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Vacuum packed pet food

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-02-19
MARS INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]A pet food package allows a consumer to view a visually appealing, fresh-like pet food through a transparent portion of the container. The pet food is placed in the package in a specified and consistent arrangement so that the appearance is substantially consistent in every package. The appearance at the point of purchase is maintained from manufacture through to the animal presentation. The shelf-stable, vacuum packaged, air-tight package enables the pet food to maintain individual piece shape, bright color and, upon opening, a natural aroma, which consumers identify with fresh, premium food.
[0009]A method for presenting a shelf stable pet food comprises the steps of providing a receptacle member having a recess formed therein; placing a first component of the pet food into the recess in a specified and consistent first arrangement; applying a film over the recess, the first arrangement is chosen for visual appeal of the pet food and at least a portion of the film is transparent to enable viewing of the pet food; applying a relative vacuum to the recess to form the film over the pet food for constraining movement of the pet food relative to the receptacle member such that the first arrangement is retained; and making the pet food shelf-stable. A second component of the pet food is placed into the recess (prior to applying the film) in a specified and consistent second arrangement chosen for visual appeal of the pet food.
[0011]A plurality of pet food packages is provided such that each package includes a container having a recess formed therein and a retaining film; and a shelf stable pet food including multiple pieces that are located in the recess in a specified and consistent arrangement that enhances the visual presentation of the pet food. The retaining film has at least a portion that is transparent, the retaining film (i) being vacuum sealed over the pet food, (ii) generally taking the shape of the arrangement, and (iii) retaining overall the shape of the arrangement.

Problems solved by technology

U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,974 discloses a container with a hermetic seal around the open mouth of the container to maintain freshness, but does not disclose a way to view food prior to breaking the seal.
Although dry foods are easy to store and handle, often they are not as palatable to pets as other classes of pet food.
Due to their higher moisture content, these foods tend to be more susceptible to microorganism growth than dry pet foods, and therefore typically employ a barrier, such as a can or film, to prevent post-processing contamination.
However, canned pet foods have the drawbacks of high cost for processing and usually require refrigeration after can opening.
Wet or canned pet food is usually messy compared to other classes and it usually cannot be viewed before opening, which interferes with the presentation of the pet food and inability to drive freshness cues.
Further, pet food customers typically are averse to handling visibly wet pet food and find it visually unappealing.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0026]Referring to the FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D to illustrate a first embodiment pet food package 8, a pet food 9 is located in a container 10 that includes a receptacle member, such as a tray 12, a retaining film 30, and a cover film 40. Pet food 9 is illustrated as a combination of chicken 50, rice 52, peas 54, and a garnish 56. Preferably, pet food in the packages described herein is nutritionally complete, as will be understood by persons familiar with pet food formulation—and, for example, in general accordance with the standards of AAFCO or other industry body in the U.S. or applicable country.

[0027]Tray 12 includes a base 14 from which continuous sidewalls 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d extend to form a cavity or recess 20. Base 14 preferably is planar, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, but may also be convex, as explained below, or other shaped. Preferably, side walls 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d extend upwardly to terminate at a peripheral flange 18, which provides a planar contact surface 22...

second embodiment

[0031]FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate a second embodiment pet food package 108 that includes a pet food 109 located in a container 110. Container 110 includes a receptacle member, such as a tray 112, a retaining film 130, and a cover 142. Pet food 109 is illustrated as a combination of chicken 50, rice 52, peas 54, and a garnish, such a whole sprig or leaf 56.

[0032]Tray 112 includes a base 114 from which continuous sidewall 116 smoothly extends to form a cavity or recess 120. Base 112, as best shown in FIG. 2C, is convex. Preferably, side wall 116 extends obliquely upwardly to terminate at a peripheral flange 118, which provides a planar contact surface 122 onto which cover 142 may be clipped. Tray 112 is transparent to visually expose pet food 109. Preferably, tray 112 is rigid and formed by conventional methods, such as thermoforming or injection molding.

[0033]FIG. 2A illustrates package 108 in its intended position for presentation to a consumer in which base 114 is on top an...

third embodiment

[0038]FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate a third embodiment pet food package 208 that includes a pet food 209 located in a container 210. Container 210 includes a tray 212, a retaining film 230, and a cover 242. Pet food 209 is illustrated as a combination of chicken 50, rice 52, peas 54, and a garnish, such a whole sprig or leaf 56.

[0039]Tray 212 includes a base 214 that is generally convex (as viewed from outside the package) to form a recess 220. Base 214 includes a flat bottom on which package 208 may rest. Base 214 merges into a peripheral and continuous flange 218, which provides a planar contact surface 222. Tray 212 may be transparent to visually expose pet food 209 or may be opaque. Preferably, tray 212 is rigid or semi-rigid and formed by conventional methods, such as thermoforming or injection molding. The present invention also encompasses a receptacle member formed of a flexible material, such as a film, having enhanced rigidity because of the vacuum process applied be...

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Abstract

A pet food packages of pet food package is chosen for visual appeal. The package includes a tray and a film that retains loose components of the pet food in a specified and consistent arrangement by vacuum conditions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to packaging foods, to a pet food and package combination and related methods.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Pet food in a container may be made shelf-stable by several known means, including thermal treatment after sealing (such as retorting); aseptic filling; addition of preservatives; acidification or relying on the inherent high acidity of the product; irradiation; and the like.[0003]Shelf-stable pet food is often supplied in a container that is sealed by a planar film affixed over its mouth. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,174, a seal is disclosed for a microwave oven convenience meal to prevent food from escaping while cooking and to maintain the freshness of the food U.S. Pat. No. 3,394,861 discloses a container to store pet food, with a peelable sealing material that can be placed over the contents to preserve them once the user has placed contents inside the container. U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,974 discloses a container with a he...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B65D85/00B65B55/08B65D77/20
CPCB65B31/00B65D81/2023B65D77/2024A01K5/0121
Inventor WILLCOCKS, NEILSLUSARCZYK, PETERCOLLIER, ALESSANDRA
Owner MARS INC
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