AT9509U1 - PACKAGING UNIT FOR FOOD - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a packaging unit for ready-to-use, raw (fresh or frozen) food ingredients, in dosed composition for the preparation of one or more meals (including non-integer ones). In order to be able to provide single doses in unadulterated form, dosed for sale, the individual components of the meal are packed separately from each other, with all the individually packaged components of the meal being packed tightly in a common over container.

Description

2 AT 009 509 U1

The invention relates to a packaging unit of ready-to-use, raw food ingredients in metered composition for a meal.

As more and more of the trend is toward providing single meals for one-person households or the like, single-serve ready meals in the frozen or otherwise preserved state are often available. However, such ready-meals are often rejected by the consumer because, in part, they are preservatives, flavor enhancers and the like, on the one hand not desired by the consumer and on the other hand, e.g. because of allergies, can not be tolerated. For one-person households or small households with 1 person and child or the like or individual meals, it is still difficult today to obtain the necessary ingredients in the raw state, be it fresh or frozen in dosed form, so then on the one hand a lot of time in the meal preparation has to be spent because eg Vegetables or the like must first be cleaned, cut and cleaned and on the other hand then many times exceeds the amount consumed by a person at a meal. In addition, certain ingredients (meat, vegetables, pasta, rice, spices) are by default only available in certain quantities (e.g., 50g, 100g, 500g, 1kg, etc.). These quantities usually undercut or exceed the amounts needed for a meal.

Food packaging units are known in the art. For example, DE GM 8625504.5 describes a package of ready meals in which the individual menu components are individually packed tightly in separate containers, after which the filled and closed containers are placed in a frame to hold the complete menu together. Other packaging units known in the art merely disclose the inclusion of different foods in separate containers, and these separate containers are then stored in a carton or the like. None of the known packaging units are intended for the packaging of raw, ready-to-eat foods for the preparation of a meal.

In the raw state packaged goods in turn have the disadvantage that they give off liquid during storage or otherwise impaired as so together with packaged goods or make them uneatable.

The invention is now based on the object to provide a packaging unit of the type mentioned, in which for an individual or for several persons, e.g. 1 Vz, 2 or 2 Vz meals prepared in matched amount of individual components, regardless of the usual packaging sizes.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the individual components of the meal are packed separately from each other separately, with all individually packaged components of the meal are packed tightly in a common container over. This makes it possible to package the individual components individually and to prevent the quality of one component from being impaired, for example, by contact with the other component. Also, for the individual ingredients can be processed and prepared on separate production lines. The directly closed over container has the advantage that there is additional protection of the individual packaging containers, e.g. in case of defective adhesion of a single packaging.

In one embodiment of the invention, the individual packages may be filled with inert gas matched to the packaged product, thereby substantially increasing the shelf life of the individual products, including e.g. in vegetables corresponding maturation gases can be used. Finally, the over-reservoir may be pressurized to prevent any oxygen provided in the over-reservoir from entering the interior of the individual reservoirs. Finally, the containers of the individual ingredients may be added to the product matched spices. This makes it possible for the individual

Claims (5)

3 AT 009 509 U1 components already in the sales units, e.g. To prepare in a water bath or in the microwave, without this must be taken exactly to the individual preparation in other cookware. Finally, each container and / or the over container can be accompanied by instructions for the correct and timely preparation of the meal (s) 5. In the drawing, an embodiment is shown schematically. Fig. 1 shows the packaging unit according to the invention in the diagram, Fig. 2 in plan view with the cover removed. The reference numeral 1 designates an over-container in which individual containers for individually packaged components, designated 2, 3 and 4, are inserted. With 5 an additional container for spice preparations and the like is shown. The container 4 indicates a perforation 6 which is e.g. is intended for the use of microwave ovens to prevent bursting of the container when heated in the microwave. In the present embodiment, the container 2 is filled with pieces of meat, the container 3 contains a vegetable mixture and the container 4 could contain rice or other garnish. In the embodiments shown in the figures it is provided that the individual components are taken out of the containers 2 and 3 before the preparation, in which case these meat or vegetable preparations can be prepared in a wok pan or the like. The corresponding spices can be removed from the package 5. In an alternative embodiment, the containers (2, 3 4) can be selected for the individual packaging matched to the packaged components. Thus, for example, as shown in container 4, the ingredients are placed in a cookable bag, in which case the overpressure can escape via the perforation 6. For such cases, it is advisable either to introduce the liquid necessary for cooking the food into the container or to obtain it from the product itself during cooking in a steamer or in a microwave. This is easily possible with meat and many vegetables. In the case of use of cooking bags, it is advisable to add the ingredients already spices, 35 then make the product tastily ready to eat during cooking. Each packaging unit contains a detailed recipe that shows how to process each ingredient and in what order to achieve a complete meal. Further, in another embodiment of the invention, the over container may be made opaque to prevent graying or other degradation by light or UV rays from meat components. 45 Claims 1. Packaging unit for ready-to-use raw food ingredients in dosed composition for the preparation of a whole meal, characterized in that the individual ingredients of the meal are packaged separately from each other, all individually packaged components (2, 3, 4) the meal in a common container (1) are tightly packed. 2. Packaging unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the Einzelverpa-55 tions (2, 3, 4) are filled with matched to the packaged inert gas. 4 AT 009 509 U1 3. Packaging unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the over-container (1) is subjected to negative pressure. 4. Packaging unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the containers of the individual components are added to the product seasoned spices. 5. Packaging unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of the containers (2, 3, 4) and / or the over-container (1) is accompanied by instructions for the correct and timely preparation of the meal (s). For this purpose 1 sheet of drawings