FR2922871A1 - CONTAINER TYPE TRAY OR PLATE CONSISTING OF A FOLDING SHEET. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container, of the tray or plate type, consisting of a foldable sheet (1) provided with attachment means comprising a male part (61, 63, 65, 67) and a female part (69, 71, 73,75) arranged to maintain folded said sheet (1) during the formation of the container.La sheet (1) consists of three longitudinal strips, one said central (5) and the other two said side (3,7 ). Four V-shaped folding lines (9,11,13,15) are oriented towards the longitudinal ends of the sheet and disposed at a distance from said ends between the central strip (5) and the lateral strips (3,7). Four cutting lines (37,39,41,43), in particular in the form of a square, are arranged in the extension of the fold lines (9,11,13,15) extending to the longitudinal ends of the leaf. The attachment means (61,63,65,67,69,71,73,75) are arranged according to the position of the fold lines and the cutting lines.

Description

CONTAINER TYPE OF TRAY OR PLATE CONSISTING OF A FOLDABLE SHEET

The present invention relates to a container of the tray or plate type. This container is in particular disposable and in particular allows to contain foodstuffs when they are ready to be consumed, said container is then placed in household waste. It will find its application in homes, especially in order to avoid cleaning the dishes after the meal or, for example, for the realization of picnics. The container consists of a foldable sheet; it has particular advantages of being easily transportable, non-breakable, and disposable once used for the meal. In addition, the container according to the present invention will in particular be used in cardboard boxes, or even manufacturers of packaging in cardboard or other material, or even in the kitchenware manufacturers. Containers of the type trays or plates are known, consisting of a folding sheet of cardboard material, said sheet comprising a central portion and four articulated faces at the periphery of the central portion to form the tray. These faces constitute the four lateral sides of the tray. In addition, said faces are provided with fastening means of the male and female type able to cooperate to maintain the four folded sides relative to the central portion and to form said container. This is the case for example in US 5.020.717. According to this embodiment illustrated in US 5.020.717, the food receiving surface is defined by the central portion of the sheet constituting the bottom of the tray. The sides of the sides have the function of delimiting the bottom of the tray to contain food in it. The height of the faces defines the volume of the tray. In addition, the food rest on the bottom of the tray; it is therefore necessary to increase the surface of the face constituting the bottom to increase the receiving surface of food, especially when it is desired to properly dispose of said food to prevent mixing, or to improve their presentation in the container. In addition, the outer face of the bottom of the tray rests flat on its support. The present invention relates to a container consisting of a foldable sheet whose design makes it possible to shape said container by making the most of the surface of the sheet, in particular for the purpose of increasing the support surface of the food, which allows to distribute them appropriately to avoid their mixture and to improve their presentation in the tray or plate.

Thus, the container according to the invention is of the tray or plate type, able to contain foodstuffs during consumption, this container being in particular disposable. In addition, it consists of a foldable sheet provided with attachment means arranged to maintain folded said sheet during the formation of the container. These attachment means comprise in particular a male part and a female part. In addition, the leaf consists of three longitudinal strips. One of the bands is called central and the two others are called lateral. The sheet comprises four fold lines, comprising the shape of a V. These V-shaped fold lines are symmetrically arranged relative to one another and arranged at the common edges between the central strip and the side strips. These lines are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other, with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry and / or with respect to a transverse axis of symmetry of the sheet. The branches of the fold lines V are oriented towards the longitudinal ends of the sheet and disposed at a distance from said ends. The first leg of the V is disposed on the common edge between the central band and one of the sidebands. In addition, the second leg of the V is disposed either on the central band or on the side band. In addition, the sheet comprises four cutting lines, in particular square-shaped, these cutting lines being arranged in the extension of the V-shaped folding lines. The longitudinal branches of the angular cuts extend in the extension of one of the two branches of the fold lines V, to the longitudinal ends of the sheet, while the transverse branches of the cutouts at right angles extends between the ends of the two branches of the fold lines in V.

Moreover, the first parts of the attachment means, male or female, are arranged in the extension of the other of the two branches of the fold lines V, that is to say the branches that are not extended by the longitudinal branches of the cutouts at right angles. The second parts of the hooking means, female or male, are in turn arranged almost symmetrically to the first parts, relative to the longitudinal branches of the cutouts at right angles. According to this design, the central strip and the two side strips are able to be curved to form the container. According to a first mode of folding, the curved longitudinal ends of the two lateral bands are positioned above the curved ends of the central strip during the establishment of the attachment means. The container thus formed is arranged to pitch while being supported on a support, along the entire length of the outer face of said central strip. According to a second method of folding the container, the curved longitudinal ends of the two lateral strips are positioned below the curved ends of the central strip during the establishment of the attachment means. The container thus formed is arranged to pitch while resting on a support, following the central portion of the outer face of the central strip, said pitch being limited by the branches of the fold lines V located in the extension of the longitudinal branches of the lines. cutting angle bracket, said branches being able to bear on said support. The following description of several alternative design of the container according to the present invention, is carried out in support of figures among which: - Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the sheet constituting the container; - Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the sheet constituting the container; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a partial view of a container according to the invention made from a sheet as illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the lateral strips are arranged below the central strip during setting. in place hooking means; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a partial view of a container according to the invention made from a sheet as illustrated in FIG. 2, according to which the lateral strips are arranged below the central strip during setting. in place hooking means; - Figure 5 shows an overview of a container as shown in Figure 3; - Figure 6 shows an overview of a container as shown in Figure 4; FIG. 7 represents an overall view of a container according to the invention consisting of a sheet as illustrated in FIG. 1, according to which the lateral strips are arranged above the central strip during the setting up hooking means; FIG. 8 represents an overall view of a container according to the invention consisting of a sheet as illustrated in FIG. 2, according to which the lateral strips are arranged above the central strip during the setting up hooking means. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the container consists of a sheet 1 able to be folded. The sheet 1 preferably has a rectangular shape, and will be made of cardboard material, said container having the particular purpose of being disposable, the latter being discarded once the foodstuffs it contains have been consumed. Furthermore, it can be envisaged according to an alternative embodiment, at least one of the faces, in particular that intended to constitute the inner face of the container, is treated against the fat, in order to prevent the cardboard material from absorbing the materials. fat said food may contain, said fat absorbed by the cardboard material may then be deposited on the hands of the consumer when it manipulates the container. In addition, it is possible to envisage the manufacture of the container in other flexible materials, for example plastic, especially when said container is intended to be reused, said design possibly for unfolding the sheet forming the container, for example in the purpose of facilitating the flat storage of the container. Such a manufacture can be envisaged for the implementation of reusable containers, which of course requires the cleaning of the sheet during each use.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the sheet 1 consists of three strips 3,5,7 arranged longitudinally. The three longitudinal strips are adjacent, one being disposed centrally, and the other two being arranged laterally with respect to the central strip 5. The sheet 1 comprises four fold lines 9, 11, 13 , Which have the shape of a V.

These fold lines V are arranged on the sheet between the central strip 5 and the two lateral strips 3,7, and they are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other. Thus, the fold lines 9, 11 are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other, with respect to the transverse axis of symmetry of the sheet. It is the same for the fold lines 13,15.

On the other hand, the fold lines 9, 13 are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other, with respect to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the sheet. It is also the same for the fold lines 11,15. The first branches 17,19,21,23 of the fold lines in V are disposed on the common edges 25,27 between the central strip 5 and the lateral strips 3,7. In addition, the second branches 29,31,33,35 V fold lines are either disposed on the central strip 5, or on the side strips 3,7. Thus, according to the first embodiment of the sheet 1, as illustrated in Figure 1, the second branches 29,31,33,35 V fold lines are arranged on the sidebands 3,7. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the sheet 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the second branches 29, 31, 33, 35 are arranged on the central strip 5. Furthermore, the sheet comprises four lines of cutting 37,39,41,43, having substantially the shape of a square, and arranged in the extension of the fold lines V; the longitudinal branches 45, 47, 49, 51 of the cuts extend in the extension either of the first branches 17, 19, 21, 23 arranged on the common edges 25, 27, or on the second branches 29, 31, 33, 35 which can be arranged on the lateral strips 3,7, as shown in FIG. 1, or on the central strip 5 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The second transverse branches 53, 55, 57, 59 of the cutouts are arranged between the ends of the two branches of the fold lines V 9,11,13,15. These transverse branches 53, 55, 57, 59 are thus either arranged on the lateral bands 3,7, as illustrated in FIG. 1 for the first embodiment of the sheet, or arranged on the central strip 5, such as illustrated in FIG. 2 for the second embodiment of the sheet, correspondingly to the arrangement of the V-fold lines. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hooking means which make it possible to keep the folded sheet during the formation of the container, are preferably constituted by four male parts and four female parts, the male parts cooperating with the female parts for the maintenance of the lateral strips 3.7 fixed with the central strip 5. The male parts are constituted by tabs 61, 63, 65, 67, and the female parts are constituted by notches 69, 71, 73, 75, said tabs being disposed opposite said notches to engage therewith folding of the 1. According to the first embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1, the tongues 61, 63, 65, 67 are arranged in the extension of the branches 17, 19, 21, 23 of the fold lines disposed on the common edges 25. 27 between the lateral strips 3,7 and the central strip 5. Furthermore, the notches 69,71,73,75 are disposed substantially symmetrically with the tabs 61,63,65,67, with respect to the longitudinal branches 45,47 , 49,51 cuts in the extensions of the branches 29,31,33,35 V fold lines arranged on the side bands 3,7. Thus, the tabs 61, 63, 65, 67 are integral with the central strip 5, and extend towards the lateral strips 3.7, said tabs being constituted in part by the cutouts 37, 39, 41, 43 in the form of square. The notches 69,71,73,75 are constituted in the lateral bands 3,5 by a cutout adapted to create an opening for the passage of the tongues. For this, the cut will be sized relative to the width of the tabs to allow their passage and their maintenance. According to the variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the notches 69, 71, 73, 75 are arranged on the central strip 5, in the extension of the branches 29, 31, 33, 35 of the fold lines in V, arranged on the strip 5. Furthermore, the tongues 61, 63, 65, 67 are arranged on the lateral strips 3,7, substantially symmetrically to said notches, relative to the longitudinal branches 45, 47, 49, 51 of the cuts located in the extension. first branches 17,19,21,23 V fold lines disposed on the common edges 25,27 between the central strip 5 and the side bands 3,7. Preferably, the fold lines 9,11,13,15 V which define a triangular surface as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, are solid, that is to say made of material. When folding the sheet 1 and the establishment of the hooking means, the bottom of the container is constituted by the inner face of the central strip 5 and the lower portions of the lateral strips 3,7, adjacent to the strip center 5; said bottom therefore also includes the triangular surfaces defined by the fold lines V, as shown for example in Figure 3. The bottom of the container thus formed provides a seal, which allows in particular to contain juicy food or cooked with the sauce. However, according to an alternative embodiment, it is possible to provide a triangular cut in the area defined by the fold line at V. In this case, the branches of the fold lines 9, 11, 13, 15 are defined by cutouts allowing simultaneously make the cuts of the transverse branches 53,55,57,59. This design facilitates the folding of the sheet and the establishment of the attachment means between the lateral strips 3.7 and the central strip 5. However, this design will preferably be used when the container is intended to contain foodstuffs. dry food, that is to say not containing liquid likely to pass through triangular cuts between the two branches of the fold lines V 9,11,13,15. Indeed, as shown for example in Figure 4, the cutout located between the two branches 17,29 of the fold line 9, is positioned on the bottom of the container consisting of the central strip 5 and the lower edges of the strips. lateral 3.7. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tongues 61, 63, 65, 67 comprise a recess zone 77, 79, 81, 83 which constitutes a nonreturn stop. These non-return stops are arranged to hold the tongues 61, 63, 65, 67 in position inside the notches 69, 71, 73, 75.

When folding the sheet, for the formation of the container, the lateral strips 3,7 and the central strip 5 are able to be curved, which then allows the introduction of the tabs 61,63,65,67 in the notches 69,71,73,75. In addition, two folding modes of the sheet 1 are conceivable for the implementation of the container. These two modes of folding are applicable to the two preferred modes of design of the sheet illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. According to a first mode of folding of the sheet 1, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the two lateral strips are curved and their ends longitudinal 85,87,89,91 are positioned above the curved ends 93,95 of the central strip 5. In this case, the entire outer face 97 of the central strip 5 is able to bear on its support; said container is then able to pitch on the support by bearing on the entire length of said outer face 97. According to this first folding mode illustrated in FIG. 8, the sheet 1 forming the container has a design similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2. In this case, the tabs 61,63,65,67 are positioned on the lateral strips 3,7 and the notches 69,71,73,75 are positioned on the central strip 5; said tabs pass through said slots through the top of the central strip and are positioned under said central strip. The recess zones 77,79,81,83 are then held in abutment below the central strip 5, on the ends 97,99,101,103 of said notches. Furthermore, the container according to this folding mode can also consist of a sheet as illustrated in FIG. 1. In this case, illustrated in FIG. 7, the tabs 61, 63, 65, 67 are positioned on the central strip. 5 and the notches 69,71,73,75 are arranged on the lateral bands 3,7; said tabs pass through said notches from below the lateral strips 3,7 and are positioned above them. In this case, the recess zones 77,79,81,83 are positioned abutting in the angles 105,107,109,111 of said notches, above the sidebands 3,7.

According to a second folding mode illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, the lateral strips 3, 7 are curved and arranged below the central strip 5 during the introduction of the fastening means for the formation of the container. According to this mode of folding, the container, resting on a support, is able to pitch on the central portion 113 of the central strip 5. However, according to this folding mode, the pitch is limited by the branches of the folding lines. V 9,11,13,15 located in the extension of the longitudinal branches 45,47,49,51 of the cut-outs at right angles. Indeed, according to this folding, the branches of the fold lines, extended by the longitudinal branches of the cutting lines, are able to bear on the support surface during pitching of the container, which limits said pitch. According to this folding mode, and for a sheet 1 having a similar design to that illustrated in Figure 1, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the tabs 61,63,65,67, placed on the central strip 5, are positioned above the sidebands 5,7 to penetrate inside the notches 69,71,73,75. The tabs pass through said notches from above and are positioned under the lateral strips 3,7, the recess zones 77,79,81,83 then being held in abutment in the angles 105,107,109,111 of said notches. In addition, the container can be formed in an equivalent manner by means of a sheet as illustrated in FIG. 2, which corresponds to the representation of FIGS. 4 and 6. In this case, the tabs 61, 63, 65, 67 are disposed below the outer face 97 of the central strip 5 and then introduced through the notches 69,71,73,75. Said tabs pass through said slots and are positioned above the inner face of the central strip. The recess zones 77,79,81,83 abut on the ends 97,99,101,103 of the notches. According to this folding, the branches 17,19,21,23 fold lines extended by the branches 45,47,49,51 of the cutting lines at right angles, are able to bear on the support surface during pitching of the container , so as to limit said pitch. The invention also provides a variant of the design of the attachment means which can be implemented both on the sheet illustrated in Figure 1 and on the sheet illustrated in Figure 2, and according to the different folding modes of this sheet for training of the package, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8, according to which the lateral strips 3,7 are either disposed below the central strip 5 or are arranged above it. According to this variant, the male parts are constituted by an adhesive coating, capable of being bonded to a receiving zone constituting the female part. The adhesive coating is disposed symmetrically to the receiving area; the position of the adhesive coating and the position of the receiving zone are similar to those described above for the tongue and the notch. In this case, the adhesive coating is preferably covered by a removable protective element, said protective element being removed during the formation of the package, at the time of bonding to the receiving zone.

Claims (11)

Container, of the tray or plate type, in particular for containing foodstuffs during their consumption, consisting of a foldable sheet (1) provided with attachment means comprising a male part (61,63,65,67) and a female part (69,71,73,75), arranged to keep folded said sheet (1) during the formation of the container, characterized in that: a) the sheet (1) consists of three longitudinal strips, the one said central (5) and the other two said lateral (3,7); b) four V-shaped folding lines (9,11,13,15) are arranged symmetrically relative to each other, the branches (17,19,21,23,29,31,33,35) of the lines bending being oriented towards the longitudinal ends of the sheet and disposed at a distance from said ends, the first legs (17, 19, 21, 23) being arranged on the common edges (25, 27) between the central strip (5) and the side strips (3,7), and the second legs (29,31,33,35) being disposed either on the central strip (5) or on the side strips (3,7); c) four cutting lines (37,39,41,43), in particular square-shaped, are arranged in the extension of the fold lines (9,11,13,15), the longitudinal branches (45,47, 49,51) of the cuts extending in the extension of one of the two branches of the fold lines to the longitudinal ends, and the transverse branches (53,55,57,59) of the cuts extending between the ends two branches of the fold lines; d) the first parts, male (61,63,65,67) or female (69,71,73,75), hooking means being arranged in the extension of the other of the two branches of the fold lines, the second parts, female or male, being arranged almost symmetrically to the first part relative to the longitudinal branches (45,47,49,51) cutouts. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the fold line V (9,11,13,15) is constituted by a triangular cut capable of simultaneously producing the transverse branch (53,55,57,59) cutting (37,39,41,43). 3. Container according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal branches (45,47,49,51) of the cuts (37,39,41,43) are arranged in the extension of the first branches ( 17,19,21,23) fold lines (9,11,13,15) on the common edges (25,27) between the central strip (5) and the side strips (3,7). 4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the second legs (29,31,33,35) of the fold lines (9,11,13,15) are arranged on the central strip (5), the female parts (69,71,73,75) fastening means being constituted by a notch arranged in the extension of said second branches, the male parts (61,63,65,67) of the attachment means being constituted by a tongue adapted to engage in said notch, said tabs being disposed on the side strips (3,7), substantially symmetrically to the notches, relative to the longitudinal branches (45,47,49,51) of the cuts (37,39,41,43 ). 5. Container according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal branches (45,47,49,51) of the cuts are arranged in the extension of the second branch (29,31,33,35) lines folding (9,11,13,15), arranged on the sidebands (3,7). 6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the male parts (61,63,65,67) of the hooking means consist of tongues arranged in the extension of the first branches (17,19,21,23) of the lines. on the common edges (25,27), the female parts (69,71,73,75) of the hooking means being constituted by notches provided on the lateral strips (3,7), almost symmetrically with the tongues relative to longitudinal branches (45,47,49,51) of the cutting lines. 7. Container according to one of claims 4 or 6, characterized in that the tongues (61,63,65,67) comprise a non-return stop (77,79,81,83), in particular constituted by a recess, adapted to cooperate with the notches (69,71,73,75) for holding said tabs in position in said notches. 8. Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sheet (1) is cardboard, the inner face of the sheet constituting the inner part of the container being treated against the fat. 9. Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the central strip (5) and the two side strips (3,7) are curvable to form the container, and in that the longitudinal ends curved (85,87,89,91) of the two lateral bands (3,7) are positioned above the curved ends (93,95) of the central band (5) during the introduction of the attachment means ( 61,63,65,67,69,71,73,75), said formed container being arranged to pitch on a support, along the entire length of the outer face (97) of the central strip (5). Container according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the central strip (5) and the two lateral strips (3, 7) are able to be curved to form the container, and in that the longitudinal ends curved (85,87,89,91) of the two lateral bands (3,7) are positioned below the curved ends (93,95) of the central band (5) during the introduction of the attachment means ( 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75), said formed container being arranged to pitch on a support, following the central portion (113) of the outer face of the central strip (5), said pitch being limited by the branches of the V-fold lines (9,11,13,15) extending through the longitudinal branches (45,47,49,51) of the cutting lines (37,39,41,43), said branches being able to take support on the support. 11. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the male parts are constituted by an adhesive coating and the female parts are constituted by a receiving zone adapted to receive said adhesive coating.