Packaging for food product

Abstract

A package for a food product can include an insert enclosed within a single film formable using, e.g., flow-wrapping, to enclose the food product and the insert. At least one portion of insert may be made up of an absorbent material laminated to a backing, the absorbent material adapted to absorb moisture within the package. The insert may include a base upon which the food product can be placed and two or more sides extending up from the base to contain the food product from moving in one or more directions. Fins or overlapping portions of the film may be configured on at least two edges of the single film allowing a seal to be created thereby further allowing the single film to substantially enclose the food product and the insert. Crimped seals may further be employed to completely seal the food product and the insert within the single film. One or more of the seals may be self-venting to release accumulated steam/moisture during a cooking or preparation process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package, comprising:
 a sheet of film formable about a food product; and   an insert configured to support the food product, the insert comprising an absorbent material;   wherein a first edge and a second edge of the sheet of film are sealed together creating an enclosure for the food product and the insert.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a backing material and the absorbent material is laminated to at least one area of the backing material. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the backing material is paper board. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein a third edge and a fourth edge of the sheet of film are each sealed via respective crimped seals. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the sealed first and second edges are positioned under a bottom surface of the insert opposite a top surface of the insert that supports the food product. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one steam vent formed in the sheet of film. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one steam vent comprises micro-scores or micro-perforations configured to mechanically vent pressure from the package while being heated. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the respective crimped seals is configured to be self-venting. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a base and at least two sides extending up from the base to contain the food product in one direction. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the insert comprises at least four sides extending up from the base to contain the food product in two directions. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the film comprises at least one of an anti-fog feature and a steam dome feature. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are sealed via a crimp seal. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are sealed via a self-venting fin seal. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are sealed together via an overlapping flat seal. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the package is moisture and gas impermeable. 
     
     
         16 . A packaged food product comprising:
 a food product; and   a package having an interior area containing the food product, the package comprising:
 a sheet of film formable about a food product; and 
 an insert configured to support the food product, the insert comprising an absorbent material; 
   wherein a first edge and a second edge of the sheet of film are sealed together creating an enclosure for the food product and the insert.   
     
     
         17 . The packaged food product of  claim 16 , wherein the insert comprises a backing material and the absorbent material is laminated to at least one area of the backing material. 
     
     
         18 . The packaged food product of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one steam vent formed in the sheet of film. 
     
     
         19 . The packaged food product of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one steam vent comprises micro-scores or micro-perforations configured to mechanically vent pressure from the package while being heated. 
     
     
         20 . The packaged food product of  claim 16 , wherein the insert comprises a base and at least two sides extending up from the base to contain the food product in one direction.