Package with integrated utensil

Abstract

A food product container includes a molded tray having at least one cell for holding a food product. A removable cover, such as lidding film, seals the cell in preparation for shipment. A utensil, such as a spoon or knife or the like, is integrally molded with the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A food product container comprising: 
 a molded tray including at least one cell for holding a food product;    a removable cover for sealing said at least one cell prior to use;    a wall surrounding said at least one cell to engage said cover; and    said tray including at least one eating utensil integrally molded therewith.    
     
     
         2 . The food product container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one eating utensil is formed in said wall.  
     
     
         3 . The food product container according to  claim 2  further comprising a line of weakness joining said at least one eating utensil to said wall.  
     
     
         4 . The food product container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one cell includes a cell wall and a cell floor, and said at least one eating utensil is formed in said cell wall.  
     
     
         5 . The food product container according to  claim 4  further comprising a line of weakness joining said at least one eating utensil to said wall.  
     
     
         6 . The food product container according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one cell includes a cell wall and a cell floor, and said at least one eating utensil is formed in said cell floor.  
     
     
         7 . The food product container according to  claim 6  further comprising a line of weakness joining said at least one eating utensil to said wall.  
     
     
         8 . The food product container according to  claim 1  including two eating utensils formed in said wall.  
     
     
         9 . The food product container according to  claim 8  wherein said eating utensils are generally coextensive and are disposed one alongside the other.  
     
     
         10 . The food product container according to  claim 1  including two cells for holding food products, said cells spaced apart by a portion of said wall, and said eating utensil formed in said portion of said wall, between said cells.  
     
     
         11 . The food product container according to  claim 1  wherein said wall includes a border portion at the outer periphery of said tray, and said eating utensils formed in said border portion.  
     
     
         12 . A food product container comprising: 
 at least one molded cell for holding a food product;    an integral web molded therewith as a unitary structure, said web surrounding at least a portion of said at least one molded cell;    a eating utensil integrally molded with one of said molded cell and said web; and    a removable cover engaging said web for sealing said at least one molded cell.    
     
     
         13 . The food product container according to  claim 12  wherein said eating utensil is integrally molded with said web.  
     
     
         14 . The food product container according to  claim 13  wherein said eating utensil has an upper surface, said web is generally planar and the upper surface of said eating utensil lies within the plane of said web.  
     
     
         15 . The food product container according to  claim 12  wherein said eating utensil is integrally molded with said molded cell.  
     
     
         16 . The food product container according to  claim 15  wherein said molded a cell includes a cell wall and a cell floor and said eating utensil is integrally molded with said cell wall.  
     
     
         17 . The food product container according to  claim 15  wherein said molded cell includes a cell wall and a cell floor and said eating utensil is integrally molded with said cell floor.  
     
     
         18 . The food product container according to  claim 12  wherein said eating utensil comprises a spoon.  
     
     
         19 . A method of forming, filling and sealing a food product container, comprising: 
 providing a sheet of plastic material;    vacuum forming said sheet to form a tray with at least one cell for receiving a food product and an integral web surrounding at least a portion of said at least one cell;    molding an eating utensil in said integral web;    filling said at least one cell with a food product; and    sealing said at least one cell with a thin, flexible seal adhered to said web.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of forming a line of weakness in said web surrounding said eating utensil.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said step of forming a line of weakness in said web comprises punching said food product container about the outline of said eating utensil  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said step of punching said food product container is carried out when said food product container is softened by heat.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein punching of said food product container is carried out when said food product container is relatively cold and hard.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of separating major portions of said utensil from portions of said web surrounding said eating utensil while leaving discreet bridging portions joining said eating utensil to said web.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said vacuum forming step provides said at least one cell with a cell floor and a cell wall between said integral web and said cell floor.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said eating utensil is molded in said cell wall.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said eating utensil is molded in said cell floor.