US20030106829A1 - Slotted overwrapped tray - Google Patents
Slotted overwrapped tray Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030106829A1 US20030106829A1 US10/004,932 US493201A US2003106829A1 US 20030106829 A1 US20030106829 A1 US 20030106829A1 US 493201 A US493201 A US 493201A US 2003106829 A1 US2003106829 A1 US 2003106829A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- enclosed space
- tray
- tray assembly
- slot
- foodstuff
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/003—Articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers, the whole being wrapped
Definitions
- This invention relates to an overwrapped tray assembly
- the invention is directed particularly, but not necessarily solely toward a tray assembly for perishable foodstuffs.
- Fresh meat foodstuffs are processed into various cuts at the meat processing plant where they are then packaged prior to sending to the retail market.
- the packaging step includes placing the cuts of meat within a tray which is then over wrapped with a non-barrier plastic film. The over wrapped trays are then placed within a barrier bag.
- patents relates to a tray being overwrapped to provide a first and a second enclosed region, a first perforation means disposed along upper portions of said tray allows for gas exchange between said first and second enclosed regions without clogging due to run off juices from the meat or due to shifting of the meat within the tray; and a second perforation means disposed in the plastic wrapping material to permit gas exchange between said second enclosed region and a region outside of the overwrapped tray.
- a first aspect of the invention provides for a tray assembly for a perishable foodstuff having a tray body, the body in use having an inner area for the foodstuff, and having side portions separating an upper end and a lower end, the upper end providing a lip boundary portion and the lower end providing a base portion, and at least one overwrap layer comprising a plastics film material, the plastics film material covering and spanning the lip boundary portion to provide a first enclosed space for the perishable foodstuff and a second enclosed space outside the body, the body having at least one slot in the lip boundary portion to provide gas commnunication between the first enclosed space and the second enclosed space and wherein the plastics material of the second enclosed space has side perforations to facilitate gas exchange between the second enclosed space and the area outside the tray assembly.
- the slot is sized so as to not be blocked by the plastics film material when venting in a vacuum apparatus.
- the slot has a cross-sectional area of at least 5 square millimetres so as not to be blocked with the foodstuff exudate.
- the slot extends into the side portions.
- the tray body has two layers.
- At least one tray body layer comprises a substantially solid plastics material.
- At least one tray body layer comprises a substantially closed cell foam material.
- At least one tray body layer comprises a substantially open cell foam material.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the tray assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of part of the tray assembly shown in FIG. 1 showing the enclosed spaces.
- the tray assembly 1 has a body 2 and an overwrap material 3 .
- the overwrap material 3 is a plastics film material.
- the body 2 has an upper end and a lower end.
- a lip boundary portion 4 being at the upper end and a base portion 6 being at the lower end, are separated by side portions 5 .
- the body 2 has a slot 7 in the lip portion 4 , to create a gas communication.
- the tray body 2 has an inner area in which the perishable foodstuff sits.
- the overwrap material 3 covers the inner area and spans the lip boundary portion 4 to create a first enclosed space 10 .
- the overwrap material 3 covers the lip boundary portion 4 and as the term ‘overwrap’ indicates, extends past the lip boundary portion 4 to seal S against the outer side of the base portion 6 .
- This extension with the base portion 6 creates a second enclosed space 11 .
- the slot 7 creates a gas communication means between the enclosed spaces 10 and 11 which improves the efficiency of the evacuation process to remove air.
- the overwrap material 3 has side perforations 14 .
- the side perforations 14 enable evacuation of the second enclosed space 11 to the outside of the assembly.
- the overwrap material 3 can include any plastics film material suitable to enable the first step of air or oxygen evacuation to occur when at least one overwrapped tray assembly is placed in an outer oxygen barrier bag which is then flushed with a preservation enhancing gas such as carbon dioxide. After the outer barrier bag has been evacuated and flushed it is then sealed for transportation.
- the overwrap material 3 can be clear or not clear. If a clear overwrap material 3 is used, this can enable customer viewing. However the degree of clearness of the overwrap material is not important, as in some uses, the overwrap material 3 can be covered up with advertizing or messages.
- FIG. 2 shows the slot 7 with respect to the side portions 5 of the body 2 .
- the tray assembly 1 shows the enclosed space 10 with the inner area for the perishable foodstuff, and the enclosed space 11 .
- the overwrap material can be any thin plastics material.
- the overwrap material can be any thin plastics material that can be sealed to itself or to the tray body 2 , or can be sealed to both itself and the tray body, and can be evacuated.
- the material can be heat sealed to the tray body base portion i.e. the overwrap material 3 is gathered underneath the tray body and welded with the tray body by partial welding (e.g. by hot plates) or hermetically sealed.
- the overwrap material 3 can be sealed to the outer side portions of the tray body.
- the overwrap material 3 could be in the form of a thin plastics bag that is able to be heat shrunk or stretch wrapped around the tray body and then sealed.
- the overwrap material 3 when in place over the body 2 has a top portion 12 , side portions 13 and a bottom portion 14 .
- the second enclosed space can also extend downwards and underneath the base portion 6 .
- the overwrap material 3 can be made up of a film or a blend of materials and or a series of layers or laminations.
- the slot 7 preferably has a cross-sectional area of at least substantially 5 square millimetres so that run off juices or exudate from the perishable foodstuff should not block the slot 7 .
- the slot 7 can be a recess or a channel and can be of any depth suitable or adapted such that total evacuation for the assembly can occur during the process of preserving the perishable foodstuff.
- the slot or slots can extend into the side portions 5 .
- the slot(s) must be large enough to allow gas communication during evacuation to remove oxygen and large enough so as not to be blocked with the exudate. If the slot is too small it could be blocked by the foodstuff exudate. It is preferred that the perishable foodstuff is fresh meat, though other foodstuffs that need preserving using the outer oxygen barrier bag can also be stored.
- the tray body comprises a substantially solid plastics material.
- the tray body 2 can comprise an open or closed cell material or a combination of open and closed cell materials. Blends or laminated or combined layers of any of these material types can also be used.
- the material selected must be strong enough to withstand the vacuum packaging process, transportation, storage and display and yet be cost effective.
- the tray assembly has the following advantages:
- Tray has a slot to improve the evacuation of the tray assembly.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
A tray assembly for a perishable foodstuff has a tray body with at least one overwrap layer. The body in use has an inner area for the foodstuff. The body has side portions separating an upper end and a lower end. The upper end provides a lip boundary portion and the lower end provides a base portion. The overwrap layer comprises a plastics film material. The plastics film material covers and spans the lip boundary portion to provide a first enclosed space for the perishable foodstuff and a second enclosed space outside the body. The body has at least one slot in the lip boundary portion to provide gas communication between the first enclosed space and the second enclosed space. The plastics material of the second enclosed space has side perforations to facilitate gas exchange between the second enclosed space and the area outside the tray assembly.
Description
- This invention relates to an overwrapped tray assembly The invention is directed particularly, but not necessarily solely toward a tray assembly for perishable foodstuffs.
- Fresh meat foodstuffs are processed into various cuts at the meat processing plant where they are then packaged prior to sending to the retail market. The packaging step includes placing the cuts of meat within a tray which is then over wrapped with a non-barrier plastic film. The over wrapped trays are then placed within a barrier bag.
- It is known in the art to package fresh meat in a modified atmosphere environment whereby the packaging is flushed with a preservation-enhancing gas mixture such as carbon-dioxide. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,667,827 and 5,711,978 both issued to Breen et al., disclose a process of packaging fresh meat and a fresh meat packaging which provide an inexpensive, retail case-ready packaging for perishable foodstuffs, such as fresh meat. The prolonged shelf life for the packaged meat foodstuffs ranges from about 40 to 90 days after which the meat still blooms up to a desired fiery red colour upon exposure of the packaged meat foodstuff to oxygen. The invention described in these two U.S. patents relates to a tray being overwrapped to provide a first and a second enclosed region, a first perforation means disposed along upper portions of said tray allows for gas exchange between said first and second enclosed regions without clogging due to run off juices from the meat or due to shifting of the meat within the tray; and a second perforation means disposed in the plastic wrapping material to permit gas exchange between said second enclosed region and a region outside of the overwrapped tray.
- It has been suprisingly discovered that a single slot in the lip boundary portion of an overwrapped tray assembly improves evacuation of oxygen from the tray.
- It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved overwrapped tray assembly which will obviate or minimise the known problems of packaging perishable foodstuffs in a simple yet effective manner or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
- A first aspect of the invention provides for a tray assembly for a perishable foodstuff having a tray body, the body in use having an inner area for the foodstuff, and having side portions separating an upper end and a lower end, the upper end providing a lip boundary portion and the lower end providing a base portion, and at least one overwrap layer comprising a plastics film material, the plastics film material covering and spanning the lip boundary portion to provide a first enclosed space for the perishable foodstuff and a second enclosed space outside the body, the body having at least one slot in the lip boundary portion to provide gas commnunication between the first enclosed space and the second enclosed space and wherein the plastics material of the second enclosed space has side perforations to facilitate gas exchange between the second enclosed space and the area outside the tray assembly. Preferably the slot is sized so as to not be blocked by the plastics film material when venting in a vacuum apparatus.
- Preferably the slot has a cross-sectional area of at least 5 square millimetres so as not to be blocked with the foodstuff exudate.
- Alternatively there are a plurality of slots.
- Alternatively the slot extends into the side portions.
- Alternatively the tray body has two layers.
- Preferably at least one tray body layer comprises a substantially solid plastics material.
- Alternatively at least one tray body layer comprises a substantially closed cell foam material.
- Alternatively at least one tray body layer comprises a substantially open cell foam material.
- To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction or embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The following description of the preferred embodiment is given by way of example only and is not intended to be in any sense limiting.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the tray assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the tray shown in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of part of the tray assembly shown in FIG. 1 showing the enclosed spaces.
- As shown in FIG. 1 the
tray assembly 1 has abody 2 and anoverwrap material 3. Theoverwrap material 3 is a plastics film material. Thebody 2 has an upper end and a lower end. Alip boundary portion 4 being at the upper end and abase portion 6 being at the lower end, are separated byside portions 5. Thebody 2 has aslot 7 in thelip portion 4, to create a gas communication. Thetray body 2 has an inner area in which the perishable foodstuff sits. Theoverwrap material 3 covers the inner area and spans thelip boundary portion 4 to create a first enclosedspace 10. Theoverwrap material 3 covers thelip boundary portion 4 and as the term ‘overwrap’ indicates, extends past thelip boundary portion 4 to seal S against the outer side of thebase portion 6. This extension with thebase portion 6 creates a second enclosedspace 11. Theslot 7 creates a gas communication means between the enclosedspaces overwrap material 3 hasside perforations 14. Theside perforations 14 enable evacuation of the second enclosedspace 11 to the outside of the assembly. - The
overwrap material 3 can include any plastics film material suitable to enable the first step of air or oxygen evacuation to occur when at least one overwrapped tray assembly is placed in an outer oxygen barrier bag which is then flushed with a preservation enhancing gas such as carbon dioxide. After the outer barrier bag has been evacuated and flushed it is then sealed for transportation. Theoverwrap material 3 can be clear or not clear. If aclear overwrap material 3 is used, this can enable customer viewing. However the degree of clearness of the overwrap material is not important, as in some uses, theoverwrap material 3 can be covered up with advertizing or messages. The overwrap material should be inexpensive and must be flexible and yet strong enough to cover the tray inner area and form the first enclosedspace 10 and the second enclosedspace 11 and work with any evacuation process that is utilized. FIG. 2 shows theslot 7 with respect to theside portions 5 of thebody 2. As shown in FIG. 3 thetray assembly 1 shows the enclosedspace 10 with the inner area for the perishable foodstuff, and the enclosedspace 11. - The overwrap material can be any thin plastics material. Alternatively, the overwrap material can be any thin plastics material that can be sealed to itself or to the
tray body 2, or can be sealed to both itself and the tray body, and can be evacuated. For example the material can be heat sealed to the tray body base portion i.e. theoverwrap material 3 is gathered underneath the tray body and welded with the tray body by partial welding (e.g. by hot plates) or hermetically sealed. Alternatively theoverwrap material 3 can be sealed to the outer side portions of the tray body. Theoverwrap material 3 could be in the form of a thin plastics bag that is able to be heat shrunk or stretch wrapped around the tray body and then sealed. - The
overwrap material 3 when in place over thebody 2 has atop portion 12,side portions 13 and abottom portion 14. In another alternative the second enclosed space can also extend downwards and underneath thebase portion 6. - Alternatively or in combination with the
side perforations 15, there can be further perforations in theoverwrap material 3 bordering enclosedspace 10 i.e. thetop portion 12 These further perforations are not shown in the drawings. Theslot 7 should not be too large so that the selected material used for theoverwrap material 3 sags under its own weight or during an evacuation process, across theslot 7 and thereby blocks theslot 7. Theoverwrap material 3 can be made up of a film or a blend of materials and or a series of layers or laminations. - The
slot 7 preferably has a cross-sectional area of at least substantially 5 square millimetres so that run off juices or exudate from the perishable foodstuff should not block theslot 7. There can be more than oneslot 7 depending on the physical requirements of the preservation process e.g. evacuation pressure required coupled with the strength of the materials used. Theslot 7 can be a recess or a channel and can be of any depth suitable or adapted such that total evacuation for the assembly can occur during the process of preserving the perishable foodstuff. The slot or slots can extend into theside portions 5. The slot(s) must be large enough to allow gas communication during evacuation to remove oxygen and large enough so as not to be blocked with the exudate. If the slot is too small it could be blocked by the foodstuff exudate. It is preferred that the perishable foodstuff is fresh meat, though other foodstuffs that need preserving using the outer oxygen barrier bag can also be stored. - Preferably the tray body comprises a substantially solid plastics material. The
tray body 2 can comprise an open or closed cell material or a combination of open and closed cell materials. Blends or laminated or combined layers of any of these material types can also be used. The material selected must be strong enough to withstand the vacuum packaging process, transportation, storage and display and yet be cost effective. - Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word, such as “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
- The tray assembly has the following advantages:
- 1. Easy to manufacture.
- 2. Inexpensive to produce.
- 3. Tray has a slot to improve the evacuation of the tray assembly.
Claims (9)
1. A tray assembly for a perishable foodstuff having a tray body, the body in use having an inner area for the foodstuff, and having side portions separating an upper end and a lower end, the upper end providing a lip boundary portion and the lower end providing a base portion, and at least one overwrap layer comprising a plastics film material, the plastics film material covering and spanning the lip boundary portion to provide a first enclosed space for the perishable foodstuff and a second enclosed space outside the body, the body having at least one slot in the lip boundary portion to provide gas communication between the first enclosed space and the second enclosed space and wherein the plastics material of the second enclosed space has side perforations to facilitate gas exchange between the second enclosed space and the area outside the tray assembly.
2. The tray assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slot is sized so as not to be blocked by the plastics film material when venting in a vacuum apparatus.
3. The tray assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the slot has a cross sectional area of at least 5 square millimetres so as to not to be blocked with foodstuff exudate.
4. The tray assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein there are a plurality of slots.
5. The tray assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the slot extends into the side portions of the body.
6. The tray as claimed in claim 5 wherein the tray body has two layers.
7. The tray assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein at least one layer comprises a substantially solid plastics material.
8. The tray assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein at least one layer comprises a substantially closed cell foam material.
9. The tray assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein at least one layer comprises a substantially open cell foam material.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/004,932 US20030106829A1 (en) | 2001-12-07 | 2001-12-07 | Slotted overwrapped tray |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/004,932 US20030106829A1 (en) | 2001-12-07 | 2001-12-07 | Slotted overwrapped tray |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030106829A1 true US20030106829A1 (en) | 2003-06-12 |
Family
ID=21713250
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/004,932 Abandoned US20030106829A1 (en) | 2001-12-07 | 2001-12-07 | Slotted overwrapped tray |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20030106829A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080014383A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2008-01-17 | Elizabeth Varriano-Marston | Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
US20080011755A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2008-01-17 | Elizabeth Varriano-Marston | Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
US20100181318A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2010-07-22 | Roscoe Louis Bava | Packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
US20100326878A1 (en) * | 2009-06-25 | 2010-12-30 | Tom Mangino | Flip tray |
US20110229610A1 (en) * | 2008-12-01 | 2011-09-22 | Cascades Canada Inc. | Anti-leak meat pack, food packaging tray therefore, and associated methods |
EP3279112A1 (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2018-02-07 | Kraft Foods Belgium Intellectual Property BVBA | Stand-up tray, package and method |
USD899015S1 (en) * | 2019-02-22 | 2020-10-13 | Nicola Rossi | Litter sifter |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5192753A (en) * | 1991-04-23 | 1993-03-09 | Mcgeer Patrick L | Anti-rheumatoid arthritic drugs in the treatment of dementia |
-
2001
- 2001-12-07 US US10/004,932 patent/US20030106829A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5192753A (en) * | 1991-04-23 | 1993-03-09 | Mcgeer Patrick L | Anti-rheumatoid arthritic drugs in the treatment of dementia |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080014383A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2008-01-17 | Elizabeth Varriano-Marston | Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
US20080011755A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2008-01-17 | Elizabeth Varriano-Marston | Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
US7748560B2 (en) | 2006-07-11 | 2010-07-06 | Taylor Fresh Vegetables, Inc. | Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
US7748561B2 (en) | 2006-07-11 | 2010-07-06 | Taylor Fresh Vegetables, Inc. | Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
US20100181318A1 (en) * | 2006-07-11 | 2010-07-22 | Roscoe Louis Bava | Packaging for fresh foodstuffs |
US20110229610A1 (en) * | 2008-12-01 | 2011-09-22 | Cascades Canada Inc. | Anti-leak meat pack, food packaging tray therefore, and associated methods |
US20100326878A1 (en) * | 2009-06-25 | 2010-12-30 | Tom Mangino | Flip tray |
EP3279112A1 (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2018-02-07 | Kraft Foods Belgium Intellectual Property BVBA | Stand-up tray, package and method |
WO2018025078A1 (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2018-02-08 | Kraft Foods Belgium Intellectual Property Bvba | Stand-up tray, package and method |
CN109562879A (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2019-04-02 | 卡夫食品比利时知识产权公司 | Upright pallet, packaging and method |
USD899015S1 (en) * | 2019-02-22 | 2020-10-13 | Nicola Rossi | Litter sifter |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |