Gas flushable tray

Abstract

A food tray for use in a modified atmosphere package is provided by the present invention. The tray includes product area for holding food items, which may be specifically shaped for holding particular types of items, and at least 25% void area that does not hold any product due to the shape of the tray. The tray has air vents that facilitate gas flushing of the void area during packaging of the tray, wherein the air vents may also provide communication between the product area and void area. In addition, the air vents are not visible when food items are placed in the product area. The tray may be made of a single piece of folded material, wherein the folds form the void area.

1 . A food tray for use in a modified atmosphere package, the tray comprising: 
 product area for holding food items;    at least 25% void area; and    at least one air vent that facilitates gas flushing of the void area during packaging of the tray, and wherein the air vent is not visible when food items are placed in the product area.    
   
   
       2 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray is made of a single piece of folded material, and wherein the folds form the void area.  
   
   
       3 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray is made of paperboard.  
   
   
       4 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray is made of plastic.  
   
   
       5 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the product space is specially shaped to hold food items of a particular shape.  
   
   
       6 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the air vent provides communication between the product area and void area.  
   
   
       7 . The tray according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air vent is a plurality of air vents.