FOOD PRODUCT PACKAGING WITH PURGE TRAP

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to food product packaging that includes a purge trap. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a flange on food product packaging that includes a purge trap to prevent leakage of fluids.

BACKGROUND

Product packages often include a tray or tub with a film seal. The film seal can be wrapped over and/or around the tray or tub to seal the contents from the external environment. The film seal can also be used to maintain the position of the internal contents inside the tray or tub. Product packages for food can include solid elements and fluidic elements. In the context of meat products, the solid or semi-solid elements may be pieces of ground or whole muscle that are packaged for sale. Meat products may also exude or discharge fluids. It can be desirable to maintain such fluids inside the product package. The release of fluids from a food product package can cause contamination of adjacent products, adjacent packaging and/or product display cases. In addition, consumers prefer product packaging that is dry with little to no discharge of fluid.

Existing food product packaging can suffer from various drawbacks. Some existing product packaging includes film wrapping that is not securely positioned around the package such that fluids do not leak from the package. Other existing food product packaging can include shapes or contours that can cut, pierce or otherwise compromise a film wrapping such that the fluids can escape from the package. Still other existing product packages can have shapes or contours that can disadvantageously guide fluids from an interior portion of the package to an exterior portion of the package and make the packages susceptible to leaks. There exists a need, therefore, for improved product packages that minimize or prevent the leakage of fluids from the package.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a food product package may include a purge trap configured to reduce and/or prevent the leakage of fluids from the package. The purge trap, in some embodiments, can include a flange with a sealing edge or seal lip that is positioned inward of side walls of the food product package to guide fluids back into the interior volume of the package should the fluids flow from the interior volume to the film wrap that may be wrapped around or cover an opening of the package. The purge trap may also include a channel or other feature configured to retain fluids and guide the fluids back into the interior volume of the package.

In some embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, a package for retaining a food item is provided. The package may include a base and at least one side wall extend away from the base and terminating at a flange. The flange may include a sealing edge configured to contact a film wrap with the sealing edge positioned inward of at least a portion of the side wall.

In one aspect, at least a portion of the flange is positioned inward of the at least a portion of the side wall.

In another aspect, the at least one side wall may include a channel positioned between the base and the flange, the channel positioned outward of the sealing edge to minimize the flow of fluids toward the sealing edge.

In another aspect, the flange may be configured to operate in an initial position and in a final position. The sealing edge can move relative to the sealing wall when the flange is moved from the initial position to the final position.

In another aspect, the sealing edge can move inwardly when the flange is moved from the initial position to the final position.

In another aspect, the package may also include a film wrap positioned over the at least one side wall and contacting the sealing edge.

In another aspect, the sealing edge can be positioned at an uppermost location on the at least one side wall when the package is oriented in an upright position with the base on a horizontal surface.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure a food product package is provided. The food product package can include a tray comprising at least one side wall defining an interior volume and a flange connected to the at least one side wall. The food product package can also include a film wrap positioned over at least a portion of the tray to seal a food item in the interior volume. A seal lip of the flange may be positioned over the interior volume to guide fluids toward the interior volume when fluids contact the seal lip.

In some embodiments, a method of sealing a food product package is provided. The method may include wrapping a film wrap around a tray. The tray may include a seal lip configured to contact the film wrap and seal a food item in the tray. The method may also include moving the seal lip from an initial position to a final position, wherein the seal lip is positioned over an interior volume of the tray when the seal lip is in the final position.

In another aspect, the wrapping of the film wrap around the tray may cause the seal lip to move from the initial position to the final position.

In some embodiments, A package for retaining a food item may include a base and a side wall extending away from the base and terminating at a flange. A first portion of the side wall has a first thickness and a second portion of the side wall may has a second thickness. The base and the side wall bound an interior space, and the flange extends from the side wall away from the interior space and terminates at a sealing edge configured to contact a film wrap. The flange is configured to pivot from an initial position to a final position by pivoting about the second portion of the side wall.

In one aspect, a tensile force applied by the film wrap pivots the flange from the initial position to the final position.

In another aspect, the sealing edge may move toward the interior space when the flange is pivoted from the initial position to the final position.

In another aspect, the sealing edge may be disposed above the first portion of the side wall when the flange is in the final position.

In another aspect, the sealing edge may be positioned at an uppermost location of the package when the flange is in the final position and the package is oriented in an upright position with the base on a horizontal surface.

In another aspect, the base is substantially parallel to the flange when the flange is in the initial position.

In another aspect, the base may be substantially perpendicular to the flange when the flange is in the final position.

In some embodiments, a package for retaining a food item may include a base and a side wall extending away from the base and terminating at a flange. A first portion of the side wall has a first thickness and a second portion of the side wall has a second thickness. The base and the side wall bound an interior space. The flange extends in a first direction from the side wall away from the interior space terminating at a first end and in a second direction from the side wall towards the interior space and terminating at a second end. The flange may be configured to pivot from an initial position to a final position by pivoting about the second portion of the side wall.

In one aspect, the first end and the second end are each configured to contact a film wrap.

In another aspect, a tensile force applied by the film wrap may pivot the flange from the initial position to the final position.

In another aspect, the second end may move away from the interior space when the flange is pivoted from the initial position to the final position.

In another aspect, the second end is disposed above the second portion of the side wall when the flange is in the final position.

In another aspect, the second end may be positioned at an uppermost location of the package when the flange is in the final position and the package is oriented in an upright position with the base on a horizontal surface.

In another aspect, the base may be substantially parallel to the flange when the flange is in the initial position.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is side sectional view of a food product package.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of an example food product package in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a flange portion of the food product package of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is another view of the food product package shown in FIG. 3 with a film wrap and fluid droplet.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a flange portion of another example food product package of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is another view of the food product package shown in FIG. 4 with a film wrap and fluid droplet.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the flange portion of FIG. 4 shown in an initial or loading position.

FIG. 6 is partial sectional view of a flange portion of another example food product package of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a tray that includes the flange portion of FIG. 5 in an initial or loading position.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a tray that includes the flange portion of FIG. 4 in a final or wrapping position.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a flange portion in an initial or loading position of another example food product package of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the flange portion of FIG. 9 shown in a final or wrapping position.

FIG. 10A is another view of the food product package shown in FIG. 10 with a film wrap and fluid droplet.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. For purposes of the description hereinafter, it is to be understood that the embodiments described below may assume alternative variations and embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific articles, compositions, and/or processes described herein are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting.

It is also to be understood that the specific articles, compositions, and/or processes described herein are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “inward” and “outward” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

In the present disclosure the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. As used herein, “about X” (where X is a numerical value) preferably refers to ±10% of the recited value, inclusive. For example, the phrase “about 8” preferably refers to a value of 7.2 to 8.8, inclusive. Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable. For example, when a range of “1 to 5” is recited, the recited range should be construed as including ranges “1 to 4”, “1 to 3”, “1-2”, “1-2 & 4-5”, “1-3 & 5”, “2-5”, and the like. In addition, when a list of alternatives is positively provided, such listing can be interpreted to mean that any of the alternatives may be excluded, e.g., by a negative limitation in the claims. For example, when a range of “1 to 5” is recited, the recited range may be construed as including situations whereby any of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 are negatively excluded; thus, a recitation of “1 to 5” may be construed as “1 and 3-5, but not 2”, or simply “wherein 2 is not included.” It is intended that any component, element, attribute, or step that is positively recited herein may be explicitly excluded in the claims, whether such components, elements, attributes, or steps are listed as alternatives or whether they are recited in isolation.

The food product packages of the present disclosure can include flanges and/or seal lips that can guide fluids that may be located inside the package toward the interior of the package. In this manner, the packages can minimize, reduce or prevent the leakage of fluids from the package. The packages of the present disclosure can be particularly useful for the packaging of meat products that may exude or discharge fluids that can cause contamination if leaked outside the package. Consumers can also be experience displeasure with packaged meat products that leak fluids. Because of the reduced leakage, the packages of the present disclosure are improvements over existing food product packages by reducing the risk of contamination and improving customer satisfaction.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a traditional food product package 100 is shown. The package 100, in the example shown, includes a tray 102 and a film wrap 104. The tray 102 can be used to hold food items 106 such as meat products or other types of foods. The film wrap 104 can be wrapped around the tray 102 to seal the food items 106 in the tray 102. The package 100 may be used to retain various types of food items 106 such as meat products, fresh fruits or vegetables, prepared food items, or like. In the example shown, the package 100 is shown as retaining multiple food items 106. In other examples, the package 100 can be used to hold a single food item 106 and/or a single amount of a food item 106, such as ground meat. For some food items, such as meat products, the food items 106 can exude or discharge fluids. When the package 100 is positioned in the upright position as shown in FIG. 1, fluids that may be discharged or flow off of the food items 106 can flow toward the base 108 of the tray 102. The package 100 may include an absorbent pad 110 positioned at or near the base 108 of the tray 102 to absorb and/or capture the fluids.

In some circumstances, however, the package 100 may not include the absorbent pad 110 or the amount of fluids in the package 100 may be in excess of the absorbent capacity of the absorbent pad 110. In these circumstances, the fluids that may be in the package 100 can flow away from the base 108 of the tray 102 when the package is moved, tilted or otherwise shifted from the upright position shown in FIG. 1. As can be appreciated, the package 100 can be shifted during packaging, shipping, or other processing steps after the food items are deposited and sealed in the package 100. During such movements of the package 100, the fluids may flow away from the base 108 and flow toward the flange 120. The flange 120, in the example shown, is positioned at an outer edge of the side wall 122. The film wrap 104, in this example, contacts the flange 120 at a sealing edge 126. As can be seen, the flange 120 and the sealing edge 126 are positioned outward of an interior volume (or interior space) 130 of the tray 102.

The traditional shape and configuration of the tray 102 and the flange 120 as shown in FIG. 1 can result in fluids flowing outside of the tray 102. The fluids can flow away from the interior volume 130 and into exterior spaces 132 that are positioned outside of the tray 102. When fluids enter exterior spaces of the tray 102, the fluids may flow past the film wrap 104 at seams, tears, holes or edges of the film wrap 104. In other circumstances, the surface tension of the fluid can allow fluids that may be located on the film wrap 104 to flow past the edge of the tray 102 toward the exterior spaces 132. Such movement of the fluid on the film wrap 104 can result since the fluid can move from an interior region 105 of the film wrap 104 toward the edge 126. When the edge 126 breaks the surface tension of the fluid as it moves from the interior region 105 and contacts the edges 126, the fluid may flow toward the exterior spaces rather than back into the interior volume 130. This can cause leakage of the fluid from the package and/or an undesirable appearance for the package 100. The product packages of the present disclosure reduce and/or prevent the leakage of fluids from the packages. In some examples, the flanges and/or tray of the packages of the present disclosure have structures and/or features different from the tray 102 previously described.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example food package 200 is shown. The package 200 is an improvement over traditional or existing product packages. The package 200 is similar to the package 100 in some aspects. However, the tray 202 has a sidewall 222 that can include a flange 220 and a seal lip 226 that are positioned differently than existing trays in order to reduce and/or prevent the leakage of fluids from the interior volume (or interior space) 230 of the tray 202 past the flange 220 to exterior spaces or portions of the package 200.

As further shown, the flange 220 can be positioned at a terminating end of the side wall 222. When a film wrap 204 is positioned around the tray 202 to cover an opening of the tray 202, the film wrap 204 can contact the flange 220 at a seal lip 226. Food items 206 can be positioned in the interior volume 230 of the package 200. The food items 206 can be supported on a base 208 of the tray 202. The package may also include an absorbent pad 210 that can be positioned under the food items 206 when the package 200 is oriented in the upright position as shown in FIG. 2.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flange 220 can be angled or curved inwardly from the side wall 222. Unlike the tray 102 previously described, the flange 220, in this example, is positioned inwardly of at least a portion of the side wall 222. The flange 220 is positioned toward the interior volume 230 of the tray 202 rather than being oriented outwardly such as that of flange 120 of tray 102 (FIG. 1). With this orientation and position, fluids that may contact the flange 220 and/or the seal lip 226 will be guided back toward the interior volume 230 of the tray 202. As further shown, the seal lip 226 can be positioned inwardly of at least a portion of the side wall 222 so that if fluid moves along the film wrap 204 from an interior region 205 toward the side walls 222 along an interior surface 207 of the film wrap 204, the fluid, when contacting the seal lip 226, will be guided into or toward the interior volume rather than toward an exterior of the tray 202. In this manner, the tray 202 is less susceptible to fluid leakage than existing package designs.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seal lip 226 can be positioned at a highest vertical position on the tray 202 when the tray 202 is oriented in the upright position as shown. A flow surface 232 of the flange 220 can also be oriented in a manner to guide fluids toward the interior volume 230 of the tray 202. The flow surface 232 of the flange 220 can be, for example, positioned vertically or otherwise angled to promote the flow of fluids into the interior volume 230 when the tray 202 is oriented in the upright position. The flow surface 232 and/or the seal lip 226 can also be positioned inward of at least a portion of the side wall 222.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the positioning of the flange 220 and of the seal lip 226 may be advantageously positioned to cause droplets of fluid to be guided toward the interior volume 230. A droplet 211 of purge or other fluid may become positioned and can remain attached to the inside surface of the film wrap 204 by surface tension. The droplet 211 can move by gravity toward the seal lip 226 and away from an interior region 205 of the film wrap 204. When the droplet 211 (or other volume of fluid) contacts the seal lip 226, the surface tension can be broken/punctured or otherwise disrupted releasing the fluid from the film wrap 204. Because the seal lip 226 is positioned over at least a portion of the side wall 222, the droplet is deposited into the tray 202 toward the base 208.

As shown, the interior region 205 can be positioned vertically higher from the base 208 than the seal lip 226 and can facilitate movement of the liquid droplet 211 from the interior region 205 toward the seal lip 226. The interior region 205 need not be in the geometric center of the film wrap 204 between opposing side walls 222. The interior region 205 and its relative position to the tray 202 may be formed due to higher internal pressure (e.g., due to a modified atmosphere and/or overgas condition in the package) than atmospheric pressure. The interior region 205 can also be formed due to a top surface of food items 206 being vertically higher than the seal lip 226. In still other examples, the interior region 205 can be formed due to a tension placed on the film wrap 204 and the geometry of the flanges 220 and/or the seal lips 226. In still other examples, the interior region 205 may not be positioned higher than the seal lip 226. In such examples, the seal lip can still assist in guiding fluid toward the base 208 when the tray 202 is tipped during shipment, stocking, or other movement by a retailer or a customer.

The tray 202 can also include a channel 234 positioned along the side wall 222. The channel 234 can be formed to retain fluids that may flow away from the base 208 of the tray 202. The channel 234 can reduce and/or prevent fluids from reaching the seal lip 226 where the film wrap 204 contacts the tray 202. The channel 234, in this example, is a recess or depression that defines a concave shape with respect to the interior volume 230 of the tray 202. The channel 234 can be shaped to create an outwardly shaped formation. The channel 234 can be positioned outward from the seal lip 226 and/or outward of the base 208. Thus, when the tray 202 is shifted or moved to an orientation other than the uprights position as shown in the FIG. 2, fluids can be retained in the channel 234. The channel 234 can also guide fluids back toward the base 208 and into the interior volume 230 when the package 200 is returned to an upright position. The flange 220 and the channel 234 can form a purge trap that can retain fluids and/or prevent the fluids, also known as purge, from flowing or escaping from the interior volume of the tray 202.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, another example tray 402 is shown. The tray 402 can include a base 408 and a side wall 422 extending upwards and away from the base 408. A flange 420 can be positioned at a terminating end of the side wall 422. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flange 420 can extend around a perimeter of the tray 402 at the terminating end of the side wall 422. The flange 420 can include a seal lip 426 that can contact a film wrap (not shown) when the film wrap is wrapped or otherwise positioned to cover the opening of the tray 402. The tray 402 can also include channel 434 that can operate to retain fluids and guide fluids back toward the base 408 or the interior volume 430 of the tray 402.

The flange 420, the seal lip 426 and the channel 434 of the tray 402 can operate and/or have similar functionality to the corresponding elements of tray 202 previously described. As shown, the seal lip 426 can be positioned inward of at least a portion of the side wall 422 so that fluids that may be located at or near the seal lip 426 can drain back into the interior volume 430 of the tray 402. In this example, the channel 434 can include a hook shape that can retain fluids that may flow up or along the side wall 422.

As further shown, the side wall 422 can have a first portion 440 that has a first thickness t₁and a second portion 442 that has a second thickness t₂. The first portion 440 can be positioned closer to the base 408 than the second portion 442. The second portion 442 can be sized and configured so that the second thickness t₂is less than the first thickness t₂. In some examples, the side wall can have a tapered shape to result in the reduced thickness. In other examples, the second portion 442 can be sized to have a reduced thickness to facilitate the function of a hinge or pivot point as will be further described below. In still other examples, the first portion 440 and the second portion 442 can have other configurations.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the positioning of the flange 420 and of the seal lip 426 may be advantageously positioned to cause droplets of fluid to be guided toward the interior volume 430. A droplet 411 of purge or other fluid may become positioned and can remain attached to the inside surface of the film wrap 404 by surface tension. The droplet 411 can move by gravity toward the seal lip 426 and away from an interior region 405 of the film wrap 404. When the droplet 411 (or other volume of fluid) contacts the seal lip 426, the surface tension can be broken/punctured or otherwise disrupted releasing the fluid from the film wrap 404. Because the seal lip 426 is positioned over at least a portion of the side wall 422, the droplet is deposited into the tray 402 toward the base 408.

As shown, the interior region 405 can be positioned vertically higher from the base 408 than the seal lip 426 and can facilitate movement of the liquid droplet 411 from the interior region 405 toward the seal lip 426. The interior region 405 need not be in the geometric center of the film wrap 404 between opposing side walls 422. The interior region 405 and its relative position to the tray 402 may be formed due to higher internal pressure (e.g., due to a modified atmosphere and/or overgas condition in the package) than atmospheric pressure. The interior region 405 can also be formed due to a top surface of food items being vertically higher than the seal lip 426. In still other examples, the interior region 405 can be formed due to a tension placed on the film wrap 404 and the geometry of the flanges 420 and/or the seal lips 426. In still other examples, the interior region 405 may not be positioned higher than the seal lip 426. In such examples, the seal lip can still assist in guiding fluid toward the base 408 when the tray 402 is tipped during shipment, stocking, or other movement by a retailer or a customer.

In some examples, the tray 402 can have a shape or structure as that shown in FIG. 4 that is static. That is, the structure of the tray 402 is formed during a suitable molding or forming process and does not change during processing with the exception of normal flexing or local movement that may occur as a result of normal processing forces such as the weight of food items, the wrapping of the film wrap or the like. In other example, the tray 402 can have a shape or structure that is dynamic. For dynamic structures, the structure of the tray 402 can be configured to move from a first state or position to a second state or position. For example, the tray 402 shown in FIG. 5 can show tray 402 in an initial or loading position and the tray 402 in FIG. 4 can show tray 402 in a final or wrapped position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tray 402 can have an initial or loading position in which the tray 402 can be loaded with food items and/or other contents. In the initial position, the flange 420 is in a position in which the flange 420 is located outward of the side wall 422. The flange 420 can be oriented to be substantially parallel to the base 408, in some examples. The portion of the side wall 422 at the joint of the side wall 422 and the flange 420 can operate as a hinge. The flange 420 can be moved from the initial position as shown in FIG. 5 to a final or wrapped position as shown in FIG. 4. The flange 420 can, for example, rotate in the direction A as indicated by the arrow. The flange 420 can be rotated upwards and inwards in this example. As shown, the flange 420 can be moved or pivoted such that the flange 420 is oriented in a substantially perpendicular position relative to the base 408. The flange 420 can be moved from the initial position to the final position using automated packaging machinery, manually, or by the process of wrapping the tray 402 with the film wrap. As can be appreciated, the flange can be biased to move to the initial position (FIG. 5) and be retained in the final position (FIG. 4) by the film wrap (not shown) that can be applied over the tray 402.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the tray 402 can have a rectangular shape and the side walls 422 and the flange 420 can be positioned around the base 408 and extend upwards therefrom. In other examples, the tray 402 can have other shapes such as square, oval, or have other rectangular shapes as may be desirable to suit various food items.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, another example tray 902 is shown. The tray 902 can also include a base 908, side wall 922, flange 920 and seal lip or seal edge 926. The side wall 922 can extend upward from the base 908 to define the interior volume (or interior space) 930 of the tray 902. In the example shown, the flange 920 can extend in a first direction away from the side wall 922 (and away from the interior space 930). The flange 920 can also extend in a second direction toward the interior space 930. In this example, the foot 932 can extend away from the interior space 930 and the seal lip or seal edge 926 can extend toward the interior space 930.

The flange 920 can, similarly to the tray 402 previously described, have a static structure or a dynamic structure. In the context of a dynamic structure, the tray 902 can move from an initial position (FIG. 9) to a final position (FIG. 10). In this example, however, the flange 920 can rotate in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow B when the flange 920 moves from the initial position to the final position.

In the initial position, the flange 920 can be oriented such that it is disposed in a position substantially parallel to the base 908. In the final position, the flange 920 can be oriented such that it is disposed in a position substantially perpendicular to the base 908. In other examples, the flange 920 can pivot or otherwise move to be in other orientations relative the base 908.

The tray 902 can have a side wall 922 that has a varying thickness along its length in some examples. In the example shown, the side wall 922 has a tapered thickness. The side wall 922 can have a first portion 940 that has a first thickness t_a. The side wall 922 can also have a second portion 942 that has a second thickness t_b. The first thickness t_acan be less than the second thickness t_b. This reduced thickness can allow the flange 920 to pivot or rotate between positions.

In this example, the flange 920 can include a foot portion 932 and the seal lip 926. When the film wrap 904 (FIG. 10) is positioned over the tray 902 and wrapped to cover the interior volume (or interior space) 930 of the tray 902, the tensile force of the film wrap 904 can cause the foot portion 932 to be pivoted, moved downward and/or toward the side wall 922. As this movement occurs, the seal lip 926 of the flange 920 can be moved upward and outward. In the final position (FIG. 10), the seal lip 926 is positioned as the highest vertical position of the tray 902. The seal lip 926 can also be positioned so that it is located inward of at least a portion of the side wall 922. In this position, fluids that may flow or otherwise move upward toward the film wrap 904 are prevented from moving past the seal lip 926. When the tray 902 is oriented in the upright position, such fluids are guided to flow or move downward back into the interior volume of the tray 902.

As further shown, the tray 902 can include channel 934 that can be positioned below on outward of the seal lip 926. The channel 934 can operate to perform similar functions to the channels previously described to retain fluids from moving outside the tray 902 and/or to guide fluids back toward the base 908 of the tray 902.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the positioning of the flange 920 and of the seal lip 926 may be advantageously positioned to cause droplets of fluid to be guided toward the interior volume 930. A droplet 911 of purge or other fluid may become positioned and can remain attached to the inside surface of the film wrap 904 by surface tension. The droplet 911 can move by gravity toward the seal lip 926 and away from an interior region 905 of the film wrap 904. When the droplet 911 (or other volume of fluid) contacts the seal lip 926, the surface tension can be broken/punctured or otherwise disrupted releasing the fluid from the film wrap 904. Because the seal lip 926 is positioned over at least a portion of the side wall 922, the droplet is deposited into the tray 902 toward the base 908.

As shown, the interior region 905 can be positioned vertically higher from the base 908 than the seal lip 926 and can facilitate movement of the liquid droplet 911 from the interior region 905 toward the seal lip 926. The interior region 905 need not be in the geometric center of the film wrap 908 between opposing side walls 922. The interior region 905 and its relative position to the tray 902 may be formed due to higher internal pressure (e.g., due to a modified atmosphere and/or overgas condition in the package) than atmospheric pressure. The interior region 905 can also be formed due to a top surface of food items being vertically higher than the seal lip 926. In still other examples, the interior region 905 can be formed due to a tension placed on the film wrap 904 and the geometry of the flanges 920 and/or the seal lips 926. In still other examples, the interior region 905 may not be positioned higher than the seal lip 926. In such examples, the seal lip can still assist in guiding fluid toward the base 908 when the tray 902 is tipped during shipment, stocking, or other movement by a retailer or a customer.

The trays of the present disclosure can be made of any suitable material. In some examples, the trays of the present disclosure can be made of a food-grade foam material such as polystyrene. In other examples, the trays of the present disclosure can be made of a suitable plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or the like. In still other examples, the trays of the present disclosure can be made of other recyclable, compostable, and sustainable materials such as plant-based plastics, fiber-based materials and the like. Such materials have moisture resistant coatings or other layers. In still other examples, other materials can be used.

Various methods of packing food items and enclosing food packaging trays are contemplated in the present disclosure. In one method, a tray can be provided. The tray can include the various features previously described such as the flanges, seal lips, and channels. The tray can be provided, for example, in the initial or loading position. The method can continue when an absorbent pad and food items can be deposited into the tray. The food items or other contents can be deposited using automated equipment or manually. The tray can then be wrapped with a film wrap. The film wrap can be wrapped around an exterior of the tray and over an opening of the tray to retain the food items in the interior volume of the tray. The flange of the tray can be moved from the initial position to the final or wrapped position. In the final position, the flange and/or the seal can be located inward of at least a portion of the side wall of the tray. The process of the wrapping of the film wrap can move the flange from the initial position to the final position, in some examples. In other examples, the flange can be moved from the initial position to the final position using a different process such as by applying a force to the flange with a tool, die or other forming apparatus.

The food product packages and the methods described in the present disclosure are improvements over existing packages and methods. The packages and methods of the present disclosure reduce or prevent fluids or purge from meat products from escaping the food product package. The position of the flange, the seal lip and the channel can guide fluids or purge back toward the interior volume of the tray rather than escaping toward the exterior of the package.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

FOOD PRODUCT PACKAGING WITH PURGE TRAP

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Provisional Applications (1)