DE202021104741U1 - Containers for food products - Google Patents

Abstract

Hermetically sealed container for perishable food products defined by a casing (1) formed from a material containing components selected from the family of cellulosic materials, comprising: - a base or bottom (2); - side and end walls (3) which, in mutual combination, frame a cavity for receiving the products, the side and front walls (3) having an upper edge (4) which runs continuously along the contour of the casing (1); - a ring element (5 ) for reinforcement, formed from a material containing components selected from the family of cellulosic materials, in superposition and surface fitting associated with the upper edge (4) of the side and end walls (3), characterized in that it also has a Foil (6) adhered to and associated with the shell (1) to cover the inner surface of the bottom (2), the inner surfaces of the lateral and st to completely cover inside walls (3) and the free surface of the ring element (5) for reinforcement, so that a layer or skin is created for the covering of the container (100) to protect and seal the cavity for receiving the products.

Description

This utility model concerns a container for food products. In particular, this utility model relates to a hermetically sealed container, display stand for perishable products, in particular food products. Currently, containers (which also serve as real trays) are widely used for the display and sale of food such as meat, vegetables, fruit, etc. in shops, supermarkets or hypermarkets.

These trays make it possible to define the packaging of a product that is enclosed in a protected environment (generally thanks to a plastic film to cover it) and possibly already weighed and marked with the retail price.

• - Beim ersten wird der Behälter in einem einzigen Stück und aus Kunststoffmaterial mittels eines Einspritzverfahrens in Formen oder mittels Thermoformen hergestellt.
• - Beim zweiten dieser Konzepte wird der Behälter aus Papiermaterial, vorzugsweise Zellulose, gefertigt, das aus Folien aus Pappe, Papier oder Karton mit unterschiedlichen Grammaturen und Dicken und in einer oder mehreren Schichten je nach Art des zu verwahrenden Lebensmittels und dessen Haltbarkeit gewonnen wird. In der Regel wird das im Aufnahmebereich des Behälters enthaltene Produkt mittels Abtrennung des Bereichs von der externen Umgebung durch eine isolierende Sperre geschützt, die mit dem Behälter assoziiert ist, und dadurch, dass im Inneren des Bereichs eine Vakuumumgebung oder eine Umgebung mit Schutzatmosphäre erzeugt wird.

So far, two different concepts have been pursued in the manufacture of these containers:

• - In the first, the container is made in a single piece and from plastic material by means of an injection molding process in molds or by means of thermoforming.
• - In the second of these concepts, the container is made of paper material, preferably cellulose, which is made from sheets of cardboard, paper or cardboard with different grammages and thicknesses and in one or more layers depending on the type of food to be stored and its shelf life. Typically, the product contained in the receiving area of the container is protected by separating the area from the external environment by an insulating barrier associated with the container and by creating a vacuum or protective atmosphere inside the area.

The main purpose of the gas barrier is to keep the gas mixture introduced during packaging in the container for as long as possible.

Depending on the partial pressure of the gases in the container, the gas flows out / in from the inside to the outside or vice versa.

Normally, the barrier (preferably a gas and liquid barrier) is created by attaching a thin sheet of plastic material (preferably, but not exclusively, multilayer plastic material of appropriate thickness) to the container, which is spread over the contents of the container and around the edges of the container The container is reclamped and continuously welded or glued to the edges of the container.

In the case of containers with flat and smooth edges (such as the plastic containers mentioned, which are produced by thermoforming in a mold), the continuous welding of the film is possible without any problems, so that the separation of the inner area of the container is relatively easy and permanent over time can be sustained.

In the case of the containers mentioned, which, on the other hand, are obtained by means of tensile compression forming of a flat sheet of cardboard, cardboard or another equivalent material (which is of particular interest for this treatise), the sealing of the barrier (a plastic film with a gas or liquid barrier) is to be achieved or a rigid lid), which is able to ensure the hermetic sealing of the container, is extremely difficult.

The forming process (for example, by tensile compression forming) is responsible for the formation of characteristic superficial ripples (or grooves) in the material, which mainly concentrate on the area around the spatial concave angles that are delimited between two adjacent side walls of the container and on the area around the spatial convex angles delimited by the edge of the container and the side walls. These ripples are due to local bends and overlays to which the material forming the arch has to adapt in order to assume a spatial design starting from a flat position, having in particular a curved and / or bent lateral surface.

Since these crimps represent potential (hair-thin) channels for the alternating communication between the interior of the container and the surrounding exterior, the production of a hermetic seal on these is extremely problematic.

For this purpose, the applicant has developed its own technology, which is described in the documents EP 1 365 964 and EP 1 792 844 is explained, in which, in addition to other problems through the ring reinforcement of the container, it also provides a solution to the problem of how a better sealing of the container can be achieved, which is necessary for their use as tightly closing containers for fresh and / or in any case Contact with the surrounding air is appropriate for highly perishable food. This technology provides an improvement to the above-mentioned problems by means of the production of special reinforcing edges which have particular geometrical properties which are suitable to overlap continuously and the upper parts of the Wrap sidewalls of the container to try to improve the hermetic seal.

Such a solution of the state of the art has provided only partially satisfactory results in industrial practice in view of the current requirements for hermetic sealing against gases, which require a seal guarantee for a period of time which this solution cannot adhere to.

The object of this utility model is to provide a container for food products which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is the object of this utility model to provide a container for food products which is able to combine a high level of durability of the cellulose container with an increased sealing guarantee for the packaging gases and the product contained.

Another object of this utility model is to provide a container for food products at a reduced cost that is highly environmentally friendly and recyclable.

These tasks are fully fulfilled by a container for food products, which is the subject of this utility model and is characterized by the content of the claims listed below.

• - 1 einen Behälter für Lebensmittelprodukte, der Gegenstand dieses Gebrauchsmusters ist, in einer schematischen Draufsicht;
• - 2 den Behälter für Lebensmittelprodukte aus 1 in einer schematischen Seitenansicht;
• - 3 ein Detailelement des Behälters für Lebensmittelprodukte aus den vorherigen Figuren in einer ersten Ausführungsform und in einer schematischen Seitenansicht in Explosionsdarstellung;
• - 4 ein Detailelement des Behälters für Lebensmittelprodukte aus 1 und 2 in einer zweiten Ausführungsform und einer schematischen Seitenansicht in Explosionsdarstellung.

The most important features of the utility model emerge more clearly from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is explained as a non-restrictive example in the accompanying drawings. It shows:

• - 1 a container for food products, which is the subject of this utility model, in a schematic plan view;
• - 2 the container for food products 1 in a schematic side view;
• - 3 a detail element of the container for food products from the previous figures in a first embodiment and in a schematic side view in an exploded view;
• - 4th a detail element of the container for food products 1 and 2 in a second embodiment and a schematic side view in an exploded view.

With reference to the accompanying drawings and in particular to 1 the hermetically gas- and liquid-tight container becomes the subject of this utility model and is identified as a whole with the reference number 100 used to contain perishable food products.

As well as from the 2 , 3 and 4th can be seen is the container 100 through a shell 1 defined which is formed from a material containing components selected from the family of cellulosic materials and comprising a base or floor 2 .

The shell also includes side and face walls 3 which, in mutual combination, frame a cavity for receiving the products. The side and front walls 3 have a top margin 4th on, which runs continuously along the contour of the envelope 1 runs (this edge 4th develops flat).

The case 1 also includes a ring element 5 for reinforcement (thus also for sealing), that in superposition and surface fit with the upper edge 4th the side and front walls 3 is associated.

The ring element 5 is formed from a material that contains components selected from the cellulosic family.

According to the illustrations, the container comprises 100 also a slide 6th attached to the shell 1 adheres and is associated with this to the inner surface of the floor 2 , the inner surfaces of the side and front walls 3 and the free surface of the ring element 5 to completely cover reinforcement, leaving a layer or skin for the cover of the container 100 is created to protect and seal the cavity for receiving the products.

In other words, the container comprises 100 a combination of components that are able to maintain and increase the rigidity of the shell, thanks to the existing ring element, and a component with a gas and liquid barrier effect, which, thanks to the ring element, is applied to and stably associated with all surfaces of the shell to allow the entire receiving cavity of the container to be perfectly sealed. Preferably the film is 6th molded from a plastic material selected from the family of thermoplastic polymers (for example, but exclusively PE, PP, PET), having associations with other polymers and / or copolymers (for example, but not exclusively PA or nylon, EVOH) to form a multilayer To maintain structure with gas and liquid barrier effect. Preferably, the film can be made with polymers from fossil sources (non-compostable or compostable) or from renewable sources (non-compostable or compostable) can be implemented in one or more layers.

Preferably the ring element comprises 5 an underside surface for reinforcement 7th on the edges of the inner surfaces of the side and end walls 3 is bent and on which the foil 6th is liable for the coating (see 3 and 4th ).

The existing underside surface allows a linear covering of the inner edges of the walls 3 and also covers the corner zones of the walls 3 on which the characteristic surface ripples of the material are concentrated during the formation of the shell.

Thanks to the surface on the underside, a linear surface with a “gentle” angle leading to the rest of the ring element is created 5 achieved, which is able to both a correct and safe adhesion of the film 6th to allow with reduced risks that slide 6th tears during its surface adhesion, as well as an increased barrier effect of the casing 1 all in all.

In view of this, the ring element includes 5 Also an outside surface for reinforcement 8th that are externally from the top edge 4th of the container 100 protrudes and on which the foil 6th is liable for the coating (see 4th ).

The existing outside surface 8th enables the film to be attached 6th also beyond the space requirements of the edge 4th So that, on request, a “tab” 11 can also be formed on one or more of the outer bends of the surface in order to facilitate the grip and thus the opening of the shell after it has been sealed.

With this texture, ie with the existing tab 11 on the container 100 , there is also the option of using the container 100 can also be used in several packaging systems.

In other words, it is possible with this technical solution, the container 100 adapt if necessary to the dimensions and radii of the sealing molds used in the various packaging lines on the market.

It should be noted that the container 100 in use a lock 9 for the tight closure of the container 100 includes that on the sheath 1 arranged and at the top 4th with the foil 6th for the coating is associated.

In view of this, the lock can be a slide 9 made of plastic material encompass the top edge 4th of the container 100 adheres, ie is associated with it. Preferably the film 9 made of plastic material at the top 4th heat sealed so that they are covered with the foil or skin 6th for covering the envelope 1 is associated.

Thanks to the existing foil or skin 6th for the coating and the heat-sealed film 9 is the product in the case 1 optimally protected so that the necessary shelf life of the product can be optimally guaranteed.

Preferably the bottom has 2 the shell 1 at least one slot 10 , which is open on the outside (and which can have different shapes such as linear, continuously curved or dashed) and the inside in the cavity through the film 6th for the coating that is on the bottom 2 adheres, is locked. In view of this, the ground points 2 the shell 1 a variety of slots 10 on that open on the outside and inside in the cavity through the film 6th for the coating that is on the bottom 2 adheres, are locked.

These existing slots 10 allow the slide 6th for the coating during the application of the film through the use of an air vacuum or negative pressure system (preferably at the same time with the help of a control or regulation of the temperature above the ambient temperature) optimally and securely adheres. Preferably the shell is 1 made of a sheet of material containing components selected from the family of cellulosic materials, which may be the same as the material of which the ring element is made 5 is shaped. Additional layers of non-cellulose material can be applied to this material to improve its physical properties.

Preferably the ring element is 5 made for reinforcement from a material that contains components selected from the family of cellulosic materials.

The ring element 5 may be made of a different material than that of the envelope 1 exists, be shaped.

Alternatively, the ring element 5 be formed from a material that corresponds to the material from which the shell 1 consists. Also what the ring element 5 for reinforcement, one or more thermoplastic materials on one or both surfaces of the ring element can be used in its main component of cellulose in variable proportions 5 for reinforcement in order to improve their physical properties.

• - Vorbereiten einer flachen Stanzform, die mindestens aus Komponenten besteht, die aus der Familie der Zellulosematerialien ausgewählt wurden;
• - Vorbereiten eines Ringelements 5 zur Verstärkung, das mindestens aus Komponenten besteht, die aus der Familie der Zellulosematerialien ausgewählt wurden;
• - Formen einer Hülle 1 durch Zugdruckumformen, ausgehend von der Stanzform, sodass eine Basis oder ein Boden 2, seitliche und stirnseitige Wände 3 definiert werden, die in gegenseitiger Kombination einen Hohlraum zur Aufnahme der Produkte umrahmen, wobei die seitlichen und stirnseitigen Wände 3 einen oberen Rand 4 aufweisen, der durchgehend entlang der Kontur der Hülle 1 verläuft;
• - Assoziieren des Ringelements 5 zur Verstärkung am oberen Rand 4 der Hülle 1. Vor oder nach dem Formen der Hülle 1 ist zudem ein Schritt zum Ausbilden von mindestens einem Schlitz 10 am Boden 2 der Hülle 1 vorgesehen sowie
• - eine Haftung einer Folie 6 für den Überzug entlang der Innenoberflächen des Bodens 2, der seitlichen und stirnseitigen Wände 3 und der Außenoberfläche des Ringelements 5 zur Verstärkung.

