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EP2042441B1 - Composite container for containing food - Google Patents

Composite container for containing food Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2042441B1
EP2042441B1 EP08165322A EP08165322A EP2042441B1 EP 2042441 B1 EP2042441 B1 EP 2042441B1 EP 08165322 A EP08165322 A EP 08165322A EP 08165322 A EP08165322 A EP 08165322A EP 2042441 B1 EP2042441 B1 EP 2042441B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
lateral
hollow container
sides
tray according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP08165322A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2042441A1 (en
Inventor
Thibaut Delarue
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CGL Pack Service SAS
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CGL Pack Service SAS
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2042441A1 publication Critical patent/EP2042441A1/en
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Publication of EP2042441B1 publication Critical patent/EP2042441B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/34—Coverings or external coatings
    • B65D25/36—Coverings or external coatings formed by applying sheet material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to trays for containing foods, such as prepared dishes.
  • the trays for containing food comprise a hollow container delimiting at least one cavity between a container bottom and a container side peripheral wall having at least two opposite first sides generally parallel to one another, with a main opening face defining a plan for opening the cavity upwards.
  • trays are generally made of plastics with relatively thick walls, that is to say with a relatively thick container bottom and relatively thick lateral peripheral wall.
  • the relatively large thickness of the walls of the trays is necessary to ensure sufficient stiffening of the trays so that they can be easily handled. and that they are not deformed by the foods they contain.
  • the side peripheral walls of the trays must be rigid enough to allow stacking trays without risking their degradation.
  • the main stiffening means used in these known trays is to provide that the walls of the trays have a thickness sufficient to prevent their deformations.
  • a thickness of 0.6 mm is usually suitable for molded or thermoformed plastic trays.
  • a further disadvantage of known trays is that the processing of plastics is very expensive. Thus, the larger the quantity of plastic material to be treated, the higher the cost of this treatment. This high cost of processing plastic packaging waste has a logical effect on the price that the consumer has to pay when he buys the food in the trays.
  • the trays for containing food include a generally plastic hollow container and an outer reinforcing structure having a bottom wall in close proximity to the container bottom and parallel side flaps two by two which are in close proximity to the respective outer faces of the container sides.
  • This second type of tray has the advantage of using a smaller amount of plastic, because the reinforcing structure improves the mechanical strength of the tray.
  • the wall of the hollow container may be thinner.
  • this second type of tray has a first drawback which is to require the addition of an additional element reported, namely the glue.
  • a second disadvantage is that the adhesive is a chemical substance that does not easily recycle and that can be harmful to the environment when it is burned for example during the treatment of waste.
  • the problem proposed by the present invention is to design a tray for containing food which, while being rigid enough to be transported and stacked, minimizes the environmental impact through a smaller amount of hard-to-recycle plastic waste generated by such a container compared to known trays.
  • the invention aims to facilitate, after use, the recycling of the materials constituting the tray.
  • the invention also facilitates the assembly of the tray without adding additional elements.
  • the invention provides the tray described in claim 1.
  • this tray as a combination of two elements, namely a hollow container and an external structure of reinforcement, allows to combine the mechanical and ecological properties of each element.
  • the hollow container may have less mechanical properties, and may therefore be formed of a thinner wall. Such a hollow container thus generates less waste and therefore has a lower environmental impact, even if it is made of material rather difficult to recycle such as plastic, suitable for being in contact with the contents of the tray.
  • the plastic material makes it possible, for example, to produce a hollow container that is waterproof and / or insensitive to moisture.
  • the reinforcing structure is designed to mechanically reinforce the hollow container by preventing the bottom of the container from sagging under the action of the weight of the food contained in the container, and by preventing sidewall bends during stacking.
  • the reinforcing structure is not in contact with the contents of the tray, and can therefore be made of a different material and more easily recyclable, for example cardboard.
  • the mechanical combination of the container bottom with the bottom wall increases the mechanical properties of the tray.
  • the tray will not sag under the weight of the food it contains.
  • the mechanical combination of the first two sides with the two first side flaps increases the mechanical properties of the tray.
  • the tray can be easily stacked.
  • the mechanical assembly of the hollow container and the reinforcing structure is provided by separable mechanical fastening means.
  • the hollow container is made of plastic, and that its thin wall has a thickness of between about 0.2 and 0.4 millimeters, preferably about 0.3 millimeters.
  • Plastics are easy and inexpensive to implement, in particular by thermoforming.
  • the trays of the prior art usually have a thickness of at least 0.6 millimeters, in the case of similar mechanical strengths.
  • the container of the invention uses a hollow container of thickness less than half.
  • the amount of waste generated by the tray of the invention is therefore about half as much.
  • the hollow container is of food plastic material.
  • the combination of the first assembly groove, the bosses, the first two lateral flaps and flaps constitutes said separable mechanical coupling means: the mechanical assembly of the two elements - hollow container and reinforcement structure - is effected by a kind of reversible snap.
  • the hollow container can be engaged by simple translation into the external reinforcing structure and is then retained in said structure by simple snapping.
  • the separation of the hollow container away from the reinforcement structure can be performed by sufficient traction between the two elements, which is a simple and fast operation, allowing selective sorting.
  • Such a hollow container design only requires a mold modification. No additional items such as glue should be added for assembly.
  • the manufacture of this hollow container is simple and technology (thermoforming or injection molding) to achieve it is known, widespread and inexpensive.
  • the absence of glue facilitates and improves the recycling of materials.
  • the first two sides each comprise at least two disjointed bosses positioned near the longitudinal ends of the first two sides.
  • the at least one boss has an oblong shape whose major axis is substantially parallel to the main opening face and has a length of about 2 centimeters.
  • This configuration allows the assembly between the hollow container and the reinforcement structure to be made over a greater length. Thanks to a better distribution of forces, the assembly is mechanically efficient and reliable.
  • the four sides of the tray comprise upper radial facets substantially coplanar and defining a lidding surface.
  • Lidding is a simple and inexpensive method of closing a cavity. It consists in gluing a plastic film on a peripheral cavity surface. It allows a better conservation of the food contained in a tray, and it is a privileged space of communication with the consumers.
  • the hollow container is made in one piece, by thermoforming a sheet of thermoformable material of about 0.3 millimeters thick, or by injection molding.
  • thermoforming and injection molding are well known and inexpensive.
  • the external reinforcing structure is made of cardboard.
  • the cardboard is inexpensive and easy to implement. It has good mechanical properties. It is easy to cut and fold. It has good properties for recycling.
  • the external reinforcing structure is made by cutting a strip of sheet material and folding along transverse fold lines into four successive sections each forming one of the four lateral flaps, each section having an edge. lateral to longitudinal fold line to form a flap and having the other lateral side with longitudinal fold line to form a portion of the bottom wall.
  • This configuration is simple to perform. It is thus easy to form by simple folding and bonding steps an external reinforcing structure which is mechanically very strong.
  • the transverse fold lines are divergent.
  • This configuration makes it easy to obtain oblique lateral flaps.
  • the hollow container 1 comprises a cavity 2 bounded by a container bottom 3 and a container side peripheral wall 4 forming two opposite first sides 5a and 5b and two opposite second sides 15a and 15b.
  • the cavity 2 is open upwards according to an opening face 7.
  • the lateral peripheral container wall 4 of the hollow container 1 has a slight clearance ⁇ ( figure 4 ), allowing the stacking of superposed hollow containers.
  • the hollow container 1 has a substantially rectangular shape whose four corners are substantially rounded. It is made of thermoformed plastic material, from a plate whose thickness is about 0.2 to 0.4 millimeters, advantageously about 0.3 millimeters.
  • the first two opposite sides 5a and 5b of hollow container 1 each comprise, near their opening edges 6a and 6b, a first upper radial facet 9 which expands outwards and is extended by a first descending lip 10 to constitute a first assembly groove 11 open downwards.
  • the first two opposite sides 5a and 5b of container each comprise two bosses 8a on their outer face. These bosses 8a are located near the longitudinal ends such as the ends 105a and 205a of the first two opposite sides 5a and 5b of the hollow container 1, and away from the opening edges 6a and 6b.
  • each boss 8a is disjoint and each boss 8a has an oblong shape whose major axis is substantially parallel to the main opening face 7 and has a length of about 2 centimeters, for a tray of about 15 centimeters in length, 10 centimeters wide and 3 centimeters high.
  • the two second sides 15a and 15b of the hollow container 1 each comprise a second upper radial face 12 which develops outwardly and which is extended by a second descending lip 13 to form a second connecting groove 14 open downwards.
  • the first upper radial facets 9 and the second upper radial facets 12 are substantially coplanar, defining a sealing surface 100.
  • the outer reinforcing structure 50 comprises a bottom wall 51, two first lateral flaps 52a and 52b opposite generally parallel to each other, and two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b. It is made of cardboard, cut and folded from a blank.
  • the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b each connect, according to their upper edge 53a and 53b, to a flap 55a and 55b.
  • the flaps 55a and 55b each have a lower edge 56a and 56b, and their height is little greater than the distance between the bosses 8a and the corresponding opening edge 6a or 6b.
  • the two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b each comprise an upper edge 58a or 58b.
  • the figure 3 illustrates elements 1 and 50 of Figures 1 and 2 and their relative position relative to each other, just before assembly.
  • the bottom wall 51 is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the external face of the container bottom 3, and the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b are positioned in close proximity to the external faces of the respective first and opposite opposite sides 5a and 5b of hollow containers. 1.
  • the flaps 55a and 55b of the outer reinforcing structure 50 along the upper edges 53a and 53b must be folded inward as indicated by the arrows B ( figure 2 ), and fold inward the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b of the external reinforcing structure 50 along a respective fold line 60a or 60b as indicated by the arrows A ( figure 2 ).
  • the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b of the external reinforcing structure 50 are folded according to the arrows A ( figure 2 ) to ensure the engagement of the upper edges 53a and 53b of the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b of the external reinforcing structure 50 in the first connecting groove 11 of the hollow container 1.
  • the flaps 55a and 55b tend to unfold and come to lock by their lower edge 56a and 56b resting against the upper face of the bosses 8a.
  • the two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b of the external reinforcing structure 50 are also folded along the fold lines 60c and 60d as indicated by the arrows C ( figure 2 ) to engage the upper edge 58a, 58b of each second lateral flap 57a, 57b in the second connecting groove 14 of the hollow container 1.
  • the figure 4 illustrates the hollow container 1 and the external reinforcing structure 50 in their assembled state.
  • each first lateral flap 52a and 52b is engaged in the corresponding first connecting groove 11 of the hollow container 1, and the flap 55a and 55b abuts by its respective lower edge 56a or 56b on the face upper boss 8a corresponding, to oppose the downward movement of the outer reinforcing structure 50.
  • the natural elasticity of the material forming the outer reinforcing structure 50 tends to rotate the flaps 55a and 55b inwardly, and the first assembly groove 11 opposes the outward spacing of the two first lateral flaps 52a and 52b of hollow container 1.
  • Sufficient traction exerted by a user between the hollow container 1 and the external reinforcing structure 50 allows them to separate from one another by bending the flaps, for selective recycling for example.
  • the first assembly groove 11, the bosses 8a, the two first lateral flaps 52a, 52b, and the flaps 55a, 55b constitute separable mechanical fastening means 8, and ensure the assembly without adding elements. outside such as glue.
  • the upper radial facets 9 and 12, coplanar, define a sealing surface 100.
  • this operation is usually done by welding with a heating knife and of an anvil.
  • the anvil must be able to be placed in the lower face of the radial facets 9 and 12, in the assembly grooves 11 and 14. For this, it firstly carries the lidding of the hollow container 1 unreinforced, then assembles the hollow container 1 and sealed the structure external reinforcement 50 to make the tray.
  • the figures represent a relatively flat tray, that is to say whose depth is significantly lower than its other dimensions.
  • the invention applies equally well to deeper trays, pot type, having for example volumes of 500 milliliters and more.
  • the rigidity aspect is all the more critical that the tray is deep, but the invention ensures a satisfactory rigidity in all usual cases.
  • the figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the tray.
  • the tray comprises a hollow container 1 which is deeper than on the figure 1 , and an external structure of reinforcement 50 more resistant than on the Figures 2 to 4 .
  • the same essential means as in the embodiment of the preceding figures are identified by the same reference numerals, and will not all be described again.
  • the hollow container 1 of the figure 5 has a shape similar to that illustrated on the figure 1 , with the exception of the depth which is superior, and with the exception of the shape of the bosses.
  • the external structure of reinforcement illustrated on the figure 5 has a shape similar to that illustrated on the Figures 2 to 4 , adding the presence of two additional flaps, and adding the fact that the adjacent side flaps are further secured to each other.
  • the hollow container 1 thus comprises two opposite first container sides 5a and 5b and two opposite second container sides 15a and 15b.
  • Each of the first and second container sides 5a, 5b, 15a and 15b respectively has on its outer face a boss such as the bosses 8a or 18a, of oblong shape whose major axis is substantially parallel to the main opening face 7, and disposed away from a respective opening edge 6a, 6b, 6c or 6d.
  • the external reinforcing structure 50 comprises two first lateral flaps 52a and 52b and two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b.
  • the two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b each connect, according to their upper edge 58a or 58b, to a flap 155a or 155b.
  • the flaps 155a and 155b each have a respective lower edge 156a or 156b, and their height is little greater than the difference between the corresponding boss such as the boss 18a and the corresponding opening edge 6c or 6d.
  • the bottom wall 51 is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the outer face of the container bottom 3
  • the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b are positioned in close proximity to the external faces of the respective first two opposite sides 5a and 5b of the hollow container 1
  • the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b and the two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b have previously been raised in a ring and assembled to one another, and the flaps 55a, 55b, 155a and 155b have previously been folded towards the inside of the door.
  • external reinforcing structure 50 along the upper edges 53a, 53b, 58a and 58b.
  • the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b and the second two lateral flaps 57a and 57b of the external reinforcing structure 50 are dimensioned so as to allow the engagement of the upper edges 53a, 53b, 58a and 58b of the respective lateral flaps of the structure. external reinforcement 50 in the respective assembly groove 11 or 14 of the hollow container 1.
  • the flaps 55a, 55b, 155a and 155b then tend to unfold and come to lock by their respective lower edge 56a, 56b, 156a or 156b resting against the face upper of a respective boss such as bosses 8a or 18a.
  • the figure 6 illustrates the realization of the external reinforcement structure 50 of the figure 5 .
  • the outer reinforcing structure 50 is a strip of sheet material, made by cutting a blank according to a predefined contour as shown.
  • transverse fold lines L1, L2 and L3 are formed, defining four successive sections each forming one of the four lateral flaps 52a, 57b, 52b and 57a.
  • Each section has a longitudinal fold line side edge to form a flap 55a, 155a, 55b or 155b, and its other side side is provided with longitudinal fold lines 60a, 60c, 60b and 60d to form a portion of the wall. background 51.
  • transverse fold lines L1, L2, L3 are divergent so that once assembled the tray has oblique lateral flaps.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)

