GB2352439A

GB2352439A - Packaging container with sections that may be sequentially detached

Info

Publication number: GB2352439A
Application number: GB9917702A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon David Russell Simpson
Original assignee: Express Ltd
Current assignee: Express Ltd
Priority date: 1999-07-29
Filing date: 1999-07-29
Publication date: 2001-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-29
Also published as: GB2352439B; GB9917702D0; GB2387591A; GB0316281D0

Abstract

A packaging container 1 for butter or the like comprises a body having a closed end and an open end, a lid 5 for the open end initially attached to the outermost body section with a tear off portion 6 in such a manner that detachment therefrom is irreversible and thereby provides tamper indication, the lid 5 being locatable over the body section currently at the open end to re-close the container, and a plurality of perforated or weakened regions 2 spaced along the body between the open and closed ends to define body sections 3 that may be sequentially detached and discarded to reduce the length of the body and to expose further portions of the contents of the container, and a gas-impermeable lining, such as grease proof paper or wax, on the inside of the container body.

Description

2352439 PACKAGING CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a packaging container suitable for containing butter and the like.

Background to the Invention

Butter is conventionally packaged by wrapping a portion in greaseproof or foil backed paper. Such packaging is relatively cheap and offers minimal additional weight for transport purposes. It can carry printing to identify contents and branding. It does, however, suffer from some disadvantages. Firstly, it is not very suitable for re-wrapping the butter after use by the consumer, and failure to seal the surface of the butter fully can lead to deterioration of the butter by oxidation or by tainting by proximity to strong-smelling foodstuffs. The surface of the packaging can become greasy, making subsequent handling difficult. Secondly, it is possible for partial unwrapping to occur during transporting and handling of the butter before sale, again leading to deteriora tion, and thirdly it does not protect the shape of the butter, leading to the possibility of distortion of shape during transporting and handling.

Other forms of packaging are available, for example plastics tubs. These are widely used for the packaging of margarine or modified butters containing additional components to facilitate spreading when refrigerated, and this fact makes the introduc tion of such packaging for pure butter difficult, because the public tends to assume that butter in tubs must be modified or even a butter-substitute.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a packaging container for butter or the like, comprising a body having a closed end and an open end, a lid for the open end, and a plurality of perforated or weakened regions spaced along the body between the open and closed ends to define body sections which may be sequentially detached and discarded to reduce the length of the body and to expose further portions of the contents of the container, the lid being locatable over the body section currently at the open end to reclose the container.

The body is suitably formed of card or the like, and may be provided with a gas impermeable lining separable with the body sections. For example, for packaging but- ter, the lining may be in the form of a greaseproof paper sleeve, which may be wrapped around portions of the butter using adapted conventional wrapping machines before the wrapped portion is placed in a container in accordance with the invention. Prefera bly, the paper is selected so that the fibres therein are orientated in such a manner as to facilitate tearing of the paper in the direction of the perforated or weakened region of the container body, so that it tears as the associated body section is removed. The pa per may be attached to the inside surface of the container body, for example by adhe sive, to facilitate this process.

The gas-impermeable lining may be formed as a coating on the inner surface of the body, for example of a wax applied after perforation of the body.

The lid is preferably initially attached to the outermost body section in such a manner that detachment therefrom is irreversible, thereby providing evidence of tam pering with the product before sale to the consumer. This may be achieved by attach ing a peripheral portion of the lid to the body section by adhesive, and providing a tear strip around the lid to enable it to be separated from the adhesively- attached part. Al ternatively, the lid may be attached to the outermost body section by means of a sepa rable, non-resealable adhesive. In yet another alternative embodiment the container is initially closed at both ends after insertion of the contents and a separate lid is supplied to reclose the container after one end has been removed.

The body sections are preferably equal in size, and are suitably parallel to one another. They may be positioned so as to correspond to predetermined weight por tions of the contents, for example in the case of butter, 25g or 50g portions, for use in measuring quantities for cooking.

The packaging container of the invention is simple and economical to manufac ture, while overcoming the problems associated with paper and foil packaging conven tionally used for butter and the like. The use of cardboard, for example, ensures bio degradability of the packaging after use, and maintains acceptabilit for consumers fa y miliar with conventional paper and foil packaging.

While the invention is described herein in relation to the packaging of butter, it will be appreciated that it is suitable for packaging other products, for example food products of similar physical properties to butter such as margarine, cooking fat and lard.

It may also be suitable for the packaging of cheese, and for ice cream and like products.

The packaging may also be useful for packaging non-food products such as waxes for polishing furniture, shoes or motor vehicles.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the packaging container according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a plan view of a blank to be assembled into a container in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container assembled from the blank shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 3, but showing the con tainer opened.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments

Referring first to Figure 1, the packaging container is in the form of a rectangu lar box 1, formed from card and having a plurality of evenly-spaced lines of perforation 2 along the length thereof, dividing the box into separate sections 3. Each section 3 is provided with a pull tab 4 which is attached to the underlying card by means of adhesive whose adhesion can be overcome by pulling the tab outwardly. A removable lid 5 is fitted over one end of the box 1 and has a portion 6 extending from one side which is attached to one section 3 of the box 1 by means of adhesive. A perforated line 7 sepa rates the portion 6 from the remainder of the lid 5. Tearing along this perforation en ables the lid 5 to be removed, the portion 6 thus serving as tamper security device.

In use, access to the contents of the container is obtained by pulling the tab 4 at the open end, after removal of the lid 5, to tear of the outermost section 3, thereby exposing a length of the contents. The sections may be sized to represent predeter mined weights of the contents, for example 25g portions, so that a desired weight of the contents may be readily selected by tearing off the required number of sections 3 and then cutting across the open end. After use, the lid 5 is fitted over the open end, on which it is designed to be a close fit to hold it in place, thus protecting the contents from exposure to the atmosphere.

Figure 2 illustrates a card blank before assembly into an alternative embodiment of container. The blank has a main portion divided into four panels 5, 6, 7 and 8 which, after assembly, form four sides of a rectilinear container, and a fifth panel 9 shaped to provide the pull tabs 4 and intended to overlap the first panel 5 when the blank is formed into shape. The evenly-spaced lines of perforation 2 extend across all five panels. To the left of the main portion, the second panel 6 has a rectangular flap 10 which defines a permanent end panel of the container, with each of the other panels 5, 7 and 8 having fold-over strips 11, 12 and 13 which are glued to the flap 10 to secure the end panel. At the other side of the main portion, each of the panels 5 to 8 has a rhomboidal flap 14, 15, 16 or 17, the flaps folding inwardly and being glued together to define an openable end of the container after assembly. This end is more readily sealable after introduction of the contents, having initially been left open when the container is formed. Each of the flaps 14 to 17 is connected to its respective panel 5 to 8 through a perforated line 18 so that, to open the container, the first tab 4 is pulled, tearing off the first strip 3 not only from the remaining strips but also from the flaps 14 to 17, which together constitute an end panel.

Referring now to Figure 3, the assembled container is shown with a separate lid 19 which during distribution of the container is held in place over the openable end either by friction or by a very light tack adhesive. To open the container, as shown in Figure 4, the lid 19 is first slid off and the first tear strip 3 is removed to expose the first portion 20 of the contents. The lid 19 can simply be slid over the open end to seal off the contents, after use.

The contents of the container, for example butter, will typically be prewrapped in a secondary grease-resistant wrapper before insertion into the container, and this wrapper will be torn off with the tear strips 3.

Claims

1 A packaging container for. butter or the like, comprising a body having a closed end and an open end, a lid for the open end, and a plurality of perforated or weakened regions spaced along the body between the open and closed ends to define body sections which may be sequentially detached and discarded to reduce the length of the body and to expose further portions of the contents of the container, the lid being locatable over the body section currently at the open end to reclose the container.

2. A container according to Claim 1, formed of card or the like.

3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2, which is provided with a gasimpermeable lining separable with the body sections.

4. A container according to Claim 3, wherein the lining is in the form of a greaseproof paper sleeve.

5. A container according to Claim 4, wherein the paper is selected so that the fibres therein are orientated in such a manner as to facilitate tearing of the paper in the direction of the perforated or weakened region of the container body, so that it tears as the associated body section is removed.

6. A container according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the paper is attached to the inside surface of the container body.

7. A container according to Claim 3, wherein the gas-impermeable lining is formed as a coating on the inner surface of the body.

8. A container according to Claim 7, wherein the coating is of a wax, applied after perforation of the body.

9. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid is initially attached to the outermost body section in such a manner that detachment therefrom is irreversible.

10. A container according to Claim 9, wherein a peripheral portion of the lid is attached to the body section by adhesive, and a tear strip is provided around the lid to enable it to be separated from the adhesivelyattached part.

11. A container according to Claim 9, wherein the lid is attached to the out- ermost body section by means of a separable, non-resealable adhesive.

12. A container according to any of the Claims 1 to 8, provided with a tear off end and a separate lid which can be fitted over the opened end to reclose it.

13. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the body sections are equal in size.

14. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the body sections are parallel to one another.

15. A container according to Claim 13, wherein the body sections are posi tioned so as to correspond to predetermined weight portions of the contents.

16. A packaging container, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.