EP3147231B1 - Improved package for a product with clamping band - Google Patents

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of carton packaging of the box type set volume from a blank for food products, including bakery, pastry, confectionery or catering products, and more specifically means for holding in position products contained in such packaging.

STATE OF THE ART

Cardboard boxes made from a blank are commonly used for packaging, storing and transporting food products.

These boxes are indeed advantageous especially because of their low cost, their ease of storage before setting volume, and their ease of building volume.

These boxes are used in particular for the packaging of products such as, quiches, pies or cakes. Such products are however fragile, and require cautious handling of the box to prevent damage to the product.

In particular, a reversal of the box can be very problematic, insofar as the product will then be pressed against the lid, which can therefore significantly damage the product.

The present invention therefore aims to at least partially meet these problems. The documents DE380983C1 and FR464065A5 show packaging with cylindrical cushioning bands.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, the present invention proposes a packaging for a food product having a circular periphery, comprising a box formed from a blank comprising a receptacle and a movable lid relative to the receptacle between an open position and a closed position,
the receptacle being formed by a plurality of walls defining an internal volume of the box, and having an opening selectively closed by the lid,
the package being characterized in that it also comprises a wedging strip, forming a truncated cone, and defining a base bearing against the bottom of the receptacle, having a diameter strictly greater than the diameter of the food product, and a suitable top to bear against the lid of the box, having a diameter strictly smaller than the diameter of the food product.

The box then typically has a square section, with an equal side of the diameter of the base of the wedging strip.

Alternatively, there is provided a food product package having a rectangular periphery, comprising a box formed from a blank comprising a receptacle and a movable lid relative to the receptacle between an open position and a closed position, the receptacle being formed by several walls defining an internal volume of the box, and having an opening selectively closed by the lid,
the packaging being characterized in that it also comprises a wedging strip forming a portion of a pyramid with a rectangle base, and defining a base bearing against the bottom of the receptacle, having a length and a width respectively strictly greater than the length and the width of the food product, and a top adapted to abut against the lid of the box, having a length and a width respectively strictly greater than the length and width of the food product.

The box then typically has a square section, with an equal side of the diameter of the base of the wedging strip.

In one example, the box has a rectangular section, of length equal to the length of the base of the wedging strip and of width equal to the width of the base of the wedging strip.

The wedging strip may be configured to immobilize the food product in the translational box in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the receptacle.

The wedging strip can be monobloc. It can be made of thermoformed material, or cardboard from a blank. It is typically made of transparent material.

The invention also relates to a packaging for food product as defined above comprising a food product.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

• Les figures 1 et 2 présentent deux vues d'un emballage selon un aspect de l'invention,
• La figure 3 présente une vue en coupe de la figure 2,
• Les figures 4 et 5 présentent un exemple de bandeau de calage selon un aspect de l'invention,
• Les figures 6 et 7 présente un emballage selon un autre aspect de l'invention.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting, and which should be read with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• The Figures 1 and 2 present two views of a package according to one aspect of the invention,
• The figure 3 presents a sectional view of the figure 2 ,
• The Figures 4 and 5 show an example of a wedging strip according to one aspect of the invention,
• The Figures 6 and 7 presents a package according to another aspect of the invention.

In all the figures, the elements in common are identified by identical reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures 1 and 2 present two views of a package according to one aspect of the invention. The figure 3 presents a sectional view of the figure 2 .

The box 1 as shown comprises a receptacle 2 defining an internal volume, and a lid 3, mounted articulated with respect to the receptacle 2 between an open position in which the internal volume defined by the receptacle 2 is accessible, and a closed position in which the internal volume defined by the receptacle 2 is closed and not accessible. Box 1 is typically formed from a blank.

The receptacle 2 comprises a bottom panel 21 defining the bottom of the box 1, and four side panels 22, 23, 24 and 25 extending from sides of the bottom panel 21, so as to delimit an internal volume of the box 1 once formatted.

The lid 3 comprises an upper panel 31, typically plane, forming the upper surface of the box 1, mounted to move relative to the receptacle 2 so as to be able to alternate between an open position, an example of which is shown on the figure 1 , and a closed position as shown on the figure 2 . In the example shown, the lid 3 comprises three side skirts 32, 33 and 34, adapted to at least partially cover the side panels 22, 23 and 24 when the lid 3 is closed. The upper panel 31 of the lid 3 is here represented with a transparent portion, to facilitate understanding of the figures.

The connection between the upper panel 31 and the rear side panel 25 forms a hinge, thereby rotating the lid 3 and thus opening and closing the box 1.

A wedging strip 4 is associated with the box 1, this wedging strip 4 being configured to maintain the position of a product contained in the box 1.

As we see on the Figures 1 to 3 but also on Figures 4 and 5 which have the wedging strip 4 taken alone, the latter has a general shape of truncated cone, to surround a circular food product disposed in the box 1.

We represent on figures 2 and 3 an assembly comprising a food product 5 such as a cake, arranged in a package comprising a box 1 and a wedging strip 4.

The food product 5 has a circular general section, for which a diameter D5 is defined.

The nature of the food products that can be contained in the box 1 can of course vary. The diameter D5 generally corresponds to the external diameter of a section that can be qualified as solid of the product, for example corresponding to a crust or an envelope of the product, as opposed to areas of the product that can be qualify as soft, such as a trim or decorative elements.

The wedging strip 4 as shown forms a truncated cone, thus defining a base 42 and a top 43, the base 42 having a diameter D42 greater than the diameter D43 of the apex 43.

When the wedging strip 4 is disposed in the box 1, the base 42 is positioned in abutment against the bottom 21 of the box 1, and the strip 4 surrounds the product 5 as shown on the figures 2 and 3 .

The height of the wedging strip 4 is moreover typically equal to the height of the internal volume of the box 1, so that once the lid 3 is closed, the wedging strip 4 is held in position in the box 1, and the 43 of the wedging strip 4 bears against the upper panel 31 of the lid 3.

The wedging strip 4 is typically sized according to the product 5 that is to be arranged in the box 1.

The wedging strip 4 is thus configured so that D42> D5> D43.

Thus, in the open box 1, the product 5 is first positioned, then the wedging strip 4, and then the lid 3 is closed.

Due to the dimensioning of the wedging strip 4 with respect to the diameter D5 of the product 5, the wedging strip 4 ensures a position in position of the product 5 in translation along an axis perpendicular to the bottom 21 of the box 1, or at the very least a limitation of such a translation.

Indeed, because of the relationship D42> D5> D43, the product 5 comes into contact with the wedging strip 4 in the event of translation along an axis perpendicular to the bottom 21 of the box 1 towards the cover 3.

Advantageously, the wedging strip 4 has a diameter D at a height substantially equal to the height of an external section of the product 5.

Thus, as represented for example on the figure 3 , the product 5 is held stationary relative to the wedging strip 4.

The wedging strip 4 thus makes it possible to protect the product 5 contained in the box 1, in particular in case of overthrow of the latter.

Indeed, in the absence of wedging strip 4, the product would then crash against the upper panel 31 of the cover 3.

The wedging strip 4 avoids such a risk of crushing, by preventing or at least by limiting the movement of the product 5, even in case of overturning of the box 1.

Furthermore, the base 42 of the wedging strip 4 advantageously has a base diameter D42 substantially equal to the length of one side of the bottom panel 21 when the latter is a square.

In this way, the wedging strip 4 also makes it possible to prevent any slippage of the product 5 in the box 1.

As shown on Figures 4 and 5 , the wedging strip 4 may be formed by a cardboard strip having notches 44 formed at its two longitudinal ends configured to engage to form a truncated cone-shaped strip. Several notches can then be arranged to adjust the diameter of wedging strip 4 according to the box 1 and 5 associated product.

The Figures 6 and 7 show another example of packaging according to one aspect of the invention, adapted to receive a product 6 having a generally rectangular shape.

As before, the package comprises a box 1 and a wedging strip 4.

Product 6 here has a generally rectangular shape.

This defines a length Lo6 and a width La6 of the product 6.

The wedging strip 4 has for its part a general shape of pyramid portion with a rectangular base.

As previously, we define a base 42 of the wedging strip 4 adapted to bear against the bottom 21 of the receptacle 2 of the box 1, and a top 43 of the wedging strip 4 adapted to be near or in contact with the upper panel 31 of the cover 3.

The base 42 of the wedging strip 4 has a base length Lo42 and a base width La42, while the top 43 of the wedging strip 4 has a crown length Lo43 and a crown width La43.

$$\mathrm{La}42>\mathrm{La}6>\mathrm{La}43$$

The dimensions of the wedging strip 4 are such that: $$\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="42"\; label="Lo"\; filenames="imgf0002.png,imgf0003.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">Lo</figure-callout>}42>\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="6"\; label="Lo"\; filenames="imgf0003.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">Lo</figure-callout>}6>\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="43"\; label="Lo"\; filenames="imgf0002.png,imgf0003.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">Lo</figure-callout>}43$$

$$\mathrm{The}42>\mathrm{The}6>\mathrm{The}43$$

In this way, as for a wedge-shaped wedging strip 42 as previously presented with reference to the Figures 1 to 5 , the wedging strip 4 makes it possible to carry out a function of holding the product 6 in the box 1, by preventing or at the very least by limiting its displacement towards the cover 31 even in the event of overturning of the box 1.

The dimensions Lo42 and La42 can moreover correspond substantially to the dimensions of the receptacle 2 of the box 1, which then makes it possible to completely immobilize the product 6 in the box 1.

Whether the product 5 or 6 is circular or rectangular, it is understood that the two embodiments and have a similar operation and structure, to ensure a positional maintenance and protection of the product 5 or 6 contained in the box 1.

The wedging strip 4 can be monobloc or in several parts. It can be made of cardboard from a blank, or thermoformed material. It is for example made of transparent material.

Claims (9)

1. A package for a food product having a circular periphery having a diameter (D5), comprising a box (1) formed from a blank (4), comprising a receptacle (2) and a lid (3) mobile relative to the receptacle (2) between an open position and a closed position,
   the receptacle (2) being formed by several walls (21, 22, 23, 24) defining an internal volume of the box (1), and having an opening selectively blocked by the lid (3),
   the package being characterized in that it also comprises a clamping band (4), forming a truncated cone, and defining a base (42) resting against the bottom of the receptacle (2), having a diameter (D42) strictly greater than the diameter (D5) of the food product, and a top (43) adapted to come to rest against the lid (3) of the box (1), having a diameter (D43) strictly less than the diameter (D5) of the food product.
2. The package for food product (6) having a rectangular periphery having a length (Lo6) and a width (La6), the package comprising a box (1) formed from a blank (4), comprising a receptacle (2) and a lid (3) mobile relative to the receptacle (2) between an open position and a closed position,
   the receptacle (2) being formed by several walls (21, 22, 23, 24) defining an internal volume of the box (1), and having an opening selectively blocked by the lid (3),
   the package being characterised in that it also comprises a clamping band (4) forming a portion of pyramid of rectangular base, and defining a base (42) resting against the bottom (21) of the receptacle (2), having a length (Lo42) and width (La42) respectively strictly less than the length (Lo6) and the width (La6) of the product food (6), and a top (43) adapted to come to rest against the lid (3) of the box (1), having a length (Lo43) and a width (La43) respectively strictly lower than the length (Lo6) and the width (La6) of the food product (6).
3. The package according to Claim 1, wherein the box (1) has a square cross-section, of equal side of the diameter (D42) of the base (42) of the clamping band (4).
4. The package according to Claim 2, wherein the box (1) has a rectangular cross-section, of a length equal to the length (Lo43) of the base (42) of the clamping band (4), and of a width equal to the width (La43) of the base (42) of the clamping band (4).
5. The package according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said clamping band (4) is configured so as to immobilise the food product (5, 6) in the box (1) in translation along a direction perpendicular to the bottom (21) of the receptacle (2).
6. The package according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said clamping band (4) is monobloc.
7. The package according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said clamping band (4) is made of thermoformed material.
8. The package according to Claim 7, wherein said clamping band (4) is made of transparent material.
9. The package according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said clamping band (4) is made from a cardboard blank.

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