A FOOD PRODUCT AND METHODS OF PACKAGING RAW WET PROTEIN FOR RETAIL

Abstract

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a container to food product (20) having a self-standing flexible pouch (22); a raw wet protein portion (14) disposed within the pouch (22); and a closure (34) sealing the pouch (22). There may also be provided a method of packaging a raw wet protein portion (14) for retail, the method comprising: opening an empty self-standing flexible pouch (22); filling the empty pouch (22) with a raw wet protein portion (14); and sealing the pouch (20).

Claims

1. A food product comprising: a self-standing flexible pouch; a raw wet protein portion within the pouch; and a closure sealing the pouch.

2. The product of claim 1, wherein opening of the closure allows the raw wet protein portion to be dispensed by upturning and/or squeezing the pouch, wherein when the raw wet protein portion is removed from the pouch, the pouch is able to be flattened.

3. The product of claim 1, wherein the closure is integral with the pouch and is a tearable portion of the pouch.

4. The product of claim 1, wherein the closure is a zipper for sealing the pouch, wherein the zipper allows the pouch to be resealed after opening.

5. (canceled)

6. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch has an antibacterial coating on the external surface of the pouch.

7. The product of claim 1, further comprising a sauce or marinade disposed within the pouch.

8. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises label information printed directly onto the pouch.

9. (canceled)

10. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch is at least partially transparent.

11. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch has an altered internal atmosphere.

12. (canceled)

13. A method of packaging a raw wet protein portion for retail, the method comprising: opening an empty self-standing flexible pouch; filling the empty pouch with a raw wet protein portion; and closing and sealing the pouch.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein after filling the empty pouch the method further comprising the steps of: evacuating air from within the unsealed filled pouch; and injecting a pre-mixed gas into the evacuated pouch.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of evacuating air from the unsealed filled pouch includes the step of inserting a snorkel into the pouch.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of injecting pre-mixed gas into the evacuated pouch using the or a snorkel.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein opening the pouch further comprises the step of confirming that the pouch is fully open.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a sensor is used to confirm that the pouch is fully open, said sensor providing a signal to a weighing device to fill the pouch with the weighed raw wet protein portion.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein sealing the pouch further comprises the step of applying heat and/or pressure to a portion of the pouch.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the sealed pouch is cooled to ensure the seal is fully cured.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of applying an antibacterial coating to an external surface of the pouch.

24. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing the empty self-standing flexible pouch with an antibacterial coating prior to opening of the pouch.

25. A raw wet protein portion packaged according to the method of claim 13.

26. A self-standing flexible pouch for packaging wet protein portions, said pouch comprising: a closure for sealing the pouch; wherein the pouch has an antibacterial coating on the external surface of the pouch.

27. A pouch according to claim 26, wherein the closure is integral with the pouch and is a tearable portion of the pouch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] Embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which

[0044] FIG. 1 illustrates a known sealed food product packaging;

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an empty opened pouch according to aspects of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 3 a food product according to aspects of the present invention, including the pouch of FIG. 2;

[0047] FIG. 4a is a side view of a known production line for producing food products as shown in FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 4b is a top view of the production line of FIG. 4a;

[0049] FIG. 5a is a side view of a production line for producing food products as shown in FIG. 3;

[0050] FIG. 5b is a top view of the production line of FIG. 5a;

[0051] FIG. 6 is an enlarged section of part of the production line shown in FIG. 5b;

[0052] FIG. 7a is a side view of part of the production line shown in FIG. 6;

[0053] FIG. 7b is a top view of the part shown in FIG. 7a; and

[0054] FIG. 8 is a schematic of a valve system shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a known food product 10 for the packaging and display of raw wet protein portions, such as portions of poultry or other raw wet protein products, including fish, shellfish, pork, beef, etc. Such food product packaging is sometimes called tray lidded CAP pack. FIG. 1 shows a tray 12 into which portions 14 of raw wet meat protein are typically placed. The trade 12 may be transparent, translucent or any other colour chosen typically to enhance the appeal of the finished food product on the supermarket shelf. The tray is typically made from polystyrene or other such rigid plastic material The tray 12 defines a space into which the portions 14 are placed. The tray may be sealed by a, typically transparent, plastics film 16 and may be adorned with a label (not shown).

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a food product 20 according to aspects of the present invention. The product 20 has a pouch 22 with an opening 24. The opening 24 allows access to the interior of the pouch 22 into which portions of raw wet protein portions 14 may be placed. The product 20 also has a transparent window or portion 26 through which the portions 14 can be viewed by a consumer. It can be appreciated that the size, transparency and presence of the transparent portion may be tailored for different food products. The product 20 also features a tear strip 28 that allows for removal of a top portion 30 of the pouch 22 after the pouch has been sealed, allowing access to the contents of the pouch 22.

[0057] The pouch 22 of the food product 20 is provided with a base portion 32 that is at least as wide as the opening 24. This allows the food product 20 to be self-supporting or upstanding so that it can be placed onto a shelf vertically, displaying the contents or labelling of the pouch 22 to a consumer. As shown, the pouch 22 is generally taller than its width and depth to create the illusion that the pouch 22 is standing whilst on display. The pouch 22 may be tapered, that is the opening 24 may be smaller than the base portion 32, but generally the opening 24 and base portion 32 are the same size.

[0058] The opening 24 is shown as running along the upper length of the pouch 22, however it can be appreciated that the opening may be smaller in size and only allow access across a portion of the upper surface 30 of the pouch 22. Additionally or alternatively, the opening 24 may be provided at least partially on the side wall of the pouch 22 to create a side or corner opening.

[0059] The pouch 22 is typically made from a laminate structure comprising several layers such as polypropylene contacting the raw wet protein portions and polyester as an outer layer to provide strength to the pouch and a printable surface. Barrier layers such as aluminium foil and abrasion resistance layers such as nylon may also be provided. This construction allows the pouch 22 to be flexible whilst self-standing or self-supporting. It also allows the pouch 22 to be flattened when empty.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows the food product 20 of FIG. 2 after the mouth or opening 24 of the pouch 22 has been sealed. In the example shown, the top portion 30 of the pouch 22 above the tear strip 28 has been heat sealed to bond the opening 24 closed. Accordingly, the closure 34 is integral with the pouch 22. It can be appreciated that other closures may be used including a zipper. Use of a zipper allows for resealing of the pouch 22 after opening.

[0061] The pouch 22 is provided with an antibacterial coating (not shown) provided on the external surface of the pouch 22. Label information and graphical information can be printed directly onto the external surface of the pouch providing a cleaner and neater finished look to the product 20. Such information is provided vertically to allow consumers to view the information easily when the product is stacked vertically and self-standing on a shelf.

[0062] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a production line 100 for providing the food products 10 shown in FIG. 1. The production line has workers 102, in the example shown 14 workers 102, at different stages of the production line. In the example shown, 12 workers are at a weigh and fill station 104 where trays 106 are filled with raw wet protein portions and weighed. The trays 106 are then placed onto a conveyor and into a tray lidding machine 108 where the transparent film 16 is added. Once sealed, the trays 106 are re-weighed at a weighing station 110 and a label applied at station 112. Finally, the labelled, sealed trays are collected at station 114.

[0063] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a production line 200 according to the present disclosure. Only two workers 102 are required for this production line, increasing labour efficiency.

[0064] In use, raw wet protein pieces 14 are provided to conveyor 210. Conveyor 210 provides the portions to a hopper 220 that weighs and sorts the wet protein into portions 14.

[0065] A separate machine 230 provides empty pouches 22 to a carousel 240. The empty pouches 22 may be provided with an antibacterial coating already applied to the external surface of the pouches 22. Once loaded, the pouches 22 are opened using a gripper device (not shown). A sensor is used to confirm that the pouch has been opened. Conditional on the sensor indicating that the pouch is open, a signal is sent to the hopper 220 to provide the portions 14 into the pouch 22. Once filled, the pouches 22 are treated and sealed (see FIGS. 6 and 7) before being provided to another conveyor 270 where they are reweighed and pass through a metal detector 280 before being collected at station 290.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged portion of the carousel 240 showing a vacuum gas station 250 and a heat seal station 260. FIGS. 7a and 7b show the detail of the vacuum gas station 250. In use, a filled pouch 22 is provided to the station with the opening 24 open. Once the machine comes to a standstill, snorkels 252 drop into the pouch 22 through opening 24. Gripper arms (not shown) move apart to stretch the pouch opening 24. The opening is then closed to provide an air tight seal using rubber coated jaws. Via a valve system 254, air is removed from the pouch 22 and protective gas is injected. Once this procedure is complete, the snorkels 252 withdraw from the pouch 22 and the pouch is provided to the sealing station 260. As the pouch moves between stations, the top of the pouch 22 is held closed by biased guides, such as spring loaded guides. The pouch 22 is then heat sealed to achieve a hermitic seal and to form a closure 34. An antibacterial coating may then be applied to the external surface of the pouch 22 (if not already present), for example by spraying.

[0067] Details of the valve system 254 are shown in FIG. 8. Snorkels 252 are provided with gas from a reservoir 254a via a regulator 254b. Gas valves 254c regulate the supply of the protective gas from the reservoir 254a. In addition, vacuum may be provided by a vacuum pump 254d supplied by opening vacuum valves 254e. A sediment 254f and filter 254g are provided to protect the pump 254d. The system may be flushed and cleaned with water via water valve 254h regulating supply of water connection 254i.

[0068] It should be noted that the Figures are diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of these Figures have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size, for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference signs are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar feature in modified and different embodiments.

[0069] From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art of vacuum switching, and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein.

[0070] Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

[0071] Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

[0072] For the sake of completeness it is also stated that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, the term “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality, and reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.