BE1026331B1 - A CARTON PACKAGING INCLUDING ONE OR MULTIPLE CHOCOLATE TABLETS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cardboard package comprising one or more individually packaged chocolate tablets, wherein the package is formed by a blank comprising a main surface and two pairs of opposite side surfaces, which side surfaces connect to the main surface by means of folding lines, and wherein a first side surface comprises a folding line borders on a first closing surface comprising attachment parts and a closing part with a closing tip wherein the attachment parts are separable from the closing part by means of tear lines; and a second side surface adjacent a second closing surface by means of a folding line, comprising a closing cut for receiving the closing tip of the first closing surface, and wherein the attachment parts in the package are connected to the second closing surface by means of an adhesive connection; wherein the second pair of opposite side surfaces adjoin corresponding closing lips by means of perforation lines, and wherein at least one of the closing lips in the package is connected to the second closing surface by means of an adhesive connection.

Description

A CARTON PACKAGING INCLUDING ONE OR MULTIPLE CHOCOLATE TABLETS

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

The invention relates to a cardboard package comprising one or more individually packaged chocolate tablets. In a second aspect, the invention relates to the individually packaged chocolate tablets contained in the cardboard package.

BACKGROUND ART

Packaging has an important function in the food industry. On the one hand, the packaging protects the product against damage during transport and display of the product. On the other hand, the packaging is also used to make the product visually attractive. With chocolate products, the packaging is designed in such a way that the chocolate products come into their own and that the overall picture is striking and inviting for the consumer. In addition, it is also important to make the packaging of the chocolate product user-friendly, more specifically that the packaging can be opened and closed several times in a quick and easy way without damaging the packaging.

DE 101 029 59 describes a paper wrapper for rectangular chocolate tablets, wherein the chocolate tablet is provided with recesses or grooves that define smaller pieces of chocolate. The paper wrapper comprises the chocolate tablet in an envelope-like manner with at least two of the folding flaps attached to each other. However, to remove the chocolate tablet, the package must be fully opened and fully folded again upon closing. As a result, the visual appearance of the paper deteriorates the more often it is opened and closed. In addition, the chocolate tablet also consists of one whole, and the tablet must be broken to consume a smaller portion.

GB 780 412 describes a wrapper suitable for wrapping a tablet-shaped product, such as a chocolate tablet. The wrapper comprises two folded parts that are adapted to overlap each other at the rear of the chocolate product. The upper folded portion has an adhesive-covered zone adapted to be adhered to the other folded portion below. The

BE2018 / 5851 boundary line of the adhesive-covered zone is formed at least partially by perforations, so that the adhesive-covered zone can be detached from the lower folded portion along the perforations to release the upper folded portion. Since only a portion of the lower folded portion is torn off, the package can be reused when only a portion of the tablet has been withdrawn to completely enclose the rest of the tablet. However, the wrapper cannot be closed again. In addition, repositioning the chocolate product is also difficult because material is present in the folds connecting the upper folded portion with side flaps extending below the lower folded portion.

EP 203 091 3 describes a package for a plate-shaped product with a movable closure part, the part being movable between an open and a closed position after the tearing of a tear line. Opening the package by means of a straight tear line can damage the package when opened.

The above documents always describe a package for a tablet-shaped product, whereby the package visually deteriorates after opening and closing. In addition, the entire tablet form must also be removed from the packaging. The tablet form is too large for a single consumption and still needs to be broken into smaller portions. There is therefore a need for a chocolate tablet package that allows to open the package several times in a quick and easy way, remove the tablet, possibly reposition the remaining tablets in the package and close the package in such a way that it visual appearance of the package is at least damaged.

The present invention aims at least to find a solution for some of the above problems or disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a cardboard package comprising one or more individually packaged chocolate tablets according to claim 1. Preferred forms of the package are shown in claims 2 to 9.

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The cardboard package according to the present invention makes it possible to open the package several times in an easy and fast manner without damaging the package. The consumer has the choice to remove the chocolate tablet by folding open a side face of the package or using a closing tip that becomes a curved tear line.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to an individually packaged chocolate tablet according to claim 10. Preferred forms of the chocolate tablet are described in the subclaims 11 to 14.

The portion size of the chocolate tablet is checked by offering smaller portions to the consumer who are individually packaged.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings of an arbitrary exemplary embodiment, to which the invention is not limited.

Figure 1 shows a blank for an embodiment of the cardboard package of the present invention.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c show the successive phases of folding the blank of Figure 1 into the cardboard package.

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c show an open and closed form of the package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art of the invention. For a better assessment of the description of the invention, the following terms are explicitly explained.

A, the and the reference in this document to both the singular and the plural unless the context clearly presupposes otherwise. For example, a segment means one or more than one segment.

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When approximately or around in this document is used with a measurable quantity, a parameter, a duration or moment, and the like, variations are meant of +/- 20% or less, preferably +/- 10% or less, more at preferably +/- 5% or less, even more preferably +/- 1% or less, and even more preferably +/- 0.1% or less than and of the quoted value, insofar as such variations apply in the described invention. However, it must be understood that the value of the quantity at which the term is used approximately or around is itself specifically disclosed.

The terms include, comprising, consisting of, provided with, containing, containing, contents, including its synonyms and its inclusive or open terms indicating the presence of what follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps, known from or described in the prior art.

The citation of numerical intervals by the end points includes all integers, fractions and / or real numbers between the end points, including these end points.

The term folding line in the present invention refers to a line that is folded upon folding the blank into a box-shaped package. The folding line in the invention below can also include a crease line.

The term perforation line in the present invention refers to a line that is partially incised, such that the incised and non-incised zones alternate. A perforation line ensures a less rigid line, making the adjacent surfaces more movable.

In the present invention, the term tear line also refers to a line that is partially incised, such that the incised and uncut areas alternate and such that this line can be easily torn.

The term airtight film in the present invention refers to a film that completely or substantially completely blocks the penetration of air through the material of the film.

In a first aspect the invention relates to a cardboard package comprising one or more individually packaged chocolate tablets, wherein the cardboard

BE2018 / 5851 package is formed by a blank comprising a main surface, a first pair and second pair of opposite side surfaces, which side surfaces connect to the main surface by means of fold lines, and wherein a first side surface of the first pair of side surfaces is adjacent a first line closing surface comprising attachment parts and a closing part with a closing tip, the attachment parts being separable from the closing part by means of tear lines; and a second side surface of the first pair of side surfaces borders a second closing surface by means of a folding line, comprising a closing cut for receiving the closing tip of the first closing surface, and wherein the attachment parts in the package are connected to the second closing surface by means of an adhesive connection; wherein the second pair of opposite side surfaces adjoin corresponding closing lips by means of perforation lines, and wherein at least one of the closing lips in the package is connected to the second closing surface by means of an adhesive connection.

The cardboard package according to the present invention is a user-friendly package, since it can be opened and closed several times in a simple and smooth manner. With this operation the visual appearance of the package is not damaged and the overall picture remains attractive and striking. A permanently attractive looking packaging is linked by the consumer to a good quality of the packaging, which is also unknowingly linked to the quality of the product in the packaging and thus stimulates the consumer to continue to buy the product.

The package according to the present invention contains one or more individually packaged chocolate tablets. The proportioning of the chocolate tablet facilitates the consumption of the tablet. The consumer no longer needs to remove the entire chocolate tablet from the package to break a piece of the chocolate tablet, so that the consumer no longer smears the hands with chocolate and creates chocolate chips when breaking the chocolate tablet.

The cardboard package of the present invention is made of cardboard with a thickness between 0.3 and 0.4 mm, which offers strength, as a result of which the package is less easily damaged during use and the chocolate tablets are protected. The package can be opened by tearing the tear line by pulling the closing tip in an upward movement. The package can also be opened by pulling a closing lip that is not connected via an adhesive connection to an attachment part from the package.

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According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fiber direction extends between the closing faces.

The fiber direction runs transversely to the direction of the folding lines connecting the first pair of side faces to the main face. The direction of the fiber direction ensures that the package retains its strength during opening and closing. In addition, the fiber direction also ensures that the opening and closing of the package is done in a smooth and efficient manner.

According to a further embodiment, the package comprises two symmetrical attachment parts, between which the closing part is arranged with the closing tip.

The central positioning of the closing tip between two symmetrical attachment parts ensures that the package can be opened more quickly. Both initial parts are simultaneously detached from the closing part upon initial opening of the package when lifting the closing tip. The two symmetrical attachment parts also visually lead the consumer to the closing tip, with which the package can be opened.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closure member connects to the attachment members by means of concave tear lines.

The concave tear lines facilitate tearing of the package along the tear lines due to the smooth curve.

According to an embodiment, the concave tear lines terminate in a curved cutting line that delimits the closing tip.

The point where this cut line has a maximum curvature is the point where the curvature changes from convex to concave.

The curvature of the tear lines and the curvature of the closing tip merge with one another, the distance from the central point of the intersection of the closing tip to the central point of the folding line, which is the second closing surface and a side surface of the first pair side surfaces is minimal. The convex curved closing tip

BE2018 / 5851 makes it easy to take hold of the closing part of the package and to pull it open without damaging the package.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the closing tip comprises a rounded tip.

The rounded tip is easier to handle when opening and closing the package. A rounded tip is also less likely to be damaged with frequent use due to the absence of vulnerable corners.

According to an embodiment, the closing cut comprises a perforation suitable for receiving the closing tip.

The perforation is preferably a semicircle opened downwards in relation to the closing cut. The perforation ensures that the package can be closed again simply and quickly, since the closing tip can easily be placed in the closing cut through the perforation, wherein the closing tip is subsequently locked in the closing cut.

According to an embodiment, the closing lips are provided with a glue zone for entering into a glue connection with the second closing surface, in the folded state of the blank into box-shaped packaging.

The glue zone of the package according to the present invention preferably contains no lacquer so that the glue can adhere to the package and guarantees a permanent seal at the level of the glue connection in the folded condition of the blank to the box-shaped package. Both closing lips are provided with a glue zone. According to an embodiment, neither of the two closing lips are provided with an adhesive connection. According to another embodiment, at least one closing lip is provided with an adhesive connection. The first closing lip is preferably provided with an adhesive connection. The adhesive connection between the first closing lip and the second closing surface gives the package sufficient strength with an open and closed package. This embodiment allows the package to be opened both via the closing tip and via the second closing lip without damaging the package and maintaining the rigidity of the package.

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According to a further embodiment, the second closing surface is provided with glue zones for entering into a glue connection with the attachment parts, in the folded state of the blank into box-shaped packaging.

The glue zones provided on the second closing surface also preferably contain no lacquer. The glue zones are provided for connecting the attachment parts of the first closing surface to the second closing surface by means of an adhesive connection in the folded state. When the package is opened, the attachment parts will continue to adhere to the second closing surface by means of the glue connection, and will be detached from the closing part by tearing the tear lines upon opening. The glue connection is not broken during the opening of the package, so that the shape and strength of the package is retained.

According to another embodiment, the second closing surface is provided with lateral recesses.

The glue zones of the closing lips come in a folded state from the blank to box-shaped packaging in line with the glue zones provided on the second closing surface. Consequently, the closing lips and the second closing surface come to lie in the same plane. A glue connection is preferably provided on the glue zones of the second closing surface and the closing lips in order to make a connection with the attachment parts of the first closing surface. According to an embodiment a glue connection is provided on the glue zones of the second closing surface. According to another embodiment, an adhesive connection is provided on the adhesive zones of the second closing surface and at least one closing lip. The closing lip that is not provided with an adhesive connection is hereby removed from the package in a simple and quick manner and attached again without damaging the package.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to an individually packaged chocolate tablet, wherein the chocolate tablet is packaged in an airtight foil provided with an opening draw ribbon, the percentage of air within the foil comprising no more than 5 volume percent of the total content of the foil.

Preferably the film is approximately 10 to 100 μm thick. The dimensions of the foil will be chosen so that they are suitable for containing the chocolate tablet. The foil is wrapped around one of the two longitudinal sides of the chocolate tablet and sealed along the transverse sides in the

BE2018 / 5851 width direction of the chocolate tablet. The seal may be, for example, a heat seal, cold seal, ultrasonic seal, laser seal, etc. Preferably the seal comprises a heat seal. The free ends of the foil are folded and attached to the underside of the wrapped chocolate tablet with the help of a lacquer that leaves no glue residue on the package.

The chocolate tablet is packaged in an airtight foil, preferably the chocolate tablet is hermetically packaged. The foil protects the chocolate tablet when handling the chocolate tablets. Furthermore, this hermetically packaged chocolate tablet is protected against infestation by flies, moths, or other insect pests in the diet. Such a package offers the advantage that these products are suitable for export. In addition to the user-friendly cardboard package according to the present invention, the foil comprising a chocolate tablet is provided with an open-pull ribbon, whereby the consumer can open the package in a simple and fast manner.

According to one embodiment, the individually packaged chocolate tablet is a full tablet. The full tablet can include black chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate, as well as any combination thereof.

According to another embodiment, the individually packaged chocolate tablet comprises a filling and a chocolate casing comprising the filling.

This filling may comprise any filling as known by a person skilled in the art, such as a truffle filling, caramel filling, cappuccino cream filling, fruit ganache filling or vanilla cream filling, etc. and may optionally comprise a roasted hazelnut or a crispy biscuit. More particularly, this filling will include hazelnuts or hazelnut derivatives. By derivatives is meant processed hazelnuts in the present invention (such as sugared, roasted, caramelized), hazelnut particles, hazelnut paste, etc.).

The chocolate wrapper can include black chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate, as well as any combination thereof. Furthermore, the chocolate shell can also be covered with extra elements, such as chocolate chips, cocoa powder, ground nuts, etc.

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According to one embodiment, the individually packaged chocolate tablet weighs about 20 to 30 grams, preferably 25 grams.

Such a portion gives the consumer a sense of satiety when consuming the chocolate tablet. Offering a controlled portion size also contributes to consumer health.

According to a preferred embodiment, four individually packaged chocolate tablets according to the present invention are included in the cardboard package according to the present invention.

The combination of the cardboard package and the individually packaged in an airtight film according to the present invention provides a user-friendly package, since it can be opened in an easy and fast manner. In addition, several smaller portions of chocolate are offered in a tablet form, allowing the consumer to consume a quick bite in between. Several individually packaged chocolate tablets can also be stored in the packaging, which simplifies the transport of individually packaged confectionery.

In the following, the invention is described a.d.h.v. non-limiting figures illustrating the invention, and which are not intended or may be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.

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FIGURE DESCRIPTION

1 main plane 2a, 2b first pair of side faces 3a, 3b second pair of side faces 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4th, 4f folding lines 5 first closing surface 6a, 6b attachment parts 7 closing part 8 closing tip 9 second closing surface 10 closing cut 11a, 11b perforation lines 12a, 12b closing lips 13a, 13b tear lines 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d glue zones 15 chocolate tablet

Figure 1 shows a blank of the present invention. The blank comprises a main surface (1), the main surface (1) being connected via folding lines (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) to a first (2a, 2b) and second (3a, 3b) pair of corresponding side surfaces. The side faces form the upright sides of the package in a folded state. According to an embodiment, the folding lines (4a, 4b) extend along the opposite short sides of the main surface (1). The folding lines (4c, 4d) extend along the opposite long sides of the main surface (1). The folding lines (4a, 4b) provide a connection to the second pair of side faces (3a, 3b). Furthermore, these side surfaces (3a, 3b) connect to corresponding closing lips (12a, 12b) by means of perforation lines. The folding lines (4c, 4d) provide a connection to the first pair of side faces (2a, 2b). The first side face of the first pair of side faces (2a) is connected to the second closing face (9) via a fold line (4f). The second closing surface comprises a closing cut (10) for receiving the closing tip in the folded state from the blank to the box-shaped package. The second side face of the first pair of side faces (2b) is connected to the first closing face (5) via a fold line (4e). The first closing surface (5) comprises a tear line, with preferably a first and a second tear line part (13a, 13b). The tear line separates the first closing surface into a closing part (7) provided with a closing tip (8), and attachment parts (6a, 6b).

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The cardboard package is constructed by the first pair of side faces (2a, 2b) in an upward direction along the opposite fold lines (4c, 4d) and the second pair of side faces (3a, 3b) in an upward direction along the opposite fold lines (4a, 4b). Subsequently, the closing lips (12a, 12b) are folded along the perforation lines (11a, 11b) relative to the second pair of side surfaces (3a, 3b), in an inward direction of the main surface (1) to run along the main surface (1) . The second closing surface (9) is folded along the folding line (4f) relative to the first side surface of the first pair of side surfaces (2a), in an inward direction of the package to run along the main surface (1). By folding, the second closing surface (9) is provided with recesses positioned in the same plane as the closing lips (12a, 12b), whereby the glue zones of the second closing surface (14a, 14b) and the glue zones of the closing lips (14c, 14d) lying next to each other. A possible glue connection can be provided at the glue zones (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d). Finally, the first closing surface (5) is folded along the folding line (4e) to the closing lips (12a, 12b) and the second closing surface (9) such that the first closing surface (5) extends along the main surface (1) and the underside of the attachment parts (6a, 6b) make a connection with the top side of the closing lips (12a, 12b) and the second closing surface (9), by means of an adhesive connection between the attachment parts (6a, 6b) and the glue zones (14a, 14b , 14c, 14d). According to an embodiment, only the glue zones (14a, 14b) of the second closing surface (9) are provided with a glue connection to make a connection with the attachment parts (6a, 6b) of the first closing surface (5). glue zones (14a, 14b, 14c) provided with an adhesive connection to make a connection with the attachment parts (6a, 6b) of the first closing surface (5). Figure 2c shows the closed package for opening the package.

The package is opened by grasping the closing tip (8) and tearing off the closing part (7) in an upward movement from the attachment parts (6a, 6b) by means of the tear line parts (13a, 13b). Consequently, the closing member (7) comprising the closing tip (8) is movable between an open position and a closed position, which is shown in Figures 3a and 3b, respectively. The closing tabs remain in the folded form and hold the chocolate tablets in place in the package. A tablet in the package can be removed by sliding it along the second pair of side faces (12a, 12b). The chocolate tablet (15) can be removed from the packaging quickly and easily, without the packaging or the

BE2018 / 5851 foil that wraps around the chocolate tablet (15). The package can also be opened by folding the closing lip (12b) out of the box-shaped package, as shown in figure 3c. Again, the package or foil that wraps the chocolate tablet (15) is not damaged when removing or repositioning the chocolate tablets (15).

Claims (14)

CONCLUSIONS A cardboard package comprising one or more individually packaged chocolate tablets (15), the package being formed by a blank comprising a main surface (1), a first pair (2a, 2b) and second pair (3a, 3b) opposite side surfaces, which side surfaces connect to the main surface by means of folding lines (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), and wherein a first side surface of the first pair of side surfaces (2b) borders a first closing surface (5) comprising attachment parts (5) by means of a folding line (4e) 6a, 6b) and a closing part (7) with a closing tip (8), wherein the attachment parts are separable from the closing part by means of tear lines (13a, 13b); and a second side face of the first pair of side faces (2a) borders a second closing face (9) by means of a folding line (4f), comprising a closing cut (10) for receiving the closing tip of the first closing face, and wherein the attachment parts the package are connected to the second closing surface by means of an adhesive connection, characterized in that the second pair of opposite side surfaces are adjacent perforated lines (11a, 11b) to corresponding closing lips (12a, 12b), and wherein at least one of the closing lips in the packaging is connected to the second closing surface by means of an adhesive connection. 2. Packaging as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a fiber direction of the blank extends between the closing surfaces. 3. Packaging as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the attachment parts are two symmetrical attachment parts, between which the closing part is arranged with the closing tip. 4. Packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-3, characterized in that the closing part connects to the attachment parts by means of concave tear lines. A package according to 4, characterized in that the concave tear lines open into a curved cutting line that delimits the closing tip. 6. Packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-5, characterized in that the closing tip comprises a rounded tip. BE2018 / 5851 7. Packaging as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-6, characterized in that the closing cut comprises a perforation suitable for receiving the closing tip. A package according to any one of the preceding claims 1-7, characterized in that the closing lips are provided with an adhesive zone (14c, 14d) for entering into an adhesive connection with the second closing surface, in folded condition of the blank into a box-shaped package . A package according to any one of the preceding claims 1-8, characterized in that the second closing surface is provided with glue zones (14a, 14b) for entering into an adhesive connection with the attachment parts, in the folded state of the blank to box-shaped package. An individually packaged chocolate tablet, wherein the chocolate tablet is packaged in an airtight foil provided with an open-pull ribbon, characterized in that the percentage of air within the foil does not comprise more than 5 volume percent of the total content of the foil . Individually packaged chocolate tablet according to claim 10, characterized in that the chocolate tablet is a full tablet. An individually packaged chocolate tablet according to claim 10, characterized in that the chocolate tablet comprises a filling and a chocolate casing. Individually packaged chocolate tablet according to any of the preceding claims 10-12, characterized in that the chocolate tablet weighs approximately 20 to 30 grams, preferably 25 grams. An individually packaged chocolate tablet according to any one of the preceding claims 10-13, characterized in that four individually packaged chocolate tablets are included in the cardboard package according to any one of the preceding claims 1-9.