Partial Shell for Packaging a Food Product, Packaging for a Food Product and Packaged Food Product

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a food packaging and/or a packaged food product which is accommodated in the food packaging according to the invention. According to one aspect of the invention, it at least relates to a partial shell with which said packaging is formed.

The presentation of packaging plays an important role in the provision of food today. In addition to printing, a high-quality feel can be achieved by selecting the appropriate packaging materials.

From EP 2 765 081 A1, for example, a method is known in which a hollow-shaped chocolate article is packaged by means of a packaging made of two half-shells. The method described in said document is the method used today to pack the well-known chocolate surprise eggs for children. In the method described in EP 2 765 081 A1, a hollow-shaped chocolate body in a first step is inserted into a depression of a half-shell which comprises a flange delimiting the depression. After the hollow-shaped chocolate body has been inserted in the depression of the first half-shell, a homogenous second half-shell comprising a circumferential flange is placed over the inserted hollow-shaped chocolate body so that the flanges of each half-shell lie flat against one another and form a circumferential and protruding edge section. In order to seal the cavity, which is formed by the two depressions of the half-shells, a sealing line is generated with a hot stamp around the protruding edge section, between the opposite flange sections. The protruding circumferential edge is then trimmed and folded back onto itself by means of so-called flanging so that a proximal edge section is spaced apart from a distal edge section by a folding line. The hollow-shaped chocolate body is in contact with the inner walls of the cavity, in particular over its entire surface, and the corresponding half-shells accurately reproduce the contour of the chocolate egg.

The same method as described in EP 2 765 081 A1 may also be used for the production of packaged Santa Clauses, Easter Bunnies or any other packaged food product.

A package consisting of two half-shells, in which the food is inserted with precise contours, is described in DE 10 2011 002 754 A1. The two half-shells here are made of aluminum foil, which is coated on the inside with a thermoplastic. When heated in the flange areas lying on top of each other and abutting each other, a full-surface sealing is achieved in the protruding edge region.

Based on the described packaging, it is an object of the present invention to produce packaging that is very interesting for the customer, so that it has a positive influence on the customer's purchase decision.

To solve the problem described above, the invention proposes seven novel types of packaging or partial shells, the individual aspects of which can also be combined in any casual combination.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

According to a first aspect of the invention, a food packaging is specified comprising a first partial shell which has a first depression and a first flange delimiting said first depression, a second partial shell which has a second depression and a second flange delimiting said second depression; the first and second partial shells being coupled to each other via their flanges thus defining a cavity for holding food. Said food packaging according to the first aspect is characterized by fact that the first partial shell is made of a material that is different from that of the second partial shell. For the designation of different materials, it applies the principle that at least the outer surface or parts of the outer surface of a first partial shell is different from the outer surface or parts of the outer surface of a second partial shell.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the different materials of the partial shells can be selected from the group of following materials: metal, paper, plastic. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e. insofar as different materials are used, these are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material can also be used, for example, a paper sheet laminated with a plastic film. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on the surface.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respectively. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

So far, packaging for food, insofar as they were made of plastic, were made of conventional plastics, especially non-biodegradable thermoplastics such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS).

The recovery rate of such conventional plastic materials is often insufficient. In order to address this problem, new compostable materials with similar barrier properties can be used. Examples of such biodegradable plastic materials, the raw materials from which they are made, and their basic material are shown below:

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

Materials are described as biodegradable if they are degraded by microorganisms or enzymes, e.g. in the soil. The degradation takes place essentially by oxidation and hydrolysis processes to the fission products water, carbon dioxide and biomass.

In addition to various plastics made from renewable raw materials (bioplastics), the above definition also includes petroleum-based materials such as polyvinyl alcohols, polycaprolactones or certain co-polyesters (e.g. PBAT: Ecoflex from BASF or Ecoworld from JinHui Zhaolong). However, not all bioplastics based on renewable raw materials are necessarily biodegradable (e.g. vulcanized rubber).

The term “biodegradable” is to be distinguished from polyolefin films sometimes used in the packaging industry (also compare PE) declared as “oxo-biodegradable” or “oxo-degradable”. “Oxo-degradable” additives are mostly metal ions (cobalt, manganese, iron, zinc) which accelerate oxidation and chain degradation in plastics, especially under heat, air and oxygen. The results of this chain degradation are very small, barely visible chain fragments that do not biodegrade (none of the additive manufacturers has so far been able to provide data), but move through our food chain.

In the narrower sense (especially in the field of biomedicine) biodegradable materials are materials that are degraded in the body by macrophages, enzymes or hydrolysis within days to a few years. These include inter alia biogenic polymers such as collagen, fibrin or hyaluronic acid, but also polylactic acid (polylactide), polyglycolide, and polycaprolactone.

All the aforementioned materials, which are described as biodegradable in the broadest sense, can be used. In particular, it is advantageous that these biodegradable materials are also biomaterials made from renewable raw materials.

Examples of paper materials are chromo board, fully bleached pulp, pulp paper, sugar cane paper, thermo-formable fiber material (active polyvalent packaging based on environmentally friendly fiber material with thermo-formable properties). In particular, thermoformable paper can be used. A thermo-formable paper material is a material that can be formed under the influence of heat in a forming device, e.g. between two mold halves, e.g. a punch pressed into a cavity, as is known for thermoplastics. Recently, such thermo-formable paper materials have been used in some special fields. In particular a paper material of the company Billerudkorsnäs with the name “FIBREFORM®”, which was produced in 2016, was used as thermo-formable paper material. The thermo-formable paper material may contain hydrophobized cellulose.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respectively. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 12 μm, 15 μm, 18 μm, 20 μm, 25 μm, 30 μm, 50 μm, 70 μm, 100 μm, 200 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respectively. In particular, a range of 12 to 200 μm is preferred. The metal foil materials are sometimes preferably thinner than the plastic film materials.

Different multilayer materials can also be used. Insofar as the invention relates to a film material, however, it should contain a film material layer; as soon as the invention relates to film material that is different from a metal foil material, in each case, metal foil components should not be contained.

Since, in the further processing of the packaging partial shells produced according to the invention, these are, in particular after inserting a food product, joined to each other at their flange regions, it is advantageous to use coated metal foil materials which have a plastic coating. This is later sealed and contributes to a sealed joint of the packaging partial shells. A film with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) coating may be provided as a sealable metal foil. The other aforementioned plastic materials may also be provided as an alternative or in addition to the LDPE coating. The thickness of the individual layers can be selected from the aforementioned thicknesses of the individual materials. A so-called “hot melt” coating is also feasible to be used as a sealable coating. These are hot melt adhesives in, depending on the respective use, different composition. Hot melt can be applied either flat on the film or partially, before closing the packaging partial shells.

According to a further development, the opposing flanges of the partial shells can be joined to one another by sealing and/or flanging and/or embossing and/or applying. Here a flanging is a folding back of the projecting edge formed by opposing flanges so that a proximal edge section is spaced from a distal edge section by a folding line. Embossing is a three-dimensional deformation of the flange area so that opposing flange areas interlock with each other and thus hold together better. Sealing describes, for example, an adhesive connection between the flanges. An application describes a kind of buckling of the protruding edge section at the buckling line (folding line; German language: Knicklinie) to deepen the partial shell, so that the protruding edge, which can be flanged or not, lies against the outer surface of the packaging. The methods described above for coupling the partial shells can be used in combination with each other.

According to a further development of the invention, the flange can be integrally provided at the depression. The flange and the depression merge at the buckling line in particular and are not constructed of different materials across the buckling line, so that the flange is a separate element from the depression.

Insofar as it is referred to partial shells, the point of view that packaging can also be made of more than two partial shells, is correct. All shells provide a complete packaging. Insofar as the packaging is formed by only two partial shells, these partial shells can also be seen as half shells.

According to a coordinated aspect, a packaged food product is provided, where a packaging as described above for the first aspect of the invention is provided. The packaged food product is characterized by the fact that the cavities provided on the partial shells form a cavity for receiving the food, so that the food rests against the inner walls of the cavity, forming the contours of the food, in particular over its entire surface. In this packaging, the food with its outer surface lies in the cavity, in particular in a form-fitting manner, and the corresponding partial shells abut the food with their contours, in particular over the entire surface.

Such a food may be a chocolate article, in particular chocolate hollow-shaped article, e.g. in the form of a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.

According to a second aspect of the invention, this proposes a partial shell for packaging a food product, with a depression and a flange delimiting the depression, via which a further partial shell for forming the packaging can be coupled. This partial shell is characterized in that a window made of a first material is provided in the partial shell, which is different from a second material which forms at least one outer surface of the partial shell.

This window is made of a material different from the partial shell surface. The window can also be made in the manner described for the fourth aspect of the invention. A material that is transparent can be used as a window. However, this is not necessary. Any material can be used for the outer surface of the packaging and the surface of the window.

Metal, paper or plastic can be used as materials.

The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., as far as reference is made to different materials, reference is made at least to different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for example, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and another multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

So far, packaging for food, as far as they were made of plastic, were made of conventional plastics, especially non-biodegradable thermoplastics such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS).

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

The term “biodegradable” is to be distinguished from polyolefin films sometimes used in the pack-aging industry (also compare PE) declared as “oxo-biodegradable” or “oxo-degradable”. “Oxo-degradable” additives are mostly metal ions (cobalt, manganese, iron, zinc) which accelerate oxidation and chain degradation in plastics, especially under heat, air and oxygen. The results of this chain degradation are very small, barely visible chain fragments that do not biodegrade (none of the additive manufacturers has so far been able to provide data), but move through our food chain.

In the narrower sense (especially in the field of biomedicine) biodegradable materials are materials that are degraded in the body by macrophages, enzymes or hydrolysis within days to a few years. These include inter alia biogenic polymers such as collagen, fibrin or hyaluronic acid, but also pol-ylactic acid (polylactide), polyglycolide, and polycaprolactone.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the partial shell can be made of a different material sheet than the window, wherein the window is inserted into the back of the partial shell as an insert element. The partial shell is formed, for example, in a deep-drawing or forming unit. An insert element can then be inserted into the window opening in a blank shell that has a window opening, for example. However, the window can also be produced during the forming process if, for example, two material sections are fed simultaneously and at least partially overlapping to the forming device. The window can also be provided as an integral part of the supplied material in the manner described for the fourth aspect of the invention.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the partial shell can be made of a multilayer material, and the window can be formed by a lower layer laminated together with an outer surface layer. For example, the partial shell can be made of at least two layers of material with a first surface layer and a second layer underneath, and the window opening can be formed by the first surface layer and the window by the layer underneath, which, for example, is fully laminated with the first surface layer. More than two layers may also be provided, but the top layer shall have one or more window openings through which at least one of the underlying layers is visible.

According to a further development of the invention, the window may be provided in the region of the depression and not protrude into the flange.

According to a further development of the invention, a plurality of windows may be provided in the partial shell.

According to a further development of the invention, the window may have a geometry selected from the following group: circle, oval, rectangle, heart, star, flower, person.

According to a further development of the invention, the window can be provided with different geometries in the partial shell.

According to a further development of the invention, the different materials for the partial shell or for the window can be selected from the group of the following materials: metal, paper, plastic. For the materials, reference is made to what has been outlined on the fourth aspect in relation to the materials.

According to a further development of the invention, the flange can be integrally provided at the depression. The flange and the depression merge at the buckling line (folding line; German language: Knicklinie) in particular and are not constructed of different materials across the buckling line, so that the flange is a separate element from the depression.

Only one of the partial shells can be a partial shell with the features described above. The second partial shell and each further partial shell can be used without any limitation, for example, from a single material sheet of a single material or a multilayer material. Insofar as it is referred to partial shells, the point of view that packaging can also be made of more than two partial shells, is correct. All partial shells provide a complete packaging. Insofar as the packaging is formed by only two partial shells, these partial shells can also be seen as half shells.

According to a coordinated aspect, a food packaging with at least two partial shells, which are coupled to one another via a flange provided on the respective partial shell, is specified. This food packaging is characterized in that at least one of the partial shells is a partial shell with the window previously described for the second aspect.

