AU2004261356B2

AU2004261356B2 - Container

Info

Publication number: AU2004261356B2
Application number: AU2004261356A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gianfranco D'amato
Original assignee: Seda SpA
Current assignee: Seda SpA
Priority date: 2003-07-10
Filing date: 2004-06-22
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2024-06-22
Also published as: AU2004261356A1; MXPA03007775A; EP1495981A3; WO2005012115A1; JP2005029255A; EP1495981A2; NZ545141A; BRPI0412480A; NO20060380L; RU2337869C2; CA2436292A1; KR20080085069A; US20050006449A1; CN1845852A; RU2006101874A; KR20060073923A; DE20310622U1

Description

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5 Container The invention relates to a container, in particular for receiving food, having the features of Claim 1, as well as a corresponding blank for manufacturing such a container.

From practice, such containers are known, for example, in the form of cups or the like which are filled with food to be stored and subsequently taken out or alternatively to be directly consumed from the container.

One example of a collapsible container is known from EP 0 074 936 BI. This collapsible container comprises a tubular body with a wall made of at least two layers. At the upper end, an extraction opening serves for charging the food as well as for consuming the food charged. At the lower end, the collapsible container is closed. For the manufacture of the container, a two-dimensional blank is used which is first rolled and then connected to itself for forming a continuous container wall.

The material of the container wall is a relatively flexible and relatively stiff material, such as waterproof paper or plastics. However, with this known container, one cannot identify whether the container is filled with anything, and if so with what.

From the Japanese Utility Model Publication JP 56-156 777, another container is known which also serves for receiving food. This container is formed from a laminate of stiff paper and polyethylene layers applied on both sides thereof. A lid for closing the container consists of a laminate of aluminium foil and polyethylene layers applied on both sides thereof. The container is opaque, such that the interior of the container is optically not visible.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

005451417 la 00 0 5 In one aspect the present invention provides food or beverage container having a c container wall of generally cylindrical or truncated conical shape and having an opening at an upper end thereof and a closed lower end, the container wall being formed of a two dimensional blank connected to itself at opposite ends of the blank, and the upper end of the container wall having a rolled or bent edge forming the container opening, wherein the container wall is comprised of a transparent or translucent fluid impervious material which is functionally and structurally stable across a temperature range from between -500C to +1200C.

0 According to a second aspect of the invention, a corresponding blank for the manufacture of such a container is provided.

The container according to the invention is characterised by the use of a material for at least a part of the container wall which combines apparently conflicting properties in an advantageous manner.

WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 In order to securely store the food in the container, the material according to the invention is preferably liquid tight or fluid tight. This prevents a penetration or leak of liquid fluids and/or a penetration or leak of gaseous fluids. In case of dry, in particular pourable food, gas tightness can be sufficient in this connection. One can also do without gas tightness if the food does not negatively change its properties relevant to the consumption due to being contacted with a gas, such as 02 or the like.

Simultaneously, this material is transparent. This results in a number of advantages, such as, for example, that after the manufacture of the container from the corresponding blank one can simply identify optically whether the interior of the container contains foreign substances and in particular impurities or whether it is damaged. This optical transparence of the collapsible container exists at least in the visible region (translucent) of the spectrum, however, it can also extend to the adjacent spectral regions, i.e. at least towards the infrared and/or ultraviolet region. The transparence makes it furthermore possible to monitor, in a simple manner, the filling degree of the corresponding food when it is charged. In particular, the filling degree can be monitored from a direction perpendicular to the filling direction.

The transparence of the material furthermore comprises, apart from the advantages for the filling of the container, a number of advantages for the consumer who wants to take the corresponding food out of the container or consume it directly from the container.

For the consumer, too, it is important to be able to identify the filling degree of the food in a simple manner. Furthermore, apart from the amount, for example, the consistence of the food charged can be identified. This is analogously true for possible discolorations or colorations of the food. Such discolorations can, for example, permit conclusions as to the freshness of the food, and intended colorations of the food can give an additional optical buying incentive.

Another advantage of the transparence of the material is that during consumption, it is possible to not only see through the extraction opening where the food is relative to the extraction opening, but that one can also find this out through the wall of the container. This, for example, prevents in the case of tipping the container, the food from unintentionally exiting from the extraction opening.

In principle, it is sufficient for only a part of the container wall to be formed from the transparent or translucent and preferably liquid tight and/or fluid tight material. The remaining part of the container wall can be formed in the usual manner from stiffened paper or the like. However, according to the invention it is a greater advantage to form the complete container wall from this material, so that at every location the interior of the container can be identified through the container wall. This makes it superfluous to first rotate the container, if necessary, in order to find the transparent section of the container wall. If the WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 container wall, however, is only in one section transparent/translucent, the same favourably extends across the complete height of the food charged to permit an observation of the maximum filling degree as well as a reduction of the filling degree during consumption. For doing so, it can be sufficient for the container wall to comprise a series of sections of the corresponding material along the height of the food charged, which can also be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the container and, if necessary, also in the circumferential direction of the container.

As a corresponding material, polypropylene polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene polyamide polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, polyethylene or the like can be used.

In order to improve the tightness of the corresponding layer material, if necessary, the layer can be provided with a coat of lacquer on one or both sides.

For the consumer to be able to exert pressure on the container for consuming the food, the container wall can be flexible. This also applies to the corresponding transparent or translucent, preferably liquid or fluid tight material.

In order to be able to connect the blank with itself for preparing the continuous container wall, the same can be rolled, for example, until the lateral edges abut. Along this edge abutment, the blank is connected to itself. Additional connection means can also be employed, if necessary. Normally, this kind of connection is effected via heat and/or pressure.

It is also possible to not only form a connection along the corresponding edge abutment after the container has been rolled or folded, but to also form an overlapping region of the blank by the edges assigned to one another, this overlapping region extending in particular in the longitudinal direction of the container and the blank being connected to itself in this overlapping region.

If the transparent and fluid tight material extends to the upper end of the corresponding blank where the extraction opening of the finished container is formed, or if a container wall is completely made of this material, the opening edge of the extraction opening can be bendable or rollable without the corresponding material changing its properties. Thus, it is ensured that even the opening edge comprises the properties of the material, such as transparence, fluid tightness and dimensional stability.

As the corresponding material is dimensionally stable after it has been shaped, it is ensured that the opening edge maintains its corresponding shape even after having been bent or rolled round.

WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 Due to the corresponding dimensional stability of the container according to the invention there is also the possibility that the opening edge is formed only by one upper edge of the corresponding blank. A corresponding bending, rolling or any other type of shaping the opening edge does not take place in this embodiment. A further advantage in conjunction with such a free upper edge of the blank as the opening edge can be seen in that the corresponding edge is fluid tight. There is also the possibility of combining such free upper edges as the opening edge with opening edges which are bent, rolled or shaped in some other manner.

Furthermore, the shapability without the material changing its properties serves in avoiding, for example, a so-called crazing. It occurs, for example, in materials which are transparent in the beginning, which, however, comprise a normally linear whitening of the material otherwise remaining transparent after it has been shaped or kinked. Such a crazing could otherwise also occur in areas of the wall where a consumer holds the container or exerts a corresponding pressure for taking out the food, which could result in buckling or folding lines. Even if such changes of the properties are partly acceptable, for example at the opening edge, they are particularly advantageously avoided.

In particular, if the complete container wall is formed from the material, the complete container is not only correspondingly transparent/translucent and liquid/fluid tight, but it is also dimensionally stable after having been shaped. This dimensional stability is, among others, important when the container is stored or transported between the place of manufacture and the place of filling. Furthermore, the container remains open at least in the area of its extraction opening when it is filled due to a corresponding dimensional stability even without additional measures, so that the food can be easily charged. The dimensional stability is also of assistance when the food is consumed, the container itself maintaining its shape even after the food has been taken out partially or completely. If the container is squeezed by exerting pressure for consuming the food, the dimensional stability is of assistance for the container to essentially take on its original shape after the pressing has stopped which results in the food being retracted back into the interior of the container.

The dimensional stability is also a property which is not to be changed, for example, for maintaining a sufficient stability as well as transparence and tightness also in the overlapping region.

In order to be able to combine, if necessary, layers having different properties with respect to transparence and fluid tightness, the container wall can be formed from a corresponding two- or multilayer material, each of the layers being transparent. It should be noted here, that "transparence" can also mean only translucent and that "fluid tightness" can also mean only liquid tightness or gas tightness and should be always understood in this respect.

WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 An outer layer can be made in this connection from PP, oriented PP (coextruded or lacquered), PE, PET, PET (lacquered), PA, oriented PA (lacquered), or the like. For the inner layer, the following materials are possible: PP, PVC, PS, PA, PET, or the like.

With respect to the various layers, it is advantageous for these to be, for example, laminated. A large surface of such a laminate can be made of the corresponding layers and a blank can then be punched out of the laminate or prepared in another manner. The use of such a laminate ensures the safe interconnection of the layers, at the same time maintaining the corresponding properties.

Another possibility of preparing and interconnecting the layers can be their coextrusion.

In order to be able to employ in a simple manner a corresponding blank for the container also for devices for the manufacture as well as for the filling hitherto employed for similar containers, the unshaped blank can be strictly two-dimensional. This makes it possible, on one hand, to easily stack such a blank for the transport thereof and, on the other hand, to simply draw it into a corresponding device for folding or rolling the container from the blank.

In this connection, it is furthermore advantageous for at least the exterior sides of the blank to comprise a certain roughness or basic friction which, for example, prevents slippage of corresponding draw-in means relatively to the blank.

During the transport of the container both in an unfilled and an already filled state and the provision of the filled collapsible container or its use by a consumer, it is possible that the collapsible container comes into contact with spiky or sharp-edged objects. In this connection, it is an advantage for the corresponding material of the container wall to comprise a certain mechanical resistance towards such objects, preventing damage which could have a negative influence on either the transparence or the fluid tightness of the material.

In order to avoid that during the manufacture of the container or its later handling in particular in the area of the wall a negative optical impression occurs, with a two- or multilayer construction of the material, the corresponding layers can be joined in a permanent perfect junction. Otherwise, a detachment of the layers in some places could result in the impression of a formation of bubbles or the like, which could, apart from the optical impression, possibly also have a negative influence on the transparence of the material.

WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 Examples of such permanent perfect junctions are the above-described lamination or coextrusion.

Independently of the number of layers of the corresponding material, it is usually sufficient for only one of the layers or the single layer used, in case of several layers in particular the central layer, to be an elastic one, which, however, can be permanently shaped and is a dimensionally stable layer after it has been shaped.

In order to achieve an optimum fluid tightness, it can prove to be an advantage if the tightness towards liquid and towards gas is achieved by separate layers. This can be achieved, for example, in that at least one inner layer is liquid tight and/or one of the further layers is gas tight.

It is possible to combine the corresponding layers in the overlapping region by additional connection means, such as an adhesive or the like. In a simplified embodiment, outer and/or inner layers can be formed as a connection layer at least in the overlapping region.

With respect to the material of the layers, it should be noted that, for example, one of the layers can for example comprise a heat insulating function for cool or warm food and/or that it is also possible for all layers to be permeable to microwaves, for example, for heating food within the container.

Of course, there is also the possibility of achieving the fluid tightness towards liquids and gas by only a single layer.

In particular in the overlapping region, but also in the region of the extraction opening and its opening edge as well as along all other edges of the blank, there sometimes occurs a problem in that these edges or free ends of the corresponding material are not sufficiently sealed. Therefore, in particular liquid ingredients of the food or also liquids located at the outside of the collapsible container, such as condensation water, can penetrate the material. Such a penetration normally changes the thickness of the corresponding material or at least of one layer of the material, such that bubbles can occur in the material and negatively influence the overall optical appearance. The penetration of such a liquid via the free ends or edges of the layers can also result in the container becoming altogether leaky or losing some of its properties, such as the dimensional stability. Such a penetration in particular of liquid can furthermore result in a soaking of the surface of the collapsible container and a detachment of the material from the container. These disadvantages can be prevented by designing the edges of the layers to be fluid tight.

In order to give the container an optically more attractive design or for the representation of information, WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 at least one of the layers can be provided with a print.

In both the processing of a corresponding blank for the manufacture of the container and the later filling or use of the container by the consumer, it is an advantage for the print to be resistant to rubbing. That means that the print can neither be rubbed off by direct contact nor by an action via one of the layers.

With a one-layer construction of the material of the container wall, the print is printed on one outer side of the container. This correspondingly applies .to coextruded layers. With an otherwise multilayer construction, however, it is an advantage for the print to be provided on one inner side of the outer layer and/or one outer side of the central and/or one inner side of the central and/or one outer side of the inner layer. This makes it possible to combine several prints which can differ in their graphical design or in their design in terms of colour.

For being able to provide sufficient heat in a simple manner for the connection of the blank to itself, at least one of the layers can be ultrasonic absorbent. The absorption of ultrasonics results in the heating of the corresponding layer which is at least strong enough for the layer to be sufficiently softened for forming an intimate and in particular fluid tight connection with a layer in edge or surface contact therewith after a corresponding cooling. This can naturally also be true for both layers in contact in the overlapping region, in particular if these are made of the same material. However, in this connection it should be noted that the heating of the corresponding material by ultrasonics does not result in the transparence of the material being negatively influenced after the connection and the cooling down.

If the layers are formed by a laminate it can be considered to be advantageous for the print to be printed before the layers are laminated. This on the one hand prevents it from being exposed to harmful influences directly at the exterior of the container and, on the other hand, there is no risk of harmful effects on the food.

In the layer construction of the material, it is also possible that at least one of the layers itself is a laminate.

There is also the possibility of only two or even more layers of the corresponding material being coextruded.

There are several possibilities of closing the container at its lower end.

In one embodiment, the closed end can be formed by connecting lower end sections of the wall. Thereby, WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 essentially also the closed end is formed by the container wall and its material and is transparent and in particular fluid tight.

In this case, preferably the lower end sections of the wall are pressed together before they are connected, so that the wall section can also be connected to itself by a corresponding thermal effect.

It is also possible to use a separate part for closing the container, so that for example the closed end comprises a bottom insert. This can be made of a separate blank.

Normally, the bottom insert does not have to be transparent. However, it is possible to prepare the bottom insert from the same material as the container wall and to also correspondingly employ heat and pressure for connecting the bottom insert and the container wall.

For closing the container in the region of the extraction opening, a lid can be tightly sealed in particular onto its opening edge.

The material used for the container wall and possibly also for the bottom insert is transparent, however, it can also be coloured. This means that the material is not clearly transparent, but red, yellow, green or the like, and that it is possibly rather of a coloured transparence.

In order to possibly avoid a negative influence on the food by the print, it can be printed onto one outer side of the container in case of a one-layer material. Analogously, this can also be done in the case of a multilayer, polyethylene-based material. Such a material is possibly also prepared by coextrusion.

Naturally, there is neither any negative influence on the food by the material of the container nor by a penetration or loss of fluid due to the container tightness.

In order to also prevent the container from being more easily damaged even in the case it falling down in a filled or unfilled condition, the material can be impact resistant and/or resistant to puncturing.

For the container, various cross-sectional shapes are possible which can also vary in the longitudinal direction of the container. This change does not only include dimensional changes of an otherwise identical cross-section, but also changes concerning other cross-sectional shapes. Examples of such cross-sectional shapes are circular, approximately polygonal, approximately quadrangular and in particular square, oval, bean-shaped or the like.

The print can be made in a usual manner by imprinting a corresponding means, such as colour or the WO 2005/012115 9 PCTIEP2004/006747 like. There is also the possibility of preparing the print not only by printing such a colour, but also by impressing it into the corresponding layer or even by carving it or the like. The print can also have a threedimensional effect or be a hologram or at least comprise the same, and the print can also have a glossy effect.

It is also possible that the print covers the complete container wall except for a control window and that the interior of the container can only be seen through this control window. In this connection, it is also possible for several of such control windows to be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the container and/or in the circumferential direction of the container. Thereby, various areas of the interior of the container can be seen.

For example depending on the colour of the print, there is also the possibility that the print itself becomes only visible after at least a part of the food has been taken out. This can, for example, be effected by the print.having the same colour as the food charged. In this case, it is also possible for certain parts of the print to be only visible after a sufficient amount of the food has been taken out and these parts have been exposed and thus resulting in a changing print. Such an appearing or changing print can, for example, serve for making possible certain raffles or the like, where one can identify whether one has possibly won anything only after a sufficient amount of the food has been taken out.

The opening edge can be rolled round, as already mentioned above. This rolling round can be a simple or multiple rolling round. With a bent opening edge, it is furthermore possible that the same is bent at an angle of 90* or more relative to the rest of the wall. Thereby, for example at an angle of 90, the opening edge projects essentially radially to the outside from the extraction opening.

In order to be able to drink, for example, liquid food from the container at any location of the extraction opening, the opening edge advantageously extends along the complete periphery of the extraction opening. However, it is also possible for the opening edge to be only partially continuous and/or in places.

For the above described properties of the container and in particular of its material not to be provided, for example, only at room temperature, but also within a larger temperature range, it is to be considered favourable for the container and in particular its material to be stable at least in the temperature range of to +120°C, for example for the sterilizing device. This stability, for example, concerns the dimensional stability, transparence, fluid tightness and the like. In connection with the print, it should also be noted that there are also temperature sensitive prints which can also be used according to the invention. Such a print would, for example, change its colour and thus possibly also its information content at a predetermined temperature. A consumer can thus identify, for example, whether a cooled WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 food has a sufficiently low temperature or whether a heated food is warm enough.

In order to be able to store a plurality of containers in a simple manner and to take them out of the container stock, the container can be stackable and unstackable.

With respect to the dimensional stability of the container, it should also be noted that this can also be important in particular for the connection in the overlapping region and the opening edge, for example to also continue the container shape in the overlapping region; this means imparting the corresponding shape to a round or, for example, oval container even in the overlapping region. Moreover, the dimensional stability should prevent leakages from occurring in these regions.

With cooled or heated food, the corresponding temperature should be kept unchanged, if possible, at least over a certain period. To achieve this, at least one of the layers can be formed as a thermally insulating layer. Such a thermally insulating layer can, on one hand, be thermally insulating due to the specific material. On the other hand, there is also the possibility for the layer to contain a thermally insulating material, such as air or the like, or for an air gap to be formed between two adjacent layers.

It is similarly possible with the container according to the invention that at least one of the layers, in particular the outer layer, is formed from an opaque material and the other layer or layers, in particular the central and/or inner layer, are formed from a transparent or translucent material. The layer or layers of opaque material are here only applied in places to the other layer or layers, so that there where the layer of opaque material is not applied, the container interior is correspondingly visible. Here, the layer of opaque material can be formed from various, also unconnected sections, which give a pattern on the container. It is also possible that the layer or layers of opaque material in the interior of the container are applied to the other layer or layers, at least in places.

With one layer of opaque material and at least a further layer of transparent or translucent material, it can be considered as advantageous if the corresponding layers are joined together such that for example the inner layer is connected to the outer layer in particular over its complete inner side. This can be realised both by a separate adhesive means or also by melting on one of the layers during the joining process.

To provide an advantageous visual appearance, it can be of advantage if one of the layers comprises a metallised or at least partially metallised side. With one embodiment an outer side of the outer layer can be metallised. Here, then a thin layer of metal, such as for example aluminium, is present on the outer side of the container. This can be applied to the complete outer side of the outer layer, except for example, a control window.

WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 In order to be able to simply and reliably manufacture the container from a suitable blank and/or a corresponding opening edge of the container for rolling in or bending over simply in otherwise normal machines, the container wall can at least comprise a control window of in particular only the transparent or translucent layer or layers outside of the overlapping region or the butt joint and/or spaced to the opening edge. Through the arrangement of such a control window outside of these regions it is ensured that neither during gluing or joining of the blank, nor during the manufacture of a bent or rolled edge, detrimental effects due to in particular the edge of the corresponding control window occur, because such a window forms a step in the container wall, also even if of a low height.

In one simple embodiment also only one layer can be used for the container, in particular the container wall, which optionally can also comprise an appropriate print, partially metallised regions, a lacquer coating or the like, see also the above explanations. With a single-layer construction preferably polypropylene or polyethylene is used as the material, although also other materials are conceivable.

With regard to the layer of transparent or translucent material it is conceivable that it is essentially formed geometrically similar to the control window and is attached along the edges of the control window to the opaque layer. Geometrically similar means in this connection that the layer and the control window essentially exhibit the same geometric shape, but different dimensions, whereby generally the layer of transparent or translucent material exhibits larger dimensions in comparison to the control window in order to be attached along the edges to the other layer or layers. It is obvious that such an attachment can occur not along all the edges, but rather for example only along two opposite edges or partly along the edges.

For ecological reasons it can also be advantageous if the different layers of various materials can be detached from one another for separate recycling.

As already mentioned in the beginning, the invention also relates to a blank for the manufacture of a container described above, the blank serving at least for the manufacture of the container wall and possibly for the closed end and the opening edge.

In the following, advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in more detail with reference to the figures enclosed in the drawing.

In the drawing: WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a section along the line I-11 from Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a section along the line II1-111I from Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a blank for the manufacture of a container according to the invention in accordance with Figure 1; Figs. 6-14 show side elevations of a further eight embodiments of a container according to the invention with at least one control window; Figure 15 shows a cross-section along the line XV-XV from Figure 14; and Figure 16 shows a plan view of a two-dimensional blank for the preparation of an essentially conical container according to the invention and according to Figures 6 to Figure 1 shows a container 1 in a side view which has a cupulate design. Container 1 comprises an extraction opening 7 at its upper end in Figure 1 which is surrounded by a rolled opening edge 8, also see Figure 2.

A lid 21 is tightly attached to the opening edge 8. At least at one location, a lid handle 22 which serves for pulling off the lid 21 from the opening edge 8 radially projects to the outside from the lid.

Food 2, which can be liquid, pasty or pourable, is charged into the interior of the container. The food 2 is charged into the container up to the filling level 23.

The container 1 comprises a container wall 6 which is formed by a blank according to Figure 5. The container wall 6 is made of a transparent and fluid tight material.

In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the container 1 comprises a bottom insert 25 at its end 9 opposite the extraction opening 7. The same is at least partially placed over or on the wall 6 or is inserted in the same from the outside and connected thereto in a fluid tight fashion.

WO 2005/012115 PCTIEP2004/006747 The bottom insert 25 can be made of the same material as the container wall 6.

The container 1 comprises a print 15 in the region of the container wall 6. The corresponding printing can, in particular with a single-layer material for the container wall, be provided on an outer side 26 of the container 1 or on the outer side of the container wall 6. With a two- or multilayer construction, see in particular Figure 3, the print is printed onto an inner side 16 of an outer layer 3 and/or onto an outer side 17 of a central layer 4 and/or onto an inner side 18 of the central layer 4 and/or onto an outer side 19 of the inner layer 5. Depending on the layer material used, the different arrangements of the print on one of the sides of one of the layers result in a different optical appearance, prints also being combinable on different layers or sides of the layers, respectively, due to the transparence of the container wall 6. Such a combination can result in an optical effect, such as an apparent three-dimensionality of the print.

Moreover, the combination of various prints makes possible colour combinations of prints of various colours when a consumer looks at the combined print from the outside.

In Figure 2, a section along the line I-11 from Fig. 1 is illustrated. In this figure, one can see in particular how the container wall 6 is bent or rolled round to the outside at its upper end for forming the opening edge 8. The choice of the corresponding layer materials of the container wall results in the ductility when forming the opening edge as well as the dimensional stability after the shaping.

In Figure 3, a section along the line Ill-Ill through the container wall 6 or the blank 10 in accordance with Figure 5 is shown. In the embodiment shown, the container wall is made of three material layers.

If only one material layer is used, the same can be, for example, made of polypropylene polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene polyamide polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) or the like. Such a one-layer material is possibly provided with one or two coats of lacquer on its opposite sides for achieving a better seal with respect to fluids.

In the case of two or more layers, see reference numerals 3, 4 and 5 in Figure 3, for example, the inner layer can be made of PP, PVC, PS, PA, PET, or the like, while the outer layer can, for example, be made of PP, oriented PP, polyethylene PET, PA, oriented PA, or the like. In particular, oriented PP, PET and OPA can be moreover lacquered. Moreover, it is possible for the oriented EP to be coextruded.

The different layers 3, 4 and 5 in accordance with Figure 3 can be joined as individual layers for forming the container wall 6. It is also possible for the layers to form a laminate, for at least one of the layers to be a laminate, or for the layers to be coextruded.

WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 It has already been pointed out that in the case of a single-layer material for the container wall 6, the corresponding print 15 is printed onto the outer side 26 of the container 1, while in a multilayer construction correspondingly inner and outer sides of the various layers are each used, without a print being applied to an outer side of the outer and an inner side of the inner layer.

In Figure 4, a second embodiment for a container 1 according to the invention is shown. In this container, and possibly also in the container 1 according to Figure 1, the container wall 6 is flexible, so that a pressure can be exerted on the container 1 from the outside in order to move the food 2 towards the extraction opening 8 for taking it out or consuming it. If necessary, in particular in the case of frozen products, such as ice-cream, in addition to the pressure, the heat of a consumer's hand is transmitted, such that a layer of liquefied food 2 is formed at least between the same and an inner side of the container wall 6. The above materials for the different layers 3, 4, 5 according to Figure 3 provide a flexibility of the container wall 6. At the same time, in particular with the use of PET (polyester), a layer material is used which stabilises the corresponding shape of the container 1 according to Figure 1 or Figure 4. Such a layer material is flexible, but it is also relatively stiff.

The container 1 according to Figure 4 can comprise a handle 24 at its closed end 9 which is also formed by a blank 10 for the container wall 6. For forming this handle 24, lower end sections 20 of the blank see Figure 5, are pressed to one another after the blank has been rolled into the corresponding shape of the container, and by applying heat, they are intimately connected in a fluid tight manner. Even without the formation of such a handle, the closed end 9 can be formed by the connection of these lower end sections For simplification, in container 1 according to Figure 1, a corresponding print 15 according to Figure 1 is not shown.

With the blank 10 according to Figure 5, it has to be noted that the same comprises a surrounding edge 14. The same can be sealed for preventing the penetration of fluid. After the blank 10 has been rolled, the rolled condition can be fixed, for example, by arranging facing longitudinal edges 14 in an abutting relationship and joining them directly or by means of an additional connection means. It is also possible for the edges 14 to overlap for forming an overlapping region 12 essentially extending in the longitudinal direction 11 of the container and for the blank to be attached to itself directly via a connection of the outer layer 3 and the inner layer 5. Additionally, an adhesive can be possibly arranged in the overlapping region 12.

For forming the corresponding handle 24 according to Figure 4, the lower end sections 20 of the blank WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 can be pressed one to another and joined. This connection can be made simultaneously with the connection in the overlapping region 12. An upper end section of the blank 10, designated by serves as opening edge 8, after it has been bent or rolled to the outside, see Figures 1 and 2.

The represented embodiments according to Figures 1 and 4 are only exemplary and other container shapes are possible, such as containers with an inverted cone design compared to Figure 4, long stretched-out tubular containers, or the like. It is also possible for the corresponding transparent and fluid tight material for the container wall 6 only to be arranged at a circumferential section of the container wall in the longitudinal direction of the container 11, while the other sections of the container wall 6 are opaque. This corresponding transparent section can also be composed of several subsections spaced apart in the longitudinal direction 11 of the container, which are possibly out of line in the circumferential direction of the container 1. For a simplified manufacture of a corresponding container 1, it is, however, normally advantageous for the complete container wall 6 to be made of the corresponding transparent and fluid tight and possibly multilayer material. This in particular facilitates the arrangement of the print in the interior of the material of the container wall 6.

Figures 6 to 14 illustrate a further eight embodiments of a container according to the invention. Although in the embodiments an essentially conical container is illustrated, the arrangement of the control window or windows is just as possible for any other container according to the invention. The following containers differ in particular in the shape, arrangement and/or number of control windows so that, in particular, the latter are described in the following. The remaining details of the container 1 correspond to those of the above figures and descriptions.

In Figure 6 an essentially rectangular control window 27 is formed in the outer layer 3 of the container wall 6. This extends in the longitudinal direction of the container 1 between the lower end 9 and the opening edge 8. To the side adjacent to the control window 27 some filling markings 28 are shown dashed.

Figure 7 shows an oval control window with a longer axis in the longitudinal direction of the container 1.

The control window 27 is correspondingly surrounded by the outer layer 3 and is formed by one or more layers of transparent or translucent material.

In Figure 8 an oval control window 27 is arranged with its longer axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the container 1. A lid 21 is provided both with this container as well as with the container according to Figure 7. The lid 21 is inserted in both cases into the corresponding extraction opening 7 and it comprises a surrounding lid edge 32 along the opening edge 8. This lid edge 32 can be fixed to the WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 container wall 6 or at least detachably fixed near to the opening edge 8 to the rest of the container 1. A handle, see for example Figure 1, can protrude appropriately from the lid 21.

With the embodiment according to Figure 8 the opening edge 8, formed by an upper edge of the corresponding blank, see Figure 7, is folded inwards, whereby the lid edge 32 is arranged between this folded section 33 and the container wall and is held there.

In Figure 9 two oval control windows 27 are arranged one above the other according to Figure 8.

In Figure 10 square control windows 27 extend at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of the container 1.

In Figure 11 with a further embodiment, three rectangular control windows are aligned with their longer axes parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container 1.

With the above embodiments as also with the following embodiments it is in each case possible that further such control windows, also with other geometrical shapes and in other numbers, are arranged in the circumferential direction of the container. As an example the diagonally running square control windows 27 according to Figure 10 can be combined with the other square control windows 27 according to Figure 11. Further combinations of different geometrical shapes and numbers of control windows are obvious.

In Figures 12 and 13 a further embodiment is illustrated in two different side elevations. Here, it can be particularly seen that the corresponding control window 27 does not extend into the overlapping region 12 or to the opening edge 8. In this way it is ensured that both on one hand the connection of the container wall does not obstruct itself in the overlapping region 12 and is not obstructed for example by an opening edge of the control window and on the other hand a bent or rolled opening edge 8 can be prepared without further ado in the corresponding machines. Therefore the control windows also in the other embodiments do not extend to these regions.

In Figure 14 a further embodiment of a control window 27 is illustrated in which its longitudinal side runs parallel to the slope of the container wall 6. Also in this connection there is the possibility of combining this control window both with control windows of other geometrical shapes and with more such control windows. In addition there is the possibility of arranging a further control window 27 similar to the one in accordance with Figure 14 below the control window already illustrated. This can be arranged both in extension of the illustrated control window 27 as well as offset to it. In Figure 15 a section along the line WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 XV-XV from Figure 14 is illustrated. In this respect it can be particularly seen that the layer 4 in transparent or translucent material is arranged on an inner side of the layer 3 in opaque material. The arrangement can be effected both on the complete inner side of the layer 3 as well as only in the region of the corresponding control window 27. For example the attachment of the layers 3 and 4 can occur along the borders 30 of the control window 27 surrounded by the edges 29.

In Figure 16 a further example is illustrated of a two-dimensional blank 10, in particular for the containers according to Figures 6 to 15. The corresponding shape of the control window 27 corresponds to the embodiment according to Figures 12 and 13.

Also with this embodiment the layer 4 is formed from transparent or translucent material only in the region of the control window 27, whereby both exhibit essentially similar geometrical shapes and the layer 4 exhibits in each case somewhat larger dimensions than the corresponding control window 27. In this way fixing of the layer 4 along the borders 30 of the control window 27 is possible, whereby this control window 27 is bordered by the edges 29 of the layer 3.

In the following, the advantages according to the invention are again shortly summarized with respect to consumer-relevant and processing-relevant advantages.

One of the consumer-relevant advantages in accordance with the invention is that the corresponding container is characterised by some visual particularities. For example, the container can be produced in various shapes, such as oval, circular, approximately square or even polygonal as well as bean-shaped and the like. Due to the transparence in particular in the visible spectral region, the contents of the container are moreover also visible without having to open it. Both the filling level and the condition of the food can be checked in a simple manner. The various possibilities of the printing result in further visual advantages. The print can also have such a design that there is a glossy effect which particularly emphasizes the print optically. Moreover, the print can have a three-dimensional effect. It is possible to provide the complete container with a print except for at least one window. The print can be formed by a hologram which offers further optical advantages. Moreover, the print can at least partially become visible only after the food has been taken out, which makes it possible, for example, to inform the consumer about a prize he has won, or the like.

The consumer has a number of further functional advantages with the container according to the invention.

One of these advantages is the sealing of the container with respect to gaseous and/or liquid fluids. The eI WO 2005/012115 18 PCT/EP2004/006747 tightness of sealing relates to both a penetration and a leak of the corresponding fluid. One can also do without a corresponding fluid tightness, if the container is filled with in particular a dry food, the properties of which relevant for the consumption are not negatively influenced, for example, by an exchange of a gaseous fluid through the container wall. This means that this food is not affected, for example, by oxygen, carbon dioxide or the like and that it is still suitable to be consumed without restrictions.

Further advantages of the container according to the invention are its flexibility due to which the corresponding food can be pressed out of the container. Simultaneously, the container is nevertheless resistant enough to external actions to be impact resistant and shock-proof. That means, if the container falls down, it is not damaged and even sharper objects cannot easily push through it.

At the same time, the container is elastic, so that it takes on its original shape even after having been pressed. The tightness of the container is furthermore advantageous as fluid can neither penetrate nor leak.

The resistance of the container also applies to the connection of the individual layers, so that even an only partial detachment of one layer is prevented. Altogether, the container is excellently suitable for storing food, without the properties thereof being negatively influenced by external actions or by materials of the container with respect to the consumption of the food. The dimensional stability of the container is selected such that it is flexible yet automatically takes on its original shape and also maintains its predetermined shape and its other properties in particular in the deformed areas of the container, such as the edge or bonded layers.

The print, too, is designed and arranged not to negatively influence the properties of the food or not to be removed from the container easily in any way by rubbing it off or the like. At the same time, the container is made of a material which offers a pleasant feeling to the hand even with cooled or heated food.

Apart from this plurality of consumer-relevant advantages, there is a similar number of processingrelevant advantages.

The ease of sealing the container according to the invention during its manufacture is an advantage which is in particular important for the bonded parts of the blank. However, the container is not only tight in these bonded areas, but also due to the materials of the container. Moreover, the container is appropriate for being printed or provided with a print in a simple manner, a number of possibilities for attaching the print onto one or more layers of the material being available.

WO 2005/012115 PCT/EP2004/006747 Due to the even surface of the blank, the same can be easily processed and transported. In spite of the flexibility of the container material, it can be shaped and maintains its shape in the areas shaped as desired, such as for example in the edge region of the extraction opening, even when the same only comprises one opening edge formed by an upper, free edge of its blank. This dimensional stability furthermore comes in useful for the joint or bonded areas of the container, which also maintain their shape corresponding to the cross-section of the container. This results in a simplification of the further processing or filling of the container, as the same always maintains its originally intended shape due to its dimensional stability and as, for example, an originally intended circular shape does not change into an oval or even flatter shape in the course of time.

This dimensional stability and a corresponding shaping of the container moreover result in a good stackability and unstackability which is also advantageous in terms of production and transport.

The container sealing is important for charging the corresponding food as both during the charging and the later transport there is no risk of a penetration or leak of a corresponding fluid.

It is furthermore advantageous that the container is resistant to both lower and higher temperatures with respect to its properties and its shape. That means that, for example, a food can be charged and subsequently cooled without the properties being changed, such as sealing, flexibility, dimensional stability, transparence, or the like. This is analogously true for elevated temperatures, which are, for example, advantageous for sterilizing the container. Moreover, correspondingly high temperatures can also occur if the container is used for consuming a heated food.

Finally, another processing-relevant advantage is that the container can be easily tightly closed by a lid which can be in particular placed upon the extraction opening and tightly connected with the corresponding opening edge.

The control windows facilitate a view into the container interior and can be arranged in an optically advantageous manner in various shapes and in various numbers.

Claims

1. A food or beverage container having a container wall of generally cylindrical or Ctruncated conical shape and having an opening at an upper end thereof and a closed lower end, the container wall being formed of a two dimensional blank connected to itself at opposite ends of the blank, and the upper end of the container wall having a rolled or bent edge forming the container opening, Swherein the container wall is comprised of a transparent or translucent fluid impervious material which is functionally and structurally stable across a temperature range from -500C to +120 0 C.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the blank is comprised of plastics material.

3. Container according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the plastics material is formed from polypropylene polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene polyamide polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or the like.

4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material is provided with a coat of lacquer on one or both sides.

Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container wall is flexible. 005451417 00oO 5

6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection of the blank to itself is prepared by heat and/or pressure. S

7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, Cc, wherein the connection of the blank with itself is formed along an overlapping region Sextending in the longitudinal direction of the container.

8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection of the blank to itself occurs at least along the edges arranged for abutment.

9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edge forming the container opening is bent or rolled round without the material changing its properties.

10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rolled or bent edge forming the container opening is formed by an upper edge of the blank

11. Container according to one of the preceding claims, 005451417 \O \O 003 wherein the container wall comprises two or more sheets each of the sheets being transparent.

12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer sheet is formed from PP, oriented PP (coextruded or lacquered), polyethylene PET, PET (lacquered), PA, oriented PA (lacquered), or the like.

13. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner sheet is formed from PP, PVC, PS, PA, PET, or the like.

14. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheets are laminated.

Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two or more sheets are coextruded.

16. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein unshaped blank is strictly two-dimensional to be processed more easily. 005451417 oo 5

17. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material is mechanically resistant.

18. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two or more layers are joined in a permanent perfect junction.

19. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the sheets in particular a central sheet, is an elastic, yet permanently ductile and after shaping the functionally and structurally stable sheet.

20. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one inner sheet is fluid impervious and one of the further sheets is gas impervious.

21. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein outer and/or inner sheets are formed as connection sheets at least in the overlapping region.

22. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein 005451417 oo 5 edges of the sheets are fluid impervious. 0

23. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein Sat least one of the sheets is provided with a print.

24. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the print is resistant to rubbing.

Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the print is provided on an inner side of the outer sheet and/or an outer side and/or an inner side of the central sheet and/or an outer side of the inner sheet.

26. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for generation of heat for the connection in the overlapping region, at least one of the sheets is ultrasonically absorbent.

27. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the print is printed before the sheets are laminated.

28. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein 005451417 oo 5 at least one of the sheets is a laminate.

29. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein Sthe closed end is formed by connecting lower end sections of the wall.

Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closed end comprises a bottom insert.

31. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom insert is formed from a transparent material.

32. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material is coloured.

33. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the print is printed on an outer side of the container in the case of a one-layer material.

34. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein 005451417 26a oo 5 the print is printed onto an outer side of the container in case of a multilayer, PE- based material, which is prepared by coextrusion. S

35. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein \O q the material is impact resistant and/or resistant to puncturing. N 10

36. Container according to one of the preceding claims, Swherein the container has a circular, approximately quadrangular, square, oval, bean- shaped or approximately polygonal cross-section.

37. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the print has a three-dimensional effect.

38. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the print is or has a hologram.

39. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the print leaves open a control window on the wall. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein 005451417 26b oo 5 the print is only visible after food or beverage has been taken out at least partially.

S

41. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge forming the container opening is bent to the outside at an angle of 900 or more relative to the rest of the container wall.

42. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rolled or bent edge forming the container opening is partially and/or in places continuously formed.

43. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container can be stacked and unstacked.

44. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one sheet is formed as a thermally insulating sheet.

Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the sheets, in particular the outer layer, is formed opaque, and at least one other sheet is formed from a transparent or translucent material. 005451417 26c

46. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet or sheets of transparent or translucent material are connected to the opaque sheet or sheets over their complete inner side.

47. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one side of the opaque sheet is metallised.

48. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container wall comprises at least one control window of only the transparent or translucent sheet or sheets outside of the overlapping region and/or of the edge forming the container opening which is surrounded by the opaque sheet or sheets.

49. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheets are connected together by means of an adhesive.

Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet is formed from transparent or opaque material essentially geometrically similar to the control window and is attached along edges of the control window to the opaque sheet. 005451417 26d oo 5

51. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container wall is formed essentially from a sheet of in particular polypropylene or polyethylene. ici

52. Blank for the manufacture of a container according to one of the preceding \C 10 claims.

53. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings 1-16.

54. Blank for manufacture of a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings 1-16.