EP3190059B1 - Manually openable container, for example for fruit and vegetables - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a manually openable container, for example for fruits or vegetables. It applies, in particular, to the field of food packaging, such as fruits and vegetables for example.

STATE OF THE ART

Currently, to preserve food there are wooden boxes, when the mass of food to keep and transport is high. There are also plastic trays or cartons surrounded by plastic film. However, stored foods may be damaged or crushed when wrapping, handling or transporting these trays.

Other devices comprising a tray and a lid exist, closing the lid on the tray being provided by interlocking a relief of the tray in a relief of the lid. However, during transport, these devices open. In addition, users find it difficult to close such devices due to the plastic deformation experienced by the reliefs.

Existing devices are difficult to open and close several times, come loose during transport or handling and / or do not sufficiently protect food.

• la demande de brevet français FR2558447 qui présente une barquette et un couvercle uniquement en plastique,
• le certificat d'utilité chinois CN204105433 ,
• la demande de brevet européen EP1419978 et
• la demande de brevet français FR 783262 , qui présente une barquette et un couvercle uniquement en carton.

We also know:

• the French patent application FR2558447 which has a plastic tray and a lid only,
• the Chinese utility certificate CN204105433 ,
• the European patent application EP1419978 and
• the French patent application FR 783262 , which has a tray and a lid only cardboard.

Those skilled in the art are thus encouraged that the material of the tray and the lid is identical, especially for reasons of ease of manufacture, uniformity of moisture resistance, sealing, biodegradability, cost and expansion coefficients. In the devices described in these patent applications, the lid and the tray are slightly nested and easily separate in case of shock or pressure, especially when gripped by hand. Indeed, the materials of the lid and the tray and their assembly are not rigid enough or, if we increase their thickness, are too expensive and have a bad ecological footprint.

• le 26 juillet 1985, soit il y a plus de trente ans et
• le 10 juillet 1935, soit il y a plus de quatre-vingt ans.

In addition, it is noted that the first and last documents were respectively published:

• on July 26, 1985, more than thirty years ago and
• July 10, 1935, more than eighty years ago.

The fifty years between these dates and the thirty years since the most recent show that the person skilled in the art had no incentive to change them.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these disadvantages. In particular, the present invention aims to protect food during transport or during the preservation of said food.

• une barquette en carton formant cinq faces et munie, à la périphérie d'une sixième face ouverte, de rebords extérieurs formés par au moins un double repliement de bords du carton, la première ligne de repliement du carton formant une ligne d'appui pour un couvercle et la deuxième ligne de repliement du carton enfermant le bord du carton entre deux surfaces du carton, ledit rebord étant au moins partiellement décollé de la surface externe du reste de la barquette aux coins de la barquette et
• un couvercle en matière plastique au moins partiellement transparente aux longueurs d'ondes visibles, entourant la sixième face ouverte de la barquette et muni :
  • d'au moins un épaulement pour prendre appui sur la ligne d'appui des rebords extérieurs de la barquette et
  • de bords se superposant aux rebords extérieurs de la barquette et dépassant au delà des dits rebords de la barquette, des ergots rentrants étant formés sur les coins des bords du couvercle au delà des rebords de la barquette pour verrouiller le couvercle sur la barquette.

For this purpose, the present invention is directed to a manually openable container, for example for fruit or vegetables, according to claim 1. The manually openable container comprises:

• a cardboard tray forming five faces and provided, on the periphery of a sixth open face, with outer edges formed by at least one double folding edges of the carton, the first folding line of the cardboard forming a support line for a cover and the second folding line of the carton enclosing the edge of the carton between two surfaces of the carton, said flange being at least partially detached from the outer surface of the rest of the tray at the corners of the tray and
• a plastic cover at least partially transparent to visible wavelengths, surrounding the sixth open face of the tray and provided with:
  • at least one shoulder to bear on the line of support of the outer edges of the tray and
  • edges overlapping the outer edges of the tray and protruding beyond said flanges of the tray, re-entrant lugs being formed on the corners of the lid edges beyond the edges of the tray to lock the lid on the tray.

The technical effect provided by the invention and more particularly by the double folding of the edges of the carton of the tray in combination with a plastic cover is in particular the following:
The lid and the tray are nested so as to keep in contact. In addition, the lugs fit into the space at least partially detached from the outer surface of the rest of the tray at the corners of the tray, and locking the lid on the tray by means of the lugs can withstand several types of efforts. More particularly, the container can withstand the shear of the tray in addition to a tensile force to separate the tray of the lid.

It is as well the materials of the lid as the assembly of the shoulder of the lid on the first folding line of the cardboard and pins on the second folding line of the cardboard that allow the locking of the lid on the tray. Indeed, the plastic material of the lid ensures the rigidity of the cover which does not deform between the two fold lines. The tray is cardboard to ensure easy folding of this element that would be impossible if the tray was plastic.

Thus, the technical characteristics of the cover (lugs and shoulder) and those of the tray are not design choices but a combination of technical characteristics providing several technical results (including holding in position of the various elements in case of shocks or damage). mechanical stress during the handling or gripping of the container, biodegradability and ability for the customer to see the contents without opening the container, sealing, temperature resistance and wet atmosphere ...).

At least one lug of the lid has at least three non-parallel faces, one of the faces bearing on the rim at least partially detached.

This makes it easy to insert the lug of the lid between the outer surface of the tray and the rim.

In embodiments, the container object of the present invention comprises at least one blocking element projecting from at least one edge of the lid bearing on the second folding line of the cardboard.

The advantage of these embodiments is to hold the lid in position on the tray. Each locking element forms a support on the second folding line of the carton, which allows the holding in position of the tray on the lid. In particular, each blocking element allows the container to remain closed under significant effort.

In embodiments, a section of the locking member is substantially rectangular in shape in a plane substantially parallel to the edge of the cover whose locking element protrudes.

A rectangular section allows the blocking member to form a larger surface support on the second fold line of the tray. In addition, the rigidity of the lid is improved.

In embodiments, the cover has at least one stiffness relief in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the shoulder.

These embodiments have the advantage of improving the rigidity of the lid. The lid therefore undergoes less deformation and the lugs are therefore more difficult to dislodge the tray.

In embodiments, at least one stiffness relief has a section, in the plane of the shoulder, of substantially rectangular section.

The advantage of these embodiments is to obtain a similar stiffness of the stiffness relief at any point of the relief as a function of the amount of material of the relief.

In embodiments, at least one edge of the cover has at least one pull tab for unlocking at least one lug.

The advantage of these embodiments is to allow a user to have a good grip on an element of the tray. The pull tab is disposed on an edge of the lid so that the action exerted by the user is closer to the lugs to more easily unlock the lid of the tray.

In embodiments, the lid is made of PET, or poly (ethylene terephthalate).

These embodiments allow the cover to be at least partially transparent to visible wavelengths. In addition, the PET is a material for producing thin parts, in large quantities and good mechanical properties.

In embodiments, the tray is made of laminated cardboard.

The laminated board has different mechanical qualities depending on the composition of the board. In addition, the laminated board is easily foldable and glue application is easy.

In embodiments, the cover has at least one through hole.

These embodiments allow the container to be breathable and moisture permeable. For example, when the contents of the container include fruits and / or vegetables, the food has better preservation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1 représente, schématiquement et en plan, un premier mode de réalisation particulier du couvercle du contenant objet de la présente invention,
• la figure 2 représente, schématiquement et en vue de dessous, un premier mode de réalisation particulier du couvercle du contenant objet de la présente invention,
• la figure 3 représente, schématiquement et en vue de côté, un premier mode de réalisation particulier du couvercle du contenant objet de la présente invention,
• la figure 4 représente, schématiquement et en coupe, un premier mode de réalisation particulier du couvercle du contenant objet de la présente invention,
• la figure 5 représente, schématiquement et en plan, un premier mode de réalisation particulier du contenant objet de la présente invention et
• la figure 6 représente, schématiquement et en vue de côté, un premier mode de réalisation particulier du contenant objet de la présente invention.

Other advantages, aims and particular features of the invention will emerge from the following nonlimiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the container and the lid that are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically and in plan, a first particular embodiment of the lid of the container object of the present invention,
• the figure 2 represents schematically and in a view from below, a first particular embodiment of the lid of the container object of the present invention,
• the figure 3 represents, schematically and in side view, a first particular embodiment of the lid of the container object of the present invention,
• the figure 4 represents, schematically and in section, a first particular embodiment of the lid of the container object of the present invention,
• the figure 5 represents, schematically and in plan, a first particular embodiment of the container object of the present invention and
• the figure 6 represents, schematically and in side view, a first particular embodiment of the container object of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

This description is given in a nonlimiting manner, each feature of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other feature of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner. Furthermore, each parameter of an exemplary embodiment can be implemented independently of other parameters of said exemplary embodiment.

It is already noted that the figures are not to scale.

On the Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 , several views of an embodiment of a lid 30 of a container 10 object of the present invention. The figure 4 represents a section of the lid 30 along the section plane 105 of the figure 1 . The Figures 5 and 6 represent an embodiment of the object container of the present invention comprising the lid 30. The following description is the simultaneous description of the Figures 1 to 6 .

The manually openable content 10, for example for fruits or vegetables, comprises a tray 20 and a lid 30. The cardboard tray 20 forms five faces 205, 210, 215, 220 and 225. The tray 20 is provided on the periphery of the container. a sixth open face 230, outer edges 235 formed by at least one double folding, 240 and 245, edges 250 of the carton, the first folding line of the carton forming a bearing line 240 for the cover 10 and the second line folding carton enclosing the edge 250 of the carton between two surfaces of the carton. The flange 235 is at least partially detached from the outer surface of the rest of the tray 20 at the corners of the tray.

The five faces 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, and the open face 230 substantially form a six-sided polyhedron whose two faces, the open face 230 and a face 205 are parallel. Preferably, the polyhedron is symmetrical with respect to a plane, comprising the center of gravity of the open face 230 and the parallel face 205 to the open face 230, and perpendicular to the open face 230 and the parallel face 205 to the open face 230. The faces, 210 and 220, are two opposite faces of the polyhedron, and the faces 215 and 225, are two opposite faces of the polyhedron.

Preferably, the faces 215 and 225 comprise a rim 235 along the entire length of the junction edges with the face 230. Preferably, the faces 210 and 220 comprise a flange 235 on only part of the length of the junction edges with the face 230 In these embodiments, the flange 235 on the faces 210 and 220 has a substantially triangular shape.

In embodiments, the faces 210 and 220 have a flange 235 along the entire length of the junction edges with the face 230. And the faces 215 and 225 have a flange 235 on only part of the length of the junction edges with In other embodiments, the faces 210, 215, 225 and 225 comprise a flange 235 on only part of the length of the junction edges with the face 230.

In embodiments, prior to the first 240 and / or the second refold 245, glue is applied to the carton to be folded or onto a surface of the carton to glue the folded flange to the carton.

Preferably, the tray 20 is of laminated cardboard.

The lid 30 is made of plastic material at least partially transparent to visible wavelengths. Preferably, the lid 30 is PET, or poly (ethylene terephthalate).

The lid 30 has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Preferably, the cover 30 is formed by molding a plastics material of substantially constant thickness at any point.

The lid 30 is provided with at least one shoulder 305 to bear on the bearing line 240 of the outer edges 235 of the tray 20. The shoulder 305 is in a plane parallel to an open face of the lid 30. Shoulder 305 is such that the dimensions of the open face of the cover 30 projected in the plane of the shoulder 305 are greater than the dimensions of a face opposite to the open face.

The lid 30 is provided with edges 310, 315, 320 and 325, superimposed on the outer edges 235 of the tray 20 and protruding beyond the edges 235 of the tray 20. Inward pins 330 are formed on the corners of the edges 310 , 315, 320 and 325, the cover 30 beyond the flanges 235 of the tray 20 to lock the lid 30 on the tray 20. The edges 310 and 320 are opposite edges and the edges 315 and 325 are opposite edges.

Preferably, the junction between the edges, 310, 315, 320 and 325, is rounded or chamfered to avoid injuring a user. Preferably, the junction between the edges 310, 315, 320 and 325, and the shoulder 305 is rounded or chamfered to avoid injuring a user.

The re-entrant lugs 330 are reliefs of the lid 30 within the volume defined by the lid 30. A projection of the re-entrant lugs 330 on the plane of the shoulder 305 is in the surface defined by the open face of the lid 30. Preferably , the re-entrant lugs 330 are on each face, 310 and 320, of the cover 30 facing a surface, 210 and 220, of the tray 20 for which the flange 235 is on a part only of the length of the junction edges with the face 230.

At least one lug 330 of the lid has at least three non-parallel faces, 340, 345 and 350. The projection of the lug 330 forms a right triangle, such that the hypotenuse of the triangle rests on the rim at least partially off. 245. And one of the sides 340 opposite the hypotenuse is parallel to the plane of the shoulder 305, the other side 345 being perpendicular to the plane of the shoulder 305. At least one lug 330 comprises a flat surface of support against a face, 210 or 220, of the tray 20.

In embodiments, the projection of the flat surface of the lug 330 on the face, 310 or 320, of the lid 30 comprising the lug 330 has dimensions greater than the dimensions of the lug 330 at the face, 310 or 320, the lid 30. With these provisions, the lug 330 is inserted between the flange 235 and the face, 210 or 220, of the tray to block the lid 30 on the tray 20.

In embodiments, at least one lug 330 has chamfers or roundings between the faces defining the relief of the lug 330.

The lugs 330 also make it possible to add rigidity to the edges 310 and 320 of the lid 30.

Preferably, the lugs 330 are close to the edge junctions 310 and 320, with the adjacent edges 315 and 325. For example, the distance between a lug 330 and a junction between two edges 310, 315, 320 and 325 is smaller. at ten percent of the edge size, 310 or 320, having the lug 330 in a plane parallel to the shoulder 305.

The cover 30 comprises at least one locking element 360 projecting from at least one edge 315 or 325, the cover 30 coming into contact with the second fold line 245 of the carton of the tray 20. Each locking element 330 maintains in position the cover 30 on the tray 20, the flange 235 of the tray 20 being blocked between the shoulder 305 of the lid 30 and the locking elements 360.

Preferably, a section of the locking element 360 is substantially rectangular in a plane substantially parallel to the edge 315 or 320 of the cover 30, the locking element 360 protrudes.

The locking elements 360 are reliefs of the cover 30 inside the volume defined by the cover 30. A projection of the locking elements 360 on the plane of the shoulder 305 is in the surface defined by the open face of the cover 30 Preferably, the locking elements 360 are on each face, 315 and 325, of the cover 30 facing a surface, 215 and 225, of the tray 20 for which the flange 235 over the entire length of the connecting edges with the face 230.

Preferably, the blocking element 360 comprises at least one plane surface resting on the second fold line 245 of the tray 20. At least one blocking element 360 has a flat bearing surface against a face, 215 or 225 , of the tray 20.

In embodiments, the projection of the flat surface of the locking member 360 on the face, 315 or 325, of the cover 30 having the locking member 360 has dimensions greater than the dimensions of the locking member 360 at the face, 315 or 325, of the cover 20. With these provisions, the locking element 360 is inserted between the flange 235 and the face, 215 or 225, of the tray 20 to lock the cover 30 on the tray 20.

Preferably, the distance from the bearing surface of each locking element 360 to the shoulder 305 is substantially equal to the distance of a face 340 of the lug 330 furthest from the shoulder 305. For example, when the projection is a right-angled triangle the side 340 opposite to the hypotenuse 350 of the triangle, parallel to the plane of the shoulder 305 is at a distance from the plane of the shoulder 305 equal to the distance from the bearing face of the locking element 360 on the second fold line 245 of the tray 20. The locking elements 360 also provide rigidity to the edges 315 and 325 of the lid 30.

Preferably, the locking elements 360 are evenly distributed on the edges 315 and 325.

The lid 30 comprises at least one stiffness relief 365 in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the shoulder 305. Each stiffness relief 365 is on the part of the lid 30 having the face opposite to the open face of the lid 30. The reliefs of rigidity 365 allow a user to dissociate the lid 30 of the tray 20 while having a good grip of the lid 30 and without excessive deformation of the lid 30.