Abstract

The cup has a hollow container (1) made of plastic and formed of a thin-wall delimiting a cavity (2) between a container bottom (3) and a lateral peripheral wall (4) of the container. An external reinforcement structure (50) comprises a bottom wall (51) close to an external surface of the container bottom. Two sides (5a, 5b) of the container include separable mechanical hooking units (8) respectively cooperating with lateral flaps (52a, 52b) to oppose displacement towards downside of the reinforcement structure and to oppose distance towards an exterior of the flanges of the container.

Description

La présente invention concerne les barquettes pour contenir des aliments, tels que des plats préparés.The present invention relates to trays for containing foods, such as prepared dishes.

Selon un premier type connu, les barquettes pour contenir des aliments comprennent un conteneur creux délimitant au moins une cavité entre un fond de conteneur et une paroi périphérique latérale de conteneur ayant au moins deux premiers côtés opposés généralement parallèles l'un à l'autre, avec une face d'ouverture principale définissant un plan d'ouverture de la cavité vers le haut.According to a first known type, the trays for containing food comprise a hollow container delimiting at least one cavity between a container bottom and a container side peripheral wall having at least two opposite first sides generally parallel to one another, with a main opening face defining a plan for opening the cavity upwards.

Ces barquettes connues sont généralement en matière plastique à parois relativement épaisses, c'est-à-dire à fond de conteneur relativement épais et à paroi périphérique latérale relativement épaisse.These known trays are generally made of plastics with relatively thick walls, that is to say with a relatively thick container bottom and relatively thick lateral peripheral wall.

