초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a pre-formed food packaging article, and method of manufacturing the same, useful in the packaging of individual food portions comprising a planar member having an upper surface and a lower surface, said planar member having a detachable utensil formed integrally

The present invention is directed to a pre-formed food packaging article, and method of manufacturing the same, useful in the packaging of individual food portions comprising a planar member having an upper surface and a lower surface, said planar member having a detachable utensil formed integrally in said planar member; and, said planar member having a sanitary membrane affixed to the lower surface covering and protecting the bottom of the utensil from contamination. The sanitary membrane of the present invention protects the lower surface of the integrally formed utensil, while a sealing film or lid protects the upper surface of the utensil, thus providing a food packaging article with a convenient, sanitary utensil for the consumer.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A food packaging article comprising: a planar member thermoformed from a multilayer, thermoplastic laminate having a utensil layer and a membrane layer, said utensil layer and said membrane layer are contiguously and peelably bonded along an entire interface therebetween, sai

What is claimed is: 1. A food packaging article comprising: a planar member thermoformed from a multilayer, thermoplastic laminate having a utensil layer and a membrane layer, said utensil layer and said membrane layer are contiguously and peelably bonded along an entire interface therebetween, said planar member having an upper surface formed by said utensil layer and a lower surface formed by said utensil layer of said membrane layer; a utensil formed integrally in said planar member and detachably secured thereto, said utensil being peelable from said membrane layer; and, wherein said membrane layer remains attached to said food packaging article after detachment of said utensil. 2. The food packaging article as in claim 1, including a protective layer affixed to and overlying said upper surface and covering and protecting said utensil. 3. The food packaging article as in claim 1, wherein a score line is defined between portions of said utensil and said upper surface to facilitate removal of said utensil from said planar member. 4. The food packaging article as in claim 1, wherein said upper surface includes a plurality of integral recesses adapted to receive and contain food items. 5. The food packaging article as in claim 1, wherein said planar member includes a peripheral flange in said upper surface with said utensil formed in said flange. 6. The food packaging article as in claim 1, wherein said planar member comprises a lid structure adapted to be placed in a covering relationship with a food container, said lid structure including a covering sealed to said upper surface, whereby said utensil is covered and protected from contact. 7. The food packaging article as in claim 1, including a removable molded lid engaging said upper surface, said lid covering and protecting the contents of each recess and the upper surface of said utensil. 8. The food packaging article with integral eating utensil including: a semi-rigid planar member defining an upper surface, a lower surface and one or more cavities adapted to receive and contain food, said planar member being thermoformed from a multilayer, thermoplastic laminate having a utensil layer and a membrane layer, said utensil layer of said utensil layer and said membrane layer are contiguously and peelably bonded along an entire interface therebetween; a utensil formed in said planar member and removably secured thereto, said utensil being peelable from said membrane layer; and, wherein said membrane layer remains with said food packaging article after said utensil is removed. 9. The food packaging article as in claim 8, wherein said utensil is surrounded by a score line having a reduced thickness along the perimeter of said utensil to facilitate detachment of said utensil from said planar member. 10. The food packaging article as in claim 8, wherein said planar member includes a peripheral flange section in aid upper surface, said utensil formed in said flange section. 11. The food packaging article as in claim 8, wherein said planar member includes a plurality of cavities to receive and contain food items. 12. A thermoformed plastic food packaging article for packaging individual food portions, said food packaging article comprising: a planar, semi-rigid member having an upper surface and a lower surface, said planar, semi-rigid member comprising a thermoformed multilayer, thermoplastic material having a utensil layer and a membrane layer, said utensil layer and said membrane layer are contiguously and peelably bonded along an entire interface therebetween; at least one integrally formed food receiving compartment formed in said upper surface by a thermoforming process, said food receiving compartment having an opening at said upper surface; at least one eating utensil integrally formed in said utensil layer of said planar, semi-rigid member, said utensil defined by a scored perimeter that permits said utensil to be detached from said container; and, wherein said utensil is peelable from said membrane layer and said membrane layer remains with said article after utensil is detached. 13. The food packaging article as in claim 12, wherein said article also includes a protective layer affixed to said upper surface covering and protecting the contents of each food receiving compartment and said eating utensil. 14. The food packaging article as in claim 12, wherein said planar, semi-rigid member includes a perimeter lip extending downwardly, said perimeter lip adapted to engage a complimentary molded plastic lid. 15. The food packaging article as in claim 12, wherein said planar, semi-rigid member includes a plurality of peripheral flange sections in said upper surface with said eating utensil formed in one of said plurality of flange sections. 16. The food packaging article as in claim 12, wherein said planar, semi-rigid member includes a plurality of integrally formed food-receiving compartments formed in said upper surface.