WO1998022366A1

WO1998022366A1 - Device for making lids and fixing them on containers or mounted receptacles

Info

Publication number: WO1998022366A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/002045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Rossi; Marie-José Rossi
Original assignee: Rossi Jean Pierre; Rossi Marie Jose
Priority date: 1996-11-18
Filing date: 1997-11-13
Publication date: 1998-05-28
Also published as: FR2755952B3; FR2755952A1; EP1007439A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device forming a lid (22) for covering substantially completely an opening (44) of a container (A) for packaging products such as, preferably, food products, characterised in that said device (22) is made of a material capable of being heat-formed and manufactured by thermoforming with means (30, 36) for integrating, hinging (70) and zones and means for pre-cutting (24) with said container (A), comprising at least a lateral zone (30) to be secured to a corresponding lateral zone (40) of the edge (23) of said container (A) to constitute a hinge (46) for pivoting the device forming the lid (22) for opening or closing (44) the container (A).

Description

Device for making covers and attaching them to attached containers or trays

The invention relates essentially to a device for manufacturing covers and attaching them to attached trays.

Currently, most products, more particularly food products, are packaged in trays, sealed or not and benefiting or not from a treatment in a controlled atmosphere, such as vacuum or gas re-injection, and which may have a cover, independent and reported, often even on this sealing, if it is carried out.

Thus, many products, more particularly food products, benefit from a sealing which ensures their inviolability or, for food products, better conservation by placing them under a controlled atmosphere. 15 This conservation is limited in time, depending on each product and continues, within this limit, as long as the sealing remains inviolate, as soon as opened, the product must be consumed quickly - The need to have a protective cover from the product, once the lidding has been removed, for hygienic reasons and also so that the product does not deteriorate on contact with other products kept nearby, ie in refrigerators, has therefore increased in recent years .

In the context of the prior art, thus, either there is no protective cover for a packaging container, sealed or not, of products such as food products. Once uncapped or opened, either these lids are

25 independent or reported.

Thus, the main object of the present invention is to solve the new technical problem consisting in the supply of a solution which makes it possible to produce and manufacture a device forming a cover intended to come to cover in a substantially complete way an opening of a packaging container. of

3 o products such as food products, on a packaging machine, more particularly on a thermoformer base,

All of these technical problems are solved by the present invention in a simple, inexpensive manner, usable on an industrial and commercial scale. Thus, the present invention relates to a cover device intended to come to cover substantially completely an opening of a container for packaging products such as food products, characterized in that said device is made of thermoformable material and manufactured by thermoforming with securing means comprising at least one lateral zone intended to be secured with a corresponding lateral zone of an edge of said container in order to constitute a pivot hinge of the device forming a lid for opening or closing the opening of the container. 0 According to an advantageous embodiment, the invention relates to a device characterized in that the aforementioned securing means comprise at least on certain edges of the device forming a cover, one or more latches or gadroons radially projecting inside the device forming a cover , so as to lock the closed device 5 on the packaging container in the closed position

According to yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a device characterized in that the aforementioned lateral zone comprises a tongue projecting outwards relative to the edge of the cover device; this tongue being preferably of sufficient length to be able to be folded down and applied to the corresponding lateral zone of the container opposite the cover device, thereby facilitating the pivoting of the cover device on said container.

According to a particular variant embodiment, the aforementioned tongue may extend over all or part of the width of said cover device. 5 According to yet another alternative embodiment, this device is characterized in that it comprises a fold line at the junction between said tongue and the body of said device.

According to another particular variant embodiment, the invention relates to a device characterized in that the lateral zone for securing the preform o, when it is not provided with a tongue, can also comprise a fold line thus facilitating pivoting of the device forming a lid on said container

According to another advantageous embodiment, this device is characterized in that it is manufactured by thermoforming, then undergoes a precut, then fixing on container and finally cutting and this from a film of thermoformable material, preferably of thermoformable plastic material.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a cover device intended to cover substantially

5 completes an opening of a container for packaging products such as food products, characterized in that it comprises, on a packaging machine, modified. Adapted, with thermoforming means, more particularly preferably on a thermoforming frame, a) the unwinding of a film of thermoformable material from a reserve or roll of film b) the production of preforms of devices forming a cover, with or without a tongue, with or without a fold line, by means of thermoforming so as to produce successive preforms on said film intended to constitute said cover devices with transverse separation zones

15 between the various preforms, intended to be precut, said thermoforming film being of width greater than the intended width of the cover devices, so as to constitute longitudinal areas of junction between the various preforms and serving to hold and advancement of the film, said devices being preformed by thermoforming with means of

2 o securing with said container comprising at least one lateral zone intended to allow securing with a corresponding lateral zone of an edge of said container, to constitute a pivot hinge of the device forming a lid for opening or closing the opening of the container c) carrying out the precut, essential and essential if a folding fixing tab is provided, from the thermoforming and preferably before positioning or embedding the container or tray, of the transverse separation zones, specially provided for this operation, between the successive preforms, so as to be able to use, thereafter the folding and fixing means.

3 od) carrying out the encasement of a container for packaging products such as food products, preferably containing said food products or others, on said cover device defined by its preform, the fixing zone or rim of the device with or without tongue coming in contact with said corresponding lateral zone of the container e) the folding of the securing tab by any means and methods and the securing by any fixing means such as heat sealing, ultrasound, high frequency, bonding or any other method or means allowing 5 fix or weld the device forming a cover by its lateral zone, preferably with a tab, on the container f) making the cutouts of the longitudinal zones of the film to obtain said individual devices forming a cover already secured by their fastening zones or by their tongue forming a hinge to the container of product packaging. g) the evacuation of the containers provided with their devices forming covers with elimination of the cutting residues of said film.

According to another characteristic of this invention, it is equally advantageous to manufacture and thermoform preforms of devices forming a container or tray, provided or not with a fixing or securing tab and benefiting from all the characteristics and advantages of the preforms of devices forming covers. described further on and in this case the covers would be attached either with or without a tab.

Other characteristics of the machine appear including the 2 o drawings which form an integral part of the invention

According to another much more rudimentary embodiment, it is possible, if one does not thermoform a zone or folding means of fixing or joining such as the tongue, not to cut the assembly lateral side and longitudinal side of the preforms of said device forming a cover, that at the outlet of

25 machine, after fixing or joining the device forming a cover.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to cover substantially completely any opening of a container for packaging products, more particularly food products, in a simple, inexpensive and usable on an industrial and commercial scale.

3 o the invention allows to obtain on the container-cover assembly a more or less perfect seal as required and at the same time protection of the assembly and a new and better presentation.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following description given in relation to the drawings attached representing a currently preferred embodiment of the invention given simply by way of illustration and which in no way limit the invention.

In the drawings: 5 - Figure 1 shows a thermoforming machine specially adapted and modified to produce and manufacture cover devices according to the invention provided with attached and fixed trays;

- Figure 2 shows a top view of a film of thermoformable material in the machine of Figure 1, provided with i o thermoforming means, after thermoforming of successive preforms;

- Figure 3 shows a top view of successive preforms whose transverse areas of separation between the preformed devices have been cut;

- Figure 4 shows a top view of the preforms obtained 1 after precut of Figure 3 and on which were embedded the product packaging containers, preferably containing food products;

- Figure 5 shows a sectional view along the section line V-V of Figure 4;

20 - FIG. 6 represents a top view of the preforms, the cover forming devices of which are embedded and secured to the containers and showing the operation of cutting, by the dotted lines 48, the longitudinal zones 26 serving for maintaining and advancing the film 14, therefore devices;

- Figure 7 shows the packaging container embedded in

25 the gadroons and secured to the cover device with its foldable tongue;

- Figure 8 shows the packaging containers A finished, but whose zones or means for fixing the device forming covers without tabs benefit from a fold line 47, thus allowing it to pivot during opening; and

- Figure 9 shows the packaging containers A finished, but fixed and secured to the devices forming covers by their own folding tab 49 with a fold line 50 intended to form the hinge 51 naturally and bagged in the devices 22 forming covers which do not therefore have a folding tongue 32.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a packaging machine, more particularly a modified thermoformer chassis, transformed and adapted according to the invention represented by the general reference number 10 comprising:

a station 12 for unwinding a film 14 of thermoformable material, for example of a thermoformable plastic material such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, or composite films combining several layers of films of different nature, from a reserve or a roll of film 16, 0 - a station 20 for thermoforming of preforms 22a of the devices forming covers 22 which can be seen clearly from FIG. 2, with transverse zones 24 of separation, precut 24 and longitudinal areas 26 of junction used to maintain and advance the film maintained by the drive chains 28 and to maintain the film 14 5 - In the context of the invention, the thermoforming station 20 produces preforms 22a of the devices 22 by thermoforming with zones or means 30 for securing with a container that can be seen clearly from FIG. 4, such as a tray A

In the context of the invention, these securing means 30 o comprise at least one lateral zone 32 intended to allow securing with a corresponding lateral zone 40, clearly visible in FIG. 5, of an edge 42 of the container A, to constitute a pivot hinge of the device forming a cover 22 for opening or closing the opening 44 of the container A, as is well conceived from the preform 22a in FIG. 5. 5. A station 50 for transverse precutting between the preforms, transverse precutting shown in hatched area 24 in FIG. 3.

- A station 60 for loading the containers A with a view to embedding them and securing them with the preforms 22a.

- A station 70 for folding the tongues 32, by any means, or processes or systems, and for fixing, with means such as heat sealing, ultrasound, high frequency, bonding or any other process or process, and for securing the lateral zones 32 which preferably comprises tabs, as shown, with the corresponding lateral zones 40 of the containers A. However, a tab can also be avoided if the edge 23 is of width sufficient, to allow a solid and durable connection with a corresponding edge of the container possibly with a fold zone 34,47 on this edge so as to constitute a pivoting hinge.

- A station 80 for longitudinal cutting of the longitudinal junction zones 26 of the preforms 22a to form devices forming final covers 22 secured to the container A.

- A station 90 for evacuating the containers A provided with lids 22, and for eliminating cutting residues.

- We understand with reference to Figures 2 to 7 which show the currently preferred embodiment, for which the lateral zones 32 for securing the devices forming covers, here the preforms 22a, here preferably comprise a tongue 32 projecting outwards relative to the edge 23 concerned of the device forming a cover 22. This tab or rim may be substantially of the same dimension as the corresponding lateral zone 40 provided on an edge 42 of the container A so as to directly constitute a hinge 46 for pivoting the device forming cover making it possible to open or close the opening 44 of the container with a fold line 34,

Advantageously according to the preferred embodiment, the tongue 32 is of sufficient length to be radially projecting outwards relative to the lateral zone concerned 40 of the container A in order to be able to be folded down on the other side of this zone 40, as this is understandable from the consideration of figure 5

- One can also provide during thermoforming in the thermoforming station 20 a fold line 34, clearly visible in Figure 2, at the junction between the lateral zone 30, preferably the tongue 32, and the body of the defined device by the edge 23.

- Still during thermoforming, it is also possible to provide, if the preform of the device 22a does not include a tongue 32, a fold line 47 clearly visible in FIG. 8 over the entire length of the lateral zone for fixing said preform of the device, so as to constitute at the same time a pivot hinge of the device forming a cover making it possible to open or close the opening 44 of the container, as is understandable from the consideration of FIG. 8. - According to a currently preferred embodiment, the lateral zone, preferably the tongue 32, extends only over a part of the width of the device forming a cover, as clearly visible in Figures 2.3.4. Naturally, this lateral joining zone 30, preferably the tongue 32, can extend over the entire width of the device forming a cover.

