LID FOR A CONTAINER FOR FOOD OR BEVERAGE

Abstract

A lid for a container for food or beverage, comprising: an outer layer, an inner layer, wherein: the outer layer and the inner layer comprise paperboard and/or cardboard, the outer layer comprises at least one flap, configured to be arranged in a closed position wherein the flap at least partially closes an opening in the outer layer, and an opened position wherein said opening is uncovered, wherein flap is configured to be moved from the closed position to the opened position by being moved in a direction away from the inner layer

Claims

1. A lid for a container for food or beverage, said container e.g. being a disposable container for fast food, take-away, or delivery; wherein the lid comprises: an outer layer comprising an outer surface extending in a first plane, an inner layer comprising an inner surface extending in a second plane, wherein the second plane is substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein the inner surface is configured to face the inside of the container, wherein: the outer layer and the inner layer comprise paperboard and/or cardboard material, the outer layer comprises at least one flap, wherein the flap is configured to be arranged in a closed position wherein the flap at least partially closes an opening in the outer layer, and an opened position wherein said opening is uncovered, wherein flap is configured to be moved from the closed position to the opened position by being moved in a direction away from the inner layer.

2. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a product indication associated with each flap.

3. The lid according to claim 2, wherein the lid comprises more than one flap, wherein each flap has a respective product indication associated with the respective flap, wherein the respective product indications are different from each other.

4. The lid according to claim 1, wherein in the closed position the flap is to the outer layer fixed by a breakable connection, and in the opened position said breakable connection is irreversible broken.

5. The lid according to claim 1, wherein each flap comprises two perforated lines configured to be torn when the flap is moved from the closed position to the opened position.

6. The lid according to claim 1, each flap is configured to be physically connected to the outer layer in the opened position.

7. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a cut-out adjoining to each flap, optionally at a side of the flap opposite of where the flap is physically connected to the outer layer in the opened position.

8. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer extends continuously below each flap of the outer layer.

9. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer comprises at least one ventilation hole, wherein said ventilation holes are offset in a direction parallel to the first plane and/or second plane to any opening or hole of the outer layer, and wherein the outer layer also comprises at least one ventilation hole, wherein the ventilation holes of outer layer are offset in a direction parallel to the first plane and/or second plane relative to the ventilation holes of the inner layer.

10. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer is spaced from the outer layer when seen in a direction perpendicular to the first plane and/or the second plane.

11. The lid according to claim 1, comprising at least three, four, five, six, or seven flaps.

12. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a rim for arranging the lid on the container, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are both connected to the rim.

13. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid has a circular shape.

14. A container for food or beverage, comprising a lid according to claim 1.

15. A method for packaging food or beverage, comprising the following steps: arranging the food or beverage in a container, closing the container with a lid according to claim 1, arranging one of the flaps on the lid in the opened position, to indicate which food or beverage is arranged in the container.

16. A method for manufacturing a lid according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: providing the flaps in the outer layer, e.g. by providing the breakable connections and optionally the cut-out associated with each flap, providing the product indication associated with each flap,. optionally, providing ventilation holes in the inner layer and optionally the outer layer, connecting the inner layer and the outer layer to an outer edge of the lid, wherein the outer edge e.g. is a rim.

Description

[0071] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described using the figures. It is to be understood that these figures merely serve as example of how the invention can be implemented and are in no way intended to be construed as limiting for the scope of the invention and the claims. Like features are indicated by like reference numerals along the figures. In the figures:

[0072] FIG. 1A: schematically illustrates a container with lid in a cross-section, while a flap is being moved to the opened position;

[0073] FIG. 1B: schematically illustrates a container with lid in a perspective view, wherein one flap is in the opened position and three flaps are in the closed position;

[0074] FIG. 2: schematically illustrates a lid in top view;

[0075] FIG. 3A: schematically illustrates a lid having seven flaps from above;

[0076] FIG. 3B: schematically illustrates the lid from FIG. 3A from below.

[0077] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a container 1 in cross-section and FIG. 1B shows the container in a perspective view. The container 1 is intended to be used for take-away, delivery, or fast-food packaging, and as a disposable packaging. The container 1 comprises container base 10 which has a bottom 14 and a conical side wall 11. An open space 12 is present in the container base 10. A product, being food in the present example, can be arranged in the open space 12. The food in the examples of the figures might be a meat-product (e.g. chicken wings), but it will be understood that the principles of the present invention can be applied to other food or beverage products as well. Examples include chicken nuggets, fries, a hamburger, sushi, poke bowl, Asian food, a salad, popcorn, barbecued food, dessert (e.g. cake or pie), ice cream, pizza, sandwich, pastry, coffee, soda, water, beer, tea.

[0078] The container base 10 has an open top 13. The product can be arranged into the open space 12 via the open top 13. This will usually be done shorty after the product has been prepared (or in some cases the product may be (partially) prepared in the container 1). When the prepared product is in the open space, the container 1 can be closed using a lid 20. The lid 20 is an element separate from the container base 10. The lid 20 has a rim 30 with a protrusion 31, which can be clamped over a ridge 14 of the container base 10. The rim 30 also has an upper ridge 32.

[0079] To reduce the environmental impact, the container 1 preferably comprises a little as plastic as possible. Instead of plastics, it can e.g. be advantageous to use paperboard and/or cardboard. Preferably, both the container base 10 and the lid 20 are made of paperboard and/or cardboard. These materials are usually not transparent. The consumer can, therefore, not see what is in the container 1 after the lid 20 has been arranged on the container base 10. This may in particular be annoying if the order includes multiple containers 1, e.g. with different products (e.g. for different people).

[0080] To overcome this problem, the lid 20 comprises a plurality of flaps 41. In the example of FIG. 1A-1B, the lid 20 comprises four flaps 41. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a user 2 can grab a flap 41 and move the flap 41 upwards. In particular, the user 2 can peel the flap 41 upwards as illustrated by arrow 3. The lid 20 comprises a different product indication 21 associated with each flap 41. FIG. 1B illustrates the product indication 21 as a coloured surface 21 below the flap 41. The product indication 21 becomes visible when the flap 41 is arranged in the opened position. Each product indication 21 may have a different colour, wherein each colour is linked to a possible product that can be arranged into the container. Other embodiments of the product indication 21 are possible, as illustrated further below. The user 2 that opens the flap 41 may be somebody working in the kitchen where the product is prepared, and as such knows which product is arranged in the container 1. Said user 2 can thus select the correct flap 41 and arrange said flap 41 in the opened position. Based on which flap 41 is opened, a consumer of the product knows from the associated product indication 21 which product is arranged in the container 1.

[0081] The lid 20 comprises an outer layer 40 and an inner layer 50. The inner layer 50 has an inner surface 501 which faces the inside of the container 1, in particular the open space 12. The outer layer 40 has an outer surface 401 which is exposed to the surrounding air. The outer surface 401 is visible to the user 2 and consumer, and comprises the flaps 41. When the container 1 is arranged on a flat surface (e.g. situation as in FIG. 1A) and the lid 20 is on top of the container base 10, the outer layer 40 is arranged above the inner layer 50. The outer surface 401 extends in a first plane, and the inner surface 501 extends in a second plane. The first and second plane are parallel to each other. In the shown situation, the first and second plane both extend parallel to the XY plane, while a longitudinal axis if the container 1 extends parallel to the Z direction.

[0082] When the flap 41 is in the opened position, an opening that was previously covered by said flap 41 will be uncovered. The inner layer 50 is still arranged between said opening and the product inside the container 1, and the inner layer 50 extends continuously below said opening. This avoids that contamination come through said opening and into contact with the product in the container 1. In addition, when the product is hot, the inner layer 50 avoids that hot air escapes through said opening being uncovered by the flap 41 that is opened by the user 2. Such hot air could otherwise burn the user 2.

[0083] When in the closed position, each flap 41 is connected the rest of the outer layer 40 by two breakable connection 42. The breakable connection 42 in this case is a perforated line 42. This aids the user 2 in tearing the flap 41 according to these perforated lines 42. A cut-out 43 is provided in the outer layer 40 adjoining to each flap 41. The cut-out 43 makes it easier for the user 2 to grab the flap 41 when moving it from the closed position to the opened position.

[0084] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the lid 20 from a top view. The edge of the rim 30 is schematically shown, and the outer layer 40 is visible. The lid 20 comprises four flaps 41 in this example. The product indications 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D in this example are formed by text printed on (the outer surface of) the outer layer 40. Each product indication 21A-21D is located in the vicinity of a flap 41. This way the consumer easily understands with which flap 41 each product indication 21A-21D is associated. From the text on the product indication 21A-21D and which flap 41 has been opened, a consumer can easily know which product is inside the container.

