EP1092644B1 - Cover and label for it made from anisotropic, preoriented film - Google Patents

Abstract

The cover label (4) is an anisotropic, pre-orientated sheet. It is made with a preferential tearing direction (12) parallel to that of pulling off.

Description

The invention relates to a lid for a food container, with a lid label, that in at least one essentially continuous connection zone with the cover is connected, and with one covered by the lid label, by at least sections Peeling off the lid label in a peeling direction exposed functional area of the lid, such as in particular a ventilation opening or a receiving trough for one Spoon, the functional area being arranged outside the connection zone of the lid is.

Such lids with lid labels are known and are used, for example, for closing of soup containers for ready-made or instant soups, of containers for frozen foods or used by ice cream containers.

Soup containers and frozen food containers often have the problem that the Pressure inside the container increases as the soup is heated. To prevent that the lid drops due to the excess pressure inside the container, the excess pressure must be released become. To do this, the lid is provided with vents, which are usually are covered by a lid label. For warming up the soup or frozen food the vents can be exposed by a section of the lidding film is subtracted. The overpressure can be released through the exposed ventilation openings escape inside the soup bowl

Ice cream containers are often accompanied by a spoon, which is in the lid in a recess is included. For hygienic reasons, this recess is through the lid label covered so that no dirt can get to the spoon. To spoon out To be able to remove the cover, the section above the receiving trough must be the lid label are peeled off.

The following are areas such as vents and troughs, which are a perceive additional function of the lid, simply referred to as functional areas.

From the prior art, for example from DE 94 00 801 U1 and from EP 0 706 955 B1 it is known to cover the lid label in the functional area of the lid with parallel, tear lines ending in front of the edge of the lid label, for example perforations to provide. To expose the functional area, slide the lid label along of the tear lines and the area of the lid label covering the functional area folded up. The area folded up to expose the functional area the lid label remains attached to the lid label because the tear lines are at a distance end at the edge of the lid label.

A disadvantage of the known lid labels with tear lines is that they are in a separate Manufacturing process and its course adapted to the functional area to be exposed Need to become. This is complex and expensive.

The invention has for its object to avoid these disadvantages and the manufacturing costs to reduce the lid label.

According to the invention, this object is achieved for a lid of the type mentioned solved that the lid label from an anisotropic, pre-oriented polymer film from long-chain Molecules with a preferred direction of crack propagation, the long-chain molecules essentially parallel to the pulling direction and thus to the direction of crack propagation are aligned.

This solution is simple and makes the tear lines known in the prior art superfluous. The lid label is made according to the invention from an anisotropic film, the mechanical properties are strongly dependent on the direction and in which the course of the crack predetermined preferred direction, the crack propagation direction follows. If you tear such a thing Lid label anywhere, so the crack doesn't go uncontrolled, like in the prior art, but follows regardless of where the lid label is torn was always the direction of crack propagation. By aligning the preferred direction of crack propagation each tear spreads parallel to the direction in which the lid label is peeled off clean crack in the pulling direction and can be used to expose the functional area be used. The film is pre-oriented, so it has the anisotropic properties before the lid labels are made from the film by punching, cutting, etc. This eliminates the additional work step, as in the prior art by the Subsequent punching of the tear lines in the lid label is necessary.

A shrink film packaging is known from US-A-4903843 anisotropy in the meadow during the previous stretching and subsequent shrinking process is achieved that the tearing is facilitated; However, this film is also additional Weakening required. There is a parallel alignment of the molecules of the film not given with such a shrink film.

A cost-effective application of the lid label on the lid results if in a further embodiment of the lid, the lid label with an adhesive layer is glued on.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the lid label can be used as a self-adhesive label be trained. When using self-adhesive labels, lid labels can be used any shape cut out of a large sheet of self-adhesive film become. A subsequent coating of the lid label with adhesive is not necessary.