L'épaisseur relativement importante des parois des barquettes, généralement de l'ordre de 4 à 8 dixièmes de millimètres, le plus souvent de 0,6 millimètres environ, est nécessaire pour assurer une rigidification suffisante des barquettes afin qu'elles puissent être aisément manipulées et qu'elles ne soient pas déformées par les aliments qu'elles contiennent.The relatively large thickness of the walls of the trays, generally of the order of 4 to 8 tenths of a millimeter, most often of about 0.6 millimeters, is necessary to ensure sufficient stiffening of the trays so that they can be easily handled. and that they are not deformed by the foods they contain.

On conçoit aisément que lorsque les barquettes sont remplies d'aliments, le fond de conteneur ne doit pas fléchir sous l'action du poids des aliments qu'il supporte.It is easy to imagine that when the trays are filled with food, the bottom of the container must not bend under the action of the weight of the food that it supports.

De plus, les parois périphériques latérales des barquettes doivent être suffisamment rigides pour autoriser l'empilage des barquettes sans risquer leur dégradation.In addition, the side peripheral walls of the trays must be rigid enough to allow stacking trays without risking their degradation.

Le principal moyen de rigidification utilisé dans ces barquettes connues est de prévoir que les parois des barquettes ont une épaisseur suffisante pour éviter leurs déformations. Une épaisseur de 0,6 millimètres convient habituellement pour les barquettes en matière plastique thermoformée ou moulée.The main stiffening means used in these known trays is to provide that the walls of the trays have a thickness sufficient to prevent their deformations. A thickness of 0.6 mm is usually suitable for molded or thermoformed plastic trays.

Un inconvénient majeur de ces barquettes connues est alors la quantité importante de matière plastique qui les constitue, matière qui devient après usage un déchet plus ou moins difficile à recycler.A major disadvantage of these known trays is then the large amount of plastic that constitutes them, material that becomes after use a waste more or less difficult to recycle.

On conçoit aisément que plus les parois des barquettes sont épaisses, plus la quantité de déchets engendrés est importante, ce qui est très néfaste à l'environnement.It is easy to imagine that the thicker the walls of the trays, the greater the amount of waste generated is important, which is very harmful to the environment.

Un inconvénient supplémentaire induit des barquettes connues est que le traitement des matières plastiques est très onéreux. Ainsi, plus la quantité de matière plastique à traiter est grande, plus le coût de ce traitement est élevé. Ce coût élevé de traitement des déchets des matières plastiques des emballages se répercute de façon logique sur le prix que le consommateur doit payer lorsqu'il achète les aliments contenus dans les barquettes.A further disadvantage of known trays is that the processing of plastics is very expensive. Thus, the larger the quantity of plastic material to be treated, the higher the cost of this treatment. This high cost of processing plastic packaging waste has a logical effect on the price that the consumer has to pay when he buys the food in the trays.

Selon un second type connu, décrit dans le document WO 96/39336 A1 , qui correspond au préamble de la revendication 1 annexée, les barquettes pour contenir des aliments comprennent un conteneur creux généralement en matière plastique et une structure extérieure de renforcement comportant une paroi de fond se trouvant à proximité immédiate du fond de conteneur et des volets latéraux parallèles deux à deux qui sont à proximité immédiate des faces externes respectives des côtés de conteneur.According to a second known type, described in the document WO 96/39336 A1 , which corresponds to the preamble of appended claim 1, the trays for containing food include a generally plastic hollow container and an outer reinforcing structure having a bottom wall in close proximity to the container bottom and parallel side flaps two by two which are in close proximity to the respective outer faces of the container sides.

Ces deux éléments constitutifs de la barquette pour contenir des aliments sont rendus solidaires par usage de colle, c'est-à-dire par un moyen de solidarisation supplémentaire rapporté, de nature chimique.These two elements constituting the tray for containing food are made integral by use of glue, that is to say by means of additional securing added, chemical nature.

Ce second type de barquette présente l'avantage d'utiliser une quantité moindre de matière plastique, car la structure de renforcement améliore la tenue mécanique de la barquette. Ainsi, la paroi du conteneur creux peut être plus mince.This second type of tray has the advantage of using a smaller amount of plastic, because the reinforcing structure improves the mechanical strength of the tray. Thus, the wall of the hollow container may be thinner.

Cependant, ce second type de barquettes présente un premier inconvénient qui est de nécessiter l'ajout d'un élément supplémentaire rapporté, à savoir la colle.However, this second type of tray has a first drawback which is to require the addition of an additional element reported, namely the glue.

Un second inconvénient est que la colle est une substance chimique qui ne se recycle pas aisément et qui peut être nocive pour l'environnement lorsqu'elle est brûlée par exemple lors du traitement de déchets.A second disadvantage is that the adhesive is a chemical substance that does not easily recycle and that can be harmful to the environment when it is burned for example during the treatment of waste.

De plus, un recyclage sélectif de la barquette ne peut pas être mis en oeuvre, car il est difficile de séparer l'un de l'autre le conteneur creux et la structure extérieure de renforcement et d'éviter simultanément que la colle reste solidaire de l'un ou l'autre élément.In addition, selective recycling of the tray can not be implemented, because it is difficult to separate the hollow container and the outer reinforcing structure and to avoid simultaneously that the glue remains attached to the container. one or the other element.

Le problème proposé par la présente invention est de concevoir une barquette pour contenir des aliments qui, tout en étant suffisamment rigide pour être transportée et empilée, minimise l'impact environnemental grâce à une plus faible quantité de déchets plastiques difficilement recyclables engendrés par une telle barquette par rapport aux barquettes connues.The problem proposed by the present invention is to design a tray for containing food which, while being rigid enough to be transported and stacked, minimizes the environmental impact through a smaller amount of hard-to-recycle plastic waste generated by such a container compared to known trays.

Simultanément, l'invention vise à faciliter, après usage, le recyclage des matériaux constituant la barquette.Simultaneously, the invention aims to facilitate, after use, the recycling of the materials constituting the tray.

L'invention facilite également l'assemblage de la barquette sans adjonction d'éléments supplémentaires.The invention also facilitates the assembly of the tray without adding additional elements.

Pour atteindre ces buts ainsi que d'autres, l'invention propose la barquette décrite dans la revendication 1.To achieve these and other objects, the invention provides the tray described in claim 1.

La conception de cette barquette comme une combinaison de deux éléments, à savoir un conteneur creux et une structure extérieure de renforcement, permet de combiner les propriétés mécaniques et écologiques de chacun des éléments.The design of this tray as a combination of two elements, namely a hollow container and an external structure of reinforcement, allows to combine the mechanical and ecological properties of each element.

Grâce à la présence de la structure de renforcement, le conteneur creux peut posséder des propriétés mécaniques moindres, et peut donc être formé d'une paroi plus mince. Un tel conteneur creux engendre ainsi moins de déchets et possède donc un impact environnemental plus faible, même s'il est réalisé en matériau assez difficilement recyclable tel qu'une matière plastique, approprié pour être au contact du contenu de la barquette. La matière plastique permet par exemple de réaliser un conteneur creux étanche, et/ou insensible à l'humidité.Due to the presence of the reinforcing structure, the hollow container may have less mechanical properties, and may therefore be formed of a thinner wall. Such a hollow container thus generates less waste and therefore has a lower environmental impact, even if it is made of material rather difficult to recycle such as plastic, suitable for being in contact with the contents of the tray. The plastic material makes it possible, for example, to produce a hollow container that is waterproof and / or insensitive to moisture.

La structure de renforcement est conçue pour renforcer mécaniquement le conteneur creux en évitant le fléchissement du fond de conteneur sous l'action du poids des aliments contenus par la barquette, et en évitant les fléchissements des parois latérales lors d'un empilement.The reinforcing structure is designed to mechanically reinforce the hollow container by preventing the bottom of the container from sagging under the action of the weight of the food contained in the container, and by preventing sidewall bends during stacking.

La structure de renforcement n'est pas au contact du contenu de la barquette, et peut donc être réalisée en un matériau différent et plus facilement recyclable, par exemple en carton.The reinforcing structure is not in contact with the contents of the tray, and can therefore be made of a different material and more easily recyclable, for example cardboard.

