DE20120664U1 - Egg container for holding eggs - Google Patents

Description

HFMMAMiM - TPFNTEPOHS ' EUROPEAN PATfNM JRAD£M/f?K#pRNEYS- PATENT & LAWYERS

" 'MUNICH ■ BOCHUM" ■ LEIPZIG ■ ALICANTE

KGBf? Dipl.-Ing. W. Herrmann-Trentepohl, Bochum

Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Grosse, Munich Dipl.-Ing. Josef Bockhorni, Bochum Dipl.-Ing. Thilo Raible, lawyer. Munich Dipl.-Ing. Johannes Dieterle, Leipzig Dipi.-Ing. Silke Rothe, lawyer, Leipzig

Smart Foods GmbH ^{üfe Grosser} ' ^{RAia Munich}

Waldstrasse 61c

E-mail: lnfo@patguard.de wwv/.patguard.com

64807 Dieburg Munich

Germany 19 December 2001

B77351DE(BO/SR)

Q:\IB5TRP\TRPANM\B00664.doc

Egg container for holding eggs

The invention relates to an egg container according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such egg containers usually consist of two container shells, namely a lid shell and a base shell, which are connected to one another by a hinge along a longitudinal edge. This can be done using a film hinge-like joint or by means of hinge elements that can be plugged into one another. The containers can be made of either cardboard or plastic. These egg containers are designed to hold different types of eggs, with the eggs being held in two rows. Pack sizes for four, six, eight, ten and twelve eggs are common in the trade.

Such egg containers usually have information on the manufacturer, the manufacturer's address and the brand name, as well as on the quality of the packaged goods, i.e. the eggs contained therein, and often also the laying date, either on the side wall or on the upper lid surface.

Fcr=tenrieder Allee 59 !viosserVoergstr. 19-21 Zimmerstr. 3 Posec E'/plcnoda De Espana No.l, 4-fedo

-8147a Munich D-44787 Bochum D -04109 Leipzig ES - 03002 Alicante

TsI. +49 089- 745541-0 Tel.-49 0234 - 91224-0 Tel.+49 03.41 -.1.49&xgr;8-ó&Ogr; . . · Ts: +49 089 - 745541-0

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Deutsche Senk. Bochum (bank code 430700 24) Account number: 6 145 öl 0 HypoVereinsbank Munich (bank code 700 202 70) Account number: 46 505 999 Postal check Munich (bank code 700 100 80) Account number: 227 632-805

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The object of the invention is to increase the information content of such egg containers by simple measures, in particular to create egg containers that can cleverly provide an increased amount of information data. According to a further aspect, it should be ensured that the information or part of the information is hidden from the outside and that any manipulation, i.e. access to the information, is visible from the outside in order to ensure a certain security function.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features contained in the characterized part of claim 1, wherein expedient further developments of the invention are characterized by the features contained in the subclaims.

According to the invention, the lid shell is preferably designed with a limited, flat information carrier surface on which an information carrier is arranged. This information carrier is provided with a dividing line, in particular on one edge, so that this information carrier can be opened from the outside if necessary. It is expedient if the dividing line is formed by perforations, so that the dividing line is immediately visible to the user as a dividing and tear line. At the same time, it is ensured that with such a dividing line, only authorized persons can recognize the hidden information content, because every time the information carrier is opened as a result of the dividing line being torn open, it is immediately visible from the outside. If the information carrier sheet is opened in the area of the dividing line, an information carrier sheet arranged behind it can be seen, which can be designed as a leaflet or as a booklet with individual sheets. If the dividing line is opened, the additional information that is hidden on the outside can be seen by opening the upper lid surface. This significantly increases the information content and also creates a certain curiosity effect, because the user would like to know what is hidden behind the information carrier, and is therefore more willing to reach for the egg container with the information carrier if he has the choice. The information carrier can provide further information that would not normally be available on a standard label with manufacturer information, such as a more detailed description of the product, the laying dates and the keeping of the animals, feeding information, etc. However, competitions that promote sales can also be included, whereby it is ensured that the prize draw

write can be used by the customer who actually buys the egg container. This results in a customer-specific approach to the information carrier, which is very important for the invention.

Of course, the dividing line is not limited to perforations; the dividing line can also be indicated by markings in the form of a cutting line, so that the container can be opened with scissors. It is also not necessary for the dividing line to be on just one side; the dividing line can also be arranged opposite one another, so that after the dividing line has been torn open, the information carrier sheet hidden behind it can be removed. It is also useful if the information carrier extends over the entire lid surface. The lid surface can be raised in relation to the egg container in the form of a circumferential shoulder or sunk, which is particularly beneficial in preventing the information carrier surface from being scratched and the information carrier from being damaged when the egg containers are stacked.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing. In this drawing, in a purely schematic representation,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an egg container and

Figure 2 shows a detail of the egg container shown in Figure 1, namely the

information carrier attached to the cover surface in the form of a leaflet.

The egg container shown in Figure 1 is made of two collapsible trays, namely a lid tray marked 1 and a base tray marked 2. The egg container shown in Figure 1 serves to hold a maximum of 8 eggs, in two rows of four eggs each. For this purpose, the two trays 1 and 2, when folded together, form eight compartments, which are delimited by correspondingly curved side walls of the lid tray 1 and base tray 2 to match the shape of the eggs. Such a structure of egg containers is known and does not require any further explanation. Such egg containers can be made of cardboard or plastic. In the case of plastic, transparent plastic can also be used, so that the interior

the egg container packaging can be seen from the outside, so that the eggs contained in it can be seen. A transparent container therefore develops an optimal display function for the contents. It goes without saying that such egg containers are not limited to holding eight eggs, but can also be designed to hold four, six, eight, ten and twelve eggs.

The two trays 1 and 2 are designed with a hinge device on one side, which in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is the rear side at 3, so that both trays can be opened out to remove the eggs and folded together for packaging. The hinge device usually consists of a film hinge, but in the case of cardboard, hinge-like engagement elements are also used for putting them together. In Figure 1, the receiving compartments delimited by the curved side walls are designated 4.

In contrast to the curved side wall shape corresponding to the receiving compartments, a flat information carrier surface 6 is formed on the upper lid surface 5 of the egg container, which in the embodiment according to Figure 1 extends essentially over the entire upper lid surface. This information carrier surface 6 is limited by a circumferential shoulder 7 and in the embodiment shown is offset at the top compared to the other areas of the lid shell 1. This information carrier surface 6 serves to accommodate information carriers, for example for printing a label or for applying a label to record the type of product, the manufacturer and the brand used in connection with the product as well as other important details such as graphic designs.

In particular, an information carrier designated 8 is arranged on the flat information carrier surface 6, which in the exemplary embodiment shown has the form of a leaflet. This label-like information carrier 8 in rectangular format is glued to the flat information carrier surface 6 with its base surface. On the edge of one side of the booklet-like information carrier 8, a continuous dividing line 9 is formed, which is produced by perforations. As a result of this dividing line, the booklet-like information carrier 8 can be torn open or cut open or separated at this point, which leads to

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that the cover sheet 10 visible to the left of the dividing line 9, which can contain printed information, can be opened up with respect to the left edge 11. This makes the content of the booklet-like information carrier 8 visible.

The information carrier 8 unfolded to this extent is shown schematically in Figure 2. There, the edge section remaining after the unfolding process is designated 12 and the cover sheet 10 is fully unfolded to the left so that the inside 13 of the cover sheet is visible. This can be provided with corresponding information, in particular printed. By unfolding the cover sheet 10, a folded leaflet 14 can be seen, which is attached with its left edge to the left side 11 of the base surface of the information carrier 8, for example stapled or glued. The leaflet 14 can thus be unfolded so that the information content on its back and/or front is visible to the user of the egg container. Instead of a leaflet 14, sheets glued or stapled in like a booklet can also be used. The top of the base surface 15 can also be provided with information, in particular printed.

This information may include information about the manufacturer, about the goods or advertising information or, for example, competitions with address stickers or data on the origin of the packaged goods.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the booklet-like representation of the information carrier 8, rather the information carrier 8 can also be of completely different dimensions, for example have a different geometric structure, which is often desired for advertising reasons, in particular extend over the entire or a significant part of the flat information carrier surface 6. In particular, it can also be expedient if more than one dividing line, in particular two dividing lines, are provided on opposite edges of the information carrier, so that the information sheet of the information carrier can then be removed by the user. Of course, the dividing line can also be arranged at the top or bottom, i.e. at the top or bottom edge with respect to Figure 1. In the case that the information carrier 8 extends essentially over the entire area of the flat information carrier surface, it can

It may be useful if the information carrier 8 is also provided as a label with the brand, manufacturer's mark or the like printed on it.

In a further alternative, the information carrier can also be attached to the side of the flat information carrier surface, for example via a perforation attached to a label glued to the information carrier surface and protrude to the side or hang over the outer wall of the lid.

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Claims (12)

1. Egg container for holding eggs, which is formed from two container shells ( 1 , 2 ) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner, namely a base shell ( 2 ) and a lid shell ( 1 ), which can be folded onto one another to form the egg container and whose walls are adapted to the shape of the egg in the region of the receiving compartments ( 4 ) for the eggs, characterized in that one of the container shells, preferably the lid shell ( 1 ), is designed with a limited, flat information carrier surface ( 6 ), on or at which a label-like information carrier ( 8 ) is arranged, which has a dividing line ( 9 ), preferably formed by perforations, at least in one region, which closes a receptacle in which at least one information carrier sheet ( 14 ) is received. 2. Egg container according to claim 1, characterized in that the information sheet ( 14 ) is firmly connected, in particular glued, to the holder or the information carrier ( 8 ) at an edge region. 3. Egg container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the information sheet ( 14 ) is formed by a folding sheet which is arranged folded in the receptacle and, after dissolving the dividing lines ( 9 ), can be opened out into the display position for conveying the information content. 4. Egg container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the information sheet is formed by several sheets stapled to one area, which are arranged one on top of the other in the holder and can be opened sheet by sheet in the manner of a booklet after the dividing line has been dissolved or torn open. 5. Egg container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carrier ( 8 ) has several dividing lines ( 9 ), preferably two dividing lines arranged opposite one another. 6. Egg container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carrier ( 8 ) is opened in the manner of a booklet or leaflet and the sheets and/or the leaflet are or are closed by the at least one dividing line ( 9 ). 7. Egg container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carrier surface ( 6 ) has at least the outline of the information carrier ( 8 ) or its bottom surface ( 13 ). 8. Egg container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carrier surface ( 6 ) extends essentially in the manner of a strip over the entire upper lid surface ( 5 ). 9. Egg container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carrier ( 8 ) extends over a partial area or the entire information carrier surface ( 6 ). 10. Egg container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the egg container is made of transparent material at least in the region of the information carrier surface ( 6 ), but preferably as a whole. 11. Egg container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carrier ( 8 ) is arranged on the inside of the container, in particular is glued on and is accessible after opening the lid shell. 12. Egg container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carrier surface is delimited by a circumferential shoulder ( 7 ) and the surface is arranged raised or recessed (scratch-resistant) with respect to the surrounding container surface.