- The thermoforming station 20 also realizes as securing means, at least on some of the edges of the device forming the cover 22, one or more cleats or gadroons 36, advantageously in the vicinity of the edges on the sides other than those reserved for the securing zones 30 with the container A, the arrangement shown of the tabs or gadroons 36, on the adjacent edges of the sides opposite to the hinge, is an integral part of the present invention, but is not limiting.

Thus, the preforms 22a having been produced by thermoforming in the thermoforming station 20, it then arrives by advancing the film 14 at the pre-cutting station 50 transverse between the preforms 22a and FIG. 3 represents the only transverse zones precut 24 hatched, which keeps the preforms 22a still secured to each other by the lateral holding and joining zones 26.

Then, the film 14 advances to the station for loading the receptacles A on 0, the cover device still in the form of a preform 22a, precut, shown in FIG. 4, where they are embedded and held together by the tabs or gadroons 33.

In the sectional view along line VV of FIG. 4, represented in FIG. 5, we see the embedding position, with the beginning of the folding down of the radially projecting part 30a of the joining zone 30, preferably here. the tongue 32, to show the realization of the folding down using the fold 34 intended to form the groove 46 naturally the folding down by any means, methods or systems and the fixing and the joining by heat sealing or any other system, process or means of this lateral zone 30, preferably a tongue, are produced in the attachment station 70.

FIG. 6 represents the containers A or trays of bagged products which are secured to the preforms 22a of the devices forming a cover 22 after leaving the station 70 for securing. FIG. 6 also shows the realization of the longitudinal cutting of the longitudinal junction zones 26 in the cutting station 80, this longitudinal cutting being shown in dotted lines 48.

Thus, these longitudinal zones 26 retained by the chains 28 make it possible to maintain and advance the film 14 throughout the manufacturing operations.

Finally, the station 90 for evacuating the receptacles A provided with the lids 22 makes it possible to evacuate these, shown in the finished state in FIG. 7-8 -9, on an evacuation conveyor towards stacking stations and storage, and also o ensure the elimination of cutting residues.

It is thus understood that the invention makes it possible to obtain all of the advantages indicated above.

Naturally, the joining or fixing of the lateral zone 30 with the corresponding lateral zone 40 of the container A can be carried out by any 5 fixing means making it possible to fix or weld the cover device 22 by its lateral zone, preferably a tongue 32 on container A.

It is understood that with the invention, when a consumer wishes to use the contents of container A, he must simply lift the cover device 22 which unfolds on its hinge 46 and thus accesses, either directly to the product if container A , is not previously sealed, or removes the seal before discovering it, then uses the product and releases the device forming the cover 22 which must return to its initial position as soon as released, or help it by light pressure when it has of cleat (s) or gadroon (s) 36 as shown, or any other equivalent device 5 Naturally, the invention includes all the means constituting technical equivalents of the means described as well as their various combinations. In particular, the drawings form an integral part of the present invention. The invention covers any characteristic which appears to be new with respect to any state of the art from consideration of the description supplemented by the drawings.

Claims

1. Cover device (22) intended to cover substantially completely an opening (44) of a container (A) for packaging

⁵ products such as, preferably, food products, characterized in that said device (22) is made of a thermoformable material and produced by thermoforming with means (30, 36) for securing, folding down (70) and zones and precut means (24) with said container (A), comprising at least one lateral zone (30) intended to be secured with a

¹⁰ corresponding lateral zone (40) of an edge (23) of said container (A) in order to constitute a hinge (46) for pivoting the cover device (22) for opening or closing the opening (44) of the container. (AT)

2. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the above-mentioned securing means (30, 36) comprise at least some of the

! 5 edges of the cover device, one or more latches or flutes (36) projecting radially inside the cover device, so as to ensure a locking in the closed position of the cover device on the packaging container

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in

That the aforesaid lateral zone (30) comprises a tongue (32) projecting outwards with respect to the edge of the cover device; this tongue (32) preferably being of sufficient length to be able to be folded down and applied to the corresponding lateral zone (40) of the container opposite the cover device (22), thereby facilitating the pivoting of the device

25 cover (22) on the container (A).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the aforementioned tongue (32) extends over all or part of the width of said device forming a cover (22). δ.A device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a fold line (34) at the junction between said tongue

(32) and the body of said device (22). δ.A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is manufactured by thermoforming, precut, folding and cutting from a base or a film (14) of thermoformable material, preferably of thermoformable plastic.

7. Process for manufacturing a device forming a cover intended to cover substantially completely an opening (44) of a container (A) for packaging top products, and preferably food products, on a packaging, modified, transformed and adapted, having thermoforming means, more particularly on a thermoforming frame or base, characterized in that it comprises: a) the running of a film (14) of thermoformable material in a machine ( 10) provided with thermoforming (20), precut (50), 0 loading (60), flap or tongue (32) folding, fixing and joining (70), cutting (80) and evacuation (90) of finished products. b) thermoforming, from a reel (16) of film (14) of said cover device by said thermoforming means (20) so as to produce on said film (14) successive preforms (22a) intended to constitute 5 said cover devices (22) Said successive preforms (22a) being separated from one another by transverse areas to be cut (24) for separation between the preformed devices (22a) and being joined together by longitudinal areas (26) serving for holding and advancing the film (14), said preformed devices (22a) being provided with means (30,36) for securing with 0 said container (A), comprising at least one lateral zone (30) corresponding to a edge of said container (A) to form a hinge (46) for pivoting the cover device (22) to open or close the opening (44) of the container (A); c) the necessary cutting of said transverse zones (24) of separation so as to be able thereafter, if the securing means comprise at least one tongue (32), to implement the folding operation fixing and joining areas (30,32),) on the fixing and joining station (70), cover (22) and container (A), which constitutes a new, unique and decisive advantage of the present invention over a packaging machine d) carrying out the embedding of a container (A) for packaging products such as, preferably, food products, preferably containing said food products, said cover device (22) defined by its preform (22a), said lateral zone (30) coming into contact with said corresponding lateral zone (40) of the container e) producing the folding of the tongues (32), before the connection means or connection zones, on the other side of the side edge (40) of the packaging container (A) f ) carrying out the fixing of the securing means (30, 32) by any means such as heat sealing, ultrasound, high frequency, bonding or any other method, means or system making it possible to fix, weld the device forming the cover (22a) on the container (A) f) carrying out the cutting of the longitudinal junction zones (26), after the embedding of the containers (A) and the fixing of the joining zones (30,36), so as to completely release the finished device (22, A) and bring it to the evacuation zone (90)

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the lateral zone (30) mentioned above comprises a tongue (32) projecting outwards relative to the edge of the device forming a cover, this tongue (32) preferably being of length sufficient to be able to be folded down and brought back onto the corresponding zone (40) of the container (A) opposite the cover device (22) thereby facilitating the pivoting of the cover device on said container 9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the above-mentioned securing means (36) may comprise at least on some of the edges of the cover device one or more tabs or flutes (36) radially projecting inside the cover device, so as to ensure locking in closed position of the cover device on the packaging container

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening station (70) of the fastening means makes it possible to fold down the tongues (32) of the devices forming the cover (22a) on the other side of the lateral edge. (40) of the packaging container (A), and then its final connection by any connection means, which also constitutes a new, unique and decisive advantage of the present invention over a packaging machine.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the securing means (30) comprise at least one lateral zone (32) intended to allow an attachment with a corresponding lateral zone (40) to constitute a pivoting hinge, when there is no pivoting tongue (32a)

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all of the lateral (24) and longitudinal (26) cutouts of the preforms of said device forming cover. Can very well in a more rudimentary embodiment, if one does not thermoform folding area or means for fixing or joining such that the tongue (32) is carried out only at the outlet of the machine (80), after the fixing station (70) 13. Method according to claim 12 characterized in that the means fastening (30) on the fixing zone (23,40) when there is no tongue (32) are provided with a fold line (47) to allow them thus better pivoting.

14. Method according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it is also possible, if necessary, to thermoform and to manufacture both preforms forming covers (22) and containers (A) with all the advantages relating thereto. of the previous claims.