WO2010067175A2 - Systeme modulaire de service juste a temps et procede associe - Google Patents

Systeme modulaire de service juste a temps et procede associe Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010067175A2
WO2010067175A2 PCT/IB2009/007672 IB2009007672W WO2010067175A2 WO 2010067175 A2 WO2010067175 A2 WO 2010067175A2 IB 2009007672 W IB2009007672 W IB 2009007672W WO 2010067175 A2 WO2010067175 A2 WO 2010067175A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
serving system
modular
serving
containers
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2009/007672
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2010067175A4 (fr
WO2010067175A3 (fr
Inventor
Frank Forster
Original Assignee
Menu And More Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Menu And More Ag filed Critical Menu And More Ag
Publication of WO2010067175A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010067175A2/fr
Publication of WO2010067175A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010067175A3/fr
Publication of WO2010067175A4 publication Critical patent/WO2010067175A4/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
    • B65D21/0202—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side and loosely interengaged by integral complementary shapes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
    • B65D21/0205—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side joined together by bonding, adhesive or the like

Definitions

  • This invention relates primarily to serving systems used to contain sterilized products assembled according to an individual order, such as food products.
  • this invention relates to serving systems used for catering individual portions of selected foods in discrete, individually sealed containers.
  • these solutions do not present a unitary form (a basic macro geometric shape) when assembled together (the components do not act as pieces of a puzzle which forms a larger geometric form, i.e., a circle, oval, triangle, rectangle, or polygon in which all peices share a lower surface arranged in a common plane), and thus appear as an amalgamation and not as an intended ensemble prepared particularly for the consumer.
  • these solutions generally lack versatility and convenience to the user.
  • These solutions do not present the main course and side dishes juxtaposed in the final orientation and rigidly fixed together for presentation to the user at the time of consumption. Further, these solutions do not satisfactorily provide a focus on the main course.
  • a modular serving system which includes a planetary main course container, and a plurality of satellite side serving containers which interfaces therewith, in a manner such that food servings may be prepared, placed within, pasteurized, and sealed in an appropriatre container, and then stored ready to compose a single serving meal portion of a single, basic macro geometric shape made up of rigidly interconnected containers wherein each element contributes to the support of the weight of the assembly by providing a support surface which, in use, is in contact with a common support surface, such as a table.
  • An object of the invention is it provides a serving system that is modular.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a serving system in which sides are arranged as satellites about a planetary main course container.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a serving system that forms a unitary basic macro geometric shape (as already defined) that provides a visual focus on the main course (i.e., the main course portion which is predominant in the assembly).
  • Another object of the invention is that a unitary presentation of a made-to-order serving is provided wherein each element is firmly fixed together and that each element has a support portion which aids in supporting at least it's own contribution to the weight of the entire serving.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the system of the invention.
  • FIG. 2a is a top plan view of the planetary container of the invention.
  • FIG. 2b is a front view of the planetary container of the invention.
  • FIG. 2c is a right side view of the planetary container of the invention, also showing a side view of an optional lid.
  • FIG. 3a is a top plan view of the satellite container of the invention.
  • FIG. 3b is a front view of the satellite container of the invention.
  • FIG. 3c is a right side view of the satellite container of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a break away view of a catering unit of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the system of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a top schematic view of another alternate embodiment of the system of the invention wherein the basic, macro geometric shape is circular.
  • FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of another alternate embodiment of the system of the invention, wherein the basic, macro geometric shape is rectangular.
  • FIG. 8 is a top schematic view of another alternate embodiment of the system of the invention, wherein the basic, macro geometric shape is oval.
  • FIG. 9 is a top schematic view of another embodiment of the system of the invention, wherein the basic, macro geometric shape is polygonal.
  • FIG. 10a and 10b are a front and side views of an alternate embodiment of a container of the invention, which is designed to carry less food volume.
  • FIG. 11a is a top view of another embodiment of a container of the invention which includes a pressure relief surface.
  • FIG. lib is a front, break-away view of the embodiment of the container of FIG. 11a.
  • FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the steps of the method of the invention.
  • a modular serving system 10 which includes a planetary main course container 12, and a plurality of satellite side serving containers 14 which are adapted to be individually filled with a food item, then pasteurized, and individually sealed and stored.
  • Such containers 12, 14 have first and second interface 16, 20, respectively, allowing such containers to rigidly interface together to form a single, made-to-order meal package which can be more conveniently transported to the point of consumption and more amenably consumed.
  • containers 12, 14 rigidly interface in a manner to be able to compose a single macro geometric shape 22.
  • the planetary main course container 12 has a lower support surface 23.
  • the satellite side serving container 14 has a lower support surface 25.
  • each container 12, 14 presents a lower support surface 23, 25 oriented in a common horizontal plane 27 with the planetary main course container 12 such that, when the assembly 21 is placed on a flat surface, the lower support surfaces 23, 25 of each container 12, 14 contributes to support of the weight of the entire assembly 21. Consequently, the overall unassembled height of each container 12, 14 may be different where, when assembled together, the flanges 15 do not lie in the same horizontal plane.
  • the interfaces 16, 20 joined together when containers 12, 14 are joined is adapted as to form to be removable, in order to permit last minute changes in the arrangement of the individual menu selection 10 created by the selection and assembly of main course and satellite containers 12, 14.
  • Such removable interlocking arrangement may be any manner of snap or interference fit mechanism well known in the art, including the interlocking male and female portions 16, 20, respectively (interlocking portions of complementary shape), complementary "VELCRO" panels (not shown), dove tail and slide portions (not shown), hook and eye portions (not shown), wedging surfaces (not shown), closing hinged interfaces (not shown), a tongue-in slot arrangement (not shown), rounded recess and ball or peg (not shown), "LEGO”-like interconnections (not shown), and interfaces used by such manufacturers as Glad Products, Inc, Tupperware, Inc, etc, all known in the art, which rely on the resiliency of the interlocking components 16, 20 to allow for ease of joining (low joining force) while holding together rigidly, with a force that exceeds the force required to
  • Such suitable mechanisms optionally include further rigidizing features such as rack-formed ratcheting surfaces (not shown), and/or include adhesive panels (not shown) which may include a strip-away portion which exposes the adhesive layer (as with double stick tape available from 3M Company of Minnesota, USA).
  • rack-formed ratcheting surfaces not shown
  • adhesive panels not shown
  • both male and female (complementary) interlocking forms may be formed on a single container, so long as the mating container has a mating, inverse relationship along the edges to be joined together.
  • the containers are disposable, that once assembled, the components don't have to be removable at all. They in fact may be permanently adhered together, riveted, or heat spot or ultrasonically welded together across overlapping flanges 12', 14' .
  • the exposed adhesive can be a permanent adhesive which will permanently join the components together.
  • an adhesive is not preferred in some circumstances because use is generally limited to packaging cold foods due to the fact the heat associated with pasteurization may cause degradation of the adhesive layer.
  • container 12, 14 is made of an at least partially thermoplastic material
  • spot or ultrasonic welding to join the containers 12, 14 using a specially adapted machine (not shown) for such purpose is facilitated.
  • the ability to select and firmly join an individual meal selection 10 selected among precooked, pasteurized and individually sealed sides 14 or mains 12 enables the just-in-time delivery of a made-to-order meal 10, that, because the portions are assembled together in a more permanent fashion, better prevents spillage or pre-mature opening during transport or use.
  • Such a system 10 minimizes inventory and waste as well, by ensuring that only saleable combinations of food items that are in particular demand, and that are sold, are assembled and shipped.
  • the waste is limited to that main or side only, and not an entire packaged meal selection 10.
  • such an arrangement ensures that sides and mains can be stored to their maximum shelf life, if necessary, the shelf life of an entire preassembled individual meal offering no longer being limited to the life of its earliest expiring component.
  • the serving system 10 when fully assembled together, forms a composite serving tray 10 of a circular macro geometric shape 24.
  • a disposable breakable, tear-away covering 30 for sealing food items in each container 12, 14 covers each container and is preferably made of cellophane or foil, or a combination thereof.
  • the covering 30 is sealingly affixed to the container 12, 14 using a self-adhesive seal 32 which is disposed entirely around an outer flange 15 of the container 12, 14, but alternatively, can be a heat sealed or ultrasonically welded thereto.
  • the containers 12, 14, when empty, are nestable with like containers via mating tapered surfaces 17, in order to reduce required storage space for unfilled containers.
  • Interlock 16 of the side serving container 14 nests with a corresponding interlock 20 of the main course container 12.
  • a raised lip 18 with interfacing, complimentary form disposed on each interlock 16, 20 helps the interlocks snap together and hold in place.
  • Containers 12, 14 are preferably blow-moulded, injection moulded or vacuum formed.
  • Containers 12, 14 may be any container suitable for holding food, manufactured by any appropriate process, such as thermoforming, injection molding, or injection blow molding, and may be single layer or multi-layer.
  • the container as described herein shall refer to a high barrier microwavable container, although it shall be understood that any suitable container may be used in this invention.
  • the containers 12, 14 are preferably made of a biodegradable material.
  • the biodegradable material may be a bio-polymer such as a starch-based or cellulose-based material.
  • the containers 12, 14 may be made of any suitable plastic, preferably a microwave- safe plastic, such as one or more plastic materials, that withstands freezing and heating in a microwave, and preferably, at least to a certain extent, also in a conventional oven.
  • suitable materials include, for example, plastics or plastic/paper laminates such as crystalline polyester, paper coated with crystalline polyester, a composite polyethylene terephthalate (PETs), and polypropylene, or any combination thereof.
  • PETs composite polyethylene terephthalate
  • the polyethylene is preferably translucent and therefore crystalline, formulated to be stable and heat resistant.
  • the polyethylene is c-PET and therefore heat resistant to about 250 ° C.
  • the thermoplastic materials, and in particular the alkylene terephthalate or naphthalate polymer, may be subjected to thermal treatments in accordance with the intended use of the container.
  • the materials are heat set to provide dimensional stability, impact resistance, temperature resistance, and resistance to microwave radiation.
  • a level of crystallinity above 15% is preferable for adequate dimensional stability during demoulding operations.
  • a level above about 20% is preferable to yield parts with excellent dimensional stability and impact resistance.
  • the thermoplastic container material may be subjected to a thermal treatment that is specifically designed to cause the container to become visibly distorted when the container contains foodstuffs and is exposed to microwave radiation.
  • a thermal treatment that is specifically designed to cause the container to become visibly distorted when the container contains foodstuffs and is exposed to microwave radiation.
  • This can be done, for example, by molding the polyester at a lower temperature and/or by maintaining the polyester at the molding temperature for a shorter time so as to achieve no more than minimal heat setting.
  • the distortion for example, can alert consumers that the container is not intended for use in a microwave oven. Notwithstanding the distortion, the container 12, 14 remains microwave-safe, i.e., does not contaminate the food upon exposure to microwave radiation.
  • the containers 12, 14 can be heat set so as to provide containers specifically designed for cooking applications such as thawing frozen foods in a microwave oven, e.g., without distortion.
  • the thermoplastic materials can be subjected to thermal treatments to render the container heat resistant and suitable for various other cooking applications, as desired.
  • each container 12, 14 includes a removable lid 34 for preserving freshness of the food item after the covering 30 is removed.
  • a single lid (not shown) may be provided which removably interfaces with the entire container assembly 10.
  • the satellite side serving container 14 has a lower support surface 36 which is enlarged to accommodate a smaller round condiment container (not shown), the enlargement serving further to provide stable footing of the container when placed separately on a flat, horizontal surface.
  • a catering unit 60 includes serving systems 10 packaged in a box 40, one on top of the other, optionally, with dry ice 42 packed therein to maintain freshness during transport.
  • the shape 22 may be oval or elliptical 50 or of a rectangular form 52 optionally with rounded corners 54.
  • the planetary main course 12' container is of triangular form, wherein three satellite side serving containers 14' rigidly interface therewith.
  • the planetary main course container 12" is of diamond shaped, wherein four satellite side serving containers 14" and 14'", respectively, rigidly interface therewith.
  • meal subportions Prior to assembly of the complete package, meal subportions are individually selected among pre-cooked, pre-pasteurized and pre-sealed individual main courses, sides, hors d'oeuvres or condiments made up earlier in the day, or the day before.
  • the basic, macro geometric shape 22 may be a polygonal form 58 such as a hexagon.
  • FIGs. 10a and 10b is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a container 14" of the invention, which is designed to carry less food volume.
  • the normally almost vertical sidewalls are replaced in part with more angled sidewalls 68, which reduce the interior volume while still maintaining a lower support surface which is located along a common horizontal plane.
  • the container 14'" of the invention includes a pressure relief surface 70.
  • Pasteurization of individual containers takes place as temperatures which depend on the food product being pasteurized. For example, for milk products, pasteurization requires heating to a temperature of at least 63 degrees for a minimum of 30 minutes. Then the food product is sealed in an airtight manner using a foil, cellophane or composite sheet 30 which is adhered in a sealing manner (heat sealing, using adhesives, or ultrasonic welding) to the circumference 15 of the container 12, 14. When the filled container cools, the air inside cools and contracts, causing the seal to be drawn inwardly, which results in a packaged container 12, 14 that appears underfilled or defective to some users.
  • the vacuum-reducing relief surface 70 is provided.
  • This relief surface 70 normally projects inwardly but is pressed outward (to increase the contained volume) prior to filling the container with food.
  • the form of the relief surface 70 is such that the surface stays in its outwardly pressed form until the vacuum or some other object, such as a finger, presses it back in its inward projecting state.
  • the container is filled, sealed and pasteurized. As the food cools, the seal is drawn inwardly.
  • This vacuum effect can be reduced simply by pressing the relief surface 70 inward (if the vacuum doesn't provide a sufficient inward pressure to do so on its own) so as to reduce the volume inside the container, the effect of which being that pressure within the container is reduced and thus the unsightly effects of this vaccum caused by pasteurizing can also be reduced.
  • a method 100 of just-in-time delivery of individual meal portions includes the following steps.
  • a first step 102 an order is received selected from an inventory of food items including main courses, sides, condiments, etc.
  • step 103 the dispatcher verifies whether there are sufficient items in inventory to fulfill the order. If yes, then continue.
  • a sub step 104 the client is informed of the deficiency in inventory, and prompted to input an alternative selection to substitute for the serving which was not available.
  • production may be informed of the deficiency so as to be better prepared to meet the requests of consumers in a timely manner. Then the method 100 returns to step 102 requesting selection of items available in inventory.
  • step 106 the elements of pre-cooked, pasteurized, and sealed food items are pulled from inventory and assembled together, like a puzzle, with the containers being rigidly interlocked in a suitable manner.
  • step 110 where there was adequate inventory to fill the client's order, and the order is packaged, the order contents and nutritional value are then printed on an attractive sheath or sleeve which encloses each single serving meal order.
  • step 112 the ordered meals are packaged together for delivery to the consumer.
  • step 114 the packaged meals are delivered. In an advantage, just in time delivery of a custom tailored meal offering is possible in a minimal amount of time and at reduced cost due to the efficiencies offered by the system and method of the invention.
  • a serving system is provided that is modular.
  • a serving system in which sides are arranged as satellites about a planetary main course container.
  • the serving system of the invention forms a unitary macro geometric shape that provides a visual focus on the main course.
  • a unitary presentation of a made-to-order serving wherein each element is firmly fixed together and that each element has a lower support surface along a common plane which aids in supporting at least it's own contribution to the weight of the entire serving.
  • the technology herein described can be used in a medical environment where medical devices and tools replace the food items, pasteurization is replaced with autoclaving, the autoclaving takes place on the items to be enclosed themselves, prior to insertion in and sealing of the containers (except where the sealed containers are autoclave-safe), and the principle advantage gained is the ability to rapidly prepare surgical trays of sterilized tools and deliver the same to a surgeon or doctor on short notice, in a sterile, just-in-time delivered manner.
  • certain illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described here, a wide range of modifications, changes, and substitutions is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de service modulaire constitué d'un récipient de plat principal planétaire et au moins un récipient latéral satellite. Le récipient de plat principal planétaire présente une surface d'appui inférieure et une première surface d'interfaçage. Le récipient de service latéral satellite présente une surface d'appui inférieure et une seconde surface d'interfaçage pour une interconnexion rigide avec la première surface d'interfaçage. Lorsque les première et seconde surfaces d'interfaçage sont interconnectées, chaque récipient présente une surface d'appui inférieure orientée dans un plan horizontal commun avec le récipient de plat principal planétaire de façon que, lorsque l'ensemble est placé sur une surface plane, les surfaces d'appui inférieures de chaque récipient contribuent à supporter le poids de tout l'ensemble.
PCT/IB2009/007672 2008-12-09 2009-12-08 Systeme modulaire de service juste a temps et procede associe WO2010067175A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12094508P 2008-12-09 2008-12-09
US61/120,945 2008-12-09

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010067175A2 true WO2010067175A2 (fr) 2010-06-17
WO2010067175A3 WO2010067175A3 (fr) 2010-08-05
WO2010067175A4 WO2010067175A4 (fr) 2010-10-07

Family

ID=41820224

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2009/007672 WO2010067175A2 (fr) 2008-12-09 2009-12-08 Systeme modulaire de service juste a temps et procede associe

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WO (1) WO2010067175A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0820937B1 (fr) * 1996-07-23 2001-11-07 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Conteneurs palettisables
GB0129440D0 (en) * 2001-12-08 2002-01-30 Huhtamaki Uk Ltd Tray system
FR2878509B1 (fr) * 2004-12-01 2008-10-24 Gervais Danone Sa Emballage alimentaire et systeme d'emballage alimentaire comprenant au moins deux emballages de ce type
NZ545642A (en) * 2005-03-07 2007-05-31 Laszlo Knebl Container for food products
GB0709040D0 (en) * 2007-05-10 2007-06-20 Rpc Containers Ltd Package and method of producing same

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
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Publication number Publication date
WO2010067175A4 (fr) 2010-10-07
WO2010067175A3 (fr) 2010-08-05

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