CA2027709A1 - Reclosable food packaging having snap closure - Google Patents
Reclosable food packaging having snap closureInfo
- Publication number
- CA2027709A1 CA2027709A1 CA002027709A CA2027709A CA2027709A1 CA 2027709 A1 CA2027709 A1 CA 2027709A1 CA 002027709 A CA002027709 A CA 002027709A CA 2027709 A CA2027709 A CA 2027709A CA 2027709 A1 CA2027709 A1 CA 2027709A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- peripheral flange
- base member
- projection
- body member
- food packaging
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
- B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
- B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
- B65D77/2068—Means for reclosing the cover after its first opening
- B65D77/2072—Mechanical means
- B65D77/2076—Mechanical means provided by the cover itself
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
- B65D75/321—Both sheets being recessed
- B65D75/322—Both sheets being recessed and forming one compartment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
- B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
- B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
- B65D77/2068—Means for reclosing the cover after its first opening
- B65D77/2072—Mechanical means
- B65D77/2076—Mechanical means provided by the cover itself
- B65D77/208—Mechanical means provided by the cover itself the cover having a cap-like or plug-like shape
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Composite Materials (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
Abstract
RECLOSABLE FOOD PACKAGING HAVING SNAP CLOSURE
Abstract of the Disclosure A food package container including a base and a body in alignment with and peelably sealed to each other is provided. At least one of snap closure assembly is provided on the respective peripheral flanges of the base and body, and this snap closure assembly provides an audible snapping signal when the consumer recloses the food packaging container. The closure assembly includes an insertion projection and an opening in general registry therewith which is undersized with respect to the projection.
Abstract of the Disclosure A food package container including a base and a body in alignment with and peelably sealed to each other is provided. At least one of snap closure assembly is provided on the respective peripheral flanges of the base and body, and this snap closure assembly provides an audible snapping signal when the consumer recloses the food packaging container. The closure assembly includes an insertion projection and an opening in general registry therewith which is undersized with respect to the projection.
Description
RE~CLOSA13LE FOOD PACRAGING I~ING SNAP CLOSURE:
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Th~ pre~ent invention gener~lly relat~ to food packaging contalners and method o~ formlng the container~ including locking member~ for ~nap lwkirlg togeth~r a ba~e member th~reof and a bod~ member ~hereof O Plore par~icularly~ the 3nap lock~ ng m~mber : ~ incIude at le~ one mating 3nap closure a~e~bly ha~ing :~` a pro~ ec~ion on one of the con~iner memb0r~ which ent~r~ into and ~n~ppingly engage an under31zed openinq ~: 10 ~ n the other ~mber o~ the packaging container. Th~
projec~ion may be ~ub~ected to crimping a~ter it h~
been thermoformed into the packag~ m~ber,. An audible ~nap ~ound~ when the food packag1ng cont~ner i8 clo~ed by presaing the package base ~eniber and body metober ~: 15 together. ~he proj~etion ln~ the undersi$e~ opening are ;, formed in the re~pective peripheral flanges of the ba~e . membe~ and ~od~ meinb0r and a~ a location that i8 sp~ced outwardly feo~ a p~elable herm~tic ~e~l of th~ ood packaging contain~r.
~ood pack~51ing cont~iners o the ~yp~ that lnclude a semi~rig1d and~or th~moformed base m~mber and a body memb~r havlnq a bubbl~ portion for d~ining cavity that eneloses ~ ~ood produat are w~ll k~own.
~ackaglng aontalner~ o~ thl~ type h~lv~ long been u~ed ~or merch~ndis1ng paakaged foodl3 suGh a~ sliced luncheon mea~s, chee~ and the like. In the~e t~p~ o~
p~ckaging cont~lner~, th~ food product i8 heeD~etically ,.;1 .
~, ~e~l~d in~ide the cavity under vacuu~n paclsagiLng .:
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condition~ in a manner well known in the art. At time~, mechanical pressure may be used in order to generally ~hape or form ~he food to the package cavity.
desired ob~ective of many of ~hese type~ o packaging containers is to provide a food pack~ging container that i~ resealable~ at least to the extent that the base and body Qr bubble portion will be readily reclosed af~er the hermetic seal has been broken and the package has been openedt typic211y to remove a portion lû of the food product within the cavity. Atl:empt~ in thi~
regard have included the use of pressure sensitive adhesives whi ::h remain tacky through a number of opening~ and closing~, At times, con~umers desire a re-securement arrangement tha~ is more readily detectable and more positive acting~, Prlor attempts to meet this de~ire have included variou~ interengaging profiles wherein a component of the base portion generally lockingly engage~ another component of the body or bubble port~on . 20 of the food packaging container. These attempt~ have `~, met with a varied degree oiE ~uccess. One diff lculty ;~ with s~me of the~e structure~ i~ the problem of knowing when proper alignment of the interengaging prof iles haa been achieved ~o that the interlock~ ng engageme~t for which the pac:kage i~ deslgned will be achieved without requirirlg a great deal of care and atten~ion on the part of the con~umer. q!hi8 can be particularly important for con~u~er~ who either do not pos~e~s the keell eyesiqht that might be needed to check th~t interlocking pro~iles ., 30 have been fully engaged. Thl8 can al~o be important in that a typieal con~umer would like to be as~ured that the proper degree of interengage~ent ha3 been achieved by proceeding with what miqht amount to only casual re~ealing action~ rather than the need to proceed with a studied and careful procedure.
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~3--OnP ~uch approach that can be u~ed in infor~ing the con~umer that the designed extent of reclosure has been accomplished i~ to provide an audible snapping sound which informs the consumer that the 5 package has been reclo~ed. ~or merchandlsing food packaginq containers i~ is e3sen ial that any ~uch reclosure means may readily be combined with packaging wherein the packaged food~ are formed to the package : with vacuum and often also with mechanical pres3ure.
The pre~ent 1nvention respond~ ~o a need in the art for food packaging containers which are easily openable and easily reclo~able ln a po~itive manner to the extent ~hat the consumer i~ provided with an audible sound signifying that the package ha~ been reelo~ed in order to provide a~ least a perception of freshne~!3 preserva~ion. In addi~ion, the reclo~lng i~ ea~ily accomplished without requlring clo~e visual ~udy or careful at~en~lon by the consum~r. Thi3 packaging ~hu~
~: provides the con~umer with a clear signal tha~ reclo~ure ha~ been accompllshed to en~ure ~hat the caYi~y w~ll not be lnadvertently opened and to prov~de a non-hermetic barrier for retarding deterioration of ~he fovd product withln the cavity.
In 8~m~ary, the food packaging container according to ~he pre~ent lnvention include~ a b~e and a body which together define a bubble enclGsure that provides a cavity wlthin which the food product i~
tightly enclosed~ The food i8 hermetically ~eale~
: within the cavity by ~uitable peelabl~ ~eallng meansa Peripheral fl,ange~ of the ba~e and body are positioned outside of the cavity and peelable ~ealing mean~, and locking mean8 or snap locking the peripheral flanges together are ~o~med therewithln. The locklng means ~¦ lnclude3 at lea~t on~ clo~ure a~sembly o~ a projection 3S and an under8ized opening pos~tioned one on the base ~nd the other on the body. -The projectlon and opening are in regi~try wlth each other when the base and body are , ,, , - :
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herme~ically ~ealed to each other. ~fter ~he package haY been opened, this reg1~ry i8 easily re-establi~hed, at which ~ime the projection enters into the under~ized opening~ and an audible snap will sownd when rein~ertion has been accompli~hed. Preferably~ the projection i8 : thermoformed into the package base or body, and it is of an ad2quate si2e to allow crimping thereo~ either before or after filling and sealing of the food packaging container. Post-thermoforming crimping of the projection cau~es or at leas~ greatly enhances the audible snapping sound which i~ experienced when the base and body are pre~sed ~ogether~
:It is accordingly a general object of the pre~ent invention to provid~ an improved food packaging container and method of forming ~a~e.
Another objec~ of thi~ in~en~ion i3 to provide an improved food packaging container and method of forming ~ame, which container incorporate~ at least one flange area snap clo~ure a~embly that effects an audible snap when the food packaging container is :'reclo3ed~
~`' Ano~her object of the pre~ent invention is to ,1 provide an improved ood packaging container and method of making same which provide a po itive and clear signal to the con~um~r that th~ packag~ has been reclosed~
Another object of ~hi~ invention i3 to prQvide an i~proved food packaglng container and method of making same, which cont~in~r can be readlly realosecl without requiring a great deal of tlme~ ~kill or attention on ,~he part of the consumer, whlch can be ~urther facilitated by a binge a~se~bly7 ,Another ob~ect of the pre~ent invention i~ to :1provide an improv2d food pack~ging container and m~thod :~ of making ~ame, which incorporate~ reclosure memb~rs 35 th~t do . not ~ub~tantially incr~ase the cost 0~ the ; ~
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contain~r and that are readlly vi~ible from ~he front of the container~
These and other object , feature~ and advantages of the present invention w~ll be clearly understood ~hrough a consid~ra~ion of the following detailed description.
Brief De~cription of th~ Drawin~s In the course of thi~ description, reference will be made to the attached drawing~, wherein:
Figure 1 i~ an exploded per~pec~ive view of a preferred food packaging container according to the present inv~ntion;
Figure 2 i~ an exploded cro~s-sectional view : 15 along the line 2-2 of Figur~ 1~
Figure 3 i~ a plan view o t~ b~se memb~r of the food packaging contaln~r shown in Figure 1~
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an -: alternat~ve embodimen~ of a food packaging container according to the pre~ent inventiont ~ igure 5 is a plan cro~s-sectional view of the locking mean~, as a3sembled, of the embodiment illu~trat~d ~n ~gure 47 ~, Figure ~ i~ a perspectlve view of another embodim~nt according to the pre~en~ ln~entionJ and -~ Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are plan views of `~. other ~lternative embod~ments o locklng ~ea~s for .
lncorporation into food packaging contalner~ according to the present inventionO
. 30 De~cri~lon o~ the Par~icular Embodiments The ~ood packaging conta1ner~ generally ;` designated as 11, which is shown in Figure~ 1, 2 and 3 include~ a ba~e member, gener~lly de3ignated a~ 1~, and a body mamber, generally de ign~ed a~ 13. Body member 13 includes a bubble portlon 14, and food product such ~` .
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as a s~ack of luncheon meat or cheese 81ice5 or ~he like ~not shown), i~ tightly enclosed by and between ~he bubble portion 14 and a panel portion 15 of the base member 12. In th~s illustrated embodiment, the panel portion 15 take~ the form of a pedestal which generally ne~ts within the mouth openlng of the bubbl~ portion 14.
A peelable seal 16 i~ provicled, ~ypically in close proximity to the bubble portion 14, and this peelable seal 16 can be of a generally known con.~truction and/or charac~er so that a vacuum seal condi~ion i maintained within the food packag~ng container 11 untll opening thereof i~ effec~ed~
Typically~ the peelable seal 16 will be generally along : or ~paced clo~ely from the inside perimeter of a peripheral flange 17 o~ ~he base member 12 and a per~pheral flange 18 of the ~ody member 13.
; ~t least one -~nap clo~ure assembly ~two ~nap closure a~semblies being ~i~ible in Figure 1) i8 provided in the peripheral flange~ 17 and 18~ In each ~` 20 case, ~he projection of each sn~p closure assembly i~
formed in the base member 127 or the body m~mber 13 and ~, the other under~i2ed opening is formed in the other member. One illu~trated snap closure assembly includes ba~e m~mber pro~ection 21 and an under~ized opening 22 in the body member~ The o~her lllustrated ~nap clo~ure a~embly con~i~ts of ba~e m~mber pro~ctlon 23 and body ~, m~mber under~iz~d opening 24. In thi3 illu~tr~ted embodiment, the base member projections 21t 23 are insertion pro~ections, and the body member und~rslzled openings 22, 24 are receptor openings that are generally , hollow and closely receive the in3ert~0n projectlons :, which are generally protruding above the ~urface of the base member.
Openings 22, 24 are undersized in that each ha~ an opening peripheral size and/or shape 80 a~ to ef~ect an in~er~erence fit when the ba3e member : `
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projec~ion enters the opening. The entry and/or sea~ing of the projection into tbe opening is accompanied by an audible snap as projection is thus force fitted into the opening. For example, when the perimeter of the opening has the same shape as a cross-section through an engagement portion of the projection, the opening perimeter will be less than the outer perimetar of the projection cro~s-section, r~sulting in an audible snap.
In those cases where at least an engagement portion of the projection ha~ a cro~-sectional shape diffe2ent from the shape of the opening perimeterr at least a part -~ of the opening will be in interfering engagement wi~h ~- the projection whereby the interfering portion~ will s$gnal an audible snap when the packa~e l~ closed~
~hlchever undersizlng approach i~ utillzed, the e~tent ~ of under~izing mu~t be adequate to achieve th~ needed :~ force fit, bu~ it should not be so great as to cause the openlng or the projection ~o di~tort or tear.
The base member 12 and the body m~mber 13 are formed o~ a semi-rigid, pre-formed pla~ic material, and the projection~ 21 and 23 are thermoformed therewlthin and at a location at lea~t 1/8 inch away from ~he cavity :: area and outside o~ the peelable seal 16. Each project~on has a height ~h~ch ~5 adequate ~typically 1/16 inch or mor~ typically on the order of appro~imately 1/8 inch or more) in order to allow or - crimplng of the pro~ctlon ~ither beore or after filling and seallng o~ the ~ood packaging ~ontalner 11.
It is preferred that the crimping action be po~t-thermof~rming and be~ore or after the b~se ~e~ber 12 and body member 13 are pres~d together. The pvst-thermoforming crimping of the projections can enhance the audible ~ap which ~ounds when the body and ba~e are pre~sed together~ The opening~ can be easily ~:; 35 made aPter thermo~orming, for e~ample during ~ panel cut-out or trimmLng step~
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The projection and opening of thi~ e~bodiment exhibit a general bowtie shape and provide a relatively large engagement int~rface and a shape that ~acilitates crimping the projection, when desired. It can be 5 e~pecially convenient to crimp neck portion 25 of a projectlon in order to provide especially ~uitable snap locking means having a reliable audible snap.
Alqo ~hown in thi~ embodiment in order to a~sist in ease of package reclosing i~ the inclu~ion of a hinge assembly, generally de~ignated as 27.
suitable hinge assembly 27 can include a permanent-type of glue or adhesive or heat seal 28 for ~oining respective ends of th~ base member 12 and body m~mber 13 :~ which are generally oppo~te rom the snap closure ~ lS a~s~mbly. ~ score line 29 i~ also praferably included :~ in order to facllitat~ bending of the semi rig~d ba~e member 12 and/or body member 130 The food packaging contain~r, generally designated as 31 in Figure 4~ includes ba.~e ~ember 32 and a body member 33 having a bubbl~ p~rtlo~ 34. In ~hi embodiment, base member projec~ion 35 and body :1 member undersized opening 36 are not en~irely iden~lcal in ~hape, and at lea~t one engagement portion of the projection i~ ghtly wider than the openlng ln at l~as~ on~ locatlon artd~or dimen3ionO ~n the arrange.Tnent I illu~trated in Flgures 4 and 5~ portion~ o~ the in~ertion projection 35 are ~llghtly ~ider than the generally corresponding portion~ of the under~ d op~ning 36. I~e base member proje~tion 35 enter~ the undersiæed openlng 36 in the body member 33. Totally non-impeded entry i~ not pos~ible due to the positioning o~ protruding wings 37 of the undersi~ed opening 3S, :;1 while corre~ponding wings are not included in the ba~e ; ~ member projection 35. ~y thi~ arrangement, a pinch$ng ac~on ~3 achieved ~rom top to bottom of the pro~ections when the wall 38 slidably engages a protruding wing 37 :
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_g_ whereby the protruding wing 37 and/or wall 38 deform to provide secure, pinching engag~ment thereb~tween. An audible ~nap condition can be enhanced by crimping as described in connection wlth the embodiment of Figures 1 through 3, if desired~
The Figure 6 embodiment illustrates another genera1 form which can be taken by a :Eood packaging container; generally designated a~ 41. I~ thi~
embodiment, there i~ les~ of a delineation between a base member and bubble member~ Thi~ p2ckage provides a ; substantial hinge arrangement by including a hlnge portion 42 joining body ~embers 43 and 4~ of generally equal volume. ~nap ~.losure as~emblie~ 45 and 46 ar~
illu~trated. ~g with all Qf the embodiments, the~e snap clo3ure as~embli~s can includ~ po3t thermofor~ing crimping o~ tAe projection and/or can ~xhibit a pinching :~ ac~ion ~tructure. In any event they are cha acterized :~ by ~ clo~e interferenc~ fit.
In all of the illustrated embodlmen~s, the insertion projection component of each ~nap closure ~ as~e~bly may be either within the base member or body :' member, and th~ corresponding receptor under~ized ~:~ opening component thereof will be withl~ the other member, wheth0r the body member or the base ~ember. A
~5 min~mum o~ one ~uch ~nap closure assembly or a~ many ac x or more such a33emblie3 may be provided in order to ~:~ achleve the desired reclosable locking actlon.
The pro~ections and under~i~ed opening~ may take on any number of various ~hape~. ~ypically the3e 3hape~ will re~dily allow for the inter~erence ~it, and/or crimplng and/or for pinching action as desired.
Figure 7a shows a sn~p closure assembly structure design modeled after a padlock. Figure 7b give~ a structure on the order of that shown in the other embodiments, but al~o re~embling a key providing the general outline of :~ initials sucb a~ the illustrated ~OM~ Figure 7c ~"
, : . - -provides ano~her illu~tration s)f a multi-faceted -qhape which approximates t:hat of the inltials WOMZ., Figure 7d illustrates another shape of projection and under~ized openi ng .
With more particular reference to the me~hod aspects of this invention, ~O 8. Patents ~o. 3, 498, 018, NoO 4,411~122, No. 4,577,757 and NOD 4~688~369~ WhiCh are incorporated by reference hereinto, describe methods of orming a vacuumized~ ~ermatically sealed package characterized by a predetermined quan~ity o~ product which i~ deformable and is arranged in the form of an upright mas~ on a pede~tal having a sidewall and a peripheral flange for hermetic ~eal ing to a oorre~ponding peripheral flange of t:he body member. The food product wlll engage the end panel of the body `, member bubble9 a~ well a~ lt~ ~idewall. ~he ~idewall o --~ the base panel pede tal tele~;copes in~o the bottom edge~
of the bubbl e ~i dewal 1.
In a typical method for filling this type of :~ ~0 package, ~he body member 15 placed in an inver~ed po~ition, such a~ genera~ly illu~trated in Flgure 1 hereof, and ~uffici~n~ quan~ity of product i3 plac~d th~reinto o that ~he s::av1ty will be ~ub~tantially filled when the package is assembled. ~en, the ba~e 25 member i8 posltioned on the mouth oP ~he bubble 50 that the p~destal tele8c:0pe~ into the bubble and engages the : ~ 1 product ~. The f t ange margins of the ~a~e member overl ie the corresponding margin~ of the body ~e~ber.
Plechanical pre~sure can be appl ied inw~rdly and on~o the 30 outside ~urface of the pede~al . The area def ined by the bottom edge~ of the bubble sidewall can be su~f iclent to ~orce the product into clo~e conl:act with interior su~face~ of 'che ba~e and bod~ members to ~hape the product to conform to the ~hape of the cav~ty and 35 ~ub~tantially comple~ely f ill the ~pace between the .l cavity and product while vacuumlzing th~ as3e~bly and while sealing the package in a h~rm~tic mannerO
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The projection or projection~ are formed in the desired peripheral flange, pre~erably by thermoforming. While crimping can be accomplished : before or after filling and sealing of the package, it is preferred ~o crimp ~efore the base member and body member are assembled together. An audible snap 1~
enhanced by post-thermoforming crimping o~ neck portions or the like of the projection or projection~
: When this inven~ion i9 followed, reclosabili~y and the ability of the package to ~hen ~tay closed i~
achieved at low cost by providing one or more point~ of frictional interaction ou~s~de of the sealed area of the ~: package. An audible ~nap ~ound is al~o prvvided which enhance3 the perception of freshnes~ pre~rvation once the package i~ opened. ~hi~ invention can be applied to package~ of any of various shape~, including tho~e that : are generally round and generally ~quare or rectangular, and the bubble portion~ can take on needed product-conforming ~hapes. ~l~o, the projection or pro3ection~ are r2adily v~lble to the con~umer~ even from the front of the package, and they can pre~ent a plea~ing appearance. ~o achieve ea~y opaning of the :~, peelable seal/ high molecular we$ght polymer adhe3ive~
which are peelable and re~alable may be used, or easy peel mul~i-lay~r rigid films that ~re heat sealable may be u~ed~
~ With more particular reference to the : preferred crimpl~g procedure, crimping o~ the projection or pro;ection~ occurs by applying pressure to one or both ~ides o~the pro~ection ~or a portion of it ~uch a3 the illu~trated neck) in order to slightly deform it.
Crimping might occur at room temperature, or heat may be applied to the ~urace of the crimped area and/or imparted thereto by the crimpin~ device it~elf, in order to utilize solid state forming techniques in order to utilize ~olid state forming technlques.
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In a ~yplcal food packaging container, the thicknes~ of the bubble f ilm i~ about 13 ml . and ~ha thickne~s of the base film is about 10 ml. ~xemplary bubble compo~itlons include ~arex 210 or polyethylene terephthalate. A suita~le ba~e compoRitiorl can be Barex 210, polyvinyl ch~ori de~ or Saranea~ lamlnated to Barex 210 or polyvinyl chloride or poly3tyr~ne.
It will thu~ be ~een that the pre~en~
inYention provide~ new and useful food packaging con~ainers and me~chod ~or making same, which have a ~.
number o~ advan~cages and characteri~ics, including those pointe~ out herein and others which are inherent in the inYentiOn. Preferred embodiments have bee~
described by way of example, and it i~ anticipated ~ha~
.. 15 modifications may ~e made to the described form wi~hout departing from the spirit of the inventlon or the scope ~, of the appended claims.
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Th~ pre~ent invention gener~lly relat~ to food packaging contalners and method o~ formlng the container~ including locking member~ for ~nap lwkirlg togeth~r a ba~e member th~reof and a bod~ member ~hereof O Plore par~icularly~ the 3nap lock~ ng m~mber : ~ incIude at le~ one mating 3nap closure a~e~bly ha~ing :~` a pro~ ec~ion on one of the con~iner memb0r~ which ent~r~ into and ~n~ppingly engage an under31zed openinq ~: 10 ~ n the other ~mber o~ the packaging container. Th~
projec~ion may be ~ub~ected to crimping a~ter it h~
been thermoformed into the packag~ m~ber,. An audible ~nap ~ound~ when the food packag1ng cont~ner i8 clo~ed by presaing the package base ~eniber and body metober ~: 15 together. ~he proj~etion ln~ the undersi$e~ opening are ;, formed in the re~pective peripheral flanges of the ba~e . membe~ and ~od~ meinb0r and a~ a location that i8 sp~ced outwardly feo~ a p~elable herm~tic ~e~l of th~ ood packaging contain~r.
~ood pack~51ing cont~iners o the ~yp~ that lnclude a semi~rig1d and~or th~moformed base m~mber and a body memb~r havlnq a bubbl~ portion for d~ining cavity that eneloses ~ ~ood produat are w~ll k~own.
~ackaglng aontalner~ o~ thl~ type h~lv~ long been u~ed ~or merch~ndis1ng paakaged foodl3 suGh a~ sliced luncheon mea~s, chee~ and the like. In the~e t~p~ o~
p~ckaging cont~lner~, th~ food product i8 heeD~etically ,.;1 .
~, ~e~l~d in~ide the cavity under vacuu~n paclsagiLng .:
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condition~ in a manner well known in the art. At time~, mechanical pressure may be used in order to generally ~hape or form ~he food to the package cavity.
desired ob~ective of many of ~hese type~ o packaging containers is to provide a food pack~ging container that i~ resealable~ at least to the extent that the base and body Qr bubble portion will be readily reclosed af~er the hermetic seal has been broken and the package has been openedt typic211y to remove a portion lû of the food product within the cavity. Atl:empt~ in thi~
regard have included the use of pressure sensitive adhesives whi ::h remain tacky through a number of opening~ and closing~, At times, con~umers desire a re-securement arrangement tha~ is more readily detectable and more positive acting~, Prlor attempts to meet this de~ire have included variou~ interengaging profiles wherein a component of the base portion generally lockingly engage~ another component of the body or bubble port~on . 20 of the food packaging container. These attempt~ have `~, met with a varied degree oiE ~uccess. One diff lculty ;~ with s~me of the~e structure~ i~ the problem of knowing when proper alignment of the interengaging prof iles haa been achieved ~o that the interlock~ ng engageme~t for which the pac:kage i~ deslgned will be achieved without requirirlg a great deal of care and atten~ion on the part of the con~umer. q!hi8 can be particularly important for con~u~er~ who either do not pos~e~s the keell eyesiqht that might be needed to check th~t interlocking pro~iles ., 30 have been fully engaged. Thl8 can al~o be important in that a typieal con~umer would like to be as~ured that the proper degree of interengage~ent ha3 been achieved by proceeding with what miqht amount to only casual re~ealing action~ rather than the need to proceed with a studied and careful procedure.
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~3--OnP ~uch approach that can be u~ed in infor~ing the con~umer that the designed extent of reclosure has been accomplished i~ to provide an audible snapping sound which informs the consumer that the 5 package has been reclo~ed. ~or merchandlsing food packaginq containers i~ is e3sen ial that any ~uch reclosure means may readily be combined with packaging wherein the packaged food~ are formed to the package : with vacuum and often also with mechanical pres3ure.
