Oven safe disposable food container

• US 5,317,119 A
• Filed: 04/16/1992
• Issued: 05/31/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E. Khashoggi Industries, LLC
• Original Assignee: NU-Tech & Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Ayres, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Reynolds, Bruce A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOANG, TU BA
• Application Number:
  US07/870,489
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 219/10.55 E, 219/10.55 M, 219/10.55 F, 426/234, 426/243, 99/DIG. 14, 264/319, 264/330, 264/DIG 39, 264/DIG. 46, 264/43, 264/112, 273/362, 273/105.4, 106/38.51, 106/38.35, 106/197.2, 106/209, 106/214, 106/306, 260/23.3, 260/63 CQ, 260/23 H, 229/3.5 R, 340/624
• US Class Current: 219/734
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/00 Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/00 Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor extrusion blow-moulding B29C49/04
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/07 Flat, e.g. panels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/00 Shaping by thermoforming , i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor blow moulding of tubular preforms B29C49/00, deforming of tubular or hollow preforms B29C67/0014
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/002 characterised by the choice of material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/24 characterised by the choice of material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2003/00 Use of starch or derivatives as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2503/04 Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0059 Degradable
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/712 Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 1/01 Target discs characterised by their material, structure or surface, e.g. clay pigeon targets characterised by their materialF41J5/044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/74 of the core or solid body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/30 Biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 99/14 Induction heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers

Abstract

A disposable food container formed of sand and a decomposable binder. The disposable food containers are suitable for holding, storing and exposing food to heat in both conventional and microwave ovens. The decomposable binders contain 20 to 40% by weight of a binder selected from the group consisting of starch, grain flours and mixtures thereof, 20 to 30% by weight salt, 1 to 3% by weight oil and water. The containers are covered with a coating to prevent the transmission or absorption of liquids.

Claims

1. A disposable container for holding, storing, and exposing food to heat, which is capable of use in microwave ovens, comprising:

a body comprised of sand granules having an average granule size of 0.08 to 0.5 millimeters, mixed with a decomposable binder, wherein the binder holds the granules of sand together to form a shape capable of receiving food; and

a coating covering at least a portion of the body wherein the coating prevents the passage of moisture therethrough, and makes the body capable of holding, storing and exposing food to heat.

2. The disposable container of claim 1 wherein the sand has an average granule size of from 0.08 to 0.3 millimeters.

3. The disposable container of claim 1 wherein the decomposable binder comprises:

2- 60% by weight of a binder selected from the group consisting of starch, grain flours and mixtures thereof;

20-30% by weight salt;

1-3% by weight oil; and

water.

4. The disposable container of claim 3 wherein the starch is derived from corn.

5. The disposable container of claim 3 wherein the decomposable binder further contains 0.5-3.0% by weight alum.

6. The disposable container of claim 1 which further comprises a lid cooperating with a body to cover a food contained therein.

7. The disposable container of claim 6 which is aseptic.

8. The disposable container of claim 1 wherein the coating is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, wax, paraffin, and mixtures thereof.

9. The disposable container of claim 8 wherein the coating has a melting temperature above 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

10. The disposable container of claim 8 wherein the coating substantially encompasses the body and effectively renders the body impermeable to water and oxygen.

11. A disposable food container comprising:

a body formed of;

sand having an average grain size from 0.08 to 0.3 millimeters; and

a decomposable binder comprising 25-35% by weight corn starch, 20-25% by weight salt, 1.0-2.0% by weight alum, 1-3% by weight oil, and water;

said body having a shape capable of receiving food; and

a coating selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, wax, paraffin, and mixtures thereof, said coating substantially encompassing the body.

12. The disposable food container of claim 11 wherein the coating has a melting temperature above 212 degrees Fahrenheit to allow use of the container in microwave and conventional ovens.

13. The disposable food container of claim 11 wherein the decomposable binder further comprises a coloring agent.