EP0188731B1 - Eierdose - Google Patents

Eierdose Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0188731B1
EP0188731B1 EP85115819A EP85115819A EP0188731B1 EP 0188731 B1 EP0188731 B1 EP 0188731B1 EP 85115819 A EP85115819 A EP 85115819A EP 85115819 A EP85115819 A EP 85115819A EP 0188731 B1 EP0188731 B1 EP 0188731B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
egg
tray
cell
side wall
container
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
EP85115819A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0188731A2 (de
EP0188731A3 (en
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 AT85115819T priority Critical patent/ATE40666T1/de
Publication of EP0188731A2 publication Critical patent/EP0188731A2/de
Publication of EP0188731A3 publication Critical patent/EP0188731A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0188731B1 publication Critical patent/EP0188731B1/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 being formed of a flexible plastic material which includes a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion being a cover member, the bottom portion including a plurality of spaced apart egg cells each adapted to receive a single egg, each of the egg cells having a generally enclosing cell side wall extending thereabout to thereby define the egg cell, and locking means associated with the bottom portion adapted to secure the cover to the bottom portion.
  • egg container have consisted of a tray and cover portion which may be hingedly connected thereto, with the egg tray having a plurality of egg cells.
  • the eggs are placed in the egg cells and are not retained therein; normally, the eggs are free to move to a certain extent within each egg 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 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.
  • an egg container of the type mentioned in the beginning is disclosed in US-A-3,648,916.
  • This egg container consists of two main parts, namely a top portion and a bottom portion which are hingedly connected together along one longitudinal edge and which have locking means at the other longitudinal edge for securing the cover to the bottom portion.
  • the outer surfaces of the side walls of the egg cells which are defined by the bottom portion are exposed and can therefore receive impacts capable of damaging the eggs which are not protected against such impacts.
  • an egg container of the type mentioned in the beginning which is characterized in that the bottom portion includes a tray member and a base member, the tray member being adapted to fit within the base member, the tray member being formed of a single piece of said flexible plastic material, the base member being formed of a reinforcing paperboard of cardboard material, the tray member having an enclosing tray side wall extending about the periphery of the tray member and having generally vertical wall portions spaced from the cell side walls, said base member having a plurality of wall sections which are secured to the tray side wall and which wall sections generally extend around the entire exterior surface area of the tray side wall.
  • Such a base member can easily be adapted to receive advertising and the like and adds rigidity to the tray member per se.
  • each egg-receiving cell is adapted to receive a single egg and is separated from each other egg-receiving cell, and that each cell has a plurality of egg-gripping means therein, which egg-gripping means are such that they will adapt to different sizes of eggs while retaining the egg securely spaced from adjacent eggs and from the bottom of the container.
  • the cover member is formed of a transparent material and has a plurality of inwardly projecting egg cushioning means with a separate inwardly projecting means disposed over each cell.
  • the enclosing cell side wall includes a plurality of inwardly generally convex shaped portions adapted to flex in response to the pressure of an egg inserted into the cell and to thereby exert a retaining force on the egg.
  • the egg retainer can be made such that the side wall extends substantially the full height of the tray member.
  • top portion and the bottom portion include spaced apart areas to provide ventilation to the interior of the container.
  • the tray as aformentioned, includes a plurality of egg cells therein with each cell having preferably 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 in any one size may be accomodated in a single size tray.
  • the egg container of the present invention includes a tray member T, a cover member C and a base member B.
  • Tray member 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 member 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 tray side 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.
  • 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 sections 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 28 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)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)

Claims (5)

1. Eierbehälter, der aus einem flexiblen Kunststoffmaterial ausgebildet ist, welcher einen Bodenteil (T, B) und einen Oberteil (C) aufweist, wobei der Oberteil (C) ein Deckelteil ist, wobei der Bodenteil (T, B) eine Mehrzahl von im Abstand voneinander befindlichen Eizellen (10) aufweist, von denen jede dazu geeignet ist, ein einzelnes Ei aufzunehmen, wobei jede der Eizellen (10) eine generell umschließende Zellenseitenwand (22, 32) hat, die sich um dieselbe erstreckt, so daß sie dadurch die Eizelle (10) begrenzt, und eine mit dem Bodenteil (T, B) verbundene Verriegelungseinrichtung (36), die dazu geeignet ist, den Deckel (C) an dem Bodenteil (T, B) zu befestigen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Bodenteil (T, B) ein Schalenteil (T) und ein Basisteil (B) aufweist, wobei das Schalenteil (T) dazu geeignet ist, innerhalb des Basisteils (B) zu sitzen, wobei das Schalenteil (T) aus einem einzigen Stück des flexiblen Kunststoffmaterials ausgebildet ist, wobei das Basisteil (B) aus einem verstärkenden Pappe- oder Kartonmaterial ausgebildet ist, wobei das Schalenteil (T) eine umschließende Schalenseitenwand (16) hat, die sich um den Umfang des Schalenteils (T) erstreckt und generell vertikale Wandteile hat, welche von den Zellenseitenwänden (22, 32) beabstandet sind, wobei das Basisteil (B) eine Mehrzahl von Wandabschnitten (62) hat, die an der Schalenseitenwand (16) befestigt sind und welche Wandabschnitte (62) sich generell um den gesamten äußeren Oberflächenbereich der Schalenseitenwand (16) herum erstrecken.
2. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Deckelteil (C) aus einem transparenten Material ausgebildet ist und eine Mehrzahl von nach einwärts vorstehenden Eipolsterungsmitteln (108) hat, wobei ein gesondertes, nach einwärts vorstehendes Mittel (108) über jeder Zelle (10) angeordnet ist.
3. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die umschließende Zellenseitenwand (22, 32) eine Mehrzahl von nach einwärts generell konvex geformten Teilen (30) aufweist, die dazu geeignet sind, sich in Ansprechung auf den Druck eines in die Zelle (10) eingefügten Eies zu biegen und dadurch eine Haltekraft auf das Ei ausüben.
4. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich die Schalenseitenwand (16) im wesentlichen über die volle Höhe des Schalenteils (T) erstreckt.
5. Eierbehälter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Oberteil (C) und der Bodenteil (T) im Abstand voneinander befindliche Bereiche, um eine Ventilation zu dem Inneren des Behälters zu liefern, aufweisen.
EP85115819A 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Eierdose Expired EP0188731B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT85115819T ATE40666T1 (de) 1982-03-22 1983-03-21 Eierdose.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83102786.7 Division 1983-03-21

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0188731A2 EP0188731A2 (de) 1986-07-30
EP0188731A3 EP0188731A3 (en) 1987-09-09
EP0188731B1 true EP0188731B1 (de) 1989-02-08

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 After (1)

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

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
EP0188731A2 (de) 1986-07-30
EP0188731A3 (en) 1987-09-09
EP0089664B1 (de) 1987-07-15
ES271063Y (es) 1984-03-01
DE3372466D1 (en) 1987-08-20
ATE40666T1 (de) 1989-02-15
JPS58216567A (ja) 1983-12-16
EP0089664A1 (de) 1983-09-28
ES271063U (es) 1983-08-16

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