GB2481410A

GB2481410A - Food packaging with a recessed surface connecting to side walls top edges

Info

Publication number: GB2481410A
Application number: GB1010482.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alan Cunningham
Original assignee: BORDER BISCUITS Ltd
Current assignee: BORDER BISCUITS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-06-22
Filing date: 2010-06-22
Publication date: 2011-12-28
Also published as: GB201010482D0

Abstract

Food packaging with a lid has a side wall 28, 32 and a profiled wall 22 forming a recess 24 designed to receive foodstuff; where the profiled wall connects to the upper edge of the side wall. There may be a top wall 30 linking between the two. The recess can have an integral partition 26, a removable partition, or no partition. There are preferably four walls 28, 32 arranged in a rectangle, extending beyond the central recess. Ideally a semicircular portion 42 extends upwardly from a pair of opposing side walls to engage with recesses in side walls of the lid. The lid can be non-parallel to the base. There may be a removable resiliently deformable insert with text or graphics on forming a base at the bottom of the side walls. The food may include biscuits.

Description

Improvements relating to containers for foodstuffs The present invention provides a container for foodstuffs and in particular but not exclusively to a container for biscuits and the like.

Packaging regulations require manufacturers to minimise the quantity of packaging used in transporting goods to consumers whilst ensuring that the product contained within the packaging reaches the consumer in an acceptable condition.

A particular challenge for manufacturers of breakable foodstuffs such as biscuits and the like is the delivery of a product in good condition whilst reducing the amount of packaging material to a minimum.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a container acceptable in appearance to the consumer, protective of the product contained therein and using the minimum of packaging materials.

The present invention provides a container for foodstuff comprising a base portion and a lid portion; the base portion being closable by the lid portion and comprising a recess configured to receive and retain an item of a foodstuff, the base having a side wall and a bottom wall wherein the bottom wall defines the recess.

In embodiments, the side wall of the base is connected to the bottom wall of the base at an upper edge thereof. In certain embodiments, the upper edge of the side wall is joined directly to the bottom wall of the base. In alterative embodiments, the side wall is connected to the bottom wall by a top wall of the base.

In preferred embodiments, the bottom wall depends from the top wall of the base. Alternatively, the bottom wall depends from an upper edge of the side wall of the base. More specifically, the bottom wall is shaped to define a recess for receiving and retaining an item of foodstuff. Preferably the bottom wall is moulded to form the recess.

The recess may be a single compartment. Alternatively, the recess may comprise a divider configured to separate the recess into two or more compartments.

The divider may be formed integrally with the bottom wall of the base portion. Alternatively, the divider may be comprised of a separate or a removable element.

The side wall of the container may be a single continuous side wall. In such embodiments the container has a circular cross section.

Alternatively, the container may comprise more than one side wall. In preferred embodiments, the container comprises two pairs of opposing side walls, forming a container of rectangular or square cross-section.

The side wall(s) preferably extend beyond the bottom wall. In this way, the container can be supported on the lower edges of the side wall(s).

The side wall(s) preferably comprises at least one portion configured to extend upwardly from the upper edge of the side wall(s). More specifically, the side wall extended portion extends in the same plane as the side wall and raises the upper edge of the side wall. Thus, the side wall extended portion is configured to co-operate with a portion of the lid portion to facilitate engagement between the lid portion and the base portion when the container is in a closed configuration.

In various embodiments, the base portion side wall extended portion is engageable with a corresponding element on the lid portion. More specifically, the lid portion may comprise a recess into which the base portion side wall extended portion is locatable. Once located in said recess, the lid and base portion are preferably held together by a frictional engagement.

It is preferred that the lid portion comprises a top wall and at least one side wall. More specifically, the lid portion comprises side wall(s) corresponding in number and shape to the base portion side wall(s).

The lid portion recess is preferably located in a side wall of the lid. In certain embodiments, the lid portion comprises two recesses. More specifically, the lid portion recesses may be located in each of a pair of opposing side walls.

Preferably the base portion side wall extended portion is semi-circular.

More specifically, the base portion side wall(s) may be substantially rectangular, having a semi-circular extended portion formed integrally therewith and extending upwardly from an upper edge thereof. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the corresponding side wall(s) of the lid portion is rectangular having a semi-circular recess therein. Thus, the semi-circular extended portion of the base portion side wall is locatable in the semi-circular recess of the lid portion side wall so as to form a frictional engagement between the corresponding side wall.

It is preferred that the top wall of the lid portion and the bottom wall of the base portion are non-parallel in the closed container.

More specifically, the bottom wall of the base portion comprises a non-planer surface. It is preferred that the bottom wall forms a curved recess for receiving and retaining foodstuffs.

In embodiments, the bottom wall of the base portion is located entirely between the upper and lower edges of the side wall(s) of the base portion and also entirely between the inner surface of the side wall(s). In embodiments, the bottom wall is spaced apart from the inner surface of the side wall(s) of the base portion so as to form a cavity therebetween. In this way, the cavity protects the contents of the container from compression forces acting on the side walls thereof.

A removable insert may be locatable at the lower edge(s) of the side wall(s) of the base portion. The insert may form a removable bottom panel of the base portion. The insert may comprise a bottom panel and at least one side panel upstanding from the bottom panel at an end thereof. The side panel is preferably upstanding from the bottom panel and is perpendicular thereto.

The side panel(s) of the insert is preferably resiliently deformable. In this way, the side panel(s) of the insert may be brought into frictional engagement with the inner surface of the side wall(s) of the base portion.

The insert preferably has side panel(s) corresponding in shape and number to the side wall(s) of the base portion. In this way, the base portion may be reinforced by incorporation of the insert.

The insert may be printed with indicia, graphics or the like.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures la told show a lid portion of a container for foodstuff in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figures 2a to 2d show a base portion in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figures 3a to 3d show a base portion in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 4a to 4d show a base portion in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; Figures 5a to 5d show a base portion in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 show a blank forming an embodiment of a removable insert locatable in a base portion in accordance with the invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Further, although the invention will be described in terms of specific embodiments, it will be understood that various elements of the specific embodiments of the invention will be applicable to all embodiments disclosed herein.

In the drawings, similar features are denoted by the same reference signs throughout.

Figures la to id depict views of a lid portion 2 of a container for foodstuff.

The lid portion has a top wall 6, two parallel side walls 8 and two parallel end walls 10. The side walls 8 each depend from a free edge of the top wall which free edges at located at opposing sides of the top wall 6. The end walls 10 each depend from a further free edge of the top wall 6. The free edges from which the end walls 10 depend are at opposing ends of the top wall 6. The side walls 8 and the end walls 10 are upstanding from the top wall 6 at right angles thereto.

In order to provide a pleasant appearance to the consumer, the edges where any one or more of the top wall 6, the side walls 8 and the end walls connect with one another may be square, rounded or bevelled.

Each of the side walls 8 each has a semi-circular recess 12 therein for receiving a portion of the base portion (not shown) of the container when the container is in the closed position. A lid portion closure element 14 extends around the entire periphery of the lid portion 2 at the lower edge of the side walls 8 and end walls 10. The closure element 14 overlaps the upper edge of the base portion (not shown) in order to close the base portion and to be retained in position against lateral displacement of the lid portion relative to the base portion.

The lid portion 2 may have indicia, graphics or similar thereon. In the embodiment depicted in Figures la to id, the lid portion top wall 6 is embossed with the wording "Border Biscuits".

Figures 2a to 2d depict a base portion 20 closable by the lid portion of Figures la to id. The base portion 20 has a bottom wall 22 defining a recess 24. Recess 24 is in turn divided into two compartments by divider 26. The entire base portion 20 is formed of a moulded plastic material with the divider 26 formed integrally with the bottom wall 22.

The base portion 20 has two parallel side walls 28 and two parallel end walls 32. The side walls 28 and end walls 32 together form a base portion of rectangular cross-section. The bottom wall 22 may depend directly from the upper edge 30 of the side waIls 28 and end waIls 32, however, in the depicted embodiment, the bottom wall 22 of the base portion 20 depends from top wall 34.

The side walls 28 each depend from a free edge of the top wall 34 which free edges at located at opposing sides of the base portion 20. The end walls 32 each depend from a further free edge of the top wall 34. The free edges from which the end walls 32 depend are at opposing ends of the base portion 20. The side walls 28 and the end walls 32 are upstanding from the top wall 34 at right angles thereto.

In order to provide a pleasant appearance to the consumer, the edges where any one or more of the top wall 34, the side walls 28 and the end walls 32 connect with one another may be square, rounded or bevelled. It is preferred that the edges of the container where the side walls 28, top wall 34 and/or the bottom wall 22 connect to one another are square edges. In this way, when the lid portion closes the base portion, the abutment between the lid and base portions are along straight lines/surfaces.

The bottom wall 22 defines recess 24. Recess 24 is shaped and configured to receive and retain an item of foodstuff such as biscuits or the like. It is preferred that the bottom wall 22 has a curved inner surface.

The bottom wall 22 may be non-parallel with the planes of the top and/or bottom of the container. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2a to 2d, the bottom wall 22 is formed as two semi-circular compartments separated from one another by divider 26.

The base portion side walls each have an inner surface 36 which, together with the end wall inner surfaces 33 and the bottom wall inner surface 37 define a cavity 40. The cavity 40 also compression forces to be applied to the base portion 20 without the compression forces being transferred to recess 24, thus protecting the contents of the container from damage.

Each side wall 30 has an extended portion 42 upstanding therefrom. Each extended portion 42 extends in the same plane as the side wall 30 from which it is upstanding and raises the side wall upper edge 30 in a semi-circular profile.

Each extended portion 42 is locatable in a recess 12 of the lid portion when the lid portion is positioned so as to close the base portion. The extended portions 42 and recesses 12 together form a frictional engagement operable to retain the container in the closed configuration.

Although not shown in the depicted embodiment, the base portion 20 may have indicia, graphics or similar printed and/or embossed thereon.

Figures 3a to 3d depict an alternative base portion 200 closable by the lid portion of Figures la to id. The base portion 200 differs from base portion in that the bottom wall 222 depends from end walls 232 as a planar surface until the centre of the recess 224 wherein the bottom wall 222 curves upwards to connect with divider 226.

Figures 4a to 4d depict a further alternative base portion 300 closable by the lid portion of Figures la to id. The base portion 300 differs from base portion 20 in that the bottom wall 322 extends to the plane extending between the lower edges of the side walls 328. The recess 324 of the embodiment depicted in Figures 4a to 4d is deeper than the recess 24 of Figures 2a to 2d.

Figures 5a to Sd depict a yet further alternative base portion 400 closable by the lid portion of Figures la to id. The base portion 400 differs from base portion 300 in that the bottom wall 422 defines a single compartment recess 424. The recess 424 of the embodiment depicted in Figures 5a to 5d contains no divider.

Figure 6 depicts an embodiment of a blank 50 adapted to form a removable insert. The removable insert is locatable at the lower edges of the side walls of the base portion.

In use, the insert forms a removable bottom panel of the base portion.

The blank 50 is formed of a single piece of cardboard. The blank 50 consists of a base section 52 which is octagonal in shape. First edges 54 of the base section 52 each connect to a side wall section 56. The side wall sections 56 are in a shape corresponding to the side walls of the base portion.

The blank 50 further comprises end wall sections 58 connected to second edges 60 of the base section 52. The end wall sections 58 are rectangular in shape.

A flap 62 is located on each of the short edges 64 of the side wall sections 56.

The first and second edges 54, 50 of the base section 52 and the short edges 64 of the side wall sections 56 define fold lines for the blank 50.

The side wall sections 56 further comprise additional fold lines 66 as shown in figure 6.

The blank 50 is folded along the fold lines so as to create an insert that comprises a bottom panel, two side panels upstanding from the bottom panel at an end thereof and two end panels upstanding from the bottom panel at an end thereof.

When constructed, the side panels and end panels of the insert will be upstanding from the bottom panel and be substantially perpendicular thereto.

The side and end panels of the insert are resiliently deformable and the insert may be printed with indicia, graphics or the like.

