IT201900014544A1 - FOOD CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE ABOVE CONTAINER - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled:

“FOOD CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR MAKING IT

OF THE ABOVE CONTAINER "

The present invention relates to a food container. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the aforementioned food container.

Containers for foods of different shapes and sizes, as well as suitable for containing different types of foods, are known. These containers can have compact shapes, suitable for containing dried fruit or the like, or have more extended shapes (tray type) suitable for containing other types of food such as fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, fish or the like.

Depending on the type of storage required, these containers can be made with both biodegradable materials and plastic materials such as polyester or polyethylene.

In particular, in the case of biodegradable materials, the containers are usually made with cardboard / cardboard using traditional paper converting methods, through which it is possible to shape the containers by means of folding and shaping phases preceded by the application of the necessary glue points, at the end of the operations. , to maintain the shape.

These containers, without an upper edge and necessarily quadrangular in shape, need to be packed in a plastic casing using flow-pack machines or similar, thus requiring the production and consumption of important quantities of plastic material which, despite being recyclable, is now unwanted on the market for eco-sustainability reasons.

This problem is further accentuated in the distribution and storage of fresh food, in which currently almost exclusively containers made of polyethylene / polythene are used, a material that allows to generate the so-called gas barrier (i.e. the material is able to retain the gases such as oxygen, etc.), but which, due to its conformation, requires large quantities of plastic material.

The base material, in fact, is heated, elongated and folded during its forming, significantly reducing its thickness which, therefore, must originally be high (greater than 500 µm). Moreover, with reference to the latter containers, the criticality linked to transport should not be forgotten, since the already shaped plastic trays, even if stackable, have a high volume of space which reduces the margins arising from their relative cheapness of production. The technical task of the present invention is therefore to provide a container for food and a method of manufacturing the aforementioned food container that are able to overcome the drawbacks that have emerged from the known art.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a container for food and a method of manufacturing the aforementioned container for food which are highly ecological and at the same time qualitative.

More precisely, the object of the present invention is to provide a container which is ecological and at the same time suitable for being inserted in traditional sealing film sealing machines.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container for food which is completely recyclable and at the same time suitable for acting as a barrier to gases.

Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a container for food and a method of making the aforementioned container suitable for allowing the use of the container for storing sliced meats or the like. Said objects are achieved by a food container having the characteristics of one or more of claims 1 to 8, as well as by a method of manufacturing the aforementioned food container having the characteristics of one or more of claims 9 to 10.

In particular, the container comprises a box-like body made of a material at least partly recyclable and / or bio-compostable material, having a bottom wall (polygonal) and lateral perimeter walls connected together along respective connection lines and to said bottom wall .

The bottom wall and the side walls therefore define a containment volume for food facing an internal layer of the box-like body and open at the top at an upper opening.

Preferably, at least two side fins and one upper fin depart from each perimeter side wall.

It should be noted that the “lateral” and “upper” references are used here with reference to the side wall in a condition of use of the container, ie with the bottom wall of the box-like body resting on a horizontal plane.

Preferably, each side flap is connected to the respective side wall through a respective side fold line, defining a connecting edge of the respective perimeter side wall.

Preferably, moreover, each lateral fin is abutting and constrained to a respective adjacent lateral fin, defining a support element external to said containment volume.

Advantageously, in this way the two fins abutting each other double the thickness of the material with which the box-like body is made, providing a high structural support (for application) to the side walls even in the presence of a material of limited thickness.

Moreover, in some preferred embodiments, this is further accentuated by the fact that the support element is abutting and constrained (externally) to one of the side walls adjacent to it.

According to an aspect of the invention, each upper flap is connected to the respective side wall through a respective first upper folding line, along which it is folded away from the containment volume.

In this way, the upper flap defines an edge portion of the container suitable for receiving a closure element of the container, preferably a laminated sheet of heat-sealable plastic material. Advantageously, the edge of the container thus folded favors the application of closing elements typical of the food packaging industry, using known heat sealing machines.

In this regard, preferably, each upper flap is at least partially superimposed and constrained to at least one upper flap adjacent to it, so that said upper flaps define a continuous edge of the container.

Note that the expression "continuous edge" means in this text that the edge does not have structural discontinuities between a portion of the edge and the adjacent one, there is always at least a portion of the constraint or overlap between the two.

Advantageously, in this way the continuous edge of the container favors the application of the closing element and at the same time defines a perimeter reinforcement belt, which stiffens the structure of the container itself.

Preferably, each pair of adjacent lateral fins and / or adjacent upper fins comprises a layer of heat-sealed lacquer interposed between the fins and adapted to constrain them to each other. This advantageously avoids the need to apply a glue locally, by exploiting the preliminary preparation (at the blank level) of a layer of heat-sealable lacquer at the overlapping points.

Preferably, each upper flap comprises a folded portion with respect to said edge portion along a second upper fold line.

Advantageously, the presence of a folded portion at the continuous edge of the container defines a very strong stiffening element of the structure which, especially at the corners of the structure, is decisive in making the container thus created comparable to current plastic containers.

According to a further aspect of the invention, complementary or alternative to those described up to now, the box-like body is made of a multilayer material having both an external layer of recyclable and / or bio-compostable material and an internal heat-sealable layer of material suitable for contact. food with gas barrier properties.

Preferably, this container further comprises a plurality of sealing elements superimposed and constrained to said internal layer in correspondence with said connection lines and at least partially overlapping the respective edge portion of the container.

Advantageously, in this way the only points of possible "leak" inside the box-like body, located along the connection lines near the edge of the container, are blocked by the presence of the sealing elements, guaranteeing the gas barrier function of the container.

In this regard, it should be noted that the sealing elements are bodies / layers distinct from the inner layer of the box-like body, applied locally and / or in register during or following a phase of forming the container (as will be better clarified hereinafter).

According to a further aspect of the invention, complementary or alternative to those described so far, each pair of upper fins constrained to each other comprises a first and a second upper fin.

The first upper flap comprises a folded portion with respect to the edge portion along the second upper fold line described above and is provided with at least one lower extension flap adjacent and coplanar to said folded portion.

The second upper flap, on the other hand, comprises at least one upper extension flap adjacent and coplanar to the respective edge portion.

Preferably, the outer layer of the lower extension flap is abutting and constrained to the outer layer of the upper extension flap. Furthermore, the upper extension flap is coplanar with the edge portion of the first upper flap so as to define a continuous edge of said container.

Advantageously, therefore, the conformation of the upper flaps described above allows to obtain a flat edge of the container in which there are no "steps" or depressions that would compromise the gas tightness and the coupling with the closing element.

Preferably, in order to strengthen the edge structure, the second upper flap also comprises a portion folded with respect to said edge portion along a second upper fold line, adjacent and coplanar to the lower extension flap of the first upper flap.

It should be noted that, preferably, each upper extension flap is bonded to the respective lower extension flap by means of a layer of heat-sealable lacquer.

Advantageously, in this way it is possible to deposit the heat-sealable lacquer layer on the external layer (in paper / cardboard) of the two extension flaps during the production phase of the blank, activating it only in the phase of conformation of the container and guaranteeing a mechanical seal much higher than the one obtained by welding together two edges in heat-sealable plastic material.

According to a further aspect of the invention, complementary or alternative to those described up to now, the bottom wall of the box-like body has at least one window delimited by at least two side borders at least partially facing each other.

The back wall also includes at least a septum that rises transversely from at least one of said side edges of the window and towards the inside of the containment volume up to its own free end.

Preferably, the container comprises a covering element which is heat-sealed to the internal layer of the bottom wall and arranged astride said at least two edges so as to occlude the window.

The covering element surmounts said free end of the septum and defines a relief in the back wall.

Advantageously, in this way a container is made of biodegradable and / or compostable material (eg paper / cardboard) equipped with those typical reliefs of plastic containers and useful for facilitating the positioning and aeration of fresh products such as cold cuts or cheeses.

The object of the present invention is, as previously discussed, also a method for forming a container for food, preferably but not necessarily the one described up to now.

Preferably, the method provides for providing a flat blank having a first face and a second face opposite each other, corresponding respectively to the inner layer and the outer layer of the box-like body.

The flat blank comprises a base panel with a polygonal shape, perimetrically delimited by a plurality of internal folding lines, and a plurality of side panels, equal in number to said plurality of internal folding lines.

The side panels are connected to the base panel at said internal fold lines.

Preferably, each side panel is provided with:

- a central portion connected to said base panel,

- a pair of lateral tabs arranged on opposite sides of said central portion and connected to said central portion by lateral fold lines,

- an external tab arranged externally to said central portion and connected to it by means of a first external folding line.

According to the method, the blank is preformed by folding, at said first face, at least partially said side panels with respect to said base panel along said internal fold lines.

The blank is then shaped to form the food container described above, in which:

- the polygonal back wall corresponds to the base panel of the blank;

- the perimeter side walls correspond to the central portions of the side panels of the blank.

According to an aspect of the invention, the step of shaping the blank provides for bending said lateral tabs along said lateral bending lines towards the outside of the containment volume, or by rotating the tabs so that the second face of the lateral tab is angularly approached. to the first face of the corresponding central portion.

The folding step continues until each side tab of a side panel abuts at said first face to a corresponding side tab of an adjacent side panel.

The two lateral tabs, mutually abutting, are then constrained to each other to define support elements (substantially vertical) of the box-like body. These supporting elements are external to the containment volume.

Preferably, moreover, each external tab is folded along the respective first external fold line so as to define an edge portion of the container suitable for receiving a closure element. The folding therefore brings the external tab to position itself as a shelf with respect to the central portion of the respective side panel.

In the preferred embodiment, each external tab is partially superimposed and constrained to at least one external tab adjacent to it, so as to define the continuous edge of the container described above.

According to a further aspect of the invention, each external tab is further folded along a respective second external folding line (more external than the first) so as to define a folded portion of the edge.

In accordance with a further inventive aspect of the method, alternative or complementary to the previous ones, the conformation step provides for applying a plurality of sealing elements to the first layer of the blank, overlapping them in correspondence with said connection lines between the side walls and overlapping them at least partially to the respective edge portions of the container (i.e. to the corresponding portions of the external tabs).

Preferably, the sealing elements are bound to the box-like body in the area of application, simultaneously or subsequently to the conformation and, more preferably by the addition of heat. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, alternative or complementary to the previous ones, each pair of adjacent side panels of the blank has a corresponding pair of adjacent external tabs, in particular a first and a second external tab.

The first external tab comprises a first portion, delimited between the external fold lines, and a second portion, which extends from the second external fold line away from the first external fold line.

This second portion is provided with at least one extension flap projecting laterally to the first portion.

The second external tab in turn comprises at least a first portion adjacent to the first external folding line and is provided with at least one extension flap projecting laterally to the respective central portion.

In accordance with this shape of the blank, the conformation step involves folding the second portion of the first tab and abutting it below the first portion, so that the extension flap protrudes laterally and below it with its second face facing towards the top.

At this point, it is envisaged to abut the second face of said extension edge of the first external tongue to the second face of said extension edge of the second external tongue, so that said extension edge is coplanar with the first portion of the first external tongue for defining a continuous edge of said container.

The extension flaps are then bound together, preferably by heat-sealing and, more preferably, by the addition (prior to the conformation) of a heat-sealable lacquer.

According to another aspect of the invention, the base panel has a window delimited by a closed perimeter line having at least a first and a second edge at least partially facing each other.

The window is at least partially occluded by a partition hinged to the panel at the first edge. Preferably, therefore, the first edge and the septum define, at the blank level, the border and the septum defined previously at the container level.

A sheet of heat-sealable plastic material is superimposed on the window in correspondence with said first face, so that the closed line is surmounted by said sheet of plastic material and that the window is completely covered by the sheet.

Preferably, the sheet of heat-sealable plastic material is welded with the first face of the base panel along a closed sealing line; the sealing line is external to the closed perimeter line delimiting the window.

At this point, preferably, the partition is pushed (at the second face) against the sheet of heat-sealable plastic material and folded along the first edge of the window, until it is arranged transversely to the first face (or internal face).

The sheet of heat-sealable plastic material is configured to deform following the movement of the partition, surmounting it and in such a way as to keep said window covered and define a relief of a base wall of said container.

In this regard, preferably the sheet of plastic material is subjected to a heating step prior to or simultaneously with the step of pushing the septum, so as to make it malleable and favor its deformation.

Advantageously, thanks to this methodology it is possible to produce reliefs, bosses and ribs rising from the bottom wall of a container made of biodegradable or compostable material, preferably of paper / cardboard or the like, or of mainly non-deformable material.

This peculiarity makes the product particularly attractive also for the containment and marketing of fresh products such as cold cuts, both thanks to the presence of the reliefs and to the gas-impermeable nature of both the basic material and the plastic sheet.

These and other characteristics, together with the related technical advantages, will become clearer from the following exemplary, therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred, therefore non-exclusive, embodiment of a container for food and of a method of manufacturing the aforementioned container for food. in accordance with what is illustrated in the attached drawing tables, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 show top and bottom perspective views of a food container according to the present invention, in a first embodiment;

Figure 3 shows a first detail of a container for food according to one of the aspects of the present invention;

- Figure 3a shows a sequence of steps for making the detail of Figure 3;

Figure 4 shows a sequence of steps for manufacturing a second detail of a container for food according to one of the aspects of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows the detail of Figure 4 in an alternative embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a sequence of steps for manufacturing a third detail of a container for food according to one of the aspects of the present invention;

- Figure 7 shows a flat blank for making a container for food having the detail of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a sequence of steps for manufacturing a fourth detail of a container for food according to one of the aspects of the present invention;

- Figure 9 shows a top perspective view of a food container according to the present invention, in accordance with the embodiment of the detail of Figure 8;

- Figure 10 shows a flat blank for making a container for food having the detail of Figure 8.

With reference to the attached figures, 1 indicates a container for food which, for simplicity of description, will be referred to below as container 1.

By food we mean any type of food product, fresh or not, such as dried fruit, dried fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products and the like.

The container 1 comprises a box-like body 2 made of a material at least partially recyclable and / or bio-compostable starting from a substantially flat blank 100.

Preferably, said material at least partially recyclable and / or biocomposable is of cellulosic nature, more preferably made of paper, cardboard or cardboard.

More preferably, the box-like body 2 is mainly made of long fiber virgin paper or kraft paper or wood fiber.

In the preferred embodiment, the box-like body 2 is made of a multilayer material having an external layer 2a in said recyclable and / or bio-compostable material and an internal heat-sealable layer 2b, in material suitable for food contact with gas barrier properties .

Preferably, the inner layer 2b is made of polyester or polypropylene or polythenes or other suitable plastic material.

Preferably, the inner layer 2b has such a thickness and weight as to be less than 10% by weight of the box-like body 2.

In other words, preferably the inner layer 2a defines at least 90%, more preferably 95% by weight of the box-like body 2.

Advantageously, in this way the box-like body is completely recyclable in the paper spinneret, even though it is equipped with a layer of material which acts as a barrier to gases.

Preferably, the box-like body comprises a bottom wall 3 and a plurality of perimeter side walls 4 connected together along respective connection lines 4a and to the bottom wall 3 in such a way as to define a containment volume "V" for food.

The containment volume "V" is preferably facing the inner layer 2b and is open at the top at an upper opening which, in use, is preferably occluded by a closing element.

In the preferred embodiment, the bottom wall 3 has a substantially polygonal shape, that is, delimited by a perimeter edge 3a defined by a closed broken line that is not intertwined.

The perimeter edge 3a therefore has a plurality of sides side by side which, preferably, are equal in number to the number of side walls 4.

Each perimeter wall 4 is connected (pivoted) to the bottom wall 3 by means of the respective side of the perimeter edge 3a.

Preferably, at least two lateral fins 5 and an upper fin 6 branch off from each perimeter side wall 4.

In this regard, it should be noted that the "lateral" and "upper" references are used here with reference to the side wall in a condition of use of the container, ie with the bottom wall 3 of the box-like body 2 resting on a horizontal plane.

According to an aspect of the present invention, each lateral flap 5 is connected to the respective side wall 4 through a respective lateral folding line 5a and is abutting and constrained to a respective adjacent lateral flap 5, defining a support element 7 external to said volume of containment "V".

In other words, each lateral flap 5 has an internal face abutting the internal face of the adjacent flap, being only the external face of one or both of the flaps facing externally to the container 1.

Preferably, each pair of adjacent lateral fins 5 comprises a layer of heat-sealed lacquer interposed between the fins 5 and adapted to constrain them to each other.

The lacquer layer is preferably distributed on the inner face of the side flaps 5 prior to the shape of the container, so as to facilitate its forming.

In the preferred embodiment, each support element 7 is abutting and constrained (externally) to one of the side walls 4 adjacent to it.

In other words, the support element 7 is folded in such a way that one of the side flaps 5 that define it has its own external face abutting and constrained to the corresponding side wall 4 (externally to it).

Advantageously, this contributes to both stiffening the structure of the container and reducing its overall dimensions.

According to a further aspect of the invention, each upper flap 6 is connected to the respective side wall 4 through a respective first upper folding line 6a.

Each upper flap 6 is therefore folded along the first upper folding line 6a, away from the containment volume "V" and as a shelf.

The upper flaps 6 therefore each define an edge portion 8 of the container suitable for receiving the closure element.

In other words, the presence of a support shelf at the end of the side walls 4 defines a space sufficient to abut and heat-seal the closing element on the edge portions 8.

Preferably, each upper flap 6 is at least partially superimposed and constrained to at least one adjacent upper flap 6 so that said upper flaps 6 define a continuous edge "E" of the container 1.

The continuous edge "E" is therefore substantially annular and defined by the set of edge portions 8, partly overlapping each other at the respective overlapping edges.

It should be noted that, preferably, the adjacent upper fins have a layer of heat-sealed lacquer interposed between them and able to constrain them to each other. More precisely, the overlapping edges of each pair of upper fins 6 are mutually constrained by means of a layer of heat-sealed lacquer or other permanent adhesive.

Preferably, moreover, each upper flap comprises a folded portion 9 with respect to said edge portion 8 along a second upper fold line 6b.

The second upper folding line 6b is therefore external and at least in part parallel to the first upper folding line 6a.

Preferably, therefore, each upper flap 6 has the edge portion 8, angled with respect to the side wall 4 and projecting externally thereto, and the folded portion 9, defining a hook or a curve with respect to the edge portion 8.

Advantageously, the second upper folding line 6b, together with the presence of a continuous edge "E", defines a continuous folded edge and a reinforcing and stiffening chain of the container structure 1.

It should be noted that each edge portion 8 has a first surface, connecting it with said closing element, and a second surface opposite the first.

Preferably, the folded portion 9 is abutting and constrained to the second surface of the edge portion so as to define a continuous reinforced edge of said container 1.

In the preferred embodiment, the folded portion 9 and the edge portion 8 are coupled by means of a layer of heat-sealed lacquer. With reference to Figures 1-3, it should be noted that preferably the continuous reinforced edge (i.e. the whole of the edge portion 8 and the folded portion 9 abutting each other) is at least partially curved towards the side wall 4 along a third fold line upper 6c.

The third upper fold line 6c is preferably interposed between the first 6a and the second upper fold 6b.

In the preferred embodiment, the third upper fold line 6c and the second upper fold 6b are substantially parallel (and concentric) to each other.

Advantageously, the presence of an edge equipped with both an overlapping double layer (edge portion 8 and the folded portion 9) and a further reinforcing fold (third upper fold line 6c) makes the container highly resistant from a point of view. mechanical even for very small thicknesses of the material with which the box-like body 2 is made.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, each pair of adjacent upper flaps (partly overlapping) comprises a first upper flap 6 'and a second upper flap 6' 'coupled to each other and partially overlapping.

