DE20310622U1 - container - Google Patents

Description

GRÜNECKER KINKELDEY STOCKMAIR & SCHWÄrgHÄCJSSBR'

LAW FIRM

' I I

GKS & S MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 58 D-80538 MUNICH GERMANY

German Patent and Trademark Office

Zweibrückenstr. 12 80297 Munich

LAWYERS

LAWYERS

MUNICH

DR. HELMUT EICHMANN

GERHARD BARTH

DR. ULRICH BLUMENRÖDER, LLM.

CHRISTA NIKLAS-FALTER

DR. MAXIMILIAN KINKELDEY, LLM.

DR. KARSTEN BRANDT

ANJA FRANKE ₁ LLM.

UTE STEPHANI

DR. BERND ALLEKOTTE, LL.M.

DR. ELVIRA PFRANG, LLM.

KARIN LOCHNER

BABETT ERTLE

CHRISTINE NEUHIERL

SABINE PRÜCKNER

PATENT ATTORNEYS

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS

MUNICH

DR. HERMANN KINKELDEY

PETER H. JAKOB

WOLFHARD MEISTER

HANS HILGERS

DR. HENNING MEYER-PLATH

ANNELIE EHNOLD

THOMAS SCHUSTER

DR. KURA GOLDBACH

MARTIN AUFENANGER

GOTTFRIED KUTZSCH

DR. HEIKE VOGELSANG-WENKE

REINHARD KNAUER

DIETMAR KUHL

DR. FRANZ-JOSEF ZIMMER

BETTINA K. REICHELT

DR. ANTON K. PFAU

DR. UDO WEIGELT

RAINER BERTRAM

JENS KOCH, M.S. (U of PA) M.S.

BERND ROTHAEMEL

DR. DANIELA KIIMKELDEY

THOMAS W. LAUBENTHAL

DR. ANDREAS KAYSER

DR. JENS HAMMER

DR. THOMAS EICKELKAMP

JOCHEN KILCHERT

DR. THOMAS FRIEDE

YOUR REF.

OUR REF.

PATENT ATTORNEYS

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS

BERLIN

PROF. DR. MANFRED BÖNING

DR. PATRICK ERK, M.S. (MIT)

COLOGNE

DR. MARTIN DROPMANN

CHEMNITZ

MANFRED SCHNEIDER

OF COUNSEL PATENT ATTORNEYS

AUGUST GRÜNECKER OR. GUNTER BEZOLD DR. WALTER LANGHOFF

DR. WILFRIED STOCKMAIR (-1996)

DATE

G 5071 -829/il

10.07.2003

Applicant:

SEDA S.P.A.

CORSO SALVATORE D ¹ AMATO 84 80022 ARZANO NAPOLI ITALY

container

GRÜNECKER KINKELDEY STOCKMAIR & SCHWANHÄUSSErV MAXIMILIANSTR. 58 j

D-80538 MUNICH ··

GERMANY

TEL +49 89 2123 50 DEUTSCHE BANK MUNICH

•FÄ*;*+49*89.2*3.02.3? ."..*·. * * .So.i75i734

;F£X*; + 49 }9 j?1 &eeacgr;6 9*?*9^ ·* ·* · · 8LZ 700 70010

*ht$'/*www.irtinA*er.de·· ·*···"·. *··* .!u/IFT: DEUT DE MM e-mail: info@grunecker.de

container

The invention relates to a container, in particular for holding a foodstuff, having the features of claim 1, and to a corresponding blank for producing such a container.

Such containers are known in practice, for example in the form of cups or the like, into which a foodstuff is filled for storage and subsequent removal or also for direct consumption of the foodstuff from the container.

An example of a squeeze container is known from EP 0 074 936 B1. This squeeze container has a tubular body with a wall made of at least two layers. At the upper end, a removal opening serves both for filling with the food and for consuming the filled food. The squeeze container is closed at the lower end. To produce the container, a two-dimensional blank is used which is first rolled and then connected to itself to form a continuous container wall.

The material of the container wall is a relatively flexible and relatively rigid material such as waterproof paper or plastic. However, with this previously known container it is not possible to determine whether something is filled into the container and if so, what it is.

Another container is known from the Japanese utility model publication JP 56-156 777, which is also used to hold food. This container is made of a laminate of stiff paper with polyethylene layers applied to both sides of this. A lid for closing the container consists of a laminate of aluminum foil with polyethylene layers applied to both sides of this. The container is opaque, so that the interior of the container is not visually visible.

·

• · • ·

The invention is based on the object of improving a container with the features of the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that an inspection of the interior of the container is possible in a simple structural and cost-effective manner while maintaining all the advantages of the known containers.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, a corresponding blank for producing such a container is also provided.

The container according to the invention is characterized by the use of a material for at least part of the container wall which advantageously combines apparently contradictory properties.

In order to be able to store the food safely in the container, the material according to the invention is preferably liquid- or fluid-tight. This prevents the ingress and egress of liquid fluids and/or the ingress and egress of gaseous fluids. In the case of dry, free-flowing foods, gas-tightness may be sufficient in this context.

At the same time, this material is transparent. This results in a number of advantages, such as the fact that after the container has been manufactured from the corresponding blank, it is easy to visually determine whether the inside of the container contains foreign bodies and in particular impurities or is damaged. This optical transparency of the squeeze container is present at least in the visible range (translucent) of the spectrum, but can also extend into the neighboring spectral ranges, i.e. in the direction of the infrared and/or ultraviolet. The transparency also makes it easy to monitor the fill level of the corresponding food when it is filled in. In particular, monitoring can be carried out from a direction perpendicular to the filling direction.

In addition to advantages when filling the container, the transparency of the material also offers a number of advantages for the consumer who wants to remove the food from the container or consume it directly from it.

It is also important for consumers to be able to easily determine the filling level of the food. In addition to the quantity, the consistency of the food can also be seen. This also applies to any discoloration or coloring of the food. Such discoloration can, for example, provide an indication of the freshness of the food, while the intended coloring of the food can provide an additional visual incentive to buy.

Another advantage of the transparency of the material is that when consuming the food, it is not only possible to determine where the food is in relation to the opening, but also through the wall of the container. This prevents food from accidentally escaping from the opening if the container is tipped over, for example.

In principle, it is sufficient if only part of the container wall is made of the transparent or translucent and preferably liquid- or fluid-tight material. The remaining part of the container wall can usually be made of stiffened paper or the like. However, it is more advantageous according to the invention if the entire container wall is made of this material, so that the interior of the container can be seen through the container wall at any point. This makes it unnecessary to first rotate the container in order to find the transparent container wall section. However, if the container wall is only transparent/translucent in one section, this advantageously extends over the entire height of the filled food in order to be able to observe both the maximum level of filling and a decrease in the level of filling during consumption. For this purpose, it can be sufficient if the container wall has a series of sections made of the corresponding material along the height of the filled food, which can also be spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the container and, if necessary, also in the circumferential direction of the container.

The corresponding material can be polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester or the like.

In order to improve the tightness of the corresponding layer material if necessary, the layer can be provided with a layer of varnish on one or both sides.

The container wall can be flexible so that the consumer can exert pressure on the container to consume the food. This also applies to the corresponding transparent or translucent, preferably liquid- or fluid-tight material.

In order to be able to connect the blank to itself to produce the continuous container wall, it can be rolled, for example, until the side edges meet. The blank is then connected to itself along this edge joint, whereby additional connecting means can also be used if necessary. In this context, the connection is usually made using heat and/or pressure.

It is also possible, after rolling or folding the container, to not only create a connection along the corresponding edge joint, but to form an overlapping area of the blank through the edges assigned to one another, whereby this overlapping area extends in particular in the longitudinal direction of the container and whereby the blank is connected to itself in this overlapping area.

If the transparent and fluid-tight material extends to the upper end of the corresponding blank, at which the removal opening is formed in the finished container, or even if the container wall is made entirely from this material, the opening edge of the removal opening can be folded or rolled up without changing the properties of the corresponding material. This ensures that

that the opening edge also has the properties such as transparency, fluid tightness and dimensional stability of the material.

Since the corresponding material is dimensionally stable after shaping, it is also ensured that the opening edge retains its shape even after folding or rolling.

Furthermore, the ability to form the container without changing the material's properties helps to avoid stress whitening, for example. This occurs, for example, in materials that are initially transparent but, after being deformed or bent, exhibit a generally linear, whitish clouding of the otherwise transparent material. Such stress whitening could also occur in areas of the wall where a consumer holds the container or applies pressure to remove the food, which can result in bending or folding lines. Even if such changes in properties are sometimes acceptable, for example at the edge of the opening, it is particularly advantageous to avoid them.

