RU2373815C2 - Dispensers for edible products and methods of their use and production - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: articles for personal use. ^ SUBSTANCE: this invention refers to the packages for dispensing and storing of the edible products. Dispensers can be made of any proper material including carton and plastic. Dispensers open for the client's view the number of the products that can be chosen by one or more items. Dispensers can be repeatedly closed and opened and can be pseudohermetic. Dispensers can be of the size capable to store variable quantities and sizes of the products. For some versions in order to keep the products in the place the glue or adhesive can be used. ^ EFFECT: this invention can improve the methods of production, storing and retaining of the edible products. ^ 16 cl, 46 dwg

Description

The present invention generally relates to packaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to packaging for storing and distributing edible products.

The packaging of edible products is very important for the search, sale and storage of products. Very often, in addition to the text on the packaging, the packaging also tries to visually convey a message about the type of product, the taste of the product, or the purpose of the product. For example, packages for cinnamon or cherry-flavored products are often red, for grape-flavored products are often purple and so on. Once the buyer has identified the desired brand, he can usually choose the product based only on the color of the package.

When selling the product, the packaging can convey other information than taste, so that the buyer can accordingly associate this product with its effect by simply viewing the packaging.

There are also practical aspects for the packaging of edible products, in particular the preservation of products from damage during transportation, keeping the products fresh and, in some cases, providing reusable packaging. Some edible products do not require packaging to be solid, durable or reusable.

Other edible products are packaged in pieces and, at the request of the manufacturer, may be provided for in reusable packaging or may not be provided for in reusable packaging. If he feels that only part of the product can be consumed at a time, then the manufacturer may want to provide a box with a hinged lid.

With some edible products, the consumer opens the packaging with a gap and removes the product or part of the product. One problem associated with the use of this type of packaging is that the remaining product is prone to falling out of the package after the user removes several pieces of the product. Another problem associated with these packages is that it becomes difficult, especially with the re-opening package, to extract the part without breaking when opening a large part of the package.

Trying to provide packaging that holds the product even after removing many pieces can make removing the edible product more difficult. Tight packaging of the product may assist in holding the product at the cost of gaining access to the product.

Thus, it is desirable to provide an edible product packaging that supports grouping of products even after a number of products have been removed from the package.

It is also desirable to provide edible products in a package in which the products are readily available and removable.

In addition, it is desirable that the packaging of the edible products is flexible so that it can be sized to hold the required quantities of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for holding and distributing products and improved methods for the production, retention and storage of products, mainly edible products. Packages or dispensers are obtained, for example, from paper, cardboard, plastic or a combination thereof, as required. The packages or dispensers described in this invention are generally wider and thinner than known edible packages, making the packages or dispensers of the present invention more convenient for the user and easier to store, for example, in trouser pockets or shirts of the consumer.

Products stored in the packaging described in this invention are more freely displayed than in the known packaging for edible products, so that the consumer can capture products from many different packaging areas. Even so, the embodiments described below are generally capable of holding the products firmly in place, so that the consumer can manipulate the package and transport the package without fear of falling out or losing the products.

Some of the embodiments described in this invention include packages that have products contained on many of its equal parts or sides, such that the package opens like a wallet to expose products to multiple sides of the package. This configuration seeks to maximize product availability. The wallet-like shape also provides packaging that is durable and indestructible for many uses.

The packages described in this invention are also flexible and capable of being configured to accommodate different quantities of edible bars, so that the corresponding range of products can be from five to fifteen bars of edible products in the package.

The dispensers described in this invention include or provide sufficient space for reproducing markings and displaying product information. In addition, each embodiment may include an outer wrapper or other type of device providing evidence of unauthorized interference, so that the consumer can easily see if someone had or did not have unauthorized access to the package or products stored in it.

In one embodiment, an edible dispenser is provided comprising an upper portion including an upper wall and side walls; a base pivotally connected to the upper part; and a plurality of edible products connected with the possibility of releasing along the side of the products with the base so that when the upper part is rotated from the base, many of the sides of at least some of the products are displayed.

In an embodiment, the articles are connected in a row (in a row) to the base.

In an embodiment, each of the articles is individually wrapped, and the wrappers are detachably connected to the base along the side of the wrappers.

In an embodiment, the articles are glued to the base.

In an embodiment, adhesion is obtained using hot-melt adhesive, cold-set adhesive, or both.

In an embodiment, the base includes at least one adhesive strip and articles are glued to the adhesive strip.

In an embodiment, the dispenser is folded together from one part.

In an embodiment, the edible products are detachably connected to the base such that when the upper part is rotated away from the base, the three sides of at least some of the products are displayed.

In an embodiment, the dispenser includes an outer wrapper and a tear strip.

In another embodiment, an edible dispenser is provided, comprising (a) a first part articulated with a second part; and (b) in which the first and second parts are mated on a shared front side along a sinusoidal profile that changes to hold the edible products in each of the parts and provide consumer access to the products.

In an embodiment, the dispenser is obtained from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cardboard, plastic, polymer, and any combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the dispenser includes a valve pivotally coupled to the first part or the second part, the valve covering a shared front side to help prevent inadvertent removal of products from these parts.

In an embodiment, the first part holds a different number of articles than the second part.

In an embodiment, the articles are fixed with adhesive in at least a first part or a second part.

In an embodiment, the profile includes a latch that releasably mates the parts when the parts are closed.

In an embodiment, the profile is initially perforated and the consumer destroys the perforations to gain access to the products.

In an embodiment, the profile is perforated along the plurality of walls of the first and second parts.

Thus, an advantage of the present invention is the provision of improved packaging or dispensers for edible products.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of packages and dispensers that more readily display to the consumer the edible products contained therein for retrieval.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of improved methods of distribution of edible products.

Another additional advantage of the present invention is the provision of improved methods for producing packages and dispensers for edible products.

In addition, an advantage of the present invention is the provision of packages or dispensers for edible products that better withstand many uses.

An additional advantage of the present invention is the provision of packages or dispensers for edible products that can be repeatedly closed.

In addition, an advantage of the present invention is the provision of packaging or dispensers for edible products, which can be obtained from many different materials.

An additional advantage of the present invention is the provision of packages or dispensers for edible products that are easily adapted to be sized to hold variable quantities of products.

Additional elements and advantages of the present invention are described in the following detailed description of the present invention, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will become apparent from it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

7-11 is an illustration of a plurality of views of one embodiment of a dispenser and packaging of the present invention for edible products.

FIGS. 25-37 are an illustration of a plurality of yet another embodiment of a dispenser and packaging of the present invention for edible products, where FIG. 32 is a sectional view taken along line XXXII-XXXII shown in FIG. 32, FIG. 31 - sectional view taken along line XXXI-XXXI shown in FIG. 30, FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line XXXV-XXXV shown in FIG. 34, and FIG. 36 is a sectional view taken along line XXXVI-XXXVI shown in FIG. Fig.34.

Fig. 38 and Fig. 39 is an illustration of a plurality of views of yet another additional embodiment of a dispenser and packaging of the present invention for edible products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention includes many embodiments of a package and dispenser. In the described embodiments, the edible products are illustrated as product bars, for example, flat, rectangular pieces of the edible product. In an alternative embodiment, the articles described in this invention may have any appropriate types of shapes, for example, briquette shape, cushion shape, round shape, oval shape, rectangular shape, triangular shape, and any combination thereof.

As described below, some embodiments are illustrated as being obtained from paper and paperboard, while other embodiments are described as being obtained from a polymeric material. The present invention definitely includes any of the embodiments obtained from any of the materials described in this invention, as well as from any suitable paper, foil, polymeric material, composite material, or other type of material. In addition, although the packages and dispensers described in this invention are sized for convenient transportation by a consumer, for example, in a consumer’s pocket, bag, backpack, etc., the described embodiments are definitely not limited to any particular size and shape.

Figures 7-11 illustrate a first embodiment of a package or dispenser according to the present invention indicated by 60. The dispenser 60 includes an upper portion 62 and a lower portion 64 that is pivotally connected to an upper portion 62. The upper portion 62 includes the upper wall 66, the front wall 68, the side walls 70 and 72, and the rear wall 74 (FIG. 11). 11 illustrates a dispenser or package 60 in the form of a collapsible container and shows that the package or dispenser 60 is generally held together by adhesive 34 located on the upper side of the back wall 74, as shown in FIG. 11, and the lower side of the valve 76, which is connected with the possibility of folding with the side wall 70.

The lower part 64 includes a lower wall 78 and a front wall 80. The walls of the upper part 62 and the lower part 64 are bent, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, so that if the upper part 62 is open or closed along line 82 of the hinge (as best seen in FIG. 11), the edible article 36 is on display or closed, respectively.

As follows from figure 11, a pair of adhesive strips 84 or another suitable configuration of adhesive is placed on the upper part of the lower wall 78 or limited to the upper part of the lower wall 78. Each edible product 36 is detachably connected or glued on one side of the product to the adhesive strips 84, as follows from Fig.7 and Fig.8. Articles 36, as follows from FIG. 8, have or include an outer wrapper, such as a foil wrapper, in one embodiment. When the consumer 40 moves the upper part 62 articulated from the lower part 64, the edible bars 36 are displayed to the consumer 40 in a fan arrangement, as follows from FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The fan-shaped arrangement is formed when each of the edible bars 36 has a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed ends tend to be more tightly packed than the free ends. In this case, the lower wall 78 may be flexible to allow bending of the lower wall to facilitate or increase the fan distribution of the edible pieces of the product linked (directly or indirectly) to the lower wall 78.

The adhesive used as adhesive strips 84 holds the bars 36 firmly in place. However, the adhesive is preferably not strong enough to tear the foil wrapper of the bars 36. In an alternative embodiment, each of the bars 36 may be provided with a wrapper and each of the wrappers is glued to the bottom wall 78 so as to enable the consumer to remove the bar 36 from the corresponding wrapper, the wrapper remaining adhered to the bottom wall 78.

In one embodiment, one of the adhesive strips 84 is a strip of hot-melt adhesive or adhesive sticky at high temperature, while the other strip 84 is a cold-pressed adhesive strip. Adhesive strip 84, sticky at high temperature, is preferable for production purposes, since edible bars 36 or their wrappers can be placed and adhered to the hot melt without mechanical pressing and potential deformation of the bars 36. When the hot melt adhesive or adhesive sticky at high temperature is cooled , bars 36 are firmly held in place. It was found that edible products with menthol are not compatible with hot-melt adhesive or with hot-melt adhesion. Menthol appears to migrate into hot melt, leading to its dissolution. Over time, dissolved or damaged hot melt adhesive degrades fastening, causing undesirable detachment of the edible bars 36 from the strips 84 and the bottom wall 78.

The strip 84 of cold-set glue requires that the bars 36 be mechanically pressed onto the strip. However, cold glue does not lead to problems when used with menthol products like hot melt glue. The combination of hot-melt and cold-setting adhesive strips allows the edible bars 36 to temporarily bond to the bottom wall 78 during the manufacturing process, so that the bars 36 are held in the correct position for gluing in the cold state. After this, a strip of glue that sets in the cold state provides fastening of the edible bars 36 for the length of time necessary for the consumption of products.

The packaging or dispenser 60 includes a number of alternatives not illustrated in FIGS. 7-11. Firstly, the dispenser 60 may have any appropriate number of adhesive strips 84 using any combination or arrangement of hot-melt or cold-set adhesives that are positioned and oriented in any desired manner on the bottom wall 78 or possibly even on the lower side of the upper wall 66. In another alternative embodiment, one or more adhesive strips 84 are placed on a separate piece of paper, cardboard, or other suitable substrate. Edible bars 36 are bonded (glued) on a separate substrate. This subassembly is then glued with hot melt adhesive and / or cold glue to the bottom wall 78 of the lower portion 64 of the dispenser 60.

As follows from Figs. 9-11, packaging 60 includes appropriate indications, for example, labeling, bar coding, information about ingredients, and nutritional data. The front wall 68 of the upper portion 62 delimits or includes a notch 86 to assist the consumer 40 in hinging the upper portion 62 from the lower portion 64. The dispenser 60 in one embodiment is ultimately wrapped with a suitable wrap, such as a cellophane wrap. The wrapper operates with a tear strip, as described above with reference to the dispenser 10.

7-9 illustrate a larger version of the dispenser 60 or a version of the dispenser 60, designed to accommodate fifteen bars. Figure 10 illustrates a smaller version of the dispenser, calculated on the capacity of five bars. As well as dispenser 10, a product line using packaging 60 may accordingly have the same appearance for packages of different sizes and different quantities and sizes of the product.

Packages 10 and 60 simultaneously display for the consumer 40 many pieces of the product and enable the consumer to choose any and any products on display. The pieces of the product can be essentially the same, or many different pieces (for example, different flavors, sizes, textures, types, styles and so on) of the product can be provided. A package in accordance with the present invention provides consumer access to a piece (s) of the product of his or her choice, regardless of the position of the piece of the product in the package. Packages can be closed after each use and can be provided with tongues / slots included in the clutch, friction devices, adhesive or other means to keep the packs 10 and / or 60 in the closed position until they are deliberately opened, and can be made from any of the materials described above. As shown in Fig.6 and Fig.11, which respectively illustrates the dispensers 10 and 60 in the form of a folding container, the packaging 10 and 60 receive in the form of a single piece of paper or cardboard in one embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, packages 10 and / or 60 may be made from a polymer or similar material.

Figures 25-31 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of a package and dispenser according to the present invention indicated by a common reference number 170. The package 170, in one preferred embodiment, is made of plastic or another type of relatively rigid composite material. Fig. 38 and Fig. 39 illustrate an alternative but similar embodiment of a package 200, where the concept described for package 170 is applied to a package or dispenser of paper or paperboard.

The package 170 in the illustrated embodiment includes the first and second parts or halves 172 and 174. Each of the parts 172 and 174 in one embodiment limits approximately half of the total volume of the package 170. Alternatively, the volume limited by parts 172 and 174 is different. or disproportionate. Parts 172 and 174 are held together by means of an existing hinge 176, which can be formed integrally or separately from parts 172 and 174. For example, parts 172 and 174 can be formed as separate elements and glued with adhesive tape or otherwise articulated together by means of paper or cardboard self-adhesive a label that adheres to the back of both parts 172 and 174. However, FIGS. 29-36 show that, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the package 170 is integrally formed by injection molding by molding or thermoforming a plastic or polymer structure.

FIGS. 31, 32, 35, and 36 show that part 172 includes or limits the spacer 178. Part 174 includes or restricts the spacer 180. The spacers 178 and 180 help determine how many edible bars 36 can fit or store inside parts 172 and 174. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacers 178 and 180 provide the ability to store eight items 36 in part 172 and seven items 36 in part 174. The total number of items stored in the illustrated package 170 is fifteen. FIG. 28 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which only a portion 172 is provided that is pivotally coupled to the lid 182. FIG. 28 illustrates a version of the dispenser 170 with one stack (s) that holds a desirably smaller number of articles 36, such as five or seven. Each version can hold as many products of varying sizes as required. If necessary, parts 172 and 174 can hold the same or different amounts of similar or different products.

On Fig and Fig shows that the dispenser 170 is initially provided with a self-adhesive label 184, which contains appropriate instructions, such as labeling, information about the ingredients, as well as nutritional data and bar coding. Label 184 also acts as protection against unauthorized interference, which enables the consumer 40 to ensure that the packaging 170 has not been destroyed or had unauthorized interference prior to use.

On Fig-31 illustrates the packaging 170 in the open position. 33-37 illustrate the package 170 in the closed position. Both sets of drawings, as well as FIGS. 25-28, show that portions 172 and 174 define mating sinusoidally profiled edges 186 and 188 in their openings, respectively. Both edges 186 and 188 include a tongue or a protruding part 186a, 188a, which mate with the open part 188b, 186b (or part with a recess) of the corresponding part 172 and 174. The parts 186b, 188b with a recess of the edges 186 and 188 provide the consumer 40 achieving and easily extracting one or more products 36 from the corresponding part 172 and 174.

In one embodiment, after the article 36 is removed, the plastic bag or dispenser 170 latches or locks during a press fit. The snap or press fit tends to provide a tight seal that maintains the freshness of the products and also holds the parts 172 and 174 together so that the package 170 does not inadvertently open and release the product.

Each of the protruding parts 186a and 188a includes or restricts the snap device 190 and 192, respectively, which are mated with the corresponding parts 188b and 186b with recesses. For example, the fixture 190 of the protruding portion 186a, as follows from Fig. 29, latches with the portion 188b with the recess of the edge 188. Similarly, the fixture 192 of the edge snap 188a latches with the portion 186b with the recess of the edge 186. FIG. which includes an elevated portion extending from the bounding edge 188. The elevated portion or device 192 is latched onto the portion 186b with a recess of the edge 186.

The edges 186 and 188, when mated, form a continuous and dense seam, as seen from the outside of the package 170, illustrated in FIG. 33 and FIG. The protruding snap fittings 190 and 192 block or press-fit parts 172 and 174 together, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 33 and FIG. 37, behind the seam created between the edges 186 and 188.

Packaging 170 provides a convenient holding edible product and a reusable dispenser. FIGS. 25, 27 and 28 show that the shape of the package or dispenser 170 can be curved, so that the package fits more easily and more comfortably in the pockets of the trousers or shirt of the consumer 40. On the other hand, FIGS. 29-37 illustrate a generally curved shape for the package 170, although the front of the package 170, as follows from FIG. 35, is slightly curved in the middle, providing a slightly oval shape. The rear walls of the parts 172 and 174 leading to the hinge 176 are in fact straightforward. The side surfaces of the parts 172 and 174 are rounded for ease of comfort and handling.

As follows from Figs. 26, 27, 29-31, 35 and 36, the edges of the long side of the bars 36 are displayed to the consumer 40 when the consumer opens the package 170. This orientation is desirable so that the consumer can easily be removed with a smooth movement outer bar (s) 36 from one of the nests 172 and 174 through portions 186b and 188b with recesses of edges 186 and 188. In an alternative embodiment, the bars 36 can be rotated 90 degrees from the illustrated orientation so that the wide sides of the edible bars are turned enes to the consumer when the package 170 is opened.

Although not illustrated, the bars 36 may be attached or glued to spacers 178 and 180 or other parts of parts 172 and 174, respectively. Such attachment or gluing will minimize the possibility of the bars 36 being released from the package 170 from the opening, or during opening, especially when some or most of the edible products 36 have already been consumed.

On Fig and Fig illustrates another additional embodiment of the packaging and dispenser 200, corresponding to the present invention. The package or dispenser 200 is a paper or cardboard version of the plastic dispenser 170. The package 200 uses a similar sinusoidal edge shape, described in principle above in connection with the dispenser 170, which allows the user to open the package 200 by breaking the package along the hinge line 218 and remove the product from one of the hinge parts through an opening bounded by each of the sinusoidal shapes.

As shown, the package 200 includes a front wall 202, a rear wall 204, a lower wall 206, an upper wall 208, side walls 210 and 212, and a cover or valve 214. The upper wall 208 collectively refers to the upper wall portions 208a and 208b. The lower wall 206 collectively refers to the lower wall portions 206a and 206b.

As illustrated in FIG. 39, when the packaging or dispenser 200 is shown as a collapsible container, the upper side of the side wall portion 210 is bonded with adhesive or adhesive 34 to the lower side of the side wall portion 210. Although not shown, it should be obvious that the lower wall parts 206a and 206b are joined together by adhesive tape or adhesive, as the upper wall parts 208a and 208b. The valve 214 provides an initial tamper-resistant coating over the perforated sinusoidal line 216 provided on the front wall 202 and the bounded front wall 202. The consumer 40 first removes the lid or valve 214 before opening the package 200 by breaking along the perforated line 216 and bends the transfer device 200 in half along bending lines 218 for extracting edible article 36 from it.

On Fig shows that the perforated line 216 passes through the side walls 210 and 212, so that when the consumer 40 divides the package 200 in half or in two, the separation takes place not only along the front wall 202, but along the side walls 210 and 212. The rear wall 204 remains undivided but bent along the fold line 218.

Articles 36 may be loaded into the package 200 in any of the orientations illustrated in FIG. Consumer 40 removes articles 36 from packaging 200 in the same manner as described above in connection with packaging 170, removing one or more bars 36 through a portion of a recess defined in each half by a sinusoidal perforated line 216. When the product is removed, the consumer closes two parts of packaging 200 so that the edges bounding the line 216 are mated. Thereafter, the valve 214 is folded over the line 216 to prevent the package from re-opening between uses. Ultimately, the valve 214 or the front side 202 may be provided with some adhesive that facilitates adhesion or adhesion of the valve 214 to the front side 202. The valve 214 or front side 202 may be alternately provided with a tongue and a slot (illustrated with reference to FIG. .6) which frictionally and / or grip hold the package together between uses.

The package 200 in one embodiment is sized to contain fifteen bars of edible product 36 (for example, seven bars on one side of line 216 and eight on the other). In an alternative embodiment, the package 200 may be sized to contain fewer or more bars. In one embodiment, the bars 36 are attached or glued to the upper wall 208 and the lower wall 206 to facilitate holding the products in place. Adhesive strips 84 can be used (FIG. 11), and any combination of hot-melt adhesive and cold setting adhesive can also be used.

Being initially packaged, the package 200 may be wrapped with a suitable wrapper, such as a cellophane wrapper. Such a cellophane wrapper in one embodiment includes a tear strip that also serves as a means of proof of tampering. As follows from Fig, in various places on the package 200 provide the appropriate instructions, as described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications of the presented preferred embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without deviating from the essence and scope of the present invention and without reducing its implied advantages. Thus, it is understood that such changes and modifications are covered by the attached claims.

Claims (16)

1. Dispensing device for edible products, containing the upper part, including the upper wall and side walls;
a base pivotally connected to the upper part; and a plurality of edible products, each having a side adapted to adhere to the base, wherein a plurality of edible products is accessible when the upper part moves away from the base. 2. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 1, in which the products are connected in a row to the base. 3. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 1, in which each of the products is individually wrapped in a wrapper and in which the wrappers are detachably connected to the base along the side of the wrappers. 4. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 1, in which the clutch is obtained using hot-melt adhesive, cold-set adhesive, or both. 5. The dispensing device for edible products according to claim 1, in which the base includes at least one adhesive strip, and the products adhere to the adhesive strip. 6. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 1, which is folded together from one part. 7. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 1, in which the edible products are detachably connected to the base so that when the upper part is rotated from the base, the three sides of at least some of the products are displayed. 8. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 1, which includes an outer wrapper and a tear strip. 9. A dispenser for edible products containing
a first part pivotally connected to a second part; and
in which the first and second parts are mated on a shared front side along a sinusoidal profile, which changes to (i) hold the edible products in each of the parts and (ii) provide consumer access to the products. 10. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 9, which is obtained from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, cardboard, plastic, polymer and any combination thereof. 11. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 9, further comprising a valve pivotally connected to the first part or second part, the valve covering the shared front side and preventing unintentional removal of products from these parts. 12. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 9, in which the first part holds a different number of products than the second part. 13. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 9, in which the products are fixed with adhesive, at least in the first part or second part. 14. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 9, in which the profile includes a latch that, with the possibility of release, mates the parts when the parts are closed. 15. The dispenser for edible products according to claim 9, in which the profile is initially perforated and in which the consumer destroys the perforations to gain access to the products. 16. The dispenser for edible products according to clause 15, in which the profile is perforated along the plurality of walls of the first and second parts.

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