Flexible package having insulating support member

a flexible packaging and support member technology, applied in the field of flexible packaging, can solve the problems of unable to provide structural support to flexible bags, the heat loss of food products in such bags may be rapid to the surrounding environment, and the insulation value of food products is small to no

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-03-01
CRYOVAC ILLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The invention provides a flexible package that overcomes may of the aforementioned limitations. In one alternative embodiment, the flexible package comprises a support member having a flexible film attached about the periphery of the support member to thereby define a continuous sidewall of the package. The flexible package is movable between a collapsed state for storage and an extended state for use. The support member may comprise an insulating material such as a foam or air cellular material that inhibits the amount of heat that may be dissipated through the support member and into the outer surface of the support member. As a result, the support member may permit a person to handle the underside of the flexible package without burning or discomfort. In addition, the insulated support member may be used to help a heated item disposed in the interior of the flexible package retain its heat.

Problems solved by technology

While bags comprised of such materials may be lightweight and compact, they generally have little to no insulation value for maintaining a food product at a desired temperature.
As a result, a heated food product disposed in such a bag may quickly lose its heat to the surrounding environment including a consumer who may contact a portion of the bag that is in direct contact with the heated product.
Some flexible bags may also lack structural support and in some cases may be less sturdy than desired.
As a result, the flexible bags may provide relatively less stability than desired and may tend to wobble or be unstable when filled and placed in an upright position.
Many existing flexible bags may tend to wobble and thus can be easily tipped over, leading to unnecessary product spillages and resulting in wasted product and a mess.
The flexible bags described above may also not be suitable for transporting heated foods, such as roasted chickens that may be found in the local supermarket deli.
First, the rigid structure of the trays and lids may require significantly more storage than a flexible bag.
Second, the lid may be rather loosely secured to the tray.
As a result, food products or juices may be able to leak from the interior of the package, which may cause a mess and inconvenience for the consumer.

Method used

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  • Flexible package having insulating support member
  • Flexible package having insulating support member
  • Flexible package having insulating support member

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0064] In this example, the insulating properties and hot handling properties of the support member were compared to the insulating properties of a small paperboard box, such as the type commonly used in deli applications for packaging and carrying home a heated food product. Two samples of simmering water having a temperature of approximately 201° F. were placed in a flexible package of the invention comprising polypropylene foam and having a density of 0.45 g / cc, and the paperboard box. The paperboard box and the polypropylene foam both had a thickness of 0.018 inches.

[0065] After the water samples were placed in their respective test containers, the two containers were handled to determine the relative insulating capabilities of each container. The paperboard container could only be handled briefly before the container was too hot for further handling. The flexible package of the invention could be handled on the order of 30 seconds before the package was considered too hot for ...

example 2

[0067] In another experiment, the hot handling capabilities of a flexible pouch having a support member comprising a layer of air cellular material that included 1 inch sidewalls extending upwardly on the continuous sidewalls of the flexible package. Simmering water having a temperature of about 180° F. was introduced into the pouch. Thereafter, the bottom of the flexible package was held to determine the insulating capacity of the flexible pouch. The flexible pouch was able to be continuously handled without becoming too hot to handle.

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Abstract

The invention provides a flexible package comprising a support member having a flexible film attached to the support member to thereby define a continuous sidewall of the package. The package is movable between a collapsed state for storage and an extended state for use. The support member may comprise an insulating material that substantially limits the amount of heat that may be dissipated through the support member and into the outer surface of the support member. As a result, the support member permits a person to handle the support member portion of the flexible package without burning or discomfort. In addition, the insulated support member may be used to help a heated item disposed in the interior of the flexible package retain its heat. The flexible package may also comprise a support member having fold lines that may extend upwardly from the support member to form a tray-like structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to flexible packaging for enclosing a food product and more particularly to flexible packaging for heating or transporting a heated food product. [0002] The use of flexible bags for packaging food products has been known for several years. In many cases, the flexible bags may comprise a flexible thermoplastic material, such as a plastic film. When the flexible bags are not filled with materials, they may be compacted into a flattened condition so that they can be stored in a relatively small amount of space. While bags comprised of such materials may be lightweight and compact, they generally have little to no insulation value for maintaining a food product at a desired temperature. As a result, a heated food product disposed in such a bag may quickly lose its heat to the surrounding environment including a consumer who may contact a portion of the bag that is in direct contact with the heated product. [0003] Some fl...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B65B25/06
CPCB65D31/06B65D81/3461B65D81/3453B65D81/343
Inventor OWENSBY, JOSEPH E.COOKE, ANTHONY E.
Owner CRYOVAC ILLC
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