In particular, if the entire container wall is made from the material, not only is the entire container correspondingly transparent/translucent and liquid/fluid-tight, but also dimensionally stable after shaping. This dimensional stability is important, among other things, when transporting the container between the place of manufacture and the place of filling. Furthermore, due to appropriate dimensional stability, the container remains open at least in the area of its removal opening during filling even without additional measures, so that the food can be easily filled. The dimensional stability is also helpful when eating the food, whereby the container retains its shape even after the food has been partially or completely removed. If the container is squeezed by exerting pressure in order to consume the food, the dimensional stability is helpful so that the container essentially returns to its original shape after the pressing has stopped, whereby the food retracts more into the interior of the container.

The dimensional stability is also a property that should not be changed in order to maintain sufficient stability in the overlap area, for example, as well as transparency and tightness.

In order to be able to combine layers with different properties in terms of transparency and fluid tightness, the container wall can be made of a corresponding two- or multi-layer material, with each of the layers being transparent. It should be noted at this point that "transparency" can also just mean translucent and "fluid tightness" can also just mean liquid tightness or gas tightness and should always be understood as such.

In this context, an outer layer can be made of PP, oriented PP (co-extruded or painted), PE, PET, PET (painted), PA, oriented PA (painted) or the like. The following materials are conceivable for the inner layer: PP, PVC, PS, PA, PET or the like.

With regard to the different layers, it is advantageous if they are laminated, for example. Such a laminate can be produced over a large area from the corresponding layers and a blank can then be punched out of the laminate or produced in another way. Using such a laminate ensures that the layers can be safely connected to one another while maintaining the corresponding properties.

Another possibility to produce the layers and connect them together is to coextrude them.

In order to be able to use a corresponding blank for the container in a simple manner for devices that have already been used for similar containers, both for production and for filling, the undeformed blank can be strictly two-dimensional. This means that such a blank can be easily stacked for transport on the one hand and can also be easily inserted into a corresponding device for folding or rolling the container from the blank on the other.

In this context, it is also advantageous if at least the outer sides of the blank have a certain roughness or basic friction, which, for example, prevents corresponding pulling devices from slipping relative to the blank.

When transporting the container in an empty or filled state, as well as when keeping the filled squeeze container ready or when it is used by a consumer, there is a possibility that the squeeze container will come into contact with pointed or sharp-edged objects. In this context, it is advantageous if the material of the container wall has a certain mechanical resistance to such objects, thereby preventing damage that could negatively affect either the transparency or fluid-tightness of the material.

In order to prevent a negative visual impression from being created during the manufacture of the container or during its subsequent handling, particularly in the area of the wall, the corresponding layers can be permanently and inseparably connected to one another if the material is made up of two or more layers. Otherwise, if the layers separate from one another in places, the impression of blistering or something similar could arise, which could negatively affect not only the visual impression but also the transparency of the material.

Examples of such permanently inseparable connections are the lamination or coextrusion described above.

Regardless of the number of layers of the material in question, it is generally sufficient if only one of the layers or the only one of the layers used, in the case of several layers in particular the middle layer, is an elastic but permanently deformable and dimensionally stable layer after deformation.

In order to achieve optimum fluid tightness, it can be advantageous to ensure tightness against liquid and gas by separate layers.

ten is achieved. This can be achieved, for example, by at least one inner layer being liquid-tight and/or one of the other layers being gas-tight.

It is possible to connect the corresponding layers in the overlap area with one another using additional connecting means, such as an adhesive or the like. In a simplified embodiment, the outer and/or inner layer can be designed as a connecting layer at least in the overlap area.

With regard to the material of the layers, it should be noted that, for example, one of the layers can have a heat-insulating function for cool or warm foods and/or it is also possible for all layers to be microwave-permeable, for example to heat a food inside the container.

Of course, it is also possible to achieve fluid tightness against liquid and gas with just one layer.

Particularly in the overlap area, but also in the area of the removal opening and its opening edge, as well as along all other edges of the cut, a problem sometimes arises that these edges or free ends of the corresponding material are inadequately sealed. This means that liquid components of the food or liquids on the outside of the squeeze container, such as condensation, can penetrate into the material. Such penetration usually changes the thickness of the corresponding material or at least one layer of the material, so that the material can become warped, which negatively affects the overall visual appearance. The penetration of such liquid via the free ends or edges of the layers can also lead to the container becoming leaky as a whole or losing properties such as its dimensional stability. Such penetration of liquid in particular can also lead to the surface of the squeeze container softening and material detaching from the container. These disadvantages can be prevented by making the edges of the layers fluid-tight.

To make the container more visually appealing or to display information, at least one of the layers can be printed.

Both when processing a corresponding blank to produce the container and when later filling or using the container by the consumer, it is advantageous if the print is scratch-resistant. This means that the print cannot be rubbed off either by direct contact or by exposure to one of the layers.

If the container wall material has a single layer structure, the print is printed on the outside of the container. This also applies to co-extruded layers. If the structure is otherwise multi-layered, however, it is advantageous if the print is provided on an inside of the outer layer and/or an outside of the middle and/or an inside of the middle and/or an outside of the inner layer. This also makes it possible to combine several prints with one another, although these can differ in terms of graphic or color design.

In order to be able to provide sufficient heat to bond the cut to itself in a simple manner, at least one of the layers can be ultrasound-absorbent. The absorption of the ultrasound results in a heating of the corresponding layer which is at least strong enough for the layer to soften sufficiently to form an intimate and in particular fluid-tight bond with a layer in edge contact or surface contact with it after appropriate cooling. This can of course also apply to both layers in contact with each other in the overlapping area, in particular if they are made of the same material. In this context, however, it should be pointed out that heating the corresponding material by ultrasound does not lead to the transparency of the material being negatively affected after bonding and cooling.

If the layers are formed by a laminate, it can be considered advantageous if the print is applied before the layers are laminated. This will, on the one hand,

On the one hand, it prevents it from being exposed to harmful influences directly on the outside of the container, and on the other hand, there is no risk of harmful effects on the food.

With the layered structure of the material, there is also the possibility that at least one of the layers is itself a laminate.

It is also possible that only two or more layers of the corresponding material are coextruded.

There are several options for closing the container at its lower end.

In one embodiment, the closed end can be formed by connecting lower end sections of the wall. As a result, the closed end is essentially also formed by the container wall and its material and is transparent and fluid-tight.

Preferably, the lower end sections of the wall are pressed together before joining, so that the wall sections can also be joined to themselves by appropriate heat.

It is also possible to use a separate part to close the container, so that, for example, the closed end has a bottom insert. This can be made from a separate cut.

It is generally not necessary for the bottom insert to be transparent. However, it is possible to make the bottom insert from the same material as the container wall and to apply the appropriate amount of heat and pressure when connecting the bottom insert and the container wall.

The material used for the container wall and possibly also the base insert is transparent, but can have a color. This means that the material is not

is not clearly transparent, but red, yellow, green or the like and possibly more colored transparent.

In order to avoid any negative influence of the print on the food, the print can be printed on the outside of the container in the case of single-layer material. This can also be done in a similar way with multi-layer, polyethylene-based material. Such material can also be produced by co-extrusion if necessary.

In order to prevent the container from being easily damaged if it falls down when empty or full, the material can be impact-resistant and/or puncture-resistant.

Various cross-sectional shapes are conceivable for the container, which can also change along the container's longitudinal direction. This change not only includes dimensional changes of an otherwise identical cross-section, but also changes to other cross-sectional shapes. Examples of such cross-sectional shapes are circular, approximately polygonal, approximately quadrangular and in particular square, oval, bean-shaped or the like.

The print can be made both in the usual way by printing on a corresponding medium, such as paint or the like. It is also possible for the print to be made not only by printing on such a paint, but also by pressing into the corresponding layer or by scratching or the like. The print can also have a three-dimensional effect or be a hologram or at least have one.

It is also possible for the print to cover the entire container wall except for one viewing window, and for the inside of the container to be visible only through this viewing window. In this context, it is also conceivable for several such viewing windows to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container and/or in the circumferential direction of the container. This means that different areas inside the container can be seen.

Depending on the color of the print, for example, it is possible that the print itself only becomes visible after at least part of the food has been removed. This can happen, for example, if the print is the same color as the food that has been put in it. It is also possible that certain parts of the print only become visible after sufficient amounts of the food have been removed and these parts have been exposed, thus resulting in a changing print. Such an appearing or changing print can, for example, be used to enable certain competitions or the like, where it is only possible to see whether you have won something after sufficient amounts of the food have been removed.

The opening edge can be rolled up, as already mentioned above. This rolling up can be a single or multiple roll. With a folded opening edge, it is also conceivable that this is folded over at an angle of 90° or more relative to the rest of the wall. As a result, for example, at an angle of 90°, the opening edge essentially protrudes radially outwards from the removal opening.

In order to be able to drink liquid food from the container at any point of the dispensing opening, for example, the opening edge advantageously extends along the entire circumference of the dispensing opening. However, it is also possible for the opening edge to be only partially and/or partially circumferential.

In order to ensure that the properties of the container and in particular its material described above are not only present at room temperature, for example, but also in a larger temperature range, it is considered advantageous if the container and in particular its material is stable at least in the temperature range from -50 ⁰ C to +120 ⁰ C. This stability relates, for example, to dimensional stability, transparency, fluid tightness and the like. In connection with the print, it should also be noted that there are also temperature-sensitive prints that can also be used according to the invention. Such a print would, for example, change its color at a certain temperature and thereby possibly also its information content. For a consumer, this is

•♦ · «·· ■■·

For example, it can be determined whether a chilled food has a sufficiently low temperature or whether a heated food is also warm enough.

In order to be able to easily store a large number of containers and to remove them from the container stock, the container can be stackable and unstackable.

With regard to the dimensional stability of the container, it should also be noted that this can be particularly important for the connection in the overlap area and the opening edge, for example in order to continue the container shape in the overlap area, i.e. to give a round or, for example, oval container the appropriate shape in the overlap area too. In addition, the dimensional stability should prevent leaks from occurring in these areas.

For cooled or heated foods, the corresponding temperature should be kept as unchanged as possible, at least for a certain period of time. For this purpose, at least one of the layers can be designed as a thermal insulation layer. On the one hand, such a thermal insulation layer can be thermally insulating due to the specific material. On the other hand, it is also possible for the layer to contain thermally insulating material, such as air or the like, or for an air gap to be formed between two adjacent layers.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the invention also relates to a blank for producing a container as described above, wherein the blank serves at least for producing the container wall and optionally the closed end and the opening edge.

In the following, advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the figures attached to the drawing.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a section along the line H-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section along the line HI-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention, and

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank for producing a container according to the invention as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a container 1 in side view, which is cup-shaped. The container 1 has a removal opening 7 at its upper end in Figure 1, which is surrounded by a rolled opening edge 8, see also Figure 2.

A lid 21 is tightly attached to the opening edge 8. At least at one point, a lid handle 22 protrudes from the lid, in particular radially outwards, which serves to pull the lid 21 off the opening edge 8.

A foodstuff 2, which may be liquid, pasty, pourable or free-flowing, is filled into the container interior. The foodstuff 2 is filled into the container up to the filling level 23.

The container 1 has a container wall 6 which is formed by a blank according to Figure 5. The container wall 6 is made of a transparent and fluid-tight material.

In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the container 1 has a base insert 25 at its end 9 opposite the removal opening 7. This is at least partially pushed onto the wall 6 from the outside or pushed into it and connected to it in a fluid-tight manner.

The bottom insert 25 can be made of the same material as the container wall 6.

The container 1 has a print 15 in the area of the container wall 6. The corresponding printing can be done on an outside 26 of the container 1 or on the outside of the container wall 6, especially in the case of a single-layer material for the container wall. In the case of a two- or multi-layer structure, see in particular Figure 3, the print is printed on an inside 16 of an outer layer 3 and/or on an outside 17 of a middle layer 4 and/or on an inside 18 of the middle layer 4 and/or on an outside 19 of the inner layer 5. Depending on the layer material used, the different arrangements of the print on one of the sides of one of the layers result in a different optical appearance, whereby prints on different layers or sides of the layers can also be combined with one another due to the transparency of the container wall 6. Such a combination can result in an optical effect, such as an apparent three-dimensionality of the print. In addition, the combination of different prints may make it possible for a consumer to see colour combinations of different coloured prints when viewing the combined print from the outside.

