EP0006043A1 - Egg carton - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Body of plastics material, in particular transparent, for an egg box, of the type formed by a generally rectangular planar sheet (3) from which downwardly project at least two longitudinal rows of upwardly open convergent cups (4) and upwardly project downwardly open central spigots (9, 10) located between these two rows and downwardly open lateral spigots (12) located alongside each longitudinal edge of the sheet in positions corresponding to the central spigots, this body being characterized in that each lateral spigot (12) has the shape of a pyramid the outer lateral face (15) of which is formed by a planar inclined face, and in that all the outer lateral faces (15) located on a same side are coplanar.

Description

The present invention relates to egg boxes of the comprenart type on the one hand a plastic body, in particular transparent, consisting of a flat sheet of generally rectangular shape on which protrude downwards at least two longitudinal rows of open convergent cells upwards, and upwards, pins open downwards and situated between these two rows as well as lateral reliefs open downwards and situated along a longitudinal edge of the sheet, and on the other hand a cover in flat cardboard, the central part of which is supported by the pins and is bordered by two lateral wings inclined downward, the free ends of which are fixed to the lateral parts of the said sheet, at least one of the wings being fixed by adhesion. These boxes are relatively economical and offer two large side surfaces that can easily be printed on the wings of the cover.

In a known box of this type described in patent FR 2 098 626, the lateral reliefs open towards the bottom form a gutter provided with hooking spouts allowing the snapping of a lateral wing of the cover, while the other wing adheres to the outer wall of a second gutter open upwards provided on the other longitudinal edge of the sheet forming the body.

The object of the invention is to provide an egg box of the same type which is more rigid and which consequently makes it possible to save on cardboard.

To this end, the invention relates to a box of the aforementioned type, characterized in that: (a) the sheet has on its two sides lateral reliefs open downwards; (b) the lateral reliefs each have a flat outer lateral face; (c) the free end of each lateral wing adheres to all of the faces lateral lateral reliefs on the same side.

For the extraction of the eggs, in a first embodiment, a lateral wing has a band __ horizontal tear. In another embodiment, use is made of weakened tear lines judiciously placed on the cover.

The invention also relates to a body made of plastic material, in particular transparent, intended to enter into the constitution of an egg box as defined above. This body, of the type consisting of a flat sheet of generally rectangular shape on which protrude downwards at least two longitudinal rows of converging cells open upwards and, upwards, pins open downwards and located between these two rows as well as lateral reliefs open towards the bottom and situated along a longitudinal edge of the sheet, is characterized in that the sheet has on its two sides lateral reliefs open towards the bottom, and in that these lateral reliefs each have a flat outer lateral face, all the outer lateral faces located on the same side being coplanar.

• - la Fig. 1 est une vue en plan, avec arrachement partiel, d'une boite à oeufs suivant un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• - la Fig. 2 est une vue partielle en bout de cette boîte, à plus grande échelle, prise en regardant suivant la flèche 2 de la Fig. 1 ;
• - la Fig. 3 est une vue en plan grandeur nature d'une bande de carton destinée à la réalisation du couver- clé de la boite des Fig. 1 et 2 ;
• - la Fig. 4 est une vue analogue à la Fig. 3, mais à plus petite échelle, d'une bande de carton destinée à la réalisation du couvercle d'un autre mode de réalisation de boite à oeufs conforme à l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• - Fig. 1 is a plan view, partially broken away, of an egg carton according to an embodiment of the invention;
• - Fig. 2 is a partial view at the end of this box, on a larger scale, taken by looking along arrow 2 in FIG. 1;
• - Fig. 3 is a life-size plan view of a strip of cardboard intended for the production of the cover. key of the box of Figs. 1 and 2 ;
• - Fig. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but on a smaller scale, of a strip of cardboard intended for the production of the lid of another embodiment of the egg box according to the invention.

The egg carton shown in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of two parts: a thermoformed body 1 made of transparent or translucent plastic material, and a cover 2 made of cardboard.

The body 1, consisting for example of PVC or impact polystyrene, comprises a flat rectangular sheet 3 which joins by their large bases six cells 4 each having the general shape of a straight pyramid trunk with regular octagonal bases. Each cell is connected to the sheet 3 by a vertical wall 5 of low height which extends it upwards and on each side of which protrudes inwards a small spherical cap 6 for positioning an egg. The bottom 7 of each cell is curved inwards in a spherical cap, with a flat marginal zone 8.

The cells 4 are distributed symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry P of the box, in two rows of three. This plane P is also a plane of symmetry for several elements projecting upwards, namely two pins or end columns 9, two central pins or columns 10, and eight lateral pins or columns 12.

The pins 9 and 10 have the shape of straight pyramid trunks converging upwards and a height approximately equal to that of the cells 4. The horizontal section of the pins 9 is roughly triangular, that of the pins 10 is square. Plan view, the large base of the pins 9 is formed by an end edge of the sheet 3 and by one side of the two extreme cells 4, that of the pins 10 by one side of each group of four adjacent cells. The small bases 13 and 14 of the pins 9 and 10 are flat and contained in the same horizontal plane Q.

The pins 12 are located to the right of the pins 9 and 10 and have the shape of pyramids with a triangular base. The base of the end pins 12 is formed by two sides of the sheet 3 and by one side of an end cell 4 and is therefore a right triangle. The base of the intermediate pins 12 is an isosceles triangle formed by a longitudinal edge of the sheet 3 and by one side of an end cell 4 and a middle cell 4. The tips of the pins 12 are all located at a level below the plane Q, and their outer faces 15, starting from the longitudinal edges of the sheet 3, define two inclined planes P ¹ (Fig. 2) whose meeting line is horizontal and located in plane P.

Likewise, the outer faces 16 of the pins 9 and 12 starting from the transverse edges of the sheet 3 define two inclined planes whose meeting line is horizontal and perpendicular to the plane P.

Since the body 1 is thermoformed in a single operation from a flat sheet of plastic, it is clear that the large base of the pins 9 and 10 as well as the base of the pins 12 is not materialized, unlike small bases 13 and 14 of the pins 9 and 10. In other words, it is possible to access from the bottom up to the top of all the pins 9, 10 and 12. The two central pins 10 each have a small cylindrical stud at their top 10 ^has protruding upwards.

Finally, it is provided in the seven narrow flat areas 17 separating the cells 4 from each other small cylinders 17a with a vertical axis which serve to maintain a certain spacing between the sheets 3 when the bodies 1 alone are stacked

The cover 2 is produced from a rectangle 18 cut between two successive transverse lines 40 weakened or partially cut from a strip of flat cardboard 19 (FIG. 3). The term "weakened line" means a pre-tear line which can be easily torn by hand and which consists, for example, of a series of small holes. This rectangle comprises two longitudinal fold lines 41 located approximately halfway between the longitudinal edges 42 and the longitudinal axis XX, and two longitudinal fold lines 41a adjacent to the edges 42. The lines 41 end at a short distance. lines 40 and are extended by slightly divergent cut segments 43. The ends of the lines 41 are joined by two transverse fold lines 44 and are connected to the respective corners of the rectangle 18 by other fold lines 45. The two segments 43 delimit with the lines 40 and 44 a central end flap 46 of trapezoidal shape, while lines 40, 45 and 43 define two lateral end flaps 47. The lateral wings 35 of cover 2 are delimited by lines 41, 42 and 45 and have a trapezoidal shape.

A wing 35 has a longitudinal tear strip 48 which extends between the two corresponding lines 45, approximately halfway between the associated lines 41 and 41a. The strip 48 consists of two symmetrical series and in the parallel set of bent slots 49 having successively in the direction of tearing a slightly divergent part 50 and a part 51 parallel to the axis X-X. In the vicinity of one end of the strip 48 is a gripping member 52 defined by a cutout 53 in the form of a marine anchor which makes two tabs 54 appear. The slots 49 run in both directions from the member 52, as indicated by arrows carried by this member.

The other wing 35 of the cover 2 has over its entire length, approximately at the same distance from the edge 42 as the strip 48, a fold line 55 parallel to the axis X-X. From each line 45, the line 55 is extended to the adjacent line 40 by a cut segment 56 also parallel to the axis X-X.

Finally, on the X-X axis, about each third of the length of the central part of the cover between the lines 41 and 44, is provided a hole 57; this hole has the shape of an equilateral triangle whose inscribed circle has a diameter slightly smaller than the projections 10 of the central pins 10 of the body 1.

To provide the body 1 with the cover 2, the rectangle 18 is placed on it so that the projections 10a pass, slightly by force, the holes 57. The two wings 35 are then folded down and glued to the lateral pins 12 in their regions located at - below strip 48 and line 55 respectively. For this bonding, supports of appropriate shape are introduced into the pins 9, 10 and 12. This brings the gripping member 52 in the vicinity of an extreme lateral pin 12 but next to it. In addition, at each end, the flap 46 is folded against the outer face of the adjacent pin 9, and the flaps 47 are folded so that their upper ends cover the lateral ends of the flap 46. These ends are glued to each other. . Of course, the areas of the rectangle 18 intended to be bonded can be previously coated with a heat-lacquering lacquer or with another type of adhesive, for example an adhesive which is cold-adhered by simple pressure. Finally, the free edges of the wings 35 are folded inwards around the lines 41a, which lie in the plane of the sheet 3. All of these operations are carried out automatically by means of conventional machines.

To open the box thus obtained, a tongue 54 is slightly pushed back with a fingernail to grip the other tongue 54, and one pulls on the corresponding side to tear off part of the strip 48, then one starts again on the other side by gripping the another tongue 54. The remaining upper part of the wing 35 thus cut can then be grasped from below, and, by pulling upwards, the cover opens around the fold line 55 located on the other side, the pins 10a coming out of the holes 57.

To avoid tearing (which is not very annoying) of the lower points of the flaps 47 on the open side of the box, the slots 49 could be extended, in the rectangle 18, up to the lines 40.

If less than six eggs have been extracted from the box, the lid can then be closed and kept closed, with a certain rigidity, by again making the nipples 10a penetrate into the holes 57.

Of course, as a variant, the tear strip 48 can be produced in different ways. It can be a wire incorporated into the cardboard, or a narrow strip of resistant material capable of cutting the cardboard when its end is pulled, for example such as the strip available commercially under the registered trademark "TIRECEL".

The egg box thus produced is very rigid, and its cover 2 is not liable to separate from the body 1 during its handling. In addition, the cover can be made with a thin and economical cardboard.

The printed stock, consisting of cardboard in strips, is compact, as is the body stock 1. In addition, the absence of cardboard on the small end faces of the box ensures good ventilation of the eggs, again favored by the shape of the alveoli, which only support the eggs in points.

It is possible, as a variant, to reduce slight ment the expense of plastic, heat sealing the ends of the wings of the cover on small projections in inverted V provided on the longitudinal edges of the sheet 3; however, the lateral support of the eggs provided by the pins 12 is then lost, which constitutes another advantage of the box of the invention, and one is led to use a stronger carton to constitute the cover 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the rectangle 18 ^b again includes the lines 41, 41a, 43 and 45 defined above, except that the lines 43 converge towards the axis of symmetry XX. The holes 57 are removed, as well as the pins 10 ^a of the body 1. At the same locations in the longitudinal direction are provided two weakened lines 58 perpendicular to the axis XX; these extend beyond the lines 41 to approximately one third of the distance separating these lines 41 from the edges 42. From each end of each line 58 symmetrically two weakened lines 59 slightly inclined towards the outside with respect to the XX axis. The set of lines 59 thus draws, on each side of the axis XX, a weakened broken line 60 extending from one line 40 to another and comprising three elbows, one at its meeting with each line 58 and one midway between the two lines 58.

With the exception of the latching of the pins 10a, the installation of the rectangle 18 on a body 1 is identical to that described above with regard to FIGS. 1 to 3, the gluing of the wings 35 ^{b taking} place on the lateral pins 12 below the lines 60. Two end eggs are accessed by tearing the parts of the two lines 60 between the corresponding end of the cover and the first line 58 encountered, as well as this line 58. One then accesses in a similar manner to the following two eggs, etc. As a variant, the axis XX could moreover be material dried by a weakened line to reveal only one egg at a time.

Claims (12)

1 - Egg box, of the type comprising on the one hand a plastic body, in particular transparent, consisting of a flat sheet of generally rectangular shape on which protrude downwards at least two longitudinal rows of convergent cells open upwards and, upwards, pins open downwards and situated between these two rows as well as lateral reliefs open downwards and situated along a longitudinal edge of the sheet, and on the other hand a flat cardboard cover the central part of which is supported by the pins and is bordered by two downwardly inclined lateral wings, the free ends of which are fixed to lateral parts of the said sheet, at least one of the wings being fixed by adhesion, this box being characterized in that that: (a) the sheet (3) has on its two sides lateral reliefs (12) open downwards; (b) the lateral reliefs (12) each have a flat outer lateral face (15); (c) the free end of each lateral wing (35) adheres to all of the external lateral faces (15) of the lateral reliefs (12) located on the same side. 2 - Egg box according to claim 1, characterized in that said outer side face (15) is inclined. 3 - Egg box according to claim 2, characterized in that said reliefs (12) consist of additional pins provided in line with the main pins (9-10). 4 - Egg box according to claim 1, characterized in that a side wing (35) has a horizontal tear strip (48). 5 - Egg box according to claim 4, characterized in that the tear strip (49) comprises a gripping member (52) located between two reliefs (12) of said sheet (3). 6 - Egg box according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the other side wing (35) of the cover (2) has a horizontal fold line (55). 7 - Egg box according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the central part of the cover (2) has, at the right of at least some pins (10), holes (57) in which s 'forcibly engage nipples (10 ^a ) projecting upwards on the top of these pins. 8 - Egg box according to claim 1, characterized in that each end edge of the cover (2) has three flaps (46-47) folded down, an end portion of the two side flaps (47) is superimposed on and being glued to end portions of the central flap (46). 9 - Egg box according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover has weakened lines arranged to allow access.successively eggs contained in the box. 10 - Egg box according to claim 9, characterized in that the cover has transverse weakened lines (58) located in line with each main spike (10) and extending on each side to an intermediate location of the lateral wings (35 ^b ), the ends of these weakened lines (58) being joined by a roughly horizontal weakened line (60) extending from one end to the other of the cover. 11 - Egg boot according to claim 9, with two rows of cells, characterized in that the cover also has a central longitudinal weakened line. 12 - Plastic body, in particular transparent for egg boxes, of the type consisting of a flat sheet of generally rectangular shape on which protrude downwards at least two longitudinal rows of converging cells open upwards and upwards , pins open downwards and situated between these two rows as well as lateral reliefs open downwards and situated along a longitudinal edge of the sheet, this body being characterized in that the sheet (3) has on its two sides of the lateral reliefs (12) open downwards, and in that these lateral reliefs (12) each have a flat outer lateral face (15), all the outer lateral faces located on the same side being coplanar.

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