Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE
PACKAGES FOR CONSUMABLE PRODUCTS
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to packages. More
specifically,
the present disclosure relates to containers and trays for storing and
displaying
consumable products and methods of using same. Several aspects of storing and
displaying packages containing consumable products may be discussed in the
present
disclosure including, but not limited to, protecting the consumable products,
facilitating the consumption of the products, and providing several different
configurations of the same package for retail display.
[0002] Packages for consumable products come in a variety of sizes, shapes,
materials and designs. These sizes, shapes, materials and designs generally
differ, for
example, for aesthetic reasons or for marketing purposes. Consumable product
packages having certain functional features, however, can provide advantages
to a user
of such packages in addition to possible aesthetic and marketing advantages.
[0003] Indeed, consumable product packages aimed to effectively store foods
may not always provide optimal functionality or use during the consumption of
the
consumable product, particularly by individuals learning to self-feed.
Packages deep
enough to easily cover consumable products with sauces, flavorings, or
preservatives
when stored upright on a shelf are often too deep for toddlers or other
individuals to
use to self-feed. Shallow trays suitable for self-feeding, in contrast, may
also not
provide ideal surfaces or shapes for marketing and advertising purposes and
may not
sufficiently aid consumers in differentiating one product from another.
Instead,
consumable product packages having specific shapes, sizes and/or depths may
provide
complete coverage of consumable products with sauces, preservatives, juices
etc.
while still providing functional advantages to a consumer and/or user of such
packages
who is learning to self-feed. In addition, consumer product packages having
specific
shapes, sizes and/or depths also provide possible marketing and aesthetic
advantages.
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SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure is related to packages for housing consumable
products. The packages may be shaped such that they facilitate or maintain
preservation or flavor of consumable products kept in shallow compartments
suitable
for self-feeding, and increase purchase interest and marketability amongst
consumers
by maximizing space for graphics and billboard area on the package.
[0005] In an embodiment, a package is provided. The package includes a body
defining an interior compartment configured to house a consumable product and
a
reservoir configured to house a substance capable of covering the consumable
product
when the package is placed in an upright position, and a substantially
semicircular
shaped protrusion separating the interior compartment and the reservoir.
[0006] In an embodiment, a height of the protrusion height is lower than a
height of the body.
[0007] In an embodiment, the protrusion is formed integrally with the body.
Alternatively, the protrusion is formed as a separate component attached to
the body.
[0008] In an embodiment, the protrusion has a diameter that is from about 20%
to about 50% less than a length of the body, or about 30% or less than a
length of the
body.
[0009] In an embodiment, the protrusion has a radius that is from about 5% to
about 20% less than a height of the body, or is greater than about 20% of a
height of
the body.
[0010] In an embodiment, the protrusion extends an entire width of the body.
[0011] In an embodiment, the protrusion extends substantially the entire width
of the body.
[0012] In an embodiment, the protrusion is configured for use as a grip.
[0013] In an embodiment, the package has only one protrusion.
[0014] In an embodiment, the protrusion divides the body through the center.
[0015] In an embodiment, the protrusion divides the body along a top third of
the package.
[0016] In an embodiment, the body includes a plurality of gripping portions.
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[0017] In an embodiment, the protrusion has a depth that is configured for
gripping by a toddler. Alternatively, the protrusion may have a depth that is
configured for gripping by a parent or caregiver.
[0018] In an embodiment, the body has a shape selected from the group
consisting of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon,
hexagon,
heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon, star, ellipse,
semicircle,
crescent, flower, cylinder, cube, cuboid, pyramid, cone, prism, or
combinations
thereof In an embodiment, the body is square shaped with rounded corners.
[0019] In an embodiment, the body is made from a material selected from the
group consisting of plastic, cardboard, Styrofoam, metal, or combinations
thereof
[0020] In an embodiment, the body includes a perimeter. The perimeter forms
a plane on which the package can stand.
[0021] In an embodiment, the consumable products are selected from the group
consisting of pureed foods, hot dogs, fruit or vegetable pieces, meat, cheese,
grains,
pasta, or combinations thereof.
[0022] In an embodiment, the interior compartment has a shape selected from
the group consisting of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, quadrilateral,
pentagon,
hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon, star,
ellipse,
semicircle, crescent, flower, cylinder, cube, cuboid, pyramid, cone, prism, or
combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the interior compartment has a square
shape
with rounded corners.
[0023] In an embodiment, the interior compartment extends substantially an
entire length of the body.
[0024] In an embodiment, the interior compartment extends substantially an
entire width of the body.
[0025] In an embodiment, the interior compartment has a volume ranging from
about 100 to about 180 cc, or from about 110 to about 170 cc, or from about
120 to
about 160 cc, or from about 130 to about 150 cc. In an embodiment, the
interior
compartment has a volume of about 140 cc.
[0026] In an embodiment, the compartment is configured for self-feeding of a
toddler.
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[0027] In an embodiment, the reservoir has a shape selected from the group
consisting of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon,
hexagon,
heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon, star, ellipse,
semicircle,
crescent, flower, cube, cuboid, prism, cylinder, cone, or combinations
thereof. In an
embodiment, the reservoir has a square shape with rounded corners.
[0028] In an embodiment, the reservoir extends substantially an entire length
of the body.
[0029] In an embodiment, the reservoir extends substantially an entire width
of
the body.
[0030] In an embodiment, the reservoir is configured to hold at least one
consumable product.
[0031] In an embodiment, the reservoir is configured for multiple uses. The
multiple uses may include use as a storage area for a preservative and use as
a serving
area for a dipping sauce. The multiple uses may also include use as a storage
area for
brine and use as a serving area for condiments.
[0032] In an embodiment, the reservoir is configured to house a liquid
selected
from the group consisting of water, brine, pickling liquid, oil, juice, syrup,
or
combinations thereof The reservoir may also be configured to house solids
selected
from the group consisting of salt, powdered spices, whole spice, sugar, or
combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the reservoir is configured to house
preservatives.
[0033] In an embodiment, the reservoir is configured to house a first
substance
during storage and a second substance during use by a consumer.
[0034] In an embodiment, the reservoir has a volume ranging from about 70 to
about 130 cc, or from about 80 to about 120 cc, or from about 90 to about 110
cc. In
an embodiment, the reservoir has a volume of about 100 cc. In an embodiment,
the
reservoir has a volume of about 101 cc.
[0035] In an embodiment, a volume of the reservoir is less than a volume of
the interior compartment. The volume of the reservoir may be from about 30% to
about 40% less than a volume of the compartment.
[0036] In an embodiment, the package includes a lid. The lid may have a
shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, square, rectangle,
triangle,
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quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon,
hexadecagon,
icosagon, star, ellipse, semicircle, crescent, flower, cube, cuboid, prism,
cylinder, cone,
or combinations thereof In an embodiment, the lid has a substantially square
shape.
The lid may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of
plastic,
cardboard, Styrofoam, metal, or combinations thereof In an embodiment, the lid
is a
flexible plastic attached to the body by a heat seal.
[0037] In an embodiment, the body, the interior compartment, the reservoir,
and the lid are all square shaped with rounded corners.
[0038] In an embodiment, the package is configured to easily convey product
information to a consumer. The package may also be configured to convey
nutritional
information to a consumer, or to convey brand information to a consumer.
[0039] In yet another embodiment, trays are provided. The trays include a
body defining first and second compartments separated by a protrusion having a
height
that is less than a height of the body, wherein the protrusion has a shape
selected from
the group consisting of a semicircle, an ellipse, a crescent, a cylinder, or
combinations
thereof
[0040] In an embodiment, the first compartment is configured to house
consumable products.
[0041] In an embodiment, the second compartment is configured to house a
substance capable of covering the consumable produce when the tray is placed
in an
upright position.
[0042] In an embodiment, the first and second compartments are different
sizes.
[0043] In an embodiment, the first and second compartments are different
shapes.
[0044] In an embodiment, the first and second compartments are different
depths.
[0045] In an embodiment, the first and second compartments are different
widths.
[0046] In an embodiment, the first and second compartments are configured
for self-feeding.
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[0047] In an embodiment, the protrusion is formed integrally with the body.
Alternatively, the protrusion may be formed as a separate component attached
to the
body.
[0048] In an embodiment, the protrusion is substantially semicircular in shape
and has a diameter that is from about 20% to about 50% less than a length of
the body,
or about 30% or less than a length of the body.
[0049] In an embodiment, the protrusion is substantially semicircular in shape
and has a radius that is from about 5% to about 20% less than the height of
the body,
or greater than about 20%of the height of the body.
[0050] In an embodiment, the protrusion extends an entire width of the body.
