Patent US4533585A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4533585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid holding packaging tray
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1984-05-25
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Granted: 1985-08-06
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Expires: 2004-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a packaging tray having a bottom construction which contains molded cells shaped and dimensioned to hold liquids by capillary action. The cells capture and retain liquids and prevent their free flow about the tray bottom. The bottom preferably also contains at least one upstanding raised area for holding foodstuffs away from the cells to prevent the foodstuff from breaking the surface tension of liquids retained in the cells, thus helping to ensure retention of liquids by the cells.
Inventors
- 👤 M. James Holden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:11
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/24; B65D81/26; B65D81/264; B65D1/00; B65D1/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/06; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A molded packaging tray comprising: a generally rectangular bottom, and side walls extending upwardly from the periphery of said bottom, said side walls being of substantially the same height and integrally connected around the periphery of said bottom, said side walls and bottom being of an integrally molded construction, said bottom containing a plurality of liquid retaining cells having a size and configuration which enables said cells to retain liquids therein by capillary action, said bottom further containing at least one upstanding area having a height of a level which is greater than the level of the upper edges of said cells, said upstanding area assisting in maintaining a comestible above said upper edges of said cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A molded packaging tray comprising: a generally rectangular bottom, and side walls extending upwardly from the periphery of said bottom, said side walls being of substantially the same height and integrally connected around the periphery of said bottom, said side walls and bottom being of an integrally molded construction, said bottom containing a plurality of liquid retaining cells having a size and configuration which enables said cells to retain liquids therein by capillary action, said bottom further containing at least one upstanding area having a height of a level which is greater than the level of the upper edges of said cells, said upstanding area assisting in maintaining a comestible above said upper edges of said cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A packaging tray as in claim 1, wherein said bottom further contains an annular peripheral area extending inward from said side walls towards a center of said tray bottom, said annular peripheral area having a height of a level which is greater than the level of said upper edges of said cells, said cells being located on said bottom within the inner periphery of said annular peripheral area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A packaging tray as in claim 2, wherein the height level of said annular peripheral area is substantially the same as that of said one upstanding area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A packaging tray as in claim 1, wherein one upstanding area is positioned centrally of said bottom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A packaging tray as in claim 1, wherein said bottom contains a plurality of upstanding areas spaced about said bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A packaging tray as in claim 5, wherein each of said upstanding areas is surrounded by said cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A packaging tray of claim 1, wherein each of said cells has the same depth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A packaging tray as in claim 2, wherein each of said cells has the same depth except for cells within at least one cell row adjacent the inner periphery of said annular peripheral area, said cells within said at least one cell row having a depth which is less than that of cells outside said at least one cell row.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A packaging tray as in claim 8, wherein said cells each have a bottom disposed horizontally when said tray bottom is positioned horizontally, except for said cells within said at least one cell row which have bottoms sloping upwards and towards said inner periphery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A packaging tray as in claim 9, wherein the slope of the bottoms of said cells within said at least one cell row adjacent said inner periphery is approximately 16°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A packaging tray as in claim 1, wherein said cells have a polygonal shape in top plan view.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A packaging tray as in claim 11, wherein said cells have a rectangular shape in top plan view.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A packaging tray as in claim 12, wherein said cells have a square shape in top plan view.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A packaging tray as in claim 11, wherein said cells have a triangular shape in top plan view.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A packaging tray as in claim 11, wherein said cells have a diamond shape in top plan view.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A packaging tray as in claim 1, wherein said cells have a round shape in top plan view.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
A packaging tray as in claim 1, wherein each of said cells is defined by a cell bottom and side walls upstanding from said bottom, the intersection of side walls from adjacent cells defining upstanding nubs which have a height of a level less than the height level of said upstanding area, top edges of said side walls between said nubs having a downwardly curved saddle-like shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A packaging tray as in claim 13, wherein said cells have square bottoms with a side edge thereof having a length greater than approximately 0.05" and less than approximately 0.25".
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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) | 1988-08-05 | 1989-02-04 | 1989-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-08-05 | 1993-02-04 | 1993-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-08-05 | 1997-02-04 | 1997-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |