Hermetically sealed packaging for fresh foodstuffs

Abstract

An atmosphere controlled foodstuff container includes a base tray and a cover. The cover and base tray are constructed of a substantially gas impermeable material. The cover and base tray are connectable and are hermetically sealed with a sealant or sealing material. The container includes at least one atmosphere control member, such as a membrane or micro-perforations, which controls the flow of gases into and out of the otherwise sealed interior of the container. The base tray may be opaque for use as a serving tray and the cover transparent to permit viewing of the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for fresh foodstuffs comprising:
 a cover, said cover having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge, said cover defining at least one compartment, said cover comprising a generally rigid, essentially gas impermeable member, said cover further defining a first locking member;   a base, said base having an inner surface, an outside surface and a peripheral edge, said inner surface being generally concave and said base comprising a generally rigid, essentially gas impermeable material, said base defining a second locking member, said cover and base connected to one another via engagement of said first and second locking members, said base cooperating with said cover to define an interior area; and   said cover and said base directly sealed to one another by a sealant located between said cover and base, and further comprising one or more open perforations formed through said cover and/or base said perforations sized to selectively control the flow of gas there through, whereby an atmosphere controlled interior area is defined between said inner surface of said cover and said inner surface of said base without a removable sealing sheet located between said cover and base.   
     
     
         2 . The container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein sealant comprises a sealant layer associated with said cover. 
     
     
         3 . The container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said sealant is located between said first and second locking members. 
     
     
         4 . The container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said at least one compartment is an outwardly extending area of said cover. 
     
     
         5 . The container in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said base is constructed of an opaque material and said cover is constructed of a transparent material. 
     
     
         6 . a container for fresh foodstuffs consisting of:
 a cover, said cover having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge, said cover defining at least one compartment, said cover comprising a generally rigid, essentially gas impermeable member, said cover further defining a first locking member;   a base, said base having an inner surface, an outside surface and a peripheral edge, said inner surface being generally concave and said base comprising a generally rigid, essentially gas impermeable material, said base defining a second locking member, said cover and base connected to one another via engagement of said first and second locking members, said base cooperating with said cover to define an interior area;   a plurality of open apertures formed through said cover and/or base, said perforations sized to selectively control the flow of gas there through;   said cover and said base hermetically sealed to one another via a sealant to define an atmosphere controlled interior area between said inner surface of said cover and said inner surface of said base; and   foodstuffs located in said interior area.   
     
     
         7 . The container in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said apertures are laser-formed. 
     
     
         8 . The container in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said base is constructed of an opaque material and said cover is constructed of a transparent material. 
     
     
         9 . The container in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said foodstuffs are selected from the group consisting of fruits and vegetables.