Food Packaging Tray Channels for Juice Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food packaging methods, such as skin packaging, face issues with water and juices accumulating inside the package, leading to reduced shelf life, unsightly presentation, and potential interference with the seal due to absorbent sheets, as well as flimsy trays that can cause the fish to slide and spill during handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a tray with channels and an absorbent pad that allows water and juices to pass through ducts, preventing accumulation and improving the seal integrity, while also stiffening the tray to prevent flexing and enhance gripping, thus maintaining freshness and appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If an absorbent sheet is used to soak up water and juices from the food, then water accumulation is reduced, but the seal between the two films may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent sheet is removed from inside the sealed package and placed on the exterior surface of the food portion. This extraction allows the seal to be formed without interference while still providing water absorption functionality. The sheet remains in contact with the food to absorb exuded liquids but does not compromise the hermetic seal between the two films.
Solution Approach 2:
A release liner is introduced as an intermediary element between the absorbent sheet and the food portion. The release liner allows the absorbent sheet to be positioned on the food surface during sealing without directly interfering with the seal formation. After sealing, the release liner can be removed, leaving the absorbent sheet in place to perform its water absorption function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tray is made thin and flexible for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the tray becomes flimsy and allows food to slide and water to spill
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is constructed as a thin-walled formed tray that provides sufficient structural support for its intended function while remaining cost-effective to manufacture. The tray's thin walls are adequate for holding the food portion and containing liquids, but the overall package rigidity is enhanced by the combination of the tray with the two rigid plastic films that are heat-sealed together, creating a composite structure that prevents food sliding and water spilling.
3Illumination intensity
If the upper film is made clear for product visibility, then consumer appeal is improved, but water accumulation is more visible and reduces presentation quality
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent sheet is positioned on the exterior surface of the food portion, taking the water absorption function outside the clear film envelope. This allows the clear upper film to remain transparent for product visibility while the absorbent sheet, positioned on the food surface, prevents water accumulation inside the package that would be visible through the clear film and degrade presentation quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution extends the shelf life of packaged fish by reducing water accumulation, maintaining freshness and appearance, and preventing seal interference, while allowing for easier removal of the plastic film and reducing waste, offering a cost and environmental advantage.
Implementation Method 1
The floor of the tray has channels which provide ducts between the channels and the absorbent pad so that water and other juices from the portion of food can pass to the absorbent pad
Implementation Method 2
The two plastic films have an adhesive coating which is heat-activated
Implementation Method 3
A region above the second upper film is then vented to atmosphere to bond and seal the two films together... with the application of heat to the second upper film
Implementation Method 4
A partial vacuum is applied below the tray and above and the second upper film
Implementation Method 5
A partial vacuum is applied below the tray and above and the second upper film together with the application of heat to the second upper film
Implementation Method 6
providing an absorbent pad on the floor of the tray so that water and other juices from the portion of food can pass to the absorbent pad
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to improvements in or relating to the packaging of food (36) between a first plastic film (16) and a second plastic film (18) using a packaging apparatus (10). A tray (24) is formed from the first plastic film (16), the tray having a floor (33) with at least one channel (32). An absorbent pad (34) is provided on the floor (33) of the tray (24). A portion of food (36) is provided on the floor (33) of the tray (24). The second plastic film (18) is placed on the tray (24) to sandwich the absorbent pad (34) and the portion of food (36) between the plastic films (16, 18). The packaging apparatus (10) is operated to urge the two plastic films (16, 18) together and to create a seal therebetween. At least one duct (76) is formed between said at least one channel (32) and at least one of the second plastic film (18), the absorbent pad (34), and the portion of food (36).