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 Title: |
US5705212:
Food package with an enclosed eating utensil
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Atkinson, Patrick J.; Bismarck, ND 58501
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1998-01-06
/ 1995-09-08
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| Application Number: |
US1995000524657
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
B65D 51/24;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
B65D 43/10;
B65D 51/24;
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| ECLA Code: |
B65D51/24H2; K47G21/00C;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
426/115;
030/324;
206/542;
220/212;
426/124;
Original:
426/115;
426/124;
220/212;
206/542;
030/324;
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| Field of Search: |
206/541,542
220/574.1,212,212.5,735,762,765,758
426/115,124
030/322-328,148-150,47
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| Priority Number: |
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| Abstract: |
A food package that includes a concealed eating utensil is provided. The package comprises a can body containing a quantity of food with a cover removably secured to the can to enclose one end of the can and to provide a storage compartment between the end of the can and the cover. A folded eating utensil is contained in the storage compartment. The utensil has two portions: a functional end portion (spoon, fork or knife) and a handle portion with a joint between them for enabling the utensil to be folded for storage in the compartment. The term "joint" is used broadly herein to include any form of connection, e.g., a hinge or complete separation of the handle from the functional end portion of the utensil with a socket connection therebetween. Utensil retaining members can be provided inside the cover for engaging portions of the utensil to hold it in place.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Harmon, James V. ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Weinstein, Steven;
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| Maintenance Status: |
E1 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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Family Legal Status Report
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| Family: |
Show 2 known family members
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First Claim:
Show all 11 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A food package comprising,
- a can body containing a quantity of food,
- said can body including a side wall, a connected bottom wall and a lid at the top to provide a hermetic seal for preventing contamination of the food contained in the can,
- a handle connected to the lid and extending from the lid to enable the lid to be fractured and torn away from the top portion of the container to expose the food contained therein,
- a removable cover replaceably secured to the can to enclose the top of the can enclosing both the lid and the handle and to provide a storage compartment between the lid and the cover and seal partially eaten food,
- a folded eating utensil contained in the storage compartment in a position between the removable cover and the lid of the can,
- said utensil having a functional end portion and a handle with a connection therebetween for enabling the utensil to be folded for storage in the compartment,
- said utensil being connected to the inside of the cover such that the removal of the cover will also remove the utensil to thereby expose the lid and handle so that the utensil is out of the way when the handle on the lid is to be gasped for tearing away the lid from the can body,
- said cover having utensil retaining slot means molded on an inside surface of the cover in spaced apart relationship corresponding to the distance between ends of the utensil when in a folded condition so that the folded utensil can be slid into place within the slot means or snapped into the slot means when in a folded condition,
- such that when the food is to be consumed, the removal of the cover carries the utensil with the cover to expose the lid and handle thereby enabling the handle to be gasped manually to tear off the lid and the utensil then removed from its concealed position inside the cover for use and later replaced within the slot means on the inside of the cover before the cover is replaced on the can body to (a) keep the utensil clean (b) keep the utensil out of the food and (c) keep the food sealed until any remaining food is eaten.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 33 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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