FOOD PACKAGING

Abstract

Packaging, in particular pre-packaging, for food, comprising a side part. The side part encloses a receiving space for food, and a bottom part. The bottom part is connected to the side part. The connection between the side part and the bottom part includes, at least partially, a releasable connection. The connection between the side part and the bottom part includes, at least partially, a permanent connection. The permanent connection is at least partially movable. The at least partially movable configuration of the permanent connection allows a hinge effect between the side part and the bottom part. The bottom part can be folded down after an at least partially release of the releasable connection.

Claims

1) Packaging, in particular pre-packaging, for food, comprising: a side part, the side part enclosing a receiving space for food, and a bottom part, the bottom part being connected to the side part, the connection between the side part and the bottom part comprising at least partially a releasable connection, wherein, the connection between the side part and the bottom part comprises at least partially a permanent connection, the permanent connection being at least partially movable, the at least partially movable configuration of the permanent connection allowing a hinge effect between the side part and the bottom part, wherein the bottom part can be folded down after an at least partially release of the releasable connection.

2) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein, the releasable connection comprises at least one means for releasably connecting the bottom part to the side part, in particular a releasable tear strip.

3) The packaging according to claim 2, wherein, the at least one means for releasably connecting the bottom part to the side part has at least one means for releasing the releasable connection, in particular at least one tab.

4) The packaging according to claim 3, wherein, the at least one means for releasably connecting the bottom part to the side part has two means for releasing the releasable connection, in particular two tabs, the means for releasing the releasable connection being arranged at opposite ends of the means for releasably connecting the bottom part to the side part.

5) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part is essentially rigid.

6) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part has a thickness of at least 0.20 mm, preferably at least 0.40 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.60 mm.

7) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part and/or the side part at least partially have a thickness of 0.2 to 2.0 mm, preferably 0.3 to 1.0 mm, particularly preferably 0.60 to 0.75 mm.

8) The packaging according to claim 7, wherein the side part has at least partially a thickness of 0.50 to 0.70 mm, preferably 0.55 to mm, in particular 0.60 mm, and/or the bottom part has at least partially a thickness of 0.60 to 0.80 mm, preferably 0.70 to 0.75 mm, in particular 0.70 mm.

9) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the permanent connection is at least partially flexible.

10) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part at least partially has a non-stick surface, in particular a non-stick coating and/or a non-stick structure.

11) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the side part and/or the bottom part comprises a heat-resistant, preferably microwaveable material, in particular plastic and/or light metal.

12) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the packaging further comprises a releasable and/or resealable lid.

13) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part comprises at least one bottom section and at least one side section, the bottom section being at least partially connected to the side section at an angle of not equal to 0, in particular of essentially 90, preferably formed integrally with the side section.

14) The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the packaging comprises at least one retaining element, in particular an at least partially circumferential sealing edge.

15) A method for serving, in particular for appealingly providing, food, comprising the steps: placing the packaging according to claim 1 on or over a tableware, at least partially loosening the releasable connection of the packaging, and at least partial opening of the bottom part so that food contained in the packaging can be transferred, in particular slide, from the packaging via the bottom part onto a tableware.

16) Use of the packaging according to claim 1 for serving, in particular for appealingly providing, food in a large-scale kitchen and/or in a communal catering facility, in particular in a hospital, a retirement home and/or a care facility.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] The drawing shows in

[0085] FIG. 1 in a schematic representation, a first embodiment of the packaging according to the invention according to the first aspect,

[0086] FIG. 2 in a schematic representation, the first embodiment of the packaging according to the invention of the first aspect during a step of the method according to the invention according to the second aspect,

[0087] FIG. 3 in a schematic representation, a second embodiment of the packaging according to the invention according to the first aspect,

[0088] FIG. 4 in a schematic representation, a third embodiment of the packaging according to the invention according to the first aspect,

[0089] FIG. 5 in a schematic representation, a fourth embodiment of the packaging according to the invention according to the first aspect, and

[0090] FIG. 6 in a schematic representation, a fifth embodiment of packagings according to the invention according to the first aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0091] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a packaging for food according to the first aspect. In the present embodiment, the packaging 1 has the shape of a rectangular menu tray. The packaging 1 comprises a releasable and/or resealable lid 9. For example, the lid 9 is a peelable film. In addition, the packaging 1 comprises a side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d enclosing a receiving space (not shown). In the present case, the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d comprises four straight sides, two opposite sides having the same length in each case.

[0092] Further, the packaging 1 comprises a bottom part 3 which is connected to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. Preferably, the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and/or the bottom part 3 comprises a heat-resistant, particularly preferably microwaveable material, in particular plastic and/or light metal.

