Patents by Inventor Benjamin M. Cichowski

Benjamin M. Cichowski has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240196487
    Abstract: A package for a food product can include an insert enclosed within a single film formable using, e.g., flow-wrapping, to enclose the food product and the insert. At least one portion of insert may be made up of an absorbent material laminated to a backing, the absorbent material adapted to absorb moisture within the package. The insert may include a base upon which the food product can be placed and two or more sides extending up from the base to contain the food product from moving in one or more directions. Fins or overlapping portions of the film may be configured on at least two edges of the single film allowing a seal to be created thereby further allowing the single film to substantially enclose the food product and the insert. Crimped seals may further be employed to completely seal the food product and the insert within the single film. One or more of the seals may be self-venting to release accumulated steam/moisture during a cooking or preparation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey Anthony Czarny, Benjamin M. Cichowski
  • Publication number: 20220332491
    Abstract: A packaged food product can include: a package and food disposed within the package. The package includes an inflatable first sheet comprising polymer, and a generally flat second sheet comprising paper material and polymer. The first sheet and the second sheet can be melted together to form a peripheral seal that includes paper material from the second sheet suspended within a melt between the first sheet polymer and the second sheet polymer. The food can be disposed on the second sheet and in direct physical contact with the paper material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: The Hillshire Brands Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Cichowski, Jeffrey Anthony Czarny
  • Publication number: 20220242648
    Abstract: A microwavable food packaging can be configured to absorb fluid. The packaging can include a first sheet and a flexible second sheet. The first sheet can include a first polymeric layer. The first sheet can define an upper portion of a food pocket. The flexible second sheet can include an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer can include a paper-based side and a polymer-based side. The paper-based side can include paper fibers, define a bottom of the food pocket and be configured to absorb fluid released from food disposed within the food pocket. The first polymeric layer can be bonded to the polymer-based side through the paper-based side to form a non-hermetic seal, the non-hermetic seal enabling passage of moisture therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: The Hillshire Brands Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Cichowski, Jeffrey A. Czarny
  • Publication number: 20220183119
    Abstract: A package for a food product can include an insert enclosed within a single film formable using, e.g., flow-wrapping, to enclose the food product and the insert. At least one portion of insert may be made up of an absorbent material laminated to a backing, the absorbent material adapted to absorb moisture within the package. The insert may include a base upon which the food product can be placed and two or more sides extending up from the base to contain the food product from moving in one or more directions. Fins or overlapping portions of the film may be configured on at least two edges of the single film allowing a seal to be created thereby further allowing the single film to substantially enclose the food product and the insert. Crimped seals may further be employed to completely seal the food product and the insert within the single film. One or more of the seals may be self-venting to release accumulated steam/moisture during a cooking or preparation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey Anthony Czarny, Benjamin M. Cichowski
  • Publication number: 20180273277
    Abstract: A microwavable food packaging can be configured to absorb fluid. The packaging can include a first sheet and a flexible second sheet. The first sheet can include a first polymeric layer. The first sheet can define an upper portion of a food pocket. The flexible second sheet can include an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer can include a paper-based side and a polymer-based side. The paper-based side can include paper fibers, define a bottom of the food pocket and be configured to absorb fluid released from food disposed within the food pocket. The first polymeric layer can be bonded to the polymer-based side through the paper-based side to form a non-hermetic seal, the non-hermetic seal enabling passage of moisture therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: The Hillshire Brands Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Cichowski, Jeffrey A. Czarny
  • Patent number: 9988200
    Abstract: A packaged food product includes a bottom receptacle having a lower portion defining an interior and an upper portion extending about the upper periphery of the interior; a food product provided within the interior; a top film sealed to the upper portion of the bottom receptacle via a seal portion extending substantially along the upper periphery of the interior and comprising at least one substantially straight side. The seal portion may be configured to release steam at approximately the midpoint of the substantially straight side of the seal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The Hillshire Brands Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Cichowski, Jeffrey A. Czarny
  • Publication number: 20180037393
    Abstract: A packaged food product can include: a package and food disposed within the package. The package can include: (a) an inflatable first sheet comprising polymer, and (b) a generally flat second sheet comprising paper material and polymer. The first sheet and the second sheet can be melted together to form a peripheral seal comprising: paper material from the second sheet suspended within a melt between the first sheet polymer and the second sheet polymer. The food can be disposed on the second sheet and in direct physical contact with the paper material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: The Hillshire Brands Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Cichowski, Jeffrey Anthony Czarny
  • Publication number: 20140339105
    Abstract: A package for a food product can include a single film formable using, e.g., flow-wrapping, to enclose the food product. At least one portion of the single film may be made up of an absorbent material laminated to the single film, the absorbent material adapted to absorb moisture within the package. The at least one portion may be utilized as a base upon which the food product can be placed. Fins or overlapping seals may be configured on at least two edges of the single film allowing a fin seal or overlapping seal to be created thereby further allowing the single film to substantially enclose the food product. Crimped seals may further be employed to completely seal the food product within the single film. The fin seal or the overlapping seal and the crimped seals may be self-venting to release accumulated steam/moisture during a cooking or preparation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Anthony Czarny, Benjamin M. Cichowski
  • Publication number: 20140342057
    Abstract: A package for a food product can include an insert enclosed within a single film formable using, e.g., flow-wrapping, to enclose the food product and the insert. At least one portion of insert may be made up of an absorbent material laminated to a backing, the absorbent material adapted to absorb moisture within the package. The insert may include a base upon which the food product can be placed and two or more sides extending up from the base to contain the food product from moving in one or more directions. Fins or overlapping portions of the film may be configured on at least two edges of the single film allowing a seal to be created thereby further allowing the single film to substantially enclose the food product and the insert. Crimped seals may further be employed to completely seal the food product and the insert within the single film. One or more of the seals may be self-venting to release accumulated steam/moisture during a cooking or preparation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Anthony Czarny, Benjamin M. Cichowski
  • Publication number: 20140010927
    Abstract: A packaged food product includes a food product; a packaging having an interior containing the food product, the packaging including a first film defining a recess to receive the food product, the first film having an anti-fog treatment applied to at least a portion of the recess, the first film configured to define a space between the food product and the first film and receive heated water vapor released from the food product during heating of the food product; and a second film releasably sealed to the first film, the second film comprising an absorbent layer configured to absorb moisture released from the food product; and at least one vent portion configured to relieve steam pressure from the interior during heating of the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: The Hillshire Brands Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Cichowski, Jeffrey Anthony Czarny
  • Publication number: 20120114808
    Abstract: A packaged food product includes a food product; a packaging having an interior containing the food product, the packaging including a first film defining a recess to receive the food product, the first film having an anti-fog treatment applied to at least a portion of the recess, the first film configured to define a space between the food product and the first film and receive heated water vapor released from the food product during heating of the food product; and a second film releasably sealed to the first film, the second film comprising an absorbent layer configured to absorb moisture released from the food product; and at least one vent portion configured to relieve steam pressure from the interior during heating of the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Cichowski, Jeffrey Anthony Czarny
  • Publication number: 20080276571
    Abstract: A package includes a first wall, a second wall coupled to the first wall at a peelably openable seal portion, a gusset coupled to the first wall and the second wall, wherein the first wall, the second wall, and gusset define an interior space, a vent portion provided on at least one of the first wall and the second wall, wherein the vent portion is configured to permit gases to escape from the interior space, and a food product provided within the interior, wherein at least one of the first wall and the second wall comprises an anti-fog material on a surface facing the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Benjamin M. Cichowski
  • Patent number: D662813
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Anthony Czarny, Benjamin M. Cichowski
  • Patent number: D662814
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Cichowski, Jeffrey Anthony Czarny