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EP3214016B1 - Food container - Google Patents

Food container Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3214016B1
EP3214016B1 EP17158664.7A EP17158664A EP3214016B1 EP 3214016 B1 EP3214016 B1 EP 3214016B1 EP 17158664 A EP17158664 A EP 17158664A EP 3214016 B1 EP3214016 B1 EP 3214016B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lid
bowl
container
peripheral
cavity
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17158664.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3214016A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Luc Rival
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Faerch France SAS
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Faerch France SAS
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3214016A1 publication Critical patent/EP3214016A1/en
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Publication of EP3214016B1 publication Critical patent/EP3214016B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
    • B65D81/3216—Rigid containers disposed one within the other
    • B65D81/3222—Rigid containers disposed one within the other with additional means facilitating admixture

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to food containers. It applies in particular to food preparations based on solid foods to be mixed with liquid foods, of the salad and sauce type.
  • a first type of container comprises a bowl having a bowl bottom, a peripheral wall delimiting a bowl cavity, and an upper peripheral sidewalk bordering the bowl peripheral wall, capable of being sealed.
  • Such a container is suitable for containing solid foods and a dose for containing liquid foods of the salad dressing type.
  • the dose of liquid is usually contained in a sachet positioned directly in the middle of the solid food.
  • the bowl is closed in a sealed manner by a cover sealed or glued to the upper peripheral sidewalk.
  • This type of container has several disadvantages. First of all, it is neither pleasant nor hygienic for a user to plunge his fingers into solid foods in search of the dose of liquid foods. In addition, this type of container does not include any means to cleanly mix liquid and solid foods without getting everywhere.
  • a user To consume the food contained in the container, a user must first remove the seal, find the dose of liquid, release the liquid from the dose by manually tearing the sachet, empty the liquid on the solid food, and mix the all using cutlery. It is common for sauce to be squirted out of the container during mixing.
  • Such a lid is shaped to fit on the container of the first type.
  • a user to taste the food contained in the container, a user must remove the lid, take off the lid, tear the bag to release the liquid on the solid food. The user can then position the lid on the bowl again and shake the food preparation to mix the solid and liquid foods. It is then necessary to remove the lid again so that the user can consume the mixed foods.
  • Such a type of container overcomes the difficulty of mixing the first type of container, but retains the disadvantage of the large number of manipulations to be carried out prior to mixing, in particular to release the liquid food, and the disadvantage of the unpleasant and unhygienic nature manual search for the dose of liquid.
  • such a container can be sealed by a tamper-evident seal, in the shape of a circular crown, welded to the upper peripheral sidewalk of the bowl and to the peripheral edge of the lid.
  • a tamper-evident seal in the shape of a circular crown, welded to the upper peripheral sidewalk of the bowl and to the peripheral edge of the lid. The conservation of the liquid contained in the lid is ensured by the lid cover.
  • the problem proposed by the present invention is to design a container making it possible to contain and preserve separately and in an optimal way food before opening, by a controlled, reliable and inexpensive closing seal.
  • the independent compartments for solid and liquid foods avoid the degradation of each other before consumption.
  • the use of a container cover makes it possible to ensure optimal storage conditions for all the foodstuffs contained in the container.
  • the container cap of flat and continuous shape, allows a controlled sealing of the container and markedly improved compared to the prior art.
  • the container cover of flat and continuous shape, makes it possible to use a simple, inexpensive and reliable sealing step.
  • the container seal also acts as a tamper evident indicator for the container.
  • This container ensures the hygienic nature of the manipulation allowing the release of the liquid food.
  • the tearing of the cover seal is in fact carried out without prior opening of the cover by the user.
  • the user simply has to first remove the lid from the container, then cause the lid to rotate relative to the bowl away from the initial relative angular position to break the lid and release the liquid foods.
  • the cover can comprise, along its outer face, at least one gripping housing, allowing parts of a user's hand to be engaged.
  • such a configuration allows the user to position fingers in said at least one housing provided for this purpose in order to helping to grip the lid to perform the rotation necessary to cause the tearing means to penetrate into the lower opening of the lid and thus break the lid seal.
  • the wall of the cover is continuous and sealed.
  • the user can simply shake the container sealed by the lid, to mix its contents without risking the food to escape. It is then sufficient to remove the lid to access the food to be consumed, then to close the lid if necessary to continue the conservation of the food not consumed.
  • the protective cover makes it possible to recreate a seal to allow the mixing of the food in the bowl with that of the cover without projections outside the container, and to close the container to continue the preservation of the food after the container has been opened for the first time.
  • the container can be made by thermoforming.
  • Thermoforming makes it possible to obtain a low-cost container.
  • the container can be made by thermoforming a three-layer PP/EVOH/PP complex.
  • the container lid is planar, continuous and non-circular unlike the prior art. It is easier to glue or seal, and simpler and less expensive than circular crown lids.
  • the user To release the liquid food, the user must simply first perform two simple operations for which he does not need to be in direct contact with the food. It suffices to remove the lid of the container and to induce a rotation of the lid relative to the bowl to break the lid and release the liquid food. The user only has to shake the contents of the container to mix before consuming.
  • the resulting food product is simple and hygienic to package, store, and mix for consumption.
  • the figures 1 to 9 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the same essential means are identified by the same numerical references.
  • the invention proposes a container 1 comprising a bowl 10 associated with a lid 100.
  • the bowl 10 has previously been filled with food 50 ( figure 8 and 9 ), and the lid 100 has previously been filled with liquid 60 ( figure 8 and 9 ).
  • the container 1 is sealed by a container lid 2 which is sealed or glued to an upper peripheral sidewalk 15 ( figure 2 , 3 and 6 to 9 ). A container 1 is then obtained as illustrated in figure 1 .
  • the figure 2 illustrates container 1 of the figure 1 wherein the container seal 2 has been partially opened by a user.
  • the picture 3 illustrates container 1 of the figure 1 wherein the container lid 2 has been completely removed by a user.
  • the user has access to the lid. He can position three fingers, each in a gripping housing 106a-106c on its outer face 105, to drive the lid 100 in rotation as will be explained later, in order to release the liquid on the solid foods.
  • Lid 100 includes an outer side wall 109 with a peripheral portion 101, and an outer face 105 terminating in a peripheral lid flange 108.
  • Lid 100 includes a lid cavity 102 having a lower lid opening 103 lined with a lower lid edge 104 forming the lower boundary of the outer side wall 109.
  • the lower lid edge 104 is flat and contained in an inclined plane I with respect to the upper bowl plane P ( figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 9 ) in the assembled position.
  • the lower cover opening 103 is provided to be closed off by a cover cap 110 ( figure 8 and 9 ) so as to retain the liquid contained in the cover 100.
  • the lid cover 110 ( figure 8 and 9 ) is glued or sealed on the lower lid edge 104.
  • the container 1 comprises means for tearing this lid seal 110 ( figure 8 and 9 ) without direct contact of a user with food when the container is in an assembled state (lid 100 + bowl 10).
  • the figure 6 and 7 illustrate in more detail the bowl 10, which comprises a bowl bottom 11, a peripheral wall of the bowl 12 delimiting a bowl cavity 13 ( figures 6 to 9 ) to top opening 14 ( figure 6 ) according to an upper plane of the bowl P.
  • the bowl 10 also comprises an upper peripheral sidewalk 15 ( figure 2 , 3 and 6 to 9 ) contained in the upper plane of the bowl P and bordering the peripheral wall of the bowl 12 by developing up to a sidewalk edge 15a.
  • the bowl 10 further comprises eccentric tearing means 200, provided on a peripheral shoulder 201 of the bowl 10.
  • These tearing means 200 can take various forms. They may in particular comprise a cutting member, such as a cutting element or a point-shaped barb.
  • the tearing means 200 are off-center inside the bowl 10, that is to say arranged in the vicinity of the peripheral wall of the bowl 12. They are also arranged away from the lower lid opening 103 in at least one initial relative angular position of the lid 100 with respect to the bowl 10, as illustrated in the figure 8 . On the other hand, the tearing means 200 come into the lower lid opening 103 during the rotation of the lid 100 on the bowl 10 away from the initial relative angular position, as illustrated in the figure 9 . In this position illustrated on the figure 9 , the tearing means 200 are provided to pierce the cover seal 110 in order to release the liquid 60 ( figure 8 and 9 ) on solid foods 50 ( figure 8 and 9 ).
  • the figure 8 illustrates container 1 in an assembled state. It can be seen that the lid 100 is housed inside the bowl 10, that is to say in the bowl cavity 13, and is flush with the upper plane of the bowl P, while remaining radially set back from the curb 15a. The outer side wall 109 of the cover is in contact with the inner face 17 of the peripheral wall of the bowl 12.
  • peripheral cover rim 108 rests on the upper peripheral sidewalk 15 of the bowl.
  • That figure 8 also illustrates in dotted lines a position in which the container cover 2 is being peeled off. It also corresponds to the figure 2 .
  • the peripheral edge of the cover 108 remains radially set back from the edge of the sidewalk 15a, leaving a continuous peripheral zone of the sidewalk free. upper peripheral 15.
  • the upper peripheral sidewalk 15 of the bowl is shaped to extend radially beyond the peripheral edge of the lid 108.
  • the container lid 2 covers both the upper peripheral sidewalk 15 and the edge cover device 108 so as to produce a container 1 whose sealing is further improved.
  • the first step consists of providing a bowl 10 and a lid 100.
  • the desired quantity of liquid is then poured into the lid cavity 102, then a lid seal 110 is glued or sealed on the lower edge of the lid. 104.
  • the cover 100 can then be handled easily.
  • the next step consists in positioning the desired quantity of food in the bowl cavity 13.
  • the lid 100 is then housed inside the bowl 10, until it is flush with or set back from the upper plane of the bowl P, in an initial relative angular position such that the tearing means 200 are away from the lower lid opening 103.
  • the last packaging step consists in sealing or gluing a flat and continuous container lid 2 on the upper peripheral sidewalk 15.
  • the bowl 10 of this embodiment comprises peripheral guide means comprising an inner guide groove 16 of the bowl ( figure 6 , 8 , 9 and 12 ) on an upper section of the bowl peripheral wall 12, and the cover 100 comprises a rib 107 ( figure 4 , 5 , 8 and 9 ) on its peripheral portion 101, which engages in the inner guide groove 16 of the bowl.
  • the cover 100 finds itself in the configuration illustrated on the figure 9 , in which, thanks to the inclined plane which contains the lower edge of the cover 104, the tearing means 200 come into contact with the lid cover 110 and tear it.
  • the food 60 contained in the lid 100 therefore pours onto the food contained in the bowl 10.
  • the user only has to shake the container 1 to mix its contents, to remove the lid 100 and to consume the food.
  • the figures 10 to 12 illustrate a second preferred embodiment in which the lid 100 comprises a wall portion 120 away from the lid cavity 102.
  • This wall portion 120 is provided to admit the passage of a tube 130 connected to a device 140 suitable for creating a vacuum in the bowl cavity 13 and possibly reinjecting a known gas to optimize the preservation of the food contained in the bowl 13.
  • a protective cover 150 which is shaped to rest on the upper peripheral sidewalk 15.
  • This protective cover 150 protects the container cover 2 before it is opened.
  • this protective cover 150 can be used to guarantee tight closure during the step of shaking the container to mix the foods after tearing off the lid cover 110.
  • a housing can be provided in the lid to receive and retain a fork and/or a spoon.
  • the lid may comprise only two gripping housings.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne les conteneurs pour aliments. Elle s'applique notamment aux préparations alimentaires à base d'aliments solides à mélanger avec des aliments liquides, du type salade et sauce.The present invention relates to food containers. It applies in particular to food preparations based on solid foods to be mixed with liquid foods, of the salad and sauce type.

Plusieurs types de conteneurs sont déjà connus.Several types of containers are already known.

Un premier type de conteneur comprend un bol ayant un fond de bol, une paroi périphérique délimitant une cavité de bol, et un trottoir périphérique supérieur bordant la paroi périphérique de bol, apte à être operculé.A first type of container comprises a bowl having a bowl bottom, a peripheral wall delimiting a bowl cavity, and an upper peripheral sidewalk bordering the bowl peripheral wall, capable of being sealed.

Un tel conteneur est adapté pour contenir des aliments solides et une dose pour contenir des aliments liquides du type sauce à salade. La dose de liquide est habituellement contenue dans un sachet positionné directement au milieu des aliments solides. Aux fins de conservation des aliments contenus, le bol est fermé de façon étanche par un opercule scellé ou collé sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur.Such a container is suitable for containing solid foods and a dose for containing liquid foods of the salad dressing type. The dose of liquid is usually contained in a sachet positioned directly in the middle of the solid food. For the purposes of preserving the food contained, the bowl is closed in a sealed manner by a cover sealed or glued to the upper peripheral sidewalk.

Ce type de conteneur présente plusieurs inconvénients. Tout d'abord, il n'est pas agréable, ni hygiénique pour un utilisateur de plonger ses doigts dans les aliments solides à la recherche de la dose d'aliments liquides. De plus, ce type de conteneur ne comprend aucun moyen permettant de mélanger proprement les aliments liquides et solides sans en mettre partout.This type of container has several disadvantages. First of all, it is neither pleasant nor hygienic for a user to plunge his fingers into solid foods in search of the dose of liquid foods. In addition, this type of container does not include any means to cleanly mix liquid and solid foods without getting everywhere.

Pour consommer les aliments contenus dans le conteneur, un utilisateur doit tout d'abord ôter l'opercule, trouver la dose de liquide, libérer le liquide de la dose en déchirant manuellement le sachet, vider le liquide sur les aliments solides, et mélanger le tout à l'aide de couverts. Il est habituel que de la sauce soit projetée à l'extérieur du conteneur lors du mélange.To consume the food contained in the container, a user must first remove the seal, find the dose of liquid, release the liquid from the dose by manually tearing the sachet, empty the liquid on the solid food, and mix the all using cutlery. It is common for sauce to be squirted out of the container during mixing.

Pour remédier à cet inconvénient, un second type de conteneur a été développé, dans lequel un couvercle est associé au premier type de conteneur.To remedy this drawback, a second type of container has been developed, in which a lid is associated with the first type of container.

Un tel couvercle est conformé pour s'adapter sur le conteneur de premier type. Ainsi, pour déguster les aliments contenus dans le conteneur, un utilisateur doit ôter le couvercle, décoller l'opercule, déchirer le sachet pour libérer le liquide sur les aliments solides. L'utilisateur peut ensuite positionner à nouveau le couvercle sur le bol et agiter la préparation alimentaire pour mélanger les aliments solides et liquides. Il convient ensuite d'enlever une nouvelle fois le couvercle pour que l'utilisateur puisse consommer les aliments mélangés.Such a lid is shaped to fit on the container of the first type. Thus, to taste the food contained in the container, a user must remove the lid, take off the lid, tear the bag to release the liquid on the solid food. The user can then position the lid on the bowl again and shake the food preparation to mix the solid and liquid foods. It is then necessary to remove the lid again so that the user can consume the mixed foods.

Un tel type de conteneur remédie à la difficulté du mélange du premier type de conteneur, mais conserve l'inconvénient du nombre important de manipulations à effectuer préalablement au mélange, notamment pour libérer les aliments liquides, et l'inconvénient du caractère désagréable et non hygiénique de la recherche manuelle de la dose de liquide.Such a type of container overcomes the difficulty of mixing the first type of container, but retains the disadvantage of the large number of manipulations to be carried out prior to mixing, in particular to release the liquid food, and the disadvantage of the unpleasant and unhygienic nature manual search for the dose of liquid.

Un troisième type de conteneur est décrit dans le document FR 2 960 131 A1 , à savoir un conteneur selon le préambule de la revendication 1, qui comprend :

  • un bol ayant :
    • un fond de bol et une paroi périphérique de bol délimitant une cavité de bol à ouverture supérieure selon un plan de bol,
    • un trottoir périphérique supérieur contenu dans le plan de bol et bordant la paroi périphérique de bol en se développant jusqu'à un bord de trottoir,
  • un couvercle, ayant :
    • un rebord périphérique apte à reposer sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur pour guider la rotation du couvercle sur le bol autour d'un axe de rotation perpendiculaire au plan de bol,
    • une face supérieure de couvercle qui, en zone centrale, fait saillie au-dessus du rebord périphérique,
    • une cavité de couvercle, ayant une ouverture inférieure de couvercle bordée d'une bordure inférieure de couvercle plane et contenue dans un plan incliné par rapport au plan de bol en position assemblée, pouvant être obturée par un opercule de couvercle,
  • des moyens de déchirement, solidaires du bol, positionnés sur un épaulement décentré à l'intérieur du bol et agencés pour être à l'écart de l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle dans au moins une position angulaire relative du couvercle par rapport au bol, et pour venir pénétrer dans l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle lors de la rotation du couvercle sur le bol.
La zone centrale de couvercle qui fait saillie au-dessus du rebord périphérique, permet la préhension du couvercle pour son soulèvement et/ou sa rotation.A third type of container is described in the document FR 2 960 131 A1 , namely a container according to the preamble of claim 1, which comprises:
  • a bowl having:
    • a bowl bottom and a bowl peripheral wall delimiting a bowl cavity with an upper opening according to a bowl plane,
    • an upper peripheral sidewalk contained in the plane of the bowl and bordering the peripheral wall of the bowl by developing as far as a sidewalk edge,
  • a lid, having:
    • a peripheral rim capable of resting on the upper peripheral sidewalk to guide the rotation of the cover on the bowl around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the bowl,
    • an upper cover face which, in the central zone, protrudes above the peripheral rim,
    • a lid cavity, having a lower lid opening bordered by a flat lower edge of the lid and contained in a plane inclined with respect to the plane of the bowl in the assembled position, which can be closed off by a lid cover,
  • tearing means, integral with the bowl, positioned on an off-center shoulder inside the bowl and arranged to be away from the lower lid opening in at least one relative angular position of the lid relative to the bowl, and to come into the lower lid opening when the lid rotates on the bowl.
The central area of the lid which protrudes above the peripheral rim, allows the gripping of the lid for its lifting and/or its rotation.

Pour assurer une conservation suffisante des aliments avant ouverture, un tel conteneur peut être obturé par un opercule d'inviolabilité, en forme de couronne circulaire, soudé sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur du bol et sur le rebord périphérique du couvercle. La conservation du liquide contenu dans le couvercle est assurée par l'opercule de couvercle.To ensure sufficient preservation of the food before opening, such a container can be sealed by a tamper-evident seal, in the shape of a circular crown, welded to the upper peripheral sidewalk of the bowl and to the peripheral edge of the lid. The conservation of the liquid contained in the lid is ensured by the lid cover.

Cependant, une telle obturation du conteneur est peu fiable, à cause de la forme en couronne circulaire de l'opercule d'inviolabilité. En outre, la réalisation et la soudure d'un opercule d'inviolabilité en forme de couronne circulaire sont des opérations inhabituelles, complexes et onéreuses, nécessitant de concevoir et d'utiliser des machines spéciales tant pour la réalisation de l'opercule que pour sa soudure.However, such sealing of the container is unreliable, because of the circular crown shape of the tamper-evident seal. In addition, the production and welding of a tamper-evident seal in the form of a circular crown are unusual, complex and expensive operations, requiring the design and use of special machines both for the production of the seal and for its welding.

Un autre conteneur selon l'état de la technique est décrit dans le document US 4,348,421 A .Another container according to the state of the art is described in the document US 4,348,421A .

Le problème proposé par la présente invention est de concevoir un conteneur permettant de contenir et conserver séparément et de façon optimale des aliments avant ouverture, par une étanchéité de fermeture maîtrisée, fiable et peu onéreuse.The problem proposed by the present invention is to design a container making it possible to contain and preserve separately and in an optimal way food before opening, by a controlled, reliable and inexpensive closing seal.

Pour atteindre ces buts ainsi que d'autres, l'invention propose, selon un premier aspect, un conteneur pour aliments, comprenant :

  • un bol ayant :
    • un fond de bol et une paroi périphérique de bol délimitant une cavité de bol à ouverture supérieure selon un plan supérieur de bol,
    • un trottoir périphérique supérieur contenu dans le plan supérieur de bol et bordant la paroi périphérique de bol en se développant jusqu'à un bord de trottoir,
    • des moyens périphériques de guidage de couvercle en rotation,
  • un couvercle, ayant dans sa paroi :
    • une portion périphérique coopérant avec les moyens périphériques de guidage de couvercle, pour maintenir le couvercle sur le bol et autoriser sa rotation autour d'un axe de rotation perpendiculaire au plan supérieur de bol,
    • une cavité de couvercle, ayant une ouverture inférieure de couvercle bordée d'une bordure inférieure de couvercle plane et contenue dans un plan incliné par rapport au plan supérieur de bol en position assemblée, pouvant être obturée par un opercule de couvercle,
  • des moyens de déchirement, solidaires du bol, positionnés de façon décentrée à l'intérieur du bol et agencés pour être à l'écart de l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle dans au moins une position angulaire relative initiale du couvercle par rapport au bol, et pour venir pénétrer dans l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle lors de la rotation du couvercle sur le bol à l'écart de ladite position angulaire relative initiale,
conteneur dans lequel, en position sur le bol, le couvercle est logé à l'intérieur du bol, affleurant ou en retrait du plan supérieur de bol et radialement en retrait du bord de trottoir, de sorte que l'ouverture supérieure de bol peut être occultée par un opercule de conteneur, plan et continu, soudé sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur.To achieve these and other aims, the invention provides, according to a first aspect, a food container, comprising:
  • a bowl having:
    • a bowl bottom and a bowl peripheral wall delimiting a bowl cavity with an upper opening along an upper bowl plane,
    • an upper peripheral sidewalk contained in the upper plane of the bowl and bordering the peripheral wall of the bowl by developing up to a sidewalk edge,
    • peripheral means for guiding the cover in rotation,
  • a cover, having in its wall:
    • a peripheral portion cooperating with the peripheral cover guide means, to hold the cover on the bowl and allow its rotation around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the upper plane of the bowl,
    • a lid cavity, having a lower lid opening bordered by a flat lid lower edge and contained in a plane inclined relative to the upper plane of the bowl in the assembled position, which can be closed off by a lid cover,
  • tearing means, integral with the bowl, positioned off-center inside the bowl and arranged to be away from the lower lid opening in at least one initial relative angular position of the lid relative to the bowl, and to enter the lower lid opening when the lid rotates on the bowl away from said initial relative angular position,
container in which, in position on the bowl, the lid is housed inside the bowl, flush with or set back from the bowl upper plane and set back radially from the curb, so that the bowl upper opening can be concealed by a flat and continuous container cover, welded to the upper peripheral sidewalk.

Un tel conteneur permet une conservation optimale.Such a container allows optimal conservation.

Les compartiments indépendants pour les aliments solides et liquides évitent la dégradation des uns par les autres préalablement à leur consommation.The independent compartments for solid and liquid foods avoid the degradation of each other before consumption.

L'utilisation d'un opercule de conteneur permet d'assurer des conditions de conservation optimales de l'ensemble des aliments contenus dans le conteneur. L'opercule de conteneur, de forme plane et continue, permet une étanchéité maîtrisée du conteneur et nettement améliorée par rapport à l'art antérieur.The use of a container cover makes it possible to ensure optimal storage conditions for all the foodstuffs contained in the container. The container cap, of flat and continuous shape, allows a controlled sealing of the container and markedly improved compared to the prior art.

L'opercule de conteneur, de forme plane et continue, permet d'utiliser une étape d'operculage simple, peu onéreuse et fiable.The container cover, of flat and continuous shape, makes it possible to use a simple, inexpensive and reliable sealing step.

L'opercule de conteneur assure également le rôle de témoin d'inviolabilité du conteneur.The container seal also acts as a tamper evident indicator for the container.

Ce conteneur assure le caractère hygiénique de la manipulation permettant de libérer les aliments liquides. Le déchirement de l'opercule de couvercle est en effet réalisé sans ouverture préalable du couvercle par l'utilisateur.This container ensures the hygienic nature of the manipulation allowing the release of the liquid food. The tearing of the cover seal is in fact carried out without prior opening of the cover by the user.

Pour libérer les aliments liquides, l'utilisateur doit simplement préalablement ôter l'opercule de conteneur, puis induire une rotation du couvercle par rapport au bol à l'écart de la position angulaire relative initiale pour rompre l'opercule et libérer les aliments liquides.To release the liquid foods, the user simply has to first remove the lid from the container, then cause the lid to rotate relative to the bowl away from the initial relative angular position to break the lid and release the liquid foods.

De façon avantageuse, on peut prévoir que le couvercle comprend, selon sa face extérieure, au moins un logement de préhension, permettant l'engagement de parties de main d'un utilisateur.Advantageously, provision can be made for the cover to comprise, along its outer face, at least one gripping housing, allowing parts of a user's hand to be engaged.

Comme le couvercle est logé à l'intérieur du bol et affleure ou est en retrait par rapport au plan supérieur de bol, une telle configuration permet à l'utilisateur de positionner des doigts dans ledit au moins un logement prévu à cet effet afin d'aider à la prise en main du couvercle pour effectuer la rotation nécessaire pour faire pénétrer les moyens de déchirement dans l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle et rompre ainsi l'opercule de couvercle.As the cover is housed inside the bowl and is flush with or set back relative to the upper plane of the bowl, such a configuration allows the user to position fingers in said at least one housing provided for this purpose in order to helping to grip the lid to perform the rotation necessary to cause the tearing means to penetrate into the lower opening of the lid and thus break the lid seal.

On peut avantageusement prévoir que :

  • les moyens périphériques de guidage comprennent une rainure intérieure de guidage de bol sur un tronçon supérieur de la paroi périphérique de bol,
  • le couvercle comprend des moyens d'excroissance radiale sur sa portion périphérique, qui s'engagent dans la rainure intérieure de guidage de bol.
It can advantageously be provided that:
  • the peripheral guide means comprise an inner bowl guide groove on an upper section of the peripheral bowl wall,
  • the cover comprises radial protrusion means on its peripheral portion, which engage in the inner bowl guide groove.

Ces moyens sont aisés à réaliser et procurent un guidage satisfaisant du couvercle en rotation sur le bol. En outre, on optimise aussi la surface de trottoir périphérique disponible pour la soudure de l'opercule de conteneur.These means are easy to implement and provide satisfactory guidance of the lid in rotation on the bowl. In addition, the peripheral sidewalk surface available for welding the container lid is also optimized.

De façon avantageuse, on peut prévoir que :

  • un rebord périphérique de couvercle est conformé pour reposer sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur de bol,
  • le trottoir périphérique supérieur de bol est conformé pour se prolonger radialement au-delà du rebord périphérique de couvercle,
  • une paroi latérale extérieure de couvercle vient au contact au moins en partie de la face interne de la paroi périphérique de bol.
Advantageously, it can be provided that:
  • a peripheral rim of the lid is shaped to rest on the upper peripheral sidewalk of the bowl,
  • the bowl's upper peripheral sidewalk is shaped to extend radially beyond the lid's peripheral rim,
  • an outer side wall of the cover comes into contact at least in part with the inner face of the peripheral wall of the bowl.

Ces moyens sont aisés à réaliser. Le prolongement radial du trottoir périphérique supérieur de bol au-delà du rebord périphérique de couvercle permet de conserver une étanchéité satisfaisante du conteneur.These means are easy to achieve. The radial extension of the upper peripheral sidewalk of the bowl beyond the peripheral rim of the lid makes it possible to maintain satisfactory sealing of the container.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation, la paroi du couvercle est continue et étanche. De la sorte, après libération des aliments liquides, l'utilisateur peut simplement agiter le conteneur obturé par le couvercle, pour mélanger son contenu sans risquer de laisser échapper des aliments. Il suffit ensuite d'ôter le couvercle pour accéder aux aliments à consommer, puis de refermer éventuellement le couvercle pour poursuivre la conservation des aliments non consommés.According to a first embodiment, the wall of the cover is continuous and sealed. In this way, after release of the liquid food, the user can simply shake the container sealed by the lid, to mix its contents without risking the food to escape. It is then sufficient to remove the lid to access the food to be consumed, then to close the lid if necessary to continue the conservation of the food not consumed.

Selon un second mode de réalisation, on peut avantageusement prévoir que :

  • le couvercle comprend une portion de paroi à l'écart de la cavité de couvercle, cette portion de paroi étant conformée pour admettre le passage d'un tube permettant de faire le vide et de réinjecter un gaz dans la cavité de bol pour favoriser la conservation des aliments dans le bol,
  • le conteneur comprend en outre un couvercle de protection conformé pour reposer sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur et recouvrir l'opercule de conteneur.
According to a second embodiment, it can advantageously be provided that:
  • the lid comprises a wall portion spaced from the lid cavity, this wall portion being shaped to admit the passage of a tube allowing a vacuum to be created and a gas to be reinjected into the bowl cavity to promote conservation food in the bowl,
  • the container further comprises a protective cover shaped to rest on the upper peripheral sidewalk and cover the container lid.

On peut ainsi créer une atmosphère protectrice pour favoriser la conservation des aliments contenus dans le bol. Le couvercle de protection permet de recréer une étanchéité pour permettre le mélange des aliments du bol avec ceux du couvercle sans projections à l'extérieur du conteneur, et pour refermer le conteneur pour poursuivre la conservation des aliments après une première ouverture du conteneur.It is thus possible to create a protective atmosphere to promote the preservation of the food contained in the bowl. The protective cover makes it possible to recreate a seal to allow the mixing of the food in the bowl with that of the cover without projections outside the container, and to close the container to continue the preservation of the food after the container has been opened for the first time.

Avantageusement, on peut prévoir que le conteneur est réalisé par thermoformage.Advantageously, provision can be made for the container to be made by thermoforming.

Le thermoformage permet d'obtenir un conteneur à faible coût.Thermoforming makes it possible to obtain a low-cost container.

On peut avantageusement prévoir que le conteneur est réalisé par thermoformage d'un complexe tricouche PP/EVOH/PP.Provision can advantageously be made for the container to be made by thermoforming a three-layer PP/EVOH/PP complex.

Ce complexe permet une conservation optimale des aliments contenus dans le conteneur.This complex allows optimal preservation of the food contained in the container.

Selon un second aspect, l'invention prévoit l'utilisation d'un conteneur selon le premier aspect de l'invention pour le conditionnement d'aliments, qui comprend les étapes suivantes :

  • se munir d'un bol et d'un couvercle d'un conteneur selon le premier aspect de l'invention,
  • introduire des aliments ou un liquide dans la cavité de couvercle, puis coller ou sceller un opercule de couvercle sur la bordure inférieure de couvercle,
  • introduire des aliments dans la cavité de bol,
  • engager le couvercle dans la cavité de bol, dans une position angulaire relative initiale telle que les moyens de déchirement sont à l'écart de l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle,
  • sceller ou coller sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur un opercule de conteneur plan et continu.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides for the use of a container according to the first aspect of the invention for the packaging of food, which comprises the following steps:
  • provide a bowl and a lid of a container according to the first aspect of the invention,
  • introduce food or a liquid into the lid cavity, then glue or seal a lid seal on the lower edge of the lid,
  • introduce food into the bowl cavity,
  • engage the lid in the bowl cavity, in an initial relative angular position such that the tearing means are away from the lower opening of the lid,
  • seal or glue a flat and continuous container lid to the upper peripheral pavement.

Un tel conditionnement implique peu d'étapes. Chaque étape est simple à réaliser et à mettre en œuvre. L'opercule de conteneur est plan, continu et non circulaire contrairement à l'art antérieur. Il est plus facile à coller ou sceller, et plus simple et moins onéreux que les opercules en couronne circulaire.Such packaging involves few steps. Each step is simple to perform and implement. The container lid is planar, continuous and non-circular unlike the prior art. It is easier to glue or seal, and simpler and less expensive than circular crown lids.

Selon un troisième aspect, l'invention prévoit l'utilisation d'un tel conditionnement selon le second aspect de l'invention pour la consommation des aliments contenus dans le conteneur, qui comprend les étapes suivantes :

  • ôter l'opercule de conteneur,
  • positionner les doigts d'un utilisateur dans ledit au moins un intervalle de préhension,
  • déplacer en rotation relative le couvercle par rapport au bol à l'écart de la position angulaire relative initiale afin de provoquer le déchirement de l'opercule de couvercle, les aliments ou le liquide de la cavité de couvercle s'introduisant alors dans le bol,
  • agiter le conteneur,
  • séparer le couvercle du bol.
According to a third aspect, the invention provides for the use of such packaging according to the second aspect of the invention for the consumption of the food contained in the container, which comprises the following steps:
  • remove the container lid,
  • positioning the fingers of a user in said at least one gripping gap,
  • move the lid relative to the bowl in relative rotation away from the initial relative angular position in order to cause the tearing of the lid seal, the food or the liquid from the lid cavity then being introduced into the bowl,
  • shake the container,
  • separate the lid from the bowl.

Pour libérer les aliments liquides, l'utilisateur doit simplement préalablement réaliser deux opérations simples pour lesquelles il n'a pas besoin d'être en contact direct avec les aliments. Il suffit d'ôter l'opercule de conteneur et d'induire une rotation du couvercle par rapport au bol pour rompre l'opercule et libérer les aliments liquides. L'utilisateur n'a plus qu'à agiter le contenu du conteneur pour mélanger avant de consommer.To release the liquid food, the user must simply first perform two simple operations for which he does not need to be in direct contact with the food. It suffices to remove the lid of the container and to induce a rotation of the lid relative to the bowl to break the lid and release the liquid food. The user only has to shake the contents of the container to mix before consuming.

Selon un quatrième aspect, l'invention prévoit un produit alimentaire sous la forme d'une préparation alimentaire comprenant :

  • des aliments contenus dans la cavité de bol d'un conteneur selon le premier aspect de l'invention,
  • un liquide ou d'autres aliments contenus dans la cavité de couvercle dudit conteneur,
  • un opercule de couvercle, scellé ou collé sur la bordure inférieure de couvercle et obturant l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle,
  • le couvercle étant engagé dans la cavité de bol,
  • un opercule de conteneur plan et continu étant collé ou scellé sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur,
de sorte que, après enlèvement de l'opercule de conteneur, le liquide ou les autres aliments peuvent être libérés de la cavité de couvercle et pénétrer dans la cavité de bol par déchirement de l'opercule de couvercle par les moyens de déchirement lors d'une rotation du couvercle par rapport au bol.According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides a food product in the form of a food preparation comprising:
  • food contained in the bowl cavity of a container according to the first aspect of the invention,
  • a liquid or other food contained in the lid cavity of said container,
  • a lid cover, sealed or glued to the lower edge of the lid and closing the lower opening of the lid,
  • the cover being engaged in the bowl cavity,
  • a flat and continuous container lid being glued or sealed to the upper peripheral sidewalk,
such that after removal of the container lid, liquid or other food can be released from the lid cavity and enter the bowl cavity by tearing the lid lid by the tearing means upon rotation of the lid relative to the bowl.

Le produit alimentaire obtenu est simple et hygiénique à conditionner, à conserver, et à mélanger pour la consommation.The resulting food product is simple and hygienic to package, store, and mix for consumption.

D'autres objets, caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront de la description suivante de modes de réalisation particuliers, faite en relation avec les figures jointes, parmi lesquelles :

  • la figure 1 est une vue générale en perspective d'un conteneur assemblé et operculé pour aliments selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, avec opercule plan et continu de conteneur ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue générale en perspective du conteneur de la figure 1 avec opercule de conteneur en cours d'ouverture ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue générale en perspective du conteneur de la figure 1 sans opercule de conteneur ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue de dessous en perspective du couvercle du conteneur de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue de côté du couvercle de la figure 4 ;
  • la figure 6 est une vue générale en perspective du bol du conteneur pour aliments de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 7 est une vue de dessus du bol du conteneur pour aliments de la figure 6 ;
  • la figure 8 est une vue de côté du conteneur pour aliments de la figure 1 en position assemblé ;
  • la figure 9 est une vue de côté du conteneur pour aliments de la figure 1 en position d'écoulement de liquide ;
  • la figure 10 est une vue de dessus d'un couvercle selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 11 est une vue générale en perspective d'un conteneur selon le second mode de réalisation associé à un tube à vide ; et
  • la figure 12 est une vue de côté d'un conteneur selon le second mode de réalisation associé à un couvercle de protection.
Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, given in relation to the appended figures, among which:
  • the figure 1 is a general perspective view of an assembled and sealed container for food according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with a planar and continuous lid of the container;
  • the figure 2 is a general perspective view of the container of the figure 1 with lid of container being opened;
  • the picture 3 is a general perspective view of the container of the figure 1 without container cover;
  • the figure 4 is a perspective bottom view of the lid of the container of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 5 is a side view of the cover of the figure 4 ;
  • the figure 6 is a general perspective view of the food container bowl of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 7 is a top view of the food container bowl of the figure 6 ;
  • the figure 8 is a side view of the food container of the figure 1 in assembled position;
  • the figure 9 is a side view of the food container of the figure 1 in liquid flow position;
  • the figure 10 is a top view of a cover according to a second embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 11 is a general perspective view of a container according to the second embodiment associated with a vacuum tube; and
  • the figure 12 is a side view of a container according to the second embodiment associated with a protective cover.

Les figures 1 à 9 illustrent un premier mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention. Les mêmes moyens essentiels sont repérés par les mêmes références numériques.The figures 1 to 9 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The same essential means are identified by the same numerical references.

L'invention propose un conteneur 1 comprenant un bol 10 associé à un couvercle 100. Le bol 10 a préalablement été rempli d'aliments 50 (figures 8 et 9), et le couvercle 100 a préalablement été rempli de liquide 60 (figures 8 et 9).The invention proposes a container 1 comprising a bowl 10 associated with a lid 100. The bowl 10 has previously been filled with food 50 ( figure 8 and 9 ), and the lid 100 has previously been filled with liquid 60 ( figure 8 and 9 ).

Une fois les conditions de sécurité alimentaire atteintes pour la conservation des aliments qu'il contient, le conteneur 1 est obturé par un opercule de conteneur 2 qui est scellé ou collé sur un trottoir périphérique supérieur 15 (figures 2, 3 et 6 à 9). On obtient alors un conteneur 1 tel qu'illustré en figure 1.Once the food safety conditions have been reached for the preservation of the foods it contains, the container 1 is sealed by a container lid 2 which is sealed or glued to an upper peripheral sidewalk 15 ( figure 2 , 3 and 6 to 9 ). A container 1 is then obtained as illustrated in figure 1 .

La figure 2 illustre le conteneur 1 de la figure 1 dans lequel l'opercule de conteneur 2 a partiellement été ouvert par un utilisateur.The figure 2 illustrates container 1 of the figure 1 wherein the container seal 2 has been partially opened by a user.

La figure 3 illustre le conteneur 1 de la figure 1 dans lequel l'opercule de conteneur 2 a totalement été retiré par un utilisateur. Dans cette configuration, l'utilisateur a accès au couvercle. Il peut positionner trois doigts, chacun dans un logement de préhension 106a-106c sur sa face extérieure 105, pour entraîner le couvercle 100 en rotation comme cela sera expliqué ultérieurement, afin de libérer le liquide sur les aliments solides.The picture 3 illustrates container 1 of the figure 1 wherein the container lid 2 has been completely removed by a user. In this configuration, the user has access to the lid. He can position three fingers, each in a gripping housing 106a-106c on its outer face 105, to drive the lid 100 in rotation as will be explained later, in order to release the liquid on the solid foods.

Les figures 4 et 5 illustrent plus en détail le couvercle 100 du conteneur selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention. Le couvercle 100 comprend une paroi latérale extérieure 109 munie d'une portion périphérique 101, et une face extérieure 105 se terminant par un rebord périphérique de couvercle 108. Le couvercle 100 comprend une cavité de couvercle 102 ayant une ouverture inférieure de couvercle 103 bordée d'une bordure inférieure de couvercle 104 formant la limite inférieure de la paroi latérale extérieure 109.The figure 4 and 5 illustrate in more detail the lid 100 of the container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Lid 100 includes an outer side wall 109 with a peripheral portion 101, and an outer face 105 terminating in a peripheral lid flange 108. Lid 100 includes a lid cavity 102 having a lower lid opening 103 lined with a lower lid edge 104 forming the lower boundary of the outer side wall 109.

Comme illustré plus particulièrement sur la figure 5, la bordure inférieure de couvercle 104 est plane et contenue dans un plan incliné I par rapport au plan supérieur de bol P (figures 1 à 3 et 5 à 9) en position assemblée.As illustrated more particularly in the figure 5 , the lower lid edge 104 is flat and contained in an inclined plane I with respect to the upper bowl plane P ( figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 9 ) in the assembled position.

L'ouverture inférieure de couvercle 103 est prévue pour être obturée par un opercule de couvercle 110 (figures 8 et 9) de façon à retenir le liquide contenu dans le couvercle 100. L'opercule de couvercle 110 (figures 8 et 9) est collé ou scellé sur la bordure inférieure de couvercle 104.The lower cover opening 103 is provided to be closed off by a cover cap 110 ( figure 8 and 9 ) so as to retain the liquid contained in the cover 100. The lid cover 110 ( figure 8 and 9 ) is glued or sealed on the lower lid edge 104.

Le conteneur 1 comprend des moyens pour déchirer cet opercule de couvercle 110 (figures 8 et 9) sans contact direct d'un utilisateur avec les aliments lorsque le conteneur est dans un état assemblé (couvercle 100 + bol 10).The container 1 comprises means for tearing this lid seal 110 ( figure 8 and 9 ) without direct contact of a user with food when the container is in an assembled state (lid 100 + bowl 10).

Les figures 6 et 7 illustrent plus en détail le bol 10, qui comprend un fond de bol 11, une paroi périphérique de bol 12 délimitant une cavité de bol 13 (figures 6 à 9) à ouverture supérieure 14 (figure 6) selon un plan supérieur de bol P. Le bol 10 comprend également un trottoir périphérique supérieur 15 (figures 2, 3 et 6 à 9) contenu dans le plan supérieur de bol P et bordant la paroi périphérique de bol 12 en se développant jusqu'à un bord de trottoir 15a.The figure 6 and 7 illustrate in more detail the bowl 10, which comprises a bowl bottom 11, a peripheral wall of the bowl 12 delimiting a bowl cavity 13 ( figures 6 to 9 ) to top opening 14 ( figure 6 ) according to an upper plane of the bowl P. The bowl 10 also comprises an upper peripheral sidewalk 15 ( figure 2 , 3 and 6 to 9 ) contained in the upper plane of the bowl P and bordering the peripheral wall of the bowl 12 by developing up to a sidewalk edge 15a.

Le bol 10 comprend en outre des moyens de déchirement 200 excentrés, prévus sur un épaulement 201 périphérique du bol 10. Ces moyens de déchirement 200 peuvent prendre des formes variées. Ils peuvent notamment comprendre un organe de découpe, tel qu'un élément tranchant ou un picot en forme de pointe.The bowl 10 further comprises eccentric tearing means 200, provided on a peripheral shoulder 201 of the bowl 10. These tearing means 200 can take various forms. They may in particular comprise a cutting member, such as a cutting element or a point-shaped barb.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré ici, les moyens de déchirement 200 sont décentrés à l'intérieur du bol 10, c'est-à-dire disposés au voisinage de la paroi périphérique de bol 12. Ils sont également agencés à l'écart de l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle 103 dans au moins une position angulaire relative initiale du couvercle 100 par rapport au bol 10, comme illustré sur la figure 8. Par contre, les moyens de déchirement 200 viennent pénétrer dans l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle 103 lors de la rotation du couvercle 100 sur le bol 10 à l'écart de la position angulaire relative initiale, comme illustré sur la figure 9. Dans cette position illustrée sur la figure 9, les moyens de déchirement 200 sont prévus pour percer l'opercule de couvercle 110 afin de libérer le liquide 60 (figures 8 et 9) sur les aliments solides 50 (figures 8 et 9).In the embodiment illustrated here, the tearing means 200 are off-center inside the bowl 10, that is to say arranged in the vicinity of the peripheral wall of the bowl 12. They are also arranged away from the lower lid opening 103 in at least one initial relative angular position of the lid 100 with respect to the bowl 10, as illustrated in the figure 8 . On the other hand, the tearing means 200 come into the lower lid opening 103 during the rotation of the lid 100 on the bowl 10 away from the initial relative angular position, as illustrated in the figure 9 . In this position illustrated on the figure 9 , the tearing means 200 are provided to pierce the cover seal 110 in order to release the liquid 60 ( figure 8 and 9 ) on solid foods 50 ( figure 8 and 9 ).

La figure 8 illustre le conteneur 1 dans un état assemblé. On voit que le couvercle 100 est logé à l'intérieur du bol 10 c'est-à-dire dans la cavité de bol 13, et affleure le plan supérieur de bol P, tout en restant radialement en retrait du bord de trottoir 15a. La paroi latérale extérieure 109 de couvercle est au contact de la face interne 17 de la paroi périphérique de bol 12.The figure 8 illustrates container 1 in an assembled state. It can be seen that the lid 100 is housed inside the bowl 10, that is to say in the bowl cavity 13, and is flush with the upper plane of the bowl P, while remaining radially set back from the curb 15a. The outer side wall 109 of the cover is in contact with the inner face 17 of the peripheral wall of the bowl 12.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré, le rebord périphérique de couvercle 108 repose sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur 15 de bol.In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral cover rim 108 rests on the upper peripheral sidewalk 15 of the bowl.

Cette figure 8 illustre également en pointillés une position dans laquelle l'opercule de conteneur 2 est en train d'être décollé. Cela correspond également à la figure 2.That figure 8 also illustrates in dotted lines a position in which the container cover 2 is being peeled off. It also corresponds to the figure 2 .

Le rebord périphérique de couvercle 108 reste radialement en retrait du bord de trottoir 15a, en laissant libre une zone périphérique continue du trottoir périphérique supérieur 15. Autrement dit, le trottoir périphérique supérieur 15 de bol est conformé pour se prolonger radialement au-delà du rebord périphérique de couvercle 108. Ainsi, l'opercule de conteneur 2 recouvre à la fois le trottoir périphérique supérieur 15 et le rebord périphérique de couvercle 108 de façon à réaliser un conteneur 1 dont l'étanchéité est encore améliorée.The peripheral edge of the cover 108 remains radially set back from the edge of the sidewalk 15a, leaving a continuous peripheral zone of the sidewalk free. upper peripheral 15. In other words, the upper peripheral sidewalk 15 of the bowl is shaped to extend radially beyond the peripheral edge of the lid 108. Thus, the container lid 2 covers both the upper peripheral sidewalk 15 and the edge cover device 108 so as to produce a container 1 whose sealing is further improved.

On va maintenant décrire le conditionnement d'aliments dans un conteneur 100.We will now describe the packaging of food in a container 100.

La première étape consiste à se munir d'un bol 10 et d'un couvercle 100. On verse ensuite la quantité de liquide souhaitée dans la cavité de couvercle 102, puis on colle ou scelle un opercule de couvercle 110 sur la bordure inférieure de couvercle 104. Le couvercle 100 peut ensuite être manipulé aisément.The first step consists of providing a bowl 10 and a lid 100. The desired quantity of liquid is then poured into the lid cavity 102, then a lid seal 110 is glued or sealed on the lower edge of the lid. 104. The cover 100 can then be handled easily.

L'étape suivante consiste à positionner la quantité d'aliments souhaitée dans la cavité de bol 13. Le couvercle 100 est ensuite logé à l'intérieur du bol 10, jusqu'à affleurer ou être en retrait du plan supérieur de bol P, dans une position angulaire relative initiale telle que les moyens de déchirement 200 sont à l'écart de l'ouverture inférieure de couvercle 103.The next step consists in positioning the desired quantity of food in the bowl cavity 13. The lid 100 is then housed inside the bowl 10, until it is flush with or set back from the upper plane of the bowl P, in an initial relative angular position such that the tearing means 200 are away from the lower lid opening 103.

La dernière étape de conditionnement consiste à sceller ou coller un opercule de conteneur 2 plan et continu sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur 15.The last packaging step consists in sealing or gluing a flat and continuous container lid 2 on the upper peripheral sidewalk 15.

Lors de l'utilisation pour consommer le contenu du conteneur 1, après l'étape d'enlèvement de l'opercule de conteneur 2 des figures 1 à 3, l'utilisateur doit passer de la situation de la figure 8 à celle de la figure 9 après laquelle l'utilisateur pourra consommer les aliments contenus dans le conteneur 1.During use to consume the contents of container 1, after the step of removing the container seal 2 from the figures 1 to 3 , the user must switch from the situation of the figure 8 to that of the figure 9 after which the user can consume the food contained in the container 1.

Pour ce faire, il doit engager ses doigts dans des logements de préhension 106a-106c et entraîner en rotation relative le couvercle 100 par rapport au bol 10 selon un axe X médian perpendiculaire au plan supérieur de bol P.To do this, he must engage his fingers in gripping housings 106a-106c and drive the lid 100 in relative rotation relative to the bowl 10 along a median axis X perpendicular to the upper plane of the bowl P.

Pour aider à la rotation, le bol 10 de ce mode de réalisation comprend des moyens périphériques de guidage comprenant une rainure intérieure de guidage 16 de bol (figures 6, 8, 9 et 12) sur un tronçon supérieur de la paroi périphérique de bol 12, et le couvercle 100 comprend une nervure 107 (figures 4, 5, 8 et 9) sur sa portion périphérique 101, qui s'engage dans la rainure intérieure de guidage 16 de bol.To assist in rotation, the bowl 10 of this embodiment comprises peripheral guide means comprising an inner guide groove 16 of the bowl ( figure 6 , 8 , 9 and 12 ) on an upper section of the bowl peripheral wall 12, and the cover 100 comprises a rib 107 ( figure 4 , 5 , 8 and 9 ) on its peripheral portion 101, which engages in the inner guide groove 16 of the bowl.

Lors de la rotation relative induite par un utilisateur, le couvercle 100 se retrouve dans la configuration illustrée sur la figure 9, dans laquelle, grâce au plan incliné qui contient la bordure inférieure de couvercle 104, les moyens de déchirement 200 entrent en contact de l'opercule de couvercle 110 et le déchirent. Les aliments 60 contenus dans le couvercle 100 se déversent donc sur les aliments contenus dans le bol 10.During the relative rotation induced by a user, the cover 100 finds itself in the configuration illustrated on the figure 9 , in which, thanks to the inclined plane which contains the lower edge of the cover 104, the tearing means 200 come into contact with the lid cover 110 and tear it. The food 60 contained in the lid 100 therefore pours onto the food contained in the bowl 10.

L'utilisateur n'a plus qu'à agiter le conteneur 1 pour mélanger son contenu, à ôter le couvercle 100 et à consommer les aliments.The user only has to shake the container 1 to mix its contents, to remove the lid 100 and to consume the food.

Les figures 10 à 12 illustrent un second mode préféré de réalisation dans lequel le couvercle 100 comporte une portion de paroi 120 à l'écart de la cavité de couvercle 102. Cette portion de paroi 120 est prévue pour admettre le passage d'un tube 130 relié à un dispositif 140 adapté pour faire le vide dans la cavité de bol 13 et éventuellement réinjecter un gaz connu pour optimiser la conservation des aliments contenus dans le bol 13.The figures 10 to 12 illustrate a second preferred embodiment in which the lid 100 comprises a wall portion 120 away from the lid cavity 102. This wall portion 120 is provided to admit the passage of a tube 130 connected to a device 140 suitable for creating a vacuum in the bowl cavity 13 and possibly reinjecting a known gas to optimize the preservation of the food contained in the bowl 13.

Dans un tel mode de réalisation, il est préférable, mais non obligatoire, de prévoir un couvercle de protection 150 qui est conformé pour reposer sur le trottoir périphérique supérieur 15. Ce couvercle de protection 150 protège l'opercule de conteneur 2 avant son ouverture. En outre, ce couvercle de protection 150 peut être utilisé pour garantir une fermeture étanche pendant l'étape d'agitation du conteneur pour mélanger les aliments après déchirement de l'opercule de couvercle 110.In such an embodiment, it is preferable, but not mandatory, to provide a protective cover 150 which is shaped to rest on the upper peripheral sidewalk 15. This protective cover 150 protects the container cover 2 before it is opened. In addition, this protective cover 150 can be used to guarantee tight closure during the step of shaking the container to mix the foods after tearing off the lid cover 110.

Dans une variante de réalisation non illustrée, on peut prévoir dans le couvercle un logement pour recevoir et retenir une fourchette et/ou une cuillère.In a variant embodiment not shown, a housing can be provided in the lid to receive and retain a fork and/or a spoon.

Dans une variante de réalisation non illustrée, on peut prévoir que le couvercle ne comprend que deux logements de préhension.In a variant embodiment not shown, provision may be made for the lid to comprise only two gripping housings.

La présente invention n'est pas limitée aux modes de réalisation qui ont été explicitement décrits, mais elle en inclut les diverses variantes et généralisations contenues dans le domaine des revendications ci-après.The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof contained within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (12)

  1. Food container (1) comprising:
    - a bowl (10) having:
    • a bowl bottom (11) and a bowl peripheral wall (12) delimiting a bowl cavity (13) with an upper opening (14) in line with a bowl upper plane (P),
    • an upper peripheral platform (15) that lies in the bowl upper plane (P) and adjoins the bowl peripheral wall (12), developing into a platform edge (15a),
    • peripheral means (16) for guiding a lid in rotation,
    - a lid (100), having in its wall:
    • a peripheral portion (101) that cooperates with the peripheral lid guiding means (16) in order to hold the lid (100) on the bowl (10) and to allow it to rotate about an axis of rotation (X) that is perpendicular to the bowl upper plane (P),
    • a lid cavity (102) having a lower lid opening (103) bounded by a lid lower border (104) that is planar and contained in a plane (I) that is inclined with respect to the bowl upper plane (P) when in the assembled position, it being possible for it to be closed off by a lid membrane seal (110),
    - tearing means (200) that are secured to the bowl (10) and are positioned off-centre inside the bowl (10) and arranged so as to be spaced apart from the lower lid opening (103) in at least one initial relative angular position of the lid (100) with respect to the bowl (10), and so as to penetrate into the lower lid opening (103) when the lid (100) is rotated on the bowl (10) away from said initial relative angular position,
    characterized in that, when in position on the bowl (10), the lid (100) is accommodated inside the bowl (10), being flush with or set back from the bowl upper plane (P) and radially set back from the platform edge (15a), in such a way that the bowl upper opening (14) can be obscured by a container membrane seal (2) that is planar and continuous, welded onto the upper peripheral platform (15).
  2. Container (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cover (100) comprises, along its outer face (105), at least one gripping recess (106) in which parts of the hand(s) of a user can engage.
  3. Container (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that:
    - the peripheral guiding means comprise a bowl inner guiding groove (16) on an upper segment of the bowl peripheral wall (12),
    - the lid (100) comprises radial projection means (107) on its peripheral portion (101), which engage in the bowl inner guiding groove (16).
  4. Container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:
    - a lid peripheral rim (108) is shaped so as to rest on the bowl upper peripheral platform (15),
    - the bowl upper peripheral platform (15) is shaped so as to extend radially beyond the lid peripheral rim (108),
    - a lid outer lateral wall (109) comes into contact at least in part with the inner face (17) of the bowl peripheral wall (12).
  5. Container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lid (100) comprises at least two gripping recesses (106a, 106b).
  6. Container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lid (100) comprises three gripping recesses (106a-106c).
  7. Container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that:
    - the lid (100) comprises a wall portion (120) that is remote from the lid cavity (102), this wall portion (120) being shaped so as to permit the passage of a tube (130) that can be used to evacuate and reinject a gas into the bowl cavity (13) in order to help preserve the foodstuffs in the bowl (10),
    - the container further comprises a protective lid (150) that is shaped to rest on the upper peripheral platform (15) and cover the membrane seal of the container (2).
  8. Container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is produced by thermoforming.
  9. Container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is produced by thermoforming a PP/EVOH/PP three-layer complex.
  10. Use of a container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, for packaging foodstuffs, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
    • providing a bowl (10) and a lid (100) of a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 9,
    • introducing foodstuffs or a liquid into the lid cavity (102), then adhesively bonding or sealing a lid membrane seal (102) onto the lid lower border (104),
    • introducing foodstuffs into the bowl cavity (13),
    • engaging the lid (100) in the bowl cavity (13), in an initial relative angular position such that the tearing means (200) are spaced apart from the lid lower opening (103),
    • sealing or adhesively bonding, onto the upper peripheral platform (15), a container membrane seal (2) that is planar and continuous.
  11. Use of a container (1) according to Claim 10, for consumption of the contents thereof, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
    • removing the container membrane seal (2),
    • positioning the fingers of a user in said at least one gripping interval (106),
    • rotating the lid (100) relative to the bowl (10) away from the initial relative angular position in order to cause tearing of the lid membrane seal (110), the foodstuffs or the liquid of the lid cavity (102) then entering the bowl (10),
    • shaking the container (1),
    • separating the lid (100) from the bowl (10).
  12. Food product in the form of a food preparation, characterized in that it comprises:
    - foodstuffs contained in the bowl cavity (13) of a container (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9,
    - a liquid or other foodstuffs contained in the lid cavity (102) of said container (1),
    - a lid membrane seal (110) that is sealed or adhesively bonded to the lid lower border (104) and closes off the lid lower opening (103),
    - the lid (100) being engaged in the bowl cavity (13),
    - a planar and continuous container membrane seal (2) being adhesively bonded or sealed on the upper peripheral platform (15),
    in such a way that, after removal of the container membrane seal (2), the liquid or the other foodstuffs (60) can be released from the lid cavity (102) and enter the bowl cavity (13) by tearing of the lid membrane seal (110) by the tearing means (200) when the lid (100) is rotated with respect to the bowl (10).
EP17158664.7A 2016-03-02 2017-03-01 Food container Active EP3214016B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1651772A FR3048420B1 (en) 2016-03-02 2016-03-02 CONTAINER FOR FOOD

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3214016A1 EP3214016A1 (en) 2017-09-06
EP3214016B1 true EP3214016B1 (en) 2022-02-23

Family

ID=55759852

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17158664.7A Active EP3214016B1 (en) 2016-03-02 2017-03-01 Food container

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3214016B1 (en)
FR (1) FR3048420B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109178639B (en) * 2018-11-15 2024-05-31 深圳市道中创新科技有限公司 Container with material bag
CN111972932A (en) * 2020-07-30 2020-11-24 广东易爱云厨科技股份有限公司 Food container

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4348421A (en) * 1975-12-09 1982-09-07 House Food Industrial Company Limited Process for reconstituting dehydrated food
DE4219063A1 (en) * 1992-06-11 1993-12-16 Wella Ag Device for mixing two components
MXPA06002700A (en) * 2003-09-09 2006-09-04 Aron Joseph Clarkson Dispensing closure.
FR2907432A1 (en) * 2006-10-24 2008-04-25 Vincent Deperrois Container e.g. mineral water bottle, and cap package, has skirt with thread extending beyond membrane seal with respect to tank, and cap with static membrane seal cutting unit cooperating with lip of neck during screwing of cap on neck
FR2960131B1 (en) * 2010-05-21 2012-07-27 Claude Sebban NEW FOOD PRODUCT

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR3048420B1 (en) 2018-03-16
EP3214016A1 (en) 2017-09-06
FR3048420A1 (en) 2017-09-08

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