• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    flanged plastic containers and food product package comprising such containers is a flanged container (2) intended for a food, in particular a dairy composition, comprising: a hollow body, an annular flange and a generally connected flat flange at the top of the body, which comprises an inner edge (loc) that defines a circular top opening (8) of the container and the outer rectilinear side edges (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) - the flange comprises at least two first flange portions (12), each defining one of said iateral edges, with two of the lateral edges having a length i shorter than half of a dynamic inner diameter of the opening (8). two of the first flange portions (12) are adjacent. at least two second flange portions (14, 15) are provided to define a corner of the flange (10), the second flange portions of which comprise an external convex edge extending between two of said adjacent rectilinear outer lateral edges. also described is a package (1) comprising the containers (2).
    公开号:BR112013023581B1
    申请号:R112013023581-0
    申请日:2011-03-15
    公开日:2020-12-15
    发明作者:Vincent Ferry
    申请人:Compagnie Gervais Danone；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
    [0001] The present invention relates, in general, to containers used in the food packaging industry, particularly to thermoformed flanged plastic containers, such as jars of yogurt or the like. The invention also relates to a package comprising such flanged containers.
    [0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a container for a food composition, in particular a dairy composition, comprising: - a hollow thermoplastic body comprising a generally flat bottom and a side wall extending along a longitudinal geometric axis from said bottom to a top, and - an annular flange generally flat integral to the body and connected to the top of the body, the flange comprising an upper face, a lower face, an inner edge that defines an opening generally circular top of the container and external rectilinear lateral edges, the external rectilinear lateral edges comprising two parallel external rectilinear edges and at least one external rectilinear lateral edge perpendicular to the two parallel external rectilinear lateral edges. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [0003] It is known to produce such a container, and, in particular, a jar of yogurt or similar, by thermoforming a plastic sheet to form the volume. Typically, the plastic sheet is heated and then attracted to a cavity, such as by vacuum and / or pressure. As the sheet is drawn into the cavity, the thickness of the portion of the sheet attracted to the cavity is reduced as the sheet material is stretched in the cavity. Through this method, the side wall of the body is thin, while the flange has the same thickness and the same stiffness as the original plastic sheet.
    [0004] Plastic containers are conveniently sealed with membranes and can be manufactured and sold in a multi-portion packaging tray that comprises an arrangement of separable containers. The containers are generally arranged in layers of four, six or eight pots, with the containers being connected to each other along their flanges. French patent FR 2 432 975 describes a package of flanged plastic containers, in which an individual container can be removed by tearing a region of separation provided between two adjacent flanges. After separation, each container flange will still have four external side edges in order to maintain the integrity of the contents. These containers work well when made from relatively brittle plastic. The use of less brittle or more malleable polymers makes the containers more difficult to separate. This difficulty can cause the contents to leak when breaking other parts of the container.
    [0005] In the food packaging industry, plastic containers can be stacked on top of one another to form stacks that can be layered on a pallet. A loading weight on the pallet can be well over 500 kg. These stacks allow the packaging items at the bottom to support the compressive load of the packaging items at the top. The layers of plastic containers are typically stored in cardboard trays having a bottom and side walls preventing the sides from tilting.
    [0006] There are already some solutions to provide consumers with containers with less plastic material. For example, French patent FR 2 432 975 describes plastic containers with polygonal flanges, with V-cuts being provided to recycle the material of the flanges.
    [0007] However, the weight of plastic containers cannot be easily reduced since containers made of relatively brittle plastic need to be transported safely and without any deformation. Container packages need to be robust enough, particularly for transport on a pallet. It is also preferred that the containers are user friendly, that is, without complicating the user's operations, such as separating an individual container, opening the membrane seal, consuming the content. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide flanged containers using less plastic material and to address one or more of the above problems.
    [0009] In this sense, the modalities of the present invention provide a container of the aforementioned type, characterized by the fact that the flange comprises: - at least two first flange portions, each defining one of said external rectilinear lateral edges, at least minus two of the rectilinear side edges are shorter than half an inner diameter of said upper circular opening, two of the first flange portions being adjacent to the first flange portions, and - at least two second flange portions defining a corner of the flange, at least one of the second flange portions comprising an external convex edge extending between two of said adjacent external rectilinear lateral edges.
    [0010] Advantageously, the size of the outer rectilinear lateral edges of the flange is reduced, thus allowing for a greater reduction of material in the corners. Surprisingly, flanged containers can be efficiently connected to each other along their first flange portions, without accidental separation, even when using a brittle plastic material (for example, polystyrene instead of polyethylene or polypropylene). The external convex edges longer than the external straight edges also make the flange user friendly and easy to manipulate when removing the membrane seal.
    [0011] Additionally, the use of a body having a circular opening allows a good compromise for accessibility to the content without increasing the radial dimension (s) of the container.
    [0012] According to a particular feature, the first flange portions comprise at least three first flange portions, each having a continuous cutout line that defines one of said external rectilinear lateral edges, each of the rectilinear lateral edges outer edges have a shorter length than half of said inner diameter of the upper circular opening, and each of said second flange portions comprises an outer convex edge that extends between two of said adjacent rectilinear outer lateral edges. Through such an arrangement, the material of the container is saved and a layer of containers can be easily stored in a stackable tray (having a parallelepiped configuration).
    [0013] According to a particular feature, the opening is circular and has an internal diameter Dint, being that any of the said external lateral rectilinear edges has a length l that satisfies the ratio: l / Dint <0.45.
    [0014] Naturally, the length of each of the first flange portions is equal to the length l of the corresponding external straight lateral edge. This length is not necessarily the same for the different first flange portions. In one embodiment, the previous ratio is preferably less than 0.4. Correspondingly, material savings are achieved. Preferably, the first four flange portions are provided on the flange, with the corresponding four straight outer lateral edges defining a virtual square, each of the straight outer lateral edges having the same length.
    [0015] According to a particular feature, each of the external rectilinear lateral edges has a length l equal to about one third of the length of one side of said virtual square. Through such an arrangement, a particularly smooth transition is achieved between the short straight lateral edge and the outer curved edge forming the corner of the container, while increasing the removal of material in the corner compared to conventional flanges.
    [0016] According to a particular feature, the flange has a geometric shape, in which the longitudinal geometric axis forms an intersection between: - a median foreground that divides the flange into two symmetrical halves; and - a second median plane, preferably perpendicular to the first median plane, which divides the flange into a first C-shaped portion and a second C-shaped portion, with the second C-shaped portion weighing less than the first C-shaped portion; and in which the ratio between the maximum radial extension of the first C-shaped portion and the internal diameter of said opening is comprised between 0.18 and 0.22, with the ratio between the maximum radial extension of the second C-shaped portion C and the internal diameter of said opening is comprised between 0.15 and 0.18.
    [0017] Through such specific geometry, a C-shaped portion (the first) most attractive for the removal of the membrane seal or similar closure means is provided, while the other C-shaped portion (the first) is optimized to reduce the weight of the container. The symmetry of the first C-shaped portion is also advantageous for better handling by a left-handed person.
    [0018] In various modalities of the flanged container of the invention, optionally, it may also be necessary that a resource has one or more of the following provisions: - the first C-shaped portion is inscribed in a first virtual isosceles right triangle having its hypotenuse contained in the second median plane and the second C-shaped portion is inscribed in a second virtual isosceles right triangle with its hypotenuse contained in the second median plane, in which the following relation is satisfied: 2/3 * Dint <b <c < 3/4 * Dint, where b is the length of the leg of the first virtual isosceles right triangle, c is the length of the leg of the second virtual isosceles right triangle and Dint is the internal diameter of said opening; - two of the second flange portions define an external perimeter portion corresponding to at least 1/7 of the external perimeter defined by the flange; - two of the second flange portions have rounded outer lateral edges that form circular segments arranged coaxially to the circular opening; - the body has a circular cross-section and extends symmetrically around said longitudinal geometric axis, with the bottom having a circular shaped periphery; the body comprises a side wall having a generally cylindrical upper portion, possibly covered by a decorative band, and a lower portion tapering from the upper portion towards the bottom; - the container comprises a membrane seal which is attached only to the upper face of the flange, the membrane seal sealing the opening and totally covering said upper face of the flange.
    [0019] An additional purpose of the invention is to provide a food package that is easy to handle in a supermarket (before the containers are exposed by the operators and, later, by the final consumer) and resistant while reducing the amount of plastic material.
    In this sense, the modalities of the present invention provide a food package comprising a plurality of containers according to the invention arranged in at least one row, and preferably at least four containers arranged in two rows, with the flanges of the package are integrally formed and separately joined together at a junction between two of the first flange portions of two separate containers of the package.
    [0021] Correspondingly, a package is provided, which is particularly well adapted for transportation in a stackable tray, while limiting the amount of material.
    [0022] Two of the second flange portions can be advantageously rounded and define define external portions of the package. These two second flange portions are adjacent corner portions separated by one of the first flange portions. This geometry is user friendly (without sharp edges).
    [0023] According to a particular resource, the package comprises a group of four containers with a star cut pattern between the individual containers, said star cut pattern having a length L1, so that the ratio the following is observed: 0.75 <L1 / Dint <0.95.
    [0024] Correspondingly, the material saved by the larger cut in the central region can be reused for other packages, for example, through recycling. It should be noted that the flanges can have constant thicknesses, and this thickness is provided at the junction. In the present document, the act of tearing the separation region to remove an individual container is not facilitated by a reduction in thickness, being that the shorter length of the external rectilinear lateral edges is sufficient to make removal easy for the user.
    [0025] It is also provided, according to the invention, to use a container according to the invention to contain a dairy, preferably a yogurt composition having a weight of not less than 50 g and not more than 500 g preferably not less than 75 or 80 g and not more than 400 g, and more preferably not less than 100 g and not more than 200 g. A yogurt composition having a weight of between 100 and 200 g is highly preferred. The shape of the opening and the flange are particularly user friendly, while the body layout is quite compact when it contains a composition of yogurt, or similar dairy having a weight between 100 and 150 g, preferably about 125 g.
    [0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art during the following description, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0027] Figure 1 is a top view of a food package according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the containers of the package are not donated from its membrane seal or similar closing element;
    [0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an individual container according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;
    [0029] Figure 3 is a side view of the container shown in Figure 2;
    [0030] Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a stackable tray and arrangements of containers according to the second embodiment of the invention to be transported on the tray;
    [0031] Figures 5a and 5b show the same top view of a container without the membrane seal;
    [0032] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the modality shown in Figure 1;
    [0033] Figure 7 is an approximation view of the modality shown in Figure 1;
    [0034] Figure 8 is a top view of a plastic sheet showing the appropriate cut to obtain a plurality of containers according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITIES
    [0035] In the various figures, the same references are used to designate identical or similar elements.
    [0036] Figure 1 shows a food package 1 comprising, for example, four individual containers 2. Of course, the number of containers 2 can vary and a number of 2, 6, 8, 10 or 12 containers can be provided 2, in a non-limiting example. The containers 2 are arranged in at least one row, and preferably in at least two rows 3, 4 when the package 1 comprises four or more containers 2.
