FR3031732A1 - FOOD PACKAGING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a food packaging device (1a, 1b) comprising at least one open compartment (5a, 5b), said device (1a, 1b) comprises at least one extraction element (3a, 3b) arranged in said at least one a compartment (5a, 5b) on which a food product (4) can be placed.

Description

The present invention relates to a food packaging device adapted to the packaging of food products such as bakery products, pastry products, confectionery or the like. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a food packaging device and a method of using this device.

Traditionally, it is customary to use a food packaging device consisting of a lid and a container secured by a hinge for packaging a food product such as a sandwich. Such a packaging device generally has a square section and includes a hook closure system. During the consumption of the food product, the device must be opened by the consumer who then grasps with one hand the food product disposed in the container and holds the other hand with the device by the container to prevent the sauce or the filling that is repressed from the food product when it is consumed does not fall on its clothes. One of the disadvantages of such a packaging device is that it is messy for the consumer in addition to being unhygienic because the latter must seize the product with his hands. In addition, it makes the consumption of the product tedious in addition to not being practical for example that the lid, secured to the container, can come to hit the consumer's face while it is feeding.

To overcome these disadvantages, there is known in the prior art another type of food packaging device which is substantially cylindrical and formed of a plurality of parallel strips. This device makes it possible to consume the food product by removing the strips one after the other to have access to the food product.

However, a major disadvantage of such a packaging device is that it is essentially suitable for food products having an elongated shape such as baguette type sandwiches. In addition, the strips that are detached from the packaging device during consumption of the food product come to clutter the consumer who must then store them before disposing of them by throwing them in a bin, which makes the consumption of the product little convenient.

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the various disadvantages mentioned above. For this purpose, the invention relates to a food packaging device comprising at least one open compartment and at least one extractor element arranged in said at least one compartment and on which a food product is capable of being placed. In other embodiments: the food packaging device comprises a support member having walls defining said at least one open compartment and in that said at least one extractor element which is arranged in said at least one compartment is mechanically connected in said at least one compartment to the support member; Said at least one extractor element is mechanically connected to an inner surface of a support member located at at least one of the walls; - The extractor element comprises a first end provided with a fixing zone; an attachment zone of said at least one extractor element is able to make a mechanical connection with an inner surface of a support element located at an upper wall, in particular at a front end of said wall; said at least one extractor element comprises a second end forming a gripping element and which is capable of protruding from said at least one compartment, in particular between front ends of the upper and lower walls; - said at least one extractor element is adapted to cover all or part of an inner surface of the support member located at the upper, lower and rear walls in said at least one compartment; in said at least one compartment, an upper wall comprises a transparent zone; - The support member comprises at least one side wall which connects all or part of the lateral ends of the upper and lower walls between them; the support element comprises a plurality of compartments formed by lateral and internal walls connecting upper and lower walls to each other; the internal walls are substantially parallel to at least one lateral wall of the support element; - A support member is made of a first material which is semi-rigid, especially cardboard, and - said at least one extractor element is made of a second material which is flexible, especially food packaging paper.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a food packaging device comprising the following steps: cutting of a first part in a first material capable of forming a support element and at least a second part in a second material capable of forming at least one extractor element; assembling said at least one second cut piece with the first cut piece by making a mechanical connection, and folding the first piece so as to form the support member provided with walls defining at least one open compartment . The invention also relates to a method of using a food packaging device comprising at least one open compartment, comprising a step of extracting a food product placed on at least one extraction element arranged in said at least one compartment, the extraction step comprising a substep of actuating said at least one extractor element so as to cause a release of the food product of said at least one compartment. Advantageously, the actuation sub-step provides for the application of a driving force on the at least one extractor element 25 intended to cause it to move forward. Other advantages and features of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which will follow, with reference to the figures, given as an indicative and nonlimiting example: FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are representations of a first variant of a food packaging device according to the embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a view of a second variant of the food packaging device according to the embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is a view of the first variant of the unfolded food packaging device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 is a flow chart relating to a method of manufacturing the device. food packaging, and Figure 9 is a flow chart relating to a method of using the food packaging device.

In the description, the following terms mean: - "before", the parts located towards the end of the food packaging device where the food product is likely to come out of the latter and "back" the parts situated in the opposite direction; - "lateral" means the parts situated at the sides of the food packaging device; - "upper", the upper part of the food packaging device and "lower" the lower part.

In addition, in Figures 1 and 6 are shown the front parts A1 and rear A2 and the sides C1, C2 of the food packaging device 1a, 1b. In this embodiment of the invention, the food packaging device 1a, lb is intended for packaging one or more food products 4 such as for example a bakery product, confectionery, pastry or the like. This packaging device 1a, lb comprises a support member 2a, 2b and at least one extractor element 3a, 3b. The support member 2a, 2b comprises walls 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, and at least one open compartment 5a, 5b. This packaging device 1a, lb comprises as many extractor elements 3a, 3b as compartments 5a, 5b as illustrated for example the packaging device 1a, lb shown in Figure 6. More specifically, the support element 2a, 2b comprises upper walls 6a, 6b and lower 8a, 8b interconnected at their rear end 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b by a rear wall 7a, 7b. This support element 2a, 2b is made of a first material which can be semi-rigid such as cardboard or plastic. This material may have water absorption characteristics and / or fat. In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is illustrated a first variant of the packaging device 1a, the support member 2a comprises a single compartment 5a defined by the upper walls 6a, lower 8a and rear 7a. In this first variant, the upper and lower walls 6a and 8a have a substantially similar shape which is for example rectangular (visible in FIGS. 1 to 3), triangular (visible in FIG. 5) or circular (visible in FIG. ). These upper walls 6a and lower 8a have substantially equal dimensions. The rear wall 7a which connects these upper and lower walls 8a and 8a can have a shape which is similar to that of a quadrilateral, in this first variant this form is rectangular.

In the first variant of the packaging device 1a, the compartment 5a defined in the support element 2a is open at a front portion A1 of the packaging device 1a but also on the sides C1, C2 of the latter as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5. However, in this first variant, at least one side C1, C2 of the packaging device may comprise a side wall 9a visible in Figure 3. This side wall 9a is able to connect all or part of the lateral ends 19a, 20a of the upper and lower walls 6a and 8a to each other. FIG. 6 shows a second variant of the packaging device 1b, the support element 2b comprising a plurality of open compartments 5b. These compartments 5b are defined by the upper 6b, lower 8b, rear 7b, side 9b and inner walls 10 of the packaging device 1b. More specifically, the side walls 9b are able to connect all or part of the lateral ends 19b, 20b of the upper 6b and lower 8b walls between them. These side walls 9b are defined on both sides C1, C2 of the packaging device 1b. Thus, the side walls 9b, upper 6b, lower 8b and rear 7b 25 define a space in which the inner walls 10 delimit the compartments 5b of the support member 2b by connecting the upper 6b and lower 8b walls therebetween. The compartments 5b defined in the support member 2b may each have a volume substantially similar to each other. It should be noted that the inner walls 10 are substantially parallel to at least one side wall 9b of the support member 2b. In addition, the side walls 9b and inner 10 are arranged in the support member 2b so as to be substantially perpendicular to the upper walls 6b and lower 8b. In the second variant, the upper 6b and lower 8b walls have a similar shape that is for example rectangular (visible in Figure 6). The rear wall 7b which connects these upper 6b and lower 8b walls can have a shape similar to that of a quadrilateral, in this second variant this shape is rectangular. In the second variant, the compartments 5b of the packaging device 1b are open at the front portion A1 of the packaging device 1b, which can be seen in FIG. 6. In fact, each compartment 5b comprises an opening at this portion. before Al of the device 1 b. In these two variants of the packaging device 1a, 1b, the upper wall 6a, 6b comprises a transparent zone 16 forming a window at the compartment or compartments 5a, 5b of the packaging device 1a, 1b. When the packaging device lb comprises several compartments 5b, the upper part 6b may comprise as many transparent areas 16 as compartments 5b as illustrated by the packaging device 1b shown in FIG. 6. This transparent zone 16 allows to present the food product 4 included in the compartment (s) 5b of the packaging device in the consumer's view to attract his attention and so that he can make a choice.

The extractor element 3a, 3b comprises first and second ends 12a, 13a, 13b. This extractor element 3a, 3b is arranged in the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant of the food packaging device 1a, 1b.

More specifically, the extractor element 3a, 3b is mechanically connected to an inner surface 11a, 11b of the support element 2a, 2b at the level of at least one of said walls 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b defining the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant of the food packaging device 1a, 1b. In other words, the extractor element 3a, 3b comprises an attachment zone 14 which is able to cooperate for example with both all or part of the inner surface 11a, 11b of the support element 2a, 2b located at the level of the rear wall 7a, 7b and the upper wall 6a, 6b so as to make a mechanical connection with the support member 2a, 2b, that is to say to be fixed to the support. Preferably, the attachment zone 14 is able to cooperate with all or part of the inner surface 11a, 11b of the support element 2a, 2b located at the level of the upper wall 6a, 6b, in particular with a portion of the inner surface 11a, 11b located at the front end 15a, 15b of this upper wall 6a, 6b. The attachment zone 14 is located at the first end 12a of the extractor element 3a, 3b. This attachment zone 14 makes it possible to make a mechanical connection with the support element 2a, 2b for example by gluing or welding. The other end of the extractor element 3a, 3b here the second end 13a, 13b, is provided to project from the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant of the food packaging device 1a, lb as illustrated by the packaging device 1a, lb shown in Figures 1 to 6.

This second end 13a, 13b forming a gripping member of the device 1a, 1b protrudes, for example between the front ends 15a, 15b, 21a, 21b of the upper walls 6a, 6b and lower 8a, 8b, or at the level of an orifice (not shown) arranged in the bottom wall 8a, 8b, in particular at the front end 21a, 21b of this bottom wall 8a, 8b. This orifice may have sufficient dimensions to allow the passage and / or the sliding of the second end 13a, 13b of the extractor element 3a, 3b.

The extractor element 3a, 3b is arranged in the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant of the food packaging device 1a, 1b, so as to cover all or part of the inner surface 11a, 11b of the support member 2a, 2b located at the upper walls 6a, 6b, lower 8a, 8b and rear 7a, 7b of the or each compartment 5a, 5b as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7. Indeed, the extractor element 3a, 3b may have a shape substantially similar to that of the support member 2a, 2b. In particular, it has a width L1 which is substantially similar to the width L2 of the compartment or compartments 5a, 5b defined in the support element 2a, 2b according to the first or the second variant. The width L1 of the extractor element 2a, 2b must be defined as a function of the width L2 of the support element 2a, 2b so as to allow displacement of the extractor element 2a, 2b in the compartment 5a, 5b with a minimum of possible friction in particular with the side walls 9a, 9b and internal when the support member 2a, 2b is provided. With regard to the length d1 of the extractor element 3a, 3b, it is defined as a function of the location of the fixing zone 14 on the inner surface 11a, 11b of the support element 2a, 2b of the upper wall 6a, 6b and the size of the second end 13a, 13b of this element which is defined to project from the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant of the food packaging device 1 a, 1 b. For example, in FIG. 7, which represents the first variant of the device 1a when it is unfolded, the length d1 of the extractor element 3a whose attachment zone 14 is situated at the front end 15a of the upper wall. 6a, is substantially greater than the length d2 of the support member 2a.

Alternatively, it will be noted that this extractor element 3a, 3b may be of a smaller width L 1 forming for example a bead or a tongue.

The extractor element 3a, 3b is made of a second material that can be flexible such as food packaging paper. This second material may be edible, biodegradable and / or have water and / or fat absorption characteristics.

The extractor element 3a, 3b is thus movable relative to the support of the packaging device, so as to be able to drive outward of the packaging of a food product / food that would be positioned in the compartment 5a, 5b.

It will be noted that, in one variant, the food packaging device 1a, 1b can comprise several extractor elements 3a, 3b located in the same compartment 5a, 5b. Such a configuration can be implemented when the compartment 5a, 5b comprises several food products which are then each arranged on one of these extractor elements 3a, 3b.

This food packaging device 1a, 1b is made from a manufacturing method comprising a step of defining: the shape of the support element 2a, 2b on a first piece in the first material of semi-rigid preference. More precisely, the shape of the walls 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b which constitute it. For the first variant, it is the shape of the upper walls 6a, 6b and lower 8a, 8b which can be rectangular, triangular or circular, as well as rear and / or side walls 7a, 7b, 9a, 9b. For the second variant, it is the same walls with in addition the inner walls 10, and - the shape of the extractor element 3a, 3b or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support member 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant of the food packaging device 1a, 1b, on a second piece in the second preferably flexible material. The shape of the extractor element 3a, 3b is defined according to that of the support element 2a, 2b and in particular of its upper walls 6a, 6b, lower 8a, 8b and rear 7a, 7b and also depending on the location. of the attachment zone 14 on the inner surface 11a, 11b of the support element 2a, 2b located at the level of the upper wall 6a, 6b and the size of the second end of the extractor element 3a, 3b which is provided to protrude the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support member 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant.

This definition step 22 is performed by a device capable of making cutting lines on the first part as well as on the second part provided for the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant.30 The method then provides a cutting step 23 of these first and second (s) parts. This step 23 is performed by a cutting device that is capable of performing this cutting according to the cutting lines defined on each of the first and second (s) parts.

It will be noted that at least one transparent zone 16 at the portion of the first part which corresponds to the upper wall 6a, 6b may be defined by cutting lines during the definition step 22. Thereafter at least an opening corresponding to these cutting lines can be made at this part of the first piece relative to the upper wall 6a, 6b, during the cutting step 23. Next, this opening is covered with a film of material transparent bonded at the inner surface 11a, 11b of the support member 2a, 2b located at the upper wall 6a, 6b so as to form the transparent zone 16. The method then provides a step of realization 24 on the first cut piece of fold lines. For example, in Figure 7 which shows the first variant of the packaging device unfolded, which is shown folded in Figures 1 and 2, the fold lines are two in number and are located at the junction of the rear wall 7a with the rear end 17a, 18a of the upper walls 6a and lower 8a. These fold lines thus make it possible to form the support element 2a comprising the walls defining at least one compartment 5a, 5b open, during a folding step 27. The second variant of the packaging device 1b is made according to the same principle. The method also comprises an assembly step 26 of the second cut piece with the inner surface 11a, 11b of the connecting element 2a, 2b located at at least one of the walls in the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant. This assembly step 26 provides the realization of a mechanical connection between the second cut piece and the inner surface 11a, 11b of the support member 2a, 2b. More specifically in the or each compartment 5a, 5b according to either of the two variants, the attachment zone 14 of the extractor element 3a, 3b is assembled by bonding with all or part of the upper wall 6a, 6b of the support element 2a, 2b, preferably at the front end 15a, 15b of this wall 6a, 6b. This assembly step 26 can be carried out indifferently before or after folding step 27. In the context of the implementation of this food packaging device 1 a, 1 b, a method of using this device 1a, 1b comprises an extraction step 29 of the food product 4 placed on the extractor element 3a, 3b arranged in the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to the first variant or the second variant of the packaging device 1a, 1b. To do this, the method first provides a mounting step 27 of the packaging device 1a, lb by folding, if the latter is stored unfolded by the user of this device, here for example a baker, a restaurant or even a confectioner. Once the packaging device 1a, lb folded, the user goes in an arranging step 28, place at least one food product 4 in this packaging device 1a, lb and in particular on minus an extractor element 3a, 3b. Either by seizing it directly with the packaging device 1a, 1b, especially when it is the first variant of this packaging device 1a whose compartment 5a is open at the level of the front part A1 but also on the sides C1, C2, or using a suitable utensil for an optimal arrangement of the food product 4 in the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the support member 2a, 2b according to either of the two variants. The extraction step 29 of this process comprises the following sub-steps: - capture of the second end 13a, 13b of the extractor element 3a, 3b forming the gripping element of the packaging device 1a, 1 b, for example by a consumer of the food product 4, and - actuation 31 of the extractor element 3a, 3b so as to cause a release / extraction of the food product 4 out of the compartment 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b. This actuating sub-step 31 provides for the application of a driving force at the second end 13a, 13b of the extractor element 3a, 3b to cause its forward movement Al of the device. packaging 1a, lb and therefore the displacement of the food product 4 placed on the extractor element 3a, 3b.

Thus the food product 4 included in the or each compartment 5a, 5b of the packaging device 1a, 1b, being displaced as and when the application of driving forces on the extractor element 3a, 3b , can be consumed easily and simply by the consumer under optimal hygiene conditions and by limiting the risk of soiling.

Placement of the food product 4 in the compartment or compartments of the packaging device 1a, lb for consumption with this device 1a, 1b, the product 4 is never handled by the hands of the consumer or the user (baker, confectioner, restaurateur, etc ...).

As we have already mentioned, the two variants of this packaging device 1a, lb are intended to receive food products 4 such as for example bakery products, confectionery, pastry, catering or the like. In particular, in a nonlimiting and non-exhaustive manner, the first variant of the packaging device 1a, 1b is particularly suitable for receiving a baguette sandwich, a burger, a pancake, a croque monsieur, a donut, a pizza, or another pie, and the second variant of candy, marzipan or fruit paste. In addition, it will be noted that at least one food product 4 can be placed in the compartment or compartments 5a, 5b of the support element 2a, 2b according to one or the other of the two variants of the packaging device 1 a, 1 b. For example in the second variant of the food packaging device lb a fruit paste and a marzipan can be placed on the same extractor element 3b of one of the compartments 5b of the support member 2b. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (16)

REVENDICATIONS1. Food packaging device (1a, 1b) comprising at least one open compartment (5a, 5b) characterized in that said device (1a, 1b) comprises at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) arranged in said at least one a compartment (5a, 5b) on which a food product (4) can be placed. 2. Food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a support member (2a, 2b) having walls (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10) defining said at least one open compartment (5a, 5b) and in that said at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) which is arranged in said at least one compartment (5a, 5b) is mechanically connected in said at least one compartment (5a, 5b) to the support member (2a, 2b). 3. Food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) is mechanically connected to an inner surface (11a, 11b) a support member (2a, 2b) located at at least one of the walls (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b). Food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extraction element (3a, 3b) comprises a first end (12a) provided with a fixing zone ( 14). 5. food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fixing zone (14) of said at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) is adapted to perform a mechanical connection with an inner surface (11a, 11b) of a support member (2a, 2b) located at an upper wall (6a, 6b), in particular at a front end (15a, 15b) of said wall (6a, 6b). 6. Food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) comprises a second end (13a, 13b) forming an element of gripping and which is capable of protruding from said at least one compartment (5a, 5b), in particular between front ends (15a, 15b, 21a, 21b) of the upper (6a, 6b) and lower (8a, 8b) walls. Food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) is able to cover all or part of an inner surface ( 11a, 11b) of the support member (2a, 2b) located at the upper (6a, 6b), lower (8a, 8b) and rear (7a, 7b) walls in the at least one compartment (5a, 5b). ). Food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said at least one compartment (5a, 5b) an upper wall (6a, 6b) comprises a transparent zone ( 16). 9. Food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (2a, 2b) comprises at least one side wall (9a, 9b) which connects any or part of the lateral ends (19a, 19b, 20a, 20b) of the upper (6a, 6b) and lower (8a, 8b) walls therebetween. Food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe support element (2b) comprises a plurality of compartments (5b) formed by sidewalls (9b) and internals (10) connecting upper (6b) and lower (8b) walls to each other. 11. food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner walls (10) are substantially parallel to at least one side wall (9b) of the support member (2b). i.o 12. food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a support member (2a, 2b) is made of a first material which is semi-rigid, particularly in cardboard. 15 13. food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) is made of a second material which is flexible, especially paper food packaging. 20 14. A method of manufacturing a food packaging device (1a, 1b) comprising the following steps: - cutting (23) of a first part in a first material capable of forming a support member (2a, 2b) and at least one second piece in a second material capable of forming at least one extractor element (3a, 3b); - assembly (26) of said at least one second cut piece with the first cut piece by the realization of a mechanical connection, and 30 - folding (27) of the first piece so as to form the support member (2a, 2b) provided with walls defining at least one compartment (5a, 5b) open. 15. A method of using a food packaging device (1a, 1b) comprising at least one compartment (5a, 5b) open, comprising a step of extracting (29) a food product (4) placed on at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) arranged in said at least one compartment (5a, 5b), the extraction step (29) comprising an actuating substep (31) of said at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) so as to cause release of the food product (4) of said at least one compartment (5a, 5b). 16. A method of using a food packaging device (1a, 1b) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the substep of operation (31) provides for the application of a driving force on said at least one extractor element (3a, 3b) for causing its forward movement (Al).