Container for packaging perishable food items

Abstract

There is provided a container for packaging a perishable food item, such as meat, particularly fresh red meat. The container has a tubular body portion that is closed at one end and has a tubular body portion. The other end of the tubular body portion has an open mouth and has a cross-section preferably substantially equal to that of the body portion. The cross-section of the tubular body portion may have a variety of shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular body portion has a flat bottom. The flat bottom may have an undulating profile at each side forming trough-like areas to accumulate the juices from the meat. Another embodiment has a more or less cylindrical shaped tubular body portion. While a third embodiment is a container having a tubular body portion formed in a more or less rectangular cross-section. The open end serves as a mouth by which the container is filled with a food item, such as by using an automatic chute and plunger. The open mouth is closed by sealing a film of heat sealable material over the opening and/or by an endcap.

1 . A container for packaging perishable food items comprising: 
 a tubular body portion having two ends, said tubular body portion having a cross-section suitable for holding a perishable food item, wherein at least a portion of said tubular body is substantially transparent;    one end of said body portion being closed and the other end of said body portion having an open mouth; and    said open mouth is adapted to be sealed.    
   
   
       2 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of said tubular body portion is shaped to have a flat bottom.  
   
   
       3 . The container according to  claim 2  wherein said flat bottom has an undulating profile at each side forming a trough-like area.  
   
   
       4 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of said body portion is cylindrical.  
   
   
       5 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of said body portion is generally rectangular.  
   
   
       6 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein said seal is a heat sealable film.  
   
   
       7 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein said seal is an endcap.  
   
   
       8 . The container according to  claim 7  wherein said endcap is attached to the body of the container by friction-fit or a tack-weld.  
   
   
       9 . The container according to  claim 7  wherein said endcap is attached to the body of the container by screw threads  
   
   
       10 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein indicia is affixed to said container.  
   
   
       11 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least a portion of said tubular body is opaque.  
   
   
       12 . The container according to  claim 1  further comprising a lip projecting radially from the periphery of said mouth opening.  
   
   
       13 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein the interior of said tubular body portion is coated with an anti-fogging agent.  
   
   
       14 . The container according to  claim 1  wherein the atmosphere of said container is manipulated to optimize storing conditions.  
   
   
       15 . A process for packaging perishable food items comprising: 
 a. providing a container comprising a tubular body portion having two ends; one end of said body portion being closed and the other end of said body portion having an open mouth; and said open mouth is adapted to be sealed;    b. positioning said container for loading said perishable food item;    c. placing said perishable food item into said container;    d. modifying the atmosphere inside said container to maximize storage conditions, and    e. sealing said container.    
   
   
       16 . The process according to  claim 15  wherein said perishable food item is loaded into said container with a chute and plunger.  
   
   
       17 . The process according to  claim 15  wherein said atmosphere is modified in a vacuum chamber.  
   
   
       18 . The process according to  claim 15  wherein said atmosphere is selected from oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and blends of the foregoing gases.  
   
   
       19 . The process according to  claim 15  wherein said perishable food item is fresh red meat.