US20110198262A1

US20110198262A1 - Package for materials

Info

Publication number: US20110198262A1
Application number: US13/000,155
Authority: US
Inventors: Klaus Mutschlechner
Original assignee: Intercable GmbH
Current assignee: Intercable GmbH
Priority date: 2008-06-20
Filing date: 2009-06-22
Publication date: 2011-08-18
Also published as: EP2135813B1; ATE547332T1; WO2009153357A1; EP2135813A1

Abstract

Package (100) comprising two depressions (101, 102) for a material. The material is stored in the first depression (10), whereas a tool (103) is stored in the second depression (102). When a cover (104) is removed, the tool makes a tipping motion, resulting in the handle of the tool projecting from the package so that the tool can be easily removed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of packages. In particular, the invention relates to packages for materials, the use of such packages for storing a milk product and a method of producing such packages.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Food packages (packaging means), in particular food packages for milk products such as yoghurt, blancmange, rice pudding and other liquid or easily perishable meals often have a removable cover, also referred to as a packaging aid. This removable cover makes it possible to access the meals without the use of other aids.
However, such packages generally have no corresponding eating utensil with which the meals can be consumed. If an eating utensil is provided in the package, it can often only be removed with difficulty from the package because it is, for example, jammed or glued in there.
It is furthermore generally not apparent from the outside what is in the package because no corresponding inscription is provided on the outside of the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to indicate an improved package for materials.
Packages for materials, a use of such packages for storing materials and a method of producing such packages according to the features of the independent claims are indicated. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the subordinate claims.
The described exemplary embodiments equally relate to the packages, the use and the method.
According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a package for a material is indicated which has a first depression for storing a first material and a second depression for mounting a tool. Moreover, a cover for closing at least the second depression is provided, wherein the second depression is shaped such that the tool performs a motion when the cover is removed during use according to specification of the package.
If, for example, the cover is pulled off, lifted off or otherwise removed from the package, the tool is released upwards and can perform a motion. For example, a specific part of the tool moves towards the user so that the tool can be more easily removed. In this manner, for example, there is no need for a widening of the depression for the tool which makes it possible to introduce a finger next to the tool for removal of the tool. As a result, removal of the tool is simplified and space is saved since no widening of the depression is required.
The cover can cover either only the depression for the tool or further depressions for the meals. In other words, several covers can be provided, wherein one of these covers the tool and another covers the material(s). The tool can thus be removed without therein also exposing the materials.
No further aids such as, for example, a spring mechanism or the like are required in order to perform the motion of the tool.
According to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first material is a foodstuff and the tool is an eating utensil.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first material is selected from the group comprising liquid material, solid material, paint, varnish, solvent, detergent, adhesive, binding agent, hardener, resin, acid, alkali, disinfectant, pharmaceutical substance, substance for medical treatment and substance for therapeutic treatment. The tool is furthermore selected from the group comprising stirrer, paintbrush, roller, spatula, pincers, applicator, wire, brush, file, saw, scissors, knife, tweezers, scalpel, syringe and pipette.
An improved provision of working materials may thus be achieved for a user of the package, for example, a model maker, a craftsman or a doctor. For example, both components can be provided for two component adhesives and a required stirring device. Therein, the easy removal of the stirring device is particularly advantageous. The mixing of a disinfectant with a plaster with simultaneous protrusion of pincers from the package is, however, also possible. The pincers can then be used for transport of the plaster. For example, a higher standard of hygiene can thus be achieved.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the motion which the tool performs after removal of the cover involves a tipping motion. This tipping motion is caused by gravity and leads to a part of the tool moving out of the package.
For example, the second depression has an elevation for mounting of the tool next to a centre of gravity of the tool, wherein the removal of the cover results in a moving off of a heavier part of the tool in the direction of a base of the depression.
In other words, the tool is mounted next to its centre of gravity and is retained by the cover in the event of a closed cover so that the tipping motion is prevented. After removal of the cover, the tool can move like a beam balance or like a swing in order to find a new state of equilibrium. Herein, the handle of the tool comes upwards while the spoon body, the blade or the prongs of the fork move downwards (because this side of the tool is heavier than the other side).
