EP2240386A1

EP2240386A1 - Packaging

Info

Publication number: EP2240386A1
Application number: EP08720188A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dante Mele
Original assignee: DKL SRL
Current assignee: DKL SRL
Priority date: 2008-01-10
Filing date: 2008-01-10
Publication date: 2010-10-20
Also published as: US20110011857A1; CN101918288A; WO2009087695A1; JP2011509223A

Abstract

A packaging is disclosed (1), consisting of two containers (2, 3), a rigid one (2) and a flexible one (3), the rigid one being capable of containing the flexible one.

Description

" PACKAGING" * * * *

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a packaging, particularly useful in all cases in which products with severe hygiene and/or food standards must be packaged in medium-large quantities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The transport of foodstuffs and the like often occurs in containers such as crates, baskets and boxes. The use of baskets is particularly common in all those cases in which it is important to allow the transported material to breathe or to drain liquids. However, there are instances in which, either due to the type of transport or of the goods, or to health and safety requirements, the container must be extremely clean. This is ac- complished through suitable boxes, made of aseptic plastic material. Normally, such materials are relatively flexible, consequently the transportability of containers made therefrom is too low to be of any practical use, especially for transporting medium-large quantities over medium-long journeys. Moreover, if the containers were to be made of such materials, greater thicknesses would be required in order to make them more rigid, which would imply costs which are difficult to bear for disposable containers, as these necessarily are. Also the application of sterile plastic sheets to strong baskets or reusable boxes with proved little practical, since transpiration and drainage would not be possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The problems set forth above are brilliantly solved by the present invention, which refers to a packaging characterised in that it consists of two containers, a rigid and a flexible one, the rigid one being capable of containing the flexible one.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be illustrated in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illus- trate an exemplifying embodiment thereof and wherein: fig. 1 is a perspective view of a component of the packaging according to the present invention; fig. 2 is a perspective view of another component of the packaging according to the present invention; fig. 3 is a perspective view of the packaging according to the present iαvention; fig. 4 is a detail of fig. 2; fig. 5 is a detail of fig. 1; fig. 6 is a detail of fig. 3; fig. 7 is a detail of a cover for the packaging according to the present invention; fig. 8 is another detail of a cover for the packaging according to the present invention; fig. 9 is a view of a cover to be used with the packaging according to the present invention; fig. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a cover for the packaging according to the present invention; and fig. 11 is a perspective view of the packaging according to the present invention, with the cover according to fig. 10.

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

The packaging 1 according to Tϊhe present invention consists of a rigid, preferably re-usable container 2, and of a flexible, generally disposable container 3. "Rigid" and "flexible" in the present description are to be understood as relative concepts, i.e. "more rigid than the other" and "more flexible than the other", the degree of rigidity being able to vary also remarka- bly in the different embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As concerns container 2, possible materials are thermoplastic materials, aluminium, alloys or wood. Among the polymers, polypropylene is generally preferred, be it atactic, isotactic or sindiotactic. Regenerated or first- quality material may be used, while concerning container 3, first-quality polypropylene for food purposes is normally used.

It is possible to provide a cover 4 to be applied to packaging 1. Cover 4, which may be of the same material as container 3, may be applied removably or it may be fastened sealed and apt to be torn open by means of suitable fastening tabs 5, 6, as ex- emplifyingly shown in figs. 7 and 8.

Advantageously, it can be provided to apply an identifica- tion and localisation system to packaging 1. In the embodiments an RFID labelling 7 is shown, to be applied to container 2 and/or to container 3.

Advantageously, a crate of plastic material is used as con- tainer 2, comprising a gripping opening 8 and a pair of drainage holes 9, 10 on each of the two short sides thereof. In correspondence of holes 9, 10, there are found equal holes 11, 12, equally for drainage purposes, on container 3.

Container 2, as said, is made of a relatively rigid mate- rial, which makes it suitable for transport and for non- excessively careful handling. Such rigidity also allows indefinite reuse of container 2, which is generally reusable. Container 3 is normally made of a material suitable for food or even sterile and is introduced in container 2, whereto it ad- heres perfectly, as can be seen for example in fig. 3. Cover 4 allows closure thereof, possibly through a hermetic seal, in order to preserve hygiene to the desired degree (from ordinary hygiene for food, for example fresh fish products, to the highest asepsis of certain drugs or biological materials) . According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, cover 4 has four drainage through-holes 13 in correspondence of holes 9 to 12.

