ITMI20121286A1 - PACKAGING FOR FOODSTUFFS, PROCEDURE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SAME AND PROCEDURE FOR PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

â € œPACKAGING FOR FOOD PRODUCTS, PROCEDURE FOR MAKING THE SAME AND PROCESS FOR PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTSâ €

FIELD OF THE TROVATO

The present invention relates to a packaging for food products, comprising a container made of paper material and a relative covering element. In particular, the present invention finds application in the preparation of food products in the oven and their subsequent display to the public.

STATE OF THE ART

As is well known, the confectionery industry uses various types of molds for the cooking of food products in series, including molds in paper material, generally inexpensive and optimal for cooking the product in the oven.

These molds are suitable for being left in contact with the prepared food product also in the subsequent sales office.

Once the cooking of the food product is finished, a known solution provides for the positioning of the latter and the relative paper mold inside a bottom in plastic material to which a covering element in transparent material is coupled (in general the covering element is also made of plastic material), so that the product thus prepared can be displayed in shop windows for sale to the public.

This first known technique, while performing the tasks for which it is responsible, necessarily involves the use of three distinct elements for cooking and subsequent packaging of the food product with consequent costs and additional times for packaging and ecological problems related to the ™ use of a large amount of plastic.

In order to at least partially obviate the drawbacks described above, baking molds made of paper material have spread on the market to which it is possible to snap a plastic cover element directly. This solution, while simplifying the management operations and packaging costs, entailed the need to create more complex baking molds that had the appropriate reinforcing edges suitable for snap coupling with the plastic lid.

A further example of the technique known today, object of patent EP 1972566, provides for the realization, by means of conventional folding and gluing machines, of a container in paper material which, in transport conditions, appears to lie on the surface, while, in conditions of assembly, defines the containment compartment for the food product.

A transparent plastic cover element is welded to the container which, once assembled to the paper container, defines the lid of the package.

This last type of known packaging, while being very simple to make and having relatively low costs, has the serious drawback of not being able to be used for cooking the food product, as the plastic material cannot be introduced as well. in the oven.

An additional example of known art, object of patent EP 1731442, also describes a container in paper material which defines a containment compartment for the food product. The container removably engages a covering element in transparent plastic material designed to allow the protection, and at the same time, the exposure to the public of the packaged food product.

The container has two through openings placed on a rear wall of the latter, while the covering element comprises respective projections adapted to be removably engaged inside said openings.

The engagement between openings and protrusions occurs thanks to the passage of the protrusions through the rear wall of the container: the shape of the openings and protrusions guarantee, in conditions of use of the container, a firm coupling between the latter and the ™ cover element.

The removability of the cover element with respect to the container allows the cover to be engaged with the container only in case of need.

Although the packaging structure described in the second example can boast some advantages over the previous one in terms of operational flexibility, the presence of the through openings on the side wall of the container does not allow the containment and subsequent cooking of liquid, semi-liquid or in any case pasty foods. Furthermore, the food product placed inside the container can obstruct the through openings and occupy the volume necessary to house the protrusions themselves: in this way the product would prevent the positioning of the protrusions of the lid in the constrained condition (unless the physical integrity of the product is damaged).

PURPOSE OF THE FIND

The aim of the present invention is therefore to substantially solve one or more of the drawbacks and limitations of the previous solutions.

A first objective of the invention is to provide packaging for food products that allows cooking in the oven, packaging and subsequent display of the food product, limiting production costs and maintaining the simplicity of the product.

A further main object of the invention is to provide a packaging equipped with a container for food products in extremely simple and inexpensive paper material which is nevertheless suitable for reliably receiving a covering element.

A further purpose is to allow the food product to be viewed once it has been placed inside the packaging.

A further aim of the invention is to provide packaging for food products that allows the end user to open and close the packaging extremely simply and reliably, also allowing the packaging to be reused. Obviously, the aim of the invention is to maintain the stackability of the container and the covering element to facilitate transport and storage operations. Furthermore, an auxiliary object of the invention is also that of allowing a simplified engagement between the container and the covering element to ensure easy assembly thereof.

One or more of the objects described above and which will become clearer in the course of the following description are substantially achieved by a packaging for food products in accordance with one or more of the appended claims.

Aspects of the invention are described below.

In a 1st aspect, a packaging (1) for food products comprising a container (2) made from a flat element in a sheet of paper material developing in a prevalent plane, said flat element in a sheet presenting a first and a second surface ( 2a; 2b) opposite each other, said container (2) having:

> a base (3),

> a plurality of lateral elements (4) connected perimeter to the base (3) and emerging away from it,

the base (3) and at least a part of the side elements (4) define a housing compartment (5) designed to contain food products and whose internal surface is defined by at least a portion of the first surface (2a) of the element sheet top, the container (2), in operating condition, defining a free edge (6) delimiting the housing compartment (5) and defining an opening (7) placed in the upper part of the container (2) itself, called container (2) comprising at least a first hooking element (9) associated with at least one side element (4) and placed externally to the housing compartment (5);

and in which the packaging (1) comprises at least one covering element (11) having at least one first hooking element (12) removably engageable to the first hooking element (9) of the container (2) to define between said hooking elements ( 9; 12) a constraint condition, said covering element (11) being configured to define a closing condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, substantially prohibits access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), the cover element (11) being configured to define an opening condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, allows access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), and in which the covering element (11) is also configured to rotate relatively with respect to the container (2) to allow, during the constraint condition between the covering element (11) and the container (2), the transition from with diction of closing to the open condition and vice versa;

both the hooking elements (9; 12) of the container (2) and the covering element (11) respectively are placed externally to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2) so as to define an external coupling to said compartment (5) does not interfere with the internal volume of the latter. In a 2nd aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the first coupling element (9) of the container (2) optionally comprises at least one protrusion (14) emerging from the opposite side with respect to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2 ), and in which the covering element (11) comprises a main body (11a) which, in the closed condition of the covering element (11), at least partially covers the opening (7) of the compartment housing (5) of the container (2), said first hooking element (12) of the covering element (11) comprising at least one respective projection (15) emerging transversely with respect to the main body (11a) placed outside the housing compartment (5) of the container (2).

In a 3rd aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the projection (15) of the covering element (11) is relatively movable by rotation with respect to the main body (11a) of the latter so as to allow, during the constraint condition between the container (2) and the covering element (11), the passage of the covering element (11) from the closed condition to the open condition and vice versa.

In a 4th aspect in accordance with the 2nd or 3rd aspect the projection (14) of the container (2) comprises at least one seat or abutment adapted to be removably engaged to at least one respective abutment or seat of the projection (15) of the covering element (11), the engagement between the seat and the abutment, firmly binding the covering element (111 to the container (2).

In a 5th aspect in accordance with the 2nd or 3rd or 4th aspect the projection (14) of the container (2) comprises at least one tab (16) extending substantially along a development plane prevalent between a lower surface (16a) , facing the bottom of the container (2), and an upper surface (16b) facing the opening (7) of the container (2), said tab (16) presenting at least one seat (17) suitable for accommodating at least one abutment (19) of the projection (15) of the cover element (11) to define the removable engagement between the latter and the container (2).

In a 6th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the seat (17) comprises at least one through opening (20) extending from the lower surface (16a) to the upper surface (16b) of the tab (16) of the container (2 ).

In a 7th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the protrusion (15) of the covering element (11) comprises a respective tab (18) carrying said striker (19), the opening (20) of the seat (17), at least in the constrained condition, by crossing at least part of the tongue (18) of the projection (15) of the covering element (11).

In an 8th aspect in accordance with any of the 5th to 7th aspects, the abutment (19) of the covering element (11) comprises at least a first support portion (21) able to abut the lower surface (16a ) of the tab (16) of the container (2).

In a 9th aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from the 5th to the 8th, the abutment (19) of the covering element (11) includes at least a second support portion (22) able to abut the upper surface (16b) of the tab (16) of the container (2).

In a 10th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the tab (16) of the container (2), in the constraint conditions, is interposed between the first and second support portion (21; 22) of the cover (11), said first and second support portions (21; 22) being configured to prevent the tab (18) from translating with respect to the container (2) at least along a crossing direction of the tab (18) with respect to the opening (20) of the seat (17). In an 11th aspect in accordance with any one of the 5th to 10th aspects, the abutment (19) substantially defines a housing seat (23) able to at least partially receive the tab (16) of the container (2).

In a 12 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the housing seat (23) presents, according to a cross section, a substantially â € œCâ € profile. In a 13 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the â € œCâ € profile of the housing seat has a concavity facing away from the housing compartment (5) of the container (2).

In a 13th aspect in accordance with any of the 7th to 12th aspects, the tab (18) of the first hooking element (12) of the covering element (11) has a leading edge (35) configured to guide the insertion of the tab (18) itself inside the opening (20) of the housing (17) of the container (2).

In a 14 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the opening portion (35) extends from the first support portion (21) to a free transverse end (16c) of the tab (16) of the container (2).

In a 15th aspect in accordance with the 13th or 14th aspect, the opening portion (35) presents, according to a transverse section, a thickness having a decreasing trend from the first support portion (21) to the extremity free transverse (16c).

In a 16th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the first hooking element (9) of the container (2) comprises an auxiliary tab (31) having a first transverse edge (32) connected to the free edge (6) of the container (2) and a second transverse edge (33) connected to the tab (16) of the container (2).

In a 17th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the auxiliary tab (31) being at least partially coupled to at least one side element (4) of the container (2) and extending parallel to the latter.

In an 18th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects the first coupling element (9) is joined in one piece to the container (2).

In a 19th aspect in accordance with any of the 16th to 18th aspects, the tongue (16) and the auxiliary tongue (31) of the first coupling element (2) are joined together in one piece and respectively joined in one piece to the container (2) itself.

In a 20th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the container (2) comprises at least a second coupling element (10) arranged on a side element (4) different from the side element (4) to which the The first coupling element (9) is associated.

In a 21st aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the covering element (11) comprises at least a second hooking element (13) configured to removably engage the second hooking element (10) of the container (2) at least in the closed condition of the cover element (11) in which the latter prohibits access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2).

In a 22nd aspect in accordance with the 20th or 21st aspect, the second hooking element (10) of the container (2) comprises a notch or a tongue adapted to abut a respective tongue or notch of the second fastening element (13 ) of the cover element (11).

In a 23rd aspect in accordance with any one of the 20th to 22nd aspects, the second coupling element (10) of the container (2) comprises a notch (24) placed at least on a lateral element (4) of the container ( 2), the second hooking element (13) of the covering element (11) comprising a locking tab (25) which, in the closed condition of the covering element (11), crosses at least partially the ™ notch (24) of the second coupling portion (10) of the container (2).

In a 24th aspect in accordance with any of the 2nd to 23rd aspects, the main body (11a) of the covering element (11) comprises an upper wall (27) and a side wall (28) perimeter connected to the wall upper wall (27), the upper wall (27) and the side wall (28) defining a convex housing compartment (26) delimited by a respective free edge (29) defining an opening (30), the housing compartment ( 26) of the cover element (11), in the closed condition of the latter, facing the housing compartment (5) of the container (2).

In a 25 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the second coupling portion (13) of the covering element (11) is arranged on the side wall (28) of the latter.

In a 26th aspect in accordance with the 24th or 25th aspect, the side wall (28) of the covering element (11), in the closed condition of the latter, is at least partially superimposed on at least one element side (4) of the container (2).

In a 27 aspect according to any of the preceding aspects at least a portion of the covering element (11) is transparent so as to allow, at least in the closed condition of the covering element (11), the visualization from the Outside of the product inside the housing compartment (5) of the container (2).

In a 28 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the covering element (11) comprises at least a support portion (34) which, in the closed condition of the covering element (11), is able to abut at least a portion of the free edge (6) of the container (2).

In a 29 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects the free edge (6) of the container (2) supporting the covering element (11) at least in the closed condition of the latter.

In a 30 ° aspect in accordance with the 28 ° or 29 ° aspect, the support portion (34) of the covering element (11) is placed on the side wall (28) of the latter.

In a 31 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the support portion (34) emerges from the side wall (28) of the covering element (11) away from the housing compartment (26) of the latter .

In a 32 ° aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from 24 ° to 31 ° at least a portion of the side wall (28) emerges transversely and away from the upper wall (27) of the covering element (11).

In a 33 ° aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from 24 ° to 32 ° at least a part of the side wall (28) defines with the upper wall (27) an internal angle to the housing compartment (26) of the coverage (11) greater than 90 °.

In a 34 ° aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from 24 ° to 33 ° at least a part of the side wall (28) defines with the upper wall (27) an internal angle to the housing compartment (26) of the coverage (11) greater than 95 °.

In a 35 ° aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from 24 ° to 34 ° the upper wall (27) of the roofing element (11) substantially extends along a prevailing development plane and defines a polygonal profile, in particular rectangular or square.

In a 36 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the base (3) of the container (2) develops along a prevailing development plane and has a perimeter defining a polygonal profile, in particular rectangular or square.

In a 37th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects at least one lateral element (4), in the operative condition of the container (2), extends transversely with respect to the base (3) and away from the latter.

In a 38 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, at least one side element (4) of the container (2) defines with the base (3) an angle inside the housing compartment greater than 90 °.

In a 39 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects at least one side element (4) of the container (2) defines with the base (3) an angle inside the housing compartment greater than 95 °.

In a 40th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the packaging comprises at least one connecting element (36) configured to stably constrain two adjacent lateral elements (4) so as to stably maintain the container (2) in the operating condition.

In a 41 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect in which there is at least one connecting element (36) between two adjacent lateral elements (4),

In a 42 ° aspect in accordance with the 40 ° or 41 ° aspect the connecting element (36) is joined in one piece with at least one of two adjacent side elements.

In a 43 ° aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from 40 ° to 42 ° the connecting element (36) comprises a clamp (36a) in paper material extending between an internal surface (39) and a second external surface (40 ). In a 44 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect the connecting element (36) comprises a connecting edge (41) connected with a lateral edge (4c) of a lateral element (4), called the connecting element (36), in the operating condition of the container (2), overlapping internally or externally, to the side element (4) adjacent to which the connection element (36) is associated.

In a 45 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the roofing element (11) is made at least partially in plastic material, in particular the roofing element (11) being made with at least one material selected in the group including: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

In a 46 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects the container (2) is made in one piece.

In a 47 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the covering element (11) is made in one piece.

In a 48 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the side elements (4) of the container (2), in the operating condition, substantially define the height of the packaging (2).

In a 49th aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects at least one of said first and second surfaces (2a; 2b) is at least partially coated with a film (8) of plastic material.

In a 50 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the film (8) at least partially covers the first surface (2a) of the container (2).

In a 51st aspect in accordance with any one of the preceding aspects, the sheet material of the container (2) has a weight of between 100 and 300 g / m <2>.

In a 52 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the sheet material of the container (2) has a grammage comprised between 120 and 280 g / m <2>.

In a 53 ° aspect in accordance with any of the preceding aspects, the sheet material of the container (2) has a weight of between 150 and 250 g / m <2>.

In a 54th aspect, a process for manufacturing a packaging for food products is envisaged, comprising the steps of:

> prepare a container (2) in paper sheet material in an operating condition in which said container (2) defines a housing compartment (5) defining an opening (7) placed in the upper part of the container (2) itself, said container (2) comprising at least a first hooking element (9) placed externally to the housing compartment (5),

> provide a covering element (11) having at least a first hooking element (12),

> removably engage the first hooking element (9) of the container (2) to the first hooking element (12) of the covering element (11) outside the housing compartment (5) so as to define a condition of constraint, the covering element (11) being configured to define a closing condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, substantially prohibits access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2) , the cover element (11) being also configured to define an opening condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, allows access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), said covering element (11) being furthermore configured to rotate relative to the container (2) to allow, during the constraint condition between the covering element (11) and the container (2), the passage from the closed condition to the open condition and vice versa.

In a 55 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the preparation phase of the container (2) includes the following phases:

> arrange a flat element in a sheet of paper material developing in a prevailing plane, said flat element in a sheet presenting a first and a second surface (2a; 2b) opposite each other,

> cutting said sheet element to define a blank (100) having at least a base (3) and at least a plurality of lateral elements (4) connected perimeter to the base (3) and emerging away from the latter,

folding said lateral elements 4 to arrange the container 2 in the operating condition in which the latter defines said housing compartment 5. In a 56 ° aspect in accordance with the 54 ° or 55 ° aspect, the cutting step defining the blank (100 ) Is configured to define at least one connection element (36) interposed between two consecutive side elements (4), said connection element (36) being joined in one piece to at least one of the two side elements (4) to which it is interposed , the step of preparing the container (2) also includes the following steps:

> bend the connection element (36) so that, in the operating condition of the container (2), the latter is placed inside or outside the housing compartment (5) and in contact with at least one side element (4 ),

> glue the connection element (36) to the side element (4) adjacent to the side element (4) to which the connection element is associated.

In a 57th aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the blank (100) comprises at least an auxiliary portion (42) connected perimeter to at least one lateral element (4), the step of preparing the container (2) comprises:

> a first folding of the auxiliary portion (42) to bring at least a part of the latter into contact with the second surface (2b) of the container (2) to define the first hooking element (9) placed outside the housing compartment (5),

> a second bending of an extremal portion of the auxiliary portion (42) away from the second surface (2b) to define the tongue of said auxiliary portion (42), after the first and second bending phase, defining a substantially â € œLâ €.

In a 58 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect after the first folding of the auxiliary portion (42), the latter is constrained to at least one side element (4) to which it is associated through a gluing operation .

In a 59th aspect in accordance with the 57th or 58th aspect, the first coupling element (9) of the container (2) defines at least one protrusion (14) emerging from the opposite side with respect to the housing compartment (5) of the container ( 2), and in which the covering element (11) comprises a main body (11a) which, in the closed condition of the covering element (11), at least partially blocks access to the housing compartment (5 ) of the container (2), said first hooking element (12) of the covering element (11) comprising at least one respective protrusion (15) emerging transversely with respect to the main body (11a), the engagement step of the cover (11) to the container (2) comprising a sub-phase of engagement between the projection (15) of the cover element (11) with the protrusion of the container (2) outside the housing compartment (5) of the container (2 ).

In a 60 ° aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from 54 ° to 59 ° the projection (15) of the covering element (11) is relatively movable by rotation with respect to the main body (11a), the process, previously to the packaging exposure phase, including a closing phase in which the cover element (11), after the removable engagement with the container (2), is made to rotate relative to the latter from the opening condition until the closed condition.

In a 61 ° aspect in accordance with the 59 ° or 60 ° aspect the projection (14) of the container (2) comprises at least one seat or abutment adapted to detachably engage at least one respective abutment or seat of the projection (15) of the covering element (11), the step of engagement of the covering element comprising a step of inserting the striker carried by one of the two protrusions (14; 15) with the seat carried by the other protrusion (15; 14).

In a 62 ° aspect in accordance with the preceding aspect, the projection (14) of the container (2) comprises at least one tab (16) extending substantially along a prevailing development plane between a lower surface (16a), facing the bottom of the container (2), and an upper surface (16b) facing the opening (7) of the container (2), said tab (16) presenting at least one seat (17) suitable for accommodating at least one abutment (19) of the protrusion (15) of the covering element (11) to define the removable engagement between the latter and the covering element (11), and in which the seat (17) includes at least one opening (20) through extending from the lower surface (16a) to the upper surface (16b) of the tab (16) of the container (2), and in which the projection (15) of the covering element (11) comprises a respective tab ( 18) carrying said abutment (19);

the step of engagement of said procedure comprises a step of inserting at least part of the tab (18) of the projection (15) of the covering element (11) through the opening (20) of the seat (17).

In a 63 ° aspect in accordance with any one of the aspects from 54 ° to 62 ° the step of preparing the container (2) comprises a step of preparing at least a second hooking element (10) arranged on a side element (4 ) different from the side element to which the first hooking element (9) is associated, and in which the preparation phase of the covering element (11) includes a preparation phase of at least a second hooking element (13) configured to removably engage the second hooking element (10) of the container (2), and in which, at least during the closing phase of the covering element (11), the second hooking element (13) of the The covering element (11) is engaged to the second hooking element (10) of the container (2) so as to firmly constrain the latter to the covering element (11).

In a 64 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect, the preparation of the first and second coupling element (9; 10) of the container (2) provides for a sub-step of notching the blank (100) to define at least one notch (24 ) on a side element (4) and the opening (20) on a further side element (4), in particular opposed to the side element on which the notch (24) is defined, the notch (24) defining the second hooking element (10) of the container. In a 65 ° aspect in accordance with any of the aspects from 54 ° to 64 °, the preparation phase of the roofing element (11) includes a sub-phase of realization of a further plastic material blank developing in a prevailing plane and a subsequent sub-phase, following the preparation of the further blank, which involves forming the covering element (11).

In a 66 ° aspect in accordance with the previous aspect during the forming phase it allows to define the main body (11a) and the first hooking element (10) of the covering element (11).

In a 67th aspect, a packaging process for food products is envisaged, comprising the steps of:

> arrange a container (2) in an operating condition in which said container (2) defines a housing compartment (5) defining an opening (7) placed in the upper part of the container (2) itself, said container (2) comprising at least a first hooking element (9) placed externally to the housing compartment (5),

> provide a covering element (11) having at least a first hooking element (12),

> place at least one food product inside the container,

> cook the food product in the container (2),

> after the cooking phase of the food product, removably engage the hooking elements (9; 12) of the container (2) and the covering element (11) to define a constraint condition, called the covering element (11) being configured to rotate relative to the container (2) so as to define an opening and closing condition of the packaging (1), in the open condition the cover element (11) allowing access to the housing compartment (5 ) of the container (2) while in the closed condition the cover element (11) prohibiting access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2),

> place the cover element (11) in the closed condition in which the latter prohibits access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2),

> display said packaging (1).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for indicative and therefore not limiting purposes only, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging in an open condition;

> Figure 2 shows the packaging of Figure 1 in the closed condition; > Figure 3 shows a blank in view from above of the container used for packaging, as shown in Figure 1;

> Figure 4 shows a side-rear view of the container used in the packaging of Figure 1;

Figure 4A shows in a lateral-front perspective view a container used in the packaging of the previous figures;

Figure 4B shows in a lateral-rear perspective view the container used in the packaging of the previous figures;

> Figure 5 shows the cover element used in the packaging of Figure 1 in a lateral-rear perspective view;

Figure 5A shows in a lateral-front perspective view a covering element used in the packaging of Figure 5;

> Figure 5B shows the cover element in the packaging of Figure 5 in a lateral-rear perspective view;

> Figure 6 shows the engagement system between a cover element and a container in paper material;

> Figure 7 shows in section, according to a vertical plane, the packaging of Figure 1;

> Figure 7A is a detail of Figure 7 relating to a front portion of the packaging according to the present invention;

> Figure 7B is a detail of Figure 7 relating to a rear portion of the packaging according to the present invention;

Figure 8 illustrates, in perspective view, a further embodiment of a packaging in an open condition;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the packaging of Figure 8 in the closed condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Packaging for food products.

With reference to the accompanying figures, 1 indicates as a whole a packaging for food products, in particular suitable for allowing the support, cooking and subsequent display of the food product.

The packaging 1 comprises a container 2 in paper sheet material made from the flat blank 100 of Figure 3 and a cover element 11 in plastic material which can be coupled to the container.

In the preferred embodiment (fig. 1) the container 2 is in a single piece, for example of cardboard, and is made by folding and gluing starting from the flat blank in figure 3 up to a three-dimensional configuration that defines the entire container 2 with the desired stiffness.

As can be seen from the accompanying figures, the container 2 comprises a base 3 which defines the lower surface (wall) of the container 2: the flat base 3 extends along a single development plane and has, in a non-limiting way, a rectangular shape.

The container also comprises a plurality of lateral elements 4 perimeter connected to the base 3. More in detail, the lateral elements 4 have a polygonal shape having one side connected integrally with an edge of the base 3. In a preferential form, illustrated in the accompanying figures , the container 2 comprises four lateral elements 4 opposed two by two with respect to the base 3; in particular, as can be seen for example from Figure 3, the two longitudinal opposed side elements 4 are equal to each other. In conditions of use of the container it is possible to identify a front side element, a rear side element and two longitudinal elements; front element and rear element define, in a non-limiting way, a rectangular profile while the longitudinal elements define a rectangular shape rounded in the direction of the front element (see for example the blank in figure 3 and figure 1).

The container 2 is arranged in an operative or three-dimensional condition (see for example Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5) in which the lateral elements 4 emerge transversely from the base 3 to define, as a whole and in the operative configuration, the side wall of the container 2.

Base 3 and side elements 4 arranged in the operating condition, define a housing compartment 5 designed to contain and support food products (substantially without outlets for food placed inside the compartment) and whose internal surface is defined by a first upper surface 2a of the paper sheet material. In a preferential embodiment, each side element 4 defines, in a non-limiting way, with the base 3 an angle inside the housing compartment 5 greater than 90 °, in particular greater than 92 °, even more particularly greater than 95 ° .

As can be seen from the accompanying figures 1 and 4, the housing compartment 5 is delimited by a free edge 6 defining an opening 7 placed above the container (in conditions of use of the packaging 1), through which the food products are introduced. in the container.

In greater detail, in the operating condition of the container 2, each lateral element 4 has a first edge 4a connected perimetrically to the base 3; in more detail, the first edge 4a has a first and a second end 37, 38 opposite each other: the first end 37 of a side element 4 is connected to the second end 38 of a side element 4 subsequently arranged on the container 2.

Each side element 4 further comprises at least a second edge 4b opposed to the first edge 4a with respect to the side element 4 itself; the second edges 4b of the side elements 4 define the free edge 6 of the housing compartment 5 in the operative or three-dimensional configuration of the container 2.

It is possible to observe from the accompanying figures that the lateral elements 4 further comprise a third and a fourth edge 4c, 4d which laterally delimit said lateral elements 4 and which connect the first and second edges 4a, 4b to each other. In more detail in the operative configuration, the third edge 4c of a side element 4 is adjacent and substantially in contact with the fourth edge 4d of a contiguous side element 4.

It can be noted that the side elements 4, in the operating condition of the container 2, define the height of the container itself. In particular, the height of the container 2 is defined by the distance between the base 3 and the second edge 4b of the side elements 4.

Under the dimensional profile it is possible to define a minimum height of the container 2 which is defined by the minimum distance between the base 3 and the section of the edge 6 closest to the latter; the minimum height of the container is higher than 30 mm, in particular higher than 40 mm, even more particularly higher than 45 mm.

Conveniently, the height of the container 2 can be greater than the height of the food products to be contained 2: in this way, after positioning the food product inside the container 2 and closing it by means of a cover element 11, there is no risk of interference between the food product and the covering element 11. In other words, the packaging 1 is designed to contain, covering them, food products of various sizes.

The container 2 is maintained in the operating condition thanks to at least one connection element 36 configured to stably constrain two adjacent lateral elements 4. In particular, the packaging 1 has at least one connection element 36 for each adjacent pair of side elements 4.

In the rough condition of the container 2, visible in Figure 3, the connection element 36 is, in a non-limiting way, interposed between two adjacent lateral elements and is joined in one piece with the container 2, in particular with at least one of the two side elements 4 to which the connection element 36 is interposed. The connection element 36 substantially comprises a paper band extending between an internal surface 39 and an external surface 40. The connection element 36 comprises a connection edge 41 connected to an edge of the side element. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the edge 41 is connected and joined in one piece with the lateral edge 4c and 4d of the front and rear lateral element.

The connection element 36, in the operating condition of the container 2, illustrated for example in Figures 1 and 8, is internally superimposed on the compartment 5 on the side element 4 adjacent to the element 4 to which the connection 36 is associated. More in detail, the connection element 36, in the operating condition of the container 2, is superimposed on and in contact with a portion of a longitudinal lateral element of the container 2.

Even more in detail, it is possible to observe that the internal surface 39 of the connection element 36 defines the first surface 2a of the housing compartment 5 while the external surface 40 contacts part of the internal surface of the side element 4.

Once the overlapping area between the side element 4 and the connecting element 36 has been created, the latter are fixed, in a non-limiting way, by means of glue or other irremovable fastening system; the glue is placed on the external surface 40 of the connection element 36 which, once placed in the operating condition of the container 2, contacts part of the internal surface 2a of the side element 4, allowing the fixing between the latter and the Connection element 36. Obviously, since the connection element 36 is joined in one piece with one of the two side elements 4 and fixed on the other of the two adjacent side elements 4, it allows to keep the respective edges 4c and 4d adjacent side elements.

Alternatively, it is possible to arrange at least one of the connection elements 36 outside the housing compartment 5 so that the latter can contact the second surface 2b (external surface) of the container 5. In the latter case described the glue is placed on the internal surface 39 of the connection element 36 and the external surface 40 of the latter will define the second surface 2b of the container 2. Also as regards the type of constraint of the connection element 36 to the side element 4 it is possible to provide different sealing means alternative to the glue, for example including metal staples, adhesives, mechanical joints or more.

The container 2, according to the present invention, is also equipped with at least a first hooking element 9 associated with the container 2 and configured to allow a removable engagement to at least one covering element 11 which will be better described hereinafter. In particular, the hooking element 9 is associated, in a non-limiting way, with the side element 4 which, in conditions of use of the packaging 1, defines the rear wall of the latter.

As can be seen from the accompanying figures, the coupling element 9 emerges transversely with respect to the side element 4 to which it is associated in a direction coming out of the housing compartment 5 so that the latter is placed outside the compartment 5 (it does not interfere with the inside of the housing compartment 5 and consequently with the food product placed inside the latter).

In a preferential form, the first coupling element 9 comprises, in a non-limiting way, a protrusion 14 emerging from the opposite side with respect to the housing space 5 of the container 2 (see Figure 4). The projection 14 of the first hooking element 9 comprises, in a non-limiting way, a tab or band 16 joined in one piece to the container 2 and placed externally to the compartment 5.

The tab 16 substantially extends along a prevailing development plane delimited between a lower surface 16a, facing the bottom of the container 2, and an upper surface 16b facing the opening 7 of the container 2.

The tab 16 in fact represents a protrusion in paper material which protrudes transversally with respect to the rear side wall 4 to which said tab is associated. More in detail (figure 7b), the first coupling element 9 comprises an auxiliary tab 31 representing the connecting element between the container 2 and the tab 16. The auxiliary tab 31 also extends along a prevailing development plane (i.e. It has a flat configuration) and is made in one piece with the container 2.

From a geometric point of view, the auxiliary tab 31 has, in a non-limiting way, a rectangular shape. More in detail, the auxiliary tab 31 has a first transverse edge 32 connected integrally to the free edge 6 of the container 2 and a second transverse edge 33, spaced from the first transverse edge, connected integrally to the tab 16 of the container 2.

The auxiliary tongue 31 is, in a non-limiting way, constrained to the rear element along its development plane and extends parallel to the latter. In fact, the first coupling element 9 defines, according to a cross section, a substantially â € œLâ € shape: the auxiliary tongue 31 is placed parallel to the side element 4 while the tongue 16 emerges away from the compartment housing 5.

In particular, the tab 16 is folded with respect to the auxiliary tab 31 in such a way that an internal angle between 80 ° and 90 °, in particular between 82 ° and 87 °, is defined between the two.

As can be seen from figure 4B, the tongue 16 comprises, in a non-limiting way, a seat 17 capable of removably engaging at least one respective abutment 19 of the covering element 11: the engagement between the seat 17 and the abutment 19 allows the cover element 11 to container 2.

The seat 17 comprises at least one opening 20 passing from the lower surface 16a to the upper surface 16b of the tab 16 of the container 2. From a geometric profile, the opening 20 has, but is not limited to, a substantially elliptical shape presenting a direction prevailing development substantially parallel to the prevailing development plan of the hedging element 11 to which the first coupling element 9 is associated. Cover element 11 and respective feedback 19 will be further detailed below. As can be seen from the accompanying figures, the container 2 comprises, in a non-limiting way, at least a second hooking element 10 arranged on a side element 4 different from the side element 4 to which the first hooking element 9 is associated, in particular arranged in opposition to the first coupling element 9 with respect to the base 3. In fact, in the configuration shown, the first coupling element 9 is arranged on the rear wall of the container 2 while the second coupling element 10 is arranged on the wall front of the container 2.

The second hooking element 10 is configured to removably constrain the covering element 11 so as to be able to substantially guarantee the locking of the latter above the housing compartment 5.

From a geometric point of view, the second hooking element 10 comprises, in a non-limiting way, a notch 24 capable of removably constraining a respective projection of the covering element 11 which will be better described hereinafter.

In a first embodiment, visible for example in Figure 4A, the notch 24 is arranged directly on a lateral element 4 of the container (front element of the packaging): in this way the notch 24 substantially defines a opening delimited by the two edges of the carving. In this condition, the engagement of the notch with the protrusion of the covering element 11 occurs thanks to the passage of the latter through the notch: the protrusion, in a condition of constraint with the container 2, is at least partially inside the housing compartment (fig. 7a).

In a second embodiment, visible for example in figures 8 and 9. the notch 24 is arranged on a front tab attached to the front element of the container 2. In this latter condition described, the notch 24 is arranged only on the auxiliary tab: in this way, in a condition of engagement between the notch and the protrusion of the covering element 11, this protrusion crosses the notch without interfering with the housing compartment 5 of the container 2.

In a preferential embodiment of the container 2, the auxiliary tab is joined in one piece to the front element; in the operating condition of the container 2 the tab is folded outside the housing compartment 5. The container 2 in paper material can also be coated with a film 8 in plastic material. In a preferential embodiment, at least on the first surface 2a there is the film 8 in plastic material which at least partially covers the first surface 2a itself, in particular, the film 8 in plastic material entirely covers the first surface 2a of the container 2.

The coating film 8 has the purpose of defining a barrier in particular to water and / or humidity which avoids weakening and loss of structurality with consequent deformation of the paper material constituting the cover.

In general we speak of polythene coating on one (internal side 2a) or on both sides (surfaces 2a and 2b) of the paper material.

In addition to the thickness of the container 2, it is possible to define the weight of the paper sheet material constituting the latter; the sheet material of the container 2 has, in a non-limiting way, a grammage between 100 and 300 g / m <2>, in particular between 120 and 280 g / m <2>, even more particularly between 150 and 250 g / m <2>; the weight of the main cardboard used is 220 g / m <2>. The cardboard used can be either smooth or corrugated according to needs.

As previously mentioned, the packaging 1 also comprises a cover element 11 removably engaged to the container 2 and which in fact represents a lid capable of preventing access from the outside to the housing compartment 5.

From the structural point of view, the covering element 11 comprises a main body 11a having a flat upper wall 27 and presenting, in a non-limiting way, a substantially rectangular profile. The main body 11a also comprises a side wall 28 perimeter connected to the top wall 27: the top wall 27 and the side wall 28 define a convex covering space 26 delimited by a respective free edge 29 defining an opening 30. As for the container 2, also the side wall 28 of the covering element 11 has a certain conicity with respect to the wall to which said side elements are connected (in the case of the covering element with respect to the upper wall 27). In particular, the side wall 28 emerges transversely and away from the upper wall 27 of the covering element 11 to define with the latter an angle inside the housing compartment 26 greater than 90 °, in particular greater than 95 °.

As can be seen for example from Figures 1, 2, 5A and 5B, the main body 11a also comprises a support portion 34 which, in the closed condition of the covering element 11, is able to abut at least a portion of the free edge 6 of the container 2 which acts as a support for the internal covering element 11.

In a preferential form of the covering element 11, the supporting portion 34 is represented, as regards the rear part of the covering element 11, by the upper wall 27, while, as regards the front part, by the support portion 34 emerging from the side wall 28 (on the opposite side with respect to the upper wall 27) away from the covering compartment 26.

The covering element 11 includes, but is not limited to, at least one reinforcement element 43 placed on the upper wall 27 and configured to give greater rigidity to the covering element 11: in this way it is possible to guarantee greater protection to food products closed inside the packaging 1 and simplify the coupling operations between container 2 and cover element 11.

In a preferential embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the reinforcing element 43 comprises, in a non-limiting way, surface reinforcements 44 on the upper wall adapted to substantially define ribs 45 useful for stiffening the upper wall 27 itself and consequently of the whole main body 11a.

In particular, there are a pair of reinforcements 44 opposite each other and arranged substantially at the longitudinal edges of the main body 11a. The reinforcements 44 have, in a non-limiting way, a prevalent extension parallel to the extension of the longitudinal edges of the main body 11a.

As previously mentioned, the covering element 11 is removably engaged to the container 2. More in detail, the covering element 11 comprises at least a first hooking element 12 removably engageable to the first hooking element 9 of the container 2 for define a constraint condition between the latter (elements 9 and 12). The covering element 11 is configured to define a closing condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, substantially prohibits access to the housing compartment 5 of the container 2: in this condition the compartment housing 26 of the covering element 11 faces the housing compartment 5 of the container 2. The covering element 11 is configured to define an opening condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition , allows access to the housing compartment 5 of the container 2. The covering element 11 is also configured to rotate relative to the container 2 to allow, during the constraint condition between the covering element II and the container 2, the passage from the closed condition to the open condition and vice versa.

In the detail of figures 4 and 7b, the first hooking element 12 of the covering element 11 comprises a protrusion 15 emerging transversely with respect to the main body 11a: the latter, in the constrained condition, is also placed, as for the first hooking portion 9 of the container 2, outside the housing compartment 5 of the container 2.

The projection 15 of the covering element 11 is joined in one piece to the main body 11a and is relatively movable by rotation with respect to the latter so as to allow, during the constraint condition between the container 2 and the covering element 11 , the passage of the latter from the closed condition to the open condition and vice versa by rotation. As can be seen from the accompanying figures, the projection 15 carries, in a non-limiting way, at least one abutment 19 able to abut the seat 17 of the container 2 to define the removable engagement between the latter and the covering element 11.

More in detail, the projection 15 of the covering element 11 comprises a respective tongue 18 carrying the striker 19: the opening 20 of the seat 17, in the constrained condition, passes through at least part of the tongue 18 of the projection 15.

The abutment 19 comprises at least a first support portion 21 able to abut the lower surface 16a of the tab 16 of the container 2 and a second support portion 22 able to abut the upper surface 16b of the tab 16 of the container 2.

As can be seen from the sectional view of Figure 7, the abutment 19 substantially defines a housing seat 23 able to at least partially accommodate the tab 16 of the container 2: the housing seat 23 has, according to a cross section, a substantially a-shaped profile. œCâ € having, but not limited to, concavity facing away from the housing compartment 5 of the container 2.

The tab 16 of the container 2, in the constrained condition, is interposed between the first and the second support portion 21, 22 of the covering element 11: in this way, the first and second support portion 21, 22 prevent substantially to the tab 18 to translate with respect to the container 2 at least along a crossing direction of the tab 18 with respect to the opening 20.

As can be seen, for example, from the sectional view of Figure 7, the tab 18 of the first hooking element 12 of the covering element 11 has, but is not limited to, an opening portion 35 configured to guide the insertion of the tab 18 inside the opening 20: the opening portion 35 extends from the first support portion 21 to a free transverse end 16c of the tab 16 of the container 2 and presents, according to a cross section, a thickness having a decreasing trend from the first support portion 21 to the free transverse end 16c.

As can also be seen from Figure 1, the covering element 11 comprises at least a second hooking element 13 configured to removably engage the second hooking element 10 of the container 2 at least in the closed condition of the covering element 11.

The second hooking element 13 of the covering element 11 is associated with the side wall 28 as opposed to the first hooking element 12 with respect to the main body 11a.

More in detail, the second hooking element 13 of the covering element 11 comprises a locking tab 25 which, in the closed condition of the covering element 11, at least partially crosses the notch 24 of the second portion of hooking 10 of the container 2: in this way, the second hooking element 13 stably secures the element 11 in the closed condition.

In the case in which the first embodiment of the container 2 is used (see for example the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B), the locking tab 25 crosses the notch 24 to insert at least partially inside the housing compartment 5. If, on the other hand, the second embodiment of the container 2 is used (see for example the embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and 9), the locking tab 25 passes through the notch 24 of the auxiliary tab: in this condition the locking tab does not interfere with the housing compartment 5.

The covering element 11 has at least one transparent portion suitable to allow, at least in the closed condition of the covering element 11, the visualization from the outside of the food product present inside the housing compartment 5 of the container 2.

In fact, the covering element 11 is made, in a non-limiting way, of plastic material, in particular the covering element 11 is made with at least one material selected from the group comprising: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

It is also possible to provide a gripping element (not shown in the accompanying figures) which can be associated with the container 2 and / or with the covering element 11, such as to allow the package to be transported in a completely easy way. For example, a common cloth tape suitably fastened to the upper wall of the covering element 11.

Process for manufacturing a packaging for food products.

Packaging 1 can be made with the procedure described below.

As previously described, the packaging comprises a container 2 which is made starting from a sheet of paper material, for example unwound from a reel, which has on the first surface 2a a film 8 of plastic material (for example polythene).

After the continuous unwinding from the reel, the sheet is suitably sheared to define the blank 100 delimited by an external perimeter. In addition to defining the outer perimeter of the blank 100, the shearing phase also allows for the opening 20, the notch 24, the connection elements 36, an auxiliary portion 42, any folds or creases useful for deformation (bending ) of the container 2.

After the shearing step, the blank 100, in particular the container 2, is deformed by bending to define the housing compartment 5 having a substantially convex shape, the internal surface of which is defined by the film 8 of plastic material. The housing compartment 5 as previously described is able, in operating or three-dimensional conditions, to contain and support the products, for example foodstuffs, and defines the free edge 6 which in turn delimits the opening 7 located above the container.

The step of preparing the container also comprises a further step of folding the connection elements 36 in such a way that, in the operating condition of the container 2, the latter are placed, in a non-limiting way, inside the housing compartment 5 and contact with at least one side element 4. The preparation of the container also provides for a phase of preparation of a predetermined quantity of glue between the connection element 36 and the side element 4. In a preferential form of the manufacturing process, the glue it is arranged on the rear surface 40 of the connection element 36: after bending, the external surface 40 is placed in contact with the side element 4 so as to stably constrain two adjacent lateral elements. Alternatively, it is possible to constrain the connection elements 36 outside the housing compartment by positioning the predetermined quantity of glue on the internal surface 39 of the connection element 36 and bringing the latter into contact with the external surface 2b of a side element 4.

The step of preparing the container also provides for a step of folding the auxiliary portion 42 of the paper sheet material for the definition of the first hooking element 9.

In particular, the manufacturing process also comprises a first folding of the auxiliary portion 42 to bring at least a part of the latter into contact with the second surface 2b of the container 2 to define the first hooking element 9 located externally to the housing compartment 5 The first fold allows the rotation of the auxiliary portion 42 around the free edge 6 of the container 2 to define said auxiliary tab 31.

The method further comprises a second folding of an extremal portion of the auxiliary portion 42 away from the second surface 2b to define the tab 16. The auxiliary portion 42, after the first and second folding stages, defines a substantially â € œLâ € profile . The process also comprises a step of fastening the auxiliary tab 31 to the lateral element 4 to which the latter is connected. In particular, there is a step of gluing the surface of the auxiliary tab 31 able to contact the side element 4: after gluing the latter elements (elements 4 and 31) are placed in contact.

The manufacturing process also comprises a stage of preparation of the covering element 11 comprising a sub-stage of preparation of a sheet of plastic material and a subsequent forming stage designed to define the upper wall 27 and the side wall 28. During the stage of preparation furthermore, at least the first hooking element 12 is defined.

The preparation of the covering element 11 also provides for a sub-phase of carving of the latter for the definition of the external profile and of the locking tab 25. The carving phase can be performed, in a non-limiting way, during the forming of the covering element 11, or it may precede or follow said forming step.

Following the preparation of the container 2 and the covering element 11, the manufacturing process comprises a step of removably engaging the first hooking element 9 of the container 2 with the first hooking element 12 of the covering element 11 beyond outside the housing compartment 5 so as to define said constraint condition: by causing a slight deformation of at least one of the coupling elements 9, 12 it is possible to couple the two elements (elements 2 and 11) by snapping in fact making the two integral components by means of the coupling elements previously described. In particular, the operation is extremely simple and reliable, in fact the covering element 11 is positioned above the container to which it is counter-shaped and is then fitted onto it by means of a vertical reciprocal approaching movement.

As previously described, the covering element 11 can define a closing condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, substantially prohibits access to the housing compartment 5 and an opening condition in which this The latter, during the constrained condition, allows access to the housing compartment 5: the transition between the closed and open conditions takes place thanks to the rotation of the covering element 11 relative to the container 2 around a portion of the edge free 6 of the latter.

The manufacturing process can also comprise a step of locking the covering element 11 thanks to the engagement of the locking tab 25 with the notch 24 of the container 2. The locking step involves at least partial crossing of the locking tab 25 inside the notch 24: in this way the tab 18 passes from the external environment to the housing compartment 5 of the container 2.

Packaging process for food products.

The present invention also relates to a packaging process for food products comprising. This procedure provides for the preparation of the container 2 and the covering element 11.

Following the preparation of the container 2, the packaging procedure involves the positioning of one or more food products to be cooked inside the container 2. Following the arrangement of the food inside the housing compartment 5, the packaging procedure it involves a cooking and / or heating phase of the food product, for example inside a cooking oven.

Following the heating and / or cooking of the food, this procedure involves the removable coupling of the covering element 11 to the container 2. Following the definition of the constraint condition between the first coupling elements 9, 12 respectively of the container 2 and of the covering element 11 the latter is positioned in the closed condition in which said covering element prohibits access from the outside to the housing compartment 5. Finally, the procedure involves the display of the product packaged food to the public.

Advantages of the invention.

The type of coupling elements studied and realized in the present invention is in fact simple to implement, low costs and high reliability. From a manufacturing point of view, the container 2 does not require complex manufacturing steps.

Furthermore, the positioning of the coupling elements outside the housing compartment of the container allows the support / containment of liquid and / or semi-liquid food products. In addition to this, the positioning of the coupling elements described above prevents the coupling elements from contacting the food product present in the compartment housing the container: in this way it is possible to avoid the interference of the food product with the cover element during the coupling phase between the latter and the container.

The configuration of the blank and coupling also guarantees the possibility of making containers of any height, guaranteeing the possibility of packaging products of various kinds.

Both the container and the cover element remain stackable together and the package obtained maintains all the advantages of the one currently known. In fact, first of all, the constructive architecture of the present invention allows to offer to the public an object that can be manipulated without the difficulties that allows rapid packaging with all the advantages of the "traditional" package; it should be noted that these features are to the full advantage of ease of use, even by inexperienced personnel or to quickly create a large number of packages.

Finally, it should be emphasized that such a container reduces production costs and considerably simplifies the manufacturing processes, given that particularly complex shapes do not have to be made and that the preparation operations of the covering element itself are few (in general a single phase of drawing brings the product from the flat configuration to the finished three-dimensional one) and do not present particular technical difficulties.

