GB2498397A

GB2498397A - Lid for Salad Dressing Having Rupturable Seal

Info

Publication number: GB2498397A
Application number: GB1200648.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Petrie
Original assignee: Kobusch UK Ltd
Current assignee: Kobusch UK Ltd
Priority date: 2012-01-16
Filing date: 2012-01-16
Publication date: 2013-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2032-01-16
Also published as: GB201200648D0; GB2498397B

Abstract

A lid for e.g. a salad 19 with separate dressing 7, has an upper wall 2 and at least one side wall 12 extending from the upper wall to form an open bottomed container 7, the lower edge of the side wall 9 being adapted to receive a seal 4 to close the open bottom and the lid having at least one protruding element 5 extending downwards from the upper wall and which can be moved by pressure on the upper wall from a position where it does not extend below the bottom of the side wall to a position where it protrudes below the bottom of the side wall (Figure 7) e.g. to pierce the seal and release dressing onto the salad. The seal may be a heat-sealable film and may be pre-weakened e.g. by using a laser etched film, around the area intended to break on application of pressure on the upper wall. A further side wall 13 may extend up from the lower edge 9 to form a channel 11 and flange 10 adapted to be attached to a container 18. The protruding element 5 may end in a spike 6 or flat surface (Figure 12).

Description

A multi-compartment container with release lid The present invention provides a container suitable for packaging multiple foodstuffs items such as salads and dressings. More particularly, the container is provided with multiple compartments, generally two compartments, comprising a body and a lid, wherein the lid is adapted to release its contents into the body when required by a consumer without the lid needing to be removed from the body.

Currently, many salads and other food products are packaged together with a separate dressing, which can be mixed with the main food component after purchase. A typical shaker salad, for example, may be found packed inside a first pot, which would also include a separate lid and another pot which contains the dressing. These types of packs can therefore consist of a lot of packaging, which is both expensive and detrimental to the environment. Furthermore, many of these packs rely on a great deal of user interaction to mix the dressing with the food. Typically a lid must be removed, then the dressing pot must be opened to pour the dressing onto the food, then the pack must be re-closed to enable it to be shaken to mix the dressing effectively. This process can take time and can potentially be messy if the dressing is not handled carefully. Many of these products are merchandised for eating on the go', although the procedure involved in mixing the dressing with the salad often does not offer ideal convenience for the end user.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or mitigate some of the disadvantages associated with the prior art packaging.

In particular it would be desirable to have a simple way of releasing a dressing onto food,with minimal user interaction and minimal mess. It would also be desirable to minimise the amount of packaging that is used to reduce both packaging costs and environmental impact.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lid comprising a upper wall and at least one side wall extending generally downwards therefrom to form an open bottomed container, the at least one side wall being adapted to receive a seal that would act as a bottom wall to close the open bottomed container, the lid further comprising at least one protruding element extending downwards from the upper wall such that, in a first configuration, the lower end of the protruding element does not extend below the level of the side wall at which the seal is receivable and in a second configuration, when pressure is applied to the upper wall, the lower end of the protruding element extends below the level of the side wall at which the seal is receivable.

The upper wall is at least partially deformable.

The shape/profile of the upper wall is such that it will deform whilst the side wall remains more rigid. When pressure is applied to the upper wall its surface deforms more easily than the side walls as it has a more horizontal configuration. The side wall has a more vertical configuration which provides more resistance to top load pressure.

The lid is configured such that when the lid is provided with the seal to form a closed lid container, which may for example be filled with a salad dressing, the deformation of the upper wall results in movement of the protruding element between the first and second configurations which will cause the seal to rupture or otherwise separate from the side wall, releasing the lid's contents.

In the preferred embodiment the lower end of the protruding element is, in the first configuration, located close to the level of the side wall at which the seal is receivable.

Most preferably the lower end of the protruding element is, in the first configuration, located 1mm to 5mm above the level of the side wall at which the seal is receivable.

Advantageously, positioning the end of the protruding element close to the seal allows the seal to then be broken with only minimal pressure being applied to the upper surface of the lid.

A further advantage is that the lid can be deformed by a user using only a single finger and is suitable for one-handed use.

Generally the lid is able to move from the first configuration to the second configuration.

It may be that the lid is able to move between the first and second configurations.

The lid may be provided combined with the seal such that it forms a closed container.

The seal may be partially attached to the lid. This would allow for final sealing later.

When in the form of a closed container the lid may contain one or more substances.

The lid is adapted to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when pressure is applied to the external surface of the upper wall of the lid.

When the lid is sealed and contains one or more substances this movement allows a consumer to press the top surface of the lid to release the contents of the lid, generally into a lower container, for example releasing dressing held in the lid onto salad held in a lower container.

Optionally the upper wall is resiliently deformable.

The deformation of the upper wall by the application of external pressure acts to urge the protruding element to move resulting in either the puncturing of the seal or the separation of the seal from the one or more side walls.

The upper wall may be provided with a tamper detection element.

The tamper detection element may be in the form of a frangible section on the external surface of the upper wall of the lid.

The tamper detection element may be in the form of a deformable section on the external surface of the upper wall of the lid.

The tamper detection element may be in the form of a tearable label on the external surface of the upper wall of the lid.

Optionally the upper wall may be provided with a recessed area located generally above the protruding element.

The recessed area may correspond to the wall of the protruding element.

In a preferred embodiment the upper wall and one or more side walls are formed integrally as a dome.

Alternatively the upper wall may be any appropriate shape with the side walls being commensurate with the requirement of the upper wall.

An alternative example could be that the upper wall may be square or of a pyramid shape, with four side walls extending downwards therefrom.

The one or more lower walls may receive the seal on their lower surface.

The one or more lower walls may further comprise a seal receiving flange which extends generally outwards from the lower portion of the wall.

This seal receiving flange is generally at the lowest end of the wall The receiving flange acts to receive the seal.

The seal receiving flange may further comprise an attachment flange which extends downwards from the outer edge of the seal receiving flange in a direction generally away from the upper surface of the lid.

In this embodiment the attachment flange portion may act as a means to connect the lid to a separate container.

In an alternative embodiment the lid is provided with an outer channel, said outer channel defined by first and second channel side walls and a channel upper wall.

The outer channel is asthetically appealing and provides a more pleasing domed effect to the shape whilst matching the profile of the central area.

The feature is not essential but can provide some additional rigidity.

The first channel wall extends upwards from the outer edge of the first receiving flange portion.

In this embodiment an attachment flange may extend downwards from the outer edge of the second channel side wall in a direction generally away from the upper surface of the lid.

The attachment flange may be provided with a spacer flange portion extending between the outer edge of the second channel side wall and the upper section of the attachment flange.

The attachment flange may be provided with clip elements.

The clip element acts to allow the lid to push fit to a base container using conventional clip closure means.

The clip elements may be in the form of a plurality of recessed areas or burst through apertures with inner flanges.

The attachment flange portion may be provided with an outer flange element which extends outwardly from its lower surface.

The protruding element may have an inverted frusto-conical shape.

The flattened lower portion of the protruding element would be adapted to more commonly cause the seal to separate from the one or more side walls when the lid moved from the first to the second configuration. It could however still pierce the seal in some cases.

The protruding element may have an inverted conical shape.

The pointed lower portion of the protruding element would be adapted to pierce a seal when the lid moved from the first to the second configuration.

It could however still cause the seal to separate from the one or more side walls in some cases.

The protruding element may have a tubular shape.

Preferably the seal is attachable to the at least one side wall via heat sealing.

Alternatively the seal is attachable to the at least one side wall using by an adhesive.

Optionally the seal is provided with a weakened section.

Preferably the weakened section is formed on the seal using laser etching.

Preferably, when the seal is attached to the one or more side walls the lid forms a sealed compartment.

Preferably the sealed compartment is leak proof.

Most preferably the sealed compartment is liquid tight.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a container comprising the lid in accordance with the first aspect and a base container to which the lid is releasably attachable.

In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings in which; Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lid according to an aspect of the present invention, also providing an indication of internal features; and Figure 2 shows an perspective view of the lid according depicted in Figure 1 showing more clearly the internal features; and Figure 3 shows a side view of a lid depicted in Figures 1 and 2, with 3A being the side view and 3B being a section view; and Figure 4 shows a plan view of the lid depicted in Figure ito 3; and Figure 5 shows a section view of the lid which is in the process of being filled and sealed; and Figure 6 shows a section view of a container according to another aspect of the present invention which comprises both a sealed lid compartment, the lid being that depicted in previous figures, where the lid is in its first configuration, and a base compartment; and Figure 7 shows a section view of the container of figure 6 where pressure has been applied to the lid compartment such that its contents are released into the base compartment; and Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the container of Figure 6; and Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a lid according to an alternative aspect of the present invention, also providing an indication of internal features; and Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an inverted lid according to the alternative aspect of the present invention; and Figure 11 shows a side view of a lid depicted in Figures 9 and 10, with 11 B being the side view and hA being a section view; and Figure 12 shows a section view of a container according to another aspect of the present invention which comprises both a sealed lid compartment, the lid being that depicted in figures 9 to 11, where the lid is in its first configuration, and a base compartment; and Figure 13 shows a section view of the container of figure 12 where pressure has been applied to the lid compartment such that its contents are released into the base compartment.

Figure 14 shows a perspective exploded view of a container which includes a lid of the present invention.

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a container which includes a lid of the present invention.

A preferred example of a lid I in accordance with the present invention is generally depicted in Figures 1 to 5. The lid as attached to a lower container to provide a two-part container is further depicted in figure 5 to 8 and 14 and 15. Such a container is typically thermoformed and is made out of a thermoformable polymer material such as rPET, APET, polypropylene.

In this example the lid 1 has a slightly domed upper wall 2 which has a side wall 3 extending downward from its outer edges. In the depicted example the side wall 3 is slightly sloped. The footprint of the upper wall is generally circular, as can best be seen in Fig 4, and as such there is only a single side wall 3 extending therefrom which completely surrounds the circumference of the upper wall. Together the upper wall 2 and the side wall 3 form a cavity 17 for receiving a dressing 7 or other foodstuff (the dressing 7 being shown in figs 5 to 8).

It would be understood by one skilled in the art that in cases where the footprint of the upper wall results in a number of edges a commensurate multiple number of side walls would be required. For example if the upper wall has a substantially square footprint (which may include a pyramid shaped upper wall) then there would be four corresponding side walls.

The lower section of the side wall 3 (being that part furthest away from the upper wall 2) has a seal receiving flange 9 extending outwardly therefrom.

When the lid 1 is placed on a horizontal surface, the seal receiving flange 9 is substantially horizontal. The seal receiving flange acts to accept a seal 4 as can be seen in Fig 5 which shows the seal 4 being applied to an inverted lid 1 that is filled with dressing 7.

The application and sealing of the film 4 around the perimeter of the seal receiving flange 9 forms a dressing compartment 17. In the preferred embodiment a heat sealable film is used to form a liquid tight seal to ensure that the dressing 7 cannot leak out.

Furthermore a pre-weakened sealing film could be used to seal the dressing. In this case the film seal 4 would have a weakened point or weakened area that would, when the film 4 is sealed to the lid 1 to form a dressing compartment 17, be positioned below the lower end 6 of the protruding element 5. This would make it easier for the lower end 6 to puncture the film 4 and release the dressing 7. Such a pre-weakened film could be formed using a "laser etched" sealing film which is formed by laser etching a weak point, ora weakened section (eitherweakening the entirety of the section or the circumference or the partial circumference thereof), into the center of the seal's surface.

A skilled person would appreciate that alternative methods of sealing the film are available, for example the film could be attached using an adhesive layer.

The centre of the dressing compartment 17 incorporates a protruding element 5 which, in the example shown in figures 1 to 8, is in the form of a spike feature. The protruding element 5 extends into the dressing compartment 17 from inner surface of the upper wall 2 and forms an inverted cone with a relatively sharp point at the lower end 6. The outer surface of the upper wall 2 is provided with a corresponding recessed area 8 which corresponds to the position of the protruding element 5.

In a first configuration (as is depicted in figures ito 6) the point 6 of the protruding elements is positioned just above the seal 4, preferably 1mm to 5mm above the seal 4, or the planar surface of the seal receiving flange 9 to which the seal 4 will be applied. This allows the dressing compartment 17 to be filled with dressing 7 then heat sealed such that the seal 4 forms a water tight seal such that the dressing 7 cannot leak out.

In the example shown, the outer circumference of the seal receiving flange 9 is provided with an outer channel 11. The outer channel 11 is made up of a first side wall 12 which extends substantially upwards from the outer edge of the seal receiving flange 9, and a second side wall 13 which is substantially parallel to the first side wall 12. The channel also comprises a channel upper wall 14 which joins the upper edges of the first and second side walls 12/13.

As shown in figures 6 to 8, the lid 1 can be clipped onto a lower container 18. A spacer flange 15 extends outwards from the second side wall 13 of the outer channel 11, and an attachment flange 10 depends downwardly therefrom. The attachment flange 10 is provided with a plurality of clip elements 21 which, in the example, are in the form of recessed sections that reduce the inner circumference of the attachment flange 10 (most clearly shown in fig 3B). The lid 1 can then be clipped onto a lower container 18 by push fit in a standard manner. The bottom edge of the attachment 10 is provided with an outer flange extending outwardly therefrom.

II is also envisaged that the lower container 18 can be provided with an outer sleeve 22 which is shown in figures 14 and 15. The sleeve could be made of any appropriate material with paper or cardboard being envisaged. The outer sleeve 22 can include decoration and information about the packed product(s).

It is also envisaged that the lid 1 could be provided with an anti tampering mechanism. In figures 14 and 15 this is shown as a tamper proof seal 20, in the form of a label, which is placed over the recessed area 8 on the lid 1, and thus over the protruding element 5 or spike. If pressure is placed onto the label 20 then it will be pushed into the recessed area 8 providing a visual indication that the lid has be tampered with.

An alternative example of a lid in accordance with the present invention is shown in figures 9 to 11. The lid is shown attached to a lower pot to form a two part container in Figures 12 and 13. In this example the reference numerals are kept the same as for the previous example for comparable features, with the addition of a prime symbol ().

The lid 1' is the same as the lid 1 of the preferred embodiment described above, other than in respect of the lower section of the protruding element.

In this example, as can be seen most clearly in Figures 10, ha, 12 and 13, the protruding elementS' extends downwards from the upper wall 2' and has an inverted frusto-conical shape such that the lower end 600 has a flat or substantially flat surface. It will be understood that, although depicted as a flat surface in this example, this lower end does not need to be an entirely flat, the surface simply needs to be blunt such that it will not easily pierce the material of film 4' if it is brought into contact with it. In all other respects the lid 1' can be produced in the same way as for the first

example.

A further explanation will now be provided as to how the lids 1, 1' will be filled and how the will function in use.

To assemble a lid 1,1' and to fill it with a product such as salad dressing 7, 7', the dressing compartment 17, 17' is first filled with dressing 7, 7' and the seal receiving flange 9, 9' at perimeter of the dressing compartment 17, 17' is then heat sealed with a film 4, 4'. The lid 1, 1' is then clipped onto a lower container 18, 18', which could hold a foodstuff 19, 19' such as salad, for example.

To release the dressing 7, 7' onto the salad 19 19', downward pressure is applied to the top of the domed lid 1, 1', for example by a user pressing onto it as shown with respect of the lid of the preferred example in figure 8.

As the lid 1, 1' is manufactured from a thin plastic, the flexibility of the material allows a portion of the upper wall 2 of the lid 1 to be forced downwards. This pressure and movement of the upper wall 2, 2' forces the protruding element 5, 5' downwards towards the heat seal film 4, 4 until the lower tip 6, 600 makes contact with the film 4, 4' and ultimately causes the dressing compartment 17, 17' to be ruptured.

Depending on the type of protruding element 5, 5' used, there are two possible effects when the protruding element is pushed down onto the film seal 4, 4'. If the protruding element has a sharp lower end 6, the spiked lower end 6 punctures the film 4, allowing the dressing 7 to pass through the puncture aperture 23 onto the salad 19 below (see figure 7). If the protruding element 5' has a flattened lower end 600, this pulls the edge of the film 4' away from the seal receiving flange 9' which forms the perimeter of the dressing compartment 17', allowing the dressing to pass out through the resulting aperture 230 formed at the edge of the dressing compartment 17, onto the salad 19 below.

Particularly for cases where the protruding element 5 has a sharp lower end 6 (although not necessarily limited to such an embodiment), it is envisaged that the upper wall 2 may be resiliently biased such that when the pressure is removed from the top of the domed lid 1, the protruding element moves back to, or at least in the direction of, its original position.

This would ensure that the lower end 6 of the protruding element 5 does not obstruct, or minimally obstructs, the flow of dressing 7 through the puncture aperture 23.

One benefit of the present invention is that the end user does not need to remove a lid to first access a dressing pot, and then re-close it to shake and mix the contents. They simply press the top of the lid firmly to release the dressing, and then shake the container to mix the contents. This makes the process of mixing the dressing and salad together far quicker, simpler and potentially less messy.

Another benefit of the invention is that less packaging is used, compared to some current pack formats.

It will be evident to a skilled person that various modifications and improvements could be made to the abovementioned products and methods within the scope of the invention. Further modification can be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.

For example, it would be readily understood that the footprint of the container and therefore the shape of the associated mould could be any appropriate shape.

