Patent Description:
Work of the presently named inventor, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.

In the baking of wet, formless doughs and batters, ovenable pans and dishes are used to provide shape and support to a finished baked good. While these doughs and batters may be added in direct contact with these pans and dishes, one may instead add the dough or batter to a liner, made from various materials, usually paper, placed within the baking vessel. These liners, also known as baking papers, provide several advantages for baking and serving.

Firstly, these liners ease removal of a baked good from a pan, as the liners tend not to form an attachment with the pan. Furthermore, if the batter or dough is contained within the liner while baking, the cleanup of the pan is kept to a minimum. Alternatively, some liners may be able to stand on their own, without requiring support on their sides.

Secondly, baking liners provide a wrapper on the base of a baked good, allowing ease of transportation and minimization of crumbling. For some baked goods, the baking liner may decrease the amount of drying and better preserve freshness. In addition, the baking liners allow handling of a baked good without directly touching the foodstuff until desired.

Thirdly, as baking liners can be colored or formed into different shapes, they provide a decorative touch to a baked good. Baking liners can easily be detailed with different patterns, graphics, and advertisements.

Finally, baking liners provide a means to consuming a baked good. A handheld baked foodstuff (such as a muffin or cupcake), may be held at one side by the baking liner, and consumed from the opposite side. Alternatively, a baking liner may be separated from the sides of a baked good and flattened, as in a miniature plate to provide an eating surface or to contain crumbs. For larger baked goods, such as a cake loaf, a baking liner may provide a cutting surface to a dull knife or serving utensil. For baked goods of any size, a foodstuff partly consumed may be re-wrapped with a baking liner.

To confer some of the above advantages, baked foodstuffs may often stick to baking liner. Removing a baking liner without deforming the baked good generally involves pinching a sidewall and pulling away from the center. However, this step only separates a portion of the baking liner until its sides squeeze the baked good. Thus, another location on the sidewall must be pinched and pulled, and occasionally even another location, until the baking liner can be removed without disfiguring or tearing apart the bulk of the baked item.

In addition, some baking liners are overfilled with the upper rim of the sidewall buried in cake or toppings, making it very difficult to pull directly from the upper rim to remove the liner. In this situation, one may be motivated to pinch and pull from the upper part of the sidewall. This is especially true in the case of a fluted sidewall, where the involutions at the upper part of the sidewall are deeper and are easier to pinch than the shallower involutions at the bottom part of the sidewall. However, pinching and pulling from the upper rim of the sidewall tends to pull off a portion of the overhanging cake and toppings, leading to a mess.

For persons with differently-abled hand motor skills, for instance, young children, the successful removal of a wrapper may be too difficult for them to perform on their own. Even with assistance, the time it takes to remove a standard baking liner can be significant. For example, a parent removing the wrappers from several cupcakes at a young child's birthday party may not have the luxury of time to carefully separate the wrappers from the cakes.

<CIT> discloses a cup for thermally processed food to make it easy to separate a cup single product from a stack consisting of a large number of cups one by one. The small diameter periphery of a cup side cylinder is uniformly throttled inwardly to form a tapered peripheral surface and the peripheral surface of round tray-shaped air permeable bottom paper is turned downward to be located within the tapered peripheral surface in a contact state so as to leave the excessively extended peripheral surface part of the peripheral surface and enclosed with the excessively extended peripheral part from the outside to be folded back or the end peripheral surface of the tapered peripheral surface and a bottom paper rising peripheral surface are combined to be folded back inwardly to form a folded-back part which is, in turn, bent inwardly along with the bottom paper peripheral surface and pressed to be superposed on the peripheral surface to form a superposed pressed and joined part to strongly join the bottom paper to the end part of the tapered peripheral surface of the cup side cylinder.

<CIT> discloses a light package for confectionery, in the form of a mould, having tearing guides formed in its side for the purpose of removing cakes from their packages. Each of these tearing guides consists of a plurality of lines of weakness disposed side by side, traversing the side starting from a tearing start in the upper edge, this tearing start being located centrally with respect to the guide.

<CIT> discloses a portion access pie plate that exposes cut pie portions for easy extraction. A side section of the pie plate separates from the remaining body thereof and is adapted to be depressed, thereby exposing a corresponding segmental portion of the pie.

<CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> represent further relevant prior art.

In view of the foregoing, one objective of the present invention is to provide a baking container that comprises a designated path of tearing along one or more rupture lines on the sidewall and optionally extending to the bottom of the baking container. The sidewall may be reinforced with a ribbon or string to create a strip. A fold, sticker or a pull tab may be present to ease removal of the baking container. By allowing a controlled tear of the baking container, one may be able to efficiently and neatly separate the baking container from the baked good.

The problem of the present invention is solved by a baking container according to the independent claim <NUM>. The dependent claims refer to further advantageous developments of the present invention.

The present disclosure relates to a baking container. The baking container has a planar bottom face, having a periphery; a sidewall extending from the periphery to a rim; and a rupture line extending from the rim to a first point on the periphery, and extending from the first point on the periphery to a second point on the planar bottom face located within the periphery. The rupture line is configured to be torn to open the sidewall to ease removal from and/or consumption of a baked foodstuff contained therein.

In accordance with the invention, the rupture line further extends to a third point located on an opposite side of the periphery from the first point.

In one embodiment, the rupture line is not centered across the planar bottom face.

In one embodiment, the rupture line is centered across the planar bottom face.

In one embodiment, the rupture line further extends from the third point to a fourth point located on an opposite side of the sidewall from the first point.

In one embodiment, the rupture line further extends from the third point to a fifth point located on the rim.

In a further embodiment, the baking container is configured to be completely separated into two parts.

In a further embodiment, one part of the baking container is configured to remain in contact with the foodstuff when the baking container is completely separated into two parts.

In a further embodiment, the part of the baking container configured to remain in contact with the foodstuff has a remaining sidewall area that is <NUM> - <NUM>% of a total sidewall area of the baking container.

In a further embodiment, the part of the baking container configured to remain in contact with the foodstuff has a remaining planar bottom face area that is <NUM> - <NUM>% of a total planar bottom face area of the baking container.

In one embodiment, the rupture line follows a shortest path from the rim to the periphery, forming a substantially perpendicular angle with the periphery.

In one embodiment, the rupture line does not follow a shortest path from the rim to the periphery, and does not form a substantially perpendicular angle with the periphery.

In a further embodiment, the rupture line intersects the periphery forming a smallest angle of <NUM>° -<NUM>°.

In one embodiment, a part of the sidewall or planar bottom face that does not form the rupture line resists a maximum force that is <NUM> - <NUM> times greater than a maximum force resisted at the rupture line.

In one embodiment, the rupture line is formed by weakening the material of the sidewall, the planar bottom face, or both.

In one embodiment, the rupture line is formed by depressions or scores.

In accordance with the invention, the rupture line is formed by perforations.

In a further embodiment, the perforations are dots, pinholes, or substantially circular holes.

In one embodiment, the dots, pinholes, or holes have an inner diameter of <NUM> - <NUM>.

In a further embodiment, the perforations on the sidewall, the planar bottom face, or both are spaced by <NUM> - <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the perforations comprise elongated slits having widths of <NUM> - <NUM> and aspect ratios of <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>.

In a further embodiment, the elongated slits have an elongated axis along the rupture line.

In one embodiment, the elongated slits have an elongated axis that forms an angle of <NUM>° - <NUM>° with a path of the rupture line.

In one embodiment, the rupture line is formed by strengthening an adjacent sidewall, an adjacent planar bottom face, or both.

In a further embodiment, the adjacent sidewall is strengthened by increasing its thickness.

In one embodiment, the sidewall is fluted, folded, ribbed, corrugated, or pleated.

In one embodiment, the sidewall is smooth.

In one embodiment, the baking container further comprises a string, a fold, a sticker, or a ribbon located along the rupture line.

In one embodiment, a fold is present, and the fold is configured to be pinched and pulled to rupture the rupture line.

In one embodiment, the string, fold, sticker, or ribbon has a width or diameter of <NUM> - <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the string, fold, sticker, or ribbon has a total length of <NUM> - <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the baking container further comprises a pull tab located at the rupture line.

In one embodiment, the rupture line is located by different coloring or texturing.

In one embodiment, the baking container further comprises a seam along the rupture line.

In one embodiment, the baking container further comprises a lid attached to a part of the rim.

In one embodiment, the sidewall comprises two layers of material.

In one embodiment, an interior of the sidewall comprises a decoration, an advertisement, a graphic, a picture, a text, or a coloring that is not visible from an exterior of the sidewall.

In one embodiment, the baking container further comprises a second rupture line, wherein the rupture line and the second rupture line form a tear strip having a substantially constant width along a length of the tear strip.

In one embodiment, the planar bottom face is substantially circular.

In a further embodiment, where the planar bottom face is substantially circular, a ratio of a diameter of the rim to a diameter of the periphery is <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>.

In one embodiment, the planar bottom face is substantially rectangular with an aspect ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a baking container. The baking container has a planar bottom face, having a periphery; a sidewall extending from the periphery to a rim; and two rupture lines extending from the rim to a first pair of points on the periphery. The two rupture lines form a strip configured to be torn along the two rupture lines, and the strip is configured to be torn to open the sidewall to ease removal from and/or consumption of a foodstuff contained therein.

In one embodiment, the two rupture lines extend from the first pair of points to a second pair of points on the planar bottom face, the second pair of points located within the periphery.

In one embodiment, the two rupture lines further extend to a third pair of points located on an opposite side of the periphery from the first pair of points.

In one embodiment, the two rupture lines further extend from the third pair of points to a fourth pair of points located on an opposite side of the sidewall from the first pair of points.

In one embodiment, the two rupture lines further extend from the third pair of points to a fifth pair of points located on the rim.

In one embodiment, the strip is formed of a material having an average thickness that is greater by a factor of <NUM> - <NUM> than a material elsewhere forming the sidewall and/or the planar bottom face.

In one embodiment, the strip further comprises a pull tab or a fold configured to be pinched and pulled to tear the strip.

In one embodiment, a pull tab or fold is located on a bottom side of the planar bottom face.

In a further embodiment, a pull tab is present, and the pull tab has a width greater than a width of the strip.

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a baking container. The baking container has a planar bottom face, having a periphery; a sidewall extending from the periphery to a rim; and two rupture lines extending from the rim to a first pair of points on the sidewall and from the first pair of points along a circumference of the sidewall. The two rupture lines form a strip configured to be torn along the two rupture lines, and the strip is configured to be torn to open the sidewall to ease removal from and/or consumption of a foodstuff contained therein while leaving a bottom portion of the baking container in contact with the foodstuff.

In one embodiment, the bottom portion has a height that is <NUM> - <NUM>% of the total height of the sidewall.

According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a baking container. The baking container has a planar bottom face, having a periphery; a sidewall extending from the periphery to a rim; a first rupture line extending from the rim to a first pair of points on the sidewall; and a second rupture line and a third rupture line both extending from the first pair of points along a circumference of the sidewall. The second and third rupture lines form a strip configured to be torn along the two rupture lines, and the strip is configured to be torn to open the sidewall to ease removal from and/or consumption of a foodstuff contained therein while leaving a bottom portion of the baking container in contact with the foodstuff.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown.

The present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following definitions. As used herein, the words "a" and "an" and the like carry the meaning of "one or more. " Within the description of this disclosure, where a numerical limit or range is stated, the endpoints are included unless stated otherwise.

As used herein, the words "substantially," "about," "approximately," or "substantially similar" may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), or +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values). Within the description of this disclosure, where a numerical limit or range is stated, the endpoints are included unless stated otherwise. As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word "substantially," "about," or "approximately," even if the term does not expressly appear. Also, all values and subranges within a numerical limit or range are specifically included as if explicitly written out.

As used herein, easing removal of or removing a baking container, easing removal of or removing a foodstuff, or separating a baking container from a foodstuff (or vice versa), are considered equivalent actions. A baking container may be removed in whole or in part, and a foodstuff may be consumed while a portion of a baking container remains intact or attached to the foodstuff. The baking container described herein may also be considered a baking liner, muffin liner, display cup, confection cup, a baking paper, a cupcake paper, a cupcake wrapper, a pie plate, a pie tin, a loaf liner, an éclair liner etc. Additionally terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a baking container comprising a planar bottom face, having a periphery; a sidewall extending from the periphery to a rim; and two rupture lines extending from the rim to a first pair of points on the periphery. The two rupture lines form a strip configured to be torn along the two rupture lines.

In one embodiment, the strip is configured to be torn to open the sidewall to ease removal from and/or consumption of a foodstuff contained therein. Thus, the strip may be considered a "tear strip. " In other embodiments, the rupture lines, and thus the strip, may extend along the bottom and/or up the opposite side of the sidewall. These embodiments may not only allow the sidewall to be opened to ease removal of an item, but to split the baking container into two sides. In a further embodiment, these two sides may be similar to two halves of the container, and opening these two sides may be similar to opening a pair of outward-swinging doors (for example, the doors of a side-by-side refrigerator).

The two rupture lines further extend from a first pair of points to a second pair of points located within the periphery of the planar bottom face. Where the second pair of points is located within a substantially circular periphery, the second pair of points may be located at a location that is <NUM> - <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> - <NUM> %, or <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>% of the length of a diameter or chord. Additionally, the rupture lines connecting the first pair of points with the second pair of points may be located along a diameter or radius of a substantially circular planar bottom face. Alternatively, the rupture lines connecting the first and second pair of points may be off-center, and not located along a diameter or radius of a substantially circular planar bottom face but along a chord that is <NUM> - <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> - <NUM> %, or <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>% of the length of the diameter. For baking containers that do not have substantially circular planar bottom faces and peripheries, the second pair of points may be located a distance that is <NUM> - <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> - <NUM> %, or <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>% along a diagonal or other line connecting two points of the periphery. This diagonal or other line may or may not intersect the geometric centroid of the planar bottom face.

The two rupture lines further extend from the second pair of points to a third pair of points. Here, the third pair of points is located on an opposite side of the periphery from the first pair of points. One such embodiment is shown in <FIG>.

In a further embodiment, the two rupture lines further extend from the third pair of points to a fourth pair of points located on an opposite side of the sidewall from the first pair of points. One such embodiment is shown in <FIG>.

In a further embodiment of the baking container, the two rupture lines may extend to a fifth pair of points located on an opposite side of the rim from where the rupture lines first extended. One such embodiment is shown in <FIG>.

In the embodiments where one or more rupture lines connect two locations on the periphery of the planar bottom face, the one or more rupture lines may be centered across the planar bottom face, for instance, by intersecting the geometric centroid of the planar bottom face. For a substantially circular periphery, this would mean that the one or more rupture lines lie along a diameter of the planar bottom face. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> show embodiments where the one or more rupture lines or tear strip are centered across the planar bottom face. In other embodiments, the one or more rupture lines may not be centered across the planar bottom face. For instance, the one or more rupture lines may not intersect the center or geometric centroid of the planar bottom face. The length of the one or more rupture lines may be <NUM> - <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> - <NUM> %, or <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>% of the length of the diameter or longest length across the planar bottom face. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show embodiments where the one or more rupture lines are not centered across the planar bottom face. The one or more rupture lines on the planar bottom face may be straight and linear; however, in other embodiments, one or more rupture lines may be curved and/or angled. For instance, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show rupture lines on the planar bottom face that are more than just single straight lines connected two different points on the periphery. Here, the rupture lines are curved, jagged, and wavy. In other embodiments, one or more rupture lines on the planar bottom face may be rotationally symmetrical and/or centered, such as in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Additionally, the planar bottom face may have multiple rupture lines, which may or may not intersect with one another. It is envisioned that for an elongated baking container, such as shown in <FIG>, spaced, non-intersecting rupture lines may enable a user to more easily control the length of the remaining baking container. A baking container having a substantially circular planar bottom face may also have multiple rupture lines crossing the planar bottom face, where the multiple rupture lines do not intersect with one another. Examples of intersecting rupture lines on the planar bottom face include <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. In one embodiment, one or more rupture lines, or one or more strips, may be torn from any direction and may be partially torn or completely torn. In certain embodiments, a rupture line may be torn not from either end but from a segment starting from within the rupture line.

In one embodiment, the strip has a substantially constant width, meaning that along its length, the width varies from the average width by less than <NUM>% of the average width, preferably less than <NUM>% of the average width. In one embodiment, the baking container may have a strip with a width of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. In another embodiment, the baking container may have a wide strip, for instance, having a width in a range of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. This wide strip may function more like a door on the sidewall and/or planar bottom face of the baking container in order to open a larger portion of the baking container. Again, in some embodiments, a strip may be considered to be a portion of the sidewall and/or planar bottom face between any two rupture lines, and thus, the width of the strip may be considered to be the distance between any two rupture lines.

In one embodiment, the one or more rupture lines follow a shortest path from the rim to the periphery, forming a substantially perpendicular angle with the periphery. As defined here, a substantially perpendicular angle refers to the smallest angle formed being <NUM>° - <NUM>°, preferably <NUM>° - <NUM>°, or about <NUM>°.

In one embodiment, one or more rupture lines do not follow a shortest path from the rim to the periphery, and do not form a substantially perpendicular angle with the periphery. For instance, the rupture lines may wrap around a portion of the sidewall. In one embodiment, the rupture lines may wrap around a portion of a cylindrical or frustoconical sidewall, as is shown in <FIG>. In a further embodiment, the rupture lines may wrap entirely around a cylindrical or frustoconical sidewall. In these embodiments, the rupture lines may intersect the periphery forming a smallest angle of <NUM>° - <NUM>°, preferably <NUM>° - <NUM>°, more preferably <NUM>° - <NUM>°. However, in some embodiments, the rupture lines may intersect the periphery forming a smallest angle that is smaller than <NUM>° or larger than <NUM>°. In another embodiment, the rupture lines may follow curved paths on the sidewall as shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>. Likewise, in some embodiments, one or more rupture lines do not form a substantially perpendicular angle with the rim, instead forming angles as mentioned for the rupture lines intersecting the periphery.

In one embodiment, one or more rupture lines may intersect the rim at a notch, and may provide a starting point for a rupture line to be torn by weakening that portion of the rim. In another embodiment, a notch may provide a user with a visual or tactile clue to locate a rupture line. The notch may be formed by cutting away a portion of the sidewall from the rim. The notch may have a height of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, and may have a width of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. The notch may have V shape, a rectangular shape, or some other shape. A notch with a V shape may have an angle in a range of <NUM>° - <NUM>°, preferably <NUM>° - <NUM>°, more preferably <NUM>° - <NUM>°. <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show V-shaped notches. Two notches in a rim may form a pull tab between them. In other embodiments, a lack of material may form a notch in the rim, or a cut having a similar length as a notch, without necessarily removing material.

In another embodiment, the rupture lines do not have a substantially constant width, but may have an increasing width closer to the periphery. In this embodiment, the rupture lines may intersect the sidewall at symmetric angles or at different angles. In one embodiment, the rupture lines may move closer together and/or farther apart in order to create different shapes or patterns of the strip. In another related embodiment, the width of the rupture lines may increase towards the periphery, and possibly along the planar bottom face, enabling the consumer means of removing a large portion of the baking container at once. <FIG> and <FIG> each illustrate one such embodiment.

In one embodiment, where the rupture lines end at a location within the baking container (as shown in <FIG>), rather than connect rim-to-rim (as in <FIG> and <FIG>), the rupture lines may or may not be connected by an additional rupture line segment.

In one embodiment, where a rupture line connects rim-to-rim and is off-centered, such as in <FIG> and <FIG>, separating the baking container completely along the rupture line produces a smaller portion and a larger portion. In one embodiment, the smaller portion has a bottom face with an area of about <NUM>/<NUM> or about <NUM>/<NUM> of the original planar bottom face area. In another embodiment, the smaller portion has a bottom area that is <NUM> - <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>%, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>% of the original planar bottom face area. In a related embodiment, a rupture line on a planar bottom face may follow an arc or a single curve as in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. These embodiments allow for a consumer to leave different amounts of paper attached to a foodstuff. For instance, a consumer using the baking container of <FIG> may remove the smaller portion of the baking container from the foodstuff while completely separating along the rupture line, and while holding the larger portion of the baking container. This larger portion of the baking container remains in contact with the foodstuff, and in <FIG>, the larger portion is more accommodating to the shape of one or more bites of the foodstuff. In this way, the larger portion of the baking container has more sidewall and less of the planar bottom face than the smaller portion of the baking container. More sidewall generally provides more of a surface to hold the baking container, and less planar bottom face provides more of the foodstuff to be accessible for consumption.

For instance, in one embodiment, where the baking container is configured to be separated into two parts, with a part remaining in contact with the foodstuff, the part in contact with the foodstuff may have a remaining sidewall area that is <NUM> - <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>%, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>% of a total sidewall area of the baking container. In another embodiment, the part remaining in contact with the foodstuff may have a remaining planar bottom face area that is <NUM> - <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>% more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>%, or about <NUM>% or about <NUM>% of a total planar bottom face area of the baking container.

In one embodiment, the strip is formed of a thicker material than the material elsewhere forming the sidewall and/or the planar bottom face. The material of the strip may have an average thickness that is greater by a factor of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>.

However, in other embodiments, the strip is formed of a thinner material than a material elsewhere forming the sidewall and/or the planar bottom face. For instance, the strip may be thinner, but stronger than the material elsewhere forming the sidewall and/or the planar bottom face.

The material of the strip may comprise the same composition as the material forming the rest of the sidewall and/or the planar bottom face. For instance, the strip may simply be formed by perforated rupture lines. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the strip may be formed by folding over a part of the sidewall, planar bottom face, and/or rim.

In another embodiment, the material of the strip may be similar to the material elsewhere on the sidewall and/or planar bottom face, but may comprise additional compounds. For instance, in one embodiment, the sidewall and/or planar bottom face may have an overlapping seam which forms the strip, where the strip further comprises an adhesive to hold the seam together. Preferably the adhesive is food-grade and heat resistant. Similarly, the strip may be formed by folding the sidewall and/or rim, and securing the fold with an adhesive. In another embodiment, the strip may be impregnated with a synthetic polymer, a plant fiber, or some other material in order to increase the strength of the strip.

In one embodiment, the baking container further comprises a string, a sticker, a fold, or a ribbon attached along a portion of the strip, or else near a rupture line. The string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may be located or impregnated within the strip (for instance, sandwiched between two overlapping pieces of sidewall). The string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may have a width or diameter of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may have a width or diameter of less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>. The string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may have a total length of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, though in some embodiments, the total length may be less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>. In one embodiment, a single string may be folded or looped back on itself. The string may be considered a "reinforcing string," and the ribbon may be considered a "reinforcing ribbon. " In one embodiment, the ribbon or the sticker may be a nonporous material, though in other embodiments, it may be porous, such as a ribbon comprising a woven material or a mesh. In related embodiments, two or more strings could be adhered next to each other to form a material similar to a ribbon.

In the embodiment where the baking container further comprises a string, a sticker, a fold, or a ribbon, preferably the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon comprises a heat resistant, food-grade material. In one embodiment, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of a plant fiber, polypropylene, crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PFA), parchment paper, silicone, metal, ceramic, polylactic acid, a protein-based plastic, cellulose acetate, and silicone rubber.

In one embodiment, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may comprise a material considered a synthetic fiber. In another embodiment, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may comprise a material considered a natural fiber. In another embodiment, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may be derived from a natural fiber or a natural source, which is chemically treated to yield a fiber.

In one embodiment, where the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon comprises a plant fiber, the plant fiber may be derived from softwood, hardwood, wheat straw, rice straw, flax, esparto grass, reed, hemp, Indian hemp, jute, tossa jute, white jute, kenaf, ramie, roselle, sunn, urena, abaca, cantala, henequen, maguey, Mauritius hemp, phormium, sisal, akund floss, bagasse, bamboo, bombax cotton, coir, cotton, floss-silk tree, kapok, milkweed floss, or some other plant fiber.

In another embodiment, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may be attached to an outside of the baking container. In another embodiment, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may be attached to an inside of the baking container. In a further embodiment, where the string, sticker, fold or ribbon may be attached to an inside of the baking container, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may be attached to the inside at one end of the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon, while the length of the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon rests within the baking container. In this embodiment, the attachment at only one end may be required as the length of the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon would be held in place once the baking container is filled with an item. In some embodiments, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may protrude from the baking container and be visible, though in other embodiments, the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon may be completely hidden, for instance, if the entire length of the string, sticker, fold, or ribbon is embedded within the sidewall or covered with a coating.

As defined herein, a rupture line is the preferred path of a tear on the sidewall and/or the planar bottom face, and may be created by weakening a path on the sidewall and/or the planar bottom face relative to the material elsewhere of the sidewall and planar bottom face.

In one embodiment, the baking container is able to resist a maximum force against the sidewall and/or planar bottom face until tearing along a rupture line. For instance, if this force is <NUM> N, a strip on the sidewall may be pulled with a force of <NUM> or <NUM> N without tearing along a rupture line. However, pulling with a force of <NUM> N or higher will result in tearing along the rupture line. In one embodiment, this maximum force may be <NUM> - <NUM> N, preferably <NUM> - <NUM> N, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> N, even more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> N. In other embodiments, the maximum force may be smaller than <NUM> N or greater than <NUM> N, and may also depend on the angle of pulling.

In one embodiment, a rupture line may be formed by weakening the material of the sidewall and/or planar bottom face, for instance, by shaving, folding, perforating with needles, a die or a punch, rubbing with an abrasive material, irradiating, scoring, or etching. It should be noted that while dotted lines may appear similar to perforations, the rupture lines <NUM> depicted in the drawings may or may not be formed by perforations, or may or may not be perforations. In another embodiment, a rupture line may be formed by strengthening the adjacent sidewall and/or adjacent planar bottom face, for instance, by increasing the thickness of material (as previously described), or by adding a string or ribbon to the baking container. In another embodiment, a rupture line may be formed by both weakening the material of the sidewall and/or planar bottom face, and strengthening the adjacent sidewall and/or the adjacent planar bottom face. In one embodiment, the sidewall and/or planar bottom face that does not form a rupture line is able to resist a maximum force <NUM> - <NUM> times greater than the maximum force resisted at the rupture line, preferably <NUM> - <NUM> times greater, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> times greater. However, in other embodiments, this maximum force may be more than <NUM> times greater. In one embodiment, having a greater difference between the two forces reduces the occurrence of the baking container accidentally tearing or breaking outside of a rupture line.

In accordance with the invention, a rupture line is formed by perforations. Preferably, these perforations are formed with a size and geometry so that the baking container does not leak a liquid ingredient through the perforations. For example, in one embodiment, a needle may puncture all the way through a sidewall in order to create a perforated hole, but due to the elasticity of the sidewall, the hole may close and seal itself. In another related embodiment, a perforated hole may be large enough to allow passage of air, but small enough to retain a viscous liquid, such as a cake batter.

In one embodiment, the perforations are dots, pinholes, or substantially circular holes. Here, the dots, pinholes, or holes may have an inner diameter of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. However, in some embodiments the dots, pinholes, or holes may have inner diameters smaller than <NUM> or larger than <NUM>. In one embodiment, the perforations may be considered micro perforations.

In one embodiment, the perforations may comprise elongated slits, having widths of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, and aspect ratios (length:width) of <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, though in some embodiments, the slits may have aspect ratios of less than <NUM>: <NUM> or greater than <NUM>:<NUM>. As mentioned previously, in some embodiments, the slits may not be a continual opening through the sidewall and/or planar bottom face, but may instead be sealed or shut by the elasticity of the material.

In one embodiment, the perforations comprise elongated slits having an elongated axis along a rupture line. In a different embodiment, the perforations comprise elongated slits having an elongated axis at an angle to a rupture line, for instance, the slits may form an angle of <NUM>° - <NUM>°, preferably <NUM>° - <NUM>° to the path of the rupture line, where the path of the rupture line is defined by connecting the center of each elongated slit. In other embodiments, perforations or other structures may form rupture lines of different shapes or patterns. For instance, rupture lines may be formed with shapes similar to a sawtooth wave, a sinusoidal wave, a rectangular wave, a trapezoidal wave, or some other variation. In one embodiment, the forms of two or more ruptures lines may be symmetric with each other, or asymmetric.

In one embodiment, the perforations on the sidewall and/or the planar bottom face may be spaced by <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, though in some embodiments, the perforations may be spaced by less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the perforations may be a mix of shapes, for instance, perforations may be formed with pinholes and elongated slits, for instance, in a pattern of alternating dots and dashes. Similarly, a rupture line may comprise varying perforations or weakened areas in order to require varying forces for tearing. For instance, a rupture line or strip may tear easily to a certain point on the sidewall or planar bottom face, and then require a slightly greater force to continue the tear. This feature may provide a tactile sensation to tearing the rupture line or strip to certain extents, for instance, halfway across a sidewall.

In one embodiment, a baking container may have a single rupture line. Here the baking container may comprise a planar bottom face, having a periphery; a sidewall extending from the periphery to a rim; and a rupture line extending from the rim to a first point on the periphery, and extending from the first point to a second point on the periphery. Preferably, in this embodiment, a string, a sticker, a fold, or a ribbon is located along the rupture line, similar to the embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Alternatively, a notch, cut, depression, fold, or a lack of material in the rim may be present to locate a single rupture line, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. In related embodiments, a baking liner with a single rupture line may have a rupture line following any sort of path as mentioned for a strip in the other embodiments described herein. This includes its path or position on the side wall, planar bottom face, and/or connecting different points on the baking container.

For instance, the baking container may have a single rupture line extending from the rim to a first point on the periphery, and extending from the first point on the periphery to a second point on the planar bottom face located within the periphery. Similar to the strip, the rupture line is also configured to be torn to open the sidewall to ease removal from and/or consumption of a baked foodstuff contained therein. In one embodiment, the rupture line further extends to a third point located on an opposite side of the periphery from the first point. In another embodiment, rupture line further extends from the third point to a fourth point located on an opposite side of the sidewall from the first point. In another embodiment, a rupture line further extends from the third point to a fifth point located on the rim.

In one embodiment, a baking container has a planar bottom face, having a periphery; a sidewall extending from the periphery to a rim; a first rupture line extending from the rim to a first pair of points on the sidewall; and a second rupture line and a third rupture line both extending from the first pair of points along a circumference of the sidewall. The second and third rupture lines form a strip configured to be torn along the two rupture lines, and the strip is configured to be torn to open the sidewall to ease removal from and/or consumption of a foodstuff contained therein while leaving a bottom portion of the baking container in contact with the foodstuff.

In one embodiment, a baking container may have a combination of both double rupture lines forming a strip, and a single rupture line that does not form a strip. Preferably the double and single rupture lines in this embodiment are connected with one another, though in other embodiments, they may not be connected. It is equally envisioned that for any embodiment described herein that mentions single ruptures lines, double rupture lines forming a strip, or baking containers having a combination of both, it would be possible to adopt embodiments where single rupture lines are exchanged for double rupture lines forming a strip, and double rupture lines or a tear strip are exchanged for a single rupture line. For instance and without limitation, as indicated by the drawings, <FIG>, <FIG> have single rupture lines in positions similar to the tear strips of <FIG>, and <FIG>. <FIG> has a tear strip following a path similar to the single rupture line of <FIG>.

In one embodiment, a baking container may comprise more than one strip, fold, sticker, ribbon, or string, or more than two rupture lines. <FIG> show examples of related embodiments. In one embodiment, rather than pulling a strip, fold, sticker, ribbon, or string away from the baking container, a strip, fold, sticker, ribbon, or string may be pulled through the interior of the baking container, and thus through a foodstuff inside. In this embodiment, the strip, fold, sticker, ribbon, or string is designed to cut through a soft foodstuff, such as a cheesecake, and multiple strips, folds, stickers, ribbons, or strings in this configuration may be used to create portions of a foodstuff, for instance, dividing a cake into six similar pieces. In one embodiment, a ribbon, fold, sticker, or string may be pulled through the interior of the foodstuff to cut it, while the strip along the original location of the ribbon, fold, sticker, or string may be pulled away from the baking container, in order to separate the container. In other embodiments, a strip, with or without a reinforcing ribbon, fold, sticker, or string, may be pulled through a foodstuff to simultaneously cut the foodstuff and separate the container.

In one embodiment, the sidewall and the planar bottom face are formed from the same material. In a further embodiment, the sidewall and the planar bottom face may be formed from a planar piece of material which is shaped into the baking container. This shaping may involve folding, pleating, or fluting the sidewall. In another embodiment, the sidewall may be cut and adhered with an overlap in order to form the rim or the planar bottom face. In other embodiments, the baking container may be formed from two or more pieces of material folded, adhered, stapled, or otherwise attached together. For instance, some baking containers may be constructed by attaching the sidewall to the planar bottom face, in a manner similar to a DIXIE cup or some other paper cup. In related embodiments, where a baking container is formed by attaching a sidewall to a planar bottom face, the planar bottom may have an upward or downward turned edge, for instance, forming the shape of a U or an inverted U. <FIG> show different configurations of how the sidewall and planar bottom face may be attached together.

In one embodiment, a baking container has a recessed bottom, or in other words, has a bottom edge projecting from the periphery in a direction away from the rim. In this embodiment, the bottom edge may enable a baking container to sit on a flat surface with a space between the planar bottom face and the flat surface. In one embodiment, the bottom edge may enclose a plane that is substantially parallel to the planar bottom face, though in some embodiments, the bottom edge may enclose a plane that is not substantially parallel to the planar bottom face. In one alternative embodiment, protrusions, feet, or other supports may extend from the periphery or from the planar bottom face. A benefit of the recessed bottom is that it may keep the bottom side of the planar bottom face, which may be greasy from baking, from touching a surface. Another benefit of the recessed bottom may be that a pull tab folded under the bottom of the baking container is easily accessible, as it may not lie flat against the planar bottom face. An example of this is shown in <FIG>. In another variation, a baking container having a recessed bottom may not have a bottom folded pull tab as shown in <FIG>, but may instead have a part of the bottom edge of the sidewall forming a pinch point for tearing. Or, in other words, a pull tab may form part of the bottom edge of the sidewall.

In one embodiment, a recessed bottom may have a height of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM> above the bottom edge of the sidewall, though in some embodiments, the height may be less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>. A baking container having a recessed bottom does not require a continuous bottom edge of the sidewall, as it may be possible to have breaks in the bottom edge of the sidewall while providing support to the baking container.

In one embodiment, a baking container has a strip that is shaped as a pull tab or further comprises a pull tab. The pull tab may have a longest dimension or length of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, though in some embodiments, the pull tab may have a length of shorter than <NUM> or longer than <NUM>. In some embodiments, the pull tab may have a length smaller, substantially similar to, or larger than the width of a strip.

For instance, the pull tab may have a width of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, though in some embodiments, the pull tab may have a width smaller than <NUM> or larger than <NUM>. The pull tab may have a width smaller, substantially similar to, or larger than the width of the strip. In some embodiments, the pull tab may be substantially flat (with a thickness similar to the sidewall), while in other embodiments, the pull tab may be folded into a shape or have a three-dimensional shape, with a thickness larger than the sidewall.

In one embodiment, the pull tab is formed by the strip extending beyond the rim, though in other embodiments, the pull tab may be formed by adhering or attaching an additional material to the strip or sidewall, such as a sticker. For instance, a sticker may have an adhesive on only one segment, enabling a non-adhered region to either protrude from the surface or be lifted easily by a person's fingers. <FIG> shows an example of a pull tab having a protruding region and an adhered region. Additionally, a pull tab may be formed by two or more notches in the rim, as shown by the V-shaped notches in <FIG>. A pull tab formed by a notch in the rim may additionally have a fold or sticker, for instance, <FIG> has both a notch and a fold.

Due to the greasiness that sometimes results from baking, a pull tab may have additional texture in order for a user to easily grasp a pull tab without it slipping. A pull tab may have an additional protrusion to provide more surface area for grasping. Thin pull tabs with the additional texture, such as in <FIG>, enable the pull tabs to be easily grasped without using more of the baking liner material. It is envisioned that such texturing may be achieved by depressions or scores (such as those mentioned for the rupture line) or by coating with heat resistant material. Pull tabs may be strengthened or reinforced as previously mentioned for the baking container sidewall.

In an alternative embodiment, a baking container may have no specific rupture lines, but may have one or more stickers attached. In some embodiments, adhered pull tabs may be considered equivalent to stickers, though in some embodiments, stickers may be considered a more ornamental form of a pull tab. The one or more stickers may be configured to pull a sidewall away from a baked foodstuff, with or without tearing. In one embodiment, the one or more stickers may be semicircular and arching, similar to bucket handles or the rings of Saturn. In this alternative embodiment, stickers may have an adhesive strength that allows them to be placed anywhere on an exterior of a baking container so that they can be pulled to tear apart the baking container or separate it from a baked foodstuff.

In one embodiment, a baking container may be configured to be separated from a foodstuff by one hand when placed on a flat surface or on the palm of the opposite hand. In this embodiment, one or more rupture lines may enable the sidewall and/or planar bottom face to be easily torn. It is further envisioned that a baking container with a foodstuff may be lifted from a strip, pull tab, sticker, fold, or string, and the weight of the foodstuff may cause the strip to tear entirely or partially off. Alternatively, if the weight of the foodstuff is not sufficient to tear the sidewall, a person may shake or flick the baking container while grasping a strip, fold, sticker, pull tab, or string. For certain positions of strips and rupture lines on the baking container, such as in <FIG>, this shaking or flicking may rotate or spin the baking container.

In a similar embodiment, a baking container may have one end of a strip being easily torn, while the other end is configured to stay attached to the baking container. In this embodiment, lifting, shaking, or flicking the baking container while grasping a strip, pull tab, or string may tear off the sidewall and remove the remainder of the baking container in one piece.

In one embodiment, a baking container may have more than one strip, more than one pull tab, and/or more than one fold. For instance, a baking container may have more than one pull tab shaped to form a pair of ears, as in <FIG>, or feet, as in <FIG>. In another embodiment, a baking container may have at least two pull tabs located across from one another. As the pull tabs may have a low heat capacity, they may cool more quickly after using the baking container for baking. A person may use the two pull tabs to lift a baking container from a baking pan (for instance, lifting a baking container out of a cupcake pan, where the baking container holds a hot, freshly-baked cupcake).

In one embodiment, a strip or rupture line on a baking container may be located by different coloring or texturing, or the rupture lines may be formed by perforations or scores that are easily visible. In other embodiments, a pull tab may extend beyond an edge of a baking container and be readily visible, and may furthermore be colored differently than the rest of the container. In some embodiments, a pull tab may be noticeable by being large, decorative, and/or protruding from a part of the sidewall, as in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the pull tab may have a width substantially similar to the width of the strip, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>. In some embodiments, the pull tab may have a width smaller than the width of the strip, such as in <FIG>, and <FIG>. In other embodiments, a ring and/or string may be used in place of a pull tab, as shown in <FIG>.

In one embodiment, a baking container may have an edge or a corner of a strip that forms a pinch point for pulling the strip from the baking container. In one embodiment, this pinch point may simply be a designated part of the periphery (with or without additional coloring or labels), and may or may not have additional reinforcement by string, ribbon, or additional material. In some embodiments, the pinch point may be formed or folded so that it protrudes and is easily visible, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the strip may be torn from the periphery, across the planar bottom face, and up the sidewall to the rim. However, the strip may also be torn from the opposite direction and/or from multiple directions.

In one embodiment, a baking container has a pull tab or fold located on a bottom side of the planar bottom face, as depicted in <FIG>. The pull tab or fold in this arrangement may connect with a strip or ribbon, or may be aligned with one or more rupture lines. A baking container may have any number or arrangement of folds or tabs on its bottom, some of which may be functional pull tabs, though in some cases, all may be functional pull tabs. In one embodiment, these bottom folds and tabs may be formed in any shape or arrangement. In some preferred embodiments, bottom folds and tabs may be arranged in decorative patterns. In another embodiment, a pull tab may be formed integral with the sidewall adjacent to a recessed bottom.

In some embodiments, a baking container may have a seam from which a sidewall may be opened, torn, or peeled away. In particular embodiments, the sidewall may be formed from a flat piece of material that is wrapped around to adhere or connect opposite ends, similar to the construction of a paper cup (e.g. DIXIE cup). In these embodiments, the sidewall seam may be opened from the top corner, bottom corner, and/or middle part of the seam. A seam may have a portion that is not adhered so that someone can easily start peeling from it. A baking container may be opened from a seam that does not tear along one or more designated rupture lines or a designated path of tearing. However, seams may be easily configured with one or more rupture lines as shown in <FIG>, and with strips. In some cases, the seam may be used as a reinforced ribbon for tearing, as described elsewhere, given that the seam has an overlapping and thus reinforced sidewall.

In one embodiment, a height of the sidewall perpendicular to the planar bottom face varies along the periphery. In this embodiment, the rim may enclose a planar shape (for example, a conic section), however, the planar shape may not be parallel with the planar bottom face. However, in another embodiment, the height of the sidewall perpendicular to the planar bottom face varies along the periphery, and the rim does not enclose a planar shape. In this embodiment, the rim may be rolled or beaded, and/or may form waves, dips, points, or a flower shape. In one embodiment, the rim comprises a different material than the sidewall, or may be attached separately to the sidewall. In another embodiment, the rim comprises the same material as the sidewall.

In one embodiment, an average height of the sidewall may be <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, even more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>. However, in other embodiments, an average height of the sidewall may be less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the rim may be rolled, beaded, flanged, or folded. In a further embodiment, one or more sides of a rectangular baking container may fold over the opening of the baking container, partially or completely, in order to allow two or more baking containers to be stacked without the containers collapsing into each other.

In one embodiment, the planar bottom face is substantially circular, for instance, as a common cupcake or muffin liner. In another embodiment, the planar bottom face may be oblong and rounded, for instance, as an oval or ellipse. In another embodiment, the planar bottom face may be rectangular or substantially square. In alternative embodiments, the planar bottom face may form different shapes with straight and/or curved edges, for instance, a semicircle.

A substantially circular planar bottom face may have a diameter of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>, even more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the planar bottom face may have a diameter of less than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>.

In one embodiment, where the rim and the planar bottom face are substantially circular, the ratio of the rim diameter to the ratio of the periphery diameter may be <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably <NUM>: <NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, where a ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> may denote that the sidewall forms a right cylinder.

In one embodiment, a baking container with a substantially circular planar bottom face may have a shape and size similar to a common pie tin, a deep-dish pie tin, or a <NUM>-inch round baking pan. In other embodiments, a baking container with a substantially circular planar bottom face may have a shape and size similar to a common muffin or cupcake liner, or a "mini" muffin or "mini" cupcake liner. In one embodiment, a baking container may have a shape as a tube pan, similar to an angel food cake pan or a BUNDT cake pan.

A substantially rectangular planar bottom face may have a width of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>. A substantially rectangular planar bottom face may have an aspect ratio (length:width) of <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably <NUM>:<NUM>- <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>:<NUM>- <NUM>:<NUM>, though in some embodiments, the aspect ratio may be greater than <NUM>:<NUM>.

In one embodiment, where the rim and the planar bottom face are substantially rectangular, the ratio of the diagonal of the rim to the diagonal of the planar bottom face may be <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>:<NUM> - <NUM>:<NUM>. In one embodiment, a baking container having a substantially rectangular planar bottom face may have a shape and size similar to an <NUM>-inch square pan, a <NUM> × <NUM>-inch pan, or a casserole dish.

In alternative embodiments, a baking container may have a rounded bottom face (i.e. nonplanar), which may be used for rounded items like cake pops, dumplings, takoyaki, popcorn balls, or kuih bahulu.

In one embodiment, an angle formed by the sidewall and the planar bottom face is <NUM>° - <NUM>°, preferably <NUM>° - <NUM>°, more preferably <NUM>° - <NUM>°, though in some embodiments, the angle formed may be less than <NUM>° or greater than <NUM>°. In one embodiment, the angle may be relatively constant along the sidewall, for instance the angle may not vary by more than <NUM>° of the average sidewall angle. In other embodiments, the angle may vary by more.

In embodiments where the baking container has a rectangular planar bottom face, the sidewall may be in the form of four quadrilaterals (for instance, four trapezoids), each intersecting the planar bottom face at an angle. This angle may be similar for all four quadrilaterals, or only two or only three quadrilaterals may share similar angles. In an alternative embodiment, all four quadrilaterals may have different angles.

In embodiments where the baking container has a rectangular planar bottom face and the sidewall is in the form of four quadrilaterals, the one or more rupture lines may pass through a central region of one of the four quadrilaterals. In another embodiment, the one or more rupture lines may be off-center, for instance, at a third or a quarter of the length of the quadrilateral. <FIG> shows an example embodiment of a baking container with a rectangular planar bottom face and off-center rupture lines. <FIG> shows an example embodiment of a baking container with a rectangular planar bottom face and a single off-center rupture line. In another embodiment, the one or more rupture lines may be formed along or within a corner of the sidewall.

In one embodiment, the baking container may be used to hold a cake or muffin batter while baking. However, it is envisioned that that baking container may be used successfully for several other foods, especially those that may be liquid or viscous when added to the baking container, and then hold their shape within the baking container (possibly against the edges of the interior) after baking, cooking, cooling, drying, or setting. For instance, the baking container may be used with yeast dough (e.g. panettone), unleavened dough, grains, grain-free dough, ground meat, pizza, calzone, bar cookies, dried fruit, pudding, gelatin, kuih, custard, flan, cheese cake, baked pasta, pastry, baked egg dishes, cheese, soup dumplings, chocolate, filled or layered chocolate (e.g. REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS), fudge, candy, butter, ice cream, ice desserts, puffed grain snacks (e.g. RICE KRISPIES TREATS), nut butter, tofu, or some other foodstuff.

In one embodiment, a raw or partially prepared foodstuff may be packaged in a baking container and distributed for sale. Here, the foodstuff may be raw, frozen, refrigerated, dehydrated, partially baked, or may be missing one or more ingredients (such as missing water or eggs). A consumer may then prepare the foodstuff by adding needed ingredients and baking, without having to use additional containers.

In one embodiment, the baking container may comprise a top cover or lid attached to a part of the rim. The top cover or lid may be integral with the sidewall or attached separately. In one embodiment, this top cover or lid may be closed while baking, in order to contain steam. Cooking or baking with the top cover or lid closed may be similar to en papillote or al cartoccio cooking, that is, cooking within a sealed package. In another embodiment, the top cover or lid may be closed after baking in order to contain steam and/or heat for a longer time period. In one embodiment, the top cover or lid may seal or close permanently, so that the baking container may only be opened by pulling on the strip or on a pull tab.

In another embodiment, a baking container may comprise a cover or lid, with holes in the planar bottom face, in order to be used for steaming buns, dumplings, cakes, or puddings. In another embodiment, the baking container may be lined with a susceptor for microwave cooking. The susceptor may comprise a metalized film, metal flakes, or ceramics, which absorb microwave radiation and emit heat to a food by conduction or infrared irradiation, similar in function to a "crisping sleeve. " A baking container lined with a susceptor may be helpful for crust-browning within the baking container, for instance, of pastries or pies. A baking container may be used with any type of heat source, for example and without limitation, a wood-fired oven, a convection oven, and electric oven, a gas oven, a charcoal grill, a solar oven, a smoker, a STERNO cooking fuel, a non-combustible chemical reaction, or some other heat source.

In one embodiment, one or more baking containers may be formed attached together. For instance, rather than using a standard metal baking pan for a dozen cupcakes, someone may use an array of cupcake-sized baking containers that are linked together. Preferably the baking containers are linked by an attachment that can easily be torn, for instance, attached by paper having a rupture line. In one embodiment, such attached baking containers may be sold or distributed in arrays larger or smaller than <NUM> baking containers, and a consumer may remove or separate baking containers as needed before use. In another embodiment, an array of baking containers may be formed not by attaching the baking containers to each other, but to an additional structure, or the baking containers may sit within an additional structure.

In one embodiment, the sidewall and/or planar bottom face of the baking container has a thickness of <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> - <NUM>, though in some embodiments, the thickness may be smaller than <NUM> or greater than <NUM>. For instance, in some embodiments, the thickness may be <NUM> - <NUM>, <NUM> - <NUM>, <NUM> - <NUM>, or greater than <NUM>. In one embodiment, the sidewall and/or planar bottom face may comprise only one layer of material, such as one layer of paper, though in other embodiments, the sidewall and/or planar bottom face may comprise two or more layers of material. These two or more layers of material may be the same or different materials, and may be adhered together or not adhered.

In one embodiment, the baking container may further comprise an outer layer, or an outer sidewall layer. Here, the other layer, being on the interior, may be considered an inner layer. In a related embodiment, the baking container may comprise an inner layer having its own sidewall and planar bottom face and an outer layer having its own sidewall and a planar bottom face. The inner and outer layers may comprise similar or different materials, and may have structures similar to those described herein for the baking container. In one embodiment, the inner and outer layers may be of approximately the same heights, though in other embodiments, the inner layer may have a periphery to rim distance that is <NUM> - <NUM>%, <NUM> - <NUM>%, or <NUM> - <NUM>% longer than that of the outer layer. In one embodiment, one of the two layers may not be torn or substantially deformed after removal, and may be used as a plate for a foodstuff. In some embodiments, the inner and outer layers may be textured differently, for example, one layer may be textured while one is smooth or generally untextured. For instance, the outer layer may be ribbed, while the inner layer is smooth.

In one embodiment, the inner and outer layers may be adhered at a part of the planar bottom face without being adhered at any part of the sidewall. In a further embodiment, the inner and outer layers may be adhered at a part of the planar bottom face, and attached, but not adhered at an upper part of the sidewall or at the rim. Here, the upper part of the sidewall or rim may have the inner and outer layers interleaved and threaded with a string or ribbon. The string or ribbon has an end configured to grasped and pulled, and extracting the string or ribbon allows a portion or all of the inner and outer layers to separate at the sidewall. For instance, a string or ribbon may be woven partway, and pulling out the string or ribbon may free a fold or tab on the outer layer for pulling and tearing off the inner layer. A baking container having inner and outer layers may be thought of as having an inner sidewall layer and an outer sidewall layer. In some embodiments, a single planar bottom face may connect with two sidewalls, which may have an arrangement similar to that shown in <FIG>.

In one embodiment, the inner sidewall layer may conform to the shape of a baked good, and the outer sidewall layer may protrude further away from the inner sidewall layer at a specific angle or distance. In one embodiment, an outer sidewall layer may comprise one or more folds or protrusions from the inner sidewall layer, and with the layers partly adhered, provides a grip for someone to pull on the outer sidewall layer and tear the inner layer. The folds may be vertical, horizontal, or at some intermediary angle. In one embodiment, the outer sidewall layer may have one or more vertical folds. In particular, the outer sidewall layer may have vertical folds that are each of substantially similar shapes, and may be positioned with rotational symmetry around the sidewall. For instance, an outer sidewall layer may have five vertical folds that provide an aerial view similar to a starfish or five-pointed star. In another embodiment, the outer sidewall layer may have a loop protruding outwards, similar to a belt loop, mug handle, or holster, providing a finger grip for pulling and tearing the outer sidewall layer. <FIG> shows one such embodiment where the outer sidewall layer has a section forming a loop outwards from the inner sidewall layer. In a related embodiment, rather than a loop, the outer sidewall layer may instead have a pocket to provide a finger grip. In other embodiments, the outer sidewall layer may fold out from the inner sidewall layer, creating a substantially horizontal fold.

In one embodiment, an outer sidewall layer may have holes through which the inner sidewall layer is visible. Preferably, a different color of the inner sidewall layer is visible. These holes may be formed in decorative shapes or repeating patterns, and may be die cut or laser cut. One such example is shown in <FIG>. In a related embodiment, a portion or the entire outer sidewall layer may form a mesh, a screen, a transparent film, or a semitransparent film through which the inner layer may be visible.

In one embodiment, the sidewall, planar bottom face, and/or rim of the baking container may be similar to parchment paper, wax paper, greaseproof paper, or bakery release paper. However, in other embodiments, the paper may be similar to a different type of paper, including but not limited to, amate paper, scritta paper, blotting paper, lens paper, bond paper, cardboard, cardstock, cartridge paper, construction paper, cotton paper, crêpe paper, dó paper, glassine paper, India paper, Korean paper (hanji), kraft paper, laid paper, manila paper, newsprint, oatmeal paper (hwangji), onionskin paper, origami paper, butcher paper, rice paper, rolling paper, wrapping paper, copy paper, thermal paper, tissue paper, tracing paper, calendered paper, washi paper, wove paper, paperboard, and xuan paper. In another embodiment, the baking container may comprise non-paper materials that are ovenable and food safe, such as crystallized PET, silicone, or a metal foil, such as aluminum. In other embodiments, the sidewall, planar bottom face, and/or rim may comprise fibers or other materials listed previously for the string and ribbon.

In one embodiment of the baking container, the sidewall is smooth, fluted, folded, ribbed, corrugated, or pleated. In further embodiments, these structures on the sidewall may be decorative, or may be functional, for instance, in providing strength to the sidewall or allowing the baking container to be formed from a single piece of material.

In one embodiment, a baking container has a sidewall that enables a baking container to be self-supporting, meaning that the baking container may be placed on flat surface while a foodstuff within does not adversely deform the sidewall. In this embodiment, the baking container does not have to be used as a liner within a pan, for instance, baking containers in the shape of cupcakes may be placed on a cookie sheet in an oven, rather than being placed within a cupcake pan. As another example, the baking container may be used like a pie plate or a pie tin.

In one embodiment, the baking container may be made of edible material, so that the baking container may optionally be removed prior to consumption. In this embodiment, the baking container may comprise a vegetable starch from rice, potato, corn, cassava, sorghum, wheat, tapioca, arrowroot, yam, sweet potato, or from some other fruit, grain, or vegetable. In a related embodiment, a string, pull tab, or ribbon of a baking container may comprise an edible material, for instance, a pull tab may be made of hard candy or a ribbon may be made of licorice.

In one embodiment, the baking container comprises only materials that are recyclable, or the baking container comprises only materials that are compostable (such as plant fibers and PLGA). In one embodiment, the baking container comprises only materials that are natural or not chemically treated. For instance, the baking container may comprise naturally sourced paper or recycled paper. The baking container may comprise unbleached paper.

In one embodiment, the interior of the baking container may be coated and/or impregnated with a food grade release agent. In some embodiments the food grade release agent may be vegetable oil or starch. In another embodiment, a barrier layer, such as a film consisting of bleached kraft, low density polyethylene, aluminum foil, or a sealant may be added. Alternatively, a liner can be inserted into the baking container after the baking container is fully or partially formed. In related embodiments, the interior of the baking container may be textured so that a foodstuff does not stick to an interior of the sidewall or planar bottom face. Alternatively, the interior may be textured to assist with baking.

In one embodiment, the interior and/or exterior of the baking container may include a graphical treatment or decorative texture. This includes but is not limited to printing, spraying, dipping, dyeing, brushing, embossing, etching, coating, matte coating, gloss coating, high gloss coating, irradiating, burning, embossing, and/or debossing. Additionally, specialty inks can be used such as thermochromic, photochromic, fluorescent, and/or phosphorescent inks. In a related embodiment, the interior and/or exterior of the baking container may include decorations, advertisements, graphics, pictures, text, or different colors. In one embodiment, an interior of the sidewall may include a coupon or a custom message, which may or may not be located on the interior of the strip. In one embodiment, an interior decoration, advertisement, graphic, picture, text, or coloring is not visible from the exterior of the baking container, so that it may not be revealed prior to opening the sidewall. However, in another embodiment, such interior decoration may be partly visible from the exterior.

<FIG>, and <FIG> represent side views of baking containers <NUM> having respective top views of <FIG>, and <FIG>.

<FIG> show a baking container <NUM> having a planar bottom face <NUM> with a periphery <NUM>, sidewall <NUM>, rim <NUM>, and rupture lines <NUM> that form a strip <NUM>. The rupture lines <NUM> extend from the rim <NUM> to a first pair of points <NUM> on the periphery <NUM>, and from the first pair of points <NUM> on the periphery <NUM> to a second pair of points <NUM> within the periphery <NUM> of the planar bottom face <NUM>, the rupture lines <NUM> further extend to a third pair of points <NUM> located on an opposite side of the periphery from the first pair of points <NUM>. The strip may be configured to be torn from either or both ends.

<FIG> show a baking container <NUM> similar to <FIG>, except that the rupture lines <NUM> further extend to a fourth pair of points <NUM> located on an opposite side of the sidewall from the first pair of points <NUM>. The strip may be configured to be torn from either or both ends. In one embodiment, the end of the strip near the third pair of points may form a pinch point from which to be torn, similar to the pinch point <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> show a baking container <NUM> similar to <FIG>, except that the rupture lines <NUM> further extend to a fifth pair of points <NUM> located on an opposite side of the rim from where the rupture lines first extended. The strip may be configured to be torn from either or both ends, and may be designed symmetrically so that each end is indistinguishable.

<FIG> show different baking containers <NUM> in which two or more strips <NUM> are present and cross paths. In Fig. <NUM>, the strips may be configured so that one strip <NUM> (for instance, the vertical strip), can be completely torn off without pulling out the sides of the orthogonal strip <NUM> (for instance, the horizontal strip). In another embodiment, both strips <NUM> may be reinforced together so that all strips <NUM> are torn out together. In <FIG>, the strips <NUM> may be reinforced or connected together so that pulling out one strip <NUM> pulls out the other two. However, in some embodiments, two or more strips <NUM> may be parallel, or may be arranged in an off-center or asymmetric pattern. In related embodiments, a baking container may have strips arranged radially in order to enable even cutting or proportioning. For instance, the baking container may be the size of a standard pie tin, and may have three radially-arranged strips to form six central angles of approximately <NUM>° each, or four radially-arranged strips to form eight central angles of about <NUM>° each.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> with a strip <NUM> having a pull tab <NUM>, where the strip <NUM> traverses the sidewall <NUM> to the planar bottom face <NUM>, and then traverses the sidewall at the other end. In this embodiment, the strip is not centered across the planar bottom face <NUM>. As this arrangement completely separates the baking container into two parts, either of the two parts may be left on the foodstuff. In other embodiments, both or neither end of the strip may have pull tabs.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> where the rupture lines and strip follow a path similar to that of <FIG>. The difference here is that the end of the strip near the planar bottom face <NUM> forms a pinch point <NUM>, so that the strip may be easily grasped and pulled off from that part of the baking container. In this embodiment, the pinch point <NUM> is designed to protrude by a fold, a wrinkle, or an extension created by adhering extra material, for example, as a sticker. In one embodiment, the pinch point <NUM> has an elongated sticker adhered at one end, where lifting and pulling from the other end creates a tear in a specific direction. In another embodiment, the pinch point may not be designed to protrude, but the end of the strip in that location may be easily pinched flat due to its location on the bottom edge of the baking container. In some embodiments, the pinch point <NUM> may be colored differently than the rest of the baking container so that a consumer may more easily locate it. In other embodiments, the pinch point may have a roughened or treated surface to make it easier to grip, especially if the exterior of the baking container is contacted with oil or grease.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> having a pinch point <NUM> partway up the sidewall <NUM>. As in <FIG>, the pinch point may protrude by a fold, wrinkle, or by a material attached directly to the sidewall. <FIG> allows the baking container to be torn down and along the bottom, though this structure may also be configured with additional rupture lines to enable an upward tear from the pinch point.

<FIG> shows a sagittal view of a baking container <NUM> having a recessed bottom <NUM> with a bottom folded pull tab <NUM>. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the bottom folded pull tab <NUM> does not lie flat against the bottom of the baking container, which enables it to be more easily lifted by a finger. <FIG> shows the bottom view of the baking container <NUM> of <FIG>. Here, the bottom folded pull tab <NUM> may first tear across the bottom of the planar bottom face <NUM>, and then up the sidewall, similar to the path of the strip <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> show sagittal views of baking containers <NUM> having different sidewall constructions. <FIG> is a baking container <NUM> where the sidewall <NUM> and planar bottom face <NUM> are formed from one piece of material. <FIG> show different embodiments were the baking container <NUM> is formed from two pieces of material that are connected together, for instance, by an adhesive and/or a beaded fold. <FIG> show U-shaped planar bottom portions <NUM>, which may be enclosed by the sidewall <NUM>, as in <FIG>, or may be located outside of the sidewall <NUM>, as in <FIG>.

<FIG> depict baking containers <NUM> having recessed bottom spaces <NUM>, which are created by positioning the planar bottom face at a height above the bottom edge of the sidewall <NUM>. This construction of the recessed bottom, as well as the construction of the baking containers <NUM> of <FIG>, may be similar to common paper cups, and the sidewall may be formed by rolling a flat piece of material into a cylinder.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> having a sidewall <NUM>, an inverted U-shaped bottom portion <NUM>, and a U-shaped inner portion <NUM>. It is equally envisioned that a baking container <NUM> may be fashioned similar <FIG>, but with only the two U-shaped and inverted U-shaped inner portions (<NUM>,<NUM>) connected together.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> where the U-shaped planar bottom <NUM> may have sides extending upwards from its periphery, along the sidewall interior.

<FIG> shows another embodiment where the planar bottom portion <NUM> is in an inverted-U position.

<FIG> is a baking container <NUM> in which the rupture lines <NUM> and strip <NUM> traverse the sidewall at an angle, so that they additionally follow the curvature of sidewall. In this embodiment, a continuous piece of the sidewall may be peeled off from the foodstuff. The strip <NUM> may wrap around less than one time (for instance, covering an arc of <NUM>° - <NUM>°), about one time, or more than one time. In related embodiments, the rupture lines <NUM> or strip <NUM> may wrap around sidewalls <NUM> that are planar faces, for instance, of a rectangular baking container. Rupture lines <NUM> that wrap around a baking container <NUM> may or may not maintain a fixed spacing from each other. In one embodiment, rupture lines <NUM> that wrap around a baking container <NUM> may have changing spacing or form different patterns. In one embodiment, a baking container <NUM> with wraparound rupture lines <NUM> may be twisted by a user, for instance, twisting the top relative to the bottom, similar to opening ajar. This twisting motion may break open one or more segments of one or more rupture lines. The baking container <NUM> may then be removed more easily. In related embodiments, a baking container may have a strip <NUM> following a zig-zag path, or a path with several angles and/or turns. Such a strip <NUM> may be able to cover a significant portion of the baking container surface area, and may be more useful for removing the baking container than a straight strip <NUM>. Preferably, a strip having a zig-zag path or several turns and/or angles is reinforced with a string or ribbon. <FIG> is a variation of the baking container <NUM> of <FIG>, except that the strip <NUM> is configured to be pulled from a pull tab <NUM> at the bottom.

<FIG> show baking containers <NUM>, with different designs of strips and pull tabs, some of which may be considered decorative or ornamental.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> with a pull tab <NUM> in the shape of, or having an imprinted image of, a zipper pull tab. Decorative printing <NUM> may form non-functional zipper teeth.

<FIG> shows a variation of the baking container <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, except that the pull tab <NUM> is configured to be pulled from the bottom.

<FIG> shows enlarged pull tabs <NUM> that form a part of decoration with a printed design <NUM>. In this embodiment, either or both pull tabs may be used to open the baking container. Preferably the pull tabs are sized so that young children may easily grasp the pull tab and open the baking container on their own.

<FIG> shows a variation of baking container <NUM> having decorative elements. Here, one or more stickers may attach to a bottom portion of one or more strips. These stickers may work as decorative and/or enlarged pull tabs <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a baking container <NUM> with an enlarged pull tab <NUM>. It is envisioned that the pull tabs <NUM> may form any variety of shapes for different occasions. In some embodiments, the pull tabs may be decorated or modified after baking. For instance, a number, message, or a person's name may be written on a pull tab <NUM>. In some embodiments, the pull tabs may not be a flat material, but may be folded or formed into three-dimensional shapes.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a baking container <NUM> having an enlarged, decorative pull tab <NUM>. In this case, the pull tab may be more easily pulled from bottom of the baking container.

<FIG> shows a pull tab in the form of a ring <NUM>. Other shapes of pull tabs constructed with holes may also be used to provide a grip to the pull tab <NUM> and ease tearing the strip <NUM> from the baking container.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container having straight sides, where the width of the rim <NUM> is about the same as the width of the periphery. In this embodiment, a pull tab <NUM> extends from the rim, but is designed to fold downwards or fold flat against the strip <NUM> or sidewall <NUM>. Additionally, this embodiment shows a rim <NUM> with ridges or ripples. In a related embodiment, a baking container having an appearance similar to <FIG> may not have a pull tab extending from the rim, but extending from the planar bottom face or from the periphery. Additionally, a baking container may have a pull tab folded at any angle relative to the nearest rupture lines <NUM>, for instance, forming a smallest angle in a range of <NUM>° - <NUM>°, <NUM>° - <NUM>°, <NUM>° - <NUM>°, <NUM>° - <NUM>°, <NUM>° - <NUM>°, <NUM>° - <NUM>°, <NUM>° - <NUM>°, <NUM>° - <NUM>°, <NUM>° - <NUM>°. In some embodiments, ridges or ripples in the rim may be created by fluting or crimping the sidewall. In other embodiments, ridges or ripples in the rim may be created by directly cutting those shapes into the baking container. Other baking containers may have rims with other shapes including but not limited to waves, fringes, tears, bumps, grooves, step functions, and saw teeth. In these embodiments, a pull tab, if present, may or may not form a part of the rim pattern.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> having rupture lines <NUM> that are not parallel. In this particular embodiment, the rupture lines <NUM> have similar interior angles, but in other embodiments, the rupture lines <NUM> may have unequal angles, and may be directed towards or away from each other, and may form symmetric or asymmetric shapes of the strip <NUM>. In this embodiment, where the strip <NUM> increases in width towards the periphery <NUM>, the enlarged strip may enable a person to more quickly remove a large portion of the baking container <NUM> from the foodstuff, or otherwise open a large part of the baking container <NUM>. In one related embodiment, the strip <NUM> removed from the baking container <NUM> may be almost equal in surface area to the surface area of the remaining baking container. In another embodiment, the strip <NUM> removed from the baking container <NUM> may have a surface area greater than the remaining baking container <NUM>. In another related embodiment, the strip <NUM> may continue to enlarge in width as it is removed from the baking container <NUM>. In other related embodiments, the rupture lines <NUM> may be placed to form strips <NUM> of different shapes. For instance, the strip <NUM> may enlarge to form a space to place a logo, or the strip <NUM> may enlarge to form the outline of a dollar sign ($), with rectangular segments of the strip forming the vertical line in the dollar sign.

In another embodiment, an interior of the strip may be decorated or labeled, and the width of the strip may be sized to allow different decorations or messages. In these embodiments, preferably the message or decoration is not visible from the exterior of the baking container <NUM>. Such interior decorations on the strip may include numbers (for instance, numbers for a lucky draw, a game, or random group assignments), a spirit animal, a fortune, a cartoon character, a religious verse, a math equation, or a custom message.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> having a reinforcing ribbon <NUM> which forms the rupture lines <NUM>, with the reinforcing ribbon being located within the sidewall. Here, the reinforcing ribbon <NUM> adds tensile strength to an otherwise weak sidewall <NUM> and/or planar bottom face <NUM> of a baking container <NUM>. In this embodiment, weakened or perforated rupture lines may not be necessary, as the sidewall <NUM> may tear with a small amount of force. Thus, the sidewall will tear along the sides of the reinforcing ribbon <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> having rupture lines <NUM> created by strings <NUM>. In other words, the sides of the strip <NUM>, or the strip itself, is reinforced by the strings <NUM>. Here, the strings are attached within the sidewall <NUM>. In this embodiment, pulling the pull tab <NUM> indirectly pulls on the strings <NUM> and tears the strip <NUM> along the rupture lines <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the strings <NUM> themselves may be pulled along the rupture lines <NUM>, and a pull tab <NUM> may or may not be present. In some embodiments, two rupture lines <NUM> may not be formed by two strings <NUM>, but a single string that loops over and reverses direction. In this embodiment, the end of a looped string may be pulled directly to tear off the strip <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> where a single string <NUM> reinforces a strip <NUM> between two rupture lines. In this embodiment, the string may lie against the interior of the sidewall, or may be adhered to the interior of the sidewall, or may be placed within the sidewall. In this embodiment, either the sidewall is weakened along the rupture lines or the strip is reinforced by other material. This rupture line weakening or strip reinforcement is needed to prevent the string from tearing the sidewall directly along its line of contact, and instead induce tears along the rupture lines <NUM>. This embodiment may be similar to <FIG>, which uses a reinforcing ribbon, but may have the advantage of lower cost or of using less material overall.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> having a single rupture line <NUM>. Here, the rupture line <NUM> is created by a string <NUM> having a ring <NUM>. The string may lie against the interior of the sidewall, or may be adhered to the interior of the sidewall, or may be placed within the sidewall. In this embodiment, the rupture line <NUM> may or may not be weakened. In some embodiments, the sidewall <NUM> is sufficiently weak that pulling the string against the sidewall will result in a controlled tear just along the path of the string. As with pull tabs discussed in earlier embodiments, the ring <NUM> may be ornamental, or may be a paper tab attached to the string.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> having a single rupture line <NUM>, and is similar to the embodiment of <FIG> with the exception that a ring or other structure is not present on the end of the string. The string may lie against the interior of the sidewall, or may be adhered to the interior of the sidewall, or may be placed within the sidewall. In this embodiment, the rupture line <NUM> may or may not be weakened. In some embodiments, the sidewall <NUM> is sufficiently weak that pulling the string against it will result in a controlled tear just along the path of the string. For <FIG>, and <FIG>, it is equally envisioned that a string may have a free end near the planar bottom face from which the string may be pulled.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, where a single rupture line is present rather than two rupture lines forming a strip, is envisioned that any of the baking container embodiments discussed herein may have individual strips reduced to single rupture lines, or some portion of individual strips reduced to single rupture lines. These single rupture lines may or may not be created by string.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> having a rectangular periphery <NUM> and rim <NUM>. Here, the strip <NUM> wraps from sidewall to opposing sidewall. The strip <NUM> here is positioned off-center, but in other embodiments, the strip may be centered. This type of baking container <NUM> may be considered a baking container <NUM> for loaf cakes. In some embodiments, the strip <NUM> for such a baking container <NUM> may traverse at an angle, or more than one strip <NUM> may be present to sequentially remove portions of the baking container <NUM>, to allow even cutting, or to more easily enable the entire baking container <NUM> to be removed at once.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a baking container <NUM> having a single rupture line <NUM> and a lid <NUM> attached to the rim. Here, the lid is formed as an integral piece of the sidewall <NUM>, though in other embodiments, a lid may be formed separately and attached. The lid may connect by a living hinge, though other arrangements may be used. The end of the lid may have a folded insertion tab <NUM> to direct closing of the lid or to lock or fasten the lid in a closed position. The insertion tab may insert into a slit or other structure of the sidewall <NUM>, and in some embodiments, this slit or other structure may form part of a strip or rupture lines for tearing and opening the baking container <NUM>. For instance, the insertion tab may lock the lid closed, and then serve the purpose as a pull tab for tearing and opening the baking container <NUM>.

<FIG>shows a different embodiment of baking container <NUM> having inner and outer sidewall layers.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> in which the inner sidewall layer <NUM> and the outer sidewall layer <NUM> are colored differently. The outer sidewall layer <NUM> has die cut shapes <NUM> through which the inner sidewall layer is visible. In some embodiments, die cut shapes may form a path or part of a path for tearing open or removing a baking container. However, in other embodiments, the die cut shapes may not intersect the path of tearing, and a printed shape such as the decoration <NUM> in <FIG> may be used to continue a pattern.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of baking container <NUM> having sidewalls held closed at a seam <NUM>.

While a baking container with a sidewall seam may not need to be configured with perforated rupture lines, or a designated path of tearing, it is preferred. Imagine the difficulty of removing a check from a checkbook or paper towel from its roll without a controlled tear path. <FIG> shows an embodiment where peeling open from a seam may lead to a controlled tear along a designated rupture line, for instance, one formed by perforations. In <FIG>, tearing upwards from the bottom seam corner will tear the sidewall along a diagonal rupture line <NUM>.

<FIG> show different embodiments of baking containers <NUM> having pull tabs <NUM> and notches <NUM>.

<FIG> each show baking containers <NUM> that have different arrangement of rupture lines <NUM> connecting at least the rim and the periphery, and defining the sides of a wide tear strip <NUM>. <FIG> shows how notches <NUM> may define the top of the tear strip, either by denoting the location of the rupture lines or by forming the sides of a pull tab, as in <FIG> shows paths of rupture lines that are non-parallel with one another, thus forming a strip that has a varying width.

<FIG> shows an example of a baking container <NUM> that has a single rupture line <NUM> connecting at least from the rim to the periphery, and is denoted by a V-shaped notch <NUM> in the rim. The notch <NUM> may help to form a starting tear by weakening the rim at the location of the rupture line, or may form a visual or tactile clue of the rupture line location on the baking container.

<FIG> each show baking containers <NUM> with curved sidewall rupture lines <NUM>. In <FIG>, the rupture line reaches the rim at both a notch <NUM> and folded pull tab <NUM>. In <FIG>, a textured pull tab <NUM> is located at the bottom of the rupture line <NUM>, so that the baking container <NUM> may be opened by tearing the rupture line <NUM> from bottom (i.e. periphery of planar bottom face) to top. In other embodiments, a pull tab may be located on the planar bottom face, rather than the sidewall.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> having a tear strip <NUM> defined by rupture lines <NUM> that connect to notches <NUM> in the rim <NUM>. The strip furthermore has a bottom pull tab <NUM> with a hinge <NUM>. The bottom pull tab may be attached by an adhesive.

<FIG> show a baking container <NUM> having a planar bottom face <NUM> with a periphery <NUM>, sidewall <NUM>, rim <NUM>, and a rupture line <NUM>. Here, the rupture line <NUM> extends from the rim <NUM> to a first point <NUM> on the periphery <NUM>, and from the first point <NUM> on the periphery <NUM> to a second point <NUM> within the periphery <NUM> of the planar bottom face <NUM>, and further extends to a third point <NUM> located on an opposite side of the periphery from the first point <NUM>. The rupture line may be configured to be torn from either or both ends.

<FIG> show a baking container <NUM> similar to <FIG>, except that the rupture line <NUM> further extends to a fourth point <NUM> located on an opposite side of the sidewall from the first point <NUM>. The rupture line may be configured to be torn from either or both ends.

<FIG> show a baking container <NUM> similar to <FIG>, except that the rupture line <NUM> further extends to a fifth point <NUM> located on an opposite side of the rim from where the rupture line first extended. The rupture line may be configured to be torn from either or both ends, and may be designed symmetrically so that each end is indistinguishable. Alternatively, <FIG> may be considered similar to the baking container <NUM> of <FIG>, except that the rupture line further extends from the third point <NUM> to the fifth point <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> similar to <FIG>, except that the rupture line <NUM> crossing the planar bottom face <NUM> does not evenly divide the area of the planar bottom face. The rupture line on the planar bottom face connects two points on the periphery with a straight line, but the straight line is not a diameter.

<FIG> show baking containers <NUM> having a single rupture line that connects from rim <NUM> to planar bottom face <NUM> and to opposite rim. <FIG> and <FIG> more specifically show a curved rupture line <NUM> similar to an arc or a lune, while <FIG> shows a wavy rupture line <NUM>. <FIG> has curved rupture lines <NUM> and straight rupture line segments on the planar bottom face; the curved rupture lines are located on concentric curves.

<FIG> show baking containers <NUM> that have rupture lines <NUM> that intersect on the planar bottom face <NUM> at the geometric centroid. However, rupture lines that intersect with one another may intersect at any other location on the periphery, sidewall, or planar bottom face.

<FIG> show embodiments of baking containers <NUM> that each have some sort of curved sidewall rupture lines <NUM>. <FIG> has curved sidewall rupture lines that intersect the rim at a small angle (less than <NUM>°) and intersect the periphery at a substantially perpendicular angle. <FIG> have curved sidewall rupture lines that intersect the periphery at a small angle and intersect the rim at a substantially perpendicular angle. <FIG> are differentiated in one aspect by the curved sidewall rupture lines being curved in different directions. While <FIG> each have a straight rupture line segment on the planar bottom face, <NUM>, <FIG> has a jagged, zig-zag rupture line on the planar bottom face. In some embodiments, rupture lines on the sidewall of a baking container may be jagged or zig-zag.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> with a rectangular planar bottom face <NUM> and an off centered single rupture line <NUM> that connects rim-to-rim at notches <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> with a pentagonal planar bottom face <NUM>, and a rupture line with a curved segment <NUM> on the planar bottom face. The curved segment and an additional rupture line are intersecting rupture lines <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a baking container <NUM> with a stadium-shaped planar bottom face <NUM> and multiple rim-to-rim rupture lines <NUM> that do not intersect. It is also envisioned that a baking container may have shapes of planar bottom faces that are not convex, and may have sidewalls and rims that are different shapes than the planar bottom face. For instance, a baking container with a rectangular periphery may have a circular or rounded rim. A baking container with an angular rim may have a circular planar bottom face. A sidewall may additionally have protrusions, depressions, and/or pleats.

The headings (such as "Background" and "Summary") and sub-headings used herein are intended only for general organization of topics within the present invention, and are not intended to limit the disclosure of the present invention or any aspect thereof. In particular, subject matter disclosed in the "Background" may include novel technology and may not constitute a recitation of prior art. Subject matter disclosed in the "Summary" is not an exhaustive or complete disclosure of the entire scope of the technology or any embodiments thereof. Classification or discussion of a material within a section of this specification as having a particular utility is made for convenience, and no inference should be drawn that the material must necessarily or solely function in accordance with its classification herein when it is used in any given composition.

As used herein, the words "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the technology that afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the technology.

As used herein, the word "include," and its variants, are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that may also be useful in the materials, compositions, devices, and methods of this technology. Similarly, the terms "can," and "may," and their variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation that an embodiment can or may comprise certain elements or features does not exclude other embodiments of the present invention that do not contain those elements or features.

Although the terms "first," "second," and the like may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Spatially relative terms, such as "under," "below," "lower," "over," "upper," "in front of," "behind," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Similarly, the terms "upwardly," "downwardly," "vertical," "horizontal," and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Claim 1:
A baking container (<NUM>), comprising:
a planar bottom face (<NUM>), having a periphery (<NUM>);
a sidewall (<NUM>) extending from the periphery (<NUM>) to a rim (<NUM>); and
a rupture line (<NUM>) extending from the rim (<NUM>) to a first point (<NUM>) on the periphery (<NUM>), and extending from the first point (<NUM>) on the periphery (<NUM>) to a second point (<NUM>) on the planar bottom face (<NUM>) located within the periphery (<NUM>),
wherein the rupture line (<NUM>) is configured to be torn to open the sidewall (<NUM>) to ease removal from and/or consumption of a baked foodstuff contained therein,
wherein the rupture line (<NUM>) is formed by perforations, and
wherein the baking container (<NUM>) is made of paper,
characterized in that
the rupture line (<NUM>) extends to a third point (<NUM>) located on an opposite side of the periphery (<NUM>) from the first point (<NUM>).