Food package

Abstract

The invention relates to a food package comprising a shell comprising by a peripheral wall and a bottom wall, the shell having an outer face and an interior face defining an interior space for holding food. The food package further comprises a protrusion extending upward from the bottom wall into the interior space, the protrusion having a bottom end and a distal end, one or more ventilation apertures disposed upon the protrusion, the one or more ventilation apertures forming a fluid channel through the shell permitting air flow into the interior space.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to packaging configurations, and more particularly, food packaging configurations.BACKGROUND

[0002] Food packaging is the process of enclosing food products in containers or wrapping materials to protect them from contamination, preserve their quality, and provide information to consumers. Proper food packaging is essential to ensure the safety and longevity of the product while also meeting regulatory requirements.

[0003] Ventilation in food packaging refers to the inclusion of air vents or perforations in the packaging material to allow for the exchange of gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide) and moisture. Adequate ventilation is crucial to prevent the buildup of harmful gases, control moisture levels, and maintain the freshness and quality of the food product. However, designing effective ventilation systems in food packaging can be challenging, as it must balance the need for gas exchange with the prevention of contamination and spoilage.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] In various embodiments, a food package may consist of a shell with a peripheral wall and a bottom wall. The shell has an outer face and an interior face that defines an interior space for holding food. Additionally, a protrusion is present, extending upward from the bottom wall into the interior space, with a bottom end and a distal end. The food package may also include one or more ventilation apertures located on the protrusion, forming a fluid channel through the shell. This channel permits air flow into the interior space of the food package.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a left isometric view of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a right isometric view of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.

[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional right isometric view of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of a specific embodiment the subject matter in accordance with this embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a specific embodiment of the subject matter in accordance with this embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of a different specific embodiment of the subject matter in accordance with this embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a different specific embodiment of the subject matter in accordance with this embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a different specific embodiment of the subject matter in accordance with this embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the subject matter in accordance with an alternative embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the subject matter in accordance with an alternative embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of a prior art food package.

[0020] FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional isometric view of a prior art food package.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, illustrated is a food package 1 comprising a shell 2 for holding food. FIG. 2 has a different configuration for bottom edge openings compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-9, but it should be understood that teachings relating to one embodiment are applicable to other embodiments absent an incompatibility of features. The shell 2 comprises a peripheral wall 3 and a bottom wall 4, the shell 2 having an outer face 5 and an interior face 6. The interior face 6 defines an interior space 7 for holding food. In the particular embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7, the peripheral wall 3 and bottom wall 4 of the shell 2 form a unitary, monolithic structure making the shell 2 a one-piece construction. The shell 2 of this particular embodiment is formed as a one-piece construction through means of plastic injection molding. In these particular embodiments, the outer face 5 of the shell 2 is a continuous surface extending along the entirety of the peripheral wall 3 and the bottom wall 4. Similarly, the interior face 6 is a continuous surface extending along the entirety of the peripheral wall 3 and the bottom wall 4, this continuous interior face 6 bounding and defining the interior space 7. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the shell 2 could be formed by any number of different means and materials that are known in the art, as well as being constructed as separate pieces rather than a single monolithic structure.

[0022] As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the food package 1 comprises a protrusion 8 extending upward from the bottom wall 4 into the interior space 7. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the protrusion 8 of these particular embodiments have a bottom end 9 and a distal end 10. The bottom end 9 of the protrusion 8 is positioned along the interior face 6 of the bottom wall 4. The distal end 10 is located within the interior space 7. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the protrusion 8 is semi-conical in shape with a continuous side surface 17. The distal end 10 of the protrusion 8 terminates with a top surface 18. The top surface 18 of the particular embodiment of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is a substantially flat surface.

[0023] The food package 1 further comprises one or more ventilation apertures 11 disposed upon the protrusion 8, the one or more ventilation apertures 11 forming a fluid channel 12 through the shell 2 permitting air flow into the interior space 7. As discussed in detail below, the distal end 10 of the protrusion 8 of the particular embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 is substantially central to the interior space 7.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a bottom opening 19 disposed upon the bottom wall 4 and positioned at the bottom end 9 of the protrusion 8. As seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the bottom opening 19 is in fluid connection with the one or more ventilation apertures 11, to allow air to flow through the bottom opening 19 and through the one or more ventilation apertures 11 into the interior space 7. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the bottom opening 19 of this particular embodiment is formed from a semi-circular opening in the bottom wall 4. The fluid channel 12 is a hollow space within the protrusion 8, which hollow space extends from the bottom opening 19 through to the one or more ventilation apertures 11.

[0025] As seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the one or more ventilation apertures 11 of the particular embodiment illustrated therein are disposed upon the distal end 10 of the protrusion 8. In this particular embodiment, the one or more ventilation apertures 11 comprise a first ventilation aperture 13 and a second ventilation aperture 14, the first and second ventilation apertures disposed upon the distal end 10 of the protrusion and positioned opposing one another upon the side surface 17 of the protrusion 8. Referring toFIG. 4 and FIG. 5, air flow 24 from outside of the shell 2 passes through the bottom opening 19 and through the fluid channel 12 formed within the hollow space of the protrusion 8. Air flow 24 passes through each of the first ventilation aperture 13 and second ventilation aperture 14 to move into the interior space 7 of the shell 2.

[0026] Referring again to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in the particular embodiment disclosed therein, the side surface 17 of the protrusion 8 further comprises one or more sloped portions 34, and in this particular embodiment, a first sloped portion 15 and a second sloped portion 16 disposed upon the distal end of the protrusion 8, with each of the first sloped portion 15 and second sloped portion 16 of this particular embodiment sloping downward from the top surface 18. As seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in this particular embodiment, the first ventilation aperture 13 and the second ventilation aperture 14 and disposed upon each of the respective first and second sloped portions 15, 16.

[0027] In an advantageous implementation, each of the first and second sloped portions 15, 16 are symmetrical with respect to an axis 25 that bisects and runs orthogonal to the top surface 18 of the protrusion 8. This arrangement helps create a mirrored orientation for the ventilation apertures 13, 14, which can promote a broader airflow pattern from the center of the interior space 7 out to either side. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2 for example, one or more ventilation apertures 11 may result in having a multi-planar sloped configuration or more of an S-shape contour due at least partially to its orientation between the top surface 18 down into each respective sloped portion 15, 16 of the side surface 17.

[0028] As elaborated below, the multi-planar sloped configuration comprises a ventilation aperture concavity, and wherein the one or more sloped portions comprise a sloped concavity, and where the ventilation aperture concavity matches the sloped portion concavity. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-9, the bottom contour of each ventilation aperture 11 (e.g., the portion of the ventilation aperture that is curved closer to the bottom wall 4) has a concavity facing toward a neighboring portion of the peripheral wall 3, which has a bottom opening that spans between the bottom wall 4 and the peripheral wall 3. The bottom opening has a concavity that matches the concavity of the edge between the peripheral wall 3 and the bottom wall 4. This type of bottom opening is more typical in food packaging, in which the concavity opens away from the edge between the peripheral wall 3 and the bottom wall 4. However, with the ventilation apertures 11, the concavity opens toward the opposing edge between the peripheral wall 3 and the bottom wall 4. This arrangement provides an alternate airflow pattern compared with packaging that only has the more standard bottom openings that mimic the concavity of the bottom edge.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, the top surface 18 of the protrusion 8 has a top surface planar axis 27. Similarly, the bottom wall 4 has a bottom wall planar axis 28, and the top flange 20 has a top flange planar axis 26. The top flange 20 is typically used for sealing, such that a sealing membrane may be secured to the top flange 20 to enclose the interior space 7 of the shell 2.

