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WO2001064528A1 - Systeme d'emballage pour godets de pate surgelee de muffins - Google Patents

Systeme d'emballage pour godets de pate surgelee de muffins Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001064528A1
WO2001064528A1 PCT/US2001/000509 US0100509W WO0164528A1 WO 2001064528 A1 WO2001064528 A1 WO 2001064528A1 US 0100509 W US0100509 W US 0100509W WO 0164528 A1 WO0164528 A1 WO 0164528A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
layer
compartments
package
food product
pucks
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2001/000509
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert A. Zoss
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Mills Inc
Original Assignee
General Mills Inc
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
Application filed by General Mills Inc filed Critical General Mills Inc
Priority to CA002401140A priority Critical patent/CA2401140A1/fr
Priority to AU2001226343A priority patent/AU2001226343A1/en
Publication of WO2001064528A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001064528A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
    • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
    • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
    • 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
    • B65D1/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/34—Trays or like shallow containers
    • B65D1/36—Trays or like shallow containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
    • B65D75/325—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil
    • B65D75/327—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil and forming several compartments
    • 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
    • B65D2575/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D2575/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by association or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D2575/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D2575/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
    • B65D2575/3209—Details
    • B65D2575/3218—Details with special means for gaining access to the contents
    • B65D2575/3245—Details with special means for gaining access to the contents by peeling off the non-rigid sheet

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to packaging for frozen food products. More particularly, it relates to a packaging system for storing and transporting frozen food product pucks, such as frozen muffin batter.
  • the pre-mixed frozen dough or batter can be provided in either a singular bulk form (e.g., loaf of bread), or as a grouping of individual, single-servings or "pucks" (e.g., muffins, cookies, etc.).
  • This method of preparation is ideal for commercial kitchens and restaurants, which, for example, can take frozen muffin batters (or other frozen food products) packaged as individual muffin batter pucks and immediately place them in the oven.
  • This ready-to-bake frozen muffin batter allows for one step, freezer-to- oven cooking by lesser skilled employees, thereby increasing the likelihood of proper preparation, and saves preparation time. While highly convenient, this one step, freezer-to-oven technique requires shipping and storage of the batters in their refrigerated/frozen state.
  • one conventional container for transporting food product pucks is formed of a polystyrene material.
  • the container includes a lower tray with an array of chambers (e.g., typically a dozen chambers) for receiving portions of frozen food product pucks (such as muffin batter, cookie dough, biscuit batter, etc.), each sized for an individual serving, and includes a single, upper lid that snap fits on top of the lower tray.
  • chambers e.g., typically a dozen chambers
  • portions of frozen food product pucks such as muffin batter, cookie dough, biscuit batter, etc.
  • each container typically containing one to two dozen individual servings (e.g., muffins) depending upon the volume of the particular food product.
  • the polystyrene material from which these conventional containers are typically made, is not readily recyclable and must be thrown away after use.
  • the rigid nature of the conventional container limits the user's ability to crush the container and therefore save on disposal space. Accordingly, since garbage disposal costs for kitchens and restaurants are already high, extensive use of such bulky, relatively rigid containers can become cost prohibitive for shipping and storing frozen dough or batter pucks.
  • the general design of the conventional containers described above can also compromise the quality of the food product carried in the container.
  • the snap-on lid does not properly seal the container.
  • This non- sealed closure permits odors from the freezer to migrate into the frozen food product puck in the container.
  • One particular type of freezer odor that alters the intended taste of the product results from the manner in which these conventional containers are handled during frozen distribution.
  • these types of containers frequently are transported in cardboard shippers.
  • An aroma of the cardboard is known to migrate into the foodstuffs (e.g., frozen muffin batter) in the containers, thereby contaminating the foodstuff with a cardboard taste.
  • the entire lid must be removed to access the food product, even a single serving. As a result, once the lid is removed, the remainder of the package is no longer be sealed.
  • This unsealed container exposes the remaining frozen food product dough or batter to odor and moisture contamination, or to freezer burn, freeze dehydration.
  • conventional containers used for storing and shipping frozen muffin batter pucks, and other frozen food product dough or batter pucks suffer from several disadvantages including: (1) odor contamination of the batter; (2) costly disposal; (3) significant consumption of frozen storage and shipping space; (4) container damage; and (5) unexpected food product puck thawing.
  • a packaging system of the present invention enables low-cost frozen storage and shipping of food product pucks (such as frozen muffin batter), low- cost disposal and/or recycling of the packaging system, and longer storage life with protection against odor and/or moisture contamination, or to freezer burn.freeze dehydration of the food product.
  • the unique packaging system permits baking of packaged food products such as muffins, cookies, biscuits, and scones, etc. from freezer-to-oven without the need to thaw and/or scoop the batter or dough.
  • the packaging system includes a first package having a first layer and a second layer removably sealed over the lower layer.
  • the first layer and the second layer together form one or more sealed compartments, preferably in an array (e.g., 4 by 3), for individually receiving and storing food product pucks.
  • This sealed package protects the food product puck (e.g., frozen muffin batter) from both odor and moisture contamination when stored in a freezer.
  • a plurality of sealed compartments are provided, whereby each compartment can be opened independently of the other compartments such that the other compartments remain sealed.
  • This individual sealing allows one or more individual food product servings to be removed from the packaging system without compromising the protection given to the food product in the remaining sealed compartments.
  • the packaging system allows access to one or more portions of frozen food product batter or dough pucks for baking as single item, such as a muffin, cookie, etc. Alternatively, several pucks can be removed from their individual compartments and then combined in an appropriate liner or other cooking container as a single unit to form a larger product (e.g., muffin, biscuit, etc.).
  • a second, similarly configured package is provided, with the compartments of the first and second package arranged in an array and are sized and shaped with appropriate spacing between the compartments so that when the two such packages are arranged back-to-back, the compartments from the respective packages nest together.
  • This nesting yields a combined two-package system having substantially the same height and width as a single package.
  • this nested configuration prevents shifting of the pucks relative to each other, and prevents shifting of the packages relative to each other.
  • the nested configuration also permits the use of cost saving and space saving thin walled packaging by protecting each of the compartment sidewalls against rupture or crushing. More importantly, the space savings obtained by this back-to-back nesting significantly reduces the costs of frozen shipping and storage.
  • the nested arrangement reduces the opportunity for container damage and promotes long-term freezing of the food product pucks as the packaging system essentially creates one large frozen block.
  • multiple sets of nested pairs of packages optionally are stacked on top of each other.
  • Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of storing a food product pucks and includes the steps of placing individual servings of the food product in the form of pucks into individual compartments of a first layer and then covering the food product pucks with a second layer sealed to the first layer.
  • the resulting packaged good article can then be frozen
  • the method further includes removing the second layer of the package from some or all of the compartments of the first layer to expose a desired number of pucks.
  • the package is turned upside down, and the exposed pucks either fall out of the compartments, or are pushed out of the compartments as necessary.
  • the pucks are dropped into baking liners or directly into baking pans while in other cases, the pucks are previously placed within baking liners.
  • the procedure can be performed easily, allowing no-touch dispensing of portions of frozen food product pucks into a desired location for one-step, freezer-to-oven baking.
  • FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a packaging system for storing and transporting food product pucks, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view as taken along lines 2 — 2 in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a portion of an alternative packaging system in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of an opened compartment of the packaging system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of multiple food product pucks disposed within a cooking receptacle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the packaging system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, incorporating two packages in a back-to- back, nested arrangement.
  • FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view as taken along lines 8 — 8 in FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration showing multiple packages of a packaging system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, just prior to placement in a back-to-back, nested arrangement.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration showing a back-to-back, nested arrangement of the multiple packages of FIG. 9.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of two conventional prior art containers stacked together for shipping or storage.
  • FIG. 1 One preferred embodiment of a packaging system 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown generally in FIG. 1 at 10.
  • the system 10 includes a package 12 having a first layer 14 and a second layer 16.
  • the first layer 14 defines a plurality of compartments 18 adapted to receive and maintain individual servings of freezable or frozen food product pucks (not shown), such as frozen batter or dough pucks.
  • Both the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 preferably are transparent to permit the observation of the contents of compartments 18, although one or both of the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 optionally can be opaque or colored.
  • the package 12 further includes perimeter edges 20 and a grid of sealed seams 22.
  • first layer 14 defines an inner surface 24.
  • the first and second layers 14, 16 are formed from flexible film materials approved for contact with food, as known in the art.
  • the first layer 14 preferably is formed from a nylon co-extrusion material while the second layer 16 preferably is formed from a polyester material.
  • Materials selected for the first and second layers 14,16 preferably are recyclable and modified by a sealant such as polyethylene and/or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
  • EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
  • the preferred polyester material of the second layer 16 provides dimensional stability, which is useful for stabilizing the compartments 18 formed by the first layer 14 and for maintaining printing registration the second layer 16.
  • the preferred nylon material of the first layer 14 facilitates thermoforming the compartments 18, while co-extrusion facilitates formation of a heat seal.
  • first layer 14 and second layer 16 can be formed from amorphous polyestes (APET), polypropylene (PP), high impact polystyrene (HIPs), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), etc., and combinations/blends thereof.
  • APET amorphous polyestes
  • PP polypropylene
  • HIPs high impact polystyrene
  • HDPE high-density polyethylene
  • the material that forms the first layer 14 also preferably has a low friction or non- friction surface to facilitate removal of the food product pucks (not shown).
  • one or both of the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 optionally can comprise a moisture barrier film and/or aroma barrier film to enhance the ability of the package 12 to protect the original, fresh taste of the food product pucks.
  • the compartments 18 of the first layer 14 are generally shaped and sized for receiving a food product puck (shown as the food product puck 40) and further include side walls 30 and a bottom 32.
  • the first layer 14 further defines the inner surface 26 and an outer surface 34, while the second layer 16 defines an outer surface 37 and the previously identified inner surface 24.
  • Each of the compartments 18 preferably defines a generally truncated cone shape having a height h, diameters di and d 2 , spacing s between compartments 18, and angle ⁇ defining a slope of the sidewall 30.
  • Diameter di represents a diameter at a top of the compartment 18, whereas diameter d 2 represents a diameter at the bottom 32 of the compartment 18.
  • Angle ⁇ is in the range of 60°-90°, and more preferably is in the range of 75°- 90°; most preferably approximately 87°, with dj being larger than d 2 to facilitate easy removal of the food product puck 40.
  • diameters d], d 2 , and angle ⁇ can be manipulated as necessary to selectively control the ease of removing the food product pucks 40 and/or to accommodate the shape and size of the pucks 40.
  • the compartment 18 optionally can be formed to have different shapes and sizes as necessary for receiving and maintaining select shapes, types or volumes of the food product pucks 40.
  • the second layer 16 is removably secured on top of the first layer 14 by the sealed seams 22 to individually seal the compartments 18.
  • the seams 22 preferably are formed by heat sealing, although other methods known to those skilled in the art can be used, such as cold adhesives.
  • the application of heat sealing or cold sealing (with adhesives) is controlled so that the seams 22 have a predetermined, controlled opening force.
  • the width of each seam 22 also is selected to effectuate a known, controlled, opening force.
  • the force is selected to permit relative ease when opening a desired one or more of the sealed compartments 18, but with sufficient resistance to prevent unintentional opening of the remaining sealed compartments 18.
  • the controlled opening force optionally is further optimized in association with the type of materials used for making the first layer 14 and the second layer 16 and to account for other factors such as rigors of handling, storage, etc.
  • the sealed seams 22 form a square or rectangle about each of the respective compartments 18.
  • the sealed seams 22 A may circumscribe the respective compartments 18 to define a circular-shaped seal area. With this preferred configuration of the sealed seams 22 A, the respective food product puck 40 (FIG. 2) will not flow out of the respective compartment 18 if accidentally thawed.
  • the term "food product puck” is in reference to a relatively small volume of a frozen or freezable dough or batter.
  • the food product puck is comprised of a muffin batter, such as that described in U.S. Application Serial No. 09/458,417, entitled “Soft Frozen Batter for Baked Goods and Method of Preparation,” filed December 10, 1999.
  • other food product batters such as biscuits, pancakes, etc.
  • doughs such as cookie, bread, etc. can be used as the food product puck.
  • a desired volume of the food product (e.g., two ounce, four ounce, six ounce, etc.) is placed into each of the compartments 18 prior to attachment of the second layer 16.
  • the batter or dough is relatively viscous (i.e., not frozen), such that the batter or dough is poured or otherwise flowably dispensed into each of the compartments 18.
  • the second layer 16 is then attached as previously described, and the resulting packaged good article placed into a freezer or otherwise frozen, thereby rigidly forming the food product pucks 40.
  • the food product pucks 40 can be formed and frozen prior to placement into each of the compartments 18. Additional packaging techniques optionally are used with the packaging system 10 to increase the storage life of the food product pucks 40 within the package 12.
  • Partial disassembly of the package 12 and removal of one or more of the pucks 40 is best described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.
  • One compartment 18, for example the compartment 18A shown in FIG. 4, of the package 12 is opened by peeling a corner of the second layer 16, adjacent the compartment 18 A, away from the first layer 14, thereby breaking the sealed seam 22 surrounding the compartment 18A and exposing the food product puck 40 contained within the compartment 18 A.
  • the second layer 16 optionally includes a pull tab(s) 23 (FIG.
  • the food product puck 40 (such as a batter puck, prepared dough puck or other foodstuff) need not be thawed or otherwise scooped out of the compartments 18 prior to subsequent processing, for example, baking. Rather, with the second layer 16 partially or wholly removed from the first layer 14, the package 12 can be turned upside down to force, via gravity, the food product puck(s) 40 into a pan, liners, or other food preparation receptacle (not shown). In some instances, it may be necessary for a user to press the food product puck(s) 40 out from the respective compartment 18 while the package 12 is upside down and in the opened position.
  • the food product puck 40 typically will be placed within a separate liner (not shown) when stored within the respective compartment 18 to further facilitate the freezer-to-oven technique of cooking and serving.
  • the liner also can facilitate the food product puck 40 being removed from the compartment 18.
  • the package 12 is discarded, preferably recycled.
  • the preferred, highly flexible nature of the first layer 14 allows the layer 14 to be easily crushed by a user, thereby reducing the requisite disposal storage area.
  • the compartments 18 can be pressed inwardly to minimize an overall thickness of the first layer 14. In this pressed or crushed configuration, the first layer 14 is rendered essentially as a single sheet of minimal thickness.
  • FIG. ⁇ provides a perspective view of a bottom side of the package 12, further illustrating the first layer 14 and the compartments 18, as well as layer-interface zones 42.
  • the layer interface zones 42 represent a spacing between individual ones of the compartments 18.
  • the layer interface zones 42 represent locations at which the sealed seams 22 intersect on the package 12.
  • the seams are circular in shape (e.g., the seams 22A of FIG. 3)
  • the seams do not necessarily intersect.
  • the layer interface zones 42 also identify a location at which the compartments of a second package (not shown) can nest within and around the compartments 18 of the package 12.
  • the packaging system 10 optionally includes a second package 52 in addition to the package 12.
  • the second package 52 includes features and attributes substantially similar to the package 12, wherein like elements are denoted by like reference numerals.
  • the packages 12 and 52 can be compactly associated with one another for subsequent shipping to a customer.
  • a bottom side of the second package 52 faces upwardly toward a bottom side of the first package 12 so that the first package 12 is arranged back-to-back in nested configuration relative to the second package 52.
  • each compartment 18 of the first package 12 abuts and nests against an adjacent compartment 18 of the second package 52.
  • two packages of the packaging system 10 occupy significantly less space than a single conventional frozen food product puck container.
  • first layer 14 and the second layer 16 of packages 12 and 52 can be made of lighter, thinner wall materials without concern for rupture of the sealed compartments 18.
  • first layer 14 has a thickness in the range of 0.012-0.025 inch, most preferably 0.012 inch; whereas the second layer 16 preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.0005-0.003 inch, more preferably in the range of 0.0005-0.0012 inch.
  • the nesting arrangement gains its strength and efficiency from the manner in which the array of compartments 18 of the first package 12 interface with the compartments 18 of the second package 52.
  • FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 7, which schematically shows a side view of the first package 12 having the compartments 18B and the second package 52 having the compartments 18C.
  • the compartments 18B and 18C are both sized and shaped (as shown in FIG.
  • compartment sidewalls 30 of the first package 12 partially overlap the compartment sidewalls 30 of the second package 52 to provide side-to-side stability for the nested packages 12 and 52 and to provide strength for each adjacent sidewall 30 of the compartments 18B, 18C.
  • an outer edge of the bottom 32 of each compartment 18 of one package e.g., the compartments 18B of the first package 12
  • just contacts a top edge of an adjacent compartment 18 of a second nested package e.g., the compartments 18C of the second package 52.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing illustrating an alternative embodiment of the packaging system 10 including the packages 12 and 52 just prior to placement in a back-to-back, nested configuration, and additional packages 70 and 80, which are configured substantially similar to the packages 12 and 52.
  • the compartments 18 of the first package 12 are aligned between the compartments 18 of the second package 52 so that once the first package 12 is guided onto the second package 52 (the direction of movement indicated by the arrows), the compartments 18 of the first package 12 nest between the compartments 18 of the second package 52 as shown in FIG. 10.
  • the compartments 18 of the package 70 are aligned between the compartments 18 of the package 80 for nesting therein once the package 70 is guided onto the package 80.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 further illustrate the space savings feature of packaging system 10 of the present invention in that four packages (12, 52, 70 and 80) can be packed into the effective space of two packages. The so-assembled packaging system 10 can then be placed into a cardboard-type box for subsequent delivery to a customer.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates two conventional (prior art) frozen food pack containers 100 stacked on top of one another.
  • FIG. 1 1 shows that chambers 102 of these containers 100 are too close to each other to permit back-to-back nesting.
  • these conventional containers 100 lack a lid that seals, turning one of the containers 100 upside down to attempt nesting could likely cause release of the snap-on lid or further hamper its ability to prevent moisture and/or odor contamination of the frozen muffin batter within the containers 100.
  • a packaging system of the present invention for frozen storage and shipping of food product pucks, such as portions of frozen doughs or batters has numerous advantages.
  • the packaging system uses a peelingly removable second layer to individually seal compartments of a first layer that contain food product pucks.
  • This structure allows easy dispensing of frozen food pucks from freezer-to-oven.
  • the food such as batter, need not be thawed, scooped, or handled at all.
  • the packaging system is made from recyclable and/or low cost disposable materials.
  • the packaging system is designed to permit back-to-back nesting of like packages to significantly reduce the need for high cost frozen storage and shipping space.
  • the sealed packaging system increase the quality of the served food since materials forming the packaging system preferably includes aroma and moisture protection and the sealed technology can take advantage of techniques such as gas flushing to increase shelf life. Further, the opportunity for package damage and unexpected food product puck thawing is greatly reduced by the nested configuration.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

Système (10) servant à conditionner des godets de produits alimentaires surgelés et comprenant un premier emballage (12) consistant en une première couche (14) et en une deuxième couche (16). Cette première couche (14) comporte une pluralité de compartiments (18) dimensionnés chacun pour contenir un godet (40) de produit alimentaire. La deuxième couche (16) est scellée amovible à la première couche (14), ce qui permet de sceller individuellement chaque compartiment. Cette deuxième couche (16) peut être enlevée de façon sélective, de manière à découvrir un compartiment (18) à la fois, ou de façon non sélective, afin de découvrir simultanément la totalité des compartiments. On peut placer dos à dos des emballages multiples de ce type emboîtés les uns dans les autres afin de les conserver ou de les transporter tout en économisant l'espace. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ce système contient de la pâte surgelée de muffins.
PCT/US2001/000509 2000-02-29 2001-01-04 Systeme d'emballage pour godets de pate surgelee de muffins Ceased WO2001064528A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002401140A CA2401140A1 (fr) 2000-02-29 2001-01-04 Systeme d'emballage pour produit surgelee et transport de produit alimentaires en godet tel la pate de muffins
AU2001226343A AU2001226343A1 (en) 2000-02-29 2001-01-04 Packaging system for frozen muffin batter pucks

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US51599300A 2000-02-29 2000-02-29
US09/515,993 2000-02-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001064528A1 true WO2001064528A1 (fr) 2001-09-07

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PCT/US2001/000509 Ceased WO2001064528A1 (fr) 2000-02-29 2001-01-04 Systeme d'emballage pour godets de pate surgelee de muffins

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AU (1) AU2001226343A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2401140A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001064528A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002019829A3 (fr) * 2000-09-11 2002-06-20 Nestle Sa Plateau pour pate sucree
NL1023550C2 (nl) * 2003-05-27 2004-11-30 Beek Bv A A Ter Verpakking voor baksels en gebruik daarvan.
CN111605852A (zh) * 2020-05-28 2020-09-01 苏州梅克兰包装材料有限公司 一种可回收装载盒及其制备方法
EP3738436A1 (fr) * 2012-02-22 2020-11-18 Flatev AG Capsules de pâte comme système d'emballage
US20210198024A1 (en) * 2019-02-15 2021-07-01 Kraft Foods Group Brands Llc Food Products For Multifunction Pressure Cookers

Citations (9)

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WO2002019829A3 (fr) * 2000-09-11 2002-06-20 Nestle Sa Plateau pour pate sucree
US6627239B1 (en) 2000-09-11 2003-09-30 Nestec S.A. Sweet dough tray
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