EP0929469A1

EP0929469A1 - Plastic moulded container with detachable eating utensil

Info

Publication number: EP0929469A1
Application number: EP97920991A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter John Waterhouse
Original assignee: Carter Holt Harvey Ltd
Current assignee: Carter Holt Harvey Ltd
Priority date: 1996-05-03
Filing date: 1997-04-29
Publication date: 1999-07-21
Also published as: AU2715197A; WO1997042095A1; AU732225B2; CA2253414A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a moulded plastic container which defines at least one receptacle for receiving a food material or the like, the container further including a utensil such as a spoon which is frangibly detachable from the container when the utensil is to be used for mixing, stirring or eating purposes. In a preferred form of the invention the moulded plastic container has two receptacles adjacent each other wherein the utensil is provided between the two receptacles along a fold axis between each of the receptacles, the fold axis allowing for the pivoting of each of the receptacles relative to each other for the transferring of contents from one receptacle to the other.

Description

- -

PLASTIC MOULDED CONTAINER WITH DETACHABLE EATING UTENSIL

The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to packaging and related products and means suitable for both food and other products. Foodstuffs such as yoghurts and the like are frequently supplied in a foil or other film lidded container with the liquid or gel like contents being confined within a pocket formed in a vacuum moulded plastics member. Such vacuum form moulding of a food grade plastics material (such as a suitable polystyrene or polyolefin) tray having receptacle characteristics is well known in the art and is used to provide receptacles for materials as diverse as butter through to yoghurts, breakfast cereals, fruit purees, etc.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a food or other material packaging which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

The present invention is therefore directed to such packaged products, the packaging itself including the container (receptacle) thereof and the means of forming such packaging as well as various aspects of its use and, as such, the present invention should provide the public with a useful choice. This is irrespective of whether or not it is for food.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a moulded plastics container or tray (hereafter "tray") which defines at least one receptacle capable of containing a material (such as a foodstuff) and which defines at least one of a) a frangibly detachable spoon or the equivalent eating utensil, and/or b) a frangibly detachable mixing utensil, the frangibly detachable spoon or the equivalent eating utensil and/or mixing utensil being detachable and useable within said at least one receptacle. Preferably said moulded plastics tray has been moulded from a web of sheet thermoplastic material.

Preferably a spoon is present.

Preferably said spoon is positioned (when attached to said tray) with the bowl of the spoon facing upwardly with respect to the opening of the at least one receptacle which also opens upwardly.

Preferably said tray is substantially planar save for the receptacle(s) formed therein and the frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b).

Preferably there are two adjacent receptacles defined.

Preferably said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) is positioned between said receptacles.

Preferably each receptacle is provided with an outer substantially planar rim about the periphery of the opening of each receptacle, said two receptacles integrally connected (and optionally frangibly connected) along a region or regions of said rim of each receptacle.

Preferably said tray has a fold axis defined by a line of weakening (whether continuous or not) at said region or regions of each said rim of said two receptacles to allow appropriate pivoting of the receptacles to transfers (when at least one of said receptacles contains said food stuff) at least some of the contents of at least one receptacle into the other receptacle.

Preferably a contoured relief is provided (when viewed in plan view) extending toward the receptacle from the perimeter of each rim and along said fold axis, each relief adapted to the or a portion of the contour shape of said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b), said reliefs defining a region within which said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) is positioned.

Preferably said tray includes (after filling of each of the receptacles with desired material) means which seals over the opening of said at least one receptacle.

Preferably each of said receptacles (and preferably said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b)) are covered by said means which seals over said opening, by engagement onto at least part of said rim of each receptacle.

Preferably said means which seals is of a film material and is securable to said rim(s) or part thereof by a suitable adhesive.

Preferably said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) is aligned with its elongate axis substantially on said fold axis.

Preferably said fold axis is adapted to be frangible to allow dis-engagement of said two receptacles. Preferably at least one of said rims is provided with frangible bridging region(s) connecting said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) with said tray.

Preferably both rims provide said frangible bridging region(s).

Preferably the tray is formed from said web of sheet thermoplastic material by application of a pressure differential between the major surfaces of said web of sheet thermoplastic material (eg; by vacuum forming).

Preferably said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) is defined (ie the perimeter shape) after forming from said web of sheet thermoplastic material.

Preferably the arrangement is substantially as herein described with reference to any or all of the accompanying drawings. In a second aspect the present invention consists in a pack comprising a moulded container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, at least one foodstuff positioned in a said receptacle of said tray and a cover for said at least one receptacle to confine the content of said receptacle(s).

Preferably a film material (whether moulded of sprayed) is provided to and/or part of said package to underlie said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b). In a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of packing a food or other material in a tray as herein described comprising filling the at least one receptacle of said tray with a said food material, thereafter overlying and affixing about the opening of the material containing receptacle with a foil or other web like material. Preferably the food or other material is a foodstuff. Preferably the second of said two receptacles is also filled with a similar or different food or other material.

Preferably said foil of web like material overlies said two receptacles and said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b).

Preferably a film material (whether moulded of sprayed) is provided to and/or part of said package to underlie said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b).

Irrespective of whether or not there is a hinge axis and irrespective of whether or not any such hinge axis is frangible preferably a spoon is formed (preferably as the overall container is being formed by a vacuum forming process from a web of an appropriate food grade plastics material - preferably of constant thickness) so as to be frangibly connected by readily frangible bridging regions.

While a spoon is referred to as a preference where the material(s) being packaged is foodstuffs), any type of mixing or upUfting utensil may instead be provided. Examples of such materials include any material required in small volume but preferably are both materials (separate) of binary or the like systems. Examples include adhesives and settable resins.

Certainly using polyester or epoxy resins for fibreglass repair spring to mind, having the mixing container, reagents and mixing utensil all in one pack with correct measured quantities would be a potential use.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples. A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of a container in accordance with the present invention showing a generally square or rectangular form insofar as external periphery is concerned but showing two receptacles, the smaller one being suitable, by way of example, for retaining yoghurt and the larger being suitable for retaining, for example, a breakfast cereal [or alternatively the smaller suitable for retaining a cream or milk product while the larger retains a breakfast cereal, or one containing a puree with the other a cereal or yoghurt, etc.], Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation arrangement at section "AA" of the arrangement of Figure 1, ie; looking normally of the longitudinal axis of the spoon which is the preferred eating or mixing utensil and looking towards the bowl of the spoon, the bottom surface of which is seen protected (but uncovered) between the two receptacles,

Figure 3 is a plan view of tiie spoon handle detail at the region of the broken circle as depicted,

Figure 4 is a scrap section at "BB" with respect to Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a scrap section at "CC" with respect to Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a bottom view of an alternative form of the package wherein an additional cover providing means is provided enveloping and enclosing the underside of the utensil,

Figure 7 is a scrap section at "DD" with respect to Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a scrap section at "DD" with respect to Figure 6, wherein instead of the foil being affixed to the underside of the package, it is moulded as part of the package to form a hollow for the utensil to sit in, Figure 9 is a scrap section at "DD"with respect to Figure 6 wherein the tray is frangible through its centerline,

Figure 10 is a bottom perspective view of a preferred form of the present invention illustrating on the larger of the two receptacles the wedge providing members,

Figure 11 is a plan view of an alternative configuration of a package of the present invention in an uncovered configuration, and

Figure 12 is a view in direction "A" of the package of Figure 11.

In the preferred form of the present invention the receptacle 1 is formed by either injection moulding or more preferably from a vacuum moulding procedure from a feedstock of an appropriate food grade plastics material such as about 1mm thickness of polystyrene.

The reference to "vacuum" moulding or forming herein refers to the application of a pressure differential between one and the other side of the web of sheet thermoplastic material from which the pack/tray of the present invention is formed, whether it is a positive pressure on the side of the web material from which the web material forms into the mould or whether it is a low pressure (vacuum) on the other side to draw the web of material into the mould in order to form the pack/tray. It may even indeed be the combination of both.

As can be seen in the preferred form of the present invention there are a plurality of receptacles with receptacle 2 and receptacle 3 being shown of two different sizes and disposed diametrically apart with respect to the outer periphery. The outer periphery 4 in the preferred form of the present invention includes a rim region 5 surrounding the receptacle 2 and a rim region 6 that surrounds the receptacle 3 and such rim regions (even if strengthened by contouring) are preferably generally co¬ planar. Interposed between the two rim regions is preferably a hinge axis 7 and on that axis is preferably the preferred eating and/or mixing utensil 8 which includes a bowl 9. Overlaying the filled receptacles 2 and 3 only after the container has been presented to appropriate filling stations is a foil or web of appropriate plastics material that is preferably sequentially applied from container to container and is preferably welded or otherwise adhesively fixed to said rim surface(s).

Shown in Figure 1 is a direction of extrusion of the material from which the container is vacuum or otherwise moulded in the preferred form. The direction of extrusion on the drawing is shown to indicate the alignment of the machine direction of the extruded sheet. The sheet is easy to shear along the machine direction and difficult to shear across the machine direction, such that if the orientation of the spoon and hinge area is across the machine direction, it is likely that the spoon would be in two pieces rather than one after removal. Shown as 10 in dotted outline in Figure 2 the film or foil material 10 which overlies both receptacles 2 and 3 and any contents contained therein (not shown in Figure 2) as well as the upper surface of the utensil 8. Such foil (aluminium or composite) or plastics film (or composite) 10 is preferably affixed by heat seal lacquer adhesive. In less preferred forms the film cover can be extruded direct on to the rims while hot or a tacky foil process used.

This pack is generally used as a two part pack for yoghurt and cereal type products, the yoghurt being in the larger pocket and the cereal in the smaller pocket.

In addition to the preferred form of the invention as describe above, the package may also be provided with a cover providing means as shown in Figure 6.

Preferably the cover providing means envelops the bottom of the spoon (when in a non-separated condition) and provides a protective layer to the underside of the utensil. Most preferably the cover providing means 20 is affixed to the package as a subsequent process after the packages shown in Figures 1-5 has been formed. Preferably it is located about the peripheral region of the utensil 8. Preferably such location is to the rim regions 5 and 6 on each side of the hinge axis 7.

Most preferably the cover providing means is a foil seal and is fitted as a secondary process to the rim regions 5 and 6 by suitable adhering means such as heat sealing, RF sealing, ultra sound, welding, or suitable adhesive sealing at points 21. Most preferably the foil seal is preshaped to correspond to the bottom surface(s) of the spoon (or utensil) and is adhered to the package most preferably continuously about its perimeter. However such sealing may be of a discontinuous nature around the perimeter. The foil need not necessarily be preshaped and may have sufficient flexibility to conform to the desired shape.

Alternatively as shown in Figure 8 there is provided and moulded as part of the package, a receptacle region of a hollow or depressed nature or the like for receiving a separate utensil such as a spoon. In this preferred form the receptacle region is shaped suitably to receive the utensil and may be frangible about the periphery thereof at 23. Alternatively the frangible region may be along the centerline as shown in Figure 9 along 24. Such frangible region(s) shown in Figures 8 and 9 may (a) provide access to the utensil though the bottom of the package but are/is preferably there to (b) allow the package to be bent so that the content of one tray is able to be emptied into the other. In some yet other forms of the present invention a sprayable composition can be provided after the forming of the tray to the underside of the utensil.

The tray of the present invention is preferably adapted to be stackable with like adjacent trays to allow for stacking for filling, transportation or other like reasons. Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the present invention where at least the big receptacle has the stack supporting shoulder 25 having provided thereunder a chamfer 26 (or wedge providing means) which will provide a wedging effect occurs to ensure a positive placement of each shoulder 25 on a rim region of the like container thereunder in a stack. Where as depicted in Figure 10 there are a plurality of receptacles such a chamfer can, if desired, be provided on each of the stack indexing features but not necessarily so provided there is at least in respect of one of the receptacles, preferably a positive location horizontally of a container or tray in the stack.

Also within the scope of the present invention is the provision of a plurality of utensils on or in a single tray or container, preferably each of which is frangible although not necessarily so. Some can, if desired, be located within a recess underlying the foil or cover for the receptacle or receptacles of the tray or extensions thereof. In addition the present invention also envisages a tray having a single receptacle as shown in figures 11, and 12.

To enable the product to be better utilised as a snack food, it is desirable to include a spoon at the point of manufacture.

This tray includes a spoon formed into the dividing surface between the two receptacles. The spoon is nearly completely cut out from the top surface of the tray expect for two retainer areas placed at the midpoint of the spoon at either side of the handle. These areas are not completely cut and retain the spoon to the tray. The top of the tray is covered by a foil or web like material which is heat sealed around each pocket, also covering the top face of the spoon.

The consumer peels the foil from the pack, then pushes down on the bowl end of the spoon, this causes the spoon to pivot around the retentions at the midpoint. This action also propagates a split in the retention area parallel to the handle of the spoon due to the retentions being aligned with the direction of orientation of the sheet.

(manufacturing machine direction).

The spoon is then grasped by the upward standing handle and removed from the pack with a twisting action.

The pack can also be bent along the hinge line to tip the contents of the smaller bowl into the larger bowl should the customer so desire. It is also possible to separate the large and small bowl in this manner if so desired. Along the hinge axis which preferably has a line (whether continuous or not) along at least part of the axis.

The primary advantage is that this pack can be made in a single manufacturing operation in a single or multistage thermoformer (although more suited to a single stage thermoformer).

The current packs on the market which include a spoon utilise a separate spoon which must be fitted to the tub in a separate ancillary operation. These ancillary operations are expensive in terms of unit cost and capital requirements for assembly machines. They also add significantly to the ongoing costs of the product and require longer lead times to manufacture as the multistage process takes more time to produce a finished product than a single stage process.

