GB2545202A

GB2545202A - Packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2545202A
Application number: GB1521616.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timmins Caroline; Simister Jordan
Original assignee: 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd
Current assignee: 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-08
Filing date: 2015-12-08
Publication date: 2017-06-14
Also published as: GB201521616D0

Abstract

A package 1 suitable for cooking, e.g. a ready meal, comprising a container 2, foodstuff 5 and flavour (flavor) provider or flavourant 6 received within the container, with a divider 3 between foodstuff and flavourant, and a lid 4 sealed about its periphery to the container. When the package is exposed to elevated temperature (e.g. in cooking), the flavourant releases flavouring matter, retained in the container by the lid. The flavourant may be in a retainer, and the divider may be in the form of a support on which the foodstuff is received, and beneath which is situated the flavourant. The support can have one or more apertures. Also claimed is an associated method of manufacturing a package for cooking.

Description

PACKAGING

This invention relates to packaging, and to packaging for containing a foodstuff which requires cooking. More specifically, this invention relates to a package or packaging for cooking and to a method of manufacturing a package for cooking.

It is known to cook a foodstuff in such a way as to impart a specific flavour and/or aroma to the cooked product. One such example of such a process is the barbequing of a foodstuff, which may impart a smoky flavour and aroma to the cooked foodstuff. Many people find such a taste appealing.

Barbequing of foodstuffs is primarily an outdoor activity. During periods of inclement weather, for example precipitation, strong winds and/or cold temperatures, it may be unpleasant and/or impractical to perform the cooking of foodstuffs outdoors. During winter, inclement weather is particularly likely and therefore outdoor cooking is rarely attempted during this time.

Furthermore, changes in the weather remain difficult to accurately predict. Therefore, it is known to plan and prepare to cook outdoors in the belief that the weather will be suitable for such an activity only to discover at the time of attempted cooking that this is not the case and that the weather is instead unsuitable. At such times a planned outdoor cooking event may have to be cancelled.

Moreover, outdoor cooking, and barbequing in particular, is often a social activity and hence may involve the cooking of large quantities of foodstuff for a large number of people. Furthermore, barbequing of foodstuff generally requires the use of a specialist barbeque apparatus. Such barbeque apparatus require storage during periods of non-use and may be expensive to purchase and/or to operate. Moreover, barbeque apparatus commonly require cleaning prior to use, in order to maintain hygienic cooking environments, which is known to be both time consuming and difficult to properly achieve.

Other processes for imparting flavour may comprise smoking.

In some barbeques the charcoal or other heating element is contacted with wood chips arranged to liberate a flavoured smoke during the cooking process, thereby to flavour a foodstuff being cooked.

Accordingly, there is a need for the provision of smaller portions of foodstuffs which can be cooked using conventional means (for example an oven) and which affords to the foodstuff a desired flavour. There is a need for foodstuffs which are more convenient to use.

It is therefore a first non-exclusive object of the invention to provide an improved method and/or packaging for cooking which imparts a foodstuff with a smoked or otherwise altered flavour and/or aroma. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and/or packaging for cooking which mitigates one or more of the above-mentioned issues.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides packaging for transporting and/or cooking a foodstuff, the packaging comprising a container, a foodstuff located within the container and flavourant or flavouring material received within the container with a divider between the foodstuff and the flavourant or flavouring material and a lid sealed about its periphery to the container, wherein exposure, in use, of the packaging to an elevated (e.g. cooking) temperature causes release of flavouring from the flavourant or flavouring material, which flavouring is retained within the container by the lid and contacts the foodstuff.

Thus, the invention provides packaging which may be cooked inside a building whilst producing a foodstuff which tastes and/or smells as though it has been cooked in an outdoor cooking process, such as barbequing. Furthermore, the invention provides packaging that is provided with a sealed lid which contains and protects its contents in storage and in transport and also provides a means for retaining flavouring released during cooking. It may be appropriate or desirable in some applications for the user to perforate the lid prior to cooking, in which case most or at least some of the flavouring matter released, in use, by the flavouring material will be retained.

