EP0089664B1 - Eierbehälter - Google Patents

Eierbehälter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0089664B1
EP0089664B1 EP83102786A EP83102786A EP0089664B1 EP 0089664 B1 EP0089664 B1 EP 0089664B1 EP 83102786 A EP83102786 A EP 83102786A EP 83102786 A EP83102786 A EP 83102786A EP 0089664 B1 EP0089664 B1 EP 0089664B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
egg
tray
cell
cover
container according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP83102786A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0089664A1 (de
Inventor
Arnoldo Amabili
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to DE8585115819T priority Critical patent/DE3379163D1/de
Priority to AT83102786T priority patent/ATE28310T1/de
Publication of EP0089664A1 publication Critical patent/EP0089664A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0089664B1 publication Critical patent/EP0089664B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/32—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for eggs
    • B65D85/324—Containers with compartments made of pressed material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an egg container which includes a tray formed of flexible plastic material and a cover, the tray having a plurality of egg-receiving cells with each egg-receiving cell being separated from every other egg-receiving cell and each egg-receiving cell having at least one inwardly directed convex section, each convex section forming an egg-gripping means, each egg-gripping means being positioned and formed so as to flex outwardly in response to an insertion of an egg in the cell.
  • egg containers have consisted of a tray and cover which may be hingedly connected thereto, with the egg tray having a plurality of egg-receiving cells.
  • the eggs are placed in the egg-receiving cells and are not retained therein; normally, the eggs are free to move to a certain extent within each egg-receiving cell since, for any size of egg, there is a certain variation permitted.
  • This movement of the eggs in a conventional container permits a substantial breakage to occur.
  • trays are formed of a cardboard or a foam material.
  • an egg container of the type mentioned in the beginning which prevents movement of the eggs within the egg-receiving cells is disclosed in US-A-2,939,602.
  • the egg-receiving cells are provided with a cup which, through a combination of convex and concave wall sections is made resilient and capable of gripping and firmly holding eggs of all sizes because the convex sections are capable of being deflected outwardly to conform to the engaging contour of the lower end of the egg.
  • each egg-gripping means of the tray exerts a gripping pressure on the egg at a height sufficient to securely retain the egg in the cell, the cover and tray having co-operating locking means to secure the cover to the tray.
  • this egg container is constructed such that the cover includes a top-wall portion and a side wall portion, the top wall portion having a plurality of egg cushioning means therein, the side wall portion having the locking means thereon adapted to co-operate with the locking means on the tray.
  • the tray is a one-piece unit formed of a plastic material.
  • the cover can be a one-piece unit formed of a transparent plastic material.
  • the tray includes an outer side wall spaced from an inner wall defining the egg-receiving cells.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that each cell has four egg-gripping sections, each egg-gripping section extending arcuately inwardly towards the cell in two directions.
  • the egg container can further include an outer base portion of a paperboard or cardboard material.
  • the egg cells are further defined by a bottom wall extending between the inner wall extending about the cell, the tray being sized such that an egg placed in an egg-receiving cell is spaced from the bottom wall.
  • the egg container can be constructed such that the tray includes a plurality of recesses formed on a horizontal section thereof and the cover includes a plurality of male projections adapted to seat in the recesses.
  • the locking means includes a projection on a side wall of the tray and a recess formed in the cover side wall to receive the projection.
  • the position of the egg in the egg-receiving cell is such that approximately 60% of the height of the egg is below the point of first contact of said egg-gripping means with the egg.
  • the container includes a further bottom section adapted to fit about the tray section and which section conveniently may be formed of a cardboard or paperboard or like material.
  • a section can easily be adapted to receive advertising and the like and adds rigidity to the tray per se.
  • EP-A-0 188 737 which has been divided from the present application describes and claims this particular embodiment.
  • the tray includes a plurality of egg cells therein with each cell having a plurality of egg-gripping sections, which sections are partially deformable outwardly in response to the force of an egg being placed in the cell such that the gripping sections exert a restraining force inwardly on the eggs. Due to the deformable nature of the gripping sections, different sized eggs including variations of any size may be accommodated in a single size tray.
  • the egg container of the present invention includes a tray T, a cover C and a base portion B.
  • Tray T consists of a plurality of egg cells, each adapted to contain a single egg.
  • the container consists of two half-sections, each having six egg cells therein.
  • Tray T is of a generally rectangular configuration and has an outer side wall 16 having a plurality of inwardly extending ribs 18 formed therein to add rigidity to the wall. At the corners of the wall 16, an angled portion 14 is provided as shown in Figure 2. Extending inwardly from the upper margin of side wall 16 is an upper horizontal wall portion generally designated by reference numeral 20.
  • Tray T includes a plurality of egg cells generally designated by reference numeral 10.
  • Each egg cell 10 is partially defined by a generally circular lower cell wall 22 having a plurality of corrugations or flutes 24 therein. Extending along the lower margin of lower cell wall 22 is a bottom cell wall 26.
  • intermediate horizontal wall section 34 At the upper margin of lower side wall 22 is an intermediate horizontal wall section 34. Intermediate horizontal wall section 34 terminates in an upper side wall portion 32. Forming a portion of upper side wall 32 are a plurality of egg-gripping sections generally designated by reference numeral 30. Each cell 10 has four of such egg-gripping sections 30, each of which sections 30 is adapted to flex outwardly when an egg is placed in such cell 10 and thereby retain the egg in its desired position.
  • Each section 30 terminates in at least a partial dome portion.
  • five full dome portions 28 each of which has four egg-gripping sections 30 extending therefrom.
  • twelve half-dome sections 27 which have two egg-gripping section 30 extending therefrom and at the four corners of the container, there are provided quarter-dome sections 29 each having a single egg-gripping section 30 extending therefrom.
  • Upper horizontal wall section 20 terminates at an upper outer wall generally designated by reference numeral 38.
  • half-dome portions 27 are formed in two different alternating configurations.
  • horizontal wall section 20 extends inwardly a slightly greater distance than usual and upper outer wall 38 has a projection 36 extending outwardly therefrom.
  • Projection or nose 36 has an arcuate upper surface 37 and a lower substantially horizontal surface 39.
  • horizontal wall section 20 does not extend inwardly to the same extent as that previously described and upper outer wall 38 merely terminates at the drop of half-dome 27 without any projection thereon.
  • Each half-dome section 27 includes a recess 41 therein, which recess forms a portion of the locking means as will be discussed hereinbelow.
  • the half-dome 27 formed at either of the ends of the tray T have projection 36 formed on upper outer wall 38.
  • Base portion B which may be made of a suitable paperboard or cardboard material comprises a bottom 60 and walls 62 adapted, by means of glue 64, to adhere to outer side walls 16.
  • Cover portion C in the embodiment illustrated, is divided into two half-sections 100 and 102, each section being substantially identical and being joined by an intermediate section 104.
  • Cover C includes an upper horizontal top wall 106 having, at a location corresponding to the top of each egg cell 10, a dimple or egg-cushioning means generally designated by reference numeral 108. In addition, two additional dimples 108 are provided adjacent intermediate section 104. Extending downwardly in an arcuate manner as will be described in greater detail, is cover side wall 110. Cover side wall 110, as may be noted from Figures 5, 6 and 8 through 10, extends outwardly and downwardly adjacent cushioning means 108 at a different angle than where recesses 41 are provided. Adjacent recesses 41, cover side wall 110 extends substantially downwardly and terminates in an outwardly extending horizontal portion generally designated by reference numeral 112.
  • a male projection 115 adapted to seat in recess 41. Also, in those portions of cover side wall 110 corresponding to where projections 36 are located, there is provided an outwardly extending flange portion 116 and subsequent undercut 114 which is adapted to receive projection 36 and thus provide a locking means for the cover to the tray.
  • Cover side wall 110 includes a plurality of inwardly extending corrugations or flutes 118 which add rigidity to the cover structure.
  • corrugations or flutes 118 are provided in intermediate section 104 as seen in Figures 1 and 9.
  • Both the tray and cover are preferably made of a suitable plastic material having the desired flexibility for proper functioning of the container.
  • the cover is made of a transparent material such that visual inspection of the eggs may be had.
  • each egg is placed in a cell 10 and a gentle downward pressure may be exerted thereon.
  • egg-gripping sections 30 are arcuate in nature in both directions - i.e. from the top of dome section 28, they curve inwardly down to lower cell wall 22. This permits the eggs to be securely held and the container may be turned upside down without the eggs falling out.
  • the container is sized such that the eggs do not touch bottom cell wall 26.
  • the placement of the egg is such that approximately 60% of the height of the egg is below the point of first contact of egg-gripping section 30 with the egg.
  • cover C is placed on top.
  • the cover is sized such that dimples 108 are adapted to just touch the top of an egg placed in an egg cell 10. Dimples 108 will act as a cushioning means for the eggs due to the flexible nature of the plastic material forming cover C.
  • the mating of projections 36 with flange 116 and undercut 114 forms a locking means to retain the cover on the tray.
  • the mating of recesses 41 and male projection 115 prevent the side walls 110 from flexing outwardly when a pressure is put on top 106.
  • the egg container of the present invention may be adapted to hold several different sizes of eggs in a single size container. Due to the nature of egg-gripping sections 30 and the design of the container, the single size container may serve to package and hold securely both small and medium (and in some instances large) eggs.
  • side wall 110 adjacent each egg cell 10 terminates short of horizontal wall section 20 to thereby leave an air gap therebetween. This permits the circulation of air to reach the eggs in the egg cells.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
  • Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
  • Thermally Insulated Containers For Foods (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)

Claims (11)

1. Eierbehälter, der eine Schale (T) aufweist, die aus flexiblem Kunststoffmaterial ausgebildet ist, und einen Deckel (C), wobei die Schale (T) eine Mehrzahl von eiaufnehmenden Zellen (10) hat, wobei jede eiaufnehmende Zelle (10) von jeder anderen eiaufnehmenden Zelle (10) getrennt ist und jede eiaufnehmende Zelle (10) wenigstens einen nach einwärts gerichteten konvexen Abschnitt (30) hat, wobei jeder konvexe Abschnitt (30) eine Eigreifeinrichtung bildet und wobei jede Eigreifeinrichtung (30) so positioniert und ausgebildet ist, daß die sich in Ansprechung auf ein Einführen eines Eies in die Zelle (10) nach auswärts biegt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jede Eigreifeinrichtung (30) der Schale (T) einen Greifdruck auf das Ei auf einer Höhe ausübt, die ausreicht, das Ei sicher in der Zelle (10) zu halten, wobei der Deckel (C) und die Schale (T) zusammenwirkende Verriegelungsmittel (36, 114, 116) zum Befestigen des Deckels (C) an der Schale (T) haben.
2. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Deckel (C) einen oberen Wandteil (106) und einen Seitenwandteil (110) aufweist, wobei der obere Wandteil (106) eine Mehrzahl von Eipolsterungsmitteln (108) darin hat und wobei der Seitenwandteil (110) die Verriegelungsmittel (114, 116) darauf hat, die dazu geeignet sind, mit den Verriegelungsmitteln (36) auf der Schale (T) zusammenzuwirken.
3. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schale (T) eine einstückige Einheit ist, die aus einem Kunststoffmaterial ausgebildet ist.
4. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Deckel (C) eine einstückige Einheit ist, die aus einem transparenten Kunststoffmaterial ausgebildet ist.
5. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schale (T) eine äußere Seitenwand (16) aufweist, welche von einer inneren Wand (22, 23), die die eiaufnehmenden Zellen (10) begrenzt, im Abstand angeordnet ist.
6. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jede Zelle (10) vier Eigriefabschnitte (30) hat, wobei sich jeder Eigreifabschnitt (30) bogenförmig nach einwärts nach der Zelle (10) zu in zwei Richtungen erstreckt.
7. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß er weiter einen äußeren Basisteil (B) aus einem Pappe- oder Kartonmaterial aufweist.
8. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Eizellen (10) weiter durch eine Bodenwand (26) begrenzt sind, welche sich zwischen der um die Zelle (10) erstreckenden inneren Wand (22, 32) erstreckt, wobei die Schale (T) derart bemessen ist, daß ein Ei, welches sich in einer eiaufnehmenden Zelle (10) befindet, im Abstand von der Bodenwand (26) angeordnet ist.
9. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Schale (T) eine Mehrzahl von Ausnehmungen (41) aufweist, die auf einem horizontalen Abschnitt derselben ausgebildet sind, und daß der Deckel (C) eine Mehrzahl von erhabenen Vorsprüngen (115) aufweist, die dazu geeignet sind, in den Ausnehmungen (41) zu sitzen.
10. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verriegelungsmittel (36, 114, 116) einen Vorsprung (36) auf einer Seitenwand der Schale (T) aufweisen, und eine Ausnehmung (114, 116), die in der Deckelseitenwand (110) zur Aufnahme des Vorsprungs (36) ausgebildet ist.
11. Eierbehälter nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Position des Eies in der eiaufnehmenden Zelle (10) derart ist, daß ungefähr 60 % der Höhe des Eies unterhalb der Stelle des ersten Kontakts der Eigreifeinrichtung (30) mit dem Ei sind.
EP83102786A 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Eierbehälter Expired EP0089664B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE8585115819T DE3379163D1 (en) 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Egg container
AT83102786T ATE28310T1 (de) 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Eierbehaelter.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US36059182A 1982-03-22 1982-03-22
US360591 1982-03-22

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85115819.6 Division-Into 1983-03-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0089664A1 EP0089664A1 (de) 1983-09-28
EP0089664B1 true EP0089664B1 (de) 1987-07-15

Family

ID=23418657

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85115819A Expired EP0188731B1 (de) 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Eierdose
EP83102786A Expired EP0089664B1 (de) 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Eierbehälter

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85115819A Expired EP0188731B1 (de) 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Eierdose

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0188731B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS58216567A (de)
AT (1) ATE40666T1 (de)
DE (1) DE3372466D1 (de)
ES (1) ES271063Y (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2627166B1 (fr) * 1988-02-15 1991-09-06 Thermopac Sa Boite a oeufs

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2939602A (en) * 1956-10-30 1960-06-07 Jesse R Grant Cartons for eggs
JPS4427271Y1 (de) * 1968-10-31 1969-11-14
US3643857A (en) * 1969-09-30 1972-02-22 Hikoji Noguchi Plastic egg package
US3648916A (en) * 1970-02-27 1972-03-14 Mobil Oil Corp Carton
GB1382044A (en) * 1971-03-02 1975-01-29 Autobar Vendabeka Ltd Boxes or packs for containing eggs fruit or other articles
JPS5122008U (de) * 1974-08-05 1976-02-18
JPS5470509A (en) * 1977-11-16 1979-06-06 Japanese National Railways<Jnr> Freight car shunting control system
US4194682A (en) * 1979-01-19 1980-03-25 Congleton Wayne L Egg carton

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS58216567A (ja) 1983-12-16
ES271063U (es) 1983-08-16
ES271063Y (es) 1984-03-01
EP0188731A2 (de) 1986-07-30
DE3372466D1 (en) 1987-08-20
EP0089664A1 (de) 1983-09-28
EP0188731B1 (de) 1989-02-08
EP0188731A3 (en) 1987-09-09
ATE40666T1 (de) 1989-02-15

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