Process for making a container preferably for food use and respective container

Abstract

Process for manufacturing and filling a container (1) for food or perishable substances, of the type comprising a receptacle (2) with a top opening (5) surrounded by an upper frame (3) equipped with a substantially flat top edge (4), and a removable cover comprising an annular element (6) which is complementary to the said frame (3) of the receptacle (2) and which comprises a substantially flat upper contour (7) which is configured to surround, or be housed in, said frame (3), as well as a film (8) which is substantially impermeable at least to liquids, the process sequentially comprising the steps of: a) making said receptacle (2) with said substantially flat top edge (4); b) making said annular element (6) with said substantially flat upper contour (7), c) arranging said substantially flat top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the receptacle (2) coplanar with said substantially flat upper contour (7) of the annular element (6), d) filling said container (1) with one or more food or perishable substances after said step a) of making said receptacle (2) and / or after said step b) of making said annular element (6) and / or after said step c) of arranging the upper contour (7) of said annular element (6) and said top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the receptacle (2) coplanarly; sealing said film (8) at the top on at least contiguous areas of said top edge (4) of the frame (3) of the receptacle (2) and of said upper contour (7) of the annular element (6), said sealing on said contiguous areas mechanically constraining said annular element (6) to said receptacle (2) to stably, but reversibly, secure the respective positioning of said annular element (6) with respect to said receptacle (2) and vice versa, said sealing and / or the outline of said upper contour (7) and / or the outline of said top edge (4) and / or the outline of said contiguous areas ensuring greater peelability of said film (8) from said top edge (4) of the receptacle (2) with respect to said upper contour (7) of said annular element (6).

Description

[0001] “Process for making a container preferably for food use and respective container”

[0002] * * *

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The present invention concerns a process for making a container preferably for food use intended to contain food or anyhow perishable substances and to allow their preservation, distribution and sale by preventing rapid degradation of the organoleptic properties of the product, even when the container is opened for the first time for consumption of the substances contained therein.

[0005] The container is of the type initially sealed by means of a substantially impermeable film and comprising a receptacle and a removable cover constituting a closing device with the possibility, once the container has been opened, to reuse such device closing the container several times, until the food product contained therein has been used up.

[0006] In particular, the invention concerns the process for making different container configurations and characteristics thereof.

[0007] Known prior art

[0008] In the art, it is known to make containers for food or perishable substances of the type comprising a receptacle which is sealed at the top by means of a substantially impermeable film, for example of the heat-shrinking or heat-sealing type, and which is then closed by a removable cover mechanically constrained to the upper frame of the receptacle itself, for example by interference or juxtaposition of substantially complementary' shapes.

[0009] When the user intends to use this type of container, for example used for containing dairy products such as ricotta, mozzarella, etc., he / she must lift the removable cover and therefore remove the substantially impermeable film which can no longer be used. If the user intends to close the container again, he / she will only be able to make use of the aforesaid removable cover.

[0010] In figure 7, the “KNOWN ART,” a partially enlarged view of a known solution, which meets the criteria just described above and which provides a removable cover for closing the container to be used after the sealing film has been broken, is

[0011] 1 illustrated.

[0012] As further evidence, the patent document FR 2827841 Bl, in the name of EUROPLASTIQUES, describes a container initially sealed by a substantially impermeable film and equipped with a removable and reusable cover after its first opening.

[0013] Such document precisely concerns a container for food substances, comprising a containment tray and a removable cover made by means of an annular element of a size complementary to that of the top edge of the tray, which element is equipped at the top with a closing layer made of polymeric, paper or composite material.

[0014] The closing layer of the removable cover has, on its lower face, a polymeric film sealable on the edges of the tray and the annular element of the removable cover itself comprises a circular portion shaped for being mechanically snap-engaged, i ,e. by elastic interference of complementary parts, with a corresponding outer portion of the tray.

[0015] The use of such a container requires the user to lift the removable lid from the tray by thereby removing (peeling) the sealable film from the edges of the tray itself, and then to close the lid back on the tray by means of the aforesaid mechanical snap engagement.

[0016] The process of making such a container of FR 2827841 Bl provides for making the removable lid first and for sealing, even reversibly, the polymeric film of the latter to the tray itself, once the film has been arranged above the upper edge of the tray. In addition to providing for a given number of separate operations, with consequent complexity and poor implementation savings, involves both the use of a sealable film made as lower surface of a layer of a different material firmly constrained to the annular element of the removable cover and a considerable precision in assembling and sealing such film on the tray.

[0017] Moreover, the mechanical snap-fit coupling methods which allow the tray to be closed again after its first use, imply a considerable amount of material.

[0018] It should be highlighted that the expression “annular element” herein and hereunder means a generic continuous tubular element of little axial size which does not necessarily have circular base section, but which can have any type of base section, for example oval, squared, polygonal, etc. In this context, the annular element can also therefore be defined as a generic sleeve, or bushing, or even ring nut.

[0019] The patent FR 2618411 B l, in the name of CHARCUTERIE DE LA VALONNE, describes a further making of a container for food or perishable substances of the type comprising a containment tray surmounted by a removable cover comprising an annular element outwardly surrounding an upper frame of the tray and which is constrained thereto by means of frangible connecting bridges.

[0020] The annular element of the removable cover comprises a substantially flat upper contour which, in an embodiment, is arranged at the same level as the top edge, which is also substantially flat, of the upper frame of the tray, in such a way that a substantially impermeable film can be sealed on contiguous areas of such top edge of the tray and of such upper contour of the annular element.

[0021] When the user intends to use this type of tray, he / she must break the frangible connecting bridges and therefore remove, i.e. peel, the substantially impermeable film from the top edge of the tray, so as to obtain a covering element constituted by the aforesaid annular element and the respective film sealed thereon.

[0022] Although the rigid mechanical constraint of the annular element to the tray ensures consistent mechanical stability for the tray made according to FR 2618411 Bl, for example during transport, the required moulding precision of the annular element with respect to the tray, i.e. the required moulding at the same level of their upper surfaces, and the fact that, the user must break the aforesaid connecting bridges to open the container with high risk of tearing the substantially impermeable film, make this container not very' usable.

[0023] Moreover, in this case, the type of fastening by interference of the cover element on the tray is approximative, given the residual mechanical deformation as a result of the breakage of the bridges.

[0024] European patent EP 1127809 A2, in the name of ALUSUISSE, describes a container similar to the one described in FR 2618411 Bl , in which, however, the mechanical constraint between the annular element which constitutes the removable cover of the container together with the substantially impermeable film, and the respective containment tray is entrusted to a snap-fit coupling by elastic interference of substantially complementary’ parts.

[0025] Although the mechanical constraint ensures the stability of the container, and although, unlike the container of FR 2618411 Bl, no breaking of bridges is expected, the making of the parts intended for the snap-fit coupling of the annular element to the tray is also in this case difficult to achieve, and the application of a consistent force for lifting such annular element from the tray can still result in the breakage of the substantially impermeable film. Moreover, as can be understood from the figures, the making of a snap-fit coupling involves a significant amount of material.

[0026] Brief Summary of the invention

[0027] An object of the present invention is to solve or mitigate the problems of the prior known art set forth above by providing a process for manufacturing and filling a container for food or anyhow perishable substances, which comprises a receptacle and a complementary’ annular element with a respective substantially impermeable film that are intended to constitute the removable cover of the container, which can be easy to make, therefore minimizing the amounts and number of different materials required and ensuring the possibility of reusing the cover element for a substantially sealing closure on the container until the product contained therein has been used up.

