Abstract: A laminated lidstock includes a substrate film, a support web; a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the substrate and support webs, and covering the substrate film and support web; a product die cut disposed in the substrate film; and an array of opening die cuts disposed in the substrate film; wherein at least one of substrate film and the support web comprises an oxygen barrier, and wherein at least one of the substrate film and the support web carries a registration device. A method of making the lidstock, and a package, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A package for containing a product such as meat. The package includes top and bottom opposing flexible chamber sheets. These sheets are sealed together in a selected chamber seal zone to define a watertight chamber portion that is capable of containing the product. A hollow frame circumscribes the chamber portion. The frame supports the chamber portion when the frame is inflated. The need for a rigid tray may be eliminated by the inventive package.

Abstract: A food container is provided which releases food contents thereof more easily and effectively. The food container includes an insert inserted into a metallic can before food product is filled therein and attachment of a closure end, where the insert provides an effective aid to product release by reducing or eliminating vacuum effects caused by hot-filling and cooling of the food product and/or wall adhesion effects between the food product and food container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sealing a package (1) containing a product (4), wherein the lid portion (3) and the bottom portion (2) of the package are joined together by means of plastic material. The bottom portion (2) and the lid portion (3) are joined together by sealing by injection molding, by molding plastic material (5) on both sides of a joint (10) between the bottom portion and the lid portion in such a way that the plastic material (5) exteriorly covers the joint (10) on the outside and joins the bottom portion (2) and the lid portion (3) together.

Abstract: The invention concerns an element including: 1 sheet (1) including an intermediate zone (29) located between two zones designed to form side walls (9, 11), the intermediate zone (29) being designed to form a flap folded along the tip against one first (9) of the side walls, and elements (51a, 51b) for guiding tears in the sheet (1) the elements forming a single pull tab (58) to cause tears, the pull tab (58) being, in the intermediate zone, spaced apart from the media axis (A) of the zone designed to form the base (3). The invention is, for example, applicable to packaging of melted cheese.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-compartment microwavable package having one or more open or closed compartments within the package, and method and apparatus for manufacturing the same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form, fill and seal packaging machines. The invention involves producing a multi-compartment bag having an internal permeable wall between compartments from a single sheet of flexible packaging film. A food product can be placed into the first compartment and steam pack can be placed into the second compartment.

Abstract: A heating attachment for improving uniformity of microwave heating of a food product in a food container. The heating attachment has a microwave shield of microwave-reflective material. An attachment member is configured for attaching the shield to a food container in an operative association in which the container is disposed in a heating space by the shield. In this association, the shield improves the uniformity of microwave heating of a food product within the container. The heating attachment sufficiently surrounds the container in the operative association to capture the container for promoting breakage of the heating attachment when the container is removed therefrom to inhibit or prevent reuse of the heating attachment.

Abstract: A frozen onion and spice mix in an exemplary package and method of manufacture. The method of manufacture includes cutting the onion into smaller pieces, adding select spices, freezing the onion spice mix, and packaging the frozen onion spice mix into an exemplary package for retail sale. In one embodiment, the exemplary package includes a plastic tray with multiple compartments covered with a thin transparent plastic covering. Another exemplary package includes a flexible plastic tube crimped at the ends and at multiple points in between to form airtight compartments in between each crimp.

Abstract: An assembly including a processed cheese portion (22) and a package (26) closely wrapping the portion. The package includes an element which itself comprises a film (2) tightly wrapping the portion and in contact therewith, and tear-initiating member (11) for enabling the sheet (2) to be torn along at least one tear line (8) when a gripping tab (10) of the element is pulled. At least a first part of the or each tear line (8) is defined by or made from a material of the film (2).

Abstract: A container for a food product including a tamper-evident closure which forms an opening of a container. The closure comprises a sealing layer, adhesively sealed to the top of the container around the opening. The sealing layer is releasable from the container by pulling back on the sealing layer and resealable against the top layer to seal the opening when the sealing layer is moved back against the top. The tamper-evident feature comprises a portion of the top adjacent the opening and covered by the sealing layer, which extends from a position spaced from, and extends towards and terminates at the opening of the container. A portion of the tamper-evident feature falls into the container after the sealing layer has been pulled back for a first time to thereby indicate that the container has been previously opened.

Abstract: A thin sheet of sealed coffee grounds comprises a plurality of filter packs, a rigid substrate sheet, a flexible barrier sheet sealed to the substrate sheet via a plurality of ring-shaped seals to form a plurality of chambers to contain the plurality of filter packs, a plurality of cut lines outside the plurality of seals for isolating the chambers from one another, and a plurality of grippable tabs for dispensing the filter packs from the thin sheet. The grippable tabs are adapted to allow a user to dispense a filter pack at a time from the thin sheet by simply pulling a grippable tab to open a chamber and release the filter pack therein. The substrate sheet has a smooth top surface in one aspect of the invention and a plurality of cylindrical cavities sealed by the flexible barrier sheet via the ring-shaped seals in another aspect of the invention. In a further aspect of the invention the plurality of filter packs in the thin sheet is replaced by a plurality of portions of loose coffee grounds.

Abstract: A method of packaging a food product for retail sale includes forming a bag of sheet material and inserting a food product into the bag. The bag includes a ventilated, reclosable closure arranged to secure the bag against loss of bag contents that has first and second bands of fastener elements placed to form the ventilated, reclosable closure along an opening of the bag. The closure allows an amount of air into and out of the bag with the bag in a closed position after the bag has been opened at the opening to access the food product. The first band of fastener elements is an array of male fastener elements with stems extending from a base and heads arranged to engage a field of fibers.

Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.

Abstract: A carton for storing and serving a self-heating meal and a beverage container includes a closable first compartment for storing and heating the meal. The first compartment has a first top wall and a first flap covering a first opening to the first compartment and a first securing means for releasably securing the first flap in a first closed position. The carton includes a second compartment for storing the beverage container and has a hole in a second top wall of the second compartment for holding the beverage container. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a second flap attached to the second top wall covers a second opening to the second compartment. A third compartment in the carton is disposed between the first and second compartments wherein the third compartment is open along a top side of the carton.

Abstract: A beverage container configured from a front and a rear surface portion, a base portion, and a pair of gusset portions. The gusset portions configure side portions of the container by being sealed to mutually confronting edge portions of the front and rear surface portions and the base portion. The upper portions of the front and rear surface portions configure a neck portion that has a more slender shape than the remainder of the front and rear surface portions and that extends in a single direction. A notch is formed in the edge sealed portion of the neck portion. The front and rear surface portions are sealed directly together at a predetermined region corresponding to the notch without the gusset portions existing therebetween. A straw extends from and is positioned within the neck portion. The neck portion can be opened from the notch.

Abstract: A lid member for a food container having a layered structure in which a surface sheet is laid on a composite sheet, said surface sheet including an easily-peelable area that is easily separated from the composite sheet, formed by applying a lubricant between the surface sheet and the composite sheet, said surface sheet including a non-peelable area adjacent to said easily-peelable area; a first slit cut vertical-sectionally through the composite sheet, said first slit defining one or more apertures in said lid to form an opening area in said composite sheet; a second slit in said surface sheet defining a boundary between the easily-peelable area and said non-peelable area of said surface sheet; and said surface sheet being adhered to said composite sheet at said composite sheet opening area over an area that is smaller than said composite sheet opening area.

Abstract: High end or premium bread, including presliced loaves, are inserted into a preformed inner bag by an automatic bagging machine. The open end of the inner bag is gathered and sealed, and thereafter the inner bag is heat shrunk to closely enclose a loaf. Then the heat shrunk inner bag and enclosed loaf is bagged by a second automatic bagger, and the outer bag is then closed by an automatic bag closer. The inner bag preferably has a gusseted closed end which is adjacent to the openable end of the outer bag for presentation to a consumer. Such closed end of the inner bag can have bag weakening perforations or scores for convenient opening by the consumer.

Abstract: A sliceable product container device for sectioning a container of ice cream into equal portions. The sliceable product container device includes a container having a base wall and also having a plurality of band members forming a side wall of the container and having a base band member being securely attached upon the base wall; and also includes a plurality of peal-able sealing strips for removably attaching the band members together to form the side wall of the container; and further includes a lid being removably disposed upon the container; and also includes a fastening strip being attached to the band members; and further includes an assembly of cutting ice cream into sections for easy removal from the container.

Abstract: A sheet composed of multiple films for providing peel-off lids for containers comprising a first film set of films, with a film layer of aluminum, an external polythene film and an internal orientated plastic film; a second film set heat-sealed to the edge of a container to be closed, with a pre-perforated polyester film coupled, by an adhesive, to a non-perforated polythene film heat-sealed to the edge of the container; and a hot-extruded polythene layer interposed between the two film sets to couple the last polyester film of the first film set and the first polyester film of the second film set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-compartment package, a machine for the automated or semi-automated packaging of a diverse array of animal supplements into such packaging, and a process allowing efficient procurement and fulfillment of custom supplement orders.

Abstract: A flexible paper microwave package in the form of an easily expandable, nontrapping bag (18) is disclosed including a bottom wall (20) and a top wall (22) interconnected together adjacent their circular outer peripheries (20a, 22a) by first and second interconnection portions (26a, 26b). In one preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed from a first portion (22d) having an oval shaped access opening closed by an oval shaped closure portion (22e) interconnected by a seal (40) to the first portion (22d). The bottom and top walls (20, 22) expand into an opposing double domed shape as the food product is being popped, puffed, or expanded in the microwave oven. This domed shape of the bottom wall (22) keeps the food product huddled closer together and enhances the bag (18) to rock to maximize gravimetric separation.

Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.

Abstract: A sandwich wrap comprising a sheet wrap attached to a base strip The base strip is elonaated in a longitudinal direction and includes at least one tear line extending between the longitudinal ends. The base strip is longer than the sheet wrap in the longitudinal direction, while the sheet wrap is longer than the base strip in the lateral direction. The longitudinal ends of the base strip extend beyond the respective longitudinal edges of the sheet wrap. The sheet wrap is more pliable than the base strip.

Abstract: A lid member for a food container comprising an easily-peelable area of the layered structure having a lubricant between the base layer and the surface sheet, a non-peelable opening area of the layered structure disposed within the easily-peelable area; a non-peelable area of the layered structure disposed adjacent to easily-peelable area, said lid member further comprising a first tab to peel off the lid member from the container body, a second tab formed on the easily-peelable area along the boundary line between the non-peelable area and the easily-peelable area to open the apertures of the opening area, a first slit, cut from the base layer to the adhesive layer forming apertures in the opening area, a second slit, cut from the surface sheet to the adhesive layer, along the boundary line between the easily-peelable area and non-peelable area, and a third slit, cut from the base layer to the adhesive layer and disposed where the second tab is mounted, from a foot-end of the second tab, spaced from the seco

Abstract: A flexible, reclosable package having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closeable by a slider device, and a tamper-evident structure disposed over the zipper construction to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package. A second tamper-evident structure may be disposed between the zipper construction and the package interior. This second structure may be a web or a peel seal.

Abstract: A cookie packing container having a hanger to allow a user to eat the contents contained in the packing container, which is provided with an improved structure of a packing container for packing cookies and a hanging tape for allowing a user to hang the packing container in the neck, to thereby allow a user to eat the contents conveniently. The cookie packing container includes a packing container having a longitudinal seaming portion formed by using a planar packing sheet and seaming one end of the packing sheet to thereby contain cookies therein, a low-end seaming portion formed by seaming the lower end of the packing sheet and an upper-end seaming portion formed by seaming the upper-end of the packing sheet and sharpening the upper-end seaming portion to form a peak portion, and a hanger combined in one end of the packing container, for hanging the packing container in the neck.

Abstract: A method and package for packing food products with a calorie-division indicating function is disclosed. In the method, a food product is preliminarily sectioned into a plurality of portions while indicating calorie content on each of the portions prior to packing the product with a package. Thus, people are allowable to consume one or more measured portions containing a desired number of calories. On the other hand, a package for food products are sectioned into a plurality of segments while indicating calories on each of sectioned portions of a packed food product. In the above package, the calorie content is expressed separately on each of the sectioned portions while indicating the calorie content of each portion or total calorie content of partially divided portions. The invention also provides a container for food products, having a calorie scale on its sidewall. In such a case, the calorie scale indicates calorie content of portions of a food product within the container.

Abstract: A plastic container has a base and a lid hinged together by a hinge. The hinge has a series of relatively thick sections joined together by a series of relatively thin sections. The thin sections are sufficiently thin to be severed upon an initial folding of the hinge. The thick sections are sufficiently thick to remain at least partially intact during the initial folding. The container may be filled with product and closed with the hinge becoming partially severed and weakened and may be later opened with the hinge becoming completely severed to separate the base and the lid.

Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.

Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.

Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.

Abstract: The method relates to a disposable device for the application of a coating (2) on a tablet, a capsule or a pill. The coating (2) is applied enclosing the tablet, capsule or pill (3) during its passage through a bowl formation (4) with a coating mass (5) and through an elastic diaphragm (12) located in the bottom (11) and provided with a centrally disposed, conveniently penetrable opening (13). During the passage of the tablet, capsule of pill (3) the opening (13) encloses the tablet, capsule or pill and simultaneously shapes a film of coating mass (5) thereon.

Abstract: An assembly including a processed cheese portion (22) and a package (26) closely wrapping the portion. The package includes an element which itself comprises a film (2) tightly wrapping the portion and in contact therewith, and tear-initiating member (11) for enabling the sheet (2) to be torn along at least one tear line (8) when a gripping tab (10) of the element is pulled. At least a first part of the or each tear line (8) is defined by or made from a material of the film (2).

Abstract: A canister for containing a particulate-type product. The canister includes opposing face panels, opposing side panels, a bottom closure, a top closure and a seal membrane. The opposing side panels together with the opposing face panels define an upper opening and a lower opening. The bottom closure is connected to the opposing face panels so as to encompass the lower opening. The opposing face panels, the opposing side panels and the bottom closure combine to define an internal storage region. The seal membrane is secured to the top closure, and then the top closure/seal membrane combination is connected to the opposing face panels so as to encompass the upper opening. The seal membrane insures the freshness of the particulate-type product. The top closure includes a movable lid member that provides selective access to the internal storage region. Upon initial opening of the lid member, first portion of the seal membrane delaminates from a remaining air-tight seal portion of the seal membrane.

Abstract: Packaging (10) featuring a tear-off closure with an tearing aid for freeing an opening (34) to remove the contents (32) is such that, at least in the region of the opening, layers of packaging material forming an outer (20) and inner part (22) of the packaging are superimposed, separated or separable from each other. The aid to tearing is arranged on the outer part (20) of the packaging in such a manner that the outer part of the packaging is separated from the inner part of the packaging a distance (a) from the opening and the inner part of the packaging is exposed in the region of the opening. The inner part (22) of the packaging which is revealed on tearing open the packaging is free of germs with the result that the packaging is suitable for consuming drinkable and/or edible contents by mouth directly from the packaging.

Abstract: A canister for storing a particulate-type product. The canister comprises opposing face panels, opposing side panels, a bottom closure, a top closure and a seal membrane. The opposing side panels together with the opposing face panels define an upper opening and a lower opening. The bottom closure is connected to the opposing face panels so as to encompass the lower opening. The opposing face panels, the opposing side panels and the bottom closure combine to define an internal storage region. The top closure is connected to the opposing face panels so as to encompass the upper opening. The top closure is configured to provide selective access to the internal storage region. Finally, the seal membrane is connected to the inner surfaces of the opposing face and side panels adjacent to and extending beneath the top closure. The seal membrane forms a substantially air-tight seal at the upper opening to maintain integrity of particulate-type product disposed within the internal storage region.

Abstract: Packaging such as a blockbase sack (201) suitable for packing of particulate material has an inner bag having two layers of polyethylene, surrounded by an outer bag (201) having three layers of polyethylene. Each bag has a closed bottom and has an open top (208) prior to filling. After filling of the inner bag, the inner bag is closed by a first heat seal along zone (205) in a heat-sealing operation, which can be performed through the outer bag (201) in such a way that the outer bag (201) is not heat sealed to the inner bag at that point. The outer bag (201) is closed by a second seal (207) located between the first seal (205) and the top of the bag (208). A frangible zone (206) is located between the first (205) and second (207) heat seals to enable the outer bag (201) to be removed from the sealed inner bag by cutting or tearing along the frangible zone (206).

Abstract: A flexible paper microwave package in the form of an easily expandable, nontrapping bag (18) is disclosed including a bottom wall (20) and a top wall (22) interconnected together adjacent their circular outer peripheries (20a, 22a) by first and second interconnection portions (26a, 26b). In one preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed from a first portion (22d) having an oval shaped access opening closed by an oval shaped closure portion (22e) interconnected by a seal (40) to the first portion (22d). The bottom and top walls (20, 22) expand into an opposing double domed shape as the food product is being popped, puffed, or expanded in the microwave oven. This domed shape of the bottom wall (20) keeps the food product huddled closer together and enhances the bag (18) to rock to maximize gravimetric separation.

Abstract: Flexible packages for holding a product, e.g., dry cereal, which are arranged to be opened to form a bowl to enable the product to prepared therein and/or eaten therefrom. The packages each basically comprises a front panel, a rear panel, and a bottom panel, all formed of a flexible sheet material. The front and rear panels each include a top edge, a pair of opposed side edges, and a bottom edge. The front and rear panels are fixedly secured together along the side edges. The peripheral edge of the bottom panel is fixedly secured to the inside surface of the front and rear panels above their bottom edges to form a hollow pocket for receipt of the product. The front and rear panels of each package are sealed along their top edges to isolate the product in the pocket from the ambient atmosphere, but are separable, e.g., can be severed, adjacent their top edges to enable the front and rear panels to separate to convert the pocket into a bowl. The product can then be prepared, e.g.

Abstract: Flexible packages for holding a product, e.g., dry cereal, which are arranged to be opened to form a bowl to enable the product to prepared therein and/or eaten therefrom. The packages each basically comprises a front panel, a rear panel, and a bottom panel, all formed of a flexible sheet material. The front and rear panels each include a top edge, a pair of opposed side edges, and a bottom edge. The front and rear panels are fixedly secured together along the side edges. The peripheral edge of the bottom panel is fixedly secured to the inside surface of the front and rear panels above their bottom edges to form a hollow pocket for receipt of the product. The front and rear panels of each package are sealed along their top edges to isolate the product in the pocket from the ambient atmosphere, but are separable, e.g., can be severed, adjacent their top edges to enable the front and rear panels to separate to convert the pocket into a bowl. The product can then be prepared, e.g.

Abstract: A food container and its method of use are disclosed. The food container includes a top panel, bottom panel and plurality of sidewalls. A movable panel is hingedly connected to one of the sidewalls, allowing a consumer to open the container. Attached to the lower edge of the movable panel is a shelf supporting a food item. A consumer can access the food item by opening the movable panel, which causes the shelf to carry the food item outside the container into a position that permits the consumer to easily manipulate it. The food item or a portion thereof can then be replaced in the container by simply closing the movable panel. The shelf may engage one or more sidewalls of the bottom panel to assist in maintaining the container in a closed position after initial opening and reclosing. The container is suitable for packaging food items that include both microwaveable and non-microwaveable ingredients. A foldable blank for manufacturing the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic packaging material which, when formed as a package having seams, will provide a predictable line of failure along a seam when the package is opened to prevent the package from tearing down the side. The predictable failure path is provided through a lamination process involving specific resins or blends of resins laminated in three (or more) layers in which an extruded inner layer forms a weak inner bond wholly within that inner layer to create the predictable line of failure and in which the process of forming the material does not inhibit processing speed, efficiency, and economics of materials used to provide this reliable openability.

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.

Abstract: This Precise Recipe Spice Dispenser is an aid to cooks, providing accurate and speedy dispensing of proper amounts of spices in correct sequence for a given recipe. A transparent plastic form contains a series of separate trough-shaped spice compartments with open faces. The sequence and sizes of the compartments depend on the order and amounts of the individual spices required. The plastic form, when filled with the spices, is sealed to the front layer of a double-layer chipboard backing, such that the open periphery of the spice compartments exactly matches a cutout in the front layer. The back layer has a peelable strip with a peripheral perforation exactly back-to-back with the cutout periphery in the front layer. The names of the spices and the recipe as a whole may be printed on the front layer next to the sealed spice compartments. When the first spice is needed, the peelable strip is peeled back to expose just the first compartment, leaving the other compartments sealed.

Abstract: An arcuate structure containing at least sixty six-sided building blocks, and said six-sided building blocks are independently able to provide means for connecting one of said six-sided building blocks to at least one of said six-sided building blocks. The outside face of the six-sided block has a substantially rhomboidal shape, and is substantially parallel to the inside face of the six-sided block. The right edges and the left edges have equal lengths and form equal angles with the inside face and outside face. The left and right sides of the six-sided block are congruent with each other, are in the shape of a parallelogram, and contain two recesses and two projections within their borders.

Abstract: A food container and its method of use are disclosed. The food container includes a top panel, bottom panel and plurality of sidewalls. A movable panel is hingedly connected to one of the sidewalls, allowing a consumer to open the container. Attached to the lower edge of the movable panel is a shelf supporting a food item. A consumer can access the food item by opening the movable panel, which causes the shelf to carry the food item outside the container into a position that permits the consumer to easily manipulate it. The food item or a portion thereof can then be replaced in the container by simply closing the movable panel. The shelf may engage one or more sidewalls of the bottom panel to assist in maintaining the container in a closed position after initial opening and reclosing. The container is suitable for packaging food items that include both microwaveable and non-microwaveable ingredients. A foldable blank for manufacturing the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable microwave popcorn package which contains a charge of popcorn kernels for preparation in a microwave oven. The package is formed of front and back panels preferably joined together at the top and bottom ends by an adhesive and at the sides by side panels. The back panel includes a pair of separation lines along which the package material is relatively weak such that a portion of the back panel can be torn from the remainder of the package to expose the popcorn within. Separation lines may be formed by weakening a portion of the bag substrate, by reinforcing the adjacent areas, or by a combination of the two. Side panels are folded to form gussets which allow the package to remain flat during storage, to expand to accommodate the popped kernels. A susceptor is also preferably placed on the front panel opposite the back panel to enhance the popping action.

Abstract: A dual-compartment, disposable, sanitary, individual-serving comestibles package for purveying a pair of separate and dissimilar food items. A first compartment is formed by a cup which is closed off by a first, removable closure element. A second compartment is formed by a recess within a sidewall of the cup, and is closed off by a second closure element which is preferably only partially removable.

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.

Abstract: A food package including a tray and a sleeve surrounding the tray where the sleeve includes at least one end flap extending therefrom and mechanically secured to the tray. In this way, the tray may be effectively retained within the sleeve. The at least one end flap also provides for increased structural integrity of the sleeve.