5 into a first portion 5a and a second portion 5 b. The third non-through cut 11 and the fourth non-through cut 12 are preferably made in positions corresponding to the first non-through cut 9 and the second non-through cut 10, so that when the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 3 are welded together, the first non-through cut 9 is superimposed on the third non-through cut 11 and the second non-through cut 10 is superimposed on the fourth non-through cut 12. However, the third non-through cuts 11 and the fourth non-through cuts 12 may be in staggered positions with respect to the first non-through cuts 9 and the second non-through cuts 10.

On the first peripheral edge 4, at the first and second

non-through cuts

9, 10, respective first and second through

cuts

13, 14 can be made, which extend over a portion of the width of the first peripheral edge 4. The first through cuts 13 and the second through cuts 14 may be made by removing material so as to present a cut (e.g., "V" shaped cut as shown in fig. 18) type appearance. Alternatively, each through

cut

13, 14 may be made as a through cut, i.e. a cut affecting the entire thickness of the first peripheral edge 4. The first and second through

cuts

13, 14 divide the first peripheral edge 4 into a first portion 4a and a second portion 4 b.

Similarly, on the second peripheral edge 5, in the third non-through incision 11 and the fourth non-through incision 12, a third through incision 15 and a fourth through incision 16 can be made, each extending over a portion of the width of the second peripheral edge 5. The third through cuts 15 and the fourth through cuts 16 may be formed by removing material to present a cut (e.g., "V" shaped cut as shown in fig. 18) type appearance. Alternatively, each through-

cut

15, 16 may be made as a through-cut, i.e. as a cut affecting the entire thickness of the second peripheral edge 5. The third through cut 15 and the fourth through cut 16 divide the second peripheral edge 5 into a first portion 5a and a second portion 5 b.

peripheral edges

In the area 17 at one end of the container 1, the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 are only partially welded together, i.e. are welded together over only a portion of the respective width, so that the user can open the container 1 by gripping the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 at said area 17 and break the peelable weld by exerting a traction force on the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5, thereby separating the first half-shell 2 from the second half-shell 3 at least at the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 and at the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5.

In fig. 20 to 24, the opening of the container 1 is shown.

In a first step, as shown in fig. 20 and 21, the user grips the first peripheral edge 4 of the first half-shell 2 in the region 17 without welding and causes the peel weld to break by applying a traction force to the outside of the container 1, thereby separating the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 from the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5 and rotating the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 relative to the second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 about a first rotation axis a passing through the first and second

non-through cuts

9 and 10.

cuts

13 and 14 are present.

Similarly, the application of a traction force on the peripheral edge 5 of the second half-shell 3 towards the outside of the container 1 causes the first portion 3a of the second half-shell 3 to rotate with respect to the second portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 about a second axis of rotation passing through the third and fourth

non-through cuts

11 and 12.

cuts

15 and 16 are present.

Moreover, the first and

second grooves

20, 21 make the rotation of the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 and of the first portion 3a of the second half-shell 3 easier.

The rotation of the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 and of the first portion 3a of the second half-shell 3 can be continued until said first portion 2a is superimposed on said second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 and said first portion 3a is superimposed on said second portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 (as shown in figures 23 and 24), so that the user can access the food product contained in the cavity 8 of the container 1.

It is possible for the user to grip the open container 1 using the

second portions

2b and 3b of the first 2 and second 3 half-shells, together with the

first portions

2a and 3a, while eating the food contained therein.

In this way, it is not necessary to provide the container 1 with a small stick or pick to enable the user to grip the opened container. This simplifies and reduces the manufacturing costs of the container 1. It further optimizes the disposal of the used container because no stick or pick is to be disposed of separately from the used container.

second portions

2b and 3b after opening the container 1.

In fig. 25 to 32, a fourth embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention is shown.

Furthermore, the first half-shell 2 has a first recess 20 in said middle region 22 of the container 1, which extends over the entire width of the first half-shell 2, but does not extend to the first peripheral edge 4. A first non-through cut 18 extends along the first groove 20.

