Packaging and dispensing system for sandwich food products

Abstract

A sealed dispensing apparatus suitable for packaging and dispensing a single service portion of a food product. The food product is contained within an inner container cavity formed by an outer cover and a center member. Draw means are provided for transferring a force from the user to the outer cover, whereby the force peels the outer cover from the center section, thus folding the outer cover over itself as it is removed from the center section. The food product is dispensed when the inner container is opened by removing the outer cover from the center member. An optional outer container seals and holds portions of bread or other sandwich portions while the inner container is located therebetween. Box means holds the combination formed by the inner container and the outer container as well as optional condiments.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method of packaging a sandwich, the method comprising:
 folding a cover at a first fold to form a cavity between first and second parts of the cover formed on opposite sides of the first fold;   placing a first food product in the cavity;   folding at least one of the first and second parts at respective second and at third folds, wherein the first fold is located between the second and third folds; and   positioning a second food product on at least one opposite side of the cover such that the cover is situated between the first food product and the second food product.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising holding the second food product in position relative to the cover using a container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising forming a container which defines another cavity suitable for holding the cover or the second food product. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the cover forms a container a plurality of which are stacked upon each other. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising forming one or more weakened portions on the cover at which the cover separates during opening of the cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising extending a portion of first or second parts of the cover beyond a periphery of the second food product. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising removing at least part of the cover to assemble a completed sandwich suitable for consumption, wherein the removing causes the first food product and the second food product to make contact. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a sandwich, the method comprising:
 folding a cover over itself at a first fold to form a cavity between first and second parts of the cover formed on opposite sides of the first fold;   placing a first food product in the cavity;   folding each first and second parts at second and at third folds respectively, such that the first fold is located between the second and third folds; and   positioning a second food product on at least one opposite side of the cover such that the cover is situated between the first and second food products.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising holding the second food product in position relative to the cover using a container. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising removing the cover from the between the first and second food products to from a completed sandwich suitable for consumption. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the removing causes the first food product and the second food product to make contact. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising extending portions of the first or second parts of the cover beyond a periphery of the second food product. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the cover forms a container a plurality of which are stacked upon each other. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising flushing the cavity or other cavity to reduce oxygen content therein. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising attaching ends of the first and second parts of cover together to form a tab. 
     
     
         22 . A method of packaging a sandwich, the method, comprising:
 separating a first food product contained in a cavity from a second food product using a cover which is:   folded about itself at a first fold to form a cavity between first and second parts of the cover, the cavity configured to hold the first food product,   folded at the first and second parts at second and third folds respectively, such that the first fold is located between the second and third folds, and   situated between at least one of the first and second food products such that the cover separates the first and second food products.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising removing at least part of the cover from between the first and second food products so as to form a completed sandwich suitable for consumption, wherein the removing causes the first food product and the second food product to make contact. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising moving the first or second folds towards the first fold to open the cavity. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising locating the second food product relative to the cover using another cover. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the other cover forms an other cavity for containing the cover, the first food product, or the second food product.