A Packaging Container and Process

Abstract

A packaging container for a product made from recyclable environmentally acceptable materials having a body (1) or compartment sealed by use of a gasket (6) and a cold-seal adhesive to bond a covering (7) without application of heat. The packaging container is useful in providing packaging for food products, medical products, surgical instruments and may be used to provide a sterile packaging container.

Claims

1. A liquid-tight packaging container for a product comprising a body, a planar, annular element, and a covering wherein: i) the body is made from cardboard or paperboard and comprises a bottom face, at least one wall upstanding from the bottom face defining a storage compartment for holding the product, and a flange projecting outwardly from a top of the at least one wall; ii) the annular element is made from card, cardboard, paper or paperboard and is located below the flange and comprises a continuous peripheral strip comprising an inner portion abutting an underside of the flange and an outer portion which extends beyond the periphery of the flange, the outer portion comprising a cold-seal adhesive which comprises a water-based adhesive comprising a natural rubber latex compound; and the covering is made from card, cardboard, paperboard or paper and overlays the flange and comprises cold-seal adhesive located on the covering so as to be in register with the cold-seal adhesive on the annular element and is bonded to the outer portion of the element so as to form a liquid tight seal.

2. A packaging container according to claim 1 wherein the annular element comprises a continuous peripheral strip defining an aperture of the same shape as the body.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. A packaging container according to claim 1 wherein the body further comprises an insert.

9. A packaging container according to claim 1 further comprising a secondary body which comprises a body made from cardboard or paperboard and which comprises a bottom face, at least one wall upstanding from the bottom face defining a storage compartment and a flange projecting outwardly from a top of the at least one wall of the secondary body, a secondary body annular element made from card, cardboard, paper or paperboard comprising a cold-seal adhesive which comprises a water-based adhesive comprising a natural rubber latex compound in register with the flange of the secondary body wherein the two bodies are discrete parts and wherein the covering further comprises cold-seal adhesive located so as to be in register with the cold-seal adhesive on the secondary body annular element so as to provide a single covering for the two bodies which connects and seals the two bodies.

10. A packaging container according to claim 1 further comprising a secondary body which comprises a body made from cardboard or paperboard and comprises a bottom face, at least one wall upstanding from the bottom face defining a storage compartment and a flange projecting outwardly from a top of the at least one wall of the secondary body, wherein the annular element defines two apertures adapted to receive the body and the secondary body whereby the annular element is in register with the flange of the body and the flange of the secondary body wherein the covering comprises cold-seal adhesive located on the covering so as to be in register with the cold-seal adhesive on the annular element such that the covering is bonded to the annular element and seals the body and the secondary body.

11. A packaging container according to claim 1 wherein the body and/or secondary body are constructed from a cardboard blank.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. A process of packaging a product in a packaging container comprising providing: i) a body made from cardboard or paperboard which comprises a bottom face, at least one wall upstanding from the bottom face defining a storage compartment for holding the product, and a flange projecting outwardly from a top of the at least one wall; ii) a planar annular element made from card, cardboard, paper or paperboard defining an aperture of substantially the same shape as the flange such that the body may pass through the aperture but the flange is retained by the annular element the annular element comprising an inner portion which is sized to be in register with the flange and an outer peripheral portion sized to extend beyond the flange, the outer portion comprising a pattern of cold-seal adhesive which comprises a water-based adhesive comprising a natural rubber latex compound; and iii) a covering made from card, cardboard, paperboard or paper adapted to overlay the flange and the annular element and comprising a cold-seal adhesive in the same pattern as the cold seal adhesive on the annular element; and locating the body in the aperture of the annular element such that the flange overlies and is in register with the inner portion of the annular element, placing the product in the body and applying the covering across the body and annular element in register with the aperture such that the covering engages with the flange and the outer peripheral portion of the annular element and applying pressure so as to seal the covering to the annular element.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. A packaging container according to claim 1 wherein the annular element comprises a continuous peripheral strip defining an aperture of similar-shape as the body.

Description

[0099] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation in section of a packaging container according to the invention;

[0100] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation in section of a packaging container according to the invention;

[0101] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a packaging container according to the invention without the covering;

[0102] FIG. 4 shows a side elevation in section of the seal of the packaging container in FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

[0103] FIG. 5 shows a side elevation of a multiple body packaging container according to the invention in an open configuration;

[0104] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation of the packaging container of FIG. 5 in a closed configuration;

[0105] FIG. 7 shows a plan of the packaging container of FIG. 5;

[0106] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the packaging container of FIG. 5;

[0107] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a guidepiece and separate gaskets for use in producing a packaging container having multiple bodies connected by the covering according to the invention;

[0108] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a guidepiece and gasket for use in producing a packaging container having perforations in the container between adjacent compartments according to the invention; and

[0109] FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of a process according to the invention.

[0110] FIG. 1 shows a packaging container according to the invention having a body (1) defined by a bottom (3) and side walls (4, 5 shown) and a flange (2) extending around the top of the side walls. A gasket (6) is provided and has an inner portion (6a) and an outer portion (6b), delineated by dotted line A, and is in register with the flange (2) with inner portion (6a) underlying the flange (2) and the outer portion (6b) extending beyond the flange (2). The container (1) has a covering (7) which overlies the body (1), the flange (2) and the outer portion (6b) of the gasket (6). The covering and gasket are bonded together by cold-seal adhesive present on the outer portion (6b) of the gasket (6) and, if desired, the appropriate location on the covering (7).

[0111] The gasket (6) has cold seal adhesive on the outer portion (6b) and, if desired, and preferably on the inner portion (6a) underlying the flange (2). The flange (2) may have cold-seal adhesive applied to its underside for bonding with the gasket (6a) and/or its top side for bonding to the covering (7). In a preferred arrangement, the underside and the upperside of flange (2), the inner portion (6a) and the outer portion (6b) of the gasket (6) and the covering (7), where it abuts the upperside of the flange and the outer portion of the gasket, each comprise cold-seal adhesive On application of the covering, the covering bonds to the gasket (6) and optionally the flange (2), suitably by the application of pressure.

[0112] FIG. 2 shows an alternative packaging container according to the invention. The gasket (6) is provided on top of the flange (2) and is in register therewith. The covering (7) overlies the body (1) and the gasket (6). The covering (7) and gasket (6) and the gasket (6) and the flange (2) are bonded together by cold-seal adhesive present on the upper side of the gasket and optionally the covering, and also on the lower side of the gasket and optionally the upper side of the flange.

[0113] FIG. 3 shows, in plan view, the packaging container of the invention with the gasket (6) underlying flange (2) with outer portion of the gasket (6b) extending beyond the flange (2). The outer portion (6b) accordingly presents a surface with coldseal adhesive for bonding to the covering.

[0114] FIG. 4 shows, in exploded sectional view, the sealing arrangement of the packaging container in FIG. 1. The gasket (6) has cold-seal adhesive on outer portion (6b). The covering (7) may optionally have cold-seal adhesive in a pattern which mirrors the shape of the outer portion (6b). Surfaces (6b) and (7b) are bonded together upon application of force, to provide a cold seal with flange (2) located between the gasket (6) and the covering (7). The flange (2) may be bonded to the gasket (6) with cold-seal adhesive being present on surface (6a) and optionally (2a) and preferably is so bonded with adhesive on surface (6a) and surface (2a), but need not be. As desired, the flange (2) may also be bonded to the covering (7) by cold-seal adhesive applied to surface (2b) and/or covering (7) in a pattern to mirror the shape of surface (2b). Preferably, adhesive is applied to surface (2b) and covering (7) in a pattern to mirror the shape of surface (2b).

[0115] FIG. 5 shows a packaging container (1) according to the invention in an open configuration in which the primary body and two secondary bodies are compartments suitable for receiving foodstuffs or meals or components thereof or which may be used for other non-food items, for example medical products or samples, hardware or other inanimate objects. The container includes a primary compartment (3) having an accessible opening (10) sealed by covering (7) and two secondary compartments (11, 12) each having a sealed accessible openings sealed by the covering (7), the seals being as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

[0116] The primary compartment (3) and the two secondary compartments (11, 12) are joined by hinges (13, 14) respectively which, in one embodiment are provided by the covering material which acts to close the bodies (3, 11, 12). The secondary compartments are dimensioned such that the width of the compartments (11, 12) is approximately the same as the width of the primary compartment (3) between the two hinges (13, 14). The length of the secondary compartments (13, 14) is the same as that of the primary compartment (3) as shown in FIG. 7, such that, in the closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the covering (7) of the secondary compartments (11, 12) lies across the covering of the primary compartment (3).

[0117] FIG. 6 shows the packaging container in a closed configuration. This arrangement advantageously provides a neat package suitable for easy handling or application of closure means, for example an adhesive label across the two secondary compartments or a sleeve (15) to hold them in the closed configuration.

