COMPOSITE CONTAINER FOR VACUUM PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTS SUCH AS DOUGH AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

摘要

A tubular container for expansible food products is provided according to the present invention that includes a flexible liner having opposed end portions secured to respective ends of a tubular body wall. The tubular body wall has opposed ends and inner and outer surfaces and comprises a wound strip of material having opposed side edges. An end closure is secured to each end of the tubular body wall and can hermetically seal the container. A vent hole may be formed through the body wall and the label by way of a laser for allowing the passa ge of air therethrough. The flexible liner is secured to the respective ends of th e tubular body wall by way of an adhesive band between the liner and the inner surface of the tubular body wall. The flexible liner thus has a free medial portion between the end portions which moves inwardly against the expansible food product when a vacuum is applied during packaging, and which also then moves outwardly against the inner surface of the tubular body wall as the product expands. The liner preferably comprises a flexible and stretchable liner formed of at least one polymeric layer without foil and paper layers.