A food product and methods of packaging raw wet protein for retail

Abstract

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a container to food product ( 20 ) having a self-standing flexible pouch ( 22 ); a raw wet protein portion ( 14 ) disposed within the pouch ( 22 ); and a closure ( 34 ) sealing the pouch ( 22 ). There may also be provided a method of packaging a raw wet protein portion ( 14 ) for retail, the method comprising: opening an empty self-standing flexible pouch ( 22 ); filling the empty pouch ( 22 ) with a raw wet protein portion ( 14 ); and sealing the pouch ( 20 ).

1 . A food product comprising:
 a self-standing flexible pouch;   a raw wet protein portion within the pouch; and   a closure sealing the pouch.   
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein opening of the closure allows the raw wet protein portion to be dispensed by upturning and/or squeezing the pouch, wherein when the raw wet protein portion is removed from the pouch, the pouch is able to be flattened. 
     
     
         3 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the closure is integral with the pouch and is a tearable portion of the pouch. 
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the closure is a zipper for sealing the pouch, wherein the zipper allows the pouch to be resealed after opening. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch has an antibacterial coating on the external surface of the pouch. 
     
     
         7 . The product of  claim 1 , further comprising a sauce or marinade disposed within the pouch. 
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch comprises label information printed directly onto the pouch. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
         11 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch has an altered internal atmosphere. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of packaging a raw wet protein portion for retail, the method comprising:
 opening an empty self-standing flexible pouch;   filling the empty pouch with a raw wet protein portion; and   closing and sealing the pouch.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein after filling the empty pouch the method further comprising the steps of:
 evacuating air from within the unsealed filled pouch; and   injecting a pre-mixed gas into the evacuated pouch.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of evacuating air from the unsealed filled pouch includes the step of inserting a snorkel into the pouch. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of injecting pre-mixed gas into the evacuated pouch using the or a snorkel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein opening the pouch further comprises the step of confirming that the pouch is fully open. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a sensor is used to confirm that the pouch is fully open, said sensor providing a signal to a weighing device to fill the pouch with the weighed raw wet protein portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein sealing the pouch further comprises the step of applying heat and/or pressure to a portion of the pouch. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sealed pouch is cooled to ensure the seal is fully cured. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of applying an antibacterial coating to an external surface of the pouch. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing the empty self-standing flexible pouch with an antibacterial coating prior to opening of the pouch. 
     
     
         25 . A raw wet protein portion packaged according to the method of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         26 . A self-standing flexible pouch for packaging wet protein portions, said pouch comprising:
 a closure for sealing the pouch;   wherein the pouch has an antibacterial coating on the external surface of the pouch.   
     
     
         27 . A pouch according to  claim 26 , wherein the closure is integral with the pouch and is a tearable portion of the pouch.