FOOD PACKAGE

Abstract

A food package comprising a sealed flexible pouch and a utensil, the pouch containing one or more food items. The inferior of the pouch is depleted of oxygen, and the one or more food items are held in substantially fixed positions within the pouch. The food package is resealable after opening.

Description

The present disclosure relates to the packaging of foods and/or other non-food items such as medical items, and in particular, although not necessarily, to vacuum-packaged fruit and other food items that may spoil quickly if exposed to the atmosphere.

It is widely known that daily consumption of fruit and vegetables is important for a healthy diet. However, fruit and vegetables typically have a short shelf-life compared to other foods, and it is perhaps for this reason that junk-food such as crisps and chocolate is often over-consumed, whereas many people do not consume as many portions of fruit and vegetables as is advised.

Prepared fruit is often sold in supermarkets in plastic cartons or bags. However, fruit in these packets often spoils after two to five days. Peeled bananas are known to spoil particularly quickly, and so bananas are often not sold ready-prepared in plastic cartons or bags.

Furthermore, meeting the requirement for fruit or vegetables to be on the shelf of the supermarket as quickly as possible from the time they are picked or harvested is expensive and consequently the retail prices of fruit and vegetables are high relative to food that has a longer shelf-life.

Fruit and vegetables are not typically sold in vending machines. This is due not only to the short shelf-life of fruit, but also to the fact that as fruit is dispensed from a vending machine and falls to the collection area, the fruit may become bruised or otherwise damaged.

There exists a requirement for a means of packaging and selling fruit, vegetables and other food items that may spoil quickly, that extends the shelf-life of the food product and helps to prevent damage to the food product. It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a packaging for food items that meets this requirement and overcomes or substantially mitigates other disadvantages associated with conventional packaging of food items.

We disclose a food package comprising a sealed flexible pouch and a utensil, the pouch containing one or more food items, wherein the interior of the pouch is depleted of oxygen, and the one or more food items are held in substantially fixed positions within the pouch, wherein the food package is resealable after opening.

In one or more embodiments the pouch may contain the utensil held in a substantially fixed position within the pouch.

We disclose a food package comprising a sealed flexible pouch, the pouch containing one or more food items and a utensil,

• • wherein the pouch is substantially evacuated of air, whereby the one or more food items and the utensil are held in substantially fixed positions within the pouch.

We disclose a food package comprising a sealed flexible pouch, the pouch containing one or more food items and a utensil,

• • wherein the interior of the pouch is depleted of oxygen, and the one or more food items and the utensil are held in substantially fixed positions within the pouch.

The package according to this disclosure is advantageous primarily in that, because the interior of the pouch is substantially evacuated of air/depleted of oxygen, the shelf life of the food items contained within the pouch is extended. This enables the packaging to be used for food items that would otherwise have too short a shelf life to be used in, for instance, vending machines or airline catering. In particular, the package may contain fresh fruit items. Depletion of oxygen from the interior of the pouch means that the amount of oxygen in contact with the one or more food items is reduced relative to that which would be the case if the food item(s) were simply exposed to the normal atmosphere. In particular, the quantity of oxygen in contact with the food item(s) should be reduced sufficiently that the shelf life of the food item(s) is prolonged to a satisfactory degree. This may be brought about by evacuation of air from the pouch before it is sealed, and/or by flushing with an inert gas, eg nitrogen or carbon dioxide, prior to sealing. In the former case, the amount of air (and hence oxygen) in contact with the food item(s) is reduced. In the latter case, the concentration of oxygen in the gas in contact with the food item(s) is reduced.

Evacuation of air from within the pouch has the advantage of drawing the walls of the pouch together, captivating the food items and the utensil between those walls and holding the food items and the utensil in substantially fixed positions. In addition to being used to remove the food items from the pouch after the pouch has been opened, the utensil provides physical protection to the food items, helping to protect them from damage, for instance when the package falls into the collection area of a vending machine.

Preferably, the utensil is disposed within the pouch adjacent to the one or more food items.

The pouch preferably comprises first and second films that are sealed together at their periphery. The films may be films of plastics material, preferably food-grade plastics materials. Alternatively, the films may be metal foils or plastics/metal laminates. Other packaging films may also be suitable. Appropriate materials for the pouch include any materials conventionally used in the manufacture of airtight, flexible packaging, especially for packaging of foodstuffs, and suitable materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The juxtaposed surfaces of the first and second films may have a dimpled or uneven texture, or may be laser-etched. This reduces the tendency of the films to cohere when they are brought together by evacuation of air from within the pouch, and thereby facilitates separation of the films (and hence removal of the food items) after the pouch has been opened.

The utensil is preferably a rigid component, for instance of rigid plastics material. Other materials may be used, for instance metal or wood, but plastics are preferred in most instances, not least on the grounds of cost.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the utensil takes the form of a culinary utensil by which the one or more food items may be removed from the package after the package has been opened in use.

The utensil may have any suitable form, eg a fork, spoon, cocktail stick, chopstick or chopsticks. In many instances, the utensil is preferably a fork.

In one or more embodiments the pouch may comprise a base with a first corner and a top with a second corner diagonally opposite the first corner, wherein respective ends of the utensil may be configured to engage with the first and second corners to reinforce the food package. The second corner may be formed by an edge of the pouch and a sealing strip that extends across the pouch. Thereby, the utensil may be contained in a body portion of the pouch under the sealing strip.

It is particularly preferred that the utensil has a shaft with a longitudinal bore. Such a longitudinal bore may be developed for use with a pouch that is evacuated of air, such as a vacuum packed embodiment of the present disclosure. Where the ends of the bore are open, air can be blown by a user through the utensil into the package after it has been opened, thereby helping to separate the walls of the pouch. To achieve this, one open end of the bore is preferably at one end of the shaft, which is exposed when the package is opened, while the other open end of the bore is located near the other end of the shaft, which is held within the pouch.

Utensils of this form are believed to be novel. Thus, according to another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a culinary utensil having a shaft with a longitudinal bore that is open at each end, whereby air may be blown through the bore into a package within which the utensil is, in use, contained.

In a related aspect, the disclosure provides a package comprising a sealed flexible pouch containing a utensil having a shaft,

• • wherein the shaft has a longitudinal bore that is open at each end, one end of the shaft being exposed when the pouch is, in use, opened, whereby air may be blown through the bore into the pouch. Blowing air through the bore into the pouch may assist in the releasing of the vacuum to open the pouch.

In general, the features discussed above in relation to the first aspect of the disclosure are also applicable to these further aspects.

In all aspects of the disclosure, the pouch is preferably opened by tearing off a part of the pouch. The pouch preferably has formations to facilitate tearing. For instance, notches or similar formations, typically V- or U-shaped, may be present at the sides of the pouch, and/or a line of weakness may be present across the pouch. Where the pouch is opened by tearing, one end of the utensil is preferably exposed by opening of the pouch, so that the utensil can easily be grasped, and where applicable air can be blown through the utensil, as also described above.

The package may be resealable after opening. In that case, the package may incorporate a sealing strip or the like that is exposed when the pouch is opened.

The package may comprise one or more utensils and optionally an additional protector that is arranged to provide physical protection to the food items, but is not intended to be released from the package and used to remove the food items from the package. Such an additional protector may simply be a stiffening rod or the like that is captivated within the pouch even when the package is opened.

Where there are two or more utensils, they may be similar in form, for instance a pair of chopsticks, or they may be complementary, eg a knife and fork.

The pouch may be provided with a handle by which the pouch may be held by a user. Such a handle may be formed integrally with the pouch, for example being formed from the films that are used to form the walls of the pouch.

The pouch may be configured to facilitate the heating of the one or more food items, though in many cases this may be unnecessary or inappropriate.

The pouch may comprise only two films or foils that are bonded together, eg by heat and/or pressure, at their periphery to form the walls of an enclosure. However, in other embodiments, the base of the pouch is formed by a gusset. That gusset may be of similar material to the film used to form the walls of the pouch, or it may be of a different material. Thus, the pouch may comprise side walls connected at their lower edges by a gusset that forms a base for the pouch. In such a construction, the base may be sufficiently flat that the pouch is capable of standing upright upon the base. This may facilitate loading of the food package into, and dispensing of the package from, a conventional vending machine. However, the distance between coiled loops in a conventional vending machine may not accommodate a flat base embodiment of a particular width and depth. In particular, the food package may be inserted between the loops of a coil mechanism conventionally used in vending machines to transport selected products forwards to a point at which they drop into a collection zone of the vending machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the gusset is of resilient material, which may be a plastics material of greater thickness than that of the walls. When the package is sealed and air is evacuated, such a gusset may deform from its rest configuration. As soon as the reduced pressure within the pouch is released by opening of the package, however, the resilience of the gusset will cause it to return to its rest configuration, and this will cause the walls of the pouch to separate and draw air into the pouch. This in turn releases the food items contained within pouch and makes them easier to remove from the pouch. The gusset, being of relatively thicker resilient material, confers a degree of rigidity on the base of the package, which may make it easier for the user to hold the opened package. The gusset also provides a supportive surface against which the food items may be pressed by the utensil, thereby facilitating removal of those items from the pouch. The greater thickness of the gusset material reduces the likelihood of the gusset being pierced by the utensil.

In one or more embodiments the gusset may be configured to provide for shock absorption for the one or more food items when the base of the pouch is subject to an impact or an impulse.

In one or more embodiments the pouch may comprise: a first gusset corner adjacent to a first end of the gusset; and a second top corner spaced apart from a second end of the gusset and diagonally opposite the first gusset corner, wherein respective ends of the utensil may be configured to engage with the first gusset corner and the second top corner to reinforce the food package. The second top corner may be formed by an edge of the pouch and a sealing strip extending across the interior of the pouch. The utensil may be contained within a body portion of the pouch under the sealing strip.

In one or more embodiments the utensil may comprise an elastic material configured to engage the first gusset corner and the second top corner such that the utensil is elastically deformed under a compressive force whereby the utensil may be configured to absorb shocks when the base of the pouch is subject to an impact or an impulse.

In one or more embodiments the gusset may be configured to provide a containment barrier for containing a sharp utensil within the pouch. The containment barrier may be a pocket.

Such a construction is also believed to be novel, and so the disclosure further provides a package comprising a sealed flexible pouch that is substantially evacuated of air, the pouch comprising side walls and a base,

• • wherein the base is a resilient member, the resilient member being deformed from its rest configuration when the package is in a sealed condition, and the resilient member being arranged to return to the rest configuration when the pouch is opened, thereby drawing air into the pouch and causing the side walls of the pouch to separate.

Furthermore, the provision of a base that is of thicker material in a package containing food items is also believed to be novel. In another aspect, the disclosure therefore provides a package comprising a sealed flexible pouch containing one or more items of food, the pouch comprising side walls and a base,

• • wherein the base is of greater thickness than the side walls.

The greater thickness of the base in this aspect of the disclosure offers a number of significant advantages. The base, being of relatively thicker material, confers a degree of rigidity on the base of the package, which may make it easier for the user to hold the opened package. The base also provides a supportive surface against which the food items may be pressed by a utensil, thereby facilitating removal of those items from the pouch. The greater thickness of the base material reduces the likelihood of the base being pierced by a utensil, such as a fork, so reducing the risk of injury to a user of the package. All these benefits contribute to the particularly convenient manner of use of the package of the disclosure, in which the items of food can be consumed direct from the package, after the pouch has been opened, rather than the items of food being tipped out of the package onto a plate or the like, and then consumed from that plate. Thus, the package may effectively be used as a portable bowl. Also, increased thickness or rigidity of the base may assist in standing of the food package upright, eg in a vending machine, as described above.

Typically, the side walls of the package will have thicknesses of between 50 μm and 1 mm, more commonly less than 250 μm, or more than 100 μm. In embodiments of the disclosure that have a base of greater thickness than the side walls, as just described, the thickness of the base may be greater than 400 μm, or greater than 1 mm, and typically up to 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm or 5 mm.

Again, in general, the features discussed above in relation to the first aspect of the disclosure are also applicable to these further aspects.

As described above, the disclosure is particularly, though not exclusively useful in relation to the packaging of fresh fruit. Thus, the one or more food items may be pieces of fruit. The pieces of fruit may be whole fruit items, particularly relatively small fruit items such as a strawberries, or they may be cut pieces of fruit, eg slices or pieces of larger fruits such as apples or bananas.

The package according to the disclosure may be manufactured by generally conventional vacuum-packing methods. Typically, such methods will involve positioning the food item(s) and the utensil within a pre-formed pouch, evacuating air from within the pouch, thereby drawing the walls of the pouch together and holding the food item(s) and utensil in fixed positions, and sealing the pouch. In some cases, the pouch is formed around the food item(s) and utensil. For instance, the food item(s) and utensil may be positioned on a first film and overlaid with a second film, the first and second films then being bonded together to form the pouch. Again, air is withdrawn from the pouch and the pouch is sealed. As described above, the pouch may additionally or alternatively be flushed with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, prior to sealing and/or evacuation, to reduce the amount of oxygen present in the package.

The package may contain a single item of fruit, such as a piece of a banana, or the package may contain a plurality of items of fruit.

In one or more embodiments the pouch may comprise a top portion connected to a body portion by a frangible section and the sealing strip may be positioned between the frangible section and the body portion. The sealing strip may comprise a reinforcing structure configured to deflect tears away from the body portion when the pouch is opened by tearing the frangible section.

In one or more embodiments the frangible section may be configured to enable the top portion to be completely separated from the body portion by tearing.

In one or more embodiments the sealing strip may be configured, such that when the pouch is opened and an inserted-utensil is partially inserted into the pouch. The sealing strip may be biased to grip the inserted-utensil in a static position.

In one or more embodiments the utensil may be disposed outside of the pouch.

In one or more embodiments the utensil may be enveloped in a protective sachet.

In one or more embodiments the utensil may be attached to the outside of the pouch by adhesive material and/or a weld.

In one or more embodiments the utensil may be provided with a protective sleeve disposed around at least a portion of a handle of the utensil.

In one or more embodiments the utensil may comprise antibacterial material. The antibacterial material may be an antibacterial polymer.

In one or more embodiments the utensil may be 1.1 times the height of the pouch or the packaging, when the packaging is opened.

In one or more embodiments the pouch may comprise antibacterial material. The antibacterial material may be an antibacterial polymer, for example, as in the case of the utensil.

In one or more embodiments the pouch may comprise a biodegradable material.

In one or more embodiments the pouch may further contain an apparatus configured to absorb ethylene. The apparatus may be an ethylene strip or an ethylene patch. Such an apparatus may advantageously slow down any fruit ripening process that may occur when one or more of the food items is a piece of fruit since the apparatus may scrub ethylene gas from the interior of the pouch.

In one or more embodiments the pouch may further contain a sealed container of fluid.

The sealed container may be a sachet. The fluid may be a liquid condiment, including milk, or a dressing, or a sauce, or a syrup, or a gel, or any fluid comestible.

We disclose a medical package comprising a sealed flexible pouch and a utensil, the pouch containing one or more medical items, wherein the interior of the pouch is depleted of oxygen, and the one or more medical items are held in substantially fixed positions within the pouch, wherein the medical package is resealable after opening.

References herein to food items may equally refer to medical items.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in further detail below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a food package according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view on line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line B-B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the package in an open condition;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, of a second embodiment of a food package according to the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, of a third embodiment of a food package according to the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1, of a fourth embodiment of a food package according to the disclosure:

FIG. 8 is a side view of the fourth embodiment of the food package of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of a modified design that may be applied to a food package of the disclosure, when the package is sealed;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but showing the condition of the package after it has been opened;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-section of a food package with a utensil disposed inside a pouch in engagement with diagonally opposed corners of the pouch, with the top corner below the sealing strip of the pouch;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-section of a food package with a pouch comprising a gusset and a utensil disposed inside a pouch;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-section of a food package with a frangible section for opening the food package and a sealing strip for resealing the food package after opening;

FIG. 14 shows a schematic cross-section of an opened food package with a utensil partially inserted into the pouch and held in positon by a sealing strip; and

FIG. 15 shows a schematic cross-section of a medical package containing a medical utensil and a plurality of medical items.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of a food package according to the disclosure is generally designated 1 and takes the form of a generally rectangular pouch. The package 1 is formed from first and second packaging films 10, 12 that are pressure- and/or heat-sealed together at their edges 18.

Food items, namely items of fruit 14, are held within the package 1, between the first film and the second film 12. The items of fruit 14 may be, for instance, slices of larger fruits such as apples or bananas, or whole pieces of smaller fruits such as strawberries. A fork 16 is also held between the first and second films 10, 12.

The first and second films 10, 12 are typically of food grade plastics material. However, in other examples of the disclosure, the first and second films 10, 12 may be of other suitable materials, for instance metal films or plastics/metal laminate or the like. In general, materials for use in forming the package of the disclosure will be those conventionally used for the vacuum-packing of foodstuffs, being flexible films that are sufficiently impermeable to air and which can be bonded together to form airtight enclosures.

In the process of manufacture of the package 1, the fork 16 and items of fruit 14 are placed on the first film 10, and overlaid by the second film 12. The first and second films 10, 12 are sealed together around the edge 18 of the films 10, 12, with the space between the first and second films being substantially completely evacuated, so that there is little or no air in the interior of the package 1. This has the effect of vacuum-packing the fork 16 and items of fruit 14 into a package, the films 10, 12 fitting closely around the fork 16 and the items of fruit 14, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The sides of the package 1 are provided, close to the upper (as viewed in FIG. 1) end of the package 1, with a pair of V-shaped notches 20, 21. The notches 20, 21 facilitate opening of the package 1 by a user grasping the upper part of the package 1 and tearing it off, along a line between the notches 20, 21. The opened package 1 is shown in FIG. 4. The process of opening the package 1 may be further facilitated by a line of weakness extending between the notches 20, 21 being formed in the package 1 during manufacture. Means by which such a line of weakness may be created are known and will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

The fork 16 is a suitable size for consuming the contents of the packet. Other utensils may be used instead of or in addition to a fork, for example a knife, spoon, or a pair of chopsticks. The fork 16 is of a rigid plastics material; however, in other embodiments the fork may be of another material, eg metal or wood. The fork 16 is positioned lengthways in the package, with the items of fruit 14 being adjacent to the fork. The fork 16 reinforces the package 1, protecting the fruit 14 from being damaged, for example when the package 1 falls to the collection area in a vending machine.

The shaft of the fork 16 is of generally rectangular section (see FIG. 2), with an internal bore 22 that extends from the upper (as viewed in FIG. 1) end of the fork 16 and terminates at an opening 24 close to the tines of the fork 16.

When the package 1 is torn open, as described above and as shown in FIG. 4, the tip of the shaft of the fork 16 protrudes slightly from the package 1. The user can then place the tip of the fork to their lips and blow gently through the fork 16 to separate the first and second films 10, 12. This then allows the fork 16 to be easily removed from the package 1 so that it can be used to remove the fruit items 14 from the package 1.

The first and second films 10, 12 have a dimpled, laser etched, or uneven texture on their juxtaposed surfaces. The uneven surfaces of the films 10, 12 reduce the area of contact between them and make the first and second films 10, 12 easier to separate when the package 1 is opened.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a food package according to the disclosure, generally designated 2. The package 2 is similar to the package 1 of the first embodiment, however the package 2 contains only a single item of fruit, namely one half of a peeled banana 25, along with a fork 26 that is identical to the fork 16 of the first embodiment. The package 2 also comprises a stiffener 27, which is a plastic rod. The stiffener 27 is located between the first and second films of the package, on an opposing side of the banana 25 to the fork 26.

The package is sealed around the edges 28, the space between the first and second films being substantially completely evacuated. The package is also sealed around the stiffener 27, in order that the stiffener 27 is separated from the fork 26 and banana 25. When the package 2 is torn open, in the same manner as the first embodiment 1, the stiffener 27 remains sealed in place.

Fresh bananas, especially when peeled, have a particularly short shelf-life and are particularly prone to physical damage. The package 2, from which air is substantially completely evacuated, and in which the fork 26 and the stiffener 27 provide protection to the banana 25 from damage caused by physical contact, mitigates these problems substantially. As a result, fresh bananas may be presented in this format in vending machines, or in other situations in which that would not hitherto have been feasible, for example in airline catering.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a food package according to the disclosure, generally designated 3. The package 3 is similar to the package 1 shown in FIG. 1. However package 3 also comprises a handle 32, which is made of the same material as the films of the package. The handle 32 is C-shaped and is attached to a side of the package 3. The handle 32 may be formed integrally with the package 3, for instance being formed by extensions of the films of the package that are bonded together. The handle 32 enables the package 3 to be held in the manner of a mug or cup, further facilitating the removal of food items from the package 3.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of a food package according to the disclosure, generally designated 4. Like the third embodiment 3, the fourth embodiment of the food package 4 is broadly similar to the first embodiment 1. The package 4 differs from the first embodiment 1, however, in that it comprises a strap 34, which is attached at its ends to one face of the package 4. The strap 34 acts as a handle that may be gripped by a user in order to hold onto the package whilst eating the contents of the package.

Finally, FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a design modification that may be incorporated into any of the embodiments of a food package according to the disclosure described above (or into other forms of food package). The modification concerns the structure of the base of the package (ie the lower part of a package such as that shown in FIG. 1).

In the first embodiment 1 described above, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the base of the package is formed simply by sealing together the two films 10, 12 that are used to form the package 1. In the modification illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, however, a flexible base component or gusset 51 is interposed between, and bonded to, the bottom edges of the films 52, 53 that are the major components of the package. The gusset 51 is resilient, typically being formed from the same or a different plastics material that is of greater thickness than the films 52, 53.

The gusset 51 is generally flat in form. However, when the package is filled, evacuated and sealed, the gusset 51 is bowed into the configuration shown in FIG. 9. In this configuration, the films 52, 53 are drawn into close engagement with the fork (indicated schematically as 54) and with the food items contained within the package (not shown).

As soon as the package is opened, ie when the vacuum within the package is released, the resilience of the gusset 51 causes it to relax to the configuration shown in FIG. 10. This draws air into the package, and causes the films 52, 53 to separate, releasing the fork 54 and food items contained within the package, which will then generally fall to the bottom of the package and rest upon the gusset 51.

The gusset 51, being of relatively thicker resilient material, confers a degree of rigidity on the base of the package, which may make it easier for the user to hold the opened package. The gusset 51 also provides a supportive surface against which the food items may be pressed by the fork 54, thereby facilitating piercing of those items by the fork 54. The thicker nature of the gusset 51 also reduces any risk of the gusset 51 itself being pierced by the fork 54, thereby reducing the risk of injury to the user of the package.

