US2470579A

US2470579A - Packaging food products

Info

Publication number: US2470579A
Application number: US642257A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dean E Rueckert
Original assignee: Swift and Co Inc
Current assignee: JBS USA LLC
Priority date: 1946-01-19
Filing date: 1946-01-19
Publication date: 1949-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 1966-05-17

Description

May 7, 1949. o. E- RUECKERT 2,470,579

ncmeim roon PRODUCT F1166. Jan. 19, 1946 IN VEN TOR.

A7702 EY Patented May 17, 1949 2,470,579 PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTS Dean E. Rneckert, Mokena, Ill., assignor to Swift 8: Company, Illinois Chicago, 111., a corporation of Application January 19, 1946, Serial No. 642,257

Claims. (Cl. 99-174) This invention relates to a novel package, and it has to do more particularly with a method of packaging elongated pieces of food products, such as frankfurters, skinless frankfurters, sausages and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a packet in which the frankfurters are uniplanariy arranged in desired multiples.

Another object is to provide a sturdy package to maintain the frankfurters arranged in one plane notwithstanding rough handling.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packet which makes possible a full, attractive display of the food article contained therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive package for frankfurters bearing permanent identification of the product.

Yet another object of the invention is to package frankfurters in such manner as to allow a large amount of surface exposed to air.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a package for frankfurters which shrinks with the product and thus always keeps the frankfurters tightly banded. 7

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a description of the invention given below.

Heretofore, the practice in merchandising frankfurters has been to place a number of frankfurters in a box, arranged in layers, the individual frankfurters usually being ringed with a band bearing the desired printed matter, and being removed from the box in a quantity desired to be bought by the customer. This practice of merchandising frankfurters has the disadvantage of not affording the means whereby the product may be attractively displayed to the customer. Moreover, the labelling band ringing the individual frankfurter is often torn loose, thus not only detracting from the appearance of the product but also causing a waste of labelling material.

Another practice in merchandising frankfurters has been to sell them in bundles completely enveloped by a suitable wrapping material, such as cellophane, the bundle usually being surrounded by a suitable identification band. In this procedure the disadvantage resides principally in preventing air from reaching the surface of the food product. On standing, especially in a warm place, the frankfurters tend to sweat, and because there is no opportunity for the mois ture to evaporate, a mold later develops, thus rendering the product inedible.

In accordance with this invention, I have found 2 that the objects hereinabove mentioned may be achieved and the disadvantages attending prior identification band over the frankfurters, tying the bundle with a cord pulled longitudinally over the identification band, and then tensioning the longitudinal cord by a crosstie effected midway of the bundle.

In packaging frankfurters in accordance with the principles of this invention, bundles composed of a multiple number of two, three, four, five or any desired number of frankfurters may be satisfactorily formed. The preferred bundle is in multiples. of four and consists of eight frankfurters, since this quantity seems to be most likely to satisfy the demands of retail buyers.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the following drawings, wherein the same reference numerals in the several figuresindicate identical elements:

Figure l is a top plan view of a bundle of frankfurters packaged in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a bundle of frankfurters shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an end view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1. r

Referring'to the drawings, the desired number of frankfurthers are placed side by side on a piece of paper board 2, such as solid sulflte or bleached manila-lined board, etc., as backing material for the food product. The area of this cardboard backing may vary within wide limits depending on choice. For best results, however, the length of the paper board support is commensurate with the length of the bundle, but need not be so wide as the bundle. Obviously, the closer the width of the paper board approximates that of the bundle, the greaterlsupport is afforded the projecting ends of the frankfurters.

After the desired number of frankfurters have been properly arranged on the paperboard 2, a suitable paper band 6 of a desired size, say, 1% inches, bearing the desired indicia, is stretched over the bundle longitudinally, and the ends of the identification band may be fastened to the backing by any suitable means, as for example, scotch tape, heat sealing, or any suitable glue or adhesive. This band may also be wrapped completely round the as a method of being secured thereto. The band may be composed of any suitable moistureor grease-resistant paper, and may be coated with a small amount of a thermoplastic material should it be desired to heat seal the band to the backing. Examples of suitable bands are parchment, grease-proof, and-wet-strength grease-proof papers.

"l'he bundles may be tied by a string or cord I pulled longitudinally over the identification band,

bundle one or more times It is obvious that more than one crosstic may be employed, especially where it is desired to have a long bundle, the crossties occurring, preferably, at equal intervals from one another over twisted in the back and then pulled midway through the bundle to form a crosstie I. The crosstie 1 makes the bundle sturdyby stiflening the flexible cardboard backing. The band 4 disposed longitudinally over the bundle distributes the pressure exerted by the string 8,- thus preventing the string from cutting into the product, while the wide backing 2 prevents the tearing of the band 4 by the crosstie 1 since the pressure exerted by the crosstie is borne by the backing. A cotton string is preferred as the tying means, for cotton string absorbs moisture and thereby shrinks along with the product, thus making it possible to compensate for the shrink in the product.

It is obvious that thetyins operation may be varied widely. For example, the use of a single cord, stretched lengthwise and then twisted in such manner as to also serve as a crosstie, as hereinabove described, is a convenient methods of tying; or individual ties may be employed, one lengthwise and another crosswise .to form the crosstie; or it may be found advantageous to employ more than two ties. It might also be found expedient to tie the bundle by a tying machine, such as shown in the Bunn Patent No. l,994,e53. At any rate, it is important to tie the bundle firmly so as to allow for product shrink between the time of packing and the time of sale.

I have found that the lengthwise and crosswise ties cooperate to give a packet that is sturdy. compact and tight. Because of the crosstie efi'ected midway of the bundle it is possible to use a light flexible, inexpensive backing. The crosstie imparts an unusual stifiening effect to the backing, making it dimcult to bend the bundle. In the absence of the crosstie, and if only the lengthwise string were employed, the bundle could be easily flexed in such manner as to shorten the longitudinal string, and thereby cause the irankfurters to fall out from the package. The crosstie not only stiiiens the cardboard backing but also serves to keep the longitudinal string taut over the irankfurters if the bundle is bent. Moreover, since the crosstie rests primarily on the edges of the wide backing, little pressure is exerted on the identification band, and thus, it is possible to preserve it from tearing or crumpling.

While the invention has been described in connection with the packaging of frankfurters, as representatively falling within the scope of the invention, it is obvious that other food products formed into an elongated shape, similar to that of frankfurters, anddesired to be packaged in a layer of a plurality of pieces, may be treated in accordance with the principles of the invention. In addition to sausages of various types, may be mentioned other food products that may be formed into an elongated shape, and which may or may not be contained in a casing, or enveloped by other suitable wrapping material,

such as certain smoked cheese products, chili.

con carne, tamales, candy products, etc.

the bundle. Another variation of the invention is to form the backing and identification band into one piece before being used, that is, by having one end of the band fastened to the backing and projecting from the backing as a tongue, which may then be stretched over the frank. furters and fastened to the backing in any suitable manner.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. The method of packaging elongated pieces of food products into a tight, compact, attractive bundle, which comprises, arranging a plurality of said pieces crosswise in a layer on a paper board backing of a width substantially coextensive with the length of said pieces, pulling a printed identification band somewhat taut longitudinally over the crosswise pieces in the layer and fixing the ends of the band to the backing, said band being of a width substantially narrower than said backing, tying said bundle by a cord pulled longitudinally over the band and tensioning said cord by a crosstle, said crosstie having the effect of bowing said paper board backing about its longitudinal axis to strengthen the package and said string laying over the band in a. manner to form a relatively wide obtuse angle with said band, whereby the tendency of the crosstie to sheer through the band is minimized.

2. The method of packaging sausage items into a tight, compact, attractive bundle, which comprises, arranging said items crosswise in a layer on a paper board backing, placing a printed identiiication band longitudinally over the bundle, said identification band being substantially nar rower than said backing, pulling the hand some: what taut and securing the ends thereof to said backing, tying said bundle by a cord pulled longi tudinally over the identification band, tensioning said cord by a crosstie at an intermediate point of the bundle, said crosstie having the cheat or bowing said paper board backing about its longitudinal axis to strengthen the package.

3. The method of packaging irankiurters hailing a slight natural curvature into a tight, compact, attractive bundle, which comprises ar ranging a plurality of frankiurters crosswise in a layer on a somewhat resilient and normally fiat paper board backing of a width substantially coextensive with the length of the frankiurters, said frankfurters being laid on the backing so that their natural curvature causes them to bow away from. the plane of the backing, placing a printed identification band of a width substantially narrower than said backing longitudinally over the frankfurters, tying said bundle by a cord pulled longitudinally over the band, and tensioning said cord by a crosstie to bow said backing about a longitudinal axis to conform said backing to the natural curvature of the frankfurters, whereby on slight shrinkage of the frankfurters which produces slack in the cord the said backing tends to resume its fiat shape, thus pulling on said crosstie, thereby maintaining the bundle tight and compact.

4. The method of packaging irankiurters a paper board backing of a. width substantially coextensive with the length of said frankfurters.

placing longitudinally over the bundle a printed identification band substantially narrower than said backing, tying said bundle by a cord pulled longitudinally over the identification band, tensioning said cord by a plurality of crossties effected at desired intervals over said bundle, said crossties having the effect of bowing said paper board backing about its longitudinal axis to strengthen the package.

6 ends of said band being secured to said backing, a longitudinal cord pulled over the said band, and, a crosstie adapted to bow said paper-board backing about its longitudinal axis to stiffen said backing and provide a. resilent take-up to hold said cord ties taut. 1

DEAN E. RUECKERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:v

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,816,400 Rohwedcler July 28, 1931 1,857,722 Howell May 10, 1932 1,893,811 Ware Jan. 10, 1933 1,989,944 Quigg Feb. 5, 1935 2,125,833 Dowling Aug. 2, 1938 2,358,685 Bunn Sept. 19, 1944 2,379,934 Seiferth July 10, 1945