Combination bread baking and packaging apparatus

Abstract

A combination bread baking and packaging apparatus that includes an outer sheet of baking paper capable of withstanding a temperature sufficient to bake bread, the outer sheet having an inner surface; an inner oven-able and heat sealable polyester sheet adhesively bonded to and coextensive with the inner surface of the outer sheet to form a composite sheet having opposite edges, the opposite edges being interconnected to form an elongated tubular member having a first end portion that is folded upon itself and sealed to form a precursor apparatus having a bread receiving chamber having an opening end. Following the insertion of a partially baked loaf of bread into the bread receiving chamber, the open end of the bread receiving chamber is folded upon itself and during the heating of the partially baked loaf of bread, is automatically sealed.

1 . A combination bread baking and packaging apparatus comprising:
 (a) an outer sheet of baking paper capable of withstanding a temperature sufficient to bake bread said outer sheet having an inner surface;   (b) an inner polyester sheet adhesively bonded to and coextensive with said inner surface of said outer sheet to form a composite sheet having opposite edges, said opposite edges being interconnected to form an elongated tubular member having a first end portion, said first end portion being folded upon itself and sealed to form a precursor apparatus having a bread receiving chamber having an open end.   
     
     
         2 . The combination as defined in  claim 1  in which following the insertion into said bread receiving chamber of said precursor apparatus of a partially baked loaf of bread, said open end of said bread receiving chamber of said precursor apparatus is folded upon itself and sealed by heating said precursor apparatus to an elevated temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The combination as defined in  claim 1  in which said, composite sheet is provided with a multiplicity of perforations. 
     
     
         4 . The combination as defined in  claim 1  in which said outer sheet of baking paper is provided with a viewing opening. 
     
     
         5 . The combination as defined in  claim 1  in which said outer sheet of baking paper is capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 350° Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         6 . A method of forming a combination bread baking and packaging apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an inner layer of oven-able and heat sealable polyester sheet;   (b) providing an outer layer of paper-like material;   (c) bonding together said inner and outer layers to form a substantially rectangular composite sheet having opposing lengthwise edges and transversely spaced apart lengthwise fold lines;   (d) forming a multiplicity of perforations through said substantially rectangular composite sheet;   (e) securing together said opposing lengthwise edges of said composite sheet to form a tubular member having first and second open ends;   (f) folding said tubular member inwardly along said lengthwise fold lines to form a flattened tubular member having first and second open ends;   (g) folding said flattened tubular member over itself proximate said first open end to form a flattened tubular member having a folded end portion; and   (h) sealably closing said folded end portion.   
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 6  including the further step of forming a viewing opening in said outer layer of paper-like material. 
     
     
         8 . A method of heating and packaging a loaf of bread comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a combination bread baking and packaging apparatus comprising an outer sheet of baking paper having an inner surface and an inner oven-able and heat sealable polyester sheet adhesively bonded to and coextensive with said inner surface of said outer sheet to form a composite sheet having opposite edges, said opposite edges being interconnected to form an elongated tubular member having a first end portion, said first end portion being folded upon itself and sealed to form a precursor apparatus having a bread receiving chamber having an open end;   (b) inserting a partially baked loaf of bread into said bread receiving chamber of said precursor apparatus;   (c) folding said open end of said bread receiving chamber upon itself to enclose said partially baked loaf of bread within said bread receiving chamber to form a ready to heat package having a folded end; and   (d) heating said ready to heat package to an elevated temperature to finish baking said partially baked loaf of bread and to simultaneously seal said folded end of said ready to heat package.   
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 8  in which said outer sheet of baking paper of said combination bread baking and packaging apparatus is provided with a viewing opening. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 8  in which said composite sheet of said combination bread baking and packaging apparatus is provided with a multiplicity of perforations.