GB2526042A

GB2526042A - Packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2526042A
Application number: GB1316274.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Owen Tollman
Original assignee: ANSON PACKAGING Ltd
Current assignee: ANSON PACKAGING Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-12
Filing date: 2013-09-12
Publication date: 2015-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-12
Also published as: GB2526042B; GB201316274D0

Abstract

Packaging 10 comprises a base 20 and a lid 30. The base comprises a peripheral wall 22 and a chamber 26 having an opening 28 defined by an upper rim 24. The lid comprises a body 32 including a peripheral rim-engaging portion 34 for engaging the upper rim of the base when the lid is closed, and at least one transparent region. In one aspect of the invention the lid comprises a hinged tab 52 pivotable relative to the lid body about a first hinge region 54, the tab defining an attachment region 56 attached to the rear wall portion of the base and a spacer region 58 between the first hinge region and the attachment region. The hinged tab further defines a second hinge region 60 located between the spacer region and the attachment region. In another aspect of the invention the peripheral rim-engaging portion comprises at least one side channel 46A, 46B for receiving a section of the upper rim. The side channel includes a recessed portion 48A, 48B configured to receive a tamper evident tab 24C, 24D projecting from the section of the upper rim.

Description

TITLE: PACKAGING

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to packaging for storing foodstuff, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to hybrid packaging for storing foodstuff comprising a cardboard base and a lid formed from plastics material.

It is known in the art to provide hybrid packaging for storing foodstuff comprising a cardboard base and a removable transparent lid formed from plastics-material. Typically the lid is attached to the cardboard base by a tamper evident label. These packs are used predominantly in the "food to go" market within the salad and bakery sectors.

The present applicant has appreciated the need for an improved form of hybrid packaging that reduces the inventory for packers and the time taken to pack each product.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided packaging comprising: an open-topped base formed from a foldable blank and comprising a peripheral wall, the open-topped base defining a chamber having an opening defined by an upper rim of the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall comprising a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and first and second opposed side wall portions; and a lid comprising a body including a peripheral rim-engaging portion for engaging the upper rim of the open-topped base when the lid is in a closed position covering the opening to the chamber, the lid defining at least one transparent (e.g. translucent) region for allowing contents housed in the chamber to be viewed when the lid is in the closed position, the lid comprising a hinged tab pivotable relative to the lid body about a first hinge region, the hinged tab defining an attachment region attached to the rear wall portion of the open-topped base and a spacer region between the first hinge region and the attachment region; wherein the hinged tab further defines a second hinge region located between the spacer S region and the attachment region.

In this way, hybrid packaging is provided that allows movement permitting fine adjustment of the lid position relative to the base whilst reducing stress on the first-defined hinge. Advantageously, such movement of the lid relative to the base may assist stacking of the packaging in an open configuration prior to filling or to assist placement of the lid over the base after filling.

In one embodiment, the lid is transparent over substantially its entire area (e.g. formed substantially from a transparent material).

In one embodiment, the lid body has a shell-like profile defining a further chamber having an opening defined by the peripheral rim-engaging portion.

In one embodiment, the packaging is stackable when in an open configuration.

In one embodiment, the second hinge region is formed by a step between the spacer region and the attachment region.

In one embodiment, the spacer region is flexible.

In one embodiment, the spacer region is spaced from the rear wall portion when the lid is in the closed position.

In one embodiment, the hinged tab is integral to the lid body.

In one embodiment, the first hinge region comprises a perforated hinge region.

In one embodiment, the peripheral rim-engaging portion comprises at least one side channel for receiving (e.g. snugly receiving) a section of the upper rim extending along at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions of the open-topped base.

In one embodiment, the section of the upper rim extends substantially along the at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions. For example, the section of the upper rim may have a length equal to at least 70% of the length of the at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions.

In one embodiment, the side channel includes a recessed portion configured to receive a tamper evident tab projecting from the section of the upper rim.

In one embodiment, the tamper evident tab is located in a central region of the at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions.

Tn one embodiment, the peripheral rim-engaging portion further comprises at least one front channel for receiving a section of the upper rim extending along the fitnt wall portion of the open-topped base (e.g. adjacent a label application region).

In one embodiment, the at least one front channel comprises first and second front channels separated by the label application section.

In one embodiment, the open-topped base is formed from cardboard (e.g. papcrboard) or a cardboard-like material.

hi one embodiment, the lid is a moulded lid (e.g. thermoformed lid).

hi one embodiment, the transparent lid is formed from (e.g. transparent) plastics material.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is pmvided a method of manufacturing an item of packagin compdsing pitwiding an open-topped base formed from a foldable blank and comprising a peripheral wall, the open-topped base defining a chamber having an opening defined by an upper rim of the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall comprising a front wail portion, a rear wall portion and first and second opposed side wall portions; and pmviding a lid comprising a body including a peripheral rim-engaging portion for engaging the upper rim of the open-topped base when the lid is in a closed position covering the opening to the chamber, the lid defining at least one transparent (e.g. translucent) region for allowing contents housed in the chamber to be viewed when the lid is in the closed position, the lid comprising a hinged tab pivotable relative to the lid body about a first hinge region, the hinged tab defining an attachment region for attaching the hinged tab to the rear wall portion of the open-topped base; positioning the lid over the open-topped base so that the peripheral rim-engaging portion of the lid engages the upper rim of the open-topped base; and attaching the attachment region to the rear wall portion whilst the lid is in the closed position.

In this way, method of!buriiiig hybrid packaging is previded in which accurate positioning of the hinged lid is achieved to allow pmvision of a lid that is a snug fit on the base (e.g. to increase storage life of the packaging).

In one embodiment, the hinged tab further comprises a spacer region between the first hinge region and the attachment region, wherein the hinged tab further defines a second hinge region located between the spacer region and the attachment region.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises folding the hinged tab from an inoperative position in which the attachment region is spaced form the rear wall portion to an operative position in which the attachment region engages the rear wall portion.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises repeating the recited steps for a S second item of packaging identical to the first and stacking the first and second items of packaging.

In one embodiment, the step of providing the open-topped base comprises forming the open-topped base from the foldable blank (e.g. including a step of gluing or otherwise bonding adjacent sides of the peripheral sidewall together).

In one embodiment, the peripheral rim-engaging portion further comprises at least one front channel for receiving a section of the upper rim extending along the front wall portion of the open-topped base (e.g. adjacent a label application region).

In one embodiment, the open-topped base is formed from cardboard (e.g. paperboard) or a cardboard-like material.

In one embodiment, the lid is a moulded lid (e.g. thermoformed lid).

In one embodiment, the transparent lid is formed from (e.g. transparent) plastics material.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided packaging comprising: an open-topped base comprising a peripheral wall, the open-topped base defining a chamber having an opening defined by an upper rim of the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall comprising a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and first and sccond opposcd sidc wall portions; and a lid comprising a body including a peripheral rim-engaging portion for engaging the upper rim of the open-topped base when the lid is in a closed S position covering the opening to the chamber, the lid body having a shell-like profile defining a ftirther chamber having an opening defined by the peripheral rim-cngaging portion; wherein the peripheral rim-engaging portion comprises at least one side channel for receiving (e.g. snugly receiving) a section of the upper rim extending substantially along at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions of the open-topped base, the at least one side channel including a recessed portion configured to receive a tamper evident tab projecting from the section of the upper rim.

In one embodiment, the section of the upper rim may have a length equal to at least 70% of the length of the at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions.

In one embodiment, the tamper evident tab is located in a central region of the at least one of the first and second opposed side walls.

In one embodiment, the peripheral rim-engaging portion ftirther comprises at least one front channel for receiving a section of the upper rim extending along the front wall portion of the open-topped base (e.g. adjacent a label application region).

In one embodiment, the lid is pivotally coupled to the rear wall portion of the open-topped base.

In one embodiment, the lid is a moulded lid (e.g. thermoformed lid).

In one embodiment, the packaging is stackable when in an open configuration.

In one embodiment, the open-topped base is formed from a foldable blank.

In one embodiment, the lid defines at least one transparent (e.g. translucent) region for allowing contents housed in the chamber to be viewed when the lid is in the closed position.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: S Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of packaging in accordance with the present invention during a first manufacturing step; Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the packaging of Figure 1 during a second manufacturing stcp; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the packaging of Figure 1 during a third manufacturing step Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the packaging of Figure 1 once fully assembled with the lid in a partially open position; Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the packaging of Figure 1 once fully assembled with the lid in a fully open position Figure 6 shows a schematic plan and side view of the packaging of Figure 1 with the lid in the fully open position; and Figurc 7 shows a schcmatic pcrspcctivc vicw of thc packaging of Figure 1 oncc frilly assembled with the lid in a closed position.

Figures 1-7 illustrate the assembly and fmal thrm of hybrid packaging 10 comprising an open-topped cardboard base (or tray) 20 formed from a blank (not shown) and a vacuum formed, transparent plastics-based lid 30 (e.g. PET lid).

Cardboard base 20 which may be preformed or provided as blank for assembly as part of the process) comprises a peripheral wall 22 having an upper rim 24 and defining a first chamber 26 for receiving foodstuff (not shown), first chamber 26 having an opening 28 defined by upper rim 24 for accessing foodstuff stored therein. Peripheral wall 33 comprises a front wall portion 22A, a rear wall portion 22B and first and second opposed side wall portions 22C, 22D. Upper rim 24 includes first and second sections 24A, 24B extending substantially along first and second side walls 22C, 22D, said first and second sections 24A, 24B defining a pair of tamper evident tabs 24C, 24D projecting from a central region of the first and second side walls 22C, 22D.

Transparent lid 30 comprising a lid body 32 including a peripheral rim-engaging portion 34 for engaging upper rim 24 of cardboard base 20 when transparent lid 30 is in a closed position covering the opening 28 to first chamber 26. Lid body 32 has a shell-like profile defining a second chamber 36 (e.g. for receiving an upper part of foodstuff stored in first chamber 26) having an opening 38 defined by peripheral rim-engaging portion 34.

Peripheral rim-engaging portion 34 comprises a peripheral flange 40 projecting from S lid body 32 and a pcriphcral skirt 42 depending in turn from peripheral flange 40. As illustrated in Figure 6 peripheral flange 40 includes first and second pairs of protuberant sections 44A, 44B located along opposed sides of peripheral rim-engaging portion 34 and configured to form, in combination with peripheral skirt 42, first and second side channels 46A, 46B respectively configured to snugly receive first and second sections 24A, 24B of upper rim 24. First and second side channels 46A, 46B each frirther include recessed portions 48A, 48B respectively configured to receive tamper evident tabs 24C, 24D intended to prevent access to first and second chambers 26, 36 when transparent lid 30 is in the closed position. Peripheral flange 40 also includes a third pair of protuberant sections 48 located either side of a central front label region 50 and configured to form in combination with peripheral skirt 42 first and second front channels 52A, 52B configured to snugly receive a front section of upper rim 24 at locations either side of the label region 50.

Transparent lid 30 thither comprises an integral hinged tab 52 extending substantially along rear wall portion 22B of cardboard base 20 and pivotable relative to the lid body 32 about a first hinge region 54 formed by a line of perforations extending along the meeting point of hinged tab 42 and peripheral skirt 42. Hinged tab 52 defines an attachment region 56 for attaching hinged tab 52 to rear wall portion 22B and a flexible spacer region 58 located between first hinge region 54 and the attachment region 56. Flexible spacer region 58 is pivotablc relative to attachment region 56 about a second hinge region 60 (having a stiffness greater than first hinge region 54) provided by a step 62 formed between spacer region 58 and attachment region 56. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, step 62 results in spacer region 58 being spaced from the rear wall portion when transparent lid 30 is in the closed position.

As shown in Figures 1-3, assembly of hybrid packaging 10 as part of an automated process comprises the steps of: 1) registering transparent lid 30 with cardboard base 20 with hinged tab 53 initially in an inoperative position; 2) positioning transparent lid 30 onto cardboard base 20 in the closed position with upper rim 24 received in first and second side channels 46A, 46B and first and second front channels 52A, 52B (Figure 2); and 3) folding hinged tab 53 from the inoperative position to an operative position in which the attachment region 56 engages rear wall portion 22B of cardboard base 20 following application of an adhesive to one or more of attachment region 56 and rear wall portion 22B (Figure 3).

In this way, hybrid packaging 10 is provided in which accurate positioning of hinged transparent lid 20 is achieved to allow provision of a lid that is a snug fit on the base (e.g. to increase storage life of the packaging) with the additional flexibility provided by the combination of flexible spacer region 58 and second hinge region 60 assisting subsequent opening and closing of transparent lid 30 without fouling rear wall portion 22B or damaging tamper evident tabs 24C, 24D and whilst reducing strain on first hinge region 54.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, once transparent lid 30 is attached to cardboard base the resulting hybrid packaging 10 may be configured ready for stacking and subsequent transportation to a packer by moving transparent lid 30 from the closed position to a fhlly open position as shown in FigureS.

