Patent ID: 8770427

Claim:
A rigid or semi-rigid container assembly ( 10 , 110 ) comprising a support ( 20 , 120 ) and a frame ( 30 , 130 ), wherein the support ( 20 , 120 ) comprises a peripheral flange ( 21 , 121 ) outwardly extending from the support ( 20 , 120 ) and an open mouth ( 5 , 105 ), and the frame ( 30 , 130 ) comprises a rim ( 32 , 132 ), which is shaped to cooperate with the flange ( 21 , 121 ) to be releasably secured onto the support ( 20 , 120 ) when the container assembly ( 10 , 110 ) is in a closed state, characterized in that the rim ( 32 , 132 ) of the frame ( 30 , 130 ) extends only over a fraction of the flange ( 21 , 121 ), thus leaving at least an inner edge part ( 22 , 122 ) of the flange ( 21 , 121 ) not covered by the rim ( 32 , 132 ) of the frame ( 30 , 130 ), wherein the frame defines a central opening ( 35 ) which leaves the open mouth of the support uncovered by the frame when the container assembly is in the closed state, and the open mouth of the support remains uncovered in the closed state so that products can be loaded onto the support through the central opening of the frame, and wherein both the rim of the frame and the part of the flange not covered by the rim have a flat shape and are thus adapted to form a seal with a thermoplastic film.