KR20240051960A - Food packaging for vegetables or parts of dairy products and method for producing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food packaging (1) for vegetables or dairy products (4), such as individual portions of cheese, comprising two shells (2, 3) sealed together and defining an internal cavity holding the product. , the package can be opened by peeling one shell from the other, the shells have peripheral rims 5, 6 sealed together, the two shells 2, 3 are a hollow lower shell 3 and a hollow upper shell Corresponding to (2), each shell has peeling tabs (7, 8) for peeling one shell from the other. At least the upper shell is provided with a pre-cut line 11, which is located in the rear part of the package, and the upper shell can be separated from the lower shell by peeling off the peripheral edge to the pre-cut line and then breaking the pre-cut line. .

Description

Food packaging for vegetables or parts of dairy products and method for producing the same

The present invention relates to food packaging for vegetables or dairy products, such as single portions of cheese, and methods for making such food packaging.

Traditionally, portions of cheese products were packaged in aluminum film. Rigid or semi-rigid plastic or wax packaging is also available.

A known package comprises a single dosing container formed by two half shells of thermoplastic material sealed along the peripheral edge. By sealing, complete adhesion of the peripheral edges is ensured, making the package watertight. These shells are peelable, meaning that the surrounding edges can be separated by pulling perpendicular to the sealing surface without causing rupture/rupture of the package.

Once the package is opened, the user can eat the cheese product using utensils (knife, spoon). In the case of cheese products that are stable enough not to spill once out of the package, the user serves himself using his fingers. Eventually, the product may stick to the wall and can be removed with your fingers.

To avoid getting your fingers dirty, it has been proposed that these cheese products be served on phage sticks so that once the shell is opened, the cheese can be eaten without touching the product. Inserting sticks complicates the packaging manufacturing method.

It has also been proposed to provide a flat, peelable shell that folds in half horizontally when opened, so that the first half of the shell releases half of the product and the second half of the shell remains sealed and can be removed by the user. You can get caught so you don't get your fingers dirty. The disadvantage is that parts of the product sometimes get stuck in the second half of the shell.

One of the aims of the present invention is to enable the user to consume the product directly from the shell, in particular vegetable or To provide food packaging for dairy products.

The invention therefore relates to a food packaging for vegetables or dairy products, such as individual portions of cheese, comprising two shells sealed to each other along a joining plane and defining an internal cavity holding the product, the packaging comprising one can be opened by peeling a shell of a shell from another shell, the shells having peripheral rims extending from the mating plane and contacting each other, the peripheral rims being sealed to each other, the two shells corresponding to a hollow lower shell and a hollow upper shell, Each shell has a peeling tab for peeling one shell from another, each tab extending from one of the peripheral edges at the mating plane and formed integrally with the corresponding shell, the tab being released when the package is closed. Superimposed on each other, each shell comprises, in the mating plane, a first end and an opposing second end located at the tab, each shell having an axis of symmetry (X) passing through the two ends.

As a main feature of the invention, at least the upper shell is provided with a pre-cut line near the second end, wherein at least a portion of the upper shell is cut into the lower shell by stripping the peripheral edge to the pre-cut line and then breaking the pre-cut line. can be separated from

The main idea of the invention is to provide two shells that can be easily separated by first stripping and then breaking at least one of the shells (in this case the upper shell) at the level of the pre-cut line. This pre-cut line is located near the second end, ie at the rear of the package. This line is placed as far back as possible to keep the product wide open.

According to the invention, the pre-cut line extends transversely to the axis, connecting the two lateral edges of the peripheral border. This line extends symmetrically about the axis X.

According to one possible configuration of the invention, the upper shell is broken along the entire pre-cut line.

According to another preferred configuration of the invention, the pre-cut line comprises a central fold section and two lateral fracture sections located on either side of the central fold section and connecting the peripheral edges. In this case, only the lateral sections break when opened, and the central section is folded and acts as a hinge.

The upper shell that breaks has a movable part and a part that remains fixed to the rest of the package.

