RECLOSABLE PACKAGE FOR CHEESE

Abstract: Packaging (1) which holds a quantity of cheese (2), at least comprising a multilayer film with at least one layer of paper and one layer of plastic, the packaging comprising two film layers (3, 4) which are joined to one another with the aid of at least two closures seams (9, 10) and define an opening (8) for the packaging (1), while one of the film layers (4) comprises a flap (7) which is folded over the opening (8) in order to close off the opening (8), with a reclosure adhesive (6) interacting with the other film layer (3).

Description: RECLOSABLE PACKAGE FOR CHEESE The present invention relates to a packaging holding a quantity of cheese. Packagings of this nature are generally known in the prior art. There are numerous types of such packagings. For example, there are packagings which are to be opened by means of a tear line or the like. However, there are also packagings which have to be opened using a sharp object such as scissors or a knife. Neither type of packaging can be closed again satisfactorily once they have been opened. However, packagings comprising means which make the packagings reclosable are also known. In the latter type of packagings, cheese can be taken out of a packaging after it has been opened and a remaining piece of cheese can be returned to the packaging, after which the packaging can be closed again. In the prior art, these packagings are generally made from transparent plastic, and it is quite obvious to the consumer that the packaging with its contents is a so-called industrial packaging, and therefore does not hold freshly cut cheese. The cheese often looks as if it would have a longer shelf life than freshly cut cheese, and consequently the consumer often assumes that the cheese contains preservatives and therefore cannot be of the same quality as fresh cheese. Also, packagings of this nature lack a traditional appearance. Therefore, in the prior art there is a demand for a packaging which holds a quantity of cheese which combines a freshly cut cheese character with a traditional appearance. In addition, the cheese is to maintain its excellent characteristics for a prolonged period in the refrigerated display cabinet. The object of the present invention is to satisfy this demand and, to this end, the invention provides a packaging which holds a quantity of cheese, at least comprising a multilayer film with at least one layer of paper and one layer of plastic, the packaging comprising two film layers which are joined to one another with the aid of at least two closure seams and define an opening for the packaging, while one of the film layers comprises a flap which is folded over the opening in order to close off the opening, with a reclosure adhesive interacting with the other film layer. Tests carried out by panels have shown that the packaging according to the invention is very attractive to consumers, partially because of the fact that it can be reclosed and through the presence of the layer of paper in the multilayer film of the film material from which the packaging is made. The appearance is traditional, as is the feeling to the touch when a packaging of this nature is picked up. The packaging has a very nostalgic appearance. The way m which the packaging is produced is not essential, although advantageously the packaging is made a single web of film and comprises two closure seams which extend transversely with respect to the fold and adjoin the fold. In other words, one of the edges is formed by a fold m the web of film, two edges which lie opposite one another and adjoin the fold are formed by a closure seam and the fourth edge is formed by the folded-over flap. The packaging therefore has the appearance of an envelope. Preferably, the packaging comprises an additional closure seam which extends between the closure seams and opposite the fold. At the location of the flap, there may therefore be an additional closure seam which can be opened prior to initial use. This latter closure seam extends between the two previously mentioned closure seams and has a guarantee function. The advantageous characteristics of the invention are obtained in particular if the cheese is cheese of the semi-hard type. In the context of the present application, semi-hard cheese is intended to mean, for example, Gouda, Edam, Maasdammer, Emmental, low-fat semi-hard cheeses, etc. Particularly for this type of cheese, the user considers the packaging according to the invention to be a highly authentic, nostalgic packaging with a traditional appearance and a strongly freshly-cut cheese character. Moreover, it has been found that semi-hard cheese, despite often having a high moisture content (for example 45%), retains its sensory characteristics for at least eight weeks in the refrigerated display cabinet when packaged in the packaging according to the invention, even after it has been opened and closed repeatedly. The film material for use in the packaging according to the invention is of essential importance. It is important that this material comprises a layer of plastic and a layer of paper. In particular, the film material according to the invention is transparent, preferably semi-transparent, and has the appearance characteristics of what is known as greaseproof paper. As seen from the outside inwards, the film material particularly advantageously comprises at least the following layers: a paper layer, an adhesive layer, - a gas barrier layer, a water barrier layer, and a reinforcement layer. In other words, the paper layer is always situated on the outside of the packaging, and the reinforcement layer on the inside. The reinforcement layer is therefore in contact with the cheese m the packaging, while the paper layer is in contact with the environment. In certain cases, it may be advantageous for the paper layer also to be coated on the outside with a suitable layer of plastic, a so-called covering layer. The abovementioned layers may be selected from numerous materials which are known to the person skilled in the art, but advantageously the film material, as seen from the outside inwards, comprises the following layers: a paper layer, a polyethylene layer as the adhesive layer, an EVOH layer as the gas barrier