LEGEND

1 Packaging for food products

2 Container

2nd First surface

2b Second surface

3 Base

4 Side element

4th First edge

4b Second edge

4c Third edge

4d Fourth edge

5 Storage compartment

6 Free board

7 Opening

8 Movies

9 First attachment element of the container 2 10 Second attachment element of the container 2 11 Cover element

11a Main body of the covering element 11 12 First hooking element

13 Second coupling element

14 Projection

15 Projection

16 Housing tab 2

16a Lower surface

16b Upper surface

16c Free transverse end

17 Headquarters

18 Tab of the cover element 11

19 Feedback

20 Opening of the office 17

21 First support portion

22 Second support portion

23 Housing seat

24 Notch of the second coupling portion 10

25 Locking Tab

26 Storage compartment

27 Upper wall

28 Side wall

29 Freeboard

30 Opening

31 Auxiliary Tab

32 First transverse edge of the auxiliary tab 31 33 Second transverse edge of the auxiliary tab 31 34 Support portion

35 Portion of invitation

36 Connecting element

37 First ends

38 Second end

39 Internal surface of the connection element 36 40 External surface of the connection element 36 41 Connection edge

42 Auxiliary portion

43 Reinforcement element

44 Reinforcements

45 Ribs

100 Blank

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Packaging (1) for food products comprising a container (2) made from a flat element in sheet of paper material developing in a prevalent plane, said flat element in sheet having a first and a second surface (2a; 2b) opposite each other, said container (2) having: > a base (3), > a plurality of lateral elements (4) connected perimeter to the base (3) and emerging away from the latter, the base (3) and at least a part of the side elements (4) define a housing compartment (5) designed to contain food products and whose internal surface is defined by at least a portion of the first surface (2a) of the element sheet top, the container (2), in operating condition, defining a free edge (6) delimiting the housing compartment (5) and defining an opening (7) placed in the upper part of the container (2) itself, called container (2) comprising at least a first hooking element (9) associated with at least one side element (4) and placed externally to the housing compartment (5); and in which the packaging (1) comprises at least one covering element (11) having at least one first hooking element (12) removably engageable to the first hooking element (9) of the container (2) to define between said hooking elements ( 9; 12) a constraint condition, said covering element (11) being configured to define a closing condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, substantially prohibits access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), the cover element (11) being configured to define an opening condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, allows access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), and in which the covering element (11) is also configured to rotate relatively with respect to the container (2) to allow, during the constraint condition between the covering element (11) and the container (2), the transition from with diction of closing to the open condition and vice versa; both the hooking elements (9; 12) of the container (2) and the covering element (11) respectively are placed externally to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2) so as to define an external coupling to said compartment (5) does not interfere with the internal volume of the latter. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first hooking element (9) of the container (2) optionally comprises at least one protrusion (14) emerging from the opposite side with respect to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), and in which the covering element (11) comprises a main body (11a) which, in the closed condition of the covering element (11), at least partially covers the opening (7) of the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), said first hooking element (12) of the covering element (11) comprising at least one respective projection (15) emerging transversely with respect to the main body (11a) placed outside the housing compartment (5 ) of the container (2). 3. Packaging according to claim 2, in which the projection (15) of the covering element (11) is movable relatively by rotation with respect to the main body (11a1 of the latter so as to allow, during the constraint between the container (2) and the covering element (11), the passage of the covering element (11) from the closed condition to the open condition and vice versa, Packaging according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the projection (14) of the container (2) comprises at least one seat or abutment adapted to be removably engaged to at least one respective abutment or seat of the projection (15) of the covering element (11), the engagement between the seat and the striker by stably binding the cover element (11) to the container (2). Packaging according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the projection (14) of the container (2) comprises at least one tab (16) extending substantially along a prevailing development plane between a lower surface (16a), facing the bottom of the container (2), and an upper surface (16b) facing the opening (7) of the container (2), said tab (16) having at least one seat (17) able to accommodate at least one abutment (19) of the projection (15) of the cover element (11) to define the removable engagement between the latter and the container (2). Packaging according to the preceding claim, wherein the seat (17) comprises at least one through opening (20) extending from the lower surface (16a) to the upper surface (16b) of the tab (16) of the container (2) , and in which the projection (15) of the covering element (11) comprises a respective tab (18) carrying said abutment (19), the opening (20) of the seat (17), at least in the constrained condition , crossing at least part of the tab (18) of the projection (15) of the covering element (11). 7. Packaging according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the abutment (19) of the covering element (11) comprises at least a first support portion (21) adapted to abut the lower surface (16a) of the tab (16) of the container (2), and in which the abutment (19) of the covering element (11) comprises at least a second support portion (22) adapted to abut the upper surface (16b) of the tab (16) of the container ( 2), the tab (16) of the container (2), in the constrained conditions, being interposed between the first and second supporting portion (21; 22) of the covering element (11), called first and second support (21; 22) being configured to prevent the tab (18) from translating with respect to the container (2) at least along a crossing direction of the tab (18) with respect to the opening (20) of the seat (17). Packaging according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the abutment (19) substantially defines a housing seat (23) adapted to at least partially receive the tab (16) of the container (2), the housing seat ( 23) presenting, according to a cross section, a substantially â € œCâ € profile, in particular said profile presenting concavity facing away from the housing compartment (5) of the container (2). Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first hooking element (9) of the container (2) comprises an auxiliary tab (31) having a first transverse edge (32) connected to the free edge (6) of the container ( 2) and a second transverse edge (33) connected to the tongue (16) of the container (2), said auxiliary tongue (31) being at least partially coupled to at least one lateral element (4) of the container (2) and extending parallel with respect to the latter, and in which the tab (16) and the auxiliary tab (31) of the first coupling element (2) are joined together in one piece and respectively joined in one piece to the container (2) itself. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) comprises at least a second hooking element (10) arranged on a side element (4) different from the side element (4) to which it is associated with the first coupling element (9), and in which said covering element (11) comprises at least a second coupling element (13) configured to removably engage the second coupling element (10) of the container (2) at least in the condition closure of the cover element (11) in which the latter prohibits access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), in particular the second hooking element (10) of the container (2) being opposed to the first coupling element (9) of the latter with respect to the base (3), the second coupling element (10) of the container (2) comprising a notch or a tab adapted to abut a respective tab or notch of the second hooking element (13) of the covering element (11). 11. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least a portion of the covering element (11), and by way of example the whole covering element, is transparent so as to allow, at least in the closed condition of the Cover element (11), the view from the outside of the product inside the housing compartment (5) of the container (2). 12. Process for making a packaging for food products comprising the steps of: > prepare a container (2) in paper sheet material in an operating condition in which said container (2) defines a housing compartment (5) defining an opening (7) placed in the upper part of the container (2) itself, said container (2) comprising at least a first coupling element (9) placed externally to the housing compartment (5) and comprising at least an auxiliary portion (42) connected perimeter to at least one lateral element (4) of the container, the preparation step of the container (2) comprises the following sub-steps: or a first folding of the auxiliary portion (42) to bring at least a part of the latter into contact with a surface (2b) of the container (2) to define the first hooking element (9) located externally to the housing compartment (5 ), the first hooking element (9) comprising at least one protrusion (14) emerging from the opposite side with respect to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2); or a second bending of an extremal portion of the auxiliary portion (42) away from the surface (2b) to define a tab (16), said auxiliary portion (42), subsequently to the first and second bending phase, defining a substantially shaped profile "L". > provide a covering element (11) comprising a main body (11a) which, in the closed condition of the covering element (11), at least partially blocks access to the housing compartment (5) of the container (2) , the covering element (11) presenting at least a first hooking element (12) having at least one respective projection (15) emerging transversely with respect to the main body (11aa, > removably engage the first hooking element (9) of the container (2) to the first hooking element (12) of the covering element (11) outside the housing compartment (5) so as to define a condition of constraint, the step of engagement of the cover element (11) to the container (2) comprising a sub-step of engagement between the protrusion (15) of the cover element (11) and the protrusion of the container (2) outside the housing compartment (5) of the container (2), the covering element (11) being configured to define a closing condition in which the latter, during the constrained condition, substantially prohibits access to the compartment housing (5) of the container (2), the covering element (11) being also configured to define an opening condition in which the latter, during the constraint condition, allows access to the compartment housing (5) of the container (2), said cover element ( 11) being also configured to rotate relative to the container (2) to allow, during the constraint condition between the covering element (11) and the container (2), the passage from the closed condition to the open condition and vice versa.