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US4141487A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Disposable food package

Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
•
Filing: 1977-03-29
•
Granted: 1979-02-27
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Expires: 1997-03-29
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Abstract

Abstract The disposable package comprises an upper layer composed of a thin film plastic material having a sealed pleated section extending from opposite parallel sides intermediate the ends thereof and an elongated vent disposed within the pleated section. The sealed pleated section is adapted to open exposing the vent at a predetermined temperature below the cooking temperature of the product.

Inventors

  • 👤 Clifford C. Faust
  • 👤 Mark F. Mettler

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 18:55
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/34; B65D81/343; B65D2205/00; B65D2581/00; B65D2581/34; B65D2581/3401; B65D2581/3402; B65D2581/3416; B65D2581/3417; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S229/00; Y10S229/902; Y10S229/903; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24669; Y10T428/24686

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 150 words
A disposable package for enclosing a food product adapted to be cooked within the package at an elevated temperature without being immersed in a surrounding liquid medium comprising: a continuous unitary layer of plastic film forming the upper wall surface of said package adapted to overlie said food product, said layer being folded over to form at least one pleated section having a cross-sectional geometry resembling the letter "Z" or mirror image thereof and having an interior fold line extending between two opposite substantially parallel sides intermediate the ends thereof; at least one elongated opening passing through said layer and disposed along the interior fold line of said pleated section for venting gas during cooking, and an adhesive sealant material having a predetermined melting temperature below said cooking temperature, said adhesive sealant material being disposed within said pleated section for sealing said elongated opening until said predetermined temperature is reached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 150 words
A disposable package for enclosing a food product adapted to be cooked within the package at an elevated temperature without being immersed in a surrounding liquid medium comprising: a continuous unitary layer of plastic film forming the upper wall surface of said package adapted to overlie said food product, said layer being folded over to form at least one pleated section having a cross-sectional geometry resembling the letter "Z" or mirror image thereof and having an interior fold line extending between two opposite substantially parallel sides intermediate the ends thereof; at least one elongated opening passing through said layer and disposed along the interior fold line of said pleated section for venting gas during cooking, and an adhesive sealant material having a predetermined melting temperature below said cooking temperature, said adhesive sealant material being disposed within said pleated section for sealing said elongated opening until said predetermined temperature is reached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 1 wherein said layer of plastic film is a thermoplastic material formed from polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 2 further comprising at least one tab located adjacent to said pleated section and having an end extending from said layer substantially perpendicular to the surface thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 3 wherein said adhesive sealant material is a medium melting point microcrystalline wax having a melting temperature within a range of from about 120° to 150° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 4 wherein said film layer is rectangular and wherein said pleated section extends from opposite parallel sides in a direction substantially transverse to the major dimension thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 35 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 5 further comprising another layer of plastic film of substantially identical composition adapted to underlie the food product and having its borders attached to said overlying plastic film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 6 wherein said borders are adhesively bonded to said overlying plastic film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 6 wherein said borders are heat sealed to said overlying plastic film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 5 further comprising a tray adapted to underlie the food product and having its borders attached to said overlying plastic film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 21 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 9 wherein the borders of said tray are adhesively bonded to said overlying film.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 9 wherein the borders of said tray are heat sealed to said overlying film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
A disposable package as defined in claim 9 wherein said overlying plastic film is crimped about the borders of said tray.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2361344A Cited
US2633284A Cited
US2865768A Cited
US2844475A Cited
US2807550A Cited
US3052554A Cited
US3432087A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-02-26 1982-08-28 1983-02-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-02-26 1986-08-28 1987-02-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-02-26 1990-08-28 1991-02-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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