FR2720726A1 - Container with two compartments. - Google Patents

Abstract

The container is made from a thermoplastics strip and comprises a main compartment (12) and a secondary compartment (14), a rim (16) and a zone (18) between the two compartments which is made with a line of reduced strength (34). The rim is inscribed in a rectangle, with the two compartments aligned in one direction (D1), and the line of reduced strength in a perpendicular direction (D2). The secondary compartment is half the size of the main one, and the combined dimensions of the two compartments is equivalent to a whole divisor of the width of the thermoplastics strip. The two compartments can be made from coextruded sections of strip material with different aspects, e.g. one of them can be opaque and the other transparent.

Description

The present invention relates to a container formed from a web

  thermoplastic and comprising a main compartment, a secondary compartment, a peripheral rim and an intermediate compartment binding zone, said compartments each comprising a bottom, a side wall and an upper end open on the upper face of the container, the peripheral rim and the connecting zone extending in the plane of said upper face, said rim being inscribed in a rectangle whose sides determine a first and a second direction, the compartments being aligned in the first direction and the connecting zone having a line d weakening parallel to the second direction. The indication that the flange is inscribed in a rectangle covers the fact that the outline of this flange delimits four main sides, whose tangents are perpendicular two by two and thus define a rectangle. These tangents are otherwise confused with the contours of the rim over a relatively large portion of the length of the latter. Such known containers are for example used for packaging, in each of the two compartments, complementary food products that are not mixed by the consumer.

than at the moment of their tasting.

  In general, the main compartment is intended to contain a basic product, such as a dairy product, while the secondary compartment is intended to contain an accompanying product, such as a seasoning or a fruit-based preparation. , serving to enrich the taste of the basic product. Under these conditions, the volume of the main compartment is much higher than that of the secondary compartment, and this main compartment is only partially filled in order to be able, without

  overflow, receive the contents of the secondary compartment.

  The upper end of the secondary compartment must however be sufficiently wide open to allow easy filling of this compartment on the packaging line with a product.

properly dosed.

  All these requirements impose relatively strict manufacturing conditions. Given the fact that the thermoplastic bands are delivered in specified widths, imposed by the dimensions of the machines used for their manufacture, it becomes very difficult to manufacture containers of the aforementioned type while avoiding the occurrence of falls or losses

  noticeable cutting edges in the thermoplastic strip.

  As the cost price of such a strip is relatively high, these material losses add to the cost of manufacturing the containers. The present invention aims at eliminating these disadvantages

known containers.

  For this purpose, in a container according to the invention, the dimension of the secondary compartment measured in the first direction, from the end of the peripheral flange adjacent to said secondary compartment to the line of weakness, is substantially equal to half of the size of the main compartment measured in the same direction from said line of weakness to the end of the peripheral rim adjacent to said main compartment. In addition, the sum of said measured dimensions in the first direction is substantially

  equal to an integer divider of the effective width of the thermoplastic web.

  The term "substantially" used here takes into account the very slight variations that may occur especially when cutting containers after manufacture, depending on the thickness of the tool of

cutting used.

  The useful width of the thermoplastic strip is the width measured between the two marginal gripping portions necessary to maintain this strip on a production line. The width of these marginal portions, which is relatively small, is imposed by the dimensions of the

  conventional tools for maintaining the band in the production line.

  These provisions give the two compartments a suitable dimensioning, which makes their use very practical, while allowing a rational use of the thermoplastic strip, the only portions of which are not used of significant dimensions are the two marginal portions of grip since it is possible to manufacture a whole number of

  containers using substantially all of the useful width of the web.

  According to an advantageous embodiment, the main compartment and the secondary compartment are made of materials of different aspects. By "materials of different aspects" is meant materials differing either by a chemical composition which gives them an appearance

  in particular, by a specific coloration of the same base material.

  This embodiment of the invention provides a major advantage over known containers, whose main and secondary compartments are made of the same material, so that it is not possible, without a particular labeling, to distinguish from each other the containers of several variants of the same product range, including for example the same basic product contained in the main compartment of the containers and several "perfumes" of accompanying products contained in the compartments secondary

different containers.

  Because of the conformation of these known containers, it is not possible to make their two compartments in materials of different aspects by manufacturing them, under economically viable conditions, on a conventional production line using a thermoplastic strip. advancing

  stepwise in the longitudinal direction.

  The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing, from a thermoplastic strip, containers with two compartments, in which the thermoplastic strip is held by its longitudinal marginal gripping portions, said strip being advanced stepwise in the direction longitudinal, at least one transverse row of containers is thermoformed forming, for each container, a main compartment and a secondary compartment each having a bottom, a side wall and an open upper end located in the plane of the strip, realizing in this plan a peripheral rim and a connection zone between the compartments, and is realized in said connection zone, a weakening line directed in the second direction of a rectangle in which the peripheral rim is inscribed, the compartments being aligned in

  the first direction of this rectangle.

  Known methods of this type do not meet the requirements related to the sizing of the containers, while avoiding, in the thermoplastic band, the appearance of falls or losses that burden the

manufacturing costs.

  The method according to the invention aims to eliminate these disadvantages. For this purpose, the main and secondary compartments of each container are made, juxtaposed in the transverse direction of the thermoplastic strip, the first direction of the rectangles thus extending in said transverse direction, the size of the secondary compartment measured in the transversely, from the end of the peripheral flange adjacent to said secondary compartment to the line of weakness, a value substantially equal to half that of the dimension of the main compartment measured in the same direction, from the weakening line to the end of the peripheral rim adjacent to said main compartment and, the longitudinal end of the peripheral rim of a container coinciding with that of the peripheral rim of the neighboring container, the sum of said dimensions in the transverse direction of the main compartments is given and secondary a value substantially equal to an integer divisor the value of the useful width of the band, measured between

  its two marginal portions of grip.

  According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention makes it possible to manufacture containers whose compartment

  main and secondary are made in materials of different aspects.

  In this embodiment, a thermoplastic strip is used which has, between its two marginal gripping portions, an alternation of ribbons of a first and a second type, welded together and made of materials of different aspects and wherein, at least for the so-called "current" tapes, located between the two end tapes adjacent to said marginal portions, the width of the current tapes of the second type is substantially equal to half the width of the current tapes of the first type. In addition, for each container, the main compartment is made in a ribbon of the first type, and the compartment

  secondary in a ribbon of the second type.

  The invention also relates to a thermoplastic strip intended to be used for the manufacture of containers according to the invention, comprising a main compartment and a secondary compartment made in

materials of different aspects.

  According to the invention, this strip comprises, between two marginal gripping portions, an alternation of ribbons of a first type and ribbons of a second type, welded together and made of materials of different aspects. In addition, at least for the so-called "current" ribbons, located between the two extreme ribbons adjacent to said marginal portions, the width of the current ribbons of the second type is substantially equal to

  half the width of the current ribbons of the first type.

  The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better

  upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments

  given by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to

  attached drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a front view of a container according to the invention - Figure 2 is a side view of the same container - Figure 3 is a top view of this container, - FIG. 4 shows a strip of thermoplastic material used for the invention; FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively illustrate two variants of such a strip; FIG. 7 shows in top view a group of four containers.

  according to the invention, joined together.

  Figures 1 to 3 show a container 10, formed from a thermoplastic web and comprising a main compartment 12 and a secondary compartment 14. This container also has a rim

  peripheral 16 and an intermediate zone 18 for connecting the compartments.

  As seen in the figures, the flange 16 and the connecting zone 18 are formed in continuity with each other and are two parts, respectively peripheral and intermediate, of the same zone of the thermoplastic strip remained substantially non deformed during the manufacture of the container and which constitutes the upper face 20 of the latter. The main compartment 12 has a bottom 22, a side wall 24, and an upper end 26 open on the upper face 20 of the container. Similarly, the secondary compartment 14 has a bottom 28, a side wall 30, and an end

  upper 32 open on the upper face 20 of the container.

  An empty space 29 remains between the side walls 24 and 30 of

  each of the two compartments under the connection zone 18.

  Figure 3 is a top view of the container and thus shows the upper face 20 of the latter. The peripheral rim 16 and the connecting zone 18 are formed in continuity with each other, as previously mentioned,

  and in the plane of this upper face 20.

  Around the openings 26 and 32 of the two compartments, there are shown weld zones, respectively designated by the references 27 and 33, and used for fixing a closing cap of the

  container in one or two parts (not shown).

  As seen in this FIG. 3, the peripheral rim 16 is inscribed in a rectangle R whose sides determine a first direction D1 and a second direction D2, these directions obviously being

perpendicular to each other.

  Compartments 12 and 14 are aligned in the first direction

o0 Dl.

  The connection zone 18 between the two compartments has a weakening line 34, also visible in FIG. 1, which is

  rectilinear and extends in the direction D2.

  This weakening line 34 may, for example, be produced by a succession of small perforations or by a continuous streak and makes it possible to tilt the secondary compartment 14 towards the main compartment 12

  to pour the contents of this compartment 14 into compartment 12.

  Optionally, complementary or alternative way, the weakening line 34 can be used to easily separate the compartment

  Secondary compartment of the main compartment.

  Still with reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the dimension L1 of the small compartment 14 measured in the direction D1, from the secondary end 16a of the peripheral flange 16 adjacent to the secondary compartment 14 to the weakening line 34, is substantially equal to half the dimension L2 of the main compartment 12 measured in the direction D1 from the line of weakness 34 to the end 16b of

  peripheral flange 16 adjacent to the main compartment 12.

  In other words, the upper face of the secondary compartment 14 occupies a first third of the rectangle R, while the upper face of the

  main compartment 12 occupies the remaining two-thirds of this rectangle.

  Moreover, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the sum of the dimensions L1 and L2, measured in the direction D1, is substantially equal to an entire divider of the effective width Lu of the thermoplastic strip 100 in which the container is made. This useful width Lu is de fi ned as being the width of the band situated between the two marginal gripping portions 101 and 102 necessary for the stepwise entrainment of the band and the maintenance of the latter during the various stages of the manufacture of the containers. . In other words, the measurement of the width Lu is equal to the measurement of the total width of the strip, less the widths of the two

  marginal portions of grip 101 and 102.

  FIG. 4 shows that rows rn and r2 of six containers juxtaposed in the direction D1 occupy the entire useful width Lu of

the band 100.

  For the sake of clarity, there is shown in dotted lines in this figure 4 rectangles R, all similar to each other, in which the contours of the containers according to the invention are inscribed, only the openings of the two

  compartments of these containers being all shown.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the main compartment 12 and the secondary compartment 14 are made of materials

of different appearance.

  This is not visible in Figures 1 to 3 that has been avoided to weigh down by differentiating the appearance of the two compartments. On the other hand, FIG. 4 indicates that the secondary compartments are made in the slightly grayed ribbons of the band 100, designated by the references 104, 106, 108 and 110, whereas the main compartments are made in the ribbons.

  remained non-greyed, designated by references 105, 107 and 109.

  As indicated above, this makes it possible to manufacture the same range of containers, among which all the main containers have the same appearance, by differentiating the variants of this range, only by the color or the chemical composition of the material constituting the compartments. secondary, which indicates for example the scent of their contents. Particularly advantageously, the secondary compartment 14 is transparent, while the main compartment 12 is opaque. This has the advantage of allowing consumers to

  directly visualize the contents of the small compartment 14.

  The secondary compartment 14 is then for example made of crystal polystyrene, while the main compartment 12 can be made

  polystyrene containing butadiene.

  In this embodiment, in which the two compartments are made of materials of different appearance, it is arranged that the demarcation between the two materials is substantially on the line

of weakening 34.

  In the embodiment o the two compartments are made of the same material, provision can be made to distinguish the two compartments by a simple wrapping of the side wall of the main compartment 12. In this case, if this material is transparent, only

  the contents of the secondary compartment 14 will still be visible.

  Advantageously, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the side wall 30 of the secondary compartment 14 has, on the opposite side to

  main compartment 12, at least one portion in advance 30a.

  This portion 30a is advanced relative to the other parts of the side wall 30 of the side opposite the container 12, but does not extend beyond the dimension L1 previously defined. In other words, the other parts 30b and 30c of this side wall 30 opposite the main compartment 12 are simply recessed relative to the

portion 30a.

  The portion in advance 30a makes it possible to locally increase the dimension of the compartment 14 without excessively increasing the

  capacity, so as to allow the insertion of a utensil such as a spoon.

  It should be noted that the volume of the secondary compartment 14 is generally much smaller than the volume of the main compartment 12, which is explained by the fact that the secondary compartment 14 is intended only to receive a product complementary to the product contained in the container 12, this complementary product does not necessarily have to be

spilled in large quantities.

