Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MULTIPLE-TRAY, MULTIPLE-COMPARTMENT FOOD PACKAGE
FIELD
10001] A multiple-tray, multiple-compartment food package that can be
separated
without disturbing adjacent sealed trays, and in particular, a multiple-tray,
multiple-
component food package that is connected together via a film and back panel:
BACKGROUND
[0002] Food packages are known to comprise multiple compartments within a
single main tray. The multiple compartment food packages can comprise an
assortment of food items contained in the recessed compartments and can be
covered
by a single continuous sheet of film. Once the sheet of film is removed, all
of the
multiple compartments are simultaneously exposed, such that all of the food
items can
be consumed in one sitting. One such food package comprised of a single tray
with
multiple food compartments is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,375,701 and
5,657,873,
both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, where a
single tray
has at least three compartments with a common flexible film placed across each
of the
compartments to seal the food within the package until it is opened. Once the
film is
removed from the tray in order to provide access to the food products within,
the film is
no longer resealable, thus preventing the food from being reclosed with the
film and
stored in the food package if not all consumed. Another feature that is
desirable to have
on a food package is the ability to display the food package in a retail store
such that
the front or top side of the package is visible, as disclosed in U.S. Patent
Nos. '
5,375,701 and 5,657,873. One way to display the package in this position is to
stand it
in an upright position by using a back panel secured to the back side of the
food
package, i.e., the back side of the compartments in the tray, and to use the
back panel
as a support combined with an edge of the tray in standing the package up on
its side.
[0003] In order to display the package in an upright position the back panel
is
used which extends past the edges of the side walls of the compartments in the
tray. If
it is desired to have two or more trays arranged in series such that they are
all
connected and packaged together as one package, the multiple trays would all
be
opened at the same time and consumed at the same time because the single,
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continuous film that Is placed over the top of the two or more trays would
expose all of
the compartments in all of the trays upon opening and removing the film.
Furthermore,
the back panel, which is utilized to aid in the display of the package, is
secured to the
back of the compartments in the tray, such that separating one tray from a
second tray
would be difficult because both would still be adhered to the common back
panel. If
multiple trays were manufactured individually, such that each had its own film
enclosing
the compartments on the tray, this would not provide for an easy way to attach
the
packages to one another in order to sell and store them together as one unit.
SUMMARY
[0004] A multiple-tray, multiple-compartment food package is provided that
allows
for multiple individual trays to be packaged and sold together in a connected
manner,
yet allows the trays to be separated from each other and opened independently
of each
other. Each multiple tray component of the food package contains multiple
compartments therein for storing food products and is covered with a common
film
having a perforation therein or other weakened portion between the individual
trays. The
multiple tray food package contains a back panel that is placed along the
bottom of
each tray such that it covers at least a portion of the bottom wall of at
least one
compartment on each tray and further connects them together. The back panel is
a
single, common piece, however, it can be separated into at least two pieces
along a line
or area of weakness located thereon and positioned between the individual
trays, thus
providing for a portion of the back panel to remain on each tray while also
permitting
separation of the trays from each other. The back panel is used to provide
either a
stand-up display feature and/or a hole in the top of the panel to use as an
overhead
hanging device. The back panel also can provide support for keeping the
individual
trays together. The multiple trays are not themselves connected but rather are
connected via the common flexible film and the common back panel which are
both
separable along their respective lines of weakness to provide for individual
trays.
[0005] The multiple tray food package further comprises a common flexible film
that is placed over the top opening of the multiple compartments of each tray
to cover
and seal the oompartments until the food products therein are ready to be
consumed.
The flexible film is a single continuous sheet of film that overlays all of
the multiple trays
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that make up the food package. Between adjacent food trays the film contains a
perforation which aliows for the film to be tom along the perforation in order
to separate
the multiple trays, allowing for the film on one tray to be opened without
removing the
film from another adjacent tray that was previously attached to that tray.
This allows for
the consumer to open up only one of the multiple trays and to save the rest of
the trays,
still containing sealed food products, for later consumption.
[0006] The multiple tray food package can be separated into its individual
multiple trays and opened for consumption separately, at different times. To
separate
the multiple tray food package, the back panel is first separated into at
least two parts
along a line of weakness, with a portion of the back panel remaining affixed
to each of
the trays. Then the flexible film is separated along its perforation into at
least two
portions, with each portion remaining sealed to its respective tray. However,
the
reverse of these steps could also be performed. When a food item is to be
consumed,
the user simply removes the flexible film from a single tray, while permitting
the
remaining trays to remain sealed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. I is a top view of a multi-tray food package;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a back view of the multi-tray food package of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the multi-tray food package of
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of the multi-tray food package of
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the multi-tray food package of
FIG. 1
showing a hole in a back panel of the package;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a view showing the line of weakness being removed from a back
panel of the multi-tray food package of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a view showing the trays being separated along a perforation
on
a film of the multi-tray food package of FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the separated trays of the multi-tray
food
package of FIG 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] A multiple-tray, multiple-compartment food package providing for
consumption of the food product stored therein at separate times and including
upright
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display of the food package and, in particular, a common flexible film
covering all of the
compartments of all of the trays that can be separated along a weakened
portion, or
perforation, prior to opening and a back panel that can be separated into at
least two
parts along a line or area of weakness are disclosed herein and illustrated in
FIGS. 1-8.
In particular, the back panel extends along the back walls of all of the trays
covering at
least a portion of the multiple compartments and functioning as a support to
stand the
food package in an upright position for display purposes. The back panel can
be
separated such that one portion of the back panel is contained on the bottom
of one tray
and a second portion is contained on a portion of another tray. Alternatively
or in
addition, the back panel can contain a hole therethrough for hanging overhead.
The
flexible film comprises a single continuous sheet of film that overlays a top
of the
compartments of all of the trays and further contains a perforation between
adjacent
trays. To separate the trays, the flexible film is separated along the
perforation to allow
adjacent trays to be separated from each other.
[0016] Turning to FIG. 1, a top view is shown of a food package 10 having at
least two generally rectangular rigid, unconnected trays 12a and 12b. However,
more
than two trays can be included. Each of the two trays 12a and 12b can further
include
at least two recessed food compartments, or at least three compartments 14,
15, and
16, as shown in FIG. 1, for holding a food product. The compartments 14, 15,
and 16
can comprise side walls extending downwardly from peripheral 24 and internal
26
flanges of the trays 12a and 12b to bottom walls, the compartments 14, 15, and
16
further having an opening in the top of the compartments 14, 15, and 16 and
parallel to
the bottom wall. The compartments 14, 15, and 16 may be recessed preferably
between approximately 0.75 inches and 2 inches, such that a food product can
be
stored therein. The openings of the compartments 14, 15, and 16 may comprise
any
shape that is appropriate for receiving a food product therein, and may be
circular,
rectangular, square or any other shape. Not all of the compartments 14, 15,
and 16
may be shaped the same on a single tray; each may be a different shape or have
at
least one different shape on a single tray.
[0017] The trays 12a and 12b can be packaged together such that they are
attached to one another via a common air impermeable flexible film 18 placed
over the
top openings of the compartments 14, 15, and 16 of each tray 12a and 12b, and
via a
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common back panel 28 attached to the bottom walls of the compartments 14, 15,
and
16; the trays 12a and 12b themselves are not actually connected.
[0018] The flexible film 18 can comprise a single, continuous sheet of film
that
overlays the top portion of both trays 12a and 12b. The single, continuous
sheet of film
18 that is placed over both trays 12a and 12b operates to keep the two trays
12a and
12b connected to each other thus that it can be sold as one food package 10.
The
common flexible film 18 can comprise a transparent or semi-transparent film 18
such
that the food products contained within the compartments 14, 15, and 16 can be
at least
partially visible. Furthermore, the flexible film 18 can contain printing or
labeling. For
example, a design can be printed on an upper portion of the package 10
(adjacent a
peripheral 24 and internal 26 flanges) such that the design is presented as an
opaque
area on the flexible film 18 itself, leaving transparent areas therein for
viewing interiors
of the compartments 14, 15, and 16 therethrough.
[0019] The flexible film 18 further contains a weakened portion such as a
laser
score, mechanical score, tear tape or, preferably, a perforation 20, that can
be
positioned between adjacent trays 12a and 12b, along which the trays 12a and
12b are
attached. The perforation 20 can span the entire length of the package 10,
from one
side end to another opposite side end, or it can span a shorter length as long
as the
perforation 20 is long enough to allow separation of the adjacent trays 12a
and 12b from
each other and along the film 18. Where there are only two trays, the
perforation 20
may be centrally located. When the film 18 tears along its perforation 20 and
is
separated, the film 18 can be divided into at least two portions 18a and 18b
with each
portion remaining intact upon its respective tray 12a and 12b until a force is
applied to
remove the film 18a and 18b to uncover the openings of the compartments 14,
15, and
16.
[0020] The trays 12a and 12b further can comprise a peripheral flange 24 that
defines an outer periphery of the top of each tray 12a and 12b, and several
internal
flanges 26 positioned parallel to a bottom of the trays 12a and 12b such that
they are
opposite the bottom and located between compartments 14, 15, and 16 and
further
defining the openings of the compartments 14, 15, and 16. The flexible film 18
can be
affixed to each of the trays 12a and 12b at the peripheral flange 24 and
internal flange
26 of each tray 12a and 12b, thus forming a relatively air-tight seal with
respect to the
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compartments 14, 15, and 16 containing food product. The film 18 can have a
portion
that extends outwardly from the peripheral flange 24 and past an edge of the
peripheral
flange 24 to provide a gripping surface for the removal of the film 18. The
film 18 can
further include tabs 22 at the corners of the package 10 to further aid in
removal of the
film 18. The film 18 can be sealed to the trays 12a and 12b by any suitable
methods,
such as by using glue, adhesive, uitrasonically sealing or heat-sealing to
seal the film 18
to the peripheral and internal flanges 24 and 26.
[0021] Tuming to FIG. 2, a back view is shown of the food package 10 having a
back panel 28 affixed to each tray 12a and 12b. The back panel 28 can be
attached to
a portion of the bottom wall of at least one compartment 14, 15, or 16 on each
tray 12a
and 12b, or, as shown in FIG. 2, the back panel 28 can be attached to a
portion of the
bottom wall of all three compartments 14, 15, and 16 of each tray 12a and 12b.
Preferably, the back panel 28 is attached to all of the compartments 14, 15,
and 16 on
all of the trays 12a and 12b. The back panel 28 may also be a single, common
panel
that spans the bottom walls of both trays 12a and 12b. The back panel 28 can
extend
outwardly from the compartments 14, 15, and 16 in at least one direction so
that its
edge is parallel and aligned with the outer periphery of one of the sides of
the peripheral
flanges 24 such that it is located immediately beneath it. The package 10 can
then be
placed in an upright position by standing it up on the edge of the back panel
28 and the
parallel peripheral edge 24 along the edge of the tray 12b. When viewed from
the back,
the edges of the film 18 may be seen around the perimeter of the package 10,
and may
also extend slightly past the peripheral flanges 24, however, the excess film
18 around
the perimeter should not interfere with the package 10 standing upright. As
used herein
and throughout this application, the term "parailel is used in a general
sense, and is not
used in a precise, geometric manner. The back panel 28 can be attached to the
bottom
wall by any suitable means, such as by hot melt adhesive.
[0022] When the back panel 28 is attached to the bottom of the trays 12a and
12b, it must be attached in generally the same plane so that the back panel 28
is
relatively flat or level across the bottom of the trays 12a and 12b so that it
can provide
adequate support when stood upright. This requires the bottom walls of the
compartments 14, 15, and 16 to all be aligned in about the same plane, which
can be
achieved by all of the compartments 14, 15, and 16 having a portion of each
tray
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generally at the same depth. The bottom wall may include a first portion
having a first
depth and a second portion having a second depth, where the second depth is
greater
than the first depth and the back panel is adhered to the second portion. This
accounts
for when the compartments 14, 15, and 16 are at different depths, and the
bottom walls
of the smaller depth compartments can contain the second portion, or a
projection, that
protrudes slightly therefrom as an extension of the bottom wall, in an amount
or
thickness that is needed to equal the depth of the deepest compartment.
Therefore,
when the back panel 28 is attached to the bottom of the trays 12a and 12b it
can
contact the bottom walls of the deepest compartments (i.e., a first portion)
and the
bottom wall projections, or second portions, of any shorter depth
compartments, thus
providing for the back panel 28 to rest in a level plane despite the
compartments 14, 15,
and 16 having different depths. Alternatively, the deepest compartments may
also
contain two portions of different depths, and still alternatively, all the
compartments may
be at the same depth but still contain a first and second poraon with two
depths that
may be similar. Such bottom wall projections can be shaped in many ways, and
can
span the entire cross-section of the bottom wall or only a portion thereof.
[0023] The back panel 28 also operates to connect the trays 12a and 12b
together and provide support, keeping the trays 12a and 12b attached as one
single
package 10. The back panel 28 also contains a line or area of weakness 30,
which can
be removed to separate the back panel 28 into at least two parts 28a and 28b,
where
each part 28a and 28b of the back panel remains attached to its respective
tray 12a and
12b. The back panel 28 may not be as easy to remove or to separate along its
line of
weakness 30 as is the film 18 along its weakened portion 20. The back panel 28
can
provide a sturdier support to keep the trays 12a and 12b together than does
the film 18.
The line of weakness 30 functions to separate the package 10 into its
individual trays
12a and 12b upon removal of the line of weakness 30. The line of weakness 30
can be
centrally located such that it may be generally equidistant between the two
trays 12a
and 12b. The line of weakness 30 may comprise a perforated tear strip,
perforation,
tear tape, tear string, reverse cut score or the like. The line of weakness 30
may also
include a tab 36 or other gripping end that makes grasping and removing the
line of
weakness 30 easier. The back panel 28 may also contain printing or labeling
thereon.
Altematively, the back panel 28 may not contain a line or area of weakness 30
at all and
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instead the back panel 28 can be tom off or removed by hand, thus removing
substantially the entire back panel 28 from the bottom walls of the
compartments 14, 15,
and 16 to detach the trays 12a and 12b.
[0024] When the back panel 28 is used to display the package 10 and to aid in
standing the package 10 upright along a bottom edge, the back panel 28 can
have a
lower edge 32 that extends beyond the edges of the side wall of at least one
of the
compartments 14, 15, or 16 of the lowermost positioned tray 12b, as shown in
FIGS. 3
and 4. The lower edge of the back panel 28 can be parallel to a lower edge 34
of the
peripheral flange 24 of the lower-positioned base tray 12b such that the lower
edge 32
of the back panel 28 and the lower edge 34 of the peripheral flange 24 form a
pair of
edges that are generally within a line in the same plane upon which the
package 10 can
be stood upright. A tray that is in a lower position is the tray 12b that is
in a bottom
position when two trays are stood on an edge such that one tray is positioned
above the
other tray, therefore, one tray is on top (positioned above the other) and one
tray is on
the bottom (positioned below). When in this upright position, the package 10
can then
be balanced to remain upright on its own from the combined support from the
lower
edge 34 of its bottom-most peripheral flange 24 and the lower edge 32 of the
back
panel 28. The back panel 28 is preferably rectangular in shape; however, any
number
of shapes are possible as long as the back panel shape provides for a lower
edge 32 to
stand on.
[0025] Alternatively and/or in addition to the stand-up feature, a peggable
hole
can be provided on a peg member, where the peg member may be the back panel 28
containing a hole in an uppermost portion of the back panel 28 for hanging
overhead on
a hook in a display case, as shown in FIG. 5. When the back panel 28 is used
to hang
the package from an overhead hook or the like, the back panel 28 can have an
upper
edge 40 that extends beyond an upper edge 42 of the peripheral flange 24 of
the upper
positioned tray 12a, such that the upper edge 40 of the back panel 28 extends
past the
upper edge 42 of the peripheral flange 24 and is parallel to it. A hole 44 can
then be
placed in the upper portion 46 of the back panel 28 such that the hole 44 is
located in a
plane that is above the package 100 such that when placed on a hook or the
like, the
hook will not interfere with the trays 12a and 12b of the package 100.
Altematively, a
peggable hole can be provided on a peg member that can be attached to one or
all of
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the trays where the peg member may be a separate tape or other attachment that
already contains a hole and can be affixed to the top portion of either the
package 100
or the back panel 28, thus the back panel 28 itself would not contain a hole
through the
panel. The tape or attachment can be affixed to either a front side or a back
side of the
package 100 or back panel 28, where the front side is the part of the package
where the
film 18 is attached. In addition to the hole feature, whether on the back
panel 28 itself
or attached as a separate attachment, the back panel 28 can also still contain
an area
of weakness 30 positioned between the trays 12a and 12b.
[0026] The rigid trays 12a and 12b may be formed from any suitable packaging
materials, such as high density polyethylene. The rigid trays 12a and 12b,
which are
preferably formed from a single sheet of material, may further contain a
protective
multilayer laminate portion, having an inner and outer layer that serves as a
moisture
barrier and sealant layer and a middle layer that serves as an oxygen barrier
layer. The
rigid trays 12a and 12b can be formed of various other materials. If formed of
a
relatively stiff material such as polystyrene, the rigid trays 12a and 12b can
tend to be
relatively stiff and of such a nature that the compartments 14, 15, and 16,
and especially
the lower comers thereof, could be damaged if dented or the like in handling.
Using
certain other materials such as high density polyethylene can provide a
somewhat
softer and more durable package 10 such that the lower corners may not be as
readily
damaged.
[0027] The flexible film 18 may also comprise a multilayer film. An outer
layer of
the film 18 can be formed of a number of different film materials, such as
polyester,
nylon or polyethylene. A middle layer can comprise an oxygen barrier layer
such as
ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) or polyvinylidene dichloride (PVDC). An inner
layer could
comprise a moisture barrier and heat-sealable material such as low density
polyethylene. The back panel 28 of the package 10 should be constructed of a
relatively stiff material, such as paperboard or a relatively thick plastic
material such as
high density polyethylene when used for both holding the trays 12a and 12b
together
and as a stand-up feature. If the stand-up feature is not necessary, then the
back panel
28 may instead comprise a pressure-sensitive label or other type of attachment
sturdy
enough to hold the trays 12a and 12b together. Furthermore, the individual
trays 12a
and 12b may have a length of about 5 to about 9 inches, preferably about 8
inches, and
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a width of about 1.5 to about 4 inches, preferably about 3 inches. A height or
depth of
the tray can be at least about 0.35 inches. The package 10 comprising two
trays can
have a similar length and depth as the individual trays, however, the package
can have
a different width of about 3 to about 8 inches, preferably about 5.5 inches,
since it is
equal to the width of two trays, or however many are packaged together.
[0028] The food package 10 may include many types of food products. For
example, at least one of the compartments 14, 15 or 16 may include
proteinaceous
foods, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, peanut better, and the like, and
at least one
of the compartments 14, 15 or 16 may include farinaceous foods, such as bread,
crackers, and the like. Still other foods that may be included in the
compartments 14,
15 or 16 may be condiments, desserts, confectioneries, fruits, and the like.
The food
package 10 may further contain implements such as plastic utensils and/or
napkins.
For example, a typical package 10 may include a larger compartment 14 having a
plurality of crackers and the like while the smaller compartments 15 and 16
may
generally include cheeses, meat, fish, and the like. A beverage container may
also be
included.
[0029] In order to separate the trays 12a and 12b and to open at least one of
the
trays 12a and 12b for consumption of the food products therein, the line or
area of
weakness 30 in the back panel 28, as shown in FIG. 6, can first be broken. If
there is a
tab 36, then the tab 36 can be grasped and pulled across the back panel 28 to
aid in
removing the line of weakness 30. Upon separation of the line of weakness 30,
the
back panel 28 is in at least two parts 28a and 28b, with one part 28a
remaining
connected to one tray 12a and the other part 28b remaining connected to the
other tray
12b, and the trays 12a and 12b are no longer connected to each other along the
back
plane of the package 10. Alternatively, if the back panel 28 does not contain
an area of
weakness 30 then substantially the entire back panel 28 can be removed to
detach the
trays 12a and 12b.
[0030] After the back panel 28 has been separated into at least two parts 28a
and 28b, then the front plane of the package 10 can be separated along the
perforation
20 of the film 18, as shown in FIG. 7. A consumer can grasp the two opposing
sides of
the package 10, by grasping each tray 12a and 12b, and gently applying a force
to the
film 18 such that it tears along its perforation 20 in order to separate into
at least two
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film portions 18a and 18b that remain intact upon their respective trays 12a
and 12b.
The film 18 is rather weak along its perforation 20 and can be easily
separated or torn,
while the back panel 28 is much more sturdy and stiff and requires a greater
force to
separate it along its line of weakness 30. Thus after removing the line of
weakness 30
and tearing along the perforation 20 of the film 18, the package 10 is divided
into its
individual trays 12a and 12b, as shown in FIG. 8, thus providing for separate
trays 12a
and 12b that can be opened at different times and the food therein can be
consumed at
different times without having to expose all of the compartments 14, 15, and
16 on all of
the trays 12a and 12b.
[0031] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated a multiple-tray, multiple-
compartment food package is provided that allows for packaging the multiple
trays
together initially and later provides for separating the trays without
disrupting the film
seal covering the food compartments. However, the disclosure is not limited to
the
aspects and embodiments described hereinabove, or to any particular
embodiments.
Various modifications to the multiple-tray, multiple-compartment food package
can
result in substantially the same container and methods of manufacture.
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