Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – With inner flexible or flaccid bag liner
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-28
2001-05-08
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
With inner flexible or flaccid bag liner
C229S117270, C229S902000, C229S120011, C229S115000, C053S456000, C053S467000, C053S484000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227441
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to containers for storing food products and the like. The present invention most particularly relates to containers for storing food chips such as potato chips, masa based chips and the like.
2. Description of the Background Art
There are a great variety of containers known for the storage of food products. There are also a large number of bags and containers for storing potato chips and other snack chips known in the art. As one example, it has been known in the art to place potato chips in elongated tubular cartons having a removable lid, such as for example cartons of Pringles® brand potato chips sold by Procter & Gamble.
Despite the many types of containers known in the food industry, there still remains a continued need for new and improved food containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above and other problems in existing food containers. The present invention also provides a unique container structure that is visually appealing and enjoyable for consumers to use and handle.
The present invention also provides a container structure that is particularly advantageous in the food industry and, in particular, in the snack-food industry for snack-food chips and the like.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a a food storage container is provided having: a) a generally rigid tubular sleeve with a generally constant cross-sectional shape along the length thereof and with first and second open ends; b) a flexible inner storage bag within the generally rigid tubular sleeve for storing a food product; and c) a first tab adjacent the first open end of the outer sleeve formed by cutting a corner of the outer sleeve and folding the cut corner inward and a second tab adjacent the second open end of the outer sleeve formed by cutting a corner of the outer sleeve and folding the cut corner inward, the first and second tabs retaining the inner storage bag within the sleeve. Preferably, the food product is a food chip, such as a potato chip or a masa based chip. Preferably, the inner storage bag is made of a flexible polymeric material, such as an elastomeric sheet material, and the sleeve is made of a rigid cardboard.
According to another unique embodiment of the invention, the sleeve includes a plurality of break-away sections. Preferably, each of the break-away sections includes a separate inner storage bag therein.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided having the steps of: i) providing a food storage container having a) a generally rigid tubular sleeve with a generally constant cross-sectional shape along the length thereof and with first and second open ends; b) a flexible inner storage bag within the generally rigid tubular sleeve for storing a food product; and c) a first tab adjacent the first open end of the outer sleeve formed by cutting a corner of the outer sleeve and folding the cut corner inward and a second tab adjacent the second open end of the outer sleeve formed by cutting a corner of the outer sleeve and folding the cut corner inward, the first and second tabs being at retaining positions to retain the inner storage bag within the sleeve; and ii) sealing a food product within the inner storage bag; iii) manually moving the first tab from the retaining position to an opening position, moving the inner storage bag outward past side first tab, and manually opening the inner storage bag. The method can also include the steps of removing food from the inner storage bag, resealing the inner storage bag, moving the inner storage bag beneath the first tab inside the sleeve, and moving the first tab back to the retaining position to retain the inner storage bag inside the sleeve.
The above and other advantages, features and aspects of the present invention will be more readily perceived from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof taken together with the accompanying drawings and claims.
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Croft Robert J.
Sagel Joseph P.
Elkins Gary E.
Recot Inc.
Rothwell Figg Ernst & Manbeck p.c.
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