US20090120942A1 - Convenient food container - Google Patents
Convenient food container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090120942A1 US20090120942A1 US12/327,759 US32775908A US2009120942A1 US 20090120942 A1 US20090120942 A1 US 20090120942A1 US 32775908 A US32775908 A US 32775908A US 2009120942 A1 US2009120942 A1 US 2009120942A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- lid
- base
- flange
- lip
- food container
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
- B65D51/246—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with eating utensils or spatulas
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
- B65D43/0235—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element
- B65D43/0237—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element
- B65D43/0239—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element inside a peripheral U-shaped channel in the mouth of the container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
- B65D43/0235—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element
- B65D43/0237—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element
- B65D43/0249—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element on both the inside and the outside of the mouth of the container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/10—Tearable part of the container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
- B65D2543/00074—Shape of the outer periphery curved
- B65D2543/00092—Shape of the outer periphery curved circular
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
- B65D2543/00074—Shape of the outer periphery curved
- B65D2543/00101—Shape of the outer periphery curved square-like or rectangular-like
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00259—Materials used
- B65D2543/00296—Plastic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00453—Contact between the container and the lid in a peripheral U-shaped channel of the container
- B65D2543/00462—Contact between the container and the lid in a peripheral U-shaped channel of the container peripheral U-shaped channel of the lid
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
- B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
- B65D2543/00509—Cup
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00611—Profiles
- B65D2543/0062—Groove or hollow bead
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00611—Profiles
- B65D2543/00648—Flange or lip
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00675—Periphery concerned
- B65D2543/00685—Totality
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
- B65D2543/00722—Profiles
- B65D2543/00731—Groove or hollow bead
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
- B65D2543/00787—Periphery concerned
- B65D2543/00796—Totality
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00824—Means for facilitating removing of the closure
- B65D2543/00833—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
- B65D2543/00842—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar outside of the lid
Definitions
- the store When a person buys ready-to-eat food, the store often provides at least one eating utensil such as a fork.
- the container that holds the food can be provided with an eating utensil that was attached to the container at the factory that supplies the container.
- the food containers are often sold wholesale at a low price such as several cents per container, and the cost of producing a utensil and the cost of mounting the utensil on the container, can increase the wholesale price appreciably. A way to significantly lower the cost for a utensil and installing it would be of value.
- Some containers with food already in them are opened by breaking a shielding part of the base to provide access to a lid lip that is grasped to open the lid.
- the breaking of the part is evident, and serves to discourage breaking in, while also assuring a buyer that the container has not been broken into by someone who wants to “just take a tiny taste of the food.”
- Even when the shielding part is broken it can be difficult for a person to grasp the lid, and container constructions that facilitated grasping the lid after breaking the shielding part would be of value.
- a food container that can include an eating utensil at little or no cost, and that has a tamper evident portion that still allows easy opening of the container.
- the container includes a base and a lid that covers the base, with both formed of sheet plastic, as by providing at least one separate sleet for the base and one for the lid or by providing a single sheet with a hinge portion that connects the base and lid.
- a sheet formed by the lid or a separate sheet pivotally connected to the lid, defines at least one eating utensil.
- the eating utensil is defined by a breakaway line formed in the sheet that extends around the utensil and that can be easily broken to remove the utensil from the rest of the sheet.
- a label can lie over the utensil to block a hole in the lid left when the utensil is removed.
- the utensil can be formed in a flat lid central portion, and the utensil preferably includes a portion that extends out of the plane of the central portion.
- the base has inner and outer upward flanges that form a base groove between them.
- the lid forms an upward lid flange that receives the base inner flange, and the lid forms a lid lip that lies in the base groove. It is very difficult for a person to grasp the lid lip to open the container, except at an initial opening region. At the initial opening region, a part of the base outer flange and base groove walls can be broken away to provide better access to the lid lip, by reducing the radial width of the base inner flange so the part that can be broken away extends further radially inward along the underside of the lip lid. Also, the interference fit between the inner base flange and the lid flange is reduced at the initial opening region.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a food container of the invention, without a label over the lid.
- FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the container of FIG. 1 with the lid closed on the base.
- FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of area A-A of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line B-B of FIG. 3 , but with a label on the lid.
- FIG. 4A is a sectional view of initial opening area D-D of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 4B is a sectional view of a majority of the perimeters of the base and lid as shown in area E-E of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 4C is a sectional view of area F-F of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line C-C of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of area G-G of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 6 is a top view similar to that of FIG. 3 , but showing a spoon as the utensil instead of a fork.
- FIG. 7 is a top view similar to that of FIG. 6 , but showing both a fork and a spoon as utensils, and also showing an extension.
- FIG. 7A shows the extension of FIG. 7 removed from the lid, and shows it mounted on a fork that is shown in phantom lines.
- FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view of the container of FIG. 3 , which includes the initial opening section.
- FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 10 is a plan view of the lip of the lid of a container of another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11 - 11 of FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 12 is an isometric view of an open food container of another embodiment of the invention wherein an eating utensil is formed on an auxiliary sheet that is pivotally connected to the lid.
- FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the container of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 14 is a plan view of a food container of another embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken on line H-H of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of area J-J of FIG. 15 .
- FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of area K-K of FIG. 15 .