La combinaison mécanique du fond de conteneur avec la paroi de fond, par le simple fait que ces deux éléments sont à proximité immédiate l'un de l'autre, augmente les propriétés mécaniques de la barquette. La barquette ne fléchira donc pas sous l'action du poids des aliments qu'elle contient.The mechanical combination of the container bottom with the bottom wall, by the simple fact that these two elements are in close proximity to one another, increases the mechanical properties of the tray. The tray will not sag under the weight of the food it contains.

La combinaison mécanique des deux premiers côtés avec les deux premiers volets latéraux, par le simple fait que ces deux éléments sont à proximité immédiate l'un de l'autre et solidarisés l'un à l'autre, augmente les propriétés mécaniques de la barquette. La barquette pourra ainsi être facilement empilée.The mechanical combination of the first two sides with the two first side flaps, by the simple fact that these two elements are close immediately one of the other and joined to each other, increases the mechanical properties of the tray. The tray can be easily stacked.

L'assemblage mécanique du conteneur creux et de la structure de renforcement est assuré par des moyens d'accrochage mécanique séparable.The mechanical assembly of the hollow container and the reinforcing structure is provided by separable mechanical fastening means.

Ces moyens d'accrochage mécanique séparable permettent l'accrochage mécanique du conteneur creux et de la structure de renforcement, pour garantir les propriétés mécaniques recherchées.These separable mechanical attachment means allow the mechanical attachment of the hollow container and the reinforcing structure, to ensure the desired mechanical properties.

Ces moyens d'accrochage mécanique séparable rendent aussi possible la séparation des deux éléments - conteneur creux et structure de renforcement - rendant possible le tri sélectif et un traitement ultérieur des déchets spécifique à chacun des deux éléments.These separable mechanical attachment means also make possible the separation of the two elements - hollow container and reinforcing structure - making it possible selective sorting and subsequent treatment of waste specific to each of the two elements.

Ces moyens d'accrochage mécanique séparable coopèrent avec les deux premiers volets latéraux pour s'opposer au déplacement vers le bas de la structure extérieure de renforcement et pour s'opposer à l'écartement vers l'extérieur des deux premiers volets latéraux.These separable mechanical fastening means cooperate with the first two lateral flaps to oppose the downward movement of the outer reinforcing structure and to oppose the outward spacing of the two first lateral flaps.

Cette association de deux éléments pour combiner leurs propriétés respectives est simple à mettre en oeuvre.This combination of two elements to combine their respective properties is simple to implement.

On peut avantageusement prévoir que le conteneur creux est en matière plastique, et que sa paroi mince a une épaisseur comprise entre environ 0,2 et 0,4 millimètres, avantageusement d'environ 0,3 millimètres.It is advantageous that the hollow container is made of plastic, and that its thin wall has a thickness of between about 0.2 and 0.4 millimeters, preferably about 0.3 millimeters.

Les matières plastiques sont faciles et peu onéreuses à mettre en oeuvre, notamment par thermoformage.Plastics are easy and inexpensive to implement, in particular by thermoforming.

Les barquettes de l'art antérieur présentent habituellement une épaisseur d'au moins 0,6 millimètres, dans le cas de résistances mécaniques similaires.The trays of the prior art usually have a thickness of at least 0.6 millimeters, in the case of similar mechanical strengths.

Ainsi la barquette de l'invention utilise un conteneur creux d'épaisseur deux fois moins importante. La quantité de déchets générés par la barquette de l'invention est donc environ deux fois moindre.Thus the container of the invention uses a hollow container of thickness less than half. The amount of waste generated by the tray of the invention is therefore about half as much.

Avantageusement, le conteneur creux est en matière plastique alimentaire.Advantageously, the hollow container is of food plastic material.

Ceci permet d'utiliser la barquette de l'invention pour la consommation d'aliments ou de plats préparés.

  • Les deux premiers côtés du conteneur creux comportent chacun une première facette radiale supérieure se développant vers l'extérieur et se prolongeant par une première lèvre descendante pour constituer une première gorge d'assemblage ouverte vers le bas,
  • les deux premiers côtés du conteneur comportent chacun au moins un bossage sur leur face externe,
  • les deux premiers volets latéraux se raccordent chacun, selon leur bord supérieur, à un rabat replié vers l'intérieur et qui tend à s'écarter élastiquement dudit premier volet latéral correspondant, et
  • en position assemblée, le bord supérieur de chaque premier volet latéral est engagé dans la première gorge d'assemblage correspondante du conteneur creux, et le rabat vient en appui par son bord inférieur sur la face supérieure du bossage correspondant.
This allows the use of the tray of the invention for the consumption of food or prepared dishes.
  • The first two sides of the hollow container each comprise a first upper radial facet developing outwards and extending by a first descending lip to form a first assembly groove open downwards,
  • the first two sides of the container each comprise at least one boss on their outer face,
  • the first two lateral flaps are each connected, according to their upper edge, to a flap folded inwards and which tends to move elastically away from said corresponding first lateral flap, and
  • in the assembled position, the upper edge of each first side flap is engaged in the first corresponding assembly groove of the hollow container, and the flap abuts by its lower edge on the upper face of the corresponding boss.

La combinaison de la première gorge d'assemblage, des bossages, des deux premiers volets latéraux et des rabats constitue lesdits moyens d'accrochage mécanique séparable : l'assemblage mécanique des deux éléments - conteneur creux et structure de renforcement - s'effectue par une sorte d'encliquetage réversible.The combination of the first assembly groove, the bosses, the first two lateral flaps and flaps constitutes said separable mechanical coupling means: the mechanical assembly of the two elements - hollow container and reinforcement structure - is effected by a kind of reversible snap.

Le conteneur creux peut être engagé par simple translation dans la structure extérieure de renforcement et se trouve alors retenu dans ladite structure par simple encliquetage. La séparation du conteneur creux à l'écart de la structure de renforcement peut être opérée par traction suffisante entre les deux éléments, ce qui est une opération simple et rapide, autorisant le tri sélectif.The hollow container can be engaged by simple translation into the external reinforcing structure and is then retained in said structure by simple snapping. The separation of the hollow container away from the reinforcement structure can be performed by sufficient traction between the two elements, which is a simple and fast operation, allowing selective sorting.

Une telle conception de conteneur creux ne nécessite qu'une modification de moule. Aucun élément supplémentaire tel que de la colle ne doit être ajouté pour l'assemblage. La fabrication de ce conteneur creux est simple et la technologie (thermoformage ou moulage par injection) pour le réaliser est connue, répandue et peu onéreuse. L'absence de colle facilite et améliore le recyclage des matières.Such a hollow container design only requires a mold modification. No additional items such as glue should be added for assembly. The manufacture of this hollow container is simple and technology (thermoforming or injection molding) to achieve it is known, widespread and inexpensive. The absence of glue facilitates and improves the recycling of materials.

De façon avantageuse, on peut prévoir que les deux premiers côtés comprennent chacun au moins au moins deux bossages disjoints positionnés à proximité des extrémités longitudinales des deux premiers côtés.Advantageously, it can be provided that the first two sides each comprise at least two disjointed bosses positioned near the longitudinal ends of the first two sides.

Le choix de deux bossages disjoints ainsi positionnés assure un assemblage mécanique efficace et assure que les deux premiers volets restent à proximité des deux premiers côtés sur toute leur longueur.The choice of two disjointed bosses thus positioned provides an effective mechanical assembly and ensures that the first two components remain close to the first two sides over their entire length.

Ceci confère à la barquette selon l'invention de bonnes propriétés mécaniques sur toute la longueur de ses côtés renforcés, et cela ajoute à l'esthétique car les deux premiers volets restent plaqués aux deux premiers côtés sans avoir d'extrémités libres battantes.This gives the tray according to the invention good mechanical properties along the length of its reinforced sides, and this adds to the aesthetics because the first two parts remain plated on the first two sides without having free flapping ends.

Avantageusement, on peut prévoir que le au moins un bossage a une forme oblongue dont le grand axe est sensiblement parallèle à la face d'ouverture principale et a une longueur d'environ 2 centimètres.Advantageously, it can be provided that the at least one boss has an oblong shape whose major axis is substantially parallel to the main opening face and has a length of about 2 centimeters.

Cette configuration permet que l'assemblage entre le conteneur creux et la structure de renforcement se fasse sur une plus grande longueur. Grâce à une meilleure répartition des efforts, l'assemblage est mécaniquement efficace et fiable.This configuration allows the assembly between the hollow container and the reinforcement structure to be made over a greater length. Thanks to a better distribution of forces, the assembly is mechanically efficient and reliable.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation, on peut avantageusement prévoir que :

  • le conteneur creux comprend deux seconds côtés qui comportent chacun une seconde facette radiale supérieure se développant vers l'extérieur et se prolongeant par une seconde lèvre descendante pour constituer une seconde gorge d'assemblage ouverte vers le bas,
  • la structure extérieure de renforcement comprend en outre deux seconds volets latéraux comportant chacun un bord supérieur, et
  • en position assemblée, le bord supérieur de chaque second volet latéral est engagé dans la seconde gorge d'assemblage du conteneur creux.
According to a first embodiment, it can advantageously be provided that:
  • the hollow container comprises two second sides which each comprise a second radial upper facet developing outwards and extending by a second descending lip to form a second assembly groove open downwards,
  • the outer reinforcing structure further comprises two second lateral flaps each having an upper edge, and
  • in the assembled position, the upper edge of each second side flap is engaged in the second assembly groove of the hollow container.

Selon un second mode de réalisation, on peut avantageusement prévoir que :

  • le conteneur creux comprend deux seconds côtés qui comportent chacun une seconde facette radiale supérieure se développant vers l'extérieur et se prolongeant par une seconde lèvre descendante pour constituer une seconde gorge d'assemblage ouverte vers le bas,
  • les deux seconds côtés de conteneur comportent chacun au moins un bossage sur leur face externe,
  • la structure extérieure de renforcement comprend en outre deux seconds volets latéraux qui se raccordent chacun, selon leur bord supérieur, à un rabat replié vers l'intérieur et qui tend à s'écarter élastiquement dudit second volet latéral correspondant, et
  • en position assemblée, le bord supérieur de chaque second volet latéral est engagé dans la seconde gorge d'assemblage correspondante du conteneur creux, et le rabat vient en appui par son bord inférieur sur la face supérieure d'un bossage correspondant.
According to a second embodiment, it can advantageously be provided that:
  • the hollow container comprises two second sides which each comprise a second radial upper facet developing outwards and extending by a second descending lip to form a second assembly groove open downwards,
  • the two second container sides each comprise at least one boss on their outer face,
  • the outer reinforcing structure further comprises two second lateral flaps which are each connected, according to their upper edge, to a flap folded inwards and which tends to move elastically away from said corresponding second lateral flap, and
  • in the assembled position, the upper edge of each second side flap is engaged in the second corresponding assembly groove of the hollow container, and the flap is supported by its lower edge on the upper face of a corresponding boss.

Ces configurations complémentaires permettent de renforcer les deux seconds côtés de conteneur pour améliorer encore la tenue mécanique de la barquette à une force verticale, et permettent d'éviter d'autant plus la dégradation par une barquette positionnée au dessus lors de l'empilement.These complementary configurations make it possible to reinforce the two second sides of the container to further improve the mechanical strength of the container to a vertical force, and to avoid further degradation by a tray positioned above during stacking.

Avantageusement, on peut prévoir que les quatre côtés de la barquette comprennent des facettes radiales supérieures sensiblement coplanaires et définissant une surface d'operculage.Advantageously, it can be provided that the four sides of the tray comprise upper radial facets substantially coplanar and defining a lidding surface.

L'operculage est une méthode simple et peu onéreuse de clore une cavité. Il consiste dans le collage d'un film plastique sur une surface périphérique de cavité. Il permet une meilleure conservation des aliments contenus dans une barquette, et il constitue un espace privilégié de communication avec les consommateurs.Lidding is a simple and inexpensive method of closing a cavity. It consists in gluing a plastic film on a peripheral cavity surface. It allows a better conservation of the food contained in a tray, and it is a privileged space of communication with the consumers.

On peut avantageusement prévoir que le conteneur creux est réalisé de façon monobloc, par thermoformage d'une feuille de matériau thermoformable d'environ 0,3 millimètres d'épaisseur, ou par moulage par injection.It is advantageously provided that the hollow container is made in one piece, by thermoforming a sheet of thermoformable material of about 0.3 millimeters thick, or by injection molding.

Ces méthodes de fabrication (thermoformage et moulage par injection) sont très connues et peu onéreuses.These manufacturing methods (thermoforming and injection molding) are well known and inexpensive.

Avantageusement, on peut prévoir que la structure extérieure de renforcement est réalisée en carton.Advantageously, it can be provided that the external reinforcing structure is made of cardboard.

Le carton est peu onéreux et facile à mettre en oeuvre. Il présente de bonnes propriétés mécaniques. Il est facile à découper et à plier. Il présente de bonnes propriétés pour le recyclage.The cardboard is inexpensive and easy to implement. It has good mechanical properties. It is easy to cut and fold. It has good properties for recycling.

Avantageusement, on peut prévoir que la structure extérieure de renforcement est réalisée par découpe d'une bande de matière en feuille et pliage selon des lignes de pliure transversales en quatre tronçons successifs formant chacun l'un des quatre volets latéraux, chaque tronçon ayant un bord latéral à ligne de pliure longitudinale pour former un rabat et ayant l'autre côté latéral à ligne de pliure longitudinale pour former une portion de la paroi de fond.Advantageously, it can be provided that the external reinforcing structure is made by cutting a strip of sheet material and folding along transverse fold lines into four successive sections each forming one of the four lateral flaps, each section having an edge. lateral to longitudinal fold line to form a flap and having the other lateral side with longitudinal fold line to form a portion of the bottom wall.

Cette configuration est simple à réaliser. Il est ainsi aisé de former par de simples étapes de pliage et collage une structure extérieure de renforcement qui soit mécaniquement très résistante.This configuration is simple to perform. It is thus easy to form by simple folding and bonding steps an external reinforcing structure which is mechanically very strong.

Avantageusement, on peut prévoir que les lignes de pliure transversales sont divergentes.Advantageously, it can be provided that the transverse fold lines are divergent.

Cette configuration permet d'obtenir facilement des volets latéraux obliques.This configuration makes it easy to obtain oblique lateral flaps.

D'autres objets, caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront de la description suivante de modes de réalisation particuliers, faite en relation avec les figures jointes, parmi lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 est une vue générale en perspective d'une barquette selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue de dessus de la structure extérieure de renforcement selon le premier mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue générale en perspective du conteneur creux et de la structure extérieure de renforcement selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention avant leur assemblage mécanique ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue de côté en coupe transversale de la barquette de la figure 1, le conteneur creux et la structure extérieure de renforcement étant dans leur état assemblé ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue générale en perspective du conteneur creux et de la structure extérieure de renforcement selon le second mode de réalisation de l'invention avant leur assemblage mécanique ; et
  • la figure 6 est une vue générale en plan de la structure extérieure de renforcement de la figure 5 dans son état initial en forme de bande selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a general perspective view of a tray according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 2 is a top view of the outer reinforcing structure according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 3 is a general perspective view of the hollow container and the external reinforcing structure according to the first embodiment of the invention before their mechanical assembly;
  • the figure 4 is a side view in cross section of the tray of the figure 1 the hollow container and the external reinforcing structure being in their assembled state;
  • the figure 5 is a general perspective view of the hollow container and the external reinforcing structure according to the second embodiment of the invention before their mechanical assembly; and
  • the figure 6 is a general plan view of the outer structure of strengthening the figure 5 in its initial state in the form of a strip according to one embodiment of the invention.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré sur les figures 1, 3 et 4, le conteneur creux 1 comprend une cavité 2 limitée par un fond de conteneur 3 et par une paroi périphérique latérale de conteneur 4 formant deux premiers côtés opposés 5a et 5b et deux seconds côtés opposés 15a et 15b. La cavité 2 est ouverte vers le haut selon une face d'ouverture 7.In the embodiment illustrated on the figures 1 , 3 and 4 , the hollow container 1 comprises a cavity 2 bounded by a container bottom 3 and a container side peripheral wall 4 forming two opposite first sides 5a and 5b and two opposite second sides 15a and 15b. The cavity 2 is open upwards according to an opening face 7.

La paroi périphérique latérale de conteneur 4 du conteneur creux 1 présente une légère dépouille α (figure 4), permettant l'empilage de conteneurs creux superposés.The lateral peripheral container wall 4 of the hollow container 1 has a slight clearance α ( figure 4 ), allowing the stacking of superposed hollow containers.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré sur les figures 1 à 4, le conteneur creux 1 a un contour de forme sensiblement rectangulaire dont les quatre coins sont sensiblement arrondis. Il est réalisé en matière plastique thermoformée, à partir d'une plaque dont l'épaisseur est de 0,2 à 0,4 millimètres environ, avantageusement de 0,3 millimètres environ.In the embodiment illustrated on the Figures 1 to 4 , the hollow container 1 has a substantially rectangular shape whose four corners are substantially rounded. It is made of thermoformed plastic material, from a plate whose thickness is about 0.2 to 0.4 millimeters, advantageously about 0.3 millimeters.

Les deux premiers côtés opposés 5a et 5b de conteneur creux 1 comportent chacun, à proximité de leurs bords d'ouverture 6a et 6b, une première facette radiale supérieure 9 qui se développe vers l'extérieur et se prolonge par une première lèvre descendante 10 pour constituer une première gorge d'assemblage 11 ouverte vers le bas.The first two opposite sides 5a and 5b of hollow container 1 each comprise, near their opening edges 6a and 6b, a first upper radial facet 9 which expands outwards and is extended by a first descending lip 10 to constitute a first assembly groove 11 open downwards.

Les deux premiers côtés opposés 5a et 5b de conteneur comportent chacun deux bossages 8a sur leur face externe. Ces bossages 8a sont situés à proximité des extrémités longitudinales telles que les extrémités 105a et 205a des deux premiers côtés opposés 5a et 5b du conteneur creux 1, et à l'écart des bords d'ouverture 6a et 6b.The first two opposite sides 5a and 5b of container each comprise two bosses 8a on their outer face. These bosses 8a are located near the longitudinal ends such as the ends 105a and 205a of the first two opposite sides 5a and 5b of the hollow container 1, and away from the opening edges 6a and 6b.

Ces deux bossages 8a sont disjoints et chaque bossage 8a présente une forme oblongue dont le grand axe est sensiblement parallèle à la face d'ouverture principale 7 et a une longueur d'environ 2 centimètres, pour une barquette d'environ 15 centimètres de longueur, 10 centimètres de largeur et 3 centimètres de hauteur.These two bosses 8a are disjoint and each boss 8a has an oblong shape whose major axis is substantially parallel to the main opening face 7 and has a length of about 2 centimeters, for a tray of about 15 centimeters in length, 10 centimeters wide and 3 centimeters high.

Les deux seconds côtés 15a et 15b du conteneur creux 1 comportent chacun une seconde facette radiale supérieure 12 qui se développe vers l'extérieur et qui se prolonge par une seconde lèvre descendante 13 pour constituer une seconde gorge d'assemblage 14 ouverte vers le bas.The two second sides 15a and 15b of the hollow container 1 each comprise a second upper radial face 12 which develops outwardly and which is extended by a second descending lip 13 to form a second connecting groove 14 open downwards.

Les premières facettes radiales supérieures 9 et les secondes facettes radiales supérieures 12 sont sensiblement coplanaires, définissant une surface d'operculage 100.The first upper radial facets 9 and the second upper radial facets 12 are substantially coplanar, defining a sealing surface 100.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré sur les figures 2, 3 et 4, la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 comprend une paroi de fond 51, deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b opposés généralement parallèles l'un à l'autre, et deux seconds volets latéraux 57a et 57b. Elle est réalisée en carton, découpé et plié à partir d'un flan.In the embodiment illustrated on the figures 2 , 3 and 4 , the outer reinforcing structure 50 comprises a bottom wall 51, two first lateral flaps 52a and 52b opposite generally parallel to each other, and two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b. It is made of cardboard, cut and folded from a blank.

Les deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b se raccordent chacun, selon leur bord supérieur 53a et 53b, à un rabat 55a et 55b. Les rabats 55a et 55b comportent chacun un bord inférieur 56a et 56b, et leur hauteur est peu supérieure à l'écart entre les bossages 8a et le bord d'ouverture correspondant 6a ou 6b.The first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b each connect, according to their upper edge 53a and 53b, to a flap 55a and 55b. The flaps 55a and 55b each have a lower edge 56a and 56b, and their height is little greater than the distance between the bosses 8a and the corresponding opening edge 6a or 6b.

Les deux seconds volets latéraux 57a et 57b comportent chacun un bord supérieur 58a ou 58b.The two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b each comprise an upper edge 58a or 58b.

La figure 3 illustre les éléments 1 et 50 des figures 1 et 2 et leur position relative l'un par rapport à l'autre, juste avant leur assemblage.The figure 3 illustrates elements 1 and 50 of Figures 1 and 2 and their relative position relative to each other, just before assembly.

Pour assembler les éléments 1 et 50 des figures 1 et 2, on positionne la paroi de fond 51 à proximité immédiate de la face externe du fond de conteneur 3, et on positionne les deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b à proximité immédiate des faces externes des deux premiers côtés opposés 5a et 5b respectifs de conteneur creux 1.To assemble elements 1 and 50 of Figures 1 and 2 the bottom wall 51 is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the external face of the container bottom 3, and the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b are positioned in close proximity to the external faces of the respective first and opposite opposite sides 5a and 5b of hollow containers. 1.

On doit préalablement replier vers l'intérieur les rabats 55a et 55b de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 selon les bords supérieurs 53a et 53b comme l'indiquent les flèches B (figure 2), et replier vers l'intérieur les deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 selon une ligne de pliure 60a ou 60b respective comme l'indiquent les flèches A (figure 2).The flaps 55a and 55b of the outer reinforcing structure 50 along the upper edges 53a and 53b must be folded inward as indicated by the arrows B ( figure 2 ), and fold inward the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b of the external reinforcing structure 50 along a respective fold line 60a or 60b as indicated by the arrows A ( figure 2 ).

On replie les deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 selon les flèches A (figure 2) jusqu'à assurer l'engagement des bords supérieurs 53a et 53b des deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 dans la première gorge d'assemblage 11 du conteneur creux 1.The first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b of the external reinforcing structure 50 are folded according to the arrows A ( figure 2 ) to ensure the engagement of the upper edges 53a and 53b of the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b of the external reinforcing structure 50 in the first connecting groove 11 of the hollow container 1.

Grâce à l'élasticité naturelle du carton constituant la structure de renforcement 50, les rabats 55a et 55b tendent à se déplier et viennent se bloquer par leur bord inférieur 56a et 56b en appui contre la face supérieure des bossages 8a.Thanks to the natural elasticity of the board constituting the reinforcing structure 50, the flaps 55a and 55b tend to unfold and come to lock by their lower edge 56a and 56b resting against the upper face of the bosses 8a.

On replie aussi les deux seconds volets latéraux 57a et 57b de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 selon les lignes de pliure 60c et 60d comme l'indiquent les flèches C (figure 2) pour engager le bord supérieur 58a, 58b de chaque second volet latéral 57a, 57b dans la seconde gorge d'assemblage 14 du conteneur creux 1.The two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b of the external reinforcing structure 50 are also folded along the fold lines 60c and 60d as indicated by the arrows C ( figure 2 ) to engage the upper edge 58a, 58b of each second lateral flap 57a, 57b in the second connecting groove 14 of the hollow container 1.

La figure 4 illustre le conteneur creux 1 et la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 dans leur état assemblé.The figure 4 illustrates the hollow container 1 and the external reinforcing structure 50 in their assembled state.

Le bord supérieur 53a ou 53b de chaque premier volet latéral 52a et 52b est engagé dans la première gorge d'assemblage 11 correspondante du conteneur creux 1, et le rabat 55a et 55b vient en appui par son bord inférieur respectif 56a ou 56b sur la face supérieure du bossage 8a correspondant, pour s'opposer au déplacement vers le bas de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50. L'élasticité naturelle du matériau formant la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 tend à faire pivoter les rabats 55a et 55b vers l'intérieur, et la première gorge d'assemblage 11 s'oppose à l'écartement vers l'extérieur des deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b de conteneur creux 1.The upper edge 53a or 53b of each first lateral flap 52a and 52b is engaged in the corresponding first connecting groove 11 of the hollow container 1, and the flap 55a and 55b abuts by its respective lower edge 56a or 56b on the face upper boss 8a corresponding, to oppose the downward movement of the outer reinforcing structure 50. The natural elasticity of the material forming the outer reinforcing structure 50 tends to rotate the flaps 55a and 55b inwardly, and the first assembly groove 11 opposes the outward spacing of the two first lateral flaps 52a and 52b of hollow container 1.

Une traction suffisante exercée par un utilisateur entre le conteneur creux 1 et la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 permet de les désolidariser l'un par rapport à l'autre par flexion des rabats, pour un recyclage sélectif par exemple.Sufficient traction exerted by a user between the hollow container 1 and the external reinforcing structure 50 allows them to separate from one another by bending the flaps, for selective recycling for example.

En combinaison, la première gorge d'assemblage 11, les bossages 8a, les deux premiers volets latéraux 52a, 52b, et les rabats 55a, 55b constituent des moyens d'accrochage mécanique séparable 8, et assurent l'assemblage sans ajout d'éléments extérieurs tels qu'une colle.In combination, the first assembly groove 11, the bosses 8a, the two first lateral flaps 52a, 52b, and the flaps 55a, 55b constitute separable mechanical fastening means 8, and ensure the assembly without adding elements. outside such as glue.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré, les facettes radiales supérieures 9 et 12, coplanaires, définissent une surface d'operculage 100. Dans le cas où un opercule doit être adapté, cette opération se fait généralement par soudure au moyen d'un couteau chauffant et d'une enclume. L'enclume doit pouvoir être placée en face inférieure des facettes radiales 9 et 12, dans les gorges d'assemblage 11 et 14. Pour cela, on effectue tout d'abord l'operculage du conteneur creux 1 non renforcé, puis on assemble le conteneur creux 1 operculé et la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 pour réaliser la barquette.In the illustrated embodiment, the upper radial facets 9 and 12, coplanar, define a sealing surface 100. In the case where a lid must be adapted, this operation is usually done by welding with a heating knife and of an anvil. The anvil must be able to be placed in the lower face of the radial facets 9 and 12, in the assembly grooves 11 and 14. For this, it firstly carries the lidding of the hollow container 1 unreinforced, then assembles the hollow container 1 and sealed the structure external reinforcement 50 to make the tray.

Les figures représentent une barquette relativement plate, c'est-à-dire dont la profondeur est nettement inférieure à ses autres dimensions.The figures represent a relatively flat tray, that is to say whose depth is significantly lower than its other dimensions.

L'invention s'applique toutefois tout aussi bien à des barquettes plus profondes, de type pot, ayant par exemple des volumes de 500 millilitres et plus. L'aspect rigidité est d'autant plus critique que la barquette est profonde, mais l'invention permet d'assurer une rigidité satisfaisante dans tous les cas habituels.The invention, however, applies equally well to deeper trays, pot type, having for example volumes of 500 milliliters and more. The rigidity aspect is all the more critical that the tray is deep, but the invention ensures a satisfactory rigidity in all usual cases.

La figure 5 illustre un second mode de réalisation de la barquette. Dans ce mode de réalisation, la barquette comprend un conteneur creux 1 plus profond que sur la figure 1, et une structure extérieure de renforcement 50 plus résistante que sur les figures 2 à 4. Les mêmes moyens essentiels que sur le mode de réalisation des figures précédentes sont repérés par les mêmes références numériques, et ne seront donc pas tous décrits à nouveau.The figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the tray. In this embodiment, the tray comprises a hollow container 1 which is deeper than on the figure 1 , and an external structure of reinforcement 50 more resistant than on the Figures 2 to 4 . The same essential means as in the embodiment of the preceding figures are identified by the same reference numerals, and will not all be described again.

Le conteneur creux 1 de la figure 5 a une forme similaire de celle illustrée sur la figure 1, à l'exception de la profondeur qui est supérieure, et à l'exception de la forme des bossages. De même, la structure extérieure de renforcement illustrée sur la figure 5 a une forme similaire de celle illustrée sur les figures 2 à 4, en ajoutant la présence de deux rabats supplémentaires, et en ajoutant le fait que les volets latéraux adjacents sont en outre solidaires les uns des autres.The hollow container 1 of the figure 5 has a shape similar to that illustrated on the figure 1 , with the exception of the depth which is superior, and with the exception of the shape of the bosses. Likewise, the external structure of reinforcement illustrated on the figure 5 has a shape similar to that illustrated on the Figures 2 to 4 , adding the presence of two additional flaps, and adding the fact that the adjacent side flaps are further secured to each other.

Le conteneur creux 1 comprend ainsi deux premiers côtés opposés de conteneur 5a et 5b et deux seconds côtés opposés de conteneur 15a et 15b.The hollow container 1 thus comprises two opposite first container sides 5a and 5b and two opposite second container sides 15a and 15b.

Chacun des premiers et seconds côtés de conteneur 5a, 5b, 15a et 15b comporte respectivement sur sa face externe un bossage tel que les bossages 8a ou 18a, de forme oblongue dont le grand axe est sensiblement parallèle à la face d'ouverture principale 7, et disposé à l'écart d'un bord d'ouverture respectif 6a, 6b, 6c ou 6d.Each of the first and second container sides 5a, 5b, 15a and 15b respectively has on its outer face a boss such as the bosses 8a or 18a, of oblong shape whose major axis is substantially parallel to the main opening face 7, and disposed away from a respective opening edge 6a, 6b, 6c or 6d.

La structure extérieure de renforcement 50 comprend deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b et deux seconds volets latéraux 57a et 57b.The external reinforcing structure 50 comprises two first lateral flaps 52a and 52b and two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b.

On retrouve des rabats 55a et 55b sur les premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b.There are flaps 55a and 55b on the first side flaps 52a and 52b.

Les deux seconds volets latéraux 57a et 57b se raccordent chacun, selon leur bord supérieur 58a ou 58b, à un rabat 155a ou 155b. Les rabats 155a et 155b comportent chacun un bord inférieur respectif 156a ou 156b, et leur hauteur est peu supérieure à l'écart entre le bossage correspondant tel que le bossage 18a et le bord d'ouverture correspondant 6c ou 6d.The two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b each connect, according to their upper edge 58a or 58b, to a flap 155a or 155b. The flaps 155a and 155b each have a respective lower edge 156a or 156b, and their height is little greater than the difference between the corresponding boss such as the boss 18a and the corresponding opening edge 6c or 6d.

Pour assembler les éléments 1 et 50 de la figure 5, on positionne la paroi de fond 51 à proximité immédiate de la face externe du fond de conteneur 3, on positionne les deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b à proximité immédiate des faces externes des deux premiers côtés opposés 5a et 5b respectifs de conteneur creux 1, et on positionne les deux seconds volets latéraux 57a et 57b à proximité immédiate des faces externes des deux seconds côtés opposés 15a et 15b respectifs de conteneur creux 1.To assemble elements 1 and 50 of the figure 5 the bottom wall 51 is positioned in the immediate vicinity of the outer face of the container bottom 3, the first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b are positioned in close proximity to the external faces of the respective first two opposite sides 5a and 5b of the hollow container 1 , and positioning the two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b in the immediate vicinity of the external faces of the two respective opposite second sides 15a and 15b of hollow container 1.

Les deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b et les deux seconds volets latéraux 57a et 57b ont préalablement été dressés en couronne et assemblés les uns aux autres, et les rabats 55a, 55b, 155a et 155b ont préalablement été repliés vers l'intérieur de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 selon les bords supérieurs 53a, 53b, 58a et 58b.The first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b and the two second lateral flaps 57a and 57b have previously been raised in a ring and assembled to one another, and the flaps 55a, 55b, 155a and 155b have previously been folded towards the inside of the door. external reinforcing structure 50 along the upper edges 53a, 53b, 58a and 58b.

On dimensionne les deux premiers volets latéraux 52a et 52b et les deux seconds volets latéraux 57a et 57b de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 de façon à permettre l'engagement des bords supérieurs 53a, 53b, 58a et 58b des volets latéraux respectifs de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 dans la gorge d'assemblage respective 11 ou 14 du conteneur creux 1.The first two lateral flaps 52a and 52b and the second two lateral flaps 57a and 57b of the external reinforcing structure 50 are dimensioned so as to allow the engagement of the upper edges 53a, 53b, 58a and 58b of the respective lateral flaps of the structure. external reinforcement 50 in the respective assembly groove 11 or 14 of the hollow container 1.

Grâce à l'élasticité naturelle du carton constituant la structure de renforcement 50, les rabats 55a, 55b, 155a et 155b tendent alors à se déplier et viennent se bloquer par leur bord inférieur respectif 56a, 56b, 156a ou 156b en appui contre la face supérieure d'un bossage respectif tel que les bossages 8a ou 18a.Thanks to the natural elasticity of the cardboard constituting the reinforcing structure 50, the flaps 55a, 55b, 155a and 155b then tend to unfold and come to lock by their respective lower edge 56a, 56b, 156a or 156b resting against the face upper of a respective boss such as bosses 8a or 18a.

La figure 6 illustre la réalisation de la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 de la figure 5. Dans l'état intermédiaire illustré sur la figure 6, la structure extérieure de renforcement 50 est une bande de matière en feuille, réalisée par découpage d'un flan selon un contour prédéfini tel que représenté. On réalise dans cette bande des lignes de pliure transversales L1, L2 et L3 définissant quatre tronçons successifs formant chacun l'un des quatre volets latéraux 52a, 57b, 52b et 57a. Chaque tronçon a un bord latéral à ligne de pliure longitudinale pour former un rabat 55a, 155a, 55b ou 155b, et son autre côté latéral est muni de lignes de pliure longitudinales 60a, 60c, 60b et 60d pour former une portion de la paroi de fond 51.The figure 6 illustrates the realization of the external reinforcement structure 50 of the figure 5 . In the intermediate state illustrated on the figure 6 , the outer reinforcing structure 50 is a strip of sheet material, made by cutting a blank according to a predefined contour as shown. In this strip, transverse fold lines L1, L2 and L3 are formed, defining four successive sections each forming one of the four lateral flaps 52a, 57b, 52b and 57a. Each section has a longitudinal fold line side edge to form a flap 55a, 155a, 55b or 155b, and its other side side is provided with longitudinal fold lines 60a, 60c, 60b and 60d to form a portion of the wall. background 51.

Les lignes de pliure transversales L1, L2, L3 sont divergentes pour qu'une fois assemblée la barquette présente des volets latéraux obliques.The transverse fold lines L1, L2, L3 are divergent so that once assembled the tray has oblique lateral flaps.

La présente invention n'est pas limitée aux modes de réalisation qui ont été explicitement décrits, mais elle en inclut les diverses variantes et généralisations contenues dans le domaine des revendications ci-après.The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (12)

  1. Tray for containing foodstuffs, comprising a hollow container (1) delimiting at least one cavity (2) between a container bottom (3) and a container lateral peripheral wall (4) having at least two first opposite sides (5a, 5b) that are generally parallel with one another, with a main opening face (7) defining an opening plane of the cavity (2) in the upward direction, also comprising an external reinforcing structure (50) comprising a bottom wall (51) and at least two first opposite lateral panels (52a, 52b) that are generally parallel with one another,
    and in which:
    - the bottom wall (51) is in the immediate vicinity of the external face of the container bottom (3),
    - the two first lateral panels (52a, 52b) are in the immediate vicinity of the external faces of the first two respective container sides (5a, 5b),
    - the hollow container (1) is formed of a thin wall,
    - the first two container sides (5a, 5b) each comprise a first upper radial facet (9) opening outwards and extending via a first downward lip (10) in order to form a first assembly groove (11) that is open downward in order to oppose the spreading outwards of the first two lateral panels (52a, 52b),
    characterised in that:
    - the first two container sides (5a, 5b) each comprise at least one boss (8a) on their external face, interacting respectively with the first two lateral panels (52a, 52b) in order to oppose the downward movement of the external reinforcing structure (50),
    - the first two lateral panels (52a, 52b) are each connected, along their top edge (53a, 53b), to a flap (55a, 55b) that is folded inwards and that tends to elastically separate from the said corresponding first lateral panel (52a, 52b), and
    - in the assembled position, the upper edge (53a, 53b) of each first lateral panel (52a, 52b) is engaged in the corresponding first assembly groove (11) of the hollow container (1), and the flap (55a, 55b) rests via its lower edge (56a, 56b) on the upper face of the corresponding boss (8a).
  2. Tray according to claim 1, characterised in that the hollow container (1) is made of plastic, and its thin wall has a thickness of between approximately 0.2 and 0.4 millimetres, advantageously approximately 0.3 millimetres.
  3. Tray according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the first two sides (5a, 5b) each comprise at least two separate bosses (8a) positioned close to the longitudinal ends (105a, 205a) of the first two sides (5a, 5b).
  4. Tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the at least one boss (8a) has an oblong shape the long axis of which is substantially parallel to the main opening face (7) and has a length of approximately 2 centimetres.
  5. Tray according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that:
    - the hollow container (1) comprises two second sides (15a, 15b) which each comprise a second upper radial facet (12) opening outwards and extending via a second downward lip (13) in order to form a second assembly groove (14) that is open downward,
    - the external reinforcing structure (50) also comprises two second lateral panels (57a, 57b) each comprising an upper edge (58a, 58b), and
    - in the assembled position, the upper edge (58a, 58b) of each second lateral panel (57a, 57b) is engaged in the second assembly groove (14) of the hollow container (1).
  6. Tray according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that:
    - the hollow container (1) comprises two second sides (15a, 15b) which each comprise a second upper radial facet (12) opening outwards and extending via a second downward lip (13) to form a second assembly groove (14) that is open downwards,
    - the two second container sides (15a, 15b) each comprise at least one boss (18a) on their external face,
    - the external reinforcing structure (50) also comprises two second lateral panels (57a, 57b) which are each connected, along their upper edge (58a, 58b) to a flap (155a, 155b) that is folded inwards and that tends to separate elastically from the said corresponding second lateral panel (57a, 57b), and
    - in the assembled position, the upper edge (58a, 58b) of each second lateral panel (57a, 57b) is engaged in the corresponding second assembly groove (14) of the hollow container (1), and the flap (155a, 155b) rests via its lower edge (156a, 156b) on the upper face of a corresponding boss (18a).
  7. Tray according to claim 6, characterised in that the external reinforcing structure (50) is made by cutting out a strip of sheet material and folding along the transverse fold lines (L1, L2, L3) in four successive sections each forming one of the four lateral panels (52a, 57b, 52b, 57a), each section having a lateral edge with a longitudinal fold line in order to form a flap (55a, 155a, 55b, 155b) and having the other lateral side with a longitudinal fold line (60a, 60c, 60b, 60d) to form a portion of the bottom wall (51).
  8. Tray according to claim 7, characterised in that the transverse fold lines (L1, L2, L3) are divergent.
  9. Tray according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the four sides (5a, 5b, 15a, 15b) comprise upper radial facets (9, 12) that are substantially coplanar and define a sealing surface (100).
  10. Tray according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the hollow container (1) is made of foodstuff plastic.
  11. Tray according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the hollow container (1) is made in one piece, by thermoforming a sheet of thermoformable material approximately 0.3 millimetres thick, or by injection moulding.
  12. Tray according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the external reinforcing structure (50) is made of cardboard.
EP08165322A 2007-09-26 2008-09-26 Composite container for containing food Active EP2042441B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0757870A FR2921345A1 (en) 2007-09-26 2007-09-26 TRAY COMBINED TO CONTAIN FOOD

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2042441A1 EP2042441A1 (en) 2009-04-01
EP2042441B1 true EP2042441B1 (en) 2012-02-22

Family

ID=39322339

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08165322A Active EP2042441B1 (en) 2007-09-26 2008-09-26 Composite container for containing food

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2042441B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE546375T1 (en)
FR (1) FR2921345A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4801017A (en) * 1986-10-17 1989-01-31 Aldo Artusi Container, particularly for receiving foods
US5709308A (en) * 1995-06-06 1998-01-20 Gics & Vermee, L.P. Food product container including a tray and a jacket and an associated food product package

Also Published As

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ATE546375T1 (en) 2012-03-15
FR2921345A1 (en) 2009-03-27
EP2042441A1 (en) 2009-04-01

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