This Concept Room contains ideas for ready meal packaging at different stages of relatively early development. The initial design creations featured are in sketch form and aim to stimulate innovation in packaging.  

The concepts originated from a WRAP-industry workshop attended by grocery retailers and their supply chain and was facilitated by Design Bridge.  

Making small changes and thinking outside of what is currently being used can make a significant difference to the amount of packaging that is being used and the consumers experience.

Think 'out of the box' and stimulate change - can you take it further?

Scroll through the blue sky concepts and be inspired.

Ready Meals

There are many opportunities that can be linked to consumer interaction with their ready meal and some of these have been displayed in the diagram. Examples to inspire you are shown in the following presentation ... click away...

Ready Meals

Opportunities to redesign the sleeve

• an open-ended sleeve represents 35% reduction 
• a half sleeve represents a 67.5% reduction )
• a band (one third of a sleeve) represents 78.3% reductions
• suitable for use in the oven and microwave

Benchmark is a fully closed carton based on a size of 50mm by 180mm by 120mm

Ready Meals

Making meal time fun for kids

The sleeve could be removed altogether and replaced with a tray with a printed board lid. It could even have an element of fun introduced, for example  'perforated' eye sections that pop up when the meal has cooked.

• perforated sections
• round eyes pop open once cooked
• potential weight saving of 30%
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Reducing the sleeve by half

• graphic panels on front and edge allow flexible merchandising
• potential weight saving of 26%
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

This concept has been developed into a 3-dimensional model on the next slide.

Ready Meals

Reducing the sleeve by half

This model has been developed from the concept on the previous slide.

• top and slide graphic areas
• side-stand option for on shelf merchandising
• consumers can remove the sleeve to view the product easily 
• 42% reduction in packaging

Ready Meals

Foody No.1

This packaging allows the consumer to be involved in the creation of their meal. It could be made using CPET and ovenable board.

• enhance food values
• reduce material by 10%
• separates meal components
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Foody No.2

This creates a distinct identity for a ready meal range, such as oriental foods. It could be made from a CPET cup with a printed board lid hermatically sealed.

• enhanced food value
• potential weight saving 15% 
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Foody No.3

This creates a distinct identity for a ready meal range, such as oriental foods. It could made made from full board pack.

• enhanced food value
• potential weight saving 25% 
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Foody No.4 

This creates a distinct identity for a ready meal range. It could be made from a steam moulded carton board tray and lid.

• visually appealing to consummers
• potential weight saving 20% 
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Straight to plate No. 1

Making it easier for consumers to decant their food onto their plates.

• changes consumer behaviour/expectations
• potential weight savings of 50%
• suitable for use in the freezer and microwave

Ready Meals

Straight to plate No. 2

The meal is already in its plate so no need to decant, using a board ring and plastic bowl with a film lid.

• changes consumer behaviour/expectations
• potential weight savings of 25%
• suitable for use in the oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Flexible pouches No. 1

Pouches can provide more flexibility.  Two pouches enables food to be segmented and a central card can stand up 'on shelf' for merchandising purposes. 

• easy to store
• good product visibility
• potential weight saving 60% 
• suitable for use in the microwave

Ready Meals

Flexible pouches No. 2

Pouches can provide more flexibility and take up less space in the freezer. 

A square pouch is two joined triangular pouches with separate different meal components.  By tearing the strip at the corner the contents can be dispensed onto a plate.  

• easy to store
• good product visibility
• potential weight saving 85% 
• suitable for freezing and use in the microwave

Ready Meals

Flexible pouches No. 3

Pouches can provide more flexibility and can be developed to provide separate components.

• easy to store
• good product visibility
• potential weight saving 70% 
• suitable for use in the microwave

Ready Meals

Flexible pouches No. 4

Pouches can provide more flexibility and take up less space in the freezer.

• easy to store
• good product visibility
• potential weight saving 70% 
• suitable for use in freezer and the microwave

Ready Meals

Form and function

Revising the dimensions of the packaging can save material and add value.

• address on-shelf graphic area
• utilise thin walled injection moulding to add shape/value 
• potential weight saving of 40%

Ready Meals

Form and function

Revising the dimensions of the packaging can save material and add value.

• deep draw CPET with reduced material weight
• create a distinct look
• increase on-shelf graphic area front on
• variations to differentiate across a range
• potential weight saving of 12%

This concept has been used to develop some concepts in the next 2 slides.

Ready Meals

Form and function

Revising the dimensions of the packaging can save material and add value.

• creates a distinct look
• increase on-shelf graphic area front on
• potential weight saving of 40%
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

This concept has been used to develop a model shown on the next slide.

Ready Meals

Form and function No. 1

Revising the dimensions of the packaging can save material and add value.

• deep draw CPET
• creates a distinct look
• increase on-shelf graphic area front on
• 38% reduction in CPET surface area
• 37% reduction in sleeve surface area
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Form and function No. 2

Revising the dimensions of the packaging can save material and add value.

• deep draw CPET
• creates a distinct look
• increase on-shelf graphic area front on
• 40% reduction in packaging weight
• suitable for use in the freezer, oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Form and function No. 3

The packaging is curved allowing it to be easily decanted to a plate.

• changes consumer behaviour/expectations
• end stand option
• potential weight savings of 42% in carton
• potential weight savings of 23% in CPET surface area
• suitable for use in the oven and microwave

Ready Meals

Form and function No. 4

The packaging uses flexible pouch/bag/sachet technology with an organic shape.

• potential weight savings of 20-40%
• suitable for use in the microwave

Ready Meals

Form and function No. 5

The packaging uses a foam tray.

• keep seal integrity and potential for MAP
• utilise the foam print flexibility to differentiate range
• safe handlings when removed from microwave
• potential weight saving of 70%
• suitable for use in the microwave

Ready Meals

 Keeping it simple No. 1

The packaging removes the use of a sleeve completely.

• printed film lid for graphics
• potential weight savings of 70%
• suitable for use in the microwave

Ready Meals

 Keeping it simple No. 2

The packaging only uses a hinged lid with a sleeve with graphics on the side.

• side panel for display on shelf
• potential weight savings of 45%
• suitable for use in the microwave

Ready Meals

 Keeping it simple No. 3

The packaging only uses a watch strap with graphics.

• potential weight savings of 45%
• suitable for use in the microwave