EP0089664B1

EP0089664B1 - Egg container

Info

Publication number: EP0089664B1
Application number: EP83102786A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arnoldo Amabili
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-03-22
Filing date: 1983-03-21
Publication date: 1987-07-15
Also published as: EP0089664A1; EP0188731A3; ATE40666T1; EP0188731B1; DE3372466D1; ES271063U; JPS58216567A; ES271063Y; EP0188731A2

Abstract

The invention discloses an egg container comprised of a bottom portion (T, B) and a top portion. The bottom portion includes a tray member (T) and a base member (B), with the tray member (T) being adapted to fit within the base member (B). The tray member (T) is formed of a single piece of flexible plastic material, whereas the base member (B) is formed of a reinforcing paperboard or cardboard material.

Description

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.
The use of egg containers is well known in the art. Conventionally, 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. Normally, such trays are formed of a cardboard or a foam material.
The art also contains various proposals for means to cushion eggs. However, many such proposals have been deemed to be too complicated to manufacture and too expensive, and accordingly, they have not gained wide acceptance in the art.
Even if there are provided co-operating locking means between the tray and the cover as disclosed in US-A-3,648,916, the eggs are normally free to move to a certain extent within each egg-receiving cell. Therefore, such co-operating locking means only prevents movement of the eggs out of the egg-receiving cells but not movement of the eggs within the egg-receiving cells.
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. To this end, 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. However, the gripping and holding of the eggs of all sizes is achieved in the egg-container of US-A-2,939,602 only by combined action of the resilient convex sections provided in the tray and of bosses depressed into the upper ends of the cups, which bear against the upper end of the egg because the deflectable convex sections grip the egg only at its lower portion so that it would fall out of the tray if the open tray would be inverted.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an egg container wherein the eggs are securely held while being cushioned and which tray may be easily manufactured.
This is achieved in an egg container of the type mentioned in the beginning which is characterized in that 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.
Preferably 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.
Furthermore it is preferred that the tray is a one-piece unit formed of a plastic material. Also the cover can be a one-piece unit formed of a transparent plastic material.
It is also preferred that 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.
Preferably 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.
Moreover 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.
It is further preferred that 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.
Preferably 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.
Preferably, 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. Such 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, as aforementioned, 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.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an egg container of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the tray of the egg container of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view, with the cover removed on a portion thereof, of the container of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an elevational view, partially cut away, of the container;
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a sectional view along the lines 6-6 of Figure 3;
Figure 7 is a sectional view along the lines of 7-7 of Figure 3;
Figure 8 is a sectional view along the lines of 8-8 of Figure 3;
Figure 9 is a sectional view along the lines of 9-9 of Figure 3; and
Figure 10 is a sectional view along the lines of 10-10 of Figure 3.

In greater detail, 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. In the embodiment illustrated, 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 as aforementioned, 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.
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. In this respect, in the center of tray T there are provided five full dome portions 28, each of which has four egg-gripping sections 30 extending therefrom. Similarly, there are provided 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. As may be seen from Figure 2, half-dome portions 27 are formed in two different alternating configurations. In a first configuration, 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. In the alternate configuration, 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. As will be seen from Figure 2, 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.
Formed within horizontal section 112 is 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. In addition, 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. Preferably, the cover is made of a transparent material such that visual inspection of the eggs may be had.
In packaging the eggs, each egg is placed in a cell 10 and a gentle downward pressure may be exerted thereon. This causes egg-gripping sections 30 to flex inwardly while exerting a pressure on the eggs. In this respect, it will be noted that 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. Preferably, 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.
Following placement of the egg in the cell 10, 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. As may be seen from the figures, the mating of projections 36 with flange 116 and undercut 114 forms a locking means to retain the cover on the tray. In addition, 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.
It has been found that 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.
As may be seen from Figures 5 and 8, 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.

Claims

1. Egg container which includes a tray (T) formed of flexible plastic material and a cover (C), the tray (T) having a plurality of egg-receiving cells (10) with each egg-receiving cell (10) being separated from every other egg-receiving cell (10) and each egg-receiving cell (10) having at least one inwardly directed convex section (30), each convex section (30) forming an egg-gripping means, each egg-gripping means (30) being positioned and formed so as to flex outwardly in response to an insertion of an egg in the cell (10), characterized in that each egg-gripping means (30) of said tray (T) exerts a gripping pressure on the egg at a height sufficient to securely retain the egg in the cell (10), said cover (C) and tray (T) having co-operating locking means (36, 114, 116) to secure said cover (C) to said tray (T).

2. Egg container according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover (C) including a top wall portion (106) and a side wall portion (110), said top wall portion (106) having a plurality of egg cushioning means (108) therein, said side wall portion (110) having said locking means (114,116) thereon adapted to co-operate with the locking means (36) on the tray (T).

3. Egg container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said tray (T) is a one-piece unit formed of a plastic material.

4. Egg container according to claim 3, characterized in that said cover (C) is a one-piece unit formed of a transparent plastic material.

5. Egg container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said tray (T) includes an outer side wall (16) spaced from an inner wall (22, 32) defining said egg-receiving cells (10).

6. Egg container according to claim 5, characterized in that each cell (10) has four egg-gripping sections (30), each egg-gripping section (30) extending arcuately inwardly towards said cell (10) in two directions.

7. Egg container according to claim 6, characterized in that it further includes an outer base portion (B) of a paperboard or cardboard material.

8. Egg container according to claim 7, characterized in that said egg cells (10) are further defined by a bottom wall (26) extending between said inner wall (22, 32) extending about said cell (10), said tray (T) being sized such that an egg placed in an egg-receiving cell (10) is spaced from said bottom wall (26).

9. Egg container according to claim 5, characterized in that said tray (T) includes a plurality of recesses (41) formed on a horizontal section thereof and said cover (C) includes a plurality of male projections (115) adapted to seat in said recesses (41

10. Egg container according to claim 9, wherein said locking means (36, 114, 116) includes a projection (36) on a side wall of said tray (T) and a recess (114, 116) formed in said cover side wall (110) to receive said projection (36).

11. Egg container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the position of the egg in the egg-receiving cell (10) is such that approximately 60% of the height of the egg is below the point of first contact of said egg-gripping means (30) with the egg.