U.S. patent application number 12/107639 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for reclosable container for sliced food products.
Invention is credited to Terry Ann Clark, Michele Marie Dziaba.
Application Number | 20090142454 12/107639 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40365575 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090142454 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clark; Terry Ann ; et
al. |
June 4, 2009 |
RECLOSABLE CONTAINER FOR SLICED FOOD PRODUCTS
Abstract
A reclosable food package for sliced food products to be
maintained in a shingled arrangement and to provide convenient top
access to the food product, the package including a rigid base
member forming a compartment for receiving the food product and a
rigid lid secured to the base. Advantageously, the base member
includes a bottom wall and side wall portions that are configured
to hold the food product in a shingled arrangement. The bottom wall
further includes at least one channel that facilitates removal of
the food product and cooperates to provide stability when the
package is placed in an upright or horizontal position resting upon
its bottom wall. The lid also has an inwardly extending annular
bead which provides an audible sound when the lid is being placed
upon the base.
Inventors: |
Clark; Terry Ann; (Evanston,
IL) ; Dziaba; Michele Marie; (Mundelein, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITCH EVEN TABIN & FLANNERY
120 SOUTH LASALLE STREET, SUITE 1600
CHICAGO
IL
60603-3406
US
|
Family ID: |
40365575 |
Appl. No.: |
12/107639 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60992228 |
Dec 4, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/115 ;
426/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/0212 20130101;
B65D 2543/00657 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 51/242
20130101; B65D 2543/00842 20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D
51/18 20130101; B65D 2543/00194 20130101; B65D 81/2076 20130101;
B65D 21/0219 20130101; B65D 85/76 20130101; B65D 2203/02 20130101;
B65D 2543/0074 20130101; B65D 2251/0093 20130101; B65D 2543/00527
20130101; B65D 1/40 20130101; B65D 2251/01 20130101; B65D 1/34
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2251/0018 20130101; B65D
2543/00796 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/115 ;
426/396 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/20 20060101
B65D077/20; B65D 85/62 20060101 B65D085/62 |
Claims
1. A reclosable food package for a sliced food product, the package
comprising: a generally rigid base member configured to receive the
sliced food product therein and having a bottom wall with a
generally flat central portion disposed between two inclined
portions, the inclined portions intersecting the central portion at
an angle from about 10 to about 70 degrees, an opening having a
peripheral flange, a pair of opposing sidewalls extending between
the bottom wall and the peripheral flange and each extending along
a side of the central portion and a side of each of the inclined
portions of the bottom wall; at least one channel in one of the
inclined portions of the bottom wall to facilitate removal of the
food product, the channel spaced from the sidewalls by a segment of
the inclined portion of the bottom wall; and a generally rigid lid
configured to mate with the peripheral flange to cover the
opening.
2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the package has at
least two channels in one of the inclined portions of the bottom
wall.
3. The package according to claim 2, wherein each of the at least
two channels have bottom surfaces that are generally coplanar with
the central portion of the bottom wall.
4. The package according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral flange
has a flexible film hermetically sealed over the opening.
5. The package according to claim 1, wherein the lid has a
peripheral rim that mates with the peripheral flange of the base
member, the rim and flange being configured such that there is an
audible snap as the rim and flange are brought together.
6. The package according to claim 5, wherein the rigid lid has an
inset central panel surrounded by the peripheral rim of the
lid.
7. The package according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral rim of
the lid has an inwardly extending annular bead configured to engage
the peripheral flange of the base member to generally secure the
lid onto the base member.
8. The package according to claim 7, wherein the annular bead
increases in thickness adjacent each corner of the lid at an
intersection of a corner radius with a straight section of the
peripheral rim of the lid.
9. The package according to claim 1, wherein the sliced food
product comprises cheese slices stored in a shingled arrangement on
the bottom wall in the inner compartment.
10. A reclosable food package for a sliced cheese product, the
package comprising: a generally rigid base member having a bottom
wall, generally upstanding opposing sidewalls, and generally
upstanding opposing endwalls, the bottom wall having a generally
flat central portion disposed between two inclined portions that
merge with the generally upstanding endwalls and the inclined
portions intersect the central portion at an angle from about 10 to
about 70 degrees; an inner compartment formed by the bottom wall,
sidewalls and the endwalls, the inner compartment configured to
receive the sliced cheese product therein and for storing the
cheese product in a shingled arrangement, and further configured to
minimize calcium lactate crystal (CLC) formation on the cheese
slices by minimizing the space between a hermetically sealed
flexible film and an opening in the compartment; at least one
channel in each of the two inclined portions to facilitate removal
of the cheese product, the channels each having a bottom surface
that is in substantially the same plane as the central portion of
the bottom wall to provide stability when positioned in a
horizontal position upon the bottom wall and each channel spaced
from the opposing sidewalls by a segment of the inclined portion of
the bottom wall; the opening in the compartment opposite the bottom
wall, the opening defined by a base member peripheral flange at an
upper section of the sidewalls and an upper section of the
endwalls; the flexible film hermetically sealed upon the base
member peripheral flange to cover the opening; and a generally
rigid lid configured to cover the opening to contain the cheese
product within the compartment, the lid having an inwardly
extending annular bead positioned within a lid peripheral rim and
configured to engage a base member peripheral flange to secure the
lid onto the base member and configured to provide an audible snap
closure upon being placed over the opening.
11. The package according to claim 10, wherein the inclined
portions intersect the central portion at an angle from about 10 to
about 40 degrees.
12. The package according to claim 10, wherein the cheese slices in
the shingled arrangement are stored within the inner compartment of
the base such that the cheese slices rest upon the bottom wall of
the base.
13. The package according to claim 10, wherein the space between
the flexible film and the opening in the compartment is filled with
gas other than air.
14. The package according to claim 13, wherein the gas is about 40%
to about 100% CO.sub.2.
15. The package according to claim 14, wherein the gas is about 55%
CO.sub.2 with the balance nitrogen and the package has an oxygen
transmission rate of about 3-12 cc/100 in.sup.2/24 h at a
temperature of about 23.degree. C.
16. A method for packaging a food product, comprising: providing a
rigid base member having a peripheral flange surrounding an opening
and having a bottom wall, the bottom wall having a generally
rectangular, flat central portion having a pair of opposing
longitudinal edges and a pair of opposing transverse edges, the
bottom wall having a pair of inclined portions each having a pair
of transverse edges and a pair of longitudinal edges, each of the
inclined portions of the bottom wall having its transverse edge
adjacent an associated one of the transverse edges of the central
portion and the opposite transverse edge of the inclined portions
being positioned closer to the flange than the bottom wall, a pair
of opposing sidewalls each extending between the peripheral flange
and the longitudinal edges of the inclined and central portions,
and at least one channel formed in each of the inclined portions to
facilitate removal of food product from the bottom wall of the base
member; placing a plurality of food products into the rigid base
member; sealing the base member with the food product therein using
a flexible film attached to the peripheral flange; and attaching a
rigid lid to the base member and over the flexible film to cover
the opening of the base member, the lid having a peripheral rim
that mates with the peripheral flange of the base member.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of attaching the rigid
lid to the base member further includes the step of creating an
audible sound when the lid is attached to the base.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of creating an audible
sound includes outwardly flexing a portion of the rim of the lid as
the lid is moved toward the base member and then elastically
returning the flexed portion of the rim once the lid is seated on
the base.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising selecting a CO.sub.2
gas amount for filling an inner compartment of the package and
selecting a gas transmission rate for the package, each dependent
upon a type of cheese packaged as the food product and size of the
package.
