WO2004020293A2

WO2004020293A2 - Device for packaging ingredients of a food composition

Info

Publication number: WO2004020293A2
Application number: PCT/FR2003/002625
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christophe Barbe-Richaud
Original assignee: Christophe Barbe-Richaud
Priority date: 2002-09-02
Filing date: 2003-09-02
Publication date: 2004-03-11
Also published as: WO2004020293A3; FR2843941A1; AU2003278241A1; AU2003278241A8

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (1) for packaging ingredients designed to be used in a food composition. Said device is characterized in that said device (1) has the shape of a container (2) consisting of two parts (3, 4) of which a first part (3) including at least two means (5, 5') designed each to store individually one single ingredient or a mixture of stable ingredients and means (9) designed to enclose hermetically each of said storage means (5, 5'), said closure means (9) being removable and/or capable of being perforated and being designed, after being removed and/or perforated, to allow the ingredients to flow outside said storage means (5, 5') and into a second part (4) comprised in the container (2), for mixing together said ingredients.

Description

DEVICE FOR PACKAGING INGREDIENTS OF A FOOD COMPOSITION

The present invention relates to a device for packaging ingredients intended to enter into a food composition.

The invention relates to the field of manufacturing devices for packaging food products, more particularly those intended to enter into a food composition, in particular a food emulsion.

There are already known packaging devices intended to contain the ingredients of a food emulsion such as a salad dressing and which take either the form of a sachet or a scoop containing a dose. unique salad dressing, either in the form of a bottle or a bottle containing a larger volume of such a sauce. Anyway, such devices are, in fact, designed capable of containing a ready-to-use salad dressing in which the ingredients have already been mixed. In this regard, it will be observed that if these ingredients are capable of being preserved, individually, for an almost unlimited duration, the fact of mixing them considerably reduces their duration of consumption.

In order to remedy this drawback, it is known to add, to a salad dressing preparation, additives such as stabilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives or even antioxidants, all intended to preserve the stability of this preparation and to lengthen its duration. of consumption. In this regard, it will be observed that such additives have, in most cases, the disadvantage of altering the taste of this salad dressing. In addition, the addition of such additives must be subject to particularly drastic health regulations. Finally, we will notice that the consumer's taste is changing. more and more, towards the most natural products possible so that this consumer tends to turn away from a preparation containing at least some of these additives.

Food compositions containing ingredients which require to be kept separately so as to be mixed only a short time before consuming this composition are also known. This is, for example, the case of a composition based on a dairy product (in particular a yogurt or the like) to which ingredients such as fruit (dried or in syrup), cereals (for example corn petals) are added, a coating, a spice (cinnamon or other), or even edible decorative or fancy elements, such as colored granules, sprinkles, candies, chocolate chips, grains or the like. It is obvious that, when this dairy product is mixed with the other ingredients well before the consumption of this composition (in particular during its packaging), it is in no way possible to preserve the taste or aesthetic qualities of these different ingredients. In particular, such a premature mixture has the effect of softening the cereals which lose their crispness, of melting the decorative elements or, again, of not making it possible to produce an effect of presentation of this composition.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks through a new device for packaging the ingredients used in a food composition.

Also, this invention relates to a device for packaging ingredients intended to enter into a food composition, characterized in that said device takes the form of a container consisting of two parts, a first part comprising, of a share, at least two means arranged, each, for ensuring the storage, of individually, of a single ingredient or of a stable mixture of ingredients and, on the other hand, means arranged to hermetically close each of said storage means, these closing means being of the removable and / or pierceable type and being designed capable, after their removal and / or their piercing, to allow the ingredients to flow out of said storage means and into a second part that comprises said container, this with a view to mixing these ingredients.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first part of the container has, internally, at least two compartments, constituting said storage means, each intended to receive an ingredient or a stable mixture of ingredients, and separated one on the other or from each other by at least one partition extending from the bottom of the first part of the container and over at least part of the height of the latter.

Yet another characteristic consists in that the closing means consist of at least one removable and / or pierceable cover at least made integral with the upper edge of the partition (s) delimiting at least one compartment.

According to another characteristic, the first part of the container comprises a plurality of cups, each defining a means of storing, individually, a single ingredient or a stable mixture of ingredients.

Additionally, said first part of the container is defined by a single piece at which said cups are defined.

However, said first part of the container may also include, on the one hand, a plurality of cups and, on the other hand, a support provided with a plurality of openings with which said buckets cooperate, this support being made integral with these buckets, in particular by welding.

Another additional characteristic relates to closure means constituted by at least one removable and / or pierceable cover closing at least one storage means and made integral with the first part of the container, in particular of the support and / or of one or more cups. . Such a removable and / or pierceable cover is made integral with the first part of the container by gluing or, and preferably, by welding, in particular by heat sealing.

According to an additional characteristic, the second part of the container is constituted by a cover or a container, designed capable of cooperating with said first part of the container, and adopting, at least in part, the form of a receptacle for receiving a at least part of said ingredients with a view to mixing them, this after the closure means have been removed and / or pierced.

Yet another characteristic consists in that the second part of the container has at least one orifice, closed by a removable and / or pierceable cover, and intended, after mixing of the ingredients followed by the removal and / or piercing of this cover, to allow the flow of the food composition out of said device.

The advantages of the present invention consist in that the device comprises means for ensuring the storage, individually and hermetically, of a single ingredient or of a stable mixture of ingredients intended to enter into a food composition, in particular a emulsion (for example a salad dressing). These various ingredients are, in fact, poured out of the first part of the device only at the last moment, either directly onto a food product (milk product or other), or onto a salad, in particular after having been mixed together within said device. This advantageously allows these ingredients to be stored for an almost unlimited period inside said packaging device, while retaining all the taste qualities of these ingredients and avoiding spoilage due to premature mixing.

Another advantage consists in that said packaging device has a plurality of compartments which can each receive a particular ingredient, such an ingredient which can, advantageously, be replaced by another which makes it possible to offer, in the end, a great diversity side dishes for a main food product (especially milk) or a wide variety of salad dressings adapted to the tastes and / or needs of consumers.

Yet another advantage consists in that said device comprises two parts, a first part intended to contain the ingredients of an emulsion and a second part serving, on the one hand, as a receptacle into which the ingredients are poured for mixing to constitute the food composition and, on the other hand, pourer. This second part can, according to another embodiment, serve as a receptacle for a main food product, in particular a milk product, to which the ingredients contained in the first part of the device are added, this to constitute a food composition.

The invention is set out in more detail in the description which follows, relating to embodiments given by way of examples and illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic view, in elevation, in exploded view and in longitudinal section of the packaging device according to the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the first part of the packaging device visible in Figure 1 and receiving closure means.

Figure 3 is a schematic view corresponding to a detail of the cooperation of the first and second parts of the container.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the second part of such a device.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the first part of the container having cups made integral with a support.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view in section along a plane P substantially perpendicular to the support of the first part of the container illustrated in FIG. 5.

The present invention relates to the field of manufacturing devices for packaging food products, more particularly for packaging ingredients intended to enter into a food composition.

It will be observed that, for reasons of simplification, in the following description, reference will mainly be made to a food composition defined by an emulsion consisting of a salad dressing knowing that the present invention is in no way limited thereto and that it also applies to any kind of food composition.

As shown in Figure 1, such a device 1 is in the form of a container 2 consisting of two parts 3; 4 including a first 3 and a second 4 part. Said first part 3 of this container 2 comprises at least two means 5, 5 ', 5 "each arranged to ensure the storage, individually, of a single ingredient or of a stable mixture of ingredients intended to enter in a food composition.

In this regard, it will be observed that, in the case of an emulsion, a mixture of ingredients can be considered to be stable when the duration of consumption of this mixture is substantially identical to the duration of consumption of each of the ingredients of this mixture taken separately. However, and in the case of ingredients intended to accompany a main food product to constitute a food composition, such a mixture can, again, be considered stable when the intrinsic qualities (taste, decorative or other) of each of the ingredients of this mixture are kept within this mixture.

In the context of a food composition consisting of a food emulsion, such a storage means 5; 5 '; 5 '' can receive either a single ingredient (for example, oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper ...), or a stable mixture of ingredients (for example, a salt mixture - pepper, a mixture of herbs such as chives and parsley, a mixture of plants such as garlic and onion, a complex mixture of herbs and / or plants and / or salt-pepper. .).

However and in the context of a food composition consisting, on the one hand, of a main food product (in particular a compote, a milk product such as a yogurt or the like, pasta, rice, one or more vegetables and / or a or several meats ...) and, on the other hand, by ingredients contained in the first part 3 of the device 1 and intended to be added to said main food product, such storage means 5; 5 '; 5 '' can receive either a single ingredient (e.g. sauce, fruit, spice, cereals, a coating, edible decorative or fancy elements ...), or a stable mixture of ingredients (for example a mixture of edible decorative or fancy elements, cereals and sugar ...).

Such an embodiment advantageously makes it possible not to prematurely mix ingredients which, when mixed, present a problem of stability and / or a duration of use which is significantly shortened compared to the duration of individual use of each. of these ingredients.

In fact and as visible in Figures 1 and 2, the first part 3 of the container 2 has, internally, at least two compartments 6; 6 '; 6 '', constituting said storage means 5; 5 '; 5 '', and each intended to receive an ingredient or a stable mixture of ingredients. These compartments 6; 6 '; 6 '' are separated from each other or from each other by at least one partition 7, 7 'extending from the bottom 8 of the first part 3 of the container 2 and over at least part of the height of the latter 3.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first part 3 of this container 2 further comprises means 9 arranged to seal each of said storage means 5 hermetically; 5 '; 5 ".

In this regard, it will be observed that such closure means 9 are constituted by at least one cover 10 designed capable of closing at least one storage means 5; 5 '; 5 ''.

According to a first embodiment, such closing means 9 can then be constituted by a plurality of designed lids, each capable of closing one or more storage means 5. Such an embodiment allows, by proceeding to removal of this or that seal, select this or that compartment 6, 6 ', 6''containing the ingredients that will either be mixed to obtain an emulsion or added to a main food product.

However and according to a preferred embodiment visible in Figures 1 and 2, such closure means 9 are constituted by a single cover 10 designed capable of closing all of the storage means 5; 5 '; 5 '' that comprises said first part 3 of this container 2. Such a cover 10 can be removed entirely in order to allow the flow of all the ingredients contained in the first part 3 of the device 1. However and by piercing this cover 10 at this or that storage means 5, 5 ', 5' ', it is possible to select the compartment (s) 6, 6', 6 '' containing the ingredient (s) which will either be mixed to obtain of an emulsion, or added to a main food product.

In this regard, it should be observed that such closure means 9 are at least made integral with the upper edge 11 of the partition or partitions 7 delimiting a compartment 6 of the storage means 5, 5 '; 5 ".

Also and according to an embodiment not shown in which the container 2 comprises a central compartment, in particular bordered externally by other compartments, such closing means 9 can be made integral only with the upper edge of the partition or partitions delimiting this compartment central (closure means 9 designed capable of closing, individually, at least one storage means 5).

However and according to a preferred embodiment notably visible in FIGS. 1 and 2, a compartment 6 constituting a storage means 5 is delimited, on the one hand, by at least one partition 7 and, on the other hand, by a portion of an outer wall 12 that comprises said container 2. In such a case, said closure means 9 are made integral, on the one hand, with the upper edge 11 of the partition or partitions 7 delimiting such a compartment 6 and, on the other hand, of the external wall 12 of said container 2.

According to a preferred embodiment visible in FIG. 1, the partition (s) 7 for separation extend over the entire height of the first part 3 of the container 2 while the external wall 12 of the latter 2 has an upper edge 13. This is , more particularly, of the upper edge 11 of the partition (s) 7 or even of the upper edge 13 of the external wall 12 that said closure means 9 are made integral with.

Another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 consists in that the first part 3 of the container 2 comprises a plurality of cups 28 (preferably differentiated and / or juxtaposed) each constituting a storage means 5, individually, of a single ingredient or a stable mixture of ingredients.

In this regard, it will be observed that, in order to produce such a first part 3 of container 2, these cups 28 can be defined simultaneously and during the same manufacturing step (molding, blowing, injection of a plastic material or the like) of this first part 3. The latter 3 is then defined by a single part at the level of which said cups 28 are defined.

However and according to a preferred embodiment, such cups 28 are produced individually (by molding, blowing, injection of a plastic material or the like). A first solution then consists in associating these cups 28 (for example by gluing or other) in order to constitute, at least in part, said first part 3 of the container 2. Another solution consists in that such a cup 28 is designed capable of cooperating with an opening 29 (in particular with the edge 31 of such an opening 29) which comprises a support 30 (more particularly a tray, a disc or the like), such cup 28 being made integral with this support 30 (in particular by welding, more particularly by heat-sealing), this in order to define said first part 3 of container 2. The latter 3 is designed capable of cooperating with said second part 4 of container 2, more particularly by means of this support 30.

In this regard, it will be observed that such a cup 28 can be designed capable of being engaged in an opening 29 of complementary shape that includes a support 30 and of being made integral with the latter 30 (in particular by welding), this preferably at level of the edge 31 of the mouth 32 of this cup 28 as visible in FIG. 6. To do this, such a cup 28 can advantageously include, at the edge 31 of its mouth 32, a flange 33 which, after this cup 28 has been engaged in one of the openings 29 of the support 30, comes to rest on said support 30 while awaiting its attachment to the latter.

Here again, closure means 9 of the aforementioned type (at least one removable and / or pierceable cover) can be associated with the support 30 and / or with the cups 28 (more particularly, with each of these cups 28 individually or with a plurality of these).

In this regard, it should be observed that such closure means 9 can be made integral, as the case may be, with the support 30, the bucket (s) 28 or the upper edges 11, 13 of the compartments 6, this by gluing or, and preferably by welding, in particular by heat sealing.

According to another characteristic of the invention, these closing means 9 are defined by a cover 10 which, in accordance with a first embodiment, can be designed capable of being pierced to ensure the opening of a compartment 6. However and according to a preferred embodiment, said closure means 9 are constituted by at least one cover 10 of the removable type and comprise gripping means 14, in particular defined by a tongue or the like, authorizing the gripping of these closure means 9 to ensure the removal and, consequently, the opening of the storage means 5; 5 ';

The removal and / or piercing of these closing means 9 allows the ingredients to flow out of said storage means 5; 5 '; 5 '', and in the second part 4 of said container 2, this for the purpose of mixing these ingredients, in particular with each other or with a main product contained in said second part 4.

With regard to said second part 4 of the container 2, this is constituted by a cover 15 or by a container, designed capable of cooperating with said first part 3 of this container 2, as the case may be, to close the latter 2 in its upper part or to be closed by this first part 3 of container 2. This cover 15 or container adopts, at least in part, the form of a receptacle 16 intended to receive at least part of the ingredients contained in the storage means 5; 5 '; 5 '', this after removal and / or drilling of the closure means 9 of the latter, and with a view to mixing these ingredients.

According to another characteristic visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second part 4 of the container 2 comprises interlocking means 17 arranged to cooperate with complementary interlocking means 18 that the first part 3 of the container 2 comprises, this in order to ensure an assembly of the first 3 and second 4 parts of this container 2.

In fact and as visible in these same figures, the fitting means 17 consist of a skirt 19 at least in deformable part, substantially adopting a “V” shape, and equipping the peripheral edge 20 of the cover 15.

The complementary nesting means 18 can then be defined by a rim 21 or the like presented by the upper edge 13 of the external wall 12 of the first part 3 of the container 2.

Yet another characteristic consists in that the fitting means 17 and / or the complementary fitting means 18 are completed by means 22 designed capable of sealing between the first 3 and the second 4 part of the container 2.

Such sealing means 22 adopt, for example, the form of a seal as visible, in particular FIGS. 1 and 3. Such a seal is preferably arranged at the peripheral edge 20 of the cover 15, all around the latter 15.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention visible in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second part 4 of the container 2 may include an orifice 23, closed by a removable and / or pierceable cover 24, and intended, after mixing of the ingredients followed by removal and / or piercing this cover 24, to allow the flow of an emulsion (more particularly a salad sauce) out of said device 1.

Also, when one wishes to make a salad dressing, one removes or one pierces, first of all, the closing means 9, then one has the cover 15 over the first part 3 of the container 2 and the ingredients are flowed into the receptacle 16 by inverting the packaging device 1. The ingredients are then mixed, in particular by agitating the device 1 for, then. remove or puncture the seal 24 and allow the sauce to flow over the salad.

Yet another characteristic visible in FIG. 4 consists in that said second part 4 of the container 2 can include means 25 arranged to ensure the storage of at least one ingredient.

Such storage means 25 are defined, on the one hand, by the receptacle 16 which comprises the cover 15 and, on the other hand, by means 26 arranged to ensure the closure of this receptacle 16.

In this regard, it will be observed that such additional closing means 26 can, here again, be defined by a removable cover 27. The latter 27 is made integral with said second part 4 of the container 2, more particularly at the level of the means of nesting 17 presented by the latter 4.

It should be noted that, in the case of a food composition comprising a main food product to which it is necessary to add ingredients contained in the storage means 5, this main food product is contained in said storage means 25 of the second part 4 of container 2.

Also, when it is desired to produce such a food composition, the additional closure means 26 are removed first of all for then (and after removing or piercing the closure means 9), pour the ingredients contained in the first part 3 of container 2 on the main product, or even mix these ingredients with this main product.

However, and in the case of a food composition consisting of an emulsion, the storage means 25 of the second part 4 of the container 2 constitute means of additional storage. The ingredient (s) contained in these additional storage means 25 can then consist of croutons or the like.

In this case, when one wishes to season a salad, one removes, first of all, the additional closing means 26 for, then, pouring the additional ingredients contained in the second part 4 of the container 2 onto the salad. Then proceed to the preparation of the salad dressing emulsion as described above.

According to an additional characteristic, the device according to the invention is, at least in part, made of a synthetic and / or plastic material (in particular thermoplastic) of the food type. To do this, use may be made of a molding, blowing, injection or similar technique of such a material.

Claims

1) Device (1) for the packaging of ingredients intended to enter into a food composition, characterized in that said device (1) adopts the shape of a container (2) consisting of two parts (3; 4) of which a first part (3) comprising, on the one hand, at least two means (5; 5'; 5'') each arranged to ensure the storage, individually, of a single ingredient or a mixture stable ingredients and, on the other hand, means (9) arranged to hermetically close each of said storage means (5; 5'; 5''), these closing means (9) being of the removable type and/or pierceable and being designed capable, after their removal and/or their drilling, of allowing the flow of the ingredients out of said storage means (5; 5'; 5'') and into a second part (4) which said container ( 2), this with a view to mixing these ingredients.

2) Packaging device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (3) of the container

(2) comprises, internally, at least two compartments (6; 6'; 6''), constituting said storage means (5; 5'; 5''), each intended to receive an ingredient or a stable mixture of ingredients, and separated from each other by at least one partition (7; 7') extending from the bottom (8) of the first part (3) of the container (2 ) and over at least part of the height of the latter (3).

3) Packaging device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the closing means (9) are constituted by at least one removable and/or pierceable cover (10) at least secured to the upper edge (11) of the partition(s) (7) delimiting at least one compartment (6).

4) Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the one or more partitions (7) extend over the entire height of the first part (3) of the container (2) while the closing means (9) are defined by at least one removable and/or pierceable cover (10) made integral with the upper edge (11) of at least one partition (7) or even of the upper edge (13) of an external wall (12) that the first part (3) of the container (2) comprises.

5) Packaging device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (3) of the container (2) comprises a plurality of buckets (28) each defining a storage means (5), of individually, of a single ingredient or of a stable mixture of ingredients.

6) Packaging device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said first part (3) of the container (2) is defined by a single part at which said buckets (28) are defined.

7) Packaging device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said first part (3) of the container (2) comprises, on the one hand, a plurality of buckets (28) and, on the other hand, a support (30) provided with a plurality of openings (29) with which said buckets (28) cooperate, this support (30) being made integral with these buckets (28), in particular by welding.

8) Packaging device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that a bucket (28) is designed capable of being engaged in an opening (29) of complementary shape that the support (30) comprises and of being rendered in solidarity with the latter (30).

9) Packaging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing means (9) consist of at least one cover removable and/or pierceable (10) closing at least one storage means (5) and made integral with the first part (3) of the container (2), in particular the support (30) and/or one or more buckets (28).

10) Packaging device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a removable and/or pierceable cover (10) is made integral with the first part (3) of the container (2) by gluing or, and preferably, by welding, in particular by heat welding.

11) Packaging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (4) of the container (2) is constituted by a cover (15) or a container, designed capable of cooperating with said first part (3) of the container (2), and adopting, at least in part, the shape of a receptacle (16) intended to receive at least part of said ingredients for mixing, this after removal and/or or drilling the closing means (9).

12) Packaging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (4) of the container has nesting means (17) arranged to cooperate with complementary nesting means ( 18) that the first part (3) of the container (2) comprises, this with a view to ensuring assembly of the first (3) and second (4) parts of this container (2).

13) Packaging device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the nesting means (17) and/or the complementary nesting means (18) are supplemented by means (22) designed capable of ensuring the seal between the first (3) and the second (4) part of the container (2). 14) Packaging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (4) of the container (2) comprises at least one orifice (23), closed by a removable cover and/or pierceable (24), and intended, after mixing the ingredients followed by the removal and/or piercing of this cover (24), to allow the flow of the food composition out of said device (1).

15) Packaging device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second part (4) of the container (2) comprises means (25) arranged to ensure the storage of at least one ingredient , in particular a main food product to which at least part of the ingredients contained in the first part (3) of the container (2) are added to constitute a food composition.