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(11) | EP 4 574 697 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | RECLOSABLE BOX FOLDED FROM A BLANK, BLANK, METHOD AND USE |
| (57) The present invention relates to a reclosable box folded from a blank for packaging
chocolate products, a blank, a method, a kit, and a use thereof.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
PRIOR ART
[0002] A problem with the known packaging for chocolate products is fat migration and the transfer of the taste of the cardboard into the chocolate. If the lid is printed with ink on the inside, the smell and taste of the ink will also penetrate the chocolate products.
[0003] This is often solved by providing a film on the inside of the lid. However, this is very detrimental to the subsequent recycling of the packaging.
[0004] Moreover, these packages are often manufactured as separate base and lid components, requiring cellophane film to hold them together. The cellophane film is advantageous because there is no interaction with the environment where the product is stored, which keeps the smell and taste intact. The cellophane film around the cardboard or plastic packaging is, however, detrimental to the sustainability of the packaging.
[0005] CH453197 discloses a box for chocolate products. EP2512938 discloses a container suitable as a container for elongated smoking articles. GB1569002 describes a box with a hinged lid. CH349211 describes a protective packaging for food products that must be stored in the absence of air, such as liqueur candies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The box includes:
- a base;
- a number of upright side walls connected to the base;
- a lid hingedly connected to one of the side walls for opening and closing the box;
- a number of lid walls connected to the lid;
- an adhesive section connected to one of the lid walls, wherein the adhesive section is provided with one or several adhesive points;
- a removable insert, wherein the insert is manufactured from a plastic, and wherein the insert is designed as a tray comprising cavities for holding chocolate products.
[0009] The box preferably also comprises a lid cover connected to the adhesive section, wherein the lid cover is positioned against the inside of the lid.
wherein the base, the side walls, the lid, and the lid cover are formed as a single unit by folding a carton blank.
[0010] Furthermore, it is preferred that the side walls are provided with flaps, and that the adhesive section includes two notches. The notches and the flaps are similar in shape, so that the box becomes reclosable through a kind of barb system. The flaps are only partially glued to the front side wall in the box, causing them to at least temporarily be stuck as barbs in the uniform notches. As a result, the box is reclosable after the adhesive points are pulled loose during the first opening of the box.
[0011] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a box according to the first aspect, comprising printing the folding carton, creasing the folding carton, folding the creased folding carton to obtain the box, and placing an insert.
[0012] In a third aspect, the invention relates to the use of such a box for packaging chocolate products.
[0013] The invention is advantageous as it provides a reclosable packaging for food products, such as chocolate. With the two barbs on the lid, the box can be reclosed after the tear perforations have been pulled apart.
[0014] Moreover, the current box is made from a single piece, where it is particularly advantageous that only one side of the blank needs to be printed. Due to the special fold lines, it is still possible to provide printing on both the inside and outside of the box.
[0015] The box makes a cellophane film on the outside unnecessary. The invention therefore also aims to provide a more sustainable packaging. Moreover, interaction with the environment is also avoided by the topseal film, keeping taste and smell intact.
[0016] Furthermore, the use of an insert for holding the food products that consists of a single polymer is advantageous for the recycling of the entire packaging.
[0017] Additionally, the invention is advantageous because the box can be stored and transported flat, which has both a positive economic and ecological impact.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. For a better understanding of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained explicitly.
[0019] The term "chocolate product," as used in this text, can be understood as a liquid and/or solid, and preferably solid, food comprising at least cocoa powder. Additionally, said food preferably also contains cocoa butter. To make cocoa powder and butter, cocoa mass present in a cocoa bean is used. Under high pressure, the mass is pressed, resulting in cocoa powder and butter. Within this definition are included: liquid and/or solid chocolate, milk chocolate, bitter chocolate (dark chocolate), white chocolate, baking chocolate, cooking chocolate, alkali-treated chocolate products known as Dutch chocolate, saccharin compositions known as sweet chocolate and related chocolate coatings, bittersweet chocolate, semisweet chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate in which sucrose, dextrose, dried corn syrup, and the like may be selected as the saccharin component, the liquid and/or solid cocoa and saccharin containing products known among others as milk chocolate, sweet milk chocolate, buttermilk chocolate or chocolate containing mixed dairy products, and related chocolate coatings. Furthermore, compositions comprising sweet chocolate or cocoa and fats other than cocoa butter are included in this definition. Thus, cocoa butter can be wholly or partially replaced by one or more vegetable food-grade oils or other fats than cocoa butter, which may be hardened or hydrogenated. A sugar-containing fat mass, also known as imitation chocolate, is also included in this definition. A liquid and/or solid chocolate product may further comprise additives according to the current definition, including but not limited to spices, ground vanilla beans, any natural food flavor oil, oleoresin extract, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, coumarin or any other artificial food flavors, butter, milk fat, dried malted grain extract, ground or whole nuts, salt, and viscosity modifiers such as lecithin.
