Patent Publication Number: US-2023150740-A1

Title: Wrapper for foodstuffs

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/080,735 entitled “WRAPPER FOR FOODSTUFFS” and filed on Oct. 26, 2020, for Amy Lisa Gross Leinbach, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/925,355 entitled “WRAPPER FOR FOODSTUFFS” and filed on Oct. 24, 2019, for Amy Lisa Gross Leinbach, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to food wrappers and more particularly relates to a hybrid food wrapper comprising multiple materials. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Securely wrapping food on a plate or other container can pose several problems. For example, plastic wrap can be difficult to handle and often does not secure around the edge of the container. Plastic wrap can also be difficult to reuse. Aluminum foil can be better at wrapping around the edge of the container securely, but can have limited reuses and can easily rip or tear. 
     SUMMARY 
     Apparatuses are presented for a wrapper for foodstuffs. In one embodiment, an elastomeric layer is flexible and substantially planar. A metallic layer, in certain embodiments, is malleable and substantially planar. In some embodiments, an adhesive couples the metallic layer to at least a perimeter of the elastomeric layer so that the elastomeric layer, the metallic layer, and the adhesive comprise a food covering for a container and the metallic layer is configured to conform around an edge of the container. 
     In certain embodiments, a second elastomeric layer is disposed on an opposite side of the metallic layer from the elastomeric layer so that the elastomeric layer and the second elastomeric layer enclose the metallic layer. An aperture, in some embodiments, is disposed in the metallic layer, so that the metallic layer is disposed toward the perimeter of the elastomeric layer. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the elastomeric layer is transparent so that the aperture in the metallic layer forms a transparent window in the food covering. 
     In one embodiment, the elastomeric layer comprises an inert, biocompatible, hypoallergenic, thermally stable, water repellant, electrically insulative, and/or polymeric material. The elastomeric layer, in certain embodiments, comprises a silicone material. In some embodiments, the metallic layer comprises aluminum. 
     Other apparatuses for a wrapper for foodstuffs are presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes means for a flexible, substantially planar, elastomeric layer. An apparatus, in a further embodiment, includes means for a malleable, substantially planar, metallic layer. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes means for coupling the means for the malleable, substantially planar, metallic layer to at least a perimeter of the means for the flexible, substantially planar, elastomeric layer to form a food covering for a container so that the means for the malleable, substantially planar, metallic layer comprises means for conforming around an edge of the container. 
     Systems are presented for a wrapper for foodstuffs. In one embodiment, a system includes a pack of multiple food coverings for different sized containers. The multiple food coverings, in some embodiments, have different sizes corresponding to the different sized containers. 
     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure. 
     These features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a system for a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  2    is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  3    is a side view illustrating a further embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  4    is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  5    is a side view illustrating a certain embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  6    is a side view illustrating a further embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  7    is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  8    is a top view illustrating a certain embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  9    is a top view illustrating a further embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  10    is a top view illustrating another embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  11    is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  12    is a top view illustrating a further embodiment of a food covering for a container; 
         FIG.  13    is a top view illustrating one embodiment of a system for a food covering for a container; and 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method of manufacturing a food covering for a container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure. 
     The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. 
       FIG.  1    depicts one embodiment of a system  100  for a food covering  102  for a container  104  of food  108  or other perishable material. In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  includes a transparent window  106  through which the food  108  is visible. 
     In one embodiment, the food covering  102  includes both one or more elastomeric layers and at least one metallic layer. For example, the one or more elastomeric layers may be flexible and substantially planar, and may protect the at least one metallic layer (e.g., from water damage, from corrosion, from creasing, from ripping, from tearing, from contact with food  108 , or the like) while the at least one metallic layer may be malleable and substantially planar to conform around an edge of the container  104 , keeping the food  108  fresh, protected, or the like. 
     The combination of one or more elastomeric layers and at least one metallic layer, in certain embodiments, may be durable, minimizing ripping, tearing, cracking, creasing, breakdown, or the like, such that the food covering  102  is washable and/or reusable (e.g., reducing usage of disposable food coverings, or the like). By forming and/or molding around an edge of the container  104  in a malleable manner, in some embodiments, the food covering  102  may substantially seal the container  104  without requiring stretching and/or clinging of the food covering  102 . 
     The one or more elastomeric layers, in one embodiment, comprise a sturdy and/or durable material that is flexible (e.g., capable of being deformed and/or bent), elastomeric (e.g., a material with viscosity, elasticity, and/or viscoelasticity), or the like. In certain embodiments, the one or more elastomeric layers may comprise an inert, biocompatible, hypoallergenic, thermally stable, water repellant, electrically insulative, polymeric material, such as a silicone material or the like. In various embodiments, the one or more elastomeric layers may comprise one or more of a polymer, silicone, rubber, polyisoprene (e.g., natural or synthetic rubber), polybutadiene, chloroprene, butyl rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, polyacrylic rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomer, perfluoroelastomer, polyether block amide, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, thermoplastic elastomer, resilin protein, elastin protein, polysulfide rubber, elastolefin, and/or another material. 
     The at least one metallic layer, in certain embodiments, is malleable (e.g., able to deform under compressive stress without fracture), ductile (e.g., able to undergo plastic deformation without rupture or breaking), or the like. In some embodiments, the at least one metallic layer may comprise a foil, a metallic sheet, or the like of a metal such as aluminum, copper, tin, brass, nickel, or the like. The at least one metallic layer, in one embodiment, may be thicker than single use foil (e.g., at least about 0.0015 inches thick, at least about 0.0020 inches thick, at least about 0.0024 inches thick, at least about 0.0048 inches thick, at least about 0.0064 inches thick, or more). 
     An adhesive may couple the at least one metallic layer to at least a perimeter of the one or more elastomeric layers to form the food covering  102  for the container  104 . In various embodiments, an adhesive may comprise one or more of a weld, a solvent based acrylic adhesive, an emulsion based acrylic adhesive, a rubber based adhesive, a silicone based adhesive, or the like. In one embodiment, an adhesive may comprise a substantially one hundred percent silicone adhesive. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  includes a transparent window  106 . In other embodiments, the food covering  102  is substantially continuous, without a transparent window  106  or the like. The transparent window  106 , in some embodiments, is substantially transparent/translucent and part of and/or coupled to one or more elastomeric layers over an aperture or other opening within at least one metallic layer (e.g., so that the at least one metallic layer is disposed toward a perimeter of the one or more elastomeric layers to conform to an edge of the container  104 ). 
     The container  104 , in various embodiments, may comprise a bowl, a plate, a cup, a bucket, a basket, a pot, a pan, a can, a box, and/or another type of container  104 . In certain embodiments, a system  100  may comprise a pack and/or set of multiple food coverings  102  having different sizes for use with containers  104  of different shapes and/or sizes (e.g., a set of two, a set of three, a set of four, a set of five, a set of six, a set of seven, a set of eight, a set of nine, a set of ten, a set of twelve, a set of sixteen, a set of eighteen, a set of twenty, a set of twenty-four, or the like). While the depicted food covering  102  is substantially circular, in other embodiments, a food covering may have a substantially square shape, a substantially rectangular shape, or another shape. A pack and/or set of multiple food coverings  102  may include food coverings  102  with different shapes and/or different sizes. 
       FIG.  2    depicts one embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  2   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to the food covering  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises an elastomeric layer  202 , a metallic layer  204 , and an adhesive  206 . 
     In one embodiment, the elastomeric layer  202  is parallel and adjacent to the metallic layer  204  and is bonded or otherwise coupled to the metallic layer  204  by the adhesive  206 . The elastomeric layer  202  and the metallic layer  204 , in the depicted embodiment, are substantially planar, and are continuous (e.g., without an aperture, a transparent window, or the like). 
       FIG.  3    depicts a further embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  3   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  2   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises a first elastomeric layer  202   a,  a metallic layer  204 , a second elastomeric layer  202   b,  and an adhesive  206   a - b.    
     The metallic layer  204 , in the depicted embodiment, is sandwiched between the two elastomeric layers  202   a - b,  with the first elastomeric layer  202   a  on one side of the metallic layer  204  and the second elastomeric layer  202   b  on an opposite side of the metallic layer  204 . In certain embodiments, the first and second elastomeric layers  202   a - b  substantially enclose the metallic layer  204 . For example, the first and second elastomeric layers  202   a - b  may protect the metallic layer  204  (e.g., from water damage, from corrosion, from creasing, from ripping, from tearing, from contact with food  108 , or the like). 
     In some embodiments, a first adhesive layer  206   a  is disposed between the first elastomeric layer  202   a  and the metallic layer  204  and a second adhesive layer  206   b  is disposed between the metallic layer  204  and the second elastomeric layer  202   b.  The first and second adhesive layers  206   a - b,  in various embodiments, may comprise the same type of adhesive, different types of adhesive, or the like. 
       FIG.  4    depicts another embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  4   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  3   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises a first elastomeric layer  202   a,  a metallic layer  204 , a second elastomeric layer  202   b,  and an adhesive  206 . 
     In some embodiments, the metallic layer  204  may be visible and/or exposed along a perimeter, edge, side, end, or the like of the food covering  102  (e.g., between the elastomeric layers  202   a - b ). In the depicted embodiment, perimeters, edges, sides, ends, or the like of first and second elastomeric layers  202   a - b  are sealed (e.g., by the adhesive  206  or the like), crimped, closed, or the like around the metallic layer  204  (e.g., to more fully protect the metallic layer  204  from water damage, from corrosion, from creasing, from ripping, from tearing, from contact with food  108 , or the like). The perimeters, edges, sides, ends, or the like of the first and second elastomeric layers  202   a - b  may be sealed, crimped, closed, or the like by the adhesive  206 , by a weld (e.g., using heat and/or pressure), by an injection molding and/or dipping process (e.g., being integrally formed around the metallic layer  204 ), or the like. 
       FIG.  5    depicts a certain embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  5   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  4   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises a first elastomeric layer  202   a,  a metallic layer  204 , a second elastomeric layer  202   b,  and an adhesive  206 . 
     The metallic layer  204 , in the depicted embodiment, comprises an aperture  502 , hole  502 , and/or other opening  502 . The aperture  502  is disposed toward a center and/or middle of the metallic layer  204 , so that the metallic layer  204  is disposed at or toward a perimeter of the elastomeric layers  202   a - b  and/or the food covering  102 . With the metallic layer  204  disposed at least along a perimeter of the one or more elastomeric layers  202   a - b,  the metallic layer  204  may enable the food covering  102  to conform around an edge of a container  104  (e.g., to at least partially seal the container  104 , to protect food  108  within the container  104 , or the like). 
     In some embodiments, at least a portion of the one or more elastomeric layers  202   a - b  and/or the adhesive  206  may be transparent so that the aperture  502  forms a transparent window  502  (e.g., through which food  108 , an interior of the container  104 , or the like may be visible without removing the food covering  102  from the container  104 ). 
       FIG.  6    depicts a further embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  6   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  5   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises a first elastomeric layer  202   a,  a metallic layer  204 , a second elastomeric layer  202   b,  and an adhesive  206 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, the metallic layer  204  and the one or more elastomeric layers  202   a - b  each comprise an aperture  502 , with different layer  502  of material disposed within the aperture  502  (e.g., as an extension and/or portion of an elastomeric layer  202   a - b,  or the like). In certain embodiments, the different material  502  disposed within the aperture  502  comprises a transparent material that forms a transparent window  502 . 
     The perimeters, edges, sides, ends, or the like of the different layer  502  of material may be coupled to (e.g., between) one or more elastomeric layers  202   a - b  by being sealed, crimped, adhered (e.g., by adhesive  206 ), welded, pressed, or the like to a first and/or second elastomeric layers  202   a - b,  or the like. 
       FIG.  7    depicts one embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  7   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  6   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises one or more elastomeric layers  202  and a metallic layer  204 , without an aperture  502 . The food covering  102 , the one or more elastomeric layers  202 , and the metallic layer  204 , in the depicted embodiment, are substantially square shaped (e.g., for use with square shaped containers  104  or the like). 
       FIG.  8    depicts a certain embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  8   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  7   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises one or more elastomeric layers  202  and a metallic layer  204 , with an aperture  502  disposed in at least the metallic layer  204 . The food covering  102 , the one or more elastomeric layers  202 , the metallic layer  204 , and the aperture  502 , in the depicted embodiment, are substantially square shaped (e.g., for use with square shaped containers  104  or the like). 
       FIG.  9    depicts a further embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  9   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  8   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises one or more elastomeric layers  202  and a metallic layer  204 , without an aperture  502 . The food covering  102 , the one or more elastomeric layers  202 , and the metallic layer  204 , in the depicted embodiment, are substantially circular (e.g., for use with circular shaped containers  104  or the like). 
       FIG.  10    depicts another embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  10   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  9   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises one or more elastomeric layers  202  and a metallic layer  204 , with an aperture  502  disposed in at least the metallic layer  204 . The food covering  102 , the one or more elastomeric layers  202 , the metallic layer  204 , and the aperture  502 , in the depicted embodiment, are substantially circular (e.g., for use with circular shaped containers  104  or the like). 
       FIG.  11    depicts one embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  11   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  10   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises one or more elastomeric layers  202  and a metallic layer  204 , without an aperture  502 . The food covering  102 , the one or more elastomeric layers  202 , and the metallic layer  204 , in the depicted embodiment, are substantially rectangular (e.g., for use with rectangular shaped containers  104  or the like). 
       FIG.  12    depicts a further embodiment of a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food covering  102  of  FIG.  12   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  11   . In the depicted embodiment, the food covering  102  comprises one or more elastomeric layers  202  and a metallic layer  204 , with an aperture  502  disposed in at least the metallic layer  204 . The food covering  102 , the one or more elastomeric layers  202 , the metallic layer  204 , and the aperture  502 , in the depicted embodiment, are substantially rectangular (e.g., for use with rectangular shaped containers  104  or the like). 
       FIG.  13    depicts one embodiment of a system  1300  for a food covering  102  for a container  104 . The food coverings  102   a - n  of  FIG.  13   , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the food coverings  102  described above with regard to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  12   . In the depicted embodiment, the system  1300  comprises a pack and/or set of multiple food coverings  102   a - n  having different sizes corresponding to different sized containers. While the multiple food coverings  102   a - n,  in the depicted embodiment, are substantially circular, in other embodiments, the multiple food coverings  102   a - n  may comprise a different shape (e.g., a square shape, a rectangular shape, another shape, or the like), may comprise multiple different shapes in the same pack/set, or the like, based on sizes and/or shapes of the intended different containers  104 . 
       FIG.  14    depicts one embodiment of a method  1400  of manufacturing a food covering  102  for a container  104 . As used herein, a manufacturer may include one or more of a manufacturing hardware machine of other device, a robotic device, a factory device, a hardware and/or software controller for such a device, a user and/or administrator of such a device, or the like. 
     The method  1400  begins and a manufacturer forms  1402  one or more elastomeric layers  202  (e.g., using a stamp process, an injection molding process, a form/casting process, a cutting process, or the like). A manufacturer forms  1404  a metallic layer  204  (e.g., using a stamp process, a cutting process, a rolling process, or the like). A manufacturer couples  1406  the one or more elastomeric layers  202  to the metallic layer  204 , using an adhesive  206  or the like, and the method  1400  ends. 
     A means for a flexible, substantially planar, elastomeric layer  202 , in various embodiments, may include a sheet of material, an inert material, a biocompatible material, a hypoallergenic material, a thermally stable material, a water repellant material, an electrically insulative material, a polymeric material, a plastic material, a rubber material, a silicone material, an at least partially transparent material, and/or another flexible, substantially planar, elastomeric layer  202 . Other embodiments may include similar or equivalent means for a flexible, substantially planar, elastomeric layer  202 . 
     A means for a malleable, substantially planar, metallic layer  204 , in various embodiments, may include a foil material, an aluminum material, a copper material, a tin material, a brass material, a nickel material, a metallic alloy, a metallic sheet, and/or another metallic layer. Other embodiments may include similar or equivalent means for a malleable, substantially planar, metallic layer  204 . 
     A means for coupling a metallic layer  204  to at least a perimeter of an elastomeric layer  202  to form a food covering  102  for a container  104 , in various embodiments, may include a weld, a solvent based acrylic adhesive  206 , an emulsion based acrylic adhesive  206 , a rubber based adhesive  206 , a silicone based adhesive  206 , and/or another adhesive  206 . Other embodiments may include similar or equivalent means for coupling a metallic layer  204  to at least a perimeter of an elastomeric layer  202  to form a food covering  102  for a container  104 . 
     A means for conforming around an edge of a container  104 , in various embodiments, may include a metallic layer  204 , an elastomeric layer  202 , a food covering  102 , or the like. Other embodiments may include similar or equivalent means for conforming around an edge of a container  104 . 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
     What is claimed is: