Food product packaging having stabilizing insert

Abstract

A food product package capable of stabilizing a food product being stored therein, is provided. Such a food product package may include a base, a cover, and an insert. The cover may be fastened to the base and the insert may be disposed between the base and the cover. A body of the base may include at least one pocket adapted to hold a food product, such as a cupcake. The insert may be positioned onto the base such that an edge portion of the insert may contact the food product. When the cover is fastened to the base, a portion of the cover may press the insert against the base to thereby securely hold the food product in place.

1 . A food product package comprising:
 a base including a body and a peripheral rim, the body having at least one pocket formed therein;   a cover fastened to the peripheral rim of the base; and   an insert disposed between the cover and the base,   wherein (i) the pocket is configured to hold a food product, (ii) the insert is positioned such that an edge portion of the insert is in contact with the food product, and (iii) a portion of the cover urges the insert against the base when the cover is fastened to the peripheral rim of the base to thereby securely hold the food product in place.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a post and the post urges the insert against the base when the cover is fastened to the peripheral rim of the base. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the post extends from a center of the cover, and the post contacts a central portion of the insert when the cover is fastened to the peripheral rim of the base. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a protrusion extending proximate to a peripheral rim of the cover and the protrusion urges a side portion of the insert against the base when the cover is fastened to the peripheral rim of the base. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein (i) the cover is substantially square shaped and includes four side portions, (ii) the cover comprises a protrusion extending down from each side portion proximate to a peripheral rim of the cover, and (iii) each protrusion urges a respective side portion of the insert against the base when the cover is fastened to the peripheral rim of the base. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein (i) the base has four pockets formed therein and the insert has four apertures extending therethrough, (ii) each pocket is adapted to hold an individual food product, and (iii) the insert is positioned such that each food product extends through a respective aperture of the insert. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein (i) the cover has five points of contact with the insert, (ii) a first point of contact being proximate to the center of the insert, a second point of contact being proximate to a first edge of the insert between two of the apertures, a third point of contact being proximate to a second edge of the insert between two of the apertures, a fourth point of contact being proximate to a third edge of the insert between two of the apertures, and a fifth point of contact being proximate to a fourth edge of the insert between two of the apertures, and (iii) the cover presses the insert against the base at the five points of contact. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a lift portion that extends out beyond the peripheral rim of the base. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes a recess and the peripheral rim of the base mates with the recess when the cover is fastened to the base. 
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the insert defines at least one aperture and a dimension of the aperture is smaller than a dimension of the food product held in the pocket. 
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the food product is a cake having a topping. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the cake is in contact with the insert and the topping extends through the aperture. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the edge portion is curved. 
   
   
       14 . A stabilizing insert to be used in a package having a cover and a base, the insert comprising:
 a body; and   at least one aperture extending through the body, the aperture being large enough for a food product being contained in the base to extend therethrough,   wherein the body includes a perforated portion extending from an edge of the body to the aperture.   
   
   
       15 . The stabilizing insert of  claim 14 , further comprising a second perforation extending from a second edge of the body to the aperture. 
   
   
       16 . The stabilizing insert of  claim 14 , wherein a corner of the body can be removed to provide access to the aperture. 
   
   
       17 . The stabilizing insert of  claim 14 , wherein each aperture is circular. 
   
   
       18 . A method of packaging cupcakes, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing a cake batter into a pocket of a base;   baking the cake batter;   placing an insert onto the base, the insert being positioned such that an edge portion of the insert is in contact with the baked cake; and   placing a cover over the base such that a portion of the cover presses the insert against the base to thereby hold the baked cake in place.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of decorating a top of the baked cake with a decoration. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the decorating step occurs after the insert has been placed onto the base.