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US 6,279,738 B1Granted
Foam packaging tray and packaging method using same
AssigneeCryovac, Inc.
InventorsDarren B. Mungo, Joseph E. Owensby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foam sheet comprising a cellular structure having two or more interconnected cells in fluid communication with one another, the foam sheet being in the form of a tray. One or more perforations are provided in the exterior surface of the tray, and extend into the cellular structure of the foam sheet to fluidly communicate with the interconnected cells. This arrangement is sufficient to permit gas to escape from the cellular structure in order to substantially prevent damage to the tray upon exposure thereof to a reduction in ambient pressure. A method of making the trays and a packaging method employing such trays is also disclosed.
Claims34
A foam sheet comprising a cellular structure having two or more interconnected cells in fluid communication with one another, said foam sheet being in the form of a tray comprising:
- a. a base and four connected side-walls, each of said side-walls being further connected to and extending from said base to define a cavity, said tray having an interior surface adjacent said cavity, an exterior surface external to said cavity, and an exterior film adhered to said exterior surface;
- and
- b. one or more perforations in said exterior film and in said exterior surface of said tray, said one or more perforations in said exterior film being aligned with said one or more perforations in said tray, said one or more perforations in said tray extending into said cellular structure of said foam sheet to fluidly communicate with said interconnected cells and being sufficient to permit gas to escape from said cellular structure in order to substantially prevent damage to said tray upon exposure thereof to a reduction in ambient pressure.
A method of packaging a product, comprising:
- a. providing a foam sheet comprising a cellular structure having two or more interconnected cells in fluid communication with one another, said foam sheet being in the form of a tray comprising:
- 1) a base and four connected side-walls, each of said side-walls being further connected to and extending from said base to define a cavity, said tray having an interior surface adjacent said cavity and an exterior surface external to said cavity, and
- 2) one or more perforations in said exterior surface of said tray, said one or more perforations extending into said cellular structure of said foam sheet to fluidly communicate with said interconnected cells;
- b. placing a product in said cavity;
- c. exposing said tray and product to a reduction in ambient pressure, with said one or more perforations permitting gas to escape from said cellular structure of said foam sheet in order to substantially prevent damage to said tray, and then introducing a gas to said product that extends the shelf-life of the product;
- and
- d. attaching a lid to said tray to enclose the product within said cavity.
4 more elements
A method of making a tray, comprising:
- a. providing a foam sheet comprising a cellular structure having two or more interconnected cells in fluid communication with one another;
- b. forming said foam sheet into a tray comprising a base and four connected side-walls, each of said side-walls being further connected to and extending from said base to define a cavity, said tray having an interior surface adjacent said cavity, an exterior surface external to said cavity, and an exterior film adhered to said exterior surface;
- and
- c. producing one or more perforations in said exterior film and in said exterior surface of said tray, said one or more perforations in said exterior film being aligned with said one or more perforations in said tray, said one or more perforations in said tray extending into said cellular structure of said foam sheet to fluidly communicate with said interconnected cells and being sufficient to permit gas to escape from said cellular structure in order to substantially prevent damage to said tray upon exposure thereof to a reduction in ambient pressure.
1 more element
A method of packaging a product, comprising:
- a. providing a foam sheet comprising a cellular structure having two or more interconnected cells in fluid communication with one another, said foam sheet being in the form of a tray comprising:
- 1) a base and four connected side-walls, each of said side-walls being further connected to and extending from said base to define a cavity, said tray having an interior surface adjacent said cavity, an exterior surface external to said cavity, and an exterior film adhered to said exterior surface, and
- 2) one or more perforations in said exterior film and in said exterior surface of said tray, said one or more perforations in said exterior film being aligned with said one or more perforations in said tray, said one or more perforations in said tray extending into said cellular structure of said foam sheet to fluidly communicate with said interconnected cells;
- b. placing a product in said cavity;
- c. exposing said tray and product to a reduction in ambient pressure, with said perforations permitting gas to escape from said cellular structure of said foam sheet in order to substantially prevent damage to said tray;
- and
- d. attaching a lid to said tray to enclose the product within said cavity.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.