NZ742752B2 - A packet for french fries and a plano for assembling such packet - Google Patents

Abstract

packet (10) for french fries comprising a bottom (11), side walls, a front- and a back-wall (12) and a closable lid (13), which packet has a total surface area and is provided with perforations (8, 8') that collectively have an open area which is set at a preselected ratio of the total surface area, wherein said perforations are provided in the lid and in the front- and back-wall. The perforations in the walls are limited to an area from the base to 1/3 rd of their height. The packet is made from a one-piece plano (1) comprising a connecting member (2) that connects on opposite sides of said member to a first and a second side member (3, 4). The first and the second side member are each tapering with an increasing width with increasing distance from the connecting member, wherein said width is measured perpendicularly to a body axis (5) extending through the first and second side member and the connecting member. The arrangement allows the creation of a convection current in the packet to keep the fries fresh a, wherein said perforations are provided in the lid and in the front- and back-wall. The perforations in the walls are limited to an area from the base to 1/3 rd of their height. The packet is made from a one-piece plano (1) comprising a connecting member (2) that connects on opposite sides of said member to a first and a second side member (3, 4). The first and the second side member are each tapering with an increasing width with increasing distance from the connecting member, wherein said width is measured perpendicularly to a body axis (5) extending through the first and second side member and the connecting member. The arrangement allows the creation of a convection current in the packet to keep the fries fresh

Description

(12) Granted patent specificaon (19) NZ (11) 742752 (13) B2 (47) Publicaon date: 2021.12.24 (54) A PACKET FOR FRENCH FRIES AND A PLANO FOR ASSEMBLING SUCH PACKET (51) Internaonal Patent Classificaon(s): B65D 5/02 A47G 21/00 B65D 5/42 B65D 85/00 (22) Filing date: (73) Owner(s): 2016.12.06 LAMBWESTON/MEIJER VOF (23) Complete specificaon filing date: (74) Contact: 2016.12.06 AJ PARK (30) Internaonal Priority Data: (72) Inventor(s): NL 2015918 2015.12.07 VAN DIJK, Dirk VERMEER, Mike (86) Internaonal Applicaon No.: (87) Internaonal Publicaon number: WO/2017/099587 (57) Abstract: A packet (10) for french fries sing a boom (11), side walls, a front- and a back-wall (12) and a closable lid (13), which packet has a total surface area and is provided with perforaons (8, 8') that collecvely have an open area which is set at a preselected rao of the total surface area, wherein said perforaons are provided in the lid and in the front- and back-wall. The perforaons in the walls are limited to an area from the base to 1/3 rd of their height. The packet is made from a one-piece plano (1) comprising a ng member (2) that connects on opposite sides of said member to a first and a second side member (3, 4). The first and the second side member are each tapering with an increasing width with increasing distance from the connecng member, wherein said width is measured dicularly to a body axis (5) extending h the first and second side member and the connecng member. The ement allows the creaon of a convecon current in the packet to keep the fries fresh 742752 B2 A packet for french fries and a plano for assembling such packet The invention relates to a packet for french fries at least comprising a bottom and side walls and having a total surface area, and provided with perforations that tively have an open area which is set at a preselected ratio of the total e area.

EP-B-0 867 379 ses a bag for wrapping food, in particular bread, which is made of a composite al with at least one first layer of a cellulose containing material and a second layer of plastic, wherein the composite material is perforated and a ratio of an open area to the overall area of the composite material is set in the range from 1/50 to 1/250 (0.4 – 2 %). ant has igated this known bag and has found that it is unsuitable as a packet for french fries, in particular because the fries do not e an extended stay or holding time in the packets without losing their bite.

Both consumers of french fries and the sellers of such french fries place several demands on packets to be used for such french fries. These demands are at least partly in line with each other. The sellers require that the packets enable easy filling with fried/cooked or prepared fries, and that the packets in stock will not take much space. Consumers of french fries require that the fries can survive a minimum holding time in the packets without losing their crispy texture.

Investigations have shown that there is a need for a packet for french fries which allows a holding time for the fries of approximately 20 minutes, where after the fries still must be crispy and meet a so-called ing test to determine the crispiness of the fries by chewing. Reportedly a good crispiness requires at least five times chewing wherein the fries generate crunchiness in the mouth. Furthermore the pack- ets must enable easy transportation, and must provide easy opening, good access to the fries, etc.

DE 20 2011 051 768 U discloses a packet for french fries without a lid, but with a front wall, a backwall, and lls, wherein all walls are provided with ventilation perforations.

