A sealing system for a container, a packaging container and process

Abstract

A packaging container for a product having a body or compartment sealed by use of a bonding part and a cold-seal adhesive to bond a covering without application of heat. The bonding part and covering

Description

This invention relates to a sealing system for a container, a sealed packaging container and a process for providing a sealed packaging container containing a product. The invention is particularly concerned with a sealing system and a sealed container in which a container is closed with a covering using a cold-seal adhesive. The invention is useful in providing a system for sealing a container and for packaging a wide-range of products, for example foodstuffs, ready meals, take-away food, food to be consumed directly from the packaging and the like, packaging for medical products, packaging for sterile products, for example procedure trays for medical devices and surgical instruments, packaging for garden products and packaging for hardware or household products. A wide range of materials are used in packaging containers in a wide range of applications and the materials of construction, strength, durability, size and the like are selected according to the intended use. Typical materials of construction include plastics, cardboard, cartonboard, metal for example aluminium, and cellulosic materials. Depending on the use, the materials of construction and the overall packaging may need to comply with safety and health regulations especially when used for packaging food. Food packaging is used in a wide range of applications and different materials may be better suited to certain applications. For example, packaging for “ready for consumption” foods for example for take-away meals, fast food, ready-prepared food, bespoke or gourmet food prepared in a first location and delivered to a second location, food for dispensing on transport such as airline meals and packaged food on trains, packaged food for supply in cases of humanitarian need or disaster zones or where food delivery is required in temporary locations or work premises and in many other scenarios places a wide range of demands on the materials and methods used for the packaging. Plastic containers with a heat-sealed plastics closure are widely used for example in pre-prepared food containers, fruit containers, meat packaging, sandwich packaging and the like. Large quantities of packaging are employed in single-use products where a sterile or low-bacteria environment is required in a range of industries including manufacturing, analysis, pharmaceuticals and in medical devices and instruments, for example procedure trays for instruments used in surgery, dentistry, veterinary science and the like. A sterile environment may be provided by inserting gas into a sealed cavity for holding the sterile product. Gas may be inserted through micron or sub-micron orifices which may be smaller than the typical size of bacteria, for example smaller than 0.2 microns. Often heat sealing is employed to close a container with a lid in many of these applications. Sealed packaging often comprises a container with a cavity for holding the product and a covering to close the cavity which is sealed to the container around the periphery of the container. The periphery may be defined by a flange or protrusion around the top of the container to which a covering is bonded so as to close and seal the cavity with the product contained in it. Hot-sealing is often used to close and seal the container with hot-seal adhesive being applied to the flange and to the covering so as to enable reliable, air-tight sealing. Hot-seal adhesive is typically non-tacky prior to being heated, allowing the container and the covering to be processed without unwanted adherence due to the adhesive being tacky. Packaging for sandwiches, for example, is typically formed from a planar cardboard blank which has adhesive applied to the relevant parts such as the flange and multiple blanks may be stacked for mass-processing to form sandwich packs. The use of hot-seal adhesive avoids adjacent blanks sticking to other blanks. Whilst packaging may be made from nonplastics materials, for example cardboard for sandwich packaging, the non-plastics packing typically needs to be aligned at least in part such that the mating faces on the container and the covering are plastics to which hot-seal adhesive is applied. Whilst heat-sealing provides an effective seal and reliable closure mechanism for mass-produced packaging, heat sealing has certain drawbacks as it requires apparatus having heatable pressure heads which typically requires trained process operators or procedures, uses energy and may be less environmentally friendly as regards ease of recycling. GB2601832 A describes a packaging container made of biodegradable materials in which a container is sealed with a lid by means of a peripheral annular strip or bonding part, the outer edge of which is bonded to the lid by a cold-seal adhesive, avoiding the use of heatsealing technology. We have now devised a sealing system which enables a packaging container in which the tray or body of the container and the lid may be made of any suitable packaging material and which avoids the use of heat sealing and which provides a robust and effective seal. In a first aspect, the invention provides a packaging container for a product comprising: i) a body which comprises walls and a base defining a cavity for holding the product and further comprises a flange projecting outwardly from the walls, preferably at or near the top of the walls; ii) a bonding part comprising an annular continuous peripheral strip defining a central aperture sized to receive the body such that the flange overlies and is in register with at least a part of the peripheral strip and which comprises a coldseal adhesive disposed on the upper face of the strip in a pre-determined pattern; and iii) a covering comprising a cold-seal adhesive to close the cavity and overlying the flange and the bonding part; wherein the bonding part and the covering extend beyond the edge of the flange and are bonded directly together and the packaging container comprises a secondary bond. Suitably, the secondary bond is selected from the bonding part and the covering are bonded together through the flange, preferably using a cold-seal adhesive. The bonding part and the underside of the flange may be bonded together. Suitably, the flange comprises apertures which overlie the bonding part such that the bonding part and covering may be contacted together through the aperture. Optionally and preferably, the bonding part extends outboard of the flange and the bonding part and covering are in contact and bonded together through the apertures and, preferably, outboard of the flange. Where the bonding part and the underside of the flange are bonded together, the bond may be provided by cold seal adhesive disposed on the inner part of peripheral strip which underlies the flange and on the flange. Alternatively, the bond may be provided on one or other of the inner part of the peripheral strip or the underside of the flange. The adhesive may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. We have found that providing a bond between the bonding part and the covering through the flange provides excellent sealing without the need for heat sealing. In a second aspect, the invention provides a packaging container for a product comprising: i) a body which comprises walls and a base defining a cavity for holding the product and further comprises a flange projecting outwardly from the walls, preferably at or near the top of the walls; ii) a bonding part comprising an annular continuous peripheral strip defining a central aperture sized to receive the body such that the flange overlies and is in register with at least a part of the peripheral strip and which comprises a coldseal adhesive disposed on the upper face of the strip in a pre-determined pattern; and iii) a covering comprising a cold-seal adhesive to close the cavity and overlying the flange and the bonding part; wherein the bonding part and the covering are bonded together, preferably directly, through the flange and optionally bonded together outboard of the edge of the flange. Suitably, the secondary bond is provided by the bonding part and the underside of the flange being bonded together. Preferably the secondary bond comprises a cold seal adhesive. The invention provides an economic and convenient way to package any products for example food products, medical products, garden products and hardware products which does not require the use of heat sealing or the associated equipment or expertise. The flange may comprise a series of discrete flanges each projecting outwardly from the top of the at least one wall but which, upon assembly of the body suitably overlap or interengage to present a continuous, peripherally extending flange. Preferably, the flange on the body comprises a continuous peripherally extending projection from the walls of the body so as to reduce the risk of leakage of contents in the cavity. Suitably, the bonding part is dimensioned such that it may be aligned in register with the flange of the body and preferably overlaps the edge of the flange such that it faces and suitably abuts the covering. The bonding part comprises a continuous peripheral strip defining an aperture of similar and preferably the same size as the opening on the top face of the body. Suitably, the bonding part is an annular bonding part and extends beyond the edge of the flange such that, viewed in plan, the bonding part “frames” the flange. The bonding part is located below the flange and is suitably larger than the flange in that it extends beyond at least a part and preferably all of the periphery of the flange thereby abutting Suitably, the annular continuous peripheral strip comprises an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion extending around the strip. Preferably the inner peripheral portion extends around the entirety of the peripheral strip. Suitably, the outer peripheral portion extends around the entirety of the peripheral strip. The bonding part and the covering are suitably bonded together through the flange through a series of apertures in the flange. The flange may comprise an array of apertures or a mesh, preferably the mesh having apertures of less than about 1mm maximum dimension. Larger apertures are preferred however as facilitating contact through the aperture of the bonding part and the covering, whereby the cold-seal adhesive on the two surfaces may provide a strong bond. Preferably, a series of discrete apertures spaced around the flange are provided, preferably at least one aperture in the flange on each side of the body. For example, in a rectangular body, there is suitably at least two, preferably 3 or more apertures in the flange on each long side of the body and at least one, suitably 2 or more apertures in the flange on each of the shorter sides. Suitably an aperture is at least 1mm, preferably at least 3mm, more preferably at least 5mmm, for example 10mm in its maximum direction. The apertures may be any shape, for example circular, rectangular, square and especially oval with straight long sides and curved ends. In a preferred embodiment, the aperture are oval with a length of 5 to 10mm and a width of 2 to less than 5mm. The apertures are located in the flange and the bonding part is sized such that the apertures align with the inner portion of the bonding part. Preferably the bonding part extends beyond the edge of the flange, such that the outer portion of the bonding part presents an upper surface for direct contact and bonding to the covering. The bonding part comprises coldseal adhesive at locations that align with the apertures in the flange and extending around the outer portion of the bonding part when the bonding part and body are assembled together. The covering suitably comprises cold-seal adhesive in the same pattern as that on the bonding part such that cold-seal bonds are formed when the covering is applied to the container so as to close, and suitably seal, the cavity. Preferably, the body comprises the base, at least one wall upstanding from the bottom face defining a storage compartment for holding the product, and a flange projecting outwardly from the top of the at least one wall. The body may be any shape, for example, square, rectangular, and circular. In a preferred embodiment, the flange of the body is manually detachable from the body, by application of manual force, for example the user may tear the covering away from the body. Suitably, upon opening, the sealed packaging container, the bonding part, the covering and remain bonded together and rupture occurs between the flange and the body of the container. The container may comprise markings or other means to enable the flange to be separated from the body along the part of the body defining the opening. Examples of suitable markings or means include scoring, creasing, provision of weakened areas, embossing, debossing and perforations. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is connected to the body at least in part by a Concorra cut to provide a tear strip for ready separation of the flange from the body. In one embodiment, the covering may be peelable from the bonding part and be reclosable or resealable. Suitably, the covering comprises a liftable portion where the covering is not bonded to the bonding part. The liftable portion affords the user a convenient way of gaining purchase to then peel the covering from the bonding part.. Preferably, the force required to separate the flange from the body is less than the force required to separate the bonding part and the covering such that, upon application of force, failure occurs along the boundary between the flange and the body rather than between the covering or bonding part and the flange. The body, bonding part and covering may be made of the same material or of different materials depending on the particular application. Any known packaging materials used for packaging trays or containers and coverings may be employed as the means of sealing the packaging container is not dependent upon the materials from which the body, bonding part or the covering are made. In a preferred embodiment, the body, bonding part and covering may comprise and preferably be made of a material independently selected from a cellulosic material, for example carton board, cardboard, compressed paper pulp, board, and corrugated board; other natural products, for example sugar cane; plastics materials, suitably an organic polymer, for example polypropylene, polybutylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane and the like; and metal, for example aluminium, steel and alloys. Where metal is employed for the covering it is suitably in the form of a metal foil, for example aluminium foil. Other materials, for example glass as a covering, may be employed as desired. Examples of suitable combinations of materials are shown in Table 1: Table 1 Body Bonding part Covering Cellulosic Cellulosic Cellulosic Cellulosic Cellulosic Plastics Cellulosic Cellulosic Aluminium Cellulosic Plastics Plastics Cellulosic Plastics Aluminium Cellulosic Plastics Cellulosic Plastics Cellulosic Cellulosic Plastics Cellulosic Plastics Plastics Plastics Plastics Plastics Cellulosic Aluminium Plastics Plastics Cellulosic Plastics Plastics Aluminium Aluminium Cellulosic Aluminium Aluminium Cellulosic Plastics Aluminium Cellulosic Cellulosic Aluminium Plastics Plastics Aluminium Plastics Aluminium Aluminium Plastics Cellulosic Glass Cellulosic Aluminium Glass Cellulosic Plastics Glass Cellulosic Cellulosic Glass Plastics Plastics Glass Plastics Aluminium Glass Plastics Cellulosic Reference to “cellulosic” in Table 1 suitably is a reference to card, paper, paperboard, 5 cardboard or cellulosic pulp. In some embodiments, especially for containers intended for use in packaging food, individual food products or prepared meals, preferred combinations are as set out in Table 2: 10 Table 2 Covering Bonding part Body Cellulosic Cellulosic Cellulosic Cellulosic Cellulosic Plastics Cellulosic Cellulosic Aluminium Plastics Cellulosic Cellulosic Plastics Cellulosic Plastics Plastics Cellulosic Aluminium Aluminium Cellulosic Aluminium Aluminium Cellulosic Plastics Aluminium Cellulosic Cellulosic In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the body, bonding part and the covering is substantially-free of petroleum-derived plastics material or comprises a plastics material from a renewable source for example polylactic acid (PLA). In preferred embodiments, the covering suitably comprises plastics or cellulosic material , for example card, cardboard, paperboard or paper suitable for the intended purpose, for example in food packaging. Examples of suitable materials for the covering include OCTOPUSS products in the COS35SS, COS35DS, COS50SS, COS50DS and COS80SS available from K&TAS Co, South Korea. Preferably the covering as a density of at least 30g / m2, preferably at least 40 g / m2. The bonding part is suitably constructed of a recyclable cellulosic material, for example card or cardboard, and is suitably substantially-free of plastics, especially petroleum-derived plastics material. Depending on the intended use, the covering part, bonding part or body may be constructed of plastic although this may render the packaging container less environmentally acceptable but still allow cold-seal sealing, affording advantages derived from avoiding use of conventional hot-seal processes. The term “environmentally acceptable” as employed herein refers to any material which is compostable, biodegradable, low or zero-carbon, readily recyclable in a commercial process or otherwise sustainable. Examples of suitable environmentally acceptable materials include card, cardboard, paper, compressed paper pulp, board, corrugated board, matting natural products for example sugar cane. The environmentally acceptable material may be coated and / or impregnated with other materials and suitably such other materials are recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or sustainable. The covering may comprise a single sheet of material and be sized so as to overlay the flange and bonding part in register such that the peripheries of the bonding part and the covering are co-terminous. The covering is suitably pre-cut to the desired shape and size. The covering may be supplied from a roll of covering material in a production line and cut to size before or after bonding with the bonding part. The covering is suitably printed with cold seal adhesive in the desired pattern before or after being cut to size and shape. The cold seal adhesive is suitably disposed in a strip around at least a part of the periphery of the covering and preferably