It has filed a report with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) to say the use of cups to contain food such as yogurt, ice cream, juice, and cereal are well known but in some cases, the packaging material covers the top and the bottom, or only the top or only the bottom.
'Food cup packaging has an unstable surface for stacking'
“The cups typically are sealed with a gas impermeable membrane that can be peeled away when the food is to be accessed. These cups can also have caps that can be used to reseal the cups when desired,” it says.
“Packaging material is commonly used to enclose the cup or to hold more than one cup. The packaging material typically encloses not only the sides of the cups but the tops and bottoms.
“The problem with known food cup packaging is that the covered top and bottom, or the covered top or bottom creates an unstable surface for stacking product.
“What is needed is a food cup packaging assembly that provides for easier stacking and storing of food products.”
'More efficient storage options throughout the distribution chain'
Foodproductiondaily contacted Kellogg on the patent but the company refused to comment.
Kris Charles, a company spokesperson said: “Per our policy, we don’t comment on pending litigation.”
It claims its Food Cup Packaging Assembly could have a cup with a first and a second end on opposite ends with an interior between the first and second end that receives food product.
The packaging assembly may also include a wrap that extends around the first cup and a cap that is selectively attached to the first cup at the first end to close the opening.
“The food packaging assembly is designed such that, while on a store shelf, during transportation, and when they reach the end consumer's home, the packaging containing the food cups can be stacked vertically adjacent by utilizing the nesting engagement,” it says.
“The food packaging assembly allows the food cups to be stacked vertically in any number of units, increases the stability of the packaging assembly stacks, and creates more efficient storage options throughout the distribution chain.”
Source: WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Publication Date: 25.06.2015
Reference: WO/2015/095134 Food Cup Packaging Assembly
Address: Kellogg Company, One Kellogg Square, P.O. Box 3599 Battle Creek, Michigan 49016-3599 US.
International Application No.: PCT/US2014/070506
International Filing Date: 16.12.2014
Inventor: Edward J. Foley
Agent: Matthew H. Szalach