FR2716162A1 - Fast food container, e.g. for a hamburger - Google Patents

Abstract

The container, designed to hold a round article of food (S) such as a hamburger, which is to be consumed from the container, is made from a thin flat sheet of a semi-rigid material which is cut out and scored with a series of straight and oblique lines which enable it to be made up and folded very quickly round the food article, holding it between two openable end shells and a central base. The flat sheet panel is basically in three parallel strips - a central strip marked out in a number of rectangles which form the edges of the folded container and side strips which are marked in rectangles (11) or triangles (26, 27, 30) forming the sides.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging concept with quick manual mounting and locking, a concept that makes it possible to evolve towards a semi-automatic assembly-lock after a simple preparation that can be done in masked time or in preferential lost time, a preparation that could itself be automatable.
The most popular cylindrical sandwich is the hamburger, it is from the application to the packaging of the hamburger that the descriptions will be made especially as packaging a hamburger is very delicate thing because it is about an open sandwich, with superimposed elements, whose sauce may flow and greasy debris fall and contaminate the clothes of the consumer, if it is not kept underneath during consumption, There are generally two types of packaging known for burgers:
Some are boxes in the form of double trays generally square with a hooking system. Currently, for reasons of ecology, they are rather made in lightweight micro fluted cardboard. It should be noted that the shaping of these trays is done hot in automatic, thanks to a technique abnormally called "without glue" since it consists of covering the interior of the package with a polyethylene coating, which it makes use of. of hot glue.

The hamburger is placed flat, in the lower tray, and the consumer must verticalize it which requires gently pass the index finger and middle finger between the hamburger and the bottom of the lower tray to straighten it with the help of inch, this in an uncomfortable movement, as it is uncomfortable to use the same lower tray with the other hand to protect from stains during consumption, because the upper tray, secured by hinge of the lower tray hits the face when you bite into the hamburger.

The other known types of packaging consist in wrapping the hamburger-or in a conventional manner using a rectangular sheet of very thin paper as is enveloping any flat cylindrical object folding after folding the protruding edges under the object to pack.

or by the very thin packing method, folded longitudinally, known under the name of "wrappie" and whose folds are held at the end by lateral welds, the paper being again provided on its useful face with a coating of polyethylene making use of hot glue for welding.

This manual packaging difficult to adjust without a long training, has the disadvantage of requiring a total winding of the paper around the hamburger which must accompany the movement and turn somehow in the opposite direction of the paper, while being held firmly by the hand which holds the paper but is not crushed by it, while the other hand deforms the folds of the same paper by stretching it around the edge of the hamburger to trap it in the pocket obtained by the deformation of the folds .

This assembly must obviously be accurate so that the hamburger is perfectly centered in the middle of the paper otherwise one of the faces of the hamburger would be discovered; moreover this precision can be obtained only by a certain pressure on the hamburger which at the time of packing is hot, wet, soft and flowing, so many objective attributes which require that users of this type of packaging are all very adroit.

To finish with this last means of packing, let us add that the machines useful to its realization are complex, because they must integrate pleating and welding at high speed, and thus represent heavy investments and delicate adjustments.

The boards 1 to 4 show the main original features of the invention; on these boards, the symmetrical parts will always be represented by the same symbols (numbers or letters).

The fig.l Pl.1 shows, seen from above, the central concept of the packaging, presented voluntarily for a hexagonal section.

The material of the foil used could be preferably a commercial parchment paper, or micro fluted, anti-fat treated on the inner side, completely recyclable, and a weight per square meter of between 90 and 180 grams depending on whether the we will have to pack more or less big burgers, the larger ones requiring the thickest papers.

The packaging is obtained by cutting a suitable surface (lim fighting the best falls) using a cutting tool used in pressure. This surface is similar to an elongated rectangle.

It can also be obtained from a strip of paper cut in peeling.

The fold primers are obtained by a non-cutting tool integral with the cutting tool and capable of printing on each of the faces of the paper a deformation along different lines constituting bending edges.

The folding edges shown in FIG. 1 by solid lines (a) define groups of concurrent outgoing pleats.

The folding edges shown in FIG. 1 by dashed lines (b) define reentrant folds or support folds.

FIG. 2 repeats FIG. 1 after a first folding. It shows that two strips A and 8 are arranged in symmetry with respect to a strip C to form the package
On this band C whose width (e) corresponds to the thickness of the burger to be wrapped (s) is represented an inner face (1) for receiving vertically the hamburger. This face is the pivot face of the system.

