GB2405848A - Sheet for folding about hand-held food - Google Patents

Abstract

A food packaging sheet comprising: <SL> <LI>iii) a first absorbent layer 2; and <LI> <LI>iv) a second substantially non-absorbent </SL> layer 5 mounted on the first layer the packaging sheet being foldable about a food item 6, particularly hand-held items, in use. The non-absorbent layer 5 prevents the escape of liquids from the food item during handling. The absorbent layer 2 can be a paper towel comprising tissue paper, the sheet being folded about the food item so that this layer is on the outside to be contacted by the hand. The non-absorbent layer 5 contacting the food may comprise a food grade wax. An adhesive tab 7 may secure the folded sheet. The sheet may be used as a napkin to protect clothing when eating.

Description

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2405848 1 Food Packaging The invention relates to food packaging and more particularly to food packaging for hand held food items.

It is known to package hand held food items, such as burgers and cakes in absorbent paper napkins. Following consumption of the food item, the paper napkin can be employed by an individual to wipe hands, mouths and surfaces free of any debris that results from the consumption of the food item, e.g. crumbs of food, grease etc. Prolonged contact between the food item and the packaging frequently results in saturation of the paper napkin with grease and or moisture from the food item.

This results in tearing of the napkin leading to leakage of the food item and also adhesion of the paper napkin to the food item.

It will be apparent that there is a need for a product that adequately packages hand held food items for prolonged periods of time.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a food packaging sheet comprising a first absorbent layer; and a second substantially nonabsorbent layer mounted on the first layer, said sheet being foldable about a food item, in use.

The invention is particularly applicable to hand held food items, for example burgers, sandwiches or cakes, although it is to be understood that it may equally be applied to other food items in appropriate circumstances.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said absorbent layer is a paper towel and more preferably the absorbent . . . . c . . . . . . . a layer comprises tissue paper. The paper towel can be a single- ply or a multi-ply towel.

Preferably, said non-absorbent layer comprises a food grade wax. By food grade wax is meant any wax which causes no health risk for consumers, should the wax come into contact with a food product to be consumed.

Alternatively, said non-absorbent layer can be any other suitable food grade non-absorbent material. The absorbent layer is of a thickness to allow the sheet to be folded about a food item and be retained in the folded position.

In a preferred embodiment, said sheet is provided with a securing means to secure the sheet in a folded condition.

Preferably, said securing means comprises an adhesive tab. The tab can be integral with the sheet or provided separately as an adhesive sticker. The sheets can be provided as individual sheets or alternatively in a roll, having perforations at defined points which a user can tear along to obtain a sheet of predetermined size.

Preferably the sheet is biodegradable.

In a preferred embodiment the sheet comprises printed matter on one layer thereof. Preferably, the printed matter is provided on the absorbent layer.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the sheet comprises a plurality of absorbent layers. Alternatively, or in addition, the sheet comprises a plurality of non- absorbent layers.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: c.

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a food packaging sheet according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the food packaging sheet of figure 1, in use; and Figure 3 is a plan view of a food packaging sheet according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

An embodiment of a packaging sheet of the invention is illustrated generally at 1. The sheet comprises an absorbent paper towel 2, having an upper face 3 and a lower face 4.

The upper face 3 has mounted thereon a non-absorbent layer 5. The nonabsorbent layer 5 comprises a food grade wax.

In use the sheet 1 is folded about a food item 6 to be packaged, as illustrated in figure 2. The non-absorbent layer 5 contacts the food item 6 and forms the interior surface of the packaging. The absorbent towel 2 forms the exterior surface of the packaging. An adhesive tab 7 holds the sheet 1 in its folded condition.

The non-absorbent layer 5 prevents the escape of liquids, for example fats, from the package, thus serving to protect a user from leakage from the package.

Furthermore, the non-absorbent layer 5 prevents the food item 6 from contacting the absorbent towel 2, which may adhere to the food item if held in contact therewith for a prolonged period of time. The nonabsorbent layer 5 allows easy removal of the food item from the package. c

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c e c c c C C The absorbent paper towel 2 can also be used as a napkin by a consumer of the food product i.e. to wipe the mouth and fingers clean during consumption of the food product.

Alternatively, the absorbent layer can be used to wipe any spillage from the food product from a surface.

The non-absorbent 5 layer can be mounted on selected areas of the absorbent towel 2, according to the food item the sheet 1 is intended to package, as illustrated in figure 3.

In an alternative use of the invention, the sheet 1 can be used as a protective napkin, to protect a user's clothing during food consumption. The sheet can be placed with the non-absorbent layer 5 adjacent to the user's clothing during consumption. Any spillage upon the absorbent layer 2 will be prevented from soaking through the absorbent towel and contacting the user's clothing by the non-absorbent layer 5.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

. . . c.

. . . e e C The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (9)

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   Claims 1. A food packaging sheet comprising: i) a first absorbent layer; and ii) a second substantially non-absorbent layer mounted on the first layer the packaging sheet being foldable about a food item, in use.
2. 2. A food packaging sheet according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent layer is a paper towel.
3. 3. A food packaging sheet according to claim 2, wherein said paper towel comprises tissue paper.
4. 4. A food packaging sheet according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said absorbent layer is multi-ply.
5. 5. A food packaging sheet according to any preceding claim, wherein said non-absorbent layer comprises a food grade wax.
6. 6. A food packaging sheet according to any preceding claim, wherein said sheet is provided with a securing means to secure the sheet in a folded condition.
7. 7. A food packaging sheet according to claim 6, wherein said securing means comprises an adhesive tab.
8. 8. A food packaging sheet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings. i

   . . c c . . .
9. 9. A food packaging sheet substantially as hereinbefore described.