Similarly, the second half-shell 3 has a second recess 21 in said intermediate region 22 of the container 1, which second recess 21 extends over the entire width of the second half-shell 3, but does not extend to the second peripheral edge 5. A second non-through cut 19 extends along said second groove 21.

The first recess 20 and the second recess 21 are preferably formed in corresponding positions such that the first recess 20 and the second recess 21 overlap each other in a planar projection of the container 1 when the first half shell 2 and the second half shell 3 are welded together. However, the first grooves 20 and the second grooves 21 may be manufactured at staggered positions with respect to each other.

On the first peripheral edge 4, a respective first cut 13 and a respective second cut 14 may be formed at the first non-through cut 18, which extend over a portion of the width of the first peripheral edge 4. The first through slits 13 and the second through slits 14 may be made by removing material so as to have a slit (e.g., a "V" shaped slit as shown in fig. 26) type appearance. Alternatively, each through

cut

Similarly, on the second peripheral edge 5, a respective third through cut 15 and a respective fourth through cut 16 may be formed at the second non-through cut 19, which extend over a portion of the width of the second peripheral edge 5. The third through cuts 15 and the fourth through cuts 16 may be formed by removing material to present a cut (e.g., "V" shaped cut as shown in fig. 26) type appearance. Alternatively, each through-

cut

peripheral edges

In the area 17 at one end of the container 1, the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 are only partially welded together, i.e. over only a portion of the respective width, so that the user can open the container 1 by gripping the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5 at said area 17 and break the peelable weld by exerting a traction force on the first peripheral edge 4 and the second peripheral edge 5, thereby separating the first half-shell 2 from the second half-shell 3 at least at the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 and at the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5.

In fig. 28 to 32, the opening of the container 1 is shown.

In a first step, as shown in fig. 28 and 29, the user grips the first peripheral edge 4 of the first half-shell 2 in the region 17 without welding and breaks the peelable weld by applying a traction force to the outside of the container 1, so as to separate the first portion 4a of the first peripheral edge 4 from the first portion 5a of the second peripheral edge 5 and to rotate the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 with respect to the second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 about a first rotation axis a passing through the projection of the first non-through cut 18 on a plane containing the first peripheral edge 4.

cuts

13 and 14 are present.

cuts

15 and 16 are present.

Moreover, the first and

second grooves

The rotation of the first portion 2a of the first half-shell 2 and of the first portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 can be continued until said first portion 2a is superimposed on said second portion 2b of the first half-shell 2 and said first portion 3a is superimposed on said second portion 3b of the second half-shell 3 (as shown in figures 31 and 32), so as to enable the user to access the food product contained in the chamber 8 of the container 1.

It is possible for the user to grip the open container 1 using the

second portions

2b and 3b of the first 2 and second 3 half-shells, together with the

first portions

2a and 3a, while eating the food contained therein.

second portions

2b and 3b after opening the container 1.

In fig. 33, an embodiment of a first non-through cut 18 and a second non-through cut 19 is shown in a second embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention, these first non-through cut 18 and second non-through cut 19 extending over the entire width of the

half shells

2 and 3 respectively in the second embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention shown in fig. 9 to 16 and in the fourth embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention shown in fig. 25 to 32.

In order to obtain the first non-through cut 18 and the second non-through cut 19, a non-through cut 24 is made in the sheet 23 of thermoformable material from which the container 1 must be made, this non-through cut 24 being continuous over the entire length of the sheet 23 before the sheet 23 reaches the thermoforming station in which the half-

shells

2 and 3 of the container 1 are formed. The cutting may be performed with a blade extending over the entire length of the sheet 23. In fig. 33, the positions of the half-

shells

2 and 3 on the sheet 23 from which they are to be manufactured by thermoforming are indicated with a dashed line.

The sheet 23 is positioned in the thermoforming mould so that, during thermoforming, the non-through cuts 24 produce a first non-through cut 18 of the first half-shell 2 and a second non-through cut 19 of the second half-shell 3.

In fig. 34, with reference to the first embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention, as shown in fig. 1 to 8, and to the third embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention, as shown in fig. 17 to 24, there are shown embodiments of the first and second

non-through cuts

9, 10 on the first peripheral edge 4 of the first half-shell 2, and of the third and fourth

non-through cuts

11, 12 on the second peripheral edge 5 of the second half-shell 3.

Pairs of non-through cuts 25 with a constant pitch P are made on a sheet 23 of thermoformable material intended to form the container 1, so as to obtain a first non-through cut 9, a second non-through cut 10, a third non-through cut 11 and a fourth non-through cut 12.

The constant pitch P means that the distance between a pair of non-through cuts and an adjacent pair of non-through cuts is constant.

The pairs of non-through cuts 25 can be made by respective pairs of blades. In fig. 34, the position of the half-

shells

2 and 3 on the sheet 23 from which they are made by thermoforming is indicated by a dashed line.

The sheet 23 is positioned in the forming die so that, during forming, the pairs of non-through cuts 25 produce a first non-through cut 9 and a second non-through cut 10 on the first peripheral edge 4 of the first half-shell 2 and further produce a third non-through cut 11 and a fourth non-through cut 12 on the second peripheral edge 5 of the second half-shell 3.

Claims

1. Single-serve container (1) for solid or semi-solid food products obtained by thermoforming a plastic sheet (23) for food products, wherein the single-serve container (1) comprises: a first half-shell (2) provided with a first peripheral edge (4) surrounding a first cavity (6); and a second half-shell (3) provided with a second peripheral edge (5) surrounding a second cavity (7), said first cavity (6) and said second cavity (7) defining a cavity (8) for containing said food product within the container (1), said first peripheral edge (4) and said second peripheral edge (5) being welded together by an at least partially peelable weld, so that at least a first portion (4a) of the first peripheral edge (4) can be separated from a first portion (5a) of the second peripheral edge (5), characterized in that the first half-shell (2) is configured so that the first portion (2a) of the first half-shell (2) can be rotated about a first rotation axis (A) with respect to a second portion (2b) of the first half-shell (2) so that when the first portion (4a) of the first peripheral edge (4) is separated from the first portion (5a) of the second peripheral edge (5), the food item is accessible to a user.

2. The single-serve container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second half-shell (3) is configured such that the first portion (3a) of the second half-shell (3) is rotatable about a second axis of rotation relative to the second portion (3b) of the second half-shell (3) when the first portion (4a) of the first peripheral edge (4) is separated from the first portion (5a) of the second peripheral edge (5).

3. Single-serving container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on the first peripheral edge (4), on the opposite side with respect to the first cavity (6), in a middle region (22) of the container (1), a first non-through cut (9) and a second non-through cut (10) are formed, which first non-through cut (9) and second non-through cut (10) divide the first peripheral edge (4) into said first portion (4a) and said second portion (4 b).

4. Single-portion container (1) according to claim 3, wherein said first rotation axis (a) passes along said first non-through cut (9) and said second non-through cut (10).

5. Single-serving container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on the second peripheral edge (5), on the opposite side to the second cavity (7), in a middle region (22) of the container (1), third (11) and fourth (12) non-through cuts are made, which third (11) and fourth (12) non-through cuts divide the second peripheral edge (5) into said first portion (5a) and said second portion (5 b).

6. Single-serving container (1) according to claim 5, wherein said second rotation axis passes along said third non-through cut (11) and said fourth non-through cut (12).

7. Single-portion container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first half-shell (2) has, in a middle region (22) of the container (1), a first non-through cut (18) extending over the entire width of the first half-shell (2), the first non-through cut (18) dividing the first half-shell (2) into the first portion (2a) and the second portion (2b) and dividing the first peripheral edge (4) into the first portion (4a) and the second portion (4 b).

8. Single-serving container (1) according to claim 7, wherein said first axis of rotation (A) passes along a projection of said first non-through cut (18) on a plane containing said first peripheral edge (4).

9. Single-portion container (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second half-shell (3) has, in a middle region (22) of the container (1), a second non-through cut (19) extending over the entire width of the second half-shell (3), said second non-through cut (19) dividing the second half-shell (3) into said first portion (3a) and said second portion (3b) and dividing the second peripheral edge (5) into said first portion (5a) and said second portion (5 b).

10. Single-serving container (1) according to claim 9, wherein said second rotation axis passes along a projection of said second non-through cut (19) on a plane containing said second peripheral edge (5).

11. Single-portion container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first half-shell (2) has, in a middle region (22) of the container (1), a first groove (20) extending over the entire width of the first half-shell (2) without extending over the first peripheral edge (4), the first groove (20) dividing the first half-shell (2) into the first portion (2a) and the second portion (2 b).

12. Single-portion container (1) according to claim 11, wherein the second half-shell (3) has, in a middle region (22) of the container (1), a second groove (21) extending over the entire width of the second half-shell (3) without extending over the second peripheral edge (5), the second groove (21) dividing the second half-shell (3) into the first portion (3a) and the second portion (3 b).

13. Single-serve container (1) according to claim 11 or 12 when claim 11 is appended to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first half-shell (2) further has a first non-through cut (18) extending along the first groove (20) over the entire width of the first half-shell (2).

14. Single-portion container (1) according to claim 13, wherein the second half-shell (3) further has a second non-through cut (19) extending along the second groove (21) over the entire width of the second half-shell (3).

15. Single-serving container (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 14, wherein on the first peripheral edge (4), on the opposite side with respect to the first cavity (6), in the intermediate region (22) of the container (1), a first through cut (13) and a second through cut (14) are formed, each extending over a portion of the width of the first peripheral edge (4).

16. Single-serving container (1) according to claim 15, wherein on the second peripheral edge (5), on the opposite side with respect to the second cavity (7), in the intermediate region (22) of the container (1), a third through cut (15) and a fourth through cut (16) are formed, each extending over a portion of the width of the second peripheral edge (5).

17. Single-serving container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (4a) of the first peripheral edge (4) and the first portion (5a) of the second peripheral edge (5) are welded together by peelable welding, while the second portion (4b) of the first peripheral edge (4) and the second portion (5b) of the second peripheral edge (5) are welded together by non-peelable welding.

18. A method for manufacturing a single-serve container (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 10 or according to claim 13 or according to claim 14 by thermoforming, comprising the steps of:

-forming a non-through cut (24) in a sheet (23) of thermoformable material, extending over the entire length of the sheet, said forming of the non-through cut taking place before sending the sheet of thermoformable material to a thermoforming mould in which thermoforming of the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) is carried out;

-positioning said sheet (23) on which said non-through cuts (24) have been made in said thermoforming mould, so that during thermoforming, the non-through cuts (24) produce a first non-through cut (18) of the first half-shell (2) and a second non-through cut (19) of the second half-shell (3).

19. A method for manufacturing a single-serve container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or according to claim 11 or according to claim 12 by thermoforming, comprising the steps of:

-forming pairs of non-through cuts (25) at a constant pitch (P) in a sheet (23) of thermoformable material, said forming of non-through cuts (25) taking place before feeding the sheet of thermoformable material to a thermoforming mould in which thermoforming of the first half-shell (2) and the second half-shell (3) takes place;

-positioning the sheet (23) on which the pairs of non-through cuts (25) have been formed in the thermoforming mould, so that during thermoforming the pairs of non-through cuts (25) produce a first non-through cut (9) and a second non-through cut (10) on the first peripheral edge (4) of the first half-shell (2), and a third non-through cut (11) and a fourth non-through cut (12) on the second peripheral edge (5) of the second half-shell (3).