US2015/0028088 discloses a packet for french fries and other snack products comprising a bottom, side walls, a front- and a back-wall and a closable lid, which packet has a total surface area and is provided with perforations that collectively have an open area which is set at a preselected ratio of the total surface area, wherein said perforations are at least provided in the lid. In some embodiments disclosed in this citation the perforations are also provided in the lls.

It is an object of the invention to improve the known packet so that it better meets at least in part one or more of the above demands, and to gain further advantages as will be- come apparent from the ing disclosure.

The packet of the invention is provided with several features which will be discussed herein cumulatively, however it is to be understood that each feature as embodied in the appended claims can be applied independent from any of the other es in the other claims and be made part of a divisional application t need to incorporate any of said other features of the other claims.

In a particular aspect, the present invention provides a packet for french fries comprising a bottom, side walls, a front- and a back-wall and a le lid, which packet has a total surface area and is provided with perforations that collectively have an open area which is set at a preselected ratio of the total surface area, wherein said perforations are at least provided in the lid, wherein the perfo- rations are further provided in the front- and back-wall and the perforations in the front- and back-wall are restricted to an area in the bottom’s ty, wherein the bottom’s vicinity extends from the bottom up to a third of the total height of the front- and all.

Furthermore the invention is not only embodied in a packet for french fries, but also in a one-piece plano from which such a packet for french fries can be manufactured. Also with regard to the plano it is to be understood that each feature as embodied in the appended claims can be applied (followed by page 2a) independent from any of the other es in the other claims and be made part of a divisional application without need to incorporate any of said other features of the other claims.

Such a one-piece plano is particularly useful for sellers of french fries that require that d stockroom will be necessary to keep the packaging material for the fries in stock. In order to meet also other demands that are placed on the packets for french fries, it is preferred that the plano comprises a connecting member that connects on opposite sides of said member to a first side member and to a second side member. The connecting member can be essentially rectangular or round, i.e. circular, elliptical or oval. When assembling the packet out of the plano it is then possible to convert the first and second side member into the front- and back-wall of the packet and the connecting member into the bottom of the . The bottom is preferably concave for reasons to be explained after, and the first and second [FOLLOWED BY PAGE 3] side member can be essentially convex or rounded at its exte— rior. Thi s corresponds to able features 0'' the packet ol the ion, i.e. that the packet is capable o ”reestand— ing, and that the front— and back—wall smOOthly convert into each other so as to provide the packet with a substantially convex or ro;nded exterior. This rounded ex':erior enables easy handling ol the packet. Depending on circumstances it is how— ever also feasible that the packet will be given a more rec— tangular appearance, without losing its ease o: handling.

Another desirab'e e of the plano is that the first and the second side member are each tapering with an in— creasing width with increasing distance from the conneCting member, wherein said width is measured perpendicularly :O a body axis extending h the first and second side member and the connecting member. This enables that when the packet is assembled from the plano, the front— and back—wall taper away from each other when loo<ed from the bottom upwards, which promotes that the packets can be easily filled with fried/coo {ed or ed fries. "t a' so enables easy placement O: the packet with the fries in a cup holder 0: a car. Fur— thermore taking fries from the packet o: the invention is pro— moted by the larger dimensions 0:: the packet facing upwards.

Perhaps most ant from a consumer point 0: view is the capabi' ity O“ the packet for the fries to conserve their cri spiness for an extended duration, enabling transpor— tation o f the "ries from their point 0: sale to a location wh r th fri s ar consumed. As is mentioned above it is de— sirable to allow a holding time approximate 'y70riinutes I) 0“ o; the fries in the packet, and save their capabil l ty to pass an organoleptic ness test in which crunching should be ex— perienced during at least live times chewing ol the fries. For that and Other purposes ol the invention the pac <et and the plano from which it is pre' erably made are provided with the eatures 0" one or more Ol the appended claims. "t is particular'y preferable that in the packet I) the ion the ations are nOt only provided in the lid but are also provided in the fron t and back—wall. This has proven to provide superior results in comparison with the known packets that are provided with per:forations.

Pre y the packet has a tota' SUV face area, and is provided with perforations that collec:ively have an open area which is set at a preselected ratio ol the total sur face area, which is se in the range of 3 — 10%. This s that evaporated moist from the fries can escape from the packe ith avoiding that the ries wil' get soggy and limp and lose their crispiness. The ratio can for ce be set a I a value 0“ 3.7% for generally satisfactory results, however the preferred value ol this ratio depends on the situation accord— ing to which the packet is transported and should be smaller when the pac<et is transported in an open bag, and larger when the packe t is transpor':ed in a closed casing.

Preferab 'y the bottom of the packet is concave so that the fries in the packet are prevented from piling up on each Other without leaving any room between them, which would prevent that moist can escape from the piled up fries. "n this manner it is ed that also the most inner fries in the packet will remain crispy.

It is remarked that the per:forations in the lid can a lso be embodied as openings next to the lid. The perforations in the lid or said openings next to the lid provide a chimney e "ect to the packe t further promO':ing the escape o: evapo— rated moi Sc Ol the fries out ol the packet.

Preferably the perforations in the front- and back— wall are cted to an area in the bot':om’s vicinity. In practice this means that the bottom’s vicinity pre'ferably ex— tends from the bootom up to approximately a third Ol the total height ol the front and bac {—wall. Some variation is however possibl e wherein the perfora tions extend beyond said third Ol the total height ol the front and back—wall.

One other aspect is that the open area 0:: the per::0— rations in the lid and/or an open area next to the lid is pre ferably larger than the open area 0: the perforations in the front and back—wall at the bottom’s vicinity. there are per"o rations in the front and bac<—wa ll in the vicinity of the li'd, the unC tionality o _ these per forations adds to the perforations in the lid. This enabl es that su "icient moist can escape from the packet, keeping in mind that the di— mensions o: the per forations in the front- and bac <—wall can— not be chosen too large i: losing fries from the packet is to be avoided. Fries come in two sizes: 6 X 6 mm and 9 X 9 mm, SO the dimensions of the per forations must be ed keeping these sizes in mind.

The ion wi' l after be further ated with reference to the drawing 0: an exemplary embodiment 0: an packet and a plano according to the invention that is not lim— iting as to the appended claims.

In tre drawing: —figare l stows a plano for a packet "or "rench fries according to the invention; —figare 2 stows a top view of the pac<eL "or "rench fries according to the invention with closed lid; e 3 ard 4 show side views of the packed for french fries according to the invention; —figare 5 stows a bottom view of che packet for french fries according to the invention; —figare 6 stows an isometric view of the pac<et for french fries according to the invention with closed lid; —figare 7 st OWS the packet o "igure 6 with open lid; —figare 8 schematica:_ly shows seven samples 0: pack— ets that have been comparatively inves tigated in a crunchiness test on di "erent qua lities o ”ries packed in these packets; —figure 9 shows the results 0: the crunchiness test for each packet—sample as applied with three di "erenL quali— ties o ”ries in the size 6 X 6; and —‘igure ’0 shows the results 0: the crunchiness test for each packet—sample applied with three di "erenL ies O Fries in the size 9 X 9.

Whenever in che figur s th sam I I: I DC num rals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

In a comparative g on the duration 0“ maintain— ing crunchiness o "rench fries packed in di "erenL types or packecs, che pac<ec o _ the invention has been compared with packets with pertorat ions in di "erenc varieties, as will be discussed hereinal oer. First however the plano and the packet o: the invention will be discussed. Making re:ference to figure l a one—piece plano is shown for a packet "or ”rench fries, which comprises an essentially circular connecting member 2 that connects on opposite sides 0: said member 2 to a first side member 3 and a second side member 4. It is to be under— stood however that the connecting member 2 can also be ellip— tical or oval, or even gular. The first side member 3 and the second side member 4 are each tapering with an in— creasing width with increasing distance from the connecting member 2, wherein said width is measured perpendicularly to a body axis 5 ing h the firsc and second side member 3, 4 and the connec :ing member 2.

Figure 1 also shows that the first side member 3 con— nects to an extension piece 6 which is embodied to serve as a lid in a con' iguration o che plano wherein it is assembled into a packet as shown in che figures 2 — 7 to be discussed hereinafter. Sly the extension piece 6 could instead or being ed to che firs 3 side member 3, also be provided as an extension to the second side member 4. "t is O“ course also possible tha': the extension piece 6 is split in half, wherein each one o_ che side members 3, 4 connects to one of the halves. 2O In the shown embodiment o ”igure the second side member 4 is provided with a rim or rims 7 for connecting to the first side member 3 when it is assembl ed into the packet of the invention shown in figures 2 — 7. It will however be c'ear "or che artisan tha': the rim or rims can also be provid— ed on che first side member 3 for connecting to the second side member 4, or that both members 3, 4 may have such a rim for conneccing to che other member. Said rims 7 may eventually form sidewalls o che ready packet.

Figure further shows that the first side member 3, 3O the second side member 4 and the extension piece 6 are provid— ed with perforations 8, 8’. It is however feasible trat not each member 3, 4 is provided with per:forations 8, although the extension piece 6 is always provided with perforatiors 8’. Op— timal results are ed in the embodiment in fig— ure "t is pre ferred that the open area o_ che per_orations 8 in the first side member 3 and/or the second side r ember 4 is smal ler than the open area 0: the per.foracions 8’ in the extension piece 6. Consequently in the packed o_ the invention made from this plano as for instance shown in figure 6 the WO 99587 open surface area created by the perforations 8 in the front- and back—wall 12 will be smaller than the I) open surface area or the 'id '3, including any openings 8” at the sides near to the 'id ’3 that add to the "unctionali ty 0 the openings 8’ in the 'id ’3. "n prac:ice it is preferred that the perforations 8 in the first member 3 and/or the second member 4 prevent passing 0 ”ries wi-:h sizes 6 x 6 mm and/or 9 x 9 mm.

It can further be inferred l’OHl "igure 1 that the perforations 8 in the first member 3 and/or the second member 4 are provided in a region spanning a maximum 0: one third 0: said members’ length, which region is adjacent to the conneCt— ing member 9. A'l in all it is advantageous for the achieve— ments of the packet o_ the inven':ion shown in figures 2 — 7 that the plano 1 has a tota' Slll’ face area and is provided wi th per forations 8, 8/ that ctively have an open area, where— in a ratio o_ the open area and the total surface area is set in the range 0: 3 — 10%.

Turning now to figure 6 a packet 10 "or "rench fries according to the invention is shown in isometric view, which 2O packet 10 is manu'factured from a plano 1 as shown in figire 1, and which comprises a bottom 11 as shown in figure 5, and front- and bac<—walls 12 connected to each Other with side— walls as can be best seen in figure 4. The packet 10 measures to a total surface area, and is provided with perforations 8, 8/ that colleCtively have an open area which is set at a pre— seleCted ratio of said total surface area, which is set in the range of 3 — 10%. Figure 6 also shows that apart from the per— forations that are ed in the front- and a" l7, the pac<et LO has a closable lid 13 as also shown in figure 2, 3O wherein perforations 8’ are a" so provided in said lid ’3. Fur— ther there may be openings 8” next to the lid 13 with the same functionality as the ations 8’ in the lid 13.

Figure 6 and figure 7 both show that the packet 10 is e o" "reestanding and that the ations 8 in the front— and back—wall 12 are res tricted to an area in the vi— cinity of the bOttom ’1. t can be derived from these figures that the bOttom’s vicinity extends from the bOttom 11 up to approximately a third of the front— and bac {—wall’ total height. "n figure 7 the packet 10 of the invention is shown with open lid 13, as opposed to figure 6 in which the packet of the invention is shown with closed lid 13.

According to the invention it is preferred that the open area of the perforations 8’ in the lid 13 and/or the openings 8” next to the lid 13 is larger than the open area of the perforations 8 in the side walls 12 at the bottom’s vi— Preferably the perforations 8 in the front— and back— wall 12 are provided with dimensions to prevent passing or fries with sizes 6 X 6 mm and/or 9 X 9 mm.

Figures 3, 5 and 7 show that it is preferable that the bottom 11 of the packet is concave so as to prevent that the fries in the packet are piling up on each Other without leaving any room between them, which would hinder or even pre— vent the escape O“ moist from the piled up fries in the pack— It can be best seen from the side view 0 "igure 3, but a'so rom "igure 6 that the front— and back—wall 12 taper away from each other when loo<ed from the bottom 11 upwards. 2O The combination 0 ”igure 4 with figire 6 shows that the front— and back—wall 12 smoothly convert into each other so as to e the packet 10 with a ntially rounded exteri— or, particularly at the sidewalls connecting the front— and back—wall 19. Fina'ly it is remarked that the pac<et 10 of the invention is preferab'y made out 0: one piece ol material, such the plano ’ as o "igure The beneficial results of the invention will herein— after be further discussed in the following discussion 0: a comparative investigation concerning the duration that crunch— 3O iness o ”rench fries 0“ three di "erent qualities is main— tained ing on the type 0: packet used for holding the fries. The investigated packets are shown schematically in figure 8, wherein; — 8.1 depiCts a rd packet without any a— tions; — 8.2 depiCts a packet with perforations only in the lid (as known from US2015/0028088); — 8.3 depiCts a packet with perforations ha'fway in the middle ol the front— and back—wall; — 8.4 depiCts a packet with perforations in the side— walls only (as known from USZOl5/OOZ8088); — 8.5 s a packet with perforations in the bot— tom region ol the fronL— and back—wall; — 8.6 depiCts a packet with perforations in the lid and in the sidewalls (as known from /OOZ8088); and — 8.7 depiCts a packet with perforations provided in the lid and in the front— and back—wall in accordance with the invention.

