EA016761B1 - Packaging unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention pertains to a packaging unit (1) for eggs or similar fragile articles, said packaging unit for instance being made of moulded pulp, and comprising a bottom part (2) comprising compartments (4) matching at least partially the outer contours of the articles contained within said unit, a cover part (3) comprising a top surface (7) and substantially planar front (8) and rear surfaces and substantially planar end surfaces (9, 9'), said cover part substantially having a rectangular shape with rounded corners, wherein said cover part comprises denesting means near the end surfaces near the top surface of the cover part. The invention further pertains to such a packaging unit wherein said cover part at its corners comprises portions reflecting the shape of the articles contained within said packaging unit, a portions being formed as a part taken out of a rounded comer and a part of said end surface of said cover part.

Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to packaging for eggs and similar products.

A well-known example of such packaging is egg packaging or cardboard packaging. An example of such an egg package is described in US Pat. No. 3,813,027 and EP 1373100. Typically, these egg cartons are made of molded paper or synthetic material and contain many recesses to accommodate eggs of this shape, fragile products, such as kiwi fruit. These packages typically have a bottom or pallet section that has multiple recesses or cells for holding products.

The package also has a closing section or a closing part, which can be pivotally connected to the bottom.

US Pat. No. 3,500,883 describes carton packaging for eggs with a lower part and a closing part pivotally attached thereto. Cardboard packaging for eggs has a means of extraction, made in the form of recesses. In order to function properly, the carton for eggs must be produced in two forms, which must be folded alternately. Thus, stacking two stacks can already lead to problems.

The output rate of the production of the packaging apparatus increases with increasing speed up to 120 eggs per hour. Less human intervention and packaging are desirable and should be stacked on top of each other in higher stacks. Consequently, the mechanized maintenance of packages should be improved.

The packages arrive at the packaging installation nested within each other, and must be removed from each other by the packaging installation. This must be done in a reliable manner.

Therefore, the mechanized maintenance of these packages can be improved. In addition, there is a range for improvement in terms of strength, insertability and package removal.

Disclosure of invention

The aim of the invention is the creation of alternative packaging.

Another objective of the invention is to improve packaging.

Another objective of the invention is the creation of packaging that can be processed by the installation more reliably or quickly.

The present invention provides a package for eggs or similar fragile products, made of molded pulp and containing a lower part having cells matching at least partially with the outer contours of the products in the package;

a cover portion comprising an upper surface and a substantially flat front and rear surfaces and substantially flat end surfaces, wherein the cover portion is substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners;

moreover, the closing part contains extraction means near the end surfaces near the upper surface of the closing part.

This type of extraction means allows the packaging to be removed at high speed. In addition, it does not need modification, which is obvious from the appearance of the package.

In one embodiment, the extraction means comprises a supporting surface below the upper surface near the end surface and is at least partially formed by a thickened part of the end surface or upper surface. Thus, an extraction means is provided that requires only one type of packaging. In addition, it is easy to perform, in particular, from a molded material. In conclusion, the characteristics when removing packages of such a tool are very reliable.

In one embodiment, the extraction means comprises a supporting surface below the upper surface near the end surface.

In this way, an additional extraction means can be provided that does not interfere with other structural elements of the package. In addition, this prevents problems when removing the packages of the cover portion.

In another embodiment, the abutment surface is at least partially formed by a recess of the upper surface near the end surface. The recess may also serve as a means to hold the packages, for example, for transportation through processing equipment.

In addition, in another embodiment, the abutment surface is at least partially formed by a thickened portion of the end surface between the end surface and the recess.

In another embodiment, the abutment surface comprises a thickened portion of the front and / or rear surface and is connected to the upper surface.

According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a package for eggs or similar fragile products made of molded pulp and containing

- 1 016761 the lower part having cells matching at least partially with the external contours of the products in the package;

a cover portion comprising an upper surface and a substantially flat front and rear surfaces and substantially flat end surfaces, wherein the cover portion is substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners;

moreover, the closing part in its corners contains sections that reproduce the shape of the products in the package, each of these sections being made in the form of a part molded from a rounded corner and part of the end surface of the closing part.

The plots provide a relatively strong casing portion protecting the products. In addition, since the portion of the substantially flat end surface remains unaffected, this increases the strength of the covering portion and provides a possible location, for example, for the extraction means. In addition, this allows you to provide a large rectangular area for applying labels to the covering part.

Plots that reproduce the shape of the products in the package have a shape that provides, for example, the consumer a direct association with, for example, the egg in the package. This effect can be further enhanced when the lower part has cells that are, for example, egg-shaped and if the portions of the closing part visually appear to extend into the cell of the lower part.

The closure portion of the present invention may thus appear to be a substantially rectangular box with a flat upper surface, flat rear and upper surfaces, and flat end surfaces. From the angles where these surfaces intersect, part of the wall may seem depressed and made above the product inside, while leaving the rest / central part of the end surface not affected by the effect. Remaining essentially unaffected by the impact, the end surfaces between the sections thus extend beyond the sections.

In addition, the cover portion may provide a large area for graphical and / or visual information. The cover portion also provides space for the extraction means.

In one embodiment, the portions form part of the corners of the cover part.

In one embodiment, sections radially in the plane parallel to the upper surface cover 80-110 degrees of the product, in particular at least about 10-30% of the surface of the product. Thus, part of the flat end surface may remain unaffected.

In one embodiment, between adjacent portions at the end of the closure portion, a portion of the end surface of the closure portion is not molded or is not affected by these portions.

In one embodiment, between adjacent sections, the upper surface extends or extends beyond the sections and is connected to the end surface between the sections. In fact, this passing or continuing part is in the plane or the rest of the upper surface.

In one embodiment, at least one of said portions of the upper surface between adjacent portions is provided with extraction means. In particular, the passing portion provides a good location for the extraction means.

In one embodiment, extraction means are provided symmetrically at both ends of the closure portion near the upper surface.

In one embodiment, the extraction means comprises an abutment on the inside of the cover portion. When the packages are located one above the other, the emphasis rests on or adjoins the upper surface of the other lower-laid package.

In one embodiment, the closure portion comprises a recess in the upper surface, wherein the lower surface of the recess forms a abutment surface for the extraction means. The lower part may abut against the upper surface of another lower stacked package.

In one embodiment, the recess has a wall with an inclined angle to the end surface. This can strengthen the bearing surface.

In one embodiment, the extraction means comprises a filled portion between the recess and the end surface of the cover portion. Thus, a well defined and rigid support surface is formed.

In one embodiment, the top surface ends with a sharp edge at a location near said parts. This provides added strength and arouses visual interest from a structural point of view.

In one embodiment, the end surfaces connect adjacent sections.

In one embodiment, portions are formed so as to have positive curvature, and portions of negative curvature connect said portions to the front and rear surfaces, the upper surface and the end surface, while portions of negative curvature are continuously connected to the portions and at least in the upper region plots essentially intermittently connected

- 2 016761 yen with the upper surface and the front surface and the rear surface to provide an acute angle at the junction of the front and rear surfaces and the upper surface. It can also provide added strength and at the same time a pleasing visual aspect.

The present invention also relates to packaging for eggs or similar fragile products, made of molded pulp and containing a lower part having at least one protruding outward stop;

a cover portion having an upper wall forming a substantially flat upper surface and a side wall having a substantially flat lateral surface at a stop location that extends beyond the stop and is made with a hole matching the peripheral shape of the stop, wherein the stop protrudes through the hole when closing the lower part with the closing part;

moreover, the hole is limited to a part of the wall passing from under the upper surface to the stop and forming a recessed part of the side surface.

In pre-existing packages, like, for example, egg packages, the stop hole was only a through hole in the wall of the package. Such a hole shape according to this embodiment of the invention, which may be the subject of a highlighted application, provides a clear stop indicator and makes the stop visible when viewing the top surface of the package. This becomes even more important when packaging closure is improved to provide, for example, better mechanized service. This, for example, is the case when the stop has a receiving space, and the opening has a protrusion that enters the receiving space when the package is closed. The underside of the protrusion may, for example, be open to receive the protrusion. A new hole directs the user's finger directly in the right direction to push the protrusion into the package. In addition, the wall portion provides additional rigidity to the closing portion. Thus, a part of the wall forms recesses or a niche in the side wall at the location of the stop hole. In one embodiment, the recess is made visible on the upper surface when viewed downwardly on the package. Thus, a person who wants to open the package can easily see this recess.

In one embodiment, a portion of the wall is tilted inward relative to the side surface. In another embodiment, a portion of the wall is located in steps with respect to the surface of the side wall. In each of these embodiments, a portion of the wall may extend over its entire length to the upper surface and occupy or separate from a portion of the upper wall.

The present invention also relates to a package containing one or more features described herein and / or shown in the accompanying drawings, and to a method comprising one or more features described in this description and / or shown on the accompanying drawings.

The various options discussed in this application can be combined to provide additional preferred advantages. In addition, some of the options discussed and disclosed in this description or shown in the drawings may be the subject of one or more highlighted applications.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment of the packaging shown in the drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two packages connected at one of their end surfaces;

FIG. 2 is a view of the package shown in FIG. 1, with the closing parts of the packaging in the context;

FIG. 3 shows the packages shown in FIG. 2 nested into each other;

FIG. 4 shows the packages shown in FIG. 3 nested in each other in an extraction device;

FIG. 5 is a part shown in FIG. 4, in a section;

FIG. 6 - part of an alternative packaging closure;

FIG. 7 is a view shown in FIG. 6, in a section.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

In FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two packages 1, 1 ′ that are connected at their end surface sides. Two packages are connected here by means of connecting parts 15 and 16 at their ends. Both packages 1, 1 'can hold 6 eggs. Before, or, most preferably, after the eggs or other products have been placed in the cells, and possibly after the packaging has been closed, the connecting parts 15, 16 between the two packaging devices 1, 1 'can be removed, for example, by cutting. Next, the first packages 1 will be described in detail.

The package 1 has a lower part 2 and a closing part 3. The closing part 3 (not visible) is pivotally connected to the lower part 2. The lower part 2 has cells 4 for accommodating fragile products, for holding them in an upright position and preventing them from touching each other. These cells 4 are well known in the art.

In order to fix the closing part 3 on the lower part 2, in this embodiment, the lower part 2 has a locking valve 5 pivotally attached to it along its longitudinal or front side. The locking valve 5 is equipped with a stop 6, which coincides with the hole

- 3 016761 in the front surface 8 of the cover portion 3. The fixing of the fixing valve 5 by means of a stop 6 and the holes 10 in the cover portion 3, as such, is well known in the art. The emphasis 6 essentially fits tightly into the hole 10.

The cover portion 3 according to this embodiment also has a flat upper surface 7, a flat front surface 8 and a flat rear surface (not visible here). These surfaces together provide here a rectangular area onto which a label can be applied. A rectangular label is preferred from a design point of view. In addition, the proper use of a substantially rectangular label is simpler and more reliable.

The cover portion 3 in this embodiment has substantially flat end surfaces 9 and 9 '. These end surfaces 9 and 9 'and the front surface 8 and the rear surface (not visible here) are connected by means of sections 12, 12', 12 '' and 12 '' ', reproducing the shape of the products in the package. In fact, the lower edge or peripheral edge 11, 11 ′ represents the lower side of the cover portion 3, which has a shape having end surfaces that are connected to the front and rear surfaces by rounded corners. From these virtual, rounded, cylindrical corners, parts are molded or, so to speak, the wall is molded into the inside of the closing part 3 to obtain sections 12, 12 ', 12' ', 12' ''. At their lower ends, these areas almost follow the original, rounded, cylindrical corners. Upstream, large parts are molded. Thus, the width of the end portions 9, 9 ′ becomes smaller closer to the upper surface 7. The portions 12, 12 ′, 12 ″, 12 ″ ″ are formed as having a positive curvature. The sections are connected to various surfaces through parts with negative curvature. These parts with negative curvature are continuously connected to the sections, but essentially intermittently connected to the surfaces. This results in relatively sharp edges 21, 21 ′, 21 ″, 21 ″. This not only leads to a design with an aesthetic aspect, but also forms an almost rectangular area for labeling.

In laterally protruding parts of the upper surface 7, which extend into end surfaces 9 and 9 ′, recesses 13, 13 ′ are formed. These recesses 13, 13 ′ provide a visual effect emphasizing the rectangular area provided by the upper surface 7, front surface 8 and (not shown) rear surface. In addition, this increases the strength of the cover portion 3 and provides a means of extraction without affecting the area for applying the label.

Here, the recesses 13, 13 'have inclined walls 14, 14'. These walls 14, 14 'are inclined to the end surfaces 9 and 9', respectively.

In FIG. 2, which illustrates a sectional view of the closing parts, the structure of the extraction means 13, 13 ′ according to this embodiment of the invention is shown in detail. The space 17 between the recesses 13, 13 'and the end surfaces 9, 9' is completely filled, thus, together with the lower part of the recesses 13, 13 ', forming the supporting surfaces 18, 18'. Together with the edges 19, 19 ′, which are in the stacked position shown in FIG. 3, abut against the supporting surfaces 18, 18 'and, thus, provide a distance between the upper surfaces of the packages 1 and 1' ', this makes dismantling the stack or removing the packages 1, 1' 'easier and more reliable. This becomes more and more important as the packaging speed of the packaging device increases.

In FIG. 4 shows the packaging shown in FIG. 3, in a retrieval part according to one embodiment of a packaging device. For this, the packaging device has a support 40, 40 'for supporting the lowest packages and parts 41, 41' for removing and meshing the upper packages 1, 1 '.

In FIG. 5 shows these parts in more detail and in section. The extraction part 41 has an abutment 42 which engages the lower edge 20 ′ of the cover portion 7 ″. The packaging device also has an interacting portion 43 that has a gripping end that holds the lowermost package 1 ″ on the support 40. Since the supporting surface 18 ′ is supported by the edge 19 ″ and keeps the closing parts of both packages at a distance, this makes it easier to hook only one package and prevents the adhesion of two packages.

In FIG. Figure 6 shows another variant of the new egg packaging. The hole 10 in the front wall 8 has a protrusion 50. The protrusion enters the recess in the lower side of the stop 6 (not visible in this drawing). The hole 10 at its upper side has a wall portion 51, which here extends from the nearest portion of the upper surface to the upper side of the stop 6, locally forming a recess in the surface of the front wall 8.

In FIG. 7, the fixing valve 5 is provided with a stop 6. In this embodiment, the lower side of the stop 6 is open and the protrusion 50 extends into the stop 6. The wall part 51 extends from the upper surface 7 of the upper wall to the upper side of the stop 6 and abuts against the stop 6. This also reduces part of the upper wall. The wall portion 51 here has a rounded shape, like a portion of a cylindrical wall.

A package may also have any number of cells and any number of rows of cells, and any number of cells in a row. When the package has, for example, three rows, the end surfaces 9, 9 ′ may, in one embodiment, extend between portions located at each corner, that is, four portions per package. In another embodiment, there may be a portion reproducing

- 4 016761 product form for each row. The middle row, therefore, can have a region that reproduces the shape of, for example, an egg, and this region can extend more or less smoothly on both sides into two end surfaces.

It will also be apparent that the foregoing description and drawings are included to illustrate several embodiments of the invention and do not limit its scope of protection. Based on this description, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that many changes and additions can be made to the present invention, which are also within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

CLAIM 1. Packaging for eggs or similar fragile products, made of molded pulp and containing a lower part having cells that coincide, at least partially, with the external contours of the products in the package; a cover portion having an upper surface, substantially flat front and rear surfaces, and substantially flat end surfaces, wherein the cover portion is substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners; moreover, the closing part comprises extraction means near the end surfaces near the upper surface of the closing part, wherein the extraction means comprises a supporting surface below the upper surface near the end surface and is at least partially formed by a thickened part of the end surface or upper surface. 2. The packaging according to claim 1, in which the supporting surface is at least partially formed by a recess of the upper surface near the end surface. 3. The packaging according to claim 1 or 2, in which the supporting surface is at least partially formed by a thickened part of the end surface between the end surface and the recess. 4. The packaging according to claim 1, in which the supporting surface contains a thickened part of the front and / or rear surface and is connected to the upper surface. 5. Packaging for eggs or similar fragile products, made of molded pulp and containing a lower part having cells that coincide, at least partially, with the external contours of the products in the package; a cover portion having an upper surface and substantially flat front and rear surfaces and substantially flat end surfaces, wherein the cover portion is substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners, wherein the cover portion comprises extraction means near the end surfaces near the upper surface of the closing part, while the extraction means comprises a supporting surface below the upper surface near the end surface, and the supporting surface contains a thickened part of the front and / and and a back surface and connected to the upper surface.