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EP4580955A1 - Barquette - Google Patents

Barquette

Info

Publication number
EP4580955A1
EP4580955A1 EP23767950.1A EP23767950A EP4580955A1 EP 4580955 A1 EP4580955 A1 EP 4580955A1 EP 23767950 A EP23767950 A EP 23767950A EP 4580955 A1 EP4580955 A1 EP 4580955A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
punnet
base
inner region
side walls
ground contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23767950.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Keith HARRISON-TRUELOVE
Erica Skyrme
Joseph PRETTEJOHN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Par Pak Europe Ltd
Original Assignee
Par Pak Europe Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Par Pak Europe Ltd filed Critical Par Pak Europe Ltd
Priority to EP25195756.9A priority Critical patent/EP4624365A2/fr
Publication of EP4580955A1 publication Critical patent/EP4580955A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/34—Trays or like shallow containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/40—Details of walls
    • B65D1/42—Reinforcing or strengthening parts or members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/34—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for fruit, e.g. apples, oranges or tomatoes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a punnet for packaging food, in particular to a punnet for packaging soft produce, such as fruit, in particular berries, as well as to a mould insert for use in forming the punnet.
  • delicate foods such as fruit, in particular berries
  • punnets formed from a plastics material, with a top covering provided by a plastics film.
  • a bubble mat is provided on a base of the punnet to cushion delicate berries from impact between the base of the punnet and a hard surface, thereby reducing or even avoiding damage to the delicate berries.
  • a bubble mat is sometimes referred to as bubble wrap, and is typically formed from two sheets of plastics material, joined in a lattice arrangement to define a plurality of air pockets therein. The bubble mat provides a protectionary cushioning function in packaging.
  • a punnet for packaging food comprising a base having one or more side walls extending therefrom.
  • the base and the one or more side walls together define a receptacle for holding food.
  • the base comprises a peripheral region arranged to contact a surface on which the punnet is supported, in use, and defining a ground contact plane.
  • the base comprises an inner region bounded by and integrally formed with the peripheral region and extending inwardly from the peripheral region into the receptacle.
  • the inner region provides at least one of: one or more connecting portions together separating two or more areas of the inner region, the connecting portions extending towards the ground contact plane relative to the respective areas separated thereby; and at least one protrusion extending from the inner region by at least a third of the distance from a peak height of the inner region off the ground contact plane to the ground contact plane.
  • the provision of the one or more connecting portions strengthens the inner region, providing added resistance to deformation of the inner region, even when relatively flexible (for example, thin gauge) material is used in manufacture of the base. Furthermore, this ensures that even with depression of the inner region, the regions of the punnet at each end of the one or more connecting portions (such as the side walls in some examples) are not deformed too much themselves, which would negatively affect the strength and stability of the punnet. In particular, by reducing flex in the side walls at the base of the punnet, the likelihood that the two area of the inner region will invert and not revert back to their original shape is significantly reduced.
  • a further advantage is that, in a punnet for packaging food, having a base comprising an inner region extending inwardly into the receptable (otherwise referred to as a domed base), providing one or more protrusions extending from the inner region towards the ground contact plane by a distance which is at least a third of the distance from a peak height of the inner region off the ground contact plane to the ground contact plane prevents the inner region from depressing so far down towards the ground contact plane that the inner region will partially invert and stay inverted. Instead, the protrusions ensure that any depression of the inner region is only to an extent where the inner region can revert back to its normal shape, maintaining protection for the food packaged in the punnet. Protrusions which are shorter than this do not typically prevent the partial inversion of the inner region, and therefore are not as robust at protecting the food packaged in the punnet.
  • a boundary of at least one of the two or more areas of the inner region defines a non-circular shape.
  • the area may comprise an outermost portion and an innermost portion, where the outermost portion is further from the centre of the base than the innermost portion.
  • the first local maximum width is closer to the innermost portion of the area than the second local maximum width is to the innermost portion of the area.
  • the second local maximum width is the widest width of the area in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the area.
  • the area comprises a local minimum width which is the narrowest width of the area in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the area.
  • the second local maximum width is greater than the local minimum width and less than the first local maximum width.
  • the base and the one or more side walls of the punnet may be arranged such that, for a generally spherical item (e.g. a sphere) having a diameter of 3 centimetres in the receptable, when in contact with the one or more side walls and the inner region of the base, an angle between a side wall tangent to a contact point between the sphere and a one of the one or more side walls, and a base tangent to a contact point between the sphere and the inner region is no less than 45 degrees.
  • a generally spherical item e.g. a sphere having a diameter of 3 centimetres in the receptable
  • the sphere may have a diameter of 2 centimetres.
  • the base and the one or more side walls may be arranged to function appropriately for smaller foods.
  • the angle may be no less than 60 degrees. Thus, the amount of lateral movement of the foods in response to deformation of the inner region is reduced.
  • the angle between a side wall tangent to a contact point between the sphere and a one of the one or more side walls, and a base tangent to a contact point between the sphere and the inner region may be no less than 45 degrees.
  • appropriate protection of the foods is provided in at least one corner of the base of the punnet.
  • the angle may be no less than 60 degrees.
  • the angle between a side wall tangent to a contact point between the sphere and a one of the one or more side walls, and a base tangent to a contact point between the sphere and the inner region may be no less than 45 degrees.
  • the angle between a side wall tangent to a contact point between the sphere and a one of the one or more side walls, and a base tangent to a contact point between the sphere and the inner region may be no less than 45 degrees.
  • appropriate protection of the foods is provided substantially anywhere in contact with the base of the punnet and a side wall of the punnet.
  • the angle may be no less than 60 degrees.
  • a projection of at least one line defining a border between the inner region and the peripheral region adjacent to a respective at least one side wall onto the ground contact plane may each include one or more bends.
  • each portion of the border adjacent to a respective side wall may be non-straight. It has been found that this further enhances the rigidity of the base, even with relatively flexible plastics material, for example of a relatively thin gauge.
  • At least a portion of the inner region may extend inwardly at least five millimetres in a direction normal to the ground contact plane, from the ground contact plane.
  • the inner region is sufficiently high so as to provide enough deformation potential to adequately protect the food in the punnet.
  • the inner region may define one or more domed profiles.
  • the inner region does not remove too great of a volume from volume of the punnet which would otherwise be available for storing food therein.
  • a footprint of the inner region may extend closer to the one or more side walls of the punnet at each corner of the base than at a portion of the footprint away from the corners of the base.
  • At least one, or even each portion of the footprint of the inner regions adjacent to a respective side wall may define a concave shape with respect to the respective side wall.
  • the base may comprise one or more vent regions.
  • the vent regions may be cut out to allow liquids to drain out of the punnet, as well as to allow air to pass into and out of the punnet.
  • the inner region may be substantially convex.
  • An uppermost portion of the inner region may be substantially parallel to the ground contact plane. Where a plurality of depressions are provided, the uppermost portion may extend between the plurality of depressions, or may have depressions defined therein.
  • the food may be soft produce.
  • the food may be fruit.
  • the fruit may be berries, such as strawberries.
  • the punnet may be formed from a plastics material.
  • the plastics material may be constructed from a recycled plastics material or contain a non-zero percentage of recycled plastics material.
  • the plastics material may be a recyclable plastic.
  • the plastics material may be polyethylene terephthalate.
  • the plastics material may be transparent.
  • the punnet may be formed from a paper material, such as paper, paperboard, cardboard, moulded pulp fiber, or similar material.
  • the punnet may comprise the food.
  • the punnet may comprise a covering to close an opening defined by an upper end of the side walls.
  • the covering may be formed from a plastics film.
  • the present invention extends to a mould arranged to form plastics material into the punnet as described hereinbefore.
  • the mould may be a male mould.
  • the mould may be a female mould.
  • the mould may be a thermoforming mould.
  • the mould may have a plurality of air passages defined in a mould surface thereof. Thus, positive pressure or reduced pressure can be applied to the mould surface as part of the thermoforming process.
  • the punnet (excluding any covering) may be formed from plastics material having a thickness of greater than 300 microns prior to thermoforming.
  • the thickness may be less than 1000 microns.
  • the thickness may be less than 700 microns.
  • the thickness may be greater than 400 microns. It may be that a thickness of the side walls and base of the punnet is greater than 100 microns in at least 80% of the side walls and base.
  • the thickness of the side walls and base of the punnet may be greater than 130 microns in at least 80% of the side walls and the base.
  • the thickness of the side walls and base of the punnet may be greater than 100 microns throughout the side walls and the base.
  • the thickness of the side walls and base of the punnet may be greater than 130 microns throughout the side walls and the base.
  • a thickness of the side walls and base of the punnet is less than 500 microns in at least 80% of the side walls and base.
  • the thickness of the side walls and base of the punnet may be less than 350 microns in at least 80% of the side walls and the base.
  • the thickness of the side walls and base of the punnet may be less than 500 microns throughout the side walls and the base.
  • the thickness of the side walls and base of the punnet may be less than 350 microns throughout the side walls and the base.
  • Figures 1 to 4 show respectively a top view, perspective underside view, vertical cross-section through a long side, and a vertical cross-section through a short side of a punnet in accordance with an aspect of the present invention
  • Figures 5 to 8 show respectively a top view, perspective underside view, vertical cross-section through a long side, and a vertical cross-section through a short side of a punnet in accordance with another aspect of the present invention
  • Figures 9 and 10 show force-deflection curves for, respectively the punnet shown in Figures 1 to 4, and for an alternative punnet;
  • Figures 11 to 14 show respectively a top view, perspective underside view, vertical cross-section through the centre, and a vertical cross-section through a length offset from the centre of a punnet in accordance with another an aspect of the present invention.
  • Figures 15 to 20 show respectively a top view, perspective underside view, vertical cross-section through a long side at the centre, vertical cross-section through a long side offset from the centre, vertical cross-section through a short side at the centre and a vertical cross-section through a short side offset from the centre of a punnet in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a top view of a punnet in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
  • the punnet 100 comprises a base 102, and four side walls 104, 106, 108, 110 extending generally upwardly from the base 102 to define a receptacle for holding food.
  • the side walls include a first long side wall 104 extending from a first long side of the base 102, a first short side wall 106 extending from a first short side of the base 102, a second long side wall 108 extending from a second long side of the base 102 and a second short side wall 110 extending from a second short side of the base 102.
  • the side walls 104, 106, 108, 110 extend to a rim 112 defining a mouth of the receptacle.
  • Figure 2 shows the punnet of Figure 1 from a perspective underside view.
  • the features of the base 102 are more easily discernible.
  • the base 102 comprises a peripheral region 138, and an inner region 150, formed from domed regions 140, 142 and the bracing region 144.
  • the bracing region 144 separates the two domed regions 140, 142.
  • the peripheral region 138 is arranged to contact a surface on which the punnet is to be supported, in use.
  • the peripheral region 138 is the portion of the base 102 arranged to rest on the supporting surface supporting the punnet 100, such as a ground. In this way, the peripheral region 138 can be considered to define a ground contact plane.
  • the base 102 including the domed regions 140, 142, and the one or more side walls 104, 106, 108, 110 of the punnet are arranged such that, for a sphere having a diameter of 3 centimetres at any position in the receptable, when in contact with the one or more side walls 104, 106, 108, 110 and either of the domed regions 140, 142 of the base 102, an angle between a side wall 104, 106, 108, 110 tangent to a contact point between the sphere and any of the one or more side walls 104, 106, 108, 110, and a base 102 tangent to a contact point between the sphere and either of the domed regions 140, 142 is no less than 45 degrees.
  • Figures 5 to 8 show respectively a top view, perspective underside view, vertical crosssection through a long side, and a vertical cross-section through a short side of a punnet in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.
  • the punnet 200 shown in Figures 5 to 8 is similar to the punnet 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4, but with the hereinafter described differences.
  • Like reference numerals are used in Figures 5 to 8 to illustrate features of the punnet 200 which are equivalent to the features of the punnet 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4, but with the first numeral changed from 1 to 2.
  • the base 102 becomes the base 202.
  • the punnet 200 comprises a base 202 and a plurality of side walls 204, 206, 208, 210, together defining a receptacle.
  • the side walls 204, 206, 208, 210 extend to a rim 212 defining a mouth of the receptacle.
  • Corner regions 214, 216, 218, 220 of the side walls 204, 206, 208, 210 are defined between respective pairs of adjacent side walls 204, 206, 208, 210.
  • the punnet 200 includes a plurality of vent regions 222a, 222b, 224, 226a, 226b, 228, which can be completely or partially cut out (e.g. by punching) to provide vents to allow exchange of fluids between the receptacle and the external environment if necessary.
  • the vent regions are provided around the base 202, at the interface with the side walls 204, 206, 208, 210.
  • the base 202 of the punnet 200 of Figures 5 to 8 comprises a peripheral region 238 surrounding an inner region 250.
  • the inner region 250 is substantially domed in shape and extends inwardly (specifically upwardly) into the receptacle to provide cushioning to foods in the punnet 200.
  • a boundary between the inner region 250 and the peripheral region 238 is formed from a plurality of bends on each side. In other words, the boundary is non-straight on all sides.
  • the inner region has defined therein a plurality of protrusions 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266.
  • the plurality of protrusions 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266 are formed from a first group of protrusions 252, 254, 256, 258 and a second group of protrusions 260, 262, 264, 266.
  • the first group of protrusions 252, 254, 256, 258 are positioned closer to a peak of the inner region 250 than the second group of protrusions 260, 262, 264, 266. Accordingly, the first group of protrusions 252, 254, 256, 258 are larger than the second group of protrusions 260, 262, 264, 266.
  • each of the protrusions 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266 are in the form of a spherical-capped depression in the inner region 250, extending partway from the inner region 250 to the ground contact plane.
  • the protrusions 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266 function as a support to prevent excessive deformation and collapse of the inner region 250 of the base 202.
  • the base 202 including the inner region 250, and the one or more side walls 204, 206, 208, 210 of the punnet 200 are arranged such that, for a sphere having a diameter of 3 centimetres at any position in the receptable, when in contact with the one or more side walls 204, 206, 208, 210 and the inner region 250 of the base 202, an angle between a side wall 204, 206, 208, 210 tangent to a contact point between the sphere and any of the one or more side walls 204, 206, 208, 210, and a base 202 tangent to a contact point between the sphere and the inner region 250 is no less than 45 degrees.
  • thermoforming process can be used, as will be familiar to those working in this field.
  • plastic which can be heated to a thermoforming temperature (such as polyethylene terephthalate, PET) is heated to said thermoforming temperature and expanded around a mould.
  • a thermoforming temperature such as polyethylene terephthalate, PET
  • a female mould is used, having air channels defined therein and negative air pressure is used to cause the plastics material to conform to the shape of the female mould by suction.
  • the plastics material is then cooled to solidify into the required shape.
  • a male mould is used, also having air channels defined therein and negative pressure is used to cause the plastics material to conform to the shape of the male mould by suction.
  • a female mould is one having a mould cavity where an internal surface of the mould cavity defines an external surface of the article to be moulded therein.
  • a male mould is one having a mould protrusion where an external surface of the mould protrusion defined an internal surface of an article to be moulded thereon.
  • Figure 9 shows a force-deflection curve for examples of the punnet design shown in Figures 1 to 4.
  • the graph 300 shows a substantially consistent force-deflection curve for eight different samples of the punnet 100, each shown with a different line.
  • a crushing force was applied to the base of the container and a deflection of the base of the container was measured as the crushing force was increased.
  • the force is increased to around 90 newtons (equivalent to just over 9 kilograms of weight) in a first region 302 of the graph, the base of the punnet deflects relatively little and in a consistent and substantially linearfashion, up to around 3.25mm of deflection at 90 newtons of crushing force.
  • the base deflects more significantly to alleviate the increase in force, as shown in the second region 304 of the graph, up to a maximum deflection of the base of just under 10 millimetres.
  • the deflection is reversed until no deflection occurs when all of the force has been removed.
  • the graph 300 demonstrates that the punnet 100 shows particularly good resistance to excessive deformation of the base up to around 90 newtons of crushing force, with different samples of the punnet performing similarly.
  • Figure 10 shows force-deflection curves for an alternative punnet, different to the punnets shown in Figures 1 to 4, or Figures 5 to 8.
  • the graph 400 shows force-deflection curves for eight different samples of the same alternative punnet design.
  • the graph 400 shows more variation in the force-deflection behaviour for the alternative punnet, compared with the force-deflection behaviour of the punnet 100 as illustrated in Figure 9.
  • the graph 400 shows a first region 402 in which the crushing force is increased to between 70 to 120 newtons, with the base deflecting between 6.5 to 8 millimetres as the force is increased.
  • the base deflects even more significantly to alleviate the increase in force, as shown in the second region 404 of the graph 400, up to a maximum deflection of the base of around 10 millimetres.
  • the deflection is reversed.
  • deflection of the base of between 2 to 4 millimetres remains even when all of the crushing force has been removed.
  • the graph 400 demonstrates that the alternative punnet exhibits poor resistance both to excessive deformation of the base when a crushing force is applied, and also that the base can become stably deformed, even after the crushing force has been removed.
  • the design of the punnet 100 provide a particularly effective and consistent resistance to deformation as crushing force is applied, which can be completely reversed as the crushing force is removed.
  • the alternative punnet is another punnet having a domed base, but without including the features claimed in the present application.
  • Figures 11 to 14 show respectively a top view, perspective underside view, vertical cross-section through the centre, and a vertical cross-section through a length offset from the centre of a punnet in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG 11 shows a top view of a punnet in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
  • the punnet 500 shown in Figures 11 to 14 is similar to the punnet 100 shown in Figures 1 to 5, but with the hereinafter described differences.
  • Like reference numerals are used in Figures 11 to 14 to illustrate features of the punnet 500 which are equivalent to the features of the punnet 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4, but with the first numeral changed from 1 to 5.
  • the base 102 becomes the base 502.
  • the punnet 500 comprises a base 502 and a plurality of side walls 504, 506, 508, 510, together defining a receptacle.
  • the side walls 504, 506, 508, 510 extend to a rim 512 defining a mouth of the receptacle. Corner regions 514, 516, 518, 520 of the side walls 504, 506, 508, 510 are defined between respective pairs of adjacent side walls 504, 506, 508, 510. Unlike punnet 100, the side walls 504, 506, 508, 510 are the same length such that the punnet 500 is a square, rather than a rectangle.
  • the punnet 500 of Figure 12 has four bracing regions 544a, 544b, 544c, 544d compared to the singular bracing region of the punnet 100.
  • the first bracing region 544a separates the corner domed regions 540a, 540b and the central domed region 541 from one another.
  • the second bracing region 544b separates the corner domed regions 540b, 542b and the central domed region 541 from one another.
  • the third bracing region 544c separates the domed regions 542b, 542a and the central domed region 541 from one another.
  • the fourth bracing region 544d separates the domed regions 542a, 540a and the central domed region 541 from one another.
  • the side of the bracing portions 544a, 544b, 544c, 544d closest to the peripheral region is nearer the ground contact plane than the side of the bracing portions 544a, 544b, 544c, 544d closest to the central domed region 541.
  • the curvature of the domed regions 540a, 540b, 541 , 542a, 542b and the bracing regions 544a, 544b, 544c, 544d is arranged such that, in combination with the chamfer regions 530, 532, 534, 536, typically-sized berries (e.g. strawberries) will not be pinched, crushed or otherwise damaged by reformation of the domed regions 540a, 540b, 541 , 542, 542b into their original shape following deformation.
  • typically-sized berries e.g. strawberries
  • Figure 15 shows a top view of a punnet in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
  • the punnet 600 shown in Figures 15 to 20 is similar to the punnet 100 shown in Figures 1 to 6, but with the hereinafter described differences.
  • Like reference numerals are used in Figures 15 to 20 to illustrate features of the punnet 600 which are equivalent to the features of the punnet 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4, but with the first numeral changed from 1 to 6.
  • the base 102 becomes the base 602.
  • the punnet 600 comprises a base 602 and a plurality of side walls 604, 606, 608, 610, together defining a receptacle.
  • the side walls 604, 606, 608, 610 extend to a rim 612 defining a mouth of the receptacle.
  • Corner regions 614, 616, 618, 620 of the side walls 604, 606, 608, 610 are defined between respective pairs of adjacent side walls 604, 606, 608, 610.
  • the punnet 600 includes a plurality of vent regions 622a, 622b, 624, 626a, 626b, 628, which can be completely or partially cut out (e.g. by punching) to provide vents to allow exchange of fluids (e.g. air) between the receptacle and the external environment if necessary.
  • the vent regions are provided around the base 602, at the interface with the side walls 604, 606, 608, 610.
  • the punnet 600 further includes chamfer regions 630, 632, 634, 636 at the corner regions 614, 616, 618, 620.
  • the chamfer regions 630, 632, 634, 636 provide the same function as chamfer region 130, 132, 134, 136 to protect berries inside the punnet 600 from damage.
  • Line A-A in Figure 15 indicates the plane along which the cross-section shown in Figure 17 is taken.
  • Line C-C in Figure 15 indicates the plane along which the cross-section shown in Figure 17 is taken.
  • Line B-B in Figure 15 indicates the plane along which the cross-section shown in Figure 19 is taken.
  • Line D-D in Figure 15 indicates the plane along which the cross-section shown in Figure 20 is taken.
  • Figure 16 shows the punnet of Figure 15 from a perspective underside view.
  • the base 602 comprises a peripheral region 638, and an inner region 650.
  • the inner region 650 of punnet 600 is formed of four corner domed regions 640a, 640b, 642a, 642b and a central domed region 641 , compared to the two domed regions 140, 142 of punnet 100 shown in Figure 1.
  • the central domed region 641 is located substantially in the centre of the base 602 and extends from a portion of the peripheral region 638 adjacent to the long side wall 604 to a portion of the peripheral region 638 adjacent to the opposite long side wall 608.
  • the corner domed region 540a, 540b, 540c, 540d are located substantially in the corners of the base 502.
  • the punnet 600 of Figure 16 has two bracing regions, first and second bracing regions 644a, 644b, compared to the singular bracing region of the punnet 100.
  • the first bracing region 644a separates the two corner domed regions 640a, 640b from the central domed region 641.
  • the second bracing region 644b separates the two corner domed regions 642a, 642b from the central domed region 641.
  • the peripheral region 638 defines the ground contact plane in the same way as the peripheral region 138 of the punnet 100 and surrounds the inner region 650.
  • Each of the corner domed regions 640a, 640b, 642a, 642b and the central domed region 641 extend inwardly (specifically upwardly) into the receptacle and away from the ground contact plane.
  • the first bracing portion 644a comprises a flat portion 668a and bowed portions 670a, 672a.
  • the flat portion 668a extends along the ground contact plane.
  • the flat portion 668a of the first bracing portion 644a is co-planar with the peripheral region 638.
  • the bowed portions 670a, 672a are bowed away from the ground contact plane.
  • each corner domed region 640a, 640b, 642a, 642b with the peripheral region 638, and with the bracing regions 644a, 644b is formed from a plurality of convex and concave portions, and is therefore substantially non-straight throughout, which has been found to improve a resistance of the base 602 to deformation.
  • the edge of the central domed region 641 with the peripheral region 632 and with the bracing regions 644a, 644b is also formed from a plurality of convex and concave portions.
  • the curvature of the convex and concave portions of the central domed region 641 is less than the curvature of the convex and concave portions of the corner domed regions 640a, 640b, 642a, 642b.
  • the central domed portion 641 of the punnet 600 is different to the central domed portion 541 of the punnet 500 in that the central domed portion 641 is non-circular and contacts the peripheral region 638 whereas the central domed portion 541 is circular and does not contact the peripheral region 538 and instead contacts only the bracing regions 544a, 544b, 544c, 544d.
  • first and second bracing regions 644a, 644b extend between the peripheral region 638 adjacent the first long side wall 604 and the peripheral region 638 adjacent the second long side wall 608 (i.e. the first and second bracing regions 644a, 644b extend parallel to the shortest side of the punnet 600).
  • the corner domed region 640a, 640b, 642a, 642b are of equal size.
  • the central domed region 641 is a different size to the corner domed regions 640a, 640b, 642a, 642b.
  • the curvature of the domed regions 640a, 640b, 641 , 642a, 642b and the bracing regions 644a, 644b is arranged such that, in combination with the chamfer regions 630, 632, 634, 636, typically-sized berries (e.g. strawberries) will not be pinched, crushed or otherwise damaged by reformation of the domed regions 640a, 640b, 641 , 642, 642b into their original shape following deformation.
  • typically-sized berries e.g. strawberries
  • any berries in contact with the base 602 and the side walls 604, 606, 608, 610 will be lifted back up off the ground surface.
  • the domed regions 640a, 640b, 641 , 642, 642b will not stay in a deformed shape in the absence of any deforming force.
  • the inner region provides at least one of: at least one protrusion (252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266) extending from the inner region by at least a third of the distance from a peak height of the inner region off the ground contact plane to the ground contact plane; and a brace (144) separating two areas (140, 142) of the inner region, extending towards the ground contact plane.
  • the base comprises: a peripheral region (138, 238, 538, 638) arranged to contact a surface on which the punnet is supported, in use, and defining a ground contact plane; and an inner region (140, 142, 144, 250, 540a, 540b, 541 , 542, 542b, 544, 640a, 640b, 641 , 642, 642b, 644a, 644b) bounded by and integrally formed with the peripheral region and extending inwardly from the peripheral region into the receptacle.
  • the inner region provides at least one of: one or more connecting portions (144, 544, 644a, 644b) together separating two or more areas (140, 142, 540a, 540b, 541 , 542a, 542b, 640a, 640b, 641 , 642a, 642b) of the inner region, the connecting portions extending towards the ground contact plane relative to the respective areas separated thereby; and at least one protrusion (252, 254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264, 266) extending from the inner region by at least a third of the distance from a peak height of the inner region off the ground contact plane to the ground contact plane.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une barquette (100) pour emballer des aliments, la barquette comprenant : une base (102) comprenant une ou plusieurs parois latérales (104, 106, 108, 110) s'étendant à partir de celle-ci, la base et la ou les parois latérales définissant ensemble un réceptacle pour contenir des aliments, la base comprenant : une région périphérique (138, 238) agencée pour entrer en contact avec une surface sur laquelle la barquette est supportée, lors de l'utilisation, et définissant un plan de contact avec le sol; et une région interne (150, 550, 250) délimitée par la région périphérique et faisant partie intégrante de celle-ci et s'étendant vers l'intérieur à partir de la région périphérique dans le réceptacle, la région interne fournissant au moins l'un des éléments suivants : une ou plusieurs parties de liaison (144, 544, 644a, 644b) séparant ensemble deux zones ou plus de la région interne, les parties de liaison s'étendant vers le plan de contact avec le sol par rapport aux zones respectives séparées par celles-ci; et au moins une saillie (252, 254, 256, 258, 268, 262, 264, 266) s'étendant à partir de la région interne d'au moins un tiers de la distance d'une hauteur de pic de la région interne hors du plan de contact avec le sol au plan de contact avec le sol.
EP23767950.1A 2022-08-30 2023-08-30 Barquette Pending EP4580955A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP25195756.9A EP4624365A2 (fr) 2022-08-30 2023-08-30 Réseau punnet

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB2212565.2A GB202212565D0 (en) 2022-08-30 2022-08-30 Punnet
PCT/GB2023/052238 WO2024047343A1 (fr) 2022-08-30 2023-08-30 Barquette

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP25195756.9A Division EP4624365A2 (fr) 2022-08-30 2023-08-30 Réseau punnet

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4580955A1 true EP4580955A1 (fr) 2025-07-09

Family

ID=83931796

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23767950.1A Pending EP4580955A1 (fr) 2022-08-30 2023-08-30 Barquette
EP25195756.9A Pending EP4624365A2 (fr) 2022-08-30 2023-08-30 Réseau punnet

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP25195756.9A Pending EP4624365A2 (fr) 2022-08-30 2023-08-30 Réseau punnet

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (2) EP4580955A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3264394A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB202212565D0 (fr)
MX (1) MX2025002264A (fr)
WO (1) WO2024047343A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2115675A5 (fr) * 1970-11-24 1972-07-07 Tailleur Fils Lyon
PT1436198E (pt) * 2001-09-11 2013-07-18 Sambrailo Packaging Inc Método e aparelho para empacotamento e arrefecimento bidirecional de produtos agrícolas
CA2977887C (fr) * 2016-08-31 2020-06-23 Direct Pack, Inc. Refroidissement d'air passif et force destine aux produits frais

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX2025002264A (es) 2025-04-02
WO2024047343A1 (fr) 2024-03-07
EP4624365A2 (fr) 2025-10-01
GB202212565D0 (en) 2022-10-12
CA3264394A1 (fr) 2024-03-07

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