Spring ring easy-open positive-reclose hermetic food package

• US 4,850,504 A
• Filed: 11/03/1988
• Issued: 07/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kraft Foods Incorporated (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gindrod, Paul E., Hustad, Gerald O., Griesbach, Ray H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pollard, Steven M.
• Application Number:
  US07/266,723
• Time in Patent Office: 264 Days
• Field of Search: 220/307, 220/306, 220/350, 220/352, 220/356, 220/73
• US Class Current: 220/787
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/023 Ribs or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00092 circular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00509 Cup
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00546 NO contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/0062 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00731 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00805 Segments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00842 outside of the lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/021 only on the inside, or a part turned to the inside, of the mouth B65D43/0206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/32 one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/322 and forming one compartment

Abstract

This invention relates to packaging and is more particularly concerned with improvements in a package and method of forming the same in which the meat or perishable food package can be easily opened and reclosed while positively conveying a positive perception to the customer that the package is hermetically sealed before it is opened and that the package is positively resealable. An opening and reclosure cap provides an audible snap as it is opened and a similar audible snap as it is reclosed.

Claims

1. A package for meat or other perishable food comprising:

a cup-shaped container body of thermoformed plastic, said container having a radially extending flange at the periphery of its mouth;

a planar member defining a flange adjacent said mouth, said planar member having a first surface, an opening and a ring means formed on the inner periphery of said opening;

said container body being mounted on said planar member with said radially extending flange being attached against one face of said planar member so that the mouth of said container body is in registry with the opening in said planar member and said ring means extends inside of and around the inner periphery of said mouth; and

a reclosable closure member of the thermoformed plastic, said closure member having a portion overlying the mouth of said container body and being adapted for sealing said cup-shaped body in engagement with said food, said closure member having means forming lugs adjacent its periphery to engage said ring means and to create an audible snap sound as said closure member is removed from or replaced in said mouth of said container body.