Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Packaged or wrapped product – Having consumer oriented diverse utility
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-27
2001-12-25
Corbin, Arthur L. (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Packaged or wrapped product
Having consumer oriented diverse utility
C426S112000, C426S129000, C426S394000, C426S478000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06333060
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The metal cans currently used to package tuna are difficult to open. Once opened, the cans are difficult to work with and are potentially unsafe. The edges of the opened container and the lid are sharp and jagged, which increases the chances of cutting yourself while handling the container. Since there is no easy way to drain the liquid in which the tuna is packed, there is a danger of spreading bacteria due to the draining liquid contaminating other food items. Preparing tuna packaged in the current containers is awkward, messy, and time consuming, as well as odorous. A need exists for tuna packaging that eliminates these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is for tuna packaging to replace the metal cans currently used for tuna packaging. The present invention is made from a heavy pliable plastic type material that may be foil lined. The plastic or like material is similar to some of the more pliable type toothpaste packaging currently used, or the plastic or thick vinyl packaging currently used for some orange juice containers.
An upper portion of the container has external threads for receiving a twist style drain lid. The container is sealed, preferably by a plastic tab cover that has a heat-sealed tear-off tab. The seal may also be a tear-off foil seal or a safety metal pop-top lid. The drain lid is removed from the container to access the seal. Once the seal is removed, the drain lid is replaced on the container. The container is then held upside-down and the liquid that the tuna is packaged in may be squeezed out of the container through the drain lid. When the liquid has been drained from the container, the drain lid is removed and the tuna may be shaken out of the container.
In another embodiment, the container seal covers the drain lid. Once this outer seal is removed, the liquids may be removed from the container. The drain lid may be secured to container by a heat-sealed plastic tear-off tab.
The entire tuna package may be shrink-wrapped as an additional safety feature.
The packaging is for one-time use for storing tuna. The packaging may be made from recyclable materials, so that once the tuna is used the entire package may be rinsed and then recycled.
The present invention provides tuna packaging that is much more attractive to consumers than the current metal cans. The present invention makes tuna preparation and clean-up easier, safer, quicker and more pleasant overall. The present invention may be used to replace all current tuna packaging in the commercial food industry, whether it is for consumer use at home or for use by restaurants and other institutions that use tuna in food preparation.
These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the claims and the drawings.
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patent: 3040897 (1962-06-01), Holman
patent: 3995544 (1976-12-01), Farley
patent: 5320031 (1994-06-01), Whitney
patent: 5363759 (1994-11-01), D'Ambrosio
patent: 5372063 (1994-12-01), Berg
patent: 5470601 (1995-11-01), Robertson
patent: 5501144 (1996-03-01), Bryson
patent: 5706721 (1998-01-01), Homes
patent: 6068870 (2000-05-01), Strauss
Corbin Arthur L.
Creighton Wray James
Narasimhan Meera P.
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