NZ247067A - Sealed tray for food products, tray made from laminate of a rigid layer and an outer layer of liquid impervious material - Google Patents

Description

24 7 0 67 nority D<ite{i>): j Complete Specification Filed: class: - Publication Date:...2"6-S&P-&95-P.O. Journal No: !.3^fc> NEW ZEALAND N.Z. PATENT OFFICE -5 MAR 1993 RECEIVED No.: Date: PATENTS ACT, 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION HERMETIC SEAL FOR TRAYED PRODUCT We, W. R. GRACE & CO.-CONN., a corporation of the State of Connecticut, United States of America, 1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, United States of America hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- (followed by page -la-) 7 o 6 7 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a sealed tray system providing a hermetic enclosure which is a liquid-tight container or a liquid-tight and air-tight container for packaging products, preferably food products such as meats. The present invention also pertains to a method of packaging a product in the sealed tray system.

Laminates of various types of thermoplastic synthetic resinous layers have been widely used in the packaging and container industry. Containers and packaging have been made from multiple layers including gas-impermeable layers or films of barrier material, adhesive layers and layers of rigid material .

As the rigid material, high impact foamed polystyrene has found wide acceptance. Various thermoplastic resin materials such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,332,858 and 4,558,099 have been known to possess excellent impact resistance and heat resistance. Other suitable foamed or unfoamed materials, such as the rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,748,218, have been used to form rigid layers based on their excellent mechanical properties. However, such rigid materials typically are sufficiently porous so as to have a high degree of gas transmission. Thus, in applications requiring a hermetic seal such as food packaging, the rigid material is, on its food-contact side, laminated with a flexible plastic layer or film of a gas-impervious material to provide a barrier against undesirable gas permeation into the package. la N.Z. PATr 3 - AUG 1995 RECf v 24 7 0 6 7 "Barrier" is a term of art used in the plastics industry to refer to plastics that are a barrier to gas permeation, usually oxygen permeation. Some oxygen will still come through the flexible plastic film, but the oxygen transmission will be extremely low for those films characterized as good oxygen barriers. Typical flexible plastic films that are known as good oxygen barriers are those made of polyvinylidene chloride resin, ethylene vinyl alcohol resin, or nylon resin. Virtually all plastic flexible films are a good barrier to liquids. Thus, to avoid confusion with the conventional use in the plastics industry of the word barrier, when it is intended to refer to a barrier to liquid, the term "liquid-tight" or "liquid-impermeable" or "liquid impervious" will be used.

As the protective barrier film, sheets made from gas-impermeable polyvinylidene chloride (commonly known as saran which, in the U.S., is not a trademark but has become generic) have been preferred. U.S. Patent Nos. 3,458,392, 3,654,069 and 4,335,181 disclose exemplary multi-layer systems of rigid layers laminated to plastic film.

One type of laminate commonly used in food packaging is made of a layer of saran or another barrier plastic material sandwiched between two layers of rigid polystyrene. U.S. Patent Nos. 3,748,218 and 4,659,785 disclose packaging laminates wherein an intermediate layer is centrally located between two or more layers of rigid material.

Another known type of laminate used as a container includes an outer (exterior) rigid layer and an inner (interior) barrier layer which faces the product in the container. U.S. Patent Nos. 3,793,135, 3,798,103, 4,076,570, 4,111,349 and 4,832,775 describe formed packaging or container laminates wherein a barrier film forming the interior surface exposed to contact by food or other contents is backed by an underlying rigid substrate. 3/920326.2/OLDFLDR 2 N.Z. Fv,- 3 - AUG 1995 REC[ ■ IV L-U 247067 Other known packaging systems utilize the barrier film as a lid. For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,328,196 and 4,055,672 describe packaging systems in which an impervious lid may be sealed to the edge or lip of a tray or container to envelope the product.

Lamination of a flexible film to a rigid material is known, and can be accomplished with standard adhesives. Such lamination is disclosed in many of the patents mentioned above. The disclosures of all of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. On the other hand, known packages having the barrier layer on the inside of the package are undesirably susceptible to wicking of liquids and moisture from the environment externally of the package, which can exacerbate spoilage or contamination, resulting in decreased product shelf-life as well as an unpleasing aesthetic appearance .

Furthermore, when overwrap or film-type lids are used to enclose the contents of conventional containers made of foamed polystyrene absent any laminated layer of barrier film, an excellent seal hermetically enclosing the tray and product contained therein is difficult to obtain. The overwrap or lid does not seal well to the tray, which consists of the rigid foamed layer, such as a foamed polystyrene. Conventional packages wherein an overwrap film is sealed to itself are prone to leakage, e.g., of meat juices (purge), and allow entry of air leading to loss of freshness and spoilage of the packaged product. Moreover, in typical package systems having a rigid lid and adhesive sealant inside the rim, it is necessary for sealing that the product be below the rim so that the lid may be sealed in place.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a package or container tray system which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known systems. 3/920326.2/OLDFLDR 3 N.Z. PATH. 3 - AUG 1995 RECCIVLD 2 4 7 0 §7 Another object of this invention is to provide a tray system including a tray having an exterior fluid-impermeable layer and a rigid support layer laminated to the fluid-impermeable layer, and an impervious film or overwrap sealed to the layer whereby the contents of the tray are enclosed in a liquid-tight, and preferably also a gas-tight, manner.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a tray laminate of an outer barrier having excellent durability as well as impermeability and an inner layer of a rigid material having desirable mechanical characteristics.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sealed tray system which may be used effectively to package a product while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

By the present invention, an advantageous tray system is obtained which includes a layer of a flexible plastic film which is liquid-impervious and preferably is also a barrier layer, said flexible plastic film forming the outer or exterior surface or bottom layer of the tray and which also includes an inner or interior layer of rigid material, whereby an overwrap of flexible fluid-impermeable film can be sealed to the bottom barrier layer to form an effective seal. By definition, it is intended by "fluid-impermeable" or "fluid-impervi-ous" to mean that the flexible film is always impermeable to liquid, and may also be impermeable to gas. When it is also impermeable to gas, then it is a barrier film, such as one made from polyvinylidene chloride, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, or nylon, as mentioned above.

Additionally, by means of the laminated tray of the present invention, an absorptive pad in the tray interior may be provided whereby liquids, such as blood from a meat product lying on the tray, may be advantageously inhibited from leaking from the package, while a durable exterior fluid-impermeable layer is provided effectively to prolong shelf-life and freshness of the packaged product. 3/920326.2/OLDFLDR N * . Pat;;. ;"ICE ;3 - AUG 1995 ;received ;24 7 0 ;Thus, the tray of the invention allows for the use of an air-permeable flexible film layer which is liquid-tight whereby a tray is obtained which breathes while also preventing substantial leakage of liquids from the tray package. A sealed tray which is liquid-tight but air-permeable is desirable in packaging some products, such as poultry. A typical such flexible film is the heat-shrinkable film disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,617,241, issued October 14, 1986 to Walter B. Mueller, and this film is sold commercially by Cryovac under the Sales Code SSD-310, and also in an anti-fog version under the Sales Code SSD-350. Such a film, but in a non-shrink version, may also be employed. ;Therefore, the present invention provides a sealed tray system for packaging a product, comprising (a) a product; (b) a tray for holding said product, said tray having a top and a bottom, and said tray including (i) at least one interior layer including a rigid layer, said rigid layer defining the tray top and (ii) a fluid-impervious exterior layer laminated to said at least one interior layer said fluid-impervious layer defining the tray bottom; and (c) a fluid-impervious sealing film for forming a fluid-tight enclosure of the product, the sealing film being sealed to said exterior layer, whereby said product is disposed between said fluid-impervious sealing film and said tray top. ;The present invention also provides a method of packaging a product in a sealed tray system, comprising: (a) placing a product on top of a tray, said tray comprising (i) at least one interior layer including a rigid layer, said rigid layer forming the tray top and (ii) a fluid-impervious exterior layer laminated to said at least one interior layer, the exterior layer forming the bottom of the tray; and (b) forming a fluid-tight seal around the product by overwrapping the product with a fluid-impervious sealing film and sealing the sealing film to the exterior layer. ;3/920326.2/OLDFLDR ;f .Z. PATENT ;3 - AUG 1995 ;REcr:\ l.: ;24 7 0 6 7 ;These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. ;BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ;Fig. la shows a side view in cross-section of a tray system according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein a sealing film is sealed to the exterior fluid-impermeable layer to form a dual-layer seal. ;Fig. lb shows a bottom view of the tray system embodiment shown in Fig. la. ;Figs. 2a through 2e show an alternative embodiment of a tray system, wherein a fluid-impermeable quadruple layer is formed. Fig. 2a illustrates the tray with product and the sealing film is positioned over this prior to being sealed to the tray. In Fig. 2b, edges of the sealing film are about to be sealed to the exterior fluid impermeable layer of the bottom of the tray forming a tube about the tray of product. Fig. 2c illustrates the tray system after two opposing portions of the sealing film having been sealed to the exterior fluid impermeable layer of the tray and before the other two opposing portions of the sealing film have been sealed to the sealing film. Fig. 2d is a cross-section of 2c. ;Fig. 2e shows a bottom view of the fluid impermeable quadruple-layer tray system embodiment of Figs. 2c and 2d, after the other two opposing sealing film portions have been sealed to the sealing film on the bottom of the tray. ;DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS ;The sealed tray system of the invention advantageously comprises a product, a tray for holding said product, and a fluid-impervious sealing film for forming a product enclosure. The tray has a top and bottom and the tray includes (a) ;3/920326.2/OLDFLDR ;6 ;PATENT HCE ;3 - AUG 1995 ;f RECEIVED ;1 - ;24 7 0 6 7 ;at least one interior layer including a rigid layer, said rigid layer defining the tray top, and (b) a fluid-iinpenneable exterior layer laminated to the at least one interior layer, said fluid-impermeable exterior layer defining the tray bottom. The sealing film is sealed to the exterior layer, whereby said product is disposed between said fluid-impermeable sealing film and said tray top. In the preferred embodiment, the exterior layer is impermeable to gases as well as liquids. This depends on the product being packaged. For packaging poultry, the exterior layer and the sealing film should both be liquid-impermeable but gas-permeable. For packaging fresh red meat, on the other hand, both should be liquid-impermeable and gas-impermeable. ;In use, a product may be packaged by a method comprising placing a product on top of a tray comprising at least one interior layer including a rigid layer which forms the tray top and a fluid-tight exterior layer laminated to at least one interior layer forming the tray bottom. Then is formed a fluid-tight seal around the product by overwrapping the product with a fluid-impervious film and sealing the film to the exterior layer. ;In one preferred embodiment of the sealed tray system shown in Figs, la and lb, the tray 1 is a two-layer laminate. The system includes a tray 1 formed from a laminate of a rigid interior layer 1A and an exterior layer IB on the tray bottom that is a barrier to oxygen as well as being liquid-impermeable. The system also includes a fluid-impervious sealing film 2 for overwrapping a product 3, such as meat. ;As shown in Fig. lb, all of the edges 2A, 2B of overwrap sealing film 2 are sealed to the exterior layer IB at a suitable point inside the perimeter 1C of the tray bottom. The film 2 thus overlaps portions of the exterior barrier layer IB, forming a dual-fluid-impermeable tray system. Film 2 forms one of the duo and exterior IB forms the other. ;3/920326.2/OLDFLDR ;7 ;N.Z. ;PATENT Ocr- 'CE ;3 ;- AUG 1995 ;RECEIVED ;247 0 67 ;It is not illustrated, but it is understood that the film 2 may be sealed so that the entire bottom of the tray is covered by the film, thereby providing a dual fluid-impermeable layer across the entire tray bottom. Alternatively, a portion of the surface area of the exterior layer IB may remain uncovered by the film 2. When employing an air-permeable liquid-tight layer IB, the film edges 2A, 2B are preferably sealed to leave a suitable area of the exterior layer uncovered providing sufficient breathability for the product 3. ;In the quadruple fluid-impermeable embodiment depicted in Figs. 2a through 2e, the film 2 is first positioned over the tray 1 containing product 3 as shown in Fig. 2a. Then, edges 2A of sealing film 2 are brought toward each other to form a tube about the tray as shown in Fig. 2b. Then, essentially simultaneously, edges 2A are sealed to the exterior IB of the tray 1 in region 2C as the sealing film 2 is made snug and taut about the tray 1 as shown in Figs. 2c and 2d (except region 2C on the exterior IB of the tray 1 cannot be seen in Figs. 2c and 2d, but can be seen on the bottom view of tray 1 in Fig. 2e) . After the sealing film edges 2A are sealed to the exterior layer IB as shown in Figs. 2c and 2d, sealing film 2 is then sealed to itself as shown in Fig. 2e. Thus, the entire tray 1 and product 3 may be advantageously enclosed by the film 2, forming a quadruple-fluid-impermeable surface on the bottom of the packaged tray by means of the overlapping film 2 and the exterior layer IB. ;According to one method of making the embodiment shown in Figs. 2a through 2e, a piece of film 2 of a suitable size is placed on top of the tray 1 and product 3 where tray 1 is holding product 3, and then the film 2 is wrapped around the product and tray. Two opposing film edges 2A are heat-sealed to the exterior layer IB at center seal area 2C, thereby encircling the tray 1 in a tube of the film 2 as shown in Figs. 2b, 2c, and 2d. Then, the other two opposing film edges 2B (i.e., the open ends of the film tube) are brought around the underside of the tray 1 and are heat-sealed to the film 2 surface ;3/920326.2/OLDFLDR ;8 ;N.Z. ;PATENT orr'CE ;3 ;- AUG 1995 ;Rtcciv: ) ;2 4 7 o 6 7 ;already sealed to the exterior layer IB to form the packaged product as shown in Fig. 2e. ;In alternative embodiments of the tray element 1, a plurality of interior layers may be laminated to the exterior fluid-impermeable layer IB, with at least one of the-interior layers being formed from a rigid material 1A. For example, the interior layers may include an interior barrier layer sandwiched between rigid foam layers. Optionally, on the innermost interior layer which faces the packaged product there may be a suitable absorptive material (not shown in the drawings) to absorb liquids from the product 3. ;The dimensions of the tray 1 are selected to suit the product 3 to be packaged, as known in the art. For example, for a large family-size package of poultry, a tray measuring 10" x 16" may be used. Similarly, the thicknesses of the layers are selected depending on the materials used for the layers and the end use. ;A suitable rigid material, for example a foam such as of polystyrene, may be used as a rigid interior layer. In one embodiment of the two-layer tray for poultry packaging, the rigid interior layer preferably contains a polyethylene polymer, such as a linear or non-linear polyethylene having a density below about 0.95 g/cm3, so the tray breathes. ;Any suitable liquid-tight flexible plastic material or liquid-tight and air-tight flexible plastic material may be used to form the fluid-impermeable exterior layer, such as a polymer of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) or hydrolyzed ethylene vinylacetate (EVOH). Hydrolyzed ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is also known as ethylene, vinyl alcohol copolymer. In one embodiment, the fluid-impermeable exterior layer is impervious to liquids. The fluid-impervious layer helps prevent leakage of liquids from the package while preventing entry of air from the surroundings into the sealed package. ;3/920326.2/OLDFLDR ;9 ;r ;N.Z. PATE' ;3 - AUG 1995 ;247 0 ;In another embodiment for packaging products such as poultry, the fluid-impermeable exterior layer is liquid-tight but air-permeable, to allow the package to breathe while preventing leakage of liquids. Preferably, the liquid-impervious and air-permeable layer of this embodiment is made of a polyethylene polymer such as a polyethylene polymer having a low density below about 0.95 g/cm3 or a linear polyethylene polymer having a low density about about 0.95 g/cm3, or blends thereof. ;The tray component 1 of the system is formed by laminating the interior layer(s) 1A to the exterior layer IB using conventional laminating equipment and techniques. The