[0030] Positioning the first ventilation aperture 13 and second ventilation aperture 14 at least partially along the side surface 17 of the protrusion 8, rather than being positioned entirely upon the top surface 18, allows continuous air flow 24 into the interior space 7 of the shell 2 even if the top surface 18 of the protrusion 8 is covered. For example, in some embodiments, the protrusion 8 may extend up to a position where the top surface planar axis 27 coincides with the distance from top surface planar axis to top flange planar axis 32, thereby placing the top surface 18 in a substantially parallel planar axis to the top edge or flange 20, with the top surface planar axis 27 and the top flange planar axis 26 being substantially equidistant from the bottom wall 4. In this scenario, if a sealing membrane is attached to the top flange 20 to enclose the interior space 7, this sealing membrane may abut the top surface 18 of the protrusion 8. With the first ventilation aperture 13 and second ventilation aperture 14 positioned at least partially upon the side surface 17, this ensures that the air flow into the interior space 7 will not be inadvertently impeded by any such sealing membrane. Accordingly, placing the one or more ventilation apertures 11 partially upon the top surface 18 and partially upon the side surface 17 of the protrusion 8, thus still permits air flow into the interior space 7 even if the top surface 18 is partially covered.

[0031] Referring to the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the top surface 18 of the protrusion 8 extends below the top edge or flange 20 relative to the bottom wall 4 (i.e. the top surface planar axis 27 is below the top flange planar axis 26 relative to the bottom wall planar axis 28). There is a distance from top surface planar axis to top flange planar axis 32, and there is a distance from bottom wall planar axis to top surface planar axis 31. In the particular embodiment of FIG. 4, the distance from bottom wall planar axis to top surface planar axis 31 is approximately 4.95 centimetres and the distance from top surface planar axis to top flange planar axis 32 is approximately 4.35 centimetres. Thus, distance from bottom wall planar axis to top surface planar axis 31 of the particular embodiment of FIG. 4 is slightly over one half of the total height of the food package 1 (i.e. the combined height of the distance from bottom wall planar axis to top surface planar axis 31 and the distance from top surface planar axis to top flange planar axis 32).

[0032] Furthermore, the shell width 33 of the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is approximately 190 centimetres, and the radial distance from protrusion planar central axis to outer edge vertical axis 30 is approximately 95 centimetres. Accordingly, radial distance from protrusion planar central axis to outer edge vertical axis 30 of the particular embodiment of FIG. 4 is approximately one half the shell width 33. Thus, in this particular embodiment, the distal end 10 of the protrusion 8 is substantially central to the interior space 7 of the shell 2. Furthermore, in this particular embodiment, the protrusion 8 is substantially central to the bottom wall 4. In at least some embodiments, “substantially centre” or “substantially central” means that at least part of the referenced feature overlaps a centre point of another corresponding feature. For example, the protrusion 8 is substantially centrally located with respect to the bottom wall 4 because the bottom opening 19 overlaps with a centre point of the area of the bottom wall 4. Similarly, the protrusion 8 is also substantially centrally located with respect to the interior space 7, since an interior volume of the protrusion overlaps a volumetric centre as defined by the borders of the peripheral and bottom walls 3, 4. In some embodiments, particularly with reference to locating something “substantially central” to an interior volume, a feature is substantially central if it is located within an interior volume that is closer to a centroid of the volume defined by the peripheral and bottom walls 3, 4 (without considering the volume of the protrusion 8 itself). For example, the distal end 10 is located closer to a volumetric center defined by the peripheral and bottom walls 3, 4 (see e.g., midline near arrow 3 in FIG. 4 at the intersection of axis 25) than to the peripheral wall 3.

[0033] A height of the protrusion 8 may vary depending on the size of the food package 1. In an advantageous embodiment, a height of the protrusion 8 between the bottom end 9 and the distal end 10 is proportionally related to a height between the bottom wall 4 and the top of the container (i.e., the height of the food package 1). The top of the container may be the flange 20 with a planar or flat lid, or with a larger clam-shell style lid, it may be the top of the lid. For example, in most implementations, the height of the protrusion 8 is at least 5% of the height of the food package 1. In a preferred implementation, the height of the protrusion 8 is between 10% and 90%, inclusive. of the height of the food package 1. This is distinguishable from smaller or more shallow protrusions which fail to direct airflow in a central region of the interior space 7. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the height of the protrusion 8 is greater than or equal to 50% of a height of the food package 1, and less than or equal to 80% of a height of the food package 1. With a larger clam-shell style lid, it is possible for the protrusion 8 to extend beyond the top edge or flange 20. This arrangement helps orient the ventilation apertures 11 in a location that diversifies the internal airflow pattern.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the particular embodiment illustrated therein shows the food package 1 in a practical application, with the interior space 7 substantially filled with a perishable food, namely, cherry tomatoes. As seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, with the protrusion 8 positioned substantially central to the interior space 7, and the distal end 10 substantially central to the interior space 7, this provides separation amongst the cherry tomatoes to prevent build up or crowding, thereby enhancing air flow throughout the interior space 7 and across the perishable foods contained therein. With air flow 24 entering into the interior space 7 from a substantially central position, along with separating the tomatoes from one another, the protrusion 8 allows air flow 24 to cover a greater surface area of the tomatoes contained within the interior space 7.

[0035] Referring specifically to FIG. 9, air flow 24 enters through the bottom opening 19, through the fluid channel 12, and through the first ventilation aperture 13 and second ventilation aperture 14 into the interior space 7. The air flow 24 is able to move across the surface area of the tomatoes contained therein. As seen in FIG. 9, the effect of the first sloped portion 15 and second sloped portion 16 is to assist in preventing blockage of the first ventilation aperture 13 and second ventilation aperture 14. As opposed to a substantially vertical side surface 17 of the protrusion 8, which might permit tomatoes (or other perishable food contained therein) to press completely against the one or more ventilation apertures 11 and substantially block air flow, as seen in FIG. 9, the shape of first sloped portion 15 and second sloped portion 16 prevent the tomatoes from completely pressing against and block the one or more ventilation apertures 11. Thus, as seen in FIG. 9, even if a tomato presses against the first ventilation aperture 13 or second ventilation aperture 14, being positioned on the first sloped portion 15 and second sloped portion 16 respectively minimizes the possibility that such tomato can block a substantial portion of each respective aperture. Depending on the desired contents of the food package 1, the size and curvature of the sloped portion 15, 16 may be adjusted to accommodate the desired airflow pattern and help prevent blockage of the ventilation apertures 11.

[0036] Accordingly, as the foregoing discussion demonstrates, the protrusion 8 with the one or more ventilation apertures 11 enhances air flow throughout the interior space 7 of the food package 1, thereby minimizing mold, yeast and aerobic bacteria growth on perishable food items. The substantially central positioning of the protrusion 8, the one or more ventilation apertures 11 being disposed upon the side surface 17 of protrusion and upon respective first and second sloped portions 15, 16, all enhance air flow into the interior space 7 while minimizing the likelihood of blockages.

[0037] As seen in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the food package 1 can contain several different protrusions 8, with one or more ventilation apertures 11 contained on each of said protrusions. As illustrated in FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, this particular embodiment is used to contain blueberries as opposed to the embodiment of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 which contains cherry tomatoes. Given the much smaller size of blueberries compared to cherry tomatoes, the particular embodiment of FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 utilizes five protrusions-protrusion 8a, protrusion 8b, protrusion 8c, protrusion 8d and protrusion 8e. These five protrusions are used to break up and prevent crowding of the much smaller blueberries, and deliver increased air flow across a much larger surface area of blueberry skins.

[0038] In the particular embodiment of FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, each protrusion is substantially the same as that of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 9. Each protrusion has first and second ventilation apertures disposed upon its distal end. For example, protrusion 8a has a first ventilation aperture 13a and second ventilation aperture 14a disposed upon its distal end. Similarly, protrusion 8b has a first ventilation aperture 13b and second ventilation aperture 14b disposed upon its distal end. Thus, in this particular embodiment, each individual protrusion 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e is in the same form as the protrusion 8 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 9.

[0039] Referring to the central cross-sectional view of FIG. 12, which cuts across the centre of the food package 1 of the embodiment of FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 and centrally through protrusion 8c, the air flow mechanism of this particular embodiment operates in much the same fashion as that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 9. Air flow 24 passes through the bottom opening 19 and the fluid channel 12, through the first ventilation aperture 13c and the second ventilation aperture 14c and into the interior space 7. As seen in FIG. 12, the positioning of the first ventilation aperture 13c on the first sloped portions 15c and the second ventilation aperture 14c on the second sloped portion 16c prevents blueberries from pressing against the respective apertures and completely blocking them. Accordingly, this enhances air flow 24 into the interior space 7 and across a greater surface area of blueberries, thereby minimizing mold, yeast and aerobic bacteria growth amongst the perishable goods.

[0040] A series of microbiological food analyses tests were undertaken over the course of October and November of 2024 comparing the conventional, prior art clamshell food package of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 and the embodiment of the food package 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, which showed unexpected results due at least partially to the protrusion configuration of the present embodiments. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the analysis was undertaken with each of the respective food packages containing cherry tomatoes within the interior space of each respective food package. A sample size of twelve packages of the conventional food package of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 and twelve food packages of the embodiment of FIG. 1, each package containing two (2 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes, was used. Similarly, an additional sample size of twelve packages of the conventional food package of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 and twelve food packages of the embodiment of FIG. 1, each package containing two and a half (2.5 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes, was also used. Thus the total sample size was forty-eight food packages, with twenty-four of the packages containing two (2 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes and twenty-four of the packages containing two and a half (2.5 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes.

[0041] The microbiological food analyses tested for yeast and mould counts according to the MFHPB-32 standardized testing methodology and aerobic bacteria according to the MFHPB-33 standardized testing methodology. According to each of the MFHPB-32 and MFHPB-33 testing methodologies, each of the conventional food package and the claimed food package 1 rested, with the interior space of each respective package containing either two (2 lbs) pounds or two and a half (2.5 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes, for one month. Random sampling of the tomato contents of the packages was conducted at eight regular intervals over the course of the testing period. The tomato contents of each of the respective food packages were tested for yeast, mold and aerobic bacteria content in accordance with the MFHPB-32 and MFHPB-33 testing methods.TABLE 1Average Test Results of Microbiological Food AnalysisTraditional 4C vs. New 4CTraditional 4CNew 4CImprovementParameter(Average CFU / g)(Average CFU / g)(%)Total6800158376.7%MouldsTotal59423460.6%YeastsTotal857182254.0%AerobicBacteriaTraditional 25C vs. New 25CTraditional 25CNew 25CImprovementParameter(Average CFU / g)(Average CFU / g)(%)Total129,00016,30087.4%MouldsTotal36022836.7%YeastsTotal9,8338,33315.3%AerobicBacteria

[0042] Table 1 presents the average tests results for both the conventional package and the food package 1 of FIG. 1. In Table 1, Traditional 4C refers to the conventional food package containing two (2 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes, while New 4C refers to the food package 1 of FIG. 1 containing two (2 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes. Furthermore, Traditional 25C refers to the conventional food package containing two and a half (2.5 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes, while New 25C refers to the food package 1 of FIG. 1 containing two and a half (2.5 lbs) pounds of cherry tomatoes. The data presented in Table 1 illustrated the mold, yeast and aerobic bacteria counts as averaged across each of the respective sample of twelve (12) packages at the end of the testing period. As the results illustrated in Table 1 demonstrate, the food package 1 of FIG. 1 shows significant improvement in mold, yeast and aerobic bacteria growth compared to the conventional food package of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.

[0043] An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. In this alternative embodiment, the food package 1 further comprises a bottom plate 22 in spaced connection with the outer face 5 of the bottom wall 4 of shell 2. The spaced connection between the bottom plate 22 and the outer face 5 forms an air channel 23 in fluid communication with the bottom opening 19. As seen in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the air channel 23 is the space between the bottom plate 22 and the outer face 5 of the bottom wall 4, which space opens to the bottom opening 19. The addition of the bottom plate 22 helps to prevent debris and other foreign material from inadvertently entering into the bottom opening 19 and blocking the fluid channel 12, which could partially obstruct air flow 24 through the fluid channel 12. It is also possible for the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 to be modified to incorporate one or more protrusions 8, and there may be holes implemented in the bottom plate 22 to accommodate airflow into the interior volume of the one or more protrusions.

Claims

1. A food package, comprising:a shell comprising by a peripheral wall and a bottom wall, the shell having an outer face and an interior face defining an interior space for holding food;a protrusion extending upward from the bottom wall into the interior space, the protrusion having a bottom end and a distal end; andone or more ventilation apertures disposed upon the protrusion, the one or more ventilation apertures forming a fluid channel through the shell, wherein the one or more ventilation apertures are configured to permit air flow into the interior space.

2. The food package of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is substantially central to the bottom wall.

3. The food package of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the protrusion is substantially central to the interior space.

4. The food package of claim 1, further comprising a bottom opening disposed upon the bottom wall and positioned at the bottom end of the protrusion, wherein the bottom opening is in fluid connection with the ventilation apertures to allow air to flow through the bottom opening and ventilation apertures into the interior space.

5. The food package of claim 4, further comprising a bottom plate in spaced connection with the outer face of the bottom wall of the shell, a space between bottom plate and the outer face on the bottom wall forming an air channel in fluid communication with the bottom opening.

6. The food package of claim 1, wherein the one or more ventilation apertures are disposed upon the distal end of the protrusion.

7. The food package of claim 1, wherein the protrusion comprises a side surface extending upward from the bottom end and a top surface at the distal end.

8. The food package of claim 7, wherein the ventilation apertures are disposed partially upon the top surface and partially upon the side surface.

9. The food package of claim 7, wherein the ventilation apertures are at least partially disposed upon the side surface.

10. The food package of claim 9, wherein the one or more ventilation apertures comprise a first ventilation aperture and a second ventilation aperture, wherein the first and second ventilation apertures are disposed upon the distal end of the protrusion and positioned opposing one another upon the side surface of the protrusion.

11. The food package of claim 10, wherein the peripheral wall further comprises a top flange configured to receive a sealing membrane.

12. The food package of claim 11, wherein the top surface of the protrusion extends below the top flange relative to the bottom wall.

13. The food package of claim 11, wherein the top surface of the protrusion and the top flange are on a substantially parallel planar axis and substantially equidistant from the bottom wall.

14. The food package of claim 9, wherein the side surface of the protrusion further comprises one or more sloped portions disposed upon the distal end of the protrusion with each of the one or more sloped portions sloping downward from the top surface, wherein the one or more ventilation apertures are disposed on the one or more sloped portions.

15. The food package of claim 14, wherein the one or more ventilation apertures have a multi-planar sloped configuration due at least partially to orientation between the top surface of the protrusion down into the one or more sloped portions.

16. The food package of claim 15, wherein the multi-planar sloped configuration comprises a. ventilation aperture concavity, and wherein the one or more sloped portions comprise a sloped concavity, and where the ventilation aperture concavity matches the sloped portion concavity.

17. The food package of claim 16, wherein the ventilation aperture concavity and the sloped portion concavity comprise an S-shaped contour.

18. The food package of claim 10, wherein the side surface of the protrusion further comprises a first sloped portion and a second sloped portion disposed upon the distal end of the protrusion with each of the first sloped portion and the second sloped portion sloping downward from the top surface, wherein the first and second ventilation apertures are disposed upon each of the respective first and second sloped portions.

19. The food package of claim 18, further comprising an axis that bisects and runs orthogonal to the top surface of the protrusion, wherein the first and second sloped portions are symmetrical to one another on the side surface of the protrusion with respect to the axis.

20. The food package of claim 1, wherein a height of the protrusion is between 10% and 90%, inclusive, of a height of the food package.

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