U.S. patent application number 10/522709 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-30 for food packaging comprising clip elements.
This patent application is currently assigned to OMNI-PAC EKCO Gmbh & Co. KG Verpackungsmittel. Invention is credited to Stefan Beese.
Application Number | 20060065702 10/522709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30470268 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060065702 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beese; Stefan |
March 30, 2006 |
Food packaging comprising clip elements
Abstract
Foodstuffs packaging, such as an egg carton, having a bottom
part which has at least one row of shaped depressions for
accommodating eggs or separate articles and a lid part, which is
arranged for swing action on the bottom part, the bottom part or
the lid part being provided with complementary clamping elevations
and clamping openings, the clamping openings being arranged on the
other of the lid part or the bottom part offset in relation to the
clamping elevations. The offset arrangement of the clamping
elevations and of the clamping openings allows the units to be
connected with clamping action such that they are offset in
relation to one another. The clamping openings may be connected to
a trough which produces an accommodating space for items which are
to be inserted therein, it being possible for the accommodating
space to be closed off using a sticker as a cover.
Inventors: |
Beese; Stefan; (Winsen/Luhe,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
1650 TYSONS BOULEVARD
SUITE 300
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
OMNI-PAC EKCO Gmbh & Co. KG
Verpackungsmittel
FR IEDENSALLEE 25
HAMBURG
DE
22765
|
Family ID: |
30470268 |
Appl. No.: |
10/522709 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
August 13, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/09001 |
371 Date: |
January 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/120.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/32 20130101;
B65D 21/0223 20130101; B65D 51/28 20130101; B65D 81/361 20130101;
B65D 85/324 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/120.02 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/04 20060101
B65D025/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 14, 2002 |
EP |
02018364.6 |
Claims
1. A packaging for foodstuffs, comprising a bottom part having at
least one row of shaped depressions formed therein for
accommodating separate articles, and a lid part configured for
swing action on the bottom part, the bottom part and the lid part
being provided with complementary clamping elevations and clamping
openings, wherein the clamping openings are arranged on one of the
lid part or bottom part and the clamping elevations are arranged on
the other of the lid part or the bottom part, the clamping openings
being offset in relation to the clamping elevations.
2. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1, wherein the
clamping elevations and the clamping openings are respectively no
higher or deeper than a maximum nesting height of 4 to 15 mm.
3. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
clamping openings are arranged approximately centrally over
adjacent clamping elevations.
4. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
top edge of the lid part is configured such that the spacing of the
nearest clamping opening is less than or equal to the free spacing
between two adjacent clamping elevations.
5. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
clamping elevations and the clamping openings have a conicity of
2.degree. to 15.degree..
6. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at
least six clamping elevations arranged in a double row are
provided.
7. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
lid part has a trough, which is open in the upward direction and a
cover which closes off the trough in the upward direction.
8. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 7, wherein the cover
is a sticker.
9. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 7, wherein the lid
part is provided with retaining depressions connected to the
trough.
10. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 9, wherein the
trough and the retaining depressions have approximately the same
depth.
11. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 7, wherein the
trough or the retaining depressions has a depth which is no greater
than a maximum nesting height of the foodstuffs packaging.
12. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 9, wherein the
retaining depressions are offset laterally in relation to the
shaped depressions.
13. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 9, wherein the
retaining depressions have an indent on their floor.
14. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 9, wherein the
clamping openings are formed by the retaining depressions.
15. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
articles being packaged are eggs.
16. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
clamping elevations and the clamping openings are respectively no
higher or deeper than a maximum nesting height of 7 to 9 mm.
17. The foodstuffs packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the
clamping elevations and the clamping openings have a conicity of
7.degree. to 9.degree..
Description
[0001] The invention relates to foodstuffs packaging, in particular
an egg box, having a bottom part, which has at least one row of
shaped depressions for accommodating separate articles, in
particular eggs, and having a lid part, which is arranged for swing
action on the bottom part, the bottom part and the lid part being
provided with complementary clamping elevations and clamping
openings.
[0002] Egg boxes with complementary clamping elevations and
clamping openings on the bottom part and on the top part are known
per se (for example from FR-A-2 441 549). In the case of the known
packaging, however, the clamping elevations and the clamping
openings are arranged such that, when egg boxes are stacked one
above the other, the clamping elevations of one egg box engage in
the clamping openings of the egg box located above and/or beneath
the same. Although this arrangement of the clamping elevations and
clamping openings allows egg boxes which are stacked directly one
above the other to be securely interconnected, this proves to be
disadvantageous if egg boxes are to be moved individually, for
example for sales purposes. Beyond the task of holding together egg
boxes which are stacked directly one above the other, the
arrangement of the clamping elevations and openings does not
perform any additional function in the case of the known egg
boxes.
[0003] The object of the invention is to provide foodstuffs
packaging of the type mentioned in the introduction in the case of
which the function of the clamping elements is improved.
[0004] The object is achieved according to the invention by
foodstuffs packaging having the features of claim 1. Advantageous
developments can be gathered from the subclaims.
[0005] In the case of foodstuffs packaging, in particular an egg
box, having a bottom part, which has at least one row of shaped
depressions for accommodating separate articles, in particular
eggs, and having a lid part, which is arranged for swing action on
the bottom part, the bottom part and the lid part being provided
with complementary clamping elevations and clamping openings, the
invention provides that the clamping openings are arranged on one
of the two, the lid part or the bottom part, and the clamping
elevations are arranged on the other, the bottom part or the lid
part, the clamping openings being offset laterally in relation to
the clamping elevations.
[0006] As a result of the configuration according to the invention,
the clamping elevations and clamping openings of foodstuffs
packaging units which are stacked directly one above the other are
not arranged in alignment with one another and thus cannot engage
one inside the other. This avoids the situation where egg packaging
units which are stacked directly one above the other get stuck
together. However, and herein lies the ingenuity of the invention,
it is possible for foodstuffs packaging units which are stacked one
above the other to be connected to one another with clamping
action, to be precise if they are offset in relation to one
another. This provides a surprising additional function. It is
usually the case that foodstuffs packaging units, once their
contents have been used up, perform no further function; they are
thrown away once their contents has been removed. The invention
provides a second possible use for the foodstuffs packaging, in
particular for egg boxes. This is because the complementary
clamping elevations and openings allow the foodstuffs packaging
units, which are empty following use, to continue to be used, to be
precise as clamping-type building blocks. It is thus possible for
the foodstuffs packaging units according to the invention, once
they have fulfilled their packaging function, still to be used as a
toy. Since foodstuffs packaging units have comparatively large
dimensions in relation to classic clamping-type building blocks,
they are suitable, in particular, for forming comparatively large
structures, for example for constructing toy castles for children,
which, using conventional clamping-type building blocks, can only
be produced with comparatively high outlay, if at all. Their size
thus makes it possible for even large structures to be constructed
rapidly. Furthermore the foodstuffs packaging units according to
the invention have the advantage that they are available as
clamping-type building blocks at more or less no cost.
[0007] The arrangement of the clamping elevations and clamping
openings according to the invention, furthermore, has the advantage
that the stackability of the foodstuffs packaging units in the open
state remains unaffected. The packaging units can still be stacked,
and if appropriate also easily destacked, in the open state. In
order that this destacking (denesting) takes place
straightforwardly, the clamping elevations and/or clamping openings
are preferably respectively no higher or deeper than a maximum
nesting height. The maximum nesting height depends on the concrete
parameters of the respective foodstuffs packaging, in particular
the desired denesting capability and the amount of space required.
Depending on the material thickness and the coefficient of friction
of the material, the nesting height is usually between 4 and 15 mm,
and is preferably between 7 and 9 mm. By virtue of the stackability
thus achieved, the storage costs decrease both for the manufacturer
and for the packaging company and packaging can take place more
cost-effectively.
[0008] The clamping openings are expediently arranged such that, in
the closed state of the lid part, they are arranged approximately
centrally over two adjacent clamping elevations in a row. Such an
offset allows a plurality of foodstuffs packaging units according
to the invention to be interconnected particularly well. This makes
it possible for stable wall sections running over relatively long
distances to be constructed or even for corner connections to be
produced.