layer, a polyethylene layer as the water barrier layer, and a polyamide layer as the reinforcement layer. The paper used m the packaging according to the invention is preferably paper with a density of 20-50 more preferably approximately 25 g/πr. In particular, the paper used is so-called "glassme" paper or teabag paper. The film flap may comprise a section of one film layer which has been folded over the other film layer so as to close off the opening. However, in a preferred embodiment, the film flap is folded over the opening together with part of both film layers. This design will be explained m more detail below in the description of the figures. The semi-hard cheese which is held in the packaging according to the invention may be cheese in one piece or sliced cheese . The reclosure adhesive according to the invention is preferably a thermoplastic adhesive which can easily be applied at elevated temperature, if appropriate with the aid of a nozzle or even by screen printing. However, consideration may also be given to double-sided adhesive tape or the like. The double- sided adhesive tape will on one side comprise an adhesive which can stick permanently to the film material of the packaging, but on the other side will comprise a reclosable adhesive. Furthermore, the reclosable adhesive may be of a different colour from the rest of the packaging, so that the user finds it easy to understand and employ the reclosure principle. One or more biodegradable plastic layers may also be incorporated m the film material . Examples of such layers are casein layers, polylactide layers, starch layers and combinations thereof. Advantageously, one of the layers is a plastic film based on polylactide and starch. The invention will be explained m more detail below with reference to the appended drawing, in which: - Fig. 1 shows a cross section through a packaging according to the invention in the unused and closed state; - Fig. 2 shows a cross section through the packaging shown m Fig. 1 m the partially open state; - Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the packaging shown in Fig. 1 in the open state; and - Fig. 4 shows a front view of the packaging according to the invention. In Fig. 1, 1 denotes a packaging according to the invention which is provided with a quantity of Maasdammer cheese 2. The packaging comprises a top film layer 3 and a bottom film layer 4. The top film layer 3 and the bottom film layer 4 are joined together by means of a peelable closure seam 5. The bottom film layer 4 is provided with a reclosable adhesive 6 which serves to enable a flap 7, which forms part of the bottom film layer 4, to be joined to the top film layer 3. This arrangement can be seen more clearly m Fig. 2 in the partially open state of the packaging 1. By detaching the top film layer 3 from the bottom film layer at the location of the seam 5, as shown m Fig. 3, an opening 8 which allows access to the interior of the packaging s obtained. In this way, all or some of the cheese can be removed from the packaging. After cheese has been put back into the packaging, if appropriate, the packaging 1 can be closed again by being returned, apart form the seam 5, to the state shown in Fig. 1, in which the reclosable adhesive 6 interacts with the top layer 3. It will be clear that the reclosable adhesive 6 may also be attached to the top film layer 3 at the location indicated in Fig. 1. Naturally, all this depends on the particular application. Finally, Fig. 4 shows a front view of the packaging 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, revealing two closure seams 9 and 10 and a fold seam 11. The packaging 1 shown in the above figures is made from a single web of film. However, the present invention is not limited to this option, , since the packaging may also be made from a plurality of pieces of film.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Packaging (1) which holds a quantity of cheese (2), at least comprising a multilayer film with at least one layer of paper and one layer of plastic, the packaging comprising two film layers (3, 4) which are joined to one another with the aid of at least two closure seams (9, 10) and define an opening (8) for the packaging (1), while one of the film layers (4) comprises a flap (7) which is folded over the opening (8) in order to close off the opening (8), with a reclosure adhesive (6) interacting with the other film layer (3) . 2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized m that the packaging (1) is made from a folded web of film and comprises two closure seams (9, 10) which extend transversely with respect to the fold (11) and adjoin the fold. 3. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the packaging (1) comprises an additional closure seam (5) which extends between the closure seams (9, 10) and opposite the fold (11) • 4. Packaging according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cheese (2) is cheese of the semi-hard type. 5. Packaging according to one or more of claims 1-4, characterized in that the film material, as seen from the outside inwards, comprises at least the following layers: a paper layer, - an adhesive layer, a gas barrier layer, a water barrier layer, and a reinforcement layer. 6. Packaging according to claim 5, characterized in that the film material, as seen from the outside inwards, comprises the following layers: a paper layer, a polyethylene layer, an EVOH layer, - a polyethylene layer, and a polyamide layer. 7. Packaging according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paper is so-called 25 gram paper . 8. Packaging according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film flap (7), together with part of the two film layers (3, 4), is folded over the opening (8) .

Inventors: KOELLMANN CLEMENS JOHANNUS WIL, VAN PUIJENBROEK ALEXANDER JOSE, KOELLMANN, CLEMENS, JOHANNUS, WILLEBRORDUS, VAN PUIJENBROEK, ALEXANDER, JOSEPHUS, MARICUS
Applicants: CAMPINA MELKUNIE B V DIVISIE K, KOELLMANN CLEMENS JOHANNUS WIL, PUIJENBROEK ALEXANDER JOSEPHUS, CAMPINA MELKUNIE B.V. - DIVISIE KAAS, KOELLMANN, CLEMENS, JOHANNUS, WILLEBRORDUS, VAN PUIJENBROEK, ALEXANDER, JOSEPHUS, MARICUS
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65D75
IPC codes: B65D33, B65D75, B65D85