Classifications

• • 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
  • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
  • B65D1/34—Trays or like shallow containers
• • 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
  • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
  • B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
  • B65D43/0204—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
  • B65D43/0212—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth
• • 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
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
  • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
  • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
  • B65D75/325—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil
  • B65D75/326—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil and forming one compartment
• • 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
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
  • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
  • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
  • B65D75/325—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil
  • B65D75/327—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet being recessed, and the other being a flat not- rigid sheet, e.g. puncturable or peelable foil and forming several compartments
• • 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
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
  • B65D75/5833—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion for tearing out a portion of the wall
  • B65D75/5838—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion for tearing out a portion of the wall combined with separate fixed tearing means, e.g. tabs
• • 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
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
• • 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
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
  • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
• • 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
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
  • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
  • B65D77/2028—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab
  • B65D77/2032—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab by peeling or tearing the cover from the container
• • 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
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
  • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
  • B65D77/2068—Means for reclosing the cover after its first opening
  • B65D77/2072—Mechanical means
  • B65D77/2088—Mechanical means attached to the cover
  • B65D77/2092—Mechanical means attached to the cover the means being a part initially broken from the container
• • 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
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
  • B65D85/36—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for bakery products, e.g. biscuits

Definitions

• This description relates to a package having a tray and a cover; and sore specifically to a package having a. tray with a non-planar flange and a cover or lid sealed to the non-planar flange of the tray.
• Packages made of flexible material having a tray or other rigid structure therein are commonly used, to store products during transportation, display, and consumption by a user.
• a common type of prior package is mass-produced from a web of film material with a lid or cover material adhered to peripheral flanges thereof to seal the tray.
• Such mass-produced packages typically have a planar or flat, symmetric seal flange disposed about the tray for sealing of the cover.
• planar flanges of trays of food pa.cka.gea are common, they disadvantageously lack distinctiveness due to many other similarly configured trays .
• they disadvantageously limit the continuous visible surface area of the cover, which in turn can limit the amount of indicia that can be disposed, thereon.
• a package is described herein tha reduces the amount of material used tor its construction by at least partially conforming to the contents stored therein.
• the package includes a rigid or semi-rigid tray that includes a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a pair of side walls.
• the wails are configured so that the tray has an opening on at least two faces ; such as front and top faces, that are inclined at an angle of less than one hundred eighty degrees relative to each other.
• the opening is defined by free edges of the walls, including a front edge of the bottom wall, a top edge of the rear wall, and edges of the side walls.
• the tray further optionally includes a peripheral flange that extends frosrs the free edges thereof, such as inwardly or outwardly therefrom.
• the peripheral flange provides sealing surfaces for adhering to a cover or for otherwise engaging with a cover that covers the opening to the tray.
• FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container showing a tray with a cover sealed to outwardly extending flange thereof;
• FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE I;
• FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a tray for the container of FIGURE 1;
• FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the tray of FIGURE 3 showing two rows of food products therein;
• FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the tray of FIGURE 3 with a cover partially sealed thereto and two rows of food products therein;
• FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIGURE 1 showing two products contained therein?
• FIGURE 7 is a front eievational view of the container of FIGURE 1;
• FIGURE 8 is a left side eievational view of the container of FIGURE l f the right side eievational view being a mirror imag ;
• FIGURE 9 is a rear eievational view of the container of FIGURE 1 ;
• FIGURE 10 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 1;
• FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container showing a tray with a cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 12 is a front eievational view of the container of FIGURE 11;
• FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a tray for the container of FIGURE 11;
• FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 11;
• FIGURE 15 is a right side eievational view of the container of FIGURE 11 ?
• FIGURE 16 is a rear eievational view of the container of FIGURE 11;
• FIGURE 1? is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 11;
• FIGURE IS is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a container showing a tray with a cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 1 is a right side eievational view of the container of FIGURE 18, the left side eievational view being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 20 is a cop plan view of the container of FIGURE 18 ;
• FIGURE 21 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 18 with the container in a vertical orientation resting on a side all;
• FIGURE 22 is a front elevational -view of the container of FIGURE 18 showing an opening feature in a closed configuration
• FIGURE 23 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 22 showing the opening feature in an open configuration
• FIGURE 24 is an exploded view of a container showing a tray, a row of food products, a cover with a scored opening therein, and a sealing label for covering the opening;
• FIGURE 25 is an exploded view of a container showing a tray, a row of food products, a cover with small and large scored openings therein, and a sealing label with corresponding small and large portions for covering the small and large openings ;
• FIGURE 26 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 24 showing the sealing label in a closed configuration
• FIGURE 27 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 24 showing the sealing label in an open configuration
• FIGURE 28 is a rear elevational view of the container of FIGURE IS, the front elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 29 is an alternative rear elevational view of the container of FIGURE 18, the front elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 30 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 18?
• FIGURE 31 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container showing a tray with a cover sealed thereto in a. single serving form;
• FIGURE 32 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 31;
• FIGURE 33 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 31, the left aide elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 34 is a reax elevational view of the container of FIGURE 31;
• FIGURE 35 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 31;
• FIGURE 36 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 31;
• FIGURE 37 is a. perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a container showing a. tray with a cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 38 is a cross- sectional view of the container of FIGURE 37 showing two products therein;
• FIGURE 39 is a rear elevational view of the container of FIGURE 37;
• FIGURE 40 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 37;
• FIGURE 41 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 37, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 42 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 37?
• FIGURE 43 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 37;
• FIGURE 44 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a container showing a tray with a cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 45 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 44, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror iirsage ;
• FIGURE 46 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE' 44 ; the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 47 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 44;
• FIGURE 48 is a bottom plan vi w of the container of FIGURE 44;
• FIGURE 49 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a container showing a tray with a cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 50 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 49, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 51 is a top pla view of the container of FIGURE 49;
• FIGURE 52 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 49, the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 53 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 49;
• FIGURE 54 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a container showing a tray with a cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 55 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 54, the left side elevational vie? thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 56 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 54, the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 57 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 54 ;
• FIGURE 53 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 54;
• FIGURE 59 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a container showing a cup with a concave cover sealed thereto; 10064]
• FIGURE 60 is a front elevations! view of the container of FIGURE S9 f the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 61 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 59;
• FIGURE 62 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 59, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 63 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 53;
• FIGURE 64 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a container showing a cap with a convex cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 65 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 64 f the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 66 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 64;
• FIGURE 67 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 64. the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 68 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 6 ;
• FIGURE 69 is a perspective view of a eleventh embodiment of a container showing a cup with a convex cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 70 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 9, the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 71 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 69;
• FIGURE 72 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 69. the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 73 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE S9;
• FIGURE 74 is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of a container showing a cup with a convex cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 75 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 7 , the rear eleva.tional view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 76 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 74.. ⁇
• FIGURE 77 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 74. the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 78 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 74;
• FIGURE 79 is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of a container showing a rectangular cup with a concave cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 80 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 79, the rear elevational. view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 81 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 79;
• FIGURE 82 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 79, the left side elevational view thereof being a. mirror image;
• FIGURE 83 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 79;
• FIGURE 84 is a perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of a container showing a rectangular cup wit a convex cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 85 is a front elevational ie of the container of FIGURE 84, the rear elevational view thereof being a rairror image ;
• FIGURE 86 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 34;
• FIGURE 87 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 84, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror imager
• FIGURE 88 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 84;
• FIGURE 89 is a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of a container showing a semi-hemispherical cu with a convex cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 90 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 89 f the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 91 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 89;
• FIGURE 92 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 89, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 93 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 89;
• FIGURE 94 is a perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of a container showing a semi -hemispherical cup with a concave cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 95 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 94, the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 96 is a top plan, view of the container of FIGURE [01001
• FIGURE 97 is a right side elevational vi w of the container of FIGURE 94 f the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 98 is a botto plan view of the container of FIGURE 94;
• FIGURE 99 is a perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of a container showing a track-shaped cup with a convex cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 100 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 39, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 101 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 99;
• FIGURE 102 ia a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 99, the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 103 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 99;
• FIGURE 104 is a perspective view of a eighteenth embodiment of a container showing a curved tray with a complementary curved cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 105 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 104, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 106 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 10 ;
• FIGURE 107 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 104, the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 108 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 104;
• FIGURE 109 is a perspective view of a nineteenth embodiment of a container showing a curved tray with a complementary curved, cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 110 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 109, the left aide elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 111 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 109;
• FIGURE 112 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 109 ; the rear elevational view thereof being a mirror image ;
• FIGURE 113 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 109;
• FIGURE 114 is a perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of a container showing a curved heart--shaped tray with a complemen.ta.ry curved cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 115 is a front elevational view of the container Of FIGURE 114;
• FIGURE 116 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 114;
• FIGURE 117 is a. right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 114, the left side elevational view thereof being a. mirror image;
• FIGURE 118 is a rear elevational view of the container of FIGURE 114 ;
• FIGURE 119 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 114;
• FIGURE 120 is a perspective view of a twenty first embodiment of a container showing a curved heart-shaped tray with a complementary curved cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 121 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 120;
• FIGURE 122 is a cop plan view of the container of FIGURE 120;
• FIGURE 123 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 120, the rear elevational view thereof being a roirror image ;
• FIGURE 124 is a left side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 120;
• FIGURE 125 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 120;
• FIGURE 126 is a perspective view of a twenty second embodiment of a container with an upwardly curved end showing a triangle -shaped tray with a complementary shaped cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 127 is a front elevational view of the container Of FIGURE 126;
• FIGURE 128 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 126 f the left aide elevational view thereof being a mirror image ?
• FIGURE 129 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 126;
• FIGURE 130 is a rear elevational view of the container of FIGURE 126;
• FIGURE 131 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 126;
• F1GURS 132 is a perspective view of a twenty third embodiment of a container with an upwardly curved end showing a rectangular- shaped tray with a. complementary shaped cover sealed thereto;
• FIGURE 133 is a rear elevational view of the container of FIGURE 132;
• FIGURE 134 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE
• FIGURE 135 is a right side elevational view of the container of FIGURE 132, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 136 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 132;
• FIGURE 137 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 132;
• FIGURE 133 is a perspective view of a twenty fourth embodiment of a container with an upwardly curved end showing a rectangular-- shaped tray with a complementary shaped cover sealed thereto .;
• FIGURE 139 is a front elevational view of the container of FIGURE 133;
• FIGURE 140 is a right aide elevational view of the container of FIGURE 138, the left side elevational view thereof being a mirror image;
• FIGURE 141 is a top plan view of the container of FIGURE 138;
• FIGURE 142 is a rear elevational view of the container of FIGURE 138;
• FIGURE 143 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIGURE 138?
• FIGURE 144 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of FIGURE X, but having an inwardly extending flange for a cover to seal thereto;
• FIGURE 145 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of FIGURE 1 , but with a cover having a permanent adhesive along a back portion thereof and a resealable adhesive along a front portion thereof wi h the front portion pulled away from the tray in use;
• FIGURE 14S is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of FIGURE l f but with a cover having a permanent adhesive along a front portion thereof and a resealable adhesive along a back portion thereof with the back portion pulled away from tbe tray in use;
• FIGURE 147 is a perspective view of a. tray similar to the tray of FIGURE l f but with a cover having a permanent adhesive along a middle portion thereof and a resealable adhesive along front and back portions thereof with the front and back portions pulled away from the tray in use?
• FIGURE 1 S is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of FIGURE 1, but with a snap- fit cover aligned thereto and an optional film removably adhered to the tray beneath tbe cover ;
• FIGURE 149 is a detailed section view of the tray of FIGURE 148 taken along a side edge thereof, but showing the lid attached to the tray;
• FIGURE 150 is a cross- sectional view of a container similar to the container of FIGURE I, but with a divider wall separating two rows of products therein;
• FIGURE 151 is a cross-sectional view of a. container similar to the container of FIGURE 150, hut with an alternative divider wall resulting in a gap between two compartments separated by the wall and an optional backer attached to the bottoms of the two compartment ;
• FIGURE 152 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of tbe conbainer of FIGURE 1, bat showing a score line between removable portion of the flange of the tray and the remainder of the tray;
• FIGURE 153 is a. cross-sectional view of a container similar to the container of FIGURE I f but incorporating the tray of FIGURE 152, and snowing the removable portion of the flange having been separated along tbe score line from the remainder of the tray and the cover being opened to acoess the interior of the container;
• FIGURE 154 is a cross- sectional iew of the container of FIGURE 153, but showing the removable portion of the flange being used to secure the cover in a reclosed position;
• FIGURE 155 is a left side elevations! view of a container similar to the container of FIGURE 1. but having a series of linear segments connecting the front and top sides thereof instead of the arcuate segment of the container of FIGURE 1 and [DISS] FIGURE 156 is a perspective view of the container of FIGURE 155,
• a container 10 having the form shown in FIGS. 1-43 includes a tray 11 having a cover 12 attached thereto configured to receive and store contents, such as discrete food articles or products 13.
• the tra 11 includes a bottom wall 1 , a rear wall 16, and a pair of side walls 18.
• the walls 14, 16, 18 of the tray 11 are preferably integrally connected so that the tray 11 has a one-piece construction.
• the tray 11 can be thermoformed, injection-molded, blow-molded, or the like.
• the bottom wail 14 connects to the rear wail 16 at a bottom rear corner 20 of the tray 11.
• the side walls 18 preferably extend generally parallel to each other and individually connect to the bottom and rear walls 14. 16 at bottom side corners 22 and rear side corners 24 of the tray.
• the corners 20, 22, 24 are preferably rounded. Even more preferably, the side walls 18 have a substantially identical size and shape, so that the cover 12 extending between corresponding points of the side walls 18 is substantially horizontal .
• the tray II includes an access opening 26 defined by free edges 2? of the bottom, rear, and side walls 1 , 16, 18.
• the free edges 2? incl de a front edge 28 of the bottom wall 14, a top edge 30 of the rear wall 16, and edges 32 of the side walls 18 opposite the bottom and rear walls 14, 16.
• the opening 26 can include a top opening portion 34 generally opposite the bo tom wall 14 and a front opening portion 36 generally opposite the rear wall 16.
• the tray 11 is con igured to rest on the bottom wall 14 As such, a consumer can access and remove the food products 13 forwardly, upwardly, or at an angle therebetween.
• the tray 11 can be configured to stably rest on one of the side wails IS in a vertical orientation.
• the tray 11 further includes a peripheral flange 38 that extends outwardly, and preferably generally perpendicular to the adjacent wail 14, 16, 18, from the free edges 27 thereof.
• the flange 38 can extend inwardly from the wails, as shown in FIG. 144, or the upwardly facing edges of the walls could be utilized without additional width added by a flange.
• the tray 11 can be blow-molded to form the inwardly extending flange 38, although other suitable manufactu ing techniques can also be used.
• the peripheral flange 38 is preferably continuous about the entirety of the opening 28 to provide a continuous sealing surface 40 for the cover 12 to be attached and sealed to the tray 11.
• the peripheral flange 38 includes a top portion 42 chat extends along the top edge 30 of the rear wail 16 and a front portion 44 that extends along the front edge 28 of the bottom wall 14.
• the sop and front portions 42, 44 of the peripheral flange 38 are substantially planar.
• Side portions 46 of the peripheral flange 38 extend between the top and front portions 42, 44 along the side wail edges 32.
• the cover 12 can seal thereto so that there is optionally little or no outwardly extending edges of the cover 12 or flange 38 extending beyond the wails 14, 16, IS of the tray 11, This gives the tray 11 of this form a streamlined appearance .
• the cover 12 can seal to the tray 1.1 with a reieaseable or resealabie adhesive 15 on portions thereof corresponding to the front opening portion 36 and a permanent adhesive 1? on portions thereof corresponding to the top opening portion 34.
• the cover 12 includes a first part sealed to the tray with a.
• first adhesive having a first adhesive strength and a second part sealed to a different part of the tray with a second adhesive having a second adhesive strength
• the first adhesive strength can the be greater than the second adhesive strength, such as with a generally permanent adhesive and a releasable/resealabie adhesive .
• a consumer can peel the cover away from the tray 11 to expose the front opening portion 36 and the permanent adhesive 17 prevents or limits the top portion, of the cover 12 from peeling away from the flange 38 to the same degree as the front portion of the cover.
• the cover 12 can seal to the tray 11 with the reieaseable or resealabie adhesive 15 on the portions thereof corresponding to the top opening portion 34 and the permanent adhesive 17 on the portions thereof corresponding to the front opening portion 36.
• the cover 12 can seal to the tray 11 with the reieaseable or resealabie adhesive 15 on the portions thereof corresponding to the top opening portion 34 and the permanent adhesive 17 on the portions thereof corresponding to the front opening portion 36.
• FIGS, 145-14? show the adhesive in exaggerated form on the top of the cover 12 as well as the bottom for illustrative purposes. In the case of a non- transparent cover 12, the adhesive would not be visible on the outside of the cover 12 ,
• the cover 12 can optionally have a line or lines of weakness extending thereacross, such as a line or pattern of perforations, a line or pattern of scores, or combinations thereof.
• the line of weakness can be utilized as a folding mechanism or hinge to allow a consumer easier access to the interior of the package.
• the line of weakness can allow a consumer to tear off a portion of the cover to provide unencumbered access to the interior of the package,
• Such lines of weakness can be used in combination with any of the containers described herein, including with respect to those containers shown in FIGS. 145-147.
• the free edges 32 of the side walls 18 include a non- linear or arcuate portion 48, which can include curves or angled portions.
• the sidewall edges 32 can be entirely arcuate.
• the side wall free edges 32 can include top and front linear portions 50, 52 with the arcuate portion 48 therebetween.
• the front linear portion 52 can be offset from vertical so that the front of the tra 11 , and specifically the front opening portion 36 f is angled to present an upwardly turned front ace.
• the peripheral flange side portions 46 include non- lanar or arcuate sealing surfaces 54 intermediate of trie top and front portions 42, 44,
• the peripheral flange 38 includes substantially planar portions with the top and front portions 42, 44 and non-planar portions 54. Stated another wa , an intersection of lines drawn along the planes of the planar portions 42, 44 oake an angle of at least ten degrees,
• the cover 12 When the cover 12 is sealed, adhered, or otherwise attached to the tray 11, the cover 12 includes corresponding planar 57 and arcuate portions 59 stretching between the corresponding side wall edges 32 and sealed at its top and front along the peripheral flange top and front portions 42, 44,
• the front opening portion 36 can refer to an opening defined by the tray 11 and cover 12 with the cover 12 sealed to the top portion 42 and opened to extend generally along the plane of the top portion 42
• the top opening portion 34 can refer to an opening defined by the tray 11 and cover 12 with the cover sealed to the front, portion 44 and opened to extend generally along the plane of the front portion 4 .
• a snap-fit cover 41 can be configured to attach to the tray 11 as shown in FIGS, 148 and 149,
• the cover 41 is preferably generally rigid, but with sufficient resiliency so that it can snap- fit over the flange 3B of the tray and seal the contents of the tray 11 therein.
• the cover 41 can be made out of any suitable material, such as a suitably rigid blow-molded or thermoformed plastic.
• the cover 41 of this for includes a base wall 43 and a skirt 45 depending from outer edges of the base wall 43, The skirt 45 includes an inwardly projecting rib or protuberance 49
• the cover 41 is shown with the tray 11 shown in PIG , 3 and has a corresponding shape to cover the top and front of the tray 11 f but the cover 41 can be configured as desired to snap-fit to other trays described herein.
• the tra li having the snap-fit cover 41 thereon can optionally have a film 51 sealed to the flanges 38 of the tray 11 beneath the cover 41, as such, even if the cover 41 was removed, the film 51 would, preserve a seal over the contents of the package 10 prior to opening,
• the tray 11 can include a detachable portion 71 of the flange 38, The detachable portion 71 of the flange 38 can be separable from the remainder of the flange along a line of weakness 73 therebetween.
• the detachable portion 71 of the flange 38 includes some or all of either the top portion 42 of the flange 38 or the front portion 44 of the flange 38, Some of the other portions of the flange 38, such the side flange portions 48, 50 and 52 can. be included with the detachable portion 71, As shown in the exemplar embodiment of FIGS. 152 and.
• the detachable portion. 71. includes the entirety of the length of the front portion 44 of the flange 38, as well as adjacent parts of the side flange portions 48 and 52, but not a substantial part of the side flange portion 50 adjacent the top portion 42 of the flange 38,
• the cover 12 When the detachable portion 71 of the flange 38 is separated from the remainder of the flange 38, the cover 12 preferable remains adhered to the detachable portion 71, optionally with a stronger adhesive as compared to between the cover 12 and the remainder of the flange 38 or the top portion 42 of the flange 38. This allows the detachable portion 71 to he used as a tab for opening the cover 12, In addition, the detachable portion 71 can he used for securing the cover 12 in a reclosed position. As shown in FIG.
• the cover 12 or 41 when it is attached to the tray 12 , can provide an unbroken (i.e., free of a discontinuity such as folds, corners, lips, etc, ⁇ surface, the entirety of which can be seen in an almost 90 degree view area.
• an unbroken i.e., free of a discontinuity such as folds, corners, lips, etc, ⁇ surface, the entirety of which can be seen in an almost 90 degree view area.
• the 90 degree viewing area will provide a. consumer with an unbroken view of the cover, and any graphics, advertisements, text, or the like thereon generally regardless of the consumer's height. This provides a greater unbroken area for graphics, indicia, and other information to be displayed than compared to traditional packages having distinct tops and sides.
• the cover 12 provides a better viewing surface if it is substantially wrinkle free over its entire surface area. This can be achieved with relatively thicker materials. such as paperboard, a relatively high gauge film, or thin semi-rigid or rigid plastic. Such materials, however, increase the material costs of each package 10.
• Another wrinkle- ree cover can be a relatively low gauge film. With such a low gauge film, the package 10 can have its atmosphere modified during manufacture thereof, so that the sealed interior of the package has a positive pressure with respect to ambient pressure. The positive pressure presses against the thin film and smoothes out any wrinkles in the ilm formed as a result of the film lacking support interior of the peripheral flange 38,
• top and front linear or planar portions 42, 44 are angularly offset relative to each other, e.g., they lie in non-parallel planes.
• the top and front linear portions 42, 44 are spanned by the series of intermediate portions 61, while in FIG, 8 they are spanned by arcuate portions 59.
• the tray 11 is configured to receive a row 55 of products 13,
• An ideal product for being stored in the tray 11 is a cookie or biscuit with a generally annular sidewall 56.
• the cookies 13 can be individual or layered wi h a filling, as shown.
• the tray 11, however, can he configured to receive any other food product, or other non- edible products.
• a food product contained within individual wrapping or an individual container can also be stored in the tray 11.
• the cookies 13 are stacked and laid in the row 55 on their sides within the tray 11.
• the bottom rear corner 20 of the tray 11 can be curved to be complementary to the curvature of the sides 56 of the cookies 13. This curvature can advantageously minimise packaging material and better support the cookies 13 to protect the cookies from damage that can result from cookies jostling around or impacting the tray 11 or other cookies due to excess room in the tray 11.
• the .bottom rear corner 20 can take a number of forms.
• a first form shown in FIGS. 1-10 and 31-35, the bottom wall 14 and the rear wall 16 are generally perpendicular to one another so that the corner 20 is a rounded generally 30 degree angle.
• the bottom wall 14 and the rear wall 16 are at an acute angle with respect to one another.
• the corner 20 is rounded to be between SO degrees ana 180 degrees. If desired, the bottom and rear walls 14; 16 could extend generally parallel to one another so that the rounded corner spans about 180 degrees.
• the bottom wall 14 can include an upwardly tapering front portion, or lip 58,
• the upward taper of the lip 58 prevents the cookies 13 from rolling out of the front opening portion 36 when the tray 11 is resting on a generally even surface.
• the lip SB is a generally planar portion of trie bottom wall 14 ,
• the lip 58 begins tapering upward at a position, closely adjacent to a bottom point of contact 60 of the cookies 13 so that the cookies 13 do not have significant space to move while contained within the tray 11,
• the bottom wall 14 includes an upwardly curved front portion or lip 62, With such a curved lip 62.
• the front of the tray 11 can be curved to be complementary to the curvature of the annular sidewall 56 in addition to the bottom rear corner 20, As with the tapering lip 58 f the curved lip 62 preferably begins curving upwardly closely adjacent to the bottom point of contact 60 of the cookies 13.
• the tray 11 instead of the lip 58, 62, can include a front wall, such as with a relatively small height, to prevent the food products 13 from rolling or falling out of the front of the tray 11,
• the trays 11 ix ⁇ FIGS , 1-10 and 37-43 are sized to receive two rows of products 13 therein.
• the tray 11 can be configured so that the bottom wall 14 is generally planar rearwardl of the lip 58, 62, As such, the rows 55 of cookies 13 lie adjacent to one another without additional structure therebetween.
• the 14 can include an upwardly projecting divider 64 to separate the rows 55 from each other.
• the divider 64 can foe formed in the bottom wall 14 or attached thereto by suitable methods s such as adhesive, hot sealing, ultrasonic welding, or the like.
• forwardly and rearwardly facing surfaces 66, 68 of the divider 64 are curved to be complementary to the annular sidewall 56 of the cookies 13.
• the rear row 55 is captured between the rearwardly facing surface 68 of the divider 64 and the bottom rear corner 20 of the tray 11 and the front row 55 is captured between the forwardly facing surface 66 of the divider 64 and the lip 58, 62.
• the tray 11 is sised to receive a single row 55 of cookies 13.
• the single row 55 is captured between the bottom rear corner 20 of the tray 11 and the lip 58 , €2,
• the tray 11 can include a dividing wall SB extending upwardly from the tray bottom wail 14 ,
• the dividing wail 65 can optionally extend the full height of the tray 11 and have an upwardly facing sealing surface 69.
• the cover 1.2 can seal to the sealing surface 69 of the dividing wail 65 along with the flange 38 of the tray 11.
• the result is that two separate compartments , each, optionally individually accessible, can be formed using the dividing wall 65.
• the dividing wall 65 can be integral with the tra 11 or be a separate component attached to the tray 1.1 by a suitable method, such as adhesive. Multiple dividing walls 65 can. be used to provide more than two compartments, such as two dividing walls 65 for three compartments, three dividing wails 65 for four compartments f etc.
• the dividing wall 65 extends generally parallel to the rear wall 16 to divide the tray interior into two portions to receive the rows 55, If desired, the dividing wall 55 can include capering or curved surfaces 57 on. a bottom thereof to partially support the cookies 13, as described above with respect to the divider 64 ,
• the dividing wall 65 is formed from an inverted U-shaped portion of the bottom wall of the tray 11.
• the result of the inverted, generally U-shaped portion is a flat region at. the bottom of the U- shape (upper portion in the inverted orientation, of FIG. 151 ⁇ to provide the upwardly facing sealing surface 69, At the top of the U-shape
• Such an inverted U- shaped dividing wall 65 lends the tray 11 to manufacture by thermoforraing, although other methods of manufacture can be used.
• An optional backing card 25 can be adhered to the bottom wall of each compartment of the tray 11 in order to provide additional rigidity to the container, such as by limiting pivoting of the compartments relative to each other about the region of the sealing surface 69 of the dividing wail 65,
• the tray 11 can further include the first and second adheslves discussed above.
• the first adhesive which can be a generally permanent adhesive, can be used on sealing surface 69 of the dividing wall 65 and the second adhesive f which can be a releasable/resealable adhesive, can be used on one or both of the other portions of the peripheral, flange 38,
• the containers of FIGS. 150 and 151 can optionally be configured to have the two compartments separable from each other.
• a line of weakness 19 can be formed in the cover 12 of the container of FIG. 150 on one side of the dividing wail 65
• a line of weakness 21. can be formed in the bottom wail of the tray 11 on the same side of the dividing wall 65.
• the right-side compartment of the container of FIG. 150 can be separated from the left -side compartment along the lines of weakness 13 and 21. This will result in the right- side compartment being opened for access to the food product 13 therein, and the left-side compartment remaining sealed.
• the lines of weakness 19 and 21 can alternatively be moved to the opposite side of the dividing wall 65, or can be placed on both sides of the dividing wail 65, With respect to the example of F G, 151, a line of weakness 19 can be formed in the cover 12 adjacent the sealing surface 69 of the U-shaped dividing wall 65 as well as another line of weakness 23 in the underlying portion of the dividing wall 65. f present, the backing card 25 can have a line of weakness 29 in the gap of the dividing wall 65, The lines of weakness 19, 23 and 29 can be broken to divide the container into two compartments , which can remain sealed after their division,
• these examples of the tray 11 discussed with respect to FIGS. 150 and 151 can further include the first and second adhesives discussed above.
• the first adhesive which can be a generally permanent adhesive, can be used to secure the cover to one or both of the rear and front walls 77, 83 or another such divider
• the second adhesive which can be a releasable/resealable adhesive, can be used on the other portions of the peripheral flange 38.
• the use of dividing walls 65 can be used with any of the containers described herein.
• the tray 11 can include one or more outward protrusions or feet 53 configured to extend from the rear wall 16 and/or the corner 20.
• the protrusions 53 can be integral with the tray 11 or attached thereto by any suitable methods.
• the protrusions 53 provide support for a positio of stability of the tray 11 (i.e., resting on the bottom wall 14 ⁇ ,
• use tray 11 includes two spaced protrusions S3, but can have more or can utilize wide protrusions as desired.
• the protrusions 53 are ideally configured, to support a tray, such as that shown in FIGS. 11-17, that contains only a single row of products 55.
• Each of the tray designs includes one or more positions of stability (i.e., the packages stably rest in the position).
• the tray 11 of FIGS, 1-10 can be rested on the bottom wall 14, each of the sidewalis 18, and on its top resting on the peripheral flange top portions 42, 50; the tray of FIGS, 11-17 can rest on either the bottom or rear walls 14, 16 with the protrusions 57 providing support for either position; and the tray of FIGS, 18-30 can rest on either sidewall 18, with the side flange portions 48, 50, 52 providing support for the positions of stability on the side alls 18.
• the flange 38 can further be cut or shaped to hold the package 11 at an angle
• the tray 11 can include ribs or undulations 70 thereon.
• the ribs 70 can add strength to the compression and stacking strength of the tray 11.
• the ribs/undulations 70 can provide a visual indication of the n mber of products 13 within the tray 11.
• the tray 11 can include one rib/undifiation 70 for, and aligned with, some or all of the individual products 13 within the tray 11.
• the undulations '?0 can be sized and spaced to receive a user's fingers therein as a grip portion for the package 10, In the form where the tray 11 receives the row S5 of products 13, the undulations 70 can extend in the machine direction - i.e.
• the undula ions extend generally parallel to the annular sidewalls 56 of the products 13.
• the ribs/unduiations 70 do not extend to the rear bottom corner 20. If desired, however, the ribs or undulations can extend continuousl from the bottom wall 14 to the rear wail 16 through the corner 20, The undulations 70 can extend along the entire width of the tray 1.1 or along portions thereof.
• the cover 12 is sealed to the peripheral flange 38 of the tray 11. This can be achieved by any suitable method, including hot, cold, induction, and adhesive sealing. In order to access the products 13, a user can partially or completely remove the cover 12 to expose the opening 26,
• a pressure sensitive adhesive or the like can be used to seal the cover 12 to the tray 11 so that the cover 12 can be re-adhered to the tray 11 during sequential consumptio of the products 13.
• the cover 12 can include the adhesive coated along a perimeter thereof, or the adhesive can be coated on the peripheral flange 33, Alternatively, less than the whole cover 12 can be configured to be opened to allow a consumer- access to the products 13 within the tray.
• an opening feature 72 includes a tab 74 projecting outwardly from the peripheral flange 38, such as at or closely adjacent to one of the side alls 13,
• the tab 74 is configured, to be grasped by a consumer and manipulated over itself to pull across the cover 12.
• the tab 74 can be separate from the peripheral flange 38 or integral therewith.
• the opening feature 74 can include a notch or weakened/scored line or pattern 76 so that manipulating the tab 74 bacic over the cover 12 breaks the tab 74 from the rest of the peripheral flange 38,
• the notch 76 can be cut into the flange 38 or a line of weakness can foe scored or cut across the tab 74 where the tab 74 joins the rest of the peripheral flange 38, such as by laser or mechanical methods.
• the cover 12 preferably extends onto the tab 74 so that when the tab 74 is separated from the tray 11, the tab 74 can then be used to tear the cover 12 generally in the machine direction across the cover 12, When the tab 74 is pulled a sufficient distance to tear an access opening 73 in the cover 12, a consumer can remove one or more products 13 from the tray 11,
• the cover 12 includes score lines 81 thereacross generally aligned with the tab 74 to define a flap 83. So configured, when a user manipulates the tab 74 back over the cover 12, the cover 12 tears along the score lines 81 to reveal the access opening ?S, When a desired number of products 13 have been, removed, the consumer can then bring the tab 74 back to its original position to cover the access opening 79.
• the tab 74 includes a resealabie adhesive aligned with he peripheral flange 38 so that the opening feature 72 can be resealed,
• an opening feature 73 includes an access opening SO extending across a portion of the cover 12. such as in the machine direction adjacent to one of the side alls 18.
• the access opening 80 is preferably defined by score lines 85 so that the cover 12 includes a flap 82 of material scored therein that can open cleanly along defined edges and not cax;se uncontrolled tears across the cover 12,
• the score lines 85 end in a shepard's hook or curve 8? ac ends thereof,
• the opening feature 78 can include a sealing layer or label 84 adhered to the cover 12 so that the label 84 completely surrounds the access opening 80.
• the label 84 can further include a tab 86 that projects past the peripheral flange 38 to be easily grasped by a consumer on an opposite side of the opening 80 of the curves 87. As such, when a consumer grasps the tab 86 and pulls the label 84 across the cover 12. the label 84 breaks the score lines 85 defining the opening 80, if attached, and pulls the flap 82 away from the rest of the cover 12 until the curves 87 are reached to expose the opening 80. The curves 87 prevent the sealing label 84 from being removed, from the package 11. Then, when a desired number of cookies 13 have been removed through the opening 80, a consumer can lay the label 84 back across the cover 12 to reseal around the opening to preserve and store any remaining cookies 13.
• the cover 12 can be constructed from a two-ply material, such as a two-ply film, and the sealing layer or label 84 can ba cut or scored from a top layer of the film and the access opening 80 can he cut or scored from a lower layer of the film inwardly of the label 84.
• the tab 86 can also be cut or scored from the top layer of film so that a consumer can grasp the tab 86 and pull the label 84 away from the remaining portions of the cover 12,
• the label 84 breaks along its edges and, due to the adhesive between the layers, pulls the flap 82 up therewith, exposing the opening 80 so that a consumer can access the cookies 13 within the package 10.
• the label 84 outward of the flap 82 can have a resealable adhesive disposed thereon (or disposed on the corresponding lower layer of film) so that a consumer can reapply the label 84 over the opening 80 and seal the label 84 thereto .
• the package shown in FIG. 25 includes the smaller opening feature 78 discussed above, as well as a larger opening feature 91 surrounding the smaller feature 78,
• the package 11 includes a large sealing layer or label 91 having a tab 93, of which the smaller sealing label 84 is a part.
• the large sealing label 91 is preferably about the size of the cover 12 to cover substantially all the surface area of the cover 12.
• the large sealing label 91 could cover 7S percent, 50 percent, or lees.
• the smaller sealing label 84 can be a separate label adhered on top of the large label 91, if desired.
• the cover 12 includes a large score or cut line 95 that defines a large access opening 97,
• the ends of the score line 95 preferably include the curves 87 so that the large sealing label 91. is not removed from the package 11 when it is opened, So configured, if a consumer desires more than one or two cookies 13, the consumer can grasp the tab 93 and pull the large sealing label 91 back across the cover 12, As the label 91 is pulled, back the score lines 95 break so that a flap 99 adheres to the sealing label 91 and pulls back with it. Therefore, the access opening 97 is revealed so the consumer can access substantially all of the products 13, Advantageou ly, if a consumer wants less, then the consumer can simply use the smaller sealing label 84.
• the large sealing label 84 can take either form discussed above.
• the bottom and rear walls 14, 16 are connected by an intermediate wall 88, As shown in PIGS , 44-48, the sidewalls 13 can have a small non- planar or arcuate portion 48 and relatively longer linear portions 50, 52, so that the sidewali 1.8 has a generally triangular appearance.
• the package 10 can be configured to rest on the intermediate wall 88, as shown, or can be configured to rest on the sidewalls 18, or the cover 12, As such, the cover 12 can. be opened, from either side to expose the products within the package 10,
• the peripheral flange 38 is sufficiently large so that it extends to be lateral to the intermediate wall 88. With this configuration, the cover 12 is unbroken by folds, lips, edges, or the like from horizontal viewpoints, vertical viewpoints, and any angle therebetween,
• the package 10 with the intermediate wail 88 discussed above can. further include a sidewa.il 18 with two non-planar or arcuate portions 48, so that the sidewali 18 includes a third linear portion 90 extending between the arcuate portions 48.
• the peripheral flange 38 therefore includes two corresponding arcuate portions, so that the cover 12, when it is sealed to the flange 38, includes side portions 92 and a top portion 34 to provide an unbroken (i.e. t by folds , edges, lips, etc.) cover that extends onto two sides of the package.
• this form provides a cover 12 that is visible from the broad range of angles to provide product differentiation and a distinct look on a shel .
• a package 100 includes a base tray or cup 102 having an upstanding sidewall or sidewalls 104 and a bottom wall 106.
• the package 100 includes a peripheral flange 108.
• the peripheral flange 108 extends outwardly or inwardly from a continuous upper edge 110 of the sidewall (s) 104 to provide generally upwardly facing sealing surfaces 112.
• an upward facing edge of the sidewall (s) 104 could be used as a sealing surface.
• a cover 114 is sealed to the sealing surfaces 112 of the peripheral flange 108 to seal contents, such as any of the products 13 discussed above, within the cup 102.
• the upper edge 110 of the sidewall (s) 104 is continuously vertically arcuate, As such, the peripheral flange 108 projecting outwardly thereof is continuously arcuate in both radial and axial directions.
• the arcuate pattern is configured such that opposite points of the peripheral flange 108 have a same height or distance from the bottom wall 106 and a same radial distance from a center point C of the cup 102 ,
• FIGS. 59-78 One form, shown in FIGS. 59-78, includes a generally circular bottom wall 106 and a generally annular sidewall 104 extending upwardly therefrom. As shown, the size of the bottom wall 106 and the height of the sidewall 104 can be varied as desired or required by a particular product or to achieve a. desired container shape. In the illustrated forms of FIGS . 59- 73, the sidewall 104 tapers outwardly so that the upper edge 110 of the sidewall 104 is spaced apart farther than at the wall* s connection to the bottom wall 106.
• the cup 102 can be configured so that the cover 114 is concave (FIGS. SS--63 or convex (FIGS. 64-78) .
• the peripheral flange 108 includes opposite low points 118 and opposite high points 120, spaced equall from one another, such as generally 90 degrees apart.
• the edge 110 is configured so that the cover 114 extends horizontally between the low points 118 and extends laterally upward to the high points 120,
• the edge 110 is configured so that the cover 114 extends hori ontall between the high points 120 and extends laterally downward to the lower points 118,
• FIGS. 89-98 An alternative cup 102 is shown in FIGS. 89-98. its with the above form, the upper edge 110 of the cup 102 and the peripheral flange 108 can be configured to provide a concave or convex cover 114 as desired. In this form, however, the cup 102 includes a he i- spherical bottom portion 116. This cup 102 is ideally configured to contain a spherical product and provide distinctive packaging while also minimising packing material by avoiding packaging waste in lower portions of the package.
• FIGS. 79-88 A other cup 102 is shown in FIGS. 79-88.
• the cup 102 includes a generally square or rectangular bottom wall 1.06 and four sidewall portions 104 extending upward from edges thereof.
• the bottom wall and correspending sidewall (s) can take any desired fornp include triangular, other closed polygons, curvilinear shapes, or combinations thereof.
• edges 11.0 are equally spaced from each other, but do not have a uniform spacing from the center point C around the entire edge 110 as with the annular configuration.
• the square cover 114 includes high and low points 118, 120 to provide concave and convex covers, configured as discussed above. As with the earlier forms , however, the high and low points 120, 118 are spaced equally from the center point C of the cup 102 in relation to each other and are at the same distance from the bottom wall 106.
• the cup 102 includes a track-shaped bottom wall 106 f so that the sidewali 104 includes corresponding curved ends 122 and intermediate straight sides 124.
• the high points 120 of the upper edge 110 are generally centered on the sides 124 and the low points 118 are generally centered on the curved ends 112 to provide a convex cover 114,
• these high and low points 120, 118 can be swapped to switch orientation or be configured to provide a concave cover as desired above.
• the package 200 includes arcuate bottom walls 202 with sidewalls 204 extending generally perpendicular therefrom.
• the sidewalls 204 have a generally uniform height so that an upper edge 206 thereof includes arcuate structure generally complementary to the bottom wall 202.
• a peripheral flange 208 extending outwardly or inwardly from the upper edge 206 provides sealing surfaces 210 for a cover 212 to seal thereto, as discussed above.
• upwardly facing edges of the sidewalls 204 could be utilised as a sealing surface.
• the package 200 when viewed from the side, includes bottom and top surfaces that have generally complementary arcuate sur aces. This provides distinctive packages that will draw a consumer's eye when looking at shelves otherwise having traditional flow-wrapped packages.
• the bottom wall 202 and cover 212 In the form shown in FIGS. 103-108. the bottom wall 202 and cover 212 have a single convex curve, while in the form shown in FIGS, 109-113, the bottom wall 202 and cover 212 having two convex curves with a intermediate concave curve therebetween.
• Other undulating configurations could also be -utilized,
• the bottom wail 202 can take any suitable configuration.
• the bottom wall 202 can have a heart-shaped configuration with sidewalls 204 extending upward from edges thereof.
• the undulating surfaces can be used to provide distinctive packaging for any suitable novel shape,
• a package 250 can include a generall planar bottom wail 252 with sidewalls 254 and end walls 256 extending upwardly therefrom, as shown in FIGS . 120-125.
• upper edges 258 of the sidewalls 254 have corresponding undulating patterns 260 so that opposite edges 258 of the sidewalls 254 have a generally equal height.
• the package 250 includes peripheral flanges 262 that extend outwardly from the upper edges 258 of the sidewalls 254 and. end walls 256, but could be alternatively configured as discussed.
• the undulating patterns 260 need not be uniform along the sidewail 254, having different wavelengths and depths.
• FIGS. 126-143 Another type of package 300, shown in FIGS. 126-143, includes an upwardly projecting end 302.
• This package 300 includes a bottom wall 304 with a generally planar front portion 306 that the package 300 is configured to rest on, and an. upwardly curved rear portion 308.
• Sidewalls 310 extend upwardly from edges 312 of the bottom wall 304 to upper edges 314.
• the sidewalls 310 can extend perpendicularly from the bottom wall 304 or foe offset therefrom.
• peripheral flange 316 extends from the upper edges 314 of the sidewalls 310 to provide sealing surfaces 318 for a cover 320, as discussed above.
• the upper edges 314 of the sidewalls 310 generally follow the configuration of the bottom wall 304 so that the cover 320 includes a corresponding planar front portion 322 and a rear curving portion 32 ,
• the rear curving portion 324 provides generally vertical surface area that can be utilized for eye catching indicia, graphics, or text that will differentiate the package 300 from conventional packaging with flat upper surfaces .
• the botto wall 304 and cover 320 are generally triangular, while in the forms of FIGS. 132 ⁇ 143 j the bottom wall 304 and cover 320 are generally rectangular. It will be understood, however, that other shapes and configurations could be utilized, including other closed polygons, curvilinear shapes, or combinations thereof,
• the trays and cups described herein can. he formed of any suitable materials by any suitable methods , including thermofor ed injection molded, blow-molded, fiberboard, resin, impregnated fiberboard, or the like.
• the covers described herein can similarly be formed of any suitable materials including paper, a paper- laminate combination, metalized foil, a multi-ply laminate, plastic, or the like.
• a method of making, such as in a commercial ⁇ high speed packaging operation, any of the packages or containers described herein can include the steps of forming the tray, inserting a plurality of discrete food articles into the tray, and attaching the cover to the tray to seal the food articles in the package.
• Optional steps include the moforming the tray from a polymer sheet.
• the polymer sheet can be a segment of a web of polymer material.
• the tray can be singulated from the web after thermoforming .
• the cover can be attached to the tray after the tray has been thermoformed and before the tray has been singulated from the web, or the cover is attached to the tray after the tray has been singulated from the web.
• Non- limiting examples of methods of manu acturing the packages are described in U.S. Pat. Appl . No. 61/608,080, filed March 7, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• All of the packages described herein provide distinctive packaging that can draw the eyes of consumers when displayed on shelf next to traditional flow-wrap packages or traditional packages having a tray and a flat planar lid. Distinction on a shelf is key for product development, and the packages described herein provide this benefit while staying cost effective by minimizing package material.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Composite Materials (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
• Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
• Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

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• 2013
  • 2013-03-07 AU AU2013230780A patent/AU2013230780B2/en not_active Ceased
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  • 2013-03-07 WO PCT/US2013/029689 patent/WO2013134547A1/en active Application Filing
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  • 2013-03-07 PE PE2014001333A patent/PE20150007A1/es not_active Application Discontinuation
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