    [0037] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, containers 2 are preferably polystyrene containers, each of which comprises a hollow body 5 having a side wall extending along a longitudinal geometric axis X a from a bottom 6 to an open top 7. The side wall 5a of the body 5 is tubular and adapted so that it is covered by a cylindrical decorative band St, label or flag in the upper area A adjacent to the opening of the upper body, named in the parts which follow as a circular opening 8. It is understood that the longitudinal geometric axis X is a central geometric axis for the body 5 and the opening 8. The fixation of the strip St is carried out in a known manner. In a first embodiment, as shown in Figure 6 in particular, the bottom 6 can be flat. In the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 2-3, the bottom 6 can be provided with a recess or cavity 6a with an outwardly oriented concavity. The annular portion 6b of the bottom 6, defined around the cavity 6a, has a diameter Db smaller than the diameter Dint of the circular opening 8 defined at the top 7 of the body 5. The diameter Da of the cavity 6a can be comprised between half and two thirds of the Dint diameter of the circular opening 8.
    [0038] The bottom 6 provided with a cavity 6a has a better resistance to better support a compression load. Naturally, the bottom 6 can still be considered as a generally flat bottom, at least because the bottom 6 has a flat shape and the container 2 is adapted so that it is maintained vertically when the bottom 6 is in contact with a horizontal base support ( the longitudinal geometric axis X is vertical). Of course, the height of the cavity 6a is preferably very small, for example, about 0.5 mm.
    [0039] Referring to Figure 3, the polystyrene used in the container 2 has a thickness of about 0.2 mm in the body 5 and a thickness E of about 0.85 mm in the flange 10. The thickness can vary depending on application of food packaging and can be less than 1 mm and greater than 0.7 mm (with a range of 0.8 to 0.9 mm being preferred). Thicker materials can be used for heavier food products. A film referred to below as an S membrane seal is used to cover containers 2. This S membrane seal may be a plastic film made from plastic resin or a foil film. An adhesive can be used to seal the film to the upper face 10b of flange 10. The membrane seal S fully covers this upper face 10b.
    [0040] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and 6, each container 2 comprises a generally flat annular flange 10 integral with the body 5 and connected to the top 7 of the body 5. The flange 10 comprises a lower face 10a, an upper face 10b , an inner edge 10c that delimits the generally circular opening 8 of the container 2, and three or four outer rectilinear side edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. The outer rectilinear side edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are rectilinear edges defined by the respective first flange portions 12. The adhesive for the membrane seal S is preferably in contact with the upper face 10b at a distance from the inner edge 10c and the a distance from the external rectilinear side edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d.
    [0041] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first flange portions 12 form the four sides of the flange 10. Four second flange portions 14, 15 are provided to form complementary corner portions in relation to the first flange portions 12 Each of the second flange portions 14, 15 separates into two first adjacent flange portions 12. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the first two adjacent flange portions 12 extend according to the perpendicular directions (these directions being they are naturally defined by the corresponding external rectilinear lateral border 11a, 11b, 11c, 11 d).
    [0042] Preferably, the second flange portions 14, 15 have curved and / or rounded outer lateral edges, two of which (outer lateral edges 14a as shown in Figure 2) form circular segments arranged coaxially to the circular opening 8. From more generally, the second flange portions 14, 15 have an external convex edge obtained by cutting material at the corners of a rectangular matrix of raw plastic. Each of the straight outer lateral edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d is shorter than half the inner diameter Dint of the circular opening 8, thus allowing to remove more plastic material at the corners of the die. For example, the l / Dint ratio satisfies the ratio: l / Dint <0.45, where l is the length of any of the first flange portions 12 and Dint is the internal diameter of said circular opening 8. The l / Dint ratio Dint can also be less than 0.4 in a particular mode. Through this arrangement, the change of direction between the straight line by the first flange portion 12 and the tangent direction of the second adjacent flange portion 14 or 15 is minimized (at the corresponding end of the first flange portion 12). The smooth transition can prevent a sharp protuberance from forming when flanges 10 are cut. The perimeter of the individual container flange 10 is free of serrated surfaces in one embodiment.