  In this regard, the secondary compartment 14 is much shallower than the main compartment 12, and its bottom 28 extends away from the bottom 22 of the main compartment 12. Always in order to facilitate the use of a utensil such that a spoon, the bottom 28 is

advantageously convex.

  When the secondary compartment 14 and the main compartment 12 are made of two materials of different aspects, the forward portion 30a may have another advantage. This portion 30a may in fact protrude locally from a package for containing the container 10, so that the material of the secondary compartment 14, or the contents of the latter, is easily visible to the consumer, without running the risk that the secondary compartment 14 is removed from the package or detached from the main compartment 12, during the various maneuvers handling the container in its packaging, prior to the

tasting of its contents.

  Advantageously, and as shown in the figures, the side wall of the secondary compartment 14 has a single forward portion 30a, consisting of a corbel central portion, which is flared towards the opening of the compartment 14 and tapers towards the bottom of the last. The peripheral rim 16 advantageously has at least one recess 17 on the opposite side to the main compartment 12. This or these recesses 17 then protect an advancing portion 17a towards the end 16a of the peripheral rim 16, which may also exceed

  partly from appropriate packaging.

  Part 17a does not extend outside the rectangle R and does not extend

  does not change the previously defined Ll dimension.

  When the portion 30a in advance is present, the portion 17a of

  flange 16 is advantageously located above the latter.

  Advantageously, the containers according to the invention are packaged in groups of at least two containers contiguous to each other by their respective peripheral rims and separable from each other by breaking at least one line of least resistance practiced on

  the boundary of adjacent peripheral edges.

  This is illustrated in Figure 7, which shows four containers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, joined together by the adjacent ends of their peripheral rims. The borders of the contiguous edges are designated by the

general reference 11.

  The contiguous edges, which are located towards the inside of the group, are designated by the reference 16c, while the edges which are towards

  outside are designated by the general reference 16d.

  To facilitate the consumption of their contents, and in a manner known per se, the containers are separable from each other by breaking a line of least resistance located on the border 11. However, it is important to avoid that when handling the containers to separate them from each other, the weakening lines 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d located in the connection zone between their respective two compartments are broken in

  at the same time as the lines of least resistance 11.

  The group of at least two containers is therefore advantageously designed such that the line or lines of least resistance 11 are likely to be broken more easily than the line of weakness of

each of the containers.

  For this purpose, it is possible for example to mark the line 11 by a streak deeper than that which marks the lines of weakness or, in the case where a series of perforations is used, to make perforations more

closer on line 11.

  With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the method according to the invention for manufacturing containers with two compartments from a

thermoplastic band.

  In this process, the thermoplastic strip 100 is maintained by its longitudinal marginal gripping portions 101 and 102, the longitudinal strip 100 is advanced in the longitudinal direction, at least one transverse row r1 of containers is thermoformed, forming each container, a main compartment and a secondary compartment, these compartments each having a bottom, a side wall and an open upper end located in the plane of the strip 100, realizing in this plane a peripheral rim 16 and a connection zone 18 between the compartments 12, 14, and in this connection zone 18, a weakening line 34 directed in the second direction D2 of a rectangle R in which the peripheral flange 16 is formed, the compartments 12 and 14 being aligned in the first direction D1 of this rectangle R. In FIG. 4, the rectangles R, in which the containers are inscribed, are represented by punctuated raids, and the

  directions D1 and D2 defined by the sides of these rectangles.

  To avoid weighing down the drawing, it has generally only been shown the open top ends 26 and 32 of each of the compartments of the containers 10. For reasons which will be explained below, only a central group of four containers extending over two lines and on rows r1 and r2 is shown in more detail, the peripheral edges of

  these containers being schematized.

  As indicated by the dashed lines at both ends of strip 100, only a longitudinal portion of strip 100 is

  shown, while the entire width is shown on the drawing.

  In the process according to the invention, and as shown in FIG. 4, the main and secondary compartments juxtaposed in the transverse direction of the thermoplastic strip 100 are produced, the first direction D1 of the rectangles R thus extends in the transverse direction of this band, while

  the second direction D2 of these rectangles extends in the longitudinal direction.

  Dimension L1 of the secondary compartment, measured in the transverse direction of the strip, is given from the end of the peripheral rim adjacent to this secondary compartment to the weakening line situated on the connection zone between the secondary and secondary compartments. principal, a value substantially equal to half that of the dimension L2 of the main compartment measured in the same direction, from this weakening line to the end of the peripheral flange adjacent to said

main compartment.

  The ends of the peripheral rims of each of the receptacles coincide on at least a large part of their length with the sides of the rectangles R. It is thus clear that the longitudinal end, that is to say directed in the longitudinal direction of the band 100, the peripheral rim of a container coincides with the longitudinal end of the

  peripheral rim of the neighboring container.

  As a result, the formation of cuttings falling along the entire length of the strip between the ends of the flanges is avoided.

  peripherals of two adjacent vessels.

  In order also to avoid the occurrence of such falls at other places in the band, the sum of the dimensions L1 and L2 in the transverse direction of the main and secondary compartments is given a value substantially equal to an integer divider the value of the effective width Lu of the band 100, measured between these two marginal gripping portions 101

and 102.

  In the example shown, this integer divisor is equal to six. It is advantageously even when it is desired to package the containers in groups of at least two containers juxtaposed in the direction D1 of the rectangles R. The band 100 of FIG. 4 has, between its two marginal gripping portions 101 and 102, a alternating ribbons of first and second types. The ribbons of the first type are designated by the odd references 105, 107 and 109, while the ribbons of the second type are designated by the pair references 104, 106, 108 and 110. These ribbons are all welded together and made of materials different aspects, the difference in appearance being materialized in the figures

  by a slight hail of the ribbons of the second type.

  For the sake of clarity, we distinguish the extreme ribbons 104

  and 110, which are adjacent to the marginal gripping portions 101 and 102, of the other ribbons (called "current"), located between these extreme ribbons and designated by the references ranging from 105 to 109. Moreover, the widths of the various constituent elements of the band are measured in the direction

transversal of the latter.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 show two variants, respectively 200 and 300, of the thermoplastic strip, which respectively comprise

  marginal gripping portions 201, 202 and 301, 302.

  The strip 200 has an alternation of ribbons of a first and second type, designated by references ranging from 203 to 209. Among these, the odd references designate the ribbons of the first type,

  while the even references designate the ribbons of the second type.

  Similarly, the band 300 comprises alternating ribbons of a first and a second type, designated by references ranging from 304 to 315, the odd references designating the ribbons of the first type,

  while the even references designate the ribbons of the second type.

  Extreme and current tapes are defined in a similar way to

those of Figure 4.

  In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the current ribbons 106 and 108 of the second type have a width T2 substantially equal to half the width T1 of the

  common ribbons 105, 107, 109 of the first type.

  This observation also applies to FIG. 5, as can be seen by comparing the width T'2 of the current ribbons of the second type 204, 206, 208

  and the width T'l of the current ribbons of the first type 205, 207.

  In FIG. 6, all the ribbons of the second type have a width

  substantially equal to half that of the ribbons of the first type.

  According to the method, for each container, the main compartment 12 is made in a ribbon of the first type and the secondary compartment

14 in a ribbon of the second type.

  In FIG. 4, the two end ribbons 104 and 110 are both of the second type. Their width 1T22 is substantially equal to half

  of the width T2 of the current ribbons of the second type.

  In FIG. 5, the end strips 203 and 209 are of the first type and their width T '11 is substantially equal to half the width T'1 of the

common ribbons of the first type.

  In either case, the lines of weakness between the two compartments of the containers are made on the boundary between the ribbons of the first type and the ribbons of the second type. In the figures, this boundary is limited by the lines directed in the longitudinal direction of the strip or 200, which separate the different ribbons and are designated by the reference F. On the other hand, the longitudinal ends of the peripheral rims are delimited on the median lines. ribbons of the first and second types of the strips 100 or 200. Thus, the line E of FIG. 4 which marks the boundary between the adjacent peripheral edges of the juxtaposed containers,

is located in the middle of the ribbon 105.

  This obviously applies to the ends of the edges that lie outside the extreme ribbons. It clearly appears that the outer longitudinal ends of the containers adjacent to the marginal gripping portions are delimited on the boundary between these

  marginal portions and extreme ribbons.

  These arrangements make it possible, as shown in FIG. 4, to manufacture the containers so that a given container 10a which is located, in the transverse direction, between a container 10b and a container 10e, has its main compartment adjacent to the container. main compartment of one of the receptacles, receptacle 10b, and its secondary compartment adjacent to

  secondary compartment of the other container, the container 10e.

  The juxtaposition of two main compartments belonging to two separate receptacles occupies substantially the entire width T1 or

  T1 of a current tape of the first type on the band 100 or 200.

  Similarly, the juxtaposition of two secondary compartments belonging to two separate receptacles occupies substantially the entire width T2 or T'2 of a current ribbon of the second type on the band 100 or 200. The method advantageously comprises a step in which one groups the containers in groups of at least two containers whose peripheral edges located towards the inside of the group are contiguous, a step in which a line of least resistance is made on the border between these contiguous edges, and a step in which one cuts each group according to the contours of the peripheral edges located towards

outside the group.

  The containers can be grouped together in the transverse direction of

  the band, only in the longitudinal direction of the latter.

  In a manner known per se, the method comprises a step of filling the two compartments of the containers with a suitably dosed product, and a step of laying and fixing at least one lid

  closing on the upper face of the containers.

  According to a first variant comprising the step in which the containers are grouped together, the step in which each group is cut on the contours of the outer peripheral edges is carried out simultaneously, the step in which the lines of least resistance on the border are made. between the contiguous inner edges of the receptacles and the stage in which the weakening lines are made between the two compartments of each receptacle, these three steps, which in reality become one since they are carried out simultaneously, intervene after the stage

  laying and fixing the closure cap.

  In this case, if the lid is made from a continuous strip, the step in which the lines of least resistance are made will cut a separate lid per container, and the step in which the lines are made. weakening will make it possible to distinguish this two-part lid covering specifically on the one hand the main compartment and,

  secondly, the secondary compartment.

  According to another variant, which also comprises the step in which the containers are grouped together, the lines of weakness between the two compartments of each container are first practiced before carrying out the laying and fixing step of at least a closing cap, the step in which the lines of least resistance are practiced on the boundary between the contiguous edges of the containers, and the step in which one

cut out each group.

  This step of cutting and the step in which one practices the lines

  of lesser strength can be realized simultaneously.

  FIG. 4 shows a central group of four containers 10a, 10b, d, shown in greater detail in FIG. 7. Indeed, in the variant of this figure, the end ribbons 104 and 110 are ribbons of the second type and an even number of containers are manufactured on each row (only

  the rows rn and r2 are represented).

  The containers are then grouped into groups of four containers each group of which comprises two rows of two juxtaposed containers.

  transversely and whose main compartments are adjacent.

  Each group is cut according to the contours of the edges

  16d peripherals located outside the group (see Figure 7).

  In Figures 4 and 5, the two extreme ribbons are of the same type.

  In contrast, Figure 6 shows extreme ribbons of different type.

  It can be seen in this figure that the width of the extreme ribbon 304 of the second type is substantially equal to that of the current ribbons of the second type, and that the width of the extreme current 315 of the first type is

  substantially equal to the width of the current ribbons of the first type.

  In this case, use will be made of the entire width T "71 of a ribbon of the first type to manufacture the main compartment of the containers and the entire width T" 2 of the ribbons of the second type to manufacture the secondary compartment. The longitudinal ends of the peripheral rims are then produced on the passing boundary, in a given direction (reference S), parallel to the transverse direction of the strip and in which the first end strip is a strip of the second type, a ribbon of the first type to a ribbon of the second type, while the lines of weakness are made on the border passing, in the same direction, a ribbon of the

  second type to a ribbon of the first type.

  When the containers are grouped, it is advantageous to make the lines of least resistance, located at the boundaries between the inner edges of the group, so that they can be broken more easily than the lines of weakness located on the connection areas between

  the two compartments of the same container.

  To do this, the lines of least resistance will be achieved by means of a partial melting or punching more strongly marked (higher temperature, longer processing time or punching closer) than partial melting or punching allowing to realize the lines of weakness. When forming the containers, can be formed a protruding portion on the side wall of the secondary compartment, oppo- site the main compartment. During the step of cutting the contour of the rim of the containers, it is possible to make a recess on the part of the rim opposite the main compartment, so as to make a complementary part in advance. The thermoplastic strip, the three variants of which are shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 and which has an alternation of ribbons of the first and second

  of the second types, can for example be carried out by coextrusion.

  As previously indicated, the ribbons of both types can be distinguished from each other by their chemical composition or by

their coloring.

Claims (19)

  A container (10) formed from a thermoplastic web (100) and comprising a main compartment (12), a secondary compartment (14), a peripheral rim (16) and an intermediate compartment connecting zone (18) , said compartments each comprising a bottom (22, 28), a side wall (24, 30) and an open upper end (26, 32) on the upper face (20) of the container (10), the peripheral flange (16) and the connecting zone (18) extending in the plane of said upper face (20), said flange (16) being inscribed in a rectangle (R) whose sides determine a first and a second direction (D1, D2) , the compartments (12, 14) being aligned in the first direction (D1) and the connecting zone (18) having a weakening line (34) parallel to the second direction (D2), characterized in that the dimension (L1) of the secondary compartment (14) measured in the first direction (D1), from the end e (16a) of the peripheral flange (16) adjacent said secondary compartment (14) to the line of weakness (34), is substantially equal to half the dimension (L2) of the main compartment (12) measured in the same direction (D1), from said weakening line (34) to the end (16b) of the peripheral flange (16) adjacent to said main compartment (14), and in that the sum of said dimensions (L1, L2 ) measured in the first direction (D1) is substantially equal to an integer divisor of the   useful width (Lu) of the thermoplastic web (100).   Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the main compartment (12) and the secondary compartment (14) are made   in materials of different aspects.   Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the secondary compartment (14) is transparent, while the compartment principal (12) is opaque.   Container according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized   in that, on the opposite side to the main compartment (12), the side wall (30) of the secondary compartment (14) has at least a portion of advanced (30a).   Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the portion   advanced is constituted by a corbel central portion (30a).   Container according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized   in that, on the opposite side to the main compartment (12), the rim   peripheral (16) has at least one recess (17).   7. Group of at least two containers (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) according to one of   any of claims 1 to 6, contiguous to each other by their   peripheral flanges (16c) respectively and separable from each other by breaking at least one line of least resistance (11) formed on the boundary of adjacent peripheral flanges, characterized in that said line of least resistance (11) is capable of to be broken more easily than the weakening line   (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) of each of the containers (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d).   8. A method of manufacturing, from a thermoplastic strip (100, 300), containers (10) with two compartments (12, 14), wherein the thermoplastic strip (100, 200, 300) is held by its longitudinal marginal gripping portions (101, 102; 201, 202, 301, 302), advancing said strip stepwise in the longitudinal direction, at least one transverse row (r1, r2) of containers (10) is thermoformed. forming, for each container, a main compartment (14) and a secondary compartment (12) each having a bottom (22, 28), a side wall (24, 30) and an open top end (26, 32) located in the plane of the strip (100), realizing in this plane a peripheral rim (16) and a zone (18) for connection between the compartments (12, 14), and in said connection zone (18) a weakening line (34) directed in the second direction (D2) of a rectangle (R) in which the peripheral flange ( 16), the compartments (12, 14) being aligned in the first direction (D1) of this rectangle (R), characterized in that one realizes the main compartments (12) and secondary (14) of each container, juxtaposed in the transverse direction of the thermoplastic strip (100), the first direction (D1) of the rectangles (R) thus extending in said transverse direction, in that the dimension (LI) of the secondary compartment (14) is given ) measured in the transverse direction, from the end (16a) of the peripheral flange (16) adjacent to said secondary compartment (14) to the weakening line (34), a value substantially equal to one half of that of the dimension (L2) of the main compartment (12) measured in the same direction from the line of weakness (34) to the end (16b) of the peripheral flange (16) adjacent to said main compartment (12), and the longitudinal end of the peripheral rim (16) of a container ( 10) coinciding with that of the peripheral rim of the neighboring container, the sum of said dimensions (L1, L2) in the transverse direction of the main (12) and secondary (14) compartments is given a value substantially equal to an integer divisor of the value the effective width (Lu) of the band (100) measured between   its two marginal portions of grip (101, 102).   9. Process according to claim 8, characterized in that a thermoplastic strip (100, 200, 300) having, between its two marginal gripping portions (101, 102; 201, 202; 301, 302), a alternating ribbons of a first and a second type (104 to 110; 203 to 209; 304 to 315), welded together and made of materials of different aspects, at least for the ribbons known as "current" ( 105 to 109, 204 to 208; 305 to 314), located between the two end strips (104, 110; 203, 209, 304, 315) adjacent to said marginal portions (101, 102; 201, 202; 301, 302); the width (T2, T'2, T "2) of the current ribbons of the second type (106, 108, 204, 206, 208, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314) being substantially half the width ( TI, T'1 1, T "1) current ribbons of the first type (105, 107, 109; 205, 207; 305, 307, 309, 311, 313), and in that, for each container, it is realized the main compartment (12) in a ribbon of the first type, and the   secondary compartment (14) in a ribbon of the second type.   10. Process according to claim 9, characterized in that the containers (10) are grouped together in groups of at least two containers (10a, 10b) whose peripheral flanges (16c) located towards the inside of the group are contiguous. , in that a line of least resistance (11) is produced on the boundary between said contiguous flanges (16c) and in that each group is cut out according to the contours of the outward peripheral flanges (16d) of the group. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising a step of filling the two compartments (12, 14) of the containers (10) and a step of laying and fixing at least one closure cap on the upper face of the containers, characterized in that, after this laying and fixing step, the step in which each group is cut is simultaneously carried out, the step in which the lines of least resistance (11) are made on the border between the flanges (16c) adjacent to the containers, and the step in which the weakening lines (34) are made between the two   compartments (12, 14) of each container (10).   12. The method of claim 10, comprising a step of filling the two compartments (12, 14) of the containers (10) and a step of laying and fixing at least one closure cap on the upper face of the containers, characterized in that the weakening lines (34) are made between the two compartments (12, 14) of each container (10) before carrying out said step of laying and fixing at least one closing cap, practice the lines of least resistance (11) on the border between the flanges (16c) contiguous containers and achieve the step in which one cuts out each group.   Method according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized   in that the width (T22; TII) of the end strips (104, 110; 203, 209) is substantially equal to half the width (T2; T1) of the current ribbons (106, 108; 205, 207) of same type as said extreme ribbons, the weakening lines (34) are produced on the border (F) between the ribbons of the first type and the ribbons of the second type, and the longitudinal ends of the peripheral rims are delimited on the median lines ( E) ribbons of the first and second types, so that a given container (10a) located transversely between two other containers (10b, 10e) has its main compartment adjacent to the main compartment of one of said containers (lOb) and has its secondary compartment adjacent to the   secondary compartment of the other of said containers (10e).   14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that, the end tapes being ribbons of the second type (104, 110), an even number of containers is manufactured on each row (r1, r2) and the containers are grouped together. in groups of four, each group comprising two rows of two containers juxtaposed transversely and whose main compartments are adjacent, and in that each group is cut according to the   contours of peripheral edges (16d) located outward of the group.   15. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized   in that the width (T "1, T" 2) of the end ribbons (304; 315) being substantially equal to that of the current ribbons of the same type (306; 307), the longitudinal ends of the peripheral rims are produced on the passing boundary in a given direction (S) parallel to the transverse direction and in which the first end strip (304) is a tape of the second type, a tape of the first type (305) to a tape of the second type (306), while the weakening lines are made on the border passing, in the same direction, a ribbon of the second type (304) to a ribbon of the first type (305). 16. Thermoplastic strip (100, 200, 300) for use in   the manufacture of a container (10) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized   in that it comprises, between two marginal gripping portions (101, 102; 201, 202; 203, 204), an alternation of ribbons of a first type (105; 205; 305) and ribbons of a second type (106; 206: 306), welded together and made of materials of different aspects, and that, at least for so-called "current" tapes, located between the two end tapes (104, 110; 203, 209; 304, 315) adjacent to said marginal portions (101, 102; 201, 202; 301, 302), the width (T2, T'2, T "3) of the current ribbons of the second type is substantially equal to half of the width (Tl, [1, T '"1) of the ribbons currents of the first type.   17. Strip (100, 200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the end strips (104, 110, 203, 209) are of the same type, and in that the width (T22; T'111) of said extreme ribbons is substantially equal to the   half of the width (T2, T'l) of the current ribbons of the same type.   18. Strip (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the   two extreme ribbons (104, 110) are ribbons of the second type.   19. Strip (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an extreme tape of the first type (315) whose width is equal to that (T "1) of a current tape of the same type, and an extreme ribbon of the second type (304) whose width is equal to that (T "2) of a ribbon current of the same type.