ITMI20131765A1 - MULTILAYER PACKAGING SHEET IN PARTICULAR FOR FOOD PRODUCTS AND CONTAINER FOR FOOD PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having the title

“MULTILAYER PACKAGING SHEET IN PARTICULAR

FOR FOOD PRODUCTS AND CONTAINER FOR PRODUCTS

FOOD "

The present invention relates to a multilayer packaging sheet, in particular for food products. The present invention also relates to a container for food products. In particular, the present invention refers to a multilayer sheet made on a paper basis, which is particularly used for wrapping and packaging food items both in the form of deep-frozen or frozen products, and fresh or at least partially cooked.

The present invention also relates to a container obtained from a blank made by means of the multilayer sheet mentioned above.

As is known, food products are packaged in packages generally made by folding one or more sheets, suitably assembled to define a box-like body.

These sheets are mostly made of cellulose cardboard, having a certain thickness capable of guaranteeing adequate structural characteristics for the containment of the relative products. For this purpose, cardboard cards are suitably sized which can be easily folded along respective weakening lines obtained during respective drawing steps. At the same time, the cards are sized to be sufficiently robust and avoid any damage to the package during transport, sale and use of the same.

In the specific field of food product packaging, boxes made of multilayer sheets are used, consisting of the aforementioned cardboard coupled with plastic films, designed to waterproof the package and make it resistant to grease and humidity of the food product.

Furthermore, in order to make the package usable for cooking and heating the products contained, the multilayer sheet can be equipped with a receptor (susceptor) in the form of a film, also coupled to the base sheet. These receptors favor the heating of the products in a microwave or traditional oven without altering the structure of the package. However, the known packages described above have important drawbacks, mainly related to the structure of the multilayer sheet with which these packages are defined.

A first important drawback derives from the dimensions of the base sheet (cardboard) which has a considerable thickness and weight, precisely to make the package sufficiently robust and to avoid structural failure of the package itself.

It should also be considered that, as described above, the thickness of the single multilayer sheet is also made even more voluminous by the presence of the various films (receptor and plastic film) which are coupled to the external surface of the sheet itself.

Consequently, the multilayer sheet is heavy and of excessive bulk, with the consequent drawbacks of management, transport, storage, both of the sheet and of the package obtained therefrom.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the multilayer film is particularly expensive given the choice of materials and the manufacturing process. This disadvantage is determined by the presence of the waterproofing plastic film and the receptor film, both chosen according to the various regulations in force in the field of food packaging, which are coupled to the basic cardboard.

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a multilayer packaging sheet, in particular for food products, and a container for food products that overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multilayer packaging sheet, in particular for food products, and a container for food products which are light and have limited overall dimensions.

In greater detail, the object of the present invention is to propose a multilayer sheet which has contained thickness and weight values without compromising the strength and stability characteristics of the container obtained with this sheet.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a multilayer packaging sheet, in particular for food products, and a container for food products which are simple to manufacture and low production costs.

The specified technical task and the specified purposes are substantially achieved by a multilayer packaging sheet, in particular for food products, and a container for food products, comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a multilayer packaging sheet, in particular for food products, and of a container for food products, such as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multilayer packaging sheet according to the present invention, in accordance with a first embodiment in which it defines a respective blank;

Figure 2 is a side view of a construction detail of the multilayer sheet of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the multilayer sheet of Figure 1 in a respective folding step;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a container for food products obtained by folding the multilayer sheet of Figure 1;

figure 5 shows an enlargement of a constructive detail of the container illustrated in figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a multilayer packaging sheet according to a second embodiment in which it defines a respective blank;

Figure 7 is a side view of a construction detail of the multilayer sheet of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the multilayer sheet of Figure 6 in a respective folding step;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a container for food products obtained by folding the multilayer sheet of Figure 6; and - figure 10 shows an enlargement of a constructive detail of the container illustrated in figure 9.

With reference to the accompanying figures, with the reference number 1 a multilayer packaging sheet has been indicated, and with the number 2 a container for food products obtained from this multilayer sheet 1. It should be specified that the present invention is used in the field of packaging of various kinds of items, in particular medium-small size items.

However, as will be better clarified below, the multilayer sheet 1 and the relative container 2 find advantageous application in the packaging of food products that can be cooked, semi-cooked, frozen, deep-frozen or raw.

With reference to Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, the multilayer sheet 1 comprising an internal layer 3, made of cellulose and arranged to come into contact with at least one food product (not shown).

With particular reference to Figures 2 and 7, it should be noted that the sheet 1 also comprises an external layer 4, opposite to the aforementioned internal layer 3, and an intermediate layer 5 interposed between the internal and external layers 3, 4. Preferably, the intermediate layer 5 is associated both with the inner layer 3 and with the outer layer 4 to stably constrain all the layers to each other defining a single sheet 1.

Advantageously, the outer 4 and intermediate 5 layers are also made of cellulose.

Always referring to Figures 2 and 7, it should be noted that the intermediate layer 5 preferably has a wavy development.

Preferably,

It should be noted in particular that the inner layer 3 and the outer layer 4 have a substantially flat development, while the intermediate layer 5 defines a sinusoidal profile in which respective upper 5a and lower 5b ends are engaged respectively to an inner surface 3a of the inner layer 3 and to an internal surface 4a to the external layer 4. Preferably, each layer 3, 4 and 5 is made of cellulose papers with virgin fiber or with a base of recycled raw materials.

Furthermore, the cellulose papers that define each layer 3, 4 and 5 can be of the monolucide type, smoothed, calendered, natural, bleached and uncoated, coated and uncoated depending on the particular application.

In greater detail, the inner layer 3 also has a barrier (not illustrated and described in detail) resistant to food fats and wet. This barrier allows the entire sheet to be waterproofed while maintaining the structural integrity of sheet 1 itself.

The inner layer 3 also has a grammage comprised between 40 g / m <2> and 120 g / m <2> and a thickness comprised between 40 microns and 150 microns.

The outer layer 4 preferably has a grammage comprised between 60 g / m <2> and 140 g / m <2> and a thickness comprised between 90 microns and 180 microns. The outer layer 4, which defines an external visible surface of a respective package 2, can also be provided with suitable graphic advertising and identification prints of the contained product.

The intermediate layer 5 also has a barrier resistant to food fats and humidity to prevent these liquid substances from penetrating the sheet 1 up to the outer layer 4. Advantageously, the intermediate layer 5 defines a further moisture barrier which preserves the integrity of the entire package otherwise compromised by the presence of humidity.

The intermediate layer 5 preferably has a grammage comprised between 40 g / m <2> and 120 g / m <2>, and a thickness comprised between 40 microns and 150 microns.

The layers 3, 4 and 5 assembled together define a thickness of the sheet 1 between 600 microns and 1250 microns overall.

In this regard, it should be considered that the overall thickness of the sheet 1 is significantly lower than that of the cards normally used and described in the introductory part of the present discussion.

The sheet 1 thus created can be used for multiple applications envisaged in the context of packaging. Figures 4 and 9 show two different embodiments of containers 2 comprising sheet 1 purely by way of example and therefore not limitative. It should be noted in particular that the inner layer 3 of sheet 1 defines at least one containment compartment 6 of a product , preferably of food type, contained in container 2.

In this situation, the sheet 1 therefore defines a blank 8 folded along respective fold lines 7 to define the respective container 2.

In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the blank 8 defines a container 2 having the shape of a tray. As is better illustrated in Figure 4, the tray-like container 2 has an opening 9 for accessing the containment compartment 6.

In this situation, the food product contained in compartment 6 appears to be externally visible through the access opening 9.

This configuration is obtained by folding the blank 8 of figure 1 which has a substantially rectangular shape. As shown in Figure 3, the blank 8 is folded along the lines 7 by approaching the respective side edges towards the inside of the inner layer 3 and folding respective corner flaps on the outer layer 4.

Following this folding, the aforementioned compartment 6 is defined.

In the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 to 10, the blank 8 defines a container 2 having a closed box shape.

As is better illustrated in Figure 9, the closed box container 2 has at least one wall 10 which can be removed from the container 2 to access the inside of the containment compartment 6. Preferably, two walls 10 are provided which, in the closed configuration, are mutually superimposed. , while in the open configuration they are moved away from the compartment 6 to be able to access the interior of the compartment 6 itself. Furthermore, one of the aforementioned walls 6 can be torn along respective fold lines. In particular, in this solution the closed configuration is obtained by folding the blank 8 of figure 6.

As shown in figure 8, the blank 8 is folded along the lines 7 by approaching the respective side edges towards the inside of the inner layer 3 and folding respective corner flaps on the outer layer 4.

In this solution, cuts 11 can also be provided to allow the insertion of flaps which protrude from the container 2 once it is closed and assembled.

In both solutions, any protruding fins can be held with different solutions of the known type, which for example provide for the application of a layer of glue.

The containers 2 thus made are suitable for packaging food products, for their possible freezing or for heating in a traditional oven or microwave. For this purpose, the layers 3, 4 or 5 can be equipped with a coating of a "susceptor" material which favors the heating of the product contained in the container 2.

The presence of the moisture barrier of the inner layer 3 and intermediate 5 also ensures the stability and integrity of the package even with raw or possibly frozen food products.

It should also be specified that the container 2 obtained from the sheet 1 can have any shape and size according to the various requirements in the packaging of the products.

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the accompanying figures are given only by way of example and are therefore not limitative. Therefore, multiple solutions can be provided in which the sheet 1 defines a container 2 having any shape according to the food product to be packaged. Still, solutions can be provided in which the container 2 is made by assembling a plurality of sheets 1 suitably coupled to each other.

The multilayer sheet described above and the container 2 obtained from this sheet have considerable advantages and solves the problems encountered in the known art.

In fact, with reference to the enlarged views of figures 5 and 10, it should be noted that the wavy structure of the intermediate layer 5 confers stability and strength to the entire container 2.

Consequently, it is possible to obtain a sheet 1 having a very reduced overall thickness with respect to known cardboard without compromising its stability and strength characteristics.

Advantageously, the sheet 1 is therefore light and has limited dimensions, both in the assembled form (container 2) and in the storage and transport phases of the individual sheets.

Furthermore, the sheet 1 is versatile in that it can be used for any type of container 2 and of low costs given the absence of waterproofing supports or plastic films.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS 1. Multilayer packaging sheet in particular for food products, comprising; - an internal layer (3) made of cellulose and arranged in contact with at least one food product; - an outer layer (4) made of cellulose and opposite to said inner layer (3); and - an intermediate layer (5) made of cellulose, interposed between said inner layer and outer layer (3, 4) to associate said layers with each other; characterized in that said intermediate layer (5) has a wavy development. 2. Sheet according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said inner layer (3) and said outer layer (4) have a substantially flat development and by the fact that said intermediate layer (5) defines a sinusoidal profile in which respective upper ends (5a ) and lower (5b) are engaged respectively to the inner layer (3) and to the outer layer (4). 3. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said layers (3, 4, 5) are made of cellulose papers with virgin fiber or with a base of recycled raw materials. 4. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said internal layer (3) also has a barrier resistant to food and wet fats. 5. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner layer (3) has a weight of between 40 g / m <2> and 120 g / m <2>. 6. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner layer (3) has a thickness of between 40 microns and 150 microns. 7. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer layer (4) has a weight of between 60 g / m <2> and 140 g / m <2>. 8. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said outer layer (4) has a thickness of between 90 microns and 180 microns. 9. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said intermediate layer (5) also has a barrier resistant to food and wet fats. 10. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intermediate layer (5) has a weight of between 40 g / m <2> and 120 g / m <2>. 11. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intermediate layer (5) has a thickness of between 40 microns and 150 microns. 12. Sheet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a thickness comprised between 600 microns and 1250 microns. 13. Container for food products characterized in that it comprises at least one sheet according to one or more of claims 1 to 12; said inner layer (3) of the sheet defining at least one compartment (6) for containing the food product. 14. Container according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said sheet defines a blank (8) folded along respective fold lines (7) to define the container itself. 15. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that said blank (8) has the shape of a tray having an access opening (9) to said containment compartment (6). 16. Container according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that said blank (8) has a closed box conformation having a removable wall (10) to access inside said containment compartment (6).