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: A bag for storing and dispensing a food product (e.g., a microwavable popcorn bag, potato chip bag, etc.) includes an improved product access opening. In particular, the bag comprises at least a first gusset on some surface of the bag, the gusset comprising at least two gusset panels and a product access opening ("gusset opening") between the two panels. The gusset opening may be sealed by a number of different methods and mechanisms, e.g., an adhesive, a pull-tab, a perforation, or any other suitable seal which keeps the bag sealed and, further, allows a user easily to unseal the opening to access the food product inside the bag. The gusset opening may be incorporated into many types of food bags, including both microwavable and non-microwavable food bags. If the gusset opening is incorporated into a microwavable food bag (e.g., a popcorn bag), the bag expands in a microwave during cooking and causes the gusset to unfold.

Abstract: A bone cap device for use over a meat cut having at least one exposed bone is provided. The meat cut is positionable inside a separate outer bag with the bone cap device cushioning the exposed bone from piercing the separate outer bag. The bone cap device comprises a first bone cap positionable over the first exposed bone. A second bone cap is positionable over the second exposed bone. A connection member connects the first bone cap to the second bone cap wherein the first bone cap and the second bone cap inhibits the first exposed bone and second exposed bone, respectively, from piercing the separate outer bag.

Abstract: An edible food container has a hollow body having an interior wall and an exterior wall and having a generally flat bottom portion and an open top. The body has a concave curve side opposite to the convex side and has at least one elongated groove on the interior wall extending from adjacent the bottom portion to the body open top so that an edible container can be filled with a fluid material for later freezing and a plurality of containers can be nested together for dispensing from a vending machine. A method of making a frozen edible product includes selecting the edible container apparatus, filling the selected container with an edible fluid while allowing air to escape through the groove on the interior wall of the container, and freezing the edible fluid material in the edible container to provide an edible frozen product, such as ice cream and the like, which can be nested for dispensing from a vending machine or the like.

Abstract: A candy or gum holding device including an elongated flexible cord. The candy or gum is of a gummy type which can be threaded onto the cord along its length. Near a lower end of the cord, the cord is flared slightly so that the candy or gum pieces will not fall off but can be pulled off over the flare. The upper end of the cord is provided with a head and the lower end of the cord is provided with a tail section. The head is provided with an aperture which receives the end of the tail section in order to form a bracelet or anklet after the candy has been consumed.