According to a further development of the invention, only one of the partial shells can be a partial shell with the features described above. The second partial shell and each further partial shell can be used without any limitation, for example, from a single material sheet of a single material or a multilayer material. Insofar as it is referred to partial shells, the point of view that packaging can also be made of more than two partial shells, is effective. All partial shells provide a complete packaging. Insofar as the packaging is formed by only two partial shells, these partial shells can also be seen as half shells.

According to a further development of the invention, the partial shells can be provided with the same material distribution. Same material distribution means that the windows are arranged symmetrically in the partial shells, so that after coupling the two partial shells, a surface symmetry is provided with respect to the individual segments of materials. The symmetry surface is e.g. provided by the separating plane, which is formed between the opposite flanges of the different partial shells.

According to a further coordinated aspect, a packaged food product is provided, wherein a package is provided from partial shells, wherein the depressions provided in the partial shells form a cavity for receiving the food and the food rests against the inner walls of the cavity, forming the contours of the food, in particular over its entire surface. Thus, the food with its outer surface lies in the cavity, in particular in a form-fitting manner, and the corresponding partial shells abut the food with their contours, in particular over the entire surface. At least one of the used partial shells should be one of the partial shells described above for the third aspect with the flange regions made of different materials.

Such a food may be a chocolate article, in particular chocolate hollow-shaped article, e.g. in the form of a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a partial shell for packaging a food product having a depression and a flange delimiting the depression, via which a further partial shell can be coupled to form the packaging, is provided. The partial shell is characterized in that the flange has a first region of a first material and a second region of a second material, which is different from the first material.

For such regions, it is sufficient that only the surface of the flange has different materials. This point of view is effective when the partial shell is made of a multilayer material. In particular, however, different material sheets can also be used to produce the same for the individual regions of the flange.

For the first time it could be demonstrated by experiments that a coupling of partial shells via the flanges is still tenable even if areas of different material are connected by opposing flanges.

According to a further development of the invention, the first and second flange region may abut one another at an abutting edge. At this abutting edge, the two flange areas contact each other. The abutting edge may extend from the flange over the region of the partial shell in which the depression is formed, and from there via a further flange portion, which is, for example, separated from the first flange portion. At such an abutting edge, different layers of material can also be arranged in an overlapping manner. At the abutting edge, at least surface areas of different materials contact one another. The abutting edge can also be constructed by a plurality of abutting edges or by abutting edge segments which are provided in different regions of the partial shell.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the abutting edge may extend transversely over the flange from a transition between flange and depression to a distal edge of the flange delimiting the partial shell. The transition can be formed by a buckling line provided between the depression and the flange, wherein a proximal portion of the flange protrudes from the bucking line and a distal part of the flange forms the delimitation of the partial shell. A course transverse to the flange defines a course of the abutting edge which is non-parallel to the course of the flange or of the edge delimiting the flange. Such a transverse course of the abutting edge can also be a vertical course of the abutting edge, perpendicular to the protruding edge section or the edge delimiting the partial shell.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the abutting edge may have a non-linear course at least in the region of the flange. A non-linear course can be any chosen course.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, at least two abutting edges can be provided at different flange areas. The two abutting edges can be connected via a third abutting edge, which connects the two abutting edges with each other, so that only a single abutting edge is formed from three partial segments. This abutting edge of three partial segments e.g. runs via a first flange portion, over a region of the partial shell with the depression and a second flange portion which is spaced apart over the region of the depression of the first flange portion.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the at least two abutting edges can be provided in alignment with one another on different sides of the depression 305. If the abutting edges are arranged in alignment with one another, the simplest possible production can be carried out. Preferably, these two abutting edges may be interconnected by the third abutting edge in the area of the depression and form a single straight line of three line segments.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the first and/or the second material may be selected from the group of the following materials: metal, paper plastic.

Metal, paper and/or plastic, in particular plastic film may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., the different materials are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for example, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and for another segment, the same multilayer material can be used, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respectively. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

Different multilayer materials can also be used. Insofar as the invention relates to a material that differs from the first material, respectively, at least on the surface, regions of different materials are intended to be provided. At least, on the packaging surface, different areas/regions/portions of different materials are provided.

Coated metal foil materials may also be used comprising a plastic film coating which later is sealed and which contributes to a sealed joint of the packaging partial shells. Insofar as ethylene-vinyl alcohol co-polymer (EVOH) is used as a coating, for example, a gas-tight seal and thus also packaging can be provided. Any other known material that ensures gas tightness may also be used for gas tight packaging. A film with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) coating may be used as a sealable metal foil. The other afore-mentioned plastic materials may also be provided as an alternative or in addition to the LDPE coating. The thickness of the individual layers can be selected from the aforementioned thicknesses of the individual materials. A so-called “hot melt” coating is also feasible to be used as a sealable coating. These are hot melt adhesives in, depending on the respective use, different composition. Hot melt can be applied either flat on the film or partially, before closing the packaging partial shells.

According to a further development of the invention, the partial shell can be completely limited by the flange. If the flange is joined to another flange of a second partial shell in order to produce a food packaging, a protruding edge in the manner of a Saturn-like ring is formed by the flanges that, for example, follows the contour of an article which may entirely surround the food packaging. This protruding edge can be flanged per se or not flanged, as well. This protruding edge can also be applied to the outside of the packaging. Said flanging may also be combined with sealing the edge or may be carried out with sealing the edge. It may also merely provided a seal without flanging and/or applying.

The partial shell described above can be provided according to a further aspect of the invention in a food packaging with at least two partial shells which are coupled to each other via a flange provided on the respective partial shell.

According to a further development of the invention, the partial shells can be provided with the same material distribution. Same material distribution means that the individual segments in the partial shells are arranged symmetrically, so that after coupling the two partial shells, a surface symmetry is provided with respect to the individual segments of materials. The symmetry surface is e.g. provided by the separating plane, which is formed between the opposite flanges of the different partial shells.

According to a further secondary aspect, a packaged food product is provided, wherein a packaging is provided from partial shells, wherein the depressions provided in the partial shells form a cavity for receiving the food and the food rests against the inner walls of the cavity, forming the contours of the food, in particular over its entire surface or almost over its entire surface.

A contour forming application can be an application covering the entire surface of a food product. However, such an application does not exclude narrowly limited sections in which the packaging shell has a small distance from the food surface. Such a distance between the inner wall of the packaging and the food surface can exist, for example, in areas where different geometries of the food meet, for example, in the face of a food designed as a figure in the area where eyes and nose meet and/or in the area of the transition between hand and arm. Such a distance can also occur in sections of the food surface with small radii or high curvatures. The distances can be up to 1 μm, 50 μm, 1 mm, 5 mm, or even up to 10 mm. The above mentioned distances can form upper as well as lower limits of the distance range. Large distances of 5 mm or even up to 10 mm can be provided, for example, to prevent the paper from tearing elsewhere.

As far as in the present application it is referred to contour forming and/or entire surface, the point of view described above is effective. Thus, the food rests with its outer surface, in particular, in a form-fitting manner in the cavity and the corresponding partial shells abut the entire surface of the food. At least one of the partial shells used should be one of the previously described partial shells with the flange regions made of different materials.

This food may be a chocolate article, in particular a chocolate hollow-shaped article, e.g. in the form of a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a partial shell for packaging a food product with a depression and a depression delimiting the flange, via which a further partial shell can be coupled to form the packaging is defined. The partial shell according to the fourth aspect is characterized in that the partial shell is formed by deep drawing and the deep-drawing material is already supplied in a segmental configuration for forming, so that the partial shell has at least two surface segments of different materials.

Deep drawing can be done in a forming tool, as described for example in German patent application no. 10 2016 216 444.9. The disclosure of this application is incorporated by this reference into the present application.

For a segment-like configuration, the view is effective that at least the surface segments have different materials. It is not necessary for the corresponding partial shells in the cross-sectional direction (material thickness direction) to have different layers in the region per se.

For example, different surface segments can also be provided by the fact that in a multilayer material, for example, only the topmost layer is partially cut out.

The procedure, namely that the material is supplied in the configuration in which it is later formed into partial shells, can also be seen later on the partial shell itself. Because it makes a difference whether the individual segments are only connected after forming the partial shells, during the forming of the partial shell in the cavity, or even before. It can also be seen on the partial shell itself, whether it was made of a sheet of material or a piece of material film, which is unwound from a roll.

According to a further development of the invention, the partial shell may be formed of an at least two-layer material having a first surface layer and a second layer provided below and the first surface segment formed by the first surface layer and the second surface segment through the layer provided below, which is laminated over the entire surface with the first surface layer. There may also be provided more than two layers, however, the topmost layer has cut-outs through which at least layers below or one of the layers below is visible.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the first surface segment may be formed by a first material portion and the second surface segment by a second material portion, wherein the first and the second material portions are joined at the edges thereof. The different material sections can be joined with each other at the edge, so that they overlap a little at the edge or are only adjoined. This is different from the aforementioned embodiment of a full-surface lamination with a lower layer and a segment-like upper layer. The individual material portions substantially form the individual segments.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the segment-like configuration of the material to be deep-drawn may be formed by at least one surface strip of a first material and a surface strip of a second material which is different from the first material, wherein the surface strips extend parallel to each other. The material to be deep-drawn preferably has a configuration in which side-by-side surface strips are formed. Surface strips are superficial segments of different materials. The appearance of the individual material layers below in the cross-sectional direction is not specified here. This strip-like material can then be fed as a whole to the forming unit and formed in it. Depending on how the forming tool is aligned with respect to the strips, the course of the strips in the corresponding partial shells is different. It may be that the strips extend across the partial shells or that only one partial shell is formed in which two segments of different materials are contained. This is the case, for example, if the supplied surface strips are so large that the mold only ever forms the partial shell between two strips.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, a plurality of surface strips of the first and a plurality of surface strips of the second material may be provided, which run alternately next to one another and parallel to one another. Not only can two different surface strips be provided, but also a plurality of surface strips of different density. These surface strips can extend transversely to the feed direction of the material to be supplied or along it.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the segment-like configuration of the material to be deep-drawn can be formed by an sheet of a first material, in which at least one material window of a second material, which is different from the first material, is formed. In addition or as an alternative to the aforementioned strip-like configuration, the embodiment can also have window-like segments. Examples of angular material windows are star-shaped, square-shaped, in particular square shapes. Examples of round shapes are oval or circular shapes.

According to a further development of the invention a plurality of material windows may be provided in the sheet.

According to a further development of the invention, the material windows can form a regular recurrent pattern. In a recurring pattern, corresponding segment geometries return on the materials to be supplied in recurring order.

According to a further development of the invention, the different materials can be selected from the group of the following materials: metal, paper plastic.

Metal, paper and/or plastic, in particular plastic film may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., the different materials are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for example, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and the same multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

So far, packaging for food, as far as they were made of plastic, were made of conventional plas-tics, especially non-biodegradable thermoplastics such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS).

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

Coated metal foil materials may also be used comprising a plastic film coating which later is sealed and which contributes to a sealed joint of the packaging partial shells. Insofar as ethylene-vinyl alcohol co-polymer (EVOH) is used as a coating, for example, a gas-tight seal and thus also pack-aging can be provided. Any other known material that ensures gas tightness may also be used for gas tight packaging. A film with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) coating may be used as a sealable metal foil. The other afore-mentioned plastic materials may also be provided as an alternative or in addition to the LDPE coating. The thickness of the individual layers can be selected from the aforementioned thicknesses of the individual materials. A so-called “hot melt” coating is also feasible to be used as a sealable coating. These are hot melt adhesives in, depending on the respective use, different composition. Hot melt can be applied either flat on the film or partially, before closing the packaging partial shells.

According to a further development of the invention, the partial shell can be completely limited by the flange. If the flange is joined to another flange of a second partial shell in order to produce a food packaging, a protruding edge in the manner of a Saturn-like ring is formed by the flanges that, for example, follows the contour of the article which entirely surrounds the food packaging. This protruding edge can be flanged per se or not flanged, as well. This protruding edge may be flanged per se or may also protrude without being flanged. Said protruding edge may also be applied on the outside of the packaging.

