Food packaging with multi-layer structure

Abstract

Packaging for a food item can comprise a container configured to contain a food item, at least a portion of the container comprising a multi-layer structure configured to protect the food item against damage during transit from a fulfillment center to a delivery location. The multi-layer structure can comprise a first layer of fluid resistant material, a second layer comprising pliable pockets filled with a fluid medium, and a third layer of polymer material, wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are laminated together to form the multi-layer structure. An inner layer that is proximate the food item when the food item is disposed within the container can comprise a food grade material that is safe to bring into contact with food.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for containing a food item that is susceptible to damage during transit from a fulfillment center to a delivery location, the container being in the form of a bag comprising:
 a front lateral wall having a multi-layer structure including an inner layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer, wherein:
 the inner layer: (i) is a first distance from the food item at a time at which the food item is disposed within the container, and (ii) comprises a fluid resistant material; 
 the middle layer: (i) is a second distance from the food item that is greater than the first distance at the time at which the food item is disposed within the container, and (ii) comprises an array of plastic, air-filled pockets; and 
 the outer layer: (i) is a third distance from the food item that is greater than the second distance at the time at which the food item is disposed within the container, and (ii) comprises a plastic film; and 
   a rear lateral wall attached to the front lateral wall, the rear lateral wall having the multi-layer structure.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the front lateral wall comprises a first portion and a second portion;   the rear lateral wall comprises a first portion and a second portion;   the multi-layer structure is included in the first portion of the front lateral wall and the first portion of the rear lateral wall; and   the second portion of the front lateral wall and the second portion of the rear lateral wall are configured to be sealed together to enclose the food item within the container.   
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a bottom wall;   a gusset disposed around a periphery of the bottom wall to allow the container to stand upright on a flat surface; and   a two-part attachment mechanism for resealing the container after opening, the two-part attachment mechanism comprising:
 a first part attached to the second portion of the front lateral wall; and 
 a second part attached to the second portion of the rear lateral wall. 
   
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the middle layer of the multi-layer structure comprises:
 a plurality of first air-filled pockets facing outward toward the outer layer, the plurality of first air-filled pockets being arranged such that a plurality of first spaces are defined between the plurality of first air-filled pockets; and   a plurality of second air-filled pockets facing inward toward the inner layer, the plurality of second air-filled pockets being arranged such that a plurality of second spaces are defined between the plurality of second air-filled pockets.   
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid resistant material of the inner layer comprises at least one of a metallized film or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus comprising:
 a container configured to contain an item, a portion of the container comprising a multi-layer structure including:
 a first layer of fluid resistant material; 
 a second layer comprising pliable pockets filled with a fluid medium; and 
 a third layer of polymer material, 
   wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are laminated together to form the multi-layer structure.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first layer is a first distance from the item at a time at which the item is disposed within the container;   the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer; and   the third layer is a second distance from the item at the time at which the item is disposed within the container, the second distance being greater than the first distance.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the second layer is a first distance from the item at a time at which the item is disposed within the container;   the first layer is disposed between the second layer and the third layer; and   the third layer is a second distance from the item at the time at which the item is disposed within the container, the second distance being greater than the first distance.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the pliable pockets of the second layer comprise ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid resistant material of the first layer comprises at least one of a metallized film or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the metallized film comprises aluminum film. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the container is in the form of a bag having at least one of: (i) a continuous lateral wall or (ii) multiple lateral walls attached at respective lateral edges thereof; and   the portion of the container that comprises the multi-layer structure includes the continuous lateral wall or the multiple lateral walls of the bag.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bag comprises:
 a bottom wall;   a gusset disposed around a periphery of the bottom wall to allow the bag to stand upright on a flat surface; and   a two-part attachment mechanism at a top of the lateral wall or the multiple lateral walls for resealing the bag after opening.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the container is in the form of a tray containing the item and a lid attached to the tray; and   the portion of the container that comprises the multi-layer structure includes the lid.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 containing container configured to contain an item, at least a portion of the container comprising:
 first means for resisting ingress of fluid to, or egress of the fluid from, the container after the container has been sealed with the item contained therein; 
 second means for cushioning the item at a time at which the item is disposed within the container, the second means for cushioning being disposed on the first means for resisting the ingress or the egress of the fluid; and 
 third means for protecting the second means for cushioning, the third means for protecting being disposed on the second means for cushioning. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first means for resisting the ingress or the egress of the fluid is a first distance from the item at a time at which the item is disposed within the container; and   the third means for protecting is a second distance from the item at a time at which the item is disposed within the container, the second distance being greater than the first distance.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first means for resisting the ingress or the egress of the fluid comprises at least one of a metallized film or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the second means for cushioning comprises a plurality of means for holding a fluid medium. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of means for holding the fluid medium is a first plurality of means for holding the fluid medium, the means for cushioning further comprising:
 a second plurality of means for holding the fluid medium coupled to the first plurality of means for holding the fluid medium such that the second plurality of means for holding the fluid medium occupy first spaces defined between the first plurality of means for holding the fluid medium, and the first plurality of means for holding the fluid medium occupy second spaces defined between the second plurality of means for holding the fluid medium.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the container further comprises:
 fourth means for allowing the container to stand upright on a flat surface; and   fifth means for resealing the container after opening.