    [0043] Referring to the preferred embodiment of Figure 5a, the container 2 is cut from a square matrix made of polystyrene or similar thermoplastic material. Correspondingly, the four outer rectilinear side edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d define a virtual square 16, each of the outer rectilinear side edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d having the same length l. As shown in Figure 5a, this length l can be equal to about one third of the L on one side of the virtual square 16 (i.e., one third on the side of the square matrix). Although the same length l is shown in Figure 5a, it should be understood that this length can vary depending on the sides of the flange 10. For example, one of the outer rectilinear side edges may be slightly shorter or longer than one or more of the other external rectilinear lateral edges.
    [0044] Referring to Figures 1 and 5a-5b, the flange 10 can extend around the longitudinal geometric axis X as such a geometric shape in which this longitudinal geometric axis X forms an intersection between: - a median foreground P1 that divides flange 10 into two symmetrical halves M1, M2; and - a second median plane P2 perpendicular to the first median plane P1 and dividing the flange 10 into a first C 17a-shaped portion and a second C 17b-shaped portion.
    [0045] The second C 17b-shaped portion as shown on the left of Figures 5a-5b comprises the second two flange portions 14 that form circular segments. The first C 17b-shaped portion as shown on the right side of Figures 5a-5b comprises the other two second flange portions 15. Since the radial extent of these second flange portions 15 is greater, these are specially adapted for manual removal of the membrane seal S. The second C 17b-shaped portion is therefore lighter in weight than the first C 17a-shaped portion. In a less preferred embodiment of flange 10, the first and second median planes P1, P2 could not be perpendicular (forming, for example, an angle of about 45 °).
    [0046] In a non-limiting mode, the ratio between the maximum radial extension el of the first C-shaped portion 17a and the inner diameter Dint of the circular opening 8 is comprised between 0.18 and 0.22, while the ratio between the maximum radial extension e2 of the second C-shaped portion, 17b and the internal diameter Dint is between 0.15 and 0.18. Correspondingly, the radial extension of the flange remains much less than a quarter of the Dint inner diameter, thus saving much more plastic material. More generally, the second flange portions 14, 15 have a maximum radial extension longer than the radial extension of the first flange portions 12. With the maximum radial extension e1 provided in the second flange portion 15, the corresponding angle is well adapted for handling and proper removal of the S membrane seal by the user's hand. As shown in the non-limiting example of Figures 5A-5B, the first C-shaped portion 17a allows for better / faster handling by the user (left-handed or right-handed user) because two similar or identical second flange portions 15 are provided with such maximum radial extension e1.
    [0047] In an alternative embodiment, three of the second flange portions could be rounded to form circular segments, in order to remove more plastic material. In this case, only one of the second flange portions has a maximum radial extension e2 greater, with the same shape as at the ends of the first C 17a shaped portion.
    [0048] Referring now to Figure 5b, the first portion with the shape of C 17a is inscribed in a first virtual isosceles right triangle T1 having its hypotenuse contained in the second median plane P2. Similarly, the second C 17B-shaped portion is inscribed in a second virtual isosceles right triangle T2 with its hypotenuse contained in the second median plane P2. The following relationship is satisfied: 2/3 * Dint <b <c <3/4 * Dint, where b is the length of the leg of the first virtual isosceles right triangle T1, c is the length of the leg of the second virtual isosceles right triangle T2 and Dint is the internal diameter of said circular opening 8.
    [0049] Through such a flange 10 provided with a circular opening 8, a good compromise is achieved between savings in material, size of the Dint diameter for easy access to the content, and ease of removing the S membrane seal. Additionally, with a short junction J, the containers 2 can be separated without forming any sharp corners or hooks at the corners, the large curved edges being defined by the second flange portions 14 and 15. Preferably, the angle defined between the direction defined by a from the external rectilinear lateral edges and the tangent direction of the second adjacent flange portion 15 of the first C-shaped portion 17b is equal to about 10 ° and not greater than 15 °.
    [0050] It should also be noted that the radial extension of flange 10 is not an easy parameter to reduce, at least because the essential functions of flanges 10 in a package 1 include: - increasing the resistance to withstand a compression load ; and - preventing contact between the bodies of the container 5, in particular when the containers 2 are transported in a stackable tray T as shown in Figure 4.
    [0051] As shown in Figure 4, when arranged on a tray T, each package 1 of the containers 2 is disposed within the inner volume V defined by tray T. The side walls 18 of tray T can have a height h equal or slightly higher at height H of the containers 2. The side walls 18 are in contact with some of the outer rectilinear side edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d of package 1. As shown in Figure 1, the other outer rectilinear side edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d can be arranged adjacent to one end of a star cut pattern 20 when package 1 comprises at least two rows 3,4.
    [0052] As shown in Figure 1, containers 2 are separately joined together at a J junction of the first two flange portions 12 of two containers 2 distinct from package 1. In the present document, the second flange portions 14 which are rounded define outer portions of package 1. These second flange portions 14 define corners that have no straight edges or sharp corners. In the package 1 shown in Figure 1, the star cut pattern 20a is defined between four containers 2 of a group of containers arranged in a square manner. The 20 star cut pattern is defined by four edges.
    [0053] Referring to Figure 7, each of the edges comprises a portion of curved edge 21 extending between two straight edges 20a, 20b. The respective ends of the corresponding second flange portion 15 form the straight edges 20a, 20b. The angle α defined between two adjacent straight edges 20a is between 15 and 30 °, and is preferably about 20 °. The angle β defined between the two other adjacent straight edges 20b is also between 15 and 30 °, and is preferably about 20 °. In this document, angle α and angle β are the same, but in an alternative embodiment, flange 10 could be shaped asymmetrically. For example, flange 10 could have one of the second flange portions 15 provided with a more rounded edge 20b, so that the angle β is greater than the angle α.
    [0054] As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the star cut pattern 20 between the individual containers 2 may have a length L1 much greater than the length 1 of the external rectilinear side edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. Referring to Figure 2, the thickness E of the flange 10 can be constant and such thickness E is not reduced, for example, at the junctions J. Preferably, the following relationship is satisfied: 0.75 <L1 / Dint <0 95
    [0055] Through such a configuration and a sufficient thickness E at the junctions J, the containers 2 of a package 1 cannot be separated accidentally. In addition, two and, preferably, all second flange portions 14, 15 can define an outer perimeter portion corresponding to at least 1/7 of the outer perimeter defined by flange 20. Preferably, for an individual container 2 separated from one pack of four containers 1 as shown in Figure 1, the two outer rectilinear side edges 11b, 11c which are obtained after a tear at the corresponding J junctions represent a fifth or less of the outer perimeter of the flange 10.
    [0056] Referring to Figure 2, the body 5 preferably has a circular cross-section and extends symmetrically around the longitudinal geometric axis X. Through such a circular section, an operation that uses a spoon to resume all content is easier. The lower portion 32 of the side wall 5a can also be tapered towards the bottom 6 for the same purpose. A registered trademark or similar pattern can be marked on this lower portion 32 when forming the body 5. Through this arrangement, the height of the upper portion 30 that defines the upper area A for the decorative band St is advantageously reduced, thus saving material of packing. Furthermore, the integration of the decorative strip St is better when combining a circular cross-section of the body 5 and such a tapered lower portion 32. In contrast, through such a shorter decorative strip St partially covering a conventional tubular wall extending from the flange to the bottom with a substantially constant cross-section, the end consumer will immediately think that the decorative strip St is not the expected size. As a result, this could be interpreted as a problem with the packaging and the consumer could be dissuaded from buying the product. More generally, the body 5 can be covered by any type of decorative strip St adapted to be shaped according to an annular shape, preferably a cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, body 5 is partially covered by a label.
    [0057] It is intended that containers 2 are filled with a dairy, or similar food, liquid or semi-liquid, preferably a yogurt composition. Containers 2 can be used for a capacity of 50 to 500 g, preferably a capacity of 75 to 200 g. Of course, the containers 2 of the present invention are in no way limited to yogurt, but can be intended to contain all types of liquid, semi-liquid or dispersible food products. A container 2 adapted to receive 125 g of a yogurt composition or the like can be provided with a flange 10 having a diameter of the circular opening equal to about 53-54 mm, while the length L of the flange 10 (i.e., the distance between two parallel straight external lateral edges) is about 63 mm and the height H of the container 2 can be about 66 to 67 mm. The length 1 of each of the four external straight lateral edges 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d can be about 21 mm or less.
    [0058] Referring to the non-limiting modality of Figure 8, a group of twenty-four containers 2 is obtained, starting from a rectangular sheet Sh having a length Ls equal to or slightly greater than 6 * L (L being the length of square matrix for each individual container 2) and a width ls substantially equal to 4 * L. The thickness of sheet Sh is equal to the thickness E of flanges 10. Naturally, the margins 35 of sheet Sh can be reduced if desired. These margins 35 are required to keep sheet Sh in a predetermined position.
    [0059] Before cutting, the Sh sheet can be perforated to form cavities in the body that are filled with food (typically, a dairy composition). The cut is made after the cavities are closed using a metal sheet that is suitable for contact with food.
    [0060] In this example, cutting the surfaces according to the star cut pattern 20 represents about 3 to 4% and, preferably, about 3.3% of the entire surface of the sheet Sh. The cut of the surfaces 34 to delimit the outer lateral edges 14a represents between 5 and 7% of the entire surface of the sheet Sh, preferably 6%. Correspondingly, the useful surface of the sheet Sh to produce the twenty-four containers 2 may be less than 90% and preferably less than 85% of the entire surface of the plastic sheet Sh (including the margins 35 that represent less 8%, and preferably less than 7% of the entire surface). Containers 2 shown in Figures 1 to 6 can be obtained using such sheet Sh. As a result, 10% or, respectively, 15% of the plastic material can be saved and used for improved recycling. The density of the plastic sheet Sh prior to the forming operation is preferably less than 0.9, for example, about 0.85 for polystyrene.
    [0061] The present invention has been described according to the preferred embodiments. However, these modalities serve only as examples and the invention is not restricted to these. Those skilled in the art will understand that other variations and modifications can easily be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, therefore, it is only intended that the present invention be limited by the following claims.
    [0062] Any reference sign in the following claims should not be construed as limiting the claim. It will be obvious that the use of the verb "to understand" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of any elements other than those defined in any claim. The words "one" or "one" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [0001]
    1. Container (2) for a food composition, comprising: - a hollow thermoplastic body (5) comprising a generally flat bottom (6) and a side wall (5a) extending along a longitudinal geometric axis ( X) from said bottom to a top, and - a generally flat annular flange (10) integral with the body (5) and connected to the top (7) of the body, the flange comprising a bottom face (10a), a upper face (10b), an inner edge (10c) that defines a circular upper opening (8) of the container and external straight lateral edges (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), with the external rectilinear lateral edges comprising two external rectilinear edges parallel and at least one external rectilinear lateral edge perpendicular to the two parallel external rectilinear lateral edges, said opening (8) having an internal diameter Dint. characterized by the fact that the flange (10) comprises: - four first flange portions (12), each having a continuous cutout line that defines one of the said external rectilinear lateral edges, which defines a virtual square (16), being that at least two of the outer rectilinear lateral edges (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) have a length l shorter than half an inner diameter Dint of said upper circular opening (8), with two of the first flange portions (12 ) are first adjacent flange portions, and - at least two second flange portions (14, 15) that define a corner of the flange (10), with at least one of said second flange portions comprising an external convex edge which extends between two of said adjacent external rectilinear lateral edges.
    [0002]
    2. Container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the external rectilinear side edges (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) each have a length l shorter than half an inner diameter Dint of said circular opening upper (8), and - each of said second flange portions (14, 15) comprises an external convex edge which extends between two of said adjacent external straight rectangular edges.
