Diverse Food Patents (Class 426/120)
  • Patent number: 5514394
    Abstract: A packaging assembly allows two substances, such as cereal and milk, to be held in separate compartments and then mixed when desired by applying hand pressure to the packaging assembly. The packaging assembly is provided with a compressible side wall portion and an impervious membrane having a frangible portion. The membrane separates the compartments such that applied pressure on the top of the package compresses the side wall portion and the downward pressure of the substance in the upper compartment causes the frangible portion of the membrane to rupture and thus allow the two substances to mix together. A partial wall may also be employed adjacent to the membrane to prevent regurgitation of the cereal and milk back into the upper compartment upon mixture in the lower compartment. The lower compartment may be opened to allow consumption directly from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Robert F. Lenahan
  • Patent number: 5496575
    Abstract: A single use cereal and milk container is formed of a first container of paperboard laminate construction containing a supply of milk in an aseptically sealed condition, and a second container of plastic coated paperboard construction for holding a supply of cereal in a sealed stay fresh condition, and a user operable valve on the first container and disposed to an orifice in the second container for selectively breaking the aseptic seal to allow the supply of milk to gravity flow from the first container through the orifice into the second container and onto the cereal. A paperboard box holds the first and second container in juxtaposition and as an integral unit. The user first opens the second container by breaking the stay fresh seal to access the cereal and the valve. A spoon is disposed within the second container for ready use after accessing the cereal and before opening the valve. In one embodiment, an end portion of the spoon is specially formed to break the aseptic seal and open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Emil Newarski
  • Patent number: 5464150
    Abstract: Container for separate solid and/or liquid food products which includes a shaped and reinforced prismatic body of a pasteboard template, having a mouth opening on an inclined plane and having larger side faces provided with identical opposing cuts. A pasteboard template, generally in the form of a "C", having an upper leg which defines an upper end surface with a cutout in it, is introduced inside the prismatic body. The upper end surface also has opposite lateral surface extensions that extend over the larger side faces and, two lips, are introduced into the cuts on the larger side faces which attaches the template to the prismatic body. The vertical wall of the "C"-shaped template is a partition that divides the interior of the prismatic body into an area to hold the solid product, while a receptacle with a liquid in it is introduced into the cited cutout in the upper end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventors: Francisco Porres Sanchez, Maria M. Barrufet Barque
  • 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: 5447236
    Abstract: A multiple compartment package for use in the packaging of foodstuff articles includes a first compartment portion, a second compartment portion, and a retaining mechanism for retaining the first compartment portion in close relation to the second compartment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Perry, Joseph C. McDilda, Michael J. Rice
  • Patent number: 5384138
    Abstract: A collapsible, thin wall, plastic container includes a closed end, an annular peripheral side wall and an open end, the peripheral side wall including a plurality of annular steps or shoulders for enabling controlled axial collapse of the container to a compact, collapsed condition wherein a plurality of substantially concentric folds surround a remaining uncollapsed portion of the container; and a removable cap securable to the open end, the cap having a sealed chamber formed therein for holding a predetermined amount of foodstuff material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Edward S. Robbins, III
    Inventors: Edward S. Robbins, III, Ted Bell
  • Patent number: 5372827
    Abstract: A thermoformed bowl filled and sealed with a sample food product forms a sample package. The bowl is sized and shaped to the contours of and so as to nest upon the shoulders of a plastic one gallon jug or bottle. The package has a centrally located die-cut hole to lock under the bottle neck boss. Free samples of the food product can thus be distributed to accompany regular sales of one gallon plastic containers of milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne H. Brauner, Bradly A. Faber, Steven C. Robie
  • Patent number: 5370884
    Abstract: The combination candy sucker and edible powder is a novelty candy holding device designed for the combination of a hard sucker type candy with a powder or granular candy in a self contained housing. The holding device has two parts. The top cap has a hard sucker type candy and the plastic housing contains the powder or granular candy. After removing the top cap, the hard candy is moistened and then dipped into the powder or granular candy. The sucker is then covered with the powder or granular candy giving a different and unique taste for children to enjoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: B.A.A.T. Enterprises Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Coleman
