EP0137023B1 - Food package - Google Patents

Food package Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0137023B1
EP0137023B1 EP19840900941 EP84900941A EP0137023B1 EP 0137023 B1 EP0137023 B1 EP 0137023B1 EP 19840900941 EP19840900941 EP 19840900941 EP 84900941 A EP84900941 A EP 84900941A EP 0137023 B1 EP0137023 B1 EP 0137023B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cover
base
food package
pedestal
package
Prior art date
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.)
Expired
Application number
EP19840900941
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0137023A4 (en
EP0137023A1 (en
Inventor
Robert Louis Goller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Oscar Mayer Foods Corp
Original Assignee
Oscar Mayer Foods Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oscar Mayer Foods Corp filed Critical Oscar Mayer Foods Corp
Priority to AT84900941T priority Critical patent/ATE36499T1/de
Publication of EP0137023A1 publication Critical patent/EP0137023A1/en
Publication of EP0137023A4 publication Critical patent/EP0137023A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0137023B1 publication Critical patent/EP0137023B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
    • B65D11/10—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material of polygonal cross-section and all parts being permanently connected to each other

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to food packages. More specifically, this invention relates to food packages having a cover and base defining a cavity for receiving foodstuff and locking means contained in the vertical walls of the base and cover providing snap locking of base and cover in telescopic engagement with each other.
  • this invention pertains to a food package having a base and a transparent cover.
  • the food package has a sealing means for hermetically sealing the base to the transparent cover and a reclosable means encompassing the sealing means for snap locking the base and the transparent cover in telescoping relationship with each other.
  • this invention relates to packages for sliced food arranged in stacks, especially stacks of sliced luncheon meat.
  • packages are formed from a semi-rigid base and cover, the base and cover mating to form an enclosed product receiving cavity surrounded by a hermetically sealed flange.
  • a third plastic or paper insert may be employed.
  • Two component packages of this general type are known commercially and are in the patented art.
  • the packages of the present invention may be viewed as improvements of the sliced food packages described in the Cornish et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,411,122, patented October 25, 1983 and the Seiferth et al. U.S. Patent No. 3,498,018, patented March 3, 1970.
  • US 3,498,018 discloses a food package comprising:
  • the food package of the invention is characterised by snap locking means contained in the base and cover vertical walls providing for snap locking the base and cover in telescopic engagement with each other.
  • the food package of the present invention thus exhibits certain improvements over the food package disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,498,018 to Seiferth et al. or U.S. Patent No. 4,411,122 in that the product can be properly pressed and evacuated within the cover by means of pressure on either the cover or base because of the telescopic movement of the base into the cover.
  • pivoting means are provided by a hinge between the base and the cover or a perforated portion outside a permanent seal of the cover and base flanges.
  • a sliced luncheon meat package (indicated generally as 1) is formed by a semi-rigid base 2 and a semi-rigid cover 3.
  • Slice luncheon meat is contained between the cover 3 and the base portion 2 and may constitute any of the usual sliced sausage or luncheon meat such as bologna, salami, New England Brand Sausage, etc. and non-meat products such as sliced cheese. While particularly suitable for sliced food products the package of the invention can also be used for non-sliced compressible items.
  • the base 2 and cover 3 may be formed in any known manner from semi-rigid material such as aluminum laminated or impregnated paper which is moisture resistant and gas impermeable, or plastics.
  • plastic materials examples include a polyvinylchloride, cellulose acetate, nylon, polycarbonate, high impact polystyrene, high impact polypropylene, high impact polyethylene, polyester, acrylonitrile copolymers, extruded plastics, etc. These plastic materials may be coated with saran or other coating if desired. Copolymers of these various plastics may be used in order to obtain desired properties.
  • the semi-rigid base 2 includes a raised pedestal generally indicated in Fig. 2 at 5 and in Fig. 3 at 6. This raised pedestal allows the food product to be pressed by force applied to either the base member 7 of Fig. 2 or the cover portion 10 of Fig. 3 so that product is forced between the cover 10 and base 8 of Fig. 3 or base 7 and cover 11 of Fig. 2.
  • the telescoping action of base and cover compress the meat product between them such that voids are removed while at the same time the vacuum applied to the interior generally shown as 15 of Figs. 2 and 3 draws together the cover and base portions and further compresses the meat products so that the contents or food product touches all inner surfaces that contact or could contact the food product.
  • Deforming means generally shown at 16 and 21 of Fig. 2 and 17 of Fig. 3 allow the cover or base or both to deform under the pressure and vacuum applied to the product thus ensuring that the entire contents of the package closely touch the inner surfaces of the package and provide a pleasing appearance free of voids and open spaces which cause a poor quality looking product on sealing the flange areas 22.
  • Deforming means generally shown as 16 allow the semi-rigid plastic material to flex and deform sufficient to provide a tight fit of product against the inner face of the cover upon application of pressure and vacuum and final sealing of product.
  • the raised pedestal and side wall of the cover contain snap locking means generally indicated as 18 and 19 in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the locking means consist of, in the embodiment shown, a channel 18 formed around part or all of the circumferential periphery of the cover 10 which is generally parallel with the flange portion and extends outwardly from the pedestal.
  • the pedestal contains a bead 19 designed to fit into the channel and thus lock the base 7 to the cover 11 of Fig. 2.
  • the bead is generally shown as 19 in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the bead is preferably greater than 35% of this circumference of the cover and more preferably more than 45% of the circumference of the conduit contained in the vertical cover wall 18.
  • pivoting means 23 Also contained on Fig. 1 is pivoting means 23.
  • the pivoting means may be formed by perforation either the cover or base (in this case the cover) which allows the bottom portion to pivot in the perforated area.
  • the two portions are prevented from separating entirely by suitable permanent adhesive means employed to seal above the perforations in the general area of the peg hole shown as 24 or by suitable heat sealing of the plastic material in the area of the peg hole.
  • While a snap action can be provided about the circumference of the vertical wall of the telescoping base and cover by means of one or more beads, lugs or protrusions of various design made to lock into a cavity of similar design in the opposing vertical wall, it is preferred that at least two or more channel and bead portions be provided and preferably that at least 5% preferably 35% and more at least 45% of the circumference of the vertical wall contain the locking means.
  • the most positive snap action is obtained when substantially all of the vertical wall circumference contains a continuous bead and opposing channel and is used for snap sealing or locking means.
  • Figure 4 is another embodiment of the package of this invention suitable for round sliced meat or cheese products or other compressible food products.
  • the pivoting or hinge means generally shown as 29 are contained in the base member which is hidden by the cover 26.
  • the raised cover portion 27 contains several conduits shown as 25 which allow the cover portion to deform and are deforming means similar to those shown in Fig. 1 and 2 at 16 and Fig. 3 at 17.
  • the cross sectional view of the deforming means is shown at 25 in Fig. 5.
  • Fig. 5 also illustrates the locking means generally shown at 28.
  • the peg hole is shown at 33.
  • Figure 6 illustrates in more detail a specific locking means of this invention wherein lugs 49 are spaced around the circumference or periphery of the vertical wall of the base pedestal generally shown as 40. These lugs are designed to fit into the conduit 57 shown in Fig. 7.
  • Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a cover of the package designed with locking means containing a conduit 57 around the periphery of the wall of the cover 58 and also having a slight indentation (shown at 52) above the point where the pedestal shown in Fig. 6 will stop. The cover portion continues shown above the indentation at 52 which provides for full advancement of the pedestal telescopically into the cover portion 58 up to a portion below indentation 52.
  • vertical passageways 55 designed to provide rigidity to the semi-rigid cover and also to provide a passageway for gasses to be drawn off during evacuation thus, insuring a good contact of the food with the inner surfaces of the package. While these conduits are shown to cover the entire length of the vertical portion of the cover they need not do so if able to carry away sufficient gas to produce a desirable looking product. While the conduit is shown on the outerwall of the cover in Fig. 7 it may be reversed and the lugs contained inwardly on the inward portion of the cover and conduit provided entirely or partially around the raised pedestal in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. In embodiments 6 and 7, the lugs are shown to take up at least 45% of the peripheral area of the telescoping pedestal.
  • Figs. 6 at 43 are deforming means previously discussed in Fig. 1 at 16.
  • Fig. 7 there are also shown deforming means 59 similar to those shown in Fig. 5 at 25. Shown also in Fig. 7 the position of the lugs 49 is equidistant to top and bottom of the pedestal 40. The exact position of the lugs either at the top of the pedestal midway or towards the bottom is a matter of selection for best locking means and for easy opening of the container.
  • the packages may be filled with an inert gas if desired. Once vacuum is pulled the gas would be introduced through the same vertical passageways 55 in Fig. 7 prior to heat or adhesive sealing.
  • Gas packaging provides for a loose fit of the meat against each other and the package.
  • the vertical wall locking feature of this invention is applicable to all gas packaging for telescoping cover and base packages.
  • FIG. 8 the back portion of a package of this invention containing a perforated section shown at 50.
  • the back portion is shown at 51 and contains a transparent window 54 formed by inserting an opaque semi-rigid member between the cover and base.
