WO2021199092A1

WO2021199092A1 - Container for foodstuffs

Info

Publication number: WO2021199092A1
Application number: PCT/IT2021/050088
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gaspare MATTIOLI
Original assignee: Erre Emme Di Mattioli Gaspare
Priority date: 2020-04-03
Filing date: 2021-03-30
Publication date: 2021-10-07
Also published as: IT202000007144A1

Abstract

Container for foodstuffs comprising at least one upper element and at least one lower element that defines, at least partly, a containing volume suitable for a food product to be disposed therein.

Description

“CONTAINER FOR FOODSTUFFS”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a container for foodstuffs, more particularly a container to transport and temporarily store foodstuffs intended to be consumed cold, such as ice cream or sweets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trays for cold food products are known, for example ice cream, cakes or sweets of various types, used to contain and transport these products in such a way that they do not alter from the moment they are removed from a refrigerated area where they are stored, until they are eaten, in another place.

A widely known type of container for cold foodstuffs consists of a tray and a lid, each consisting of a single body made of plastic material, polyester or derivatives thereof, with thicknesses from about a few tenths of a millimeter to one two centimeters, generally produced by thermoforming.

One disadvantage of this type of container is that they do not guarantee proper thermal insulation between the product contained and the external environment, even if a plastic film is sometimes interposed between the tray and the lid.

Another disadvantage of such containers is that it is difficult to recycle the production materials, with corresponding consequences of environmental pollution.

There is therefore a need to perfect a container for cold foodstuffs which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a container for foodstuffs able to maintain optimal conditions of the food product for a longer time than that guaranteed by known containers, and to guarantee said optimal condition even in difficult environmental conditions, such as high temperatures.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a container for foodstuffs which can be made with materials that are easy to recycle and/or with compostable materials.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the container according to the present invention comprises at least one, during use, lower element which defines a first, larger, volume for containing a cold food product, and one, during use, upper element defining a second, smaller, containing volume.

According to one aspect of the invention, the lower element consist of at least a first internal body and a first external body, the first internal and external bodies defining between them a first hollow space which isolates the first containing volume, and therefore the product contained therein, from the external environment.

In some embodiments, the upper element consists of at least a second internal body and a second external body defining a second hollow space between them which isolates the second containing volume from the external environment.

According to some embodiments, the bottom wall of the first external body of the lower element comprises one or more protuberances that develop toward the first containing volume. In a preferred embodiment, these protuberances develop perpendicularly to the bottom wall.

According to some embodiments, the edge of the first internal body, which develops in continuity with the lateral walls, comprises an abutment portion substantially parallel to the bottom wall.

This edge can contain an interlocking portion that develops inclined with respect to the abutment portion and in continuity therewith and comprises, in at least one part thereof, a recessed portion and a flap.

According to other embodiments, the edge of the first external body, which develops in continuity with the lateral walls, comprises an abutment portion substantially parallel to the bottom wall.

This edge can comprise an interlocking portion that develops inclined with respect to the abutment portion and in continuity therewith, and comprises a flap.

In some embodiments, the edge of the first internal body is configured to cooperate with the edge of the first external body so as to define a stable reciprocal coupling.

This coupling can, in one embodiment, occur by means of an elastic deformation in the first internal body and/or in the first external body which allows the flap of the first external body to go over the recessed portion of the first internal body.

In other embodiments, the edge of the second internal body comprises a first abutment portion substantially parallel to a top wall, and a second abutment portion substantially parallel to the top wall and connected to the first abutment portion. This edge also comprises an interlocking portion inclined with respect to the second abutment portion and in continuity therewith and comprises, in at least one part of its perimeter development, a flap.

In some embodiments, the edge of the second external body comprises an abutment portion substantially parallel to the top wall which develops in continuity with the lateral walls.

This edge can also contain an interlocking portion inclined with respect to the abutment portion and in continuity therewith and comprises, in at least one part of its perimeter development, a first recessed portion, a second recessed portion and a flap. According to some embodiments, the edge of the second internal body is configured to cooperate with the edge of the second external body so as to define a stable reciprocal coupling.

This coupling can, in one embodiment, occur by means of an elastic deformation in the second internal body and/or in the second external body which allows the flap of the second internal body to go over the first and the second recessed portion of the second external body.

According to other embodiments, the lower element and the upper element are configured to cooperate with each other so as to define a stable coupling.

This coupling can occur by means of an elastic deformation in the second external body and/or in the first internal body to allow the flap of the first internal body to go over the second recessed portion of the second external body.

According to other variants, the upper element acts as a tray and the lower element acts as a lid. In other embodiments, the top wall can comprise one or more protuberances facing toward the containing volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached

- fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a container for foodstuffs according to the present invention;

- fig. 3 is a top view of the container for foodstuffs of fig. 1 ;

- figs. 4-10 show, with partial sections taken in the plane A- A of fig. 3, some details of the components, visible in fig. 2, of the container for foodstuffs of fig. 1; - figs. 4a- 10a respectively show enlarged details of the respective figs. 4-10.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example, also due to how it is described and the terminology employed, is supplied by way of a non-limiting example. The attached drawings are used to describe some embodiments of a container 10 for foodstuffs.

In some embodiments, the container 10 for foodstuffs is configured to contain cold food products such as ice cream, cakes, sweets and/or any other food product intended to be consumed cold. In some preferred embodiments, with reference to figs. 1 and 2, the container 10 for foodstuffs comprises a lower element 11 and an upper element 12 which together define a containing volume 13 for the food.

The lower element 11 has a tray-like conformation and defines a first, larger portion of the containing volume 13.

The upper element 12 has a lid-like conformation mating with the tray-like conformation of the lower element 11 , and defines a second, smaller portion of the containing volume 13.

In some embodiments, the plan shapes of the lower element 11 and of the upper element 12 are geometrically similar; in the case shown, rectangular.

In some embodiments, the plan shape of the lower element 11 and of the upper element 12 can be circular, triangular or oval, or any combination whatsoever of curved and straight segments.

According to some embodiments, the container 10 can be made of biodegradable and/or compostable materials, such as for example polylactic acid or PLA.

In some embodiments, the lower element 11 can be conformed so as to comprise a first hollow space I (fig. 8) that is created between the containing volume 13 and the external environment. More specifically, the first hollow space I at least partly surrounds the portion of the containing volume 13 defined by the lower element 11.

Advantageously, the presence of this first hollow space I limits the heat exchange between the food product disposed in the containing volume 13 and the external environment.

In preferred embodiments, with reference for example to fig. 2, the lower element 11 comprises a first internal body 20 and a first external body 30.

The first internal body 20 can comprise lateral walls 22 and bottom walls 21 defining the portion of the containing volume 13 defined by the lower element 11.

The first internal body 20 can comprise an edge 23 defining an abutment portion 26 and an interlocking portion 27.

In this specific case, the abutment portion 26 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 21 and develops in continuity with the lateral walls 22, while said interlocking portion 27 develops inclined with respect to the abutment portion 26 and in continuity therewith.

In some embodiments, the interlocking portion 27 forms an angle with the abutment portion 26 preferably comprised between 80° and 150°, more preferably comprised between 90° and 120°.

Referring to fig. 5a, the interlocking portion 27 comprises, in at least one part of its perimeter development, a recessed portion 24 and, at one end, a flap 25 which extends toward the outside of the container 10. The first external body 30 can comprise bottom 31 and lateral walls 32, of a shape and size mating with the walls 21, 22 of the first internal body 20.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall 31 can comprise one or more protuberances 36. These protuberances 36 can develop toward the containing volume 13, preferably perpendicularly to the bottom wall 31.

between 5 and 20 mm, preferably between 7 and 15 mm, even more preferably between 8 and 10 mm.

The first external body 30 can comprise an edge 33 which extends, at least partly, perimetrically with respect to the first external body 30. The edge 33 can comprise an abutment portion 35 and an interlocking portion 37.

In this specific case, the abutment portion 35 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 31 and develops in continuity with the walls 32. The interlocking portion 37, on the other hand, develops inclined with respect to the abutment portion 35 and in continuity therewith. In some embodiments, the interlocking portion 37 forms an angle with the abutment portion 35 preferably comprised between 80° and 150°, more preferably comprised between 90° and 120°.

Referring to fig. 4a, the interlocking portion 37 comprises a flap 34 at one end and in at least one part of its perimeter development. With reference to figs. 2, 8 and 10, the first internal body 20 can be inserted in the first external body 30.

In this specific case, the first internal body 20 is inserted in the second external body 30 and the bottom wall 21 of the first internal body 20 rests on the protuberances 36 of the bottom wall 31 of the first external body 30. Such a configuration substantially keeps the walls 21 and 22 separate from the walls 31 and 32, with the exception of the points of contact between the protuberances 36 and the bottom wall 21.

The protuberances 36 can be configured to support the weight of the food product disposed in the containing volume 13, effectively preventing unwanted flexions of the bottom wall 21.

In other embodiments, the edge 23 can be configured to cooperate with the edge 33 so as to define a stable coupling.

In this specific case, with reference to fig. 8a, the interlocking portion 37 of the first external body 30 has a vertical extension D_j smaller than the distance D₂ that separates the abutment portion 26 from the recessed portion 24 of the first internal body 20. In addition, the abutment portion 35 of the first external body 30 is configured to be located, during use, against the abutment portion 26 of the first internal body 20.

Furthermore, the extension of the edge 23 of the first lower internal body 20 is such as to cover the edge 33 of the first external body 30 and to put the flap 34 in contact with the interlocking portion 27.

Such a conformation forces, at the moment of insertion, an elastic deformation in the first internal body 20 and/or in the first external body 30 to allow the flap 34 to go over the recessed portion 24.

In preferred embodiments, with reference to fig. 4, the upper element 12 comprises a second internal body 40 and a second external body 50.

The second internal body 40 can comprise lateral walls 42 and top walls 41 which define the portion of the containing volume 13 defined by the upper element 12.

The second internal body 40 can comprise an edge 43 defining a first abutment portion 45, a second abutment portion 46 and an interlocking portion 47.

In the case shown, the first abutment portion 45 is substantially parallel to the top wall 41 and develops in continuity with the lateral walls 42. The second abutment portion 46 is substantially parallel to the top wall 41 and is connected to the first abutment portion 45 by means of a joint portion 48. The interlocking portion 47, on the other hand, is inclined with respect to the second abutment portion 46 and in continuity therewith.

In some embodiments, the interlocking portion 47 forms an angle with the second abutment portion 46 preferably comprised between 80° and 150°, more preferably comprised between 90° and 120°.

Referring to fig. 9a, the interlocking portion 47 comprises, in at least one part of its perimeter development, a flap 44 which extends toward the outside of the container 10 for foodstuffs.

The second external body 50 can comprise lateral walls 52 and top walls 51 which are parallel to the wails 41 and 42. The top wall 51 can be substantially parallel to the top wall 41.

The lateral walls 52 can be disposed inclined with respect to the plane defined

The second external body 50 can comprise an edge 53 defining an abutment portion 58 and an interlocking portion 57.

wall 51 and develops in continuity with the lateral walls 52. The interlocking portion 57, on the other hand, is inclined with respect to the abutment portion 58 and in continuity therewith.

In some embodiments, the interlocking portion 57 forms an angle with the abutment portion 58 preferably comprised between 80° and 120°, more preferably comprised between 85° and 100°.

Referring to fig. 9a, the interlocking portion 57 comprises a first recessed portion 54, a second recessed portion 55 and, at one end, a flap 56.

With reference to fig. 4, the second internal body 40 can be inserted in the second external body 50 so that the second abutment portion 46 contacts the abutment portion 58.

In this way, a second hollow space la is defined (fig. 9) between the second internal body 40 and the second external body 50, which at least partly surrounds the containing volume 13 and which constitutes another thermal insulation between the containing volume 13 and the external environment.

In other embodiments, the edge 43 of the second internal body 40 can be configured to cooperate with the edge 53 of the second external body 50 so as to define a stable coupling.

In this specific case, with reference to fig. 9a, the interlocking portion 47 of the second internal body 40 has a vertical extension D₄ smaller than the distance D₅ which separates the abutment portion 58 from the second recessed portion 55. In addition, the abutment portion 58 is configured to be located, during use, against the second abutment portion 46. The extension of the edge 53 of the second external body 50 is such as to cover the edge 43 of the second internal body 40 and to place the flap 44 in contact with the interlocking portion 57.

Such a configuration forces, at the moment of insertion, an elastic deformation in the second internal body 40 and/or in the second external body 50 to allow the flap 44 to go over the first and second recessed portion 54 and 55 of the second external body 50.

In preferred embodiments, the lower element 11 and the upper element 12, when stably coupled, define a closed containing volume 13 surrounded by the hollow spaces I and la.

In some embodiments, the stable coupling between the lower element 11 and the upper element 12 occurs by means of at least one of either the edge 23 of the first internal body or the edge 33 of the first external body 30 with at least one of either the edge 43 of the second internal body 40 or the edge 53 of the second external body 50.

