Open cell tray and method of foodstuff packaging

Abstract

A packaging system includes a packaging member adapted to support a foodstuff in use. The packaging member includes a container or tray formed from an open celled material. The container or tray has an interior for contacting the foodstuff in use and an outside. The tray containing a foodstuff is wrapped in plastic and then placed in an oxygen barrier bag for evacuation, charging and sealing in a chamber to decrease the oxygen content in the barrier bag to prolong the shelf life of the foodstuff.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A packaging system for storing oxygen sensitive foodstuff comprising: 
 an open celled tray for holding the foodstuff;    a plastic material over-wrapping or lidding the tray to form a covered tray having an enclosed space for the foodstuff, the plastics material having micro-perforations;    a chamber having at least one vent and snorkel; and    an oxygen barrier bag for enclosing the over-wrapped or lidded tray and foodstuff, said barrier bag being enclosable in the chamber,    wherein a normal atmosphere within the barrier bag and chamber is evacuatable, the barrier bag is chargable with gas and sealable so that the oxygen content within the over-wrapped or lidded tray is less than 200 ppm.    
     
     
         2 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an oxygen absorbent sachet sealable within the barrier bag.  
     
     
         3 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the open celled tray has an outer layer of solid material to retain foodstuff liquid.  
     
     
         4 . A method of packaging oxygen sensitive foodstuff comprising the steps of: 
 placing at least one over-wrapped or lidded, open celled tray containing a foodstuff into an oxygen barrier bag;    placing the barrier bag in a vented chamber having a snorkel;    evacuating both the chamber and the barrier bag via the snorkel to reach a vacuum level corresponding to a vapour pressure of the foodstuff so that a pressure inside the barrier bag increases to ensure that the barrier bag is expanded, and so that vapour coming off the foodstuff is expanding and displacing the oxygen in the barrier bag so that a very low partial pressure of oxygen is left inside the barrier bag;    injecting gas into the barrier bag and simultaneously venting the chamber to atmosphere so that no undue pressure is placed on the barrier bag; and    sealing the barrier bag.    
     
     
         5 . The method of packaging foodstuffs as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising the steps of opening the chamber after said sealing the barrier bag step and then removing the barrier bag from the chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The method of packaging foodstuffs as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising the step of transporting the barrier bag.  
     
     
         7 . The method of packaging foodstuff as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of storing the barrier bag until the foodstuff is required to be removed from the barrier bag and displayed.  
     
     
         8 . The method of packaging foodstuffs as claimed in  claim 6  further comprising the step of placing an oxygen absorbent sachet within the barrier bag before said sealing the barrier bag step.