The pre~ent 1nvention respond~ ~o a need in the art for food packaging containers which are easily openable and easily reclo~able ln a po~itive manner to the extent ~hat the consumer i~ provided with an audible sound signifying that the package ha~ been reelo~ed in order to provide a~ least a perception of freshne~!3 preserva~ion. In addi~ion, the reclo~lng i~ ea~ily accomplished without requlring clo~e visual ~udy or careful at~en~lon by the consum~r. Thi3 packaging ~hu~
~: provides the con~umer with a clear signal tha~ reclo~ure ha~ been accompllshed to en~ure ~hat the caYi~y w~ll not be lnadvertently opened and to prov~de a non-hermetic barrier for retarding deterioration of ~he fovd product withln the cavity.
In 8~m~ary, the food packaging container according to ~he pre~ent lnvention include~ a b~e and a body which together define a bubble enclGsure that provides a cavity wlthin which the food product i~
tightly enclosed~ The food i8 hermetically ~eale~
: within the cavity by ~uitable peelabl~ ~eallng meansa Peripheral fl,ange~ of the ba~e and body are positioned outside of the cavity and peelable ~ealing mean~, and locking mean8 or snap locking the peripheral flanges together are ~o~med therewithln. The locklng means ~¦ lnclude3 at lea~t on~ clo~ure a~sembly o~ a projection 3S and an under8ized opening pos~tioned one on the base ~nd the other on the body. -The projectlon and opening are in regi~try wlth each other when the base and body are , ,, , - :
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herme~ically ~ealed to each other. ~fter ~he package haY been opened, this reg1~ry i8 easily re-establi~hed, at which ~ime the projection enters into the under~ized opening~ and an audible snap will sownd when rein~ertion has been accompli~hed. Preferably~ the projection i8 : thermoformed into the package base or body, and it is of an ad2quate si2e to allow crimping thereo~ either before or after filling and sealing of the food packaging container. Post-thermoforming crimping of the projection cau~es or at leas~ greatly enhances the audible snapping sound which i~ experienced when the base and body are pre~sed ~ogether~
:It is accordingly a general object of the pre~ent invention to provid~ an improved food packaging container and method of forming ~a~e.
Another objec~ of thi~ in~en~ion i3 to provide an improved food packaging container and method of forming ~ame, which container incorporate~ at least one flange area snap clo~ure a~embly that effects an audible snap when the food packaging container is :'reclo3ed~
~`' Ano~her object of the pre~ent invention is to ,1 provide an improved ood packaging container and method of making same which provide a po itive and clear signal to the con~um~r that th~ packag~ has been reclosed~
Another object of ~hi~ invention i3 to prQvide an i~proved food packaglng container and method of making same, which cont~in~r can be readlly realosecl without requiring a great deal of tlme~ ~kill or attention on ,~he part of the consumer, whlch can be ~urther facilitated by a binge a~se~bly7 ,Another ob~ect of the pre~ent invention i~ to :1provide an improv2d food pack~ging container and m~thod :~ of making ~ame, which incorporate~ reclosure memb~rs 35 th~t do . not ~ub~tantially incr~ase the cost 0~ the ; ~
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contain~r and that are readlly vi~ible from ~he front of the container~
These and other object , feature~ and advantages of the present invention w~ll be clearly understood ~hrough a consid~ra~ion of the following detailed description.
Brief De~cription of th~ Drawin~s In the course of thi~ description, reference will be made to the attached drawing~, wherein:
Figure 1 i~ an exploded per~pec~ive view of a preferred food packaging container according to the present inv~ntion;
Figure 2 i~ an exploded cro~s-sectional view : 15 along the line 2-2 of Figur~ 1~
Figure 3 i~ a plan view o t~ b~se memb~r of the food packaging contaln~r shown in Figure 1~
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an -: alternat~ve embodimen~ of a food packaging container according to the pre~ent inventiont ~ igure 5 is a plan cro~s-sectional view of the locking mean~, as a3sembled, of the embodiment illu~trat~d ~n ~gure 47 ~, Figure ~ i~ a perspectlve view of another embodim~nt according to the pre~en~ ln~entionJ and -~ Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are plan views of `~. other ~lternative embod~ments o locklng ~ea~s for .
lncorporation into food packaging contalner~ according to the present inventionO
. 30 De~cri~lon o~ the Par~icular Embodiments The ~ood packaging conta1ner~ generally ;` designated as 11, which is shown in Figure~ 1, 2 and 3 include~ a ba~e member, gener~lly de3ignated a~ 1~, and a body mamber, generally de ign~ed a~ 13. Body member 13 includes a bubble portlon 14, and food product such ~` .
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as a s~ack of luncheon meat or cheese 81ice5 or ~he like ~not shown), i~ tightly enclosed by and between ~he bubble portion 14 and a panel portion 15 of the base member 12. In th~s illustrated embodiment, the panel portion 15 take~ the form of a pedestal which generally ne~ts within the mouth openlng of the bubbl~ portion 14.
A peelable seal 16 i~ provicled, ~ypically in close proximity to the bubble portion 14, and this peelable seal 16 can be of a generally known con.~truction and/or charac~er so that a vacuum seal condi~ion i maintained within the food packag~ng container 11 untll opening thereof i~ effec~ed~
Typically~ the peelable seal 16 will be generally along : or ~paced clo~ely from the inside perimeter of a peripheral flange 17 o~ ~he base member 12 and a per~pheral flange 18 of the ~ody member 13.
; ~t least one -~nap clo~ure assembly ~two ~nap closure a~semblies being ~i~ible in Figure 1) i8 provided in the peripheral flange~ 17 and 18~ In each ~` 20 case, ~he projection of each sn~p closure assembly i~
formed in the base member 127 or the body m~mber 13 and ~, the other under~i2ed opening is formed in the other member. One illu~trated snap closure assembly includes ba~e m~mber pro~ection 21 and an under~ized opening 22 in the body member~ The o~her lllustrated ~nap clo~ure a~embly con~i~ts of ba~e m~mber pro~ctlon 23 and body ~, m~mber under~iz~d opening 24. In thi3 illu~tr~ted embodiment, the base member projections 21t 23 are insertion pro~ections, and the body member und~rslzled openings 22, 24 are receptor openings that are generally , hollow and closely receive the in3ert~0n projectlons :, which are generally protruding above the ~urface of the base member.
Openings 22, 24 are undersized in that each ha~ an opening peripheral size and/or shape 80 a~ to ef~ect an in~er~erence fit when the ba3e member : `
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projec~ion enters the opening. The entry and/or sea~ing of the projection into tbe opening is accompanied by an audible snap as projection is thus force fitted into the opening. For example, when the perimeter of the opening has the same shape as a cross-section through an engagement portion of the projection, the opening perimeter will be less than the outer perimetar of the projection cro~s-section, r~sulting in an audible snap.
In those cases where at least an engagement portion of the projection ha~ a cro~-sectional shape diffe2ent from the shape of the opening perimeterr at least a part -~ of the opening will be in interfering engagement wi~h ~- the projection whereby the interfering portion~ will s$gnal an audible snap when the packa~e l~ closed~
~hlchever undersizlng approach i~ utillzed, the e~tent ~ of under~izing mu~t be adequate to achieve th~ needed :~ force fit, bu~ it should not be so great as to cause the openlng or the projection ~o di~tort or tear.
The base member 12 and the body m~mber 13 are formed o~ a semi-rigid, pre-formed pla~ic material, and the projection~ 21 and 23 are thermoformed therewlthin and at a location at lea~t 1/8 inch away from ~he cavity :: area and outside o~ the peelable seal 16. Each project~on has a height ~h~ch ~5 adequate ~typically 1/16 inch or mor~ typically on the order of appro~imately 1/8 inch or more) in order to allow or - crimplng of the pro~ctlon ~ither beore or after filling and seallng o~ the ~ood packaging ~ontalner 11.
It is preferred that the crimping action be po~t-thermof~rming and be~ore or after the b~se ~e~ber 12 and body member 13 are pres~d together. The pvst-thermoforming crimping of the projections can enhance the audible ~ap which ~ounds when the body and ba~e are pre~sed together~ The opening~ can be easily ~:; 35 made aPter thermo~orming, for e~ample during ~ panel cut-out or trimmLng step~
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The projection and opening of thi~ e~bodiment exhibit a general bowtie shape and provide a relatively large engagement int~rface and a shape that ~acilitates crimping the projection, when desired. It can be 5 e~pecially convenient to crimp neck portion 25 of a projectlon in order to provide especially ~uitable snap locking means having a reliable audible snap.
Alqo ~hown in thi~ embodiment in order to a~sist in ease of package reclosing i~ the inclu~ion of a hinge assembly, generally de~ignated as 27.
suitable hinge assembly 27 can include a permanent-type of glue or adhesive or heat seal 28 for ~oining respective ends of th~ base member 12 and body m~mber 13 :~ which are generally oppo~te rom the snap closure ~ lS a~s~mbly. ~ score line 29 i~ also praferably included :~ in order to facllitat~ bending of the semi rig~d ba~e member 12 and/or body member 130 The food packaging contain~r, generally designated as 31 in Figure 4~ includes ba.~e ~ember 32 and a body member 33 having a bubbl~ p~rtlo~ 34. In ~hi embodiment, base member projec~ion 35 and body :1 member undersized opening 36 are not en~irely iden~lcal in ~hape, and at lea~t one engagement portion of the projection i~ ghtly wider than the openlng ln at l~as~ on~ locatlon artd~or dimen3ionO ~n the arrange.Tnent I illu~trated in Flgures 4 and 5~ portion~ o~ the in~ertion projection 35 are ~llghtly ~ider than the generally corresponding portion~ of the under~ d op~ning 36. I~e base member proje~tion 35 enter~ the undersiæed openlng 36 in the body member 33. Totally non-impeded entry i~ not pos~ible due to the positioning o~ protruding wings 37 of the undersi~ed opening 3S, :;1 while corre~ponding wings are not included in the ba~e ; ~ member projection 35. ~y thi~ arrangement, a pinch$ng ac~on ~3 achieved ~rom top to bottom of the pro~ections when the wall 38 slidably engages a protruding wing 37 :
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_g_ whereby the protruding wing 37 and/or wall 38 deform to provide secure, pinching engag~ment thereb~tween. An audible ~nap condition can be enhanced by crimping as described in connection wlth the embodiment of Figures 1 through 3, if desired~
The Figure 6 embodiment illustrates another genera1 form which can be taken by a :Eood packaging container; generally designated a~ 41. I~ thi~
embodiment, there i~ les~ of a delineation between a base member and bubble member~ Thi~ p2ckage provides a ; substantial hinge arrangement by including a hlnge portion 42 joining body ~embers 43 and 4~ of generally equal volume. ~nap ~.losure as~emblie~ 45 and 46 ar~
illu~trated. ~g with all Qf the embodiments, the~e snap clo3ure as~embli~s can includ~ po3t thermofor~ing crimping o~ tAe projection and/or can ~xhibit a pinching :~ ac~ion ~tructure. In any event they are cha acterized :~ by ~ clo~e interferenc~ fit.
In all of the illustrated embodlmen~s, the insertion projection component of each ~nap closure ~ as~e~bly may be either within the base member or body :' member, and th~ corresponding receptor under~ized ~:~ opening component thereof will be withl~ the other member, wheth0r the body member or the base ~ember. A
~5 min~mum o~ one ~uch ~nap closure assembly or a~ many ac x or more such a33emblie3 may be provided in order to ~:~ achleve the desired reclosable locking actlon.
The pro~ections and under~i~ed opening~ may take on any number of various ~hape~. ~ypically the3e 3hape~ will re~dily allow for the inter~erence ~it, and/or crimplng and/or for pinching action as desired.
Figure 7a shows a sn~p closure assembly structure design modeled after a padlock. Figure 7b give~ a structure on the order of that shown in the other embodiments, but al~o re~embling a key providing the general outline of :~ initials sucb a~ the illustrated ~OM~ Figure 7c ~"
, : . - -provides ano~her illu~tration s)f a multi-faceted -qhape which approximates t:hat of the inltials WOMZ., Figure 7d illustrates another shape of projection and under~ized openi ng .
With more particular reference to the me~hod aspects of this invention, ~O 8. Patents ~o. 3, 498, 018, NoO 4,411~122, No. 4,577,757 and NOD 4~688~369~ WhiCh are incorporated by reference hereinto, describe methods of orming a vacuumized~ ~ermatically sealed package characterized by a predetermined quan~ity o~ product which i~ deformable and is arranged in the form of an upright mas~ on a pede~tal having a sidewall and a peripheral flange for hermetic ~eal ing to a oorre~ponding peripheral flange of t:he body member. The food product wlll engage the end panel of the body `, member bubble9 a~ well a~ lt~ ~idewall. ~he ~idewall o --~ the base panel pede tal tele~;copes in~o the bottom edge~
of the bubbl e ~i dewal 1.
In a typical method for filling this type of :~ ~0 package, ~he body member 15 placed in an inver~ed po~ition, such a~ genera~ly illu~trated in Flgure 1 hereof, and ~uffici~n~ quan~ity of product i3 plac~d th~reinto o that ~he s::av1ty will be ~ub~tantially filled when the package is assembled. ~en, the ba~e 25 member i8 posltioned on the mouth oP ~he bubble 50 that the p~destal tele8c:0pe~ into the bubble and engages the : ~ 1 product ~. The f t ange margins of the ~a~e member overl ie the corresponding margin~ of the body ~e~ber.
