WO2009136246A2

WO2009136246A2 - Container for food products

Info

Publication number: WO2009136246A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/005423
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimiliano Majerna
Original assignee: Preziosi Food S.R.L.
Priority date: 2008-05-05
Filing date: 2009-04-29
Publication date: 2009-11-12
Also published as: EP2310288B1; ITMO20080132A1; ES2386502T3; WO2009136246A3; ATE546381T1; EP2310288A2

Abstract

The container (1) for food products comprises a first half-shell (2) which is hollow for containing at least an accessory (3,4) and has a first opening edge (5), and a second half-shell (6) which is hollow, is split into a first containing compartment (10) for a first food product (7) and into a second containing compartment (11) for a second food product (8) and has a second opening edge (9), the half -shells being associable with each other at the opening edges to form an egg-shaped pack.

Description

CONTAINER FOR FOOD PRODUCTS

Technical Field

This invention relates to a container for food products.

Background Art Various different types of containers for food products are known which have the shape of an egg split into two half-shells, one of which is intended to contain an accessory, a game and/or a surprise, while the other is suitable for containing a food product.

Each half-shell has an opening edge intended to be substantially associated coinciding with the opening edge of the other half-shell.

The half-shells are usually made of plastic material and both the accessory and the food product can be removed from the outside once the half-shells have been separated the one from the other.

In some containers, on the other hand, one or both the half-shells are made of edible material and themselves represent the packed food product.

In a special type of container, the half-shells are associable and separable the one from the other along one of the symmetry planes of the egg, are of identical shape and have opening edges of ogival shape.

In another type of container, instead, the two half-shells are associable and separable along the median cross plane, meaning by median cross plane that which is at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the egg-shaped pack and which is arranged at the height in which the diameter of the opening edges, with round shape, is biggest.

These containers of known type have a number of drawbacks among which the fact that they are mainly intended for the consumption of just one food product and, therefore, they are considerably limited in terms of variety and assortment of the flavours offered to consumers.

In this respect, the fact is underlined that in this specific commercial sector, the need and requirement are very much felt to renew products and to constantly present new ones in order to distinguish these to a greater extent from those of the competition and prompt consumers to purchase these articles.

It should in fact be noted that the commercial success of these products is often tied to the novelty of the product itself and to the possibility of its interacting with consumers, who are often young children, both by placing at disposal the toy/surprise and offering food products that are not only nourishing but also variegated. Another drawback of the containers of known type consists in the fact that their particular egg shape makes them hard to store in specific display units, and to simply rest on a shelf. Object of the Invention The main aim of this invention is to provide a container for food products that is practical, easy and functional to use and that permits nourishing and at the same time amusing consumers.

A further object of this invention is to cater for the above commercial requirements and make available a container for food products that is considerably appealing for consumers. Last but not least object of the present invention is to provide a container for food products that can be easily handled both for storing and for simply resting on a shelf.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container for food products which overcomes the above-described drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational solution that is easy to use and low in cost.

The above-mentioned objects are achieved by this container for food products, comprising at least a first half-shell which is substantially hollow for containing at least an accessory and has a first opening edge, and at least a second half- shell which is substantially hollow for containing at least a food product and has a second opening edge, said half-shells being associable with each other at said opening edges to form a substantially egg-shaped pack, characterized in that said second half-shell is split into at least a first containing compartment for a first food product and into at least a second containing compartment for a second food product. Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of this invention will become more evident from the description of a form of preferred, but not sole, embodiment, of a container for food products, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the container according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a section view of the container according to the invention; Figure 3 is a section view of a series of first half-shells according to the invention stacked one on top of the other;

Figure 4 is a section view of a series of second half-shells according to the invention stacked one on top of the other;

Figure 5 is a section view on an enlarged scale of a detail of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an axonometric view from below of the container according to the invention;

Figure 7 is an axonometric view of a product display unit for the containers according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention With particular reference to such illustrations, globally indicated by 1 is a container for food products.

The container 1 comprises a first half-shell 2, which is substantially hollow to contain one or more accessories 3, 4 and which has a first opening edge 5, and a second half-shell 6, which is substantially hollow to contain at least a food product 7, 8 and which has a second opening edge 9.

The half-shells 2, 6 are associable the one with the other at opening edges 5, 9, i.e., with the first opening edge 5 and the second opening edge 9 arranged one against the other, to form a pack with a substantially egg shape.

