Packaging system, container therefor and process for packaging a product

Abstract

A process for packaging a product, such as a food product, including a step of creating a vacuum reservoir. Also, a packaging system comprising a vacuum reservoir

1 . A packaging system for vacuum skin packaging a product, wherein the packaging system comprises a container and a support arranged and configured to create a vacuum reservoir. 
     
     
         2 . The packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a base and one or more side walls extending from the base. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises means for positioning the support to create a vacuum reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging system according to  claim 3 , wherein the container comprises one or more recesses in one or more side walls. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging system according to  claim 3 , wherein the container comprises one or more positioning ribs in or more side walls. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging system according to clai herein the support can be retained between two or more ribs. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging system according to  claim 3 , wherein the container comprises a positioning platform along one or more side walls. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging system according to  claim 3 , wherein the base of the container comprises one or more positioning ribs and/or platforms. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises or consists of one or more materials selected from PET, rPET, PP, PE, PS and EPS. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging system according to  claim 9 , wherein the container comprises or consists of PEP, PET/PE, PET/PEP, rPET/PE or rPET/PEP layers. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is nestable and/or stackable with other containers of the same type. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging system ccording to  claim 1 , wherein the support is substantially flat. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the support comprises one or more apertures, perforations and/or longitudinal slits. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a vacuum reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . A container as defined in any  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A process for packaging a product comprising the step of creating a vacuum reservoir in a container. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 16 , comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning a support for the product into a container so as to create a reservoir;   b. placing the product onto the support;   c. placing a thermoplastic film over the container; and   d. removing the air between the container and the film.   
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 16 , comprising the step of ing and heating the film above the container prior to the application of vacuum. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 16 , comprising the step of applying vacuum so that the film contacts the product and the support. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to any  claim 16 , comprising the step of applying vacuum so as to create a vacuum reservoir between the support and the container. 
     
     
         21 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the film comprises one or more materials selected from PE, an ethylene copolymer, a gas and/or moisture barrier material. 
     
     
         22 . The process according to  claim 16 , wherein the film comprises a sealing layer and/or a peelable layer. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled)