Egg carton insert

Abstract

An egg carton insert includes an N row by M column array of interconnected domes. Each dome is sized to enclose a top portion of an egg. Each dome is connected to each neighboring dome in the array. The array of domes forms an opening between each group of four adjacent domes. The array is arranged such that each dome corresponds to a dimple of an egg carton into which the insert can be placed. The overall dimensions of the egg carton insert are such that the egg carton can be closed when the insert is placed over one egg occupying each dimple of the egg carton.

1 . An egg carton insert, comprising:
 an N row by M column array of interconnected domes:
 each dome sized to enclose a top portion of an egg; 
 each dome connected to each neighboring dome in the array; 
 the array of domes forming an opening between each group of four adjacent domes; and 
 the array arranged such that each dome corresponds to a dimple of an egg carton into which the insert can be placed; 
   wherein the overall dimensions of the egg carton insert are such that the egg carton can be closed when the insert is placed over one egg occupying each dimple of the egg carton.   
     
     
         2 . The egg carton insert of  claim 1 , wherein at least one dome defines therein a cutout along a portion of the at least one dome at a long side of the array; wherein the cutout corresponds to a feature a bottom rim of the egg carton. 
     
     
         3 . The egg carton insert of  claim 1 , wherein the insert material is molded pulp. 
     
     
         4 . The egg carton insert of  claim 1 , wherein:
 N is at least two and M is at least two;   in each even-numbered column, each odd-numbered dome position is vacant; and   in each odd-numbered column, each even-numbered dome position is vacant.   
     
     
         5 . A method for packing eggs, comprising:
 providing an N row by M column egg carton containing a plurality of eggs;   providing an egg carton insert in the form of an N row by M column array of interconnected domes:
 each dome sized to enclose a top portion of an egg, 
 each dome connected to each neighboring dome in the array, 
 the array of domes forming an opening between each group of four adjacent domes, and 
 the array arranged such that each dome corresponds to a dimple of the egg carton, 
 wherein the overall dimensions of the egg carton insert are such that the egg carton can be closed when the insert is placed over one egg occupying each dimple of the egg carton; 
   placing the array over the eggs such that each dome aligns with a dimple; and   closing the egg carton.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein at least one dome defines therein a cutout along a portion of the at least one dome at a long side of the array. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the insert material is molded pulp. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein
 N is at least two and M is at least two;   in each even-numbered column, each odd-numbered dome position is vacant; and   in each odd-numbered column, each even-numbered dome position is vacant.   
     
     
         9 . An egg carton insert, comprising:
 a substantially flat elongated rectangle of material characterized by:
 length less than the interior length of an egg carton; 
 width less than the interior width of the egg carton; and 
 thickness less than one half the height of an egg to be carried in the egg carton; 
   wherein the material defines therein an N row by M column array of through-holes of common diameter, the hole diameter less then the diameter of an egg, and each hole aligned with a corresponding dimple of the egg carton; and   wherein the material defines therein an opening between each group of four adjacent holes, each opening corresponding to a cone of the egg carton.   
     
     
         10 . The egg carton insert of  claim 9 , wherein insert material is molded pulp. 
     
     
         11 . The egg carton of  claim 9 , wherein
 N is at least two and M is at least two;   in each even-numbered column each odd-numbered array position is vacant; and   in each odd-numbered column, each even-numbered array position is vacant.   
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled)