Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a packaging for a food product such as for example an ice-cream product as well as to a food product enclosed in such a packaging and suitable for on the go consumption.

Background of the invention

Packages for food products are well known from the prior art and primarily serve the purpose of providing a container or packaging means for safe and hygienic transport of the product. In addition, conserving the freshness and taste of the packed product is another aim of these packages .

An additional purpose of the package is to provide consumer information such as the name of the product and the contained ingredients thereof.

Such food products can be wrapped by means of flow wrapping as described in WO 2006/100084 Al such that a longitudinal sealing seam and two transversal sealing seams can be provided at the side portions of the product to effectively seal the packaging. Thereby, two peripheral strips which have different widths are folded on top of each other on the external side of the packaging. The folded strips are then adhered to the external side of the packaging by means of a cold-bonding agent. The invention particularly deals with the field of ice-cream products which are meant to be consumed directly from the packaging, i.e. by at least partially opening the provided packaging . EP 0633861 relates to a thermoweldable packaging material which is preformed and used as a mould for an ice cream which is dosed directly into the packaging. Thereby, the packaging comprises an upper and a lower portion which serve to lock the packaging material respectively to provide a gripping element for the solidified ice-cream which is already part of the mould.

In view of the prior art, it is desirable to provide an appealing and enhanced packaging which is easy to open and hold for the consumer. At the same time, a package is sought-after which provides a mess-free, intuitive opening and consumption of the enclosed product.

Furthermore, it is desired to provide a package that can be easily produced in mass production and that comprises enhanced storage and transport properties.

The present invention seeks to address the above-described problems. The invention also aims at other objects and particularly the solution of other problems as will appear in the rest of the present description. Object and summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a packaging for a food product such as for example an ice-cream product, the packaging being of a foldable material and of substantially rectangular shape, wherein the packaging is folded around the food product and comprises an upper and a lower part connected by dedicated connection means, and wherein the packaging further comprises two flap members connected to the lower part of the packaging, which are designed for being selectively folded from an initial storing position, in which the flap members are positioned adjacent to two opposite side surfaces of the packaging, to an extended holding position.

With a packaging according to the present invention, a food product such as an ice-cream product can be effectively protected against environmental influences during transport and storage of the food product. At the same time, the opening characteristic of the packaging is enhanced due to the two flap members connected to a lower portion of the packaging and which may be selectively folded from the initial storing position to the extended holding position. Thereby, in the extended holding position, the consumer may hold respectively grip the flap members of the packaging between two fingers and then open the packaging at the dedicated connection means. After removal of the connection means, the consumer may remove the upper part of the packaging and consumer respectively enjoy the food product while holding the extended flap members which support the food product by means of the remaining lower part of the packaging .

The flap members thus constitute handle means of the packaging in the extended holding position, which preferably extend from the lower part of the packaging to a larger extent than the height h2 of said lower part of the packaging . Hence, in the initial storing position, the flap members extend from the lower part of the packaging to the upper part of the packaging connected to said lower part by means of the connection means. Accordingly, the flap members are preferably designed to provide an additional member supporting the connection of the upper and lower part of the packaging .

Thereby, the flap members are preferably connected to the respective side surface of the packaging. The connection between the flap members and the respective side surfaces is preferably a releasable connection. Accordingly, the flap members may be easily disconnected from the side surfaces by pulling or tearing the flap members from the respective side surfaces. In particular, the flap members may be heat- sealed, thermo-welded or cold-sealed to the respective side surfaces of the packaging.

The flap members are preferably arranged so as to cover the connection means of the packaging connecting the lower and upper part of the packaging in their initial storing position. In particular, the flap members may cover a central portion of the connection means on each side surface at which the flap members are positioned. Accordingly, the consumer will have to first bring the flap members from their initial storing position to their extended holding position, which is preferably obtained by unfolding the flap members about the packaging, before being able to detach or disconnect the connection means between upper and lower part of the packaging. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flap members are connected to two parallel edges of the packaging by means of a respective end portion thereof. The two parallel edges of the packaging are preferably the two longitudinal edges of a bottom portion of the lower part of the packaging.

The flap members are preferably arranged to protrude from a centre lower portion of each of the side surfaces of the packaging to which the flap members are connected. The flap members are preferably designed to extend to the same length 1 from the lower part of the packaging.

In another preferred embodiment, the flap portions are protruding from the lower part of the packaging to different extents.

In their extended holding position, the flap members constitute handle means of essentially triangular shape together with the bottom portion of the packaging when seen in sideview. Thereby, the flap members constituting the handle means of the packaging are preferably spaced apart at their ends connected to the lower part of the packaging by means of the width of the bottom portion of the packaging.

According to the invention, an intuitive opening of the packaging is enabled since the two overlapping flap portions effectively suggest the opening mechanism of the packaging to a consumer. In addition, the flap members may further comprise a tab member or any other dedicated means for facilitating the removal of the flap member from the side surfaces of the packaging.

The lower part of the packaging preferably comprises means for connecting to the food product enclosed by the packaging. The lower part may e.g. be provided with an inner rim or support portion being shaped so as to enclose or surround a lower portion of the food product situated within the packaging. Accordingly, the support of the food product within the packaging is enhanced. In a preferred embodiment, the lower part of the packaging comprises an essentially tray-shaped form designed for holding the food product. The lower part of the packaging is further void of any apertures, holes or slots. Accordingly, during consumption of the food product, a consumer is prevented from portions or pieces of the food product rinsing down onto his/her hand and thus a mess-free consumption of the product by the consumer is enabled.

The packaging according to the invention is preferably made from cardboard. Moreover, the packaging is preferably made from one single integral piece of material.

In a preferred embodiment, an integral piece of cardboard may be provided which may be manufactured at relatively low cost in mass-production and which may subsequently be folded about the food product.

The packaging material may further include an inner surface made from or coated with foil, aluminium or plastic material generally known in the packaging industry.

The packaging is preferably of essentially rectangular form, squared or block shaped in the initial storing position. Hence, the transport and storage of the product is facilitated, as the packaging may easily be stacked in dedicated containers. Thereby, as the flap members are positioned adjacent to the side surfaces of the packaging, the necessary storing and transport space is minimized.

The flap members according to the invention may further comprise grip elements integrally formed with the flap members or provided as additional element to the flap members .

The grip elements may comprise a surface modulation of the flap members such as e.g. embossments. The grip elements may further comprise a pattern of holes or apertures.

Alternatively or in addition, the grip elements may comprise material adhered onto the flap members. Thereby, the material of the grip elements is preferably different to the packaging material. Such a material may be for example a specific coating applied to the flap members in order to further enhance the handling thereof. The coating may be applied to one or both of the flap members. Preferably, the material of the grip elements is designed to provide a surface texture with enhanced friction properties.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for packing a food product such as for example an ice-cream product by means of a packaging as described here-above, said method comprising the steps of: a) placing the food product on an inner surface of the packaging,

b) folding the packaging around edges of the food product and connecting dedicated connection means of the packaging to enclose the food product in the packaging, c) folding flap members extending from a lower part of the packaging around the packaging to an initial storing position such that they are positioned adjacent two opposite side surfaces of the packaging.

After folding the flap members to the initial storing position adjacent the side surfaces of the packaging, the flap members are preferably connected to said side surfaces. Thereby, the connection is chosen such that a consumer may easily detach the flap members from the side surfaces of the packaging in order to fold the flap members into the extended holding position. The connection means by means of which the packaging is connected to enclose the food product are preferably gussets integrally formed with the packaging. The gussets are preferably connected to each other or respective inside surfaces of the packaging by heat-sealing or thermo-welding .

The packaging is preferably folded about the food product in its frozen or chilled state. It is noted that food product contained in the packaging is preferably an ice-cream product. Thereby, the term "ice cream product" according to the invention encompasses any iced or frozen product such as e.g. iced or frozen confectionary, chilled dairy confectionary, ice lolly, ice cream, milk ice, frozen yoghurt or sherbet.

The food product enclosed by the packaging is preferably of essentially rectangular form or block-shaped. It should be understood that the packaging and the method for packing according to the present invention are not limited to be applied to block-shaped food products but can be applied to any food product of different shape. Moreover, more than one food products may be packed within the packaging according to the present invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent for the skilled person when reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, when taking in conjunction with the figures of the enclosed drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a single piece of material from which the packaging according to the invention is folded.

Fig. 2a - 2g shows a preferred embodiment of a packaging according to the invention when being brought from its initial storing position to its extended holding position and to a state in which the product enclosed by the packaging may be consumed by the user.

Detailed description of embodiments

Figure 1 relates to a preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention in its unfolded state. The packaging as shown in fig. 1 is preferably made from paper or cardboard. Thereby, the form as shown in said figure is preferably punched and/or cut from a continuous supply or web of material. The paper may be plastic-coated, provided with a coating of metal or any other layer suitable for providing the paper cardboard to be essentially impermeable.

The packaging 10 comprises a front and back surface 10a, 10b which are of rectangular or squared shape. Side surfaces 13a, 13b are extending from the front and back surfaces 10a, 10b. Dedicated fold lines are arranged between the respective parts of the packaging.

The packaging further comprises a bottom surface 10c and a top surface lOd.

The packaging 10 further comprises an upper part 1 and a lower part 2 preferably formed from an integral piece of material and connected by dedicated connection means 3. The connection means 3 is preferably a zip respectively tear element which is integrally formed with the piece of material from which the packaging is formed. Thereby, the connection means is preferably a tear strap made from cardboard or paper which connects the upper and lower part 1,2 of the packaging by means of tear lines 7a, 7b.

The connection means 3 further comprise a tear-off tab 3a connected to at least one end portion of the connection means 3.

Accordingly, in the assembled state of the packaging, the user is enabled to separate the upper and lower part 1,2 of the packaging by removing the connection means 3 connected said upper and lower part 1,2.

The packaging further comprises flap members 4,5 connected to the lower part 2 of the packaging. Thereby, the flap members 4,5 are preferably connected to the front and back surfaces 10a, 10b by means of at least an end portion 4a, 5a thereof. The flap members 4,5 are preferably extending to a length 1 from the packaging which lies between 20 and 80mm, more preferably between 25 and 40mm. The thickness of the flap members 4,5, preferably lies between 1 and 7mm, more preferably between 2 and 5mm. Thereby, the thickness of the flap members 4,5 is preferably the same or larger than the rest of the packaging material.

The length 1 of the flap members 4,5 is preferably longer than the height h2 of the lower part of the packaging 2. Hence, when the flap members 4,5, are folded about the packaging, and in particular about lower edges 11,12 of the packaging (as indicated by shaded areas 4', 5' in fig. 1) , the flap members 4,5 are arranged to cover a portion of the lower part 2 as well as a portion of the connection means 3.

Preferably, the flap members 4,5 extend to a length 1 from the packaging which is smaller than the overall height h of the packaging 10.

The height h of the packaging is preferably between 40 and 120mm, more preferably between 50 and 90mm.

The height h2 of the upper part 1 is preferably between 20 and 80mm, more preferably between 30 and 60mm

The width w of the packaging is preferably between 50 and 100mm, more preferably between 60 and 80mm. Each of the flap members 4,5, preferably comprises an inner portion 16a and an outer portion 16b. The inner portion 16a is preferably of rectangular or squared shape. The outer portion 16b may be of round shape respectively constitute a semicircular shape. The outer portion 16b may however also be of any other possible shape such as e.g. rectangular or squared shape.

The inner and outer portions are preferably formed as an integral part of the flap member 4,5. The inner portion and the outer portion may as well be connected by means of an optional fold line 17. The radius R of the outer portion 16b preferably lies between 15 and 20mm. The width b of the flap members 4,5 is preferably between 20 and 60mm, more preferably between 30 and 50mm. The flap members 4,5 are designed to be easily held between the fingers of a human being and in particular between a thumb and a forefinger of a human being.

The packaging 10 further comprises a plurality of tab or flap portions 15 which are designed for being connected to the inside respectively interior side of the packaging in order to obtain a stable connection thereof. Further, side flaps or tabs 15a, 15b are preferably arranged on both sides of the opening means 3 in order to connect to the inside of the respective upper and lower part 1,2.

For obtaining the resulting packaging 10 as shown in figure 2a, the packaging form as shown in figure 1 is subjected to a series of folds. Thereby, the plurality of flap portions 15 is connected to the inside of the packaging. Moreover, extending portions 10d' and 10c' are connected to the inside of the respective bottom and top surface lOd, 10c in order to close the packaging.

The food product to be enclosed by the packaging 10 is preferably provided in its iced or frozen (final) state before the packaging is folded around the food product. In particular, the food product is placed at the inside surface of the resulting packaging, before the folding of the packaging as shown in figure 1 is carried out in order to enclose the food product.

After or during the folding process, the connection parts of the packaging and in particular the tab respectively flap portions 15, 15a, 15b, 10c' , 10d' are connected to respective inside surfaces of the packaging by means of heat-sealing, thermo-welding, gluing or another method of joining together the surfaces of the enclosure.

The flap members 4,5 are folded about the fold lines respectively edges 11,12 of the packaging to their initial storing position as shown in figure 1. In said position, the flap members 4,5 are positioned directly adjacent to the side surfaces 10a, 10b of the packaging. Moreover, the flap members 4,5 may as well be connected by means of thermo- welding or heat-sealing to the respective surfaces 10a, 10b.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, only the rectangular base portions 16a of the flap members 4,5 are connected by dedicated connection process to the surfaces 10a, 10b such that a user may easily grip outer portion 16b of each flap member 4,5 in order to detach the flap member from the rest of the packaging in the opening process thereof as explained hereunder .

Figure 2a relates to a preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention in perspective side view. As shown in said figure, the flap members 4,5 are connected to or/and situated adjacent the respective side surfaces 10a, 10b of the packaging 10. Thereby, the flap member 4,5 are overlying part of the connection means 3 of the packaging connecting the upper and lower part 1,2 thereof.

In the shown initial storing position, the packaging preferably comprises an essentially block or cuboid form. Accordingly, the space for storing the food product within said packaging can be maximised while the required space of the packaging is minimized. Thereby, no holding means or other space-requiring parts of the packaging extend therefrom . In order to open the packaging, the consumer may detach the flap members 4,5 from the packaging 10. This is obtained by moving the flap members 4,5 from the surfaces 10a, 10b of the packaging as indicated by arrow A in figure 2b. Thereby, the flap members 4,5 are folded about a lower edge of the lower part 2 of the packaging and in particular about parallel edges 11,12 of the bottom portion 10c of the packaging. The flap members 4,5 are thus moved from their initial storing position to their extended holding position as shown in figure 2c. In the extended holding position, the flap members 4,5 constitute handle means for handling the packaging and in particular the food product enclosed by said packaging during the opening and consumption process.

In said holding position, the flap members 4,5 are extending preferably to same extent and length 1 from the respective parallel edges 11,12 of the packaging. Thereby, the flap members 4,5 are forming a handle of an essentially triangular shaped cross-section when seen in side view (i.e. in top view onto side surfaces 13a, 13b of the packaging) .

Next, the consumer may disconnect tear-off tab 3a which is preferably releasably connected or adhered to a side surface of the packaging. Thereby, the tear-off tab 3 connected to the connection means 3 is designed for facilitated removal of said connection means connecting the upper and lower part 1,2 of the packaging. Thus, by moving the connection means or connection strap 3 from the side surface 10a as shown in figure 2e (arrow B) , the consumer may easily detach said connection strap 3 from the packaging.

In a next step, the consumer may pull the upper part 1 from the remaining lower part 2 of the packaging by gripping said upper part 1 and pull it in a direction away from the lower part 2 (see arrow C in figure 2f) . This will uncover an upper portion of the food product 20 as shown in figure 2g.

In this position, the consumer is enabled to respectively enjoy the food product while holding the lower part 2 of the packaging with the handle means 4,5. It is noted that the food product 20 is preferably supported at its base or lower portion by the lower part 2 of the packaging. Therefore, said lower part 2 may comprise means (not shown) for connecting to the lower portion of the food product 20.

Furthermore, the flap members 4,5 may comprise grip elements such as a surface modulation of the flap members and in particular embossments, a pattern of holes or apertures integrally formed with the flap members.

In addition or alternatively, the flap members 4,5 may be coated with a friction enhancing film or cover.