Slotted overwrapped tray

Abstract

A tray assembly for a perishable foodstuff has a tray body with at least one overwrap layer. The body in use has an inner area for the foodstuff. The body has side portions separating an upper end and a lower end. The upper end provides a lip boundary portion and the lower end provides a base portion. The overwrap layer comprises a plastics film material. The plastics film material covers and spans the lip boundary portion to provide a first enclosed space for the perishable foodstuff and a second enclosed space outside the body. The body has at least one slot in the lip boundary portion to provide gas communication between the first enclosed space and the second enclosed space. The plastics material of the second enclosed space has side perforations to facilitate gas exchange between the second enclosed space and the area outside the tray assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tray assembly for a perishable foodstuff having a tray body, the body in use having an inner area for the foodstuff, and having side portions separating an upper end and a lower end, the upper end providing a lip boundary portion and the lower end providing a base portion, and at least one overwrap layer comprising a plastics film material, the plastics film material covering and spanning the lip boundary portion to provide a first enclosed space for the perishable foodstuff and a second enclosed space outside the body, the body having at least one slot in the lip boundary portion to provide gas communication between the first enclosed space and the second enclosed space and wherein the plastics material of the second enclosed space has side perforations to facilitate gas exchange between the second enclosed space and the area outside the tray assembly.  
     
     
         2 . The tray assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the slot is sized so as not to be blocked by the plastics film material when venting in a vacuum apparatus.  
     
     
         3 . The tray assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the slot has a cross sectional area of at least 5 square millimetres so as to not to be blocked with foodstuff exudate.  
     
     
         4 . The tray assembly as claimed in  claim 3  wherein there are a plurality of slots.  
     
     
         5 . The tray assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the slot extends into the side portions of the body.  
     
     
         6 . The tray as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the tray body has two layers.  
     
     
         7 . The tray assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein at least one layer comprises a substantially solid plastics material.  
     
     
         8 . The tray assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein at least one layer comprises a substantially closed cell foam material.  
     
     
         9 . The tray assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein at least one layer comprises a substantially open cell foam material.