[0009] For the better interconnection of a plurality of foodstuffs
packaging units, the top edge of the lid part is expediently
configured such that its spacing from the nearest clamping opening
is, at most, equal to the free spacing between adjacent clamping
elevations. Free spacing is understood as being the clear distance
between two adjacent clamping elevations. This configuration
achieves the situation where the clamping elevations of a
foodstuffs packaging unit placed on top engage either in the
clamping openings on the lid part of the bottom foodstuffs
packaging unit or engage on the far side of the top edge of the lid
part. This avoids the situation where clamping elevations rest
directly on the top side of the lid part, as a result of which the
top foodstuffs packaging unit would be skewed and a reliable and
correct fit of the foodstuffs packaging unit would be
prevented.
[0010] The clamping elevations and the clamping openings
expediently have a conicity of 2.degree. to 15.degree., preferably
of 7.degree. to 9.degree.. On the one hand, such a conicity makes
it possible to achieve a good level of reliability for the clamping
connection; on the other hand, however, it also allows sufficiently
easy separation of the foodstuffs packaging units, without an
excessive amount of force having to be applied for this purpose.
This applies, in particular, to the denesting of foodstuffs
packaging units stacked in the open state.
[0011] The clamping elevations are preferably provided at their
bottom border with an annular structure as indent. An annular
structure of toric design, with the result that a toric recess
forms, has proven particularly successful. On account of its shape,
it has increased elasticity in this region, by means of which the
packaged foodstuffs are protected particularly well against damage
by impact, for example by being set down with force. Such indents
thus improve not just the protective function but also, in
addition, the overall visual impression given by the foodstuffs
packaging.
[0012] At least six clamping elevations, arranged in a double row,
are preferably provided. It goes without saying that a
corresponding number of clamping openings, e.g. four, then also
have to be provided. This number makes it possible to achieve a
stable clamping-type interconnection of a plurality of foodstuffs
packaging units. Of course, it is also possible to provide eight or
more clamping elevations.
[0013] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, which
possibly also merits independent protection, the lid part has a
trough, which is open in the upward direction, and a covering
means, which covers the trough in the upward direction. The term
"open in the upward direction" here is to be understood as meaning
that, in the closed state of the lid part, the trough is accessible
from the outside. This achieves the situation where, on the one
hand, the trough provides an additional stiffening element and, on
the other hand, the trough and the covering means produce a space
into which items can be inserted. The covering means prevents the
inserted item from dropping out of the trough in an undesired
manner. For this purpose, the covering means is designed such that,
in conjunction with the trough, it forms a closed-off accommodating
space. The flanks on the base of the trough preferably have no
through-passages or only through-passages with an inside width
which is small enough in order to prevent the articles which are to
be inserted from passing through in an undesired manner. The
articles which are to be inserted have preferably already been
inserted by the supplier of the foodstuffs packaging, but it is
also possible, if appropriate, for them only to be inserted during
packaging of the foodstuffs or, at a later stage, by a retailer.
The item may be, for example, leaflets containing recipes or else
small utensils, in particular a child's toy, an egg spoon and/or a
portion pack containing herbs and spices. The foodstuffs packaging
then provides the customer not just with the foodstuffs contained
in it but also, as an added extra, with the item inserted into the
trough. In addition to its securing function, the covering means
also has a further, important function. The user must first remove
the covering means from the trough in order to reach the item
located therein. This puts the user in a cheerful state of
expectation as to what he is going to find beneath the covering
means, this being similar to the sense of surprise when unwrapping
presents. Since the user already knows when he purchases the
foodstuffs that he will later experience this pleasant sense of
surprise, he already regards the foodstuffs packaging in a
favourable light as he is making the decision to purchase it. The
foodstuffs packaging according to the invention thus performs the
important function of packaging to a particularly great extent,
that is to say in addition to protecting the goods contained in it,
it also encourages the customer to make a purchase.
[0014] Furthermore, the trough also has a stiffening effect for the
lid part. By way of its flanks, it forms an additional ribbing
arrangement for the lid part, which thus enhances rigidity. This
also improves the protective function of the foodstuffs packaging
according to the invention. This thus results overall in a
surprising combined effect, that is to say, on the one hand, the
foodstuffs packaging is stiffened, and the foodstuffs accommodated
therein are thus better protected, and, on the other hand, the
presentation is improved by an accommodating space being produced
for small items.
[0015] The covering means is preferably a sticker. The trough can
thus be covered in a particularly cost-effective manner. Moreover,
the sticker provides a printing surface which can be utilized for
further presentation purposes or for other advertising
imprints.
[0016] In the case of foodstuffs packaging with two rows of shaped
depressions, the trough is expediently arranged such that it is
located over the centre between these two rows. It is also
possible, however, to provide a plurality of troughs, which are
then preferably arranged parallel to one another.
[0017] It is expedient if the lid part is provided with retaining
depressions, which are preferably connected to the trough. The
retaining depressions additionally stiffen the lid part. In
addition, they may be shaped such that they interact with the
articles which are to be accommodated, that is to say, in the case
of an egg box, in particular with the top side of the eggs. This
makes it possible to prevent undesired movement of the eggs in the
shaped depressions as occur, for example, when an egg box is being
moved quickly, in particular during transportation. If the trough
is connected to the retaining depressions, then this also has the
advantage that a considerably larger accommodating space is
produced at the same time as the rigidity of the lid part is
increased.
[0018] The trough and the retaining depressions expediently are
approximately the same depth. As a result, the floors of the
respective depressions are located at the same height so that,
overall, they form a planar surface. This has the advantage of
providing the lid part, and thus the foodstuffs packaging as a
whole, with a more pleasing appearance than would be the case with
different depths and the resulting crevice-containing structure of
the floor. It is also possible for the trough to have a greater
depth than the retaining depressions, with the result that, in the
accommodating space, a channel forms in the region of the trough.
On the one hand such a channel may be quite desirable for the items
which are to be inserted. On the other hand, the channel
additionally has a stiffening effect, with the result that the
rigidity of the lid part is yet further improved.
[0019] The troughs and/or the retaining depressions preferably
have/has a depth which is no greater than a maximum nesting height
of the foodstuffs packaging. Limiting the depth to the maximum
nesting height improves the stackability of the foodstuffs
packaging unit in the open, not yet filled state. A particular
advantage resides in the fact that it is also possible for the
foodstuffs packaging units to be stacked when the trough has
already been closed by the covering means.
[0020] This is advantageous in particular in the case where the
covering means is a sticker, for example a label. It is then also
possible for already labelled foodstuffs packaging units to be
stacked. This allows the foodstuffs packaging units to be labelled,
and provided with the items which are to be inserted, before being
filled. The nesting height is usually between 4 and 15 mm, and is
preferably between 7 and 9 mm.
[0021] The retaining depressions are preferably offset laterally in
relation to the shaped depressions. Offset laterally means that the
retaining depressions in the lid part, rather than being arranged
precisely over the respective shaped depressions of the base part,
are offset horizontally, with the result that a retaining
depression is arranged approximately in the centre over two
adjacent depressions in a row. In the case of the offset
arrangement, a smaller number of retaining depressions is
sufficient for acting on all of the articles packaged in foodstuffs
packaging. For example, in the case of an egg box for six eggs,
four retaining depressions are then sufficient. For further
stiffening of the retaining depressions, it may be expedient if the
retaining depressions have an indent on their floor. This indent
may be curved concavely or preferably convexly, i.e. in the upward
direction.
[0022] It is expedient for the retaining depressions to be designed
as clamping openings and for the shaped depressions to be designed
as clamping elevations. For example, the shaped depressions may be
provided with a bottom border which is dimensioned such that it
engages in a force-fitting manner in the clamping openings. This
allows the foodstuffs packaging unit to be designed as a
clamping-type building block with only a small amount of additional
outlay.
[0023] The invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with
reference to the egg boxes illustrated in the drawing as exemplary
embodiments. In the drawing:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary
embodiment of the egg box according to the invention in the open
state;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the egg box according to
FIG. 1 in the closed state;
[0026] FIG. 3 shows the egg box according to the invention; and
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a plurality of egg boxes in clamping-type
interconnection with one another.
[0028] An egg box according to the invention is illustrated in the
swung-open state in FIG. 1 and in the closed state in FIG. 2. The
egg box, which is designated 1 overall, comprises a bottom part 2
and a lid part 3, which is fastened for swing action on the bottom
part 2 via a flexible hinge 25, and a sticker 7 fitted on said lid
part (see FIG. 3). In the closed state, the lid part 3 rests on the
bottom part 2 and covers over the latter completely. Pivoting the
lid part 3 through approximately 180.degree. about the axis of the
flexible hinge 25 moves the lid part 3 into its open position. In
the latter, the lid part 3 is located approximately in the same
plane as the base part 2. In this position, a plurality of egg
boxes can be stacked in a space-saving manner.
[0029] The base part 2 has a plurality of shaped depressions for
accommodating eggs. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the
shaped depressions 21 are arranged in two parallel rows of in each
case three shaped depressions 21. These shaped depressions 21 are
formed by a corresponding configuration of the wall of the base
part 2 and by two supports 23 arranged in the centre. The shaped
depressions are configured such that eggs inserted therein do not
come into contact with one another. In order to fix the lid part 3
in the closed state, two retaining noses are arranged on a front
side of the base part 2.
[0030] The lid part 3 is of tray-like configuration and comprises a
rear part, a top part 31, two side parts 32 and a front part 33.
The front part 33 contains two openings 34, which are intended for
interacting with the noses 24 for the base part 2 in order to lock
the lid part 3, in the closed state, to the base part 2. In the
closed state, the lid part 3, together with the base part 2, bounds
an interior in which the eggs are arranged in a protected
manner.
[0031] The configuration of the top part 31 of the lid part can be
seen in more detail in FIG. 2. The top part 31 is enclosed by a top
edge 30. The top part 31 is provided with four retaining
depressions 36. The retaining depressions 36 are offset in relation
to the shaped depressions 21 of the base part 2, to be precise such
that, in the closed state of the egg box 1, the retaining
depressions 36 are arranged centrally in each case over two shaped
depressions 21 which are directly adjacent to one another in a row.
In the case of the egg box 1 with six shaped depressions 21 which
is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, four retaining
depressions 36 are thus arranged in the top part 31 of the lid part
3. The retaining depressions 36 each have a floor 38 containing a
convex upwardly curved recess 37. The recess 37 serves for
stiffening the floor 38 of the retaining depression 36. By way of
the border of the floor 38, each of the retaining depressions 36
has a stabilizing effect on the top side of the eggs arranged in
the adjacent rows of shaped depressions 21. It is not absolutely
necessary, for this purpose, for the eggs to come into contact with
the border of the floor 38 when inserted; in particular in the case
of relatively small eggs, this is often not the case. The function
of the retaining depression 36 is, rather, to limit undesired
movement of the top side of the eggs. This makes it possible to
avoid damage by way of eggs in adjacent shaped depressions 11
striking against one another as a result of abrupt and rough
handling of the egg box. The retaining depressions 36 also serve
for additionally stiffening the lid part 3. The egg box 1 can thus
better protect the packaged eggs against damage. Moreover, the
stacking capability of the egg box 1 improves as a result.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of egg boxes 1, 1', 1'' in
clamping-type interconnection with one another. A further egg box
1*, which is not in clamping-type interconnection with the other
egg boxes, is also illustrated. As can be seen from FIG. 4 or, in
detail, also from FIG. 2, the bottom part 2 of the egg packaging 1
has a clamping elevation 5 at the respective bottom ends of the
shaped depressions 21. This clamping elevation is designed as an
encircling border of the respective shaped depression 21. The
retaining depressions 36 are formed on the lid part 3 so as to
function as clamping openings 6. The dimensions of the clamping
elevations 5 and clamping openings 6 are coordinated with one
another such that the clamping elevations 5 can be accommodated in
a force-fitting manner in the clamping openings 6. Since the
retaining depressions 36 have the same spacing between one another
as the shaped depressions 21 with their clamping elevations 5, it
is possible for a plurality of egg boxes 1, 1' to be connected with
clamping action such that they are offset in relation to one
another. It is expedient here for the top edge 30 of the lid part 3
to be drawn in to such an extent that its spacing from the nearest
clamping opening 6 is smaller than the spacing of the clamping
elevations 5 from one another. This ensures that, in the case of
one egg box 1 being mounted in an offset manner on another box 1',
none of the shaped elevations 5 collides with the top part 31 of
the lid part 3. This avoids a skewed fit of the top egg box 1. A
reliable clamping fit is achieved as a result.
[0033] The offset arrangement of the clamping elevations 5 and of
the clamping opening 6 further results in it not being possible for
egg boxes 1, 1* which are stacked precisely one above the other to
get stuck together. This can be seen in the top part of FIG. 4.
This is the advantage that filled egg boxes, which are usually
stacked directly one above the other for storage or sales purposes,
cannot become stuck to one another. This avoids, in a simple but
effective manner, the situation where, when the uppermost egg box
1' is removed, an egg box 1 located therebeneath, or an entire
stack of egg boxes, is accidentally also moved along therewith,
which could result in the stack toppling over and thus in the eggs
being damaged.
[0034] The offset arrangement also has the advantage that, with egg
boxes 1, 1' stacked precisely one upon the other, the clamping
elevations 5 rest in each case on the top part 31 rather than being
located over clamping openings 6, which would result in them having
to be borne by the sticker 7. This counteracts the risk of the
sticker 7 being damaged due to overloading.
[0035] As can further be seen from FIG. 4, it is also
correspondingly possible for a plurality of egg boxes 1, 1'' to be
connected to one another at a corner. This makes the construction
of corner structures possible.
[0036] The clamping elevations 5 on the underside and the clamping
openings 6 on the top side allow the egg boxes 1 to be put to a
second use as clamping-type building blocks. Since they are
available cost-effectively and have comparatively large dimensions,
they are suitable as a toy for children of different ages. Using
the egg boxes as clamping-type building blocks, comparatively large
structures, for example toy houses or toy castles, can be
constructed rapidly and cost-effectively.
[0037] According to a further aspect of the invention, a trough 4
is arranged approximately in the centre of the top part 31 of the
lid part 3. The trough 4 is oriented parallel to the axis of the
flexible hinge 25 and extends over at least half of the lid part 3,
in the example illustrated over approximately 3/4 of the length. In
the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the trough 4 connects all
four retaining depressions 36 to one another. This produces a
receiving space 40 which, as seen from above, is in the form of a
rounded letter "H". In the case of the exemplary embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, a floor 41 of the trough 4 is located at a
lower level than the floor 38 of the retaining depressions 36. This
produces a central channel within the accommodating space 40. It
goes without saying that the floor 41 of the trough 4 may also be
located at a higher level than the floor 38 of the retaining
depressions 36. In the case of the exemplary embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 4, the floor 41 is located at the same height as the floor
38 of the retaining depressions 36. The accommodating space 40,
which is produced by the retaining depressions 36 being connected
to the trough 4, is comparatively large. It is suitable for
accommodating both elongate items and items of irregular
configuration, for example a bottle opener, by way of its widened
end. The length of the trough 4 is expediently selected such that
the item which is to be accommodated can be conveniently inserted
therein. It is not imperative for the length to be predetermined by
the spacing of the retaining depressions 36; it may also be
selected to be longer or shorter, depending on the respective
requirements.
[0038] In order for it to be possible for egg boxes which are
stacked in the open state to be easily separated from one another,
the flanks of the trough 4 and of the retaining depression 36 are
inclined in relation to the vertical. The degree of inclination
depends on the material properties, in particular the material
thickness and the coefficient of friction, and is usually between
2.degree. and 20.degree., preferably between 6.degree. and
9.degree.. This allows the stacked egg boxes to be destacked again
in optimum fashion, i.e. a good denesting capability is
achieved.
[0039] In order to avoid the situation where the item inserted into
the accommodating space 40 drops out during transportation, a
sticker 7 is provided. The latter is adhesively bonded to the top
part 31 of the lid part 3 such that it extends over the four
retaining depressions 36 and the trough 4, with the result that the
entire accommodating space 40 is covered by the sticker 7. However,
the sticker 7 serves not just for preventing the inserted item from
dropping out. It also has the function of hiding from the user's
view the item which has been inserted into the accommodating space
40. As a result, it is only when he tears off the sticker 7 from
the lid part of the egg box 1 that the user knows what kind of item
is hidden behind it in the accommodating space 40. This achieves a
very much desirable sense of surprise, and the user is left with a
greater and more positive impression of the egg box. The sticker 7
has the further advantage that it also provides a printing surface
which can be utilized for product information or advertising. The
sticker shown in FIG. 3 may be of any desired size, as long as it
covers the trough 4 and the retaining depressions 36 to a
sufficient extent. It is also possible for this sticker to be of
considerably larger configuration; its front side may thus be
extended as far as the bottom edge of the front part 33 of the lid
part 3.
* * * * *