Reclosable food package

Abstract

The invention relates to a reclosable package 10 which includes a rigid base member 11 , a product 50 placed over said rigid base member, a cover film 13 laid over product 50 and sealed to rigid base member 11 wherein removable reclosure means 14 ( 114 ) are embedded in rigid base member 11 and cover film 13 is also sealed to removable reclosure means 14 ( 114 ). Also disclosed are a rigid base member 11 having removable reclosure means 14 ( 114 ) embedded therein and a method of making the reclosable package 10.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A reclosable package comprising:
 a) a rigid base member;   b) a product placed on the rigid base member; and   c) a cover film placed over the product and sealed to the rigid base member all around the product,   characterized in that at least one removable reclosure means is embedded in the rigid base member, and   the cover film is secured to the at least one removable reclosure means.   
     
     
         12 . The reclosable package according to  claim 11  wherein the cover film forms a peelable seal with the rigid base member, and is permanently secured to the at least one removable reclosure means. 
     
     
         13 . The reclosable package according to  claim 11  wherein the at least one removable reclosure means comprises a plurality of discrete elements. 
     
     
         14 . The reclosable package according to  claim 11  wherein the at least one removable reclosure means comprises one continuous frame around the product. 
     
     
         15 . The reclosable package according to  claim 11  wherein the rigid base member comprises a foamed thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyester and polypropylene. 
     
     
         16 . The reclosable package according to  claim 11  wherein the at least one removable reclosure means comprises the same material as the rigid base member. 
     
     
         17 . A reclosable package comprising:
 d) a rigid base member;   e) a product placed on the rigid base member; and   f) a cover film placed over the product and sealed to the rigid base member all around the product,
 characterized in that at least one removable reclosure means is partially attached to the rigid base member, and 
 the cover film is secured to the at least one removable reclosure means. 
   
     
     
         18 . A method for the manufacture of a reclosable package comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a rigid base member having at least one removable reclosure means embedded therein;   b) placing a product over the rigid base member;   c) laying a cover film over the product; and   d) securing the cover film to the base member around the product and to the at least one removable reclosure means.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein the steps of sealing the cover film to the rigid base member and securing the cover film to the at least one removable reclosure means take place simultaneously. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18  comprising evacuating the space between the rigid base member and the cover film. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18  comprising gas flushing the space between the rigid base member and the cover film with a suitable gas or gas mixture.