Blank cut for packaging a food portion and method for packaging a food portion

Abstract

The invention relates to a blank cut for packaging a food portion (3), the blank cut comprising fold lines (1a, 1b, 1c) defining an upper panel (5) and a lower panel (6), the lower panel being extended by a side panel (7) extended by an opening tab opposite to the lower panel (6), the tab having a base (8a) designed to be associated with a closure seam (9) for extending the upper panel (5), two tear lines (10) each extending from an edge of the base (8a) along the first side panel (7) and the lower panel (6), the seam (9) having no tear line and being arranged so as to be permanently associated with a region of the upper panel (5), the base (8a) being arranged so as to be associated with the seam such that it can be peeled off by pulling the opening tab (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a flan for packaging a portion of food, as well as a method of packaging a portion of food using such a flan.

[0002] It applies in particular to the packaging of individual food portions of fresh dairy products, such as for example fresh and / or processed cheese, which are packaged in an open envelope formed by folding a flan before closing said envelope.

[0003] To ensure the preservation of the packaged portion, the flan must include at least one sealing layer with oxygen and / or water vapor barrier properties, and the packaging closure must preserve this sealing.

[0004] To benefit from environmentally friendly packaging design, in particular by facilitating its recycling after consumption of the food portion, the flan can be formed from a complex comprising an outer layer based on cellulosic fibers and an inner sealing layer.

[0005] In particular, in relation to such a design of flans, there arises the problem of the antagonism between the ease of opening the packaging to be able to consume the portion, especially by young children and / or for soft portions, and the aforementioned sealing constraints which require a robust flan and closure.

[0006] To improve the packaging seal, document WO-2021 / 148526 proposes a blank with fold lines arranged to form: an upper panel and a lower panel intended to form the upper and lower walls of the envelope respectively, said lower panel being extended by a side panel intended to form a side wall of said envelope; an opening tab extending said side panel opposite the lower panel, said tab being intended to be associated with a closing hem extending the upper panel; the packaging being closed by longitudinal sealing of the tab on the hem according to a transverse seal which extends between two longitudinal seals of said packaging.

[0007] To be able to open such packaging, the blank has two tear guide strips which extend longitudinally each from one edge of the tab to the hem.

[0008] Thus, document WO-2021 / 148526 describes a solution in which pulling on the tongue allows an opening initially by tearing the strips on the tongue / hem association, then by a propagation of these tears longitudinally along the entire side.

[0009] This solution is not entirely satisfactory because it requires, particularly in relation to a flan containing a fibrous layer, a significant initial effort which may not be compatible with consumption by young children and / or a soft portion.

[0010] Furthermore, the possibility of opening the packaging along the entire length of the flan does not provide the expected ergonomics, particularly as the unwrapped portion can fall out since it is no longer held by the flan.

[0011] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a flan, in particular of ecological design, which is arranged to form a packaging for a portion of food, said packaging combining optimal sealing with good ergonomics of opening, in particular in relation to ease of opening for young children and / or in relation to a soft portion.

[0012] To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a flan for packaging a portion of food comprising folding lines enabling the shaping of said flan into an envelope in which said portion can be packaged before closing said envelope, said folding lines defining a flan having: an upper panel and a lower panel intended to form the upper and lower walls respectively of said envelope, said lower panel being extended by a first side panel intended to form a first side wall of said envelope; an opening tab extending said first side panel opposite the lower panel, said tab having a base intended to be associated with a closing hem extending the upper panel; said blank further having two tear lines which each extend, from an edge of the base of the tongue, along the first side panel and the bottom panel, the hem being devoid of tear line, said hem being arranged to be permanently associated on an area of ​​the top panel and the base of the tongue being arranged to be associated on said hem in a peelable manner by pulling on the opening tab.

[0013] According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a method of packaging a portion of food using such a flan, in which said flan is folded along its folding lines to form an open envelope in which said portion is packaged before closing said envelope, said method providing for permanently associating the hem on the upper wall of the envelope and peelably associating the base of the tab on said hem.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: [ Fig.1a ] And [ Fig.1b ] schematically represent, in front view, a blank according to a first embodiment before its folding, respectively seen from the outside ( figure 1a ) and seen from the inside ( figure 1b ) ; [ Fig.2a ], [ Fig.2b ], [ Fig.2c ], [ Fig.2d ], [ Fig.2e ], [ Fig.2f ] has [ Fig.2g ] represent in perspective according to different orientations ( figures 2a, 2b, 2c , 2e, 2f And 2g ) or in sagittal section ( figure 2d ) the flank of figures 1a et 1b during different stages of its folding to form a package; [ Fig.3a ], [ Fig.3b ] ] Fig.3c ] has [ Fig.3d ] represent, in perspective and from different orientations, different stages of opening the packaging of the figure 2g ; Fig.4a ] And [ Fig.4b ] schematically represent a flan according to a second embodiment before its folding, respectively seen from the outside ( figure 4a ) and seen from the inside ( figure 4b ) ; [ Fig.5a ], [ Fig.5b ], [ Fig.5c ] has [ Fig.5d ] represent in perspective, following different orientations, the flank of figures 4a et 4b during different stages of its folding to form a package; [ Fig.6a ], [ Fig.6b ] has [ Fig.6c ] represent, in perspective and from different orientations, different stages of opening the packaging of the figure 5d .

[0015] In relation to these figures, a flan for the packaging of a food portion 3 is described below, in particular an individual portion of fresh dairy product, for example fresh and / or processed cheese.

[0016] The flan is formed from a complex 4 which has a sealing layer 4i with oxygen and / or water vapor barrier properties, in order to guarantee the preservation of the packaged food portion 3.

[0017] The sealing layer 4i can be made of a food-grade plastic material, particularly when it is intended to come into contact with the food portion 3 contained within the packaging. For this purpose, the sealing layer 4i can be made from polyethylene (PE) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or from other known food-grade plastics, such as polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), or polylactic acid (PLA).

[0018] Advantageously, the complex 4 comprises an inner sealing layer 4i as described previously, and an outer layer 4e based on cellulose fibers. In particular, the cellulose fibers may be derived from wood and processed by papermaking to form a layer of paper or cardboard, or be in the form of a non-woven fabric.

[0019] Such an arrangement allows for environmentally friendly packaging design, in particular by facilitating its recycling after consumption of the food portion 3. In particular, the outer layer 4e can be made from recycled cellulosic fibers.

[0020] According to an example of implementation, the outer layer 4e has a surface mass between 30 g / m² and 150 g / m², in particular between 50 g / m² and 110 g / m², and more particularly in the order of 80 g / m².

[0021] Advantageously, complex 4 comprises between 60% and 90% by weight of cellulosic fibers. For this purpose, the outer layer 4e can have a thickness of approximately 60 µm, and the inner layer 4i a thickness of between 4 µm and 20 µm.

[0022] To improve the overall sealing properties of the packaging, complex 4 may include at least one additional layer of film and / or varnish with suitable properties, including oxygen and / or water vapor barrier properties. In particular, the outer face of the outer layer 4e may be coated with an additional layer of varnish with anti-condensation properties.

[0023] Complex 4 may feature decorations and / or markings, for example patterns and / or inscriptions of an aesthetic and / or commercial nature related to food portion 3. These elements may be formed by printing and / or embossing directly onto the outer layer 4e made of cellulosic fibers.

[0024] The flan includes folding lines 1, 1b, 1c, 1d allowing its conformation into an envelope 2 in which the food portion 3 can be packaged before closing said envelope to form a package.

[0025] Advantageously, these folding lines 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d are formed by stamping the outer layer 4e in cellulosic fibers, which makes it easier to fold the blank while preserving the integrity of the sealing layer 4i.

[0026] In relation to the figures, the folding lines 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d together define a blank which presents: an upper panel 5 and a lower panel 6 intended to form the upper 2 sup and lower 2 inf walls of the envelope 2 respectively, said lower panel being extended by a first lateral panel 7 intended to form a first lateral wall 2 lat1 of said envelope; an opening tab 8 extending said first lateral panel opposite the lower panel 6, said tab having a base 8a intended to be associated with a closing hem 9 extending the upper panel 5.

[0027] To facilitate opening the packaging, particularly by young children and / or in relation to a soft food portion 3, the flan has two tear lines 10 which each extend from an edge of the base 8a of the tab 8, along the first side panel 7 and the bottom panel 6. In particular, the transverse distance separating the two tear lines 10 is greater than 80% of the width of the first side panel 7, in particular greater than 90%, or even equal to said width.

[0028] Thus, by pulling on the tab 8, the consumer can open the packaging on at least two contiguous walls of the envelope 2, in particular its lower 2 inf and lateral 2 lat1 walls, in order to form a large opening to allow the extraction of the food portion 3 of said packaging.

[0029] According to one embodiment, each of the tear lines 10 is obtained by partial pre-cutting of the thickness of the blank, in particular by ablation of material, to a sufficient depth to form a line of weakening allowing the guidance of the tear of said blank along said line.

[0030] To preserve the integrity of the inner layer 4i and therefore the sealing of the packaging, the tear lines 10 are formed by at least partial removal of only the outer layer 4e.

[0031] Advantageously, the tear lines 10 are formed, for example by laser cutting or by mechanical cutting, over about 4 / 5 of the total thickness of the outer layer 4e, which allows a good compromise between preserving the sealing of the packaging and the ease of opening it by tearing along said lines.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the tear lines 10 allow the guidance of the tear of the blank without prior pre-cutting of said blank, for example by means of a folding or grooving line of the blank, and / or a particular orientation of the fibers of the outer layer 4e along said line.

[0033] The closing hem 9 is devoid of a tear line and is arranged to be permanently associated with an area of ​​the upper panel 5 which is intended to form an area of ​​the upper wall 2 sup of the envelope 2 on which said hem may be disposed, the base 8a of the tab 8 being arranged to be associated with said hem in a peelable manner by pulling on said tab.

[0034] Thus, the packaging is initially opened solely by peeling the tab 8 from the hem 9 without tearing said hem, which limits the effort required and therefore facilitates opening by young children and / or limits the stresses applied to portion 3 during said opening, said hem being held in position on envelope 2 to ensure reliable peeling.

[0035] To achieve this, the respective outer layers 4e of the hem 9 and the area of ​​the top panel 5 are arranged to be permanently associated, the respective inner layers 4i of the base 8a of the tongue 8 and the hem 9 being arranged to be peelable associated.

[0036] According to one embodiment, at least one of the outer layers 4e of the hem 9 and the area of ​​the upper panel 5 is provided with an adhesive 11, in particular a hot melt adhesive or a cold adhesive, to ensure a permanent seal of said hem to said area by their respective outer layers 4e (a "leather-to-leather" type seal). In the figures, only the hem 9 has such an adhesive 11 (see figures 2b , 2d And 5c ).

[0037] Similarly, at least one of the inner layers 4i of the base 8a of the tongue 8 and of the hem 9 may be peelable and / or provided with a peelable varnish 12, in particular based on polyethylene (PE) and / or polyester, to ensure a peelable seal of said tongue on said hem by their respective inner layers 4i (flesh-to-flesh type seal).

[0038] In the figures, the base 8a of the tongue 8 and the hem 9 each have a layer of peelable varnish 12 applied to at least part of their respective inner layer 4i.

[0039] As depicted in particular on the figures 1a, 1b , 4a et 4b , the hem 9 has a base 9a from which extends a tab 9b, the bases 8a, 9a of the hem 9 and of the tab 8 being arranged to be associated in a peelable manner.

[0040] According to a first embodiment ( figures 1a à 3d ), the tab 8 is also arranged to be partially associated with the leg 9b in a peelable manner.

[0041] According to a second embodiment ( figures 4a à 6c ), only the respective bases 8a, 9a of the tongue 8 and the hem 9 are associated in a peelable way.

[0042] In both embodiments shown, the upper panel 5 is devoid of a tear line, so as to remain attached to the envelope 2 after opening the packaging, thus forming a tray on which the food portion 3 can be held until it is picked up by the consumer.

[0043] As depicted on the figures 3a à 3d (first embodiment) and the figures 6a à 6c (second embodiment), the consumer wishing to open the packaging grasps the tab 8 and pulls it outwards. Thus, thanks to the permanent seal of the hem 9 on the envelope 2, this pulling movement causes the peelable seal between the tab 8 and said hem to detach, and then tears said tab along the two portions of tear lines 10 extending on either side of its base 8a.

[0044] Next, the consumer continues pulling on said tab to successively detach the first side panel 7 and the bottom panel 6, while rotating said packaging so as to direct the top panel 5 downwards, so that the food portion 3 rests on said top panel at the end of the packaging opening ( figures 3d And 6c ).

[0045] Advantageously, the lower panel 6 and the first side panel 7 are formed between two fold lines 1a which both extend onto the base 8a of the tongue 8, each of the tear lines 10 extending relative to one of these fold lines 1a, in particular parallel to the latter, forming between them a band 13.

[0046] Thus, after opening the packaging, each strip 13 rests on an upper wall of the food portion 3, so as to hold a lateral wall 2lat2, 2lat3 of the envelope 2 against it, to which it is attached. This arrangement allows the food portion 3 to be laterally supported on the upper panel 5, pending its removal by the consumer, as shown in the figure 6c .

[0047] Each of the strips 13 has a width that is less than 10% of the width of the first side panel 7, and in particular less than 5% of said width. This arrangement makes it easier for the consumer to remove the food portion 3, who then simply has to pull apart the side panels 2 lat2, 2 lat3 ( figure 3d ) to be able to remove said portion of the upper panel 5 while retaining its integrity of form, particularly in the case of a soft food portion 3.

[0048] In the first embodiment shown ( figure 1a à 3d ), the side has upper 5, lower 6 and lateral 7, 14 panels, each with a quadrilateral geometry, allowing to form a parallelepiped envelope 2.

[0049] In particular, the upper 5 and lower 6 panels are connected by a second lateral panel 14 of quadrilateral geometry on which the tear lines 10 extend in order to be able to open the packaging on three sides, said blank having an axis of symmetry along its median axis.

[0050] In relation to figures 1a et 1b The flan has the following characteristics: a first transverse edge 15 of the end, formed on the first side panel 7, from which extends the opening tongue 8; and a second transverse edge 16 of the end, formed on the upper panel 5 and longitudinally opposed to said first edge, and on which the hem 9 is formed.

[0051] In particular, the tongue 8 and the tab 9b of the hem 9 each extend longitudinally in projection from an edge 15, 16 respectively, and the blank has two transverse fold lines 1b each extending adjacently and parallel to an end edge 15, 16 respectively, in order to define the base 8a, 9a of said tongue or said hem, and to permit folding of said base relative to the adjacent panel 7, 5 during the formation of the envelope 2.

[0052] The blank also includes two longitudinal borders 17 extending on either side of the upper 5 and lower 6 panels, and each equipped with a plurality of folding lines 1a, 1c allowing the formation of side walls 2 lat2 of the envelope 2.

[0053] On the figures 1a et 1b , the borders 17 each extend from an end edge 15 to the opposite end edge 16.

[0054] Furthermore, each edge 17 is separated from the bottom panel 6 and the side panels 7, 14 by a longitudinal fold line 1a opposite which a tear line 10 extends parallel.

[0055] Thus, the bands 13 are each adjacent to a border 17 respectively, the latter then forming the lateral walls 2 lat2 intended to hold the food portion 3 on the upper panel 5 at the end of the opening of the packaging.

[0056] In the second embodiment shown ( figures 4a à 6c ), the lower panel 6 has a triangular geometry, the first side panel 7 has a quadrilateral geometry.

[0057] In addition, the lower panel 6 is extended respectively by the first side panel 7 and two borders 18a, 18b of quadrilateral geometry, the upper panel 5 having a triangular geometry of which one side 5a is connected to the lower panel 6 by a first 18a of said borders, said borders being equipped with folding lines 1a, 1d allowing to form side walls 2 lat3 of a prismatic envelope 2 with triangular base.

[0058] In particular, each border 18a, 18b is separated from the bottom panel 6 and the side panel 7 by a longitudinal fold line 1a opposite which a tear line 10 extends parallel, the bands 13 being thus adjacent to respectively a border 18a, 18b to allow the latter to form the side walls 2 lat3 which will hold the food portion 3 on the top panel 5 after opening the package.

[0059] The second edge 18b and the upper panel 5 are each equipped with an association flap 19, said flaps being intended to be permanently associated on their respective outer layers 4e (leather-to-leather sealing), in particular by means of a heat-activated adhesive or a cold glue.

[0060] In particular, in this second embodiment, the tear lines 10 can be arranged to ensure total separation of the entire tongue 8 - side panel 7 - bottom panel 6 of the packaging after opening.

[0061] In relation to figures 2a à 2d (first embodiment) and the figures 5a à 5d (second embodiment), we now describe a method of packaging a food portion 3 using a flan as described previously.

[0062] This process involves folding the blank along its folding lines 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, so as to form an open envelope 2 in which the food portion 3 is packaged before closing said envelope, and permanently associating the hem 9 with the upper wall 2 sup of the envelope 2 and peelably associating the base 8a of the tab 8 with said hem.

[0063] Advantageously, the process involves folding the blank so as to leave a single opening in envelope 2 ( figures 2f And 5b ), in order to form by means of said envelope a mold into which the food portion 3 can be poured in liquid or viscous form before closing said envelope, which makes it possible to limit production costs by eliminating an additional step of shaping said food portion before packaging.

[0064] This arrangement also allows for the production of more hygienically packaged food portions (3) with improved preservation conditions. By pouring the food portion directly into its individual packaging, its exposure to ambient air is limited, thus reducing the risk of contamination, particularly by germs. Furthermore, pouring the food portion at a temperature higher than the pasteurization temperature further enhances its preservation properties.

[0065] In the first embodiment ( figures 2a à 2d ), the associations of the hem 9 on the upper wall 2 sup of the envelope 2 and of the base 8a of the tab 8 on said hem are made prior to the packaging of the food portion 3, the subsequent closure of said envelope being made by folding and association of a border 17 of the flan.

[0066] In particular, this first embodiment initially involves associating the hem 9 with the envelope 2 and the tab 8, by first performing the peelable "flesh-to-flesh" association of the base 8a of the tab 8 on said hem ( figures 2a, 2b ), then the permanent "leather-to-leather" association of said hem on the upper wall 2 sup of said envelope ( figure 2c ).

[0067] Next, the process involves folding a first longitudinal edge 17 to close one side of the packaging, so as to leave the opposite side open to allow the introduction of the food portion 3, particularly in liquid or viscous form ( figures 2e, 2f ).

[0068] Finally, the process involves folding the second longitudinal edge 17 to completely close the packaging ( figure 2g ).

[0069] According to a variant of this first embodiment, the process may involve simultaneously forming several flans in the same sheet of complex 4, and then separating said flans from each other after they have been filled with a food portion 3.

[0070] To achieve this, the process may involve forming, in a rectangular sheet of complex 4, several blanks as shown in the figures 1a et 1b by pre-cutting and die-casting, so that a free longitudinal edge 20 of a border 17 of a first blank is coincident with the free longitudinal edge 20' of the opposite border 17 of a second adjacent blank.

[0071] In the second embodiment ( figures 5a à 5d ), the process involves closing the envelope 2 by attaching the tab 8 to the hem 9.

[0072] In particular, the envelope 2 is formed by first folding the edges 18a, 18b relative to the lower panel 6, along their respective lines 1a, then folding the upper panel 5 along its side 5a adjacent to the second edge 18b, so as to fold it towards the first edge 18a and to join it to said first edge by permanent gluing of their flaps 19 ( figure 5a ).

[0073] At the end of these steps, we obtain an envelope 2 in which an opening remains ( figure 5b ), through which the food portion 3 can be introduced, in particular in liquid or viscous form as described previously.

[0074] Next, to close envelope 2, this second embodiment, like the first embodiment described above, involves first performing the peelable "flesh-to-flesh" association of the tab 8 on the hem 9 ( figure 5c ), then the permanent "leather-to-leather" association of the hem 9 on the upper wall 2 sup of the envelope 2 ( figure 5d ).

Claims

1. Blank cut for packaging a food portion (3) comprising fold lines (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) for shaping said blank cut into an envelope (2) in which said portion can be packaged before closing said envelope, said fold lines defining a blank cut having: - an upper panel (5) and a lower panel (6) intended to form respectively upper (2sup) and lower (2inf) walls of said envelope, said lower panel being extended by a first side panel (7) intended to form a first side wall (2lat1) of said envelope; - an opening tab (8) extending from said first side panel opposite to the lower panel (6), said tab having a base (8a) designed to be associated with a closure seam (9) extending from the upper panel (5); said blank cut further presenting two tear lines (10) which each extend, from an edge of the base (8a) of the tab (8), along the first side panel (7) and the lower panel (6), said blank cut being characterized in that the seam (9) has no tear line, said seam being arranged so as to be permanently associated on area region of the upper panel (5) and the base (8a) of the tab (8) being arranged so as to associated on said seam such that it can be peeled off by pulling the opening tab (8).

2. Blank cut according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed by a complex (4) comprising an outer layer (4e) based on cellulose fibers and an inner sealing layer (4i).

3. Blank cut according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer layers (4e) of the seam (9) and of the region of the upper panel (5) are arranged to be permanently associated, the inner layers (4i) of the base (8a) of the tab (8) and of the seam (9) being arranged to be peelably associated.

4. Blank cut according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the outer layers (4e) of the seam (9) and of the region of the upper panel (5) is provided with an adhesive (11).

5. Blank cut according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one of the inner layers (4i) of the base (8a) of the tab (8) and of the seam (9) is peelable and / or is provided with a peelable varnish (12).

6. Blank cut according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the tear lines (10) are formed by at least partial ablation of only the outer layer (4e).

7. Blank cut according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the upper panel (5) has no tear line.

8. Blank cut according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lower panel (6) and the first side panel (7) are formed between two fold lines (1a), said lines extending onto the base (8a) of the tab (8), each of the tear lines (10) extending relative to a fold line (1a) while forming a band (13) between them.

9. Blank cut according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the bands (13) has a width which is less than 10% of the width of the first side panel (7), in particular less than 5%.

10. Blank cut according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the seam (9) has a base (9a) from which a strip (9b) extends, the bases (8a, 9a) of the seam (9) and of the tab (8) being arranged to be peelably associated.

11. Blank cut according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the upper (5) and lower (6) panels are connected by a second side panel (14), the tear lines (10) extending onto said second side panel.

12. Blank cut according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises two longitudinal borders (17) extending on either side of the upper (5) and lower (6) panels, said borders being equipped with fold lines (1a, 1c) for forming side walls (2lat2) of the envelope (2).

13. Blank cut according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has upper (5), lower (6) and side (7, 14) panels, each with a quadrilateral geometry enabling to form a parallelepiped envelope (2).

14. Blank cut according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower panel (6) has a triangular geometry, the first side panel (7) having a quadrilateral geometry, each of the sides of the lower panel (6) being extended by respectively the first side panel (7) and two borders (18a, 18b), the upper panel (5) having a triangular geometry, one side (5a) of which is connected to the lower panel (6) by a first (18a) of said borders, said borders being equipped with fold lines (1a, 1d) enabling to form side walls (2lat3) of a prismatic envelope (2) with a triangular base.

15. A method for packaging a food portion (3) by means of a blank cut according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which said blank cut is folded along its fold lines to form an open envelope (2) in which said portion is packaged prior to closure of said envelope, said method providing for permanently associating the seam (9) on the upper wall (2sup) of the envelope (2) and peelably associating the base (8a) of the tab (8) on said seam.

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