WO2008006799A2 - Method for food catering for a plurality of consumers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for food catering for a plurality of consumers. According to said method, food is divided into portions for a plurality of carrier elements in a first unit (A), the carrier elements in the first unit (A) are packed into separate packages, the packed carrier elements are transported to a second unit (B), the food is heated in the second unit (B), the carrier elements in the second unit (B) are removed from the separate packages, the heated food on the carrier elements is distributed to the plurality of consumers, and the carrier elements are then transported to the first unit (A) wherein the food is again divided into portions for the plurality of carrier elements, in order to be able to meet the high qualitative demands of consumers for low-cost food catering.

Description

 Method for providing a variety of consumers with food

The invention relates inter alia to a method for providing food to a large number of consumers.

Meal procedures for a variety of food consumers involving two units are already being used in practice. The first entity may be a food processing company, while the second entity may be a company or part of a company that has to provide food for a variety of consumers.

In a known method, the food is prepared by the first unit and delivered in larger containers to the second unit. In the second unit, the food is then further processed. Further processing includes cooking and / or cooking the food. If the food from the first unit already partially cooked or cooked delivered, the food must be cooked at least ready or ready cooked. Subsequently, the food is portioned on plates and the like and then offered to a variety of consumers for consumption.

Since the corresponding processes in the first unit can be carried out on a larger scale, is with achieved a cost advantage the known method. However, this is achieved with a more complex process, which has additional process steps, for example because the food is first pre-cooked and then finished cooking.

In another known method, the food from the first unit are already assembled ready, portioned on carrier elements and packed separately for transport to the second unit. The carrier element is, as in the case of packaging, materials or composite materials based on plastics, metal foils and / or cardboard. On the one hand, these have a low weight and, on the other hand, can easily be recycled. One speaks in this connection of so-called finished products or convenience products, which are intended for either cold or hot consumption. In the first case, heating is superfluous, while in the second case the foodstuffs must be boiled or at least heated before consumption.

The invention is therefore the first technical problem to propose a method that can be met with the high qualitative claims of a variety of consumers at low cost.

In another known method for catering to a plurality of consumers, the preparation in the first unit, especially if it is food that is to be consumed cold, may include a comminution step to facilitate later portioning in the second unit. The Portioning is then on a variety of plates, which are then offered to a variety of consumers for the consumption of food.

However, the second unit must provide other facilities, in particular kitchen-style, and staff for portioning food, as well as measures to meet the food-regulatory requirements required for portioning.

Since reuse of the support elements and packaging materials is eliminated due to insufficient or expensive cleaning, a recycling of the support elements and packaging materials is necessary, which is particularly complex in the use of composite materials.

The invention further relates to a method for removing a carrier element from a bag-shaped or tubular packaging.

From practice, packaging for foods carried on a carrier element such as a plate or the like is known, in which the carrier element or else a tray having a carrier element is covered with a so-called glove. Corresponding packaging is usually used in hospitals, nursing homes and the like. The food or food is first prepared in a kitchen and then portioned on the carrier element. So that the food does not cool down prematurely, the Carrier elements covered with a glove and then distributed to the individual consumers.

For the purpose of reducing costs, more and more work and process steps have recently been outsourced from the kitchens of hospitals, nursing homes or similar institutions. The food is already being delivered more prepared so that it only needs to be heated. Even then, however, a number of work steps are still necessary to provide the consumers with the food.

The present invention is therefore based on the second technical problem to provide a method and a packaging, can be done by the supply of a number of consumers with already vorgarten and only to be reheated food with less logistical, personnel and / or time.

The invention also relates to a package and a package for heating a carrier element and a food arranged on the carrier element in an induction furnace, as well as a method for heating a carrier element and a food arranged thereon.

It is known from practice to pretreat, in particular vorzugaren food in the form of meals or individual foods, and in portions on a support member or bring in, which may be an arbitrarily shaped container such as a tray, a plate, a bowl or the like. One speaks in In this context, also convenience foods or ready meals. Shortly before consumption, the food then only needs to be cooked or warmed up, which can be done in an induction oven.

In order to reduce the accumulation of waste and present the food in an appealing way to the end user, the foodstuffs are often portioned and heated directly on the porcelain support element. For use in induction furnaces, the

Porcelain dishes with metallic inserts, which are often made of silver, and high cost.

A further disadvantage is that the carrier elements made of porcelain must be covered with so-called gongs during the heating of the food, possibly also during the preceding transport thereof to the place of the final preparation. This too leads to high costs.

The invention is therefore based on the third technical problem, the above-mentioned and previously described in more detail packs or packaging such and further, that a supply of a large number of people with pre-portioned foods easier and cheaper possible.

The first technical problem is solved by a method of the type mentioned,

in which food is portioned onto a plurality of carrier elements in a first unit (A), in which the food carrier elements in the first unit (A) are packed in separate packages,

in which the packaged, food-carrying carrier elements are transported to a second unit (B),

in which the foodstuffs are heated on the carrier elements in the second unit (B),

in which the food carrier elements in the second unit (B) are removed from the separate packages,

in which the heated foods are offered for consumption on the carrier elements of the plurality of consumers,

- In which the carrier elements are transported after being offered for consumption to the first unit (A) and

- Be portioned in the first unit (A) on the plurality of support elements again food.

The invention has recognized that the underlying object can be achieved by a novel circulation method in which at least the carrier elements are circulated. Because of this, the food or, in the case of several different foods, the food can be portioned as early as the first unit on the support elements as they are to be offered to consumers later for consumption.

The carrier elements are introduced into separate packages prior to transport from the first to the second unit together with the portioned foods. The packaged foods are sealed depending on whether the packages are gas-tight be protected during transport against contamination by particles, pollutants, germs and / or the like. The use of separate packages has the advantage that in the second unit no repackaging must take place from a larger container into a smaller container. Thus, a time-consuming and cost-intensive method step is avoided.

In the second unit, the foodstuffs on the carrier elements merely need to be heated and unpacked. After heating and unpacking, the foods are ready to be offered on the respective carrier elements of the plurality of consumers. Again, no repackaging of food is required, so that the process steps performed in the second unit can be performed quickly and without a high expenditure on equipment or time.

Since the first unit can supply a large number of different second units with separately packaged foodstuffs on carrier elements, it is possible to carry out the method steps of the first unit inexpensively with larger throughputs, in larger containers and with less personnel. Surprisingly, this cost saving is not consumed by the circulation of the support elements between the first and the second unit.

So that any unnecessary repacking can be avoided in the method according to the invention, it has been recognized as necessary to guide the carrier elements not only in the second unit in a circuit, but to extend this circuit to the first unit. Thus, the carrier elements after consumption of the Consumables are transported by consumers to the first unit, where they are then used again to receive new food portions or food.

As used herein, the first entity and the second entity are spatially distinct and represent different organizational units. They may be different departments of a company or another higher-level organizational structure. But they can also be different companies. Preferably, the first unit is a company of

Food industry. The second unit then dispenses the food to the consumers. So at least the second unit also has to provide food for a large number of people. These can be canteen operators, hospitals, old people's homes, catering companies, catering establishments, catering outlets and the like.

Preferably, the first unit is also a company that takes over work or process steps of the second unit, which in this case is a customer of the first unit, so that the second unit is strengthened to its actual task or its own core competencies For example, it can focus on providing food for a large number of people, hospital operations, production in a manufacturing sector or holding an event. As carrier element all kinds of plates, bowls, tablets and the like come into question. In this case, the desired amount of food can be portioned onto or into the carrier element and the carrier elements can be packed and transported together with the food in a pack. With regard to the material of the support elements, there is likewise no fundamental restriction, with preference being given to porcelain over metal or plastic solely for aesthetic reasons and for reasons of durability.

As far as food is concerned, no distinction is made between individual foods, a large number of foods or the combination of several foods into one food. All alternatives are possible if required in combination.

When packaging the food on the carrier elements, a protective gas for providing a so-called inert gas atmosphere can be injected into the prepared package. But this is not necessary.

For the heating of the food, which may include, if necessary, a finished cooking pre-cooked food, the most diverse from the prior art known types of heating come into consideration. The foods may preferably be heated in an induction oven. It may also be preferable to heat the foods in a microwave oven. Alternatively, the heating can also take place by heat conduction or thermal radiation in other conventional furnaces such as contact heat ovens, radiant ovens or hot air ovens, which generally requires less effort. It is particularly preferred, on the one hand, to heat the foodstuffs in an induction oven and, on the other hand, to use a package for heating a carrier element and a foodstuff arranged on the carrier element, comprising an outer plastic film and an inner metallic layer, wherein the metallic layer is electrically conductive and is heatable by inducing an eddy current to at least 100 ⁰ C and wherein the plastic film has a heat distortion temperature of at least 7O ⁰ C. For the pure heating of food, a core temperature of the same of 75 ⁰ C, if necessary, of 8O ⁰ C is sufficient. If the food is to be cooked in parallel with heating, it may be necessary to raise the temperature of the food to at least 100 ^° C.

The heat is not generated in the induction furnace as usual directly in the carrier element, but in the separate metallic layer, which preferably has a good contact with the carrier element for the heat transfer. In this way, the energy used is efficiently utilized in a simple and cost-effective manner and enables rapid heating.

It is also preferred that the metal used is food compatible in order to be brought into contact with the food. Other metals can be used if it can be ensured that the respective metal does not come into contact with the food. For this purpose, for example, spacers are conceivable, which are arranged between the metal foil and the food. The metallic layer heats up at induction of an eddy current in a conventional filled with packages of the same type induction furnace with normal power, for example, to at least 100 ⁰ C to allow a finished cooking or a rapid heating of the food. Preferably, the metallic layer increases upon heating temperatures of up to 15O ⁰ C, more preferably of up to 200 ⁰ C on. Ultimately, therefore, the metallic layer must oppose the induced eddy current with sufficient resistance so that a corresponding heat flow is released.

The strong heating of the food and the metallic layer can lead to an undesirable deformation of the package, which can go so far that the plastic film adheres to the food or even melts. This is prevented by the plastic film has a heat resistance of at least 70 ⁰ C. The heat resistance values given here can be determined according to the standard ISO 75 HDT / A (1.8 MPa).

In particular, the outer plastic film has a heat resistance of at least about 80 ⁰ C. This is sufficient to heat the food to 100 to 115 ° C. The condensation of water vapor and the like at this temperature and a slight overpressure resulting from the vapor pressure of the water does not lead to excessive deformation of the plastic film, although in a short time locally a large amount of heat of condensation is released. Ultimately, the plastic film briefly holds temperatures of up to 150 ⁰ C, preferably up to 200 ⁰ C level. In addition to the heat resistance, a sufficient flexibility and handleability of the film is additionally achieved by using an outer plastic film of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, preferably of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

As the plastic film, a transparent film can be used to obtain optically attractive packages. The inner metallic layer is possibly only partially arranged on the inside of the outer plastic film in order to obtain a view of the user in the pack and so to be able to visually assess the quality or the degree of heating of the food.

