GB2258453A

GB2258453A - Packaging for consumable products

Info

Publication number: GB2258453A
Application number: GB9117190A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Thomas Clarke
Original assignee: Sun Valley Poultry Ltd
Current assignee: Sun Valley Foods Ltd
Priority date: 1991-08-08
Filing date: 1991-08-08
Publication date: 1993-02-10
Also published as: GB9117190D0

Abstract

A pack for packaging of consumable products, such as meat products, comprises two trays (6, 8) and a cover (10) located between the two trays. The two trays are identical, each comprising a base (12). a wall (14) extending upwardly from the base, and a peripheral lip or flange (16) extending around an open top of the container. The cover (10) is in the form of a shallow tray, adapted to be located so as to extend partially within the open top of the container, with the side wall (12) of the cover engaging closely against the inside of the wall (14) and a lip or flange (21) resting on the lip (16) of the container, so as to limit tendency for the cover to move laterally relative to the container. In this manner, a "double decker" pack may be provided, which makes it easier for the purchaser to utilise some of the products contained in the pack, whilst retaining others for future use. The pack may be covered with cling film. A further cover supporting a further tray may be disposed on top of the upper tray (8). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Packaging for consumable products Description of Invention This invention is concerned with packaging for consumable products.

When consumable products are purchased, it may be desired that the products not be consumed immediately, and that some of the products be retained for future consumption, such as in a freezer, and this is the case whether the products are supplied initially frozen, or initially unfrozen.

Such products are normally supplied in a pack which is hygienically wrapped, and which may be frozen by the purchaser, or opened. However, when the pack is opened, the original wrapping is disrupted, and this makes it difficult for the consumer to return some of the products to the freezer for subsequent consumption.

According to this invention there is provided a pack for consumable products, comprising a first, open-topped container for the consumable products, the first container providing support for a cover for the first container, and a second-topped container for the consumable products supported above the first container by the cover.

The pack may then be packaged in conventional manner, and when it is desired that the consumer utilises some of the products, they may disrupt the covering, and remove the second container and the products therein, and the products in the first container may be returned to the freezer with the cover retained in position, for use at a later date.

Desirably support means is provided by the first container, co-operable with the cover, to prevent or reduce lateral movement of the cover over the top of the first container.

Conveniently the cover provides means engageable with the second container to prevent lateral movement of the second container over the top of the cover.

Thus conveniently the cover is in the form of a shallow tray, conveniently of transparent plastics material, which may be engaged with the first container so as to extend partially into the first container, providing a concavity within which the base of the second container may be engaged.

In this manner the cover, when the second container has been removed, provides an enclosure for the first container, preventing ingress into the first container of other material, reducing moisture loss, and preventing or reducing freezer burn.

If desired, a second cover may be utilised to enclose the open top of the second container, and if desired, a third open-topped container may be superposed on the second container.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a preferred embodiment, selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the pack which is the preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing a first container of the pack, and the cover therefor.

The pack which is the preferred embodiment of the invention is specifically for use in the selling of meat products, but can of course be utilised for other consumable products where similar or analogues problems arise. The pack comprises two trays 6,8, and a cover 10 located between the two trays.

The two trays are identical, each comprising a base 12, a wall 14 extending upwardly from the base, and a peripheral lip or flange 16 extending around an open-top of the container.

The cover 10 is in the form of a shallow tray, adapted to be located so as to extend partially within the open top of the container, with a side wall 20 of the cover engaging closely against the inside of the wall 14 and a lip or flange 21 resting on the lip 16 of the container, so as to limit tendency for the cover to move laterally relative to the container.

On either side of the tray buttresses 22 are provided, providing support for the cover 10, and dividing the central cavity of the tray into cavity portions 2424h, in each of which a consumable product may be located.

When the tray 8 is placed on the cover 10, the base of the superposed tray is located within the peripheral wall 20 of the cover 10, preventing any significant degree of lateral movement of the tray 8.

The package is provided with a covering, conveniently a hygienic covering of thin film, such as "cling film" which may readily be removed when the purchaser intends to use some of the consumable products contained in the pack.

The upper tray 8 may readily be removed, and the product contained therein taken out for consumption, whilst the lower tray 6 may, if desired, be returned to the freezer, the cover 10 providing an enclosure for the open top 18 of the tray 6, providing some degree of protection for the consumable products within the cavity portions 24a and 24h, against the ingress of other materials, and reduction of freezer burn.

In this manner, particularly by the use of trays of identical design, a "double decker" pack may be provided, which makes it easy for the purchaser to utilise some of the products contained in the pack, whilst retaining others for future use.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A pack for consumable products, comprising a first, open-topped container for the consumable products, the first container providing support for a cover for the first container, and a second, open-topped container for consumable products supported above the first container by the cover.

2. A pack according to claim 1 comprising support means provided by the first container, cooperable with the cover, to prevent or reduce lateral movement of the cover over the top of the first container.

3. A pack according to one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the cover provides means engageable with the second container to prevent lateral movement of the second container over the top of the cover.

4. A pack according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is in the form of a shallow tray.

5. A pack according to claim 4 wherein the cover is of transparent plastics material.

6. A pack according to one of claims 4 and 5 wherein the cover is engaged with the first container so as to extend partially into the first container, providing a concavity within which the base of the second container may be engaged.

7. A pack according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a second cover to close the open top of the second container.

8. A pack according to claim 7 comprising a third open-topped container superposed on the second container.

9. A pack constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.