EP0745053B1 - Evolutive packages for cylindrical sandwiches and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR95/00181 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 12, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 12, 1996 PCT Filed Feb. 15, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/21781 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 17, 1995A package for a food product such as a cylindrical sandwich includes an elongate central strip having a plurality of fold lines defining a series of panels. A central panel of the series includes a central flap connected at each side edge, and other closure flaps are connected to at least some of the other panels. The panels are folded with respect to each other so that the endmost panels are positioned to define a polygonal cross-section for the package. The closure flaps and central flaps are folded to close the package. An outer portion of each central flap is free from the remaining closure flaps to permit outward folding of the panels for access to the food product. Several alternative embodiments are disclosed.

Description

The present invention relates, in a version of base, first flat packaging for mounting and locking fast (about 4 to 5 seconds) according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2, for cylindrical sandwiches hamburger type (and generally for any food rather compact presented in cylindrical form and intended to be eaten in its packaging); the concept of this version of base allows to decline a second packaging in two half shells, manually preformable with mounting-locking faster (about 1 to 2 seconds) once preformed, and limited stacking; and finally in a second variation a packaging also in two half shells, preformable industrially directly in the stacking position, then can be returned to the filling position, assembly and very fast and specific manual locking intended for professional use (in hour of in fast-food restaurants in particular).

The most popular cylindrical sandwich being the hamburger, it's from the application to the packaging hamburger as the descriptions will be made as much more than packing a hamburger is very delicate because it is a soft, open sandwich, in superimposed layers, whose sauce may run and fatty debris will fall and soil the consumer's clothes, if the hamburger is not systematically maintained from below in its packaging for the duration of its consumption.

There are two main types of packaging known for hamburgers:
Some are hinged boxes in the form of double trays, generally with a square section with a hooking closure system. Currently, for ecological reasons, they are rather made of light flat cardboard or micro-fluted cardboard; these trays are shaped by automatic bonding.

The hamburger is laid out flat in the tray lower, and the consumer has to verticalize it, this which requires carefully passing the index and / or the middle finger between the hamburger and the bottom of the lower tray to straighten it using the thumb, this in a very uncomfortable gesture, as he is very uncomfortable to hold the same tray lower with the other hand to protect against stains during consumption, because the upper tray, secured by hinge of the lower tray can come and hit the face during the act of consumption.

It should also be added that children tend to eat the sandwich outside the tray and thus get stained very often.
The others are simply very thin rectangular sheets of paper, which wrap the hamburger as one wraps any flat cylindrical object, folding down after folding the protruding edges under the object to be wrapped.

In addition, there is a very thin, pleated packaging lengthwise and whose folds are kept at the end by side welds, the paper being provided with a polyethylene coating using hot glue allowing the welds.

This manual packaging, very difficult to adjust, is very unattractive once in place and it requires technology very complex pleating.

According to another method, described in US patent 4189054 a cylindrical packaging case for round sandwiches is consisting of two half-shells surrounding the sandwich each on a half perimeter and connected to each other according to a single hinge parallel to a generator of the cylinder. In the closed position, each shell comes into contact edge to edge with the other. During the packing operation the sandwich is placed vertically in the lower shell on which the upper shell folds down.

When eaten, the sandwich is kept in the lower shell which can either be torn radially either fold outwards laterally according to the hinge in generator of the cylinder. This packaging is obtained by molding polyurethane foam and present several disadvantages: like the peripheral walls and lateral are perpendicular to each other and molded, the packaging is not stackable; the sandwich is too landlocked at the bottom of one hull, while the other hull hits the consumer's face, which is very uncomfortable, and even more so in the final phase of consumption, because the radial detachment of the hull and the lateral detachments, designed to be able to access with the mouth at the last portion of the sandwich, are awkward because they require a strong pull on the packaging which can suddenly tear at the risk of dislocating the sandwich and drop food scraps on the consumer or its neighbors.

From what we know, this packaging has never been used for these reasons.

Differently, the subject of US patent 4,494,785 relates a soft paper towel pre-cut and pre-folded intended to partially cover a cylindrical sandwich so as to hold it between the fingers without them come into contact with the food. strip partially surrounding the periphery of the sandwich and two sets of parallel flaps two by two intended for be inserted between the fingers and the top respectively and the underside of the sandwich. sandwich only if held there by hand and not not effective in retaining sauce or waste fat that escapes from the sandwich during consumption or ensure thermal insulation of the hot sandwich.

The very old patent DE 336795 describes a box rectangular box with square section with closure cross bottom obtained by diagonal folding of the four fields the bottom; this box accessible only from below is used especially for the packaging of powder or grain products and has no specific characteristics to eat a round sandwich in its packaging, even if a box can serve many different purposes.

It is described in US Patent 2,443,531 (corresponding to the preamble of claim 1 and the preamble of claim 2) a box hermetic cubic in rather thick cardboard, intended specifically to receive an ice cream cube for the transport in the best possible conditions (from temperature especially) between the place of purchase and the place of consumption.

The cardboard sheet is divided into square areas equal in three longitudinal bands delimited by two parallel folding axes and five transverse bands delimited by four folding axes perpendicular to the previous.

For the consumption of its contents, the box is placed on a horizontal table and redeployed in the plane of the table so that the ice remains on the area central square where it can be cut and served. admits at the limit that this box can receive in a application specifies a hamburger, it is clear that that it is not designed so that the hamburger is consumed in its packaging

The round box disclosed in US Patent 2224504 is formed from a cylinder from a sheet of a unspecified material comprising a central part and side extensions whose length is precisely that half the diameter of the product to be packaged.

This is the material of these extensions, which by folding on either side of the central cylinder openings according to folds in fan which comes to close this one and to pack a product compatible with this type of openable packaging on both sides. The pseudo box obtained has no useful feature for wrapping a burger and more less consumption of a hamburger in its packaging, because it does not have a stable closed bottom.

It is intended as we know to pack soap luxury or other perfume or gift products, preferably having two roughly parallel planes.

The cardboard container described in US Patent 2,295,508 forms a universal box with original mounting and closing intended to contain already large volumes but presents as a result the usefulness of any conventional box not specific, which moreover wanted its inventor who intended for the widest possible use as he writes in the text of his patent

The container of US patent 3031124 has a system very complicated manual folding and in no case susceptible preforming in industrial series; if the result aesthetic is very attractive, this packaging in the form of saddlebag has no specific application, which has moreover, here again wished its inventor. further consideration if this package had specific interest in eating a hamburger we can think that it would have had time to know since 1959.

Patent GB 945,399 describing in 1963 a process wrapping different items with a sheet folded, filmed or impregnated with polyethylene in particular, but also aluminum, and especially the way to use the filming material to heat seal folds to close the packaging by the thermoplastic affixing a rigid label made from a compatible material, intended to externally present a commercial brand.

We are here really far from the concern of packing specifically a hamburger.

It emerges from all analyzes of packaging previous and many other food packaging existing, that if some of them are usable for a hamburger, none including hinged boxes and the film papers currently used, does not present does not claim to present any specificity necessary for the simple and practical consumption of a hamburger or other compact cylindrical food in its packaging. This object is achieved by conforming the packaging as indicated by the characterizing part of claim 1 or by the characterizing part of claim 2.

The following presentation of the invention demonstrates that this one uses different means for functions and different results both compared to the packaging known and currently used for burgers, only by relation to the teaching disclosed by the analyzed patents previously, which suggest neither individually nor in association with the subject of the invention; and in consequence, the invention falling in particular in its third version of a technical field apart, the skilled person does might be tempted to fetch and retain the teaching of said patents to carry out the invention.

Figures 1 to 20 show the main originalities of the invention; in these figures, the parts symmetrical will always be represented by the same symbols (numbers or letters).

Fig. 1 shows, seen from above, the central concept of the invention, voluntarily presented with a view to the realization a package of regular hexagonal section, on the one hand for the best possible reading of the figures, and other share because this is one of the favorite presentations of the invention.

The thin sheet material used could preferably be a thin cardboard, or micro fluted cardboard, anti-grease treated in the thickness or at least on its internal face, completely recyclable, and weighing square meter between 180 and 250 grams.

The packaging in this basic version is obtained by cutting of an appropriate surface (limiting as much as possible scraps) using a usable flat cutting tool in pressure. This surface looks like a rectangle lying down.

It can also be obtained from a strip of cardboard cut in unwinding.

The fold primers are obtained by a tool not cutting integral with the cutting tool, and capable to print on each side of the cardboard, a deformation along different lines constituting edges of folds.

The outer fold lines shown in fig. 1 with solid lines (a) define groups of folds outgoing.

The internal fold lines shown in fig. 1 by dotted lines (b) define re-entrant folds or support folds.

Fig.2 shows fig.1 after a first folding. It shows that two bands A and B are arranged in symmetry with respect to a strip C to form the package.

On this strip C, the width (e) of which corresponds to the thickness of the hamburger to be packed is shown horizontally an internal face (1) intended to receive vertically the hamburger. This side is the pivot side of the system; the enveloping faces (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) are of the same dimensions as the face (1) in this regular hexagonal presentation.

Once the hamburger is in place on the pivot side (1) it is held in a position perpendicular to this face in folding them towards him with the thumb and index finger of one hand two opposite side faces (f) (on strips A and B) fig. 1.

The height (r) of the bands A and B (and therefore of the face (f)) is preferred in this equivalent basic version in the hamburger department to be wrapped.

With the other hand passed under the packaging we go back around the sandwich the consecutive faces (5), (6) and (7) fig.1; re-entrant folds of type (b) form towards the inside of the packaging in symmetry on each strip A and B and the lateral faces between these folds come in a flap on the burger by enclosing it. The function of the folds (b) is essential here.

The folding side faces (8) of a height (h) slightly larger than (r) consolidate and stabilize this grip by penetration of their tab protruding (o) between side (f) and the hamburger, which constitutes the first stage of the packaging act for two-thirds (approximately) of the volume of the burger.

The packaging of the remaining third party takes place in now laterally between the thumb and forefinger of a hand the fixed structure obtained, delimited by the faces (1), (5), (6) and (7) consolidated together, and going up with the other hand the faces (2), (3) and (4) fig. 3, which puts in forms the support folds (b), the lateral faces between these folds coming in flap against the hamburger, and which, in limit wrapping, brings the side (4) to completely cover the face (7) fig. 4 to obtain an absolutely compact assembly it only remains to lock.

Several solutions are then possible: The one that immediately seems most immediate is to fold the symmetrical triangles (9) of the faces (18) located on the side and on the other side (4) respectively behind the folds (t) faces (8); Fig. 4 shows in dotted lines (10) the flap of the triangle (9) behind the fold (t) of a face (8).

The packaging and locking operation passed without the face (1) never having left its position initial on the horizontal plane where normally occurs the packing act, and the hamburger is completely left stationary for 4 to 5 seconds of the duration of the operation, before being put back flat in its packaging and on its basis to maintain its integrity.

Figures 1 to 20 show a packaging structure of regular hexagonal section, the diameter of the hamburger being approximately that of the circle inscribed in the hexagon.

Square section packaging structures or pentagonal or any other polygon sections Preference regulars are possible.

However the section packaging in regular hexagon turns out to be optimal because the loss of volume in its six angles of 120 degrees is unimportant, the length of the cardboard useful for its realization is economical compared to pentagonal and square section packages of which will be discussed later, and finally, like these, it presents a number of side pleats perfectly controllable for its shaping and good compactness.

In addition, hexagonal packaging and packaging pentagonal offer a pleasant aesthetic.

From the heptagonal section and up to the limit geometric of the circular section, in this concept of basis of the invention, the disadvantages occur especially by the difficulty of organizing support folds and folds too many outgoing.

Fig. 5 shows an adhesive patch (14) glued to reinforce the folded-in lock (10).

Fig. 6 shows an adhesive patch (14) glued for only locking, the fold (9) here being completely deleted when cutting the paper.

As explained above, the packaging is organized in symmetry around the pivot face (1) implies that the faces lateral (f) in symmetry with respect to the face (1) are each delimited by two inside folds of type (b) and two outgoing folds of type (a) designated by (p) in fig. 1 and fig. 7. Once the packaging is formed, the two folds (p) can be used as female anchors for an interesting form of locking.

In fig. 7 the face (4) and the faces (15) in symmetry relative to (4) show cut anchors (16) having hinges (w) joining them to the faces (15).

These anchors, male elements of this locking system can be expelled outside the packaging, (fig. 8), folded over their hinges (w) in such a way that the points of each anchor can come to lock the packaging passing behind the outer folds (p) symmetrical to each other with respect to the face (f).

This locking presented by fig. 9, simple to achieving is similarly effective.

Fig. 10 shows a wide tab (19) cut out on the face (18) hinged on this face, and coming to hang in (20) behind the outer fold (t) of the face (8). This hanging is facilitated by a cutout (21) allowing the locking as shown in fig. 11.

This tab lock is the fastest to put in use, its robustness can be ensured by a optimization of the tab (19). It's the lock preferred invention in this basic version in its preferably different regular polygonal sections.

Similarly, for the lock also shown on the Fig. 10 by the tab (23) cut out on the face (22), in hinge on this face and coming to hang in (24) behind the outer fold (t) of the face (8), the attachment is facilitated by a specific cutout (25) allowing the locking as shown in fig. 12.

The difference between the lock in fig. 11 and that of fig. 12 only resides in the fact that the tab (23) is inside the face (22) and not outside as in fig. 11.

The tab (23) is better integrated into the aesthetics of the packaging but its installation, although easy, is less immediate than that of the tab (19) which keeps the preferably because of its better locking time.

Fig 2 indicates on either side of the face (1), starting from the faces (f) two symmetrical cutouts (12) by relative to (f) and retained at the edge of bands A and B by when you break the breakpoints (13). (13) by pulling the faces (f) towards the outside of the packaging, two symmetrical cut zones (11) are then delimited and held in an external hinge on the faces (f).

When you open the packaging fig.13 and do skip breakpoints, lip-shaped areas (11) are erased (or even cut out) to allow a perfect consumption comfort, the hinge being parallel and close to the fold between (f) and (1).

In addition, for this comfort to be total, it is not than tightening the thumb and index finger of each hand bands A and B on both sides of the hamburger, so that it is fixedly held four fingers on the pivot face (1) while biting into it.

Depending on whether you start eating a burger almost whole, or when we finish eating it, we can deploy all the more the packaging for better comfort, for finally after eating the hamburger, crumple and discard where it is to be collected for recycling (this place is materialized in "fast-food" in general).

So far, generic packaging has been described at flat and its folding system with a number of variables allowing various locks, easy to realize, all fairly fast, with a preference for the tab (19) fig.10 more efficient in real time mounting.

What is proposed now is starting from this basic version of packaging initially flat, to lead in a first evolution to a second packaging which, when formatted manually is particularly quick to mount and lock. for this in masked time (or lost time preferably) to prepare manually from a package such as defined flat by fig. 14, two preformed half-shells, fig. 15, which once the hamburger is in place, on the face pivot (1) (vertically if the packaging is open in balance horizontal up, or horizontally if the packaging is lying on a plane and open horizontally), may fold over one another with overlap of the face (4) on the face (7), or vice versa.

Compared to fig. 1, fig. 14 is completely symmetrical with respect to its central strip including faces 1 to 7 and to the strip perpendicular to it including the face (1) the faces (f) and the lips (11) hinged on (f).

We see in fig. 14 that the faces (26) have been truncated from the triangle (9) fig. 1 and no longer have any folding edge.

By against the faces (27) have two edges of outward fold (u) and two inward fold edges forming right triangles (28) and (29).

Fig. 15 shows, laterally, how it is possible from the folds of fig. 14 to obtain the formation of two symmetrical half shells represented by the faces apparent external (26, (27) and (30).

The outer face (27) hides the two folds (28) and (29) reported one on the other behind the face (27) inside packaging so that a simple stapling in the area (31) can lock the faces together from the inside external (26), (27) and (30) to obtain a half shell perfectly formed and resistant.

We get the other half shell in the same way.

Stapling can be conventional, but considering application, it is better to consider stapling by punching / embossing which eliminates any metal staples and can incorporate a logo or a stampable mark.

This type of stapling can be carried out by a device known to the trade.

Once the set consists of two half shells obtained, we quickly introduce the hamburger against the face pivot (1) and we lock everything while moving closer, under pressure light with both hands, the two half shells that come fold over one another to counteract the effect of tension caused by the placement of the outer folds (mobile) on the inner folds (fixed) around the hamburger on either side of the faces (f).

No other locking is generally necessary if light cardboard is well chosen in thickness and nuance useful for maintaining temperature or even humidity if this is likely to soften the packaging and then interfere with its locking.

Fig.16 shows fig.15 after the flap of a half hull.

In addition, in the hexagonal configuration regular, packages with preformed half shells, fig. 15 are stackable.

• d'une part il doit être obtenu en pression verticale, car ces emballages à superposer horizontalement les uns sur les autres présentent chacun deux concavités symétriques constituées par les deux demies coques ce qui peut occasionner des déformations de l'emballage du dessous.
• d'autre part et en conséquence , la quantité d'unités empilables est très peu importante car dans cette configuration doublement concave et presque verticale la saturation est vite atteinte.

However, here stacking presents two major drawbacks:

• on the one hand it must be obtained under vertical pressure, because these packages to be superimposed horizontally on each other each have two symmetrical concavities formed by the two half shells which can cause deformation of the packaging below.
• on the other hand and consequently, the quantity of stackable units is very small because in this doubly concave and almost vertical configuration saturation is quickly reached.

Accordingly, to eliminate the above problems and as a priority, get unlimited stacking of packaging, as shown in fig. 17, to decline of fig. 14 a cutting allowing industrially the production of a third double-tray packaging optimized use, which can be immediately facilitated by the this double tray already has four oblique faces radially opposite two by two, and that the bottoms are narrower than the openings.

This realization, evolution of the manual formula by far the most important of the invention in terms of mass production.

In the industrial manufacturing of these double trays of the invention, the sides (j) of (32) and (33) cutouts fig. 17 (which supply a series automatic machine known as a trayer well known to professionals), come in edge-to-edge bonding on the inner face (27) of the packaging according to the height (k) of (27), preferably so that the internal lateral faces shells are fully upholstered by the faces reported in collage.

They are thus formed by respecting a few requirements techniques which will be described later, two half shells integral and symmetrical with respect to the face (1) which has become the upper plane of the assembly (fig. 18 and 18a), both half-shells (or trays) each hinged with the pivot face (1) resting respectively, horizontally, on the external planes of their two faces (6) and (3).

Fig; 18 shows, seen from above, the assembly constituted by the two trays organized in symmetry of the face (1) itself adjoins each of the faces (34) (extrapolated faces (f) of Figures 1 and 2 symmetrical with respect to it, each of these faces (34) having a lip (11), also extrapolated from the figures of the previous plates, that you can move inside or outside of the packaging according to a horizontal creasing or perforation (m) located slightly above the base of the packaging; the erasure of the two lips (11) opposite towards the outside is intended to facilitate the complete consumption of sandwich (S).

• la première est la réduction utile de la dimension des plis sortants (a) et rentrants (b) délimitant après leur réduction deux petits triangles (v) aux deux extrémités de chaque charnière entre la face (1) et (2) et la face (1) et (5), les petits plis (b) se trouvant deux à deux dans le prolongement de chacun des deux plis-charnières precités.

It should now be explained according to which technical requirements it is possible to make trays in series on a machine making it possible to obtain the result shown in fig. 18 bis of a double tray resting horizontally on its faces (3) and (6) and having the face (1) as an upper plane:

• the first is the useful reduction of the dimension of the outgoing (a) and re-entering folds (b) delimiting after their reduction two small triangles (v) at the two ends of each hinge between the face (1) and (2) and the face ( 1) and (5), the small folds (b) being two by two in the extension of each of the two aforementioned fold-hinges.

This reduction in the dimension of the folds (a) and (b) is necessary to avoid tearing by deformation the thin sheet of cardboard during gluing pressure in the machine tray what would happen if (a) and (b) were kept at their original size (fig. 1).

Stacking is made possible here by placing tension by bonding to the boxing of small folds (a) which causes a stable elastic deformation, in rounding outwards, the corners of the half-shells along the folds between the face (5) and the faces (33) adjacent to (5) and along the folds between the face (2) and the faces (33) adjacent to (2) (fig. 18).

In the context of the manufacture of a tray with a well-defined carton, the optimal length of a fold (a) is the one which allows to maintain the elastic deformation stable tray on both sides adjacent to its fold pivot with the face (1) without breaking the carton at the meeting points of the outer ends of the folds (a) with the outer edges of the tray.

It is this stable elastic deformation which maintains flared outwards the side faces of the half shells (the bottom is much narrower than the opening) and which allows them to be stacked at the end of the manufacturing cycle.

The packaging thus produced can pass, as explained below, from a stable stacking configuration to a stable packaging filling configuration sandwich, then to a stable closed configuration.

Starting from the stable stacking configuration, the face (1) and the lateral faces (2) and (5) are roughly perpendicular to each other and you cannot pass in a stable filling configuration only if a pressure on each half hull when moving closer (preferably at the same time and with both hands) the face (4) of the face (2) and the face (7) of the face (5) (fig. 18 bis) and making them pivot each one up on its hinge fold with the face (1) until the tension of the fold (a) is canceled out at the same time as the adjacent faces (5), (1) and (2) are position in the same plane, which plays the role of plane toggle the packaging to change the configuration.

Return from the filling position to the position stacking is not of operational interest since the consumer will not have to.

But this is obviously possible by doing the reverse movement which leads to constrain the folds (a) to get back in tension.

Technically speaking, the small movable folds (a) are the primary active ingredient in packaging.

Turning them on or off conditions the passage of a major state of the packaging (stacking position) to another major state (position of filling), what we will call flipping of packaging (one way or another). ensure the stability of each of these major states including balances can only be broken by constraint.

Filling the packaging is easy since just introduce the sandwich by the edge against the face (1), vertically or horizontally on a plane of work and close a half-shell in the other by reconciliation by pivoting on the hinge folds of the face (1). In this movement, the free lateral lips (11) fig. 17, adjacent to the face (1) easily penetrate inside each half-shell above and below sandwich. The packaging is completely closed when the face (4) is perfectly superimposed on face (7).

The sandwich is then enclosed and thermally insulated until its consumption.

During consumption, it is sufficient to discard the half-shells of each other and the sandwich is presented on its edge against the face (1). It is comfortably held in the packaging by finger pressure on the part and else on the sides of the lateral lips (11).

The folding of the lips (11) outwards is done without sudden movement when the mouth has to access the last portion. Until the end, the packaging prevented sauce flows, retained fatty waste and retained its original aesthetic form.

A second technical requirement of the packaging is that to further prevent tearing the thin sheet of cardboard at the time of the packaging particularly at the level small folds (a) and (b) (especially in a manufacturing in very fast automatism) it is very important that four small triangles (v), on either side of (34) between the folds of optimized reduced height (a) and (b), have the best possible tear strength by the arrangement of departments (g) and (d) respectively at outer corners of the small folds (a) and (b) with the third side of the triangle (v); these rays are intended to eliminate the primers of rupture always possible when thin blanks, precut to the intended useful dimension, have sharp angles subject to stretching, tension or pressures during the packaging.

• en effet,l'acte d'emballage proprement dit du sandwich(S) commence par la mise en forme à la main de l'emballage dans l'opération de retournement qui a été décrite plus haut et dont l'effet notable est que les faces (5),(1) et (2) reviennent dans cet ordre dans un même plan dans une configuration stable qui est celle du remplissage du hamburger.

But the tray itself is not the only possible cause of tearing of the packaging fig.17 and 18 at the level of the small triangles (v):

• in fact, the actual packaging act of the sandwich (S) begins with the manual shaping of the packaging in the inversion operation which has been described above and whose notable effect is that the faces (5), (1) and (2) return in this order in the same plane in a stable configuration which is that of the filling of the hamburger.

This reversal by hand which takes place in one second (at the time of use or in advance the if applicable) produces the spring recirculation of the four bellows defined by the small triangles (v), previously tensioned during the packaging.

It is then clear that the rays (d) and (g) play a role important in the resistance to tearing at the moment of hand turning of the face (1) causing the pseudo verticalization of the two half shells, openings facing face, if by chance this reversal takes place brutally.

However, we note in use that the packaging keeps still a sufficient spring effect when a fold (a) tore on one tray or the other, or even even if a fold (a) was torn on each of them.

It should be noted that cardboard packaging filmed with polyethilene have perfect resistance to tearing as well in the packaging as in the inversion manual.

In a different consideration, it should be noted that the moist heat emitted, particularly by a sandwich hot, inside a package as described in particular by Figs. 15 and 19 has a natural tendency to soften the walls of said packaging and weaken especially its locking if it is not ensured sufficiently robust without harming easy opening when eating the sandwich.

Many locking possibilities exist but preference will be given, in the hexagonal concept regular of figures (17), (18) and (18) bis to a locking joining the external face of (7) under the internal face of (4), (or vice versa) the internal face of (7) under the face external of (4).

The system chosen must necessarily not generate the shaping of trays especially if it is performed in very rapid automation.

Fig. 17 shows in the extension of the center of the face (7) a tab (z), in the shape of a rounded arrowhead whose pins (q) and (q ') located on a line parallel to the outside of (7), are distant by a value (n); the segment common to the tab and to the external face of (7), to him a value (L) slightly less than (n).

In the thickness of the face (3), and adjacent to the fold of the face (3) with the face (4) it is produced at the level of the center of the aforementioned fold a rectangular slit (y) of the order from 1 to 2 millimeters in width and length (L) of such so that after placing the sandwich in the packaging, at the time of locking the integral tab of one of the two half shells can be snapped into the slot (y) on the other half hull by a light pressure taking into account that (L) is slightly larger than (n); (4) is then in perfect covering of (7)

. The packaging is opened at the right time very easily by a slight pull towards the outside to uncouple the hulls ..

Note that between the line (q) (q ') and the outer edge of the face (7) is an isosceles trapezium of large base (n), small base (L) and whose height must be within the approximate ratio of one millimeter for a package made from a thin sheet of the order of 2 to 3 tenths of a millimeter; the choice of the isosceles trapezoid offers the possibility of self-adjusting locking on the sides oblique of the trapezoid.

• d'abord que la hauteur de la face(34), lèvre (11)comprise, soit supérieure à la valeur du rayon du sandwich (S), de telle façon qu'une fois l'emballage fermé sur le sandwich, la face (34) ne laisse pas partiellement visible le sandwich vers le centre de l'emballage , et qu'au contraire elle le protège jusqu'au dessus de son diamètre.
• la seconde contrainte est que l'emballage soit aussi le plus parfaitement clos latéralement pour la meilleure maintenance en température avant la consommation et cela particulièrement pour les sandwichs chauds et humides.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the faces (34) comprising the lips (11) can be provided differently than they are in Figures (17) and (18). The constraints here are:

• first that the height of the face (34), lip (11) included, is greater than the value of the radius of the sandwich (S), so that once the packaging is closed on the sandwich, the face ( 34) does not leave the sandwich partially visible towards the center of the packaging, and on the contrary it protects it to the top of its diameter.
• the second constraint is that the packaging is also the most perfectly closed laterally for the best temperature maintenance before consumption and this particularly for hot and humid sandwiches.

In fig. 17,18,18bis, 19,20 (p1.5) the sides of faces (34) have been proposed as an extension of the folds (a) for a better reading of the figures; it is obvious that the opposite faces (34) can each be extended on both sides towards the lateral faces (33) (Fig. 19) in the maximum limit of the two symmetrical portions (x), in the measure or these equivalent portions added on the part and other of (34) are completely detached from the faces (33) as well as triangles (v) to allow operation bellows-springs between the folds (a) and (b).

In fig. 19 corresponding to an embodiment major practice, the hinge (m) of the lip (11) is ideally located between the two vertices (35) of the folds (a) of on either side of the hinge (m); the segments (36) are cut to allow the wings (x) of (34) to penetrate the hulls when closing packaging and above all to allow the spring bellows between (a) and (b) to operate without hindrance.

The advantage of having wider faces (34) is first a better grip of the sandwich by the thumbs and the index fingers of the two hands farther apart from each other; then better protection against the flow of sauces especially at the start of consumption of sandwich; finally, for packaging that the restaurant can use both vertically and horizontally at dish on a prep table, it is desirable that the sandwich (S) does not touch the table, which could arrive in horizontal use before closing the packaging in case of too large indentations between the face (34) and the adjoining faces (33).

Figs. 21, 22 and 23 show a packaging according to the last type, also capable of being manufactured industrially, but of regular pentagonal section.

It includes seven wrapping faces for five section dimensions, which implies that its principle of interlocking involves four faces between them two to of them. (the faces (6 '), (4'), (7 ') and (3')).

When you close this packaging once the sandwich placed on the face (1 '), the internal face of (6') just overlap perfectly on the external face of (4 '), while in the same movement, the internal face (7 ') is superimposed perfectly on the face external of (3 ').

The closure can obviously be done in the other meaning .

In this packaging of regular pentagonal section preferably), the locking is done naturally by the superposition of the angle (of 108 °) between the faces (3) and (4) on the angle (of 108 °) between the faces (6) and (7) at the end wrapping, while allowing easy unlocking.

To save cardboard, ie use a shorter pre-cut blank, you can delete the portions outside the line (A1) (B1) on the face (7 ') and the line (A2) (B2) on the face (4 '). These portions are hatched in Figures 23 and 24.

Figs. 24, 25 and 26 also show a packaging according to the last type, capable of being manufactured industrially, but of square section.

This package includes five wrapping faces for four section faces which implies a lock of the same type as for section packaging hexagonal after perfect covering of the external face (5 '') by the internal face (3 '') or vice versa fig. 26.

You would think that stacking for this packaging square is obvious and does not involve resorting to the technique of turning after packaging. We realizes, in the application, that direct stacking of parallelepiped packaging based on the sum contiguous faces (4 ''), (1 '') and (2 '') arrive very quickly at saturation, except to flare the packaging which would make impossible to cover the faces (5 '') and (3 '') after wrap, these faces then appearing in trapezoids isosceles opposed by their large bases.

In the creation of round sandwich packaging the skilled person (on the precise analysis of the prior art known) does not appear to have been concerned major to realize a product very specifically adapted with the consumption of hamburger or other food of this type and shape taking into account all constraints of consumers, but also of professionals (from fast-food restaurants to particular).

For consumers, the specific packaging must be practical since the sandwich must be eaten in its packaging to avoid sauce spillage. It is necessary that the packaging itself naturally invites this by its configuration alone and which it suggests in some way so the consumer excludes any different attitude.

Consumer comfort surely does not exist when the hamburger is served in a rectangular box which does not materialize any notable specificity as to practical requirements specific to eating hamburger in its packaging.

Consumer comfort does not exist either when the hamburger is presented in a two-person package half-hulls mounted on a simple hinge because the sandwich is enclosed in the bottom of a half-hull with all the inconveniences already described above.

Conversely, comfort does exist when the sandwich arranged on the broad hinge plane of the two half-shells easily unlockable, very accessible to the mouth and that it can be held firmly between the thumbs and the index fingers of both hands when biting into them, and when when desired, the side lips of the package can fold gently to allow total consumption sandwich.

For the professional user it has with the invention of evolutive packaging which he adapts to his If he manages a small catering unit he can use the first or second packaging of which will form the hulls in advance or in masked time. a large fast food unit, it will use preferably the third stackable packaging, a little more expensive than the first two to purchase because immediately usable although of a price of industrial series rather low.

The professional of the large catering unit (fast food type) will also appreciate the improvement in the image of its establishment by the aesthetics of its ubiquitous packaging, and the simple way to loyalty of net improvement in service to the consumer.

He will appreciate in the invention the resolution of the problem complex posed by the double reversal system tray before use, because stacking the packaging this system allows it to save space by cooked.

It should be remembered that the turning system of the invention exceptionally allows the realization industrial packaging in trays stackable in unlimited quantity while their side faces are parallel to use.

Claims (10)

1. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, obtained initially from the flat cutout of a thin, semi-rigid sheet, comprising three preferably parallel longitudinal strips (A, B, and C), the central strip (C) being divided by parallel external folding lines extending transversely to the central strip (C), forming on this strip faces (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7), the two external longitudinal strips (A and B) being formed of folding lateral enveloping faces, each defined on either side by external folding lines (a) or internal folding lines (b), one of the faces of the central strip (C) forming the key face (1) for receiving the sandwich on its edge, the folding lateral faces (f) connected to the key face (1) respectively on the outer strips (A and B) being connected to the folding lateral faces of the faces adjacent to the key face on the central strip (C) by internal folding lines (b) forming an extension of the external transverse folding lines located on either side of the key face, and the lateral faces foldable on to the external strips (A and B) of the faces adjacent to the key face on the central strip (C) being provided with oblique external folding lines (a) starting from each corner of the base of each folding lateral face, characterised in that each of the two folding lateral faces connected to the key face (1) is provided with a folding line parallel to the three strips and extending from one side of the folding lateral face to the other, the oblique folding lines starting from each corner of the key face (1) being connected to said parallel folding lines either by a folding line (12) or by an edge, in order to make it possible to envelop the cylindrical sandwich quickly on its periphery and on its edges by arranging the valley and mountain folds between the folding lateral faces according to all the external (a) and internal (b) folding lines, on either side of the key face (1).
2. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, obtained initially from the flat cutout of a thin, semi-rigid sheet, comprising three preferably parallel longitudinal strips (A, B, and C), the central strip (C) being divided by parallel external folding lines extending transversely to the central strip (C), forming on this strip faces (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7), the two external longitudinal strips (A and B) being formed of folding lateral enveloping faces, each defined on either side by external folding lines (a) or internal folding lines (b), one of the faces of the central strip (C) forming the key face (1) for receiving the sandwich on its edge, the folding lateral faces (f) connected to the key face (1) respectively on the outer strips (A and B) being connected to the folding lateral faces of the faces adjacent to the key face on the central strip (C) by internal folding lines (b) forming an extension of the external transverse folding lines located on either side of the key face, and the lateral faces foldable on to the external strips (A and B) of the faces adjacent to the key face on the central strip (C) being provided with oblique external folding lines (a) starting from each corner of the base of each folding lateral face, characterised in that each of the two folding lateral faces connected to the key face (1) is provided with a folding line parallel to the three strips and extending from one side of the folding lateral face to the other, the oblique folding lines starting from each corner of the key face (1) being connected to said parallel folding lines by an edge, in order to make it possible to envelop the cylindrical sandwich quickly on its periphery and on its sides, the flat cutout being preformed into two half-shells hinged on either side of the key face (1), intended to receive the sandwich on its edge and permitting more rapid assembly of the packaging around the sandwich.
3. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, according to Claim 2, characterised in that the flat cutout initially in specific double symmetry is preformed in a configuration which is stable to stack, permitting instantaneous turnover of the packaging in order to assemble it very rapidly around the sandwich.
4. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, according to the first claim, characterised in that it comprises valley (b) and mountain (a) fold lines arranged symmetrically relative to one another on two external identical strips (A and B), the width (r) of which is equal to the radius of the sandwich to be packaged (S), which strips themselves are symmetrical to one another with respect to a central strip (C) the width of which is equivalent to the thickness (e) of the sandwich and which also comprises mountain fold lines equidistant from one another and in the axis of the two valley fold lines (b) respectively on the external strips (A and B).
5. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, according to Claim 4, characterised in that:

   the equal front faces defined by the mountain folds of the central strip (C) are arranged on either side of a key face (1) perpendicular to which the sandwich is positioned on its edge to be enveloped by bringing these front faces on to the sandwich on either side of the key face (1) at the same time as the external strips (A and B) are each folded over in coordinated folding on one side of the sandwich, starting from the faces (f) of these strips, adjacent to the pivot face (1), and symmetrical thereto;

   the external strips (A and B) comprise mountain fold lines (a) and valley fold lines (b) arranged symmetrically to one another relative to the faces (f), such that:

   the valley fold lines (b) in the extension of the mountain fold lines of the central strip (C), like them parallel and equidistant to one another, define on either side of the faces (f) surfaces equal to these faces (f), and each having a mountain fold line (a), starting for the first four from the four right-angles of the key face (a), ending on the outer sides of the faces adjacent to the faces (f) on the external strips (A and B);

   the mountain fold lines (a) thus obtained are symmetrical to one another with respect to a face (f) respectively on an external strip (A or B);

   the following faces on either side of a face (f) also have mountain fold lines (a) parallel to the previous ones on the same external strip (A or B) and symmetrical two by two;

   the mountain fold lines (a) thus defined on the external strips (A and B) after assembly of the packaging around the sandwich define two lateral faces of the packaging which are formed of isosceles triangles (for all packagings having as a section a regular polygon from a pentagon onwards - with the exception of the hexagonal section which has equilateral triangles) the bases of which are the common sides of the faces defined on the central strip (C) with their adjacent faces on the external strips (A and B);

   the valley fold lines (b) in this configuration are arranged in folds bearing on the sandwich towards the inside of the packaging in order to make it possible to form folding lateral enveloping faces when assembling the packaging.
6. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, according to Claims 1 and 5, characterised in that the external strips (A and B) have, on the side of the symmetrical faces (8) of a height (h) slightly greater than the width (r), a mountain fold line (t) which is longer than the other mountain fold lines (a) and defines with the height (h), on the vertex of the face (8), a tab (o) external to one or the other external strip (A or B), which tab, interposed between the sandwich and the inner face (f), confines the sandwich in its first enveloping phase.
7. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, according to one of Claims 1, 4, 5 or 6, characterised in that the faces (18) opposed to the faces (8) on the external strips (A and B) have a cutout tab (19) which laterally locks the two sides of the packaging behind the mountain folds (t) of the faces (8), this preferred locking of the packaging according to this version being facilitated by a cutout (21).
8. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, according to Claim 2, characterised in that, starting from a cutout shape of double symmetry, it is possible to produce packaging consisting of two symmetrical half-shells manually pre-assembled by stapling (31), each of them hinged relative to the key face (1), in order to be able to be folded over one towards another, confining the sandwich laid on its edge on the key face (1).
9. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, according to Claim 3, characterised in that the optimised reduction of the mountain fold lines (a) defining mobile folds and of the bearing fold lines (b) defining fixed folds which define between them small triangles (v) with the edges of the packaging, which triangles have their tear strength improved by radii (d) and (g) which respectively round off the exterior angle of (a) with the outer edge of the triangle (v) and the exterior angle of (b) with the outer edge of the triangle (v), makes it possible to form double trays from the useful symmetrical faces which have prior to this been cut out to form two stable symmetrical half-shells, hinged with respect to the key face (1) and being able to lie horizontally on their respective bases (3) and (6) and to be stacked, insofar as:

   stacking after tray formation is technically possible due to the fact that the placing under tension of the small mountain folds along the fold lines (a) after gluing on a machine causes stable elastic deformation which keeps the lateral faces of the half-shells of narrow base and of wide opening widening towards the outside;

   the optimum length of the fold lines (a) is that which makes it possible to maintain the stable elastic deformation of the half-shells without tearing the cardboard at the outer ends of the corresponding folds;

   the configuration of the packaging in the stable stacking position can only pass into the stable filling position if radial pressure is exerted on each half-shell, bringing together the face (2) and the face (4) with one hand and the face (5) and the face (7) with the other hand, and pivoting them upwards at the same time along their hinge fold with the key face (1), which releases the tension on the mountain folds along the fold lines (a) and which simultaneously enables the faces (5), (1) and (2) to return into one and the same plane;

   it is then possible to pass back from the stable filling position into the stable stacking position by a reverse action to the former which results in forcing the mountain folds along the lines (a) to be placed under tension again;

   in the closed position by bringing together the two half-shells with slight pressure in order to compensate for the resistance of the spring bellows arranged between the fold lines (a) defining mobile folds and the fold lines (b) defining fixed bearing folds, the faces (34) on which lips (11) are articulated horizontally, flush on either side of the packaging with the faces (33) in the filling position penetrate on either side of the sandwich into the half-shells which at the end of the movement close up on one another by complete superposition of the face (4) on the face (7) or vice versa;

   upon opening the packaging in order to consume the sandwich, the two half-shells move apart easily on either side of the key face (1) owing to the relaxation effect of the spring bellows between the fold lines (a) and (b); the two opposed faces (34), the height of which is slightly greater than the radius of the sandwich, become disengaged and the packaging permits consumption of the sandwich positioned on its edge on the key face (1), the external folding-over of the lips (11) at the desired moment, and retains the sauce and fatty remnants which have run out inside the rigid horizontal structure laterally closed between the two half-shells, which structure has a minimum lateral height equivalent to the height of the fold line (b) when the lips (11) are folded back towards the outside.
10. Packaging for a cylindrical sandwich of the hamburger type, and for all foodstuffs of the same shape intended to be consumed in their packaging, according to Claim 9, characterised in that the so-called turnover action of the tipping plane defined by the faces (5), (1) and (2) which is effected when passing from placing under tension to release of tension and vice versa of the mobile mountain folds along the fold lines (a) makes it possible to produce stackable widened-tray packagings whilst the lateral faces of these trays become parallel again once the hamburger has been packaged.

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