FR2877920A1 - PACKAGING FOR DESSERT WITH MOUNTING COMPRISING TWO COMPARTMENTS - Google Patents

Abstract

Food product package comprising two compartments (1, 2) separated by a cover (3), the first compartment (1) being adapted to contain a relatively solid first substance (11) and the second compartment (2) being adapted to contain a second substance (12) more liquid, characterized in that it comprises means (8) for making an easy opening in the lid (3) which makes possible the passage of the second substance (12) to the first compartment, and in that it comprises means (10; 13) for introducing air into the package to promote demolding.

Description

The invention relates to a two-compartment package for a product

  consisting of at least two substances, one relatively solid and one more liquid, such as a blank and its

  tablecloth, which have an incompatibility that makes it impossible to cohabitation, contact and / or filling, in the same package. In addition, the invention is also particularly suitable for these products consisting of two substances that require demolding before consumption. Finally, the invention relates to the demolding process as such and a method of packaging a product in such a package.

  It is known from the patent FR2759980 a package consisting of two compartments to dispose of milk and cereals, packaged separately. The two compartments are separated by a cap which is pierced just before consumption by a manual pressure of the consumer directly on the wall of the package. This solution allows mixing of both products in the package itself before consumption. However, it does not allow the demolding of a gelled substance, nor the realization of a coating on this gelled substance with the second substance.

  According to another solution described in the document US4154345, the package has a bottom easy to drill, allowing an air inlet to facilitate the release of a gelled substance, demolding which is also favored by the overall shape of the package. A relatively liquid coating substance may be placed on the bottom of the pot and form a batt during demolding since it falls on top of the gelled product as soon as it is demolded. This solution is however not suitable in all cases where the product must consist of two perfectly separated substances. For example, it is not suitable in cases where the two substances, such as a flan and a fruit coulis, can react chemically according to an osmosis phenomenon following prolonged contact. , osmosis which is manifested by the appearance of a relatively wide border zone, of degraded taste and unaesthetic because of modified color, at the level of the separation between the two substances. It is also not compatible with the processes for packaging the hot product, in which the two substances are filled in liquid form because of their high temperature, since a single compartment would cause their mixing.

  An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a packaging suitable for the packaging of two substances, which does not have the above disadvantages.

  More specifically, a first object of the present invention is to provide a suitable packaging for the packaging of two substances to obtain a clear boundary between the two substances that must remain separate.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a package for two substances which allows easy demolding of a gelled substance, and at the same time an aesthetic topping of the substance gelled by the second substance.

  A third object of the present invention is to provide a package for two substances that allows demolding according to a user-friendly demolding process.

  A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a method of making a package for two food substances that is simple and inexpensive.

  The invention is based on a packaging for foodstuff comprising two compartments separated by a cover, the first compartment being adapted to contain a first relatively solid substance and the second compartment being adapted. for containing a second more liquid substance, characterized in that it comprises means for making an easy opening in the lid which makes possible the passage of the second substance to the first compartment, and in that it comprises means for introduce air into the packaging to promote its demolding.

  According to a first variant, the means for achieving easy opening in the lid consists of a fragile portion of the lid which can be easily broken under the effect of manual pressure.

  According to a second variant, the means for making an easy opening in the lid comprises a piston directed towards the lid to pierce the lid in case of pressure on the underside of the package.

  Similarly, according to a first variant, the means for introducing air into the package is a fragile part of the wall of the second compartment.

  According to a second variant, the means for introducing air into the package is a lid closing an opening in the wall of the second compartment.

  According to a third variant, the means for introducing air into the package is a lid closing an opening of the wall of the second DA \ 1.N291.12FR. 1 compartment.doc compartment, connected by a tab to a second seal closing an opening of the seal between the two compartments.

  According to a fourth variant, the means for introducing air into the package is a lid closing an opening in the wall of the second compartment, connected by a wire to a lid closing an opening of the separation cap between the two compartments.

  The first compartment may be delimited by a frustoconical wall forming a shoulder, the second compartment being below the first compartment and delimited by a softer wall, the separating cap being welded or glued horizontally on the shoulder to separate the two compartments.

  Alternatively, the first compartment may be delimited by a frustoconical wall and in that the second compartment is disposed laterally against the extension of these walls.

  The invention also relates to a method of demolding a food product contained in a packaging as defined above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: opening a closure membrane; - Positioning the package down, above a pressure plate of the second compartment to cause the rupture of the lid and the opening of the wall to bring air; - substantially vertical movement towards the top of the package.

  The demolding process of the food product may also comprise the following steps: opening of a closure membrane; Depositing the package downwards, above a plate; pulling a tab to tear off a lid or a cover closing the wall of the second compartment; -traction of the same tongue to tear a lid or lid closing the separating lid between the two compartments; substantially vertical movement towards the top of the package.

  Finally, the invention also relates to a method of packaging a food product, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a-production by thermoforming a container comprising a wall in the upper part and a wall in the lower part; creating an air inlet means on the lower wall; filling the lower volume of the package delimited by the bottom wall with a substance; d-bonding or welding a lid to separate the upper volume delimited by the wall of the lower volume; filling the upper volume of the package placed above the lid with another substance; f-bonding or welding of a closure membrane.

  Step a of this process may include making a shoulder at the boundary between the top wall and the bottom wall.

  Step d may include welding or gluing of the lid onto the shoulder.

  Step b may comprise the production of a weakened portion in the wall or the production of an opening in the wall, closed by the welding or gluing of a lid.

  Step b may comprise the making of an opening in the wall, closed by the welding or gluing of a lid or by a lid, connected to a second lid by a tongue or respectively to a second cover by a wire, and step cl may include closing an opening of the lid by respectively the lid or the lid.

  These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments that are non-limiting in relation to the appended figures among which: FIG. 1 represents a sectional view of a packaging according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2a shows a perspective view of the package of the first embodiment of Figure 1; FIG. 2b represents a perspective view of the packaging of the first embodiment in a demolding phase of its contents; Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a variant of the first embodiment; Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a package according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the packaging of the second embodiment; FIG. 5b represents a perspective view of the packaging of the second embodiment in a demolding phase of its contents; Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a package according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 7a shows a perspective view of the package of the third embodiment; Fig. 7b shows a perspective view of the package of the third embodiment in a demolding phase of its contents; Figure 8 shows a sectional view of a package according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 9a shows a perspective view of the packaging of the fourth embodiment; Figure 9b shows a perspective view of the packaging of the fourth embodiment in a phase of demolding its contents; Figure 10 shows a sectional view of a package according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 shows a sectional view of a package according to a variant of the fifth embodiment of the invention.

  Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a package. Such a package comprises a first main compartment 1 above a second annex compartment 2, separated by a separation membrane or cover 3, which may be aluminum or PET. The first compartment consists of 1 frustoconical sidewalls 4, defining upper flanges 5 on which rests a conventional closure membrane 6. The frustoconical walls 4 further define a shoulder 7 towards the inside of the compartment, on which the membrane 3 rests. The latter is waterproof and guarantees an efficient and durable separation between the two compartments. It further comprises a fragile central portion 8 intended to allow easy breakage during demolding, which will be described later. The second compartment 2, of smaller volume, has a frustoconical shape and a wall 9 more flexible than that of the first compartment. It also includes a fragile portion 10 to allow the realization of an opening causing an air inlet to facilitate demolding. The fragile portions 8 and 10 are defined to yield under the effect of a voluntary pressure, achieved by the manual force of a DA \ 1.N29 1. 12FR. 1 deposit.doc child, while being strong enough not to give in during transport and storage operations.

  Figures 2a and 2b show the demolding phase of the contents of the package. The first operation is to remove the membrane 6 and then return the package on a plate, not shown. Manual pressure is then performed on the wall 9 of the compartment 2, favored by the flexibility of this wall. This pressure causes the breaking of the fragile portions 8 and 10. The rupture of the fragile portion 8 of the lid 3 puts the contents of the two compartments in contact, and allows the contents 12 of the compartment 2 to descend under the effect of its weight to the compartment 1. This pressure also has the effect of deforming the entire lid 3 and give it a downward slope, which will naturally lead a liquid substance from compartment 2 to the opening made and its passage to the compartment 1 to occupy a space released by the product 11 of the compartment 1 which begins to slide down. The rupture of the fragile portion 10 causes air to enter the package which allows the gelled product of the first compartment 1 to descend naturally under the effect of its weight by sliding against the frustoconical wall 4 while the consumer gently raises the pressure. packaging vertically. The air inlet makes it possible to balance the inner pressure of the pack with the atmospheric pressure and to avoid the difficulties of demolding related to the unfavorable pressure forces. This fragile portion 10 may be provided slightly stronger than the fragile portion 8 in order first to obtain the rupture of the cover 8 before that of the part 10. This prevents the substance 12 of the compartment 2 from being ejected towards the outside by the opening made in the wall 9 under the effect of pressure.

  As the gelled product 11 leaves the package, the more liquid substance 12 moves from its compartment 2 to the AD1. N291.12EN.1. compartment 1, a proportion accumulating on the top of the gelled product. Finally, the latter comes out of the package and allows the descent of the substance 12, which forms an attractive layer. All the preceding steps are linked naturally and quickly while the consumer is content to reassemble the package relatively gently. As soon as the gelled product is completely demolded, the topping takes place very quickly, which gives an impression of simultaneity to the consumer. As the opening of the membrane 8 is made at its center, the liquid substance 12 falls towards the center of the product 11 and gives a substantially uniform and attractive coating. Demolding is very user-friendly because two gestures are sufficient before lifting the package and obtain demolding: detachment of the membrane 6 and the pressure of the compartment 2. In addition, these operations have a playful side that further increases its usability.

  Of course, the previous sequence and the speed of realization of the demolding depend on the properties of the substances in the package. However, the above principle gives a satisfactory result for any combination of a relatively solid and viscous substance 11, for example a gelled substance such as a blank, with a relatively liquid substance 12, for example a jam, a syrup, a slurry, caramel, a chocolate cream, which can possibly contain pieces.

  FIG. 3 represents a variant of this first embodiment in which the means for introducing air into the packaging during demolding is no longer a fragile part of the wall 9 of the compartment 2 but a cover 13 welded to an opening in the bottom of the package. The operating principle remains the same. During demolding, the consumer presses the compartment 9 to obtain the rupture of the part 8 of the lid 3. Then he detaches the lid 13 to obtain the entry DA \ 1.N291.12EN.1 deposit.doc air. He can then lift the package vertically to obtain the same result as that described previously.

  Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention in which a piston 14 is provided in the compartment 2, connected to the bottom of the package and directed towards the lid 3. In this solution, the consumer realizes preferably a pressure of the compartment 2 by pressing on the bottom of the package, at the connection between the wall 9 and the piston 14, to allow the descent of the piston 14 to pierce the lid 3.

  Figures 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the wall 9 has an opening in the bottom of the package, closed by a cover 15, connected by a connecting wire 17 to a cover 16 similarly closing an opening in the central part of the lid 3. The demolding is shown in Figures 7a and 7b. After having detached the membrane 6 and returned the package to a plate, the consumer grasps a tab 18 fixed on the lid 15 and pulls it so as to remove the lid 15. It then continues its traction, which has the effect of tightening the connecting wire 17 and then detach the lid 16 of the lid 3. The two covers 15 and 16 are designed to be easily detached. For this, pre-cutting can be provided. The result obtained is then the same as in the previous modes of execution.

  Figures 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the wall 9 has an opening in the bottom of the package, closed by a cover 13, connected by a tab 19 to a closing cap 20 of even an opening in the central portion of the lid 3. The demolding, shown in Figures 9a and 9b, is performed similarly to the previous embodiment, a pull on the DA \ 1.N291.12FR.1 depot.doc membrane 13 by its tongue 18 causing the takeoff of the covers 13 and 20.

  Figures 10 and 11 show two variants of the fifth embodiment of the invention. The second compartment 2 is disposed laterally between the frustoconical lateral wall 4 and the separation membrane 3 with the first compartment 1. The membrane 3 comprises a fragile part 8 intended to be broken under the effect of a manual pressure on the wall 4 of the package, at the time of demolding. According to Figure 10, the wall at the bottom of the compartment 1 comprises an opening closed by a lid 13 for the air inlet during the demolding operation. Alternatively shown in Figure 11, the bottom wall of the compartment 1 comprises a weakened portion 10 for this air inlet.

  The preceding embodiments illustrate the invention and can be easily combined to obtain other modes of execution. In addition, other equivalent means of air inlet and / or other opening means of the separation membrane 3 can be made, without departing from the scope of the invention.

  The compartments may have different shapes and their walls may contain grooves for easy demolding.

  According to one possible variant, the wall 9 of the compartment 2 may have a concave shape on the bottom of the package, in order to avoid shocks on the fragile part which could deteriorate it during storage, transport ...

  The invention also relates to a method of packaging a food product to at least two substances in a package, including the manufacture of the package and its filling. Such a method may advantageously be based on a thermoforming of materials DA \ 1.N291. 12GB. 1 deposit.doc plastics such as polystyrene. This type of process, in addition to its simplicity, has the advantage of allowing the manufacture of the packaging and its filling simultaneously.

  Thus, the essential steps of the method of manufacturing such a package, corresponding to embodiments 1 to 4 are the following: a-production by thermoforming a container comprising a wall 4 in the upper part and a wall 9 in the lower part; b-making an air inlet means on the bottom wall 9; c-filling of the lower volume of the package delimited by the bottom wall 9 by a first substance 12; d-bonding or welding a lid 3 to separate the upper volume defined by the wall 4 of the lower volume; e-filling the upper volume of the package placed above the lid 3 by a second substance 11; f-bonding or welding of a closure membrane 6.

  Step a may comprise the production of a shoulder 7 at the level of the boundary between the upper wall 4 and the bottom wall 9.

  Step b may consist in producing a weakened portion 10 in the wall 9 or producing an opening, closed by the welding or gluing of a lid 13 or by a lid 15 connected to a second lid 16 by a thread 17.

  Step d may comprise the welding or gluing of the lid 3 on the shoulder 7. It may furthermore comprise the step of producing a fragile portion 8 on the lid, or the welding or gluing of a cover 20, or closure by a cover 16.

  Alternatively, the package may be manufactured separately by any other type of packaging manufacturing method existing in the prior art before being subsequently filled with the substances 11 and 11. 12, the lid 3 and the membrane 6 being then added during filling. This can make it possible to obtain more varied forms of packaging, as represented in FIGS. 10 and 11.

  Finally, the solution according to the invention has the following advantages: it ensures an effective separation of two food substances until they are consumed; - demolding is easy because a few simple gestures are enough; it is user-friendly because the clear separation between the two substances causes an attractive aesthetic effect, the demolding makes it possible to obtain a successful and attractive topping and presents a playful aspect; it can be implemented with a simple and inexpensive packaging process.

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Claims (16)

claims   1. A food product package comprising two compartments (1, 2) separated by a cover (3), the first compartment (1) being adapted to contain a relatively solid first substance (11) and the second compartment (2) being adapted to contain a second substance (12) more liquid, characterized in that it comprises means (8) for making an easy opening in the lid (3) which makes possible the passage of the second substance (12) to the first compartment and in that it comprises means (10; 13) for introducing air into the package to promote demolding.   2. Packaging for food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (8) for making an easy opening in the lid (3) consists of a fragile portion of the lid (3) which can be easily broken under the effect of manual pressure.   3. Packaging for food product according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (8) for making an easy opening in the lid (3) comprises a piston (14) facing the lid (3) to pierce the cover in case of pressure on the underside of the package.   4. Packaging for food product according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for introducing air into the package is a fragile part (10) of the wall (9) of the second compartment (2) .   5. Packaging for food product according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for introducing air into the package DA \ 1.N291.12EN.1 deposit.doc is a seal ( 13) closing an opening of the wall (9) of the second compartment (2).   6. Packaging for food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for introducing air into the package is a lid (13) closing an opening of the wall (9) of the second compartment (2), connected by a tongue (19) to a second seal (20) closing an opening of the seal (3) separating the two compartments (1, 2).   Food package according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for introducing air into the package is a lid (15) closing an opening in the wall (9) of the second compartment (2), connected by a wire (17) to a cover (16) closing an opening of the seal (3) separating the two compartments (1, 2).   8. Packaging for food product according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first compartment (1) is delimited by a frustoconical wall (4) forming a shoulder (7), the second compartment (2) being below the first compartment (1) and delimited by a softer wall (9), the separating cap being welded or glued horizontally on the shoulder (7) to separate the two compartments (1, 2).   9. Packaging for food product according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first compartment (1) is delimited by a frustoconical wall (4) and in that the second compartment (2) is arranged laterally against the extension of these walls (4).   DA \ 1.N29 1. 12FR. 1 deposit.doc 10. Method of demolding a food product contained in a package according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: -opening of a closure membrane (6); -positioning the package down, above a pressure plate-second compartment (2) to cause the rupture of the lid (3) and the opening of the wall (9) to enter the the air; substantially vertical movement towards the top of the package.   11. A method of demolding a food product contained in a package according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - opening of a closure membrane (6); -positioning the package downwards, above a traction plate of a tongue (18) to tear off a lid (13) or a cover (15) closing the wall (9) of the second compartment (2) ; -traction of the same tongue (18) to tear a lid (20) or a lid (16) closing the separating lid (3) between the two compartments (1, 2); substantially vertical movement towards the top of the package.   12. A method of packaging a food product, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a-making by thermoforming a container comprising a wall (4) in the upper part and a wall (9) in the lower part b-making an air inlet means on the bottom wall (9); I) A \ 1.N29 1. 12FR. 1 deposit. doc c-filling the lower volume of the package delimited by the bottom wall (9) by a substance (12); d-bonding or welding a lid (3) to separate the upper volume delimited by the wall (4) of the lower volume; e-filling the upper volume of the package placed above the lid (3) by another substance (11); f-bonding or welding of a closure membrane (6).   13. A method of packaging a food product according to claim 12, characterized in that step a comprises the production of a shoulder (7) at the level of the boundary between the upper wall (4) and the lower wall ( 9).   14. A method of packaging a food product according to claim 13, characterized in that step d comprises welding or gluing the lid (3) on the shoulder (7).   15. A method of packaging a food product according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that step b comprises the production of a weakened portion (10) in the wall (9) or the realization of an opening in the wall (9), closed by the welding or gluing of a lid (13).   16. A method of packaging a food product according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that step b comprises producing an opening in the wall (9), closed by welding or gluing of a lid (13) or a lid (15), connected to a second lid (20) by a tongue (19) or to a second lid (16) by a wire (17), and in that the step d includes the closure 1DA \ 1.N29 1.1 2FR. 1 deposit. doc of an opening of the lid (3) by respectively the lid (20) or the lid (16). 1DA \ 1.N291.12EN.1 filing.doc