PACKAGING

Abstract

A packaging (1) consists of two containers (2, 3), a rigid one (2) and a flexible one (3), the rigid one being capable of containing the flexible one.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a packaging, particularly useful in all cases in which products with severe hygiene and/or food standards must be packaged in medium-large quantities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The transport of foodstuffs and the like often occurs in containers such as crates, baskets and boxes. The use of baskets is particularly common in all those cases in which it is important to allow the transported material to breathe or to drain liquids. However, there are instances in which, either due to the type of transport or of the goods, or to health and safety requirements, the container must be extremely clean. This is accomplished through suitable boxes, made of aseptic plastic material. Normally, such materials are relatively flexible, consequently the transportability of containers made therefrom is too low to be of any practical use, especially for transporting medium-large quantities over medium-long journeys. Moreover, if the containers were to be made of such materials, greater thicknesses would be required in order to make them more rigid, which would imply costs which are difficult to bear for disposable containers, as these necessarily are. Also the application of sterile plastic sheets to strong baskets or reusable boxes with proved little practical, since transpiration and drainage would not be possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The problems set forth above are brilliantly solved by the present invention, which refers to a packaging characterised in that it consists of two containers, a rigid and a flexible one, the rigid one being capable of containing the flexible one.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be illustrated in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplifying embodiment thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a component of the packaging according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another component of the packaging according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the packaging according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a detail of a cover for the packaging according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is another detail of a cover for the packaging according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of a cover to be used with the packaging according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a cover for the packaging according to the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the packaging according to the present invention, with the cover according to FIG. 10.

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

The packaging 1 according to the present invention consists of a rigid, preferably re-usable container 2, and of a flexible, generally disposable container 3. “Rigid” and “flexible” in the present description are to be understood as relative concepts, i.e. “more rigid than the other” and “more flexible than the other”, the degree of rigidity being able to vary also remarkably in the different embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As concerns container 2, possible materials are thermoplastic materials, aluminium, alloys or wood. Among the polymers, polypropylene is generally preferred, be it atactic, isotactic or sindiotactic. Regenerated or first-quality material may be used, while concerning container 3, first-quality polypropylene for food purposes is normally used.

It is possible to provide a cover 4 to be applied to packaging 1. Cover 4, which may be of the same material as container 3, may be applied removably or it may be fastened sealed and apt to be torn open by means of suitable fastening tabs 5, 6, as exemplifyingly shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Advantageously, it can be provided to apply an identification and localisation system to packaging 1. In the embodiments an RFID labelling 7 is shown, to be applied to container 2 and/or to container 3.

Advantageously, a crate of plastic material is used as container 2, comprising a gripping opening 8 and a pair of drainage holes 9, 10 on each of the two short sides thereof. In correspondence of holes 9, 10, there are found equal holes 11, 12, equally for drainage purposes, on container 3.

Container 2, as said, is made of a relatively rigid material, which makes it suitable for transport and for non-excessively careful handling. Such rigidity also allows indefinite reuse of container 2, which is generally reusable. Container 3 is normally made of a material suitable for food or even sterile and is introduced in container 2, whereto it adheres perfectly, as can be seen for example in FIG. 3. Cover 4 allows closure thereof, possibly through a hermetic seal, in order to preserve hygiene to the desired degree (from ordinary hygiene for food, for example fresh fish products, to the highest asepsis of certain drugs or biological materials).

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, cover 4 has four drainage through-holes 13 in correspondence of holes 9 to 12.

When it is hence desired to use the packaging according to the present invention, container 3 is filled with the goods to be transported and cover 4 is closed, possibly through a seal. Container 3 is introduced into container 2, taking care that the former does not become damaged. The presence of holes 11, 12 in container 3 allows any condensation and waste liquids to be drained, flowing out through holes 9, 10, so as to preserve the goods in the best possible condition, also due to the ventilation being provided in return through the same holes. This becomes even easier if cover 4 has holes 13. The transport of packaging 1 is now easy, like that of any crate, thanks to the openings.

The presence of identification devices 7, for example an RFID, allows to make packaging 1 according to the present invention eco-friendly. As a matter of fact, an RFID 7 found on container 2 allows to trace the same container anywhere, so that it may be returned to the base for renewed use. Should it be disposed of in the environment, it could be easily traced, so as not to create soiling. An RFID found on container 3 may have a twofold function. It may univocally identify the goods contained in container 3, possibly also providing information on the state of conservation and/or on expiry. Moreover, it can serve also to trace the container, should it be disposed of incorrectly, since the material is perfectly recyclable.

The packaging according to the present invention thereby allows effortless transport of special materials, without imposing disposing costs, since container 2 is reusable and container 3 is recyclable.

The present invention thereby concerns also a goods handling process which provides the following steps:

a) arrangement of the goods into a container 3 made of material suitable for foodstuffs;

b) RFID labelling of container 3 with the features of the goods;

c) introduction of container 3 into a more rigid container 2, to form a packaging 1;

d) transport to destination of packaging 1;

e) removal of container 3 from container 2;

f) opening of container 3 and removal of the goods;

g) sending emptied container 3 to plastic recycling plant;

h) return of container 2.

Of course, labelling steps also of container 2 and steps of application of a cover 4, as well as sealing steps may be provided.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A packaging (1) consisting of two containers (2, 3), one (2) being rigid and one (3) being flexible, the rigid one being apt to contain the flexible one, the said rigid container (2) comprising a pair of drainage holes (9,10) on each of the short sides, characterised in that equal holes (11, 12), equally for drainage purposes, are found in correspondence of holes (9, 10) on the flexible container (3).

23. The packaging (1) of claim 22, characterised in that said rigid container (2) is a reusable container and said flexible container (3) is a disposable container.

24. The packaging (1) of claim 22, characterised in that it further comprises a cover (4).

25. The packaging (1) of claim 24, characterised in that said cover is made of the same material as the flexible container (3).

26. The packaging (1) of claim 24, characterised in that said cover (4) is applied removably.

27. The packaging (1) of claim 26, characterised in that said cover (4) is fastened by means of a tear-open sealing openable by means of suitable fastening tabs (5, 6).

28. The packaging (1) of claim 24, characterised in that said cover (4) has drainage holes (13).

29. The packaging (1) of claim 28, characterised in that said holes (13) are four in correspondence of holes (9, 10, 11, 12) on the packaging (1).

30. The packaging (1) of claim 25, characterised in that said cover (4) has drainage holes (13).

31. The packaging (1) of claim 26, characterised in that said cover (4) has drainage holes (13).

32. The packaging (1) of claim 27, characterised in that said cover (4) has drainage holes (13).