PACKAGING UNIT WITH COUNTER-EMBOSSED LABEL, AND METHOD FOR PACKING PRODUCTS

Abstract

The present specification relates to a packaging unit with a label for products like eggs, and a method there for. The packaging unit according to the present specification comprises a bottom part made of moulded pulp provided with compartments for individual products and comprising a first locking element; a cover part made of moulded pulp comprising top, front, side and rear surfaces with the front surface comprising a second locking element configured for defining a lock with the first locking element in a closed state of the packaging unit; and a label provided on the packaging unit with the label comprising an embossing, with the embossing further comprising a counter-embossing.

Claims

1. A packaging unit for products like eggs, comprising: a bottom part made of moulded pulp provided with compartments for individual products and comprising a first locking element; a cover part made of moulded pulp comprising top, front, side and rear surfaces with the front surface comprising a second locking element configured for defining a lock with the first locking element in a closed state of the packaging unit; and a label provided on the packaging unit with the label comprising an embossing, with the embossing further comprising a counter-embossing.

2. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein an angle between the side or sidewall of the embossing and/or the counter-embossing and the label surface is above 45.

3. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the label is a multiple sided label.

4. The packaging unit according to claim 3, wherein the label is a 4-sided label.

5. The packaging unit according to claim 3, wherein the label is a 5-sided label.

6. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the label comprises fibrous or mouldable material achieving a labelled full fiber packaging unit.

7. The packaging unit according to claim 6, wherein the fibrous or mouldable material comprises stretched material enabling embossing the label.

8. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the embossing has a depth in the range of 0.1-1.5 mm.

9. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the counter-embossing has a depth in the range of 0.1-1.5 mm.

10. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the label comprises multiple sided embossing comprising embossing on more than one surface.

11. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the multiple sided embossing comprises at least 3-sided embossing with embossing on top, front, and rear surfaces.

12. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the label on the cover part is provided with an embossing that is positioned such that in a closed position of the packaging unit the locking element of the bottom part is captured in the embossing.

13. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the label is provided with a curved cut that is configured to enable the first locking element to partly extend through the opening in the cover part and remain substantially behind the label.

14. A method for packing products like eggs, comprising the step of providing a packaging unit with a label comprising an embossing and a counter-embossing according to claim 1, and placing therein one or more of the products.

15. A packaging unit according to claim 8, wherein the counter-embossing has a depth in the range of 0.1-1.5 mm.

16. A packaging unit for products like eggs, comprising: a bottom part made of moulded pulp provided with compartments for individual products and comprising a first locking element; a cover part made of moulded pulp comprising top, front, side and rear surfaces with the front surface comprising a second locking element configured for defining a lock with the first locking element in a closed state of the packaging unit; and a label provided on the packaging unit with the label comprising an embossing, with the embossing further comprising a counter-embossing, wherein an angle between the side or sidewall of the embossing and/or the counter-embossing and the label surface is above 45 and the label is a multiple sided label.

17. The packaging unit according to claim 16, wherein the label is a 4-sided label or a 5-sided label.

18. The packaging unit according to claim 16, wherein the label comprises fibrous or mouldable material achieving a labelled full fiber packaging unit.

19. The packaging unit according to claim 16, wherein the front surface of the label on the cover part is provided with an embossing that is positioned such that in a closed position of the packaging unit the locking element of the bottom part is captured in the embossing.

20. The packaging unit according claim 16, wherein the label is provided with a curved cut that is configured to enable the first locking element to partly extend through the opening in the cover part and remain substantially behind the label.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] Further advantages, features and details of the specification are elucidated on a basis of the embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0066] FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a packaging unit according to the specification with counter-embossing;

[0067] FIG. 1B shows an alternative embodiment of a packaging unit with a cut label;

[0068] FIG. 1C shows a rear view of the packaging unit of FIG. 1 A-B;

[0069] FIG. 1D shows alternative labels for the packaging unit of FIG. 1B;

[0070] FIG. 1E shows alternative labels for the packaging unit of FIG. 1B;

[0071] FIG. 2A shows a front view of the packaging unit of FIG. 1B;

[0072] FIG. 2B shows a side view along line A-A of the packaging unit of FIG. 2A; and

[0073] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the counter-embossing of a packaging unit according to the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] A packaging unit 2a (FIG. 1A) comprises a bottom part 4 with a front surface 6, two side surfaces 8, a rear side 10, and a bottom side 12. In the illustrated embodiment, a 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 and a closed position. Cover part 14 further comprises front surface 18, two side surfaces 20, a back side surface 22 and a top surface 24.

[0075] On the inside of bottom part 4 (FIGS. 1A-C and 2B) 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 2a-d. Lock 30 comprises opening 32 in cover part 14 and cam 34 of bottom part 4.

[0076] Label 36 (FIGS. 1A-C and 2A) of a mouldable paper material comprises top surface 38, front surface 40, one or two side surfaces 42, and rear surface 44 to provide a 4 or 5-sided label. Optionally, no side surfaces 42 are provided resulting in a 3-sided label.

[0077] Label 36 comprises embossment 46 on top surface 38 and in the illustrated embodiments label 36 also comprises further embossments 48 on other sides of label 36. In the illustrated embodiment embossments 46 are provided as text. It will be understood that other shapes, letters, numbers, pictures etc. for embossment 46 would be possible according to the specification.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment top surface 38 of label 36 comprises embossment 48 with counter-embossing 50.

[0079] Further, packaging unit 2a (FIG. 1A) comprises embossment 52 at the position of lock 30. This achieves a concealed lock 30 wherein in a closed position of packaging unit 2a cam 34 protrudes through opening 32 in front surface 24 of cover part 14 and is received in the inside of embossment 52.

[0080] Alternative packaging unit 2b (FIG. 1B) comprises cut 54. In the illustrated embodiment smile-shaped cut 54 is provided at a lower edge of embossment 52. It will be understood that alternative cuts and positions are also possible in accordance with the specification. In a closed position cam 34 protrudes through opening 32 in front surface 24 of cover part 14 and pushes a part of label 36 outward to achieve lock 30. This provides a consumer with a clear indication of the position of lock 30 thereby enabling easy opening of packaging unit 2b.

[0081] For the illustrated embodiments 2a,b the rear views (FIG. 1C) is the same. Hinge 16 enables to open cover 12. In the illustrated embodiment label rear side 44 also comprises embossment 46.

[0082] An alternative embodiment 2c (FIG. 1D) comprises a 4-sided label 56. Label 56 comprises embossment 46 and embossment 48 with counter-embossing 50. One side surface 20 that is free from label 56 is optionally provided with an illustration, text and/or data, such as production data.

[0083] A further alternative embodiment 2d (FIG. 1E) comprises a 3-sided label 58 with label parts on front surface 18, top surface 24 and back surface 22. Two side surfaces 20 are free from label 58.

[0084] Lock 30 (FIG. 2A-B) comprises nose-shaped cam 34 acting as first locking element. Cam 34 is provided on flap 60 (FIG. 2B) that is hingedly connected by connection 62 to bottom part 4 of packaging unit 2. In the illustrated embodiment, cam 34 defines a closed outer surface or outer contour defining a chamber. The substantially downward facing surface of cam 34 is in the illustrated embodiment a substantially closed surface without openings. In the closed position of packaging unit 2a-d, cam 34 partly extends through opening 32 that is provided in the front surface 18 of cover part 14. The upper edge of opening 32 is provided at a small angle and is slightly pushed inwards.

[0085] Embossing 48 (FIG. 3) comprises counter-embossing 50. Embossing 48 and counter-embossing 50 have side edges or side walls 64. In the illustrated embodiment edges or walls 64 are provided at an angle to the horizontal label surface 66. Counterembossing can also be applied to the area of embossing as shown by area 68 in the letter 0 of the word TOUCH and/or COUNTER in the label. In the illustrated embodiment angle is about 60. Depth d1 of embossing 48 is about 1 mm and depth d2 of counter-embossing 50 is also about 1 mm. In the illustrated embodiment the width of edge or wall 64 is about 0.5 mm. In an illustrated embodiment according to the specification the minimal distance D between edge or wall 64 of embossing 48 and edge or wall 64 of counter-embossing 50 is in the range of 0.5-2 mm. This provides a stable label 36. It will be understood that other angles and/or depths and/or distances can also be envisaged in accordance with the specification.

[0086] When packing products like eggs, the products are placed in compartments 28. In the illustrated embodiment, when cover part 14 is closed lock 30 with locking elements 32, 34 locks packaging unit 2a-d. In the illustrated embodiment, in such closed position cam 34 partly extends and protrudes through opening 32 of front surface 18 of cover part 14.

[0087] It will be understood that according to the specification other locks may also be applied, for example, using a hollow embossing part and/or a cut for receiving a locking part such as nose shaped cam 34. In the illustrated embodiment this results in a concealed lock 30. Concealed lock 30 enhances the locking friction as the edge, protrusion or projection can be dimensioned larger or can be pushed further into opening 32 in a closed position of packaging unit 2a-d as compared to conventional packaging units with flat labels.

[0088] Alternative packaging units according to the specification may hold other products, like kiwi's, eggs, tomatoes, apples etc. and/or also a hamburger, salad etc.

[0089] The present specification is by no means limited to the above described, embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications are possible.