Claims

Claims 1. A container for foodstuff comprising a base portion and a lid portion; the base portion being closable by the lid portion and comprising a recess configured to receive and retain an item of a foodstuff, the base having a side wall and a bottom wall wherein the bottom wall defines the recess.
2. A container for foodstuff according to claim 1, wherein the side wall of the base is connected to the bottom wall of the base at an upper edge thereof.
3. A container for foodstuff according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper edge of the side wall is joined directly to the bottom wall of the base.
4. A container for foodstuff according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side wall is connected to the bottom wall by a top wall of the base.
5. A container for foodstuff according to claimS, wherein the bottom wall depends from the top wall of the base.
6. A container for foodstuff according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom wall depends from an upper edge of the side wall of the base.
7. . A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom wall is moulded to form the recess.
8. . A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess is a single compartment.
9. . A container for foodstuff according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the recess comprises a divider configured to separate the recess into two or more compartments.
10. . A container for foodstuff according to claim 9, wherein the divider is formed integrally with the bottom wall of the base portion.
11. A container for foodstuff according to claim 9, wherein the divider is comprised of a removable element.
12. A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall of the container is a single continuous side wall.
13. A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises more than one side wall.
14. Acontainerforfoodstuff according claim 13, wherein the container comprises two pairs of opposing side walls.
15. A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall(s) extend beyond the bottom wall.
16. A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall(s) comprises at least one portion configured to extend upwardly from the upper edge of the side wall(s).
17. A container for foodstuff according to claim 16, wherein the sidewall extended portion extends in the same plane as the side wall and raises the upper edge of the side wall.
18. A container for foodstuff according claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the side wall extended portion is configured to co-operate with a portion of the lid portion to facilitate engagement between the lid portion and the base portion when the container is in a closed configuration.
19. A container for foodstuff according to any one of claims 16 to 18, the base portion side wall extended portion is engageable with a corresponding element on the lid portion.
20. A container for foodstuff according to claim 19, wherein the lid portion comprises a recess into which the base portion side wall extended portionis locatable.
21. A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid portion comprises a top wall and at least one side wall.
22. A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid portion recess is located in a side wall of the lid.
23. A container for foodstuff according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the lid portion comprises two recesses.
24. A container for foodstuff according to claim 23, wherein the lid portion recesses are located in each of a pair of opposing side walls.
25. A container for foodstuff according to any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein the base portion side wall extended portion is semi-circular.
26. A container for foodstuff according to claim 25, wherein the corresponding side wall(s) of the lid portion comprises a semi-circular recess therein.
27. A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top wall of the lid portion and the bottom wall of the base portion are non-parallel in the closed container.
28. A container for foodstuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a removable insert is locatable at the lower edge(s) of the side wall(s) of the base portion.
29. A container for foodstuff according to claim 28, wherein the insert forms a removable bottom panel of the base portion.
30. A container for foodstuff according to claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the insert comprises a bottom panel and at least one side panel upstanding from the bottom panel at an end thereof.
31. A container for foodstuff according to claim 30, wherein the side panel is upstanding from the bottom panel and is perpendicular thereto.
32. A container for foodstuff according to claim 30 or claim 31, wherein the side panel(s) of the insert is resiliently deformable.
33. A container for foodstuff according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the insert is printed with indicia, graphics or the like.
34. A container for foodstuff substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.*::r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE 16 Application No: GB 1010482.6 Examiner: Mr Joe Cornfield Claims searched: 1-33 Date of search: 9 September 2011 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims X 1,2,4,5, US3240610A 7-9, 11-CEASE container 30, side walls 10, bottom wall 31, lid 33 (figs 16, 18, 19, 20) 19, 21 X 1, 2, 4, 5, U53099567 A 7, 9, 10, WALLACE container 1, lid 5 (figs) 12-15, 28, X 1-3, 6, 7, U53580463 A 8, 12, 13-DUERINK container 1, side walls 5, bottom wall 2, lid 8 (figs) 19, 27 X 1-7, 9, 10, U53850333 A 12-15, 21 REICHERT container B, side walls D, bottom wall E, lid A (figs) X 1,2,4,5, U53851754A 7, 8, 12-JONES container 1, side walls 6, bottom wall 7-9, lid 12, 13 16, 18, (figs) 19, 21 X 1, 2, 4, 5, US3744663 A 7, 9, 10, MOREN container 22, side walls 42, bottom wall 65, lid 21 (figs) 12-15, 21-24, 27-32 X 1,2,4,5, EP1264781A1 7, 9, 10, KRAFT container 14, side walls 24, bottom wall 18, lid 12 (fig 2) 12-15, 28, X 1, 2, 4, 5, W098/52835 Al 7, 9, 10, SOREMARTEC container 3, side walls 6, bottom wall 10, lid 5 12-15,21-(figs) Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk t::r: INTELLECTUAL . . PROPERTY OFFICE 17 same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document pubhshed on or after. hut with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX: Worldwide search of patent docuiments classified in the following areas of the IPC JB65D The following online and other databases have been rised in the preparation of this search report Online: WPI, EPODOC International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From B65D 0085/36 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk