WO2008062181A2

WO2008062181A2 - Re-sealable container for food

Info

Publication number: WO2008062181A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/004448
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank David Mills; Philip Wright
Original assignee: Colpac Limited
Priority date: 2006-11-23
Filing date: 2007-11-21
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: GB0623404D0; GB2444113B; WO2008062181A3; GB2444113A

Abstract

A container formed from a blank (1) for receiving a food product via an opening (9) has a lid (8b) that is positionable to extend over the opening (9) so as at least partially to close the opening (9). A primary seal provides a first, tamper evident seal which secures the lid (8b) in its closed position. A secondary seal (13) releasably secures the lid (8b) in its closed position once the primary sealing means has been broken. A blank is also provided from which container can be folded.

Description

RE-SEALABLE CONTAINER FOR FOOD

This invention relates to a re-sealable container for receiving a food product and in particular the invention is concerned with re-sealable containers that can be formed by folding a shaped blank of paper, paperboard, cardboard or a similar material.

Containers for receiving a food product that can be formed by folding a shaped blank are well known but typically suffer from the disadvantage that, once opened, they have no means by which they can be reliably re-sealed should the user only partially consume the food product and wish to keep the rest for consumption later.

The present invention provides a container that is for receiving a food product via an opening and is formed from a blank, the container having a lid that is positionable to extend over the opening so as at least partially to close the opening, a primary sealing means for sealing the lid in its closed position in a tamper-evident fashion and a secondary sealing means for sealing the lid in its closed position in a releasably engageable fashion once the primary sealing means has been broken. Such a container has the advantage that it can be re-sealed once it has initially been opened. Thus, should a user open the container and only partially consume the food product therein, he has the option of re-sealing it within the container and keeping it for later.

Preferably, the container comprises at least one flange around its mouth for forming a sealing surface with the lid. This has the advantage that the at least one flange provides a reliable sealing surface for the lid to engage with.

Preferably, the secondary sealing means is engageable around the entire periphery of the mouth so as to form an airtight seal. This has the advantage of improving the integrity of the container once it has been opened and re-sealed, thus increasing the period of time that a partially consumed food product can be retained therein.

Preferably, the secondary sealing means comprises at least one adhesive strip provided on the container, said at least one strip being covered by a release material such that, upon removal of said release material, it can releasably connect the lid to the mouth. Such an arrangement has the advantage that it provides a simple means by which the container can be re- sealed. Alternatively, though, it is possible for other known releasably connecting means such as hook and loop or ""zip-lock" style fasteners to be used.

Preferably, the at least one strip is provided on the or each flange. Alternatively, though, the at least one strip is provided on the lid for attachment to the or each flange. Advantageously, the container comprises a flange on each free edge of the mouth, each flange desirably having an adhesive strip and backing material arranged thereon.

Preferably, the container comprises at least one end flap that is arranged to form one part of a catch mechanism for releasably mechanically fastening the lid in the sealed position. This again has the advantage of improving the integrity of the container once it has been opened and re- sealed, thus increases the period of time that a partially consumed food product can be retained therein.

Preferably the at least one end flap forms a flange at the mouth of the opening which comprises a detent for catching a co-operative element of the lid. Alternatively, though, the at least one flap forms a flange extending from the lid which comprises a detent for catching a co-operative element of the container proximate to the opening. Preferably, the container is provided with a pair of end flaps for securing opposing sides of the lid. In a preferred embodiment, the container has triangular side walls and substantially rectangular end walls such that it is a generally triangular prism- shaped container. Preferably, the container further comprises a first hinge part hingedly connected to a second hinge part are provided between one of said side walls and one of said end walls to enable the partially assembled container to be moved between a substantially flat position for storage and transportation and a substantially erect position for receiving a food product.

In a further advantageous development of this embodiment, the container comprises at least one end flap that extends beyond the or each end wall and is foldable into the opening. Preferably, the container comprises a pair of end flaps having a detent for catching co-operative elements of the lid such that said lid can be releasably mechanically fastened in the sealed position, thus improving the integrity of the re-sealed pack.

In an alternative embodiment, the container has side walls and end walls that are arranged to from a generally box-shaped container.

The present invention also provides a blank for forming a container according to the invention.

In order that the present invention will be well understood, there will now be described an embodiment thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2 to 4 are plan views of the blank of Figure 1 in intermediate stages of construction;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a container assembled from the blank of Figure 1 configuration, the integral lid being in a sealed state;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 5, the integral lid being partially unsealed; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 6, the integral lid being in a re-sealed state;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figures 9 to 12 are plan views of the blank of Figure 8 in intermediate stages of construction;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a container assembled from the blank of Figure 8 configuration, the integral lid being in an open, un-sealed state;

Figure 14 is another perspective view of the container of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 13, the integral lid being in a sealed state; and

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 13, the integral lid being partially unsealed.

Referring to Figure ι1 , the blank 1 may consist of paper, paperboard, cardboard or a similar material. A pair of congruent isosceles-shaped side walls 2a and 2b are alternately arranged with and hingedly connected to generally rectangular end walls 3a and 3b. (The end walls may be rectangular, but they are preferably trapezoidal so that in the fully assembled container they taper inwardly towards an apex to allow a number of assembled containers to be stacked together.)

The end walls 3a, 3b have opposed major and minor edges, designated 4a and 4b respectively. Both of the major edges 4a of the end walls 3a are flanked by the congruent edges of the side walls 2a and 2b. Side wall 3b has one of its major edges 4a integrally formed with a congruent edge of side wall 2b.

A hinge arrangement integrally formed with side wall 2a has three parts: generally rhombic flap or tab 5; a triangular central part or panel 6; and a three sided part or panel 7. These three parts are integrally formed and connected by fold lines. Panel 7 is integrally formed with side wall 2a. The flap 5 is hingedly connected to the minor edge 4b of end wall 3a and this hinge point forms the apex of the finished triangular prism-shaped container.

All of the connecting lines shown in Figure 1 represent valley or hill folds with valley folds shown with icon A and hill folds shown with icon B. Icon C shown between flap 5 and end wall 3a represent a cut line.

The blank 1 furthermore comprises a side flap 8a and lid 8b. The side flap 8a is integrally formed and connected by fold lines to side wall 2b so as to cooperate in the assembled container to define an outwardly extending flange at the mouth 9 of the container. The lid 8b is integrally formed and connected by fold lines to side wall 2a so as to cooperate in the assembled container to define an integral lid which, once the food product has been inserted in the container, is operable to close the opening 9. Additionally, the lid flap 8b has an opening 11 , which is covered by a transparent film 12 to enable the contents of the assembled . container to be viewed after the peripheral end of the lid 8b is sealed to the side flap 8a. The blank and container configuration allow the lid 8b to be provided without a fold lines passing through it.

In use, a primary, tamper-evident sealing means is used to seal the lid flap 8b over the opening 9 once a food article has been placed therein. To enable re-sealing of the lid flap 8b over the opening 9 of the assembled container once the primary, seal has been broken and the container opened, the side flap 8a is provided with an adhesive strip 13, extending substantially along its entire length, which is covered by a release paper 14 in order to protect the adhesive from wear and the like. Thus, once the primary seal has been broken and the container opened, said release paper 14 can be removed and the lid flap 8b releasably attached to the side flap 8a via the adhesive strip 13. In this way, a user is able to partially consume the food product within the pack and then reseal it therein to keep for later. Additionally the blank 1 comprises end flaps 8c and 8d that are integrally formed and connected by fold lines to end wall 3a and panel 7 respectively so as to cooperate in the assembled container to define inwardly folded flanges that are interconnectable with the lid 8b. Specifically, end flaps 8c, 8d have slits 15 therein for detachably receiving complementary locking parts 16 of the lid 8b. Advantageously, such a catch mechanism enables mechanical fastening of the end flaps 8c, 8d to the lid 8b, which improves the integrity of the container once it has been resealed and thus increases the period of time that a partially consumed food product can be retained.

Although not illustrated in the embodiment shown in the Figures, adhesive strips or corresponding sealing means may also be provided on the end flaps 8c and 8d so as to effect a seal around all opening sides of the folded packaging.

Turning now to Figure 2, the hinge arrangement 5,6,7 is folded to overlie the side and end walls 2a, 3a. End wall 3b is then brought into abutment with the exposed surface of the flap 5 by folding the side wall 2b about its central fold line as shown in Figure 3. The abutting surfaces of the flap 5 and the end wall 3b, both designated as S1 in Figure 2, are glued together to form a permanent join. These surfaces S1 are substantially (but not completely) congruent to form a double thickness wall. This double thickness wall can be used as the base on the finished container to provide addition resistance against the egress of the food product housed within the container.

As shown in Figure 3, the blank is further folded about the join between the tab 5 and the central panel 6 to bring part of the end wall 3b into abutment with the exposed surface of the central panel 6. The abutting surfaces of the central panel 6 and the end wall 3b, both designated as S2 in Figure 3, are glued together to form a permanent join and thereby sandwich part of the end wall 3b between the flap 5 and the central panel 6. The resultant partially formed container is shown in Figure 4, and this configuration represents the partially formed container in its flat configuration.

The configuration of the container means that when it is opened by, say, pulling the side walls 2a and 2b in opposite directions, the container naturally opens out into an erect configuration ready for receiving a food product, such as a sandwich. In the erect configuration, shown in Figures 5 to 7, the panel 7 and the end wall 3b sandwich the central panel 6, and the container can be fixed in a fully formed configuration by permanently joining the abutting parts of these panels 6,7. Alternatively, or in addition, part of the panel 7 will abut the part of the end wall 3b and the container can be fixed in a fully formed condition by joining these abutting surfaces. In an alternative embodiment a catch or detent mechanism can be provided so that the partially assembled container can be mechanically fastened in an erect condition without the use of glue or other permanent fastening.

