Packaging of food

Abstract

The invention relates to improvements in or relating to the packaging of food 36 between a first plastic film 16 and a second plastic film 18 using a packaging apparatus 10 . A tray 24 is formed from the first plastic film 16 , the tray having a floor 33 with at least one channel 32 . An absorbent pad 34 is provided on the floor 33 of the tray 24 . A portion of food 36 is provided on the floor 33 of the tray 24 . The second plastic film 18 is placed on the tray 24 to sandwich the absorbent pad 34 and the portion of food 36 between the plastic films 16, 18 . The packaging apparatus 10 is operated to urge the two plastic films 16, 18 together and to create a seal therebetween. At least one duct 76 is formed between said at least one channel 32 and at least one of the second plastic film 18 , the absorbent pad 34 , and the portion of food 36.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vacuum package containing a portion of food, the package comprising:
 a tray, a plastic film and an absorbent pad, the tray having a floor with at least one channel running in a transverse direction along the tray, and at least one channel running in a longitudinal direction along the tray, said channels intersecting each other so that they are in communication with each other, said channels being formed by a plurality of raised portions of the floor, said raised portions being provided as a row or a grid, the raised portions being discrete projections from the floor of the tray, each raised portion having an apex, the absorbent pad and the portion of food being provided on the floor of the tray so that they cover at least one of said channels, the absorbent pad having a smaller area than the portion of food so that it is concealed by the portion of food and so that the portion of food is in contact with the apex of the raised portions of the tray around a perimeter of the absorbent pad to grip the portion of food, the plastic film being vacuum formed onto the tray to urge the plastic film and the tray together and to sandwich the absorbent pad and the portion of food between the plastic film and the tray to create a seal therebetween, wherein a plurality of intersecting ducts are formed between said channels and each of the plastic film, the absorbent pad, and the portion of food to permit liquid to pass to the absorbent pad, wherein at least one of the tray and the plastic film has an adhesive thereon such that an adhesive bond is provided between the plastic film and each apex of the raised portions around the portion of food by said plastic film being vacuum formed onto the tray.   
     
     
         2 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray has a continuous lip around the portion of food, said channels and the absorbent pad, the lip for providing a continuous seal between the lip and the plastic film. 
     
     
         3 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein a spacing between adjacent channels is between 0.5 cm and 2.0 cm, and preferably 1.0 cm. 
     
     
         4 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein each apex has an area of between 0.75 to 2.5 mm 2 . 
     
     
         5 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein each raised portion has at least one face which is concave. 
     
     
         6 . A package according to  claim 1 , each raised portion has a height of between 1.0 mm and 7.0 mm, and preferably 3.6 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray has a sidewall extending from the floor. 
     
     
         8 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the portion of food is fish. 
     
     
         9 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray is an opaque plastic. 
     
     
         10 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the plastic film is a see-through plastic film. 
     
     
         11 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the floor of the tray has a well in communication with the at least one channel. 
     
     
         12 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic film is a breathable film.