After performing the tipping motion, the tool can be removed without the user having to reach into the package.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tool involves a spoon, a fork, a knife or a stick. Several tools can also be provided, for example, a knife and a fork, or a knife, a fork and a spoon which are accommodated in the same depression or in each case in separate depressions. The term eating utensil can furthermore be taken to mean any mechanical device which is suitable for transporting foodstuffs or for the function of foodstuff accommodation.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cover is designed for hygienic sealing at least of the second depression. In this manner, contamination of the tool can be prevented prior to removal.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a third depression for storage of a second material is provided.
Therein, the first and the second materials can involve meals or liquids. For example, yoghurt can be stored in one depression, wherein a corresponding muesli is stored in the other depression. A sauce can also be stored in one depression, whereas, for example, pieces of sausage are stored in the other depression. Any other combination of foodstuffs is, however, also possible.
Moreover, any other liquid or solid material can also be stored in one of the two depressions. Herein, in particular paints, varnishes, solvents, detergents, adhesives, binding agents, hardeners, resins, acids, alkalis, disinfectants, pharmaceutical substances, substances for medical treatment and substance for therapeutic treatment are possible materials.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the package is designed for bending or buckling between the first and the third depression so that both materials can be mixed with one another without additional aids,
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the package is designed for stacking in one another prior to filling of the package with the materials. In other words, a plurality of empty packages can be pushed into one another or stacked into one another in order to save storage space in this manner.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the depressions are designed with varying transparency. Therein, any desired combination of the conditions fully transparent, partially transparent and fully non-transparent or fully opaque of both depressions is possible.
For example, a first depression can be opaque and the second depression at least partially transparent. As a result of the transparent design of the second depression, the user can also recognise from the side that a tool is located in the second depression. As a result of the non-transparent design of the first depression, the content can be protected from solar radiation. For example, in the case of stored milk products, this can counteract a chemical reaction caused by external radiation.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the depressions are designed in different materials.
A further degree of freedom in defining the bending properties of the package is provided by the use of two different materials. For example, the point at which material should break or bend at a kink can be better defined by the use of two materials. This can improve the user-friendliness of the package.
Both depressions are therefore formed from partially different materials. As a result of this multi-component configuration of the package, the various depressions can have different properties. For example, the depressions can have a different elasticity, stability or transparency. It may thus be expedient in specific embodiments if the depression for mounting of the tool is transparent and relatively easy to deform, whereas the material for the first and third depression for storing the materials is opaque and inflexible. The removal of the spoon can be facilitated by the easy deformability of the material of the second depression, whereas the materials are optimally protected.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the package is produced using an injection-moulding process or a deep-drawing process.
Injection moulding is a primary forming process which is principally used in plastic processing. Commercially directly usable moulded parts can be produced in larger quantities with this process. To this end, the respective material, usually plastic, is plasticised in an injection unit and injected into a mould with an injection moulding machine. The cavity of the mould determines the shape and the surface structure of the finished part. Parts weighing from a few tenths of a gram to the two-digit kilogram range can now be produced.
Packages can be produced with injection moulding with high precision in a short time using injection moulding. Therein, the surface of the component can be selected almost freely. In particular, smooth surfaces for optical applications, grains for contact-friendly areas, patterns and die impressions can also be produced.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the package is produced using a deep-drawing process. In this case too, a two-component formation of the package is possible in that the starting film or the starting plate is composed of two components.
Deep drawing is the forming under a combination of tensile and compressive conditions of a blank (also film, plate or sheet) into a cavity which is open on one side or of a pre-drawn cavity into such a cavity with a small cross-section without intentional change of the thickness.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the package furthermore has a kink in at least the first depression or the second depression for reduction of the volume of the package in the event of disposal of the empty package.
Further kinks can also be provided. If the package is emptied, the depressions can be correspondingly pushed in which is facilitated by the kinks.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a package for materials is provided which has a first depression for storing a first material, a second depression for mounting a tool or storing a second material and a cover for closing at least the second depression, wherein the depressions are designed with varying optical transparency.
Therein, the term optical transparency relates to the entire electromagnetic spectrum. The depressions can furthermore also be configured with varying transparency in terms of odours.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, this package is produced using an injection-moulding process or a deep-drawing process.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second depression is shaped such that the tool performs a motion when the cover is removed during use according to specification of the package.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the use of a package described above for storage of a milk product is indicated.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, the use of a package for storing a material selected from the group comprising liquid material, solid material, paint, varnish, solvent, detergent, adhesive, binding agent, hardener, resin, acid, alkali, disinfectant, pharmaceutical substance, substance for medical treatment and substance for therapeutic treatment is indicated.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of producing a package for materials is indicated in which a first depression for storing a first material is produced and in which a second depression for mounting a tool is produced. The second depression is shaped such that the tool performs a motion when a cover of the second depression is removed during use according to specification of the package.
According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of producing a package for materials is indicated in which a first depression for storing a first material and a second depression for mounting a tool or for storing a second material are produced, wherein the depressions are designed with varying optical transparency.
Further exemplary embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the subordinate claims.
The above-described packages are embodied from plastic such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene (PE). However, an embodiment in other organic materials is also possible. Moreover, materials can be selected specifically on the basis of their deformability or mechanical properties.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the figures.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show sectional representations of a package according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show sectional representations of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show representations of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C shows a sectional representation of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show representations of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a representation of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a representation of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a representation of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show representations of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show representations of packages according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show representations of packages according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E show representations of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show a sectional representation of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a representation of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The representations in the figures are schematic and are not in scale. The same reference numbers are used for the same or similar elements in the following description of the figures.
FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show a first exemplary embodiment of a package according to the invention. Package 100 has a package body 107 which forms several depressions or troughs such as, for example, depression 102. Depression 102 serves to accommodate a spoon 103. Spoon 103 is of bent design so that it can be used comfortably. Depression 102 furthermore has a widening 109 which serves for easier removal of spoon 103 from depression 102. For removal, for example, a user can introduce his finger 108 into widening 109 and pull out the spoon. Before this occurs, cover 104, which is designed, for example, in the form of a sealing film, is pulled off.
The various depressions are produced from different materials which are opaque or transparent or partially transparent.
FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show a further exemplary embodiment of the package according to the invention. Depression 102 has an elevation 105 which is provided for mounting spoon 103. The part of the spoon which is located to the left of elevation 105 is heavier than the right-hand part of the spoon to the right of elevation 105.
The spoon abuts from below against cover 104. The spoon is therefore held in its position by cover 104. If cover 104 is removed, the spoon tips as a result of gravity over the edge of elevation 105 so that the handle of spoon 111 lifts up and spoon body 110 migrates downwards.
As a result of this, the spoon can be easily removed (see FIGS. 2B and 2C) without having to provide an extra widening 109 of depression 102. In this manner, space can be saved.
Elevation 105 can be configured differently. For example, the elevation can be curved in order to facilitate rotation of the tool. The elevation can also be straight or adapted to the shape of the handle of the tool in order to optimally support the tool in its mounting position. The elevation can also be triangular, i.e. converge upwards in order to form a minimal contact surface with the tool.
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 3A, the cover is removed so that spoon 103 (or the fork or the knife) is tipped downwards so that the handle protrudes out of package 100. A third depression 106 is furthermore provided. Various materials can be stored in depressions 101 and 106, for example, muesli and yoghurt, blancmange and dessert sauce, or other foodstuffs. Storage of, for example, paints, varnishes, solvents, detergents, adhesives, binding agents, hardeners and resins is, however, also possible. Finally, any material, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, can be stored in the package according to the invention.
FIG. 3B shows a top view of a package. Elevation 105 is, for example, not configured over the entire width of second depression 102, rather only in the centre of the depression. A kink 112 is furthermore provided which simplifies a mixing of the contents of depressions 101 and 106 without additional aids being required to achieve this.
FIG. 3C shows in four chronologically consecutive images placed on top of one another how the spoon tips after release of cover 104.
FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show a further exemplary embodiment of the package according to the invention. Here, a widening 109 of second depression 102 is provided to facilitate removal of the tool. FIG. 4B shows a side view of the package of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C shows a further side view of the package of FIG. 4A in which all three depressions 101, 102 and 106 can be seen.
The packages are always dimensioned such that they can be easily stacked in one another in a space-saving manner when they are empty and the cover is removed. For example, the cross-section of second depression 102 is conical for this purpose.
FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a package 100 according to the invention which has two depressions 101 and 102 as well as package body 107 and cover 104. A fork 501 and a knife 502, which tip in the event of release of cover 104, are accommodated in second depression 102.
FIG. 6 shows a package 100 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. Package 100 has a depression 101 for foodstuffs or other above-mentioned materials and a second depression 102 for tools such as, for example, knife and fork 502, 501. Second depression 102 is surrounded by first depression 101. Since no engagement has to be provided for a finger, first depression 101 can occupy a maximum surface.
FIG. 7 shows a package 100 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. Depression 102 for knife and fork 502, 501 is arranged between both depressions 101 and 106. There is no connection between both depressions 101 and 106.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention which is designed approximately square in a top view. For example, a further depression for a tool could be accommodated in region 801.
FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C show a package 100 according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The package has in its top view (FIG. 9A) approximately the shape of two circles. The first circle forms first depression 101 and the second circle forms depression 102 for the second foodstuff or the second material. A buckling region 112 is furthermore provided.
FIG. 9C shows how package 100 can be stored in a space-saving manner together with other packages. The packages can furthermore be stacked in one another in the empty state.
FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show a further package according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Both depressions 101 and 102 have an approximately triangular shape. For example, a tool can be stored in region 101 if a further depression is provided in this region.
FIG. 10C shows how package 100 can be stored in a space-saving manner. These packages can also be stacked in one another in the empty state.
FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E show a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this and in all other exemplary embodiments, both depressions 101 and 102 can be composed of different materials. For example, depression 102 is designed to be transparent or partially transparent (milky), whereas other depression 101 is non-transparent (opaque). Nevertheless, package 100 is produced coherently in one piece, for example, using the injection moulding process or the deep-drawing process.
Several buckling lines or kinks 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 are furthermore provided. The package can be easily pressed in or folded together at these buckling lines when it is emptied. In this manner, the package can be disposed of in a space-saving manner.
FIG. 11D shows a cross-sectional view of a sub-region of package 100 in the region of buckling line 1101. As is apparent in FIG. 11D, package body 107 is made narrower in the region of buckling line 1101 so that the package can be easily pressed in or buckled at this point.
FIG. 11E shows that, as a result of the transparent design of depression 102, the user can recognise which foodstuff or which material is located inside depression 102. This is also apparent if package 100 is located, for example, high on a shelf so that the user cannot identify the inscription on the cover of package 104.
FIG. 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Therein, a tool such as, for example, an eating utensil (spoon, fork, knife, stick) or a stirring device is attached physically to cover 104 in such a manner that the tool performs a motion when the cover is opened according to specification along a preferred direction 1202. After this motion, the tool can be more easily picked up by the user. The attachment of the tool can therein be carried out, for example, by welding of the cover to at least a part 1201 of the tool. Therein, this welding step can be integrated into the process of welding cover 104 to package body 107. However, a gluing or attachment by means of mechanical click and snap closure is also possible.
FIG. 13 shows a second state of package 100 from FIG. 12 after cover 104 has been opened according to specification by action of a force along a preferred direction 1202. No further aids such as, for example, a spring mechanism or the like are required to carry out this motion.
FIG. 14 shows a further representation of a package according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A cover 104 is shown therein. Preferred direction 1202 therein indicates how the cover is supposed to be removed from package body 107 located thereunder so that tool 103 moves out of the package jointly with the cover. The part of tool 1201 which is fixedly connected to the cover e.g. by welding lies in this case by way of example planar on the package body. A tight closure is therein still ensured.
It should furthermore be noted that “comprise” and “have” do not exclude any other elements or steps and “a” or “an” do not rule out a plurality. It should furthermore be noted that features or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numbers in the claims should not be regarded as restrictions.

Claims

1. Package for materials, the package (100) having:

a first depression (101) for storing a first material;

a second depression (102) for mounting a tool (103);

a cover (104) for closing at least the second depression (102);

wherein the second depression (102) is shaped such that the tool (103) performs a motion when the cover (104) is removed during use according to specification of the package.

2. Package according to claim 1,

wherein the first material is a foodstuff; and

wherein the tool is an eating utensil.

3. Package according to claim 1,

wherein the first material is selected from the group comprising liquid material, solid material, paint, varnish, solvent, detergent, adhesive, binding agent, hardener, resin, acid, alkali, disinfectant, pharmaceutical substance, substance for medical treatment and substance for therapeutic treatment; and

wherein the tool is selected from the group comprising stirrer, paintbrush, roller, spatula, pincers, applicator, wire, brush, file, saw, scissors, knife, tweezers, scalpel, syringe and pipette.

4. Package according to one of claims 1 to 3,

wherein the motion involves a tipping motion which is caused by gravity; and

wherein the tipping motion leads to a part of the tool (103) moving out of the package.

5. Package according to one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the second depression (102) has an elevation (105) for mounting of the tool (103) next to a centre of gravity of the tool (103); and

wherein the removal of the cover results in a moving off of a part of the tool (103) in the direction of a base of the depression.

6. Package according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the tool (103) involves a spoon, a fork, a knife or a stick.

7. Package according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the cover (104) is designed for hygienic sealing at least of the second depression (102).

8. Package according to one of the preceding claims, further having:

a third depression (106) for storing a second material.

9. Package according to claim 8,

designed for bending or buckling between the first and the third depression so that both materials can be mixed with one another without additional aids.

10. Package according to one of the preceding claims,

designed for stacking in one another prior to filling of the package with the materials.

11. Package according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the depressions are designed with varying optical transparency.

12. Package according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein the depressions are configured in different materials or in different colours.

13. Package according to one of the preceding claims,

produced using an injection-moulding process or a deep-drawing process.

14. Package according to one of the preceding claims, further having:

at least one kink (1101, 1102) in at least the first depression (101) or the second depression (102) for reduction of the volume of the package in the event of disposal of the empty package.

15. Package for materials, the package (100) having:

a first depression (101) for storing a first material;

a second depression (102) for mounting a tool (103) or storing a second material;

a cover (104) for closing at least the second depression (102);

wherein the depressions are designed with varying optical transparency.

16. Package according to claim 15,

produced using an injection-moulding process or a deep-drawing process.

17. Package according to claim 15 or 16,

wherein the second depression (102) is designed for mounting a tool (103);

18. Use of a package according to one of claims 1 to 17 for the storage of a milk product.

19. Use of a package according to one of claims 1 to 17 for the storage of a material selected from the group comprising liquid material, solid material, paint, varnish, solvent, detergent, adhesive, binding agent, hardener, resin, acid, alkali, disinfectant, pharmaceutical substance, substance for medical treatment and substance for therapeutic treatment.

20. Method of producing a package for materials, the method having the steps:

producing a first depression (101) for storing a first material;

producing a second depression (102) for mounting a tool (103);

wherein the second depression (102) is shaped such that the tool (103) performs a motion when a cover (104) of the second depression is removed during use according to specification of the package.

21. Method of producing a package for materials, the method having the steps:

producing a first depression (101) for storing a first material;

producing a second depression (102) for mounting a tool (103) or storing a second material;

wherein the depressions are designed with varying optical transparency.