20. A reclosable food package comprising: a rigid base member
having a peripheral flange surrounding an opening and having a
bottom wall, the bottom wall having a generally rectangular, flat
central portion having a pair of opposing longitudinal edges and a
pair of opposing transverse edges, the bottom wall having a pair of
inclined portions each having a pair of transverse edges and a pair
of longitudinal edges, each of the inclined portions of the bottom
wall having a transverse edge adjacent an associated one of the
transverse edges of the central portion and the opposite transverse
edge of the inclined portions being positioned closer to the flange
than the bottom wall, a pair of opposing sidewalls each extending
between the peripheral flange and the longitudinal edges of the
inclined and central portions, and at least one channel formed in
each of the inclined portions to facilitate removal of food product
from the bottom wall of the base member; and a lid having a
peripheral rim configured to mate with the peripheral flange of the
base member to close the opening of the base member, the lid being
removable from the base member to permit access to the opening of
the base member.
21. The reclosable food package of claim 20, wherein each of the
channels have a pair of opposing side panels, a bottom panel and an
end panel, the bottom panel being generally parallel to the central
portion of the bottom wall.
22. The reclosable food package of claim 21, wherein the opposing
side panels of each of the channels are generally parallel.
23. The reclosable food package of claim 21, wherein the opposing
side panels are generally triangularly shaped.
24. The reclosable food package of claim 21, wherein the channels
have a maximum depth adjacent the end panels of between about 25 to
75% of the distance from the peripheral flange to the central
portion of the bottom wall.
25. The reclosable food package of claim 20, wherein the sidewalls
are generally parallel.
26. The reclosable food package of claim 20, wherein the channels
are spaced from the pair of opposing sidewalls by a segment of the
inclined portion of the bottom wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/992,228 filed Dec. 4, 2007, the contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to food packaging,
and more specifically to reclosable food packages for containing
pre-sliced food products having a shingled appearance.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many food products are presliced and packaged for sale to
consumers. These food products can be packaged in reclosable
packaging, such that the food product can be stored therein and its
freshness maintained. For example, thinly sliced food products,
such as deli-sliced cheeses, are often presliced and packaged in an
ordered stack wherein only the first or top slice is viewed from
the package exterior, or alternatively, a shingled arrangement
where the first slice and portions of the underlying slices are
viewed. In another instance, deli-sliced cheese stacks are packaged
in a flexible bag or pouch and accessed from a side edge only.
[0004] In one known example, a presliced stack is sealed within a
flexible package or pouch that is either printed or labeled. The
flexible package can contain reclosable features, such as a
press-and-seal or slider zipper feature, at one side of the package
to gain access to the food product therein. One problem with such
flexible packages is that the food product can only be accessed
from one side, which is the side containing the zipper or seal
closure at an opening of the package. As a result, the consumer is
not able to access the entire sliced product upon opening the
package, but rather only can access a single side edge of the
sliced food product, the edge that is adjacent the opening. This
can require the consumer to handle multiple sliced food products
(i.e., by removing them from the package) in order to access and
remove a single sliced food product. For example, where the food
product comprises cheese slices, the cheese slices are often
arranged in a shingled arrangement within a flexible package, i.e.,
such that one slice is overlayed over the top of another slice
beneath it but slightly offset. Where the cheese slices are
packaged in a shingled arrangement and the consumer would like to
remove a single cheese slice, due to the limited opening in the top
of the package the consumer may not be able to insert their hand or
other tool used for removal far enough into the package in order to
remove the top most cheese slice. As a result, this can often
require the consumer to remove a portion or substantially all of
the cheese slices from the package just to remove a single slice
from the top of the shingled arrangement of cheese slices.
[0005] Furthermore, if upon reinsertion of the cheese slices into
the flexible package the slices are not positioned properly in the
package such that one or a portion of the cheese slices are placed
in the path of the reclose feature, the reclose feature may slide
over the cheese upon closure of the package and become contaminated
with cheese, thus making it more difficult to reclose the package
properly and to maintain freshness. Additionally, the
press-and-seal zipper feature requires more attention by the
consumer to match up the male and female sides of the reclose
feature and to press the two together from one edge to another.
Therefore, the flexible package for cheese slices can require
increased handling of the entire shingled product, can have limited
access from a single side of the cheese package, and can be
difficult to reclose the zipper feature. Additionally, externally
applied forces to the exterior surfaces of the flexible package due
to handling and storage can compress portions of the sliced food
product therein. Such forces can cause the sliced food product to
become compressed in places where the force was exerted, which can
alter the appearance of the sliced food product and give it the
perception that the product is not fresh, or make it difficult to
separate slices.
[0006] In another known example, the sliced food product can be
packaged in a sealed flexible package with the sealed flexible
package further placed inside a generally rigid plastic tub with a
lid. The tub is typically shaped in a rectangular or square
arrangement such that the sliced food product is stacked on top of
one another. As a result, the sliced food product being stacked
upon itself in this fashion can often prove to be difficult to
separate the top slice from the slices underneath it, which may
again result in removing at least a portion of the stack of sliced
food product from the package in order to separate and remove the
desired slice, thus increasing unnecessary handling of the food
product. Furthermore, when the package is initially opened, the
consumer must open two packages, the tub with its lid and the
sealed flexible package, in order to access the food product. This
requires the consumer to open multiple packaging elements in order
to gain initial access to the food product.
[0007] It is also known that rigid food packages may contain one or
more lugs to aid in snapping a lid onto a tray and provide a better
fit, however, these trays are usually tailored to specific food
products, such as deli-shaved meat, and may have a rectangular
shaped package with a relatively flat bottom, such that the food
product would again lay flat and stacked upon one another or in a
randomly fluffed arrangement, and not in a shingled arrangement.
The lugs are spaced at various distances and designed about the
tray, rather than substantially continuously about the tray. As a
result, this type of closure does not provide the consumer with
tactile feedback that the package is indeed closed and sealed,
i.e., the consumer may not feel as though the lid is completely
snapped onto the perimeter of the base tray for a sturdy and
reliable closure.
[0008] Yet in another known example, the package may comprise an
in-line thermoformed semi-rigid tray with a flexible film lidding
material as a closure. The semi-rigid tray may also be shaped in a
rectangular or circular configuration with the lidding film shaped
to compliment it. The lidding film material can have a pressure
sensitive adhesive (PSA) resealable label or a buried layer of
cohesive sealant that is exposed upon the initial opening peel by
the consumer. In the first instance, the flexible film has an
opening spaced inwards from the flanges that is covered by a label
that peels back to reveal the opening and reseals to the film to
recover and in the second the flexible film is peeled away from and
reseals onto the outer flanges of the tray perimeter.