With this modification, other measures intended to facilitate opening of the package, such as the dimpled or uneven texture of the films or the provision of a hollow bore within the fork to enable air to be blown into the package by the user, may be unnecessary.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-section of a food package 1100 in which the pouch 1102 has a base 1104 with a first corner 1106 and a top 1110 with a second corner 1108 diagonally opposite the first corner 1106. The pouch 1102 contains a utensil 1120, with a distal end 1122 and a proximal end 1124. The distal end 1122 may be configured to engage one or more of the plurality of food items 1130a-c. The proximal end 1124 may provide a handle for manipulation by a user. The pouch 1102 also contains a plurality of food items 1130a, 1130b. 1130c. The distal 1122 and proximal 1124 ends of the utensil 1120 are configured to engage with the first corner 1106 and the second corner 1108 respectively to reinforce the food package 1100. This reinforcement may provide advantageous structural strength and rigidity to the food package 1100, which may enable the food package 1100 to sustain impacts, such as being dropped within a vending machine, that may otherwise damage one or more of the plurality of food items 1130a, 1130b, 1130c.

In this example, the utensil 1120 is disposed inside the pouch 1102, such that engagement between the respective ends 1122, 1124 of the utensil 1120 and the first 1106 and second 1108 corners of the pouch 1102 occurs because the utensil 1120 is sized to fit snugly along a main diagonal of the pouch 1102. It will be appreciated that where the pouch 1102 has a substantially rectangular form, the appropriate length of utensil 1120 may be computed from a height and a width of the pouch 1102 using Pythagoras' theorem.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-section of a food package 1200 with a gusset 1240 that makes up a base 1204 of the food package 1200. The food package 1200 contains a utensil 1220 and a plurality of food items 1230a, 1230b, 1230c. The gusset 1240 is formed to provide for shock absorption for the one or more of the plurality of food items 1230a-c when the base 1204 of the pouch 1202 is subject to an impact. Such an impact may occur when the food package 1200 is dropped within a vending machine. Any part of the gusset 1240 may elastically deform in response to the impact, to absorb the shock of the impact, and thereby ensure that a much smaller impulse is experienced by one or more of the food items 1230a-c than would otherwise occur.

The gusset 1240 may be slightly raised within the pouch 1320. The pouch 1320 may stand, or be supported, on a peripheral circumferential edge of the base of the pouch 1320. The cross-section shown in FIG. 12 shows that the gusset 1240 has a first end 1242 and a second end 1244, which may form part of the peripheral circumferential edge of the base of the pouch 1320 on which the weight of the food package 1300 may be supported when standing upright on a substantially level surface.

In this example, the food package 1200 also has a first gusset corner 1206 adjacent to the first end of the gusset 1242 and a second top corner 1208 spaced apart from the second end of the gusset 1244 and diagonally opposite the first gusset corner 1206. The first gusset corner 1206 provides a pocket for retaining the utensil 1220. Respective ends of the utensil 1220 are configured to engage with the first gusset corner 1206 and the second top corner 1208 to reinforce the food package 1200, in a manner similar to that already described in relation to FIG. 11. In this way, the elasticity of the gusset 1240, together with the resilience of the utensil 1220 may synergistically improve the shock absorbing capabilities of the food package 1200.

In some examples (not shown), a food package of the present disclosure may have a gusset configured to provide a containment barrier for containing a sharp or pointed utensil, such as a knife or a fork, within the pouch. The containment barrier may comprise thicker material than the rest of the pouch. This containment effect may be provided while the food package is in transit or storage, but may also provide an advantageous containment effect when the food package is in use by a user. For example, the gusset may be sufficiently resilient to enable a user to support the food package in one hand while spearing food items within the pouch with a sharp utensil without puncturing the gusset. Thereby, the user may avoid puncturing their hand as it supports the food package in use.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-section of a food package 1300 including a pouch 1302. To improve the clarity of the disclosure, food items contained within the pouch 1302 are not shown. The pouch 1302 has a top portion 1310 connected to a body portion 1312 by a frangible section 1314. The frangible section 1314 may comprise a line of weakness with v shaped notches at opposite ends of the frangible section 1314 for ease of opening at both ends. A sealing strip 1320 is provided inside the pouch 1302, such that the sealing strip 1320 is positioned between the frangible section 1314 and the body portion 1312. The sealing strip 1320 consists of a reinforcing structure that can deflect tears away from the body portion 1312 when the pouch 1302 is opened by tearing the frangible section 1314. For example, if a user starts to tear the frangible section 1314 and a tear begins to propagate out of the frangible section 1314 towards the body portion 1312, then the sealing strip 1320 may deflect the tear back towards the frangible section 1314. In this way, the body portion 1312 of the pouch 1302 may be protected from unwanted damage when the food package 1300 is opened by a user. Thereby, the opened package may still be resealed to keep the remaining contents fresh once the user has consumed an initial portion of food items.

In some examples, the frangible section 1314 may further comprise a permanent seal, such as a weld or section of adhesive provided to permanently seal the pouch 1302 until the frangible section 1314 is removed. Between the permanent seal and the sealing strip 1320 there may be provided a line of weakness with V shaped tear notches at both ends of the line of weakness on opposing sides of the pouch 1302, configured to facilitate opening the food package 1300. In other examples (not shown) a permanent seal may instead, or additionally, be provided above the frangible section 1314, that is, one the opposite side of the frangible section 1314 compared to the sealing strip 1320.

The food package 1300 also comprises a utensil 1330 contained, in this example, within the pouch 1302. The opposite ends 1332, 1334 of the utensil 1330 are configured to engage with a diagonally opposite corners of the pouch 1302, in a manner similar to that disclosed above in relation to the food package of FIGS. 11 and 12. However, in this example, the proximal end 1334 of the utensil 1330 is engaged with a top-corner 1308 formed between and edge of the pouch 1302 and the sealing strip 1320. In this way, the utensil 1330 may provide the shock absorbing and rigidity promoting functionality described above, while still enabling the sealing strip 1320 to be sealed within the pouch 1302. Thereby, the pouch may comprise two or more seals, provided by the sealing strip 1320 and a permanent seal, either within or above the frangible section 1314, that may advantageously secure the contents of the pouch 1302 before a user opens the food package 1300.

It will be appreciated that, when the food package of FIG. 12 is provided with a sealing strip, similar to that of FIG. 13, a utensil may engage a top corner formed between the edge of the pouch and an end of the sealing strip, such that the utensil may be contained within a body portion of the pouch underneath the sealing strip.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic cross-section of a food package 1400, similar to that shown in FIG. 13, which has been opened by complete removal of a top portion (not shown). The food package 1400 has a pouch 1402 that incorporates a sealing strip 1420 that is exposed when the pouch 1402 is opened. The sealing strip 1420 is configured to enable the opened food package 1400 to be resealed after the food package 1400 has been opened. The sealing strip 1420 may itself be opened to enable the user to access remaining food items (not shown) contained within the pouch, and then resealed to keep unconsumed items, which are still within the pouch, in a fresh condition. The sealing strip 1420 may enable the pouch 1402 to be opened and resealed a plurality of times. In some examples, the sealing strip 1420 may comprise interlocking engagement members with complementary shapes that may be interlocked to provide a seal. In some examples, the sealing strip may comprise an adhesive strip or strips configured to provide a seal by adhering to respective sides of the juxtaposed surfaces of the pouch. By resealing the pouch 1402 after consuming an initial helping of food items, the remaining contents may advantageously be kept in better condition, for subsequent consumption, that would be the case if the pouch was not resealed.

FIG. 14 also shows an inserted-utensil 1430 that has been partially inserted into the pouch 1402 below the level of the sealing strip 1420. The inserted-utensil 1430 may be an example of a utensil provided as an integral part of the food package 1400 or may be any other suitable utensil. The sealing strip 1420 is configured such that the sealing strip 1420 is biased to grip the inserted-utensil 1430 in a static position. That is, the sealing strip 1420, in this example, naturally pulls the juxtaposed surfaces of the pouch together such that it can grip an inserted-utensil 1430 and hold it in an immobile position. This advantageously enables the user to let go of the inserted-utensil 1430 without it either dropping into the pouch 1402 entirely or falling out of the pouch 1402 entirely, and potentially falling to the ground. In this way, the sealing strip advantageously holds the inserted-utensil 1430 in a position where it is ready for use, while reducing the likelihood of any part of the inserted-utensil 1430 becoming soiled.

It will be appreciated that the utensil may be provided either inside the pouch of a food package of the present disclosure, or may be provided outside of the pouch of a food package of the present disclosure.

Where a utensil is provided outside of the pouch, it may be contained in a separate envelope or sachet to maintain the utensil is a clean and/or sterile condition until it is required for use. The utensil may be attached to the exterior of the pouch by any suitable means such as adhesive materials or welding, or alternatively where appropriate, an envelope containing the utensil may be attached to the exterior of the pouch by any such suitable means. In this way, the utensil may still provide improved structural strength and/or rigidity, and/or shock absorbing capabilities to the food package, as described above in relation to utensils provided inside of the pouch.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic cross-section of a medical package 1500 which includes a pouch 1502. The medical package 1500 may share any of the characteristics and/or functionality of the food packages described above, except that the medical package 1500 contains medical items 1530, 1532 instead of food items. In this example, the pouch 1502 contains a medical utensil 1520. The medical utensil 1520 may be pair of forceps or tongs, suitable for manipulating medical items or devices, or any other type of medical utensil without restriction. Medical items 1530, 1532 may include, for example, a medical dressing, a medical disinfectant wipe, a medical swab or any other type of medical supply, which may advantageously be manipulated with the medical utensil 1520 once the pouch 1502 has been opened.

As described above in relation to food packages, the medical package 1500 may be resealable after opening. The pouch 1502 may be depleted of oxygen and the medical utensil 1520 and medical items 1530, 1532 may be held in substantially fixed positions within the pouch 1502. In other examples, the medical utensil 1520 may instead be provided outside of the pouch 1502.

The medical package 1500 may be made from antibacterial materials, such as an antibacterial polymer. Use of a resealable, and optionally antibacterial, pouch 1502 may enable medical items to be stored in better condition, for future use, after the medical package 1500 has been opened than would otherwise be possible.

Generally, packages of the present disclosure may be provided in the form of a stand-up pouch that is manufactured from an anti-bacterial material. The inner surfaces of the pouch may be configured to be in direct contact with the contents of the pouch, in order to reduce or inhibit bacterial growth that may occur in food items and also to reduce or inhibit bacterial contamination for non-food items (such as platers or surgical gauze), when the packaging is opened.

For food packages the sealing strip may have at least two functions; the first would be to reseal the pouch after consumption of all or part of the contents; and the second would be to protect the contents from external contamination and to ensure that the anti-bacterial inner surfaces of the pouch remains in-contact with the surface of the food items. Re-sealing is of particular importance as the pouch may incorporate a utensil (such as a fork) to facilitate user access to the food contents of the pouch. The re-sealability of the pouch would also enable the partial or intermittent consumption of the contents of the pouch.

When the utensil enters the user's mouth it may become contaminated with bacteria from the mouth and therefore when re-introducing the utensil into the pouch it may increase the risk of bacterial contamination. However, the inner anti-bacterial surfaces of the pouch may significantly assist in reducing the potential risk of contamination to the food contents that may otherwise occur. Similar advantages may also be provided in relation to medical packages comprising medical items.

Claims

1. A food package comprising a sealed flexible pouch and a utensil, the pouch containing one or more food items,

wherein the pouch contains the utensil held in a substantially fixed position within the pouch, and the pouch comprises a base with a first corner and a top with a second corner diagonally opposite the first corner, wherein respective ends of the utensil are engaged with the first and second corners, respectively, to reinforce the food package,

wherein the food package is resealable after opening.

2. The food package of claim 1, wherein the interior of the pouch is depleted of oxygen, and the one or more food items are held in substantially fixed positions within the pouch.

3. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises first and second films that are sealed together at their periphery.

4. A food package according to claim 3, wherein juxtaposed surfaces of the first and second films have a dimpled or uneven texture, or are laser-etched.

5. A food package according to claim 3, wherein the films are of plastics material.

6. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is a rigid component.

7. A food package according to claim 1, wherein respective ends of the utensil are engaged with the first and second corners, respectively, to reinforce the food package, because the utensil is sized to fit snugly along a main diagonal of the pouch between the first corner and the second corner.

8. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is a culinary utensil by which the one or more food items may be removed from the package after the package has been opened in use.

9. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is a fork, spoon, cocktail stick or chopstick.

10. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the utensil has a bore, one end of which is exposed when the package is opened in use, whereby air may be blown into the package to facilitate subsequent removal of the one or more food items.

11. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the package further comprises an additional protector held in a substantially fixed position within the pouch.

12. A food package according to claim 11, wherein the additional protector is a stiffening rod.

13. (canceled)

14. The food package of claim 1, wherein a base of the pouch is formed by a gusset of resilient material.

15. The food package of claim 14, wherein the gusset is configured to provide for shock absorption for the one or more food items when the base of the pouch is subject to an impact.

16. The food package of claim 15, wherein the pouch comprises:

a first gusset corner adjacent to a first end of the gusset; and

a second top corner spaced apart from a second end of the gusset and diagonally opposite the first gusset corner,

wherein respective ends of the utensil are configured to engage with the first gusset corner and the second top corner to reinforce the food package.

17. The food package of claim 14, wherein the gusset is configured to provide a containment barrier for containing a sharp utensil within the pouch.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the sealed flexible pouch is substantially evacuated of air, the pouch comprising side walls and a base,

and wherein the base is a resilient member, the resilient member being deformed from its rest configuration when the package is in a sealed condition, and the resilient member being arranged to return to the rest configuration when the pouch is opened, thereby drawing air into the pouch and causing the side walls of the pouch to separate.

27. A food package according to claim 1, wherein the sealed flexible pouch comprises side walls and a base, and wherein the base is of greater thickness than the side walls.

28. The food package of claim 1, wherein the food package incorporates a sealing strip that is exposed when the pouch is opened.

29. The food package of claim 28, wherein the pouch comprises a top portion connected to a body portion by a frangible section and the sealing strip is positioned between the frangible section and the body portion, the sealing strip comprising a reinforcing structure configured to deflect tears away from the body portion when the pouch is opened by tearing the frangible section.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)