Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Product with defined indicating means – e.g. – indicia – etc. – Temperature responsive
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-14
2001-05-01
Hendricks, Keith (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Product with defined indicating means, e.g., indicia, etc.
Temperature responsive
C426S104000, C426S107000, C426S113000, C099S342000, C099S493000, C219S710000, C219S720000, C446S488000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224918
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to the technical field of culinary arts and prize or promotional delivery methods.
SUMMARY
In a typical embodiment the pop-up novelty is attached to the food package or otherwise placed in the microwave oven. During the heating process a removable novelty figurine pops up (physically extends out from the food package and maintains such position). Its various embodiments each as a stand alone device, include:
a) As a retrofit to a food package.
b) An integrated device onto a food package.
c) The pop-up item being an indicating message.
d) Permutations and combinations of the above.
PRIOR ART
The prior art of self contained, ready-to-eat, microwave meals does not address presentation of promotional prizes, gifts or novelties in a “pop-up” fashion. Nor does the prior art address “pop-up” presentation of signage or warning or other informational messages.
This invention is a distinct improvement over either the inclusion of promotional items within the meal packaging or placement of signage on the meal packaging. The failure of the industry to incorporate such interesting novelty presentation means, validates the huge market for the microwave pop-up novelty of this invention.
A prior art search was conducted. Following are typical examples of the closest U.S. patent as prior art arranged in the reverse chronological order for ready reference of the reader.
1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,158 class 206/217 issued to George Plester of belgium on Jan. 9, 1996 for “Pruomotional Device For Delivering A Prize From a Beverage Can”
2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,730 class 446/193 awarded to Diresta et al on May 30, 1995 for “Sounding Toy with Pop Out Action.
3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,086 class 219 732 bestowed upon Turpin et al on Oct. 18, 1994 for “Microwave Corn Popping Package”
4) U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,650 class 446/476 earned by Lehmann et al on Dec. 3, 1991 for “Pop Out Toy”
5) U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,681 class 281/15.11 conferred upon Ib Penick on Jun. 11, 1991 for “Paper Pop Up Devices and Method of Making the Same”
6) U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,555 class 446/310 granted to Schaub et al on Jan. 17, 1989 for “Toy Pop Up Figure”
7) U.S. Design Pat. No. D-268,274 class D21/59 given to Sheldon Greenberg on Mar. 15, 1983 for “Multiple Element Pop Up Toy”
8) U.S. Pat. No. 3,768,175 class 35/9R issued to Allen Hill on Oct. 30, 1973 for “Pop Up Learning Toy”
Unfortunately none of the prior art devices singly or even in combination meet all of the objectives established by the inventor for this system as follows.
OBJECTIVES
1. It is an objective of this invention to provide a simple low cost novel method of popping up a novelty or promotional item or a suitable warning when the food is cooked in a microwave oven.
2. Another objective of this invention is that it be suitable for integration into all types microwave-able foods packages.
3. Another objective of this invention is that the popping up of a novelty item such as a figurine also serve as a food ready signal.
4. Another objective of this invention is that it can be retrofitted onto various food packages and used in various microwave ovens conveniently by the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) consumer.
5. Another objective of this invention is that it can be easily incorporated into OEM food packages and used in microwave ovens of all types.
6. Another objective of this invention is that the promotional item be concealed flat by a covering means.
7. Another objective of this invention is that it be safe stable and reliable.
8. Another objective of this invention is that it be ergonomically designed, environmentally friendly and aesthetically integrated with the food package.
9. Another objective of this invention is that it requires no changes in the method of use and operation on the part of the user.
10. Another objective of this invention is that it can be made from a variety of materials.
11. Another objective of this invention is that it meet all federal, state, local and other private standards and regulations with respect to safety, environment, energy consumption, noise etc. etc.
12. Another objective of this invention is that it uses little or no energy.
13. Another objective of this invention is that it not interfere with normal functions of the user.
14. Another objective of this invention is that it be adaptable for other primary and secondary uses without significant modifications.
15. Another objective of this invention is that it can be adapted for used by physically and mentally challenged users.
16. Another objective of this invention is that it combine entertainment with microwave cooking of prepackaged foods.
17. Another objective of this invention is that the microwave sensitive adhesive properties are not lost by aging.
18. Another objective of this invention is that the Pop-up nature of novelty presentation maintain the novelty such as a figurine at a cool temperature relative to the food in the package.
19. Another objective of this invention is that it be able to deliver a prize or novelty item as a stand alone device, placed in a microwave oven, adjacent to any type of food package being heated.
Other objectives of this invention reside in its simplicity, elegance of design, ease of manufacture, service and use and even aesthetics as will become apparent from the following brief description of the drawing and detailed description of the concept.
Prior art patents disclose the general concept of microwave culinary arts but fail to address novelty presentation. The basic concept of pop up toys is also disclosed in the prior art.
The basic concept of popping up a food package in the microwave as an integral part of the food preparation process is also disclosed. But the use of two concepts together is not disclosed especially where the pop up toy or indicator is held by a heat sensitive adhesive instead of a mechanical pressure. Prior art embodiments may also lack the elegance of design of this invention in terms of compact size, fewer component count and fewer moving parts.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 268274 (1983-03-01), Greenberg
patent: 3768175 (1973-10-01), Hill et al.
patent: 4786773 (1988-11-01), Keefer
patent: 4798555 (1989-01-01), Schaub et al.
patent: 4933525 (1990-06-01), St. Phillips
patent: 5022681 (1991-06-01), Penick
patent: 5069650 (1991-12-01), Cehman et al.
patent: 5144880 (1992-09-01), Schmit
patent: 5357086 (1994-10-01), Turpin et al.
patent: 5419730 (1995-05-01), Diresta et al.
Slattery James
Weisenfeld Niel
Becker Drew
Hendricks Keith
OURPAL® Asija
LandOfFree
Pop-up novelty presentation method for microwave food product does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pop-up novelty presentation method for microwave food product, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pop-up novelty presentation method for microwave food product will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2440081