Container and blank for the production thereof

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 8459531
  • Patent Number
    8,459,531
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, September 14, 2006
    18 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 11, 2013
    11 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
  • Examiners
    • Newhouse; Nathan J
    • Demeree; Christopher
    Agents
    • Fish & Richardson P.C.
Abstract
A container (1) for storing and removing food comprises a first and a second container half (2, 3) which are connected to each other by means of a pivotable connection in order to pivot between an open position (4) and a closed position (5). To improve such a container to the effect that it is also suited for the consumption of the food and can be simultaneously produced more stably and economically while it is easy to assemble, each container half (2, 3) comprises an upper and lower polygonal container wall (7, 8; 9, 10), when seen from above, and a lateral wall (11, 12) which connects the walls at a distance in relation to each other, wherein the pivotable connection is embodied by a pivotable line embodied between facing first ends (13, 14) of the lateral walls (11, 12), and the second ends (15, 16) of the lateral walls (11, 12) are in the closed position (5) detachably connected to each other, wherein the pivotable axis (17) associated to the pivotable line (6) extends essentially perpendicular to the upper and lower container walls (7, 9; 8, 10). Moreover, a single-pieced blank (60) is provided for producing such a container (1).
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. nationalization of PCT application No. PCT/EP2006/008983 filed on Sep. 14, 2006, and claims priority to German Patent Application No. 20 2005 014 738.9 filed on Sep. 19, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.


The invention relates to a container which is used for storing and removing food, comprising a first and a second container half, which are connected together by means of a pivotable connection in the form of a pivotable line or the like in order to pivot between an open position and a closed position.


Such a container is known for example from practice for storing and removing a hamburger, a sandwich, a piece of pastry, or the like. Normally, the corresponding food is completely removed from the container and held in ones hands for consumption.


The container halves then form an upper and a lower container half, wherein the lower container half is used for putting down the container and the upper container half can be folded upwards about the corresponding pivotable connection for removing the food. That means that with the previously known container, the corresponding pivotable connection or pivotable line extends horizontally or in the direction transverse to the food situated in the container.


Such a container is well-suited for storing and removing the corresponding food, but it cannot be used as an aid for consuming the food. Moreover, in its closed state the previously known container is sufficiently stable for transporting the food, however, in its opened state it is relatively unstable; in this state, however, the food is only removed from the container.


It is the object of the invention to improve a container of the type mentioned in the beginning such that it is also suited for consuming the food and is more stable and can nevertheless be produced economically while it is simple to assemble.


This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.


Each container half of the container according to the invention comprises an upper and a lower, polygonal container wall when viewed from above, and a lateral wall which connects the walls at a distance in relation to each other. The corresponding pivotable line of the pivotable connection is embodied between ends of the lateral walls of the container halves which face each other. The other, second ends of the lateral walls are connected together in a detachable manner in the closed position of the container halves, where the pivotable axis which is associated with the pivotable line extends essentially perpendicular to the upper and lower container walls of the container halves.


This essentially results in a container having a left and a right container half which can be opened about a pivotable axis extending essentially perpendicular to the food situated in the container, so that the food projects from the right or left container half when the container halves are in the open position and can be used for holding the food during consumption. If the container halves are in the closed position, the correspondingly polygonal left and right container halves complement each other to form a container which correspondingly has a polygonal cross-section which, due to the plurality of corners and edges, comprises improved stability not only during transport of the food, but also when only one container half is being used for consuming the food.


To give the respective container half a simpler embodiment and to also be able to produce it more easily, the upper and lower container walls of each container half can be congruent to each other.


The stability of the container is improved by its corresponding polygonal design, the upper and lower container walls, respectively, of the first and second container halves complementing each other in the closed position to form a hexagonal, heptagonal or octagonal contour of the container, or a contour with even more corners.


In order not to have any gap in the container in its closed position and to completely enclose the food, the lower and/or upper container wall of one container half can comprise a shorter maximal length to a free end edge than the lower and/or upper container wall of the other container half.


In the closed position of both container halves, this permits an overlap between the longer and/or upper container walls of the one container half and the corresponding container walls of the other container half.


In order to more stably form at least one of the container halves in this context, free end edges of the upper and/or lower container wall of the corresponding container half can be connected flush with the free end edges of the lateral walls forming the pivotable line.


To support pivoting about the pivotable line, along the pivotable line a long stretched-out pivotable opening can be formed in the shape of an oblong hole.


To easily permit a detachable connection of the corresponding ends of the lateral walls in the closed position, the lateral walls can comprise a first and second end sections projecting beyond the free end edge of the upper and lower container walls at their second ends. These end sections of the lateral walls can then be detachably connected to each other by means of various techniques known per se, such as for example a detachable adhesive point, an insertion connection, a catch connection or the like.


In a simple embodiment, the end section of the lateral wall of the first container half comprises at its free end a tongue which detachably engages with an insertion slot arranged in a lateral wall of the second container half in the closed position. Naturally, a reversed arrangement of tongue and insertion slot is also possible.


To facilitate the connection between tongue and insertion slot and the shifting together of the corresponding end sections, between the end section of the second container half and the upper and lower container walls, open receiving slots can be formed in the direction towards the end section of the lateral wall of the first container half. Again, a reversed arrangement is possible. In this context, it is possible that in the closed position of the container halves, the corresponding end edges of the upper and lower container walls of the first container half are partially received in this receiving slot.


To be able to produce the corresponding polygonality of the container in a simple manner and simultaneously increase the stability of the container, the lateral wall can comprise corners of lateral folding lines connecting the upper and lower container walls.


To further increase stiffness, the lower and/or upper container wall of the corresponding container half can be formed of two or more layers, at least in portions.


The multilayer design can be realized by several layers of the same material, however, different materials can be also used for the various layers.


To produce the multilayer design in a simple manner and simultaneously permit the connection between lateral walls and container walls, the lateral wall can comprise adhesive flanges lying against inner surfaces of the upper and/or lower container wall, so that in particular the adjacent areas of the lateral wall and the container walls are stabilized by the resulting multilayer design. The arrangement of the corresponding adhesive flanges can also be performed reversely, so that adhesive flanges projecting from one of the container walls are fixed to an inner surface of the lateral wall. In this case, fixing is normally made by gluing together, but it can also be performed by melting on a foil applied to the adhesive flanges or to the lateral walls themselves.


For the adhesive flanges to be oriented corresponding to the inner surfaces of the corresponding walls, these can be connected in particular with the other lateral wall or the other container wall by means of a folding line.


As essentially half of the corresponding food is still arranged in one container half when the container halves are in the open position, and the projecting other half of the food projects for consumption, it can in this context furthermore prove to be advantageous for the first or else the second container half to comprise a tear line at least in the upper and lower container walls. This tear line is used, after the projecting portion of the food has been consumed, for further opening the corresponding container half, so that the rest of the food too can be further consumed out of the corresponding container half. In principle, for completely consuming the food it is possible to securely hold it just by means of the corresponding container half without any further aids, such as napkins or the like, and to essentially use this container half until the food is completely consumed.


In this context, it can be furthermore an advantage if not only the upper and lower container walls can be separated by the corresponding tear line, but if the corresponding lateral wall, too, can be separated or at least pivoted open more easily about a corresponding line. This can be achieved by the lateral wall of the corresponding container half comprising a lateral tear line connecting the tear line of the upper and lower container walls. However, this lateral tear line can also only be used, as illustrated above, as pivotable line and does not have to be actually used for completely removing the corresponding lateral wall portion.


It showed that a deformation of the corresponding container walls or lateral walls results from heat and vapor of the food situated in the container, if these walls are, for example, already bent. To avoid this, the upper and/or lower container walls and lateral wall sections arranged between adjacent folding lines can extend in a plane.


As the container essentially is a disposable packing, it is naturally advantageous if the corresponding material can be easily recycled. Such a material for the container is, for example, paper, cardboard, or the like.


To possibly additionally stiffen the connection between the container walls, as an alternative or complement to the adhesive flanges of the corresponding lateral wall, the upper and/or lower container wall can comprise adhesive flaps lying against the inner surface, in particular of the end section of the lateral wall, the flaps being connected to the rest of the container wall by means of a folding line.


To determine an in particular maximal open position of the container such that the corresponding container halves are not pivoted too far in relation to each other and these are instead, for example, essentially arranged next to each other in the open position, in the maximal open position of the container, the lateral wall sections of the lateral walls of the first and second container halves connected by means of the pivotable line can essentially lie against each other with their outer surfaces. Due to the fact that the container halves do not pivot open too far but only pivot open to such an extent that they face the consumer with their corresponding openings, for example crumbs or other food leftovers which are already arranged in the container half not being used for consuming the food or are gathered in the same, can be prevented from falling out.


The abutment of the corresponding outer surfaces is improved if their surfaces are essentially equal.


The production and assembly of the container can furthermore be improved by producing it from a single-pieced blank.


There moreover is the possibility for the container to comprise an in particular fluid-tight coating on its inner and/or outer surface. A coating on the outer surface of the container can also serve to improve the appearance of this outer surface or to more easily provide it with a print.


There also is the possibility of designing the corresponding container walls of container halves or the lateral wall such that the same comprise a certain heat-insulating effect by an air gap being for example present between the layers in case of multilayer walls, or heat transmission through the walls being reduced in any other way.


The invention also relates to a corresponding single-pieced blank for producing such a container, wherein such a blank comprises at least one longitudinal lateral wall strip for forming the lateral walls and upper and lower container wall sections projecting from this lateral wall strip along the longitudinal sides thereof. Between the longitudinal sides and in particular perpendicular to the same, a row of lateral folding lines are embodied in the lateral wall strip, and approximately centrically in the lateral wall strip, a pivotable line extending in parallel to the lateral folding lines is embodied.


To produce the corresponding adhesive flanges in this context in a simple manner, these can be arranged along the longitudinal sides of the lateral wall strip as essentially triangular adhesive flanges, between these and the container wall sections, a cutting line being embodied. In this manner, the adhesive flanges are also part of the blank and, after the corresponding assembly of the container, they only have to be glued to the inner surface of the corresponding container wall.


To facilitate the assembly in this context, the adhesive flanges can be connected to the lateral wall strips by a corresponding folding line.


To be able to produce the corresponding lateral walls of both container halves in a simple manner, the lateral wall strip can comprise two groups of lateral wall sections which are separated by two pivotable lateral wall sections, wherein the free ends of the lateral wall strip are formed by closing lateral wall sections.


For detachably fixing the corresponding closing lateral wall sections when the container is assembled, a closing lateral wall section can comprise a tongue projecting at its free end which can be inserted into a corresponding insertion opening in the lateral wall for defining a closed position of the container.


To later facilitate the corresponding pivoting of the container halves, an oblong hole extending along the corresponding pivotable line can be embodied between the two pivotable lateral sections.


Adhesive flaps cannot only be arranged in the area of the corresponding lateral wall sections, but the pivotable lateral section can also comprise approximately triangular adhesive flaps at its longitudinal sides.


To facilitate the insertion of the above mentioned tongue, an oblong hole can be formed along the corresponding lateral folding line between the closing lateral wall section and the following lateral wall section. This oblong hole is then used for inserting the tongue.


To facilitate the insertion of the tongue and more securely determine the closed position, the corresponding lateral folding line can comprise cutting sections at both ends of the oblong hole. These facilitate the insertion of the tongue which is longer than the oblong hole, its length essentially corresponding to the length of the oblong hole and the additional length of the corresponding cutting sections.


To facilitate the assembly of the container, in particular the gluing of the corresponding adhesive flanges, it is possible for an inclination of triangle sides of corresponding adhesive flanges to be essentially equal. Thereby, these triangle sides can be used for determining the corresponding folding position of lateral wall sections or else container wall sections, and in this determined position gluing is then performed.


According to the invention, by the corresponding container and blank, the stiffness of the container is increased and corresponding deformation when the food is being put into the container, transported or consumed is avoided. This is in particular achieved by the plurality of corners and folding lines and the use of double-walls or multilayered walls at least in portions.


By the use of essentially plane or flat walls, moreover deformation of the paper due to heat or vapor is largely avoided. The container can be used for consuming the food without contacting it with the hands of the consumer, so that further aids, such as for example a napkin or the like, are not necessary for consumption. The use of the tear lines permits the consumption of the complete food, so that the extent of hygiene is high until the food is completely consumed.


The corresponding container halves moreover prevent crumbs, liquid components of the food or else other parts of the food from exiting from the container, where in particular the container half not used for consumption can be used for gathering such parts. Furthermore, the corresponding overlap of the walls and the detachable closing of the container halves ensure that the food can be transported securely also during transport without opening the container.





In the following, an advantageous embodiment of the invention is illustrated more in detail with reference to the figures enclosed in the drawing.


In the drawings:



FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container according to the invention in a closed position;



FIG. 2 shows the container according to FIG. 1 in the open position;



FIG. 3 shows the container according to FIG. 2 in the open position with partially torn open first container half; and



FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a single-pieced blank for producing the container according to the preceding figures.






FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention in a closed position 5. The container 1 comprises a first container half 2 and a second container half 3 which are detachably connected to each other by means of an engagement of a tongue 29 into a corresponding insertion slot 30. The first container half 2 is polygonal with corners 35, 36, 37 and 38 corresponding to the second container half 3 with corners 33, 34, 39 and 40, wherein both container halves 2, 3 complement each other to form an essentially regular octangle.


The first container half 2 comprises an upper and a lower container wall 7, 8, also see FIGS. 2 and 3, which are arranged at a distance to a lateral wall 11 between the same. Analogously, the second container half 3 is assembled from an upper and a lower container wall 9, 10 and a lateral wall 12, the corresponding container walls 7, 8 and 9, 10 and the lateral wall sections 48 of the lateral walls 11, 12 arranged between corresponding lateral folding lines 41 have a plane design.


In the closed position 5 according to FIG. 1, the upper and lower container walls 9, 10, see in particular “10” in FIG. 1, partially cover the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 of the first container half 2, wherein a corresponding end section 28 of the lateral wall 12 of the second container half 3 also covers the corresponding end section 27, see FIG. 2, of the lateral wall 11 of the first container half 2.


Between the end section 28 of the lateral wall 12 and the upper and lower container walls 9, 10, open receiving slots 31, 32 are embodied in the direction towards the first container half 2. These facilitate the arrangement of the corresponding end section 27 and also of the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 of the first container half 2 in the second container half 3, also see FIG. 2.


The corresponding walls or wall sections according to FIG. 1 correspond to the corresponding lateral wall sections 48, container wall sections 58, 59 as well as 61, 62, and closing lateral wall sections 67, 68 according to FIG. 4, wherein the corresponding container halves 2, 3 can be pivoted from the closed position 5 according to FIG. 1 to an open position 4 according to FIG. 2 in relation to each other about a pivotable axis 17 defined as pivotable connection by a pivotable line 6 between the closed position and open positions.


This corresponding pivotable line is, also see for example FIG. 4, determined by a lateral folding line 42 between the pivotable lateral wall sections 65 and 66.


In FIG. 1, the corresponding tongue 29, also see FIGS. 2 to 4, is inserted into the insertion slot 30 embodied as oblong hole 70.


In FIG. 2, the container 1 is represented in its open position 4, in which the two container halves 2, 3 are arranged such that they face a consumer with their inner surfaces or the interior determined by them to remove and in particular consume food arranged in the container 1.


The first container half 2 comprises an end edge 24 at a first end 13 of its lateral wall 11 which is connected by means of the corresponding pivotable line 6 or lateral folding line 42 with the corresponding end edge 25 at the first end 14 of the lateral wall 12 of the second container half 3. A portion of the pivotable line 6 is the pivotable opening 26 embodied as oblong hole.


The lateral walls 11, 12 comprise, adjacent to the first end 13 or 14, respectively, outer surfaces 52 and 53 which determine a maximal open position in which the two outer surfaces 52, 53 lie against each other. These outer surfaces essentially have the same area.


The lateral walls 11, 12 comprise the same number of lateral wall sections 48 and essentially differ in corresponding end sections 27, 28 used for detachably closing the container 1, also see FIG. 1. These end sections 27, 28 each comprise second ends 15, 16 of the lateral walls 11, 12. Here, the tongue 29 is embodied at the second end 15 of the end section 27. It is inserted into the corresponding insertion slot 30, also see FIG. 1, for defining and assuming the closed position 5.


Free end edges 20 and 21 of the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 of the first container half 2 pass over flush into the first end edges 24, 25 at the first end 13, 14 of the lateral walls 11, 12. The corresponding free end edges 22, 23 of the upper and lower container walls 9, 10 of the second container half 3 then project over these end edges 24, 25, also see FIG. 4. This projection serves for receiving the corresponding ends of the upper and lower container walls 7, 8, in the closed position, see FIG. 1.


Adhesive flanges 50 are fixed on the inner surfaces 43, 44 of the corresponding container walls and connected by means of corresponding folding lines 45 to the laterals walls 11, 12. The corresponding adhesive flanges are essentially triangular, wherein in FIG. 2 triangle sides 72, 73 of the corresponding adhesive flanges facing each other essentially lie against each other. Thereby, during the production of the container 1 from a single-pieced blank 60 according to FIG. 4, the corresponding folding state of the lateral wall sections in relation to each other are essentially determined.


In the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 of the first container half 2, tear lines 46 are centrically embodied, for example by a perforation. These are used for tearing open the corresponding container walls 7, 8, also see FIG. 3, to improve accessibility to the remaining food after it has been partially consumed.


In FIG. 2, in particular the receiving slots 31, 32 can be also easily seen which improve elasticity of the corresponding end section 28 for facilitated closing of the container. Moreover, these receiving slots 31, 32 can also be used for receiving corresponding end edges 20, 21 of the upper and lower container walls 7, 8, when the end section 27 is arranged externally on the end section 28, when the tongue 29 is inserted in the insertion slot 30.


In FIG. 2, one can in particular also see that a corresponding maximal length 18, 19, also see FIG. 4, of the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 or of the upper and lower container walls 9, 10, respectively, is different, so that the upper and lower container walls 9, 10 of the second container half 3 in the represented embodiment grip over the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 of the first container half 2, also see FIG. 1, from outside, so that the corresponding free end edges 20, 21 of the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 are inserted in the second container half 3.


By the arrangement of the corresponding adhesive flanges 50 on the inner surfaces 43 of the container walls 7 to 10, a double-layer design results in particular in this area which increases stiffness of the container, besides the increase of stiffness by the number of folding lines and corners of the container.


At this point, it should be briefly noted that in all figures the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals, and some of these reference numerals are only given in one figure and are only described in connection with one figure.


In FIG. 3, the container 1 is represented with the outer surface 54 of FIG. 2 in a tear-open position of the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 of the first container half 2. This position differs in particular from the corresponding open position according to FIG. 2 in that the container walls 7, 8 are torn open along the corresponding tear lines 46, also see FIGS. 1 and 2. One can moreover see that in the corresponding lateral wall 11 of the first container half 1, a lateral tear line 47 connecting the tear lines 46 in the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 is formed. This makes it possible to completely separate the portion of the first container half 2 comprising the tongue 29. However, the corresponding lateral tear line 47 can also be essentially employed as pivotable line to open the first container half 2 to the corresponding tear position according to FIG. 3.


In FIG. 3, in particular another adhesive flange 50 adjacent to the end section 27 can be seen which is glued to the corresponding inner surface 43 of the upper container wall 7 and correspondingly to the lower container wall 8. This adhesive flange is connected to the lateral wall 11 by means of the folding line 45. Another adhesive flange 74 extends from the upper or lower container wall 7, 8, respectively, towards the end section 27 and is glued to the same on its inner surface. The adhesive flange 74, too, is connected to the upper or lower container wall 7, 8, respectively, by means of a corresponding folding line 51, also see FIG. 4.


In FIG. 4, a plan view of a single-pieced blank for producing the container according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is represented.


Here, too, corresponding same parts of the previous figures are provided with the same reference numerals.


The blank 60 in particular comprises a lateral wall strip 55 comprising a plurality of lateral wall sections which are correspondingly separated from each other by lateral folding lines 41, 42. The various sections in particular also comprise pivotable lateral wall sections 65, 66 which are arranged approximately centrically in the lateral wall strip 55 and between which the folding line 42 determines the corresponding pivotable line 6 or pivotable axis 17. The oblong hole 69 is embodied as pivotable opening 26 in the corresponding folding line 42. Furthermore, the wall sections comprise the closing lateral wall sections 67 and 68 which correspondingly form the end sections 27 and 28 of the container, also see FIG. 2. Container wall sections 58, 59 and 61, 62 project along longitudinal sides 56, 57 of the lateral wall strip 55. The container wall sections 58, 59 form upper and lower container walls 7, 8, and the container wall sections 61, 62 form upper and lower container walls 9, 10 of the corresponding first or second container half 2, 3, respectively, see again FIG. 2.


A further part of the single-pieced blank 60 according to FIG. 4 are the essentially triangular adhesive flaps 50 or 74, wherein the adhesive flaps 50 each are connected by means of corresponding folding lines 45 or 64, respectively, to the lateral wall strip 55, and the further adhesive flaps 74 are connected by means of lateral folding line 51 to the upper and lower container walls 7, 8 of the first container half 2.


One can see in FIG. 2 how the corresponding adhesive flaps 50 are placed against inner surfaces 43, 44 of the container walls 7 to 10 and fixed there by gluing, wherein in FIG. 3 the same is also represented for the adhesive flaps 74 on the corresponding inner surface of the end section 27.


To permit the corresponding pivoting of the adhesive flaps during the production of the container independent of the folding of the corresponding container walls 7 to 10, cutting lines 63 are arranged along a triangle side of the corresponding adhesive flaps which separate the adhesive flaps from the container walls 7 to 10 in this area.


Apart from these cutting lines 63 as one triangle side, the corresponding triangles comprise further triangle sides 72 and 73 which are used for defining a corresponding folding state of the lateral wall sections as well as of the container walls in that they abut against each other, see FIG. 2.


One can see furthermore in FIG. 4 that the corresponding lateral tear line 47 connects the tear lines 46 in the upper container wall 7 or in the corresponding container wall section 58 with the tear line 46 in the lower container wall 8 or the container wall section 59. This tear line is at least used for opening the container 1 in the manner shown in FIG. 3, wherein in this connection the lateral tear line 47 serves as pivotable line.


From each of the pivotable lateral wall sections 65, 66, along the corresponding longitudinal sides 56, 57 of the lateral wall strip 55, corresponding adhesive flaps 50 project in pairs which are situated oppositely, also see FIG. 2.


In the area of the oblong hole 70 forming the insertion slot 30, cutting sections 71 are embodied along the corresponding lateral folding line 41 which support the insertion of the tongue 29 with cutting lines 75 into the insertion slot 30 and in particular the detachable holding of the tongue in the slot.


The container and the single-pieced blank, respectively, according to the invention altogether result in a container shape which permits a kind of opening the container by pivoting different to that of previously known containers, wherein according to the invention one of the container halves is used for holding food situated in the container, such as a hamburger, a sandwich or the like. In this context it should also be noted that the corresponding tear lines 46 in the representation according to FIG. 2 can be used for better holding the food, wherein the corresponding container walls 7, 8 can be more easily pressed inwards towards the food in the area of the tear line 47, wherein the corresponding tear lines are essentially used as creasing lines for the container walls 7, 8. Only when half of the food is then essentially consumed, the tear lines 46 can be torn to further open the container, see FIG. 3. This position according to FIG. 3 is then essentially used until the food is completely consumed, wherein the corresponding parts of the first container half 2 can be repeatedly pivoted towards each other about the lateral tear line 47 to handle the remaining food and change its position between the upper and lower container walls 7, 8.


According to the invention, therefore no further aid for the consumption or for keeping the consumer clean is necessary, and even parts falling away from the food, such as crumbs, sauces or other food components, are securely received by the corresponding container halves.

Claims
  • 1. Container for storing and removing food, comprising a first and a second container half, which are connected together by means of a pivotable connection in order to pivot between an open position and a closed position, each container half comprising an upper and lower, polygonal, container wall when viewed from above, and each container half further comprising a lateral wall which connects the corresponding upper and lower container walls at a distance in relation to each other,the pivotable connection being formed by a pivotable line embodied between facing first ends of the lateral walls, andsecond ends of the lateral walls are detachably connected to each other in the closed position, wherein the pivotable connection formed by the pivotable line extends essentially perpendicular to the upper and lower container walls,the first container half comprising one and only one central tear line in each of the upper and lower container walls of the first container half,the first container half further comprising a lateral tear line extending between the respective central tear lines in each of the upper and lower container walls of the first container half, andeach of the upper and lower container walls of the first container half has a free end edge that is continuously linear from a first end proximate the pivotable line to a second end at the lateral wall connecting the upper container wall and the lower container wall of the first container half.
  • 2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower container walls are congruent to each other.
  • 3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the upper or lower container wall of the first and second container halves complement each other in the closed position to form a hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal or polygonal contour.
  • 4. Container according to claim 3, wherein the lower or upper container wall of the first container half comprises a shorter maximal length to the free end edge than a corresponding length on the lower and/or upper container wall of the second container half.
  • 5. Container according to claim 4, wherein the free end edge of the upper container wall of the first container half is flush with the free end edge of the lateral wall that connects the upper and lower container walls of the first container half at the pivotable line, or a free end edge of the lower container wall of the first container half is flush with free end edge of the lateral wall that connects the upper and lower container walls of the first container half at the pivotable line.
  • 6. Container according to claim 5, wherein along the pivotable line a long-stretched out opening is embodied in the form of an oblong hole.
  • 7. Container according to claim 6, wherein the lateral walls comprise at their second ends each a first and second end section projecting beyond the free end edge of the upper and lower container walls.
  • 8. Container according to claim 7, wherein the end section of the lateral wall of the first container half comprises a tongue at its end which detachably engages with an insertion slot arranged in the lateral wall of the second container half in the closed position.
  • 9. Container according to claim 8, wherein between the end section of the second container half and the upper and lower container walls open receiving slots are formed in the direction towards the end section of the lateral wall of the first container half.
  • 10. Container according to claim 9, wherein the lateral wall comprises corners of lateral folding lines connecting the upper and lower container walls.
  • 11. Container according to claim 10, wherein at least the lower and/or upper container wall has two or more layers at least in portions.
  • 12. Container according to claim 11, wherein the lateral wall comprises adhesive flanges lying against an inner surface of the upper and/or lower container walls.
  • 13. Container according to claim 12, wherein the adhesive flanges are connected to the rest of the lateral wall by means of a folding line.
  • 14. Container according to claim 1, wherein the lateral tear line is employed as pivotable line.
  • 15. Container according to claim 14, wherein the upper or lower container wall and lateral wall sections of the lateral wall arranged between adjacent lateral folding lines extend in a plane.
  • 16. Container according to claim 15, wherein the material of the container is paper, cardboard or the like.
  • 17. Container according to claim 16, wherein the upper and/or lower container wall comprises adhesive flanges lying against an inner surface at the end section of the lateral wall which are connected to the rest of the container wall by means of a folding line.
  • 18. Container according to claim 17, wherein in the maximal open position of the container, the lateral wall sections of the lateral walls of the first and second container halves connected by means of the pivotable line lie against their outer surfaces.
  • 19. Container according to claim 18, wherein the area of the outer surfaces is essentially the same.
  • 20. Container according to claim 19, wherein the container is made of a single-pieced blank.
