Food package

Abstract

 A food package (10; 110) comprising a rigid plastic base tray (12; 112) having flanges (33, 34; 133, 134) located in a reference plane and at least three compartments (35 to 37; 50 to 56) extending downwardly from the reference plane. At least one of the compartments is gas flushed and contains a foodstuff (37a; 137a). A clear, air impermeable film (31; 131) covers the base tray in the reference plane and is airtightly sealed to the flanges. The base tray with the film covering is enclosed within an outer enclosure component (11; 111) which has a substantially flat top (13; 113) located adjacent the film, the box including sides (17 to 20; 117 to 120) and a bottom (21; 121) which encompass the base tray, and the top includes openings (14 to 16; 114 to 116) for viewing the foodstuff within the compartments.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] This application relates to packages, and in particular it relates to a food package having a rigid base tray, a flexible film top and an outer enclosure component.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Various packages are known for food and the like which contain the food in a form which is visible to the purchasing consumer. There exists a continuing need for new and improved packages of this type.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to the present invention, a package is provided which comprises the combination of a rigid base tray which holds the food product or the like, and an outer enclosure component which houses the base tray so as to permit visualization of the food product through the outer enclosure component. The present invention can take many different forms. For example the base tray and its corresponding outer enclosure component can be square, elongated rectangular or otherwise, when viewed in plan view.

[0004] The base tray has recessed compartments, preferably formed from a single sheet of material, for holding the food product, and a flexible transparent film which extends across the top of the base tray, preferably in a generally taut condition. Peripheral and internal flanges of the base tray are located in a common reference plane, against which plane the flexible film is applied.

[0005] The rigid base tray forms compartments having side walls and having a height of at least 0.35 inches (8.9 mm).The flexible film is affixed to the peripheral and internal flanges of the rigid base tray to form an airtight container. The term "taut condition" refers to the interaction between the rigid base tray and the flexible film, whereby the film is drawn from its attachments to the peripheral and internal flanges of the rigid base tray generally straight across the top of the tray, thereby enhancing visualization of the food contents within the compartments of the rigid base tray. Preferably, the flexible film has a surface area of at least 10 square inches. A gas atmosphere is flushed into the container to provide the environment for the foodstuff contained therein. The carbon dioxide content of the gas atmosphere would preferably be at least 10 percent by volume. Certain foodstuffs are capable of absorbing the carbon dioxide wherein the foodstuff is of such a quantity that a head space provided above the product and beneath the flexible film is from 20 to 90 percent.

[0006] A package of this type allows for easy packaging of the foodstuff and employs standard packaging material and standard packaging methods.

[0007] The outer enclosure component is generally box like in order to facilitate handling, shipping, storage, display, etc. of the package. This outer enclosure component will generally be opaque except for openings therethrough which permit visualization of the foodstuff within the base tray.

[0008] In one preferred embodiment the package is essentially square as viewed in plan view, the base tray including one large recessed compartment and a pair of smaller recessed compartments. In still another embodiment, the package may be an elongated rectangle, the base tray including a larger number of recessed compartments.

[0009] The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description to follow which is to be read together with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] The present invention will now be described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, which are to be taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 is a top view of a package made in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 is a bottom view showing the opposite side of the package from Figure 1.

[0013] Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the package of Figure 1, taken in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 4 is a right side elevational view of the package of Figure 1, taken in the direction of the arrow B of Figure 1.

[0015] Figure 5 is a top plan view of the base tray of Figure 1, removed from the outer enclosure component.

[0016] Figure 6 is a bottom view showing the opposite side of the base tray from Figure 5.

[0017] Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the base tray of Figure 5, taken in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 5.

[0018] Figure 8 is a right side elevational view of the base tray of Figure 5, taken in the direction of the arrow B of Figure 5.

[0019] Figure 9 is a rear elevational view of the base tray of Figure 5, taken in the direction of the arrow C of Figure 5.

[0020] Figure 10 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 10-10 of Figure 5, wherein the thickness of the materials is increased for purposes of illustration.

[0021] Figure 10a illustrates a variation of the invention, showing a base tray with straight side walls and a bottom, this view being a cross-sectional view taken along a line corresponding to line 10-10 of Figure 5.

[0022] Figure 11 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a package made in accordance with the present invention.

[0023] Figure 12 is a bottom view, showing the opposite side of the package of Figure 11.

[0024] Figure 13 is a front elevational view of the package of Figure 11, taken in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 11.

[0025] Figure 14 is a right side elevational view of the package of Figure 11, taken in the direction of the arrow B of Figure 11.

[0026] Figure 15 is a top plan view of the base tray of Figure 11, removed from the outer enclosure component.

[0027] Figure 16 is a bottom view of the base tray of Figure 15, showing the opposite side thereof.

[0028] Figure 17 is a front elevational view of the base tray of Figure 16, taken in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 15.

[0029] Figure 18 is a left side elevational view of the base tray of Figure 15, taken in the direction of the arrow B of Figure 15.

[0030] Figure 19 is a right side elevational view of the base tray of Figure 15, taken in the direction of the arrow C of Figure 15.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0031] Referring now to the drawings, like elements are represented by like numerals throughout the several views.

[0032] Figures 1 through 4 illustrate a package 10 made in accordance with the present invention, the base tray of which is shown separately in Figures 5 through 10. This package 10 comprises an outer enclosure component 11 which encloses an inner base tray 12. The outer component 11 includes a top 13 which is generally opaque except for a plurality of windows 14, 15 and 16 which are located so as to allow one to see through the outer component 11 to view the contents in the base tray 12. This embodiment includes a pair of opposed side walls 17 and 18 and a pair of opposed end walls 19 and 20 and a bottom 21.

[0033] The base tray 12 is shown separately in Figures 5 through 10, removed from the outer enclosure component 11. Referring to Figures 5 through 10, the base tray 12 is formed from a piece of material into a shape which includes peripheral flanges 33 which extend completely around the periphery of the base tray and internal flanges 34 which run between the various recessed compartments. The peripheral flanges 33 and internal flanges 34 are located in a common plane which is conveniently referred to as a reference plane. In this particular embodiment, the base tray has three recessed compartments formed therein, namely two smaller recessed compartments 35 and 36 and a larger recessed compartment 37.

[0034] To protect the food, and to permit visualization thereof, this base tray 12 is covered by a flexible transparent film 31.

[0035] In order to enhance visualization of the product within the recessed compartments through the openings in the outer enclosure component, the top surface of the base tray, including the reference plane and the flexible film, lie closely against the inside of the top of the outer enclosure component 11, as is apparent for example in Figure 3. With this arrangement, the package constitutes a neat, easy to handle, easy to ship rectangular package while concurrently permitting relatively easy viewing through the outer enclosure component of the food products within the recessed compartments of the base tray.

[0036] Figure 10 illustrates one compartment 37 of the base tray 12 in cross-sectional view with foodstuff 37a contained therein. The base tray is rigid and would generally be made of plastic. Suitable plastic materials include acrylonitrile copolymers, polyesters, polypropylene and the like. As illustrated, the rigid base tray has side walls providing the compartments with a depth of at least 0.35 inches (8.9 mm) and preferably 1.0 inch (25.4 mm)

[0037] The flexible film 31 is taut and is preferably of a clear plastic material. Suitable materials include polyester, nylon, polyethylene and the like. The materials may be monolayered or multilayered, but preferably multilayered. The flexible film is attached to the base tray 12 at the peripheral and internal flanges 33 and 34 so as to airtightly seal compartments containing foodstuff, preferably in a taut condition. The attachment at the flanges may be by any suitable sealing technique such as heat seal, glues, ultrasonic, etc.

[0038] The foodstuff 37a may include meat, such as poultry, red meats, fish, etc. These types of materials generally absorb carbon dioxide. The volume of the foodstuff within each compartment may be such that the headspace, that is, the free space between the foodstuff and the flexible film 31 is preferably 20 percent to 90 percent and preferably between 40 percent and 75 percent. The foodstuff containing compartment 37a is flushed with a gas atmosphere, preferably such that the carbon dioxide content of the gas is at least 10 percent by volume and preferably 50 percent by volume. Suitable gas flushing techniques are employed.

[0039] In Figure 10a elements corresponding generally to those of Figure 10 are raised by 100. This embodiment differs from that of Figures 1 through 10 in that side walls S are vertical rather than slanted in.

[0040] Figures 11 through 19 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. The main difference of this embodiment, as compared to the embodiment of Figures 1 through 10, is that this package is of a different overall shape, being an elongated rectangle rather than square, and includes a larger number and different arrangement of recessed compartments in the base tray and correspondingly a different arrangement of openings in the top of the outer enclosure component for visualization of the food products or the like within the recessed compartments of the base tray.

[0041] Accordingly, elements in Figures 11 through 19 which are similar to corresponding elements in Figures 1 through 10 use the same reference numerals, but raised by 100. In addition to such similar elements, Figures 11 through 19 show a different arrangement of recessed compartments including seven recessed compartments 50 through 56. Also, in this embodiment the narrow ends of the outer component, elements 119 and 120 are located along the long side of the package 110, while the sides 117 and 118 are located on the shorter sides of the package 110.

[0042] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be apparent that the invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations, apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A food package (10; 110) comprising:

a. a rigid plastic base tray (12; 112) having at least three compartments (35 to 37; 50 to 56), each compartment having side walls, said base tray having peripheral (33; 133) and internal (34; 134) flanges, all said flanges being located in a reference plane, said compartments defined by side walls extending downwardly from said flanges for a distance of at least 0.35 inches (8.9 mm), the flanges being of sufficient width for airtightly sealing a flexible film thereto, and at least one of said compartments being gas flushed and containing a foodstuff (37a; 137a) selected from the group consisting of meat, fish and poultry,

b. a clear, air impermeable, flexible multi-layer film (31; 131) in said reference plane affixed to the flanges and forming an airtight seal at least with respect to said gas flushed compartment or compartments, and

c. an outer enclosure component (11; 111) having a substantially flat top (13; 113) which is located immediately adjacent to the reference plane, a bottom (21; 121) and a plurality of sides (17 to 20; 117 to 120), each of which sides covers at least part of a side of the rigid plastic base tray, and the top of said outer enclosure component being essentially opaque except for at least one opening (14 to 16; 114 to 116) therethrough.

2. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the film (31; 131) is attached to the rigid base tray (12; 112) in a taut condition across the top of the base tray.

3. A food package according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rigid plastic base tray (12; 112) is selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile copolymers, polyesters and polypropylene, preferably acrylonitrile copolymers.

4. A food package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side walls are at least one inch (25.4 mm) in height.

5. A food package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one layer of the multi-layer film (31; 131) comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon and polyethylene.

6. A food package according to any one of claims 1 to S, wherein the multi-layer film (31; 131) is heat sealed, glued or ultrasonic sealed to the rigid plastic base.

7. A food package according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base tray (12; 112) is formed from a single piece of material which forms the flanges and the compartments, the peripheral flanges (33; 133) forming the outer boundary of the base tray in the reference plane and the internal flanges (34; 134) dividing the compartments from each other.

8. A food package according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein both the base tray (12; 112) and the outer enclosure component (11; 111) are generally rectangular in plan view, the outer enclosure component having four sides, one closely adjacent each side of the base tray.

9. A food package according to claim 8, wherein the base tray (12) and the outer enclosure component (11) are substantially square, in plan view, and the outer enclosure component has openings (14 to 16) in its opaqueness permitting viewing therethrough of the contents of all compartments.

10. A food package according to claim 8, wherein the base tray (112) and the outer enclosure component (111) are elongated rectangles, the base tray having at least six compartments (50 to 56) and the outer enclosure component having openings (114 to 116) in its opaqueness permitting viewing therethrough of the contents of all compartments.

Drawing