[0051] In an embodiment, the protrusion is configured for use as a grip.
[0052] In an embodiment, the protrusion divides the body through a center of
the package. Alternatively, the protrusion may divide the body along a top
third of the
package.
[0053] In an embodiment, the body includes a plurality of gripping portions.
[0054] In an embodiment, the protrusion has a depth that is configured for
gripping by a toddler. Alternatively, the protrusion may have a depth that is
configured for gripping by a parent or caregiver.
[0055] In an embodiment, the body has a shape selected from the group
consisting of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon,
hexagon,
heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon, star, ellipse,
semicircle,
crescent, flower, cylinder, cube, cuboid, pyramid, cone, prism, or
combinations
thereof In an embodiment, the body is square shaped with rounded corners.
[0056] In an embodiment, the body is made from a material selected from the
group consisting of plastic, cardboard, Styrofoam, metal, or combinations
thereof
[0057] In an embodiment, the body includes a perimeter. The perimeter can
form a plane on which the package can stand.
[0058] In an embodiment, the consumable products are selected from the group
consisting of pureed foods, hot dogs, fruit or vegetable pieces, meat, cheese,
grains,
pasta, or combinations thereof.
[0059] In an embodiment, the first compartment has a shape selected from the
group consisting of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, quadrilateral,
pentagon,
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hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon, star,
ellipse,
semicircle, crescent, flower, cylinder, cube, cuboid, pyramid, cone, prism, or
combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the first compartment has a square
shape
with rounded corners.
[0060] In an embodiment, the first compartment extends substantially an entire
length of the body.
[0061] In an embodiment, the first compartment extends substantially an entire
width of the body.
[0062] In an embodiment, the first compartment has a volume ranging from
about 100 to about 180 cc.
[0063] In an embodiment, the first compartment has a volume ranging from
about 110 to about 170 cc, or from about 120 to about 160 cc, or from about
130 to
about 150 cc. In an embodiment, the first compartment has a volume of about
140 cc.
[0064] In an embodiment, the first compartment is configured for self-feeding
of a toddler.
[0065] In an embodiment, the second compartment has a shape selected from
the group consisting of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, quadrilateral,
pentagon,
hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon, star,
ellipse,
semicircle, crescent, flower, cube, cuboid, prism, cylinder, cone, or
combinations
thereof In an embodiment, the second compartment has a square shape with
rounded
corners.
[0066] In an embodiment, the second compartment extends substantially an
entire length of the body.
[0067] In an embodiment, the second compartment extends substantially an
entire width of the body.
[0068] In an embodiment, the second compartment is configured to hold at
least one consumable product.
[0069] In an embodiment, the second compartment is configured for multiple
uses. The multiple uses may include use as a storage area for a preservative
and use as
a serving area for a dipping sauce. The multiple uses may also include use as
a storage
area for brine and use as a serving area for condiments.
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[0070] In an embodiment, the second compartment is configured to house a
liquid selected from the group consisting of water, brine, pickling liquid,
oil, juice,
syrup, or combinations thereof The second compartment may also be configured
to
house solids selected from the group consisting of salt, powdered spices,
whole spice,
sugar, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the second compartment is
configured to house preservatives.
[0071] In an embodiment, the second compartment is configured to house a
first substance during storage and a second substance during use by a
consumer.
[0072] In an embodiment, the second compartment has a volume ranging from
about 70 to about 130 cc, or from about 80 to about 120 cc, or from about 90
to about
110 cc. In an embodiment, the second compartment has a volume of about 100 cc.
In
an embodiment, the second compartment has a volume of about 101 cc.
[0073] In an embodiment, a volume of the second compartment is less than a
volume of the first compartment. A volume of the second compartment may be
from
about 30% to about 40% less than a volume of the first compartment.
[0074] In an embodiment, the tray includes a lid. The lid has a shape selected
from the group consisting of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle,
quadrilateral,
pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon,
star, ellipse, semicircle, crescent, flower, cube, cuboid, prism, cylinder,
cone, or
combinations thereof In an embodiment, the lid has a substantially square
shape. The
lid may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic,
cardboard, Styrofoam, metal, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the
lid is a
flexible plastic attached to the body by a heat seal.
[0075] In an embodiment, the body, the first compartment, the second
compartment, and the lid are all square shaped with rounded corners.
[0076] In an embodiment, the package is configured to easily convey product
information to a consumer. The package may also be configured to convey
nutritional
information to a consumer, or to convey brand information to a consumer.
[0077] In yet another embodiment, packaged food products are provided. The
packaged food products include a body having first and second compartments
separated by an arched protrusion, the first compartment housing a consumable
product and the second compartment housing a substance selected from the group
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consisting of a liquid, powder, puree, sauce, spice, solid, flake, oil, chunk,
or
combinations thereof The packaged food products further include a lid covering
the
body so as to enclose the consumable product and substance within the body.
[0078] In an embodiment, the consumable products are selected from the group
consisting of pureed foods, hot dogs, fruit or vegetable pieces, meat, cheese,
grains,
pasta, or combinations thereof.
[0079] In an embodiment, the second compartment is configured to house a
liquid selected from the group consisting of water, brine, pickling liquid,
oil, juice,
syrup, or combinations thereof The second compartment may also be configured
to
house solids selected from the group consisting of salt, powdered spices,
whole spice,
sugar, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the second compartment is
configured to house preservatives.
[0080] In still yet another embodiment, methods for marketing consumable
products without loss of product quality are provided. The methods include
providing
a consumable product package and placing the consumable product package
upright on
a retail shelf such that at least a portion of the substance in the reservoir
drains into the
interior compartment. The product package includes a body defining (i) an
interior
compartment configured to house a consumable product, (ii) a reservoir
configured to
house a substance capable of covering the consumable product when the package
is
placed in an upright position, and (iii) a protrusion separating the interior
compartment
and the reservoir, and a lid covering the body.
[0081] In another embodiment, methods for storing consumable products
without loss of product quality are provided. The methods include providing a
consumable product package and storing the consumable product package upright
such
that at least a portion of the substance in the reservoir drains into the
interior
compartment. The product package includes a body defining (i) an interior
compartment configured to house a consumable product, (ii) a reservoir
configured to
house a substance capable of covering the consumable product when the package
is
placed in an upright position, and (iii) a protrusion separating the interior
compartment
and the reservoir, and a lid covering the body.
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[0082] In an embodiment, the lid includes an indicia. The indicial may be
selected from the group consisting of brand information, product information,
nutritional information, a graphic, a picture, a barcode, or combinations
thereof
[0083] It is an advantage of the present disclosure to provide improved
consumable product containers.
[0084] It is also an advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable
product containers that are efficient to use to store consumable products.
[0085] It is an advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable
product containers that may be stored in one position and used in another to
serve the
consumable product within.
[0086] It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable
product containers that can have at least one multipurpose reservoir.
[0087] It is yet another advantage of the present disclosure to provide
consumable product containers that are aesthetically pleasing.
[0088] It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable
product containers that improve marketability of the containers.
[0089] It is a further advantage of the present disclosure to provide packages
that are easy to display on a retail shelf.
[0090] It is another advantage to provide improved methods for displaying
packages on a retail shelf
[0091] It is a further advantage of the present disclosure to provide
consumable
product containers that are easily gripped by caretakers for handling
children's foods.
[0092] Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide
consumable product containers that are easily gripped by children for self-
feeding.
[0093] It is a further advantage of the present disclosure to provide a
package
that improves preservation of consumable food products stored therein
throughout the
life of the package from shelf display to consumption.
[0094] Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be
apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0095] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a package in accordance with
an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0096] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0097] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section view along line III¨III of the
package
in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0098] FIG. 4 illustrates a horizontal side view of the package of FIG. 1 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0099] The present disclosure provides packages or containers for housing
consumable products. The packages may be designed to facilitate preservation
and
maintain quality of a consumable product while still allowing the consumable
products
to be used in such a way as to promote self-feeding by an individual without a
loss of
marketing or advertising potential. In a general embodiment, packages of the
present
disclosure include a compartment and at least one reservoir designed to allow
a
substance, such as brine, juice, or sauce, to cover the products while the
packages are
displayed on a shelf The compartment and reservoir are separated by a
protrusion.
The packages may also be custom designed for ease of use by toddlers and/or
their
caregivers by providing at least one convenient grip portion formed from the
protrusion that separates the compartment and reservoir.
[00100] In a general embodiment, packages of the present disclosure
include a body that defines a perimeter and at least one interior compartment.