- FIG. 1 shows a food container 10 that includes a base 12 that forms a cavity 14 that holds food, and that includes a lid 20 that covers the base.
- the base and lid have peripheral portions 22 , 24 that latch against one another to securely hold the lid down against the base.
- the base and lid are each preferably formed of a sheet of plastic that has been thermally deformed, although the base and lid could be formed of a single piece of sheet plastic that also forms a hinge between them.
- the lid has a center portion 30 in which an eating utensil 32 such as a fork, has been formed during thermal forming of the lid.
- FIG. 2 shows that the fork preferably is three dimensional, in that the head 34 of the fork with tines 35 is bent out of the plane of the top of the fork handle 36 and therefore out of the plane in which most of the lid center portion 30 lies.
- the projection is preferably downward to avoid interference with stacking of containers on one another.
- FIG. 4 shows that the utensil can have an upward projecting utensil part 32 U, and with the base having a downward projecting base support 26 that lies around the upward projecting utensil part. Then, when identical containers are stacked, there is no interference.
- the fork handle 36 ( FIG. 2A ) has ribs 38 , 39 that stiffen the handle.
- the fork periphery is separated from the rest, or surrounding portion of the lid center portion 30 by cuts, or breakaway lines 44 that extend around a majority of the fork but that leave connecting parts 46 that must be broken to remove the fork.
- the ribs 39 at opposite sides of the fork help stiffen the fork to prevent damage to it during breaking of the connecting parts.
- a paper label 50 ( FIG. 4 ) preferably lies over the fork and areas of the lid surrounding the fork, to provide a seal over the cuts in the lid center portion that form the fork and for sanitation.
- FIG. 7 shows a fork and knife 52 , 53 that can be broken out of a lid 54 .
- the figure also shows an extension 55 that can be broken out of the lid.
- FIG. 7A shows that the extension 55 is formed with sides 56 that grasp opposite sides of the fork. The extension is useful where the small diameter of the lid 54 results in a fork that is too short for easy handling.
- the food containers are disposable and are sold wholesale in large quantities at low prices.
- FIG. 1 shows that the peripheral portion 24 of the lid is uniform around the axis 52 of the container.
- the term “radial” refers to directions toward and away from the axis.
- the peripheral portion 22 of the base is uniform except at an initial opening region, or tamper-evident region 60 .
- the base peripheral portion 22 has upstanding outer and inner base flanges 62 , 64 and forms a base upward-opening groove 66 between the upstanding flanges with a groove bottom wall 67 .
- the lid peripheral portion 24 has an upward flange 68 that forms a downward-opening groove 70 that receives the base inner flange 64 when the lid is closed.
- a lid lip 72 lies in the base upward-opening groove 66 and cannot be grasped by a person because the base outer flange 62 is in the way. It is very difficult for a person to initially open the lid, without first breaking at least one end of an outer base flange portion 62 A of the initial opening region 60 to move the flange portion out of the way so the lid lip 72 can be grasped to lift the lid.
- FIG. 4B shows the closed container along almost all of its periphery (around more than 3 ⁇ 4ths, or 270% of the periphery) except at the initial opening region.
- the base flanges 62 , 64 each has primarily vertical inner and outer flange walls, with the base outer flange 62 having flange walls 100 , 102 joined by a top 103 and the base inner flange 64 having flange walls 104 , 106 joined by a top 107 .
- the lid flange 68 also has flange walls 110 , 112 .
- the lid flange walls 110 , 112 converge in a downward direction D, and the corresponding base flange walls 104 , 106 converge in a downward direction and engage the lid flange walls. As a result, it requires a firm upward force on the lid, while the base is held down, to open the container.
- the base inner flange walls 104 , 106 are closer together at their upper ends than in FIG. 4B , so the inner flange at 64 A has a smaller width Y and so there is less interference fit with the lid flange walls 110 , 112 , which facilitates initial opening of the lid.
- FIG. 3 shows that at the initial opening, or tamper-evident, region 60 , the section 62 A of the base outer flange 62 is partially separated from the rest of the base by a circumferential cut 80 and by radial lines 82 , 84 of perforations or scoring that can be easily broken by hand (i.e. most people can break it).
- the rest of the base outer flange cannot be torn or broken by hand.
- the outer flange is flattened (to a height less than half that of the rest of the flange) at the lines 82 , 84 .
- the cut 80 has opposite ends at 80 A, 80 B, and the breakable lines 82 , 84 extend primarily radially out from the cut ends.
- the lid lip 72 covers the cut 80 , including its opposite ends 80 A, 80 B, to reduce the possibility that the section 62 A will be inadvertently broken.
- FIG. 4A shows that at the initial opening region 60 where the cut 80 lies, that when the flange section 62 A is removed (at one or both of its ends) up to the cut 80 the lid lip 72 can be grasped to lift the lid. It is desirable that the radial width W of a top of the space 86 between wall 102 of the base outer flange and the lid flange wall 110 be small to prevent a person from inserting a finger into the space to grasp the lip 72 of the lid. However, once the outer flange section 62 A has been removed, the radial length X of the lid lip 72 should be long enough to be grasped to lift the lid.
- Applicant accommodates these two requirements by angling the walls 102 , 110 to diverge downward to make it difficult to insert a finger into the space, and by placing the cut 80 so it lies no further outward than the top 94 of the lid flange outer wall 110 .
- applicant also narrows the base inner flange at the top at 103 A so the lid groove 70 can be more easily lifted off the base inner flange 64 A.
- the circumferential cut at 80 B provides more room for a person's finger to lie under the lid lip 72 to grasp the lip.
- the distance Y between outer sides of flange walls 104 , 106 is smaller than around most of the container.
- FIGS. 14 and 15 show another food container 160 which has an initial opening region 162 shown in FIG. 15A and a trapping region 164 in FIG. 15B .
- the base inner flange 166 and lid flange 170 are similar to the base inner flange 64 A and lid flange 68 of FIG. 4A .
- the base inner flange 166 has a downward facing shoulder 172 that abuts a lid upward facing shoulder 174 .
- an outer flange section 176 is broken off to cut 80 , a person can grasp a lid lip 180 and shift the flange 170 to open the container.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a lip 72 D of the lid 20 D of another container.
- applicant forms the lip with a corrugation pattern 120 that results in ridges 122 .
- the ridges stiffen the lip.
- the lip radial lengths Y and W were each about 5 mm.
- Many people find it difficult to grasp a lid of less than 10 mm radial length, such as only 5 mm (about 1 ⁇ 5th inch), of the container applicant constructed that extends beyond the circumferential cut 80 at the initial opening region.
- applicant roughens the lid lip to make it easier to grasp between the thumb and index fingers.
- the corrugations stiffen the lip to make it more difficult for a person to insert the tip of a scissors or knife against the outer edge 124 of the lip to curl it and lift it.
- the corrugations preferably result in ribs that are angled from both the radial direction P and the circumferential direction C.
- the sheet plastic has a thickness of 0.028 inch (0.7 mm) and the total thickness at the corrugations was 0.045 inch (11.5 mm), or at least 50% greater.
- FIG. 1 shows an eating utensil 32 formed in a lid 68 that closes on a base 12 .
- FIGS. 12-13 show an eating utensil 130 formed in a storage lid 132 that is pivotally connected to a covering lid 134 that closes on a base 136 .
- the storage lid pivots about axis 140 until it lies on top of the covering lid 134 and snaps into a covering lid recess 142 . Projecting parts of the utensil 130 lie in the recess 142 of the covering lid. Then, the covering lid 134 with the storage lid in it, can be closed onto the base 136 .
- the base or base element 136 and lids or lid elements 134 , 132 are all preferably formed of a single sheet of plastic, with hinges at 150 , 152 for economical forming and handling. Each element can be separated from the others by tearing along a hinge.
- the invention provides a convenient plastic food container that can be constructed at low cost.
- One or more eating utensils are provided and mounted on the container at little additional cost by forming the utensil(s) in a sheet such as a lid, which is easily mounted on the rest of the container. This is done by thermoforming a lid and leaving breakaway lines that define the outsides of the utensils.
- the utensil(s) are preferably three dimensional by having utensil portions project out of the plane of a surrounding lid portion.
- a paper label covers the utensil.
- An initial opening region of the container includes an outer flange portion that is easily breakable to provide access to a lid lip that is grasped to lift the lid.
- the base inner flange is narrowed along the initial opening region to facilitate grasping the lid lip and initially pulling it up off the base inner flange.
- a round container is shown, the container can have a variety of shapes. If a container includes a tray lying between the base and lid, the utensils can be formed in such a tray.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/075,549 filed Mar. 12, 2008, which claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/002,672 filed Nov. 10, 2007. Applicant also claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/098,583 filed Sep. 19, 2008.
- When a person buys ready-to-eat food, the store often provides at least one eating utensil such as a fork. The container that holds the food can be provided with an eating utensil that was attached to the container at the factory that supplies the container. The food containers are often sold wholesale at a low price such as several cents per container, and the cost of producing a utensil and the cost of mounting the utensil on the container, can increase the wholesale price appreciably. A way to significantly lower the cost for a utensil and installing it would be of value.
- Some containers with food already in them, are opened by breaking a shielding part of the base to provide access to a lid lip that is grasped to open the lid. The breaking of the part is evident, and serves to discourage breaking in, while also assuring a buyer that the container has not been broken into by someone who wants to “just take a tiny taste of the food.” Even when the shielding part is broken, it can be difficult for a person to grasp the lid, and container constructions that facilitated grasping the lid after breaking the shielding part would be of value.
- In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a food container is provided that can include an eating utensil at little or no cost, and that has a tamper evident portion that still allows easy opening of the container. The container includes a base and a lid that covers the base, with both formed of sheet plastic, as by providing at least one separate sleet for the base and one for the lid or by providing a single sheet with a hinge portion that connects the base and lid. A sheet formed by the lid or a separate sheet pivotally connected to the lid, defines at least one eating utensil. The eating utensil is defined by a breakaway line formed in the sheet that extends around the utensil and that can be easily broken to remove the utensil from the rest of the sheet. When the utensil is formed in the lid, a label can lie over the utensil to block a hole in the lid left when the utensil is removed. The utensil can be formed in a flat lid central portion, and the utensil preferably includes a portion that extends out of the plane of the central portion.
- The base has inner and outer upward flanges that form a base groove between them. The lid forms an upward lid flange that receives the base inner flange, and the lid forms a lid lip that lies in the base groove. It is very difficult for a person to grasp the lid lip to open the container, except at an initial opening region. At the initial opening region, a part of the base outer flange and base groove walls can be broken away to provide better access to the lid lip, by reducing the radial width of the base inner flange so the part that can be broken away extends further radially inward along the underside of the lip lid. Also, the interference fit between the inner base flange and the lid flange is reduced at the initial opening region.
- The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a food container of the invention, without a label over the lid. -
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the container ofFIG. 1 with the lid closed on the base. -
FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of area A-A ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the container ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line B-B ofFIG. 3 , but with a label on the lid. -
FIG. 4A is a sectional view of initial opening area D-D ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 4B is a sectional view of a majority of the perimeters of the base and lid as shown in area E-E ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 4C is a sectional view of area F-F ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line C-C ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of area G-G ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 6 is a top view similar to that ofFIG. 3 , but showing a spoon as the utensil instead of a fork. -
FIG. 7 is a top view similar to that ofFIG. 6 , but showing both a fork and a spoon as utensils, and also showing an extension. -
FIG. 7A shows the extension ofFIG. 7 removed from the lid, and shows it mounted on a fork that is shown in phantom lines. -
FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view of the container ofFIG. 3 , which includes the initial opening section. -
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the container ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the lip of the lid of a container of another embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 ofFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is an isometric view of an open food container of another embodiment of the invention wherein an eating utensil is formed on an auxiliary sheet that is pivotally connected to the lid. -
FIG. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the container ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 14 is a plan view of a food container of another embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken on line H-H ofFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of area J-J ofFIG. 15 . -
FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of area K-K ofFIG. 15 . -
FIG. 1 shows afood container 10 that includes abase 12 that forms acavity 14 that holds food, and that includes alid 20 that covers the base. The base and lid haveperipheral portions - The lid has a
center portion 30 in which aneating utensil 32 such as a fork, has been formed during thermal forming of the lid.FIG. 2 shows that the fork preferably is three dimensional, in that thehead 34 of the fork withtines 35 is bent out of the plane of the top of the fork handle 36 and therefore out of the plane in which most of thelid center portion 30 lies. The projection is preferably downward to avoid interference with stacking of containers on one another. However,FIG. 4 shows that the utensil can have an upward projecting utensil part 32U, and with the base having a downward projectingbase support 26 that lies around the upward projecting utensil part. Then, when identical containers are stacked, there is no interference. - The fork handle 36 (
FIG. 2A ) hasribs lid center portion 30 by cuts, orbreakaway lines 44 that extend around a majority of the fork but that leave connectingparts 46 that must be broken to remove the fork. Theribs 39 at opposite sides of the fork help stiffen the fork to prevent damage to it during breaking of the connecting parts. A paper label 50 (FIG. 4 ) preferably lies over the fork and areas of the lid surrounding the fork, to provide a seal over the cuts in the lid center portion that form the fork and for sanitation. -
FIG. 7 shows a fork andknife lid 54. The figure also shows anextension 55 that can be broken out of the lid.FIG. 7A shows that theextension 55 is formed withsides 56 that grasp opposite sides of the fork. The extension is useful where the small diameter of thelid 54 results in a fork that is too short for easy handling. - The food containers are disposable and are sold wholesale in large quantities at low prices. The forming of one or more utensils in the lid while forming the entire lid as by thermal deforming of a plastic sheet, avoids the need to separately produce utensils and separately mount them on the container.
-
FIG. 1 shows that theperipheral portion 24 of the lid is uniform around theaxis 52 of the container. The term “radial” refers to directions toward and away from the axis. Theperipheral portion 22 of the base is uniform except at an initial opening region, or tamper-evident region 60. The baseperipheral portion 22 has upstanding outer andinner base flanges groove 66 between the upstanding flanges with agroove bottom wall 67. The lidperipheral portion 24 has anupward flange 68 that forms a downward-openinggroove 70 that receives the baseinner flange 64 when the lid is closed. When the lid is closed, alid lip 72 lies in the base upward-openinggroove 66 and cannot be grasped by a person because the baseouter flange 62 is in the way. It is very difficult for a person to initially open the lid, without first breaking at least one end of an outerbase flange portion 62A of theinitial opening region 60 to move the flange portion out of the way so thelid lip 72 can be grasped to lift the lid. -
FIG. 4B shows the closed container along almost all of its periphery (around more than ¾ths, or 270% of the periphery) except at the initial opening region. The base flanges 62, 64 each has primarily vertical inner and outer flange walls, with the baseouter flange 62 havingflange walls inner flange 64 havingflange walls lid flange 68 also has flangewalls lid flange walls base flange walls initial opening region 60 shown inFIG. 4A , the baseinner flange walls FIG. 4B , so the inner flange at 64A has a smaller width Y and so there is less interference fit with thelid flange walls -
FIG. 3 shows that at the initial opening, or tamper-evident,region 60, thesection 62A of the baseouter flange 62 is partially separated from the rest of the base by acircumferential cut 80 and byradial lines lines cut 80 has opposite ends at 80A, 80B, and thebreakable lines lid lip 72 covers thecut 80, including its opposite ends 80A, 80B, to reduce the possibility that thesection 62A will be inadvertently broken. -
FIG. 4A shows that at theinitial opening region 60 where thecut 80 lies, that when theflange section 62A is removed (at one or both of its ends) up to thecut 80 thelid lip 72 can be grasped to lift the lid. It is desirable that the radial width W of a top of thespace 86 betweenwall 102 of the base outer flange and thelid flange wall 110 be small to prevent a person from inserting a finger into the space to grasp thelip 72 of the lid. However, once theouter flange section 62A has been removed, the radial length X of thelid lip 72 should be long enough to be grasped to lift the lid. Applicant accommodates these two requirements by angling thewalls cut 80 so it lies no further outward than the top 94 of the lid flangeouter wall 110. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 4A , applicant also narrows the base inner flange at the top at 103A so thelid groove 70 can be more easily lifted off the baseinner flange 64A. The circumferential cut at 80B provides more room for a person's finger to lie under thelid lip 72 to grasp the lip. At the top ofinner flange portion 64A the distance Y between outer sides offlange walls -
FIGS. 14 and 15 show anotherfood container 160 which has aninitial opening region 162 shown inFIG. 15A and atrapping region 164 inFIG. 15B . It can be seen inFIG. 15A that the baseinner flange 166 andlid flange 170 are similar to the baseinner flange 64A andlid flange 68 ofFIG. 4A . However, inFIG. 15A the baseinner flange 166 has a downward facingshoulder 172 that abuts a lid upward facingshoulder 174. When anouter flange section 176 is broken off to cut 80, a person can grasp alid lip 180 and shift theflange 170 to open the container. -
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate alip 72D of thelid 20D of another container. Instead of providing a flat lip, applicant forms the lip with acorrugation pattern 120 that results inridges 122. The ridges stiffen the lip. In a container of the construction shown inFIG. 4A that applicant has constructed and tested, the lip radial lengths Y and W were each about 5 mm. Many people find it difficult to grasp a lid of less than 10 mm radial length, such as only 5 mm (about ⅕th inch), of the container applicant constructed that extends beyond the circumferential cut 80 at the initial opening region. By providing the ribs resulting from corrugations, applicant roughens the lid lip to make it easier to grasp between the thumb and index fingers. Also, the corrugations stiffen the lip to make it more difficult for a person to insert the tip of a scissors or knife against theouter edge 124 of the lip to curl it and lift it. The corrugations preferably result in ribs that are angled from both the radial direction P and the circumferential direction C. In a container of the construction illustrated that applicant has constructed, the sheet plastic has a thickness of 0.028 inch (0.7 mm) and the total thickness at the corrugations was 0.045 inch (11.5 mm), or at least 50% greater. -
FIG. 1 shows an eatingutensil 32 formed in alid 68 that closes on abase 12.FIGS. 12-13 show an eatingutensil 130 formed in astorage lid 132 that is pivotally connected to a coveringlid 134 that closes on a base 136. The storage lid pivots aboutaxis 140 until it lies on top of the coveringlid 134 and snaps into a coveringlid recess 142. Projecting parts of theutensil 130 lie in therecess 142 of the covering lid. Then, the coveringlid 134 with the storage lid in it, can be closed onto the base 136. - The base or base element 136 and lids or
lid elements - Thus, the invention provides a convenient plastic food container that can be constructed at low cost. One or more eating utensils are provided and mounted on the container at little additional cost by forming the utensil(s) in a sheet such as a lid, which is easily mounted on the rest of the container. This is done by thermoforming a lid and leaving breakaway lines that define the outsides of the utensils. The utensil(s) are preferably three dimensional by having utensil portions project out of the plane of a surrounding lid portion. A paper label covers the utensil. An initial opening region of the container includes an outer flange portion that is easily breakable to provide access to a lid lip that is grasped to lift the lid. The base inner flange is narrowed along the initial opening region to facilitate grasping the lid lip and initially pulling it up off the base inner flange. Although a round container is shown, the container can have a variety of shapes. If a container includes a tray lying between the base and lid, the utensils can be formed in such a tray.
- Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/327,759 US20090120942A1 (en) | 2007-11-10 | 2008-12-03 | Convenient food container |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US267207P | 2007-11-10 | 2007-11-10 | |
US12/075,549 US8127961B2 (en) | 2007-11-10 | 2008-03-12 | Double ribbed secure container |
US9858308P | 2008-09-19 | 2008-09-19 | |
US12/327,759 US20090120942A1 (en) | 2007-11-10 | 2008-12-03 | Convenient food container |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/075,549 Continuation-In-Part US8127961B2 (en) | 2007-11-10 | 2008-03-12 | Double ribbed secure container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090120942A1 true US20090120942A1 (en) | 2009-05-14 |
Family
ID=40622751
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/327,759 Abandoned US20090120942A1 (en) | 2007-11-10 | 2008-12-03 | Convenient food container |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090120942A1 (en) |
Cited By (38)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070138180A1 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2007-06-21 | Terry Vovan | Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab |
US20100065567A1 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2010-03-18 | Pwp Industries | Tamper-evident container with extended band |
US20100276422A1 (en) * | 2009-04-29 | 2010-11-04 | Terry Vovan | Enhanced secure container |
US20110210126A1 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-01 | Terry Vovan | Food container attachable to cup |
FR2957058A1 (en) * | 2010-03-08 | 2011-09-09 | Europlastiques | COVER WITH HOLDING SHUTTERS FOR A CONTAINER |
US8028851B2 (en) | 2006-06-05 | 2011-10-04 | Pwp Industries | Enhanced tamper evident container with tear-apart parts |
US8083089B2 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2011-12-27 | Pwp Industries Inc. | Versatile tamper-evident food container |
US20120024859A1 (en) * | 2010-07-30 | 2012-02-02 | Francesco Longoni | Container |
US8127961B2 (en) | 2007-11-10 | 2012-03-06 | Pwp Industries | Double ribbed secure container |
US20120097571A1 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2012-04-26 | Suncirc, Llc | Food Packaging System with Separable Food Utensils |
US8360262B2 (en) | 2005-12-21 | 2013-01-29 | Pactiv Packaging Inc. | Integrated food packaging system having a cup, a container, and a cover |
US8608008B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2013-12-17 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
USD697795S1 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2014-01-21 | Dart Container Corporation | Container |
US8757421B2 (en) | 2011-02-14 | 2014-06-24 | Starbucks Corporation | Beverage packaging and method of manufacture |
US8770431B1 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2014-07-08 | Kfc Corporation | Sauce tray and lid system for food container |
US9061793B2 (en) | 2010-11-29 | 2015-06-23 | Bradshaw International, Inc. | Cover for food holder |
US9624009B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2017-04-18 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
WO2017106361A1 (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2017-06-22 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
IT201700044689A1 (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2017-08-15 | Roberto Fretta | Container with tamper evident closure |
IT201700044691A1 (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2017-08-15 | Roberto Fretta | Container with tamper evident closure |
US9834340B2 (en) * | 2015-03-02 | 2017-12-05 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident and resistant container |
USD805363S1 (en) * | 2016-06-07 | 2017-12-19 | Francine Weinberg | Container |
US9981782B2 (en) | 2015-06-04 | 2018-05-29 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
US10000303B2 (en) | 2015-02-13 | 2018-06-19 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Container comprising integral film lid |
US20180290799A1 (en) * | 2017-04-11 | 2018-10-11 | Inno-Pak, Llc | Disposable Food Container With Utility Lid |
US10220985B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-03-05 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a tabbed hinge |
CN109789722A (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2019-05-21 | Kw容器公司 | Plastic containers |
US10351310B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-07-16 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a bump near a tabbed hinge |
AT521123A1 (en) * | 2018-04-11 | 2019-10-15 | Greiner Packaging Int Gmbh | Method for producing a closure unit for a packaging container in a thermoforming process |
USD863981S1 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2019-10-22 | Little Spoon, Inc. | Food container |
WO2019201407A1 (en) * | 2018-04-19 | 2019-10-24 | N.V. Nutricia | Package with separable lid structure |
JP2019189326A (en) * | 2018-04-27 | 2019-10-31 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Thin container with lid |
US10669078B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2020-06-02 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
USD898564S1 (en) * | 2017-05-22 | 2020-10-13 | Kellogg Company | Food container |
US10889413B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2021-01-12 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a tab extending beyond a hinge |
US10894635B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2021-01-19 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a wide tab extending beyond a hinge |
US11064828B1 (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2021-07-20 | Michael Joyner | Elevated dishware having flatware receptacles |
WO2022051793A1 (en) | 2020-09-14 | 2022-03-17 | Greiner Packaging International Gmbh | Method for producing a closure arrangement in a thermoforming process and closure arrangement produced thereby |
Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3955742A (en) * | 1975-02-24 | 1976-05-11 | Marshall Paul W | Container lid with integral removable eating utensil |
US4060176A (en) * | 1975-08-08 | 1977-11-29 | Tobiasson John R | Container lid-spoon combination |
US4555043A (en) * | 1984-11-29 | 1985-11-26 | Daniel Bernhardt | Anti-spill recloseable container |
US4819824A (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1989-04-11 | Barker, Brettell & Duncan | Lidded containers |
US4990345A (en) * | 1988-12-05 | 1991-02-05 | Webb John D | Package with compartmented closure assembly |
US5027969A (en) * | 1990-07-03 | 1991-07-02 | Ipl Inc. | Closure and container combination |
US5052572A (en) * | 1990-08-24 | 1991-10-01 | J. L. Clark, Inc. | Tamper-evident closure with improved tear strip hold-down |
US5251758A (en) * | 1991-07-15 | 1993-10-12 | Liblan & Co., Ltd. | Food container with grippable portion having sense of touch indicia |
US5303839A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1994-04-19 | Jokey Plastik Wipperfurth Gmbh | Plastic container with lid |
US5785203A (en) * | 1993-11-11 | 1998-07-28 | Industrial Containers Ltd. | Tamper-evident container with integrally molded handle |
US6116450A (en) * | 1997-03-18 | 2000-09-12 | Huang; Shou Li | Cover structure with integral utensil means for canned and cupped food |
US20020088814A1 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2002-07-11 | John Belfance | Tamper-proof container and cap assembly and related methods |
US20030029868A1 (en) * | 2001-08-09 | 2003-02-13 | Coda International, Ltd. | Lid having integral one-piece eating utensil |
US6604646B2 (en) * | 1999-02-12 | 2003-08-12 | General Mills, Inc. | Portable food container cover with detachable utensil |
US20040094548A1 (en) * | 2002-11-18 | 2004-05-20 | Richard Laveault | Tamper-evident closure with utensil |
-
2008
- 2008-12-03 US US12/327,759 patent/US20090120942A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3955742A (en) * | 1975-02-24 | 1976-05-11 | Marshall Paul W | Container lid with integral removable eating utensil |
US4060176A (en) * | 1975-08-08 | 1977-11-29 | Tobiasson John R | Container lid-spoon combination |
US4555043A (en) * | 1984-11-29 | 1985-11-26 | Daniel Bernhardt | Anti-spill recloseable container |
US4819824A (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1989-04-11 | Barker, Brettell & Duncan | Lidded containers |
US4990345A (en) * | 1988-12-05 | 1991-02-05 | Webb John D | Package with compartmented closure assembly |
US5027969A (en) * | 1990-07-03 | 1991-07-02 | Ipl Inc. | Closure and container combination |
US5052572A (en) * | 1990-08-24 | 1991-10-01 | J. L. Clark, Inc. | Tamper-evident closure with improved tear strip hold-down |
US5251758A (en) * | 1991-07-15 | 1993-10-12 | Liblan & Co., Ltd. | Food container with grippable portion having sense of touch indicia |
US5303839A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1994-04-19 | Jokey Plastik Wipperfurth Gmbh | Plastic container with lid |
US5785203A (en) * | 1993-11-11 | 1998-07-28 | Industrial Containers Ltd. | Tamper-evident container with integrally molded handle |
US6116450A (en) * | 1997-03-18 | 2000-09-12 | Huang; Shou Li | Cover structure with integral utensil means for canned and cupped food |
US6604646B2 (en) * | 1999-02-12 | 2003-08-12 | General Mills, Inc. | Portable food container cover with detachable utensil |
US20020088814A1 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2002-07-11 | John Belfance | Tamper-proof container and cap assembly and related methods |
US20030029868A1 (en) * | 2001-08-09 | 2003-02-13 | Coda International, Ltd. | Lid having integral one-piece eating utensil |
US20040094548A1 (en) * | 2002-11-18 | 2004-05-20 | Richard Laveault | Tamper-evident closure with utensil |
Cited By (59)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100065567A1 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2010-03-18 | Pwp Industries | Tamper-evident container with extended band |
US8251242B2 (en) | 2005-06-10 | 2012-08-28 | Pwp Industries | Tamper-evident container with extended band |
US8851315B2 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2014-10-07 | Pactiv Packaging Inc. | Versatile tamper-evident food container |
US8083089B2 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2011-12-27 | Pwp Industries Inc. | Versatile tamper-evident food container |
US8123064B2 (en) | 2005-12-21 | 2012-02-28 | Pwp Industries, Inc. | Tamper evident container having a pull-open section |
US8833589B2 (en) | 2005-12-21 | 2014-09-16 | Pactiv Packaging Inc. | Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab |
US20070138180A1 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2007-06-21 | Terry Vovan | Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab |
US8360262B2 (en) | 2005-12-21 | 2013-01-29 | Pactiv Packaging Inc. | Integrated food packaging system having a cup, a container, and a cover |
US8028851B2 (en) | 2006-06-05 | 2011-10-04 | Pwp Industries | Enhanced tamper evident container with tear-apart parts |
US8127961B2 (en) | 2007-11-10 | 2012-03-06 | Pwp Industries | Double ribbed secure container |
US8146766B2 (en) * | 2009-04-29 | 2012-04-03 | Pwp Industries | Enhanced secure container |
US20100276422A1 (en) * | 2009-04-29 | 2010-11-04 | Terry Vovan | Enhanced secure container |
US20120097571A1 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2012-04-26 | Suncirc, Llc | Food Packaging System with Separable Food Utensils |
US20110210126A1 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-01 | Terry Vovan | Food container attachable to cup |
FR2957058A1 (en) * | 2010-03-08 | 2011-09-09 | Europlastiques | COVER WITH HOLDING SHUTTERS FOR A CONTAINER |
EP2364923A1 (en) * | 2010-03-08 | 2011-09-14 | Europlastiques | Cover with gripping tabs for a container |
US20120024859A1 (en) * | 2010-07-30 | 2012-02-02 | Francesco Longoni | Container |
US8939307B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2015-01-27 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US8608008B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2013-12-17 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US9624009B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2017-04-18 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US9365331B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2016-06-14 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US9409683B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2016-08-09 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US9061793B2 (en) | 2010-11-29 | 2015-06-23 | Bradshaw International, Inc. | Cover for food holder |
US8757421B2 (en) | 2011-02-14 | 2014-06-24 | Starbucks Corporation | Beverage packaging and method of manufacture |
USD697795S1 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2014-01-21 | Dart Container Corporation | Container |
US8770431B1 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2014-07-08 | Kfc Corporation | Sauce tray and lid system for food container |
US10676225B2 (en) | 2015-02-13 | 2020-06-09 | Direct Park, Inc. | Container comprising integral film lid |
US10000303B2 (en) | 2015-02-13 | 2018-06-19 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Container comprising integral film lid |
US9834340B2 (en) * | 2015-03-02 | 2017-12-05 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident and resistant container |
US9981782B2 (en) | 2015-06-04 | 2018-05-29 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
US10279963B2 (en) | 2015-06-04 | 2019-05-07 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
US9944436B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2018-04-17 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
WO2017106361A1 (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2017-06-22 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
US10669078B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2020-06-02 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
CN108602586A (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2018-09-28 | 沙伯特公司 | Tamper evident container and method |
TWI636928B (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2018-10-01 | 薩伯特公司 | Tamper-evident container and method |
USD863981S1 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2019-10-22 | Little Spoon, Inc. | Food container |
USD805363S1 (en) * | 2016-06-07 | 2017-12-19 | Francine Weinberg | Container |
CN109789722A (en) * | 2016-08-01 | 2019-05-21 | Kw容器公司 | Plastic containers |
US10351310B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-07-16 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a bump near a tabbed hinge |
US10220985B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-03-05 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a tabbed hinge |
US10894635B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2021-01-19 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a wide tab extending beyond a hinge |
US10889413B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2021-01-12 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a tab extending beyond a hinge |
US20180290799A1 (en) * | 2017-04-11 | 2018-10-11 | Inno-Pak, Llc | Disposable Food Container With Utility Lid |
US10633155B2 (en) * | 2017-04-11 | 2020-04-28 | Inno-Pak, Llc | Disposable food container with utility lid |
IT201700044691A1 (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2017-08-15 | Roberto Fretta | Container with tamper evident closure |
WO2018211538A1 (en) | 2017-05-15 | 2018-11-22 | Roberto Fretta | Container equipped with tamper evident closure |
WO2018211537A1 (en) | 2017-05-15 | 2018-11-22 | Roberto Fretta | Container equipped with tamper evident closure |
US11091301B2 (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2021-08-17 | Roberto FRETTA | Container equipped with tamper evident closure |
IT201700044689A1 (en) * | 2017-05-15 | 2017-08-15 | Roberto Fretta | Container with tamper evident closure |
USD898564S1 (en) * | 2017-05-22 | 2020-10-13 | Kellogg Company | Food container |
WO2019195869A1 (en) * | 2018-04-11 | 2019-10-17 | Greiner Packaging International Gmbh | Method for producing a closure unit for a packaging container in a thermoforming process, and closure unit |
AT16683U1 (en) * | 2018-04-11 | 2020-04-15 | Greiner Packaging Int Gmbh | Method for manufacturing a closure unit for a packaging container in a thermoforming process |
AT521123A1 (en) * | 2018-04-11 | 2019-10-15 | Greiner Packaging Int Gmbh | Method for producing a closure unit for a packaging container in a thermoforming process |
WO2019202125A1 (en) * | 2018-04-19 | 2019-10-24 | N.V. Nutricia | Package with separable lid structure |
WO2019201407A1 (en) * | 2018-04-19 | 2019-10-24 | N.V. Nutricia | Package with separable lid structure |
JP2019189326A (en) * | 2018-04-27 | 2019-10-31 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Thin container with lid |
US11064828B1 (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2021-07-20 | Michael Joyner | Elevated dishware having flatware receptacles |
WO2022051793A1 (en) | 2020-09-14 | 2022-03-17 | Greiner Packaging International Gmbh | Method for producing a closure arrangement in a thermoforming process and closure arrangement produced thereby |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20090120942A1 (en) | Convenient food container | |
US8146766B2 (en) | Enhanced secure container | |
US7712626B2 (en) | Edge-tearing tamper evident container | |
US6889860B2 (en) | Plastic drink-through cup lid with fold-back tab | |
US8123064B2 (en) | Tamper evident container having a pull-open section | |
US9315302B2 (en) | Tamper-evident container that indicates when the container has been tampered with or opened | |
US6644490B2 (en) | Lid | |
CA2348337C (en) | Food product container with closure | |
US7967167B2 (en) | Removable and reclosable lid for jar for a food product | |
US8939307B2 (en) | Tamper evident container | |
CA2348349C (en) | Container for food products | |
US8127961B2 (en) | Double ribbed secure container | |
US6422411B1 (en) | Tamper resistant closure overcap for metal spice can | |
CA2521360A1 (en) | Locking structure for hinged container | |
NZ243486A (en) | Reclosable sliced food container having front wall protrusion for thumb access | |
CA2961309C (en) | Cover for a container | |
US6848576B1 (en) | Container for storing elongated articles | |
JP2005263284A (en) | Packaging container |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PWP INDUSTRIES (CALIFORNIA CORPORATION),CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VOVAN, TERRY;REEL/FRAME:024094/0384 Effective date: 20100315 Owner name: PWP INDUSTRIES (CALIFORNIA CORPORATION), CALIFORNI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VOVAN, TERRY;REEL/FRAME:024094/0384 Effective date: 20100315 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:PACTIV CORPORATION;NEWSPRING INDUSTRIAL CORP.;PRAIRIE PACKAGING, INC.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:025712/0153 Effective date: 20110112 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |