Having Nonedible Spacer To Segregate All Units Of Multiunit Food Product Patents (Class 426/119)
  • Patent number: 6116500
    Abstract: A container for containing a food product and an ancillary product is provided, which includes a tubular body formed of a paperboard material, at least one retaining rim formed by bending one of the ends of the tubular body radially inwardly, and a cup for holding ancillary products and separating and protecting the ancillary products from the food product. The cup has an open end which is in engagement with the retaining rim for retaining the cup within the tubular body. In this arrangement, the container is capable of withstanding internal pressure generated by packaged dough or other pressurized products without the use of expensive, opaque crimped metal ends, thereby overcoming deficiencies of conventional product and ancillary product containers. This arrangement permits the container to utilize transparent plastic ends so that consumers may observe the ancillary product packaged in the container and avoid food product discoloration frequently caused by metal ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc.
    Inventor: Glenda J. Cahill
  • Patent number: 6110512
    Abstract: Packaging for food products is provided which combines a flexible pouch within a stand-up tent-style carton which effects display of the product in an upright orientation within a divided merchandiser. The carton has a non-uniform width. The bottom portion of the carton is narrower than the top portion of the carton, as a result of which the carton, and thus the entire package, complies with a very strict display face dimension limit of the merchandiser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur C. Teasdale, Stephen P. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 6086931
    Abstract: The sealed egg package disclosed herein includes a cup-shaped receptacle formed of transparent thermoplastic material which encloses and resiliently supports an egg therein. The receptacle is closed by a cover sheet adhesively sealed to the rim of the receptacle. The closed receptacle insulates the egg from the air and inhibits evaporation of water and escape of carbon dioxide from the egg. A gaseous atmosphere such as carbon dioxide, sealed within the receptacle and surrounding the egg protects the egg against deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Carlton L. Whiteford
  • Patent number: 6068864
    Abstract: A method of imparting resistance to moisture and texture degradation in a baked dough bread roll made from a dough formulation including a starch-degrading, bacterially derived amylase enzyme, typically in combination with one or more of gluten, gum and egg white solids. The baked dough bread roll product exhibits resistance to moisture and texture degradation during storage at refrigerated temperatures within a hermetically sealed package, gas-flushed environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Barrett, Stuart A. Cochran, Steven J. Goll
  • Patent number: 6048558
    Abstract: A packaged meal is provided in the form of a kit arrangement which is formulated and prepared for storage under refrigerated, non-frozen conditions for extended time periods within retail store showcase coolers. The kit includes a compartmentalized, hermetically sealed package, with a refrigerated baked flour-containing component or dough component within an overpouch which is sealed or unsealed and positioned within one of the compartments and being specially formulated to maintain its freshness and retarding staling during extended refrigerated storage within the hermetically sealed package. At least the compartment within which baked component is sealed has an anti-fogging agent component which further assists in maintaining freshness and retarding staling under even refrigerated, non-frozen conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Feldmeier, Reggie Finn, Mark R. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6042858
    Abstract: An improved disposable container having a removable divider which separates the interior volume of the container into an edible liquid section and an edible dry section with means for guiding the removal of the divider without crushing the dry edible substance positioned above the divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Liutauras Kairys
  • Patent number: 5993870
    Abstract: A holder and coating device for use with handle-mounted confectionery products such as lollipops, or ice cream treats or the like. The confectionery holder holds and stores both a handle-mounted confectionery product and an edible topping of a particulate material, and facilitates coating the confectionery product with the topping. The holder has a base and a removable cover for gaining access to the confectionery product. The base holds a supply of the edible coating. When the device is manipulated, the edible coating is applied to the confectionery product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Oddzon/Cap Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hoeting, Sean Mullaney
  • Patent number: 5976588
    Abstract: A novel food service package for containing a frozen concentrate for use in quick blending a drink of individual proportion is disclosed. The food service package of the present invention has a number of equally sized compartments with formed channels separating the compartments. Channels are formed under the dividers in the bottom of the package to provide a large surface are for rapid heat exchange so as to quickly temper the frozen concentrate in the package. A raised dome region is formed in the center of the package for rapidly dispersing the product dispensed from a single nozzle into each of the compartments. A gutter formed in each divider causes the dispensed concentrate to overflow from the compartments so as to rapidly self-level in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael James Vincent
  • Patent number: 5976589
    Abstract: The package includes a container and a lid therefor, both made of a thermal insulating foam material. The container has a line of weakening extending across the bottom wall and the side wall of the container to permit breaking of the latter into two parts across the cavity. The line of weakening is disposed in a plane which is normal to the bottom wall and which is located in the area of maximum width of the cavity. The container serves as a mould for a flowable settable food product which, once set, is readily available for eating by breaking the container across the cavity. The food product is normally ice cream and a release film surrounds the same within the cavity. One or more cavities may be provided in the same container. The lid seals each cavity independently of the others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Andre Desjardins
  • Patent number: 5919501
    Abstract: A compartmentalized, plastic food package includes a container and sealed cover which have a plurality of individually sealed chambers for distinct foodstuffs. The container includes a top flange or surface which extends about the individual chambers onto which the removable cover is secured by an adhesive or heat sealing. The top flange includes a peripheral shoulder and lip which cooperates with the rear or bottom edge of certain of the chambers to facilitate substantially upright self-display of the container and contents. The sidewalls of the chambers are tapered and include notched or stepped spacers such that the containers may be controllably nested, the spacers preventing overly tight nesting and thus facilitating separation prior to filling and sealing. A plurality of distinct foodstuffs such as meat, cheese, crackers and cookies, for example, may be individually sealed in the chambers, thereby maintaining each foods flavor, aroma and desired moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Thorn Apple Valley, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Rozzano
  • Patent number: 5912033
    Abstract: A food storage and transportation device primarily including a container, a plurality of removable inserts, and a lid is described. The inner surface of the container has a plurality of groove and shelf assemblies. The removable inserts have a plurality of tabs extending radially outward, a set of handles, and a plurality of openings for receiving a plurality of cupcakes. In operation, the cupcakes are placed into the respective openings with the base of the cupcakes extending through the opening, whereas the top of the cupcake is retained above a top surface of the removable insert. The removable inserts and cupcakes are then loaded into the container. At no time does any cupcake come into contact with any other cupcakes. To remove the cupcakes, the removable insert is removed from the container and placed on a flat surface, whereupon the cupcakes are conveniently dislodged from their respective openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: Kathy Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5906856
    Abstract: A liquid butter replacement exhibits a pleasant fat-like mouth feel despite a very low or no fat content, good color, good flavor, and a degree of fat-like melt without causing toast or other similar substrate to which the product is applied to become soggy due to moisture release. A flowable fat mimetic is prepared from an aqueous solution comprising a cross-linkable carbohydrate gelling composition (preferably pectin) and at least one gelling agent (preferably a calcium salt) that together form a heat-stable inner gelled phase which is agitated to produce gel particles that provide an organoleptic sensation similar to fat. The weight of the fat mimetic is at least about 75% of the weight of the butter substitute. The flowable fat mimetic is then combined with an second, continuous outer phase containing an unhydrated heat-reversible or heat-thinning, water-soluble gelling agent, and preferably salt and milk or milk solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: ConAgra, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan D Roden, Leslie M Snyder, Turiddu A Pelloso
  • Patent number: 5900263
    Abstract: A food package including a tray, a sleeve surrounding the tray and a rigid leg member extending from the back panel of the sleeve. The rigid leg member has a bottom edge that can rest on a support surface in order to position the front panel of the sleeve substantially perpendicularly to the support surfaces. In this way, the display surface can be better seen by potential consumers. A multipack food package is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: GICS & Vermee, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul W. Gics
  • Patent number: 5885630
    Abstract: A chewing gum packaging system comprising a container that contains a volatile-flavor adsorber and at least two flavors of chewing gum. The volatile-flavor adsorber prevents the flavors of the gums from cross-contaminating each other by adsorbing the volatile flavor components from each gum while the gum is stored in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Joseph G. Zurawski, William T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 5820904
    Abstract: A meat product package for storing and displaying a plurality of tubular meat products preferably in an arcuate configuration, the package having a meat product forming section with plural arcuate recesses utilizing overformed recess edges to hold the tubular meat products in a curved position under tension within the recesses for storage and display. An alternative embodiment includes a method of arcuately shaping straight sticks of meat products cooked or smoked in a casing and placing them in a formed film pocket made on a form-fill-seal rollstock packaging machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Mello, Roger S. Williams, Jeffrey A. Williams
  • Patent number: 5786011
    Abstract: A food product container having a body which comprises a central section, peripheral sections and, individual cavities to contain small portions of food product. Each cavity of the body overlaps the central section and one of the peripheral sections which are linked via a weakening line permitting detachment of the two sections. This detachment allows for the removal of a food portion in the cavity without altering the food portion in the adjacent cavities. The geometrical shape of the cavity makes it easy to remove the food product from the container especially when the weakening line is located at the maximal width of the geometrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Andre Desjardins
  • Patent number: 5770249
    Abstract: A meat product package for storing and displaying a plurality of tubular meat products, preferably in an arcuate configuration, having a meat product forming station with plural arcuate recesses utilizing overformed recess edges to hold the tubular meat products in a curved position within the recesses for storage and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Frank C. Mello, Jeffrey A. Williams, Roger S. Williams
  • Patent number: 5747084
    Abstract: A baked pizza crust is provided having a water activity in the range of about 0.6-0.85, the baked crust being suitable for use in a refrigerated, ready-to-eat pizza kit. Also provided is a kit for preparing ready-to-eat pizza, the kit including pizza crust, pizza sauce and one or a plurality of pizza toppings which are hermetically sealed from the external atmosphere in a package having a base tray and a top fitted and sealed to the base tray. Preferably, each food item is in a separate compartment sealed from the other food items to substantially retard or prevent flavor, moisture and microbial migration from one food item to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart A. Cochran, Steven J. Goll, Howard C. Lippincott, Gary A. Winkler
  • Patent number: 5731020
    Abstract: A food product comprising a plurality of preformed discrete wafers being selectively assembled by the consumer into a multi-layer cookie or snack having desired layers of edible food product such as a potato chip or corn chip, etc. with one or more selectable intermediate layer(s) or filler substances such as chocolate, peanut butter spread, etc. disposed between the outer cookie/chip layers. The preformed and packaged layers enable the snack food item to be selectively assembled and arranged by the consumers to suit his/her individual taste and to enable the consumers to experiment with multiple sandwich/cookie constituent ingredient combinations/arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Peter J. Russo
  • Patent number: 5695798
    Abstract: A compartmentalized, plastic food package includes a container and sealed cover which have a plurality of individually sealed chambers for distinct foodstuffs. The container includes a top flange or surface which extends about the individual chambers onto which the removable cover is secured by an adhesive or heat sealing. The top flange includes a peripheral shoulder and lip which cooperates with the rear or bottom edge of certain of the chambers to facilitate substantially upright self-display of the container and contents. The sidewalls of the chambers are tapered and include notched or stepped spacers such that the containers may be controllably nested, the spacers preventing overly tight nesting and thus facilitating separation prior to filling and sealing. A plurality of distinct foodstuffs such as meat, cheese, crackers and cookies, for example, may be individually sealed in the chambers, thereby maintaining each foods flavor, aroma and desired moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Thorn Apple Valley, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Rozzano
  • Patent number: 5672369
    Abstract: A preproofed, uncooked dough is provided with improved storage stability. The dough product is packaged in a sealed package and stored at a temperature of less than about 45.degree. (7.degree. C.) and, if the package contains headspace, a substantial portion of the gas therein is the same as the leavening gas, carbon dioxide, and the dough also contains a polyol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Lonergan, Peter S. Pesheck, Patricia W. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5666763
    Abstract: Disclosed is an agricultural product preserving device capable of preserving agricultural products for a long period of time. The agricultural product preserving device comprises an air-permeable package box; a composite bag, placed in the package box, for containing agricultural product to be preserved; and a heat-dissipating tube placed in the composite bag and having a hollowed inside for dissipating heat. Moreover, flowers can be divided into a number of small bunches and a number of separate containers packed in the composite bag are used to contain these bunches of flowers. This can prevent the heat produced due to the squeezing of a large bunch of flowers against each other from being produced, so that the preservation period of the flowers can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: Chih-Chuan Kao
  • Patent number: 5664670
    Abstract: A powdered drink multiple compartment flexible packet (10) comprising a rear rectangular panel (12) and a front rectangular panel (14). A first facility (16) is for connecting side edges (18), top edges (20) and bottom edges (22) of the rear rectangular panel (12) to the front rectangular panel (14). A second facility (24) is for connecting intermediate spaced apart strips (26) of the front rectangular panel (14) to the rear rectangular panel (12). The strips (26) are in parallel relationships to the top edges (20) and the bottom edges (22) thereof, so as to form a plurality of compartments (28) therein to separately hold particulate ingredients (30) needed in making the powdered drink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Robert Cozzie
  • Patent number: 5629060
    Abstract: A method of sealing a peelable lid (7) to a package is disclosed. The package contains a base (1) and a potentially rupturable flexible web (5) of plastics material covering the base (1) which together define a sealed space therebetween. The lid (7) is in turn sealed above the flexible web (5). The method comprises the steps of: 1) placing a lid (7) over a thin flexible web (5); 2) sealing the lid (7) to the thin flexible web (5) over the base (1) with a strip like seal (13) which extends around the perimeter of the space so the lid (7) will be sealed at the same region as the thin flexible web (5) is sealed to the base (1). The sealing is achieved by a thermosealing process which provides a temperature gradient across the width provides the seal (13) with a peelable adhesion gradient across its width so that when the lid (7) is stripped from the package, it will be unlikely to rupture the thin flexible web (5). A package made by the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Seawell North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. M. Garwood
  • Patent number: 5605231
    Abstract: A re-usable pizza delivery box comprises upper and lower dish-shaped plastic mouldings that snap together. Vent openings are provided between the mouldings to that moisture can escape. The mouldings are of circular shape in plan so that they can be turned with respect to one another to vary the vent area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: The Green Partnership Inc.
    Inventors: Anthonius H. Borsboom, Anthony Giordano
  • Patent number: 5503858
    Abstract: A molded plastic overwrap tray is disclosed having a base and sidewalls. The upper edges of the sidewalls define an upper surface of the tray. The base and sidewalls define a food retaining chamber. Adjacent sidewalls of the tray are connected to one another through a corner reinforcing rib extending from the base to the upper edges of the associated sidewalls. The reinforcing rib defines a channel in communication with the food retaining chamber to provide finger access to food positioned in the food retaining chamber to facilitate removal thereof. Each of the corner ribs provides reinforcement to resist deflection of the upper edges of the sidewalls, whereby an overwrap on the tray is supported by the upper surface of the tray to minimize sagging of the overwrap and prevent the overwrap from coming into contact with food in the food retaining chamber. In another embodiment, a center post is provided having its upper end substantially level with the upper surface of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Tekni-Plex Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Reskow
  • Patent number: 5456929
    Abstract: Liquid contents such as water are stored in a heat-resisting can body having an openable section formed on an upper part thereof. Other material is stored within the can body while being separated from the liquid contents and, when the can body is heated above a predetermined temperature with the openable section opened, the separation between the stored material and the liquid is removed and the liquid can come in contact with the stored material. When the openable section is closed while the can body is heated, the stored material is kept separate from the liquid even during a sterilizing process but, when the can body is heated with the openable section opened, the separation between the stored material and the liquid is removed, and consequently the contents are mixed together. This permits the stored material to be preserved from the liquid until the contents of the can body are ready for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Tokai Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Mifune, Tomio Nitta, Tsutomu Shike
  • Patent number: 5405009
    Abstract: A package for a caramel apple, candy apple or the like includes a base having at least one recess for the receipt of an apple, a ridge extending substantially around the periphery of an open end of the base, and a first substantially flat outer surface abutting the ridge, and a cover accommodating a stick protruding from the apple and having a shoulder extending substantially around the periphery of an open end of the cover for sealing contact with the ridge of the base when the cover and the base are in a closed position, and a second substantially flat outer surface abutting the shoulder and being located adjacent the first substantially flat outer surface of the base to permit a single label to be affixed to an area of both of the first and the second substantially flat outer surfaces to maintain the package in a closed position and provide a tamper evident seal. Other embodiments of a protective package are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Tastee Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Hackenbracht
  • Patent number: 5377855
    Abstract: A tray (10) for receiving a plurality of fish fillets (28) in a layer for compaction and freezing in a stack of layers. The tray is formed from a sheet (18) of material having a first portion (12) joined to a second portion (14) by a flexible hinge portion (16). The first portion is formed to define a plurality of first recesses (24) and the second portion is formed to define a plurality of negative second recesses (26). A fillet is received within each of the first recesses to form a layer, the tray is folded, and an additional layer of fillets is received within the second recesses. The tray is constructed and configured to be deformed and to enable the fillets to deform within the recesses, under the force of compaction, to form separable layers of substantially separate frozen fillets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Marco Seattle, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold T. Cook, Jr., Mimi S. Fielding, Donn B. Furlong
  • Patent number: 5375929
    Abstract: An article for storing fruits and vegetables (10) is formed from a sheet of mesh material (20) which has two edges (22) placed next to one another to form a tubular bag. The ends of elastic strips (24) parallely affixed along the length of the sheet (20) are joined to form rings creating pockets (26) in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Sally E. Bergmoser
  • Patent number: 5314060
    Abstract: The communion device includes a tray having a central opening for receiving a removable container and a plurality of bread receiving openings surrounding the central opening for receiving a plurality of pieces of bread, each of which is wrapped in a removable wrapper. The container is located in the central opening for receiving the wrappers after they have been removed from the bread for disposal purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Eunice F. Cain
  • Patent number: 5312641
    Abstract: A non-spread, sliced peanut butter product containing chunky peanut butter, powdered egg white, flour, and an emulsifier. The ingredients are mixed together, pressed or extruded into sheets which are separated by waxed paper into pieces the size of a bread slice and about 0.2 inches thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Celso Rodriguez
    Inventor: Ruben Castillo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5312014
    Abstract: A float maker of the preferred embodiment consists of a mug and a removable mixing cap which is connectable to and detachable from the mug. The mixing cap covers a mug opening to define a lower chamber for containing carbonated soda pop. The mixing cap has detachable interlocking upper and lower sections which can be alternately assembled to define an upper chamber or disassembled. The lower section has a cylindrical sleeve which fits within and sealingly abuts against an interior surface of the mug. The lower section has a floor which separates the upper and lower chambers, and an entrance aperture formed along the periphery thereof to provide fluid passage between the upper and lower chambers. Similarly, an exit aperture is provided in the periphery of the upper section to provide fluid passage from the upper chamber. The entrance and exit apertures are offset from a central axis to facilitate flow of the beverage and to help reduce the melt rate of the ice cream contained in the mixing cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: D-N-S Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hamlin
  • Patent number: 5279841
    Abstract: The container (2) consists of two individual cans united by an easy separated connecting ring (4) so that the subject container (2) provide to the consumer with more functions and more flexibilities and due to this special design derive a series combination drink packing system FIG. 6.1 to FIG. 6.4 and people can enjoy more and more different kind of drinks and flavors in a very convenance way just to separate the container and to mix them making a lot of drink choice and to carry this so called container to any where and any time to meet the consumer's need at this Space Age.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Chine-Min Yu
  • Patent number: 5165947
    Abstract: Disclosed is a controlled atmosphere package suitable for delivery of red-ripe tomatoes to the consumer. The package maintains the tomato in a substantially fixed position relative to the package regardless of the orientation of the package, and further maintains a substantially uniform relative humidity inside the package. Further disclosed is a process for packaging a tomato comprising providing a package which maintains the tomato in a substantially fixed position relative to the package regardless of the orientation of the package, and further maintains a substantially uniform relative humidity inside the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: DowBrands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Colucci, Douglas P. Gundlach, Richard M. Remenar, Ronald J. Weeks
  • Patent number: 5123527
    Abstract: A food package having a rigid base tray formed of resilient material and having a plurality of recessed compartments, at least some of said recessed compartments containing food products and being air-tightly sealed with a flexible film. The rigid base tray is enclosed within a sleeve which includes front and back panels connected together by upper side and lower side panels. The sleeve may include a feature permitting the package to be displayed upright. The sleeve would include a structure for easily breaking the sleeve so that the consumer can easily reach the contents of the rigid base tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald O. Hustad
  • Patent number: 5119940
    Abstract: A package of the type having a tray with recessed compartments for receiving food products or the like, the tray being covered by a thin flexible and preferably transparent film which seals the products in their respective compartments. The outer enclosure is formed by a stiff collar which completely encircles the tray with the sides of the collar turned downwardly and inwardly to provide frictional and resilient engagement of the collar with the sides of the tray. The collar also includes a stiff support flap which enables it to stand on end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Paul E. Grindrod
  • Patent number: 5076435
    Abstract: A packaging for food comprises a bottom portion, a lid portion and a product holder for the reception of individual pieces. In order to improve and stabilize the outward appearance of the packaging, the product holder is equipped with a peripheral edge section, which extends past the free rim of the bottom portion and has a slant sloping in the direction of the bottom portion and supports the lid portion. The lid portion is provided with a transition slant, which matches the slope of the slant of the product carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Ludwig Schokolade GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt H. Drews, Werner Hunninghaus
  • Patent number: 5005703
    Abstract: A container for use with live or fresh crawfish comprising an expansive support member carrying a plurality of sockets. Each socket having a continuous sidewall conforming generally to the shape of each crawfish, the sockets being spaced apart so that multiple crawfish can be stored within the dimensions of the horizontal member, separate from one another. Each socket includes a front end portion of gradually increasing width, a tail end portion, and a transverse trough that connects the tail portions of adjacent sockets sized so that the thumb and forefinger of a user can grip the tail of a stored crawfish by entering the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventor: Edward Bodker
  • Patent number: 4948605
    Abstract: An assembly for packaging a frozen food is adapted to be exposed to microwave energy such that the frozen food is processed and, in particular, defrosted efficiently from its solid to its liquid state. The assembly includes a container normally disposed on the bottom, and a cover normally disposed on the top of the assembly and adapted to be releasably engaged with the container to form the assembly. When assembled, the cover and container support in a generally upright orientation the frozen food. The cover includes means for supporting only a top portion of the frozen food, while exposing the bottom portion of the frozen food directly to microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Hanover Brands, Incorporated
    Inventor: Ralph A. Lambert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4902520
    Abstract: A device and method to pop corn while preventing any unpopped kernels from mixing with the popped corn and further preventing the already popped corn from burning. Each corn kernel is placed into an individual cell on a cassette. When the kernel is popped, it pops out of the cell and falls off of the cassette and is thus removed from the heat source. The unpopped kernels remain in the cassette where they will later be disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Edward D. Dysarz
  • Patent number: 4875620
    Abstract: A packaging cup formed from a resilient material has an integrally body having a product reservoir and a lip. The product reservoir includes a flat bottom wall and a continuous side wall integrally joined together about a smooth curve. The side wall extends upwardly from the bottom wall to join the lip. The joint between the lip and the side wall continuously surrounds and defines an opening through the lip to the interior of the reservoir. The lip extends in a plane outwardly from this opening completely around the periphery of this opening. The bottom wall is essentially circular in shape and the opening is essentially squarish in shape. First, second, third and fourth fluted areas are located in the side wall at the corners of the squarish shaped opening. Each of the fluted areas is shaped essentially as a conical surface generated from a cone which is truncated by a plane about a parabolic intersecton of the plane with the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: W. A. Lane, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Lane, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4844243
    Abstract: The present invention is a tray for holding multiple individual confectionery items in a pleasing array for use in displaying the confectionery items. The tray is composed of a number of cavities, and possesses attachment points which, when connected by flexible bands, cause the tray to bulge creating an elevated platform on which the confectionery items can be displayed by being placed in the cavities. Empty cavities can be filled with confectionery items or filler segments which can be also pleasingly decorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Inventor: Delores Stiles
  • Patent number: 4842143
    Abstract: A container for deviled eggs and the like includes a double, transparent plate assembly molded to generally conform to the contours of a deviled egg. Each plate assembly is designed to hold one or more deviled eggs. Into the upper plate of each assembly are molded elliptical hemispheres for storing the yolk mixture of each deviled egg. Into the lower plate of the assembly are molded elliptical hemispheres which are larger than those of the upper plate and which house the white of each deviled egg. The outer peripheral surface surrounding each elliptical hemisphere in the upper plate acts as a shoulder which abuts against and holds the white portion of each deviled egg snuggly in its molded elliptical hemisphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventors: John W. McKee, Sr., John W. McKee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4840271
    Abstract: A package containing skin-packed perishable goods including a base, goods on the base, a flexible plastic web over the goods and the base to, at least partially, skin pack the goods, and a lid for the base. A gas to permeate the web and enhance preservation of the goods is contained in the space between the lid and the skin packed goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Garwood, Ltd.
    Inventor: Anthony J. M. Garwood
  • Patent number: 4828851
    Abstract: A filter bag for insusion products is provided having multiple successive container pockets or lobes, each for infusing a corresponding dose or unit quantity of product. The bag structure permits two usage layouts. The flat layout form is for packaging in lots for sale with said lobes superimposed or folded one over the other or side by side. The other layout form has the lobes opened out or distended following the pick up and pull of the corresponding tag (label) ending in the thread for handling the filter bag at the time of usage. The thread has a length equal to that of the bag as laid out for use with the pockets or lobes distended. The thread is fixed to the opposing ends of said bag by means of a piece of heat weldable material together with the non heat weldable paper tag (label) adjacent to one of said opposing ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Cestind--Centro Studi Industriali--S.R.L.
    Inventor: Andrea Romagnoli
  • Patent number: 4821884
    Abstract: In this invention, there is provided a combination of a heat resistant container containing a ready prepared meal and a secondary package providing support for the container and restricting the flow of hot air back to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: General Foods Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Griffin, Peter Kay
  • Patent number: 4817803
    Abstract: A blank for being folded into a food container has one group of fold lines along which the blank is folded to form an elongate, tubular, rectangularly shaped food container. The blank is provided with a second set of closely spaced fold lines which extend transversely to the length of the tubular food container. There is a third fold line between each pair of second fold lines. The second and third sets of fold lines are formed so that pressing the food container from opposite longitudinal ends causes sections of the blank disposed between the second fold lines to fold inwardly at the third fold lines, to define and form a plurality of food compartments in the food container. A set of slits is formed in the blank at the locations of the corners of the compartment forming indentations. The slits permit the indented walls to pass through one another in an overlapping manner and in a manner which seals the corners against leakage of food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: Edward J. Risucci
  • Patent number: 4759935
    Abstract: A bag for receiving apples is prepared. An ethylene absorbent and a deoxidant are placed in the bag, each of the absorbent and the deoxidant being in an amount such that ethylene biosynthesis is suppressed for preserving the freshness of the apples when placed within the bag. The apples are placed within the bag and then an opening portion of the bag containing the apples, the ethylene absorbent and the deoxidant is sealed. The sealed bag allows air to permeate through it to a degree such that a minimum amount of air necessary for the apples is supplied in the presence of the ethylene absorbent and the deoxidant. The apples are stored in the sealed bag whereby maturing of the apples is delayed for preserving the freshness thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Kyoei Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kitayama Toshitsugu
  • Patent number: RE36867
    Abstract: A compartmentalized plastic food package includes a container and sealed cover which have a plurality of individually sealed chambers for distinct foodstuffs. The container includes a top flange or surface which extends about the individual chambers onto which the removable cover is secured by an adhesive or heat sealing. The top flange includes a peripheral shoulder and lip which cooperates with the rear or bottom edge of certain of the chambers to facilitate substantially upright self-display of the container and contents. The sidewalls of the chambers are tapered and include notched or stepped spacers such that the containers may be controllably nested, the spacers preventing overly tight nesting and thus facilitating separation prior to filling and sealing. A plurality of distinct foodstuffs such as meat, cheese, crackers and cookies, for example, may be individually sealed in the chambers, thereby maintaining each foods flavor, aroma and desired moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: IBP Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Rozzano