  • Figure 9 further illustrates the use of a third component in the package of this invention. Where it is desired to have a clear bottom portion as shown in Fig. 8 at 54, a third member of opaque material is positioned between the cover and back flange portion and suitably affixed to the cover and raised back flange to produce a tight container. This system is better seen in Fig. 9 wherein a clear base and cover have sandwiched between them an opaque material generally shown as 62.
  • This material provides for imprinting of messages, grade names, nutritional information, distinctive color and the like and is cut back at 63 of Fig. 10 to provide a transparent portion which can be marked to be opened here.
  • the package also contains a transparent top telescoping cover shown at 65 as well as the back or base pedestal portion shown in Fig. 8 at 54.
  • the third opaque component 62 will be scored 66 or not depending whether it is permanently attached to either the base or the cover or is removably attached.
  • Figures 12 and 13 show the bottom and top portions of several cutout sections 70 and 71 each providing easy opening of the package. Both these sections are clear. There is shown in Fig. 14 an opaque sheet 72 slipped between the cover and base portions. This can be better seen in Fig. 14 which is a composite view of the food package formed with the opaque sheet between the easy open cut portion shown in Figs. 12 and 13.
  • sealing means Two types are used in this invention. Permanent sealing means are employed to form the hinge means seal and to seal any opaque or other insert material securely to either the cover or base portions. Peelable sealing means are provided in the flange area to provide hermetic seal but to allow the consumer to open the package. These sealing means may be of any suitable art recognized means including adhesives, heat sealing of plastics, radio frequency heating and sealing and the like. Once the hermetic seal is broken, the cover 112 can be removed from the base 110 in Fig. 15.
  • the seal 30 of Fig. 4 is located above the hinge means line 29 and the adjacent edge of the package and serves as a hinge allowing the cover 26 to be lifted from the contents while maintaining the cover 26 and the base in their original alignment for reclosing.
  • the seal 30 may be formed in known manner using, for example, heat and/or an adhesive, after or when the package has been hermetically sealed.
  • the relatively wide area between the raised portion of the cover 27 of Fig. 5 and the top edge above the peg hole 33 affords adequate space for a header label to be applied on the flange.
  • a hole 33 is provided in the header space area so that the package 5 may be displayed on a peg.
  • the cover cavity has been raised from the base pedestal, the entire stack contents will be exposed so that the desired number of slices can be removed. Thereafter, the cover can be pressed down on the base so that the circumferential recess 28 in the cover 27 of Fig. 5 again fits and embraces the outer shoulder of the pedestal shown at 31.
  • a relatively tight-fitting, snap-closing action can be obtained by interference fit. The consumer can repeatedly open the package, remove the desired amount of product and then re-close the package for secure storage.
  • FIG. 15 Further illustration of the locking means is shown in Fig. 15.
  • a food package is employed as described in Seiferth et al.
  • U.S. Patent No. 3,498,0108 it is desired to have the "a" dimension close to a predetermined dimension so that the foodstuff e.g., slice meat package will be tightly fit between surfaces 102 and 104 and so that flange 106 and 108 are in contact for hermetic sealing.
  • Patent No. 3,498,018 if the product is tightly fitted between surfaces 102 and 104 the telescoping action of base 110 into cover 112 under pressure during vacuum packing will result in neatly packaged foodstuff. It is thus important that locking means generally shown at 114 do not interfere with the telescoping action.
  • the locking means 114 is comprised of lug 124 and or cavity 126.
  • the inside diameter 128 of cavity 126 is sufficiently larger than the outside diameter 130 of lug 124 to permit telescopic action base 110 into cover 112.
  • the outside curved surface of lug 124 acts as an expansion means during opening and closing of locking means 114.
  • Figure 16 shows a further embodiment where the locking means 114 is simply a solid bead of material 144 that snaps into a circular receiving cavity 145.
  • the locking means 114 is simply a solid bead of material 144 that snaps into a circular receiving cavity 145.
  • One or more of these snapping devices are arranged in the vertical walls 148 and 149 of the cover 150 and base 140 in order to provide a positive snapping action.
  • the snap device must not interfere with the telescoping action of cover and base pressing the food contained in the cavity by external application of pressure.
  • locking means 114 is positioned in vertical sidewall 132 of cover 112 and in sidewall 134 of base 110.
  • any suitable shaped protrusion with corresponding shaped cavity may be employed in the vertical walls to achieve a snap locking feature.
  • a majority of the vertical wall circumference is engaged by the snap locking feature with the most hermetic seal formed when substantially the entire circumference is engaged.
EP19840900941 1983-02-14 1984-02-13 Food package Expired EP0137023B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT84900941T ATE36499T1 (de) 1983-02-14 1984-02-13 Naehrmittelverpackung.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US46624283A 1983-02-14 1983-02-14
US466242 1983-02-14

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0137023A1 EP0137023A1 (en) 1985-04-17
EP0137023A4 EP0137023A4 (en) 1986-05-16
EP0137023B1 true EP0137023B1 (en) 1988-08-17

Family

ID=23851026

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19840900941 Expired EP0137023B1 (en) 1983-02-14 1984-02-13 Food package

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0137023B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPS60500616A (ja)
BR (1) BR8405350A (ja)
DE (1) DE3473428D1 (ja)
DK (1) DK151557C (ja)
WO (1) WO1984003079A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4903166A (en) * 1989-06-09 1990-02-20 Avx Corporation Electrostrictive actuators
CA2039578A1 (en) * 1990-04-27 1991-10-28 Francis R. Finn Double lug recloseable food packages
CA2063201A1 (en) * 1991-03-26 1992-09-27 Drew H. Moore Reclosable food package
JP6205845B2 (ja) * 2013-05-27 2017-10-04 凸版印刷株式会社 ＭｉｃｒｏＳＤメモリーカード及びＭｉｃｒｏＳＤアダプターの収納容器
ES1088854Y (es) * 2013-08-01 2013-11-26 Agriculturas Diversas S L Envase para productos alimenticios

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3498018A (en) * 1965-04-05 1970-03-03 Mayer & Co Inc O Method of forming a package
US3502486A (en) * 1966-09-30 1970-03-24 Swift & Co Reclosable package for food products
US3454158A (en) * 1967-05-17 1969-07-08 Dow Chemical Co Vacuum package and container therefor
US3556337A (en) * 1969-02-18 1971-01-19 Peter Eckrich And Sons Inc Package with hinge
US3595428A (en) * 1969-03-17 1971-07-27 Dow Chemical Co Interchangeable container parts
JPS5020632U (ja) * 1973-06-19 1975-03-08
JPS51127524A (en) * 1975-04-28 1976-11-06 Sanshin Seinetsu Kogyo Kk Concrete wall that also has water proof property
US4202464A (en) * 1978-02-22 1980-05-13 Placon Corporation Recloseable container
US4278693A (en) * 1980-04-21 1981-07-14 J. M. Schneider Inc. Shipper package
US4411122A (en) * 1980-05-23 1983-10-25 Oscar Mayer & Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for pressure resizing of products
US4300700A (en) * 1980-06-26 1981-11-17 Container Dynamics, Inc. Closable food container body and utensil enclosing cover assembly
US4346833A (en) * 1980-08-05 1982-08-31 Daniel Bernhardt Replaceable multiple seal package
US4358025A (en) * 1981-03-13 1982-11-09 Scott Paper Company Package with flexible segmented fin sealing
US4427705A (en) * 1981-05-15 1984-01-24 Tec, Inc. Commestible package

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK151557C (da) 1988-06-13
WO1984003079A1 (en) 1984-08-16
DK151557B (da) 1987-12-14
EP0137023A4 (en) 1986-05-16
JPS60500616A (ja) 1985-05-02
DK489284A (da) 1984-10-12
BR8405350A (pt) 1985-02-12
DK489284D0 (da) 1984-10-12
DE3473428D1 (en) 1988-09-22
EP0137023A1 (en) 1985-04-17

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