Package with retainment means

Abstract

The invention relates to packages of a fibrous material for receiving frangible products such as eggs, the packages being provided with a bottom part ( 2 ) and a cover part ( 3 ) hingedly connected to the bottom part and specifically to various retainment means for releasably retaining the cover part to the bottom part in a simple, yet reliable manner. According to the invention there is thus provided retainment means on the cover part for engagement with appropriate parts of an upper flange-like rim portion ( 6 ) of the bottom part, said means according to one embodiment consisting of protrusions ( 7 ) provided on the inner surface of the front side ( 4 ) of the cover part. When the cover part from an open position is swung to a closed position on the bottom part, one or more protrusions on the cover part are brought into engagement with the lower surface of said upper rim portion of the bottom part, thereby releasably retaining the cover part to the bottom part. The alternative possibility, i.e. the provision of appropriate protrusions on the upper edge region of the bottom part for engagement for instance with suitably shaped openings in the cover part is also described.

1 . Package ( 1 ) formed by suction moulding of a fibrous material for receiving one or more frangible products to be packed, such as eggs, comprising: 
 a bottom part ( 2 ) comprising non-planar side surfaces so as to match at least partially the outer contours of the product(s) to be packed, an upper rim portion ( 6 ) of the bottom part ( 2 ) extending outwards from the bottom part ( 2 );    a cover part ( 3 ) comprising at least a top surface ( 16 ) and a front surface ( 4 ) which meet at an angle to form an edge ( 17 ,  18 );    the bottom part ( 2 ) being connected to the cover part ( 3 ) by a hinge ( 5 ) so as to allow the cover part ( 3 ) to move between an open position and a closed position;    the front surface ( 4 ) extending down from the edge ( 17 ,  18 ) and overlapping the non-planar side surface of the bottom part ( 2 ) opposite the hinge ( 5 ) when the cover part ( 3 ) is in its closed position;    characterised in that said cover part ( 3 ) is provided with at least one inwardly extending protrusion ( 7 ) for locking engagement with said upper rim portion ( 6 ) of the bottom part ( 2 ) when the package ( 1 ) is being closed, and that said hinge ( 5 ) is positioned above the level of the upper rim portion ( 6 ) of the bottom part ( 2 ).    
   
   
       2 . Package according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said agricultural products are eggs and that the bottom part ( 2 ) of the package ( 1 ) is provided with a pattern of pockets ( 12 ) for accommodating the eggs.  
   
   
       3 . Package according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that the package ( 1 ) is a moulded product.  
   
   
       4 . Package according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the package ( 1 ) is moulded as one piece.  
   
   
       5 . Package according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the package ( 1 ) is made of moulded pulp.  
   
   
       6 . Package according to  claim 1 , characterised in that said cover part ( 3 ) on the front side ( 4 ) hereof is provided with en edge portion ( 19 ) and that said one or more protrusions ( 7 ) is/are provided substantially adjacent said edge portion ( 19 ).  
   
   
       7 . Package according to  claim 2 , characterised in that said locking engagement of the one or more protrusions ( 7 ) with said upper rim portion ( 6 ) of the bottom part ( 2 ) takes place at the flange-like upper rim portions ( 6 ′) between adjacent pockets ( 12 ).  
   
   
       8 . Package according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the package is furthermore provided with retainment means comprising one or more openings ( 10 ) in the front side ( 4 ) of the cover part ( 3 ) and co-operating retainment projections ( 11 ) on the side surface ( 24 ) of the bottom part ( 2 ) opposite the hinge ( 5 ).  
   
   
       9 . Package according to  claim 1  or  8 , characterised in that the flange-like upper rim portion ( 6 ) of the bottom part ( 2 ) Is furthermore provided with outwardly extending retainment flaps ( 25 ).  
   
   
       10 . Package according to  claim 9 , characterised in that said flaps ( 25 ) are placed for engagement with the engagement surface ( 8 ) of the protrusions ( 7 ) on the cover part ( 3 ).  
   
   
       11 . Package according to  claim 9  when dependent on  claim 9 , characterised in that said flaps ( 15 ) are placed for engagement with an edge portion ( 23 ) of said openings ( 10 ) provided in the cover part ( 3 ).  
   
   
       12 . Package ( 1 ) formed by suction moulding of a fibrous material for receiving one or more frangible products to be packed, such as eggs, comprising: 
 a bottom part ( 2 ) comprising non-planar side surfaces so as to match at least partially the outer contours of the product(s) to be packed and provided with an upper rim portion ( 6 );    a cover part ( 3 ) comprising at least a top surface ( 16 ) and a front surface ( 4 ) which meet at an angle to form an edge ( 17 ,  18 );    the bottom part ( 2 ) being connected to the cover part ( 3 ) by a hinge ( 5 ) so as to allow the cover part ( 3 ) to move between an open position and a closed position;    the front surface ( 4 ) extending down from the edge ( 17 ,  18 ) and overlapping the non-planar side surface of the bottom part ( 2 ) opposite the hinge ( 5 ) when the cover part ( 3 ) is in its closed position;    characterised in that said bottom part ( 2 ) adjacent said upper rim portion ( 6 ) is provided with at least one outwardly extending protrusion for locking engagement with co-operating means provided on the cover part ( 3 ) and that said hinge ( 5 ) is positioned above the level of the upper rim portion ( 6 ) of the bottom part ( 2 ).    
   
   
       13 . Package according to  claim 12 , characterised in that said co-operating means on the cover part ( 3 ) is one or more openings in the front surface ( 4 ) of the cover part ( 3 ).