Patents by Inventor David W. France
David W. France 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).
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Patent number: 11884473Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Charles T. Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul J. Warosh, Donald L Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John D. Culter
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Publication number: 20230405960Abstract: A microwave popcorn package is described that includes unique combinations of low porosity paper, flexible adhesive with broad coverage, and narrowed seal configurations that combine together to address unique issues associated with interaction of the individual features.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: David W. France, John Garnett, IV, Jordan Dasher, Ryan O'Hern
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Publication number: 20230399162Abstract: A microwave popcorn package is described that includes unique combinations of low porosity paper, flexible adhesive with broad coverage, and narrowed seal configurations that combine together to address unique issues associated with interaction of the individual features.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: David W. France, John Garnett, IV, Jordan Dasher, Ryan O'Hern
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Publication number: 20230398760Abstract: A microwave popcorn package is described that includes unique combinations of low porosity paper, flexible adhesive with broad coverage, and narrowed seal configurations that combine together to address unique issues associated with interaction of the individual features.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: David W. France, John Garnett, IV, Jordan Dasher, Ryan O'Hern
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Publication number: 20230159258Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2022Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, JR., Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
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Patent number: 11634262Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
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Publication number: 20210387788Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Charles T. Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul J. Warosh, Donald L. Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John D. Culter
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Publication number: 20210086976Abstract: A wick resistant microwavable popcorn arrangement formed substantially entirely of non-fluorocarbon material includes a folded bag defining a bag interior. The folded bag includes first and second opposite face panels joined by first and second opposite side gussets defined by gusset folds. The bag is folded to define a portion of the interior with side creases defined at junctures between the first face panel and the first and second opposite side gussets. One or more non-activated sealant fields are arranged to overlap at least one of the side creases or the gusset folds, and are configured to provide a liquid-resistant barrier. The one or more non-activated sealant fields are configured to retain the unpopped popcorn kernels, an oil component, and/or a fat component positioned within the bag interior between the first and second side gussets.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2019Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventor: David W. France
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Patent number: 10906722Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Charles T. Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul J. Warosh, Donald L. Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John D. Culter
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Patent number: 10829292Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
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Patent number: 10569949Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, Jr., Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
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Publication number: 20190283952Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
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Publication number: 20180127191Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Charles T. Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul J. Warosh, Donald L. Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John D. Culter
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Patent number: 9868581Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Charles Thomas Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul J. Warosh, Donald L. Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John D. Culter
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Publication number: 20170121096Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
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Publication number: 20170121095Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
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Patent number: 9505542Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: David W. France, Steven R. Baker
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Patent number: 9079704Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Charles Thomas Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul John Warosh, Donald L. Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John Dougherty Culter
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Publication number: 20150166242Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Charles Thomas Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul J. Warosh, Donald L. Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John D. Culter
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Patent number: 8850964Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof includes a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steamflow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Adam Pawlick, David W. France, Steven R. Baker