Packaging system for modified atmosphere container

Abstract

A packaging container for a food product. The container includes a tray configured to support the food product. A film covers the tray. The film includes an opening configured to allow the film to be at least semi-permeable to gas. The opening is covered by a seal that may be removed when the food product reaches a retail location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging container for a food product comprising:
 a tray configured to support the food product;   a film covering the tray;   wherein the film includes an opening configured to allow the film to be at least semi-permeable to gas; and   wherein the opening is covered by a removable seal.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the film includes a plurality of openings covered by the removable seal. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the openings is between 5 microns to 1270 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the removable seal is impermeable to gas. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the removable seal is formed of flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the film is impermeable to gas except for opening. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the seal includes an adhesive located on one side of the seal for maintaining the seal in connection with the film. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the one side of the seal includes a portion without adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the portion without adhesive is located on the edge of the seal to thereby form a tab that may be grasped in order to remove the seal from the film. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the portion without adhesive is located adjacent the opening in the film so that the adhesive does not obstruct the opening. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a container for a food product comprising:
 covering a tray containing the food product with film;   after the tray is covered with film forming an opening in the film to thereby allow the film to be at least semi-permeable to gas;   covering the opening with a removable seal.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of forming the opening in the film includes perforating the opening using a pin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of covering the tray includes using film that is impermeable. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of forming the opening includes forming a plurality of openings in the film and wherein all of the plurality of openings are covered with the removable seal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pin is controlled to perforate the film for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of removing the seal from a carrier prior to covering the opening with the seal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of removing the seal from the carrier includes removing a patch connected to a portion of the seal covered with adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of forming an opening in the film is performed proximate to the step of covering the tray so that these steps may be integrated into the same machine. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the food product is packed a modified atmosphere. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising sensing the location of the tray between covering the tray with the film and forming the opening in the film.