EP1389589A1 - Food package with formed cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The egg box has a trough (4) in its lid (3) which holds the eggs in position. A label (7) is fitted over the top of this which covers it completely.

Description

The invention relates to food packaging, in particular an egg carton, with a base that is at least a series of recesses to accommodate isolated Pieces of food, in particular eggs, and one molded lid part, which is arranged foldable on the lower part and in the closed state together with the lower part delimits an interior, the cover part a has a trough open at the top.

Egg cartons are known from prior public use from a lower part to hold the eggs and a protective one Cover part consist of a usually as a hinge executed element foldable on the lower part is. The lower part is used to hold the eggs Provide mold cavities that serve to hold the eggs in one hold certain position with respect to the egg carton. Such an egg box is for example from FR-A-2441549 known. Can increase packaging security the cover part may be provided with depressions. These work stiffening and serve to improve the absorption of the Cover part acting loads. The depressions of the lid part are also often used to determine the positions of the recorded Stabilize eggs. Such an egg packaging is known for example from EP-A-0119043. Moreover Protection of the eggs packed in the egg carton from damage the egg carton must have another one during transport and storage Perform a function, namely presenting. In addition to the Protective function comes this presentation function increasingly higher importance too. The presentation function is that is responsible for the impression that the Customer receives from the goods.

Furthermore, an egg carton is known from prior public use, in which the cover part a trough open at the top having. This trough is designed so that on its flanks large openings to the interior of the egg box having. This trough is therefore used to hold objects not suitable.

The invention has for its object a food packaging of the type mentioned at the outset both the protective function and the presentation function is improved.

The solution according to the invention lies in a food packaging with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further training result from the subclaims.

According to the invention in the case of food packaging with a Lower part that has at least a number of mold depressions for the acceptance of isolated pieces of food, in particular Eggs, and a molded lid part that foldable is arranged on the lower part and in the closed Condition together with the lower part limits an interior, the cover part having a trough open at the top, provided that a cover is provided on the cover part that closes the trough at the top. Under up it is open to understand that the trough in the closed Condition of the cover part is accessible from the outside.

The essence of the invention is that the trough and the covering means create a space in which objects are inserted can be. The cover means prevents the inserted Item accidentally falls out of the trough. Is to the cover means formed so that it is in connection with the Trough forms a closed recording room. Preferably the flanks and the bottom of the trough have no openings or only openings with a clear width, which is small enough to allow an unwanted passage of the to be inserted To prevent objects. The objects to be inserted are preferably already from the supplier of the Food packaging has been inserted, but can if necessary also only when packaging the food or later be put in by a dealer. With the object it can be, for example, notes with recipe information or small items, especially children's toys, one Egg spoons and / or around a sachet of spices act. The customer then receives with the food packaging not just the food it contains, but as Added value also the object placed in the trough. The masking agent has one other than its securing function further, important effect. The user must have the cover first remove from the trough to get to the object inside to get. This unpacking creates the Users have a happy expectation of what is below the Masking agents will appear, similar to the surprise effect when unwrapping gifts. Because the user already know when buying the groceries that he later will experience this pleasant surprise effect the food packaging when making the purchase decision in a favorable light. So that comes the invention Food packaging of the important function a packaging, namely contained therein in addition to the shooter Goods also encourage customers to make a purchase, in particular to a high degree.

The covering means is preferably a sticker. So that can the trough in a particularly efficient and cost-effective manner be covered. In addition, the sticker provides a printing area available for further presentation purposes or can be used for other advertising prints.

It is useful if the cover part with holding depressions is provided, which are preferably connected to the trough. The holding depressions additionally stiffen the cover part. They can also be shaped to face the top the packaged food items, e.g. B. Eggs, in food packaging interact. This can cause unwanted Movements of the eggs in the mold wells too when moving the food packaging quickly, e.g. B. at Transport, can be prevented. Is the trough with the holding depressions connected, it has the advantage of being essential larger recording space with a further increase at the same time Rigidity of the cover part arises.

The trough and the holding depressions expediently point about the same depth. This ensures that the soles of the respective wells are at the same level, so that they form a flat surface overall. On the one hand, this has the advantage that the lid part and thus the entire food packaging gets a more appealing look than this at different depths with the resulting one rugged structure of the sole would be the case. The trough can also have a greater depth than the holding depressions, so that in - from the trough and with it connected holding depressions formed - receiving space one Channel in the area of the trough. Such a gutter can on the one hand, quite desirable for the objects to be inserted his. On the other hand, the channel has an additional stiffening effect, so that the rigidity of the lid part is even further is improved.

The trough and / or the holding depressions preferably have a depth that is no greater than a maximum nesting height the food packaging is. By a limit the depth to the maximum nesting height becomes the stackability the food packaging in the open, still unfilled Condition improved. A particular advantage is that the food packaging already at one can be stacked by the cover sealed trough can. This is particularly advantageous in the case when the covering means a sticker, such as a label, is. Then already labeled food packaging can be stacked. That enables the food packaging to be labeled before filling and with the objects to be inserted. The amount of maximum nesting height depends on the specific parameters of the depending on the respective food packaging, especially the desired denestability and the required Space requirements. Depending on the material thickness and the coefficient of friction of the material is the nesting height in usually between 4 and 15 mm and is preferably between 7 and 9 mm. Thanks to the stackability achieved in the open condition decrease both for the manufacturer as well as storage costs for the packaging company and packing can be done more efficiently.

The holding depressions are preferably offset laterally the mold recesses arranged. Laterally offset means that the holding recesses in the cover part are not exactly over the respective depressions of the bottom part are arranged, but are offset horizontally so that a holding recess approximately in the middle over two wells adjacent in a row is arranged. With the staggered arrangement is enough a smaller number of wells to accommodate all packaged pieces of food in the food packaging act. For example, an egg box is sufficient then four holding wells for six eggs. For further Bracing of the holding depressions can be useful if the holding depressions have a bulge on their sole exhibit. This bulge can be concave or preferably convex, i.e. arched upwards. The mold depressions can at the bottom with a ring structure as a bulge Mistake. A ring structure has proven particularly useful, which is toroidal, so that there is a toroidal Forms recess. Because of their shape, it forms an increased elasticity in this area, through which the packaged foods particularly good against damage protected by impact, for example by hard touchdown becomes. Thus, such bulges not only improve the Protective function, but they also improve the overall visual impression of the food packaging.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, which may the lower part and that also deserve independent protection Cover part with complementary clamp elevations and clamp openings Mistake. Through the clamp elevations and openings can stack food packaging stacked on top of each other be positively connected. this is not only cheap when storing filled food packaging, but above all offers advantages in terms of later use of the food packaging. traditionally, the food packaging has no more Function as the protection of the content eggs; after they are used up the food packaging is thrown away. The invention enables a second use of the food packaging. Due to the complementary clamp surveys the food packaging emptied after use namely used as terminal blocks become. The food packaging according to the invention, after fulfilling their packaging function, still serve as a toy. They are particularly suitable to form relatively large structures, such as of play castles for children with conventional Terminal blocks not or only with disproportionately high Effort can be made since the conventional Terminal blocks are significantly smaller. They are opposite comparatively food packaging according to the invention large and enable rapid construction even of large structures. They are also available almost free of charge.

The arrangement of the clamp elevations and clamp openings according to the invention also has the advantage that the stackability of the Opened food packaging unaffected remains. The packaging can still be opened Condition stacked and possibly also slightly unstacked become. So that this unstacking (denesting) is easy, the clamp elevations and / or clamp openings are preferred not higher or lower than a maximum nesting height. The Nesting height is usually between 4 and 15 mm is preferably between 7 and 9 mm.

The clamping openings are preferably in the closed state of the cover part is not exactly above the clamp elevations on the Form depressions arranged, but approximately in the middle over two in a series of adjacent terminal elevations are arranged. Thereby the clamp elevations only engage in the clamp openings, if the food packaging is not exactly on top of each other are stacked. At the usually on store shelves stacking directly above each other Clamping openings and the clamping elevations are therefore not in one another. This will jam the food packaging in the Sales shelf avoided. The danger of losing weight of the top box, the entire stack is unwanted Tilting is effectively counteracted. The staggered arrangement of the clamp elevations and clamp openings also has advantages for the use of food packaging as terminal blocks. Because with that is the generation simplified by offset structures. The food packaging can easily be put together in order to create stable, Wall sections or corner connections running over longer distances to be able to build.

For a better connection of several food packaging in the Composite is expediently the upper edge of the cover part designed so that their distance to the edge opening closest to the edge is at most as large as the free distance between neighboring ones Terminal surveys. With free space, the clear width understood between two adjacent clamp elevations. This design ensures that the Jamming surveys of an attached food packaging either engage in the holding recesses on the cover part or are located beyond the top edge of the cover part. This prevents jamming on the Lie on top of the lid part, making a correct Jamming would be prevented.

The clamp elevations and clamp openings expediently have a taper of 2 ° to 15 °, preferably of 7 ° up to 9 °. With such a taper one can achieve good security of the clamp connection, on the other hand but it still allows a sufficiently easy separation of the Food packaging without exerting excessive force is required. This applies in particular to denesting of food packaging stacked in the open state.

At least six clamp elevations are preferably provided, arranged in double row. It is understood that then also a corresponding number, e.g. B. four, clamping openings are to be provided. With this number, a stable clamp connection can be made of several food packaging in a network can be achieved. Of course, eight or more jamming surveys will be provided.

The holding depressions are expediently as clamping openings and the mold recesses are designed as clamp elevations. For example, the mold recesses can be marked with a be provided at the bottom, which is dimensioned so that it engages non-positively in the clamping openings. To this This way, food packaging can be done with little additional effort train as a terminal block.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Eierkarton im geöffneten Zustand;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Eierkartons nach Fig. 1 im geschlossenen Zustand;

Fig. 3

den erfindungsgemäßen Eierkarton; und

Fig. 4

mehrere Eierkartons gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel im Klemmverbund miteinander.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the egg cartons shown in the drawing as exemplary embodiments. In it show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of the egg carton according to the invention in the open state;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the egg carton of Figure 1 in the closed state.

Fig. 3

the egg box according to the invention; and

Fig. 4

several egg boxes according to a second embodiment in a clamped connection with one another.

An egg carton according to the invention is opened in FIG State and shown in Fig. 2 in the closed state. The one designated in its entirety with reference number 1 Egg carton comprises a lower part 2 and a lid part 3, which can be folded over a bending hinge 25 on the lower part 2 is attached, as well as a sticker attached to it 7 (see Fig. 3). In the closed state, the cover part lies 3 on the lower part 2 and completely covers this. By pivoting the cover part 3 about the axis of the bending hinge 25 by about 180 °, the cover part 3 is in its brought open position. The cover part is located in this 3 approximately in one plane with the bottom part 2. In this Several egg boxes can be stacked to save space become.

The base part 2 has a plurality of shaped depressions 21 to take up eggs. In the illustrated embodiment are the recesses 21 in two parallel rows arranged to three mold recesses 21. The mold depressions 21 are by appropriate design of the wall of the bottom part 2 and two arranged in the middle Supports 23 formed. The mold recesses are designed that eggs placed in them do not touch each other. In order to fix the cover part 3 in the closed state, are two retaining lugs 24 on a front side of the base part 2 arranged.

The cover part 3 is trough-shaped and consists from a rear part, an upper part 31, two side parts 32 and a front part 33. In the front part 33 there are two Openings 34 are arranged to cooperate with the noses 24 of the bottom part 2 are intended to close the lid part 3 Lock the condition with the bottom part 2. In the closed Condition limits the cover part 3 together with the bottom part 2 an interior in which the eggs are protected are arranged.

2 is the design of the upper part 31 of the cover part 3 can be seen in more detail. The upper part 31 is from an upper edge 30 bounded. The upper part 31 has four holding depressions 36 provided. The holding recesses 36 are offset with respect arranged on the mold recesses 21 of the bottom part 2, and in such a way that when the egg box is closed 1, the holding recesses 36 each centered directly over two arranged in a row of adjacent recesses 21 are. In the illustrated in the embodiment Egg carton 1 with six mold recesses 21 are thus four holding recesses 36 in the upper part 31 of the cover part 3 arranged. The holding recesses 36 each have one Sole 38, which has a convexly curved recess 37 included. The recess 37 serves to stiffen the Sole 38 of the holding recess 36. With the edge of the sole 38 each of the holding recesses 36 has a stabilizing effect on the Top of the eggs one in the row adjacent Form depressions 21 are arranged. It is not mandatory to do so required that the eggs are inserted into the edge of the sole 38 Touch condition; especially with smaller eggs this will often not be the case. The effect of the holding recess Rather 36 is an unwanted movement limit the top of the eggs. This allows Damage from beating eggs in neighboring ones Mold depressions 11 due to abrupt and rough handling of the egg carton can be avoided. The holding recesses 36 also serve to additionally stiffen the cover part 3. This enables the egg carton 1 to better pre-pack the eggs Protect damage. It also improves the Stackability of the egg carton 1.

A trough 4 is approximately in the middle of the upper part 31 of the cover part 3 arranged. The trough 4 is parallel to the axis of the Bending hinge 25 aligned and extends over at least half of the cover part 3, in the example shown about a 3/4 of the length. In the illustrated embodiments it connects all four recesses 36 with each other. This creates a receiving space 40 which of seen above the shape of a rounded letter "H" Has. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is a sole 41 of the trough 4 lower than the sole 38 of the Holding recesses 36. This creates within the receiving space 40 a central channel. It is understood that the sole 41 of the trough 4 can also be higher than the sole 38 of the Holding recesses 36. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the sole 41 is at the same height as that Sole 38 of the holding recesses 36. The through the connection the holding recesses 36 with the trough 4 receiving space 40 is relatively spacious. It is suitable both for receiving elongated objects as well as such objects with an irregular shape, for example a bottle opener with its widened end. The length of the Trough 4 is expediently chosen so that the to be recorded Object can be placed comfortably. The length does not necessarily need by the distance of the holding recesses 36 to be predetermined, it can also depend on the respective Requirements can be selected larger or smaller.

To easily stack egg cartons stacked open To be able to separate are the flanks of the trough 4 and the holding recess 36 inclined to the vertical. The The size of the slope depends on the material properties, especially the material thickness and the coefficient of friction and is usually between 2 ° and 20 °, preferably between 6 ° and 9 °. This makes it possible to stack the egg boxes optimally unstack again, i.e., there is one good denestability.

To prevent the inserted in the receiving space 40 from falling out To avoid objects during transport is a sticker 7 intended. It is thus on the upper part 31 of the cover part 3 glued that he over the four holding recesses 36 and the trough 4 extends so that the entire receiving space 40 of the sticker 7 is covered. The sticker 7 is not used only to prevent the inserted object from falling out. It also has the function of being in the recording room 40 to hide the inserted object from the user's eye. So the user only knows when the sticker is peeled off 7 of the lid part 3 of the egg box 1, what a Object hides behind it in the receiving space 40. Thereby a very desirable surprise effect is achieved, the egg carton leaves the user with a more emphatic one and more positive impression. The sticker 7 has the further advantage that it still has a printing area for Provides that used for product information or advertising can be. The size of the sticker shown in Fig. 3 7 is arbitrary in itself, as long as it is the trough 4 and the Holding recesses 36 sufficiently covers. The sticker 7 can also be made much larger, so its Front to the lower edge of the front part 33 of the cover part 3 be pulled down.

4 is another embodiment of the invention Egg boxes 1 shown. Three are shown Egg boxes 1, 1 ', 1' ', which are clamped together. Also shown is another egg box 1 *, which is not is in a clamped connection with the other egg boxes. How out 4 or in detail also from FIG. 2 can be seen, the lower part 2 of the egg packaging 1 points to the respective one lower ends of the mold recesses 21 a clamp elevation 5 on. This is designed as a peripheral edge. To the Cover part 3, the holding recesses 36 are formed in such a way that they act as clamp openings 6. The dimensions the clamp elevations 5 and clamp openings 6 are so matched to each other that the clamp elevations 5 non-positively can be accommodated in the clamping openings 6. Because the holding recesses 36 are the same distance apart have like the mold recesses 21 with their clamping elevations 5, several egg boxes 1, 1 'offset from each other be clamped together. It is expedient the upper edge 30 of the cover part 3 is drawn in so far, that their distance from the next clamping opening 6 is smaller than the distance of the clamping elevations 5 from each other. Thereby it is ensured that a staggered installation of a Egg boxes 1 on another egg box 1 'none of the mold recesses 5 collides with the upper part 31 of the cover part. This ensures a secure press fit.

The offset arrangement of the clamping elevations 5 and the clamping openings 6 also causes exactly stacked one on top of the other Egg boxes 1, 1 * cannot jam together. This can be seen in the upper part of FIG. 4. That has the advantage, that filled egg cartons, usually for storage or stacked directly on top of each other for sale, cannot clamp together. This will make it simple, though effectively avoided that when removing the top one Egg cartons 1 'accidentally also one underneath Egg carton 1 or a whole stack of egg cartons moved will cause the stack to fall over and thus the eggs could be damaged.

Furthermore, the offset arrangement has the advantage that at exactly stacked egg boxes 1, 1 'the jam elevations 5 each rest on the upper part 31 and do not overlap Clamping openings 6 are located so that they are carried by the sticker 7 Need to become. The risk of damage to the sticker 7 counteracted by overload.

As can be seen further from Fig. 4, can in corresponding Way also several egg boxes 1, 1 "corner with each other be clamped connected. This enables the structure of corner structures.

Through the clamp elevations 5 on the underside and the clamp openings 6 at the top, the egg boxes 1 one second use can be supplied as terminal blocks. There they are available inexpensively and are relatively large Having dimensions, they are suitable as toys for small and large children. With the egg cartons as clamping blocks can be relatively large quickly and inexpensively Structures are built, for example playhouses or Game castles.

Claims (14)

Food packaging, in particular egg carton, with a lower part (2) which has at least one row of recesses (21) for holding individual pieces of food, in particular eggs, and a molded cover part (3) which is arranged in a foldable manner on the lower part (2) and in the closed state, together with the lower part, delimits an interior space, the cover part (3) having a trough (4) which is open at the top, characterized in that a cover means (7) is provided on the cover part (3), which covers the trough ( 4) closes at the top. Food packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering means (7) is a sticker. Food packaging according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover part (3) is provided with holding depressions (36) which are preferably connected to the trough (4). Food packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trough (4) and the holding depressions (36) have approximately the same depth. Food packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trough (4) and / or the holding depressions (36) have a depth which is not greater than a maximum nesting height of the food packaging (1). Food packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding depressions (36) are arranged laterally offset from the shaped depressions (21). Food packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding recesses (36) have a bulge (37) on their sole (38). Food packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower part (2) and the cover part (3) are provided with complementary clamping elevations (5) and clamping openings (6). Food packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that
the clamping elevations (5) and / or the clamping openings (6) is not higher or lower than a maximum nesting height of preferably 4 to 15 mm, more preferably 7 to 9 mm. Food packaging according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the clamping openings (6) are arranged approximately centrally offset over two clamping elevations (5) adjacent in a row. Food packaging according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the upper edge (30) of the lid part (3) is designed in such a way that its distance from the clamping opening (6) closest to the edge is at most as large as the free distance between adjacent clamping elevations (5 ). Food packaging according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the clamping elevations (5) and the clamping openings (6) have a taper of 2 ° to 15 °, preferably of 7 ° to 9 °. Food packaging according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that at least six clamping elevations (5) arranged in a double row are provided. Food packaging according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the holding recesses (36) are designed as the clamping openings (6) and the shaped recesses as clamping elevations (5).

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