EP1288137B1 - Package for shingled food slices - Google Patents

Abstract

The packing comprises a tray (10) to hold a sliced foodstuff (30) laid in shingle fashion, and a lid (20) which is at least partially transparent sealing off the tray and its contents. The tray is constructed in step form in the shingle direction, with the depth of the steps corresponding to the thickness of the food slices. The tray may have a saw-tooth profile with the steps rising from a common level.

Description

The invention relates to a package with a lower shell for receiving shingled arranged disk-shaped food as a filling and with an at least partially transparent lid that completes the lower shell and the contents wholly or partially, with a step-like bottom of the lower shell, wherein the lower shell in shingle direction staircase-shaped, with steps whose height corresponds to the thickness of the food disc.

Packaging for food comes in many different forms. For example, spreadable sausage, such as liver sausage, filled in natural or plastic casings and sealed. The resulting sausages are well storable, as long as they are closed, but usually relatively large and after breaking it takes a relatively long time until the entire amount has been consumed by a household of today's usual size. This also creates the problem that the portions of the spreadable sausage required for the spread must be taken out of the sausage casing, which occasionally leads to less handsome broken sausages and ultimately also that in resources damaging form many leftovers are thrown away.

In view of the increasing number of single households has already been tried to make corresponding sausages very small. However, the resulting "mini-sausages" are extremely poor to empty and their content is difficult for the user to access. This also ultimately means that of these smaller portions also remain large amounts remaining in the shell and are thrown away, or even that the products offered by the consumers mentioned not even accepted and purchased.

In other products, such as cheese or sausage slices, it is known to put these shingled after cutting and before packaging each other and then weld the entire resulting package of superimposed and mutually slightly overlapping discs between two slides. On the one hand, the advantage of such concepts lies in the fact that the individual panes can be well detached from one another by the protruding portions and, on the other hand, the product can also be presented to the outside if the covering foil is at least partially transparent.

For larger quantities has been worked with lower shells and a lid. Unfortunately, the contents slip easily during transport, which can lead to unsightly accumulations on one side of the packaging. This is counteracted with corrugations and on the inside textured bottoms of the lower shell to increase the friction, with more or less success.

From GB-PS 1 538 657 a transport packaging for bale-shaped dough products is known, which have an outer glaze and are to be processed after transport in a fryer. In order to avoid that the dough products abut each other during transport and damage or glue together the glazes, in the cup-shaped transport packaging intermediate webs are formed, which can not overcome the dough products. For an attractive presentation of the dough products, this transport packaging is neither conceived nor suitable.

For packaging Nougatecken and other confectionery proposes the post-published EP 1 136 370 A1 to bring them as a diagonally divided cube in a rectangular box under, which are separated by a multiply kinked interleaf. The rather complicated additional use is still acceptable for chocolates, but for other foods it would complicate and increase the cost of packaging and would also raise environmental concerns.

DE 89 02 882 U1 and DE 297 08 771 U1 suggest Fleischwarenaromaverpackungen in which the shapes of the shell and its lid is adapted to the shape of the pieces of meat by the cylindrically shaped cross-section pieces of meat inclined in the position of use of the package against the horizontal main plane on floors and walls of molded into the shell bottom individual subjects.

Also in JP 2001-019074 A, a packaging container having a plurality of compartments is proposed, each with a sloping bottom, whose support stability is increased by a flat bottom surface which interrupts these sloping bottoms. The packaging container rests on this flat floor surface. The usability of this container is limited, especially since it can be placed on store shelves only unfavorably stacked.

In order to be better presented on store shelves, a package with a presenter is proposed in DE 296 09 862 U1. A corresponding slate, asymmetric floor with steps for individual products should present several cells of a product at the same time. However, such a package can only be placed individually on a presenter in a store shelf and therefore also seems less practicable.

All such concepts are also not feasible for foods softer consistency, especially for spreadable food. These would neither be able to be packaged nor would the resulting advantages be able to be realized by the consumer, since a liver sausage cut into several slices, for example, and subsequently pressed between foils would, on the contrary, smudge very unappetizingly; In addition, the discs would not be separable.

Spread sausage in slices is therefore practically not offered, apart from individual cases for immediate consumption.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a generic packaging for disc-shaped food, with an attractive presentation of spreadable food is possible.

This object is achieved by a packaging according to claim 1, which has a staircase-shaped bottom.

The closest prior art for this type of packaging according to the invention for food slices is published according to the claimed priority DE 201 14 730 U with the disclosure of a similar packaging, since the packaging according to the invention, this packaging further packaging according to claim 1 not by the priority document DE 101 40 697 A is supported.

Contrary to DE 201 14 730 U, the packaging according to the invention provides that the rearmost or lowermost (depending on the arrangement) step of the container is provided with a molding or a projection to the outside. This prevents that at a pressure on the overlying lid or on the peripheral edge adjacent to this step, the lower shell tilts on this step, which is seen inclined to the average floor over all support surfaces. In this case, the projection is horseshoe-shaped and formed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the lower shell, with the vertex exactly on the central axis of the lower shell.

The best stability and, at the same time, the best possible support against the food disc lying thereon is achieved if the horseshoe shape is additionally designed so that it is less intensively directed outward in the region of the thighs than in the region of the vertex, with a small constriction or return the protrusion in the area between has proved to be further advantageous.

It is particularly preferred if the lower shell has a sawtooth-shaped profile. The steps can then rise from a common level, which then makes the overall packaging together with the contents again to a well transportable and also easily deployable and manageable packaging, which is approximately cuboid. The thickness of the overall packaging is then slightly higher than the thickness of the individual food disc, for example one and a half to three times as thick, depending on the desired intensity of the desired shingling of the individual food slices.

In this case, it is particularly preferred if a step step only picks up or carries a portion of a food slice. The individual food slices can then overlap each other, which is not only space and space saving, but also a particularly appetizing and preferred by the end user presentation that is well accommodated not only on the shelves, but also the consumer even in the fridge.

The bottom step is designed so that it receives a complete food disc, the overlying stairs must carry only a part, the rest of the food disc can then contact resting on the lower food slices. Since little or no force is exercised, no sticking or smearing can take place.

Preferably, the steps with the common level, from which they rise, form an angle α between 10 ° and 40 °. An angle of 20 ° has proven to be particularly favorable. As a rule, the common level will be a surface which is parallel to the peripheral edge of the lower shell, ie to the surface of the final foil. Other concepts are of course conceivable in individual cases.

With such an order of magnitude of the angle, the following additional advantage arises in particular: Sliced slices of sausage or cheese are presented only flat. With welded packs there is still the possibility put them flat behind each other to arrange vertically, so that the consumer standing in front of the shelf, the products of interest to him face to face, which is of course visually advantageous for him, because he can already see without removing the pack, if he the contents of the pack appeals. For larger, non-flat packs this is not possible per se.

Now, however, the roughly parallelepiped-shaped packages can be placed with their narrow side down so that the discs lying on the steps are practically vertical. They are prevented by the slide from falling out and by the thickness of the thickness corresponding to the thickness of the stairs also on the slide down from this. It creates in this way an extremely appetizing and the consumer appealing arrangement and placement. The only approximately cuboid packaging also allow a slightly oblique arrangement one behind the other, which additionally prevents falling over.

It is also advantageous if at least one, but in particular the two outer steps have a shape partially adapted to the circumference of the food slices. This shape can be round, but also oval, depending on the shape of the disc. The other steps may be straight or also adapted, depending on the consistency and type of food to be packaged.

For the top, a food slice receiving step can preferably be provided on its side facing away from the shingling a support for resting on her food slice. This top disc in a flat arrangement of the packaging can be the consumer closest to the consumer, but optically lowest in the vertical arrangement. Although this lowermost disc would then rest on a step (namely, the uppermost), but down (in this arrangement) can not be supported at a next stage, but would here on the outer bottom, for example in the above-mentioned embodiment, round the area packaging reliant. Here, due to the angle formed by the angle α with the vertical angle, a sharp gap could arise, in which the above-spreadable food is forced in, which under certain circumstances could again be undesirable. For a different consistency but a conventional structure would be preferable.

The number of steps is preferably between three and six, in particular four steps lead to a visually appealing and also very practical solution.

The lid is preferably transparent or partially transparent in order to make the presentation more effective. The lid may be a peelable firmly welded foil which is connected to the lower shell along a circumferential edge.

But it is also possible to take a stable lid, which is also transparent or partially transparent and allows re-closing. Preferred is a combination of both:

The lid consists of a product airtight and for a longer period closing film and a resealable and stable, also transparent plastic cover, which also allows stacking at the middleman and certainly at the consumer and the food at least for a household period after first break fresh keeps.

The size of a slice of a food is in each case sized and portioned for sandwiching a roll, so that the consumer can also recognize from the remaining filling quantity of the overall packaging whether and how long the contents of the pack last.

The packaging can also be built in such a way that each of the portions is formed by a different type of spreadable food, for example of different types of liver sausage to give the consumer a change that he may not have before. So far, if a consumer decided to purchase even a small amount of liverwurst, he would have had only one variety of common consumption, which would be eligible. Now it is possible for him to offer a common household amount of spreadable sausage, which consists of different varieties.

As a food for which such a package can be used with advantage, but not only spread sausage, cream cheese or the like are conceivable, but also other cold cuts can be packed. For example, practical tests have shown that, for example, non-spreadable sausage slices can be presented with benefits. In this case, a food disc in the sense of the above description and the claims in this case would be formed by a plurality of thin such discs. A step would then be able to accommodate a food slice consisting of several thin sliced sausage slices. The term food disc is therefore not to be understood in one piece.

In addition to sausage, meat cuts and cheese, other foods could be presented in this form. It is initially to think of meat substitute products, such as soybean or Grünkernbratlinge or even to products of the confectionery industry, such as chocolates or taler-shaped confectionery.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing:

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Verpackung ohne erfindungsgemäßen hufeisenförmigen Vorsprung;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Verpackung aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine Schnittdarstellung längs der Linie A-A in Figur 2;

Figur 4

eine Vorderansicht der Verpackung aus Figur 2;

Figur 5

eine Draufsicht auf mehrere Verpackungen nebeneinander, die den Füllprozess andeuten;

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackung mit hufeisenförmigem Vorsprung;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf die Verpackung aus Figur 6;

Figur 8

eine Schnittdarstellung längs der Linde A-A in Figur 7;

Figur 9

eine Vorderansicht der Verpackung aus Figur 7; und

Figur 10

eine Draufsicht auf mehrere Verpackungen nebeneinander, die den Füllprozess andeuten.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a package without horseshoe-shaped projection according to the invention;

FIG. 2

a plan view of the package of Figure 1;

FIG. 3

a sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 2;

FIG. 4

a front view of the package of Figure 2;

FIG. 5

a top view of several packages side by side, which indicate the filling process;

FIG. 6

a perspective view of an embodiment of a package according to the invention with horseshoe-shaped projection;

FIG. 7

a plan view of the package of Figure 6;

FIG. 8

a sectional view along the bass AA in Figure 7;

FIG. 9

a front view of the package of Figure 7; and

FIG. 10

a plan view of several packages side by side, which indicate the filling process.

In Figure 1 , a package without horseshoe-shaped projection according to the invention is partially shown, and indeed already with a filling shown schematically. To recognize a lower shell 10 for food. The lower shell 10 has a peripheral upper edge 11, which is approximately rectangular and is located in a plane. In flat-bottomed lower shell 10, this level is parallel to the storage area. Within the peripheral edge 11 is the filling opening for the food, at the same time of course the opening for removal of these foods by consumers.

Fixed on the peripheral edge 11 would be after filling all around a partially or completely transparent film. This slide and a (not shown) Slip lid together then form the lid 20, with the lower shell 10 is completed upwards.

The lower shell 10 extends from the peripheral edge 11 down with a side wall 12. The side wall 12 is on the two longitudinal sides of the rectangular peripheral edge 11 each approximately perpendicular to the plane of the peripheral edge 11 and parallel to the longitudinal side itself, while at the both narrow sides is formed more complicated.

It can be seen clearly in FIG. 1 that the lower shell 10 has a sawtooth-shaped profile. In detail, steps 15 can be seen. Each step 15 has a support surface 16. On the support surface 16 is in each case a food slice 30 of the male in the packaging food. Each food slice 30 (shown schematically in FIG. 1) can also consist of a plurality of slice disks stacked one on top of the other.

As is usual with stairs, the step 15 has not only a support surface 16, but also a step surface 17 which is substantially perpendicular thereto.

Each food slice 30 abuts with its peripheral surface against the staging surface 17, which connects the support surface 16 with the next support surface 16. As a result, the movement space for the food slice 30 is limited.

As can be clearly seen in FIG. 1, there are a total of four steps 15, each with a support surface 16, so that three step surfaces 17 are arranged between these four support surfaces 16.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the empty lower shell 10, which is empty in this case. Recognizable in turn is the peripheral edge 11, which is flat and has a finite width in order to seal the film of the lid 20 can.

Furthermore, you can see in the interior of the peripheral edge 11 from above into it. The farthest up in the representation to be recognized step 15 is also the deepest, in the first filling a food slice 30 would be arranged. This food disc 30 would be received and held up by a circumferentially adapted curvature, while being prevented in the representation down through the Stufungsfläche 17 of the first step 15 from movement. The support surface 16 is not in the image plane, but is inclined by an angle a . While in the figure at the top of the support surface 16 is closest to the viewer, it goes down continuously away from the viewer.

Accordingly, the gradation surface 17 is not perpendicular to the image plane, but goes from top to bottom to the viewer. It is tilted by the same angle α from the vertical.

After placing the food slice 30 forms the top of the food slice 30 together with the next support surface 16 a plane, because the food slice 30 has about the same thickness as the Stufungsfläche 17 is high. The second bearing surface 16 is not as large as the first bearing surface 16, since just the top of the first food slice 30 is available as an additional support and now the second food slice 30 when placing the first food slice 30 can overlap.

This second food disc 30 then in turn abuts the second graduation surface 17, which is parallel to the first graduation surface 17. In this case, the lines of intersection of the bearing surfaces 16 and staging surfaces 17 are in each case those lines which are furthest away from the observer, as seen in FIG. 2.

This is clarified additionally in the sectional view along the line AA in Figure 2, which is shown in Figure 3. It can be seen that in FIG. 3 on the right side the deepest points of the cutting lines of the bearing surfaces 16 and the stepped surfaces 17 are formed. In addition, these are also for the further bearing surfaces 16 and staging surfaces 17 all in a line (seen in Figure 3) and are also parallel to the plane defined by the peripheral edge 11 plane (see Figure 2).

In addition, it can be seen in FIG. 3 that the angle .alpha. Which each of the bearing surfaces 16 has at the common level formed by the lowest points is also known. This angle α is 20 ° in the illustrated embodiment. He is also spanned by the Stufungsflächen 17 with a plane perpendicular to the plane of the peripheral edge eleventh

In Figure 4 , the lower shell 10 can be seen from the transverse side, from the side shown in Figure 2 below. As a result, a detail explained in more detail below comes into its own.

The circumferential edge 11, which protrudes laterally beyond the lower floor area, can initially be seen at the top in FIG. 4. At the same time it can also be seen that this peripheral edge is relatively thin.

Under the peripheral edge 11 then close the vertically downwardly projecting side walls 12, in the figure 4 clearly visible, the side walls 12 in the region of the longitudinal walls.

The lowermost region is formed by the support lines, which are at the same time the cut lines of the staging surfaces 17 with the support surfaces 16.

However, the closest to the viewer and therefore represented by solid lines, is not one of the corresponding steps 15 with these cut lines, but the part of the support surface 16 of the uppermost step 15 most pointed at the viewer. Under the upper step 15 is to be understood that on the top of the food-ready product 30 comes to lie in the finished packed product. This top food slice 30 can not create a Stufungsfläche 17 now, as there is no such above the top step. In this area is therefore in itself only the vertical and the round periphery of the food slices 30 imaging side wall 12 is present. This side wall 12 would therefore include 15 with the support surface 16 of the top step 15 an angle of -α, which would be 70 ° in the illustrated embodiment, since the angle of the bearing surfaces 16 with the common level from which they rise, is 20 ° ,

However, an angle of 70 ° would mean that the preferably cylindrical food wafers 30 would have no abutment surface or support in this area. For this reason, this area is flattened in the illustrated embodiment, so that a support surface 18 is formed, which is parallel to the Stufungsflächen 17 of the other steps 15. This surface is of course not rectangular, but forms as a cutting surface with the cylindrical surface of the side wall 12 in this area.

Dashed line to recognize in Figure 4, the farthest away from the viewer support surface 16 of the lowest step 15 at the opposite end or in the region of the opposite narrow side.

Finally, in FIG. 5 , five adjacent packages with lower shells 10 are shown. As a result, it can be seen that these five lower shells 10 can be filled and packaged simultaneously and together by cutting and feeding the appropriate and intended food slices 30 there. In addition, a common covering with a film for the cover 20 is then possible.

6 shows an embodiment of a packaging according to the invention is partially shown, in the already selected in Figure 1 form of representation with a schematically indicated filling. There are all the elements of the representation of Figures 1 to 5 again, ie a lower shell 10 with an edge 11 and a side wall 12 and a lid 20, which closes the lower shell 10 upwards.

Also, the steps 15 with the respective bearing surfaces 16 for receiving in each case a food slice 30 are in turn present, also the Stufungsflächen 17th

On the lowest support surface 16, seen in the sense of a staircase, but changes are made. Provided here is a horseshoe-shaped projection 40 which extends from the support surface as an expression to the outside (as seen from the direction of the pack).

The horseshoe-shaped projection 40 has a vertex 41, which is arranged adjacent to the end of the package, so that opposite him two leg end points 42 of the horseshoe-shaped projection 40 still extend on the same support surface 16 in the direction of the packaging center.

Shortly before the leg end points 42, the horseshoe-shaped projection 40 still on each leg side a constriction or depression 43 of the horseshoe-shaped projection 40 on.

FIG. 7 again shows a top view of this packaging according to the invention in a representation similar to FIG. Here, the orientation of the horseshoe-shaped projection 40 can be seen particularly well. This is separated from the outside of a non-pronounced, therefore unchanged annular region of the support surface 16 from the edge of the support surface 16. This area therefore has approximately constant width.

Figure 8 shows particularly well the constriction or recess 43 and also reveals that the horseshoe-shaped projection in the region of the apex 41 substantially more projecting than in the region of the apex end points 42. The illustration can also be seen, which advantage by providing the horseshoe-shaped projection 40 arises: If the lower shell 10 namely flat and resting on the boundary edges of the support surfaces 16 and the Stufungsflächen 17, so the end user accidental pressure on the lid 20 or the peripheral edge 11 above the horseshoe-shaped Projection 40 cause the entire lower shell 10 is pressed down here and thereby the lying on the opposite side of the lower shell 10 on the uppermost step 15 foods are geschschnellt up. The horseshoe-shaped projection 40 prevents this reliably, without the need for special additional equipment or other costly measures would have to be taken.

FIG. 9 shows no change in comparison with FIG. 4, since the packaging according to the invention is unchanged in the region of the support surface 18.

Finally, FIG. 10 shows, in a representation similar to FIG. 5, that all lower shells arranged next to one another are equipped with such horseshoe-shaped projections 40 according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

subshell

11

Surrounding border

15

step

16

bearing surface

17

Stufungsfläche

18

support area

20

cover

30

Food plate

40

horseshoe-shaped projection

41

Vertex of the horseshoe-shaped projection

42

Leg end points of the horseshoe-shaped projection

43

Narrowing and deepening of the horseshoe-shaped projection

Claims (16)

1. Packaging having a lower tray (10) for receiving foodstuffs (30), as the filling, which are formed in a disc-like manner and are disposed in a shingle-like manner, and having an at least partly transparent lid (20) which completely or partly covers the lower tray (10) and the filling, having a base of the lower tray (10) formed in a stair-like manner,
   wherein the lower tray (10) is formed in a stair-like manner in the shingle direction, having steps (15) whose height corresponds to the thickness of the foodstuff disc,
   wherein the filled packaging on the one hand can be placed flat on the base of the lower tray (10) and on the other hand can be placed upright or slightly inclined, and
   wherein the step which is respectively disposed further up when the packaging is placed upright or slightly inclined is disposed behind the respective next lower step, characterised in that
   the lowermost or rearmost step (15) receiving a foodstuff disc (3 0) is provided with a projection (40) which is outwardly directed from the direction of the container interior, wherein the projection (40) is in the shape of a horseshoe and is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the lower tray (10) so that the apex of the horseshoe lies on the central axis.
2. Packaging as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the horseshoe-shaped projection (40) is outwardly directed to a further extent in the region of the apex (41) than in the region of the limb end points (42).
3. Packaging as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that a narrowed portion (43) of the horseshoe-shaped projection (40) is arranged between the limb end points (42) and the apex (41).
4. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the lower tray (10) has a saw tooth-shaped profile, wherein the steps (15) rise up from a common level.
5. Packaging as claimed in Claim 4, characterised in that the steps (15) having the common level enclose an angle α of between 10° and 40°, in particular 20°.
6. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that a step (15) receives or supports only a partial region of a foodstuff disc (30).
7. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the lowermost step (15), which has a foodstuff disc which is partially overlapped by other foodstuff discs (30) owing to the shingle formation, is formed so as to completely support this overlapped disc.
8. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that at least one of the steps (15), but in particular the two outer steps, has/have a shape which is partly adapted to the periphery of the foodstuff discs.
9. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the uppermost, or foremost, step (15) receiving a foodstuff disc (30) forms a support on its side remote from the shingle formation for the foodstuff discs resting thereon.
10. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that three to six, in particular four, steps (15) are provided in the lower tray (10).
11. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the lid (20) and the lower tray (10) can be connected along a peripheral edge.
12. Packaging as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that the edge comprises a peeling region.
13. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that each disc-like foodstuff is in an amount sufficient to be placed on a bread roll and four steps (15) are provided in the lower tray.
14. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the foodstuff discs (30) are soft in terms of consistency, e.g., meat paste, spreadable cheese or the like.
15. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the lid (20) and the lower tray (10) have a surface configuration which is suitable for stacking.
16. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the lid (20) has a peelable cover sheet and a reclosable stronger hooded lid.

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