Abstract:
A carrier for securely retaining one or more objects is provided, cut and scored from a unitary blank of paperboard or similar foldable sheet material so that it can be folded into two overlying panels and then manually fastened so that one panel is characteristically bowed away from the other to form an interior space. This bowed panel has at least one u-shaped mouth opening into this interior space, cut through the bowed panel face and large enough to allow an object to be loosely inserted through it with one-hand and retained therein for storage or transport. This carrier can then be integrated into the design of another product. Also, the carrier can be attached to the surface of selected articles with an adhesive strip applied to the back of the carrier or by using a standard pronged fastener that extends through openings provided in the carrier&#39;s back panel or by some other suitable attachment device. Additionally, a top panel, a cover panel and a cover fastening tab can be provided to cooperatively overlie the front of the carrier and further secure the portion of the object that extends from the mouth opening across both its face and top sections thereby assuring secure storage and transport without regard to the carrier&#39;s physical orientation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/017,602, filed on Feb. 3, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,689 which application in turn application Ser. No. 60/037,792, filed on Feb. 4, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to carriers for removably retaining articles therein, and, more specifically, to such carriers formed from a folded flat web of flexible material. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Frequently, it is desirable to store various small objects such as computer disks, photographs, tape cassettes and index cards in portable packages or carriers for transport or storage. Various prior devices exist for that purpose, including hanging file disk pockets, hanging pockets, and 3½″ diskette viewer folders from Globe-Weis of Atapco Office Products Group, St. Louis, Mo. However, such conventional containers may be deficient in certain circumstances. 
     Hanging file pockets, add-on pockets and the like are typically open-ended. Therefore, disks and other objects placed into the pockets can fall out, particularly if the pocket becomes inverted in use or transport. Some prior devices appear to respond to that difficulty by making the pocket more rigid and closely dimensioned to the object to be carried so as to grip the object better. Unfortunately, such devices have a tendency to be more difficult for the object to be inserted into and removed from, often requiring the users to employ both hands in the effort. 
     Many prior carriers were also integrally formed with or permanently secured to an underlying support, such as a folder, ring binder or documentation package. When the object is to be removed from the package, a separate, additional carrier has been employed. Also, each such package has typically employed a carrier specialized in dimension and materials which is particularly adapted to that package type alone. Thus, even where the carriers have been removable, efficient collection and storage by users of carriers from diverse packages has been inhibited. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved carrier for storing and transporting a small object or article. Other objects include the provision of a carrier which: 
     a. is inexpensive and convenient to manufacture and assemble; 
     b. is durable and protective of an object inserted therein, 
     c. permits an object to be readily inserted and removed therefrom for repeated storage therein; 
     d. is reusable and detachable from its initial packaging; 
     c. can be easily attached to or integrated into the design of various packages; and 
     f. securely retains an object once deposited therein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects of the present invention are attained by the provision of an object carrier formed from a folded web of flexible material having an enclosed pocket defined thereby regardless of the insertion of the object and a slit opening to that pocket which is biased open. The pocket is preferably formed by retaining one portion of the web in bowed relation to another portion of the web, and a third portion can be employed to overlay the bowed portion as a cover. The web may be integrally formed as part of the underlying package and/or detachable therefrom. 
     The present invention provides the carrier from a substantially flat web of flexible material which is folded and assembled to define a pocket space and an over-pocket space for retaining at least one object on three sides or aspects. A cover panel may also be formed from a fold in the web to overlie both such spaces to retain the object therein from above and across its face. A portion of the web may also be used for attaching the carrier to another body or structure. 
     Especially preferred embodiments include a portable carrier which may be attached to a variety of surfaces, and which includes a single piece body, cut and scored for manual assembly from a unitary blank of suitably sized semi-flexible sheet material such as paperboard, which has an interconnected front panel, back panel, top panel and cover panel. The back panel has a fastening slit which interlocks with a locking tab and lock notch arrangement extending from the fastening edge of the front panel along with a first over-flap and a second over-flap that cooperate to hold the carrier in its folded shape when the front panel is folded over the back panel. The cover panel is then folded to overlie the front panel and thereby retains an object deposited into the carrier&#39;s pocket space from above and across the object&#39;s exposed face. A strip of adhesive or other attachment device is attached to the back panel so that, when the body is folded to form a carrier, the carrier may be attached to another article, such as an interior surface of a file folder. When the carrier is attached to an interior surface of a file folder, closure of the file folder impinges the overlying carrier cover panel to hold the cover panel in a closed position. Once attached in this way to a file folder, the carrier provides a secure storage and transport device for objects deposited therein, while also permitting quick and easy, one-handed access to the object retained. The nature of the arrangement permits standardization of carriers across a variety of applications and easy reuse and removability of the carrier. 
