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WO2008122069A1 - Conditionnement alimentaire comportant un orifice de sécurité d'échappement automatique de la vapeur - Google Patents

Conditionnement alimentaire comportant un orifice de sécurité d'échappement automatique de la vapeur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008122069A1
WO2008122069A1 PCT/AU2007/001551 AU2007001551W WO2008122069A1 WO 2008122069 A1 WO2008122069 A1 WO 2008122069A1 AU 2007001551 W AU2007001551 W AU 2007001551W WO 2008122069 A1 WO2008122069 A1 WO 2008122069A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tray
film
rim
container
food
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2007/001551
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Grech
Original Assignee
Peter Grech
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from TH701001734A external-priority patent/TH104254A/th
Application filed by Peter Grech filed Critical Peter Grech
Publication of WO2008122069A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008122069A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/225—Pressure relief-valves incorporated in a container wall, e.g. valves comprising at least one elastic element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/22—Packaging articles of food, e.g. fish fillets, intended to be cooked in the package
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
    • B65D81/3446—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
    • B65D81/3453—Rigid containers, e.g. trays, bottles, boxes, cups
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/001—Packaging other articles presenting special problems of foodstuffs, combined with their conservation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2205/00—Venting means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to pre-packaged meal containers and methods for sealing and delivering food in a ready to heat form.
  • the invention relates to self venting pre-packed meal containers for use in microwave and/or conventional ovens.
  • Sealed plastic containers are commonplace in packaging applications, such as food packaging, and in particular for packaging pre-packaged ready to heat meals which are heated either in a microwave oven or in a conventional oven. Such containers are sealed so as to protect the contents of the container and also to fix the volume of the container such that, when heated, results in an increase in the internal atmospheric pressure and an increase in temperature. In such conditions, food contained within the container can be cooked by steam generated by the heating, and therefore, be supplied to the customer, in a partially uncooked, and usually frozen state.
  • such containers include a tray with a thin polymeric film comprising a flexible substrate and heat-sealable layer.
  • the manufacture of sealed containers using polymeric films involves the formation of a seal between the film and the tray. This seal is usually formed by placing the film on top of the rim of a tray and applying heat and pressure in order to soften or melt the sealable coating layer so that it adheres to the surface of the tray and forms an effective seal between the film and the rim of the tray.
  • a common problem with ready-prepared convenience meals is that pressure generated during the cooking cycle by the steam can cause the packaging, for instance the film, to burst, causing fragments of the packaging to contaminate the contents of the tray, or alternatively, hot food to be ejected from the container, thereby posing a burn risk.
  • the film may also fail locally at a position which results in the uneven cooking of the food or alternatively, poses as a danger to the user when handling the tray after the cooking cycle, as steam is likely to escape along the edge of the tray and burn the hand of the user when handled.
  • Previous packaging for ready to heat pre-packaged food generally required that the user pierce the packaging, and in particular, the thin film, to prevent these things from happening.
  • the need for piercing prior to heating the food in its container is often forgotten or not understood by the user. Or, if it is done, it is either done too much, or possibly even, not enough.
  • a tray for a self venting, sealable food container comprising: a tray suitable for holding food, a rim of the tray for receiving a sealing film, and wherein the seal formed between the rim of the receptacle and the sealing film is equally strong at all points of the seal; venting means for opening a channel of air communication between the receptacle, and the area outside the receptacle, at a predetermined point, and at a given pressure, when heated, to allow for the venting of hot gasses from within the container.
  • the venting means is actuated by tension provided by the film under the force of increased internal atmospheric pressure generated by the heating of food contained in the receptacle.
  • the venting means of the tray is comprised of an indentation formed in the rim of the tray that defines a vent and wherein the venting occurs when the tension in the film breaks the seal between the film and the rim of the tray across the vent.
  • the indentation in the rim of the tray defines a vent that is substantially hemi-conically shaped and wherein the venting occurs when the tension in the film breaks the seal between the film and the rim of the tray at the apex of the substantially hemi conical shaped protrusion.
  • the shape of the tray is a rectangular and the indentation is located in the middle of a side of the tray.
  • the rim of the tray is adapted to be sealed to the film through the application of heat and pressure.
