Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONTAINER HAVING A FOLDABLE SUPPORT AND LID
BACKGROUND
Field of the Disclosed Subject Matter
The present disclosed subject matter relates to a food container for
packaging and serving of food items, such as chicken nuggets, french fries,
and other
bite-size foods. Particularly, the present disclosed subject matter is
directed to a
container for holding food items, wherein the container has a lid moveable
between
open and closed positions. With the lid in the closed position, the container
serves as
a secure and reliable packaging carton, although the lid can be configured to
allow for
venting of hot food items if desired. In the open position, the lid provides a
support
for a receptacle containing a condiment or the like for dipping of food
product
contained within the container.
Description of Related Art
A variety of food items, such as french fries, onion rings, chicken
nuggets, popcorn shrimp, and other bite-size foods, are often served from
small
paperboard containers. These food containers can be pouch-shaped, such as
commonly used for french fries, or can be box-shaped and have a lid to contain
the
food item, such as deli items or the like.
A number of food products are often dipped into sauces or condiments,
such as ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise, before consumption. Many food service
establishments provide bulk containers of these condiments and small paper or
plastic
cups into which the condiment can be dispensed. Alternatively, the condiments
may
come prepackaged in a sealed container.
If the food product is consumed by a person while seated at a table, the
condiment containers can be placed on the table. However, if a person wishes
to walk
with the container or to eat the food product while driving a vehicle, the use
of a
condiment becomes more difficult. Both the condiment cup and food container
must
be held in one hand while the other hand grasps an item of food and dips it in
the
condiment.
CA 02849236 2016-03-31
Various attempts have been made to address this problem by providing
food containers with compa,tinents for holding a condiment. For example, U.S.
Pat.
No. 5,875,957 to Yocum and U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,429 to Cordle show containers
having interior pockets that can be filled with condiments. However, pockets
such as
these can be inadvertently squeezed, leading to condiment spills either into
the
container or onto the user. These pockets also make the containers more
difficult to
assemble and more costly to produce. U.S. Pat_ No. 5,417,364 to Shaw and U.S.
Pat.
No. 5,842,631 to Berger show complex folding shelves formed separately from a
container and glued or otherwise attached to the container for supporting a
condiment
receptacle. Such attachments also add to the cost of the container and are
more
difficult to assemble. In addition, these known techniques do not securely
retain a
condiment receptacle when the food container is carried by a user or balanced
in a
moving vehicle. Additional containers that attempt to address these and other
problems are provided in U.S. Pat Nos. 6,053,403; 6,216,946; and 6,561,414 to
Cai.
It is also known that certain food items, such as fried chicken, emit
moisture or water vapor along with latent heat stored in the food due to
cooking and
beating. Some of this latent heat and moisture can condense on and be
reabsorbed by
the food item itself, making the food item soggy, less crispy, and tough to
eat. Also,
the water vapor can condense on the interior surfaces of the container and
drip down
towards the bottom of the container for the bottom pieces of the food item to
absorb.
If air circulation adjacent to and around the food item is poor, the water
reabsorption
by the food item increases since the latent heat and the resultant water vapor
is further
prevented from circulating away from the food item. Further, if air from
inside the
container not allowed to be exchanged with the air from outside the container,
condensation of the water vapor on the inside of the container is more likely_
Even if
a small amount of water vapor escapes from the food item and condenses, or is
prevented from circulating away from the food item, this amount can be enough
to
make the food item undesirable.
It therefore is desirable to provide a food container with a condiment
holder that is integrally footled with a food container and capable of
securely
retaining a condiment receptacle even when the food container is carried or
jarred,
along with a secure lid to contain the food item and keep the food item warm
yet
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allow sufficient venting to prevent the food item from becoming soggy or
otherwise
undesirable.
SUMMARY
The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set
forth in and apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be
learned by
practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the
disclosed
subject matter will be realized and attained by the methods and systems
particularly
pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the
appended
drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the
purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described,
the
disclosed subject matter includes a food container having a first body portion
and a
second body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion are
joined
.. together to define an interior of the container and a mouth to the
interior. The first
body portion has a first flap moveable between an open position and a closed
position,
and the first flap includes a foldable support formed therein to hold a
receptacle when
in the open position. The second body portion has a second flap moveable
between
an open position and a closed position, and the second flap includes a tab to
engage
.. the first flap in the closed position to form a lid across the mouth of the
interior.
As embodied herein, the first flap can include a first flap fold line to
fold the first flap to the closed position, wherein the closed position is
substantially
perpendicular to the first body portion. The first flap can also include at
least one
aperture at least partially defined by a boundary portion extending below the
first flap
fold line. The second flap can engage the at least one aperture in the closed
position,
and the at least one aperture can permit venting below the first flap fold
line in the
closed position. The at least one aperture can be further defined in the lid,
and the
second flap can be configured to flexibly cover a selectable portion of the at
least one
aperture in the lid to adjust an amount of venting from the lid.
in some embodiments, the first flap can also include a rim surrounding
at least a portion of the foldable support in the open position.
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In some embodiments, the foldable support can include a first support
portion and a second support portion, and the first support portion can be
substantially
perpendicular to the second support portion in the open position. One of the
first
support portion or the second support portion can be substantially
trapezoidal, and the
other support portion can be substantially rectangular. The foldable support
can also
include a third support portion disposed between the first support portion and
the
second support portion. The third support portion can be substantially
parallel to one
of the first support portion or the second support portion in the open
position and can
be substantially parallel to the other support portion in the closed position.
The third
support portion can also include a hinge.
Additionally or alternatively, the first flap can include a first aperture
and a second aperture, and the foldable support can be disposed between the
first
aperture and the second aperture. The second flap can include a first tab
score line
and a second tab score line, and the first tab score line and second tab score
line can
extend from the tab flap edge to an inner portion of the at least one flap
including the
tab and can define the tab. The first tab score line and the second tab score
line can
each have a first score portion and a first bend, and the tab can include a
first fold line
defining a first tab lock flap and a second fold line defining a second tab
lock flap.
The first fold line can extend from the first tab score line first bend in the
direction of
the first tab score line first score portion, and the second fold line can
extend from the
second tab score line first bend in the direction of the second tab score line
first score
portion. In the closed position, the first tab lock flap and the second tab
lock flap can
each engage a portion of a corresponding one of the first aperture and the
second
aperture to secure the lid.
Furthermore, the first body portion and the second body portion can
each have at least one side flap, and the first body portion and the second
body
portion can be joined together along at least a portion of each side flap to
define
opposing side walls of the container. The first flap and the second flap can
each
engage at least one of the opposing side walls in the closed position.
In some embodiments, the container can include a base portion, and
the base portion can have at least one base flap extending between the first
body
portion and the second body portion. At least one of the first body portion or
the
second body portion can include a flap base proximate the corresponding first
flap or
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second flap, and the flap base can have a varied width to define a venting
aperture
when the corresponding first flap or second flap is in the closed position.
The disclosed subject matter also includes a unitary blank for forming
a food container including a first body portion and a second body portion
aligned
along a longitudinal axis. The first body portion and the second body portion
each
have a base edge, and a base portion extends between the first body portion
base edge
and the second body portion base edge. The first body portion base edge is at
least
partially defined by a first body portion base fold line, and the second body
portion
base edge is at least partially defined by a second body portion base fold
line. The
first body portion includes a first flap longitudinally opposite the first
body portion
base edge, and the first flap is defined by at least one first flap fold line.
The second
body portion includes a second flap longitudinally opposite the second body
portion
base edge, and the second flap is defined by at least one second flap fold
line. At least
one of the first flap or the second flap has a foldable support formed
therein. The
foldable support is joined to the at least one of the first or second flap by
a foldable
support flap fold line, and the foldable support is joined to a corresponding
one of the
first body portion or the second body portion at a foldable support body fold
line. At
least one of the first flap or the second flap includes a tab, and the tab is
defined by a
first tab score line and a second tab score line. The first tab score line and
the second
tab score line extend from a tab flap edge to an inner portion of the at least
one of the
first flap or the second flap including the tab.
Furthermore, the at least one flap having the foldable support formed
therein can also include a support flap edge. The support flap edge can at
least
partially define a rim surrounding at least a portion of the foldable support.
In some embodiments, the foldable support can include a first support
portion and a second support portion, and the first support portion and the
second
support portion can be joined at a support portion fold line. One of the first
support
portion or the second support portion can be substantially trapezoidal and the
other
support portion can be substantially rectangular. The foldable support can
also
include a third support portion disposed between the first support portion and
the
second support portion. The third support portion can be joined to the first
support
portion at a third support portion first fold line, and the third support
portion can be
joined to the second support portion at a third support portion second fold
line. The
second support portion can be at least partially defined by substantially
parallel
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second support portion score lines. The second support portion score lines
formed in
the corresponding one of the first body portion or the second body portion can
be
perpendicular to the foldable support body fold line.
Additionally, the at least one flap having the foldable support formed
therein can include a first aperture and a second aperture. The foldable
support can be
disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture. The tab can
include a
first tab lock flap and a second tab lock flap, and the first tab lock flap
and the second
tab lock flap can each engage a portion of a corresponding one of the first
aperture
and the second aperture in the closed position to secure the lid.
In some embodiments, the first body portion and the second body
portion can each have at least one side flap defined by at least one side flap
fold line.
The base portion can have at least one base flap defined by at least one base
flap fold
line.
Additionally, at least one of the first body portion or the second body
portion can include a flap base proximate the corresponding first flap or
second flap.
The flap base can have a varied width to define a venting aperture when the
corresponding first flap or second flap is in the closed position..
Furthermore, at least one of the first flap or the second flap can include
a notch. The notch can be configured to accommodate at least a portion of the
other
flap of an adjacent similarly configured blank on a sheet of blank material.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide
further
explanation of the disclosed subject matter claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further
understanding
of the method and system of the disclosed subject matter. Together with the
description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed
subject
matter.
=
-6-
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a food
container
comprising:
a first body portion and a second body portion joined together to define an
interior of the
container and a mouth to the interior;
the first body portion having a first flap moveable between an open position
and a closed
position, the first flap including a foldable support formed therein to hold a
receptacle when in the
open position, the foldable support having a first support portion and a
second support portion, the
first support portion joined to the second support portion by a support
portion fold line;
the second body portion having a second flap moveable between an open position
and a
closed position, the second flap including a tab to engage the first flap in
the closed position to form
a lid across the mouth of the interior.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
unitary blank for
forming a food container comprising:
a first body portion and a second body portion aligned along a longitudinal
axis, the first
body portion and the second body portion each having a base edge, a base
portion extending between
the first body portion base edge and the second body portion base edge, the
first body portion base
edge at least partially defined by a first body portion base fold line and the
second body portion base
edge at least partially defined by a second body portion base fold line;
the first body portion including a first flap longitudinally opposite the
first body portion base
edge, the first flap defined by at least one first flap fold line, the second
body portion including a
second flap longitudinally opposite the second body portion base edge, the
second flap defined by at
least one second flap fold line;
the first flap having a foldable support formed therein, the foldable support
having a first
support portion joined to the first flap by a foldable support flap fold line,
and a second support
portion joined to the first body portion at a foldable support body fold line,
the first support portion
being joined to the second support portion by a support portion fold line; and
the second flap including a tab, the tab defined by a first tab score line and
a second tab score
line, the first tab score line and the second tab score line extending from a
tab flap edge to an inner
portion of the second flap.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a food
container in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, shown in a
partially open
configuration.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is atop view of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, shown in a
closed configuration.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the container of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the container of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 6.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the container of FIG. 6.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a unitary blank
for forming a food container of FIGS. 1-10 in accordance with the disclosed
subject
matter.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a unitary blank
for forming a food container having alternative body portion configurations in
accordance with the disclosed subject matter.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a unitary blank
for forming a food container having a foldable support on each flap in
accordance
with the disclosed subject matter.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a unitary blank
for forming a food container having an alternative tab configuration in
accordance
with the disclosed subject matter.
FIG. 15 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a unitary blank
for forming a food container having an alternative foldable support
configuration and
an alternative tab configuration in accordance with the disclosed subject
matter.
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FIG. 16 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a unitary blank
for forming a food container having the foldable support of FIG. 15 on each
flap in
accordance with the disclosed subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Reference will now be made in detail to the various exemplary
embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, exemplary embodiments of which
are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The structure and corresponding
method of
operation of the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction
with the
detailed description of the system.
The apparatus and methods presented herein may be used for transport
of food items and other perishable and nonperishable products. The disclosed
subject
matter is particularly suited for packaging and serving of food items, wherein
the
container can convert between a closed position, in which the contents of the
container are enclosed, and an open configuration, in which the container
includes a
support for a receptacle containing a condiment and allows for consumption of
the
food product and dipping of the food product into the condiment. Also, the
container
can allow for venting of the food items in the closed position.
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter herein, the container
generally includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first
body
portion has a first flap moveable between an open position and a closed
position, and
the second body portion has a second flap moveable between an open position
and a
closed position. The first body portion and the second body portion are joined
together to define an interior of the container and a mouth to the interior.
In the
closed position, the first flap and the second flap together form a lid across
the mouth
of the interior, and at least one of the first flap or the second flap include
a tab to
engage the other flap in the closed position. Furthermore, at least one of the
first flap
or the second flap includes a foldable support formed therein to hold a
receptacle
when in the open position. A unitary blank for forming a food container is
also
provided.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to
identical or fitrictionally similar elements throughout the separate views,
serve to
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further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and
advantages all in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. For purpose of
explanation and illustration, and not limitation, exemplary embodiments of the
container in accordance with the disclosed subject matter are shown in FIGS. 1-
10.
The container is suitable for use with a wide variety of hot and cold food
items, such
as fruit slices, chips, bread sticks, candies, and other suitable bite-size
food items,
particularly if typically consumed with a dipping sauce or the like. However,
the
container disclosed herein is particularly suitable and beneficial for use
with hot,
prepared food items, such as chicken nuggets, french fries, onion rings, and
popcorn
shrimp, that are typically served with a condiment for dipping, such as
ketchup,
mustard, mayonnaise, or vinegar, wherein the container can be used for
storing,
transporting, and/or re-using such food items as well as serving the food
items and
allowing for dipping of the food items into the condiment. Further, the
container
desirably can have insulating properties to assist in maintaining the
temperature of
food contained therein as well as venting properties to allow for removal of
excess
moisture. For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, reference will made
herein to
a container intended to contain food items and hold a receptacle for a
condiment.
Additionally, as used herein, the terms "front," "rear," "side," "top," and
"bottom" are
used for the purpose of illustration only, and not limitation. That is, it is
recognized
that the terms "front," "rear," "side," "top," and "bottom" are
interchangeable and are
merely used herein as a point of reference.
For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, reference is made to the
exemplary embodiment of a container 100 shown in FIGS. 1-10. Additionally, for
purpose of understanding, reference is made in conjunction to the blank 200 of
FIG.
11, which forms the container 100 of FIGS. 1-10. As shown in FIGS. 1-10, the
container 100 generally includes a first body portion 10 and a second body
portion 14
joined to form an interior 28. The interior 28 of the container is defined at
least in
part by a front wall panel 20 of the first body portion 10 opposing a rear
wall panel 22
of the second body portion 14. A top edge of each of the front wall panel 20
and rear
wall panel 22 defines, at least in part, a mouth 40 to the interior 28 of the
container
100.
As embodied herein, the container 100 further includes opposing side
walls 30. For example and without limitation, the first body portion 10 and
the
second body portion 14 each having at least one side wall panel 24, 26.
Furthermore,
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the first body portion 10 and the second body portion 14 are joined together
along at
least a portion 32, 37 of each side wall panel 24, 26 to define opposing side
walls 30
of the container 100. With reference to the blank 200 of FIG. 11, first side
wall
panels 24 of the first body portion 10 can be folded inward toward the front
wall panel
20 along first side wall panel fold lines 27, and second side wall panels 26
of the
second body portion 14 can be folded inward toward the rear wall panel 22
along
second side wall panel fold lines 29 to be substantially perpendicular to the
front wall
panel 20 and the rear wall panel 22, respectively. The first and second side
wall panel
fold lines 27, 29 can extend along only a portion of the front and rear wall
panels 20,
22 to faun at least partially rounded edges joining the front and rear wall
panels 20,
22 with the side walls 30. The first body portion 10 can be folded inward
towards the
base portion 18 along the first body portion base edge 33, and the second body
portion
14 can be folded inward towards a base portion 18 along the second body
portion base
edge 35 to cause portions of side wall panels 26 of the second body portion 14
to
overlap portions of side wall panels 24 of the first body portion 14.
Overlapping edge
portions 32, 37 of the side wall panels 24, 26 can be adhesively bonded to
form
opposed side walls 30. To enhance the adhesive bonding at side seams 34 of the
side
walls 30,.particularly in those instances wherein the faces of the wall panels
can be
coated with a moisture barrier at the point of overlap, the overlap forming
edge
portions of the side wall 26 can, as shown in the blank 200 of FIG. 11, have
linear
lines 36 formed therein which cut through the moisture barrier without
disruption of
the corresponding opposed surface of the wall panel.
Furthermore, the container 100 can include a base portion 18. As best
shown in FIG. 5, the base portion 18 is disposed between the first body
portion 10 and
the second body portion 14, or alternatively, a base portion 18 can be
integral with
either one or both of the first body portion 10 and the second body portion
14. The
base portion 18 can define a bottom 23 of the interior 28. The base portion 18
can
further have base portion flaps 25, which can be folded and joined, for
example using
an adhesive, to a corresponding one of the side walls 30 to add additional
support to
the side walls 30. An opening or mouth 40 of the container 100 is formed by
the first
body portion 10 and the second body portion 14, allowing access into the
interior 28
of the container 100, and the mouth can be opposite the base portion 18.
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the first body portion
10 has a first flap 12, and the second body portion 14 has a second flap 16,
wherein
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the first flap 12 and the second flap 16 are movable between a open position
(as
shown for example in FIGS. 1-5) and a closed position (as shown for example in
FIGS. 6-10). Although FIGS. 1-5 depict second flap 16 in a generally vertical
orientation, it is understood that the second flap 16 can be disposed at a
greater angle
relative the mouth 40 to the interior 28.
At least one of the flaps 12, 16 has a foldable support 42 formed
therein. For example, and as embodied herein, foldable support 42 is depicted
in first
flap 12, although it is recognized that foldable support 42 can be formed in
second
flap 16 or both flaps 12, 16. In the open position, as shown for example in
FIGS. 1-5,
foldable support 42 is formed in the first flap 12 to hold a receptacle 44. As
best
shown in the blank 200 of FIG. 11, the foldable support 42 is partially
surrounded by
a rim 52, the outer portion of which can be defined at least in part by a
substantially
arcuate support flap edge 54. Rim 52 of the first flap 12 is connected at its
ends to
front body portion 10 by first flap fold lines 68, which allow first flap 12
to fold
relative to the front wall panel 20, and the first flap 12 can also fold along
a third
support portion second fold line 64, which is substantially aligned with first
flap fold
lines 68 to further define the flap, as shown in FIG. 11.
As depicted in FIGS. 1-10, and with reference to the blank 200 of FIG.
11, foldable support 42 is generally divided into three sections: a
substantially
trapezoidal first support portion 46 joined to the rim 52 at a foldable
support flap fold
line 58, a rectangular second support portion 48 joined to the front wall
panel 20 at a
foldable support body fold line 60, and a third support portion 50, which can
be joined
to the first support portion 46 at a third support portion first fold line 62
and the
second support portion 48 at a third support portion second fold line 64. The
second
support portion 48 can be further joined to the front wall panel 20 by
parallel second
support portion perforated lines 66, which extend perpendicular to and between
the
foldable support body fold line 60 and the third support portion second fold
line 64.
To deploy the foldable support 42, the first flap 12 is folded outward
from the interior 28 of the container 100, such as by moving the rim 52 away
from the
interior 28 until the first flap 12 is about perpendicular to the front wall
panel 20.
When the foldable support 42 is first deployed, the second support portion 48
can be
separated from the front wall 20 of the first body portion 10 by tearing along
the
second support portion perforated lines 66. This allows the foldable support
42 to
pivot about foldable support body fold line 60 while also pivoting about the
foldable
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support flap fold line 58. At the same time, the second support portion 48 and
third
support portion 50 pivot relative the first support portion 46 about the third
support
portion first fold line 62 to deploy the foldable support 42. When the first
flap 12
reaches a point about perpendicular to the front wall, the first support
portion 46
extends down from the rim 52, substantially perpendicular to the rim 52, to
define a
side wall to support a receptacle 44, and the second support portion 48 and
third
support portion 50 extend substantially perpendicular from the first support
portion 46
to the front wall 20 to form a bottom wall to support a receptacle 44. The
third
support portion 50 can function as a hinge between the first support portion
46 and the
second support portion 48.
To form the closed position of the container 100, as shown in FIGS. 6-
10, the first flap is folded inward towards the mouth 40 of the interior 28 of
the
container 100, such as by moving the rim 52 toward the interior 28 until the
first flap
12 is about perpendicular with the front wall panel 20. If the container 100
is
provided with side walls 30, the first flap 12 can be disposed to rest on the
side walls
30 to cover a portion of the mouth 40. When the first flap 12 is folded inward
from
the open position to point where the first flap 12 is about parallel to the
front wall 20,
the foldable support 42 pivots about foldable support body fold line 60 while
also
pivoting about the foldable support flap fold line 58, and at the same time,
the second
support portion 48 and third support portion 50 pivot relative the first
support portion
46 about the third support portion first fold line 62 until the portions 46,
48, and 50 of
the foldable support 42 are aligned substantially in parallel with each other,
with the
first flap 12, and with the front wall panel 20. As the first flap 12 is
folded further
inward toward the interior 28 to a point where there first flap 12 is about
perpendicular with the front wall 20, the first support portion 46 and the
third support
portion 50 continue to fold along the third support second fold line 64 until
perpendicular to the second support portion 48.
As embodied herein, and as shown in the blank 200 in FIG. 11, first
aperture 70 and second aperture 71 can be formed in the first flap 12, with
the
foldable support 42 disposed between first aperture 70 and the second aperture
71.
When the container 100 is in the open position, the first aperture 70 and the
second
aperture provide a space into which the receptacle 44 can be inserted to be
held by the
foldable support 42. When the container 100 is in the closed position, the
first
aperture 70 and the second aperture 71 allow for circulation of air and
venting of
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excess heat and moisture in the container 100. As described below, the first
aperture
70 and the second aperture 71 also provide a mating portion to cooperate with
a tab 72
formed in the second flap 16 to lock the lid 90 of the container.
The second flap 16 is also movable between an open position (as
shown in FIGS. 1-5) an a closed position (as shown in FIGS. 6-10). In the open
position, the second flap 16 can be substantially parallel to the rear wall
panel 22 or
can be angled relative to the rear wall panel 22. The second flap 16 is joined
to the
rear wall panel 22 by the second flap fold line 74 and is movable between the
open
position and the closed position by pivoting the second flap 16 about the
second flap
.. fold line 74.
Further in accordance with the disclosed subject matter, at least one of
the first and second flaps 12, 16 can include a tab. As embodied herein, for
illustration and not limitation, the second flap 16 includes tab 72. The tab
72 of the
second flap 16 is defined by tab flap edge 76 at the free end of the second
flap 16, and
a first tab score line 78 and a second tab score line 80, each extending from
the tab
flap edge 76 to an inner portion of the second flap 16. The first tab score
line 78 and
the second tab score line 80 each include a first score portion 82, 84 and a
first bend
86, 88, and the tab includes a first fold line 91 defining a first tab lock
flap 94 and a
second fold line 92 defining a second tab lock flap 96. The first fold line 91
extends
from the first tab score line first bend 86 in the direction of the first tab
score line first
score portion 82, and the second fold line 92 extends from the second tab
score line
first bend 88 in the direction of the second tab score line first score
portion 84.
When the first flap 12 and the second flap 16 are in the closed position
(as shown in FIGS. 6-10), the first tab lock flap 94 and the second tab lock
flap 96 can
be inserted into a corresponding slit, or if provided, a corresponding portion
73 of the
first aperture 70 and the second aperture 71, respectively, to lock the lid
90. In this
position, the first tab lock flap 94 and the second tab lock flap 96 can each
be inserted
under a portion of the rim 52, with outer portions 98, 99 of the second flap
16 resting
on top of a substantially adjacent portion of the rim 52, with a portion of
the support
flap edge 54 of the rim 52 disposed within the first tab score line 78 and the
second
tab score line 80. With the first tab lock flap 94 and the second tab lock
flap 96
covering a portion 73 of the first aperture 70 and the second aperture 71, the
remaining portions of the first aperture 70 and the second aperture 71 are
left open to
allow for circulation of air and venting of excess heat and moisture in the
container
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100. The lid 90 can be configured to be closed and locked with one hand by
closing
the flaps 12, 16 and pressing the tab 72 into the apertures 70, 71
Referring now to FIG. 7 and with reference to the blank 200 of FIG.
11, an arcuate edge 121 of the first and second apertures 70, 71 can extend
below the
first flap fold lines 68 to form a portion 120 of the first and second
apertures 70, 71 in
the front wall panel 20. The portion 120 of the first and second apertures 70,
71
allows for circulation of air and venting of excess heat and moisture through
the front
wall panel 20, even if the remaining portions of the first and second
apertures 70, 71
are covered by the second flap 16 when the flaps 12, 16 are in the closed
position.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, when the first flap 12 is in the open
position, the
arcuate edges 121 of the first and second apertures 70, 71 can flex inward
toward the
apertures 70, 71 to provide additional support for the receptacle 44.
The first body portion 10 can further include a first flap base 102
proximate the first flap 12, and the second body portion 14 can include a
second flap
base 104 proximate the second flap 16. For example and with reference to the
blank
200 of FIG. 11, angled or arcuate first body flap base score lines 106 can
define outer
portions of the first body flap base 102, and angled or arcuate second body
flap base
score lines 108 can define outer portions of the second body flap base 104.
The first
body flap base score lines 106 are each cut from an end of the first wall flap
fold lines
27 to proximate the rim 52 and the first flap fold lines 68, and the second
body flap
base score lines 108 are each cut from an end of the second wall flap fold
lines 29 to
proximate the second flap fold line 74. In the closed position, the body flap
base
score lines 106, 108 allow the flap bases 102, 104 to selectively flex inward
toward
each other and thus increase the amount of overlap between the flaps 12, 16.
In this
manner, at least partially due to the length of the tab score lines 78, 80,
the tab 72 can
selectively cover a greater portion of apertures 70, 71 in the lid 90 to
adjust the
amount of venting from the apertures 70, 71. Additionally, the added
flexibility of the
flap bases 102, 104 can allow for flexible expansion of the container 100 to
accommodate contents of a greater size or irregular shape.
As embodied herein, the first body flap base score lines 106 and the
second body flap base score lines 108, each being arcuate in shape, define a
varied
width across the first flap base 102 and the second flap base 104,
respectively. In the
closed position of FIGS. 6-10, the varied width of the first flap base 102 and
the
second flap base 104 define side venting apertures 112 to allow for additional
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circulation of air and venting of excess heat and moisture in the container
100 from
the side walls 30.
The first flap base 102 is also partially defined by first flap base fold
lines 110, each formed from an end of the first wall flap fold lines 27 to the
first
aperture 70 and the second aperture 71, respectively. The first flap base fold
lines 110
can provide additional flexibility for the foldable support 42 in the open
position.
Further, an angle of the first flap base fold lines 110 relative to the first
flap fold lines
68 can provide a transitional plane from the side walls 30 to the foldable
support 42 in
the open position to release stress in the first body portion 10 due to
folding back the
first flap 12 from the rounded edges of the front wall panel 20.
As shown in the blank 200 of FIG. 11, a notch 114 can be provided in
the rim 52 of the first flap 12. The notch 114 can be sized to accommodate a
portion
of the tab 72 near the arcuate tab edge 76 of the second flap 16 of an
adjacent blank
on a sheet of blank material. This allows the blanks 200 to be closely spaced
on a
sheet of blank material to minimize waste. The notch 114 can be omitted in a
case
where a notch-less rim 52 for the container is desired.
FIGS. 12-16 show alternative embodiments for a blank for forming a
food container having alternative features according to the disclosed subject
matter.
In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 12, a blank 300 for forming a food
container
having first and second body portions 305, 310 with an alternative
configuration is
shown. In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 13, a blank 400 for forming a
food
container having a first foldable support 405 and a second foldable support
410 is
shown. In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 14, a blank 500 for forming a
food
container having a tab 505 with an alternative configuration is shown. In the
alternative embodiment of FIG. 15, a blank 600 for forming a food container
having a
foldable support 605 with an alternative configuration and a tab 610 with an
alternative configuration is shown. In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 16,
a blank
700 for forming a food container having a first foldable support 705 and a
second
foldable support 710, the first foldable support 705 and the second foldable
support
710 each having the alternative configuration shown in the embodiment of FIG.
14.
The containers disclosed herein are preferably disposable, but it is
contemplated that they may be reused at a future time. Also, the containers
can be
constructed from materials suitable to be placed in a heating apparatus, such
as a
microwave, to heat the food and/or used for storage in the refrigerator or
freezer.
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Additionally, the materials from which the food container 100 is made need not
be the
same throughout. The containers and blanks described herein can be
manufactured
from any suitable material, including but not limited to paperboard.
It is to be recognized that the dimensions and relative proportions of
the first body portion 10, second body portion 14, flaps 12, 16, etc. of the
food
container 100 or blank 200 will vary according to the exact size and intended
use of
the food container 100 or blank 200. While an essentially rectangular food
container
100 formed by blank 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, one of ordinary skill
will
recognize that any suitable shape and depth of food container 100 and
corresponding.
blank 200 can be employed and the disclosed subject matter is not so limited.
Other
suitable shapes include triangles, cylinders, ovals, various polygons, etc,
having any
suitable dimensions.
In addition to the specific embodiments claimed below, the disclosed
subject matter is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible
combination of the dependent features claimed below and those disclosed above.
As
such, the particular features presented in the dependent claims and disclosed
above
can he combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the
disclosed
subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter should be recognized as
also
specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible
combinations.
Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosed
subject
matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is
not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to those
embodiments disclosed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications
and variations can be made in the method and system of the disclosed subject
matter
without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is
intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and
variations that
are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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