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(11) | EP 2 060 506 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Packaging for edible products |
| (57) The invention relates to a packaging filled with an edible product to be kept warm,
in particular a sauce such as garlic sauce, satay sauce, etc. A packaging (1) according
to the invention comprises a tray (2) filled with the product, a foil which closes
off the tray (2), and a decorative lid (3) for at least partly covering the foil which
closes off the tray (2). The decorative lid (3) is furthermore configured as a support
such that the decorative lid (3) can be placed on a supporting surface such as a table
surface for positioning the tray (2) above a tea warmer (7). By placing the tray (2)
on the decorative lid (3) above a burning tea warmer (7), the contents of the tray
(2) can be warmed up and/or kept warm in a simple manner.
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[0001] The invention relates to a packaging filled with an edible product to be kept warm, in particular a sauce, comprising a tray filled with the product, a foil which closes off the tray, and a decorative lid for at least partly covering the tray.
[0002] Packagings of this type are known in the art and are used for the packaging of edible products such as satay sauce, garlic sauce, herb butter. A drawback of packagings of this type is that they are unsuitable for warming up and/or keeping warm a product.
[0003] In order to warm the product up, it is taken out of the packaging and transferred to a pan or heat-resistant dish. Subsequently, the product is warmed up on a hot plate or in a microwave oven. If it is desirable to place the warmed-up product, for example during a meal, on a table in order to make use of it over a relatively long time, it is necessary to prevent the product from cooling down again. The warming-up and/or keeping-warm of the contents of a packaging of this type is as a result laborious.
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a packaging which is suitable for simply warming up and keeping warm a product. For this purpose, the invention provides a packaging according to claim 1.
[0005] The tray filled with the product is in a first state of use closed off by the foil. In this first state of use, the edible contents are covered and the packaging can be transported and preserved.
[0006] In the first state of use, the decorative lid covers the foil at least partly. During transportation, this prevents the foil for example from becoming caught at any point and tearing open. When the packaging is on the supermarket shelf, the decorative lid prevents the foil from becoming perforated by another product and thus from losing its protective function.
[0007] The decorative lid is furthermore configured as a support such that, in a second state of use, the decorative lid can be placed on a supporting surface for positioning the tray above a tea warmer for warming up and/or keeping warm the contents of the tray. The contents of the tray can thus be warmed up and/or kept warm in a simple manner.
[0009] The invention will be described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic view obliquely from above a packaging according to the invention in a first state of use;
Fig. 2 is a schematic view obliquely from above the packaging from Figure 1 in a second state of use; and
Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the packaging from Figure 1 in a first state of use.
[0010] A packaging according to the invention comprises a tray for holding the edible product, a decorative lid for at least partly covering the tray, and a foil for sealing the tray.
[0011] The packaging allows an edible product to be preserved and to be protected during transportation. In addition, the packaging allows the product to be warmed up and/or to be kept warm for consumption.
[0012] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a packaging 1 according to the invention in a first state of use. In this state of use, the packaging 1 is suitable for protecting an edible product during transportation and storage.
[0013] Figure 2 shows the same exemplary embodiment in a second state of use. In this state, the packaging 1 is suitable for warming up and/or keeping warm the product. In addition, the packaging 1 has a presentation function and the use of the product is simplified.
[0014] The tray 2 shown has an approximately triangular bottom surface and a protruding wall 10 such that the tray is somewhat cup-shaped with an approximately triangular opening on the upper side. Along the opening, the wall 10 is provided with a flange 11 for fastening the foil (not shown) for closing off the tray 2. The flange 11 furthermore forms a reinforcement which makes the tray 2 extra rigid. A rigid tray will become deformed less rapidly under the weight of the contents, as a result of which for example a mess will be made less rapidly.
[0015] The tray 2 is preferably made of aluminium, such that the tray is light and furthermore has good thermal conductivity in order to facilitate the warming of the contents.
[0016] Preferably, the wall 10 of the tray 2 is not higher than 35 mm, preferably not higher than 30 mm. As a result, the contents of the tray 2 are optimally warmed when said tray is placed in a microwave oven, even if the tray 2 is made of for example aluminium or another material which can restrict the influence of the microwave radiation on the contents.
[0017] The decorative lid 3 of the exemplary embodiment shown has the same triangular circumference as the bottom surface and the opening of the tray 2. Along the circumference, the decorative lid 3 is provided with a clamping edge 12 for clamping the decorative edge 3 to the flange 11 of the tray 2.
[0018] The clamping edge 12 of the decorative lid 3 furthermore defines a support face for supporting the decorative lid 3 on a supporting surface 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the clamping edge 12 of the tray 2 is uninterrupted along the entire circumference of the decorative lid. In an alternative embodiment, the edge defining the support face can for example also recede in a direction perpendicular to the support face defined by the edge. Thus, the edge can for example form three support points instead of one uninterrupted support point, thus allowing the decorative lid to rest stably on a non-uniform supporting surface.
[0019] The preferred embodiment shown in the figures comprises a decorative lid 3 provided with a holder 8 for holding a tea warmer 7 below the tray 2. This has the advantage that the tea warmer 7 is of its own accord positioned centrally for warming a tray 2 placed on the decorative lid 3. In addition, the tea warmer 7 remains in the optimum position when the decorative lid 3 is displaced and/or raised. This also has the advantage that when the decorative lid 3, if appropriate with the tray 2 thereon, is to be displaced, the tea warmer 7 does not have to be displaced separately.
[0020] Preferably, the decorative lid comprises a holder for holding a tea warmer comprising a receiving opening having a diameter of between 40 mm and 48 mm, such that a tea warmer can easily be placed in the receiving opening. Preferably, the tea warmer is supplied as standard and already placed in the holder when the consumer purchases the packaging. The packaging can then be used immediately for warming up and keeping warm the product.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the decorative lid is provided with a holder for holding, in the second state of use, the tea warmer at a certain distance from the supporting surface. In this way, air can circulate below the portion of the decorative lid wherein the tea warmer is received and the supporting surface and/or the part of the decorative lid below the tea warmer are prevented from becoming so hot that they become discoloured or otherwise damaged.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the decorative lid, instead of a holder, can furthermore be provided with an opening. During the warming-up of the contents of the tray, the tea warmer then stands on the supporting surface on which the decorative lid also rests. A decorative lid of this type is relatively simple in its shape and can be made from little material, as a result of which the decorative lid is light and can be produced inexpensively.
[0023] Between the central portion of the decorative lid 3 and the edge of the decorative lid 3, three supports 4 are provided at the same distance from one another. A recess is in each case provided between two supports 4 such that the central portion, wherein the tea warmer 7 is received, is not closed off when the tray is placed on the supports 4.
[0024] The three supports 4 are configured for stably supporting the tray 2. Each support comprises a first support face 5 for supporting the tray 2 in a supporting direction, approximately perpendicular to the supporting surface 6.
[0025] Instead of three supports, a decorative lid according to the invention can furthermore be provided with one support extending along the entire circumference of the decorative lid. A support of this type can be provided with openings for allowing oxygen to pass to the portion of the decorative lid where the tea warmer is alight. Also, the decorative lid can for example be provided, not with three supports, but rather with two, four or more supports. The preferably circular portion defined by the supports has a diameter of preferably 80 mm, such that the surface of the bottom of the tray that is exposed to the flame of the tea warmer is sufficiently large for rapidly warming up the product.
[0026] The decorative lid shown is furthermore configured for supporting in a lateral direction a tray 2 placed on the decorative lid 3. The three supports 4 shown comprise a second support face 9 extending at an angle to the first support face 5. Supporting the tray 2 in a second direction prevents a tray 2 from shifting, when for example taking a portion of the product out of the tray, and possibly falling from the decorative lid 3. In addition, the supports 4 help with this second support face 9 during the placing of the tray 2 on the decorative lid 3, during the centring with respect to the tea warmer 7.
[0027] The supports and the tray can be shaped in alternative manners for positioning the tray on the supports; thus, the tray can for example be provided with recesses wherein a portion of the support is received.
[0028] The dimensions of the decorative lid and the supports are preferably such as to allow a tray placed on the decorative lid to shift only in the lateral direction. This prevents the tray from becoming jammed on the decorative lid in the second state of use.
[0029] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the central portion of the bottom of the tray 2 is provided with a depressed circular portion 13. The three supports 4 are formed to act on a circular edge of this bottom portion 13. The fact that the supports 4 act on this circular portion 13 of the triangular bottom surface allows a tray 2 placed on the decorative lid 3 to be rotated.
[0030] Once the decorative lid 3 is placed on the tray 2 in order to cover the foil, the supports 4 of the decorative lid 3 can furthermore be used for positioning a second tray on the first tray, a third tray on the second tray, etc. The centring and supporting properties of the decorative lid thus also allow simple stacking of packagings according to the invention; this is advantageous during for example storage or on the supermarket shelf.
[0031] The decorative lid is preferably made of a plastics material, and preferably a plastics material with a fire retardant such that in the case of overheating the decorative lid does not simply catch fire.
[0032] Furthermore, the lid is preferably made of an at least partly transparent plastics material. Making the supports of a transparent plastics material, for example, prevents a support from concealing the tea warmer from view, and it is easy to establish whether or not the tea warmer is alight. In addition, the use of a transparent decorative lid contributes to the decorative play of light of the tea warmer. This atmosphere-intensifying property strengthens the presentation function of the packaging and makes the packaging additionally suitable for use on for example a dinner table.
[0033] In order to warm up and/or to keep warm the contents of the tray 2, the decorative lid 3 is taken from the tray 2 and the foil is removed from the tray 2. The decorative lid 3 is placed with the clamping edge 12 on a supporting surface 6, for example a table surface, and, if necessary, provided with a tea warmer 7.
[0034] Once the tea warmer 7 has been lit, the tray 2 is placed on the decorative lid 3, such that the tea warmer 7 warms the tray, and thus the contents of the tray, from below.
[0035] Alternatively, the contents of the tray 2 can also be warmed up by placing the tray for example in a microwave oven. The tray 2 containing the warmed-up contents is subsequently placed on the decorative lid 3 with the tea warmer 7 in order to keep the contents warm for a relatively long time.
[0036] The contents of the tray 2 can thus be warmed up and/or kept warm in a simple manner without having to be taken out of the packaging.
[0037] If the entire contents of the tray 2 are not used up in one go, the decorative lid 3 can also be used to close off the tray if the opened packaging is for example stored temporarily in a refrigerator. In this way, the product is to some extent covered, thus preventing the entire refrigerator from starting to smell of for example garlic sauce or satay sauce.
[0038] It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments represented in the present document. Thus, the tray can also be provided with a spout and/or a handle for pouring out a warm product such as for example gravy. The decorative lid can also for example be made of aluminium. Furthermore, the holder can be configured in such a way that the top portion of the tea warmer projects above the receiving opening, thus allowing the tea warmer easily to be taken out of the holder. Variants of this type will be clear to a person skilled in the art and are deemed to lie within the scope of the invention as expressed in the subsequent claims.
1. Packaging (1) filled with an edible product to be kept warm, in particular a sauce,
comprising:
- a tray (2) filled with the product,
- a foil which closes off the tray (2), and
- a decorative lid (3) for at least partly covering the foil which closes off the tray (2), wherein the decorative lid (3) is furthermore configured as a support such that the decorative lid can be placed on a supporting surface for positioning the tray (2) above a tea warmer (7) for warming up and/or keeping warm the contents of the tray (2).
2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein the decorative lid (3) is provided with a
holder (8) for holding the tea warmer (7).
3. Packaging according to claim 2, wherein the holder (8) is configured for holding the
tea warmer (7) at a certain distance from the supporting surface (6).
4. Packaging according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the holder (8) comprises a receiving
opening having a diameter between 40 mm and 48 mm.
5. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative lid is
furthermore configured for supporting in a lateral direction a tray (2) placed on
the decorative lid (3).
6. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative lid (3)
comprises three supports (4) for supporting the tray (2) at three points.
7. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (2) is made of
aluminium.
8. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative lid (3)
is made of a plastics material with a fire retardant.
9. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative lid (3)
is made of an at least partly transparent plastics material.
10. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (10) of the tray
(2) is not higher than 35 mm, preferably not higher than 30 mm.