Abstract: A tray that eliminates the need for wrapping or packaging edible food articles that are in a malleable form, such as when made or otherwise produced, with the tray formed with at least a plurality of pairs of article holding compartments each three dimensionally contoured so as to define an edible food article mold that shapes or forms an edible food article received therein that is in a formable or moldable state so as to substantially conform at least a portion of the edible food article to the shape of the three-dimensional contour of the mold of the compartment in which the article is received. A preferred embodiment of the tray has at least a plurality of pairs of elongate article holding compartments that are generally parallel with one another with the article shaping or forming mold defined by each compartment formed of a compartment sidewall that has a concavely curved cross-section that preferably is generally semicircular in a transverse cross-section.

Abstract: A cup having an endless sidewall with a lower stacking shoulder formed of a sidewall and bottom heel including a convexly outwardly curved rib disposed at a transition between the sidewall and a cup bottom having a bottom wall having a recessed dome-shaped center section providing draw ratio bottom wall thickness reduction to an annular flat bottom wall section defining a puncture region of the cup. The cup sidewall has a ribbed section disposed adjacent the heel and extends upwardly at least one-quarter the height of the cup helping to strengthen the relatively thin sidewall to prevent it from undesirably deforming during puncturing of the cup bottom during beverage making. The cup may include an upper shoulder formed of an outwardly expanded section of the sidewall adjacent the top of the cup and defining an filter attachment seat on one side and a cup carrier on the opposite side.

Abstract: A reclosable package for an article may include a base with a planar floor defining an article-retaining cavity and raised sidewalls extending about the perimeter forming part of the article-retaining cavity with a cover with raised sidewalls coupled to the base configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The sidewalls may form a double wall about the perimeter of the base with a channel that remains open when the cover is disposed in the closed position. A plurality of projections extending from at least one sidewall of at least one of the cover and base and a plurality of notches in at least one sidewall of at least one of the cover and base keep the cover closed as the projections insert into the notches with a snap fit engagement.

Abstract: A reclosable wiper blade package for holding a beam-type wiper blade having a wiper blade adapter-receiving cradle of a blade receiving cavity formed in one of a pair of package halves that is configured for snap fit engagement with an adapter of the wiper blade releasably retained in the blade receiving cavity. The cradle can also be configured to locate and orient arms of the wiper blade so they engage a corresponding blade arm seat in a substantially straightened condition orienting the blade on its side. One or both package halves are formed with elongate ribs that can define package sidewalls that can even form at least part of the blade receiving cavity that can have spaced apart rib-strengthening gussets where rib width is narrowed or constricted.

Abstract: An elongate article holding package for a pre-curved beam blade wiper blade includes a pair of packaging panels joined by a living hinge. In a currently preferred embodiment, the package has two panels joined by a living hinge. A first panel is configured to retain the wiper blade in a substantially straight configuration within a cavity formed in the panel, and the second panel is pivotally connected by the living hinge to be disposed in either a closed or an open position with the first panel. The first panel preferably includes a first channel having a first bottom wall and a second channel disposed in the first bottom wall and in communication with the first channel. The first panel preferably also includes retention fingers to positively retain the wiper blade and recessed sidewall portions to facilitate insertion and extraction of the wiper blade into the first panel.

Abstract: A reclosable package well suited for holding pre-curved beam-type wiper blades in a package cavity formed in a base that releasably engages with a cover via a reclosable closure arrangement that includes an arrangement of bar snaps each formed of a bar with an elongated bulbous head received in a complementarily configured bar snap pocket during package closure. Each bar includes inclined endwalls that facilitate location and entry of the head into a narrower mouth of the pocket until the head is received in a head-anchoring chamber releasably clamping the bar head in place. The closure arrangement can include an interlocking rib-and-channel arrangement having a rib segment extending along a hinge joining the cover to the base and rib sections extending along end flanges and part of an outer flange that stiffen and strengthen the package while guiding bar snaps into snap-fit engagement during package closure.