It will also be understood that various materials are available which can to produce the packaging of the type described herein.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A lid comprising a upper wall and at least one side wall extending generally downwards therefrom to form an open bottomed container, the at least one side wall being adapted to receive a seal that would act as a bottom wall to close the open bottomed container, the lid further comprising at least one protruding element extending downwards from the upper wall such that, in a first configuration, the lower end of the protruding element does not extend below the level of the side wall at which the seal is receivable and in a second configuration, when pressure is applied to the upper wall, the lower end of the protruding element extends below the level of the side wall at which the seal is receivable.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A lid as in Claim 1 wherein the upper wall is at least partially deform able.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A lid as in Claims 1 or 2 wherein the lower end of the protruding element is, in the first configuration, located 1mm to 5mm above the level of the side wall at which the seal is receivable.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A lid as in any of the previous Claims which is able to move from the first configuration to the second configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A lid as in any of the previous Claims which is able to move between the first and second configurations.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A lid as in any of the previous Claims which is combined with a seal such that it forms a closed container.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A lid as in Claim 6 wherein the seal is partially attached to the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A lid as in Claims 6 or 7 which when in the form of a closed container the lid contains one or more substances.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A lid as in any of the previous Claims which is adapted to move from the first configuration to the second configuration when pressure is applied to the external surface of the upper wall of the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A lid as in any of the previous Claims wherein the upper wall is resiliently deformable.</claim-text> <claim-text>11.A lid as in any of the previous Claims wherein the upper wall is provided with a tamper detection element.</claim-text> <claim-text>1
2.A lid as in Claim 11 wherein the tamper detection element is in the form of a frangible section on the external surface of the upper wall of the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>1
3.A lid as in Claim 11 wherein the tamper detection element is in the form of a deformable section on the external surface of the upper wall of the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>14.A lid as in Claim 11 wherein the tamper detection element is in the form of a tearable label on the external surface of the upper wall of the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>15.A lid as in any of the previous Claims wherein the upper wall is provided with a recessed area located generally above the protruding element.</claim-text> <claim-text>16.A lid as in Claim 15 wherein the recessed area corresponds to the wall of the protruding element.</claim-text> <claim-text>1 7.A lid as in any of the previous Claims wherein the upper wall and one or more side walls are formed integrally as a dome.</claim-text> <claim-text>18.A lid as in any of the previous Claims wherein the one or more lower walls receive the seal on their lower surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>1 9.A lid as in Claim 18 wherein the one or more lower walls further comprise a seal receiving flange which extends generally outwards from the lower portion of the wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>20.A lid as in Claim 19 wherein the seal receiving flange further comprises an attachment flange which extends downwards from the outer edge of the seal receiving flange in a direction generally away from the upper surface of the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>21.A lid as in Claim 20 wherein the attachment flange acts as a means to connect the lid to a separate container.</claim-text> <claim-text>22.A lid as in any of the previous Claims which is provided with an outer channel, said outer channel defined by first and second channel side walls and a channel upper wall.</claim-text> <claim-text>23.A lid as in Claim 22 wherein the first channel wall extends upwards from the outer edge of the first receiving flange portion.</claim-text> <claim-text>24.A lid as in Claims 22 or 23 wherein the attachment flange extends downwards from the outer edge of the second channel sidewall in a direction generally away from the upper surface of the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>25.A lid as in any of Claims 22 to 24 wherein the attachment flange is provided with a spacer flange portion extending between the outer edge of the second channel side wall and the upper section of the attachment flange.</claim-text> <claim-text>26.A lid as in any of Claims 20 to 25 wherein the attachment flange is provided with clip elements.</claim-text> <claim-text>27.A lid as in Claim 26 wherein the clip elements act to allow the lid to push fit to a base container using conventional clip closure means.</claim-text> <claim-text>28.A lid as in Claim 26 or 27 wherein the clip elements may be in the form of a plurality of recessed areas or burst through apertures with inner flanges.</claim-text> <claim-text>29.A lid as in any of Claims 20 to 28 wherein the attachment flange portion may be provided with an outer flange element which extends outwardly from its lower surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>30.A lid as in any of the previous Claims wherein the protruding element has an inverted frusto-conical shape.</claim-text> <claim-text>31.A lid as in any of Claims ito 29 wherein the protruding element has an inverted conical shape.</claim-text> <claim-text>32.A lid as in any of Claims ito 29 wherein the protruding element has a tubular shape.</claim-text> <claim-text>33.A lid as in any of the previous Claims wherein the seal is attachable to the at least one side wall via heat sealing.</claim-text> <claim-text>34.A lid as in any of Claims ito 32 wherein the seal is attachable to the at least one side wall using by an adhesive.</claim-text> <claim-text>35.A lid as in any of the previous Claims wherein the seal is provided with a weakened section.</claim-text>