WO2011007206A1

WO2011007206A1 - Article for food use

Info

Publication number: WO2011007206A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/054144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabio Zanardini
Original assignee: Fabio Zanardini
Priority date: 2009-07-17
Filing date: 2009-09-22
Publication date: 2011-01-20
Also published as: IT1400554B1; ITVR20090109A1

Abstract

An article (10, 110) for food use comprising a first container (12) and a second container (14) which houses said first container (12), wherein said first container (12) is fixed to the second container (14) in which it is housed.

Description

ARTICLE FOR FOOD USE

DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally refers to an article for food use. Specifically, the present disclosure refers to an article for food use comprising a first container for food, therefore suitable for use in the catering field for containing food. Specifically, it is a disposable-type container, suitable for consumption of a fast meal, such as in a "self-service" restaurant, or for carrying food on a site, e.g. on a worksite, different from the place of purchase, a so-called "take away", or for a picnic, or for food consumption on the occasion of public events, such as cultural, sports, musical ones, or of fairs or festivals, such as folk festivals or patron saint's days, or similar fairs, as well as for industrial preparations, like e.g. pre-packaged meals.

In order to guarantee highest possible hygiene of the first container, and improved preservation of the meal contained therein, the first container for food is housed in a second container, it also of disposable type, made of a material of suitable consistency, like, e.g., a paperboard. The second container essentially houses in its interior the first container. Also said second container is made of a material suitable for food use.

In an article for food use of this type some drawbacks have been found, in particular during the steps of assembling and carrying the article for food use, e.g. from the food purchase place to the place of consumption, or e.g. in the carrying of a pre-packaged meal. For instance, carrying-derived damages to the first container were found, with damaging of food contained therein as well.

A technical problem at the basis of the present disclosure lies in providing an article for food use allowing to overcome said drawbacks and providing further advantages.

This technical problem is solved by an article for food use according to independent claim 1 , i.e. comprising a first container for food and a second container for food which houses said first container, wherein said first container is fixed to the second container in which it is housed.

By the term "fixed" it is meant that the first container is connected to the second container in a manner that is fixed and hardly detachable therefrom; of course, this applies unless an action voluntarily aimed at detaching the first container from the second container be exerted, e.g. after use, when both containers are separately disposed of, depending on the material of which they are made.

Practically, the first container and the second container are joint during a standard utilization of the article for food use according to the present disclosure, e.g., during a carrying of the article for food use, without running the risk of an accidental detachment of the first container from the second container, and without the risk of a relative motion of the first container for food use with respect to the second container.

Practically, it is a stable connection between the first container and the second container housing it, wherein such a connection is not easily removable unless a voluntary breaking of the connection is carried out, e.g., with cutting instruments, or a tearing off of the first container from the second container at the end of the meal is purposed.

By the term "first container" it is meant a conventional container for dishes and meals, e.g. made of plastic for food use, in which there may be singled out at least one bottom wall and at least one side wall, even of minimum height, like e.g. formed by a raised rim or flap, for a side containment of the meal, said first container being shaped as a typical round or square-shaped plate, shallow-type or soup-type, or tray-shaped, or tub-shaped, or similar containers.

By the term "second container" it is meant a casing or receptacle having a function of containment and housing of the first container, and mainly having a function of protection and of at least partial cover of the first container, or even the function of enclosing the first container.

The second container may be made of a material of suitable consistency in order to allow the housing of the first container, like e.g. a paperboard for food use, of determined thickness.

Secondary features of the subject-matter of the present disclosure are defined in the corresponding dependent claims thereof.

The subject-matter of the present disclosure provides several relevant advantages.

A main advantage of the article according to the present disclosure lies in the fact that, as anticipated above, the first container and the second container, being stably joined, can be handled and carried as if they were a single element; i.e., the first container and the second container are not subject to mutual motions during a standard use or a carrying thereof.

In an embodiment, the second container includes a respective bottom wall and the first container includes a respective bottom wall. The first container is fixed to the second container at the respective bottom walls. The connection at the bottom walls facilitates connection-making and fixing during production of the article for food use.

In an embodiment, the article for food use comprises gluing zones for stable connection between said first container and the second container; in the example, the gluing zones are arranged in a spaced apart relationship to each other. The gluing between the first container and the second container entails an advantage in terms of allowing simplicity of connection. In fact, it is possible to use a conventional apparatus for distribution of glue compatible with food use.

Alternatively, the connection may be made by members for mutual engagement between the first container and the second container, such as, e.g., staples or similar members, made of materials suitable for use with food.

In order to further facilitate the connection, the gluing zones are arranged between the bottom wall of said first container and the bottom wall of said second container.

In an embodiment, the article for food use comprises holes made as through holes in walls of said first container and said second container. Such holes allow for adequate vapor outletting, in case a hot meal is contained, reducing the risk of condensation forming in the first container and second container.

In order to optimally reduce condensation, said holes are preferably made as through holes in said bottom walls of said first container and said second container, i.e. the walls that are more into contact or nearer to the hot meal. Practically, the holes allow to best preserve a food, e.g. to preserve fragrance in case of pizza, allowing air circulation in the first container and the second container. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, from a minimum of five to a maximum of twenty holes are provided, depending on the size of the first container, and the holes have a diameter comprised between about 0.07 mm and about 1 mm.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the holes and the gluing zones are alternately distributed at the bottom walls of the first container and the second container. In other words, each hole is interposed between two gluing zones.

There follows that, since the second container is fixed to the first container at the gluing zones only, the first container is not rigid and totally adhering to the second container. Concomitantly, said holes are at the gluing zones. Such an arrangement of holes and gluing zones allows the forming of a sort of tiny air space between the bottom walls of the first container and of the second container.

Moreover, in an embodiment the holes have at least two different diameters and include smaller holes, e.g. 0.07-mm ones, and bigger holes, e.g. 1-mm ones. The difference in hole diameter enables the smaller holes to inlet air and the larger ones to outlet it.

Preferably, a larger hole is at the center of the bottom walls of the first container and the second container.

The holes may be made in a single piercing step after having stably connected the first container to the second container, e.g. by a needle machine or hollow punch machine, which pierces together the first container and the second container.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second container is modifiable from a first substantially box-type or three-dimensional condition to a second substantially plane or two-dimensional condition.

I.e., the second container can be opened up and laid out on a single plane, like a place-mat. To do this, side walls of the second container are opened up or laid out on the same plane of the bottom wall of the second container.

Preferably, on a side facing the first container, the second container comprises a print or a printed surface reproducing a place-mat pattern, like, e.g., a chessboard or checked pattern.

Practically, the second container may be transformed into a place-mat, creating a pleasant feeling of having a table laid. In fact, the first container or plate is stably fixed onto the second container and the second container in said second condition is arranged below the first container, as if it were a table cloth on a bearing plane.

Other advantages, features and operation steps of the subject-matter of the present disclosure will be made apparent in the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes.

However, it is evident how each embodiment may entail one or more of the advantages listed above; anyhow, it is not required for each embodiment to concomitantly entail all of the advantages listed.

Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

- Fig. 1 illustrates a partially sectional bottom view of an article for food use according to the present disclosure in a first operating condition thereof;

- Fig. 2 illustrates a sectional view along lines M-Il of Fig. 1 ;

- Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of the article for food use of Fig. 1 , in which a first container is shown in a partially sectional view;

- Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the article for food use of Fig. 1 ; - Fig. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the article for food use of Fig. 1 in a second operating condition thereof;

- Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an article for food use according to a second embodiment, in a first operating condition thereof;

- Fig. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the article for food use of Fig. 6 in a second operating condition thereof.

Referring initially to Figs. 1 to 5, by reference number 10 it is denoted a first article for food use, of disposable type, which comprises a first container 12 for food, in the example a conventional-type shallow plate of cut-resistant plastic for food, even more specifically in the example a plate for containing pizza, and a second container 14 for food, in the example a square-plan tray of paperboard, commonly referred to as pizza carton, having a thickness of a few millimeters. In the example, the first container 12 comprises a bottom wall 15 and a side containment rim 16 rising from the bottom wall 15. Both the first container 12 and the second container 14 are intended to be disposed of after food consumption.

The first container 12 is fixed, i.eCit is stably and firmly connected to the second container 14. Therefore, between the first container 12 and the second container 14 there is a stable and hardly removable constraint, allowing the first container 12 and the second container 14 to be carried together without risk of mutual motion of the first container 12 with respect to the second container 14.

In the example, the second container 14 comprises a bottom wall 25 and side walls, in the example four side walls 27, 28, 29, 30, rising from the bottom wall 25, defining side containment for the first container 12. Even more specifically, in the example the first container 12 has the bottom wall 15 stably connected with the bottom wall 25 of the second container 14.

To make the stable connection, in the example it is used glue for food use, of a conventional type and within the reach of a person skilled in the art, which is arranged in a punctiform manner and located only at some points between the first container 12 and the second container 14. Specifically, in the example four gluing points 21 , 22, 23, 24 are provided, arranged in a spaced apart relationship and along a circular path denoted by broken line C, with center at a center CO of the second container 14.

Such an arrangements of gluing points 21 , 22, 23, 24 attains a homogeneous distribution of the connection points, limiting to a minimum the amount of glue utilized, and attaining stable connection between first container 12 and second container 14.

A further advantage lies in the fact that, since the second container 14 is fixed to the first container 12 only at the gluing zones or points 21 , 22, 23, 24, the first container 12 is not totally rigid with the second container 14. In other words, the bottom wall 15 of the first container 12 is not totally adhering to the bottom wall 25 of the second container 14. This allows the creation of a sort of tiny air space between the bottom walls 15, 25 of the first container 12 and of the second container 14.

The glue may at first be arranged on a bottom wall 25 of the second container 14 by means of conventional food packaging apparatuses; subsequently, the first container 12 is placed onto said bottom wall 25.

Practically, the bottom wall 15 of the first container 12 is laid onto the bottom wall

25 of the second container 14 and it is stably connected thereto by the gluing points

21 , 22, 23, 24.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the second container 14 is transformable into a place-mat, i.e., it is transformable from a casing or container mainly intended for housing the first container 12 to a place-mat intended for reproducing the image and feeling of a laid table, therefore of a place suitable for the consumption of a meal.

In this respect, the second container 14 comprises a printed surface or print 60, in a suitable color with ink compatible with food use, representing a tablecloth. In the example it is a print of a chessboard or checked pattern, peculiar to a tablecloth.

The tablecloth print 60 extends over an entire face, or side, of the second container 14 facing the first container 12, as can be seen in the figures, particularly in Fig. 3, and specifically it extends on the bottom wall 25 from the portion facing the first container 12.

The transformation occurs by opening up or laying the second container 14 onto a plane, from a substantially three-dimensional or box-type condition (i.e., a condition in which the side walls 27, 28, 29, 30 project with respect to a plane of the bottom wall 25 (Figs. 1 to 4) to a substantially two-dimensional or plane condition, in which the side walls 27, 28, 29, 30 are substantially coplanar with the bottom wall

25 (Fig. 5).

Even more specifically, each side wall 27, 28, 29, 30 is separated from the bottom wall 25 by a respective fold line 27', 28', 29', 30', or corner. Moreover, two side walls 27, 28, opposite therebetween, have greater extension than the other two side walls 29, 30, and include a central region 27a, 28a and respective end appendages 27b, 27c, 28b, 28c, also called flaps.

Fold lines 27d, 27e, 28d, 28e are provided between each central region 27a, 28a and the respective appendages 27b, 27c, 28b, 28c. During a normal use as a receptacle or casing (first condition) of the second container 14, e.g. during a carrying, the side walls 27, 28, 29, 30 are angle-folded substantially with respect to the bottom wall 25 along the respective fold lines 27a, 28a, 29a, 30a, and the appendages 27b, 27c, 28b, 28c are folded along the respective fold lines 27d, 27e,

28d, 28e and arranged side-by-side with the adjacent side wall 29, 30, respectively, as can be seen in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

The side wall 28 includes a further flap 33, of a length corresponding to the length of the central region 28a of the wall 28 and arranged on the opposite side with respect to the fold 28'. The flap 33 is connected with the central region 28a by a fold line 34, and lies above the first container 12.

Such a flap 33 is for taking the second container 14 with one hand, laying the palm below the bottom wall 25 and resting the thumb on the flap 33 without touching the first container 12.

An opening 35 or window is made between the flap 33 and the central region 28a, to optionally house a hand's thumb.

In order to open the second container 14 so as to transform it into a place-mat (second condition), the side walls 27, 28, 29, 30 are opened up by laying them onto a single plane with the bottom wall 25, as visible in Fig. 5.

Essentially, the second container 14 can be used as a plane place-mat, creating a refreshment zone for meal consumption.

It can be seen that, during the steps of opening the second container 14, the first container 12 does not move, the above-mentioned stable connection being provided.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the article for food use 10 includes through holes 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 made between the first container 12 and the second container 14 to allow vapor outlet from the second container 14 and prevent condensation forming inside the second container 14 itself.

The holes are made through the bottom walls 15, 25 of the first container 12 and of the second container 14, respectively.

In the example a central hole 44 is provided, in the example having a diameter D of 1 mm, and four holes 45, 46, 47, 48 are distributed on the bottom walls 15, 25 of the first container 12 and of the second container 14, in the example arranged along the above-mentioned circular path C, and having a diameter d of 0.07 mm. Essentially, at least one hole 44 has a diameter different from a diameter of at least another hole 45, 46, 47, 48.

Even more specifically, in the example the four holes 45, 46, 47, 48 are alternately arranged with respect to the above-indicated gluing points 21 , 22, 23, 24. This alternate arrangement with respect to the gluing points 21 , 22, 23, 24 fosters air circulation, in particular air inletting from holes 45, 46, 47, 48, and air outletting from central hole 44.

The holes 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 are made by means of conventional hole-making apparatuses available to a person skilled in the art, and are made after the step of gluing the first container 12 to the second container 14.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, another example of an article for food use according to the present disclosure is illustrated, denoted by reference number 110. For this second embodiment, elements having the same function and structure retain the same reference number of the afore-described embodiment and therefore are not described in detail again.

In particular, the article for food use 110 includes the same first container 12 and the same second container 14 of the afore-described embodiment, connected therebetween by the same modes indicated above.

Unlike the preceding embodiment, the article for food use 110 includes a lid 50 which is integrally connected to a rim 51 of said side wall 27 of the second container 14. Along said rim 51 a weakening line is provided which allows easy removal of the lid 50 by tearing.

Essentially, unlike the preceding embodiment, the casing 14 is closed by a lid 50 whereas in the preceding embodiment the casing 14 is open.

The lid 50 is completed by a tongue 52 intended to be inserted in the above- mentioned opening 35.

The subject-matter of the present disclosure has been hereto described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling within the concept of the same invention, and all comprised within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

I. An article (10, 110) for food use comprising a first container (12) for food and a second container (14) for food which houses said first container (12), wherein said first container (12) is fixed to the second container (14) in which it is housed.

2. The article (10, 110) for food use according to claim 1 , wherein said second container (14) includes a bottom wall (25) and said first container (12) includes a bottom wall (15), wherein said first container (12) is fixed to the second container (14) at the respective bottom walls (15, 25).

3. The article (10, 110) for food use according to claim 1 or 2, comprising gluing zones (21 , 22, 23, 24) for stable connection between said first container (12) and said second container (14).

4. The article (10, 110) for food use according to claim 3, wherein said gluing zones (21 , 22, 23, 24) are arranged in a spaced apart relationship to each other.

5. The article (10, 110) for food use according to claim 2, comprising holes (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) made as through holes in said bottom walls (15, 25) of said first container (12) and said second container (14).

6. The article (10, 110) for food use according to claims 4 and 5, wherein said holes (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) and said gluing zones (21 , 22, 23, 24) are alternately distributed at said bottom walls (15, 25) of said first container (12) and said second container (14).

7. The article (10, 110) for food use according to claim 5 or 6, comprising from five to twenty of said holes (44, 45, 46, 47, 48).

8. The article (10, 110) for food use according to any one of the claims 5 to 7, comprising a plurality of said holes (44, 45, 46, 47, 48), wherein at least one (44) of said holes (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) has a diameter different from a diameter of at least another one (45, 46, 47, 48) of said holes (44, 45, 46, 47, 48).

9. The article (10, 110) for food use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second container (14) is of paperboard.

10. The article (10, 110) for food use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first container (12) is of plastic.

I I . The article (10, 110) for food use according to any one of the preceding claims, when dependent from claim 2, wherein said second container (14) is modifiable from a first substantially three-dimensional or box-type condition to a second substantially two-dimensional or plane condition, and wherein said second container (14) has side walls (27, 28, 29, 30) foldable with respect to said bottom wall (25) and adapted to be placed, in said second condition, on a same plane of said bottom wall (25).

12. The article (10, 110) for food use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second container (14) includes a printed surface (60) which is printed on a face (25) facing said first container (12).

13. The article (10, 110) for food use according to claim 12, wherein said printed surface reproduces a chessboard or checked pattern.

14. The article (10, 110) for food use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first container (12) is plate-shaped and said second container (14) is shaped like a box-type casing, said second container (14) being adapted to enclose said first container (12).

15. The article (10, 110) for food use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said article (10, 110) for food use is a disposable article.

16. The article (10, 110) for food use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said article (10, 110) for food use is an article for containing pizza.