[0028] A further object of the present invention is to make, in one piece, two elements adapted for constituting a container and a cover element which, during the packaging of one or more food or perishable substances, can be subsequently separated and used for making a container which allows customized films to be applied according to the type of product and type of preservation required for the commercial distribution of the preferably food or perishable substance packaged. These and other objects are achieved by the process according to the first independent claim, and the respective dependent claims, and by the container according to the tenth independent claim, and the respective dependent claims.

[0029] According to the present invention, a process for manufacturing and filling a container for food or anyhow perishable substances is provided, which process provides for making a receptacle comprising an upper frame, i.e. an upper portion of its side surface, which is provided with a substantially flat top edge adapted for surrounding the top opening of the receptacle, as well as the making of a removable cover comprising an annular element which is substantially complementary' to the frame of the receptacle and which comprises a substantially flat upper contour configured for surrounding, or being housed in, the frame of the receptacle, as well as a substantially impermeable film.

[0030] The process comprises the following sequential steps: a) making, by moulding in at least one plastic (polymeric) material, the receptacle with a substantially flat top edge; b) making, by moulding in at least one plastic (polymeric) material, the annular element with a substantially flat upper contour; c) arranging the substantially flat top edge of the frame of the receptacle coplanar with the substantially flat upper contour of the annular element; d) filling the receptacle with one or more food or perishable substances after the step a) of making the receptacle by moulding and / or after the step b) of making the annular element by moulding and / or after the step c) of arranging the upper contour of the annular element and the top edge of the frame of the receptacle coplanarly; e) sealing the substantially impermeable film at the top on at least contiguous areas of the top edge of the receptacle frame and of the upper contour of the annular element, in such a way that this sealing on the contiguous areas mechanically constrains the annular element to the receptacle to stably, but reversibly, secure - i.e. make substantially secure - the relative positioning of the annular element with respect to the receptacle and vice versa, said sealing and / or outline of said top edge ensuring greater peelability of said substantially impermeable film from said top edge of the receptacle with respect to said upper contour of the annular element.

[0031] Such making process is simple and effective, in addition to not requiring an excessive amount of material for making the respective container.

[0032] In particular, such process excludes that the so-made container comprises frangible elements of mechanical constraint, such as for example bridges, between the receptacle and the annular element, which must be broken or removed to allow the annular element and its respective film to be lifted from the top edge of the receptacle for the first time.

[0033] Such container, formed by means of this process, does not require the presence of mechanical constraints of the interlocking type, i.e. by elastic interference of complementary shapes, to ensure the mechanical constraints between the receptacle and the annular element.

[0034] Moreover, as will become clearer to the expert of the field, the presence of bridges or other frangible elements between the receptacle and the annular element and / or the fact that such receptacle and the annular element are inter! ockingly constrained to each other, which are solutions of the prior art not anymore required with the use of the process object of this patent, makes the possible breaking of the polymeric film more likely due to the greater force required to initially remove the annular element from the respective receptacle and compromises the functionality of the annular element as a. portion of the lid of the container.

[0035] Such possible damage to the functionality of the container is mitigated or even prevented by means of the process claimed herein.

[0036] In practice, unlike the teachings of the prior known art, it was found that the sole sealing of a film made of polymeric material on at least contiguous areas of the top edge of the receptacle frame and of the upper contour of the annular element can allow a sufficient mechanical constraint between the receptacle and the annular element constituting part of the removable lid of the respective container, therefore preventing possible and damaging breaking of the polymeric film when the container is used for the first time.

[0037] It should be noted that the term “peelability” is herein used to refer to that characteristic of removability without substantially tearing the film with respect to a surface on which it was previously sealed and is therefore a measure of the unsealing force required for removing the film sealed to a. given surface without tearing it. The “peelability” can therefore be understood as the ability of a film sealed on a certain surface to be removed without tearing when in the presence of a given unsealing force. It must moreover be clear that the characteristic of “peelability” of the film must in no way affect and / or impair effective sealing of the film, to protect the preservation of the product present in the container.

[0038] As is known in the art, a different “peelability” between surfaces of adjacent bodies can be formed by varying the materials of the adjacent bodies on which the film, for example of polymeric material, is sealed, or by varying the sealing parameters or even by varying areas on which the film is sealed.

[0039] In order to make the process more effective and sustainable, as the expert of the field can well understand, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, the step a) of making the receptacle and the annular element by moulding provides that, the receptacle and the annular element are moulded together with the moulded annular element directly constrained by means of one or more bridges or tabs to the frame of the recipient.

[0040] As is known in the art, the term “bridge” or “tab” herein means a local connecting element between the receptacle, preferably the upper frame of the receptacle itself, and the annular element of the container described herein, which is frangible or deformable.

[0041] Subsequently, according to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the step c) of arranging a substantially flat top edge of the frame of the receptacle and of the substantially flat upper contour of the annular element coplanarly is preceded by a step b. l) of breaking said one or more bridges or tabs.

[0042] A preferred making process of the present invention is characterised in that the step b.l) of breaking one or more bridges or tabs, the step c) of arranging a substantially flat top edge of the frame of the receptacle and of the substantially flat upper contour of the annular element coplanarly and the step c) of sealing the film are carried out sequentially and / or substantially simultaneously by means of a single punch.

[0043] By way of example, as will become clearer, the punching action is carried out bymeans of an underlying cavity of substantially cylindrical shape which accommodates the receptacle and which constitutes the abutment surface for a punch, in a position opposite the cavity, also of a substantially cylindrical shape, traditionally named sealing head, which is in abutment against the upper contour of the annular element, detaches it from the frame of the receptacle by moving forward towards the abutment surface and contributes, in a subsequent step, to seal the film when the upper contour of the annular element is coplanar with the top edge of the frame of the receptacle.

[0044] According to another aspect of the invention, the annular element can be moulded constrained to the receptacle by means of a single bridge or tab and the step c) of arranging a substantially flat top edge of the frame of the receptacle and the substantially flat upper contour of the annular element coplanariy is preceded by a step b.l’) of bending the bridge or tab in order to make a receptacle integrally connected to the annular element, but with the same coupling functionalities between the annular element and the receptacle that are observed when making with such separate components.

[0045] According to another aspect of the invention, the step e) of sealing the substantially impermeable film at the top on at least contiguous areas of a top edge of the receptacle and of the upper contour of the annular element is carried out in such a way that an unsealing force (also known as peeling), lower than the force required for unsealing the same film in the contiguous sealing areas on the upper contour of the annular element, is required in the sealing areas of the film on the top edge of the frame of the receptacle.

[0046] This aspect allows to have effective sealing downstream of the packaging of the food or perishable substance inside the receptacle, therefore protecting the contents of the receptacle until it is opened for the first time by the user and, at the time of its opening, will therefore involve the permanent unsealing of the annular element from the receptacle but not of the film from the annular element itself, therefore allowing the user to close the receptacle back for consumption of the food substance spread out over time.

[0047] According to a further aspect of the invention, the step a) of making the receptacle and the respective annular element by moulding provides that the frame of the receptacle preferably has a substantially circular or substantially elliptical shape and that the respective annular element, which is complementary to the frame, has a size such as to surround, or be inserted into, the side wall of the frame by shape interference.

[0048] The annular element will therefore be appropriately made in order to be positioned inside the top opening of the receptacle or outside of it.

[0049] A further aspect of the invention is that the shape interference, required for holding and preventing relative displacements between the annular element and the receptacle, is made mainly or exclusively along the respective side walls of the annular element and of the frame of the receptacle.

[0050] According to a further aspect of the invention, the sealing of the substantially impermeable film at the top on at least continuous areas of a top edge of the frame of the receptacle and of the upper contour of the annular element is able to prevent the relative displacement of said annular element with respect to said receptacle, except by causing the breaking or unsealing of the film from the top edge of the frame of the receptacle.

[0051] According to a further aspect of the invention, in the presence of an annular element moulded constrained to the receptacle by means of a single bridge or tab, these bridge or tab can be shaped so as to break after bending or after a very little number of bends by performing the step b.l’), so as to release the annular element from the receptacle, therefore returning the shape of the receptacle and annular element to that of two distinct elements unconstrained from each other.

[0052] According to the process described above, the present invention therefore provides a container for food or anyhow perishable substances of the type comprising a receptacle comprising a frame provided with a substantially flat top edge surrounding a respective top opening and with a removable cover comprising at least one annular element, which is complementary to the frame of the receptacle, and which comprises a substantially flat upper contour and which is configured for surrounding, or being housed in, the frame of the receptacle, as well as a substantially impermeable film sealed on contiguous areas of a top edge of the frame of the receptacle and of the upper contour of the respective annular element. Before the first opening of the container, the substantially impermeable film advantageously mechanically constrains the aforesaid annular element and the respective receptacle by securing - i.e. substantially stably securing - the respective positioning of the annular element with respect to the receptacle itself and vice versa, the aforesaid annular element with said substantially impermeable film constituting a removable cover for the receptacle itself after said container is opened for the first time.

[0053] According to different embodiments which will be described hereunder with the aid of the accompanying figures, the receptacle is made with a frame which comprises a substantially flat top edge and which can be combined with a further plurality of substantially flat edges and / or recesses built-in in the top edge and / or in the further plurality of substantially flat edges.

[0054] According to another embodiment, the container constituted by the receptacle can comprise a frame jutting into the receptacle, the jutting frame comprising a substantially flat upper surface.

[0055] According to a further embodiment, the annular element can be configured for being housed in the frame of the receptacle, the jutting frame being shaped for supporting the annular element.

[0056] Finally, according to a further aspect, the configuration of a receptacle comprising a frame provided with a substantially flat top edge surrounding the respective top opening and with a removable cover comprising an annular element, which is complementary to the frame of the receptacle, and which comprises a substantially flat upper contour configured for being housed in the frame of the receptacle in which a small jutting portion of said top edge is removable along a marked contour thereof (also named “tamper evident” indicator) adapted for facilitating its separation from the frame itself, is possible. This configuration also provides for the sealing of a substantially impermeable film sealed on contiguous areas of the top edge of the frame of the receptacle, which also comprise said small jutting portion of the top edge and of the upper contour of the respective annular element. After the receptacle is opened for the first time, the permanent unsealing of the annular element from the top edge of the receptacle therefore takes place and the small jutting portion undergoes a separating force which detaches it from the top edge along its marked contour, therefore leaving an indentation in said edge. This indentation, as is known in the art, marks the first opening of the receptacle and de facto constitutes a non-restorable indicator, such as the user can check for possible undesired tampering with the receptacle and its contents.

[0057] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0058] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention, together with the invention itself, can be better understood through the following detailed description made, by way of example only, with the aid of the accompanying figures, in which:

[0059] Fig. LA shows a partial enlarged view of the section of a receptacle and an outer annular element which are moulded constrained to each other by means of bridges or tabs and the same after said bridges and tabs were broken, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0060] Fig, IB shows a three-dimensional view of the section of the receptacle and the outer annular element moulded constrained to each other by means of bridges or tabs, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0061] Fig. 1 C shows a cross section of the receptacle and the outer annular element moulded constrained to each other by means of bridges or tabs, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention,

[0062] Fig. ID shows a cross section of the section of the receptacle and the outer annular element after the bridges or tabs were broken and of the coplanar arrangement of the outer annular element and the top edge of the frame of the receptacle according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0063] Fig. IE show?s a three-dimensional view of the section of the receptacle and the outer annular element after the bridges or tabs were broken and of the coplanar arrangement of the annular element and the top edge of the frame of the receptacle according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0064] Fig. IF shows an overall three-dimensional view of the receptacle and the outer annular element after the bridges or tabs were broken and of the coplanar arrangement of the annular element and the top edge of the frame of the receptacle according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0065] Fig. 2 A shows a three-dimensional view of the section of a receptacle and an outer annular element which are moulded constrained to each other by means of bridges or tabs, wdth the receptacle housed in an underlying cavity according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0066] Fig. 2B shows a cross section of a receptacle and an outer annular element with the coplanar arrangement of the annular element and the top edge of the frame of the receptacle which are contained between an underlying cavity and a sealing head / upper punch according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0067] Fig. 2C shows a cross section of a receptacle and an outer annular element with the coplanar arrangement of the annular element and the top edge of the frame of the receptacle which are contained between an underlying cavity and a sealing head / upper punch according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0068] Fig. 2D shows a cross section of a receptacle and an inner annular element with the coplanar arrangement of the annular element and the top edge of the frame of the receptacle which are contained between an underlying cavity and a sealing head / upper punch according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0069] Fig. 3A shows a partial enlarged view of the section of a receptacle and an outer annular element in a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

[0070] Fig. 3B shows a partial enlarged view of the section of a receptacle and an outer annular element in a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

[0071] Fig. 3C shows a partial enlarged view of the section of a receptacle and an outer annular element in a third preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

[0072] Fig. 3D shows an overall three-dimensional view of a receptacle and an inner annular element connected to each other in a not-engaged position by means of a single bridge according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0073] Fig. 4A shows a partial enlarged view of the section of a receptacle and an inner annular element which are moulded constrained to each other by means of bridges, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0074] Fig. 4B shows a partial enlarged view of the section of the receptacle and the inner annular element after the bridges were broken and of the coplanar arrangement of the annular element and the top edge of the frame of the receptacle according to a preferred aspect of the invention;

[0075] Fig. 4C shows two three-dimensional views of a receptacle equipped with a frame made according to a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

[0076] Fig. 5 shows a partial enlarged view of the section of a container of the containment tube type and a cross secti on of the whole configuration according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;

[0077] Fig. 6A shows illustrations of partial enlarged views of the portion of a top edge of a receptacle, named “tamper evident indicator”;

[0078] Figs. 6B-6G show further implementation details of “tamper evident indicators” according to the configuration of the receptacle;

[0079] Fig. 7 show's a partial enlarged view of the section of a solution of the know'll art which show's a receptacle and a removable cover.

[0080] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0081] The invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying figures, according to the preferred embodiments.

[0082] Generally speaking, with reference to the figures as a whole, the process of making a container for food or perishable substances according to the present invention concerns a container 1 of the type comprising a containment tray 2 and a respective removable cover comprising an annular element 6 and a substantially impermeable film 8 sealed to the annular element 6 in such a w'ay as to define an upper wall.

[0083] Although reference will be herein made to an embodiment in which the container 1 comprises a containment tray, preferably made of a polymeric material, it is understood that this invention comprises the use of any other receptacle, such as for example a tubular receptacle, made of any other material, such as for example a multilayer element of cardboard or aluminum, or other yet.

[0084] The term “receptacle” will therefore mean any substantially concave body intended for accommodating solid or liquid or pasty substances.

[0085] As already set forth, it should be noted that the term “annular element” herein and hereunder means a generic tubular element, sleeve, ring nut which can have a base section of any circular, elliptical, polygonal shape, etc.

[0086] Moreover, the terms ‘lower” and “upper” refer to the use condition of the container 1, whereby the lower portion of the container 1 will therefore be the bottom portion of the tray 2 itself, where the food or perishable substance is deposited, and the upper portion will be the one provided with a top opening 5 of the tray itself.

[0087] The containment tray 2 has an upper frame 3, i.e. a top portion of its side surface, which is provided with a top edge 4 which is substantially flat, and which, in use, is substantially horizontal and surrounds the top opening 5 of the tray 2 itself.

[0088] The annular element 6 of the removable cover of the container I has a shape substantially complementary to that of the upper frame 3 of the tray 2, so that to be able to surround or be surrounded by the latter.

[0089] The annular element 6 further comprises an also substantially flat upper contour 7 arranged horizontally in use and which is configured for being substantially coplanar with the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2, when the container is in use.

[0090] As will be seen, a substantially impermeable film 8, preferably made of polymeric material at least impermeable to liquids, is then precisely sealed on the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, in such a way as to define the aforesaid removable cover of the container 1.

[0091] Generally, the process for making this container I, according to the present invention, provides the sequential steps of: a) making the tray 2, or other receptacle, of any material adapted for containing food or perishable substances, with its substantially flat top edge 4; b) making the aforesaid annular element 6 with its upper contour 7, substantially flat too; c) arranging the substantially flat top edge 4 of the tray 2, or other receptacle, substantially coplanar with the also substantially flat upper contour of the annular element 6; d) filling the container 1, i.e. the tray 2 or other receptacle, with one or more food or perishable substances after the step a) of making such tray 2 or receptacle, and / or after the step b) of making the annular element 6 and / or after the step c) of arranging the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 with the top edge 4 of the tray 2, or other recipient, coplanarly; e) sealing the film 8 at the top on at least continuous areas of the top edge 4 of the tray 2, or other receptacle, and of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, in such a way that such sealing on the aforesaid contiguous areas mechanically constrains the annular element 6 to the tray 2, or other receptacle, to stably but reversibly secure the relative positioning of the annular element 6 with respect to the tray 2, or other receptacle, and vice versa, and in such a way that the quality of the sealing and / or the outline of the upper contour 7 and / or the outline of the top edge 4 and / or the outline of the aforesaid contiguous areas ensure greater peelability of the film 8 from the top edge 4 than the peelability on the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0092] It should be recalled that the “peelability” is none other than the greater or lesser propensity of the film 8 to be detached without tearing from a given surface to which it was sealed and that such propensity, according to what is already known in the field, depends inter alia on the interaction between the materials involved in the sealing, on the film sealing methods, on the shape of the surfaces affected by such sealing, etc.

[0093] The sealing of the film 8 at least on the contiguous areas of the top edge 4 of the tray 2, or other receptacle, and of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 must be such as to ensure, for example thanks to the toughness of the sealing and the mechanical characteristics of the material of the film 8, the substantially mechanical constraint between the annular element 6 and the tray 2, or other receptacle, so that to not require another mechanical constraint between these components, such as connecting bridges or mechanical interlocks.

[0094] According to an embodiment of the process of the present invention, both the top edge 4 of the tray 2, or other receptacle, and the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 are made, in the respective steps a) and b) of the process set forth above, in such a way as to comprise at least areas respectively provided with a first and a second polymeric material different from each other or possibly the same.

[0095] According to an aspect of this embodiment of the present invention, such areas with a polymeric material of the top edge 4 and of the upper contour 7 are then arranged at least partly contiguously with each other, in the aforesaid step c) of the general process set forth above, when such top edge 4 and such upper contour 7, both substantially flat, are arranged substantially coplanar with each other. This way, such areas with a polymeric material respectively of the top edge 4 of the tray 2, or other receptacle, and of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, being arranged in such a way that at least some polymeric areas of the top edge 4 are contiguous and coplanar with polymeric areas of the upper contour 7, constitute at least part of the supporting surfaces on which the sealing of the film 8 is earned out.

[0096] Such areas with polymeric material therefore cooperate with the material of the film 8 to carry out the aforesaid sealing.

[0097] Summarizing, according to this embodiment of the invention: the aforesaid step a) of making the tray 2, or other receptacle, provides that, the respective top edge 4 comprises at least areas provided with a first polymeric material; the aforesaid step b) of making the annular element 6 provides that the respective upper contour 7 comprises at least areas provided with a second polymeric material; - the aforesaid step c) of arranging the top edge 4 of the tray 2, or other receptacle, coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 is carried out in such a way that at least part of the areas of the top edge 4, which are provided with a first polymeric material, are contiguous with at least part, of the areas of the upper contour 7 provided with a second material; and wherein: - the aforesaid step e) of sealing the film 8 is carried out. on at least the aforesaid contiguous areas made of a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material of the top edge 4 and the upper contour 7, respectively.

[0098] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in particular illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying figures, the tray 2 and the annular element. 6 are made of at least one respective polymeric material.

[0099] In this case, the process for making such a container 1 sequentially provides the steps of: a) making the tray 2 with said substantially flat top edge 4 in at least one first polymeric material by moulding, for example by injection moulding or thermoforming; b) making the annular element 6 with said substantially flat upper contour 7 of at least one second polymeric material by moulding, for example by- injection moulding or thermoforming; c) arranging the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6; d) filling the tray 2 with one or more food or perishable substances after the aforesaid step a) of making the tray 2 by moulding and / or the step b) of making the annular element 6 by moulding and / or after the aforesaid step c) of arranging the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 with the top edge 4 of the upper frame 3 of the tray 2 coplanarly; e) sealing the film 8, also of a third polymeric material, on contiguous areas of the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 and of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, in such a w-y that such sealing mechanically constrains the annular element 6 of the tray 2 to stably, bur reversibly, secure the respective positioning of the annular element 6 with respect to the tray 2 and vice versa - i.e. to substantially prevent relative displacements of the annular element 6 with respect to the tray 2 - and in such a way that such sealing and / or outline of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 and / or the outline of the top edge 4 of the tray 2 ensure greater peelability of the film 8 from the top edge 4 of the tray 2 than the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0100] It must be repeated that greater peelability of the film 8 from the top edge 4 of the tray 2 than the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 can be achieved, for example, by using different sealing parameters for the film 8 on the top edge 4 and the upper contour 7, for example different temperatures and sealing times, or can be achieved by selecting different polymeric materials for the annular element 6 and the tray 2, or it can be even achieved by shaping the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 and of the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 in a different way, at least in the contiguous areas on which the film 8 is sealed.

[0101] In this latter case, for example, it is possible to provide a sealing area of greater extent on the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 than the extent of the sealing area on the top edge 4 of the tray 2, the sealing area of the top edge 4 of the tray 2 also theoretically being able to be linear.

[0102] Still, in the sealing areas of the top edge 4 of the tray 2, it is possible to define surface discontinuities on which the detachment of the film 8 is locally triggered, when exerting a tractive force.

[0103] It should be further observed that by entrusting the function of at least partial mechanical constraint between the annular element 6 and the tray 2 to the film 8, it is possible to reduce the supply of polymeric material for making the container 1, in addition to making it more simple and effective to make the container 1 itself. According to an aspect of this embodiment of the present invention, the polymeric materials, with which the tray 2 and the annular element 6, as well as the film 8 are made, can be entirely or partly distinct from or equal to each other.

[0104] According to another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide, in the aforesaid steps a) and b) of the process illustrated herein, a separate moulding of the tray 2 and the annular element 6, for example by injection of one or more polymeric materials in a single mould or separate moulds. In this case, the step c) of arranging the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour of the annular element 6 will have to be carried out by means of equipment for manipulating the tray 2 and the annular element 6, such as for example a robotic arm.

[0105] However, it is important to note that the annular element 6 can provide further configurations for allowing its upper contour to be arranged coplanarly with the top edge of the frame of already existing trays.

