Abstract: An indicator including an indicator product that is adapted to change visual appearance, an indicator scale in near adjacency to the indicator product including substantially all of the visual appearances that the indicator product can display and a binary scale in near adjacency with the indicator product and the indicator scale. A package adapted to contain a product is also disclosed including a container for holding the product with an indicator secured to the container. Associated methods of (i) determining whether a product in a package is acceptable; (ii) packaging a product; and (iii) making an indicator label are also disclosed.

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.

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.

Abstract: A food package including a tray and a sleeve surrounding the tray. The tray includes a base defining an opening and a sidewall extending from the base which terminates in a free edge. The free edge defines a tray opening. The sleeve includes a top panel positioned adjacent the tray opening, a bottom panel positioned adjacent to the opening in the base and a side panel positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: A food package including a tray and a sleeve surrounding the tray where the tray includes a rigid cover member secured thereto. The rigid cover member includes a first top surface and a second top surface elevated above the first top surface. The sleeve includes a front panel having an opening formed therein. The front panel of the sleeve is disposed adjacent the first top surface of the rigid cover member and the second top surface is received in the opening formed in the front panel so as to effectively retain the tray within the sleeve.

Abstract: A food package for containing a food product. The food package includes a tray having a base with an outer surface and an inner surface and a sidewall extending from the base. The sidewall has outer surface and an inner surface and defines a tray opening. A sleeve is provided which includes (i) a bottom section disposed adjacent the outer surface of the base; (ii) a side section disposed adjacent the outer surface of the sidewall; and (iii) a top section secured to the sidewall and substantially covering the tray opening. In another embodiment, a plastic film is interposed between the tray and the sleeve.

Abstract: A food product container including a tray having a base and a sidewall extending from the base and a jacket disposed generally adjacent to the tray. The sidewall of the tray terminates in a flange which together with a portion of the sidewall defines an undercut space. The jacket is dimensioned such that a portion thereof is disposed in the undercut space so that the Jacket can be restrained from separating from adjacent the tray by virtue of the portion engaging against the flange. An associated food product package is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a food package including a food package tray and a food package jacket. The method involves placing a food package tray on a mandrel such that the inner surface of the tray contacts at least a portion of the mandrel. After this, the food package jacket is placed on the food package tray so that the food package jacket partially surrounds the food package tray. The food package jacket is then secured to the food package tray to make the food package. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a food package including a food package tray and a food package jacket. The method involves placing a food package tray on a mandrel such that the inner surface of the tray contacts at least a portion of the mandrel. After this, the food package jacket is placed on the food package tray so that the food package jacket partially surrounds the food package tray. The food package jacket is then secured to the food package tray to make the food package. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A food product tray including a base defining an opening and a floor member covering the opening. The floor member has an edge portion thereof secured to the base such that the floor member substantially directly supports the food product in the tray. A food product package is also provided.

Abstract: An ovenable food package including a non-circular base having legs extending therefrom. The base is constructed and arranged such that an exterior gap is created between a portion of the base and the support surface of a food heating apparatus into which the package is placed. The base is also constructed and arranged such that at least one interior gap is created between the food product contained in the package and the base when the food product rests on the base. This construction and arrangement insures uniform and efficient heating of the food product and also insures that moisture in the form of steam can escape from the food product so that the food product comes out of the oven crispy and not soggy. An ovenable food package is also disclosed that has a sidewall extending from the base that terminates in a stepped flange and a removable lid for covering the base. The lid is sized and shaped such that a removable portion of the lid can be positioned to rest on the stepped flange.

Abstract: A food package including a food package tray partially surrounded by a food package jacket. The food package tray has a base and a sidewall extending from the base. The food package jacket has a bottom flap disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the base of tray and at least one side flap extending from the bottom flap and disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the sidewall. The side flap has a section adhesively secured to the sidewall. In this way, the food package jacket and food package tray form the food package. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ovenable food package for holding a food product. The package has a base which is constructed and arranged such that at least one exterior gap is created between the base and the support surface of the oven (conventional or microwave) in which the package and food product are placed into to be cooked. The base is also constructed and arranged to create at least one interior gap between the food product and the base. A further ovenable food package is disclosed in which a lid is provided that is adapted to be removed and then replaced on top of the package to create a space between the food product and the lid. A food package including a base for the food product and a box containing the base and food product is also disclosed.