EP2138408A1 - Group of jars for food products - Google Patents

Abstract

The pot assembly (1) has several transparent pots (2) placed on a reference plane (10) for forming a pack. The upper rims (3) of pot surrounding an opening are located in a horizontal plane (12) parallel to the reference plane. The upper rim of the pot is located in a plane inclined relative to reference plane, when one pot is detached from the pack for consumption. The pots are sealed using a lid (5) made of transparent material. An independent claim is included for method for filling pot assembly for food products.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging for food products.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a group of pots for food products forming a package, the pots being divisible with respect to each other.

Various groups of pots packaged in breakable packets are known from the state of the art. In practice, when a pot is detached from the group and placed on a flat horizontal surface for consumption, the upper edges of the pot surrounding the upper opening of the pot are oriented substantially horizontally. The upper edges are not oriented optimally towards the user when the pot is placed on a horizontal consumption surface. The presentation of the food product before and during consumption and ergonomics during consumption are penalized. In practice, the user must often tilt the pot during consumption, especially to see and consume the food when it reaches the end of the pot.

On the basis of this observation, the present invention aims to improve the presentation of the food product in the pot, before and during consumption while allowing the use of existing machines for filling, closing and packaging for groups of pots forming a package. scored.

The invention proposes for this purpose a group of at least two pots for food products forming a package, said pots being divisible with respect to each other, in which
each of the pots has an upper edge surrounding an opening and,
when the pots are grouped in the packet, the packet being placed on a reference plane, the upper edges of the pots of the packet are in the same plane parallel to said reference plane, and
when one of the pots is detached from the pack for consumption, the pot being placed on a reference plane, the upper edge of the pot is in a plane inclined relative to said reference plane.

Advantageously, a group according to the invention makes it possible to improve the presentation of the food product in the pot before and during consumption, since the pot is inclined. In this way, the upper edge of the pot is oriented towards the consumer. Ergonomics during consumption is also improved, insofar as the consumer no longer has to tilt the pot, especially when it reaches the end of the pot, the pot according to the invention being directed towards the consumer during the act of consumption.

Furthermore, a group according to the invention is suitable for the use of existing machines for filling, closing and packaging for groups of breakable packet pots. Indeed, the group of package pots is designed to have an upper surface parallel to the surface on which it is laid, which allows to use existing filling and closing means, designed to operate with upper edges of pots arranged in the same horizontal plane. For the same reasons, advantageously, the existing package packet packing means can be used with the package of pots according to the present invention.

• le fond de chaque pot présente sur tout ou partie de sa surface extérieure un plan par lequel le pot vient prendre appui sur le plan de référence, qui s'étend en oblique par rapport au plan du bord supérieur du pot ;
• chacun des pots du groupe présente un fond sensiblement opposé au bord supérieur, ledit fond présentant sur sa surface extérieure un méplat dans un plan incliné par rapport au plan du bord supérieur du pot;
• le méplat est la surface extérieure du fond du pot;
• le groupe présente au moins une languette sécable entre les bords supérieurs de deux pots définissant un axe joignant les, au moins deux pots, et en ce que le méplat de chacun des pots présente une forme en D dont le bord rectiligne est orienté de manière à former un angle par rapport à l'axe de languette sécable du pot en question;
• chaque pot dans le groupe de pots est rempli de telle sorte que la surface du produit alimentaire conditionné soit sensiblement parallèle au plan du bord supérieur du pot correspondant.
• le produit alimentaire conditionné dans les pots présente une viscosité telle que la surface du produit conserve une disposition parallèle par rapport au bord supérieur du pot pendant au moins 30 secondes, de préférence au moins 60 secondes, et de manière particulièrement préférée, pendant au moins une heure après que le pot a été détaché du paquet et disposé en position inclinée sur un plan horizontal pour consommation;
• la viscosité est choisie de sorte à être comprise entre 500 cP et 10000 cP au dosage et entre 10000 cP et 50000 cP, de préférence entre 15000 et cP et 20000 cP à la consommation;
• le produit alimentaire conditionné dans les pots est un yaourt, fermenté ou non, brassé ou non, une mousse de fruits ou de légumes, du fromage frais, une crème, un produit à base de lait d'origine animale ou de lait de soja, une préparation à base de céréales, une crème glacée ou un produit alimentaire composite combinant deux ou plus des produits précités et incluant éventuellement une préparation de type gel ou une préparation cuite au four, telle qu'un biscuit, des morceaux de fruits ou une ou plusieurs couches craquantes à base de fruits ou de chocolat;
• le fond présente un plan incliné de contour polygonal, circulaire ou elliptique sur la totalité de sa surface extérieure;
• les pots présentent chacun un rebord destiné à la mise en place d'un film protecteur pour fermeture du pot est prévu sur la paroi intérieure du pot entre son bord supérieur et son fond, le plan dudit rebord étant parallèle au plan oblique du fond du pot;
• les pots sont réalisés dans un matériau transparent;
• les pots sont fermés à l'aide d'un opercule réalisé dans un matériau transparent.