In the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8 to 16. It should be noted that, in contrast to the first embodiment, which has triangular side walls and substantially rectangular end walls such that it forms a generally triangular prism-shaped container, the second embodiment has side walls and end walls that are arranged to form a generally box-shaped container.

Finally, it will be appreciated that many different variations of the described embodiments are possible. For example, the auxiliary sealing means could alternatively comprise at least one hook and loop or "zip-lock" style fastening.

Claims

1. A container formed from a blank (1) for receiving a food product via an opening (9), the container having a lid (8b) that is positionable to extend over the opening (9) so as at least partially to close the opening (9), a primary sealing means for sealing the lid (8b) in its closed position in a tamper-evident fashion and a secondary sealing means (13) for sealing the lid (8b) in its closed position in a releasably engageable fashion once the primary sealing means has been broken.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein the container includes at least one flange (8a) in the region of the opening (9) which forms a sealing surface for the lid (8b).

3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the secondary sealing means extends around the entire periphery of the opening such that the lid (8b) is engageable therewith to form an airtight seal.

4. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary sealing means comprises at least one adhesive strip (13) provided on the container, said at least one strip (13) being covered by a release material (14) such that, upon removal of said release material, it is releasably connects a free edge of the lid (8b) to the container.

5. A container according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the at least one adhesive strip (13) is provided on the or each flange (8a).

6. A container according to claim 2 or claim 5, wherein the container has a number of edges around the opening (9), a flange (8c, 8d) extending from each free edge of the opening, each flange having an adhesive strip and backing material provided thereon such that the secondary sealing means (13) connects the lid (8b) to the container on all sides of the lid (8b).

7. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one end flap (8c, 8b) that is arranged to form one part (15) of a catch mechanism (15, 16) for releasably mechanically fastening the lid (8b) in the closed position.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the at least one end flap (8c, 8d) forms a flange at the mouth of the opening and includes a detent (15) for catching a co-operative element (16) of the lid (8b).

9. A container according to claim 7 or claim 8, comprising a pair of end flaps (8c, 8d) for securing opposing sides of the lid.

10. A container according to any of the preceding claims, having triangular side walls (2a, 2b) and substantially rectangular end walls (3a, 3b) such that it is a generally triangular prism-shaped container.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein a first hinge panel (6) hingedly connected to a second hinge panel (7) are provided between one of said side walls (2a) and one of said end walls (3b) to enable container to be moved between a substantially flat storage configuration a substantially erect position for receiving a food product when in a partially assembled position.

12. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one end flap (8c, 8d) that extends beyond the or each end wall (3a, 3b) and is foldable into the opening (9).

13. A blank for forming a container according to any of the preceding claims.

14. A blank according to claim 13, comprising a first substantially rectangular end panel (3a) having opposing substantially parallel side edges (4a) and opposed substantially parallel end edges (4b), a triangular side panel (2a, 2b) hingedly attached to each side edge (4a) of the first end panel (3a) along a first side edge, a first of said triangular side panels (2a) having a lid panel (8b) hingedly attached to a second edge which forms the hypotenuse of the panel and a three part hinge panel (5, 6, 7) hingedly attached to its third edge, and the second of said triangular panels having a second substantially rectangular end panel (3b), hingedly attached to a second edge which does not form the hypotenuse of the side panel, said second end panel having its other three edges free, and wherein one of the first end panel, the second side panel and one part of said three part hinge panel has a flange panel (8a, 8c, 8d) hingedly attached to an edge thereof, releasable sealing means being provided on one of a surface of said flange panel which faces outwardly of the erect container so as to be contacted by the lid panel (8b) when in its closed position and an inwardly facing surface of the lid panel (8b) which, contacts the flange panel when in the closed position, and wherein the second side panel (2b) has a fold line which bisects the hypotenuse edge thereof.

15. A blank according to claim 14, wherein the three part hinge panel comprises a first hinge panel 7 foldably connected along a first edge to the first side panel (2a) and along a second edge which is adjacent and incline to said first edge to a second hinge panel (6), said second hinge panel (6) in turn being foldably connect along a third edge which is adjacent and inclined to said second end to a third hinge panel, said third hinge panel being foldably connected to an end edge (4b) of the first end panel (3a) along a fold line which is perpendicular to said third edge.

16. A blank according to' claim 14 or claim 15, wherein each of the second side panel (2b), the first end panel (3a) and the one part (7) of the three part hinge panel have a flange panel (8a, 8c, 8d) hingedly attached thereto.

17. A blank according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the lid panel includes at least one cut-out (16) which is engageable in a slot (15) formed in at least one of the or each flange panels (8a, 8c, 8d) so as to mechanically secure the lid panel (8b) to so flange panel.