Thus the packaging can be sold as a ‘ready meal’ and/or may comprise an individual portion, or sufficient quantity of foodstuff, to feed a specific number of people. For example the packaging may comprise 2, 3, 4 or more portions of foodstuff. In this specification, the term ‘ready meal’ need not relate to a complete meal but may relate to a portion of a meal. Thus the term ‘ready meal’ may relate to a packaged foodstuff (or a foodstuff within a package) which can be prepared (e.g. cooked) without having to remove the foodstuff from all of its packaging. The foodstuff may comprise, say, a portion of a protein and a portion of one or more vegetables, or a portion of a protein or a portion of one or more vegetables.

The flavouring material may be contained within a flavour retainer or barrier material. A second aspect of the invention provides packaging for cooking comprising a container, a divider within the container, a foodstuff received within the container on one side of the divider and flavouring material contained within a barrier material within the container on the other side of the divider, wherein exposure, in use, of the packaging to an elevated (e.g. cooking) temperature causes the flavouring material to release flavouring to which the foodstuff is exposed.

The invention therefore provides a convenient means of retaining the flavouring material. Such an arrangement can be useful to inhibit contamination of the foodstuff during transport. In addition, the barrier material may be prepared and/or adapted to provide one or more predetermined characteristic or characteristics. The barrier material may comprise a barrier surrounding the flavouring material, e.g. where the barrier may be selected to enhance or otherwise control release of the flavouring matter. A third aspect of the invention provides packaging for cooking comprising a container, a divider within the container, foodstuff receivable within the container on one side of the divider and a barrier material containing flavouring material within the container on the other side of the divider, wherein, in use, exposure of the packaging to an elevated {e.g. cooking) temperature causes the flavouring material to release flavouring matter to which foodstuff received within the container is exposed.

The packaging of the third aspect may, but need not, comprise foodstuff, e.g. received within the container on the other side of the divider from the barrier material containing flavouring material.

The packaging of the second and/or third aspect may, but need not, comprise any one or more features of the first aspect. For example, the packaging may comprise a lid which may be sealed about its periphery to the container, e.g. such that exposure, in use, of the packaging to a cooking temperature may release flavouring matter which is retained within the container by the lid. The packaging of any of the aspects may be or comprise a package. The flavourant of any of the aspects may be a flavouring material.

Where the packaging comprises a lid sealed about its periphery to the container sealed may comprise a fluid tight seal about a portion, e.g. a major portion or the entirety, of the periphery of the container. The seal may be configured to prevent, e.g. to partially or entirely prevent, passage therethrough of the flavouring matter.

The barrier material or flavour retainer (where provided) may comprise or contain a flavourant, in some embodiments we may call this a flavour pack, i.e. a pack containing flavouring material. The barrier material may be formed by or with the container, e.g. with a barrier or wall. Alternatively, the barrier material may comprise a separate receptacle, e.g. inserted or insertable into the container. The barrier material may comprise a pouch, e.g. within which is received flavouring material. The barrier material may be porous. The barrier material may comprise one or more perforations or apertures. The one or more perforations or apertures may be configured to prevent passage therethrough of the flavouring material. The barrier material may comprise a thermally conductive material, e.g. metal (for example aluminium and may be an aluminium foil). Additionally or alternatively, the barrier material may be flammable, e.g. the barrier material may comprise flammable material. The barrier material may be secured or securable to the container, e.g. to a base and/or side of the container, and/or to the divider.

The flavouring material may comprise one or more pieces. The one or more pieces may have a maximum dimension of less than about 10mm, for example less than about 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2mm. The one or more pieces may have a maximum dimension of between about 10 to 0.1mm, e.g. between about 8 to 0.1mm, say between about 7 to 0.1, 6 to 0.1, 5 to 0.1, 4 to 0.1, 3 to 0.1 or 2 to 0.1mm, for example between about 2 and 0.5mm. The flavouring material may comprise wood, e.g. wood chips. The flavouring material may comprise a matrix, e.g. configured to retain flavouring matter. The matrix may be configured to release a retained flavouring matter upon exposure to a cooking temperature. The flavouring matter may comprise smoke and/or vapour and/or herbs and/or spices. The flavouring material may have a mass of less than 200g, for example less than 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 or 15g, for example 10g.

