FR2857332A1 - PACKAGING OF PACKAGING OF PLASTIC MATERIAL - Google Patents

Abstract

The package has a container with an opening delimited by a peripheral flange. The container is closed by a cover that includes a peripheral flange (3), a sealing disk (4) with a holding part (5) positioned at its periphery, and a line of least resistance (10). The line has a discontinuity at a level of which it extends locally in a direction of centre of the sealing disk near the holding part.

Description

PACKAGING OF PACKAGING OF PLASTIC MATERIAL

  The invention relates to packaging packaging, especially food products, made of plastic.

  Such plastic packages are widely known, especially for the packaging of food products. Among these, there may be mentioned a package described in document FR-A-2 707 951.

  This package consists of a rigid tray, which has an opening defined by an inverted U-shaped peripheral rim, and intended to receive a lid having a peripheral rim, of complementary shape, thus also inverted U-shaped, intended for be nested on the peripheral edge of the tray.

  The seal between the tray and the lid is provided by means of two annular bands, extending the respective peripheral edges of the tray and lid, welded together over the entire outer peripheral edge, and having a tear notch, to allow posterior opening of the lid, during the first use.

  However, such a lid does not satisfactorily ensure the closure of the container after first use.

  Document FR-A-2 471 925 also discloses a packaging, also made of plastics material, comprising a receptacle proper, closed off by a lid, with, as in the preceding example, joining by welding of the flanges extension and presence of a zone of least resistance of the lid. In this way, and during the first use, the cover is detached from its peripheral rim, and can be closed by nesting thereof, within the container, having for this purpose a shoulder cooperating with a shoulder which is also provided lid.

  In addition to the fact that the tool for manufacturing such a cover is relatively expensive, due to the complexity of its architecture, said cover, after first use becomes independent of the container, which is inconvenient to use.

  The invention proposes a packaging of the type in question, allowing first of all to optimize its tightness before use, in particular with gas, so as to be able to increase the conservation deadline significantly. As a corollary, the packaging according to the invention aims to optimize the inviolability, quite clearly, and moreover, allows to be molded in a single step.

  This objective is achieved by separating the functions of sealing and opening proper.

  This packaging of plastic packaging, consisting of a container closed by a lid, in which: - the container has an opening defined by a peripheral rim with inverted U-shaped section, formed by two respectively internal branches extending the side wall container, and external; - The cover comprises: a peripheral rim, also U-shaped section, of complementary shape to the peripheral rim of the container, intended to be fitted on the rim of said container, and to be secured thereto by gluing or welding; A cover disc proper, provided with a gripping member positioned substantially at its periphery; E a line of weakness, extending at the peripheral edge of the cover.

  It is characterized in that the line of least resistance has a discontinuity at which it extends locally towards the center of the disc in the vicinity of the gripping member.

  In addition, according to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the peripheral edge of the disk is provided with a radial rib extending between the location of implantation of the gripping member and the peripheral rim of the lid.

  The implementation of such a configuration, further doubled by the presence of the radial rib makes it possible to concentrate the force transmitted by the gripping member, during the first opening, in a specific and focused location of the line of lesser resistance, thus making it possible to provide such a line of least resistance of greater thickness, and consequently, to have a high tolerance, favoring the manufacture of the lid.

  In addition, due to the greater thickness of the line of least resistance, there is a hinge effect, which can be located in a diametrically opposite manner with respect to the location of the gripping member, allowing multiple reuse of the disc acting lid, and thus longer preserve the food contained in the container.

  Thus, the invention aims to divide the fixing functions, by welding or gluing, the lid on the container, and opening said container. Indeed, it is not strictly speaking the lid that is open, insofar as its peripheral rim remains permanently glued or welded on the peripheral rim of the container, but the central obturating disk which is likely to be open. In doing so, the sealing of the contents of said container is particularly optimized, particularly with respect to the containers of the prior art. In addition, there is a single piece, wherein said disc is not detached from the lid and container assembly.

  In a first embodiment of the invention, this line of least resistance is quasi-continuous and has interruptions capable of constituting articulation hinges of the disc on the peripheral rim of the cover.

  In another embodiment of the invention, this line of least resistance is in fact constituted by a succession of attachment points or pins, solidarisant at regular intervals the two parts of the flat portion of the peripheral rim of the cover, the zones said flat portion of the cover extending between the attachment points or pins being free of any material.

  The manner in which the invention may be implemented and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the following exemplary embodiments, given by way of non-limiting indication in support of the appended figures.

  Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a packaging package according to the invention, presented in closed configuration. Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, shown in open configuration.

  FIG. 3 is a view from above of the lid, according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view, and FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation in section, and FIG. in detail of the peripheral rim of the cover, in the vicinity of the characteristic rib of the invention.

  Figures 7 to 10 are representations similar to Figures 4 to 7 of a second embodiment of the invention.

  Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view in detail of the variant of the invention.

  Figure 12 shows the interlocking of the respective peripheral rims of the lid on the container according to the first embodiment, and Figure 13 is a similar view of the second embodiment of the invention.

  Figure 14 is a schematic perspective representation of a variant of the gripping ring of the invention in the closed position on the container, which Figure 15 illustrates in the stacking position, and Figure 16 in the welding position.

  FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the packaging package according to the invention.

  In the following description, this package is more particularly intended to receive a fresh food product, such as salad, etc.

  Basically, it comprises a rounded container (1), in the example described, of symmetry of revolution, having an upper opening (6) intended to be closed by a cover (2).

  The upper rim of the container (1) has an inverted U-shaped section, as can be seen in Figures 12 and 13.

  More specifically, this particular arrangement comprises an inner branch (7), an outer branch (8), the two branches being interconnected by a substantially horizontal portion (9).

  The inner branch (7) in fact extends the side wall of the container (1), the assembly being derived from the molding, in particular by injection.

  The lid (2) consists of a peripheral flange (3) designed to fit on the peripheral rim of the container (1), and further comprises a disc (4) closing the opening (6) of the container (1). The disc (2) is provided, in the vicinity of its periphery, with a gripping member (5), constituted in this particular case by a substantially circular ring, the two ends of which are secured to the base of the disc. closing (4) in the vicinity of the peripheral edge (3) of the cover (2).

  According to this embodiment, the gripping ring is systematically oriented in a plane parallel to the disk (4), except during the opening phases. It returns after such phases to its natural position in said plane parallel to the disc (4), due to the elastic effect of the plastic material that constitutes it.

  With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, a first embodiment of the lid (2) according to the invention has been described. The lid, according to this first embodiment, therefore has a flange (3) projecting from the general plane of the disc (4) (see Figures 4 and 5).

  The peripheral rim (3) of the lid (2) is also in inverted U-shaped section, so that it can fit on the peripheral rim of the container (1), as can be seen on the Figures 12 and 13.

  It consists of: 15. an inner branch (15), extending from the disc (4) and intended to come into contact with the inner branch (7) of the peripheral rim of the container (1), E d ' an outer leg (16) intended to cooperate with the outer leg (8) of the container (1), É and a flat portion (17) connecting continuously or discontinuously, said inner and outer legs (15) and ( 16).

  Advantageously, the outer branch (16) of the peripheral rim (3) of the cover (2) is provided with an inwardly directed projection (18) intended to promote cooperation between the outer branch (16) of the cover (2). ) and the lower end of the outer leg (8) of the container (1).

  According to the invention, the flat portion (17) of the peripheral rim (3) of the cover (2) has a zone of least resistance (10), substantially circular.

  This zone of least resistance is obtained by reducing the quantity of material at this level, as can be clearly seen, particularly in FIG. 6 or FIG.

  This line of least resistance (10) is substantially continuous, except at two zones (11), substantially diametrically opposite the implantation zone of the gripping ring (5).

  These zones (11) are intended to form hinges during the opening of the disk (4).

  As a corollary and according to the invention, the area of the peripheral rim located vertically above the gripping ring (5) has a discontinuity consisting of a spout (12) oriented towards the center of the disc (4), and intended to promote the initiation of breakage of the line of least resistance (10).

  In addition and according to a characteristic of the invention, the peripheral rim extends at the spout (12) by a rib (13), radial, extending substantially over the entire height of the peripheral rim, so that observe, especially Figures 5 and 6.

  This rib is in a way an extension of the beak (12).

  In doing so, the rib ends substantially on the disk between the two zones of implantation of the ends of the gripping ring (5) on the disk (4) (see FIGS. 5 and 11).

  This rib is intended to concentrate the tensile force exerted by the gripping ring (5) at the nozzle (12), and thereby promote the breaking of the line of weakness (10).

  By concentrating the tensile force, it becomes possible to increase the effective thickness of the line of least resistance (10), resulting in a double effect.

  Firstly, the hinge effect is increased by optimizing the mechanical resistance of pulling the disc out of the peripheral rim. It is not uncommon indeed that excessive traction exerted by the user causes the total tearing of the disc.

  In addition, it allows to achieve greater cooperation between the inner wall (15) of the peripheral rim (3) of the lid with the inner wall (7) of the rim of the container, optimizing the conditions of conservation of the contents of the container. container, after first opening, by the relative sealing born of this cooperation.

  In another embodiment shown in connection with FIGS. 7 to 10, the line of weakness (10) is replaced by the absence of any material at this level.

  Only pins (19) join at regular intervals the portions of the flat portion (17) of the peripheral rim of the cover (2). The hinge effect is maintained here by pins, in appropriate places, always in substantially diametrically opposite position with respect to the gripping ring (5), and the principle of the rib also remains the same.

  While the first embodiment is more particularly suitable in the context of a welding attachment of the peripheral rim (3) of the cover (2) on the peripheral rim of the container (1), the second embodiment is particularly suitable. implemented in the context of a joining by bonding.

  In the first case, the ultrasonic welding in particular, occurs substantially in an annular portion (20) external to the portion respectively (9) and (17) peripheral rims of the container (1) and the lid (2).

  On the other hand, the bonding (21) takes place substantially over the entire flat part, as can be seen in FIG. 13.

  This securing method makes it possible to give the contents of the container a perfect seal, including gas, for a given period, which is one of the 20 goals sought by the present invention.

  According to the invention, the assembly consisting of the cover (2), the sealing disc (4) and the gripping member (5) is monobloc and directly obtained by injection molding.

  The fastening system used and in addition the principle of the area of least resistance further confer inviolability to the container.

  Indeed, if it has been opened a first time, it appears obvious and immediate to the potential purchaser of said container.

  Moreover, by the closure system implemented, the opening of the container is very easy by the user, and is carried out in a single operation.

  According to a variant of the invention shown in relation to FIGS. 14 to 16, the gripping ring (5) is not secured to the base of the disc (4), but at the upper level of its peripheral rim, in a immediately adjacent to the spout (12). This embodiment avoids the implementation of the radial rib (13), and thus simplifies the realization of the packaging of the invention.

  In addition, this ring may be shaped so as to extend in two concurrent planes, as can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, thus allowing it to be folded onto the bottom of the disc (4). ) and, as a corollary, to favor the stacking of the packs according to the invention on top of one another.

  In order to open said package, it is first necessary to pull the tongue of the ring upwards, releasing the passage of the finger with which it is provided, and then proceed to a pull, whose efforts are concentrated at spout (12).

  It can be observed that by the implementation of the closure system of the invention, it avoids the establishment of any sealing system, which, although it ensures a satisfactory seal, on the other hand generates significant additional costs, both during the manufacture of the packaging and during its filling and closure.

  It is conceivable in fact all the advantages of the present invention in the context of storage and preservation of food products in containers, especially for so-called fresh products.

  In addition, the packaging of the invention is in one piece, fulfilling the various functions assigned to it, and in particular the sealing, and the various operations of opening and closing after consecutive first use.

Claims (8)

  1. Packaging packaging made of plastic, consisting of a container (1) closed by a lid (2), wherein: - the container (1) has an opening (6) defined by a peripheral rim 5 shaped section U inverted, formed of two respectively inner (7), extending the side wall of the container, and outer (8); the lid (2) comprises: a peripheral rim (3), also of U-shaped section, of shape complementary to the peripheral rim of the container (1) intended to be fitted on the rim of said container, and to be secured to that by gluing or welding; a disk (4) forming a lid proper, provided with a gripping member (5) positioned substantially at its periphery; a line of weakness (10) extending at the peripheral rim (3) of the cover (2); characterized in that the line of least resistance (10) has a discontinuity at which it extends locally (12) towards the center of the closure disc (4) in the vicinity of the gripping member (5) .   Plastic packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the discontinuity of the line of weakness (10) has the shape of a spout (12) in the direction of the center of the disk (4). plumb with the gripping member (5).   3. Plastic packaging according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the periphery of the closure disc (4) is provided with a radial rib (13) extending between the place of implantation of the gripping member (5) and the peripheral rim of the cover in the extension of the local extension (12) of the line of least resistance (10).   4. Packaging packaging plastic according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the solidarity of the peripheral rim of the lid (2) on the peripheral rim of the container (1) is made by welding, characterized in that the line of least resistance (10) is quasi-continuous, and has interruptions (11), able to form articulation hinges of the closure disc (4) on the peripheral rim of the cover (2).   5. Plastic packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening of the peripheral rim of the lid (2) on the peripheral rim of the container (1) is made by gluing, characterized in that the line of least resistance (10) is constituted by a succession of attachment points or pins (19), solidarisant at regular intervals the two parts of the flat portion (17) of the peripheral rim (3) of the lid (2), the zones said flat portion (17) of the cover (2) extending between the attachment points or pins (19) being free of any material.   6. Plastic packaging packaging according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gripping member (5) is constituted by a substantially circular ring, the two ends are secured to the base of the disc of shutter (4).   7. Plastic packaging according to one of claims 1, 2, 4 and 5, characterized in that the gripping member (5) is constituted by a ring secured to the upper level of the peripheral rim of the lid (2). ), in an area immediately adjacent to the spout (12).   8. Plastic packaging according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the assembly consisting of the lid (2), the sealing disc (4) and the gripping member (5) is monobloc and directly obtained from injection molding.