WO2009019623A1

WO2009019623A1 - Container obtained from a die cut cardboard sheet with modular inner compartments

Info

Publication number: WO2009019623A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/052994
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adolfo Marinelli; Francesca Marinelli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-03
Filing date: 2008-07-25
Publication date: 2009-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-03
Also published as: ITPD20070269A1

Abstract

The invention is a container (S4, S6) obtained from at least one die cut sheet (P4, P6), with a bottom (F), sides (10-13, 14-19) and partitions (1-9, 1-13) that divide the inner volume of the container (S4, S6) into two or more compartments (S1) substantially prismatic or cylindrical in shape, each one provided with an upper cover or covering part (C, C1) that can be opened individually, and wherein said bottom (F), said sides (10-13, 14-19), said partitions (1-9, 1-13) and said cover/covers (C, C1) all belong to a single die cut sheet (P4, P6).

Description

CONTAINER OBTAINED FROMA DIE CUT CARDBOARD SHEET WITH MODULAR INNER COMPARTMENTS

DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns packagings and containers obtained from die cut and folded sheets and in particular it concerns a new container obtained from one or more die cut and folded sheets, provided with inner modular compartments.

Containers are known for packaging solid or liquid materials and substances of various kind, which can be food products or not. In particular, containers are known that are obtained from one or more sheets of cardboard, plastic, plasticized paper or other suitable materials, shaped by die cutting and suited to be folded along folding lines to form a container provided with bottom, sides and cover, usually attached to the sheet itself. The die cut sheets for making containers are usually manufactured through extremely simple production processes: the containers are obtained from a continuous mass production process, wherein each sheet or part of a sheet is shaped by means of a press or hollow punch provided with shaped cutting edges that cut the sheet according to a predefined shape. The sheet is then subjected to a creasing or grooving operation in order to produce, on the surface of the die cut sheet, grooves that define the folding lines of the sheet.

The flat die cut sheets thus obtained have limited overall dimensions and therefore can be stacked on top of one another, thus obtaining reduced stocking volumes that facilitate handling and transport.

At the moment of use, that is, when the packet is made, the die cut sheet is folded along the folding lines by means of suitable mechanical devices, thus obtaining the container. The edges of the sheet are usually provided with assembly tabs suited to be folded and glued onto the edges of the adjacent folded parts, in order to prevent the unfolding of the sheet and maintain the shape of the container.

The product to be packaged is introduced in the container after or during the folding operation. Finally, the container is closed by folding the cover, joined to one of the sides, and fastening it to the opposite side and/or to the adjacent sides.

Cardboard containers are known that are used for packaging dry food such as dry pasta. Pasta is packaged at the end of its production process, which substantially includes the steps of kneading, extrusion through dies and final drying, during which the product loses most of the water it contains and assumes the known appearance and consistency.

The dry pasta processed as described above is thus put on conveyor belts or devices and conveyed into dispensing units that divide it into predetermined quantities to be packaged individually.

Each one of said quantities is automatically or semiautomatically introduced into the container, according to the type of product to be packaged.

For example, packets containing 250 g, 500 g or 1000 g of pasta are known and particularly widespread for domestic use.

Said containers made from cardboard cannot be sealed repeatedly but once they have been opened they can be closed, for example, by fitting a peripheral part or a tab of the cover into a special slot created in the opposite side of the container. Since in this way the container is closed but not sealed, insects or dirt may get into it and furthermore the pasta is exposed to air and thus deteriorates more quickly, with consequent bad smells and tastes.

The problem exists mainly in case of use of large packets, containing 500 g of product or even more, since the packet, once it has been opened, remains open for a long time.

In fact, due to the increasingly widespread habit to consume meals out of home and to follow low-calorie diets, the domestic consumption of pasta is limited, so that, once opened, a 1000 g packet, for example, is left open for many days.

When the consumer wants to eat, he/she opens the packet of pasta, for example by lifting or even tearing the cover or another part of the container, and then dispenses, for example by weighing, the desired quantity of pasta. The product that has not been used is left in the original container, which is closed without being sealed, or transferred into another sealed container. For this purpose glass or plastic containers with a sealing cover are particularly appreciated, since they guarantee that the organoleptic properties of the pasta, for example its taste and smell, remain unchanged and at the same time ensure protection from dirt and humidity.

Differently from glass or plastic, in fact, simple cardboard is not particularly suitable for preserving food products in the long term, since it does not protect the product completely, for example against humidity and bad smells. The subject of the present invention is a new type of container obtained from one or more die cut and folded sheets, with one or more modular inner compartments, each one with a cover or covering element that can be opened individually.

The main object of the present invention is to guarantee the correct preservation of products, in particular food products like dry pasta or other products, by dividing the contents of the container into predefined portions, and wherein each portion is contained in a modular compartment, provided with its own cover that can be opened individually. Another important object of the present invention is to guarantee the correct preservation of the product that has not been used, even after the packet has been firstly opened, since the residual product is contained in compartments that are still closed and is thus protected against humidity and dirt. Another important advantage offered by the present invention lies in that it can be mass produced, using simple and economic materials and equipment. A further important advantage offered by the invention is its compact shape, thanks to which it is not bulky and can be easily stocked, both in its three- dimensional folded form and in its flat unfolded form. A further important advantage offered by the present invention is represented by the fact that it protects the product contained therein from bad smells, dirt, humidity, being preferably made of a plastic or plasticized material suitable for use with food products.

These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new container obtained from one or more die cut and folded sheets, with one or more modular inner compartments, each one provided with a cover that can be opened individually.

The new container is obtained from one or more sheets, made of cardboard, plastic or multilayer material, particularly suitable for containing the specific type of material or substance, be it liquid or solid, for which it has been designed, wherein said sheets are die cut and creased and successively folded to form a container provided with bottom, sides and one or more substantially vertical inner partitions defining two or more modular inner compartments, and wherein each one of said compartments is provided with a cover. According to the invention, all the said parts, bottom, sides, partitions and cover/covers belong to a single, die cut and folded sheet. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, said die cut sheet comprises a substantially rectangular part that constitutes the development of the sides and inner partitions of the container.

The height of said rectangular part substantially determines the height of the container, while its length determines the development of the sides and partitions of the container, excluding any assembly tabs. Said rectangular part is provided with a plurality of parallel folding lines developing in the direction of the height, wherein the portion of the sheet included between two successive folding lines defines a side or a partition of the container. Said folding lines can be equally spaced or positioned at different distances, according to the geometric shape of the container to be obtained.

By properly folding said rectangular part along said folding lines, it is possible to obtain the sides of a three-dimensional volume, for example substantially cylindrical or preferably prismatic, with polygonal cross section, for example hexagonal, or triangular, square, octogonal, etc., as well as the inner compartments, defined and delimited by said partitions and/or by said sides themselves.

Said sheet also comprises at least one flat folding part whose shape substantially corresponds to the cross section of said prism or cylinder and serving as the bottom of the container. Said flat part is joined to said rectangular part on one of the longitudinal sides, crosswise to said folding lines, here below referred to as the lower side, while on the opposite or upper side, in a suitable position, there are one or more further parts that make up the cover/covers of the container. In particular, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, the sheet may comprise a single folding part serving as a cover, whose shape and size substantially correspond to the cross section of the prism or cylinder, and on which there are pre-cut or pre-drilled lines that define detachable parts, each in a position corresponding to each one of said compartments defined by the partitions present inside the container.

In particular, each one of said detachable parts may have a shape corresponding to and dimensions comparable to or slightly smaller than the cross section of the compartment defined by the sides and the partitions. In this case, in order to open one or more compartments of the new container, it is sufficient to tear one or more of said detachable parts along the pre-cut lines, leaving the others intact, so that the remaining compartments are left closed. As an alternative, instead of a single cover with detachable parts, the sheet may comprise, attached to the upper edge of said rectangular part, at the level of the top of the sides, one or more folding parts, each one serving as the cover of the corresponding compartment.

For example, each one of said cover of the compartments may have shape and size corresponding to the cross section of the relative compartment. Each one of said folding parts serving as cover and bottom is also provided with assembly perimetral folding tabs for fastening it to the sides of the container.

The new container may be in the shape of a prism with hexagonal, square, triangular, octagonal cross section or the like, depending on the shape of the die cut sheet.

For example, according to a possible embodiment of the invention, the new container may be in the shape of a right-angled prism with hexagonal cross section, divided by means of said partitions arranged radially into six inner compartments, all preferably having the shape of a prism with equilateral triangular cross section.

Said container is obtained by folding at least one die cut sheet comprising said rectangular part divided, by folding lines, into six successive portions defining the sides of the container and into one or more successive portions making up the partitions that divide the inner volume of the container into two or more prism-shaped compartments, for example with triangular cross section.

The hexagonal bottom is attached to the lower edge of said rectangular part at the level of the base of one side, while the cover/covers of the compartment/compartments is/are attached to the upper edge of the rectangular part at the level of one or more of said sides.

According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, the new container may be in the shape of a right-angled parallelepiped, that is, with square or rectangular cross section, divided into modular inner compartments with triangular or square cross section.

The container, obtained by die cutting and folding a single sheet shaped as described above, thus comprises a plurality of modular compartments, each one covered with a removable part or cover. Each compartment is suited to contain part of the total contents of the container.

The consumer who intends to use one or more portions of the product opens, for example by tearing, only one or more of said compartments, removing the corresponding covers, so that the other compartments remain closed and the products contained therein may be preserved for a long time in the best conditions, that is, in the same conditions in which it was packaged.

The new container is obtained by means of a low cost mass production process, which requires only the die cutting, creasing and folding of one or more sheets. The container is practical to use and makes it possible to dispense the exact quantity of product required, with no need to use scales, and furthermore it does not require the transfer of the residual unused product in other sealed containers. The container may also usefully indicate the correct quantities of product necessary for a given purpose. In the case of pasta, for example, it will be possible also for unskilled consumers to dispense the exact quantity of pasta sufficient for an average consumer. The characteristics of the invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following description, with reference to the drawings attached as non- limiting examples.

Figure 1 shows the development of the die cut sheet (P6) for making the new container (S6) with regular hexagonal base, wherein the lower hexagonal folding part serves as the bottom (F) and a single upper hexagonal folding part serves as the cover (C).

Figure 2 shows the development of the die cut sheet (P6) for making the new container (S6) with regular hexagonal base, with the bottom (F) and six triangular folding parts serving as covers (C), one for each compartment (Sl).

Figure 3 shows the development of the die cut sheet (P6) for making the new container (S6) with regular hexagonal base, with a single cover (C) with detachable parts (C 12) and six triangular parts (Fl) making up the bottom, one part (Fl) for each compartment (Sl). Figure 4 schematically shows, in a three-dimensional view, two prism- shaped containers (S6) with regular hexagonal cross section, with six inner compartments (Sl), each one in the shape of a prism with triangular cross section. Figure 5 shows in detail the cross section of the container (S6) with hexagonal base, where it is possible to see the portions of the sheet (P6) that define the sides (14-19) of the container (S6) and the portions of the sheet (P6) serving as inner partitions (1-13) which delimit, even in combination with the sides (14-18), the inner compartments (Sl). Figure 6 schematically shows a top view of the container (S6) with hexagonal base, wherein each compartment (Sl) is closed by a folding part (Cl) whose shape and size substantially correspond to the triangular cross section of the compartment (Sl) itself. Figure 7 shows the development of the die cut sheet (P4) for making the new container (S4) with square base, wherein the square folding part serves as the bottom (F) and four triangular folding parts serve as the covers (C) of each compartment (Sl). Figure 8 shows the development of the die cut sheet (P4) for making the new container (S4) with regular hexagonal base, with a single cover (C) with detachable parts (C 12) and four triangular parts serving as bottoms (Fl), one for each compartment (Sl).

Figure 9 schematically shows a three-dimensional view of the container (S4), in the shape of a prism with square cross section, with four inner compartments (Sl), each one in the shape of a prism with triangular cross section.

Figure 10 shows in detail the cross section of the container (S4) with square base, with the portions of the sheet (P4) that define the sides (10-13) and the portions of the sheet (P4) that serve as partitions (1-9) which delimit, even in combination with the sides (10-12), the inner compartments (Sl).

The new container (S4, S6) is obtained by folding one or more die cut and creased sheets (P4, P6), whose development is shown for example in the Figures 1, 2 and 4. According to one of the possible embodiments of the invention, schematically shown in Figure 1, said die cut sheet (P6) comprises a substantially rectangular part (R) that constitutes the development of the sides (14-19) and of the inner partitions (1-13) of the container (S6). The height (Rl) of said rectangular part (R) determines the height of the container (S6), while its length (R2) determines the development of the sides (14-19) and partitions (1-13) of the container (S6) itself. Said rectangular part (R) comprises a plurality of folding lines (R3) parallel to the direction of the height (Rl), wherein the portion (1-19) of the sheet (P6) included between two successive folding lines (R3) defines a side (14- 19) or an inner partition (1-13).

In the solution shown in Figures 1 and 2, said folding lines (Rl) substantially are all equally spaced, in order to obtain a container (S6) in the shape of a right-angled prism with regular hexagonal cross section, whose sides (14-19) and intermediate partitions (1-13) have the same surface area. Said container (S6) is obtained by folding said sheet (P6) as shown in Figure 3a.

In greater detail, the successive portions 1-13 making up the partitions (1- 13) must substantially be folded as an accordion and then arranged radially to define the partitions (4-13) of the compartments (Sl).

In particular, with reference to Figure 1, starting from portion 1, this must be rotated towards portion 2 in the direction leading out of the sheet. Portion 3 must then be rotated towards portion 2 in the direction leading out of the sheet, so that it creates, together with portion 1, a prismatic volume with triangular cross section that is closed laterally and constitutes one of the inner compartments (Sl).

Portion 4, integral with the preceding portions, is rotated towards portion 3 in the direction leading towards the inside of the sheet, while portion 5 is rotated towards portion 4 in the direction leading out of the sheet. The procedure is repeated in the same way until reaching portion 13, by rotating each portion towards the preceding one, alternately in the direction leading out of and towards the inside of the sheet. The remaining portions 14-19, which will form the sides (14-19) of the container (S6), are all folded in such a way as to surround the outside of said folded partitions (1-13), defining the sides (14-19) of the container (S6) and delimiting the six inner compartments (Sl).

Said sheet (P6) also comprises at least one flat folding part (F) whose regular hexagonal shape substantially corresponds to the cross section of the container (S6) and serving as the bottom of the container (S6).

Saif flat part or bottom (F) is attached to the lower edge (R41) of said rectangular part (R) at the level of the base of a portion making up one side

(18). According to the invention, said bottom (F) may comprise, along its edges, one or more tabs (Fl 1) for fastening to the base of the adjacent sides (14-17,

19).

On the opposite or upper edge (R42) of the rectangular part (R) there is, at the level of the top of one side (15), a flat folding part (C) that serves as a cover, having shape and size substantially corresponding to the cross section of the container (S6), and on which there are pre-cut or pre-drilled lines

(Cl 1) that define detachable parts (C 12), each in a position corresponding to each one of said inner compartments (Sl) of the container (S6).

In particular, as shown in Figure 1, each one of said detachable parts (C 12) may have a shape corresponding to and dimensions comparable to or slightly smaller than the cross section of the compartment (Sl) itself.

As an alternative, as shown in Figure 2, the sheet (P6) may comprise, joined to said rectangular part (R ) along the upper edge (R42) at the level of the top of the sides (14-19) and/or of a partition (1), one or more folding parts (Cl), each serving as the cover of the corresponding compartment (Sl) and having shape and size corresponding to the triangular cross section of the compartment (Sl).

Each one of said folding parts serving as cover (Cl) is provided with folding tabs (C13) for fastening to the adjacent sides (14-19) of the container (S6). According to a further possible embodiment of the invention, the new container may be in the shape of a right-angled parallelepiped, that is, with square cross section, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 5a. In this case the die cut sheet (P4), whose development is shown in Figure 4, comprises a rectangular part (R) creased with a plurality of folding lines (R3) defining at least four portions (10-13) making up the sides and one or more partitions (1-9) suited to divide the inside of the container (S4) into a given number of inner compartments (S4), for example four compartments (Sl) having the same triangular or square cross section.

Said folding lines (R3) define sides (10-13) having all the same surface area, and partitions (1-9), having all the same surface area, which are as high as but narrower than said sides (10-13). The square or rectangular bottom (F) is attached to said lower edge (R41) of said rectangular part (R) at the level of the base of one side (12), while the cover or the four covers (Cl) of the compartments (Sl) is/are attached to the upper edge (R42) of the rectangular part (R) at the level of the top of one or more of said sides (10-13). Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.

Claims

1. Container (S4, S6) obtained from at least one die cut sheet (P4, P6), characterized in that it comprises at least one bottom (F), sides (10-13, 14- 19) and partitions (1-9, 1-13) that divide the inner volume of the container (S4, S6) into two or more compartments (Sl) substantially prismatic or cylindrical in shape, each one provided with an upper cover or covering part (C, Cl) that can be opened individually, and wherein said bottom (F), said sides (10-13, 14-19), said partitions (1-9, 1-13) and said cover/covers (C, Cl) all belong to a single die cut sheet (P4, P6).

2. Container (S4, S6) according to claim 1, characterized in that said sheet (P4, P6) comprises:

- a substantially rectangular part (R) on which there are, parallel to one side (Rl), a plurality of folding lines (R3) defining a plurality of portions, of which one or more portions constitute said side/sides (10-13, 14-19) of the container (S4, S6) and one or more portions constitute said partition/partitions (1-10, 1-13) of the container (S4, S6);

- at least one part (F) attached to the lower edge (R41) of said rectangular part (R) and folding relative to it in order to form the bottom of the container (S4, S6), having shape and size corresponding to the cross section of the prism or cylinder obtained by folding said side/sides (10-13, 14-19);

- at least one part (C) having shape and size substantially corresponding to the cross section of the prism or cylinder obtained by folding said side/sides (10-13, 14-19), attached to the upper edge

(R42) of said rectangular part (R) and folding relative to it in order to form the cover of the container (S4, S6); and wherein said part or cover (C) is attached to said rectangular part (R) at the level of the upper edge (R42) of one side (10-13, 14-19) and comprises one or more pre-cut or pre-drilled lines (CI l) defining detachable parts (C 12), each one in a position corresponding to one of said compartments (Sl), laterally delimited by one or more of said partitions (1-10, 1-13) and/or by one or more of said sides (10-13, 14-19).

3. Container (S4, S6) according to claim 2, characterized in that each one of said detachable parts (C 12) of the cover (C) has shape and size substantially corresponding to the cross section of the relative compartment (Sl).

4. Container (S4, S6) according to claim 1, 2, characterized in that said sheet (P4, P6) comprises:

- two or more parts (Cl), each one attached to the upper edge (R42) of said rectangular part (R) and folding relative to it in such a way as to form the cover of each compartment (S 1 ) of the container (S4, S6), and wherein each one of said parts or covers (Cl) has shape and size substantially corresponding to the cross section of the relative compartment (Sl).

5. Container (S4, S6) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bottom (F) and/or said cover/covers (C, Cl) comprise/comprises one or more assembly perimetral folding tabs suited to be fixed to the sides (10-13, 14-19) of the container (S4, S6).

6. Container (S4, S6) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rectangular part (R) of the sheet (P4, P6) comprises three or more successive portions constituting the same number of sides (14-19) that, once folded, delimit a prismatic volume with polygonal cross section, and a plurality of successive portions constituting the inner vertical partitions (1-13) that, folded as an accordion, divide said volume into inner prismatic compartments (Sl), each one laterally delimited by said partitions (1-13) and by at least one of said sides (14-19), at the bottom by said bottom (F) and at the top by said cover (C, Cl) and/or detachable part (C 12).