Multiple portion packaging tray and method of making same

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-05-03
PRINTPACK ILLINOIS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] More particularly, this invention comprises perforation lines in the flanges as a means to easily separate the containers. The perforation lines comprise a series of alternating openings and land areas wherein the land areas are sized so that the containers

Problems solved by technology

Use of less brittle or more pliable polymers makes the containers more difficult to break apart.
For some foods, brittle plastics, such as

Method used

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  • Multiple portion packaging tray and method of making same
  • Multiple portion packaging tray and method of making same
  • Multiple portion packaging tray and method of making same

Examples

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Example

EXAMPLE

[0022] A 30 mil 100% polypropylene sheet is used to make a multiple portion packaging tray. The polypropylene sheet is heated to 160° C. as it indexes through an oven into the form station at 4 second cycles. In the form station, the hot sheet may be formed using a variety of methods. The formed multiple portion packaging tray leaves the forming station, still attached to the sheet. The formed multiple portion packaging tray enters the trim station approximately 8 seconds after leaving the forming station. At the trim station, a lower platen moves up to the sheet level to capture the individual containers in a die plate. An upper platen containing steel rule knives, notched steel rule knives, and punches moves downward until it just touches the die plate and trims the perimeter of the multiple portion packaging tray as well as forms the tear lines in the flanges with alternating opening and land areas. The notches of the notched steel rule knives are desirably 20 mils in len...

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PUM

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Abstract

A multiple portion packaging tray comprising a plurality of pliable polymer containers configured in an array, each comprising a receptacle and an integral peripheral flange extending from the receptacle, the flanges integrally connecting adjacent containers to one another along perforation lines comprising a series of alternating openings and land areas wherein the land areas are sized so that the containers are separated by tearing apart the flanges without propagating cracks across the flanges. The method of making a multiple portion packaging tray in a former comprising a form station and a separate trim station comprising the steps of thermoforming the multiple portion packaging tray and cutting the perimeter and perforation lines of the multiple portion packaging tray to create a series of alternating openings and land areas.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to plastic containers for use in packaging. In particular, this invention relates to packaging comprising an array of separably connected plastic containers that are easily separated and methods of making such containers. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] Use of single serve plastic containers is well known in the food product industry. These single serve containers are sometimes manufactured and sold in a multiple portion packaging tray comprising an array of separable containers. The containers are generally connected to one another along their flanges and may be broken apart by breaking the connection at the flanges. These containers work well when made of a relatively brittle plastic. Use of less brittle or more pliable polymers makes the containers more difficult to break apart. For some foods, brittle plastics, such as polystyrene, cannot provide the necessary protection and a high moisture barrier polymer is needed, such as polypr...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65D1/34
CPCB31D5/0021B65D1/30
Inventor COLAVITO, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSMITH, ROY LESTERO'BRIEN, PATRICK LEEWORSTELL, MICHAEL W.
Owner PRINTPACK ILLINOIS
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