GB2213689A - Improvements in or relating to containers - Google Patents
Improvements in or relating to containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2213689A GB2213689A GB8728638A GB8728638A GB2213689A GB 2213689 A GB2213689 A GB 2213689A GB 8728638 A GB8728638 A GB 8728638A GB 8728638 A GB8728638 A GB 8728638A GB 2213689 A GB2213689 A GB 2213689A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- container
- cover
- holes
- tray
- rigid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001903 high density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004700 high-density polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004544 sputter deposition Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 10
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000003303 reheating Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000005030 aluminium foil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
- B65D81/3446—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
- B65D81/3453—Rigid containers, e.g. trays, bottles, boxes, cups
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2205/00—Venting means
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Package Specialized In Special Use (AREA)
- Cookers (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A microwave container which comprises a tray and a cover adapted to fit over the tray, the said cover having a multitude of holes 4 of a diameter of up to about 1 mm formed therein. To allow the escape of steam without sputtering and splashing. The cover may be of rigid plastics. <IMAGE>
Description
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONTAINERS
The present invention relates to containers which contain ready prepared meals and, in particular, to containers for ready prepared meals which are intended to be reheated in a microwave oven or for meals which are to be cooked in a microwave oven.
Ready prepared meals are becoming increasingly popular. The food is cooked initially in the tray in which it is to be sold, or inserted into the tray after an initial cooking stage. The tray is then packaged in an appropriate manner so that it can be handled for distribution to and sale by the retail outlet, or supplied to the catering trade. Such ready prepared meals are intended to be reheated either in a conventional oven pre-set to a desired temperature, or using microwave heating.
The heating or cooking of foods by microwave heating is accompanied by the disadvantage that the food heats very rapidly and at least some of the water contained in the food is quickly transformed into steam. The formation of the steam causes the food to sputter and/or splash, which makes the microwave oven dirty. To avoid this problem it has been proposed to use a splashguard over the top of the tray during the microwave heating or cooking of the food. However, whilst the splashguard prevents the food from sputtering and splashing when it is heated, there is a build-up of steam beneath the splashguard which can cause problems when the splashguard is removed by the consumer.
It has therefore been proposed to form several large holes of the order of 1 cm in diameter in the splashguard to assist the escape of steam from the covered tray. This solution is accompanied by the disadvantage that the formation of large holes in the splashguard presents manufacturing problems with regard to the disposal of the portions which are stamped out therefrom and, furthermore, that it is impossible to provide many large holes in the splashguard because the strength of the splashguard would thereby be impaired. Without an even distribution of venting holes in the splashguard a localised build-up of steam can occur.
Another solution to this problem has been to provide several cut profiles in the splashguard.
Whilst this approach avoids the manufacturing problems discussed above, it is accompanied not only by the other disadvantages detailed above but also by the disadvantages that on heating the cut profiles tend to close.
We have now developed a microwave container which has a splashguard or cover which allows the escape of steam from the food contained therein during cooking or reheating but which does not suffer from the above disadvantages.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a microwave container which comprises a tray and a cover adapted to fit over the tray, the said cover having a multitude of holes of a diameter of up to about 1 mm formed therein.
A particular advantage of the container of the present invention is that the holes in the cover can be spread over a large area of the cover thus enabling even venting of steam to occur without the strength of the cover being impared.
The cover is preferably formed from a rigid or semi-rigid microwave compatible plastics material, such as polyester, high density polyethylene, polypropylene or a multilayer material. The tray portion of the container may also be formed from a rigid or semi-rigid microwave compatible plastics material which may be the same as or different from the material of the cover.
A multitude of holes are formed in the cover of the container, preferably at least one hundred and up to a maximum of as many holes as the surface of the cover can accommodate without impairing the structural integrity of the cover. More preferably between one hundred and seven hundred holes are formed in the cover. The holes have a diameter of up to about 1 mm, preferably a diameter of above 30 micrometres.
It is preferred that a total venting area of at least 1 square contimetre should be provided by the holes, preferably an area of at least five square centimetres.
The holes may be arranged in any desired pattern, for example, as words or as a graphic design. It is preferred that the holes are distributed relatively evenly over a substantial area of the cover since this assists in the escape of steam during the reheating or cooking of the foods and prevents a localised build-up of steam.
The holes are formed in the cover of the container by punching or piercing the cover. When the lid is formed from a microwave compatible rigid or semi-rigid plastics material the holes are preferably formed by punching through the plastics material and bending the plastics material beyond its yield point so that on heating the holes will not close up. In forming the holes in this manner there is no material cut out of the cover to form disposal problems during manufacture.
The cover may be provided with at least one grippable portion, for example by providing spaced apart indents with a raised portion therebetween which can be gripped by the fingers of the consumer.
This assists in the removal of the cover from the tray after the food contained in the tray has been reheated.
The microwave container of the present invention may be used either for cooking a meal therein or for the reheating of a ready prepared meal contained therein.
The present invention also includes within its scope a splashguard for a microwave container which is formed from a rigid or semi-rigid plastics material having a multitude of holes of a diameter of up to about 1 mm formed therein.
The present invention will be further described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of the cover of a container according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container of the invention with the cover in place; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container of the invention in a secondary package for sale at a retail outlet.
Referring to the drawings, the cover 1 is formed from moulded polypropylene. It is of generally oval shape and is adapted to fit over an oval tray 2 also formed from moulded polypropylene which contains a ready prepared meal therein. The cover has a multitude of about 500 holes 3 of about 1 mm in diameter formed therein. As shown the holes are formed as words 4 which are clearly readable. The words 4 are reproduced at either end of the cover.
The cover 1 has indents 5 formed therein on either side of a central bar 6. The indents 5 and bar 6 are formed in the cover during the moulding thereof. To remove the cover 1 from the tray 2 the consumer grips either side of the bar 6 and lifts the tray up.
Referring to Figure 3, the tray 2 is located in a secondary package 7 which serves to support and protect the tray during transport to the retail outlet and during display prior to sale. The secondary package 7 has an oval hole formed in the top surface 8 thereof which is adapted to locate the tray 2 therein. The cover 1 rests on top of the tray 2. Beneath cover 1 the contents of the tray 2 are hermetically sealed in a manner not shown, for example by means of aluminium foil or a plastics film material in order to keep the ready prepared meal fresh for a specified period of time. Prior to re-heating the ready prepared meal the aluminium foil or plastics film material is removed from the tray and the cover replaced. The secondary package 7 has a lid 9 which is adapted to locate in the oval recessed part 10 of the cover 1. The hinge 11 connecting the lid 9 to the package 7 and the flange 12 which depends from the lid are adapted to locate in recessed portions 13 and 14 of the cover, respectively.
The lid 9 of the secondary package 7 is, prior to sale, folded over the cover 1 of the container and the flange 12 is secured to the side wall of the secondary package by any suitable means, such as by gluing. The top of lid 9 may then have appropriate writing thereon describing the nature of the ready prepared meal and providing the cooking instructions.
Claims (13)
1. A microwave container which comprises a tray and a cover adapted to fit over the tray, the said cover having a multitude of holes of a diameter of up to about 1 mm formed therein.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover is formed from a rigid or semi-rigid microwave compatible plastics material.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plastics material is polyester, high density polyethylene, polypropylene or a multilayer material.
4. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the tray is formed from a rigid or semi-rigid microwave compatible plastics material.
5. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the holes have a diameter of above 30 micrometres.
6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein between one and seven hundred holes are formed in the cover.
7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the holes are arranged so as to form words or a graphic design.
8. A container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the holes are formed in the cover of the container by punching through the plastics material and bending the plastics material beyond its yield point.
9. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a total venting area of at least five square centimetres is provided by the holes.
10. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is provided with at least one grippable portion.
11. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which has a ready prepared meal therein.
12. A splashguard for a microwave container which is formed from a rigid or semi-rigid plastics material having a multitude of holes of a diameter of up to about 1 mm formed therein.
13. A container as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8728638A GB2213689A (en) | 1987-12-08 | 1987-12-08 | Improvements in or relating to containers |
| DE8814984U DE8814984U1 (en) | 1987-12-08 | 1988-12-01 | Microwave container |
| IT68083/88A IT1223968B (en) | 1987-12-08 | 1988-12-02 | IMPROVEMENTS A OR RELATED TO CONTAINERS |
| FR8816059A FR2624105A1 (en) | 1987-12-08 | 1988-12-07 | IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO CONTAINERS USED IN PARTICULAR IN MICROWAVE OVENS |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8728638A GB2213689A (en) | 1987-12-08 | 1987-12-08 | Improvements in or relating to containers |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8728638D0 GB8728638D0 (en) | 1988-01-13 |
| GB2213689A true GB2213689A (en) | 1989-08-16 |
Family
ID=10628149
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8728638A Withdrawn GB2213689A (en) | 1987-12-08 | 1987-12-08 | Improvements in or relating to containers |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE8814984U1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2624105A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2213689A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1223968B (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU680415B2 (en) * | 1992-04-24 | 1997-07-31 | Visy Packaging Pty Ltd | Microwave oven heatable food package |
| WO2001019702A1 (en) * | 1999-09-10 | 2001-03-22 | Tecksom International Limited | Packaging and/or related openable sealing means for packaging |
| GB2417875A (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2006-03-08 | Quickwave Internat Corp | Lidded cooking container with a ventig film |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH677582A5 (en) * | 1989-08-03 | 1991-06-14 | Wuest Ernst Menu System |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB312465A (en) * | 1928-05-02 | 1929-05-30 | Eleanor Wait | Improvements in or relating to closure or covering devices for vessels |
| GB690647A (en) * | 1951-02-13 | 1953-04-22 | Joseph Pesenti | Combined frying pan cover and colander |
| GB1041155A (en) * | 1965-01-23 | 1966-09-01 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Frozen food package and method of packaging frozen food |
| WO1983000476A1 (en) * | 1981-08-04 | 1983-02-17 | Leong, Christopher | Lid for receptacle |
| EP0216140A1 (en) * | 1985-08-22 | 1987-04-01 | Melitta-Werke Bentz & Sohn | Cover for an open vessel the contents of which is to be heated in a microwave oven |
| US4721140A (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1988-01-26 | Timothy J. Martin | Cover device for preventing spatters during the heating of food |
| GB2200618A (en) * | 1987-02-19 | 1988-08-10 | Michael Greengrass | Controlled ripening of produce and fruits |
-
1987
- 1987-12-08 GB GB8728638A patent/GB2213689A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1988
- 1988-12-01 DE DE8814984U patent/DE8814984U1/en not_active Expired
- 1988-12-02 IT IT68083/88A patent/IT1223968B/en active
- 1988-12-07 FR FR8816059A patent/FR2624105A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB312465A (en) * | 1928-05-02 | 1929-05-30 | Eleanor Wait | Improvements in or relating to closure or covering devices for vessels |
| GB690647A (en) * | 1951-02-13 | 1953-04-22 | Joseph Pesenti | Combined frying pan cover and colander |
| GB1041155A (en) * | 1965-01-23 | 1966-09-01 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Frozen food package and method of packaging frozen food |
| WO1983000476A1 (en) * | 1981-08-04 | 1983-02-17 | Leong, Christopher | Lid for receptacle |
| EP0216140A1 (en) * | 1985-08-22 | 1987-04-01 | Melitta-Werke Bentz & Sohn | Cover for an open vessel the contents of which is to be heated in a microwave oven |
| GB2200618A (en) * | 1987-02-19 | 1988-08-10 | Michael Greengrass | Controlled ripening of produce and fruits |
| US4721140A (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1988-01-26 | Timothy J. Martin | Cover device for preventing spatters during the heating of food |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU680415B2 (en) * | 1992-04-24 | 1997-07-31 | Visy Packaging Pty Ltd | Microwave oven heatable food package |
| WO2001019702A1 (en) * | 1999-09-10 | 2001-03-22 | Tecksom International Limited | Packaging and/or related openable sealing means for packaging |
| GB2417875A (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2006-03-08 | Quickwave Internat Corp | Lidded cooking container with a ventig film |
| GB2417875B (en) * | 2004-09-01 | 2009-01-28 | Quickwave Internat Corp | Cooking apparatus and method of use |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8728638D0 (en) | 1988-01-13 |
| FR2624105A1 (en) | 1989-06-09 |
| IT1223968B (en) | 1990-09-29 |
| DE8814984U1 (en) | 1989-02-16 |
| IT8868083A0 (en) | 1988-12-02 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |
