PACKAGING UNIT WITH RIBS AND METHOD FOR PACKING PRODUCTS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging unit (2) with a label for products like eggs, and a method there for. The packaging unit according to the present invention comprises: a cover part (14) comprising top, front, side and rear surfaces; and a bottom part (4) comprising a number of compartments (26) for individual products, and a number of cones (28) that are positioned between adjacent compartments; wherein the bottom part comprising a number of ribs (34) extending between at least some of the compartments, wherein the bottom part further comprises a groove (48) between adjacent compartments, and wherein the grooves fire configured to receive part of the ribs of another packaging unit

Claims

1. Packaging unit from a moulded pulp material for products like eggs, comprising: a cover part comprising top, front, side and rear surfaces; and a bottom part comprising a number of compartments for individual products, and a number of cones that are positioned between adjacent compartments; wherein the bottom part comprises a number of ribs extending between at least some of the compartments, wherein the bottom part further comprises a groove between adjacent compartments, and wherein at least one of the grooves is configured to receive at least part of one of the ribs of another similar packaging unit.

2. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least the adjacent compartments at the sides of the packaging unit are provided with a groove.

3. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the grooves are configured to support the ribs of another packaging unit in a stack of packaging units.

4. Packaging unit according to claim 1, the ribs are provided with a V-shaped cross-section.

5. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the ribs are provided with a V-shape in a length direction of the ribs.

6. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the ribs connect to the compartments at a height of more than 4 mm above the ground surface as defined by the bottom side of the bottom part.

7. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a number of ribs extend in a width direction of the packaging unit, such that the ribs extend substantially perpendicular to a front surface of the bottom and have a width of more than 0.9 mm.

8. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the compartments comprise a bottom with an elevated portion, wherein the bottom of the elevated portion is provided with a convex shape.

9. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part comprises a number of denest-elements having a height in the range of 2-7 mm.

10. Packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the cones are provided with openings that are configured to enable a gas stream to pass through the opening.

11. Packaging unit according to claim 10, wherein the openings having an effective diameter in the range of 0.5-15 mm.

12. Packaging unit according to claim 10, wherein at least some of the openings are provided at or close to the top of the cone.

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 like eggs, comprising the step of providing a packaging unit according to claim 1, and placing therein one or more of the products.

Description

[0045] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on a basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a 3-dimensional view of a packaging unit according to the invention;

[0047] FIG. 2A shows a top view of the packaging unit of FIG. 1 in an open position;

[0048] FIGS. 2B-D show a side view and two cross-sections of the packaging unit of FIG. 2A, respectively;

[0049] FIGS. 2E-F show views of the bottom and top parts of the packaging unit of FIG. 2A in the open position, respectively;

[0050] FIGS. 3A-D show top, front, side and bottom view of the packaging unit of FIG. 1 in a closed position, respectively; and

[0051] FIGS. 4A-B a 3-dimensional view of an alternative packaging unit with 10 compartments;

[0052] FIGS. 4C-D a 3-dimensional view of a further alternative packaging unit with 12 compartments; and

[0053] FIGS. 4E-F a 3-dimensional view of an even further alternative packaging as a twin-pack.

[0054] A packaging unit 2 (FIG. 1) comprises bottom part 4 with front surface 6, two side surfaces 8, rear side 10, and bottom side 12. In the illustrated embodiment, cover part 14 is hingedly connected with hinge 16 to bottom part 4 to allow cover part 14 to move relatively to bottom part 4 between an open (FIG. 2A-F) and a closed (FIG. 3A-D) position. Cover part 14 further comprises front surface 18, two side surfaces 20, rear side 22 and top surface 24.

[0055] On the inside of bottom part 4 (FIGS. 1 and 2A-F) product receiving compartments 26 are provided having contours matching at least partially the outer contours of the products, like eggs, kiwis and tomatoes, for example. Support cones 28 are provided to add stability and strength to packaging unit 2.

[0056] Cones 28 are provided with opening 30. In the illustrated embodiment opening 30 is provided at the top of cone 28. It will be understood that additional openings and/or alternative positions can also be envisaged in accordance to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment opening 30 has an (effective) diameter of about 5.6 mm it will be understood that other sizes and shapes of opening 30 can also be envisaged in alternative embodiments of the invention. Opening 30 provides channel 32 in or through cone 28 to enable a gas flow through cone 28, especially during drying.

[0057] Ribs 34 (FIGS. 1-3) are provided between adjacent compartments 26. Ribs 34 have a V-shaped cross-section and a V-shape when seen in length direction of rib 34 between two adjacent compartments 26. Ribs 34 connect to compartments 26 at a height H above the ground surface as defined by bottom side 12 of bottom part 4. In the illustrated embodiment height H is about 5 mm. Providing height H enables grippers to grip packaging unit 2. This improves handling of packaging unit 2. In the illustrated embodiment ribs 34 have a height of about 7.5 mm. Tests showed an effective increase of the overall strength of packaging unit 2.

