EP2774873A1 - Tray with resealable lid - Google Patents

Abstract

The tray (1) according to the invention comprises at least one cavity (2) limited by a lateral peripheral wall (3) and a bottom (4), and open in a main opening (5) opposite the bottom (4). A peripheral sidewalk (6) borders the main opening (5), is shaped according to a sealing plane (P), and has a movable outer portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6) and a fixed inner portion (6a) peripheral sidewalk (6). The movable outer portion (6b) of peripheral sidewalk (6) and the fixed inner portion (6a) of peripheral sidewalk (6) are shaped to receive and retain by fixing a cap to seal the main opening (5). The movable outer portion (6b) of peripheral curb (6) is shaped to be movable away from the sealing plane (P) in a first direction for opening the tray (1), and for it can be moved away from the sealing plane (P) in a second direction opposite to the first direction to a folded position in which it contacts the outer face of the lateral peripheral wall (3). Retaining means (11, 60) selectively fix the movable outer portion (6b) of peripheral sidewalk (6) to the outer face of the lateral peripheral wall (3).

Description

The present invention relates to trays for containing food, and more particularly trays which are closed by a lid.

The use of a cap to close the trays is particularly advantageous because it allows to limit the cost of manufacturing trays and significantly reduce the environmental impact trays.

In order to consume the food contained in the sealed tray, a user must first remove the lid. However, the disadvantage of such trays is that once the cap removed, the tray can not be closed and food that has not been consumed can not be kept in the tray because the tray can not be closed .

We then developed trays closed both by a lid and a lid. Thus, once the lid is open, the tray can be closed again with the lid. The food remaining in the tray can be stored longer. However, the environmental impact of such trays is too important and the manufacturing cost is higher.

The repositionable covers were then developed, in order to propose a tray without lid with a lid, retained by pinching or repositionable adhesive, which can close the tray again after a first opening. Thus, if all the food contained in the tray have not been consumed, they can still be kept in the tray that the user has closed by correctly repositioning the lid.

The disadvantage of such trays is that, during storage in the refrigerator, the user can not put anything on it, because the repositionable lid is not adapted to support a mechanical load, the adhesion of the repositioned lid being insufficient. Thus, it results in a large lost place.

Moreover, we know of the document GB 1,128,799 a sealable tray comprising retaining means for selectively fixing to the outer face of the lateral peripheral wall a movable outer portion of the peripheral sidewalk remaining integral with the lid.

These retaining means comprise curb latching means and wall latching means.

The clipping means of the sidewalk are constituted by a rib and the wall latching means are constituted by a groove adapted to receive the rib to keep the outer portion movable peripheral sidewalk in a folded position.

The engagement of the rib in the groove is not easy to achieve because it requires precise positioning. This results in a risk of failure to snap.

We also know the trays of documents US 3,398,877 , US 3,398,876 and US 3,495,759 which provide that the latching means comprise a groove formed in the lateral peripheral wall and adapted to receive the free edge of the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk.

The groove is provided in the upper part of the lateral peripheral wall, in the immediate vicinity of the peripheral sidewalk.

The retention thus made is not easy to achieve, and it is not reliable to use.

Indeed, to achieve the latching, it is necessary to carefully penetrate all of the free edge in the groove, which is not easy to achieve, because of the position of the groove in the immediate vicinity of the sidewalk that s opposes any displacement in excess of the free edge.

In the absence of total penetration, a portion of free edge not engaged in the groove can cause the subsequent release of the free edge and inadvertent opening of the tray.

A first problem proposed by the present invention is to design a tray for containing food, which is sealable, which can be closed more easily and reliably after partial opening of the lid, whose environmental impact is limited, and which is inexpensive to manufacture.

We also seek to design such a tray whose shape allows stacking completely nested, before filling and closure by a cover.

• au moins une cavité limitée par une paroi périphérique latérale et un fond, et ouverte selon une ouverture principale opposée au fond,
• un trottoir périphérique, bordant l'ouverture principale, conformé selon un plan d'operculage, et comportant une portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique et une portion intérieure fixe de trottoir périphérique,
• la portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique et la portion intérieure fixe de trottoir périphérique étant conformées pour recevoir et retenir par fixation un opercule pour obturer l'ouverture principale,
• la portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique étant conformée pour pouvoir être déplacée à l'écart du plan d'operculage dans une première direction en vue de l'ouverture de la barquette,
• la portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique est conformée en outre pour pouvoir être déplacée à l'écart du plan d'operculage dans une seconde direction opposée à la première direction jusqu'à une position rabattue dans laquelle elle entre en contact avec la face externe de la paroi périphérique latérale,
• des moyens de retenue permettent de fixer sélectivement la portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique à la face externe de la paroi périphérique latérale,
  dans laquelle :
• les moyens de retenue comprennent des moyens d'encliquetage de trottoir et des moyens d'encliquetage de paroi,
• la portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique comprend les moyens d'encliquetage de trottoir,
• la face externe de la paroi périphérique latérale comprend les moyens d'encliquetage de paroi, conformés pour coopérer avec les moyens d'encliquetage de trottoir pour maintenir la portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique dans la position rabattue,
• les moyens d'encliquetage de paroi comprennent une nervure de paroi, se développant sur la face externe de la paroi périphérique latérale, et située à l'écart du trottoir périphérique,
• les moyens d'encliquetage de paroi sont aptes à retenir les moyens d'encliquetage de trottoir pour réaliser l'encliquetage de la portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique, et
• les moyens d'encliquetage de trottoir sont constitués par le bord libre de la portion extérieure déplaçable de trottoir périphérique.

To achieve these and other objects, the invention provides a tray for containing food, comprising:

• at least one cavity bounded by a lateral peripheral wall and a bottom, and open at a main opening opposite the bottom,
• a peripheral sidewalk bordering the main opening, shaped according to a sealing plan, and comprising a movable outer portion of a peripheral sidewalk and a fixed inner portion of a peripheral sidewalk,
• the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk and the fixed inner portion of peripheral sidewalk being shaped to receive and retain by fixing a cap to seal the main opening,
• the movable outer portion of the peripheral sidewalk being shaped so that it can be moved away from the lidding plane in a first direction for the opening of the tray,
• the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk is further shaped to be movable away from the sealing plane in a second direction opposite the first direction to a folded position in which it contacts the outer face of the lateral peripheral wall,
• retaining means for selectively fixing the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk to the outer face of the lateral peripheral wall,
  in which :
• the retaining means comprise curb latching means and wall latching means,
• the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk comprises the sidewalk snap-in means,
• the outer face of the lateral peripheral wall comprises the wall latching means, shaped to cooperate with the curb latching means for maintaining the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk in the folded position,
• the wall latching means comprise a wall rib, developing on the external face of the lateral peripheral wall, and situated away from the peripheral sidewalk,
• the wall latching means are able to retain the cogging means of the sidewalk in order to engage the detachable outer portion of the peripheral sidewalk, and
• the clipping means of the sidewalk are constituted by the free edge of the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk.

Such a tray does not include a lid. Its environmental impact is therefore reduced. Its manufacturing cost is also lower.

In such a tray, after closure by attaching a lid, the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk remains integral with the lid and is a gripping means facilitating the traction of the lid for its opening.

In addition, the retaining means constitute specific mechanical means for closing the operculum previously partially open and maintain the lid in a closed position in which food contained in the tray can be stored for an additional period.

These specific mechanical means make it possible to obtain sufficient mechanical strength of the lid for the tray to withstand a reasonable weight on it during storage in a refrigerator.

Before filling and sealing with a lid, such trays are stackable on top of each other in the fully engaged state.

Snapping is an effective method to firmly hold the seal in the closed position. In addition, the latching means are easy and inexpensive to make, easy to implement, and require the presence of any other material.

It can be advantageously provided that the gap between the wall rib and the peripheral sidewalk is chosen so as to allow sufficient vertical movement of the free edge above the wall rib under the action of a latching force, to ensure placement of the entire free edge above the wall ridge, even in the presence of a detent force exerted on only a portion of the movable outer portion.

The snapping thus achieved is optimum and reliable.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the movable outer portion of the peripheral sidewalk and the fixed inner portion of the peripheral sidewalk are integral with each other in only contact points spaced from each other, advantageously at two end points of contact with each other. peripheral sidewalk.

Thus, the tray fulfills its role even if it consists of a material that breaks easily. This broadens the range of materials used to make the tray.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the movable outer portion of the peripheral sidewalk and the fixed inner portion of the peripheral sidewalk are shaped so as to be disconnected from one another by sectioning along a break line.

Thus, the rupture is frank, there is no risk of injury, and the break is facilitated.

It can advantageously be provided that the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk comprises a sidewalk groove, developing along its length.

By the presence of the sidewalk groove, the rigidity of the movable outer portion of peripheral sidewalk is increased.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the peripheral sidewalk further comprises gripping ears of the tray.

The gripping of the tray is thus facilitated.

It can be advantageously provided that the cover is provided to remain attached to at least one portion of the fixed inner portion of peripheral sidewalk, this section being advantageously away from the outer movable portion of peripheral sidewalk.

This avoids the complete tearing of the lid, so that its repositioning remains possible. After repositioning, the mechanical strength of the lid is improved and the shelf life of the food remaining in the tray is extended because the tray is better closed.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the tray further comprises a lid integral with the tray by attachment to the peripheral sidewalk.

The food contained in the tray is thus preserved according to food standards.

It can advantageously be provided that the tray has a substantially rectangular shape, or a substantially circular shape.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the tray is made by thermoforming a sheet of thermoformable material of about 0.4 mm thick, or by injection molding.

Thermoforming is a widespread, simple and inexpensive packaging manufacturing technique.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the tray is made of polyester, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, or polylactic acid.

These food compatible materials make the tray usable for holding food. In addition, these materials are transparent and allow the consumer to check the condition of the food he is about to buy.

• la figure 1 est une vue générale en perspective d'une barquette selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, dépourvue d'opercule ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la barquette de la figure 1 avec un opercule, illustrant la position initiale et une position d'ouverture ; et
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la barquette de la figure 1 avec un opercule dans une position rabattue et encliquetée.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

• the figure 1 is a general perspective view of a tray according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, without operculum;
• the figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tray of the figure 1 with a cover, illustrating the initial position and an open position; and
• the figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tray of the figure 1 with a cover in a folded and snapped position.

The Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a tray 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention "snap-fit".

In a non-illustrated embodiment, the tray 1 comprises gripping ears that extend from the peripheral sidewalk. The realization of these gripping lugs requires only a simple modification of the thermoforming mold.

In the embodiment shown, the tray 1 is substantially rectangular in shape with rounded corners, with two small sides L1 and L3 and two long sides L2 and L4.

The tray 1 comprises a cavity 2, limited by a lateral peripheral wall 3 and a bottom 4, and open at a main opening 5 opposite the bottom 4. A peripheral sidewalk 6 borders the main opening 5 and is able to receive a lid 7 ( Figures 2 and 3 ) to close the main opening 5.

The peripheral sidewalk 6 is shaped according to a sealing plane P, and it comprises a movable outer portion 6b and a fixed inner portion 6a.

In an initial position ( figure 2 ), that is to say before opening of the cap 7, the movable outer portion 6b and the inner fixed portion 6a are both contained in the sealing plane P.

The movable outer portion 6b is shaped so that it can be moved away from the first sealing plane P in a first direction D1 ( figure 2 ) for the opening of the tray (dashed representation on the figure 2 ).

The movable outer portion 6b of peripheral sidewalk 6 has a free edge 60 ( figure 2 ) and is shaped to be further movable away from the first sealing plane P in a second direction D2 ( figure 3 ), opposite direction D1, to a folded position ( figure 3 ) in which its free edge 60 comes into contact with the external face 30 of the lateral peripheral wall 3.

The cover 7 is not represented on the figure 1 . Thus, this figure illustrates the tray 1 alone, before any use.

On the figure 2 illustrating the sealed tray 1, the cover 7 is shown in a closed position prior to being in the open position (dashed). The lid 7 usually has a thickness between about 30 and 70 microns, preferably about 50 microns.

The bottom 4 comprises a particular structure that has a role of stiffening the tray 1. However, this bottom structure does not participate solving the technical problem of the invention. It is not essential here and could be omitted.

The cover 7 closes in the initial position of the figure 2 (not dashed) the main opening 5 of the tray 1 being sealed along the entire length of the peripheral sidewalk 6 according to a sealing area. The sealing zone comprises a first sealing zone ensuring the sealing of the cap 7 on the fixed inner portion 6a, and a second sealing zone ensuring the sealing of the cap 7 on the movable outer portion 6b of peripheral sidewalk 6, to ensure the preservation of the food contained in the tray 1 (not shown) under the conditions of conservation required by the food standards.

The first sealing zone comprises a reinforced sealing zone along the entire length of the short side L1. The small side L1 is opposite the small side L3 which carries the movable outer portion 6b.

On the figure 1 , a sidewalk groove 10 develops along the length of the movable outer portion 6b of the peripheral sidewalk 6. This sidewalk groove 10 has the effect of stiffening the movable outer portion 6b of the peripheral sidewalk 6.

When in the folded position ( figure 3 ), the movable outer portion 6b peripheral curb 6 can be reversibly attached to the side peripheral wall 3 by retaining means.

We will describe the means of restraint, illustrated on Figures 1 to 3 .

A wall rib 11 is provided on the outer face 30 of the lateral peripheral wall 3, and constitutes wall latching means.

The free edge 60 is shaped to cooperate with the wall rib 11 to maintain the movable outer portion 6b of peripheral sidewalk 6 in the folded position ( figure 3 ). Thus, the free edge 60 constitutes curb latching means.

The movable outer portion 6b and the fixed inner portion 6a are shaped so that they can be separated from one another by severing a rupture line R ( figure 1 ). However, it can be provided that the movable outer portion 6b and the fixed inner portion 6a are initially integral with each other only by two end points of contact in the initial position, with possibly an intermediate point of sectional contact.

We will now describe the use of the tray 1 by a consumer.

The tray 1 was previously filled with food to keep, and was closed by a seal according to food standards.

A consumer wishing to consume the food contained in the tray 1 disengages the movable outer portion 6b from the fixed inner portion 6a, the movable outer portion 6b being secured to the lid 7. The user then partially opens the tray 1 by exerting a force on the movable outer portion 6b in the direction D1 ( figure 2 ).

The cover 7 remains permanently attached to the tray 1 by the reinforced sealing zone according to at least the L1 side. The consumer takes the quantity of food desired.

Then, the user folds the lid 7 on the peripheral sidewalk 6 and exerts a rotation bias on the movable outer portion 6b in the direction D2 ( figure 3 ) to bring it to the folded position. Then the user exerts a latching force F ( figure 3 ) so as to engage the free edge 60 of the movable outer portion 6b above the wall rib 11 to produce the latching. To reliably ensure the engagement of the entire free edge 60 above the wall rib 11 despite the inevitable flexibility of the movable outer portion 6b, the user can exert the latching force F at a sufficient intensity. to excessively move the free edge 60 above the wall rib 11 towards the peripheral sidewalk 6, so that, after release of the detent force F, the free edge 60 engages along its entire length on the wall rib 11.

The cover 7 is then firmly held in the closed position by this latching.

The consumer can place in the refrigerator the tray 1 and closed to store the rest of the food. The latching is provided to mechanically hold the lid 7 sufficiently to be able to stack other packaging on the lid 7.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variants and generalizations thereof within the scope of the claims below.

Claims (11)

Tray (1) for holding food, comprising: at least one cavity (2) limited by a lateral peripheral wall (3) and a bottom (4), and open in a main opening (5) opposite the bottom (4), - a peripheral sidewalk (6), bordering the main opening (5), shaped according to a sealing plane (P), and having a movable outer portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6) and a fixed inner portion (6a ) peripheral sidewalk (6), - the movable outer portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6) and the fixed inner portion (6a) peripheral sidewalk (6) being shaped to receive and retain by fixing a cap (7) to close the main opening (5) , the movable outer portion (6b) of peripheral sidewalk (6) being shaped so that it can be moved away from the lining plane (P) in a first direction (D1) in order to open the tray (1 )
in which : - The movable outer portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6) is further shaped to be moved away from the sealing plane (P) in a second direction (D2) opposite the first direction (D1) until in a folded position in which it comes into contact with the outer face (30) of the lateral peripheral wall (3), and - retaining means for selectively fixing the movable outer portion (6b) of the peripheral sidewalk (6) to the outer face (30) of the lateral peripheral wall (3),
characterized in that the retaining means comprise curb latching means and wall latching means, the movable outer portion (6b) of peripheral sidewalk (6) comprises the cogging means of the sidewalk, - the outer face (30) of the lateral peripheral wall (3) comprises the wall latching means, shaped to cooperate with the curb latching means to maintain the movable outer portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6). in the folded position, - The wall latching means comprise a wall rib (11), developing on the outer face (30) of the lateral peripheral wall (3), and located away from the peripheral sidewalk (6), - The wall latching means are adapted to retain the cogging means of the sidewalk to engage the movable outer portion (6b) of the peripheral sidewalk (6), and - The curb latching means are constituted by the free edge (60) of the outer movable portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6). Tray (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gap between the wall rib (11) and the peripheral sidewalk (6) is chosen so as to allow sufficient vertical movement of the free edge (60) above of the wall rib (11) under the action of a detent force (F), to ensure the placement of the entire free edge (60) above the wall rib (11) in the presence of a detent force (F) exerted on only a part of the movable outer portion (6b). Tray (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable outer portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6) and the fixed inner portion (6a) peripheral sidewalk (6) are integral with one on the other at only contact points spaced apart from one another, advantageously at two extreme points of peripheral sidewalk contact (6). Tray (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable outer portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6) and the fixed inner portion (6a) peripheral sidewalk (6) are shaped to be able to be disengaged from one another by sectioning along a line of rupture (R). Tray (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable outer portion (6b) of peripheral sidewalk (6) comprises a sidewalk groove (10), developing along its length. Tray (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the peripheral sidewalk (6) further comprises gripping ears of the tray (1). Tray (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lid (7) is provided to remain integral with at least one portion of the fixed inner portion (6a) of peripheral sidewalk (6) , this section being advantageously away from the movable outer portion (6b) peripheral sidewalk (6). Tray (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises a lid (7) integral with the tray (1) by attachment to the peripheral sidewalk (6). Tray (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it has a substantially rectangular shape, or a substantially circular shape. Tray (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is made by thermoforming a sheet of thermoformable material of about 0.4 mm thick, or by injection molding. Tray (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is made of polyester, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, or polylactic acid.

Images