FR2838722A1 - Foodstuff packaging for reheating or cooking, in a microwave oven, has a flexible covering sheet with sealing, and a sealing lacquer in zones with islets to allow steam to escape - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging for foodstuffs (1), for reheating or cooking and especially in a microwave oven, has at least one sheet (2) of a flexible material of paper or metal or plastics, with at least one sealing zone (20). The sealing zone has two sealing lips (21), sealed by a lacquer (22) with a number of islets (23) giving a lower heat resistance, and allow the escape of steam during cooking without destruction of the seal. The islets can be in a lozenge or other shapes.

Description

active or medication.

  Food packaging comprising at least one sealing zone

of least resistance.

  The field of the invention is that of packaging food products. More precisely, the invention relates to a packaging for packaging a food or a food preparation intended to be reheated or cultured, in particular in a microwave oven, the packaging comprising

  a flexible material having a sealing zone.

  In the field of the invention, it is conventional to provide food or prepared dishes in sachets formed from one or more paired sheets, or even in trays closed by a lid formed by a

dune sheet flexible material.

  Some of these products are intended to be reheated or cooked before consumption, different means of reheating being generally

  possible, and in particular reheating with a microwave.

  The packaging of these foods or prepared dishes is carried out in a sealed manner, which is likely to cause a more or less significant increase in pressure within the packaging during reheating, depending on

  the power and duration of this reheating.

  Two consequences can be deplored if necessary.

  First, the increase in pressure inside the package can reach a level such that it simply causes the explosion of the package as well as the dispersion of its contents. Such a consequence is of course unacceptable because of the inconvenience it causes for the consumer. This consequence can of course be avoided by partially opening

  packaging, thus avoiding the build-up of pressure inside it.

  However, the opening of these packages is not easy and can lead, in some cases, to a tear in the packaging greater than that desired by the consumer, possibly causing a spill of the contents outside.

of the packaging.

  In case the increase in pressure does not cause bursting

  another consequence may appear.

  In fact, the pressure in the packaging is such that, when the consumer opens it, the consumer can undergo, with more or less damage, projections of hot steam and possibly of a

  part of the contents (for example a sauce).

  Such a consequence is also unacceptable.

  To remedy these drawbacks, it has been proposed to bring shut-off valves which open automatically on certain packages.

  when the pressure in the package reaches a predetermined level.

  Such a solution appears satisfactory in terms of result. However, such valves make packaging manufacturing more complex, and increase

the cost price of it.

  The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

  More precisely, the invention aims to provide a packaging for a food preparation intended to be reheated which avoids an excessive increase in pressure inside the packaging during reheating. The aim is also to provide such packaging which is

simple and inexpensive to make.

  In particular, the invention aims to provide such packaging which can be produced from a polymer film which can be used with

  conventional machines, requiring no specific investment.

  The invention also aims to provide such packaging which is on and

  practical for the consumer.

  These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, have been achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a packaging for the packaging of a food or a food preparation intended to be reheated or cultured, in particular to [' using a microwave oven, of the type comprising at least one sheet of flexible material having at least one sealing zone, characterized in that said sealing zone is partially coated with a material which has the effect of limiting the propagation of the sealing heat distributed over said area so as to provide at least one batch lacking said material has

limiting effect.

  Thus, a package is obtained comprising a sealing zone of lesser resistance while being sealed. In other words, sealing is ensured by traditional sealing points (lots), while resistance

  sealing is reduced elsewhere in the sealing area.

  In this way, we create progressive "de-sealing" zones. Indeed, the traditional sealing lots maintain the sealing of the packaging, until the pressure inside the packaging reaches a predetermined level, from which the coated zones material with a limiting effect of the sealing gradually give way to the pressure , creating an opening in the package that leaves

  escape to the outside a flow of vapor (or other gas).

  This opening due to the increase in pressure can occur in a similar way in the case where the packaging according to the invention contains a fermentable food, capable of causing the formation of a gas, including

['no heating.

  The invention therefore avoids any risk of bursting, or even explosion, of the packaging. The opening of the packaging having already taken place during the reheating, the invention also avoids the consumer to undergo projections of the contents at the time of the opening of the packaging unlike

  some packaging of prior art.

  The invention applies equally well to packaging containing food preparations intended to be reheated, quta food,

  possibly not composed, raw or cults.

  According to a preferred solution of the invention, said sealing zone

  presents a plurality of lots devoid of said material with limiting effect.

  According to an advantageous solution, said lots each extend over a

  surface between approximately 0.25 mm2 and approximately 25 mm2.

  Of course, other dimensions of the lots can be envisaged in

  other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention.

  According to a preferential solution, said sealing zone comprises between 1 and 100 1ots per cm2. Preferably, said sealing area comprises 25 1ots per cm 2 The choice of distribution and / or quantity of material with limiting effect will depend on the quality of the weld sought. We can in particular provide for a number of batches per cm2 which ensures that the packaging is sealed for a predetermined period of time to allow cooking or

  "steam" or "pressure cooker" type reheating.

  Advantageously, said lots have a shape belonging to the following group: - round; - ovode; - square; - triangle;

- in star.

  According to another advantageous solution, said lots have

  basically a diamond shape.

  Advantageously, said material has a limiting effect on the propagation of the

  heat sealing includes at least one lacquer and / or at least one coating.

  Preferably, said flexible material comprises at least one of the materials belonging to the following group: - co-extruded polyolefin film; mono polyolefin film; - bi-oriented polyolefin film; - complex polyolefin film; - paper;

- aluminum.

  s The packaging may be produced in any other flexible material, complex or not, sealable, in other embodiments, without being outside the scope of the invention. According to a first approach, said flexible material conforms to a bag having at least two lips delimiting an area

  opening / closing of said packaging.

  According to a first embodiment of this first approach, said material with limiting effect is deposited on said sealing area with a single

said lips to said sachet.

  According to a second embodiment of this first approach, said material with limiting effect is deposited on said sealing zone of each

of said two lips to said sachet.

  Advantageously, said sachet comprises at least one bottom blow.

  Such a bottom bellows allows the consumer to deposit the bag in the reheater while keeping it in a standing position. It is noted that the sachet may also or alternatively present one or more bellows

  side to improve the presentation of the packaging.

  Of course, such optional wind bellows and the packaging may

  be deprived according to another possible embodiment.

  According to a second approach, said flexible material forms a cover intended to be attached to a receptacle of the tray type. The invention also relates to a film for producing an aged packaging as described above, characterized in that it presents the at least one area partially coated with a material having a limiting effect on the propagation of the sealing heat distributed over said area so that at least one batch provided with said material having a limiting effect is provided. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more

  clearly on reading the description of several embodiments

  preferentials of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples, and of the annexed drawings among which: FIG. 1 is a view of a package comprising two sealing zones according to the invention and produced from a scabbard; - Figure 2 is a view of a package comprising three sealing zones according to the invention;

  - Figures 3 to 5 show views of different embodiments of

  sealing lots of a packaging according to the invention; - Figure 6 is a view of a package according to the invention and produced

from paired leaves.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a package, for the packaging of a food preparation intended to be reheated, comprises a sheath 2 made of a flexible material (co-extruded polyolefin film, mono or bi-oriented,

or complex).

  It is noted that according to another possible embodiment, the packaging could consist of a single sheet (obtained from a film) folded back on itself and sealed on the trots of its sides in order to constitute a sachet containing a food preparation. It could still be made up of two sheets

  flexible welded together, as will be described later.

  According to the present embodiment, each sheet 2 has two lips 21 sealed together, part of the sealing zone 20 being coated with a lacquer 22, forming material having a limiting effect on the propagation of the sealing heat (the sealing being of least resistance in this area coated with

  lacquer), while a plurality of lots 23 are devoid of this lacquer.

  The number of lots represented in FIG. 1 is illustrated by way of indication, and will preferably be 25 lots per cm2, each lot extending over an area

about 1 mm2.

  As it appears, the lots present in the present case a diamond shape, but may similarly present a square, round or oval shape, as respectively illustrated by Figures 3, 4 and 5, or any

other suitable form.

  Thus, during the heating of the packaging and of the food preparation which it contains, the coated area of the lacquer 22 yields, after a predetermined time, to the pressure which rises inside the packaging, which either passages between the batches 23 to allow water vapor to escape, or a complete loosening of the zone 20. According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the packaging has three welded holes 24 integrating sealing zones 20, coated with

  lacquer, while ^ lots 23 are devoid of this lacquer.

  The sealing zones 20 can therefore have a triangle shape

  or be provided in the form of straight or inclined streaks.

  It is also noted that such a packaging combines sealing zones

  according to the invention and a full sealing area.

  The packaging according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, is obtained from two sheets of flexible material (the two sheets can also be made of different materials) sealed together on

  each of their sides by their respective lips 21.

  So, similar to the embodiments described above, this

  packaging has sealing areas 20 coated with lacquer 22, while

  as lots 23 wind without this lacquer.

Claims (15)

  1. Packaging for the packaging of a food or a food preparation (1) intended to be reheated or cultivated, in particular using a microwave oven, of the type comprising at least one sheet of flexible material (2) having at least one sealing area (20), characterized in that said sealing area (20) is partially coated with a material having a limiting effect on the propagation of the sealing heat (22) distributed over said area in such a way as to provide at least one 1ot (23) without audit material with limiting effect.   2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that said sealing zone has a plurality of lots (23) devoid of said material with limiting effect. 3. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that said 1ots (23) each extend over an area between about 0.25 mm2 and about mm2. 4. Packaging according to claim 2 or according to claim 3, characterized in that said sealing zone (20) comprises between 1 and 100 1 ^ lots (23) per cm2.   5. Packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that said zone of   sealing (20) includes 25 ^ 1ots (23) per cm2.   6. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in   that said lots (23) have a shape belonging to the following group: - round; - ovode; - square; - triangle; - in star.   7. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in   what said ^ lots (23) have essentially a diamond shape.   8. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in   that said material has a limiting effect on the propagation of heat at sealing includes at least one lacquer and / or at least one coating.   9. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in   that said flexible material comprises at least one of the materials belonging to the following group: - co-extruded polyolefin film; - mono polyolefin film; - bi-oriented polyolefin film; - complex polyolefin film; - paper; - aluminum.   10. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   that said flexible material conforms to a bag having at least two   lips (21) delimiting an opening / closing zone to said packaging.   11. Packaging according to claim 10, characterized in that said material with limiting effect (22) is deposited on said sealing area (20) in one said lips (21) to said sachet.   12. Packaging according to claim 10, characterized in that said material with limiting effect (22) is deposited on said sealing zone (20) of each   said two lips (21) to said sachet.   13. Packaging according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized   in that said bag comprises at least one bottom gusset and / or at least one side gusset.   14. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   that said flexible material forms a cover intended to be attached to a tray type receptacle.   15. Film for the production of a packaging according to any of the   Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it has at least one zone (20)   partially coated with a material having a limiting effect on the propagation (22) of the sealing heat distributed over said fa zone, designed to provide at least one