The central folded section acts as a hinge between the movable and fixed parts. The movable part can therefore be rotated relative to the stationary part.

Thanks to the fracture section, the access area to the product can be secured much larger than in the prior art, where there were only fold lines defining the access area to the product.

This means that not just half but more than three-quarters of the products are accessible.

Users can keep the package in place by holding the fixing parts of the lower shell and upper shell together while enjoying the product.

Peeling is typically done by pulling a tab on the top shell. Peeling occurs along the peripheral edge up to the pre-cut line, and then the two fracture sections are fractured by continuing to pull the tab. The two shells can be separated in one movement. The product remains in the lower shell. The peeling is smooth and prevents sudden movements. When opened, the product does not fall out, but is kept in place by the fixing parts of the lower and upper shells.

According to various embodiments of the invention (the embodiments may be taken together or individually),

- The two shells have a dome shape, so that when the package is opened, the product is held by the conical ends of the two shells. Due to this conical shape, the product can be pulled out very easily when tasting. Unlike the prior art where half of the product is held by the ends of two flat shells, here the main part of the product is directly accessible and the ends of the product can be easily separated from the ends of the shell. The folded section is centered and oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry.

- The pre-cut line is curved and follows the curved profile of the shell.

- The folded section represents less than 1/3 of the pre-cut line.

This creates individual hinges, making the product more accessible when the package is opened.

- The lower shell is also provided with a pre-cut line like the upper shell. In this way, both cells are first peeled off along their peripheral borders and then simultaneously broken along matching pre-cut lines at the level of the peripheral borders. This makes it easier to open the package. Since the product is held in the fixed portion of the two shells, the product does not fall out even if the two shells break.

- After peeling and opening the two shells, at least 80% of the product is released without contact with the shells. Preferably 85% of the product is released.

- the package comprises means for holding the product inserted between the two shells, which means:

- the inner part located in the internal cavity of the package and fixed to the product,

- Includes an outer part extending between the two tabs.

- The two shells are sealed together at the level of the peelable seal area defined by the contact area between the peripheral edges of the two shells.

- Each fracture section passes through its sealing area.

- The depth of each shell is less than its length.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a package as described above, comprising the following steps:

- preheating two plastic films;

- sealing the two films along the joining plane in a sealing area to define two shells, the sealing area being intersected by an input throat designed to allow the two shells to be filled;

- generating an input neck by thermoforming the shell to form an internal cavity;

- Inserting vegetables or dairy products through the input xylem to fill the internal cavity formed between the shells;

- Preheating the edge of the neck and then welding it; and

- Cutting to define the outline of the shell to individualize it into its final shape.

The method also includes creating a precut line by precutting the film at different depths along the line.

Pre-cutting is preferably performed on the flat film before the preheating step.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a closed package in the first configuration of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front part of an opened package according to the first configuration of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear portion of an opened package according to the first configuration of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a closed package in a second configuration of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front portion of an open package in the second configuration of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the rear portion of an open package in the second configuration of the present invention.
7 shows a reel of plastic film with pre-cuts.
Figure 8 shows a pre-cut performed on the thickness of the plastic film.
Figure 9 shows a variant of pre-cutting performed on the thickness of a plastic film.

For the remainder of this description, without reference to Earth's gravity, the vertical, vertical and horizontal orientations indicated by the "X, Y, Z" triangles as shown in Figures 1 and 4 will be adopted. Additionally, a horizontal plane is defined that extends vertically and horizontally and is called the joining plane (P).

The description below applies to both configurations. The first configuration shows the package without means for holding the product, and the second configuration shows the package with means for holding the product.

1 and 4 show a food package 1 for vegetables or dairy products, such as individual portions of cheese, closed, viewed from above. This package 1 has an axis of symmetry (X) corresponding to the axis (X) of the trihedron defined above.

The package (1) mainly consists of two shells (2, 3) sealed together along the joining plane. The two shells 2, 3 are sealed together at the level of the peelable seal area.

These two shells (2, 3) define an internal cavity that houses vegetables or dairy products.

The package 1 is designed to be opened by peeling one shell from another shell.

Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6 show the package 1 in an open position. In reality, the two shells 2 and 3 are separated from each other by peeling. The vegetable or dairy product (4) is clearly visible between the two shells (2, 3).

A vegetable or dairy product (4) is defined as a product (4) that is sufficiently consistent (4) not to spill out of its packaging (1). That is, the vegetable or dairy product 4 is not in a liquid state under normal temperature and pressure conditions. The product 4 is therefore solid or semi-solid, i.e. has sufficient viscosity to remain in a single piece.

The vegetable or dairy product 4 takes the shape of an internal cavity. The vegetable or dairy product fills substantially the entire interior cavity of the closed package (1).

More specifically, the two shells 2, 3 correspond to a first shell 2, which is conveniently referred to as the “upper shell” and a second shell 3, which is conveniently referred to as the “lower shell”.

The two shells (2, 3) are flexible or semi-rigid.

In the configuration shown, the two shells 2, 3 have the same shape, so the internal space has an evenly distributed volume between the two shells 2, 3.

In other configurations, not shown and forming part of the invention, the two shells 2, 3 are provided in different forms. Therefore, the internal space is an unevenly distributed volume between the two shells (2, 3). Preferably, the lower shell 3 forms between 1/3 of the total volume and 1/2 of the total volume of the internal space.

In the configuration shown, the two shells 2, 3 have the same cup shape. The cup has rims 5, 6 forming a circular collar. Accordingly, each shell 2, 3 has a peripheral border 5, 6 extending in the joining plane P.

When the package 1 is closed, the two peripheral edges 5, 6 overlap and are sealed together. This defines the sealing area. This sealing area corresponds to a closed loop, whereby it is possible to seal the internal cavity from the external environment.

The two shells (2, 3) are advantageously made of plastic. This may be recycled plastic and/or recyclable plastic. For example, the plastic material used to manufacture these two shells 2, 3 may comprise several layers. This may be multiple layers of different polymers.

For example, the base material could be polypropylene, known for its natural hinge effect.

The peeling force value is advantageously adjustable and is preferably between 4 and 25 newtons.

In the configuration shown, each shell 2, 3 has a depth that is less than its length. This depth is measured in the plane defined by the Corresponds to levels 5 and 6). The length is measured in the plane defined by the If the shells 2, 3 have a round cross section, these two points are diametrically opposite each other.

The depth being less than the length means that the product 4 is not embedded within the shell but is instead widely accessible.

For example, shells 2 and 3 are circular.

Preferably, the shells 2 and 3 are hollow and have a dome shape. This has advantages that will be explained later in this description.

The two shells 2, 3 are sealed together at the level of the peripheral edges 5, 6 which contact each other. There is therefore a contact area between the peripheral edges 5, 6 of the two shells 2, 3, which defines the sealing area.

For each shell 2, 3, a peripheral border 5, 6 extends outwardly of the shell 2, 3 by peeling tabs 7, 8. These tabs 7, 8 extend along the axis X in the engagement plane P and are formed integrally with the shell 2.

In the example shown, these tabs 7, 8 are shaped like rounded ears.

These tabs (7, 8) are flat so that they can be easily pinched between the user's two fingers. These tabs 7, 8 also extend sufficiently in the engagement plane P to provide sufficient grip for the user's fingers.

The two tabs 7 and 8 overlap when the package 1 is closed.

Preferably, the two tabs are identical in shape.

The tabs 7 and 8 are not sealed together, so the user can easily pull them by hand to open the package 1.

Opposite the tabs 7, 8, on the axis

According to the invention, at least the upper shell 2 has a pre-cut line 11 extending substantially transversely, ie perpendicular to the axis X, from one side of the shell 2 to the other. This pre-cut line (11) is connected to the peripheral border (5) on both sides.

This pre-cut line 11 is divided into three sections:

- Central folded section (11b)

- Two lateral fracture sections (11a, 11c) on either side of the central section (11b).

The three sections form a single continuous line.

Preferably, this line is slightly curved. The curve is towards the input throat (15).

A pre-cut line (11) is created near the input throat (15) in the upper shell (2).

Each shell 2, 3 can be considered to have a front part with a first end located at the level of the tabs 7, 8 and a rear part with an opposite second end located at the level of the input neck 15. You can. The axis of symmetry (X) passes through both ends.

The pre-cut line 11 is located at the rear of the shell. The line is therefore near the second end.

More specifically, the folded section 11b is proximate the second end and is perpendicular to the axis X.

More precisely, the folded section 11b is located at least 2/3 of the shell length.

For example, for a shell with a length of 43 mm (including the rim), the pre-cut lines are positioned 35.5 mm apart, i.e. 7.5 mm from the second end.

Each broken section 11a, 11c starts from the folded section 11b and joins the peripheral border 5 and traverses the entire width of the peripheral border 5 to the border. In this way, each fractured section 11a, 11c passes through the sealing area.

As a result, when the user wants to open the package 1 and pulls the tab 8 of the upper shell 2, the shells 2 and 3 are peeled off to the fracture sections 11a and 11c and broken under tensile force. Peeling is thus stopped and the upper shell 2 is divided into two parts:

- a movable part (2a) moving away from the product (4),

- Fixed part (2b) which is in contact with the product (4) and held in place.

The two parts 2a, 2b remain fixed to each other through the unbroken central folded section 11b. This folded section 11b acts as a hinge. In this way, the movable part 2a can rotate relative to the fixed part 2b.

Therefore, all products (4) that have been in contact with the moving part (2a) are freely accessible.

According to one possible example of the invention, the lower shell (3) does not have a pre-cut and continues to support the product (4). The movable portion 2a of the upper shell 2 is large enough to properly discharge the product 4, and the consumer can eat the product directly from the lower shell 3. If necessary, the product can be lifted off the wall by pressing the bottom of the lower shell (3).

As shown, according to another possible example of the invention, the lower shell 3 also has a pre-cut line 11 .

Preferably, it is identical to the upper shell 2. In this case, the orientation of the shell is no longer important. The terms “lower” and “upper” are mentioned for clarity to distinguish the two shells. The terms lower and upper may be replaced by the terms “first” and “second.”

So, when the user pulls the tabs 7 and 8, the peeling of the shells 2 and 3 operates until the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3 break simultaneously.

The product (4) is released much better and only a small part remains in the two fixed parts (2b, 3b) of the shell (2, 3).

The remaining two fixing parts 2b, 3b form a conical space holding the end of the product 4. This conical space arises due to the dome shape of the shells 2 and 3. This conical space allows easy removal of the product end. If the shell is flat, the space will not be cone-shaped and the end of the product may get caught in the space. Due to the flared cone shape, the ends of the product can be easily extracted or "released".

Preferably, the fold line 11b represents less than 1/3 of a continuous curve. The narrower the hinge, the easier it is to access the product 14.

Preferably, at least 80% of the product is released when the two shells 2, 3 break.

Preferably, 85% of the product is released from the package (1).

The remaining 15% contained in the fixed parts (2b, 3b) can be easily extracted.

Therefore, the user can taste the product 4 without having to touch it with his or her fingers.

The pre-cut line 11 is designed so that the shells 2, 3 are broken as soon as the peripheral edges 5, 6 through which the broken sections 11a, 11c pass are peeled off. In this way, the downstream portion of the peripheral edges 5, 6, i.e. from the fracture sections 11a, 11c to the input throat 15, remains sealed when the package 1 is opened. This is not a problem because, unlike in the prior art, the remaining portion of the product can be easily extracted, as seen above.

In the first configuration shown in Figures 1 to 3, there is no means for holding the product.

In the second configuration shown in Figures 4 to 6, means 10 for holding the product are added. This is the only difference between the two configurations.

In this case, the gripping means 10 may consist of a stick, which is inserted between the shells 2, 3 during production and before the product is introduced.

The gripping means (10) is a portion received in the internal cavity of the shell (2, 3) and on which the product (4) is fixed, and a portion that protrudes from the shell (2, 3) and is located between two tabs (7, 8). It has an external part that is

The peripheral edges 5, 6 are sealed to the gripping means 10 to ensure that the internal cavity is sealed when the package 1 is closed.

The tabs 7, 8 are not sealed to the gripping means 10, so the user can easily move each tab 7, 8 away from the gripping means 10, hold the gripping means 10, and pull the tab to hold the package ( 1) can be opened.

Finally, no matter which configuration is chosen, users can taste the product (4) without touching it with their fingers.

The invention also relates to a method for producing food packaging (1), especially for vegetables or dairy products (4), for example the above-mentioned packaging (1), from at least one reel of plastic film (12), comprising: It includes the following steps:

- Preheating the two plastic films (12);

- sealing the two films (12) along the joining plane in a sealing area to delimit the two shells (2, 3) - so that the sealing area can be filled with the two shells (2, 3). crossed by the input xylem (15) for -;

- thermoforming the shells (2, 3) to form an internal cavity to create an input neck (15);

- introducing vegetables or dairy products (4) through the introduction neck (15) to fill the internal cavity formed between the shells (2, 3);

- Preheating the edge of the neck 15 and then welding it;

- Cutting to define the contours of the shells 2, 3 in order to customize the shell to its final shape (as shown in dashed lines in Figure 7).

These steps are preferably sequential, but may be performed in other orders.

The method includes pre-cutting the film 12 at different depths along the line to create a pre-cut line 11.

The pre-cut line 11 can be made on a flat film 12 as shown in Figure 7, or a molded film 12, or a molded shell, or a molded or welded neck. These pre-cut lines 11 are separated by a pitch P.

The technology used to create the pre-cut line 11 may vary and may be mechanical (knife), electromechanical (ultrasonic), laser or other scratching methods.

Each pre-cut line 11 can be straight or follow a path suitable for the best opening function required. Here, the line is straight at both ends and coincides with the surrounding border, and is rounded between the ends to approximate the rear of the package.

Preferably, a pre-cut line 11 is created on the flat film 12 before the preheating step. When pre-cutting is performed on the flat film 12, it is taken into account that the film 12 later becomes thinner due to the stretching performed during the thermoforming of the shells 2, 3. Thereby, the risk of the thinned film 12 breaking at the level of the pre-cut line 11 before the user handles and opens the package 1 is avoided.

The precut tool can be programmed to adjust the precut for continuity, interruption and depth. Therefore, the pre-cut position, length and depth can be adjusted. To do this, the shape of the shell or graphics on the film can be used as a guide.

Depending on the depth of the precut, areas are created that are more or less brittle and therefore prone to breaking more or less easily or simply folding. The greater the depth, the more susceptible the section is to fracture.

To obtain the folded section 11b, a shallow pre-cut is made or a discontinuity is created in the pre-cut line.

As shown in Figure 8, the pre-cut line 11 includes two deep lateral regions corresponding to the fracture sections 11a, 11c and a shallower central region corresponding to the folded section 11b.

As shown in Figure 9, the fracture sections 11a, 11c may comprise a very deep region (the thickness will be greater in that region once the shell is formed) at the level of the peripheral rims 5, 6, followed by the shell It contains a shallower region at the level of the domed part of (2, 3) (once the shell is formed, the thickness becomes thinner in that region). And the central folded section 11b is intact and has no pre-cutting. There is therefore a discontinuity in the pre-cut at the level of the central section 11b.

When the user opens the shell, the very deep area fractures first, and the fracture easily spreads to shallower areas.

The pre-cut line 11 can be created in two stages, with a very deep region being created upstream of the preheating stage and a shallower region being created after the forming or dosing stage.

To form the lower shell 3 and the upper shell 2, the method can use two films 12 from two different reels, which are then overlapped or a single reel is folded onto itself. , resulting in a very precise level of registration between the two printed sides. The shell is centered at a forming station, where both parts are obtained and centered simultaneously before the sealing step. Preferably, the film 12 is preheated prior to the sealing step.

Preferably, sealing is performed by heat sealing.

The seal is used to hermetically close the package (1). By sealing, a controlled and adjustable opening is possible and the intensity of the opening can be measured (peel force).

Welding of the input neck 15 or other parts of the package 1 may be performed by heat sealing. By welding, a final assembly is obtained which cannot be separated and therefore opened without being destroyed.

The configurations shown in the mentioned drawings are only possible examples of the present invention and are not limiting in any way, and on the contrary, include variations in shape and design within the scope of those skilled in the art.

Claims (10)

Food packaging (1) for vegetables or dairy products (4), such as individual portions of cheese, comprising two shells (2, 3), wherein the package (1) can be opened by peeling one shell from another, the shells (2, 3) having peripheral edges (5, 6) extending in said joining plane (P) and contacting each other. ), the peripheral edges 5, 6 are sealed to each other, the two shells 2, 3 correspond to the hollow lower shell 3 and the hollow upper shell 2, and each shell 3, 2 ) has peeling tabs (7, 8) for peeling one shell from another, each tab (7, 8) extending from one of the peripheral edges (5, 6) at the joining plane (P) Formed integrally with the corresponding shells (2, 3), the tabs (7, 8) overlap each other when the package (1) is closed, each shell (2, 3) in the joining plane (P), comprising a first end and an opposing second end positioned at the tabs (7, 8), each shell (2, 3) having an axis of symmetry (X) passing through the two ends,
At least the upper shell (2) is provided with a pre-cut line (11) near the second end, wherein at least a part of the upper shell (2) extends the peripheral edges (5, 6) to the pre-cut line (11). Food packaging for vegetables or dairy products, which can be peeled off and then separated from the lower shell (3) by breaking its pre-cut line (11). According to claim 1,
Package (1), wherein the pre-cut line (11) extends transversely to the axis (X), connecting two lateral edges of the peripheral border (5). The method of claim 1 or 2,
The pre-cut line comprises a central fold section (11b) and two lateral break sections (11a, 11c) located on either side of this central folded section (11b) and connecting the peripheral border (5). . According to claim 3,
Package (1), wherein the folded section (11b) is centered and oriented perpendicular to the axis of symmetry (X). According to claim 3 or 4,
Package (1), wherein the folded section (11b) represents less than 1/3 of the pre-cut line (11). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Package (1), wherein the lower shell (3) is also provided with a pre-cutting line (11) following the example of the upper shell (2). According to claim 6,
Package (1), wherein after peeling and opening the two shells (2, 3), at least 80% of the product (4) is released without contact with the shells (2, 3). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
and means (10) for holding the product inserted between the two shells (2, 3), which means:
- an inner part located in the inner cavity of the package (1) and fixed to the product (4),
- Package (1), comprising an outer part extending between said two tabs (7, 8). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Package (1), wherein the two shells (2, 3) have a dome shape. A method for producing a package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:
- Preheating the two plastic films (12);
- sealing the two films (12) along the joining plane (P) in a sealing area to delimit the two shells (2, 3) - the sealing area is filled with the two shells (2, 3). crossed by an input xylem (15) designed to allow -;
- generating the input neck 15 by thermoforming the shells 2, 3 to form an internal cavity;
- introducing vegetables or dairy products (4) through the introduction neck (15) to fill the internal cavity formed between the shells (2, 3);
- Preheating the edge of the neck 15 and then welding it; and
- cutting the shells (2, 3) to define the contours of the shells in order to individualize them to their final shape,
The method also includes the step of pre-cutting (11) the film (12) at different depths to create pre-cut lines (11).