  • the tray is made from materials suitable for use in both microwave and conventional ovens.
  • a method of heating food wherein said food is contained within a closed and sealed food container with a fixed internal volume, said food being capable of generating increased internal atmospheric pressure therein when the temperature of said food is raised, the method comprising the steps of: depositing the food into a tray of a tray wherein the tray has around the tray, a rim for receiving a film, at least a portion of the film being in direct contact with the hot gasses generated through heating the food, and a vent being defined between the film and rim of the tray; sealing the tray with film around the rim to form a seal; heating the sealed container by placing it in a heating apparatus so as to cause an increase in the internal pressure of the container which causes the film to be urged upwards, whereby sufficient tension generated in the film by the increase in pressure preferentially is directed to one area of the seal across the vent of the tray whereupon the vent is opened to as to allow the hot gasses to escape from the container through the vent.
  • the transfer of sufficient tension preferentially to one area of the seal between the film and the rim of the tray is achieved by providing a tray that has at least one indentation in the rim of the container that defines a vent and that extends into an area of the film which is urged upwards by the internal pressure of the container.
  • the seal created between the film and the rim of the tray is equally strong at all points around the rim.
  • the indentation defines a substantially hemi-conical shaped vent between the film and the container.
  • the vent is opened to direct air communication with the contents of the container once the seal between the rim of the container and the film is broken at the apex of the hemi-conically shaped vent defined by the indentation of the rim of the tray.
  • Fig. 1 is a plan view of a food container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a side view of the food container of Figure 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the food container of Figs. 1 and 2 taken along axis 50;
  • Fig. 4 is a plan view of the food container of Figs. 1 and 2 showing pressures generated during heating;
  • Fig 5. is a side view of the food container of Figs. 1 and 2 which contains food;
  • Fig 6. is a side view of the food container shown in Fig. 5 when the food has been heated;
  • Fig 7. is a side view of the food container shown in Fig. 6 that is venting steam through its vent.
  • the food container of the present invention is comprised of tray 10 and film 20 which is heat sealed to tray 10.
  • the tray can be made out of various different materials depending on where it is to be used. If the tray is only to be used in conventional ovens, then it can be made out of various materials including heat resistant plastics and resins, and metals such as aluminium. If the tray is only to be used in a microwave over, then a range of microwave safe plastics and other materials may be used to form the tray.
  • tray 10 can be filled with food and delivered to the consumer with instructions prepare the meal by either heating in a conventional oven, or heating in a microwave. In most cases these trays are made from plastic and other types of coated paperboard substrate.
  • the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be worked by utilising any commonly used material for forming the tray 10 and film 20.
  • materials such as polypropylene, CPET, high impact polystyrene, PVC and APET lined paperboard can be used. Further conventional techniques can be used for form the tray including injection moulding and thermo forming. Where the invention lies, in the present case, is the shape and configuration of the tray 10.
  • the film 20 is of a conventional sort and applied to the tray 10 using conventional techniques familiar to the person skilled in the art.
  • tray 10 features rim 100 which extends all around the tray 10 and which provides the surface for the film 20 to be bonded to.
  • Film 20 may be comprised of various layers that provide the sealed container with the properties suited for the storage of food including layers which are impervious to odours and oxygen.
  • Conventional films 20, usually also feature a thermoactive bonding layer. Such a layer is often found on the underside of the film 20 such that when the film is laid over a container in which food has been added and pressure and heat is applied, the film 20 forms a bond with the tray 10, at and around the rim 100.
  • Vent 30 which allows for steam and other hot gasses generated in the heating of the food container to be vented from the contents of the container at a designated area.
  • Vent 30 is in direct communication with the outside of the sealed food container, and is sealed off from direct communication with the contents of the sealed food container by the seal 110, formed between the indented side wall of the tray 35 and film 20. Vent 30 can be located at any position on the rim 100 of tray 10.
  • Vent 30 can be better appreciated as depicted in Figure 3 which is a cross sectional view of the food container of Figures 1 and 2 at axis 50.
  • the vent 30 comprises a substantially hemi-conical air cavity formed between the indented and depressed side wall of the tray 35 and film 20.
  • the air cavity is in direct air communication with the area outside of the food container and is bounded by the film 20 on its upper surface, and indented and depressed side wall of tray 35 at its lower surface.
  • the tray can be easily formed in this shape by injection moulding.
  • the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be carried out by indenting and depressing a portion of the rim of the tray 10 such that a multitude of differently shaped air cavities open to air communication with the outside of the container are formed under lid 20.
  • Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show the food container of the present invention in use.
  • the tray 10, and film 20 are comprised of relatively inextensible material, the volume of the sealed container will be fixed. Therefore, according to Boyle's law, as the temperature of the gasses, including water vapour or steam, is increased, the pressure exerted by the gasses also increases.
  • the arrows in Figure 4 depict the relative pressures exerted on the sealed areas of film 20 and rim 100.
  • the pressure 60, exerted on the seal 110 where the vent 30 is found in the tray 10 are greater than the pressure applied to other areas of the sealed areas of film 20 and rim 100.
  • Figure 5 depicts a food container of the present invention with food 40 in it and sealed. This container has yet to be heated to any extent.
  • Figure 6 depicts a food container according to the present invention that has been heated significantly. In such a situation, the gasses in the sealed container expand, and also, steam is generated from liquid water contained in the food 40. This generates pressure 60 which acts upon film 20 such that the centre of the film 20 is urged upwardly thereby creating tension at all points of the seal formed between film 20 and rim 100.
  • the vent 30 is shown in operation with steam 70 escaping from the food container. The indented portion of the rim 120, defining vent 30 in tray 10 is offset from the rim 110.
  • the portion of the seal 110 can be placed under more tension than at all other areas of the seal between film 20 and rim 110.
  • the food can be sealed using a strong seal. This is because in the present invention there is no need to pre-weaken any part of the seal that is formed between film 20 and rim 100. Indeed, the strength of the seal is constant all around the rim 100, including at seal 110, which results in a more robust food container.
  • the sealed package of the present invention can therefore better withstand movement and impact during transit that would otherwise cause food packages with pre- weakened seals and other self venting mechanisms to open prematurely.
  • a constant internal pressure can be maintained for the remainder of the heating process.
  • Various methods can be employed to vary the final temperature and pressure of the food container during heating.
  • One way in which to vary the final temperature and pressure is to vary the strength of the bonding agent used to seal the film 20 to the rim 100. By using a weaker bonding agent, the seal 110 will be broken under less tension, and consequently, at a lower temperature than had a stronger bonding agent been used.
  • the size and shape of the indented portion of the rim 120 can be varied to provide for differing opening pressures and temperatures. For example, in order to raise the pressure at which the steam vent 30 opens, the degree of indentation into the centre of the container can be made smaller, thereby reducing the tension experienced at the portion of the seal 110.
  • the food container of the present invention may possess multiple sealed areas formed around the rim of the container, wherein each of the sealed areas has formed in the rim of the container, an indentation that defines a vent 30 (not shown).
  • the degree of indentation of the multiple indentations formed in the rim of such a food container can be varied such that each sealed area can have different final internal pressures and temperatures to ensure that different food types are ready to be eaten at the same time.
  • the food container may be made in different shapes. Rectangular food containers have been shown in the present examples, but the present invention can work equally as well in substantially circular, elliptical, square and triangular shaped containers.
  • the present invention will be applicable to any food container in which the sealing film is urged upwards across an area into which an indentation in the rim of the container defining a vent can be offset from the otherwise regular rim of the container.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Package Specialized In Special Use (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un plateau (10) destiné à un contenant alimentaire scellable autoventilé, qui comprend un réceptacle permettant de contenir des aliments, un bord de réceptacle (100) destiné à recevoir un film de scellage, et une empreinte formée dans le bord du plateau qui définit un orifice (30) d'échappement de forme sensiblement semi-conique. Le joint (110) formé entre le bord du réceptacle et le film de scellage présente une résistance égale en tous points du joint, et un échappement de vapeur se produit lorsque la tension du film rompt le joint (110) entre le film et le bord du réceptacle (100).
PCT/AU2007/001551 2007-04-09 2007-10-11 Conditionnement alimentaire comportant un orifice de sécurité d'échappement automatique de la vapeur WO2008122069A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TH701001734A TH104254A (th) 2007-04-09 บรรจุภัณฑ์อาหารมีฝาปิดพร้อมรูระบายอากาศแบบอัตโนมัติเพื่อความปลอดภัยใช้กับเครื่องทำความร้อนอาหารด้วยแม่เหล็กไฟฟ้า และไมโครเวฟ
TH0701001734 2007-04-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008122069A1 true WO2008122069A1 (fr) 2008-10-16

Family

ID=39830397

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2007/001551 WO2008122069A1 (fr) 2007-04-09 2007-10-11 Conditionnement alimentaire comportant un orifice de sécurité d'échappement automatique de la vapeur

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2008122069A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105473464A (zh) * 2014-02-12 2016-04-06 凸版印刷株式会社 包装盒
JP2016179833A (ja) * 2015-03-23 2016-10-13 大日本印刷株式会社 蓋付容器
JP2017024803A (ja) * 2016-10-14 2017-02-02 福岡丸本株式会社 電子レンジ調理用包装容器
JP2018203327A (ja) * 2017-06-02 2018-12-27 凸版印刷株式会社 加熱用包装容器
EP3321210A4 (fr) * 2015-07-09 2019-02-13 Nisshin Seifun Group Inc. Emballage

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2633284A (en) * 1949-03-28 1953-03-31 Howard J Moffett Sealed cooking container for comestibles
US5039001A (en) * 1990-06-18 1991-08-13 Kraft General Foods, Inc. Microwavable package and process
US5587192A (en) * 1992-11-13 1996-12-24 Societe De Constructions De Material Metallique Ventable container
JP2001315863A (ja) * 2000-05-02 2001-11-13 Sun A Kaken Co Ltd 加熱調理用包装体および加熱調理用包装体による加熱調理方法
US6559431B2 (en) * 2001-01-23 2003-05-06 Steamway Franchise Sales, Inc. Microwave cooking tray and sleeve assembly
CA2470054A1 (fr) * 2001-12-14 2003-06-26 Christian Fenn-Barrabass Emballage et outil de scellage pour la fabrication d'un tel emballage

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2633284A (en) * 1949-03-28 1953-03-31 Howard J Moffett Sealed cooking container for comestibles
US5039001A (en) * 1990-06-18 1991-08-13 Kraft General Foods, Inc. Microwavable package and process
US5587192A (en) * 1992-11-13 1996-12-24 Societe De Constructions De Material Metallique Ventable container
JP2001315863A (ja) * 2000-05-02 2001-11-13 Sun A Kaken Co Ltd 加熱調理用包装体および加熱調理用包装体による加熱調理方法
US6559431B2 (en) * 2001-01-23 2003-05-06 Steamway Franchise Sales, Inc. Microwave cooking tray and sleeve assembly
CA2470054A1 (fr) * 2001-12-14 2003-06-26 Christian Fenn-Barrabass Emballage et outil de scellage pour la fabrication d'un tel emballage

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105473464A (zh) * 2014-02-12 2016-04-06 凸版印刷株式会社 包装盒
JP2016179833A (ja) * 2015-03-23 2016-10-13 大日本印刷株式会社 蓋付容器
EP3321210A4 (fr) * 2015-07-09 2019-02-13 Nisshin Seifun Group Inc. Emballage
JP2017024803A (ja) * 2016-10-14 2017-02-02 福岡丸本株式会社 電子レンジ調理用包装容器
JP2018203327A (ja) * 2017-06-02 2018-12-27 凸版印刷株式会社 加熱用包装容器

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