Approximate capital requirements for the separate spoon and tub system are in the order of 1996 NZ$350,000.00 to purchase tooling for the spoon, tub, and an assembly machine, commissioned, ready to run. Capital requirements for the single stage process "spoonpak" product are in the order of 1996 NZ$65,000.00 Features of Importance in the Preferred Forms Include:

1. Single or multistage manufacture of a pack with a removable shaped spoon (or other utensil from a single sheet of feed stock using the thermoforming process.

2. The incomplete cutting out of the spoon at the midpoint being used to retain the spoon in the pack until the end user removes it.

3. The alignment of the direction of extrusion of the sheet parallel with the side of the handle to enable the thermoplastic polymer cleanly shear out when the spoon is twisted out after depressing the bowl area inwardly.

4. The improvement of the performance of the hinge area of the container by the removal of the centre area, being the spoon. The current products are nearly impossible to bend along the intended hinge line, whereas this product has a significantly smaller hinge area, able to flex easily and also to be fully separable if desired.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A moulded plastics container or tray (hereafter "tray") which defines at least one receptacle capable of containing a material (such as a foodstuff) and which defines at least one of a) a frangibly detachable spoon or the equivalent eating utensil, and/or b) a frangibly detachable mixing utensil, the frangibly detachable spoon or the equivalent eating utensil and/or mixing utensil being detachable and useable within said at least one receptacle.

2. A tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein said moulded plastics tray has been moulded from a web of sheet thermoplastic material.

3. A tray as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a spoon is present.

4. A tray as claimed in claim 3 wherein said spoon is positioned (when attached to said tray) with the bowl of the spoon facing upwardly with respect to the opening of the at least one receptacle which also opens upwardly.

5. A tray as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said tray is substantially planar save for the receptacle(s) formed therein and the frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b).

6. A tray as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein there are two adjacent receptacles defined.

7. A tray as claimed in claim 6 wherein said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) is positioned between said receptacles.

8. A tray as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein each receptacle is provided with an outer substantially planar rim about the periphery of the opening of each receptacle, said two receptacles integrally connected (and optionally frangibly connected) along a region or regions of said rim of each receptacle.

9. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said tray has a fold axis defined by a line of weakening (whether continuous or not) at said region or regions of each said rim of said two receptacles to allow appropriate pivoting of the receptacles to transfers (when at least one of said receptacles contains said food stuff) at least some of the contents of at least one receptacle into the other receptacle.

10. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein a contoured relief is provided (when viewed in plan view) extending toward the receptacle from the perimeter of each rim and along said fold axis, each relief adapted to the or a portion of the contour shape of said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b), said reliefs defining a region within which said rangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) is positioned.

11. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said tray includes (after filling of each of the receptacles with desired material) means which seals over the opening of said at least one receptacle.

12. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein each of said receptacles (and preferably said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b)) are covered by said means which seals over said opening, by engagement onto at least part of said rim of each receptacle.

13. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 11 or 12 wherein said means which seals is of a film material and is securable to said rim(s) or part thereof by a suitable adhesive.

14. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) is aligned with its elongate axis substantially on said fold axis.

15. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein said fold axis is adapted to be frangible to allow dis-engagement of said two receptacles.

16. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein at least one of said rims is provided with frangible bridging region(s) connecting said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) with said tray.

17. A tray as claimed in claim 16 wherein both rims provide said frangible bridging region(s).

18. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17 wherein the tray is formed from said web of sheet thermoplastic material by application of a pressure differential between the major surfaces of said web of sheet thermoplastic material (eg; by vacuum forming).

19. A tray as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 18 wherein said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b) is defined (ie the perimeter shape) after forming from said web of sheet thermoplastic material.

20. A tray as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arrangement is substantially as herein described with reference to any or all of the accompanying drawings.

21. A pack comprising a moulded container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, at least one foodstuff positioned in a said receptacle of said tray and a cover for said at least one receptacle to confine the content of said receptacle(s).

22. A package as claimed in claim 20 wherein a film material (whether moulded of sprayed) is provided to and/or part of said package to underlie said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b).

23. A method of packing a food or other material in a tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 comprising filling the at least one receptacle of said tray with a said food material, thereafter overlying and affixing about the opening of the material containing receptacle with a foil or other web like material.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the food or other material is a foodstuff.

25. A method as claimed in any one of claims 23 or 24 wherein the second of said two receptacles is also filled with a similar or different food or other material.

26. A method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25 wherein said foil of web like material overlies said two receptacles and said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b).

27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26 wherein a film material (whether moulded of sprayed) is provided to and/or part of said package to underlie said frangibly detachable item (a) and/or (b).