Abstract: An egg carton having base and lid trays that when disposed in vertical alignment (with the lid tray on top of the base tray) form a closed egg carton. The base and lid trays each include a pair of mating handle components, such that when assembled to form a closed carton provide both enhanced strength and ease of carrying the assembled carton. The handles also facilitate handling of the base and lid trays separately during manufacture, packing and transport, and during and after filling the base with eggs. The new base, lid and carton assembly are particularly useful when adapted for holding more than a dozen eggs, for example when holding 30 or more eggs in a rectilinear array of egg cells (arranged in linear rows and transverse linear columns), such as a 5×6 array of egg cells.

Abstract: Thermoplastic packaging trays are provided that are filled with a product and wrapped in film, and methods of producing the tray with a peripheral edge region that avoids tearing of the overwrap film. In various embodiments, the tray has a beaded, a flat, or a combined beaded and flat peripheral edge.

Abstract: An egg carton having base and lid trays that when disposed in vertical alignment (with the lid tray on top of the base tray) form a closed egg carton. The base and lid trays each include a pair of mating handle components, such that when assembled to form a closed carton provide both enhanced strength and ease of carrying the assembled carton. The handles also facilitate handling of the base and lid trays separately during manufacture, packing and transport, and during and after filling the base with eggs. The new base, lid and carton assembly are particularly useful when adapted for holding more than a dozen eggs, for example when holding 30 or more eggs in a rectilinear array of egg cells (arranged in linear rows and transverse linear columns), such as a 5×6 array of egg cells.

Abstract: Thermoplastic packaging trays are provided that are filled with a product and wrapped in film, and methods of producing the tray with a peripheral edge region that avoids tearing of the overwrap film. In various embodiments, the tray has a beaded, a flat, or a combined beaded and flat peripheral edge.

Abstract: Thermoplastic packaging trays are provided that are filled with a product and wrapped in film, and methods of producing the tray with a peripheral edge region that avoids tearing of the overwrap film. In various embodiments, the tray has a beaded, a flat, or a combined beaded and flat peripheral edge.

Abstract: Thermoplastic packaging trays are provided that are filled with a product and wrapped in film, and methods of producing the tray with a peripheral edge region that avoids tearing of the overwrap film. In various embodiments, the tray has a beaded, a flat, or a combined beaded and flat peripheral edge.

Abstract: To guard against injury to persons engaging the trim edges of a hinged container, a protective flap extends from the lid on either end of the axial hinge. The flaps extend from the corners of the lid adjacent respective trim edges of the hinge. The flaps have a rounded bottom portion which is extended past the axial hinge line. The curved structure of the protective flaps helps to gently deflect objects, such as fingers, away from any sharply angled trim edges of the hinge, thereby guarding handlers from accidental injury.

Abstract: A plastic egg carton that enables secure packaging of different size eggs, preferably in both oriented and non-oriented positions, while also allowing for easy filling, closing, handling and packing in shipping containers. The egg carton has a base tray and a lid hingedly connected to the tray for pivoting between open and closed positions. Each cell of the base tray has a plurality of collapsible bubbles formed in the cell sidewall, the bubbles extending radially inwardly in a relaxed state (when no egg or an egg up to a predetermined size (diameter) is present in the cell) and configured to move (compress) outwardly when eggs of increasing size (diameter) above the predetermined size are placed in the cell, thereby accommodating a range of different size variations, and holding each received egg in a vertically aligned position in its cell. The lid post also has a plurality of collapsible bubbles.

Abstract: A molded plastic tray is provided according to the invention adapted to display meat or other perishable thawed food patty products in a disc configuration, and designed to withstand movement of the patties during shipping and display. The tray is designed to hold the meat products in a flat disc configuration while being loaded, wrapped, shipped and displayed on one side edge. The tray is designed to provide structural rigidity that resists warping and breakage, thus enabling the loaded and sealed tray to be handled, shipped, and displayed with minimal leakage or breakage. In some embodiments the tray includes features that facilitate de-nesting of a stack of empty trays, and is adapted to facilitate movement of the wrapped package on a moving conveyor line. The tray is easy to manufacture and provides a lightweight and cost effective packaging product.

Abstract: Tri-fold egg carton has a base and a cover each having a complementary matrix of egg receiving cells such that, when the cover is assembled on top of the base, the complementary cells encapsulate each egg in an individual cell pocket (see FIGS. 3-5). Each base cell and cover cell includes a central dome and first and second radially spaced apart circumferential hinges that surround the central dome, and lie radially inward of a lowermost standing ring, enabling the dome to move up and down above the plane of the standing ring (in the height direction of the closed carton) between multiple positions to accommodate jumbo eggs of varying dimensions (height and width) to hold them securely in their respective cell pocket. The base and cover further include full height cell posts with mating surfaces that engage in the assembled state. The carton further includes a lid which fits over the cover (of the assembled cover and base), in a secure and locked position.

Abstract: Processor tray for displaying tubular meat products in an arcuate configuration, and designed to help guide the packer to mold and place curved meat products in the tray. The filled tray is wrapped in film, and the configuration of the filled tray maintains the film taut to avoid leakage. The tray includes a rectangular upper shaped cavity, and a plurality of curved recessed pockets extend below the upper cavity to define a lower cavity. The tray is designed to provide structural rigidity that resists warping and breakage, thus enabling the overwrapped tray to be handled, shipped, and displayed with minimal leakage or breakage. In some embodiments the tray includes features that facilitate de-nesting of a stack of empty trays, and is adapted to facilitate movement of the wrapped package on a moving conveyor line. The tray is easy to manufacture and provides a lightweight and cost effective packaging product.

Abstract: A molded plastic tray adapted to receive a plastic overwrap film for preservation, secure handling and display of a perishable food product in the wrapped tray, such as fresh fruit or vegetables. The tray has a pair of central ribbing elements extending from opposing longitudinal side walls and into the bottom wall and is designed to provide structural rigidity that resists warping and collapse, thus enabling the overwrapped tray to be handled, shipped, and displayed with minimal leakage while preserving the food product therein. The tray is easy to manufacture and provides a lightweight and cost effective packaging product. The tray has a rectangular shape that provides for consistent wrapping strength and can be handled on standard processing equipment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a hinge in a thermoformed container, such as an egg carton, and the resulting container. The hinge is formed in the mold, by severing a thermoformed container along the length of a hinge line, with the exception of plurality of spaced connecting membranes that are not severed. The alternating severed portions and connecting membranes are referred to herein as a notched hinge connection. The width, depth, and location of the connecting membranes can be adjusted so the hinge area is strong enough to withstand multiple openings during use.