The
compartment may be divided into two parts by a raised portion or protrusion of
the
body. The at least two parts may include, for example, a compartment for
storing
consumable food products and a reservoir. The at least two parts may also
include two
separate compartments. In one embodiment, the compartments each store food
products that are meant to be combined before consumption. In another general
embodiment, packages of the present disclosure include a body that defines a
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perimeter and at least one separate interior compartment that can serve as a
reservoir.
In a third general embodiment, the package is a tray with two compartments
defined
by the body of the tray. One of the compartments is configured to house
consumable
products and the other compartment is configured to function as a reservoir to
hold
substances to cover or mix with the consumable products.
[00101] Packages of the present disclosure are designed to house
consumable products. Consumable products housed in the packages may be any
consumable products including, for example, baby foods, snack foods, full
meals, side
meals, etc. In an embodiment, the packages house foods for children (e.g.,
infants,
toddlers, pre-schoolers, etc.) including, for example, meats, fruits,
vegetables, grains,
cereals, cheese, pastas, etc. The consumable products may be pureed foods,
finger
foods or may be designed to be consumed using utensils. The teachings of the
present
disclosure, therefore, are not dependent upon the consumable products being of
any
particular type so long as the products fit within the packages described
herein.
[00102] The bodies of the packages of the present disclosure may be
made from a molded plastic material such as, for example, polyethylene,
polypropylene, or the like, or combinations thereof The bodies may be formed
using
conventional thermoforming or molding processes including, but not limited to,
injection molding, injection blow molding and extrusion blow molding.
Alternatively,
the bodies may be manufactured from non-plastic materials including, but not
limited
to, cardboard, metal, styrofoam, etc. Further, at least a portion of the
bodies can be
either transparent or translucent so that a consumer can readily discern what
types of
products are housed in the compartments of the packages. Alternatively, at
least a
portion of the bodies may be opaque. In an embodiment wherein a lid is
provided, the
lid may be manufactured from a same or different material as the body and may
be
translucent while the body is opaque, or vice versa.
[00103] In an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 1, a package 10 for
storing consumable products is provided. Package 10 includes body 12 that
defines an
interior compartment 24. Although body 12 of package 10 is illustrated as
being
substantially square in shape, body 12 of package 10 may define any shape that
is
known in the art. For example, body 12 may be a circle, square, rectangle,
triangle,
quadrilateral, hexagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon, star,
ellipse,
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semicircle, crescent, flower, cylinder, cube, cuboid, pyramid, cone, prism,
etc., so long
as body 12 is capable of housing a consumable product within an interior
compartment. For ease of reference, and with this embodiment, body 12 will be
discussed as being a square body 12 with rounded corners.
[00104] Body 12 is also not limited to any particular size so long
as
consumable products may be contained therein and may be easily handled by a
toddler
or a caregiver of a toddler. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the
dimensions of
package 10 may vary as desired or in accordance with manufacturing
specifications or
in accordance with the size and shape of the consumable products contained
therein.
[00105] Package 10 is not limited to any particular size or shape
so long
as consumable products may be contained in interior compartment 24 and package
10
may stand substantially upright on its own, as will be discussed further
below. In an
embodiment, package 10 houses consumable products designed for children (e.g.,
infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers), and should be sized accordingly. For
example,
package 10 should not be so large that a child is unable to easily hold
package 10 by
his or herself. This will aid in teaching a child or other individual in need
to self-feed.
[00106] Compartment 24 may be the same shape as body 12, reservoir
22, and lid 26, or it may be a different shape. It may be a circle, square,
rectangle,
triangle, quadrilateral, hexagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon,
star,
ellipse, semicircle, crescent, flower, cylinder, cube, cuboid, pyramid, cone,
prism, etc..
It may also be any size, so long as container 24 is capable of housing a
consumable
product within an interior compartment. For example, compartment 24 may extend
substantially the entire length or width of the body. It may also encompass
only a
small portion of the body. In an embodiment, compartment 24 has a rectangular
shape
that has a size that is slightly longer than the length of a food product to
be contained
therein. For example, a rectangular shape of compartment 24 would allow a
plurality
of food products of the same length to be contained with compartment 24 and
would
advantageously prevent shifting or movement of the plurality of food products
to a
different portion of body 12.