So that the functional area of the lid is easier to expose, another can advantageous embodiment, the self-adhesive label above the functional area be designed non-adhesive. On the one hand, this prevents the Lid labels on the edges of the functional area, where high mechanical loads occur, and the label on the lid can easily tear when removed, and on the other hand that, for example, objects present in the functional area on Stick the lid label on. In this embodiment it is avoided that the cover of the tray for the spoon for ice cream containers of the spoons sticks to the lid label; for food container lids for ready-made soups and frozen meals is avoided that parts of the container contents on the lid label stick.

To make the area above the lid label non-adhesive, in an advantageous embodiment of the adhesive of the lid label above the Functional area to be covered with a non-adhesive cover film, or in one another advantageous embodiment, the area of the lid label above the Functional area be adhesive-free.

Exposing the functional area of the lid by pulling off the lid label is facilitated in a further advantageous embodiment in that the Connection zone in which the lid label is connected to the lid, a peeling area bounded in which the functional area is arranged. The peel area is the section of the lid label that exposes the functional area is pulled off the lid. To completely expose the functional area, corresponds to the width of the peeling area in the direction transverse to the crack propagation direction at least the width of the functional area. The peel area can easier to pull off the lid when it is not connected to the lid.

If, in a further advantageous embodiment, the pull-off area essentially changes the pull-off is continuous to an edge of the lid label the peeling area and exposing the functional area to special simple way possible. With this configuration, the peeling area can be from Teared edge of the lid label and the functional area in a simple way be exposed.

The film from which the lid label is made can be made from a pre-stretched film be produced by the stretching anisotropic, highly directional mechanical Preserves properties and is therefore pre-oriented. The mechanical resilience the film is greatly reduced at a certain angle to the stretching direction, so that when a crack occurs, the crack almost exclusively becomes the preferred one Crack propagation direction - essentially parallel to the stretch direction - the Spreads out foil.

Cost-effective production of the lid label in just a few steps arises when the lid label is composed essentially of a film layer is. This has compared to known lid labels that consist of several laminated or laminated layers are built up, a considerable cost advantage. The In a further advantageous embodiment, the film from which the lid label is made be printed directly. This avoids having separately printed labels to be stuck on the lid label and the number of times to produce the The necessary steps for lid labels are reduced. This leads to a reduction in costs in manufacturing costs.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the film from which the lid label can be made is made of long-chain molecules, preferably made of a polymer his. When aligning the long chain molecules in essentially one direction a strongly directional mechanical behavior of the film is achieved and the film already shows before the lid label is made - before processing and cutting out the final shape of the lid label from a sheet for lid labels - anisotropic properties and a preferred direction of crack propagation on.

Peeling off the lid label in the area above the functional area and the exposure of the functional areas is made possible by a gripping tab in another advantageous embodiment greatly simplified. A gripping tab provides one Area of the lid label that is easy for a user to grasp by hand is, for example, by the gripping tab protruding from the lid label. So by pulling the gripping tab on the lid label according to the invention the pre-oriented film is also torn and the functional area is exposed the gripping tab on the lid label is in an area around the end a line arranged from the functional area along the preferred direction of crack propagation of the lid label runs. The width of the lid label across to the crack propagation direction corresponds approximately to the width of the peel area to the crack propagation direction or at least the functional area transverse to the crack propagation direction. This configuration ensures that when the lid label is torn by pulling on the gripping tab along the preferred direction of crack propagation of the lid label spreading cracks run so that the Functional area is reliably exposed. This is a major difference the conventional lid label with tear line, where the gripping tab on any Place can be arranged, and by the course of the tear lines of Crack course can be steered in any direction.

The gripping tab can then be particularly advantageous in a further advantageous embodiment grasp easily if it is formed on the edge of the lid label. there the gripping tab can also protrude over the edge of the lid.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the lid label can be a tear aid have, by which the tearing of the lid label is facilitated. The tear aid represents an area of the lid label in which the lid label in a mechanical Load, such as pulling on the gripping tab, first will tear down. This ensures that the lid label is in a narrow, predetermined area tears and that, due to the predetermined course of the crack along the preferred direction of crack propagation, the functional areas in the Lid can be reliably exposed.

In a further advantageous embodiment, in the area of the transition between the gripping tab and the lid label have a tearing corner with a high curvature be trained. This tear corner creates due to its strong curvature Pull the gripping tab high mechanical tension, so the lid label tears in the area of the tear corner.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the Gripping tab in the area of the transition between the gripping tab and the lid label Punching should be appropriate. By punching it is also possible to Tensions when lifting the gripping tab to a certain, locally narrowly defined Focus area so that the crack begins on a small area is set.

The tear corner or the punching can be done independently or individually be provided together.

So that the crack created by the tear-in corner and / or the punching that the functional area can be uncovered reliably can in one another advantageous embodiment, the tear aid in the vicinity of the intersection the edge of the lid label with a along the direction of crack propagation of the lid label extending line may be arranged by an area of the lid label that runs between an edge of the functional area and an edge of the connection zone facing the functional area. This arrangement of the tear aid is independent of its shape and independent by providing a gripping tab ensures that the at the tear corner and / or Punching created along the preferred direction of crack propagation Crack does not end in the connection area or above the functional area, but instead runs in such a way that the functional area can be reliably exposed.

The invention also relates to a food container, which is a container in which a Food is stored, and a lid that closes the container comprises a lid label, the lid according to one of the above Refinements is formed.

The structure and function of the cover according to the invention is described below an embodiment described in more detail.

Fig. 1

einen Speiseeisbehälter mit einer Aufnahmemulde für einen Löffel, wobei der Deckel mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Deckeletikett versehen ist;

Fig. 2

den Speiseeisbehälter der Fig. 1 mit zum Teil abgezogenem Abziehbereich und teilweise freigelegtem Funktionsbereich;

Fig. 3A bis 3B

einen Übergangsbereich zwischen Greiflasche und Rand des Deckeletiketts in verschiedenen Ausführungsformen gemäß Detail III der Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

einen Tiefkühl- oder Suppenbehälter, der durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Deckel mit einem anisotropen, vororientierten Deckeletikett verschlossen ist.

Show it:

Fig. 1

an ice cream container with a receiving trough for a spoon, the lid being provided with a lid label according to the invention;

Fig. 2

the ice cream container of Figure 1 with partially peeled pull-off area and partially exposed functional area.

3A to 3B

a transition area between the gripping tab and the edge of the lid label in various embodiments according to detail III of FIG. 2;

Fig. 4

a freezer or soup container, which is closed by a lid according to the invention with an anisotropic, pre-oriented lid label.

Fig. 1 shows a food container 1, here an ice cream container, with a Lid 2 and a container 3. The lid 2 closes the container 3 tightly. On a self-adhesive lid label 4 is glued to the lid 2. The lid label 4 covers a trough 5 in the lid 2, in which a spoon 6 is received.

The shape of the lid label 4 corresponds essentially to the shape of the lid 2 in Layout.

The lid label 4 has essentially continuous on its two long sides Areas 7a and 7b, which are provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive. In these Connection areas 7a, 7b, the lid label 4 is connected to the lid 2. There is essentially one between the two connecting regions 7a and 7b Consistently adhesive-free area 8. The adhesive-free area 8 is in the exemplary embodiment 1 is strip-shaped and lies over the receiving trough 5 for the spoon 6. A gripping tab 9 is arranged at one end of the area 8, which protrudes from the edge of the lid label 4 and in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 extends over the edge of the lid 2.

To remove the spoon 6 from the receiving trough 5, the gripping tab 9 is gripped and pulled up in the direction of arrow 10. On both sides of the gripping tab 9 is in the transition region 11 between the gripping tab 9 and the edge of the Lid labels 4 each provided a tear aid 11. The tear aid 11 focuses the forces generated when pulling on the gripping tab 9 such that the lid label will tear down earlier at this point than at another point. The ones starting there Cracks propagate in the direction of crack propagation 12. By further Pulling the gripping tab 9 in the direction of the receiving trough 5 becomes an area 8a of the Cover labels 4 peeled off of the two, from the tear aid in the direction of crack propagation reproductive cracks is limited. This peel area 8a 5 lies within the adhesive-free region 8, its Edges run close and substantially parallel to the edge of the respective connection areas 7a and 7b, so that the lid label 4 when torn on one Side of the spreading crack is well held.

The crack propagation direction 12 runs parallel to the pull-off direction 10 the width B of the gripping tab 9 is dimensioned transversely to the crack propagation direction 12, that they are larger than the width of the receiving trough 5 or another functional area and is less than or equal to the width of the adhesive-free area 8. tear the lid label 4 therefore in the area of the tearing aid 11 between the gripping tab 9 and Cover label 4, and the resulting crack then spreads in the direction of the crack 12, the crack reaches an area C between the edge of the receiving trough 5 and the edge of the adhesive-free area 8 and sets the receiving trough 5 free. This dimensioning guideline therefore ensures that when the lid label is torn in the area of the tearing aid 11, the tears run so that the receiving trough 5 or another functional area of the cover 2 is completely below the peeling area 8a.

At the end of the lid label 4 facing away from the gripping tab 9, the Continue the adhesive-free area 8 or the peel area 8a to the edge. alternative can the adhesive areas 7a and 7b on the opposite of the gripping tab 9 Extend the end of the lid label 4 around the receiving trough and so that Connect the lid label to the lid on three sides of the receptacle 5.

FIG. 2 shows the lid label 4 of FIG. 1 with the pull-off area already partially pulled off, so that part of the receiving trough 5 is already exposed. By further Pulling the gripping tab 9 in the pulling direction 10 makes the pulling area 8 wider deducted and the receiving trough 5 for the spoon completely exposed.

The crack edge 13 runs in the predetermined crack propagation direction of the pre-oriented one Foil from which the lid label 4 is made. The course of the crack extends essentially parallel to the extent of the receiving trough 5 in the longitudinal direction of the Spoon.

3A to 3C show different configurations of the tearing aid in the transition area 11 between the gripping tab 9 and the lid label 4. Around the place the first tearing of the lid label and thus the course of the tear along the preferred one The exact location of the tear direction of the pre-oriented film is Area 11 designed such that the one exerted when the gripping tab is pulled up Force is concentrated on a small area of the lid label. In this area will tear the lid label. Through the appropriate positioning of tearing aids 11 on the lid label, whereby the tearing aids are not limited to the edge are, but can also be arranged inside the lid label, the Width of the pull-off area 8a assigned to the respective tear aid is determined become.

In Fig. 3A, the transition region 11 between the gripping tab 9 and the lid label 4 is as a sharp corner is formed in which through the connection areas 7a and 7b held lid label 4 will tear when pulling on the gripping tab 9. As soon as a crack has occurred in area 11, it spreads as you pull on the Gripping tab 9 in the pull-off direction 10, parallel to the preferred crack propagation direction the lid label.

In FIG. 3B, the area 11 is provided with an elongated stamping 14, which adjoins the side of the gripping tab 9 extends essentially in the direction of crack propagation 12. On the bottom of the punch 14 facing the inside of the lid, Pulling up the gripping tab 9 creates a crack even when the tab is pulled slightly.

In Fig. 3C, the area 11 is provided with a wedge-shaped recess 15, the the bottom facing the bottom has a high curvature or a tip. At this tip of the recess 15, which thus forms a corner area, a crack occurs when the gripping tab 9 is pulled up. At the bottom of the corner area 15, a punch 14 can also be provided.

In order to allow the cover film to tear, there are only small punchings 14 or to provide corner regions 15. The dimensions of these cracking measures when pulling the gripping tab 9 is at most a few millimeters to less than a millimeter.

In Fig. 4 the lid label according to the invention is applied to a lid which tightly seals a container for ready-made soups. The reference numerals in FIG. 4 correspond those of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The lid label 4 is a self-adhesive label made of a pre-stretched polymer film. The lid label 4 again has two adhesive areas 7a and 7b, in which the Self-adhesive label 4 is adhesively connected to the lid 2. The two areas 7a and 7b are formed by a strip-shaped, with a cover film (not shown) covered area 8 separated from each other, which is rectilinear over the lid label extends. Within the rectilinear area 8 are at the edge areas of the cover 2 opposite one another two ventilation openings 16a and 16b arranged. The vent openings 16a and 16b must be used to heat the soup be exposed so that the excess pressure generated inside the container 3 can escape. For this purpose, the pull-off area 8a is pulled off by the cover label, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 on one of the gripping tabs is gripped, and the gripping tab is pulled up. In area 11 are on both sides of the gripping tab 9 for easier cracking corner areas 15, which in a punch 14 lead provided. In the area of this punch 14 arises the crack that propagates in the crack propagation direction 12 when the gripping tab 9 is subtracted. This is due to the lying on both sides of the gripping tab Areas 11 of the peeling area 8a determine: the peeling area is again here starting from the areas 11 by the preferred crack propagation direction of the Cover film 4 determined.

Claims (20)

1. A lid for a foodstuffs container, having a lid label which is connected to the lid, at least in a substantially continuous connecting zone, and having a function region of the lid, particularly such as a ventilation opening or a receiving recess for a spoon, which is covered by the lid label and may be exposed by peeling off at least a portion of the lid label in a peel-off direction, the function region being arranged outside the connecting zone of the lid, characterised in that the lid label (4) is manufactured from an anisotropic, preoriented polymer film of long-chain molecules having a preferred tear growth direction (12), the long-chain molecules being aligned substantially parallel to the peel-off direction and therefore to the tear growth direction (12).
2. A lid according to Claim 1, characterised in that the lid label (4) is affixed to the lid (2) by means of an adhesive layer.
3. A lid according to Claim 2, characterised in that the lid label (4) is manufactured as a self-adhesive label.
4. A lid according to Claim 3, characterised in that the self-adhesive label is not adhesive above the function region (5, 16a, 16b).
5. A lid according to Claim 4, characterised in that the self-adhesive label is covered with a cover film above the function region (5, 16a, 16b).
6. A lid according to Claim 4, characterised in that the self-adhesive label is substantially free of adhesive above the function region (5, 16a, 16b).
7. A lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting zone (7a, 7b) surrounds a peel-off region (8a) of the lid label (4), in which the ventilation opening is arranged.
8. A lid according to Claim 7, characterised in that the peel-off region (8a) extends substantially continuously to an edge of the lid label (4).
9. A lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid label (4) is manufactured from a pre-stretched film.
10. A lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid label (4) is composed of substantially one film layer.
11. A lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the anisotropic, preoriented film is printed.
12. A lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid label (4) is provided with a gripping tab (9) which, transversely to the preferred tear growth direction (12) of the lid label (4), has substantially the same width as the non-adhesive region above the function region (5, 16a, 16b).
13. A lid according to Claim 12, characterised in that the gripping tab (9) is constructed at the edge of the lid label (4).
14. A lid according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid label (4) is provided with a tear aid (11) which facilitates tearing of the lid label (4).
15. A lid according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the tear aid (11) is arranged in the region of the transition between the gripping tab (9) and the lid label (4).
16. A lid according to Claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the tear aid (11) is arranged in the vicinity of the point of intersection between the edge of the lid label (4) and a line extending along the tear growth direction (12) of the lid label (4), said line starting from a region (C) of the lid label, which is located between an edge of the function region (5, 16a, 16b) and an edge of the connecting zone (7a, 7b) which faces the function region.
17. A lid according to one of Claims 14 to 16, characterised in that the tear aid (11) has a tear corner having a portion of greater curvature.
18. A lid according to one of Claims 14 to 17, characterised in that the tear aid (11) has a punched portion.
19. A lid according to one of Claims 12 to 18, characterised in that the gripping tab is arranged in a peel-off region (8a).
20. A foodstuffs container comprising a receptacle in which a foodstuff is preserved, and a lid closing the receptacle, characterised in that the lid (2) is constructed according to one of the preceding claims.

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