WO2009087608A1

WO2009087608A1 - Packaging for packaging, regenerating or maintaining a food product at the desired temperature

Info

Publication number: WO2009087608A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/050103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vanda Janka; Marc Borgognon
Original assignee: Vanda Janka; Marc Borgognon
Priority date: 2008-01-12
Filing date: 2009-01-12
Publication date: 2009-07-16

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging for products (e.g. food such as fondue and bread/potatoes or baby food), that comprises at least first and second receptacles (1, 2) having at least one cavity (3) between them, wherein said cavity can receive water, air or any other substance (9) promoting the heating or the temperature conservation of the product particularly contained in the second receptacle.

Description

PACKAGING FOR THE CONDITIONING, REGENERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A TEMPERATURE PRODUCT

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to packaging designed to retain the heat of products, for example foodstuffs, previously heated in their original packaging. It can be used advantageously, but not exclusively, for the packaging of baby food or cheese fondue with or without one or more other products (ingredients).

State of the art

Molten "microwaveable" are now presented in a simple plastic container of yoghurt pot type possibly decorated with a 2 ^nd receptacle for tronchettis, "small crackers of Southern Italy" (Gerber & Fondue Dip) .

The packaging market already offers compartmentalized plastic containers that could be used to package a fondue with other ingredients. These containers may be heated in a microwave oven or steam bath or steam over a saucepan. However, since they are not intended to preserve the heat of the packaged foods, they must be kept above a heat source to maintain the product at the temperature of consumption.

Other foodstuffs generally packaged in simple plastic containers, equipped with one or more compartments, could also be advantageously packaged in containers designed to conserve heat. This is particularly the case for baby foods that must be kept warm for the time necessary for consumption (administration.)

Principle of the invention

The invention relates to a packaging (hereinafter indifferently referred to as packaging or receptacle) advantageously, but not exclusively, for packaging, regeneration and maintenance of a product at a temperature conducive to its consumption or use.

The invention relates to a package advantageously, but not exclusively, for the heat treatment (pasteurization or sterilization) of perishable foodstuffs, such as baby products or fondue and / or bread and / or potatoes. More particularly, the invention relates to a packaging used during the regeneration (heating) of said products by microwaves or waterbath or steam. The invention also relates to a packaging used during the consumption of foodstuffs and designed to promote the maintenance of at least a first product (for example of the fondue or baby food) at consumption temperature. The invention relates more particularly to a packaging having the dual function of improving the heating of foods in the microwave in particular and to promote the maintenance of said materials at a temperature favorable to consumption. The invention applies advantageously, but not exclusively, to a package of variable depth (which may take the form of a plate or a bowl) and having at least two compartments secured or not.

The invention applies advantageously but not exclusively to a plastic packaging.

The invention applies advantageously but not exclusively to a package formed of at least two receptacles with walls at least locally flexible (sealed with a plastic film or heat-sealable aluminum).

The invention also applies advantageously but not exclusively to a packaging for the packaging of non-food products such as glues or paints which must be maintained at a defined temperature during use.

The packaging according to the invention is preferably made with at least two receptacles allowing:

1. Heat treatment (pasteurization or sterilization) of products or foodstuffs previously packaged in closed receptacles. But alternatively, the packages can also be filled and closed with the product (or foodstuffs) while hot;

2. Regeneration of the product (food) in the microwave, water bath, steam bath or other equivalent means;

3. The consumption of the product in the packaging designed to improve the maintenance of the product (food) at a temperature suitable for consumption (or its use, in the case of non-food products).

Description of the invention The invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, which illustrate at least three embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples. A first receptacle 1, hereinafter referred to as a container, includes a second receptacle 2 recessed so as to form an intermediate cavity 3 (also called space or gap in the following) and a double wall around the first product (by example of the fondue) forming a second cavity 3 '. The receptacle 2 is advantageously placed in the container 1 so as to limit the points of contact with the walls of said container 1 and so as to facilitate the circulation of a gas (hot air) and / or a liquid (for example water) between the two receptacles.

The intermediate cavity 3 has several functions and advantages:

1. The cavity 3 retains the air (insulating fluid) around the receptacle 2, isolates the fondue or the product contained in the receptacle 2 from the external cooling sources and contributes to maintaining the product at the required temperature during the consumption time.

2. The cavity 3 may be more or less filled with a liquid (for example water) before passing the product in the microwave or during steam heating. Indeed, water molecules are characterized by their ability to absorb priority electromagnetic field of the microwave. The liquid quickly reaches the boiling point and helps to heat the product (food) in a controlled and homogeneous way. The presence of the liquid in the cavity 3 also promotes the maintenance of the product at temperature during consumption.

3. The cavity 3 may comprise one or more materials previously placed in the receptacle (during packaging of the product). These materials are preferably weakly heat conductors and have characteristics (for example an absorption rate of electromagnetic waves) close to or related to those of water.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the second cavity 3 'may contain in particular another product, for example a food such as bread or potatoes in the case of a fondue (illustrated in the figures by the elements 8).

In the present description, the invention applies more particularly to a package containing at least two separate products (for example, fondue and bread or potatoes). It may also apply to packaging designed for a single product or food (eg, fondue alone or baby food) to be maintained at a given temperature for a given period of time. The invention applies more particularly to a first receptacle 1, of sufficient size to contain at least a second receptacle 2 and possibly at least a second product.

Advantageously but not exclusively the second receptacle 2 is integral or removable, able to fit or fit into the container

1 so as to create a double wall (and an intermediate air pocket) around a first product.

Preferably, the second receptacle 2 is fixed to the first receptacle 1 so as to:

-) to limit the points of contact with the surfaces cooled by the outside air, -) to facilitate the circulation of a gaseous fluid or a liquid between the two receptacles,

-) to allow or not to isolate totally or partially the gaseous fluid or the liquid contained between the two receptacles,

-) to prevent its rotation relative to the first receptacle 1, which is useful when the second receptacle 2 contains cheese fondue which must be rotated during consumption.

In one embodiment, the package may be provided with a fastening system formed of a kind of curved disc 4 (see Figure 1) which forms the second cavity 3 '. Thanks to a device provided for this purpose, this piece 4 fits into the wall of the receptacle 1 and keeps the receptacle 2 in suspension in the container 1. Said piece is also provided with a filling orifice 5 which can be used to introduce water in the lower part of the container 1 in the cavity 3. The advantage of this system is that it isolates the air or the previously heated liquid and allows to keep the heat optimally on the whole walls of the container 2.

In the mode of FIG. 2, the fixing system 4 is situated on the upper part of the receptacles 1, 2, and can be formed of a disk 6 or of another equivalent means provided with a filling orifice 5 ' may or may not be closed after handling. The fill port allows the cavity 3,3 'to be filled with water or other material in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The disk 6 may also have openings to access the cavity 3,3 'and the products 8 that are there if necessary. In this case, the cavities 3 and 3 '(as described with reference to FIG. 1) are practically merged.

A third method of attachment provides for extending the top of the container 2 with a partial or total rim of plastic material intended to ensure the suspension of said receptacle 2 in the container 1. This edge may be equipped with a cavity 3 '(for additional food) and a filling port which may or may not be closed after handling. This mode would be like integrate part 6 of figure 2 to receptacles 1 or 2 instead of using an additional element. Of course, equivalent variants are possible. In a fourth mode of attachment, the nesting takes place in the bottom of the receptacles (see general reference 7 of Figure 3).

These modes of attachment are considered equivalent. Several equivalent fastening systems are also possible for parts 4 and 6, for example recessed, complementary shapes, etc.

Thus the receptacle 2 forms a double wall with the receptacle 1. The receptacle

2 is not necessarily welded to the receptacle 1, but it must however allow the product to rotate without detaching from the receptacle 1.

In all modes of attachment, the package is equipped with a device for fixing the receptacle 2 to at least one wall of the receptacle 1 so as to form at least one intermediate cavity 3:

-) Said intermediate cavity 3 may serve as a receptacle for at least one of the products 8. The cavity may also be empty or contain the water that the consumer will add before heating the product.

-) Said intermediate cavity 3 forms at least one air pocket around the receptacle 2 and isolates the product from the external cooling sources. -) Said intermediate cavity 3 may or may not be closed or partially closed in order to isolate the air pocket created around the receptacle 2.

-) Said intermediate cavity 3 may be, advantageously but not exclusively, filled with water during the regeneration of the first product and / or the second product. The method improves the heating and homogenization of said products when heating the package in the microwave or steam. It promotes the maintenance of said products at the temperature required for consumption.

-) Said intermediate cavity 3 may or may not include an absorbent material for retaining an additional liquid. This material may be calcium carbonate, or calcined clay, cellulose, sodium polyacylates or other equivalent materials.

-) Said intermediate cavity 3 may or may not include one or more materials previously placed in the receptacle (during packaging of the product). These materials are preferably weakly heat conducting and have characteristics (an absorption rate of electromagnetic waves) close to or related to those of water. These materials may be naturally occurring polymers that are soluble or insoluble in water.

Mention may be made, by way of example, of materials -) hydrogels, aqueous or based on polyethylene glycol, consisting of macromolecules of glucose, starch, cellulose, pectin or alginate, for example; superabsorbents such as polyacrylates or polymethacrylates; -) silicon derivatives such as silicone.

These materials may or may not be added with heat-sensitive substances and / or contain particles or refractory inorganic salts such as sodium silicate for example.

The choice of the right materials and the good geometry of the receivers 1 and 2 makes it possible to heat the products in the microwave according to the invention in such a way that the products do not exceed a suitable temperature for example and consequently that the products not be altered, as could be the case by direct heating in the microwave.

All these additional materials are schematically illustrated by the reference 9 in the figures and are distributed in the cavity 3 'and or 3. The invention applies advantageously, but not exclusively, to a method which comprises the following steps:

-) fit the two receptacles 1 and 2;

-) place or not at least one product 8 (bread or potatoes) in the cavity

3 ', formed of the wall of the receptacles 1 and 2; -) place or introduce a (or) material (s) 9 having characteristics similar or related to those of the water in the cavity 3, formed by the walls of the receptacles 1 and 2;

-) place another product (fondue, baby food) in the receptacle 2;

-) close the packaging composed of the receptacle 1 and 2 by a heat sealing process for example a lid 10 (see Figure 2).

The invention applies advantageously, but not exclusively, to a process for packaging, regenerating and maintaining a product at a temperature conducive to its consumption (or its use) which comprises the following conditioning steps:

- nest the two receptacles 1 and 2;

- Introducing or not (s) material (s) 9 having characteristics similar or related to those of water in the cavity formed by the walls of the receptacles 1 and 2; - place a product to consume in the receptacle 2;

- Close the package consisting of the receptacles 1 and 2 by means of a seal (10) heat-sealed; and the following consumption steps:

- Introduce or not water in the cavity formed by the walls of the receptacles 1 and 2;

- heat the packaging by appropriate means;

- consume / use the product thus heated.

Preferably, in the invention, the contents of said receptacle are heated so as to cause the desired heat treatment. The receptacles 1 and 2 are heat-sealed advantageously but not exclusively to a lid (consisting of a plastic film or aluminum).

During the regeneration of the product in the microwave, the consumer can advantageously but non-exclusively take off one or more parts of the lid (10) located on the receptacle 1 and add water in the cavity 3.

The water contained in the cavity 3, when present, releases a gaseous fluid inside the package. It serves as a heat conductor and accelerates the temperature rise and homogenization of the product contained in the receptacle 2. In fact, the water heats more quickly than a fatty product. This notion is particularly important in the use of microwaves.

During the consumption of the products, the water heated in the cavity 3 or the additional materials 9 previously mentioned contribute to maintain the temperature of the product contained in the receptacle 2.

In the absence of water or any other material, the air heated in the cavity 3 contributes to isolating the product from external cooling sources.

In all cases, the cavity 3 makes it possible to isolate the material in the receptacle 2 from the external cooling sources. The method, which consists in fitting a container 2 in a container 1, makes it possible to form a double wall around the first product and promotes the maintenance of said product at the consumption temperature.

Those skilled in the art will also be able to produce a packaging for products consisting of a receptacle 1, 2 in one piece in which it has provided a cavity 3 for receiving a liquid (water) or a gas for heating.

Claims

claims

1. Product packaging comprising at least a first and a second receptacle (1, 2) forming at least one cavity (3) therebetween, said cavity being able to receive at least one element for heating and maintaining the temperature of the product contained in the second receptacle (2) in particular.

2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein the two receptacles (1, 2) form a second cavity (3 ') capable of receiving products (8).

3. Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two receptacles (1, 2) are integral or removable and fit into one another.

4. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two receptacles (1, 2) are nested to maintain the second receptacle (2) in suspension in the first receptacle (1).

5. Package according to claim 4, comprising a piece (6) for producing said suspension, said piece (6) being attached to or integrated with the receptacles (1, 2).

6. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the nesting is performed in the bottom of the receptacles (1, 2).

7. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one filling orifice (5, 5 ') of at least a portion of the cavity (3,3').

8. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the element for heating is a liquid (water) or a gas (air).

9. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of said cavity (3,3 ') contains an additional material (9).

The package according to claim 9, wherein said additional material (9) is an absorbent material for retaining an additional liquid, namely calcium carbonate, or calcined clay, or cellulose, or polyacrylates. sodium or other equivalent materials.

The package according to claim 9, wherein said additional material (9) is a material with low heat conductivity and having characteristics (an absorption rate of electromagnetic waves) close to or related to those of water, i.e. soluble or insoluble natural polymers of water, or hydrogels, aqueous or based on polyethylene glycol, consisting of macromolecules of glucose, starch, cellulose, pectin or alginate or superabsorbents such as polyacrylates or polymethacrylates or silicon derivatives such as silicone.

12. Packaging according to claim 11, wherein said additional material (9) is added with heat-sensitive substances and / or contain refractory particles or mineral salts such as sodium silicate.

13. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, said package being closed by a lid (10).

14. Package according to claim 13, wherein the lid (10) is heat-sealed.

15. A method for conditioning, regenerating and maintaining a product at a temperature conducive to its consumption characterized by the following conditioning steps:

- nest two receptacles;

- Introducing or not materials with characteristics similar or related to those of water in the cavity formed by the walls of the receptacles;

- place a product to consume in the receptacle;

- close the packaging consisting of the receptacles by means of a heat seal cover; and the following consumption steps:

- Introduce or not water into the cavity formed by the walls of the receptacles;

- heat the packaging;

- consume the product thus heated.