The partial shell described above can be provided according to a secondary aspect of the invention in a food packaging with at least two partial shells, which are coupled to one another via a flange provided on the respective partial shell.

According to a further development of the invention, only one of the partial shells from which the food packaging is constructed, can be the partial shell described above, wherein the partial shell is formed by deep drawing and the material to be deep-drawn is already supplied in a segment-like configuration for forming, so that the partial shell at least has two surface segments made of different materials. The second partial shell and each further partial shell may, for example, also be made of a single sheet of a single material or a multilayer material. Insofar as it is referred to partial shells, the point of view is effective that packaging can also be constructed of more than two partial shells.

According to a second coordinated aspect, a packaged food product is provided, wherein a packaging is provided from partial shells, wherein the depressions provided in the partial shells form a cavity for receiving the food and the food essentially rests against the inner walls of the cavity, forming the contours of the food, in particular over its entire surface or almost over its entire surface. Insofar as in the present application it is referred to forming the contours or entire surface, the above described view is effective.

Thus, the food rests with its outer surface, in particular, in a form-fitting manner in the cavity and the corresponding partial shells abut the entire surface of the food.

Such a food may be a chocolate article, in particular chocolate hollow-shaped article, e.g. in the form of a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a partial shell for packaging a food product with a depression and a depression delimiting the flange, via which a further partial shell can be coupled to form the packaging is defined. This is characterized in that the partial shell has surface segments which are formed of at least three different materials. For the at least three different materials, the same applies as for the configuration of the partial shell according to the third aspect, where different areas of flange sections are provided.

In the present case, at least one, or both or all partial shells are made of three different materials.

Metal, paper and/or plastic, in particular plastic film may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., the different materials are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for example, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and the same multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

Different multilayer materials can also be used. As far as the invention relates to different materials, in each case at least surface areas/segments of different materials should be provided.

According to a further development of the invention, the partial shell of an at least three-layer material with a first surface layer, a second layer provided below and a third layer provided below the second layer can be produced and a first surface segment through the first surface layer, a second surface segment through the provided below second layer, and a third surface segment are formed by the third layer provided below the second layer, wherein the individual layers are laminated together.

With regard to the laminated configuration, what has been said with regard to the fourth aspect of the invention applies accordingly.

According to preferred further development of the invention, a first surface segment can be formed by a first material portion, a second surface segment by a second material portion, and a third surface segment by a third material portion, wherein the first, the second, and the third material portions are interconnected via their edges.

With regard to the configuration of separate interconnected sections, in particular, what has been said with regard to the fourth aspect of the invention applies accordingly.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, the different materials can be selected from the group of the following materials: metal, paper plastic. Film materials and/or material sheets may be used.

According to a further development of the invention, the partial shell can be completely limited by the flange. If the flange is joined to another flange of a second partial shell in order to produce a food packaging, a protruding edge, e.g. in the manner of a Saturn-like ring is formed by the opposing flanges that fully surrounds the food packaging. This protruding edge can be flanged per se or may also protrude non-flanged. This protruding edge can also be applied to the outside of the packaging.

The partial shell previously described for the fifth aspect can be provided in a food packaging according to another aspect of the invention with at least two partial shells which are coupled to each other via a flange provided at the respective partial shell.

According to a further development of the invention, only one of the partial shells, from which the food packaging is constructed, can be the partial shell previously described for the fifth aspect. The second partial shell and each further partial shell may, for example, also be a single sheet of a single material or a multilayer material. Insofar as it is referred to partial shells, the point of view that a packaging can also be made of more than two partial shells is effective.

According to a second secondary aspect, a packaged food product is provided, wherein a packaging is provided from partial shells, wherein the depressions provided in the partial shells form a cavity for receiving the food and the food rests against the inner walls of the cavity, forming the contours of the food, in particular over its entire surface. Thus, the food with its outer surface lies in the cavity, in particular in a form-fitting manner, and the corresponding partial shells abut the food with their contours, in particular over the entire surface.

Such a food may be a chocolate article, in particular chocolate hollow-shaped article, e.g. in the form of a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a food packaging having a first partial shell containing a first depression and a first flange defining the first depression; a second partial shell containing a second depression, and a second flange defining the second depression; wherein the first and second partial shells are coupled together via their flanges and thus form a cavity for receiving a food, wherein the opposing flanges of the partial shells form a protruding edge section and are flanged together, so that a proximal edge section and a distal edge cut connected via a buckling line is formed and the flanged form a planar element around the packaging. The food packaging according to the sixth aspect is characterized in that the one geometry of the planar element is different from the geometry of a buckling line between the depression and the flange protruding therefrom.

In this food packaging, a protruding edge is formed between the opposing flanges of the partial shells, which is at least partially flanged. Said flanging is a folding back of the protruding edge. This flanged edge section forms a planar element, in particular the folding line which separates the proximal from the distal portion of the edge, has a geometry which is different from a geometry of the cavity in top view at the level of the separating plane. This is a plane that extends between the opposing flanges and over which the shells are separated from each other. The geometry of the planar element can be significantly different from a geometry of the cavity in top view at the height of the separating plane. This geometry of the cavity in height of the separating plane corresponds, for example, to the geometry of the buckling line between the depression and the corresponding flange.

The following materials may be used as materials. Metal, paper and/or plastic, may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., insofar as it is referred to different materials, these are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for example, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and the same multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respectively. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

According to a further development of the invention, the one geometry of the planar element can be selected from the group of the following elements: star, circle, Christmas tree, bunny, Santa Claus, flower, rectangle, egg, person.

According to a further development of the invention, the separating line can be selected from the group of the following elements: circle, bunny, Santa Claus, rectangle, egg.

According to a further development of the invention, the distal edge section may have a different length in the circumferential direction around the packaging. Due to the variation in the length of the distal edge section, even if the protruding edge section does not yet have the desired geometry of the planar element prior to flanging, the corresponding predetermined geometry can be obtained. The distal section lengths of the flanged edge sections may be of different lengths on the different sides of the packaging. By means of the described flanging, in particular, the geometry of the folding line can be selected independently of the geometry of the cavity in the region of the separating plane T between the two partial shells. For example, a round chocolate article can be accommodated in the cavity and the appearance of the product can only be changed by the design of the planar element. For example, a different chocolate form does not need to be poured, depending on the season, but seasonal appearance can be controlled via the planar element. The planar element is formed by the flanged edge.

According to a further development of the invention, the proximal edge section may define a different length in the circumferential direction around the packaging.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, the planar element may have a width of at least 2 cm on average. Thus, there may also be areas in which the planar element has a smaller width, so that after integration along the circumference an average value of 2 cm results. In particular, the location with the smallest width may also have 2 cm and/or the planar element may have a width of 2 cm substantially along the entire circumference of the packaging. The planar element has a certain width, so that the desired geometric shape of the packaging in its top view, which stands out from the geometric shape of the product, can be obtained. Further advantageous widths of the planar element to be understood as described above are 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm. These values can each form a lower or upper limit of a width range.

According to a secondary aspect, a packaged food product is provided, wherein a package is provided for the sixth aspect of the invention as described above. The packaged food product is characterized in that the depressions provided in the partial shells form a cavity for receiving the food so that the food rests against the inner walls of the cavity, forming the contours of the food, in particular over its entire surface. In this packaging, the food with its outer surface lies in the cavity, in particular in a form-fitting manner, and the corresponding partial shells abut the food with their contours, in particular over the entire surface

Such a food may be a chocolate article, in particular chocolate hollow-shaped article, e.g. in the form of a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, a packaged food product is defined having a food packaging and a food received therein, wherein the food packaging has a first partial shell containing a first depression and a first flange delimiting the first depression; a second partial shell containing a second depression and a second flange delimiting the second depression; wherein the first and second partial shells are coupled to one another via their flanges and thus form a cavity for receiving the food, so that the food rests by forming the contours, in particular over the entire surface of the inner walls of the cavity. This food packaging is characterized by the fact that in the food packaging, a cut-out is formed and that the food projects beyond the food packaging through the cut-out. This embodiment achieves a visually attractive result in which the food is directly visible in the packaging. The food, such as a chocolate article, in particular a chocolate hollow-shaped article, is preferably contour-forming, in particular over the entire surface on the inner walls of the cavity and, thus, fills them. At the cut-out, the surface of the food may extend substantially in the same manner as the inner surface of the edge of the cavity at the cut-out.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

According to a further embodiment of the invention at a boundary line may be provided between the surface of the food and a boundary edge of the cut-out in a region of the first or second partial shell in which the first or second depression is provided, with the exception of the material thickness of the partial shell no offset may be provided. The food can be inserted into the cavity between the shells so that the surface curvature of the inner surface of the cavity at the edges of the cut-out corresponds in principle to the bending of the outer surface of the food.

According to a further development of the invention, a surface contour of the food in the cut-out can follow the contour of the packaging formed from the partial shells. It is advantageous that the outer surface of the food corresponds to an imaginary envelope surface that would be formed if the user imagined the partial shell without the corresponding cut-out.

According to a further development of the invention, the cut-out can be formed by a first partial cut-out in the first partial shell and a second partial cut-out on the second partial shell. As far as the food packaging is formed of more than two partial shells, this can be limited per section of the more than two partial shells. In particular, a partial cut-out is provided on each of the partial shells which delimits the cut-out, on which, for example, no flange is provided.

According to a further development of the invention, the first and/or second partial shell with the exception of the partial cut-out, which forms the cut-out, and/or with the exception of the cut-out can be completely limited by the flange. The partial shells themselves are e.g. limited by a flange. In the area where the cut-out of the packaging is formed, i.e. in particular, the edges of the partial cut-outs of the partial shells, have no flange. This is advantageous because in the cut-out, no means must be attached to which the partial shells are coupled to each other.

According to a further development of the invention, the first and second partial shells may each have a partial cut-out which has the same geometry, and/or that the two partial cut-outs are connected to each other via the flanges formed on the partial shells and form the cutout. The partial cut-outs are, for example, in order to generate the cut-out via the flanges adjacent to the partial cut-outs. Therefore, the cut-out, in particular its boundary edge, be aligned transversely or perpendicular to the course of the flange.

According to a further development of the invention, the boundary edge of the cut-out may have at least one region which extends transversely over a region of flanges of the partial shells flanged together.

According to a further development of the invention, the food may be a hollow-shaped food article, which is provided in the region of the cut-out with a pattern. A pattern can be a print of the food or a pattern engraved in the hollow-shaped article. For example, such a pattern may also be a different colored chocolate or a different colored material that is used as a contour line. These patterns on the hollow-shaped food articles may also be advantageous in combination with the other aspects of the invention.

According to a further development of the invention, a further packaging, in particular film packaging, may be provided around the partial shells coupled with one another. The packaging with the cut-out may preferably be received in a film package, which, for example, is transparent and loosely surrounds the package defined with the cut-out.

According to a further development of the invention, the cut-out may have a quarter-spherical segment-shaped structure and/or a circular structure transverse to the main food axis. From a visual point of view, it looks particularly attractive when the cut-out releases a three-dimensional curved area of the food, so that the food protrudes with a segment or a half out of the packaging.

The various aspects described above can each also form inventions. The different aspects can also be combined in the packaging, which can also form an invention in itself. Each of the features described above may be combined with a feature of the other group of aspects, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further preferred developments of the invention will be explained with reference to the embodiments described below in conjunction with the drawing. Therein:

FIGS. 1a to 1c show a schematic sequence of method steps which are carried out in a device for producing partial shells of a packaging,

FIG. 2 shows an example of a partial shell in a cross-sectional view (left-hand side), in a top view (center) as well as an assembled food packaging (right-hand side),

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a partial shell of a food packaging configured as Santa Claus,

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view through the food packaging along the line A-A from FIG. 3,

FIGS. 5a to 5e show individual steps of a method of flanging a protruding edge section from mutually opposing flanges,

FIG. 5f shows a cut-out showing a region formed of two partial shells, wherein the edge section formed from mutually opposing flanges is flanged,

FIGS. 6a to 6e show a food packaging of two partial shells in different views, wherein FIG. 6a shows a front view, FIG. 6b a rear view, FIG. 6c a side view, FIG. 6d a cross-sectional view along the line D-D in FIG. 6b, and FIG. 6b a cross-sectional view along the line E-E.

FIG. 7 shows a chocolate hollow-shaped article packaged by means of two partial shells,

FIGS. 8a to 8d show different configurations of partial shells in the area of different materials,

FIGS. 9 to 9
d show different examples of partial shells in regions of different materials.

FIGS. 10a to 10d show different configurations of sheets which are e.g. fed to the shaping device in the method of FIGS. 1a to 1c of the forming device.

FIGS. 11a to 11d show different views of a food packaging of two partial shells, wherein FIG. 11a is a front view, FIG. 11b a rear view, FIG. 11c a side view of a first side, and FIG. 11d is a side view of a first side, wherein in the example of FIG. 11 there is no food inserted into the packaging,

FIG. 12 shows a schematic view where a hollow-shaped chocolate article in the form of a Santa Claus is inserted into the packaging from FIG. 11,

FIGS. 13a to 13d show different examples of partial shells having a window made of a material different from the material of which the partial shell surface is made,

FIGS. 14a and 14b show non-flanged (FIG. 14a) and/or flanged (FIG. 14b) protruding edge sections of two partial shells made of different materials,

FIGS. 15a and 15b show a front side view of a partial shell (FIG. 15a) and/or a rear-side view of a partial shell (FIG. 15b) for a food packaging,

FIGS. 16a to 16c show an example of a packaging in which a planar element formed through the flanged protruding edge has a geometry that is different from a geometry of the cavity in the separating plane,

FIGS. 17a and 17b show a further example of a packaging in which a planar element formed through the flanged protruding edge has a geometry that is different from a geometry of the cavity in the separating plane, wherein in this example, the distal section lengths of the flanged edge sections are of different lengths on the different sides,

FIGS. 18a to 18e show different views of a food packaging made of two partial shells, wherein FIG. 18a is a front view, FIG. 18b is a rear view, FIG. 18c is a side view of a first side, FIG. 11d shows a side view of a first side, FIG. 18d is a cross-sectional view along the line D-D in FIG. 18b, and FIG. 18e shows a cross-sectional view along the line E-E in FIG. 18b, wherein each partial shell is made of three segments of different materials,

FIGS. 19a to 19c each show a front-side partial shell having segments from three different materials, and

FIG. 19d shows a rear-side partial shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Before the novel packaging and/or packaging partial shell are presented in more detail by means of the examples from FIGS. 6 to 19, the production of partial shells (FIGS. 1a to c), the production of a food packaging of partial shells and flanging on the protruding edge sections (FIGS. 5a to e) is exemplarily explained in more detail by means of FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1a shows a cut-out of a line of a device for producing a food packaging. This device can, for example, be part of a packaging line, in which the corresponding steps from the provision of the packaging material to the finished packaged food product in individual successive stations are carried out.

To provide the film, a device described in German patent application no. 10 2015 220 735.8 or a described method can be used.

After producing packaging partial shells, these may be combined to one another in the manner as described in EP 2 366 631 A1 and/or in FIG. 1 of German patent application no. 10 2015 108 840.1 and the associated description and/or PCT application PCT/EP2016/051971 and/or German patent application no. 10 2015 101 417.3 in order to form a package.

The aforementioned disclosures of the various applications are hereby incorporated by reference into the disclosure of the present application.

The film web 1 is shown schematically in FIG. 1a on the left side. In the example, it is sucked in at its front end by a feeding device 2 and is moved by translation of this feeding device 2 into a forming device 3 (cf. FIG. 1b). The feeding device 2, the deformation device 3, and a heating device 4 shown schematically in the example are controlled by a control device 5. In the example, the heating device 4 has two heating plates 12 opposite each other. Only one heating plate can be used. Any other heating device, as e.g. an infrared radiator, is also conceivable. In addition to the heating device, or as an alternative to the heating device, a humidifying device can also be provided. Insofar as the material used for the partial shells is paper or cardboard, humidification before forming is particularly advantageous, as the material then deforms better. The combination of humidification and heating is also very suitable for forming paper. These can be used to heat the supplied film material. These are pressed against each other, e.g. like a stamp, and heat the film material picked up between them, such as paper, metal or plastic. However, such a heating device is not necessary, e.g. if the material deforms well without heating. The forming device 3 has an upper mold half 6 and a lower mold half 7. In the present case, the upper mold half 6 has a regular arrangement of forming punches 8 which are positioned in such a way that, when the upper mold half 6 is brought together against the lower mold half 7, they are moved into corresponding mold cavities 9 of the lower mold half 7 in order to form the film material therein and thus form depressions 10 in the film material (cf. FIG. 1c). FIG. 1a shows a coordinate system on the right-hand side, which also applies to FIGS. 1b and 1c. The coordinate system is shown on the right-hand side. Accordingly, the height direction in the following should correspond to the Z-axis. The translational direction of the film web 1, in which it is brought into the forming device 3 by means of the feeding device 2, is referred to as the X-axis. The direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and to the X-axis, i.e. the direction into or out of the paper plane, is referred to as the Y-axis. Each of the upper or lower mold halves 6, 7 is essentially a rectangular mold half with mold stamps 8 or mold cavities 9 arranged in a regular arrangement. When the film web 1 has been transferred to the forming device 3, it is deposited there. In the present case, the upper mold half 6 is pressed against the lower mold half 7, wherein depressions 10 are formed in the film web 1. In the example described with reference to FIGS. 1a to 1c, the film web 1 is placed in the forming device 3 without first being divided into individual film portions. However, if a pre-cutting before deformation is foreseen, this can be done according to manner and/or in such a device as described in the German patent application no. 10 2015 220 738.2, the disclosure of which in this respect is integrated into the present application by this reference. In the present example, after the film web 1 between the forming punches 8 and the forming cavities 9 has been deformed so that the individual cavities 10 have been formed, it is cut by means of the cutting device 11 and shaped so that a large number of finished partial shells, which form the present partial shell, are obtained.

The method described in relation to FIGS. 1a to 1c is exemplary. Any other method may also be used for the production of the partial shells according to the invention as long as the features described in the claims can be achieved. The partial shells 13, 13′ obtained by a deformation or deep-drawing method comprise the depression 10 and a flange 14 delimiting the depression (cf. FIG. 2). Instead of forming a large number of partial shells 13, 13′ at the same time, as in the example, each partial shell 13, 13′ can also be produced individually. The heating device shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c can also be omitted altogether. This is particularly advantageous, if the material used for the partial shells can be formed without heating. The partial shells 13, 13′ produced by means of the device from FIGS. 1a to 1c are assembled, as shown for example in FIG. 2 on the right-hand side, to form the packaging in such a way that the corresponding flanges 14, 14′ and the respective partial shell 13, 13′ lie flat against each other and thus form an edge section 15 protruding from the packaging. In the present case, for example, this is configured as a Saturn-like protruding edge section 15.

FIG. 2 on the left shows a cross-sectional view of the finished cut partial shell 13 and FIG. 2 in the center shows a view of this partial shell 13, with the depression 10 arranged essentially in the middle and surrounded by the flange 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 on the right, a first partial shell 13 is connected to a second partial shell 13′ via this flange 14 after a hollow-shaped chocolate article or other food product has been inserted into the cavity 16 formed by the depressions 10 of the respective partial shell 13, 13′. In the example in FIG. 2, the packaged product is a chocolate egg. Therefore the partial shells 13, 13′ are formed as half shells and form an egg-shaped structure. The partial shells or the packaging of the present invention may have any shape and is not limited to such an oval shape.

FIG. 3, for example, shows a view of a partial shell 113, a Santa Claus-shaped package that can be used for a chocolate Santa. Similar to the partial shell 13, 13′ for the egg-shaped packaging from FIG. 2, the partial shell 113 has a flange 114 which surrounds a depression 110 formed in the partial shell 113. In this case, the flange 114 completely surrounds the depression 110.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the packaging on FIG. 3 along line A-A in FIG. 3. The packaging is composed of two partial shells 113′, 113. The corresponding flanges 114, 114′ of the respective partial shells 113, 113′ lie against each other and form a protruding edge section 115. In the example, the flanges 114, 114′ are sealingly connected to each other by means of a sealing 124, so that the food product 100 contained in the packaging is held sealingly in the packaging. The sealing layer can be obtained by means of an adhesive applied to the flanges at the appropriate positions. Alternatively or additionally, the material used for the partial trays 113, 113′ can also be coated on the inside with a thermo-formable plastic which, after heating, melts in the adjacent flange areas and forms the seal 124 there.

FIG. 5f, based on the example in FIG. 4, shows a situation in which the protruding edge section 115 formed by opposing and abutting flanges 114, 114′ is flanged so as to form a proximal edge section 111 and a distal edge section 112 which are separated from each other by a folding line 116.

As an example of how such a flanging is produced, the method is further explained in the steps in FIGS. 5a to 5e below.

In FIG. 5a, the upper partial shell 203 and the lower partial shell 203′, which hold a hollow-shaped chocolate article 201 between them, are inserted into a mold 209 provided in a lower half of the mold 208. The lower half of the mold 208 has a support area 210 on which a proximal edge section 211 of the two partial shells 203, 203′ lies planar. A distal edge section 212 protrudes beyond the contact area 210 of the lower mold half 208 and protrudes laterally from the lower mold half 208. In the course of the method from FIG. 5a to Figure b, an upper mold half 213, which contains an upper mold cavity 214, is placed over the packaging formed by the two partial shells 203, 203′, so that the upper partial shell 203 comes to rest in the upper mold cavity 214 (cf. FIG. 5b). The upper mold half 213 has a locating surface 215 which, in conjunction with the support area 210 of the lower mold half 208, locates the proximal edge section 211. The proximal edge section 211 is thus defined between the locating surface 215 and the support area 210. For this, the upper mold half 213 is pressed against the lower mold half 208, wherein the lower mold half 208 is spring-loaded or otherwise mechanically or force-loaded in such a way that it is slightly pushed back by the pressure exerted on it by the upper mold half 214, as shown in FIG. 5b. Here, the complete packaging from the two partial trays 203, 203′ together with the protruding edge section 205 is pressed downwards in the vertical direction depicted in the Figures and shifted against a fixed buckling element 216, so that the distal edge section 212 is buckled against the proximal edge section 211 at a substantially 90° angle. Ultimately, however, the upper and lower mold halves 208, 214 can also be fixed and the buckling element 216 can be designed as a height-adjustable element. Finally, a movability of the buckling element 216 in relation to the defined flange is to be ensured. In order to ensure easy buckling, the buckling element 216 has a rounded surface 217 on an area facing a later folding line formed between the proximal edge section 211 and the distal edge section 212. At least one of the two surfaces, the fixing surface 215 or the support area 210 or both of these surfaces and/or additional areas of the surface of the buckling element 216, in particular areas of the rounded surface 217, can be heated during buckling, so that the two layers in the edge area can be deformed and buckled more easily due to the heat effect. A seal can also be produced by heating, for example, during the determination at this stage. After the distal edge section 212 in the process step shown in FIG. 5b has been folded at an angle of about 90°, the final folding or flanging takes place in the steps shown in FIGS. 5c to 5e. After the upper mold half 213 has been raised again in the vertical direction in the buckling shown in FIG. 5b, the lower mold half 208 is shifted back to the starting position shown in FIG. 5a. This is preferably done due to the flexible bearing of the lower mold half 208 when the upper mold half 213 is retracted. The buckling element 216 is positioned in this initial state or flanging state of the forming half 208, i.e. below the support area 210 of the lower mold half 208. A multi-part second upper mold half 218, which can be a different mold half than the upper mold half 213, has, seen in the radial direction of the packaging or the protruding edge section 205, on its outer area a stamp 219 spring-loaded in the longitudinal direction (cf. FIG. 5c). This has an inclined folding surface region 220 which is positioned with respect to the distal edge section 212 in such a way that the folding surface region 220, insofar as at least the movable forming punch 219 is pressed downwards in the horizontal direction against the set up distal flange section 212, bends the folded distal edge section 212 at least slightly obliquely inwards out of the 90° angle (cf. FIGS. 5c, 5d). As a result, an edge-side end of the distal edge section 212 passes into a region of a fixing surface 221 of the multi-part second upper mold half 218. Thus, in the embodiment, the forming punch 219 is formed as part of the second upper mold half 218 and mounted by means of a spring. However, other configurations that allow the described kinematics are also possible. The radial orientation of the fixing surface 221 as seen in the cross-sectional direction in FIG. 5c is preferably smaller than the radial extension of the support area 210 of the lower half of the mold 208. The radial longitudinal extension of the fixing surface 221 together with the inclined folding surface area 220 is slightly larger than the extension of the support area 210 of the lower mold half 208, or essentially corresponds to the radial extension of the support area 208. In the step shown in FIG. 5d, the distal edge section 212 is bent or flanged inwards by means of the movable forming punch 219 in order to be finally folded with the fixing surface 221 of the molding 222 of the upper multi-part second mold half 218. Sealing can also take place during the last step, e.g. by heating the fixing surface 221 of the molding 222. While the upper multi-part mold half 218 is lowered, a counterforce is exerted on the forming punch 219, which is freely attached to the spring, against the weight of the forming punch 219, so that the latter shifts relatively in relation to the molding 222 of the upper multi-part mold half 218. Such a relative displacement can also be achieved by a motor position or other kinematics instead of the spring-loaded suspension. In order to achieve a corresponding counterforce, the lower half of the mold 208 is fixed, e.g., during process steps c, d and e. The lower half of the mold 208 is fixed during process steps c, d and e, for example, during process steps d, d and e.