[0020] The term "fruits de mer" refers to chocolate products comprising a filling, and preferably mainly comprising praline as a filling, coated with a chocolate coating and with the appearance of fruits de mer. Fruits de mer should be understood as shellfish and mollusks found in the sea and used as food for humans.
[0021] The term "chocolate seahorses" refers to chocolate products comprising a filling, and preferably mainly comprising praline as a filling, coated with a chocolate coating and with the appearance of a seahorse.
[0022] The term "filling," as used in this text, is intended as any filling commonly used in chocolate products comprising a filling at least partially coated with a chocolate coating. Non-limiting examples of a filling are a praline filling, truffle filling, any fatty cream or any fatty cream comprising cocoa butter.
[0023] In this document, "a" and "the" refer to both the singular and the plural, unless the context presupposes otherwise. For example, "a segment" means one or more segments.
[0024] The terms "comprise," "comprising," "consist of," "consisting of," "provided with," "have," "having," "include," "including," "contain," "containing" are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps, as known from or disclosed in the prior art.
[0025] Quoting numeric intervals by the endpoints includes all integers, fractions, and/or real numbers between the endpoints, including those endpoints.
[0026] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a box folded from a blank with an insert. The box according to the invention can be used for various products. In other words, the box according to the invention is multifunctional. Preferably, the box is used for packaging food products, preferably chocolate products.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the box comprises:
- a base;
- a number of upright side walls connected to the base;
- a lid hingedly connected to one of the side walls for opening and closing the box;
- a number of lid walls connected to the lid;
- an adhesive section connected to one of the lid walls, wherein the adhesive section is provided with one or several adhesive points.
[0028] An advantage of this box is that the base, the side walls, and the lid are formed as a single unit by folding a carton blank, as this simplifies the production of the box.
[0029] Moreover, fewer steps are needed to fold the blank into a box. The box is thus also reclosable, and no film or other material is needed to hold the lid and base together. This benefits the recyclability and reusability of the box.
[0030] In a particular preferred embodiment, the box is provided with a removable insert suitable for holding chocolate products, preferably the box is suitable for holding a multitude of chocolate products.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the insert is made from a plastic. The plastic is preferably chosen from the list of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polylactide (PLA), and copolymers or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is made from polypropylene (PP). PP is preferred as it is lighter than, for example, PET, which benefits transport.
[0032] The insert is preferably designed as a tray, wherein the tray is designed with cavities for holding the chocolate products. Each cavity holds one chocolate product.
[0033] Preferably, the tray has between 10 and 30 cavities for receiving an equal number of chocolate products, more preferably between 15 and 25 cavities, preferably 20 cavities. The insert is preferably provided with a topseal film. In a preferred embodiment, the topseal film is made from a plastic. The plastic is preferably chosen from the list of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polylactide (PLA), and copolymers or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the topseal film is made from polypropylene (PP). PP is preferred as it is lighter than, for example, PET, which benefits transport. Moreover, PP is easily recyclable.
[0034] Preferably, the topseal film consists of two layers, preferably two layers of PP. Preferably, the top layer is a PP with high temperature resistance, while the bottom layer is a PP with an easy-peel effect on the insert.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the topseal film and the insert are made from transparent PP. The transparent PP is particularly preferred in recycling because the PP can be reprocessed in multiple applications. The cardboard lid blocks light, allowing the topseal film to be transparent.
[0036] The term "topseal film" refers to a specific type of sealing film used to hermetically seal a product package. This film can be made from various materials and is usually used in combination with a tray or other type of container, in this case with a tray. By using heat and pressure, the topseal film is attached to the upper edge of the tray after the chocolate products have been placed in the tray, creating an airtight seal. This helps maintain the freshness of the product, extends shelf life, and provides a degree of protection against external factors such as moisture and oxygen. The topseal film will also prevent the migration of odor and taste from the ink or cardboard to the chocolate products.
[0037] In a particular preferred embodiment, the box further comprises:
- a lid cover connected to the adhesive section, wherein the lid cover is positioned against the inside of the lid.
[0038] Thus, preferably, the base, the side walls, the lid, and the lid cover are formed as a single unit by folding a carton blank.
[0039] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the box comprises:
- a base;
- a number of upright side walls connected to the base;
- a lid hingedly connected to one of the side walls for opening and closing the box;
- a number of lid walls connected to the lid;
- an adhesive section connected to one of the lid walls, wherein the adhesive section is provided with one or several adhesive points;
- a lid cover connected to the adhesive section, wherein the lid cover is positioned against the inside of the lid;
- a removable insert, wherein the insert is manufactured from a plastic, and wherein the insert is designed as a tray comprising cavities for holding chocolate products;
[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the side walls are provided with flaps, and the adhesive section includes two notches. The notches and the flaps are preferably of the same shape, so that the box becomes reclosable by means of a kind of barb system.
[0041] The flaps are only partially glued to the front side wall of the box, causing them to at least temporarily be stuck as barbs in the uniform notches. As a result, the box is reclosable after the adhesive points are pulled loose during the first opening of the box.
[0042] The box is preferably provided with print or a pattern. Preferably, the lid cover is also provided with a print or a pattern. Preferably, only one side, namely the outside, of the blank is provided with a pattern or print. The invention is advantageous as the blank design allows only one side of the blank to be printed, while still enabling the printing to be visible on the inside of a folded box.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the folding carton comprises a cardboard with a grammage between 200 and 350 g/m2, preferably between 220 and 330 g/m2, more preferably between 250 and 300 g/m2, and even more preferably between 270 and 290 g/m2, and most preferably between 275 and 285 g/m2.
[0045] The invention further relates to a carton blank, also known as a folding pattern, for forming the box as described above.
[0046] Specifically, a carton blank for forming the box, comprising
- a base;
- a number of upright side walls connected to the base;
- a lid hingedly connected to one of the side walls for opening and closing the box;
- a number of lid walls connected to the lid;
- an adhesive section connected to one of the lid walls, wherein the adhesive section is provided with one or several adhesive points on the outside of the blank, so that the adhesive points are suitable for being adhered along the outside of the front side wall when folding the box;
[0047] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a box according to the first aspect, comprising printing the folding carton, creasing the folding carton, folding the creased folding carton to obtain the box, and placing an insert.
[0048] In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising a box according to the first aspect and chocolate products. Here, the chocolate products are preferably provided in the insert. The insert is preferably sealed with a topseal film.
[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the chocolate products are selected from the group consisting of pralines, truffles, bonbons, seahorses, and fruits de mer.
[0050] In a fifth aspect, the invention relates to the use of such a box for packaging chocolate products, preferably multiple individual chocolate products.
[0051] The same advantages and effects apply to the blank, the method, the kit, and the use as described above with regard to the box according to the invention.
[0052] In what follows, the invention is described by means of non-limiting examples illustrating the invention, which are not intended or should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0054] A box folded from a blank 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 102 connected via fold lines to side walls 103, 104, 105, 106. The fold lines are made by scoring in the example. The front left 103 and right side wall 104 are provided with flaps 107.
[0055] The side walls 103 and 104 are designed in a similar way. Side wall 103 is provided with a front flap 107 and a rear flap 108, wherein the front flap 107 includes a notch 111. Side wall 104 is designed according to the same principle.
[0056] Preferably, the flaps 107 are positioned on the outside of the box when the box is folded. These flaps 107 are therefore preferably adhered to the outside (not visible) of the front side wall 106. Preferably, the flaps 108 are positioned on the inside of the box when the box is folded. These flaps 108 are therefore preferably adhered to the inside 109 of the rear side wall 105.
[0057] The lid 112 is connected via fold lines to lid walls 113, 114, 116. The front lid wall 116 is provided with lid flaps 118 which between when folding the box are preferably on the inside of the box. These flaps 118 are therefore preferably adhered to the left 113 and right lid wall 114.
[0058] The front lid wall 116 is connected via a fold line to an adhesive section 120 provided with two adhesive points 121. The adhesive points 121 will be adhered to the outside (not visible) of the front side wall 106 when the box is folded. The adhesive points 121 are intended to be easily pulled apart by the consumer for opening the box and are therefore only semi-permanently adhered.
[0059] The adhesive points 121 are located on the outside (not visible) of the adhesive section 120. The inside of the adhesive section 120 will be positioned against the inside 119 of the front lid wall 116 when the box is folded, so that the adhesive points 121 are located on the inside of the box and can thus also be adhered to the outside (not visible) of the front side wall 106 when the box is closed.
[0060] The adhesive section 120 has two notches 122, wherein the notches 122 are similar in shape to the flaps 107. Thus, the box will be reclosable once the adhesive points 121 are pulled apart, as the narrowed part of the adhesive section 123 can hook under the flaps 107 of the side walls 103/104.
[0061] The adhesive section 120 is connected to a lid cover 124 via a reverse crease 127. The lid cover 124 will lie in the lid 112 when folded, with the inside of the lid cover 125 against the inside of the lid 126. The outside of the lid cover (not visible) thus forms a new inside of the lid in a folded box. The outside of the lid cover 126 is printed, so that in a folded box, the inside of the lid of the box includes information and/or decoration for the consumer. The advantage of this configuration is that the entire box, including the information/decoration inside the box, is made from a single piece of folding carton. Moreover, the configuration allows only one side of the blank to be printed.
[0062] The lid cover 124 is further provided with a flap 128 connected to the lid cover via a reverse crease 129, i.e., the outside of the folding carton is provided with a fold line. This flap 128 is responsible for holding the lid cover 124 in place against the inside of the lid 126, without needing to be adhered.
[0063] For manufacturing the box, 280 g/m2 folding carton is used. The folding carton is printed, preferably with an image of the toy. Then the blank is creased from the cardboard. Preferably, the fold lines of the blank are scored. Then the box can be folded and glued together.
[0065] The present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described above and certain modifications or changes may be added to the examples described without having to re-evaluate the appended claims. The box also includes versions of larger or smaller sizes, for example.
1. Reclosable box folded from a blank (101) for packaging chocolate products, comprising:
- a base (102);
- a number of upright side walls (103, 104, 105, 106) connected to the base (102);
- a lid (112) hingedly connected to one of the side walls (105) for opening and closing the box;
- a number of lid walls (113, 114, 116) connected to the lid (112);
- an adhesive section (120) connected to one of the lid walls (116), wherein the adhesive section (120) is provided with one or several adhesive points (121), and wherein the adhesive points (121) are adhered to the outside (not visible) of the front side wall (106) when the box is folded;
- a removable insert, wherein the insert is manufactured from a plastic, wherein the insert is made of polypropylene, wherein the insert comprises a topseal film made from polypropylene, and wherein the insert is designed as a tray comprising cavities for holding chocolate products;
wherein the side walls (103, 104) are provided with flaps (107), and wherein the adhesive section (120) comprises two notches (122), wherein the notches (122) are similar in shape to the flaps (107); and wherein the base (102), the side walls (103, 104, 105, 106), and the lid (112) are formed as a single unit by folding a carton blank.2. The reclosable box folded from a blank (101) according to claim 1, wherein the box
further comprises a lid cover (124) connected to the adhesive section (120), wherein
the lid cover (124) is positioned against the inside of the lid (112).
3. The reclosable box folded from a blank (101) according to claim 2, wherein the lid
cover (124) is further provided with a flap (128) connected to the lid cover (124)
via a reverse crease (129) and positioned against the inside of the side wall (105).
4. The reclosable box folded from a blank (101) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the
lid cover (124) is provided with printing or a pattern.
5. The reclosable box folded from a blank (101) according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the folding carton comprises a cardboard with a grammage between 270-290 g/m2.
6. A carton blank (101) for forming the box, comprising
- a base (102);
- a number of upright side walls (103, 104, 105, 106) connected to the base (102);
- a lid (112) hingedly connected to one of the side walls (105) for opening and closing the box;
- a number of lid walls (113, 114, 116) connected to the lid (112);
- an adhesive section (120) connected to one of the lid walls (116), wherein the adhesive section (120) is provided with one or several adhesive points (121) on the outside of the blank, so that the adhesive points (121) are suitable for being adhered along the outside (not visible) of the front side wall (106) when folding the box;
wherein the side walls (103, 104) are provided with flaps (107), and wherein the adhesive section (120) comprises two notches (122), wherein the notches (122) are similar in shape to the flaps (107); and wherein the base (102), the side walls (103, 104, 105, 106), and the lid (112) are formed as a single unit.7. A method for manufacturing a box according to any of claims 1-5, comprising printing
the folding carton, creasing the folding carton, folding the creased folding carton
to obtain the box, and placing an insert.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein during the folding of the creased folding
carton, the lid cover is folded first.
9. A kit comprising a box according to any of claims 1-5, and between 10 and 30 chocolate
products.
10. The kit according to claim 9, wherein the chocolate products are selected from the
group consisting of pralines, truffles, bonbons, seahorses, and fruits de mer.
11. The kit according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the chocolate products are present in
the insert, wherein the insert is sealed with a topseal film.
12. Use of a box according to any of claims 1-5 for packaging chocolate products.
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