FOOD PACKAGE

Abstract

The invention relates to a food package comprising a plurality of food products A food package includes packaging box having a body and a cover. The body has a bottom wall and first and second mutually opposed side walls, therewith defining an inner space in the body for granular food products. The inner space of the body is exposed at a top side for provision and removal of food products. The cover has a cover wall which at least covers said exposed inner space of the body. The body is provided with at least one strip extending above said inner space. The strip is interconnected to a corresponding one of the first and second side walls along an edge of the body, touches the cover wall—in at least a portion of the strip and at least substantially—and is configured to be elastically rotatable along the said edge of the body.

Claims

1. A food package comprising a plurality of food products comprising granules that may get separated from the food products during storage and/or transport; and a packaging box arranged around the plurality of food products and comprising a body that is provided with a bottom wall and first and second mutually opposed side walls, which bottom wall is interconnected with the first and the second side walls along edges of the packaging box, therewith defining an inner space in the body for the food products, which inner space of the body is exposed at a top side for provision and removal of food products, which packaging box further comprises a cover, said cover comprising at least a cover wall covering said exposed inner space of the body, wherein the body is provided with at least one strip extending above said inner space, which strip is interconnected to a corresponding one of the first and second side walls along an edge of the body, wherein the strip touches the cover wall, in at least a portion of the strip and at least substantially, and wherein the at least one strip is configured to be elastically rotatable along the said edge of the body.

2. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is no application of glue between the at least one strip and the cover wall.

3. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge of the body along which the strip is interconnected to the side wall is embodied as a scoreline.

4. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strip of the body encloses an angle relative to a plane parallel to the bottom wall in the range of 15 to 60 degrees, which is angle is measured when the strip is not in contact with the cover wall.

5. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein all side walls are provided with a strip extending above said inner space and touching the cover wall, in at least a portion of the strip and at least substantially.

6. The food package as claimed in claim 1, particularly claim 5, wherein the strip is provided with a strip edge substantially parallel to said edge of the body and with side edges extending between said strip edge and said body edge, and wherein said side edges are oriented obliquely.

7. The food package as claimed in claim 6, wherein the side edges and said body edge enclose an angle smaller than 45 degrees.

8. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first strip is provided with an access window facilitating access to the food product in the inner space after opening of the food package.

9. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises paperboard.

10. The food package as claimed in claim 9, wherein the paperboard body comprises a plurality of layers defining an asymmetrical layer stack.

11. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover wall is part of a cover that is assembled to the body.

12. The food package as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cover further comprising comprises first and second mutually opposed side walls, whereby the cover wall is interconnected with the first and the second side walls along edges of the packaging box.

13. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover wall is integrated with the body and is interconnected with at least one of the first and second side walls thereof.

14. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein an opening panel is defined at least in the cover wall by means of partially cut lines.

15. The food package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the food product is a sugar cube.

16. The food package as claimed in claim 5, wherein the strip is provided with a strip edge substantially parallel to said edge of the body and with side edges extending between said strip edge and said body edge, and wherein said side edges are oriented obliquely.

17. The food package as claimed in claim 16, wherein the side edges and said body edge enclose an angle smaller than 45 degrees.

18. The food package as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cover wall is part of a cover that is assembled to the body by gluing.

19. The food package as claimed in claim 11, wherein an opening panel is defined at least in the cover wall by partially cut lines.

20. The food package as claimed in claim 12, wherein an opening panel is defined at least in the cover wall by partially cut lines.

Description

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] These and other aspects of the food package of the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the Figures, wherein:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a blank of the body of the packaging box of the food package;

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a blank of the cover of the packaging box of the food package;

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a view in bird's eye perspective of the packaging box from a bottom side, wherein the bottom wall is made transparent/not shown;

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a view in bird's eye perspective of the body of the packaging box;

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the body of the packaging box,

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a view in bird's eye perspective of the packaging box, of which the opening panel is opened, and

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a view in bird's eye perspective of a further embodiment of the packaging box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The figures are not drawn to scale and diagrammatical in nature. Equal reference numerals in different figures refer to identical or corresponding elements. The food products are not shown in the food package, for sake of clarity.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the food package, more particularly the packaging box thereof. The packaging box is constructed from two major elements, the body and the cover. A blank of the body 10 is shown in FIG. 1 A blank of the cover 60 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 6, the packaging box is suitably block-shaped with a cover wall comprising opening panel 68 on a top side and extending to a front side with a front side portion 65. Upon opening, portions 69 of the cover wall (61, see FIG. 2) remain closed. The opened opening panel 68 exposes an inner space of the packaging box, and also of the body (10, see, FIG. 1). The inner space is defined by means of a bottom wall 11 and first side walls 12 (see FIG. 1) and second side walls 16. The cover further comprises first side walls 62 (see FIG. 2) and second side walls 66. Glue may be present between the first side walls 12, 62 and between the second side walls 16, 66, so as to mutually fix the body and the cover. FIG. 6 additionally shows a strip 22, provided with an access window 29.