Figure 2 shows a section along the line H-II from Figure 1. In this figure it is particularly evident how the container wall 6 is bent or rolled outwards at the upper end to form the opening edge 8. The selection of the appropriate layer materials for the container wall results in the deformability to form the opening edge and the dimensional stability after deformation.

Figure 3 shows a section along the line III-III through the container wall 6 or the blank 10 according to Figure 5. In the embodiment shown, the container wall is constructed from three layers of material.

If only one layer of material is used, this can be made of polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like. Such a single-layer material is

If necessary, apply one or two coats of varnish on opposite sides to achieve a better seal against fluid.

In the case of two or more layers, see reference numerals 3, 4 and 5 in Figure 3, the inner layer can be made of PP, PVC, PS, PA, PET or the like, for example, while the outer layer is made of PP, oriented PP, polyethylene (PE), PET ₁ PA, oriented PA or the like, for example, wherein oriented PP, PET and OPA in particular can also be coated. It is also possible for the oriented EP to be coextruded.

The various layers 3, 4 and 5 according to Figure 3 can be connected to one another as individual layers to form the container wall 6. It is also possible for the layers to form a laminate, for at least one of the layers to be a laminate, or for the layers to be coextruded.

It has already been pointed out that in the case of a single-layer material for the container wall 6, the corresponding print 15 is printed on the outside 26 of the container 1, whereas in the case of a multi-layer structure, the inside and outside sides of the various layers are used accordingly, without a print being applied to an outside side of the outer layer and an inside side of the inner layer.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention. In this, as in the case of the container 1 according to Figure 1, the container wall 6 is flexible, so that pressure can be exerted on the container 1 from the outside in order to move the food 2 in the direction of the removal opening 8 for removal or consumption. In the case of frozen products such as ice cream, in addition to the pressure, heat is also transferred from a consumer's hand, so that a layer of liquefied food 2 forms at least between the latter and an inner side of the container wall 6. The above materials for the various layers 3, 4, 5 according to Figure 3 ensure flexibility of the container wall 6. At the same time, a layer material is used, particularly through the use of PET (polyester), which makes the container 1 according to Figure 1

or Figure 4 in the corresponding form. Such a layered material is flexible, but also relatively stiff.

The container 1 according to Figure 4 can have a handle 24 at its closed end 9, which is also formed by a blank 10 for the container wall 6. To form this handle 24, lower end sections 20 of the blank 10, see Figure 5, are pressed together after the blank has been rolled into the corresponding shape of the container and are connected intimately and fluid-tightly by applying heat. Even without forming such a handle, the closed end 9 can be formed by connecting these lower end sections 20.

For the sake of simplicity, a corresponding imprint 15 according to Figure 1 is not shown on the container 1 according to Figure 1.

With the blank 10 according to Figure 5, it should also be noted that it has a peripheral edge 14. This is sealed or sealed if necessary to prevent the penetration of fluid. After the blank 10 has been rolled, the rolled state can be fixed, for example, by arranging longitudinal edges 14 facing one another so that they abut one another and are thus connected to one another by themselves or by an additional connecting means. It is also possible for the edges 14 to overlap to form an overlap region 12 extending essentially in the longitudinal direction 11 of the container and for the blank to be attached to itself directly via a connection between the outer layer 3 and the inner layer 5. If necessary, an adhesive can also be arranged in the overlap region 12.

To form the corresponding handle 24 according to Figure 4, the lower end sections 20 of the blank 10 can be pressed against one another and connected to one another, whereby this connection can take place at the same time as the connection in the overlap area 12. An upper end section of the blank 10, which is marked with "8", serves as the opening edge 8 after folding or rolling outwards, see Figures 1 and 2.

The illustrated embodiments according to Figures 1 and 4 are only examples and other container shapes are conceivable, for example in comparison to Figure 4,

containers with an inverted conical shape, containers with an elongated tubular shape or the like. It is also possible for the corresponding transparent and fluid-tight material for the container wall 6 to be arranged only in a peripheral section of the container wall in the longitudinal direction 11 of the container, while the other sections of the container wall 6 are opaque. This correspondingly transparent section can also be made up of several subsections arranged at a distance in the longitudinal direction 11 of the container, which may also be offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the container 1. To simplify the manufacture of a corresponding container 1, however, it is generally advantageous if the container wall 6 is constructed entirely from the corresponding transparent and fluid-tight and possibly multi-layered material. This makes it easier in particular to arrange the print 15 inside the material of the container wall 6.

Claims (43)

1. Container ( 1 ), in particular for holding a foodstuff ( 2 ), with a wall ( 6 ) having at least one layer ( 3 , 4 , 5 ), which has a removal opening ( 7 ) with an opening edge ( 8 ) folded over in cross section and is closed at its end ( 9 ) opposite the removal opening ( 7 ), wherein at least the container wall ( 6 ) is formed from a two-dimensional blank ( 10 ) which is connected to itself to form a continuous container wall, characterized in that the container and in particular the container wall ( 6 ) is formed at least partially from a transparent or translucent, in particular liquid- or fluid-tight material ( 13 ) which is moldable to form the container ( 1 ) and is dimensionally stable after molding. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer is formed from polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like. 3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the layer ( 4 ) is provided on one or both sides with a lacquer layer ( 3 , 5 ). 4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container wall ( 6 ) is flexible. 5. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection of the blank ( 10 ) to itself is made by heat and/or pressure. 6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection of the blank ( 10 ) to itself is formed along an overlap region ( 12 ) extending in particular in the longitudinal direction ( 11 ) of the container. 7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening edge ( 8 ) is folded or rolled without changing the properties of the material ( 13 ). 8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container wall ( 6 ) has two or more layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ), each of the layers being transparent. 9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer layer is formed from PP, oriented PP (coextruded or painted), polyethylene (PE), PET, PET (painted), PA, oriented PA (painted) or the like. 10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner layer is formed from PP, PVC, PS, PA, PET or the like. 11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) are laminated. 12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two or more layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) are coextruded. 13. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the undeformed blank ( 10 ) is strictly two-dimensional to facilitate processing. 14. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material ( 13 ) is mechanically resistant. 15. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two or more layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) are permanently and inseparably connected to one another. 16. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ), in particular a middle layer ( 4 ), is an elastic but permanently deformable and dimensionally stable layer after deformation. 17. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one inner layer ( 5 ) is liquid-tight and one of the further layers ( 3 , 4 ) is gas-tight. 18. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer and/or inner layer ( 3 , 5 ) are designed as connecting layers at least in the overlap region ( 12 ). 19. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that edges ( 14 ) of the layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) are fluid-tight. 20. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) is provided with a print ( 15 ). 21. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) is scratch-resistant. 22. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) is provided on an inner side ( 16 ) of the outer layer ( 3 ) and/or an outer side ( 17 ) or an inner side ( 18 ) of the middle layer ( 4 ) and/or an outer side ( 19 ) of the inner layer ( 5 ). 23. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to generate heat for the connection in the overlap region ( 14 ), at least one of the layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) is ultrasound-absorbing. 24. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) is printed before laminating the layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ). 25. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the layers ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) is a laminate. 26. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed end ( 9 ) is formed by connecting lower end portions ( 20 ) of the wall ( 6 ). 27. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed end ( 9 ) has a bottom insert ( 25 ). 28. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom insert ( 25 ) is made of a transparent material. 29. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material ( 13 ) is transparent in color. 30. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) is printed on an outer side ( 26 ) of the container ( 1 ) in the case of a single-layer material ( 13 ). 31. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) is printed on an outer side of the container ( 1 ) in the case of a multilayer PE-based material ( 13 ), which is optionally produced by coextrusion. 32. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material ( 13 ) is impact-resistant and/or puncture-resistant. 33. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) is circular in cross-section, approximately quadrangular, in particular square, oval, bean-shaped or also approximately polygonal. 34. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) has a three-dimensional effect. 35. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) is or comprises a hologram. 36. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) leaves a viewing window on the wall ( 6 ). 37. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print ( 15 ) is only visible after at least partial removal of the foodstuff ( 2 ). 38. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening edge ( 8 ) is bent outwards by an angle of 90° or more relative to the remaining container wall ( 6 ). 39. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening edge ( 8 ) is partially and/or partially circumferential. 40. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 1 ) and in particular the material ( 13 ) is stable at least in the temperature range from -50°C to +120°C. 41. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container is stackable and unstackable. 42. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one layer ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) is designed as a thermal insulation layer. 43. Cutting for the manufacture of a container ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims.