U.S. patent application number 11/010715 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for package for storing omelet ingredients.
Invention is credited to Edward Joachim Keckeis.
Application Number | 20060127540 11/010715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36584253 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060127540 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keckeis; Edward Joachim |
June 15, 2006 |
Package for storing omelet ingredients
Abstract
A package for separately storing ingredients for a single
omelet, quiche, or egg scramble having: a top face, and a plurality
of depressions each having a perimeter and each optimized for
holding an ingredient for a single omelet; and a detachable top
portion including an outer face and an inner face, wherein the
inner face and the perimeter of each depression form an openable
airtight compartment from each depression. The compartment
comprises: an omelet ingredient. The compartment is vacuum-sealed
during or after the inclusion of the fresh omelet ingredient. The
ingredient is shelf-stable or refrigerator stable.
Inventors: |
Keckeis; Edward Joachim;
(Coral Springs, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MALIN HALEY AND DIMAGGIO, PA
1936 S ANDREWS AVENUE
FORT LAUDERDALE
FL
33316
US
|
Family ID: |
36584253 |
Appl. No.: |
11/010715 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3294
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/120 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/32 20060101
B65D081/32 |
Claims
1. A package for separately storing ingredients for a single
omelet, comprising: a bottom portion having: a top face, and a
plurality of depressions each having a perimeter and each optimized
for holding an ingredient for a single omelet; and a detachable top
portion including an outer face and an inner face, wherein the
inner face and the perimeter of each depression form an openable
airtight compartment from each depression.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the compartment comprises: an
omelet ingredient.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein the compartment is vacuum-sealed
during or after the inclusion of the omelet ingredient.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein the depression is generally
see-through.
5. The package of claim 3, wherein the ingredient is shelf
stable.
6. The package of claim 3, wherein the ingredient is refrigerator
shelf stable.
7. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one compartment has a
perforated edge.
8. The package of claim 1, wherein a recipe is located on the top
portion.
9. The package of claim 1, wherein the package includes a separate
compartment for each different ingredients for omelets.
10. The package of claim 2, wherein each compartment includes a
multiple portion of an ingredient for an omelet.
11. The package of claim 1, wherein the package may be frozen
without a loss of quality in the ingredient.
12. The package of claim 1, wherein the top portion is heat sealed
to the top face of the bottom portion.
13. The package of claim 1, wherein the top portion is peelable
from the top face of the bottom portion.
14. The package of claim 1, wherein the package further comprises a
peelable strip so that the package is reclosable.
15. The package of claim 14, wherein one or more ingredients in a
compartment are shelf stable.
16. The package of claim 14, wherein one or more ingredients in a
compartment are refrigerator stable.
17. The package of claim 12, further comprising a thin printable
sheet having a recipe located between the top portion and the
bottom portion before heat-sealing.
18. The package of claim 1, wherein each ingredient is fresh.
19. An omelet ingredient container, comprising: means for holding
one or more individual omelet ingredients in a compartment; and
means for openably sealing the omelet ingredient within the
compartment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to the field of containers of
ingredients for omelets, and, more specifically, to convenient
separately openable compartments for individual ingredients for
omelets.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Previous U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,021 issued to Herbruck
discloses an egg carton which contain eggs as well as ingredients
for egg dishes. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,579 issued to Barnes
et al. teaches a container for an egg as well as the ingredients
for an omelet including the egg. U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,658 issued to
Melnick teaches a dry egg material and an adjunct ingredient of
gross particulate food in the same package. Also, U.S. Pat. No.
2,952,551 issued to Long et al. discloses a packaged frozen egg
product which is sliceable into numerous portions.
[0005] There is thus a need for a convenient package of fresh
omelet ingredients separate from any egg but capable of storing
individual portions and styles of omelets.
[0006] There is thus a need for a convenient package for camping
trips and other situations where airtight packaging and portability
are preferred.
[0007] There is also a need for shelf stable ingredients, so the
eggs may more conveniently and inexpensively be purchased in
bulk.
[0008] There is also a need for an apparatus that allows a consumer
to purchase fresh and nutritional pre-sliced and pre-washed
ingredients to accommodate one or more omelets or egg dishes.
[0009] There is also a need for a package of omelet ingredients
which does not require the consumer to sacrifice quality for
convenience.
[0010] There is also a need for a package which saves the consumer
from going to different aisles in a store to obtain fresh and
crispy omelet ingredients.
[0011] There is also a need for a package which allows a consumer
to inspect pre-cut omelet ingredients before purchasing to confirm
that the quality is comparable to the ideal, such as a fresh uncut
vegetable.
[0012] There is also a need for a package that is extremely
convenient for the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the invention to provide an option to a
consumer which is less expensive than the purchase of bulk
vegetables or full-size items like peppers, tomatoes or cheese.
[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide a package
that saves a consumer time in the kitchen cutting, chopping,
packing and unpacking vegetables to make one or more omelets.
Furthermore, it is an object to save the consumer time in going to
the refrigerator, pulling all the desired ingredients, unwrapping
the ingredients from store packaging, wash the ingredients cut
them, rewrap them and then replace them in the refrigerator.
[0015] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
simple and easy solution in deciding which type of omelet a
consumer may want, and preventing the situation where an ingredient
may be mistakenly omitted.
[0016] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
solution for the situation where one ingredient in a several
ingredient omelet is missing from a pantry, thereby necessitating a
wasteful trip to the grocery store.
[0017] It is yet still another object of the invention to provide a
broad selection of traditional and modern styles of egg dishes
available while making unnecessary to take a separate trip to the
vegetable aisle.
[0018] It is still another object of the invention to provide
multiple servings in a single package so a consumer may make a
double or triple size omelet or to make several of the same type of
omelet.
[0019] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
convenient packaging for fresh omelet ingredients useful for
camping and other similar activities.
[0020] In accordance with these and other objects which will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of the package of the invention
having a pull tab.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the bottom portion of the
package of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the package of the
invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 show a side elevational cutaway view of an
alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of another alternative
embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a side elevational cutaway view of another
alternative embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of yet another alternative
embodiment of the invention for camping.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The invention is described herein is shown in the FIGS. 1
through 8 and described generally as the package at 10. The
invention is a package 10 for separately storing ingredients for a
single omelet. The term omelet in this description includes egg
scrambles, quiches, frittatas, and similar egg dishes. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the package 10 includes a bottom portion 12 having a
top face 14 and a plurality of depressions 16 each having a
perimeter 18 and each optimized for holding an ingredient 20 for a
single omelet. A detachable top portion 22 includes an outer face
24 and an inner face 26, wherein the inner face 26 and the
perimeter 18 of each depression 16 form an openable airtight
compartment 28. The top portion 22 may be peelably detached from
the lower portion. However, equivalent means for attachment and
detachment as are known in the art are contemplated.
[0030] Each compartment preferably includes a separate omelet
ingredient 20, such as one from the list of diced peppers, diced
onion, diced tomato, sausage, ham and grated cheese. However this
listing does not limit the ingredients in anyway. While in the
preferred embodiment each ingredient has it's own compartment 28,
several ingredients may be placed in a single compartment 28. Also,
each compartment preferably has a separate ingredient for a
multi-ingredient omelet. It may also be preferred to have a double
portion of the ingredient or ingredients in each compartment 28, so
that large omelets or multiple omelets of the same ingredient may
be cooked.
[0031] It is also preferred that the compartment 28 is
vacuum-sealed during or after the inclusion of the omelet
ingredient 20 in the compartment. It is preferred that the
ingredient 20 is pre-washed and pre-cut. Preferably, the bottom
portion, or at least the depressions in the bottom portion 14, is
made of a flexible plastic which shrinks or otherwise moves inward
during the vacuum sealing process. Vacuum sealing reduces the
amount of space taken by the package and reduces the amount of air
which contacts the ingredients, thereby keeping the ingredients
fresh for a longer period of time. In addition, it is also
preferred that the bottom portion 14, and especially the depression
16, is generally see-through.
[0032] It is also preferred that the ingredients are shelf stable.
However, one or more of the ingredients 20 may be refrigerator
stable. In an alterative embodiment, the ingredients 20 may be
freezable so that the package 10 may be frozen.
[0033] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, one or more compartments
has a perforated edge 32. Thus, an individual ingredient 20 may be
used while keeping the integrity of the rest of the package.
Depending upon the configuration of the package 10, it may be
preferred that one or more compartments is surrounded by
perforations 32.
[0034] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the top portion 22
conveniently may be removed from the top face 14 of the bottom
portion 12, thereby revealing the ingredients in each compartment
28. In addition, a thin printable sheet 34 made of paper, Mylar,
plastic or an equivalent material known in the art having labeling,
instructions and/or a recipe may be located between the top portion
22 and the bottom portion 14. Alternatively, or in addition, the
labeling and recipes may be located on the surface of the top
portion or the bottom portion. Also, the labeling and recipes may
be on a container around one or more of the packages. It may also
be preferred that the top portion and the bottom portion are
connected by heat sealing. The top portion 22 is heat sealed to the
top face 14 of the bottom portion 12.
[0035] The sheet 34 would be inserted between the top portion and
the bottom portion before the heat sealing process.
[0036] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the
compartments 28 may be sealed and openable by a peel off strip 36.
The strip 36 is a convenient and easy way to open the package 10.
Also, when the package 10 is opened with the strip 36, any or all
of the compartments 28 may be opened to obtain the ingredient 20
therein. Afterwards, the package may be re-closed so that any
remaining ingredients stay fresh.
[0037] In still another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the package
10 is optimized for camping. One or more eggs 40 are placed in each
depression 18, thereby adding to the convenience for the invention.
In this embodiment it is preferred that the egg is specially
protected, for example, an air pocket or styrofoam case surrounds
the egg. Thus, the entire meal is ready for cooking and located in
an easily portable container. Furthermore, the container is spill
proof and hygienic, since neither air, dust nor water can enter the
package, especially in the vacuum sealed configuration.
[0038] It may also be preferred that a package 10 includes three or
more separate, different ingredients 20 for omelets. Also, three or
more packages 10 may be placed in a single box or container so that
a consumer may obtain a large variety of ingredients at one
time.
[0039] It may also be preferred that each compartment 28 includes a
multiple portion of an ingredient for an omelet. In addition, the
package may be freezable so that it may include ingredients that
may be frozen without a loss of quality in the ingredient.
[0040] It is an alternative "multi-pack" version, the package 11
includes 10 or 12 compartments each having a different ingredient
so the consumer can chose ingredients in accordance with his or her
individual tastes. One or more omelets may be made from the other
unused ingredients. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the
package is resealable.
[0041] In another embodiment, one or more of the ingredients is
organic.
[0042] Thus, utilizing the structural elements described above, or
the equivalents known in the art, the invention is shown to be an
omelet ingredient container, comprising means for holding one or
more individual omelet ingredients in a compartment; and means for
openably sealing the omelet ingredient within the compartment.
[0043] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in
what is considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made
therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
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