[0058] Compartments 26 of bottom part 4 have support surfaces 36 comprise elevated bottom 38 having a spherical shape. Denest elements 40a in cover part 14 are provided having a height of about 6-8 mm. Denest elements 40b in bottom part 4 are providing having a height of about 3-6 mm extending from edge 41. Optionally, a label (not shown) is provided to one or more of the surfaces of packaging unit 2.

[0059] Lock 42 comprises opening 44 in cover part 14 and nose shaped cam 46 of bottom part 4. Cam 46 is provided on flap 49 that is hingedly connected by connection 50 to bottom part 4 of packaging unit 2. Optionally, cam 46 defines a closed outer surface or outer contour defining a chamber. In the illustrated embodiment the substantially downward facing surface of cam 46 may contact opening 44 to achieve lock 42. In the closed position of packaging unit 2 (FIG. 3A-D), cam 46 partly extends through opening 44 that is provided in the front surface 18 of cover part 14. The upper edge of opening 44 is optionally provided at a small angle and is slightly pushed inwards. It will be understood that according to the invention other locks may also be applied.

[0060] When packing products like eggs, the products are placed in compartments 28. In the illustrated embodiment, when cover part 14 is closed lock 42 with locking elements 44, 46 locks packaging unit 2. In the illustrated embodiment, in such closed position cam 46 partly extends and protrudes through opening 44 of front surface 18 of cover part 14.

[0061] Grooves 48 are provided in bottom part 4. Grooves 48 are configured to receive part of ribs 34. Grooves 48 are optionally provided between all adjacent compartments 26. In the illustrated embodiment grooves 48 are specifically (and only) provided between the two outer compartments 26′ at the sides of bottom part 4.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment packaging unit 2 has a length L in a closed position (FIG. 3A-D) of about 247 mm, a width W of about 107 mm, and a height H.sub.p of about 68 mm. It will be understood that other dimensions are also possible and may depend on the number of compartments 26 in packaging unit 2. Packaging unit 2 is made of a moulded pulp material that optionally comprises a biodegradable material such an aliphatic polyester, for example PLA, PBS. Also optionally, the moulded pulp material may comprise an amount of natural fibers such as grass fibers. Further examples of biodegradable materials and/or natural fibers are described in WO 2018/067006 A1 of the same applicant.

[0063] In the manufacturing process packaging units 2 are formed from moulded pulp. After forming packaging units 2 are dried. Opening 30 in cones 28 enable a gas flow through channel 32, thereby improving the drying process.

[0064] It will be understood that packaging unit 2 having ten product compartments can also be provided as a related packaging unit with another number of product compartments. For example, similar packaging units having twelve product compartments or twin pack units having two packaging units with each 6 product compartments. Also, these related packaging units can be provided in a similar design having the same or at least similar features as shown for packaging unit 2.

[0065] Alternative packaging unit 102 (FIG. 4A-B) comprises bottom part 104 with front surface 106, two side surfaces 108, rear side 110, and bottom side 112. In the illustrated embodiment, cover part 114 is hingedly connected with hinge 116 to bottom part 104 to allow cover part 114 to move relatively to bottom part 104 between an open (FIG. 4B) and a closed (FIG. 4A) position. Cover part 114 further comprises front surface 118, two side surfaces 120, rear side 122 and top surface 124.

[0066] On the inside of bottom part 4 (FIG. 4B) product receiving compartments 126 are provided having contours matching at least partially the outer contours of the products, like eggs, kiwis and tomatoes, for example. Support cones 128 are provided to add stability and strength to packaging unit 2. In this embodiment support cones 128 are provided with closed top 130.

[0067] Ribs 134 are provided between adjacent compartments 126 and have a V-shaped cross-section and a V-shape when seen in length direction of rib 134 between two adjacent compartments 126. Ribs 134 connect to compartments 126 at a height H above the ground surface as defined by bottom side 112 of bottom part 104. In the illustrated embodiment height H is about 5 mm. Providing height H enables grippers to grip packaging unit 102. This improves handling of packaging unit 102. In the illustrated embodiment ribs 134 have a height of about 7.5 mm. Tests showed an effective increase of the overall strength of packaging unit 102.

[0068] Compartments 126 of bottom part 104 resemble compartments 26 as shown for packaging unit 2. Also lock 142 resembles lock 42 as shown for packaging unit 2. It will be understood that according to the invention other locks may also be applied. Grooves 148 are provided in bottom part 104. Grooves 148 are configured to receive part of ribs 134. Grooves 148 are optionally provided between all adjacent compartments 126. In the illustrated embodiment grooves 148 are specifically (and only) provided between the two outer compartments 126′ at the sides of bottom part 104. Dimensions and/or materials are similar to the dimensions and/or materials described in relation to packaging unit 2.

[0069] Packaging unit 202 (FIG. 4C-D) is provided with twelve compartments 126. Other features are the same or similar to that of packaging unit 102 having ten compartments 126.

[0070] Packaging unit 302 (FIG. 4E-F) is provided as a so-called twin-pack having two connected (sub)packaging units each having 6 product compartments.

[0071] Alternative packaging units according to the invention may hold other products, like kiwi's, eggs, tomatoes, apples etc. and/or also a hamburger, salad etc.

[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 are possible.