Hand-held food package and method of use

• US 6,261,611 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hot Pops, LLC
• Original Assignee: Breakaway Food, LLC
• Inventors: Berman, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEINSTEIN, STEVEN L
• Application Number:
  US08/940,570
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 426/110, 426/115, 426/113, 426/107, 426/91, 426/234, 426/134, 426/90, 426/394, 426/127, 426/407
• US Class Current: 426/90
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3405 Cooking bakery products
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/343 specially adapted to be heated in a conventional oven, e.g. a gas or electric resistance oven
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3453 Rigid containers, e.g. trays, bottles, boxes, cups
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0005 Containers or packages provided with a piston or with a movable bottom or partition having approximately the same section as the container B65D83/0072 takes precedence

Abstract

A hand-held food package is provided which enables heterogeneous foods, such as filled pastas, burritos, and the like, to be shipped, stored and heated in the same disposable package from which they are extruded for direct consumption by the consumer without utensils.

Claims

1. A hand-held food package comprising:

a microwaveable elongated container comprising a piston receiving end and a food extruding end at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis defined by said elongated container, and a peripheral wall running from said piston receiving end to said food extruding end, wherein said food extruding end has an unobstructed opening defined by a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a food mass, which is to be heated by microwave energy to a serving temperature for consumption, contained within said elongated container between said piston receiving end and said food extruding end, said food mass comprising at least one rolled sheet of food containing ingredients that are normally non-self-supporting at said serving temperature;

a microwaveable piston slidably engaged within said elongated container at said piston receiving end below said food mass, wherein said piston is adapted to slide through said container toward said food extruding end to selectively extrude said food mass beyond said extruding end of said container, while maintaining a snug fit with said container so that no leakage of said food ingredients occurs; and

a removable cover which seals at least the food extruding end of said container,

wherein said peripheral wall comprises at least three overlapping paper layers, including an innermost layer, at least one intermediate layer and an outermost layer, and wherein at least one of said innermost layer and said at least one intermediate layer is a moisture barrier layer, such that said peripheral wall;

(a) maintains the structure of said container rigid during freezing and heating;

(b) inhibits seepage of steam therethrough during heating;

(c) prevents seepage of said ingredients therethrough; and

(d) dissipates heat at a rate substantially lower than said food extruding end of said container so as to provide improved uniform heating by microwave energy.

2. The hand-held food package of claim 1, further comprising a stick mounted under said piston for sliding said piston within said elongated container.

3. The hand-held food package of claim 2, wherein said elongated container is symmetrical for its entire length about a central longitudinal axis partially defined by said stick.

4. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said moisture barrier layer further comprises a polymer that resists penetration by water and oil.

5. The hand-held food package of claim 4, wherein said moisture barrier layer comprises paper treated with water and oil resistant agents.

6. The hand-held food package of claim 4, wherein said elongated container further comprises edible glue.

7. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said rolled sheet of food is selected from the group consisting of a sheet of pasta, a tortilla, a crê

pe, a pancake, an omelette, a sheet of phyllo dough, an edible leaf, a sheet of meat and fruit wraps.

8. The hand-held food package of claim 7, wherein said rolled sheet of food is wrapped around a filler food differing from said rolled sheet of food.

9. The hand-held food package of claim 8, wherein said rolled sheet of food is a rolled sheet of pasta and said filler food comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of meat, cheese and tomato sauce.

10. The hand-held food package of claim 8, wherein said rolled sheet of food is a tortilla and said filler food comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of meat, cheese and beans.

11. The hand-held food package of claim 8, wherein said filler food comprises discrete portions of cooked egg.

12. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said rolled sheet of food is wrapped around a filler food differing from said rolled sheet of food.

13. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said rolled sheet of food is wound about itself.

14. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein an edible lubricant is coated on at least one of an interior surface of said elongated container and an exterior surface of said food mass.

15. The hand-held food package of claim 14, wherein said edible lubricant is at least one member selected from the group consisting of sauce, gravy, syrup, dressing, cheese, mayonnaise, oil and fat.

16. The hand-held food package of claim 14, wherein said edible lubricant is tomato sauce, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup or barbecue sauce.

17. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said food mass comprises a plurality of rolled food sheets.

18. A method of making a food package, said method comprising:

providing said elongated container of claim 1;

providing at least one wrappable sheet of food;

wrapping said sheet of food to form said food mass of claim 1;

inserting said food mass into said elongated container;

providing said ovenable piston of claim 1 slidably engaged within a bottom portion of said elongated container; and

removably sealing said food mass within said elongated container.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a filler food is provided on said sheet of food before said wrapping, and said filler food is wrapped within said sheet of food.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said sheet of food and said filler food are partially cooked prior to insertion into said elongated container, and cooking is completed within said elongated container.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said sheet of food and said filler food are cooked and frozen prior to insertion into said elongated container, and are heated to serving temperature prior to being consumed.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said heating is at least partially accomplished by irradiating said elongated container with microwave radiation.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said heating is at least partially accomplished by radiant or convective heat.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein said food mass is shipped, stored and heated in said elongated container, and extruded from said elongated container for consumption without utensils.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein an edible lubricant is applied to at least one of an internal surface of said elongated container and an external surface of said food mass, prior to inserting said food mass into said elongated container.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein said sheet of food is selected from the group consisting of a sheet of a sheet of pasta, a tortilla, a crê

pe, a pancake, an omelette, a sheet of phyllo dough, an edible leaf, a sheet of meat and fruit wraps.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein said food mass is formed from a plurality of wrappable food sheets.

28. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said elongated container has a constant transverse cross-section throughout its entire length.

29. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said elongated container is a right circular cylinder.

30. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said food extruding end of said elongated container lies completely within a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said elongated container.

31. The hand-held food package of claim 1, wherein said elongated container has a length to inside diameter ratio of about 3.4.

32. A hand-held food package comprising:

a microwaveable elongated container comprising a piston receiving end and a food extruding end at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis defined by said elongated container, and a peripheral wall running from said piston receiving end to said food extruding end, wherein said food extruding end has an unobstructed opening defined by a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a food mass, which is to be heated by microwave energy to a serving temperature for consumption, contained within said elongated container between said piston receiving end and said food extruding end, wherein said food mass is normally not self-supporting at said serving temperature;

a microwaveable piston slidably engaged within said elongated container at said piston receiving end below said food mass, wherein said piston is adapted to slide through said container toward said food extruding end to selectively extrude said food mass beyond said food extruding end of said container, while maintaining a snug fit with said container so that no leakage of ingredients of said food mass occurs; and

a removable cover which seals at least the food extruding end of said container,

wherein said peripheral wall comprises at least three overlapping paper layers, including an innermost layer, at least one intermediate layer and an outermost layer, and wherein at least one of said innermost layer and said at least one intermediate layer is a moisture barrier layer, such that said peripheral wall;

(a) maintains the structure of said container rigid during freezing and heating;

(b) inhibits seepage of steam therethrough during heating;

(c) prevents seepage of said ingredients therethrough; and

(d) dissipates heat at a rate substantially lower than said food extruding end of said container so as to provide improved uniform heating by microwave energy.

33. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said food mass lacks a rolled sheet of food as a wrap.

34. An improved method for consuming a non-self supporting food, said method comprising:

providing said hand-held food package of claim 32;

sliding said piston through said elongated container toward said food extruding end to selectively extrude said food mass from said food extruding end of said elongated container;

inserting into a mouth of a consumer an inserted portion of said hand-held food package consisting essentially of a majority of said food mass; and

biting through said inserted portion to sever it from a balance of said food mass to consume said non-self supporting food.

35. The improved method of claim 34, further comprising heating said hand-held food package without substantially damaging said elongated container.

36. The improved method of claim 35, wherein said hand-held food package is heated to cook, warm or thaw said food mass prior to said food mass extrusion.

37. The improved method of claim 35, wherein said hand-held food package is heated by microwave radiation.

38. The hand-held food package of claim 32, further comprising a stick mounted under said piston for sliding said piston within said elongated container.

39. The hand-held food package of claim 38, wherein said elongated container is symmetrical for its entire length about a central longitudinal axis partially defined by said stick.

40. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said moisture barrier layer further comprises a polymer that resists penetration by water and oil.

41. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said moisture barrier layer comprises paper treated with water and oil resistant agents.

42. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said elongated container further comprises edible glue.

43. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said food mass is a rolled sheet of food selected from the group consisting of a sheet of pasta, a tortilla, a crê

pe, a pancake, an omelette, a sheet of phyllo dough, an edible leaf, a sheet of meat and fruit wraps.

44. The hand-held food package of claim 43, wherein said rolled sheet of food is wrapped around a filler food differing from said rolled sheet of food.

45. The hand-held food package of claim 44, wherein said rolled sheet of food is a rolled sheet of pasta and said filler food comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of meat, cheese and tomato sauce.

46. The hand-held food package of claim 44, wherein said rolled sheet of food is a tortilla and said filler food comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of meat, cheese and beans.

47. The hand-held food package of claim 44, wherein said filler food comprises discrete portions of cooked egg.

48. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said food mass is a sheet of food wound about itself.

49. The hand-held food package of claim 48, wherein said sheet of food is selected from the group consisting of a sheet of pasta, a tortilla, a crê

pe, a pancake, an omelette, a sheet of phyllo dough, an edible leaf, a sheet of meat and fruit wraps.

50. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein an edible lubricant is coated on at least one of an interior surface of said elongated container and an exterior surface of said food mass.

51. The hand-held food package of claim 50, wherein said edible lubricant is at least one member selected from the group consisting of sauce, gravy, syrup, dressing, cheese, mayonnaise, oil and fat.

52. The hand-held food package of claim 50, wherein said edible lubricant is tomato sauce, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup or barbecue sauce.

53. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said food mass comprises a plurality of rolled food sheets.

54. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said elongated container has a constant transverse cross-section throughout its entire length.

55. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said elongated container is a right circular cylinder.

56. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said food extruding end of said elongated container lies completely within a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said elongated container.

57. The hand-held food package of claim 32, wherein said elongated container has a length to inside diameter ratio of about 3.4.

58. A hand-held food package comprising:

a microwaveable elongated container comprising a piston receiving end and a food extruding end at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis defined by said elongated container, and a peripheral wall running from said piston receiving end to said food extruding end, wherein said food extruding end has an unobstructed opening defined by a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a food mass, which is to be heated by microwave energy to a serving temperature for consumption, contained within said elongated container between said piston receiving end and said food extruding end, wherein said food mass comprises a filler food in an edible cover and is self-supporting at said serving temperature; and

a microwaveable piston slidably engaged within said elongated container at said piston receiving end below said food mass, wherein said piston is adapted to slide through said container toward said food extruding end to selectively extrude said food mass beyond said food extruding end of said container, while maintaining a snug fit with said container so that no leakage of ingredients of said food mass occurs,

wherein said peripheral wall comprises at least three overlapping paper layers, including an innermost layer, at least one intermediate layer and an outermost layer, and wherein at least one of said innermost layer and said at least one intermediate layer is a moisture barrier layer, such that said peripheral wall;

(a) maintains the structure of said container rigid during freezing and heating;

(b) inhibits seepage of steam therethrough during heating;

(c) prevents seepage of said ingredients therethrough; and

(d) dissipates heat at a rate substantially lower than said food extruding end of said container so as to provide improved uniform heating by microwave energy.

59. The hand-held food package of claim 58, further comprising a stick mounted under said piston for sliding said piston within said elongated container.

60. The hand-held food package of claim 58, wherein said moisture barrier layer further comprises a polymer that resists penetration by water and oil.

61. The hand-held food package of claim 60, wherein said moisture barrier comprises paper treated with water and oil resistant agents.

62. The hand-held food package of claim 61, wherein said elongated container further comprises edible glue.

63. The hand-held food package of claim 58, wherein said edible cover is selected from the group consisting of a sheet of pasta, a tortilla, a crê

pe, a pancake, an omelette, a sheet of phyllo dough, an edible leaf, a sheet of meat and fruit wraps.

64. The hand-held food package of claim 63, wherein said edible cover is pasta and said filler food comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of meat, cheese and tomato sauce.

65. The hand-held food package of claim 63, wherein said edible cover is a tortilla and said filler food comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of meat, cheese and beans.

66. The hand-held food package of claim 58, wherein an edible lubricant is coated on at least one of an interior surface of said elongated container and an exterior surface of said food mass.

67. The hand-held food package of claim 58, further comprising a removable cover which seals at least said food extruding end of said container.