WO2007145525A1

WO2007145525A1 - Portion package

Info

Publication number: WO2007145525A1
Application number: PCT/NL2007/050291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Gijsbert Paulen
Original assignee: Easycup International Ltd
Current assignee: Easycup International Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-16
Filing date: 2007-06-15
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-16
Also published as: AU2007259474A1; JP2009539717A; KR20090029784A; EP2035284A1; NL1032017C2; CN101557993A; RU2009101158A; CA2655364A1; BRPI0713748A2

Abstract

A portion package for an at least substantially form-retaining product, such as a jelly, gel or paste in particular, comprises a compressible tub-like container (10) with a base (11) from which a wall (12) extends all round, which wall extends as far as an upper edge (13). Adhered to the upper edge is a foil (14) which closes a product space in the container. The wall of the container comprises a deforming zone (15) which extends on both sides of the product space between the base (11) and the upper edge (13) over at least a part of a height of the wall (12), and runs continuously between the sides through the base (11) of the container.

Description

The present invention relates to a portion package for a semi-fluid product, such as a jelly, gel or paste in particular, comprising a compressible tub-like container with a base from which a wall extends all round, which wall extends as far as an upper edge, to which a foil is adhered which closes a product space in the container.

A portion package of the type described in the preamble is known from European patent application EP 880455 of applicant. The portion package described therein comprises a tub-like container of a suitable plastic or aluminium with a standing wall which bounds a product space. A lateral concertina structure is arranged in the wall whereby the container as a whole is compressible in a height direction. Formed on an upper edge of the standing wall is a pouring spout which, like the other part of the top side of the container, is covered with an aluminium foil which is adhered to the upper edge around the product space and thus hermetically seaϊs the product space. In order to release the product from the package, the foil is pulled away at the position of the pouring spout and the normally fluid content is poured out via the pouring spout while the wall is compressed.

Although the known portion package is a breakthrough in respect of ease of use in the case of relatively thin fluid products such as coffee cream and syrup, this package with a relatively narrow pouring spout has been found to be less practical for semi-fluid products such as a gel, jelly or paste, which will not of themselves run out of the package, or hardly so. A semi-fluid state or processing of products nevertheless produces concrete advantages, and semi-fluid products therefore merit a portion package adapted thereto.

A portion package for a semi-fluid product is known from European patent application EP 359 847. This known package comprises a tub-like container with two mutually communicating compartments for receiving a content therein which are separated from each other by a bending zone. At the position of the bending zone the closing foil comprises a strip which can be released therefrom along a tear-line arranged for this purpose so as to release the content of the two compartments at the position of the bending zone. By folding back the compartments of the package toward each other along the bending zone a content can, if desired, be forced with only one hand out of the two compartments of the package.

Although this known package per se allows a one-handed removal of the content from the package, it is however necessary for this purpose that the content is relatively fluid. This known package is less suitable for more form-retaining semi-fluid products, such as particularly jellies and gelatinous products. In this known package a considerable residue of content will moreover always adhere to the wall of the package and remain behind in the package.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a portion package of the type stated in the preamble which is particularly also suitable for a more or less form-retaining semi-fluid product, and which can herein be handled with one hand.

In order to achieve the intended object, a portion package of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the container comprises a deforming zone which defines an at least substantially wedge-shaped intermediate <•■ space which opens on opposite wall parts and on a bottom side of the container and which extends from the base over only a part of a height of the container, and that the product space comprises mutually communicating compartments on either side of the deforming zone with a width which is smaller than a depth thereof. The package according to the invention can thus be held easily, for instance between the thumb and one or more of the fingers of one hand, and be squeezed together at the base in order to thus force the content of the package more or less straight outward. The wedge- shaped intermediate space will after all be reduced in size when the container is pressed together from the sides. The deforming zone now provides for a controlled and at least basically predetermined lateral compression of the package which, due to the loss of volume, forces the semi-fluid content outward. Excessive buckling of the package is prevented here in that the wedge-shaped intermediate space extends over only a part of the height of the package, and does not thereby extend as far as the top side. The wall of the container hereby remains relatively rigid and form-retaining over a remaining part of the height Owing to the height-width ratio applied in the compartments, particularly a more or less form- retaining semi-fluid content retains cohesion and thus allows removal thereof while leaving practically no residue. A semi-fluid product can thus be ejected at least almost completely from the package using only one hand. A deforming zone with such a wedge-shaped intermediate space can advantageously be given a completely smooth form, and does not then provide an engaging surface for the product, or hardly so.

