Food packaging

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to thermally insulating food packaging and more particularly to containers for storing or transporting food when the temperature of the food is significantly different to that of the surrounding environment. In particular, a food packaging material for enclosing food is described, the material including a first, moisture-permeable inner layer, a second, moisture-impermeable outer layer and a third, insulating moisture-tolerant layer disposed between the first and second layers and spacing the first and second layer apart, wherein the third layer has an undulating form including voids and wherein the first, second and third layers are arranged such that moisture emanating from food within the container passes through the first layer and the third layer and condenses on the second, moisture-impermeable outer layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A food packaging material for enclosing food, the material comprising:
 a first, moisture-permeable inner layer;   a second, moisture-impermeable outer layer; and   a third, insulating moisture-tolerant layer disposed between the first and second layers and spacing the first and second layer apart, wherein the third layer has an undulating form comprising voids;   wherein the first, second and third layers are arranged such that moisture emanating from food within the container passes through the first layer and the third layer and condenses on the second, moisture-impermeable outer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the third layer has a form that undulates in two perpendicular directions across its surface 
     
     
         3 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the third layer comprises an embossed layer. 
     
     
         4 . The food packaging material of  claim 3  wherein the third layer comprises a cup-and-ball embossed layer. 
     
     
         5 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the third layer comprises a corrugated or honeycomb material. 
     
     
         6 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the third layer is attached to the first and second layers to resist shear movement between the first and second layers and to provide rigidity to the food packaging material. 
     
     
         7 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the first layer is perforated. 
     
     
         8 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the third layer is perforated. 
     
     
         9 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the second layer comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, the third layer being arranged next to the inner surface of the second layer and the material further comprising a coating on the inner surface of the second layer. 
     
     
         10 . The food packaging material of  claim 9  wherein the coating renders the second layer moisture impermeable. 
     
     
         11 . The food packaging material of  claim 9  wherein the coating enhances the insulating properties of the second layer. 
     
     
         12 . The food packaging material of  claim 9  wherein the coating is an infrared-reflective or heat-reflective coating. 
     
     
         13 . The food packaging material of  claim 9  wherein the coating is a vacuum deposited metalized coating. 
     
     
         14 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the first layer comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, the third layer being arranged next to the outer surface of the first layer, the material further comprising a grease resistant coating disposed on the inner surface of the first layer. 
     
     
         15 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the container consists of at least one of a recyclable material, a biodegradable material or a compostable material. 
     
     
         16 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  further comprising a fourth, moisture-permeable liner layer attached to the inner surface of the first inner layer, the fourth liner layer having an undulating form. 
     
     
         17 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  further comprising at least one further, insulating moisture-tolerant layer having an undulating form comprising voids. 
     
     
         18 . The food packaging material of  claim 1  wherein the grammage of the material is less than 300 gsm. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing a food packaging material, the method comprising:
 providing a first web of a moisture-permeable material;   providing a second web of a moisture-impermeable material; and   providing a third web of an insulating moisture-tolerant material, the material of the third web having an undulating form comprising voids;   arranging the third web between the first and the second web, spacing the first and the second webs apart;   coupling the material of the third web to the materials of the first and the second webs.   
     
     
         20 . A food packaging container having a form suitable for enclosing food, the material of the container comprising:
 a first, perforated moisture-permeable inner layer;   a second, moisture-impermeable outer layer having an inner and an outer surface and comprising a heat-reflective coating on the inner surface; and   a third, insulating moisture-tolerant layer disposed between the first layer and the inner surface of the second layer and spacing the first and second layer apart, wherein the third layer has an undulating form comprising voids and wherein the third layer is attached to the first and second layers to resist shear movement between the first and second layers and provide rigidity to the food container;   wherein the first, second and third layers are arranged such that moisture emanating from food within the container passes through the first layer and the third layer and condenses on the second, moisture-impermeable outer layer.