LID FOR COVERING AN EGG CONTAINER, FILM FOR ASSEMBLING A LID AND PACKAGING FOR EGGS

Abstract

A lid designed to cover an egg container, which comprises a top face, two side faces, a front face, and a rear face, wherein the lid comprises corners at the convergence of the front face with the side faces, and of the rear face towards the side faces, and, at least one of the side faces comprises a tab disposed on an edge of the lid, wherein the tab has an elongated design and is parallel to an edge of the lid, and wherein the tab is folded towards the opposite side face and is parallel to the top face. Figure for abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: LID FOR COVERING AN EGG CONTAINER, FILM FOR ASSEMBLING A LID AND PACKAGING FOR EGGS Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid for covering or closing an egg container, a film for assembling said lid and an egg packaging with a container and a lid, and more precisely to a lid which comprises a plurality of faces and at least one tab on at least one of the side faces.

[0002] State of the art of the invention

[0003] Containers of various types are known for packaging and transporting fragile items such as egg trays, which are advantageously used with lids for said trays. These lids not only serve to prevent dirt from falling onto the eggs, but also serve to protect them from shocks in the same way as the trays on which the eggs rest, and above all, to allow the stacking of several packages.

[0004] In this sense, it is important that the lid materials are strong enough to allow stacking and protect the eggs from impacts. Since most common egg packaging is considered disposable, the question arises of how to balance the cost of the materials with the strength needed to protect the contents and achieve stable stacking without damaging the eggs.

[0005] Typically, egg containers, or egg trays, are made from materials that include cellulose fiber, such as cardboard, which have limited mechanical strength, while lids are typically made from polymeric materials, which, from an environmental point of view, are less desirable.

[0006] Another requirement is that the lid must be firmly secured to the egg container to prevent the two parts from separating during transport or from moving when several packages are stacked on the lid. In addition, from a commercial point of view, the packages, and in particular the lids, must allow consumers to examine the product without having to handle or open the package, and once the product is purchased, the lid must provide convenient and easy access to the contents.

[0007] Furthermore, some egg packaging exhibits undesirable behavior during the packaging process, where the lids are not properly secured to the tray, causing it to move.

[0008] So, it seems clear that there is still a lot to be done in egg packaging, and in particular for lids for egg containers.

[0009] Description of the invention

[0010] The present invention provides a solution to the above problems by means of a lid, an egg packaging and a film designed to assemble a lid as defined below.

[0011] In a first inventive aspect, the invention provides a lid adapted to cover an egg container, characterized in that it comprises a top face, two side faces, a front face, and a rear face; in which the cover includes corners at the convergences of the front face with the side faces, and of the rear face towards the side faces, and at least one of the side faces comprises a tab disposed on an edge of the cover, wherein the tab has an elongated design and is parallel to an edge of the cover, and wherein the tab is folded back towards the opposite side face and is parallel to the top face.

[0012] Throughout this document it should be understood that the lid is a constituent element of packaging for fragile objects, in particular packaging for eggs, although they also apply to any other article of comparable size and generally which it is desired to protect from shocks, in which the container comprises at least the lid and a container, and in which the lid is designed to cover or close the container. By tab, it is meant a portion of the face which protrudes from the free edge of the face, forming a tab, or flap, joined to the face, and which is designed to be curved relative to the plane of the face, to advantageously secure and lock a rim of the container.

[0013] The container, or tray, is designed to transport or store the product, and preferably comprises a plurality of egg cavities, and respective protrusions, and a rim along a peripheral portion. Preferably, the lid covers the container at its upper portion in order to protect the contents from impact and allow stacking of other packaging on the upper portion of the lid.