  • 21. Container according to claim 20, wherein the container comprises a fluid-tight coating on its inner and/or outer surface.
  • 22. Single-pieced blank for producing a container according to claim 21, which comprises: at least one lateral wall strip for forming the lateral walls; andupper and lower polygonal container wall sections projecting from this lateral wall strip along its longitudinal sides,wherein between the longitudinal sides and perpendicular to these, a number of lateral folding lines are embodied in the lateral wall strip, andapproximately centrically in the lateral wall strip, a pivotable line extending in parallel to the lateral folding lines is embodied.
  • 23. Blank according to claim 22, wherein essentially triangular adhesive flaps are arranged along the longitudinal sides of the lateral wall strip, between these and the container wall sections a cutting line being formed.
  • 24. Blank according to claim 23, wherein the adhesive flanges are connected to the lateral wall strip by means of a folding line.
  • 25. Blank according to claim 24, wherein the lateral wall strip comprises two groups of lateral wall sections which are separated from each other by two pivotable lateral wall sections, wherein closing lateral wall sections are arranged at free ends of the lateral wall strip.
  • 26. Blank according to claim 25, wherein one closing lateral wall section comprises a tongue projecting at its free end.
  • 27. Blank according to claim 26, wherein between the two pivotable lateral wall sections an oblong hole extending along the pivotable line is embodied.
  • 28. Blank according to claim 27, wherein the pivotable lateral wall section comprises at its longitudinal side approximately triangular adhesive flaps.
  • 29. Blank according to claim 28, wherein between the closing lateral wall section and the subsequent lateral wall section, an oblong hole is embodied along the corresponding lateral folding line.
  • 30. Blank according to claim 29, wherein at both ends of the oblong hole, the lateral folding line comprises cutting sections.
  • 31. Blank according to claim 30, wherein an inclination of triangle sides of the adhesive flaps facing each other in a container produced from the blank is essentially the same.
  • 32. A container for storing and removing food, comprising a first and a second container half, which are connected together by means of a pivotable connection in order to pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein each container half comprises an upper and lower, polygonal, container wall when viewed from above, and a lateral wall which connects the walls at a distance in relation to each other,wherein the pivotable connection is formed by a pivotable line embodied between facing first ends of the lateral walls, andthe second ends of the lateral walls are detachably connected to each other in the closed position, wherein the pivotable axis associated to the pivotable line extends essentially perpendicular to the upper and lower container walls,wherein the first container half comprises a tear line in each of the upper and lower container walls,wherein the first container half comprises a lateral tear line extending between the respective tear lines in each of the upper and lower container walls, andwherein the lateral wall comprises adhesive flanges lying against an inner surface of the upper and/or lower container walls.
  • 33. The container according to claim 32, wherein the adhesive flanges are connected to the rest of the lateral wall by means of a folding line.
  • 34. Container for storing and removing food, comprising a first and a second container half, which are connected together by means of a pivotable connection in order to pivot between an open position and a closed position, wherein each container half comprises an upper and lower, polygonal, container wall when viewed from above, and each container half further comprises a lateral wall which connects the corresponding upper and lower container walls at a distance in relation to each other,wherein the pivotable connection is formed by a pivotable line embodied between facing first ends of the lateral walls, andsecond ends of the lateral walls are detachably connected to each other in the closed position, wherein the pivotable connection formed by the pivotable line extends essentially perpendicular to the upper and lower container walls,wherein the first container half comprises a central tear line that extends through a bisecting midline of each of the upper and lower container walls of the first container half,wherein the first container half comprises a lateral tear line extending between the respective central tear lines in each of the upper and lower container walls of the first container half.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
20 2005 014 738 U Sep 2005 DE national
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind 371c Date
PCT/EP2006/008983 9/14/2006 WO 00 9/19/2008
Publishing Document Publishing Date Country Kind
WO2007/033794 3/29/2007 WO A
US Referenced Citations (236)
Number Name Date Kind
23200 Stimpson Mar 1859 A
1549417 Hendrich Aug 1925 A
1814671 Dufour Jul 1931 A
1899772 Richardson Feb 1933 A
2288602 Benton May 1939 A
2266828 Sykes Dec 1941 A
2342623 Aquino Feb 1944 A
2493633 Mart Jan 1950 A
2591578 McNealy et al. Apr 1952 A
2661889 Phinney Dec 1953 A
2692722 Johnson Oct 1954 A
2725733 Howlett Dec 1955 A
2828903 Adkins Apr 1958 A
2832465 Vuillemenot Apr 1958 A
