WO1997020744A1

WO1997020744A1 - Multi-layer plastic packaging with information carrier

Info

Publication number: WO1997020744A1
Application number: PCT/DE1996/002310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernhard Borgardt
Original assignee: Rpc Containers Limited
Priority date: 1995-12-01
Filing date: 1996-12-02
Publication date: 1997-06-12
Also published as: DE19544973A1; EP0868357A1; DE59603600D1; EP0868357B1; ATE186270T1

Abstract

The invention concerns a plastic packaging of specified shape stability and relatively large volume. The two parts (2, 3) which form the bottom part and top part respectively are essentially identical in form but of different sizes such that they have regions (6, 28, 29) which co-operate with one another to a limited degree and, when the parts are stacked together, have a positive or non-positive secure connection (7, 8, 25, 26, 27) e.g. a squeeze-grip or snap-in connection. Each of the stacked parts has a sheet thickness or strength which is not, either on its own or combined with the other part, sufficient to maintain the specified shape stability. The information medium (4), which is preferably not made of plastic and which is of a shape and substance such as to contribute to the desired shape stability of the packaging, is accommodated between the stacked parts (2, 3). Despite the immense reduction in the plastic content, the hygienic advantages of plastic packaging are retained in full. A high proportion of the total packaging is made up of paper or cardboard-type material to give stability.

Description

Multi-layer plastic packaging with information carrier

The invention relates to a plastic packaging of predetermined dimensional stability, in particular in the form of a shell of larger volume. Plastic packaging is widely used in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and for a wide variety of purposes. Problems with this packaging are caused on the one hand by the amount of plastic used, the disposal of the packaging that is no longer required and the attachment of the usual and necessary information and the information used for advertising.

It is an object of the invention to provide a plastic packaging which, as far as possible, brings about a clear improvement with respect to all three problem areas mentioned.

This object is achieved with claim 1 and claim 2. This solution is only available for the lower part of such packaging, only for the lid part of such packaging, as well as for both parts of a plastic packaging.

It is essential that the parts forming the lower part and the cover part are each of essentially the same design, but are dimensioned differently so that they each have limited, interacting areas which, in the nested state of the parts, have a positive or non-positive fixed Have connection, for example with a clamping or snap action.

Each of the nested molded parts has a film thickness or film strength, which is not sufficient, either by itself or for both parts together, to maintain the predetermined dimensional stability of the overall plastic packaging. But they are, each individually stable. The nested parts sandwich the information carrier between them, which preferably does not consist of plastic and which, through its shape and material, contributes to achieving the predetermined dimensional stability of the plastic packaging.

The information carrier is preferably produced on the basis of paper or stable cardboard. The proportion by weight of the material of the information carrier, that is to say preferably the proportion of paper or cardboard, should assume a comparatively high value in the total weight of the packaging. It can be up to 50% and more of the total weight. Advantageously, the outer of the two nested molded parts made of transparent material (claim 10) and the wall thickness is significantly thinner than the inner part, which in turn can consist of opaque material (claim 7).

The new plastic packaging saves significant amounts of plastic material without losing the shape of the container. The application of the necessary information and the factual and advertising information no longer takes place on the plastic. Rather, the cheap material such. B. paper or cardboard existing separate information carriers can be cut and printed separately. Disposing of the packaging is much cheaper because, on the one hand, the plastic content is much lower than usual, while the material of the information carrier is much easier to dispose of than the plastic material, and because the exterior of the nested plastic parts is not contaminated by the contents of the packaging, but rather than so-called clean plastic can be processed again. Another advantage, particularly in the case of plastic packaging for ice cream, is the increased insulation effect of the sandwich-like walls, in which even the thinnest layers of air between the individual layers contribute to thermal insulation. The rigidity and thus the dimensional stability of the packaging can be increased by the rigidity of the information carrier.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings using several exemplary embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a section of a cross section through the lower part of a

Plastic packaging 1.

FIG. 1a shows a reduced section and a cross section in a different plane than the cross section according to FIG. 1.

Figure 1b is a perspective view of two nested

Divide 2,3. o F πigguurr 2 *. shows a detail of the packaging according to FIG. 1.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a lid 20 of a package, for. B. the after

Figure 1

FIG. 3 a shows a detail of a perspective view of a corner region of the cover according to FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows a cross section through the cover according to FIG. 3.

The container part 1 of a plastic packaging according to FIG. 1 consists of two nested bowl-shaped cups 2 and 3. Both consist of thin plastic film, the film of the outer part 3 preferably having a thickness less than the film of the inner part 2. The film material of part 3 is transparent, while the film material of part 2 is preferably opaque. The two nested parts 2, 3 are essentially of the same shape. However, they are dimensioned slightly differently, in such a way that they can only be nested 5 in a certain order. It is therefore not possible to fully insert Part 3 into Part 2, but vice versa.

Both parts 2 and 3 have, in the upper edge area 5, and preferably in the packaging corners 6, areas 9 which are matched to one another and which are shaped differently from the areas in between. When the parts 2 and 3 are nested into one another, these separate regions 9 engage in one another in a non-positive or positive manner, so that the parts 2 and 3 are firmly connected to one another. In the example shown, the upper wall areas 7, 8 in the corner area 6 are designed to be slightly to clearly (to the outside) inclined to the vertical, as is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 1b. Outside the special corner regions 6 serving to connect 5 the parts, the walls 7a, 8a of both parts 2 and 3 are essentially vertical, as can be seen in FIGS. 1b and 1a, only the regions 6 of the two parts 2 and 3 being used for production of a clamp fit are matched to one another, while the wall sections 7a, 8a do not apply any clamping force. Both parts 2 and 3 have edge flanges 10, 11 which are used for connection to a corresponding cover. Below the shoulder 14, the walls of parts 2 and 3 are spaced apart and sandwich between them a correspondingly shaped information carrier, which preferably consists of paper or cardboard-like material of such rigidity that the information carrier can contribute to the plastic packaging predetermined dimensional stability is achieved, while the parts 2 and 3 consist of a plastic material of such a thickness that, even when nested together, do not yet provide the dimensional stability. Near the bottom 12, the nested parts 2, 3 can be stiffened accordingly by a further shoulder 13.

The two parts 2 and 3 can also be firmly connected to one another in their connecting regions 5, 6 by the action of heat. In order to facilitate the disposal of such packaging, in the outer shell 3 around the

A tear, perforation or pre-weakening line can be provided around the connecting area 5, 6, which enables the outer part to be torn off easily from the inner part 2, with the exception of the connecting areas 5, 6. This allows parts 2 and 3 to be disposed of separately, the outer part 3, in contrast to part 2, being a so-called "clean" plastic, for which the disposal effort is lower. The cardboard insert 4 can also be removed and disposed of separately.

The outer part 3 can have small suction openings distributed over its extension, so that - during manufacture - the one inserted into the outer part 3

Information carrier 4 can be held in its exact position in part 3 by negative pressure until the inner part 2 is pushed in and in regions 5 and 6 is connected to the outer part 3 in a positive or non-positive manner. Instead, it is also possible to thermally attach the information carrier 4 to the outer part 3 at a few points in order to secure its position. This attachment does not hinder the easy removal of the information carrier from part 3 during disposal.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 3a and 3b, a lid 19 made of plastic is provided, which can be used, for example, to close the container according to FIG. However, it can also be used in containers of a different design. As previously described for the shell 1, the cover part 19 consists of two parts 20 and 30, each preformed from plastic films and nestable into one another, and an information carrier 40 sandwiched between them, preferably of cardboard or paper material. Like the lower parts according to FIG. 1, the parts 20 and 30 are essentially of the same design and both have a profiled edge which serves to engage with a container, as can be seen in section from FIG. 3b. The detailed information that has been given for the lower part according to FIG. 1 essentially also applies to the cover part. This also preferably has, in its corner regions 28, 29, mutually coordinated and slightly differently dimensioned engagement sections 23, 24, which achieve a positive or non-positive connection between the two parts 20 and 30 when the parts are nested in a predetermined order. In this case, the nubs 25 provided in different numbers in the corner areas in conjunction with an outer edge area 26 drawn in along the line 27, which can also serve for clamping the entire cover onto the lower part, are used to also in the corner areas 28, 29 between the two parts 20 and 30 to produce a fixed connection in the nested state, which is snap action in the case shown.

One or more stiffening shoulders 22a, 22b can be provided within the upper ring piece or oval or rectangular web 22 with rounded edges.

The insert 40 contributes significantly to the total weight and to the shape and rigidity of the packaging lid. The corner areas ensuring the connection can be designed differently, as shown at 23 and 24. As a rule, it is not necessary, however, even with such a cover, an inseparable connection between the parts 20 and 30 achieved by the action of heat in the corner regions can be provided, in which case weakening lines, not shown, also surround the connection region around the outer part 20 to be tearable from the inner part 30 so that both parts can be disposed of separately or the cardboard insert can be removed. Otherwise, the two parts 20 and 30 can be easily separated from one another by removing the snap lock.

For the manufacture of the cover, reference is made to the corresponding information for the manufacture of the lower part. The dishes and lids are preferably used for frozen foods - such as ice cream - or salads. The invention also avoids the disadvantage of inaccuracy of the information and advertising imprint in the case of larger containers, since this information can be applied to the information carrier in a simple and safe manner with optically good quality.

Despite the enormous reduction in the proportion of plastic, the invention ensures that the hygienic advantages of plastic packaging are retained in full. A high proportion by weight of the overall packaging is formed by the paper or cardboard-like material in order to provide stability.

The invention relates to a plastic packaging of predetermined dimensional stability and a larger volume, in which the parts (2, 3) forming the lower part or the cover part are each essentially of the same design, but are dimensioned differently in such a way that they are limited to one another have interacting areas (6, 28, 29) which, in the nested condition of the parts, have a positive or non-positive (7, 8, 25, 26, 27) firm connection, for example with a clamping or snap action.

Each of the nested parts has a film thickness or one

Film strength, which is neither sufficient for itself nor for both parts together to maintain the predetermined dimensional stability of the plastic packaging. The nested parts (2, 3) sandwich the information carrier (4) between them, which preferably does not consist of plastic and which, through its shape and material, contributes to achieving the predetermined dimensional stability of the plastic packaging.

Claims

Expectations:

1. Plastic packaging of predetermined dimensional stability, in particular in the form of a shell of larger volume, in which (a) the lower part (1) consists of two nested preform parts (2, 3) each made of preformed plastic film, which have different dimensions in predetermined areas (6) are to be positively and / or non-positively connected to each other in a nested state (7,8); (b) between the nested preforms (2, 3)

Information carrier (4) is inserted.

2. Plastic packaging of sufficient dimensional stability, in particular in flat form, in which (a) the cover (19) consists of two nested parts (20, 30) each made of preformed plastic foils, which have different dimensions at least in predetermined areas (28, 29) are to be positively and / or non-positively connected to one another in a nested state; (b) between the nested moldings (20, 30)

Information carrier (40) is inserted.

3. Plastic packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nested lower parts or cover parts are each dimensioned differently from plastic films so that they only in one

Order can be nested.

4. Plastic packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the type of material and / or the thickness of the nested parts (2,3; 20,30) to achieve the predetermined

Dimensional stability is insufficient.

5. Plastic packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the serving as information carrier (4; 40) insert is designed so that it contributes significantly to the dimensional stability or the material weight of the overall plastic packaging.

6. Plastic packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information carrier (4; 40) consists of a paper or cardboard material.

s

7. Plastic packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer (3; 20) of the nested parts (2,3; 20,30) is made thinner than the inner.

8. Plastic packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nested parts (2, 3; 20, 30) in the region of their corners (6), in particular edge corners (7,8; 23, 24), are non-positive or positive are interconnected.

9. Plastic packaging according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized 5 in that the outer of the nested parts (2,3; 20,30)

Has weakening lines, which each delimit material connection areas (7,8; 23,24) and are weakened along these weakening lines so that the outer part (3; 20) of the inner part (2; 30) with the exception of the connection areas (by hand ) 0 is separable.

10. Plastic packaging according to one of the mentioned claims, in which the outer shell (3) or the upper cover (20) is transparent.

5 11. Plastic packaging according to one of the claims mentioned, in which

(A) the clamping zone (7,8) in the corners (6) consists of slightly inclined sections against the insertion direction of the lower parts (3,2) to be nested, so that when snapping the lower shoulder of the

30 the inner shell snaps over the upper shoulder of the outer shell; or

(b) the clamping area is arranged mutatis mutandis on the corners of the cover (28, 29), with snap zones (25, 27) spaced around the circumference in the corner area.

35

12. Plastic packaging according to claim 11, alternative (a), wherein each corner clamping zone (7,8; 9) is continuous around the corner.