GB2353986A

GB2353986A - Openable sealing of container mouth

Info

Publication number: GB2353986A
Application number: GB9921490A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luen Sing Tang
Original assignee: TECKSOM INTERNAT Ltd; Tecksom International Ltd
Current assignee: TECKSOM INTERNAT Ltd; Tecksom International Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-10
Filing date: 1999-09-10
Publication date: 2001-03-14
Also published as: GB9921490D0; KR20010029423A; WO2001019702A1; AU7462500A; JP2001080669A

Abstract

Means for sealing the mouth of a container, containing preferably microwaveable food, consists of a first layer 7 having an bounded area 10 which is upliftable and is bounded by at least one edge and/or at least one line of weakness 9 in said first layer, and a second layer 8 underlaying at least the bounded area with at least one aperture in the area beneath said bounded area. The apertures are preferably of a suitable size and number to provide venting during microwave cooking of a packaged food. The first and second layers are both preferably a plastics film material. There is preferably a third layer 6 overlaying the first layer about the bounded area which is of an air impermeable material, preferably either a plastics film or foil material, and provides a hygiene seal to the container. Preferably the second layer is sealed to the first layer apart from the bounded area, whereas the third layer is preferably sealed entirely to the first layer. The sealing means may be applied directly to the mouth of the container as shown, or the container may be completely enveloped by the sealing means which is in the form of a pouch made by form-fill-seal, Figures 11 to 14.

Description

2353986 PACKAGING AND/OR RELATED OPENABLE SEALING MEANS FOR PACKAGING

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to Packaging and/or Openable Sealing Means for Packaging. In particular although not solely the invention relates to Packaging and/or Openable Sealing Means for Packaging for containers containing food which are capable of being heated by microwave energy.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Various ways of facilitating the opening of containers are known. Foil seals or like sheet material seals provided closure to an opening of a container to allow for the contents in the container to be contained until such time as access to the interior of the container is desired. Normally such seals are provided about the perimeter rim of the mouth region of the container and can be pealed off the rim as a result of a peelable adhesion between the rim of the mouth region of the container and the seal.

Certain foods which are capable of being cooked or at least heated in a microwave may be provided in such containers. The conditions in which the foods, within the container, are cooked may in certain instances require some control. That is, for certain foods during the microwave cooking the exposure to the surrounding environment, may desirably need be limited. Such limiting results in reduced circulation or transfer of fluids from the interior of the container to the surrounding environment. This desirable control is often needed in respect of foods which have or require a certain degree of moisture content when being cooked. Although containers with a seal, can normally be punctured by a person prior to being subjected to microwave energy, such puncturing may not provide a suitable level of exposure of the contents of the container with the surrounding environment. An opening in the seal which is too small may result in expansion or explosion of the container. An opening which is too large may result in escape of moisture and dry cooking of the food. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide packaging and openable sealing means for packaging which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention consists in an openable sealing means for sealing a mouth region of a container comprising; a first layer having or including a bounded area, bounded by a) at least one edge of perimeter of the first layer and/or b) at least one line of weakness provided in said first layer, a second layer underlaying at least said part of said first layer at least about bounded area, wherein at least part of said bounded area may be uplifted to expose at least one aperture in said second layer.

Preferably said sealing means further includes a third layer overlaying at least part of said first layer and is intact along the at least one line of weakness and tearable at least in part there along when said bounded region is uplifted.

Preferably said third layer is sealed to one surface of said first layer at least about the bounded region Preferably said third layer is also sealed to the bounded region of said first layer.

Preferably said third layer is of equal size to the first layer and is sealed entirely to said at least one surface thereof.

Preferably said sealing of said third and first layers is by adhesion using a suitable adhesive or heat sealing or RF or ultrasonic or the like welding.

Preferably said second layer is sealed to the other surface of said first layer at least about the bounded region.

Preferably said second layer is not sealed to the bounded region of said first layer.

Preferably said second layer is of equal size to the first layer and is sealed entirely thereto save for at the bounded region.

Preferably said sealing of said second and first layers is by adhesion using a suitable adhesive or heat sealing or RF or ultrasonic or the like welding.

Preferably said at least one line of weakness is a line of perforations.

Alternatively said at least one line of weakness is a line of reduced gauge.

Alternatively said at least one line of weakness is a cut in said first layer.

Alternatively said at least one line of weakness is a combination of any two or more of lines of weakness as herein described Preferably there are two lines of weakness provided in said first layer.

Preferably said two lines of weakness are parallel.

Preferably said two lines are co-extensive and straight.

Preferably said two lines define a bounded region substantially strip shaped and located to extend substantially centrally across said sealing means.

Preferably said tear initiation means or region is provided in said first layer.

Preferably a tear initiation means or region is provided in said third layer.

Preferably said tear initiation means or region is a recess in the perimeter of said first layer.

Preferably said tear initiation means or region is a line of perforation, cut, or reduced gauge in a region of said third layer overlaying said bounded area.

Preferably the perimeter shape of one of said first or second layers is such as to seal about the mouth region of a said container or with an extension of said mouth region such as a flared rim region.

Preferably as a result of the second layer being substantially of the same perimeter size of the first layer, the perimeter region of said second layer is adapted to seal about the mouth region of said container.

Preferably said third layer is of a plastics film material.

Preferably said plastics material of said third layer is BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) Preferably said third layer is of a foil material such as an aluminium foil.

Preferably said first layer is of a plastic film material.

Preferably said first layer is of PET (Polyester) Preferably said second layer is of a plastics fihn material.

Preferably said second layer is of polyethylene.

Preferably said at least one aperture are a plurality of apertures.

Preferably said at least one aperture is multiple perforations provided through said inner layer and positioned within an area thereof which underlays said bounded region of said first layer.

In a second aspect the present invention consists in a sealing means as herein before described provided to seal the mouth region of a container.

Preferably said sheet material is sealed by an adhesive to the perimeter of said mouth region.

Preferably said perimeter of said mouth region is defined by a flared rim providing a substantially planar surface onto which the perimeter of said sealing means is adhered.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a container having a sealing means as herein before described provided in an enveloping configuration about the entire container.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of sealing a container in a packaging material comprising; advancing in a machine direction a rectangular sheet of sealing means as herein before described wherein said lines of weakness of said first layer are substantially parallel and inwardly of the longitudinal major sides of said rectangular sheet, forming said material into a tube by bringing and sealing together said longitudinal major sides of said rectangular sheet material, sealing an end of said tube to define a bottom end thereof inserting a said container into said tube, and against said bottom end sealing and separating said tube a container space distance from the bottom of said tube, to form a discrete pack.

Preferably said container is inserted into said tube such that the mouth region of said container is commensurate with the tearable region of said multilayered sheet material.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of heating edible material provided within a sealed container of a kind as hereinbefore described said method including uplifting the bounded region of said first layer to thereby expose the interior of the container with the surrounding atmosphere via said least one aperture provided in said second layer, placing said at least partially opened container in a microwave and subjecting said contents of said container to microwave energy at an appropriate level and time.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in an openable seal provided in a film overlaying the mouth region of a container, said openable seal comprising; an exterior layer sealed to the upper surface of said fihn and intact over at least one line of weakness in said film which define at least in part an upliftable region of said film, said region upliftable to tear said exterior layer to expose an inner layer sealed to the inner surface of said fihn and underlying said region, said inner layer having one or more apertures to provide at least one opening for the interior of the container.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINi3S

One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure I is a perspective view of a container incorporating sealing means of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the preferred form of the multilayers of the sealing means of the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container incorporating the seal of the present invention peeled at least in part to expose the inner most layer providing plurality of apertures, Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the container incorporating the sealing means of the present invention peeled back in part to allow, once the contents has preferably been heated or cooked, access to be gained to the contents of the container, Figure 5 is a perspective and partially exploded view of the container and the sealing means of the present invention wherein certain portions of the layers have been illustrated in a peeled back condition to illustrate the preferred features of the present invention, Figure 6 is a plan view looking downwardly onto a container with the sealing means of the present invention illustrating in phantom the region bounded by the line of weakness, wherein the line of weakness is an endless line, Figure 7 is a perspective and partially exploded view of an alternative form of the present invention illustrating certain layers of the seal peeled back wherein a single line of weakness is provided in the first layer wherein the area of the second or inner most layer to be exposed is bounded by the line of weakness and the perimeter of the sealing means, Figure 8 is a sectional view through section AA of Figure 6 illustrating the preferred configurations of the preferred three layer configuration of the sealing means Figure 9 is a partial sectional view through section AA of Figure 6 illustrating an alternative configuration of the multiple layers of the sealing means Figure 10 is a partial sectional view through section AA of Figure 6 illustrating an 5 alternative configuration of the multiple layers of the sealing means Figure I I illustrates a pack incorporating the seal means of the present invention wherein the sealing means are formed into a tube which may be end sealed to enclose a container, Figure 12 illustrates the sealing means of the present invention provided for forming into a tube, Figure 13 illustrates the rectangular sheet of Figure 12 formed into a tube wherein the container is to be advanced into said tube, Figure 14 illustrates the container within the tube prior to being end sealed to the preferred configuration as shown in Figure 11, Figures 15-17 illustrate alternative arrangements of the line(s) of weakness of the first layer, Figures 18-19 illustrate an alternative means in which the region bounded at least in part by the lines of weakness may be uplifted, Figures 20-21 illustrate in section, alternative configurations of the multiple layers of the sealing means of the present invention.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to Figure I there is provided in one preferred form of the present invention, a container 1 which is adapted to contain for example an edible material such as noddles or other food. The invention is particularly suitable for such food of a kind that may need to be subjected to microwave energy prior to consumption. With reference to Figure 5, the container 1 has a containment region defined by walls, and a mouth region 2. The mouth region is that region through which access to the contents of the container is able to be gained or through which the contents may be dispensed. The mouth region has a perimeter 3 which is preferably defined by a rim of the walls of the container. In the example shown in Figures 5 and 7, the rim is preferably a flanged rim which presents a surface 4 onto which the sealing means 5 of the present invention can be conveniently sealed. The seal between the sealing means 5 of the present invention and the container may for example be achieved by an adhesive, RF or ultrasonic like welding, heat sealing or similar. The seal between the container and sealing means 5 may be of a permanent nature or may be of a nature which will allow for the sealing means to be peeled from the rim of the container. As shown in Figure 4, the sealing means 5 of the present invention may be peeled back from the rim so as to gain access to the contents of the container.

The present invention is however not limited to access being gained to the contents of the container by peeling the sealing means from the perimeter of the mouth region.

Equally possible is for such access to be gained by tearing from an edge or within the area of the sealing means or through a different mouth region.

In an alternative configuration as shown in Figure 11, the sealing means 5 may be provided as an envelope which substantially entirely envelopes a container within its boundaries. The need for sealing of the sealing means 5 with the perimeter of the mouth region in such a configuration is less significant, as the preferred air impermeable sealing (prior to tearing of the sealing means) of the container is achieved as a result of the enveloping nature of the sealing means 5 about the entire container 1. However a certain degree of sealing about the mouth region of the container may still be desirable in the configuration shown in Figure 11 so as to ensure that the contents of the container remains within the boundaries of the container. It is suggested that vacuum packaging of the version of the invention as shown in Figure I I would achieve suitable the sealing means 5 about the mouth region 2 of the container.

In the preferred form the sealing means 5 as shown in Figure 5 consists of a first layer 7 and an second layer 8 and preferably a third layer 6. However in a broad sense, the sealing means may consist of the first layer 7 and second layer 8 only, wherein the third layer 6 is absent. In this configuration substantially all of the features which have been described herein and with reference to the first layer 7 and second layer 8 may be present but merely in the absence of there being an third layer 6 provide overlaying at least part of the first layer 7. As shown for convenience of illustration in Figure 5, the third layer 6 has been peeled back to reveal features of the first layer, and part of the first layer has been peeled to illustrate features of the second layer. The first layer 6 is provided with a line or lines of weakness 9. The line or lines of the weakness are provided in the first layer 7 to define a region 10 which overlays, when said sealing means 5 is. secured to the container, part of the mouth region 2. In a preferred form of the invention as shown in Figure 5, there are two lines of weakness 9 which extend from opposite edges of the sealing means 5.

Alternatively with reference to Figure 7, there may be provided a single line of weakness 9 to define a region 10 bounded at least in part thereby and in part by the perimeter of the sealing means. Indeed as seen in Figure 6 the line of weakness 9 may be an endless line which in its entirety defines the region 10 of the first layer, which overlays the mouth region 2 of the container.

Many other alternative configurations of a region 10 defined at least in part by a line or lines of weakness may be provided in the first layer. Such may be where in an alternative to the preferred form as shown in Figure 5, the lines of weakness do not extend entirely across from opposite edges of the sealing means 5 but may terminate short of the edge.

As the multilayer assembly of the sealing means 5 is preferably manufactured from reels of reeled stock material such as of a plastic film material or the like, it can be seen that with reference to Figure 2, a convenient way of providing the assembly of the multilayered arrangement of the sealing means is such two lines of weakness 9 are provided substantially parallel to the general machine direction (M.D.). Such a configuration will allow for a line of weakness to be provided in the first layer by for example perforation means or cutting means which provides a cut or perforated line(s) substantially parallel to the machine direction from which the stock material is fed to provide the preferred assembly of the sealing means as shown in Figure 2.

The lines of weakness may be provided in the first layer in various forms. With reference to Figures 15-17, such may be an entire cutting of the first layer to define the line of weakness (Figure 15), the provision of perforations (Figure 16) or provision of a line of reduce gauge (Figure 17), or a combination of these.

In the version of the invention wherein only the first and second layers are provided, the line(s) of weakness are still present in the first layer which in this configuration is the upper most layer when sealed to the container. In this alternative and where the line(s) of weakness are perforations or a cut, the pack is not entirely air impermeable. Should an air impermeable pack be desired with the sealing means consisting of the first and second layer, the lines of weakness would need to be of a reduced gauge, such than no holes are provided through the first layer prior to uplifting the region 10.

In one preferred form of the present invention with reference to Figure 5, the third layer 6 is preferably of an air impermeable material. The pack is preferably provided for sale with this third layer provided, as it provides a hygiene seal to the interior of the container. Until this preferred layer is torn, the container is substantially air impermeable.

The third layer is sealed at least in part, to at least part of the upwardly facing surface of the first layer 7. The sealing of the third layer 6 is such as to overlie the region or area 10, defined at least in part by the line(s) of weakness 9. Shown in Figure 10, such an overlap may be to merely only just adjacent the lines of weakness 9 or alternatively and most preferably, the third layer 6 is substantially of the same perimeter size as the first layer 7 so as to overlie the first (in use, the upwardly) major surface of the first layer in substantially its entirety. The third layer 6 is preferably sealed to at least part of the first major surface of the first layer 7 by a suitable sealing means such as an adhesive. The sealing is preferably at least about the region 10, but with reference to Figure 9, is preferably to the entire first major surface of the first layer 7. With reference to Figure 21 it can be seen how minimal sealing adjacent the line(s) of weakness may be sufficient. Although adhesive is the preferred form of sealing layers 6 and 7, other methods of sealing may also be utilised.

The arrangement of the third layer 6 and the first layer 7 is such that when the region 10 is uplifted, a tearing of the third layer 6 occurs. By selection of the appropriate materials of the third layer, the nature of such material does allow for relatively effortless tearing. Such materials may include a foil such as an aluminium foil or a plastics material such as BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene).

From Figure 3 it can be seen how the uplifting of the region 10 and resulting tearing of the third layer 6 exposes at least part of the second layer 8 which underlies the region 10.

The tearing results in exposure of at least one aperture provided in the second layer 8.

Hence from what was, prior to tearing, preferably a substantially air impermeable seal of the mouth region 2 of the container, after tearing results in a pack which is at least in part exposed to the surrounding atmosphere. The at least one aperture is preferably a plurality of apertures such as perforations 11. The invention is however not limited to there being a plurality of apertures as a single aperture of a suitable size may be appropriate in certain applications.

The apertures are such as to provide a suitable and adequate degree of exposure of the interior of the container (once the third layer has been torn) suitable for the kinds of food which are contained therein and which are preferably to be heated by microwave energy. It will be appreciated by people skilled in the technology of microwave cooking, that with certain foods only a limited degree of exposure of the food is desirably to be provided during its cooking, to the surrounding environment. For example in certain applications like the cooking of noodles, during its cooking there is a need for there to be a fluid connection between the contents of the container and the exterior so as to avoid expansion or explosion of the container however the degree of connection is to be limited to avoid an evaporation of the moisture from the food, which would result in dry cooking.

Preferably the aperture(s) I I are provided in the second layer 8 so as to underlie the region defined at least in part by the lines of weakness 9. When the region is uplifted and results in a tearing of the third layer 6, the apertures become exposed and visible from the exterior of the pack. Figure 20 however does illustrate an alternative configuration where the apertures do not become visible from the exterior of the pack however do still provide a fluid connection between the interior and exterior of the container. It is to this extent that the second layer is preferably sealed about the region 10, and with in the region of sealing of the second layer, there are provided the at least one aperture 11.

Figure 8 shows the preferred form of the present invention where the second layer 8 and the first layer 7 are of substantially similar size. However figures 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative where the second layer 8 is merely of a size to overlie the region 10. With reference to Figure 8 it can be seen how preferably substantially the entire major surface of the second layer 8, save for an area underlying the region 10, is sealed to the first layer. No sealing of the second layer 8 occurs in the area which underlies the upliftable area 10.

Figure I I illustrates an alternative configuration of the sealing means of the present invention wherein the entire container is enveloped within the sealing means. In this configuration, the region 10 is positioned in respect of the container I so as to have at least part thereof overlying its mouth region. With reference to Figure 14, it can be seen how the sealing means 5 can for example be formed into a tube into which the container 1 may be inserted and then, by end sealing the tube, resulting in an enveloping of the container within the sealing means 5. For production purposes, the region 10 and lines of weakness are preferably provided continuously from the ends of the tube. This allows for simple assembly of the multilayered assembly of the seal as a result of the lines of weakness running substantially parallel to the machine direction, as shown in figure 12. The multilayered sealing means 5 is formed into a tube by bringing together the parallel edges 12, as shown in figure 13. The parallel edges 12 may be sealed together by adhesive, heat sealing means or RF welding or the like so as to form a tube of sealing means material 5. A container is then able to be inserted into the tube and the ends 13 of the tube can be sealed together.

A suitable means(but by no means to be considered the only) of providing the pack as shown in Figure 11 may be by means of a form, fill and seal operation which is as for example shown in the specification of US 5 072 571 save for the provision of the zipper element In the example where a form, fill and seal machine may be utilised, a rectangular sheet of sealing means material 5 is advanced to be formed into a tube, its parallel edges are then sealed together whereafter the bottom of the tube can be sealed closed, allowing for a container to locate against the bottom of the tube and within the tube. A subsequent sealing and separating of the tube, at substantially a container length from the bottom, will result in the enclosure of the container within a discrete and separated section of the tube.

With reference to Figure 19, the tearable region of the third layer 6 of the sealing means 5 is preferably provided with a tear initiation region 14. In the preferred form such a tear initiation region is a nick or notch or edge recess provided at the perimeter of the third layer 6. This is preferably provided for at least one of the lines of weakness in the third layer 6.

Alternatively however and with reference to Figures 18 and 19, such a tear initiation region may be a cut or region of perforation 15 which can be provided away from the perimeter of the third layer 6.

For purposes of illustrating further alternative configurations to the multilayer assembly of the sealing means 5 of the present invention, we refer to Figures 20 and 2 1.

The preferred material for the sealing means of the present invention are OPP, PET, PE for layers 6, 7 and 8 respectively.

The multi layer material or assembly from which the sealing means of the present invention is formed may be manufactured using the apparatus disclosed in our co-pending International Application No. WO 99/35048, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of exwnple, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An openable sealing means for sealing a mouth region of a container comprising; a first layer having or including a bounded area, bounded by a) at least one edge of perimeter of the first layer and/or b) at least one line of weakness provided in said first layer, a second layer underlaying at least said part of said first layer at least about bounded area, wherein at least part of said bounded area may be uplifted to expose at least one aperture in said second layer.

2. An openable sealing means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing means ftirther includes an third layer overlaying at least part of said first layer and is intact along the at least one line of weakness and tearable at least in part there along when said bounded region is uplifted.

3. An openable sealing means as claimed in claim 2, wherein said third layer is sealed to one surface of said first layer at least about the bounded region

4. An openable sealing means as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein said third layer is also sealed to the bounded region of said first layer.

5. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said third layer is of equal size to the first layer and is sealed entirely to said at least one surface thereof

6. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said sealing of said third and first layers is by adhesion using a suitable adhesive or heat sealing or RF or ultrasonic or the like welding.

7. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, wherein said second layer is sealed to the other surface of said first layer at least about the bounded region.

8. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 7, wherein said 5 second layer is not sealed to the bounded region of said first layer.

9. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said second layer is of equal size'to the first layer and is sealed entirely thereto save for at the bounded region.

10. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said sealing of said second and first layers is by adhesion using a suitable adhesive or heat sealing or RF or ultrasonic or the like welding.

11. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 10, wherein said at least one line of weakness is a line of perforations.

12. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 10, wherein said at least one line of weakness is a line of reduced gauge.

13. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 10, wherein said at least one line of weakness is a cut in said first layer.

14. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said at least one line of weakness is a combination of any two or more of lines of weakness as claimed in claims 11 to 13.

15. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein there are two lines of weakness provided in said first layer.

16. An openable sealing means as claimed claim 15, wherein said two lines of weakness are parallel.

17. An openable sealing means as claimed claims 15 or 16, wherein said two lines are co-extensive and straight.

18. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said two lines define a bounded region substantially strip shaped and located to extend substantially centrally across said sealing means.

19. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said tear initiation means or region is provided in said first layer.

20. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 19, wherein a tear initiation means or region is provided in said third layer.

21. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said 15 tear initiation means or region is a recess in the perimeter of said first layer.

22. An openable sealing means as claimed in claim 20, wherein said tear initiation means or region is a line of perforation, cut, or reduced gauge in a region of said third layer overlaying said bounded area.

23. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 22, wherein the perimeter shape of one of said first or second layers is such at to seal about the mouth region of a said container or with an extension of said mouth region such as a flared rim region.

24. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 23, wherein as a result of the second layer being substantially of the same perimeter size of the first layer, the the perimeter region of said second layer is adapted to seal about the mouth region of said container.

25. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 24, wherein said third layer is of a plastics film material.

26. An openable sealing means as claimed in claim 25, wherein said plastics material of said third layer is BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene)

27. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 24, wherein said 5 third layer is of a foil material such as an aluminium foil.

28. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein said first layer is of a plastic film material.

29. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein said first layer is of PET (Polyester).

30. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 29, wherein said second layer is of a plastics film material.

31. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 30, wherein said second layer is of polyethylene.

32. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein said at 20 least one aperture are a plurality of apertures.

33. An openable sealing means as claimed in any one of claims I to 32, wherein said at least one aperture is multiple perforations provided through said inner layer and positioned within an area thereof which underlays said bounded region of said first layer.

34. A container having a sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33 provided thereto to seal the mouth region of said container.

35. A container as claimed in claim 34, wherein said sheet material is sealed by an 30 adhesive to the perimeter of said mouth region.

36. A container as claimed in claims 34 or 35, wherein said perimeter of said mouth region is defined by a flared rim providing a substantially planar surface onto which the -16perimeter of said sealing means is adhered.

37. A container having a sealing means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33 provided in an enveloping configuration about the entire container.

38. A method of sealing a container in a packaging material comprising; advancing in a machine direction a rectangular sheet of sealing means as claimed in anyone of claims I to 33, wherein said lines of weakness of said first layer are substantially parallel and inwardly of the longitudinal major sides of said rectangular sheet, forming said material into a tube by bringing and sealing together said longitudinal major sides of said rectangular sheet material, sealing an end of said tube to define a bottom end thereof inserting a said container into said tube, and against said bottom end sealing and separating said tube a container space distance from the bottom of said tube, to form a discrete pack.

39. A method as claimed in claim 38, wherein said container is inserted into said tube such that the mouth region of said container is commensurate with the tearable region of said multilayered sheet material.

40. A method of heating edible material provided within a sealed container of a kind as claimed in claims 34 to 36 or claim 37, said method including uplifting the bounded region of said first layer to thereby expose the interior of the container with the surrounding atmosphere via said least one aperture provided in said second layer, placing said at least partially opened container in a microwave and subjecting said contents of said container to microwave energy at an appropriate level and time.

41. An openable seal provided in a film overlaying the mouth region of a container, said openable seal comprising; an exterior layer sealed to the upper surface of said film and intact over at least one line of weakness in said film which define at least in part an upliftable region of said film, said region upliftable to tear said exterior layer to expose an inner layer sealed to the inner surface of said film and underlying said region, said inner layer having one or more -17apertures to provide at least one opening for the interior of the container.

42. An openable sealing means for sealing a mouth region of a container, substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

43. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures 15, or Figures 6-8, or Figures 6 and 7, as modified by Figure 9 or Figures 6 and 7 as modified by Figure 10, or Figure 11, or Figures 12-14, or any of the above mentioned figures or combinations of figures as modified by any one of Figures 15-19 and/or by either 10 of Figures 20 and 21.

44. A method of sealing a container with or in a packaging material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

45. An openable seal provided in a film overlaying the mouth region of a container, substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.