Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PACKAGES FOR AND METHODS OF PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/002504.
filed
January 21. 2016.
1211ID OF THE INVENTION
In general. the invention relates to a packaging device for food products.
More
pm-ticularly. the invention relates to expandable packages for food products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The art of food packaging is well developed. For example, within the art of
dough
packaging there are multiple ways of packaging proofed and un-proofed dough.
Proofing dough
is know in the art to mean allowing dough containing a leavening agent to rise
for the proper
amount of time such that the dough reaches a desired volume.
U.S. Pat. No. 6.635.291, Perry.. entitled Leavened Dough or Batter Packaging
System
discloses a package for leavened dough designed to hold a desired internal
equilibrium pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 6.733.803. Vidkjaer, entitled Dough Containing. Valved Package
discloses
a package for dough that does not have to he proofed having a one-way venting
valve to allow
gas to escape from the package.
U.S. Pat. No. 1.861,124. Lorber. entitled Biscuit Package discloses a package
for
R.,Joked biscuits having a telescoping cover which provides space for the
risen dough. Further.
Lorher's design has a channel l'br receiving the telescoping cover and
requires separation of a
number of dough cakes with interposed circular disks which may complicate
producing such a
design.
Pat. No. 6,240.839. Amato. entitled Device for Proofing Dough discloses a
mechanical device having an electronic alarm or electronic visual indicator
assembly for
signaling when the dough reaches a specific volume.
Most of the prior art mentioned above does not provide for packaging of un-
proofed
dough products. Known packages that do provide for packaging of un-prooled
dough do not
indicate when the dough is ready or proofed. Letting dough proof for the
proper amount of time
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is an art. The time it takes dough to proof is dependent upon many variables
such as
temperature, humidity, dough ingredients and the strain of yeast used in the
dough. Thus, the
proof time of dough is often misjudged and the dough is used either
prematurely or after it has
proofed. Furthermore, known proofing approaches for dough generally require
the consumer to
purchase a separate device, apart from the dough packaging. to determine when
the dough is
ready. Such known prior art devices that indicate when dough is ready tend to
be expensive and
more suited for commercial operations.
Furthermore, recent health concerns around the food packaging of popcorn in
microwave
ready packages have created a need for an expandable food package for popcorn
that is chemical
free. made from virgin fiber paperboard. recyclable and compostable.
St .MMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the invention relate to packages for food products. More
specifically.
embodiments of the invention relate to inexpensive expandable packages in
which dough can be
sold and in which dough can be proofed to the correct/desired volume by
consumers.
In one embodiment of the present invention the package has two portions, a
first portion
and a second portion. The first portion has a first closed end, at least one
first side wall
surrounding the first closed end, and a first open end opposite the first
closed end. The second
portion has a second closed end, at least one second side wall surrounding
said second closed
end. and a second open end opposite the second closed end. The first portion
and second portion
are movably connected at their respective open ends, such that an enclosed
void of variable
olume is created between the first closed end and the second closed end.
Additionally, at least
one indicator is placed in communication with the package such that when the
package is
exi),Inded to a desired inner volume the indicator is activated. Activation of
the indicator may
produce, for example. a visual indication, an audio indication, an indication
recognizable by
touch. or any combination thereof.
The packages of the present invention provide for an inexpensive and easily
manufacturable package for food products. Furthermore, the packages of the
present invention
provide for a dough package in which dough can be manufactured. sold. and
proofed to the
correct or desired volume without the need for separate more expensive
devices.
In a further illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the packages of
the present
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ention provide for a use as a food package for popcorn allowing for the
popping of corn to a
desired volume without the need for separate more expensive device. According
to the
in\ ention, the instant food package can further be used as a serving
container for the expanded
food product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which
are meant
to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to
refer to like or
corresponding parts, and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of an expandable package wherein the
expandable
package is expanded to show an indicator;
Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of an expandable package wherein the
expandable
package is fully collapsed;
Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of an expandable package wherein the
expandable
package portions are separated to show the interface portions:
Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method of making an expandable
package;
Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a pattern for making the portions of an
expandable
package;
Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of a pattern for making the portions
of an
expandable package:
Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a method of packaging a food product in
an
expandable package:
Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of a pattern for making the portions of an
expandable
package: and
Figure 9 illustrates another embodiment of a pattern for making the portions
of an
expandable package.
Dr [AILED DESCRIPTION
Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. however.
it is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the
invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed
herein are not to be
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interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
In general, aspects of the invention relate to packaging, and methods of
making a package
and packaging a food product. In one aspect. the invention relates to an
expandable package for
packaging food products. Referring first to Figures 1-3, wherein Figure 1
depicts an expanded
package with a square/rectangular cross section. Figure 2 depicts a collapsed
package with a
square/rectangular cross section. and Figure 3 depicts a package having a
square/rectangular
cross section with the package portions separated from one another. One
embodiment of the
package includes a first portion 100. a second portion 101, and at least one
indicator 102.
The first portion 100 has a first closed end 103. at least one first side wall
104
surrounding the first closed end 103, and a first open end 105 opposite the
first closed end 103.
The second portion 101 has a second closed end 106, at least one second side
wall 107
surrounding the second closed end 106. and a second open end 108 opposite the
second closed
end 106. The first portion 100 and second portion 101 are movably connected at
their respective
open ends 105 and 108 such that an enclosed void of variable volume is created
between the first
closed end 103 and the second closed end 106.
The at least one indicator 102 is placed in communication with the package
such that
when the package is expanded to a desired inner volume the indicator 102 is
activated. As
shown in Figure 1, activation of the indicator 102 produces a visual
indication that may read
"Half Proofed,- or "Fully Proofed- depending on the inner volume of the
package. In a further
illustrative embodiment a singular visual indication may read -Pop Corn Done.-
or may be just a
simple line showing the food package is at full volume. It is contemplated
within the scope of
the invention that the visual indicator may reflect a variety of food products
in various stages of
readiness. Although. only printed words are shown in Figure 1. it is
contemplated that any
number of any words, descriptions, phrases, symbols, pictures. combinations
thereof, or other
visual indication means may be used. It is further contemplated that
activation of the indicator
nia' produce, for example, a visual indication, an audio indication, an
indication recognizable by
tot!ch. or any combination thereof.
In other embodiments. the indicator 102 is activated when the inner volume of
the
package reaches a volume in the range of about 90 to 94 cubic inches, and/or
when the inner
volume of the package reaches a volume in the range of about 108 to 112 cubic
inches.
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As shown in Figures 1-3, the package is depicted as having a
square/rectangular cross
section. However, in other embodiments of the package any cross sectional
shape may be used.
for example. a cross section that is circular, square, rectangular, octagonal.
triangular, hexagonal.
pentagonal. or any combination thereof
Another embodiment of the package. as shown in Figure 3. includes at least one
first
menace portion 300 at the first open end 105 of the first portion 100. and at
least one second
interface portion 301 at the second open end 108 of the second portion 101.
These interface
portions 300 and 301 engage with each other when the first and second portions
100 and 101 are
connected and allow the package to expand and contract in volume as the first
and/or second
portion(s) 100 and 101 is moved. The purpose of the interface portions 300 and
301 is to prevent
the package from expanding to far and separating the first and second portions
100 and 101
apart. As shown in Figure 3, the interface portions are depicted as tabs
folded inward on the first
portion 100 and outward on the second portion 101. However, it is contemplated
that any means
of preventing the two portions 100 and 101 from separating apart when the
package is expanded
may be used.
Further embodiments of the package may include one or more of the following
features.
The first portion 100 wherein the first closed end 103 is capable of being
opened such that the
food product packed within can be removed. As shown in Figures 1-3. the
package is shown as
expanding vertically. However, in other embodiments of the package any
configuration may be
used. for example, the package may expand vertically. horizontally, or on an
angle.
Furthermore. Figures 1 and 2 depict the package as having a second portion 101
which is smaller
that the first portion 100 such that the second portion 101 tits within the
first portion 100.
However, in other embodiments of the package the first portion 100 is smaller
than the second
portion 101 and is placed within the second portion 101.
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In another aspect. the invention relates to a method of making an expandable
package.
Referring to Figure 4, one embodiment of the method for making a package
includes providin,L, a
first portion pattern 400. providing a second portion pattern 401. bending or
folding the first
portion pattern 402. bending or folding the second portion pattern 403,
fastening the first portion
such that the first portion retains the folded configuration 404 and fastening
the second portion
such that the second portion retains the folded configuration 404. and
assembling the first portion
and the second portion 405.
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More specifically, bending or folding the first portion 402 includes folding
the first
portion pattern to form a first portion having a first closed end, at least
one first side wall
surrounding the first closed end, a first open end opposite the first closed
end, and at least one
first interface portion at the first open end. Bending or folding the second
portion 403 includes
folding the second portion pattern to form a second portion having a second
closed end, at least
one second side wall surrounding the second closed end. a second open end
opposite the second
closed end, and at least one second interface portion at the second open end.
The fastening step 404 includes securing the bended or folded patterns with
any adhesive
material to maintain their bended or folded configurations of the first and
second portions.
Furthermore, assembling the first portion and the second portion 405 includes
assembling the
first and second portions such that the first interface portion of the first
portion engages with the
second interface portion of the second portion, and thus producing a package
in which the first
and second portions are movably attached to each other at their respective
open ends.
Other embodiments of the method for making a package, may include one or more
of the
following steps: providing sheet stock for printing onto 406: printing
graphics or other designs
onto a sheet stock 407; and die cutting or laser cutting the patterns for the
first and second
portions out of a printed or un-printed sheet stock 408.
One example of a pattern for producing the first and/or second portions is
shown in
Fit2.ure 5, wherein the dashed lines represent folds or bends. Bending/folding
and fastening the
pattern depicted in Figure 5 into a first and/or second portion includes the
following, not
necessarily in the following order: fastening tab 500 to edge 501, folding the
two tabs 502
tow ard the center. folding end 503 over the two tabs 502. inserting tab 504
into the enclosure,
and (biding the interface tabs 505 in the desired direction depending on which
portion is being
folded. as mentioned above.
Another example of a pattern for producing the first and/or second portions is
shown in
Figure 6. wherein the dashed lines represent folds or bends. Bending/folding
and thstening the
pattern depicted in Figure 6 into a first and/or second portion includes the
following, not
necessarily in the -following order: fastening tab 600 to edge 601, folding
the two tabs 602
toward the center, folding and interlocking the two end tabs 603 together over
the two tabs 602
and Fastening. and folding the interface tabs 604 in the desired direction
depending on which
portion is being folded. as mentioned above.
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Figures 5 and 6 depict the pattern as producing a first and/or second portion
having a
square/rectangular cross section. However, in other embodiments of the pattern
may produce a
first and/or second portion having any cross sectional shape may be used. for
example, a cross
section that is circular, square, rectangular, octagonal, triangular,
hexagonal, pentagonal. or any
combination thereof. Although Figures 5 and 6 only provide two examples it is
contemplated
that other patterns could be used to create embodiments of the invention.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for packaging a food
product.
Referring to Figure 7, one embodiment of the method of packaging includes
providing a food
product 700, providing a package 701, and enclosing the food product within
the package 702.
Providing a food product 700 may further include providing a food product such
as dough or
popcorn. Enclosing the food product within the package 702 may further include
placing the
food product inside the package and closing the package.
Furthermore, providing a package 701 includes providing a package, having a
first
portion, a second portion, and at least one indicator. The first portion has a
first closed end, at
least one first side wall surrounding the first closed end. and a first open
end opposite the first
closed end. The second portion has a second closed end. at least one second
side wall
surrounding said second closed end, and a second open end opposite the second
closed end. The
first portion and second portion are movably connected at their respective
open ends. The at
least one indicator is placed in communication with the package such that when
the package is
expanded to a desired inner volume the indicator is activated.
A further example of a pattern for producing the first and/or second portions
according to
the invention is shown in Figure 8, wherein the dashed lines represent folds
or bends.
'lending/folding and fastening the pattern depicted in Figure 8 into a first
and/or second portion
includes the following, not necessarily in the following order: fastening tab
800 to edge 801,
folding the two tabs 802 toward the center, folding end 803 over the two tabs
802, inserting tab
804 into the enclosure, and folding the interface tabs 805 in the desired
direction depending on
which portion is being folded, as mentioned above. The folded pattern as
depicted in Figure 8
creates a bottom portion of a food packaging according to the invention.
According to the
invention, as shown in Figure 8, this pattern has side panels 806 each having
a radial depressions
807 for receiving setting tabs 906 (shown in Figure 9).
Another example of a pattern for producing the first and/or second portions
according to
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the invention is shown in Figure 9, wherein the dashed lines represent folds
or bends.
k,'nding/folding and fastening the pattern depicted in Figure 9 into a first
and/or second portion
includes the following,, not necessarily in the following order: fastening tab
900 to edge 901.
folding the two tabs 902 toward the center, folding and interlocking the two
end tabs 903
together over the two tabs 902 and fastening with the interlocking tabs 905
contained with the
two end tabs 903. and folding the interface tabs 904 in the desired direction
depending on which
portion is being folded, as mentioned above. The folded pattern as depicted in
Figure 9 creates a
top portion of the food packaging according to the invention.
As shown in Figure 9, this
illustrative pattern has setting tabs 906 that interface with the radial
depressions 807 of the
bottom portion (shown in Figure 8). The setting tabs 906 allow the top and
bottom portions to
remain in an expanded volume after the expansion of a food product within the
first and second
portion allowing one to use the food package according to the invention as a
serving container.
The interlocking tabs 905 allow for the top end of the top portion to be
opened after the
expanded food product is in its ready to consume state allowing access to
expanded volume of a
food product that is ready to consume. It is contemplated within the scope of
the invention that
the top and bottom portions described in Figures 8 and 9 can be utilized for
expandable food
products such as popcorn. It is further contemplated within the scope of the
invention that any
expandable food product may be packaged within the top and bottom portions
described in
Figures 8 and 9.
According to the invention, Figures 8 and 9 provides a food package 701 having
a first
portion, a second portion, and at least one indicator. The first portion has a
first closed end. at
least one first side wall surrounding the first closed end. and a first open
end opposite the first
closed end. The second portion has a second closed end, at least one second
side wall
surrounding said second closed end, and a second open end opposite the second
closed end. The
first portion and second portion are movably connected at their respective
open ends. The at
least one indicator is placed in communication with the package such that when
the package is
expanded to a desired inner volume the indicator is activated. The first or
second portion that is a
top portion of the food package has a closed end that can be opened with the
package is
expanded to a desired inner volume allowing access to the expanded food
product.
Figures 8 and 9 depict the pattern as producing a first and/or second portion
having a
square/rectangular cross section. However, in other embodiments of the pattern
may produce a
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first and/or second portion having any cross sectional shape may be used. for
example, a cross
section that is circular, square, rectangular, octagonal, triangular,
hexagonal, pentagonal, or any
combination thereof
Another embodiment of the method of packaging further includes providing a
package
ha \ Mg interface portions. which prevent the package from expanding to far
and separating the
rA and second portions apart. Providing a package with interface portions
includes providing a
firt portion with at least one first interface portion at the first open end
of the first portion and a
second portion with at least one second interface portion at the second open
end of the second
Portion.
Another embodiment of the method of packaging includes the step of sealing the
food
product in a bag 703. Sealing the food product in bag, within the package,
prevents the food
product from becoming contaminated during the storage, transportation, and
manufacturing of
the packaged food product. Furthermore, the food product can be sealed in a
plastic bag, a
thermoplastic bag, a foil or metallic bag, a paper bag, a bag having the
desired barrier properties
such as moisture or gas barrier properties, any other contamination preventing
covering, or any
combination thereof. Optionally, the step of sealing the food product in a bag
703 may further
include sealing the food product in a bag having a large enough volume to
expand the packaging
enough to activate an indicator, allowing the food product to expand within
the bag and reach the
des i red volume.
According to the invention, the patterns forming the food package are made
from
standard virgin fiber paperboard that is food grade. It is contemplated within
the scope of the
in\ ention that the patterns may be made from card stock, paperboard, polymers
and
combinations thereof It is further contemplated within the scope of the
invention that layered
materials containing layers of paper and polymeric films may form the material
that the patterns
are made from.
While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with
preferred
embodiments, many variations and modifications will be evident to those
skilled in the art and
ma v be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The
invention is thus
not to be limited to the precise details of methodology or construction set
forth above as such
variations and modification are intended to be included within the scope of
the invention.
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