WO1997039949A1 - Microwaveable vacuum packed seafood package and process - Google Patents
Microwaveable vacuum packed seafood package and process Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997039949A1 WO1997039949A1 PCT/US1997/006361 US9706361W WO9739949A1 WO 1997039949 A1 WO1997039949 A1 WO 1997039949A1 US 9706361 W US9706361 W US 9706361W WO 9739949 A1 WO9739949 A1 WO 9739949A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- seafood
- package
- pallet
- bag
- container
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
- A23B4/00—General methods for preserving meat, sausages, fish or fish products
- A23B4/06—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling
- A23B4/062—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus with or without shaping, e.g. in the form of powder, granules or flakes
- A23B4/064—Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling the materials being transported through or in the apparatus with or without shaping, e.g. in the form of powder, granules or flakes with packages or with shaping in the form of blocks or portions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
- B65B25/061—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of fish
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/002—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers in shrink films
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/02—Wrapped articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
- B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65D81/2007—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum
- B65D81/2023—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum in a flexible container
- B65D81/203—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum in a flexible container with one or several rigid inserts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
- B65D81/3446—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
- B65D81/3461—Flexible containers, e.g. bags, pouches, envelopes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D2581/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D2581/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within
- B65D2581/3401—Cooking or heating method specially adapted to the contents of the package
- B65D2581/3402—Cooking or heating method specially adapted to the contents of the package characterised by the type of product to be heated or cooked
- B65D2581/3424—Cooking fish or shellfish
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D2581/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D2581/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within
- B65D2581/3437—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
- B65D2581/3439—Means for affecting the heating or cooking properties
- B65D2581/3455—Packages having means for improving the internal circulation of air
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D2581/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D2581/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within
- B65D2581/3437—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
- B65D2581/3471—Microwave reactive substances present in the packaging material
- B65D2581/3479—Other metallic compounds, e.g. silver, gold, copper, nickel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- 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
- B65D2581/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D2581/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within
- B65D2581/3437—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
- B65D2581/3486—Dielectric characteristics of microwave reactive packaging
- B65D2581/3489—Microwave reflector, i.e. microwave shield
Definitions
- U.S. Patent No. 5,473,866 An example of vacuum packaging technique of food stuffs generally is found in U.S. Patent No. 5,473,866.
- a seafood vacuum pack system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,835,942 but with respect to packing technique, this patent teaches away from the subject invention in that shrimp are intentionally stacked one above the other at the periphery of the packages.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,964,507 teaches the use of a "protruding-up curved section" of a case which is also contrary to the packing technique of the subject invention.
- Neither of these latter patents disclose any use of prepared delicacies such as shrimp scampi and fish in lemon pepper or honey mustard sauce which are prepared, and subsequently vacuum packed in a microwaveable container. None of the prior art patents teach microwaving such foodstuffs in a sealed package without any venting during the microwaving step.
- the subject invention is directed to packaging which permits the vacuum packaging of seafood typically marinated or otherwise adorned in sauce to enable the packaged product to be presented to consumers in attractive packaging while maintaining the integrity of the vacuum packaging to provide a packaged product which can be successfully microwaved without removing the product.
- the shrimp or other fish are packed in a carefully presented orientation which enables the product to be successfully packed in the first instance, and subsequently microwaved without removal of the product until completion of the microwaving at which time the package is for the first time ruptured and the contents removed.
- seafood is vacuum packed as follows. If the product to be packed is peeled and deveined shrimp, the shrimp are spread out on a pallet to prevent bunching which might cause undue pressure on the packaging once sealed.
- the shrimp may be enveloped in a sauce such as that used to prepare shrimp scampi. Seafood such as snapper or swordfish may be placed in a lemon pepper, honey mustard or other sauce prior to packing.
- a pallet of very specific design is used.
- One side of the pallet is matted or rough so as to help secure the shrimp or fish in desired orientation.
- the other side of the pallet is smooth so as to facilitate the handling and in particular the packaging, as the pallet can be easily slid into a bag or otherwise positioned prior to the step of vacuum sealing the product.
- the matted or rough side of the pallet may also be coated with a reflective material which promotes microwaving but which is not so reflective that it becomes detrimental to the microwaving process.
- the pallet also may have raised sides which help to ensure that the shrimp or fish will remain flat and well- orientated during the packaging process.
- the sides also help, as the vacuum sealing takes place so the shrimp or fish along the sides are insulated from direct contact from the sides of the packaging to prevent puncturing.
- the sides can be a critical stressed area as the covering bag fits fairly tightly around the shrimp or fish. It is necessary that the bag fit tightly to help hold the shrimp or fish in flat, non-bunched, orientation so they can be successfully microwaved. In at least one embodiment, however, a pallet is not used and the product is introduced directly into a bag, which is subsequently vacuum sealed.
- the vacuum sealing can take place with somewhat standard and well- known equipment. Typically a vacuum means will draw a vacuum within the filled bag and a seal jaw assembly will heat seal the bag once the air is evacuated.
- the vacuum-heat sealing equipment is not part of the subject invention.
- the sealed bag with shrimp or fish, marinated if desired, can then be placed in an outer package, preferably of milk- carton type cardboard, which will stabilize the bag within and help to hold the seafood in appropriate non-bunched orientation.
- the outer package may be waxed on both sides so water will not penetrate.
- the outer package is designed for retail acceptance and will likely include a window so that the shrimp or fish may be examined within the inner package. This outer package will be removed when microwaving takes place.
- the shrimp or fish may also be marketed in the sealed bag without the outer package. Sales information can be placed on the bottom of the pallet, which will be seen through the bag material which will be transparent, or on the bag itself.
- the shrimp or fish may be covered with sauce, as desired, by soaking, coating or otherwise and, are placed on the pallet in a non-frozen state.
- the seafood as coated or marinated is immediately flash frozen, using any of several commercial techniques, such as, but not limited to, blast freezing, contact freezing or tunnel freezing, and marketed in such frozen state. It is contemplated that the packaged seafood remain in a frozen state through distribution, retail, etc. until approximate time of consumption.
- the packaged seafood can then be placed in a microwave unit in its frozen state.
- the bag or package has been designed to retain its integrity through the microwaving process and will not rupture during the process. As the frozen product is microwaved, the resulting locked-in moisture will provide the basis for steaming the seafood in its sauce (as provided) within the bag or package to then be removed by rupturing the bag and served for consumption.
- the seafood will typically be packaged in a relatively wet state. This facilitates the "steaming" that occurs during microwaving.
- fillets will be the preferred product, with controlled thickness to enable successful microwaving. Upon completion of microwaving, the fillets are ready to serve.
- FIG. 1 is a sequential perspective view showing seafood, in this case shelled shrimp coated in sauce on a pallet, the inner packaging to cover and seal the shrimp and the outer container to receive the packaged shrimp;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing packaged fish coated in sauce following the teachings of the subject invention
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 3- 3 of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 shows the steps of the process by which the seafood is coated in sauce, vacuum packaged, frozen, stored, subsequently microwaved, unpackaged and served according to the steps of the subject invention.
- FIG. 5 is a sequential perspective view similar to FIG. 1, only fish fillets are packaged without the use of a pallet;
- FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, only the fish fillets have been marinated or otherwise coated with sauce before insertion into the inner packaging.
- Seafood such as peeled and deveined shrimp are packed plain, coated or otherwise prepared in sauce in the package 10 as shown in FIG. 1.
- Fish preferably fillets, can be the product of choice instead.
- the seafood will be placed on pallet 14 which will then be inserted into the transparent envelope of packaging 16 as shown and slid within, at which time vacuum will be applied and the envelope or bag-like container 16 will be sealed by the processing equipment. More specifically, a vacuum is created as vacuum means (not shown) causes the air to be sucked from within prior to the sealing of the end 18 of bag 16 as is standard in vacuum packaging of food stuffs.
- the bag 16 can be formed around the seafood as well; i.e., by laying the seafood on a lower sheet of packaging, covering with the top sheet and sealing the edges as is commercially known.
- the envelope or bag 16 containing the product (shrimp 12) is now ready to be placed within the outer package or container 10, having window or opening 20 for viewing of the shrimp 12.
- the shrimp 12 can be first prepared in a variety of different ways before the pallet 14 is placed into the packaging 16.
- the shrimp 12 may be peeled, deveined and immersed in a recipe of olive oil, butter, garlic, ground pepper, and other spices in preparation of a shrimp scampi dish. If fish is the product, they can be coated or marinated in sweet and sour, lemon pepper, or honey mustard or other sauce.
- the shrimp 12 may be aligned as shown in FIG. 1 or may be randomly presented in sauce.
- the pallet 14 may be constructed of plastic with some rigidity that enables the shrimp 12 to be positioned thereon and inserted into the envelope 16. If the envelope 16 is punctured, or ruptured, storage problems can result and the ability to subsequently microwave the product in its bag 16 will be compromised as well.
- the bag 16 may be of 2-ply construction comprised of polypropylene and nylon, with the polypropylene enabling it to tolerate temperature extremes and the nylon contributing to its strength. Equivalent material may also be used.
- the pallet 14 may have side structure 21 which will help to keep the desired orientation of the shrimp 12 or fish.
- side structure 21 helps to protect the bag seal by acting as a buffer between the shrimp 12 and the sides of bag 16.
- the bag seal across the top may be very tight to the shrimp 12, to hold them in desired orientation which may assist the microwaving step.
- the pallet 14 Upon further examination of FIG. 1, the pallet 14 will be seen to have two very different surfaces.
- the top surface 22 may also have a reflective coating to facilitate microwaving once the envelope 16 is inserted into a microwave unit prior to consumption.
- the reflective coating thanks to the roughness of the surface, will not be a detriment to microwave as the waves will not be directed back to the microwave source due to the roughness which creates something less than direct reflection.
- the reflective coating can be a foil which may be gold in color.
- the bottom surface 24 is smooth, as best seen on the sides 21 which are turned up at an approximate 90 degree angle. The smoothness facilitates the handling of the pallet 14 and, in particular, the sliding of the pallet 14 within envelope 16 prior to the vacuum sealing of the envelope by sealing edge or end 18.
- outer package or container 10 which is preferably made of milk-carton type cardboard with both sides waxed or substitute.
- the waterproof container or cardboard box 10 basically has a top 23 and bottom 25 portion, sides 27, and ends 29. The opening 20 in top portion 23 is cut in such a way to enable the product within to be viewed.
- the container 10 is closed by tucking in side flaps 26 and end flap 28.
- packaged fish 13 as may be first coated in sauce may be viewed through opening 20 as the packed frozen fish 13 is presented for sale in commercial establishments such as grocery chains.
- the container 10 is essentially the same as described in FIG. 1, only fish 13 are ⁇ cne packaged product as opposed to shrimp 12.
- the packages 10 will typically be stacked within freezer compartments to present an attractive product for the purchasers.
- fish 13 may be packaged as discussed herein. Tuna steaks, snapper filets, sword fish steaks and various other fish may be packaged and marketed as described.
- the fish products may be either packaged plain or they can be immersed or marinated in sauce to provide delicacies such as lemon pepper snapper.
- the fish may be soaked in a sauce for hours before being packaged.
- the fish pieces or cut filets will be approximately 3/4 of an inch to one inch thick which is ideal for microwaving the fish within the bag 16 as discussed herein.
- the packaged fish 13 of FIG. 2 are seen within package or bag 16, which in turn is within outer package 10. Sealed edges 30 of the bag 16 can be seen tucked so as to fit snugly within the outer package 10.
- the sides 21 of pallet 14 are shown serving as a buffer between the sides of bag 16 and the fish 13. It is contemplated that the outer package 10 will remain in place, which serves to protect the integrity of the bag or package 16 until time for microwaving, at which time it will be removed.
- Step 1 the shrimp 12 or fish 13 are coated in sauce or otherwise prepared and are placed on the pallet which may be substantially like pallet 14 of FIG. 1 except without sides 21.
- the shrimp 12 or rish 13 may be placed on pallet 14 by hand, machine (not shown) , or by a combination of both.
- the pallet 14 is then to be enveloped into bag 16 as shown in Step 2. If three sides of the bag are sealed already, as shown in Step 2 and in FIG. 1, the pallet 14 is pushed into the bag 16 as facilitated by the smooth surface 24 of the bottom of pallet 14. Either machine or a by-hand process may be used in placing the pallet 14 within the bag 16. As shown in Alternative Step 2, the pallet 14 may be slid onto a bottom sheet of plastic film and another sheet placed on top. Either sheets extending from rolls or discrete sheets can be used. The edges of top and bottom sheets will be joined together and heat sealed simultaneously with the vacuuming of the then-formed bag as represented in Step 3A. As contemplated in Step 3, machinery well-known in packaging food stuffs can be used to create a vacuum within bag 16, sealing edge 18 in the process.
- the top and bottom sheets can be sealed on four sides, preferably by a standard heat sealing process as part of the vacuum process.
- the vacuum is applied before the four edges are sealed to create the vacuum packed shrimp or fish within package or bag 16.
- the shrimp or fish may have been coated in sauce or marinated to provide a tasty product when eventually consumed.
- the sauce is effectively sucked into the product to create a very flavorful, tasty seafood upon consumption.
- Step 4 the sealed bag or package 16 is placed within box or outer package 10 and the flaps 26, 28 as shown in FIG. 1, closed to complete the packing process.
- Step 4 can be conducted by hand or by machine, with the latter process being undertaken by packing machinery well known in the food stuffs industry.
- the packaged shrimp or fish is immediately subjected to flash freezing to preserve the quality and to prevent the formation of bacteria, mold, and yeast and botulism thus enabling the product to be shipped and sold in frozen form with greatly increased shelf life.
- Standard industry equipment is used to blast freeze, contact freeze or tunnel freeze the product.
- the shrimp 12 or fish 13 will remain frozen until approximate time of consumption, as shown as Step 5. This typically will be through distribution, retail storage and home or restaurant storage.
- Step 6 the package, bag or envelope 16 is to be removed from the outer package 10 and placed in its sealed condition, with contents frozen, in a microwave unit.
- the shrimp 12 or fish 13 will be effectively steamed as the package or bag 16 is designed to withstand the pressure of the steaming process with the bag 16 effectively becoming a steaming vessel. If the product has been marinated or coated in sauce, the sauce will be drawn into the product, increasing the taste thereof. In the absence of a sauce, the steaming causes the product to be microwaved efficiently and evenly. The shrimp 12 or fish 13 will then be ready for consumption once steamed.
- the length of time of microwaving depends on the characteristics of the microwave unit that is used. Generally, it is contemplated that time of microwaving will be approximately from two to ten minutes. As shown in Step 7 of FIG. 4, only after the microwaving step is completed is the bag 16 cut open to remove the product for consumption. The bag 16 is not to be penetrated to cause any venting prior to the completion of the microwaving step.
- shrimp 12 or fish 13 can be marketed in the package or bag 16 without being placed within the outer container 10.
- Sales indicia and literature may be place on the bottom of the pallet 14, or bag 16, or on a sales page inserted within the bag 16 or attached on the outside.
- Step 6 FIG. 4
- the shrimp or fish are coated in sauce or marinated and then vacuum packed in a negative pressure situation prior to flash freezing which does not effect the negative pressure within which the seafood is packed. Subsequently, upon microwaving, the expanding vapor turns the package or bag 16 effectively into a pressure vessel to steam the product.
- fish fillets 50 are shown which are inserted directly into the bag 52 without first being placed upon a pallet as was the case in the embodiment of FIG. l. Fins, bones, etc. typically will have been removed so as to not cause a problem with the integrity of bag 52, i.e., by puncturing when in a packed condition.
- the bag is vacuum sealed as was the case with the FIG. 1 embodiment.
- the bag 52 can then be inserted within outer package 54 or marketed without such outer packaging.
- FIG. 6 a similar sequence to FIG. 5 is shown, only the fish fillets 50 have first been marinated or otherwise coated with sauce 60 before being inserted into bag 52. Upon vacuum sealing, which will cause the sauce to further penetrate the fish, the bag 52 may either be marketed as it is or placed in an outer package 54 as discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 5.
- the bag may also be formed around the seafood by lying the seafood on a bottom sheet, applying a top sheet and sealing the edges as is commercially known.
- a variety of improvements and modifications to the packaging and process disclosed herein will be apparent. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by the foregoing description and drawings.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU24616/97A AU2461697A (en) | 1996-04-25 | 1997-04-17 | Microwaveable vacuum packed seafood package and process |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/637,610 | 1996-04-25 | ||
US08/637,610 US5817353A (en) | 1996-04-25 | 1996-04-25 | Flat pack vacuum packed seafood package and process |
US08/746,031 US5863578A (en) | 1996-04-25 | 1996-11-06 | Microwaveable vacuum packed seafood package and process |
US08/746,031 | 1996-11-06 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO1997039949A1 true WO1997039949A1 (en) | 1997-10-30 |
Family
ID=27092888
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1997/006361 WO1997039949A1 (en) | 1996-04-25 | 1997-04-17 | Microwaveable vacuum packed seafood package and process |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5863578A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2461697A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997039949A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2340105A (en) * | 1998-07-29 | 2000-02-16 | Alec Jarrett Limitd | Vacuum-wrapped meat product in a box |
WO2007026183A1 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2007-03-08 | Sylvain Húsipari Kft | Packaged fresh food product and method for packaging fresh food products |
EP1481919A3 (en) * | 2003-05-27 | 2007-05-02 | Nuova Poliver di Oddone Colomba & C. S.n.c. | Plastic bag for the vacuum preservation of foodstuffs |
WO2007053232A1 (en) * | 2005-11-07 | 2007-05-10 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Microwave interactive display package |
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GB2340105A (en) * | 1998-07-29 | 2000-02-16 | Alec Jarrett Limitd | Vacuum-wrapped meat product in a box |
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US8063345B2 (en) | 2005-04-11 | 2011-11-22 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Microwavable food package having an easy-open feature |
WO2007026183A1 (en) * | 2005-08-30 | 2007-03-08 | Sylvain Húsipari Kft | Packaged fresh food product and method for packaging fresh food products |
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EP2248737A1 (en) * | 2009-05-07 | 2010-11-10 | Charal | Packaging provided with a film with controlled deformation |
FR2945281A1 (en) * | 2009-05-07 | 2010-11-12 | Charal | Fresh food product e.g. red meat, packaging and cooking assembly for micro-wave oven, has outer package provided with maintaining unit for maintaining movable lateral flaps in closed state until end of heating |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US5863578A (en) | 1999-01-26 |
AU2461697A (en) | 1997-11-12 |
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