Particularly satisfactory results have been achieved with a preferred embodiment of a portion package according to the invention which is characterized in that the compartments are at least twice as deep as they are wide.

Ih order to enhance evacuation of the content from the package, a further preferred embodiment of the portion package has the feature according to the invention that the container widens at least on either side of the deforming zone from the base toward the upper edge. Owing to such a widening progression of the wall of the container the content thereof detaches readily as it is forced further out of the package.

An aesthetically particularly attractive embodiment of the portion package according to the invention has the feature that the container has an at least substantially elliptical cross-section. The attractive design of the package thus contributes toward a positive perception of the content thereof. This design moreover enhances the desired release of the product from the container.

Ih order to exert an initially relatively great ejecting force on a content of the package in order to release the content from a wall of the container, and subsequently a more moderate force, a particular embodiment of the package according to the invention has the feature that the deforming zone defines an intermediate space which, from the base, is initially at least substantially wedge-shaped and subsequently at least substantially slit-like. A vertical component of a constant lateral force effect will thus be considerably greater over the wedge-shaped part than over the straighter, substantially slit-like part in accordance with the desired application of force.

In a further preferred embodiment the portion package according to the invention is characterized in that the wall of the container comprises gripping means on a side remote from the deforming zone. A particular embodiment of the portion package is characterized here according to the invention in that the gripping means comprise a relief in the wall of the container, and more particularly in that the wall comprises the gripping means at least close to a base of the container. Such gripping means provide a user with more grip on the wall of the container, so that the container is less likely to slip out between the fingers when it is compressed.-

The portion package according to the invention can be formed per se from various materials and combinations of materials. A further particular embodiment of the portion package according to the invention has the feature however that the container is formed from a suitable plastic, and in particular from an optionally multilayer material of one or more plastics from a group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyester, in particular from a group of * polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. Such a material allows relatively simple and reliable thermo-forming. in particular vacuum-(de)forming, thereof and this significantly limits production costs.

A further particular embodiment of the portion package has the feature according to the invention that the container is closed with an optionally multilayer foil with a layer of at least one material from a group of aluminium and polypropylene.

The invention will now be former elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments and an associated drawing. Bi the drawing: figure 1 shows a perspective top view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion package according to the invention; figure 2 shows a first perspective view of the portion package of figure 1 ; figure 3 shows a second perspective view of the portion package of figure 1, transversely of that of figure 1; and figure 4 shows a perspective bottom view of the portion package of figure 1.

The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular can be exaggerated to a greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated in the figures with the same reference numeral.

The portion package shown in figure 1 comprises a tub-like container 10 of a substantially elliptical cross-section which is manufactured for instance by means of thermo-forming, in particular vacuum-forming, from a suitable plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The container is relatively thin-walled and encloses a hollow production space for receiving a product therein. From a base 11 of the container a wall 12 extends upward all round and ends in an upper edge 13. A thin foil? 14 which hermetically seals the product space in the container is adhered to upper edge 13. Normally applied for foil 13 is an aluminium foil or an optionally metallized plastic foil, for instance of polypropylene or polyethylene. If desired, a pull tab (not shown) can be formed on foil 13 with which the foil can easily be pulled by hand at least almost completely from upper edge 13 prior to use in order to open the product ^*■ space in the container.

The package in this example is particularly suitable and intended for more or less form-retaining semi-fluid products, in particular food products, which are consumed, or at least applied, as for instance jelly, gelatinous products, gel or paste. In order to enable one-handed removal of such products with little or no flow from the package in at least almost residue-free manner, container 10 is provided with a deforming zone extending in height direction. The deforming zone defines an intermediate space 15 Which opens into opposite parts 16 of wall 12 and on a bottom side 11 of the container. Intermediate space 15 herein initially comprises a part 15A which has an at least substantially relatively well-defined wedge shape and which transposes into a part 15B which is at least substantially in the form of a slit. Between intermediate space 15 and an upper edge 13 of the container there remains a substantial part 12A of wall 12 which prevents excessive buckling of the package during use.

Intermediate space 15 divides the product space of the container into two mutually communicating compartments 16, 17 which are each narrower than they are deep. In this example use is made in this respect of compartments which are more than twice as deep as they are wide. Such a width-depth ratio in the compartments enhances a straight, residue-free removal of a semi-fluid content from compartments 16,17. By exerting an appropriate pressure on the container on either side of the compartments once foil 14 has been removed, compartments 16,17 will to some extent move toward each, other and dent inward. The thus caused narrowing of the product space at the bottom of the container and the corresponding reduction in volume forces the content of the package outward. This can be readily achieved with only one hand by taking the . container between thumb and index or middle ringer and squeezing it. A smooth inner- side of the container enhances residue-free injection of the product out of the package. This can be further enhanced by giving wall 12 a widening progression from the base to upper edge.13.

For an improved grip, gripping means can be provided on the respective outer walls of^" compartments 16,17, for instance in the form of protrusions, ridges, recesses or other relief, whereby more pressure can be exerted without the danger of the container slipping out from between the fingers. Such gripping means are preferably arranged at least on or in the wall close to the base.

Although the invention has been further elucidated with reference to only a single exemplary embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art. A concertina structure can for instance be applied in the wall and base of the container instead of a wedge-shaped intermediate space. Instead of the applied polyethylene or polypropylene, the container can also be manufactured from another suitable plastic or from metal foil. Particularly suitable as basic material for the container is an optionally multilayer material of one or more plastics from a group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene polyethylene terephthalate and polyester, in particular from a group of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene. The material applied can be specifically adapted to the nature of the goods for packaging.

In respect of design, the portion package according to the invention can also take a different form. In particular a rectangular, round or droplet-shaped cross-section can also be applied here. Instead of being only partially wedge-shaped, the intermediate space in the deforming zone can also be given a wholly wedge-shaped form and in this latter case, if desired, have a differing wedge-shaped progression in successive parts.

Claims

1. Portion package for a semi-fluid product, such as a jelly, gel or paste in particular, comprising a compressible tub-like container with a base from which a wall extends all round, which wall extends as far as an upper edge, to which a foil is adhered which closes a product space in the container, characterized in that the container comprises a deforming zone which defines an at least substantially wedge- shaped intermediate space which opens on opposite wall parts and on a bottom side of the container and which extends from the base over only a part of a height of the container, and that the product space comprises mutually communicating compartments on either side of the deforming zone with a width which is smaller than a depth thereof.

2. Portion package as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the compartments are at least twice as deep as they are wide.

3. Portion package as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container has an at least substantially elliptical cross-section.

4. Portion package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the deforming zone defines an intermediate space which, from the base, is initially at least substantially wedge-shaped and subsequently at least substantially slit-like.

5. Portion package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container widens at least on either side of the deforming zone from the base toward the upper edge.

6. Portion package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the wall of the container comprises gripping means on a side remote from the deforming zone.

7. Portion package as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the gripping means comprise a relief in the wall of the container.

8. Portion package as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the wall comprises the gripping means at least close to a base of the container.

9. Portion package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container is formed from a suitable plastic, and in particular from an optionally multilayer material of one or more plastics from a group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyester, in particular from a group of polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene.

10. Portion package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterizedin that the container is closed with an optionally multilayer foil with a layer of at least one material from a group of aluminium and polypropylene.