Packaging unit from a moulded pulp material with a self-aligning element and method for manufacturing such packaging unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging unit ( 2 ) from a moulded pulp material, a method for packing products, and a method for manufacturing such packaging units. The packaging unit comprises: —a bottom part ( 4 ) with product receiving compartments for holding respective products, with the bottom part at least having a bottom front ( 8 ), a bottom rear ( 14 ), and two bottom sides ( 10, 12 ); —a cover part ( 6 ) at least having a cover front ( 20 ), a cover top ( 18 ), and two cover sides ( 22, 24 ); —a hinge-element ( 28 ) for hingedly connecting the cover and bottom parts; and—a lock ( 30 ) for locking the bottom and cover parts in a closed position of the packaging unit, and wherein the bottom side and cover side comprise a side edge having a self-aligning element ( 56 ).

1 . Packaging unit from a moulded pulp material, the packaging unit comprising:
 a bottom part with product receiving compartments for holding respective products, with the bottom part at least having a bottom front, a bottom surface, and two bottom sides;   a cover part at least having a cover front, a cover top, and two cover sides;   a hinge-element for hingedly connecting the cover part and the bottom part; and   a lock for locking the bottom part and the cover part in a closed position of the packaging unit, and   wherein the bottom side and the cover side comprise a side edge having a self-aligning element.   
     
     
         2 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the self-aligning element is substantially positioned in a front half of the side edge in the closed position of the packaging unit. 
     
     
         3 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the self-aligning element comprises a smooth curvature. 
     
     
         4 . Packaging unit according to  claim 3 , wherein the self-aligning element comprises a wave-shape. 
     
     
         5 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the self-aligning element is configured for preventing or reducing relative movement between the cover part and the bottom part thereby stabilising the lock and/or fixating the relative position of the cover part and the bottom part thereby strengthening the packaging unit. 
     
     
         6 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising an elevated hinge. 
     
     
         7 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the side edges of the cover part and/or the bottom parts comprise at least one denesting support part, and wherein the at least one denesting support part is located within a distance of 20% of the total length of the side edge from the cover front. 
     
     
         8 . Packaging unit according to  claim 7 , wherein the denesting support part at least partially overlaps with the self-aligning element. 
     
     
         9 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover side and the bottom side comprise one or more ribs that substantially extend from the cover top surface in the direction of the bottom surface, and wherein the ribs protrude from the side surface and provide the cover part and the bottom part with additional support when stacking a number of packaging units. 
     
     
         10 . Packaging unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the ribs extend to the bottom surface and provide the bottom surface with an additional bottom support surface that substantially corresponds to an additional cover support surface. 
     
     
         11 . Packaging unit according to  claim 10 , wherein the additional cover support surface of a rim of the cover part has a support surface area of at least 0.35 cm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . Packaging unit according to  claim 11 , wherein the rim has an average width of at least 10 mm. 
     
     
         13 . Packaging unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the ribs protrude from the side surface over an average distance of at least 3 mm. 
     
     
         14 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock comprises a lock opening and a cam element configured for protruding the lock opening, and wherein the cam element comprises a rib element that substantially protrudes from the cam element in a back to front direction of the packaging unit. 
     
     
         15 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock comprises a lock opening and a cam element configured for protruding the lock opening, and wherein the cam element comprises a front edge and cam side edges, the front edge extending to sides of the cam into the cam side edges. 
     
     
         16 . Packaging unit according to  claim 14 , wherein the cam element is provided on a flapless front surface of the bottom part. 
     
     
         17 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom front of the bottom part further comprises a front rib extending over a substantial part of a front edge of the bottom part. 
     
     
         18 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a full front label. 
     
     
         19 . Packaging unit according to  claim 17 , wherein the full front label comprises a cut for a cam element of the lock. 
     
     
         20 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the moulded pulp material comprises an amount of natural fibers. 
     
     
         21 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the moulded pulp material comprises an amount of micro fibrillated fibers. 
     
     
         22 . Packaging unit according to  claim 21 , wherein the amount of microfibrillated fibers is in the range of 1 to 3 wt % of the moulded pulp material. 
     
     
         23 . Packaging unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the moulded pulp material comprises an amount of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         24 . Method for packing products like eggs, comprising the step of providing a packaging unit according to  claim 1 , and placing therein one or more of the products. 
     
     
         25 . Method for manufacturing a packaging unit from a moulded pulp material, the method comprising the steps of:
 preparing a moulded pulp material; and   providing a packaging unit according to  claim 1 .