JP2009529466A - Potion packages and semi-liquid products - Google Patents

Abstract

A portion package, in particular for a semi-fluid product such as a jelly, gel or paste, comprises a tub-like container (1) with a base (2) from which a wall extends all round which has an at least almost flat upper edge (4). The wall (3) can be compressed over at least a part of the height thereof, and with the base (2) bounds a product space (6) closed with a foil. The upper edge (4) comprises at least a first and a second outward directed lateral extension (11,12) on either side of the product space (6) so as to provide at least two opposite gripping surfaces. In a semi-fluid product a mixture of one or more active constituents in a predetermined mutual ratio and a predetermined dosage are processed at least substantially homogeneously into a jelly, gel or paste to form an at least practically form-retaining body (20).

Description

  The present invention relates to a portion package, particularly for semi-fluid products such as jelly, gel or paste, consisting of a tab-like container with a bottom. The package can be compressed such that a wall extending from the bottom to the top end covers at least a portion of its height, the wall and the bottom define a product space extending to the top end, and the product space is at the top end. Closed with attached foil. The invention also relates to a semi-flowable product comprising one or more active ingredients in a predetermined mutual ratio.

  A portion package of the type described in the introduction is known from the applicant's European patent application EP 0880455. The portion package described therein consists of a suitable plastic or aluminum tab-like container with upright walls defining the product space. A bellows structure is provided on the wall so that the container can be compressed in the height direction as a whole. The spout formed at the upper end of the upright wall is covered with aluminum foil attached to the upper end around the product space, like the other parts on the top of the container. To release the product from the package, the foil is peeled off at the spout and the generally flowable content is poured through the spout while the wall is compressed.

  The known potion package is a breakthrough in terms of ease of use in the case of relatively thin flowable products, such as coffee cream and syrup, but this package with a relatively narrow spout is It has been found to be impractical for semi-fluid products such as gels, jellies or pastes that do not or do not spill at all. However, there are certain advantages to semi-fluid or semi-liquid processing of products, so there is a benefit to portion packaging that is adapted for semi-fluid products.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a portion package of the type specified in the introduction, especially suitable for semi-fluid products.

  To achieve the intended purpose, a portion package of the type indicated in the introduction has at least a first and a second outward facing on both sides of the product space in order to provide at least two opposite gripping surfaces. It has the feature of the present invention that it consists of a lateral extension. Therefore, a compressible tab-like container having grasping surfaces for receiving the user's fingers on both sides is used. Thus, the user can force the content out of the product space relatively simply by applying pressure to the bottom with the thumb. In addition to support, these lateral extensions also provide sufficient space for the fingers so that the product can be released hygienically and without contact.

  The container can be essentially closed or sealed in different ways to protect the contents of the package from premature degradation or contamination. However, it is particularly practical to close the container with a foil that adheres to the top edge around the product space. It is more practical for the foil to consist of aluminum foil or, optionally, metallized plastic foil. Such foil seals can be seamlessly integrated into the process of manufacturing and filling the portion package.

  In order to simply empty the package, the upper end only has to be provided with a gripping surface located opposite to each other with respect to the product space. Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the portion package has the feature according to the invention that the lateral extension extends further outward than the adjacent upper end. In this case, the additional material is mainly used only for the first and second gripping surfaces intended for the upper lateral extension. This material can be otherwise saved. This not only saves raw material costs, but also makes the whole compact so that less space is required. In another particular embodiment thereof, the portion package has the feature according to the invention that the extension consists of a local gripping lip extending integrally from the upper end. The gripping lip is a fully local extension at the top, but nevertheless provides a sufficient gripping surface for practical handling of the portion package.

  In order to be able to open the filled portion package relatively simply, a specific embodiment of the portion package according to the invention is that the foil has at least one of the first and second lateral extensions at the top. One of the features extends over the tab-like end and the tab-like end of the foil is free from its lateral extension. Since the tab-like end is free from the extension, ie around the product space, it does not adhere to it, so that the foil can be easily grasped at that part and then pulled away from the upper end.

  Another particular embodiment of the portion package according to the invention is that the foil extends over and adheres to at least one of the top first and second side extensions with a tab-like end. And a break zone is provided in the lateral extension that extends between the first and second sides thereof. In this case, the foil is attached over the entire surface to the upper end of the container. However, its extension at the top includes a break zone that can be relatively easily broken by bending from the rest of it. This remaining part provides a gripping surface sufficient for the removal of the product from the container after the break. In addition, the broken portion provides a handle for peeling off the foil.

  A particular embodiment of the portion package according to the invention is characterized in that the container wall consists of a bellows structure over a part of its height, the fold line of which runs at least substantially parallel to the upper end. The container wall is flexible and can therefore be compressed. Thus, by providing the wall with a bellows structure, a controlled compressibility can be achieved even if the wall material is essentially relatively hard. This increases the possibility of selecting a suitable material for the container that must also meet other requirements, such as sufficient tightness and light shielding in some cases. In this respect, another specific embodiment of the portion package according to the invention is that the container is integrally formed from a suitable plastic by thermoforming, in particular by generating a vacuum, and in particular plastic. Is optionally characterized in that it consists of a multilayer foil of one or more plastics, for example from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

  It is an object in another aspect of the present invention to provide a portion package that not only comes out easily in a flowable or semi-flowable product, but also comes out of mold easily. For this purpose, a portion package of the type specified in the introduction has the feature according to the invention that the wall extends over at least a part of its height in the direction from the bottom to the top. The expansion of the wall, and hence the product space, allows for easy removal of the product contained therein, especially in the case of semi-fluid products, with minimal adhesion to the wall and Facilitates the free release of packages from the formed mold.

  In a particular embodiment, the portion package in this case has the feature according to the invention that the wall extends stepwise over at least a height portion in the direction from the bottom to the top. Such a step-like spread improves the above-mentioned release of the package from the mold, but also provides a particularly attractive appearance. In another particular embodiment, the portion package according to the invention in this case is provided with alternating wall portions that extend substantially in the direction from the bottom to the top, with wall portions that are substantially laterally oriented. There is a feature that is.

  Another particular embodiment of the portion pack according to the invention can further improve the release from the mold. The embodiment is characterized in that, for this purpose, wall portions that substantially extend in the direction from the bottom to the top are provided alternately with wall portions that form an acute angle with them.

  The present invention packages flowable and, in particular, semi-flowable products within a portion package in a particularly efficient and relatively inexpensive manner without losing convenience of use while allowing industrial applications. It is possible. The invention also relates to a semi-flowable product of the type specified in the introduction, which is particularly suitable for processing in such a portion package. According to the present invention, such a food product is processed at least substantially uniformly into a jelly, gel or paste such that the active ingredient at a given dose forms a body that at least practically retains its shape. , With the characteristics.

  Uniform processing of the active ingredient into a jelly that retains its shape results in a particularly attractive product form. The semi-fluid form in this case improves the effect by ensuring a rapid and uniform distribution of the active ingredient in addition to the optimal moisture regulation therein. In this regard, preferred embodiments of the semi-fluid product according to the invention are characterized in that the jelly, gel or paste is optionally soluble in water at high temperatures.

  In a preferred embodiment, the semi-fluid product according to the invention is packed in a portion package according to the invention. The present invention will be further described based on a plurality of embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

  These figures are quite schematic and are not drawn to scale. In particular, some dimensions are somewhat exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts in the figure are given the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 (A) to FIG. 1 (C) show an embodiment of a portion package for gelatinous products according to the present invention. The package consists of a tab-like container 1 integrally formed from a suitable, optionally multi-layer plastic foil, by deep drawing or vacuum forming, or by other forms of thermoforming. In this case, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used as the basic material for the container, but polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and other polyesters can also be used as the material.

  The container 1 consists of a bottom 2 from which an upstanding wall 3 with at least a substantially flat upper end 4 extends. As shown in FIG. 1B, the wall 3 is provided with a bellows structure in which the fold line 5 runs parallel to the upper end. This allows the wall 3 to be compressed in a controlled manner in the height direction so that the contents of the container can easily be forced later. The bottom 2 and the wall 3 define a product space 6 intended to be filled with a gelatinous product. For this purpose, the product space 6 is open and entirely sealed with a foil 7, although the entire inside of the upper end 4 is open. The foil is attached to the upper end 4 over the entire circumference of the product space 6. In this example, a metallized plastic foil is used for the foil, but a single layer metal foil or plastic foil is also suitable for this purpose. FIG. 1A shows a container that is continuously closed and open. FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing the finished product in a state of being filled and closed.

  In order to allow the contents of the container to be released therefrom, if necessary, the upper ends 4 are arranged on opposite sides of the product space 6 outwardly opposite each other, and a first extension 11 and Consists of a second extension 12. Since these are the parts that extend integrally from the upper end 4, they do not require any additional manufacturing steps. In order to save raw materials and space, the extension is provided only locally to extend outwardly from the adjacent part 13 of the upper end 4. The extension thus forms a local gripping lip or flap 11,12. This provides a grasping surface for removing the content, which can grasp the package. This is shown schematically in FIG.

  When the foil 7 is removed, the package is held in the manner shown in FIG. 2 and light pressure is applied to the bottom 2 with the thumb. In this example, a semi-fluid product according to the invention is located in the product space. In this case, the semi-flowable product contains a metered amount of sauce powder in a jelly that retains its shape. In this example, a source mixture of active ingredients in a predetermined mutual ratio is used. This mixture is processed into the shape holder 20 so as to come out integrally from the package in a jelly dissolved in hot water. As can be seen from FIG. 1B, the wall 3 of the container slightly extends from the bottom 2 toward the top 4 so that the product can be easily released from the package.

  The jelly then dissolves very rapidly and uniformly in the hot water cup 30, making it a ready-to-use delicious sauce. Instead of being used in food products such as sauces, the semi-fluid product according to the invention can also be used to process other types of active ingredients, such as pharmaceuticals, detergents, etc., in gel, jelly or paste bodies that retain their shape. Is appropriate. Due to the cohesive structure of the body 20, there is little or no product residue left in the package. This increases efficiency and has less environmental impact in the case of relatively strong or toxic products.

  In order to facilitate the removal of the foil 7, the foil extends over the gripping lips 11, 12 and is applied over the entire surface. At least one of the lips 11 and 12 is provided with a break zone 14 extending over the entire length between the two side surfaces 15 and 16 (see FIG. 1A). By bending and breaking the associated lip 11 along the break zone, the tab-like end 17 of the foil 7 is pulled to the break in the lip 11 and can be removed together from the upper end 4. Optionally, a foil can be used that adheres only to the lip up to a location such as a tab-like end 17. In this case, since the outer end 17 itself is free, it functions as a handle for removing the entire foil.

  FIGS. 3 to 5 show a second, third and fourth embodiment of the portion package according to the invention in top and perspective views in the closed and open states, respectively. These embodiments are generally from FIG. 1 (A) to FIG. 1 (C) in that the materials and structures used are at least similar, with the exception of the specific shape of the side extensions 11, 12 at the top end 4 of the container. Corresponds to what is shown. However, these are all locally formed lips or ears in all cases and provide a gripping surface as in the first embodiment.

  FIGS. 6-8 show fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments of the portion package according to the present invention in top and perspective views, respectively, in the closed and open states. These examples are also generally from FIG. 1 (A) to FIG. 1 (C) in that the materials and structures used are at least similar, except for the specific shape of the side extensions 11, 12 at the upper end 4 of the container. Corresponds to what is shown. In contrast to the previous embodiments, the extension of the upper end 4 in these embodiments is more clearly provided so that the upper surface of the package is more uniform.

  FIGS. 9A to 9C show a number of modified embodiments applicable to the above-described embodiment. In these variants, the bellows structure of the wall 3 is changed in addition to variations in the height h, length l, depth d and release angle α of the wall 3 relative to the bottom 2. This release angle represents a condition in which the wall 3 is slightly expanded over at least a portion of the height h, in addition to facilitating removal of the product contained in the portion package, from the mold of the package. Makes it easy to release the package itself.

  In addition to having a continuous extension as in the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9C, the wall of the container is also stepped over at least a portion of its height. It may spread with. This is the case for the compressible portion package shown in FIGS. 10 (A) to 10 (C). These figures show the package in front and side views in all cases, representing the original state (top) and the partially compressed state (bottom).

  In these cases, the package also consists of a tab-like container 1 with a bottom 2, a wall 3 extending from the bottom to the entire circumference and at least a practically flat top 4. Since the wall 3 is molded, it can be compressed in a controlled manner to facilitate removal of the package content therefrom. The product space 6 surrounded by the wall 3 is closed by an aluminum or optionally metallized plastic foil 7, for which purpose the foil 7 is fused to the upper end 4. Optionally, a spout or the like can be formed at the upper end 4 to control the pouring of fluid content. In that case, the spout is also closed by the foil and appears when the foil 7 is peeled off.

  In these embodiments, the wall 3 extends in a stepwise manner approximately according to the release angle α in the direction from the bottom 2 to the top 4 of the container (see FIG. 10C). In this case, the wall consists of a plurality of wall portions 31 that extend substantially in the wall direction, which wall portions extend at least approximately laterally and / or parallel to the bottom 2 (see FIG. 10A). ), Or alternately with the wall portions 32 formed at an angle β (see FIGS. 10B and 10C). Especially in the latter case, as shown, in addition to the excellent compressibility of the entire package, a very good release from the mold can be achieved.

  Although the invention has been described with reference to only a few examples, it is clear that the invention is not limited thereto at all. In other words, many other variations and embodiments are possible for the portion package and for the semi-flowable product that can be advantageously packaged therein, within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The 1st Example of the portion package by this invention is shown, (A) is a top view, (B) is a side view, (C) is a perspective view. Figure 2 shows a portion package and semi-fluid product in use according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a continuous top view and perspective view showing a second embodiment of a portion package according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a continuous top view and perspective view showing a third embodiment of a portion package according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a continuous top view and perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of a portion package according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a continuous top view and perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of a portion package according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a continuous top and perspective view showing a sixth embodiment of a portion package according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a continuous top view and perspective view showing a seventh embodiment of a portion package according to the present invention. (A) to (C) are side views showing a number of modified embodiments of the above-described embodiment of the portion package according to the present invention. (A) to (C) are a front view and a side view showing a number of modified embodiments in a continuous state of a portion package according to another aspect of the present invention.

Claims (16)

  Potion package, especially for semi-fluid products such as jelly, gel or paste, consisting of a tab-like container with a bottom and a wall extending from there to the top, where the wall is compressed over at least part of its height And the wall and bottom define a product space extending to the upper end and the product space is closed with a foil attached to the upper end to provide at least two opposite gripping surfaces so that the upper end A portion package comprising at least first and second outward lateral extensions on both sides.   The portion package according to claim 1, wherein the lateral extension extends further outward than the adjacent portion at the upper end.   3. A portion package according to claim 2, characterized in that the extension consists of a local gripping lip extending integrally from the upper end.   A portion package according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foil consists of aluminum foil or optionally metallized plastic foil.   A foil extends over at least one of the first and second side extensions at the top with a tab-like end, the tab-like end of the foil being free from the side extension. The portion package according to claim 4.   A foil extends over and adheres to at least one of the first and second lateral extensions at the upper end with a tab-like end, and within the lateral extensions, the first and second 5. The portion package according to claim 4, wherein a break zone extending between the sides is provided.   Potion according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall of the container consists of a bellows structure over a part of its height, the fold line of which runs at least substantially parallel to the upper end. ·package.   A portion package according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container is integrally formed from a suitable plastic by thermoforming, in particular by generating a vacuum.   9. Plastic according to claim 8, characterized in that it optionally consists of one or more plastic multilayer foils, for example from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyester, such as in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Potion package.   A portion package consisting of a tab-like container with the wall extending from the bottom to the top at the entire circumference, the wall being compressible over at least a part of its height, and the wall together with the bottom surrounding the product space, A portion package characterized in that it extends over at least a part of its height in the direction from bottom to top.   11. The portion package according to claim 10, characterized in that the wall extends in a stepped manner over at least a height portion in the direction from the bottom to the top.   12. A portion package according to claim 11, characterized in that wall portions substantially extending in the direction from the bottom to the top are alternately provided with wall portions substantially laterally oriented.   12. The portion package according to claim 11, wherein wall portions substantially extending in a direction from the bottom to the top are alternately provided with wall portions forming an acute angle with them.   A semi-flowable product of one or more active ingredients in a predetermined mutual ratio, wherein the active ingredients are at a given dose to form a body that at least practically retains shape, into a jelly, gel or paste Semi-fluid product, characterized in that it is processed at least substantially uniformly.   15. Semi-fluid product according to claim 14, characterized in that the jelly, gel or paste is optionally soluble in water at elevated temperatures.   16. Semi-fluid product according to one or more of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the body is packed in a portion package according to one or more of claims 1-13.

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