[0085] The flaps 41 have a partially elliptical shape. Two long edges 42 of the elliptical shape are formed by the perforated lines 42. A short side 45 of the elliptical shape is formed by the edge that adjoins the cut-out 43. Finally, a straight edge 44 of the flap 41 is formed by a straight line between outer ends of the long edges 42. Said straight edge 44 deviates from the elliptical shape. Said straight edge 44 remains a connection between the flap 41 and the outer layer 40 when the flap 41 is in the opened position. The opening of the flap 41 entails peeling and/or pivoting the flap 41 around said straight edge 44, while tearing the perforated lines 42.

[0086] The cut-out 42 has a moon-shape, which is formed by a first curved edge 432 adjoining the flap 41 and having a first radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature correspond to the radius of curvature of the adjoining edge 45 of the flap 41. A second curved edge 431 of the cut-out 43 is arranged further away from the flap 41, and has a second radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature is smaller than the first radius of curvature.

[0087] The upper layer 40 furthermore comprises ventilations holes 46, in this example two ventilation holes 46. The ventilation holes 46 allow for some ventilation of the open space 12 in the container, and also for some heat escape. This may be desirable for certain food products to maintain the freshness of the product.

[0088] FIG. 3A schematically illustrates a lid which has seven flaps 41, and second associated product indications 21. The product indications 21 are printed text in this example. For illustration purposes, more than one flap 41 has been arranged in the opened position in FIG. 3A. Some of those have been pivoted back in the direction of the closed position, e.g. the bottom flap 41 with the associated product indication 21 stating Mini Fillet Bucket. In practice, it may also happen that an opened flap 41 is pushed down again, e.g. during transport for a take-away or delivery order. FIG. 3A illustrates that even in that case it is possible to see that the flap 41 has been opened, because the breakable connection with the perforated lines is still broken and the flap 41 therefore is loose.

[0089] FIG. 3A also illustrates that below the openings and holes of the outer layer 40, the inner layer 50 extends continuously. This is the case for the ventilation holes 46, the cut-outs 43, and the openings uncovered by the flaps 41 that have been opened. Since the inner layer 50 is present at these locations, the product in the container is protected from contamination.

[0090] FIG. 3B schematically illustrates the lid 20 shown in FIG. 3A from below. The rim 30 and the inner layer 50 are visible. The inner layer 50 comprises two ventilations holes 56. The ventilation holes 56 provide an air flow path together with the ventilation holes in the outer layer, for ventilation and heat escape. However, it can be seen that the upper layer 40 extends below the ventilation holes 56 of the inner layer 50. The ventilation holes 56 of the inner layer and the ventilation holes of the outer layer 40 are offset in a direction parallel to the first plane and the second plane. This reduces the likelihood that contamination enters the container through the ventilation holes of the outer and inner layer. The ventilation holes 56 of the inner layer are also offset to any other openings or cut-outs in the outer layer.

[0091] To provide the air flow path, the inner layer 50 and outer layer 40 may furthermore be spaced from each other in vertical direction z (direction perpendicular to first and second plane), as illustrated e.g. spacing 22 in FIG. 1A.

[0092] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are described herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which may be embodied in various ways. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to practice the present invention in various ways in virtually any suitable detailed structure. Not all of the objectives described need be achieved with particular embodiments.

[0093] Furthermore, the terms and expressions used herein are not intended to limit the invention, but to provide an understandable description of the invention. The words a, an, or one used herein mean one or more than one, unless otherwise indicated. The terms a multiple of, a plurality or several mean two or more than two. The words comprise, include, contain and have have an open meaning and do not exclude the presence of additional elements. Reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0094] The mere fact that certain technical features are described in different dependent claims still allows the possibility that a combination of these technical measures can be used advantageously.

[0095] A single processor or other unit can perform the functions of various components mentioned in the description and claims, e.g. of processing units or control units, or the functionality of a single processing unit or control unit described herein can in practice be distributed over multiple components, optionally physically separated of each other. Any communication between components can be wired or wireless by known methods.

[0096] The actions performed by the control unit can be implemented as a program, for example computer program, software application, or the like. The program can be executed using computer readable instructions. The program may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other set of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.

[0097] A computer program or computer-readable instructions can be stored and/or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied with or as part of other hardware, but can also be distributed in other forms, such as via internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.