Patent Publication Number: US-2023159251-A1

Title: Packages, packaged products and methods of use

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to packaging, and in particular to packages which aid in separation of packaging parts for more environmentally friendly disposal. The present application also relates to packaged products including such packages and methods of using such packages. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional packages include recyclable components, such as base trays, and non-recyclable components, such as polymeric liners. Base trays with polymeric liners have been used in various applications. These applications include packaging for various items, including industrial or consumer goods products and food products. The base tray has advantages of low cost, low weight, recyclability, thermal insulation, tangible haptics, and high stiffness. The polymeric liner is added to enhance the physical properties of the base tray, including sealing properties, moisture resistance, gas barrier, grease and flavor resistance, and durability. Currently, polymeric liners are deficient in regard to recyclability such that the polymeric liner must be separated from the base tray in order to facilitate recycling of the base tray. 
     Often manual separation can be difficult or results in too much of the recyclable component (i.e., the base tray) and/or the non-recyclable component (i.e., the polymeric liner) remaining adhered to each other after separation. Thus, as the difficulty of separating the two components increases, the likelihood that the recyclable component will be recycled decreases. 
     SUMMARY 
     A package has been developed which includes a tray with a rigid component and a liner component. The package facilitates separation of non-recyclable and recyclable or recyclable and differentiated recyclable package components from each other after use. The package further includes a lid including a peel initiation portion and an adhered area that includes a seal between the peel initiator portion and the liner component, such that the peel initiator portion allows separation of the liner component from the rigid component. 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure is a package including a lid, a tray, and an adhered area. The lid includes a peel initiator portion, a remaining portion, and a lid-flange portion. The tray includes a rigid component and a liner component including a liner-flange portion. The adhered area includes a seal between the peel initiator portion and the liner component. The lid-flange portion includes the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion. The adhered area includes the lid-flange portion of the peel initiator portion and the liner-flange portion. Further, the adhered area includes 90 percent or less of the peel initiator portion. 
     In some embodiments, the liner-flange portion includes an edge that includes a non-linear edge portion and the adhered area includes the non-linear edge portion. 
     In some embodiments, the package includes a liner bond strength between the rigid component and the liner component, and a bond strength of the adhered area. The bond strength of the adhered area is greater than the liner bond strength. 
     In some embodiments, the peel initiator portion further includes an unadhered area adjoined to the adhered area. 
     In some embodiments, the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion are adjoined along a line of weakness. 
     In some embodiments, the rigid component includes at least one of a semi-rigid polymeric material, a rigid polymeric material, a fiber-based component, and a formable paper. 
     In some embodiments, the rigid component includes amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET). 
     In some embodiments, the liner component includes at least one barrier layer. 
     In some embodiments, a material of the rigid component and a material of the liner component have different recycling profiles. 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of using the previously described. The method includes providing the package and grasping the peel initiator of the lid to peelably separate the liner component from the rigid component. 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure is a package including a lid, a tray, and an adhered area. The lid includes a peel initiator portion, a remaining portion, and a lid edge. The tray includes a rigid component and a liner component including a liner edge. The liner edge includes a non-linear edge portion. The adhered area includes a seal between the peel initiator portion and the liner component. The lid edge includes the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion. The adhered area includes the lid edge of the peel initiator portion and the non-linear edge portion of the liner edge. Further, the adhered area includes 90 percent or less of the peel initiator portion. 
     In some embodiments, the package further includes a liner bond strength between the rigid component and the liner component and a bond strength of the adhered area. The bond strength of the adhered area is greater than the liner bond strength. 
     In some embodiments, the peel initiator includes an unadhered area adjoined to the adhered area. 
     In some embodiments, the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion are adjoined along a line of weakness. 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure is a packaged product including a lid, a tray, an adhered area, and a product. The lid includes a peel initiator portion, a remaining portion, and a lid-flange portion. The tray includes a rigid component and a liner component including a liner-flange portion edge. The adhered area includes a seal between the peel initiator portion and the liner component. The product is disposed within the tray. The lid-flange portion includes the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion. The adhered area includes the lid-flange portion of the peel initiator portion and the liner-flange portion. Further, the adhered area includes 90 percent or less of the peel initiator portion. 
     In some embodiments, the liner-flange portion includes an edge that includes a non-linear edge portion and the adhered area includes the non-linear edge portion. 
     In some embodiments, the packaged product includes a liner bond strength between the rigid component and the liner component, and a bond strength of the adhered area. The bond strength of the adhered area is greater than the liner bond strength. 
     In some embodiments, the peel initiator portion includes an unadhered area adjoined to the adhered area. 
     In some embodiments, the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion are adjoined along a line of weakness. 
     In some embodiments, a material of the rigid component and a material of the liner component have different recycling profiles. 
     There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a package; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a schematic top view of one embodiment of the package depicted in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a packaged product; 
         FIG.  4 A  illustrates a schematic top view of one embodiment of a peel initiator portion of a lid of the package; 
         FIG.  4 B  illustrates a schematic top view of one embodiment of a portion of a liner edge of a liner component of the package; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 H  illustrate schematic top views of various embodiments of the peel initiator portion having different adhered areas; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  illustrate an exemplary method of using the package; 
         FIG.  7 A- 7 B  illustrate schematic views of a tray and a liner component coupled to a lid, respectively, after separation of the tray from the liner component; 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 C  illustrate another exemplary method steps of using the package; and 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  illustrate an exemplary method of manufacturing the package. 
     