This utility model also provides a method for manufacturing a container for perishable food product that includes the following steps:

• - preparing a flat die consisting of at least components selected from the family of cellulosic materials;
• - Prepare a ring element 5 for reinforcement, which consists at least of components selected from the family of cellulosic materials;
• - Shapes of a shell 1 by tensile compression forming, starting from the die, so that a base or a floor 2 , side and front walls 3 be defined, which in mutual combination frame a cavity for receiving the products, with the side and front walls 3 an upper margin 4th have, which is continuous along the contour of the envelope 1 runs;
• - Associating the ring element 5 for reinforcement at the top 4th the shell 1 . Before or after the shell is formed 1 is also a step of forming at least one slit 10 on the ground 2 the shell 1 provided as well
• - an adhesion of a film 6th for coating along the inner surfaces of the floor 2 , the side and front walls 3 and the outer surface of the ring member 5 for reinforcement.

Preferably, the step of forming the at least one incision comprises 10 on the floor 2 making a variety of incisions 10 on the floor 2 . The step of forming at least one slot 10 on the floor 2 the shell 1 also takes place before the shell is formed 1 .

The step of sticking the film 6th on the surfaces of the shell and the element 5 reinforcement is achieved by using a vacuum source (which passes through the incisions 10 carried out) carried out.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 1365964 [0011]
• EP 1792844 [0011]

Claims (10)

A hermetically sealed container for perishable food products defined by a sleeve (1) formed from a material containing components selected from the family of cellulosic materials, comprising: - a base or bottom (2); - Side and end walls (3) which, in mutual combination, frame a cavity for receiving the products, the side and end walls (3) having an upper edge (4) which runs continuously along the contour of the casing (1); - a reinforcement ring element (5) formed from a material containing components chosen from the family of cellulosic materials in superposition and surface fit with the upper edge (4) of the side and end walls (3), characterized in that it also comprises a film (6) adhered to and associated with the envelope (1), around the inner surface of the bottom (2), the inner surfaces of the side and end walls (3) and the free surface of the ring element (5) to be completely covered for reinforcement so that a layer or skin is created for the covering of the container (100) to protect and seal the cavity for receiving the products. Container after Claim 1 wherein the film (6) is molded from a plastic material selected from the family of thermoplastic polymers having associations with other polymers and / or copolymers in order to achieve a gas and liquid barrier effect. Container after Claim 1 or 2 wherein the ring element (5) for reinforcement comprises an underside surface (7) which is bent over at the edges of the inner surfaces of the side and end walls (3) and to which the film (6) for the covering adheres. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing ring element (5) comprises an outside surface (8) which protrudes externally from the upper edge (4) of the container (100) and to which the film (6) for the coating adheres . Container according to one of the preceding claims, comprising in use a lock (9) for the gas- and liquid-tight closure of the container (100), which is arranged on the shell (1) and at the upper edge (4) with the film (6) for the coating is associated. Container after Claim 5 wherein the barrier comprises a film (9) of plastic material which adheres to the upper edge (4) of the container (100), ie is associated with it. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom (2) of the shell (1) has at least one slot (10) which is open on the outside and the inside in the cavity through the film (6) for the cover, which is at the bottom (2) adheres, is locked. Container according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 6th , wherein the bottom (2) of the shell (1) has a plurality of slots (10) which are open on the outside and which are inside the cavity through the film (6) for the cover, which adheres to the bottom (2), are locked. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope (1) is made from a sheet of material containing components selected from the family of cellulosic materials different from the material selected for the ring element (5). Container according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 8th wherein the ring element (5) for reinforcement is made of a material containing components selected from the family of cellulosic materials, which is the same as the material chosen for the ring element (1).

Images