The lid may comprise a plastic film, e.g. configured to withstand elevated (e.g. cooking) temperatures. Cooking temperatures may be above 100°C, for example above 150°C, say above 200°C and in some embodiments above 250°C. The packaging is preferably capable of withstanding storage for a period of time and may be capable of undergoing preservation preservation of the foodstuff, e.g. freezing, for example below 0°C, say below 10°C, 20°C or 30°C.

The lid may be transparent or partially transparent, e.g. to facilitate visual inspection of foodstuff within the packaging.

The divider may be formed from metal, e.g. aluminium sheet material. The divider may comprise a support on which the foodstuff is received, for example and beneath which the flavouring material is received. The support may comprise a tray or trivet, for example mounted within the container. The support may have a support surface, for example for supporting foodstuff. The support surface may comprise one or more apertures through its thickness. The one or more apertures may be configured to prevent the passage therethrough of foodstuff supported by the support. The one or more apertures may comprise between about 80 and 1% of the support surface by surface area, for example between about 70 and 1, 60 and 1, 50 and 1, 40 and 1, 30 and 1,20 and 1,10 and 1 % of the support surface by surface area. The support may comprise one or more wells or channels for retaining fluids, e.g. released from the foodstuff when exposed to a cooking temperature. The one or more wells or channels may be attached or attachable or integral with the support surface. Where the support comprises a tray the tray may be secured about its periphery to a rim of the container. Where the support comprises a trivet the trivet may comprise one or more support elements, e.g. beneath the support surface, for engaging a base of the container. The one or more support elements may be secured or attached to the container, e.g. to a base of the container.

The container may comprise a tray. The container may be formed from metal, e.g. aluminium sheet material. The container may be formed from a polymer. The container may be formed from a composite material. A further aspect of the invention provides packaging for cooking comprising a container, a divider and a flavour pack within the container, the divider configured to receive and/or support foodstuff, the flavour pack configured to retain flavouring material, wherein exposure, in use, of the pack to an elevated (e.g. cooking) temperature causes flavouring material retained within the flavour pack to release flavouring matter to which foodstuff received within the container is exposed.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing packaging for cooking, the method comprising providing a container, a divider, a flavouring material, a foodstuff and a lid, the method comprising inserting the flavouring material into the container, installing the divider within the container above the flavouring material, placing the foodstuff onto the divider, and sealing the lid to the container. A further aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing packaging for cooking, the method comprising providing a container, a divider, a flavouring material, a foodstuff and a lid, placing the flavouring material onto the divider, installing the container over the divider, inverting the container and divider, placing the foodstuff onto the divider, and sealing the lid to the container.

The method may further comprise a step of installing flavouring material within a flavour pack, where this step may occur prior to inserting the flavouring material into the container and/or prior to placing the flavouring material onto the divider.

Cooking may comprise roasting, baking, steaming, grilling, etc. Cooking may comprise placing the packaging in an oven or on a hob, grill, or otherwise heated or heatable surface. Cooking may comprise an indoor and/or an outdoor process. Cooking may comprise placing the item on a barbeque or grille. A further aspect of the invention provides a packaged foodstuff, the packaged foodstuff comprising a container and a support within the container for supporting the foodstuff, the support at least in part defining a flavour chamber containing a flavourant capable of releasing a flavour upon exposure at an elevated temperature, the container being sealed by a lid.

There may be one or more conduits for passage of flavour to the foodstuff from the flavourant. The support may comprise one or more apertures or though holes to enable or allow communication between the flavour chamber and the foodstuff. As above the one or more apertures may comprise between about 80 and 1% of the support surface by surface area, for example between about 70 and 1, 60 and 1, 50 and 1, 40 and 1, 30 and 1, 20 and 1,10 and 1% of the support surface by surface area.

The flavourant preferably comprises plural wood chips, arranged to release a flavour or more flavour as the temperature increases. The flavourant may be retained within a barrier material. The flavourant may be retained within a pouch. The barrier material or pouch may be fabricated from a material capable of withstanding elevated (e.g. cooking) temperatures.

The lid may comprise a plastic film, sealed to the container. Preferably the container is fabricated from aluminium. Preferably the support is fabricated from aluminium.

The container may comprise an atmosphere arranged to inhibit release of flavour from the flavourant.

