Easy-open self-venting microwavable tray and overwrap

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10343835-B2
Application number	US-201314893225-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 25, 2013
Priority date	Jul 25, 2013
Publication date	Jul 9, 2019
Grant date	Jul 9, 2019

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved manually openable self-venting ovenable packages which include a rigid or semi-rigid tray having a single thermoplastic overwrap comprising a polymeric laminate surrounding the tray and having a front panel and an opposing back panel. The inventive packages also include a continuous seal circumscribing a recessed cavity of the tray which comprises a heat seal formed by heat sealing a portion of the front panel to the peripheral flange of the tray. The packages of the present invention are self-venting whereby a venting region comprising a release coating applied between the inner surface of the front panel and the inner surface of the back panel permits the overwrap to rupture and release steam in response to heat and/or overpressure generated during heating of a food item in a microwave oven. The inventive packages also includes a manual tear opening feature provided by at least one line of weakness in the front panel positioned between the peelable seal and the first side edge of the front panel. The tear opening feature is configured to permit partial or complete removal of the overwrap from the tray.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An easy-open self-venting ovenable package comprising:
a rigid or semi-rigid tray having a base and at least one sidewall extending from said base thereby forming a recessed cavity; wherein said at least one sidewall comprises a peripheral flange extending generally perpendicularly from said at least one sidewall and circumscribing said recessed cavity:
a single thermoplastic overwrap surrounding said tray and comprising polymeric laminate; wherein said single thermoplastic overwrap comprises a first side edge, an opposing second side edge, a front panel and an opposing back panel comprising a longitudinal seal, a first leading end seal positioned substantially transverse to said longitudinal seal, an opposing second trailing end seal positioned substantially transverse to said longitudinal seal; wherein said front panel and said opposing back panel each have an inner surface and an outer surface;
a continuous peelable seal circumscribing said recessed cavity and comprising an inner perimeter defined by a heat seal formed by heat sealing a portion of said front panel to said peripheral flange;
a venting region comprising a release coating interposed between said inner surface of said front panel and said inner surface of said back panel;
and
a manual tear opening feature comprising at least one line of weakness in said front panel positioned between said peelable seal and said first side edge of said front panel.

2. The package according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one line of weakness comprises a nonlinear scored segment which partially circumscribes the perimeter of said peelable seal.

3. The package according to claim 2 , wherein said nonlinear scored segment is continuous.

4. The package according to claim 2 , wherein said nonlinear scored segment is intermittent.

5. The package according to claim 2 , wherein said nonlinear scored segment extends from said outer surface of said front panel to a depth less than the total thickness of said polymeric laminate.

6. The package according to claim 2 , wherein said nonlinear scored segment extends through the total thickness of said polymeric laminate.

7. The package according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one line of weakness comprises a nonlinear scored segment which entirely circumscribes the perimeter of said peelable seal.

8. The package according to claim 7 , wherein said nonlinear scored segment is intermittent and extends through the total thickness of said polymeric laminate.

9. The package according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one line of weakness in said front panel comprises:
a first linear scored segment positioned adjacent to said first edge of said front panel and between said first side edge of said single thermoplastic overwrap and said peelable seal, and
a second nonlinear scored segment circumscribing a portion of said perimeter of said peelable seal which is positioned between said peelable seal and said second side edge of said single thermoplastic overwrap; wherein said first linear scored segment intersects said second nonlinear scored segment.

10. The package according to claim 9 , wherein said first linear scored segment and said second nonlinear scored segment are each continuous and extend from said outer surface of said front panel to a depth less than the total thickness of said polymeric laminate.

11. The package according to claim 9 , wherein said first linear scored segment of said front panel is continuous and extends from said outer surface of said front panel to a depth less than the total thickness of said polymeric laminate, and said nonlinear scored segment of said front panel is intermittent and extends through the total thickness of said polymeric laminate.

12. The package according to claim 9 , further comprising:
at least one line of weakness in said back panel: wherein said at least one line of weakness of said back panel is a linear scored segment adjacent to said first side edge of said single thermoplastic overwrap; wherein said at least one line of weakness of said back panel intersects said first linear scored segment of said front panel.

13. The package according to claim 12 , wherein said first linear scored segment of said front panel is continuous and extends from said outer surface of said front panel to a depth less than the total thickness of said polymeric laminate, said at least one line of weakness of said back panel is continuous and extends from said outer surface of said back panel to a depth less than the total thickness of said polymeric laminate, and said second nonlinear scored segment of said front panel is continuous and extends from said outer surface of said front panel to a depth less than the total thickness of said polymeric laminate.

14. The package according to claim 12 , wherein said first linear scored segment of said front panel is continuous and extends from said outer surface of said front panel to a depth less than the total thickness of said polymeric laminate, said at least one line of weakness of said back panel is continuous and extends from said outer surface of said back panel to a depth less than the total thickness of said polymeric laminate, and said second nonlinear scored segment of said front panel is intermittent and extends through the total thickness of said polymeric laminate.

15. The package according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one line of weakness of said front panel is a first line of weakness of said front panel; wherein said first line of weakness of said front panel is a linear scored segment positioned adjacent to said first side edge of said single thermoplastic overwrap and between said first side edge of said overwrap and said peelable seal; wherein said package further comprising:
a second line of weakness in said front panel which is a linear scored segment positioned substantially perpendicular to said first line of weakness of said front panel and located adjacent to said first leading end seal; wherein said second line of weakness of said front panel intersects with said first line of weakness of said front panel; and either:
i) a first line of weakness in said back panel; wherein said first line of weakness of said back panel is a linear scored segment positioned adjacent to said first side edge of said single thermoplastic overwrap; wherein said first line of weakness of said back panel intersects with said first line of weakness of said front panel; or
ii) a third line of weakness in said front panel; wherein said third line of weakness of said front panel is a linear scored segment positioned adjacent to said second side edge of said single thermoplastic overwrap and between said second side edge of said single thermoplastic overwrap and said peelable seal; wherein said third line of weakness of said front panel intersects with said second line of weakness of said front panel.

16. The package according to claim 15 , wherein said first linear scored segment is continuous and extends from said outer surface of front panel to a depth less than the total thickness of polymeric laminate; said second linear scored segment of said front panel is continuous and extends from said outer surface of front panel to a depth less than the total thickness of polymeric laminate, and said at least one line of weakness in said back panel is continuous and extends from said outer surface of back panel to a depth less than the total thickness of polymeric laminate.

17. The package according to claim 15 , wherein said first linear scored segment is continuous and extends from said out

Assignees

• Bemis Co Inc

Inventors

• Klipstine Keith A
• Murdick Brian K
• Bougie Blake A
• Cruz Tara K

Classifications

• B65D75/5833

  for tearing out a portion of the wall · CPC title

• B65D77/003

  Articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers, the whole being wrapped · CPC title

• B65D2205/00

  Venting means · CPC title

• B65D77/2036

  the seal having a stress concentrating portion · CPC title

• B65D77/2032

  by peeling or tearing the cover from the container · CPC title