PACKAGING UNIT FROM A MOULDED PULP MATERIAL WITH DISPLAY OPENINGS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH PACKAGING UNIT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging unit (2) from a moulded pulp material, the packaging unit comprising a bottom part (4) with product receiving compartments for holding respective products, and a number of cones that are provided between the compartments, and having at least one bottom display surface, and a cover part (6) that is hingedly connected to the bottom part with a hinge-element (26), and having at least one cover display surface, wherein the packaging unit comprises a lock (28) for locking the bottom and cover parts in a closed position, wherein the bottom front surface and cover display surface comprise a number of display openings (42, 44, 46) that are positioned to display the product in the respective compartment, wherein the display openings in the bottom front surface and cover display surface are aligned, wherein the lock comprises a lock opening (32) and a cam element (30), and wherein the cam element is provided on a flapless front surface of the bottom part.

Claims

1. Packaging unit from a moulded pulp material, the packaging unit comprising: a bottom part with product receiving compartments for holding respective products, and a number of cones that are provided between the compartments, and having at least one bottom front surface; and a cover part that is hingedly connected to the bottom part with a hinge-element, and having at least one cover display surface, wherein the packaging unit comprises a lock for locking the bottom and cover parts in a closed position, wherein at least one of the bottom front surface and cover display surface comprise a number of display openings that are positioned to display the product in the respective compartment, wherein the display openings in the bottom front surface and cover display surface are aligned, wherein the lock comprises a lock opening and a cam element, and wherein the cam element is provided on a flapless front surface of the bottom part.

2. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the aligned display openings resemble an egg-shape.

3. Packaging unit according to claim 2, wherein the display opening in the bottom front surface extends over ⅔ of the height of the bottom part.

4. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein in a closed position the lock substantially lies behind a front plane of the packaging unit.

5. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the lock opening comprises a support surface that is configured for engaging the cam element.

6. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover display surface with the lock comprises a display extension that is positioned substantially below the lock opening.

7. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the hinge-element comprises a cover support part and a bottom support part.

8. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part on the display surface comprises a substantially horizontally extending bottom support surface configured for engaging the cover part.

9. Packaging unit according to claim 8, wherein the cover part on the display surface comprises a substantially horizontally extending cover support surface configured for engaging the bottom support surface.

10. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the cones are provided with one or more openings that are configured to enable a gas stream, such as an air stream, to pass through the openings.

11. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the hinge-element comprises an indent.

12. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the cover part comprises a substantially planar top surface.

13. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the moulded pulp material comprises an amount of natural fibers.

14. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the moulded pulp material comprises an amount of a biodegradable material.

15. Method for packing products comprising the step of providing a packaging unit according to claim 1, and placing therein one or more of the products.

16. Method for manufacturing a packaging unit from a moulded pulp material, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a moulded pulp material; and providing a packaging unit according to claim 1.

Description

[0053] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a packaging unit according to the invention in a closed position;

[0055] FIG. 2 shows the packaging unit of FIG. 1 in a position between a fully opened and a fully closed position;

[0056] FIG. 3 shows the packaging unit of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a fully opened position;

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the packaging unit of FIGS. 1-3;

[0058] FIG. 5 shows an alternative design of packaging unit according to the present invention; and

[0059] FIGS. 6A and B show an alternative embodiment of the packaging unit according to the invention.

[0060] Packaging unit 2 (FIGS. 1-4) comprises bottom part 4 and cover part 6. Bottom part 4 comprises front part/surface 8, first side surface 10, second side surface 12, back surface 14, and bottom surface 16. Cover part 6 comprises top surface 18, front surface 20, first side surface 22, second side surface 22, and back surface 24. Hinge 26 connects back surfaces 14, 24 of bottom part 4 and cover part 6, respectively.

[0061] In a closed position of packaging unit 2 (FIG. 1) front surfaces 8, 20 of bottom part 4 and cover part 6 respectively, are connected using lock 28. In the illustrated embodiment lock 28 comprises cam element 30 in bottom part 4 and opening 32 in cover part 6 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0062] Compartments 34 are provided in bottom part 4 and are capable of holding product P, such as an egg. Between compartments 34 there are provided a number of cones 36 that extend upwardly. In the illustrated embodiment cones 36 are provided with opening or hole 38.

[0063] Height H.sub.1 of packaging unit 2 (FIG. 1) is considered at the corner of bottom part 4. Bottom display opening 44 extends over a height H.sub.1-H.sub.2 in bottom part 4.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, hinge 26 comprises a number of hinge parts 40. In this illustrated embodiment hinge part 40 are aligned and are interrupted by cover display opening 42 and bottom display opening 44 (FIG. 3) that together define display opening 46 (FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment display opening 46 has a shape resembling an egg. It will be understood that other shapes can also be envisaged in accordance to the present invention.

[0065] Hinge parts 40 comprise a cover support part 48 that in a closed position of packaging unit 2 engages bottom support part 50 (FIG. 4). Furthermore, bottom part 4 comprises bottom support surface 52 and cover part 6 comprises cover support surface 54 (FIG. 2). In a closed position of packaging unit 2 bottom support surface 52 engages cover support surface 54.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment providing opening 38 to cone 36 provides a type of ventilation channel 56 inside of cone 36 (FIG. 4). Furthermore, in this illustrated embodiment cam 30 is provided with a top surface 58 that engages upper edge or support surface 60 of lock opening 32 in a closed position of packaging unit 2 (FIG. 4).

[0067] As illustrated, lock 28 preferably remains substantially behind front surface 62 (FIG. 4) defined by edges 64 of bottom part 4 and cover part 6 that emphasise display openings 44 and provide additional strength to packaging unit 2. In the illustrated embodiment hinge 26 further comprises indent 66 with side edges 68 (FIG. 3). Individual compartments 34 are separated from each other by walls or ribs 69 and cones 36.

[0068] Packaging unit 2 further comprises edge 70 (FIG. 2) to provide additional support to packaging unit 2. Display extension 71 (FIG. 1) extends in a substantially downward direction from opening 32. On the inside of top surface 8 there is provided print area 72 (FIG. 3). The moulded pulp material is optionally provided with natural fibres 74 (FIG. 2) and/or a biodegradable material. Optionally, natural fibres 74 can be allowed to remain visible on packaging unit 2, 102.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment packaging unit 2 comprises product receiving compartments 34 are provided in two rows of five compartments 34. It will be understood that other configurations can also be envisaged in accordance to the invention. For example, packaging unit 102 (FIG. 5) comprises cover part 104 and bottom part 106 with a number of display openings 108 enabling a visual view of products P. It will be understood that other designs can also be envisaged in accordance to the present invention.

[0070] Alternative packaging unit 202 (FIG. 6A-B) has bottom part 204 and cover part 206, and comprises more locks 228 with cams 230 and openings 232. In the illustrated embodiment the number of locks is equal to the number of egg compartments 234 in the front row of packaging unit 202 minus one. This improves the locking between bottom part 204 and cover part 206. Height H.sub.1 of packaging unit 202 (FIG. 6A) is considered at the corner of bottom part 204. Bottom display opening 44 extends over a height H.sub.1-H.sub.2 in bottom part 204.

[0071] When manufacturing packaging unit 2, 102 the moulded pulp material is provided to a mould, preferably with the moulded pulp material comprising a number of additives, such as an amount of AKD, ASA and/or other sizing components. In the illustrated embodiment, packaging unit 2, 102 is moulded in a moulding operation and then dried. The dried packaging units 2, 102 are then used to pack products P by placing one product P in respective compartment 34 to provide a packaging unit that is filled with products P and ready for storage, transport and/or display. Such packaging units enables a potential buyer to inspect products P while packaging unit 2, 102 remains on the shelf, for example.

[0072] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged. For example, lock 28 can be provided with differently shaped locking elements. Furthermore, a label can be attached to packaging unit 2, 102. The illustrated packaging unit 2 comprises ten product receiving compartments 34. It will be understood that another number of product receiving compartments 34 can also be envisaged in accordance with the invention. Although packaging unit 2 is shown for eggs, it may also be used for other products such as kiwis and tomatoes, for example.