[0009] However, many of the resealable flexible lidding materials
do not have adequate reclose quality such that after a few uses the
film layer may not stick to the tray and can become wrinkled or
creased, thus not properly preserving the freshness of the sliced
food product therein. Additionally, food product can stick to the
sealant and further adversely affect the reclose quality. Upon
opening of the lidding material there can be a resistance upon
opening which makes it difficult to pull back the lid film.
Furthermore, in regards to the first instance, the opening in the
lid film may not be large enough to remove the sliced food product
easily and upon reclosing the film upon itself the consumer must
push down upon the film which is flexible and could cause the film
to further sink inside the tray and not properly reseal. With the
flexible lidding option, the sliced food product is usually stacked
upon itself in the semi-rigid tray and may require removal of the
entire product or a portion thereof simply to remove a single
slice, again increasing unnecessary handling of the product.
SUMMARY
[0010] A reclosable food package for containing a sliced food
product therein is provided that allows for shingled arrangement of
the sliced food product and a reclosable feature. The food package
contains a generally rigid base member and a generally rigid lid
member. The base member is comprised of a bottom wall and a pair of
generally upstanding sidewalls. The bottom wall has a generally
flat central portion disposed between two inclined portions. A
peripheral rim surrounds an opening opposite the bottom wall. Each
of the inclined portions of the bottom wall may further have at
least one channel therein, where the bottom surface of the channels
define feet for providing support to the package and provide
stability upon standing the package flat upon its bottom wall for
consumer usage purposes. The inner compartment of the base member
is configured to allow for the sliced food product to rest upon the
bottom wall of the base member such that it can be easily removed
from the package and can further be removed by placing a finger or
other tool for removal into a recessed portion of the channels and
lifting the desired slice upwards and out of the inner compartment
of the package, if necessary. The inner compartment is also
slightly angled inside such that when food slices are placed
therein they can be placed in a shingled arrangement, rather than a
stack of slices one on top of the other.
[0011] The rigid lid member of the package provides an audible snap
closure upon being placed over the opening of the base member to
indicate a proper closure. The generally rigid lid member provides
for an easy closure once it is placed upon the opening of the base
member. Furthermore, the lid has a central portion and a peripheral
edge about the central portion, with the central portion slightly
inset relative to the peripheral edge. The perimeter of the lid
member may contain a continuous undercut annular bead area or ridge
along the inner perimeter of the peripheral edge that mates with
the base member upon closure. The tactile feedback that the snap
closure provides can give consumers an impression or feeling that
the lid is properly and securely closed. The annular bead around
the inner lid perimeter may further be reinforced in the corner
areas such that there is slightly more resistance in the corner as
a result upon closing. This further can provide a more secure and
tactile feel that the lid is properly closed. The inset central
portion provides for a convenient way to stack one package on top
of another for shipping and storage purposes, because the feet, or
tapered channels, of one package can be placed on top of the lid of
another package beneath it to form a relatively stable stack of
packages.
[0012] Furthermore, the package can contain a flexible film that is
placed over the base member opening such that the film seals the
base member in a plane that is relatively even with the outer
flanges and is located between the base member and the lid. As a
result of the combination of the package design, including an inner
compartment that is slightly angled, and the flexible film, the
headspace in the inner compartment is minimized to reduce Calcium
Lactate Crystal (CLC) formation on cheese slices.
[0013] The disclosed food package advantageously can contain a
sliced food product in a shingled arrangement that allows easy
removal of the sliced food product. The sliced food product can be
accessed through the opening, such that the entire top slice of the
food product is exposed and can be easily removed. This allows the
consumer to easily remove only the desired number of sliced food
products, rather than having to remove all or substantially all of
the sliced food products from the package in order to separate the
desired number of slices. Therefore, the remaining, untouched
sliced food products can remain inside of the package without
incurring unnecessary handling.
[0014] In addition, the package has a generally rigid-rigid
construction and can include a pegging feature for vertical display
purposes. The shingled arrangement of the cheese together with the
inclined portions of the bottom wall helps to minimize food
movement when displayed in the vertical position. Furthermore, the
generally rigid construction of the package protects the food
product inside from becoming impacted or crushed by normal
externally applied forces on the surfaces of the package, as can
happen with a flexible pouch package.
[0015] Additionally, in another feature, the generally rigid lid is
snapped against the rigid base member at peripheral flanges
extending about the opening of the base member, and the flexible
film is sealed to the flanges of the base member underneath the
lid. Prior to being initially opened, the flexible film seal may be
substantially hermetic. Advantageously, due to this hermetic seal,
the food product is not required to be sealed within an additional
flexible bag or pouch within the base and lid, and a simple
peelable film across the opening of the base will suffice. This
feature also reduces packaging costs, saves packaging material and
eliminates steps in the assembly process. Additionally, according
to one embodiment, once the rigid lid is removed and the flexible
film is unsealed by the consumer, the rigid lid may be reclosed
over the compartment to provide easy storage of the food package in
the consumer's refrigerator. Thus, the consumer is not required to
provide another container or bag within which to store the food
product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclosable food package in
a closed state;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the food package
of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled reclosable
food package of FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the assembled lid and base of
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the assembled reclosable
food package of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of the assembled reclosable
food package of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the base of the reclosable
food package of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base of the reclosable
food package of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a partial bottom plan view of the lid of the food
package of FIG. 1 viewed from its food-side surface; and
[0025] FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for filling and sealing
the reclosable cheese package of FIG. 1.
[0026] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
components throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] A reclosable food package for packaging and displaying
sliced food products, the package having a generally rigid base
member, a generally rigid lid member and a flexible film, is
disclosed herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. In particular, the
rigid base member further has a bottom wall, having a generally
flat central portion disposed between two inclined portions, and a
pair of generally upstanding sidewalls. The bottom wall further
contains channels that facilitate removal of the food product and
have bottom surfaces that cooperate to provide stability.
[0028] Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a reclosable food package or
container 10 is shown having a generally rigid base member 12, a
generally rigid lid member 14, and a flexible film 16. Both the
base member 12 and the lid member 14 are constructed of a generally
rigid sheet material or resin and can be formed by suitable
thermoforming or injection molding techniques. The term "rigid" is
used herein to indicate that the structures made of these sheets or
resins have the ability to retain their respective shapes during
normal handling, and preferably, rigid sheet construction materials
can include a rigid plastic material. The food package 10 can be
used to package sliced food products, such as meats or cheeses, and
preferably to package sliced food products in a shingled
arrangement. The base member 12 and the lid member 14 may provide a
protective display package 10 for a stack of cheese slices 72 or
other food product arranged in the shingled configuration. Although
cheese slices 72 are discussed, it will be appreciated that other
types of food products can be packaged in the food package 10.