[0106] The reduced supply of material also for making the annular element 6 precisely makes it an element adaptable to many configurations of the tray and its frame. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the process for making the container 1 can comprise that the steps a) and b) of making the tray 2 and the annular element 6 by moulding, respectively, provides that the moulding is simultaneous in a single mould and that the annular element 6 is moulded in such a way as to be constrained to the frame 3 of the tray 2 by means of one or more bridges or tabs 19. It should be noted that herein and hereunder, the term ‘"bridge" and the term “tab” mean an element which locally connects two bodies to each other, otherwise reciprocally separated at least about such an element, and which is shaped so that to be deformed, preferably by bending, and / or broken to allow its detachment from at least one of the bodies when mechanically stressed, for example by bending, with a certain intensity and / or when mechanically stressed repeatedly. Bridges or tabs which are shaped for being broken or detached from at least one of the bodies at the exceeding of a given mechanical force, or after having undergone a certain number of mechanical stresses, such as bending, fall within this definition. Bridges or tabs which only bend, in the presence of mechanical stress, such as bending, therefore acting like a hinge between the two bodies, also fall within this definition.

[0107] The result of steps a) and b) of simultaneously moulding a tray 2 and a respective annular element 6 preferably made of polymeric material, which are connected to each other by bridges or tabs 19, is visible in figure 1 A(i) and figures IB and 1C.

[0108] In this case the breakage of bridges or tabs 19 is prodromal to the step c) of arranging the top edge 4 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6. The result of this step c) is seen in figure lA(ii) and in figures ID and IE, after the bridges or tabs 19, which connect the tray 2 to the annular element 6 and which are visible in figures 1 A( i ) . IB and 1 C, have been broken. Figure IF show's the tray 2 of the previous figures also at the end of step c), in which the - flat - top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 is arranged substantially coplanar with the - flat - upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0109] It is observed that, in the accompanying figures lAto IF herein, an embodiment in w'hich the annular element 6 is arranged outside of the frame 3 of the tray 2, w'hen the container 1 is in use, is shown. Other embodiments with the annular element shaped for being arranged inside the frame of the tray 2 can also be easily made with the bridges or tabs 19 described above. An example of a similar implementation, as will be seen, is illustrated in figures 4A and 4B.

[0110] According to a particular aspect of the process shown herein, it is in this case possible to provide that the step of breaking the bridges or tabs 19 and at least the aforesaid step c) of arranging the top edge 4 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 are carried out sequentially and / or substantially simultaneously by means of a single punch.

[0111] With reference to figure 2 A, after having moulded the tray 2 joined to the respective annular element 6 by bridges or tabs 19, the tray 2 can be inserted into a cavity 10a with its own frame 3 bearing on the abutment surface 10c of the cavity 10a with the bridges or tabs 19 still integral and waiting to be punched.

[0112] The cavity 10a will have a geometric shape and size such as to substantially house the whole tray 2, supporting the latter when undergoing an axial pressure directed towards the lower bottom of the tray 2 itself. An example of a cavity 10a is visible in figures 2B, 2C and 2D.

[0113] In this case the punch determines, by acting on the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 being pushed towards the lower bottom of the tray 2, the breaking of the bridges or tabs 19 and can further allow the top edge 4 of the tray 2 to be arranged coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, therefore performing the aforesaid step c) of the process illustrated herein.

[0114] As will be seen, such punch, which performs the step c) of the process by breaking the bridges or tabs 19 and allowing the top edge 4 of the tray 2 to be arranged substantially coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, can in this case be shaped for also carrying out the subsequent step e) of sealing the film 8, i ,e. can also be shaped for operating as a sealing head.

[0115] In any case, if the tray 2 is made with an outer annular element 6 and regardless of whether such annular element 6 was previously attached to the respective tray 2 by bridges or tabs 19, the subsequent step e) of sealing the film 8 can take place as visible in figure 2B and figure 2C, by means of an appropriately configured sealing head.

[0116] The closing position of a sealing head 10b at the cavity 10a, which holds the tray 2 by means of the abutment surface 10c, in order to carry' out the sealing of the film 8 (not visible) at the top edge 4 of the frame of the tray 2 and of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, is illustrated in these figures 2B and 2C. Such subsequent step e) of sealing the film 8, in the case where the annular element 6 is made inside the tray 2, whether or not such annular element 6 was or wasn’t made constrained to the tray 2 by bridges or tabs 19, is schematized in Fig. 2D.

[0117] In such Fig. 2D, a tray 2 with an annular element 6, in this case an inner annular element, is in the closing position of the sealing head 10b on the cavity 10a holding the tray 2 by means of the abutment surface 10c, in order to make the sealing of the film 8 (not shown) at the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 and of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0118] Finally, in Fig. 5, a container 1 is visible, in which the receptacle 2 is of the type constituted by a containment tube with an upper frame 3 having a preferably circular shape and provided with a top edge 4, and a removable cover comprising an annular element 6 complementary in shape to said upper frame 3, which comprises an upper contour 7 configured for surrounding the side wall of said frame 3 by shape interference. The receptacle 2 can be made of a multi-layered material comprising aluminum and / or paper, cardboard, etc.

[0119] The process of making the present invention also applies to this container.

[0120] Analy zing the process of making a container 1 more in detail, in which the forming of a containment tray 2 with its respective annular element 6 is provided in one piece, which are joined to each other by bridges or tabs 19, for example by injection moulding a polymeric material, figures 1A-1F, 3A-3D and 4A-4C illustrate different embodiments acting as non-limiting embodiment examples of such containers 1.

[0121] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 A, a containment tray 2 is made by moulding a polymeric material in such a way as to be connected to a respective outer annular element 6, at the frame 3 of the tray 2 itself, by means of bridges or tabs 19.

[0122] Such bridges or tabs 19 are visible in Figs. IB and in Fig. 1C and are distributed along the side wall 12 of the annular element 6 placed outside of the frame 3 of the tray 2, in such a way as to be adequately distinct from each other, possibly equidistant, and in such a way as to support, the annular element 6 above the top edge 4 of the upper frame 3 of the tray 2. The shape, number and distribution of these bridges or tabs 19 are such as to ensure a connection sufficient to make the tray 2 integral with the annular element 6, but which - as will be better seen hereunder, allows, once these bridges or tabs 19 are broken, the annular element 6 to be released from the tray 2 and to therefore arrange the latter according to what is provided in the aforesaid step c) of the process according to the present invention, i.e. to arrange the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0123] The process of moulding such a container is advantageous given that the making of the annular element 6 and the respective tray 2 in one piece allows them to easily be moved and stocked during the preparation steps of the container 1.

[0124] In Fig. ID, Fig. IE and Fig. IF the tray 2 with the outer annular element 6 arranged in such a position to have coplanarity between the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray and the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 is shown.

[0125] This arrangement, as mentioned, is preferably generated as a result of breaking the bridges or tabs 19 by acting on the annular element 6 in the initial position shown in Fig. 1 A and pushing it by means of even pressure in direction of the base of the tray 2 (i.e. towards the lower end of the tray 2 itself), keeping the tray 2 stable in its position.

[0126] As already stated, this action of breaking the bridges or tabs 19 can be carried out with the aid of a cavity / punch or sealing head assembly which, by holding the tray

[0127] 2 in the cavity and pushing the annular element 6 by means of the punch, is able to break these bridges or tabs 19 and able, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, to displace the annular element 6 with respect to the tray 2 in such a way as to arrange the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0128] More in particular, the cavity accommodates the tray 2 and allows a generic punch or sealing head to exert a pressing action on the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 by holding the tray 2 by means of an abutment surface acting on the frame

[0129] 3 of the tray 2, so as to cause the bridges or tabs 19 to break and the annular element 6 to translate with respect to the tray 2, precisely up to making the top edge 4 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour of the annular element 6. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, as mentioned, the same punch that is able to carry out the aforementioned steps can also constitute a sealing head which, once the aforesaid step c) of the process has been carried out and consisting in arranging the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, can act on a substantially impermeable film 8 initially deposited as bearing on at least contiguous areas of the aforesaid top edge 4 of the tray 2 and of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 and subsequently sealed by the aforesaid punch or sealing head.

[0130] This way, the step of breaking the bridges or tabs 19, the aforesaid step c) of arranging the substantially flat top edge 4 of the upper frame 3 of the tray 2 and the also substantially flat upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 coplanarly and the aforementioned step e) of sealing the film 8 are earned out sequentially and / or substantially simultaneously by means of a single punch.

[0131] Alternatively, as will become clearer to the Reader, the sealing head can be constituted of a member different from the aforesaid punch.

[0132] It should be noted that the sealing of the film 8 ensures both a mechanical constraint between the annular element 6 and the respective containment tray 2 and a seal for ensuring the fluidic seal of the tray 2 once filled - obviously before depositing and sealing the film 8 - with one or more food or perishable substances, for example. Moreover, as stated, this sealing, thanks to an appropriate selection of the parameters of the sealing itself or thanks to a special shape of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 and / or of the top edge 4 of the tray 2, or even thanks to a selection of different polymeric materials for the annular element and the containment tray 2, leads to a differential peelability of the film 8, such that it is easier to remove the film 8 from the top edge 4 of the tray 2 than to remove the film 8 from the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0133] This differential peelability, as will be understood, allows the user to detach the annular element 6 and the film 8 from the top edge 4 of the containment tray 2, in such a way that the annular element 6 itself with the film 8 forms a removable cover for the container 1, after the container 1 is opened for the first time.

[0134] In other words, the sealing, as stated, must necessarily allow7the film 8 to stably ensure the position of the annular element with respect to the containment tray 2 also in the absence of other mechanical constraints, for example by shape interference, between the tray 2 and the annular element 6, and must simultaneously allow the film 8 to be detached from the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 without being separated from the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0135] In such regard, it is set out that, as described above, it will be possible to cany out the sealing of the film on multiple materials other than the polymeric ones, such as, by way of example and without limitations, aluminum, cardboard, paper and cellulose-based composite materials, with the appropriate selection of the sealing parameters and / or shape of the contours and edges respectively of the annular element and the tray.

[0136] By staying secured to the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, the film precisely becomes the reversible closing element of the tray 2 which will be able to protect its contents until the same contents have been depleted.

[0137] Consequently, and as already mentioned, in the areas for sealing the film 8 on the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2, the sealing of the film 8 provides to be performed in such a way as to require an unsealing force, also named peeling force, lower than the force required to unseal the film 8 itself in the contiguous sealing areas on the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0138] According to another aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide zones for sealing the film 8 on the top edge 4 of the tray 2 which, thanks to their geometric shape, can promote the detachment of the film 8 from the same top edge 4.

[0139] For example, as can be seen in the embodiments of figure 4C which depict a container 1 shaped for having the annular element 6 arranged inside the upper frame 3 of the receptacle, or tray 2, at least part of the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 can locally have a “cusp” profile 21 along its perimeter, which is able to promote the detachment of the film 8 without tearing.

[0140] Once the film 8 is sealed on the whole top edge 4 of the frame 3, this “cusp” profile will represent a point where the sealing of the film 8 with the top edge 4 will necessarily be weaker, due to the so-designed irregular perimeter of the top edge 4 and consequently the sealing of the film 8 thereon. At the point when a tractive force is applied on the film 8 at the “cusp” 21 point, the detachment of the film 8 will be facilitated thanks to the concentration of the force on an isolated point, and this point will be the starting point for the progressive unsealing of the film 8 from the top edge 4 of the frame 3 during the step of opening the tray 2.

[0141] In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide that the annular element 6 is moulded, for example by injection moulding a polymeric material, so as to be constrained outside the tray 2 by means of a single bridge or tab and wherein the aforesaid step c) of arranging the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 is preceded by a step of bending said bridge or tab.

[0142] Therefore, Fig. 3D shows a further embodiment which provides a tray 2 provided with a single bridge or tab 20 connecting it to an annular element 6, such bridge or tab 20 being designed to be bended in order to allow' the annular element 6 to be inserted into the frame 3 of the tray 2 without causing the bridge or tab to break or, alternatively, by causing the bridge or tab itself to break as a result of bending or a very limited number of bends.

[0143] As already stated, in the process object of the invention, once the coplanar arrangement between the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray and the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 has been achieved, the step of applying a film 8 at the top, for example a thermoplastic and substantially impermeable one by sealing it on at least contiguous areas of the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 and of the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, is provided.

[0144] To ensure that, once the container 1 is opened for the first time, i.e. once the film 8 is removed from the top edge 4 of the tray 2, the removable cover consisting of the annular element 6, on whose upper contour 7 the film 8 is sealed, is hermetically couplable to the upper frame 3 of the tray 2, it is possible to shape such annular element 6 and such upper frame 3 of the tray 2 in such a way that there is an elastic shape-interference coupling of complementary' parts between each other.

[0145] More precisely, according to a preferred aspect of the process of the present invention, the aforesaid steps a) and b) of making the tray 2 and the respective annular element 6 by moulding can provide that the frame 3 of the tray 2 has a substantially circular or substantially elliptical or substantially regular polygonal shape and can especially provide that such annular element 6 has a shape complementary to that of the frame 3, with configuration and size such as to surround, or be inserted into, the side wall 11 of the frame 3 by shape, albeit elastic, interference.

[0146] This shape interference is mainly or exclusively formed along the inner or outer side walls 12 of the annular element 6 and along the side wall 11 of the frame 3 of the tray 2.

[0147] Thanks to the elastic shape-interference between the side surface 12 of the annular element 6 and the side surface 12 of the frame 3 of the tray 2, it is possible to reversibly constrain the annular element 3 with the respective film 8 acting as a cover, and the respective tray 2 at the top opening 5 of the latter.

[0148] Different shapes of the side surface of the frame 7 of the tray 2 and of the side surface 12 of the annular element 6 are possible.

[0149] Therefore, Fig. 3 A shows a tray with an “L” shaped frame 3 which provides, from the top edge 4, a substantially flat jutting contour 14 which extends with an inclined side 15 and which ends in a substantially flat annular contour 16.

[0150] Through a collar 17 jutting in direction of the base of the tray 2, the annular element 6 can be engaged by shape interference with the inclined side 15 of the frame 3 of the tray 2.

[0151] Similarly, Fig. 3B show's a tray with an “I” shaped frame 3 which provides, from the top edge 4, a substantially flat jutting contour 14 which ends with an inclined side 15 with which the annular element 6 is engaged by shape interference, by means of a collar 17 jutting in direction of the base of the tray 2.

[0152] Fig. 3C shows a tray with a “U” shaped frame 3 which provides, from the top edge 4, a substantially flat jutting profile 14 which extends with an inclined side 15 in direction of the base of the tray, which extends with a substantially fiat annular contour 16 and which ends with an inclined side 18 aw'ay from the base of the tray, in a position substantially coplanar with the jutting contour 14.

[0153] The annular element 6, by means of a collar 17 jutting in direction of the base of the tray 2, is inserted between the inclined side 15 and the inclined side 18 of the frame 3 of the tray 2, therefore engaging by shape interference with the inclined side 15 of the tray.

[0154] A number of embodiments of the container according to the present invention, in which the annular element 6 is shaped for surrounding the upper frame 3 of the tray 2, so that the making process consequently provides for making an annular element 6 equipped with an upper contour 7 having complementary shape and size outside of the upper frame 3 of the tray 2, have been illustrated so far.

[0155] As will become clearer to the skilled in the art and as already mentioned, it is possible instead to provide that the annular element 6 is shaped for being surrounded by the upper frame 3 of the tray 2, as seen in the subsequent figures 4A and 4B.

[0156] It will be equally clear to the skilled in the art that the process of making the container 1 herein discussed above, equipped with an annular element 6 outside the upper frame 3 of the tray 2, is equally applied to the containers of figures 4A and 4B with the annular element 6 inside the upper frame 3 of the tray 2.

[0157] In particular, according a. preferred aspect of the process according to the present invention, also in this embodiment of the container 1, it is possible to make the tray 2 and the respective annular element 6, constrained to each other by means of the bridges or tabs 19, in one piece by injection moulding a polymeric material for example.

[0158] Fig. 4A shows a further preferred embodiment of the container according to the present invention, which provides a containment tray 2 moulded in such a way as to be connected to an annular element 6 placed inside at the top opening 5 of the tray 2 by means of bridges or tabs 19.

[0159] Similarly to the configuration with the outer annular element 6 of Fig. 1 A, in this embodiment shown in figure 4A, such bridges or tabs 19 are shaped and distributed along the side wall 12 of the inner annular element 6 in such a. way as to ensure a connection which is sufficient to make the tray 2 integral with the annular element 6, but which simultaneously allows, once these bridges or tabs 19 are broken, to release the annular element 6 from the tray 2 and to therefore arrange the latter according to what is provided in the aforesaid step c) of the process according to the present invention, consisting in arranging the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 coplanar with the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6.

[0160] Fig. 4B shows the tray 2 of Fig. 4A with the inner annular element 6 arranged in such a position as to have coplanarity between the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the tray 2 and the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6, as a result of breaking the bridges or tabs 19 which is obtained by acting on the annular element 6 in the initial position shown in Fig. 4A and by pushing it by means of an even pressure in direction of the base of the tray 2, for example by an appropriate punch, once the tray 2 is housed and held in a corresponding cavity.

[0161] In this regard, the upper contour 7 of the annular element 6 juts out from the perimeter of the top opening 5 of the tray 2 and the top edge 4 of the tray 2 is made like an annular rib with a flat upper surface. The size and shape of this contour 7 of the upper element 6 and of the top edge 4 of the tray 2 are such that the lower surface of the contour 7 of the annular element 6 bears on the perimeter zone of the opening 5 of the tray 2 to which a substantially coplanar arrangement of the substantially flat top edge 4 of the tray 2 and of the supper surface of the contour 7 of the annular element 6 corresponds.

[0162] It should then be noted that the inner surface of the frame 3 of the tray 2, inside the opening 5, can provide an inner annular moulded strip 13 which reinforces the side surface of the tray. In other embodiments not shown herein, the inner moulded strip 13 can further allow the annular element 6 itself to be bore or to simply constitute an abutment surface for bearing further trays 2 to be stacked for storage purposes. Finally, it should be mentioned that the containers 1 illustrated herein, once set up in their configuration of use, i.e. with the receptacle 2 constrained to the annular element 6 by means of the film 8, can comprise tamper evident indicators, such that the first opening of the container 1 results in an irreversible modification of a part of the container 1 itself, such as for example the breaking of a bridge or tab or the modification of a special configuration of the film 8.

[0163] Depending on the embodiment of the container according to the invention selected for the tray 2 and for the removable cover comprising an annular element, various embodiments are possible for making a “tamper evident” indicator which points out that the container has been opened.

[0164] For example, an embodiment of a tamper evident indicator 22, 23, 24 of the type made at the top edge 4 of the upper frame 3 of a receptacle 2, in a container 1 in which it is provided that the annular element 6 is arranged inside that frame 3 of the receptacle 2, is depicted in figure 6A. Incidentally, it should be noted that the top edge 4 of the receptacle 2 comprises, in this case, a circular recess such that this top edge 4, although substantially flat, is discontinuous.

[0165] Also in this embodiment of figure 6A, the presence of a substantially impermeable film sealed on contiguous areas of the top edge 4 of the frame 3 of the receptacle 2 and of the upper contour of an annular element 6, not shown herein but placed inside the frame 3, is anyhow provided, which areas comprise the area 23 defined by a weakening line 24, for example pre-engraved, of a small movable portion 22 jutting from the top edge 4.

[0166] After the first opening of the container 1, the permanent unsealing of the substantially impermeable film from the edge 4 of the frame 3 of the receptacle 2 takes place. In this case, however, due to the weakening line 24, the small jutting portion 22, when detached from the film, undergoes a separation force sufficient for detaching it from the top edge 4 precisely along the aforesaid weakening line 24, therefore leaving an indentation in said edge 4 having an extent equal to the area 23 defined above.

[0167] This indentation 23, as will be clearer to the Reader, points out the first opening of the tray and constitutes de facto a non-restorable indicator of "first" use, so that the user can identify any undesired tampering with the container 1 that took place before its regular first opening.

[0168] An embodiment of a container 1 equipped with a receptacle 2 and an annular element 6 placed outside the upper frame 3 of the receptacle or tray 2 and constrained to that upper frame 3 by means of a film 8 (not shown), is shown in figure 6B. In this embodiment, a specifically shaped bridge 25 constrains the annular element 6 placed outside the upper frame 3 of the tray 2. Such bridge 25 can be made at multiple points along the circumference of the upper frame 3 of the receptacle or tray 2, with such sizing as to cause it to break as a result of the raising action of the outer annular element 6 by the consumer.

[0169] Another embodiment of a container 1 with an annular element 6 outside the upper frame 3 of the receptacle or tray 2 and elastically constrained to the latter by complementary shape interferences, thanks to the engagement of an inward jutting end ring of the annular element 6 with a moulded strip jutting outside the upper frame 3 of the receptacle 2, which is geometrically complementary' to the aforesaid end ring for making a removable snap constraint, is shown in Figure 6C. In this embodiment, at least one cutout 25’ is provided in the annular element 6, which cutout is engaged with the upper frame 3 of the receptacle 2 and is adapted for tearing, therefore separating from the outer annular element 6 itself after the opening action.

[0170] Fig. 6D shows how such cutout 25’ can be made with a narrow section which weakens its strength to tractive force due to the opening action. Also in the case, the cutouts 25’ can be multiple and distributed along the outer circumference of the outer annular element 6.

[0171] A solution is shown in figure 6E with the annular element 6 inside the upper frame 3 of the tray 2, or receptacle, where the film 8, which is sealed to the outer annular element 6 and the top edge 4 of the upper frame 3, has an attachment 25”, for example of triangular shape, which is further sealed in a peelable way to the upper frame 3 itself of the tray 2 below the top edge 4, for a length substantially equal to the width of said attachment 25”. This additional seal, which in the example illustrated herein in which the top edge 4 of the tray 2 is shaped like an annular protrusion jutting outward, is made, in a peelable way, on the lower face of that top edge 4, so that the attachment 25” assumes the substantially “Z” shaped profile.

[0172] Such additional seal constitutes the tamper evident indicator since, as can be seen in figures 6F(a) and 6F(b), the opening action of the container 1 will result in the detachment of that atachment 25” of the film 8 from the upper frame 4 of the tray 2, with clear stretching of the film 8.

[0173] In particular, to be able to open the container 1, as seen in figures 6F, the user must first detach the attachment 25” of the film 8 from the lower face of the top edge 4 of the upper frame 3 of the tray 2, by pulling that attachment 25” along a side direction away from the tray 2 itself, and must subsequently raise the attachment 25” itself relative to the top edge 4 to allow the film 8 to be detached from that top edge 4 and, this way, the inner annular element 6 which constitutes, with the film 8 sealed thereto, the removable and reversible cover of the container 1 , to be released.

[0174] Finally, a small circular area 26, made in the center of the film 8 and adapted for pointing out the concave shape of the film due to the correct depression of the product inside the container, is shown in figure 6G. When opening the container, the container loses the negative pressure as outside air enters and the film consequently loses its concave shape in the zone of the small circular area 26, therefore assuming a substantially flat profile.

[0175] It should be noted that such tamper evident solutions, as the skilled in the art well understands, can disregard the container manufacturing methods set forth above, even though the latter are naturally the preferred ones.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Process for manufacturing and filling a container (1) for food or perishable substances, of the type comprising a receptacle (2) with a top opening (5) surrounded by an upper frame (3) equipped with a substantially flat top edge (4), and a removable cover comprising an annular element (6) which is complementary to the said frame (3) of the receptacle (2) and which comprises a substantially flat upper contour (7) which is configured to surround, or be housed in, said frame (3), as well as a film (8) which is substantially impermeable at least to liquids, the process sequentially comprising the steps of: a) making said receptacle (2) with said substantially flat top edge (4); b) making said annular element (6) with said substantially flat upper contour (7), c) arranging said substantially flat top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the receptacle (2) coplanar with said substantially flat upper contour (7) of the annular element (6), d) filling said container (1) with one or more food or perishable substances after said step a) of making said receptacle (2) and / or after said step b) of making said annular element (6) and / or after said step c) of arranging the upper contour (7) of said annular element (6) and said top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the receptacle (2) coplanarly; e) sealing said film (8) at the top on at least contiguous areas of said top edge (4) of the frame (3) of the receptacle (2) and of said upper contour (7) of the annular element (6), said sealing on said contiguous areas mechanically constraining said annular element (6) to said receptacle (2) to stably, but reversibly, secure the respective positioning of said annular element (6) with respect to said receptacle (2) and vice versa, said sealing and / or the outline of said upper contour (7) and / or the outline of said top edge (4) and / or the outline of said contiguous areas ensuring greater peelability of said film (8) from said top edge (4) of the receptacle (2) with respect to said upper contour (7) of said annular element (6).

2. Process for manufacturing and filling a container ( 1) for food or perishable substances according to claim 1, wherein:said step a) of making said receptacle (2) provides that said substantially flat top edge (4) of the receptacle (2) is made in such a way as to comprise at least areas equipped with a first polymeric material; said step b) of making said annular element (6) provides that said substantially flat upper contour (7) is made in such a way that it comprises at least areas equipped with a second polymeric material; said step c) of arranging said substantially flat top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the receptacle (2) coplanar with said substantially flat upper contour (7) of the annular element (6) is carried out in such a way that at least part of said areas of the top edge (4), which are equipped with a first polymeric material, are contiguous with at least part of said areas of said upper contour (7), which are equipped with a second polymeric material; and said step e) of sealing said film (8) is carried out on at least said contiguous areas made of a first polymeric material and a second polymeric material of said top edge (4) of the frame (3) of the receptacle (2) and said upper contour (7) of the annular element (6), respectively.

3. Process for manufacturing and filling a container (1) for food or perishable substances according to claim 2, wherein said receptacle (2) is a containment tray (2) made of at least said one first polymeric material and said annular element (6) is made of at least said one second polymeric material, characterised in that said steps a) of making said receptacle (2), i.e. said tray (2), and said step b) of making said annular element (6) take place by moulding the respective polymeric materials, preferably by injection moulding or thermoforming.

4. Process according to claim 3, w her ein said steps a) and b) of making said tray (2) and said annular element (6) by moulding provide that said annular element (6) is moulded so as to be constrained by means of one or more bridges or tabs (19) to the frame (3) of said tray (2).

5. Process according to claim 4, wherein said step c) of arranging said substantially flat top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the tray (2) and said substantially flat upper contour (7) of the annular element (6) coplanarly is preceded by a stepb.1) of breaking said one or more bridges or tabs (19).

6. Process according to claim 5, characterised in that said step b.l) of breaking said one or more bridges or tabs (19), said step c) of arranging said substantially flat top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the tray (2) coplanar with said substantially flat upper contour (7) of the annular element (6) and said step c) of sealing said film (8) are earned out sequentially and / or substantially simultaneously by means of a single punch.

7. Process according to claim 4, wherein said annular element (6) is moulded constrained to said tray (2) by means of a single bridge or tab (20) and wherein said step c) of arranging said substantially flat top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the tray (2) coplanar with said substantially flat upper contour (7) of the annular element (6) is preceded by a step b.l’) of bending said bridge or tab (20).

8. Process according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said at least one first polymeric material and said at least one second polymeric material are of the same selected polymeric material.

9. Process according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle is a tubular receptacle, preferably a multi-layered tubular receptacle with a substantially flat top edge.

10. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step c) of arranging said substantially flat top edge (4) of said frame (3) of the receptacle (2) coplanar with said substantially flat upper contour (7) of the annular element (6) provides that, in this step, said receptacle (2) and said annular element (6) are not directly fastened to each other mechanically.11 . Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step e) of sealing said film (8) at the top on at least continuous areas of said top edge (4) of the receptacle (2) and said upper contour (7) of the annular element (6) is carried out so that a unsealing force, lower than the force required to unseal the same film (8) in the contiguous sealing areas on the upper contour (7), is required in the sealing areas of the film (8) on the said top edge (4).

12. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step a) of making said receptacle (2) and said step b) of making said respectiveannular element (6) provides that said annular element (6), which is complementary to said frame (3), has shape and size such as to surround or be inserted into the side wall of said frame (3) by juxtaposition and / or shape interference.

13. Process according to claim 12, wherein said shape interference is mainly or exclusively achieved along the respective side walls (12) of said annular element (6) and said frame (3) of the receptacle (2).

14. Container (1) for food or perishable substances made by means of a process according to any one of claims 1 to 13, of the type comprising a receptacle (2), preferably a containment tray or tube, comprising a frame (3) equipped with a substantially flat top edge (4) which surrounds a respective top opening (5) and with an annular element (6), which is complementary to the said frame (3) of the tray (2), which comprises a substantially flat upper contour (7) and which is configured to surround or be housed in said frame (3), as well as a film (8) substantially impermeable at least to liquids, preferably also to gases, sealed on contiguous areas of the said top edge (4) of the frame (3) of the receptacle (2) and of said upper contour (7) of the respective annular element (6), characterised in that, prior to the first opening of said container (1), the film (8) mechanically constrains said annular element (6) and said receptacle (2) by securing the relative positioning of the annular element (6) with respect to the receptacle (2) and vice versa, said annular element (6) with said film (8) constituting a removable cover for said receptacle (2) after the first opening of said container (1).

15. Container (1) according to claim 14, characterised in that said contiguous areas of said top edge (4) are made of at least one first polymeric material and said contiguous areas of said upper contour (7) are made of at least one second polymeric material.

16. Container (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that said frame (3) comprises said substantially flat top edge (4) and a further plurality of substantially flat edges and / or recesses (4a) built-in in said substantially flat top edge (4) and / or in said further plurality of substantially flat edges (4a).

17. Container (1) according to claim 14, 15 or 16, characterised by comprising a jutting frame (13) jutting into said receptacle (2), said jutting frame(13) comprising a substantially flat upper surface.

18. Container according to claim 17, wherein said annular element (6) is configured to be housed in said frame (3) of the receptacle (2), said jutting frame (13) being shaped to support said annular element (6).

19. Container according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said annular element (6), which is complementary to said frame (3) of said receptacle (2), is sized to surround or be inserted into the side wall of said frame (3) by shape interference.

20. Container according to claim 19, wherein said shape interference mainly or exclusively affects the respective side walls (11, 12) of said annular element (6) and said frame (3) of the receptacle (2).

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