Packaging for containing and consuming food

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging for containing and consuming food, characterised in that it comprises a flexible laminar body made of an airtight material, having first and second closed opposite ends, first and second opposite surfaces between the two ends, and sealing means between the first and second surfaces of the body in an intermediate section. These elements define a first position of the packaging with a first sealed compartment that can contain a first food, located between the first end and the sealing means, and a second sealed compartment that can contain a second food, located between the second end and the sealing means. The sealing means comprise an opening mechanism so as to allow a second position with the first and second compartments in communication with each other to form a single inner space containing the first and second foods.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Food container for holding and consuming food

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention pertains to the technical field of food, specifically to containers intended for the containment of food products.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] Currently, there are many types of packaging available on the market for containing products.

[0007] Each product has a presentation and packaging method designed to protect the contents so they reach the consumer in optimal condition. Products are typically vacuum-sealed or packaged in a modified atmosphere, so upon opening the package, the product comes into contact with oxygen and begins a gradual loss of its properties.

[0008] Specifically, in breakfast products this problem is exacerbated because many products are sold in packages of excessive quantities for certain types of consumers, and before they can finish the package, they find that the product has already lost the required freshness characteristics.

[0009] This is accentuated by the fact that the consumer does not usually limit himself to a single type of a given product, but seeks variety by buying several versions of the same product, which implies a longer time needed for the complete consumption of each package.

[0010] So, for example, for breakfast you can buy two or three types of cereal to mix with milk and be able to vary your breakfast every day, but this means buying different packages of cereal that will lose their properties before they are completely consumed.

[0011] The same applies to milk bottles or cartons, as it's a product that doesn't last long after opening. If not all family members consume it, its consumption can be excessively prolonged, causing the milk to spoil. Therefore, there's a problem that needs to be solved to make it easier for consumers to buy a variety of similar products without having to throw them away because they've gone bad due to insufficient time to consume them.

[0012] Description of the invention

[0013] The food container presented here comprises a flexible, sheet-like body made of an airtight material, which has a first and second opposite and closed end, a first and second opposite surface between both ends, and sealing means between the first and second lateral surface of the body in an intermediate section.

[0014] These sealing means allow the determination of a first position of the container with a first airtight compartment capable of containing a first food item, located between the first end and the sealing means, and a second airtight compartment capable of containing a second food item, located between the second end and the sealing means.

[0015] Furthermore, the sealing means comprise an opening mechanism such that they allow a second position with the first and second compartments connected, forming a single interior space for containing the first and second product.

[0016] The food container proposed here represents a significant improvement over the state of the art.

[0017] This is because it results in packaging that allows for a new way of having breakfast, lunch or a snack, much faster and more efficient.

[0018] With this container, which can hold two products separately to keep them in perfect condition and mix them just before consumption, it is not necessary to buy containers of different product varieties independently, as the container already combines several of them, offering variety to the consumer.

[0019] Thus, for example, with the aim of breakfast, lunch or snack, the container can contain a combination of milk in the first compartment and any type of cereal in the second compartment, so that the consumer can buy containers with different combinations that allow a variety of consumption to the user and avoid having to buy large packages of different types of cereals.

[0020] This is equally valid for other product combinations such as, for example, liquid yogurt and muesli or nuts.

[0021] This container is completely airtight, so the product inside remains in perfect condition, preventing any external contamination. Furthermore, it allows the product to be stored both inside and outside the refrigerator for an extended period.

[0022] Another advantage is that it is a simple product to manufacture and use by the end consumer, and can be used by children without any problem, making it a very effective and convenient solution for children's breakfast.

[0023] It allows for significant time savings when preparing breakfast, lunch, or snacks, in addition to the cost savings of not having to buy large packages of products that end up being thrown away halfway through consumption. Furthermore, this packaging takes up very little space, making it a highly efficient solution to current problems.

[0024] Brief description of the di

[0025] In order to aid a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a series of drawings are provided as an integral part of this description, where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0026] Figure 1 shows an elevation view of a container for holding and consuming food in a first position, for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a profile view of a food container for holding and consuming food in a first position, for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a view of section AA' of Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a profile view of a container for containing and consuming food in a second position, for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a food container in a second position, for a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 6 shows a bottom plan view of a food container in a second position, for a preferred embodiment of the invention. of the invention

[0031] In view of the figures provided, it can be observed how in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the food container proposed herein comprises a flexible, sheet-like body (1) made of a hermetic material.

[0032] In this preferred embodiment, the material used for the body (1) of the container is aluminum, which allows for better preservation of the products inside. In other cases, another material with similar preservation properties may be used.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the body (1) has an opposite and closed first and second end (1.1, 1.2), an opposite first and second surface (2.1, 2.2) between both ends (1.1, 1.2), and sealing means (5) between the first and second surface (2.1, 2.2) of the body (1) in an intermediate section.

[0034] These sealing means determine a first position of the container, which can be observed in Figures 2 and 3, with a first airtight compartment (3) capable of containing a first food (6), located between the first end (1.1) and the sealing means (5), and a second airtight compartment (4) capable of containing a second food (7), located between the second end (1.2) and the sealing means (5).

[0035] The sealing means (5) comprise an opening mechanism that allows for a second position, shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the first and second compartments (3, 4) connected, forming a single interior space (8) for containing the first and second food items (6, 7). In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the container includes opening means for the body (1) that allow the separation of a portion (9) of the body (1) by a tear line (10) located between the sealing means (5) and the second end (1.2). As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, in this case the tear line (10) is located closer to the sealing means (5) than to the second end (1.2) of the body (1).

[0036] In other embodiments the break line (10) may be located closer to the second end (1.2).

[0037] According to another aspect, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing means (5) of the container are formed by two sheets of polymeric material adhered to each other and to the inner face of the first and second surfaces (2.1, 2.2) of the body (1) respectively.

[0038] In this case the polymeric material is made of silicone, but in other embodiments it may be made of a plastic material.

[0039] Likewise, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this preferred embodiment, the opening mechanism consists of two lateral tabs (11) located on the outside of the body (1) and each connected to one of the sheets of polymeric material. Thus, by pulling the tabs (11) in opposite directions, each tab (11) pulls on one of the silicone sheets, causing them to separate and opening the first and second compartments (3, 4). The second food item (7) contained in the second compartment (4) then falls into the first compartment (3) to mix with the first food item (3) and be consumed together.

[0040] In this preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen in Figure 6, the first end (1.1) of the body (1) has an inner fold (12) such that in an unfolded position it allows a width of the first end (1.1) greater than that of the second end (1.2).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A container for containing and consuming food, characterized in that it comprises a sheet-like body (1) of a flexible nature and formed from a hermetic material, having first and second opposite and closed ends (1.1, 1.2), first and second opposite surfaces (2.1, 2.2) between both ends, and sealing means (5) between the first and second surfaces (2.1, 2.2) of the body (1) in an intermediate section, such that they determine a first position of the container with a first airtight compartment (3) capable of containing a first food (6), located between the first end (1.1) and the sealing means (5), and a second airtight compartment (4) capable of containing a second food (7), located between the second end (1.2) and the sealing means (5), and where the sealing means (5) comprise an opening mechanism such that they allow a second position with the first and second compartments (3, 4) connected forming a single inner space (8) for containing the first and second food (6, 7).

2. Container according to claim 1, comprising body opening means (1) capable of allowing the separation of a portion (9) of the body (1) by a break line (10) located between the sealing means (5) and the second end (1-2).

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the break line (10) is closer to the sealing means (5) than to the second end (1.2) of the body (1).

4. Container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means (5) are formed by two sheets of polymeric material adhered to each other and to the inner face of the first and second surfaces (2.1, 2.2) of the body (1) respectively.

5. Container according to claim 4, wherein the polymeric material is made of silicone.

6. Container according to claim 4, wherein the polymeric material is formed from a plastic.

7. Container according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the opening mechanism is formed by two lateral tabs (11) located on the outside of the body (1) and connected, each of them, to one of the sheets of polymeric material.

8. Container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (1.1) has an inner fold (12) such that in an unfolded position it allows a width of the first end (1.1) greater than that of the second end

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