GB2344096A

GB2344096A - Covers for containers

Info

Publication number: GB2344096A
Application number: GB9927827A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rodney Tolson Robinson
Original assignee: MY Operations Ltd
Current assignee: Graphic Packaging International Europe UK Ltd
Priority date: 1998-11-28
Filing date: 1999-11-25
Publication date: 2000-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-25
Also published as: GB2344096B; GB9927827D0; GB9826001D0

Abstract

A cover (10) for a container (30) includes a substrate material having on an underside a peelable adhesive (11) stenciled or printed to match the shape and size of a flange provided on an open end of the container. The cover (10) is commonly used with food containers and the substrate material may be a direct food contact material such a food barrier board. The cover (10) may enclose the container, with back panels (15, 16) joined by an adhesive strip (18) and a tear open device (17) may be provided.

Description

TITLE Point of Sale Display Containers DESCRIPTION Technical Field The invention relates to containers suitable for the point of sale display of perishable foods and/or drinks, either for immediate consumption, pre-cooked, prepared or oven ready, including prepared meals. The invention also relates to containers suitable for supplying other items such as screws, nails and other hardware items.

Background Art Perishable foods are sold in containers comprising a base having an open end with an out-or in-turned flange and a cover in the form of a laminate (which is very expensive) secured to the flange. The cover may have on an upper side printed advertising or informational matter. Another possibility is for a container to have an unprinted cover and an open-ended sleeve or wrapper bearing printed matter surrounding the whole container. This is particularly advantageous in view of the modern demand for a great quantity of product information. Hardware items are also sold in fixed quantities in such containers.

The Invention According to the invention there is provided a cover for a container having a base and at an open end a flange, the cover comprising a substrate of material having on an underside a pelable adhesive stenciled or printed to match the shape and size of the flange. The cover may be co-extensive with the base or may be part of a wrapper surrounding the whole or part of the container, for example a V-card which hangs over the sides of the container, or a hanging-back card which might contain a menu for promotional purposes. If the cover is co-extensive with the base, its top side may be unprinted, and informational matter may be supplied on a separate sleeve or wrapper. Such. a cover can be made less expensive than a laminate which is essentially coated all over the underside.

The material is preferably direct food contact material which may be food barrier board or paper of a thickness from 750, um to 700 um, and is most commonly from 350 to 450, um board. The material should be suitable for use down to-18 C, that is conventional refrigerator or freezer temperature, possibly for chilled or ambient temperature only.

Recycle, recyclable or virgin board or paper inherently suitable or treated for use in direct food contact with or without moisture, gas or atmospheric barrier. The cover or sleeve may contain a window for product visibility.

The adhesive may be hot or cold seal mulsion based, and should generally be suitable for ovenable or frozen products. The adhesive may optionally be applied in several layers so as to permit the re-sealing of the cover to the flange. For example, the adhesive may be applied in three layers. When the cover is first removed from the flange, the bond between the first and second layers is broken. The cover may be re-sealed by bonding between the first and second layers. Subsequent removal of the cover then breaks the bond between the second and third layers. The third layer is typically of an adhesive which allows repeated re-bonding between the second and third layers so as to permit the repeated re-sealing of the cover to the flange.

The adhesive can be applied by machine as a pattern using a stencil, possibly a window-patching machine, which can also apply a patch of clear material, or the adhesive only in certain locations on the cover substrate.

The profile for the cover or sleeve can be determined by the flange area of the container to which it is to be attached, and can exclude or include additional areas such as divider compartments, or carry design features or informational matter. The adhesive stencil flange is determined according to the container flange/rim and/or bond strength requirements, and should include an allowance for manufacture or positional tolerance. The container rim may be externally or internally curled, for example for a drink or yogurt. Alternatively, the container may be externally or internally flanged, possibly for crimp-lidding, in which case the adhesive may be applied to the print side or to both sides of the cover. The flange may be angled as in a cake or bagel circular or cylindrical domed tray, and the cover sealed on to the tray.

The container may be of any of the conventional shapes and/or sizes for single or multi-packs and of any of the conventional materials such as treated board, aluminium, PVC, PET or polypropylene. Its rim may be flat or curved down as appropriate and a minimum of 2.0 mm wide, preferably from 8 to 10 mm wide. It may be a co-extrusion, pressure-formed, thermoformed or extruded, composite or erected.

The method of production of a container according to the invention may comprise the following steps: printing lithography with conventional or UV inks or varnish; cutting, creasing and/or stripping ; window-patch applying adhesive to the stencil area and glue flap by a controlled stencil process; drying or curing adhesive using an RF (radio frequency) 12 Kw conveyor drier with electrode system; and packing and delivering flat to the food manufacturer. The stencil or pattern application of the adhesive may be a separate run through the printing machine thus alleviating the need for the window-patcher and drier.

Drawings Figure 1 shows a full sleeve cover (print side down) for a rectangular tray container with centre adhesive for machine erection; Figure 2 shows a full sleeve cover like Figure 1 but with an offset adhesive panel for hand application to the container; Figure 3 shows the tray profile of a container suitable for use with the cover of Figure 1 or Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a finished pack comprising the container of Figure 3 having the sleeve of Figure 2 adhering thereto; Figure 5 shows a watch strap economy sleeve (print side down) for a circular container with an offset flap bearing adhesive and suitable for hand application ; Figure 6 shows a bowl with carry handles suitable for use with the sleeve of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a made up pack comprising the sleeve of Figure 5 adhering to the bowl of Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a cover for a sandwich pack; Figures 9 shows a container for a sandwich pack; Figure 10 shows a made up pack comprising the cover of Figure 8 adhering to the container of Figure 9; Figure 11 shows a cover for a dual pack container for sandwiches ; Figure 12 shows a cover for a tripie pack container for sandwiches; and Figure 13 shows a cover for a bowl container.

In Figure 1, the cover comprises a central top panel 10 (to cover the top of a container) having around its edge a stencil strip 11 of adhesive to cover the rim of a container. The top panel 10 has rounded corners to match those of the container, and integral with the top panel 10 side panels 13,14, and back panels 15,16. The side panel 13 to the left is provided with a tear-open device 17, while the back panel 15 is provided with an adhesive strip 18 for adhesion to the other back panel 16 below the container. In Figure 2, a top panel 20 is surrounded by an adhesive strip 21 and provided with side panels 23,24 and a back panel 25. The side panel 23 is divided by a dummy crease 29, while the side panel 24 is provided with a tear-open device 27 and an adhesive strip 28 for adhesion with the back panel 25. In Figure 3, a tray 30 is provided with a flat rim 32 having a down curl 33 for adhesion to the adhesive strip 11 of Figure 1 or 21 of Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a sealing area 41 between the rim 32 of the tray 30 in Figure 3 and the adhesive strip 11 of Figure 1. In addition, the tear-open device 17 is shown in an alternative position as 17a on a short side of the top panel 10.

In Figure 5, a top panel 50 is provided with an annular stenciled area of adhesive to match the rim of a pot or bowl, and cut-outs 52 to secure the rim of the bowl. A side panel 53 is provided with a tear-open device 57, while a side panel 54 has a dummy crease 59. To the left of the side panel 53 is a back panel 55 for adhesion below the base of the bowl with an adhesive strip 58 on the right hand edge of the side panel 54. In Figure 6, a bowl 60 is provided with a rim 62 for adhesion to the adhesive strip 51 in Figure 5, and carry handles or ears 64 to project through the cut-outs 52 as they appear in the made-up pack of Figure 7.

Figure 7 also shows a sealing area 71 between the cover 50 and the rim 62 of the bowl 60.

In Figure 8, a cover 80 for a sandwich pack is surrounded by an adhesive strip 81 for engagement with a sandwich container, and has at one corner a ter-off tab 87. In Figure 9, a sandwich container 90 is surrounded by a straight cut flange 92 for adhesion to the strip 81 as shown in the made-up pack of Figure 10 which inclues also a sealing area 101. In Figures 11 and 12, the duai and triple sandwich pack covers 110 and 120 have adhesive strips 111 and 121 and tear-off tabs 117 and 127 respectively. The bowl cover of Figure 13 shows a sealing area 131 and a tear-off tab 137.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cover for a container (30) having a base and at an open end a flange (32), the cover comprising: a substrate (10) of material having on an underside a pelable adhesive (11) stenciled in a pattern to match the shape and size of the flange (32).
2. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the material is direct food contact material.
3. A cover according to any preceding claim, further including a window for product visibility.
4. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive (11) is hot seal mulsion based.
5. A cover according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adhesive (11) is cold seal emulsion based.
6. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive (11) comprises a plurality of adhesive layers.
7. A method of producing a cover for a container (30) having a base and at an open end a flange (32), the method comprising the steps of: printing the cover; applying an adhesive (11) to the cover using a stencil in a pattern which matches the shape and size of the flange (32); and curing the adhesive (11).
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive (11) is applied by a window-patching machine.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the window-patching machine also applies a patch of clear material.
10. A method according to any of ciaim 7 to 9, wherein the adhesive (11) is applied in a piurality of adhesive layers.