Package With Ridged Dome And Methods Of Making And Using The Same

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a package that allows substantially the entire surface of a product (such as fresh red meat) to be in contact with a desired internal gas concentration. In addition, the disclosed package ensures that large amounts of the product surface are not in contact with the packaging materials to prevent discolored product areas. Particularly, the disclosed package comprises a support member, a thermoformed lidding film, and an oxygen-sensitive product. The lidding film includes one or more ridges that prevent direct contact with the product. As a result, uniform product color is maintained and the product appearance is preserved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package comprising:
 a. a support member comprising a lip extending around the perimeter of the support member; and   b. a thermoformed lidding film comprising:
 i. a flange extending around the perimeter of the lidding film; and 
 ii. a dome comprising:
 1. a top and sides that are interconnected to define a cavity; and 
 2. a plurality of inwardly-facing ridges disposed on the dome top, sides, or both; 
 
   
       wherein the lidding film flange is hermetically sealed to the lip of the support member to create an enclosed space. 
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising an oxygen-sensitive product positioned on the support member and within the lidding film cavity, wherein all contact between the lidding film and the product occurs at the ridges. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the product is fresh red meat. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2 , further comprising a permeable member positioned between the product and the lidding film. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the support member further comprises at least one depression configured to receive a product. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the support member and the lidding film are oxygen impermeable, and the package further comprises at least one opening in the support member or the lidding film, wherein the opening is covered by a removable member. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the support member and the lidding film are oxygen permeable, and the package is surrounded by a barrier overwrap or a gas barrier container. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosed space contains a modified atmosphere comprising:
 a. less than about 0.5 weight percent oxygen; or   b. at least about 50 weight percent oxygen.   
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the support member further comprises at least one inwardly-facing ridge. 
     
     
         10 . A method of packaging an oxygen-sensitive product, said method comprising:
 a. providing a support member comprising a lip extending around the perimeter of the support member;   b. providing a thermoformed lidding film comprising:
 i. a flange extending around the perimeter of the lidding film; and 
 ii. a dome comprising:
 1. a top and sides that are interconnected to define a cavity; and 
 2. a plurality of inwardly-facing ridges disposed on the top, sides, or both; 
 
   c. providing an oxygen-sensitive product;   d. positioning the product on the support member; and   e. hermetically sealing the lidding film flange to the support member lip such that the product is positioned within the cavity;   
       wherein all contact between the lidding film and the product occurs at the ridges. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygen-sensitive product is fresh red meat. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the package is a modified atmosphere package with a gas concentration in the cavity comprising:
 a. less than 0.5 weight percent oxygen; or   b. at least 50 weight percent oxygen.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the support member comprises at least one inwardly-facing ridge. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the support member and the lidding film are oxygen impermeable. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing at least one opening in the support member or lidding film, wherein the opening is covered by a removable member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the support member and the lidding film are oxygen permeable, and the method further comprises:
 a. enclosing the package within a barrier overwrap; or   b. enclosing the package within a gas barrier container.   
     
     
         17 . A method of blooming an oxygen-sensitive product, said method comprising:
 a. providing a support member comprising a lip extending around the perimeter of the support member;   b. providing a thermoformed lidding film comprising:
 i. a flange extending around the perimeter of the lidding film; and 
 ii. a dome comprising:
 1. a top and sides that are interconnected to define a cavity; and 
 2. a plurality of inwardly-facing ridges disposed on the top, sides, or both; 
 
   c. providing an oxygen-sensitive product;   d. positioning the product on the support member;   e. inserting a desired atmosphere into the cavity of the package prior to sealing the lidding film to the support member;   f. hermetically sealing the lidding film flange to the support member lip;   g. either:
 i. wrapping the package in a barrier overwrap; 
 ii. positioning the package within a gas barrier container; or 
 iii. providing at least one opening in the support member or the lidding film, wherein the opening is covered by a removable member; and 
   h. removing the overwrap, gas barrier container, or removable member at a desired time to initiate blooming of the product;   
       wherein all contact between the lidding film and the product occurs at the ridges. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of positioning a permeable second member between the product and the lidding film prior to sealing the lidding film to the support member. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the desired atmosphere is selected from:
 a. less than 0.5 weight percent oxygen; or   b. at least 50 weight percent oxygen.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the oxygen-sensitive product is red meat.