[0014] The lid comprises a plurality of faces, two lateral, one front and one rear, the convergences of which form four corners. Advantageously, the tab(s) are curved towards the inside of the lid, and substantially parallel to the upper face, so as to allow a rim of the container to be secured over a larger surface; also advantageously, the lid which is the subject of the present invention offers better results in the process of packaging the egg container, because the faces of the lid are better secured.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the tab comprises a fold line parallel to an edge of the lid. Advantageously, the tab curved along the edge of the lid makes it possible to uniformly secure the edge of the container.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the lid has a truncated pyramid shape. Advantageously, the truncated pyramid or truncated pyramid shape makes it possible to distribute the vertical load of the lid over the container to increase the strength of the packaging and improve stacking capacity; in this way, the lid does not rest directly on the eggs and does not transmit the weight of the stacked packaging to them, preventing them from breaking.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the upper face comprises at least one dotted line designed to facilitate the tearing of at least a portion of the upper face. A dotted line should be understood as a succession of incisions or perforations of a face of the lid, aligned so as to allow, without compromising the structural integrity of the face, to tear in a controlled manner the upper face along the dotted line. Advantageously, the dotted line allows a portion of the lid to be deliberately torn to access the contents of the packaging in a practical and simple manner. Preferably, the dotted line is arranged such that the cavities of a stacked egg container rest on the dotted line; thus, the tension on the dotted line is reduced and the stacking strength is improved.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the upper face comprises two dotted lines parallel to each other, and designed to facilitate the tearing of at least a portion of the upper face. Advantageously, the two dotted lines make it possible to tear a substantial portion of the upper face, forming a wide opening on the lid for easy access to the contents of the packaging.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the dotted lines of the dotted line comprise a plurality of perforations formed by two incisions oblique to each other and joined at one end. Preferably, one of the incisions is parallel to the direction of the dotted line, and the other incision is arranged at an obtuse angle with the first, giving rise to an approximate L-shape. Advantageously, the perforations formed by two oblique incisions between they allow to increase the structural resistance of the dotted line, while they do not prevent the voluntary tearing of the face. In another embodiment, the perforations are formed by two incisions perpendicular to each other.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the upper face, the front face, or both comprise an orifice designed to facilitate tearing of a portion of the upper face. Advantageously, the orifice allows the insertion of a fingertip or the end of an elongated instrument, so that the edge of the upper face can be pulled to facilitate opening of the cover.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, the top face, the front face, the rear face, the side faces or a combination thereof comprise openings adapted to display the contents of the container. Advantageously, the openings allow a user to inspect the contents of the packaging without handling, in particular opening, the packaging.

[0022] In a second inventive aspect, the invention provides an egg packaging which comprises a lid according to the first aspect of the invention and an egg container, wherein the lid is adapted to close the upper part of the egg container.

[0023] The packaging obtained by joining an egg container with a lid according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to firmly keep the lid and the container joined at least by means of the tab.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the front face, the back face, or both, are joined to the container by means of an adhesive. Advantageously, the adhesive, which is preferably glue applied as a bead along the edge of one or both of the front and back faces, ensures that the lid does not inadvertently detach from the packaging.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, the lid comprises a dotted line, and wherein the dotted line is arranged such that a vertical axis of a cavity of the container intersects at least one point of the dotted line. The container comprises, in one embodiment, a plurality of cavities having a substantially hemispherical design for housing the eggs, wherein the cavities have their apex disposed on the lower part of the container, and a vertically oriented axis of revolution. Advantageously, the dotted line passes through at least one point of said vertical axis of a cavity, so that when a plurality of packages are stacked, the cavities of the container rest on the dotted line, which is subjected to less tension, which increases its strength and allows a greater number of packages to be stacked without the dotted line tearing inadvertently.

[0026] In a third inventive aspect, the invention provides a blade adapted to assemble a cover according to the first inventive aspect, wherein the film comprises a top panel, two side panels, a back panel, and a rear panel; in which the two side panels, the front panel and the back panel are designed to be curved or flexed relative to the top panel, wherein the front panel and the back panel are designed to join the two side panels by forming corners, and wherein a side panel comprising a tab adapted to bend in the direction of the opposite side panel.

[0027] The cover of the first inventive aspect may be obtained by assembling the film of the third inventive aspect; the assembly process consists of bending the film according to previously drawn fold lines which define at least the top panel, the side panels, the front panel and the rear panel. Once the cover is assembled, the panels form the faces of the cover with the characteristics described above.

[0028] In a particular embodiment, at least one panel comprises at least one flap adapted to join to an adjacent panel, wherein the flap is adapted to be curved or flexed relative to said at least one panel.

[0029] The flap advantageously allows two panels to be joined simply and firmly. Preferably, the flap is curved, glued and glued on one side, preferably on a hidden side, from an adjacent panel. In a preferred embodiment, the flap is fixed to the back of a side panel.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, at least one side panel comprises two flaps. In another particular embodiment, each side panel comprises two flaps. Preferably, the flaps of the side panels are arranged at both ends of the panels and advantageously allow the front panel or the rear panel to be joined to the side panels.

[0031] In another particular embodiment, at least one tab comprises two side flaps, wherein the side flaps are designed to be glued to the flaps. Preferably, the side flaps may be curved and glued to the flaps of the side panels, so that the tabs are advantageously fixed in a position curved inwards and parallel to the upper face; in this way, the strength of the lid is increased, and this allows the tab to remain fixed and prevent the cardboard tray containing the eggs from coming out.

[0032] These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Figures [1a], [1b], [1c] show three perspective views of the cover.

[0034] [Fig.ld] shows a perspective view of the cover.

[0035] Figures [2a], [2b] are two perspective views of the packaging.

[0036] [Fig.3] shows a detail of the packaging.

[0037] [Fig.4] This figure shows a view of the film.

[0038] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment

[0039] Numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description in the form of examples to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. Nevertheless, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without these details.

[0040] Figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d show an example of the lid (1) made of cardboard and with a trapezoidal design; in [Fig. 1a] the upper face (3.1), the rear face (3.3) and a side face (3.2) can be seen; the convergence between the side face (3.2) and the rear face (3.3) forms a corner (4) and with the lower portion of the corner (4) curved inwards. The lid (1) of the embodiment shown includes three other corners (4), four in total, with the same design. The upper face (3.1) has two parallel dotted lines (7) which extend from the front face (3.3) to the rear face (3.4), and whose function is to facilitate the voluntary tearing of the upper face (3.1) to access the contents of the packaging (10).

[0041] Furthermore, the cover (1) shown comprises two tabs (6) each joined to a side face (3.2), and folded towards the inside of the cover (1), or what is the same, folded towards the opposite side face (3.2). The cover (1) also comprises an orifice (8) to facilitate tearing of the upper face (3.1); the orifice (8) allows a user to introduce a finger or the end of an elongated object to apply tension to the upper face (3.1) and tear it along the dotted line (7); the dotted lines (7) are formed by a series of aligned incisions, in which each incision is formed by two slits, one parallel to the direction of the dotted line (7), and the other oblique to this line; the two slits are joined at one of its ends, forming an approximately L-shaped incision.

[0042] The lid comprises a plurality of openings (9.1) which allow an observer to see the contents of the packaging (10) or simply the interior of the lid (1). In this embodiment, the lid (1) comprises two openings (9.1) for each of the side faces (3.2), the front face (3.3) and the rear face (3.4); the openings (9.1) have an approximately circular design and extend partly over a portion of the upper face (3.1).

[0043] [Fig.lb] shows the lid (1) turned upside down or upside down, showing its interior. In this view, it is possible to see the side faces (3.2), the front face (3.3) and the rear face (3.4), as well as the inside of the corners (4) and the arrangement and design of the tabs (6); this figure shows the tabs (6) curved inwards, substantially parallel to the upper face (3.1), which allow the container (2) to be firmly held; to facilitate the curvature of the tabs (6), these have folding lines substantially parallel to the edge of the lid (1).

[0044] [Fig. 1c] again shows the cover (1) in its initial position, but with a portion of the upper face (3.1) torn along the dotted lines (7) and curved in the part corresponding to the rear face (3.4) to allow access to the interior of the cover (1).

[0045] [Fig.2a] shows a package (10) for eggs which comprises a lid (1) and a container (2) or egg tray, not shown in this view. To close the package (10), the lid (1) is placed on the container (2) loaded with eggs, until it is completely covered, then the tabs (6) are curved towards the inside of the lid (1), passing under a rim of the container (2), which is thus firmly held to the lid (1).

[0046] [Fig.2b] shows the package (10) upside down, so that the egg container (2) can be seen, which includes a plurality of egg cavities and a rim along the perimeter of the container (2).

[0047] [Fig. 3] shows a detail of an embodiment of the packaging (10) in which the lid comprises a tab (6) along each of the edges of the side faces (3.2). [Fig. 3] shows in detail the arrangement for retaining the lid (1): the tabs (6) which extend under the peripheral rim of the container (2). To secure the container (2), the tabs (6) are curved towards the inside of the lid (1) and are arranged under the rim of the container (2). In this way, the container (2) is not only secured by the corners, but also along the edges of the side faces (3.2).

[0048] [Fig.4] shows the film (20) from which the cover (1) is assembled. The film (20) comprises a portion of cardboard cut and slit along fold lines which define a plurality of panels corresponding to the faces of the cover (1) once assembled. Thus, the film (20) comprises two side panels (23.2), a panelfront (23.3), and a rear panel (23.4), all joined to a top panel (23.1). In addition, the side panels (23.2) each comprise two flaps (24) designed to be curved and glued to the reverse of the front and rear panels (23.3, 23.4) to assemble the cover (1); the union between the front panel (23.3) and the side panels (23.2), and between the rear panel (23.4) and the side panels (23.2) gives rise to four corners (4). Similarly, the side panels (23.2) each comprise a tab (6) elongated on their edges.These tabs (6) themselves comprise two side flaps (25) each, arranged at the ends of the tabs (6) and designed to join with the flaps (24) when the cover (1) is assembled; preferably, the side flaps (25) are glued to the flaps (24) to increase the strength of the cover (1) and reinforce the tabs (6), which thus make it possible to hold the container (2) more firmly and prevent the cardboard tray containing the eggs from coming out.

Claims

Claims

1. Lid (1) adapted to cover a container (2) for eggs, characterized in that it comprises an upper face (3.1), two side faces (3.2), a front face (3.3), and a rear face (3.4); wherein the lid comprises corners (4) at the convergences of the front face (3.3) with the side faces (3.2), and the rear face (3.4) with the side faces (3.2), and at least one of the side faces (3.2) comprises a tab (6) arranged on an edge of the lid (1), wherein the tab (6) has an elongated design and parallel to an edge of the lid (1), and wherein the tab (6) is folded in the direction of the opposite side face (3.2) and is parallel to the upper face (3.1).

2. Lid (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the tab (6) comprises a fold line parallel to an edge of the lid (1).

3. A lid (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid (1) has a truncated pyramidal shape.

4. A lid (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper face (3.1) comprises at least one dotted line (7) designed to facilitate tearing of at least a portion of the upper face (3.1).

5. Lid (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper face (3.1) comprises two dotted lines (7) parallel to each other, and designed to facilitate the tearing of at least a portion of the upper face (3.1).

6. A cover (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the dotted lines of the dotted line (7) comprise a plurality of perforations formed by two incisions oblique to each other and joined at one end.

7. A lid (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the top face (3.1), the front face (3.3), or both comprise an orifice (8) designed to facilitate tearing of a portion of the top face (3.1).

8. Lid (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper face (3.1), the front face (3.3), the rear face (3.4), the side faces (3.2) or a combination thereof comprise openings (9.1) adapted to show the contents of the container (2).

9. Packaging (10) for eggs which comprises a lid (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a container (2) for eggs, the lid (1) being adapted to close the upper part of the container for eggs (2).

10. Packaging (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the lid (1) comprises a dotted line (7), and wherein the dotted line (7) is arranged so that a vertical axis of a cavity of the container (2) intersects at least one point of the dotted line (7).

11. A film (20) adapted to assemble a cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the film comprises a top panel (23.1), two side panels (23.2), a front panel (23.3), and a rear panel (23.4); wherein the two side panels (23.2), the front panel (23.3) and the rear panel (23.4) are adapted to be curved or flexed relative to the top panel (23.1), wherein the front panel (23.3) and the rear panel (23.4) are adapted to join the two side panels (23.2) by forming corners (4), and wherein at least one side panel (23.2) comprises a tab (6) adapted to bend towards the opposite side panel (23.2).

12. Film (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one panel (23.1, 23.2, 23.3, 23.4) comprises at least one flap (24) adapted to join to an adjacent panel, wherein the flap (24) is adapted to be curved or flexed relative to said at least one panel (23.1, 23.2, 23.3, 23.4).

13. Film (20) according to the preceding claim, in which at least one side panel (23.3) comprises two flaps (24).

14. Film (20) according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein at least one tab (6) comprises two side flaps (25), wherein the side flaps (25) are adapted to be glued to the flaps (24).

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