Multicomponent package

Abstract

The invention is directed to a multicomponent package having an upper and lower component that are releasably attached to each other and wherein one of either the upper or lower component has high oxygen barrier properties and the other component has low oxygen barrier properties. In one embodiment, one of the components has an oxygen transmission rate of at least 4,000 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm, and the other component has an oxygen transmission rate of less than 1,000 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm. The multicomponent package can be used to package food products that may be incompatible with each other or where it may be desirable to package each food product in differing packaging environment. As a result, two or more dissimilar food products may be stored, shipped, and/or sold in the same package.

1 . A two component package comprising: 
 an upper component and a lower component that are releasably attached together, each having an interior space for enclosing a food product therein, and wherein at least one of the upper and lower components has an oxygen transmission rate of at least 1,200 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm, and the other component has an oxygen transmission rate of less than 1,000 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm.    
   
   
       2 . The two component package of  claim 1 , wherein the upper component has an oxygen transmission rate of at least 4,000 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm.  
   
   
       3 . The two component package of  claim 1 , wherein the interior spaces of each of the upper and lower components are disposed opposite each other in a face-to-face orientation.  
   
   
       4 . The two component package of  claim 1 , wherein the upper component comprises a thermoplastic material having a heat distortion temperature that is at least 225° F.  
   
   
       5 . The two component package of  claim 4 , wherein the lower component comprises a thermoplastic material having a heat distortion temperature that is 250° F. or greater and includes a meat product disposed therein.  
   
   
       6 . A multicomponent meal package comprising: 
 a tray comprising a support member having sidewalls defining an interior space and a lidding sealably enclosing a first food product therein, the tray having an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 1,000 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm; and    a lid removably attached to the tray and defining a second interior space disposed opposite the first interior space, and comprising a lidding sealably enclosing a second food product therein, the lid having an oxygen transmission rate of at least 1,200 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm.    
   
   
       7 . The multicomponent meal package of  claim 6 , wherein the second food product has a shorter shelf-life than the first food product.  
   
   
       8 . The multicomponent package of  claim 6 , wherein the lid comprises a visually transparent material so that a food product disposed in the tray is observable through the lid.  
   
   
       9 . The multicomponent package of  claim 6 , wherein a meat product is disposed in the tray and a vegetable product is disposed in the lid.  
   
   
       10 . The multicomponent package of  claim 6 , wherein the lid has a heat distortion temperature of at least 280° F. and the tray has a heat distortion temperature that is 300° F. or greater.  
   
   
       11 . The multicomponent package of  claim 6 , wherein the tray includes a modified oxygen atmosphere having substantially no oxygen.  
   
   
       12 . The multicomponent package of  claim 6 , wherein the upper and lower components are attached together with a tubular sleeve, label, adhesive, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The multicomponent package of  claim 6 , further comprising a tubular sleeve that wraps about the upper and lower components so they are releasably attached together.  
   
   
       14 . The multicomponent package of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the liddings of the first and second components are spaced apart as to define a passageway between the liddings through which gases can enter and exit the upper component.  
   
   
       15 . The multicomponentpackage of  claim 6 , the tray has an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 10 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm and the lid has an oxygen transmission rate of at least 6,000 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm.  
   
   
       16 . A two component package comprising: 
 an upper and lower component that are releasably attached together, each having an interior space and a lidding for enclosing a food product in each respective interior space, wherein the lidding of the upper and lower components are arranged in a face-to-face orientation with each other, and wherein the upper component has an oxygen transmission rate of at least 6,000 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm. and the lower component has an oxygen transmission rate of less than 100 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm.    
   
   
       17 . The multicompartment package of  claim 16 , wherein the tray comprises a visually opaque material and the lid comprises a visually transparent material.  
   
   
       18 . The multicompartment package of  claim 16 , wherein the tray has a heat distortion temperature of at least of 450° F. and the lid has a heat distortion temperature of at least 400° F.  
   
   
       19 . The multicompent package of  claim 16 , wherein the tray includes at least one lip that is arranged and configured to engage a corresponding surface on the lid so that the tray and lid are releasably attached to each other.  
   
   
       20 . A multicomponent meal system comprising: 
 a substantially oxygen impermeable tray comprising a first interior space and a barrier layer enclosing a meat product therein, the tray having an oxygen transmission rate of less than 100 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm and a heat distortion temperature that is at least 250° F.; and    a lid releasably attached to the tray, the lid comprising a second interior space and a non-barrier layer enclosing a vegetable product therein, the lid having an oxygen transmission rate of at least 1,200 cc at STP/m 2 /24 hr/atm and a heat distortion temperature of at least 200° F., and wherein the tray and the lid are arranged so that the barrier layer and the non-barrier layer are disposed opposite each other in a face-to-face orientation.    
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein the lower component is cookable at a temperature of at least 350° F. and the upper component is cookable in a microwave oven at a temperature of at least 225° F.  
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of components further includes pasta, rice, or a combination thereof.