When it is hence desired to use the packaging according to the present invention, container 3 is filled with the goods to be transported and cover 4 is closed, possibly through a seal. Container 3 is introduced into container 2, taking care that the former does not become damaged. The presence of holes 11, 12 in container 3 allows any condensation and waste liquids to be drained, flowing out through holes 9, 10, so as to preserve the goods in the best possible condition, also due to the ventilation being provided in return through the same holes. This becomes even easier if cover 4 has holes 13. The transport of packaging 1 is now easy, like that of any crate, thanks to the openings . The presence of identification devices I₁ for example an RFID, allows to make packaging 1 according to the present invention eco-friendly . As a matter of fact, an RFID 7 found on con- tainer 2 allows to trace the same container anywhere, so that it may be returned to the base for renewed use. Should it be disposed of in the environment, it could be easily traced, so as not to create .soiling. An RFID found on container 3 may have a twofold function. It may univocally identify the goods contained in container 3, possibly also providing information on the state of conservation and/or on expiry. Moreover, it can serve also to trace the container, should it be disposed of incorrectly, since the material is perfectly recyclable. The packaging according to the present invention thereby allows effortless transport of special materials, without imposing disposing costs, since container 2 is reusable and container 3 is recyclable.

The present invention thereby concerns also a goods han- dling process which provides the following steps: a) arrangement of the goods into a container 3 made of material suitable for foodstuffs; b) RFID labelling of container 3 with the features of the goods; c) introduction of container 3 into a more rigid container 2, to form a packaging 1; d) transport to destination of packaging 1; e) removal of container 3 from container 2; f) opening of container 3 and removal of the goods; g) sending emptied container 3 to plastic recycling plant; h) return of container 2.

Of course, labelling steps also of container 2 and steps of application of a cover 4, as well as sealing steps may be provided.

Claims

1) Packaging (1) , characterised in that it consists of two containers (2,. 3) , a rigid one (2) and a flexible one (3) , the rigid one being capable of containing the flexible one.

2) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 1) , characterised in that said rigid container (2) is a reusable container.

3) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 1) or in claim 2), characterised in that said flexible container (3) is a dispos- able container.

4) Packaging (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rigid container (2) is made of a material chosen from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers, aluminium, alloys or wood. 5) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 4), characterised in that said rigid container (2) is made of polypropylene.

6) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 4) or in claim 5), characterised in that the container (2) is made of recycled material. ^~^ ^~~~N 7) Packaging (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said container (3) , is made of first-quality polypropylene for foodstuffs.

8) Packaging (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises a cover (4) . 9) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 8) , characterised in that it is made of the same material as the flexible container (3) .

10) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 8) and in claim 9), characterised in that said cover (4) is applied removably. 11) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 8) and in claim 9), characterised in that it is fastened by means of a tear-open sealing openable by means of suitable fastening tabs (5, 6) .

12) Packaging (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an identification and localisation system (7) is applied to at least one of said containers (2, 3) .

13) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 12) , characterised in that said identification and localisation system is an RFID Ia- belling (7) .

14) Packaging (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rigid container (2) comprises a pair of drainage holes (9, 10) on each of the two short sides. 15) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 14) , characterised in that equal holes (11, 12) , equally for drainage purposes, are found in correspondence of holes (9, 10) on flexible container (3) .

16) Packaging (1) as claimed in any one of claims 8) to 15), characterised in that said cover (4) has drainage holes

(13) .

17) Packaging (1) as claimed in claim 16) , characterised in that said holes (13) are four in correspondence of holes (9, 10, 11, 12) on the wrapping (1) . 18) Goods handling process which provides the following steps : a) arrangement of the goods into a container (3) made of material for foodstuffs; b) RFID labelling of the container (3) with the features of, the goods; c) introduction of the container (3) into a more rigid container (2), so as to form a packaging (1); d) transport of the packaging (1) to destination; e) removal of the container (3) from the container (2); f) opening of the container (3) and removal of the goods; g) sending of the emptied container (3) to a plastic recycling plant; h) return of the container (2) .

19) Process as claimed in claim 18), characterised in that it further comprises a sealing step of the flexible container

(3) .

20) Process as claimed in claim 18) or in claim 19), characterised in that it further comprises the RFID labelling step of the rigid container (2) . 21) Process as claimed in any one of claims 18) to 20), characterised in that it further provides the step of tracing one or both the containers (2, 3) forming the packaging.