Figures 9 and lO show histograms ponding with the time duration that crunchiness 0“ three di "erenL quali— ties o "rench fries are maintained in the tested packets, for each ol the mentioned packets shown in figure 8. Figures 9 and refer to the tested pac<ets by the pac<et indications 8.; — 8.7. "n figure 9 the results are shown with 6 x 6 fries, whereas in figure 10 the results are shown with 9 x 9 fries.

The qualities 0 "ries that are igated are regular fries, coated fries, and a top—nOtch hOt development ol supe— rior fries that the applicant contemplates to market as Hot2Home(tm) fries.

The results collected in figures 9 and 10 respective— ly for 6 x 6 and 9 x 9 fries consistently show that best re— sults are achieved with any type 0 "ries when packet 8.7 is used which is ed in accordance with the features 0“ the invention as discussed hereinabove and ied in the ap— pended claims.

Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment o: the pac<et and the plano o: the inventior, the invention is not restricted thereto and can be varied in many ways without de— parting from the invention. The diSCLssed exemplary embodiment ol the packet and plano shall therefore not be used to con— Strie the appended claims Strictly ir accordance therewith. On the contrary the shown ment o; the packet and plano are merely intended to explain the wordirg o: the appended claims without intent to limit the claims ttereto. The scope 0: pro— n of the invention sha" therefore be construed in ac— ce with the appended claims only, wherein a possible am— y in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodimeh a o: the packet and plaho.

Claims (15)

1. A packet for french fries comprising a bottom, side walls, a front- and a back-wall and a closable lid, which packet has a total surface area and is provided with perforations that collectively have an open area which is set at a 5 preselected ratio of the total surface area, wherein said perforations are at least provided in the lid, wherein the perforations are r provided in the front- and back-wall and the perforations in the front- and back-wall are cted to an area in the bottom’s vicinity, wherein the ’s - 10 ty extends from the bottom up to a third of the total height of the front- and all.

2. The packet of claim 1, wherein said ratio is set in the range of 3 – 10%.

3. The packet of claim 1 or 2, wherein the perfora- 15 tions are at least in part embodied as openings next to the lid.

4. The packet of any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the bottom of the packet is concave.

5. The packet of any one of claims 1 – 4, wherein an 20 open area of the perforations in the lid and/or the gs next to the lid is larger than an open area of perforations in the front- and back-wall at the bottom’s vicinity.

6. The packet of any one of claims 1 – 5, wherein the perforations (in the front- and back-wall are provided with 25 dimensions to prevent passing of fries with sizes 6 x 6 mm and/or 9 x 9 mm.

7. The packet of any one of claims 1 – 6, wherein the front- and back-wall taper away from each other when looked from the bottom upwards. 30

8. The packet of any one of claims 1 – 7, wherein the front- and back-wall (smoothly convert into each other so as to provide the packet with a substantially rounded exterior.

9. The packet of any one of claims 1 – 8, wherein the packet is made out of one piece of material. 35

10. The packet of any one of claims 1 – 9, wherein the packet is made from a plano.

11. A one-piece plano for a packet for french fries according to any one of claims 1 - 10, comprising a connecting member that connects on opposite sides of said member to a first and a second side member, wherein the first and the second side member are each tapering with an increasing width 5 with increasing distance from the connecting , wherein said width is measured perpendicularly to a body axis extending through the first and second side member and the connecting member, and wherein one of the first and second side member ts to an extension piece which is embodied to serve 10 as a lid in a configuration of the plano wherein it is assembled into a packet for french fries, and wherein the first side member and the second side member and the extension piece is provided with perforations, wherein the first side member and the second side member form a front- and back-wall when 15 the plano is formed into the packet, and the perforations in the first side member and the second side member are provided in a region spanning a maximum of one third of said members’ length, which region is adjacent to the connecting .

12. The plano of claim 11, wherein the ations 20 in the first side member and/or the second member are dimensioned to prevent passing of fries of 6 x 6 mm and/or 9 x 9

13. The plano of claim 11 or 12, wherein an open area provided by the perforations in the first side member and/or 25 the second side member is smaller than an open area of the perforations in the extension piece.

14. The plano of any one of claims 11 – 13, wherein the plano has a total surface area and is provided with perforations that collectively have an open area, wherein a ratio 30 of the open area and the total surface area is set in the range of 3 – 10%.

15. A packet for French fries substantially as herein bed with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying