WO2018144319A1

WO2018144319A1 - Stand up noodle product and packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2018144319A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/015312
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael L. VINNICOMBE; Rita E. VINNICOMBE
Original assignee: Vinnicombe Michael L; Vinnicombe Rita E
Priority date: 2017-02-01
Filing date: 2018-01-25
Publication date: 2018-08-09
Also published as: US20180215510A1

Abstract

A package assembly that includes a bag having front, back and first and second side panels, and a puck made of a noodle product. A bottom portion of the bag defines a bottom platform that is configured to rest on a flat surface. The bottom portion includes a bag depth dimension between the front and rear panels and a bag width dimension between the first and second side panels. A bag height dimension is defined between the bottom platform and a top of the bag and is greater than the bag width dimension and the bag depth dimension. The puck includes a puck width dimension between first and second side surfaces, a puck depth dimension between front and rear surfaces and a puck height dimension between bottom and top surfaces. The puck height dimension is greater than or equal to the puck depth dimension and the puck width dimension. The package assembly can stand upright when the bottom platform is placed on a surface.

Description

STAND UP NOODLE PRODUCT AND PACKAGING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to noodle packaging, and more particularly to a

noodle packaging assembly that includes a single serving puck therein and can standup.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to packaged ramen/noodles. One popular form of packaging ramen is in paper cups wherein the dried ramen, which has been shaped into a compact mass (called a "puck"), rests on the bottom of the cup. Recently, for a variety of reasons, retail stores have started to use pouches, bags or pillow packs for ramen.

However, prior art ramen pillow packs do not "standup" on their own and require an external tray or other device to help a plurality of bags to stand upright. In other words, the bags are wider and longer than they are tall. This is an inefficient use of shelf space. Furthermore, the product in the bag has generally the same shape as the bag, i.e., flat shaped rectangles. Standup bags are known for other products, but not for ramen with an individual puck therein. For example, see US Patent App. Nos. 2016/0137374 and 2014/0205213 and US Patent Nos. 5,692,837 and 5,352,466, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, there is a need for a ramen product and bag that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art so that an external tray or other device is not needed to help the bag standup.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0003] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a package assembly that includes a bag having opposing front and back panels and opposing first and second side panels that cooperate to define a bag interior, and a puck disposed in the bag interior. A bottom portion of the bag defines a bottom platform that is configured to rest on a flat surface and includes a bag depth dimension that extends between the front and rear panels and a bag width dimension that extends between the first and second side panels. A bag height dimension is defined between the bottom platform and a top of the bag and is greater than the bag width dimension and the bag depth dimension. The puck is made of a noodle product, and includes a puck width dimension that extends between first and second side surfaces, a puck depth dimension that extends between front and rear surfaces and a puck height dimension that extends between bottom and top surfaces. The bottom surface rests on the bottom platform, and the puck height dimension is greater than or equal to the puck depth dimension and the puck width dimension. The package assembly can stand upright when the bottom platform is placed on a surface.