If the metallic layer has an opening in the area of the packing volume, good visibility can be ensured. In addition, an opening in the form of a gap, which can then run transversely over at least a part of the pack, if necessary via the top of the pack, is also suitable as an opening.

Simple and inexpensive is a package in which the metallic layer is made in two parts, wherein the two parts of the metallic layer are adjacent to each other applied to the plastic film. They are then spaced by a gap. There are also metallic layers conceivable that consist of more than two parts.

For closing the package after the introduction of the carrier element and the food resting thereon, corresponding edges can be provided on the plastic film which are not metallic on the inside Have layer. In other words, the metallic layer is not on the entire surface of the outer plastic film, but only in the areas that form the interior of the pack.

Aluminum is available in the form of thin rolled or deposited layers at low cost and easy to recover. In addition, other food-compatible metals such as silver or gold may be provided as a metallic layer.

The metallic layer may have a paper layer on one side. The metallic layer comprising the paper layer can be cut off from a material web more easily. For the purpose of a good heat transfer to the support element and possibly. to the atmosphere within the package volume, the paper layer is provided on the side of the metallic layer facing the outer plastic film.

It is sufficient if the metallic layer instead of being fully laminated on the plastic film, at least partially glued to the outer plastic film. The bond can be formed in strips. The package is gas-tight if necessary and optionally filled with an inert protective gas such as nitrogen.

So that the pack does not tear open immediately during the final heating, the pack can be designed such that it is gas-tight in relation to an internal overpressure of at least 20 mbar, preferably at least 50 mbar. The pack can also be readily configured to withstand the vapor pressure End of heating or cooking no longer stops and tears.

Both for bonding the seams of the package as well as for fixing the metallic layer to the plastic film, the plastic film on the inside of an adhesive as a full-surface provided adhesive layer, in the form of fine adhesive droplets or as only locally applied adhesive areas.

A particularly good and rapid heat transfer to the carrier element and thus to the food is achieved in that the inner metal layer is in a flat contact with the carrier element.

The food should be readily consumed directly from the carrier element.

The packing volume may include an inert shielding gas such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a mixture thereof. Preferred compositions of the protective gas will be discussed below.

The packaging is designed, for example, as a tubular bag closed on the shorter sides. Alternatively, however, the package may also be a bag with a longitudinal seam and two nights at the opposite shorter transverse sides.

In a particularly preferred teaching of the invention, the food before portioning on the support elements or even at least partially prepared. Preferably, especially if several different foods on a support element be portioned, the partial preparation of the food is carried out before applying the same to the respective carrier element. So every food can be optimally prepared for itself, even if the total food used is very different or are prepared differently. Also, the preparation can be done in larger units and thus with less equipment, time and / or staffing.

However, depending on the food used, it may also be simpler and cheaper if at least part of the preparation of the food is carried out after the portioning thereof on the carrier elements. Then it is preferred that the at least partial preparation takes place after the packaging of the carrier elements together with the foods portioned thereon. Here, the package serves as protection against unwanted interactions with the environment.

The preparation can be in the composition of individual food components, in peeling, in cutting, in blending, in seasoning, in (pre-) cooking, in (pre) cooking, in preserving, in portioning or any combination thereof. The fact that the supplier of the first unit can deliver the food not only in the raw state, but already prepared, is irrelevant here.

Apart from the portioning of the foodstuffs on the carrier elements, the preparation can also be carried out by a preparation unit. Preferably, however, the food preparation is in the first Unit so that the procedure remains less complex and thus more flexible.

According to a further preferred teaching of the invention, the portioned foods having carrier elements are heated before removal from the separate packages. This is advantageous because the package for the packaged foodstuff provides protection against external influences and loss of moisture and / or flavoring to the environment. If necessary, the process steps unpacking and heating of the carrier elements, together with the food, can also be carried out in the reverse order, for example because otherwise condensed water may collect in the pack or the food may be offered "immediately after heating.

The carrier elements are preferably roughly cleaned after being offered the food for consumption in the second unit. Otherwise, there are unwanted secondary contaminants that must be eliminated by investing time, manpower and money.

After the food has been consumed by the consumers in the second unit, the carrier elements can first be collected and subsequently transported to the first unit. This offers logistical and therefore economic advantages. In between, if necessary, the coarse cleaning can take place.

In the second unit, a fine cleaning of the support elements can be performed. However, this is less preferred because in the subsequent transport a renewed contamination are hardly excluded can. In that case, disinfection as a rule would even require sterilization of the carrier elements before the portioning of new foods.

The cost, at least for the fine cleaning, which preferably comprises a sterilization of the carrier elements, will in principle be lower when it is carried out in the first unit. There can be cleaned with larger throughputs and less staff a larger amount of support elements in larger facilities. Regardless of whether a rough cleaning has already taken place in the second unit, the cleaning or only the fine cleaning is preferably carried out in the first unit.

Instead of the first unit, this can also be done in a cleaning unit, which is less preferred because of the flexibility of the method. The cleaning unit can then act as a subcontractor, for example, to which the carrier elements are transported by the second unit. After cleaning, the clean support elements are transported back to the first unit.

Independently of the cleaning of the carrier elements, a quality control of the same is preferably carried out prior to the re-portioning of foods onto the carrier elements in order to determine whether carrier elements are damaged, worn or otherwise unusable for further use. These support elements are eliminated in the quality control and possibly replaced by still usable support elements. According to a further teaching of the invention it can be provided that the separate packs are supplied to a recycling after removal of the portioned food having carrier elements. The recycling is then preferably carried out in a recycling unit. Recycling used packages in the first unit is less preferred unless facilities are available and / or unless sufficient quantities of used packages are available. To carry out the recycling in the second unit is not preferred in principle, since this unit is indeed to be spared from unnecessary process steps. If necessary, this is possible.

In the case of recycling, preferably recycled materials are used to reduce the transport and material costs for the packaging production, which is preferably taken over by a production unit for packs. Packing may also be performed by the first unit to simplify the process and reduce the number of units involved in the process, especially if the packs are of simple construction.

Regardless of whether recycling takes place, some of the separate packages may be at least partially reused after removal of the carrier elements together with the portioned foods. Basically, a cleaning and a quality control of each of the used packages is required in advance, preferably in this order, since the quality of the packages used in the clean state can be better assessed. To unnecessarily clean unworn packs To exclude the order can be reversed. The cleaning of used packages is carried out for the reasons already discussed in connection with recycling preferably in a package recycling unit or, if necessary, in the first unit.

However, cleaning in the second unit is not preferred except for a rough cleaning of the used packages. In such a case, the above-described cleaning subsequently takes place only to the extent of a fine cleaning.

Alternatively or additionally, a method for providing food to a plurality of consumers is proposed.

in which, in a first unit (A), food is glazed on a plurality of carrier elements

Ceramics are sealed in which the food-containing carrier elements in the first unit (A) are sealed with sealing films in which the sealed support elements are transported to a second unit (B), in which the sealed film from the sealed

Support elements in the second unit (B) are deducted, in which the food is consumed on the carrier elements of the plurality of consumers, wherein the carrier elements after consumption of the

Food to be transported to the first unit (A) and in the first unit (A) on the

Carrier elements are re-portioned food. The use of sealed carrier elements has, in addition to the already mentioned, the recycling related advantages among other things the further advantage that in the second unit no repackaging must be done from a larger container into a smaller container. This means, for example, that a high-quality service can be provided without the second unit having to maintain a kitchen in compliance with food law requirements and to provide appropriately trained personnel. At the same time, the process cost in the second unit is reduced and the number of required process steps is reduced.

Another advantage is that the carrier elements consist of a glazed ceramic. These are not only particularly suitable for use with foodstuffs, but also meet the highest quality requirements on the part of consumers. For consumers, therefore, there is not the impression of typical, as low-quality respected, offered on disposable carrier elements ready meals.

The use of carrier elements made of a glazed ceramic readily allows an environmentally and resource-friendly circulation process, in which the carrier elements are reused and thereby transported between the first and the second unit back and forth.

Furthermore, it has surprisingly been found that the sealing films with sufficient for the process strength and durability Fix support elements made of glazed ceramic. Corresponding objects were therefore considered in practice as not economically sealable. This was particularly true for larger quantities of articles to be sealed and for applications with foodstuffs, which should be protected by the seal against external influences such as dirt and the like.

The inventive method is particularly suitable for food intended for cold consumption. Then there is no need to warm up, which are typically integrated in standard kitchens. With appropriate food in particular meals such as breakfast and dinner as well as snacks in question.

Since the first unit can supply a large number of different second units with carrier elements, it is possible to inexpensively carry out the method steps of the first unit with larger throughputs and with fewer personnel. According to the invention, the support elements are guided not only in the second unit in a circuit. Rather, the cycle is extended to the first unit. Despite the recycling of the support members between the first and second units, the method has been found to be economical.

As used herein, the first entity and the second entity are spatially distinct and represent different organizational units. It can be about different departments of a company or another higher-level organizational structure act. But they can also be different companies. Preferably, the first unit is a company of

Food industry. The second unit then dispenses the food to the consumers. So the second unit has at least the supply of food to a large number of people. These can be canteen operators, hospitals, old people's homes, catering companies, catering establishments, catering outlets and the like.

As a carrier element all kinds of plates, trays, bowls, trays and the like come into question. In this case, the desired amount of food can be portioned on or in the carrier element. The sealing of the support elements takes place around at least one circumferential upper edge, so that no food accidentally escape and no dirt can enter. So that there is no undesired mixing of individual foods, the carrier elements can have individual compartments, which in turn can form additional edges, which are likewise sealed, preferably over their entire length. The forms of corresponding carrier elements for the catering of consumers with different compartments, sections or areas are known from practice. Any of these favorable forms is suitable for use with the invention. It is preferably provided that all upper edges are arranged in a plane to facilitate the sealing.

The support elements are preferably at least substantially made of porcelain to a qualitatively to achieve a high-quality impression. In addition, porcelain is advantageous from a food-technical point of view. Alternatively, however, other ceramics come into question such as climbing equipment, which is also counted to sintering, or earthenware in the form of earthenware or clay or earthenware.

Furthermore, sealing films are preferably used essentially of plastic. Optionally, it is still possible for further constituents, such as metals or ceramics, to be provided, in particular in the form of further layers, as is known from the prior art. However, it is expedient to use as simple as possible and therefore inexpensive sealing films. Incidentally, in order to ensure the freshness and quality of the food, it is not necessary to spend too much time between portioning and consuming the food, which is why the barrier properties of the sealing film do not have to be set too high, which as a rule can only be met by one Multi-layer construction can be realized. This also has the advantage that a complex intermediate storage can be omitted. If necessary, however, an intermediate storage can take place and a multilayer sealing film can be used. Further, in sealing the support members, a shielding gas may be provided for providing a so-called inert gas atmosphere under the sealing film in order to maintain the freshness and quality of the food over the required period of, for example, 8 to 10 days.