layers of the tray are laminated together using means known in the art. ;In preferred embodiments, the overwrap film 2 is a fluid-tight material which is heat-sealable to itself as well as the barrier layer IB. Preferably, particularly for poultry packaging, the sealing film or overwrap 2 is a multi-ply coextruded polyolefin film having stretch and shrink capabilities, such as heat-sealable SSD-310 or SSD-350 anti-fog film manufactured by W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn., Cryovac Division. Alternatively, particularly for fresh red meat packaging a barrier-coated substrate may be used as the overwrap, such as a substrate of linear or non-linear polyethylene polymer having a low density below about 0.95 g/cm3 with an oxygen barrier layer of, e.g., polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) or hydrolyzed ethylene vinylacetate (EVOH) thereon. ;The product 3 to be packaged, for example a food article such as fresh or frozen meat, is placed on the top side of tray 1. The product may extend above the rim of the tray, to provide the packaged product with a pleasing full-product appearance. ;To form the sealed enclosure, the film overwrap 2 may be brought over the product 3 lying on the tray 1, down and ;3/920326.2/OLDFLDR j N'.Z. PATENT OFFICE ' ;10 ;3 - AUG 1995 ;^ received ;24 7 0 6 ;around to the bottom of the tray. Any suitable type of film overwrapping machine, such as the so-called elevator or inline types, may be used to overwrap the product 3 with the sealing film 2. The film 2 is then sealed to the exterior layer IB on the tray bottom and optionally to itself, depending on how many fluid-impermeable layers it is desired to have on the tray bottom. The overwrap film 2 may be sealed around the tray bottom at any suitable location so long as an effective seal is formed on the tray bottom which completely encloses the perimeter 1C of the tray (see, e.g., Figs, lb and 2b). ;The edges 2A, 2B of the overwrap film 2 may be sealed at a suitable location inside the perimeter 1C of the tray bottom as shown in Fig. lb. Alternatively, as shown e.g. in Figs. 2a through 2e, the overwrap film edges 2A, 2B may be sealed to enclose the tray completely in the overwrap, thereby providing a fluid-impermeable multi-ply which protects the package bottom against wear and provides an excellent seal. It is not illustrated in Fig. 2e, but it is understood that the film 2 could be large enough so that the edges 2B could touch each other or overlap, as the edges 2A are shown overlapping. ;Suitable means known in the art may be used to seal the overwrap film 2 to the tray's exterior barrier layer IB, such as PVC sealing machinery manufactured by Packaging Machinery Corp, or OSSID Corp., or 3069D and 3069F Sealer-Coolers manufactured by the Cryovac Division of W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. ;For example, using a 3069D or 3069F Sealer-Cooler, sealing may be effected by placing trays of food, with the overwrap film 2 on top and around but not sealed to the tray, on a thin Teflon(R) or fiberglass conveyor belt and passing the trays through the Sealer-Cooler at a speed of about 52 feet per minute. While the trays are on the underlying conveyor belt, an overlying pressure means is conveyed at the same speed as the conveyor belt so as to apply vertical pressure to the top of the trays. ;3/920326.2/OLDFLDR ;11 ;247 0 67 ;The overlying pressure means may be an overhead conveyor belt made of a series of foam rubber pads encased in pockets of belting material, to provide a soft pressure surface lying on top of the trays which gently applies pressure to maintain optimal contact between the trays and the underlying belt. Other suitable overlying pressure means may be used, such as one or more pressure rollers having a soft surface. ;Means known in the art are provided to adjust the pressure applied by the overlying pressure means to the overwrapped trays transported on the underlying belt to suit the specific packaged product. For example, an inflatable bladder may be used adjustably to apply pressure to the interior side of an overhead conveyor belt, thus adjusting the pressure applied by the exterior side of the overhead belt to the packaged product traveling underneath on the underlying conveyor belt. Other known pressure-adjusting devices, such as hydraulic cylinders or adjustable springs, may be used to adjust the pressure applied to the product by the overlying pressure means, so that sufficient contact is maintained between the package bottom and the underlying belt without damaging the product. ;In the Sealer-Cooler, the underlying conveyor belt transports the overwrapped trays over a plate heated to a temperature appropriate for the type of sealing film used, e.g., about 250°F (121°C) to 300°F (149°C) for SSD film, then over a cooled plate to set the seal between the exterior layer and sealing film. The cooled plate may be a baffled plate through which about 1/2 gallon per minute of cold tap water is circulated to effect even heat transfer over the surface of the plate. ;By means of the above-described Sealer-Cooler, a hermetic seal between the barrier layer and overwrap film can be effected without damage during transport. ;3/920326. 2/OLDFLDR j—' _i_L ;12 * 3 - AUG 1995 I 2 '• 7 0 6 7 Additionally, by means of the present invention, a more durable and fluid-tight seal may be advantageously achieved in comparison with conventional seals wherein overwrap film is sealed to itself rather than the bottom of a tray.

Also, an overwrap was tried on a tray, but with no food product in the tray. It is understood this could have been done with food in the tray. A commercially available foamed polystyrene tray covered with a barrier material, available from the Formpac Unit of Cryovac, was used. SSD-310 was sealed to the tray bottom by overwrapping the tray with SSD-310, and then passing this through a 3069F Sealer-Cooler on a bottom polytetrafluoroethylene belt. The belt with the tray passed over a heat plate with a surface temperature of 250°F (121°C). Pressure was applied to the top with an overhead soft belt consisting of a series of foam rubber pads encased in belt material. This overheat belt is adjustable vertically to vary the amount of pressure to the top of the tray. Next, the tray on the bottom belt was passed over a plate cooled by circulating 0.5 gallon of cold tap water per minute through it. The seal between the SSD film and the barrier layer of the tray was cooled and set as it passed over the cooler plate. Both belt speeds were 52 feet/minute. This was then repeated with SSD-350.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

PAT DMT 3/920326.2/OLDFLDR 13 13- AUG 1995 24 7 0 6 7

Claims (13)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A sealed tray system for packaging a product, comprising: (a) a product; (b) a tray for holding said product, said tray having a top and a bottom, and said tray including (i) at least one interior layer including a rigid layer, said rigid layer defining the tray top and (ii) a fluid-impervious exterior layer laminated to said at least one interior layer said ftyid-impervious exterior layer defining the tray bottom; and (c) a fluid-impervious sealing film for forming a fluid-tight .enclosure of the product, the sealing film being sealed to said exterior layer, whereby said product is disposed between said fluid-impervious sealing film and said tray top.

2. A sealed tray system as recited in claim 1, wherein said rigid layer contains polystyrene foam or a polyethylene polymer.

3. A sealed tray system as recited in claim 1, wherein said exterior layer contains polyvinylidene chloride polymer, hydrolyzed ethylene-vinylacetate polymer, or nylon polymer.

4. A sealed tray system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sealing film is heat-shrinkable.

5. A sealed tray system as recited in claim 1, wherein said sealing film is sealed to itself and to said exterior layer.

6. A sealed tray system as recited in claim 1, wherein said exterior layer is impermeable to air as well as liquids. 14 N.Z. PAT r < 3 - AUG 1995 RECL • 24 7 0 8 7

7. A method of packaging a product in a sealed tray system, comprising: (a) placing a product on top of a tray, said tray comprising (i) at least one interior layer including a rigid layer, said rigid layer forming the tray top and (ii) a fluid-impervious exterior layer laminated to said at least one interior layer, the exterior layer forming the bottom of the tray; and (b) forming a fluid-tight seal around the product by overwrapping the product with a fluid-ipipervious sealing film and sealing the sealing film to the exterior layer.

8. The method of claim 7, further including sealing the sealing film to itself.

9. A method of packaging a product as recited in claim 7, wherein all of the edges of the sealing film are sealed to the exterior layer.

10. A method of packaging a product as recited in claim 7, wherein two opposing portions of the sealing film are sealed to the exterior layer and the remaining portions of the sealing film are sealed to a surface of the sealing film.

11. A method of packaging a product as recited in claim 7, wherein the exterior layer is impermeable to air as well as liquids.

12. A sealed tray system for packaging a product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of packaging a product in a sealed tray system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. ^ CO- §y )MI tb«lr authorised Agents AJ. PARK & SON , , far