Vacuum skin packaging

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum skin packaging (1) for a product, said packaging including a tray (100) comprising a base (101) having a first surface for supporting the product on a product support region (102) at a first surface side of the tray, and a second surface (103) opposite the first surface; and a first continuous side wall (104) extending from the base so as to define, with the second surface, an inner space (105) on the second surface of the tray; and wherein the first surface of the base has a concave region which is concave in a direction towards the inner space, so that the concave region provides a second continuous side wall defining, with the product support region, a product receiving space for receiving at least a part of the product.

Description

VACUUM SKIN PACKAGINGTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to plastics packaging. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to vacuum skin packaging for use in the packaging, storage, transportation and / or display of a product, such as a fresh food product, to methods for packaging a product and to methods for manufacturing vacuum-skin packaging.BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known to use plastic containers to package, store, transport and display fresh food. These containers may be sealed with a lidding film to protect the food within the container from the surrounding environment. Alternatively, the products can be packaged by way of known vacuum packaging processes.

[0003] Vacuum skin packaging processes are known for packaging in particular fresh or perishable products such as meat, poultry, fish, cheese, and the like. Conventional vacuum skin containers are referred to as trays. Some trays may consist of a flat base. Other trays comprise a base for supporting the product when placed thereon, and a peripheral upstanding wall which surrounds at least a lower part of the product. During the packaging process, this peripheral wall facilitates the stacking of empty trays, but also aids with processability by guiding the tray through the machinery. In some configurations, trays may be provided with sufficient wall height to surround the full height or substantially the full height of the packaged product so as to protect the packaged product, and / or to aid with stacking the packaged product. The peripheral wall may be provided with a flange extending outwardly from the top or from a position near the top of the wall. The peripheral wall may be smoothly curved or may be formed from a number of straight or curved discrete wall sections.

[0004] In conventional vacuum skin packaging processes, the product to be packed is placed onto an upper surface of the base of such a tray. The product and tray are placedinto a vacuum chamber that provides support at predetermined points, which may typically be under the flange and / or the base of the tray. The chamber has a heated plate or dome arranged to be above the product, and connected a film is positioned between the product and the heated plate or dome. The vacuum chamber applies a vacuum from a vacuum source, such as a vacuum pump, between the heated plate and dome, such that the film is drawn upwards and held against the heated plate or dome, producing a combination of air (or another gas, where present) and vacuum on opposing sides of the film. The film is heated by direct thermal transfer, so called “contact heating”, from the heated plate or dome. Once the film is heated the vacuum is released and the chamber applies a vacuum between the product and the film so as to evacuate air (or another gas, where present) between the product and the film. The film is thereby drawn downwards until the film contacts the product and the support so as to form a tight “skin” around the product as well as a seal between the film and at least the region of the base of the tray surrounding the product, as well as typically the upstanding wall and the flange where present.

[0005] However, it has been observed that the vacuum applied to evacuate the air (or another gas, where present) from between the film and the tray exerts pressure on the side walls of the tray, and may negatively affect the integrity of the side walls. More specifically, the higher the side wall, the more the side wall becomes prone to deformation under vacuum. This places a limitation on the height, sometimes termed “gauge”, of the side wall, and on the maximum height of the side wall which is achievable.

[0006] A straightforward solution would be to use a tray with a thicker wall or with thickened wall sections to improve rigidity. However, this would increase the amount of plastics material used in each tray, thereby directly increasing production costs. In addition, the industry strives to reduce the amount of material used to produce packaging to minimise the environmental impact of plastics waste. Increasing the thickness of the walls would directly affect sustainability.

[0007] Traditionally, the robustness of a plastics container may be improved by including a plurality of ribs in the base of wall of the container. In the case of vacuum skin packaging trays, the presence of these ribs renders the sealing (or “skinning”) process more difficult.As the vacuum skin film is released onto the tray and product, it in particular becomes difficult to achieve a uniform contact with the film around the contours of the surface of the tray. Gas pockets may form, which may affect the aesthetics of the packaged product, and more importantly, which may contain air and / or contaminants which may decrease the product shelf life. Although such gas bubbles may be forced out from between the film and the tray, this requires a subsequent and additional step in the packaging process. Therefore, the inclusion of ribs may impact on the presentation and on the shelf life of the packaged product, and on the complexity and cost of packaging the product.

[0008] There is a need to provide a packaging to mitigate problems such as those described above and to provide an improved alternative to existing products.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a vacuum skin packaging with improved structural integrity, in particular during the product packaging and sealing process.

[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a vacuum skin packaging with improved sustainability and / or recyclability.

[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a vacuum skin packaging which is easier and more economical to produce.

[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a vacuum skin packaging in which the packaged product is protected from physical impact and potential damage.

[0013] These objects may be achieved without compromising the performance of the seal.

[0014] Other objects will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinbelow.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a vacuum skin packaging for a product. The packaging includes a tray. The tray comprises a base having a first surface for supporting the product on a product support region at a first surface side of the tray. The base has a second surface opposite the first surface. The tray comprises a first continuous side wall extending from the base. The first continuous side wall defines, together with the second surface, an inner space on the second surface side of the tray. The first surface of the base has a concave region which is concave in a direction towards the inner space. The concave region provides a second continuous side wall defining with the product support region a product receiving space for receiving at least a part of the product.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first surface is an / the upward-facing (in use) surface of the base. In some embodiments, the second surface is a / the downward-facing (in use) surface of the base.

[0017] In some embodiments, the continuous side wall extends substantially perpendicularly from the base, optionally from an edge of the second surface of the base.

[0018] In some embodiments, the tray further comprises a support rim.

[0019] In some embodiments, the continuous side wall extends from the base of the tray to a / the support rim. In some embodiments, the support rim consists of or comprises a peripheral rim extending outwardly from the side wall.

[0020] In some embodiments, the product support region of the tray is relieved relative to a surrounding region of the first surface of the base of the tray.

[0021] In some embodiments, the tray comprises an intermediate region surrounding the product support region and extending between the product support region and the surrounding region, and said intermediate portion is sloped relative to the surrounding region.

[0022] In some embodiments, the tray comprises an intermediate region surrounding the product support region and extending between the product support region and the surrounding region, and said intermediate portion is curved.

[0023] In some embodiments, the tray comprises an intermediate region surrounding the product support region and extending between the product support region and the surrounding region, and said intermediate portion comprises one or more steps.

[0024] In some embodiments, the product support region comprises a substantially flat surface.

[0025] In some embodiments, the height of the continuous side wall is from 8.0 mm to 35 mm.

[0026] In some embodiments, the thickness of the tray is from 200 microns to 500 microns.

[0027] In some embodiments, the tray comprises or consists of one or more of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), polypropylene (PP), carton, and plant-based plastics alternatives.

[0028] In some embodiments, the tray is made of a monolayer sheet of material. In some embodiments, the tray is made of a multilayer sheet of one or more materials.

[0029] In some embodiments, the tray is thermoformed. The tray may be thermoformed from a monolayer sheet of material or from a multilayer sheet of one or more materials.

[0030] In some embodiments, the tray comprises one or more denesting features. The denesting features may be denesting recesses and / or denesting protrusions.

[0031] In some embodiments, the denesting features are formed outwardly of the first continuous side wall of the tray.

[0032] In some embodiments, the denesting features are formed at or adjacent the corners of the tray.

[0033] In some embodiments, the denesting features are formed along a lateral or longitudinal side wall of the tray. The lateral and / or longitudinal side wall of the tray may form part of the first continuous side wall.

[0034] In some embodiments, the denesting features are formed in or on a supporting rim. In some embodiments, the denesting features are form in or on the first continuous side wall.

[0035] In some embodiments, the tray comprises one or more vacuum vents. In some embodiments, the one or more vacuum vents are located in one or more denesting protrusions. In some embodiments, the tray is devoid of vacuum vents.

[0036] In some embodiments, the tray is integrally formed. In some embodiments, the tray is obtainable through a thermoforming process.

[0037] In some embodiments, the vacuum skin packaging further comprises a vacuum skin film. In some embodiments, the vacuum skin film is a monolayer film. In some embodiments, the vacuum skin film is a multilayer film.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for vacuum skin packaging a product, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a vacuum skin tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; positioning the product onto the product supporting region of the tray; positioning a vacuum skin film above the product and the base of the tray; evacuating air by application of vacuum so that the film contacts the product and the first surface of the tray.

[0039] In some embodiments, vacuum is applied selectively between the film and the tray only.

[0040] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a vacuum skin packaging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the method comprises the steps of thermoforming the tray.

[0041] These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and the following description, which describe particular embodiments of such concepts in greater detail.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure l is a schematic (cross-sectional) representation of a vacuum skin packaging according to the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 2 is a schematic (side) representation of the vacuum skin packaging of Figure 1.

[0044] Figure 3 is a schematic (perspective) representation of the vacuum skin packaging of Figure 1.

[0045] Figure 4 is a schematic (perspective) representation of another vacuum skin packaging according to the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 5 is a schematic (perspective) representation of a conventional vacuum skin packaging.

[0047] Figure 6 is a schematic (side) representation of the vacuum skin packaging of Figure 5.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The embodiments described herein are provided as exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is illustrated to a vacuum skin packaging 1 for a product 2, said packaging 1 including a tray 100 comprising a base 101 having a first surface for supporting the product 2 on a product support region 102 and a second surface 103 opposite the first surface; and a first continuous side wall 104 extending from the base 101 so as to define, with the second surface 103, an inner space 105 on the second surface 103 of the tray 100; and wherein the first surface of the base 101 has a concave region which is concave in a direction towards the inner space 105, so that the concave region provides a second continuous side wall defining, with the product support region 102, a product receiving space for receiving at least a part of the product 2.

[0050] The concave base 101 improves the structural rigidity of the vacuum skin tray 100 by creating a reinforcing wall. The vacuum skin tray 100 has a double-wall configuration comprising the first continuous side wall 104 and (e.g., an intermediate portion 107 of) the base 101. The first continuous side wall 104 may be sufficiently high to aid with stacking the empty trays 100, with guiding the empty trays through the packaging machinery, with stacking the packaged product, with displaying the product by providing support to a retail label (thereby allowing the tray to be displayed such that the label is facing the consumer). This is achieved without compromising sustainability. No reinforcing ribs are required, which could affect the seal of the packaged product. Instead, the vacuum skin tray 100 may provide a substantially flat surface for receiving the product, and for an improved seal process.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the product 2 is fresh meat. The product 2 may be a food product, for example one or more of meat, poultry, fish, cheese, vegan product, protein-rich food product. Vacuum-skin packaging and processes provide an improved shelf-life for such fresh food products.

[0052] The vacuum skin packaging 1 comprises a tray 100 with a base 101. The base 101 has a first surface for supporting the product 2 and a second surface 103 opposite the first surface. The first surface consists of or comprises a product support region 102. In use, the first surface is on the upward-facing surface of the base 101. In use, the second surface 103 is on the downward-facing surface of the base 101, so that the side wall 104 extends downwards from the base 101.

[0053] The product support region 102 may be located on a first (e.g., upward-facing) surface of the base 101, or may define the whole first (e.g., upward-facing) surface of the base 101. It will be appreciated that the whole base 101 may be concave, or that the base 101 comprises a concave portion (e.g., product support region 102). The tray 100 may be described as comprising a recess for receiving the product 2. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the base 101 comprises a planar peripheral section 106, the product support region 102, and an intermediate portion 107 between the planar peripheral section 106 and the product support region 102.

[0054] The first continuous side wall 104 extends from the second surface 103 of the base 101. In some embodiments, the first continuous side wall 104 extends substantially perpendicularly from the second surface of 103 of the base 101. As illustrated in Figure 1, the first continuous side wall 104 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the planar peripheral portion 106 of the base 101.

[0055] In use, the first continuous side wall 104 extends downwards from the base 101 (i.e., away in a facing direction from the first surface of the base 101). Thus, the first continuous side walls 104 may act as a stand for the base 101.

[0056] The first continuous side wall 104 and the second surface 103 of the base 101 define an inner space 105. The continuous side wall 104 (more particularly, the lower edge of the continuous side wall 104) may define a mouth, so that the inner space 105 is defined by the second surface 103 of the base 101, the first continuous side wall 104 and the mouth.

[0057] The base 101 comprises a concave region which is concave in a direction towards the inner space 105 defined by the first continuous side wall 104 and the second surface 103 of the base 101. That is, the base 101 is concave in the first (upward-facing) surface to second (downward-facing) surface 103 direction. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the base 101 caves inwards and towards the inner space 105. The product support region 102 may be described as being positioned below or as being relieved relative to the plane of the base101 as defined by the plane of planar peripheral portion 106. The product support region102 may be located above or in the plane of the mouth defined by the side wall 104, in particular by the plane of the lower edge of the side wall. In some embodiments, the concave portion of the base may be constructed such that the concave portion has a depth, or alternatively an extent in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the base 101 to the deepest point of the concave portion, from the planar peripheral section 106, which is substantially at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 75% or at least 90% of a height of the first continuous side wall 104 as measured in that direction.

[0058] The concave region of the base 101 may comprise one or more sloped, stepped and / or curved surfaces. For example, the intermediate portion 107 surrounding the product support region 102 may be sloped or curved, or may comprise a curved or sloped portion. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate portion 107 may comprise one or more steps.

[0059] The product support region 102 may comprise or consist of a substantially flat surface to support the product 2. Retainers or protrusions (as shown in Figure 4) may be provided to retain the product 2 in its intended position. This substantially flat surface also facilitates the air evacuation during the sealing process, as the vacuum skin film may be deposited onto the tray 100 with a decreased risk of gas pocket formation.

[0060] The concave configuration of the base 101 enhances the structural integrity of the side walls 104, and rigidity of the tray 100 as a whole. As illustrated for example in Figure 1, the concave portion (in particular the intermediate portion 107) provides a reinforcing second continuous side wall adjacent to and inward of the first continuous side wall 104. Consequently, it is possible to increase the height of the side wall 104, withoutcompromising the structural integrity of the tray 100. Vacuum may be applied without deformation of the side wall 104.

[0061] In some embodiments, the height of the first continuous side wall 104 is equal or greater than 8.0 mm. When the height is less than 8.0 mm, the tray may be more difficult to process in that the side wall may become too low to guide the tray through the machinery. Furthermore, below 8.0 mm, the side wall may offer less or little protection to the product during transport and storage, in particular when the trays are stacked on top of each other. In some embodiments, the height of the first continuous side wall 104 is equal or smaller than 35 mm. When the height is greater than 35 mm, more material is used, thereby making the tray less environmentally-friendly and more expensive. In addition, the side wall may become more prone to deformation under draw, unless the thickness of the wall is increased (and the tray becomes less sustainable and more expensive). The vacuum skin tray 100 exhibits an improved structural integrity compared to a conventional tray with the same side wall height, made of the same material and exposed to the same pressure.

[0062] Furthermore, the concave configuration of the base 101 sinks the product 2 into the depth of the tray 100, so that it is still protected from physical impact and potential damage by the first (and second) continuous side wall 104.

[0063] In some embodiments, the thickness of the vacuum skin tray 100 is equal or greater than 200 microns. In some embodiments, the thickness of the vacuum skin tray 100 is equal or smaller than 500 microns. The thickness range of 200 microns to 500 microns has been found to provide the best compromise between structural integrity and sustainability.

[0064] The tray 100 may further comprise a support rim 109, along the (lower) edge of the side wall 104. This rim 109 further imparts rigidity to the tray 100, aids stacking, and provides a stable surface onto which the tray 100 can rest. Where a support rim is present, the height of the first continuous side wall 104 may be defined as the height of the side wall 104 between the plane of the base 101 and the support rim 109.

[0065] The tray 100 may comprise denesting features, such as denesting protrusions 108.Once the trays have been manufactured, they are nested into each other in a stack of traysfor subsequent transportation and or storage. Denesting features allow the trays to be freely-denestable at the packing stage. The stacks of trays are fed into a feeder and delivered at high speed onto a belt and products can be placed onto the trays. This delivery step requires the trays to be freely-denestable, that is, to denest from each other with minimal friction.

[0066] The denesting protrusions 108 may be formed in the side walls 104 and / or in the support rim 109. The denesting protrusions may protrude outwardly of the side walls 104 and / or sit on the support rim 109. The denesting protrusions 108 are preferably located at the corners of the tray 100 (when the tray 100 comprises corners) so as to maximise the space available for the product to be packaged.

[0067] The tray 100 may comprise one or more vacuum vents to improve skin cycle time. In some embodiments, the one or more vacuum vents may be formed at or adjacent the corners of the tray 100 (when the tray 100 comprises corners). In some embodiments, the one or more vacuum vents may be formed in the denesting features.

[0068] Alternatively, owing to its configuration, the tray 100 may be devoid of vacuum vents, and achieve the same or greater skin performance.

[0069] The vacuum skin tray 100 illustrated in Figure 4 comprises a support rim 109, which may extend from and along the (lower edge) of the side wall 104. Denest features, for example denest recesses 110, 111, 112, are formed in the support rim 109. Denest recesses 110 may be formed at or adjacent one or more corners of the tray 100. Denest recesses 111 may be formed along a lateral and / or longitudinal portion of the first continuous side wall 104. Denest recesses 112 may be formed on either side of a tray corner. Positioning the denest features outside the base 101 or outside the side walls 104 leaves the base 101 and its first surface free of three-dimensional features which may affect the efficiency of the seal. The skin performance may be improved. The sealing process may be carried out with minimal or no formation of gas pockets, and without the need for a subsequent air pocket removal step. The proposed denesting configuration also may provide a large supporting surface for the product.

[0070] In some embodiments, the tray 100 may be thermoformed. For example, the tray 100 (or a plurality of trays) may be thermoformed from a monolayer sheet of material, or from a multilayer sheet of one or more materials.

[0071] The tray 100 may comprise or consist of one or more materials selected from amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), polypropylene (PP), carton board and pulp, aluminium, or plant-based plastics alternatives. Recycled and / or recyclable materials are preferred. For example, APET and PP trays may be readily recycled; CPET trays may be washed and reused.

[0072] The tray 100 may comprise or consist of one or more virgin and / or recycled materials, for example, virgin and / or recycled polymeric material(s), such as virgin and / or recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0073] The tray 100 may be made of a monolayer sheet of material. In some embodiments, the tray 100 is made of a multilayer sheet of one or more materials. The tray 100 may comprise laminated seal layer, for example of polyethylene (PE). The tray 100 may comprise a gas-barrier layer, such as an oxygen-barrier layer.

[0074] The vacuum-skin packaging according to the present disclosure may comprise a tray as described hereinabove, and further comprise a vacuum-skin film for covering the product.

[0075] The vacuum-skin film may comprise one or more layers including but not limited to a structural layer, a gas-barrier layer (such as an oxygen-barrier layer), and the like.

[0076] For comparison purposes, Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a conventional vacuum skin tray 200 comprising a substantially flat base 201 for supporting a product (not shown). A peripheral side wall 202 extends from the (upward-facing) surface of the base supporting the product. The peripheral side wall 202 comprises a flange 203. Denesting recesses 204 are formed at the corners of the tray 200.

[0077] An example of method for manufacturing a vacuum-skin packaging according to the present disclosure will now be described. Raw plastics material (for example in the form of flakes for recycled material and / or in the form of pellets for virgin material) is extruded to form a sheet. The sheet is thermoformed into a plurality of trays. Each tray 100 may comprise a base 101 with an upward-facing first surface with a product support region 102, a first continuous side wall 104 extending downwards from the second down-facing surface 103 of the base 101. Each tray 100 may further comprise one or more denesting features 108, 110, 111, 112. The trays 100 are subsequently separated from each other by cutting and trimmed. The trays 100 may be nested into each other to form a stack or pile of trays, ready for subsequent transport and / or storage.

[0078] In the packaging stage, the stack of nested trays is fed into a tray feeder, which feeds the trays 100 onto a belt. The product is placed onto the product support region 102 of the first (top) surface of the base 101 of the tray 100.

[0079] The tray 100 and product 2 are placed into a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum pump. A vacuum skin film is positioned between the product and the heated plate or dome producing a combination of air (or another gas, where present) and vacuum on opposing sides of the film. The film is contact-heated and subsequently released and the chamber applies a vacuum between the product and the film so as to evacuate air (or another gas, where present) between the product and the film.

[0080] Air / gas may be efficiently evacuated across the unobstructed surface of the base 101 (e.g., free of structural obstacles such as ribs or denesting features) of the tray 100, so that it may be sufficient to selectively apply vacuum to the space between the film and the tray. The film is drawn downwards. The first continuous side wall 104 of the tray 100, reinforced by the concave configuration of the base 101 does not deform under vacuum. The film contacts the product 2 and the tray 100 thereby forming a tight “skin” around the product 2 and a gas-pocket-free seal with the tray 100.

[0081] Thus, the present invention provides a vacuum skin packaging with improved structural integrity and less prone to deformation. Consequently, the tray does not requireadditional structural reinforcement, such as a reinforcing rib pattern (which may affect the efficiency of the vacuum sealing process).

[0082] The height of the side wall may be increased, without the need for thicker walls.

[0083] The tray may be made of a lighter material, thereby decreasing transportation costs.

[0084] The above advantages may be achieved without compromising the structural integrity of the tray, without compromising sustainability, and without compromising seal.LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS1 vacuum skin packaging2 product100 tray101 base102 product support region on first surface103 second surface104 first continuous side wall105 inner space106 peripheral section107 intermediate region108 denesting protrusion109 support rim110 denesting feature (at or adjacent a comer)111 denesting feature (lateral and / or longitudinal wall)112 denesting feature (either side of a corner)

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vacuum skin packaging for a product, said packaging including a tray comprising a base having a first surface for supporting the product on a product support region at a first surface side of the tray, and a second surface opposite the first surface; and a first continuous side wall extending from the base so as to define, with the second surface, side wall an inner space on the second surface of the tray; and wherein the first surface of the base has a concave region which is concave in a direction towards the inner space, so that the concave region provides a second continuous side wall defining, with the product support region, a product receiving space for receiving at least a part of the product.

2. The packaging according to Claim 1, wherein the product support region of the tray is relieved relative to the base of the tray.

3. The packaging according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the tray comprises an intermediate portion surrounding the first surface, and said intermediate portion is sloped or curved relative to the base.

4. The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray comprises an intermediate portion surrounding the first surface, and said intermediate portion comprises one or more steps.

5. The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the product support region comprises a substantially flat surface.

6. The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the height of the first continuous side wall is from 8.0 mm to 35 mm.

7. The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the tray is from 200 microns to 500 microns.

8. The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray comprises a support rim.

9. The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray comprises or consists of one or more of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), polypropylene (PP), carton, and plant-based plastic alternatives.

10. The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray comprises one or more denesting features.

11. The packaging according to Claim 10, wherein the denesting features are denesting recesses and / or denesting protrusions.

12. The packaging according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the denesting features are formed outwardly of the side wall of the tray.

13. The packaging according to any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the denesting features are formed in a support rim of the tray.

14. The packaging according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein one or more denesting features are formed located at or adjacent the comers of the tray.

15. The packaging according to any one of Claims 10 to 14, wherein one or more denesting features are formed along a lateral or longitudinal side of the tray.

16. The packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the tray comprises one or more vacuum vents.

17. The packaging according to any preceding claim, further comprising a vacuum skin film.

18. A method for vacuum skin packaging a product, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a vacuum skin tray as defined in any preceding claim; b) positioning the product onto the product support region of the tray; c) positioning a film above the product and the base of the tray; d) evacuating air by application of vacuum so that the film contacts the product and the first surface of the tray.

19. A method for manufacturing a vacuum skin packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the method comprises the steps of thermoforming the tray.

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