  • Patent number: 5346710
    Abstract: An animal feeding system includes a self-supporting bowl made from edible material having a bottom, a top and a side providing in combination a container for holding animal food, the bowl being of selected size and configuration to contain a desired quantity of food depending on animal size and dietary requirements. There is further provided an animal feeding system and related method wherein an edible bowl is provided in combination with a water bowl to provide a self-contained meal package for an animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Contagious Concepts
    Inventor: Linda Geitner
  • Patent number: 5342634
    Abstract: Described herein are method and apparatus for producing instantly cookable pasta including various kinds of pasta and Chinese and Japanese noodles, and an encased instantly cookable pasta produced by such method and apparatus. According to the invention, part of raw dough of a starting mixture, which contains wheat flour as a major component, is subjected to preliminary steam-cooking, and then mixed with the remaining uncooked part of the starting mixture. The resulting mixture is then processed through shaping, steam-cooking and drying stages to obtain instantly cookable pasta, enshrouding the instantly cookable pasta product in a water-permeable casing before shipment. Due to suppression of thermal degeneration of gluten, the instantly cookable pasta possesses favorable resiliency and is free of the smell inherent to raw wheat flour and cohesion of individual pasta cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Kanebo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Murata, Masako Sano, Yasuo Takeuchi, Masayuki Fujihara, Hisahiko Yokoo, Kenjiro Nakanishi, Tetsuo Miura, Yoshio Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5318787
    Abstract: A thermoformed bowl filled and sealed with a sample food product forms a sample package. The bowl is sized and shaped to the contours of and so as to nest upon the shoulders of a plastic one gallon jug or bottle. The package has a centrally located die-cut hole to lock under the bottle neck boss. Free samples of the food product can thus be distributed to accompany regular sales of one gallon plastic containers of milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Arne H. Brauner, Bradly A. Faber, Steven C. Robie
  • 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: 5312634
    Abstract: A food package having opposed upper and lower rigid parts which are hinged together to meet along adjacent reference planes. Each part has flanges located in its respective reference plane and at least one food receiving recessed compartment extending away from its respective reference plane and away from the other part. A flexible film located in each reference plane is attached to the flanges of that part, surrounding its respective recessed compartment(s), to airtightly seal the contents thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Ray Griesbach, Jeffrey M. Lipinski
  • Patent number: 5310564
    Abstract: A container having flexible side walls includes a plurality of tubular members mounted within the container in contiguous communication with the side wall, wherein flexure of the side walls in adjacency to selective ones of the tubular members effects rupture of the tubular members to disperse flavoring within the container as desired. Further, the tubular members contain at least one of the tubular members formed with a pump mechanism to circulate fluid from the container through the flavoring of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Hans M. Kimm
  • Patent number: 5308630
    Abstract: A method and package for packaging and preserving a sliced cored whole fruit (10) together with a complementary food (18). The whole fruit is prepared by coring to define an elongate central passage (12) and slicing the whole fruit into a plurality of radially symmetric segments (14). The segments are assembled in the shape of a whole fruit around a moisture impermeable inner container (16) containing the complementary food. The inner container has approximately the same outer dimensions as the inner dimensions of the central passage so that the inner container essentially fills and displaces the majority of the air from the central passage. The assembled fruit segments and filled inner container are then sealed within an outer container (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: James D. Nordahl
  • 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: 5277920
    Abstract: Disclosed is packaging which includes two separate compartments, a first compartment for storing a flowable product such as cheese spread, and a second compartment for storing a solid product such as crackers. The first compartment, housing the flowable product, includes a lid having a scored portion which is broken upon bending of the packaging along a longitudinal bending region. To prevent unintentional discharge of the flowable product prior to its intended use, such as during shipping or other handling in which the flowable compartment may inadvertently be bent in the longitudinal direction, and thereby rupture the lid at the score line with the flowable product being dispensed therethrough, the flowable product compartment is separably attached to the solid product compartment along a side of the flowable compartment perpendicular to the longitudinal bendable region to increase its rigidity to bending in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmund A. Weaver, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5209348
    Abstract: A cereal bowl having separate cereal and milk compartments, with a valve permitting emptying the contents of the milk container into the cereal container. Separate lids are provided for the milk and cereal compartments. The cereal bowl enables young children to serve their own breakfast meals without spilling milk and cereal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: James D. Schafer
    Inventor: Vernon Schafer, III
  • Patent number: 5180079
    Abstract: The combined cup of the present invention for soft drinks is constituted with an upper cup body and a lower cup body jointed together by a connecting body; and in the center of the connecting body, there is formed a nozzle sticking upward to be received into the nozzle sleeve formed on the upper cup body so as to keep both cup bodies firmly connected. The lower cup body is used to contain soft drink while the upper cup body is used to contain solid snacks. By applying such combined cup, the user can therefore enjoy the fun of eating and drinking with one hand holding the combined cup containing both snacks and drink and one hand free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventor: John Jeng
  • Patent number: 5167973
    Abstract: The instant invention is a single unit providing both breakfast cereal, milk, and bowl including, in addition, means for mixing the milk with the cereal. The breakfast cereal is stored in a cereal cavity which later serves as the bowl. The milk is stored in a milk carton which is stored in a milk carton cavity. A spoon is preferentially also provided with the system so that everything the user needs to consume the breakfast cereal is provided. A trough is provided between the milk carton cavity and cereal cavity inclined downwardly from a position adjacent to and below the milk carton cavity toward the cereal cavity allowing milk leaving the milk carton to flow toward and enter the cereal cavity where it may mix with the cereal located therein. The aseptic packaging of the milk carton is provided with a frangible aperture located near the lowermost edge thereof and positioned adjacent to and above the trough leading into the cereal cavity when the milk carton is properly placed within the milk carton cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventor: William D. Snyder
  • 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: 5091199
    Abstract: A unitary multi-compartment package includes a package body member which partially encloses a formed product tray having multiple product compartments. The product tray is attached to the package body member and the multiple product compartments depend downwardly therethrough through one or more openings. Package flap panels are folded around and underneath the product tray to partially enclose the product compartments between opposing package panels. A cover film is attached to the product tray to seal individual distinct product portions in multiple product compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy G. Mally, Bjorn J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5085330
    Abstract: A drinking apparatus is provided for separately storing a carbonated beverage and ice cream in close proximity to one another, and for selectively mixing the beverage and the ice cream to provide a drink having the flavor of an ice cream float. The drinking apparatus is intended for use with a bottle having an upper threaded neck. The drinking apparatus includes a bottle attachment housing for storing the ice cream, having a threaded flange at one end dimensioned to engage the threaded bottle neck to secure the attachment housing to the bottle. A barrier is provided within the attachment housing for separating the ice cream from the beverage, and apertures through the barrier define a flow path from the bottle into the housing. A lower platform extends upwardly from the barrier to support the ice cream within the housing in a spaced relation relative to the barrier apertures. A housing cap is attached to the housing opposite to the drinking bottle and defines, with the housing, a chamber for the ice cream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Paulin
  • Patent number: 5075119
    Abstract: A microwave package for packaging a combination of products and ingredients, including a package formed as a bag and constructed of paper, polymer film, or the like, having collapsible gussets formed at each side, a first product chamber formed internally at a lower location of the package, at least a pair of heat seals formed upwardly of the bag, and one or more upper chambers formed therein for holding of seasoning and flavoring ingredients within said upper chambers, while a food product, or the like, to be cooked as arranged within the lower formed chamber, so that during microwaving, said seals are strategically broken due to generated heat and pressure to provide for a deposition of the flavoring onto the cooked or cooking food product to provide a readily servable food fully seasoned upon conclusion of its microwave cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Packaging Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Abraham H. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5057330
    Abstract: Fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs, such as rice and pasta, are preserved against microbiological spoilage by treatment with a predetermined quantity of an edible acid. Packages of fully cooked starchy foodstuffs are provided which are self-stable for periods in excess of 6 months and are neutralized to a proper pH to avoid sourness. Ready-to-eat meals of neutralized acid preserved starchy foodstuffs are also provided. Edible alkaline neutralizing agents are used to balance the pH. Also provided are methods for producing shelf-stable packages of fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs wherein measured quantities of acid are introduced to fully cooked, starchy foodstuffs to inhibit microbiological growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Borden, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanien Lee, Carleton G. Merritt, Stephen R. Gillmore, Nancy E. Dermody
  • Patent number: 5056659
    Abstract: By providing prize award holding means cooperatingly associated with a container shell which is closed in the conventional mammer, a container assembly is achieved for randomly distributing prize awards to consumers in association with any liquid, semi-liquid, wet or moist product, without fear of consumer detection of the prize bearing containers. In accordance with the present invention, the container assembly may incorporate the actual product along with the prize award or may comprise a simulated product container bearing the prize award without the actual product, but being completely indistinguishable from non-prize bearing, product-holding containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventors: James P. Howes, Rocco Noschese
  • Patent number: 5052553
    Abstract: In a packaging unit comprising a container, a flexible closure mounted thereto and at least one compartment located underneath the closure within the container. The compartment is adapted to release its content in the container when the closure is peeled sufficiently therefrom. The container and the compartment are made of plastics materials whereas the flexible closure is made preferably of aluminum foil. In one embodiment, the compartment comprises frangible sections along its sidewall and its bottom wall whereby removal of the closure causes rupture of the compartment at its frangible sections thereby releasing the content of the compartment into the content of the container. In a further embodiment, the flange which extends peripheral outwards from the upper ends of the sidewalls of the compartment is heat-sealed in one section thereby completely to the closure and in another section thereof only partly thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Attilio J. De Sanctis
  • Patent number: 5045333
    Abstract: A container of ingredients for an iced bakery good, and a method of icing a bakery good. The container comprises a first compartment which can hold batter or dough which can be frozen or cooled, and can hold the batter or dough during baking, or can also hold a prebaked bakery good. A second compartment is removably attached to the first compartment and has a layer of icing, which can be frozen or cooled, on a surface thereof. After baking the batter or dough in the batter compartment, or heating the pre-baked good, to form an uniced bakery good, the bakery good can be iced by orienting the second compartment over the first compartment with the layer of icing facing a surface of the uniced bakery good. Heat rises from the baked good and heats the icing. The icing separates substantially from the suface of the second compartment and coats a substantial portion of the bakery good surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Petrofsky's Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Petrofsky, David Petrofsky
  • Patent number: 5042652
    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: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Paul E. Grindrod
  • Patent number: 5035320
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing dispensable substance or substances comprising carrier structure; elongated pusher structure on the carrier structure; elongated receptacle structure beneath the pusher structure and on the carrier structure, there being an elongated zone or zones between the pusher structure and receptacle structure to receive the dispensable substance or substances; the pusher structure being selectively manually deflectable toward the receptacle structure, at selected locations along the length of the pusher structure length; the receptacle structure being frangible at selected lengthwise locations corresponding to the selected locations along the length of the pusher structure, and in response to deflection of the pusher structure; whereby dispensing of the dispensable substance or substances occurs at related lengthwise locations of the receptacle structure; the pusher structure, including at least one pusher having length which is at least about three times its width, and having arching extent