    
    
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following drawings and detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exterior face of a carrier according to the present invention in its flattened, unfolded state. 
     FIG. 2 a  is a perspective view of the unfolded interior face of the carrier shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 2 b  through  2   e  are sequential perspective views of the carrier shown in FIG. 2 a  with various folding and assembly operations being performed. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the completed carrier taken substantially along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2 e.    
     FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of the carrier shown in FIG. 2 e  with a bipronged fastener. 
     FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  are side elevational views of a carrier according to the present invention affixed to an interior surface of a file folder. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carrier according to the present invention in a folded and assembled state with the cover panel shown open and the retained object shown in broken lines. 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of die exterior face of another embodiment of the present invention in its flattened, unfolded state. 
     FIG. 8 a  is a perspective view of the unfolded interior face of the embodiment shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 8 b  through  8   f  are sequential perspective views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 a  with various folding and assembly and integration operations being performed. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the completed embodiment taken substantially along line  9 — 9  of FIG. 8 d.    
     FIG. 10 is a perspective rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 d  with a bipronged fastener. 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 d  affixed to an interior surface of a file folder in an orientation where the interior surface of the file folder and its folded edge functionally serve to retain the object from above and across its exposed face. 
     FIG. 12 a  is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 b  is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 a  in a folded orientation. 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of yet still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 a  is a plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 b  is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 a  in a folded orientation. 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. 18 after it is folded and assembled. 
     FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the completed carrier taken substantially along line  20 — 20  of FIG.  19 . 
     FIG. 21 is a plan view of the interior face of the carrier shown in FIG. 1 showing the function of the mouth flap design. 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent various embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain aspects of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments disclosed in the detailed description below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit tie invention to merely the precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for the description are disclosed so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. The limits of the patent are defined by the appended claims. 
     FIG. 1 shows a carrier  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Carrier  10 , in its flattened or unfabricated state, includes a substantially flat web or body  12  and a thin strip of adhesive  60  which is, for example, double sided and covered by a larger protective strip of removable release liner  61  on its exposed side. Body  12  includes a front panel  18 , a back panel  16 , a top panel  68  and a cover panel  70 . Front panel  18  and back panel  16  are preferably separated by a bottom scoreline  22  which forms the bottom edge  23  of carrier  10  when fully folded and assembled, as described in further detail below. Back panel  16  and cover panel  70  are preferably separated by a set of parallel score marks, namely a first top scoreline  65  and a second top scoreline  66 , which together define the top panel  68  of carrier  10  when fully folded. A single score mark could alternatively be provided so that the width of top panel  68  is minimal if noticeable at all. Back panel  16  also contains a fastening slit  34 , cut through its faces, laterally offset from center by a distance “e”, oriented parallel to and spaced away from bottom scoreline  22  by a distance designated “a” in FIG.  1 . Fastening slit  34  also has an angled extension  33  opposite its offset end  35  as shown in FIG.  1 . Additionally, back panel  16  includes a first prong slit  48  and a second prong slit  49  which are adapted to receive the first prong  51  and the second prong  52  of a standard bipronged fastener  50  as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Front panel  18  includes a mouth flap  79 , a cut slit which substantially divides front panel  18  into an upper portion  86  and a lower portion  87  and defines the width of pocket mouth opening  32  when carrier  10  is fully folded and assembled as best shown in FIG.  6 . Mouth flap  79  is, for example, bow shaped and includes a center curve  80 , a first angled side  82 , a second angled side  83 , a first end curve  84 , and a second end curve  85 . Mouth flap  79  serves to provide the pocket mouth opening  32  which is biased toward an open position leading into pocket space  26  by the flexing of front panel  18  of carrier  10  when assembled as is described in further detail below. 
     Fastening edge  20  of front panel  18  has, extending from it, a locking tab  36  which includes a lock notch  38 , inset and in registration with the offset end  35  of the fastening slit  34 . Disposed to the sides of this locking tab  36  are a first over-flap  42  and a second over-flap  44  extending from fastening edge  20 . Lock notch  38  is also in line with fastening edge  20 , is inset a distance “e” from the edge of the locking tab  36  and is spaced from bottom scoreline  22  by a distance “b”. The amount by which distance “b” is greater than distance “a” determines the thickness of pocket space  26 , as will become apparent from the following description of the assembly and operation of carrier  10 . 
     Assembly 
     FIGS. 2 a  through  2   e  show a folding and assembly process for a carrier  10  of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 a , body  12  can readily be cut or stamped from a single piece of substantially flat and preferably semi-flexible material during the manufacturing process. 
     Carrier  10  is assembled by first folding front panel  18  upwardly along bottom scoreline  22  and then downwardly toward back panel  16 , as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , so that the interior face  13  of each is in contact as best shown in FIG. 2 c  and FIG.  3 . Upper portion  86  of front panel  18  is then pressed toward back panel  16  to separate upper portion  86  from lower portion  87  along mouth flap  79 . Upper portion  86  is slid along back panel  16  toward bottom edge  23 , as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 c , which causes lower portion  87  of front panel  18  to flex or bow outwardly generally along mouth flap  79  so that the lower portion  87  becomes spaced or bowed from back panel  16  while upper portion  86  remains substantially planar with back panel  16  and the pocket space  26  is formed. Locking tab  36  is aligningly moved laterally a distance “e” and inserted through fastening slit  34 . Lock notch  38  of locking tab  36  is defined by fastening edge  20  so that once it is inserted through fastening slit  34 , lock notch  38  returns a lateral distance “e” to overlie the offset end  35  of fastening slit  34 , as shown in FIG. 4, and secures the locking tab  36  in position. Cover panel  70  is now folded along parallel score marks, namely a first top scoreline  65  and a second top scoreline  66 , to overlie front panel  18 , as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 d ; Carrier  10 , when thus assembled, creates an over-pocket space  72  above pocket space  26  and between back panel  16  and cover panel  70  as shown in FIG. 2 e . An object  11 , such as a diskette or like article, may be placed within this over-pocket space  72  and partially inserted in pocket space  26  formed by mouth flap  79  and the outwardly bowed lower portion  87  of front panel  18  for convenient, secure transportation and storage as shown in FIG.  3  and FIG.  6 . FIG. 3 shows the interlocking connection between front panel  18  and back panel  16  of assembled carrier  10 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, after the release liner  61  is removed from the strip of adhesive  60 , locking tab  36  may be adhered to back panel  16 , leaving the remaining portion of the strip of adhesive  60  exposed. Carrier  10  may be affixed to a selected surface of a container or underlying package by pressing the remaining portion of the exposed strip of adhesive  60  into contact with the package&#39;s surface. Depending upon the nature of the adhesive selected, the carrier can be permanently, releasably or repeatedly bound to the package. 
     Alternatively, the release liner  61  may be left in place and carrier  10  may be attached to a package or surface using a bipronged fastener  50 . Once carrier  10  is folded and assembled according to the procedure illustrated in FIGS. 2 a  through  2   e , first prong  51  and second prong  52  of bipronged fastener  50  are inserted through first prong slit  48  and second prong slit  49  from the exterior face  14  of back panel  16  to permit attachment of carrier  10  with the bipronged fastener  50  to a standard twin-hole punched file folder. Bipronged Listener  50  may optionally carry an additional fastener adhesive strip  54  that allows it to be affixed to the surface of a file folder  150  or other selected package as shown in FIG. 5 a.    
     As best shown in FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b , once carrier  10  is attached to an inside surface or interior page of a file folder  150 , closure of the file folder  150  and its contact with cover panel  70  permit the cover panel  70  to remain in engagement with front panel  18 , as shown in FIG. 5 b . The impingement between the file folder  150 , or its contents, and cover panel  70 , when the file folder  150  is closed, can prevent carrier  10  from accidentally opening and discharging a retained object  11 . The overlap between cover panel  70  and front panel  18  enhances the positive closure provided by the abovementioned impingement. Also, parallel score marks, namely the first top scoreline  65  and the second top scoreline  66 , further enhance the tendency of carrier  10  to remain closed by providing cover panel  70  with clearance of the thickness of object  11  to generally assume this folded position overlying front panel  18 . As such, carrier  10  resists opening so long as the file folder  150  is closed. When affixed to a file folder  150  in the above-described manner, carrier  10  secures the object  11  (shown in broken lines) loosely deposited within pocket space  26  while also allowing quick and easy one-handed removal and reinsertion of the object  11  whenever file folder  150  is opened. 
     An additional feature of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 6 An optional retaining tab  76  is provided, which in an exemplary embodiment is a cut semicircular slit in front panel  18 . Retaining tab  76  is disposed on front panel  18  so that, when separated, retaining tab  76  receives the distal edge  71  of cover panel  70  when cover panel  70  is folded to overlie front panel  18  As such, retaining tab  76  retains cover panel  70  in its folded, closed position and additionally secures the object  11  in carrier  10  when carrier  10  is used to transport object  11 . Additionally, a sticker-seal  77  may be applied to jointly overlay the cover panel  70  and the retaining tab  76 , as shown in FIG. 6, thereby securing the retained object  11  from pilferage during retailing operations. 
     Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  7 . Here carrier  10  has a back panel  16  that has cut through its faces a c-shaped fastening tab  24  with two extremity points  25 . A front panel  18  has a simple fastening edge  20  and a c-shaped pocket mouth flap  28  cut through its faces and joined at one side along a zone of attachment  30  to the upper portion  86  of the front panel  18 . Carrier  10  is assembled by first folding front panel  18  upwardly along the bottom scoreline  22  and then downwardly toward the back panel  16  as shown by the arrows in FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b . Upper portion  86  of front panel  18  is then pressed toward back panel  16  to separate upper portion  86  from lower portion  87  along pocket mouth flap  28 . Upper portion  86  is slid along back panel  16  toward bottom edge  23 , as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8 c , which causes lower portion  87  of front panel  18  to flex or bow outwardly generally along pocket mouth flap  28  so that the lower portion  87  becomes spaced or bowed from back panel  16  while upper portion  86  remains substantially planar with back panel  16  and the pocket space  26  is formed. Fastening edge  20  is then inserted under fastening tab  24  as shown in FIG. 8 d . Carrier  10  can then be removably or permanently bound or stapled near the distal edge  71  of the back panel  16  along with the pages of a booklet, as shown in FIG. 8 e , for later assembly and storage of an object. Carrier  10 , when integrated along a lateral edge of back panel  16  at a lateral scoreline  146  with the right cover panel  147  of a booklet or brochure, as shown in FIG. 8 f , can also be assembled as just described and an object  11 , such as a diskette, may be placed within the pocket space  26  for storage. In the embodiments described in FIGS. 8 e  and  8   f , the left cover panel  145  and cover spine  148  of the booklet or brochure perform the retaining function performed by the top panel  68  and cover panel  70  of the carrier  10  in a previously described embodiment. FIG. 9 shows the interlocking connection between front panel  18  and back panel  16  when carrier  10  is assembled. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, after the release liner  61  is removed, fastening edge  20  may be adhered to fastening tab  24  leaving the balance of the strip of adhesive  60  free to affix carrier  10  to a file folder  150  or like article. FIG. 11 shows carrier  10  attached to the inside surface of a file folder  150  oriented such that the folding edge and cover of the closed file folder  150  perform the retaining function normally performed by the top panel  68  and cover panel  70  of the carrier  10  in its preferred embodiment. Alternately, a bipronged fastener  50  with a fastener adhesive strip  54  can be used to attach carrier  10  in the same manner. 
     An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b . This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier  10  integrated with another article, such as the pocket folder  152  shown in the figures. The components and operation of carrier  10  are preferably substantially the same as described above except that one lateral edge of back panel  16  is connected to pocket folder  152  by an extension section  154 . Also, glue or adhesive could be used to attach back panel  16  to the underlying folder leaf  156 . By folding carrier  10  along folder scoreline  158 , and then assembling carrier  10  in the above-mentioned manner, a pocket folder  152  with an integrally formed and internally disposed carrier  10 , as shown in FIG. 12 b , is constricted. 
     An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  13 . This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier  10  integrated into a disposable section  92  which is separated from the carrier  10  along a line of perforation  90 . The components and operation of carrier  10  are substantially the same as described above except that one edge of front panel  18 , back panel  16 , top panel  68  and cover panel  70  is integrated with disposable section  92  along the line of perforation  90 . Disposable section  92  has two or more mounting apertures  94  cut through it to allow storage in a standard ring or spiral binder prior to use. At the time of use, disposable section  92  is removed along line of perforation  90  and discarded. Carrier  10  is then folded and assembled in the same manner as described above. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  14 . This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier  10  integrated into a side panel  98  the components and operation of carrier  10  are substantially the same as described above except that only one lateral edge of back panel  16  is integrated with side panel  98 . Front panel  18  is separated from side panel  98  by a first side perforation  100  while top panel  68  and cover panel  70  are separated from side panel  98  by a second side perforation  102 . Side panel  98  has two or more mounting apertures  94  cut through it to allow storage in a standard ring or spiral binder both prior to and during use. At the time of use, front panel  18  is separated from side panel  98  along first side perforation  100  and top panel  68  and cover panel  70  are separated from side panel  98  along second side perforation  102 . 
     Carrier  10  is then folded and assembled in the same manner as described above except that it remains connected to side panel  98  along a lateral edge of back panel  16  after first side perforation  100  and second side perforation  102  are separated from side panel  98 . In this configuration, carrier  10  is retained within a standard ring or spiral binder by this side panel during use. 
     Yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 15 a  and  5   b . This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier  10  with an integral side extension panel  112  which extends from back panel  16  along an extension scoreline  110 . By folding this side extension panel  112  along extension scoreline  110  so as to overlie back panel  16 , a document space  114  is formed between these panels as seen in FIG. 15 b , open from above and on one side, that can receive contents such as a booklet of instructions. When carrier  10  is then folded and assembled in the manner described above, articles such as CDs can be stored and transported safely and securely. If carrier  10  is to be used for articles sensitive to scratching, such as CDs, a strip of soft fabric or paper  118  can be adhesively attached to its exterior face  14  and interior face  13  in the region of mouth flap  79  to reduce friction when articles are inserted and removed. In this embodiment, carrier  10  provides storage for articles and associated notes or instruction booklets and has expansive, unbroken surfaces for advertising or instructions on the exterior face  14  of back panel  16 , top panel  68  and cover panel  70   
     Still another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  16 . This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier  10  with a unshaped cut hanging tab  126  in the upper portion of the back panel  16 , laterally centered with its open end adjacent the first top scoreline  65 , and attached to the back panel  16  by at least two narrow points of interconnection or nicks  121  where the cut is interrupted. Hanging tab  120  has centered within it a hanging aperture  124 . When the nicks  121  are manually broken and hanging tab  120  is bent upward through 180 degrees, hanging aperture  124  can be used to mount carrier  10  on a book or post for retailing operations. 
     A further alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  17 . This embodiment has two pin apertures  128  cut in the upper portion of back panel  16 , laterally centered and adjacent to the first top scoreline  65 . These pin apertures  128  receive a safety-pin fastener  130  oriented so the carrier  10  can be attached to a person&#39;s apparel for use in trade shows or as a means of identification based on information applied to the exterior face of the cover panel  70 . 
     Yet still another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  18 . This embodiment is disclosed to demonstrate carrier  10  having a body  12  with a front panel  18  extended in length and its fastening edge  20  replaced by a semi-circular internal locking tab  136 , laterally centered and having an internal lock slit  138  inset a distance (e), both cut through the faces of the front panel  18 . This semi-circular shaped internal locking tab  136  has extremity points  25  disposed to form a line generally parallel to bottom scoreline  22  and located a predetermined distance (b) from it. The front panel  18  is further subdivided by a first top scoreline  65  and a second top scoreline  66  that define a top panel  68  and a cover panel  70 . The back panel  16  has a fastening slit  34 , laterally offset from center by a distance (e) to match the lateral inset of the internal lock slit  138 . Carrier  10  is then assembled by first folding front panel  18  upwardly along bottom scoreline  22  to overlie the back panel  16 . The internal locking tab  136  is then urged through the fastening slit  34  in a manner similar to the preferred embodiments described above, as shown in FIG. 20, whereupon the front panel  18  bows outward and the pocket mouth flap  28  flexes inward and internal lock slit  138  comes to engagingly overlie the offset end  35  of fastening slit  34 . Finally, top panel  68  and cover panel  70  are folded along the two top scorelines to overlie the front panel  18  and its pocket mouth opening  32  as shown in FIG.  19 . The opposing edge of the cover panel  70  is then inserted under the retaining tab  76 . Two mounting apertures  94  adjacent the opposing edge of back panel  16  allow the carrier  10  to be retained by any two of the rings in a standard 3-ring binder. Alternately, a first prong slit  48 , and a second prong slit  49  located adjacent the opposing edge of the back panel  16  can be used to attach a bipronged fastener  50  with a fastener adhesive strip  54  to the carrier  10 , in a manner already disclosed above, so that the carrier  10  can be attached to articles such as a file folder  150  and the like in any desired orientation. 
     While this invention has been described as having exemplary embodiments, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure and appended claims. This application is thus intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. For example, the flexible materials used to form the carrier may be of paper, cardboard, paperboard or plastic and colored, patterned or textured. Where desired for particular applications, the carrier material may be transparent to microwave energy and the carrier may be filled and shrink-wrapped for retail merchandising.