Container

[0088] In FIG. 4, a second embodiment for a container 1 according to the invention is shown. In this container, and possibly also in the container 1 according to FIG. 1, the container wall 6 is flexible, so that a pressure can be exerted on the container 1 from the outside in order to move the food 2 towards the withdrawal opening 8 for taking it out or consuming it. If necessary, in particular in case of frozen products, such as ice-cream, in addition to the pressure, the heat of a consumer's hand is transmitted, such that a layer of liquefied food 2 is formed at least between the same and an inner side of the container wall 6. The above materials for the different layers 3, 4, 5 according to FIG. 3 provide a flexibility of the container wall 6. At the same time, in particular by the use of PET (polyester), a layer material is used which stabilizes the corresponding shape of the container 1 according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 4. Such a layer material is flexible, but it is also relatively stiff.

[0089] The container 1 according to FIG. 4 can comprise a handle 24 at its closed end 9 which is also formed by a blank 10 for the container wall 6.

[0090] For forming this handle 24, lower end sections 20 of the blank 10, see FIG. 5, are pressed to one another after the blank has been rolled into the corresponding shape of the container, and by applying heat, they are intimately connected in a fluid tight manner. Even without the formation of such a handle, the closed end 9 can be formed by the connection of these lower end sections 20.

[0091] For simplification, in container 1 according to FIG. 1, a corresponding print 15 according to FIG. 1 is not shown.

[0092] In the blank 10 according to FIG. 5, it has to be noted that the same comprises a surrounding edge 14. The same can be sealed for preventing a penetration of fluid. After the blank 10 has been rolled, the rolled condition can be fixed, for example, by arranging facing longitudinal edges 14 in abutting relationship and joining them directly or by means of an additional connection means. It is also possible for the edges 14 to overlap for forming an overlap region 12 essentially extending in the longitudinal direction 11 of the container and for the blank to be attached to itself directly via a connection of the outer layer 3 and the inner layer 5. Additionally, an adhesive can be possibly arranged in the overlap region 12.

[0093] For forming the corresponding handle 24 according to FIG. 4, the lower end sections 20 of the blank 10 can be pressed one to another and joined. This connection can be made simultaneously with the connection in the overlap region 12. An upper end section of the blank 10, designated by “8”, serves as opening edge 8, after it has been bent or rolled to the outside, see FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0094] The represented embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 4 are only exemplary and other container shapes are possible, such as containers with an inverted cone design compared to FIG. 4, long stretched-out tubular containers, or the like. It is also possible for the corresponding transparent and fluid tight material for the container wall 6 only to be arranged at a circumferential section of the container wall in the longitudinal direction of the container 11, while the other sections of the container wall 6 are opaque. This corresponding transparent section can also be composed of several subsections spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 11 of the container, which are possibly out-of-line in the circumferential direction of the container 1. For a simplified manufacture of a corresponding container 1, it is, however, normally advantageous for the complete container wall 6 to be made of the corresponding transparent and fluid tight and possibly multilayer material. This in particular facilitates the arrangement of the print 15 in the interior of the material of the container wall 6.

[0095] In the following, the advantages according to the invention are again shortly summarized with respect to consumer-relevant and processing-relevant advantages.

[0096] One of the consumer-relevant advantages in accordance with the invention is that the corresponding container is characterized by some visual particularities. For example, the container can be prepared in various shapes, such as oval, circular, approximately square or even polygonal as well as bean-shaped and the like. Due to the transparency in particular in the visible spectral region, the contents of the container is moreover also visible without having to open it. Both the filling level and the condition of the food can be checked in a simple manner. The various possibilities of the printing result in further visual advantages. The print can also have such a design that there is a glossy effect which particularly emphasizes the print optically. Moreover, the print can have a three-dimensional effect. It is possible to provide the complete container with a print except for at least one window. The print can be formed by a hologram which offers further optical advantages. Moreover, the print can at least partially become visible only after the food has been taken out, which makes it possible, for example, to inform the consumer about a prize he won, or the like.

[0097] The consumer has a number of further functional advantages with the container according to the invention. One of these advantages is the tightness of the container with respect to gaseous and/or liquid fluids. The tightness relates to both a penetration and a leak of the corresponding fluid. One can also do without a corresponding fluid tightness, if the container is filled with an in particular dry food, of which the properties relevant for the consumption are not negatively influenced, for example, by an exchange of a gaseous fluid through the container wall. That means that this food is not attacked, for example, by oxygen, carbon dioxide or the like and that it is still suitable to be consumed without restrictions.

[0098] Further advantages of the container according to the invention are its flexibility due to which the corresponding food can be pressed out of the container. Simultaneously, the container is nevertheless resistant enough to external actions to be impact resistant and shock-proof. That means, if the container falls down, it is not damaged and even sharper objects cannot easily push through it.

[0099] At the same time, the container is elastic, so that it takes on its original shape even after having been pressed. The tightness of the container is furthermore advantageous as fluid can neither penetrate nor leak.

[0100] The resistance of the container also applies to the connection of the individual layers, so that even an only partial detachment of one layer is prevented. Altogether, the container is excellent for storing food, without the properties thereof being negatively influenced by external actions or by materials of the container with respect to the consumption of the food.

[0101] The dimensional stability of the container is selected such that it is flexible yet automatically takes on its original shape and also maintains its predetermined shape and its other properties in particular in the deformed areas of the container, such as the edge or conglutinated layers.

[0102] The print, too, is designed and arranged not to negatively influence the properties of the food or not to be removed from the container easily in any way by rubbing it off or the like. At the same time, the container is made of a material which offers a pleasant feeling to the hand even with cooled or heated food.

[0103] Apart from this plurality of consumer-relevant advantages, there is a similar number of processing-relevant advantages.

[0104] The ease of sealing the container according to the invention during its manufacture is an advantage which is in particular important for the conglutinated parts of the blank. However, the container is not only tight in these conglutinated areas, but also due to the materials of the container. Moreover, the container is appropriate for being printed or provided with a print in a simple manner, a number of possibilities for attaching the print onto one or more layers of the material being available.

[0105] Due to the even surface of the blank, the same can be easily processed and transported. In spite of the flexibility of the container material, it can be shaped and maintains its shape in the areas shaped as desired, such as for example in the edge region of the withdrawal opening. This dimensional stability furthermore comes in useful for the joint or conglutinated areas of the container, which also maintain their shape corresponding to the cross-section of the container. This results in a facilitation of the further processing or filling of the container, as the same always maintains its originally intended shape due to its dimensional stability and as, for example, an originally intended circular shape does not change into an oval or even flatter shape in the course of time.

[0106] This dimensional stability and a corresponding shaping of the container moreover result in a good stackability and unstackability which is also advantageous in terms of production and transport.

[0107] The tightness of the container is important for filling in the corresponding food as both during the filling and the later transport there is no risk of a penetration or leak of a corresponding fluid.

[0108] It is furthermore advantageous that the container is resistant both with respect to lower and higher temperatures with respect to its properties and its shape. That means that, for example, a food can be filled in and subsequently cooled without the properties being changed, such as tightness, flexibility, dimensional stability, transparency, or the like. This is analogously true for elevated temperatures, which are, for example, advantageous for sterilizing the container. Moreover, correspondingly high temperatures can also occur if the container is used for consuming a heated food.

[0109] Finally, another processing-relevant advantage is that the container can be easily tightly closed by a lid which can be in particular placed upon the withdrawal opening and tightly connected with the corresponding opening edge.