Preferably, at least one relief of rigidity 365 has a profile, in the plane of the shoulder 305, of substantially rectangular section. The stiffness relief 365 is preferably, in the plane of section 105, perpendicular to the plane of the shoulder 305, a reduction in the dimensions of the lid 30 between the shoulder 305 and the face opposite to the open face of the lid 30 along an axis parallel to the plane of the shoulder 305.

In embodiments, at least one relief of rigidity 365 has chamfers or roundings between the faces defining the stiffness relief 365. Preferably, the stiffness reliefs 365 are uniformly distributed on all the faces between the shoulder 305 and the opposite side to the open face of the lid 30.

Preferably, at least one edge of the cover 30 comprises at least one pull tab 370 for unlocking at least one lug 330. The pull tab 370 is at the junction of the open face of the lid 30 and at least one edge 310 or 315. Preferably, the pull tab 370 is at the junction of two edges, 310 and 315. A pull on the pull tab 370 by moving the lid 30 away from the tray 20 breaks the contact between at least one pin 330 and the flange 235 of the lid 20 thus making it possible to separate the lid 30 from the container 20.

The cover 30 has at least one through hole 375. Preferably, the through hole 375 is on the face of the cover 30 opposite to the open face of the cover 30. These embodiments make it possible to avoid affecting the rigidity of the cover 30. Through-holes 375 make the container permeable to air and water.

The shape of each through hole 375 is preferably a regular geometric surface, such as a circle or a hexagon. Preferably, the through orifices 375 are uniformly distributed on the face opposite to the open face of the cover 30.

Claims (9)

1. Manually-opened container (10), for example for fruit or vegetables, comprising:

   - a cardboard tray (20) forming five sides (205, 210, 215, 220, 225) and having, at the periphery of an open sixth side (230), external rims (235) formed by at least one double fold (240, 245) of edges (250) of the cardboard, the first fold line of the cardboard (240) forming a support line for a lid and the second fold line (245) of the cardboard closing off the edge (250) of the cardboard between two surfaces of the cardboard, said rims being at least partially detached from the remainder of the tray's external surface at the corners of the tray, and, over two opposite sides, the rims are substantially triangular in a plane parallel to said sides and their size is smaller than the size of an edge junction between each said side and the open sixth side; and

   - a lid (30), made of plastic at least partially transparent to visible wavelengths, surrounding the sixth open side of the tray and having:

   . at least one shoulder (305) to come and rest on the support line of the exterior rims of the tray; and

   . edges (310, 315, 320, 325) superimposed on the exterior rims of the tray and protruding beyond said rims of the tray, inward lugs (330) being formed at the corners of the edges of the lid outside the rims of the tray for locking the lid onto the tray, wherein at least one lug (330) of the lid (30) comprises at least three non-parallel sides (340, 345, 350), whose projection on the edge fitted with said lug forms a right triangle such that the triangle's hypotenuse rests on one of the at least partially detached substantially triangular rims, one of the sides opposite the hypotenuse being parallel to the plane of the shoulder, the other side being perpendicular to the plane of the shoulder.
2. Container (10) according to claim 1, comprising at least one protruding blocking element (360) of at least one edge (315, 325) of the lid (30) coming to rest on the second fold line (245) of the cardboard.
3. Container (10) according to claim 2, wherein the shape of one section of the blocking element (360) is substantially rectangular in a plane substantially parallel to the edge (315, 325) of the lid (30) whose blocking element is protruding.
4. Container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lid (30) comprises at least one embossed stiffener (365) in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the shoulder (305).
5. Container (10) according to claim 4, wherein at least one embossed stiffener (365) has a profile section with a substantially rectangular cross-section in the plane of the shoulder (305).
6. Container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one edge (310, 315) of the lid (30) comprises at least one pull-tag (370) for unlocking at least one lug (330).
7. Container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lid (30) is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate).
8. Container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tray (20) is made of laminated cardboard.
9. Container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lid (30) comprises at least one through hole (375).

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