In particular, the opening edges 5, 9 are obtained on a plane substantially transversal to the longitudinal direction of the egg-shaped pack and, more in detail, on the median cross plane.

The first half-shell 2 has an ogival shape typical of the upper part of an egg, while the second half-shell 6 has, on the whole, the substantially spherical shape typical of the lower part of an egg. With respect to the vertical position of an egg, therefore, the first half-shell 2 and the second half-shell 6 can be configured as the upper half-shell and the lower half-shell respectively. The second half-shell 6 is split into a first compartment 10 for containing a first food product 7, and into a second compartment 11 for containing a second food product 8.

The first food product 7 consists, e.g., of a fluid substance like a cream, an aromatic mousse, a yoghurt, or the like, while the second food product 8 preferably consists of a substance having a preset solidity such as pieces of cereals, bread sticks, fruit, or other foods that can be soaked and/or dipped in the first food product 7.

Both the first compartment 10 and the second compartment 11 have a respective access mouth 12 obtained at the second opening edge 9, so that both compartments 10, 11 are accessible from outside once the first half-shell 2 has been removed.

Usefully, the second half-shell 6 comprises two partition walls 13 suitable for separating the two compartments 10, 11. The partition walls 13 are joined together at a connection segment 14 which is arranged near the second opening edge 9 and which, in point of fact, separates the access mouths 12 of the two compartments 10, 11.

From the connection segment 14 the partition walls 13 substantially extend along a longitudinal symmetry plane of the egg-shaped pack and are arranged facing and distanced from each other to define a slit 15 substantially parallel to the partition walls themselves.

The slit 15, in point of fact, is designed to allow resting the container 1 on a product display unit 16 having a series of substantially vertical support walls 17.

The product display unit 16, e.g., is made of cardboard, plastic or the like, and permits supporting the container 1 arranging the two compartments 10, 11 astride the support walls 17.

Near the connection segment 14 the second half-shell 6 has a series of stiffening elements 18 suitable for stabilising the partition walls 13.

The stiffening elements 18, e.g., consist in a plurality of connection blades placed between the partition walls 13 and aligned along their connection segment 14.

The connection blades 18, besides stiffening the partition walls 13, permit stacking and unstacking the second half-shells 6 in a practical and easy way during the assembly phase of the containers 1.

As shown in the figure 4, in fact, the second half-shells 6 can be stacked one on top of the other resting on the connection blades 18 and remaining separated at such a distance as to prevent the one remaining fast inside the other.

This, in actual fact, allows automating the production line of the containers 1 without the risk of blockages and stoppages caused by the wrong unstacking of the second half-shells 6. Advantageously, at least one portion 19 of the second half-shell 6 is substantially flat and suitable for permitting its stable resting on a surface.

The portion 19 is obtained from a substantially opposite part with respect to the second opening edge 9 at the bottom of the egg-shaped pack. With the first opening edge 5 and/or with the second opening edge 9 is associable a closing capsule 20 suitable for maintaining the cavity of the first half-shell 2 separate from the cavity of the second half-shell 6.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the illustrations, e.g., the closing capsule 20 consists of an aluminium foil which has inside a thermal lacquer suitable for allowing its hot welding on the second opening edge 9 and on the connection segment 14, so as to close and hermetically separate both the access mouths 12 of the two compartments 10, 11.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which the closing capsule 20 is made integral with the first opening edge 5, or in which a closing capsule 20 is provided both on the first opening edge 5 and on the second opening edge 9. The opening edges 5, 9 are reciprocally associable with one another by placing connection means 21, 22 of a temporary type in between. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the illustrations, the connection means 21, 22 are of the slot-in type and consist of a connection tooth 21, of annular shape, which is obtained inside the first opening edge 5 and is engageable by interlocking on a respective protrusion 22 obtained on the second opening edge 9. Alternative embodiments of the container 1 cannot however be ruled out in which, e.g., the connection means are composed of a first thread obtained on one of the opening edges 5, 9 and engageable by screwing in a second thread obtained on the other opening edge 5, 9.

The first half-shell 2 has a plurality of internal locator beads 23 which are distributed with substantially constant pitch in the vicinity of the summit of the first half-shell 2 and are suitable for maintaining the accessories 3, 4 in a substantially preset position.

The internal locator beads 23, e.g., prevent the accessories 3, 4 from arranging themselves perpendicularly to the closing capsule 20 and accidentally piercing it.

In parallel, the internal locator beads 23 are shaped to obtain easy and practical stacking and unstacking of the first half-shells 2 during the assembly phase of the containers 1.

As shown in figure 3, in fact, the first half-shells 2 can be stacked one on top of the other resting on the internal locator beads 23 and remaining in any case separated at such a distance as to prevent the one remaining fast inside the other.

Similarly to the connection blades 18 for the second half-shells 6, therefore, the internal locator beads 23 permit automating the production line of the containers

1 without the risk of blockages and stoppages caused by the wrong unstacking of the first half-shells 2.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the illustrations, the internal locator beads 23 are shaped so as to also act as inner reinforcement ribs

24 suitable for making the first half-shell 2 more resistant.

The internal locator beads 23 and the inner reinforcement ribs 24, in actual fact, are substantially coincidental, but alternative embodiments are possible in which are provided internal locator beads 23 and inner reinforcement ribs 24 that are distinct and separated from each other.

Usefully, the accessories 3, 4 contained in the first half-shell 2 are two in number. One of these is a play article 3 such as a figurine, a miniature, a little car, etc., which is placed inside a receptacle 25 or, alternatively, inside a protective bag.

The other accessory, on the other hand, consists e.g., of an implement, such as a spatula 4, a teaspoon or the like, suitable for allowing the user to collect the first and the second food product 7, 8 and carry it to his/her mouth.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which inside the first half-shell 2 only one accessory 3, 4 is provided. Finally, on the outer surface of the first half-shell 2 and of the second half-shell

6 are associable one or more covering labels 26 intended to bear wording, figures and identification marks of the container 1 and of the products contained in it.

Preferably, the covering label 26 is just one, is shaped like a cap to reproduce the shape of the half-shells 2, 6 and wraps around both the half-shells 2, 6 to allow further sealing and protecting their contents.

To make it easier to fit the covering label 26, the first half-shell 2 has a rounded- off part 27 at the first opening edge 5.

It has in point of fact been seen how the described invention achieves the proposed objects.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

Furthermore all the details can be replaced with others that are technically equivalent. In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements without because of this moving outside the protection scope of the following claims.

Claims

1) Container for food products, comprising at least a first half-shell which is substantially hollow for containing at least an accessory and has a first opening edge, and at least a second half-shell which is substantially hollow for containing at least a food product and has a second opening edge, said half- shells being associable with each other at said opening edges to form a substantially egg-shaped pack, characterized in that said second half-shell is split into at least a first containing compartment for a first food product and into at least a second containing compartment for a second food product. 2) Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening edges are obtained on a plane substantially transversal to the longitudinal direction of said substantially egg-shaped pack.

3) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second half-shell comprises at least a partition wall suitable for separating said compartments.

4) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said partition wall substantially extends along a symmetry plane of said substantially egg-shaped pack.

5) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second half-shell comprises at least two of said partition walls arranged substantially facing and distanced from each other to define a slit substantially parallel to said partition walls.

6) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second half-shell comprises at least a stiffening element of said partition walls.

7) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening element comprises at least one connection blade placed between said partition walls.

8) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said first compartment and second compartment has a respective access mouth obtained at said second opening edge.

9) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one closing capsule of at least one between said first opening edge and said second opening edge.

10) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closing capsule is hermetically associable with at least one of said access mouths.

11) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one portion of said second half-shell is substantially flat and suitable for permitting its resting on a surface.

12) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said portion is obtained in a substantially opposite part with respect to said second opening edge.

13) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said portion is obtained at the bottom of said substantially egg-shaped pack. 14) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening edges are associable with one another by placing connection means in between.

15) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connection means comprise at least a connection tooth obtained on at least one of said opening edges and engageable by interlocking on a respective protrusion obtained on the other of said opening edges.

16) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connection means comprise at least a first thread obtained on at least one of said opening edges and engageable by screwing in a second thread obtained on the other of said opening edges.

17) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first half-shell comprises at least one internal locator bead suitable for maintaining said accessory in a substantially preset position.

18) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first half-shell comprises at least one inner reinforcement rib.

19) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said internal locator bead and said inner reinforcement rib are substantially coincidental.

20) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said accessory is a play article.

21) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said accessory can be placed inside a receptacle.

22) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said accessory can be placed inside a protective bag.

23) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said accessory is an implement suitable for collecting at least one of said food products.

24) Container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one covering label which is associable with the outer surface of at least one between said first half-shell and said second half-shell and is suitable for bearing wording, figures and identification marks.