HUP0003375A2 - Package with spoons - Google Patents

Abstract

A tubular sleeve (12) with the upper containers (20) inside, is set on the top of the lower containers (21) such that the container top portions are located in the sleeve and the main container portions are extended through a bottom sleeve opening. A flat spoon insert (30) between the upper and lower containers inside the sleeve, has a spoon panel with number of spoon blanks covered by a protection panel. An independent claim is also included for a spoon insert blank.

Description

Γ Π R Π A 7

Sun

International

Patent Office

H-1062 Budapest, Andrássy Street 113.

Telwu,. 34-24-950, Fax: 34-24-323 w

70.926/DO

Ai

Packaging tool with spoons

The invention relates to a tubular packaging device which contains a plurality of individual containers, and in particular disposable cutlery, such as spoons. The invention also relates to the spoons themselves.

A special type of hose-like packaging device is well known for securing a plurality of individual containers, such as dessert containers or the like. This packaging device is formed by a tubular hose of substantially rectangular cross-section, and the individual containers have a closed top and a base portion extending downwardly therefrom. The cross-section of the base portion is smaller than the cross-section of the top. These packaging devices comprise an upper and a lower row of containers. The rows of containers may comprise two, three or more individual containers. The upper row of containers is completely contained within the hose, and the tops of these containers are secured through suitable openings near the top of the rectangular hose. The tops of the lower containers are secured within the hose so that there is a container under each container of the upper row. Their lower, smaller base portion projects through a cutout in the bottom of the hose.

One disadvantage of this type of packaging is that the consumer must be provided with a separate cutlery, such as a spoon or similar, for each container. This is not a major disadvantage if the containers are opened and used at home, but it is inconvenient if

- 2 the utensils are used outside the home, for example at work, school, on a picnic or similar.

Many types of packaging devices have been designed, including spoons. Such packaging devices are described, for example, in U.S. Patents 2,475,294, 2,509,616, 2,843,259, 3,458,107 and 4,339,033. None of the arrangements described therein are suitable for use as a flexible packaging device of the type described.

Therefore, a further development is needed that eliminates the disadvantages described above.

The object of our invention is to provide a novel and improved tubular packaging device containing individual containers, in which cutlery, such as spoons or the like, preferably disposable cutlery, such as spoons or the like, preferably spoons for each individual container are provided.

Another object of our invention is to provide a novel and improved semi-finished (i.e., in an unfolded state prior to folding for use) spoon comprising a plurality of disposable spoons, which can advantageously be used in a tubular packaging of the type described.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the tube-like packaging device has an upper and a lower row of individual containers, and the tube has a substantially flat spoon insert arranged between the upper and lower rows. The spoon insert comprises at least two sheets. One sheet comprises a plurality of individual semi-finished spoons which are separable from each other. At least one other sheet is protected

- 3 holds these. The spoon insert should be made of a relatively stiff material.

In one embodiment, there are two sheets, namely a spoon sheet and a protective sheet. In this embodiment, it is advantageous to protect the spoons by having the spoon insert in some type of enclosure, such as a flat bag or shrink wrap.

In another embodiment, there are two protective sheets next to the spoon sheet, such that the spoon sheet is folded between and held between the two protective sheets. In this embodiment, a protective cover may be used, but is not required. Instead, it is preferred to simply use adhesive tape around the edges of the sheets to hold them together.

In packaging devices containing two containers per row, for a total of four containers, the spoon plate of the spoon insert preferably contains four spoons side by side. In packaging devices containing three containers per row, for a total of six spoons, the spoon plate preferably contains six spoons, namely three spoons side by side at one end of the spoon plate and another three spoons side by side at the other end.

In all embodiments, it is advantageous that the spoon insert substantially occupies the entire length and width of the packaging, i.e. the interior of the tube. This maximizes the space available for the semi-finished spoons and at the same time makes the packaging more rigid.

One object of our invention is therefore to provide a novel and improved tube-like packaging device containing multiple individual containers, in which multiple individual spoons are directly located.

- 4 Another object of our invention is to further develop tube-like packaging devices which comprise at least two sheets. One sheet contains the semi-finished spoons, the second and/or third sheet protects the spoon sheet.

A further object of our invention is to provide a novel and improved semi-finished spoon with at least one protective sheet, comprising separable and individually usable spoons.

Our invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments thereof with the help of our drawings, of which the

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known tube-like packaging device containing several individual containers, the

Figure 2 is a side view of the packaging device according to Figure 1, but containing a spoon insert according to the invention,

Figure 3 is a section taken along section line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the packaging device according to Figure 2,

Figure 5. A semi-finished spoon insert containing a spoon plate, a semi-finished spoon with a protective plate, the

Figure 6 shows the semi-finished spoon insert according to Figure 5 folded into a spoon insert for use in a tube-like packaging device,

Figure 7 is a semi-finished product of another embodiment of a spoon insert, the

Figure 8 shows the semi-finished spoon insert according to Figure 7 folded into a spoon insert for use in a tube-like packaging device,

Figure 9 shows a semi-finished pair of another embodiment of a spoon insert, the

Figure 10 shows one of the semi-finished spoon inserts according to Figure 9 folded into a spoon insert for use in a tube-like packaging device,

Figure 11. A semi-finished product of a further embodiment of a spoon insert, the

Figure 12 shows the semi-finished spoon insert according to Figure 11 folded into a spoon insert for use in a tube-like packaging device,

Figure 13 is a cross-section through the middle of a tube-like packaging device similar to that in Figures 1-4, but containing three containers in both the upper and lower rows, the

Figure 14 shows another embodiment of the semi-finished spoon insert, suitable for a tube-like packaging device containing six containers, the

Figure 15 shows the semi-finished spoon insert according to Figure 14 folded into a spoon insert for use in the tube-like packaging device according to Figure 13,

Figure 16 is a further embodiment of the semi-finished spoon insert, suitable for a hose-like packaging device containing six containers, the

Figure 17 shows the semi-finished spoon insert according to Figure 16 folded into a spoon insert for use in the tube-like packaging device according to Figure 13,

Figure 18 is another embodiment of the semi-finished spoon insert, which is suitable for a tube-like packaging device containing six containers, the

Figure 19 shows the semi-finished spoon insert according to Figure 18 folded into a spoon insert for use in the tube-like packaging device according to Figure 13,

Figure 20. Individual spoon removed from a semi-finished spoon insert, folded into a usable shape.

In the following description of the preferred embodiments, like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout the views.

Figure 1 shows a conventional tube-like packaging device 10 comprising a tube 12. The tube 12 is a substantially tubular member which is substantially rectangular or square when viewed from one end and has sides 13, a top 14, a bottom 15 and a plurality of product storage containers 20, 21, 22 and 23. Each container is substantially frustoconical in shape and terminates at its upper larger end in a substantially flat lid 20a, 21a, 22a and 23a. The lid is covered by a film which seals the container and thus preserves the foodstuff contained therein, such as a gelatinous preparation, pudding or the like. In some commercial embodiments, the bottom end of the containers is substantially rectangular, as shown in Figure 4, while in other commercial embodiments, the bottom end of the containers is more rounded and more truly frustoconical.

The containers 20 and 22 in the upper row are generally completely contained within the rectangular tube 12 and are secured therein by engaging their tops in openings 12a at the top of one side 13 of the rectangular tube, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The bottom row of containers 21 and 23 are fixed in the hose so that the top of 21a and 23a, respectively, is at the bottom of the hose.

- —. : ♦·:··..· < « *«· 9 va, since the lower part of these vessels protrudes through the cutouts 17, the size of which is smaller than the outer size of the roof 21a, 23a, respectively.

According to the invention, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a substantially flat spoon insert 30 containing a plurality of spoons is inserted into the packaging device within the tube, between the upper and lower rows of containers. This has the advantage of providing a single-use spoon for each container, and in addition, this insert makes the packaging device more rigid.

As shown in Figure 3, the spoon insert, when inserted into the hose 12, is substantially rectangular in shape, and its length and width extend substantially the entire length and width of the interior of the hose 12.

Figures 5 and 6 show a first embodiment of a spoon insert, spoon insert 35. Figure 5 shows a plurality of spoon blanks 36, 37, 38 and 39 which are connected to each other by weakened tear lines 42. Spoon blanks 36 are attached to an adjacent protective sheet 44 along a fold line which is weakened and can be either folded or torn. Each spoon has a fold line 41 along its centerline. Next to protective sheet 44 is a second protective sheet 45. The protective sheets are separated from each other by a fold line 46. The second protective sheet 45 terminates at an edge 47 and has an adhesive tab 48 which can be used to hold the insert after the sheets are folded together.

- 8 Since the fold lines 40, 41 and 46 form a cut in the thickness of the material, all folds are made in the opposite direction, i.e. away from the viewer and the plane of the figure.

After the individual spoons have been separated from the rest of the spoon plate, they are folded away from the plane of the figure along the fold line 41, thus forming a spoon 31 of the shape shown in Figure 20. Of course, the smaller, right-hand end forms the handle, while the larger, left-hand end forms the part that extends into the food.

In Fig. 6 the embodiment of Fig. 5 is shown folded into a spoon insert to be inserted into the hose 12. The spoon plate, which is the area forming the four spoons, is folded downwards, away from the viewer and the plane of the figure, along the fold line 40. When the protective sheet 45 lies on the opposite side of the protective sheet 44, it is folded down along the fold line 46 and onto the spoon plate. The resulting spoon insert is shown in Fig. 6. Here, the adhesive tab 48 connects the edge 47 of the protective sheet 45 to the edge (fold line 40) between the protective sheets 44 and the spoon plate. The two protective sheets 44 and 45 secure and protect the spoons themselves.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the spoon insert, the spoon insert 50. Here, four semi-finished spoons 51, 52, 53 and 54 are arranged in a manner similar to the four semi-finished spoons in the embodiment according to Figure 5. The semi-finished spoons are separated at edge 55 by a fold line from the protective sheet 58, which has an opposite edge 59. For insertion into the hose, the spoon sheet is folded along edge 55 (fold line) away from the viewer and the figure.

- It is folded away from the plane of 9, around and onto the protective sheet 58, as shown in Figure 8.

Since in this embodiment there is only one protective sheet, one surface of the semi-finished spoons 51-54 remains exposed. It may therefore be advantageous to enclose this special insert in a protective cover for use. Such a cover 60, which is only schematically shown in Figure 8, may be a shrink wrap or simply a bag into which the spoon insert can be placed.

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of a spoon insert, the spoon insert 135. Figure 9 is a further development of a four-spoon insert, and therefore in this figure the essentially similar components are indicated by the reference numerals used in Figures 5 and 6 and increased by 100. In this embodiment, the semi-finished spoons 136, 137, 138 and 139 are formed in the spoon plate 149, inward from each edge thereof. In this embodiment, the three plates are joined to each other not at the sides but at the ends. The spoon plate 149 is separated from the central protective plate 144 by a fold line 140. Next to the protective plate 144 is another protective plate 145. These are separated from each other by a fold line 146. At the opposite end of the protective plate 145 is an edge 147 to which an adhesive tab 148 is attached.

Figure 9 also shows a separate spoon insert 135a. This figure shows the advantage that this type of spoon insert, in which the sheets are joined at their ends, can be manufactured by forming two spoon inserts side by side. These are separated by micro-cuts that allow the two spoon inserts, 135 and 135, to be easily separated.

-10 This has the advantage that the folding-gluing device can be fed and aligned more easily, although the inserts must of course be separated at some point before they enter the hose.

Another important advantage of this embodiment is that the sheets are not adjacent to each other with their sides, but with their ends. By means of the hinges at the short ends of the rectangle, both short ends of the spoon insert, which are exposed at the ends of the tubular packaging device in the folded state, as shown in Figure 10 and described in more detail below, are covered. One end is covered by a hinge, the other end by the adhesive tab 148. An important advantage of this arrangement is that the interior of the spoon insert and thus the spoons themselves are sealed from the atmosphere. This prevents the ingress of dust. The spoons themselves are located further inward from the edges of the spoon sheet, which also contributes to reducing the possibility of dust reaching the spoons. This is explained by the fact that the compression of the sheets by the containers of the packaging device creates a "poly-poly" contact, which results in an excellent seal.

In all embodiments in which the spoons are arranged in a separate spoon plate, inward from the edges thereof, instead of an adhesive tongue, the plates may be held together by a high temperature melt adhesive, suitably arranged so as not to touch the spoons.

As in the previous embodiments and as described in more detail below, the spoons themselves are surrounded by dashed lines for easy separation. There is a central fold line 141 between these.

-11 Figure 10 shows a spoon insert 135 according to Figure 9 after it has been folded into a spoon insert for insertion into a tube 12. The spoon sheet 149 is folded along the fold line 140, away from the viewer, onto the opposite side of the protective sheet 144. The protective sheet 145 is then folded along the fold line 146, away from the viewer, onto the front of the spoons, and an adhesive tab 148 is then applied to the protective sheet 144 above the fold line 140.

Figure 11 shows another embodiment of a semi-finished spoon, the spoon insert 235. This spoon insert is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 in that it comprises three panels that can be folded along their long sides. However, in the embodiment of Figure 11, the four semi-finished spoons 236, 237, 238, and 239 are arranged within the boundaries of the respective spoon panels 249. This provides the advantages described above for the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10. In order to fold this embodiment into the spoon insert shown in Figure 12, the spoon panels 249 are folded away from the viewer along the fold line 240 until the spoon panels 249 reach the opposite side of the protective panel 244. The protective sheet 245 is then folded away from the viewer about the fold line 246 to cover the spoon plate 249, and an adhesive tab 248 is then attached to the protective sheet 244. As described above and below, each spoon is attached to the spoon plate 249 at lines of weakness that allow the spoon in question to be separated from its spoon plate. Solid lines 241 represent the fold lines in the center of each spoon.

-12 Figure 13 shows a tube-like packaging device similar to that of Figures 1-4. The difference is that this tube-like packaging device contains six containers instead of four. Here, the tube-like packaging device 62 contains three upper and three lower containers 63, and each container has a top 63a. The embodiment of Figure 13 is identical to that of Figure 1-4. The difference is in the length required for the two additional containers.

Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of a spoon insert, a spoon insert 65 suitable for the packaging device of Figure 13. In this embodiment, six spoons 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72 are formed in a spoon plate 85. At each end, three spoons are arranged side by side to provide space for six half-finished spoons. There are lines of weakness between or around each half-finished spoon to allow each spoon to be easily removed from the spoon plate. Each spoon has a central fold line 73.

Next to the spoon plate is a first protective plate 77, which is separated by a fold line 79 from a second protective plate 78 ending in an edge 80.

The spoon plate of Figure 14 is folded as shown in Figure 15 to form a spoon insert for insertion into a tubular packaging device. First, the spoon plate 85 is folded along the fold line 74 in a direction away from the viewer and the plane of the figure onto the back of the protective plate 77. It is noted that the width of the spoon plate 85 is slightly less than the width of the protective plates 77 and 78, which are of equal width. The protective plate 78 is then folded in a direction away from the viewer and the plane of the figure.

direction onto the spoon plate 85 to cover it. The adhesive tab 81 then secures the protective sheet 78 to the protective sheet 77, between which the spoon plate is secured.

Figure 16 shows a further embodiment of the spoon insert, spoon insert 165, which is suitable for the packaging device according to Figure 13 in the same way as the embodiment according to Figure 14. In Figure 16, the reference symbols of Figure 14 increased by 100 were used as reference symbols.

In the embodiment of Figure 16, like the embodiment of Figure 9, the different panels are not connected to each other at their sides, but at their ends. This embodiment has the same advantages as the embodiment of Figure 9. The difference is that it comprises six spoons 167, 168, 169, 170, 171 and 172 and forms a spoon insert which can be inserted into a larger packaging device, for example, the six-cup container shown in Figure 13. These spoon inserts 165, which have panels connected at their ends, can be produced in pairs, as shown in Figure 9. In this case, they have all the advantages described there.