[0118] Where the packaging container is to be employed for heated foodstuffs or a meal or meal components, this arrangement also beneficially provides thermal insulation by avoiding exposing the sealed coverings.

[0119] FIG. 7, shows a container according to the invention in which the primary compartment (3) has a width z and the two secondary compartments have widths x and y which may be the same or different. Suitably x+y=z such that in the closed configuration, the container is as shown in FIG. 6 with the two secondary compartments overlying the primary compartment.

[0120] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the primary compartment may be shaped to have a tapered profile from the top to the bottom such that removal of the contents from the compartment, particularly food or a meal or meal component is facilitated or the primary compartment may have a squarer profile. The secondary compartments (11, 12) may have a squarer cross-section or be tapered as desired.

[0121] FIG. 9 shows a guidepiece (20) having three apertures around which are placed, respectively three gaskets (21, 22, 23) and into which are placed three bodies (3, 11, 12) each having their own independent flanges (24, 25, 26). The outer parts of each gasket extends beyond the corresponding flange, presenting a surface to which the covering (7) (not shown) is to be bonded. The covering will thereby link the separate primary compartment (3) and secondary compartments (11, 12) so as to form a single packaging container having three bodies.

[0122] The gaskets (21, 22, 23) have cold seal adhesive on the portion of the gasket extending beyond the flanges (24, 25, 26) and, if desired, on the portion of the gaskets underlying the flanges such that the gaskets bond to the underside of the flanges. The flanges (24, 25, 26) may also have cold-seal adhesive applied to their underside for bonding with the gaskets (21, 22, 23) and/or their top sides, as shown, for bonding to the covering when applied. The cold seal adhesive is suitably applied to each surface in a pattern such that the cold seal adhesive on adjacent surfaces is in register. On application of the covering, the covering bonds to the gaskets and optionally the upper surface of the flanges by the application of pressure on the covering with the guidepiece 20 providing a reaction force to the applied force for sealing the covering.

[0123] FIG. 10 shows a packaging container according to the invention having a primary compartment (3) and two secondary compartments (11, 12) with a common flange (27) which also includes cross parts (28, 29) which separate the compartments (3, 11 12) with each shared periphery having perforations (30, 31) along their length allowing one or both the secondary compartments (11, 12) to be separated from the primary compartment (3). A single gasket 32 is provided which extends beyond the edge of the common flange (27). The gasket (32) has cold seal adhesive on the portion of the gasket extending beyond the flange (27) and, if desired, on the portion underlying the flange (27). The common flange (27) may have cold-seal adhesive applied to its underside for bonding with the gasket (32) and/or its top side, as shown, for bonding to the covering when applied. On application of the covering, the covering bonds to the gasket (32) and optionally the upper surface of the common flange (27) by the application of pressure on the covering with the guidepiece 20 providing a reaction force to the applied force for sealing the covering. The cold seal adhesive is suitably applied to each surface in a pattern such that the cold seal adhesive on adjacent surfaces is in register.

[0124] FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of a process according to the invention in which Production line 3 comprises or receives guide-piece 4. A reel or spool of material for the gasket 1 is provided and the gasket is punched or cut to shape in zone 2 and cold seal adhesive is applied to the gaskets. The gaskets are placed on the guide-piece in zone 5 to provide a guide-piece with gaskets having cold-seal adhesive which are located around the apertures in the guide-piece as shown in FIG. 9. The bodies of the packaging container are provided from zone 7 and may be pre-formed or provided as a blank and folded or otherwise manipulated into the shape of the bodies. Those bodies are then located in the apertures of the guide-piece in zone 6 with the flanges of each body overlying the inner portion of the gaskets, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0125] The partly assembled packaging container passes to zone 8 where the contents, for example a food product, are placed in the bodies. In zone 9, the covering is applied across the top of the bodies and located in register with the exposed outer peripheral portions of the gaskets and sealed thereto by the application of pressure but no heat. The covering is provided from zone 10 and may be provided as discrete coverings for each packaging container or provided as a continuous reel or spool and cut to size before or after application to the bodies. Cold seal adhesive is applied to the covering in a pattern to mirror that of the cold seal on the gaskets. The covering is brought into register with the gaskets and the bodies, for example using register marks and then sealed to the gasket. Optionally, one or more of the bodies may be subjected to a gas flush step prior to sealing with the covering in zone 9. The sealed package may then be further processed, for example by folding and/or labelling in zone 11.