With the step shown in relation to FIG. 5, for example, the protruding edge section 205, which is formed by two flanges facing each other, is folded back or flanged. This method is described as an example only.

Insofar as a flanging is intended at all for the connection of the partial shells in accordance with the invention, this will be mentioned again below. However, such a flanging is not essential and can also be omitted completely.

When packaging according to the present invention, it is advantageous that the food product is in contact with the inner walls of the cavity, which is formed by depressions in the partial shell, forming the contour, in particular over its entire surface. However, other configurations are also possible. The partial shells are, for example, made of a sheet of material or a web of film from a roll and have a certain stability after forming, so that the depression is formed with the surrounding flange.

A contour forming application can be a full surface application which reproduces the contour of the food product. However, such an application does not exclude narrowly limited sections in which the packaging shell has a small distance from the food surface. Such a distance between the inner wall of the packaging and the food surface can exist, for example, in areas where different geometries of the food meet, for example, in the face of a food designed as a figure in the area where eyes and nose meet and/or in the area of the transition between hand and arm. Such a distance can also occur in sections of the food surface with small radii or high curvatures.

The distances may be up to 1 μm, 50 μm, 1 mm, 5 mm, or even up to 10 mm. The above mentioned distances can form upper as well as lower limits of the distance range. Large distances of 5 mm or even up to 10 mm can be provided, for example, to prevent the paper from tearing elsewhere.

In the following, the individual aspects of the partial shells or packaging in accordance with the invention are explained with reference to example groups.

Example Group 1

FIGS. 6 to 9, in particular, show examples where the flange 307, 308 has a first area of a first material and a second area of a second material which is different from the first material. Example group 1 illustrates in particular the third aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 6a to 6e show a food packaging 301 in different views, wherein FIG. 6a shows a front view, FIG. 6b a rear view, FIG. 6c a side view, FIG. 6d a cross-sectional view along the line D-D in FIG. 6b, and FIG. 6e a cross-sectional view along the line E-E in FIG. 6b.

A food product (cf. FIG. 7, reference sign 302) may be packaged in this food packaging. The food packaging 301 has a first partial shell 303 (cf. FIG. 6a) and a second partial shell 304 (cf. FIG. 6b). The first partial shell 303 has a first depression 305 and a first flange 307 delimiting the first depression 305. The second partial shell 304 has a second depression 306 and a second flange 308 delimiting the second depression 306. The flanges 307, 308 are in contact with each other when the shells 303, 304 are folded (cf. FIG. 6c) and form a protruding edge section 309.

FIGS. 6c, 6d and 6e show a gap between the flanges 307, 308 opposite each other. This is only due to clarity. The two flanges 307, 308, for example, are connected to each other, so that the first partial shell 303 is coupled to the second partial shell 304 via these flanges 307, 308. Each partial shell 303, 304 is provided with a flange surrounding it completely, so that the respective depression 305, 306 is completely limited by this flange 307, 308. Such a flange can also only partially limit the respective depression 305, 306 and thus only be formed in partial areas of the outer circumference of the respective partial shell 303, 304. In this case, the flanges are flat and provided with a buckling line (folding line; German language: Knicklinie) 310, 311 (310 first buckling line, 311 second buckling line) between the respective flanges 307, 308 and the depression 305, 306.

A proximal flange section 312 is connected to the respective depression 305, 306 via the buckling line 310, 311 and a distal flange section 313 delimits the respective partial shell 303, 304 at its outer circumference. From the first and the second depression 305, 306 a cavity 314 is formed in the packaging 301, in which the food 302 is received. In this case (cf. FIG. 7), the food product 302 is received in the cavity 314 in such a way that it is in contact with the inner walls of the cavity 314, forming the contour of the cavity 314, in particular over its entire surface. The food product 302 can also be received loosely in the cavity 314, wherein the corresponding partial shells 303, 304 have a certain stability, so that the cavity 314 also has areas which are not then filled by the food product 302.

In the examples from FIGS. 6 to 8, the food product 302 is a hollow-shaped chocolate article, in particular a chocolate Santa Claus. The chocolate article does not have to be hollow, but can also be massively filled with liquid or pasty substances. In addition to the Santa Claus form, any other form, such as an egg form, Easter bunny form, frog form or bear form can also be provided.

In this case, the protruding edge section 309 is not flanged and surrounds the food packaging in the form of a Saturn-like ring. The protruding edge section 309 surrounds the food packaging in such a way that it forms a separating plane T (cf. FIG. 6c) between the two partial shells 303, 304 (cf. dashed line in FIG. 6c). In the packaging shown as an example, two partial shells, each forming a half-shell, are provided. The packaging may also consist of more than two partial shells. Each shell forms a unitary integral element. The first partial shell 303 is made of two different materials. A first material 315 is characterized by hatching. A second material 316, which is different from the first material 315, is not hatched.

In FIG. 8d, even a third material 317 (cf. diamond-form hatching) is provided for the corresponding partial shell 303, 304, so that the partial shell 303, 304 from FIG. 8 is composed of three different materials.

The following materials may be used as materials. Metal, paper and/or plastic, may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., insofar as it is referred to different materials, these are at least different surface materials of the corre-sponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for example, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and the same multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

Different multilayer materials can also be used. Insofar as the invention refers to different materials, at least surface areas/segments made of different materials should be defined.

Since the two partial shells 303, 304 are coupled with each other via flanges 307, 308, at least one uniform flange made of the same material has been used up to now in the state of the art and two such flanges have been connected with each other.

The inventors of this invention have astonishingly and for the first time established that even flanges with areas made of different materials can be joined together in such a way that the partial shells hold together firmly enough to accommodate a corresponding food.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a flange that has a first area 318 of the first material 315 and a second area 319 of the second material 316. Such flanges on partial shells of different materials can be securely coupled together.

It is advantageous that the first flange area 318 and the second flange area 319 are arranged adjacent to each other via a joint line 320. The different materials 315, 316 abut against each other at the joint line 320. The joint line 320 can also be generated by overlapping different sheets of material, or by a multilayer material having the surface in the second area 319 removed and the layer below then being revealed.

Any combination of paper, film, metal and multi-layer material as described above is conceivable here.

In the example in FIG. 6a, the joint line 320 extends vertically across a transition formed by the buckling line 310 between the first flange 307 and the first depression 305 to the distal flange section 313. Any oblique configuration so that the joint line extends across the flange 307 is advantageous.

In the example from FIGS. 6a to 6e, only the first partial shell is made of two materials, while the second partial shell is made of a single material. This material can be a third material, which is different from the first and second material of the first partial shell 303, but it can also be the first or second material.

In the example in FIG. 7, the second material 316 is transparent plastic material, so that the head area of the Santa Claus form can be seen. This ensures an attractive appearance, especially if the hollow-shaped chocolate article contains dark chocolate as well as chocolate of a different color, e.g. the contours of the figure.

FIGS. 8a to 8d show different designs of the first and/or second partial shells 303, 304. This means that the shells shown in FIGS. 8a to 8d can be front, back or any other side of the food packaging 301.

In FIG. 8a, the first area 318 has a round structure with a corrugated joint line 320. The corrugated joint line 320 does not extend in a straight line in the area of the flange.

FIG. 8b shows a situation in which the joint line extends across the flange. The situations shown in FIGS. 6 and 8b show a joint line formed by a first joint line 321 and a second joint line 322 with respect to the flange. The first joint line 321 and the second joint line 322 are connected by the third joint line 323 in the area of the depression 305/306 and form the only continuous joint line. The first joint line 321 and the second joint line 322 are provided in different flange areas and in FIGS. 6a, 8b and 8d are aligned with each other on different sides of the corresponding partial shell.

In the example shown in FIG. 8c, the flange 307, 308 is not completely circumferential around the depression 305, 306, but only in a lower part of the packaging forming the partial shell. In this case, only a single joint line 320 is provided on the flange or the joint line cuts the flange only once. In the example in FIG. 6c, two different partial shells with different material distribution are used. The same shells with the same material distribution can also always be used. Partial shells with the same material distribution do not mean that they also have the same geometry (front or back side of the hollow-shaped chocolate article), but only that the course of the joint line is the same, so that composite partial shells, for example, have a circumferential joint line.

Example Group 2

A group of examples illustrating the fourth aspect of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the partial shell 403, 404 is formed by deep drawing. The material to be deep-drawn is already supplied in a segment-like configuration for forming, so that the partial shell has at least two surface segments (first area 418, second area 419) made of different materials.

For the configuration of the partial shells or the packaging, the aforesaid regarding example group 1 applies accordingly. Therefore, only the most important aspects are summarized below. In the second example group, corresponding features from the first example group are provided with the same reference signs, but instead of 300 numbers with 400 numbers, wherein e.g. the first and second partial shell are provided with reference signs 403 and 404, flanges with reference signs 407, 408 and the protruding edge with reference signs 409.

A food can be packaged in the food packaging. The food packaging 401 has a first partial shell 403 and a second partial shell 404. The first partial shell 403 has a first depression 405 and a first flange 407 delimiting the first depression 405. The second partial shell 404 has a second depression 606 and a second flange 408 delimiting the second depression 406. The flanges 407, 408 are in contact with each other with folded partial shells 403, 404 and form a protruding edge section 409. The two flanges 407, 408 can, for example, be connected to each other so that the first partial shell 403 is coupled with the second partial shell 404 via said flanges 407, 408. In the present case, each partial shell 403, 404 is provided with a flange surrounding it at its entire circumference, so that the respective depression 405, 406 is completely delimited by this flange 407, 408. Such a flange can also only partially delimit the respective depression 405, 406 and thus only be formed in partial areas of the outer circumference of the respective partial shell 403, 404. The flanges are configured flat and between the respective flanges 407, 408 and the depression 405, 406, there is provided a buckling line 410, 411.

A proximal flange section 412 is connected to the respective depression 405, 406 via the buckling line 310, 311 and a distal flange section 413 delimits the respective partial shell 403, 404 at its outer circumference. From the first and second depression 405, 406, a cavity is formed in the packaging 401 in which the food product is received. As shown in FIG. 7, the food product can be received in the cavity in such a way that it is in contact with the inner walls of the cavity 414, forming the contour of the cavity, in particular over the entire surface. The food product 402 can also be held loosely in the cavity 414, wherein the corresponding partial shells 403, 404 have a certain stability, so that the cavity 414 also has areas which are not then filled by the food product 402.

As in the examples from FIGS. 6 to 8, the food product 402 can also be a hollow-shaped chocolate article, in particular a chocolate Santa Claus. The chocolate article does not have to be hollow, but can also be massively filled with liquid or pasty substances. In addition to the Santa Claus form, any other form, such as an egg form, Easter bunny form, frog or bear form, can also be used.

In the present case, the protruding edge section 409 is not flanged and surrounds the food packaging in the form of a Saturn-like ring which follows the contour of the product. In this example group, the protruding edge section 409 can also surround the food packaging in such a way that a separating plane T (cf. FIG. 6c) is formed between the two partial shells 403, 404 (cf. dashed line in FIG. 6c). In the exemplary packaging shown, two partial shells are provided, each forming a half-shell. The packaging may also consist of more than two partial shells. Each shell forms a unitary integral element. The first partial shell 403 is made of two different materials. A first material 415 is characterized by hatching. A second material 416, which is different from the first material 315, is not hatched.

Metal, paper and/or plastic, may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., insofar as it is referred to different materials, these are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for example, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and the same multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

Different multilayer materials can also be used. If the invention is based on different materials, at least surface areas/segments made of different materials should be provided.

FIGS. 9a to 9d show different examples of partial shells with areas of different materials.

In FIGS. 9a to 9d, a partial shell 403, 404 is shown, which can form the first and/or also the second partial shell. It is not necessary that both partial shells are formed with the same material distribution. It is also possible that one of the partial shells is made of the same material and only one of the partial shells is made of different materials.

FIGS. 10a to 10d show different configurations of sheets which, for example, can be fed to the forming unit in the process from FIGS. 1a to 1c.

FIGS. 10a to 10d schematically show a material sheet 430, 431, 432, 433 which, for example, is fed to the forming device in the manner shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c. The material sheet has a segment-like surface with a first segment 441 and a second segment 442. How this segment-like surface can be constructed is shown schematically in the circled sections of a cross-sectional view in FIGS. 10a and 10b.

In the example in FIG. 10a, the first segments 441 are formed by a first material portion 443 and the second segments 442 are formed by a second material portion 444 of a material different from the first material portion.

The second material portions 444 are each connected to the longitudinal edges of the first material portions 443 at the rear of their longitudinal edges. Thus, as shown in FIG. 10a, a strip-shaped structure is created with several surface strips of the first material 415 and several surface strips of the second material 316. As far as the first and second or different materials are used in this context, here, as well, it is referred to the surface.

As described above for example group 1, a multilayer material can also be used here in which the individual segments are then fastened with one another in a twisted manner.

In the example in FIG. 10b, the segment-like configuration of the material sheet is achieved in that a surface layer 445 of the second material 416 with cut-outs or window openings 446 is provided and a further layer 447 including the rear side with the surface layer 445 is laminated. In the window openings 446, the surface of the further layer 447 can be seen.

FIG. 10c shows a combination of a strip-shaped segment-shaped configuration and a window-like segment-shaped configuration. The material sheet 432 may have different regions with different segmental structures.

The different areas with the segment-like structures can be produced from laminated films or from material portions connected to one another at their longitudinal edges, as in the different types described with reference to FIG. 10a or 10b.

In FIG. 10d, circular window openings 446 are formed. This film material is processed, for example, in the device shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c, and the partial shells shown in FIGS. 9a to 9d are produced.

The segment-like design of the material sheets is matched to the desired segment-like configuration of the partial shells. By feeding the finished material with different surfaces, the corresponding partial shells can be produced quickly in a simple manner. The partial shells can be coupled to one another via their flanges, for example by flanging the protruding edge sections formed by the opposing flanges. But such a flanging is not necessary.

Example Group 3

A group of examples illustrating the seventh aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the food packaging 501 is configured so that a cut-out 550 is formed and the food product 502 protrudes from the packaging through the cut-out 550 (cf. FIG. 12).

For the configuration of the partial shells or the packaging, the same applies as previously stated for example group 1 and example group 2. Therefore, only the most important aspects are summarized below. In the third example group, corresponding features from the first example group or from the second example group are provided with the same reference signs, but with 500 numbers, wherein, for example, the first and second partial shell are provided with reference signs 503 or 504, flanges with reference signs 507, 508 and the protruding edge with reference sign 509.

A food can be packaged in the food packaging. The food packaging 501 has a first partial shell 503 and a second partial shell 504. The first partial shell 503 has a first depression 505 and a first flange 507 delimiting the first depression 505. The second partial shell 504 has a second depression 506 and a second flange 508 delimiting the second depression 506. The flanges 507, 508 are in contact with each other when the partial shells 503, 504 are folded together and form a protruding edge section 509. For example, the two flanges 507, 508 can be connected to each other so that the first partial shell 403 is coupled to the second partial shell 504 via said flanges 507, 508. Each partial shell 503, 504 is provided with a flange surrounding it at its entire circumference, so that the respective depression 505, 506 is completely delimited by said flange 507, 508.

Such a flange can also only partially delimit the respective depression 505, 506 and thus only be formed in partial areas of the outer circumference of the respective partial shell 503, 504. The flanges are flat and a buckling line 510, 511 is provided between the respective flanges 507, 508 and the depression 505, 506. A proximal flange section 512 is connected via the buckling line 510, 511 with the respective depression 505, 506 and a distal flange section 513 delimits the respective partial shell 503, 504 at its outer circumference. The first and second depressions 505, 506 form a cavity in the packaging 501 in which the food product is received. As shown in FIG. 7, the food product can be received in the cavity in such a way that the cavity is in contact with the inner walls of the cavity 514, forming the contours of the cavity, especially over its entire surface.

As in the examples from FIGS. 6 to 8, the food product 502 can be a hollow-shaped chocolate article, in particular a chocolate Santa Claus. The chocolate article does not have to be hollow, but can also be massively filled with liquid or pasty substances. In addition to the Santa Claus form, any other form, such as an egg form, Easter bunny form, frog form or bear form, can also be used.

In the present case, the protruding edge section 509 is not flanged and surrounds the food packaging in the form of a Saturn-like ring. However, flanging is very advantageous in this third example group, as the cut-out then merges smoothly into the packaging as described later.

Two partial shells are provided for the packaging shown in the example. The packaging may also consist of more than two partial shells. Each shell forms a single integral element.

Metal, paper and/or plastic, may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., insofar as it is referred to different materials, these are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for ex-ample, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a differ-ent material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and the same multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respectively. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

In example group 3, the food packaging 501 is configured so that a cutout 550 is formed and the food product 502 protrudes from the packaging through the cutout 550 (cf. FIG. 12). The corresponding partial shells 503, 504 are so stable that such a cut-out can be left free.

FIGS. 11a to 11d show different views of the food packaging 501 consisting of two partial shells, wherein FIG. 11a shows a front view, FIG. 11b a rear view, FIG. 11c a side view from a first side, and FIG. 11d a side view from a first side, wherein in the example of FIG. 11 no food is inserted into the packaging,

FIGS. 11a to 11d show a situation in which no food product is included in the food packaging 501. The food packaging 501 shows the cut-out 550, wherein the cutout 550 is formed from a first cut-out 551 in the first partial shell 503 and a second cut-out 552 in the partial shell 504. The two partial shells 503, 504 are coupled together via their flanges 507, 508 in such a way that approximately one quarter of the packaging has the cut-out 550. The transition between the first partial cut-out 551 and the second partial cut-out 552 is transverse, in this case even perpendicular to the area of the protruding edge section 509.

In the present case, it is advantageous to place the protruding edge section 509 against the outer circumferential surface of the food packaging 501 and/or to flange it, for example, using the method described in FIGS. 5a to 5e. If the packaging has a flat and/or flanged edge, the free cut-out optics are particularly attractive. A flanged edge corresponds to a folded edge. In any case, a folded edge is folded at the buckling line 511, 510 and placed against the outer surface of the packaging. A flanged edge can also be added.

In the example in FIG. 12, the first partial shell and the second partial shell 503, 504 are positioned in a contour-forming manner, in particular over the entire surface of the food product 502 (chocolate Santa Claus) and in particular in the region of the respective first depression 505 or second depression 506, with the exception of the material thickness of the corresponding partial shell 503, 504, at the transition between the partial shell surface and the cut-out there is no significant offset between the surface of the food product and the surface of the partial shells.

In the present example, the contour of the chocolate article essentially follows the contour given by the partial shells, also in the area of the cut-out. It is not necessarily the case that a cut-out is formed by the interaction of the individual partial shells 503, 504. Such a cut-out can also be provided in one of the partial shells. In one area of the first partial cutout 551 or the second partial cut-out 552, the respective partial shell 503, 504 does not have a flange, otherwise in the present example the first or second flange 507, 508 extends completely around the packaging. In order to better protect the food packaged in this way, it is advantageous to provide the packaging shown in FIG. 12 in a further, e.g. transparent packaging, e.g. in a cellophane film or in a type of blister.

There are no limitations for the individual materials of the partial shell. However, the configuration with the cut-out can also be combined with all elements mentioned in reference to example group 1 or 2.

Example Group 4

A second aspect of the invention is described by means of FIGS. 13a to 13d.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a window 660 made of a first material 615 different from a second material 616 forming at least one outer surface of the partial shell 603 is provided in the partial shell 603.

For the configuration of the partial shells or the packaging, the statements made for example groups 1 to 3 apply accordingly. Therefore, only the most important aspects will be summarized below. In the fourth example group, corresponding features from the first to third example groups are provided with the same reference signs, but with 600 numbers, wherein, for example, the first and second partial shell are provided with reference signs 603 and 604, flanges with reference signs 607, 608 and the protruding edge with reference signs 609.

A food product can be packaged in the food packaging. The food packaging 601 has a first partial shell 603 and a second partial shell 604. The first partial shell 603 has a first depression 605 and a first flange 607 delimiting the first depression 605. The second partial shell 604 has a second depression 606 and a second flange 608 delimiting the second depression 606. The flanges 607, 608 are in contact with each other when the partial shells 603, 604 are folded together and form a protruding edge section 609. The two flanges 607, 608 can, for example, be connected to each other so that the first partial shell 603 is coupled to the second partial shell 604 via these flanges 607, 608. Each partial shell 603, 604 is provided with a flange surrounding it completely, so that the respective depression 605, 606 is completely limited by said flange 607, 608.

Such a flange can also only partially limit the respective depression 605, 606 and thus only be formed at partial areas of the outer circumference of the respective partial shell 603, 604. The flanges are flat and a buckling line 610, 611 is provided between the respective flanges 607, 608 and the depression 605, 606. A proximal flange section 612 is connected via the buckling line 610, 611 to the respective depression 605, 606 and a distal flange section 613 delimits the respective partial shell 603, 604 at its outer circumference. From the first and the second depression 605, 606 a cavity 614 is formed in the packaging 501 in which the food product is received. The food product can be received in the cavity as shown in relation to example group 1 in FIG. 7 in such a way that the cavity is in contact with the inner walls of the cavity 614, forming the contours of the cavity, in particular the entire surface.

As in the examples from FIGS. 6 to 8, the food product 602 can be a hollow-shaped chocolate article, in particular a chocolate Santa Claus. The chocolate article does not have to be hollow, but can also be massively filled with liquid or pasty substances. In addition to the Santa Claus form, any other form, such as an egg form, Easter bunny form, frog form or bear form, can also be used.

In the present case, the protruding edge section 609 is not flanged and surrounds the food packaging in the form of a Saturn-like ring. However, flanging may be provided as an alternative.

Two partial shells are provided for the packaging shown in the example. The packaging may also consist of more than two partial shells. Each shell forms a uniform integral element.

Metal, paper and/or plastic, may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., insofar as it is referred to different materials, these are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for ex-ample, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a differ-ent material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and the same multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respectively. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

FIGS. 13a to 13d show different examples of partial shells with a window made of a material different from the surface of the partial shell. The double reference signs in the Figures are due to the fact that the partial shell shown can be the first or second partial shell.

In the partial shell 603, 604 a window 660 made of a first material 615 is provided, which is different from a second material 616, which forms at least one outer surface of the partial shell 603.

The window can also be produced in the way described for example group 2.

A material that is transparent is usually used as the window. However, this is not necessary for this invention. Any material can be used for the outer surface of the packaging and the surface of the window.

Contrary to the description for the second example group, the window can also be inserted into an already preformed partial shell during deep drawing in the forming device (cf. FIGS. 1a to 1c) and connected to this partial shell. For example, the material for the partial shell 603 can be pre-formed in the cavity. A further material that forms the window is then inserted into this preformed raw half-shell and then deformed in a second step and joined to it. Such a window can also only be inserted later in a separate step at the rear into the cut-out 650 of the partial shell and connected to it.

Through this window-like design, it is possible to design different surface areas, so that an optically attractive food product is obtained.

It is advantageous that the window 660 is contained in the area of the respective depression 605 and does not protrude into the flange area 607, 608. As shown in FIG. 13c, several windows 660 may also be provided. The windows can have any geometry, e.g. a triangle (cf. FIG. 13a), a heart (cf. FIG. 13b), a square (cf. FIG. 13c) or an oval (cf. FIG. 13d). In such a partial shell also different windows with different geometries can be provided.

Example Group 5

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, examples of the first aspect of the invention are described in more detail.

According to a first aspect of the invention, both partial shells 703, 703 are made of different materials.

For the design of the partial shells or the packaging, the above statements made for example groups 1 to 4 apply accordingly. Therefore, only the most important aspects will be summarized below. In the fourth example group, corresponding features from the first to third example groups are provided with the same reference signs, but with 700 numbers, wherein e.g. the first and second partial shell are provided with the reference signs 703 and 704, the flanges with reference signs 707, 708 and the protruding edge with reference sign 709.

A food product 702 may be packaged in food packaging, as shown in FIG. 14, for example. The food packaging 701 has a first partial shell 703 and a second partial shell 704. The first partial shell 703 has a first depression 705 and a first flange 707 delimiting the first depression 705. The second partial shell has a second depression 706 and a second flange 708 which delimits the second depression 706. The flanges 707, 708 are in contact with each other when the partial shells 703, 704 are folded and form a protruding edge section 709. The two flanges 707, 708 can, for example, be connected to each other so that the first partial shell 703 is coupled to the second partial shell 704 via said flanges 707, 708. Each partial shell 703, 704 is provided with a flange surrounding it completely, so that the respective depression 705, 706 is completely limited by said flange 707, 708. Such a flange can also only partially limit the respective depression 705, 706 and thus only be formed in partial areas of the outer circumference of the respective partial shell 703, 704. The flanges are configured flat and a buckling line 710, 711 is provided between the respective flanges 707, 708 and the depression 705, 806. A proximal flange section 712 (cf. FIG. 14b) is connected to the respective depression 705, 706 via the buckling line 710, 711 and a distal flange section 713 delimits the respective partial shell 703, 704 at its outer circumference. From the first and second depressions 705, 706, a cavity 714 is formed in the packaging 701, in which the food product 702 is received. As shown in relation to example group 1 in FIG. 7, the food product 702 can be received in the cavity in such a way that the cavity is in contact with the inner walls of the cavity 614, forming the contours of the cavity, in particular over its entire surface.

As in the examples from FIGS. 6 to 8, the food product 702 can be a hollow-shaped chocolate article, in particular a chocolate Santa Claus. The chocolate article does not have to be hollow, but can also be massively filled with liquid or pasty substances. In addition to the Santa Claus form, any other form, such as an egg form, Easter bunny form, frog or bear form, can also be used.

In the example in FIG. 14a, the protruding edge section 709 is not flanged and surrounds the food packaging in the form of a Saturn-like ring. FIG. 14b shows a flanged connection of the opposite flanges. Both the flanged protruding edge section and the non-flanged protruding edge section can be provided with a seal or a sealing adhesive.

In the exemplary packaging shown, two partial shells are provided. The packaging may also consist of more than two partial shells. Each shell forms a single integral element.

Insofar as in the following it is referred to different materials for the different partial shells, paper or plastic can be used. The term “metal, paper or plastic” refers to the corresponding surface layer, i.e. if different materials are used, these are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material can also be used, for example a paper sheet laminated with plastic film. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on the surface.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

FIGS. 14a and 14b show non-flanged (FIG. 14a) and/or flanged (FIG. 14b) protruding edge sections of two partial shells made of different materials. The two partial shells 703, 704 are made of different materials. The first partial shell 703 is made of a first material 715 and the second partial shell 704 of a second material 716. At the flanges 707, 708 the two partial shells 703, 704 abut and are coupled to each other. Any type of coupling is possible. In FIG. 14, the food product 702 lies in the cavity 714 formed by the first depression 705 and the second depression 706.

It was observed for the first time by the inventors that two partial shells made of different materials can be coupled together in such a way that they hold food products 702 in them.

As shown in FIG. 14b, a flanging method can be used to connect the partial shells 703, 704, for example with a method from FIG. 5. This flanging can be done in combination with a seal or without an additional seal. Flanging, as shown in FIG. 14b, results in a flanged edge section 709 having a proximal edge section 763 and a distal edge section 764 connected to the proximal edge section 763 by a folding line 762. The flanged edge can also be applied to the outer surface of the packaging, e.g. along the buckling line. This can also be done with the non-flanged protruding edge from FIG. 14a.

In addition to sealing and/or flanging and/or applying, embossing of the corresponding flange areas can lead to a secure connection of the partial shells 703, 704. With such embossing, a punch with a tooth-shaped geometry, for example, is pressed onto the adjacent flanges. As a result, the flange deforms three-dimensionally, resulting in a kind of interlocking of the flanges opposite each other and thus in a connection. Such embossing, flanging, sealing or applying can also be used as the only means or in combination to connect the partial shells.

It has been remarkably shown that two partial shells made of different materials can be coupled together via their flanges.

FIGS. 15a and 15b show a front-side partial shell 703 (FIG. 15a) and a rear-side partial shell 704 (FIG. 15b) for food packaging,

FIGS. 15c and 15d show another example of a front side partial shell 703 (FIG. 15c) or a rear-side partial shell 704 (FIG. 15d) for food packaging.

FIGS. 15a and 15b show a first partial shell 703 made of the first material 715 and a second partial shell 704 made of the second material 716, which is different from the first material.

Such partial shells need not be provided with a uniform surface without segments as shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b. There may also be partial shells of different materials with a segment-like configuration.

The other example shown in FIGS. 15c and 15d also shows partial shells made of different materials. Here, the first partial shell 703 is a segment-like partial shell, for example, according to the type of example groups 1 or 2, and the second partial shell is made of a uniform material, which can also be the same material as one of the surface areas of the first partial shell 703. The different partial shells are connected by flanges 707 and 708.

Example Group 6

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a sixth group of examples, where the protruding edge 809 forms a planar element 870 whose geometry is different from a geometry of a buckling line 810, 811 between the depression 805 and 806 and the flange 807, 808 protruding therefrom. The examples in FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate in particular the sixth aspect of this invention.

For the configuration of the partial shells or the packaging, the above statements made for example groups 1 to 5 apply accordingly. Therefore, only the most important aspects will be summarized below. In the fifth example group, corresponding features from the first to third example groups are provided with the same reference signs, but with 800 numbers, wherein, for example, the first and second partial shell are provided with reference signs 803 and 804 respectively, flanges with reference signs 807, 808 and the protruding edge with reference sign 809.

A food product 802 (cf. FIG. 17b) can be packaged in food packaging. The food packaging 801 has a first partial shell 803 and a second partial shell 804. The first partial shell 803 has a first depression 805 and a first flange 807 delimiting the first depression 805. The second partial shell 804 has a second depression 806 and a second flange 808 delimiting the second depression 806. The flanges 807, 808 are in contact with each other when the partial shells 803, 804 are folded together and form a protruding edge section 809. The two flanges 807, 808 are in this case connected with each other by flanging the protruding edge 809. The flanged edge section forms a planar element 870 in the present case.

In the present case, each partial shell 803, 804 is provided with a flange surrounding it in its entirety, so that the respective depression 805, 806 is completely delimited by said flange 807, 808. Such a flange can only partially delimit the respective depression 805, 806 and thus be formed only on partial sections of the outer circumference of the respective partial shell 803, 804. In the present case, the flanges are configured flat and between the respective flanges 807, 808 and the depression 805, 806 a buckling line 810, 811 is provided. A proximal flange section 812 (cf. FIG. 14b) is connected via the buckling line 810, 811 with the respective depression 805, 806 and a distal flange section 713 delimits the respective partial shell 803, 804 at the outer circumference thereof. From the first and second depression 805, 806, a cavity 814 is formed in the packaging 801, in which the food product 802 is received. The food product 802 can, as shown in relation to example group 1 in FIG. 7, be received in the cavity in such a way that it rests contour-forming on the inner walls of the cavity 814, in particular at the entire surface.

Just as in the examples from FIGS. 6 to 8, the food product 802 can be a hollow-shaped chocolate article, in particular a chocolate Santa Claus. The chocolate article does not have to be hollow, but can also be massively filled with liquid or pasty substances. In addition to the Santa Claus form, any other form, such as an egg form, Easter bunny form, frog or bear form, can also be used.

In the example in FIGS. 16 and 17, the protruding edge section 809 is not flanged and thus forms the planar element which surrounds the food packaging in the form of a Saturn-like ring. The flanged protruding edge section can be provided with a seal or a sealing adhesive.

In the exemplary packaging shown, two partial shells are provided. The packaging may also consist of more than two partial shells. Each shell forms a single integral element.

Metal, paper or plastic may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” at least refer to the corresponding surface layer. It is also possible to use a multilayer material, for example a paper sheet laminated with plastic film. It can also be used only a single layer of a material and no composite material.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

FIGS. 16a to 16c show an example of a packaging 801 in which the planar element 870 resulting from the flanged protruding edge 809 has a geometry that is different from a geometry of the cavity 814 in the separating plane T.

FIGS. 17a and 17b show another example of a packaging 801 in which the planar element 870 resulting from the flanged protruding edge 809 has a geometry that is different from a geometry of the cavity 814 in the separating plane T, wherein in this example, the distal section lengths of the flanged edge sections are varying in length on the different sides.

In the example group 6, the protruding edge section 809 is flanged, so that the distal edge section 863 is separated via a folding line 862 from a proximal edge section 812 (cf. FIGS. 16c and/or 17b).

As can be seen in the examples in FIGS. 16b and c, the flanged protruding edge 809 has a different extent in the cross-sectional view shown in FIGS. 16b and 16c.

Here, FIG. 16b is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 16a, and FIG. 16c is a cross-sectional view along the line C-C in FIG. 16a.

The planar element 870 is formed by flanging. In particular the geometry of the folding line 862, irrespective of the geometry of the cavity 814 in the region of the separating plane T between the two partial shells 803, 804 can be selected on the basis of flanging. The flanged element can also be additionally sealed.

In the example shown in FIG. 16a, the cavity 814 has a Santa Claus shape at the top of the separating plane and the planar element 870 has an ovoid shape, wherein the folding line 862 has an oval shape. In the example in FIGS. 17a and 17b, the planar element 870 has a star-shaped form, because the folding line 871 has a star-shaped contour when viewed from above and the inner contour of the cavity at the level of the separating plane T is round when viewed from above. For example, a round chocolate article can be accommodated in the cavity 814 and only the configuration of the planar element 870 can change the appearance of the product. For example, it is not necessary to cast a different chocolate mold depending on the season, but the seasonal appearance can be controlled via the planar element 870. The planar element is formed by the flanged edge 809.

In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 17b along the line B-B of the example in FIG. 17a, the distal edge section 863 formed by the corresponding distal flange sections 812 is of different lengths. On the right side of FIG. 17b, this distal edge section 863 is longer than the distal edge section 863 on the left side shown in FIG. 17b. The marginal end of distal edge section 863 adjoins or almost adjoins the outer wall of the depression 805 on the right side of FIG. 17b, the marginal end of the distal edge section 863 on the left side shown in FIG. 17b being spaced apart by a gap.

By the configuration of the packaging according to the example group 6, a striking packaging can be provided for the customer.

Example Group 7

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a seventh group of examples. In the case of the packaging and/or the partial shells of example group 7, the first partial shell 903 and/or the second partial shell 904 are made of three different materials. This design is in particular a modification of example groups 1, 2 and 4. The examples in FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate in particular the fifth aspect of the present invention.

For the configuration of the partial shells or the packaging, the above statements made relating to example groups 1 to 6 apply accordingly. Therefore, only the most important aspects will be summarized below. In the sixth example group, corresponding characteristics from the first to third example groups are provided with the same reference signs, but with 900 numbers, wherein, for example, the first and second partial shell are provided with reference signs 903 and/or 904, flanges with reference signs 907, 908 and the protruding edge with reference sign 909.

A food product 902 (cf. FIG. 18b, e) can be packaged in the food packaging. The distance between the outer surface of the food product 902 and the surface of the cavity 914 is shown for the sake of clarity only. As in the configuration of example group 1 (cf. FIG. 7), it is preferable for the packaging to fit tightly or in a form-fitting manner to the food product 902 and surround it over the entire surface.

The food packaging 901 has a first partial shell 903 and a second partial shell 804. The first partial shell 903 has a first depression 905 and a first flange 907 delimiting the first depression 905. The second partial shell 904 has a second depression 906 and a second flange 908 delimiting the second depression 906. The flanges 907, 908 are in contact with each other when the partial shells 903, 904 are folded together and form a protruding edge section 909.

In the present case, each partial shell 903, 904 is provided with a flange surrounding it at its entire circumference, so that the respective depression 905, 906 is completely delimited by this flange 907, 908. Such a flange can also only partially limit the respective depression 905, 906 and thus only be formed in partial areas of the outer circumference of the respective partial shell 903, 904. The flanges are configured flat and a buckling line 910, 911 is provided between the respective flanges 907, 908 and the depression 905, 906. A proximal flange section 912 is connected via the buckling line 910, 711 with the respective depression 905, 906 and a distal flange section 913 delimits the respective partial shell 903, 904 at its outer circumference. From the first and second depression 905, 906 a cavity 914 is formed in the packaging 901, in which the food product 902 is received. The food product 902 can, as shown in relation to example group 1 in FIG. 7, be accommodated in the cavity in such a way that the cavity is in contact with the inner walls of the cavity 814, forming the contour of the cavity, in particular over its entire surface.

Just as in the examples from FIGS. 6 to 8, the food product 902 can be a hollow-shaped choco-late article, in particular a chocolate Santa Claus. The chocolate article does not have to be hol-low, but can also be massively filled with liquid or pasty substances. In addition to the Santa Claus form, any other form, such as an egg form, Easter bunny form, frog or bear form, can also be used.

In the exemplary packaging shown, two partial shells are provided. The packaging may also consist of more than two partial shells. Each shell forms a single integral element.

For the materials of example group 7, the explanations made in relation to example groups 1 to 4 apply accordingly.

In the present case, at least one or also both and/or all partial shells are made of three different materials.

Metal, paper and/or plastic, may be used as materials. The terms “metal, paper or plastic” refer to the corresponding surface layer, i.e., insofar as it is referred to different materials, these are at least different surface materials of the corresponding partial shells. A multilayer material, for ex-ample, a paper sheet laminated with plastic film can also be used. The partial shells have a different material even if they have different materials on their surface, i.e., for example, a segment of the partial shell may have a surface of paper and an inner surface of a plastic film laminated with the paper and the same multilayer material used for another segment, wherein in this case, the plastic film is provided on the outside and the paper on the inside. Paper may also be cardboard.

Examples of plastic materials are thermo-formable plastic film materials such as polyactides (PLA), polycarbonate (APEC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester. Polyester materials are in particular used for cost reasons, in order to produce a cost-efficient packaging. These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm, 520 μm, 700 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respectively. In particular, a range of 80 to 375 μm is preferred.

Material: polyhydroxyalkanoate, such as polyhydroxybutylate (PHB), polyhydroxyvinylate (PHV); raw material: starch, sugar; basic material: starch, sugar.

Material: polylactide (PLA); raw material: corn starch; basic material: lactic acid.

Material: thermoplastic starch or starch blends; raw material: potato, wheat, corn; basic material: starch.

Material: cellophane; raw material: wood; basic material: cellulose.

Material: degradable polyester.

These film materials preferably have the following thicknesses: 80 μm, 100 μm, 120 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 170 μm, 200 μm, 350 μm, 375 μm, 500 μm. The aforementioned thicknesses may in each case form lower or upper limits of a preferred range of thicknesses in all combinations, respective-ly. In particular, a range of 80 to 500 μm is preferred. The paper materials are sometimes thicker than the plastic film materials.

Examples of metal foil materials are aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, copper foil.

Different multilayer materials may also be used. Insofar as the invention refers to different materials, at least surface regions/segments made of different materials should be provided.

FIGS. 18a to 18e show different views of a food packaging comprising two partial shells, wherein FIG. 18a shows a front view, FIG. 18b shows a rear view, FIG. 18c shows a side view from a first side, FIG. 11d shows a side view from a first side, FIG. 18d shows a cross-sectional view along the line D-D in FIG. 18b, and FIG. 18e shows a cross-sectional view along the line E-E in FIG. 18b, wherein the respective partial shell is made of three segments of different materials.

The example from FIGS. 18a to 18e shows that the first partial shell 903 and the second partial shell 904 are made of three different materials.

Thus, in each partial shell 903, 904 three segments of different materials are provided. For example, the first material 915 can be paper, the second material 916 a plastic material and the third material a metal foil.

The joint lines 980, 981 between the different materials are not limited in their course. The joint line with the reference sign 980 denotes the joint line between the third material 917 and another material present in the first and second materials 915, 916, the joint line with the reference sign 981 denotes the joint line between the first material 915 and another material present in the second and third materials 916, 917.

For example, as shown in FIG. 18, there may also be an impact point 982 where all different materials meet.

FIGS. 19a to 19c each show a front-side partial shell 903 with segments of three different materials 915, 915, 915, and FIG. 19d shows a rear-side partial shell 904.

In the examples from FIGS. 19a to 19c only one joint line 980, 981 is provided between two different materials and at no point three different materials meet.

In the example in FIGS. 18a and 18b, the material distribution of the different materials in the individual shells is symmetrical, so that when the two partial shells are joined together and the flanges 907, 908 are coupled together, a symmetrical distribution of the individual material segments takes place across the two partial shells.

In the cross-sectional views in FIG. 18d and FIG. 18e it can be seen that in the two partial shells 903, 904 the corresponding impact lines 980 are opposite each other and the area between the opposite impact lines 980 is perpendicular to the separating plane.

FIGS. 19a, 19b, 19c show different configurations of partial shells, each with three different materials. FIG. 19d shows a partial shell made of a single uniform material. This can also be combined with partial shells from FIGS. 19a to 19c and coupled with each other via their flanges.

By the configuration of three different surfaces an interesting feel can be provided.

Further Aspects

The aspects described for example groups 1 to 7 can be combined with each other in an informal and arbitrary way and can also form an invention for themselves.

Although the individual example groups are also covered by the seven groups of claims, all the features mentioned in the respective dependent claims of each group may also be combined with the features from the other groups.

By combining the invention presented in the example groups, a very interesting packaging can be produced for the user.

For all example groups, it is advantageous that the food fills the cavity completely and thus the surface of the food is contour-forming, in particular lying against the inner surface of the cavity over the entire surface area. The flanges formed with the partial shells can be flanged and/or sealed and/or embossed and/or applied in a later step.

With regard to the production process, the methods described in FIGS. 1 and 5 are merely exemplary. Any other method that leads to the described configurations can also be used.

In particular, the individual partial shells are produced by a kind of deep drawing of the different materials.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

1 film web

2 feeding device

3 forming device

4 heating device

5 control device

6 upper mold half

7 lower mold half

8 forming punch

9 forming cavity

10 depression

11 cutting device

12 heating plate

13, 13′ partial shell

14, 14′ flange

15 protruding edge section

16 cavity

100 food product

110 depression

111 proximal edge section

112 distal edge section

115 protruding edge section

113, 113′ partial shell

114, 114′ flange

116 folding line

124 seal

201 hollow-shaped chocolate article

203, 203′ upper and lower partial shell

205 protruding edge section

208 lower mold half

209 lower mold

210 support area

211 proximal edge section

212 distal edge section

213 upper mold half

214 upper mold

215 fixing surface

216 buckling element

217 rounded surface

218 second upper mold half

219 forming punch

220 inclined folding surface area

221 fixing surface

222 molding

301 food packaging

302 food product

303 first partial shell

304 second partial shell

305 first depression

306 second depression

307 first flange

308 second flange

309 protruding edge section

310, 311 buckling line (also folding line; German: Knicklinie)

312 proximal flange section

313 distal flange section

314 cavity

315 first material

316 second material

317 third material

318 first area

319 second area

320 joint line

321 first joint line

322 second joint line

323 third joint line

401 food packaging

402 food product

403 first partial shell

404 second partial shell

407 first flange

408 second flange

409 protruding edge

410, 411 buckling line (also folding line; German: Knicklinie)

412 proximal flange section

413 distal flange section

414 cavity

415 first material

416 second material

418 first area

419 second area

420 joint line

421 first joint line

422 second joint line

423 third joint line

430 material sheet

431 material sheet

432 material sheet

433 material sheet

441 first segment

442 second segment

443 first material portion

444 second material portion

445 surface layer

446 window opening

447 further layer

501 food packaging

502 food product

503 first partial shell

504 second partial shell

505 first depression

506 second depression

507 first flange

508 second flange

509 protruding edge section

510, 511 buckling line (also folding line; German: Knicklinie)

512 proximal edge section

513 distal edge section

514 cavity

550 cut-out

551 first partial cut-out

552 second partial cut-out

601 food packaging

602 food product

603 first partial shell

604 second partial shell

605 first depression

606 second depression

607 first flange

608 second flange

609 protruding edge section

610, 611 buckling line (also folding line; German: Knicklinie)

614 cavity

615 first material

616 second material

650 cut-out

660 window

701 food packaging

702 food product

703 first partial shell

704 second partial shell

705 first depression

706 second depression

707 first flange

708 second flange

709 protruding edge section

710, 711 buckling line (also folding line; German: Knicklinie)

712 proximal flange section

713 distal flange section

714 cavity

715 first material

716 second material

762 folding line

763 proximal edge section

764 distal edge section

801 food packaging

802 food product

803 first partial shell

804 second partial shell

805 first depression

806 second depression

807 first flange

808 second flange

809 protruding edge section

810, 811 buckling line (also folding line; German: Knicklinie)

812 proximal flange section

813 distal flange section

814 cavity

862 folding line

863 proximal edge section

864 distal edge section

901 food packaging

902 food product

903 first partial shell

904 second partial shell

905 first depression

906 second depression

907 first flange

908 second flange

909 protruding edge section

910, 911 buckling line (also folding line; German: Knicklinie)

912 proximal flange section

913 distal flange section

914 cavity

915 first material

916 second material

917 third material

980/981 joint line

982 impact point

T separating plane

Number	Date	Country	Kind
10 2016 216 444.9	Aug 2016	DE	national
20 2017 101 401.0	Mar 2017	DE	national

Partial Shell for Packaging a Food Product, Packaging for a Food Product and Packaged Food Product

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (2)

PCT Information