For Food Patents (Class 229/87.08)
  • Patent number: 7422142
    Abstract: A re-sealable package includes a closure label and a main body. The closure label has a picking end and an adhesive on a first side of the closure label. The main body has a plastic film formed in a desired shape to generate a wrapping. The main body also has several flaps. The closure label is coupled to the main body so as to attach the closure label to the main body to allow the picking end to extend beyond the main body. The flaps of the package are sealed. Depressing the picking end on a portion of the main body re-seals the package. Embodiments include a method of making the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Giuseppe Jeffrey Arippol
  • Publication number: 20080190999
    Abstract: An active package with preservative action of a film made starting from a mixture of at least a certain quantity of a polyethylene or polypropylene polymer, charged with at least an additive component suitable both to increase the consistency and resistance of the polyethylene or polypropylene polymer, and also to provide the film with a desired aesthetic and tactile appearance, for example similar to paper. Into the mixture which forms the film at least a food type additive is introduced, with preservative capacities, in particular, but not only, anti-oxidizing capacities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: ARCADIA SRL
    Inventors: Alberto Tomasini, Alessandro Sensidoni
  • Patent number: 7377392
    Abstract: A fruit protection and transportation system providing various apparatus and methods to absorb impact and compression forces to reduce damage to fruit (3). Particular embodiments of the invention comprise a fruit protector blank (1) of resiliently compressible force absorption material having a substantially planar surface (2) that can be conformed to a portion of the exterior surface of various kinds of fruit (3). Other embodiments of the invention provide a molded force absorption cover (21) of resiliently compressible foam material that elastically conforms to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Osprey Product Development, LLC
    Inventor: Casey M. Scalise
  • Patent number: 7350688
    Abstract: A container for a food product includes a wrapper which surrounds a frame. The container can be any polygonal shape which is defined by the shape of the frame. The wrapper forms a top of the container which has an access opening. A sealing cover is adhesively sealed to the top around the opening. The sealing cover is operable to expose the access opening and reclosable against the top to seal the access opening. The sealing cover, adhesive and top surface are optimized to provide sealing characteristics of sufficiently resealing frequency, relatively low noise level during unsealing and desirable peel forces to separate the seal between the sealing cover and the top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gladys Odette Sierra-Gomez, Eva Marie Peters, Alexis Julian Garcia-Lugo
  • Patent number: 7344744
    Abstract: A container for a food product includes a wrapper which surround a polygonal frame. The wrapper forms a top of the container and has an access opening. A sealing label, adhesively sealed to the top around the opening, is resealable when a tab of the sealing label is pulled back. The sealing label is resealable against the top layer to seal the opening when the sealing label is moved back against the top. Various tamper-evident structures are provided to indicate when the container has been initially opened or tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gladys Odette Sierra-Gomez, Eva Marie Peters, Joseph Stiener, Daniel Michel Bonenfant, William C. Schieber
  • Publication number: 20080048012
    Abstract: A food container provides information of food order with both obverse and reverse form on one side. A first pattern having content of food order and a third pattern having nutrition information of the food are printed on the outer part of one side of the food container in obverse form and a second pattern having content of food order is printed on the middle part of the same side of the food container in reverse form. The food container is translucent and all the patterns are visible from the other side, which provides the fast food industries an easy way to wrap and deliver the foods fast and correct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Mei-Lin Liou
  • Patent number: 7319118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of aqueous copolymer poly(vinyl ester) dispersions which comprise cellulose ethers in an amount up to a maximum of 0.45% by weight in food-coating compositions, and also food-coating compositions which comprise these aqueous copolymer poly(vinyl ester) dispersions, and their use in the coating of food, especially in the production of hard cheese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Celanese GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Papenfuhs, Holger Schimanke
  • Patent number: 7303076
    Abstract: A fruit protection and transportation system providing various apparatus and methods to absorb impact and compression forces to reduce damage to fruit (3). Particular embodiments of the invention comprise a fruit protector blank (1) of resiliently compressible force absorption material having a substantially planar surface (2) that can be conformed to a portion of the exterior surface of various kinds of fruit (3). Other embodiments of the invention provide a molded force absorption cover (21) of resiliently compressible foam material that elastically conforms to a portion of the exterior surface of a fruit (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Casey M. Scalise
  • Patent number: 7284687
    Abstract: The pizza tray may be used for support and carrying food items. A tray of generally oval shape having a pair of straight sides and a pair of rounded ends may include a circular portion. A pair of folds may be located in a carry end that define a pair of side elements that may be folded upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: James Dean Minidis
  • Patent number: 7189347
    Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyamide laminate film having a layered structure of A/B, A/B/A or A/B/C, layer A having no projections with a height of 0.27 ?m or higher on the surface, or having a density of projections with a height of 0.27 ?m or higher on the surface of 200 projections/mm2, and the film exhibiting a maximum dimensional change of 4% or less during immersion in 95° C. hot water, a maximum dimensional change of 6% or less after withdrawal from the hot water, and a maximum dimensional change of 4% or less after heat treatment in dry hot air at 160° C.; and a process for producing the same. This film reduces the differences in physical properties in the width direction that occurs in a tenter and exhibits excellent adhesive properties, resistance to fatigue from flexing and operability, and can be provided economically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Fujita, Yukinobu Mukoyama, Katsuya Ito
  • Patent number: 7172814
    Abstract: Fibrous sheets are coated or impregnated with a biodegradable composition to render the sheets more resistant to penetration by liquids. Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for use in coating or impregnating a fibrous sheet can be manufactured from at least one “hard” biodegradable polymer and at least one “soft” biodegradable polymer. “Hard” biopolymers typically have a glass transition temperature of at least about 10° C. “Soft” biodegradable polymers typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. Another useful biodegradable polymer composition includes one or more biodegradable polymers and sufficient inorganic filler so as to render the treated sheet microwaveable. The biodegradable polymer compositions are especially well-suited for coating or impregnating paper sheets, e.g., 12–15 lb/3000 ft2 tissue paper to yield food wraps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Bio-Tec Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co
    Inventor: Simon K. Hodson
  • Patent number: 7032757
    Abstract: Die fold and sleeve packaging uses a closed shape breakaway portion located in a first region of a die fold wrapper adhesively attached to an overlapping region, such that when the packaging is tampered with, the closed shape breaks away from the first region, providing evidence of tampering and an optional communication feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Bill R. Richards, Neil A. Willcocks, Catherine Pitko
  • Patent number: 6918532
    Abstract: A container for a food product includes a wrapper which surrounds a frame. The container can be any polygonal shape which is defined by the shape of the frame. The wrapper forms a top of the container which has an access opening. A sealing layer is adhesively sealed to the top around the opening. The sealing layer is resealable when a tab of the sealing layer is pulled back. The sealing layer is resealable against the top layer to seal the opening when the sealing layer is moved back to a flat position on the top. Various tamper-evident structures are provided to indicate when the container has been initially opened or tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gladys Odette Sierra-Gomez, Eva Marie Peters, Joseph Stiener, Charles Francis Flynn, IV, James Spencer Mandle
  • Patent number: 6720097
    Abstract: The present invention provides a barrier-forming film (A) useful for manufacturing various packaging container, which has a higher barrier-formability to prevent permeation of oxygen gas or steam, and a manufacturing method thereof. The barrier-forming film of the invention comprises a substrate film (1) having a vapor-deposited film (2) of an inorganic oxide, and by applying an annealing treatment thereto to limit the steam permeability within a range of from 2.0 to 0.000001 g/m2.day, and the oxygen permeability, within a range of from 2.0 to 0.000001 cc/m2.day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koujiro Ohkawa, Atsuo Tsuzuki, Kuniaki Yoshikata
  • Patent number: 6702178
    Abstract: A sandwich wrap comprising a sheet wrap attached to a base strip The base strip is elonaated in a longitudinal direction and includes at least one tear line extending between the longitudinal ends. The base strip is longer than the sheet wrap in the longitudinal direction, while the sheet wrap is longer than the base strip in the lateral direction. The longitudinal ends of the base strip extend beyond the respective longitudinal edges of the sheet wrap. The sheet wrap is more pliable than the base strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Debra D. Bowers, Rebecca E. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 6655526
    Abstract: A packaging system consisting of a sealable thermoplastic bag with an exterior pocket and integral handle fastened across the top side and an open-domed, rigid plastic, stackable container that allows for the horizontal storage and transport of food products and other goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventors: Craig A. Urman, Martin Reall
  • Patent number: 6615985
    Abstract: A sleeve box including a sleeve with a base, opposite sides, and a connecting handle over the base. At least one of the opposite sides of the sleeve has a locking tab. The sleeve box further includes a lower pan having an out turned flange forming a groove. An upper dome cover is fitted over the lower pan to form a food container. The sleeve is fitted around the food container with the locking tab fitted restrictively into the lower pan, thereby assisting to secure the food container within the sleeve. The sleeve has a vent aligned with a vent in the upper dome cover to allow heat to escape from the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Indiana Carton Company
    Inventor: James R. Foreman
  • Patent number: 6602529
    Abstract: A dough product suitable for storage by refrigeration or freezing that includes a package constructed as a chub from a substantially gas impermeable material closed at opposite ends around a dough portion containing at least flour, a liquid, and a leavening system. The package includes at least one gas transfer passage. The leavening system at least partially proofs the dough after insertion into and closing of the package, such that the dough expands to a volume substantially equal to the volume of the package and has a high raw specific volume. The proofed dough bears against and seals the gas transfer passage to thereby arrest further proofing and prevent oxygen entry into the package. The dough product is then stored at refrigeration or freezing temperatures for later baking, without additional proofing, into a bread product having a high baked specific volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Pillsbury Company
    Inventors: Dennis Arthur Lonergan, Michael R. Perry, Tammy L. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 6602590
    Abstract: The invention relates to high gas barrier packaging films exhibiting good shrinkage and containing an antifog composition for modified atmosphere packaging of foods and the like. The films are useful for producing modified atmosphere packages that preserve and enhance the shelf life of food and non-food oxygen sensitive items. The films exhibit excellent shrinkage, permanent antifog, easy processing and low cost of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Ting, Earl L. Hatley, Jeffrey D. Moulton
  • Patent number: 6541086
    Abstract: A first embodiment of the packing film is a four-layered laminate film in which the following films are laminated in that order: a first oriented plastic film formed as an outer surface layer and provided with a first coarse surface portion, an aluminum foil or paper sheet, a second oriented plastic film provided with a second coarse surface portion which is overlapped with the first coarse portion, and a non-oriented plastic film formed as an inner surface layer. A second embodiment of the packing film is a three-layered laminate film in which the following films are laminated in that order: an oriented plastic film formed as a first surface layer and provided with a coarse surface portion, an aluminum foil, and a non-oriented plastic film formed as an inner surface layer. The oriented plastic film forming the outer surface layer is backed at its coarse surface portion by a thin surface layer and laminated to the aluminum foil through a binder layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiji Moteki, Shigeyuki Ohshima, Shokichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6516995
    Abstract: Chocolates are wrapped individually by a method that involves feeding single wrapping sheets along a first path in a first direction spaced at a selected pitch, in such a way that the trailing edge of one wrapping sheet and the leading edge of the next are distanced one from another, and at the same time feeding a continuous ribbon in a second direction along a second path that merges with the first path at an assembling station where the ribbon is stably united with the sheets; ribbon and sheet then advance together in a third direction, along which the ribbon is divided into discrete slivers by repeated cuts, each made between the trailing edge of one sheet and the leading edge of the next and at a distance such that each sliver will present a portion projecting from the trailing edge of the wrapping sheet to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hershey Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20030017237
    Abstract: An assembly including a processed cheese portion (22) and a package (26) closely wrapping the portion. The package includes an element which itself comprises a film (2) tightly wrapping the portion and in contact therewith, and tear-initiating member (11) for enabling the sheet (2) to be torn along at least one tear line (8) when a gripping tab (10) of the element is pulled. At least a first part of the or each tear line (8) is defined by or made from a material of the film (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Corinne Poupard, Jean-Claude Weber
  • Publication number: 20020148882
    Abstract: A sandwich wrap includes a base strip to which a sheet wrap is affixed, the sheet wrap extending beyond two opposing edges of the base strip. To wrap a sandwich, the sheet wrap is wrapped around the sandwich and the base strip is folded around the sheet wrap. The ends of the base strip are secured together either permanently or removably. To gain access to the sandwich, the consumer either disconnects the ends of the base strip and unfolds the sheet wrap, or the consumer removes a tear strip which divides the base strip into half-sections, whereby the user may discard one of the half sections and grip the other half section to hold the sandwich.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Debra D. Bowers, Rebecca E. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 6335042
    Abstract: A food pack comprising a tray formed from card having a rectangular base with fold up side and end walls and a sheet of wrapping material extending over the tray and adhered to the side walls to receive a food item. The sheet is folded over the item across the tray and the folded ends of the sheet projecting from the ends of the tray are tucked between the base of the tray and the sheet extending across the base. The end walls of the tray have convexly curved fold lines with the base of the tray whereby the end walls of the tray are folded upwardly with respect to the base to enclose the wrapped food item with the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Pethick & Money Limited
    Inventor: Julian David Kyrle Money
  • Patent number: 6290121
    Abstract: A more convenient, user-friendly and less messy packaging that enables the eater to cleanly and hygienically hold and handle hamburgers, beef burgers, cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, fish burgers, croissant sandwiches, Kaiser sandwiches and similar fast foods; and expose one bite-sized portion of the fast food at a time. The packaging shell has symmetrical and matching segments in the bottom and top plates that the eater can tear off in order to expose the fast food in one bite-sized portion at a time while eating; and, provides space to act as a trough for catching morsels, spills, drips, and run-offs and fluids from vegetables and condiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: M. Udeozo Ogbue
  • Patent number: 6234384
    Abstract: The device is constituted by rectangular reinforcement pieces made from a strip of semi-rigid material, fixed on a thin flexible sheet on the median portion of the zones and mutually articulated by hinges located astride the folds separating the zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Gilbert Capy, Akiva Buchberg
  • Patent number: 6209784
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved, cylindrical, paperboard collar for placing around a specialty sandwich such as a multilayer hamburger or such. The collar blank is cut from flat paperboard stock in the form of an elongated rectangle which is folded back over itself having its free ends adhesively attached to one another whereby the resulting flat preform may be expandingly opened to form a cylindrical configuration. Two tongue like locking tabs are cut into the paperboard surface which when the preform is expanded to form an upright cylinder the tabs act to maintain the open cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Kurt Jensen
  • Patent number: D458120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: RECOT, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Robert Knoerzer