FR3132282A3 - waterproof food box - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a food box (1) comprising a body (10) comprising a plurality of compartments (11) configured to accommodate food, each of said compartments having an opening (12) located substantially in the same reference plane (P) , the food box (1) comprising a lid (20) movable between an open position in which the compartments (11) are accessible from the outside, and a closed position in which the lid (20) closes directly and in a sealed manner the openings (12) of the compartments (11). (Fig.1)

Description

Waterproof food box Technical field of the invention

The invention generally relates to the technical field of food boxes such as boxes configured to transport food and/or culinary preparations. In the remainder of the wording, culinary preparations will designate all foods, hot or cold, ready to be eaten by the user of the associated food box, regardless of the degree of preparation of the associated foods.

The invention finds a particularly relevant although not exclusive application in the field of already prepared culinary preparations, such as meal trays (hamburgers, traditional recipes, etc.) or bentos whether to take away or to be delivered, but, more generally, it can be applicable to other culinary preparations.

State of the prior art

We already know food boxes for culinary preparations such as sandwiches. They are generally formed from a generally parallelepiped body comprising a single compartment intended to accommodate culinary preparations as well as their accompaniments, solid or liquid.

When ordering such culinary preparations, it is customary for restaurateurs to offer a side dish, most often accompanied by condiments such as sauces.

It is common for these accompaniments to be directly juxtaposed in the compartment and then mixed with the food. Such a practice has the particular disadvantage of not satisfying all customers who would like different dosages of condiments. Furthermore, the user may wish for certain condiments not to eat them while mixed. Finally, not mixing certain condiments with food helps maintain the freshness of other foods.

In other cases, some food boxes are not waterproof, so that when transporting or delivering the food box, the condiments may spread throughout the entire compartment, or even escape from the box when packing. transportation.

To overcome these various problems, restaurateurs therefore favor liquid foods in individual pods.

Such practices generate a deterioration in the presentation of the culinary preparation, and force restaurateurs to add additional external containers or containers or to favor industrial solutions already packaged with sauces or condiments. This practice has the particular disadvantage of increasing the number of waste contained in a food box, and represents additional costs for the restaurant owner. In addition, the accompaniments themselves can be sources of dirt, for example from residual fat from cooking, or fall out when opening the food box.

Finally, another problem consists of the personalization of the meals offered. In the context of a plurality of condiments offered for a meal such as a meal tray, it should be possible, instead of multiplying pods, to be able to offer a particular condiment in a particular quantity intended to be housed in the food box , this without multiplying individual pods. In such a configuration, the tightness of such a food box is paramount.

The invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing in particular a solution aimed at providing a food box making it possible to isolate certain foods or food preparations when the food box is closed without requiring an external container. extra or packaging pod. Furthermore, the solution does not cause additional waste and has little or no additional manufacturing cost.

To do this, according to a first aspect of the invention, a food box is proposed comprising a body comprising a plurality of compartments configured to accommodate food, each of said compartments having an opening located substantially in the same reference plane, the food box comprising a movable cover between an open position in which the compartments and openings are accessible from the outside, and a closed position in which the cover closes, preferably directly, and in a sealed manner the openings of the compartments.

The openings are located "substantially" in the same reference plane, that is to say that the distances of the openings from the reference plane may be slightly different but included within a tolerance interval allowing the sealing of the openings. openings.

By the term “directly”, we mean the fact that no intermediate element is inserted between the lid and the body of the food box. Alternatively, the sealing can be completed with a seal, preferably made of natural material such as beeswax.

Thanks to such a combination of characteristics, such a cover in a closed position ensures that foods or food preparations, even liquid condiments, in compartments intended to accommodate them are insulated in a sealed manner and do not spill outside the food box or between compartments, without requiring the addition of additional container(s). The openings of the compartments of the body of the food box being located generally coplanar with the lid ensure simple and complete closure to all the compartments of the food box.

According to one embodiment, the food box comprises sealing means for sealing the compartments, the sealing means each being formed by a cooperation of a first shape with a second shape, one of the shapes among the first and second shapes being carried by the lid and the other of the first and second shapes being carried by the body of the food box. In a particular configuration, the first shape of the sealing means comprises, preferably consists of, a rib and the second form of the sealing means comprises, preferably consists of, a groove, the projecting rib being configured to cooperate in a complementary manner with the associated groove.

According to one embodiment, each of the openings of the compartments is bordered on its periphery by one of the shapes among the first and the second shapes carried by the body of the food box, each of the shapes associated with the opening having a closed contour and configured to cooperate with the other of the shapes with which it cooperates in a complementary manner, also having a closed contour, and carried by the cover.

According to one embodiment, in the closed position of the lid on the body of the food box, the lid closes, preferably directly, and in a sealed manner the openings of all the compartments of the food box.

According to one embodiment, the lid comprises a means for locking the lid in the closed position on the body of the food box. Such a locking means comprises for example at least one protruding tab formed by an extension of one of the walls of the cover to position itself in an orifice of the body provided to receive this protruding tab and thus block the opening of the box.

According to one embodiment, the body of the food box is formed in one piece. Preferably, the body and the lid of the food box are formed in one piece. In such a configuration, manufacturing is particularly simple. The locking means are also preferably formed in one piece with the rest of the food box. Alternatively, this locking means could be attached to the food box.

According to one embodiment, the lid is connected to the body of the food box by a hinge so that the lid is configured to pivot relative to the body of the food box around a pivot axis, the pivot axis being preferably parallel to the reference plane.

According to one embodiment, the food box is formed from a recyclable and/or biodegradable organic material, for example from wood cellulose. Other organic and/or biodegradable materials are of course possible, such as sugar cane cellulose.

According to one embodiment, the material from which the food box is formed is waterproofed by a surface treatment, preferably by a chromatogenic treatment. Such a surface treatment has the advantage of giving the treated material hydrophobic properties while preserving the possibility of the material being biodegraded or recycled. Alternatively, the waterproofing of the food box can be ensured by an organic textile impregnated with fatty acid esters, such as beeswax.

According to one embodiment, in the closed position, each pair of first and second shapes are held in plane support contact, preferably by the locking means, the plane support contact preferably having a normal vector inclined relative to the reference plane , and oriented from one of the shapes among the first and the second shapes towards the other of the shapes among the first and the second shapes.

According to one embodiment, in the closed position, the positioning of the sealing means is carried out by self-adjustment, preferably by self-adjustment of the geometric profiles of the first and the second shape. In this configuration, the first shape and the second shape have, for example, beveled profiles, so that all of the compartments are closed and waterproof even if the alignment of the cover on the body is not perfect.

brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:
: a simplified front view of a food box according to one embodiment of the invention, in an open position of the lid relative to a body;
: a simplified top view of the body of the food box according to this same embodiment;
: a simplified front view of the food box of the , in a closed position of the lid;
: a simplified top view of the food box of the ;
: a BB side sectional view of the food box according to the ;
: a view of a detail of a zone Z1 of the ;
: a view of an alternative embodiment of the detail of zone Z1 of the ;
: a view of another alternative embodiment of the detail of zone Z1 of the ;
: a view of another alternative embodiment of the detail of zone Z1 of the ;
: a schematic isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the food box;
: a schematic isometric view of another variation of the creation of the food box

For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures. To make the figures easier to read, note that the proportions are not all respected.

In the description and the claims, to clarify the description and the claims, we will adopt, on a non-limiting basis, the terminology longitudinal, transverse and vertical with reference to the trihedron X , Y , Z indicated in the figures.

DETAILED description of an embodiment

With reference to Figures 1 ( ) at 5 ( ) are illustrated views of a food box 1 intended for the transport of hot or cold culinary preparations. In order to make the figures more readable, the culinary preparations are not illustrated in the figures.

The food box1has a generally parallelepiped shape, but can have any other compatible geometric shape. The food box1includes a body10 fixed preferably formed in one piece and a cover20movable between an open position and a closed position in which the cover20is superimposed vertically above the body 10, relative to a vertical axisZ. In the closed position, the cover20 closes the openings directly and tightly1 2of at least some of the compartments11, preferably from all compartments. In one embodiment (not shown), the food box1is in one piece, the body10and the lid20are then formed in one piece. The body10has edges13elastically deformable configured to accommodate the lid in the closed position20ledges14of the lid20.

The walls of the food box 1 are formed from an organic material compatible with food standards and recyclable and/or biodegradable, for example from wood cellulose. In this way, the food box 1 can be recovered as waste following its use, and does not present a risk to the environment, even if it is not treated at the end of its life cycle. The material from which the food box is formed is waterproofed by a surface treatment, preferably by a chromatogenic treatment and compatible with food standards.

Lid20is connected to the body10from the food box1by a hinge40so that the lid20pivots relative to the body around a pivot axisHASof the hinge40, the pivot axisHASbeing parallel to the reference planePand parallel to the longitudinal axisX. In this configuration, the hinge40is formed of a strip of material of reduced thickness connecting a rear outer edge241of the lid20parallel to the pivot axisHASto a rear outer edge141from the body10parallel to the pivot axisHAS. The reduced thickness of the strip of material ensures elastic flexibility between the cover20and the body10allowing easy and practical handling. The elasticity of the hinge40tends to hold the food box1in the open position of the lid20. Preferably, the rear outer edge241of the lid20, located between the hinge40and a compartment11c carried by the cover20, is configured to receive a utensil on a location242, for example a pocket24 3 fixed by gluing or another means of fixing, the pouch24 3preferably containing cutlery, or even possibly sachets of condiments (salt, pepper, etc.). This location24 2and the cover24 3associated are illustrated in more detail in Figures 6 and 7 which are only schematic, in order to better illustrate these characteristics.

The body10includes a plurality of compartments11 configured to accommodate food. In this embodiment, the body10from the food box1includes one main compartment11afor example designed to accommodate the main culinary preparation, and three secondary compartments11bdesigned to accommodate other foodstuffs, for example liquid foods such as sauces or condiments. The main compartment11aextends longitudinally along an axisXgenerally along the entire length of the body10from the food box1. Secondary compartments11bare located next to the main compartment11aand are aligned together along an axisXparallel to the longitudinal axisX. In a reference orientation relative to a transverse axisY, the secondary compartments11bare located between the rear outer edge141from the body10and the main compartment11a .Thus, when the user positions the food box in front of him1following this reference orientation, the main compartment11ais easily accessible to consume the culinary preparation.

The compartments11 a,11bfrom the body10from the food box1 have openings12 has,12brespectively located in the same reference planePparallel to a planeX,Y.The compartments11 a,11beach have a horizontal background15extending parallel to the reference planeP, the bottom15being distant from the opening by a predetermined depth, preferably identical for all compartments11 a,11bfrom the body10from the food box1. The compartments11 a,11balso have side walls16, here four side walls16, each extending along a vertical component between one of the openings12 has,12bassociated to the bottom15partner. Alternatively, a compartment could have a single side wall, for example if the compartment has a circular horizontal section. The side walls16 also extend along an inclination relative to a vertical axisZreference, each extending at an angle to the vertical axisZin the direction of a flaring of the compartment towards the opening12associated. Preferably, we can choose an angle of each side wall16relative to the vertical axisZgreater than or equal to 10°, more preferably greater than or equal to 5° and/or less than 40°, more preferably less than 35°. Each compartment11 a,11bforms in such a configuration an interior space17whose volume is generally trapezoidal parallelepiped. For a given compartment, preferably for each of said compartments, the area of a bottom surface15projected orthogonally onto the reference planePis less than the opening section of the opening12 has,12b associated. Interior spaces17 has,17bcompartments11 has,11bare thus easily accessible from the outside by a user. In the case of a compartment with a circular horizontal section, the volume would be generally frustoconical, the opening of which is carried by the large base of the frustoconical shape.

Lid20includes a locking means21in the closed position of the lid20on the body10from the food box1. In this configuration, the locking means21is formed by two orifices13 1rectangular positioned on a front outer edge of the body1 0 designed to each receive a protruding tab2 31each formed by an extension of the front edge of the cover20and thus block the opening of the food box1. In an alternative configuration, the orifices131can also be positioned on the cover20, the protruding tabs231then being formed by an extension of the front edge of the body10.

The body10and the lid20 include sealing means31secondary compartments11b. Such sealing means are formed for each of these compartments by cooperation of a first form31awith a second form31b, the first form31abeing here carried by the cover20from the food box1and the second form31bbeing here carried by the body10from the food box1. This cooperation of forms and more particularly visible on the and the figures ( ) to 6D ( ). Note that to improve the readability of the figures, the cut of the is not shown to scale, particularly with regard to the sealing means30compared to food box 1.

To guarantee the reliability of the sealing means30, the contact of the cooperation of forms taken between the first form31aand the second form31bcomplementary must be kept permanently in the closed position of the lid20on the body10. Thus, the locking means21of the lid20on the body10maintains the first form under continuous stress, here elastic, in the closed position31aand the second form31bassociated two by two from each compartment1 1 b. The cooperation of shapes then creates a vector plane support connectionNOTnormal and inclined relative to the reference planeP, oriented from a lateral part310bof the second form31b towards a side part310athe first form31a .Alternatively, the cooperation of shapes creates a vector plane support connectionNOTnormal to the reference planeP, oriented from a vertex311bof the second form31btowards a summit311aof the first form31a. Alternative embodiments of this cooperation of shapes are illustrated in Figures 6A ( ) to 6D ( ).

The geometric profiles of the first shape 31a and the second shape 31b for a given compartment 11b cooperate in a complementary manner and progressively as the cover 20 closes, that is to say evolves from the open position to the closed position to form the support-surface contact. Self-centering of these shapes relative to each other is enabled thanks to a slope formed in particular from the extension of the associated side wall 16 and the fact that the first and second shapes of the sealing means cooperating 'one with the other presents a closed contour. The sealing means 30 thus formed adjust automatically when closing the food box 1 . The adjustment of the sealing means 30 is specific to each of the compartments 11b , so that a watertight closure is guaranteed for all of the compartments 11b , even if the cover 20 is aligned in the closed position on the body 10. is imperfect. The sealing means 30 and the rim 13 can possibly be improved by the addition of additional complementary seals, of the biodegradable food type, for example made of beeswax.

Dimensions of the food box1corresponding to a height, a width and a thickness in the closed position are here respectively 246x185x60mm, which corresponds here to an example of standard volume of an individual culinary preparation. Generally speaking, we will choose a food box1whose sum of the three characteristic dimensions (height, width, depth) is less than 550 mm, preferably less than 500 mm. Furthermore, the food box1 has dimensions large enough for its useful volume to correspond to culinary preparation for one person. For example, we will choose a food box1whose sum of the three characteristic dimensions is greater than 400mm, preferably greater than 450mm.

In an alternative embodiment on the ( ) , lid20includes a compartment11cincluding an opening12cis oriented towards the body10from the food box1in the closed position. A preferred configuration is obtained in which, in the closed position of the food box1, the compartments11a,11bAnd11c are placed on either side of the reference planeP, and whose openings12a,12b,12care generally coplanar in this preferably plane, this coplanarity depending on the thickness of the sealing means. The lid compartment20is closed by an attached separation wall22formed for example from cardboard. Said separation wall22is movable between a closed position on the cover20and an open position removed from the cover20. Such a dividing wall22comprises a plurality of laterally projecting tongues, for example at least two projecting tongues, formed by an extension of the attached wall22to position itself in holes provided for this purpose, for example two holes in the cover20designed to receive these protruding tabs and thus block the opening of the cover compartment20.

The main compartment11afrom the body10from the food box1and the compartment carried by the cover20are configured so as to be placed opposite each other in the closed position of the food box1, their openings12a , 12crespectively being symmetrical with respect to the reference planeP. Thus, these two compartments share the same means of sealing. These sealing means are formed by cooperation of a first form31awith a second form31b, the first form31abeing here carried by the cover20from the food box1and extending around the perimeter of the opening12 vsof the compartment11 vsfrom the body10and the second form31bbeing here carried by the body10from the food box1 and extending around the perimeter of the opening12 hasof the main compartment11 hasfrom the body10. In particular in this embodiment, the main compartment11afrom the body10from the food box1and the compartment carried by the cover20are symmetrical in relation to each other in relation to the reference planeP, likewise in this non-limiting embodiment, as their sealing means.

The sealing of the main compartment of the body 10 of the food box 1 and of the compartment of the lid 20 in the closed position is therefore ensured by sealing means 31 similar to those of the secondary compartments of the body 10 of the food box 1 , in particular between a first shape 31a then carried by the cover 20 and the second shape 31b then carried by the body 10 of the food box 1 .

The aesthetic appearance of food box 1 is customizable. In particular, characters and drawings can be printed on the cover 20 to match the food box 1 to the visual identity of a restaurateur using the box to deliver his culinary preparations.

Naturally, the examples shown in the figures and discussed above are given for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting. It is explicitly intended that the different illustrated embodiments can be combined with each other to propose others.

It is emphasized that all the characteristics, as they emerge for a person skilled in the art from the present description, the drawings and the attached claims, even if concretely they have only been described in relation to other specified characteristics, both individually and in any combinations, may be combined with other characteristics or groups of characteristics disclosed herein, provided that this has not been expressly excluded or that technical circumstances make such combinations impossible or devoid of sense.

Claims (10)

Food box (1) comprising a body (10) comprising a plurality of compartments (11) configured to accommodate food, each of said compartments having an opening (12) located substantially in the same reference plane (P), the food box ( 1) comprising a cover (20) movable between an open position in which the compartments (11) are accessible from the outside, and a closed position in which the cover (20) closes, preferably directly, and sealingly the openings (12) compartments (11). Food box (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises sealing means (30) for sealingly closing the compartments, the sealing means each being formed by cooperation of a first shape ( 31a) with a second shape (31b), one of the shapes among the first and the second shapes being carried by the cover (20) and the other of the shapes among the first and the second shapes being carried by the body (10 ) of the food box (1). Food box (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the closed position, the lid (20) closes, preferably directly, and sealingly the openings (12) of all the compartments (11) of the food box (1). Food box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid (20) comprises a locking means (21) in the closed position of the lid (20) on the body (10) of the food box ( 1). Food box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (10) of the food box (10) is formed in one piece, preferably the body (10) and the lid (20). ) of the food box (1) are formed in one piece. Food box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (20) is connected to the body (10) of the food box (1) by a hinge (40) so that the cover (20) ) is configured to pivot relative to the body (10) of the food box (1) around a pivot axis (A), the pivot axis (A) being preferably parallel to the reference plane (P). Food box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the food box (1) is formed from a recyclable and/or biodegradable organic material, for example from wood cellulose. Food box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material from which the food box is formed is waterproofed by a surface treatment, preferably by a chromatogenic treatment. Food box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims depending at least on claim 4, characterized in that in the closed position, each pair of first and second shapes are maintained in support-surface contact, preferably by the means locking (21), the support-plane contact preferably having a normal vector N inclined relative to the reference plane P , and oriented from one of the shapes among the first and the second shapes towards the other of the shapes among the first and second forms. Food box according to the preceding claim, characterized in that in the closed position, the positioning of the sealing means (30) is carried out by self-adjustment, preferably by self-adjustment of the geometric profiles of the first shape (31a ) and the second form (31b).