US20120006718A1 - Packaging tray and method of use - Google Patents
Packaging tray and method of use Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120006718A1 US20120006718A1 US13/178,606 US201113178606A US2012006718A1 US 20120006718 A1 US20120006718 A1 US 20120006718A1 US 201113178606 A US201113178606 A US 201113178606A US 2012006718 A1 US2012006718 A1 US 2012006718A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tray
- food
- packaging
- border
- walls
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B43/44—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation from supply magazines
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
- B65B25/065—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of meat
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B5/00—Packaging individual articles in containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, jars
- B65B5/04—Packaging single articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/20—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents
Definitions
- Embodiments of the inventive subject matter generally relate to field of storing and packaging food. More specifically, embodiments of the inventive subject matter generally relate a tray for storing meat. More specifically still, embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate to the tray having a border around the tray, the border may have a storage compartment. More specifically, embodiments relate to a machine for manipulating the tray.
- Meats such as sausages may be packed in Styrofoam, or plastic containers.
- the containers are typically rectangular shaped and the meat is placed inside the container.
- a plastic film may then be placed over the meat in the container, and/or around the entire container.
- the inside of the container is a rectangular shape and does not conform to the shape of the meat. Therefore, the meat often slides to one side during the shipping and stocking of the meat.
- FIG. 1 depicts a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a packaging tray having a storage space.
- FIG. 2 depicts a diagram illustrating a top view of the packaging tray.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B depict diagrams illustrating a top view of a portion of the packaging tray.
- FIG. 4 depicts a diagram illustrating a side view of a plurality of packaging trays being nested together.
- FIG. 5 depicts a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the packaging tray and a food item.
- FIG. 6 depicts a diagram illustrating a schematic view of a packaging system for de-nesting the packaging tray.
- FIG. 7 depicts a schematic view of the tray dispenser system according to one embodiment.
- FIG. 8A depicts a top view of the packaging tray engaged with the tray dispenser.
- FIG. 8B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the packaging tray with the tray dispenser.
- FIG. 8C depicts a cross-sectional side view of the packaging tray with an alternate tray dispenser.
- FIG. 9A depicts a top view of the packaging tray engaged with an alternate tray dispenser.
- FIG. 9B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the packaging tray with the alternate tray dispenser.
- FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart depicting a method for using the packaging tray.
- FIG. 1 depicts a packaging tray 100 for storing food.
- the packaging tray 100 may have a food storage area 102 and a storage compartment 104 for storing one or more food accessories 106 .
- the food storage area 102 as shown is configured to store food, for example a plurality of sausages. Further, the food may be any suitable food for storing in the packaging tray 100 including, but not limited to, chicken beef, pork, fish, vegetables, fruits, and the like.
- the food storage area 102 may be shaped to match the typical contour of the food. Having the food storage area 102 shaped may minimize the material needed in the packaging thereby reducing storage space and transportation costs associated with packaging and shipping foods.
- the food storage area 102 may be curved at each end 108 in order to match the contour of the sausage, or the food, and thereby minimize space required for storage.
- the food storage area 102 is shown as having a curved shape at the ends 108 , it may have any shape suitable for matching the contour of the food stored such as square, rectangular, circular and the like.
- the food storage area 102 of the packaging tray 100 may have a plurality of walls 110 which surround the food storage area 102 .
- the walls 110 as shown have two side walls 112 and two end walls 114 .
- the two side walls 112 as shown, are substantially parallel to one another and have a length that is longer than the end walls 114 .
- the end walls 114 a and 114 b may be curved.
- the curve of end walls 114 a and 114 b may curve in the same direction relative to the packaging tray 100 .
- one of the end walls 114 b curves, or extends, away from the food storage area 102 while the other end wall 114 a curves, or extends, into the food storage area 102 .
- the curved walls may have any suitable curvature.
- the curvature of the end walls 114 a and 114 b are configured to match the curvature of sausages, for example Italian sausages, bratwurst, and the like.
- the end walls 114 a and 114 b are shown as being curved in the same direction, each of the end walls may be curved in opposite directions. Further, the end walls 114 a and/or 114 b may be angled rather than curved.
- the walls 110 may have any suitable depth for containing the food within the food storage area 102 .
- the depth may be a distance normal to the plane of a tray bottom 116 , between bottom of the wall 110 located near the tray bottom 116 of the packaging tray 110 to a top of the wall 110 .
- each of the walls 110 have substantially the same depth.
- the walls 110 are shown as having the same depth, the walls 110 may have varying depths depending on the type of food to be stored in the packaging tray 100 .
- the walls 110 may have a depth configured to be slightly larger than a depth of the food to be placed in the packaging tray 100 .
- the food would be surrounded on three sides with the packaging tray 100 , while the fourth side or top may be covered with any suitable covering to cover the food including, but not limited to a plastic covering, a cardboard covering, and the like.
- the walls 110 may be angled relative to the tray bottom 116 .
- the walls 110 may have a slightly offset angle from a plane perpendicular to the tray bottom 116 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the angled walls 110 may allow multiple packaging trays 100 to be stacked on top of one another in a space saving manner. Due to the angle of the walls 110 tray bottoms 116 may be proximate one another when empty packaging trays 100 are stacked on top of one another.
- the walls 110 are shown as being angled, it should be appreciated that the walls 110 may be perpendicular to the tray bottom 116 .
- the tray bottom 116 may be a substantially planar member coupled to the bottom of each of the walls 110 .
- the tray bottom 116 may have a similar perimeter shape to the shape of the interior of the walls 110 .
- the tray bottom 116 has two parallel straight ends coupled to the side walls 112 and two curved ends coupled to the end walls 114 .
- the tray bottom 116 may be integrally formed with each of the walls 110 , or selectively to one or more of the walls 110 . Further, the tray bottom 116 may be a formed separately from the walls 110 and coupled thereto by any suitable method including, but not limited to, gluing, stitching, melting, and the like.
- a border 118 may surround the walls 110 of the food storage area 102 .
- the border 118 may extend from the top of the walls 110 away from the food storage area 102 .
- the border 118 may therefore form a lip that extends from the walls 110 around the packaging tray 100 .
- the border 118 may be substantially parallel to the tray bottom 116 .
- the border 118 is shown as being substantially parallel to the tray bottom 116 , it should be appreciated that the border 118 may be angled relative to the tray bottom 116 .
- the border 118 extends out a thickness t along the sides walls 112 .
- the border 118 may extend a similar thickness t along the curved wall 114 b that curves away from the food storage area 102 .
- the border 118 along the other curved wall 114 a that extends into the food storage area 102 may not match the shape of the curved wall and thereby form a storage border 120 .
- the storage border 120 may have a varying thickness t along the length of the storage border 120 .
- the varying thickness may allow a terminal end 122 of the storage border 120 to be substantially linear.
- the terminal end 122 of the storage border 120 may be perpendicular to the side walls 110 as shown.
- the perpendicular terminal end 122 of the storage border 120 may assist one or more packaging machines in handling the packaging tray 100 as will be discussed in more detail below.
- the storage border 120 located in the border 118 has an extra width W that may be used to provide the storage compartment 104 .
- This allows the packaging tray 100 to have the storage compartment 104 without substantially increasing the overall perimeter of the border 118 and thereby the packaging tray 100 .
- the storage compartment 104 is shown as being located on top of the border 118 it may be at any suitable location such as the bottom of the border 118 , the tray bottom 116 , the bottom of the packaging tray 100 , the walls 110 of the food storage area 102 , and the like.
- FIG. 2 is a top view of the packaging tray 100 having the storage border 120 with the storage compartment 104 .
- the storage compartment 104 may be configured and/or shaped to store any number of the food accessories 106 .
- the storage compartment 104 has the shape of a thermometer 200 , or “done stick.”
- the storage compartment 104 may have a depth configured to store one and/or multiple thermometers 200 .
- FIG. 3A is a top view of a portion of the packaging tray 100 showing the storage compartment 104 having the thermometer 200 as the food accessory 106 .
- the one or more thermometers 200 may be a disposable thermometer used to test the temperature of the food while cooking.
- the thermometer 200 may have a tip 300 , a handle 302 , and an indicator 304 .
- the tip 300 may be configured to be placed in, and/or onto the food while cooking the food.
- the tip 300 has a pointed, or angled portion 306 configured to pierce the food.
- the handle 302 as shown is a wider flat portion that is configured to be gripped by a person when inserting and/or removing the thermometer 200 from the food.
- the tip 300 is shown as an angled portion 306 , the tip 300 may be any suitable shape and/or surface for measuring the temperature of the food. Further, the handle 302 may be any suitable shape for gripping the thermometer 200 . Although the thermometer 200 is shown as a flat thermometer having a tip for piercing the food, the thermometer 200 may be any suitable thermometer for placing in the storage compartment including, but not limited to, a flat thermometer for placing flat on the food, a standard mercury thermometer, a digital thermometer, and the like.
- the indicator 304 as shown has a visual indicator 308 and a temperature indication 310 .
- the visual indicator 308 may simply change colors when the tip 300 reaches a desired temperature, or give another visual alert.
- the visual indicator 308 as shown displays the temperature at which the food in the packaging tray 100 is cooked, or done. It should be appreciated that the indicator 304 may take any suitable form so long as the thermometer 200 indicates the temperature of the food, and/or when the food will reach a certain temperature.
- the thermometer 200 may be specifically designed for the food being prepared. For example, the cook temperatures for poultry may be higher than in red meat. Thus, for a poultry food item the thermometer 200 may have an indicator that alerts the cook that the poultry has reached the poultry cook temperature, or done temperature.
- thermometer 200 a storage compartment 104 and the food accessory 106 are described for storing the thermometer 200 , it should be appreciated that they may be used for storing any food accessory such as, a condiment (for example ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, spices, soy sauce, wasabi, and the like), a plastic storage bag, one or more chop sticks, a fork, and/or a tong, and the like.
- a condiment for example ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, spices, soy sauce, wasabi, and the like
- plastic storage bag one or more chop sticks, a fork, and/or a tong, and the like.
- FIG. 3B is a top view of a portion of the packaging tray 100 showing two of the storage compartments 104 having two separate food accessories 106 .
- This may allow multiple food accessories 106 to be packaged as a set with the food and the packaging tray 100 .
- Any of the food accessories may be used in combination to enhance the set of the packaging tray 100 , for example, the food accessories 106 may include, but are not limited to, the thermometer 200 and a condiment, a fork and a knife, soy sauce and wasabi, and the like.
- the food accessories 106 may include, but are not limited to, the thermometer 200 and a condiment, a fork and a knife, soy sauce and wasabi, and the like.
- there are only two storage compartments 104 shown with two food accessories 106 it should be appreciated that there may be any suitable number of storage compartments 104 having any suitable number of food accessories 106 .
- FIG. 4 depicts a side view of two of the packaging trays 100 ready to be stacked on top of one another.
- the walls 110 are sloped toward the center of the packaging tray 100 .
- the slope of the walls 110 may allow empty packaging trays 100 to be stacked on top of one another thereby allowing the tray bottom 116 and the borders 118 of each of the packaging trays 100 to be proximate one another, or nested together. This nested arrangement allows a larger number of packaging trays 100 to be stacked on top of one another for shipping and storage.
- FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the packaging tray 100 with the food accessory 106 (as shown in FIGS. 1-3B ) removed from the storage compartment 104 .
- the food 500 is a sausage and the food accessory 106 is the thermometer 200 .
- the thermometer 200 may be placed in the food 500 during cooking of the food, as described above.
- the empty storage compartment 104 is contoured to the shape of the thermometer 200 .
- the food accessory 106 may be prevented from moving and/or shifting during transport of the packaging tray 100 .
- the storage compartment 104 is shown to be shaped the same as the thermometer 100 , it should be appreciated that the storage compartment 104 may be shaped to fit the contour of any suitable food accessory including, but not limited to, any of the food accessories 106 described herein. Further, the storage compartment 104 may have any suitable shape for holding one or more food accessories.
- the packaging tray 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, Styrofoam, plastic, cardboard, foam, aluminum, and the like.
- the packaging tray 100 may further have one or more partitions (not shown) located in the food storage area 102 .
- the partitions may be configured to keep portions of the food 500 separated. For example, if the food 500 is sausage, there may be a partition between each of the sausages in the packaging tray.
- FIG. 6 depicts a portion of a packaging system 600 for packing each of the packaging trays 100 with the food 500 and/or the food accessories 106 .
- the packaging system 600 may be located at a packing facility, for example a meat packing facility.
- the packaging trays 100 may be shipped to the packing facility empty and in one or more tray stacks 602 .
- the tray stacks 602 may reduce the shipping size required to ship the packaging trays 100 .
- the concave and convex shape of the end walls 114 of the packaging tray 100 may reduce wasted space in the packaging trays 100 by having the packaging trays conform to the shape of the food 500 .
- the reduction in wasted space and shipping size may increase the number of packaging trays 100 that may be shipped in a truck, railcar, and/or container thereby reducing transportation costs.
- the packaging system 600 may have a tray unloader 604 , a main conveyer 606 , a food loader 608 and a food accessory loader 610 .
- the packaging system 600 may be configured to separate the tray stacks 602 into individual trays, then load the food storage area 102 with the food 500 , and seal the packaging tray 100 for shipping to a retailer (not shown).
- the packaging system 600 may load the food accessory 106 onto the packaging tray 100 .
- the tray stacks 602 may be placed on the tray unloader 604 portion of the packaging system.
- the tray unloader 604 may have a stack conveyer 612 , a tray feed area 614 , and a tray dispenser system 616 .
- the tray dispenser system 616 may be configured to place one or the packaging trays 100 on the main conveyer 606 individually.
- the tray unloader 604 as shown is located above the main conveyer 606 thereby allowing the individual packaging trays 100 to be dropped onto the main conveyer 606 .
- the tray unloader 604 may be a stand-alone unit that may be moved to a location proximate the main conveyor 606 , or may be connected to and fixed to the main conveyor 606 .
- tray unloader 604 is shown as being located above the main conveyor 606 , it should be appreciated that the tray conveyor 606 may be located at any suitable location for delivering the individual packaging trays 100 onto the main conveyor 606 including, but not limited to, next to the main conveyor 606 .
- the stack conveyor 612 may move the tray stacks 602 toward the tray feed area 614 to be delivered onto the main conveyor 606 .
- the stack conveyor 612 is has a conveyor belt 618 that the tray stacks 602 rest on.
- the conveyor belt 618 may be powered by any suitable drive system (not shown) including, but not limited to, an electric motor, a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, a combustion engine and the like.
- the conveyor belt 618 may move the tray stacks 602 , at a constant rate in accordance with the rate each of the tray stacks 602 are fed onto the main conveyor 606 . Further, the conveyor belt 618 may move, only when the tray feed area 614 is ready to accept a new tray stack 602 .
- any number of sensors and/or operator input may be used to signal to the drive system when to activate the stack conveyor 612 .
- the stack conveyor 612 is shown as a conveyor belt 618 , it should be appreciated that any suitable conveyor system may be used to move the tray stacks 602 into the feed area including, but not limited to, a pneumatic conveyor system, a hydraulic conveyor system, a gravity roller conveyor, gravity skate wheel conveyors, wire mesh conveyors, plastic belt conveyors, and the like.
- the feed area 614 as shown is an open area 620 surrounded by one or more guide walls 622 .
- the guide walls 622 guide the packaging trays 100 to the tray dispenser system 616 .
- the guide walls 622 may be any suitable wall and/or surface for restricting the travel of the packaging trays 100 toward the tray dispenser system 616 .
- there are two guide walls 622 although there may be any suitable number of guide walls 622 including, but not limited to, three guide walls 622 and four guide walls 622 , so long as the guide walls 622 guide the packaging trays 100 to the tray dispenser system 616 .
- the tray dispenser system 616 may be configured to remove one of the packaging trays 100 from the tray stack 602 and deliver the packaging tray 100 onto the main conveyer 606 .
- the tray dispenser system 616 may remove one of the packaging trays 100 from the tray stack 602 while preventing the remaining packaging trays 100 from moving onto the main conveyor 606 , as will be discussed in more detail below.
- the main conveyor 606 may move the individual packaging trays 100 through the packaging system 600 .
- the main conveyor 606 as shown is a conveyor belt 618 for moving the packaging trays 100 .
- the conveyor belt 618 may have any suitable drive system including, but not limited to, those described herein.
- the main conveyor 606 is shown as a conveyor belt 618 , the main conveyor 606 may be any suitable conveyor system including, but not limited to, those described herein.
- the main conveyor 606 may have one or more dividers 624 for separating the packaging trays 100 .
- the main conveyor 606 may move the each of the empty individual packaging trays 100 to the food loader 608 (shown schematically).
- the food loader 608 may place the food 500 in each of the packaging trays 100 .
- the food loader 608 may place the sausages in the packaging tray 100 in a manner that the natural curve of the sausages matches the curve of the end walls 114 of the packaging trays 100 .
- the food loader 608 may be any suitable system and/or device for loading the food 500 on the packaging trays 100 including, but not limited to, one or more robotic arms, a worker, a feed system, and the like.
- the food accessory loader 610 may place the food accessory 106 into the storage compartment 104 of the packaging tray 100 .
- the food accessory loader 610 is located downstream of the food loader 608 thereby placing the food accessory 106 in the packaging tray 100 after the food 500 is in the packaging tray 100 . It should be appreciated that the food accessory loader 610 may be located upstream of the food loader 608 .
- the food accessory loader 610 may be any suitable system and/or device for loading the food accessory 106 into the storage compartment 104 including, but not limited to, one or more robotic arms, a worker, a feed system, and the like.
- FIG. 7 depicts a schematic view of the tray dispenser system 616 , according to one embodiment.
- the tray dispenser system 616 may have one or more tray engagers 700 and a tray dispenser drive system 702 (shown schematically).
- the tray engagers 700 may be configured to engage one of the packaging trays 100 and move the packaging tray 100 , and/or drop the packaging tray 100 , onto the main conveyor 606 .
- the tray dispenser drive system 702 may be configured to move the one or more tray engagers 700 .
- the tray dispenser system 616 needs to engage and separate the packaging trays 100 without damaging the packaging trays 100 .
- the tray engagers 700 are arms 704 configured to engage the end walls 114 , and/or the border 118 proximate the end walls 114 , of the packaging tray 100 . Because the end walls 114 of the packaging tray 100 are curved, the arms 704 may have a matching curved portion. As shown, the arm 704 engaging the packaging tray 100 near the end wall 114 A curved into the food storage area 102 may have a convex engagement surface 706 . The convex engagement surface 706 may be curved to mirror the curvature of the end wall 114 A. The arm 704 engaging the packaging tray 100 near the end wall 114 B curved away for the food storage area 102 may have a concave engagement surface 708 . The concave engagement surface 708 may be curved to mirror the curvature of the end wall 114 B.
- a straight surface on the tray engagers 700 may decrease the amount of surface contact between the tray engager 700 and the packaging tray 100 .
- the decreased surface contact may cause the packaging tray 100 , and/or multiple packaging trays 100 , to fall, or dislodge prematurely from the tray dispenser 616 .
- the falling packaging trays 100 may cause a stoppage, or slow down, in the packaging operation. The stoppage may cause the meat packing facility to lose money due to lost production.
- the convex engagement surface 706 and the concave engagement surface 708 may greatly increase the surface contact between the tray dispenser 616 and the packaging tray 100 . The increased surface contact may further reduce stress at the contact point between the tray dispenser system 616 and the packaging tray 100 .
- FIGS. 8A and 8B depict a top view and a cross-sectional side view of the packaging tray 100 engaged with the tray dispenser 616 .
- the convex engagement surface 706 and the concave engagement surface 708 of the tray engagers 700 may have a shelf 800 configured to engage a bottom surface of the border 118 proximate each of the end walls 114 A and 114 B respectively.
- the shelf 800 may have a flat top 802 for supporting the border 118 and a concave and/or convex curved end 804 A and 804 B for mirroring the curvature of the end walls 114 A and 114 B respectively.
- the flat top 802 may support the packaging tray 100 from the bottom of the border 118 .
- the concave and/or convex curved ends 804 A and 804 B may be configured to engage the outer surface of the end walls 114 A and 114 B, or leave a small gap therebetween.
- the tray engagers 700 may further have a shoulder 806 A and 806 B.
- the shoulders 806 A and 806 B may engage an edge of the border 118 when the packaging tray 100 is supported by the tray engagers 700 .
- the shoulders 806 A and 806 B may be curved to match the curvature of the border 118 .
- the shoulder 806 A may be convex, or extend outwardly, to mirror the inwardly curved the wall 114 A and the shoulder 806 B may be concave, or curve inwardly, to mirror the outwardly curved the wall 114 B.
- the shoulders 806 A and 806 B are shown as being perpendicular to the edge of the border 118 although it should be appreciated that the shoulders 806 A and 806 B may have any suitable angle relative to the edge of the border 118 .
- tray engagers 700 are shown as having the convex and concave shoulders 806 A and 806 B, curved ends 804 A and 804 B it should be appreciated that one of the shoulders 806 may be straight to match the edge of the packaging tray 100 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the tray engagers 700 When the tray stack 602 enters the tray feed area 614 (as shown in FIG. 6 ) the lowermost packaging tray 100 may engage the tray engagers 700 of the tray dispenser 616 .
- the tray engagers 700 are shown in a support position wherein the packaging tray 100 is supported by the tray engagers 700 .
- the flat top 802 on each of the tray engagers 700 may support the packaging tray 100 by engaging the bottom of the border 118 , and/or any suitable location on the packaging tray 100 .
- the tray engagers 700 may remain in the support position until the packaging tray 100 is to be placed on the main conveyor 606 .
- a support may prevent support the packaging trays 100 in the tray stack 602 , with the exception of the lowermost packaging tray 100 .
- the tray engagers 700 may then be rotated toward a release position by the drive system 702 as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the rotation toward the release position is indicated by arrows 710 on FIGS. 7 and 8B .
- the tray engagers 700 rotate toward the release position, the lower most packaging tray 100 slides off of the tray dispenser 616 and is placed on the main conveyor 606 .
- the drive system 702 may then move the tray engagers 700 back to the support position to receive the next packaging tray 100 .
- a secondary tray engager 750 may be used to catch the packaging tray 100 when it is released from the tray engager 700 .
- the secondary tray engager 750 is a substantially cylindrical member 752 having the shelf 800 and a shoulder 752 .
- the shoulder 806 of the secondary tray engager 750 may catch the lowermost tray 100 .
- the tray engager 700 may then reengage the second to last packaging tray in the tray stack 602 .
- a motor 712 may then rotate secondary tray engager 750 in order to mover the shelf 802 clear of the packaging tray 100 and allowing the shoulder 752 to optionally push the packaging tray 100 onto the conveyor 618 .
- Any of the tray dispensers 616 may include the secondary tray engager 750 .
- the drive system 702 may be any suitable drive system for moving and/or rotating the tray dispenser 616 and/or the secondary tray engager 750 .
- the drive system 702 may have a motor 712 , or motive device, configured to rotate a drive shaft 714 .
- the drive shaft 714 may couple to and/or be integral with the tray engagers 700 of the tray dispenser 616 .
- the motor 712 may be any suitable motor for motivating the tray dispenser 616 including, but not limited to, an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, a combustion engine, and the like.
- the drive system 702 may have any suitable devices and/or systems to assist in the motivation and control of the tray dispensers 616 including, but not limited to, controllers, servos, pulleys, chain drives, drive shafts and the like.
- FIG. 8C depicts a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the tray engagers 700 .
- the tray engager 700 may pivot about a location located above the lowermost packaging tray 100 of the tray stack.
- the tray engagers 700 may form an L-shaped member having the shelf 800 and the shoulder 806 .
- the shelf 800 and/or the shoulder 806 may be convex, concave and/or straight in a similar manner as any of the tray engagers 700 described herein.
- the tray dispensers 616 may be specifically designed to be removable and replaceable in order to customize the packing system 600 to the type of packaging tray being used.
- the tray dispensers 616 may be uncoupled from the drive system 702 and replaced with an alternate tray dispenser when the type of packaging tray is changed in the packing system 600 .
- the packaging tray 100 B (as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B ) having two curved end walls 114 may be replaced by the packaging tray 100 A having a straight border 118 on the curved end wall 114 A.
- the tray engager 700 A may then be replaced by a tray engager 700 A having the convex curved ends 804 A on the shelf 800 and a straight shoulder 806 A thereby mirroring the configuration of the packaging tray 100 A.
- the packaging system 600 may then use square trays (not shown).
- the tray engages 700 A and 700 B may then be replaced again by replacing the tray engagers 700 A and 700 B having straight ends (not shown) on the shelf 800 and straight shoulders (not shown).
- the tray dispenser 616 is described as being replaceable, it should be appreciated that the tray dispenser 616 may be replaced along with a portion of the drive system 702 .
- the drive shaft 714 and the tray dispensers 616 may form a unit that can be quickly removed and replaced.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B show an alternative embodiment of the tray dispensers 616 .
- the tray dispenser 616 is two shaft tray engagers 900 A and 900 B.
- the shaft tray engagers 900 A and 900 B may be drive shafts that have a curvature that mirrors the curvature of the border 118 of the packaging tray 100 B.
- Each of the shaft tray engagers 900 A and 900 B may have the shelf 800 and the shoulder 806 A and 806 B as described above.
- the tray dispenser 616 is in the support position.
- the drive system 702 may rotate the shaft tray engagers 900 A and 900 B toward the release position as indicated by arrows 710 in a similar manner as described above.
- the packaging tray 100 B may be released. Further, the outer perimeter 902 of the shaft tray engagers 900 A and 900 B (as shown in FIG. 9B ) may engage and support the next packaging tray 100 B in the tray stack 602 (as shown in FIG. 6 ). The shaft tray engagers 900 A and 900 B may be removed and replaced in any suitable manner including those described herein.
- FIG. 10 depicts flow chart of a method of providing a food package to a consumer.
- the flow begins at block 1000 wherein a packaging tray is provided.
- the packaging tray may be any suitable packaging tray including, but not limited to those described herein.
- the flow continues at block 1002 , wherein a food is placed in a food storage area of the packaging tray 1002 .
- the food may be any suitable food including those described herein.
- the flow continues at block 1004 , wherein a food accessory is placed in a storage compartment on a border of the packaging tray.
- the flow continues at block 1006 , wherein the packaging tray is wrapped in a manner that displays the food and the food accessory to a customer.
- the wrapping may be any suitable wrapping such as plastic, polymer, cardboard, paper, a combination thereof and the like.
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- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
Abstract
A system for packaging food is provided. The system has a food for packaging and a food accessory for packaging with the food. The system has a packaging tray having a tray bottom and two substantially straight side walls coupled to the tray bottom. The tray has two curved end walls wherein each of the curved end walls are coupled to the tray bottom and the side walls wherein a first end wall curves toward the interior of the packaging tray and a second end wall curves away from the interior of the packaging tray. The tray has a border connected to a top edge of the two side walls and the two end walls thereby forming a perimeter around the top of the walls. The tray has a storage compartment formed in the border for storing the food accessory.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/363,017 filed Jul. 9, 2010 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Embodiments of the inventive subject matter generally relate to field of storing and packaging food. More specifically, embodiments of the inventive subject matter generally relate a tray for storing meat. More specifically still, embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate to the tray having a border around the tray, the border may have a storage compartment. More specifically, embodiments relate to a machine for manipulating the tray.
- Meats such as sausages may be packed in Styrofoam, or plastic containers. The containers are typically rectangular shaped and the meat is placed inside the container. A plastic film may then be placed over the meat in the container, and/or around the entire container. The inside of the container is a rectangular shape and does not conform to the shape of the meat. Therefore, the meat often slides to one side during the shipping and stocking of the meat.
- Despite the development of techniques for packaging meats, there remains a need to provide advanced techniques for packaging meats in containers.
- The present embodiments may be better understood, and numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
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FIG. 1 depicts a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a packaging tray having a storage space. -
FIG. 2 depicts a diagram illustrating a top view of the packaging tray. -
FIGS. 3A and 3B depict diagrams illustrating a top view of a portion of the packaging tray. -
FIG. 4 depicts a diagram illustrating a side view of a plurality of packaging trays being nested together. -
FIG. 5 depicts a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the packaging tray and a food item. -
FIG. 6 depicts a diagram illustrating a schematic view of a packaging system for de-nesting the packaging tray. -
FIG. 7 depicts a schematic view of the tray dispenser system according to one embodiment. -
FIG. 8A depicts a top view of the packaging tray engaged with the tray dispenser. -
FIG. 8B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the packaging tray with the tray dispenser. -
FIG. 8C depicts a cross-sectional side view of the packaging tray with an alternate tray dispenser. -
FIG. 9A depicts a top view of the packaging tray engaged with an alternate tray dispenser. -
FIG. 9B depicts a cross-sectional side view of the packaging tray with the alternate tray dispenser. -
FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart depicting a method for using the packaging tray. - The present embodiments may be better understood, and numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. These drawings are used to illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention, and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
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FIG. 1 depicts apackaging tray 100 for storing food. Thepackaging tray 100 may have afood storage area 102 and astorage compartment 104 for storing one ormore food accessories 106. Thefood storage area 102 as shown is configured to store food, for example a plurality of sausages. Further, the food may be any suitable food for storing in thepackaging tray 100 including, but not limited to, chicken beef, pork, fish, vegetables, fruits, and the like. Thefood storage area 102 may be shaped to match the typical contour of the food. Having thefood storage area 102 shaped may minimize the material needed in the packaging thereby reducing storage space and transportation costs associated with packaging and shipping foods. In one embodiment, thefood storage area 102 may be curved at eachend 108 in order to match the contour of the sausage, or the food, and thereby minimize space required for storage. Although thefood storage area 102 is shown as having a curved shape at theends 108, it may have any shape suitable for matching the contour of the food stored such as square, rectangular, circular and the like. - The
food storage area 102 of thepackaging tray 100 may have a plurality ofwalls 110 which surround thefood storage area 102. Thewalls 110 as shown have twoside walls 112 and two end walls 114. The twoside walls 112, as shown, are substantially parallel to one another and have a length that is longer than the end walls 114. - The
end walls end walls packaging tray 100. For example, as shown inFIG. 1 , one of theend walls 114 b curves, or extends, away from thefood storage area 102 while theother end wall 114 a curves, or extends, into thefood storage area 102. The curved walls, as shown, may have any suitable curvature. In one embodiment, the curvature of theend walls end walls end walls 114 a and/or 114 b may be angled rather than curved. - The
walls 110 may have any suitable depth for containing the food within thefood storage area 102. The depth may be a distance normal to the plane of atray bottom 116, between bottom of thewall 110 located near thetray bottom 116 of thepackaging tray 110 to a top of thewall 110. As shown inFIG. 1 each of thewalls 110 have substantially the same depth. Although, thewalls 110 are shown as having the same depth, thewalls 110 may have varying depths depending on the type of food to be stored in thepackaging tray 100. In one embodiment, thewalls 110 may have a depth configured to be slightly larger than a depth of the food to be placed in thepackaging tray 100. In this embodiment, the food would be surrounded on three sides with thepackaging tray 100, while the fourth side or top may be covered with any suitable covering to cover the food including, but not limited to a plastic covering, a cardboard covering, and the like. - The
walls 110 may be angled relative to thetray bottom 116. For example, thewalls 110 may have a slightly offset angle from a plane perpendicular to thetray bottom 116, as shown inFIG. 1 . Theangled walls 110 may allowmultiple packaging trays 100 to be stacked on top of one another in a space saving manner. Due to the angle of thewalls 110tray bottoms 116 may be proximate one another whenempty packaging trays 100 are stacked on top of one another. Although thewalls 110 are shown as being angled, it should be appreciated that thewalls 110 may be perpendicular to thetray bottom 116. - The
tray bottom 116 may be a substantially planar member coupled to the bottom of each of thewalls 110. Thetray bottom 116 may have a similar perimeter shape to the shape of the interior of thewalls 110. As shown, thetray bottom 116 has two parallel straight ends coupled to theside walls 112 and two curved ends coupled to the end walls 114. Thetray bottom 116 may be integrally formed with each of thewalls 110, or selectively to one or more of thewalls 110. Further, thetray bottom 116 may be a formed separately from thewalls 110 and coupled thereto by any suitable method including, but not limited to, gluing, stitching, melting, and the like. - A
border 118 may surround thewalls 110 of thefood storage area 102. Theborder 118 may extend from the top of thewalls 110 away from thefood storage area 102. Theborder 118 may therefore form a lip that extends from thewalls 110 around thepackaging tray 100. As shown inFIG. 1 , theborder 118 may be substantially parallel to thetray bottom 116. Although theborder 118 is shown as being substantially parallel to thetray bottom 116, it should be appreciated that theborder 118 may be angled relative to thetray bottom 116. Theborder 118, as shown, extends out a thickness t along thesides walls 112. Theborder 118 may extend a similar thickness t along thecurved wall 114 b that curves away from thefood storage area 102. Theborder 118 along the othercurved wall 114 a that extends into thefood storage area 102 may not match the shape of the curved wall and thereby form astorage border 120. - The
storage border 120 may have a varying thickness t along the length of thestorage border 120. The varying thickness may allow aterminal end 122 of thestorage border 120 to be substantially linear. Theterminal end 122 of thestorage border 120 may be perpendicular to theside walls 110 as shown. The perpendicularterminal end 122 of thestorage border 120 may assist one or more packaging machines in handling thepackaging tray 100 as will be discussed in more detail below. - Due to the curved bottom end of the
packaging tray 100, thestorage border 120 located in theborder 118 has an extra width W that may be used to provide thestorage compartment 104. This allows thepackaging tray 100 to have thestorage compartment 104 without substantially increasing the overall perimeter of theborder 118 and thereby thepackaging tray 100. Although thestorage compartment 104 is shown as being located on top of theborder 118 it may be at any suitable location such as the bottom of theborder 118, thetray bottom 116, the bottom of thepackaging tray 100, thewalls 110 of thefood storage area 102, and the like. -
FIG. 2 is a top view of thepackaging tray 100 having thestorage border 120 with thestorage compartment 104. Thestorage compartment 104 may be configured and/or shaped to store any number of thefood accessories 106. As shown inFIG. 2 , thestorage compartment 104 has the shape of athermometer 200, or “done stick.” Thestorage compartment 104 may have a depth configured to store one and/ormultiple thermometers 200. -
FIG. 3A is a top view of a portion of thepackaging tray 100 showing thestorage compartment 104 having thethermometer 200 as thefood accessory 106. The one ormore thermometers 200 may be a disposable thermometer used to test the temperature of the food while cooking. As shown, thethermometer 200 may have atip 300, ahandle 302, and anindicator 304. Thetip 300 may be configured to be placed in, and/or onto the food while cooking the food. As shown, thetip 300 has a pointed, orangled portion 306 configured to pierce the food. Thehandle 302 as shown is a wider flat portion that is configured to be gripped by a person when inserting and/or removing thethermometer 200 from the food. Although thetip 300 is shown as anangled portion 306, thetip 300 may be any suitable shape and/or surface for measuring the temperature of the food. Further, thehandle 302 may be any suitable shape for gripping thethermometer 200. Although thethermometer 200 is shown as a flat thermometer having a tip for piercing the food, thethermometer 200 may be any suitable thermometer for placing in the storage compartment including, but not limited to, a flat thermometer for placing flat on the food, a standard mercury thermometer, a digital thermometer, and the like. - The
indicator 304 as shown has avisual indicator 308 and a temperature indication 310. Thevisual indicator 308 may simply change colors when thetip 300 reaches a desired temperature, or give another visual alert. Thevisual indicator 308 as shown displays the temperature at which the food in thepackaging tray 100 is cooked, or done. It should be appreciated that theindicator 304 may take any suitable form so long as thethermometer 200 indicates the temperature of the food, and/or when the food will reach a certain temperature. Thethermometer 200 may be specifically designed for the food being prepared. For example, the cook temperatures for poultry may be higher than in red meat. Thus, for a poultry food item thethermometer 200 may have an indicator that alerts the cook that the poultry has reached the poultry cook temperature, or done temperature. - Although the
storage compartment 104 and thefood accessory 106 are described for storing thethermometer 200, it should be appreciated that they may be used for storing any food accessory such as, a condiment (for example ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, spices, soy sauce, wasabi, and the like), a plastic storage bag, one or more chop sticks, a fork, and/or a tong, and the like. -
FIG. 3B is a top view of a portion of thepackaging tray 100 showing two of the storage compartments 104 having twoseparate food accessories 106. This may allowmultiple food accessories 106 to be packaged as a set with the food and thepackaging tray 100. Any of the food accessories may be used in combination to enhance the set of thepackaging tray 100, for example, thefood accessories 106 may include, but are not limited to, thethermometer 200 and a condiment, a fork and a knife, soy sauce and wasabi, and the like. Although there are only twostorage compartments 104 shown with twofood accessories 106, it should be appreciated that there may be any suitable number ofstorage compartments 104 having any suitable number offood accessories 106. -
FIG. 4 depicts a side view of two of thepackaging trays 100 ready to be stacked on top of one another. As shown, thewalls 110 are sloped toward the center of thepackaging tray 100. The slope of thewalls 110 may allowempty packaging trays 100 to be stacked on top of one another thereby allowing thetray bottom 116 and theborders 118 of each of thepackaging trays 100 to be proximate one another, or nested together. This nested arrangement allows a larger number ofpackaging trays 100 to be stacked on top of one another for shipping and storage. -
FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of thepackaging tray 100 with the food accessory 106 (as shown inFIGS. 1-3B ) removed from thestorage compartment 104. InFIG. 5 , thefood 500 is a sausage and thefood accessory 106 is thethermometer 200. Thethermometer 200 may be placed in thefood 500 during cooking of the food, as described above. Theempty storage compartment 104, as shown, is contoured to the shape of thethermometer 200. By making the storage compartment 104 a similar shape as thethermometer 200 and/or thefood accessory 106, thefood accessory 106 may be prevented from moving and/or shifting during transport of thepackaging tray 100. Although, thestorage compartment 104 is shown to be shaped the same as thethermometer 100, it should be appreciated that thestorage compartment 104 may be shaped to fit the contour of any suitable food accessory including, but not limited to, any of thefood accessories 106 described herein. Further, thestorage compartment 104 may have any suitable shape for holding one or more food accessories. - The
packaging tray 100 as shown inFIGS. 1-5 may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, Styrofoam, plastic, cardboard, foam, aluminum, and the like. - The
packaging tray 100 may further have one or more partitions (not shown) located in thefood storage area 102. The partitions may be configured to keep portions of thefood 500 separated. For example, if thefood 500 is sausage, there may be a partition between each of the sausages in the packaging tray. -
FIG. 6 depicts a portion of apackaging system 600 for packing each of thepackaging trays 100 with thefood 500 and/or thefood accessories 106. Thepackaging system 600 may be located at a packing facility, for example a meat packing facility. Thepackaging trays 100 may be shipped to the packing facility empty and in one or more tray stacks 602. The tray stacks 602 may reduce the shipping size required to ship thepackaging trays 100. Further, the concave and convex shape of the end walls 114 of thepackaging tray 100 may reduce wasted space in thepackaging trays 100 by having the packaging trays conform to the shape of thefood 500. The reduction in wasted space and shipping size may increase the number ofpackaging trays 100 that may be shipped in a truck, railcar, and/or container thereby reducing transportation costs. - The
packaging system 600 may have atray unloader 604, amain conveyer 606, afood loader 608 and afood accessory loader 610. Thepackaging system 600 may be configured to separate the tray stacks 602 into individual trays, then load thefood storage area 102 with thefood 500, and seal thepackaging tray 100 for shipping to a retailer (not shown). Optionally, thepackaging system 600 may load thefood accessory 106 onto thepackaging tray 100. - The tray stacks 602, or portions thereof, may be placed on the
tray unloader 604 portion of the packaging system. Thetray unloader 604 may have astack conveyer 612, atray feed area 614, and atray dispenser system 616. Thetray dispenser system 616 may be configured to place one or thepackaging trays 100 on themain conveyer 606 individually. Thetray unloader 604 as shown is located above themain conveyer 606 thereby allowing theindividual packaging trays 100 to be dropped onto themain conveyer 606. Thetray unloader 604 may be a stand-alone unit that may be moved to a location proximate themain conveyor 606, or may be connected to and fixed to themain conveyor 606. Although thetray unloader 604 is shown as being located above themain conveyor 606, it should be appreciated that thetray conveyor 606 may be located at any suitable location for delivering theindividual packaging trays 100 onto themain conveyor 606 including, but not limited to, next to themain conveyor 606. - The
stack conveyor 612 may move the tray stacks 602 toward thetray feed area 614 to be delivered onto themain conveyor 606. As shown, thestack conveyor 612 is has aconveyor belt 618 that the tray stacks 602 rest on. Theconveyor belt 618 may be powered by any suitable drive system (not shown) including, but not limited to, an electric motor, a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, a combustion engine and the like. Theconveyor belt 618 may move the tray stacks 602, at a constant rate in accordance with the rate each of the tray stacks 602 are fed onto themain conveyor 606. Further, theconveyor belt 618 may move, only when thetray feed area 614 is ready to accept anew tray stack 602. Any number of sensors and/or operator input may be used to signal to the drive system when to activate thestack conveyor 612. Although thestack conveyor 612 is shown as aconveyor belt 618, it should be appreciated that any suitable conveyor system may be used to move the tray stacks 602 into the feed area including, but not limited to, a pneumatic conveyor system, a hydraulic conveyor system, a gravity roller conveyor, gravity skate wheel conveyors, wire mesh conveyors, plastic belt conveyors, and the like. - The
feed area 614 as shown is anopen area 620 surrounded by one ormore guide walls 622. Theguide walls 622 guide thepackaging trays 100 to thetray dispenser system 616. Theguide walls 622 may be any suitable wall and/or surface for restricting the travel of thepackaging trays 100 toward thetray dispenser system 616. As shown, there are twoguide walls 622 although there may be any suitable number ofguide walls 622 including, but not limited to, threeguide walls 622 and fourguide walls 622, so long as theguide walls 622 guide thepackaging trays 100 to thetray dispenser system 616. - The
tray dispenser system 616 may be configured to remove one of thepackaging trays 100 from thetray stack 602 and deliver thepackaging tray 100 onto themain conveyer 606. Thetray dispenser system 616 may remove one of thepackaging trays 100 from thetray stack 602 while preventing the remainingpackaging trays 100 from moving onto themain conveyor 606, as will be discussed in more detail below. - The
main conveyor 606 may move theindividual packaging trays 100 through thepackaging system 600. Themain conveyor 606 as shown is aconveyor belt 618 for moving thepackaging trays 100. Theconveyor belt 618 may have any suitable drive system including, but not limited to, those described herein. Although themain conveyor 606 is shown as aconveyor belt 618, themain conveyor 606 may be any suitable conveyor system including, but not limited to, those described herein. Themain conveyor 606 may have one ormore dividers 624 for separating thepackaging trays 100. - The
main conveyor 606 may move the each of the emptyindividual packaging trays 100 to the food loader 608 (shown schematically). Thefood loader 608 may place thefood 500 in each of thepackaging trays 100. In the event thefood 500 is one or more sausages, thefood loader 608 may place the sausages in thepackaging tray 100 in a manner that the natural curve of the sausages matches the curve of the end walls 114 of thepackaging trays 100. Thefood loader 608 may be any suitable system and/or device for loading thefood 500 on thepackaging trays 100 including, but not limited to, one or more robotic arms, a worker, a feed system, and the like. - The food accessory loader 610 (shown schematically) may place the
food accessory 106 into thestorage compartment 104 of thepackaging tray 100. Thefood accessory loader 610, as shown, is located downstream of thefood loader 608 thereby placing thefood accessory 106 in thepackaging tray 100 after thefood 500 is in thepackaging tray 100. It should be appreciated that thefood accessory loader 610 may be located upstream of thefood loader 608. Thefood accessory loader 610 may be any suitable system and/or device for loading thefood accessory 106 into thestorage compartment 104 including, but not limited to, one or more robotic arms, a worker, a feed system, and the like. -
FIG. 7 depicts a schematic view of thetray dispenser system 616, according to one embodiment. Thetray dispenser system 616 may have one ormore tray engagers 700 and a tray dispenser drive system 702 (shown schematically). The tray engagers 700 may be configured to engage one of thepackaging trays 100 and move thepackaging tray 100, and/or drop thepackaging tray 100, onto themain conveyor 606. The traydispenser drive system 702 may be configured to move the one ormore tray engagers 700. Thetray dispenser system 616 needs to engage and separate thepackaging trays 100 without damaging thepackaging trays 100. - The tray engagers 700, as shown, in
FIG. 7 arearms 704 configured to engage the end walls 114, and/or theborder 118 proximate the end walls 114, of thepackaging tray 100. Because the end walls 114 of thepackaging tray 100 are curved, thearms 704 may have a matching curved portion. As shown, thearm 704 engaging thepackaging tray 100 near theend wall 114A curved into thefood storage area 102 may have aconvex engagement surface 706. Theconvex engagement surface 706 may be curved to mirror the curvature of theend wall 114A. Thearm 704 engaging thepackaging tray 100 near theend wall 114B curved away for thefood storage area 102 may have aconcave engagement surface 708. Theconcave engagement surface 708 may be curved to mirror the curvature of theend wall 114B. - Due to the curvature of the
end walls tray engagers 700 may decrease the amount of surface contact between thetray engager 700 and thepackaging tray 100. The decreased surface contact may cause thepackaging tray 100, and/ormultiple packaging trays 100, to fall, or dislodge prematurely from thetray dispenser 616. The fallingpackaging trays 100 may cause a stoppage, or slow down, in the packaging operation. The stoppage may cause the meat packing facility to lose money due to lost production. Theconvex engagement surface 706 and theconcave engagement surface 708 may greatly increase the surface contact between thetray dispenser 616 and thepackaging tray 100. The increased surface contact may further reduce stress at the contact point between thetray dispenser system 616 and thepackaging tray 100. -
FIGS. 8A and 8B depict a top view and a cross-sectional side view of thepackaging tray 100 engaged with thetray dispenser 616. Theconvex engagement surface 706 and theconcave engagement surface 708 of thetray engagers 700, as shown, may have ashelf 800 configured to engage a bottom surface of theborder 118 proximate each of theend walls shelf 800 may have aflat top 802 for supporting theborder 118 and a concave and/or convexcurved end end walls flat top 802 may support thepackaging tray 100 from the bottom of theborder 118. The concave and/or convexcurved ends end walls - The tray engagers 700 may further have a
shoulder shoulders border 118 when thepackaging tray 100 is supported by thetray engagers 700. Theshoulders border 118. For example, theshoulder 806A may be convex, or extend outwardly, to mirror the inwardly curved thewall 114A and theshoulder 806B may be concave, or curve inwardly, to mirror the outwardly curved thewall 114B. Theshoulders border 118 although it should be appreciated that theshoulders border 118. - Although the
tray engagers 700 are shown as having the convex andconcave shoulders packaging tray 100 as shown inFIG. 1 . - When the
tray stack 602 enters the tray feed area 614 (as shown inFIG. 6 ) thelowermost packaging tray 100 may engage thetray engagers 700 of thetray dispenser 616. InFIGS. 7 and 8A and 8B, thetray engagers 700 are shown in a support position wherein thepackaging tray 100 is supported by thetray engagers 700. In the support position, theflat top 802 on each of thetray engagers 700 may support thepackaging tray 100 by engaging the bottom of theborder 118, and/or any suitable location on thepackaging tray 100. The tray engagers 700 may remain in the support position until thepackaging tray 100 is to be placed on themain conveyor 606. - To move the
packaging tray 100 onto themain conveyor 606, a support may prevent support thepackaging trays 100 in thetray stack 602, with the exception of thelowermost packaging tray 100. The tray engagers 700 may then be rotated toward a release position by thedrive system 702 as shown inFIG. 7 . The rotation toward the release position is indicated byarrows 710 onFIGS. 7 and 8B . As thetray engagers 700 rotate toward the release position, the lowermost packaging tray 100 slides off of thetray dispenser 616 and is placed on themain conveyor 606. Thedrive system 702 may then move thetray engagers 700 back to the support position to receive thenext packaging tray 100. - In an embodiment, a secondary tray engager 750 (as shown in
FIG. 7 ) may be used to catch thepackaging tray 100 when it is released from thetray engager 700. As shown, thesecondary tray engager 750 is a substantiallycylindrical member 752 having theshelf 800 and ashoulder 752. As thetray engager 750 releases thelowermost packaging tray 100, the shoulder 806 of thesecondary tray engager 750 may catch thelowermost tray 100. Thetray engager 700 may then reengage the second to last packaging tray in thetray stack 602. Amotor 712 may then rotatesecondary tray engager 750 in order to mover theshelf 802 clear of thepackaging tray 100 and allowing theshoulder 752 to optionally push thepackaging tray 100 onto theconveyor 618. Any of thetray dispensers 616 may include thesecondary tray engager 750. - The drive system 702 (as shown in
FIG. 7 ) may be any suitable drive system for moving and/or rotating thetray dispenser 616 and/or thesecondary tray engager 750. In one embodiment, thedrive system 702 may have amotor 712, or motive device, configured to rotate adrive shaft 714. Thedrive shaft 714 may couple to and/or be integral with thetray engagers 700 of thetray dispenser 616. Themotor 712 may be any suitable motor for motivating thetray dispenser 616 including, but not limited to, an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, a combustion engine, and the like. Thedrive system 702 may have any suitable devices and/or systems to assist in the motivation and control of thetray dispensers 616 including, but not limited to, controllers, servos, pulleys, chain drives, drive shafts and the like. -
FIG. 8C depicts a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of thetray engagers 700. As shown, thetray engager 700 may pivot about a location located above thelowermost packaging tray 100 of the tray stack. The tray engagers 700 may form an L-shaped member having theshelf 800 and the shoulder 806. Theshelf 800 and/or the shoulder 806 may be convex, concave and/or straight in a similar manner as any of thetray engagers 700 described herein. - The tray dispensers 616 may be specifically designed to be removable and replaceable in order to customize the
packing system 600 to the type of packaging tray being used. The tray dispensers 616 may be uncoupled from thedrive system 702 and replaced with an alternate tray dispenser when the type of packaging tray is changed in thepacking system 600. For example, thepackaging tray 100B (as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B ) having two curved end walls 114 may be replaced by the packaging tray 100A having astraight border 118 on thecurved end wall 114A. Thetray engager 700A may then be replaced by atray engager 700A having the convexcurved ends 804A on theshelf 800 and astraight shoulder 806A thereby mirroring the configuration of the packaging tray 100A. Thepackaging system 600 may then use square trays (not shown). The tray engages 700A and 700B may then be replaced again by replacing thetray engagers shelf 800 and straight shoulders (not shown). Although thetray dispenser 616 is described as being replaceable, it should be appreciated that thetray dispenser 616 may be replaced along with a portion of thedrive system 702. For example, thedrive shaft 714 and thetray dispensers 616 may form a unit that can be quickly removed and replaced. -
FIGS. 9A and 9B show an alternative embodiment of thetray dispensers 616. As shown, thetray dispenser 616 is twoshaft tray engagers shaft tray engagers border 118 of thepackaging tray 100B. Each of theshaft tray engagers shelf 800 and theshoulder FIGS. 9A and 9B , thetray dispenser 616 is in the support position. Thedrive system 702 may rotate theshaft tray engagers arrows 710 in a similar manner as described above. As theshaft tray engagers packaging tray 100B may be released. Further, theouter perimeter 902 of theshaft tray engagers FIG. 9B ) may engage and support thenext packaging tray 100B in the tray stack 602 (as shown inFIG. 6 ). Theshaft tray engagers -
FIG. 10 depicts flow chart of a method of providing a food package to a consumer. The flow begins atblock 1000 wherein a packaging tray is provided. The packaging tray may be any suitable packaging tray including, but not limited to those described herein. The flow continues atblock 1002, wherein a food is placed in a food storage area of thepackaging tray 1002. The food may be any suitable food including those described herein. The flow continues atblock 1004, wherein a food accessory is placed in a storage compartment on a border of the packaging tray. The flow continues atblock 1006, wherein the packaging tray is wrapped in a manner that displays the food and the food accessory to a customer. The wrapping may be any suitable wrapping such as plastic, polymer, cardboard, paper, a combination thereof and the like.
Claims (20)
1. A food packaging tray, comprising:
a tray bottom wherein the tray bottom is substantially flat and has two substantially straight sides on opposite sides of a perimeter of the tray bottom and two curved ends wherein a first end is curved away from the tray bottom and a second end is curved into the tray bottom;
two side walls each extending above the straight sides of the tray bottom and located on opposite sides of the tray bottom;
two curved end walls each extending above the curved ends of the tray bottom and wherein each end of each of the end walls is coupled to an end of the side wall thereby forming walls extending from the perimeter of the tray bottom;
a food storage area above the tray bottom for storing a food, wherein the food storage area is substantially surrounded by the two end walls and the two side walls; and
a border connected to a top end of each of the end walls and the side walls, wherein the border extends from the top of the two end walls and the two side walls in a direction away from the food storage area.
2. The food packaging tray of claim 1 , further comprising a storage compartment formed in the border.
3. The food packaging tray of claim 2 , further comprising a food accessory configured be stored in the storage compartment.
4. The food packaging tray of claim 3 , wherein the food accessory is a thermometer configured to measure the temperature of the food while cooking.
5. The food packaging tray of claim 4 , wherein the thermometer has an indicator that displays when the food is cooked.
6. The food packaging tray of claim 3 , wherein the indicator displays a color change when the food is cooked.
7. The food packaging tray of claim 4 , wherein the storage compartment is formed to match the shape of the food accessory.
8. The food packaging tray of claim 3 , wherein the food accessory is a condiment.
9. The food packaging tray of claim 3 , wherein the border has substantially the same width around the food packaging tray.
10. The food packaging tray of claim 3 , wherein the border has a varying width at the end wall connected to the second end of the tray bottom.
11. The food packaging tray of claim 10 , wherein the edge of the border connected to the wall curves with the curved end wall into the tray bottom and an outer edge of the border is straight.
12. The food packaging tray of claim 11 , wherein the straight outer edge of the border is substantially perpendicular to the side walls.
13. A system for packaging food, the system comprising:
a food for packaging;
a food accessory for packaging with the food; and
a packaging tray comprising:
a tray bottom;
two substantially straight side walls coupled to the tray bottom;
two curved end walls wherein each of the curved end walls are coupled to the tray bottom and the side walls wherein a first end wall curves toward the interior of the packaging tray and a second end wall curves away from the interior of the packaging tray; and
a border connected to a top edge of the two side walls and the two end walls thereby forming a perimeter around the top of the walls; and
a storage compartment formed in the border for storing the food accessory.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the food accessory is a thermometer.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the storage compartment has a shape that matches a shape of the food accessory.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the border has a varying width at the first end wall.
17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the edge of the border connected to the first end wall curves with the curved end wall into the tray bottom and an outer edge of the border is straight.
18. A method of providing a food package to a consumer, the method comprising;
providing a packaging tray comprising:
a tray bottom;
two straight side walls;
two curved end walls; and
a border surrounding a top of the two straight side walls and the two curved end walls
placing a food in a food storage area of the packaging tray;
placing a food accessory in a storage compartment on the border of the packaging tray; and
wrapping the packaging tray in a manner that displays the food and the food accessory on one side of the packaging tray.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising forming the border with a varying width at one of the two curved end walls.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein forming the border with the varying width further comprises curving the edge of the border connected to the curved end wall toward an interior of the packaging tray and forming an outer edge of the border in a straight line.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/178,606 US20120006718A1 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-08 | Packaging tray and method of use |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US36301710P | 2010-07-09 | 2010-07-09 | |
US13/178,606 US20120006718A1 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-08 | Packaging tray and method of use |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20120006718A1 true US20120006718A1 (en) | 2012-01-12 |
Family
ID=45437560
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/178,611 Abandoned US20120005992A1 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-08 | Packaging tray and method of use |
US13/178,606 Abandoned US20120006718A1 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-08 | Packaging tray and method of use |
Family Applications Before (1)
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US13/178,611 Abandoned US20120005992A1 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2011-07-08 | Packaging tray and method of use |
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Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20090210285A1 (en) * | 2008-02-12 | 2009-08-20 | Certusview Technologies, Llc | Ticket approval system for and method of performing quality control in field service applications |
US20100324967A1 (en) * | 2009-02-11 | 2010-12-23 | Certusview Technologies, Llc | Management system, and associated methods and apparatus, for dispatching tickets, receiving field information, and performing a quality assessment for underground facility locate and/or marking operations |
US20130334010A1 (en) * | 2012-06-18 | 2013-12-19 | Vistaprint Technologies Limited | Ergonomic manufacturing tray and processing method |
US20150196391A1 (en) * | 2014-01-15 | 2015-07-16 | Medtronic, Inc. | Tray for Loading a Medical Device Including a Temperature Measuring and Indicating Device |
US9114645B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2015-08-25 | Cimpress Schweiz Gmbh | System and method for printing on multiple different articles of manufacture by the same printing system in a conveyor system |
US9156293B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2015-10-13 | Cimpress Schweiz Gmbh | Manufacturing tray with customized inlays for processing different types of articles of manufacture |
US9656481B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2017-05-23 | Cimpress Schweiz Gmbh | Integrated imprinting system and trays for selectively processing items on tray |
US11366018B1 (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2022-06-21 | Shenzhen Hongkang International Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. | Wireless detecting thermometer for barbecue |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE102011113832A1 (en) * | 2011-09-21 | 2013-03-21 | Newfrey Llc | Method and device for feeding joining elements |
FR3037930B3 (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2017-08-18 | Spie Ouest-Centre | SYSTEM FOR MAKING SAUSAGES IN TRAYS |
US10638557B2 (en) | 2015-10-01 | 2020-04-28 | 915 Labs, LLC | Convey line carrier for microwave heating |
CA3039197A1 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2018-04-12 | 915 Labs, LLC | Convey line carrier for microwave heating |
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US3139348A (en) * | 1962-12-18 | 1964-06-30 | Diamond National Corp | Banana tray and package |
US3676159A (en) * | 1970-04-27 | 1972-07-11 | Grace W R & Co | Thermoformed reusable package having a reclosable lid |
US3671272A (en) * | 1970-05-01 | 1972-06-20 | Mol Pak Corp | Frozen meat package |
US5335787A (en) * | 1991-09-20 | 1994-08-09 | Amoco Corporation | Food and beverage tray |
JPH0698736A (en) * | 1992-09-21 | 1994-04-12 | Fujimori Kogyo Kk | Food containing deoxidizer |
US5598944A (en) * | 1995-04-17 | 1997-02-04 | Aragona; James | Single hand use food tray |
USD386075S (en) * | 1996-09-24 | 1997-11-11 | Tenneco Packaging | Food tray |
US6152302A (en) * | 1999-06-08 | 2000-11-28 | Recot, Inc. | Chip and dip tray |
US20020197427A1 (en) * | 2001-05-08 | 2002-12-26 | Wu Wen Pao | Sheets made of filled polymer compositions |
US20030192898A1 (en) * | 2002-04-11 | 2003-10-16 | Haedt Edward L. | Tray with built in utensil |
USD537679S1 (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2007-03-06 | Syracuse China Company | Plate |
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USD541591S1 (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2007-05-01 | The Vollrath Company, L.L.C. | Food pan |
US7874449B1 (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2011-01-25 | Plastic Ingenuity, Inc. | Snack tray with dispensing compartment |
US20100062130A1 (en) * | 2008-09-10 | 2010-03-11 | Cryovac, Inc. | Package assembly for on-demand marination and method for providing the same |
US20100230322A1 (en) * | 2009-03-10 | 2010-09-16 | David Nicholson | Sausage Tray |
USD610408S1 (en) * | 2009-05-26 | 2010-02-23 | Paolini Design | Hand-held bowl |
USD618955S1 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2010-07-06 | Carlisle Foodservice Products, Incorporated | Food pan |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090210285A1 (en) * | 2008-02-12 | 2009-08-20 | Certusview Technologies, Llc | Ticket approval system for and method of performing quality control in field service applications |
US20100324967A1 (en) * | 2009-02-11 | 2010-12-23 | Certusview Technologies, Llc | Management system, and associated methods and apparatus, for dispatching tickets, receiving field information, and performing a quality assessment for underground facility locate and/or marking operations |
US20130334010A1 (en) * | 2012-06-18 | 2013-12-19 | Vistaprint Technologies Limited | Ergonomic manufacturing tray and processing method |
US9114645B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2015-08-25 | Cimpress Schweiz Gmbh | System and method for printing on multiple different articles of manufacture by the same printing system in a conveyor system |
US9156293B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2015-10-13 | Cimpress Schweiz Gmbh | Manufacturing tray with customized inlays for processing different types of articles of manufacture |
US9656481B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2017-05-23 | Cimpress Schweiz Gmbh | Integrated imprinting system and trays for selectively processing items on tray |
US20150196391A1 (en) * | 2014-01-15 | 2015-07-16 | Medtronic, Inc. | Tray for Loading a Medical Device Including a Temperature Measuring and Indicating Device |
US11366018B1 (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2022-06-21 | Shenzhen Hongkang International Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. | Wireless detecting thermometer for barbecue |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |