FR2873101A1 - Food packing container for e.g. new born baby, has communication unit setting atmospheric pressure of container for introducing air inside inner volume, and adhesive film ensuring sealing of unit for setting pressure before container`s use - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has an opening for a nipple (4), and a sheet (29) sealing the opening. A head cap (30) indicates any attempt of accessing the container. A communication unit (5) permits communication of inner volume of the container with an external pressure and sets atmospheric pressure of the container for introducing air inside the volume. An adhesive film (32) ensures sealing of the unit (5) for setting the pressure before its use.

Description

SEALED CONTAINER FOR FORMING ALL OR PART OF A BOTTLE.

  TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the field of the food industry and more specifically to that of food packaging for very young children or infants. It is intended for a container that can seal a thermosensitive food for very young children or infants.

  The invention is more particularly a container capable of forming all or part of a bottle and to be used generally only once.

  PRIOR ART Generally, containers sealing water-sensitive foods are not suitable for feeding infants because they are not designed to receive a pacifier and do not include a content flow control system when of the suckling of the very young child. Examples include yogurts or flavored dairy drinks.

  Containers in the form of small bottles of milk or water on which a stopper is screwed are also known. This cap can then be replaced by a pacifier for feeding an infant.

  However, the foods contained in this type of container are not heat-sensitive. In fact, these are sterilized and / or pasteurized products sold on the shelves of long-life products and which are not stored at more than about 5 ° C. In other words, these foods marketed with this packaging can not have a high concentration of living organs particularly recommended for infants, such as lactic ferments.

  In addition, there is a problem with the use of baby bottles for infants. Indeed, during the suction of the liquid contained in a bottle, a depression is created inside this bottle opposing the suction force, which has the effect of slowing down, or even preventing the natural descent of the food under the effect of gravity. Thus, the infant must then stop sucking, which is not a natural reflex, to allow air from the outside environment to enter the internal volume of the bottle.

  To avoid this annoying phenomenon, means have been devised to allow air to enter the internal volume of the bottle. An example of this type of bottle is described in US Pat. No. 6,209,736, in which the deformation of a membrane makes it possible to inject air through holes made in the membrane. This device thus automatically regulates the depression that is created inside the bottle. In this way, the milk contained in the bottle can be sucked freely and continuously by the infant.

  Thus, the object of the invention is to provide a sealed container that can be filled aseptically with a thermosensitive food for infants. This container also has means for facilitating the continuous sucking of the infant.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention thus relates to a receptacle sealingly enclosing a thermosensitive food.

  It is characterized in that it comprises: an opening adapted to receive a pacifier; Means for closing the container tightly at the opening; É tamperproof means able to signal any attempt to access the inside of the internal volume of the container through the opening; Means for placing the internal volume of the container in communication with the external pressure, these means for putting the user under atmospheric pressure at any time, to allow the introduction of air into the volume; internal container; É tamperproof means capable of ensuring the seal at the means of putting the vessel under atmospheric pressure before its first use. In other words, an opening provided on the receptacle allows a teat to be put in place by various means. In a first embodiment, these means may comprise a ring having a tapping and coming for example to screw on a thread at the opening. In a second embodiment, these means may be latching means for securing the teat at the opening.

  Means make it possible to achieve a seal between the internal volume of the container and the external medium, at the level of the opening for placing the nipple. These means can be directly in contact with this opening and obstruct it until the introduction of the pacifier. Alternatively, these sealing means may be in contact with the nipple at the suction holes of the latter, so as to seal the container at the opening when it is equipped with the pacifier during manufacture.

  Tamper means are preferable to indicate that the tightness of the internal volume of the container could be interrupted at the opening.

  In addition, means for communicating the internal volume of the container with the external pressure are reported on the container, so as to allow the continuous suction of the heat-sensitive product by an infant. These communication means are also advantageously protected by tamper and sealing means. In this way, it is avoided, at these air intakes, any attempt to access the interior of the internal volume of the container and it is ensured that the food contained in the container is confined within the this volume.

  Advantageously, the filling of the container can be done through the opening for receiving the nipple. In this case, the means able to close the container sealingly at the opening are reported once the container filled with its contents.

  In practice, in the case where the container is not directly equipped with a pacifier for marketing, the means able to close the container tightly may be in the form of a sheet that completely covers the opening and which is secured to the container.

  In other words, when the teat is not reported on the container during its production, it is then possible to close the container at the opening by means of a sheet secured directly to the opening.

  In this case, the tamperproof means at the opening are formed by a non-repositionable adhesive capable of securing the sheet and the container. By non-repositionable glue, is also meant by extension sealing means by heat sealing in particular. In addition, it may be advantageous to use a sheet cut from a non-metallic material, so as to allow the heating of the thermosensitive contents of the container, by means of a microwave oven.

  Advantageously, according to another embodiment, the container may include the nipple previously installed at the time of production.

  In this case, the seal at the opening can be made at the suction opening of the nipple. This suction opening allows the food contained in the container to be sucked by the infant.

  The means capable of closing the container in a sealed manner may then comprise a cap covering the nipple. This cap is equipped with members capable of sealing.

  In other words, the seal may be made at different locations in the container, and particularly at the facing surfaces between the cap and a part of the container which may be a ring. Sealing may also be performed at the suction ports of the nipple by protrusions penetrating and sealingly closing these holes. It can also be carried out by means of a portion of tube that compresses the end of the nipple.

  According to a particular embodiment, the cap and the nipple can form a single-block assembly, the tamper-proof means being formed by a breakable connection. In other words, the cap and the nipple can be overmolded in different materials, but also be molded in the same material. The opening of the sealed container, to allow suction of the infant at the teat, is achieved by breaking the connection between the cap and the pacifier. In this way we release the holes able to let the thermosensitive food and the suction is allowed.

  According to another variant, the inviolability means at the opening may comprise a ring secured to the container and be formed by a plurality of breakable connections between the cap and the ring.

  In other words, the breakable bonds provide information detectable in view, but also during the opening of the cap by producing a resistance to the opening and a significant characteristic noise of the non-opening of the container before its first use by the user.

  Advantageously, the venting means may comprise an orifice and shutter means capable of closing the orifice at any time.

  In this way, the air enters the internal volume of the container through this orifice when a depression is generated by the suction of the infant. If the user, who is holding the bottle, wants to stop the suction and rest the container while its contents are not empty, it positions shutter means to close the orifice, and this as many times as he wishes it.

  In practice, the orifice can be made at the base of the container. This base is a substantially flat surface and opposite to the surface in which is inscribed the opening adapted to receive the nipple.

  Thus, when the infant is sucking the thermosensitive food contained in the container, the base thereof is positioned above the opening adapted to receive the pacifier. In this case, the base is then in contact with the air contained in the container. The communication between the internal volume of the container and the external pressure is therefore effected directly, without passing through the temperature sensitive food contained in the container.

  To facilitate the location of the orifice by the user, it may be advantageous to make this orifice at a central zone of the base of the container. Indeed, regardless of the orientation of the container during suction by the infant, the user can easily find the position of the orifice and stop if necessary, with his finger, the orifice during suction by the baby.

  The shutter member may be in various forms, including the forms presented below according to several variants.

  According to a first variant, the shutter member may be in the form of a partially bonded sheet by means of a repositionable glue.

  In other words, a portion of the sheet can be easily grasped by the user, so as to allow its separation from the base of the container. The adhesive used is advantageously a repositionable adhesive, so as to allow the user to re-glue the sheet at any time at the base of the container, and thus plug the orifice.

  According to another variant, the shutter member may comprise an outgrowth which penetrates inside the orifice. In this case, the seal can be achieved either by the excrescences themselves, thanks to a very tight fit with the orifice, or by ancillary means, such as an O-ring positioned around this protrusion between the element shutter and the container.

  Advantageously, and whatever the variant chosen, the shutter member may be partially secured, and in particular hinged relative to the container.

  Indeed, when the shutter member is hinged or more simply secured to the container, the user can then easily and quickly find it to seal the orifice.

  According to another embodiment, the shutter member may also include latching means for reversibly securing the shutter member to the container. In this case, when the shutter member can be disengaged from the container. The user must then carefully store this independent piece to reseal the orifice, especially if it wants to install the container.

  Advantageously, the shutter element and the orifice can be made by means of a flexible and deformable membrane. In this case, the membrane must be deformed by the user to allow communication between the internal volume of the container and the external pressure. This deformation of the membrane then makes it possible to enlarge orifices present in the membrane, and thus allows the air of the external medium to penetrate into the container.

  The flexible membrane can then be directly deformed by means of an auxiliary element secured to the container and having a geometry adapted to facilitate the deformation of the membrane. Thus, when this membrane is not deformed by the user, the container can be directly rested on its base without the food present in the container flows through the orifices of the membrane.

  In practice, the tamperproof means capable of sealing at the level of the venting means may be formed by a sheet covering these means. This sheet must be torn to access the means of venting.

  In other words, such as at the opening, the tamper and sealing means may be combined and made by means of a sheet secured to the container by a non-repositionable glue or other sealing means. This sheet is advantageously cut from a non-metallic material so as to allow the heating by means of a microwave oven, the thermosensitive food contained in the container.

  Foods that may be contained in the container do not require any preparation but may be reheated prior to consumption by the infants.

  This container can be manufactured directly on the manufacturing lines of the agro-industry by known techniques such as extrusion, twin-extrusion, blowing, molding, bi-injection, injection, roto-molding, or casting. On the production lines, it is then aseptically filled with the thermosensitive food based on dairy products which may contain living organisms such as lactic ferments, enzymes or additives such as flavorings or other products of the invention. biological origin. Such a container filled with its contents requires special storage conditions and in particular positive cold storage at about +4 C from the production lines to the refrigerator of the consumer.

Brief description of the figures

  The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages derived therefrom will be apparent from the description of the embodiment which follows, given by way of indication but not limitation; In support of the appended figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a variant of a container according to the invention; FIGS. 2 to 7 show different profile views of several variants for sealing at the opening of the container according to the invention; FIGS. 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views of different variants for producing the means for placing the internal volume of the container in communication with the external pressure, in accordance with the invention.

  How to realize the invention As already mentioned, the invention relates to a receptacle sealingly enclosing a thermosensitive food.

  In the variant shown in FIG. 1, the container (1) contains a thermosensitive food (2) which is advantageously intended for infants. The container comprises an opening (3) on which a nipple can be attached by means of a thread (24).

  In this embodiment, the container is not equipped with a nipple, and therefore, the seal at the opening (3) is only located at the contact between the opening (3 ) and the means (9, 19, 29) adapted to close the container (1).

  The tamper-proof means are produced by means of an adhesive (30) or a method of joining the sheet (29) covering the opening (3) and the upper surface of the container (1). The glue (30) used is then a non-repositionable glue capable of performing the function of inviolability means.

  According to the invention, the container (1) also comprises means (5) for placing the internal volume (6) of the container (1) in communication with the external pressure. These means (5) are here represented at the base (13) of the container (1) in a central area to facilitate their location during use of the container (1).

  Tamperproof means (12, 32, 42) seal the container (1) at the means (5).

  As before, the tamper-proof means are represented by a sheet (32) which can be glued or partially sealed so as to totally cover the means (5) for putting the container (1) under atmospheric pressure before its first use. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, there are numerous variants for illustrating the means (9, 19, 29) sealing at the opening (3) when it is equipped with a nipple (4). ). Many variants are also possible to achieve the inviolability means (10, 20, 22, 30).

  As shown in Figure 2, the means for sealing may comprise a cap (19). This cap (19) may have organs (23) able to seal at the orifices for sucking the food contained in the container (1) by the infant. These members (23) penetrate inside the container (1) and seal by means of a tight fit with the suction ports.

  Sealing is also necessary at the level of the connection between the nipple (4) and the body of the container (1). However, according to the invention, the teat (4) is part of the container (1) and the seal at this level is not described, because induced by the very characteristic of the container (1) which defines a sealed volume.

  As shown in Figure 3, it is also possible to use a teat (4) overmolded with a cap (19), or to make them in the same material. In this case, a breakable connection (22) can provide both sealing and inviolability at the suction points at the end of the nipple (4).

  As shown, the nipple (4) can be retracted inside the volume of the container (1) to reduce its bulk, but also to ensure cleanliness, or even sealing at the sucking surface of the nipple ( 4). In this case, sealing means can be reported between the ring which holds the teat and the cap (19).

  As shown, the means (5) of atmospheric pressure can be achieved by means of a flexible and deformable membrane (18), in which small holes allow air to penetrate inside the volume ( 6) when the user deforms this membrane.

  The tamperproof means capable of sealing are in this case represented in the form of a bonded sheet (32).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the container (1) is very compact thanks to the retraction of the nipple (4) inside its volume and means (9) flush with the ring ( 21) for holding the pacifier (4).

  As shown in Figure 5, the means (19) adapted to close the container tightly comprise members (23) penetrating into the suction holes of the nipple (4). A second seal to ensure cleanliness of the teat (4) can be achieved between the cap (19) and the ring (21) holding the nipple (4).

  As shown in Figure 6, the teat (4) is not necessarily retracted within the internal volume (6) of the container (1). However, in this case, the cap (19) advantageously has organs (23) able to seal at the suction ports of the nipple (4). Tamper means (10) ensure that no substance has been introduced inside the internal volume (6) of the container (1) since its production.

  In this representation, the inviolability means (10) are represented in the form of a breakable band solidarisant the ring (21) for fixing the nipple (4) with the cap (19).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the means (19) capable of sealing may comprise a portion of tube (33) in which the end of the nipple (4) containing the suction orifices come in a closed volume. .

  In this representation, the inviolability means are represented in the form of breakable connections (20) reported between the cap (19) and the ring (21) adapted to receive the nipple (4). Rotation of the cap (19) makes it possible to break these breakable connections (20). Resistance and characteristic noise allow the user to detect that the tightness of the container (1) has not been violated.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, numerous variants are possible for producing both the means (5) for setting atmospheric pressure, but also the tamper-proof means (12, 32, 42) capable of ensuring their tightness. .

  As shown in Figure 8, the means (5) may comprise an orifice (7) and a shutter member (8) in the form of a sheet (14) sticky - 12 - repositionable. This repositionable sheet (14) only makes it possible to seal at the orifice (7), one of the tamperproof means (32) being then reported to cover these means (5).

  In this example, they are represented by a second sheet, not repositionable on the container (1). This sheet (32) may be similar to the sheet (29), and as previously described in Figure 1. It can thus be glued or heat-welded to the base (13) of the container (1).

  As shown in Figure 9, means (5) may comprise a shutter member (28) provided with an outgrowth (11) penetrating inside openings (7). According to this variant, the shutter member (28) is articulated relative to the container (1) so as to facilitate its repositioning and ensure the tightness of the container (1) at the means (5).

  Indeed, the seal is here achieved by a tight fit of the protrusion (11) with the diameter of the orifice (7). The tamperproof means (12) are in the form of a breakable connection (42) able to guarantee the tightness of the container (1) at the means (5) until their first use.

  As shown in Figure 10, the shutter member (8) can be completely detached from the container (1) and be in the form of a snap cap (38). The latching means (16) may in particular be positioned at the level of the protrusion (11).

  The sealing is, in this example, carried out by means of a seal (24) which is reported all around the protrusion (11). The tamperproof means (12) may also be in the form of breakable links (42).

  Numerous combinations are therefore possible between all these variants to produce a container according to the invention.

  It follows from the foregoing that a container according to the invention has many advantages, in particular: It can contain in a sealed manner heat-sensitive foods intended to be ingested by infants; If it has a very small footprint facilitating its transport and batch packaging for example; It facilitates the absorption of the food by avoiding the phenomenon of depression that occurs inside the internal volume of the container during sucking by the infant.

- 14 -

Claims (17)

claims   1. Container (1) sealingly enclosing a thermosensitive food (2), characterized in that it comprises: an opening (3) adapted to receive a teat (4); Means (9, 19, 29) adapted to close the container (1) in a sealed manner at the opening (3); É tamperproof means (10, 20, 22, 30) capable of signaling any attempt to access the inside of the internal volume (6) of the container (1) through the opening (3); Means (5) for placing the internal volume (6) of the container (1) in communication with the external pressure, said means (5) for bringing to atmospheric pressure being able to be actuated by the user at any time to enable the introducing air into the internal volume (6) of the container (1); É tamperproof means (12, 32, 42) able to seal the means (5) for putting the container (1) under atmospheric pressure before its first use.   2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (3) allows the filling of the container (1).   Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (9) suitable for sealing the container (1) are in the form of a sheet (29) which completely covers the opening (3) and which is secured to the container (1).   4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the tamperproof means (10) at the opening (3) are formed by a non-repositionable adhesive (30) adapted to secure the sheet (29) and the container (1).   5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes the teat (4).   6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the means (9) adapted to close the container (1) sealingly comprise a cap (19) covering the nipple (4), said cap (19) being equipped with members (23, 33) capable of sealing.   - 15 - Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the cap (19) and the teat (4) form a single-block assembly, the tamper-proof means (10) being formed by the breakable connection (22). 8. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the tamperproof means (10) at the opening (3) comprise a ring (21) secured to the container (1) and are formed by a plurality of breakable bonds. (20) between the cap (19) and the ring (21).   9. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (5) for venting comprise an orifice (7) and shutter means (8, 14, 18, 28, 38) adapted to close the orifice (7) at any time.   Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the orifice (7) is formed at the base (13) of the container (1), said base (13) being a substantially flat surface and opposite to the surface in which is inscribed the opening (3) adapted to receive the pacifier (4).   Container according to claim 10, characterized in that the orifice (7) is formed in a central zone of the base (13) of the container (1).   12. Container according to claim 11, characterized in that the shutter member (8) is in the form of a sheet (14) partially adhered by means of a repositionable adhesive.   13. Container according to claim 11, characterized in that the shutter element (8, 28, 38) comprises an outgrowth (11) which penetrates inside the orifice (7).   14. Container according to claim 11, characterized in that the shutter member 30 (28) is partially secured, and in particular hinged relative to the container (1).   - 16 - 15. Container according to claim 11, characterized in that the shutter member (38) comprises latching means (16) for reversibly securing the shutter member (38) with the container (1).   16. Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the shutter member (8) and the orifice (7) are formed by means of a flexible and deformable membrane (18).   Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the tamperproof means (12) capable of sealing at the level of the venting means (5) are formed by a sheet (32) covering said means (5) and requiring to be torn to access said means.