Plechanical pre~sure can be appl ied inw~rdly and on~o the 30 outside ~urface of the pede~al . The area def ined by the bottom edge~ of the bubble sidewall can be su~f iclent to ~orce the product into clo~e conl:act with interior su~face~ of 'che ba~e and bod~ members to ~hape the product to conform to the ~hape of the cav~ty and 35 ~ub~tantially comple~ely f ill the ~pace between the .l cavity and product while vacuumlzing th~ as3e~bly and while sealing the package in a h~rm~tic mannerO
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The projection or projection~ are formed in the desired peripheral flange, pre~erably by thermoforming. While crimping can be accomplished : before or after filling and sealing of the package, it is preferred ~o crimp ~efore the base member and body member are assembled together. An audible snap 1~
enhanced by post-thermoforming crimping o~ neck portions or the like of the projection or projection~
: When this inven~ion i9 followed, reclosabili~y and the ability of the package to ~hen ~tay closed i~
achieved at low cost by providing one or more point~ of frictional interaction ou~s~de of the sealed area of the ~: package. An audible ~nap ~ound is al~o prvvided which enhance3 the perception of freshnes~ pre~rvation once the package i~ opened. ~hi~ invention can be applied to package~ of any of various shape~, including tho~e that : are generally round and generally ~quare or rectangular, and the bubble portion~ can take on needed product-conforming ~hapes. ~l~o, the projection or pro3ection~ are r2adily v~lble to the con~umer~ even from the front of the package, and they can pre~ent a plea~ing appearance. ~o achieve ea~y opaning of the :~, peelable seal/ high molecular we$ght polymer adhe3ive~
which are peelable and re~alable may be used, or easy peel mul~i-lay~r rigid films that ~re heat sealable may be u~ed~
~ With more particular reference to the : preferred crimpl~g procedure, crimping o~ the projection or pro;ection~ occurs by applying pressure to one or both ~ides o~the pro~ection ~or a portion of it ~uch a3 the illu~trated neck) in order to slightly deform it.
Crimping might occur at room temperature, or heat may be applied to the ~urace of the crimped area and/or imparted thereto by the crimpin~ device it~elf, in order to utilize solid state forming techniques in order to utilize ~olid state forming technlques.
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In a ~yplcal food packaging container, the thicknes~ of the bubble f ilm i~ about 13 ml . and ~ha thickne~s of the base film is about 10 ml. ~xemplary bubble compo~itlons include ~arex 210 or polyethylene terephthalate. A suita~le ba~e compoRitiorl can be Barex 210, polyvinyl ch~ori de~ or Saranea~ lamlnated to Barex 210 or polyvinyl chloride or poly3tyr~ne.
It will thu~ be ~een that the pre~en~
inYention provide~ new and useful food packaging con~ainers and me~chod ~or making same, which have a ~.
number o~ advan~cages and characteri~ics, including those pointe~ out herein and others which are inherent in the inYentiOn. Preferred embodiments have bee~
described by way of example, and it i~ anticipated ~ha~
.. 15 modifications may ~e made to the described form wi~hout departing from the spirit of the inventlon or the scope ~, of the appended claims.
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Claims (18)
1. A food packaging container, comprising:
a base member having a panel portion for supporting a food product and a peripheral flange portion generally surrounding said base member panel portion;
a body member having a bubble portion for cooperating with the base member panel portion to define a cavity to fully enclose the food product therewithin, said body member further including a peripheral flange portion generally surrounding said body member bubble portion;
peelable sealing means to provide hermetic sealing of the base member peripheral flange portion to the body member peripheral flange portion after the food product is filled into the cavity, said peelable sealing means providing a perimeter that is generally closely spaced outside of said cavity; and locking means for snap locking said base member to said body member, said locking means including at least one closure assembly, said snap closure assembly including an insertion projection and an undersized opening, said projection having been thermoformed into one of said base member peripheral flange or said body member peripheral flange, said undersized opening being in the other of said body member peripheral flange or said base member peripheral flange, said projection and said undersized opening being in registry with each other at a location outside of said peelable sealing means, and said undersized opening receives and enters into interference fit snapping engagement with said insertion projection.
a base member having a panel portion for supporting a food product and a peripheral flange portion generally surrounding said base member panel portion;
a body member having a bubble portion for cooperating with the base member panel portion to define a cavity to fully enclose the food product therewithin, said body member further including a peripheral flange portion generally surrounding said body member bubble portion;
peelable sealing means to provide hermetic sealing of the base member peripheral flange portion to the body member peripheral flange portion after the food product is filled into the cavity, said peelable sealing means providing a perimeter that is generally closely spaced outside of said cavity; and locking means for snap locking said base member to said body member, said locking means including at least one closure assembly, said snap closure assembly including an insertion projection and an undersized opening, said projection having been thermoformed into one of said base member peripheral flange or said body member peripheral flange, said undersized opening being in the other of said body member peripheral flange or said base member peripheral flange, said projection and said undersized opening being in registry with each other at a location outside of said peelable sealing means, and said undersized opening receives and enters into interference fit snapping engagement with said insertion projection.
2. The food packaging container according to claim 1, wherein said insertion projection includes a crimped portion.
3. The food packaging container according to claim 1, wherein said closure assembly provides for reclosure of the food packaging container, which reclosure is signalled by audible snapping sound generated by reinsertion of said insertion projection into said underized opening.
4. The food packaging container according to claim 1, wherein said projection has a general bowtie shape including a crimped central neck portion.
5. The food packaging container according to claim 1, wherein said projection has a crimped neck portion.
6. The food packaging container according to claim 1, wherein said base member panel portion is a protruding pedestal having an annular sidewall that nests within said bubble portion of the body member.
7. The food packaging container according to claim 1, further including hinge means hingedly joining said base portion peripheral flange and said body portion peripheral flange.
8. The food packaging container according to claim 1 wherein one of said projection or undersized opening has a protruding wing portion which deforms to provide pinching securement action when said closure assembly is joined together.
9. The food packaging container according to claim 1, wherein said undersized opening includes a protruding part that deforms upon sliding engagement with a wall portion of said insertion projection.
10. A food packaging container, comprising:
a base member having a panel portion for supporting a food product and a peripheral flange portion generally surrounding said base member panel portion;
a body member having a bubble portion for cooperating with the base member panel portion to define a cavity to fully enclose the food product therewithin, said body member further including a peripheral flange portion surrounding said body member bubble portion;
peelable sealing means to provide hermetic sealing of the base member peripheral flange portion to the body member peripheral flange portion after the food product is filled into the cavity, said peelable sealing means providing a perimeter that is generally closely spaced outside of said cavity;
locking means for snap locking said base member to said body member, said locking means including at least one closure assembly, said snap closure assembly including an insertion projection and an undersized opening, said projection having been thermoformed into one of said base member peripheral flange or said body member peripheral flange, said undersized opening being in the other of said body member peripheral flange or said said member peripheral flange, said projection and said undersized opening being in registry with each other at a location outside of said peelable sealing means, and said undersized opening receives and enters into interference fit snapping engagement with said insertion projection; and hinge means for hingedly joining said base portion peripheral flange and said body portion peripheral flange at a location generally opposite to the location of said locking means.
a base member having a panel portion for supporting a food product and a peripheral flange portion generally surrounding said base member panel portion;
a body member having a bubble portion for cooperating with the base member panel portion to define a cavity to fully enclose the food product therewithin, said body member further including a peripheral flange portion surrounding said body member bubble portion;
peelable sealing means to provide hermetic sealing of the base member peripheral flange portion to the body member peripheral flange portion after the food product is filled into the cavity, said peelable sealing means providing a perimeter that is generally closely spaced outside of said cavity;
locking means for snap locking said base member to said body member, said locking means including at least one closure assembly, said snap closure assembly including an insertion projection and an undersized opening, said projection having been thermoformed into one of said base member peripheral flange or said body member peripheral flange, said undersized opening being in the other of said body member peripheral flange or said said member peripheral flange, said projection and said undersized opening being in registry with each other at a location outside of said peelable sealing means, and said undersized opening receives and enters into interference fit snapping engagement with said insertion projection; and hinge means for hingedly joining said base portion peripheral flange and said body portion peripheral flange at a location generally opposite to the location of said locking means.
11. The food packaging container according to claim 10, wherein said insertion projection includes a crimped portion.
12. The food packaging container according to claim 10, wherein said undersized opening includes a protruding part that deforms upon sliding engagement with a wall portion of said insertion projection.
13. A method for providing a food packaging container, said method comprising:
thermoforming a base member having a panel portion for supporting a food product and a peripheral flange portion generally surrounding said base member panel portion, said thermoforming step including thermoforming an insertion projection into said peripheral flange portion of the base member;
thermoforming a body member having a bubble portion for cooperating with the base member panel portion to define a cavity to fully enclose the food product therewithin, said thermoforming step further including forming a peripheral flange portion surrounding said body member bubble portion;
forming an undersized opening into said peripheral flange portion of the body member, said undersized opening having a periphery, at least a portion of which is smaller than a similarly positioned portion of said insertion of the base member;
hermetically sealing together a portion of said base member peripheral flange and a portion of said body member peripheral flange to provide a peelable seal along a perimeter that is closely spaced outside of said cavity; and inserting said thermoformed projection into said undersized opening in order to snap lock aid projections and opening together.
thermoforming a base member having a panel portion for supporting a food product and a peripheral flange portion generally surrounding said base member panel portion, said thermoforming step including thermoforming an insertion projection into said peripheral flange portion of the base member;
thermoforming a body member having a bubble portion for cooperating with the base member panel portion to define a cavity to fully enclose the food product therewithin, said thermoforming step further including forming a peripheral flange portion surrounding said body member bubble portion;
forming an undersized opening into said peripheral flange portion of the body member, said undersized opening having a periphery, at least a portion of which is smaller than a similarly positioned portion of said insertion of the base member;
hermetically sealing together a portion of said base member peripheral flange and a portion of said body member peripheral flange to provide a peelable seal along a perimeter that is closely spaced outside of said cavity; and inserting said thermoformed projection into said undersized opening in order to snap lock aid projections and opening together.
14. The method according to claim 13, further including crimping at least one portion of said thermoformed projection in order to form a crimped portion thereof.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said crimping step takes place before said inserting step.
16. The method according to claim 13, wherein undersized opening forming step includes forming a protruding portion of said undersized opening.
17. The method according to claim 13, further including hingedly attaching together respective ends of said peripheral flange portions.
18. The method according to claim 13, wherein said hermetic sealing step is preceded by filling said cavity with a food product.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US43492189A | 1989-11-09 | 1989-11-09 | |
| US434,921 | 1989-11-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2027709A1 true CA2027709A1 (en) | 1991-05-10 |
Family
ID=23726240
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002027709A Abandoned CA2027709A1 (en) | 1989-11-09 | 1990-10-16 | Reclosable food packaging having snap closure |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0427512B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH03226463A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE112744T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2027709A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69013291D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19859042A1 (en) * | 1998-12-21 | 2000-06-29 | Convenience Food Sys Bv | Resealable plastic packaging with at least one knob |
| DE19859043A1 (en) | 1998-12-21 | 2000-06-29 | Convenience Food Sys Bv | Resealable plastic packaging with a Velcro fastener |
| DE10120366A1 (en) | 2001-04-25 | 2002-10-31 | Convenience Food Sys Wallau | Plastic packaging with at least one sealed knob |
| DE102005033273A1 (en) † | 2005-07-15 | 2007-01-25 | Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg | Packaging of web material and process for its production |
| US9232808B2 (en) | 2007-06-29 | 2016-01-12 | Kraft Foods Group Brands Llc | Processed cheese without emulsifying salts |
| WO2011106474A1 (en) | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-01 | Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc | Reclosable package using low tack adhesive |
| RU2557614C2 (en) | 2010-02-26 | 2015-07-27 | Интерконтинентал Грейт Брэндс ЛЛС | Uv-curable self-adhesive material with low stickiness for re-sealed packages |
| RU202835U1 (en) * | 2020-08-13 | 2021-03-10 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ПАКГРАД" | FOOD TRAY |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3311229A (en) * | 1965-01-21 | 1967-03-28 | Nat Patent Dev Corp | Tablet package |
| US4498588A (en) * | 1984-05-03 | 1985-02-12 | Champion International Corporation | Reclosable packaging system and method for forming same |
| EP0222558A3 (en) * | 1985-11-01 | 1988-09-07 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Method of forming a reclosable package |
| US4945710A (en) * | 1988-11-03 | 1990-08-07 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Method of forming a reclosable package |
-
1990
- 1990-10-16 CA CA002027709A patent/CA2027709A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-11-06 EP EP90312139A patent/EP0427512B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-11-06 AT AT90312139T patent/ATE112744T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-11-06 DE DE69013291T patent/DE69013291D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-11-09 JP JP2305934A patent/JPH03226463A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69013291D1 (en) | 1994-11-17 |
| JPH03226463A (en) | 1991-10-07 |
| ATE112744T1 (en) | 1994-10-15 |
| EP0427512A1 (en) | 1991-05-15 |
| EP0427512B1 (en) | 1994-10-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19981016 |