    
    
     The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. It will be understood, however, that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present application describes a package including a lid, a tray, and an adhered area. The lid includes a peel initiator portion, a remaining portion, and a lid-flange portion. The tray includes a rigid component and a liner component including a liner-flange portion. The adhered area includes a seal between the peel initiator portion and the liner component. The lid-flange portion includes the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion. The adhered area includes the lid-flange portion of the peel initiator portion and the liner-flange portion. Further, the adhered area includes 90 percent or less of the peel initiator portion. The peel initiator portion of the lid may aid in separation of the liner component from the rigid component after use of the package. Specifically, the peel initiator portion may allow a user to peelably separate the liner component from the rigid component after use so that the liner component and the rigid component can be put into appropriate waste and recycling streams. The peel initiator portion may allow separation of the liner component from the rigid component of the package without any additional material, apparatus or tools. The present disclosure may therefore provide ease in recycling of the rigid component of the package or non-rigid components if they lend themselves to being recycled. 
     One embodiment of a package  100  is illustrated in  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  2    is a top view of package  100 .  FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of a packaged product  200  including package  100  and a product  130 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , package  100  includes a package body  102  having a top portion  104 , a bottom portion  106  and side portions  108  connecting bottom portion  106  to top portion  104 . Bottom portion  106  and side portions  108  define a recessed cavity  110  (shown in  FIG.  3   ). Top portion  104  includes an opening  112  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) providing access to recessed cavity  110 . 
     Bottom portion  106  and side portions  108  of package body  102  include a thermoformed tray  116  (hereinafter referred to as “tray  116 ”). Specifically, the combined bottom portion  106  and side portions  108  are in the form of tray  116 . Tray  116  may be of any desired shape, such as, for example, rectangular, square, circular, or polygonal depending on both functional and aesthetic requirements. Tray  116  may be thermoformed to any depth as desired depending upon type and amount of product  130  to be packaged. Tray  116  includes one recessed cavity  110  in the illustrated embodiments. It should also be appreciated that tray  116  may be configured to include two or more recessed areas (not shown) depending again on both functional and aesthetic requirements of a particular packaging application. 
     Tray  116  includes a rigid component  117  and a liner component  119 . Liner component  119  is disposed on rigid component  117 , such that product  130  is disposed on liner component  119 . Rigid component  117  and liner component  119  form the top portion, bottom and side portions  104 ,  106 ,  108  of package body  102 . Rigid component  117  further includes a flange  123  in top portion  104 . Flange  123  is defined by rigid component  117  and surrounds opening  112  of top portion  104 . Liner component  119  includes a liner-flange portion  121  and a liner edge  124 . Liner-flange portion  121  is a portion of liner component  119  that includes (i.e., overlies) flange  123 . In some embodiments, a material of rigid component  117  and a material of liner component  119  have different recycling profiles, that is, made from different recyclable materials. In some cases, both liner component  119  and the rigid component  117  may be recyclable in separate recycling streams. In some other cases, the liner component  119  may not be recyclable and may be disposed of in a waste stream. In other cases, the liner component  119  may be recyclable and the rigid component  117  may not be recyclable and may be disposed of in a waste stream. 
     In some embodiments, rigid component  117  includes at least one of a semi-rigid polymeric material, a rigid polymeric material, a fiber-based component, and a formable paper. In a non-limiting example, rigid component  117  includes amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET). PET is a polymeric resin that is recyclable. Semi-rigid and rigid are terms that refer to different stiffness levels of rigid component  117 . 
     In some embodiments, liner component  119  includes a thermoformable liner component material designed to be applied on rigid component  117 , such that liner component  119  can be removed from rigid component  117 , for example, to facilitate recycling of rigid component  117 . Liner component  119  can include at least one barrier layer in order to provide favorable barrier properties, such as a low oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and/or a low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). Other favorable properties of liner component  119  is that the material used to make liner component  119  (or at least the portions which contact a product) can be selected to minimize release or any inadvertent contamination of liner component  119  into package  100 . 
     In some embodiments, liner component  119  may be relatively thin (e.g., about 4 mils to about 8 mils, equivalent to about 101.6 microns to about 203.2 microns in thickness), such that relatively little polymeric resin is required to produce it, and the process of its discard results in relatively little waste material. Being composed of a mixture of polymeric resins, liner component  119  may be practically non-recyclable. However, the ability to peel liner component  119  from rigid component  117  means that the bulkier rigid or semi-rigid component  117  of tray  116  can be recycled, while only the relatively small (less bulk) liner component  119  may need to be discarded (or incinerated) as waste material. In this way, removal of liner component  119  from rigid component  117  of tray  116  can significantly decrease the quantity and volume of refuse which must be landfilled, incinerated, or otherwise disposed of. 
     Package  100  further includes a lid  122 . Lid  122  is disposed on top portion  104  of liner-flange portion  121  and covers opening  112 . Specifically, lid  122  is disposed on liner component  119  of tray  116 . Lid  122  may be made of a polypropylene film coated on one face with a pressure sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, a thickness of lid  122  can vary from about  20  microns to about  65  microns. In some cases, lid  122  may be a multilayer film, that is, a film including more than one layer, and one of the layers may include a barrier material, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), or any other suitable barrier material. Lid  122  may have any suitable shape, for example, rectangular, square, polygonal, circular, or elliptical depending on both functional and aesthetic requirements that is applicable with the corresponding tray  116 . 
     In some embodiments, the materials used in lid  122  may be such that lid  122  is attachable to liner component  119  and can exhibit one or more properties (e.g., tensile strength, barrier properties, ability to carry printing or adhesive labels, and surface appearance) required for the desired application. The material of lid  122  and the material of liner component  119  can be same or different. 
     Lid  122  includes a peel initiator portion  125 , a remaining portion  118 , a lid-flange portion  114 , and a lid edge  115 . Lid-flange portion  114  includes peel initiator portion  125  and remaining portion  118 . Lid-flange portion  114  corresponds to portion of lid  122  that is disposed above liner-flange portion  121  in flange  123  of rigid component  117 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS.  1  to  3   , package  100  includes a single peel initiator portion  125  disposed on lid  122 . However, in other embodiments, multiple peel initiator portions  125  may be provided on lid  122 . Package  100  further includes an adhered area  126 . Adhered area  126  includes lid-flange portion  114  of peel initiator portion  125  and liner-flange portion  121 . Specifically, adhered area  126  includes a portion of lid-flange portion  114  of peel initiator portion  125  and a portion of liner-flange portion  121  disposed below lid-flange portion  114 . More specifically, adhered area  126  includes a portion of lid-flange portion  114  that includes lid edge  115  of peel initiator portion  125  and a portion of liner-flange portion  121  that includes liner edge  124 . Adhered area  126  includes a seal  127  between peel initiator portion  125  and liner-flange portion  121 . In other words, peel initiator portion  125  and liner-flange portion  121  are sealed to each other by seal  127 . Peel initiator portion  125  is disposed in flange  123  of rigid component  117 . Therefore, seal  127  is also provided in flange  123  of rigid component  117 . Seal  127  may be formed by impulse, ultrasonic, pressure or other seal-forming methods. In some embodiments, seal  127  may be a thermal seal formed by heating and compressing adhered area  126  of lid  122  and a corresponding area of liner-flange portion  121 . In some other embodiments, seal  127  may be formed by an adhesive disposed between adhered area  126  and liner-flange portion  121 . In some cases, adhered area  126  may include lid edge  115  and liner edge  124 . In some other cases, adhered area  126  may not include lid edge  115  or liner edge  124 . Peel initiator portion  125  may facilitate separation or peeling of liner component  119  from rigid component  117 . 
     Remaining portion  118  is the portion of lid  122  except for peel initiator portion  125 . In some embodiments, remaining portion  118  adheres or seals with liner-flange portion  121  of liner component  119  or anywhere with liner component  119  using any suitable sealing method. A peelable seal may be formed between remaining portion  118  of lid  122  and liner-flange portion  121  in flange  123  of rigid component  117 . Remaining portion  118  can be at least partially peeled from liner-flange portion  121  to provide access to recessed cavity  110 . In some embodiments, remaining portion  118  is sealed to liner-flange portion  121  by a resealable seal. In some other embodiments, remaining portion  118  is sealed to liner-flange portion  121  by a non-resealable seal. In some embodiments, remaining portion  118  of lid  122  may be attached to liner-flange portion  121  by a non-peelable seal, for example, fusion seal. 
     Peel initiator portion  125  and remaining portion  118  are adjoined along a line of weakness  120 . In some embodiments, line of weakness  120  can be at least one of a score, a cut, and a perforation that can be positioned between peel initiator portion  125  and remaining portion  118 . In some cases, line of weakness  120  can be formed by mechanical scoring or cutting. In some other cases, line of weakness  120  can be formed by laser scoring or cutting. 
     When package  100  is opened, lid  122  is initially removed (e.g., pulled away, peeled) from tray  116  from an area other than the peel initiator portion  125  and the remaining portion  118  is separated from peel initiator portion  125  at line of weakness  120 . In some cases, remaining portion  118  of lid  122  can be resealed based on application requirements. Line of weakness  120  may therefore allow peel initiator portion  125  to be attached to liner flange-portion  121  at adhered area  126  without interfering with normal use or opening of package  100 . 
     Package  100 , as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , may be used in various packaging applications for food and non-food items. Specifically, product  130  in packaged product  200  may be food items or non-food items. For example, package  100  may be used as creamer cups, pudding cups, meat trays, etc. Package  100  may facilitate recycling of relatively small packages, such as single-portion sized packages of beverage components (e.g., ground coffee or tea) or condiments (e.g., dipping sauces, milk, cream, or non-dairy creamers). Due to the small bulk of these packages and the relative difficulty of manually peeling bound liner components from them, users may choose to forego recycling these packages. Package  100  may ease peeling of liner component  119  from small packages and thereby encourage recycling of the recyclable portions of such packages. Package  100  may also be used with medium and large sized packages for containing various items, for example, cheeses, sliced cheese, sliced meat, cuts of meat, poultry, medical supplies or components, industrial components, etc. 
       FIG.  4 A  shows peel initiator portion  125  of lid  122 . Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  4 A , peel initiator portion  125  and remaining portion  118  of lid  122  are adjoined along line of weakness  120 . Peel initiator portion  125  includes adhered area  126  including seal  127 . In some embodiments, adhered area  126  includes about 90 percent or less of peel initiator portion  125 . In some other embodiments, the adhered area  126  includes seal  127  that includes lid edge  115  and liner edge  124 . Peel initiator portion  125  further includes an unadhered area  129  adjoined to adhered area  126 . Unadhered area  129  of lid  122  may be unattached (e.g., free from, not adhered, not bonded by adhesive) from liner component  119 . It should be understood that unadhered area  129  of lid  122  may include low levels of adhesion to the liner component  119 , for example, 100 g/25.4 mm or less. In these instances, manufacturing operations may impose static forces or pressure between the unadhered area  129  and the liner component  119  materials resulting in low or essentially no level of adhesion. Unadhered area  129  can function as a graspable portion (e.g., handle, shank, grip) and can be grasped by a user to separate liner component  119  from rigid component  117 . For example, unadhered area  129  may facilitate peeling of liner component  119  from the rigid component  117  in the peel initiation portion  125 . The unadhered area  129  may provide a sufficient amount of material for a user to grasp onto that allows for pulling (e.g., peeling) the liner component  119  from the rigid component  117  without ergonomic issue. Unadhered area  129  may eliminate the need of a tab (e.g., material that extends beyond the lid edge  115  and/or the liner edge  124  that may serve as a graspable feature). For example, a tab may be a separate material attached to liner component, placed in between liner component and rigid component, or an extension of liner component. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 B , liner edge  124  includes a non-linear edge portion  141  and a linear edge portion  142 . Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  4 B , liner-flange portion  121  has a shape that conforms to a shape of flange  123  of rigid component  117 . In the illustrated embodiment, non-linear edge portion  141  corresponds to a rounded (e.g., arcuate) portion of liner-flange portion  121 , while linear edge portion  142  corresponds to straight portions adjoining non-linear edge portion  141 . Adhered area  126  includes lid-flange portion  114  of peel initiator portion  125  and liner-flange portion  121 . In other words, adhered area  126  also includes a corresponding area of liner-flange portion  121 . That is, the lid edge  115  and the liner edge  124 , which may include non-linear and linear edge portions  141 ,  142 , may correspond to each other in peel initiator portion  125 . Adhered area  126  includes non-linear edge portion  141  of lid-flange portion  114 . Accordingly, adhered area  126  can be located in non-linear edge portion  141  of lid-flange portion  114 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, peel initiator portion  125  is substantially triangular in shape with a rounded (e.g., arcuate) corner. However, any other shape of peel initiator portion  125  is possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Exemplary shapes include circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, oval, trapezoidal, polygonal, etc. Further, peel initiator portion  125  is located in a rounded corner of flange  123  of rigid component  117 . However, any other location of peel initiator portion  125  on flange  123  is possible within the scope of the present disclosure (e.g., linear, non-linear or arcuate edge portions). 
     In some embodiments, material in the peel initiator portion  125  can be made thicker than remaining portion  118  for better grasp by user. This may be achieved by adding one or more additional layers of film to peel initiator portion  125 . 
     In some embodiments, peel initiator portion  125  can be provided with one or more protrusions (e.g., embossments, texture) to improve grasping of peel initiator portion  125  by the user in different circumstances, such as in applications involving slippery or oily products. Peel initiator portion  125  can have any suitable shape and dimensions on flange  123  of rigid component  117 . Peel initiator portion  125  can be colored, textured, embossed, or provided with any other attribute to differentiate it from remaining portion  118 . 
     Further, in the illustrated embodiment, adhered area  126  has a substantially rectangular shape. However, adhered area  126  may have any alternative shape, for example, circular, elliptical, oval, triangular, polygonal, irregular, etc. 
     Package  100  further includes a liner bond strength between rigid component  117  and liner component  119 , and a bond strength of adhered area  126 . In some embodiments, the bond strength of the adhered area  126  is greater than the liner bond strength. This may enable peeling of the liner component  119  from the rigid component  117  by grasping or pulling peel initiator portion  125  without failure or rupture of adhered area  126 . In some embodiments, multiple adhered areas  126  can be included in peel initiator portion  125  to increase bond strength between peel initiator portion  125  and liner-flange portion  121 . 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 H  illustrate peel initiator portion  125  with different shapes, areas, and locations of the adhered area  126 . The adhered area  126  may be provided with different areas, locations, and shapes based on application requirements (e.g., form-fill seal or pre-form tray applications). The parameters of the adhered area  126  may be selected to allow easy peeling of liner component  119  from rigid component  117  with the peel initiator portion  125 . Further, unadhered area  129  may provide a sufficient area of material for grasping of peel initiator portion  125  for the user. Moreover, the bond strength of the adhered area  126  may be high enough to avoid any undesired peeling of peel initiator portion  125  from liner-flange portion  121 . 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 H  in conjunction with  FIGS.  1 - 4    will be discussed in detail below.  FIG.  5 A  shows an adhered area  202  that is about 80 percent of an area of peel initiator portion  125 . Further, adhered area  202  includes a rounded corner (arcuate edge) and linear edges of peel initiator portion  125  that include lid edge  115  and liner edge  124 . 
       FIG.  5 B  shows an adhered area  204  that is about 20 percent or less of the area of peel initiator portion  125 . Adhered area  204  includes the rounded corner of peel initiator portion  125  that includes lid edge  115  and liner edge  124 . 
       FIG.  5 C  shows an adhered area  206  that is about 10 percent or less of the area of peel initiator portion  125 . Further, adhered area  206  does not include any of the lid or liner edges  115 ,  124  of peel initiator portion  125 . 
       FIG.  5 D  shows an adhered area  208  that is about 15 percent or less of the area of peel initiator portion  125 . Further, adhered area  208  includes one of the linear edges of lid edge  115  and liner edge  124  of peel initiator portion  125 . 
       FIG.  5 E  shows an adhered area  210  that is about 30 percent or less of the area of peel initiator portion  125 . Adhered area  208  further includes the lid edge  115  and the liner edge  124  of peel initiator portion  125 . 
       FIG.  5 F  shows an adhered area  212  that is about 15 percent or less of the area of peel initiator portion  125 . Adhered area  212  includes the lid edge  115  and the liner edge  124  of peel initiator portion  125 . A geometry of adhered area  212  shown in  FIG.  5 F  is different from a geometry of adhered area  204  shown in  FIG.  5 B . However, locations of adhered areas  204 ,  212  relative to peel initiator portion  125  may be substantially similar. 
       FIG.  5 G  shows an adhered area  214  that is about 15 percent or less of the area of peel initiator portion  125 . Adhered area  214  also includes lid edge  115  and liner edge  124  of peel initiator portion  125 . A geometry of adhered area  214  shown in  FIG.  5 G  is similar to the geometry of adhered area  212  shown in  FIG.  5 F . However, locations of adhered areas  212 ,  214  are different. 
       FIG.  5 H  shows an adhered area  216  that is about 50 percent or less of the area of peel initiator portion  125 . Adhered area  216  does not include the lid edge  115  or the liner edge  124  of peel initiator portion  125 . 
     In some embodiments, the adhered area  126 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216  may be from greater than 0 percent to 90 percent of the area of the peel initiator portion  125 . For example, the adhered area  126 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 ,  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216  may be 90 percent, 85 percent, 80 percent, 70 percent, 60 percent, 50 percent, 40 percent, 30 percent, 20 percent, 10 percent, 5 percent, or any percentage therebetween and greater than 0 percent of the area of the peel initiator portion  125 . 
     In some embodiments, a method may be provided which includes providing package  100 . Further, the method may include grasping peel initiator portion  125  of lid  122  to peelably separate liner component  119  from rigid component  117 . 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  illustrate a first method of using package  100 . In some embodiments, the first method includes providing package  100 . The first method further includes grasping peel initiator portion  125  to peelably separate liner component  119  from rigid component  117 , and more specifically, grasping unadhered area  129 . A user may implement the first method before disposing package  100 . The user may separate remaining portion  118  from peel initiator portion  125  along line of weakness  120 , as illustrated with reference to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B . In an example, when lid  122  is opened by the user, the remaining portion  118  may separate from peel initiator portion  125  along line of weakness  120  (see enlarged gap of line of weakness  120  in  FIG.  6 B  when compared to  FIG.  6 A ). Lid  122  is opened to gain access to the contents of package  100 . In the illustrated method, remaining portion  118  may be resealable or reclosable. This may allow opening of lid  122  of package  100  to gain access to the contents, followed by resealing of remaining portion  118  to obtain the configuration of package  100 , as illustrated in  FIG.  6 B . In some cases, the user may reseal remaining portion  118  to liner component  119  before disposal of package  100 . Then, the user may grasp peel initiator portion  125 , or more specifically, unadhered area  129  and initiate removal of liner component  119  (attached to peel initiator portion  125  by adhered area  126 ) from rigid component  117  of tray  116 , as shown in  FIG.  60   . The bond strength between peel initiator portion  125  and liner edge  121  is greater than the bond strength between liner edge  121  and rigid component  117 . This difference in bond strength may facilitate peeling of liner-flange portion  121  and, or liner edge  125  from rigid component  117 , as illustrated in  FIG.  6 C . With reference to  FIGS.  7 A- 7 B , this difference in bond strength may allow fast, convenient and user-friendly separation of liner component  119  and lid  122  including peel initiator portion  125  and remaining portion  118  (illustrated in  FIG.  7 B ) from rigid component  117  (illustrated in  FIG.  7 A ), for desired recycling. 
     In some cases, liner component  119  and lid  122  may be recyclable in a recycling stream that is different from that of rigid component  117 . Separation of liner component  119  and lid  122  from rigid component  117  may therefore be required before recycling. 
       FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  illustrate rigid component  117  separated from liner component  119  and lid  122 . In some embodiments, rigid component  117  includes APET (Amorphous polyethylene terephthalate), which is recyclable. Therefore, after separation from liner component  119 , rigid component  117  can be recycled, while liner component  119  together with lid  122  may be recycled or disposed accordingly. Simultaneous removal of both liner component  119  and lid  122  may be possible in case of resealable attachment between remaining portion  118  of lid  122  and liner edge  121  of liner component  119 . 
     In some embodiments, the bond strength of adhered area  126  is greater than liner bond strength between rigid component  117  and liner component  119 . More particularly, the bond strength between liner-flange portion  121  of liner component  119  and peel initiator portion  125  of lid  122  is greater than the liner bond strength between liner component  119  and rigid component  117  of tray  116 . Therefore, during removal of liner component  119 , rigid component  117  is left in its original state (it is not cut, bent, folded, scored, altered, etc.), while liner component  119  remains adhered to peel initiator portion  125  and can be subsequently peeled from rigid component  117 . 
       FIGS.  8 A- 8 C  illustrate a second method of using package  100 . In the second method, remaining portion  118  of lid  122  is removed prior to disposing package  100 , as illustrated in  FIG.  8 B . However, liner component  119  and peel initiator portion  125  of lid  122  remain adhered to each other by seal  127 . When package  100  is opened, the user separates remaining portion  118  of lid  122  from peel initiator portion  125  at line of weakness  120 . This may allow removal of remaining portion  118 , while retaining peel initiator portion  125 . As shown in  FIG.  8 C , liner component  119  is peeled from rigid component  117  by grasping and pulling unadhered area  129  of peel initiator portion  125 . Rigid component  117  may be then recycled, while liner component  119  may be recycled or disposed. 
     As used herein, “peel strength” is the measure of the average force to part two bonded materials such as tape, labels, textile, or plastic films. The strength is calculated during a peel test (ASTM F88) at a constant speed rate by dividing the average force required during the test by the unit width of the bonded samples. As will be evident to a person having knowledge in the art, lidding (i.e., lid  122 ) to liner component  119  can change such as to yield a range of peel strengths. The range of the peel strengths listed in the present disclosure shall be wide enough to cover both peak and average peel strengths, however the present disclosure is not to be limited by the peel strengths in any manner. 
     In some embodiments, package  100  of the present disclosure may have different values of peel strength between different components, layers, and the like. The peel strength between liner component  119  and rigid component  117  may be based upon various parameters, for example, peeling location, peeling action, type, location, style etc. of peeling action by users. The peel strength for liner component  119  to rigid component  117  in case of flat sheet or strip taken from bottom portion  106  of tray  116  may be in the range from about 300 grams/inch (g/in equal to g/25.4 mm) to about 1,500 g/in. The peel strength for liner component  119  to rigid component  117 , if peeling from the corner of flange  123  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) or peel initiator portion  125 , may be in the range from about 500 g/in to about 2,500 Win. The peel strength for liner component  119  to rigid component  117 , if peeling from around the center of flange  123  of rigid component  117 , may be in the range from about 2,000 Win to about 6,500 g/in. Further, the bond strength between rigid component  117  and liner component  119  may change with a thickness of tray  116 . The peel strength between lid  122  and liner component  119  may be in the range from about 400 g/in to about 4,000 Win (fusion seal or non-peelable liddings can have a value greater than 5,000 g/in in some embodiments). In some embodiments, the bond strength of adhered area  126  including seal  127  may be greater than 3,000 Win. In some other embodiments, the bond strength of adhered area  126  including seal  127  may be greater than 5,000 Win. 
       FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  illustrate a method of manufacture of packaged product  200 . The method involves selecting rigid component  117  of any suitable polymeric thermoformable material know in the art. In the present disclosure, APET (Amorphous polyethylene terephthalate) may be the material of choice, which is a polymeric resin and has many advantageous characteristics as already discussed above. After selecting the material of rigid component  117 , the material of liner component  119  may be selected. Again, liner component  119  can be made of any suitable thermoformable material known in the art. Different possibilities of materials for liner component  119  have already been discussed above in greater detail. After selecting the materials for rigid component  117  and liner component  119 , rigid component  117  and liner component  119  are adhered or sealed together, as illustrated in  FIG.  9 A , using any suitable sealing method. In  FIG.  9 A , rigid and liner components  117 ,  119  are in the form of sheets. 
     In some embodiments, composition of liner component  119  and the amount of, or thickness of, rigid component  117  can vary the bond strength. Further, the bond strength is altered based on the draw depth due to the added stresses imposed on the bonds when being formed into a package. 
     After adhering together, liner component  119  and rigid component  117  form a multilayer component on which thermoforming is performed to form a component in the shape of tray  116 , as shown in  FIG.  9 B . In the most common method of high-volume, continuous thermoforming of this multilayer component, the multilayer component is fed from a roll or from an extruder into a set of indexing chains that incorporate pins or spikes for piercing the multilayer component and transporting it through an oven for heating to forming temperature of approximately 280 degrees Fahrenheit (138 degrees Celsius). The heated multilayer component then indexes into a form station where a mating mold and a pressure-box close on the multilayer component, with vacuum then applied to remove trapped air and to pull the material into or onto the mold along with pressurized air to form the multilayer component to the detailed shape of the mold. 
     After tray  116  is formed, product  130  to be packaged may be placed in recessed cavity  110  of tray  116 . Lid  122  is then applied to tray  116 . Seal  127  may be formed to seal or adhere peel initiator portion  125  of lid  122  to liner edge  121 . A different sealing method may be used to attach liner edge  121  to remaining portion  118  of lid  122 . Typically, the bond strength of seal  127  is greater than a bond strength between remaining portion  118  of lid  122  and liner edge  121 . Further, the bond strength of adhered area  126  is greater than the bond strength between rigid component  117  and liner component  119 . Lid  122  is then divided into two portions namely peel initiator portion  125  and remaining portion  118  by forming line of weakness  120 , as illustrated in  FIG.  9 C . Line of weakness  120  may be formed mechanically or by laser, as discussed above. In some embodiments, line of weakness  120  is first formed in lid  122 , and then lid  122  attached to liner edge  121 . 
     EMBODIMENTS 
     Package Embodiments 
     A. A package comprising:
         a lid comprising a peel initiator portion, a remaining portion and a lid-flange portion;   a tray comprising a rigid component and a liner component comprising a liner-flange portion; and   an adhered area comprising a seal between the peel initiator portion and the liner component;   wherein the lid-flange portion comprises the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion, wherein the adhered area comprises the lid-flange portion of the peel initiator portion and the liner-flange portion, and wherein the adhered area comprises 90 percent or less of the peel initiator portion.
 
