GB2496910A - Food packaging Opening Into A Tray - Google Patents

Abstract

A food package has two walls 3, 4 which may be folded away from one another such that lines of weakness in the package are torn and the package can form a tray. The lines of weakness may be formed in side panels 18, 19 joining the walls 3, 4 and may comprise perforated lines 21 extending perpendicular to the base and two diagonal lines 23, 24 extending from the lower corners of the side wall, forming a triangle so that the side walls can be folded before the lines of weakness are torn. The walls 3, 4 may be divided into three sections, the upper sections abutting one another and forming a handle. The base may be rigid and in the tray configuration the side walls by provide edges for the tray (Figure 3).

Description

Item Of Food Packaging The present invention relates to an item of food packaging.

When transporting pre-prepared food from a takeaway, café, or the like there are often a number of problems. For example, the packaging in which the food comes may not be stable, may not provide adequate separation between hot and cold parts of the food, and in particular may not allow for the food to be consumed in clean and simple manner.

The present invention seeks to address these issues.

According to the present invention there is provided an item of food packaging comprising a first pair of opposing panels at least part defining a chamber for holding food, wherein the pair of panels are joined to each other via at least one line of weakness, the item of packaging being adapted such that when in use as the pair of panels are folded away from each other so as to define a tray the item of packaging is simultaneously torn along the at least one line of weakness.

The provision of two opposing main panels that may be opened so as to form a tray allows for a user to readily create a tray from the packaging so as to aid consumption of the food contained therein.

Preferably the first pair of panels are joined to each other via at least two lines of weakness.

The provision of at least two lines of weakness allows for a tray to be readily formed.

Preferably the item of food packaging comprises a base that part defines the chamber.

The provision of a base allows for the item of food packaging to be sat in an upright position in a stable manner.

Preferably the base is formed in one piece with the first pair of panels. In one embodiment the base is defined between the first pair of panels by respective creases or scores. In one embodiment the base is formed by a bend between the first pair of panels.

Preferably at least one line of weakness runs substantially perpendicular to the base when the item of food packaging has not been opened. Preferably at least two lines of weakness runs substantially perpendicular to the base when the item of food packaging has not been opened By providing lines of weakness that run substantially perpendicular to the base the chamber is easily ripped open as the first pair of panels are folded out.

In one embodiment the first pair of panels are connected to each other by a second pair of opposing panels that part define the chamber.

By providing an arrangement wherein a second pair of panels are ripped apart so as to reveal the contents of the chamber, a lip around the tray may be formed such that the tray is more effective and less prone to spillage.

Preferably each panel of the second pair of panels comprises at least one line of weakness that runs substantially perpendicular to the base when the item of food packaging has not been opened.

Preferably each panel of the second pair of panels comprises two lines of weakness that define a triangle with the base.

The provision of two lines of weakness that define a triangle with the base results in the base having raised edges when the tray has been formed, thus minimizing the chance of food falling from the tray.

Preferably the two lines of weakness join the line of weakness that runs substantially perpendicular to the base at the apex of the triangle.

Preferably the lines of weakness are formed by perforations.

Perforations provide a simple manner to provide lines of weakness.

Preferably the first pair of panels are substantially rigid. Preferably the base is substantially rigid.

The provision of substantially rigid panels and base, for example formed from card, provides for a better tray.

Preferably the first pair of panels comprises apertures that define a carrying handle According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of serving food comprising the step of providing an item of food packaging as described above.

A specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an item of packaging made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the item of packaging of Figure 1 partially open; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the item of packaging of Figure 1 fully open; and Figure 4 shows a plan view of a template for the item of packaging of Figure 1.

Referring to drawings, an item of packaging 1 made in accordance with the present invention comprises a first pair of panels 3, 4 and a base 2 located between panels 3 and 4. Base 2 is defined between panels 3, 4 by respective creases 5, 6.

Item of packaging 1 also comprises a second pair of opposing panels 18, 19, that along with first pair of panels 3, 4 and base 2 define chamber 20.

Item of packaging 1 is formed from a sheet of card, although any other substantially rigid, or semi-rigid material might be used.

Each of panels 3, 4 is divided into three sections by the presence of two creases. Thus each panel is divided into main side walls 7, 8 middle side parts 9, 10 and handle parts 11, 12.

Crease 13 provides a line of flexibility between side wall 7 and middle side pad 9. Crease 14 provides a line of flexibility between middle side part 9 and handle part 11.

Crease 15 provides a line of flexibility between side wall 8 and middle side part 10. Crease 16 provides a line of flexibility between middle side part 10 and handle pad 12.

Base 2 is divided into two substantially equal sections by crease 17.

It will be appreciated that although the present embodiment uses creases to define lines of flexibility, any line of flexibility might suffice, for example instead of a crease a score, i,e, a partial cut through the card, could alternatively be employed.

Referring to Figure 5 it is apparent that the provision of the various creases allows for outer container 1 to be folded between a number of configurations.

