RETORTABLE SELF-HEATING FOOD CONTAINER WITH AIR ACCESS STRUCTURE

• US 20200130919A1
• Filed: 12/30/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2015
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc (Sonoco Products Company)
• Original Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc (Sonoco Products Company)
• Inventors: HUFFER, SCOTT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US16/730,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20200130919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2205/025 having a removable label, sticker or adhesive foil covering the hole
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3484 Packages having self-contained heating means, e.g. heating generated by the reaction of two chemicals warming devices A47J36/24

Abstract

A flexible, self-heating food container capable of withstanding high temperatures is provided. The container comprises a two-layer laminate structure having an air access flap that can be lifted by the consumer to allow air to enter the part of the container where an exothermic reaction takes place.

Claims

1. A method of making a flexible self-heating package comprising the steps of:

coextruding a substrate and a frangible skin layer to create a bottom layer;

providing a top layer of flexible material in sheet form;

joining the bottom layer to the top layer with a permanent adhesive;

scoring a series of undercuts in the bottom layer;

scoring an overcut in the top layer that substantially surrounds the undercuts and defines a flap to create a scored laminate film; and

forming a flexible-self-heating package with the scored laminate film.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:

placing a heating agent in a first compartment sealed by the flap and placing food that requires heating in a second compartment.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein, before the joining step, applying the permanent adhesive to either the bottom layer or the top layer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the permanent adhesive is not applied to a small area within the overcut adjacent the overcut.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the overcut terminates in opposing ends which form the ends of a hinge line, and wherein the permanent adhesive is not applied to a small area within the overcut adjacent the overcut and opposite the hinge line.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein scoring the series of undercuts comprises scoring the series of undercuts through the substrate and the frangible skin layer to the permanent adhesive.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the series of undercuts do not extend into the permanent adhesive.

8. A method of making a flexible self-heating package comprising the steps of:

coextruding a substrate and a frangible skin layer to create a bottom layer;

providing a top layer of flexible material in sheet form;

joining the bottom layer to the top layer with a permanent adhesive, wherein the frangible skin layer is in direct contact with the permanent adhesive;

scoring a series of undercuts in the bottom layer;

scoring an overcut in the top layer that substantially surrounds the undercuts and defines a flap to create a scored laminate film; and

forming flexible-self-heating package with the scored laminate film.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising the additional step of:

placing a heating agent in a first compartment sealed by the flap and placing food that requires heating in a second compartment.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein, before the joining step, applying the permanent adhesive to either the bottom layer or the top layer.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the permanent adhesive is not applied to a small area within the overcut adjacent the overcut.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the overcut terminates in opposing ends which form the ends of a hinge line, and wherein the permanent adhesive is not applied to a small area within the overcut adjacent the overcut and opposite the hinge line.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein scoring the series of undercuts comprises scoring the series of undercuts through the substrate and the frangible skin layer to the permanent adhesive.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the series of undercuts do not extend into the permanent adhesive.

15. A method of making a flexible self-heating package comprising the steps of:

coextruding a substrate and a frangible skin layer to create a bottom layer;

providing a top layer of flexible material in sheet form;

joining the bottom layer to the top layer with a permanent adhesive;

scoring a series of undercuts in the substrate;

scoring an overcut in the top layer that substantially surrounds the undercuts and defines a flap to create a scored laminate film; and

forming a flexible-self-heating package with the scored laminate film.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising the additional step of:

placing a he agent in a first compartment sealed by the flap and placing food that requires heating in a second compartment.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein, before the joining step, applying the permanent adhesive to either the bottom layer or the top layer.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the overcut terminates in opposing ends which form the ends of a hinge line, and wherein the permanent adhesive is not applied to a small area within the overcut adjacent the overcut and opposite the hinge line.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the frangible skin layer is in direct contact with the permanent adhesive.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein scoring the series of undercuts comprises scoring the series of undercuts through the substrate and the frangible skin layer to the permanent adhesive.