B. The package according to embodiment A, wherein the liner-flange portion comprises an edge comprising a non-linear edge portion and the adhered area comprises the non-linear edge portion.
 
C. The package according to any other embodiment, further comprising a liner bond strength between the rigid component and the liner component and a bond strength of the adhered area, and wherein the bond strength of the adhered area is greater than the liner bond strength.
 
D. The package according to any other embodiment, wherein the peel initiator portion further comprises an unadhered area adjoined to the adhered area.
 
E. The package according to any other embodiment, wherein the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion are adjoined along a line of weakness.
 
F. The package according to any other embodiment, wherein the rigid component comprises at least one of a semi-rigid polymeric material, a rigid polymeric material, a fiber-based component and a formable paper.
 
G. The package according to any other embodiment, wherein the rigid component comprises amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET).
 
H. The package according to any other embodiment, wherein the liner component comprises at least one barrier layer.
 
I. The package according to any other embodiment, wherein a material of the rigid component and a material of the liner component have different recycling profiles.
 
J. A method of using the package according to any other embodiment, the method comprising the steps of:
   providing the package; and   grasping the peel initiator portion of the lid to peelably separate the liner component from the rigid component.
 
K. A package comprising:
   a lid comprising a peel initiator portion, a remaining portion and a lid edge;   a tray comprising a rigid component and a liner component comprising a liner edge, the liner edge comprising a non-linear edge portion; and   an adhered area comprising a seal between the peel initiator portion and the liner component;   wherein the lid edge comprises the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion, wherein the adhered area comprises the lid edge of the peel initiator portion and the non-linear edge portion of the liner edge, and wherein the adhered area comprises 90 percent or less of the peel initiator portion.
 
L. The package of any embodiment, wherein a material of the rigid component and a material of the liner component have different recycling profiles.
       

     Packaged Product Embodiments 
     M. A packaged product comprising:
         a lid comprising a peel initiator portion, a remaining portion and a lid-flange portion;   a tray comprising a rigid component and a liner component comprising a liner-flange portion;   an adhered area comprising a seal between the peel initiator portion and the liner component; and   a product disposed within the tray;   wherein the lid-flange portion comprises the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion, wherein the adhered area comprises the lid-flange portion of the peel initiator portion and the liner-flange portion, and wherein the adhered area comprises 90 percent or less of the peel initiator portion.
 
N. The packaged product according to any other embodiment, wherein the liner-flange portion comprises an edge comprising a non-linear edge portion and the adhered area comprises the non-linear edge portion.
 
O. The packaged product according to any other embodiment, further comprising a liner bond strength between the rigid component and the liner component and a bond strength of the adhered area, and wherein the bond strength of the adhered area is greater than the liner bond strength.
 
P. The packaged product according to any other embodiment, wherein the peel initiator portion further comprises an unadhered area adjoined to the adhered area.
 
Q. The packaged product according to any other embodiment, wherein the peel initiator portion and the remaining portion are adjoined along a line of weakness.
 
R. The packaged product according to any other embodiment, wherein a material of the rigid component and a material of the liner component have different recycling profiles.
 
S. The packaged according to any other embodiment, wherein the rigid component comprises at least one of a semi-rigid polymeric material, a rigid polymeric material, a fiber-based component and a formable paper.
       

     Each and every document cited in this present application, including any cross referenced, is incorporated in this present application in its entirety by this reference, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any embodiment disclosed in this present application or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests, or discloses any such embodiment. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this present application conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this present application governs. 
     The description, examples, embodiments, and drawings disclosed are illustrative only and should not be interpreted as limiting. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present application are approximations that can vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation using the teachings disclosed in the present application. Modifications and other embodiments will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the packaging arts, and all such modifications and other embodiments are intended and deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.