TRANSPORT CONTAINERS FOR PREPARED FOOD

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport container for prepared food according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A transport container is already known (DE 10 2010 000 265 B4). This transport container consists of a tub-shaped lower part into which prepared food can be poured. After the food has been poured in, the transport container can be closed with a lid. For example, the lower part has a circumferential and self-contained V-shaped recess in the edge area, which corresponds to a circumferential and self-contained V-shaped elevation on the lid in such a way that when the lid is closed, its V-shaped elevation engages positively with the V-shaped recess in the lower part. DE 10 2010 000 265 B4 also shows that a V-shaped elevation runs parallel to the V-shaped recess in the lower part. Accordingly, a V-shaped recess runs parallel to the V-shaped elevation in the lid.The V-shaped elevation of the lower part and the V-shaped recess of the lid correspond to one another in such a way that when the lid is closed, the V-shaped elevation of the lower part engages in the V-shaped recess of the lid.

[0003] The matching V-shaped protrusions and V-shaped recesses ensure secure attachment of the lid to the base when the transport container is closed. Overall, this also ensures good dimensional stability against torsion. The transport container is sealed around the edges when closed.

[0004] Other transport containers are also known which are made of thermally insulating material such as extruded polystyrene or another foamed plastic. These transport containers also have a base and a lid. The base and lid of a transport container are firmly connected to one another along a side edge of the lid, which also forms one of the upper edges of the base. The line connecting the base and lid forms a pivot axis along this edge, around which the lid can be pivoted, so that the lid can be opened and closed. When closed, the lid is closed by two tabs on the lid or base engaging through corresponding openings in the base or lid.Unless the lid and base are firmly connected along one edge (where the lid can be pivoted to open and close the transport container), the lid rests only on the edges of the base when the transport container is closed. This means that the transport container does not seal tightly when closed. These transport containers are used for food in the fast-food sector. Therefore, these transport containers are easy to handle and cost-effective to manufacture. These transport containers are intended for use as single-use and disposable packaging.

[0005] Further transport containers or lids for this purpose are known from EP 0 839 726 B1, DE 10 2009 032 198 A1, DE 82 14 571 U1, DE 10 2010 000 265 B4, US 5,027,972 A, KR 200 434 591 Y1, US 2005 / 000966 A1, EP 0 026 999 A1 and DE 199 46 210 A1.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of improving the existing transport containers.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the present invention according to claim 1 by a transport container for prepared food.

[0008] The transport container is made of a thermally insulating material. A thermally insulating material, as defined in this invention, is a food-safe material with a high thermal insulation effect.

[0009] An example of a thermally insulating material is extruded polystyrene, known under the brand name Styrofoam.

[0010] It is conceivable that the thermally insulating material could be made of a sustainable material such as cardboard and have an inner coating made of a material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Instead of a coating, a film, particularly an aluminum-based film, could be used that is glued into the transport container.

[0011] Preferably, the thermally insulating material is a porous cardboard with an inner lining made of a food-safe material.

[0012] The transport container consists of a trough-shaped lower part and a lid. The lid and the lower part engage one another and / or one above the other in the edge region in a form-fitting and sealing manner. According to the present invention, at least one partition wall is located in the trough-shaped lower part to divide the receiving space of the transport container into several receiving areas. The lid also has one or more partition elements. The number of partition elements corresponds to the number of partition walls. Furthermore, the course of the partition elements corresponds to the course of the partition walls such that, when the transport container is closed, the partition elements and the partition walls correspond to one another. The corresponding partition elements and partition walls engage one another and / or one above the other in a form-fitting and sealing manner.As a result, the separating elements and the partition walls create several completely separate food storage areas inside the transport container when it is closed.

[0013] The partition wall or walls in the lower part divide the transport container into several storage areas so that different food items can be placed separately in the transport box.

[0014] The interaction of the partition wall (or walls) of the lower part with the separating element (or elements) of the lid further ensures that the individual receiving areas are separated from one another, so that even if the closed transport container is tilted, no liquid such as a sauce can flow from one receiving area to another.

[0015] Furthermore, the interaction of the partition wall(s) of the base with the separating element(s) of the lid improves the dimensional stability of the transport container. The interaction of the partition wall(s) with the separating element(s) leads to an improvement in the torsional rigidity of the transport container as a whole.

[0016] Twisting of the transport container can occur, for example, when the transport container is loaded and only held on one side. The resulting twisting of the transport container can potentially lead to the holding force of the positive connection between the lid and the base being insufficient to keep the transport container closed.

[0017] It proves to be advantageous that the stability of the closed transport container is improved even under these unfavorable conditions.

[0018] The security of the transport container remaining closed is improved. This also results in better sealing of both the receiving areas and the transport container as a whole.

[0019] The transport container has a locking means by which the partition wall and the separating element and / or an edge region of a side wall of the transport container can be positively connected to an edge region of a lid of the transport container. The locking means also has a region with a U-shaped cross section and a connecting projection, wherein the connecting projection can be inserted into the U-shaped region to form a locking connection, and comprises several locking steps. Because the connecting projection can be inserted into the U-shaped region, a connection can be formed that is secured against displacement of the lid of the transport container.

[0020] The locking steps allow the end position of the transport container's lid to be adjusted, thereby adjusting the transport container's volume. Advantageously, a single food container can be used for different large food portions. One locking step preferably corresponds to a transport container volume between 0.05 and 0.10 liters.

[0021] The locking means is preferably formed in two parts, with a first part being attached to the partition wall and a second part to the separating element, or a first part being attached to the edge region of a side wall of the transport container and a second part to an edge region of a lid of the transport container. Preferably, the two parts are formed as one piece.

[0022] If the partition wall and the separating elements, as well as the two edge regions of the side wall and the lid, are intended to form a snap-in connection, it is conceivable to use two differently designed snap-in means. Such a transport container is designed to be circumferentially sealable. This means that a positive connection is formed in all contact areas between the lid and the base. This advantageously creates a particularly sealable and torsion-resistant transport container.

[0023] Preferably, the two parts of the locking means are strip-shaped.

[0024] In the design of the transport container according to claim 2, the transport container is also formed from the same material as the rest of the transport container in the edge region of the lower part and in the edge region of the lid, where the lower part and the lid engage positively with one another or over one another. Likewise, the partition walls and the partition elements in the region where the partition walls and the partition elements engage positively with one another or over one another are formed from the same material as the rest of the transport container.

[0025] Manufacturing these connecting areas from silicone or a rubber-like material, for example, offers the advantage of greater elasticity. This makes closing the transport container easier. Furthermore, the higher elasticity of this material results in a better and tighter seal between the partition wall(s) and the separating element(s), as well as between the base and the lid.

[0026] In terms of manufacturing costs, it has proven advantageous to manufacture the entire transport container from a single material. This has been shown to still result in a stable closure of the closed transport container. This is particularly important in the production of transport containers for use in the fast-food industry. Large quantities of these transport containers are required there, making manufacturing costs a decisive factor.

[0027] In the embodiment of the transport container according to claim 3, the lid has an area with one or more holes in the area of ​​at least one of the receiving areas separated by the partition wall or partition walls and the partition element or partition elements.

[0028] In the embodiment according to claim 4, this area, which has one or more erasers, can be covered with a (removable) adhesive strip or can be covered with an adhesive strip.

[0029] This proves particularly advantageous when deep-fried or baked foods are placed in the corresponding receiving area. Warm air can then escape through the holes from this receiving area of ​​the transport container. This keeps the food placed there crispy. The holes can be sized so that heat is still sufficiently stored in this receiving area, keeping the food warm.

[0030] In this configuration, it is particularly advantageous that the partition wall(s) in conjunction with the separating element(s) seals off the receiving area from the other receiving areas. The other receiving areas remain completely closed when the transport container is closed, allowing for better heat storage there.

[0031] In the embodiment according to claim 4, these holes can be covered with an adhesive strip or can be covered with an adhesive strip.

[0032] This design offers the possibility of keeping these holes closed when the transport container is in use by covering them with an adhesive strip.

[0033] The holes can be open in the standard design of the transport container and can be covered with adhesive tape if necessary.

[0034] It is also possible that the holes in the standard version of the transport container are covered with an adhesive strip, which can be removed if necessary, so that the holes are then open.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the invention, the plurality of holes are arranged in a matrix-like manner, wherein a distance between vertically and horizontally adjacent holes corresponds to two times to ten times a hole diameter, preferably three times to five times.

[0036] The inventor has found that holes arranged in a matrix-like manner with the mentioned size and spacing allow sufficient escape of warm air and at the same time only insignificantly weaken the perforated area mechanically.

[0037] Advantageously, a particularly stable transport container is created in which fried or baked foods, especially fast food foods, remain crispy during transport.

[0038] In particular, when the distance between adjacent holes is between three and five times the diameter of a hole, a transport container is created that can be used for many different prepared foods.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, the lid has a predetermined breaking point in the region of at least one of the receiving areas separated by the partition wall or walls and the separating element or elements, wherein the at least one predetermined breaking point is designed such that it breaks under the action of force, forming a vent opening.

[0040] The predetermined breaking point can, for example, be an elongated perforation. By manually pressing the perforation, a vent slot can be created through which warm air can escape from a prepared food storage area.

[0041] It is conceivable that the transport container has several parallel, elongated perforations. Advantageously, the person filling the transport container can decide how many ventilation slots are required.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one predetermined breaking point is L-shaped.

[0043] By pressing in a transition area from one L-leg to a base leg of the L-shaped predetermined breaking point, the transition area can be folded inward, i.e., into a receiving space. This creates a particularly triangular vent opening.

[0044] The inventor has recognized that an L-shaped predetermined breaking point allows the size of a particularly triangular vent opening to be particularly well adjusted by appropriately selecting a manually applied breaking force.

[0045] In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking steps are of equal size.

[0046] Conveniently, the U-shaped region in cross-section comprises at least one pair of opposing locking grooves configured to receive locking projections of the connecting projection, wherein opposing locking grooves are formed in opposite U-shaped legs of the U-shaped region in cross-section. The locking projections can be rounded, in particular, on a side of the connecting projection facing the locking grooves. Advantageously, a transport container that can be closed with little force is created.

[0047] If several pairs of opposing locking grooves are provided, a transport container with variable volume can be created in which each pair forms a locking step.

[0048] The multiple pairs of locking grooves can be arranged one above the other. The locking steps can be the same or different sizes.

[0049] In one embodiment of the invention, the locking means comprises locking teeth that are attached to the separating element and the partition wall and / or to an edge region of a side wall of the transport container and an edge region of a lid of the transport container, and that engage with one another to form a locking connection. Several pairs of locking teeth arranged one above the other can be provided, each forming a locking step.

[0050] It is advantageous to create a transport container with adjustable volume.

[0051] In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking teeth attached to the partition wall and / or the edge region of the lid protrude from a side surface of the partition wall and / or the edge region of the lid.

[0052] In particular, the locking teeth can extend parallel to a bottom of a lower part of the transport container, preferably into a receiving space for the prepared food.

[0053] The advantage is that a transport container is created that is particularly easy to close and adjustable in volume.

[0054] In one embodiment of the invention, the transport container is made of a cellulose-containing material. Advantageously, a sustainable transport container is created that is environmentally friendly to dispose of, especially after a single use. For example, the transport container can be made of cardboard.

[0055] Advantageously, the cellulose-containing material has a porosity between 40 and 60 vol%.

[0056] The inventor recognized that a sustainable transport container with excellent thermal insulation and high rigidity, especially torsional rigidity, could be created. The fact that cellulose is a material derived from trees also creates a sustainable and, above all, easily disposable transport container.

[0057] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings relating to the exemplary embodiments. The drawings show: Fig. 1: a representation of a lower part of a transport container in a perspective view from above, Fig. 2: a representation of a lid of the transport container to the lower part according to Figure 1, Fig. 3: a lateral section through the edge area in which the lower part and the lid are sealed in the closed state and Fig. 4: a lateral section through a partition wall and a separating element, which seal the corresponding receiving area in the closed state, Fig. 5-7: several embodiments of a locking means of a transport box in a side view, wherein Fig. 6 shows a locking means of a transport box according to the invention, Fig. 8: a section of a transport container according to the invention which has a predetermined breaking point.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a representation of a lower part 1 of a transport container in a perspective view from above. The bottom 2 and the side walls 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the lower part 1 can be seen. The upper edge area is in the representation of the Figure 1 not shown in detail. For this purpose, the illustration of the Figure 3 referred to.

[0059] In the presentation of the Figure 1 a partition wall 7 can also be seen, by which the interior of the lower part 1 is divided into two receiving areas 8 and 9. The partition wall 7 can also run differently in the lower part 1. In particular, this partition wall 7 can also run in such a way that the two receiving areas 8 and 9 are different sizes. It is also possible to provide several partition walls 7. For example, one or more further partition walls can run in such a way that they run parallel to the partition wall 7 shown or diagonally to this partition wall 7 shown without intersecting it. It is also possible to provide one or more partition walls in such a way that they run from the partition wall 7 shown to one of the side walls 3, 4, 5 or 6.

[0060] The Fig. 1 The transport container shown is made of a cellulose material having a porosity of 50 vol.%.

[0061] Figure 2 shows a representation of a lid 201 of the transport container to the lower part 1 according to Figure 1 . The cover 201 is shown in a perspective view from above.

[0062] On the lower side of the cover 201, which is shown in the illustration of the Figure 2 is not visible, a separating element runs which is connected to the partition wall 7 of the illustration of the Figure 1 This separating element runs on the underside of the cover 201 according to the arrows 202 and 203 of the illustration of the Figure 2 .

[0063] It can be seen that holes 204 arranged in a matrix are made in the lid 201, with the distance between adjacent holes 204 in this exemplary embodiment corresponding to three times the hole diameter. For reasons of clarity, only a few of these holes 204 are provided with arrows pointing to the reference number 204. These holes 204 are made in an area 205 of the lid 201 that is located above a receiving area (in this case, the receiving area 9) of the lower part 1. This area 205 is advantageously covered with an adhesive strip that can be removed. This allows the receiving area 9 to remain closed when the transport container is closed as long as the adhesive strip is applied. When the adhesive strip is removed, warm air can escape from this receiving area 9 through the holes 204. This allows deep-fried foods to be kept crispy without becoming soft due to steam.

[0064] In the Figures 1 and 2 the edge areas of the lower part 1 and the cover 201 are not shown in detail. Figure 3 shows a lateral section through an exemplary embodiment for the design of the edge region, in which the lower part 1 and the lid 201 are sealed in the closed state. The edge regions of the lower part 1 in the illustration of the Figure 1 and the cover 201 in the illustration of the Figure 2 can be displayed according to the Figure 3 be designed.

[0065] In the presentation of the Figure 3 The edge region 304 of a lower part 301 of a transport container is shown in a lateral section. A portion of a side wall 302 of the lower part 301 is visible.

[0066] The edge region 304 of the lower part 301 is designed such that the side wall 302 merges into a widened edge region 304. This edge region 304 is designed such that—starting from the connecting line of the side wall 302 with the edge region 304—a V-shaped or U-shaped recess 305 initially adjoins the edge region, which runs circumferentially in the edge region 304.

[0067] Towards the outside, in the edge region 304, there is also a V-shaped or U-shaped elevation 306, which also runs circumferentially in the edge region 304.

[0068] Furthermore, the edge region 307 of a cover 308 can be seen. This edge region adjoins a side wall 309 of the cover 308.

[0069] This edge region 307 is designed to correspond to the edge region 304.

[0070] Starting from the connecting line between the edge region 307 and the side wall 309, a V-shaped or U-shaped elevation 310 is formed, which interacts with the V-shaped or U-shaped recess 305 in the edge region 304 when the transport container is closed. The lid 308 engages with the lower part 301 here. Accordingly, the lower part 301 overlaps the lid 308 here.

[0071] Towards the outside, a V-shaped or U-shaped recess 311 adjoins the edge region 307, which interacts with the V-shaped or U-shaped elevation 306 when the transport container is closed. The lid 308 overlaps the lower part 301 here. Accordingly, the lower part 301 engages with the lid 308 here.

[0072] The design of edge regions 304 and 307 is shown here as an exemplary embodiment. Various variants are conceivable. For example, edge region 304 may only contain a recess or a protrusion. Accordingly, edge region 307 may also only contain a protrusion or a depression.

[0073] Figure 4 shows a lateral section through a partition wall 401 and a separating element 402, which, when closed, seal off the corresponding receiving area.

[0074] It can be seen that the separating element 402 is designed such that, when the transport container is closed, it positively engages the partition wall 401. For this purpose, the separating element 402 is V-shaped or U-shaped in this area, corresponding to the design of the partition wall 401.

[0075] Figure 5shows a lateral section through a partition wall 501 and a separating element 502, which, in the closed state, seal off the corresponding receiving area by forming a snap-in connection.

[0076] A locking means 515 comprises a cross-sectionally U-shaped portion 516 protruding from an inner side of a lid of a transport container and a connecting projection 517 protruding from the separating element 502 in the direction of the portion 516.

[0077] The connecting projection 517 has two rounded locking projections 518 arranged on opposite sides of the connecting projection 517. These can engage in opposing locking grooves 519 in the U-shaped region 516 to form the locking connection. The locking grooves 519 are formed in U-legs 520.

[0078] One in Figure 6 The locking means 615 shown differs from that in Figure 5shown in that a total of three locking steps are formed.

[0079] For this purpose, three pairs of locking grooves 619 and associated locking projections 618 are provided, arranged equidistantly one above the other in this embodiment.

[0080] One in Figure 7 The locking means 715 shown differs from that in Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown in that opposing locking teeth 720, 721 are provided for closing a transport container, which form a total of three locking steps and which can engage with one another to form a locking connection.

[0081] The locking teeth 720 protrude from a side surface of a lid of the transport container, while the locking teeth protrude from a side surface of a separating element 702.

[0082] It is understood that the Figure 5 to Figure 7The locking means shown can also be used to connect an edge region of a lower part of a transport container to an edge region of a lid of the transport container. In this case, a circumferential connection is preferably formed, i.e., the lid of the transport container is completely and, in particular, hermetically connected to the lower part of the transport container along a contact region.

[0083] One in Figure 8 The predetermined breaking point 822 shown in a cover 801 is designed as a perforation and is L-shaped.

[0084] By pressing in a transition region 823 from an L-leg 824 to a base leg 825 of the L-shaped predetermined breaking point 822, the perforation is broken open in some areas and the transition region 823 can be folded inwards about an axis 826 into a receiving space, whereby a triangular ventilation opening 827 is formed.

[0085] It is understood that all combinations of the features shown in the figures are conceivable. For example, a transport container with a locking means according to Figure 6 a predetermined breaking point according to Figure 8 have.

Claims

1. Transport container for prepared food, ➢ whereby the transport container consists of a thermally insulating material, ➢ whereby the transport container consists of a trough-shaped lower part (1; 301) and a lid (201; 308), ➢ whereby at least one partition (7) is located in the trough-shaped lower part (1; 301) for dividing the receiving space of the transport container into a plurality of receiving regions (8, 9), ➢ whereby the cover (201; 308) and the lower part (1; 301) in the edge region (304, 307) engage positively and sealingly into one another and / or over one another, whereby the cover (201, 308) has one or more separating elements (202, 203; 402), ➢ whereby the number of partition elements (202, 203; 402) corresponds to the number of partition walls (7), ➢ whereby the course of the separating element (202, 203; 402) or the separating elements (202, 203; 402) corresponds to the course of the partition wall (7) or the partition walls (7) in such a way that, when the transport container is closed, the separating element (202, 203; 402) or the separating elements (202, 203; 402) and the partition wall (7) or the partition walls (7) correspond to one another, ➢ whereby the separating elements (202, 203; 402) and separating walls (7) corresponding to one another engage positively and sealingly into one another and / or over one another, so that a plurality of completely separate receiving regions (8, 9) for foodstuffs are formed in the interior of the transport container by the separating elements (202, 203; 402) and the separating walls (7) in the closed state of the transport container, whereby the transport container has a latching means (615), by means of which the partition wall (601) and the separating element (602) and / or an edge region (302) of a side wall (304) of the transport container can be positively connected to one another with an edge region (307) of a lid (308) of the transport container, whereby the latching means (616) has a region (616) which is U-shaped in cross-section and a connecting projection (617), whereby the connecting projection (617) can be inserted into the U-shaped region (616) to form a latching connection, characterized in that the latching means (616) comprises a plurality of latching steps.

2. Transport container according to claim 1, characterised in that, that the transport container also engages positively into or over one another in the edge region (304, 307) of the lower part (1; 301) and the lid (201; 308), in which the lower part (1; 301) and the lid (201; 308) engage positively into one another or over one another, and the partition wall (7) or the partition walls (7) and the partition element (202, 203; 402) or the partition elements (202, 203; 402) also engage positively into one another or over one another in the region in which the partition walls (7) and the partition elements (202, 203; 402) engage positively into one another or over one another; 402) or the separating elements (202, 203; 402) are also formed from the same material from which the transport container is otherwise made, in the region in which the separating walls (7) and the separating elements (202, 203; 402) engage positively into one another or over one another.

3. Transport container according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, that the cover (201) has a region (205) with one or more holes (204) in the region of at least one of the receiving regions (9) separated by the separating wall (7) or the separating walls (7) and the separating element (202, 203; 402) or the separating elements (202, 203; 402).

4. Transport container according to claim 3, characterised in that, that the area (205) with the holes (204) is taped over or can be taped over with a removable adhesive strip.

5. Transport container according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that, that the plurality of holes (204) are arranged in a matrix-like manner, whereby a distance vertically and horizontally neighbouring holes (204) corresponds to a twofold to a tenfold times a hole diameter, preferably three to five times five times.

6. Transport container according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, that the cover (201; 801) is positioned in the region of at least one of the areas separated by the partition wall (7) or the partition walls (7) and the separating element (202, 203; 402) or the separating elements (202, 203; 402) has at least one predetermined breaking point (822), whereby the (822), whereby the at least one predetermined breaking point (822) is designed in such a way that it breaks by the action of force, forming a vent opening (827) breaks.

7. Transport container according to claim 6, characterised in that, that the at least one predetermined breaking point (822) is L-shaped.

8. Transport container according to claim 1, characterised in that, that the resting steps are the same size.

9. Transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that, that the area (516), which is U-shaped in cross-section, comprises at least one pair of opposite latching grooves (519; 619), which are arranged to receive latching projections latching projections (518; 618) of the connecting projection (517, 617), whereby opposing latching grooves (519; 619) are inserted into opposing U-legs (520; 620) of the cross-sectionally U-shaped region (516).

10. Transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that, that the latching means (716) comprises latching teeth (720, 721) which are attached to the separating element and on the separating wall and / or on an edge region of a side wall of the transport container and an edge region of a lid of the transport container, and of a lid of the transport container, and which interlock to form a latching connection interlock with each other.

11. Transport container according to claim 10, characterised in that, that the latching teeth (720, 721) attached to the partition wall and / or the edge region of the cover teeth (720, 721) protrude from a side surface of the partition wall and / or the edge edge region of the lid.

12. Transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that, that the transport container is made of a material containing cellulose.

13. Transport container according to claim 12, characterised in that, that the cellulose-containing material has a porosity of between 40 and 60 per cent by volume by volume.