Reusable food package

Abstract

A reusable food product package that is initially provided with a polymeric, gas-impermeable film overwrapping that seals the seam of engagement and sufficient portions of the top surface of the lid and the outer surface of the compartment so as to remain in place during shipping. In particular, respiring foods may be packaged with an oxygen absorber and/or a CO 2 absorber on the food side of the film for freshness. Polypropylene may be used to render the food visible and adapted for reuse. Packaged foods and a method of packaging using the reusable food product package are also disclosed.

1 . A reusable food product package, comprising:
 a polymer base defining a lateral periphery and at least one upstanding polymer sidewall extending from the periphery of the base to define a compartment having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an open top, the compartment configured to receive a desired food product;   a polymer lid for covering the open top of the compartment, the lid having a top surface and a bottom surface, the lid and the at least one sidewall configured so that lid may removably mate with the at least one sidewall to close the compartment, the lid and the at least one sidewall when mated defining a seam of engagement between the outer surface of the compartment and the lid; and   a flexible, polymeric, gas-impermeable film overwrapping the compartment and lid, the film sized and disposed so as to substantially seal the seam of engagement and to cover a sufficient portion of the top surface of the lid and the outer surface of the compartment so as to remain in place during shipping.   
     
     
         2 . The reusable food product package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sidewall defines an upper lip with a peripheral flange, and the lid is configured with a downwardly open channel to removably mate with the flange to close the compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The reusable food product package of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer base and at least one upstanding polymer sidewall are translucent. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable food product package of  claim 3 , wherein the polymer base and at least one upstanding polymer sidewall are comprised of PP. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable food product package of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer lid is translucent. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable food product package of  claim 5 , wherein the polymer lid is comprised of PP. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable food product package of  claim 1 , wherein the film is translucent. 
     
     
         8 . The reusable food product package of  claim 1 , further comprising an oxygen absorber disposed within a food side of the film. 
     
     
         9 . The reusable food product package of  claim 8 , further comprising a CO 2  absorber disposed within a food side of the film. 
     
     
         10 . The reusable food product package of  claim 9 , wherein the oxygen absorber and CO 2  absorber are disposed within the compartment. 
     
     
         11 . The reusable food product package of  claim 9 , wherein the film overwraps the top surface of the lid completely and the oxygen absorber and CO 2  absorber are disposed between the film and the top surface of the lid. 
     
     
         12 . The reusable food product package of  claim 9 , wherein the lid defines a region of depression with respect to the lid top surface, the film overwraps the top surface of the lid, and the oxygen absorber and CO 2  absorber are disposed in the region of depression between the film and the top surface of the lid. 
     
     
         13 . The reusable food product package of  claim 1 , wherein the base, at least one sidewall, and lid are each substantially gas-impermeable and valve-less. 
     
     
         14 . A packaged food characterized in that a food is enclosed in the package described in  claim 8 . 
     
     
         15 . A packaged food characterized in that a food is enclosed in the package described in  claim 9 . 
     
     
         16 . A packaged food characterized in that a food is enclosed in the package described in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A packaged food described in  claim 15  wherein the food is roasted coffee. 
     
     
         18 . A packaged food described in  claim 14 , wherein the food is cocoa. 
     
     
         19 . A packaged food described in  claim 14 , wherein the food is tea. 
     
     
         20 . A packaged food described in  claim 16 , wherein the food is a powdered drink mix. 
     
     
         21 . The reusable food product package of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-impermeable film completely envelopes the compartment and mated lid. 
     
     
         22 . The reusable food product package of  claim 1 , wherein the gas impermeable film comprises a polymeric first portion and a polymeric second portion, with the first and second polymeric portions forming a container completely enveloping the compartment and mated lid within the gas-impermeable film. 
     
     
         23 . The reusable food product package of  claim 22 , wherein the polymeric first portion defines a receptacle about the outer surface of the compartment such that the compartment and mated lid may reside within the receptacle, the receptacle having a brim about an open top and a resilient flap extending in an outward direction a desired distance from the brim of the receptacle along a plane substantially parallel to the mated lid; and
 the second portion comprising a closure to the receptacle, the second portion being removably adhered to an upper surface of the flap so as to seal the compartment and lid within the receptacle.   
     
     
         24 . The reusable food product package of  claim 22 , wherein the flap defines a lateral protrusion and the closure defines a tab located generally over but not adhered to the protrusion, configured such that a user may grip the tab for removing the closure from the receptacle. 
     
     
         25 . A reusable food product package comprising:
 a polymer base defining a periphery and at least one upstanding polymer sidewall extending from the periphery of the base to define a compartment having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an open top, the compartment configured to receive a desired food product;   a polymer lid for covering the open top of the compartment, the lid having a top surface and a bottom surface, the lid and the at least one sidewall configured so that the lid may removably mate with the at least one sidewall to close the compartment, the lid and the at least one sidewall when mated defining a seam of engagement between the outer surface of the compartment and the lid;   a two piece formed seal container comprising a polymeric first portion and a polymeric second portion;   the first portion defining a receptacle about the outer surface of the compartment such that the compartment and mated lid may reside within the receptacle, the receptacle having a brim about an open top and a resilient flap extending in an outward direction a desired distance from the brim of the receptacle along a plane substantially parallel to the mated lid; and   the second portion comprising a closure to the receptacle, the second portion being removably adhered to an upper surface of the flap so as to seal the compartment and mated lid within the receptacle.   
     
     
         26 . The reusable food product package of  claim 25 , wherein the flap defines a lateral protrusion and the closure defines a tab located generally over but not adhered to the protrusion, configured such that a user may grip the tab for removing the closure from the receptacle.