US20180086537A1 - Foodstuff Packaging Assembly and Related Methods - Google Patents
Foodstuff Packaging Assembly and Related Methods Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180086537A1 US20180086537A1 US15/718,055 US201715718055A US2018086537A1 US 20180086537 A1 US20180086537 A1 US 20180086537A1 US 201715718055 A US201715718055 A US 201715718055A US 2018086537 A1 US2018086537 A1 US 2018086537A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- foodstuff
- heating element
- container
- packaging
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
- B65D81/3484—Packages having self-contained heating means, e.g. heating generated by the reaction of two chemicals
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
- A47J36/24—Warming devices
- A47J36/28—Warming devices generating the heat by exothermic reactions, e.g. heat released by the contact of unslaked lime with water
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/22—Packaging articles of food, e.g. fish fillets, intended to be cooked in the package
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B29/00—Packaging of materials presenting special problems
- B65B29/10—Packaging two or more different substances isolated from one another in the package but capable of being mixed without opening the package, e.g. forming packages containing a resin and hardener isolated by a frangible partition
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/02—Internal fittings
- B65D25/04—Partitions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/32—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging two or more different materials which must be maintained separate prior to use in admixture
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2581/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D2581/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within
- B65D2581/3401—Cooking or heating method specially adapted to the contents of the package
- B65D2581/3429—Packages containing a secondary product to be cooked and discharged over the primary product
- B65D2581/3431—Packages containing a secondary product to be cooked and discharged over the primary product the secondary product, e.g. fudge, being heated over ice-cream
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to a foodstuff packaging assembly and more particularly to a foodstuff packaging assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging, and a second foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging.
- the disclosure also relates to a method for assembling a foodstuff packaging assembly and a method for utilizing a foodstuff packaging assembly.
- Foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein are known. While existing foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein perform adequately for their intended purpose, improvements to foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein are continuously being sought in order to advance the arts.
- the assembly may include foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging, and a second foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging.
- the first foodstuff may include a first foodstuff material that is configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of heat generated by a portion of the foodstuff packaging.
- the first foodstuff may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially solid state.
- the first foodstuff may be comingled throughout the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially liquid state to define a comingled foodstuff.
- the second foodstuff may include a second foodstuff material that is not configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of the heat generated by the portion of the foodstuff packaging.
- the second foodstuff material may be selected from the group consisting of: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts and cereal.
- the first foodstuff material may be selected from the group consisting of: chocolate and fudge.
- the first foodstuff material may include ice cream.
- the foodstuff packaging may include a foodstuff container, a heating element that may be selectively activated, and a closure.
- the foodstuff container may include a base portion and a sidewall portion connected to the base portion.
- the base portion may include an inner surface and an outer surface.
- the sidewall portion may include an inner surface, an outer surface and a distal end surface connecting the inner surface to the outer surface.
- the inner surface of the base portion and the inner surface of the sidewall portion may define a foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container. Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity is formed by an opening defined by the inner surface of the sidewall portion and the distal end surface of the sidewall portion.
- the heating element may be attached to the outer surface of the base portion.
- the closure may be removably attached to one or more of the distal end surface of the sidewall portion and the outer surface of the sidewall portion.
- the heating element may include a first portion and a second portion that is detachably-connected to the first portion.
- the first portion of the heating element may include an inner surface, an outer surface and one or more passages formed in the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element.
- the second portion of the heating element may include an inner surface and an outer surface.
- the inner surface of the second portion of the heating element may be disposed adjacent the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element.
- the inner surface of the first portion of the heating element may be disposed adjacent the outer surface of the base portion of the foodstuff container.
- the first portion of the heating element may define a cavity that contains a chemically-activated material. More particularly, the chemically-activated material may be an oxygen-activated material.
- the second portion of the heating element may be a removable film member. Upon removing the removable film member of the heating element from the first portion of the heating element, the one or more passages formed in the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element may arrange the chemically-activated material in direct fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere for permitting oxygen to chemically react with the chemically-activated material for causing the first portion of the heating element to generate heat.
- the chemically-activated material includes zinc.
- the zinc may become zinc oxide.
- both of the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff are contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- the foodstuff packaging includes a foodstuff separator arranged within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for separating the foodstuff-receiving cavity into: a first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the first foodstuff and a second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the second foodstuff.
- the foodstuff separator includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a side surface connecting the upper surface to the lower surface.
- the foodstuff separator may also be defined by a thickness extending between the upper surface of the foodstuff separator and the lower surface of the foodstuff separator.
- the foodstuff separator may also include a plurality of passages that extend through the thickness of the foodstuff separator for arranging the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion in fluid communication with the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion.
- the heating element is attached to the foodstuff container. In other examples, the heating element is formed with the foodstuff container. In yet other examples, the heating element is formed with the closure.
- the method may include: providing foodstuff packaging including a foodstuff container defining a foodstuff-receiving cavity, a heating element attached to an outer surface of the foodstuff container; disposing a first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity.
- the first foodstuff may include a first foodstuff material that is configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of heat generated by the heating element.
- the method may further include disposing a second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity. The first foodstuff may not be comingled throughout the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially solid state.
- the first foodstuff may be comingled throughout the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially liquid state to define a comingled foodstuff.
- the second foodstuff may include: a second foodstuff material that is not configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of the heat generated by the heating element.
- Disposing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity may include: extruding the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity while the first foodstuff is in a substantially liquid state; and curing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity such that the first foodstuff transitions to a substantially solid state and sticks to at least one inner surface of the foodstuff container.
- disposing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity includes: depositing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity while the first foodstuff is in a substantially state such that the first foodstuff is disposed adjacent to at least one inner surface of the foodstuff container.
- disposing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity includes: depositing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity such that some of the second foodstuff is disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the first foodstuff.
- the foodstuff packaging further includes a closure removably attached to the foodstuff container for providing selective access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity that contains the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff deposited therein.
- the method may include disposing a foodstuff separator within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for separating the foodstuff-receiving cavity into: a first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the first foodstuff and a second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the second foodstuff.
- the foodstuff separator also includes a plurality of passages that extend through a thickness of the foodstuff separator for arranging the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion in fluid communication with the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion.
- disposing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity may include: depositing the second foodstuff within the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion such that some of the second foodstuff is not disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the first foodstuff. Some of the second foodstuff is not disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the foodstuff separator.
- the foodstuff packaging further includes a closure removably attached to the foodstuff container for providing selective access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity that contains the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff deposited therein.
- the method may include: providing foodstuff packaging including a foodstuff container defining a foodstuff-receiving cavity, a heating element attached to a surface of the foodstuff container.
- the heating element may include a first portion and a second portion that is detachably-connected to the first portion.
- the first portion of the heating element includes chemically-activated material.
- the method may also include detachably-removing the second portion of the heating element from the first portion of the heating element for permitting oxygen from surrounding atmosphere to chemically react with the chemically-activated material for causing the first portion of the heating element to generate heat.
- the method may also include transferring the heat generated by the first portion of the heating element from the heating element to the foodstuff container.
- the method may also include further transferring the heat generated by the first portion of the heating element from the heating element to a first foodstuff by way of the foodstuff container.
- the first foodstuff may be contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- the method may also include utilizing the heat that is transferred to the first foodstuff for transitioning the first foodstuff from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state.
- the method may also include comingling the first foodstuff that is in the liquid state with the second foodstuff that is contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for forming a comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- the method also includes removing a closure from the foodstuff packaging for accessing the comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- the method includes: stirring or shaking the comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container; and consuming the comingled foodstuff that is contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- the second foodstuff material is selected from the group consisting of: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts and cereal.
- the first foodstuff includes a foodstuff material is selected from the group consisting of: chocolate and fudge.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 2A ′- 2 E′ illustrate cross-sectional views of another methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 4A-4I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure
- FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 6D ′ is an enlarged view of FIG. 6D according to line 6 D′;
- FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 5 ;
- FIGS. 8A-8I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure
- FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 9 ;
- FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 9 ;
- FIGS. 12A-12I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure
- FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 13 ;
- FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 13 ;
- FIGS. 16A-16G illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 13 .
- FIG. 17 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure
- FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly of FIG. 17 ;
- FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 17 ;
- FIGS. 20A-20G illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly of FIG. 17 .
- Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.
- first, second, third, etc. may be used herein 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 may be only 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. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.
- the assembly 10 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 12 , 14 , 20 ), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 16 ) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 18 ).
- the first foodstuff 16 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 18 .
- the assembly 10 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the first foodstuff 16 may seep or ooze into the second foodstuff 18 such that the first foodstuff 16 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 18 while the first foodstuff 16 and the second foodstuff 18 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 12 ) of the foodstuff packaging 12 , 14 , 20 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 3C-3D, 4E-4I ) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 12 , 14 , 20 .
- the user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the assembly 10 may include a foodstuff container 12 , a heating element 14 , a first foodstuff 16 , a second foodstuff 18 , and a closure 20 .
- FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate a first methodology for assembling the assembly 10 .
- FIGS. 2A ′- 2 E′ illustrate a second methodology for assembling the assembly 10 .
- the foodstuff container 12 may include a base portion 22 connected to a sidewall portion 24 .
- the base portion 22 includes an inner surface 22 I and an outer surface 22 O .
- the sidewall portion 24 includes an inner surface 24 I , an outer surface 24 O , and a distal end surface 24 D that connects the inner surface 24 I to the outer surface 24 O .
- the inner surface 22 I of the base portion 22 and the inner surface 24 I of the sidewall portion 24 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 .
- Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 is formed by an opening 28 defined by the inner surface 24 I of the sidewall portion 24 and the distal end surface 24 D of the sidewall portion 24 .
- the heating element 14 includes a first portion 14 a and a second portion 14 b .
- the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 includes an inner surface 14 a I , an outer surface 14 a O , and one or more passages 14 a P formed in the outer surface 14 a O .
- the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 includes an inner surface 14 b I and an outer surface 14 b O .
- the inner surface 14 b I of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 .
- the inner surface 14 a I of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 22 O of the base portion 22 .
- the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 14 b I of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 .
- the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 further defines a cavity 29 .
- the cavity 29 may include a chemically-activated material 30 .
- the chemically-activated material 30 may be disposed within the cavity 29 .
- the chemically-activated material 30 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc.
- the one or more passages 14 a P may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 14 a P formed in the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 30 ).
- FIGS. 1-10 will be described in the following disclosure at FIGS.
- a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 30 by removing the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 from the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 14 a P formed in the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a and into the cavity 29 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 30 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 30 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 30 to generate heat.
- the first foodstuff 16 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 .
- the first foodstuff 16 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 in a liquid state or a solid state. If the first foodstuff 16 is in liquid state when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 , the first foodstuff 16 may be extruded into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 from an extruder or first foodstuff hopper H C .
- the first foodstuff 16 may be permitted to cure in order to permit the first foodstuff 16 to transition from a liquid state to a solid state.
- the first foodstuff 16 may stick to but may also be removably attached to at least a portion of the inner surface 22 I of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 .
- the first foodstuff 16 when the first foodstuff 16 is cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 16 may be attached to or disposed over (i) all of the inner surface 22 I of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 and (ii) a portion of the inner surface 24 I of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 that extends away from the inner surface 22 I of the base portion 22 .
- the first foodstuff 16 when the first foodstuff 16 has cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 16 may be defined by an upper surface 16 I , a lower surface 16 O and a side surface 16 S connecting the upper surface 16 I to the lower surface 16 O .
- the first foodstuff 16 may also be defined by a thickness T 16 extending between the upper surface 16 I and the lower surface 16 O .
- the inner surface 24 I of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 defines the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 to have a substantially cylindrical shape
- the side surface 16 S of the first foodstuff 16 may define the first foodstuff 16 to have a diameter D 16 .
- the second foodstuff 18 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 .
- the second foodstuff material 18 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like.
- the second foodstuff 18 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, the second foodstuff 18 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 .
- the second foodstuff 18 may be defined as a “low moisture” food material.
- an exemplary “high moisture” food material may be defined to include, for example, ice cream, chocolate, fudge or the like. Therefore, in some instances, when the second foodstuff 18 includes, for example, one or more of granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like, such foodstuff is known to have a relatively low moisture content, and, therefore, may be deemed or defined as being an exemplary “low moisture” foodstuff material.
- the second foodstuff 18 may include a “low moisture” foodstuff material, and, in being differentiated from the first foodstuff 16 , the second foodstuff 18 may be deemed or defined in the negative context as not being a “high moisture” foodstuff material. Furthermore, in other examples, the first foodstuff 16 and the second foodstuff 18 may be defined as having approximately the same moisture content.
- the second foodstuff 18 may deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 from a second foodstuff hopper H G .
- the second foodstuff 18 may be contained with the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 and arranged upon and over the upper surface 16 I of the first foodstuff 16 such that that second foodstuff 18 is separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, the first foodstuff 16 .
- the second foodstuff hopper H G may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 18 into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 .
- the second foodstuff hopper H G may meter an amount of the second foodstuff 18 that is approximately equal to a remainder of a volume of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 that is not occupied by the first foodstuff 16 .
- the closure 20 includes at least a base portion 32 .
- the base portion 32 includes an inner surface 32 I and an outer surface 32 O .
- the closure 20 may also include a sidewall portion 34 connected to the base portion 32 .
- the sidewall portion 34 includes an inner surface 34 I , an outer surface 34 O , and a distal end surface 34 D that connects the inner surface 34 I to the outer surface 34 O .
- the inner surface 32 I of the base portion 32 and the inner surface 34 I of the sidewall portion 34 define a container-receiving cavity 36 .
- Access to the container-receiving cavity 36 is formed by an opening 38 defined by the inner surface 34 I of the sidewall portion 34 and the distal end surface 34 D of the sidewall portion 34 .
- the inner surface 32 I of the base portion 32 of the closure 20 may be removably attached to the distal end surface 24 D of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 .
- Attachment of the inner surface 32 I of the base portion 32 of the closure 20 to the distal end surface 24 D of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like.
- the inner surface 34 I of the sidewall portion 34 of the closure 20 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of the outer surface 240 of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 in order to removably attach the closure 20 to the foodstuff container 12 .
- FIGS. 2A ′- 2 E′ an alternative methodology for assembling the assembly 10 is described.
- the alternative methodology for assembling the assembly 10 of FIGS. 2A ′- 2 E′ is substantially similar to the methodology for assembling the assembly 10 of FIGS. 2A-2F .
- the methodology for assembling the assembly 10 of FIGS. 2A ′- 2 E′ does, however, differ from the methodology for assembling the assembly 10 of FIGS. 2A-2F as shown and described below at FIGS. 2B ′- 2 C′; therefore, the following description related to the methodology associated with the assembling of the assembly 10 at FIGS. 2A ′- 2 E′ is limited to the disclosure found at FIGS. 2B ′- 2 C′ (i.e., the remaining disclosure associated with the assembly of the assembly 10 at FIGS. 2A ′- 2 E′ is substantially the same as the disclosure associated with the assembly of the assembly 10 at FIGS. 2A-2F ).
- the first foodstuff 16 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 .
- the first foodstuff 16 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 in a pre-cured, substantially solid form (rather than in liquid form as described above at FIG. 2B ).
- the first foodstuff 16 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper H C that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricated first foodstuff 16 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form.
- the first foodstuff 16 may be removably attached to or, alternatively, disposed over at least a portion of the inner surface 22 I of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 .
- the first foodstuff 16 may be attached to or disposed over all of the inner surface 22 I of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 and a portion of the inner surface 24 I of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 that extends away from the inner surface 22 I of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 .
- the outer surface 14 b O of the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 may be first optionally arranged upon a support surface S such that the assembly 10 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S. Then, as seen in FIGS. 3B and 4B , the outer surface 32 O of the base portion 32 of the closure 20 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that the assembly 10 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S.
- the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 .
- the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.
- the chemically-activated material 30 contained within the cavity 29 of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 30 contained within the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 30 .
- the one or more passages 14 a P formed in the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 14 a P formed in the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 30 ).
- an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 14 b of the heating element 14 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 14 a P formed in the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 30 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 30 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 30 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIG. 4C ).
- the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 30 of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 is passed through the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 16 .
- the heat H causes the first foodstuff 16 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 4C ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 4D-4F ).
- FIGS. 4C substantially solid state
- FIGS. 4D-4F a melted, substantially liquid state
- the first foodstuff 16 detaches from one or more of the inner surface 22 I of the base portion 22 of the foodstuff container 12 and the inner surface 24 I of the sidewall portion 24 of the foodstuff container 12 such that the first foodstuff 16 vertically seeps or oozes downwardly and into the second foodstuff 18 such that the first foodstuff 16 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 18 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 12 .
- the container 12 , the heating element 14 and the closure 20 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S that that the outer surface 14 a O of the first portion 14 a of the heating element 14 is arranged upon the support surface S.
- the closure 20 may be selectively-removed from the foodstuff container 12 such that a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 4I ) may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG.
- the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F.
- a utensil e.g., a spoon SP
- the closure 20 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 12 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken.
- the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.
- the first foodstuff 16 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 14 ) of the foodstuff packaging 12 , 14 , 20 .
- the foodstuff packaging 12 , 14 , 20 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 16 .
- a non-packaging, external heat source e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like
- the arrangement of the heating element 14 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 16 substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 14 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 16 and not the second foodstuff 18 .
- the first foodstuff 16 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 18 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 18 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 18 .
- the heat H from the heating element 14 may merely warm the second foodstuff 18 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 18 , which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 16 .
- a non-packaging external heat source e.g., a microwave oven
- FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary assembly, which is shown generally at 100 .
- the assembly 100 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 112 , 114 , 120 , 150 ), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 116 ) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 118 ).
- the first foodstuff 116 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 118 .
- the assembly 100 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the first foodstuff 116 vertically seeps or oozes into the second foodstuff 118 such that the first foodstuff 116 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 118 while the first foodstuff 116 and the second foodstuff 118 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 112 ) of the foodstuff packaging 112 , 114 , 120 , 150 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 7C-7D, 8E-8I ) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 112 , 114 , 120 , 150 .
- the user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the assembly 100 may include a foodstuff container 112 , a heating element 114 , a first foodstuff 116 , a second foodstuff 118 , a closure 120 , and a foodstuff separator 150 .
- FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate a methodology for assembling the assembly 100 .
- the foodstuff container 112 may include a base portion 122 connected to a sidewall portion 124 .
- the base portion 122 may include an inner surface 122 I and an outer surface 122 O .
- the sidewall portion 124 may include an inner surface 124 I , an outer surface 124 O and a distal end surface 124 D connects the inner surface 124 I to the outer surface 124 O .
- the inner surface 122 I of the base portion 122 and the inner surface 124 I of the sidewall portion 124 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 is formed by an opening 128 defined by the inner surface 124 I of the sidewall portion 124 and the distal end surface 124 D of the sidewall portion 124 .
- the heating element 114 may include a first portion 114 a and a second portion 114 b .
- the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 includes an inner surface 114 a I , an outer surface 114 a O and one or more passages 114 a P formed in the outer surface 114 a O .
- the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 includes an inner surface 114 b I and an outer surface 114 b O .
- the inner surface 114 b I of the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 114 a O of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 .
- the inner surface 114 a I of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 122 O of the base portion 122 .
- the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 114 b I of the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 114 a O of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 .
- the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 further defines a cavity 129 that may include a chemically-activated material 130 .
- the chemically-activated material 130 may be disposed within the cavity 129 .
- the chemically-activated material 130 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc.
- the one or more passages 14 a P are prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 114 a P formed in the outer surface 114 a O of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 130 ).
- FIGS. 1-10 illustrate that as will be described in the following disclosure at FIGS.
- a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 130 by removing the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 from the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 114 a P formed in the outer surface 114 a O of the first portion 114 a and into the cavity 129 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 130 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 130 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 130 to generate heat.
- the first foodstuff 116 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- the first foodstuff 116 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 in a pre-cured, substantially solid state.
- the first foodstuff 116 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper H C that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricated first foodstuff 116 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form.
- the first foodstuff 116 may be defined by an upper surface 116 I , a lower surface 116 O and a side surface 116 S connecting the upper surface 116 I to the lower surface 116 O .
- the first foodstuff 116 may also be defined by a thickness T 116 extending between the upper surface 116 I and the lower surface 116 O .
- the side surface 116 S of the first foodstuff 116 may define the first foodstuff 116 to have a diameter D 116 .
- the first foodstuff 116 may be removably attached to or, alternatively, disposed over at least a portion of the inner surface 122 I of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- the first foodstuff 116 may be attached to or disposed over all of the inner surface 122 I of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 and a portion of the inner surface 124 I of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 that extends away from the inner surface 122 I of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- the foodstuff separator 150 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- the foodstuff separator 150 may include an upper surface 150 I , a lower surface 150 O and a side surface 150 S connecting the upper surface 150 I to the lower surface 150 O .
- the foodstuff separator 150 is also defined by a thickness T 150 extending between the upper surface 150 I and the lower surface 150 O .
- the lower surface 150 O of the foodstuff separator 150 may be disposed adjacent to, or, in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the upper surface 116 I of the first foodstuff 116 .
- the side surface 150 S of the foodstuff separator 150 may include a radially-outwardly-extending projection 150 S-P .
- the radially-outwardly-extending projection 150 S-P may be registered within a recess 124 I-R formed in the inner surface 124 I of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 for radially connecting the foodstuff separator 150 to the inner surface 124 I of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- the foodstuff separator 150 When the foodstuff separator 150 is connected to the inner surface 124 I of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 , the foodstuff separator 150 separates the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 into a first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 a that is sized for receiving an amount of the first foodstuff 116 and a second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b that is sized for receiving an amount of the second foodstuff 118 .
- the foodstuff separator 150 may retain the first foodstuff 116 between the lower surface 150 O of the foodstuff separator 150 and the inner surface 122 I of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- the foodstuff separator 150 may secure the lower surface 116 O of the first foodstuff 116 adjacent to the inner surface 122 I of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 in order to promote a transfer of heat H from the heating element 114 , through the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 and to the first foodstuff 116 .
- the foodstuff separator 150 also includes a plurality of passages 152 that may extend through the thickness T 150 of the foodstuff separator 150 .
- the plurality of passages 152 formed by the foodstuff separator 150 may permit the first foodstuff to seep, ooze or flow-through the plurality of passages 152 formed by the foodstuff separator 150 such that the first foodstuff 116 may flow out of the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 a and into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b.
- the second foodstuff 118 may be deposited into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- the second foodstuff 118 may deposited into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 from a second foodstuff hopper H G .
- the second foodstuff 118 is contained with the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 and arranged upon and over the upper surface 1501 of the foodstuff separator 150 such that that second foodstuff 118 is separated from, and not comingled with, the first foodstuff 116 .
- the second foodstuff hopper H G may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 118 into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 .
- the closure 120 includes at least a base portion 132 .
- the base portion 132 includes an inner surface 132 I and an outer surface 132 O .
- the closure 120 may also include a sidewall portion 134 connected to the base portion 132 .
- the sidewall portion 134 includes an inner surface 134 I , an outer surface 134 O and a distal end surface 134 D that connects the inner surface 134 I to the outer surface 134 O .
- the inner surface 132 I of the base portion 132 and the inner surface 134 I of the sidewall portion 134 define a container-receiving cavity 136 .
- Access to the container-receiving cavity 136 is formed by an opening 138 defined by the inner surface 134 I of the sidewall portion 134 and the distal end surface 134 D of the sidewall portion 134 .
- the inner surface 132 I of the base portion 132 of the closure 120 may be removably attached to the distal end surface 124 D of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 .
- Attachment of the inner surface 132 I of the base portion 132 of the closure 120 to the distal end surface 124 D of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like.
- the inner surface 134 I of the sidewall portion 134 of the closure 120 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of the outer surface 124 O of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 in order to removably attach the closure 120 to the foodstuff container 112 .
- the outer surface 114 b O of the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 may be arranged upon a support surface S such that the assembly 100 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S.
- the outer surface 132 O of the base portion 132 of the closure 120 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that the assembly 100 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S.
- the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 114 a O of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 .
- the second portion 114 b of the heating element 114 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.
- the chemically-activated material 130 disposed within the cavity 129 of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 130 contained within the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 130 .
- the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 130 of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 is passed through the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 116 .
- the heat H causes the first foodstuff 116 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 8C ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 8D-8F ).
- FIGS. 8C-8F the heat H causes the first foodstuff 116 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 8C ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 8D-8F ).
- the first foodstuff 116 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, the first foodstuff 116 , with the assistance of gravity, detaches from one or more of the inner surface 122 I of the base portion 122 of the foodstuff container 112 and the inner surface 124 I of the sidewall portion 124 of the foodstuff container 112 such that the first foodstuff 116 vertically flows through the plurality of passages 152 formed by the foodstuff separator 150 .
- the first foodstuff 116 may flow out of the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 a and into the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion 126 b such that the first foodstuff 116 seeps or oozes downwardly and into the second foodstuff 118 .
- the first foodstuff 116 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 118 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 112 .
- the container 112 , the heating element 114 and the closure 120 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S such that the outer surface 114 a O of the first portion 114 a of the heating element 114 is arranged upon the support surface S.
- the closure 120 may be selectively-removed from the foodstuff container 112 such that a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 8I ) may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG.
- the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 126 of the foodstuff container 112 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F.
- a utensil e.g., a spoon SP
- the closure 120 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 112 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken.
- the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.
- the heating element 114 In view of the above-described functionality of the heating element 114 , it is seen that the first foodstuff 116 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 114 ) of the foodstuff packaging 112 , 114 , 120 , 150 .
- the foodstuff packaging 112 , 114 , 120 , 150 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 116 .
- a non-packaging, external heat source e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like
- the arrangement of the heating element 114 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 116 substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 114 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 116 and not the second foodstuff 118 .
- the first foodstuff 116 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 118 is an exemplary “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 118 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 118 .
- the heat H generated by the heating element 114 may be imparted into the second foodstuff 118 , the heat H from the heating element 114 may merely warm the second foodstuff 118 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 118 , which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 116 .
- a non-packaging external heat source e.g., a microwave oven
- the assembly 200 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 212 , 214 , 220 ), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 216 ) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 218 ).
- the first foodstuff 216 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 218 .
- the assembly 200 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the first foodstuff 216 may seep or ooze into the second foodstuff 218 such that the first foodstuff 216 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 218 while the first foodstuff 216 and the second foodstuff 218 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 212 ) of the foodstuff packaging 212 , 214 , 220 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 11C-11D, 12E-12I ) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 212 , 214 , 220 .
- the user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the assembly 200 may include a foodstuff container 212 , a heating element 214 , a first foodstuff 216 , a second foodstuff 218 , and a closure 220 .
- FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate a first methodology for assembling the assembly 200 .
- the foodstuff container 212 may include a base portion 222 connected to a sidewall portion 224 .
- the base portion 222 includes an inner surface 222 I and an outer surface 222 O .
- the sidewall portion 224 includes an inner surface 224 I , an outer surface 224 O , and a distal end surface 224 D that connects the inner surface 224 I to the outer surface 224 O .
- a portion 224 L-P of a length 224 L of the sidewall portion 224 may extend beyond the outer surface 222 O of the base portion 222 thereby defining a cavity 229 .
- the inner surface 222 I of the base portion 222 and the inner surface 224 I of the sidewall portion 224 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 .
- Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 is formed by an opening 228 defined by the inner surface 224 I of the sidewall portion 224 and the distal end surface 224 D of the sidewall portion 224 .
- the heating element 214 includes a first portion 214 a and a second portion 214 b .
- the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 is defined by the cavity 229 formed by the foodstuff container 212 and a chemically-activated material 230 disposed therein.
- the foodstuff container 212 may further include a heating element retainer portion 225 connected to and extending from the portion 224 L-P of the length 224 L of the sidewall portion 224 that extends beyond the outer surface 222 O of the base portion 222 .
- the heating element retainer portion 225 therefore may contribute to the formation of the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 whereby the heating element retainer portion 225 includes an inner surface 2251 , an outer surface 225 O .
- One or more passages 225 P may extend through the heating element retainer portion 225 from the outer surface 225 O to the inner surface 225 I .
- the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 includes an inner surface 214 b I and an outer surface 214 b O .
- the inner surface 214 b I of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 225 O of the heating element retainer portion 225 .
- the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 214 b I of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 225 O of the heating element retainer portion 225 .
- the chemically-activated material 230 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc.
- an air-activated material such as, for example, zinc.
- the second portion 214 b may prevent fluid communication between the cavity 229 and the atmosphere A through the one or more passages 225 P extending through the heating element retainer portion 225 .
- the one or more passages 225 P may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 225 P for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 230 ).
- a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 230 by removing the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 from the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 225 P and into the cavity 229 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 230 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 230 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 230 to generate heat.
- the first foodstuff 216 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 .
- the first foodstuff 216 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 in a liquid state or a solid state.
- the first foodstuff 216 may be extruded into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 from an extruder or first foodstuff hopper H C .
- the first foodstuff 216 may be permitted to cure in order to permit the first foodstuff 216 to transition from a liquid state to a solid state.
- the first foodstuff 216 may stick to but may also be removably attached to at least a portion of the inner surface 222 I of the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212 .
- the first foodstuff 216 when the first foodstuff 216 is cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 216 may be attached to or disposed over (i) all of the inner surface 222 I of the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212 and (ii) a portion of the inner surface 224 I of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 that extends away from the inner surface 222 I of the base portion 222 .
- the first foodstuff 216 when the first foodstuff 216 has cured into a solid state, the first foodstuff 216 may be defined by an upper surface 216 I , a lower surface 216 O and a side surface 216 S connecting the upper surface 216 I to the lower surface 216 O .
- the first foodstuff 216 may also be defined by a thickness T 216 extending between the upper surface 216 I and the lower surface 216 O .
- the side surface 216 S of the first foodstuff 216 may define the first foodstuff 216 to have a diameter D 216 .
- the second foodstuff 218 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 .
- the second foodstuff material 218 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like.
- the second foodstuff 218 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, the second foodstuff 218 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 .
- the second foodstuff 218 may deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 from a second foodstuff hopper H G .
- the second foodstuff 218 may be contained with the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 and arranged upon and over the upper surface 216 I of the first foodstuff 216 such that that second foodstuff 218 is separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, the first foodstuff 216 .
- the second foodstuff hopper H G may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 218 into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 .
- the second foodstuff hopper H G may meter an amount of the second foodstuff 218 that is approximately equal to a remainder of a volume of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 that is not occupied by the first foodstuff 216 .
- the closure 220 includes at least a base portion 232 .
- the base portion 232 includes an inner surface 232 I and an outer surface 232 O .
- the closure 220 may also include a sidewall portion 234 connected to the base portion 232 .
- the sidewall portion 234 includes an inner surface 234 I , an outer surface 234 O , and a distal end surface 234 D connecting the inner surface 234 I to the outer surface 234 O .
- the inner surface 232 I of the base portion 232 and the inner surface 234 I of the sidewall portion 234 define a container-receiving cavity 236 .
- Access to the container-receiving cavity 236 is formed by an opening 238 defined by the inner surface 234 I of the sidewall portion 234 and the distal end surface 234 D of the sidewall portion 234 .
- the inner surface 232 I of the base portion 232 of the closure 220 may be removably attached to the distal end surface 224 D of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 .
- Attachment of the inner surface 232 I of the base portion 232 of the closure 220 to the distal end surface 224 D of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like.
- the inner surface 234 I of the sidewall portion 234 of the closure 220 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of the outer surface 224 O of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 in order to removably attach the closure 220 to the foodstuff container 212 .
- an alternative methodology for assembling the assembly 200 may include depositing pre-cured (rather than in liquid form as described above at FIG. 10B ) the first foodstuff 16 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 . If the first foodstuff 216 is in a pre-cured, substantially solid form when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 26 of the foodstuff container 12 , the first foodstuff 16 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper H C (see, e.g., FIG. 2W ) that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricated first foodstuff 216 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form.
- a first foodstuff hopper H C see, e.g., FIG. 2W
- the outer surface 214 b O of the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 may be first optionally arranged upon a support surface S such that the assembly 200 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S. Then, as seen in FIGS. 11B and 12B , the outer surface 232 O of the base portion 232 of the closure 220 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that the assembly 200 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S.
- the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 225 O of the heating element retainer portion 225 .
- the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.
- the chemically-activated material 230 contained within the cavity 229 of the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 230 contained within the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 230 .
- the one or more passages 225 P of the heating element retainer portion 225 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 225 P of the heating element retainer portion 225 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 230 ).
- an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 214 b of the heating element 214 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 225 P of the heating element retainer portion 225 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 230 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 230 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 230 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIG. 12C ).
- the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 230 of the first portion 214 a of the heating element 214 is passed through the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 216 .
- the heat H causes the first foodstuff 216 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 12C ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 12D-12F ).
- FIGS. 12C-12F the heat H causes the first foodstuff 216 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 12C ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 12D-12F ).
- the first foodstuff 216 detaches from one or more of the inner surface 222 I of the base portion 222 of the foodstuff container 212 and the inner surface 224 I of the sidewall portion 224 of the foodstuff container 212 such that the first foodstuff 216 vertically seeps or oozes downwardly and into the second foodstuff 218 such that the first foodstuff 216 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 218 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 212 .
- the container 212 , the heating element 214 and the closure 220 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S that that the outer surface 225 O of the heating element retainer portion 225 is arranged upon the support surface S.
- the closure 220 may be selectively-removed from the foodstuff container 212 such that a user U (see, e.g., FIG. 12I ) may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG.
- the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 226 of the foodstuff container 212 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F.
- a utensil e.g., a spoon SP
- the closure 220 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 212 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken.
- the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.
- the first foodstuff 216 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 214 ) of the foodstuff packaging 212 , 214 , 220 .
- the foodstuff packaging 212 , 214 , 220 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 216 .
- a non-packaging, external heat source e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like
- the arrangement of the heating element 214 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 216 substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 214 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 216 and not the second foodstuff 218 .
- the first foodstuff 216 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 218 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 218 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 218 .
- the heat H from the heating element 214 may merely warm the second foodstuff 218 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 218 , which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 216 .
- a non-packaging external heat source e.g., a microwave oven
- the assembly 300 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 312 , 314 , 320 ), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 316 at, e.g., FIG. 14C ) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 318 ).
- a first foodstuff see, e.g., reference numeral 316 at, e.g., FIG. 14C
- a second foodstuff see, e.g., reference numeral 318 .
- the first foodstuff 316 may seep or ooze into the second foodstuff 318 such that the first foodstuff 316 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 318 while the first foodstuff 316 and the second foodstuff 318 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 312 ) of the foodstuff packaging 312 , 314 , 320 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 15C-15D, 16D-16G ) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 312 , 314 , 320 .
- the user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS.
- 16E-16F another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 320 ) of the foodstuff packaging 312 , 314 , 320 in order to gain access (see, e.g., FIG. 16F ) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 312 ) of the foodstuff packaging 312 , 314 , 320 that contains the comingled foodstuff F in order to subsequently consume (see, e.g., FIG. 16G ) the comingled foodstuff F.
- the assembly 300 may include a foodstuff container 312 , a heating element 314 , a first foodstuff 316 (see FIG. 14C ), a second foodstuff 318 , and a closure 320 .
- FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate a first methodology for assembling the assembly 300 .
- the foodstuff container 312 may include a base portion 322 connected to a sidewall portion 324 .
- the base portion 322 includes an inner surface 322 I and an outer surface 322 O .
- the sidewall portion 324 includes an inner surface 324 I , an outer surface 324 O , and a distal end surface 324 D that connects the inner surface 324 I to the outer surface 324 O .
- the distal end surface 324 D of the sidewall portion 324 of the foodstuff container 312 may project radially inwardly beyond the inner surface 324 I of the sidewall portion 324 of the foodstuff container 312 thereby forming closure-supporting-ledge 323 .
- the inner surface 322 I of the base portion 322 and the inner surface 324 I of the sidewall portion 324 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 .
- Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 is formed by an opening 328 defined by the inner surface 324 I of the sidewall portion 324 and the distal end surface 324 D of the sidewall portion 324 .
- the second foodstuff 318 may deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 from a foodstuff hopper H G .
- the second foodstuff 318 may be contained with the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 and arranged upon and over the inner surface 322 I of the base portion 322 of the foodstuff container 312 .
- the first foodstuff 316 prior to activating the heating element 314 , the first foodstuff 316 is contained within the closure 320 , and, therefore, as seen in FIGS. 14C-14D , the second foodstuff 318 is initially separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, the first foodstuff 316 .
- the foodstuff hopper H G may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 318 into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 .
- the foodstuff hopper H G may meter an amount of the second foodstuff 318 that is approximately equal to a volume of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 less a volume of the first foodstuff 316 that is contained within the closure 320 prior to activating the heating element 314 .
- the second foodstuff material 318 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although the second foodstuff 318 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, the second foodstuff 318 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 .
- the closure 320 includes a first cavity 329 a and a second cavity 329 b .
- the first cavity 329 a of the closure 320 is defined by a heating element retainer portion 325 , a base portion 332 and a sidewall portion 334 .
- the second cavity 329 b of the closure 320 is defined by a first foodstuff retainer portion 327 , the base portion 332 and the sidewall portion 334 .
- a chemically-activated material 330 is disposed within the first cavity 329 a
- the first foodstuff 316 is disposed within the second cavity 329 b .
- the heating element retainer portion 325 and the chemically-activated material 330 contributes to the formation of a first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 .
- the sidewall portion 334 is connected to each of the heating element retainer portion 325 , the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 and the base portion 332 .
- the sidewall portion 334 includes an inner surface 334 I , an outer surface 334 O , an upper end portion 334 U , a lower end portion 334 L and an intermediate portion 334 M .
- the heating element retainer portion 325 includes an inner surface 3251 and an outer surface 325 O .
- the heating element retainer portion 325 is connected to and extends from the upper end portion 334 U of the sidewall portion 334 .
- One or more passages 325 P may extend through the heating element retainer portion 325 from the outer surface 325 O to the inner surface 3251 .
- the base portion 332 includes an upper surface 332 U and a lower surface 332 L .
- the base portion 332 is connected to and extends from the inner surface 334 I of the sidewall portion 334 proximate the intermediate portion 334 M of the sidewall portion 334 .
- the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 includes an inner surface 327 I and an outer surface 327 O .
- the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 is connected to and extends from the lower end portion 334 L of the sidewall portion 334 .
- One or more passages 327 P may extend through the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 from the outer surface 327 O to the inner surface 327 I .
- the inner surface 334 I of the sidewall portion 334 , the inner surface 325 I of the heating element retainer portion 325 and the upper surface 332 U of the base portion 332 defines the first cavity 329 a that contains the chemically-activated material 330 .
- the inner surface 334 I of the sidewall portion 334 , the inner surface 327 I of the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 and the lower surface 332 L of the base portion 332 defines the second cavity 329 a that contains the first foodstuff 316 .
- the closure 320 may include an outwardly-extending projection 331 that extends away from the outer surface 3340 of the sidewall portion 334 .
- the outwardly-extending projection 331 may include an upper surface 331 U and a lower surface 331 L . Referring to FIG. 14D , the lower surface 331 L of the outwardly-extending projection 331 is disposed adjacent the distal end surface 324 D of the sidewall portion 334 of the foodstuff container 312 that forms closure-supporting-ledge 323 . Attachment of the outwardly-extending projection 331 of the closure 320 to the closure-supporting-ledge 323 of the foodstuff container 312 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, an adhesive connection or the like.
- a portion of the outwardly-extending projection 331 of the closure 320 may be formed with the closure-supporting-ledge 323 of the foodstuff container 312 to thereby form a hinged lid connection of the closure 320 and the foodstuff container 312 .
- the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 includes an inner surface 314 b I and an outer surface 314 b O .
- the inner surface 314 b I of the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 3250 of the heating element retainer 325 .
- the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 314 b I of the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 325 O of the heating element retainer 325 .
- the chemically-activated material 330 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc.
- an air-activated material such as, for example, zinc.
- the second portion 314 b may prevent fluid communication between the cavity 329 and the atmosphere A through the one or more passages 325 P extending through the heating element retainer 325 .
- the one or more passages 325 P may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 325 P for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 330 ).
- a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 330 by removing the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 from the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 325 P and into the cavity 329 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 330 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 330 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 330 to generate heat.
- the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 325 O of the heating element retainer 325 .
- the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.
- the chemically-activated material 330 contained within the cavity 329 of the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 330 contained within the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 330 .
- the one or more passages 325 P of the heating element retainer 325 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 325 P of the heating element retainer 325 for subsequently contacting the oxygen-activated material 330 ).
- an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 314 b of the heating element 314 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 325 P of the heating element retainer 325 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 330 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 330 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 330 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIGS. 16B-16D ).
- the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 330 of the first portion 314 a of the heating element 314 is passed through the base portion 332 of the closure 320 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 316 .
- the heat H causes the first foodstuff 316 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 16B ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 16C-16D ).
- FIGS. 16B substantially solid state
- FIGS. 16C-16D a melted, substantially liquid state
- the first foodstuff 316 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, the first foodstuff 316 , with the assistance of gravity, vertically seeps or oozes downwardly through the one or more passages 327 P of the first foodstuff retainer portion 327 and into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 that contains the second foodstuff 318 such that the first foodstuff 316 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 318 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 312 .
- the user U may selectively-remove (or, alternatively, pivot away if the closure 320 is partially attached in a hinged configuration) the closure 320 from the foodstuff container 312 such that the user U may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG.
- the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 326 of the foodstuff container 312 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F.
- a utensil e.g., a spoon SP
- the closure 320 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 312 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken.
- the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.
- the first foodstuff 316 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 314 ) of the foodstuff packaging 312 , 314 , 320 .
- the foodstuff packaging 312 , 314 , 320 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 316 .
- a non-packaging, external heat source e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like
- the arrangement of the heating element 314 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 316 substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 314 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 316 and not the second foodstuff 318 .
- the first foodstuff 316 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 318 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 318 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 318 .
- the heat H from the heating element 314 may merely warm the second foodstuff 318 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 318 , which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 316 .
- a non-packaging external heat source e.g., a microwave oven
- the assembly 400 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g., reference numerals 412 , 414 , 420 ), a first foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 416 at, e.g., FIG. 18C ) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 418 ).
- the first foodstuff 416 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff 418 .
- the assembly 400 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the first foodstuff 416 may seep or ooze into the second foodstuff 418 such that the first foodstuff 416 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 418 while the first foodstuff 416 and the second foodstuff 418 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 412 ) of the foodstuff packaging 412 , 414 , 420 in order to define a comingled foodstuff (see, e.g., reference letter F in FIGS. 19C-19D, 20D-20G ) that is contained within the foodstuff packaging 412 , 414 , 420 .
- the user U may then remove (see, e.g., FIGS.
- the assembly 400 may include a foodstuff container 412 , a heating element 414 , a first foodstuff 416 , a second foodstuff 418 , and a closure 420 .
- FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate a first methodology for assembling the assembly 400 .
- the foodstuff container 412 may include a base portion 422 connected to a sidewall portion 424 .
- the base portion 422 includes an inner surface 422 I and an outer surface 422 O .
- the sidewall portion 424 includes an inner surface 424 I , an outer surface 424 O , and a distal end surface 424 D that connects the inner surface 424 , to the outer surface 424 O .
- the inner surface 422 I of the base portion 422 and the inner surface 424 , of the sidewall portion 424 define a foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 .
- Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 is formed by an opening 428 defined by the inner surface 424 , of the sidewall portion 424 and the distal end surface 424 D of the sidewall portion 424 .
- the second foodstuff 418 may deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 from a foodstuff hopper H G .
- the second foodstuff 418 may be contained with the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 and arranged upon and over the inner surface 422 I of the base portion 422 of the foodstuff container 412 .
- the first foodstuff 416 prior to activating the heating element 414 , the first foodstuff 416 is contained within the closure 420 , and, therefore, as seen in FIGS. 18C-18D , the second foodstuff 418 is initially separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, the first foodstuff 416 .
- the foodstuff hopper H G may meter any desirable amount of the second foodstuff 418 into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 .
- the foodstuff hopper H G may meter an amount of the second foodstuff 418 that is approximately equal to a volume of the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 less a volume of the first foodstuff 416 that is contained within the closure 420 prior to activating the heating element 414 .
- the second foodstuff material 418 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although the second foodstuff 418 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, the second foodstuff 418 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 .
- the closure 420 includes a first cavity 429 a and a second cavity 429 b .
- the first cavity 429 a of the closure 420 is defined by a heating element retainer portion 425 , a base portion 432 and a sidewall portion 434 .
- the second cavity 429 b of the closure 420 is defined by a first foodstuff retainer portion 427 , the base portion 432 and the sidewall portion 434 .
- a chemically-activated material 430 is disposed within the first cavity 429 a
- the first foodstuff 416 is disposed within the second cavity 429 b .
- the heating element retainer portion 425 and the chemically-activated material 430 contributes to the formation of a first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 .
- the sidewall portion 434 is connected to each of the heating element retainer portion 425 , the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 and the base portion 432 .
- the sidewall portion 434 includes an inner surface 434 I , an outer surface 4340 , an upper end portion 434 U , a lower end portion 434 L and an intermediate portion 434 I .
- the heating element retainer portion 425 includes an inner surface 4251 and an outer surface 4250 .
- the heating element retainer portion 425 is connected to and extends from the upper end portion 434 U of the sidewall portion 434 .
- One or more passages 425 P may extend through the heating element retainer portion 425 from the outer surface 425 O to the inner surface 4251 .
- the base portion 432 includes an upper surface 432 U and a lower surface 432 L .
- the base portion 432 is connected to and extends from the inner surface 434 I of the sidewall portion 434 proximate the intermediate portion 434 I of the sidewall portion 434 .
- the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 includes an inner surface 4271 and an outer surface 4270 .
- the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 is connected to and extends from the lower end portion 434 L of the sidewall portion 434 .
- One or more passages 427 P may extend through the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 from the outer surface 427 O to the inner surface 4271 .
- the inner surface 434 I of the sidewall portion 434 , the inner surface 425 I of the heating element retainer portion 425 and the upper surface 432 U of the base portion 432 defines the first cavity 429 a that contains the chemically-activated material 430 .
- the inner surface 434 I of the sidewall portion 434 , the inner surface 4271 of the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 and the lower surface 432 L of the base portion 432 defines the second cavity 429 a that contains the first foodstuff 416 .
- the closure 420 may include an outwardly-extending projection 431 that extends away from the outer surface 434 O of the sidewall portion 434 and the outer surface 427 O of the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 .
- the outwardly-extending projection 431 may include an outer surface 431 O and an inner surface 431 I .
- the inner surface 4311 of the outwardly-extending projection 431 of the closure 420 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of the outer surface 424 O of the sidewall portion 424 of the foodstuff container 412 in order to removably attach the closure 420 to the foodstuff container 412 .
- the inner surface 431 I of the outwardly-extending projection 431 of the closure 420 may be removably-attached to and cooperate with the outer surface 424 O of the sidewall portion 424 of the foodstuff container 412 in other configurations (e.g., a friction-fit connection, a snap-fit connection or the like) in order to removably attach the closure 420 to the foodstuff container 412 .
- other configurations e.g., a friction-fit connection, a snap-fit connection or the like
- the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 includes an inner surface 414 b I and an outer surface 414 b O .
- the inner surface 414 b I of the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is disposed adjacent the outer surface 425 O of the heating element retainer 425 .
- the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once the inner surface 414 b I of the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) the outer surface 425 O of the heating element retainer 425 .
- the chemically-activated material 430 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc.
- an air-activated material such as, for example, zinc.
- the one or more passages 425 P may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 425 P for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 430 ).
- a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activated material 430 by removing the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 from the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 425 P and into the cavity 429 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 430 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 430 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 430 to generate heat.
- the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from the outer surface 425 O of the heating element retainer 425 .
- the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T.
- the chemically-activated material 430 contained within the cavity 429 of the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activated material 430 contained within the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activated material 430 .
- the one or more passages 425 P of the heating element retainer 425 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or more passages 425 P of the heating element retainer 425 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 430 ).
- an oxygen barrier formed by the second portion 414 b of the heating element 414 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one or more passages 425 P of the heating element retainer 425 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activated material 430 .
- a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activated material 430 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activated material 430 to generate heat H (see, e.g., FIGS. 20B-20D ).
- the heat H generated by the chemically-activated material 430 of the first portion 414 a of the heating element 414 is passed through the base portion 432 of the closure 420 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by the first foodstuff 416 .
- the heat H causes the first foodstuff 416 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g., FIG. 20B ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g., FIGS. 20C-20D ).
- FIGS. 20B substantially solid state
- FIGS. 20C-20D a melted, substantially liquid state
- the first foodstuff 416 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, the first foodstuff 416 , with the assistance of gravity, vertically seeps or oozes downwardly through the one or more passages 427 P of the first foodstuff retainer portion 427 and into the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 that contains the second foodstuff 418 such that the first foodstuff 416 is comingled throughout the second foodstuff 418 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained within foodstuff container 412 .
- the user U may selectively-remove the closure 420 from the foodstuff container 412 such that the user U may access the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen in FIG.
- the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receiving cavity 426 of the foodstuff container 412 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F.
- a utensil e.g., a spoon SP
- the closure 420 could remain attached to the foodstuff container 412 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken.
- the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F.
- the first foodstuff 416 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 414 ) of the foodstuff packaging 412 , 414 , 420 .
- the foodstuff packaging 412 , 414 , 420 provides a “self-heating” function that avoids the use of a non-packaging, external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like) for imparting heat to the first foodstuff 416 .
- a non-packaging, external heat source e.g., a microwave oven, a gas oven, an electric oven, a stove, fire or the like
- the arrangement of the heating element 414 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 416 substantially limits the heat H generated by the heating element 414 to be mostly received by the first foodstuff 416 and not the second foodstuff 418 .
- the first foodstuff 416 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if the second foodstuff 418 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, the second foodstuff 418 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into the second foodstuff 418 .
- the heat H from the heating element 414 may merely warm the second foodstuff 418 while also avoiding any damage/burning of the second foodstuff 418 , which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating the first foodstuff 416 .
- a non-packaging external heat source e.g., a microwave oven
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- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
- This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/401,302, filed on Sep. 29, 2016. The disclosures of these prior applications are considered part of the disclosure of this application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
- This disclosure relates to a foodstuff packaging assembly and more particularly to a foodstuff packaging assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging, and a second foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging. The disclosure also relates to a method for assembling a foodstuff packaging assembly and a method for utilizing a foodstuff packaging assembly.
- Foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein are known. While existing foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein perform adequately for their intended purpose, improvements to foodstuff packaging including foodstuff contained therein are continuously being sought in order to advance the arts.
- One aspect of the disclosure provides an assembly. The assembly may include foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging, and a second foodstuff disposed within the foodstuff packaging. The first foodstuff may include a first foodstuff material that is configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of heat generated by a portion of the foodstuff packaging. The first foodstuff may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially solid state. The first foodstuff may be comingled throughout the second foodstuff when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially liquid state to define a comingled foodstuff. The second foodstuff may include a second foodstuff material that is not configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of the heat generated by the portion of the foodstuff packaging.
- Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. The second foodstuff material may be selected from the group consisting of: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts and cereal.
- In some implementations, the first foodstuff material may be selected from the group consisting of: chocolate and fudge.
- In some examples, the first foodstuff material may include ice cream.
- In some implementations, the foodstuff packaging may include a foodstuff container, a heating element that may be selectively activated, and a closure. The foodstuff container may include a base portion and a sidewall portion connected to the base portion. The base portion may include an inner surface and an outer surface. The sidewall portion may include an inner surface, an outer surface and a distal end surface connecting the inner surface to the outer surface. The inner surface of the base portion and the inner surface of the sidewall portion may define a foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container. Access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity is formed by an opening defined by the inner surface of the sidewall portion and the distal end surface of the sidewall portion. The heating element may be attached to the outer surface of the base portion. The closure may be removably attached to one or more of the distal end surface of the sidewall portion and the outer surface of the sidewall portion.
- In some examples, the heating element may include a first portion and a second portion that is detachably-connected to the first portion. The first portion of the heating element may include an inner surface, an outer surface and one or more passages formed in the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element. The second portion of the heating element may include an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the second portion of the heating element may be disposed adjacent the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element. The inner surface of the first portion of the heating element may be disposed adjacent the outer surface of the base portion of the foodstuff container.
- In some implementations, the first portion of the heating element may define a cavity that contains a chemically-activated material. More particularly, the chemically-activated material may be an oxygen-activated material. The second portion of the heating element may be a removable film member. Upon removing the removable film member of the heating element from the first portion of the heating element, the one or more passages formed in the outer surface of the first portion of the heating element may arrange the chemically-activated material in direct fluid communication with the surrounding atmosphere for permitting oxygen to chemically react with the chemically-activated material for causing the first portion of the heating element to generate heat.
- In some examples, the chemically-activated material includes zinc. When the oxygen chemically reacts with the zinc, the zinc may become zinc oxide.
- In some implementations, both of the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff are contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- In some examples, the foodstuff packaging includes a foodstuff separator arranged within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for separating the foodstuff-receiving cavity into: a first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the first foodstuff and a second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the second foodstuff.
- In some implementations, the foodstuff separator includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a side surface connecting the upper surface to the lower surface. The foodstuff separator may also be defined by a thickness extending between the upper surface of the foodstuff separator and the lower surface of the foodstuff separator. The foodstuff separator may also include a plurality of passages that extend through the thickness of the foodstuff separator for arranging the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion in fluid communication with the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion.
- In some examples, the heating element is attached to the foodstuff container. In other examples, the heating element is formed with the foodstuff container. In yet other examples, the heating element is formed with the closure.
- Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for assembling an assembly. The method may include: providing foodstuff packaging including a foodstuff container defining a foodstuff-receiving cavity, a heating element attached to an outer surface of the foodstuff container; disposing a first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity. The first foodstuff may include a first foodstuff material that is configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of heat generated by the heating element. The method may further include disposing a second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity. The first foodstuff may not be comingled throughout the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially solid state. The first foodstuff may be comingled throughout the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity when the first foodstuff is arranged in the substantially liquid state to define a comingled foodstuff. The second foodstuff may include: a second foodstuff material that is not configured for transitioning from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state upon application of the heat generated by the heating element.
- This aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. Disposing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity may include: extruding the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity while the first foodstuff is in a substantially liquid state; and curing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity such that the first foodstuff transitions to a substantially solid state and sticks to at least one inner surface of the foodstuff container.
- In some implementations, disposing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity includes: depositing the first foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity while the first foodstuff is in a substantially state such that the first foodstuff is disposed adjacent to at least one inner surface of the foodstuff container.
- In some examples, disposing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity includes: depositing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity such that some of the second foodstuff is disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the first foodstuff.
- In some implementations, the foodstuff packaging further includes a closure removably attached to the foodstuff container for providing selective access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity that contains the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff deposited therein.
- In some examples, the method may include disposing a foodstuff separator within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for separating the foodstuff-receiving cavity into: a first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the first foodstuff and a second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion that is sized for receiving an amount of the second foodstuff. The foodstuff separator also includes a plurality of passages that extend through a thickness of the foodstuff separator for arranging the first foodstuff-receiving cavity portion in fluid communication with the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion.
- In some implementations, disposing the second foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity may include: depositing the second foodstuff within the second foodstuff-receiving cavity portion such that some of the second foodstuff is not disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the first foodstuff. Some of the second foodstuff is not disposed adjacent to at least a portion of an upper surface of the foodstuff separator.
- In some examples, the foodstuff packaging further includes a closure removably attached to the foodstuff container for providing selective access to the foodstuff-receiving cavity that contains the first foodstuff and the second foodstuff deposited therein.
- Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for utilizing an assembly. The method may include: providing foodstuff packaging including a foodstuff container defining a foodstuff-receiving cavity, a heating element attached to a surface of the foodstuff container. The heating element may include a first portion and a second portion that is detachably-connected to the first portion. The first portion of the heating element includes chemically-activated material. The method may also include detachably-removing the second portion of the heating element from the first portion of the heating element for permitting oxygen from surrounding atmosphere to chemically react with the chemically-activated material for causing the first portion of the heating element to generate heat. The method may also include transferring the heat generated by the first portion of the heating element from the heating element to the foodstuff container. The method may also include further transferring the heat generated by the first portion of the heating element from the heating element to a first foodstuff by way of the foodstuff container. The first foodstuff may be contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container. The method may also include utilizing the heat that is transferred to the first foodstuff for transitioning the first foodstuff from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state. The method may also include comingling the first foodstuff that is in the liquid state with the second foodstuff that is contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container for forming a comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the method also includes removing a closure from the foodstuff packaging for accessing the comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- In some implementations, the method includes: stirring or shaking the comingled foodstuff within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container; and consuming the comingled foodstuff that is contained within the foodstuff-receiving cavity of the foodstuff container.
- In some examples, the second foodstuff material is selected from the group consisting of: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts and cereal.
- In some implementations, the first foodstuff includes a foodstuff material is selected from the group consisting of: chocolate and fudge.
- The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure 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.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. -
FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 2A ′-2E′ illustrate cross-sectional views of another methodology for assembling the assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 4A-4I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 6D ′ is an enlarged view ofFIG. 6D according toline 6D′; -
FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 5 ; and -
FIGS. 8A-8I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly ofFIG. 9 ; -
FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 9 ; and -
FIGS. 12A-12I illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 9 . -
FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly ofFIG. 13 ; -
FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 13 ; and -
FIGS. 16A-16G illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 13 . -
FIG. 17 illustrates an exploded view of another assembly including foodstuff packaging, a first foodstuff, and a second foodstuff in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; -
FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate cross-sectional views of a methodology for assembling the assembly ofFIG. 17 ; -
FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate perspective views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 17 ; and -
FIGS. 20A-20G illustrate cross-sectional views of a method of utilizing the assembly ofFIG. 17 . - Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.
- The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.
- When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
- The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein 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 may be only 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. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.
- With reference to
FIG. 1 , anassembly 10 is shown. Theassembly 10 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g.,reference numerals assembly 10 is assembled (see, e.g.,FIG. 2F or 2E ′), thefirst foodstuff 16 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, thesecond foodstuff 18. Theassembly 10 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g.,FIGS. 3B-3C, 4C-4D ) by a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 4I ) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g.,reference numeral 14 a) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 4C-4F ) to thefirst foodstuff 16; the heat H imparted to thefirst foodstuff 16 may cause thefirst foodstuff 16 to transition or phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state thefirst foodstuff 16 may seep or ooze into thesecond foodstuff 18 such that thefirst foodstuff 16 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 18 while thefirst foodstuff 16 and thesecond foodstuff 18 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 12) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 3C-3D, 4E-4I ) that is contained within thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 4G-4H ) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 20) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 4H ) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 12) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 4I ) the comingled foodstuff F. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , theassembly 10 may include afoodstuff container 12, aheating element 14, afirst foodstuff 16, asecond foodstuff 18, and aclosure 20.FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate a first methodology for assembling theassembly 10.FIGS. 2A ′-2E′ illustrate a second methodology for assembling theassembly 10. - Referring to
FIG. 2A , thefoodstuff container 12 may include abase portion 22 connected to asidewall portion 24. Thebase portion 22 includes aninner surface 22 I and anouter surface 22 O. Thesidewall portion 24 includes aninner surface 24 I, anouter surface 24 O, and adistal end surface 24 D that connects theinner surface 24 I to theouter surface 24 O. - The
inner surface 22 I of thebase portion 22 and theinner surface 24 I of thesidewall portion 24 define a foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12. Access to the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 is formed by anopening 28 defined by theinner surface 24 I of thesidewall portion 24 and thedistal end surface 24 D of thesidewall portion 24. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2A , theheating element 14 includes afirst portion 14 a and asecond portion 14 b. Referring toFIG. 2A , thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 includes aninner surface 14 a I, anouter surface 14 a O, and one ormore passages 14 a P formed in theouter surface 14 a O. Thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 includes aninner surface 14 b I and anouter surface 14 b O. Theinner surface 14 b I of thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14. Theinner surface 14 a I of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 22 O of thebase portion 22. Thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once theinner surface 14 b I of thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14. - The
first portion 14 a of theheating element 14 further defines acavity 29. Thecavity 29 may include a chemically-activatedmaterial 30. For example, the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 may be disposed within thecavity 29. The chemically-activatedmaterial 30 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When theinner surface 14 b I of thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a, thesecond portion 14 b may prevent fluid communication between thecavity 29 and the atmosphere A through the one ormore passages 14 a P formed in theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a. In particular, when theinner surface 14 b I of thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a, the one ormore passages 14 a P may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 14 a P formed in theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 30). However, as will be described in the following disclosure atFIGS. 3B-3C, 4C-4D , a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 by removing thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 from thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 14 a P formed in theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a and into thecavity 29 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 30. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 30, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 to generate heat. - Referring to
FIG. 2B , the first foodstuff 16 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12. In an example, as seen inFIG. 2B , thefirst foodstuff 16 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12 in a liquid state or a solid state. If thefirst foodstuff 16 is in liquid state when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be extruded into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12 from an extruder or first foodstuff hopper HC. - Referring to
FIG. 2C , after a predetermined period of time, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be permitted to cure in order to permit thefirst foodstuff 16 to transition from a liquid state to a solid state. In an example, when thefirst foodstuff 16 is cured into a solid state, thefirst foodstuff 16 may stick to but may also be removably attached to at least a portion of theinner surface 22 I of thebase portion 22 of thefoodstuff container 12. In some instances, when thefirst foodstuff 16 is cured into a solid state, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be attached to or disposed over (i) all of theinner surface 22 I of thebase portion 22 of thefoodstuff container 12 and (ii) a portion of theinner surface 24 I of thesidewall portion 24 of thefoodstuff container 12 that extends away from theinner surface 22 I of thebase portion 22. - As seen in
FIG. 2C , when thefirst foodstuff 16 has cured into a solid state, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be defined by anupper surface 16 I, alower surface 16 O and aside surface 16 S connecting theupper surface 16 I to thelower surface 16 O. Thefirst foodstuff 16 may also be defined by a thickness T16 extending between theupper surface 16 I and thelower surface 16 O. Furthermore, if theinner surface 24 I of thesidewall portion 24 of thefoodstuff container 12 defines the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12 to have a substantially cylindrical shape, theside surface 16 S of thefirst foodstuff 16 may define thefirst foodstuff 16 to have a diameter D16. - Referring to
FIG. 2D , after thefirst foodstuff 16 has cured into a solid state, thesecond foodstuff 18 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12. Thesecond foodstuff material 18 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although thesecond foodstuff 18 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, thesecond foodstuff 18 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26. - In some examples (with respect to the present embodiment and subsequent embodiments described in the present disclosure with respect to
assemblies second foodstuff 18 may be defined as a “low moisture” food material. Conversely, an exemplary “high moisture” food material may be defined to include, for example, ice cream, chocolate, fudge or the like. Therefore, in some instances, when thesecond foodstuff 18 includes, for example, one or more of granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like, such foodstuff is known to have a relatively low moisture content, and, therefore, may be deemed or defined as being an exemplary “low moisture” foodstuff material. Accordingly, in some instances, thesecond foodstuff 18 may include a “low moisture” foodstuff material, and, in being differentiated from thefirst foodstuff 16, thesecond foodstuff 18 may be deemed or defined in the negative context as not being a “high moisture” foodstuff material. Furthermore, in other examples, thefirst foodstuff 16 and thesecond foodstuff 18 may be defined as having approximately the same moisture content. - In an example, as seen in
FIG. 2D , thesecond foodstuff 18 may deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12 from a second foodstuff hopper HG. Thesecond foodstuff 18 may be contained with the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 and arranged upon and over theupper surface 16 I of thefirst foodstuff 16 such that thatsecond foodstuff 18 is separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, thefirst foodstuff 16. - As seen in
FIG. 2E , the second foodstuff hopper HG may meter any desirable amount of thesecond foodstuff 18 into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26. In some instances, the second foodstuff hopper HG may meter an amount of thesecond foodstuff 18 that is approximately equal to a remainder of a volume of the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 that is not occupied by thefirst foodstuff 16. - Referring to
FIG. 2E , theclosure 20 includes at least abase portion 32. Thebase portion 32 includes aninner surface 32 I and anouter surface 32 O. - Optionally, the
closure 20 may also include asidewall portion 34 connected to thebase portion 32. Thesidewall portion 34 includes aninner surface 34 I, anouter surface 34 O, and adistal end surface 34 D that connects theinner surface 34 I to theouter surface 34 O. - The
inner surface 32 I of thebase portion 32 and theinner surface 34 I of thesidewall portion 34 define a container-receivingcavity 36. Access to the container-receivingcavity 36 is formed by anopening 38 defined by theinner surface 34 I of thesidewall portion 34 and thedistal end surface 34 D of thesidewall portion 34. - Referring to
FIG. 2F , in some instances, if theclosure 20 is not formed with thesidewall portion 34 such that theclosure 20 includes only thebase portion 32, theinner surface 32 I of thebase portion 32 of theclosure 20 may be removably attached to thedistal end surface 24 D of thesidewall portion 24 of thefoodstuff container 12. Attachment of theinner surface 32 I of thebase portion 32 of theclosure 20 to thedistal end surface 24 D of thesidewall portion 24 of thefoodstuff container 12 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like. However, if theclosure 20 is formed with and includes thesidewall portion 34, theinner surface 34 I of thesidewall portion 34 of theclosure 20 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of theouter surface 240 of thesidewall portion 24 of thefoodstuff container 12 in order to removably attach theclosure 20 to thefoodstuff container 12. - Referring to
FIGS. 2A ′-2E′ an alternative methodology for assembling theassembly 10 is described. The alternative methodology for assembling theassembly 10 ofFIGS. 2A ′-2E′ is substantially similar to the methodology for assembling theassembly 10 ofFIGS. 2A-2F . The methodology for assembling theassembly 10 ofFIGS. 2A ′-2E′ does, however, differ from the methodology for assembling theassembly 10 ofFIGS. 2A-2F as shown and described below atFIGS. 2B ′-2C′; therefore, the following description related to the methodology associated with the assembling of theassembly 10 atFIGS. 2A ′-2E′ is limited to the disclosure found atFIGS. 2B ′-2C′ (i.e., the remaining disclosure associated with the assembly of theassembly 10 atFIGS. 2A ′-2E′ is substantially the same as the disclosure associated with the assembly of theassembly 10 atFIGS. 2A-2F ). - Referring to
FIG. 2B ′, the first foodstuff 16 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12. In an example, as seen inFIG. 2B ′, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12 in a pre-cured, substantially solid form (rather than in liquid form as described above atFIG. 2B ). If thefirst foodstuff 16 is in a pre-cured, substantially solid form when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper HC that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricatedfirst foodstuff 16 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form. - Referring to
FIG. 2C ′, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be removably attached to or, alternatively, disposed over at least a portion of theinner surface 22 I of thebase portion 22 of thefoodstuff container 12. In some instances, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be attached to or disposed over all of theinner surface 22 I of thebase portion 22 of thefoodstuff container 12 and a portion of theinner surface 24 I of thesidewall portion 24 of thefoodstuff container 12 that extends away from theinner surface 22 I of thebase portion 22 of thefoodstuff container 12. - Referring to
FIGS. 3A-3D and 4A-4I , a method of utilizing theassembly 10 ofFIG. 1 is described. Referring toFIGS. 3A and 4A , theouter surface 14 b O of thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 may be first optionally arranged upon a support surface S such that theassembly 10 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S. Then, as seen inFIGS. 3B and 4B , theouter surface 32 O of thebase portion 32 of theclosure 20 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that theassembly 10 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S. - Referring to
FIGS. 3B and 4B , once theassembly 10 is arranged in the “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S, thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14. As seen inFIG. 3C , once removed from thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14, thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T. - Referring to
FIGS. 3C and 4C-4D , once thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 is selectively-detached from thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14, the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 contained within thecavity 29 of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 contained within thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activatedmaterial 30. As described above, when theinner surface 14 b I of thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a, the one ormore passages 14 a P formed in theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 14 a P formed in theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 30). However, once thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 is removed from thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by thesecond portion 14 b of theheating element 14 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one ormore passages 14 a P formed in theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 30. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 30, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 to generate heat H (see, e.g.,FIG. 4C ). - Referring to
FIGS. 3D and 4D-4F , the heat H generated by the chemically-activatedmaterial 30 of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 is passed through thebase portion 22 of thefoodstuff container 12 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by thefirst foodstuff 16. Comparatively, as seen inFIGS. 4C-4F , the heat H causes thefirst foodstuff 16 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g.,FIG. 4C ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g.,FIGS. 4D-4F ). As seen inFIGS. 4D-4F , as thefirst foodstuff 16 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, thefirst foodstuff 16, with the assistance of gravity, detaches from one or more of theinner surface 22 I of thebase portion 22 of thefoodstuff container 12 and theinner surface 24 I of thesidewall portion 24 of thefoodstuff container 12 such that thefirst foodstuff 16 vertically seeps or oozes downwardly and into thesecond foodstuff 18 such that thefirst foodstuff 16 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 18 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained withinfoodstuff container 12. - Referring to
FIGS. 4F-4G , thecontainer 12, theheating element 14 and theclosure 20 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S that that theouter surface 14 a O of thefirst portion 14 a of theheating element 14 is arranged upon the support surface S. Then, as seen inFIGS. 4G-4H , theclosure 20 may be selectively-removed from thefoodstuff container 12 such that a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 4I ) may access the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen inFIG. 4H , the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, theclosure 20 could remain attached to thefoodstuff container 12 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen inFIG. 4I , the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F. - In view of the above-described functionality of the
heating element 14, it is seen that thefirst foodstuff 16 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 14) of thefoodstuff packaging foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 16. Furthermore, the arrangement of theheating element 14 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 16 (due to the arrangement of thebase portion 22 of thefoodstuff container 12 between theheating element 14 and the first foodstuff 16) substantially limits the heat H generated by theheating element 14 to be mostly received by thefirst foodstuff 16 and not thesecond foodstuff 18. - Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the
foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 16, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin thesecond foodstuff 18 when thefirst foodstuff 16 and thesecond foodstuff 18 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as thefoodstuff packaging first foodstuff 16, thefirst foodstuff 16 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if thesecond foodstuff 18 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, thesecond foodstuff 18 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into thesecond foodstuff 18. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by theheating element 14 may be imparted into thesecond foodstuff 18, the heat H from theheating element 14 may merely warm thesecond foodstuff 18 while also avoiding any damage/burning of thesecond foodstuff 18, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating thefirst foodstuff 16. -
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary assembly, which is shown generally at 100. Theassembly 100 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g.,reference numerals assembly 100 is assembled (see, e.g.,FIG. 6G ), thefirst foodstuff 116 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, thesecond foodstuff 118. Theassembly 100 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g.,FIGS. 7B-7C, 8C-8D ) by a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 8I ) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g.,reference numeral 114 a) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 8C-8F ) to thefirst foodstuff 116; the heat H imparted to thefirst foodstuff 116 causes thefirst foodstuff 116 to phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state thefirst foodstuff 116 vertically seeps or oozes into thesecond foodstuff 118 such that thefirst foodstuff 116 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 118 while thefirst foodstuff 116 and thesecond foodstuff 118 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 112) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 7C-7D, 8E-8I ) that is contained within thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 8G-8I ) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 120) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 8H ) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 112) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 8I ) the comingled foodstuff F. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , theassembly 100 may include afoodstuff container 112, aheating element 114, afirst foodstuff 116, asecond foodstuff 118, aclosure 120, and afoodstuff separator 150.FIGS. 6A-6G illustrate a methodology for assembling theassembly 100. - Referring to
FIG. 6A , thefoodstuff container 112 may include abase portion 122 connected to asidewall portion 124. Thebase portion 122 may include aninner surface 122 I and anouter surface 122 O. Thesidewall portion 124 may include aninner surface 124 I, anouter surface 124 O and adistal end surface 124 D connects theinner surface 124 I to theouter surface 124 O. - The
inner surface 122 I of thebase portion 122 and theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 define a foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112. Access to the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 is formed by anopening 128 defined by theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 and thedistal end surface 124 D of thesidewall portion 124. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6A , theheating element 114 may include afirst portion 114 a and asecond portion 114 b. Referring toFIG. 6A , thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 includes aninner surface 114 a I, anouter surface 114 a O and one ormore passages 114 a P formed in theouter surface 114 a O. Thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 includes aninner surface 114 b I and anouter surface 114 b O. Theinner surface 114 b I of thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114. Theinner surface 114 a I of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 122 O of thebase portion 122. Thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once theinner surface 114 b I of thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114. - The
first portion 114 a of theheating element 114 further defines acavity 129 that may include a chemically-activatedmaterial 130. For example, the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 may be disposed within thecavity 129. The chemically-activatedmaterial 130 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When theinner surface 114 b I of thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a, thesecond portion 114 b may prevent fluid communication between thecavity 129 and the atmosphere A through the one ormore passages 114 a P. In particular, when theinner surface 114 b I of thesecond portion 114 b is disposed adjacent theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a, the one ormore passages 14 a P are prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 114 a P formed in theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 130). However, as will be described in the following disclosure atFIGS. 7B-7C, 8C-8D , a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 by removing thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 from thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 114 a P formed in theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a and into thecavity 129 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 130. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 130, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 to generate heat. - Referring to
FIG. 6B , the first foodstuff 116 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112. In an example, as seen inFIG. 6B , thefirst foodstuff 116 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112 in a pre-cured, substantially solid state. If thefirst foodstuff 116 is in a pre-cured, substantially solid state when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112, thefirst foodstuff 116 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper HC that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricatedfirst foodstuff 116 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form. - The
first foodstuff 116 may be defined by anupper surface 116 I, alower surface 116 O and aside surface 116 S connecting theupper surface 116 I to thelower surface 116 O. Thefirst foodstuff 116 may also be defined by a thickness T116 extending between theupper surface 116 I and thelower surface 116 O. Furthermore, if theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112 defines the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112 to have a substantially cylindrical shape, theside surface 116 S of thefirst foodstuff 116 may define thefirst foodstuff 116 to have a diameter D116. - Referring to
FIG. 6B , thefirst foodstuff 116 may be removably attached to or, alternatively, disposed over at least a portion of theinner surface 122 I of thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112. In some instances, thefirst foodstuff 116 may be attached to or disposed over all of theinner surface 122 I of thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112 and a portion of theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112 that extends away from theinner surface 122 I of thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112. - Referring to
FIGS. 6C-6D , after thefirst foodstuff 116 is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112, thefoodstuff separator 150 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112. Thefoodstuff separator 150 may include anupper surface 150 I, alower surface 150 O and aside surface 150 S connecting theupper surface 150 I to thelower surface 150 O. Thefoodstuff separator 150 is also defined by a thickness T150 extending between theupper surface 150 I and thelower surface 150 O. As seen inFIG. 6D , thelower surface 150 O of thefoodstuff separator 150 may be disposed adjacent to, or, in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to theupper surface 116 I of thefirst foodstuff 116. - The
side surface 150 S of thefoodstuff separator 150 may include a radially-outwardly-extendingprojection 150 S-P. As seen inFIG. 6D ′, the radially-outwardly-extendingprojection 150 S-P may be registered within arecess 124 I-R formed in theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112 for radially connecting thefoodstuff separator 150 to theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112. When thefoodstuff separator 150 is connected to theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112, thefoodstuff separator 150 separates the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112 into a first foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 a that is sized for receiving an amount of thefirst foodstuff 116 and a second foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 b that is sized for receiving an amount of thesecond foodstuff 118. - Once the
foodstuff separator 150 is connected to theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112, thefoodstuff separator 150 may retain thefirst foodstuff 116 between thelower surface 150 O of thefoodstuff separator 150 and theinner surface 122 I of thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112. Furthermore, if thelower surface 150 O of thefoodstuff separator 150 is disposed adjacent to theupper surface 116 I of thefirst foodstuff 116, thefoodstuff separator 150 may secure thelower surface 116 O of thefirst foodstuff 116 adjacent to theinner surface 122 I of thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112 in order to promote a transfer of heat H from theheating element 114, through thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112 and to thefirst foodstuff 116. - As seen in
FIGS. 5 and 6C-6D , thefoodstuff separator 150 also includes a plurality ofpassages 152 that may extend through the thickness T150 of thefoodstuff separator 150. As will be described in the following disclosure, when thefirst foodstuff 116 transitions from a substantially solid state to a substantially liquid state as a result of the application of heat H from theheating element 114 by way of thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112, the plurality ofpassages 152 formed by thefoodstuff separator 150 may permit the first foodstuff to seep, ooze or flow-through the plurality ofpassages 152 formed by thefoodstuff separator 150 such that thefirst foodstuff 116 may flow out of the first foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 a and into the second foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 b. - Referring to
FIG. 6E , after thefoodstuff separator 150 is connected to theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112, thesecond foodstuff 118 may be deposited into the second foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112. In an example, as seen inFIG. 6E , thesecond foodstuff 118 may deposited into the second foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112 from a second foodstuff hopper HG. Thesecond foodstuff 118 is contained with the second foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 and arranged upon and over theupper surface 1501 of thefoodstuff separator 150 such that thatsecond foodstuff 118 is separated from, and not comingled with, thefirst foodstuff 116. As seen inFIG. 6E , the second foodstuff hopper HG may meter any desirable amount of thesecond foodstuff 118 into the second foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 b of the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126. - Referring to
FIG. 6F , theclosure 120 includes at least abase portion 132. Thebase portion 132 includes aninner surface 132 I and anouter surface 132 O. - Optionally, the
closure 120 may also include asidewall portion 134 connected to thebase portion 132. Thesidewall portion 134 includes aninner surface 134 I, anouter surface 134 O and adistal end surface 134 D that connects theinner surface 134 I to theouter surface 134 O. - The
inner surface 132 I of thebase portion 132 and theinner surface 134 I of thesidewall portion 134 define a container-receivingcavity 136. Access to the container-receivingcavity 136 is formed by anopening 138 defined by theinner surface 134 I of thesidewall portion 134 and thedistal end surface 134 D of thesidewall portion 134. - Referring to
FIG. 6F , in some instances, if theclosure 120 is not formed with thesidewall portion 134 such that theclosure 120 includes only thebase portion 132, theinner surface 132 I of thebase portion 132 of theclosure 120 may be removably attached to thedistal end surface 124 D of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112. Attachment of theinner surface 132 I of thebase portion 132 of theclosure 120 to thedistal end surface 124 D of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like. However, if theclosure 120 is formed with and includes thesidewall portion 134, theinner surface 134 I of thesidewall portion 134 of theclosure 120 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of theouter surface 124 O of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112 in order to removably attach theclosure 120 to thefoodstuff container 112. - Referring to
FIGS. 7A-7D and 8A-8I , a method of utilizing theassembly 100 ofFIG. 5 is described. Referring toFIGS. 7A and 8A , theouter surface 114 b O of thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 may be arranged upon a support surface S such that theassembly 100 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S. Then, as seen inFIGS. 7B and 8B , theouter surface 132 O of thebase portion 132 of theclosure 120 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that theassembly 100 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S. - Referring to
FIGS. 7B and 8B , once theassembly 100 is arranged in the “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S, thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114. As seen inFIG. 7C , once removed from thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114, thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T. - Referring to
FIGS. 7C and 8C-8D , once thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 is selectively-detached from thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114, the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 disposed within thecavity 129 of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 contained within thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activatedmaterial 130. As described above, when theinner surface 114 b I of thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a, the one ormore passages 114 a P formed in theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a - t permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one or
more passages 114 a P formed in theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 130). However, once thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 is removed from thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by thesecond portion 114 b of theheating element 114 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one ormore passages 114 a P formed in theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 130. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 130, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 to generate heat H (see, e.g.,FIG. 8C ). - Referring to
FIGS. 7D and 8D-8F , the heat H generated by the chemically-activatedmaterial 130 of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 is passed through thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by thefirst foodstuff 116. Comparatively, as seen inFIGS. 8C-8F , the heat H causes thefirst foodstuff 116 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g.,FIG. 8C ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g.,FIGS. 8D-8F ). As seen inFIGS. 8D-8F , as thefirst foodstuff 116 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, thefirst foodstuff 116, with the assistance of gravity, detaches from one or more of theinner surface 122 I of thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112 and theinner surface 124 I of thesidewall portion 124 of thefoodstuff container 112 such that thefirst foodstuff 116 vertically flows through the plurality ofpassages 152 formed by thefoodstuff separator 150. In so doing, thefirst foodstuff 116 may flow out of the first foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 a and into the second foodstuff-receivingcavity portion 126 b such that thefirst foodstuff 116 seeps or oozes downwardly and into thesecond foodstuff 118. Thefirst foodstuff 116 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 118 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained withinfoodstuff container 112. - Referring to
FIGS. 8F-8G , thecontainer 112, theheating element 114 and theclosure 120 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S such that theouter surface 114 a O of thefirst portion 114 a of theheating element 114 is arranged upon the support surface S. Then, as seen inFIGS. 8G-8H , theclosure 120 may be selectively-removed from thefoodstuff container 112 such that a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 8I ) may access the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen inFIG. 8H , the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receivingcavity 126 of thefoodstuff container 112 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, theclosure 120 could remain attached to thefoodstuff container 112 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen inFIG. 8I , the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F. - In view of the above-described functionality of the
heating element 114, it is seen that thefirst foodstuff 116 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 114) of thefoodstuff packaging foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 116. Furthermore, the arrangement of theheating element 114 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 116 (due to the arrangement of thebase portion 122 of thefoodstuff container 112 between theheating element 114 and the first foodstuff 116) substantially limits the heat H generated by theheating element 114 to be mostly received by thefirst foodstuff 116 and not thesecond foodstuff 118. - Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the
foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 116, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin thesecond foodstuff 118 when thefirst foodstuff 116 and thesecond foodstuff 118 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as thefoodstuff packaging first foodstuff 116, thefirst foodstuff 116 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if thesecond foodstuff 118 is an exemplary “low moisture” food product, thesecond foodstuff 118 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into thesecond foodstuff 118. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by theheating element 114 may be imparted into thesecond foodstuff 118, the heat H from theheating element 114 may merely warm thesecond foodstuff 118 while also avoiding any damage/burning of thesecond foodstuff 118, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating thefirst foodstuff 116. - With reference to
FIG. 9 , anassembly 200 is shown. Theassembly 200 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g.,reference numerals assembly 200 is assembled (see, e.g.,FIG. 10F ), thefirst foodstuff 216 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, thesecond foodstuff 218. Theassembly 200 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g.,FIGS. 11B-11C, 12C-12D ) by a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 12I ) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 212) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 12C-12F ) to thefirst foodstuff 216; the heat H imparted to thefirst foodstuff 216 may cause thefirst foodstuff 216 to transition or phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state thefirst foodstuff 216 may seep or ooze into thesecond foodstuff 218 such that thefirst foodstuff 216 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 218 while thefirst foodstuff 216 and thesecond foodstuff 218 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 212) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 11C-11D, 12E-12I ) that is contained within thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 12G-12H ) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 220) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 12H ) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 212) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 12I ) the comingled foodstuff F. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , theassembly 200 may include afoodstuff container 212, aheating element 214, afirst foodstuff 216, asecond foodstuff 218, and aclosure 220.FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate a first methodology for assembling theassembly 200. - Referring to
FIG. 10A , thefoodstuff container 212 may include abase portion 222 connected to asidewall portion 224. Thebase portion 222 includes aninner surface 222 I and anouter surface 222 O. Thesidewall portion 224 includes aninner surface 224 I, anouter surface 224 O, and adistal end surface 224 D that connects theinner surface 224 I to theouter surface 224 O. Furthermore, aportion 224 L-P of alength 224 L of thesidewall portion 224 may extend beyond theouter surface 222 O of thebase portion 222 thereby defining acavity 229. - The
inner surface 222 I of thebase portion 222 and theinner surface 224 I of thesidewall portion 224 define a foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212. Access to the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 is formed by anopening 228 defined by theinner surface 224 I of thesidewall portion 224 and thedistal end surface 224 D of thesidewall portion 224. - With continued reference to
FIGS. 9 and 10A , theheating element 214 includes afirst portion 214 a and asecond portion 214 b. Referring toFIG. 10A , thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214 is defined by thecavity 229 formed by thefoodstuff container 212 and a chemically-activatedmaterial 230 disposed therein. Thefoodstuff container 212 may further include a heatingelement retainer portion 225 connected to and extending from theportion 224 L-P of thelength 224 L of thesidewall portion 224 that extends beyond theouter surface 222 O of thebase portion 222. The heatingelement retainer portion 225 therefore may contribute to the formation of thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214 whereby the heatingelement retainer portion 225 includes aninner surface 2251, anouter surface 225 O. One ormore passages 225 P may extend through the heatingelement retainer portion 225 from theouter surface 225 O to theinner surface 225 I. Thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 includes aninner surface 214 b I and anouter surface 214 b O. Theinner surface 214 b I of thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 225 O of the heatingelement retainer portion 225. Thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once theinner surface 214 b I of thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) theouter surface 225 O of the heatingelement retainer portion 225. - The chemically-activated
material 230 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When theinner surface 214 b I of thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 225 O of the heatingelement retainer portion 225, thesecond portion 214 b may prevent fluid communication between thecavity 229 and the atmosphere A through the one ormore passages 225 P extending through the heatingelement retainer portion 225. In particular, when theinner surface 214 b I of thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 225 O of the heatingelement retainer portion 225, the one ormore passages 225 P may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 225 P for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 230). However, as will be described in the following disclosure atFIGS. 11B-11C, 12C-12D , a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 by removing thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 from thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 225 P and into thecavity 229 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 230. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 230, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 to generate heat. - Referring to
FIG. 10B , the first foodstuff 216 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212. In an example, as seen inFIG. 10B , thefirst foodstuff 216 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212 in a liquid state or a solid state. If thefirst foodstuff 216 is in liquid state when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212, thefirst foodstuff 216 may be extruded into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212 from an extruder or first foodstuff hopper HC. - Referring to
FIG. 10C , after a predetermined period of time, thefirst foodstuff 216 may be permitted to cure in order to permit thefirst foodstuff 216 to transition from a liquid state to a solid state. In an example, when thefirst foodstuff 216 is cured into a solid state, thefirst foodstuff 216 may stick to but may also be removably attached to at least a portion of theinner surface 222 I of thebase portion 222 of thefoodstuff container 212. In some instances, when thefirst foodstuff 216 is cured into a solid state, thefirst foodstuff 216 may be attached to or disposed over (i) all of theinner surface 222 I of thebase portion 222 of thefoodstuff container 212 and (ii) a portion of theinner surface 224 I of thesidewall portion 224 of thefoodstuff container 212 that extends away from theinner surface 222 I of thebase portion 222. - As seen in
FIG. 10C , when thefirst foodstuff 216 has cured into a solid state, thefirst foodstuff 216 may be defined by anupper surface 216 I, alower surface 216 O and aside surface 216 S connecting theupper surface 216 I to thelower surface 216 O. Thefirst foodstuff 216 may also be defined by a thickness T216 extending between theupper surface 216 I and thelower surface 216 O. Furthermore, if theinner surface 224 I of thesidewall portion 224 of thefoodstuff container 212 defines the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212 to have a substantially cylindrical shape, theside surface 216 S of thefirst foodstuff 216 may define thefirst foodstuff 216 to have a diameter D216. - Referring to
FIG. 10D , after thefirst foodstuff 216 has cured into a solid state, thesecond foodstuff 218 may be deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212. Thesecond foodstuff material 218 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although thesecond foodstuff 218 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, thesecond foodstuff 218 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226. - In an example, as seen in
FIG. 10D , thesecond foodstuff 218 may deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212 from a second foodstuff hopper HG. Thesecond foodstuff 218 may be contained with the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 and arranged upon and over theupper surface 216 I of thefirst foodstuff 216 such that thatsecond foodstuff 218 is separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, thefirst foodstuff 216. - As seen in
FIG. 10E , the second foodstuff hopper HG may meter any desirable amount of thesecond foodstuff 218 into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226. In some instances, the second foodstuff hopper HG may meter an amount of thesecond foodstuff 218 that is approximately equal to a remainder of a volume of the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 that is not occupied by thefirst foodstuff 216. - Referring to
FIG. 10E , theclosure 220 includes at least abase portion 232. Thebase portion 232 includes aninner surface 232 I and anouter surface 232 O. - Optionally, the
closure 220 may also include asidewall portion 234 connected to thebase portion 232. Thesidewall portion 234 includes aninner surface 234 I, anouter surface 234 O, and adistal end surface 234 D connecting theinner surface 234 I to theouter surface 234 O. - The
inner surface 232 I of thebase portion 232 and theinner surface 234 I of thesidewall portion 234 define a container-receivingcavity 236. Access to the container-receivingcavity 236 is formed by anopening 238 defined by theinner surface 234 I of thesidewall portion 234 and thedistal end surface 234 D of thesidewall portion 234. - Referring to
FIG. 10F , in some instances, if theclosure 220 is not formed with thesidewall portion 234 such that theclosure 220 includes only thebase portion 232, theinner surface 232 I of thebase portion 232 of theclosure 220 may be removably attached to thedistal end surface 224 D of thesidewall portion 224 of thefoodstuff container 212. Attachment of theinner surface 232 I of thebase portion 232 of theclosure 220 to thedistal end surface 224 D of thesidewall portion 224 of thefoodstuff container 212 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, a friction-fit connection or the like. However, if theclosure 220 is formed with and includes thesidewall portion 234, theinner surface 234 I of thesidewall portion 234 of theclosure 220 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of theouter surface 224 O of thesidewall portion 224 of thefoodstuff container 212 in order to removably attach theclosure 220 to thefoodstuff container 212. - In a substantially similar as described above at
FIGS. 2A ′-2E′, an alternative methodology for assembling theassembly 200 may include depositing pre-cured (rather than in liquid form as described above atFIG. 10B ) the first foodstuff 16 (e.g., chocolate, fudge or the like) into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212. If thefirst foodstuff 216 is in a pre-cured, substantially solid form when it is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 26 of thefoodstuff container 12, thefirst foodstuff 16 may be metered from a first foodstuff hopper HC (see, e.g.,FIG. 2W ) that may include, for example, a magazine of prefabricatedfirst foodstuff 216 members that are in a pre-cured, substantially solid form. - Referring to
FIGS. 11A-11D and 12A-12I , a method of utilizing theassembly 200 ofFIG. 9 is described. Referring toFIGS. 11A and 12A , theouter surface 214 b O of thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 may be first optionally arranged upon a support surface S such that theassembly 200 is arranged in a “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S. Then, as seen inFIGS. 11B and 12B , theouter surface 232 O of thebase portion 232 of theclosure 220 may be arranged upon the support surface S such that theassembly 200 is arranged in an “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S. - Referring to
FIGS. 11B and 12B , once theassembly 200 is arranged in the “up-side-down” orientation upon the support surface S, thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from theouter surface 225 O of the heatingelement retainer portion 225. As seen inFIG. 11C , once removed from thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214, thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T. - Referring to
FIGS. 11C and 12C-12D , once thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 is selectively-detached from thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214, the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 contained within thecavity 229 of thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 contained within thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activatedmaterial 230. As described above, when theinner surface 214 b I of thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 225 O of the heatingelement retainer portion 225, the one ormore passages 225 P of the heatingelement retainer portion 225 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 225 P of the heatingelement retainer portion 225 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 230). However, once thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 is removed from thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by thesecond portion 214 b of theheating element 214 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one ormore passages 225 P of the heatingelement retainer portion 225 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 230. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 230, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 to generate heat H (see, e.g.,FIG. 12C ). - Referring to
FIGS. 11D and 12D-12F , the heat H generated by the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 of thefirst portion 214 a of theheating element 214 is passed through thebase portion 222 of thefoodstuff container 212 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by thefirst foodstuff 216. Comparatively, as seen inFIGS. 12C-12F , the heat H causes thefirst foodstuff 216 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g.,FIG. 12C ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g.,FIGS. 12D-12F ). As seen inFIGS. 12D-12F , as thefirst foodstuff 216 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, thefirst foodstuff 216, with the assistance of gravity, detaches from one or more of theinner surface 222 I of thebase portion 222 of thefoodstuff container 212 and theinner surface 224 I of thesidewall portion 224 of thefoodstuff container 212 such that thefirst foodstuff 216 vertically seeps or oozes downwardly and into thesecond foodstuff 218 such that thefirst foodstuff 216 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 218 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained withinfoodstuff container 212. - Referring to
FIGS. 12F-12G , thecontainer 212, theheating element 214 and theclosure 220 is then returned to the “right-side-up” orientation upon the support surface S that that theouter surface 225 O of the heatingelement retainer portion 225 is arranged upon the support surface S. Then, as seen inFIGS. 12G-12H , theclosure 220 may be selectively-removed from thefoodstuff container 212 such that a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 12I ) may access the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen inFIG. 12H , the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receivingcavity 226 of thefoodstuff container 212 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, theclosure 220 could remain attached to thefoodstuff container 212 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen inFIG. 12I , the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F. - In view of the above-described functionality of the
heating element 214, it is seen that thefirst foodstuff 216 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 214) of thefoodstuff packaging foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 216. Furthermore, the arrangement of theheating element 214 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 216 (due to the arrangement of thebase portion 222 of thefoodstuff container 212 between the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 of theheating element 214 and the first foodstuff 216) substantially limits the heat H generated by theheating element 214 to be mostly received by thefirst foodstuff 216 and not thesecond foodstuff 218. - Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the
foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 216, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin thesecond foodstuff 218 when thefirst foodstuff 216 and thesecond foodstuff 218 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as thefoodstuff packaging first foodstuff 216, thefirst foodstuff 216 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if thesecond foodstuff 218 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, thesecond foodstuff 218 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into thesecond foodstuff 218. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by theheating element 214 may be imparted into thesecond foodstuff 218, the heat H from theheating element 214 may merely warm thesecond foodstuff 218 while also avoiding any damage/burning of thesecond foodstuff 218, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating thefirst foodstuff 216. - With reference to
FIG. 13 , anassembly 300 is shown. Theassembly 300 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g.,reference numerals reference numeral 316 at, e.g.,FIG. 14C ) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 318). When theassembly 300 is assembled (see, e.g.,FIG. 14D ), thefirst foodstuff 316 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, thesecond foodstuff 318. Theassembly 300 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g.,FIGS. 15B-15C, 16B-16C ) by a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 16G ) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 320) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 16B-16D ) to thefirst foodstuff 316; the heat H imparted to thefirst foodstuff 316 may cause thefirst foodstuff 316 to transition or phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state thefirst foodstuff 316 may seep or ooze into thesecond foodstuff 318 such that thefirst foodstuff 316 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 318 while thefirst foodstuff 316 and thesecond foodstuff 318 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 312) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 15C-15D, 16D-16G ) that is contained within thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 16E-16F ) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 320) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 16F ) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 312) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 16G ) the comingled foodstuff F. - Referring to
FIG. 13 , theassembly 300 may include afoodstuff container 312, aheating element 314, a first foodstuff 316 (seeFIG. 14C ), asecond foodstuff 318, and aclosure 320.FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate a first methodology for assembling theassembly 300. - Referring to
FIG. 14A , thefoodstuff container 312 may include abase portion 322 connected to asidewall portion 324. Thebase portion 322 includes aninner surface 322 I and anouter surface 322 O. Thesidewall portion 324 includes aninner surface 324 I, anouter surface 324 O, and adistal end surface 324 D that connects theinner surface 324 I to theouter surface 324 O. In some instances, thedistal end surface 324 D of thesidewall portion 324 of thefoodstuff container 312 may project radially inwardly beyond theinner surface 324 I of thesidewall portion 324 of thefoodstuff container 312 thereby forming closure-supporting-ledge 323. - The
inner surface 322 I of thebase portion 322 and theinner surface 324 I of thesidewall portion 324 define a foodstuff-receivingcavity 326 of thefoodstuff container 312. Access to the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326 is formed by anopening 328 defined by theinner surface 324 I of thesidewall portion 324 and thedistal end surface 324 D of thesidewall portion 324. - In an example, as seen in
FIG. 14B , thesecond foodstuff 318 may deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326 of thefoodstuff container 312 from a foodstuff hopper HG. Thesecond foodstuff 318 may be contained with the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326 and arranged upon and over theinner surface 322 I of thebase portion 322 of thefoodstuff container 312. As will be explained in the following disclosure, prior to activating theheating element 314, thefirst foodstuff 316 is contained within theclosure 320, and, therefore, as seen inFIGS. 14C-14D , thesecond foodstuff 318 is initially separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, thefirst foodstuff 316. - As seen in
FIG. 14B , the foodstuff hopper HG may meter any desirable amount of thesecond foodstuff 318 into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326. In some instances, the foodstuff hopper HG may meter an amount of thesecond foodstuff 318 that is approximately equal to a volume of the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326 less a volume of thefirst foodstuff 316 that is contained within theclosure 320 prior to activating theheating element 314. Thesecond foodstuff material 318 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although thesecond foodstuff 318 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, thesecond foodstuff 318 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326. - Referring to
FIG. 14C , an exemplary view of theclosure 320 is shown. Theclosure 320 includes afirst cavity 329 a and a second cavity 329 b. Thefirst cavity 329 a of theclosure 320 is defined by a heatingelement retainer portion 325, abase portion 332 and asidewall portion 334. The second cavity 329 b of theclosure 320 is defined by a firstfoodstuff retainer portion 327, thebase portion 332 and thesidewall portion 334. A chemically-activatedmaterial 330 is disposed within thefirst cavity 329 a, and thefirst foodstuff 316 is disposed within the second cavity 329 b. As will be described in the following disclosure, the heatingelement retainer portion 325 and the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 contributes to the formation of afirst portion 314 a of theheating element 314. - The
sidewall portion 334 is connected to each of the heatingelement retainer portion 325, the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 327 and thebase portion 332. Thesidewall portion 334 includes aninner surface 334 I, anouter surface 334 O, anupper end portion 334 U, alower end portion 334 L and anintermediate portion 334 M. - The heating
element retainer portion 325 includes aninner surface 3251 and anouter surface 325 O. The heatingelement retainer portion 325 is connected to and extends from theupper end portion 334 U of thesidewall portion 334. One ormore passages 325 P may extend through the heatingelement retainer portion 325 from theouter surface 325 O to theinner surface 3251. - The
base portion 332 includes anupper surface 332 U and alower surface 332 L. Thebase portion 332 is connected to and extends from theinner surface 334 I of thesidewall portion 334 proximate theintermediate portion 334 M of thesidewall portion 334. - The first
foodstuff retainer portion 327 includes aninner surface 327 I and anouter surface 327 O. The firstfoodstuff retainer portion 327 is connected to and extends from thelower end portion 334 L of thesidewall portion 334. One ormore passages 327 P may extend through the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 327 from theouter surface 327 O to theinner surface 327 I. - The
inner surface 334 I of thesidewall portion 334, theinner surface 325 I of the heatingelement retainer portion 325 and theupper surface 332 U of thebase portion 332 defines thefirst cavity 329 a that contains the chemically-activatedmaterial 330. Theinner surface 334 I of thesidewall portion 334, theinner surface 327 I of the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 327 and thelower surface 332 L of thebase portion 332 defines thesecond cavity 329 a that contains thefirst foodstuff 316. - The
closure 320 may include an outwardly-extendingprojection 331 that extends away from theouter surface 3340 of thesidewall portion 334. The outwardly-extendingprojection 331 may include anupper surface 331 U and alower surface 331 L. Referring toFIG. 14D , thelower surface 331 L of the outwardly-extendingprojection 331 is disposed adjacent thedistal end surface 324 D of thesidewall portion 334 of thefoodstuff container 312 that forms closure-supporting-ledge 323. Attachment of the outwardly-extendingprojection 331 of theclosure 320 to the closure-supporting-ledge 323 of thefoodstuff container 312 may be conducted in any desirable methodology such as, for example, ultrasonic welding, an adhesive connection or the like. In other examples, a portion of the outwardly-extendingprojection 331 of theclosure 320 may be formed with the closure-supporting-ledge 323 of thefoodstuff container 312 to thereby form a hinged lid connection of theclosure 320 and thefoodstuff container 312. - Referring to
FIGS. 13 and 14C-14D , thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 is shown. Thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 includes aninner surface 314 b I and anouter surface 314 b O. As seen inFIGS. 14C-14D , theinner surface 314 b I of thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 3250 of theheating element retainer 325. Thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once theinner surface 314 b I of thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) theouter surface 325 O of theheating element retainer 325. - The chemically-activated
material 330 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When theinner surface 314 b I of thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 325 O of theheating element retainer 325, thesecond portion 314 b may prevent fluid communication between thecavity 329 and the atmosphere A through the one ormore passages 325 P extending through theheating element retainer 325. In particular, when theinner surface 314 b I of thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 325 O of theheating element retainer 325, the one ormore passages 325 P may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 325 P for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 330). However, as will be described in the following disclosure atFIGS. 15B-15C, 16B-16C , a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 by removing thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 from thefirst portion 314 a of theheating element 314 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 325 P and into thecavity 329 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 330. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 330, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 to generate heat. - Referring to
FIGS. 15A-15D and 16A-16G , a method of utilizing theassembly 300 ofFIG. 13 is described. Referring toFIGS. 15A-15B and 16A-16B , thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from theouter surface 325 O of theheating element retainer 325. As seen inFIG. 15C , once removed from thefirst portion 314 a of theheating element 314, thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T. - Referring to
FIGS. 15B-15D and 16B-16D , once thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 is selectively-detached from thefirst portion 314 a of theheating element 314, the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 contained within thecavity 329 of thefirst portion 314 a of theheating element 314 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 contained within thefirst portion 314 a of theheating element 314 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activatedmaterial 330. As described above, when theinner surface 314 b I of thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 325 O of theheating element retainer 325, the one ormore passages 325 P of theheating element retainer 325 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 325 P of theheating element retainer 325 for subsequently contacting the oxygen-activated material 330). However, once thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 is removed from thefirst portion 314 a of theheating element 314 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by thesecond portion 314 b of theheating element 314 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one ormore passages 325 P of theheating element retainer 325 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 330. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 330, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 to generate heat H (see, e.g.,FIGS. 16B-16D ). - Referring to
FIGS. 15B-15D and 16B-16D , the heat H generated by the chemically-activatedmaterial 330 of thefirst portion 314 a of theheating element 314 is passed through thebase portion 332 of theclosure 320 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by thefirst foodstuff 316. Comparatively, as seen inFIGS. 16B-16D , the heat H causes thefirst foodstuff 316 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g.,FIG. 16B ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g.,FIGS. 16C-16D ). As seen inFIGS. 16C-16E , as thefirst foodstuff 316 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, thefirst foodstuff 316, with the assistance of gravity, vertically seeps or oozes downwardly through the one ormore passages 327 P of the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 327 and into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326 of thefoodstuff container 312 that contains thesecond foodstuff 318 such that thefirst foodstuff 316 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 318 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained withinfoodstuff container 312. - Then, as seen in
FIGS. 16E-16F , once a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 16G ) has determined that most/all (or a desired amount) of thefirst foodstuff 316 has been evacuated from theclosure 320, the user U may selectively-remove (or, alternatively, pivot away if theclosure 320 is partially attached in a hinged configuration) theclosure 320 from thefoodstuff container 312 such that the user U may access the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326 of thefoodstuff container 312 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen inFIG. 16F , the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receivingcavity 326 of thefoodstuff container 312 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, theclosure 320 could remain attached to thefoodstuff container 312 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen inFIG. 16G , the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F. - In view of the above-described functionality of the
heating element 314, it is seen that thefirst foodstuff 316 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 314) of thefoodstuff packaging foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 316. Furthermore, the arrangement of theheating element 314 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 316 (due to the arrangement of both of the chemically-activatedmaterial 230 of theheating element 214 and thefirst foodstuff 216 being contained withinexclusive cavities 329 a, 329 b that are separated by thebase portion 332 of the closure 320) substantially limits the heat H generated by theheating element 314 to be mostly received by thefirst foodstuff 316 and not thesecond foodstuff 318. - Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the
foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 316, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin thesecond foodstuff 318 when thefirst foodstuff 316 and thesecond foodstuff 318 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as thefoodstuff packaging first foodstuff 316, thefirst foodstuff 316 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if thesecond foodstuff 318 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, thesecond foodstuff 318 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into thesecond foodstuff 318. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by theheating element 314 may be imparted into thesecond foodstuff 318, the heat H from theheating element 314 may merely warm thesecond foodstuff 318 while also avoiding any damage/burning of thesecond foodstuff 318, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating thefirst foodstuff 316. - With reference to
FIG. 17 , anassembly 400 is shown. Theassembly 400 includes a plurality of members defining foodstuff packaging (see, e.g.,reference numerals reference numeral 416 at, e.g.,FIG. 18C ) and a second foodstuff (see, e.g., reference numeral 418). When theassembly 400 is assembled (see, e.g.,FIG. 18D ), thefirst foodstuff 416 may be separated from, and not comingled throughout, thesecond foodstuff 418. Theassembly 400 may be subsequently activated (see, e.g.,FIGS. 19B-19C, 20B-20C ) by a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 20G ) in order to cause a portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 420) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 20B-20D ) to thefirst foodstuff 416; the heat H imparted to thefirst foodstuff 416 may cause thefirst foodstuff 416 to transition or phase change (e.g., melt) from a first state (e.g., solid) to a second state (e.g., liquid). With the assistance of gravity, in the second state thefirst foodstuff 416 may seep or ooze into thesecond foodstuff 418 such that thefirst foodstuff 416 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 418 while thefirst foodstuff 416 and thesecond foodstuff 418 are contained within another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 412) of thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 19C-19D, 20D-20G ) that is contained within thefoodstuff packaging FIGS. 20E-20F ) another portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 420) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 20F ) to the portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 412) of thefoodstuff packaging FIG. 20G ) the comingled foodstuff F. - Referring to
FIG. 17 , theassembly 400 may include afoodstuff container 412, aheating element 414, afirst foodstuff 416, asecond foodstuff 418, and aclosure 420.FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate a first methodology for assembling theassembly 400. - Referring to
FIG. 18A , thefoodstuff container 412 may include abase portion 422 connected to asidewall portion 424. Thebase portion 422 includes aninner surface 422 I and anouter surface 422 O. Thesidewall portion 424 includes aninner surface 424 I, anouter surface 424 O, and adistal end surface 424 D that connects theinner surface 424, to theouter surface 424 O. - The
inner surface 422 I of thebase portion 422 and theinner surface 424, of thesidewall portion 424 define a foodstuff-receivingcavity 426 of thefoodstuff container 412. Access to the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426 is formed by anopening 428 defined by theinner surface 424, of thesidewall portion 424 and thedistal end surface 424 D of thesidewall portion 424. - In an example, as seen in
FIG. 18B , thesecond foodstuff 418 may deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426 of thefoodstuff container 412 from a foodstuff hopper HG. Thesecond foodstuff 418 may be contained with the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426 and arranged upon and over theinner surface 422 I of thebase portion 422 of thefoodstuff container 412. As will be explained in the following disclosure, prior to activating theheating element 414, thefirst foodstuff 416 is contained within theclosure 420, and, therefore, as seen inFIGS. 18C-18D , thesecond foodstuff 418 is initially separated from, and not comingled or mixed with, thefirst foodstuff 416. - As seen in
FIG. 18B , the foodstuff hopper HG may meter any desirable amount of thesecond foodstuff 418 into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426. In some instances, the foodstuff hopper HG may meter an amount of thesecond foodstuff 418 that is approximately equal to a volume of the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426 less a volume of thefirst foodstuff 416 that is contained within theclosure 420 prior to activating theheating element 414. Thesecond foodstuff material 418 may include one or more of, but is not limited to: granola, muesli, oats, seeds, nuts, cereal or the like. Although thesecond foodstuff 418 is shown to include a plurality of pieces or units of foodstuff, thesecond foodstuff 418 may include one piece or one unit of foodstuff that is deposited into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426. - Referring to
FIG. 18C , an exemplary view of theclosure 420 is shown. Theclosure 420 includes afirst cavity 429 a and a second cavity 429 b. Thefirst cavity 429 a of theclosure 420 is defined by a heatingelement retainer portion 425, abase portion 432 and asidewall portion 434. The second cavity 429 b of theclosure 420 is defined by a firstfoodstuff retainer portion 427, thebase portion 432 and thesidewall portion 434. A chemically-activatedmaterial 430 is disposed within thefirst cavity 429 a, and thefirst foodstuff 416 is disposed within the second cavity 429 b. As will be described in the following disclosure, the heatingelement retainer portion 425 and the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 contributes to the formation of afirst portion 414 a of theheating element 414. - The
sidewall portion 434 is connected to each of the heatingelement retainer portion 425, the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 427 and thebase portion 432. Thesidewall portion 434 includes aninner surface 434 I, anouter surface 4340, anupper end portion 434 U, alower end portion 434 L and anintermediate portion 434 I. - The heating
element retainer portion 425 includes aninner surface 4251 and anouter surface 4250. The heatingelement retainer portion 425 is connected to and extends from theupper end portion 434 U of thesidewall portion 434. One ormore passages 425 P may extend through the heatingelement retainer portion 425 from theouter surface 425 O to theinner surface 4251. - The
base portion 432 includes anupper surface 432 U and alower surface 432 L. Thebase portion 432 is connected to and extends from theinner surface 434 I of thesidewall portion 434 proximate theintermediate portion 434 I of thesidewall portion 434. - The first
foodstuff retainer portion 427 includes aninner surface 4271 and anouter surface 4270. The firstfoodstuff retainer portion 427 is connected to and extends from thelower end portion 434 L of thesidewall portion 434. One ormore passages 427 P may extend through the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 427 from theouter surface 427 O to theinner surface 4271. - The
inner surface 434 I of thesidewall portion 434, theinner surface 425 I of the heatingelement retainer portion 425 and theupper surface 432 U of thebase portion 432 defines thefirst cavity 429 a that contains the chemically-activatedmaterial 430. Theinner surface 434 I of thesidewall portion 434, theinner surface 4271 of the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 427 and thelower surface 432 L of thebase portion 432 defines thesecond cavity 429 a that contains thefirst foodstuff 416. - The
closure 420 may include an outwardly-extendingprojection 431 that extends away from theouter surface 434 O of thesidewall portion 434 and theouter surface 427 O of the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 427. The outwardly-extendingprojection 431 may include anouter surface 431 O and aninner surface 431 I. Theinner surface 4311 of the outwardly-extendingprojection 431 of theclosure 420 may include a threaded surface (not shown) that cooperates with a corresponding threaded surface (not shown) formed upon a portion of theouter surface 424 O of thesidewall portion 424 of thefoodstuff container 412 in order to removably attach theclosure 420 to thefoodstuff container 412. Alternatively, theinner surface 431 I of the outwardly-extendingprojection 431 of theclosure 420 may be removably-attached to and cooperate with theouter surface 424 O of thesidewall portion 424 of thefoodstuff container 412 in other configurations (e.g., a friction-fit connection, a snap-fit connection or the like) in order to removably attach theclosure 420 to thefoodstuff container 412. - Referring to
FIGS. 17 and 18C-18D , thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 is shown. Thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 includes aninner surface 414 b I and anouter surface 414 b O. As seen inFIGS. 18C-18D , theinner surface 414 b I of thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 425 O of theheating element retainer 425. Thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 may be a removable film member that is discarded into a trash receptacle T once theinner surface 414 b I of thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 is selectively-detached from (and no longer disposed adjacent to) theouter surface 425 O of theheating element retainer 425. - The chemically-activated
material 430 may include an air-activated material, and more particularly, an oxygen-activated material, such as, for example, zinc. When theinner surface 414 b I of thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 425 O of theheating element retainer 425, thesecond portion 414 b may prevent fluid communication between thecavity 429 and the atmosphere A through the one ormore passages 425 P extending through theheating element retainer 425. In particular, when theinner surface 414 b I of thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 425 O of theheating element retainer 425, the one ormore passages 425 P may be prevented from fluidly communicating with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby preventing oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 425 P for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 430). However, as will be described in the following disclosure atFIGS. 19B-19C, 20B-20C , a user U may selectively activate the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 by removing thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 from thefirst portion 414 a of theheating element 414 in order to permit the oxygen O from the surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 425 P and into thecavity 429 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 430. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 430, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 to generate heat. - Referring to
FIGS. 19A-19D and 20A-20G , a method of utilizing theassembly 400 ofFIG. 17 is described. Referring toFIGS. 19A-19B and 20A-20B , thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414, which may be a removable film member, is then selectively-detached from theouter surface 425 O of theheating element retainer 425. As seen inFIG. 19C , once removed from thefirst portion 414 a of theheating element 414, thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 may be discarded into a trash receptacle T. - Referring to
FIGS. 19B-19D and 20B-20D , once thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 is selectively-detached from thefirst portion 414 a of theheating element 414, the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 contained within thecavity 429 of thefirst portion 414 a of theheating element 414 is selectively activated. Activation of the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 contained within thefirst portion 414 a of theheating element 414 occurs when oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to be in fluid communication with the chemically-activatedmaterial 430. As described above, when theinner surface 414 b I of thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 is disposed adjacent theouter surface 425 O of theheating element retainer 425, the one ormore passages 425 P of theheating element retainer 425 are not permitted to be in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere A (thereby not permitting oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A to pass through the one ormore passages 425 P of theheating element retainer 425 for subsequently contacting the chemically-activated material 430). However, once thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 is removed from thefirst portion 414 a of theheating element 414 as described above, an oxygen barrier formed by thesecond portion 414 b of theheating element 414 no longer exists, and, as a result, oxygen O from surrounding atmosphere A is permitted to pass through the one ormore passages 425 P of theheating element retainer 425 such that the oxygen O may come into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 430. When the oxygen O comes into contact with the chemically-activatedmaterial 430, a chemical reaction takes place (e.g., the zinc defining the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 becomes zinc oxide), which causes the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 to generate heat H (see, e.g.,FIGS. 20B-20D ). - Referring to
FIGS. 19B-19D and 20B-20D , the heat H generated by the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 of thefirst portion 414 a of theheating element 414 is passed through thebase portion 432 of theclosure 420 such that the heat H is ultimately imparted into and absorbed by thefirst foodstuff 416. Comparatively, as seen inFIGS. 20B-20D , the heat H causes thefirst foodstuff 416 to transition from a substantially solid state (see, e.g.,FIG. 20B ) to a melted, substantially liquid state (see, e.g.,FIGS. 20C-20D ). As seen inFIGS. 20C-20E , as thefirst foodstuff 416 transitions to a melted, substantially liquid form, thefirst foodstuff 416, with the assistance of gravity, vertically seeps or oozes downwardly through the one ormore passages 427 P of the firstfoodstuff retainer portion 427 and into the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426 of thefoodstuff container 412 that contains thesecond foodstuff 418 such that thefirst foodstuff 416 is comingled throughout thesecond foodstuff 418 to define a comingled foodstuff F that is contained withinfoodstuff container 412. - Then, as seen in
FIGS. 20E-20F , once a user U (see, e.g.,FIG. 20G ) has determined that most/all (or a desired amount) of thefirst foodstuff 416 has been evacuated from theclosure 420, the user U may selectively-remove theclosure 420 from thefoodstuff container 412 such that the user U may access the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426 of thefoodstuff container 412 that contains the comingled foodstuff F. If desired, as seen inFIG. 20F , the user U may arrange a utensil (e.g., a spoon SP) within the foodstuff-receivingcavity 426 of thefoodstuff container 412 for mixing or stirring the comingled foodstuff F. Alternatively, theclosure 420 could remain attached to thefoodstuff container 412 and the comingled foodstuff F could be shaken. Then, as seen inFIG. 20G , the user U may consume the comingled foodstuff F. - In view of the above-described functionality of the
heating element 414, it is seen that thefirst foodstuff 416 is heated H by a portion (i.e., the heating element 414) of thefoodstuff packaging foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 416. Furthermore, the arrangement of theheating element 414 in an opposing relationship with respect to the first foodstuff 416 (due to the arrangement of both of the chemically-activatedmaterial 430 of theheating element 414 and thefirst foodstuff 416 being contained withinexclusive cavities 429 a, 429 b that are separated by thebase portion 432 of the closure 420) substantially limits the heat H generated by theheating element 414 to be mostly received by thefirst foodstuff 416 and not thesecond foodstuff 418. - Aside from the benefit provided by the “self-heating” functionality of the
foodstuff packaging first foodstuff 416, use of some external heat sources (e.g., a microwave oven) may damage and/or ruin thesecond foodstuff 418 when thefirst foodstuff 416 and thesecond foodstuff 418 are both contained within foodstuff packaging (such as thefoodstuff packaging first foodstuff 416, thefirst foodstuff 416 may, as desired, transition from a liquid state to a solid state; however, if thesecond foodstuff 418 is, for example, a “low moisture” food product, thesecond foodstuff 418 may undesirably burn (as a result of having very little or no moisture, which may be evaporated upon being heated) when microwave energy is imparted into thesecond foodstuff 418. Therefore, although some of the heat H generated by theheating element 414 may be imparted into thesecond foodstuff 418, the heat H from theheating element 414 may merely warm thesecond foodstuff 418 while also avoiding any damage/burning of thesecond foodstuff 418, which would otherwise occur if a non-packaging external heat source (e.g., a microwave oven) were to be utilized for heating thefirst foodstuff 416. - A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US15/718,055 US20180086537A1 (en) | 2016-09-29 | 2017-09-28 | Foodstuff Packaging Assembly and Related Methods |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US201662401302P | 2016-09-29 | 2016-09-29 | |
US15/718,055 US20180086537A1 (en) | 2016-09-29 | 2017-09-28 | Foodstuff Packaging Assembly and Related Methods |
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Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20180086537A1 true US20180086537A1 (en) | 2018-03-29 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
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US15/718,055 Abandoned US20180086537A1 (en) | 2016-09-29 | 2017-09-28 | Foodstuff Packaging Assembly and Related Methods |
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US (1) | US20180086537A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3519320A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP7337689B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN109789960B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2017335772B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112019005141B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3038096A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2019003155A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2746999C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018064256A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MX2019003155A (en) | 2019-07-18 |
RU2746999C2 (en) | 2021-04-23 |
AU2017335772A1 (en) | 2019-03-21 |
BR112019005141B1 (en) | 2023-03-28 |
BR112019005141A2 (en) | 2019-06-04 |
CA3038096A1 (en) | 2018-04-05 |
AU2017335772B2 (en) | 2023-05-18 |
JP2019529273A (en) | 2019-10-17 |
CN109789960B (en) | 2022-01-18 |
JP7337689B2 (en) | 2023-09-04 |
EP3519320A1 (en) | 2019-08-07 |
RU2019112047A3 (en) | 2020-10-29 |
RU2019112047A (en) | 2020-10-29 |
WO2018064256A1 (en) | 2018-04-05 |
CN109789960A (en) | 2019-05-21 |
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