US20200239221A1

US20200239221A1 - Container for tactile interaction with food

Info

Publication number: US20200239221A1
Application number: US16/776,092
Authority: US
Inventors: Erin Elizabeth So VanMeter; Adam Bricker; Germán R. González; John Anthony Kaashoek; Patricia Ann Waynick; Zachary Parker Willard
Original assignee: Big Heart Pet Inc
Current assignee: Big Heart Pet Inc
Priority date: 2019-01-30
Filing date: 2020-01-29
Publication date: 2020-07-30
Also published as: CA3070158A1

Abstract

Pet owners cannot tactilely examine, or experience food contained in rigid packaging. This product experience at the point of purchase requires pliable or flexible packaging. However, pliable or flexible packaging has limited ability to stack, both on the store shelf, as well as in the pet owner's pantry. Provided is a multi-functional container for moist or wet, textured food. The container has rigid sidewalls, a bottom with at least a portion made from a flexible or pliable material or membrane or that provides access to a bag of a flexible or pliable material or membrane, and a lid to seal the opening of the container or the bag. Since the food contacts the flexible or pliable material or membrane, it can be tactilely examined at the point of purchase. If the material or membrane is transparent, the food can also be visibly examined at the point of purchase.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/798,613, filed Jan. 30, 2019, titled “Container for Tactile Interaction with Food,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/798,894, filed Jan. 30, 2019, titled “Collapsible Container”, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to containers, packaging, and packaging systems for use for tactile and/or visual interaction with packaged food products. Specifically, the containers, packaging, and packaging systems have a structurally rigid material and include a portion(s) made of a pliable and/or flexible membrane material(s), which provides for tactile and visual interactions with the food sealed within the interior package volume of the container.

Description of the Related Art

Today, commercial packaging available to consumers in the marketplace is limited to either rigid cans and cups or flexible bags and pouches. Commercial packaging largely has a rigid outer structure which does not provide a consumer with access to tactilely inspect or interact with the packaged food product, e.g., to evaluate the feel, form, texture, and consistency of the packaged food product, prior to purchase while shopping at the store. Conversely, a product can also be packaged in a flexible container such as a bag or pouch, and consumers can experience limited interaction with the product's general form and shape prior to purchase. Unfortunately, products packed in flexible packaging cannot be tactilely experienced, and the flexible packaging cannot be stacked, which affects how such products can be packaged for shipment and later displayed in the retail market, as well as how such products can be stored in the consumer's pantry after purchase.
Many individual factors contribute to the total perception of a packaged food product, e.g., texture, color, opacity, translucency, and the consistency of one or more of these factors. The total perception correlates with the sensations, including tactile and visual sensations experienced when a packaged food product is touched and/or viewed by a consumer at the point of purchase. Physical characteristics of packaged food products play a significant role in a consumer's willingness to purchase the packaged food product.
The present invention solves the problems associated with commercial packaging by providing a container, packaging, or package system, which is structurally equivalent to a rigid canister or package, thereby providing an ability to package, stack, and display product on store shelves and for easy storage in the consumer's pantry. The invention also includes a portion made from flexible and/or pliable material which allows a consumer to tactilely inspect or interact with a packaged food product at the point of purchase. The flexible or pliable material can be transparent, thereby providing a window to the packaged food product in the container so consumers can visually inspect the packaged food product.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a container for a packaged food product. The container has a sidewall of rigid material, and the sidewall has a top edge, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a bottom edge. In this embodiment, the container has a bottom surface attached to the bottom edge of the sidewall, and a peelable film attached to the top edge of the sidewall. The bottom surface and the peelable film are comprised of a flexible or pliable material, which is also durable and puncture resistant. The flexible or pliable material is configured to provide tactile interaction with, and, optionally, if transparent, to provide a window to visually inspect food in the container. The container may also include a lid sealed to the top edge of the sidewall, which completely covers and protects the peelable film. The interior surfaces of the sidewall, the peelable film, and the flexible material together define the interior package volume of the container.
Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a container for a packaged food product that has a rigid sidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge. The container has a lid sealed to the top edge of the sidewall, and a flexible or pliable material sealed to the bottom edge of the sidewall. Interior surfaces of the sidewall, the lid, and the flexible or pliable material together define the interior package volume of the container. The flexible or pliable material is durable and puncture resistant and facilitates tactile and visual interaction across the flexible or pliable material with the packaged food product within the interior package volume of the container.
In certain embodiments, the sidewall has the shape of a hollow cylinder, a ring, or a flange, and the lid is operationally connected to the hollow cylinder, the ring, or the flange. In other embodiments, the sidewall can be cylindrical or tapered, flared along its top edge, or have a shape such as a fish, bone, or a specific cut of meat including, for example, a lamb chop or a poultry drumstick. The sidewall can be made of metal, plastic, or combinations thereof, which may be transparent, opaque, or a combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the material defining the bottom surface can be a flexible material, such as a plastic containing an oleoresin.
In certain embodiments the sidewall includes at least one window or cut-out for additional tactile and visual interactions with the packaged food product.
In various embodiments, the lid can be a twist-off lid, a peel-back lid, a pull-top lid, a peelable film or membrane, or an over cap. The lid may also comprise a flexible or pliable material.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a container comprising a sidewall of rigid material defining a bottomless container having an internal surface attached to an internal bladder or bag-like insert. The bladder or bag-like insert may also be attached to less than the entire circumference of the internal surface of the sidewall, or, alternatively, the bladder or bag-like insert may be attached to the top rim of the sidewall. The internal package volume of the bladder or bag-like insert is less than or equal to the volume defined by the interior of the sidewall. The opening of the bladder or bag-like insert can be independently sealed, and the top rim of the sidewall may be optionally sealed with a lid.
In certain embodiments, the container includes a liner attached to the entire internal surface of the sidewall. The liner may be a flexible or pliable material, a plastic material, a metal material, or a combination or lamination of any combination thereof. The container may also include a second piece and third piece of flexible or pliable material used to seal the top and bottom edges of the sidewall, thereby defining its interior package volume. Furthermore, the second piece and third piece of the flexible or pliable material may be the same material or different materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the invention, both as to its structure, assembly, and use, will be understood and will become more readily apparent when the invention is considered in view of the following descriptions of illustrative embodiments made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall, a peelable film lid operationally attached to the top of the sidewall, and a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of the sidewall.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective side view of the exemplary container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the exemplary container shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate top perspective views of alternative embodiments of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall that is bottomless, and a transparent membrane operationally attached to the top of the sidewall by means of a rigid sealing ring, wherein FIG. 4B shows the sidewall with circumferential indents to add structural support to the sidewall.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary container shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product that has a rigid cylindrical-shaped sidewall that is bottomless, a transparent and pliable peelable film operationally attached to the top of the sidewall that seals the moist food product within the container and includes a screw top lid that completely covers and protects the peelable film.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product that has a transparent rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall, which is bottomless, bracketed by annular rings.

FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product that has a rigid, tapered sidewall, which is bottomless, having a top end lip that defines an opening of the container, a transparent flexible bag operationally attached to the top end lip of the sidewall, and a peelable film lid attached to the top of the sidewall with an adhesive to close the container and seal the food product within.

FIG. 5C, illustrates a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the exemplary container shown in FIG. 5B, but where the transparent flexible bag is also operationally attached to the bottom of the sidewall to define a bottom surface.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary bottomless container filled with a moist food product, which has a transparent membrane operationally attached to the top of a rigid, flared sidewall.

FIG. 6B illustrates a top perspective view of multiple stacked containers shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A illustrates a partially-exploded view of two exemplary containers filled with moist food product stacked in a top-to-top configuration, where each container has a rigid sidewall that is bottomless and has a top end lip that defines an opening of the container, a transparent flexible bag operationally attached to the top end lip of the sidewall, and a peelable film lid operationally attached to the top of the sidewall to close the container and seal the food product within the container.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary container stack shown in FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 8A-D illustrate perspective views of a consumer using an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall.

FIGS. 9A-F illustrate additional perspective views of a consumer using the exemplary container shown in FIGS. 8A-D.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, fish-shaped sidewall.

FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, bone-shaped sidewall.

FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, rectangular-shaped sidewall.

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, tall, cylindrical-shaped sidewall.

FIG. 14A illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall that includes a circular cut-out section.

FIG. 14B illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist food product, which has a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall that includes a rectangular cut-out section.

FIG. 14C illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container filled with a moist product, which has a transparent flexible membrane operationally attached to the bottom of a rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall that includes a fish-shaped cut-out section.

FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container in which the sidewall is configured with collapsible accordion bellows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative and alternative embodiments and operational details of the container for food of the invention are discussed in further detail below with reference to the figures of this application. The various embodiments of containers 10 of the invention are configured to provide a sealed interior package volume for a packaged food product 22 on the order of one ounce or more, e.g., a single serve size of about 2.5 ounces, or other sizes such as 5 ounces or 12 ounces, whereby the contents of the sealed package is accessible for a consumer's tactile and/or visual inspection and interaction in a safe, hygienic, and non-destructive manner by using a pliable or flexible membrane material to comprise a portion of the exterior surface of the container 10.
In this disclosure, the term “pliable” is used in reference to a material which can be easily distorted and deformed without exceeding its yield and/or tensile strength when external forces are present or applied and does not return to its original form when the force is released or removed. The term “flexible” is used in reference to a material which is easily distorted and deformed without exceeding its yield or tensile strength when external forces are applied and return to its undistorted or undeformed state or revert to and closely resemble its undistorted or undeformed state when the force is released or removed.
The embodiments of the container 10 are configured for use with packaged food products 22 including pet food or human food. The packaged food products 22 can be sealed within the interior package volume of the container 10 so that the food product 22 can be commercially processed to be shelf stable and/or ready to eat, and then packaged, transported, stored, and distributed in commerce. The term “shelf stable” is used in reference to a commercially-processed food that can be safely and hygienically stored at room temperature in a sealed container. Shelf stable products include “ready-to-eat food” products, which are commercially-processed foods, which will generally be eaten by a consumer or pet after opening the container containing the packaged food product without further processing.
Specifically, the inventive container 10 is useful for packaging food for pets or humans. The three basic classes of pet food—wet (a.k.a. moist), semi-moist, and dry—are classified based on moisture content. Moisture content refers to the total water content of a pet food, whether the water was added as free water, a component of the ingredients used in the pet food, or mixtures thereof. Wet or moist pet food contains high water content, e.g., more than 50 percent by weight moisture and more particularly in the range of about 65-85%. This type of pet food is highly palatable and requires commercial processing to stabilize it as a ready-to-eat or shelf-stable product for pets. Semi-moist pet food contains about 15 to about 50 percent by weight moisture. Semi-moist pet food is shelf stable in standard polyethylene packages or other conventional packages and does not require aseptic processing to be shelf stable. Dry pet food contains up to about 15 percent moisture by weight and is the most stable of the three classes of pet food. Dry pet food requires neither the aseptic canning of the moist pet food, nor the wrapping of the semi-moist pet food.
The inventive container 10 is particularly useful for packaging pâtés, wet and semi-wet cat food or dog food, consumer food, food service, peanut butter, and frosting. The inventive container 10 is also useful for packaging meat in a broth and various conventional pet food ingredients suspended in a gelatin or a paste.
While shopping, consumers will be drawn to the familiar shape associated with conventional packaging, which the inventive container 10 resembles. For example, the inventive container 10 may include branding graphics specifically designed to call out features of the container 10 and its use and/or the packaged food product 22. Upon closer examination, consumers will discover that they can see and even indirectly touch the packaged food product in a safe, hygienic, and non-destructive manner, by way of the container's pliable or flexible membrane provided along the exterior of the container 10.
More specifically, the flexible or pliable material or membrane, which is durable and puncture resistant, allows a consumer to tactilely inspect the product 22 at the point of purchase, including experiencing the feel, form, texture, and consistency of the packaged food product. The flexible or pliable material or membrane may also be transparent, which allows a consumer to visually inspect the product 22 from the top, side, or the underside of the inventive container 10, as well.
Preferably, the container 10 can be shaped like a tub, can, cup, cylinder, or the like. Alternative shapes include, but are not limited to, cylindrical, frustoconical, and tray-like.

Container Embodiments

FIGS. 1-3 show a container 10 comprising one or more rigid sidewalls 14, which have a hard, outer structure. The sidewall 14 forms the overall cylindrical shape of the container 10 and defines a container 10 that is bottomless and topless. For example, the sidewall 14 defines a cylinder. In such embodiments, a first flexible or pliable material 18 is attached to the bottom end 16 of the side wall 14 and a second material 12, which can be a flexible or pliable membrane or a peelable film having a peel tab 20, may be attached to the top end 24 of the side wall 14. In such embodiments, the consumer may tactilely or visually interact with the packaged food product 22 in the container 10 through the top or the bottom of the container 10.
FIGS. 1-3 show the container 10 also including a bottom surface 18 made from flexible or pliable material or membrane, which is durable and puncture resistant. The bottom surface 18 attaches to the bottom end 16 of the rigid sidewall 14, which may be in the shape of a ring, a flange, or a lip.
FIGS. 1-3 show a lid 12 attached to the top end 24 of the rigid sidewall 14. The lid 12 hermetically seals the interior package volume of the container 10 which contains and retains packaged food product 22 in the container 10. If a reusable lid 12 is used, then the rigid sidewalls 14 include a mechanism to operatively engage with the reusable lid 12, such as a set of threads on the rigid sidewall 14 and a corresponding and matching set of threads on the lid 12. Alternatively, the rigid sidewall 14 can be sealed directly with a material, such as a peelable film, e.g., metal foil, plastic, or laminated metal foil and/or plastic, functioning as a single-use or resealable lid 12. In this instance, the peelable film also includes a peel tab 20 that can be used to pull off and discard the peelable film.
Elaborating further on the container shown in FIGS. 1-3, the peelable film lid 12 can be made from a flexible or pliable material attached to the top end 24 of a rigid sidewall 14, which is in addition to the flexible or pliable material attached to the bottom end 16 of the rigid sidewall 14. Optionally, an overcap (not shown) can be used in conjunction with the peelable film lid 12, e.g., completely covering the peelable film in order to protect it, and this may also be attached to the rigid sidewall 14. This exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a plastic cylindrical sidewall 14 and a pliable, multi-layer flexible material as the bottom surface 18, where the peelable film lid 12 seals the container and is fitted with a suitable peel tab 20.
FIGS. 4A-D show a container 10 comprised of a rigid sidewall 14, which is cylindrical in shape. In embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A-4B for example, a flexible or pliable membrane is sealed to the bottom 16 of the rigid sidewall 14 and forms the bottom surface (not shown) of the container 10. The sidewall 14 may have one or more circumferential indents 32, as shown in FIG. 4B, to provide structural stability to the sidewall 14. Further, in embodiments shown in FIGS. 4C-D, for example, the sidewall 14 may form a bottomless container, and the flexible or pliable membrane is provided in the form of a bladder or bag-like insert 34 attached to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14, and the sidewall 14 may also include a ring, a flange, or a lip, in order to effectively engage with the lid 12 when the container is closed. The lid 12 may be comprised of a sealing ring with a transparent top surface, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, or it may be a screw top lid as depicted in FIG. 4D.
FIGS. 5A-C show various embodiments of a container 10 comprised of a rigid sidewall 14.
Specifically, FIG. 5A shows a container 10 with a transparent, rigid sidewall 14 having annular ring-like brackets 36 provided at the top and bottom of the sidewall 14. A bladder or bag-like liner 34 made of a pliable or flexible material may be attached to the upper edge of the sidewall 14, where the portion of the bladder or bag-like liner that is adjacent to the to the bottom end 16 of the sidewall forms the bottom surface 18. Alternatively, another flexible or pliable membrane may be sealed to the bottom edge of the sidewall 14, becoming part of the overall bottom surface 18 and thereby bolstering its strength. A peelable film lid 12 having a peel tab 20 is also shown attached to the top edge of the sidewall 14.
Specifically, FIG. 5B shows a container 10 with a rigid sidewall 14 having an annular ring-like bracket 36 provided at the top of the sidewall 14 and having a bottom flange 30. The container 10 includes a bladder or bag-like liner 34 made of a pliable or flexible material, where the portion of the bladder or bag-like liner that is adjacent to the bottom end 16 of the sidewall in combination with the bottom flange 30 forms the bottom surface 18. A peelable film lid (not shown) having a peel tab 20 is also attached to the top edge of the sidewall 14.
Specifically, FIG. 5C shows a container 10 with a rigid sidewall 14 which may include a top flange 28 at its top end 24 and a bottom flange 30 at its bottom end 16. The container 10 includes a form fitting bag-like liner 35 made from a flexible or pliable membrane placed within the rigid sidewall 14 where the top and the bottom of this liner are attached along the circumference of the surface 13 of the top end 24 and the bottom end 16 of the sidewalls 14. In such an embodiment, the portion of the bag-like liner 35 residing between the points of attachment to the bottom flange 30 forms the bottom surface 18.
In these embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the pliable or flexible membrane or bladder or bag-like liner, along with the interior surface of the lid 12, define the internal package volume, which may be filled with packaged food product in an amount that is equal to or less than the internal package volume of the container 10.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show a container 10 comprised of a rigid sidewall 14, which is flared and/or tapered out around the top edge of the sidewall 14. As depicted in FIG. 6A, the sidewall 14 forms a bottomless container 10. In such an embodiment, the flexible or pliable membrane may span across and attach to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14, forming a top surface 38, and/or when the flexible or pliable membrane comprises a bladder or bag-like liner filled with a moist product, it may also form the bottom surface (not shown) of the container 10. The pliable or flexible bladder or bag-like liner may be attached along the circumference of both the top end 24 and the bottom end 16 of the sidewalls or, alternatively, the pliable or flexible bladder or bag-like liner may only be attached at the top end 24 of the sidewall 14. Additionally, the container 10 may be sealed with a lid (not shown).
Furthermore, two or more containers 10 may be nested if the bottom surface of each container 10 has a diameter that is equal to or less than the internal diameter of its top surface 38. Alternatively, two or more identical, but irregularly-shaped containers (e.g., containers that do not have a diameter) may also be nested if the distance along the outer boundary of the bottom end of the sidewall of each container is less than the distance along the inner boundary of the top end of the sidewall of each container. As depicted in FIG. 6B, such a configuration permits the bottom end 16 of the sidewall 14 of one container 10 to nest within or on top of the top end 24 of the sidewall 14 of a second container 10. Additionally, the lid (not shown) associated with each container 10 may be configured with a flange or other structure having an inset to receive a portion of the bottom of another container 10. This arrangement promotes stacking of multiple containers 10 for packaging efficiency. The lid may also be configured to display graphics and/or instructions for use.
FIGS. 7A and 7B show two bottomless containers 10, each comprised of a rigid sidewall 14, which is cylindrical in shape. In this embodiment, the flexible or pliable membrane for each container 10 is a bladder or bag-like insert 34 attached to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14, which is sealed with a lid 12 comprising a peelable film having a peel tab 20. As depicted in FIG. 7B, the external surface of the lid 12 of the inverted first container 10 may be joined to the external surface of the lid 12 of a second container 10 with an adhesive, e.g., a compression activated or thermoset adhesive, which provides a bond strong enough to secure the containers 10 together for packaging and shipment, while permitting the containers 10 to be separated for use without disrupting the seal of peelable film associated with the lid 12 and/or the attachment of the pliable or flexible membranes with the sidewalls 14 of each of the containers 10.
FIGS. 14A-C show various embodiments of a container 10, which contain a packaged food product 22, comprising a rigid sidewall 14 having at least one window or cut-out portion 26. As depicted in FIGS. 14A-C, the window or cut-out portion 26 can be oval, square, or have some other unique shape, for example, a fish shape. Alternatively, any number of additional shapes such as a circle, a star, a pig, a cow, or a specific cut of meat including, for example, a lamb chop or a poultry drumstick, or any other custom-made configuration could be used. The window or cut-out portion 26 should be suitably sized to permit a consumer to tactilely and/or visually interact with the packaged food product 22 contained therein through the window or cut-out portion 26. The window or cut-out portion 26 provides access to the pliable or flexible material defining the internal package volume of the container 10.
FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a container 10, which contains a moist food product 22, comprised of a rigid sidewall 14 having collapsible operability of the rigid sidewall 14 during use. As depicted in FIG. 15, the sidewall 14 includes accordion bellows 40 which promote operably collapsing the container 10 along its longitudinal axis to extract packaged food product 22 from the container 10 without the need to handle the food product 22.
Certain alternative structural and operable features of the embodiments of the containers 10 are described in further detail below.

Tactile Interaction

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-7B and 10-14C, the container 10 permits a consumer to tactilely inspect the feel, form, texture, and consistency of packaged food product 22 contained in the interior package volume of container 10, as well as to optionally visually inspect the food product if the bottom surface 18 is transparent. Specifically, the flexible and/or pliable material, which may be used to form the top surface 38, and/or the bottom surface 18, and/or or the bladder or bag-like insert 34 or liner 35, is responsive to touch and will move when pressure is applied, but may rebound to its original shape quickly or over time when the force is removed. The flexible or pliable material may be impermeable to gases and liquids and may also be food-grade and, therefore, safe for use with food. The material may be selected as being generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The pliable or flexible material can be a single material such as an elastomeric, a silicone, a rubber, a plastic or thermoplastic material (e.g., any plastic material used for the sidewall 14, as well any material used to form the sidewall), or a metal foil, or a single or multi-layer hybrid material including, for example, multilayered or laminated plastics or plastic(s) with or without a metal foil film. These materials can be molded, thermoformed, laminated, or extruded to form a membrane suitable for use as the top surface 38, the bottom surface 18, the bladder or bag-like insert 34, or liner 35. The pliable or flexible material may be an aluminum oxide coated plastic or thermoplastic.
In embodiments, the flexible or pliable material may comprise resins, waxes, fats, fatty oils, oxygen scavengers, oleoresins, or balsams.
The membrane is selected to be sufficiently thick, in order to resist puncture, but not so thick that a consumer is prevented from being able to tactilely inspect the packaged food product 22, indirectly, at the point of purchase to evaluate its feel, form, texture, and consistency.
In other embodiments, a first flexible or pliable membrane may define a coating of the internal surface 13 of the sidewall 10. Such a coating may be made of food grade material with the top and bottom of the sidewall 10 sealed with a second and third flexible or pliable membrane attached at the top end 24 and the bottom end 16 of the sidewall 14. In such embodiments, for structural stability, the sidewalls 14 may not include a window or cut-out portion 26.
In various embodiment, the flexible or pliable material or membrane may be attached to the top end 24, the bottom end 16, or, in whole or in part, on the internal surface 13 of the rigid sidewall 14 between the top end 24 and the bottom end 16. It can be stretched or pre-formed to create a cavity that defines the internal package volume of the container 10 and which maintains the food in a safe and hygienic manner. In all embodiments of the container 10, the cavity dimension is determined by the height of the rigid sidewalls 14, and the overall cavity volume is limited by the overall volume of assembled container 10. Typically, the internal package volume can be proportioned so that the package food product 22 can be packaged to yield a consumer-sized package (e.g., single- or multi-serve) or an institutional bulk package.

Sidewall

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-7B and 10-14C, a rigid sidewall 14 is provided in the various embodiments of the container 10. In certain embodiments, the material forming the rigid sidewall 14 may also form a portion of the bottom surface 18. In such embodiments, see, e.g., FIG. 5C, the material of the rigid sidewall 14 may extend toward a center axis of the container 10 at the bottom end 16 to form a partial or entire bottom surface 18. The bottom surface 18 may be configured to be pliable, flexible, and/or rigid, depending on the thickness and/or nature of the material used to form the rigid material of the sidewall 14. In an embodiment, a single material can be used to form the rigid sidewall 14, as well as the bottom surface 18, which may be thinner than the rigid sidewall 14 and serve as a pliable or flexible material for tactile interaction with the packaged food product in the container.
The rigid material is comprised of a polymeric material, including plastic and thermoplastic materials. Suitable plastic materials can be selected from the group consisting of ethylene polymers, propylene polymers, styrene polymers, vinyl chloride polymers, halogenated olefin polymers, vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, polyamides, silicone polymers, polymers coated with aluminum oxide and/or other metal oxides, polyacetals, poly ethers polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes, polysulfides, polysulphones, petroleum resins, coumaroneidene resins, silicon rubbers, amino-resins, epoxide resins, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters, and combinations thereof. The material must be a food-grade material meaning that it is safe for direct contact with food. The material can also include one or more layers of other materials including metal foils.
Ethylene polymers include, for example and without limitation, polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE), and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). Propylene polymers include, for example and without limitation, polypropylene (PP). Styrene polymers include, for example and without limitation, polystyrene (PS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). Vinyl chloride polymers include, for example and without limitation, polyvinyl chloride. Vinyl acetate polymers include, for example and without limitation, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyvinyl acetate (PVA). Acrylic polymers include, for example and without limitation, polycaclylonitrile (PAN) and poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA). Polyacetals including, for example and without limitation, polyoxymethylene (POM) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) Polyamindes include, for example and without limitation, aliphatic, semi-aromatic, and aromatic polyamides. Combination materials may, for example and without limitation, include a blend of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—a material having high temperature resistance as well as impact strength.
The sidewalls 14 can be made by thermoforming, rolling, or extruding as a shaped tube and then cutting the tube to a desired size. Suitable sidewall thicknesses for imparting desired functional characteristics range from about 1-10 mil. One embodiment of a container 10 has a capacity for from about 3 to 12 ounces of packaged food product. Another embodiment of a container 10 has a height of from about 1 to 5 inches. However, these embodiments are only examples and larger and smaller, as well as shorter and taller containers are also contemplated.
The sidewall 14 may also be enhanced with an additional rigid material such as metal, hard plastic, or a composite to impart rigidity to the sidewall 14.
The sidewall 14 provides structural support to the container and protection of the packaged food product sealed in the container 10. This promotes stacking multiple containers for shipment, shelf display, and consumer storage in the home. The sidewalls 14 provide space for branding graphics or a window to draw attention to the packaged food product.
The sidewalls 14 are formed to have any conventional shape including, but not limited to, round, oval, and rectangular shapes, see, e.g., FIGS. 12, 13, 14 a and 14 b. Alternatively, the sidewall 14 can be formed to have unique shapes including, but not limited to, shapes such as stars, fish, bones, animals such as a pig, and specific cuts of meat including, for example, chicken legs or pork chops, see, e.g., FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.
In other embodiments, the rigid sidewalls 14 and the pliable or flexible material that comprises the bottom surface 18 are the same material with different thicknesses.

Lid

Many conventional lids are suitable for use with the container 10. The container 10 may include a lid 12 which hermetically seals the container 10 to maintain packaged food product in the container 10 and, optionally, provides the ability to reseal unused packaged food product for later use. The lid 12 can be attached to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14 using known methods in the packaging industry including, but not limited to, attachment by way of a snap ring, screw fitment, or use of any other conventional fastening or attachment mechanism, such as, for example, heat sealing the lid to fuse it to the top of the sidewall, use of thermoset or pressure set adhesives, or the like. For example, the rim of the rigid sidewall 14 may include a flange 28 that allows for a re-closable lid 12 to be secured to the top end 24 of the sidewall 14.
The lid 12 can be made of a rigid, a semi-rigid, or a flexible material. In other embodiments, the lid 12 may be a peelable film that may, optionally, include a peel tab 20, or the lid may be a screw-on lid. For example, the lid 12 can be made from a semi-rigid, rotary, blow-molded plastic, which includes branding graphics or designs in the lid mold. The lid 12 can also be transparent, translucent, or opaque, based, in part, on the desire for optical inspection or display of the packaged food product, and/or the need to limit light entering the container 10.
The lid 12 has a size and shape that matches the size and shape of the sidewalls 14 on which it attaches. For example, the lid 12 can have any conventional shape including, but not limited to, round, oval, and rectangular shapes, and can also have unique shapes including, but not limited to shapes such as stars, fish, chicken legs, pork chops, etc., or any other shape designed to match the shape of the container sidewalls and suitably function to seal the container when closed. One embodiment of a lid 12 fits a container having capacity for about 3 to 12 ounces of product. However, this embodiment is only an example and larger and smaller lids 12 are also contemplated. Suitable lid thicknesses for imparting desired functional characteristics range from about 1-10 mil.
Alternatively, embodiments are contemplated wherein the top of the sidewalls 14 are sealed directly with a peelable film functioning as a primary closure that is pulled off and discarded. In such cases, the lid 12, if present, is a secondary, reusable closure (i.e., an over cap) that fully covers the top of container and encompasses and protects the peelable film and which also reversibly attaches to the top end 24 of the rigid sidewalls 14. Suitable peelable films include laminated films, metal foils, plastics, and laminated combinations thereof. The peelable film can be attached to the top of the sidewalls 14 using any variety of sealing elements produced from several distinct types of materials including, but not limited to, heat sealing with or without the use of thermoset or pressure activated adhesives.
In an exemplary embodiment, the reusable closure or lid 12 may include an attached utensil suitable for scooping product out of the container 10.
Further, alternative embodiments of the inventive container are also contemplated herein. For example, the inventive container 10 may be made as a single-piece, using any number of materials such as metal, plastic (injection, blow molded or thermoformed), or composites. This single-piece construction comprises an outer shell having separate portions that function as the sidewall and the bottom surface. The outer shell can be made using a deep draw thermoform application with a variable nominal wall thickness, and this creates a thicker portion suitable for use as a sidewall and a thinner portion suitable for use as a bottom surface.
All materials used to make the container of the invention are suitable for, i.e., capable of withstanding, exposure to thermal or non-thermal conditions used in commercial processing including, but not limited to, retort processing for pasteurization or sterilization, aseptic processing, and high- and ultra-high-pressure processing (HPP/UHP).
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a consumer using the container 10 to eject packaged food products 22 from within the internal package volume. In FIGS. 8A-8D, the container 10 includes a bottom surface 18 comprising a transparent, flexible membrane which is operably attached to a rigid, cylindrical-shaped sidewall 14. The steps for removing the packaged food products 22 can include optionally inverting the container 10, as shown in sequence in FIGS. 8A-8B; removing a peelable film lid 12 having a peel tab 20, shown in FIG. 8C, and finally exerting external force to the bottom of the transparent, flexible membrane to eject the packaged contents from the container 10. Additionally, FIGS. 9A-9F illustrate a consumer using the container 10 shown in FIG. 1. The steps for ejecting the packaged food product of the container 10 include removing the peelable film lid 12, as shown in FIGS. 9C-9D; flipping the open container 10 shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, and then placing force on the flexible bottom of the container 10 sufficiently to push out the packaged food product 22 into a bowl shown in FIGS. 9E-9F.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting. Many other applications and embodiments of the invention will be apparent in light of this disclosure and the following claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as falling within the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1. A container for food comprising:

a bottom surface of flexible or pliable material, the flexible or pliable material configured to provide tactile interaction with food in the container;

a sidewall of rigid material, the sidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge; and

a lid sealed to the top edge of the sidewall; and

wherein,

the bottom surface is attached to the bottom edge of the sidewall, and

the sidewall, the lid, and the flexible material define the interior of the container.

2. A container for food comprising:

a sidewall of rigid material, the sidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge;

a lid sealed to the top edge of the sidewall; and

a bottom attached to the bottom edge of the sidewall,

wherein the bottom comprises flexible or pliable material, and wherein the sidewall, the lid, and the flexible or pliable material define the interior package volume of the container, and

wherein the bottom is configured to facilitate tactile and/or visual interaction across the flexible or pliable material with contents in the interior package volume of the container.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the rigid sidewall further comprises a ring or flange, and wherein the lid is operationally connected to the ring or flange.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the rigid material comprises metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the rigid material comprises a transparent material, an opaque material or combination thereof.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom flexible material comprises a plastic containing an oleoresin.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom flexible material comprises a transparent material, an opaque material or mixtures thereof.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid is a pull top lid.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid is a peelable film.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a flexible material.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises a 3-dimensional shape selected from the group consisting of a cylinder, a tapered cylinder, a square, a fish, and a bone.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises a cylinder having at least one circumferential indentation.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the bottom edge of the container has a circumferential length that is equal to or less than the circumferential length of an interior of the top edge of the container.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes at least one bellow.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the sidewall includes at least one window configured to provide access to the flexible material in the container.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein a liner is provided along an interior surface of the sidewall.

17. A container for food comprising:

a bag made of a first piece of flexible or pliable material, the bag comprising a closed bottom, an open edge, and a wall between the closed bottom and said open end;

a sidewall of rigid material, wherein the sidewall has an internal surface and a first volume associated therewith, an opposite external surface, a top edge and a bottom edge; and

a lid sealed to the open edge of the bag to thereby define a second volume; and

wherein,

the bag is attached to at least a portion of the internal surface of the sidewall,

the second volume is less than or equal to the first volume, and

the bag defines an interior of the container.

18. The container of claim 17 wherein the bag defines a liner and is attached to the entire internal surface of the sidewall.

19. The container of claim 17 wherein the bag is attached to at least a portion of the circumference of the internal surface associated with the top edge of the sidewall.

20. The container of claim 18, further comprising a second piece of flexible or pliable material residing under the lid and sealed to the top edge along the entire circumference of the internal surface.

21. The container of claim 20, wherein the second piece of flexible or pliable material comprises the same type of material as the first piece of flexible material.