WO1994006689A1

WO1994006689A1 - Packaging and labelling of goods for display

Info

Publication number: WO1994006689A1
Application number: PCT/AU1993/000484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony James Murray Garwood
Original assignee: Anthony James Murray Garwood
Priority date: 1992-09-21
Filing date: 1993-09-21
Publication date: 1994-03-31

Abstract

A method of packaging and labelling goods (3) is proposed where the goods (3), such as red meats, are initially packaged with machine readable information on a label (19). The machine readable information identifies characteristics of the goods (3) such as type, weight, packaged date, etc. The machine readable information is read by a machine reader prior to display of the goods for sale and the package then has purchaser readable information applied thereto, such as type, weight, use by date, cost. The method is particularly suitable for packaging goods (3) such as red meats in a controlled atmosphere to enhance the keeping properties of the goods (3) prior to display for sale. When the goods (3) are to be displayed for sale they can be removed from the controlled atmosphere, and have the purchaser readable information applied thereto which could not have been predetermined prior to the packaging of the goods (3). Apparatus for applying the user readable information is also disclosed. Packaging apparatus for packaging suchgood (3) with the machine readable information thereon is also disclosed.

Description

PACKAGING AND LABELLING OF GOODS FOR DISPLAY

Field of the Invention This invention relates to packaging and relates particularly but not exclusively to methods and apparatus for permitting goods, such as red meats, to be packaged.

Description of Prior Art Hitherto, there have been proposed many packages for goods, such as red meats. As typical examples, reference is made to prior patent applications where I am noted as the inventor such as PCT Patent Applications Numbers PCT/AU86/00339, PCT/AU87/00243, PCT/AU87/00297, PCT/AU90/00385 and PCT/AU91/00015.

Such packaging provides that the goods, such as red meats as an example, are placed on a base, a flexible web is placed to overlie the goods and a lid is placed over the flexible web and they are all sealed together around a lip of the package so that the flexible web holds the goods relative to the base. A space is provided between the flexible web and the lid and the space contains a gas which is chosen to enhance the keeping properties of the goods. The gas permeates the flexible web and thereby contacts the surface of the goods and thus enhances the keeping properties of the goods. In the case of red meats, the gas is chosen to generally inhibit, as far as possible, the growth of bacteria. Unfortunately, the gas is such that after a period of time the goods discolour. Accordingly, the prior art packaging has proposed that the lid be removable such as by, in one example, peeling from the pack leaving the flexible web sealed to the base, to then allow oxygen in atmospheric air to permeate the flexible web and attempt to restore the usual red colour to the meat by the action of the oxygen in the air blooming the meat to the usual red colour.

Packaging of the above type has been accepted by large supermarket chains as it permits meat to be packaged at a point of slaughter or boning of the meat, allows for the subsequent transportation time to storage areas and then the subsequent time for selling. Packaging of this type is contributing towards the lack of the need for supermarket chains to include a meat packaging department. Thus, there are significant economic advantages in packaging of the above type. It is necessary to label the goods, at the point of sale, so that a purchaser can obtain important information concerning the goods which may not be pre- determinable prior to the original packaging of the goods. One particular marking which is considered important is a "use By Date". Thus, if packaging is used as described above, the meat for example, can be packaged for a period of perhaps two weeks before the lid is removed. Once the lid is removed, then the oxygen in atmospheric air can permeate the flexible web and restore the usual red colour to the meat which may no longer be present due to the initial storage period. Unfortunately, oxygen also has the property of discolouring the meat and affecting bacterial growth after a certain period of time. Accordingly, it is necessary to label any such packages with information such as "Use By Date", when the packages are displayed for sale.

Another important marking may be "purchase price". By knowing information about the packaged goods such as, "cost price", "discounts offered by competing retailers", "time held since packaging", "quantities of goods in stock", etc., a "purchase price" can be labelled on the goods immediately prior to sale.

Object and Statement of Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide packaging which attempts to overcome one or more of the above problems. _

Therefore, in accordance with a first broad aspect of the present invention there may be provided a method of packaging goods and displaying the goods for sale with labelling which has purchaser readable information thereon such as "use by date" or "purchase price" which has been labelled thereon after packaging and prior to display of the packaged goods for sale comprising:

(a) packaging the goods with visible label information which is machine readable as to information concerning the goods packaged,

(b) machine reading said information, and as a direct result thereof,

(c) further labelling said goods with information which is purchaser readable, such as "use by date" or "purchase price", and then

(d) displaying said packaged goods for sale. In accordance with the further broad aspect of the present invention there may be provided a method of packaging goods and displaying the goods for sale with labelling which has purchaser readable information thereon, such as "use by date" or "purchase price",which has been marked after packaging and prior to display of the packaged goods for sale, said method comprising:

(a) packaging the goods, such as red meats, in a package comprising a base on which the goods are placed, there being a transparent flexible web of material overlaying the goods and holding the goods relative to said base, a lid over said flexible web and sealed relative to said base and defining a space between said lid and said flexible web, a gas for enhancing preservation of said goods in said space and permeating said flexible web, said flexible web being chosen to be of a material which has desired gas permeating properties, said lid being removable from said base leaving said flexible web intact and still holding said goods to said base, there being label information applied to the package which is machine readable to provide information concerning the goods packaged,

(b) storing said goods in said package,

(c) then removing said lid, leaving said flexible web intact and still holding said goods to said base,

(d) allowing oxygen in atmospheric air to permeate said flexible web to assist in restoring an original colour to said goods which may have been lost during the storing under step (b) ,

(e) after step (c) machine reading said information on said labelling, and as a direct result thereof,

(f) further labelling said package with further information which is purchaser readable, such as "use by date" or "purchase price", and then,

(g) displaying said goods in said package for sale.

According to a further broad aspect of the present invention there may be provided apparatus for reading machine readable label information and for marking further label information on a package which is purchaser readable comprising: means for reading said machine readable information in said label, means for processing the read information to generate a printing signal to an associated printing means and to print said further information on said package.

Most preferably the labelling is on a label which is a web of material which is applied to the packaging but it may be merely markings applied directly to the packaging. Thus, the machine readable labelling information, and the user readable labelling information may be displayed together or if desired, at separate locations on the packaging. Thus, in one embodiment the machine readable information may be on the underside of a base of the packaging whilst the user readable information may be on a top of the packaging.

Most preferably the apparatus has packaging registration means to permit the package to locate at a desired position relative to the apparatus. in one embodiment it is preferred that the labelling is on the upper surface of the package in a pre¬ determined region so the apparatus will need to scan only the pre-determined region to locate the labelling.

It is also particularly preferred that the labelling have machine readable information which is a bar code representation of the information.

In accordance with a further broad aspect of the invention there is provided packaging apparatus for packaging goods, such as red meats, in a package comprising a base on which the goods are placed, there being a transparent flexible web of material overlaying the goods and holding the goods relative to said base, a lid over said flexible web and sealed relative to said base and defining a space between said lid and said flexible web, a gas for enhancing preservation of said goods in said space and permeating said flexible web, said flexible web being chosen to be of a material which has desired gas permeating properties, said lid being removable from said base leaving said flexible web intact and still holding said goods to said base, said apparatus being characterised by having a labelling device for applying machine readable information to said flexible web concerning information about goods over which said flexible web and said information are to overlay.

Brief Description of Drawings In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained examples of preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure 1 is a transverse cross sectional view of a prior art package.

Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 showing the lid of the package removed. Figure 3 is view similar to figure 2 but of a preferred example of the present invention showing a label on a flexible web of the packaging.

Figure 4 is a front surface view of typical labelling on a label. Figure 5 is a view similar to figure 3 showing a different embodiment.

Figure 6 is a view similar to figure 5 showing a different embodiment.

Figure 7 is a transverse view of packaging shown in figure 3 located adjacent preferred apparatus for reading the labelling information and for printing user readable information, and

Figure 8 is a view similar to figure 7 showing a different embodiment.

Figure 9 is a view similar to figure 8 showing a different embodiment.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic side view of part of apparatus used for packaging goods such as red meats into the packages of figure 3.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring firstly to figure 1, there is shown a typical packaging for storing red meat which has been used in the past. The packaging comprises a base 1 which has goods 3 placed over the base 1. The base 1 typically has a shallow cup shaped depression therein to receive the goods 3. The base 1 has an upper peripheral lip 5 and intermediate lip 7 which is between the upper lip 5 and the bottom of the base 1. The goods 3 are typically of a height which extends above the lip 7. A flexible web of plastics material 9 is placed over the goods 3 such as by stretching over the goods 3 and bonded to the intermediate lip 7 along a seal 11. Typically, the flexible web 9 is transparent plastics material and extends up the side walls of the base 1 and over the upper lip 5.

A lid 13 is placed over the flexible web 9 and is sealed to the upper lip 5 by a peripheral seal 15. The lid 13 is therefore also sealed relative to the base 1.

A space 17 is therefore provided between the lid 13 and the upper surface of the flexible web 9. A suitable gas such as a combination of carbon dioxide and oxygen or other gases can be placed in the space 17. The plastics flexible web 9 is chosen to have a suitable gas permeation property. Thus, the gas in the space 17 can permeate the flexible web 9 and contact the surface of the goods 3 to enhance the keeping properties of the goods 3. The clear plastics material of the flexible web 9 provides for easy viewing of the goods 3. Typically the lid 13 will be of a clear plastics material as well. Typically the base 1 can be of a solid coloured material such as a white coloured material as it is not generally necessary to inspect the undersurface of the goods 3. The base 1 and the lid 13 are chosen to have suitable non-gas permeation properties. Thus, any gas retained in the space 17 is retained within the confines of the package defined by the base 1 and the lid 13. The peripheral seal 15 is such that the lid 13 can be removed from the packaging such as by peeling. This leaves the flexible web 9 intact. This is shown in figure 2. Because the flexible web is sealed around seal 11 which is displaced below the seal 15, if there is tearing of the flexible web around the seal 15 then the flexible web 9 is still sealed completely around the pack by the seal 11. The flexible web 9 therefore provides a window like covering over the goods 3. Oxygen in atmospheric air can then permeate the flexible web 9 and will act to attempt to restore the usual bright red colour to the meat 3 which may have discoloured during storage of the pack prior to removing the lid 13. Thus, packs of the above type have found ready acceptance by supermarket chains and also by consumers. Supermarket chains have favoured packaging of this type because it permits goods to be stored for extended periods and then displayed for sale in a condition which resembles that of freshly packed meat. The above pack is similar to that described in one or more of the aforementioned PCT Patent Applications.

It has been realised that it is desirable to mark the package with information concerning the goods, such as "use by date" or "purchase price" when the lid 9 is removed.

Accordingly, it is proposed that labelling be placed on the package, such as on the flexible web 9 prior to closing the package with the lid 13, and that the labelling contain information concerning the packaged goods.

An example of a pack containing such labelling is shown in figure 3 where the lid has been removed. The pack comprises a base 1, goods 3 which are placed on the base 1 and a similar flexible web 9 which is sealed on an intermediate lip 7 by a peripheral seal 11. The base also preferably contains an upper lip 5 as shown. The goods 3 are above the height of the intermediate lip 7 and therefore the flexible web 9 is held stretched taut over the top of the goods and stretchingly holds the goods 3 onto the base 1. A label 19 having labelling thereon will be applied to the upper surface of the flexible web 9. In other words, the labelling and the label 19 are on the face of the flexible web which faces the lid. The label 19 will be pre-printed with labelling information concerning the packaged goods 3.

Figure 4 shows a typical example of a label 19 with labelling thereon. Here the label 19 can have a pressure sensitive adhesive on the rear face so it can suitably adhere to the flexible web 9. Typically the label 19 can be of paper but it may be of a suitable material such as a plastics material which will have a gas permeable property. Thus, if an adhesive is chosen which also has a gas permeable property then the label will not inhibit permeation of gas from the space 17 to the goods 3. Typically the label 19 will permit easy printing of labelling information concerning the packaged goods 3. Typically the labelling information may be displayed in machine readable form such as by a bar code 21 which may contain information such as the weight of the packaged goods 3, the date the packaged goods 3 were slaughtered, the date the package was produced, and or other relevant information. The bar code 21 can be provided in a predetermined area 23, thus leaving a further area 25 which can receive subsequent labelling to identify purchaser readable information.

In the examples shown, the label 19 has pre¬ printed headings for "price", "weight" and "use by" and type of goods. A line 27 has been shown which separates the area 23 from the further area 25. The line 27 can be considered a registration datum which can be subsequently used to permit easy alignment for printing of labelling which is purchaser readable information in the further area 23. Whilst it has been shown as a line 27 it may comprise other suitable data registration means such as other markings or it merely may comprise a corner of the pack or label if required.

In another example of labelling shown in figure 5, the package may not have a label 19, as such, but instead the labelling information may be applied directly to the package. In this embodiment, the labelling has been identified by numeral 20 which may be applied by an ink or other medium directly to the package such as to the upper surface of the flexible web 9. In this case, the surface of the packaging where the labelling is to be applied can be chosen to permit the labelling material such as ink or other marking medium to adhere thereto.

In another example shown in figure 6, the machine readable labelling can be applied to one area of the packaging, such as on the undersurface of the base 1, and the user readable information applied to a different area, such as on an upper surface of the package such as on the upper surface of the flexible web 9. In this case, the machine readable labelling is identified by numeral 22 and the user readable information by numeral 24. The labelling 22, 24 can be applied onto labels 19 which are attached to the package or the labelling can be applied directly to the surface of the packaging by a suitable marking medium such as ink.

Figure 7 shows an example of a typical apparatus for reading the labelling on the label 19 and for printing the purchaser readable information in the area 25. Thus, the apparatus includes a registration surface 29 against which the packaging can locate. Typically the surface 29 can be adapted to readily receive the packages. In one embodiment, the surfaces 29 can be downwardly sloping surfaces so that packages which fall onto a bottom surface 29 can slide by gravity to a corner and thus locate in registration with the apparatus. In another example, there may be air blast means or pushing members which move the package to a required registration position.

The apparatus contains a head 31 which is mounted on an arm 33 which can be suitably driven to move the head 31 up or down or inwardly and outwardly and angularly about a vertical axis. Suitable moving means can be employed to effect the necessary movements.

The head 31 comprises a scanning means 35 which will view the upper surface of the packaging, and a printing head 37 which is useable for labelling purchaser readable information on the label 19. Thus, in use, the apparatus will cause a package to locate in approximate registration with the head 31 and the scanning means 35 will view the upper surface of the package and locate the label 19. A bar code reader in the scanning apparatus 35 will then read the information labelled on the label 19 - the machine readable bar code information - and provide that information to computing means which will calculate further information which is fed back to the printer head 37 to enable the purchaser readable information to be labelled on the label 19. The line 27 or other datum on the label can be used to orient the scanning means 35 correctly so that the data can be read correctly and so that the printing head 37 will label the information in the required position. Instead of using an actual marking on the label 19 as the datum serving indicator, an edge or corner of the label 19 or of the package may be chosen. Typically the printing head 37 comprises an ink jet printing means. Thus, accurate registration of the printing head 37 to the upper printing surface itself is not essential as the ink jet printer will transfer the ink from the printing head to the label 19 even if there is not intimate contact. Other printing heads 37 can be chosen but it is preferred to use an ink jet printer because of this advantage.

In a modification of the above, the printing head 31 may contain a peripheral rib which extends around the lower extremities of the head 31 so that it can be engaged directly onto the label 19 and to push the label 19 downwardly onto the upper surface of the goods 3. In this way, a positive alignment and known predetermined spacing of the printing head 37 from the upper surface of the label 19 can be achieved.

Referring now to figure 8 there is shown a modified form of apparatus similar to that in figure 7. Here a packaging 1 is located on the registration surface 29 as in the previous embodiment. The lowermost surface 29 has an aperture 26 therein which is covered by a transparent window 28. The under surface of the base 1 is provided with markings 22 which are machine readable. Thus, the markings 22 are labelling containing relevant information concerning the goods packaged. A suitable machine reading device 30 such as a conventional bar code reader used at supermarkets checkouts or the like is provided under the window 28 and is arranged to observe the markings 22. A signal 32 is outputted from the reading device 30 and applied to computing means, not shown, which then applies an output printing signal to a printing head 37 which can label further markings 24 onto the package such as to the upper surface of the flexible web 9. The printing head 9 can be carried in a head 31 which can be moved upwardly or downwardly or in any other way by suitable moving means (not shown) to permit correct alignment of the face of the printing head 37 with the package.

Referring now to figure 9 which shows a further embodiment similar to that in figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that there is provided a registration surface 29 and a reading head 30 as per the embodiment of figure 8. The registration surface 29 comprises a first surface 29 - the horizontal surface 29 - upon which the base of the package can locate, and a second surface 29 - the vertical surface 29 - upon which the edge of the package can locate. The head 31 in this embodiment is preferably a hand held wand. Thus, it has a handle 34 which can be used by a person wishing to apply purchaser readable labelling to the package. Thus, the head 31 contains a roll of labels 19 and suitable driving rollers 36 therefor. Thus, the labels 19 are on a backing 38 and are driven by the rollers 36 from a forward front end of the head 31. As the read head 30 reads the machine readable information 22 on the under surface of the package, it can provide output signals to the computer means, (not shown), to inturn provide signals to the print head 37 contained in the head 31 and to the motor means which drive the rollers 36. Thus, as labels are advanced through the head 31, in a step wise fashion according to the driving of the rollers 36, they pass underneath the print head 37. Relevant information is then printed by the print head 37 onto the upper surface of the labels 19. This information can be labelling which is purchaser readable such as "use by date", "purchase price" or the like. The label 19 is provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive on the undersurface and the label can then be applied directly from the head 31 by a user holding the wand to push the label 19 onto the package. In the embodiment shown, the head 31 has a pressing surface 40 which enables the labels to be pressed firmly against the package. In the embodiment shown, the labels are applied to the upper surface of the flexible web 9. The spent carrier backing 42 for the labels 19 can be passed from rear end of the handle as shown. In a further modification not shown, the print head 37 may be applied in a wand, which is user holdable, so that a user can mark the labelling which is purchaser readable directly onto the package. Thus, the apparatus would be substantially similar to that shown in figure 8 except that there would be a wand comprising the head 31 which is held by a user and applied directly to the surface of the packaging to provide the labelling 24 which is reader useable. No labels 19 would be used in this embodiment as the labelling would be printed directly on the packaging.

Referring now to figure 10 there is shown an example of how packaging apparatus can be modified to label the required labelling information which is then applied to the flexible web 9 prior to the lid 13 being placed over the package. The packaging apparatus may conveniently be packaging apparatus such as shown in any one of the aforementioned International Patent Applications but modified as will be described hereinafter.

The apparatus typically comprises an endless chain 43 which is driven over a sprocket wheel 45. The chain 43 carries a series of plate means 47 with recesses therein to receive trays 1. The details of this are disclosed in the aforementioned International Patent specifications. The trays 1 and goods 3 can suitably be loaded into the plate means 47 at a loading station shown generally by numeral 49. The chain 43 is indexed to move a predetermined distance and then stop. In this way goods and packages can be suitable indexed and processed by the packaging apparatus.

A goods weighing means 51 is provided at a station after the loading station and prior to the actual packing station. The goods weighing station 51 comprises finger means 53 which can be raised upwardly and downwardly to engage with the undersurface of the bases 1 and lift them from the plate means 47. Typically the finger means 53 can be raised by an airbag or other movement means. Load cells 55 are provided underneath the finger means 53. The load cells 55 are electrically connected with processing means 57 so that the weight of the package containing the goods 3 can be determined once the bases are lifted. Typically the weight of the package is negligible and therefore can be dismissed although, if required, a predetermined calculation can be made having regard to the known weight of the packaging. Thus, the processing means 57 can provide output signals to a labelling device 59 which will (a) release a label from a stack of labels or a roll of labels and apply it to what^'will be an upper surface of the flexible web 9 of the packaging which is wound off roll 61. The labels are diagrammatically shown by numeral 19. Typically the labels 19 can be paper labels with a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive to permit bonding to the upper surface of the flexible web 9. The labelling device 59 can contain a print head which will provide labelling information concerning the goods packaged. This will conveniently be provided in bar code form in the area 23 previously disclosed. The information can be of any of the types or combinations of any of the types previously discussed. Thus, labels 19 will be provided to the packages 1 on the flexible material 9 in a generally predetermined position. Typically, indexing means can be activated to program for the application of the labels 19 to the required position on the flexible web 9 so that they will match and align with the respective goods 3 which are weighed at the goods weighing means 51.

The apparatus in figure 10, can be suitably modified to label directly onto the package, in order to label in accordance with the embodiments of figures 5 or 6. Modifications may be made to the present invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the packaging and or label printing arts. These and other modifications are deemed within the scope of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A method of packaging goods and displaying the goods for sale with labelling which has purchaser readable information thereon such as "use by date" or "purchase price" which has been labelled thereon after packaging and prior to display of the packaged goods for sale comprising:

(b) machine reading said information, and as a direct result thereof,

(d) displaying said packaged goods for sale.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the information which is machine readable is applied to a label which is, in turn, applied to the package.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the information which is machine readable is applied directly to the packaging.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein step (c) is performed by applying the information which is purchaser readable to a label which is, in turn, applied to the package.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein step (c) is performed by applying the information which is purchaser readable directly to the packaging.

6. A method of packaging goods and displaying the goods for sale with labelling which has purchaser readable information thereon, such as "use by date" or "purchase price", hich has been marked after packaging and prior to display of the packaged goods for sale, said method comprising: (a) packaging the goods, such as red meats, in a package comprising a base on which the goods are placed, there being a transparent flexible web of material overlaying the goods and holding the goods relative to said base, a lid over said flexible web and sealed relative to said base and defining a space between said lid and said flexible web, a gas for enhancing preservation of said goods in said space and permeating said flexible web, said flexible web being chosen to be of a material which has desired gas permeating properties, said lid being removable from said base leaving said flexible web intact and still holding said goods to said base, there being label information applied to the package which is machine readable to provide information concerning the goods packaged,

(b) storing said goods in said package,

(g) displaying said goods in said package for sale.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said information which is machine readable is applied to a label which is, in turn, applied to the package.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the information which is machine readable is applied directly to the packaging.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein step (c) is performed by applying the information which is purchaser readable to a label which is, in turn, applied to the package.

10. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein step (c) is performed by applying the information which is purchaser readable directly to the packaging.

11. Apparatus for reading machine readable label information and for marking further label information on a package which is purchaser readable comprising: means for reading said machine readable information in said label, means for processing the read information to generate a printing signal to an associated printing means and to print said further information on said package.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said further information is printed on a label in a label providing device and said label is then transferable to said package.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said machine readable label information is positioned on said package in a pre-determined area and said apparatus includes registration means against which said package can locate whereby to align said machine readable label information relative to said means for reading said machine readable information.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said registration means comprises a first surface on which a base of said package can locate and a second surface upon which an edge of said package can locate.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 including scanning means for scanning a surface of said package to locate the position of the machine readable information; moving means to move the means for reading said machine readable information to the machine readable information, and control means for controlling the moving means in response to the scanning means.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said printing means is carried with said means for reading said machine readable information whereby said user readable information can be printed in proximity with said machine readable information.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said printing means is an ink jet printing means.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said printing means is provided in a hand held wand so it can be manually positioned over said package to enable said purchaser readable information to be printed on said package.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said wand contains a supply of labels and said printing means prints to said labels so a printed label can be provided from said wand to be applied on said package.

20. Packaging apparatus for packaging goods such as red meats in a package comprising a base on which the goods are placed, there being a transparent flexible web of material overlaying the goods and holding the goods relative to said base, a lid over said flexible web and sealed relative to said base and defining a space between said lid and said flexible web, a gas for enhancing preservation of said goods in said space and permeating said flexible web, said flexible web being chosen to be of a material which has desired gas permeating properties, said lid being removable from said base leaving said flexible web intact and still holding said goods to said base, said apparatus being characterised by having a labelling device for applying machine readable information to said flexible web concerning information about goods over which said flexible web and said information are to overlay.

21. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 20 including weighing means for weighing the goods to be packaged, control means for receiving information concerning the weight of the goods so weighed and for activating said labelling device for applying said machine readable information to said flexible web.

22. Packaging apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said labelling device contains a supply of labels and said labelling device will apply said machine readable information to said labels so the labels can then be transferred to said flexible web.