Figure 17 shows the semi-finished spoon of Figure 16 converted into a spoon insert for insertion into a tubular packaging device. First, the spoon sheet 185 is folded away from the viewer along the fold line 174 until it touches the opposite side of the protective sheet 177. Then, the protective sheet 178 is folded away from the viewer along the fold line 179 until it touches the spoon sheet 185. The adhesive tab 181 is then folded along the fold line 178

-14 connects the edge 180 of the protective sheet to the edge (fold line 174) of the protective sheet 177.

Fig. 18 shows a further embodiment of a semi-finished spoon, the semi-finished spoon 265. This semi-finished spoon is used for the six-cup packaging device according to Fig. 13 and is almost identical in all respects to the embodiment shown in Fig. 14. The difference is that the spoons themselves are arranged differently in their spoon plate. In Fig. 18, the reference symbols of Fig. 14, increased by 200, have been used as reference symbols.

Figure 19 shows the semi-finished spoon 265, which is formed into a spoon insert for insertion into the tubular packaging device of Figure 13. The spoon sheet 285 is folded away from the viewer along the fold line 274 until it touches the opposite side of the protective sheet 277. The protective sheet 278 is then folded away from the viewer along the fold line 279 until it touches the spoon sheet 285. The adhesive tab 281 then connects the edge 280 of the protective sheet 278 to the edge of the protective sheet 277 (fold line 274).

The fold lines and weakened tear lines are formed in the usual manner. The fold lines are formed, for example, by a not completely through groove extending 60-90% of the thickness of the semi-finished piece. The weakened lines are formed, for example, by a series of perforations extending through the thickness of the semi-finished piece of sufficient length and separated by suitable spacings. The spoon insert may be made of any suitable material which is sufficiently rigid to withstand handling of the packaging and which can be folded into a usable spoon. A preferred material is paperboard, although suitable plastics may also be used.

Although our invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (32)

-16 PATENT CLAIMS 1. A hose-like packaging device, characterized in that it comprises a tube (12) of substantially rectangular cross-section, a row of upper and lower containers, the containers (20, 22) in the upper row being arranged in the tube (12), the containers (21, 23) in the lower row being arranged below the corresponding containers (20, 22) in the upper row with their tops (21a, 23a) within the tube and their bases extending downwardly through openings in the bottom of the tube, and a substantially flat spoon insert (30) within the tube (12) between the upper and lower rows, which comprises at least one spoon plate, said spoon insert (30) comprising a plurality of flat semi-finished spoons (36, 37, 38, 39), and at least one protective sheet (44) covering each of the semi-finished spoons (36, 37, 38, 39). 2. A packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the length and width of the spoon insert (30) are substantially equal to the length and width of the rectangular tube (12). 3. A packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spoon insert (30) comprises a protective sheet (44). 4. The packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spoon plate contains at least as many semi-finished spoons as there are containers in the tubular packaging device. 5. The packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that there are two containers in each of the upper and lower rows. 6. Packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spoon plate holds four semi-finished spoons (21, 21, 22, 23). -17 talmaz, each half-finished spoon has a wide end and a narrow end, and has a fold line (41) in their center line, the four half-finished spoons (21, 21, 22, 23) are connected to each other at their sides, and each half-finished spoon in the spoon plate is covered by a protective plate (44). 7. A packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that a second protective sheet (45) is connected to the first protective sheet (44) and lies on the other side of the spoon sheet. 8. A packaging device according to claim 7, characterized in that each protective sheet (44, 45) is substantially rectangular in shape and is connected along its short sides to the spoon sheet at one end and to the second protective sheet (45) at the other end. 9. A packaging device according to claim 7, characterized in that each protective sheet (44, 45) is substantially rectangular in shape, connected along its long sides to the spoon sheet at one end and to the second protective sheet (45) at the other end. 10. The packaging device according to claim 7, characterized in that there are three containers in each of the upper and lower rows. 11. A packaging device according to claim 10, characterized in that the spoon plate comprises six semi-finished spoons (67-72), each semi-finished spoon having a wide end and a narrow end, a fold line (73) in their midline, and three semi-finished spoons are arranged at each end of the spoon plate. 12. A packaging device according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a second protective sheet (78) which is connected to the first protective sheet (77) and which rests on the opposite side of the spoon sheet. 13. A packaging device according to claim 12, characterized in that each protective sheet (77) is substantially rectangular in shape and is connected along its short sides to the spoon sheet at one end and to the second protective sheet (78) at the other end. 14. A packaging device according to claim 12, characterized in that each protective sheet (77) is substantially rectangular in shape and is connected along its long sides to the spoon sheet at one end and to the second protective sheet (78) at the other end. 15. The packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a spoon plate and two protective plates which are connected together and lie on two sides of the spoon plate. 16. A packaging device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises an adhesive tab (81) connecting the protective sheets (77, 78) on opposite sides of the spoon sheet. 17. A semi-finished spoon insert, characterized in that it comprises a spoon sheet with flat semi-finished spoons removably formed therein by means of break lines, said break lines at least partially connecting each flat semi-finished spoon to the remaining portion of the spoon sheet, and at least one protective sheet connected to the spoon sheet and foldable about a folding line substantially coextensive with the spoon sheet. 18. A semi-finished spoon insert according to claim 17, characterized in that the spoon plate and a protective plate are connected along a folding line. · ¹⁹ '·', ?·λ: _; 19. A semi-finished spoon insert according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises a second protective sheet which is bonded to the side of the first protective sheet opposite the spoon sheet. 20. A semi-finished spoon insert according to claim 19, characterized in that each protective sheet is rectangular in shape and is connected along its short sides to the spoon sheet at one end and to the second protective sheet at the other end. 21. A semi-finished spoon insert according to claim 19, characterized in that each protective sheet is rectangular in shape and is connected along its long sides to the spoon sheet at one end and to the second protective sheet at the other end. 22. A semi-finished spoon insert according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises four semi-finished spoons which are arranged side by side in the spoon plate. 23. A semi-finished spoon insert according to claim 22, characterized in that each semi-finished spoon has a wide end and a narrow end, the semi-finished spoons being arranged side by side with their sides facing each other such that the direction of the wide end and the narrow end alternate. 24. A semi-finished spoon insert according to claim 23, characterized in that it contains six semi-finished spoons in the spoon plate. 25. A semi-finished spoon insert according to claim 24, characterized in that it comprises three semi-finished spoons with their sides next to each other at one end of the spoon plate, and three semi-finished spoons with their sides next to each other at the other end of the spoon plate. 26. A tube-like packaging device, characterized in that it contains -20 a tubular hose of substantially rectangular cross-section, a plurality of individual, sealed product storage containers supported by the hose, having a substantially flat top and a base portion, the base portion extending below the roof and having a cross-section smaller than that of the roof, an upper row of containers disposed within the rectangular hose, and a lower row of containers in which the containers are disposed below the containers of the upper row, and a rigid ladle insert comprising at least two sheets disposed between the upper and lower rows and having a length and width substantially equal to the length and width of the rectangular hose; one sheet containing a plurality of semi-finished ladles, the other sheet being a protective sheet resting on the previous sheet. 27. A packaging device according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises two containers in each upper and lower row. 28. The packaging device according to claim 27, characterized in that it contains four semi-finished spoons in the spoon plate. 29. The packaging device according to claim 26, characterized in that it contains three containers in both the upper and lower rows. 30. A packaging device according to claim 29, characterized in that it contains six semi-finished spoons in the spoon plate. 35. A packaging device according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises a second protective sheet in addition to the first protective sheet, such that the spoon sheet can be folded between the two protective sheets. 32. The packaging device according to claim 35, characterized in that each protective sheet is rectangular in shape and the short side is 4 -21 are connected along the slats at one end to the spoon plate and at the other end to the second protective plate. 33. A packaging device according to claim 35, characterized in that each protective sheet is rectangular in shape and is connected along its long sides to the spoon sheet at one end and to the second protective sheet at the other end. The authorized person Uúlv'tpi.’' J’.ííh FIG. 1 FIG.