Abstract: A packaging container is integrally formed from plastic foam material, such as extruded polystyrene foam. The packaging container has a base, four sidewalls extending from the base, and four corners, each extending between a pair of adjacent sidewalls. The sidewalls have substantially rectangular protrusions extending from the base to a top edge to strengthen the sidewalls against lateral forces. The sidewalls may also have rounded ribs which protrude into the interior of the packaging container for further reinforcement.

Abstract: A food serving tray, preferably of polystyrene foam, is provided having a base and bounding side walls. The base is formed with at least two bottom walls and at least one partition interposed therebetween. To provide enhanced stability and rigidity to the tray, protrusions, preferably step-shaped, are formed in the side walls located between the crests of the partitions and the top edges of the side walls. The protrusions provide changes in direction in the side walls which enhance the strength and rigidity of the tray. In addition, the bottom walls may be dished concavely so as to have portions extend upwardly. Under loading, the dished bottom walls become flattened and bi-axially stressed to further enhance the overall strength and stability of the tray.

Abstract: An egg carton is provided having various nesting/denesting features, a ventilation system, reinforced portions, and capability of accommodating and protecting various sized eggs. The nesting/denesting features include thickened corners on the lid, an indented post and a stacking ledge on the tray, each feature reducing the amount of surface contact between nesting components and facilitating denesting. The ventilation system includes channels formed in the cells of the tray and a vent which enables effective natural and artificial cooling of packaged eggs. The reinforced portions include embossments being formed on the bases of each of the cells, along with compacted raised portions. Finally, the cells are provided with high flexible walls for protecting the eggs and deflectable cushions shaped and located to securely hold eggs which are smaller than the natural size of the cells.

Abstract: A processor tray is provide for maintaining plastic film wrapped thereabout in a taut state. The tray is unitarially formed with a plurality of sidewalls, a comer joining each pair of sidewalls, and a base. A flange is formed to extend outwardly and downwardly from uppermost portions of the sidewalls and the corners preferably in the range of 15.degree.-35.degree.. Additionally, the flange may be formed with varying widths about the perimeter of the tray. The base may be either formed flat or, alternatively, the base may be formed with three concentric regions to define a concavity, with one region being planar and raised relative to the bottom of the tray.

Abstract: A bowl cover assembly having a configuration which provides for secure interlocking between the bowl and cover with at least one opening for venting purposes along the rim of the cover when the cover is locked onto the bowl.

Abstract: An egg carton integrally molded from a sheet of polystyrene material has a cover and a tray having a plurality of cells. Each cell has a bottom, and exterior and interior sidewalls extending from the bottom and surrounding said each cell and a hinge interconnecting the tray and the cover. According to one aspect of the invention, the sidewalls of each cell are configured such that expansion of the cell is biased toward the interior of the egg carton.

Abstract: A packaging tray formed of expanded polystyrene foam sheet material, having thick, curvilinearly interrupted perimeter edges. The edges are at least 10% thicker than the cross-sectional thickness of the major portions of the associated side walls of the tray. The perimeter edges are curvilinearly interrupted at at least two regular intervals along each side wall. The walls of the tray form corners which rise from the margins of the bottom panel of the tray at angles which can be greater than the angles at which the side walls rise from the bottom panel margins.

Abstract: A bowl and cover assembly includes a bowl with an annular sealing lip depending radially outwardly from the upper annular rim of the bowl. The sealing lip has an annular top sealing surface and an annular edge sealing surface. The cover has a flared annular skirt about its periphery which defines a down facing mating surface and an infacing mating surface adjacent thereto. When the cover is placed over the sealing lip the top sealing surface seats against the downfacing mating surface and the edge sealing surface seats against the infacing mating surface to form an airtight seal. An annular depression in the interior surface of the bowl extends upward from an upfacing interior shoulder to provides an air bypass region to prevent vacuum locking between adjacent stacked bowls.