[0093] The connection 5a, 5b comprises at least in part a releasable connection 5a and at least in part a substantially fixed connection 5b. The releasable connection 5a extends completely over three of the four sides of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and over the fourth side at least partially. The substantially fixed connection 5b extends over a portion of the fourth side of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0094] While the bottom part 3 is permanently connected to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d by the substantially fixed connection 5b, the releasable connection 5a can be released by releasing the means 6 for releasably connecting the bottom part 3 to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. In the present case, the means 6 for releasably connecting the bottom part 3 to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d comprises a tear strip. Further, the means 6 for releasably connecting the bottom part 3 to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d comprises two means 7 for releasing the releasable connection 5a, which are in the form of tabs. The tear strip has two opposite ends, at each of which a tab is arranged. In this way, the packaging 1 is symmetrically configured, which also enables symmetrical release of the releasable connection 5a.

[0095] The bottom part 3 of the packaging 1 preferably has at least partially a non-stick surface (not visible), in particular a non-stick coating and/or a non-stick structure.

[0096] The packaging 1 is suitable for use for serving, in particular for the appealing provision, of food, for example in a large-scale kitchen and/or in a communal catering facility, in particular in a hospital, a retirement home and/or a care facility.

[0097] The packaging 1 allows to perform a method for serving, in particular for appealingly providing, food comprising the steps of placing the packaging 1 onto a tableware, at least partially releasing the releasable connection 5a of the packaging 1, at least partially opening the bottom part so that food contained in the packaging can be transferred, in particular slide, from the packaging onto a tableware via the bottom part.

[0098] FIG. 2 shows the packaging 1 during at least partial release of the releasable connection 5a of the packaging 1. The user of the packaging 1 can release the tear strip to the side, for example, and thus release the releasable connection 5a between the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and the bottom part 3. Alternatively, the tear strip can be peeled off at the other tab or simultaneously at both tabs.

[0099] At the fourth side of the side part, to which the tear strip is only partially attached, there is a permanent substantially fixed connection 5b between the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and the bottom part 3.

[0100] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the packaging according to the first aspect. In the present case, the means 6 for releasably connecting the bottom part 3 to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, for example the tear strip shown in FIG. 2, has already been removed, thus releasing the releasable connection 5a of the bottom part 3 to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0101] The bottom part 3 of the packaging 1 is essentially rigid. By releasing the releasable connection 5a, the bottom part 3 folds down at the sides which are no longer connected to the bottom part 3. However, the bottom part 3 is still connected to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d via the substantially fixed connection 5b. In the present case, the substantially fixed connection 5b between the bottom part 3 and the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is configured to be at least partially movable, in particular flexible. In this way, the substantially fixed connection 5b acts like a joint and allows the bottom part 5b to be folded down.

[0102] The bottom part 3 of the packaging 1 preferably has at least partially a non-stick surface (not visible), in particular a non-stick coating and/or a non-stick structure.

[0103] In FIG. 4, a third embodiment of the packaging according to the invention according to the first aspect is shown. The packaging 1 is positioned over a tableware 11, for example, after the food 10 has been heated. The releasable connection 5a between the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and the bottom part 3 has been released and the bottom part 3 is connected to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d only by the substantially fixed connection 5b.

[0104] Food 10 is located on the bottom part 3, preferably the food 10 comprises two or more components. In particular, the food 10 is a ready-made menu.

[0105] The bottom part 3 of the packaging 1 has at least partially a non-stick surface 8, in particular a non-stick coating and/or a non-stick structure. When the bottom part 3, after removal of the means 6 for releasably connecting the bottom part 3 to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, folds down towards the tableware 11, in particular due to the weight of the food 10, the bottom part 3 then forms a ramp over which the food 10 can slide onto the tableware 11. The non-stick surface 8 of the bottom part 3 promotes sliding of the food 10 onto the tableware 11 without food residues remaining in the packaging 1.

[0106] In this way, a simple, fast, and substantially complete transfer of the food 10 onto the tableware 11 can be achieved, as well as an appealing presentation of the food 10 on the tableware 11. As a result, the loss of food is extremely low and the waste contains virtually no odorous or unhygienic residue. Moreover, the user of the packaging 1 does not come into contact with the food 10, so that any soiling of hands or clothing is avoided, nor does he need a serving tool to transfer the food 10 onto the tableware 11.

[0107] After transferring the food 10 onto the tableware 11, the bottom part 3 can be folded up again and the packaging 1 disposed of without the risk of food residues falling out and leading to soiling.

[0108] FIG. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of a packaging for food according to the first aspect. The packaging 1 comprises a side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d having four sides and forming a substantially rectangular receiving space for receiving at least one food product (not shown). In this regard, the sides 2a and 2c of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d have, for example, a ratio of about 1 to 1.3 to the sides 2b and 2d.

[0109] The bottom part 3 comprises a bottom section 3a and three side sections 3b, 3c, 3d. The side sections 3b, 3c, 3d are formed integrally with each other as well as with the bottom section 3a of the bottom part 3. The side section 3c extends over the entire side 2a and the side sections 3b, 3d extend at least partially over the sides 2b and 2d of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0110] The bottom part 3 is releasably connected to the sides 2b and 2d of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d via the side sections 3b, 3d. At the sides 2b and 2d, moreover, the height of the respective side sections 3b and 3d decreases in the direction of the side 2c. The side sections 3b and 3d fold down together with the bottom section 3a of the bottom part 3 after the releasable connection 5a has been released, and serve in particular as splash guards for substantially liquid food such as, for example, soups or stews or also pureed food. When transferring food onto, for example, a tableware (not shown), the side sections 3b and 3d ensure in particular that the food slides as completely as possible onto the tableware.

[0111] The bottom part 3 is substantially fixedly connected to the side 2a of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d via a part of the side section 3c. After the releasable connection 5a is released, the bottom section 3a and the side sections 3b, 3d of the bottom part 3 fold down, while the side section 3c, which is partly substantially fixedly connected to a part of the side 2a of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, rather folds upwards and/or to the side. This facilitates, in particular, a contactless transfer of frozen foods onto a tableware as well as a subsequent plate regeneration.

[0112] The releasable connection 5a extends completely over three of the four sides of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and over the fourth side 2a at least partially. The releasable connection 5b comprises a means 6 formed as a tear strip for releasably connecting the bottom part 3 to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. The tear strip has two means 7a, 7b for releasing the releasable connection 5a, which are formed as tabs. The tabs are arranged at opposite ends 6a, 6b of the tear strip. In this way, the releasable connection 5a can be released from both sides and thus in a particularly simple manner by both left-handed and right-handed persons. In addition, symmetrical release of the releasable connection 5a is made possible.

[0113] The substantially fixed connection 5b extends over only a portion of the fourth side 2a of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, thereby particularly facilitating the folding down of the bottom section 3a and the side sections 3b, 3d of the bottom part 3 after the releasable connection 5b has been released. The substantially fixed connection 5b comprises a reduced thickness of only 0.10 mm and is thus configured in a manner of a hinge. This enables the bottom part 3 to be folded down even when the packaging 1 is empty and/or prevents the bottom part 3 from springing back unintentionally, while at the same time ensuring the substantially fixed connection of the bottom part 3 to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0114] While the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d has a thickness of essentially 0.60 mm, the bottom part 3 has different thicknesses. While the bottom part 3 has predominantly a thickness of 0.70 mm, the bottom part 3 has a thickness of 0.75 mm in a flow area (shaded area) where the food is transferred from the bottom part 3 onto a tableware, which gives the bottom part additional stability at this point and facilitates folding down. The side sections 3b, 3c, 3d have a thickness of substantially 0.60 mm corresponding to the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

[0115] Further, the packaging 1 comprises a retaining element 12, which is formed as a sealing edge 13 surrounding the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. The retaining element 12 serves for gripping and/or holding the packaging 1. The sealing edge 13 has a thickness of substantially about 1.00 mm at points which are subjected to particular stress when the releasable connection 5b is released, while the sealing edge 13 has a thickness of substantially only about 0.60 mm at comparably less stressed points of the packaging 1, in particular of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, for example. Thus, for example, in order to release the releasable connection 5b, the side 2a of the side part 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, in particular the retaining element 12 on this side 2a, is held with one hand and a means 7a, 7b formed as a tab for releasing the releasable connection 5a is gripped with the other hand in order to release the releasable connection 5a and allow the bottom part 3 to be folded down, as a result of which a correspondingly higher load is produced at this point, which can be compensated for accordingly with a greater thickness.

[0116] The packaging 1 in FIG. 6 is stacked inside one another with a further packaging 1. The at least one means 7 for releasing the releasable connection 5a, which is configured, for example, as a tab, is configured in such a way that the packagings 1 are stacked vertically spaced apart from one another. For this purpose, the lower edge of the means 7 for releasing the releasable connection 5a abuts against a shoulder of the lower packaging 1. The vertical spacing between the packagings 1 simplifies gripping of the retaining element 12, which is configured as an at least partially circumferential sealing edge 13. In this way, the stacked packagings 1 can be separated from one another again in a simple manner.

[0117] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0118] The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0119] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.