ES2874496T3 - Packaging assembly, service assembly, and nested storage assembly formed from a system and a procedure for using it - Google Patents

Abstract

A food product packaging system (10, 10', 10") comprising: a container (12) having a cylindrical outer sidewall (18) defining a cavity (24) having a first length; and a tray (14) including at least one panel (30B, 30L1, 30L2, 30D, 30P) defining a gap (34), the food product packaging system (10, 10', 10") operable in a first configuration where the outer side wall (18) of the container (12) is received in the recess (34) of the tray (14) and a second configuration in which the tray (14) is enclosed within the cavity (24) of the container ( 12). characterized in that in the first configuration the tray (14) has a second length greater than the first length of the cavity (24), and in the second configuration the tray (14) has a third length less than the first length of the cavity ( 24) and wherein the tray includes a tear seam (38) formed in at least one panel (30B, 30L1, 30L2, 30D, 30P), the tear seam (38) defining a first portion (14') of the tray (14). ) having the third length and a second portion (14") of the tray (14) having a fourth length, where the tray can be operated between the first configuration and the second configuration by separating the first portion (14') from the tray (14) from the second portion (14") of the tray (14) along the tear seam (38).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Packaging assembly, service assembly, and nested storage assembly formed from a system and a procedure for using it

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description refers to a food packaging system and a nested food storage assembly.

The following documents are known in the state of the art. JPH10316127 describes a paper box for packaging

US2014 / 242230 describes an incremental feeding tool. The incremental feeding tool may include a container that has at least one side wall that encloses an interior cavity that has an open end, and a tray that has a first end and a second end. US2011123685 describes a packaged food product having (i) a tray, (ii) a plurality of stackable potato chip snacks aligned on the main body of the tray, and (iii) a tubular container. The tray contains (1) a tray main body comprising a proximal tray end and a distal tray end, and (2) a padded space at the distal tray end.

BACKGROUND

Food containers and packaging systems are known. For example, collapsible containers and trays are known for storing food. While existing container and container configurations function adequately for their intended purpose, improvements in container and container configurations are continually sought to advance the art.

ABSTRACT

This section provides a general summary of the description and is not a complete description of its full scope or all of its features.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a food product packaging system. The food product packaging system comprises a container and a tray. The container has a cylindrical outer side wall defining a cavity having a first length. The tray includes at least one panel defining a gap. The food product packaging system can operate in a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the outer side wall of the container is received in the recess of the tray and in a second configuration where the tray is enclosed within the cavity of the container.

Implementations of the description include one or more of the following features. For example, the container defines a first length and the tray defines a second length greater than the first length. For example, the tray can operate at a second length greater than the first length of the cavity and a third length less than the first length of the cavity.

According to the invention, the tray includes a tear seam formed in at least one panel. The tear seam defines a first tray portion having the third length and a second tray portion having a fourth length. In the first configuration, the first portion of the tray is attached to the second portion along the tear seam and in the second configuration, the first portion of the tray is separated from the second portion along the tear seam.

In some examples of the food product packaging system, at least one panel includes a base panel and a pair of side panels that extend from opposite ends of the base panel. A distance between the side panels defines a width of the tray that is less than the diameter of the container cavity. The base panel includes a flat outer surface and each of the side panels includes a concave inner surface that defines a portion of the gap. The food packaging system of Claim 6, wherein the concave inner surface receives the cylindrical outer side wall of the container when the food packaging system is in the first configuration.

In some examples, at least one panel further includes a pair of end panels that extend from opposite edges of the base panel and between the pair of side panels. In the first configuration, both end panels are attached to the base panel and in the second configuration at least one of the end panels is separated from the base panel.

In some implementations, the food product packaging system further includes a wrapper wrapped around the container and tray when the food product packaging system is in the first setup.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a food product packaging system. The food product packaging system may include a plurality of food products, a container, and a tray. The container may include a cylindrical outer side wall defining an inner cavity having a diameter that extends along a first length. The tray may include a gap, the tray being capable of operating between a first configuration to receive the cylindrical outer side wall of the container within the gap and a second configuration to receive food products and be enclosed within the interior cavity of the container.

In the first configuration, the tray is defined by a first length portion and a second length portion attached to the first length portion along a tear seam. The tear seam can include a plurality of perforations. In the second configuration, the second longitudinal portion can be separated from the first longitudinal portion along the tear seam. A second length of the first length portion may be less than the first length of the cavity.

In some implementations of the food packaging system, the tray may include a base panel, a first side panel that extends from a first end of the base panel, a second side panel that extends from a second end of the base panel. base opposite the first side end, a first end panel extending from a third end of the base panel between the first side panel and the second side panel, and a second end panel extending from a fourth end of the base panel between the first side panel and the second side panel. The distance from an outer surface of the first side panel to an outer surface of the second side panel may be less than the diameter of the inner cavity.

In some implementations, the side panel includes a first concave surface and the second side panel includes a second concave surface opposite the first concave surface, the first concave surface, and the second concave surface configured to receive the outer side wall of the container.

In some examples, the first end panel may be attached to each of the base panels, the first side panel, and the second side panel along a first tear seam in the first configuration, and detached from the tray along the way. length of the tear seam in the second configuration. The base panel can be substantially flat.

Details of one or more implementations of the description are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described in this invention are for illustrative purposes of selected configurations only and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary system that includes a container, a tray, and a wrapper.

FIG. 2A is a developed view of a packaging assembly formed from the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is a developed view of a service assembly formed from the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2C is a developed view of a nested storage assembly formed from the system of FIG. 1.

del recipiente de la FIG. 1.FIG. 3A is a developed perspective view

of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is an assembled perspective view of the container of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 4A-4A of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 4B-4B of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 5A is a view of a cylindrical body of the container according to arrow 5A of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5B is a view of a cylindrical body of the container according to arrow 5B of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 6A is a view of a non-removable disk-shaped closure element of the container according to arrow 6A of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 6B is a view of a disk-shaped non-removable closure element of the container according to arrow 6B of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 7A is a view of a selectively removable disc-shaped closure element of the container according to arrow 7A of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 7B is a view of a selectively removable disk-shaped closure element of the container according to arrow 7B of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of an exemplary substantially flat blank that forms the tray of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8B is one side of the substantially flat blank of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is an end view of the substantially flat blank of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a plan view of an example of a substantially spatially manipulable body planar formed from the substantially planar blank of FIGS. 8A-8C that forms the tray of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9B is one side of the substantially planar spatially manipulable body of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is an end view of the substantially planar spatially manipulable body of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tray of FIG. 1 formed from the exemplary substantially planar spatially manipulable body of FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIG. 11A is a plan view of the tray of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11B is one side of the tray of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is an end view of the tray of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 12A-12A of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12B is an end cross-sectional view taken along line 12B-12B of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the system taken along line 13A-13A of FIG. 1 defining the packaging assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 13B is another cross-sectional view of the system according to FIG. 13A, illustrating removal of the casing.

FIGS. 13C-13E are cross-sectional views of the container and tray of the system defining the serving assembly of FIG. 2B.

FIGS. 13F-13I are cross-sectional views of the container and tray of the system defining the nested storage assembly of FIG. 2 C.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary system that includes a primary container, a secondary container, a primary tray, a secondary tray, and a wrapper.

FIG. 15 is a developed view of a packaging assembly formed from the system of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary system that includes a primary container, a secondary container, a tertiary container, a primary tray, a secondary tray, a tertiary tray, and a wrapper.

FIG. 17 is a developed view of a packaging assembly formed from the system of FIG. 16.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The example configurations are provided so that this description will be complete and will fully convey the scope of the description to those skilled in the art. Specific details such as examples of specific components, devices, and procedures are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not necessary to employ specific details, that the example configurations can be embodied in many different ways, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the description.

The terminology used in this invention is intended to describe only particular exemplary configurations and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this invention, the singular articles "a", "an / an" and "the" may be interpreted to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and "has" are inclusive and, therefore, specify the presence of characteristics, stages, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of a or more characteristics, stages, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. The steps, processes and operations of the method described in this invention should not be construed as necessarily requiring their execution in the specific order set forth or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of execution. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When referring to an element or layer that is "in / on", "hooked / aa", "connected / aa", "attached / aa" or "coupled / aa" to another element or layer, it can be directly in / on, hooked / aa, connected / aa, attached / aa or coupled to the other element or layer, or intermediate elements or layers may be present. On the contrary, when referring to an element as "directly in / on", "directly attached / aa", "directly connected / aa", "directly attached / aa" or "directly coupled / aa" another element or layer , there may be no intermediate elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between items should be interpreted similarly (eg "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.). As used in this invention, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed associated elements.

The terms first, second, third, etc. they can be used in this invention to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. So, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system is generally shown at 10. System 10 may include a container 12, a tray 14, and a wrapper 16. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2A, container 12, tray 14, and wrapper 16 define a packaging assembly 100. Referring to FIG. 2B, container 12 and tray 14 may define a serving assembly 200. Lastly, as seen in FIG. 2C, tray 14 is detachable to define a first portion of length 14 'and a second portion of length 14 "; Container 12 and first length portion 14 'of tray 14 define a nested storage assembly 300.

In some implementations, as seen in FIG. 2A, the packaging assembly 100 can be directed to a food packaging assembly, whereby the container 12 is a cylindrical shaped food container that stores the food product F while, as seen more clearly in FIG. 1, the tray 14 functions as a packaging portion. In this regard, tray 14 may be referred to in this invention as packaging portion 14 and / or food tray portion 14. In such an implementation, serving assembly 200 (of FIG. 2B) may address a serving assembly of food, whereby the tray 14 provides a secondary function as a food tray portion. Thereafter, as seen in f Ig .2C, the second 14 "length portion of the food tray portion 14 is spaced from the first 14 'length portion of the food tray portion 14 to allow that the first length portion 14 'of the food tray portion 14 is stored within the cylindrical container 12 to define the storage assembly 300, which may be referred to as a nested food product tray storage assembly. Container 12 may be directed to a 'cylindrical' shaped food container, container 12 may be defined to include any desirable geometry and is not limited to a cylindrical shape.

In one example, as seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the food product F can be defined by a plurality of sets of food products similarly F1-Fn. As will be described in the following description, the plurality of sets of similarly shaped food products F1-Fn can be described to include a consumed portion Fx-Fn that is consumed by a consumer C (see, for example, FIG. 2C) in a first service session and an unconsumed portion F1-FX-1 that are not consumed by consumer C in the first service session. Furthermore, each food product set of the plurality of similarly shaped food product sets F1-Fn may have a similar shape to allow the plurality of similarly shaped food product sets F1-Fn to be arranged in a stacked configuration Fs ( see, for example, FIGS. 3A-3B) which is dimensioned for storage within: (1) cylindrical shaped food container 12 and / or (2) over food tray portion 14 (see, for example , FIGS. 13D-13F). The assemblies of similarly shaped food products F1-Fn arranged in the stacked configuration Fs may be, for example, a plurality of stacked potato chips.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A and 5A-5B, the cylindrical food container 12 is defined by a cylindrical side wall 18. As seen in FIGS. 3A and 5A-5B, the cylindrical side wall 18 is defined by an inner surface 18 ⁱ , an outer surface 18 ^o , a proximal end surface 18 ^p (see, for example, FIG. 5A), and ^{a distal end surface 18d ( see, for example, Fig. 5B). The proximal end surface} 18 ^{p of the} cylindrical side wall 18 joins the inner surface 18 ⁱ to the outer surface 18 ^o . The distal end surface 18 ^d of the cylindrical side wall 18 joins the inner surface 18 ⁱ to the outer surface 18 ^o .

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A and 6A-6B, the cylindrical food container 12 may further be defined by a non-removable disk-shaped closure element 20. As seen in FIGS. 3A and 6A-6B, the disk-shaped non-removable closure member 20 is defined by an inner surface 20 ⁱ (see, for example, FlG. 6B) an outer surface 20 ^o (see, for example, FlG. 6A) and a lateral surface 20 ^s . The lateral surface 20 ^s of the non-removable disc-shaped closure element 20 joins the inner surface 20 ⁱ to the outer surface 20 ^o .

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A and 7A-7B, the cylindrical food container 12 may further be defined by a selectively removable disk-shaped closure element 22. As seen in FIGS.

3A and 7A-7B, the selectively removable disc-shaped closure member 22 is defined by an inner surface 22 ⁱ (see, for example, FlG. 7A) an outer surface 22 ^o (see, for example, FlG. 7B) and a lateral surface 22 ^s . The lateral surface 22 ^s of the selectively removable disc-shaped closure element 22 joins the inner surface 22 ⁱ to the outer surface 22 ^o .

Referring to the FlG. 3A, the non-removable disk-shaped closure element 20 can be fixed near the proximal end surface 18 ^p of the cylindrical side wall 18. The selectively removable disk-shaped closure element 22 can be removably fixed near the distal end surface 18 ^d of the cylindrical side wall 18. Referring to the FlG. 4B, the inner surface 18 ⁱ of the cylindrical side wall 18 cooperates with the inner surface 20 ⁱ of the non-removable disc-shaped closure element 20 (and, in some examples, the internal surface 22 ⁱ of the selectively removable disc-shaped closure disk 22 when the disk-shaped selectively removable closure member 22 is removably attached to the side wall 18) to define a food product receiving cavity 24 for removably holding the food product F within the food container in the same way. cylindrical 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3B and 4B, the cylindrical food container 12 may be defined by a length L12 extending, for example, from the outer surface 20 ^or the non-removable closure element 20 located near the proximal end surface 18 ^p of the side wall 18 to the outer surface 22 ^or the selectively removable closure element 22 located near the distal end surface 18 ^d of the side wall 18. Furthermore, as seen in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the outer surface 18 ^or of the cylindrical side wall 18 defines an outer diameter D18 of the side wall 18 of the cylindrical food container 12.

As seen in FIG. 4B, the inner surface 18 ⁱ of the cylindrical side wall 18 defines a cavity diameter D24 of the cavity 24. Still further, as seen in FIG. 4B, cavity 24 may be defined by a length of cavity L24 extending from inner surface 20 ⁱ of non-removable closure element 20 to inner surface 22 ⁱ of selectively removable closure element 22 or distal end surface 18 ^d side wall 18.

The components 18, 20, 22 that define the container 12 can be formed of any desirable material. In one example, the cylindrical side wall 18 can be formed from cardboard or cardboard material. In some implementations, the non-removable closure element 20 can be formed of a metallic material. In some examples, the selectively removable closure member 22 may be formed of a plastic material.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, the packaging portion 14 / the food tray portion 14 is formed from a substantially flat blank 26. The substantially flat blank 26 may be formed by, for example: stamping, cutting, slitting and / or perforation to define a substantially planar shaped spatially manipulable body 28 (see also, for example, FIGS. 9A-9C). The substantially flat shaped spatially manipulable body 28 is folded, folded, molded and / or glued along fold lines, pre-weakened edges, perforations and the like to form the tray 14. The substantially flat blank 26 can be formed from any desirable material such as, for example, a cardboard material, a cardboard material, a plastic material or the like.

With reference to FIG. 9A, the substantially planar spatially manipulable body 28 may be spatially manipulated to define a plurality of panels 30 that form the packaging portion 14 / food tray portion 14. In one example, the plurality of panels 30 may include a panel base 30 ^b , a proximal panel 30 ^p , a distal panel 30 ^d , a first side panel 30 ^l 1 and a second side panel 30 ^l 2. The proximal panel 30 ^p extends from a proximal end 30 ^bpe of the base panel 30 ^b . The distal panel 30 ^d extends from a distal end 30 ^bde of the base panel 30 ^b . The first side panel 30 L1 extends from a first side end 30 ^bl 1 of the base panel 30 ^b . The second side panel 30 L2 extends from a second side end 30 ^bl 2 of the base panel 30 ^b .

The base panel 30 ^b defines an inner surface 30 ^bi and an outer surface 30 ^bo . The proximal panel ^30p defining an inner surface 30 ^pi, an outer surface 30 and a side surface ^po 30 ^ps. The lateral surface 30 ^ps of the proximal panel 30 ^p joins the inner surface 30 ^pi to the outer surface 30 ^po . As shown, the proximal panel 30 ^p defines a first lateral edge 30 ^pl 1 and an opposite second lateral edge 30 ^pl 2. Each of the first lateral edge 30 ^pl 1 and the second lateral edge 30 ^pl 2 may have an arcuate shape.

The distal panel 30 ^d defines an inner surface 30 ^di , an outer surface 30 ^do, and a lateral surface 30 ^ds . The lateral surface 30 ^ds of the distal panel 30 ^d joins the inner surface 30 ^di to the outer surface 30 ^do . As shown, the distal panel 30D defines a first lateral edge 30DL1 and an opposite second lateral edge 30DL2. Each of the first lateral edge 30 ^dl 1 and the second lateral edge 30 ^dl 2 may have an arcuate shape.

The first side panel 30 ^l 1 defines an inner surface 30 L11, an outer surface 30 L10 and a side surface 30 ^l 1 ^s . The side surface 30 ^l 1 ^s of the first side panel 30 ^l 1 joins the inner surface 30 ^lh to the outer surface 30 ^l 1 ^o .

The second side panel 30 ^l 2 defines an inner surface 30 L21, an outer surface 30 L20 and a side surface 30 ^l 2 ^s . The side surface 30 ^l 2 ^s of the second side panel 30 ^l 2 joins the inner surface 30 ^l 2 ⁱ to the outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^o .

In one example, as seen in FIG. 9A, the plurality of panels 30 may further include a first proximal webbing panel 30 ^pw 1, a second proximal webbing panel 30 ^pw 2, a first distal webbing panel 30 ^dw 1, and a second distal webbing panel 30 ^dw 2. the first panel cinching proximal 30 ^pw 1 connects the first lateral edge 30 ^pl 1 of the proximal ^30p to an end panel proximal ^{30L 1p} of the first side panel 30 ^l 1. the second panel cinching proximal 30 ^pw 2 connects the second side edge 30 of the panel 2 ^pl proximal end ^30p to a proximal 30 ^l 2 ^p of the second side panel 30 ^l 2.

The first panel with distal strap 30 ^dw 1 connects the first side edge 30 ^dl 1 of the distal panel 30 ^d to a distal end 30 ^l 1 ^d of the first side panel 30 ^l 1. The second panel with distal strap 30 ^dw 2 connects the second side edge 30 ^dl 2 of distal panel 30 ^d to a distal end 30 ^l 2 ^d of second side panel 30 ^l 2. In addition, each of the first panel with proximal strap 30 ^pw 1, the second panel with proximal strap 30 ^pw 2, the first panel with distal strap 30 ^dw 1 and the second panel with distal strap 30 ^dw 2 can define a fold line 32.

The proximal panel 30 ^p , the distal panel 30 ^d , the first side panel 30 ^l 1 and the second side panel 30 ^l 2 can spatially manipulated (eg, folded) with respect to, respectively, the proximal end 30 ^bpe , the distal end 30 ^bde , the first side edge 30 ^bli, and the second side edge 30 ^bl 2 of the base panel 30B to form the tray portion of food 14, as seen in FIG. 10. In other words, the side panels 30 ^li , 30 ^l 2 can be folded relative to the base panel 30 ^b so that the opposite ends 30 ^l 1 ^p , 30 ^l 2 ^p , 30 ^l 1 ^d , 30 ^l 2 ^d of each of the respective side panels 30 ^li , 30 ^l 2 join with the arcuate side edges 30 ^pli , 30 ^pl 2, 30 ^dli , 30 ^dl 2 of the proximal panel 30 ^p and the distal panel 30 ^d .

Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 10, since the proximal panel 30 ^p , the distal panel 30 ^d , the first side panel 30 ^li, and the second side panel 30 ^l are spatially manipulated with respect to the base panel 30 ^b as described above, the first panel with webbing proximal 30 ^pwi , the second panel with proximal strap 30 ^pw 2, the first panel with distal strap 30 ^dwi, and the second panel with distal strap 30 ^dw 2 may collapse along their respective fold line 32. In some examples, an adhesive may be applied to each of the first 30 ^pwi proximal webbing panel, the second 30 ^pw 2 proximal webbing panel, the first 30 ^dwi distal webbing panel, and the second 30 ^dw 2 distal webbing panel for retaining the substantially flat spatially manipulable body 28 defining the food tray portion 14 in the spatially manipulated configuration as seen in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11A-11C and 12A-12C, when the substantially planar shaped spatially manipulable body 28 is spatially manipulated to define the packaging portion 14 / the food tray portion 14, the internal surfaces 30 ^bi , 30 ^pi , 30 ^di , 30 ^lii , 30 ^l 2 ⁱ of, respectively, the base panel 30 ^b , the proximal panel 30 ^p , the distal panel 30 ^d , the first side panel 30 ^li, and the second side panel 30 ^l 2 cooperate to define a gap receiving device 34 for removably holding the food product F on the food tray portion 14. As discussed above, the gap is formed by joining the opposite ends 30 ^{l ip} , 30 ^l 2 ^p , 30 ^{l id} , 30 ^l 2 ^d from each of the side panels 30 ^li , 30 ^l 2 to the respective arcuate side edges 30 ^pli , 30 ^pl 2, 30 ^dli , 30 ^dl 2. Consequently, the side panels 30 ^li , 30 ^l 2 also are arched so that the internal surfaces 30 ^lii , 30 ^l 2 ⁱ are of are concave in shape and are configured to receive the cylindrical outer surface 18 ^or container 12.

As seen in FIGS. 10, 11A-11B and 12A, the gap 34 of the packaging portion 14 / the food tray portion 14 may be defined by a length of gap L34 extending from the inner surface 30 ^pi of the proximal panel 30 ^p to the inner surface 30 ^di of distal panel 30 ^p . As seen in FIGS. 10, 11A, 11C and 12B, the gap 34 of the food tray portion l4 can be further defined by a gap width W34 extending from the inner surface 30 ^lii of the first side panel 30 ^li to the inner surface 30 ^l 2 ⁱ of the second side panel 30 ^l 2. As seen in FIGS. 10, 11B-11C and 12B, the gap 34 of the food tray portion 14 may further be defined by a gap height H34 extending from the inner surface 30 ^bi of the base panel 30 ^b to a side end 30 ^{l is} , 30 ^l 2 ^s each of the first side panel 30 ^li and the second side panel 30 ^l 2.

Furthermore, as seen in FIGS. 10, 11A-11B and 12A, the portion of food tray 14 may be defined by an L14 length extending from the outer surface 30 ^po of the panel proximal ^30p to the outer surface 30 ^do of the distal panel 30 ^p. As seen on the FlGS. 10, 11A, 11C and 12B, the food tray portion 14 may be further defined by a width W14 extending from the outer surface 30 ^lio of the first side panel 30 ^li to the outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^or of the second side panel 30 ^l 2. As seen in FIGS. 10, l lB-I IC and 12B, the food tray portion 14 can be further defined by a height H14 extending from the outer surface 30 ^{b or} of the base panel 30 ^b to the side end 30 ^{l is} , 30 ^l 2 ^s from each of the first side panel 30 ^li and the second side panel 30 ^l 2.

As seen in FIG. 9A, when the substantially planar blank 26 is formed in the substantially planar spatially manipulable body 28, the substantially planar blank 26 may be perforated to define a plurality of perforations 36 extending through the thickness T28 (see, for example, FIGS. 9B-9C) of the spatially manipulable body substantially flat 28. the plurality of perforations 36 may define a substantially linear pattern extending across a width W30b of the base panel ^30b, a width W30L1 of the first side panel 30 ^li and a width W30L2 of the second side panel 30 ^l 2.

With reference to FIG. 11A, each of the base panel 30 ^b , the first side panel 30 ^li, and the second side panel 30 ^l 2 are defined by a length L30. The substantially linear pattern of the plurality of perforations 36 can be arranged at a distance D36 from the proximal end 30 ^bpe , 30 ^{l ip,} and 30 ^l 2 ^p of each base panel 30 ^b , the first side panel 30 ^li, and the second side panel 30 ^l 2 to define a slice. L30P of the length L30 of the base panel 30b, the first side panel 30 ^li, and the second side panel 30 ^l 2. The L30P portion of the length L30 can be approximately equal to approximately ninety-tenths (9/10) of the length L30 of the base panel 30 ^b , the first side panel 30 ^li and the second side panel 30 ^l 2. A remainder L30R of the length L30 of the base panel 30 ^b , the first side panel 30 ^li and the second side panel 30 ^l 2 extends between the distal end 30 ^bde , 30 ^lid and 30 ^l 2 ^d of each of the base panels 30 ^b , the first side panel 30 ^li and the second side panel 30 ^l 2 and the substantially linear pattern of the plurality of perforations 36.

When the substantially flat shaped spatially manipulable body 28 is spatially manipulated to define the packaging portion 14 / the food tray portion 14 as described above, the plurality of perforations 36 define a tear seam 38. In addition, the tear seam 38 delimits the tray portion food 14 to define the first length portion 14 'of the food tray portion 14 and the second length portion 14 "of the food tray portion 14 . The first portion of length 14 'of the food tray portion 14 is defined by the proximal panel 30 ^p and the portion L30P of the length L30 of the base panel 30 ^b , the first side panel 30 ^l 1 and the second side panel 30 ^l 2. The second portion of length 14 "of the packaging portion 14 / the food tray portion 14 is defined by the distal panel 30 ^d and the remainder L30R of length L30 of the base panel 30 ^b , of the first panel side 30 ^l 1 and second side panel 30 ^l 2. As seen in FIGS. 8A, 9A, 10 and 11A, in some implementations, the food tray portion 14 may be symmetrically formed to include a second plurality of perforations 36 defining a second tear seam 38 disposed proximal panel 30 ^p ; the formation of a second plurality of perforations 36 defining a second tear seam 38 allows the user to selectively choose which end (i.e., the proximal end of the portion of em base 14 / the food tray portion 14 including the proximal panel 30 ^p or the distal end including the distal panel 30 ^d of the packaging portion 14 / the food tray portion 14) of the packaging portion 14 / the portion of food tray 14 to be separated so that the second length portion 14 "of the packaging portion 14 / the portion of food tray 14 may be defined at the least partially by the panel proximal ^30p or distal panel 30 ^d of the packaging portion 14 / the food tray portion 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 13A-13B, the food packaging assembly 100 is now described. The food packaging assembly 100 includes the cylindrical shaped food container 12, the tray 14 and the wrapper 16. Although the tray 14 is also the food tray portion defined by the first length portion 14 'attached to the second length portion 14 "at the tear seam 38 when arranged relative to the cylindrical shaped food container 12 as described below in context of the food packaging assembly 100, the tray / food tray portion 14 will hereinafter be referred to as a "packaging portion".

With reference to FIG. 13A, the food packaging assembly 100 can be prepared at a food manufacturing site; the food manufacturing site can be a 'clean room' (eg a substantially germ / bacteria free environment). In one example, the food packaging assembly 100 can be prepared at the food manufacturing site, whereby the food product receiving cavity 24 of the cylindrical food container 12 is filled with one or more food assemblies F1 -Fn such as, for example, a plurality of sets of similarly shaped food products F1-Fn that are arranged in a stacked configuration Fs (for example, PRINGLES®). Although the food packaging assembly 100 can be prepared with one or more food product assemblies F1-Fn arranged within the food product receiving cavity 24 of the cylindrical food container 12, the food packaging assembly 100 can be assembled without dispose of one or more sets of F1-Fn food products within the food product receiving cavity 24 of the cylindrical food container 12 (i.e., one or more sets of F1-Fn food products are not a critical or essential component of the set food packaging 100, and therefore an exemplary implementation of food packaging assembly 100 may not include one or more food product assemblies F1-Fn). Furthermore, although the F1-Fn assemblies are described as one or more F1-Fn food product assemblies, one or more F1-Fn assemblies may be inedible material / non-food products.

After one or more food product assemblies F1-Fn are arranged within the food product receiving cavity 24 of the cylindrical food container 12, the packaging portion 14 can be connected to the cylindrical food container 12 by nesting at least partially the cylindrical shaped food container 12 within the recess that receives the container 34 from the packaging portion 14. As will be described below with respect to the food service assembly 200, the recess that receives the 'container' 34 of the packaging portion 14 will alternatively be referred to as a recess for the reception of food products 34 for removably holding the food product F (i.e., withdrawn from the food product receiving cavity 24 of the cylindrical food container 12) on food tray portion 14.

The length L34 of the receptacle gap of the container 34 of the packing portion 14 extending from the inner surface 30 ^pi of the proximal panel 30 ^p of the packing portion 14 to the inner surface 30 ^di of the distal panel 30P of the packing portion Packaging 14 is dimensioned to be approximately equal to, but slightly greater than, the length L12 of the cylindrical food container 12 extending between the outer surface 20 ^or non-removable closure member 20 of the cylindrical food container 12 and the outer surface 22 ^or the selectively removable closure member 22 of the cylindrical food container 12. Furthermore, the width W34 of the receiving gap of the container 34 of the packaging portion 14 extending from the inner surface 30 ^l 1 ⁱ of the first side panel 30 ^l 1 to the inner surface 30 ^l 2 ⁱ of the second side panel 30 ^l 2 is dimensioned to receive at least an art portion of the outer circumference of the cylindrical food container 12 defined by the outer diameter D18 of the side wall 18. In some examples, the width W34 of the recess for receiving the container 34 of the packaging portion 14 is dimensioned to be less than the outer diameter D18 of the side wall 18. Still further, the height H34 of the receiving hole of the container 34 of the packaging portion 14 extends from the inner surface 30 ^bi of the base panel 30 ^b to a lateral end 30 ^l 1 ^s , 30 ^l 2 ^s each of the first side panel 30 ^l 1 and the second side panel 30 ^l 2 are smaller in size than the outer diameter D18 of the side wall 18. The nesting of the cylindrical food container 12 within the container receiving gap 34 of the packaging portion 14 results in at least one of: (1) the inner surface 30 ^l 1 ⁱ , 30 ^l 2 ⁱ , 30 ^bi of the first side panel 30 ^li , the second side panel 30 ^l 2 and the base panel 30 ^b being arranged adjacent to the outer surface 18 ^or the cylindrical side wall 18, (2) the inner surface 30 ^pi of the proximal panel ^30p is disposed adjacent to the outer surface 20O of the element nonremovable shaped closure disc 20 and (3) the inner surface 30 ^di of the distal panel ^30p is disposed adjacent the outer surface 22 ^or the closure element selectively removable disk-shaped 22 so that the cylindrical food container 12 is loosely connected to the packaging portion 14. In this regard, the cylindrical food container 12 may be loosely connected to the packaging portion. packaging 14 when the packaging portion 14 is in an elongated state.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 13A, after nesting the cylindrical food container 12 within the container receiving gap 34 of the packaging portion 14 as described above, the wrapper 16 is wrapped and positioned adjacent to all or some portions of the outer surfaces 18 ^o , 20 ^o , 22 ^o , 30 ^bo , 30 ^po , 30 ^do , 30 ^l 1 ^o , 30 ^l 2 ^o of the cylindrical shaped food container 12 and the packaging portion 14, thus forming the food packaging assembly 100. For example, the wrapper 16 may be a transparent plastic film, which may be referred to as a shrink wrap material.

As seen in FIG. 13A, once the wrapper 16 is wrapped around the cylindrically shaped food container 12 and the packaging portion 14, the wrapper 16 forms a cavity 40 containing the cylindrical food container 12 and the packaging portion 14. Wrapping the wrapper 16 around all or some portions of the outer surfaces 18 ^o , 20 ^o , 22 ^o , 30 ^bo , 30 ^po , 30 ^do , 30 ^l 1 ^o , 30 ^l 2 ^o of the cylindrical food container 12 and the packaging portion 14, the wrapper 16 secures the cylindrical food container 12 to the packaging portion 14 while sealing the cylindrical food container 12 and the packaging portion 14 within the cavity 40 of the surrounding atmosphere A. Once the wrapper 16 seals the cylindrically shaped food container 12 and the packaging portion 14 from the surrounding atmosphere, and once the food packaging assembly 100 leaves the environment defined by the "clean room", the The wrapper 16 protects the cylindrical shaped food container 12 and the packaging portion 14 from contamination by germs and / or bacteria in the surrounding atmosphere A from the environment other than a clean room.

Referring to FIG. 13B, the seal provided by the wrapper 16 can be subsequently broken by a consumer C (see, for example, FIG. 2C) to allow consumer C to expose the cylindrically shaped food container 12 and the packaging portion 14 to surrounding atmosphere A, and then remove the cylindrical food container 12 and the packaging portion 14 from the cavity 40 formed by the envelope 16. As seen in FIG.

2B, the wrapper 16 can then be disposed of in a trash container T.

As seen in FIG. 2B and 13C, upon removing the cylindrical food container 12 and the packaging portion 14 from the cavity 40, the cylindrical food container 12 and the packaging portion 14 are said to function as the food serving assembly 200 When disposed relative to the cylindrical food container 12, as described below in FIGS. 13D-13E, in the context of the food service assembly 200, the packaging tray / portion 14 is hereinafter referred to as a "food tray portion". As seen in Figs. 13D-13E, the food tray portion is initially defined by the first portion of length 14 'which is joined to the second portion of length 14 "at tear seam 38.

As seen in FIG. 13C, after separating the cylindrical food container 12 from the food tray portion 14 so that the cylindrical food container 12 is no longer disposed in a nested orientation with respect to the food tray portion 14 , the gap 34 formed by the packaging portion 14 / food tray portion 14 is no longer called a "container" receiving gap 34 but rather a food product receiving gap 34. As seen in FIGS. 13D-13E, the food product receiving gap 34 is dimensioned to receive the food product F (which can be defined by a plurality of similarly shaped food product assemblies F1-Fn that are arranged in a stacked configuration Fs) which is withdrawn of the food product receiving cavity24 of the cylindrical food container 12.

As seen in FIG. 13E, the food tray portion 14 provides unobstructed access to the food product receiving hole 34 and any items such as the plurality of similarly shaped food product assemblies F1-Fn arranged above. The unobstructed access to the plurality of similarly shaped food product assemblies F1-Fn disposed on the food tray portion 14 advantageously allows a plurality of food product consumers C1-Cn to access the plurality of food product assemblies of similar form F1-Fn while only one consumer of food products Ci (see, for example, Figure 13C) could access a higher food product set Fn (see, for example, Figure 13C) of the plurality of sets of similarly shaped food product F1-Fn which are arranged in the stacked configuration Fs within the food product receiving cavity 24 of the cylindrical food container 12.

As seen in FIG. 13F, a portion (e.g. F1-Fx-1) of the plurality of similarly shaped food sets F1-Fn cannot be consumed during a serving session and, to maintain the freshness of the remaining portion F1-Fx- 1 of the plurality of similarly shaped food product sets F1-Fn, a consumer C may wish to return the remaining portion F1-Fx-1 of the plurality of similarly shaped food product sets F1-Fn to the food product receiving cavity 24 of the cylindrical food container 12. In addition, consumer C may wish to maintain the unobstructed comfort of consumption provided by the food tray portion 14 without having to directly touch the remaining portion F1-Fx- 1 of the plurality of similarly shaped food sets F1-Fn as the remaining portion F1-Fx-1 of the plurality of similarly shaped food sets F1-Fn are returned to the food product receiving cavity 24. Therefore Thus, consumer C can move or otherwise transform the packaging portion 14 from the elongated state (eg, FIGS. 1 and 10) to a shortened state (eg, FIGS. 13F-13I). For example, as seen in FIG. 13F, to move or otherwise transform the packaging portion 14 from the elongated state (eg, FIGS. 1 and 10) to the shortened state (eg, FIGS. 13F-13I), consumer C may detach the first portion of length 14 'of the food tray portion 14 of the second 14 "length portion of the food tray portion 14 at the tear seam 38 so that the second 14" length portion of the tray portion of food 14 can be disposed of in a trash container T (see, for example, FIG. .2C) while the first portion of length 14 'of the food tray portion 14 can removably support the remaining portion F1 -Fx-1 of the plurality of sets of similarly shaped food products F1-Fn. By separating the second length portion 14 'from the food tray portion 14 from the first length portion 14' of the food tray portion 14, the cylindrical shaped food container 12 and the first length portion 14 ' of the food tray portion 14 cooperate to form the food product tray storage assembly 300. In other implementations, the consumer or other user may move or otherwise transform the packaging portion 14 from the elongated state (e.g. , FIGS. 1 and 10) to the shortened state (eg, FIGS. 13F-13I) by bending or folding a portion. of the packaging portion 14 to reduce the total length L14 of the food tray portion 14.

The purpose of removing the second length portion 14 "of the food tray portion 14 from the first length portion 14 'of the food tray portion 14 results in a reduction of the overall length L14 of the tray portion. food 14. Referring to FIG. 13F, after separating the second portion of length 14 "of the portion of the food tray 14 from the first portion of length 14 'of the portion of the tray of food 14, the portion of the tray of food 14 can be approximately equal to the portion L30P of the length L30 of the base panel 30 ^b , the first side panel 30 ^l 1 and the second side panel 30 ^l 2 extend between the plurality of perforations 36 that define the tear seam 38 and the proximal end 30B ^eg , 30 ^l 1 ^p and 30 ^l 2 ^p of each of the base panels 30 ^b , the first side panel 30 ^l 1, and the second side panel 30 ^l 2. The length L30P of the remainder of the food tray portion 14 defined by the first portion of length 14 'is less than the length L24 of the cavity 24 extending from the inner surface 20 ⁱ of the non-removable closure element 20 to the inner surface 22 ⁱ of the selectively removable closure element 22 / the surface 18 ^d from the distal end of side wall 18 and, referring to Figs. 13G-13I, the remainder of the food tray portion 14 defined by the first portion 14 'in length is dimensioned for storage within the food receiving cavity 24 of the cylindrical food container 12.

Referring to FIG. 14, a system is generally shown at 10 '. System 10 'includes a primary container 12i', a secondary container 122 ', a primary tray 14i', a secondary tray 142 ', and a wrapper 16'. As ^{seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, the primary container 12i ', the secondary container} 12 ^{2', the primary tray 14i ', the} secondary tray 142' and the wrapper 16 'define a packaging assembly 100'. In a manner substantially similar to that described above in FIGS. 1-13I, primary container 12V and primary tray 14i 'define a first ^{serving set (not shown) of system 10' and secondary container} 12 ^{2 'and secondary tray 142' define} a second serving set (not shown) of system 10 '. Furthermore, in a manner substantially similar to that described above in FIGS. 1-13I, each primary tray 14i 'and secondary tray 142' are separable to define a first length portion (see, for example, 14 'in FIG. 11A) and a second length portion (see, for example, 14 "at 11A); then, primary container 12i 'and the first length portion of primary tray 14i' define a first nested storage assembly (not shown) of system 10 'and secondary container 122' and the first Secondary tray length portion 142 'defines a second nested storage assembly (not shown) of system 10'.

In some implementations, as seen in FIG. 15, the packaging assembly 100 'can be directed to a ^{food packaging assembly in which each of the primary container 12i' and the secondary container} 12 ^{2 'are} cylindrical-shaped food containers that store the food product F while, as seen more clearly in FIG. 14, each of the main tray 14i 'and the sub tray 142' function as packaging portions; In such an implementation, each of the first and second serving sets can address the first and second food serving sets, whereby each primary tray 14i 'and each secondary tray 142' provide a secondary function as a portion of food. food tray. Thereafter, the second length portion (see, for example, 14 "in FIG. 11A) of each primary tray 141 'and the secondary tray 142' is separated from the first length portion (see, for example, 14 'in FIG. 11A).) Of each of the primary tray 141' and the secondary tray 142 'in order to allow the first length portion of each of the primary tray ^{14i' and the secondary tray 142 'is respectively stored within the primary container} 12 ^{1' and the secondary container} 12 ^{2 'to respectively define the first storage assembly and the second} storage assembly, which may be respectively referred to as a first nested food tray storage assembly and a second nested food tray storage assembly.Although ^{some implementations of the primary container} 12 ^{1 'and the secondary container} 12 ^{2' may be Directed to a 'cylindrical' shaped food container, each primary container 12i 'and secondary container} 12 ^2' can be defined to include any desirable geometry and is not limited to a cylindrical shape.

As seen in FIGS. 14-15, at least of the outer surfaces 30 ^bo ', 30 ^po ', 30 ^do ', 30 ^l 1 ^o ', 30 ^l 2 ^o 'of the plurality of panels 30' that respectively form the primary tray 141 'and the Secondary tray 142 'may include one or more than one logo and markings 42'. In one example, at least one outer surface (see, for example, outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^o ') of primary tray 141' includes a first logo and / or marking portion 42a 'and at least one outer surface (see , for example, the outer surface 30 ^l 1 ^o ') of the secondary tray 142' includes a second logo and / or portion of markings 42b '; as seen in FIG. 14, when the primary tray 141 'and the secondary tray 142' are arranged horizontally next to each other (i.e., in a side-to-side relationship) for arrangement as components of the packaging assembly 100 ', the outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^o 'of the primary tray 141' that includes the first logo and / or the portion of markings 42a 'cooperates with the outer surface 30 ^l 1 ^o ' of the secondary tray 142 'that includes the second logo and / or portion of marks 42b 'to form the logo or marks 42'.

Referring to FIG. 16, a system is generally shown at 10 ". System 10" includes a primary container 12 ^{1 ", a secondary container} 12 ^{2", a tertiary container} 12 ^{3 ", a primary tray 141", a secondary tray} 142 ", a tertiary tray 143 "and a wrap 16". As seen in FIGS. 16 and 17, primary container 12i ", ^{secondary container} 12 ^{2", tertiary container} 12 ^{2 ", primary tray 14i", secondary tray 142 ", tertiary container} 12 ^{3" and wrap 16 "define a packaging assembly 100". In a manner substantially similar to that} described above in FIGS. 1-13I, main container 12i "and main tray 14i" define a first ^{service set (not shown) of system 10 ", secondary container} 12 ^{2" and secondary tray 142 "define a second service set (not shown) of system 10" and tertiary container} 12 ^{3 "and the tertiary tray 143 "} define a third service set (not shown) of the system to 10 ". Furthermore, in a manner substantially similar to that described above in FIGS. 1-13I, each of the main tray 14i ", the secondary tray 142" and the tertiary tray 143 "are separable to define a first portion of length (see, for example, 14 'in FIG.

11A) and a second length portion (see, for example, 14 "in FIG. 11A); thereafter, the primary container 12i ", the first length portion of the primary tray 14i" define a first ^{nested storage assembly (not shown) of the system 10 ", the secondary container} 12 ^{2" and the first length portion of} secondary tray 142 "define a second nested storage set (not shown) of system 10" and ^tertiary container 12 ^{3 "and the first length portion of tertiary tray 143" define a third} nested storage set (not shown ) of system 10 ".

In some implementations, as seen in FIG. 17, the packaging assembly 100 "can be directed to a ^{food packaging assembly in which each of the primary container 12i", the secondary container} 12 ^{2 "and the} tertiary container 123" are cylindrical shaped food containers that store the food product F while, as seen more clearly in FIG. 16, each of the primary tray 141 ", the secondary tray 142" and the tertiary tray 143 "function as packaging portions; in such an implementation, each of the first, second and third serving sets can be addressed to the first, second and third food serving assemblies in which the primary tray 141 ", secondary tray 142" and tertiary tray 143 "each provide a secondary function as a food tray portion. Thereafter, the second length portion (see, for example, 14 "in FIG. 11A) of each of the primary tray 141", the secondary tray 142 "and the tertiary tray 143" is separated from the first. length portion (see, for example, 14 'in FIG. 11A) of each of the primary tray 141 ", the secondary tray 142" and the tertiary tray 143 "to allow the first length portion of each of the primary tray 14i ", secondary tray 142" and tertiary tray 143 "to be ^{respectively stored within primary container} 12 ^{1", secondary container} 12 ^{2 "and tertiary container} 12 ^{3" to} respectively define the first storage assembly, the second storage set and the third storage set, which can be respectively referred to as a first nested food product tray storage set, a second nested food product tray storage set two and a third nested food product tray storage set. ^{Although some implementations of the primary container} 12 ^{1 ", the secondary container} 12 ^{2" and the tertiary container} 12 ^{3 "can be directed to a 'cylindrical' shaped food container, each of the primary container} 12 ^{1", the secondary container} 12 ^{2 "and tertiary container} 12 ^{3" can be defined to include any desirable geometry and is not} limited to a cylindrical shape.

As seen in FIGS. 16-17, at least of the outer surfaces 30 ^bo ", 30 ^po ", 30 ^do ", 30 ^l 1 ^o ", 30 ^l 2 ^or "of the plurality of panels 30" that respectively form the primary tray 14i ", the Secondary tray 142 "and tertiary tray 143" may include one or more of a logo and markings 42 ". In one example, at least one outer surface (see, for example, outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^o ") of the tray Primary 14i "includes a first logo and / or marking portion 42a", at least one outer surface (see, for example, surface 30 ^l 2 ^o ") of secondary tray 142" includes a second logo and / or portion of markings 42b "and at least one outer surface (see, for example, outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^o ") of tertiary tray 143 "includes a third logo and / or marking portion 42c"; as seen in FIG. 16, when the main tray 14i ", the secondary tray 142" and the tertiary tray 143 "are arranged in vertically stacked orientation (such that the secondary tray 142" is arranged between the primary tray 14i "and the tertiary tray 143") As components of the packaging assembly 100 ", the outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^o " of the primary tray 14i ", which includes the first logo and / or the portion of markings 42a" cooperates with the outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^o "of the secondary tray 142 "which includes the second logo and / or the portion of marks 42b "and the outer surface 30 ^l 2 ^or " of the tertiary tray 143 "including the third logo and / or part of marks 42c" to form the logo or marks 42 ".

Another object of the invention is a food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") comprising: a plurality of food products (F);

a container (12) having a cylindrical outer side wall (18) defining an inner cavity (24) having a diameter extending along the first length; and

a tray (14) having a gap (34), the tray (14) operable between a first configuration to receive the cylindrical outer side wall (18) of the container (12) within the gap (34) and a second configuration to receive food products and is enclosed within the interior cavity (24) of the container (12).

Where in the first configuration, the tray (14) is defined by a first length portion (14 ') and a second length portion (14 ") attached to the first length portion (14') along a seam. tear 38. Additionally, in the second configuration the second length portion 14 "can be separated from the first length portion 14 'along the tear seam 38.

The tray (14) of the food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") includes a base panel (30 ^b ), a first side panel (30 ^l 1) extending from a first lateral end (30 ^l 1) of the base panel (30 ^b ), a second side panel (30 ^l 2) extending from a second side end (30 ^l 2) of the base panel (30 ^b ) opposite the first side end (30 ^bl 1), a first end panel (30 ^d ) extending from a third end (30 ^bpe ) of the base panel (30 ^b ) between the first side panel (30 ^l 1) and the second side panel (30 ^l 2) , and a second end panel (30 ^p ) extending from a fourth end (30 ^bde ) of the base panel (30 ^b ) between the first side panel (30 ^l 1) and the second side panel (30 ^l 1).

Where the first side panel (30 ^l 1) includes a first concave surface (30 ^lh ) and the second side panel (30 ^l 2) includes a second concave surface (30 ^l 2 ⁱ ) opposite the first concave surface (30 ^lh ) , the first concave surface (30 ^lh ) and the second concave surface (30 ^l 2 ⁱ ) configured to receive the outer side wall (18) of the container (12).

The base panel ( ^30b ) of the food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") is substantially flat. Various implementations have been described. However, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims (13)

1. A food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") comprising: a container (12) having a cylindrical outer side wall (18) defining a cavity (24) having a first length; and a tray (14) including at least one panel (30 ^b , 30 ^l 1, 30 ^l 2, 30 ^d , 30 ^p ) defining a gap (34), the food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") operable in a first configuration where the outer side wall (18) of the container (12) is received in the recess (34) of the tray (14) and a second configuration in which the tray (14) is enclosed within from the cavity (24) of the container (12). characterized in that in the first configuration the tray (14) has a second length greater than the first length of the cavity (24), and in the second configuration the tray (14) has a third length less than the first length of the cavity ( 24) and where the tray includes a tear seam (38) formed in at least one panel (30 ^b , 30 ^l 1, 30 ^l 2, 30 ^d , 30 ^p ), the tear seam (38) defining a first portion (14 ') of the tray (14) having the third length and a second portion (14 ") of the tray (14) having a fourth length, where the tray can be operated between the first configuration and the second configuration by separating the first portion (14 ') of the tray (14) from the second portion (14 ") of the tray (14) along the tear seam (38). 2. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 1, wherein in the first configuration, the first portion (14') of the tray (14) is attached to the second portion (14 ") along the tear seam (38) and in the second configuration, the first portion (14 ') of the tray (14) is separated from the second portion (14") along the tear seam 38) . 3. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 1, wherein at least one panel (30 ^b , 30 ^l 1, 30 ^l 2, 30 ^d , 30 ^p ) includes a panel of base (30 ^b ) and a pair of side panels (30 ^l 1, 30 ^l 2, 30 ^d , 30 ^p ) extending from opposite ends (30 ^bl 1, 30 ^bl 2, 30 ^bde , 30 ^bpe ) of the base (30 ^b ), the distance between the side panels (30 ^l 1, 30 ^l 2, 30 ^d , 30 ^p ) defines the width of the tray (14) which is less than the diameter of the cavity (24) of the container (12). 4. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 3, wherein the base panel (30B) includes a flat outer surface (30 ^l 1 ^o , 30 ^l 2 ^o ) and each of the side panels (30 ^l 1, 30 ^l 2, 30 ^d , 30 ^p ) includes a concave inner surface (30 ^l 1 ⁱ , 30 ^l 2 ⁱ ) that defines a portion of the gap (34). 5. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 4, wherein the concave inner surface (30 ^lh , 30 ^l 2 ⁱ ) receives the cylindrical outer side wall (18) of the container (12 ) when the food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") is in the first configuration. 6. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 3, wherein at least one panel (30 ^b , 30 ^l 1, 30 ^l 2, 30 ^d , 30 ^p ) further includes a pair of end panels (30 ^d , 30 ^p ) extending from opposite ends of the base panel (30 ^b ) and between the pair of side panels (30 ^l 1, 30 ^l 2). 7. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 6, wherein in the first configuration both end panels (30D, 30P) are attached to the base panel (30B) and in the second configuration At least one of the end panels (30D, 30P) is separated from the base panel (30B). The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 1, further comprising a wrapper (16) wrapped around the container (12) and the tray (14) when the food packaging system food products (10, 10 ', 10 ") is in the first configuration. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 1, wherein the tear seam (38) includes a plurality of perforations (36). The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 1, wherein the third length of the first length portion (14') is less than the first length of the cavity (24). The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 3, wherein a distance from an outer surface (30 ^l 1 ^o ) of the first side panel (30 ^l 1) to an outer surface ( 30 ^l 2 ^o ) of the second side panel (30 ^l 2) is smaller than the diameter of the inner cavity (24). 12. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") of Claim 6, wherein the first of the end panels (30 ^d ) is attached to the base panel (30 ^b ), to the first side panel ( 30 ^l 1) and to the second side panel (30 ^l 2) along a tear seam (38) in the first configuration, and is separated from the tray (14) along the tear seam (38) in the second configuration. 13. The food product packaging system (10, 10 ', 10 ") according to any of the claims above, characterized in that it contains a plurality of food products (F).