EP1072529A2 - Récipient jetable avec aération - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP1072529A2
EP1072529A2 EP00305581A EP00305581A EP1072529A2 EP 1072529 A2 EP1072529 A2 EP 1072529A2 EP 00305581 A EP00305581 A EP 00305581A EP 00305581 A EP00305581 A EP 00305581A EP 1072529 A2 EP1072529 A2 EP 1072529A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
base
cover
container
vent
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00305581A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1072529A3 (fr
Inventor
John Mckellar
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.)
Huhtamaki UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Polarcup Ltd
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 Polarcup Ltd filed Critical Polarcup Ltd
Publication of EP1072529A2 publication Critical patent/EP1072529A2/fr
Publication of EP1072529A3 publication Critical patent/EP1072529A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
    • B65D43/162—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
    • 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
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/16—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas
    • B65D51/1605—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby the interior of the container is maintained in permanent gaseous communication with the exterior
    • B65D51/1622—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby the interior of the container is maintained in permanent gaseous communication with the exterior by means of a passage for the escape of gas between the closure and the lip of the container mouth
    • B65D51/1627—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby the interior of the container is maintained in permanent gaseous communication with the exterior by means of a passage for the escape of gas between the closure and the lip of the container mouth the closure being for a box-like container
    • 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
    • B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
    • B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
    • B65D2251/1016—Means for locking the closure in closed position
    • B65D2251/1025—Integral locking elements penetrating in an opening, e.g. a flap through a slit, a hook in an opening

Definitions

  • This invention relates to disposable containers made from sheet thermoplastics material, for example, containers which are mass produced and supplied for use in food packaging.
  • Disposable containers for use in the food industry need to be of simple, inexpensive construction, but they also need to be rigid enough to prevent deformation, for example whilst the container is being transported between a point of sale and point of end use.
  • so-called "clam shell" containers which are made from thin sheets of high density expanded polystyrene, are used by fast food chains in the sale of food products, such as hamburgers. A hamburger is cooked, then placed inside the open container before the cover portion is closed and the product sold to a customer for later consumption.
  • the containers are hot press moulded in an open configuration, so that they can be nested and supplied in bulk for immediate use, i.e. for the holding and transportation of cooked food products (such as hamburgers) at a point of sale.
  • Such containers are cheap to manufacture and are of light but reasonably rigid construction, so as to protect the food product during transportation.
  • the containers have a cover portion which fits closely onto a base portion to strengthen the box construction of the container, when closed, and to prevent the ingress of any foreign matter.
  • the container is virtually sealed and this enables moist air to accumulate inside the container, which emanates from the cooked food product, and this can then be absorbed by the product leading to deterioration in its appearance and taste. For example, if a cooked hamburger is left inside the container for even a relatively short period of time, (e.g. 5-10 minutes), the build-up of moist air causes the burger to become soggy.
  • the present invention seeks to avoid this problem by providing a venting arrangement which (a) allows the moist air to escape, thereby preserving the quality of the food product for a much longer period of time, (b) does not disadvantageously affect the constructional integrity of the container itself, (c) is easy to incorporate in manufacture (especially where containers are hot press moulded), and enables the size of the vent to be selectively adjusted to suit differences in food products (e.g. such as toasted products and hamburgers).
  • a venting arrangement which (a) allows the moist air to escape, thereby preserving the quality of the food product for a much longer period of time, (b) does not disadvantageously affect the constructional integrity of the container itself, (c) is easy to incorporate in manufacture (especially where containers are hot press moulded), and enables the size of the vent to be selectively adjusted to suit differences in food products (e.g. such as toasted products and hamburgers).
  • a disposable container made from sheet thermoplastics material comprises a base portion and a cover portion which cooperate to form a closed container for a cooked food product, either the base portion or the cover portion having at least one side wall, a part of said side wall of the base (or cover) portion being displaced with respect to a corresponding part of the cover (or base) portion to form a vent (when the container is closed) to enable the escape of moist air from said cooked product.
  • the side wall can be, for example, one of two side walls of a square or rectangular container. However, as the container could be say, round or oval, there may be only one continuous side wall.
  • the side wall(s) can be displaced (out of its major plane) either inwardly or outwardly, i.e. the recess may be concave or convex with regard to the exterior of the container, but it is preferably formed by pressing a part of at least one side wall of the base portion (or cover portion) so as to direct it inwardly of the container, both to reinforce the wall and to displace a leading edge of the wall, with respect to a corresponding part of the cover portion (or base portion), sufficiently to form a vent of the required size.
  • the base and cover portions can be of integral construction and preformed in an open condition from the thermoplastics sheet material, i.e. as with a clam shell container.
  • the base has an out-turned flange which provides an abutment surface for a corresponding surface on the cover portion, and the recess is located so that it diverts a portion of one of the abutment surfaces with respect to the other, to avoid abutment and to form the vent.
  • the abutment surface on the cover portion is preferably located inwardly of a shoulder portion which overhangs and fits closely against the edge of flange on the base portion when the container is closed.
  • a preferred container has a base portion with a floor and side walls extending upwardly from the floor, a part of at least one side wall being directed inwardly of the container so that it reinforces the wall and displaces a leading edge of said wall with respect to a corresponding part of the cover portion to form the vent.
  • the inwardly directed part of the wall has a rectangular flat region which is inset from the major plane of said wall.
  • a floor portion of the container has at least one pedestal in order to raise a food product above the floor portion to promote the flow of air around said product. This allows more moist air to escape from all sides of (e.g) a burger.
  • the pedestal can be one of several, e.g. extending radially from the centre of the floor and circumferentially spaced at equal angular intervals.
  • the cover portion can have a shoulder which fits closely around the leading edge of the base portion, except for the vent, when the container is closed, an optional fastener being provided to secure the cover portion to the base portion.
  • the container has a base portion and cover portion with generally rectangular cup shapes e.g. suitable for a hamburger, but other shapes, such as circular and oval, are possible.
  • the invention also provides a method of manufacturing clam shell disposable containers made from sheet thermoplastics material, each container comprising a base portion and a cover portion which cooperate to form a closed container for a cooked food product, the method including:
  • the size of the vent is determined with regard to the cooked product to be contained. For example, more moist air may need to escape from some cooked products than others.
  • the size of the opening which forms the vent (for example, the depth to which the material is pressed), is preferably predetermined or selected before mass production of containers so that each container can be pressed from the blank sheet material in one operation.
  • the vents are preferably slits and the width (which is controlled by the depth to which the recess is pressed), and length of these slits can be designed so as to provide adequate ventilation, whilst maintaining suitable closure and structural rigidity. For example, some cooked foods, such as toasted products need to maintain crispness and may require less ventilation. Other cooked foods, such as hamburgers, may require more ventilation to avoid becoming soggy.
  • the cross-sectional area of slits can easily be adjusted by adjusting the length and width of the slits, i.e. by controlling the length (along the side of the box) as well as the depth of the pressing and the optimum dimensions can be found by trial and error.
  • a given cooked product such as a burger
  • similar burgers cooked in the same way can be placed in sets of closed boxes with differently sized vents and the quality of the burgers in each set can be checked after a timed interval corresponding to a typical period over which the burger remains in the container before consumption.
  • the quality testing can be extended to cover different periods so as to build up a profile of optimum quality/vent size in order to select the optimum slit width (pressing depth) and slit length. Such quality testing can be repeated with various cooked products so as to build up further profiles of optimum quality/vent size for the respective products. This data can be used to control the operation of the same machinery for mass-producing containers for different customers, or for customers having different product requirements.
  • a disposable container 1 of integral construction, is preformed in an open condition from thermoplastics sheet material, such as high density polystyrene.
  • thermoplastics sheet material such as high density polystyrene.
  • a thermomoulding technique can be used where the sheet material is pressed into shape.
  • the container comprises a base portion 2 and a cover portion 3 joined together by hinge portion 4, which is shown in detail in Fig. 6.
  • the hinge is formed by pressing a pair of parallel grooves, 4a,4b, each having a "V" cross-section, in the thermoplastics sheet material. (These grooves are not visible in the plan view of Fig. 3, since they are on the underside of the hinge portion 4.)
  • Mass produced containers pressed into the shape illustrated in Figs.
  • the container 1 provides a convenient means of transport, whilst also providing protection and thermal insulation.
  • the container can be of various shapes; a rectangular box shape being illustrated by way of example. Other shapes include circular and oval.
  • the container 1 is disposable and made from thin thermoplastics material, it is constructed to provide sufficient rigidity in use, i.e. so that the cover portion 3 makes a good fit with the base portion 2 and thereby seals the container whilst helping to prevent distortion or collapse whilst it is being carried.
  • the base 2 has an out-turned flange 5 which provides an abutment surface for a corresponding surface 6 on the cover portion 3.
  • the surface 6 is formed similarly to the surface on flange 5, but it is located inwardly of an overhanging shoulder portion 7 which is designed to provide a fairly close fit, around the edge of flange 6, when the container is closed.
  • the shoulder portion 7 on the cover portion and the flange 5 on the base portion both extend along the edges of respective side walls 2a, 2b and 3a,3b and also along parts of the edges of side walls 2c,3c, as shown in Fig.3.
  • the container 1 has fastener portions 8,9, which can be secured together when the cover portion 3 is pivoted about the hinge 4 and pressed downwardly on the base portion.
  • the fastener is formed by a scoop-shaped tab 8a, which fits into a rectangular slot 9a in the base portion 2.
  • the scoop shape helps to reinforce the tab so that it does not deform or snap off when it is pushed into the slot (to secure the cover on the base).
  • Such containers which may or may not have fasteners, but usually have a pair of cup-shaped hinged parts, are generally known as "clam-shell" containers.
  • Hot foods such as a cooked hamburger, generate steam after being placed inside the closed container and if this steam is absorbed by the hamburger, it can make it soggy.
  • vents or slits 10 which are formed by side walls of the container and which allow the escape of steam and water vapour after the container has been closed.
  • the vents 10 are formed by making recesses 11 in the side walls 2a, 2b of the base portion 2. These recesses can be formed by pressing the side walls 2a,2b inwardly, during manufacture, so as to provide raised portions 2d,2e on the inside of the container (as shown in Fig. 3).
  • vents 10 reduce steam absorption and thereby help to maintain the quality of the food product.
  • a floor portion 13 of the container has raised portions or pedestals 12. These hold the food product clear of the floor 13 of the base portion 2, thereby allowing the passage of air beneath the product, as well as around the sides and top.
  • These pedestals are in the form of elongated portions which extend radially from the centre of the floor 13 and are circumferentially spaced at equal angular intervals (45°).
  • Fig 10 is a front view of the fastener portions 8,9 secured together with the cover portion 3 closed on the base and the tab 9a pushed through the slot 8a.
  • the tab is scoop-shaped to provide further strength in view of the need to force it through the slot 9a.
  • the slot 9a is rectangular, this leaves a very small segment shaped vent 8b between the scoop surface of the tab and the lower edge of the cover portion 9.
  • this is not large enough to provide adequate ventilation and the size is not adjustable.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
EP00305581A 1999-07-09 2000-07-03 Récipient jetable avec aération Withdrawn EP1072529A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9916223 1999-07-09
GB9916223A GB2351727B (en) 1999-07-09 1999-07-09 Disposable container with vent

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1072529A2 true EP1072529A2 (fr) 2001-01-31
EP1072529A3 EP1072529A3 (fr) 2002-07-03

Family

ID=10857034

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00305581A Withdrawn EP1072529A3 (fr) 1999-07-09 2000-07-03 Récipient jetable avec aération

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1072529A3 (fr)
GB (1) GB2351727B (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108216841A (zh) * 2018-01-03 2018-06-29 深圳市波尔兴科技开发有限公司 食物容器及其热成型湿压工艺

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2519330A (en) * 2013-10-17 2015-04-22 Par Pak Europ Ltd Packaging for consumable products
WO2015160388A1 (fr) * 2014-04-16 2015-10-22 Westrock Mwv, Llc Mécanisme de découpage à l'emporte-pièce rotatif de pièce en trois dimensions et son procédé de fonctionnement

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7704902U1 (de) * 1977-02-18 1977-06-02 Hoechst Ag Zweiteiliger Behaelter fuer in heissem Zustand zu verpackende Nahrungsmittel
US4127189A (en) * 1977-06-17 1978-11-28 Sweetheart Plastics, Inc. Plastic food container
GB2160510A (en) * 1984-06-20 1985-12-24 Anthony John Sharp Ventilated container
GB2200340A (en) * 1987-01-29 1988-08-03 Dolphin Packaging Materials Container for perishable goods
US4883195A (en) * 1988-11-02 1989-11-28 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Pizza container
FR2652566A1 (fr) * 1989-09-29 1991-04-05 Siemco Sa Perfectionnement aux emballages pour le conditionnement de produits notamment alimentaires.

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2464202A1 (fr) * 1979-08-27 1981-03-06 Norelev Perfectionnement aux boites de conditionnement notamment pour viandes ou volailles preemballees
FR2567742B1 (fr) * 1984-07-20 1986-12-26 Cidelcem Bac alimentaire
FR2622535B1 (fr) * 1987-11-03 1990-01-12 Guillin Francois Container d'emballage plastiques aeres
FR2737475B1 (fr) * 1995-07-10 1997-10-17 Agaricuts Sa Emballage pour champignons frais et procede de conditionnement de champignons frais
GB9819206D0 (en) * 1998-09-04 1998-10-28 Dolphin Packaging Materials Moulded container with lid

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7704902U1 (de) * 1977-02-18 1977-06-02 Hoechst Ag Zweiteiliger Behaelter fuer in heissem Zustand zu verpackende Nahrungsmittel
US4127189A (en) * 1977-06-17 1978-11-28 Sweetheart Plastics, Inc. Plastic food container
GB2160510A (en) * 1984-06-20 1985-12-24 Anthony John Sharp Ventilated container
GB2200340A (en) * 1987-01-29 1988-08-03 Dolphin Packaging Materials Container for perishable goods
US4883195A (en) * 1988-11-02 1989-11-28 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Pizza container
FR2652566A1 (fr) * 1989-09-29 1991-04-05 Siemco Sa Perfectionnement aux emballages pour le conditionnement de produits notamment alimentaires.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108216841A (zh) * 2018-01-03 2018-06-29 深圳市波尔兴科技开发有限公司 食物容器及其热成型湿压工艺

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1072529A3 (fr) 2002-07-03
GB2351727B (en) 2003-11-12
GB2351727A (en) 2001-01-10
GB9916223D0 (en) 1999-09-15

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