Appeal No. 2006-0930
Application No. 09/905,540
snack piece, the snack piece to be measured is placed
in an orientation that will yield the largest possible
projected area. [Emphasis added.]
5 The expression “space efficiency” is defined as the ratio of the
total net weight (net wt.) of the product contained within the
kit, to the total exterior kit or package volume (ext. vol.).
(Specification at 1, lines 25-28; FF13.)
The subject specification describes problems with some
10 prior art products as follows (specification at 2, lines 1-13;
FF14):
Snack food pieces, such as potato chips (or
“crisps”) or tortilla chips, and dip-condiments
(hereinafter “dips”), such as chip dips or salsa, have
15 individually been available for years and consumers
enjoy them together as a combination food item.
However, the majority of snack chip packages and dip
packages are sold separately. This individual
retailing of the snack chips separate from the dip
20 creates several problems. First, the majority of
snack piece packaging, i.e., bags already have low
space efficiency and package density. Second, due to
the packaging of the snack pieces and the dip in
separate packages, the space efficiency and bulk
25 density of snack pieces and dip as a food combination
is even lower. Third, once purchased, the user must
carry, secure and store two separate items when they
transport the chips and dip to a remote location for
eventual consumption. And, Finally [sic], generally
30 these packages randomly pack the snack chips within
the package and thus permit chip breakage, which is
less conducive to dipping. Therefore, this food
combination is not optimal as a portable food item.
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