[0004] In a preferred embodiment, the package assembly includes a tray disposed in the bag interior that includes a middle portion and first and second side portions that cooperate to define a channel. The middle portion is disposed adj acent the rear panel, and the first and second side portions are positioned adjacent the first and second side panels, respectively. The puck is at least partially received in the channel. Preferably, the tray includes a bottom edge that rests on the bottom platform. In a preferred embodiment, the tray includes a tray height dimension that is greater than the puck height dimension. Preferably, the first and second side portions of the tray each define a side portion width dimension and the puck depth dimension is greater than the side portion width dimension.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment, horizontally extending written indicia is disposed on the first and second side panels. Preferably, at least one flavor packet is disposed between the middle portion of the tray and the puck. In a preferred embodiment, the front and back surfaces of the puck are generally flat and the top, bottom and first and second side surfaces form a generally cylindrical side surface. Preferably, the generally cylindrical side surface rests on the bottom platform. This helps the tray and bag maintain the generally rectangular shape. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion includes a bottom seam where the front, rear and first and second side panels are sealed together, and the top portion includes a top seam where the front, rear and first and second side panels are sealed together.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a package assembly that is configured to assume a standing orientation and includes a bag, a puck and a tray. The bag has opposing front and back panels and opposing first and second side panels that cooperate to define a bag interior, a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion defines a bottom platform that is configured to rest on a flat surface and includes a bag depth dimension that extends between the front panel and the rear panel, a bag width dimension that extends between the first and second side panels, and a bag height dimension that is defined between the bottom platform and a top of the bag. The bag height dimension is greater than the bag width dimension and the bag depth dimension and the bag height dimension defines a central plane. The puck is a noodle product disposed in the bag interior, and includes a puck width dimension that extends between a first side surface and a second side surface, a puck depth dimension that extends between a front surface and a rear surface and a puck height dimension that extends between a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface rests on the bottom platform. The tray is disposed in the bag interior and includes a middle portion and first and second side portions that cooperate to define a channel. The middle portion is disposed adjacent the rear panel, and the first and second side portions are positioned adjacent the first and second side panels, respectively. The puck is at least partially received in the channel. The bag, the puck and tray combine to form a package center of gravity that is positioned below the central plane. As a result, the package assembly can stand upright when the bottom platform is placed on a surface. [0007] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a shelf space efficient round cylinder type puck that helps achieve a stand up bag or pillow pack ramen product. The package has many benefits including better appearance on the sales shelf, reduced costs for not having to merchandise the products in retail shelf merchandising trays to make the package stand up, and shelf space efficiency. The bottom platform of the package takes up less surface area on the shelf than prior art bag packaged ramen. As a result, more package assemblies of the present invention can fit onto the same shelf space (surface area) than prior art bag packaged ramen and without the need for a tray or other device to make the package standup. Therefore, the invention also includes a plurality of package assemblies disposed on a shelf, where all of the package assemblies standup on their own and take up less shelf space than a like number of prior art single serving ramen bags or pillow packs.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the ramen pucks are also used with the manufacturer's ramen cup line. Therefore, the cylindrical ramen pucks can be used with both cup packaging and pillow pack or bag packaging. Accordingly, the present invention also includes a method of providing first and second separate package assemblies. The method includes providing first and second pucks having generally the same shape (e.g., a cylindrical puck or any other shape discussed herein) using the same machinery, equipment or line. The method also includes placing the first puck in a cup to provide or create a first package assembly, and placing the second puck in a bag to provide or create a second package assembly. The first package assembly has a cover. Preferably, the first and second pucks are made at the same location. When the same machinery is used to make ramen pucks for nestyle ramen cups and for pillow pack pucks the investment cost of equipment/machinery is reduced.

[0009] It will be appreciated that the ability for the package to stand up is achieved by the cylindrical puck falling to the bottom of the pillow pack, thus providing a low center of gravity and broad base enabling the pillow pack to remain upright. In a preferred embodiment, the bag includes a tray with side lips or portions that protrude on each side of the bag. Preferably, the pillow pack with the broad base ramen puck shape enables the package to stand up with or without the tray, but the tray may help the package stand up, keeps the sides of the bag flat so that consumers can read the horizontally extending written indicia thereon and holds the components in position so that the high speed machinery can wrap the packaging around the tray, puck, and flavor packets that are inside the kit.

[0010] The bottom of the bag preferably includes a seam or fin that folds under itself to help the package stand upright. Lastly, it should be understood that the cylindrical ramen puck stand up package generally consumes less retail shelf space because the depth and width required for the standup ramen pouch is generally less than a standup pouch made from a rectangular or square puck.

[0011] Generally, the goals and desires of using a pouch or bag to contain a ramen puck are the use of low cost pouches, stability and the ability to stand on a store shelf, adequate front panel surface and side panel surface for printing product information, and reduced shelf space by controlling the width and depth of the pouch. It will be appreciated that the invention is able to maximize all the desirable characteristics of the ramen pouch by the selected shape and dimensions of the ramen puck. The preferred shape of the puck is cylindrical with the two flat end surfaces of the cylinder abutting the back and front panels of the pouch and the width of the cylinder being sufficient to spread the pouch open to expand the side panels and to enable the pouch to stand on the store shelf. The cylindrical shape the puck is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the puck can be rectangular, square, triangular, a pyramid or other advantage shape. [0012] The invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the package assembly resting on a shelf in

accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the package assembly of FIG. 1 ;

[0015] FIG. 3 is side elevational view of the package assembly of FIG. 1 with the bottom seam not folded over;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bag of the package assembly of FIG. 1 prior to

assembly;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of the package assembly of FIG. 1 with the bag in cross- section;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the package assembly of FIG. 1 with the bag in cross- section;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the package assembly of FIG. 1 ; and

[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a plurality of package assemblies on a shelf.

[0021] Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments. [0023] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the-disclosure. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other

embodiments.

[0024] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.

[0025] Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. Nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[0026] Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

[0027] It will be appreciated that terms such as "front," "back," "upper," "lower," "side,"

"short," "long," "up," "down," and "below" used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

[0028] Referring now to the drawings, which are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, the attached drawings show a package assembly 10 that includes a puck 12 therein. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the package assembly 10 generally includes a pouch or bag 14, a tray 16 and the puck 12 disposed in the bag interior 18. In a preferred embodiment, the puck 12 is a single serving of ramen or other noodle product and only a single puck is included in the bag (a second puck is not included therein). It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that "single serving" is a term of art in the food industry. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention and more than one serving or puck or other products can be included in the package assembly 10. For example, multiple pucks or a larger puck can be included in the package. In another embodiment, the same sized bag can include multiple smaller pucks and multiple flavor packets for making cups of ramen as opposed to a bowl of ramen.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1-7, in a preferred embodiment, the bag 14 generally includes a central portion 20, a top portion 22 and a bottom portion 24 and includes a front panel 26, a rear panel 28 and opposing side gussets or panels 30 and 32. The rear panel 28 includes a vertical back seam or fin 34 extending therealong. The front, rear and side panels 22, 24, 26 and 28 cooperate to define the hollow interior 18. The top portion 22 includes a top fin or seam 36 and the bottom portion 24 includes a bottom fin or seam 38. In other embodiments one or both of the top or bottom seams can be omitted.

[0030] Generally, the assembled bag 14 is formed by applying adhesive in pre-patterned areas along selected portions of webs or sheets of flexible material, sealing the sheets together, and thereafter folding the bag into the desired shape and sealing its bottom ends and top ends along respective seal lines and sealing its vertical back seam. The pre- patterned bag prior to assembly is shown in FIG. 4. Dimensions are shown in FIG. 4. These dimensions are only exemplary and are not a limitation on the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dimensions can be changed as desired.

[0031] In assembling the package, the bag 14 can be formed with an open mouth at the top so that the puck 12 and other contents can be inserted therein or the unassembled bag can be wrapped around the contents (including the puck 12) and all of the seams can then be closed.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, within the interior 18, the bag 14 includes tray 16, puck 12 and flavor packets 42. The tray 16 preferably includes a main body portion 44 that has a middle portion 46 and lips or first and second side portions 48. In a preferred embodiment, the main body portion 44 is made of a single piece of cardboard or the like and the middle portion 46 and side portions 48 are delineated by folds 50 that allow the side portions 48 to pivot or hinge with respect to the middle portion 46. In another embodiment, the side portions can be separate pieces that are attached to the middle portion (hingedly attached or non-hingedly attached). In a preferred embodiment, the first and second side portions 48 extend from the middle portion 46 at an approximately right angle and cooperate with the middle portion 46 to define a channel 49 in which the puck 12 and flavor packets 42 are disposed. Looking at the orientation of FIG. 5, in an exemplary embodiment, the main body portion is approximately 100 mm tall (thereby making the middle portion 46 and side portions 48 approximately 100 mm tall - see tray height dimension Dl in FIG. 6), the middle portion is approximately 90 mm wide (see middle portion width dimension D2 in FIG. 6) and the first and second side portions 48 are each approximately 45 mm wide (see side portion width dimension D3 in FIG. 5). It will be appreciated that these dimensions are only exemplary and can be changed as desired. In an embodiment, the corners of the tray can be rounded.

[0033] As is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tray 16 contacts the rear panel 28 and side panels 30 and 32 and helps maintain them in a generally flat orientation. As a result, indicia, such as writing, pictures or drawings can be placed on the front, rear or side panels. As shown in FIG. 1, the indicia can be read in a horizontal fashion when the package assembly 10 is oriented in a standing position. For example, cooking instructions 58, nutritional information or other written materials can be placed on the panels and the tray 16 helps keep the panels generally flat so the horizontally extending written indicia can be easily read.

[0034] The puck 12 includes a generally flat opposing front and rear surfaces 52 and 54 and a cylindrical side surface 56. Once again, looking at the orientation of FIG. 5 (and the orientation when the package assembly 10 is standing up), in an exemplary embodiment, the puck 12 includes a puck depth dimension that is approximately 50 mm deep (see D4 in FIG. 5), a puck height dimension that is approximately 65 mm tall (see D5 in FIG. 6), and a puck width dimension that is approximately 65 mm wide (see D6 in FIG. 6). It will be appreciated that the puck 12 dimensions are approximate because of the nature of the ramen noodles and their tendency to stick out from the bulk of the puck in certain areas. Therefore, phantom lines have been used in the figures to show the preferred shape of the puck 12.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, once the package assembly 10 is assembled, the bottom seam 38 is folded over and a bottom platform 40 is established. The side surface 56 of the puck 12 (together with the flavor packets 42) rest on the bottom platform 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom platform 40 includes a bag depth dimension D7 that extends between the front panel 26 and the rear panel 28 and a bag width dimension D8 that extends between the first and second side panels 30 and 32. As shown in FIG. 6, a bag height dimension D9 is defined between the bottom platform 40 and the top of the bag 14. In a preferred embodiment, the bag height dimension D9 is greater than the bag width dimension D8 and the bag depth dimension D7. It will be appreciated, that the puck 12 can be any shape. Therefore, the puck 12 is described herein as having first and second side surfaces 60 and 62 and bottom and top surfaces 64 and 66. It will be appreciated that in the cylindrical embodiment, cylindrical side surface 56 has first, second, bottom and top surfaces 60, 62, 64 and 66, as shown in the drawings. In another embodiment, the puck may be generally rectangular, square, spherical, etc. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the puck width dimension D6 extends between the first side surface 60 and the second side surface 62, the puck depth dimension D4 extends between the front surface 52 and the rear surface 54 and the puck height dimension D5 extends between the bottom surface 64 and the top surface 66. The bottom surface 64 rests on the bottom platform 40. In a preferred embodiment, the puck height dimension D5 is greater than or equal to the puck depth dimension D4 and the puck width dimension D6. As a result, the puck 12 has a low center of gravity, thereby enabling the package assembly to stand upright when the bottom platform 40 is placed on a surface (see FIG. 8). It will be appreciated that the puck height dimension is not always greater than or equal to the puck depth and the puck width dimension for the package assembly to stand up. Generally, the center of mass of the puck 12 is lower than the center of the bag 14 to allow the package assembly 10 to standup. Preferably, the tray 14 includes a bottom edge 14a that rests on the bottom platform 40.

[0036] Under exemplary the dimensions shown in FIG. 4, the bag depth dimension D7 is about 50mm and the bag width dimension D8 is about 90mm. This provides a bottom platform 40 of about 4500 mm². The bag height dimension D9 is about 140 mm. Shelf space in retail space and the food industry is typically measure in cubic space (e.g., cubic feet or meters). The present invention takes up less cubic space on a retail shelf than prior art ramen packages that do not stand on their own or include more than a single serving therein. The dimensions are only exemplary and are not a limitation on the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dimensions can be changed as desired. Furthermore, because of the soft nature of the bags, the dimensions (e.g., the bag height dimension D9) may change slightly as the contents settles.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the bag 14, the puck 12 and tray 16 combine to form a package center of gravity CG that is positioned below the central plane CP of the bag 14 (i.e., the center point/line of the bag height dimension D9). This allows the package assembly 10 to stand upright when the bottom platform 40 is placed on a surface.

[0038] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or" in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

[0039] The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Further any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.

[0040] Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.

[0041] Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A package assembly that is configured to assume a standing orientation, the package assembly comprising:

a bag having opposing front and back panels and opposing first and second side panels that cooperate to define a bag interior, a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion defines a bottom platform that is configured to rest on a flat surface, wherein the bottom platform includes a bag depth dimension that extends between the front panel and the rear panel and a bag width dimension that extends between the first and second side panels, wherein a bag height dimension is defined between the bottom platform and a top of the bag, wherein the bag height dimension is greater than the bag width dimension and the bag depth dimension, and

a puck comprising a noodle product disposed in the bag interior, wherein the puck includes a puck width dimension that extends between a first side surface and a second side surface, a puck depth dimension that extends between a front surface and a rear surface and a puck height dimension that extends between a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein the bottom surface rests on the bottom platform, and wherein the puck height dimension is greater than or equal to the puck depth dimension and the puck width dimension, whereby the package assembly can stand upright when the bottom platform is placed on a surface.

2. The package assembly of claim 1 further comprising a tray disposed in the bag interior, wherein the tray includes a middle portion and first and second side portions that cooperate to define a channel, wherein the middle portion is disposed adjacent the rear panel, and the first and second side portions are positioned adjacent the first and second side panels, respectively, and wherein the puck is at least partially received in the channel.

3. The package assembly of claim 2 wherein the tray includes a bottom edge that rests on the bottom platform.

4. The package assembly of claim 3 wherein the tray includes a tray height dimension that is greater than the puck height dimension.

5. The package assembly of claim 4 wherein the first and second side portions of the tray each define a side portion width dimension, and wherein the puck depth dimension is greater than the side portion width dimension.

6. The package assembly of claim 2 wherein horizontally extending written indicia is disposed on the first and second side panels.

7. The package assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one flavor packet is disposed between the middle portion of the tray and the puck.

8. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the front and back surfaces are generally flat, and wherein the top, bottom and first and second side surfaces form a generally cylindrical side surface.

9. The package assembly of claim 6 wherein the generally cylindrical side surface rests on the bottom platform.

10. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the noodle product is ramen.

11. The package assembly of claim 10 wherein the puck comprises a single serving of ramen.

12. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion includes a bottom seam where the front, rear and first and second side panels are sealed together, and the top portion includes a top seam where the front, rear and first and second side panels are sealed together.

13. A package assembly that is configured to assume a standing orientation, the package assembly comprising:

a bag having opposing front and back panels and opposing first and second side panels that cooperate to define a bag interior, a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion defines a bottom platform that is configured to rest on a flat surface, wherein the bottom platform includes a bag depth dimension that extends between the front panel and the rear panel and a bag width dimension that extends between the first and second side panels, wherein a bag height dimension is defined between the bottom platform and a top of the bag, wherein the bag height dimension is greater than the bag width dimension and the bag depth dimension, and wherein the bottom portion includes a bottom seam where the front, rear and first and second side panels are sealed together, and the top portion includes a top seam where the front, rear and first and second side panels are sealed together,

a puck comprising a noodle product disposed in the bag interior, wherein the puck includes a puck width dimension that extends between a first side surface and a second side surface, a puck depth dimension that extends between a generally flat front surface and a generally flat rear surface and a puck height dimension that extends between a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein the puck height dimension is greater than or equal to the puck depth dimension and the puck width dimension, and wherein the top, bottom and first and second side surfaces form a generally cylindrical side surface that rests on the bottom platform, and

a tray disposed in the bag interior, wherein the tray includes a middle portion and first and second side portions that cooperate to define a channel, wherein the middle portion is disposed adjacent the rear panel, and the first and second side portions are positioned adj acent the first and second side panels, respectively, wherein the puck is at least partially received in the channel, wherein the tray includes a bottom edge that rests on the bottom platform, wherein the tray includes a tray height dimension that is greater than the puck height dimension, whereby the package assembly can stand upright when the bottom platform is placed on a surface.

14. The package assembly of claim 13 wherein horizontally extending written indicia is disposed on the first and second side panels.

15. The package assembly of claim 14 wherein at least one flavor packet is disposed between the middle portion of the tray and the puck.

16. The package assembly of claim 15 wherein the first and second side portions of the tray each define a side portion width dimension, and wherein the puck depth dimension is greater than the side portion width dimension.

17. A package assembly that is configured to assume a standing orientation, the package assembly comprising:

a bag having opposing front and back panels and opposing first and second side panels that cooperate to define a bag interior, a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion defines a bottom platform that is configured to rest on a flat surface, wherein the bottom platform includes a bag depth dimension that extends between the front panel and the rear panel and a bag width dimension that extends between the first and second side panels, wherein a bag height dimension is defined between the bottom platform and a top of the bag, wherein the bag height dimension is greater than the bag width dimension and the bag depth dimension, and wherein the bag height dimension defines a central plane, and

a puck comprising a noodle product disposed in the bag interior, wherein the puck includes a puck width dimension that extends between a first side surface and a second side surface, a puck depth dimension that extends between a front surface and a rear surface and a puck height dimension that extends between a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein the bottom surface rests on the bottom platform, and

a tray disposed in the bag interior, wherein the tray includes a middle portion and first and second side portions that cooperate to define a channel, wherein the middle portion is disposed adjacent the rear panel, and the first and second side portions are positioned adjacent the first and second side panels, respectively, and wherein the puck is at least partially received in the channel,

wherein the bag, the puck and tray combine to form a package center of gravity, and wherein the package center of gravity is positioned below the central plane, whereby the package assembly can stand upright when the bottom platform is placed on a surface.