Packaging means and methods for reducing decomposition of particulate products during shipping and handling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a means of packaging to reduce decomposition of particulate products, such as dry flake cereals that are often crushed, compacted, or pulverized during shipping and handling, by distributing the product across a multiplicity of structurally isolated cellular storage sections within the package.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSReferences Cited[0001]U.S. Patent Documents6,510,981Jan. 28, 2003Deering et al.220 / 258.36,050,484Apr. 18, 2000Galomb229 / 222.5,851,069Dec. 22, 1998Davoren.383 / 38.5,251,808Oct. 12, 1993Rudd229 / 101.2.5,958,483Sep. 28, 1999Anders426 / 112.6,892,933May 17, 2005Sullivan229122.33.6,102,277Aug. 15, 2000Krapohl229 / 101.26,814,234Nov. 9, 2004Lipper206 / 459.5BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to means and methods of packaging to reduce decomposition of particulate products, such as dry flake breakfast cereals, that are often crushed, compacted, or pulverized during shipping and handling. This invention minimizes product decomposition by distributing the product into structurally isolated packaging cells.[0004]2. Discussion of Background[0005]Packaging of particulate products, such as dry flake breakfast cereals, and the like have not changed significantly in 25 years. This maybe due to the increased c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Accordingly with its major aspects already briefly recited, the present invention discloses packaging means to reduce decomposition of particulate products, such as dry flake breakfast cereals, often crushed, compacted, or pulverized during shipping and handling. The main emphasis of the invention is to minimize product decomposition into loose grains, similar to sand, caused by compaction or shifting due to the increased amount of product in larger packaging. Reduction in decomposition is accomplished by inserting sectional barriers between the product thereby emulating individual product packaging. This isolation constitutes product separation that reduces the forces exerted on the product and adjoining products. The sectional cell barriers can be made using the same material as the primary packaging making manufacturing a simple modification of the existing form. Insertion of product at manufacturing time is not changed, just reoriented, from the top of the packaging to the front, back, or sides and as such does not require major modification of packaging machinery. The consumer only has to open one perforated sectional cell compartment of the package to retrieve the product and there may be as many cell compartments as necessary to preserve the product. Package recognition by consumers is not compromised as externally the packaging and its artwork essentially remain the same.

[0009]Other advantages of this structurally cellular packaging concept are its ability to: size cellular sections as a function of product, accommodate individual serving sizes, accommodate existing sealed bag technology, increase shelf time owing to individual cellular section opening-closing, be implemented at low cost. Other features and their advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art of particulate product packaging from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments accompanied by the following drawings.

Problems solved by technology

This, over time and package movement, causes the product to settle and ultimately decompose into smaller and smaller granulated particulate that ultimately settles to the bottom of the packaging.

Manufacturer's often label their product with a disclaimer stating that the product is packaged by weight, not volume, probably owing to complaints precipitated by consumers feeling shortchanged.

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