2847117 Vuillemenot Aug 1958 A
2863585 Meshberg Dec 1958 A
2899098 Gits Aug 1959 A
2982465 Fallert May 1961 A
3079027 Edwards Feb 1963 A
3082900 Goodman Mar 1963 A
3124293 Transport Mar 1964 A
RE25618 Goodman Jul 1964 E
3225954 Herrick et al. Dec 1965 A
3343660 Bailey Sep 1967 A
3355046 Jolly Nov 1967 A
3372830 Edwards Mar 1968 A
3401862 Wanderer Sep 1968 A
3428214 Leon Feb 1969 A
3456860 Janninck Jul 1969 A
3463379 Dlugopolski Aug 1969 A
3471075 Wolf Oct 1969 A
3541599 Ramshaw et al. Nov 1970 A
3580468 McDevitt May 1971 A
3765559 Sauey et al. Oct 1973 A
3766975 Todd Oct 1973 A
D231068 Douglas Apr 1974 S
3850361 Day et al. Nov 1974 A
3908523 Shikaya Sep 1975 A
3927766 Day Dec 1975 A
4018904 Muraoka Apr 1977 A
4040537 Edwards Aug 1977 A
4089358 Korson May 1978 A
4124120 Day Nov 1978 A
4189054 Liu et al. Feb 1980 A
4261501 Watkins et al. Apr 1981 A
4267959 Gilbert May 1981 A
4360147 Brauner Nov 1982 A
4368818 Day et al. Jan 1983 A
4560075 Lu Dec 1985 A
4706873 Schult Nov 1987 A
4763832 Forbes, Jr. Aug 1988 A
4771911 Morony et al. Sep 1988 A
4773622 Herlin Sep 1988 A
4789073 Fine Dec 1988 A
4844330 Roosa et al. Jul 1989 A
4850496 Rudell et al. Jul 1989 A
4993580 Smith Feb 1991 A
5076463 McGraw Dec 1991 A
5092485 Lee Mar 1992 A
5135132 Potochnik Aug 1992 A
5145107 Silver et al. Sep 1992 A
5188284 Eisman Feb 1993 A
5205476 Sorenson Apr 1993 A
5226585 Varano Jul 1993 A
5363982 Sadlier Nov 1994 A
5364018 Carlsson Nov 1994 A
5460323 Titus Oct 1995 A
5520324 Cai May 1996 A
5524817 Meier et al. Jun 1996 A
5542599 Sobol Aug 1996 A
5547124 Mueller Aug 1996 A
5551592 Barton et al. Sep 1996 A
5553735 Kimura Sep 1996 A
5553772 Jensen Sep 1996 A
5573141 Chen Nov 1996 A
5593053 Kaufman et al. Jan 1997 A
5603450 Whitnell Feb 1997 A
5628453 MacLaughlin May 1997 A
5660326 Varano et al. Aug 1997 A
5674546 Barnes et al. Oct 1997 A
5678725 Yamada et al. Oct 1997 A
5685480 Choi Nov 1997 A
5697550 Varano et al. Dec 1997 A
5713512 Barrett Feb 1998 A
5752653 Razzaghi May 1998 A
RE35830 Sadlier Jun 1998 E
5769262 Yamada et al. Jun 1998 A
5769311 Morita et al. Jun 1998 A
5772111 Kirsch Jun 1998 A
5788145 Grahahm et al. Aug 1998 A
5820016 Stropkay Oct 1998 A
5826781 Jensen Oct 1998 A
5839599 Lin Nov 1998 A
5839653 Zadravetz Nov 1998 A
5875956 Benarrouch Mar 1999 A
5894948 Yeh Apr 1999 A
5918761 Wissinger Jul 1999 A
5950917 Smith Sep 1999 A
5964400 Varano et al. Oct 1999 A
6050443 Tung Apr 2000 A
6065632 Moore, Jr. May 2000 A
6076699 Seager et al. Jun 2000 A
6085970 Sadlier Jul 2000 A
6109518 Mueller et al. Aug 2000 A
6116503 Varano Sep 2000 A
6126584 Zadravetz Oct 2000 A
6161720 Castle Dec 2000 A
6193098 Mochizuki et al. Feb 2001 B1
6196454 Sadlier Mar 2001 B1
6224954 Mitchell et al. May 2001 B1
6237845 Hashimoto et al. May 2001 B1
6253995 Blok et al. Jul 2001 B1
6257485 Sadlier et al. Jul 2001 B1
6260756 Mochizuki et al. Jul 2001 B1
6283364 Gray, Sr. Sep 2001 B1
6332538 Pritchard et al. Dec 2001 B1
6343735 Cai Feb 2002 B1
6367652 Toida et al. Apr 2002 B1
6375066 Ritter Apr 2002 B1
6378766 Sadlier Apr 2002 B2
6382449 Kazmierski et al. May 2002 B1
6419108 Toida et al. Jul 2002 B1
6422456 Sadlier Jul 2002 B1
6598786 Guo Jul 2003 B1
6749913 Watanabe et al. Jun 2004 B2
6811843 DeBraal et al. Nov 2004 B2
6852381 Debraal et al. Feb 2005 B2
6863212 Stone et al. Mar 2005 B2
6908651 Watanabe et al. Jun 2005 B2
6921179 Diak Ghanem Jul 2005 B2
6926197 Hed et al. Aug 2005 B2
6989198 Masuda et al. Jan 2006 B2
7100770 D'Amato Sep 2006 B2
7172086 McKendry et al. Feb 2007 B2
7195805 Breining et al. Mar 2007 B2
D546625 Gluck Jul 2007 S
D547122 Gluck Jul 2007 S
D550033 Bodum Sep 2007 S
D550034 Bodum Sep 2007 S
D551502 Bodum Sep 2007 S
D553437 Bodum Oct 2007 S
D553439 Bodum Oct 2007 S
D553440 Bodum Oct 2007 S
D553442 Bodum Oct 2007 S
D553909 Bodum Oct 2007 S
D553910 Bodum Oct 2007 S
D553911 Bodum Oct 2007 S
7281650 Milan Oct 2007 B1
D557561 Flowers et al. Dec 2007 S
D557563 Bodum Dec 2007 S
D557564 Bodum Dec 2007 S
7306113 El-Saden et al. Dec 2007 B2
D562075 Mehta Feb 2008 S
D563172 Bodum Mar 2008 S
D577260 Bodum Sep 2008 S
7451910 Frost et al. Nov 2008 B2
7451911 Stepanek, Jr. Nov 2008 B2
D581738 Bodum Dec 2008 S
D581739 Bodum Dec 2008 S
7458504 Robertson et al. Dec 2008 B2
7481356 Stahlecker Jan 2009 B2
7536767 Hollis et al. May 2009 B2
D594277 Snell Jun 2009 S
D595090 Benson Jun 2009 S
7552841 Hollis et al. Jun 2009 B2
D597791 Lion et al. Aug 2009 S
D597792 Lion et al. Aug 2009 S
7597246 Stepanek, Jr. Oct 2009 B2
7631781 Chen Dec 2009 B2
7677435 Stahlecker Mar 2010 B2
7694843 Hollis et al. Apr 2010 B2
7699216 Smith et al. Apr 2010 B2
7717325 Puls et al. May 2010 B2
20010013537 Sadlier Aug 2001 A1
20020043555 Mader Apr 2002 A1
20020148832 Breining et al. Oct 2002 A1
20020172818 DeBraal et al. Nov 2002 A1
20030029876 Giraud Feb 2003 A1
20030226882 Porchia et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040094612 D'Amato May 2004 A1
20040112949 Hed et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040226948 Okushita et al. Nov 2004 A1
20050029337 Van Handel Feb 2005 A1
20050040218 Hinchey et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050045643 Ghanem Mar 2005 A1
20050115975 Smith et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050184074 Simmons et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050199697 Nugent Sep 2005 A1
20050205651 Marx Sep 2005 A1
20050236468 Sadlier Oct 2005 A1
20050258225 Martin Nov 2005 A1
20050269390 Martin Dec 2005 A1
20060038001 Stepanek Feb 2006 A1
20060118608 Stahlecker Jun 2006 A1
20060144915 Sadlier Jul 2006 A1
20060186012 D'Amato Aug 2006 A1
20060226210 Stahlecker Oct 2006 A1
20060283855 Hollis et al. Dec 2006 A1
20060289610 Kling Dec 2006 A1
20070262129 Zadravetz Nov 2007 A1
20070284426 Lo Dec 2007 A1
20080006643 Ma Jan 2008 A1
20080023536 Frost et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080023537 Frost et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080023538 Robertson et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080029588 Messerschmid et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080078825 Puls et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080087677 Robertson et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080087715 Robertson et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080087716 Sadlier Apr 2008 A1
20080093434 Van Handel Apr 2008 A1
20080105692 Hiromori May 2008 A1
20080105693 Hechmati May 2008 A1
20080121681 Wiedmeyer May 2008 A1
20080128433 Stauffer et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080128481 Robertson Jun 2008 A1
20080156857 Johnston Jul 2008 A1
20080169297 Kelly Jul 2008 A1
20080272118 Wang Nov 2008 A1
20080280743 Stahlecker et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080302800 Chou Dec 2008 A1
20080308620 Stepanek, Jr. Dec 2008 A1
20090020597 D'Amato Jan 2009 A1
20090121007 Van Handel May 2009 A1
20090159653 Stahlecker Jun 2009 A1
20090166402 D'Amato Jul 2009 A1
20090184020 Messerschmid et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090218390 Chang Sep 2009 A1
20090230178 Stahlecker et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090294520 Stepanek, Jr. Dec 2009 A1
20090321440 Fedusa et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090321508 Fu et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100025283 Oshima et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100044424 Van Handel Feb 2010 A1
20100065622 Chang Mar 2010 A1
20100072268 Johnson et al. Mar 2010 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (135)
Number Date Country
742539 Sep 1966 CA
837922 Mar 1970 CA
844949 Jun 1970 CA
1007182 Mar 1977 CA
1082657 Jul 1980 CA
1125680 Jun 1982 CA
1125681 Jun 1982 CA
1152011 Aug 1983 CA
1239885 Aug 1988 CA
1249232 Jan 1989 CA
1257209 Jul 1989 CA
2026197 Aug 1991 CA
2060135 Jul 1992 CA
2150306 Feb 1996 CA
2043958 Jul 1996 CA
2176080 Aug 2001 CA
2228749 Oct 2001 CA
2141730 May 2002 CA
2197976 May 2002 CA
2432791 Jun 2002 CA
2165509 Jul 2002 CA
2233356 Nov 2002 CA
2431542 Dec 2002 CA
2431869 Dec 2002 CA
2219845 Apr 2003 CA
2244689 Sep 2003 CA
2271581 Dec 2003 CA
2121491 Jul 2004 CA
2542905 Jan 2005 CA
2564012 Nov 2005 CA
114070 Feb 2006 CA
2520024 Mar 2006 CA
2262802 Jun 2006 CA
2549450 Dec 2006 CA
2608826 Dec 2006 CA
2262458 Jan 2007 CA
2613109 Jan 2007 CA
2621453 Mar 2007 CA
113773 Apr 2007 CA
119089 May 2007 CA
119090 May 2007 CA
119091 May 2007 CA
119092 May 2007 CA
2629190 May 2007 CA
118452 Jul 2007 CA
113355 Sep 2007 CA
115931 Oct 2007 CA
116240 Oct 2007 CA
116241 Oct 2007 CA
116438 Oct 2007 CA
119239 Oct 2007 CA
120446 Oct 2007 CA
2545497 Nov 2007 CA
2588413 Nov 2007 CA
116480 Feb 2008 CA
2598153 Feb 2008 CA
120610 Mar 2008 CA
2520677 Apr 2008 CA
2664625 Apr 2008 CA
2665633 Apr 2008 CA
114549 May 2008 CA
121962 May 2008 CA
2610053 May 2008 CA
122120 Jun 2008 CA
122879 Jul 2008 CA
2267361 Oct 2008 CA
2598691 May 2009 CA
2347777 Jul 2009 CA
2311825 Oct 2009 CA
2405786 Nov 2009 CA
2394475 Jan 2010 CA
128485 Feb 2010 CA
1737771 Jan 1957 DE
11 91 285 Apr 1965 DE
2001499 Jul 1970 DE
9203448 Aug 1992 DE
44 21 870 Jan 1996 DE
198 40 841 Mar 2000 DE
20 2005 006 072 Sep 2006 DE
1 031 514 Aug 2000 EP
1 227 042 Jul 2002 EP
1 227 043 Jul 2002 EP
14 90 636 Jun 1967 FR
2043987 Feb 1971 FR
1 261 532 Jan 1972 GB
2 044 076 Oct 1980 GB
2 055 737 Mar 1981 GB
2 061 699 May 1981 GB
2 073 581 Oct 1981 GB
2 077 177 Dec 1981 GB
2 078 094 Jan 1982 GB
2359295 Aug 2001 GB
07-149338 Jun 1995 JP
10-278931 Oct 1998 JP
10-338277 Dec 1998 JP
2000-203664 Jul 2000 JP
2000-238739 Sep 2000 JP
2001-180647 Jul 2001 JP
WO 9911526 Mar 1999 WO
WO 9959883 Nov 1999 WO
WO 0017058 Mar 2000 WO
WO03001807 Jan 2003 WO
WO03018407 Mar 2003 WO
WO 2007036928 Apr 2007 WO
WO 2007078446 Jul 2007 WO
WO 2007090415 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007091068 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007094838 Aug 2007 WO
WO 2007126783 Nov 2007 WO
WO 2008022180 Feb 2008 WO
WO 2008026161 Mar 2008 WO
WO 2008042378 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008042378 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008045708 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008045944 Apr 2008 WO
WO 2008067865 Jun 2008 WO
WO 2008107657 Sep 2008 WO
WO 2008119938 Oct 2008 WO
WO 2008123783 Oct 2008 WO
WO 2008146115 Dec 2008 WO
WO 2009021305 Feb 2009 WO
WO 2009032837 Mar 2009 WO
WO 2009034323 Mar 2009 WO
WO 2009039632 Apr 2009 WO
WO 2009059352 May 2009 WO
WO 2009074285 Jun 2009 WO
WO 2009082660 Jul 2009 WO
WO 2009118772 Oct 2009 WO
WO 2010008629 Jan 2010 WO
WO 2010011627 Jan 2010 WO
WO 2010019146 Feb 2010 WO
WO 2010031764 Mar 2010 WO
WO 2010034869 Apr 2010 WO
WO 2010036645 Apr 2010 WO
WO 2010067047 Jun 2010 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (3)
Entry
International Search Report mailed Nov. 17, 2006 in PCT/EP2006/008984.
International Search Report mailed Feb. 2, 2007 PCT/EP2006/008985.
A Mexican Office Action dated Jan. 19, 2012 which issued in corresponding Mexican Application No. MX/a/2008/003580.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20090014507 A1 Jan 2009 US