FR2791951A1 - Container and procedure for packaging perishable foodstuffs such as shellfish has relatively rigid transparent panel between contents and top seal - Google Patents

Abstract

The procedure, in which the foodstuff (3) is packed in a container (1) with a rim (2), consists of covering the contents with a relatively rigid transparent panel (4) before the container is subjected to a vacuum and sealed with a flexible film layer (5). The covering panel has edges (4a) shaped to centre and fix it in the container, and it can be used to carry information or publicity material.

Description

"Process for the packaging of perishable foodstuffs and

  product thus packaged "The present invention relates to a process for packaging perishable foodstuffs, the visibility of which constitutes a guarantee of quality for the consumer. Packaging processes are known which guarantee a shelf life of several weeks for such foodstuffs, as well as their visibility, by evacuating at least partially the container containing them and the simultaneous sealing of the container by fixing a transparent film by

  heat sealing on a peripheral rim of the container.

  However, this type of process, satisfactory by its presentation, loses a large part of its effectiveness when the foodstuffs have roughness or spines likely to come into contact with the sealing film and to damage it, as is the case. for seafood, shellfish, crustaceans, sea urchins etc. The sealing film in fact, to facilitate heat sealing on the one hand and then its removal by the consumer on the other hand, is relatively thin and flexible. It is therefore sensitive to the roughness of packaged products which can move and pierce it. Once the film is damaged, the vacuum is no longer maintained and the shelf life of seafood is reduced to one day after the date of piercing. An effective setting of this type of food being difficult to implement, the remedy may consist in delicate handling of the product thus packaged, both at the outlet of the packaging chain, at the carrier and the various distributors to the consumer. This solution is of course

binding and without guarantee.

  The invention therefore aims to remedy this drawback by maintaining the vacuum and the visibility of such difficult foodstuffs due to their roughness and in addition to their mobility, by setting

  work of an improved conditioning process.

  This process comprises, in a known manner, the placing of the foodstuffs in a container comprising a peripheral rim then the placing at least partial vacuum of the container and its simultaneous sealing by fixing on

  said edge of a relatively flexible film.

  According to the invention, this packaging process is characterized in that before the sealing is placed on the foodstuffs a relatively rigid cover plate

  the level of which remains lower than that of said edge.

  Of course, the plate is made of a sufficiently dense and thick material not to be pierced during normal contact with the roughness of the

packaged food.

  During multiple handling, it is then the cover plate which comes into contact with the sealing film and not directly the foodstuffs with their roughness, which makes it possible to preserve the integrity of the film for an optimal shelf life of the commodities. The invention also relates to the product packaged according to this process, with a transparent sealing film for immediate visibility of the foodstuffs. In a preferred embodiment, the cover plate has a peripheral rim which makes it an inner cover, which facilitates its centering and its relative immobilization inside the container, and also results in a certain immobilization of the packaged goods. In addition, the inner cover provides consumer protection

  for food once the lidding film has been removed.

  Various advantages and features of the invention

  will appear in the following description of a mode of

  embodiment given by way of nonlimiting example.

  In the accompanying drawing, the single figure represents a sectional view of a product obtained according to the process of

packaging of the invention.

  In a relatively rigid tray 1, obtained by injection or thermoforming of high density polyethylene, are arranged the foodstuffs 3 to be packaged, here shells of generally conical shape, the tip of which would be liable to damage the sealing film if the tray were conditioned from

classic way.

  Once the shells are in place, we place on the mass they form a cover plate or, better, a cover 4 with peripheral lateral wall 4a allowing its centering and its relative immobilization inside the tray, at a level less than

  that of the peripheral edge 2 of the latter.

  The cover, advantageously transparent to allow the shellfish to be seen, is made of relatively rigid polypropylene. Its thickness is of the order of l / l10 of a millimeter, so as to resist

  piercing by the roughness and tips of the shells.

  The tray 1 thus filled with shells wedged by the inner cover 4 is then placed in an enclosure allowing the evacuation and the sealing by

transparent film 5.

  The latter, made of a relatively flexible low density polyethylene, is fixed for example by heat sealing on the peripheral edge 2 of the

  tray on perimeter tape 6.

  The tray then undergoes pasteurization suitable for cooking the shellfish and a longer shelf life, which can reach four weeks. The product thus packaged can be handled with a minimum of precautions capable of preserving the integrity of the sealing film from the outside, the risk of

  deteriorate from the inside being practically nil.

  The cover plate or inner cover remains transparent after the heat treatment operations. It assumes the protective functions of the

  film for sealing and wedging packaged goods.

  It can also serve as an advertising medium or carry information, for example on the origin, the name, the weight and the shelf life of the food. It is preferable in this case that the greater part of the cover plate nevertheless remains transparent. Otherwise, the tray will advantageously

  made of transparent plastic.

  Once the lidding film has been removed, the cover plate or the inner cover assumes the same protective function against shells as a

cover not waterproof.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described, and many modifications could be made to it without departing from the

part of the invention.

  The cover plate could include other centering and immobilization means than a peripheral vertical wall, for example one or more tabs interposed between two adjacent shells. The process described may be suitable for the packaging of shellfish but also of crustaceans or sea urchins and generally of all perishable foodstuffs which must remain visible and comprising asperities or spines likely to come into contact with the film.

lidding.

Claims (10)

RESELL I CATIONS   1. A method of packaging perishable foodstuffs, comprising placing said foodstuffs (3) in a container (1) having a peripheral rim (2) then placing the container at least partially under vacuum and simultaneously sealing it by fixing on said edge (2) of a relatively flexible film (5), characterized in that before the sealing is placed on the foodstuffs (3) a relatively rigid cover plate (4) whose level remains below that of said rim (2).   2. Product packaged according to the method of claim 1, characterized in that the film lidding (5) is transparent.   3. Packaged product according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing film (5) is in low density polyethylene.   4. Product packaged according to one of   claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the plate   cover (4) and / or container (1) are transparent. 5. Product packaged according to one of   Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the plate   covering (4) comprises means (4a) allowing its centering and its relative immobilization in the container. 6. Packaged product according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover plate (4) has a peripheral side wall (4a) which makes it an inner cover.   7. Product packaged according to one of   Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the plate   cover (4) is made of polypropylene. 8. Product packaged according to one of   claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said   container (1) is made of high density polyethylene.   9. Product packaged according to one of   Claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the foodstuffs   (3) are seafood with roughness or quills.   10. Product packaged according to one of   Claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the plate   recovery (4) carries an advertising or informative message.