Abstract: A reclosable wiper blade package for holding a beam-type wiper blade in a substantially straightened condition in an upside down orientation with the wiping element of the blade facing upwardly toward a cover of the package. The package includes a blade-retaining package panel with a cavity formed therein having an adapter seat and blade engagement regions that engage corresponding arms of the wiper blade. Each blade engagement region is configured for snap fit engagement with an end portion of the wiper blade arm such as an end cap of the wiper blade.

Abstract: A reclosable package having a blister with an outer wall defining an article-holding cavity in communication with a cavity opening that includes a door attached by a hinge and configured to seat in the opening with engagement between the door and a cavity-opening defining side or edge helping keep the door closed. In one embodiment, the door includes an indented portion that frictionally engages at least one and preferably a plurality of cavity-opening defining side when closed. Such an indented portion can include an undercut that underlies part of the adjacent cavity-opening defining side when the door is closed having an interference fit therebetween that can be a snap fit. The package can also be configured to provide releasable engagement between part of the door and part of the blister outer wall when the door is closed that can be in the form of a bar snap.

Abstract: A beam-type wiper blade reclosable package that includes a pair of package halves joined by an elongate compliant joint that preferably enables one of the package halves to function as a cover that can be closed over a base that includes a curved beam-type wiper blade compartment formed therein. The compartment includes a wiper blade beam or backbone seat and a wiping blade element land, an adapter clearance recess defining a lip that facilitates package opening and closing and wiper blade removal facilitating pockets. The compliant joint preferably is a living hinge of double fold construction that serves to strengthen the package when closed.

Abstract: An elongate article holding package for a wiper blade having a pair of package panels with at least one of the panels including a blade beam receiving seat and a support flat upon which part of the blade rests during packaging. When closed, the flats position and can clamp the blade therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, both panels are so configured and preferably include one or more longitudinal stiffeners that oppose bending moments created by force transmitted to the package by the blade beam. The package preferably is of tri-fold construction having a spine that is spaced from and protects the wiper element. The spine preferably includes at least a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending stiffeners. One or more stiffening flanges preferably are also provided. When closed, the panels and spine advantageously cooperate with each other to increase package crush and bending resistance.

Abstract: A method and container capable of withstanding ultra-high pressure sterilization or pasteurization and being used as a retail package. The container includes at least one deformable pressure absorbing fold channel integrally formed therein enabling the container to undergo UHP processing and return substantially to its prior shape. In one embodiment, the container has at least one sidewall with such a fold channel. In a preferred embodiment, the package also has a bottom wall with a fold channel. The container is thermoformed of a sheet that includes at least one oxygen barrier layer and includes a peelable oxygen barrier film covering a container opening. In a preferred method, the container has a plurality of sidewalls with a fold channel therebetween and a bottom with a fold channel thereabout that accommodates compression between 5% and 25% without showing visible damage when subjected to pressures of between 70 ksi and 120 ksi.

Abstract: An elongate article holding package for a wiper blade having a pair of package panels with at least one of the panels including a blade beam receiving seat and a support flat upon which part of the blade rests during packaging. When closed, the flats position and can clamp the blade therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, both panels are so configured and preferably include one or more longitudinal stiffeners that oppose bending moments created by force transmitted to the package by the blade beam. The package preferably is of tri-fold construction having a spine that is spaced from and protects the wiper element. The spine preferably includes at least a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending stiffeners. One or more stiffening flanges preferably are also provided. When closed, the panels and spine advantageously cooperate with each other to increase package crush and bending resistance.

Abstract: A transparent carton of long thin shape for wiper blades, including an integral hinge connecting a cover section to a bottom section along its entire length, interfitting flanges on the bottom and cover sections which, when engaged to close the package, provide an interlocked full length closure which can readily be opened and reclosed. The cover section also includes a plurality of small shelves in its interior, adjacent its main panel, to retain a display card. One of the main panels of one of the carton sections may incorporate suitable measurement scales. One end of the carton also may include a hanger means for hanging the packaged wiper blades on pegs of a display rack.