초록 ▼

A package for perishable products which can readily be prepared for home freezing is comprised of a relatively rigid tray and a flexible cover, the cover having a hole covered by a removable, replaceable seal. The tray is provided with collapsible supports, which hold the cover above the perishable

A package for perishable products which can readily be prepared for home freezing is comprised of a relatively rigid tray and a flexible cover, the cover having a hole covered by a removable, replaceable seal. The tray is provided with collapsible supports, which hold the cover above the perishable product on the tray during fresh storage, but which can be readily collapsed in order to provide maximum expulsion of air from the package in preparation for freezing. The atmosphere in the package may be modified so as to inhibit bacterial decay of the product and/or to enhance its appearance. The package is prepared for freezing by removing the seal, collapsing the supports and expelling as much of the atmosphere in the package as possible, and then replacing the seal.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A package for storing perishable meat products, comprising: a relatively rigid tray including sidewalls and a bottom wall defining a region for receiving said meat products; a flexible, gas impermeable cover for said tray, said cover having a small hole therein and a tab, said tab being resea

1. A package for storing perishable meat products, comprising: a relatively rigid tray including sidewalls and a bottom wall defining a region for receiving said meat products; a flexible, gas impermeable cover for said tray, said cover having a small hole therein and a tab, said tab being resealably securable over said small hole; and a collapsible support means, connected to said tray, and having a height greater than the height of the remainder of said tray for supporting said cover in a first position spaced above said meat receiving region of said tray, said support means being weakened to allow said support means to be easily collapsed to enable said cover to assume a second position, spaced from said first position, and located closer to said meat receiving region of said tray. 2. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein said tray is provided with a plurality of closely spaced mounds on the bottom interior surface of said tray. 3. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein said tray is made from a substantially gas impermeable material. 4. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein said cover is made of a transparent plastic material. 5. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein said cover is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic material. 6. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein said hole in said cover is located near to a wall of said tray. 7. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein said tab is a flexible tab coated with a pressure sensitive peelable, resealable adhesive material. 8. A package as defined in claim 1, further comprising a meat product positioned within said tray, said package being filled with a gas having a higher concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide than atmospheric air. 9. A package as defined in claim 8, wherein said gaseous atmosphere consists essentially of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, said oxygen and carbon dioxide being in higher concentrations than in the normal atmosphere. 10. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein said collapsible support means are vertical posts at each corner of said tray. 11. A package as defined in claim 10, wherein said vertical posts are scored to render said vertical posts more readily collapsible. 12. A package as defined in claim 10, wherein said vertical posts are formed of the same material as, and integral with, said tray. 13. A package as defined in claim 12, wherein said tray is made of a plastic material. 14. A package as defined in claim 12, wherein said tray is made of polystyrene foam. 15. A package as defined in claim 12, wherein said tray is made of pressed paper board. 16. A method for the preparation for freezing of fresh perishable meat products packaged in the type of package in which the product is surrounded by a gaseous atmosphere comprising: positioning said meat product on a package tray wherein said tray includes a weakened collapsible wall portion capable of supporting a cover above said meat product; enclosing said meat product in said tray with a gas impermeable cover such that said cover is spaced from said meat product and supported by said weakened collapsible wall portion; making an opening in the cover of said packaging; filling the interior of said packaging with a meat preserving, enriched oxygen and carbon dioxide gaseous atmosphere; closing said opening with a resealable tab to enable said opening to be opened subsequently; subsequently manipulating the resealable tab to expose said opening and then collapsing said weakened collapsible wall portion to position said cover in close conformity above said meat product; expelling a substantial part of the gaseous atmosphere through said opening in said cover; and then sealing said opening with said tab. 17. A method for the preparation for freezing of fresh perishable products as described in claim 16, wherein the step of expelling a substantial part of said gaseous atmosphere is performed by: filling said package with clean water through said opening; inverting said package so that said water drains through said opening; and sealing said opening immediately after said water has drained from said package and before air can re-enter said opening. 18. A method for the preparation for freezing of fresh perishable products as described in claim 16, wherein the step of expelling a substantial part of said gaseous atmosphere is performed by shrinking said cover through the application of heat, said cover being of a heat-shrinkable material. 19. A method for the preparation for freezing of fresh perishable products as described in claim 16, wherein the step of expelling a substantial part of said gaseous atmosphere is performed by rolling said cover towards the perishable product in order to expel said gaseous atmosphere through said opening.