| (19) |
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(11) |
EP 1 644 259 B2 |
| (12) |
NEW EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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After opposition procedure |
| (45) |
Date of publication and mentionof the opposition decision: |
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25.11.2020 Bulletin 2020/48 |
| (45) |
Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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29.05.2013 Bulletin 2013/22 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 07.02.2005 |
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| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC):
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| (86) |
International application number: |
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PCT/NL2005/000089 |
| (87) |
International publication number: |
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WO 2005/075314 (18.08.2005 Gazette 2005/33) |
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PACKAGING FOR PULVERULENT BABY FOOD
VERPACKUNG FÜR PULVERFÖRMIGE BABYNAHRUNG
EMBALLAGE POUR ALIMENTS EN POUDRE POUR BÉBÉS
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI
SK TR |
| (30) |
Priority: |
05.02.2004 EP 04075365
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| (43) |
Date of publication of application: |
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12.04.2006 Bulletin 2006/15 |
| (60) |
Divisional application: |
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09158703.0 / 2105387 |
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14176096.7 / 2810893 |
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16193637.2 / 3144240 |
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19183416.7 / 3572345 |
| (73) |
Proprietor: N.V. Nutricia |
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2712 HM Zoetermeer (NL) |
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| (72) |
Inventors: |
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- CRAWFORD, Karen, Rita
Wellow, Bath BA2 8QC (GB)
- LUTTIK, Nicolaas
4101 WL Culemborg (NL)
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| (74) |
Representative: Nederlandsch Octrooibureau |
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P.O. Box 29720 2502 LS The Hague 2502 LS The Hague (NL) |
| (56) |
References cited: :
EP-A- 1 157 936 EP-A2- 0 074 343 EP-A2- 0 611 703 WO-A1-93/17920 CH-A- 381 606 CH-A- 671 749 FR-A- 1 338 551 FR-A1- 2 490 191 GB-A- 2 250 271 US-A- 4 286 713 US-A- 5 050 763 US-A- 5 353 946 US-A- 6 058 682
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EP-A1- 0 442 433 EP-A2- 0 312 513 WO-A-03/022703 CH-A- 293 986 CH-A- 453 117 DE-A- 19 815 364 FR-A- 2 747 107 GB-A- 2 086 834 US-A- 3 556 174 US-A- 4 364 476 US-A- 5 219 087 US-A- 5 705 212 US-B1- 6 604 645
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- PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 16, 8 May 2001 (2001-05-08) -& JP 2001 019006
A (DAINIPPON PRINTING CO LTD), 23 January 2001 (2001-01-23)
- PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 15, 6 April 2001 (2001-04-06) -& JP 2000
344243 A (ASUBERU KK), 12 December 2000 (2000-12-12)
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[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging for pulverulent baby food .
[0002] Stringent requirements with regard to hygiene and dosage are imposed on packaging
for baby food. Therefore, such a powder is currently stored in cylindrical metal cans
that are sealed by a metal lid or plastic lid that has to be opened before use and
that is reclosable in a simple manner. Scoops that are so designed that an accurate
volume for pulverulent material is delimited therein are used for dosage. By levelling
off, a predetermined amount can be accommodated in the volume of the scoop cavity.
It is important that this amount is accurately specified in order, on the one hand,
to guarantee that the baby receives sufficient food and, on the other hand, as far
as possible to prevent problems with constipation in the children. It must be understood
that pulverulent material must be understood to be any granular material, in particular
spray-dried food products, as well as agglomerates of the powder particles.
[0003] In such a packaging, such a scoop is generally loose between the top of the contents
and the bottom of the lid on the product.
[0004] After the scoop has been used, some users replace the scoop in or on the product.
Other users consider it to be unhygienic to put the scoop back into the contents of
the container after use. Therefore, the scoop is frequently stored outside the container,
which in practice further increases the risk of contamination. On the other hand,
the size and the height of such containers are so designed that as compact as possible
a volume is obtained in order to obtain optimum filling of the shelf at the point
of sale.
[0005] US 6 604 645 B1 discloses a container having a lid to which a scoop is moulded and connected thereto
by a film hinge. The top of the container is provided with a seal enclosed by the
assembly of the lid and scoop. At first use the scoop is separated from the lid. Sealing
of the container at the location where the lid should connect to the wall of the container
is very complicated. Stack ability of the lid prior to assembly with the container
is limited due to the shape thereof.
[0006] FR 2 747 107 discloses a container which is sealed off and having on top thereof a ring comprising
a scoop as well as a lid.
[0007] In both
US 6 604 645 and
FR 2 747 107 the user has to break away the scoop from a further plastic part involving the risk
of particles getting into the food material which might be highly dangerous.
[0008] The invention aims to provide a container, lid, scoop assembly wherein the scoop
is not permanently connected with the lid so that breakage is not longer necessary.
Furthermore, the lid to be used with the container should be easily stackable with
other lids during production thereof. The contents of the container should be guaranteed
by the provision of a seal on top of the contents. The use of scoops having a different
volume should be possible without substantive changes to the lid.
[0009] According to the invention this is realized with the features of claim 1.
[0010] Stacking of the lids is provided by keeping the height of the lid relatively low.
On the other hand there is an indication on the lid that a scoop is provided inside
the container. Such an indication is an elevation of the lid having (part of) the
shape of the scoop. The scoop is not connected to any of the lid and container, after
filling the container with the intended contents. This means that breaking away of
the scoop from another part of the package is not necessary after it has been filled.
[0011] According to the invention part of the volume of the scoop is accommodated by the
top part of the container. To that end the seal is provided somewhat below the top
edge of the container. This distance between the seal and the top edge of the container
is preferably between 20 and 50 mm, and more in particular about 30 mm.
[0012] The user is encouraged to place the scoop in a accommodation made in the lid after
using the scoop for the first time. This accommodation is partially delimited by the
elevation described above. In particular, the open end of the bowl-shaped part of
the scoop can be accommodated in this elevation. As a result the volume of the container
does not increase to a significant extent, but, on the other hand, it can be ensured
that the scoop can be stored in the container under the most hygienic conditions out
of contact with the filling in the container.
[0013] More particularly, the elevation described above has a height of 2 - 25, in particular
4 - 15 mm, measured between the maximum of the height and the base of the elevation.
[0014] The lid preferably consists of a plastic material, that is hingedly connected to
a lid rim, which likewise consists of plastic and is clamped on the container wall
or fixed thereto in some other way. Preferably, the lid rim is provided with a levelling
off edge, that is to say an angled portion or strip to avoid accumulation of powder
in the corner under which the top edge of the scoop can be scraped in a simple way
in order to provide accurate reproducable and convenient dosage of the volume of product
in the scoop.
[0015] In the case of conventional packaging it has proved to be a problem to remove the
entire contents from the packaging. The reason for this is that manipulation within
the relatively restricted space of the packaging is difficult. Moreover, it is not
hygienic always to replace the scoop in the contents of the packaging after use, as
is now customary.
[0016] In the case of known packaging, on hygienic grounds the scoop is first introduced
into the container, after which the container is filled with the pulverulent material.
Closure then takes place and on turning the packaging upside down the scoop will come
to the top. This has the disadvantage that under adverse conditions pieces of plastic
that break away or other particles from the production process can get into the powder,
with all the associated consequences. Moreover, as a result of this procedure there
is a relatively large empty space between the top of the product, such as powder,
and the bottom of the lid (the so-called headspace). In the case of perishable substances,
such a large head space filled with gas is disadvantageous. During the long storage
time, certain substances contained in the product can be converted by the oxygen that
is present in the gas.
[0017] A further aim of the present invention is to provide a packaging that does not have
these disadvantages or has them to a lesser extent.
[0018] This further aim is realised with a packaging as described above in that the container
wall contains a heat-sealable material on the inside and in that a plastic film seal
extending over the free cross-sectional surface area of the container is arranged
close to the top of the container, which seal is fixed to said container wall by heat
sealing.
[0019] In this manner the space in which the scoop is accommodated is separated in an essentially
gastight manner from the space in which the powder is present. Such a separation is
possible by making the interior of the container wall of a heat-sealable material
and, after introducing the powder, to produce a film cover on the powder with the
heat-sealable material by heat sealing. A film providing a gastight seal is thus produced
above the powder. The scoop can be placed on this film in some way or other.
[0020] The film is preferably a film that has odour-absorbing characteristics.
[0021] Optionally it is possible further to counteract perishing by, before or during application
of the seal described above, removing the air or oxygen that is present in the powder
or container by applying a vacuum and introducing into the product a gas that counteracts
perishing, such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide or any other inert gas or mixture of such
gases under normal conditions.
[0022] Under normal conditions, the quality of the product will not deteriorate or will
barely deteriorate after the packaging has been opened because the contents of the
packaging will be used relatively rapidly after opening. The problem is the potentially
long storage time, which can be achieved without any problem with the seal according
to the invention. The packaging can be provided with a hinging lid, as a result of
which the packaging can be effectively closed again after use.
[0023] However, it is also possible to arrange a snap-fit accommodation in the lid for snapping
the scoop into this. This accommodation is preferably in or close to the centre of
the lid and can enclose the bowl of the scoop and possibly the handle. Preferably
during production the scoop is entered in the space between the lid and the seal without
using the snap-fit accommodation. Only after first opening of the container the user
will clamp the scoop to the snap-fit accommodation to prevent contact with the contents
of the container.
[0024] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the packaging
is made essentially rectangular. A rectangular construction has significant advantages
with regard to packing and positioning on the shelf. Optimum use of volume can be
achieved, it also being possible, when positioning on the shelf, easily to place the
desired side facing the consumer in order to increase the power for stimulating an
impulse to buy. A further advantage of an essentially rectangular packaging is that
manipulation with the scoop is appreciably simplified. After all, for a given surface
area, compared with a circle, the length of the diagonal of a rectangle is appreciably
greater than the diameter of a circle. Preferably, the corners of the rectangle are
rounded. There is preferably a levelling-off edge in the corner. This edge is preferably
more than 9 mm wide measured from the corner and can comprise a triangle or a strip
spaced from the corner. If a strip is used powder cannot accumulate in the adjacent
corner. Such strip can have a width of 7-11 mm. The space from the nearest edge thereof
to the corner is more than 4 mm and preferably about 5-9 mm.
[0025] It is possible to fit an accommodation for at least partially accommodating the scoop
in the lid. The various aspects depend on the amount of product that has to be packed
in the container, the desired cross-sectional surface area and the height of the container.
As indicated above the free space ( r) between the seal described above and the bottom
of the lid is preferably between 14 and 27 mm. It has been found that in this way
an optimum volume for the scoop is provided, whilst the packaging, when containing,
for example, 900 g product, can be arranged stacked on a shelf in a simple manner.
[0026] Stringent requirements in respect of gas tightness and opacity are imposed on the
packaging for certain products, such as baby food. Therefore, it is proposed to make
the wall of the container, like the bottom thereof, from a paper/metal foil/plastic
laminate. The metal foil provides gas tightness and opacity. Paper or board functions
as a support, whilst the plastic functions as heat-sealable material. The plastic
used can be any material known in the state of the art.
[0027] According to the invention, the seal, which is applied on the product, is provided
with a tear lip and a weakening line. By pulling on the lip an opening can be obtained
along the tear line, via which opening the contents can be removed from the packaging.
On the one hand this provides easy access to the product, the user having to perform
few special operations, and, on the other hand, tampering can easily be detected in
this way. A further advantage is that any product particles that have come between
the seal and the wall during heat sealing are not able to escape and remain enclosed.
[0028] After removing the film along the tear line, an edge of the film remains on the side
walls. This edge will preferably be less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 4 mm,
in order to allow the opening to the product to be as large as possible. The film
consists of a material on which the user cannot injure him- or herself.
[0029] The container is preferably provided with means promoting gripping, such as finger
recesses. As a result of the rectangular design of the container, one side of the
packaging is optimum for each size of hand. One of the sides may have a maximum width
of at most approximately 12.0 cm and is preferably 6 to 11.6 cm in order to make good
grasping by the consumer possible. The other side may have size of 11.6-15.0 cm and
more preferably 12.4-13.5 cm. The maximum height of the packaging including the lid
is 22 cm and preferably approximately 10 - 20 cm and more preferably 15-20 cm.
[0030] The invention also relates to a method for providing a pack filled with powder according
to claim 16.
[0031] More particularly, the containers are produced from blanks at the packing location,
so that only small volumes of packaging material have to be fed to the packaging installation.
More particularly, the container is first produced and this is then filled and provided
with the seal described above and only then is the lid, including lid rim, fitted.
The introduction of gas before/during application of the seal can be carried out either
on a continuous basis or batchwise.
[0032] It has been indicated above that the container is preferably of rectangular cross-section.
More particularly, this rectangular shape bulges outwards to some extent in the middle
of at least two opposing sides. Such bulging can be limited and is preferably less
than approximately 7 mm and more preferably less than 2 mm on the short side and less
than approximately 16 mm on the long side. However, acute angles should preferably
be avoided. That is to say, with respect to the straight line connecting the points
of greatest deflection/inflection, the outward deviation is less than approximately
7 mm and approximately 16 mm, respectively, and preferably 3 - 6 and 7 - 15 mm, respectively.
Moreover, the container can be provided with finger holds to facilitate handling.
[0033] As a result of the specific choice of the abovementioned dimensions, the base surface
area of the container is 120 - 150 cm
2, in particular 125 - 140 cm
2, for example 126 - 136 cm
2.
[0034] The packaging is in particular provided with a closure indicating tamper (tamper
evidence). This is implemented in that the lid rim is provided with a peripheral part
that extends upwards and that extends to the top of the lid periphery or beyond this.
As a result it is not easily possible to raise the lid located within it. The circumferential
rim of the lid is not accessible in the closed position. The peripheral edge accommodating
the circumferential rim can be interrupted to obtain access to for example a lip extending
from the lid. Such means for interrupting the peripheral edge can comprise a break
away portion thereof. This is effected, for example, by fixing the break away part
at two points on each side of edge. By breaking away the part the lip of the lid is
exposed and the lid can be opened. When the part is broken away the abovementioned
joins to the lid rim (peripheral edge) are destroyed, so that it is clear that tampering
has taken place through the interruption of the circumference line. Thereafter the
lid can always easily be opened after closing.
[0035] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an illustrative
embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows, diagrammatically, a perspective and partially exposed view of the container
according to the invention;
Fig. 1a is a detail of fig. 1 with the lid in closed condition;
Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the seal according to the invention;
Fig. 3 shows the section along the line III-III in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 shows the section along the line IV-IV of the lid and the container in closed
position;
Fig. 5 shows in perspective view a further embodiment of the lid according to the
invention;
Fig. 6 shows in top view the lid of Fig. 5; and
Fig. 7 shows, diagrammatically, an installation for the production of packs according
to the invention.
[0036] In Fig. 1 a packaging according to the invention is indicated by 1. This consists
of a container 2 with base 17. The base 17 is positioned inside the container so that
it is somewhat raised, so that an upright rim 29 is produced. This upright rim facilitates
stacking of further containers.
[0037] 3 indicates a lid with lip 18 that is joined via a hinge 5 to a lid rim 4. Lid and
lid rim consist of a plastic material and are produced by injection moulding. As can
be seen from Fig. 4, in the closed position the top of lid 3 close to the periphery
thereof is somewhat below the top of the raised peripheral edge 23 of the lid rim.
The lid 3 is provided with a depending edge 26 fitting relatively closely inside the
circumferential edge 27 on the lid rim 4. The circumferential upper part of lid 3
is referred to by 28 and fits closely adjacent to peripheral edge 23. As a result
it is not possible to grasp the lid except at the location of the cut-out 24 in the
peripheral edge 23. In the closed position the depending part of lip 18 extends in
front of cut-out 24. Access to lip 18 is prevented by part 25 being in front of lip
18. This is shown in more detail in fig. 1a. It is clear that lip 18 has a barbed
protrusion engaging below a projection of part 25 and preventing lifting of lip 18
as long as part 25 is present. On delivery, the cut-out 24 is closed off by part 25,
which is joined to the peripheral edge 23 on either side by two points in each case.
Connection of part 25 to the circumferential edge 23 can be realised in any other
way such as by local decrease in thickness. Part 25 can be broken away easily and
after breaking away the lid can be opened by lifting lip 18. In this way it is clear
to the user that he or she is the first person to open the pack.
[0038] If part 25 has been tampered with this will be immediately evident because it is
at the outer circumference of the container. The lid rim is clamped or bonded to the
container wall, or fixed in some other way known in the state of the art. The outer
periphery of the lid/lid rim is such that this falls within the periphery of upright
lower rim 29. The container is of essentially rectangular construction, but it can
clearly be seen from the drawing that there is slight bulging in the middle of the
flat walls. This is indicated diagrammatically by b for the front face. Such bulging
can be limited and is preferably less than approximately 7 mm on the short side and
less than approximately 16 mm on the long side. That is to say, with respect to the
straight line that joins the points of greatest deflection/inflection, the outward
deviation is less than approximately 7 mm and approximately 16 mm, respectively, and
preferably 3 - 6 and 7 - 15 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the container can be provided
with finger holds to facilitate handling thereof.
[0039] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the lid rim 4 is provided with a levelling-off strip
6. When the pack is held at an angle, the overfilled scoop can then be moved under
edge 6 and an accurate volume is thus determined. Moreover, as a result of the construction
of the edge, no compression of the powder or product takes place, so that there is
always a reproducible amount of material in the scoop.
[0040] Product 11, such as baby food, is contained in the container 2. A seal 13, consisting
of a film material that has been applied to the inside of the wall of the container
2 by heat sealing, has been arranged immediately above this product. This film material
is provided with a weakening line 14 and a pull lip 15. When pull lip 15 is grasped,
film 13 will tear along weakening line 14 and access to the product thus becomes possible.
[0041] Lid 3 is provided with a convex portion 9 that falls within the elevation produced
by the upright rim 29 of a further pack optionally stacked on top of the pack shown
here. Moreover, there is a further elevation 10 in which part of scoop 8 is accommodated.
This part is preferably the bowl of the scoop. Optionally there can be yet a further
elevation for the (end of) the handle.
[0042] The size of the scoop is dependent on the desired dosage. The elevation 10 can extend
above the elevation 9, as can be seen from the cross-section according to Fig. 3.
The maximum of the elevation 10 with respect to the base is indicated by "a" and is
between 4 and 12 mm. Because the container is provided with a peripheral rim 29 at
the bottom, these elevations fall within the space delimited by said rim 29 and base
17. For accurate centring, rim 29 is flanged inwards to some extent from the base
17, so that a clearly fixed position is obtained when stacking. The height of the
base with respect to the positioning surface of the container is matched to the height
of the elevation with respect to the position where the side walls of the container
bear on the underlying pack. This is shown by "b" in Figure 4. The handle of scoop
8 can be clamped with a snap fit between lips 7 that are integral with the lid and
are preferably located close to or in the middle of the lid. The container wall is
provided with recesses 16 that correspond to the shape of the user's fingers. Clamping
the scoop to the lid avoids the scoop being dropped back into the powder after first
use. If the scoop is clicked into the lid, bacterial contamination can be prevented
as far as possible. Before the first opening of the container, i.e. after shipment
from the filling facility the scoop 8 might be loosely arranged on seal 13. This is
shown in Fig. 4. It can be concluded from Fig. 4 that the size of scoop 8 is such
that the accommodation defined by the top of the lid and the lower side thereof is
not sufficient to receive the scoop. Because of that seal 13 is provided at a distance
r from the lowest point of the accommodation in the lid for spoon of the container.
This distance r is preferably between 20 and 50 mm and more in particular about 40
mm. In this way the height of the lid can be kept relatively low which allows for
easy stacking during production thereof.
[0043] The height of the lid is such that also after first use, when the seal is removed
and scoop 8 is clamped between lips 7, the scoop extends partially in the space below
the lid and defined by the top of the container 2.
[0044] The edge 23 is made upright in order to make it possible that powder that is spilt
during movement of the filled scoop falls back into the container.
[0045] It can be seen from Fig. 3 that the wall of the container is made up of a laminate.
From outside to inside this consists of a layer of board/paper 20, a relatively thin
aluminium foil 21 and, arranged inside this, a layer of a plastic material 22 that
can be joined to seal 13 by heat sealing. As a result of the use of the seal, the
risk that foreign bodies could reach the product is limited. After all, after the
seal has been applied such undesired bodies, such as plastic parts of the scoop, will
remain on top of the seal and not be able to reach the powder.
[0046] A few typical dimensions of the packaging will be given below. However, it must be
understood that these must be interpreted as non-limiting if baby food is packed.
[0047] The distance between the bottom of the lid and the top of the seal is preferably
between 14 and 27 mm. More particularly this distance is between 7 and 23 mm. Such
a gap is precisely enough to accommodate a scoop. However, this height will vary depending
on the desired volume of the scoop.
[0048] The gap below the seal and above the powder is preferably less than 10 mm and more
particularly less than 5 mm. That is to say the seal is positioned as close as possible
to the powder during packing.
[0049] As can be seen from the drawing, the container is of rectangular construction, as
a result of which this can be emptied to the optimum with the aid of scoop 8. In order
to optimise emptying, the length of the scoop is preferably 60 - 95 % of the diagonal
of the container and more particularly 70 - 90 % thereof.
[0050] As a result of the use of rectangular containers, optimum use can be made of the
available volume either in the packaging or on the shelf of the retail organisation.
[0051] In Fig. 5 a further embodiment of the lid according to the invention is shown. This
is generally referred to by 53 and basically correspond with lid 3 according to the
previous figures. The elevation for the scoop is referred to by 60, 61. Elevation
60 is adapted to receive part of the bowl 52 of scoop 58 whilst elevation 61 is provided
to receive stem 54 thereof. In between both elevation 60, 61 reinforcement ribs of
the lid extend. Clamping means 57 are shown in dotted lines. This embodiment arrangement
is such that in clamped position the open side of bowl 52 is directed to accommodation
60. This means that it is possible to receive bowls having different "height" between
clamping lips 57 This allows for the use of several sized bowls of scoop 58 without
adaptation to the design of the lid. Also, in this embodiment only part of the scoop
is accommodated by the lid whilst the remaining part is accommodated by the space
above the seal in the container.
[0052] An installation for the production of a pack is shown in Fig. 7 This consists of
a feed station 31, into which blanks 32 are introduced. With the aid of a folding/sealing
station 33 the containers 34 according to the present invention are produced therefrom.
These containers consist of a wall and a base without lid. The product is then introduced
at 35. At 30 the sealing film is applied by heat sealing while introducing an inert
gas into the space in which the product is stored. In this way a volume that remains
gastight is obtained in which the product can be stored for a very long period without
damage. The introduction of gas can be carried out either batchwise or continuously
in station 30. Checks on the packaging and the contents are carried out at 39. The
lid, together with the lid rim, is then pressed onto the container wall and fixed
thereto at 37. Collection and packing takes place at 38.
[0053] Although the invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment,
it must be understood that numerous modifications can be made thereto without going
beyond the scope of the present application as defined in the appended claims.
1. Packaging (1) for pulverulent baby food, comprising a container (2), a lid (3) and
a metering scoop (8), an accommodation being provided in said lid being defined by
the top of the lid and the lower side thereof for accommodating said measuring scoop
(8), wherein said lid is provided with an elevation oriented outwards when the lid
is in the fitted position on said container, the interior of which elevation delimiting
a cavity for partially accommodating said scoop and the inside of said lid being provided
with fixing means (7) for said scoop, said container (2) having a seal (13) for separating
the contents of the container from the environment and extending over a free cross-sectional
area of said container, wherein the container wall contains a heat-sealable material
(22) on the inside and wherein said seal is a heat-sealable film, which seal (13)
is fixed to the container wall by heat sealing at a distance from the top of said
container, whereby the height of said accommodation in said lid is smaller than the
height of said scoop such that when the lid is closed on said container the scoop
is received in the accommodation defined between said lid and said seal, wherein the
seal (13) comprises a weakening line (14) and a pull lip (15), said weakening line
(14) being arranged such that when a user pulls the pull lip (15) the seal (13) will
tear along the weakening line (14) thereby forming an access opening providing access
to the baby food in the container (2), and such that an edge of the seal (13) remains
on the side wall and in that said scoop is separate from said lid and container and
is not permanently connected with said lid such that breakage is not necessary.
2. Packaging according to Claim 1, wherein the elevation of the lid has the shape of
the scoop, the highest point of said elevation extends at least 4 mm (a) above the
top peripheral edge of said packaging.
3. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said lid (3) is fixed,
such that it can hinge (5), to a supporting edge (4), which is fixed to said container
wall, wherein said lid and supporting edge comprise a single part of plastic material.
4. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, in combination with Claim 3, wherein
said supporting edge is provided with a levelling-off surface.
5. Packaging according to Claim 4, wherein said levelling-off surface is arranged close
to a corner of said container.
6. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, in combination with Claim 3, wherein
said supporting edge is provided with a raised part, within which the lid is fitted
horizontally, which raised part is provided with a cut-out (24), provided with a closure
part (25) that can be removed easily.
7. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, said scoop comprises a cup wherein
said fixing means (7) are arranged to receive the scoop such that the open part of
the cup is directed to said lid.
8. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said container and said
lid are essentially rectangular.
9. Packaging according to one of Claims 7 or 8, wherein the distance (r) between the
top of said film and the lowest point of the accommodation in the lid for the scoop
is between 35 and 50 mm.
10. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said container wall consists
of a paper (20)/metal foil (21)/plastic (22) laminate.
11. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said wall of the container
extends downwards beyond the base (17) of said container to delimit an upright rim
(29).
12. Packaging according to claim 11, wherein the highest point of said elevation extends
above the top peripheral edge (23) of said packaging a distance that is less than
said upright rim (29) such that a container can be stacked on an underlying container.
13. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said lid has a circumferential
edge (28) and the top of said container has a peripheral edge (23), wherein in the
closed position of said lid, said circumferential edge (28) of said lid is inaccessibly
accommodated within said peripheral edge (23), means (25) being provided to interrupt
said peripheral edge (23) for access to said circumferential edge (28).
14. Packaging according to claim 13, wherein said means to interrupt said peripheral edge
(23) comprise a breakable peripheral edge portion (25).
15. Packaging according to claim 13 of 14, wherein said lid comprises a lip being locked
in position by said means (25).
16. Method for providing a packaging according to any of claims 1 to 15 filled with powder,
comprising the provision of a container provided with a base (17), the inside wall
of the container consisting of a heat-sealable material, filling powder into said
container, placing the heat-sealable film above the powder, joining said film to said
container wall by heat-sealing, provision being made for the fitting of the lid, placing
the scoop on the heat-sealable film, and pressing the lid, having a lid rim, onto
the container wall and fixing it thereto.
17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the provision of a container comprises using
blanks of wall material and base material as the starting materials and joining these
together immediately before filling with product.
18. Method according to claim 16 or 17 wherein inert gas is fed into the space located
below the film before/when sealing the film to the container wall.
19. Method according to Claim 18, wherein gas is fed to a number of packs simultaneously.
1. Verpackung (1) für pulverisierte Babynahrung, welche einen Behälter (2), einen Deckel
(3) und eine Messschaufel (8) umfasst, wobei eine Aufnahme in dem Deckel zum Aufnehmen
der Messschaufel (8) durch das Oberteil des Deckels und dessen untere Seite definiert
ist, wobei der Deckel mit einer Erhöhung versehen ist, welche auswärts orientiert
ist, wenn sich der Deckel in der eingepassten Lage auf dem Behälter befindet, wobei
das Innere der Erhöhung einen Hohlraum zum teilweisen Aufnehmen der Schaufel begrenzt
und die Innenseite des Deckels mit Befestigungsvorrichtungen (7) für die Schaufel
versehen ist, wobei der Behälter (2) eine Versiegelung (13) zum Trennen der Inhalte
des Behälters von der Umgebung und Erstrecken über eine freie Querschnittsfläche des
Behälters aufweist, wobei die Behälterwand ein wärmeversiegelbares Material (22) auf
der Innenseite umfasst und wobei die Versiegelung ein wärmeversiegelbarer Film ist,
wobei die Versiegelung (13) an der Behälterwand durch Wärmeversiegelung mit einem
Abstand von dem Oberteil des Behälters befestigt ist, wobei die Höhe der Aufnahme
in dem Deckel kleiner ist als die Höhe der Schaufel, sodass, wenn der Deckel auf dem
Behälter geschlossen ist, die Schaufel in die Aufnahme, welche zwischen dem Deckel
und der Versiegelung definiert ist, aufgenommen wird, wobei die Versiegelung (13)
eine Schwächungslinie (14) und eine Ziehlippe (15) umfasst, wobei die Schwächungslinie
(14) derart angeordnet ist, sodass wenn ein Nutzer die Ziehlippe (15) zieht, die Versiegelung
(13) entlang der Schwächungslinie (14) reißt, wodurch eine Zugangsöffnung gebildet
wird, welche Zugang zu der Babynahrung in dem Behälter (2) bereitstellt, und sodass
eine Kante der Versieglung (13) auf der Seitenwand verbleibt und dadurch, dass die
Schaufel separat ist vom Deckel und Behälter und nicht dauerhaft mit dem Deckel verbunden
ist, sodass ein Brechen nicht erforderlich ist.
2. Verpackung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Erhöhung des Deckels die Form der Schaufel aufweist,
wobei sich der höchste Punkt der Erhöhung zumindest 4 mm (a) über die obere periphere
Kante der Verpackung erstreckt.
3. Verpackung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Deckel (3) derart, dass
er geklappt werden kann, an einer Stützkante (4) befestigt ist, welche an der Behälterwand
befestigt ist, wobei Deckel und Stützkante ein einzelnes Teil aus Plastikmaterial
umfassen.
4. Verpackung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, in Kombination mit Anspruch 3, wobei
die Stützkante mit einer Angleichungsfläche versehen ist.
5. Verpackung nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Angleichungsfläche nahe zu einer Ecke des Behälters
angeordnet ist.
6. Verpackung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, in Kombination mit Anspruch 3, wobei
die Stützkante mit einem erhöhten Teil versehen ist, innerhalb welchem der Deckel
horizontal eingepasst ist, wobei das erhöhte Teil mit einem Ausschnitt (24) versehen
ist, welcher mit einem Schließteil (25) versehen ist, welches einfach entfernt werden
kann.
7. Verpackung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Schaufel einen Becher
umfasst, wobei die Befestigungsvorrichtung (7) angeordnet ist, die Schaufel derart
aufzunehmen, dass der offene Teil des Bechers zu dem Deckel gerichtet ist.
8. Verpackung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Behälter und der Deckel
im Wesentlichen rechteckig sind.
9. Verpackung nach einem der Ansprüche 7 oder 8, wobei der Abstand (r) zwischen dem Oberteil
des Filmes und dem untersten Punkt der Aufnahme in dem Deckel für die Schaufel zwischen
35 und 50 mm beträgt.
10. Verpackung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Behälterwand aus einem
Papier (20) / Metallfolien (21) / Plastik (22) Laminat besteht.
11. Verpackung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei sich die Wand des Behälters
abwärts über den Boden (17) des Behälters hinaus erstreckt, um einen senkrechten Rand
(29) zu begrenzen.
12. Verpackung nach Anspruch 11, wobei sich der höchste Punkt der Erhöhung über die obere
peripherere Kante (23) der Verpackung erstreckt in einem Abstand, welcher kleiner
ist als der senkrechte Rand (29), sodass ein Behälter auf einen darunterliegenden
Behälter gestapelt werden kann.
13. Verpackung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Deckel eine Umfangskante
(28) aufweist und das Oberteil des Behälters eine periphere Kante (23) aufweist, wobei
in der geschlossenen Lage des Deckels, die Umfangskante (28) des Deckels unzugänglich
innerhalb der peripheren Kante (23) aufgenommen ist, wobei eine Vorrichtung (25) bereitgestellt
ist, um die periphere Kante (23) für einen Zugang zu der Umfangskante (28) zu unterbrechen.
14. Verpackung nach Anspruch 13, wobei die Vorrichtung zum Unterbrechen der peripheren
Kante (23) ein brechbares peripheres Kantenstück (25) umfasst.
15. Verpackung nach Anspruch 13 von 14, wobei der Deckel eine Lippe umfasst, welche durch
die Vorrichtung (25) in einer Lage eingeschlossen sind.
16. Verfahren zum Bereitstellen einer mit Pulver gefüllten Verpackung nach einem der Ansprüche
1 bis 15, mit der Bereitstellung eines Behälters, welcher mit einem Boden (17) versehen
ist, wobei die Innenwand des Behälters aus einem wärmeversiegelbaren Material besteht,
Füllen von Pulver in den Behälter, Anordnen des wärmeversiegelbaren Filmes über dem
Pulver, Verbinden des Filmes mit der Behälterwand durch Wärmeversiegeln, Vorkehrung
treffen für das Einpassen des Deckels, Anordnen der Schaufel auf dem wärmeversiegelbaren
Film, und Pressen des Deckels, welcher einen Deckelrand aufweist, auf die Behälterwand
und befestigen von diesem mit dieser.
17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16, wobei die Bereitstellung eines Behälters ein Nutzen von
Bahnen von Wandmaterial und Bodenmaterial als Ausgangsmaterialien und ein Zusammenverbinden
dieser unmittelbar vor einem Füllen mit einem Produkt umfasst.
18. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16 oder 17, wobei inertes Gas in den Raum eingeleitet wird,
welcher unterhalb des Filmes angeordnet ist vor/bei einem Versiegeln des Filmes an
die Behälterwand.
19. Verfahren nach Anspruch 18, wobei Gas zu einer Anzahl von Packungen gleichzeitig zugeführt
wird.
1. Emballage (1) pour aliments en poudre pour bébé, comprenant un récipient (2), un couvercle
(3) et une cuillère mesure (8), un logement dans ledit couvercle qui est défini par
la partie supérieure du couvercle et son côté inférieur, étant prévu pour loger ladite
cuillère mesure (8), dans lequel ledit couvercle est prévu avec une élévation orientée
vers l'extérieur lorsque le couvercle est dans la position montée sur ledit récipient,
l'intérieur de laquelle élévation délimitant une cavité pour loger partiellement ladite
cuillère et l'intérieur dudit couvercle étant prévu avec des moyens de fixation (7)
pour ladite cuillère, ledit récipient (2) ayant un joint (13) pour séparer le contenu
du récipient de l'environnement et s'étendant sur une zone transversale libre dudit
récipient, dans lequel la paroi de récipient contient un matériau thermo-soudable
(22) à l'intérieur et dans lequel ledit joint est un film thermo-soudable, lequel
joint (13) est fixé sur la paroi de récipient par thermosoudage à une distance de
la partie supérieure dudit récipient, moyennant quoi la hauteur dudit logement dans
ledit couvercle est plus petite que la hauteur de ladite cuillère de sorte que lorsque
le couvercle est fermé sur ledit récipient, la cuillère est reçue dans le logement
défini entre ledit couvercle et ledit joint, dans lequel le joint (13) comprend une
ligne de faiblesse (14) et une lèvre de traction (15), ladite ligne de faiblesse (14)
étant agencée de sorte que lorsqu'un utilisateur tire sur la lèvre de traction (15),
le joint (13) se déchire le long de la ligne de faiblesse (14) formant ainsi une ouverture
d'accès fournissant l'accès aux aliments pour bébé dans le récipient (2), et de sorte
qu'un bord du joint (13) reste sur la paroi latérale et en ce que ladite cuillère
est séparât dudit couvercle et dudit récipient et n'est pas raccordée de manière permanente
audit couvercle de sorte que la rupture n'est pas nécessaire.
2. Emballage selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élévation du couvercle a la forme
de la cuillère, le point le plus haut de ladite élévation s'étend sur au moins 4 mm
(a) au-dessus du bord périphérique supérieur dudit emballage.
3. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit
couvercle (3) est fixé, de sorte qu'il peut s'articuler (5), à un bord de support
(4) qui est fixé à ladite paroi de récipient, dans lequel ledit couvercle et le bord
de support comprennent une partie unique en matière plastique.
4. Emballage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, en combinaison avec la revendication
3, dans lequel ledit bord de support est prévu avec une surface de égalisation.
5. Emballage selon la revendication 4, dans lequel ladite surface de égalisation est
agencée à proximité d'un coin dudit récipient.
6. Emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, en combinaison avec
la revendication 3, dans lequel ledit bord de support est prévu avec une partie relevée,
à l'intérieur de laquelle le couvercle est monté horizontalement, laquelle partie
relevée est prévue avec une découpe (24), prévue avec une partie de fermeture (25)
qui peut être facilement retirée.
7. Emballage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, ladite cuillère comprend une
coupelle, dans lequel lesdits moyens de fixation (7) sont agencés pour recevoir la
cuillère de sorte que la partie ouverte de la coupelle est dirigée vers ledit couvercle.
8. Emballage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit récipient
et ledit couvercle sont essentiellement rectangulaires.
9. Emballage selon l'une des revendications 7 ou 8, dans lequel la distance (r) entre
la partie supérieure dudit film et le point de logement le plus bas dans le couvercle
pour la cuillère est comprise entre 35 et 50 mm.
10. Emballage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite paroi de
récipient se compose d'un stratifié de papier (20) / feuille d'aluminium (21) / plastique
(22).
11. Emballage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite paroi du
récipient s'étend vers le bas au-delà de la base (17) dudit récipient pour délimiter
un rebord droit (29).
12. Emballage selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le point le plus haut de ladite élévation
s'étend au-dessus du bord périphérique supérieur (23) dudit emballage sur une distance
qui est inférieure dudit rebord droit (29) de sorte qu'un récipient peut être empilé
sur un récipient sous-jacent.
13. Emballage selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit couvercle
a un bord circonférentiel (28) et la partie supérieure dudit récipient a un bord périphérique
(23), dans lequel, dans ladite position fermée dudit couvercle, ledit bord circonférentiel
(28) dudit couvercle est logé de manière inaccessible à l'intérieur dudit bord périphérique
(23), des moyens (25) étant prévus pour interrompre ledit bord périphérique (23) pour
l'accès audit bord circonférentiel (28).
14. Emballage selon la revendication 13, dans lequel lesdits moyens pour interrompre ledit
bord périphérique (23) comprennent une partie de bord périphérique cassable (25).
15. Emballage selon la revendication 13 ou 14, dans lequel ledit couvercle comprend une
lèvre qui est bloquée en position par lesdits moyens (25).
16. Procédé pour fournir un emballage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 15,
rempli de poudre, comprenant les étapes consistant à prévoir un récipient doté d'une
base (17), la paroi intérieure du récipient se composant d'un matériau thermo-soudable,
remplir ledit récipient avec de la poudre, placer le film thermo-soudable au-dessus
de la poudre, assembler ledit film sur ladite paroi de récipient par thermosoudage,
prévoir le montage du couvercle, placer la cuillère sur le film thermo-soudable et
comprimer le couvercle, ayant un rebord de couvercle, sur la paroi de récipient et
le fixer sur cette dernière.
17. Procédé selon la revendication 16, dans lequel le fait de prévoir un récipient comprend
les étapes consistant à utiliser des ébauches de matériau de paroi et de matériau
de base en tant que matériaux de départ et assembler ces derniers immédiatement avant
le remplissage avec le produit.
18. Procédé selon la revendication 16 ou 17, dans lequel on amène du gaz inerte dans l'espace
situé au-dessous du film avant / au moment de la fermeture hermétique du film sur
la paroi de récipient.
19. Procédé selon la revendication 18, dans lequel le gaz est amené à un certains nombre
de paquets simultanément.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description