Marsha Ann Thompson

US Patent:

6733807, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Jan 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/050695

Inventors:

Thomas J. Martuch - Eden Prairie MN
Randal J. Monforton - Eden Prairie MN
Marsha D. Thompson Hunt - Minneapolis MN
Melissa L. Jacobs - Fort Wayne IN

Assignee:

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B65D 3010

US Classification:

426107, 426111, 426115, 426122, 426123, 426234, 426243, 219727, 219730

Abstract:

A flexible paper microwave package in the form of an easily expandable, nontrapping bag ( ) is disclosed including a bottom wall ( ) and a top wall ( ) interconnected together adjacent their circular outer peripheries ( ) by first and second interconnection portions ( ). In one preferred form, the top wall ( ) is formed from a first portion ( ) having an oval shaped access opening closed by an oval shaped closure portion ( ) interconnected by a seal ( ) to the first portion ( ). The bottom and top walls ( ) expand into an opposing double domed shape as the food product is being popped, puffed, or expanded in the microwave oven. This domed shape of the bottom wall ( ) keeps the food product huddled closer together and enhances the bag ( ) to rock to maximize gravimetric separation. The bag ( ) provides a serving bowl function when the peelable closure seal ( ) has been opened providing access to the interior of the bag ( ) and specifically to the popped, puffed or expanded food product located therein. An extension ( ) integrally extends from the closure portion ( ) along the major axis of the oval shape.

US Patent:

63064480, Oct 23, 2001

Filed:

Jul 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/354545

Inventors:

Thomas J Martuch - Eden Prairie MN
Randal J Monforton - Eden Prairie MN
Marsha D Thompson Hunt - Minneapolis MN
Melissa L Jacobs - Eden Prairie MN

Assignee:

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B65D 3010

US Classification:

426107

Abstract:

A flexible paper microwave package in the form of an easily expandable, nontrapping bag (18) is disclosed including a bottom wall (20) and a top wall (22) interconnected together adjacent their circular outer peripheries (20a, 22a) by first and second interconnection portions (26a, 26b). In one preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed from a first portion (22d) having an oval shaped access opening closed by an oval shaped closure portion (22e) interconnected by a seal (40) to the first portion (22d). The bottom and top walls (20, 22) expand into an opposing double domed shape as the food product is being popped, puffed, or expanded in the microwave oven. This domed shape of the bottom wall (20) keeps the food product huddled closer together and enhances the bag (18) to rock to maximize gravimetric separation. The bag (18) provides a serving bowl function when the peelable closure seal (40) has been opened providing access to the interior of the bag (18) and specifically to the popped, puffed or expanded food product located therein. An extension (42) integrally extends from the closure portion (22e) along the major axis of the oval shape.

US Patent:

53321464, Jul 26, 1994

Filed:

Jun 14, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/075423

Inventors:

Arne H. Brauner - Minnetonka MN
Marsha D. Thompson - Minneapolis MN

Assignee:

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B65D 502

US Classification:

229 8

Abstract:

A collapsible, tubular carton (12) is disclosed having a non-linear fold line between the side edges (20) of the front panel (18) and the second side panel (32) which are planar in the collapsed condition of the carton (12). The fold line extends in a non-linear manner between top and bottom locations (72, 74) at the top edges (48, 68) and the bottom edges (40, 44) of the front and side panels (18, 32). In the preferred form, the fold line includes first and second, arcuate portions (82, 84) in the form of a sine curve extending from and on opposite sides of a linear line (76) extending between the top and bottom locations (72, 74). In its erect condition in the most preferred form, the carton (12) has a right parallelepiped shape, with the front and second side panels (18, 32) forming two of the sides of the parallelepiped shape. In the erect condition, the fold line between the front and second side panels (18, 32) creates a rippled corner having a tendency to attract the consumer's attention because of the difference in shape of the package (10) created thereby.

US Patent:

52538028, Oct 19, 1993

Filed:

Nov 9, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/973506

Inventors:

Stuart N. Bernard - Anoka MN
Christianne L. Strauss - Minneapolis MN
Marsha D. Thompson - Minneapolis MN
Duane R. Mode - Bloomington MN

Assignee:

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B65D 536
B65D 542

US Classification:

229114

Abstract:

A pan (10) is formed from a single blank (12) of plastic-coated paperboard and is foldable between a three-dimensional, erect condition and a flat condition. In the flat condition, first and second isosceles trapezoid-shaped side panels (20) are folded about the side edges (18) of a bottom panel (14) to overlie the bottom panel (14) and with their upper edges (22) abutting. Additionally, in the flat condition, first and second triangular panels (34) are folded about the side edges (32) of end panels (28) to overlie the end panels (28). The end panels (28) are in the shape of isosceles trapezoids and are integrally connected to the opposite end edges (16) of the bottom panel (14) and extend continuously therefrom in the flat condition. Attachment panels (38) are foldable about the outer edges (36) of the triangular panels (34) and are secured to the side panels (20) with the side edges (24) of the side panels (20) abutting with and being foldable with the outer edges (36) of the triangular panels (34). In the three-dimensional condition, the side panels (20), the end panels (28), and the triangular panels (34) upstand from the bottom panel (14) to define a volume and form a water-tight container for holding batter.

US Patent:

60663464, May 23, 2000

Filed:

May 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/090590

Inventors:

Marsha Doris Thompson Hunt - Minneapolis MN
Randal J. Monforton - Eden Prairie MN
Michael R. Langlois - Apple Valley MN

Assignee:

General Mills, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A23B 900

US Classification:

426107

Abstract:

A flexible paper popcorn package in the form of an easily expandable, nontrapping bag (18) is disclosed including a bottom wall (20) and a top wall (22) interconnected together adjacent their circular outer peripheries (20a, 22a) by first and second interconnection portions (26a, 26b). In one preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed by first and second wall portions (22b, 22c) interconnected together by a peelable closure seal (28). In another preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed from a first portion (22d) having an access opening closed by a closure portion (22e) interconnected by a seal (40) including the peelable closure seal portion (40a) to the first portion (22d). In still another preferred form, the bottom and top walls (20, 22) are interconnected together by their interconnection to gussetted side panels (50, 52), with the peelable closure seal being formed in the interconnection between the bottom and top walls (20, 22). The bottom and top walls (20, 22) expand into an opposing double domed shape as the popcorn kernels are being popped in the microwave oven. This domed shape of the bottom wall (22) keeps the unpopped popcorn huddled closer together and enhances the bag (18) to rock to maximize gravimetric separation.