FR2778893A1 - Packaging for frozen vegetables - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging for frozen vegetables has a set of trays (10A-D) each with an opening (12A-D) with a foil seal lid (14A-D). The trays are placed with their sides together to form a polyhedron in cross section with the lids facing outwardly.

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-compartment packaging

  ples, of the type comprising a set of trays for receiving the articles

  keys to be packaged each provided with an opening closed by a removable cover. Many forms of packaging are known for packaging

  food products such as frozen vegetables.

  For example, it is common to use pouches

  ples. These bags are printed on their outside. However, due to

  the flexibility of the material used, the terms carried by the sachet are different

  easy to read. In addition, these sachets can only be placed "flat", that is to say according to their largest face, which affects the presentation of a

  set of sachets stacked in distribution liners.

  Furthermore, it is known packaging in trays comprising a

  thermoformed structure delimiting one or more cells or compartments

  ments, each cell being formed by a tray and being closed by a cover.

  Such packaging bears legible markings on the lid.

  However, it is difficult to affix mentions on the lateral faces and the bottom of the trays. In addition, this type of packaging requires that they be stacked on top of each other with the surface delimited by the cover.

  oriented upwards, which reduces the choice of presentation mode.

  The object of the invention is to propose a packaging comprising a

  seems of trays of an improved visual aspect and allowing to support

  an easily readable marking on several sides of the packaging, these marks

  cages not causing any significant additional cost during the manufacture of the packaging. To this end, the invention relates to a packaging with compartments

  multiples of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the trays are available

  sees side by side to form a polyhedron, on at least two lateral faces from which the openings of said trays open, the lids of all trays each delimiting at least partially one side of the polyhedron. According to particular embodiments, the packaging comprises one or more of the following characteristics: - it has the shape of a prism, the lateral faces of the prism being each delimited at least partially by a cover; the bottoms of the trays arranged side by side delimit between them a tubular housing extending substantially along the height of the prism; the bottoms of the trays have imprints whose shape corresponds substantially to that of an article intended to be received in said housing;

  - the or each polygonal base of the prism is delimited by a bou-

  chon covering the end walls of said trays; - The or each plug comprises at least one tray provided with an opening opening along the corresponding base of the prism and closed by a cover delimiting said base; - at least some trays came from materials one

  with the others and form a band which delimits at least two faces adjja-

  centers of the polyhedron, and it comprises means for holding the trays side by side to form a polyhedron; - The trays are independent and it includes means for holding the trays side by side to form a polyhedron; - the holding means comprise a banding; said holding means comprise an adhesive tape;

  - Said holding means comprise latching means -

  resiliently carried by bands extending said trays following

  before the longitudinal edge of their opening;

  - Said longitudinal strips are crossed by an opening

  molding a handle for gripping the packaging;

  - Said holding means include an extension of the operation-

  cule of a tray, which extension is glued to the adjacent face of the tray placed next to it;

  - Said holding means comprise complementary slots-

  res delimited in the edges of the openings of the trays, which slots are adapted to interpenetrate; - the trays have on their side walls bearing sides on the side walls of the trays arranged side by side and

  - said support sides of the trays arranged side by side comprises

  try associated trays positioning profiles.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will

  follow, given only as an example, and made with reference to the

sins, on which:

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package according to the invention.

  tion laid out in a station lying down; Figure 2 is an end view of a container of the packaging of Figure 1, before shaping; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a detail of a longitudinal edge of the package of Figure 1;

  Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment

  read the packaging; Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the packaging;

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a package according to the invention.

  tion provided with other means for holding the trays;

  FIG. 7 is an end view of trays linked in a strip not shown

  folded and used in the packaging of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the packaging of Figure 6 provided with an alternative embodiment of the means for holding the trays; Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of a set of

  trays in non-folded strip re-entering the packaging

lage;

  Figure 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment

  sation of a packaging according to the invention made from the trays shown

felt in Figure 9; and

  Figure 11 is another alternative embodiment of a packaging

lon the invention.

  The packaging shown in Figure 1 has four compartments.

  elements or cells containing food products such as vegetables

my frozen foods.

  The compartments are each delimited by a thermo-tray

  formed in a suitable polymer sheet. They are noted 10A, 10B,

  C, 1 OD. The four trays are identical.

  Each tray 10A, 10OB, 10C, 10D respectively has an opening 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D closed by a removable cover 14A, 14B,

14C, 14D.

  The four trays are arranged side by side to form a po-

  lyedra and, in particular in the example represented, a right prism. More parti-

  especially, the base of the prism being square, they form a rectangular parallelepiped. The lids 14A to 14D of each tray define a

  lateral face of the rectangular parallelepiped.

  Each opening has a rectangular shape and extends over most of it

  of a lateral face of the rectangular parallelepiped. They are each delimited

  ted by a coplanar peripheral border 15, of constant width over

  which is sealed the associated seal.

  In the embodiment shown, the four trays 10OA, B, 10C, 10D came integrally with each other and form a strip subsequently folded back on itself to delimit an outline

  closed. The trays delimit between them longitudinal edges, no-

  tees 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D. These edges separate, at the edges 15, two lids extending perpendicular to each other. The lids are linked to each other and are separated by longitudinal precut lines extending along the edges. The trays are retained assembled to delimit the rectangular parallelepiped by means of

  maintenance with the general reference 16.

  The holding means 16 can be of different types. In the example of FIG. 1, they include an adhesive tape 16A applied astride the adjacent longitudinal edges of the end trays 1 OA

  and 1 OD. Thus, the adhesive tape 16A overlaps the edge 15D.

  A tray, for example the tray 10 OB is shown in sec-

tion in Figure 2.

  Each tray generally fits transversely into a

  isosceles and equilateral triangle 17, shown in phantom. This one matches

  lays in a sector extending over a quarter of the square area of the section

transverse of the parallelepiped.

  Each tray generally has a trapezoidal shape in cross section. It has a bottom 18 generally parallel to the cover 14B. The large base of the trapezoid is delimited by the cover 14B. The border

  of the opening of the tray is connected to the bottom 18 by two side walls

  inclined rails 20, 22 converging towards each other towards the bottom 18.

  Each of the side walls 20, 22 has, depending on the height of the tray, two successive flat regions, denoted respectively 20A, B and 22A, 22B. They delimit sections separated from each other by an inflection line denoted 20C, 22C extending longitudinally over the entire

  length of the side walls. This inflection line 20C, 22C extends

  only at the bottom third of the tray.

  The lower sections 20A, 22A of the side walls extend along the sides defining the right angle of the triangle 17. They define mutual bearing surfaces of the adjacent trays, when the packaging is shaped to delimit a rectangular parallelepiped, as shown in FIG. 1. The upper panels 20B, 22B are angularly offset towards the inside and are inscribed inside the triangle 17. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1, the upper panels 20B, 22B of the adjacent trays define with the edges 15 of the empty tubular spaces defining

each in section a quadrilateral.

  The trays are further delimited by end walls 24

  substantially trapezoidal in shape.

  On their support sides 20A, 22A, each tray comprises, on each of its lateral faces, complementary profiles 20D, 22D in

  projection and recess suitable for positioning adjacent trays

  your. These projections extend continuously or discontinuously longitudinally.

  along most of the length of the side walls 20, 22.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the support panel 20A comprises a projecting profile 20D curved towards the outside obtained by deformation of the wall of the tray. The panel 22A of the other longitudinal wall has a corresponding recess 22D formed by deformation towards

  inside the wall of the tray.

  Each longitudinal edge 15A, 15B, 15C connecting trays con-

  tigues is formed by folding. It has a longitudinal groove or

  crease line 28, as shown in Figure 3.

  The groove 28 is defined by a semi-cylindrical deformation of the material constituting the edges 15 of the trays. This deformation of the material is carried out towards the inside of the packaging and facilitates the folding of the

  trays linked to each other along the longitudinal edges.

  The edges are advantageously weakened by a decrease in

  the thickness of the borders at the bottom of the grooves 28 in order to allow a

  easy packaging of trays. This weakening is achieved for example by partial cutting in the thickness of the material, for example using

of a laser beam.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bottoms 18 of the four trays

  assemblies delimit, along the axis of the rectangular parallelepiped, a lodge-

  ment or additional space 30 able to receive at least one article.

  In the embodiment of Figure 4, the bottoms of the trays

  have longitudinal indentations in cylinder portions denoted 32.

  They together define a generally cylindrical housing allowing

  to receive an object of revolution 34, such as a bottle.

  In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 4, the bases car-

  rees of the packaging are delimited by the trapezoidal end walls 24 of the trays. These are left free, the perimeter of each

  base of the package being defined by the edges 15 of the trays

managing the compartments.

  In a variant not shown, a printed plate forming a stopper is arranged along each base of the prismatic package. It is then bonded to the end walls 24 of the trays, thus masking the latter and closing off the housing 30. This plug can advantageously be produced by a printed cardboard plate or a printed plastic plate.

  As a variant, and as shown in FIG. 5, the plugs

  worn at the end of the packaging may include trays 40 provided with an opening 42 closed by a cover 44. The opening 42 is oriented

  towards the outside of the packaging and present, in the embodiment,

  presented, a square shape. Thus, the lid 44 constitutes a face

  uniform end of the package. This face is advantageously printed

  mée. The end trays 40 are for example glued to the walls

  24 of the four trays 1 OA to 1 OD.

  The means 16 for holding the trays assembled side by side

  to delimit a polyhedron can be of different natures, as re-

shown in Figures 6 to 11.

  In the embodiment of Figure 6, the holding means 16

  have two bands, noted 50, 52, extending laterally the edges

  res 15 end trays. They include means 53 for

  elastic latching one on the other.

  These bands are visible separately in FIG. 7, where the four trays 10A to 10OD are shown before the packaging is shaped. The bands 50, 52 extend beyond the borders 15. They are made integrally with the borders 15 and are connected to them by lines

longitudinal folding 54, 56.

  The elastic latching means 53 comprise complementary protruding and recessed profiles, noted 58, 60. These consist, for example, of pins 58 carried by the strip 50 and adapted to be received elastically in complementary recesses 60 defined in

  the facing surface of the strip 52.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the two assembled strips 50,

  52 form, after shaping the packaging, a tongue 62 extends

  over most of the length of the package.

  In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the strips 50, 52 have a width sufficient to allow the provision

  of a gripping opening 64. The openings 64 are arranged in re-

  gard so that the tongue 62 then defines a grip handle

  the packaging, allowing it to be carried by a hand inserted into the poi

  gné delimited by the openings 64 joined.

  Figures 9 and 10 show another variant of the means.

  16 for maintaining a package. In Figure 9, where the packaging is shown

  felt before polyhedral shaping, we see that the seal closing the

  end tray 10A have an extension 72 extending long

  tudinally beyond the edge 15 along the latter. This extension 72 is glued on its face oriented towards the trays and printed on its

external face.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, after conformation of

  the packaging, the extension 72 is folded over the side wall of the bar

  adjacent OD 10 quette and glued to it. The extension 72 then ensures the co-

  hesitation of the packaging and the maintenance of the trays assembled according to a

parallelepiped shape.

  According to yet another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the longitudinal sides of the end trays are provided with

  additional nesting means 80 delimited in the longitudinal section

  dinal of the border 15. The latter are for example constituted by a set of offset slots 82 each having substantially a shape

  of T. They are adapted to interpenetrate and thus ensure the connection of the

  hard engaged perpendicular to each other.

  In a variant not shown, the four trays constituting a

  parallelepiped packaging can be independent of each other

  very and be retained with each other by holding means provided along each of the longitudinal edges of the packaging. These holding means are for example a strip of adhesive tape, or even others

  connecting means, such as those shown in FIGS. 6 to 11.

  According to other alternative embodiments of the packaging, it

  titues a polyhedron different from a rectangular parallelepiped. For example, it has a prismatic shape of triangular section. In this case, only three trays are assembled to each other, the lids sealing

  the openings of the trays each constituting a longitudinal face la-

  of the prism. Any other regular or irregular polygon can be used as a basis for

  a prismatic package according to the invention.

  Likewise, the packaging may for example have the shape of a pyramid with four faces. Each side is delimited by a sealing cap

  tray whose opening is triangular in shape. Each operculum deli-

  then mite one of the faces of the pyramid.

  According to other variants, other means of maintaining the coherence

  trays can be used. Thus, a wrapping can surround

  Longer the trays. This banding consists of a heat-shrinkable sleeve which is heated after being placed around

assembled trays.

Claims (16)

  1.- Multi-compartment packaging, of the type comprising a   seems to trays (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) for receiving items to take   baller each provided with an opening (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) closed by a removable cover (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D), characterized in that the trays (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) are arranged side by side side to form a polyhedron, on at least two lateral faces of which, the openings (12A, 12B, 12C, 12D) of said trays open, the lids (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D) of all the trays each delimiting at least partially one side of the polyhedron.   2.- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that it pre-   feels the shape of a prism, the lateral faces of the prism being delimited   each at least partially by a cover (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D).   3.- Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the   bottoms (18) of the trays arranged side by side delimit between them a lo-   tubular housing (30) extending substantially along the height of the prism.   4. Packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the   trays bottoms have imprints (32) whose shape corresponds   substantially matches that of an article (34) intended to be received in said lo- gement.   5.- Packaging according to any one of claims 2 to 4, ca-   characterized in that the or each polygonal base of the prism is delimited   by a plug (40) covering the end walls (24) of said bars   bowls. 6.- Packaging according to claim 5, characterized in that the or   each stopper comprises at least one tray (40) provided with an or   opening (42) opening along the corresponding base of the prism and obturating   ree by a cover (44) delimiting said base.   7.- Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims.   tes, characterized in that at least certain trays (40) have come from materials with one another and form a strip which delimits at least two adjacent faces of the polyhedron, and in that it comprises   means (16) for holding the trays side by side to form a poly- edre.   8.- Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 6, ca-   characterized in that the trays are independent and in that it comprises   carries means (16) for holding the trays side by side to form a polyhedron.   9. Packaging according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the   holding means comprise a banding.   10.- Package according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that   said holding means (16) comprise an adhesive tape (16A).   11.- Package according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said means (16) for holding comprise latching means   elastic (56, 58) carried by bands (50, 52) extending said bars   quettes along the longitudinal edge of their opening (14A, 14D).   12.- Packaging according to claim 11, characterized in that the-   said longitudinal strips (50, 52) are crossed by an opening (64)   delimiting a handle for gripping the packaging.   13.- Package according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said holding means (16) comprise an extension (72) of the lid of a tray (10A), which extension (72) is glued to the   adjacent face of the tray (10D) arranged next to it.   14.- Packaging according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said holding means (16) comprise complementary slots   (82) delimited in borders (15) of the openings of the trays,   which slots (82) are adapted to interpenetrate.   15.- Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims.   teeth, characterized in that the trays have support sides (20A, 22A) on their side walls of the trays arranged side by side.   16.- Packaging according to claim 15, characterized in that the-   so-called supporting sections (20A, 22A) of the trays arranged side by side comprising   try associated profiles (20D, 22D) for positioning the trays.