CN117120338A - Packaging for containing food products and mould for packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A package (1) for containing a food product, comprising a body (2), the body (2) being formed of a multi-layer packaging material (3) and having a wall portion (13) for forming an interior space (14) for the food product and an opening (15) arranged at an end (16) of the wall portion (13). The package (1) has a lid structure (4) formed of plastic material and attached to the body (2) for sealing the opening (15) and the interior space (14). The cover structure (4) has a cover frame (22) and a cover (23), the cover (23) being detachably engaged with the cover frame (22) for cooperating with the cover frame (22) to seal the opening (15), and a pulling element (23) connected to a peripheral portion (25) of the cover (23) and configured to at least partially separate the cover (23) from the cover frame (22) when pulled, thereby at least partially releasing the opening (15).

Description

Packaging for containing food products and mould for packaging machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a package for containing food products, in particular pourable food products such as yoghurt, milk, etc. The invention also relates to a mould for a packaging machine.

Background

It is well known that many food products, in particular pourable food products such as fruit juice, milk, UHT (ultra-high temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, yoghurt, cheese, soup, salt, sugar, etc., are sold in packages made at least partly of a multi-layer packaging material.

One of the prominent examples of such packages is the parallelepiped-shaped package for pourable food products, which is called a li-le aseptic package (Tetra Brik Aseptic) (registered trademark). Such packages are made by folding and sealing laminated multi-layer packaging materials. The packaging material has a multi-layer structure comprising a paperboard and/or paper base layer covered on both sides with a layer of heat-seal plastic material, such as a polyethylene layer. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material (such as a layer of aluminium foil) superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material and in turn covered by another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner surface of the package eventually contacting the food product.

There are different methods as to how to allow access to the food product in the package. For example, some packages are provided with a cap-nozzle assembly or other opening device.

It is also known that some packages are considered suitable for use in travel; i.e. the consumer can use the product outside the consumer's residence. Such packages must be designed so that the consumer can easily access the food product present within the package.

While the known packaging for food products works satisfactorily, there remains a need in the art for further improvements to the known packaging, particularly in terms of providing the packaging with an opening to allow easy access to the product it contains.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome one or more of the limitations of the prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a package allowing easy access to the food product inside the package, even more particularly so as to allow easy use during travel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mould for a packaging machine.

According to the present invention, a package according to independent claim 1 is provided.

Preferred embodiments of the package are claimed in the claims depending directly or indirectly on claim 1.

According to the invention, there is also provided a mould for a packaging machine according to claim 15.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, a package for containing a food product is provided. The package includes a body formed from a multi-layer packaging material including a layer of fibrous material and a cover structure formed from a plastic material and attached to the body.

The main body has: a bottom portion; a wall portion extending from the bottom portion for forming an interior space for the food product; and an opening disposed at an end of the wall portion opposite the bottom portion.

The cover structure is configured to seal the opening and the interior space (14), and includes: a cover frame attached to the body at the opening; a cover detachably engaged with the cover frame and cooperating with the cover frame to seal the opening; a pulling element connected to the peripheral portion of the cover and configured to exert an opening force on the cover when pulled so as to at least partially separate the cover from the cover frame, thereby at least partially releasing the opening.

The advantage of this package is that by arranging the pulling element at the peripheral portion of the lid, the opening force can be effectively directed onto a locally limited portion of the lid at the beginning of opening, allowing to facilitate the separation of the lid from the lid frame. This provides an opening allowing easy access to the food product contained in the package.

The pulling element may extend from the top surface of the cover at an angle in the range of 50 deg. to 100 deg., or in the range of 70 deg. to 90 deg., or (substantially) 85 deg.. The angle may be the angle between the plane of the top surface of the cover (23) and the direction in which the pulling element extends from the cover, at the location where the pulling element is connected to the cover, and is measured on the side of the pulling element facing the centre of the cover. In this way, concentration of the opening force can be further ensured.

The pulling element may be connected to the cover at only one coupling point or at only two coupling points. This allows the force to be directed and concentrated on a single portion of the cover, further improving the separation efficiency of the cover.

The pulling element may comprise an annular gripping structure and the cover may comprise a recess located below the annular gripping structure. In this way, an improved housing of the annular gripping structure may be allowed. The annular gripping structure may be closed or may be open, with its ends connected to the cover or to two elements (legs) extending from the cover.

The cover may include a protrusion extending above the cover frame and the pulling element may be connected to the protrusion. This allows for even further improvement of the separation characteristics of the cover from the cover frame.

The cover may cover at least 90% of the opening of the body. In this way a large part of the opening can be released, thereby facilitating access to the food product, in particular for a ready-to-use solution.

The cover frame may include a frame top surface extending along the entire periphery of the opening of the main body. The cover may include a cover portion and a cover wall portion. The cover wall portion may extend around an outer peripheral portion of the cover portion and may be joined to the cover frame and may raise the outer peripheral portion of the cover portion above the top surface of the frame. The presence of the cover wall portion allows for the orientation of the force along the cover wall portion itself, allowing for the force to be concentrated and facilitating the separation of the cover from the cover frame.

The cover may comprise a pointed projection extending into the cover frame at a position below the pulling element. The pointed projections allow concentrating the forces on the interface formed between the pointed projections and the cover frame, resulting in even further improved separation characteristics of the cover from the cover frame.

The cover structure may include a tear portion at the junction of the cover and the cover frame. One side of the tear-off portion ensures the bond between the cover frame and the cover and the other side provides the possibility of separating the cover from the cover frame.

At least 70% of the length of the tear portion may follow a contour having the same shape as the shape of the contour of the opening of the body. In this way, easy access to the food is ensured.

The cover may be at least partially separated, with the entire periphery of the cover precisely corresponding to the interior portion of the cover frame from which the cover is separated. In this way, the cover maintains its original structure and is separated from the cover frame in a simple manner without any cuts or the like in the cover.

The tear portion may comprise a pointed portion extending into the cover frame at a location below the pull element. This allows to concentrate on the local part at the beginning of the separation of the cover from the cover frame.

The tear portion may terminate at a side of the opening of the body opposite to the side of the body where the pulling element is located. This allows ensuring that the cover remains attached to the cover frame so that the cover will be correctly arranged with respect to the rest of the package.

The tear portion may comprise an inclined side portion extending at an angle to the outer periphery of the cover frame at the side of the body where the pulling element is located and at the respective side of the pulling element such that the distance between the tear portion and the outer periphery of the cover frame increases along the inclined side portion in a direction away from the pulling element. This solution allows to improve the separation characteristics of the cover from the cover frame after the initial separation of the cover has been initiated.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mould for a packaging machine, the mould comprising a cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the lid structure of the package described above. The mold allows the lid structure to be molded and attached to the body of the package.

Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package having a body, a lid structure and a lid;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1 with the lid removed and the lid structure opened;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a multi-layer packaging material forming the body of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the cover structure of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the cover structure of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged bottom view of a detail of the cover structure of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view of the cover structure of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a detail of the cover structure of FIG. 4;

fig. 7 and 8 are enlarged perspective views of the cover structure of fig. 4; and

fig. 9 is a perspective view of a package with a pulling element according to a second embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, an exemplary package 1 for containing a food product, in particular a pourable food product, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, tomato sauce, soup, salt, sugar, etc., is shown.

In more detail and with further reference to fig. 3, the package 1 comprises a body 2 formed of a multilayer packaging material 3 and a cover structure 4 attached to the body 2, in particular molded onto the body 2.

The multi-layered packaging material 3 may include: a layer of fibrous material 5, for example paper or cardboard, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material 6, for example polyethylene, the at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material 6 sandwiching the fibrous material layers 5 between each other.

Furthermore, the multilayer packaging material 3 may also comprise a layer 7 of a gas and light barrier material (for example an aluminium foil or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film), in particular arranged between one of the layers 6 of heat-seal plastic material and the layer 5 of fibrous material. Preferably, the multilayer packaging material 3 may further comprise a further layer 8 of heat-seal plastic material interposed between the layer 7 of gas and light barrier material and the layer 5 of fibrous material.

Returning to fig. 1 and 2, the main body 2 includes: a bottom part 12, a wall part 13 and an opening 15, the wall part 13 extending (in particular along a central (longitudinal) axis a) from the bottom part 12 for forming an interior space 14 for the food product, the opening 15 being arranged at an end 16 of the wall part 13, which end 16 is opposite the bottom part 12.

Furthermore, the cover structure 4 is attached to the main body 2 so as to seal the opening 15 and the inner space 14. As explained in further detail below, the cover structure 4 may be manipulated such that a consumer may access the interior space 14, e.g., to pour food product from the interior space 14 and/or to consume food product directly from the body 2.

More specifically, the bottom portion 12 may define a support surface of the package 1, in particular a support surface of the body 2, which is configured to be in contact with a support surface (e.g. a shelf), in particular during use, such as when exposed in a point of sale or when stored. In particular, it is easy to realize that when the bottom part 12 is placed on a support surface, the bottom part 12 will be arranged at a lower position than other positions. In particular, the bottom portion 12 defines the lowest part of the package 1.

Furthermore, during manipulation (opening) of the cover structure 4, the bottom portion 12 also defines the lowest position of the body 2.

Thus, in the following, any reference to top, bottom, upper, lower, above, below and the like means that the package 1 is placed, for example, on a support surface or that the bottom part 12 is in the lowest position when the consumer holds the package 1 when the consumer wants to handle the cover structure 4, whereas the cover structure 4 and thus the opening 1 is located vertically above the bottom part 12.

In other words, the "correct" orientation of the package 1 is such that when the consumer sees the bottom portion 12, this bottom portion 12 is arranged at a lower position than the lid structure 4, otherwise handling the lid structure 4 would result in an accidental spillage of the food product.

In particular, the end 16 may be disposed at a higher position than the bottom portion 12. In other words, the end 16 may define the top end of the body 2.

In addition, the package 1 may further comprise a cover 17 (only shown in fig. 1), in particular a plastic cover 17, which is detachably coupled to the body 2 and covers the cover structure 4. In particular, the cover 17 may extend from the body 2. Even more particularly, the cover 17 may have a parallelepiped shape. The lid 17 may contain additional food products, such as cereal, and/or may be arranged to contain a spoon or similar tool suitable for use in eating the food products in the package 1. The cover 17 is typically removed prior to manipulation (opening) of the cover structure 4.

The body 2 may also extend along a first transversal axis B, transversal (in particular perpendicular) to the central axis a, and a second transversal axis C transversal (in particular perpendicular) to the central axis a and the first transversal axis B. The extension of the body 2 along the central axis a may be greater than the respective extensions of the body 2 along the first and second lateral axes B, C.

The body 2, in particular the wall portion 13, may have a quadratic cross-sectional profile with respect to a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the central axis a. Alternatively, the cross-sectional profile may be different, such as circular, oval, elliptical, oblong, hexagonal, or have any other shape.

The wall portion 13 may comprise one or more single walls, in the particular case shown four. In particular, each wall is connected to two adjacent walls.

In addition, the wall portion 13 may comprise an annular edge 18, see fig. 6B, arranged at the end 16 and defining the opening 15. Specifically, the rim 18 may define the outer periphery of the opening 15.

In particular, the body 2 may be devoid of any other portion transverse to the wall portion 13, having an opening 15 and arranged at the end 16.

Further, the body 2 may include an inner surface 19 facing and/or defining the interior space 14 and an outer surface 20 opposite the inner surface 19 (i.e., the outer surface 20 faces away from the interior space 14).

Referring to fig. 1, 2, 4, 6A and 6B, the cover structure 4 may be formed of a plastic material and may include: cover frame 22, cover 23, and pulling element 24, cover frame 22 being attached to the main body (particularly molded to main body 2) at opening 15, cover 23 being detachably engaged with cover frame 22 and cooperating with cover frame 22 to seal opening 15 (see fig. 1), pulling element 24 being connected to peripheral portion 25 of cover 23 and configured to exert an opening force F on cover 23 when pulled, so as to at least partially separate cover 23 from cover frame 22, thereby at least partially releasing opening 15 (see fig. 2).

In use, after at least partially separating cover 23 from frame 22, the consumer may pour and/or access the food product.

In addition, the cover structure 4 may include a tear portion 26 at the junction of the cover 23 and the cover frame 22. In other words, the tear portion 26 is interposed between the cover 23 and the cover frame 22, and detachably joins the cover 23 to the cover frame 22. Or even in other words, the tear portion 26 connects the cover 23 at least partially with the cover frame 22.

Further, the tear portion 26 may be configured such that upon application of the opening force F, the tear portion 26 separates from the cover 23 and/or the cover frame 22 to allow the cover 23 to separate from the cover frame 22.

Referring particularly to fig. 4, 6A and 6B, the cover frame 22 may have an annular shape. In particular, the shape of the cover frame 22 (in particular at the end 16) may correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the body 2 (in relation to a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the central axis a).

The cover frame 22 may include an inner ring 27 and an outer ring 28 spaced apart from one another. The inner ring 27 and the outer ring 28 may define an annular gap (see fig. 6A and 6B) within which a portion of the wall portion 13 is arranged in order to attach the cover frame 22 to the main body 2, in particular the wall portion. In other words, the upper portion of the wall portion 13 may be interposed between the inner ring 27 and the outer ring 28.

The cover frame 22 may also include a connection portion 30, an inner ring 27, and an outer ring 28. In particular, the inner ring 27 and the outer ring 28 protrude laterally (in particular (substantially) perpendicularly) from the connecting portion 30.

The cover frame 22 may be attached to the wall portion 12 such that the rim 18 is received within a gap formed between the inner ring 27 and the outer ring 28.

The inner ring 27 may be disposed radially on the inside, and the outer ring 28 may be disposed radially on the outside (with respect to the central axis a and an axis extending radially from the central axis a). In other words, inner ring 27 may be closer to central axis a than outer ring 28.

The inner ring 27 may be (at least partially) disposed within the interior space 14.

The inner ring 27 may be attached to the inner surface 19 (particularly fused and/or molded to the inner surface 19) and the outer ring 28 may be attached to the outer surface 20 (particularly fused and/or molded to the outer surface 20).

Referring to fig. 2, 4A, 4B and 5, the cover frame 22 (and particularly the connecting portion 30) may also include a frame top surface 31. The frame top 31 may face away from the interior space 14.

The frame top surface 31 may extend in a first plane H1, the first plane H1 preferably being transverse (in particular perpendicular) to the central axis a. In particular, the first plane H1 is parallel to a plane spanned by the first and second transverse axes B, C. The frame top surface 31 may extend along the entire periphery of the opening 15 and/or along the entire edge 18.

Referring to fig. 1, 4, 6A, 6B, 7, and 8, the cover 23 may include a cover portion 34 (specifically configured to expand over the opening 15) and a cover wall portion 35 extending from the cover portion 34. In particular, the cover wall portion 35 may extend laterally (in particular vertically) from an annular peripheral portion 36 of the cover portion 34. The outer peripheral portion 25 of the cover 23 may include an annular outer peripheral portion 36 of the cover portion 34. The cover wall portion 35 may be (substantially) parallel to the central axis a.

The lid portion 34 may be arranged transversely (in particular perpendicularly) to the central axis a, and the lid wall portion 35 may be (substantially) parallel to the central axis a.

The lid wall portion 35 (particularly along the tear portion 26) is removably attached to the lid frame 22. The lid wall portion 35 may be connected to the lid portion 34 (particularly to the peripheral portion 36) at a first end of the lid wall portion 35 and to the lid frame 22 (more particularly to the connection portion 30 of the lid frame 22) at a second end of the lid wall portion 35 opposite the first end.

The cover wall portion 35 may raise at least the peripheral portion 36 above the cover frame 22 (and in particular above the frame top surface 31). In other words, the cover frame 22 and the frame top surface 31 may be interposed between the peripheral portion 36 and the bottom portion 12.

The cover 23, in particular the cover portion 34, may comprise a cover top surface 37, in particular facing away from the cover frame 22 and/or the interior space 14. The peripheral portion 36 may include an annular region 38 of the cover top surface 37. The annular region 38 may extend in a second plane H2 (in particular transverse to the central axis a, even more in particular perpendicular to the central axis a). In addition, the second plane H2 may be parallel to the first plane H1.

The cover 23, and in particular the cover portion 34, may include a center 39. The center 39 may intersect the central axis a. The cover 23, and in particular the cover portion 34, may include a recess 40.

The cover portion 34 may be curved, even more particularly have a concave shape with respect to the second plane H2.

The deepest point and/or inflection point of the recess 40 may be laterally displaced from the center 39 and/or directed and/or enter the interior space 14.

The cover 23, and in particular the cover portion 34, may cover at least 90% of the opening 15. Furthermore, the cover frame 22 may cover portions of the opening 15 that are not covered by the cover 23 (particularly the cover portion 34).

Referring to fig. 1, 4, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B, the pulling element 24 may be connected to the cover 22 and/or extend from the cover 22, in particular from the peripheral portion 25, even more in particular from the peripheral portion 36, and in particular away from the cover 23 and the cover frame 23.

The pulling element 24 may be connected to the cover 23 at a coupling point 41 and/or extend from the cover 23, in particular from the peripheral portion 25, even more in particular from the peripheral portion 36. The coupling point 41 may be a single coupling point, i.e. the only point at which the pulling element is attached to the cover 23. In other words, even though there may be more than one coupling point, there is only one single connection between the pulling element 24 and the cover 23.

The pulling element 24 may extend from the cover top surface 37 at the coupling point 41, even more particularly from the annular region 38. The pulling element 24 may extend from the cover 23 (in particular from the cover top surface 37, even more in particular from the annular region 38) by an angle α in the range of 50 ° to 100 °, in the range of 70 ° to 90 °, or substantially 85 °.

More specifically, the angle α may be the angle between the second plane H2 and the direction D in which the pulling element 24 extends from the cover 22 at the coupling point 41, and is measured on the side of the pulling element 24 facing the center 39. The direction D may be directed upward from the second plane H2.

Referring to fig. 4 and 6A-8, the cover 23 (particularly the cover portion 34) may include a protrusion 42 that extends above the cover frame 22 (particularly above the frame top surface 31). The pulling element 24 may be connected to the protrusion 42. The protrusion 42 may have a (substantially) plate-like shape and/or may consist of plates. The protrusion 42 may extend within the second plane H2. The protrusion 42 may extend radially from the cover 23, and in particular from the cover portion 34.

Alternatively or additionally, the cover 23 (particularly the cover wall portion 35) may include a pointed projection 43 extending into the cover frame 22. In particular, the pointed projections 43 may be positioned below the pulling element 24, or in other words, the pointed projections 43 may be interposed between the cover frame 22 and the pulling element 24.

The projection 42 may be interposed between the spike 43 and the pulling element 24, or in other words, the projection 42 may be arranged above the spike 43 and below the pulling element 24. The pointed projection 43 may have a wedge shape.

The pulling element 24 and/or the protrusions 42 and/or the pointed protrusions 43 may be arranged at or adjacent to the body 2 and/or the side 44 of the opening 15. The body 2 and/or the opening 15 may comprise a further side 45 opposite the side 44.

In use, during application of the opening force F, the cover 23 may be separated from the cover frame 22, beginning at side 44 and ending at side 45. Pulling element 24 may be configured such that opening force F is directed from side 44 to side 45.

Referring to fig. 1, 2, 4, 6A, 7, and 8, the pulling element 24 may include an annular gripping structure 46 (particularly configured to allow gripping by a consumer). The annular gripping structure 46 may include elements that improve the gripping characteristics of the annular gripping structure 46. These elements may be arranged at the top surface of the annular gripping structure 46.

The annular gripping structure 44 may be disposed above the recess 40, or in other words, the recess 40 may be disposed below the annular gripping structure 46. Even in other words, the recess 40 may be interposed between the annular gripping structure 46 and the interior space 14 and/or the bottom portion 12. The recess 40 may be configured to at least partially receive the annular gripping structure 46.

The pulling element 24 may further comprise a leg 47, which leg 47 is connected at one of its end sides to the cover 23 and at its other end side to the annular gripping structure 46. The leg 47 may extend from the cover 23 at an angle α.

Referring to fig. 5A and 5B, at least 70% of the tear portion 26 (and in particular the length of the tear portion 26) may follow a contour having the same shape as the shape of the contour of the opening 15 and/or edge 18.

The cover 23, and in particular the cover wall portion 35, may include an outer perimeter 50, with the outer perimeter 50 being connected to an inner portion 51 of the cover frame 22, and in particular via the tear portion 26.

When the cover 23 (particularly the cover wall portion 35) is at least partially separated from the cover frame 22, the outer periphery 50 (particularly the entirety thereof) of the cover 23 (particularly the cover wall portion 35) may precisely correspond to an inner portion 51 of the cover frame 22 from which the cover 23 (particularly the cover wall portion 35) is separated. The outer perimeter 50 may include only the portion that engages the cover frame 22 via the tear portion 26 prior to separation.

Tear portion 26 may include a pointed portion 52, and pointed portion 52 may extend into cover frame 22 at a location below pull element 24 and/or below tab 42 and/or below pointed tab 43. The pointed portion 52 may be disposed at the side 44.

The pointed projection 43 may be joined to the cover frame 22 along the pointed portion 52 or the tear portion 26. Specifically, the pointed portion 52 may follow the shape of the pointed projection 43.

The tear portion 26 may include a first end 53 and a second end 54 that is different from the first end 53. In other words, the tear portion 26 may be arcuate (and not annular). Or even in other words, the tear portion 26 may be interrupted at the side 45.

The cover structure 4 may include a tether and/or hinge member 55 extending between the first end 53 and the second end 54. The cover frame 22 and the cover 23 (particularly the cover wall portion 35) may be engaged with each other along a tether and/or hinge member 55. In particular, the tether and/or hinge element 55 may be configured to ensure that the cover 23 remains attached to the cover frame 22 even after the cover 23 is separated along the tear portion 26; that is, the tether and/or hinge member 55 does not break upon application of the opening force F. The tether and/or hinge element 55 may be arranged at the side 45. In one embodiment, hinge element 55 is omitted and tear portion 26 extends along the entire length of side 45, allowing the entire cover 23 to be removed from cover frame 22.

In more detail, the tear portion 26 may include at least one (and particularly two) angled sides 56 disposed at the side 44. The angled sides 56 may meet at the pointed portion 52, forming the pointed portion 52. The tear portion 26 may include two (parallel) sides 57 transverse to the angled sides 56.

The tear portion 26 may include one or more auxiliary portions 58 (two shown in the specific case) that engage the side portions 57 and are disposed at the side surfaces 45. Auxiliary portion 58 may interpose tether and/or hinge element 55 between each other. One auxiliary portion 58 may include the first end 53 and the other auxiliary portion 58 may include the second end 54.

Referring to fig. 5A, each angled side 56 may extend at an angle β relative to an outer periphery 59 of the cover frame 22 (particularly relative to the outer ring 28) such that a distance between the angled side 56 and the outer periphery 59 of the cover frame 22 increases along the angled side 56 in a direction away from the pulling element 24. Two respective imaginary lines, each comprising a respective inclined side portion 56, may define a wedge-shaped structure, and respective intersections of the two imaginary lines may be directed radially away from the central axis a.

A mold (not shown) is used to form the cover structure 4. The mould is manufactured according to principles known in the art and is configured to be mounted in a packaging machine arranged to package a food product in a package similar to package 1 described herein. The mould has a cavity 66, the shape of the cavity 66 corresponding to the shape of the cover structure 4. In other words, the cavity 66 is shaped to allow the formation of the cover structure 4. The mold is also configured to mold the cover structure 4 onto the body 2.

In use, the consumer receives the package 1 with the cover 23 engaged with the cover frame 22. To at least partially release the opening 15, the consumer must apply an opening force F to allow the cover 23 to separate from the cover frame 22 along at least a portion of the tear portion 26. Obviously, the consumer needs to remove the cap 17 before applying the opening force F. To apply the opening force F, the consumer grasps the annular grasping structure 46.

Referring to fig. 9, a package 11 having a pulling element 241 according to another embodiment is shown. The package 11 corresponds to the aforementioned package 1 except for the shape of the pulling element 241 and has the same features as the aforementioned package 1.

Thus, the package 11 has the same main body as the package 1 of fig. 1 and a cover structure comprising a cover frame 22 and a detachable cover 23. The pulling element 241 is connected to the peripheral portion 25 of the cover 23 and is configured to exert an opening force on the cover 23 when pulled in order to at least partially separate the cover 23 from the cover frame 22.

The pulling element 241 comprises a first leg 47, which first leg 47 is connected at one end thereof to the cover 23 and at the other end thereof to a first end of an open annular gripping structure 461. The pulling element 241 comprises a second leg 472 which second leg 472 is connected at one end thereof to the cover 23 and at the other end thereof to a second end of the open annular gripping structure 461.

The pulling element 241 is connected to the cover 23 via a first leg 47 at a first coupling point 41 and extends from the cover 23, in particular from the peripheral portion 25. In this case, the first coupling point 41 is not the only point for attaching the pulling element 241 to the cover 23. The pulling element 241 is attached to the cover 23 via a second leg 472 at the second coupling point 412. The second leg 472 is connected to the cover 23 at a position rearward of the first leg 47 when viewed in a direction from the projection 42 toward the first leg 47. In other words, the first leg 47 is connected to the cover 23 at the coupling point 41, the coupling point 41 is between the outer peripheral portion 25 and the coupling point 412 on the cover 23, and the second leg 472 is attached to the cover 23 at the coupling point 412.

The first leg 47 of the package 11 according to the second embodiment may have the same shape and form as the leg 47 of the package 1 shown in fig. 1-8.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that various embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, but are not limited thereto, but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the subject matter defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A package (1) for containing a food product, the package (1) comprising:

-a body (2) formed of a multilayer packaging material (3), the multilayer packaging material (3) comprising a layer of fibrous material (5), the body (2) having:

-a bottom portion (12),

-a wall portion (13) extending from the bottom portion (12) for forming an inner space (14) for the food product, and

-an opening (15) arranged at an end (16) of the wall portion (13) opposite the bottom portion (12), and

a cover structure (4) formed of plastic material and attached to the main body (2) for sealing the opening (15) and the inner space (14), the cover structure (4) having:

a cover frame (22) attached to the main body (2) at the opening (15),

-a cover (23) removably engaged with the cover frame (22) and cooperating with the cover frame (22) to seal the opening (15), and

-a pulling element (24, 241) connected to the peripheral portion (25) of the cover (23) and configured to exert an opening force (F) on the cover (23) when pulled, so as to at least partially separate the cover (23) from the cover frame (22) to at least partially release the opening (15).

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the pulling element (24, 241) extends from a lid top surface (37) of the lid (23) by an angle (a), which angle (a):

in the range of 50 deg. to 100 deg.,

in the range of 70 DEG to 90 DEG, or

Substantially 85,

the angle (alpha) is the angle between the plane (H2) of the cover top surface (37) of the cover (23) and the direction (D) in which the pulling element (26) extends from the cover (23) at the location (41) where the pulling element (26) is connected to the cover (23), and is measured on the side of the pulling element (26) facing the center (39) of the cover (23).

3. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulling element (24, 241) is connected to the cover (23) at only one coupling point (41) or at only two coupling points (41, 412).

4. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulling element (24, 241) comprises an annular gripping structure (46, 461) and the cover (23) comprises a recess (40) below the annular gripping structure (46).

5. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (23) comprises a protrusion (42) extending above the cover frame (22), and the pulling element (24, 241) is connected to the protrusion (42).

6. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (23) covers at least 90% of the opening (15) of the body (2).

7. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein,

the cover frame (22) comprises a frame top surface (31) extending along the entire periphery (18) of the opening (15) of the main body (2),

the cover (23) comprises a cover portion (34) and a cover wall portion (35), and

the cover wall portion (35) extends around a peripheral portion (36) of the cover portion (34), engages the cover frame (22), and lifts the peripheral portion (36) of the cover portion (34) above the frame top surface (31).

8. The package according to claim 7, wherein the cover (23) comprises a pointed projection (43) extending into the cover frame (22) at a position below the pulling element (24, 241).

9. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid structure (4) comprises a tear portion (26), the tear portion (26) being located at a junction of the lid (23) and the lid frame (22).

10. A package according to claim 9, wherein at least 70% of the length of the tear portion (26) follows a contour having the same shape as the shape of the contour of the opening (15) of the body (2).

11. The package according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the entire outer periphery (50) of the cover (23) corresponds exactly to the inner portion (51) of the cover frame (22) when the cover (23) is at least partly separated, the cover (23) being separated from the inner portion (51).

12. The package according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the tear portion (26) comprises a pointed portion (52) extending into the cover frame (22) at a position below the pulling element (24, 241).

13. The package according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the tear portion (26) is interrupted at a side (45) of the opening (15) of the body (2), the side (45) being opposite to a side (44) of the body where the pulling element (24, 241) is located.

14. The package according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the tear portion (26) comprises an inclined side portion (56) extending at an angle (β) with respect to an outer periphery (59) of the cover frame (22) at a side (44) of the body (2) where the pulling element (24, 241) is located and at a respective side of the pulling element (24, 241), such that a distance between the tear portion (26) and the outer periphery (59) of the cover frame (23) increases along the inclined side portion (56) in a direction away from the pulling element (24, 241).

15. A mould (65) for a packaging machine, the mould (65) comprising a cavity (66) the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the lid structure (4) of the package (1) according to any of the preceding claims.