GB2564899A

GB2564899A - Container for and method of producing baked food products

Info

Publication number: GB2564899A
Application number: GB1712078.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brockway Tony; Moore Justin
Original assignee: Bakkavor Foods Ltd
Current assignee: Bakkavor Foods Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-27
Filing date: 2017-07-27
Publication date: 2019-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-27
Also published as: WO2019021004A1; GB2564899B; GB201712078D0

Abstract

A container 10 suitable for baked food products comprises a circumferential side wall 11 separable at a first side 1 of the container and a rim 16 connected to a bottom edge 14 of the side wall 11 extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall 11. The base platform 50 is supported by the rim 16. The rim 16 is separable at the first side 1 of the container 10. A weakening portion is provided on a second side 2 of the container 10, substantially opposite the first side 1. The container 10 may hinge about the weakening portion for the removal of a baked food product. Also disclosed is a packaged food product comprising a packaging box, the container described above, and a baked food product received within the container. Additionally disclosed is a method of preparing baked food products comprising baking goods within the container described above and packaging in a box for transportation.

Description

CONTAINER FOR AND METHOD OF PRODUCING BAKED FOOD PRODUCTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a container, particularly but not exclusively, a container for baked food products. Aspects of the invention relate to a packaged baked food product and a method of preparing baked food products.

BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to the field of confectionary goods, particularly baked goods, such as baked cake, for example baked cheesecake. Conventionally, baked goods, in particular cheesecakes, are supplied to the consumer in a container, which is constructed so that the baked goods can be removed from the container for consumption by pushing the baked goods out of the container via an aperture in the base of the container.

However, a problem with this type of container is that the cake can become damaged when being pushed out of the container. To avoid this problem, end users often cut the cake within the container but even then it is still not easy to remove the cake without damage. Further, when using this method, the baked goods are not generally considered to be in a table presentable state.

In view of the above, document GB2520917 A provides a container for baked food products that can be removed from the cake easily, without having to push the latter out of the container. In particular, the container of GB '917 A is constructed as a collar, which can be separated on one side of the container to strip the latter from the cake without having to lift the cake off the table. As can be derived from Figure 4 of GB '917 A, the collar 14 of this prior art solution requires a separate baking container 22 that will support the cake and collar during the baking process. After removing the cake from the oven/fridge, the collar 14, base platform 38 and cake 40 again have to be pushed out of the baking container 22 and subsequently packaged for sale.

A disadvantage of the above prior art solution is, therefore, the requirement of a separate baking container and the additional step of removing the collar and baked food product from the baking container before packaging for sale.

It is an aim of the present invention to address the disadvantages associated with the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container for baked food products and a method of preparing baked food products, which reduces the amount of individual baking devices required and, at the same time, is easily removable from the baked food product by the end consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a container for baked food products, a packaged baked food product and a method of preparing baked food products as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for baked food products, comprising a circumferential side wall, the side wall being separable at a first side of the container. A rim is connected to a bottom edge of the side wall and configured to support a base platform of a baked food product, the rim extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall, wherein the rim is separable at the first side of the container. A weakening portion is provided on a second side of the container, substantially opposite to the first side of the container, and adapted such that the container may hinge about the weakening portion for removal of a baked food product.

The container comprising a circumferential side wall and a rim connected thereto can be used to produce the baked food product and, at the same time, functions as packaging of the latter for distribution to the consumer. The separable nature of the side wall and the rim combined with the opposite weakening portion allows the container to be removed from the baked food product quickly and easily by the consumer while providing sufficient packaging support.

In another embodiment, the weakening portion includes a weakened section of the rim on the second side of the container. The weakened section of the rim may be formed as a gap or slot, separating the rim into two halves. Alternatively, the weakened section of the rim may be a perforation between its first and second halves. In any case, it will be appreciated that the weakening portion allows for the rim to be separated at the first side of the container and eases the hinging movement of the container about the second side.

In yet another embodiment, the container comprises a lip connected to a top edge of the side wall, the lip extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall, the lip being separated at the first side of the container. Providing a lip around the top edge of the side wall will increase the structural integrity of the container and, at the same time, provides handles for holding and transporting the baked food product during manufacture and distribution. The lip connected to the top edge may extend radially outwards from the top edge of the side wall.

The weakening portion includes a weakened section of the lip on the second side of the container. This weakened section may be formed as a recess in the lip, separating the lip into two halves. Similar to the weakened section of the rim described hereinbefore, the lip recess on the second side of the container will prevent the lip from acting against the hinging movement of the container for removal of the baked food product. The recess may have any shape appropriate to facilitate sufficient separation of the container along its first side for removal of the baked food product. In one embodiment, the recess may be substantially V-shaped.

According to another embodiment, the container comprises a pull tab arranged on the first end of the container, the pull tab being connected to a top edge of the side wall, wherein the pull tab extends in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall. The pull tab may be arranged in a gap of the lip described hereinbefore along the first side of the container. The pull tab may be enlarged in comparison to the extension of the lip. As such, the pull tab provides a manipulating grip for the consumer to help with separating the container along its first side as will be described in more detail below.

The side wall may be separable along the first side of the container along a first groove extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the side wall, wherein a first side of the pull tab is arranged adjacent to the first groove. In other words, another weakening portion (i.e. the first groove) is arranged adjacent to the pull tab to provide a predetermined breaking point of the side wall when the consumer utilises the pull tab to separate the container along its first side. The first groove may be arranged on an inner surface or an outer surface of the side wall. It will be understood that the first groove may alternatively be replaced by any other means for creating predetermined breaking points, such as a perforation.

According to another embodiment, the side wall may comprise a second groove extending substantially parallel to the first groove, wherein the second groove extends adjacent to a second side of the pull tab, opposite the first side. The second groove may only extend partly along a height of the side wall between the top and bottom edges. In contrast to the first groove, the second groove is not necessarily intended as a predetermined breaking point but enables an intermediate section of the side wall, arranged between the first and second groove, to pivot together with the pull tab about the second groove so as to help the consumer in separating the container along its first end and hinging the latter about its second end. A breakage of the side wall along the second groove is not intended and so the second groove is constructed such that, when pulling the pull tab, the side wall will break along the first groove and remain intact along the second groove. However, it will be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, it is also feasible to construct the second groove as a predetermined breaking point, similar to the first groove. According to this alternative variant, the intermediate section may indeed be removed entirely from the side wall ofthe container, when the pull tab is pulled by the consumer.

In yet another embodiment, the rim is separated at the first side of the container by means of a T-shaped gap. As such, the rim may be separated into two halves, separated from each other along the first and second sides of the container. According to this embodiment, the rim will not hinder the consumer from separating the container along its first side to remove the food product. The T-shaped gap will further ensure that the intermediate section ofthe side wall and the pull tab can easily be pivoted about the second groove as described hereinbefore.

The rim may define a base surface of the container and extend radially inwards from the bottom edge of the side wall, wherein the base surface comprises an aperture surrounded by the rim. The rim may be constructed with sufficient stability to support a base platform and the corresponding food product within the container. In other words, the rim is constructed not to bend under the combined load of the base platform and the food product.

In yet another embodiment, the container is made from a plastic material, preferably polypropylene. The container may be made of any suitable plastics material that is able to withstand the baking temperatures and the combined load of the base platform and the food product. The plastic material of the container is, therefore, capable of withstanding temperatures required to bake the respective baked food product.

The container may be formed by injection moulding. Prior art containers are produced by a thermoforming process which often includes a degree of variability which can affect the tolerances of the container and introduce undesired memory effects that can cause internal stress. By injection moulding, the container can have a far greater degree of accuracy and can be built with more sophisticated design features.

In another embodiment, the container is a throw-away container for single use and configured as such so the side wall deforms plastically at the second side of the container when the container is hinged about the weakening portion for removal of a baked food product.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a package baked food product comprising a packaging box defining a chamber, a container as described hereinbefore and a baked food product received within the container, wherein the container and baked food product are received within the chamber of the packaging box.

The container of the present invention can not only be used to bake and distribute the baked food product, but also exhibits a shape that is suitable for insertion into a packaging box that is compliant with food preservation standards.

The packaging box may be a two-part box, wherein the packaging box comprises a seat portion and a connectable cover. The seat portion and connectable cover including one or more mating members to removably connect the cover to the seat portion. The cover may be transparent and the seat portion may be opaque. As such, the packaged food product enables the consumer to view the food product received in the container through the transparent cover.

The packaging box may be made from one or more plastics material, preferably from amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing baked food products, the method comprising

A method of preparing baked food products, the method comprising

i) providing a container as described hereinbefore;

ii) arranging a base platform on the rim of the container;

iii) charging the container with goods to be baked such that the side wall defines a perimeter of the baked goods;

iv) baking the goods to be baked in the container;

v) packaging the baked goods and container in a packaging box for transport to a remote location, wherein the container is a single-use item configured for removal from the baked goods and disposal thereof after retail of the baked goods.

In some embodiments, the baked good is a cheesecake and the method further comprises depositing a biscuit layer in the container, on top of the base platform, and tamping down the biscuit layer and, thereafter, depositing a batter on the biscuit layer within a region defined by the side wall.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 shows a bottom view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

FIGURE 4 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

FIGURES 5a and 5b show the process of opening the container according to the embodiment of Figure 1;

FIGURE 6 shows an exploded view of the food product received within the container according to the embodiment of Figure 1;

FIGURE 7 shows the baking step of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

FIGURE 8 shows an embodiment of the packaged baked food product according to the present invention; and

FIGURE 9 shows the food product and the base platform after the container of the present invention has been removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view of a container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container 10 is configured to receive baked food products and can be used for both, baking of the food product and distribution to the consumer. The container comprises a circumferential side wall 11. The side wall 11 has an outer surface 12 and opposite and inner surface 13. The inner surface 13 of the side wall 11 defines a receptacle for the baked food product. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the side wall is circular and so the inner surface 13 defines a cylindrical receptacle. Of course, the side wall 11 may have any other polygonal shape that will eventually define the outer perimeter of the baked food product.

A rim 16 is connected to a lower edge 14 of the side wall 11. The rim 16 extends in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall 11. In this particular embodiment, the rim 16 extends radially inwards from the inner surface 13 of side wall 11. As such, the rim 16 defines a base surface of the container 10, which is adapted to receive a base platform of the baked food product as will be described in more detail below. The rim 16 surrounds an aperture 19, which is also part of the base surface of the container 10.

The container 10 comprises a lip 17 extending from a top edge 15 of the side wall 11. The lip 17 extends in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall 11, particularly radially outwards from the outer surface 12 of side wall 11. Reinforcement ribs 18 are provided circumferentially around the outer surface 12 of the side wall 11. The reinforcement ribs 18 extend below lip 17 from the top edge 15 of the side wall 11 in a direction towards the bottom edge 14 in order to stiffen at least an upper part of the container 10. The reinforcement strips 18 may be provided equidistantly around the outer circumference of the side wall 11.

As will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 5b, the side wall 11 is separable at a first side 1 of the container 10. To this end, the container 10 comprises a first groove 30 arranged between the top edge 15 and the bottom edge 14 of the side wall 11. The first groove 30 is arranged on the outer surface 12 of the side wall 11. The first groove 30 extends substantially straight, i.e. in a vertical direction along the outer surface 12 of the side wall 11, and defines a predetermined breaking point along which the side wall 11 can be separated to remove the baked food product. It will be appreciated that the first groove 30 could equivalently be replaced by any other means of predetermining a breaking point, such as perforations. However, it is preferred not to create any protrusions extending through the side wall 11 so as to maintain the batter of the food product within the receptacle, especially before baking has commenced.

A pull tab 40 is provided adjacent to the first groove 30 to facilitate separation of the side wall along the first groove 30. The pull tab 40 is connected to the top edge 15 of the side wall 11 and extends in a substantially perpendicular direction, outwardly from the side wall 11. As can be derived from Figure 1, the pull tab 40 has an enlarged surface area compared to the lip 17 to help the consumer with gripping the latter for removal of the container 10 from the baked goods.

A second groove 32 is arranged parallel to the first groove 30 along the first side of the container 10. The second groove 32 is arranged adjacent to a second end of the pull tab 40 and configured to allow an intermediate section 34 of the side wall 11 to pivot about the second groove 32 when the pull tab is used to separate the side wall 11 along the first groove 30. As can be derived from Figure 2, the second groove 32, again, extends from the top edge 15 of the side wall 11 towards the bottom edge 14, parallel to the first groove 30. However, the second groove 32 of this embodiment reduces in diameter towards the bottom edge 14 of the side wall 11. This will prevent the intermediate section 34 of the side wall 11 from being pulled off entirely as the pull tab 40 is utilised by the consumer. In other words, the second groove 32 is configured as a weakening zone, which will act as a hinge when the pull tab 40 is used to separate the side wall 11 along the first groove 30 (see Figure 5a). The skilled person will appreciate that the second groove 32 may be constructed in any suitable form to enable the intermediate portion 34 of side wall 11 to pivot outwards as the pull tab 40 is used to separate the side wall 11 along the first groove 30. In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the drawings, it is also feasible to construct the second groove 32 as a predetermined breaking point, similar to the first groove 30. According to this variant, the intermediate section 34 may be removed entirely from the side wall 11 of the container 10, when the pull tab is pulled by the consumer.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, top and bottom views of the container 10 shown in Figure 1 are illustrated. From the top and bottom views of Figures 3 and 4, it is derivable that the rim 16 is also separable at the first end 1 of the container 10. To this end, the rim comprises a gap 36, for example a T-shaped gap. The gap 36 of this embodiment is positioned adjacent to the intermediate section 34 of the side wall 11. The gap 36 allows separation of the rim 16 for removal of the baked food product.

Due to its T-shape, the gap 36 also ensures that the intermediate section 34 of side wall 11 is not connected to the rim 16 at all, and so enables the intermediate section 34 to pivot about the second groove 32 without having to be torn away from the rim.

Finally, it should also be understood that the pull tab 40 at the first side of the container 10 is positioned within a gap or recess of the lip 17 and, therefore, also renders the lip separable along the first side 1 of the container 10 for removal of the baked goods.

The container 10 comprises a weakening portion on a second side 2 of the container 10. The second side 2 is substantially opposite to the first side 1 of the container 10. The weakening portion on the second side 2 of the container 10 is adapted such that the container 10 may hinge about the weakening portion when the side wall 11 and the rim 16 are separated along the first side 1 of the container 10.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5b, the weakening portion includes a weakened section of the rim 16 on the second side 2 of the container 10. In particular, the weakened section of the rim 16 may be formed as a gap 21 or slot. The gap 21 on the second side 2 of the container 10 is positioned substantially opposite to the gap 36 on the first side 1 of container 10 as can be derived from Figures 3 and 4, for example. Together, gaps 21 and 36 separate the rim 16 into a first half 16-1 and second half 16-

2. The gap 21 on the second side 2 of the container 10 will facilitate a hinging movement of the container 10 about the second side 2 as the side wall is separated along the first side 1 for removal of the baked goods (see Figure 5b).

The figures further show that the weakening portion includes a weakened section of the lip on the second side 2 of the container 10. In the embodiment shown, the weakened section of the lip is formed as a recess 23 in the lip 17, thereby separating the lip 17 into a first half 17-1 and a second half 17-2. The lip 17 is separated at the first side 1 and the opposite second side 2. The recess 23 may have a slightly V-shaped construction as can be derived from Figures 3 and 4 in order to prevent the first and second halves 17

1, 17-2 of the lip 17 from contacting each other as the container 10 hinges about the second side 2.

Operation

Figures 1, 5a and 5b illustrate the operation of the new container for baked food products in order to remove the cakes or other confectionary items from the latter. As will be described in more detail below, the baked goods are distributed to the end consumer received in the receptacle of the end container 10 shown in Figure 1. Traditionally, the end consumer had to push the baked goods upwards, out of the container 10 by putting their hand through aperture 19, in order to remove the baked goods. This is no longer necessary with the container according to the present invention, due to the separable nature of the side wall and rim as described hereinbefore.

Once the container and baked goods are removed from the packaging box (60, Fig. 8), in which the latter are sold to the customer, the container 10 will be in a state shown in Figure 1. In order to remove the baked goods (not shown in Figs. 1, 5a and 5b) from the container 10, the operator will separate the container along its first side 1 and hinge the latter about the second side 2. To this end, the operator grabs pull tab 40 with a first hand and with a second hand holds the first halve 17-1 of lip 17. The first hand then pulls pull tab 40 outwards, thereby separating side wall 11 along the first groove 30 and pivoting intermediate section 34 about the second groove 32 (Fig. 5a). Further manipulation of the pull tab 40 will result in the container 10 hinging about the second side 2 in order to open up the first side 1 for removal of the baked goods (Fig. 5b). In particular, the side wall 11 will plastically deform in the region of the weakening portions (gap 21 and recess 23) until the opening along the first side 1 is large enough to remove the baked goods without damage. During this process, the gap 21 will widen into a Vshape as shown in Figure 5b, whereas recess 23 will reduce in size as the first and second halves 17-1 and 17-2 of the lip 17 are moved closer together.

It will be appreciated that once the container 10 is separated along the first groove 30 and plastically deformed along the weakening portion, it can no longer be used to store the baked goods. As such, the container of the present invention is constructed as a throw-away container for single use and disposed by the consumer after removal of the baked food product.

Bakina

With reference to Figure 6, the present method of producing baked goods is described in more detail hereinafter. In a first step, a base platform 50 is inserted into container 10 such that the base platform 50 rests on and is supported by rim 16. The base platform 50 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the side wall 11 of the container 10, in this particular embodiment a circular shape with a diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the side wall 11. When positioned in the container 10, the base platform 50 occupies a circular area and forms a base together with the rim 16 on which baked goods 40 can be positioned.

The ingredients of the baked goods 40 are then charged into a receptacle defined by the side wall 11 and the base platform 50. In this particular embodiment, the baked food product 40 is a cheesecake. Accordingly, in this embodiment the receptacle is charged with a crumb mix 42, followed by a batter 44 and a fruit sauce 46. In alternative embodiments, the food sauce may be omitted. In other variations, the topping may not be a fruit sauce but a caramel or chocolate sauce.

The crumb mix is tamped down (i.e. stumped down) to form a crumb base (for example a biscuit crumb base). In the present embodiment, the crumb base is tamped down using alternated mechanism. In alternative embodiments, the crumb base may be manually tamped down.

The food sauce is deposited on a cheesecake using an automated process which includes a depositor head to swirl the fruit sauce onto the batter 44. Alternatively, the food sauce may be applied manually.

Referring to Figure 7, once the container 10 is charged with the ingredients of the food product 40, the goods are baked in an oven 48 at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined length of time. The predetermined temperature and predetermined length of time are dependent on the type of food product and also the material of the container 10 and base 50. It will be appreciated that the container 10 is formed from a plastic material that is able to withstand the temperatures required for baking the particular food product, in this example a cheesecake.

Once the container 10 and food product 40 are removed from the oven 48 (and optionally cooled in a refrigerator) they are positioned in a packaging box 60 for shipping to a remote location, for example a supermarket, shop or restaurant, from which an end user may purchase the packaged food products. The packaging box 60 shown in Figure is formed as a two-part box, comprising a seat portion 62 and a connectable cover 64, which are removably connected to each other. The cover 64 of this embodiment is transparent and the seat portion 64 is opaque. The packaging box 60 may be made from one or more plastic materials, preferably from amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APT) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It will be understood that the container and baked food product may alternatively be packaged in any other packaging box that exhibits the necessary transport stability and fulfils food preservation standards. For example, such a box may not have a transparent cover and is entirely opaque instead.

Finally, to consume the baked goods 40, the consumer must remove the container 10 from the packaging box 60 and, thereafter, the container 10 will be removed from the baked goods 40 according to the method of operation described hereinbefore. Once the container has been removed from the baked goods 40, the base platform 50 and baked 15 goods 40 remain and may be positioned on a plate for slicing and serving as indicated by Figure 9.

Claims

1. A container for baked food products comprising:

a circumferential side wall, the side wall being separable at a first side of the container;

a rim connected to a bottom edge of the side wall and configured to support a base platform of a baked food product, the rim extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall, the rim being separable at the first side of the container;

a weakening portion on a second side of the container, substantially opposite to the first side of the container, and adapted such that the container may hinge about the weakening portion for removal of a baked food product.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the weakening portion includes a weakened section of the rim on the second side of the container.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the weakened section of the rim is formed as a gap, separating the rim into two halves.

4. The container of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container comprises a lip connected to a top edge of the side wall, the lip extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall, the lip being separated at the first side of the container.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the weakening portion includes a weakened section of the lip on the second side of the container.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the weakened section of the lip is formed as a recess in the lip, separating the lip into two halves.

7. The container of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container comprises a pull tab arranged on the first side of the container, the pull tab being connected to a top edge of the side wall, and wherein the pull tab extends in a substantially perpendicular direction to the side wall.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the side wall is separable along the first side of the container along a first groove extending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the side wall, and wherein a first side of the pull tab is arranged adjacent to the first groove.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the side wall comprises a second groove extending substantially parallel to the first groove, and wherein the second groove extends adjacent to a second side of the pull tab, opposite the first side.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the second groove extends from the top edge of the side wall partly along a height of the side wall, towards the bottom edge.

11. The container of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rim is separated at the first side of the container by means of a T-shaped gap.

12. The container of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the rim defines a base surface of the container and extend radially inwards from the bottom edge of the side wall, and wherein the base surface comprises an aperture surrounded by the rim.

13. The container of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the container is made from a plastic material, preferably polypropylene.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the plastic material of the container is capable of withstanding temperatures required to bake the respective baked food products.

15. The container of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the container is formed by injection moulding.

16. The container of any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the container is a throw away container for single use and configured such that the side wall deforms plastically at the second side of the container when the container is hinged about the weakening portion for removal of a baked food product.

17. A packaged baked food product comprising:

a packaging box defining a chamber;

a container of any of claims 1 to 16;

a baked food product received within the container, wherein the container and baked food product are received within the chamber of the packaging box.

18. The packaged baked food product of claim 17, wherein the packaging box is a two part box.

19. The packaged baked food product of claim 18, wherein the packaging box comprises a seat portion and a connectable cover, the seat portion and connectable cover including one or more mating members to removably connect the cover to the seat portion.

20. The packaged baked food product of claim 19, wherein the cover is transparent and the seat portion is opaque.

21. The packaged baked food product of any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the packaging box is made from one or more plastic materials, preferably from amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

22. A method of preparing baked food products, the method comprising

i) providing a container of any of claims 1 to 16;

ii) arranging a base platform on the rim of the container;

iv) baking the goods to be baked in the container;

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the baked good is a cheesecake and step iii) comprises:

depositing a biscuit layer in the container, on top of the base platform, and tamping down the biscuit layer; and depositing a batter on the biscuit layer within a region defined by the side wall.