in a continuous strip around the periphery. In a preferred embodiment, the cold seal adhesive is applied to the covering in the desired pattern prior to the bonding part, body and covering being brought together and assembled. The covering may be pre-printed with the cold seal adhesive in a location remote from the assembly of the packaging container. The covering is then brought into register with the bonding part into which the body has already been located such that application of pressure seals the adhesive pattern on the bonding part and the adhesive pattern on the covering together. The term “cold seal adhesive” as employed herein refers to any adhesive which may be sealed to itself, a surface or other adhesive with the application of pressure and without the application of heat and as understood by a person skilled in the art. The cold seal adhesive is suitably environmentally acceptable. The cold-seal adhesive suitably adheres on contact with pressure and typically does not require a significant dwell time as is required with heat seal packaging adhesives. Preferably, the cold seal adhesive comprises a water-based adhesive, preferably a natural adhesive, for example a natural rubber latex compound. The cold-seal adhesive may be applied by application of pressure for example manually or using a cold-sealing packaging line. The cold-seal adhesive is suitably an active adhesive that is applied to and dried on a surface, for example the bonding part, the covering and / or the flange. The cold seal adhesive reactivates and adheres when contacted with another surface or adhesive on the surface. Preferably, the cold-seal adhesive is applied to two surfaces which are to be bonded together in a pattern or configuration such that the adhesive on one surface contacts the adhesive on the other surface upon bringing the surfaces together. The pattern of configuration of the adhesive on the two surfaces to be bonded together suitably matches such that during assembly of the packaging container, the adhesive on the covering and bonding part, and optionally the flange is in register. Preferably a cold-seal bond is formed between the bonding part and the covering with the bond being through the apertures in the flange and the outer portion of the bonding part. As desired, the flange may also comprise cold-seal adhesive on the upper face or the lower face or on both faces so as to be in register with and bondable to the adhesive on the covering and / or on the bonding part. The bonding part and the covering may be formed of a sheet of material from which multiple bonding parts and coverings may be taken, for example a cellulosic material. In one embodiment, the bonding part and the covering are a single sheet having the central aperture therein. The body is suitably located in the central aperture whereby the single sheet comprising the covering and the bonding part with the central aperture in the sheet is located under the flange of the body and provides the bonding part, or a part thereof, and the remainder of the sheet comprising the covering is wrapped around the outside edge of the flange and across the top of the flange, or a part thereof, to close the cavity in the body or a part thereof. One or more sheets may be employed. The sheet comprises cold seal adhesive in a pattern such that upon wrapping the sheet around the flange, cold seal adhesive on the bonding part is in register with cold-seal adhesive on the covering so as to form a bond through the apertures in the flange. References herein to a “bonding part” and / or a “covering” shall be construed to also include a sheet comprising a bonding part and a covering part. The term ’’annular continuous peripheral strip” shall be construed accordingly such that one side of the aperture has a portion which forms part of the annular continuous peripheral strip of the bonding part and which portion is adjacent to the portion of the sheet which forms the covering. That portion and the covering may be delineated by markings or may be creased, scored or perforated to aid folding of the covering part of the sheet over the bonding part of the sheet. The packaging container may be readily assembled, preferably without use of specialist equipment or expertise or application of heat, thereby maintaining the packaging as a low-cost product, enabling its widespread use on both economic and environmental grounds. Preferably the cold-seal adhesive is applied to each of the surfaces of the bonding part and covering which are to be bonded together and optionally to the upper and / or lower side of the flange. The peripheral strip may have a uniform width around the periphery or a different width at different points such that at least part of the strip extends beyond the outer periphery of the flange. The bonding part contacts the underside of the flange and may abut with it or be bonded to it. The upper side of the flange and the outer part of the bonding part which extends beyond the flange are both presented when viewed in plan. The covering is suitably adhered to the bonding part through at least the apertures in the flange and preferably through the apertures in the flange and to the outer portion of the bonding part. In embodiments where the bonding part is bonded to the underside of the flange as well as to the covering, the cold seal adhesive is located across the entirety of the upper face of the bonding part and the underside of the flange and those parts of the covering which are in register with the bonding part. The bonding part may be shaped for use with one body or multiple bodies and so comprise one or more apertures for receiving one or more bodies so as to provide a packaging container with at least two discrete bodies. For multiple body containers, the bonding part will comprise multiple apertures defined by a continuous peripheral strip and which may also comprise dividing strips linking one part of the peripheral strip to another part so as to define two or more apertures adapted for alignment in register with a body for each aperture. The dividing strip may be scored or perforated so as to enable folding or splitting of the dividing strip thereby to allow adjacent bodies to be folded relative to each other along the score or separated to allow separate manipulation of the adjacent bodies. In a preferred embodiment, the dividing strip comprises a Concora cut to facilitate separation of the different bodies of the container. In another embodiment in which there are multiple bodies, a plurality of separate bonding parts may be employed in an adjacent manner and all adhered by a single covering. In this way, the separate bodies and bonding parts may be linked to each other solely by the covering. The covering and the bonding part or parts are bonded directly together through apertures in the flanges of the bodies and, optionally, in an area extending beyond the edge of the periphery. Optionally, the bonding part and covering are bonded along dividing strips where the multiple bodies are discreet from and not connected to other bodies. The bonding part and the covering, bonded together, may act to hold adjacent containers in a fixed relation to each other. The bonding part is suitably made of a rigid material, preferably a cellulosic material, for example cardboard, paperboard, Iggesund paperboard, and is suitably a self-supporting material in that it retains its shape under gravity when not supported. The bonding part may be made of moulded pulp, preferably recycled material. Suitably, the covering is applied to the bonding part under tension so as to provide a taught covering to the body with the stiffness of the bonding part ensuring the covering remains taught once sealed to the bonding part. The stiffness of the material for the bonding part is suitably selected depending on the intended use and contents of the packaging container. For lighter contents, the bonding part may be made of less stiff material than required when the packaging container is to be used to carry heavier contents. Preferably, the bonding part has a Taber stiffness of at least 30, more preferably at least 40, especially at least 45. The bonding part is suitably provided as a continuous length of material providing a series of bonding parts, preferably wound on a spool As the bonding part material is drawn from the spool, it is suitably cut, for example by punching into the desired shape and size, cold-seal adhesive is applied to one or both sides of the bonding part in a pattern suitable for bringing into register with the pattern of adhesive applied to the covering. Suitably, register marks are also applied to the bonding part, for example eye marks to enable alignment of the bonding part with the covering or other components during assembly of the packaging container. In a preferred embodiment, the cold seal adhesive is applied to the bonding part in the desired pattern prior to the bonding part, body and covering being brought together and assembled. The bonding part may be pre-printed with the cold seal adhesive in a location remote from the assembly of the packaging container. In another embodiment, where the bonding part and covering are provided by a sheet having both a bonding part and a covering part, the sheet may be drawn from a spool and cut or punched to form the bonding part and continue to be drawn from the spool to provide the covering part. Whether as a separate sheet or part of a spool comprising multiple sheets, the sheet may comprise a preformed aperture with a transparent window whereby the contents of the storage compartment may be observed. Cold seal adhesive is suitably applied to the bonding part and the periphery of the covering part such that upon inserting the body into the aperture in the bonding part, the underside of the flange of the body abuts with the adhesive on the bonding part leaving the outer periphery of the bonding part extending beyond the flange. The covering part of the sheet, preferably having cold-seal adhesive in a pattern which mirrors the shape of the bonding part, is then suitably wrapped over the edge of the flange and brought into register with the bonding part. The outer peripheries of the bonding part and the covering part suitably are bound directly to each other with cold-seal adhesive and the flange is sandwiched between and bound to the bonding part-part (on the underside of the flange) and the covering part (on the upper side of the flange). Suitably, the bonding part, flange, covering are then subjected to pressure to form a coldseal. Pressure is suitably applied by a sealing tool head or pressure head which may present any suitably shaped surface to the container, for example a planar head or a corrugated head. A corrugated head advantageously enables a different pressure to be applied to the bonding part-flange-covering sandwich to provide an enhanced or stronger bond than if sealed using a planar head. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing head suitably provides a corrugated or crimped seal, especially at the corners of the body, to provide a profiled pressure sealing. Suitably, with profiled sealing, the cold-seal adhesive flows more readily into cavities at corners of the body, thereby providing a stronger seal at that location The covering is suitably applied to the body and adhered to the bonding part such that it is taught and provides a seal, preferably liquid-tight seal. The covering may comprise a barrier coating to render it resistant to transmission or absorption of gasses, liquids, moisture or grease. The covering suitably has cold seal adhesive applied to it in a pattern that matches the pattern of the adhesive applied to the bonding part to which the covering is to be bound. The body of the packaging container suitably comprises cardboard, paperboard, moulded pulp and the like and, if employed for packing food, cardboard of appropriate food grade. The body may be prepared from a foldable blank, for example a cardboard blank. Examples of suitable material include BillerudKorsnas Carry Board 350gsm Taber Stiffness - Machine Direction 38.30 - Cross Direction 18.60 and E or F flute Corrugated board Combined 220gsm preferably corrugated along the length of packaging container. The body may comprise one or more coatings or components within the body to provide a particular effect, for example increased resistance to moisture, grease and gasses. Suitably, the barrier coating and / or component is environmentally acceptable, biodegradable and / or non-plastics or petroleum-based. Where multiple bodies are employed, the bodies may be the same or different in shape or size. The body may be of any shape but is preferably a quadrilateral, for example rectangular or square. The flange of the body is suitably parallel to the bottom face such that it is generally horizontal when the package is placed on a surface. The flange suitably extends outwardly of the wall(s) presenting a lip around the top of the walls suitably for engagement with the bonding part. The flange is suitably formed by bending or folding the upper edge of the side walls into a configuration parallel to the bottom face. The side walls may have a cut through a part of the thickness of the wall, for example through half-of the wall thickness, a so-called “half-cut” to facilitate formation of the flange. Advantageously, when the user or consumer removes the covering from the container, the sandwich comprising the bonding part, flange and covering separates from the body along the locus of the bend, perforation or part cut such that the sandwich comes away from the body of the container. The body may be sub-divided by a wall within the compartment defined by the walls. The upper edge of the wall is suitably at the same height as the top of the compartment. The body may have an insert associated therewith. The insert may be of any shape but preferably is of substantially the same shape as the body, but of smaller dimensions, whereby it may nest in the body with a surrounding air gap. The insert may be supported in its nested position by a marginal flange, which seats around the mouth of the body. The insert may comprise support feet formed in the bottom of the insert. The surrounding air gap, suitably provides insulation for the contents of the packaging container. In this way, an effective insulation space can be provided around the bottom and walls of the insert, the only heat paths being at the contact points of the support feet. A substantially closed air space may be provided above the insert, with the covering. In one embodiment, the packaging container comprises a primary body, and two secondary bodies wherein each body is a discrete part, and further comprising a single covering for the bodies which comprises a primary body sealing portion disposed over the access opening of the primary body and two secondary body sealing portions disposed over the access openings of the two secondary bodies wherein the primary body sealing portion is linked to the secondary sealing portions by connecting portions. The cold-seal adhesive is suitably applied to the bonding part, covering and optionally the flange as a wet solution or dispersion by conventional means, for example a revolving gravure cylinder. Suitably the adhesive is dried rendering it suitable for use. Preferably, the adhesive is applied to the upper side of the bonding part and at least to the outer portion of the continuous peripheral strip and any other dividing strip so as to present a surface to the covering which is prepared for cold-sealing the bonding part to the covering and, as appropriate the flange. The adhesive is suitably applied in a continuous strip around the bonding part such that any parts of the bonding part which will be in contact with the covering comprise a layer of adhesive. The cold-seal adhesive suitably is of a composition known to the skilled person, preferably comprising 40 to 70% solids especially 50 to 60% solids of a natural latex in water. Examples of suitable cold-seal products may be obtained from Formulated Polymer Products Ltd, for example product FP2154. Where the packaging container is to be used for food products, the selected adhesive must be of appropriate food grade approval for example meeting the food packaging regulations for direct food contact. Similarly, for pharmaceuticals, the adhesive must meet all applicable regulations. The packaging container according to the invention may be employed to provide a sterile environment. This is especially useful for packaging of materials or equipment which need to be sterile, preferably products, equipment and apparatus to be used in a medical or analytical process, for example procedure trays for instruments used in surgery, dentistry, veterinary science and the like. The invention further provides a packaging container according to any aspect of the invention comprising a sterile storage compartment. The container may comprise a storage compartment having a gas other than air therein. Suitably, the sterile container according to the invention comprises orifices of a size smaller than bacterial size to enable passage of gas into the storage compartment with minimal and preferably no passage of bacteria into the storage compartment. Suitably the orifices are less than 0,5 micron, preferably less than 0.2 micron and especially less than 0.1 micron in diameter. In another embodiment, the invention provides a storage container according to any aspect of the invention which is sterile wherein the contents of the container are placed in the storage compartment and the storage compartment is closed by applying the covering and sealing the covering to the rest of the container, preferably hermetically sealing the covering, in a sterile environment, for example a clean room and an aseptic isolator, for example as available from Solo Containment. For a packaging container comprising a plurality of bodies, the container is suitably assembled by employing a guide piece having apertures sized to receive the bodies but to engage with the projecting flange. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided process of packaging a product in a packaging container comprising providing: i) a body which comprises walls and a base defining a cavity for holding the product and further comprises a flange projecting outwardly from the walls, preferably at or near the top of the walls, wherein the flange comprises apertures; ii) a bonding part comprising an annular continuous peripheral strip defining a central aperture sized to receive the body such that the flange overlies and is in register with at least a part of the peripheral strip and which comprises a coldseal adhesive disposed on at least a part of the upper face of the strip in a predetermined pattern; and iii) a covering comprising a cold-seal adhesive to close the cavity and overlying the flange and the bonding part wherein the cold-seal adhesive is in the same pattern as the cold seal adhesive on the bonding part; locating the body in the aperture of the bonding part such that the flange overlies and is in register with at least an inner portion of the bonding part, placing the product in the body and applying the covering across the body and bonding part in register with the aperture such that the covering engages with the bonding part bonding part through the apertures and optionally outboard of the flange and applying pressure so as to seal the covering to the bonding part. Optionally, the container comprises means for separating, preferably manually separating, the flange from the body selected from scoring, creasing, embossing, debossing, perforations and a Concora cut. The packaging container may be assembled by locating the bonding part on a planar guide piece having an aperture adapted to receive the said body, locating the body in the aperture of the guidepiece such that the flange overlies and is in register with the inner portion of the bonding part, placing the product in the body and applying the covering across the body and bonding part in register with the aperture such that the covering engages with bonding part through the apertures in the flange and the outer peripheral portion of the bonding part and applying pressure so as to seal the covering to the bonding part. Suitably, the process further comprises providing a reel of environmentally acceptable material, cutting or punching a bonding part of pre-determined size and shape from the reel, applying cold seal adhesive to the outer peripheral portion of the bonding part, applying a register mark to the bonding part and using the bonding part in the process according to the invention. Where the packaging container comprises multiple bodies, the bodies are located in a desired fixed relation, preferably in a guide piece comprising apertures corresponding to the shapes of the bodies, whereby the flange of each body is co-planar with the flange of the other bodies. The bonding part may have been located on the guidance piece before locating the bodies such that the flanges of the bodies rest on the bonding part with the bonding part protruding outwardly of the periphery of the flanges. The covering may then be applied across the top opening of the bodies and be brought into contact with the protruding part of the bonding part. Upon application of pressure, manually or by equipment, the covering and the bonding part are suitably bonded together. As desired, the underside and / or upper side of the flange may also have adhesive applied thereto to aid bonding of the flange to the bonding part and / or covering respectively. In one embodiment, the packaging container comprises: i) a primary body having a peripheral flange comprising means for separating, preferably manually separating, the flange from the body selected from scoring, creasing, embossing, debossing, perforations and a Concorra cut; ii) at least one secondary body having a peripheral flange comprising means for separating, preferably manually separating, the flange from the body selected from scoring, creasing, embossing, debossing, perforations and a Concorra cut; wherein the primary body and secondary body are connected such that the packaging container is conformable in a first, closed configuration in which the at least one secondary body overlies the primary body such that the closed access openings of the primary body and the secondary body face each other and in a second, open configuration in which: i) the primary body and at least one secondary body are connected and in a generally planar arrangement; or ii) the primary body and at least one secondary body are separate from each other and connected by the covering wherein the packaging container further comprises a bonding part in register with the flange of the primary body and the secondary body and the covering is bonded to the bonding part through apertures in the flange of the primary body and the secondary body. In a preferred embodiment, the primary body and the secondary body are in the form of discrete separate trays connected solely by a common covering material. The separate trays are preferably connected by a covering which acts to seal the primary and at least one secondary bodies and which also enable the said bodies to be rotatable relative to each other between the open and closed configurations. The two secondary bodies are suitably disposed laterally of the primary body on opposite sides of the primary body. The secondary bodies are suitably connected to the primary body by the covering and / or the bonding part. The secondary bodies suitably may be folded through 180° onto the primary body such that the covering of the secondary bodies is in contact with the covering of the primary body. The folded packaging container may be held in such a folded configuration by a sleeve or other means. This arrangement provides excellent structural integrity and also aids with thermal insulation to reduce the loss of heat from the contents of one or more of the bodies when employed for heated or heatable food products. Where the packaging container comprises a plurality of bodies, the process of the invention may comprise the further step of folding one sealed body of the packaging container such that it overlies another sealed body of the packaging container, the folded packaging container may optionally be labelled or having fixing means, for example a sleeve applied to hold the folded bodies in a fixed relationship. Advantageously, the process of the invention allows packaging lines to be automated more effectively using a cold seal adhesive system for applying the covering to the body whilst ensuring that the materials of the packaging container are environmentally acceptable and desirably economical. Desirably a series of containers according to the invention may be produced on a continuous production line by providing a roll comprising multiple bonding parts and placing bodies into the aperture in the annular bonding part as the roll unfurls, providing an adjacent or nearby for example laterally or above, line comprising a reel of multiple coverings suitably moving in concert with the line of bonding parts and bodies and effecting relative movement between the bonding parts and the coverings whereby the covering and bonding part are in register, applying pressure to the peripheral area of the covering and / or bonding part whereby a cold seal bond and a secondary cold-seal bond is formed. The containers may be produced as a continuous connected line of containers and separated into individual containers after sealing or the bonding part and body may be separated prior to the covering being applied. The body of the container may be subjected to a gas-flush process so as to provide an atmosphere in the sealed body which is different in composition to the ambient atmosphere, known in the art as “modified atmosphere packaging”. Prior to sealing the body with the covering, the process may comprise a step of inserting a gas into the containment defined by the body prior to applying the covering and sealing the body. The gas may be any suitable gas used in conventional gas flush sealing processes, for example oxygen, an oxygen-rich composition and a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The packaging container may be used for packing, display or transport of any desired product where maintaining two different elements of the product is desired. The packaging container may be used to store and enable display and or transportation of inanimate objects for example hardware such as hand tools and fixings, painting products, garden products, do-it-yourself products and the like. The packaging container may also be configured for carrying medical products or specimens for example cell or tissue samples, pharmaceutical products, medical dispensing apparatus or devices and the like. The packaging container of the invention is especially suitable for containing and transporting foodstuffs especially meals, meal components, sandwiches, salad and any other food type or component. Optionally, the packaging container may also include accompaniments for food including one or more of edible accompaniments for example sauces or other condiments, sachets or other sealed containers or receptacles containing food products, cutlery, cleaning products for example wipes, towels and serviettes, dental hygiene products. The meal may comprise different components for example different meal courses, hot and cold courses or components, liquid and solid components and the like in any configuration desired by the provider of the foodstuff or meal or at the request of the consumer requesting a tailored or bespoke combination of meal components or products. The user or consumer may select the desired product, in person, by telephone, on-line or by other means and the product or service provider then suitably prepares the product according to the request of the user and tailored to the individual needs of the user. This novel method of enabling tailoring of bespoke products in a sealable multi-compartment packaging container at a before the point of use or sale based on a user or consumer request is especially suitable in the supply of meals, or meal components, for example in retail food outlets. For example the user may specify a particular meal component or combination of courses or components of a meal or a particular condiment, eating implements or the like which may then be placed in separate trays in the packaging container. The consumer or user thereby receives a packaged container having contents determined by the user at tor before the point of purchase or receipt of the container. Upon insertion of the product into the packaging container, the storage compartments of the primary and at least one secondary body are sealed, the packaging container is configured in the first, closed configuration and suitably retained in that configuration by closure means for example by application of a label or sleeve fitting snugly around the primary and secondary bodies. The sleeve is suitably printable and may contain information which is personal to the individual user, for example, details of the product order, information based on other information of the user such as preferences or other information contained on a loyalty card or otherwise provided to the service provide by the user. The invention is illustrated by the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation in section through a vertical plane of a packaging container according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of a body of a packaging container according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a bonding part of a packaging container according to the invention; Figure 4A shows a side elevation in section of a packaging container according to the invention; Figure 4B shows a side elevation in section of another packaging container according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a side elevation in section of the seal of the packaging container in Figure 1 in an open configuration; Figure 6 shows a plan view of a planar body which may be formed into a body for use in a packaging container according to the invention; Figure 7 shows a plan of a packaging container according to the invention with a transparent covering; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a sheet comprising a bonding part and a covering for use in a packaging container according to the invention; Figure 9 shows a side elevation of a multiple body packaging container according to the invention in an open configuration; Figure 10 shows a side elevation of the packaging container of Figure 9 in a closed configuration; Figure 11 shows a plan of the packaging container of Figure 9; Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the packaging container of Figure 9; Figure 13 shows a plan view of a guidepiece and separate bonding parts for use in producing a packaging container having multiple bodies connected by the covering according to the invention; Figure 14 shows a plan view of a guidepiece and bonding part for use in producing a packaging container having perforations in the container between adjacent compartments according to the invention; and Figure 15 shows a schematic representation of a process according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a packaging container according to the invention having a body (1) defining a cavity within which contents of the container are held and which body is defined by a bottom (3) and side walls (4, 5 shown in Figure 1) and a flange (2) extending around the top of the side walls. The flange (2) has apertures (8) located therein and spaced along the flange as shown in Figure 2 through which a bonding part (6) may be bonded to a covering (7). Figure 1 shows an inner flange part (2a) and an outer flange part (2b) respectively inboard and outboard of the aperture (8). Dotted lines B-B and C-C delineate the aperture 98) between B-B and C-C. A series of figures “xxx” are employed to denote a layer of adhesive in the Figures. The spacing between adjacent apertures along the flange is selected depending on the particular application and product specification, with closer aperture spacing providing a greater density of through-aperture bonds and more robust bonding. For example, where the packaging container is to be used to carry heavier items or may be squeezed or distorted by handling of the container by the user, a closer spacing of apertures may be employed. The bonding part (6), shown in plan view in Figure 3, underlies the flange (2) and has an inner portion (6a) and an outer portion (6b), delineated by dotted line A. The inner portion of the bonding part (6a) is in register with the flange (2) and underlies the flange (2) and the outer portion (6b) extends beyond or outboard of the flange (2), beyond line A-A. Viewed from above / plan, the outer portion (6b) of the bonding part extends outwardly of the flange (2) and the inner portion underlies the flange and the apertures (8). The covering (7) overlies the body (1), the flange (2) and the outer portion (6b) of the bonding part (6) and serves to close the container when sealed. The covering and bonding part are bonded together by cold-seal adhesive present on the outer portion (6b) of the bonding part (6) and on the covering (7), in register with the outer portion (6b) to provide a bond (9’) outboard of the edge of flange (2). The covering (7) and bonding part (9) are also bonded together by a secondary bond (9) through the apertures (8) by providing cold seal adhesive on the inner portion (6a) of the bonding part (6) and on the covering (7). The cold-seal adhesive for the secondary bond may be provided in discrete areas on the bonding part (6) and the covering (7) and which correspond with the location of the apertures such that upon assembly, the adhesive in the discrete areas on the binding part align with and bond to the adhesive in the discrete areas on the covering. The bonding part (6) has cold seal adhesive on the outer portion (6b) and may have coldseal adhesive on the inner portion (6a) of the bonding part underlying the flange (2) in addition to areas corresponding to the location of the apertures. For example, the inner part (6a) may have a continuous area of adhesive around the inner part such that the adhesive may bind to the covering (7) through the apertures and also bond to the underside of the flange (2). The flange (2) may have cold-seal adhesive applied to its underside, for example in discrete areas or in a continuous strip around the underside of flange (2) for bonding with the inner portion (6a) of the bonding part. The flange may have cold-seal adhesive applied to its top side, for example in discrete areas or in a continuous strip, for bonding to the covering (7). On application of the covering, the covering bonds to the bonding part (6) in particular to the outer part (6b) and also though the apertures (8), providing the secondary bond. Optionally the covering (7) may be bonded to the upper side of the flange (2). The cold-seal bonds are suitably formed without the application of heat, simplifying assembly and avoiding the drawbacks associated with using hot seal adhesives for example capital investment in hot-seal apparatus, running costs, training to use hot-seal equipment and safety of operatives. The cold-seal bond is suitably formed by the application of pressure, for example in a mechanical process, which may be automated, or in a manual process. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the body (1) shown in Figure 1 with a series of apertures (8) in the flange (2) arranged along each side of the body. Figure 3 shows a bonding part (6) with adhesive located on the outer portion ((6b) of the bonding part (6) and which lie outboard of the flange (2) so as to form bond (9’) upon assembly with the covering (7) and also disposed in locations on the inner portion (6a) of the bonding part (6) for alignment with apertures (8), inner portion (6a) underlying the flange (2). Alternatively, a continuous strip of the adhesive is disposed on the inner part (6a) whereby precise alignment of the apertures and adhesive is not required and which enables a peelable and reclosable covering to be employed without the need for precise alignment on reclosing. Figure 4A shows another packaging container according to the invention. The flange (2) comprises apertures (8), located between lines B-B and C-C. The bonding part (6) extends beyond the edge of the flange (2) and adhesive is provided on the underside of the flange (2) and on the inner portion (6a) and the outer portion (6b) of the bonding part (6). The bonding part adheres to the underside of the flange (2), by bond 9” which extends across the underside of flange (2) ie to line A-A and, beyond line A-A ie beyond the edge of the flange, bonds to the covering (7) and, through the apertures (8) to the covering. In Figure 4, the underside of flange (2) has adhesive and a bond (9”) is formed between the underside of the flange and the bonding part in addition to a bond (9) through the apertures (8) and a bond (9’) outboard of the edge of the flange. Figure 4B shows another packaging container according to the invention. The flange (2) comprises apertures (8), located between lines B-B and C-C. The bonding part (6) is coterminous with the edge of the flange (2) and does not extend beyond the edge of the flange (2). Adhesive is provided on the underside of the flange (2) and on the bonding part (6). The bonding part adheres to the underside of the flange (2), by bond 9” which extends across the underside of flange (2) to line A-A and through the apertures (8) to the covering. In Figure 4B, the bonding part (6) and the covering (7) are bonded directly together through aperture (8) by bond (9) and the underside of flange (2) has adhesive and a bond (9”) is formed between the underside of the flange and the bonding part (6) to provide a secondary bond. Figure 5 shows, in exploded sectional view, the sealing arrangement of the packaging container in Figure 1. The bonding part (6) has cold-seal adhesive on outer portion (6b) and the inner portion (6a). The covering (7) has cold-seal adhesive in a pattern which mirrors the adhesive on the bonding part. Surfaces (6a) and (6b) are bonded to covering (7) to form bonds (9) and (9’) upon application of force, to provide a cold seal with flange (2) located between the bonding part (6) and the covering (7). Adhesive may be applied across the underside of the flange and across the bonding part. The flange (2) may be bonded to the underside of bonding part (6) with cold-seal adhesive being present on both surfaces. As desired, the flange (2) may also be bonded to the covering (7) by cold-seal adhesive applied to the upper surface of the flange and the covering (7) in register. Figure 6 shows a planar blank of a body (1) with the flange (2) being comprised of separate flange parts (2a), (2b), (2c) and (2d) which, upon forming the blank into the three-dimensional body, abut or overlap so as to present a continuous flange around the edge of the body. Figure 7 shows a plan view of a container according to the invention with a transparent or translucent covering (7) which is bonded to the bonding part through apertures (9, 9’) and which has a peelable corner (10) which is not bonded to the bonding part. The covering is reclosable. Figure 8 shows a bonding part (6) and a covering (7) which are both part of a single form with adhesive located at (9) and (9’). Upon insertion of the body into the bonding part and locating the flange around the edge of the bonding part, the covering part is folded over the edge of the flange adjacent to the covering and the covering is then bonded to the bonding part outboard of the flange in a continuous peripheral bond also bonded through the apertures in the flange to provide a secondary bond. Figure 9 shows a packaging container (1) according to the invention in an open configuration in which the primary body and two secondary bodies are compartments suitable for receiving foodstuffs or meals or components thereof or which may be used for other non-food items, for example medical products or samples, hardware or other inanimate objects. The container includes a primary compartment (40) having an accessible opening (31) sealed by covering (7) and two secondary compartments (41, 42) each having a sealed accessible openings sealed by the covering (7), the seals being as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2. The primary compartment (40) and the two secondary compartments (41, 42) are joined by hinges (13, 14) respectively which, in one embodiment are provided by the covering material which acts to close the bodies (40, 41, 42). The secondary compartments are dimensioned such that the width of the compartments (41, 42) is approximately the same as the width of the primary compartment (3) between the two hinges (13, 14). The length of the secondary compartments (41, 42) is the same as that of the primary compartment (40) as shown in Figure 6, such that, in the closed configuration, as shown in Figure 10, the covering (7) of the secondary compartments (41, 42) lies across the covering of the primary compartment (40). Figure 10 shows the packaging container in a closed configuration. This arrangement advantageously provides a neat package suitable for easy handling or application of closure means, for example an adhesive label across the two secondary compartments or a sleeve (15) to hold them in the closed configuration. Where the packaging container is to be employed for heated foodstuffs or a meal or meal components, this arrangement also beneficially provides thermal insulation by avoiding exposing the sealed coverings. Figure 11, shows a container according to the invention in which the primary compartment (30) has a width “z” and the two secondary compartments have widths “x” and “y” which may be the same or different. Suitably x+y=z such that in the closed configuration, the container is as shown in Figure 10 with the two secondary compartments overlying the primary compartment. As shown in Figures 9, 10 and 12, the primary compartment may be shaped to have a tapered profile from the top to the bottom such that removal of the contents from the compartment, particularly food or a meal or meal component is facilitated or the primary compartment may have a squarer profile. The secondary compartments (41, 42) may have a squarer cross-section or be tapered as desired. Figure 13 shows a guidepiece (20) having three apertures around which are placed, respectively three bonding parts (21, 22, 23) and into which are placed three bodies (3, 11, 12) each having their own independent flanges (24, 25, 26). The outer parts of each bonding part extends beyond the corresponding flange, presenting a surface to which the covering (7) (not shown) is to be bonded. The covering will thereby link the separate primary compartment (3) and secondary compartments (11, 12) so as to form a single packaging container having three bodies. The bonding parts (21, 22, 23) have cold seal adhesive on the portion of the bonding part extending beyond the flanges (24, 25, 26) and, if desired, on the portion of the bonding parts underlying the flanges such that the bonding parts bond to the underside of the flanges. The flanges (24, 25, 26) may also have cold-seal adhesive applied to their underside for bonding with the bonding parts (21, 22, 23) and / or their top sides, as shown, for bonding to the covering when applied. The cold seal adhesive is suitably applied to each surface in a pattern such that the cold seal adhesive on adjacent surfaces is in register. On application of the covering, the covering bonds to the bonding parts and optionally the upper surface of the flanges by the application of pressure on the covering with the guidepiece 20 providing a reaction force to the applied force for sealing the covering. Figure 14 shows a packaging container according to the invention having a primary compartment (3) and two secondary compartments (11, 12) with a common flange (27) which also includes cross parts (28, 29) which separate the compartments (3, 11 12) with each shared periphery having perforations (30, 31) along their length allowing one or both the secondary compartments (11, 12) to be separated from the primary compartment (3). A single bonding part 32 is provided which extends beyond the edge of the common flange (27). The bonding part (32) has cold seal adhesive on the portion of the bonding part extending beyond the flange (27) and, if desired, on the portion underlying the flange (27). The common flange (27) may have cold-seal adhesive applied to its underside for bonding with the bonding part (32) and / or its top side, as shown, for bonding to the covering when applied. On application of the covering, the covering bonds to the bonding part (32) and optionally the upper surface of the common flange (27) by the application of pressure on the covering with the guidepiece 20 providing a reaction force to the applied force for sealing the covering. The cold seal adhesive is suitably applied to each surface in a pattern such that the cold seal adhesive on adjacent surfaces is in register. Figure 15 shows a schematic representation of a process according to the invention in which Production line 63 comprises or receives guide-piece 64. A reel or spool of material for the bonding part 61 is provided and the bonding part is punched or cut to shape in zone 62 and cold seal adhesive is applied to the bonding parts. The bonding parts are placed on the guide-piece in zone 66 to provide a guide-piece with bonding parts having cold-seal adhesive which are located around the apertures in the guide-piece as shown in Figure 14. The bodies of the packaging container are provided from zone 67 and may be pre-formed or provided as a blank and folded or otherwise manipulated into the shape of the bodies. Those bodies are then located in the apertures of the guide-piece in zone 66 with the flanges of each body overlying the inner portion of the bonding parts, as shown in Figure 14. The partly assembled packaging container passes to zone 68 where the contents, for example a food product, are placed in the bodies. In zone 69, the covering is applied across the top of the bodies and located in register with the exposed outer peripheral portions of the bonding parts and sealed thereto by the application of pressure but no heat. The covering is provided from zone 70 and may be provided as discrete coverings for each packaging container or provided as a continuous reel or spool and cut to size before or after application 5 to the bodies. Cold seal adhesive is applied to the covering in a pattern to mirror that of the cold seal on the bonding parts. The covering is brought into register with the bonding parts and the bodies, for example using register marks and then sealed to the bonding part. Optionally, one or more of the bodies may be subjected to a gas flush step prior to sealing with the covering in zone 69. The sealed package may then be further processed, for 10 example by folding and / or labelling in zone 71.

Claims

1. A packaging container for a product comprising:i) a body which comprises walls and a base defining a cavity for holding the product and further comprises a flange projecting outwardly from the walls;ii) a bonding part comprising an annular continuous peripheral strip defining a central aperture sized to receive the body such that the flange overlies and is in register with at least a part of the peripheral strip and which comprises a coldseal adhesive disposed on the upper face of the strip in a pre-determined pattern; andiii) a covering comprising a cold-seal adhesive to close the cavity and overlying the flange and the bonding part;wherein the bonding part and the covering extend beyond the edge of the flange and are bonded directly together and the packaging container comprises a secondary bond.

2. A packaging container according to claim 1 wherein the secondary bond is provided by the bonding part and the covering being bonded together through the flange.

3. A packaging container for a product comprising:i) a body which comprises walls and a base defining a cavity for holding the product and further comprises a flange projecting outwardly from the walls;ii) a bonding part comprising an annular continuous peripheral strip defining a central aperture sized to receive the body such that the flange overlies and is in register with at least a part of the peripheral strip and which comprises a coldseal adhesive disposed on the upper face of the strip in a pre-determined pattern; andiii) a covering comprising a cold-seal adhesive to close the cavity and overlying the flange and the bonding part;wherein the bonding part and the covering are bonded together directly through the flange and the packaging container comprises a secondary bond.

4. A packaging container according to claim 3 wherein the secondary bond is provided by the bonding part and the underside of the flange being bonded together.

5. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the secondary bond comprises cold seal adhesive.

6. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flange comprises apertures which overlie the bonding part and the bonding part and the covering are bonded together through the apertures in the flange.

7. A packaging container according to claim 6 wherein the flange comprises an array of apertures or a mesh having apertures.

8. A packaging container according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the flange comprises at least one aperture in the flange on each side of the body.

9. A packaging container according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the bonding part comprises an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion extending around the bonding part and is dimensioned such that the apertures in the flange align with the inner portion of the bonding part and the bonding part comprises coldseal adhesive at locations that align with the apertures in the flange.

10. A packaging container according to claim 9 wherein the bonding part extends beyond the edge of the flange, such that the outer portion of the bonding part presents an upper surface for direct contact and bonding to the covering.

11. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flange is manually detachable from the body, by application of manual force.

12. A packaging container according to claim 11 wherein the flange is connected to the body at least in part by a Concorra cut.

13. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the covering is peelable from the bonding part and optionally is reclosable or resealable to the bonding part.

14. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body, bonding part and covering comprise a material independently selected from a cellulosic material, a natural product, a plastics material, glass and metal.

15. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body is selected from a cellulosic material, a plastics material and metal.

16. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bonding part is selected from a cellulosic material and a plastics material.

17. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the covering is selected from a cellulosic material.

18. A packaging container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body, comprises a material selected from a cellulosic material, a natural product, a plastics material, glass and metal; the bonding part is selected from carton board, cardboard, compressed paper pulp and board; the covering is selected from paper and a plastics material.

19. A process of packaging a product in a packaging container comprising providing:i) a body which comprises walls and a base defining a cavity for holding the product and further comprises a flange projecting outwardly from the walls, preferably at or near the top of the walls, wherein the flange comprises apertures;ii) a bonding part comprising an annular continuous peripheral strip defining a central aperture sized to receive the body such that the flange overlies and is in register with at least a part of the peripheral strip and which comprises a cold-seal adhesive disposed on at least a part of the upper face of the strip in a pre-determined pattern; andiii) a covering comprising a cold-seal adhesive to close the cavity and overlying the flange and the bonding part wherein the cold-seal adhesive is in the same pattern as the cold seal adhesive on the bonding part;locating the body in the aperture of the bonding part such that the flange overlies and is in register with at least an inner portion of the bonding part, placing the product in the body and applying the covering across the body and bonding part in register with the aperture such that the covering engages with the bonding part bonding part through the apertures and optionally outboard of the flange and applying pressure so as to seal the covering to the bonding part.31

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