Figure 7 shows the hybrid packaging 10 after packing ready for a tamper evident label to be applied to across label region 50 and front wall portion 22A.

Claims

Claims: 1. Packaging comprising: an open-topped base %rmed from a Ibldable blank and comprising a peripheral wall, the open-topped base defining a chamber having an opening defined by an upper rim of the peripheral wall, thc peripheral wall comprising a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and first and second opposed side wall portions; and a lid comprising a body including a peripheral rim-engaging portion (hr engaging the upper rim of the open-topped base when the lid is in a closed position covering the opening to the chamber, the lid defining at least one transparent region (hr allowing contents housed in the chamber to be viewed when the lid is in the closed position, the lid comprising a hinged tab pivotable relative to the lid body about a first hinge region, the hinged tab defining an attachment region attached to the rear wall portion of the open-topped base and a spacer region between the first hinge region and the attachment region; wherein the hinged tab further defines a second hinge region located between the spacer region and the attachment region.
2. Packaging according to claim!, wherein the lid body has a shell-like profile defining a further chamber having an opening defined by the peripheral rimengaging portion.
3. Packaging according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the second hinge region is lbrmed by a step between the spacer region and the attachment region.
4. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral rim-engaging portion comprises at least one side channel for receiving a section of the upper rim extending along at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions of the open-topped base.
5. Packaging according to claim 4, wherein the section of the upper rim extends substantially along the at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions.
6. Packaging according to claims, wherein the side channel includes a recessed portion configured to receive a tamper evident tab projecting from the section of the upper rim.
7. A method of manufacturing an item of packaging, comprising: providing an open-topped base formed from a foldable blank and comprising a S peripheral wall, the opcn-toppcd base defining a chamber having an opening defined by an upper rim of the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall comprising a front wall portion, a rear wall portion and first and second opposed side wall portions; and providing a lid comprising a body including a peripheral rim-engaging portion for engaging the upper rim of the open-topped base when the lid is in a closed position covering the opening to the chamber, the lid defining at least one transparent region for allowing contents housed in the chamber to be viewed when the lid is in the closed position, the lid comprising a hinged tab pivotable relative to the lid body about a first hinge region, the hinged tab defining an attachment region for attaching the hinged tab to the rear wall portion of the open-topped base; positioning the lid over the open-topped base so that the peripheral rim-engaging portion of the lid engages the upper rim of the open-topped base; and attaching the attachment region to the rear wall portion whilst the lid is in the closed position.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the hinged tab frirther comprises a spacer region between the first hinge region and the attachment region, wherein the hinged tab further defines a second hinge region located between the spacer region and the attachment region.
9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the method further comprises folding the hinged tab from an inoperative position in which the attachment region is spaced form the rear wall portion to an operative position in which the attachment region engages the rear wall portion.
10. A method according to any of claims 7-9, wherein the peripheral rim-engaging portion comprises at least one side channel for receiving a section of the upper rim extending along at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions of the open-topped base.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the section of the upper rim extends substantially along the at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions.
12. A method according to claim II, wherein the side channel includes a recessed portion configured to receive a tamper evident tab projecting from thc section of the upper St
13. Packaging comprising: an open-topped base comprising a peripheral wall, the open-topped base defining a chamber having an opening defined by an upper rim of the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall comprising a fmnt wall portion, a rear wall portion and first and second opposed side wall portions; and a lid comprising a body including a peripheral rim-engaging portion fbr engaging the upper rim of the open-topped base when the lid is in a closed position covering the opening to the chamber, the lid body having a shell-like profile defining a further chamber having an opening defined by the peripheral rim-engaging pothon wherein the peripheral rim-engaging portion comprises at least one side channel ibr receiving a section of the upper rim extending substantially along at least one of the first and second opposed side wall portions of the open-topped base, the at least one side channel including a recessed portion configured to receive a tamper evident tab projecting from the section of the upper rim.
14. Packaging according to claim 13, wherein the peripheral rim-engaging portion further comprises at least one front channel for receiving a section of the upper rim extending along the front wall portion of the open-topped base.
15. Packaging according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the rear wall portion of the open-topped base.
16. Packaging according to any of claims 13-15, wherein the open-topped base is formed fmm a foldable blank.
17. Packaging according to any of claims 13-16, wherein the lid defines at least one transparent region for allowing contents housed in the chamber to be viewed when the lid is in the closed position.