The sealing foils are preferably substantially made of polyethylene (PE) because PE has good sealing properties, is inexpensive and has high flexibility to extend to the upper edges of the rigid support members to smoothen glazed ceramics. Here, too, as described above, other materials besides PE can be used, although this is less preferred or necessary with regard to the quality of the method. Alternatively, the sealing foils may also consist essentially of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET has better barrier properties and is also more resistant to external mechanical and chemical agents. However, PET is not as flexible as PE.

If peelable sealing foils are used, this facilitates the removal of the sealing foils and increases the quality impression of the carrier elements after the sealing foils have been removed. Peelable sealing foils are understood to mean those which can be removed without or at least without appreciable residues. Furthermore, it does not come to a tearing of the sealing film when used correctly. Residues can remain at most in the form of parts of the sealing seam, such as an adhesive or a bonding agent. Thus, the sealing film can be easily removed, a circumferential projection or tab is preferably provided.

In order to ensure a sufficiently strong and permanent connection between the sealing film and the carrier element, it may be expedient to seal the carrier elements in the first unit (A) by means of an adhesive with sealing foils, wherein the adhesive may be applied over the entire surface of the sealing film. The application of the sealing foils on the support elements is thereby facilitated. Alternatively or additionally, the adhesive may also be applied to the upper edges of the carrier elements be applied. Instead of an adhesive or in combination with such an adhesive can also be used, which is then applied before sealing, if necessary, also before an adhesive on the upper edges of the support elements. As the adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive is preferably used.

The upper edges of the support elements are ground as needed before their first use and then glazed and fired. The pretreated edges are then provided with the sealing film. In this way, a smoother surface and a larger contact area between the carrier element and sealing film can be achieved. For this purpose, alternatively or additionally, during sealing, a compensating means which is flexible enough to compensate for unevenness of the surface of the upper edges may be used. The compensating means is then used to press the sealing foils against the upper edges of the carrier elements.

The carrier elements may be roughly cleaned after offering the food for consumption in the second unit. In a fine cleaning, it could then come to unwanted secondary contamination of the support elements, which would have to be eliminated by reinvesting time, staff and money.

Also with regard to the cleaning of the carrier elements and with regard to the quality assurance provided as required, the method steps already discussed previously in connection with the packaged carrier elements come into consideration in the same way. Basically, they are individual Apply method steps on both methods in substantially the same way, as well as the various methods can be carried out in principle with any of the packaging or packages also described here. Implementation in practice and achievement of the respective desired result requires only the general expert knowledge of the person skilled in the art.

It can be provided, for example, that after the food has been consumed, the carrier elements are first collected in the second unit and subsequently transported to the first unit. This offers logistical and therefore economic advantages. In between, if necessary, the coarse cleaning can take place.

The cost, at least for the fine cleaning, will generally be lower when performed in the first unit due to higher throughputs, larger cleaning facilities and fewer personnel. This is in principle independent of whether a rough cleaning has already taken place in the second unit. The rough cleaning in the second unit, however, a drying of larger amounts of food can be avoided. The fine cleaning may also be done in a separate third unit, which is less preferred because of the lower flexibility and higher complexity of the process.

In a quality control is preferably determined whether carrier elements are damaged, worn or unusable for any other reason for further use. Such support elements are discarded and possibly replaced by first-time use carrier elements. In particular, here can be one Checking the upper edges of the support elements for bumps expedient so that a faulty sealing is avoided.

If necessary, the sealing films drawn off from the carrier elements are sent for recycling, preferably in a separate fourth unit. Recycling in the first unit is less preferred unless facilities are available and / or as long as there are not enough sealing films. The recycling is done only in exceptional cases in the second unit, as the second unit is to be relieved of unnecessary procedural steps. In the case of recycling, recycled sealing films are preferably used.

According to one teaching of the invention, after the removal of the sealing films, the food is offered for consumption on the carrier elements of the plurality of consumers. The consumers do not get the impression of a Fercigmahi time.

According to another teaching of the invention, however, the sealed support elements are first issued to the plurality of consumers, so that they then deduct the Siegeifolien only immediately before the consumption of food from the support elements. In this way, it is ensured for the consumers that the meals have not been affected by external influences, which also meets the highest quality standards.

By a method for manufacturing a carrier element for providing food to a plurality of consumers, in which an upper edge of the ceramic support element is ground flat and in which the flat ground upper edge of the support element is glazed and fired,

flat upper edges and sufficient contact surfaces carrier element and sealing film are obtained. Furthermore, if necessary, the implementation of the method described above is facilitated or even made possible.

It has been recognized that a sealing of a carrier element made of a glazed ceramic, in particular porcelain, for the catering of a plurality of consumers with food with a sealing film, in particular a peelable sealing film substantially made of plastic can be significantly improved if the upper, too sealing edges of the support member before use flat ground and then glazed and fired. In this way, flat upper edges and sufficient contact surfaces receive support element and sealing foil.

It makes sense to integrate the production of the carrier elements in a method for providing food to a large number of consumers, in particular with those which are arranged on a carrier element sealed with a sealing film. In such a way that the carrier elements used for the first time in the process of catering to consumers are produced according to the described production process. It makes sense to integrate the production of the carrier elements in the closed with sealed foil carrier elements process in such a way that the carrier elements used for the first time in the process of catering for consumers are produced according to the manufacturing process just described.

The support elements can first be manufactured in a manner known from the prior art before they are subjected to the production process according to the invention. Alternatively, the upper edges of the carrier element are ground flat prior to a final glazing and firing process, so that in addition to the grinding step no additional process steps in the production of the carrier element are required and a more uniform glaze is achieved. Thus, first of all, the production of the carrier element takes place in the manner known from the prior art until the carrier elements have been fired for a first time. One speaks in this context of biscuit firing or incandescent firing. Then the edges are then ground flat before the glaze is applied and the final firing is performed. One speaks in this connection also of burnt fire or Giasurbrand. In modern processes, where the carrier elements are burned only once during their manufacture, the step of grinding the upper edges may also be done after the step of drying. Even then, only glazed and fired once.

Thus, it is also proposed a carrier element for catering to a variety of consumers with food, consisting of a ceramic with a plan ground upper edge, wherein the support member is fired and the upper edge has a glaze.

In this way, the advantages discussed above for the manufacturing process are also achieved. Preferably, the ceramic is porcelain. But there are also support elements made of stoneware, stoneware or pottery or pottery.

Preferably, the use of the carrier element in the method for providing a plurality of consumers with sealed with sealing films support elements is provided. Furthermore, the upper edge of the carrier element can be sealed with a sealing film, which preferably consists essentially of a plastic such as PE or PET and, if necessary, has an adhesive over its entire surface. Alternatively or additionally, the upper edge of the carrier element may comprise an adhesive, an adhesion promoter or both.

The invention has previously been described for the use of cold dishes, which are typically used for breakfast or dinner. These foods are presented in a cold state to the consumer, so that no thermal stresses on the support element or the film must be observed.

The sealed carrier elements can be heated together with the portions portioned on it before consumption. Thus, the easily sealed carrier elements can also be used for the transport and food of consumers with usually to be prepared at noon warm dishes. The carrier elements may be provided with a metal layer provided in the bottom. Alternatively, the floor is covered with a metal layer. Preferably, the metal layer is made of aluminum. With this equipment, the Trägereiemente can be heated by induction. For this purpose induction furnaces are provided, in which the carrier elements are introduced and heated.

On the other hand, the support elements can also be heated by means of hot air or contact heat in a conventional oven. The carrier element and the food arranged thereon are thus heated uniformly and can thus be presented to the consumer warm for consumption.

Finally, it is also possible to heat the carrier element and the food arranged thereon by means of microwave radiation. For this purpose, the support elements are placed in designated microwave ovens and removed again after heating.

In the "warm" methods described above, the seal must be taken into account by means of the sealing foil applied to the upper edge of the support element. On the one hand, the adhesive can be melted during the heating, so that the sealing film peels off at least partially. On the other hand, it can come to an overpressure in the space between the Trägereiement and the sealing film due to the heating of the food.

The sealing film may therefore have so-called predetermined breaking points, either in the adhesive bond between the sealing film and the carrier element is provided and advantageously exploit the problem of at least partial detachment. Furthermore, or alternatively, the film itself may have a predetermined breaking point at predetermined locations, which opens at elevated pressure.

On the other hand, the sealing film can be removed before heating, so that the support elements are no longer sealed during heating. Upon heating, other covers such as pancakes may then be used to prevent contamination of the food during heating.

The second technical problem mentioned above is solved by a method for removing a carrier element from a bag-shaped or tubular packaging,

the package comprising the carrier element with foodstuff disposed thereon and a sealed package in which the package is placed on a support wherein the package is gripped by an operator having a vertical pulling force on a longitudinal seam and / or circumferential seam the pack is exerted, in which the pack is supported due to the tensile force of two opposite sides against the support member, wherein the tensile force is exerted until the emergence of the longitudinal seam and / or the circumferential seam over most of its length, and in which the carrier element is removed by the torn longitudinal seam and / or the circumferential seam.

The Trägereiement is preferably a plate or the like.

If necessary, the method mentioned above and described in more detail below is combined with the method of providing food to a large number of consumers, based on the use of packaged, unsealed carrier elements. In principle, combinations of only individual process steps of the two processes are possible.

The invention has thus recognized that the carrier element together with the food can be unpacked in a simple, time-saving and cost-effective manner. This offers the further advantage that the food can already be delivered ready portioned in the packaging. Without repackaging the food they can then be easily heated and distributed to the consumers.

The use of gloves can be dispensed with altogether, which also reduces the risk of contamination of the food, since packaging can be used, which are tightly closed on the one hand during transport and during storage and on the other hand are easy to open after heating.

The packaging is first placed on a support, wherein the package passes in regions between the support and resting on the support areas of the support member. Preferably, the support element is aligned horizontally on the support. Then stay too Liquid shares securely on the support element and do not run down.

In the following, a carrier element or plate is also understood to mean one which, like a bowl, has raised edges, has a plurality of separate compartments for the separate holding of different foods and / or is designed as a type of tray. In the latter case, the support element or the plate can also carry more plates or the like.

After the package has been placed on the, preferably a flat support surface defining pad, which is preferably carried out after heating of the food, the pack is gripped by an operator, who thereby exerts tensile forces on the pack. The package is pulled by two opposing sides of the support member against this, where the pack possibly under the same stretched against the support member.

As a result, the tensile force also acts parallel to the bearing surface, to the plane of the carrier element and / or to the underside of the carrier element and ultimately perpendicular to the longitudinal seam and / or the peripheral seam. It is sufficient here if at least a sufficiently large component of the attacking force is perpendicular to the respective seam.

Preferably, the bearing surface, the plane of the carrier element and the underside of the carrier element are parallel planes. The force acting on the respective seam is then also parallel to the mentioned levels. However, this does not have to be the case. However, a support member having a flat, planar footprint is stable and easier to handle. Furthermore, a flat bearing surface facilitates the handling of the packaging or of the carrier element.

However, it is not necessary that the packaging and / or the support member over the entire surface gets up / stand on the support. This may, if necessary, be much smaller than the carrier element and be divided into individual, spaced-apart sections.

Generally speaking, the package stretches in the area of the respective seam. In the case of a curved shape of the carrier element, the force can also act on the same at least perpendicular to the respective seam and at the same time point obliquely upwards. The vertical force component is sufficient to pull the respective seam apart, to the extent that the support member can be removed from the package through the resulting opening. Preferably, the package is peeled off the carrier element, which remains standing on the support.

In addition, the longitudinal seam preferably extends from one longitudinal end to the opposite longitudinal end of the pack. The circumferential seam, however, runs once around the pack. The circumferential seam can also be regarded as a continuation of the longitudinal seam. Neither the circumferential seam nor the longitudinal seam must be arranged in the longitudinal direction. However, this is preferred for the longitudinal seam, which is why, for the sake of simplicity, this term will be used further in the following. The same applies in the following also to those still to be discussed at least one transverse seam, which also preferably extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pack. The circumferential seam is also preferably, but not necessarily, oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the package.

Moreover, the circumferential seam does not necessarily have to be a seam in the actual sense. The seam, like any other seam, can also be a circumferential weakening along which the package tears as a result of tensile forces. As a weakening comes, for example, a groove or perforation in question, which may be overcoated to seal against external influences. Weakenings are more preferred for the circumferential seam than for a longitudinal seam or even a transverse seam because of Hersteilungsaufwandes and the need to close the package tight.

In a preferred teaching of the invention, the package with the longitudinal seam and / or a part of the circumferential seam of the package is placed down on the support. The pack then breaks down and can be easily pulled up.

In one embodiment of the method, the operator grips the package with respect to the longitudinal seam and / or with respect to the part of the peripheral seam extending below the carrier element. The edges of the portion where the operator grasps the package, which are preferably imaginary parallels to the longitudinal seam and / or to the portion of the peripheral seam extending below the support member, are then pulled towards each other substantially perpendicular to a parallelopation of the respective seam, whereby the pack is subjected to opening traction. In this way, the packaging can be easily be taken from above with one hand and withdrawn from the support element without pressure points on the food are to be feared.

In order to facilitate the handling of the package, the operator may also grasp the package on two spaced-apart handles, the handles being arranged opposite and respectively parallel to the longitudinal seam and / or to the part of the peripheral seam running below the carrier element.

The package can also be grasped with a gripping device, thereby preventing slipping of the operator's hand. Therefore, the gripping device is preferably designed to be particularly handy on surfaces coming into contact with the package. The gripping device can be designed as a clamp or the like, which the operator can then hold in his hand.

In another embodiment of the method, the operator grips the package at two opposite ends of the package, which ends may be both longitudinal ends and transverse ends of the package. Preferably, the ends are also aligned parallel to the longitudinal seam and / or extending below the support member part of the circumferential seam. The operator then pulls the ends of the pack above the support member together to apply the tensile force.

Also, a tensile force is exerted, whereby the pack is supported by two opposite sides of the Trägereiement and in the region of the longitudinal seam and / or under the Trägereiements running part of the circumferential seam spans. The tensile force acts on the respective seam and has at least one component perpendicular to the respective seam, which is sufficient to tear the respective seam lengthwise, to the extent that the Trägereiement can be removed through the resulting opening.

The underlying second technical problem is also solved by a method for removing a plate from a bag or tubular packaging,

the package having the plate with foodstuff disposed thereon and a sealed package wherein the package is placed on a support wherein the package is gripped by an operator who jerkily projects a parallel or perpendicular pulling force on a longitudinal seam, at least a transverse seam and / or a circumferential seam of the package is applied, wherein the plate remains due to inertial forces when exerting the tensile forces substantially in its position in which the tensile force to rupture the longitudinal seam, the at least one transverse seam and / or the circumferential seam over the majority of their length is exercised and in which the plate is removed by the torn longitudinal seam, the at least one transverse seam and / or the circumferential. To a large extent, the method corresponds to the method described above, wherein optionally a higher tensile force is exerted on the longitudinal seam, the at least one transverse seam and / or the circumferential seam in a simple manner. This can be particularly advantageous if only low frictional forces occur between the package and the plate and / or between the package and the support.

The tearing does not occur by supporting live portions of the package, but by taking advantage of the high inertia of the plate together with the food placed thereon combined with a jerky introduced pulling force.

If the tensile force introduced sufficiently jerky and the inertia of the plate together with the food is large enough, then the plate remains essentially in its position, even if he just stands on a flat surface. The divider could also be used in a recess of the support to prevent it from slipping by exerting the tensile force. However, this would lead to further frictional forces, which is less preferred in terms of a simple process and a safe tearing of the corresponding seam.

Furthermore, it has been shown that even the jerky introduction of the force component parallel to the respective seam depending on the formation of the package lead to a tearing of the respective seam. Preferably, however, the respective seam is torn open in the vertical direction by a correspondingly oriented force component. Preferably, the package with the longitudinal seam and / or at least part of the peripheral seam of the package is placed down on the support surface, so that the package can be easily pulled off the top of the plate.

In one embodiment of the method, the operator grips the package at one end and, in order to exert traction, pulls it in a plane parallel to a support surface away from the plate. In this case, it makes sense if the end of the pack is a transverse seam, since this is easy to grip and the forces introduced are thus distributed over a wider area. Depending on the package used, the longitudinal seam, the at least one transverse seam and / or the peripheral seam can be torn open in this way optionally.

The reliability of the method can be further increased by the fact that the operator at two opposite ends, preferably cross-seams, the package attacks and then pulls them to exert the tensile force in a plane parallel to the support surface away from the plate. In this variant of the method, however, in contrast to the method alternative described above, the pack must be grasped with two hands or else with an aid.

In order to ensure that the necessary force is applied by the operator in each individual case and to make the process result more reproducible, the operator can also grasp the pack on at least one handle, if necessary on two opposing handles. The operator can also grasp the package with the aid of a gripping device. He can take the pack if available on a handle or at another point of the pack. In this way, for example, the slipping of a possibly moist or greasy hand of the operator is prevented from the pack.

The underlying second technical problem is also solved by a method for removing a plate from a bag or tubular packaging,

- wherein the package (1) has the plate (2) with a food arranged thereon (3) and a sealed package (4),

- in which the packaging is placed on a support,

in which the pack is gripped by an operator on at least two spaced-apart handles,

in which the operator grasps the handles under tension of at least one first packing segment having a longitudinal seam and / or at least partially a peripheral seam,

in which, by pulling, a parallel or vertical tensile force is exerted on the longitudinal seam and / or the peripheral seam of the package,

- In which the tensile force is applied to the tearing of the longitudinal seam and / or the circumferential seam over most of its length and

- In which the plate is removed through the torn longitudinal seam and / or the circumferential seam.

It is essential in this method that handles are provided on which the operator pulls in opposite directions to at least the part to put the pack under tension, in which the longitudinal seam and / or at least a part of the circumferential seam is provided. It can be exercised because of the handles higher tensile forces and these defined initiated in the pack. In addition, handling is simplified as a whole.

So that as much of the force as possible is also available for the tearing of the respective seam, the handles are arranged asymmetrically. Between the handles there are two packing segments, which are preferably spaced from each other by the plate. Due to the arrangement of the handles, these two packing segments have different lengths from handle to handle. In this way, it is achieved that the first packing segment is still completely unstretched, while the second packing segment has already been drawn tightly.

Although less preferred, the handles may also divide the package into equally sized packing segments. In that case, however, the operator has to exert a considerably higher tensile force, which may be twice as high, in order to rupture the longitudinal seam and / or the circumferential seam. This is especially possible if the respective seam already tears when creating a very small force.

The package is preferably located with the longitudinal seam and / or the circumferential seam of the package down on the support to facilitate the removal of the package from the plate. Furthermore, it is advisable to initiate the traction jerky in order to increase the maximum tensile force for a short time. The above-mentioned technical problem is also solved by a package according to claim 16 with a plate arranged thereon foods and with a sealed package, the package has a longitudinal seam, at least one transverse seam and / or a circumferential seam and wherein the package two having spaced, outer handles.

The two spaced apart handles serve to introduce a tensile force into the package at defined locations, thereby facilitating handling since even the inexperienced operator grips the package in place.

In a preferred embodiment of the packaging, the handles are arranged in a section opposite the longitudinal seam and / or the portion of the peripheral seam extending below the plate. If both handles are moved toward each other, then a tensile force is created, which pulls the package on two opposite sides of the plate, wherein the pack is supported by deflecting the tensile force against the plate. As a result, the tensile force engages at least with a component perpendicular to the longitudinal seam and / or the peripheral seam, and preferably below the plate, at the respective seam. The corresponding seam is preferably formed in the packaging such that it ruptures even at very low tensile forces.

Therefore, it may be sufficient to grasp the package at the handles in the section opposite the longitudinal seam and / or the part of the circumferential seam running underneath the plate. The term is opposite to understand very far here. On the one hand, the two handles should be placed so close together that they can easily be grasped together with one hand. On the other hand, opening the package has a higher resistance when the two handles are displaced too far to either side. In such a case, the package can be bent on one side by up to 180 ° around the plate, so that increased frictional forces occur, which reduces the effectively acting on the respective seam force component. The further the handles are moved to one of the two sides, the higher the risk that the seam to be opened can not be opened far enough.

In an alternative embodiment of the package, the two handles divide the pack into two pack segments, with a first pack segment from handle to handle being at most as large as a second pack segment from handle to handle. If both handles are pulled apart, so at least stretches the first packing segment.

Preferably, the first packing segment is shorter from handle to handle than the second packing segment, so that the first packing segment first stretches when the handles are pulled apart and essentially the full tensile force acts in the first packing segment.

In order to use the effective force effectively, the longitudinal seam and / or at least part of the peripheral seam may be provided in the first packing segment. So that the packaged foods are also protected during prolonged transport and / or prolonged storage, the longitudinal seam, the at least one transverse seam and / or the circumferential seam in the closed state is gastight.

The third technical problem mentioned above is solved in a pack for heating a carrier element and a food arranged on the carrier element in an induction furnace,

that the package comprises an outer plastic film and an inner metallic layer,

- That the metallic layer is electrically conductive and heatable by inducing an eddy current to at least 100 ⁰ C, and

- That the plastic film has a heat resistance of at least 70 ⁰ C.

The use of the outer plastic film ensures that no glock must be used. It is thus much easier to industrially prepare a ready meal or the like in one place, to transport it to another location and to finish cooking or to finish it there just before the food is consumed. The foodstuff is protected against undesirable environmental influences, in particular impurities, until immediately before consumption, without having to handle the bulky and heavy pancakes in comparison with the pack according to the invention.

In addition, the introduction of the inner metallic layer allows for the first time to dispense with dishes made of metal or with a metal application. For it has surprisingly been found that a fast and uniform heating of the food can also be achieved by a metallic layer, which is not provided in the carrier element, but is integrated into the pack for easier handling. The heat is thus generated in the induction furnace not as previously directly in the carrier element, but in the separate metallic layer, which preferably has a good contact with the carrier element for the heat transfer. In this way, the energy used is efficiently utilized in a simple and cost-effective manner and enables rapid heating.

It is also preferred that the metal used is food compatible in order to be brought into contact with the food. Other metals can be used if it can be ensured that the respective metal does not come into contact with the food. For this purpose, for example, spacers are conceivable, which are arranged between the metal foil and the food.

The metallic layer heats up at induction of an eddy current in a conventional filled with packages of the same type induction furnace with normal power, for example, to at least 100 ⁰ C to allow a finished cooking or a rapid heating of the food. When heated, the metallic layer preferably assumes temperatures of up to 150 ^° C., more preferably of up to 200 ^° C. Ultimately, therefore, the metallic layer must oppose the induced eddy current with sufficient resistance, so that a corresponding heat flow is released. The strong heating of the food and the metallic layer can lead to an undesirable deformation of the package, which can go so far that the plastic film adheres to the food or even melts. This is inventively prevented by the plastic film has a heat resistance of at least 70 ⁰ C. The heat resistance values given here can be determined according to the standard ISO 75 HDT / A (1.8 MPa).

In particular, the outer plastic film has a heat resistance of at least about 80 ⁰ C. This is sufficient to heat the food to 100 ⁰ C to 115 C. The condensation of water vapor and the like at this temperature and a slight overpressure resulting from the vapor pressure of the water does not lead to excessive deformation of the plastic film, although in a short time locally a large amount of heat of condensation is released. Ultimately, the plastic film briefly holds temperatures of up to 150 ⁰ C, preferably up to 200 ⁰ C level.

The metallic layer does not have to be fully laminated onto the plastic film. It is sufficient if the metallic layer is at least partially glued to the outer plastic film. For the sake of simplicity, the bond can be formed along at least one adhesive strip. Advantages can arise when several substantially parallel adhesive strips are provided.

If the metallic layer does not come into contact with the food, then the metallic layer glued along at least one adhesive strip with the outer plastic layer, which is in the assembled package over the food. This can be achieved, for example, in that the distance between the at least one adhesive strip and each edge of the outer plastic film extending substantially parallel thereto is at least one third of the length of the outer plastic film between these edges. Thus, the at least one tape is on top when the edges are joined together and provided in the package below.

If a plurality of such adhesive strips, preferably two, are provided, which is particularly suitable in the case of a division of the metallic layer, then the stated condition applies to each individual adhesive strip, which are then preferably aligned parallel to one another.

In order to produce a defined packaging, alternatively or additionally at least two substantially parallel adhesive strips may be provided, which form bending lines at which the packaging material is bent during the production of the packaging. Preferably, four such adhesive strips are provided to form the corner regions of a package. In the case of four adhesive strips, a package having a substantially rectangular cross-section can readily be obtained.

In addition to the heat resistance, sufficient flexibility and handleability of the film is additionally achieved by using an outer plastic film of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic such as preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET). If, alternatively or additionally, a transparent film is used as the outer plastic film and if, in addition, the inner metallic layer is only partially arranged on the inside of the outer plastic film, it is possible for the user to obtain an insight into the package and thus the quality or the degree of heating to visually assess the food.

In this case, the metallic layer preferably has an opening in the region of the packing volume, because then a good insight can be ensured. In addition, an opening in the form of a gap, which then extends transversely over at least one part of the pack, preferably the top of the pack, and join the metallic layer or split it into two parts and space the corresponding parts from one another. It may also be necessary if metallic layers are used, which consist of more than two parts, but it is generally not convenient in terms of cost and benefits to provide more than 4 to 6 parts.

For closing the package after the introduction of the carrier element and the food resting on it, corresponding edges can be provided on the plastic film which have no metallic layer on the inside. In other words, the metallic layer is not on the entire surface of the outer plastic film, but only in the area that form the interior of the pack. The sealing of the package by welding and / or gluing, can then be done in a simple and known per se manner. Good results have been achieved in initial experiments with inner metallic layers, which have aluminum, for example, as aluminum foil. Aluminum is available in the form of thin rolled or deposited layers at low cost and easy to recover. In addition, other food-grade metals such as silver or gold can be used, but these are less preferred because of the associated high cost.

For a simplified production of the package as such, it has proved to be advantageous if the metallic layer has a paper layer on one side. The metallic layer comprising the paper layer can be cut off from a material web more easily. In addition, such layers are generally easier to machine. In order to ensure good heat transfer to the carrier element and possibly to the atmosphere within the package body, the paper layer is provided on the side of the metallic layer facing the outer plastic film.

In order for the package to be transported over a relatively long distance or to be stored for a certain time, for example up to 8 to 10 days, without causing contamination of the package contents, the package is preferably gas-tight. Then the package may also be filled with an inert protective gas. The protective gas may contain, for example, nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide. A preferred shielding gas of this type with a ratio of 70% nitrogen to 30% carbon dioxide is described below. So that the pack does not tear open immediately during the final heating, the pack can be designed such that it is gastight in relation to an internal overpressure of at least 20 rabar, preferably at least 50 mbar. On the one hand, such a steam atmosphere can form in the pack and on the other hand already heated gases or vapors are not carried away, which would adversely affect the efficiency or effectiveness of the heating.

The packing can also be readily adapted to withstand the vapor pressure at the end of heating or cooking and rupture. This can facilitate the subsequent unpacking of carrier element and food.

Both for bonding the seams of the package and for fixing the metallic layer to the plastic film, the plastic film may have an adhesive on the inside. This may be an adhesive layer provided over the entire area, optionally in the form of fine drops of adhesive, or else only adhesive areas applied locally.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned third technical problem in the packaging for heating a provided on a support element food in an induction furnace is achieved in that a pack, a carrier element introduced therein and a portioned on the support element food is provided.

Preferably, the package enclosed by the package is one as previously described. A particularly good and rapid heat transfer to the carrier element and thus to the food is achieved in that the inner metal layer is in a flat contact with the carrier element. In addition, however, the region of the metallic layer which is not in contact with the carrier element also contributes to the heating of the food, although to a lesser extent.

As a carrier element is basically any element in question, on the appropriate food can be portioned. Furthermore, the food should be readily consumed directly from the carrier element. As a carrier element thus comes in particular a tray, a plate, a bowl or a combination thereof in question, because the packaging may also comprise a plurality of carrier elements and / or several foods. For aesthetic reasons, porcelain support elements are preferred. In principle, however, the carrier elements can also be made of other materials such as metal (for example stainless steel) or heat-resistant plastic.

In principle, it is expedient if the packing volume contains an inert protective gas, wherein the protective gas contains, for example, nitrogen (N ₂ ) or carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) or a mixture thereof. The mixture may be a ratio N ₂ : CO ₂ of 7: 3 and serve to preserve the aroma or to prevent premature spoilage of the food. Said ratio N ₂ : CO ₂ in the packaging may be shifted to the extent that residual air with corresponding further fractions N ₂ and CO _{2 has remained} in the packaging in addition to the protective gas. Of the Residual air content may for example be in the order of 5%.

The packaging is easy to handle if it is designed as a tubular bag closed at the opposite, preferably shorter, sides. Alternatively, however, the package may also be a bag with a longitudinal seam and two nights at the opposite shorter transverse sides.

In order to avoid contact between the metallic layer and food, the package has an adhesive strip above the food placed on the carrier element, which connects the outer plastic film and the metallic layer. In particular, in the case of a two-part metallic layer with a gap above the food, two such adhesive strips - one for each of the two parts of the metallic layer - are preferred, which are oriented predominantly parallel to one another.

Other adhesive strips may be provided, which are preferably aligned substantially parallel to each other and form a bending line on which the package may be readily bent or kinked. If four such bending lines are provided with adhesive strips, it is easy to form a package with a rectangular vertical cross-section, with the edges of the rectangle essentially coinciding with the adhesive strips.

Incidentally, the invention also relates to a method according to the third technical problem mentioned above for heating food in which the food is inductively heated in a package of the aforementioned type. This has the advantage that no contamination of the food can be done from the outside during heating and cooking under an atmosphere of inert gas, in which one speaks of aroma gas, can be performed. In addition, a suitable heating of the food is ensured in this way and the structure of the packaging, which can not be achieved inductively with other packaging or at least not readily available.

Preferably, therefore, the still completely or substantially completely closed packaging is introduced into an induction furnace of known type and heated there. This may involve heating in batch mode with a large number of other packages as well as continuous operation or individual treatment of a package or of the food packaged therein.

The packaging may, if necessary, remain in the induction oven until the food has reached a desired temperature and / or a desired cooking point. For this purpose, preferably known from the prior art controls and controls for induction furnaces are used.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the package is opened only after the heating of the food. The food can then be removed from the packaging and - if not too hot - consumed immediately after opening. The package described above or the packaging also described above can be used in the method for providing food to a large number of consumers. This means that the method steps described in this connection are also used with the appropriate packs or packages. A corresponding method then results, if necessary, using only individual steps of the method in any order, preferably the order described, or using all method steps as described.

One advantage is that with the package or packaging, a novel circulation process can be performed. In the cycle, including for example a first company in the food industry and a second company, in whose field of activity also the supply of a large number of persons with food falls, at least the carrier elements are kept.

A corresponding method using the packs or packagings described may, as an alternative or in addition to the named method steps, preferably have the embodiments set out below.

The description is for a single food package provided on a single support member. The method is not limited in this regard. It is also possible to provide a plurality of foods and / or a plurality of carrier elements in a packaging. In the process, the first company prepares a food, which is mainly a so-called convenience product, ready meal or the like. The preparation may be in the composition of individual food components, in the pre-cooking, in preserving or in the mere portioning of food. It is only important that a convenience product, ready meal or the like is portioned at the first company on a support element.

Subsequently, the packaging of the carrier element along with the food provided on it in the first company. As a result, an undesirable contamination of the food is avoided and increased by the use of a protective gas atmosphere, the durability of the food. Last but not least, the pack can protect the packaged food from mechanical effects.

This is followed by a transport of the packaging, comprising the package as such, the food and the carrier element, from the first company to the second company, which may be a catering business, a system catering operation or the like. Preferably, it is canteen operators such as hospitals or companies with their own staff canteen.

The second company heats the food shortly before actually eating it in an induction oven. Heating may also include finish cooking pre-cooked foods. For heating, the individual packages, for example, in larger numbers introduced at different levels in a conventional induction furnace.

The induction furnace induces an eddy current in the metallic layers of the packages, which thereby heat up to more than 100 ⁰ C, preferably above 150 ⁰ C. But the metallic layer is not excessively heated as well, so a maximum of 250 ⁰ C, preferably not exceeding 200 ⁰ C, in particular only 18O ⁰ C to warm, thus the plastic film of the package retains its shape. The heat resistance of the material of the plastic film should therefore be at least 70 ^° C., preferably at least 80 ^° C.

The packages may, if necessary, also tear open towards the end of cooking if a sufficient vapor pressure has formed within the gas-tight package. The Aufreisen takes place mainly along the seams of the pack which are preferably glued but can also be welded.

After heating, the package is removed from the induction oven and the package removed. The pack as such is sent for reprocessing, further processing or recycling: so that at least the valuable metal, preferably also the plastic and optionally the paper of the paper layer, can be recovered and used for new packs. The used packages can also go back to the first company and be processed and / or reused there.

The carrier element together with the food goes to the consumer after heating, the food consumed. The carrier elements are collected after consumption of the food by the end user and subjected to a rough cleaning, so that a return transport of the carrier elements to the first company is easily possible. Even a rough cleaning can be associated with too much effort for certain applications and thus be unnecessary.

Subsequently, in the first company, a fine cleaning of the carrier elements and again an application of a food, which is then packaged together with the carrier element in another pack.

The supply of, even very many end consumers through the circulation network is connected to the second company with a minimum of effort. Almost all necessary work can be carried out centrally by the first company together with other partner companies, and thus at a lower cost, as well as offered to the second company as a service. The second company only has to take care of heating in an induction oven, distribution to the end consumers or consumers of the food, as well as the collection and possibly the rough cleaning / pre-cleaning of the used support elements. A separate kitchen no longer needs to keep the second company available and running.

The process requires the provision of a larger number of support elements than usual, as these sometimes run through different stages of the process at the first enterprise and are not consistently available to the second enterprise for use. In contrast to the previously known method with porcelain dishes with a integrated application of metal, preferably made of silver, are quite ordinary support elements are used which can be purchased in large quantities at low prices. That the food can still be heated, is due to the package or packaging according to the invention.

This can also serve as a transport packaging, without being overly expensive or difficult. In addition, the pack can be collected to save space and fed to a treatment. It is also easy to remove in large numbers and in a short time after heating of the support elements.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing illustrating only embodiments of the invention. In the drawing shows:

Fig. I is a schematic representation of the

Method for catering to a plurality of consumers using a packaged carrier element,

Fig. 2A to C, a first embodiment of the

Method for removing a plate from a bag or tubular packaging in a schematic representation,

Fig. 3 shows a packaging means for producing a

Embodiment of a package according to the invention in plan view, FIG. 4 shows the packaging means from FIG. 3 in a section along the plane II - II from FIG. 3, FIG.

5 shows a first embodiment of the packaging according to the invention in a cross section,

6 shows the packaging from FIG. 5 in a plan view from the direction IV from FIG. 5, FIG.

7 shows a second embodiment of the packaging according to the invention schematically in a vertical cross section,

8A and B show a second embodiment of the

Method for removing a plate from a bag or tubular packaging in a schematic representation,

9A and B show a third embodiment of the

Method for removing a plate from a bag or tubular packaging in a schematic representation,

10A and B show a fourth embodiment of the

Method for removing a plate from a bag or tubular packaging in a schematic representation.

Fig. 11 shows a first embodiment of a

A carrier element for use in the method of catering to a variety of consumers and Fig. 12 shows a second embodiment of a

A carrier element for use in the method of catering to a plurality of consumers.

In the exemplary embodiment of the method for providing food for a large number of consumers shown in FIG. 1, the carrier elements are recirculated. In this case, part of the process steps of the circulation takes place in the first unit A, a company in the food industry, while a further part of the process steps is carried out in the second unit B, a hospital. The units A and B are connected to close the circuit two times by transport steps in the opposite direction.

The foodstuffs with which the consumers are to be fed must first be prepared, which takes place in the first unit A. In this process step, in the illustrated preferred embodiment, the food is cut as needed and, in any case, at least pre-cooked at least to a specified cooking point, the cooking point lying clearly before the cooking end point of the food.

The carrier elements are then coated with the food thus prepared or a collection of different, so prepared food (food), in a tailored to a later consumer amount. In other words, an amount intended for a single consumer is added Food on each one of the support elements positioned or portioned.

Subsequently, each carrier element is introduced together with the portioned foods in a separate pack and the package, preferably gas-tight, closed. If, for example, a menu or the like is to be assembled, a plurality of carrier elements can each be packaged together in a separate pack in the same predetermined manner.

The packages are ultimately transported from the first unit A to the second unit B. If necessary, an intermediate storage can take place in unit B, but this is of secondary importance for the method. In unit B, the packages are then placed in an oven. Upon heating, the food continues to cook and, upon completion of the heating, reaches its predetermined cooking end point. Consumers will not be offered uncooked or overcooked foods in this way.

Subsequently, the carrier elements with the heated food are removed from the packs and the packs are sent for recycling or at least disposed of. The heated food can be offered directly to the support elements, which are made of porcelain for aesthetic reasons, the consumer for consumption. In the present case, the consumers are the patients of the hospital. However, it may alternatively or additionally also be the employees and visitors catered for in the hospital canteen. Consumers give back the carrier after eating the food. Alternatively or additionally, the corresponding carrier elements are also collected. As a rule, the collected carrier elements are contaminated with food residues. The used Trägereiemente are therefore subjected in the unit B a rough cleaning, wherein the coarsest contaminants of the support elements are eliminated, preferably rinsed. However, cleaning is not sufficient for immediate reuse of the support members.

The collected roughly cleaned support elements now leave the unit B and are transported back to the unit A, where they undergo a thorough cleaning, a so-called fine cleaning. After this cleaning, the carrier elements meet the requirements for existing food residues and amounts of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, germs and the like. The carrier elements are consequently again supplied with additional foods, after which they are transported again to the unit B as described above.

Preferably, the novel circulation process can also be carried out with the pack or packaging described above. In the cycle, comprising a first company in the food industry and a second company, in whose field of activity also the supply of a large number of persons with food falls, at least the carrier elements are kept. The method is not limited to single-food packaging. It is also possible to provide a plurality of foodstuffs and / or a plurality of carrier elements in a packaging.

In the process, the first company prepares a food, which is mainly a so-called convenience product, ready meal or the like. The preparation may be in the composition of individual food components, in the pre-cooking, in preserving or in the mere portioning of food. It is only important that a convenience product, ready meal or the like is portioned at the first company on a support element.

Subsequently, the packaging of the carrier element together with the food provided thereon takes place in the first company. As a result, an undesirable contamination of the food is avoided and increased by the use of a protective gas atmosphere, the durability of the food. Last but not least, the pack can protect the packaged food from mechanical effects.

This is followed by a transport of the packaging, comprising the package as such, the food and the carrier element, from the first company to the second company, which may be a catering business, a system catering operation or the like. Preferably, it is canteen operators such as hospitals or companies with their own staff canteen. The second company heats the food shortly before actually eating it in an induction oven. The heating may also include cooking with pre-cooked foods. For heating, the individual packages are introduced, for example, in larger numbers on different levels in a conventional induction furnace.

The induction furnace induces an eddy current in the metallic layers of the packages, which thereby heat up to more than 100 ⁰ C, preferably about 15O ⁰ C. However, the metallic layer may not be too hot, ie at most 25O ⁰ C, preferably at most 200 ⁰ C, in particular only 180 ⁰ C warm, so that the plastic film of the package retains its shape. The heat resistance of the material of the plastic film should therefore be at least 70 ^° C., preferably at least 80 ^° C.

The packaging can if necessary also aufx ^~ hite when a sufficient vapor pressure formed within the actually gas-tight pack towards the end of cooking. The Aufreisen takes place mainly along the seams of the pack which are preferably glued but can also be welded.

After heating, the package is removed from the induction oven and the package removed. The pack as such is recycled, further processed or recycled, so that at least the valuable metal, preferably also the plastic and possibly the paper of the paper layer, recovered and can be used for new packs. It can also the used packs to the the first companies go back to work and / or reuse.

The carrier element together with the food goes after heating to the consumer who consumes the food. The carrier elements are collected after consumption of the food by the end user and subjected to a rough cleaning, so that a return transport of the carrier elements to the first company is easily possible. Even a rough cleaning can be associated with too much effort for certain applications and thus be unnecessary.

Subsequently, in the first company, a fine cleaning of the carrier elements and again an application of a food, which is then packaged together with the carrier element in another pack.

The supply of, even very many end consumers through the circulation network is connected to the second company with a minimum of effort. Almost all necessary work can be carried out centrally by the first company together with other partner companies, and thus at a lower cost, as well as offered to the second company as a service. The second company only has to take care of heating in an induction oven, distribution to the end consumers or consumers of the food, as well as the collection and possibly the rough cleaning / pre-cleaning of the used support elements. A separate kitchen no longer needs to keep the second company available and running.

In the method, a larger number of support elements must be kept than usual, since some of them run through different stages of the process at the first company over a longer period of time and are not always available for use by the second company. In contrast to the previously known methods with porcelain dishes with an integrated application of metal, preferably made of silver, quite ordinary carrier elements are used which can be purchased in large quantities at low prices. That the food can still be heated, is due to the package or packaging according to the invention.

This can also serve as a transport packaging, without being overly expensive or difficult. In addition, the pack can be collected to save space and fed to a treatment. It is also easy to remove in large numbers and in a short time after heating of the support elements.

The method sequence shown schematically in FIG. 1 applies, if necessary, also to the method for providing food to a large number of consumers with carrier elements sealed by means of sealing films. However, differences may arise, for example, in that consumers are preferably supplied with foodstuffs to be consumed cold by this method, although it is in principle also possible to supply consumers with heated food. Depending on the field of application or after meal, the two aforementioned methods can also be combined as desired at the same time or else offset in time from one another.

If sealed carrier elements are used by means of sealing foils, they are preferably made of porcelain. These are circulated between a unit A such as the food industry and the unit B about a hospital. The units A and B are connected in duplicate by transport steps in the opposite direction.

Furthermore, with regard to the steps of preparing and portioning, it may alternatively or additionally be provided that the foods with which the consumers are to be fed are first portioned in the form of individual meals in unit A onto a multiplicity of carrier elements. The meals, which are mainly breakfast, dinner and / or snacks, are for cold consumption. If necessary, meals for warm consumption such as lunch are possible. These are then pre-cooked in unit A as described above and then cooked to completion in unit B.

The carrier elements used can have deposits made of metal, so that the food can be heated more easily, for example by means of an induction furnace.

With regard to the step of packaging, it can be provided that, after portioning, each carrier element is provided with a sealing film, so that the foodstuffs are protected against contamination from the outside. The sealing film is sealed on all upper edges of the compartments and / or the carrier element. Thus, even when transporting the carrier elements to unit B, unwanted mixing of individual foods from different compartments does not occur. To maintain the quality of food without increased effort To be able to seal the carrier elements takes place under an inert protective gas atmosphere. This is located after sealing instead of most of the air under the sealing film, so that oxidation of the food is prevented by atmospheric oxygen. Possibly. also premature spoilage due to remaining air is avoided.

The sealing film consists of a layer of polyethylene (PE) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). On the side facing the carrier element of the sealing film, a layer of an adhesive is provided over the entire surface, which ensures the adhesion of the sealing film until the same selbiger on the carrier element.

The sealed seam between carrier element and sealing film, which may additionally have a bonding agent, is designed such that the sealing film can be removed substantially without residue and without any special effort. The sealing film or the sealing seam is in other words peelable.

After transporting the carrier elements from unit A to unit B, the described step of heating can also be carried out with carrier elements having the sealing foils. Instead of an induction furnace but also any other furnace is conceivable, as needed, can be dispensed with a metallic layer. Preferably, however, the food is intended for cold consumption, so that it does not require heating.

In the method alternative described here, the carrier elements are preferably without a longer time delay - if necessary, without prior heating - issued to consumers, who may be the patients to be fed but also visitors and employees of a hospital (unit B). In addition, peelable sealing films are removed by dispensing the carrier elements to the consumers. However, this can also be done arbitrarily before or after, for example, by the consumers themselves.

After the food has been consumed by the consumers, the carrier elements are collected and then subjected to a rough cleaning in unit B to remove coarser food remains before drying them. The roughly cleaned carrier elements are then collected and transported back to the unit A, where the fine cleaning of the Trägereiemente takes place.

In principle, therefore, the method steps rough cleaning, transport and fine cleaning can be carried out as in the previously described method with carrier elements without sealing films.

With regard to the quality control can be provided as an alternative or in addition to the already described, the support elements before they are used again for portioning food, one

Quality control, which detects damage to the support elements and unevenness of the upper edges, which would limit the durability of another applied to the edges of sealing foil. Carrier elements, which are recognized as defective in quality control, are sorted out and replaced by first-time carrier elements to be used. These carrier elements to be used for the first time have flat ground upper edges, which ensure a secure and durable sealing with the sealing film. For this purpose, the support elements were first formed and fired once. Before the second and final firing, the upper edges were ground flat. Subsequently, the carrier elements have been coated with a total of glaze and fired to the final support member to ultimately prevent penetration of water and / or food into the porosity of the porcelain.

FIG. 2A shows a packaging 1 with a plate 2, a food 3 provided thereon and a sealed package 4 in a schematic sectional illustration. The packaging 1 has below the plate 2 a longitudinal seam 5, which is arranged between the support 6 and the plate 2 of the package 1.

To open the package 1, a tensile force can be exerted perpendicular to the longitudinal seam 5, which is preferably very low, so that the package 1 can already be opened with an extremely small amount of force.

For this purpose, an operator U grasps the package 4, specifically on a section 7 of the package 4 opposite the longitudinal seam 5, as shown in FIG. 2B. This section 7 is provided on the top of the pack 4 with respect to the longitudinal seam 5, which in turn is arranged below the plate 2. In this case, the plate 2 or the package 1 is on the support 6. The longitudinal seam 5 opposite section 7 has two edges 8, which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal seam 5. These are moved towards each other by accessing the operator U perpendicular to the longitudinal seam 5, wherein the package 4, which is supported on the two outer edges 9, 9 'of the plate 2 shown here, is tensioned.

The pulling force exerted by the gripping of the packing 4 ultimately acts by deflecting on the outer edges 9, 9 'onto the longitudinal seam 5 provided under the plate 2. The tensile force pulls on the longitudinal seam 5, preferably vertically. In principle, however, it is sufficient if the tensile force has a component perpendicular to the longitudinal seam 5. Further, the tensile force exerted upon gripping the package 4 is large enough to rupture the longitudinal seam 5, in spite of the friction of the package 4 on the outer edges 9, 9 'of the plate 2 and the friction between the package 4 and the overlay 6.

Due to the friction, the orientation of the longitudinal seam 5 shown in FIG. 2A does not appear to be advantageous. However, the package 4 can be taken so easily and withdrawn in the open state of the plate 2 together with the food 3. This can even be done with one hand, as illustrated in Fig. 2C.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a packaging material for a package production, the illustration essentially corresponding to a package 11 according to the invention which has been separated in a non-destructive manner. Shown is an outer plastic film 12 and an inner metallic layer 13 arranged in the viewing direction. On the plastic film 12 peripherally edges 14 are provided for closing the pack 11. These differ, although they are indicated in Fig. 3 by a hatching, not from the remaining areas of the plastic film 12. In the illustrated and so far preferred embodiment, the entire plastic film 12 is provided on its inner side with a thin adhesive layer. The adhesive 15 shown in Fig. 4 is used for bonding the edges of the plastic film 12 to each other and the fixing of the metallic layer 13 to the plastic film 12 each at elevated temperature and elevated pressure. The metallic layer 13 is bonded by narrow, elongated adhesive strips 16 with the plastic film 12, which are shown in Fig. 3 by dotted lines.

Fig. 3 illustrates that the metallic layer 13 in the illustrated embodiment, on the one hand in two parts and on the other hand are not provided in the region of the edges 14 for closing the package 11. A more complex bonding of the metallic layer 13 can be avoided in this way. Incidentally, however, material costs are also saved, since the metal in the region of the edges 14 for closing the package 11 would scarcely contribute to the heating of the food 17.

The two parts 18, 19 of the metallic layer 13 are spaced from each other connected to the plastic film 12 and form a gap 20 between each other. Since the plastic film 12 is made of a transparent material, the user of the package 11 through the gap 20 between the two parts 18, 19 of the Metallic layer 13, the quality and the degree of heating of the food 17 judge.

As is apparent from Fig. 4, the metallic layer 13, in addition to the metallic material, which is aluminum in the form of an aluminum foil, nor a cellulosic material. This is a paper layer 21 with which the aluminum foil has been laminated.

5 shows a sectional view transversely to a lower longitudinal seam 22 of the carrier element 23, the food 17 and the package 11 comprising packaging 24. Preferably, after the heating of the food 17, the package 24 along the longitudinal seam 22 is opened to the support member 23 and to take the food 17 together.

The carrier element 23 is flat in the packaging 24 shown in FIG. 5, although not on the entire surface of the inner metallic layer 13, on the metallic side facing away from the paper layer 21, resulting in a large-area contact surface and thus a good heat transfer of the metallic layer 13 results in the support element 23 which has the best possible plan ground. In addition, the metallic layer 13 is still partially wrapped around the support member 23 and the food 17 so that the food 17 is additionally heated by radiation or heat conduction.

At the top of the package 11, the two parts 18, 19 of the metallic layer 13 form a gap 20, through which - the plastic film 12 is transparent - an insight into the pack 11 is possible. The gap 20 may be wider or less wide depending on the application. It is even possible to arrange the parts 18, 19 of the metallic layer 13 only below the carrier element 23. There, the heat transfer is particularly high, so that to save on material costs on the partially around the support member 23 and the food 17 pulled around portions of the metallic layer 13 can be dispensed with.

At the bottom of the package 11, the two parts 18, 19 of the metallic layer 13 are also spaced by a gap 20 '. In the region of the gap 20 ', the longitudinal seam 22 of the package 11 is arranged. Each part 18, 19 of the metallic layer 13 is connected in the region of its two longitudinal edges via an adhesive 15 with the plastic film 12. In the respective regions located between the connection points, the metallic layer 13 or the paper layer 21 facing the plastic film 12 is more or less spaced from the plastic film 12. Here is a certain amount of design freedom.

Each part 18, 19 of the metallic layer 13 can also be connected to the plastic film 12 over a plurality of bonds, as is apparent from FIG. 3, for example.

The package 24 is shown in Fig. 6 from the direction of the arrow IV of FIG. It can be seen the upper portions of the metallic layer 13 below the upper portion of the transparent plastic film 12. Through the plastic film 12 and the gap 20 formed underneath between the two parts 18, 19 of the metallic layer 13, the food 17 and adjacent to recognize the support member 23. The wider the gap 20, the better the insight and the poorer the heat input into the package, wherein the heat transfer between the support member 23 and the metallic layer 13 at the bottom of the package 24 is significantly better than the heat transfer from the upper portion of the metallic layer 13 to food 17.

So that the carrier element 23 and the foodstuff 17 can be easily unpacked after the heating and opening of the lower longitudinal seam, the pack has a clear overhang of approximately 5 to 25%, preferably 20 to 15%, relative to the carrier element 23 on each individual side. The overhang can be smaller due to the omission of the outer corners when using oval or round instead of rectangular support elements 23, without the unpacking of the support elements 23 is difficult.

FIG. 7 schematically shows a vertical section through another embodiment of the packaging 24 'in which six horizontally and parallelly extending adhesive strips 16, 16' are provided. The two adhesive strips 16 above the food 17 arranged on the support belt 23 correspond to the adhesive strip 16 shown in the upper detail view of FIG. 5, which connects the metallic layer 13 to the outer plastic layer 12.

The adhesive strips 16 ensure that the metallic layer 13 does not rest on the food 17, which may be undesirable from an aesthetic point of view, even if this results in a basically better heat transfer could be achieved. In order to avoid contact between the foodstuff 17 and the metallic layer 13, each adhesive strip is at a distance from the nearest edge of the package 11 ', which is likewise cut in FIG. 5, of at least one third to half the width of the package 11' between the two on both edges. Without the intended gap 20 or the division of the metallic layer 13, a single adhesive strip 16 would be sufficient in the middle between the aforementioned edges.

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, four further adhesive strips 16 'are provided, which serve as connections between the plastic film 12 and the metallic layer 13 and at the same time are formed such that they give bending lines for forming the package 24' , Along these bending lines, the packaging material for forming the pack 11 ^! or the package 14 'turned over, bent or kinked, so that a more or less defined cross-section of the package 24' is obtained. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, this is a rectangular cross-section of the package 24 '.

In the alternative method shown in Fig. 8A, the package 1 is also initially placed with the longitudinal seam 5 down on the support 6, wherein the longitudinal seam passes under the plate 2. In this case, the tensile force is exerted on the longitudinal seam 5 by lifting the outer ends 30, in which, in the illustrated preferred embodiment, the transverse seams 31, 31 ', of the packing 4 are applied to the longitudinal seam 5. According to FIG. 8B, the outer ends 30 of the pack 4 are moved not only upwards but also toward the respective other end, so that the pack 4 is supported on the two outer edges 9, 9 'of the plate 2. Despite the frictional forces, a tensile force is applied to the longitudinal seam, which is sufficient to rupture the longitudinal seam 5.

9A is a plan view of a package 1 with a plate 2, a food 3 and a sealed package 4. The package 4 also has two outer transverse seams 31, 31 'and a transverse seams 31, 31' both the bottom of the pack 4 connecting longitudinal seam 5. In the case of the method which is shown schematically here and thus far preferred, the operator grips one of the transverse seams 31, 31 'and pulls it jerkily.

The plate 2 and the food thereon 3 together have such a large mass and thus inertia that thereby either the seized transverse seam 31, the opposite transverse seam 31 'and / or the longitudinal seam 5 ruptures. The plate remains essentially in its position. If anything, the plate moves a distance much less than the length, width and / or diameter of the plate. If necessary, the distance is less than 5 cm, preferably less than 1 cm, more preferably less than 5 mm.

FIG. 9B shows an alternative to the method according to FIG. 9A. The illustrated and so far preferred method differs insofar of the method according to FIG. 9A, in that the package 4 is drawn at two opposite ends 30, which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal seam and perpendicular to the transverse seams 30, 30 '. The resulting force perpendicular to the longitudinal seam can then tear this lengthwise.

FIG. 10A schematically shows a package 1 which has two spaced-apart handles 32. The handles 32 are not arranged completely symmetrical. Both handles 32 divide the package 4 into a first, lower package segment 33, on which the plate 2 stands, and a second, upper package segment 34, which bulges over the food 3. Since in the exemplary embodiment shown, the lower packing segment 33 is shorter than the upper packing segment 34, the first packing segment 33 stretches away from each other in a plane parallel to the support 6 or the bearing surface of the plate 2 while pulling the two handles 32 upper packing segment 34 is further arranged without special voltage above the food 3. This is evident in particular from FIG. 10B.

If the upper packing segment 34 were also tensioned, it could leave undesirable pressure marks on the food 3. In addition, acts in this way the entire tensile force, which is applied by the pulling of the handles 32, on the longitudinal seam 5. As a result, this breaks open, so that the plate 2 can be removed from the pack 4. This is particularly advantageous in that the now open pack 4 is pulled off at both handles 32 upwards from the plate 2 together with the food 3 located thereon. Different Expressed, the handles 32 are first pulled apart and then pulled upwardly away from the plate.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 support elements 42 are shown, which are used in the previously described method for providing food to a large number of consumers. Fig. 1 can be used. The carrier elements can be packaged in a separate package, as described for a first alternative of this method. However, the carrier elements are preferably provided instead with a sealing film, as described for a second alternative of this method.

The carrier elements 42 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 have different compartments 44 and 46 for receiving different foods in order to avoid undesired contact of individual foods with one another. Each of the compartments 44 and 46 is separated from other compartments by an upper edge 48, wherein additionally a circumferential upper edge 50 is provided, which encloses the carrier element 42 as such or all compartments 44 and 46 of the carrier element 42.

In Fig. 11, the upper edge circumferentially terminates in a plane, while the upper edge 48 is disposed below this plane. In contrast, in Fig. 12, the upper edge 48 in the same plane as the peripheral edge 50 is arranged.

The sealing film is then connected to seal the gap between the Trägereiement 42 and the sealing film with the upper edge 50 and possibly the lying in the same plane upper edge 48.

Claims

06. July 2007

P A T E N T A N S P R E C H E

Method of catering a variety of

A food-grade consumer comprising, in a first unit (A), portioning foodstuffs on a plurality of carrier elements, wherein the food-bearing carrier elements in the first unit (A) are packaged in separate packages containing the packaged foodstuffs

Carrier elements are transported to a second unit (B), in which the food on the support elements in the second unit (B) are heated, wherein the food having carrier elements in the second unit (B) from the separate

Packages are removed in which the heated food on the

Carrier elements of the variety of consumers to

Be offered for consumption, in which the carrier elements after offering for

Consumption can be transported to the first unit (A) and in which in the first unit (A) on the plurality of carrier elements are portioned food again.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the food in the first unit (A) are prepared.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the food is at least partially prepared before the portioning of the food on the Trägereiementen.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the portioned food having carrier elements are heated prior to removal from the separate packages.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the food is heated in an induction furnace.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the food is heated in a microwave oven.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the food is heated in a hot air oven.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the food is heated in a furnace by contact heat, heat radiation and / or by convective heat transport.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the carrier elements are roughly cleaned after being offered for consumption in the second unit (B).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the carrier elements after being offered for consumption in the second unit (B) initially collected and transported to the first unit (A) to be transported.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the plurality of support elements before the re-portioning of food in the first unit (A) are thoroughly cleaned.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that before the re-portioning of food quality control of the carrier elements is performed.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the separate packs after removal of the portioned food having carrier elements are recycled to the first unit (A).

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the separate packages after removing the portioned food having carrier elements are at least partially reused.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the separate packages are cleaned before reuse.

16. A method for removing a carrier element (2) from a booty - or tubular packaging (1) wherein the packaging (1) the carrier element (2) with a food arranged thereon (3) and a sealed package (4), at the packaging (1) is placed on a support (6), in which the package (4) is gripped by an operator (U) in which a vertical tensile force on a longitudinal seam (5) and / or a peripheral seam of the package (4) is exerted, in which the pack (4) is supported by the tensile force of two opposite sides against (8) the support element (2), in which the tensile force is exerted to the occurrence of the longitudinal seam (5) and / or the circumferential seam over most of its length and in which the carrier element (2) by the torn longitudinal seam (5) and / or the circumferential seam is removed.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the package (1) with the longitudinal seam (5) and / or at least a part of the peripheral seam is placed down on the support (6).

18. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the operator (U) the package (4) on one of the longitudinal seam (5) and / or on a arranged under the support member part of the peripheral seam opposite section (7) engages and in that the operator (U) moves the edges (8) of the gripped portion (7) towards one another substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal seam (5) and / or the peripheral seam in order to exert the tensile force.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the operator (U) the package (4) on two spaced-apart handles (32) in the longitudinal seam (5) and / or arranged under the support member of the peripheral seam portion opposite ( 7) takes.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the operator (U) grips the package (4) by means of a gripping device.

21. The method according to claim 16 or 20, characterized in that the operator (U) two opposite ends (10) of the pack (4) engages and that the operator (B) for exerting the tensile force both ends (30) above the support member (2) pull each other.

22. A pack for heating a carrier element (23) and a food (17) arranged on the carrier element (23) in an induction oven, characterized in that the package (11) comprises an outer plastic film (2) and an inner metallic layer (13 ) that the metallic layer (13) is electrically conductive and heatable by inducing an eddy current to at least 100 ⁰ C and that the plastic film (12) has a heat distortion temperature of at least 70 ⁰ C.

23. A pack according to claim 22, characterized in that the outer plastic film (12) has a heat resistance of at least 80 ⁰ C.

24. A package according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the metallic layer (13) along at least one adhesive strip (16, 16 ') / preferably along several, if necessary, substantially parallel adhesive strips (16, 16'), with the outer plastic layer ( 12) is glued.

25. A pack according to claim 24, characterized in that at least one adhesive strip (16) of both preferably substantially parallel thereto arranged edges of the outer plastic layer (12) has a distance of at least one third of the length of the outer plastic film (12) between the edges ,

26. A package according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that at least two substantially parallel bending lines for forming a package (24 ') forming adhesive strips (16') are provided.

27. A package according to claim 26, characterized in that four substantially parallel adhesive strips (16 ') are provided which form bending lines for forming a package (24') with a rectangular, vertical cross-section.

28. A package according to claim 22 or 27, characterized in that the outer plastic film (12) consists of a semi-crystalline thermoplastic, such as preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

29. A pack according to any one of claims 22 to 28, characterized in that the outer plastic film (12) is transparent and the inner metallic layer (13) only in regions on the inside of the outer plastic film (12) is arranged.

30. A package according to any one of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the metallic layer (13) in two parts and by at least one gap (20, 20 ') is spaced.

31. A pack according to any one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that on the plastic film (12) edges (14) for closing the package (11) are provided and that on the inside of the edges (14) for closing the package (11 ) no metallic layer (13) is provided.

32. A package according to any one of claims 22 to 31, characterized in that the inner metallic layer (13) comprises aluminum.

33. Pack according to one of claims 22 to 32, characterized in that the metallic layer on the outer plastic film side facing a paper layer (21).

34. Pack according to one of claims 22 to 33, characterized in that the pack (11) is gas-tight.

35. A pack according to claim 34, characterized in that the package (11) opposite to an internal overpressure of at least 20 mbar, preferably at least 50 mbar is gas-tight.

36. Pack according to one of claims 22 to 35, characterized in that the plastic film (12) on the inside an adhesive (15) for bonding with the metallic layer (13) and for closing the package (11)

37. A package for heating a food (17) provided on a carrier element (23) in an induction oven, characterized in that a package (11), a carrier element (23) inserted therein and a food portioned on the carrier element (23) ( 17) is provided.

38. Packaging according to claim 37, characterized in that the pack (11) is a pack (11) according to one of claims 22 to 35.

39. Packaging according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that the inner metal layer (13) is in a flat contact with the carrier element (23),

40. Packaging according to one of claims 37 to 39, characterized in that the carrier element (23) is a tray, a plate or a bowl.

41. Packaging according to one of claims 37 to 40, characterized in that the packaging (24) includes an inert protective gas.

42. Packaging according to claim 41, characterized in that the protective gas contains nitrogen (N ₂ ) and / or carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) preferably in a ratio N ₂ : CO ₂ of about 7: 3.

43. Packaging according to one of claims 37 to 42, characterized in that the packaging (24, 24 ") is designed as a tubular bag.

44. Packaging according to one of claims 37 to 43, characterized in that the packaging (24, 24 ') is designed as a bag with a longitudinal seam (22) and two nights at the shorter transverse sides.

45. Packaging according to one of claims 37 to 44, characterized in that at least one, preferably two, adhesive strips

(16) for connecting the outer plastic film (12) and the metallic layer (13) above the arranged on the carrier element (23) food

(17) is / are provided.

46. Packaging according to one of claims 37 to 45, characterized in that at least two bending lines forming substantially parallel adhesive strips (16 ') are provided.

47. Packaging claim 46, characterized in that the cross section of the package (24 ') is substantially rectangular and that the edges of the cross section are formed by the adhesive strips (16') bending lines substantially.

48. A method for heating a carrier element and a food arranged thereon, wherein the food is heated inductively in the package according to one of claims 36 to 44.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the closed package is placed in an induction furnace.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the packaging remains in the induction oven until the food has reached a desired temperature and / or a desired cooking point.

51. The method according to any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein the package is opened after the heating of the food and removed from the packaging.