[0029] The base member 12, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, has a
bottom wall 26 comprised of a generally rectangular flat central
portion 30 disposed between two inclined portions 28a and 28b. The
central portion 30 has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 200
and 201 and a pair of opposing transverse edges 202 and 203.
Likewise, the inclined portions 28a and 28b also each have a pair
of transverse edges 302, 303, 402 and 403, and a pair of
longitudinal edges 300, 301, 400 and 401. The inclined portions 28a
and 28b further each have a transverse edge 303 and 402 adjacent an
associated one of the transverse edges 202 and 203 of the central
portion 30, and an opposite transverse edge 302 and 403 of the
inclined portions 28a and 28b is positioned closer to the
peripheral flange 38 than the bottom wall 26.
[0030] The bottom wall 26 is angled at inclined portions 28a and
28b, which aids to display the food product therein. The angled
bottom wall 26 can further aid in decreasing or minimizing
headspace between the shingled food product and the flexible film
16, as described herein. The inclined portions 28a and 28b can have
a respective inclination angle .alpha. (alpha) in the range from
about 10 to about 70 degrees, relative to a plane X that is
co-planar with the central portion 30 of the bottom wall 26, as
shown in FIG. 5, and preferably from about 10 to about 50 degrees,
and still preferably from about 10 to about 40 degrees. It is also
preferable for the angle to be on the lower end of the range, such
as about 20 degrees, so that the angle provides more of a gradual
incline along the bottom wall 26 of the package 10. This gradual
incline helps to minimize food movement relative to the spacing
between each slice of the shingled food product when the package 10
is displayed in a vertical position, such as when it is hung
vertically from a pegged member 60. The inclined portions 28a and
28b generally have widths identified by sections 100 and 102,
respectively, that are between about 1 inch and about 3 inches. The
widths 100 and 102 can generally be equal to the width 101 of the
central portion 30 of the bottom wall 26 (see FIG. 7).
[0031] The bottom wall 26 further contains channels, and preferably
at least four channels 32a-d. The channels 32a-d preferably are
positioned in the inclined portions 28a and 28b of the bottom wall
26 to facilitate removal of the food product from an inner
compartment 27 of the base member 12. The channels 32a-d facilitate
removal of food products by providing recesses 50a-d, as shown in
FIG. 4, in the inclined portions 28a and 28b of the bottom wall 26
such that a consumer can easily insert a finger or other object
into the gap of the recesses 50a-d to aid in lifting of the food
product contained therein off of the bottom wall 26. Preferably,
the channels 32a-d and their associated recesses 50a-d are spaced
from the sidewalls by a segment of the inclined portions 28a and
28b of the bottom wall 26, or by a segment equal to a side inclined
portion 54. This provides easier access to the channels 32a-d where
a finger or other object has more space to be inserted therein
without having to fit into a tight space next to a sidewall.
Furthermore, the side inclined portion 54 can also help prevent the
corners of the shingled food product from sagging down into the
channels 32a-d by providing a support for the corners of the
shingled food product to rest upon.
[0032] For example, the inclined portions 28a and 28b are angled up
towards a peripheral flange 38 of the base member 12 such that a
ramp is created from the central portion 30 of the bottom wall 26
up towards the periphery of the base 12. This ramp can have three
parts, a center inclined portion 52, and two side inclined portions
54. The center inclined portion 52 can be wider than the side
inclined portions 54 and can terminate at a groove 53 at an upper
end of the center inclined portion 52. The groove 53 is positioned
between adjacent recesses 50a-b and 50c-d of the base 12, such that
it connects the adjacent recesses 50a-b and 50c-d at the upper end
of the inclined portion 52. One of the purposes of this groove 53
is to provide further stability to the base 12 after thermoforming
so that the base 12 does not shrink inwards from the perimeter to a
significant degree. This added stability further ensures that the
four corners of the base 12 do not also droop downwards. If the
corners droop downwards, the base 12 can become slightly deformed,
thus preventing the lid from engaging and snapping over the corners
of the base 12 properly for an adequate closure. The two side
inclined interior portions 54 can terminate or merge with a
horizontal rim 58, which then merges into the endwall 22, if one is
present. Where a horizontal rim 58 is present, it can function as a
"stack shoulder," which is used when stacking empty tray base
members, one nested inside the other, prior to filling. The
horizontal rim 58 prevents the stacked base members from becoming
lodged too deeply inside one another and allows for easier
separation of the base members just prior to filling.
Alternatively, the side inclined portions 54 and center inclined
portion 52 can terminate at the base member peripheral flange
38.
[0033] The channels 32a-d further have a bottom surface or panel
66, a vertical end surface or panel 70 that is positioned at an end
portion 20a or 20b of the base member 12, and two opposing side
portions or panels 68, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The two opposing
side portions 68 can have varying heights adjacent the inclined
portions 28a and 28b and can be generally parallel to each other
and can further be generally triangular shaped. Typically, the
bottom surface 66 of the channels 32a-d can be in the same plane as
the central portion 30 of the bottom wall 26, and act as support
portions or feet, thus providing a flat and even surface to stand
the package 10 upon to provide stability when displaying in an
upright or horizontal position. Alternatively, the bottom surface
66 of the channels 32a-d may not be in the same plane as the
central portion 30, such that either the package 10 stands upon the
central portion 30 of the bottom wall 26 alone, or the package 10
stands upon the bottom surface 66 of the channels 32a-d alone.
[0034] When the base member 12 is viewed from a bottom surface of
the package 10, as in FIG. 7, the channels 32a-d appear as
protrusions, or feet, that stick outwards from the bottom wall 26
to provide support for standing the package 10 in a horizontal
position or for stacking packages one on top of another. The feet
or channels 32a-d act to further stabilize the package 10 for the
consumer, particularly when the lid 14 is being placed onto the
base 12. Where there are four channels 32a-d, the channels 32a-d
and the central portion 30 are configured to form an H-shape along
the bottom surface of the bottom wall 26. The width of the channels
32a-d may vary from about 1/4 inch to about 1 inch and further
having a depth of about 1/4 inch to 1 inch, with the length of the
channels 32a-d generally equal to the width of the inclined portion
(indicated by 100 and 102) or about 1 inch to about 3 inches. In
other words, the channels 32a-d may have a maximum depth adjacent
its end panels 70 of between 25 to 75% of the distance from the
peripheral flange 38 to the central portion 30 of the bottom wall
26.
[0035] It is preferred that the feet or channels 32a-d of the
package 10 provide stability along with the central portion 30 of
the bottom wall 26. This combination of support provides increased
stability to the package 10 when placed in a horizontal
orientation, such that the package 10 is reasonably supported on
its bottom wall 26, as in FIG. 1. This arrangement of the feet
32a-d and the central portion 30 having a coplanar relationship
with each other helps to keep the package 10 balanced and to avoid
tipping over, especially when the number of food slices are being
depleted as they are being used up, which can cause the food slices
themselves to be positioned off-center and become unbalanced and
further cause instability to a package 10 if it were not already
stable. Additionally, having a stable and balanced package 10 helps
during closure of the package 10 while the lid 14 is being placed
over the base member 12 and snapped thereto, it is easier to place
the lid 14 on the base 12 and easier to close when the base member
12 is balanced and does not tip or rock during closure.
[0036] Other variations of the channels 32a-d may be provided such
as where the channels 32a-d are located in a portion of the bottom
wall 26 that is not included in the inclined portions 28a and 28b.
For example, the bottom wall 26 may comprise a central portion 30
disposed between two inclined portions 28a and 28b and adjacent to
the inclined portions 28a and 28b can be substantially flat
horizontal extensions of the bottom wall 26 positioned next to the
endwalls 22a and 22b. It is at these substantially flat extensions
of the bottom wall 26 that the channels 32a-d may be
positioned.
[0037] Another alternative embodiment may consist of the channels
32a-d extending across the bottom wall 26, from one side edge or
portion 18a to the other side edge 18b, such that the channel forms
one long trough-like protrusion. This would further provide a
recess in the inner compartment 27 along the inclined portions 28a
and 28b that extends across the inclined portion 28a and 28b from
approximately one side edge portion 18a to approximately the
opposite side edge portion 18b. Alternatively, the trough-like
channels can be positioned at a flat extension of the bottom wall
26 rather than in the inclined portions 28a and 28b. Preferably,
however, the channels 32a-d will be provided as illustrated in
FIGS. 1-8, where four channels are provided, two in each inclined
portion 28a and 28b, and each of the four channels 32a-d further
has its respective bottom surface 66 in a co-planar relationship
with one another and with the central portion 30 of the bottom wall
26 to provide for a stable bottom wall 26 surface. This is
preferred due to the fact that this orientation of the channels
32a-d provides additional support to the base 12 of the package 10.
As can be appreciated, there are any number of variations that are
possible to position the channels 32a-d thereat.
[0038] An inner compartment 27 of the base member 12 can be defined
by the central portion 30 of the bottom wall 26, the two inclined
portions 28a and 28b of the bottom wall 26, a pair of opposing,
generally upstanding sidewalls 24a and 24b, and a pair of opposing,
generally upstanding endwalls 22a and 22b to receive the sliced
food product therein. Alternatively, the base member 12 may not
contain endwalls 22a and 22b. Where both a pair of sidewalls 24a
and 24b and a pair of endwalls 22a and 22b are included, a
peripheral flange 38 can be located at an upper section of each,
such that it is positioned at a periphery of the package 10 and
defines an opening 25 of the base 12, where the opening 25 is
opposite the bottom wall 26.
[0039] Furthermore, the pair of opposing sidewalls 24a and 24b each
can extend between the peripheral flange 38 and the longitudinal
edges 300, 301, 400, 401, 200, and 201 of the inclined portions 28a
and 28b and the central portion 30. Basically, the pair of opposing
sidewalls 24a and 24b extends between the bottom wall 26 and the
peripheral flange 38, where each sidewall 24a and 24b extends along
a side of the central portion 30 and a side of each of the inclined
portions 28a and 28b of the bottom wall 26. The peripheral flange
38 can comprise a lip or horizontal rim about the opening 25 of the
package 10. On one side of the peripheral flange 38 and extending
downwards is the endwall 22 or sidewall 24, and on the other side
extending downwards is a vertical flange portion 39 with a small
generally horizontal edge 37 at the base of the vertical flange
portion 39. The peripheral flange 38 can have any shape that is
commonly used for food packaging, and preferably will be
rectangular in shape and having rounded corners. The body of the
base 12 may contain a different shape or configuration than the
periphery of the base 12, or it may be the same. Preferably, the
body of the base 12 will have a generally V-shape. A rectangular
shaped base with a generally V-shape bottom is preferable for
arranging sliced food products in a shingled arrangement.
Additionally, gently rounded corners of the base member peripheral
flange 38 provide for better closure between the lid 14 and base
member 12.
[0040] The shape of the base member 12 is generally a V-shape along
its bottom surface, or bottom wall 26, the V-shape being formed as
a result of the positions of the two inclined portions 28a and 28b
and central portion 30 of the bottom wall 26. The V-shape of the
base member 12 provides for packaging of the sliced food product in
a shingled arrangement, such that at least a portion of each of the
cheese slices rests upon the bottom wall of the base, rather than
being stacked one on top of the other. Where the food product
comprises cheese slices, the V-shape further aids in minimizing
moisture loss and Calcium Lactate Crystal (CLC) formation on the
cheese before initially opening the package.
[0041] CLC formation is a natural phenomena of natural cheese which
can be esthetically unpleasant because it forms white crystals on
the surface of the cheese. Without wishing to be bound by theory,
it is believed that the lactic acid, which is present in natural
cheese, converts to CLC and is deposited as crystals on the cheese
surface as moisture is lost. Furthermore, the more headspace that
there is in a package 10 the more capacity to draw moisture from
the cheese product. The "headspace" in a package can be described
as the empty space around the food product that is between the base
member 12 and the film 16 prior to initially opening the package
10. It is this space that can contribute to moisture loss in cheese
and other food products, which it is desired to minimize. The
V-shape of the base member 12 and the close proximity fit of the
film 16 to the shingled food product all act together to reduce the
amount of headspace that there is in the package 10 prior to
initial opening, thus reducing the amount of moisture that is lost
from the cheese. As a result of the package 10 design, the CLC
formation is minimized.
[0042] Where the base member 12 has a generally rectangular
periphery with rounded corners, it may also contain two opposing
side portions 18a and 18b and two opposing end portions 20a and 20b
of the package 10. The sidewalls 24a and 24b can be positioned at
the opposing side portions 18a and 18b and the endwalls 22a and 22b
can be positioned at the opposing end portions 20a and 20b. An
upper section of the inclined portions 28a and 28b of the bottom
wall 26 can intersect the end portions 20a and 20b of the package
10 at either the periphery flange 38 of the package 10 or at
endwalls 22a and 22b. The inclined portions 28a and 28b can merge
with the upstanding endwalls 22a and 22b, such that an upper
section of the endwalls 22a and 22b would then form the periphery
about the opening 25 of the base 12. Although not required, a
plurality of vertically-oriented ribs 64 may also be integrally
molded into the base member 12 along its sidewalls 24a and 24b for
additional structural reinforcement. Alternatively, the plurality
of vertically-oriented ribs 64 may be located along endwalls 22a
and 22b of the package 10.
[0043] The flexible film 16 can be heat-sealed to the base member
peripheral flange 38 that is located about the periphery of the
opening 25 of the base member 12. The flexible film 16 can
generally have a shape that resembles the shape of the opening 25
however may be slightly larger in area so that it can overlap the
opening 25 and be sealed to the base member peripheral flange 38.
For example, if the base member peripheral flange 38 is shaped in a
rectangular configuration, then the flexible film 16 can also be
shaped in a rectangular configuration just slightly larger than the
opening 25 to allow the edges of the film 16 to be sealed to the
flange 38. Alternatively, the flexible film 16 may further contain
a tab 17 or an extension of flexible film material, typically in a
corner of the film, that allows for grasping and easy removal of
the flexible film 16 material. The flexible film 16 material may be
clear and it may be made out of a lamination film material.
[0044] Preferably, though not necessarily, the flexible film 16 is
pre-trimmed inboard of the outer base 12 dimensions just prior to
heat-sealing, instead of applying a larger piece of film and
trimming the film 16 after it has been sealed to the base 12. This
method allows for the film 16 to be sealed to the flange 38 of the
base 12 without requiring any additional trimming of the film 16
after it has been sealed to the base 12. In this aspect, the
pre-trimmed film 16 does not extend to or beyond the outside edge
of the flange 38, as with a larger film that is cut after being
sealed. Film that does extend beyond the flange edge often can
interfere with the closure of the lid 14 and the base 12 by
creating a thickness of film between the two that the lid 14 must
be forced onto upon closing. Providing a film 16 that is
pre-trimmed allows for better closure of the lid 14 upon the base
12 due to the fact that the lid 14 is substantially in contact with
the flange 38 directly, rather than having the intermediate film 16
which can increase the tightness of the fit when present, as well
as result in an undesirably looser fit when not present.
[0045] The lid member 14 can comprise a central lid panel 34
surrounded by a peripheral rim or edge portion 36, such that the
central lid panel 34 is inset slightly relative to the peripheral
rim 36 of the lid 14 when viewed from its upper surface, i.e., its
non-food side, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lid 14, as shown
in FIG. 9, further contains a relatively continuous undercut bead
closure 46, or an inwardly extending annular bead or nub, about the
lid peripheral rim 36 on the underside 35, or food side, of the rim
36 such that the annular bead 46 engages the peripheral flange 38
of the base member 12 to secure the lid 14. The undercut annular
bead 46 is configured to slide past the base member peripheral
flange 38, vertical flange portion 39, and generally horizontal
flange portion 37 as the lid 14 is being placed on the base 12 to
secure the lid 14 in place, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The undercut
bead 46 is an annular precision rib that protrudes towards the
inside of the lid 14. In one aspect, the outer lid peripheral edge
portion 36 can also contain an extension at an upper edge thereof,
such as a peggable attachment 60, for hanging vertically in a
display case. In yet another aspect, the outer lid peripheral edge
portion 36 can also contain an extension of the lid 14, such as a
tab member 62, used as a grasping point for opening the lid 14. The
tab member 62 is preferably located at one of the typically four
corners of the lid 14.
[0046] The lid member 14 allows for the package 10 to be reclosed
after opening, thus helping to keep the food product inside in a
fresh state during storage, and the lid 14 can further provide an
audible snap closure upon being placed over the opening 25 of the
base 12 to indicate adequate closure. The generally rigid lid
member 14 can be configured to cover the opening 25 of the base
member 12 such that it confines the food product within the
compartment 27 and can be securable to the base member 12 to
provide a reliable closure. This audible snap closure provides the
consumer with an indication that the lid 14 has been properly
placed upon the base 12 and gives the consumer the "feel" that the
package 10 has been securely closed. This tactile feedback upon
closure of the lid 14 on the base 12 is primarily due to the
annular bead or nub 46 positioned substantially around the entire
inner perimeter of the lid 14.
[0047] This annular bead 46 can further be reinforced adjacent the
four corners of the lid 14, such that it provides a segment of the
annular bead 46' having a greater thickness than the remaining
portions of the annular bead 46 (i.e., the remaining portions along
the side or longitudinal edges of the lid 14) to provide more
resistance upon closing and a greater "snap" sound giving a "feel"
to the consumer that the package 10 closes better. The reinforced
annular bead 46' can comprise extended undercut beads added
adjacent the corners where the corner radii intersect the generally
straight portions of the sides or longitudinal edges of the lid 14,
thus providing for a slightly thicker portion in that area. For
example, each corner will have two such reinforced annular bead 46'
sections, one at each corner radii intersection. These reinforced
segments can be about 1-2 cm in length and gradually increase in
thickness such that the middle section of the reinforced bead 46'
is the thickest with its ends the thinnest. This intersection with
the corner radii is typically the area where the lid 14 gets
"stretched" upon engaging it with the base 12. When a force is
applied to the lid 14 to close it upon the base 12, this force is
applied primarily to the area around the four corners of the lid
14; therefore, the added reinforcement around the corners helps
provide the tactile confirmation that the package 10 is securely
closed. Additionally, in order to improve alignment of the lid 14
with the base 12 upon closure, the corner radii can be slightly
greater than typical packages, such as 1.1 inches or greater versus
0.5 inches. For instance, a corner radius of about 1.20 inches can
be used that results in a good, "tight" fit between the lid 14 and
the base 12 such that at the corners there can be a gap between the
lid 14 and base 12 of about 0.03 inches. This slightly larger
corner radius allows the lid 14 to align with the base 12 by
"sliding" into place, thus decreasing the effort required to both
remove the lid 14 from the base 12 and to close the lid 14 on the
base 12.
[0048] For example, upon closing, the base member peripheral flange
38 slides past the annular bead 46 of the lid 14 such that one or
both of the lid and flanges are deformed to allow the base member
peripheral flange 38 to slide past the annular bead 46, and once it
is past, snap back to shape thus securing it in place against the
lid 14 and not allowing separation. The annular bead 46 allows
substantially the entire portion of the base member peripheral
flange 38 to pass during closure, as well as the vertical flange
portion 39 and its horizontal edge 37 at its lower end. All of
these elements of the base periphery slide past the annular bead 46
and become locked in place once closed, positioned between an upper
part 40 of the lid peripheral rim 36 and the annular bead 46. Thus,
the annular bead closure 46 provides for a reliable fit and closure
when the lid 14 is placed over the base member 12, thus allowing
essentially for the peripheral rim 36 to mate with the peripheral
flange 38. Furthermore, it is the annular bead 46 arrangement that
provides an audible sound, or snap, upon package closure as the lid
14 is placed over the base member 12, thus additionally providing
audible indication to the consumer that the package 10 has been
adequately closed.
[0049] When the lid member 14 is placed over the opening 25 and
onto the base member 12, the central portion 34 of the lid 14 rests
relatively in the same plane as the peripheral flange 38 of the
base 12 or just slightly above it. The central portion 34 of the
lid 14 does not need to nest inside of the base member 12. Where a
flexible film 16 is used, the central portion 34 of the lid 14
rests just above or adjacent to the flexible film 16. Furthermore,
the flexible film 16 can be placed between the base member 12 and
the lid member 14 such that the flexible film 16 covers the opening
25 in the base 12.
[0050] Furthermore, multiple packages can be stacked on top of one
another for display purposes such that the feet 32a-d of one
package 10 can be placed on a top surface (i.e., non-food side) or
the central portion 34 of the lid 14 of another package 10 beneath
it. The slightly raised peripheral rim 36 of the lid 14 acts as a
barrier to the stacked package 10 to keep it from sliding off of
the central portion 34 of the lid 14. Therefore, providing a
simplified way of stacking multiple packages in a stable
fashion.
[0051] An interior section of the peripheral rim 36 of the lid 14
can contain a small groove 44 or channel about the periphery of the
interior or underside 35 of the lid 14. This groove or channel 44
further contains ribs 48 that span the groove 44. The ribs 48 can
be provided for added support along the rim 36 and to provide
additional stiffness to the lid 14. The upper surface of the ribs
48, as in FIG. 9, are substantially in the same plane as the
central portion 34 of the lid 14 such that a relatively even
surface between them is provided. When the lid 14 is placed over
the top of the base 12, the ribs 48 can contact the peripheral
flange 38 of the base 12 and further prevent the base member
peripheral flange 38 from entering into the groove 44 of the lid
14. The ribs 48 help with the alignment of the lid 14, and in
particular with keeping the central portion 34 of the lid 14
slightly above the opening in 25 the base 12 such that the lid 14
does not become nested in the inner cavity or compartment 27 of the
base member 12. Due to the small thickness of the flexible film 16,
the film 16 does not substantially interfere with the initial
mechanical interfit made between the lid 14 and the base 12 at
their respective peripheral edge portions 36 and 38.
[0052] In another embodiment, a structural feature can be included
as an integral part of the periphery of at least one of the base 12
or lid 14 to facilitate the initiation of manual separation of the
component parts from each other. For example, the lid 14 may
contain at least one outward extending, easy-open tab 62 along the
peripheral rim 36 of the lid 14. The tab 62 can be located at one
of the corners of the lid 14, or any other convenient location, to
allow the consumer to grasp the tab 62 and apply a generally upward
force to remove the lid 14. Alternatively, such a tab 62 can be
positioned at multiple corners or still alternatively, can be
positioned along the base 12.
[0053] The flexible film 16 preferably is transparent and at least
one of the lid member 14 and the base member 12 is also preferably
transparent, such that portions of the food product inside the
package 10 can be readily viewed and inspected by a consumer prior
to purchase. Preferably, all of the base member 12, lid member 14,
and flexible film 16 are transparent. In other embodiments, one or
all portions may be partially or entirely opaque. The material of
construction of the base member 12 and lid 14 can comprise
materials such as polyester, polypropylene, high-impact polystyrene
and high density polyethylene. Preferably, a clarified
polypropylene material is used for both the base 12 and the lid 14.
The material of construction of the flexible film 16 material may
be a lamination film, such as a polyester film laminated to a
sealant, which may be a multilayer polyolefin or ethylene vinyl
acetate (EVA) material. The sealant material may have a barrier
layer that keeps out oxygen, has an antifog feature, and provides
for easy open of the flexible film 16 from the base member
peripheral flange 38. The flexible film 16 may also be a clear or
relatively transparent film to allow for viewing of the interior of
the inner compartment 27. Additionally, it is preferable that the
lid 14 is formed by injection-mold techniques from a resin material
and that the base 12 is formed by thermoforming methods from a
sheet material, however, the base could also be
injection-molded.
[0054] Typical overall dimensions of the package 10 can comprise a
base member 12 having a height of about 1 inch to about 2 inches, a
length of about 6 inches to about 8 inches, and a width of about 4
inches to about 6 inches. The lid 14 can have an overall length of
about 6 inches to about 8 inches, and a width of about 4 inches to
about 6 inches. The recessed central portion 34 of the lid 14 can
be recessed about 1/4 inches from the uppermost portion of the lid
peripheral rim 36, and the groove 44 on the underside 35 of the lid
14, i.e., the food side, can have a width of about 1/4 inches.
[0055] The dimensions of the package 10 are provided such that
various sizes can be accommodated. For instance, it may be
desirable to size the package 10 such that it can hold
approximately 6 ounces (oz.) of food product slices or up to about
16 ounces. Where the larger amount of food slices are to be
packaged, such as about 16 ounces, a slightly deeper base member 12
is required, while the same configuration lid 14 can be used as for
the smaller 6 oz. package. For example, the base member 12 for a
larger package 10, i.e., 12 oz., will typically have a deeper base
member 12 such that the height of the base 12 is greater than a
smaller 8 oz. package; thus, only the height of the base 12 is
increased to accommodate a larger package 10. The length and width
of the deeper package 10 remain essentially the same as for the
smaller package 10. However, the height of the channels 32a-d
increase and the angle of inclination of the inclined portions 28a
and 28b also increase compared to the 8 oz. package. In one aspect,
the 8 oz. package may have an angle of about 20 degrees at the
intersection of the inclined portion with the central portion,
whereas the 12 oz. package can have an angle of about 40 degrees at
the same intersection.
[0056] Additionally, one or more labels may be included on the
package 10. The labels may comprise clear or opaque film, or paper
including legible print thereon. For example, paper labels may be
used with one side containing print and the other side containing
an adhesive. Three such paper labels can be provided, one on the
bottom surface, or horizontal central portion 30, of the bottom
wall 26 and two on the top surface of the lid such that the lid
labels create a central portion or window on the lid without any
labels, for viewing the contents of the package therethrough.
Alternatively, one or more such labels may be film-based and
largely transparent. The printed labels may also be affixed to the
package 10 by adhesive or in-mold labeling. In one embodiment,
pressure sensitive labels can be used, which may be affixed to an
exterior side of the lid member 14, base member 12, or both.
Alternatively, the labels may be affixed to an interior surface
(i.e., a food side surface adjacent the food product, where a
non-food side is the exterior or outer surface) of a transparent
package component. Still, in another embodiment, a print can be
directly applied to a package component, such as either a film, a
sheet, or a finished rigid member.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, the base member 12 and lid member 14
can be filled and sealed shown on an in-line packaging process 500.
In one embodiment, the base member 12 may be separately
manufactured from thermoformable sheets, and the lid member 14 (or
base member 12) may be manufactured by injection molding the
member. For example, the base member 12 may be separately
manufactured from a suitable plastic sheet that is shaped by
thermoforming, or other suitable plastic shaping techniques known
in the art. Separate plastic sheets may be conveniently processed
on continuous and intermittent motion vacuum thermoforming
machines, or comparable in-line forming equipment, to form the base
member 12. Suitable thermoforming methods, for example, include a
vacuum forming or a plug-assist vacuum forming method.
[0058] In a vacuum forming method, a plastic sheet is heated to a
forming temperature, stretched onto or into a mold and is held
against the mold by applying a vacuum between the mold surface and
the sheet, causing the sheet to be drawn or pushed by atmospheric
pressure on the opposite side of the sheet from the vacuum and down
into the preformed mold. In a plug-assist vacuum forming method,
after the forming sheet has been heated and placed across a mold
cavity, a plug shape similar to the mold shape impinges on the
opposite side of the forming sheet and, upon the application of
vacuum, the forming sheet transfers to the mold surface. A sheet
thermoformed into the base member 12 may be deep drawn in this
manner to form a receptacle having the base surface contour
described herein for receiving shingled cheese. The base member 12
may comprise thermoplastic or thermosetting materials that can be
shaped into the desired base configuration.
[0059] In the method 500 for filling the reclosable packages shown
in FIG. 10, a preformed base member 12 is supplied to the process
(step 501) by manual or automated loading, such as by a tray
denester as in step 502. The base members 12 can be preformed
utilizing one of the methods described above, and preferably are
preformed using a thermoforming process. Next, the cheese or other
desired food product is supplied (step 503) and sliced and then
shingled (step 504), which is then dropped into the base member 12
(step 505).
[0060] After a food product is loaded into an open base member 12,
the loaded base 12 is advanced through a packaging machine to apply
a gas flush (step 506) prior to sealing the film, or relatively
simultaneously therewith. A vacuum is drawn and a carbon
dioxide/nitrogen (CO.sub.2/N.sub.2) gas flush (step 507) is applied
to the interior of the base 12 and a flexible film 16 is placed
over the opening of the base member 12 and heat sealed to the base
with standard packaging techniques and equipment. The gas flush
replaces the standard atmosphere in the interior of the base with a
modified atmosphere before the film is sealed over the opening. The
flexible sealing film is cut and sealed to the base member 12 (step
508) and can be separately provided in prefabricated roll form. The
flexible film 16 is preferably pre-trimmed, such that it is trimmed
to the shape of the opening in the base member prior to affixing it
to the base member flanges and sealing. In one example, the
flexible film is made from a laminated polyester film and the gas
flush comprises a mixture of CO.sub.2 and N.sub.2 which is applied
simultaneously with or after a vacuum is drawn.
[0061] When packaging cheese, the air in the headspace of the
package (i.e., the space between the inside surfaces of the package
and the food product) can be replaced with gas, most commonly
CO.sub.2, N.sub.2, or a combination of the two. This can serve
several purposes. For example, the oxygen in the air is removed to
deter spoilage and CO.sub.2 is believed to have anti-microbial
effects. The situation is more complex with products that create or
consume gas. Swiss cheese can generate or absorb CO.sub.2, which
causes a change in headspace volume. A flexible package can
accommodate a substantial change in volume, while the same change
in a rigid package may bloat or contract enough to make the package
unacceptable. Optimizing the package material and gas mixture can
control the magnitude of volume change and allow products like
Swiss cheese to be successfully packaged in a rigid container. It
is preferable that the package internal pressure be equal to or
less than atmosphere throughout shelf life. One way to accomplish
this is to use moderately breathable materials and an optimum level
of CO.sub.2 with the balance being N.sub.2. The CO.sub.2 level and
the gas transmission rate of the breathable materials can be
determined based on the particular type of cheese packaged and the
size of the package. The moderately breathable materials can have
an oxygen transmission rate of 3-12 cc/100 in.sup.2/24 h@23.degree.
C. based upon the package dimensions or sizes as disclosed herein.
A typical optimum range of CO.sub.2 can be from 40 to 100%, or more
particularly from 40-60%. Preferably, about 55% CO.sub.2 with
approximately the balance as N.sub.2 can be used for a Swiss cheese
product.
[0062] Lids 14 from a supply of preformed lids (step 509) are
separated such as by a lid denester (step 510) and are attached to
the filled base 12 at flange portions thereof (step 511) to form
the packages 10. A lid 14 is mechanically joined, such as by a
snap-fit, to the base 12 supporting the food product that has
already been packed, gas-flushed, and sealed within the flexible
film 16 (step 508). The lid member 14 may be injection molded by
injecting molten plastic at high pressure into a mold, to preform
the lid member 14 into the appropriate shape. The stiffness of the
lid member 14 may optionally be enhanced by the mold design, such
as the peripheral edge portion 36 and structural supports 48. The
base member 12, as filled with cheese slices, receives the lid
member 14, which has been separately formed, at the respective
mating peripheral flange 38 of the base member 12 and lid
peripheral edge portion 36 of the lid member 14 (step 511). For
example, the lid peripheral edge portion 36 is seated upon the base
member peripheral flange 38 in a contiguous manner.
[0063] The lid member 14 and base member 12 do not need to be heat
sealed at their respective aligned and contacting peripheral
flanges 36 and 38, since the flexible film 16 seals the opening 25
in the base member 12 in a hermetic sealing manner. Therefore, the
base member 12 and lid member 14 can be configured for reclosable
mechanical interconnection without the need for heat sealing them.
Although not required, heat sealing or other one-time releasable
attachment maybe provided. In this manner, the flexible film 16,
lid member 14, and base member 12 form a substantially gas- and
debris-impermeable enclosure for the shingled cheese slices. The
mechanical attachment of the lid member 14 and base member 12 can
be sufficiently strong to withstand the expected handling and use
conditions of the package 10.
[0064] The lid member 14 (or base member 12) may be made of
materials suitable for injection molding, such as polypropylene,
polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and the like. The base member 12
independently can be made from a variety of materials including
homogenous plastics, multi-layered laminates, and/or co-extruded
plastics or resins, and the like. In one embodiment, packaging
material useful for the base member 12 and lid member 14 is
polypropylene, and particularly, a polypropylene sheet or resin
suitable for packaging of refrigerated cheese products. Preferably,
both the base member 12 and lid member 14 have a construction that
has sufficient structural characteristics so that the laminate is
sufficiently rigid for shape retention during handling and is
substantially impervious to oxygen. In one example, the base member
12 is made from a polypropylene sheet and may additionally have a
sealant layer thermally laminated to it, such as a coextruded film
comprising any one or more of polypropylene, ethyl vinyl alcohol
and low-density polyethylene. The lid member 14 can also be made
from a polypropylene resin.
[0065] The loaded and covered packages 10 may be optionally labeled
(step 513), such as using conventional pressure sensitive adhesive
(PSA) food package labeling (step 512). In this embodiment, the
individual sealed packages 10 may be packaged into corrugated
shipping cartons (step 514), shipped, and or shelved in any
convenient manner.
[0066] The use of the term preformed in this example includes
components formed offsite, as well as components formed onsite but
at different times or using different steps than those discussed in
the example of FIG. 10.
[0067] In addition to the above and subject to any requirements
indicated herein, one or more of the flexible film 16, lid 14
and/or base 12 plastic materials may also include one or more
additives useful for packaging functions, such as, antiblocking
agents, slip agents, flavorants, antimicrobial agents, cheese
preservatives, antioxidants, fillers, light barriers, oxygen
scavengers, and antistatic agents, and so forth. Such additives,
and their effective amounts, are generally known in the art.
[0068] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated a reclosable food
package is provided such that numerous modifications and variations
could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing
from the scope of the package set forth in the claims, and thus the
sliced food product package design may be utilized with other
container designs than those described herein. Therefore, the
disclosure is not limited to the aspects and embodiments described
hereinabove, or to any particular embodiments. Various
modifications to the reclosable food package can result in
substantially the same container and methods of manufacture.
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