Three-dimensional food packaging for poultry

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting plan for forming a three-dimensional poultry wrapper, comprising a back panel (1) and front (3) and rear (5) panels connected to this back panel (1), the back panel (1) being adapted to fit against the back of the poultry and the front (3) and rear (5) panels being adapted to wrap around the head area and the ends of the legs and / or the rump of the poultry respectively after folding, while leaving at least part of the belly and / or thighs of the poultry exposed. (Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Three-dimensional food packaging for poultry

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging and presentation of poultry for consumers.

[0002] The way in which so-called "ready-to-cook" poultry, i.e. eviscerated, is presented in catchment areas (markets, butchers, supermarkets, etc.) plays an important role in the consumer's purchasing decision.

[0003] It is important that the poultry is presented in an attractive manner, in particular by hiding certain parts of it such as the head and rump.

[0004] In order to move towards this objective of improved presentation, different solutions exist in the state of the art.

[0005] A first family of solutions comprises different restraining devices, for example by means of elastic or metal straps, making it possible to present the poultry with the legs tightened on the rump: examples of such solutions are provided for example by prior documents US 2,842,443, US 3,112,515 and WO99 / 48375.

[0006] This first family of solutions has the disadvantage of requiring manual clamping operations which generate additional costs and pathologies in people handling the poultry, such as musculoskeletal disorders.

[0007] Added to this is the risk associated with the presence of a foreign body (bridle) in the poultry, which the consumer may forget to remove before or after cooking.

[0008] A second family of solutions consists of placing the poultry without tying it inside a transparent bag or tray.

[0009] With this solution, the poultry is not in a tight configuration, which harms the quality of its presentation.

[0010] The present invention thus aims in particular to provide three-dimensional packaging for poultry which allows, without the introduction of foreign bodies, to offer an optimal presentation for the consumer, while allowing easy packaging which can be automated.

[0011] This object of the invention is achieved with a cutting plane intended to form a three-dimensional packaging for poultry, comprising a back panel and front and rear panels connected to this back panel, the back panel being adapted to be applied against the back of the poultry and the front and rear panels being adapted to wrap respectively the head area and the ends of the legs and / or the rump of the poultry after folding, while leaving at least part of the belly and / or thighs of the poultry is visible.

[0012] Such packaging makes it possible to highlight the smooth, fleshy parts (belly, thighs in particular), and to present the poultry in an attractive manner.

[0013] Packaging obtained with such a cutting plan also makes it possible to keep the poultry tight on itself, and to reduce its size for storage.

[0014] According to other optional characteristics of the cutting plan according to the invention:

[0015] - the front and rear panels each comprise a plurality of lines of folding allowing the shaping of these panels during their respective foldings around the head and legs of the poultry: the presence of these folding lines facilitates and guides the folding, and makes it possible to obtain three-dimensional packaging with very clean edges;

[0016] - the cutting plan includes connecting elements between the front and rear panels posterior on the one hand and the dorsal panel on the other: the presence of these connecting elements makes it possible to properly envelop and conceal the anterior (head, neck) and posterior (legs, rump) areas of the poultry;

[0017] - the back panel comprises side flaps capable of cooperating with said front and rear panels after folding: this cooperation makes it possible to obtain a well-wrapped package with good mechanical strength after folding and possible fixing of the flaps on the front and rear panels;

[0018] - said front panel comprises a gripping tab: such a tab makes it easier for the consumer to open the packaging;

[0019] - said front panel has a recess: such a recess makes it possible to visually reveal a larger area of ​​the poultry's belly, and thus contribute to showcasing this poultry to the consumer;

[0020] - said front panel comprises a loop capable of cooperating with the sternum of the poultry: the presence of such a loop allows the front panel to be securely and simply fixed to the belly of the poultry;

[0021] - said cutting plane is formed in a semi-rigid material selected from the group comprising cardboards, thermoplastic films and / or non-wovens; :

[0022] - said semi-rigid material when it is not intrinsically impermeable is of preferably coated, on the faces in contact with the poultry, with a film or a layer of a waterproofing material called a barrier coating and suitable for food contact such as plastic materials such as silicones and / or paraffins;

[0023] - said semi-rigid material is preferably coated on its external faces with a film or a layer allowing printing

[0024] In one embodiment, this material will be chosen so as to be recyclable.

[0025] The present invention also relates to poultry packaged by a three-dimensional package obtained by folding a folded cutting plane in accordance with the above, whose head area, leg ends and rump are covered by the folded cutting plane, and at least part of the belly and / or thighs is visible.

[0026] Such poultry packaged in this way is particularly attractive to the consumer, the folded cutting surface only revealing the fleshy and smooth areas of the poultry (belly, thighs in particular).

[0027] According to other optional characteristics of this packaged poultry:

[0028] - said loop passes around the sternum of the poultry: this arrangement allows to ensure that the folded cutting surface holds securely on the poultry, while still allowing the poultry's belly to be clearly visible inside the loop;

[0029] - said front and rear panels are fixed on said side flaps: this fixing ensures the rigidity and good hold of the folded cutting plan on the poultry;

[0030] - said poultry is wrapped inside a flexible food film: such a film food contributes to the good hold of the folded cutting surface on the poultry, while protecting it from the outside atmosphere.

[0031] In one embodiment, such a film is at least partly transparent and allows the parts not covered by the packaging according to the invention to be seen.

[0032] In one embodiment, such a film is opaque or colored and has undergone treatment to enable printing.

[0033] In one embodiment, the packaging according to the invention does not include printed areas, only the film does.

[0034] In one embodiment, the packaging according to the invention comprises printed areas, the film is transparent.

[0035] In one embodiment, the packaging and film include printed areas.

[0036] Such a film makes it possible in particular to place the poultry in a modified atmosphere to improve the shelf life.

[0037] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0038] [Fig-1]: a first variant of a cutting plan according to the invention, laid flat, that is to say before folding;

[0039] [Fig.2]: a view of this cutting plan on which dimensions have been transferred, provided at illustrative and non-limiting example;

[0040] [Fig.3]: a view of this cutting plan after folding, that is to say in the confi guration where it is ready to receive and wrap a poultry;

[0041] [Fig.4]: a view similar to that of [Fig.l] of a second variant of a plan of cutting according to the invention;

[0042] [Fig.5]: a view similar to that of [Fig.3] of this second variant;

[0043] [Fig.6]: four perspective views showing the different stages of folding a cutting plan according to a third variant of the invention;

[0044] [Fig.7]: a perspective view of a poultry packaged using a folded cutting plane in accordance with the third variant of the invention;

[0045] [Fig-8]: a perspective view similar to that of [Fig.7], in which we can see another way of fixing the loop of the front panel of the cutting plane.

[0046] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs throughout the figures.

[0047] We now refer to [Fig.l], in which we can see a first variant of a cutting plan according to the invention.

[0048] As can be seen in this figure, this cutting plane comprises three main parts: a central part comprising a dorsal panel 1, and end parts comprising front 3 and rear 5 panels respectively.

[0049] The terms "dorsal", "anterior", "posterior" are understood in relation to the position that the cutting plane is intended to occupy once folded around the poultry to be packaged, as will be understood from reading what follows.

[0050] The front panel 3 is connected to the back panel 1 by a front connecting element 7, and the back panel 5 is connected to the back panel by a back connecting element 9.

[0051] For more details on the structure of this cutting plan, please refer to [Fig.2],

[0052] This figure shows dimensions in millimeters, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, for a cutting plan intended for ready-to-cook poultry which can typically weigh between 1.3 and 1.8 kg.

[0053] As can be seen in this [Fig.2], the cutting plane has a general axis of symmetry A.

[0054] The central panel 1 comprises a body 11 bordered laterally by a plurality of flaps 13 arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis A, separated from each other by cutting lines 15, and connected to the body 11 of the central panel 1 by folding lines.

[0055] The front 3 and rear 5 panels each typically comprise four fold lines 17, 18 arranged two by two symmetrically with respect to the axis A.

[0056] The front panel 3 may comprise two horns 19a, 19b between which a gripping tab 21 is arranged.

[0057] Each of the front 7 and rear 9 connecting elements may comprise two panels of substantially trapezoidal shape, connected to each other and to the dorsal, front and rear panels by fold lines 23.

[0058] We can see in [Fig.3] the cutting side after folding, then located in the packaging configuration of a poultry (the latter not being shown in this figure).

[0059] In this configuration, the front 3 and rear 5 panels have been folded around their respective fold lines 17, 18, and folded down towards the back panel 1, the front 7 and rear 9 connecting elements then acting as hinges.

[0060] Once this folding has been carried out, the lateral edges of the front 3 and rear 5 panels can join the lateral flaps 13 folded along the body 11 of the back panel 1, and possibly be fixed to them by any suitable means, such as stapling or gluing.

[0061] We then obtain a sort of box visible in [Fig.3], comprising an opening 24 extending between the edges remaining free of the front 3 and rear 5 panels.

[0062] The material forming the cutting plane may be, for example, cardboard or a thermoplastic material, the weight of which is typically in the range from 250 to 400 g per square meter, and the overall weight of which may be in the range from 10 g to 50 g, preferably from 20 g to 30 g.

[0063] The second variant shown in Figures 4 and 5 differs from the previous one in that the gripping tab 21 is replaced by a recess 25 arranged between the two horns 19a, 19b of the front panel 3 of the cutting plane.

[0064] The third variant shown in Figures 6 to 8 differs from the previous ones in that the gripping tab 21 or the recess 25 of the front panel 3 are replaced by a loop 27 made in one piece with the rest of the cutting plane.

[0065] [Fig.6] shows the different stages of folding a cutting plan according to this third variant, it being noted that these stages are similar for the first two variants described above.

[0066] As can be seen in Figures 6a to 6c, each of the front 3 and rear 5 panels is folded towards the back panel 1, and the side flaps 13 of this back panel 1 are folded towards the inside of the body 11 of the latter.

[0067] In this way, the practically final configuration of figure 6d is reached, substantially forming a box capable of wrapping a poultry.

[0068] As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, which show a poultry placed inside this box, the folded front panel 3 and connecting element 7 make it possible to envelop and hide the front area of ​​the poultry, i.e. the area in which the neck of the poultry is located.

[0069] The folded rear panel 5 and connecting element 9 make it possible to wrap and hide the ends of the legs and the rump of the poultry.

[0070] The opening 24 extending between the free edges of the front 3 and rear 5 panels allows a significant part of the belly and thighs of the poultry to be visible.

[0071] The cooperation of the lateral parts of the front 3 and rear 5 panels with the lateral flaps 13 of the back panel 1, makes it possible to correctly encapsulate the poultry, and to leave only the desired parts visible.

[0072] This box-forming cooperation also makes it possible to obtain a unit with good strength, in particular if these different elements are fixed together, for example by gluing or stapling.

[0073] When the front panel 3 includes a gripping tab 21, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8, it offers the consumer a gripping member facilitating the opening of the packaging.

[0074] When the front panel has a recess 25, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 to 7, it makes it possible to visually expose a larger part of the belly of the poultry.

[0075] When the front panel has a loop 27, as seen in Figures 6 to 8, this loop can be arranged around the sternum of the poultry, thus contributing to the packaging remaining securely on the poultry.

[0076] Optionally, as shown in [Fig.8], this loop 27 can be made large enough to be able to pass under the folded front panel 3, possibly to be fixed to the latter, so as to increase the hold of the packaging on the poultry.

[0077] Optionally, the cutting plan may include food and / or commercial information, thus avoiding the need to affix additional labels to the packaging.

[0078] Optionally, the poultry thus packaged by means of the folded cutting plan according to the invention, can be wrapped inside a food plastic film, possibly transparent, possibly vacuum-packed, or possibly in a controlled atmosphere, as seen in [Fig.7].

[0079] The placement of the poultry inside the folded cutting plane can be carried out manually.

[0080] However, the invention is particularly suitable for a process of folding the cutting plane around the poultry carried out in an automated manner.

[0081] Prior to packaging, the poultry will have been eviscerated, and preferably curled up by a mechanized operation; this can be done with hot poultry (between 15 and 40°C on leaving the slaughterhouse) or cold poultry (between 0 and 15°C, on leaving the cold room).

[0082] The dimensions of the cutting plan will of course be adapted to the weight of the ready-to-cook poultry to be packaged, this weight typically varying from 0.5 kg (cockerel) to 12 kg (turkey in particular).

[0083] Ready-to-cook poultry, the most commonly sold, has weight ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 kg, in certain ranges from 1.3 to 1.8 kg and preferably from 1.1 to 2.0 kg and the dimensions of the cutting plans allowing the packaging to be made by folding will be adapted to the said poultry.

[0084] As results from the preceding description, the cutting plan according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a three-dimensional packaging which is particularly simple to implement around the poultry, making it possible on the one hand to keep it in a tight state, and on the other hand to mask the less visually pleasing parts thereof, without it being necessary to resort to intrusive external elements such as the straps of the prior art.

[0085] This produces packaging that is compatible with an automated process, that highlights the poultry, that is easy to undo, and that presents no risk to the consumer.

[0086] This packaging also makes it possible to limit the number of components and materials used, in particular when the information intended for the consumer is printed directly on the cutting plan.

[0087] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Cutting plan intended to form a three-dimensional packaging for poultry, comprising a back panel (1) and front (3) and rear (5) panels connected to this back panel (1), the back panel (1) being adapted to be applied against the back of the poultry and the front (3) and rear (5) panels being adapted to wrap respectively the head area and the ends of the legs and / or the rump of the poultry after folding, while leaving at least part of the belly and / or the thighs of the poultry visible.

2. Cutting plan according to claim 1, in which the front (3) and rear (5) panels each comprise a plurality of folding lines (17, 18) allowing the shaping of these panels during their respective folding around the head and legs of the poultry.

3. Cutting plan according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising connecting elements (7, 9) between the front (3) and rear (5) panels on the one hand and the back panel (1) on the other hand.

4. Cutting plan according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the back panel (1) comprises side flaps (13) capable of cooperating with said front (3) and rear (5) panels after folding.

5. Cutting plane according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said front panel (3) comprises a gripping tab (21).

6. A cutting plane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said front panel (3) comprises a recess (25).

7. Cutting plan according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said front panel (3) comprises a loop (27) capable of cooperating with the sternum of the poultry.

8. A cutting plane according to any preceding claim, formed from a semi-rigid material selected from the group consisting of cardboard and a thermoplastic material.

9. Three-dimensional packaging for poultry obtained by folding a cutting plane according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Poultry packaged in a three-dimensional package according to claim 9, the head area, the ends of the legs and the rump of which are covered by the folded cutting plane, and at least part of the belly is visible.

11. Packaged poultry according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 7, wherein said loop (27) passes around the sternum of the poultry.

12. Packaged poultry according to one of claims 10 or 11 when dependent on claim 4, wherein said front (3) and rear (5) panels are fixed to said side flaps (13).

13. Packaged poultry according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wrapped inside a transparent flexible food film.

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