Method of packaging refrigerated meal in a package containing an anti-fog agent

• US 6,048,558 A
• Filed: 10/13/1998
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC (The Kraft Heinz Company)
• Original Assignee: Kraft Foods Incorporated (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Finn, Reggie, Barrett, Mark R., Feldmeier, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CANO, MILTON I
• Application Number:
  US09/170,521
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 426/20, 426/106, 426/112, 426/115, 426/119, 426/120, 426/128, 426/549, 426/392, 426/393, 426/396, 426/321, 426/323, 426/324, 206/541, 206/542, 206/564, 523/169
• US Class Current: 426/120
• CPC Class Codes: A21D 15/00 Preserving finished , partly finished or par-baked bakery products; Improving refreshing A21D17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A21D 8/042 with enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/327 and forming several compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/0433 the inner container being a tray or like shallow container, not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks B65D81/3862 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2076 in an at least partially rigid container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/26 with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents B65D33/01 takes precedence; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/90 in food processing or handling, e.g. food conservation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 90/10 Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics

Abstract

A packaged meal is provided in the form of a kit arrangement which is formulated and prepared for storage under refrigerated, non-frozen conditions for extended time periods within retail store showcase coolers. The kit includes a compartmentalized, hermetically sealed package, with a refrigerated baked flour-containing component or dough component within an overpouch which is sealed or unsealed and positioned within one of the compartments and being specially formulated to maintain its freshness and retarding staling during extended refrigerated storage within the hermetically sealed package. At least the compartment within which baked component is sealed has an anti-fogging agent component which further assists in maintaining freshness and retarding staling under even refrigerated, non-frozen conditions.

Claims

1. A method of imparting resistance to moisture and texture degradation in a baked flour-containing content of a package during periods of extended storage at refrigerated temperatures, comprising:

providing a package having a compartment with an anti-fogging agent associated therewith;

positioning the baked flour-containing content in said compartment;

hermetically sealing the baked flour-containing content in said compartment;

distributing said anti-fogging agent in said compartment; and

refrigerating said package with said baked flour-containing content therein at a temperature of between about 0°

C. and about 10°

C. for a time period required for retail distribution, display and sale of said baked flour-containing content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said refrigerated baked flour-containing content is enclosed within an overwrap pouch.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said package is formed of a plurality of layers, including a support layer and a sealant layer, said sealant layer being adjacent said compartment, and said anti-fogging agent is between said sealant layer and said support layer, which anti-fogging agent migrates to said compartment over time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said baked flour-containing content is hermetically sealed in said package with an oxygen-barrier flexible film.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said oxygen-barrier flexible film includes said anti-fogging agent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said baked flour-containing content is formulated from a dough including a starch-degrading enzyme.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said enzyme is an amylase.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said baked flour-containing content further includes an added gluten component and corn syrup.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said refrigerated baked flour-containing content is a bread roll.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said refrigerated baked flour-containing content is a pancake or a waffle.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said package also includes a refrigerated meat meal therein.

12. The method of claim 1, including gas flushing said package.