A multiple space container for packaging products, in particular food products such as fresh meat products with improved liquid flow

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for packaging products (5). in particular fresh products such as meat products. The container comprises a container body with a product space (4) for accommodating a product and a receiving space (6) at least for receiving liquid (7), preferably liquid from the product. The container body (2) according to the invention comprises partition means (8) that separate the product space and the receiving space from each other. The partition means comprise at least one outlet opening (11) configured to at least discharge liquid from the product space to the receiving space. The container is further provided with at least one resistance element (12) extending into the receiving space. which resistance element surrounds the outlet opening in such a manner that the resistance element prevents the transport of liquid from the receiving space to the product space.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A container for packaging products, comprising a container body with a product space for accommodating a product and a receiving space at least for receiving liquid from the product, the container body comprising and being integrally formed with partition means that separate the product space and the receiving space from each other, which partition means comprise at least one outlet opening having a diameter of 3-15 mm, the outlet opening being configured to at least discharge liquid from the product space to the receiving space, wherein a part of the partition means that faces the receiving space comprises least one resistance element extending into the receiving space, which resistance element comprises a protrusion that extends toward the receiving space and surrounds the outlet opening in such a manner that the resistance element prevents the transport of liquid from the receiving space to the product space, characterized in that the protrusion comprises a rolled rim surrounding the outlet opening. 
     
     
         36 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the outlet opening has a diameter of 4-7 mm. 
     
     
         37 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the rim has a height of 0.1-10 mm. 
     
     
         38 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the container body is thermoformed from a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         39 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the receiving space is closed by a sealing element. 
     
     
         40 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the sealing element is a sealing film. 
     
     
         41 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the partition means comprise one or more venting holes, configured to allow air exchange between the product space and the receiving space but prevent liquid exchange between the product space and the receiving space. 
     
     
         42 . The container according to  claim 41 , wherein the one or more venting holes venting holes have a diameter of 0.4 mm. 
     
     
         43 . The container according to  claim 41 , wherein the one or more venting holes being void of a circumferential raised edge towards the receiving space. 
     
     
         44 . The container according to  claim 41 , wherein the one or more venting holes are made by laser cutting. 
     
     
         45 . The container according to  claim 41 , wherein the venting holes are arranged in the outer periphery of the partition means. 
     
     
         46 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the at least one outlet opening and the resistance element are spaced from the sealing element. 
     
     
         47 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the outlet opening is provided near a central part of the container body. 
     
     
         48 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the container comprises a multitude of outlet openings, wherein the openings of said multitude of outlet openings are substantially evenly spaced. 
     
     
         49 . The container according to  claim 48 , wherein the openings of the multitude of openings lie in substantially the same plane. 
     
     
         50 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein the receiving space is free from liquid-absorbing means, in particular free from a liquid-absorbing layer of material. 
     
     
         51 . The container according to  claim 35 , wherein a product is contained in the product space, and wherein the product space is closed by means of a further sealing element. 
     
     
         52 . A method for the manufacture of a container of  claim 35 , comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a container according to the preamble of  claim 35 ,   b. pushing a punching element through the partition means from the side of the partition means facing the product space towards to the receiving space to provide an outlet opening therethrough,   c. allowing the rolled rim to be formed   
     
     
         53 . The method for the manufacture of a container according to  claim 52 , further comprising the step of supporting the area around the outlet opening on the side of the partition means facing the receiving space with a contact surface of a support element. 
     
     
         54 . In a method of packaging a product comprising packaging the product in a container, the improvement wherein the container is the container of  claim 35  and the product is packaged in the receiving space thereof.