초록

A packaging system for a meal kit of ready to eat food and beverage items is provided to mechanically isolate the food items from the beverage container included in the meal kit. A method of assembling the food items and beverage container of the meal kit in the packaging system also is provided.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A packaging system for a meal kit of ready to eat food and beverage items comprising:a lightweight paperboard outer container having a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls; andan inner paperboard tray having only one compartment said tray having a gener

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A packaging system for a meal kit of ready to eat food and beverage items comprising:a lightweight paperboard outer container having a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls; andan inner paperboard tray having only one compartment said tray having a generally planar bottom surface disposed on the bottom wall of said outer container and disposed within said outer container,wherein a plurality of individually packaged ready to eat food items are disposed in said inner tray and a beverage container is disposed within said outer container adjacent said inner tray, andwherein said inner tray mechanically isolates said food items from said beverage container within said outer container. [12.]12. A meal kit of ready to eat food and beverage items comprising:an outer container;an inner tray having one compartment with a generally planar bottom surface and disposed within said outer container;a plurality of legs extending downwardly from said bottom surface of said compartment;a plurality of individually packaged ready to eat food items disposed in said inner tray; anda beverage container disposed within said outer container adjacent said inner tray,wherein said inner tray mechanically isolates said food items from said beverage container within said outer container.13. A meal kit in accordance with claim 9 wherein said food items are individually prepackaged and are arranged in layers within the inner tray.14. A meal kit in accordance with claim 10 wherein said food items comprise a farinaceous food product. [15.]15. A method of assembling a meal kit of ready to eat food and beverage items comprising:individually packaging a plurality of ready to eat food items;assembling said plurality of food items in a carrier tray by arranging said food items in one or more layers within said carrier tray, said carrier tray having one compartment for receiving said food items, said compartment having a generally planar bottom surface with a plurality of legs extending downwardly therefrom;providing an outer container having a lid for securing said outer container in a closed position and for providing access to said food and beverage items;assembling a beverage container within said outer container;assembling said carrier tray containing said food items adjacent said beverage container, said beverage container disposed between and engagably contacting a wall of said carrier tray and an opposing wall of said outer container; andsecuring said lid of said outer container in a closed position.16. A packaging system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said legs extend downward from said front and back walls.17. A packaging system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said legs extend downward from corners formed between said side walls and said front and back walls.