The packaged foodstuff may comprise a cardboard outer layer arranged to provide information relating to the foodstuff and/or the flavourant. Typically, the cardboard or paperboard outer is removed prior to cooking. The lid, which is typically a film lid, may be pierced before or during cooking. If the lid is pierced the flavourant will still flavour the foodstuff as the lid will retain sufficient flavour to cause or enable the foodstuff to be flavoured. Moreover, this may be beneficial because it will cause the aroma of the flavour to be emitted into the environs of the foodstuff whilst cooking.

The foodstuff preferably provides at least a portion of one or more foods for an adult or child.

For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one aspect or embodiment of the invention are applicable to all aspects or embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of packaging for cooking foodstuff according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1a is a perspective view of a container;

Figure 1 b is a perspective view of a trivet or support;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by line A-A in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view of packaging for cooking foodstuff according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to Figures 1, 1a, 1b and 2, there is shown packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, including a container 2, a support 3, a film lid 4, foodstuff 5 and a pouch 6 containing wood chips 60. The trivet or support 3 is located inside the container 2 and divides it into first and second chambers 2A, 2B, wherein the pouch 6 is located within the first chamber 2A and the foodstuff 5 located within the second chamber 2B.

The container 2 is formed from a thermally resistant material and is preferably formed from a single sheet of aluminium foil pressed into the desired shape. The container 2 includes a substantially flat base 20 with side walls 21 projecting from its peripheral edges. The side walls 21 may project orthogonally from the base 20 or may project at an obtuse angle therefrom. The side walls 21 include a lip or flange 22 at their uppermost (relative to the base 20) edge. The container 2 is substantially rectangular in plan having a length of between about 100 and 1000mm, a width of between about 50 and 1000mm and a height (e.g. the orthogonal distance by which the side walls 21 project from the base 20) of between about 25 and 400mm. In this embodiment the container 2 has a length of about 200mm, a width of about 120mm and a height of about 90mm.

The support 3 includes a substantially flat support sheet 30 having a supporting surface 31, with support legs 32 projecting substantially orthogonally from the obverse surface to the supported surface 31 of the support sheet 30. The support sheet 30 is preferably formed, e.g. pressed, from a single sheet of aluminium foil. The support legs 32 are most preferably formed integrally with the support sheet 30 but alternatively may be separate and affixed thereto, for example via crimping, welding or adhering or the like. The support 3 is substantially rectangular in plan and is sized and shaped to fit within the container 2. The support legs 32 project from the peripheral edge of the support sheet 30 by a distance orthogonal thereto of between about 5 and 40mm. The support legs 32 include feet 34 projecting from their lowermost (relative to the support sheet 30) edge.

The support sheet 30 of the support 3 includes plural elongate apertures 33 through its thickness. The apertures 33 each have a length (e.g. a major dimension) of about 10mm and a width (e.g. a minor dimension, orthogonal to the major dimension) of about 2mm.

The film lid 4 is formed from a material which is stable at temperatures suitable for freezing food, e.g. to about -30°C or below, and at temperatures suitable for cooking food, e.g. up to about 400°C or above. The film lid 4 is preferably formed from a single sheet of uninterrupted polymer film. The film lid 4 may be at least partially transparent or translucent so that a user may visually inspect the contents of the container 2 therethrough. The film lid 4 is sized and shaped to cooperate with the container 2, such that the periphery of the film lid 4 may be secured to the lip or flange 22 of the container 2. Securement of the film lid 4 to the container 2 may be achieved via one or more of adhering, folding, crimping or welding of one to the other.

The foodstuff 5 may include any suitable food or combination of foods, for example one or more of meat, fish, vegetables, carbohydrates, sauces, and the like. The foodstuff 5 may be in a raw, partially cooked or fully cooked state prior to its receipt within the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1.

In one embodiment the foodstuff may be a portion of protein, for example a chicken breast, steak, fish fillet and so on. Alternatively, the foodstuff may be a portion of pizza, a sandwich, a burger and so on. The foodstuff need not be an individual size portion but may rather be sized for consumption by plural persons, for example a whole chicken, whole fish, joint of meat, large pizza and so on.

The pouch 6 is preferably formed from a single aluminium foil sheet, which includes a plurality of apertures (not shown) though its thickness. The wood chips 60 may be any suitable type of wood, for example oak, hickory, alder crush, and the like, or any combination thereof. The wood chips 60 may be formed by any suitable method, for example chipping or crushing, and the like. The wood chips 50 may be of a generally uniform size and/or shape. The wood chips 60 have a maximum dimension of between about 1 and 1.5mm and a total mass of 10g. The plural apertures through the thickness of the pouch’s 6 aluminium foil sheet are configured to prevent the smallest wood chips 60 from passing therethrough.

The pouch 6 is prepared by providing a generally flat aluminium foil sheet having a plurality of apertures through its thickness. A suitable mass of wood chips 60 (which in this embodiment is 10g) is positioned on the aluminium foil sheet which is then folded thereabout so as to form a pouch 6. The edges of the pouch 6 are then secured together, for example via crimping, folding, adhesive, clipping, tacking and the like.

The packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 is manufactured by inverting a support 3 such that the support legs 32 are uppermost (relative to the support sheet 30). A pouch 6 containing wood chips 60 is then placed on the obverse face of the support 3 from the supporting surface 31. A container 2 is inverted such that its base 20 is uppermost (relative to its side walls 21). The container 2 is installed over the support 3. Both container 2 and support 3 are then inverted, such that the base 20 of the container 2 is lowermost. Foodstuff 5 is then placed on the supporting surface 31 of the support 3. Finally, a film lid 4 is positioned over the container 2 and sealed about its periphery to the container 2.

Alternatively, the packaging for cooking foodstuffs 1 may be manufactured by placing a pouch 6 containing wood chips 60 into a container 2 (onto its base 20). A support 3 may then be placed into the container 2 above the pouch 6, with foodstuff 5 then placed onto the supporting surface 31 of the support 3. Finally, a film lid 4 may be positioned over the container 2 and sealed about its periphery to the container 2.

The pouch 6 and/or the support 3 may be secured relative to the container 2 in either method of manufacture or may be free to move relative thereto. Securement may be achieved via any suitable method, for example, seaming, crimping, tacking, stapling, adhering, metal fusion bonding, and the like.

In use, the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 is placed in an oven or on a stove, grill or in or on any other suitable apparatus for applying a cooking temperature thereto.

The packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 may be suitable for freezing. The packaging may be capable of withstanding being exposed to an elevated temperature after ebing stored at a freezing temperature.

In use, e.g. in an oven, exposure of the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 to a cooking temperature cooks the foodstuff 5 contained therein. Additionally, exposure of the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 to an elevated (e.g. cooking) temperature activates the wood chips 60 which then release flavouring, for example smoke. The flavouring, e.g. smoke) rises from the wood chips 60 and passes from the pouch 6 via the plural apertures through pouch’s 6 aluminium sheet. The flavouring (e.g. smoke) then rises (relative to the base 20 of the container 2), due to convection, from the first chamber 2A into the second chamber 2B, passing through the apertures 33 in the support sheet 30. In the second chamber 2B the smoke contacts the foodstuff 5 imparting it with the desired flavour (e.g. a smoky flavour and/or aroma). The film lid 4 retains the smoke within the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 and therefore maintains contact between the smoke and the foodstuff 5. In this way the smoke more effectively imparts a smoky flavour and/or aroma to the foodstuff 5.

Preferably the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 is single-use and/or is ready-for-use (e.g. for cooking) by a user. Most preferably the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 contains a foodstuff 5 in a condition ready to be cooked. The packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 does not, therefore, require cleaning prior to use, as does barbequing apparatus. Furthermore, the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 does not require continual storage, unlike a barbequing apparatus, and only need be stored until use (e.g. until foodstuff contained therein is cooked and/or consumed) after which time the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 may be disposed of. The packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 may be used with a standard domestic cooking device, for example an oven, a grill, a hob, and the like, and therefore obviates the need for a barbequing apparatus. Consequently, the storage, expense and cleaning requirements associated with a barbequing apparatus are mitigated.

The applicant has surprisingly found that by providing the woodchips 60 in a pouch 6 with plural apertures configured to prevent passage therethrough of the smallest woodchip 60 a better barrier is provided between foodstuff 5 supported on the support 3 and the woodchips 60.

Beneficially, by containing the wood chips 60 within a pouch 6 located on the other side of the support 3 from the foodstuff 5 the wood chips 60 are separated therefrom by two barriers (the pouch 6 and the support 3). The support 3 may prevent foodstuff 5 from entering the first chamber 2A. However, if the wood chips 60 were free to move within the first chamber 2A they may, for example during transport of the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1, move into or through the apertures 33 through the support 3 and hence contaminate the foodstuff 5. Even if the apertures 33 are configured to prevent the wood chips 60 from passing through the support 3 the wood chips 60 may contact edges of the apertures 33. This contact may result in the removal of one or more portions from one or more of the wood chips 60, where the portion(s) may then be small enough to pass through the apertures 33 in the support 3 and hence contact and contaminate the foodstuff 5. Advantageously, by containing the wood chips 60 in a pouch 6 contact between the wood chips 60 and the apertures 33 through the support 3 is prevented.

During exposure of the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 to a cooking temperature it is beneficial to promote the flow of heated vapours and gasses therewithin via convection currents from the first chamber 2A to the second chamber 2B and back again. Beneficially, the apertures 33 are sized to promote this flow. By containing the wood chips 60 in a pouch it is possible to utilize apertures 33 of greater dimensions whilst still ensuring that the wood chips 60 will not pass through the support 3 and contaminate the foodstuff 5 (for example during transport, when the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 may be turned upside down relative to the base 20 of the container 2).

The applicant has surprisingly found that by providing a sealed lid 4, smoke released from the wood chips 60 may be substantially retained within the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 during cooking. The quantity of wood chips 60 required to generate sufficient smoke to alter the flavour of the foodstuff 5 may therefore be reduced relative to a situation where smoke is able to freely leave the container 2. The quantity of smoke produced may be proportional to the quantity of wood chips 60 used. Therefore, since a relatively reduced quantity of smoke is required, the quantity of wood chips 60 used may also be relatively reduced, with attendant savings to expenses.

Furthermore, the applicant has surprisingly found that containing the wood chips 60 within a pouch 6 formed from aluminium foil is particularly advantageous. During cooking the aluminium foil pouch 6 provides an additional volume of thermally conductive material adjacent the wood chips 60. The aluminium foil pouch 6 absorbs heat applied during cooking and transfers that heat to the wood chips 60 in a more controlled manner (relative to wood chips 60 not contained in such an aluminium foil pouch 6). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory it is believed that by controlling and directing heating to the wood chips 60 the production of smoke therefrom may be magnified and therefore the quantity of wood chips 60 may be relatively reduced.

The applicant has found that the use of a temperature resistant barrier material or pouch enables the packaging to be used on a barbeque or other direct heat source (wood fire and so on). This may be convenient when cooking outside or when one or more of the persons being catered for have different food requirements to that of some of the other persons (for example on one or more or religious, belief or allergy reasons).

Referring now to Figure 3 (integers similar or identical to those of the first embodiment are identified by a preceding T), there is shown a packaging for cooking foodstuff 10 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The packaging for cooking foodstuff 10 shown in Figure 3 differs from the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 in that the support 13 has been inverted relative to the container 12, such that the support legs 132 of the support 13 are uppermost (relative to the support sheet 130). The support 13 may be dimensioned so that the support legs 132 are adjacent to the side walls 121 of the container 12 when inserted therein. Furthermore, the feet 134 may overlap the rim or flange 122 of the container 12 when the support 13 is inserted thereinto. The container 12 and the support 13 may be secured together at the lip or flange 122 and feet 134, for example by seaming, crimping, adhering, tacking, metal fusion bonding, and the like.

All of the components of the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1,10 are preferably formed from relatively inexpensive materials and/or are suitable for use during freezing (where temperatures may be -34°C or lower) and during cooking (where temperatures may be 250°C or higher).

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the container 2, 12 is described as being rectangular in plan it need not be and may instead have any suitable shape, for example hexagonal, circular, ovoid, octagonal, triangular, etc. in plan. Additionally or alternatively, although the container 2, 12, the support 3, 13 and the pouch 6 are all described as being formed from aluminium foil this need not be the case and instead any or all may be formed from any suitable material, for example a paper coated with metal foil or suitable polymers, or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, although the pouch 6 is described as containing wood chips 60 this need not be the case and instead the pouch 6 may additionally or alternatively contain one some or all of colourant material, aromatizing material, natural and/or synthetic flavourings, herbs, spices, etc. Additionally or alternatively, pouch 6 may contain any material which has been infused with or contains a flavourant, colourant or aromatizing material as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the pouch 6 may contain any material suitable for generating the release of a desired flavourant, colourant or aromatizing material as described above, for example when the packaging for cooking foodstuff 1 is subjected to a suitable temperature, e.g. during cooking. Where the pouch 6 contains additional or alternative materials the apertures through the thickness of the pouch’s 6 aluminium foil sheet may be configured to prevent passage therethrough.

Additionally or alternatively, although the container 2, 12 is described as including a rim or flange 22, 122 this need not be the case. Additionally or alternatively, although the container 2, 12 is described as including feet 34, 134 this need not be the case. Additionally or alternatively, the container 2, 12 and the support 3, 13 may be secured together at any suitable location, for example the legs 32, 132 of the support 3, 13 may secured to the side walls 21, 121 of the container 2, 12. Additionally or alternatively, securement of the support 3, 13 to the container 2, 12 may be via interference fit.

Additionally or alternatively, although the apertures 33 through the support sheet 30 of the support 3 are described as being elongate they need not be and may instead be any other suitable shape, for example, round, oval, rectangular, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the apertures 33 through the support sheet 30 of the support 3 may have any suitable dimensions and/or may comprise any suitable area of the surface area of the support sheet 30.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A package for cooking comprising a container, foodstuff and flavourant received within the container with a divider therebetween and a lid sealed about its periphery to the container, wherein exposure, in use, of the package to an elevated temperature causes the flavourant to release flavouring matter which is retained within the container by the lid and exposed to the foodstuff.

2. A package according to Claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a plastic film which is configured to withstand cooking temperatures.

3. A package according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the flavourant is contained within a retainer.

4. A package for cooking comprising a container, a divider within the container, foodstuff received or receivable within the container on one side of the divider and a retainer containing flavourant within the container on the other side of the divider, wherein exposure, in use, of the package to an elevated (e.g. cooking) temperature causes the flavouring matter to be released from the flavour pack and exposed to the foodstuff.

5. A package according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the retainer comprises a pouch within which is received flavourant.

6. A package according to Claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the retainer is porous.

7. A package according to any of Claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the retainer comprises a thermally conductive material.

8. A package according to Claim 7, wherein the thermally conductive material is a metal, for example aluminium foil.

9. A package according to any preceding Claim, wherein the divider comprises a support on which the foodstuff is received or receivable and beneath which the flavourant is received.

10. A package according to Claim 9, wherein the support comprises a tray or trivet mounted within the container and having a support surface with a plurality of apertures through its thickness.

11. A package according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the support comprises a trivet and the trivet comprises one or more support elements for engaging a base of the container.

12. A package according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the support comprises a tray and the tray is secured about its periphery to a rim of the container.

13. A package according to any preceding Claim, wherein the container comprises a tray.

14. A package according to any preceding Claim, wherein the container and the divider are formed from aluminium sheet material.

15. A ready meal, the ready meal comprising a container and a support within the container supporting a foodstuff, the support at least in part defining a flavour chamber containing a flavourant capable of releasing a flavour upon exposure to an elevated temperature, the container being sealed by a lid and being heatable within an oven to cook and expose the foodstuff to the flavour.

16. A ready meal according to Claim 15, comprising one or more passageways or apertures to allow flavour communication between the flavour chamber and the foodstuff.

17. A ready meal according to Claim 15 or 16, wherein the support has one or more apertures.

18. A ready meal according to any of Claims 15, 16 or 17, wherein the flavourant is retained within a flavour retainer.

19. A ready meal according to Claim 18, wherein the flavour retainer is shaped so as to allow the flavour to communicate with the flavour chamber.

20. A ready meal according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the flavour retainer comprises one or more passageways or apertures.

21. A ready meal according to any of Claims 18, 19, 20, wherein the flavour retainer is formed from or comprises a metal, preferably aluminium foil.

22. A method of manufacturing a package for cooking, the method comprising providing a container, a divider, a flavouring material, a foodstuff and a lid, inserting the flavouring material into the container, inserting the divider into the container above the flavouring material, placing the foodstuff onto the divider, and sealing the lid about its periphery to the container.