A method of making a pack for food and the associated pack

Abstract

A method of making a pack for food comprising the following steps. Forming a tray by providing a tray laminate comprising a fibrous web (21) bonded to a web of a gas barrier film (20) comprising a multi-layer laminate comprising a heat sealable layer and a gas barrier layer. Vacuum and/or thermoforming the laminate to create a tray with an upstanding rim. Filling the tray with a food product (F). Providing a web of lid film (13), the lid film (13) being a gas barrier film comprising a multi-layer laminate comprising a heat sealable layer and a gas barrier layer. Heat sealing the lid film (13) to the gas barrier film of the tray around the periphery of the tray to create a hermetic seal between the two barrier films. Severing the pack from the webs of material.

1 . A method of making a pack for food, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming a tray by providing a tray laminate comprising a first fibrous web bonded to a web of a gas barrier film comprising a multi-layer laminate comprising a heat sealable layer and a gas barrier layer;   vacuum and/or thermoforming the laminate to create a tray with an upstanding rim;   filling the tray with a food product;   providing a web of lid film, the lid film being a gas barrier film comprising a multi-layer laminate comprising a heat sealable layer and a gas barrier layer;   adhering a second fibrous web having a window to the lid film to form a lid laminate;   heat sealing the lid film to the gas barrier film of the tray around the periphery of the tray to create a hermetic seal between the two barrier films; and   severing the pack from the webs of material.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fibrous web of the tray is at least three times the thickness, preferably at least four times the thickness and more preferably at least five times the thickness of the gas barrier film of the tray. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of printing on the first fibrous web of the tray prior to creating the tray laminate. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of printing on the second fibrous web prior to creating the lid laminate. 
     
     
         7 . A pack for food, the pack comprising a tray thermoformed from a laminate of a fibrous web and a web of a gas barrier film into a tray with an upstanding rim, and a gas barrier film lid heat sealed to the sheet of gas barrier film in the tray around the periphery of the tray to create a hermetically sealed enclosure between the two barrier films. 
     
     
         8 . A pack according to  claim 7 , wherein the lid is a laminate of a second fibrous web and the gas barrier film. 
     
     
         9 . A pack according to  claim 8 , further comprising a window in the second fibrous web. 
     
     
         10 . A pack according to  claim 7 , wherein the fibrous web is printed. 
     
     
         11 . A pack according to  claim 8 , wherein the second fibrous web is printed. 
     
     
         12 . A pack according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat sealable layer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         13 . A pack according to  claim 7 , wherein the gas barrier film is ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) or silicon oxide (SiOx). 
     
     
         14 . A pack according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat sealable layer has an anti-mist coating. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sealable layer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas barrier film is ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) or silicon oxide (SiOx). 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sealable layer has an anti-mist coating.