US 9,957,097 B2 · Food tray

Abstract

A food tray has a lower tray containing a first food product and an upper tray nested stably at least partly inside the lower tray, with the upper tray containing a second food product. An air permeable interface is provided between the upper tray and lower tray to allow venting of steam from the lower tray during cooking. A cover is provided for the food tray. Each of the lower tray and the upper tray are formed of a material that is suitable for use in a microwave or conventional oven. Various constructions may be used to create the air permeable interface, such as lugs, ledges and lips. The upper tray may sit above the lower tray. The trays are nested loosely for ease of removal of the upper tray from the lower tray. Various configurations of cover may be used such as a sleeve, carton or lid. The upper tray may contain the higher value food product.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A prepackaged microwavable food product comprising:

a first food product;
a second food product;
a lower tray holding the first food product, the lower tray having a lower tray bottom, a lower tray sidewall extending upwardly from the lower tray bottom and a lower tray lip extending around the upper edge of the lower tray sidewall;
an upper tray holding the second food product, the upper tray having an upper tray bottom, an upper tray sidewall extending upwardly from the upper tray bottom and an upper tray lip extending around the upper edge of the upper tray sidewall;
and
a plurality of outwardly extending lugs formed under the upper tray lip, wherein the plurality of outwardly extending lugs rest on the top of the lower tray lip to form an air permeable gap between the upper tray and the lower tray, the upper tray lip thereby sitting above an entirety of the lower tray lip.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Food tray

Life of this patent

Food tray

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20