# US 2014/0196410 A1 · Method for Preparing a Ready-to-Eat Food Tray > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196410 A1 - Document ID: US20140196410A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/744,085 - Filed: 2013-01-17 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17 - Assignees: Barilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A. - Applicants: Barilla G. E R. Fratelli S.P.A. - Inventors: Michele Amigoni; Giancarlo Tedeschi; Andrea Bordini; Pierluigi Azzali - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196410A1 ## CPC - A23L 35/00: Foods or foodstuffs not provided for in groups A23L5/00 - A23L33/00; Preparation or treatment thereof (preservation thereof A23B) - B65B 7/168: {by applying and securing double closures} - B65B 29/08: Packaging of edible materials intended to be cooked in the package (infusible substances B65B29/02) - B65D 21/0233: {Nestable containers} - B65D 77/2024: {the cover being welded or adhered to the container} - B65B 7/2878: {by heat-sealing} - B65B 55/02: Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages - B65B 2230/02: Containers having separate compartments isolated from one another (B65B29/10 and B65B2220/16 take precedence) - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A method for preparing a sterilised ready-meal package, including providing a main container defining a main volume intended to accommodate a main food product, and having a first opening at the upper part surrounded by a first planar edge. At least one secondary container defining a secondary volume is included and has a second opening at the upper part surrounded by a second planar edge. The secondary container is introduced inside the main container, so that said first edge and said second edge are flush. At least one secondary food product is introduced inside the secondary volume, and at least one main food product is introduced inside the main volume. A perimetric seal is made between a covering film, arranged to cover said first and second openings, and said first edge, and an inner seal is made between the covering film and the second edge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for preparing a sterilised ready-meal package, comprising the steps of: providing a main container defining a main volume intended to accommodate a main food product, and having a first opening at the upper part surrounded by a first planar edge; providing at least one secondary container defining a secondary volume and having a second opening at the upper part surrounded by a second planar edge; introducing said secondary container inside the main container, so that said first edge and said second edge are flush; introducing at least one secondary food product inside the secondary volume; introducing at least one main food product inside the main volume; making, by means of a first sealing head facing the first edge, a perimetric seal between a covering film (4; 4′), arranged to cover said first and second opening, and said first edge; making, by means of a second sealing head facing the second edge and physically distinct from the first sealing head, an inner seal between the covering film and the second edge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein in making the perimetric seal, the first sealing head applies a first pressure above the covering film; in making the inner seal the second sealing head applies a second pressure above the covering film; said first pressure being greater than said second pressure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said second pressure is less than 5 bar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said first pressure is more than 5 bar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein: the dwell time of the first sealing head in making the perimetric seal is longer than the dwell time of the second sealing head in making the inner seal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the dwell time of the first sealing head is more than 0.8 s and the dwell time of the second sealing head is less than 0.8 s, ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein in making the perimetric and inner seals the temperatures of the first and second sealing head are above a melting temperature of the covering film, so as to make a heat sealing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein said covering film is made from plastic material and said temperature of the first and second sealing head are comprised between 180° C. and 220° C. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing head defines a first sealing profile and the second sealing head defines a second sealing profile, both of the sealing profiles being closed profiles. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein said first sealing profile follows said first edge without involving the second edge. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a main container comprises a step of thermoforming the main container in polypropylene with co-extruded EVOH barrier. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said first edge is made projecting towards the outside with respect to the ready-meal package, said step of making the perimetric seal involving the application of a counter-mould beneath said first edge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of making the perimetric seal and said step of making the inner seal are made at two distinct times. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, also comprising a step of sterilising the ready-meal package in an autoclave after the steps of making the perimetric seal and the inner seal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein said steps of making a perimetric and inner seal are carried out by means of one or more sealing stations that comprise at least one first sealing head and at least one second sealing head that are distinct from one another, respectively arranged to make said perimetric seal and said inner seal.