[00107] In addition, interior compartment 24 of body 12 can have
any
size and shape that allows a toddler to easily self-feed. For example, the
interior
compartment may be substantially square with rounded edges, a shape that will
allow a
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toddler to reach into body 12 to remove consumable products 18 housed therein
to
self-feed. Since the dexterity of toddlers is limited or not fine-tuned, a
toddler may
have an easier time removing food from body 12 if the shape of the body is
similar to
the shape of the food stored within. For example, a substantially square or
rectangular
package would be useful for storing stick-shaped or cube-shaped food. In an
embodiment, the interior compartment has a substantially square shape.
[00108] Interior compartment 24 should be sufficiently shallow so
as to
facilitate self-feeding. Interior compartment 24 can have a volume ranging,
for
example from about 100 to about 180 cc. The volume could also range from, for
example, about 110 to about 170 cc, about 120 to about 160 cc, about 130 to
about 150
cc, or the like. In one embodiment, interior compartment 24 will have a volume
of
about 140 cc. The skilled artisan will, however, appreciate that the volume of
interior
compartment 24 may vary so as to facilitate the housing of a wide variety of
consumable goods within the compartment.
[00109] Body 12 may include any number of compartments 24, which
will be limited only by the size of package 10. For example, in an embodiment,
body
12 includes a number of compartments 24 selected from the group consisting of
two,
three, four, etc.
[00110] Body 12 also contains a reservoir 22, as shown in FIG. 1.
Reservoir 22 may be a separate compartment as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 or it
may be a
partitioned off a section of compartment 24. For ease of reference, and with
this
embodiment, reservoir 22 will be discussed as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.
[00111] Reservoir 22 may have any shape, such as circle, square,
rectangle, triangle, quadrilateral, hexagon, nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon,
icosagon,
star, ellipse, semicircle, crescent, flower, cylinder, cube, cuboid, pyramid,
cone, prism,
etc. The reservoir may also extend substantially the entire length or width of
the body
of the package. In contrast, it may only extend over a small portion of the
same.
[00112] Reservoir 22 can also be any depth. However, reservoir 22
should have a size, shape, and depth that allows for it to hold a substance
20, such as,
for example, brine. The reservoir would provide extra area beyond compartment
24 to
hold the substance in such a way as to ensure full coverage of the consumable
product
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stored in compartment 24 when package 10 is standing vertically, such as on a
store
shelf, as pictured in FIG. 1.
[00113] In an embodiment, reservoir 22 has a substantially square
shape
to match a similar shape of compartment 24. In another embodiment, reservoir
22 is
differently shaped from compartment 24 but still allows liquid, powder,
flakes, oils or
another substance placed in reservoir 22 to fully cover compartment 24 when
package
is placed upright. This allows the consumable products to derive the benefit
of the
substance placed in reservoir 22 when package 10 is horizontal as shown in
FIGS. 2-4.
[00114] Full coverage of compartment 24 by a substance from
reservoir
22 may be necessary to improve and maintain the quality of the consumable
product
18 kept in compartment 24. For example, if meat sticks were kept in
compartment 24,
brine from reservoir 22 would completely cover the sticks when package 10 is
placed
upright in the position shown in FIG. 1. The upright position may be
beneficial for
shelf placement in stores to improve the marketing and advertising potential
of
package 10. The brine would prevent the sticks from oxidizing or drying out on
the
shelf before the sticks are served to the consumer. In this way, consumable
product 18
would remain fully covered, even if a loss of substance 20 occurred, for
example, as
would occur through evaporation of a preserving liquid. Any gap in coverage
would
be in reservoir 22, not compartment 24.
[00115] Reservoir 22 could hold any substance intended to cover
consumable products in compartment 24. For example, it may be desirable to
have the
consumable products in compartment 24 to be fully covered with sauces, juices,
flavorings, sugars or spice mixes, as well as preservatives, while package 10
is stored
upright on a shelf.
[00116] In an embodiment, reservoir 22 contains a substance that
when
package 10 is placed upright, fully covers compartment 24, but when package 10
is
opened, reservoir 22 is able to be used to hold other substances, such as
dipping sauces
or condiments or a complimentary side dish to accompany consumable product 18.
The skilled artisan will also appreciate that reservoir 22 will have as large
a volume as
necessary to hold the substances that can cover the consumable goods. For
example,
the reservoir may have a volume from about 70 to about 130 cc, or about 80 to
about
120 cc, or about 90 to about 110 cc. In an embodiment, the reservoir volume
will be
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about 100 or 101 cc. The volume of the reservoir may be as great, or greater
than that
of compartment, but it need not be so. For example, the volume of reservoir 22
may
be 30 or 40% less than the volume of compartment 24.
[00117] Body 12 may include any number of reservoirs 22, which will
be limited only by the size of package 10. For example, in an embodiment body
12
includes a number of reservoirs 22 selected from the group consisting of two,
three,
four, etc.
[00118] Reservoir 22 may be separated from compartment 24 by a
protrusion 14 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Protrusion 14 may be formed as an
integral
portion of body 12. It could also be formed as a separate, non-integral,
barrier
between compartment 24 and reservoir 22.
[00119] Protrusion 14 can be any shape known in the art that would
function to keep consumable products stored in interior compartment 24
contained in
the compartment and not shift into the reservoir, as mentioned above with
respect to
the shape of compartment 24. For example, protrusion 14 could be a rounded
arch, or
a pointed pyramid, or a solid raised square block portion. It may also be a
half-circle,
a semicircle, an ellipse, a crescent, a triangle, a square, a quadrilateral, a
rectangle, a
cylinder, a cube, a cuboid, a pyramid, a cone, a prism, etc. In an embodiment,
package
incorporates multiple protrusions14.
[00120] In an embodiment, protrusion 14 has a substantially
semicircle
shape. Such a shape provides the benefit of a rounded portion on the bottom of
body
12 that aids in gripping package 10, as will be discussed further below. A
semicircular
protrusion 14 may have a diameter that is from about 20% to about 50% less
than the
length of the body of package 10. In an embodiment, the diameter is 30% or
less than
the length of package 10. The radius of the semicircle may be from about 5% to
about
20% less than the height of body 12. It may also be greater than about 20% of
the
height of body 12. In an embodiment, the radius is from about 20% to about 50%
less
than the length of body 12.
[00121] Protrusion 14 can serve as a grip portion for an individual
learning to self-feed or for a caretaker assisting an individual learning to
self-feed.
The function of protrusion 14 as a grip may be especially useful in
embodiments
wherein the consumable product housed by package 10 is a finger food that a
child can
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consume without the use of utensils. The depth of protrusion 14 would be
understood
by the skilled artisan to be any depth that would be comfortable for a
caretaker or
individual learning to self-feed to easily hold. For example, protrusion 14
may be
about as wide as is comfortable for gripping for an average adult-sized hand.
Protrusion 14 may instead be about as wide as is comfortable for gripping for
an
average toddler-sized hand. In an embodiment, the package has a plurality of
gripping
portions.
[00122] Protrusion 14 may be of varying heights. In an embodiment,
the
height of protrusion 14 is lower than the height of body 12 in order to
facilitate the
flow of substances from reservoir 22 to compartment 24. Protrusion 14 may also
be
located anywhere on body 12. For example, it may divide the body down the
center,
or through the top third. Protrusion 14 may also extend the entire length and
width of
body 12.
[00123] In an embodiment, package 10 may be stood upright for
storage
or display as shown in FIG. 1. For optimum packaging and shipping to a
consumer or
to retail stores, it is beneficial that package 10 is able to stand
substantially upright.
Further, it is advantageous for marketing purposes to display package 10 on a
store
shelf in a substantially upright position such that a consumer is able to
identify product
information on the front of package 10, and a caregiver and/or an individual
learning
to self-feed may easily view the colors, shapes, and information on package
10.
[00124] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a bottom surface 28 of
body
12 may, in combination with perimeter 16, form a plane on which package 10
stands.
In other words, as long as package 10 defines a plane on which package 10 can
rest,
the shape of perimeter 16 and/or compartment 24 or reservoir 22 is immaterial.
In an
embodiment, package 10 may rest in a substantially vertical or upright
position or may
rest in a position that tilts toward or away from a consumer, depending on the
shape of
package 10. Regardless of the shape of package 10, if intended to rest on a
side
surface, package 10 must be able to rest in a stable manner on the plane. In
other
words, package 10 must be constructed and arranged so that it will not easily
fall over
when filled with consumable products.
[00125] In another embodiment, package 10 may be configured to hang
vertically from a display rack in a retail store. Body 12 may define a hook
(not
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illustrated) that is so constructed and arranged to receive a hanger that
allows package
to hang from a display rack. The shape and size of the hook is not critical.
For
example, in an embodiment, the hook may be a hole in a top portion of body 12.
The
hook may be entirely defined by body 12 such that the hook does not form part
of
perimeter 16.
[00126] Alternatively, however, perimeter 16 may include an
integral
hook (not illustrated) that is so constructed and arranged to form a portion
of perimeter
16. In other words, the integral hook may be formed continuously with a
portion of
perimeter 16 such that it shares a boundary with perimeter 16. For example, in
an
embodiment where package 10 generally has a square shape, the hook may form a
portion of perimeter 16 located at a top of package 10 and may have a curved
configuration that functions as a hook but looks like flower growing out of
the square.
The skilled artisan will appreciate that the integral hook is not limited to
any particular
size or shape so long as the integral hook allows a display hanger to pass
therethrough
to hang package 10.
[00127] In addition to standing substantially upright and hanging,
package 10 may also be configured to lay substantially flat on a surface, as
shown in
FIGS. 2-4. In an embodiment, body 12 is substantially flat and allows package
10 to
lay on a flat surface.
[00128] Package 10 may also include a lid 26 that is sized and
shaped to
fit with body 12 as shown in FIG. 4. Lid 26 is not limited to any particular
shape or
size, so long as lid 26 is capable of sealingly fitting to body 12 to prevent
loss or
contamination of a consumable product housed therein. In this manner, lid 26
may be
mated with body 12 by snap-fitting, pressure-fitting, friction fitting, heat-
sealing etc.
Lid 26 may be fitted to body 12 in a resealing manner so that each time lid 26
is
removed from body 12, it may be placed on body 12 again in a sealed manner.
[00129] Lid 26 can be any form of removable closure. The lids of
packages of the present disclosure may be made from a molded plastic material
such
as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like, or combinations
thereof
The lids may be formed using conventional thermoforming or molding processes
including, but not limited to, injection molding, injection blow molding and
extrusion
blow molding. Alternatively, the lids may be manufactured from non-plastic
materials
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including, but not limited to, cardboard, metal, styrofoam, etc. Further, at
least a
portion of the lids can be either transparent or translucent so that a
consumer can
readily discern what types of products are housed in the compartments of the
packages. Alternatively, at least a portion of the lids may be opaque. In an
embodiment, the lid is made of a flexible plastic that is sealed to the top
portion of the
body and may be attached by heat sealing.
[00130] Lid 26, like body 12, may be any shape known in the art.
For
example, it may be a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, quadrilateral,
hexagon,
nonagon, decagon, hexadecagon, icosagon, star, ellipse, semicircle, crescent,
flower,
cylinder, cube, cuboid, pyramid, cone, prism, etc. In an embodiment, lid 26 is
substantially square shaped.
[00131] It may also be any color known in the art. The color can be
chosen to improve the marketing and advertising potential of the consumable
food
product. For example, lid 26 can be the same color as body 12 or a different
color.
The skilled artisan will appreciate that the color choice can be used
consistently to
support the manufacturing brand. The skilled artisan will also appreciate that
the color
chosen may be a color that will help attract attention to the product on the
shelf.
[00132] Body 12 and lid 26 may be decorated in any way that would
attract positive attention to the product by a consumer of the consumable
goods within
package 10. Such decorations could include pictures of the consumable product,
company logos or trademarks, or any picture or decoration that would appeal to
individuals interested in the consumable goods in package 10; including, for
example,
toddlers and/or their caregivers. The decoration and color of lid 26 and body
12 can
also provide indicia to caregivers that are indicative of the type of food
contained in
body 12 to help them easily piece together a nutritional meal for a toddler or
another
individual learning to self-feed. The decoration may also include product
information
and nutritional information.
[00133] In an embodiment, methods for marketing consumable products
without loss of product quality are provided. The methods include providing a
package including (i) a body defining an interior compartment configured to
house a
consumable product and (ii) the body also defining a reservoir configured to
house a
preserving, flavoring or storage substance such as juice, sauce, spices, or
brine and (iii)
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a protrusion formed from the body of the package separating the interior
compartment
and reservoir defined by the body. The methods further include placing the
package on a
retail shelf. When the package is placed on the shelf, the substance in the
reservoir fully
covers the defined interior compartment and any consumable products therein.
[00134] In another embodiment, methods for marketing consumable products can
be practiced by hanging the package from a hook in a retail establishment.
[00135] The scope of the claims should not be limited by particular
embodiments
set forth herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent with the
specification as a
whole.
