Abstract: A packaged food product includes a container having therein a cup for a food ingredient, at least one dough product and a plastic separator interposed between the cup and the at least one dough product. The separator includes a main body portion seated upon a rim of the cup, with the main body portion having a peripheral side surface in frictional engagement with an inner sidewall of the container. The separator also includes a column support extending from the main body portion and abutting a bottom of the cup. In a preferred embodiment, the column support takes an inverted frustoconical shape and is hollow, thereby enabling multiple separators to be nested for shipping and storing purposes. When the dough product(s) proof within the container, forces applied to the separator from the developed pressure are transferred through the main body portion and the column support to the bottom of the cup.

Abstract: A dough product packaging assembly includes one or more dough pieces arranged a first container having a closed, internal cavity, a second container supported upon the first container with an open top portion, a third container housing one or more additional ingredients, such as icing, within the second container, and an outer container extending across the open top portion of the second container and encapsulating each of the first, second and third containers. In connection with production, transportation and consumer displaying of the product, the second container provides support and transfers weight from any cartons stacked above a lower dough product directly onto the first container, thereby allowing the outer or fourth container to act as a containment vessel only, versus something needed to directly provide vertical structural support.

Abstract: A dough product packaging assembly includes one or more dough pieces arranged a first container having a closed, internal cavity, a second container supported upon the first container with an open top portion, a third container housing one or more additional ingredients, such as icing, within the second container, and an outer container extending across the open top portion of the second container and encapsulating each of the first, second and third containers. In connection with production, transportation and consumer displaying of the product, the second container provides support and transfers weight from any cartons stacked above a lower dough product directly onto the first container, thereby allowing the outer or fourth container to act as a containment vessel only, versus something needed to directly provide vertical structural support.