[0039] It was found that a commercially available food package without such strip 22 showed leakage of sugar granules, particularly when transported over major distances, and/or stored in warehouses during a significant time span. This leakage is counteracted by the present invention. It is evidently desired herein, that costs remain low. For marketing reasons, it is beneficial if a packaging box does not need to change fundamentally in aspects other than those needed for implementing the present invention; it is an advantage of the present invention that this goal can indeed be achieved. In order to prevent contamination, any additional use of glue is deemed risky and preferably to be avoided. One solution could have been the sealing of the packaging box or a plurality of packaging boxes with an additional sealing layer, such as for instance made of polyethylene film. However, this is deemed undesired in view of cost and environmental concerns.

[0040] According to the invention, the body 10 is provided with strips 21, 22, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The strips 22 are interconnected to the first side walls 12 along body edges 23. The strips 21 are interconnected to the second side walls 16 along body edges 24. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, strips 21, 22 are present on all sides, i.e. along the four body edges 23, 24; however, this may not always be necessary. Moreover, the strips 21, 22 are present along the entire extension of the body edges 23, 24. This is preferable, but, depending on the situation and the requirements, may not be strictly necessary. In view of the construction of the cover and the body, it appears that the second side walls 16, 66 constitute the primary leakage path. Therefore, it is preferable, that the strips extend particularly along the body edges 24 to the second side walls 16, and more preferably, also along the body edges 23 in areas adjacent to the corners of the packaging box. More particularly, according to the invention, when the food package is closed the strips 21, 22 touch the cover wall 61. That is to say: the strips 21, 22 are in at least a portion thereof substantially in contact with the cover wall 61, without being fixed to the cover wall 61. This is achieved, in one embodiment of the invention, in that the strips 21, 22 are oriented upwards, in the sense that the main edge 25 of the strip 21, 22 extends higher than the body edge 23, 24. This is shown in FIG. 4 and particularly in FIG. 5. This higher extension occurs most prominently in the “free state”, i.e. when the packaging box is open. When body and cover are combined into a closed package box, the cover wall 61 of cover 60 suitably pushes back, i.e. exerts a downwards force on the strips 21, 22. This pushing back is enabled in that the strips 21, 22 may rotate along the body edges 23, 24.

[0041] In a main implementation of the invention, the rotation along the body edges 23, 24 is configured to be elastic. It is deemed that such an elastic configuration is highly suitable to obtain an intimate contact between the strips 21, 22 and cover wall 61, so as to minimize leakage. Moreover, this configuration is beneficial in combination with a cover 60 that is relatively flexible, for example in case cover 60 is thin. When using a relatively flexible cover, the cover 60 may have a somewhat concave shape. As a consequence, the exact vertical location of a small area of the cover wall 61 of cover 60 may slightly vary. By configuring the strip to be elastically rotatable along the body edges 23, 24, the strip (and particularly a portion close to the strip edge 25) will touch the cover wall 61 even in situations wherein the vertical location of cover wall 61 varies somewhat. Moreover, when the cover wall 61 is pushed down, for instance when a plurality of packaging boxes are stacked on top of each other, the strip 21, 22 may adapt its orientation.

[0042] In an embodiment, the elastic rotation along the body edges 23, 24 is suitably implemented in that these body edges 23, 24 are embodied as score lines. The score line reduces the thickness of the body, and therewith generates a predefined line of rotation. The spring constant for the rotation may herein be chosen in lines with the needs. By means hereof, the strip can obtain an upwards orientation in its free state.

[0043] More preferably, the strip 21, 22 is configured to allow an elastic rotation around the body edge 23, 24, and to allow elastic deformation of the cover wall 61 and/or the strip 21, 22 relative to each other. The elastic rotation is a form of bending at the height of a connection piece (i.e. the body edge and/or an area around it), which is suitably fully elastic. Alternatively, the bending may be elastic within a range of angles. The spring constant is suitably large enough to withstand the force of gravity, and to provide a counterforce against the cover wall 61 of the cover 60. The elastic deformation of the cover wall 61 and/or the strip 21, 22 can be suitably arranged in that the cover wall 61 of the cover 60 is less stiff (more flexible) than the strip 21, 22 and more preferably less stiff than the connection piece (for instance the score line at the body edge 23, 24). This preferred embodiment enables that the cover wall 61 will obtain a shape that is conformal to the strip 21, 22 at a microscopic level.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a blank of the body 10 provided with a bottom wall 11 as a central portion, and first side walls 12, and second side walls 16. The first side walls 12 are interconnected to the bottom wall 11 along edges 13, which constitute folding lines. The second side walls 16 are interconnected to the bottom wall 11 along edges 14, constituting folding lines. The edges 13, 14 are preferably scored to facilitating folding as known to the skilled person. The edges 14 extend along the first side walls 12. They constitute interconnecting edges between the first side walls 12 and side flaps 17. The second side walls 16 are most suitably provided with incision lines 161. Further incision lines 171 are present, in this example in the side flaps 17. After folding, the side flaps 17 may be inserted through the incision lines 161 so as to constitute a mechanical connection. The corners 162 of an inner portion of the second side walls may again be inserted through the further incision lines 171, so as to strengthen and flatten said mechanical connection.

[0045] FIG. 1 further shows the presence of the strips 21, 22 that are interconnected to the first and second side walls 16, 12 along body edges 23, 24. The outer edge of the blank is defined by a strip edge 25. Side edges 26, 27 extend between the body edges 23, 24 and the strip edges 25, which suitably (as shown in this example of FIG. 1) extend substantially parallel to the body edges 23, 24 and enclose angles α.sub.1 and α.sub.2. The angles α.sub.1 and α.sub.2 of the side edges 26, 27 on the strips 22, 21 on the first and the second side walls 12, 16 may be mutually equal or different. Suitably, the sum of the angles α.sub.1 and α.sub.2 is smaller than 90 degrees. Preferably, each of the angles α.sub.1 and α.sub.2 is smaller than 45 degrees. However, if the width (i.e. the perpendicular distance between the body edge 23, 24 and the strip edge 25) of the strips 21, 22 is mutually different, it may be suitable that one angle is larger and the other is smaller than 45 degrees. It is deemed suitable that the angles of the side edges on a single strip are substantially equal in magnitude (though opposite in orientation). Alternatively, the angles on each left hand edges may be substantially identical and the angles on each right hand edge may be substantially identical. Further variations hereon are not excluded, and may depend on the exact design of the packaging box.

[0046] Preferably, the width of the strips is chosen in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 cm, for instance 0.4 to 0.8 cm. The exact width clearly depends on the size of the packaging box. It is preferably chosen such that the strip 21, 22 touches the cover wall 61 within a two-dimensional contact area (rather than only along a single line). The width is moreover relevant for the mechanical behavior of the strip. More particularly, it is understood that the desired width is dependent on the stiffness of the material of the cover wall, on tolerances in the manufacturing process, the vertical distance between the edge of the cover wall 61 and the edge of the strips 21, 22 (where connected to the side walls 16,12), and the size of the packaging box. More specifically, if the cover wall 61 is part of a cover 60 or cover portion extending first side walls 62, then the width is suitably in the range of 4-10% of the width of the cover wall 61 between the opposed side walls 62. As is apparent from the blank, the first side walls 12 have a length that is at least twice that of the second side walls 16. However, this is an implementation open to design and also dependent on the package size.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows the blank of the cover 60 used in this preferred embodiment. However, it is not excluded that an alternative cover is used. A cover wall 61 is arranged as a central piece. First and second side walls 62, 66 are interconnected to the cover wall 61 along edges 63, 64, embodied as folding lines. The folding line 64 extends to the first side wall 62 is used a folding line with the side flaps 67. An opening panel 68 is defined, primarily in the cover wall 61, with a front portion 65 extending on one of the first side walls 12. A removal strip 75 is defined for facilitating the opening of the opening panel 68. The opening panel 68 and the removal strip 75 are defined on the basis of a partially cut lines 73A, 73B, 74A, 74B. The partially cut lines 73A-74B suitably have a dotted, a dash-dotted or a dashed pattern, i.e. with cutted portions and non-cutted portions. The cut portions may extend fully or partially through the material of the cover 60. It is suitable that the partially cut line 73A on the cover wall 61 has a different pattern than the partially cut lines on the first side wall 73B, 74A, 74B. Reasons may be both to prevent inflow of moisture into the packaging box, but also easy operation by a user. The partially cut line 73A is suitably less open (more closed), in view thereof that there is no underlying additional package layer.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the packaging box in a bird's eye perspective from a bottom side. For sake of illustration, the bottom wall 11 is shown to be transparent. This figure illustrates how the strips 21, 22 touch the cover wall 61. Preferably, this touching occurs over a two-dimensional contact area, wherein the cover wall 61 and the strip 21, 22 are mutually aligned, therewith leaving no intermediate gap.

[0049] FIGS. 4 and 5 furthermore show the body 10 in different perspectives. As is clear hereof, the strip 21, 22 extend upwards, at least slightly, so as to bridge any gap with the cover 60, and to ensure the presence of a two-dimensional contact area. Glue may be provided to the side walls 12, 16 so as to fix the cover 60 to the body 10. Such glue may be defined as a glue line on the rear side of the cover, and be activated thermally. The thermal activation may be provided by heat dissipating from food products, i.e. sugar cubes inside the inner space defined by the body 10. However, alternative manners for fixation of the cover 60 to the body 10 are not excluded.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows in a schematical bird's eye perspective a further embodiment of the packaging box in accordance with the invention. The box is shown in a state before filling with sugar cubes and before final bending of the cover wall 61 and related pieces 62, 66 for closing the packaging box. According to this embodiment, the cover wall 61 is integrated with body 10, in the sense that the cover wall 61 is interconnected to one side wall 12 of the body 10. The cover wall 61 and the other elements of the body (i.e. the bottom wall 11, and the side walls 12, 16, and the strips 21,22) are thus composed of a single piece of material.

[0051] As shown in this embodiment, the cover wall 61 is interconnected to the side wall 12 extending on the long side of the bottom wall 11. This side wall 12 defines suitably the rear side of the packaging box. However, it is not excluded that this side wall 12 defines the front wall of the packaging box, and that an opening panel is defined that extends both on the cover wall 61 and the side wall 12 to which the cover wall 61 is connected. As is further shown in this FIG. 7, the cover wall 61 is connected to side walls 62, 66. These side walls are designed to be aligned with the side walls 12, 16. Suitably, the side walls 12,62 and 16,66 are again glued or otherwise fixated.

[0052] Rather than that the cover wall 61 is interconnected to the side wall 12 and is part of the body, the cover wall 61 could be interconnected to a further side wall 62, extending parallel with and being assembled to the (rear) side wall 12, for instance by means of glue. Such a design minimizes paper consumption by leaving out flaps 67 (as shown in FIG. 2). This omission of the flaps 67 is enabled through the strips 21, 22, which protect the edges of the packaging box against leakage. Moreover, because the flaps 67 are left out, the box gets thinner on the sides, and any grooves between the flaps 67, the side wall 66 and the side wall 16 are minimized.

[0053] Tests were carried out with the improved packaging box containing sugar cubes supplied by the Applicant under the trade name of Harde Klontjes™/Morceaux durs™. These sugar cubes contain a groove facilitating division of the sugar cube by a user. Use was made of packaging boxes of the invention and of known packaging boxes currently used by Applicant. Sugar cubes were provided into the package box directly after their formation in an amount of 1 kg. The embodiment of the packaging box as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 was used. The prior art packaging box had a substantially similar design, however did not have strips (21, 22). The packaging box was closed by means of glue on the first and second side walls. After storing, the packaging boxes were rotated over 360° several times, such that the cover went through a downwards-oriented position during each rotation. The amount of sugar granules leaking from the packaging box according to the invention was close to zero, and in this test at least 80% and mostly more than 90% smaller than the amount of sugar granules leaking from the prior art packaging box.

[0054] Thus, in summary, the invention provides a food package for a plurality of food products comprising granules, such as sugar cubes. The food package comprises a packaging box arranged around the food products and comprising a body 10. The body 10 is provided with a bottom wall 11 and first and second mutually opposed side walls 12, 16, therewith defining an inner space in the body 10 for the food products. The inner space of the body 10 is exposed at a top side for provision and removal of food products. The packaging box further comprises a cover 60 comprising a cover wall 61; cover wall 61 covers covering said exposed inner space of the body 10. The body 10 is provided with at least one strip 21, 22 extending above said inner space, which strip is interconnected to a corresponding one of the first and second side walls 16, 12 along an edge 23, 24 of the body, wherein the strip 21, 22 touches the cover wall 61, in at least a portion of the strip 21, 22 and at least substantially. The strip 21, 22 is suitably configured such that a two-dimensional contact surface exists between the cover wall 61 and the strips 21,22. The strip is suitably extending upwards in a free state, without counterforce from the cover 60. The body edge may thereto be defined as score lines, defining a connection piece along which an elastic rotation or bending of the strip is feasible.