Container

Abstract

 There is provided in accordance with the invention a container (6) which allows contents held therein, such as a food-stuff in the form of a cereal, to be held in an initial sealed condition to maintain the quality of the same and at the same time allow the container (6) to be relatively rigid in form. The container (6) includes means for defining an opening (21) to gain initial access to the same to allow removal of at least a portion of the content and also provides a lid portion (7) which can be placed into position to subsequently close and typically substantially seal the opening to retain the remaining contents in good condition, until access is subsequently required.

Description

[0001] The invention to which this application relates is a container which allows the contents stored therein to be stored in a manner which allows the same be available for selective removal while at the same time ensuring that the contents are maintained in a fresh or other desired manner.

[0002] Although the following description refers almost exclusively to use of a container for foodstuff in the form of cereal, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used with other foodstuffs.

[0003] Conventional cereal boxes typically comprise an outer box made of paperboard such as cardboard, within which is disposed a plastic bag which contains the cereal. The plastic bag is impermeable to air and moisture and thus keeps the cereal fresh, whereas the cardboard provides structural rigidity to allow the box to stand upright in an optimal way.

[0004] However, when a conventional cereal box is opened, several steps are involved. Initially a person has to open the cardboard box. Next, the bag within the box has to be carefully opened, to allow the cereal contents to be poured out. Finally the bag is folded down to maintain the freshness of the cereal and the box is closed.

[0005] A further problem which occurs is that the quality of the contents of the conventional cereal box deteriorate over time and this is especially the case when successive quantities of the cereal are removed for consumption as, every time access is gained, then the contents are exposed and, although the consumer may attempt to preserve the condition of the contents by rolling up the bag to reduce the empty volume of the same, the contents are found to become stale relatively quickly.

[0006] It will therefore be appreciated that the number of opening steps is time-consuming, and if the bag is not closed properly the cereal will spoil.

[0007] An aim of the present invention is to provide a container which allows the contents to be stored therein in a more effective manner and to overcome or at least minimise the above problems.

[0008] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container including:

an outer layer comprising paper or card board;

an inner layer comprising a material substantially impermeable to moisture;

wherein the inner layer is formed substantially as a lining or coating on the outer layer.

[0009] In one embodiment the container is suitable for storing foodstuffs therein. Typically the foodstuffs include any of cereal, frozen foods, dried food, and/or the like.

[0010] Thus as the inner layer is impermeable to moisture and is formed as part of the box rather than being a separate bag inside the box, the contents of the box stay fresh while being more easily accessible. Typically the contents stay fresh for up to 12 months or more.

[0011] In one embodiment the inner layer comprises a bioplastic sheet material.

[0012] Typically the container is recyclable and/or biodegradable. Typically a biodegradable container may biodegrade within 12 months or so.

[0013] In a further embodiment the inner layer comprises aluminium, typically in the form of a foil lining.

[0014] In a yet further embodiment the inner layer comprises a lining of aluminium-coated plastic.

[0015] Aluminium foil is useful in food packaging as it prevents the migration of moisture, oxygen and volatile aromas. In addition, aluminium foil provides a greater degree of protection to the contents of containers against the impact of light compared to plastic materials.

[0016] In one embodiment the inner layer is attached to the outer layer using adhesive, but it will be appreciated that other methods could be used to join the layers together such as by laminating the layers together to form a multiply sheet material from which the blank can be formed. In one embodiment, once attached, the inner and outer layers effectively form integral walls of the container.

[0017] In one embodiment, the container is provided with a lid which is moveable between an open position and a closed position.

[0018] In one embodiment the lid is provided with fastening means. Typically the fastening means is a catch located on the container and with a lip portion positioned to form a friction fit with an edge of the lid such that once the lid is moved past the lip towards the container wall the lip acts to retain the lid in position. Alternatively the fastening means may include any combination of hooks, loops, catches, latches, and/or the like. Typically the lid, when in a closed position, forms a seal with the box which is air-tight and/or water-tight so as to close an opening into the interior of the container.

[0019] In one embodiment, the box is provided with an opening section at a location corresponding to that of the lid on the container. Typically the opening section passes through a portion of the outer layer and inner layer.

[0020] In one embodiment the opening section is formed by perforating a line of weakness on the container wall or walls to define a portion of the box such that the same can be torn open or removed to form the opening.

[0021] Thus to access the contents of the box, the user moves the lid to the open position, and tears along the line of weakening to define an opening section. The user can then remove a portion of the contents, and re-seals the box by closing the lid to close the opening. It will be appreciated that the tearing action is only required on the first access, as the opening section will already be open on subsequent use.

[0022] In one embodiment the container includes a spout for pouring out the contents thereof.

[0023] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container for a pourable or flowable foodstuff, said container formed initially to wholly enclose the foodstuff therein in a substantially sealed condition, said container also including a lid portion located thereon and wherein at least a portion of the container is defined by a line of weakening and the location of the said portion substantially matches the location of the said lid portion.

[0024] Typically the said portion of the container is removed by tearing along the line of weakening to define an opening therein, said opening subsequently closable by the placement of the lid into a closed position.

[0025] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a retail pack for a foodstuff, said pack provided as a container in an initial sealed condition for display, and openable to allow a portion of the foodstuff to be dispensed therefrom via the opening, and wherein said opening is selectively re-sealable via a lid portion provided on the retail pack.

[0026] Typically the opening is formed by breaking a line of weakening passing through an inner and outer layer of the wall of the pack.

[0027] Typically the retail pack is a cereal pack with the cereal being maintained in a sealed environment when on retail display as the container is initially closed, and thereafter being retained in a sealed condition even after being opened to allow removal of the cereal, by the provision of the lid being movable to a closed position to close the opening.

[0028] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming and using a container for a pourable foodstuff, said method comprising the steps of forming the container from a blank of at least two ply sheet material comprising an outer layer of paper or card and in inner layer substantially impermeable to liquid, filling the container with the contents, closing the same to retain the contents in a substantially sealed manner, defining a portion of the container by a line of weakening, providing a lid portion to overlie said portion, wherein access is initially gained to the contents by removing said portion of the container by breaking the line of weakening to define an opening and once access is no longer required moving the lid to a closed position to close and reseal the container whereupon subsequent access to the contents is gained by moving the lid to an open position.

[0029] In one embodiment the pourable foodstuff is a cereal.

[0030] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank for a container as herein described.

[0031] Specific embodiments of the invention are now described wherein:-

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the components of a blank for a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a container being constructed according to an embodiment of the invention

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates the lid of a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross-section of the lid of a container in (a) a closed position, and (b) an open position.

[0032] With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated a blank comprising an inner layer 1 in the form of a lining material which is adhered to an outer layer 3 of cardboard, as indicated by arrow 2. The inner layer may be formed of a bioplastic material, a metal foil, or a combined metal and plastic.

[0033] The blank inner layer 1 and outer layer 3 are joined together, typically using adhesive to form, in effect, a one piece blank which, in this embodiment, is provided with a series of fold lines which define front and rear panels 10, 12 and end walls 14, 16, with the flap 16' provided to adhere to the end wall 16 when forming the container. The top and bottom faces are formed by the joining together of portions 18, 18', 18" and 20, 20', 20" respectively. With the inner layer joined to the .outer layer, thus, when the container is formed, the inner layer faces inwardly of the container 6, as shown in figure 2.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in figure 3, there is provided a lid assembly 7 with a movement portion 4 which is movable from a closed position which is illustrated, to an open position by a user gripping the movement portion 4. The lid assembly is attached to the container or may be formed as an integral part of the same and is provided to overlie an opening 21 in the container wall as will now be described.

[0035] This is shown in more detail with regard to figures 4-5b in which the lid assembly 7 is shown in greater detail to include fastening means 5 provided in the form of a catch so as to retain the movement portion 4 in a closed position and hence form an air type and water tight seal of the opening 21. The provision of the opening allows the contents of the container, such as a cereal, to be poured out from the container for use or consumption, as and when required with the movement portion 4 open as shown in Figure 5b and, when the desired amount of the cereal has been poured out, the movement portion 4 can be moved back to a closed sealing position as shown in Figure 4 and 5a to thereby retain the contents within this container in a fresh condition until consumption of the same is next required.

[0036] When initially formed, the container is completely sealed in a preferred embodiment and a portion of the wall of the container which is to define the opening 21 is defined by a line of weakening formed by perforating at least one of the inner or outer layer but more typically, by forming a line of weakening through both the inner and outer layer of the container wall.

[0037] The container is typically a retail pack and so can be displayed in this initially sealed position. Thus, once subsequently purchased, in order to initially gain access, the consumer has to break the line of weakening by the user lifting the movement portion 4 as illustrated in figure 5b and then gaining access to the line of weakness to break through the same and move or remove the container wall portion 9 from the position shown in figure 5a to the position shown in figure 5b. This allows the opening 21 to be formed and access to be gained to the contents of the container.

[0038] When the container is to be sealed once again, the portion 9 need not be moved back to the position shown in figure 5a as, instead, the opening 21 is sealed by moving the portion 4 into an engaged position with the catch 5 and hence provides water type and air tight seal.

[0039] There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention, a form of container which provides support for contents held therein, allows the contents to have the required shelf and subsequent consumption life in the terms of maintaining the condition of the same, particularly with regard to foodstuffs, and, furthermore, provides a structure which enables the contents of the container to be maintained in a good condition even after the container has initially been accessed to remove a portion of the material therefrom.

[0040] A container including:

an outer layer comprising paperboard;

an inner layer comprising a material substantially impermeable to moisture;

wherein the inner layer is formed substantially as a lining or coating of the outer layer.

[0041] Preferably, the container is used to store foodstuffs therein.

[0042] Preferably, the container is used to store a flowable material therein.

[0043] Preferably, the inner layer is formed as an integral part of the container.

[0044] Preferably, the inner layer is formed of a bioplastic.

[0045] Preferably, the same is recyclable and/or biodegradable.

[0046] Preferably, the container biodegrades within 12 months.

[0047] Preferably, the inner layer comprises a foil.

[0048] Preferably, the foil is formed of aluminium.

[0049] Preferably, the inner layer is formed of a layer of plastic coated with a metal or metal alloy foil.

[0050] Preferably, the foil which is used is aluminium.

[0051] Preferably, the inner layer is attached to the outer layer using adhesive.

[0052] Preferably, a lid is provide on the container, said lid, when in a closed position acting to close an opening into the container.

[0053] Preferably, the lid forms a seal with the container which is air-tight and/or water-tight when the lid is in the closed position.

[0054] Preferably, an opening is defined which passes through the outer and inner layers of the container.

[0055] Preferably, the opening is initially defined by a line of weakness which can be torn open or removed.

[0056] Preferably, the opening can subsequently be closed by placing the lid over.

[0057] Preferably, the lid is at least partially formed by at least part of the material removed when forming the opening.

[0058] Preferably, the container includes a spout for pouring out the contents thereof.

[0059] A blank for use in forming a container as herein described.

[0060] A retail pack for a foodstuff, said pack provided as a container in an initial sealed condition for display, and openable to allow a portion of the foodstuff to be dispensed therefrom via the opening, and wherein said opening is selectively re-sealable via a lid portion provided on the retail pack.

[0061] Preferably, the opening is formed by breaking a line of weakening passing through an inner and outer layer of the wall of the pack.

[0062] Preferably, the foodstuff is a pourable material.

[0063] Preferably, the foodstuff is a cereal.

[0064] A container for a pourable foodstuff, said container formed initially to wholly enclose the foodstuff therein in a substantially sealed condition, said container also including a lid portion located thereon and wherein at least a portion of the container is defined by a line of weakening and the location of the said portion substantially matches the location of the said lid portion.

[0065] Preferably, the container is removed by tearing along the line of weakening to define an opening therein, said opening subsequently closable by the placement of the lid into a closed position.

[0066] Preferably, the line of weakening passes through both an inner and outer layer of the container wall.

[0067] A method of forming and using a container for a pourable foodstuff, said method comprising the steps of forming the container from a blank of at least two ply sheet material comprising an outer layer of paper or card and an inner layer substantially impermeable to liquid, filling the container with the contents, closing the same to retain the contents in a substantially sealed manner, defining a portion of the container by a line of weakening, providing a lid portion to overlie said portion, wherein access is initially gained to the contents by removing said portion of the container by breaking the line of weakening to define an opening and once access is no longer required moving the lid to a closed position to close and reseal the container whereupon subsequent access to the contents is gained by moving the lid to an open position.

Claims

1. A container including:

an outer layer comprising paperboard;

an inner layer comprising a material substantially impermeable to moisture;

the inner layer is formed substantially as a lining or coating of the outer layer, as an integral part of the container and attached thereto using an adhesive and characterised in that the container is provided with a lid which is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the lid when in the closed position forms a seal with the box which is air-tight and/or water-tight so as to close an opening into the interior of the container, the container is provided with an opening section at a location corresponding to that of the lid, the opening section passes through a portion of the outer layer and inner layer, the opening section is formed by perforating a line of weakness on the container wall or walls to define a portion of the container such that the same can be torn open or removed to form the opening, wherein to access the contents of the container, a user moves the lid to the open position, and tears along the line of weakness, the user can then remove a portion of the contents, and re-seal the container by moving the lid to the closed position.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container is used to store foodstuffs therein.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the container is used to store a flowable material therein.

4. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container biodegrades within 12 months.

5. A container according to any preceding claim wherein the lid is at least partially formed by at least part of the material removed when forming the opening.

6. A container according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container includes a spout for pouring out of the contents thereof.

7. A blank for use in forming a container as herein described.

8. A container for a pourable foodstuff, said container formed initially to wholly enclose the foodstuff therein in a substantially sealed condition, said container also including a lid portion located thereon and wherein at least a portion of the container is defined by a line of weakening and the location of the said portion substantially matches the location of the said lid portion.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the container is removed by tearing along the line of weakening to define an opening therein, said opening subsequently closable by the placement of the lid into a closed position.

10. A container according to claim 9 within the line of weakening passes through both an inner and outer layer of the container wall.

11. The container according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is recyclable and/or biodegradable.

12. The container according to any preceding claim wherein the inner layer comprises a bio plastic.

13. The container according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid forms a seal with the container which is air-tight and/or water-tight when the lid is in the closed position.

14. A method of forming and using a container for a pourable foodstuff, said method comprising the steps of forming the container from a blank of at least two ply sheet material comprising an outer layer of paper or card and an inner layer substantially impermeable to liquid, filling the container with the contents, closing the same to retain the contents in a substantially sealed manner, defining a portion of the container by a line of weakening, providing a lid portion to overlie said portion, wherein access is initially gained to the contents by removing said portion of the container by breaking the line of weakening to define an opening and once access is no longer required moving the lid to a closed position to close and reseal the container whereupon subsequent access to the contents is gained by moving the lid to an open position.

Drawing