Abstract: An inflatable pouch includes a bladder formed from an inflatable web and an outer skin formed from a film. The bladder includes a bladder pouch that includes a bottom portion at a folded edge of the inflatable web, front and back portions on either side of the folded edge, and sides where the front and back portions are sealed to each other. The outer skin includes an outer skin pouch that includes a bottom portion at a folded edge of the film, front and back portions on either side of the folded edge, and sides where the front and back portions are attached to each other. The bladder is attached to the outer skin at a tack area such that the sides of the bladder pouch and the outer skin pouch are not directly attached to the sides of the outer skin pouch.

Abstract: An inflatable pouch includes a bladder formed from an inflatable web and an outer skin formed from a film. The bladder includes a bladder pouch that includes a bottom portion at a folded edge of the inflatable web, front and back portions on either side of the folded edge, and sides where the front and back portions are sealed to each other. The outer skin includes an outer skin pouch that includes a bottom portion at a folded edge of the film, front and back portions on either side of the folded edge, and sides where the front and back portions are attached to each other. The bladder is attached to the outer skin at a tack area such that the sides of the bladder pouch and the outer skin pouch are not directly attached to the sides of the outer skin pouch.

Abstract: A package includes a pouch including a base portion having a first width, the base portion having a closed bottom; and a neck integrally connected to the base portion, the neck having a second width narrower than the first width, the neck including an end portion; and a first easy-open device adapted to remove the end portion from the neck; wherein a common wall formed by the base portion and neck has an outer and inner surface; a discrete cap in connected relationship with the outer surface of the common wall of the pouch, the cap covering the end portion of the neck, the cap including a second easy-open device adapted to remove at least part of the cap and provide access to the end portion of the neck; and a flowable product disposed in the base portion of the pouch. Methods for making a package are also disclosed.

Abstract: A package includes a pouch including a base portion having a first width, the base portion having a closed bottom; and a neck integrally connected to the base portion, the neck having a second width narrower than the first width, the neck including an end portion; and a first easy-open device adapted to remove the end portion from the neck; wherein a common wall formed by the base portion and neck has an outer and inner surface; a discrete cap in connected relationship with the outer surface of the common wall of the pouch, the cap covering the end portion of the neck, the cap including a second easy-open device adapted to remove at least part of the cap and provide access to the end portion of the neck; and a flowable product disposed in the base portion of the pouch. Methods for making a package are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible package comprising a support member having a flexible film attached to the support member to thereby define a continuous sidewall of the package. The package is movable between a collapsed state for storage and an extended state for use. The support member may comprise an insulating material that substantially limits the amount of heat that may be dissipated through the support member and into the outer surface of the support member. As a result, the support member permits a person to handle the support member portion of the flexible package without burning or discomfort. In addition, the insulated support member may be used to help a heated item disposed in the interior of the flexible package retain its heat. The flexible package may also comprise a support member having fold lines that may extend upwardly from the support member to form a tray-like structure.

Abstract: There is provided a container for packaging a perishable food item, such as meat, particularly fresh red meat. The container has a tubular body portion that is closed at one end and has a tubular body portion. The other end of the tubular body portion has an open mouth and has a cross-section preferably substantially equal to that of the body portion. The cross-section of the tubular body portion may have a variety of shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular body portion has a flat bottom. The flat bottom may have an undulating profile at each side forming trough-like areas to accumulate the juices from the meat. Another embodiment has a more or less cylindrical shaped tubular body portion. While a third embodiment is a container having a tubular body portion formed in a more or less rectangular cross-section. The open end serves as a mouth by which the container is filled with a food item, such as by using an automatic chute and plunger.

Abstract: A product support assembly adapted to absorb liquids exuded from a product generally includes: a. a substantially rigid support member having 1) an upper surface upon which a product may be placed, and 2) an opposing lower surface; b. a fluid transport layer attached to the lower surface of the support member; and c. absorbent material positioned between the support member and the fluid transport layer, the absorbent material being in fluid communication with the fluid transport layer.

Abstract: An optimized tray for case-ready meat products is disclosed. The tray comprises a base, a plurality of sidewalls connected at a plurality of corners, a flange extending from an upper edge of each sidewall, and a plurality of substantially vertical ribs extending from said sidewalls and spaced apart therealong. At least one of the sidewalls is bowed inwardly, and the flange along at least a partial length of the at least one bowed sidewall is varied in width. The ribs can also vary in thickness along at least a partial length of at least one of the sidewalls. The interaction of the at least one bowed sidewall, the varying flange width, and the varying rib thickness allows for optimization of tray resistance to vertical and horizontal stress without increasing the overall outer dimensions of the tray and without substantially decreasing the internal volume of the tray.

Abstract: There is provided a container for packaging a perishable food item, such as meat, particularly fresh red meat. The container has a tubular body portion that is closed at one end and has a tubular body portion. The other end of the tubular body portion has an open mouth and has a cross-section preferably substantially equal to that of the body portion. The cross-section of the tubular body portion may have a variety of shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular body portion has a flat bottom. The flat bottom may have an undulating profile at each side forming trough-like areas to accumulate the juices from the meat. Another embodiment has a more or less cylindrical shaped tubular body portion. While a third embodiment is a container having a tubular body portion formed in a more or less rectangular cross-section. The open end serves as a mouth by which the container is filled with a food item, such as by using an automatic chute and plunger.

Abstract: A microwaveable package includes a support member; a bottom web; a food product; and a top web; where the seal between the top and bottom webs has a peel strength, before microwaving, of at least 4 pounds per inch, and a peel strength, after microwaving, of less than 2.5 pounds per inch. Alternatively, a microwaveable package includes a support member; a bottom web; a food product; and a top web; where the top web includes a sealant layer comprising an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, and the bottom web includes a sealant layer comprising a blend of between 60% and 90%, by weight of the sealant layer, of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, and between 10% and 40%, by weight of the sealant layer, of polypropylene. Methods of making the microwaveable packages are also disclosed.