Abstract: A method for separating a package blister from the cards which retain it to promote recycling of the component parts of a package. A thermoformed thermoplastic blister has a product bubble which extends from a peripheral flange to extend through an opening in a front card. The front card is affixed to a back card so as not to adhere to the blister flange. The blister has a pull feature which is accessible for gripping by a user to engage and remove the blister from the front card and the back card. To separate the blister from the cards a user grips the pull feature and pulls the blister frontwardly, thereby distorting the blister and extracting the blister from the cards, to fully separate the blister from the front card and the back card, permitting the entire package to be recycled.

Abstract: A system of containers forming a group of two and three containers, where one and two smaller containers can be positioned on a lid of a larger container so as to prevent sliding motion of the smaller containers. Each of the smaller containers having a bottom wall of substantially the same dimensions with a portion of the bottom wall forming an upwardly extending indentation. The small containers are formed with upwardly opening walls and have lids releasably engageable with the bottom. The larger container lid having a flat upper surface which is sized to hold at least two of the smaller containers, and having structures to position one, and to position two smaller containers against sliding movement on said flat upper surface such that whether one container or two containers, the smaller containers are balanced about a central axis of the larger container and lid.

Abstract: Disclosed are rigid multi-compartment recloseable packages. A package may comprise a rigid tray comprising a product surface to hold food products. The tray may comprise a raised lip along a perimeter of the product surface to laterally secure the food products thereon. The tray may have a tray skirt horizontally extending outward from a top edge of the lip, and dividing features upwardly extending from the product surface to form distinct compartments on the product surface for receiving the food products therein. Furthermore, such an exemplary package also comprises a recloseable rigid lid having an upper surface substantially coextensive with the product surface, and at least one sidewall downwardly extending from the upper surface. The lid may also comprise a lid skirt horizontally extending outward from a bottom edge of the at least one sidewall, where the lid skirt is coextensive and complimentary in shape with the tray skirt.

Abstract: A disposable package is configured to promote recycling of its component parts. A thermoformed thermoplastic blister has a product bubble which extends from a peripheral flange to extend through an opening in a front card. The front card is affixed to a back card so as not to adhere to the blister flange. An extraction tab extends from the product bubble into the front card opening to be accessible from both the front and back of the package being thereby accessible for gripping by a user to engage and remove the blister from the front card and the back card.

Abstract: A clamshell container has a lid connected to a base by an integral hinge. The lid has a perimeter projecting member which engages with a peripheral base sealing wall in a closed configuration so that it is difficult for a user to open the container without tearing the lid along a weakened region of material along the hinge. To aid in resisting undetectable tampering, the container has a post which projects from the side wall and extends less than the length of the side wall within the container. The post has an engaging wall which faces towards a base sealing wall and which is spaced from the sealing wall to define a gap which receives the closed lid's projecting member. Distortion of the closed container which tends to urge the lid projecting member away from the base sealing wall engages it with the post engaging wall to resist tampering.

Abstract: A clamshell container has a lid connected to a base by an integral hinge. The lid has a perimeter projecting member which engages with a peripheral base sealing wall in a closed configuration so that it is difficult for a user to open the container without tearing the lid along a weakened region of material along the hinge. To aid in resisting undetectable tampering, the container has a post which projects from the side wall and extends less than the length of the side wall within the container. The post has an engaging wall which faces towards a base sealing wall and which is spaced from the sealing wall to define a gap which receives the closed lid's projecting member. Distortion of the closed container which tends to urge the lid projecting member away from the base sealing wall engages it with the post engaging wall to resist tampering.

Abstract: A thermoformed thermoplastic container has a lid which closes on a base in a snap fit. A signal tab is hinged to the base and has a tubular projection which folds over the lid and is received in a friction fit with a downwardly extending lid projection. After the container is filled with product, the signal tab is pressed into place on the lid and lies flat. In order to open the lid the signal tab is pulled up, thereby severing a perforated line extending around the lid projection, and separating the lid projection from the lid which prevents the signal tab from again engaging with the lid, thereby serving as an indicator to a customer that the package has been opened.

Abstract: A container has a base with a bottom wall rib structure which deforms downwardly when an unresisted load is applied. The rib structure stiffens the base, and also can elevate the food product from liquid within the container. The bottom wall has a central platform which extends upwardly from a lower encircling segment. The lower encircling segment marks the lowermost portion of the base as molded, and extends inwardly from the lower margin of the sidewall. Two generally parallel longitudinal ribs extend across the platform and project upwardly from the platform. The longitudinal ribs extend from the lower encircling segment at the front of the base to the rear of the base. Short bridging ribs are evenly spaced parallel to one another and extend laterally between and connect the two longitudinal ribs. A plurality of cross ribs extend outwardly from each longitudinal rib to the encircling segment.

Abstract: A container has a base with a bottom wall rib structure which deforms downwardly when an unresisted load is applied. The rib structure stiffens the base, and also can elevate the food product from liquid within the container. The bottom wall has a central platform which extends upwardly from a lower encircling segment. The lower encircling segment marks the lowermost portion of the base as molded, and extends inwardly from the lower margin of the sidewall. Two generally parallel longitudinal ribs extend across the platform and project upwardly from the platform. The longitudinal ribs extend from the lower encircling segment at the front of the base to the rear of the base. Short bridging ribs are evenly spaced parallel to one another and extend laterally between and connect the two longitudinal ribs. A plurality of cross ribs extend outwardly from each longitudinal rib to the encircling segment.

Abstract: A container for carry out heated food items, such as rotisserie chicken, has a base which is connected to a lid by a mating peripheral closure which defines a liquid tight seal. The closure has an encircling inclined wall on the base, which helps to direct the lid into engagement with the base, and which also defines a cavity within the closure which can retain liquid. The base may be provided with two fold up straps which are retained by structure in the lid to lie generally flat to serve as a convenient carrying handle above the lid. The base has rib structure allowing it to distend downwardly when loaded with food to space the heated food from the customer's hand while engaged with the handle.

Abstract: Two food elements are supplied in a container assembly which may be placed on a horizontal support surface or supported in an automobile cup holder. A smaller secondary cup is received within a secondary cup cavity cantilevered to one side of a thermoformed thermoplastic primary container which has exterior dimensions suited to a cup holder. The primary container has a main compartment which receives another food element. The base of the primary container is inclined from the rim of the primary container, such that the center of gravity of the primary container with secondary cup and edible material overlies the primary container bottom wall when the bottom wall is supported on a horizontal surface. A column in the primary container side wall extends from a protruding toe portion of the bottom wall to engage and support the secondary cup cavity.