Method for Preparing a Ready-to-Eat Food Tray

• US 20140196410A1
• Filed: 01/17/2013
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barilla G E R Fratelli SPA (Barilla Iniziative SpA)
• Original Assignee: Barilla G E R Fratelli SPA (Barilla Iniziative SpA)
• Inventors: Tedeschi, Giancarlo, Bordini, Andrea, Amigoni, Michele, Azzali, Pierluigi
• Granted Patent: US 9,192,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/467
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 35/00 Food or foodstuffs not provided for in groups A23L5/00 – A23L33/00; Preparation or treatment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 2230/02 Containers having separate compartments isolated from one another B65B29/10 and B65B2220/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 29/08 Packaging of edible materials intended to be cooked in the package infusible substances B65B29/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/02 Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/168 by applying and securing double closures
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/2878 by heat-sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0233 Nestable containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/2024 the cover being welded or adhered to the container

Abstract

A method for preparing a sterilised ready-meal package, including providing a main container defining a main volume intended to accommodate a main food product, and having a first opening at the upper part surrounded by a first planar edge. At least one secondary container defining a secondary volume is included and has a second opening at the upper part surrounded by a second planar edge. The secondary container is introduced inside the main container, so that said first edge and said second edge are flush. At least one secondary food product is introduced inside the secondary volume, and at least one main food product is introduced inside the main volume. A perimetric seal is made between a covering film, arranged to cover said first and second openings, and said first edge, and an inner seal is made between the covering film and the second edge.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a sterilised ready-meal package, comprising the steps of:

providing a main container defining a main volume intended to accommodate a main food product, and having a first opening at the upper part surrounded by a first planar edge;

providing at least one secondary container defining a secondary volume and having a second opening at the upper part surrounded by a second planar edge;

introducing said secondary container inside the main container, so that said first edge and said second edge are flush;

introducing at least one secondary food product inside the secondary volume;

introducing at least one main food product inside the main volume;

making, by means of a first sealing head facing the first edge, a perimetric seal between a covering film (4;

4′

), arranged to cover said first and second opening, and said first edge;

making, by means of a second sealing head facing the second edge and physically distinct from the first sealing head, an inner seal between the covering film and the second edge.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in making the perimetric seal, the first sealing head applies a first pressure above the covering film;

in making the inner seal the second sealing head applies a second pressure above the covering film;

said first pressure being greater than said second pressure.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said second pressure is less than 5 bar.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said first pressure is more than 5 bar.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the dwell time of the first sealing head in making the perimetric seal is longer than the dwell time of the second sealing head in making the inner seal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the dwell time of the first sealing head is more than 0.8 s and the dwell time of the second sealing head is less than 0.8 s,

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in making the perimetric and inner seals the temperatures of the first and second sealing head are above a melting temperature of the covering film, so as to make a heat sealing.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said covering film is made from plastic material and said temperature of the first and second sealing head are comprised between 180°

C. and 220°

C.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing head defines a first sealing profile and the second sealing head defines a second sealing profile, both of the sealing profiles being closed profiles.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said first sealing profile follows said first edge without involving the second edge.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a main container comprises a step of thermoforming the main container in polypropylene with co-extruded EVOH barrier.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first edge is made projecting towards the outside with respect to the ready-meal package, said step of making the perimetric seal involving the application of a counter-mould beneath said first edge.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of making the perimetric seal and said step of making the inner seal are made at two distinct times.

14. The method according to claim 1, also comprising a step of sterilising the ready-meal package in an autoclave after the steps of making the perimetric seal and the inner seal.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps of making a perimetric and inner seal are carried out by means of one or more sealing stations that comprise at least one first sealing head and at least one second sealing head that are distinct from one another, respectively arranged to make said perimetric seal and said inner seal.