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventor: Clifford Plone
  • Patent number: 5032380
    Abstract: Fluorescence properties of the product of the reaction of the 2-naphthalenethiolate ion and 2-chloroethylethylsulfide or bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide are described. The fluorescence of the latter reaction is used as the basis of a new detection method for 2-chloroethylethylsulfide. The detection method is capable of detecting 2-chloroethylethylsulfide at levels down to 0.2 micrograms per milliliter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thaddeus Novak, Paul M. Davis
  • Patent number: 5012971
    Abstract: A compartmented container that is especially suitable for containing food is provided. The container or package in one embodiment comprises a first or bottom compartment and a second or top compartment that is hinged to the first compartment. The container further includes a latch mechanism composed of a locking latch extending from one compartment and a locking aperture in the other compartment into which the latch can be inserted when the container is in the closed position. A removable platform forms part of the container and is positionable over the open portion of one of the compartments. The platform includes a support tab dimensioned to allow insertion into the locking aperture when the platform is positioned over the open portion of one of the compartments. An elongated slot extends adjacent the hinge to permit the platform to be removed from the container through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Cozzi, Timothy F. Conway, John A. LaFleur, Eileen M. Rusnak, Neil H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5009867
    Abstract: A pizza snack kit is disclosed which contains a slice of thermoreversible C-gel pizza sauce, a prepackaged cheese topping and at least one prepackaged baked pizza crust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Kratochvil
  • Patent number: 4951866
    Abstract: A compartmented container and method of packaging is provided.The container in one embodiment has first and second compartments and a removable insert to separate the two compartments. In the closed position, the second compartment is on top of the first compartment. The insert is removable when the container is closed and includes a support tab that is insertable into a slot in the container to restrain movement of the insert and to distribute forces through the sidewalls of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eileen M. Rusnak
  • Patent number: 4923702
    Abstract: An improved communion container for containing a portion of wine/grape juice and a portion of bread. The container includes a cup containing the portion of wine/grape juice, the cup having an open mouth; a lid for being secured to the cup about the open mouth to close the open mouth and to seal the portion of wine/grape juice within the cup, the lid having a tab portion for allowing easy manual removal of the lid from the cup; a receptacle containing the portion of bread, the receptacle having a cavity for containing the portion of bread and including structure for closing the cavity to seal the portion of bread within the cavity; and attachment structure for attaching the receptacle to the cup after the portion of wine/grape juice is sealed within the cup and after the portion of bread is sealed within the cavity of the receptacle and with the tab portion of the lid positioned beneath a portion of the receptacle to prevent inadvertent removal of the lid until the receptacle is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventors: Levisky Powell, deceased, by Bettye J. Powell, aministratrix, Johnese W. Powell
  • Patent number: 4904488
    Abstract: Corn kernels packaged within a bag can be popped within a microwave oven and then flavored in two ways. In the first embodiment, the flavoring is incorporated in the bag with the corn kernels, oil or shortening, and other ingredients to be subjected to microwaves. In the second embodiment, the flavoring is applied by sprinkling it on the ingredients within the bag after microwave corn popping, closing the bag, shaking it, and repeating the process several times. In both of these embodiments, when the flavoring contacts the hot popcorn, it melts and adheres to the surface of the popcorn. To prevent the flavoring from giving the popped corn a mottled appearance, a coloring material which generally corresponds to the color of the flavoring is included as an ingredient in the bag of unpopped kernels. During microwave popping, the coloring is distributed in the bag and coats the popped corn. As a result, a flavored popcorn with a uniform, pleasing appearance is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Nabisco Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn D. LaBaw, Gerald D. Hebert, Hanan Reich
  • Patent number: 4904487
    Abstract: Corn kernels packaged within a bag can be popped within a microwave oven and then flavored with powdered cheese in two ways. In the first embodiment, the cheese powder is imcorporated in the bag with the corn kernels, oil or shortening, and other ingredient to be subjected to microwave. In the second embodiment, the powdered cheese is applied by sprinkling it on the ingredients within the bag after microwave corn popping, closing the bag, shaking it, and repeating the process several times. In both of these embodiments, when the cheese contacts the hot popcorn, it melts and adheres to the surface of the popcorn. To prevent the melted cheese from giving the popped corn a mottled appearance, a coloring material which generally corresponds to the color of the cheese powder is included as an ingredient in the bag of upoppped kernels. During microwave popping, the coloring is distributed in the bag and coats the popped corn. As a result, a cheese-flavored popcorn with a uniform, pleasing appearance is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Nabisco Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn D. LaBaw, Gerald D. Hebert, Hanan Reich
  • Patent number: 4891232
    Abstract: A beverage infusion device is set forth wherein a packaged stirring-type stick includes an attached porous bag at one terminal end of the stick with infusion solid particulates contained within the bag. Positioned adjacent the bag about the body of the stick are a further series of infusion solid particulates selectively utilized by an individual with a removable wrapper about each particulate type whereupon removal of a wrapper enables selective flavor enhancing of the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Derek W. Dahl
  • Patent number: 4886674
    Abstract: A sealed beverage sachet containing a web material 8 supporting a beverage-providing product 14 and having a nozzle 16 to locate an aqueous medium injector into the sachet. The base seam of the sachet may be a heat- or pressure-sensitive seal 6. The web material 8 has a upwardly-directed seam 12 which everts when the sachet is used. The web material may be a filter for ground coffee or leaf tea, or a coarse mesh for dispersible products such as powdered chocolate or soups, or an impermeable web which is provided with means for releasing the sachet contents in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Mars G.B. Limited
    Inventors: Barry Seward, Kevin C. Pope
  • Patent number: 4883675
    Abstract: A package made of a single rectangular sheet of flexible material which has both a main product compartment and an ancillary compartment. The main compartment is filled with product stacked in columns separated by a grid of cardboard or similar material and thereafter sealed. The main compartment also has a tear strip for providing a dispensing opening in the side of the compartment for removing the product units one at a time from the columns. The ancillary compartment being made of flexible material can be folded down and secured in a collapsed position so that the package can be shipped without adding additional shipping volume. The ancillary compartment is also open at its axial end to allow the insertion and removal of ancillary materials in route to the end user. Means, such as a drawstring, are provided to repeatedly open and close the ancillary compartment without damaging the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Donna M. Wernz
  • Patent number: 4883935
    Abstract: A multi-part container for use in a microwave including two sealed compartments for containing complementary foods subjected to different treatment prior to preparation by the consumer. A bottom portion includes a sealed opening defining a first interior region for housing first contents to be subjected to sterilization. An upper part includes a second sealed opening defining a second interior region for housing second contents not benefited from high temperature treatment. The bottom portion and upper part are sealed together to form a single multi-part container. Prior to preparation by the consumer, the first and second interior regions are each opened by the consumer and combined within the interior region of the bottom portion. The upper part is replaced on the bottom portion to form an overcap for the interior region for heating in a microwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventors: Tim M. Fairchild, Caroline Laska, Gary H. Ward
  • Patent number: 4879125
    Abstract: A sandwich in a lunch box which includes an edible container in one part and two slices of bread with a meat product in the other part of the lunch box. When a consumer wants to eat, the edible container is combined with the bread, the container housing a salad therein and having a concave configuration disposed at the bottom surface having a circular edge portion, whereby the edible container tightly adheres to the meat product and prevents the salad from falling from the sandwich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventor: Tong S. Pak
  • Patent number: 4879030
    Abstract: An elongated flexible housing has an upper part which is water-tight and communicates with a lower part which is formed with a semipermeable membrane for passing through by osmosis pure water components out of sea water. The semipermeable membrane is covered with a fabric having a mesh size between 0.05 and 0.5 mm, to assist in the retention of salt. The waterproof housing part is foldable over the other part, including the membrane, and is filled with a highly concentrated solution of fructose or with glycine. The folded parts are enclosed in a snugly fitting protective envelope of a waterproof material. In a modification, the two housing parts are disconnectably attached to each other by means of a screw nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: DD-Dynamic Devices Ltd.
    Inventor: Knut Stache
  • Patent number: 4851246
    Abstract: A package for use in a microwave oven is sealed at both of its ends. The package is transversely folded intermediate its ends to form a first compartment in which one food product is contained, such as kernels of corn to be popped, and a second compartment in which is contained a second food product, such as a flavoring component or additive. The fold in one face wall extends inwardly and the fold in the other face wall extends outwardly, the two folds being nested together. The sides of the package are pleated. Whereas the transverse sections forming the folds are secured together in one instance and secured to the other in another instance, the pleats of the other face wall are secured to the fold in the one face wall by adhesive spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Holly A. Maxwell, Robert L. Esse
  • 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: 4806371
    Abstract: A microwave package for packaging a combination of products and ingredients, including a package formed as a bag and constructed of paper, polymer film, or the like, having collapsable gussets formed at each side, a first product chamber formed internally at a lower location of the package, at least a pair of heat seals formed upwardly of the bag, and one or more upper chambers formed therein for holding of seasoning and flavoring ingredients within said upper chambers, while a food product, or the like, to be cooked as arranged within the lower formed chamber, so that during microwaving, said seals are strategically broken due to generated heat and pressure to provide for a deposition of the flavoring onto the cooked or cooking food product to provide a readily servable food fully seasoned upon conclusion of its microwave cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Packageing Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Abraham H. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 4803088
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container packed with instant food to be cooked by a microwave oven which allows a solid instant food such as instant chow mein and instant macaroni to be reconstituted to its original cooked state with good texture in a short period of time when the food is cooked in a microwave oven without the need to drain water after it is cooked.The container packed with instant food comprises: a container composed of a container body and a lid which is capable of tightly or substantially tightly sealing said container; and a solid instant food accommodated in said container, wherein said food is to be reconstituted and made ready for eating on absorbing water when said container packed with said food is heated in a microwave oven after water is added thereto in an amount equivalent to between 100 and 155 wt % of the water absorption capacity of said food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: House Food Industrial Company Limited
    Inventors: Masanori Yamamoto, Tamotsu Kamoda, Makoto Nakahara, Yoshimasa Fujii, Shozo Sugano
  • Patent number: 4803086
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically making food products in piece form, such as loaves of bread, from dough-like substances, comprises a housing having holding drums (230,232) adapted to be fixed to either end of a flexible sealable bag (12) containing the ingredients. A dough preparation and baking chamber (212) has upper and lower slit openings (220,222). The bag is moved to and fro through the slit openings to perform kneading of the dough, and then baked in the chamber. The variable baking parameters dependent upon the particular ingredients and product are controlled dependent upon instructions read from the bag by a scanner (270). The instructions comprise a bar code (121) which can have a first identification portion to confirm that the bag is suitable for use in the apparatus and a second command portion to instruct the apparatus as to the baking sequence required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Heden-Team Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gunnar Hedenberg
  • Patent number: 4784864
    Abstract: A wrapper for wrapping two different foods, such as a mass of compressed rice and a dried seaweed sheet, separately. The wrapper comprises an inner trianglar-shaped bag made of food wrapping synthetic resin material for storing a mass of rice therein and an outer trianglar-shaped bag made of the same material enclosing said inner bag and provided with a tear-off portion. At serving, the tear-off portion is torn off in order to expose the lower end of the inner bag. Then the inner bag is pulled out of the outer bag so that the dried seaweed sheet sticks around the mass of rice. A method for fabricating the wrapper is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignees: Ishida Systems Engineering Co., Ltd., Hayashiya Syokuhin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Ikeda
  • Patent number: 4708248
    Abstract: This invention relates to food containers in the form of paper or plastic bag like structures having interiorly deployable food and beverage support means. These containers can be shipped in compact, folded condition resembling a plain bag but when opened and the support means deployed, a sturdy, secure beverage and food carrier is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Inventor: George H. Davis