Once the hamburger set up on the pivot face, it is maintained in this vertical position by bringing with it with the thumb and forefinger the two opposite symmetrical faces (f) on the strips A and B fig.l.

The height (r) of the strips A and B and therefore of the face (f) corresponds to the radius of the hamburger to be packaged.

With the other hand passed under the packaging by raising the integral faces (7) (6) and (5) fig. 1, naturally, the bending type plies (b) are formed towards the inside of the package in symmetry on each band A and B and come to rest on the hamburger by 1 'enclosing.The function of the folds (b) ) is essential.

The lateral and symmetrical faces (8) of a height (h) slightly greater than (r) come to consolidate and stabilize this clasping by penetration of their tab protruding (o) between the face (f) and the hamburger, which constitutes the first stage of the act of packing for two-thirds (approximately) of the volume of the burger.

The act of packing the 1/3 remaining is done by maintaining on the sides, between the thumb and the index, the fixed structure obtained, delimited by the faces (1), (5), (b), (7) ), consolidated between them and by raising the faces (2), (3), and (4) fig.3, which shapes the corresponding reentrant folds in support against the hamburger and limiting course. causes the face (4) to completely cover the face (7) fig.4 to obtain an absolutely compact set that only remains to lock.

Several solutions are then possible
The one that appears immediately the most immediate is to fold down the symmetrical triangles (9) of the faces (v) located on either side of the face (4) respectively behind the folds (t) of the faces (8>; fig.4 shows in polntllleE (lO) the flap of the triangle (9) behind the fold (t) of a face (8).

The entire packing and locking operation was completed without the face (1) ever leaving its original position on the horizontal blank where the packaging is being made.

Only this concept in double symmetry allows the possibility of packaging wrapping a hamburger immobile for a few seconds of the duration of the operation.

All of the presented boards of this invention show a hexagonal section packaging structure, the diameter of the burger being approximately that of the circle inscribed in the hexagon
Packaging structures of triangular, square or pentagonal section are possible in the same approach, but too much space is lost in the angels for the packaging of cylindrical products.

The hexagonal structure packaging proves to be optimal because it can be organized in true symmetry, and the loss on angle is not important
The folds reentering being supported are then six in number on each band, number still perfectly controllable.

Note also that if the height (r) of the bands A and B is equivalent to the radius of the hamburger, and that the outgoing folds of type (b) starting symmetrically from the vertices of the face (l) and the following sides of the (f) end at the center of the outer sides of the faces delimited on the strip A and B by the re-entrant folds, then, on the side faces of the package once mounted, the configuration of the outgoing folds of the faces A and B determine six equilateral triangles, which gives the package a perfect aesthetic balance and ideal compactness
From the heptagonal section to the geometric limit of the circular section, the disadvantages increase, especially by the ditticulty of organizing folds of support and outgoing folds in too many numbers
Fig.5 Pl 2 shows an adhesive pad (14) bonded to reinforce the fold-in lock (10).

Fig.6 PI 2 shows an adhesive pad (14) glued for single locking, the fold (9) being here completely removed when cutting the paper.

As explained above, the packaging is organized in symmetry around the pivot face (1) which implies that the faces (f) symmetrical with respect to the face (1) are each delimited by two reentrant folds of types (b). ) and two outgoing folds of types (a) designated by (p) in fig.l Pl 1 and fig.7 Pl 2, Once the package formed, the two folds (p) can be used as elements Eemelles d anchoring for an interesting form of locking.

In fig. 7 Pl 2, the face (4) and the faces (15) in symmetry with respect to (4) show cut anchors (16) having hinges (w) solidarisant faces (15)
These anchors, male elements of this locking system, can be expelled to the outside of the package, (Fig.8), folded on their hinges (w) so that the tips of each anchor can come to lock the packaging passing behind the outer folds (p) symmetrical to each other with respect to the face (f).

This lock presented in FIG. 9, simple to perform is more effective than that shown in FIG. 4 (9) and (10) Pl 1 but slightly longer to put in place.

Fig. 10 Pl 3 has a wide tab (19) cut on the face (18) hinged on this face, and hooking in (20) behind the outer fold (t) of the face (8). This attachment is tacility by a cutout (21) for locking as shown in FIG. 11.

This tab locking, preferred of the invention, is the easiest to implement, the fastest also outside the semi automatic solution further exposed and its robustness can be ensured by an optimization of the tab (19) .

Similarly, for the locking shown also in FIG. 10 by the tab (23) cut on the face (22), hinged on this face and coming clinging (24) behind the outer fold (t) of the face (8) attachment is facilitated by a specific cutout (25) for locking as shown in FIG. 12.

The difference between the locking of FIG. 11 and that of fig. 12 only resides in the fact that the tab (23) is inside the isosceles triangle formed by the face (22) and not outside as shown in FIG. 11
The tab (23) is better integrated with the aesthetics of the package but its implementation, although easy, is less immediate than that of the tab (19) which has the practical preference of the invention improving the assembly time of the packaging
Fig. 2 Pl.l indicates on both sides of the face (1), starting from the faces (f) two cutouts (12) symmetrical with respect to (f) and retained along the edges of the strips A and B by stopping points (13)
When the break points are pushed by pressure towards the outside of the package, two symmetrical cut zones (11) are then delimited and held in external hinge on the faces (f).

At the moment when the packaging is opened fig. 13 P1.3 and that the breakpoints are blown up, the zones (11) in the form of lips are erased (or even cut out) to allow a perfect comfort of consumption, the hinge being parallel and close to the fold between (f) and (1).

In addition, for this comfort is total, it is only to tighten the thumb and forefinger on the outside of the bands A and B on either side of the hamburger, so that it is fixedly fixed. four fingers while biting in.

Depending on whether one begins to eat an almost whole hamburger, or that one finishes eating it, one can unfold even more the packing for a better contort, for finally after consumption of the hamburger, the troisser and the Jeter where it is to be recovered for recycling (this place is materialized in fast food in general).

Heretofore, a generic packaging and its folding system with a number of variables have been described, allowing various locks that are easy to perform, all very fast, with a preference for the tab (19), FIG. 10 P1.3 more efficient in real time editing
What we want now is starting with almost the same generic packaging, arriving at an ultra fast semiautomatic assembly.

This is simple; it is only necessary, in masked time (or lost time preferably) to prepare from a packaging as defined in FIG. 14 P1.4 two double preformed shells fig.15 which once the hamburger set up, can be folded on one another with recovery of the face (4) on the face (7), or vice versa
Compared to FIG. 1, FIG. 14 P1.4 is in total symmetry with respect to its central band including the faces (1) to (7) and the band perpendicular thereto including the face (1) the faces (f) and the lips (ll) hinged on (f). As can be seen in fig.

14 that the faces (26) have been truncated of the triangle (9) fig. 1 Pl.1 and no longer have any folding edge.

On the other hand, the faces (27) comprise two outgoing fold edges (u) and two reentrant fold edges forming right triangles (28) and (29).

Fig. 15 shows, laterally, how it is possible from the folds of FIG. 14 to obtain the formation of two half-symmetrical shells represented by the external visible faces (26), (27) and (30).

The outer face (27) conceals the two folds (28) and (29) attached to one another behind the face (27) inside the package so that a simple stapling in the area ( 31) can lock the outer faces (26), (27) and (30) together from the inside to obtain a perfectly shaped and resistant half-shell.

We get the other half hull in the same way
Stapling may be conventional, but given the application, it is best to consider punching / embossing stapling that eliminates any metal staples and can incorporate a logo where a stampable mark.

This type of stapling can be achieved by a known commercial device, at a very affordable price.

Once the set consisting of two half hulls obtained, is introduced vertically the hamburger on the pivot face (1) and locks while bringing together the two half-hulls which are folded on one another with an effect of spring caused by the automatic placement of the interior plies of support on the hamburger, on both sides (f).

No other locking is necessary and if the paper is well studied, this particular lock will be effective for a temperature maintenance according to accepted standards.

Fig. 16 is fig. 15 after the flap of a half hull.

Moreover, in the hexagonal configuration, the preformed half-shell packages, fig. 15 are stackable, which means that the preforming hulls can be outsourced, see automated at the supplier itself.

This automation implements simple servocontrols known and immediately adaptable for low investments.

Claims (7)

1 - rapid packaging for a cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-rigid thin sheet, characterized in that it comprises incoming and outgoing fold primers arranged in symmetry between them on two identical strips A and B whose width ( r) is equal to the radius of the sandwich to be wrapped (s), strips themselves symmetrical with each other with respect to a central band C whose width is equivalent to the thickness (e) of the sandwich and which also has fold primers equidistant from each other and in the continuation of the primers of the incoming folds on the bands A and B. 2-rapid packaging for cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-rigid thin sheet according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the faces. equal frontal determined by the outgoing folds of the band C are organized in symmetry of a pivot face (1) on which the cylindrical sandwich is vertically deposited to be wrapped up the front faces on either side of the pivot face , after the parallel bands A and B have been respectively brought to the two circular sides of the sandwich at the faces (f) contiguous to the pivot face (1) and symmetrical with respect thereto. 3-rapid packaging for cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-rigid thin sheet according to the preceding claim characterized in that the strips A and B comprise outgoing folds (a) and re-entrant folds (b) arranged in symmetry between them relative to the faces (f) in such a way that the re-entrant folds (b) in the extension of the outgoing folds of the band C, as they are parallel and equidistant from each other, determine on both sides (f) surfaces equal to the faces (f) and each having a fold outgoing (a) starting for the first four of the four right angles of the pivot face (1) to end at the centers of the outer sides of the faces contiguous to the faces (f) on the bands A and B - the outgoing folds (a) thus obtained are symmetrical with each other with respect to a face (f) respectively on a band A or B. the following faces on either side of a face (f) also have outgoing folds (a) parallel to the preceding ones on the same band A and B and symmetrical two by two. -the outgoing folds (a) thus defined on the strips A and B determine, after assembly of the packaging around the sandwich, two lateral faces of the packaging consisting of isosceles triangles (for all packages having for section a regular polygon from the pentagon -with the exception of the hexagonal section with equilateral triangles-) whose bases are the sides common to the faces delimited on the band C with their contiguous faces on the strips A and B -the incoming folds (b), in this configuration is organized in support on the sandwich to the inside of the package to make possible the formation of the closed side faces during assembly of the package. 4-Rapid packaging for cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-rigid thin sheet according to the preceding claim characterized in that the strips A and B have on the side symmetrical fces (8) of height (h) slightly greater than (r) ) an outgoing fold (t), which longer than the other outgoing folds (a) defines with the height (h), on the top of the face (8), a tab (o) outside the moon or the other band A or B; this tab which is interposed between the sandwich and the inner face (f) maintains formed the partial package formed by the portions of the strips A, B and C ending in the faces (8). 5-Rapid packaging for cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-rigid foil according to claim 3, characterized in that the symmetrical faces (v) of the faces (8) each comprise two outgoing folds (a) of which one determines on each side (v) a triangle (9) at the end of the package; this triangle folded in (10) behind the fold (ti of the face (8) (fig.4 ') is a first solution for lateral locking on each side of the package, this locking can be completed by the establishment of an adhesive tread (14) in the center of each side face on both sides of the package (fig.5). 6-rapid packaging for cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-rigid thin sheet according to the preceding claim characterized in that the faces (15) fig.7 opposite to the faces (8) on the strips A and B are free of folds but have cut-off anchors (16) that can be secured to the front face that connects them; these hinged anchors (w) on the faces (15), after external folding hinge come to lock laterally both sides of the package passing behind the folds out (p) symmetrical to each other on the face (f). 7-rapid packaging for cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-rigid thin sheet according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the faces (18) (10) opposite to the faces (8) on the bands A and B possess a cut tab (19) which locks laterally both sides of the package (fig.ll) behind the outgoing folds of the faces (t) .This lock is facilitated by a cutout (21) of the package. This cut tab can be integrated for aesthetics inside a triangle constituting one of the sections of the packaging (fig.12). 8-Fast packaging for cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-thin sheet. rigid according to claim 3, characterized in that the integral and symmetrical faces (f) of the pivot face (1) each comprise an articulable lip (11) hinged on (f), parallel and close to the fold between (f) and (1), oblique linear cut on each of the faces contiguous to (f) on the bands A and B, and maintained on the inside of these bands each by two stopping points that can be broken easily to clear them to outside for better comfort once the sandwich consumed half. 9-rapid packaging for cylindrical sandwich obtained from a semi-rigid thin sheet according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it can from an initial form perfectly double symmetry fig.l4 allow the premounting of two halves shells symmetrical with respect to the faces (1) each by a single single stapling (31). These two half-hulls can be folded and locked naturally on one another once the sandwich is put in place, thanks to the spring effect caused by the incoming folds on both sides of the faces (f); the packages obtained can then be stackable, in particular in a hexagonal packaging configuration.