DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR ARTICLES SUCH AS EGGS

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a display and distribution packaging unit for eggs or similar fragile articles and of the kind set forth in claim 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0002] Packages for packing and transporting fragile articles such as eggs are known in a variety of forms. Traditionally, such packages have comprised a bottom part provided with suitably shaped compartments for accommodation of the particular article, for instance eggs, and an upper part forming a cover over the bottom part for accommodating the upper portions of the articles housed within the package and for closing the package. Often, the upper part is connected to the lower part by means of a suitable hinge portion, although packages comprising separate bottom and upper parts have also been used. In those packages that comprise a hingedly connected bottom and cover part, the vertical front side of the bottom part is often provided with a flexible flap comprising a number of protrusions for engagement with correspondingly located and shaped holes in the cover part, thereby locking the bottom and cover parts together in the closed state of the package. A package of this kind suffers from various disadvantages. In the closed position, the front face of the package will be subdivided into an upper part and a lower part and as the lower part is typically formed to be able to accommodate and support the articles contained within the package, it is only the upper part which can be given a planar shape that permits the application of text and pictures describing the contents of the package. In use in a store, such packages will often be stacked in a sales rack, and hence it is only the vertical front side, which is visible to the customer. Furthermore, the presence of said holes in the cover part also reduces the possibility to use this face for written and pictorial information. It has furthermore been found that the opening of such packages is often troublesome, as it requires the user to press said protrusions into the holes to disengage the protrusions and the corresponding holes from each other.

[0003] A package for eggs of the type comprising a hingedly connected bottom and cover part is disclosed in WO 00/03936. In order to solve the problem of providing a sufficiently large, planar front face for the application of graphical material, the front surface of the cover part extends completely down to the lowermost portion of the bottom part, so that it can rest on the surface supporting the package. Hence, a large unbroken front surface is provided and the extension of the front surface to the supporting surface furthermore adds stability to the package and is beneficial during the moulding process of the package.

[0004] Apart from providing large unbroken surfaces for the application of various graphical descriptions of the content of the package, the information about the content of the package can also as an alternative or supplementarily be conveyed by the shape of the package or various parts hereof. A package of this type is the subject of EP 0 698565, which discloses a package comprising a separate packaging unit embracing the articles in an accommodating and supporting manner and where the outer shape of the packaging unit reflects the shape of the eggs contained within the unit. This package is typically provided with a number, for instance six, of egg-shaped compartments and the package is furthermore provided with a display panel comprising suitably sized openings corresponding to the pattern of compartments of the packaging unit, such that the display panel can be placed on top of the compartments in such a manner that the compartments can protrude at least partly through said openings. This package thus comprises two separate parts, i.e. the packaging unit as such and the display panel, which may under circumstances be regarded as a disadvantage from a handling point of view.

[0005] Furthermore US 3,813,027 discloses a carton for eggs according to the preamble of appended claim 1 and comprising a bottom part with compartments for the eggs and a cover part, which in the embodiment illustrated in this document is provided with a substantially planar top surface delimited by depending front, back and end walls downwardly ending in a peripheral flange where said end walls are provided with recesses the lower limit of which terminate above the peripheral flange, leaving a belt-like wall portion between the recesses and the bottom part of the carton.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is the object of the present invention to provide a package unit for eggs or similar fragile articles, which in spite of the package unit being made of an opaque material, preferably moulded pulp, due to its form provides a clear, visible information about the contents of the unit and at the same time offers good opportunities for providing graphical and/or pictorial information on large surfaces of the unit.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging unit which is more easy to open and close compared to traditional packages of the type described initially comprising a hingedly connected bottom and cover part.

[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide a packaging unit which is at least partly of a mechanically strong shell structure that protects the article contained herein, supports these articles over a large surface of these and generally adds mechanical stability to the package.

[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a packaging unit which can be produced as one integrated unit for instance by suction moulding.

[0010] These and other objects and advantages are attained with a packaging unit according to claim 1. Various advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] The packaging unit according to the present invention thus comprises a bottom part provided with one or more compartments for accommodating and supporting the eggs in the packaging unit and a cover part, where one or more portions of the cover part are shaped such that they reflect the shape of the eggs contained within the packaging unit, thereby making the shape of the eggs contained within the unit visible from outside. By shaping portions of the cover part in this manner the contents of the packaging unit becomes more apparent than in prior art packaging units, not only when the packaging unit is seen from the side - where both the bottom part and the cover part can be seen - but also when seen from above, in which case the bottom part may be more or less invisible to the viewer.

[0012] According to the invention, said cover part and said bottom part can be moulded as one integrated unit by suction moulding.

[0013] It should be noted that throughout this description and the appended claims the expression: a portion reflecting the shape of the eggs should be understood as a portion having a shape that provides a viewer with a clear association of the form of an egg without necessarily having a form exactly corresponding to an egg. Thus, surfaces or subsurfaces of a number of different solids of revolution, for instance of an ellipsoid, may reflect the shape of an egg within this context.

[0014] Providing not only the cover part with portions reflecting the shape of the eggs in the unit but also shaping the corresponding portions of the bottom part such that they reflect the shape of the eggs further enhances the visual information about the content of the unit. The individual portions of the cover part and the corresponding portions of the bottom part may in the closed state of the unit merge into a substantially continuous surface reflecting a relatively large portion of the surface of an egg.

[0015] According to the invention, said portions of the cover part reflecting the shape of the eggs and the corresponding portions of the bottom part form compartments for the eggs in the unit, the internal surface of which compartments may also be shaped in a manner corresponding to the egg-shape. Thus, at least some of these compartments embrace and support the eggs over a surface area of up to at least approximately 60% of the total surface area of an egg. The eggs are thus supported in a manner which reduces the risk of damages of the eggs caused by the accelerations experienced for instance during vibrations of the unit and if the unit is accidentally dropped. Specifically said compartments can also be formed to support the eggs at the bottom portion of the compartments.

[0016] A further enhancement of the information about the contents of the packaging unit provided by the portions of the cover part reflecting the shape of the eggs within the packaging unit can according to the invention be obtained by providing a clear subdivision of the cover part into those portions reflecting the shape of the eggs and the remaining portions of the cover part. According to the specific embodiments of the invention described in detail in the following, the portions reflecting the shape of the eggs are thus formed as egg-shaped continuous surfaces covering approximately a quarter of the total surface of an egg, whereas the remaining portion of the cover part - designed with the aim of providing large substantially planar areas for the application of various kinds of graphical and/or pictorial information - resembles a box comprising a substantially planar top surface, a front surface, a rear surface and substantially planar end surfaces. The egg-shaped portions are located on either end surface of the cover part, thereby yielding a visually clear division between the substantially planar end surfaces and the smoothly curved egg-shaped portions. A placement of the egg-shaped portions on only one of said end surfaces would of cause also be possible.

[0017] As an alternative embodiment, it would furthermore be possible to place the egg-shaped portions on one or more of the remaining surfaces of the cover part, thereby further highlighting the contents of the packaging unit.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the display and distribution packaging unit is characterised in that said cover part on the portion hereof, which is formed to reflect the shape of the eggs in the package, has a different surface structure from remaining portions of the cover part. For instance the portion reflecting the shape of the eggs may have a relatively coarse surface texture, whereas those portions upon which graphical information is to be provided, for instance using adhesive labels, could have a more smooth texture or vice versa. By providing those portions of the cover part, which reflect the content of the unit, with a surface structure differing from the surface structure of the remaining portions of the cover part, the content of the packaging unit is made even more apparent as seen from outside, for instance for a customer in a store.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the display and distribution packaging unit is characterised in that the interface between said cover part and said bottom part inclines downwardly from the rear side of the package to the front side of the package, thus yielding a higher front side of the cover part than rear side of the cover part, the higher front side thereby providing more space for the attachment of labels, etc. On opening the cover part of the filled packaging unit a larger part of the eggs contained in the unit thus becomes visible from the front side of the unit, which is normally the side of the unit facing the customer in a store. This provides for a better opportunity to inspect the eggs in the unit, for instance for possible damages hereof and has the further effect that the eggs in the unit appear larger.

[0020] In order to provide a better grip of the edge portion of the cover part for opening the unit - and also in order to further increase the area of the front surface of the cover part and hence the possibility to attach labels etc. to this portion of the cover part - the lower edge of the front surface may according to the invention be extended in a downwards direction past the interface between the cover part and the bottom part.

[0021] According to the invention, said bottom and cover parts are hingedly connected to each other along one edge hereof, the opposite upper edge of the bottom part being provided with a flexible flap comprising at least one outwardly extending protrusion for engagement with a corresponding opening in the cover part.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, said one or more protrusion has/have a cross-section in a plane parallel with the front surface of the unit, which substantially corresponds to a longitudinal cross-section through an egg. The protrusions preferably have an overall size sufficiently large to facilitate depression of the protrusion on opening the unit and the outer surface of the protrusions - which can for instance be plane - can either be flush with the outer surface of the corresponding portion of the cover part or extend outwardly beyond this surface over the entire circumference of the protrusion or part hereof.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said protrusions and corresponding openings are shaped to form a tight engagement between the protrusion and the corresponding opening around the entire circumference of the protrusion, but shapes of openings and corresponding protrusions only providing engagement over a portion of the circumference of the protrusion may also be used.

[0024] As apparent from the above, large portions of the substantially planar surfaces of the cover part of the packaging unit according to the invention can be provided with graphical and/or pictorial information. Thus, it is even possible to apply such information to the outer surface of the protrusions. Graphical and/or pictorial information may generally be provided in the form of labels or alternatively embossing may provide a three-dimensional surface. This alternative could for instance by used on the outer surface of the protrusions.

[0025] According to the invention, the external bottom surface of the bottom part of the unit is provided with a pattern of supporting ribs formed between the base portions of the compartments. Both the curved wall portions of the compartments and the pattern of supporting ribs provide increased mechanical stability of the packaging unit. Furthermore, the supporting ribs and the base portions define a common, plane bottom surface for placement of the packaging unit, thus for instance yielding a more stable placement of units, when these are placed on top of each other. To attain this, it is important that the bottom surface defined by the base portions of the compartments and the supporting ribs define a plane surface and not a surface, which is slightly downwardly curved towards the central portion of the surface. As an alternative embodiment, the central portions of this pattern of bases of compartments and supporting ribs could be located slightly above the plane defined by the peripheral portions of the bases and supporting ribs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a schematical perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging unit according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a top and bottom view of the above embodiment of a packaging unit according to the invention;

Figures 3a to 3e show various embodiments of the packaging unit according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the packaging unit according to the invention in an open state;

Figure 5 shows the embodiment of Figure 4 in the closed state; and

Figure 6 shows a cross-section through the bottom part of the unit with eggs inserted in compartments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In the following, the packaging unit according to the invention is described in detail by means of various non-limiting examples of its practical design.

[0028] With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a display and distribution packaging unit according to the invention generally designated by 1 formed to accommodate six eggs. The unit comprises a bottom part 2 and a cover part 3 connected to each other along one edge by means of a flexible connection 12, in the following generally referred to as a hinge. Portions 8 of the cover part 3 reflect the shape of the eggs contained within the unit. The complete unit can be formed as one integrated unit made of moulded pulp.

[0029] The bottom part shown in Figure 1 is subdivided into six compartments 4 by appropriately shaping the wall sections of the bottom part and by inclusion of a pair of upwardly extending pillar posts 5 along the centre line of the bottom part. The shape of the side wall forming part of the compartments 4 may correspond to the shape of the eggs contained in the compartments, thereby providing a good support for the eggs and visual information about the content of the packaging unit.

[0030] Placed along one upper edge portion of the bottom part 2, there is provided a flexible flap 6, on the outer surface of which there is provided an outwardly extending protrusion 7. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, only one protrusion 7 is present, but it is understood that more than one protrusion could be provided if desirable.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, portions 6' of the flap 6 may be formed in such a manner that they constitute a part of the walls of the adjacent compartments of the unit. This embodiment is shown in detail in Figure 4.

[0032] The cover part 3 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises essentially two different portions, i.e. a central portion, the shape of which to some extent resembles the shape of a box and comprising a substantially planar top face 10, substantially planar front and rear faces 14, 15 and substantially planar end faces 20 (see for instance Figure 3a ff.). The front face is provided with an aperture 9, the position, shape and size of which corresponds to the protrusion 7 on the flexible flap 6 of the bottom part 2. The front face 14 being flexible makes it is possible to close the cover part 3, whereby the protrusion 7 will be brought into engagement with the aperture 9. Pulling along the edge portion of the front face 14, it is possible to bring the protrusion 7 out of engagement with the aperture 9, whereupon the packaging unit can be opened.

[0033] The combination of the downwardly curved shape of the front face 14 - as indicated by 17 in the Figures - and the relatively large protrusions make it easy for the user to open the unit. Furthermore, the protrusions are styled to suggest the contents of the unit, i.e. they are approximately egg-shaped. If desired, the outer substantially planar face of the protrusion may even be provided with text or pictures, such as the text: "press to open" or the like. As mentioned above, instead of providing the planar face of the protrusions with a label, embossing may provide a three-dimensional surface hereof.

[0034] Regarding the size of the protrusions, at least one pertinent requirement would be that the planar face hereof should be of a size facilitating the opening of the unit, as this would normally take place during use. The size of the planar face should based on this requirement not be less than that of an average fingertip of a thumb, which would amount to approximately 2 cm in the vertical direction of the protrusion and somewhat larger in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion, in order to preserve the egg-shape of the planar face. Typical dimensions would be within the range (20 mm to 30 mm) x (15 mm to 20 mm), typically approximately 16 mm x 24 mm, although other dimensions may of course also be employed. For aesthetical reasons it may also be desirable to make the choice of the size of the protrusions dependent on the other dimensions of the unit, particularly on the dimension of the planar front surface 14 of the cover part.

[0035] The second portion of the cover part 3 comprises the egg-shaped compartment walls 8 located at either longitudinal end of the cover part 3. These compartment walls 8 provide additional support for the eggs contained within these compartments and reflects the shape of the eggs thereby providing a visual indication of the content of the packaging unit. To highlight the visual information - and provide a pleasing aesthetic effect - it is possible to provide the compartment walls 8 with a different surface texture than the planar surfaces 10, 14, 15 and 20, where the first three of these surfaces for instance can be used for the placement of labels etc. As mentioned in the disclosure of the invention, the contrast between the curved portions 8 and the substantially planar end faces 20 and the distinct line of division between these contribute to highlight the information about the contents of the packaging unit.

[0036] Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a top and bottom view of the packaging unit according to this embodiment of the invention. The egg-shaped compartment walls 8 are clearly visible on the top view, thus conveying information about the contents of the unit when this is viewed from above, i.e. when the corresponding compartment walls of the bottom part can not be seen. On the bottom view, the outer surface of the compartments 4 is shown together with a pattern of supporting ribs 11 formed between the base portions 19 of the compartments 4. Both the curved wall portions 8 of the compartments 4 and the pattern of supporting ribs 11 provide increased mechanical stability of the packaging unit. Furthermore, the supporting ribs 11 and the base portions 19 define a common, plane bottom surface for placement of the packaging unit.

[0037] Referring to Figures 3a through 3e, there are shown various embodiments of the packaging unit according to the invention. Specifically, Figure 3a shows a packaging unit of the same basic form as shown in Figure 1 comprising six compartments 4 for eggs. Figure 3b shows an embodiment comprising three rows each containing three compartments 4, Figure 3c shows a unit comprising two rows of five compartments 4 and Figure 3d shows a unit comprising three rows of five compartments 4. In Figure 3e, there is finally shown a side elevation view of the packaging unit shown in Figure 3c. As indicated by reference number 16, the front face 14 of the cover part 3 can also be subdivided into two portions 14' and 14" if desired, each of these portions 14', 14" being provided with openings 9 for similarly placed protrusions 7 on the bottom part 2 of the unit. It is understood that instead of using two openings and corresponding protrusions as shown in Figures 3d through 3e, it is also possible to use other numbers of openings and protrusions, as for instance only one as shown in Figures 1 through 3b.

[0038] A number of further important features of the packaging unit according to the invention are apparent from Figures 3a through 5.

[0039] Referring for instance to the two lower side elevation views of Figure 3a, the interface 21 between the bottom part 2 and the cover part 3 inclines downwardly from the rear face 15 towards the front face 14 of the cover part. As mentioned above, the effect of this is at least twofold: it increases the area of the front face 14 of the cover part 3, thus increasing the possibility to attach for instance labels etc. to this and in the open state of the unit, it increases the part of the eggs in the front row of compartments 4, which can be seen on opening the unit. The interface 21 is shown as slightly curved from the rear towards the front face of the cover part, but other shapes could of course also be envisaged.

[0040] Furthermore, the lower portion of the front face 14 of the cover part 3 is in this embodiment extended by a flap 14"' exhibiting a downwardly curved edge portion 17. By extending the front face 14 with this flap 14"', the frontal area which can be used for graphical and/or pictorial information is increased and the presence of the flap 14"' furthermore makes the unit easier to open.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the internal surface of the compartments 4 is formed to provide support for the eggs 25 housed therein. Thus, the internal surfaces of the compartments correspond to a portion of the surface of the eggs, typically at least 60% of the surface of the eggs housed within the compartments. According to the shown embodiment, the compartments 4 are also provided with support structures 26 for the lower ends of the eggs, thereby providing further support for the eggs housed within the compartments 4.

[0042] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in the preceding parts of the detailed description, it is understood that a person skilled in the art may conceive other embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Specifically, it is understood that any embodiment comprising any number of rows of compartments and any number of compartments per row falls within the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A display and distribution packaging unit for eggs or similar fragile articles, said unit being made of an opaque material, e.g. moulded pulp and comprising:

- a bottom part (2) comprising non-planar side surfaces of compartments (4) so as to match at least partially the outer contours of the eggs contained within said unit;

- a cover part (3) comprising a top surface (10) and substantially planar front- and rear surfaces (14, 15);

where said cover part (3) comprises portions (8) reflecting the shape of the eggs contained within said unit, and characterised by said portions (8) being located on substantially planar end faces (20) of said cover part (3) at either one or both longitudinal ends of the cover part (3).

2. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 1, where said portions (8) reflecting the shape of the eggs each comprises substantially a quarter of the total surface area of the corresponding egg.

3. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 1 or 2, where said portions (8) reflecting the shape of the eggs contained in the unit are furthermore located on one or more of the surfaces comprising said top surface (10), front surface (14) and rear surface (15).

4. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any one of the preceding claims, where said portions (8) reflecting the shape of the eggs are formed as portions of solids of revolution with an axis of revolution substantially normal to said top surface (10) of the cover part (3).

5. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 1, where said non-planar side surfaces of the bottom part (3) are shaped as a portion of the surface of an egg.

6. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 5, where said non-planar side surfaces of the bottom part (3) are formed as portions of solids of revolution with an axis of revolution substantially coinciding with said axis of revolution of said portions (8) in the cover part (3).

7. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said egg-shaped portions of the cover part (3) continues in said corresponding egg-shaped portions of the bottom part (2), the corresponding portions in the cover part (3) and in the bottom part (2) thereby forming a continuous portion of the surface of an egg.

8. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said egg-shaped portions (8) located at one longitudinal end or both longitudinal ends of the cover part (3) together with the corresponding egg-shaped portions in the bottom part (2) correspond to a major portion of the surface of an egg.

9. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 8, where said major portion of the surface of an egg constitutes not less than approximately 60% of the total surface of an egg.

10. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 1, where said cover part (3) on those portions (8) hereof which are formed to reflect the eggs in the unit, has a different surface structure than the remaining portions of the cover part.

11. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 10, where said surface structure is relatively smooth and the surface structure of the remaining surfaces of the unit is relatively coarse.

12. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 10, where said surface structure is relatively coarse and the surface structure of the remaining surfaces of the unit is relatively smooth.

13. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 1, 10, 11 or 12, where said bottom part (2) on those portions hereof, which are formed to match the contours of the eggs in the unit, has a different surface structure than the remaining portions of the cover part.

14. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 13, where said surface structure is relatively smooth and the surface structure of the remaining surfaces of the unit is relatively coarse.

15. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 13, where said surface structure is relatively coarse and the surface structure of the remaining surfaces of the unit is relatively smooth.

16. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 1, where said cover part (3) on the planar front side (14) hereof is provided with at least one opening (9) for engagement with one or more protrusions (7) provided on said bottom part (2).

17. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 16, where said engagement between the one or more protrusions (7) and corresponding openings (9) is a tight engagement around the complete circumference of the protrusion (7).

18. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 16, where the shape of said openings (9) and corresponding protrusions (7) substantially correspond to a longitudinal cross-section through an egg.

19. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 16, where the outer surface of said protrusions (7) is substantially planar.

20. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 16, where said outer surface of the protrusions (7) is flush with said front surface (14) of the cover part (3).

21. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 16, where the lower edge portion of said protrusions (7) is flush with said front surface (14) and where the upper edge portion of said protrusions (7) extends outwardly relative to the front surface (14).

22. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said top surface (10) and/or said front surface (14) and/or said rear surface (15) of the cover part (3) is/are provided with graphical and/or pictorial information and/or embossing.

23. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said outer surface of the protrusions (7) is provided with graphical and/or pictorial information and/or embossing.

24. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said bottom part (2) and said cover part (3) are connected to each other by means of a hinge portion (12) extending along one edge portion of the interface between said bottom and cover parts (2, 3).

25. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where the interface between said cover part (3) and said bottom part (2) inclines downwardly from the rear side of the package unit to the front side hereof, thus yielding a higher front side (14) of the cover part (3) than rear side (15) of the cover part.

26. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 25, where said interface is curved.

27. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 1, where the lower edge of said front surface (14) of the cover part (3) is curved in a downward direction beneath the interface between said cover part (3) and said bottom part (2) for extension of the area of the front surface (14) and for facilitating opening of the unit.

28. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 27, where the downward extension of the front surface (14) covers up to the total height of the bottom part (2).

29. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said bottom part (2) on the under side (18) hereof is provided with a pattern of supporting ribs (11) connecting base portions (19) of the egg-shaped compartments (4) in the bottom part (2), whereby the mechanical strength of the unit is increased.

30. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 29, where said base portions (18) and said supporting ribs (19) define a substantially planar surface for placement of the unit.

31. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 29, where said base portions (18) and said supporting ribs (19) define a surface for placement of the unit, the central portions of which surface are elevated with respect to the peripheral portions hereof.

32. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said one or more protrusions (7) are provided on a flexible flap (6) placed along one upper edge portion of the bottom part (2).

33. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 32, where portions of said flexible flap (6) are formed such that they constitute a part of the walls of adjacent compartments (4).

34. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims 18 to 23, where the size of said planar face of the protrusions approximately corresponds to the size of the fingertip of a thumb.

35. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims 18 to 23, where the size of said planar face of the protrusions is within the range (20 mm to 30 mm) x (15 mm to 20 mm).

36. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said unit is formed as one integrated unit in one material.

37. A display and distribution packaging unit according to any of the preceding claims, where said compartments (4) of the bottom part (2) and said corresponding portions (8) of the cover part (3) reflecting the shape of the eggs in the unit define internal surfaces in the unit, which surfaces correspond to a portion of the total surface of an egg.

38. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 37, where said internal surfaces in the unit correspond to at least 60% of the surface of an egg.

39. A display and distribution packaging unit according to claim 37 or 38, where said compartments (4) are furthermore provided with support structures (26) for the ends of the eggs (25) in the compartments.

Ansprüche

1. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit für Eier oder ähnliche zerbrechliche Gegenstände, welche Einheit aus undurchsichtigem Material, z.B. geformter Pulpe, hergestellt ist und enthält:

- ein Unterteil (2) mit nicht-ebenen Seitenwänden von Abteilungen (4), um zumindest teilweise den äußeren Konturen der in der Einheit enthaltenen Eier zu entsprechen;

- ein Deckelteil (3) mit einer Oberwand (10) und im Wesentlichen ebenen Vorder- und Rückwänden (14, 15);

bei welcher das Deckelteil (3) Bereiche (8) enthält, welche die Gestalt der in der Einheit enthaltenen Eier wiedergibt, und dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass sich die Bereiche (8) an im Wesentlichen ebenen Endflächen (20) des Deckelteils (3) an entweder einem oder beiden Längsenden des Deckelteils (3) befinden.

2. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die Bereiche (8), welche die Gestalt der Eier wiedergeben, jeweils im Wesentlichen ein Viertel der Gesamtfläche des entsprechenden Eies einnehmen.

3. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei welcher die Bereiche (8), welche die Gestalt der in der Einheit enthaltenen Eier wiedergeben, weiterhin auf einer oder mehreren der Flächen liegen, welche die Oberwand (10), Vorderwand (14) und Rückenwand (15) enthalten.

4. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welchem die Bereiche (8), welche die Gestalt der Eier wiedergeben, als Abschnitte von Drehkörpern mit einer Drehachse, welche im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der oberen Wand (10) des Deckelteils steht, ausgebildet sind.

5. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher die nicht ebenen Seitenflächen des Unterteils (2) als Bereich der Oberfläche eines Eies ausgebildet sind.

6. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 5, bei welcher die nicht ebenen Seitenflächen des Unterteils (2) als Abschnitte von Drehkörpern mit einer Drehachse, welche im Wesentlichen mit der Drehachse der Bereiche (8) in dem Deckelteil (3) zusammenfällt, gebildet sind.

7. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher sich die eiförmigen Bereiche des Deckelteils (3) in den entsprechenden eiförmigen Bereichen des Unterteils (2) fortsetzen, wodurch die entsprechenden Bereiche in dem Deckelteil (3) und in dem Unterteil (2) einen durchgehenden Bereich der Oberfläche eines Eies bilden.

8. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher die eiförmigen Bereiche (8), die zusammen mit den entsprechenden eiförmigen Bereichen in dem Unterteil (2) sich an einem Längsende oder an beiden Längsenden des Deckelteils (3) befinden, einem Hauptbereich der Oberfläche eines Eies entsprechen.

9. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 8, bei welcher der Hauptbereich der Oberfläche eines Eies nicht weniger als ungefähr 60% von der Gesamtoberfläche eines Eies darstellt.

10. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher das Deckelteil (3) auf jenen Bereichen (8), welche so ausgebildet sind, dass sie die Eier in der Einheit wiedergeben, eine andere Oberflächenstruktur hat als die übrigen Bereiche des Deckelteils.

11. Schau- und Versandpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 10, bei welcher die Oberflächenstruktur relativ glatt und die Oberflächenstruktur der übrigen Oberflächen der Einheit relativ rauh ist.

12. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 10, nach welcher die Oberflächenstruktur relativ rauh und die Oberflächenstruktur der übrigen Oberfläche der Einheit relativ glatt ist.

13. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach dem Anspruch 1, 10, 11 oder 12, bei welcher das Unterteil (2) in solchen Bereichen, welche so ausgebildet sind, dass sie der äußeren Kontour der Eier entsprechen, eine andere Oberflächenstruktur aufweist als die übrigen Bereiche des Deckelteils.

14. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 13, bei welcher die Oberflächenstruktur relativ glatt und die Oberflächenstruktur der übrigen Oberflächen der Einheit relativ rauh sind.

15. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 13, bei welcher die Oberflächenstruktur relativ rauh und die Oberflächenstruktur der übrigen Oberflächen der Einheit relativ glatt sind.

16. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher das Deckelteil (3) auf dessen ebener Vorderseite (14) zum Eingriff mit einem oder mehreren Vorsprüngen (7) an dem Unterteil (2) mit mindestens einer Öffnung (9) versehen ist.

17. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 16, bei welcher der Eingriff zwischen dem einen oder mehreren Vorsprüngen (7) und entsprechenden Öffnungen (9) ein enger Eingriff um den vollständigen Umfang des Vorsprungs (7) ist.

18. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 16, bei welcher die Form der Öffnungen (9) und der entsprechenden Vorsprünge (7) im Wesentlichen dem Längsquerschnitt durch ein Ei entsprechen.

19. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 16, bei welcher die Außenfläche der Vorsprünge (7) im Wesentichen eben ist.

20. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 16, bei welcher die Außenfläche der Vorsprünge (7) auf der gleichen Ebene wie die Vorderfläche (14) des Deckelteils (3) liegt.

21. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 16, bei welcher der untere Randbereich der Vorsprünge (7) auf der gleichen Ebene mit der Vorderwand (14) liegt und bei welcher sich der obere Randbereich der Vorsprünge (7) relativ zu der Vorderwand (14) nach außen erstreckt.

22. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher die Oberwand (10) und/oder die Vorderwand (14) und/oder die Rückwand (15) des Deckelteils (3) mit grafischer und/oder bildlicher Information und/oder Einprägung versehen ist/sind.

23. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher die Außenfläche der Vorsprünge (7) mit grafischen und/oder bildlichen Informationen und/oder Einprägung versehen ist.

24. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher das Unterteil (2) und das Deckelteil (3) mittels eines Scharnierbereichs (12) miteinander verbunden sind, welcher sich entlang eines Randbereiches der Verbindung zwischen dem Unter- und Deckelteil (2, 3) erstreckt.

25. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher sich die Verbindung zwischen dem Deckelteil (3) und dem Unterteil (2) von der Rückseite der Verpackungseinheit zu dessen Vorderseite abwärts neigt und so im Verhältnis zu der Rückwand (15) des Deckelteils in einer höheren Vorderwand (14) des Deckelteils (3) resultiert.

26. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 25, bei welcher die Verbindung bogenförmig ist.

27. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, bei welcher der untere Rand der Vorderwand (14) des Deckelteils (3) in Abwärtsrichtung unter die Verbindung zwischen dem Deckelteil (3) und dem Unterteil (2) gebogen ist, um das Gebiet der Vorderwand (14) auszudehnen und um ein Öffnen der Einheit zu erleichtern.

28. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 27, bei welcher die Abwärtserstreckung der Vorderwand (14) die gesamte Höhe des Unterteils (2) abdeckt.

29. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher das Unterteil (2) auf dessen Unterseite (18) mit einem Muster aus Stützrippen (11) versehen ist, welche die Grundbereiche (19) der eiförmigen Abteilungen (4) in dem Unterteil (2) verbinden, wodurch die mechanische Stärke der Einheit vergrößert ist.

30. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 29, bei welcher die Grundbereiche (19) und die Stützrippen (11) eine im Wesentlichen ebene Oberfläche zum Aufstellen der Einheit definieren.

31. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 29, bei welcher die Grundbereiche (19) und die Stützrippen (11) eine Oberfläche zum Einordnen der Einheit definieren, deren zentrale Bereiche mit Bezug auf deren Umgebungsbereiche erhöht sind.

32. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher einer oder mehrere Vorsprünge (7) auf einer elastischen Lasche vorgesehen sind, welche sich längs eines oberen Randbereiches des Unterteils (2) befindet.

33. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 32, bei welcher Bereiche der elastischen Lasche (6) so ausgestaltet sind, dass sie einen Teil der Wände benachbarter Abteilungen (4) bilden.

34. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 18 bis 23, bei welcher die Größe der ebenen Vorderseite der Vorsprünge ungefähr der Größe der Fingerspitze eines Daumens entspricht.

35. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 18 bis 23, bei welcher die Größe der ebenen Vorderseite der Vorsprünge im Bereich (20 mm bis 30 mm) x (15 mm bis 20 mm) liegt.

36. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher die Einheit als eine integrierte Einheit aus einem einzigen Material gebildet ist.

37. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei welcher die Abteilungen (4) des Unterteils (2) und der entsprechenden Bereiche (8) des Deckelteils (3), welche die Gestalt der Eier wiedergeben, Innenflächen in der Einheit definieren, welche einem Bereich der Gesamtoberfläche eines Eies entsprechen.

38. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 37, bei welcher die Innenflächen in der Einheit mindestens 60% der Oberfläche eines Eies entsprechen.

39. Schau- und Verpackungseinheit nach Anspruch 37 oder 38, bei welcher in den Abteilungen (4) weiterhin mit Stützstrukturen (26) für die Enden des Eies (25) in den Abteilungen vorgesehen sind.

Revendications

1. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation d'oeufs ou d'articles fragiles semblables, ledit emballage étant composé d'un matériau opaque, par exemple un cartonnage moulé et comprenant :

- une partie de fond (2) comprenant des surfaces latérales non planes de compartiments (4), de façon à correspondre, au moins partiellement, aux contours extérieurs des oeufs contenus à l'intérieur dudit emballage ;

- une partie de couvercle (3) comprenant une surface supérieure (10) et des surfaces avant et arrière (14, 15) sensiblement planes ;

dans lequel ladite partie de couvercle (3) comprend des portions (8) reflétant la forme des oeufs contenus à l'intérieur dudit emballage, et caractérisé en ce que lesdites portions (8) sont situées sur les surfaces d'extrémité (20) sensiblement planes de ladite partie de couvercle (3) à l'une ou à l'autre, ou aux deux extrémité(s) de la partie de couvercle (3).

2. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdites portions (8) reflétant la forme des oeufs comprennent, chacune, sensiblement un quart de la superficie totale de l'oeuf correspondant.

3. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel lesdites portions (8) reflétant la forme des oeufs contenus dans l'emballage sont, de plus, situées sur une ou plusieurs des surfaces comprenant lesdites surface supérieure (10), surface avant (14) et surface arrière (15).

4. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdites portions (8) reflétant la forme des oeufs ont la forme de portions de solides de révolution, ayant un axe de révolution sensiblement perpendiculaire à ladite surface supérieure (10) de la partie de couvercle (3).

5. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les surfaces latérales non planes de la partie de fond (3) ont la forme d'une portion de la surface d'un oeuf.

6. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les surfaces latérales non planes de la partie de fond (3) ont la forme de portions de solides de révolution ayant un axe de révolution qui coïncide sensiblement avec ledit axe de révolution desdites portions (8) prévues dans la partie de couvercle (3).

7. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdites portions en forme d'oeuf de la partie de couvercle (3) se poursuivent dans lesdites portions en forme d'oeuf correspondantes de la partie de fond (2), les portions en forme d'oeuf correspondantes de la partie de couvercle (3) et de la partie de fond (2) formant ainsi une portion continue de la surface d'un oeuf.

8. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdites portions en forme d'oeuf (8) situées au niveau d'une extrémité longitudinale ou des deux extrémités longitudinales de la partie de couvercle (3), avec les portions en forme d'oeuf correspondantes de la partie de fond (2), correspondent à une portion principale de la surface d'un oeuf.

9. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 8, dans lequel ladite portion principale de la surface d'un oeuf constitue pas moins d'environ 60 % de la surface totale d'un oeuf.

10. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite partie de couvercle (3), sur lesdites portions (8) de 'celui-ci, qui sont formées pour refléter les oeufs contenus dans l'emballage a une structure de surface différente des portions restantes de la partie de couvercle.

11. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ladite structure de surface est relativement lisse et la structure de surface des surfaces restantes de l'emballage est relativement rugueuse.

12. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ladite structure de surface est relativement rugueuse et la structure de surface des surfaces restantes de l'emballage est relativement lisse.

13. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 1, 10, 11 ou 12, dans lequel ladite partie de fond (2) sur lesdites portions de celui-ci, qui sont formées pour correspondre aux contours des oeufs dans l'emballage, a une structure de surface différente des portions restantes de la partie de couvercle.

14. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 13, dans lequel ladite structure de surface est relativement lisse et la structure de surface des surfaces restantes de l'emballage est relativement rugueuse.

15. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 13, dans lequel ladite structure de surface est relativement rugueuse et la structure de surface des surfaces restantes de l'emballage est relativement lisse.

16. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite partie de couvercle (3) sur le côté avant plan (14) de celui-ci est munie d'au moins une ouverture (9) permettant l'engagement avec une ou plusieurs protubérance(s) (7) prévue(s) sur ladite partie de fond (2).

17. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 16, dans lequel ledit engagement entre la ou plusieurs protubérance(s) (7) et les ouvertures (9) correspondantes est un engagement étroit autour de la circonférence complète de la protubérance (7).

18. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 16, dans lequel la forme desdites ouvertures (9) et des protubérances (7) correspondantes correspond sensiblement à une coupe longitudinale à travers un oeuf.

19. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 16, dans lequel la surface extérieure desdites protubérances (7) est sensiblement plane.

20. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 16, dans lequel ladite surface extérieure des protubérances (7) affleure ladite surface avant (14) de la partie de couvercle (3).

21. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 16, dans lequel la portion de bord inférieure desdites protubérances (7) affleure ladite surface avant (14) et dans lequel la portion de bord supérieure desdites protubérances (7) s'étend vers l'extérieur par rapport à la surface avant (14).

22. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite surface supérieure (10) et/ou ladite surface avant (14) et/ou ladite surface arrière (15) de la partie de couvercle (3) est/sont munie(s) d'informations graphiques et/ou en images et/ou d'un bossage.

23. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite surface extérieure des protubérances (7) est munie d'informations graphiques et/ou en images et/ou d'un bossage.

24. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite partie de fond (2) et ladite partie de couvercle (3) sont raccordées l'une à l'autre au moyen d'une portion de charnière (12) qui s'étend le long d'une portion de bord de l'interface entre ladite partie de fond et ladite partie de couvercle (2, 3).

25. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'interface entre ladite partie de couvercle (3) et ladite partie de fond (2) s'incline vers le bas à partir de l'arrière de l'emballage jusqu'à l'avant de celui-ci, ce qui donne un côté avant (14) de la partie de couvercle (3) plus haut que le côté arrière (15) de la partie de couvercle (3).

26. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 25, dans lequel ladite interface est incurvée.

27. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le bord inférieur de ladite surface avant (14) de la partie de couvercle (3) est incurvé vers le bas, sous l'interface entre ladite partie de couvercle (3) et ladite partie de fond (2) pour permettre l'extension de la zone de la surface avant (14) et pour faciliter l'ouverture de l'emballage.

28. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 27, dans lequel l'extension vers le bas de la surface avant (14) recouvre jusqu'à la hauteur totale de la partie de fond (2).

29. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite partie de fond (2) sur le côté inférieur (18) de celui-ci est munie d'un motif de nervures de support (11) raccordant les portions de base (19) des compartiments (4) en forme d'oeuf, dans la partie de fond (2), grâce à quoi la résistance mécanique de l'emballage est augmentée.

30. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 29, dans lequel lesdites portions de base (18) et lesdites nervures de support (19) définissent une surface sensiblement plane pour le rangement de l'emballage.

31. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 29, dans lequel lesdites portions de base (18) et lesdites nervures de support (19) définissent une surface pour le rangement de l'emballage, dont les portions centrales de la surface sont relevées par rapport aux portions périphériques de celle-ci.

32. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite une ou lesdites plusieurs protubérance(s) (7) est (sont) prévue(s) sur un rabat souple (6) placé le long d'une portion de bord supérieur de la partie de fond (2).

33. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 32, dans lequel les parties dudit rabat souple (6) sont formées de telle manière qu'elles constituent une partie des parois des compartiments adjacents (4).

34. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 18 à 23, dans lequel les dimensions de ladite face plane des protubérances correspondent à peu près aux dimensions du bout d'un pouce.

35. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 18 à 23, dans lequel les dimensions de ladite face plane des protubérances est dans la fourchette de (20 mm à 30 mm) x (15 mm à 20 mm).

36. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit emballage est formé comme un emballage en une seule pièce constitué d'un seul matériau.

37. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdits compartiments (4) de la partie de fond (2) et lesdites portions (8) correspondantes de la partie de couvercle (3) reflétant la forme des oeufs dans l'emballage définissent des surfaces internes de l'emballage, lesquelles surfaces correspondent à une portion de la surface totale d'un oeuf.

38. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 37, dans lequel lesdites surfaces internes de l'emballage correspondent à au moins 60 % de la surface d'un oeuf.

39. Emballage pour la présentation et la commercialisation selon la revendication 37 ou 38, dans lequel lesdits compartiments (4) sont, en outre, munis de structures de support (26) pour les extrémités des oeufs (25) dans les compartiments.

Drawing