Patent Description:
As is known, many food products, in particular pourable food products, such as fruit juice, milk, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, yoghurt, cottage cheese, soup, salt, sugar etc., are sold in packages at least partially being made from a multilayer packaging material.

One of the prominent examples of such packages is the parallelepiped-shaped package for pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark). Such packages are made by folding and sealing a laminated multilayer packaging material.

There exist varying approaches on how to allow to access the packaged food product. some packages are provided with a lid-spout assembly or other opening devices.

It is furthermore known that some packages are thought for the consumption on-the-go; i.e. the consumer has the possibility to consume the product outside from the consumer's domicile. Such packages must be designed such that the consumer can easily access the food product present within the packaging.

Further prior art is described in patent document <CIT>, disclosing a package according to the preamble of appended claim <NUM>.

Even though the known packages for food products work satisfyingly well, a need is felt in the sector to even further improve the known packages, in particular in respect of providing an opening for the package to allow easy access to the product it holds.

It is an object of the invention to at least partly overcome one or more limitations of the prior art. In particular, it is an object to provide a package allowing to easily access the food product within the packaging, even more particular so as to allow for a simple consumption on-the-go.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mould for a packaging machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided a package according to the independent claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments of the package are claimed in the claims being directly or indirectly dependent on claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a mould for a packaging machine according to claim <NUM>.

In addition, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a package for holding a food product. The package comprises a main body formed from a multilayer packaging material that comprises a layer of fibrous material and a lid structure formed from a plastic material and attached to the main body.

The main body has: a bottom section, a wall section extending from the bottom section for forming an inner space for the food product, and an opening arranged at an end of the wall section that is opposite to the bottom section.

The lid structure is configured to seal the opening and the inner space and comprises: a lid frame attached to the main body at the opening, a lid detachably joined with the lid frame and sealing the opening in cooperation with the lid frame, and a pull element connected to a peripheral portion of the lid and configured to, when pulled, exert an opening force on the lid so as to at least partially detach the lid from the lid frame and thereby at least partially freeing the opening.

The package is advantageous in that by arranging the pull element at the peripheral portion of the lid, it is possible to efficiently direct the opening force, at the very beginning of the opening, onto a locally restricted portion of the lid thereby allowing to improve the separation of the lid from the lid frame. This provides for an opening that allows easy access to the food product held by the package.

The pull element may extend from a lid top surface of the lid by an angle that is in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>° or in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>° or (substantially) <NUM>°. The angle may be the angle between a plane of the lid top surface of the lid and a direction by which the pull element extends from the lid, at the location where the pull element is connected to the lid and measured on a side of the pull element facing a center of the lid. In this way, it is possible to further guarantee the concentration of the opening forces.

The pull element may be connected to the lid at one coupling point only or at two coupling points only. This allows to direct and concentrate the force on one single portion of the lid further improving the efficiency of the detaching of the lid.

The pull element may comprise a ring-shaped gripping structure, and the lid may comprise a depression that is located beneath the ring-shaped gripping structure. In this manner, it is possible to allow for an improved housing of the ring-shaped gripping structure. The ring-shaped gripping structure may be closed or may be open with its ends connected to the lid or to two elements (legs) that extend from the lid.

The lid may comprise a protrusion that extends over the lid frame, and the pull element may be connected to the protrusion. This allows to even further improve the separation properties of the lid from the lid frame.

The lid may cover at least <NUM>% of the opening of the main body. In this way, it is possible to liberate a significant portion of the opening facilitating the access to the food product, in particular for consumption-on-the-go solutions.

The lid frame comprises a frame top surface extending along an entire periphery of the opening of the main body. The lid comprises a cover portion and a lid wall section. The lid wall section extends around a peripheral section of the cover portion and is joined to the lid frame and lifts peripheral section of the cover portion above the frame top surface. The presence of the lid wall section allows the forces to follow the orientation of the lid wall section itself, thereby allow to concentrate the forces and to facilitate the separation of the lid from the lid frame.

The lid may comprise a tip-shaped protrusion extending into the lid frame, at a location underneath the pull element. The tip-shaped protrusion allows to concentrate the forces onto the interface formed between the tip-shaped protrusion and the lid frame leading to even further improved separation properties of the lid from the lid frame.

The lid structure may comprise a tear section that is located where the lid is joined with the lid frame. The tear section guarantees on the one side the joining between the lid frame and the lid and provides on the other side for the possibility to detach the lid from the lid frame.

At least <NUM>% of the length of the tear section may follow a contour that has the same shape as the shape of the contour of the opening of the main body. In this way one ensures to easily access the food product.

The lid may be at least partially detached, the entire periphery of the lid has exact correspondence to an inner part of the lid frame from where the lid was detached. In this manner, the lid retains its original structure and is simply detached from the lid frame without any incision or the like within the lid.

The tear section may comprise a tip-shaped section that extends into the lid frame, at a location underneath the pull element. This allows to concentrate at the very beginning of the separation of the lid from the lid frame to a localized portion.

The tear section may be interrupted at a side of the opening of the main body that is opposite the side of the main body where the pull element is located. This allows to guarantee that the lid remains attached to the lid frame, thereby that the lid will be correctly disposed with the rest of the package.

The tear section may comprise an angled-side portion that, at the side of the main body where the pull element is located and at a respective side of the pull element, extends with an angle relative an outer periphery of the lid frame, such that the distance between the tear section and the outer periphery of the lid frame increases along the angled side portion, in a direction away from the pull element. Such a solution allows to improve the detachment properties of the lid from the lid frame after the initial detachment of the lid has started.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a mould for a packaging machine, the mould comprising a cavity having a shape that corresponds to the shape of the above-described lid structure of the package. The mould allows to shape the lid structure and attach it onto the main body of the package.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may be embodied in many different forms falling within the scope of the appended claims and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

With reference to <FIG> an exemplary package <NUM> for holding a food product, in particular a pourable food product, such as milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, tomato sauce, soup, salt, sugar or similar, is illustrated.

In more detail and with further reference to <FIG>, package <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> formed from a multilayer packaging material <NUM> and a lid structure <NUM> attached to, in particular molded onto, main body <NUM>.

The multilayer packaging material <NUM> comprises a layer of fibrous material <NUM>, such as e.g. paper or cardboard, and may comprise at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material <NUM>. e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material <NUM> in between one another.

Moreover, the multilayer packaging material <NUM> may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material <NUM>, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of heat-seal plastic material <NUM> and layer of fibrous material <NUM>. Preferentially, the multilayer packaging material <NUM> may also comprise a further layer of heat-seal plastic material <NUM> being interposed between layer of gas- and light-barrier material <NUM> and layer of fibrous material <NUM>.

Turning back to <FIG>, the main body <NUM> comprises: a bottom section <NUM>, a wall section <NUM> extending from bottom section <NUM>, in particular along a central (longitudinal) axis A, for forming an inner space <NUM> for the food product, and an opening <NUM> arranged at an end <NUM> of the wall section <NUM>, which end <NUM> is opposite to bottom section <NUM>.

Moreover, the lid structure <NUM> is attached onto the main body <NUM> so as to seal the opening <NUM> and the inner space <NUM>. As is explained in further detail further below, the lid structure <NUM> may be manipulated such that a consumer can access the inner space <NUM>, e.g. so as to outpour the food product from the inner space <NUM> and/or to directly consume the food product out of the main body <NUM>.

More specifically, the bottom section <NUM> may define a support surface of package <NUM>, in particular of the main body <NUM>, which is configured to be put in contact with a support surface, such as e.g. a shelf, in particular when, in use, being e.g. exposed within a sales point or when being stored. In particular, it is readily recognizable that the bottom section <NUM> is to be arranged at a lower position than the other positions, when being placed on the support surface. In particular, bottom section <NUM> defines the lowest portion of package <NUM>.

Furthermore, also during a manipulation (opening) of the lid structure <NUM>, the bottom section <NUM> defines the lowest position of main body <NUM>.

Thus, in the following any references referring to top, bottom, upper, lower, above, beneath and similar refers to package <NUM> being placed e.g. on a support surface or when being held by a consumer when this latter intends to manipulate lid structure <NUM>, having the bottom section <NUM> at the lowermost position while the lid structure <NUM> and thus the opening <NUM> are located vertically above the bottom section <NUM>.

In other words, a "correct" orientation of package <NUM> is such that bottom section <NUM>, when being viewed by the consumer, is arranged at a lower position than lid structure <NUM> as otherwise the manipulation of lid structure <NUM> would lead to a non-desired spilling of the food product.

In particular, the end <NUM> may be arranged at an upper position than the bottom section <NUM>. In other words, the end <NUM> defines a top end of the main body <NUM>.

Additionally, the package <NUM> may also comprise a cover <NUM> (only shown in <FIG>), in particular a plastic cover <NUM>, removably coupled to main body <NUM> and covering the lid structure <NUM>. In particular, the cover <NUM> may extend from the main body <NUM>. Even more particular, the cover <NUM> may have a parallelepiped shape. The cover <NUM> may hold additional food product, such as Muesli, and/or may be arranged to hold a spoon or a similar tool that is suitable to use when consuming a food product from the package <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is typically removed prior to manipulation (opening) of the lid structure <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may also extend along a first transversal axis B that is transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the central axis A and a second transversal axis C that is transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the central axis A and the first transversal axis B. An extension of the main body <NUM> along central axis A may be larger than the respective extensions of the main body <NUM> along the first transversal axis B and the second transversal axis C.

The main body <NUM>, in particular the wall section <NUM>, may have a quadratic cross-sectional profile with respect to a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to central axis A. Alternatively, the cross-section profile may be different e.g. being circular, oval, elliptic, rectangular, hexagonal or having any other shape.

The wall section <NUM> may comprise one or more single walls, in the particular case shown four. In particular, each wall is connected to two neighboring walls.

Additionally, the wall section <NUM> may comprise an annular rim <NUM>, see <FIG>, arranged at the end <NUM> and delimiting the opening <NUM>. In particular, the rim <NUM> may define a periphery of the opening <NUM>.

In particular, the main body <NUM> may be void of any further section transversal to the wall section <NUM> having the opening <NUM> and being arranged at the end <NUM>.

Moreover, the main body <NUM> may comprise an inner face <NUM> facing and/or delimiting the inner space <NUM> and an outer face <NUM> that is opposite the inner face <NUM> (i.e. the outer face <NUM> faces away from the inner space <NUM>).

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the lid structure <NUM> is formed from a plastic material and comprises:
a lid frame <NUM> attached to, in particular molded onto, the main body <NUM> at the opening <NUM>, a lid <NUM> detachably joined with the lid frame <NUM> and sealing the opening <NUM> in cooperation with the lid frame <NUM> (see <FIG>), and a pull element <NUM> connected to a peripheral portion <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and configured to, when being pulled, exerting an opening force F on the lid <NUM> so as to at least partially detach the lid <NUM> from the lid frame <NUM> and thereby at least partially freeing the opening <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In use, after an at least partial detachment of the lid <NUM> from the frame <NUM>, a consumer may outpour and/or access the food product.

Additionally, the lid structure <NUM> may comprise a tear section <NUM> located where the lid <NUM> is joined with the lid frame <NUM>. In other words, the tear section <NUM> is interposed between the lid <NUM> and the lid frame <NUM> and detachably joins the lid <NUM> to the lid frame <NUM>. Or in even other words, the tear section <NUM> at least partially connects the lid <NUM> with the lid frame <NUM>.

Moreover, the tear section <NUM> may be configured such that upon exertion of the opening force F, tear section <NUM> detaches from the lid <NUM> and/or the lid frame <NUM> so as to allow for the separation of the lid <NUM> from the lid frame <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, the lid frame <NUM> may have an annular shape. In particular, the shape of the lid frame <NUM> may correspond to the cross-sectional profile of the main body <NUM> (with respect to the cross-sectional plane being perpendicular to central axis A), in particular at the end <NUM>.

The lid frame <NUM> may comprise an inner ring <NUM> and an outer ring <NUM> spaced apart from one another. The inner ring <NUM> and the outer ring <NUM> may define an annular interspace (see <FIG>) within which a portion of the wall section <NUM> is arranged so as to attach the lid frame <NUM> to the main body <NUM>, in particular wall section <NUM>. In other words, the upper portion of the wall section <NUM> may be interposed between the inner ring <NUM> and the outer ring <NUM>.

The lid frame <NUM> may also comprise a connection portion <NUM>, the inner ring <NUM> and the outer ring <NUM>. In particular, the inner ring <NUM> and the outer ring <NUM> transversally, in particular (substantially) perpendicularly, protrude from the connection portion <NUM>.

The lid frame <NUM> may be attached to the wall section <NUM> such that the rim <NUM> is housed within the interspace formed between the inner ring <NUM> and the outer ring <NUM>.

The inner ring <NUM> may be radially arranged inside and the outer ring <NUM> may be arranged radially outside (with respect to center axis A and an axis radially extending from central axis A). In other words, the inner ring <NUM> may be closer to the central axis A than the outer ring <NUM>.

The inner ring <NUM> may be (at least) partially arranged within the inner space <NUM>.

The inner ring <NUM> may be attached to, in particular fused and/or molded onto, the inner face <NUM> and the outer ring <NUM> may be attached to, in particular fused and/or molded onto, the outer face <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, 4A, 4B and <FIG>, the lid frame <NUM>, in particular the connection portion <NUM>, comprises a frame top surface <NUM>. The frame top surface <NUM> faces away from the inner space <NUM>.

The frame top surface <NUM> may extend within a first plane H1, preferentially being transversal, in particular perpendicular, to central axis A. In particular, the first plane H1 is parallel to a plane being spanned by first transversal axis B and second transversal axis C. The frame top surface <NUM> extends along the entire periphery of the opening <NUM> and/or along the entirety of the rim <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the lid <NUM> comprises a cover portion <NUM>, in particular being configured to expand over the opening <NUM>, and a lid wall section <NUM> extending from the cover portion <NUM>. In particular, the lid wall section <NUM> may transversally, in particular perpendicularly, extend from an annular peripheral section <NUM> of cover portion <NUM>. The peripheral portion <NUM> of the lid <NUM> may comprise the annular peripheral section <NUM> of the cover portion <NUM>. The lid wall section <NUM> may be (substantially) parallel to central axis A.

The cover portion <NUM> may be transversally, in particular perpendicularly, arranged with the central axis A, and in the lid wall section <NUM> may be (substantially) parallel to central axis A.

The lid wall section <NUM> is detachably joined to lid frame <NUM>, in particular along the tear section <NUM>. The lid wall section <NUM> is connected to the cover portion <NUM>, in particular to the peripheral section <NUM>, at a first end of lid wall section <NUM> and to the lid frame <NUM>, more specifically to the connection portion <NUM> of the lid frame <NUM>, at a second end of the lid wall section <NUM> opposed to the first end.

The lid wall section <NUM> lifts at least the peripheral section <NUM> above the lid frame <NUM>, in particular above frame top surface <NUM>. In other words, the lid frame <NUM> and the frame top surface <NUM> are interposed between the peripheral section <NUM> and the bottom section <NUM>.

The lid <NUM>, in particular the cover portion <NUM>, may comprise a lid top surface <NUM>, in particular facing away from lid frame <NUM> and/or inner space <NUM>. The peripheral section <NUM> may comprise an annular zone <NUM> of lid top surface <NUM>. The annular zone <NUM> may extend within a second plane H2, in particular being transversal, even more particular perpendicular, to central axis A. Additionally, the second plane H2 may be parallel to the first plane H1.

The lid <NUM>, in particular the cover portion <NUM>, may comprise a center <NUM>. The center <NUM> may be intersected by central axis A. The lid <NUM>, in particular the cover portion <NUM>, may comprise a depression <NUM>.

The cover portion <NUM> may be curved, even more particular having a concave shape relative to second plane H2.

The deepest point and/or the point of inflection of the depression <NUM> may be laterally displaced from the center <NUM> and/or pointing towards and/or into the inner space <NUM>.

The lid <NUM>, in particular the cover portion <NUM>, may cover at least <NUM>% the opening <NUM>. Furthermore, the lid frame <NUM> may cover the portions of the opening <NUM> not covered by the lid <NUM>, in particular the cover portion <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, 7A and 7B, the pull element <NUM> is connected to and/or may extend from the lid frame <NUM>, in particular from the peripheral portion <NUM>, even more particular from peripheral section <NUM>, and in particular away from the lid <NUM> and the lid frame <NUM>.

The pull element <NUM> is connected to and/or may extend from the lid <NUM>, in particular from the peripheral portion <NUM>, even more particular from the peripheral section <NUM>, at a coupling point <NUM>. The coupling point <NUM> may be a single coupling point, i.e. the only point at which the pull element is attached to the lid <NUM>. In other words, even though there might be more than one connection point, there may be only one single connection between the pull element <NUM> and the lid <NUM>.

The pull element <NUM> may extend from the lid top surface <NUM>, even more particular from the annular zone <NUM>, at a coupling point <NUM>. The pull element <NUM> extends from lid <NUM>, in particular from lid top surface <NUM>, even more particular from annular zone <NUM>, by an angle α that is in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°, in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°, or substantially <NUM>°.

More specifically, the angle α may be an angle between the second plane H2 and a direction D by which the pull element <NUM> extends from the lid <NUM> at the coupling point <NUM> and measured on a side of the pull element <NUM> facing the center <NUM>. The direction D may point from the second plane H2 upwards.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>, the lid <NUM>, in particular the cover portion <NUM>, may comprise a protrusion <NUM> extending over the lid frame <NUM>, in particular over the frame top surface <NUM>. The pull element <NUM> may be connected to the protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may have a (substantially) plate-like shape and/or may consist of a plate. The protrusion <NUM> may extend within second plane H2. The protrusion <NUM> may radially extend from the lid <NUM>, in particular from the cover portion <NUM>.

Alternatively or additionally, the lid <NUM>, in particular lid wall section <NUM>, may comprise a tip-shaped protrusion <NUM> extending into lid frame <NUM>. In particular, the tip-shaped protrusion <NUM> may be positioned underneath pull element <NUM> or, in other words, the tip-shaped protrusion <NUM> may be interposed between the lid frame <NUM> and the pull element <NUM>.

The protrusion <NUM> may be interposed between the tip-shaped protrusion <NUM> and the pull element <NUM> or in other words, the protrusion <NUM> may be arranged above tip-shaped protrusion <NUM> and below the pull element <NUM>. The tip-shaped protrusion <NUM> may have a wedge-like shape.

The pull element <NUM> and/or the protrusion <NUM> and/or the tip-shaped protrusion <NUM> may be arranged at and/or adjacent to a side <NUM> of main body <NUM> and/or opening <NUM>. The main body <NUM> and/or the opening <NUM> may comprise a further side <NUM> opposite to side <NUM>.

In use, during exertion of opening force F, the lid <NUM> may detach from the lid frame <NUM> starting at side <NUM> and ending at side <NUM>. The pull element <NUM> may be configured such that the opening force F is directed from side <NUM> towards side <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the pull element <NUM> may comprise a ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>, in particular being configured to allow to be gripped by a consumer. The ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM> may comprise elements improving the gripping properties of the ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>. Such elements may be arranged at a top surface of the ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>.

The ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM> may be arranged above the depression <NUM>, or in other words, the depression <NUM> may be arranged below the ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>. In even other words, the depression <NUM> may be interposed between the ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM> and the inner space <NUM> and/or the bottom section <NUM>. The depression <NUM> may be configured to at least partially receive the ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>.

The pull element <NUM> may also comprise a leg <NUM> connected on one of its end sides to lid <NUM> and at another of its end sides to the ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>. The leg <NUM> may extend from the lid <NUM> by the angle α.

With reference to <FIG>, at least <NUM>% of the tear section <NUM>, in particular the length of tear section <NUM>, may follow a contour that has the same shape as the shape of a contour of the opening <NUM> and/or the rim <NUM>.

The lid <NUM>, in particular the lid wall section <NUM>, may comprise a periphery <NUM> being connected to an inner part <NUM> of the lid frame <NUM>, in particular via the tear section <NUM>.

When the lid <NUM>, in particular the lid wall section <NUM>, is at least partially detached from the lid frame <NUM>, the periphery <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, in particular the lid wall section <NUM>, may have, in particular in its entirety, exact correspondence to the inner part <NUM> of the lid frame <NUM> from where lid <NUM>, in particular lid wall section <NUM>, is detached. The periphery <NUM> may only comprise portions, which prior to being detached, are joined via the tear section <NUM> to lid frame <NUM>.

The tear section <NUM> may comprise a tip-shaped section <NUM> that may extend into the lid frame <NUM> at a location underneath the pull element <NUM> and/or underneath the protrusion <NUM> and/or underneath the tip-shaped protrusion <NUM>. The tip-shaped section <NUM> may be arranged at side <NUM>.

The tip-shaped protrusion <NUM> may be joined to lid frame <NUM> along the tip-shaped section <NUM> or the tear section <NUM>. In particular, the tip-shaped section <NUM> may follow the shape of tip-shaped protrusion <NUM>.

The tear section <NUM> may comprise a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM> distinct from first end <NUM>. In other words, the tear section <NUM> may be arc-shaped (and not annularly shaped). Or in even other words, the tear section <NUM> may be interrupted at the side <NUM>.

The lid structure <NUM> may comprise a tethering and/or hinge element <NUM> extending between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. The lid frame <NUM> and the lid <NUM>, in particular the lid wall section <NUM>, may be joined to one another along tethering and/or hinge element <NUM>. In particular, tethering and/or hinge element <NUM> may be configured to guarantee that the lid <NUM> remains attached to the lid frame <NUM> even after detachment of the lid <NUM> along the tear section <NUM>; i.e. tethering and/or hinge element <NUM> does not rupture upon exertion of opening force F. The tethering and/or hinge element <NUM> may be arranged at side <NUM>. In one embodiment the hinge element <NUM> is omitted and the tear section <NUM> extends along the full length of side <NUM>, allowing the entire lid <NUM> to be removed from the lid frame <NUM>.

In further detail, the tear section <NUM> may comprise at least one, in particular two, angled side portions <NUM> arranged at side <NUM>. The angled side portions <NUM> may meet at the tip-shaped section <NUM>, thereby forming the tip-shaped section <NUM>. The tear section <NUM> may comprise two (parallel) side portions <NUM> that are transversal to the angled side portions <NUM>.

The tear section <NUM> may comprise one or more auxiliary portions <NUM>, in the specific case shown two, joined with the side portions <NUM> and being arranged at side <NUM>. The auxiliary portions <NUM> may interpose tethering and/or hinge element <NUM> between one another. One auxiliary portion <NUM> may comprise the first end <NUM> and the other one the second end <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, each of the angled side portions <NUM> may extend with an angle β relative to an outer periphery <NUM> of lid frame <NUM>, in particular relative to the outer ring <NUM>, such that a distance between the angled side portion <NUM> and the outer periphery <NUM> of lid frame <NUM> increases along the angled side portion <NUM> in a direction away from the pull element <NUM>. Two respective imaginary lines, each containing one respective angled side portion <NUM>, may define a wedge-shaped structure and a respective intersection of the two imaginary lines may radially point away from center axis A.

A mould (not shown) is used for forming the lid structure <NUM>. The mould is manufactured according to known principles within the art and is configured to be installed in a packaging machine, which is arranged to package the food products into packages like the package <NUM> described herein. The mould has a cavity <NUM> having a shape that corresponds to the shape of lid structure <NUM>. In other words, the cavity <NUM> is shaped such to allow for formation of lid structure <NUM>. The mould is also configured to mold the lid structure <NUM> onto main body <NUM>.

In use, a consumer receives package <NUM> with the lid <NUM> being joint to the lid frame <NUM>. In order to at least partially free the opening <NUM>, the consumer must exert the opening force F so as to allow for the lid <NUM> detach from the lid frame <NUM> along at least a part of the tear section <NUM>. Obviously, prior to exerting the opening force F, the consumer needs to remove the cover <NUM>. In order to exert opening force F, the consumer grips ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> a package <NUM> with a pull element <NUM> according to another embodiment is illustrated. Except for a different shape of the pull element <NUM> the package <NUM> corresponds to and has the same features as the package <NUM> previously described.

Thus, the package <NUM> has the same main body and lid structure including lid frame <NUM> and detachable lid <NUM> as the package <NUM> of <FIG>. The pull element <NUM> is connected to the peripheral portion <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and is configured to, when pulled, exert an opening force on the lid <NUM> so as to at least partially detach the lid <NUM> from the lid frame <NUM>.

The pull element <NUM> comprises a first leg <NUM> connected at one of its ends to the lid <NUM> and at the other of its ends to a first end of an open, ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>. The pull element <NUM> comprises a second leg <NUM> which is connected at one of its ends to the lid <NUM> and at another of its ends to the second end of the open, ring-shaped gripping structure <NUM>.

The pull element <NUM> is, via the first leg <NUM>, connected to and extends from the lid <NUM>, in particular from the peripheral portion <NUM> at a first coupling point <NUM>. The first coupling point <NUM> is in this case not the only point at which the pull element <NUM> is attached to the lid <NUM>. The pull element <NUM> is via the second leg <NUM> attached to the lid <NUM> at a second coupling point <NUM>. The second leg <NUM> is connected to the lid <NUM> at a position behind the first leg <NUM>, as seen in a direction from the protrusion <NUM> towards the first leg <NUM>. In other words, the first leg <NUM> is connected to the lid <NUM> at a coupling point <NUM> between the peripheral portion <NUM> and the coupling point <NUM> on the lid <NUM> where the second leg <NUM> is attached to the lid <NUM>.

The first leg <NUM> for the package <NUM> according to the second embodiment may have the same shape and form as the leg <NUM> for the package <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A package (<NUM>) for holding a food product, the package (<NUM>) comprising a main body (<NUM>) formed from a multilayer packaging material (<NUM>) that comprises a layer of fibrous material (<NUM>), the main body (<NUM>) having
- a bottom section (<NUM>),
- a wall section (<NUM>) extending from the bottom section (<NUM>) for forming an inner space (<NUM>) for the food product, and
- an opening (<NUM>) arranged at an end (<NUM>) of the wall section (<NUM>) that is opposite to the bottom section (<NUM>), and
a lid structure (<NUM>) that is formed from a plastic material and attached to the main body (<NUM>) for sealing the opening (<NUM>) and the inner space (<NUM>), the lid structure (<NUM>) having
- a lid frame (<NUM>) attached to the main body (<NUM>) at the opening (<NUM>),
- a lid (<NUM>) detachably joined with the lid frame (<NUM>) and sealing the opening (<NUM>) in cooperation with the lid frame (<NUM>), and
- a pull element (<NUM>, <NUM>) connected to a peripheral portion (<NUM>) of the lid (<NUM>) and configured to, when pulled, exert an opening force (F) on the lid (<NUM>) so as to at least partially detach the lid (<NUM>) from the lid frame (<NUM>) and thereby at least partially freeing the opening (<NUM>), characterized in that
the lid frame (<NUM>) comprises a frame top surface (<NUM>) that extends along the entire periphery (<NUM>) of the opening (<NUM>) of the main body (<NUM>),
the lid (<NUM>) comprises a cover portion (<NUM>) and a lid wall section (<NUM>), and
the lid wall section (<NUM>) extends around a peripheral section (<NUM>) of the cover portion (<NUM>), is joined to the lid frame (<NUM>) and lifts peripheral section (<NUM>) of the cover portion (<NUM>) above the frame top surface (<NUM>).