Abstract: A portable cooling/heating unit for cooling/heating a product container. The unit includes a thermoelectric assembly, a housing, a front side fan, and a rear side fan. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device, a first heat sink, and a second heat sink. The housing maintains the first heat sink and front fan within a front side channel, and the second heat sink and rear fan within a rear side channel. The housing further forms a condensation passageway segment that facilitates fluid connection between the channels. During use, the unit is removably assembled to the container such that openings of the front side channel are fluidly within the container's interior region. Accumulated condensation is directed to the rear side channel and evaporated.

Abstract: A food package kit including a plurality of trays having a bottom, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a top end, and a flange extending from the sidewall opposite the bottom, the flange includes a rim section configured to receive a sealing film, and a recessed section extending from the rim section, wherein each of the opposed longitudinal edges intersect with a lateral edge at a corner, wherein the kit also includes a sleeve adapted to contain the trays completely therein, the sleeve including a sleeve top, a first depending sleeve side, and a second depending sleeve side and a sleeve bottom, wherein the tray is completely disposed within the sleeve by frictional force between the tray and the sleeve.

Abstract: A portable cooled merchandizing unit including a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly includes an exterior frame and an interior container forming a floor and side panels defining an interior region. Openings to the interior region are defined opposite the floor. Airflow paths are defined at an exterior of the panels and are fluidly connected to the interior region via the opening. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device connected to a heat sink that is fluidly connected to the airflow path away from the opening. A fan is positioned to circulate air from the thermoelectric device and into the interior region via the airflow paths.

Abstract: Kits for constructing a modular merchandizing unit include panels, frame members, joint pieces, and a cooling device. The frame members have a lengthwise shape defining outer and inner panel mounting assemblies and a joint capture region. The mounting assemblies include opposing legs extending from a base web to define a panel engagement region. The joint pieces each include a block core and orthogonally arranged plug assemblies projecting from faces of the core. The plug assemblies mate with the joint capture region. Construction of a unit from the kit includes the frame members retaining selected panels as paired inner and outer panels within corresponding engagement regions. The joint pieces interconnect the frame members and paired panels to form a cabinet. The cooling device is mounted the cabinet. A door assembly can also be mounted to the cabinet. Optionally, foam insulation is dispensed between the paired panels.

Abstract: A portable cooled merchandizing unit including a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly includes an exterior frame and an interior container forming a floor and side panels defining an interior region. Openings to the interior region are defined opposite the floor. Airflow paths are defined at an exterior of the panels and are fluidly connected to the interior region via the opening. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device connected to a heat sink that is fluidly connected to the airflow path away from the opening. A fan is positioned to circulate air from the thermoelectric device and into the interior region via the airflow paths.

Abstract: A portable cooled merchandising unit including a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly includes an exterior frame and an interior container forming a floor and side panels defining an interior region. Openings to the interior region are defined opposite the floor. Airflow paths are defined at an exterior of the panels and are fluidly connected to the interior region via the opening. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device connected to a heat sink that is fluidly connected to the airflow path away from the opening. A fan is positioned to circulate air from the thermoelectric device and into the interior region via the airflow paths.

Abstract: A food package kit including a plurality of trays having a bottom, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a top end, and a flange extending from the sidewall opposite the bottom, the flange includes a rim section configured to receive a sealing film, and a recessed section extending from the rim section, wherein each of the opposed longitudinal edges intersect with a lateral edge at a corner, wherein the kit also includes a sleeve adapted to contain the trays completely therein, the sleeve including a sleeve top, a first depending sleeve side, and a second depending sleeve side and a sleeve bottom, wherein the tray is completely disposed within the sleeve by frictional force between the tray and the sleeve.

Abstract: A portable cooling/heating unit for cooling/heating a product container. The unit includes a thermoelectric assembly, a housing, a front side fan, and a rear side fan. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device, a first heat sink, and a second heat sink. The housing maintains the first heat sink and front fan within a front side channel, and the second heat sink and rear fan within a rear side channel. The housing further forms a condensation passageway segment that facilitates fluid connection between the channels. During use, the unit is removably assembled to the container such that openings of the front side channel are fluidly within the container's interior region. Accumulated condensation is directed to the rear side channel and evaporated.

Abstract: A portable cooled merchandising unit including a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly includes an exterior frame and an interior container forming a floor and side panels defining an interior region. Openings to the interior region are defined opposite the floor. Airflow paths are defined at an exterior of the panels and are fluidly connected to the interior region via the opening. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device connected to a heat sink that is fluidly connected to the airflow path away from the opening. A fan is positioned to circulate air from the thermoelectric device and into the interior region via the airflow paths.

Abstract: A food package kit including a plurality of trays having a bottom, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a top end, and a flange extending from the sidewall opposite the bottom, the flange includes a rim section configured to receive a sealing film, and a recessed section extending from the rim section, wherein each of the opposed longitudinal edges intersect with a lateral edge at a corner, wherein the kit also includes a sleeve adapted to contain the trays completely therein, the sleeve including a sleeve top, a first depending sleeve side, and a second depending sleeve side and a sleeve bottom, wherein the tray is completely disposed within the sleeve by frictional force between the tray and the sleeve.

Abstract: A portable cooled merchandising unit including a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly includes an exterior frame and an interior container forming a floor and side panels defining an interior region. Openings to the interior region are defined opposite the floor. Airflow paths are defined at an exterior of the panels and are fluidly connected to the interior region via the opening. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device connected to a heat sink that is fluidly connected to the airflow path away from the opening. A fan is positioned to circulate air from the thermoelectric device and into the interior region via the airflow paths.

Abstract: A food package kit including a plurality of trays having a bottom, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a top end, and a flange extending from the sidewall opposite the bottom, the flange includes a rim section configured to receive a sealing film, and a recessed section extending from the rim section, wherein each of the opposed longitudinal edges intersect with a lateral edge at a corner, wherein the kit also includes a sleeve adapted to contain the trays completely therein, the sleeve including a sleeve top, a first depending sleeve side, and a second depending sleeve side and a sleeve bottom, wherein the tray is completely disposed within the sleeve by frictional force between the tray and the sleeve.

Abstract: A portable cooled merchandising unit including a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly includes an interior floor and at least one interior panel extending from the floor and defining a portion of an interior region. An opening to the interior region is defined opposite the floor. A first airflow path is defined along at least a portion of the panel and fluidly connected to the opening. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device connected to a heat sink that is fluidly connected to the airflow path away from the opening. Further, a fan is positioned to circulate air from the thermoelectric device, through the airflow path, and to the opening.

Abstract: A pouch having a distal edge and a proximal edge. A tear notch is located adjacent to the proximal edge. A first pull ring is defined within an edge panel of the proximal end. The first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

Abstract: A food package kit including a plurality of trays having a bottom, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a top end, and a flange extending from the sidewall opposite the bottom, the flange includes a rim section configured to receive a sealing film, and a recessed section extending from the rim section, wherein each of the opposed longitudinal edges intersect with a lateral edge at a corner, wherein the kit also includes a sleeve adapted to contain the trays completely therein, the sleeve including a sleeve top, a first depending sleeve side, and a second depending sleeve side and a sleeve bottom, wherein the tray is completely disposed within the sleeve by frictional force between the tray and the sleeve.

Abstract: A container for use in microwave heating. The container includes a bottom, a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom and terminating at a top end, and a flange extending from the sidewall opposite the bottom. The flange includes a rim section configured to receive a sealing film and a recessed section including a plurality of handles. A pair of catch members are located between the plurality of handles. The catch members extend radially outwardly on opposed sides of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a container for storing fine particles in a sealed packaging, wherein air in the container can be evacuated through compression or vacuum without removing the fine particles. The container comprises a main body enclosing a pouch, terminating in a principal opening, a sealing mechanism attached to the pouch for sealing the pouch, at least one exit port extending through the wall of the pouch, and a porosity mechanism adjacent the exit port, wherein the porosity mechanism permits air to exit through the exit port, but prevents the fine particles from escaping through the exit port.

Abstract: A container is used to store fine particles such as bakery flour in a sealed packaging, wherein air in the container, such as air entrapped during filling, can be expelled through compression without loss of fine particles. The container includes a main body forming a pouch which terminates in a principal opening and is fabricated from an imperforate flexible material such as clear plastic film. A sealing mechanism is attached to the pouch for sealing the pouch, and a multiplicity of microscopic pores extend through the flexible material. Each pore has a dimension ranging from 10 to 150 .mu.m sufficient to permit air to exit through an exit port, but to prevent the fine particles from escaping through the pores. At least a portion of the pouch material has an anti-slip surface with an external coefficient of friction ranging from about 0.4 to 0.5.

Abstract: The present invention is a container for storing fine particles such as bakery flour in a sealed packaging, wherein air in the container such as entrapped during filling can be expelled through compression without loss of the fine particles. The container comprises a main body forming a pouch, terminating in a principal opening, fabricated from an imperforate flexible material such as clear plastic film, a sealing mechanism attached to the pouch for sealing the pouch, and a multiplicity of microscopic pores extending through the flexible material having a dimension ranging from 10 to 150 .mu.m) sufficient to permit air to exit through the exit port, but to prevent the fine particles from escaping through the pores.