According to advantageous features of the invention, possibly combined:

• the bottom of each pot has on all or part of its outer surface a plane through which the pot is supported on the reference plane, which extends obliquely to the plane of the upper edge of the pot;
• each of the pots of the group has a bottom substantially opposite the upper edge, said bottom having on its outer surface a flat in a plane inclined relative to the plane of the upper edge of the pot;
• the flat is the outer surface of the bottom of the pot;
• the group has at least one breakable tongue between the upper edges of two pots defining an axis joining the, at least two pots, and in that the flat part of each of the pots has a D-shape whose rectilinear edge is oriented so as to forming an angle with respect to the breakable tongue axis of the pot in question;
• each pot in the pot group is filled such that the surface of the packaged food product is substantially parallel to the plane of the upper edge of the corresponding pot.
• the food product packaged in the jars has a viscosity such that the surface of the product maintains a parallel arrangement with respect to the upper edge of the jar for at least 30 seconds, preferably at least 60 seconds, and particularly preferably during at least one hour after the pot has been detached from the pack and disposed in an inclined position on a horizontal plane for consumption;
• the viscosity is chosen to be between 500 cP and 10000 cP at the dosage and between 10000 cP and 50000 cP, preferably between 15000 and cp and 20000 cP for consumption;
• the food product packaged in the jars is a yoghurt, fermented or not, stirred or not, a fruit or vegetable mousse, fresh cheese, a cream, a product based on milk of animal origin or soy milk, a cereal-based preparation, an ice cream or a composite food product combining two or more of the aforesaid goods and optionally including a gel-like preparation or a baked preparation, such as a biscuit, fruit pieces or one or several crisp layers of fruit or chocolate;
• the bottom has an inclined plane of polygonal contour, circular or elliptical on all of its outer surface;
• the pots each have a rim for the introduction of a protective film for closure of the pot is provided on the inner wall of the pot between its upper edge and its bottom, the plane of said flange being parallel to the oblique plane of the bottom of the pot ;
• the pots are made of a transparent material;
• the pots are closed with a lid made of a transparent material.

Advantageously, these provisions improve the presentation of the food product in the pot before opening and during consumption.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a method of filling a group of pots as described supra in which, when filling the pots of the pack group are arranged so that their upper edges are arranged in one plan parallel to the horizontal, so that, after filling, the upper surface of the packaged product is substantially parallel to the plane of the upper edges of the pots of the pack group. According to an advantageous characteristic, the pots of the group are closed with a transparent lid.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un pot selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté de quatre pots formant un paquet selon l'invention;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective du groupe de quatre pots de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du groupe de quatre pots de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus d'un groupe de deux pots selon l'invention;
• la figure 6 est une vue de côté d'un autre mode de réalisation d'un pot selon l'invention; et
• la figure 7 est une vue de côté d'encore un autre mode de réalisation d'un pot selon l'invention.

The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of exemplary embodiments, given below by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. On these:

• the figure 1 is a side view of a pot according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a side view of four pots forming a package according to the invention;
• the figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the group of four jars of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a top view of the group of four jars of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a top view of a group of two pots according to the invention;
• the figure 6 is a side view of another embodiment of a pot according to the invention; and
• the figure 7 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a pot according to the invention.

The figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a pot 2 according to the invention. The pot has an upper edge 3 surrounding an opening 4 for filling and consumption of the product food contained in the pot. The upper edges of the pot support a closure cap 5 of the pot provided with a primer tab 6, known per se, to facilitate removal of the cap for consumption.

As visible in figure 1 when the pot is placed on a reference plane 10, the upper edge 3 of the pot 2 is in a plane 11 inclined relative to the reference plane. In this way, the upper edge of the pot surrounding its opening 4 is oriented towards the consumer. The pot 2 has a bottom 7 substantially opposite the upper edge 3. The bottom 7 has on its outer surface a flat 8 in a plane inclined relative to the plane 11 of the upper edge of the pot. In the present embodiment, the pot generally has a shape of sphere portion. According to an embodiment not shown, the pot has a cylindrical shape in which the outer surface of the pot bottom forms a flat in a plane inclined relative to the plane of the upper edge of the pot.

The figures 2 and 3 represent a group 1 of pots 2 for food products according to the invention. Each of the pots has an upper edge 3 and a structure substantially identical to that of the pot of the figure 1 , with the exception that each of the pots is provided with a flange 9 intended for the establishment of a cap 5. The flange 9 is provided on the inner wall of the pot between its upper edge 3 and its bottom 7, the plane of said flange being parallel to the plane of the upper edge 3 of the pot.

The group of pots 1 as represented in figures 2 and 3 has breakable tabs 13 between the upper edges of the pots.

In the present embodiment, a group of four pots as shown in FIG. figure 3 has two of the four tabs not immediately adjacent with a greater width than the other two tabs so as to place, in a manner known per se, the opening primers 6 of the cap 5 as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

However, in an alternative embodiment, the tabs 13 are all identical.

Advantageously, as visible in figures 2 and 3 , when the pots are grouped in the packets, the packets being placed on a plane of reference 10, the upper edges of the pack are in the same plane 12 parallel to said reference plane 10. Thus, such a group is suitable for the use of existing machines for filling, closing and packaging for groups of breakable package pots designed to operate with top edges of pots arranged in the same horizontal plane 12.

When filling the pots, the upper surface 14 of the food product 15 is parallel to the plane of the upper edge 3 or the plane of the opening of the pot 2 corresponding. The food product packaged in the jars has a viscosity such that the surface 14 of the product 15 maintains its parallel disposition with respect to the upper edge 3 of the jar for at least 30 seconds, preferably at least 60 seconds, and particularly preferably at least 30 seconds. one hour after the pot has been detached from the package opened by the consumer and disposed in an inclined position on a plane 10 for consumption, as visible more particularly in figure 1 . For this purpose, the viscosity is chosen to be between 500 cP (1 cP = 1.10 ^-3 Pa.s) for a liquid (milk or liquid yogurt, for example) and 1000 cP for a brushed yoghurt, at the dosage, and between 10000 and 50000 cP, preferably between 15000 and 20000 cP for consumption (oblique position), that is to say in the pots on the manufacturing / filling lines and "form" in the pots, c ' that is to say take their texture and their viscosity in the pots).

As seen more particularly in figure 4 , the flats 8 of the group of pots represented in figures 2 and 3 have a round shape.

According to another embodiment, visible in figure 5 , a group of two pots according to the invention has a breakable tongue 13 between the upper edges 3 of the two pots thus defining an axis AA joining the two pots. The rectilinear edge 81 of the D-shaped flats 8 is oriented perpendicular to the axis AA so that, when the pots are grouped in the packet of two pots, the packet being placed on a reference plane , the upper edges 3 pots remain parallel to the reference plane on which the package is placed. When the pots are detached, and placed on the reference plane on the D-shaped flat surface 8, the upper edge each of the pots is in a plane inclined relative to the reference plane.

This embodiment of a D-shaped flat 8 fits particularly advantageously to a group of two or more pots. Indeed, these flats make it possible to obtain stability of the package even when only two pots remain in the package. In other words, when the pots of the packet are not consumed all at the same time but one by one, the packet remains stable with respect to a reference plane, the upper edges of the pots of the packet being in the same parallel plane. to the reference plane, even when there are only two pots left in the package. Thus, advantageously, the food product keeps its arrangement parallel to the upper edge of the pot until the last two pots of the group are detached. Then, according to the viscosity of the food product, the parallel disposition to the upper edge of the product is maintained for a predefined period.

For reasons of stability with respect to the reference plane, it will be preferred, according to the invention, a group of at least three pots when the bottom is inclined in its entirety and of shape, for example circular or elliptical, and a group of at least two pots when this bottom is fully inclined and of polygonal shape, as shown in the embodiment of the figure 6 with a pot 2 of hexagonal section and its inclined bottom 7 hexagonal outline.

According to an embodiment not shown, the pot has a polygonal section and its inclined bottom has a corresponding polygonal contour.

The pot can be filled with any food product intended for consumption in pots or groups of pots. These include yogurts, fermented or not, brewed or not, fruit mousse, vegetables, cream cheese, milk-based products of animal origin, or soy milk, or preparations made from cereals, ice cream, or composite food products combining two or more of the aforesaid goods. Optionally, such composite products may include, for example, a gel-like preparation, or a baked preparation, such as a biscuit, pieces of fruit, or one or more crispy layers of fruit or chocolate.

The cup portion of the pots can be any shape.

It may also be a demoldable product, such as for example a dairy base in the upper part of the pot and a grout in the lower part of the pot, so as to be above the dairy base after demolding.

According to another embodiment represented in figure 7 , a pot according to the invention has a flange 9 for the establishment of a lid 5 to close the opening of the pot. The flange 9 is provided on the inner wall of the pot between its upper edge 3 and its bottom 7, the plane 91 of the flange 9 being parallel to the plane of the flat portion 8 of the bottom 7 of the pot. The lid 5 has a primer tab 6 known per se.

The material of the pots is polystyrene (PS) or polypropylene (PP), injected or, preferably, thermoformed. The pot can be transparent, translucent or opaque, colored or not.

More generally, the closing of the pot can be carried out by any means of the type cover, multilayer plastic or aluminum, transparent or not, and welded, preferably on the upper edge of the pot by ultrasound or "heat sealing" (heat sealing).

Advantageously, the pots are made of a transparent material, which improves the presentation of the food product before and during consumption.

Advantageously, the pots are closed with a transparent lid, which improves the presentation of the food product in the pot before opening.

For reasons of stability of the contents of the pot, the roughness of the inner faces of the pot is chosen so as to contribute to maintaining the inclination of the contents relative to the horizontal after the inclination of the pot. The roughness values are chosen according to the characteristics of the food product contained in the pot, in particular according to its viscosity. The choice of roughness values is within the reach of the skilled person.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is used a method of filling a group of at least two jars for food products as described above, wherein, during filling, the jars of the pack group are arranged their upper edges are arranged in the same plane parallel to the horizontal. In this way, after filling, the upper surface of the packaged product is substantially parallel to the plane of the upper edges of the pots of the pack group.

This allows the use of existing filling, closing and packaging machines.

After filling, the pots of the group are advantageously closed with a transparent lid, which improves the presentation of the food product before opening.

Many other variants are possible depending on the circumstances, and it is recalled in this regard that the invention is not limited to the examples as shown and described.

Claims (15)

Group (1) of at least two pots (2) for food products (14) forming a package, said pots being breakable relative to each other, characterized in that
each of the pots has an upper edge (3) surrounding an opening (4) and,
when the pots are grouped in the packet, the packet being placed on a reference plane (10), the upper edges of the pots of the packet are in the same plane (12) parallel to said reference plane (10), and
when one of the pots (2) is detached from the pack for consumption, the pot being placed on a reference plane (10), the upper edge of the pot is in a plane inclined relative to said reference plane. Group according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (7) of each pot (2) has on all or part of its outer surface a plane through which the pot is supported on the reference plane (10), which extends obliquely with respect to the plane of the upper edge (3) of the pot. Group of at least two pots (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the pots of the group has a bottom (7) substantially opposite to the upper edge (3), said bottom having on its outer surface a flat (8) in a plane inclined relative to the plane of the upper edge of the pot. Group according to claim 3, characterized in that the flat (8) is the outer surface of the bottom (7) of the pot. Group according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the group has at least one tab (13) breakable between the upper edges (3) of two pots defining an axis joining the, at least two pots, and in that the flat part (8) of each of the pots has a D-shape whose rectilinear edge (81) is oriented so as to form an angle with respect to the breakable tongue axis of the pot in question. A group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pot in the group of pots is filled with such so that the surface of the conditioned food product is substantially parallel to the plane of the upper edge (3) of the corresponding pot. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the food product (14) packaged in the pots has a viscosity such that the surface of the product (15) maintains a parallel disposition with respect to the upper edge (3) of the pot for at least 30 seconds, preferably at least 60 seconds and particularly preferably at least one hour after the pot (2) has been detached from the pack and disposed on a horizontal plane for consumption. Group according to claim 7, characterized in that the viscosity is chosen to be between 500 cP and 10000 cP at the dosage and between 10000 cP and 50000 cP, preferably between 15000 and cp and 20000 cP consumption. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the food product (14) packaged in the pots is a yogurt, fermented or not, stirred or not, a fruit or vegetable mousse, fresh cheese, a cream , a milk-based product of animal origin or soy milk, a cereal-based preparation, an ice-cream or a composite food product combining two or more of the aforesaid goods and optionally including a gel-like preparation or a preparation baked, such as a biscuit, pieces of fruit or one or more crispy layers of fruit or chocolate. Group according to claim 2, characterized in that the bottom has an inclined plane of polygonal contour, circular or elliptical on all of its outer surface. Group according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the pots each have a flange (9) for the introduction of a protective film (5) for closure of the pot is provided on the inner wall of the pot between its upper edge (3) and its bottom (7), the plane of said flange being parallel to the oblique plane of the bottom (7) of the pot (2). Group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pots (2) are made of a transparent material. Group according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pots (2) are closed by means of a lid (5) made of a transparent material. Method of filling a group of at least two pots (2) for food products (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that , during filling, the pots of the pack group are arranged their upper edges (3) are arranged in the same plane (12) parallel to the horizontal, so that, after filling, the upper surface of the conditioned product (14) is substantially parallel to the plane of the upper edges (3) pots of the pack group. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that , after filling, the pots (2) of the group are closed with a transparent cover (5).

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