ES2967783A1 - Reusable packaging for food products - Google Patents

Abstract

Reusable container for food products comprising a container (1) with a base (11), and a cap (2), where the container (1) comprises at least one tab (12) configured to open under pressure, where the cap ( 2) is configured to fit in an inverted position on the base (11) of the container (1), in order to give the food packaging a double use, reducing waste and the ecological impact, and increasing the value of the primary packaging that They usually have a very short useful life.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Reusable packaging for food products

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the present patent application is a reusable container for food products with a container with a base, and a cap, comprising at least one tab configured to open under pressure, where the cap is configured to fit in an inverted position on the base of the container, according to claim 1, incorporating notable advantages, such as presenting a double functionality as a flower pot with automatic irrigation by capillary action.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the technical field of packaging for food products with the function of protection during distribution and marketing, preserving the food in optimal conditions for a period of time and protecting it from external agents. The closing system is carried out through a screw cap with a seal that allows the packaged food to be kept fully protected until its first opening. This type of packaging can contain a multitude of different products, preferably solid and granulated products, such as nuts, cereals, legumes, sugar, coffee, etc.

In the food packaging sector there is a great problem due to the large number of containers that are produced, which also have a very short useful life. Thanks to a second use after being emptied, such as the automatic watering pot function, the useful life of the container is prolonged, thus reducing its contamination. The invention can be framed with said second use in the sector of pots or planters that allow capillary irrigation, which can be applied in agriculture and cultivation of plants in pots.

It should be mentioned that, currently, the packaging of food products for transport and sale is one of the industries that consume the most resources, and that contribute the most to pollution, making it desirable to implement solutions that minimize said impact, such as a second functionality as a pot, after use.

Conventional pots made of plastic usually have a conical shape of revolution. Irrigation is done from the top of the pot and the plant absorbs the moisture, letting excess water fall or creating puddles in the plant substrate if the drainage that the pot allows is not efficient.

Thus, and in view of all the above, there is a need to give food packaging a dual use, generating differentiation in the market by providing environmental value, reducing waste and ecological impact, and increasing value. of primary packaging that usually has a very short useful life.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is primarily framed in the food sector, allowing the user to acquire a food container, and after using it as a container element, use it as a flower pot, avoiding the acquisition of an additional flower pot for growing plants, and prolonging the useful life of the food container. The pot resulting from the second functionality contains the saucer on which to place it, and has the added property of being a self-watering pot.

It is made up of a hollow body open at the top, which functions as the body of the container, and once emptied it functions as the body of the pot where the substrate and the plant are placed. On the other hand, it has a cap, which functions as the lid of the container, and later as a water tank and saucer for the pot, and cords of absorbent material that allow watering of the plant by capillarity.

During the second use as a pot, the plug is placed on the support surface and water is introduced inside. The body of the container has the appropriate measurements to be placed and fitted over the cap as a reservoir. When the water in the tank has been absorbed, it will be refilled, separating the body from the pot by lifting it. Therefore, it is not necessary to include additional complex irrigation systems, and the container, even in its simplicity, can fulfill the aforementioned double functionality.

More particularly, the reusable container for food products of the present invention comprises a container with a base, and a cap, where the container comprises at least one tab configured to open under pressure, and where the cap is configured to fit in an inverted position. on the base of the container, so that it has a double functionality: as a container and as a self-watering pot through the opening of the tabs, once opened.

The container is preferably cylindrical in shape, it is open at the top, and once emptied it functions as the body of the pot where the substrate and the plant are placed. The cap works both as the lid of the container and, later, and after being placed on a support surface, as a water tank and saucer for the pot.

Advantageously, the base of the container comprises a perimeter housing configured to fit with the perimeter edge of the cap, so that a good mechanical fit is produced, and a solid support, which prevents the swaying of the plant, as well as the evaporation of water. accumulated towards the outside of the container without benefiting the plant. Thus, when the water in the plug in its role as a reservoir has been absorbed, it can be refilled, separating the base of the pot by lifting it, and easily fitting it back onto the reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said flange is at the base of the container, this preferably being a flat surface. On the base it is easier to exert the corresponding pressure to create an opening in the container, allowing moisture to rise towards the plant.

More specifically, the tab is formed by means of a recess in the thickness of the base, and the wall of material that makes it up, so that the base can be perforated by applying pressure from the inside of the container or container by the user.

Preferably, the recess is on the inside of the base, forming pre-die cuts that reduce the thickness of the material so that they can only be opened from the inside by applying pressure with the hand. In this way, said holes or openings are only present during use as a pot, protecting the integrity of the food contained in the container.

It should be noted that the recess in the base has a circular arc shape, since this shape better adapts to the fingers of the hand, and its opening is easier during the application of pressure. It should also be mentioned that said recess in the shape of a circular arc is preferably located towards the exterior walls and not towards the center, to facilitate access from the top by hand. Specify that the opening of said holes is carried out without the material coming off, remaining a single piece. In this way, no isolated element of the packaging is generated, facilitating its recycling.

Preferably, the recess is on the exterior face of the base, in this case being a line that reduces the thickness of the material to facilitate the folding of the material and the opening of the holes or openings.

More specifically, said recess has a rectilinear shape, which closes the shape of a circular arc on the other side of the thickness of the base, so that the material of the base is not fractured and broken, but simply folded and inclined towards the outside. .

According to another aspect of the invention, the reusable container comprises means for transmitting moisture by capillarity. In this way, water is saved since the plant absorbs the amount it needs from the roots and its care is made easier for the user thanks to the fact that the tank contains water for a longer time, therefore being an irrigation system that allows more efficient use of water.

Optionally, the moisture transmission means are at least one cord of absorbent material, to be inserted through the gap or opening left by the open tab at the base of the container. These cords of absorbent material allow the plant to be irrigated by capillary action, being in contact with the water and the plant substrate, or compost soil.

Preferably, the absorbent material of the cord is cotton so as to allow capillary action. The cord is of sufficient length to be in contact with the substrate and the water simultaneously, in order to allow continuous and optimized water distribution.

According to another aspect of the invention, the container and the cap comprise threaded closure means, so that the container offers greater hermetic protection towards the stored food.

Additionally, the closing means between the cap and the container comprise a security seal, which guarantees the inviolability of the container and the protection of the packaged food until its first opening.

More specifically, the security seal is a frangible strip, so that it breaks at the beginning of the turning maneuver when opening the container. Said frangible strip detaches from the cap during the first opening and remains attached to the packaging container once opened.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container comprises a projection in which the security seal is embedded, during the capping and packaging of the food product. In this way, the frangible strip encounters resistance to its extraction that is integral with the cap, and must break in order to open the container.

The attached drawings show, by way of non-limiting example, a reusable container for food products, constituted in accordance with the invention. Other characteristics and advantages of said reusable container for food products, object of the present invention, will be evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A- Bottom view of the base of the reusable container for food products, according to the present invention;

Figure 1B- Side view of the reusable container for food products, according to the present invention;

Figure 2- Sectional side view of the cap with the closing means of the reusable container, according to the present invention;

Figure 3A- Sectional side view of the reusable container, with the cap under the container, according to the present invention;

Figure 3B- Side view of the reusable container, with the cap under the container, according to the present invention;

Figure 4A- Partially sectional side view of the container of the reusable container, according to the present invention;

Figure 4B- Top view of the base of the reusable container, according to the present invention;

Figure 5A- Perspective sectional view of the reusable container in the closed position, according to the present invention;

Figure 5B- Perspective sectional view of the reusable container in a partially open position, according to the present invention;

Figure 6A- Perspective sectional view of the reusable container container in the open position, according to the present invention;

Figure 6B- Perspective sectional view of the reusable container container in the open position, with the cap underneath, in accordance with the present invention;

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the aforementioned figures and, in accordance with the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed, comprising the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

In Figure 1A you can see a bottom view of the base (11) of the container (1) of the reusable container for food products, showing the outer face (11b) of the base (11), with a series of recesses (12a). in order to form some eyelashes (12).

In Figure 1B you can see a side view of the reusable container whose container (1) has a perimeter housing (13) in order to fit with its cap (2). Between said cap (2) and the container (1) there are closing means (3) that comprise at least one frangible strip (32a).

In Figure 2 you can see a side sectional view of the cap (2) with the closing means (3) of the reusable container, having a thread (31) and a seal (32) that includes at least one frangible strip ( 32a).

In Figure 3A you can see a sectional side view of the reusable container, with the cap (2) under the container (1), showing a tab (12) after having been pressed in one of the recesses (12a). The perimeter housing (13) is also observed under the container (1) intended to fit with the perimeter edge (21) of the cap (2). Also visible are the closing means (3) with a thread (31), and the moisture transmission means (4) (5), specifically a cord (41). Said cord (41) is introduced through the drainage holes or openings of the base (11), and extends to the bottom of the cap tank (2) so that it is in contact with the water, being able to transmit humidity (5). . When the soil is poured into the container (1) as a pot, the cord (41) must be placed vertically towards the earth, and must not remain coiled at the bottom of the substrate.

In Figure 3B you can see a side view of the reusable container, with the cap (2) under the container (1), and in the upper part of it a projection (14) at the bottom of where the cap was placed ( 2), showing above the closing means (3) with a thread (31), and the seal (32) and its frangible strip (32a) that has remained below the projection (14).

In Figure 4A, a partially sectional side view of the container (1) of the reusable container can be seen, with a recess (12a) on both the interior face (11a) and the exterior face (11b) of the base (11). , also showing the closing means (3) with a thread (31) and a seal (32).

In Figure 4B you can see a top view of the base (11) of the container (1) of the reusable container, showing its interior face (11a) with a series of tabs (12) with their respective recesses (12a).

In Figure 5A, a sectional perspective view of the reusable container in the closed position can be seen, showing the container (1) with several recesses (12a) facing the formation of tabs (12) on its interior face (11a). On the other hand, the plug (2) is seen with a frangible strip (32a) in its lower part.

In Figure 5B you can see a sectional perspective view of the reusable container in a partially open position, with the same elements of Figure 5A, with the projection (14) of the container (1) being seen at the bottom of the cap (2). , with which the seal (32) and specifically the frangible strip (32a) is retained.

In Figure 6A, a sectional perspective view of the container (1) of the reusable container in the open position can be seen, showing the position of the tabs (12).

In Figure 6B you can see a perspective sectional view of the container (1) of the reusable container in the open position, now with the cap (2) underneath, showing the moisture transmission path (5) through the tab. (12).

With all this, the aim is to provide a novel approach to the domestic packaging sector, through a double functionality that makes the packaging more sustainable. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the entire container, with the exception of the cords of absorbent material, will be made of the same material. This use of a single material to manufacture the packaging greatly facilitates the recycling and material recovery processes. The material will be plastic, preferably recyclable and/or biodegradable, with the aim of reducing the presence in the market of plastic materials manufactured from fossil fuels. Preferably, the use of bio-based bioplastics will be implemented that allow the use of local agricultural resources and byproducts such as the peels of some fruits.

The presented invention can be manufactured using various manufacturing processes of plastic materials. For the cap (2) of the container, injection molding is selected as preferred and for the container (1) of the container, either injection molding or stretch-blow molding that allows generating the shape presented in the figures. And it is subsequently that the recesses (12a) or pre-die cuts are made in the container (1) of the packaging through a die-cutting machine that applies pressure.

More particularly, as seen in Figures 3A and 6B, the reusable container for food products comprises a container (1) with a base (11), and a cap (2), where the container (1) comprises the minus one tab (12) configured to open under pressure, where the cap (2) is configured to fit in an inverted position on the base (11) of the container (1). Preferably, the container (1) is made up of walls of a uniform and thin thickness for less use of material and having a light weight. Additionally, the container, although it can be manufactured in any size and shape, will preferably have a cylindrical shape of revolution, in order to be able to adapt to different applications.

Likewise, the cap (2) of the container, being a hollow body open at the bottom, preferably has thin walls with uniform thickness, comprising one or more threads (31). As for the security seal (32), it is made up of a frangible strip (32a) that is kept attached to the plug (2) by means of fine threads of material. This system guarantees the protection of the food and remains attached to the cap (2) until its first opening. On the other hand, the plug (2) has sufficient height to be able to contain a necessary amount of water when it functions as a reservoir for the container (1) in its function as a flower pot. For this purpose, it will be placed with the open side facing up and filled with water. It is on the perimeter edge (21) of the cap (2) that the container (1) of the container will fit.

For its part, the container (1) of the container (1) is a hollow body open at the top. The upper part of this component will have one or more threads (31) that will allow the container to be closed. The area in which the thread (31) is placed has a length that will correspond to the dimensions of the plug (2), considering that this must function as a tank and have a certain capacity that provides greater autonomy in watering the plant. .

It is worth mentioning that, as seen in Figure 3A, the base (11) of the container (1) comprises a perimeter housing (13) configured to fit with the perimeter edge (21) of the cap (2).

More specifically, as seen in Figures 4B and 5B, the tab (12) is on the base (11).

Additionally, as seen in Figures 4A and 4B, the flange (12) is formed by means of a recess (12a) in the thickness of the base (11).

Preferably, as seen in Figures 4A and 4B, the recess (12a) is on the inner face (11a) of the base (11).

Optionally, as seen in Figures 4B and 5A, the recess (12a) has a circular arc shape.

Additionally, as seen in Figures 4A and 1A, the recess (12a) is on the outer face (11b) of the base (11).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as seen in Figure 1A, the recess (12a) has a rectilinear shape.

According to another aspect of the invention, as seen in Figure 3A, the reusable container comprises means for transmitting moisture (5) by capillarity.

In more detail, as seen in Figure 3A, the moisture transmission means (4) (5) are at least one cord (41) of absorbent material. It should be mentioned that said cords (41) have different length and diameter measurements depending on the size of the pot, given that they must be long enough to be in contact with the substrate and the water simultaneously, thus allowing a continuous and continuous distribution of water. optimized. Specifically, said cords (41) must be introduced through the drainage holes opened by the tabs (12), and placed to the bottom of the plug tank (2) so that they are always in contact with the water. When the soil is poured into the pot, the cords (41) must be placed towards the ground, not at the bottom of the substrate, so that they carry the necessary humidity (5) to all areas of the pot or container (1).

Optionally, as seen in Figure 3A, the absorbent material is cotton.

According to another aspect of the invention, as seen in Figures 3B and 4A, the container (1) and the cap (2) comprise closing means (3) with thread (31).

On the other hand, as seen in Figures 1B and 2, the closing means (3) between the cap (2) and the container (1) comprise a security seal (32).

It should be noted that, as seen in Figures 3B and 5A, the security seal (32) is a frangible strip (32a). As mentioned, in the lower part of the threaded area, there is a projection (14) in which the seal (32) of the cap (2) is fitted during the capping and packaging of the food product. And when the container opening operation is carried out by turning the cap (2), the frangible strip (32a) that is attached to the cap (2) by means of small threads of plastic material separates from it, breaking said threads of material. .

Additionally, as seen in Figures 3B and 5B, the container (1) comprises a projection (14) in which the security seal (32) is embedded. Thus, the seal (32) remains attached to the container (1) of the container located below the aforementioned projection (14), so that no element of the container is detached during its opening operation, facilitating its recycling.

The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the components used in the implementation of the reusable packaging for food products, may be conveniently replaced by others that are technically equivalent, and do not deviate from the essentiality of the invention or of the scope defined by the claims that follow the following list.

List of numerical references:

1 container

11 base

11th inner face

11b outer face

12 tab

12th reduction

13 perimeter accommodation

14 highlight

2 stopper

21 perimeter border

3 means of closure

31 thread

32 precinct

32nd frangible strip

4 transmission media

41 cord

5 humidity

Claims (1)

1- Reusable container for food products comprising a container (1) with a base (11), and a cap (2), characterized in that the container (1) comprises at least one tab (12) configured to open under pressure, where the cap (2) is configured to fit in an inverted position on the base (11) of the container (1). 2- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (11) of the container (1) comprises a perimeter housing (13) configured to fit with the perimeter edge (21) of the cap (2). 3- Reusable container for food products, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the tab (12) is on the base (11). 4- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 3, characterized in that the tab (12) is formed by means of a recess (12a) in the thickness of the base (11). 5- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 4, characterized in that the recess (12a) is on the interior face (11a) of the base (11). 6- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 5, characterized in that the recess (12a) has a circular arc shape. 7- Reusable container for food products, according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the recess (12a) is on the outer face (11b) of the base (11). 8- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 7, characterized in that the recess (12a) has a rectilinear shape. 9- Reusable container for food products, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting moisture (5) by capillarity. 10- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 9, characterized in that the moisture transmission means (4) (5) are at least one cord (41) of absorbent material. 11- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 10, characterized in that the absorbent material is cotton. 12- Reusable container for food products, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the container (1) and the cap (2) comprise closing means (3) with thread (31). 13- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 12, characterized in that the closing means (3) between the cap (2) and the container (1) comprise a security seal (32). 14- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 13, characterized in that the security seal (32) is a frangible strip (32a). 15- Reusable container for food products, according to claim 14, characterized in that the container (1) comprises a projection (14) in which the security seal (32) is embedded.