In accordance with what has already been reported above, preferably the first upper flap 6 'includes the folded portion 9' with respect to the edge portion 8 'along the second upper folding line 6b'. Furthermore, the first upper flap 6 'is provided with at least one lower extension flap 11a adjacent and coplanar to the folded portion 9. In other words, the edge portion 8' of the first upper flap 6 'has an extension substantially corresponding to that of the second upper folding line 6b ', while the folded portion 9' extends further due to the presence of the lower extension flap 11a. The lower extension flap 11a therefore has an upper face and a lower face, defined respectively by the first layer 2a and the second layer 2b of the box-like body 2. Being part of the folded portion 9 ', therefore, the upper face of the lower extension flap 11a is therefore defined by the outer layer (compostable and / or recyclable) of the box-like body 2.

The second upper flap 6 instead includes an upper extension flap 11b adjacent and coplanar to the respective edge portion 8 ''. The lower extension flap 11a therefore has an upper face and a lower face, defined respectively by the second layer 2a and by the first layer 2b of the box-like body 2. Being part of the edge portion 8 '' (not folded), therefore, the face bottom of the upper extension flap 11b is therefore defined by the outer layer (compostable and / or biodegradable) of the box-like body 2.

According to this aspect of the invention, the outer layer of said lower extension flap 11a is abutting and constrained to the outer layer of the upper extension flap 11b, so that the upper extension flap 11b is coplanar with the edge portion 8 'of the first upper flap 6 '. Advantageously, this structure allows to define an edge "E" of the container 1 which, in addition to being continuous, is flat, that is, without steps or depressions.

In this way, the coupling between the container 1 and the closing element is facilitated and absolute gas tightness is guaranteed along the edge "E".

In this regard, it should be noted that the coupled faces of the extension flaps are preferably made of compostable and / or biodegradable material (paper / cardboard), which allows them to be fixed by means of high-strength adhesion means.

Preferably, in fact, each upper extension flap 11b is bound to the respective lower extension flap 11a by means of a layer of heat-sealable lacquer interposed between them.

The lacquer layer is preferably positioned on one or both of the outer layers of the extension flaps at the blank level and then activated during the coupling phase.

Advantageously, in this way the "mechanical" seal of the connection is considerably increased.

Note that, preferably, the second upper flap 6 'in turn comprises a folded portion 9' adjacent and coplanar to the lower extension flap 11a of the first upper flap 6 '.

The folded portion 9 '' of the second upper flap 6 '' therefore has a length equal to the second upper folding line 6b '' (lower than that of the edge portion 8 'including the upper extension flap 11b).

Advantageously, in this way the edge has a constant thickness along the entire perimeter of the container, achieving greater rigidity and providing the user with a more pleasant appearance.

It should be noted that, preferably, the bottom wall 3 and the continuous edge "E" have different shapes from each other; in particular, the bottom wall 3 preferably has a polygonal conformation, while the continuous edge "E" has rounded edges.

In this regard, preferably at least two upper flaps 6 have respective second upper folding lines 6b having a curved course, with concavity facing towards the first upper folding line 6a.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, for example, it is noted that the bottom wall has a plurality of side walls with an angle of 4 ', each of which corresponds to a respective curved upper tab 6.

Advantageously, in this way it is possible to adapt the typical polygonal shape of the containers made from blank with curved edges normally used in the packaging of food by means of heat-sealed closing elements.

According to a further aspect of the invention, complementary or alternative to those described up to now, the container 1 further comprises a plurality of sealing elements 10 superimposed and constrained to said internal layer 2b, in correspondence with the connection lines 4a and at least in part a overlapping of the respective edge portion 8 of the container 1.

Advantageously, in this way the only area of the container potentially subject to leaks (related to the folding and approaching of the flaps) is locally sealed, ensuring complete gas tightness of the container 1.

In this regard, it should be noted that the sealing elements 10 are bodies distinct from the inner layer 2b of the box-like body 2, superimposed thereto to define a further and additional seal to that defined by the inner layer 2b itself.

In the preferred embodiment, the sealing elements 10 are adhesive strips respectively arranged astride two adjacent side walls 4 and / or two adjacent upper fins 6.

More precisely, each sealing element 10 is preferably defined by a strip located at a point of intersection between a connection line 4a and the corresponding first upper fold line 6.

In some embodiments, the strip runs along the entire connection line 4a, from the bottom wall 3 to the edge portion 8.

It should be noted that, preferably, the strips are defined by strips of plastic material, heat-sealed or glued to the inner layer 2b of the box-like body 2.

Alternatively, however, the sealing elements 10 could be defined by the melting of a determined quantity of plastic powders deposited in correspondence with said connection lines 4a.

According to a further aspect of the invention, which is also complementary but possibly alternative to the previous ones, the back wall 3 has at least one window 12 delimited by at least two lateral borders 13 at least partially facing each other.

Preferably, the bottom wall 3 has at least a partition 14 that rises transversely from at least one of the lateral edges 13 of the window 12 and towards the inside of the containment volume "V" up to its own free end 14a.

Preferably, the baffles 14 are at least two, each protruding from a respective border 13 of the window 12.

It should be noted that, in the preferred embodiments, the edges 13 from which a septum 14 rises are creases / fold lines which facilitate its transversal positioning during the forming phase (as will be better clarified hereinafter).

In this regard, preferably, each partition 14 rises transversely to said bottom wall and defines with it an inclination angle of between 90 ° and 150 °, more preferably of about 90 °.

According to this aspect of the invention, the container 1 comprises a cover element 15 heat-sealed to the internal layer 2b of the bottom wall 3 and arranged astride said at least two edges 13 so as to occlude the window 12.

The covering element 15 surmounts the free end 14a of the septum 14 and, therefore, defines a relief in the back wall 3.

Preferably, the covering element 15 surmounts the free end 14a of both partitions 14. More preferably, the area of said window 12 corresponds to the sum of the areas of said at least two partitions 14.

Advantageously, thanks to this structure it is possible to equip paper / cardboard containers with reliefs and support portions for food, however not made of plastic material, expanding the range of products for which the containers object of the invention may be suitable. Preferably, the covering element 15 is defined by a sheet 15a of plastic material. In this regard, the sheet 15a is connected to the inner layer 2b of the bottom wall 3 by means of a joining strip 16 which surrounds the window 12.

In other words, the junction strip 16 is a closed line / area that completely surrounds the window and defines the only coupling / constraint area between the covering element 15 and the back wall 3.

In this regard, preferably the junction strip 16 is defined by a fusion / welding between the internal layer 2b of the bottom wall 3 (in plastic material) and the covering element 15.

With reference to what is illustrated in Figures 8-10, preferably the window 12 has a polygonal shape (more preferably rectangular) and is delimited by a plurality of edges 13 defining a closed broken line from which a corresponding plurality of partitions 14 with respective ends rises. free and surmounted by the covering element 15. In the preferred embodiment, the baffles 14 are four.

The object of the present invention is also a method for making a container for food, preferably but not exclusively of the type described up to now.

In this regard, for all the method steps reported below, where the characteristics illustrated refer to the structural characteristics of the container mentioned above, what reported above is to be considered applicable mutatis mutandis.

In the first instance, the method object of the invention starts from a blank 100 shaped plane so as to define, as a result of conformation, the box-like body 2.

The flat blank 100 has a first face 100a and a second face 100b opposite each other. Preferably, in use these faces correspond to the outer layer 2a and the inner layer 2b.

The blank 100 is therefore made at least in part of a recyclable and / or biodegradable and / or bio-compostable material, preferably of a cellulosic nature, more preferably made of paper, cardboard or cardboard.

More preferably, the blank 100 is mainly made of virgin long fiber paper or kraft paper or wood fiber.

In the preferred embodiment, the blank 100 is made of a multilayer material having a first heat-sealable layer (comprising the first face 100a, in internal use), in a material suitable for food contact with gas barrier properties, and a second layer ( comprising the second face 100b, in external use) in said recyclable and / or bio-compostable material.

Preferably, the first inner layer is made of polyester or polypropylene or polythenes or other suitable plastic material.

The blank 100 also comprises a base panel 101 of polygonal shape bounded by a plurality of internal folding lines 102.

The base panel 100 is in fact corresponding to the bottom wall 3 of the box-like body 2. The internal folding lines therefore define the perimeter edge 3a of the bottom wall 3.

A plurality of side panels 103 depart from the base panel 101, in a number equal to said plurality of internal folding lines 102.

Each side panel 103 is connected to the base panel 101 via a corresponding internal fold line 102.,

Preferably, each side panel 103 is provided with a central portion 104, a pair of side tabs 105 and an external tab 106.

The central portion 104 actually corresponds to a side wall 4 of the box-like body 2 and is connected to said base panel 101 by means of the internal folding line 102.

The side tabs 105 are arranged on opposite sides of said central portion 104 and connected thereto by lateral fold lines 105a. These side tabs 105 therefore correspond to the side tabs 5, just as the side fold lines 105a correspond to the side fold lines 5a.

The external tab 106 is disposed externally to the central portion 104 and is connected thereto by means of a first external fold line 106a. The external tabs 106 of the blank 100 therefore correspond to the upper fins 6 of the container 1, where the first external fold line 106a corresponds to the first upper fold line 6a.

The method therefore provides for preforming said blank by folding, at said first face 100a, at least partially said side panels 103 with respect to said base panel 101 along said internal folding lines 103a.

The blank is then shaped so as to form the container 1. Preferably, in this regard, the method provides for moistening the blank 100 and, subsequently, drying it following the pre-forming or, more preferably, simultaneously or subsequently to said shape.

Preferably, therefore, the blank 100 is hit with at least one flow of steam at a predetermined temperature before its conformation, so as to make it more easily modelable.

The drying phase is instead preferably carried out by means of heated abutment elements and pressed against said side panels 103 during the conformation, so as to maximize the forming efficiency. In greater detail, the shaping step preferably provides for bending said side tabs 105 along said side bending lines 105a until each side tab 105 of a side panel 103 abuts, at said first face 100a, to a corresponding side tab 105 of an adjacent side panel 103.

The lateral tabs 105 abutting each other are then (or contextually) constrained to each other in correspondence with the first face 100a, defining the support elements 7 of said box-like body 2.

In this regard, preferably the first face 100a of the lateral tabs 105 has a layer of heat-sealable lacquer, during said bonding step, it is activated by fixing the tabs together.

In some preferred embodiments, the support element 7, i.e. the pair of lateral tabs 105 is further folded along the side fold line 105a until it abuts the second face 100b of one of the lateral tabs 105 on the second face 100b of the corresponding central portion 104.

With reference to the external tabs 106, each of them is preferably folded along the respective first external fold line 106a so as to define the edge portion 8 of the container 1.

This bending phase takes place after the pre-forming phase, subsequently or simultaneously with the realization of the support elements 7.

According to an aspect of the invention, each external tab 106 is partially superimposed, and constrained, to at least one adjacent external tab 106 so as to define a continuous edge "E" of the container. In this regard, therefore, the external tab 106 each have at least one overlapping portion which is provided with a layer of heat-sealable lacquer (or other similar adhesive) which, during the shaping phase, is activated by heat input.

Preferably, moreover, each external tab 106 is further folded along a respective second external fold line 106b so as to define a folded portion 9 of the edge of the container 1. The second external fold line 106b therefore corresponds to the second upper fold line 6b of the upper flap 6 and is located distal from the base panel 101 with respect to the first outer fold line 106a.

Advantageously, in this way the container 1 resulting from the method has high rigidity and adequate strength even in the presence of a blank of reduced thickness.

According to a further innovative aspect of the method (Figures 4-5), complementary or alternative to the previous one, apply and constrain a plurality of sealing elements 10 overlapping them at the connection lines 4a and overlapping them at least partially with the respective edge portions 8 of the container 1.

This step can be carried out by depositing the sealing elements 10 during the shaping or, alternatively, at a subsequent moment by nebulizing / applying melted and subsequently dried plastic particles.

In accordance with the first alternative, the method could provide for applying the sealing elements 10 (in the form of adhesive strips) to the internal abutments of the shaping machine, thus ensuring their correct positioning during the shaping of the container 1.

In accordance with a further inventive aspect (Figures 6-7), the blank 100 could provide, for each pair of adjacent side panels 103, respectively, a first 106 'and a second external tab 106'.

The first external tab 106 'includes the first 106a' and the second external folding line 106b '.

A first portion 108 'of the first external tab 106' is delimited between said external fold lines 106a ', 106b', while starting from the second external fold line 106b 'away from the first external fold line 106a' a second portion 109 'of the first outer tab 106.

This second portion 109 'is provided with at least one extension flap 11a projecting laterally to the first portion 108'.

The second external tab 106 '' in turn comprises at least a first portion 108 '' adjacent to the first external folding line 106a '' and is provided with at least one extension flap 11b projecting laterally to the respective central portion 104.

In accordance with this shape of the blank 100, the shaping step provides for folding the second portion 109 'of the first external tab 106' so as to abut it below the first portion 108 ', so that the extension flap 11a protrudes laterally and below it with its second face facing upwards.

At this point, it is envisaged to abut the second face of said extension edge 11a of the first external tongue 106 'to the second face of said extension edge 11b of the second external tongue 106' ', so that said extension edge 11b is coplanar to the first portion 108 'of the first external tab 106' to define a continuous edge "E" of said container 1.

Said extension flaps are then (or contextually) bound together, preferably by heat-sealing or by activating a previously applied heat-sealable lacquer.

Advantageously, in this way it is possible to make a container made of material such as paper or cardboard which in any case has gas barrier properties comparable to those of current plastic containers.

With reference to a further aspect of the present invention (Figures 8-10), complementary or alternative to the previous ones, the base panel 101 of the blank could have a window 112 delimited by a closed perimeter line 112a having at least first 113a and a second edge 113b at least partly facing each other.

The window 112, at the level of the blank 100, is at least partially occluded by a partition 114 pivoted to the panel 101 in correspondence with said first edge 113a.

The method provides at this point to superimpose a sheet 115 of heat-sealable plastic material to said window 112 in correspondence with said first face 100a so that said closed line 112a is surmounted and said window 112 is completely covered by said sheet 115.

At this point the sheet 115 of heat-sealable plastic material is constrained (welded) with the first face 100a of the base panel 101, along a closed sealing line 115a external to said closed perimeter line 112a delimiting the window.

Preferably, this bonding step is carried out by means of suitably shaped heat-sealing matrices.

It should be noted that, following or simultaneously with the constraint, the sheet 115 is preferably heated in order to soften it and make it more easily deformable.

After fixing the sheet 115 to the base panel 101, the partition 113 is pushed against the sheet 115 itself by folding it along said first edge 113a until it is arranged transversely (preferably orthogonally) to the first face 100a.

In the preferred embodiment, the partitions 113 are at least two hinged to the base panel 101 along both edges 113a, 113b and both are pushed / rotated, causing a lifting and a deformation of the sheet 115.

Said sheet 115 of heat-sealable plastic material is in fact configured to deform following the movement of each partition 113 surmounting it and in such a way as to keep said window 112 covered and define a relief of a base wall 3 of said container 1.

In this regard, it should be noted that the plastic deformation of the sheet leads to its thinning, which is why the sheet 15 described above with reference to the container 1, already deformed, has a greater surface extension and a smaller thickness than the sheet 115 described here and applied to the base panel in undeformed configuration.

It should also be noted that the sealing of the sheet 115 to the base panel 101 along a sealing line 115a located externally to the window 112, considerably facilitates the deformation without breaking the sheet itself, making in fact possible a relative sliding between the partition 113 and the respective portion of "overlap" of sheet 115.

In the preferred embodiment, the pushing phase is followed by means of a wedge or pusher, inserted transversely to the window 112 by the second face 100b of the blank and counter-shaped to the window 112 itself. The invention achieves the intended purposes and has important advantages. In fact, the container 1 described up to now comprises a plurality of inventive and independent features, which make its structure sturdy (folded portion), maximum seal (sealing elements and / or extension flaps) and extend the applicability (findings).

These characteristics make it possible to make available a container made of mainly cellulosic material that is comparable to current plastic containers both in terms of performance (resistance and tightness) and conformation, thus favoring the use of current heat-sealing machines for the application of the elements of closure.

Furthermore, the peculiar conformation phases object of the invention maximize the possible applications and possible uses of the container, which can be exploited both for the containment of dry food and fresh food.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Container (1) for food, comprising a box-shaped body (2) made of a multilayer material having an external layer (2a) in recyclable and / or bio-compostable material and an internal heat-sealable layer (2b) in a material suitable for contact food, in which said box-like body (2) has a bottom wall (3) and lateral perimeter walls (4) connected to each other and to said bottom wall (3) in such a way as to define a containment volume (V) for food facing said inner layer (2b) is open at the top at an upper opening, wherein said bottom wall (3) has at least one window (12) delimited by at least two side borders (13) at least partially facing each other, and in which said bottom wall (3) has at least one partition (14) which rises transversely from at least one of said side edges (13) of the window (12) and towards the inside of the containment volume (V) up to its own free end (14a), said container comprising a covering element (15) heat-sealed to the inner layer (2b) of the bottom wall (3) and arranged astride said at least two edges (13) so as to occlude the window (12), in which the covering element (15) surmounts said free end (14a) of the partition (14) and defines a relief in the back wall (3). Container (1) according to claim 1, comprising two septa (14) which each rise from a respective border (13) towards a respective free end (14a) and are facing each other, and in which said covering element ( 15) surmounts both free ends (14a) of said partitions (14). Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said covering element (15) is defined by a sheet (15a) of plastic material. Container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said covering element (15) is connected to the bottom wall (3) by means of a joining strip (16) which surrounds the window (12). Container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which said window (12) has a polygonal shape, preferably rectangular. 6. Container (1) according to claim 5, in which the area of said window (12) corresponds to the sum of the areas of said at least two partitions (14). Container (1) according to claim 1, in which said window (12) has a polygonal shape, preferably rectangular, defined as a plurality of edges (13) from which a corresponding plurality of partitions (14) with respective free ends ( 14a) surmounted by the covering element (15). Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which each septum (14) rises transversely to said bottom wall (3) and defines with it an inclination angle of between 90 ° and 150 °. 9. Method for making a container (1) for food, comprising the steps of: - prepare a flat blank (100) made with a multilayer material having an outer layer (2a) in recyclable and / or bio-compostable material, defining a second face (100b) of said blank (100), and an inner layer (2b ) heat-sealable in material suitable for food contact with gas barrier properties, defining a first face (100a) of said blank (100), said blank comprising a base panel (101) perimetrically delimited by at least one internal fold line (102) and at least one side panel (103) connected to said base panel (101) in correspondence with said internal fold line (102 ), wherein said base panel (101) has a window (112) delimited by a closed perimeter line (112a) having at least first (113a) and a second edge (113b) at least partially facing each other; said window (112) being at least partially occluded by a partition (114) pivoted to the panel at said first edge (113a); - superimpose a sheet (115) of heat-sealable plastic material on said window (112) in correspondence with said first face (100a) so that said closed perimeter line (112a) is surmounted by said sheet (115) of plastic material and said window (112) is completely covered by said sheet (115), - sealing said sheet (115) of heat-sealable plastic material with said internal layer (2b) along a closed sealing line (116) external to said closed perimeter line delimiting the window (112), - pushing said partition (114) against said sheet (115) of heat-sealable plastic material by bending it along said first edge (113a) until it is arranged transversely to said first face (100a), said sheet (115) of heat-sealable plastic material being configured to deform following the movement of the septum (114) surmounting it and in such a way as to keep said window (12) covered and define a relief of a bottom wall (3) of said container. Method according to claim 9, comprising a step of heating said sheet (115) of heat-sealable plastic material, preferably after said sealing step.