ES2386502T3 - Container for food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) for food products comprises a first half-shell (2) which is hollow for containing at least an accessory (3,4) and has a first opening edge (5), and a second half-shell (6) which is hollow, is split into a first containing compartment (10) for a first food product (7) and into a second containing compartment (11) for a second food product (8) and has a second opening edge (9), the half -shells being associable with each other at the opening edges to form an egg-shaped pack.

Description

Container for food products

Technical field

This invention relates to a container for food products.

Prior art

Different types of containers for food products are known which have the shape of an egg divided into two half shells, one of which is intended to contain an accessory, a set and / or a surprise, while the other is suitable for containing a food product.

Each half shell has an opening edge intended to be substantially associated with the opening edge of the other half shell and coinciding with it.

Half housings are generally made of plastic material and both the accessory and the food product can be extracted from the outside once the half housings have separated from each other, as described in EP 1533245 A1.

In some containers, on the other hand, one or both half shells are made of an edible material and they represent the packaged food product.

In a special type of container, the half-shells are associable and separable from each other along one of the planes of symmetry of the egg, have an identical shape and have ogival-shaped opening edges.

In another type of container, on the other hand, the two half housings are associable and separable along the middle transverse plane, middle transverse plane meaning that which is at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the egg-shaped container and which is arranged at the height at which the diameter of the opening edges, round, is larger.

These containers of known type have a series of drawbacks among which is the fact that they are mainly intended for the consumption of a single food product and, therefore, are considerably limited in terms of variety and assortment of the flavors offered to consumers.

In this regard, the fact that in this specific commercial sector there is always the need and the requirement to renew the products and constantly present new ones to distinguish them more from those of the competition and cause consumers to buy these items.

In fact, it should be borne in mind that the commercial success of these products is often linked to the novelty of the product itself and the possibility of its interaction with consumers, who are usually young children, both making available the toy / surprise as offering food products that are not only nutritious, but also varied.

Another drawback of containers of known type consists in the fact that their particular egg shape makes them difficult to store in specific display units, and simply rest on a shelf.

Object of the invention

The main objective of this invention is to provide a container for food products that is practical, easy and functional to use and that allows feeding and entertaining consumers.

Another objective of this invention is to satisfy the above commercial requirements and to make available a container for food products that is considerably attractive to consumers.

A final objective of the present invention, although not less important, is to provide a container for food products that can be easily handled both for storage and to simply rest on a shelf.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a container for food products that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art described above in a simple and rational solution that is easy to use and low cost.

The aforementioned objectives are achieved by the container for food products as defined in claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of this invention will be clearer from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a container for food products, which is purely illustrated by way of example but is not limited to the drawings that are attached, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the container according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the container according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a series of first half housings according to the invention stacked on top of each other;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a series of second half housings according to the invention stacked on top of each other;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an axonometric view from below of the container according to the invention;

Figure 7 is an axonometric view of a product display unit for the containers according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to said illustrations, a container for food products is indicated as a whole by

one.

The container 1 comprises a first half shell 2, which is substantially hollow to contain one or more accessories 3, 4 and which has a first opening edge 5, and a second half shell 6, which is substantially hollow to contain at least one food product 7, 8 and having a second opening edge 9.

The half shells 2, 6 are associable with each other at the opening edges 5, 9, that is, with the first opening edge 5 and the second opening edge 9 arranged against each other, to form a shaped container substantially egg.

In particular, the opening edges 5, 9 are formed in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the egg-shaped container and, more in detail, in the middle transverse plane.

The first half shell 2 has a typical ogival shape of the upper part of an egg, while the second half shell 6 generally has the substantially spherical shape typical of the bottom of an egg.

With respect to the vertical position of an egg, therefore, the first half shell 2 and the second half shell 6 can be configured as the upper half shell and the lower half shell, respectively.

The second half housing 6 is divided into a first compartment 10 to contain a first food product 7, and into a second compartment 11 to contain a second food product 8.

The first food product 7 consists, for example, of a fluid substance such as a cream, an aromatic foam, a yogurt, or the like, while the second food product 8 preferably consists of a substance having a predetermined solidity such as pieces of cereals, bread sticks, fruits or other foods that can get wet and / or dip into the first food product 7.

Both the first compartment 10 and the second compartment 11 have a respective access port 12 that is formed in the second opening edge 9, so that both compartments 10, 11 are accessible from the outside once the first half has been removed casing 2.

Usefully, the second half housing 6 comprises two separation walls 13 suitable for the separation of the two compartments 10, 11.

The separation walls 13 are joined together in a connecting segment 14 which is arranged near the second opening edge 9 and, in fact, separates the access nozzles 12 from the two compartments 10, 11.

The separation walls 13 extend from the connecting segment 14 substantially along a longitudinal symmetry plane of the egg-shaped container and are arranged opposite each other and separated from each other to define a slit 15 substantially parallel to the Own separation walls.

In fact, the slit 15 is designed to allow the container 1 to be supported on a product display unit 16 having a series of substantially vertical support walls 17. The product display unit 16 is made, for example, of cardboard, plastic or similar, and allows holding the container 1 by arranging the two compartments 10, 11 astride the support walls 17.

Near the connecting segment 14, the second half housing 6 has a series of reinforcing elements 18 suitable for stabilizing the partition walls 13.

The reinforcing elements 18 consist of a plurality of connection blades located between the separation walls 13 and aligned along their connection segment 14.

The connection blades 18, in addition to reinforcing the separation walls 13, allow stacking and unstacking of the second half shells 6 in a practical and easy way during the assembly phase of the containers 1.

As shown in Fig. 4, in fact, the second half housings 6 can be stacked on top of each other by resting on the connecting blades 18 and being separated a distance such as to prevent one from being quickly inside the other.

This, in fact, allows the automation of the production line of the containers 1, without the risk of blockages and shutdowns caused by a bad de-stacking of the second half shells 6.

Advantageously, at least a part 19 of the second half housing 6 is substantially flat and suitable to allow its stable support on a surface.

The part 19 is obtained from a substantially opposite part with respect to the second opening edge 9 in the lower part of the egg-shaped container.

A closing capsule 20 is associable with the first opening edge 5 and / or the second opening edge 9, which is suitable for keeping the cavity of the first half shell 2 separated from the cavity of the second half shell 6.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the illustrations, for example, the closure capsule 20 consists of an aluminum foil that has a thermal lacquer inside it to allow hot welding on the second opening edge 9 and in the connection segment 14, as well as to seal and separate both access ports 12 from the two compartments 10, 11.

However, alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out in which in the closing capsule 20 it is made integral with the first opening edge 5, or in which a closing capsule 20 is arranged both in the first opening edge 5 and in the second opening edge 9.

The opening edges 5, 9 are mutually associable with temporary connection means 21, 22 being arranged between them.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the illustrations, the connection means 21, 22 are of the slot insertion type and consist of an annular shaped connection tooth 21, which is formed inside the first edge of opening 5 and is interlockable in a respective shoulder 22 formed in the second opening edge 9.

However, alternative embodiments of the container 1 may not be discarded in which, for example, the connection means are formed by a first thread formed on one of the opening edges 5, 9 and threadedly engaged on a second thread formed in the other opening edge 5, 9.

The first half casing 2 has a plurality of inner positioning balls 23 which are distributed with a substantially constant separation in the vicinity of the upper part of the first half casing 2 and are suitable for keeping the accessories 3, 4 in a substantially preset position.

The inner positioning balls 23 prevent the accessories 3, 4 from being arranged perpendicular to the closing capsule 20 and accidentally piercing it.

At the same time, the inner positioning balls 23 are configured to obtain an easy and practical stacking and unstacking of the first half shells 2 during the assembly phase of the containers 1.

As shown in Figure 3, in fact, the first half housings 2 can be stacked on top of each other by resting on the inner positioning balls 23 and remaining in any case separated at a distance to prevent one from being quickly inside the other. Similar to the connecting blades 18 for the second half housings 6, therefore, the inner positioning balls 23 allow the automation of the production line of the containers 1, without the risk of blockages and stoppages caused by a bad de-stacking of the first half carcasses 2.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the illustrations, the inner positioning balls 23 are shaped so that they also serve as internal reinforcing ribs 24 suitable for manufacturing the first sturdy first half shell 2.

The inner positioning balls 23 and the inner reinforcing ribs 24, in fact, are substantially coincident, but alternative embodiments are possible in which inner positioning balls 23 and inner reinforcing ribs 24 are arranged that are distinct and separated from each other.

In a useful way, two accessories 3, 4 contained in the first half housing 2 are arranged.

One of them is a game article 3 such as a figure, a miniature, a small car, etc., which is placed inside a receptacle 25 or, alternatively, inside a protective bag. On the other hand, the accessory consists, for example, of a utensil, such as a spatula 4, a teaspoon or the like, suitable to allow the user to pick up the first and second foodstuff 7, 8 and bring it to his mouth.

However, alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out in which only one accessory 3, 4 is arranged inside the first half housing 2.

Finally, on the outer surface of the first half housing 2 and the second half housing 6 are associable a

or more coating labels 26 intended to carry text, figures and identification marks of the container 1 and the products contained therein.

Preferably, the cover tag 26 is only one, it has a lid shape to reproduce the shape of the half shells 2, 6 and is wrapped around both half shells 2, 6 to further allow sealing and protecting its contents.

To make it easier to arrange the cover tag 26, the first half housing 2 has a rounded part 27 on the first opening edge 5.

It has been seen, in fact, how the described invention achieves the proposed objects.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, can be any according to the requirements within the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims (13)

1. Container (1) for food products, comprising at least a first half shell (2) that is substantially hollow to contain at least one accessory (3, 4) and has a first opening edge (5), and at least a second half housing (6) that is substantially hollow to contain at least one food product (7, 8) and has a second opening edge (9), said half carcasses (2, 6) being associable with each other at said opening edges (5, 9) to form a substantially egg-shaped container characterized in that said second half casing (6) is divided into at least a first containment compartment (10) for a first food product (7) and at least a second containment compartment (11) for a second food product (8), wherein said second half housing (6) comprises at least two separation walls (13) that are suitable for separating said compartments (10, 11) and are substantially arranged opposite each other and separated from each other to define a slit (15) substantially parallel to the separation walls themselves (13), and by the fact that at least one of said first half shell (2) and said second half shell (6) comprises support means (18, 23) that are adapted to allow the half shell (2, 6) to be rest one on top of the other while remaining a distance apart to prevent one from being quickly inside the other and thus allow easy and practical stacking and unstacking of the first half shells (2) and / or the second half housings (6) during the assembly phase of the containers (1), wherein the support means (23) of said first half casing (2) comprises a plurality of positioning balls (23) that are distributed with a substantially constant separation in the vicinity of the upper part of the first half casing (2) and are suitable for keeping said accessory (3, 4) in a substantially preset position, and / or wherein the support means (18) of said second half casing (6) comprise at least one reinforcement element (18) of said separation walls (13), said reinforcement element (18) comprising at least one connection blade (18) located between said separation walls (13).

2.

Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening edges are formed in a plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of said substantially egg-shaped container.

3.

Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said separation walls extend substantially along a plane of symmetry of said substantially egg-shaped container.

Four.

Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first compartment and said second compartment has a respective access mouth (12) formed in said second opening edge.

5.

Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one closing capsule (20) of at least one of said first opening edge (5) and said second opening edge (9).

6.

Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part (19) of said second half casing (6) is substantially flat and suitable for resting on a surface.

7.

Container according to claim 6, characterized in that said part (19) is formed in a substantially opposite part with respect to said second opening edge.

8.

Container according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said part is formed in the lower part of said substantially egg-shaped container.

9.

Container according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening edges (5, 9) are associable with each other by placing connection means (21, 22) between them.

10.

Container according to claim 9, characterized in that said connection means comprise at least one connection tooth formed in at least one of said opening edges and interlockable in a respective projection formed in the other of said edges opening

eleven.

Container according to claim 9, characterized in that said connecting means comprise at least a first thread formed in at least one of said opening edges and threadable attachable to a second thread formed in the other of said edges of said opening.

12.

Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said first half housing comprises at least one inner reinforcing rib (24).

13.

Container according to claim 12, characterized in that said inner positioning ball (23) and said inner reinforcing rib (24) are substantially coincident.

 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is solely for the convenience of the reader. It is not part of the European patent document. Despite the care taken in the collection of references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO denies all responsibility in this regard. Patent documents cited in the description • EP 1533245 A1