"PACKAGING"

Technical domain

The present application discloses a food product packaging, preferably for potable liquids.

Background

It is known from the prior art, a commercial packaging to commercialize potable liquids in individual doses, wherein the recipient comprises a glass of plastic material, preferably polypropylene or polystyrene, closed with a coated aluminium seal. Prior art packaging present, for example, in the case of wine a storage life between one and ten months .

The packaging presented in this application differs greatly from the prior art, namely in the recipient and on how the potable liquid is maintained, with the possibility to store sparkling and/or carbonated drinks, as well as in the closure system that allows re-use, i.e. the user can consume his beverage over time. With the packaging casing system now presented, the potable liquid conservation time can be substantially increased, very close to that of a bottle .

Document PT10655 describes a glass for selling wine and cognac in individual doses, however the packaging now presented distinguishes mainly in its fitting and extraction way. The extraction cap is made by means of rotation thereof that is fitted with small protrusions on the inside and/or on the outside of the recipient. A publication of a partnership between an American company and Corticeira Amorim emerged recently, wherein protrusions in thread style for cork stoppers manual extraction applied inside the neck of the bottles were developed. In the case of the packaging now shown, the protrusions are applied to the inside and/or outside of the neck and the respective cap .

Summary

The present application describes a packaging comprising the following elements:

- Recipient that includes an upper wall of its inner side that in turn includes protrusions on their inside and/or outside side;

- Cap that comprises a closure system;

- Casing.

In one embodiment, the protrusions of the packaging recipient are located in the neck zone.

In one embodiment, the packaging cap comprises a sealant.

In one embodiment, the packaging cap is partially or totally immersed in the potable liquid.

In another embodiment, the packaging comprises a full or partial casing of said packaging.

In yet another embodiment, the packaging comprises at least one label applied to the recipient. In one embodiment, the protrusions on the cap and on the neck of the packaging recipient have heights comprised between 0.1 mm and 5 mm.

In another embodiment, the protrusions on the cap and on the neck of the packaging recipient have lengths comprised between 1.0 mm and an entire lap along the neck.

In another embodiment, the casing of the packaging comprises perforations.

In yet another embodiment, the packaging includes an opening strip integrated in the casing itself.

General description

The present application discloses a pioneer packaging for food products, preferably potable liquids, which differentiates itself of any existing packaging in the prior art, such as bottles, bag-in-box and other commercial packaging for potable liquids.

The packaging allows filling identified gaps in, for example, wine consumption. One of the major flaws in the potable liquids sector are the leftovers and waste currently found in the consumption of existing bottles of potable liquids in the market, as there is an excess of liquid in such bottles when the purpose is individual consumption only, which is even more remarkable in the case of restaurants and hotels.

The advantages of this packaging compared to known products of the prior art are:

• Novelty effect; User friendly recipient;

Attractive recipient design;

Packaging customization;

Annul the need of other utensils for the consumption of potable liquids, such as corkscrews, cups, bottles, among others;

Potable liquid volume, suitable for individual consumption;

Ensures good conservation of the potable liquid to be consumed, very close to the normal duration of a bottle;

Possibility of packaging reuse;

Ease of transport;

Stimulates consumption;

Ability to be consumed directly from the packaging;

Ability to conserve sparkling and/or carbonated drinks .

With the technical solution now presented, it is possible to ensure proper conservation of the potable liquid when compared with the prior art packaging. This capability is due to the reduction of light intensity through the casing, when this covers the entire recipient and by minimizing the air volume inside the packaging, through the cap volume within the recipient, thus reducing possible oxidation of the potable liquid and in that the filling may be done, in some embodiments, using vacuum or a controlled atmosphere with nitrogen, which might be regarded as semi-vacuum. Beyond this point, the closure mechanism allows the complete sealing of the packaging. By ensuring these steps, the solution now presented manages to approach the conservation of packaging with a screwed system with a cap. This type of bottling is mainly used for wine and potable liquids that so require it, which may not be applied in case of other drinks.

The height of the cap may only be the height of the neck or if the beverage so requires it, it can occupy a larger volume within the recipient. In some embodiments, dependent on the liquid, the cap may be partially or completely immersed in the liquid, minimizing any air inside the enclosed recipient to a minimum of 0% air.

Constitution

The packaging comprises a structure with the shape desired by the brand of the potable liquid, for example, in the case of a wine, it may be a footed cup shape style. In this structure a cap for sealing the potable liquid is fitted. To facilitate entry and removal of this cap, small protrusions on the inside and/or outside of the recipient are made, to promote the cap's grip. The small protrusions were made on the inside and/or outside of the recipient and in the cap to maintain a tight fit between the elements of the closure system. The dimensions of the protrusions have to ensure the good mechanical structure of the packaging, and there cannot be risk of rupture by the forces exerted by the packaging closure. The height of these protrusions is comprised between 0.1 mm and 5 mm and the lengths between 1.0 mm and an entire lap along the neck.

In turn, the cap and the top of the recipient are sealed with a partial casing that ensures the necessary conditions for safety, hygiene and conservation of the potable liquid, while minimizing the impact of external conditions that modify their quality. When a partial casing is applied, the information relating to the potable liquid may be included in at least one label to be applied to the recipient. Alternatively, a total casing may be applied across the packaging to minimize the exposure of the potable liquid to external elements, such as light.

In case of total casing, all the information on packaging contents and standards required for its commercialization may be found described therein, as illustrated in Figure 2.

In case of partial casing, the recipient or other packaging element may be affixed to at least one label or the recipient itself or the element may have the information stamped. In these locations all the information on the packaging contents is described, as illustrated in Figure 1.

The recipient must also present an upper wall on the inside and/or outside in the neck zone to maximize the tightness obtained in the cap zone and to ensure a good fit.

Packaging operation

The packaging serves to contain and store the potable liquid inside. The conservation of potable liquid is guaranteed by the combination recipient, cap and casing.

To facilitate removal of the cap, on its upper part there are small tabs on its lateral surface, facilitating the rotation by torsional force. Inside and/or outside of the recipient are also small protrusions that serve as support for the cap's fitting and clamping. In this case, the cap includes a closure system. The set recipient/cap is closed and isolated with a casing that serves to ensure good storage conditions of the potable liquid. Mutually it guarantees to the consumer that the product is in perfect conditions for consumption, i.e. that the packaging is not violated. This casing is intended to protect potable liquid from light and improve the aesthetics of the packaging. To facilitate removal of the casing, the structure thereof consists of a perforated mild or alternatively may include an integrated opening strip in the recipient itself allowing easy opening.

Finally, for marketing and product identification, the casing or label itself may illustrate the brand, the features of the commercialized product and other important factors for commercialization.

The recipient is manufactured by injection in a mould or by blowing in a mould or a combination of both. Alternatively, three-dimensional printing or any other manufacturing method depending on the material chosen may also obtain it. The cap may be manufactured by injection, in case of being elaborated in polymeric material or by pressing and cutting if metal or a combination of both. Alternatively, it may also be obtained by another manufacturing method that depends on the material chosen. A sealant may further be included in the cap.

The closure system used may include protrusions on the inside and/or outside of the recipient's neck.

The casing and/or labels are fixed by a heating process by electrical resistance, which causes contraction of these to the walls of the recipient and the cap or alternatively may also be glued.

All packaging information may be printed on the casing and/or labels.

Description of the Figures

For easier understanding of the product, accompanying drawings are joined which represent preferred embodiments that however are not intended to limit the object of the present application.

Figure 1: Schematic representation of an exploded view of the elements making up an embodiment of the packaging, comprised of:

1 - Recipient;

2 - Label;

3 - Protrusions;

4 - Cap;

5 - Tabs;

6 - Casing.

Figure 2: Schematic representation of an exploded view of the elements making up an embodiment of the packaging, comprised of:

1 - Recipient;

3 - Protrusions;

4 - Cap;

5 - Tabs;

6 - Casing;

7 - Sealant. Figure 3: Schematic representation of an embodiment of the packaging .

Figure 4: Schematic representation of an exploded view of the elements making up an embodiment of the packaging and a sectional view A-A, comprised of:

1 - Recipient;

3 - Protrusions;

4 - Cap;

5 - Tabs;

6 - Casing;

8 - Cap closure system.

Figure 5: Schematic representation of an exploded view of the elements making up an embodiment of the packaging and a sectional view A-A, comprised of:

1 - Recipient;

3 - Protrusions;

4 - Cap;

6 - Casing;

8 - Cap closure system;

9 - Opening of the casing.

Figure 6: Schematic representation of an embodiment of the packaging .

Application Example

This packaging in the provision of food products, preferably potable liquids. An example where the application is possible refers to wines.

The way wine is commercialized has undergone major changes. Formerly it was transported by the Portuguese typical boats in casks, then moved to the current wine bottles and in recent years to the famous bag-in-box. With this evolutionary trend, market opens new doors for the emergence of innovative and differentiated products in wine commercialization .

Currently wine consumption through a bottle takes several utensils, namely a corkscrew, a bottle and a glass. Thus, it becomes absolutely necessary to use several tools for its consumption. When the purpose is to drink a small amount of wine with an appropriate volume for a unit-dose for example, wine consumption in bottles causes waste in most cases, mainly due to the excess of the volume of each bottle .

These factors demonstrate some flaws in the process through which wine reaches the final consumer, thus an innovation and differentiation in this area are necessary, for individual consumption and for minimizing most of wine wastes .

This embodiment is, of course, not in any way restricted to the embodiments described herein and a person of ordinary skill in the area may provide many modification possibilities thereof without departing from the general idea, as defined in the claims.

The preferred embodiments described above are obviously combinable with each other. The following claims further define preferred embodiments.