In this specific case, the extension of the edge 53 is such as to cover the edge 23 and to place the flap 25 in contact with the interlocking portion 57, and the abutment portion 26 of the first internal body 20 in contact with the first abutment portion 45 of the second internal body 40. In addition, with reference to fig. 10a, the interlocking portion 27 of the first internal body 20 has a vertical extension D₆ smaller than the vertical distance D₇ that separates the first abutment portion 45 from the first recessed portion 54.

Such a conformation forces, at the moment of coupling, an elastic deformation in the second external body 50 and/or in the first internal body 20 to allow the flap 25 of the first internal body 20 to go over the first recessed portion 54 of the second external body 50.

In other variants, the container 10 for foodstuffs can comprise a protuberance 14, configured to facilitate the stacking of various lower elements 11. In particular, the protuberance 14 can be configured as a portion of the lateral wall 32 of the lower external body 30 comprising a vertical segment and a horizontal segment.

In this specific case, the protuberance 14 extends perimetrically on the first lower external body 30. It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the container 10 for foodstuffs as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims

1. Container for foodstuffs comprising at least one lower element (11) defining a first portion of a containing volume (13) for said foodstuffs, and an upper element (12), able to be associated with said lower element (11) and defining a second portion of said containing volume (13), characterized in that said lower element (11) consists of at least a first internal body (20) and a first external body

(30) and in that said first internal body (20) and said first external body (30) are associated with each other so as to define a first hollow space (I) which, at least partly, isolates said containing volume (13) from the external environment.

2. Container for foodstuffs as in claim 1, characterized in that said upper element (12) consists of at least a second internal body (40) and a second external body (50), and in that said second internal body (40) and said second external body (50) are associated with each other so as to define a second hollow space (la) which, at least partly, isolates said containing volume (13) from the external environment.

3. Container for foodstuffs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first external body (30) comprises a bottom wall (31) having one or more protuberances (36) which, during use, contact a bottom wall (21) of said first internal body (20) and in that said protuberances (36) have a height (H) comprised between 5 and 20 mm, preferably between 7 and 15 mm.

4. Container for foodstuffs as in claim 3, characterized in that the one or more protuberances (36) develop perpendicularly from said bottom wall (31) toward said containing volume (13).

5. Container for foodstuffs as in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said first internal body (20) comprises an edge (23) having an abutment portion (26) substantially parallel to said bottom wall (21), and an interlocking portion (27) inclined and in continuity with respect to said abutment portion (26) comprising in at least one part of its perimeter development a recessed portion (24) and, at one end, a flap (25) and in that said first external body (30) comprises an edge (33) having an abutment portion (35) substantially parallel to said bottom wall

(31) and an interlocking portion (37) inclined and in continuity with respect to said abutment portion (35) and comprising, at one end and in at least one part of its perimeter development, a flap (34).

6. Container for foodstuffs as in claim 5, characterized in that said edge (23) is configured to cooperate with said edge (33) so as to define a stable reciprocal coupling by means of an elastic deformation in said first internal body (20) and/or in said first external body (30) which allows said flap (34) to go over said

5 recessed portion (24).

7. Container for foodstuffs as in any claim from 2 onwards, characterized in that the second internal body (40) comprises an edge (43) having a first abutment portion (45) substantially parallel to a top wall (41) of said second internal body (40), a second abutment portion (46) substantially parallel to said top wall (41)

an interlocking portion (47) inclined and in continuity with respect to said second abutment portion (46) comprising in at least one part of its perimeter development a flap (44) and in that said edge (53) comprises an abutment portion (58) substantially parallel to said top wall (51) and an interlocking5 portion (57) inclined with respect to said abutment portion (58) and comprising in at least one part of its perimeter development a first recessed portion (54), a second recessed portion (55) and, at one end, a flap (56).

8. Container for foodstuffs as in claim 7, characterized in that said edge (43) is configured to cooperate with said edge (53) to define a stable reciprocal coupling0 by means of an elastic deformation in said second internal body (40) and/or in said second external body (50) which allows said flap (44) of said upper internal body (40) to go over said first and said second recessed portions (54, 55).

9. Container for foodstuffs as in either of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that said lower element (11) and said upper element (12) are configured to stably5 couple by means of an elastic deformation in said second external body (50) and/or in said first lower internal body (20) to allow said flap (25) of said first internal body (20) to go over said second recessed portion (55) of said second external body (50).

10. Container for foodstuffs as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it is made of polylactic acid, that is, PLA.