    [0003]
    3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that any of the said external rectilinear side edges has a length l that satisfies the ratio: l / Dint <0.45.
    [0004]
    4. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the flange (10) has a geometric shape, in which said longitudinal geometric axis (X) forms an intersection between: - a median first plane (P1) which divides the flange into two symmetrical halves (M1, M2); and - a second median plane (P2) that divides the flange (10) into a first C-shaped portion (17a) and a second C-shaped portion (17b), with the second C-shaped portion having a lighter weight than the first C-shaped portion.
    [0005]
    5. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that two of the second flange portions (14, 15) define an outer perimeter portion corresponding to at least 1/7 of the outer perimeter defined by the flange (10).
    [0006]
    6. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that two of the second flange portions (14) have rounded outer lateral edges that form circular segments arranged coaxially to the circular opening (8).
    [0007]
    7. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the body (5) has a circular cross-section and extends symmetrically around said longitudinal geometric axis (X), the bottom has a circular shaped periphery.
    [0008]
    Container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the body (5) comprises a side wall (5a) having a generally cylindrical upper portion (30) and a lower tapering portion (32) from the upper portion (30) towards the bottom (6).
    [0009]
    9. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that it comprises a membrane seal (S) which is fixed only to the upper face (10b) of the flange (10), the membrane seal being seals the opening (8) and completely covers said upper face of the flange.
    [0010]
    10. Food package (1), comprising a plurality of containers (2) as defined in any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said containers are arranged in at least one row (3, 4).
    [0011]
    11. Package (1) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least four containers arranged in two rows (3, 4), said flanges (10) of each of said containers (2 ) of the package are integrally formed and separately joined together at a junction (J) of the first two flange portions (12) of two containers (2) distinct from the package.
    [0012]
    12. Package (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that two of the second flange portions (14) are rounded and define external portions of the package.
    [0013]
    13. Package (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by the fact that it comprises a group of four containers (2) with a star cut pattern (20) between the individual containers, said star cutting pattern has a length L1, so that the following ratio is satisfied: 0.75 <L1 / Dint <0.95.
    [0014]
    14. Package (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by the fact that the flanges (10) have a determined constant thickness (E), said joint (J) having a determined thickness.
    [0015]
    15. Use of a container (2), as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it serves to contain a dairy, preferably a yogurt composition having a weight of not less than 50 g and not more to 500 g.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CN103562077B|2015-08-05|
    EP2686246A1|2014-01-22|
    MX340871B|2016-07-27|
    KR20130140146A|2013-12-23|
    US10322839B2|2019-06-18|
    EA201301028A1|2014-01-30|
    CA2830032C|2018-01-09|
    JP2014508081A|2014-04-03|
    US8919600B2|2014-12-30|
    MA35386B1|2014-09-01|
    BR112013023581A2|2016-12-06|
    EP2686246B1|2016-06-29|
    US20150079239A1|2015-03-19|
    CN103562077A|2014-02-05|
    JP5727632B2|2015-06-03|
    KR101531326B1|2015-06-24|
    US20140004233A1|2014-01-02|
    US20170190459A1|2017-07-06|
    US9604749B2|2017-03-28|
    CA2830032A1|2012-09-20|
    WO2012123775A1|2012-09-20|
    EA027042B1|2017-06-30|
    MX2013010565A|2013-10-28|
    US20120251679A1|2012-10-04|
    ES2593475T3|2016-12-09|
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    法律状态:
    2019-01-08| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-07-16| B06T| Formal requirements before examination [chapter 6.20 patent gazette]|
    2020-03-24| B06A| Notification to applicant to reply to the report for non-patentability or inadequacy of the application [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-09-01| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-15| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 15/03/2011, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    PCT/IB2011/000797|WO2012123775A1|2011-03-15|2011-03-15|Plastic flanged containers and food product pack comprising such containers|
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