Panels 3, 4 are foldable relative to base 2 such that handle parts 11 and 12 are touching and the cavity defined within the inner container is substantially in the form of a triangular prism.

Furthermore, as base part 2 comprises a central crease, item of packaging 1 may be further folded such that base 2 is housed between panels 3, 4 and panels 3 and 4 are substantially planar. Thus the item of packaging may be folded into a configuration wherein it is substantially planar.

Opposing panels 18, 19 of item of packaging 1 each comprise lines of weakness 21, 22. In the present embodiment each line of weakness 21, 22 is formed by a perforation running substantially perpendicular to base 2. In the present embodiment the lines of weakness 21, 22 run the full length of panels 18, 19, but it is conceivable in other embodiments that the lines of weakness might not run the full length, for example they might terminate at a point spaced from base 2, or might be formed in other configurations.

Line of weakness 21 divides panel 18 into substantially equal sections.

Similarly line of weakness 22 divides panel 19 into substantially equal sections.

In the present embodiment lines of weakness 21, 22 are substantially perpendicular to the base (i.e. substantially parallel to panels 3, 4 when the item of packaging has not been folded into a tray configuration). However, the lines of weakness could be at an angle. Furthermore, the lines of weakness 21, 22 need not divide panels 18, 19 into substantially equal parts, but could be offset from the respective centres of the panels.

Additional lines of weakness 23, 24, are provided on panel 18. Lines of weakness 23, 24 are arranged so as to define a triangular section 25 adjacent base 2 on panel 18.

Similarly, additional lines of weakness 26, 27, are provided on panel 19. Lines of weakness 26, 27 are arranged so as to define a triangular section 28 adjacent base 2 on panel 19.

Turning to the item of packaging in use, items of food (not shown) may be placed within chamber 20. A user may then fold panels 3 and 4 such that handle parts 11, 12 of side panels 3, 4 are adjacent to each other. The item of packaging may then be easily transported by grasping cutaway sections 29, 30.

When the user wishes to access the contents of the inner container, and turning to Figures 1 to 3, they may fold panels 3, 4 away from each other. In doing so, panels 18, 19 are ripped apart along lines of weakness 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27.

Panels 3, 4 are folded further into the tray configuration as shown in Figure 3, wherein panels 3, 4 and base 2 are in substantially the same plane, such that the contents of chamber 20 are fully revealed. The user may then consume the contents of chamber 20 unhindered, and with the aid of item of packaging 1 acting as a tray.

As the lines of weakness 21, 22 are positioned substantially in the middle of panels 18, 19 of item of packaging 1, when the item of packaging has been folded into the tray configuration, the halves of panels 18, 19 form a raised lip around the tray so as to reduce the likelihood of spillage of any of the contents of the chamber. Further, triangular parts 25, 28 form a lip on base 2 so as to further reduce the likelihood of spillage.

Once the user has finished consumption, item of packaging 1 may be folded and disposed of.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims: 1. An item of food packaging comprising a first pair of opposing panels at least part defining a chamber for holding food, wherein the pair of panels are joined to each other via at least one line of weakness, the item of packaging being adapted such that when in use as the pair of panels are folded away from each other so as to define a tray the item of packaging is simultaneously torn along the at least one line of weakness.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The item of packaging of claim 1 wherein the first pair of panels are joined to each other via at least two lines of weakness.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The item of packaging of claim 1 or 2 wherein the item of food packaging comprises a base that part defines the chamber.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The item of packaging of claim 3 wherein the base is formed in one piece with the first pair of panels.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The item of packaging of claim 3 or 4 wherein the base is defined between the first pair of panels by respective creases or scores.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The item of packaging of claim 3 or 4 wherein the base is formed by a bend between the first pair of panels.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The item of packaging of any of claims 3 to 6 wherein at least one line of weakness runs substantially perpendicular to the base when the item of food packaging has not been opened.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The item of packaging of any of claims 3 to 7 wherein at least two lines of weakness runs substantially perpendicular to the base when the item of food packaging has not been opened.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The item of packaging of any of claims 3 to 9 wherein the base is substantially rigid.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The item of packaging of any preceding claim comprising a base and wherein the first pair of panels are connected to each other by a second pair of opposing panels that part define the chamber.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. The item of packaging of claim 10 wherein each panel of the second pair of panels comprises at least one line of weakness that runs substantially perpendicular to the base when the item of food packaging has not been opened.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The item of packaging of claim 10 or 11 wherein each panel of the second pair of panels comprises two lines of weakness that define a triangle with the base.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. The item of packaging of claim 12 wherein the two lines of weakness join the line of weakness that runs substantially perpendicular to the base at the apex of the triangle.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. The item of packaging of any preceding claim wherein the lines of weakness are formed by perforations.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. The item of packaging of any preceding claim wherein the first pair of panels are substantially rigid.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. The item of packaging of any preceding claim wherein the first pair of panels comprises apertures that define a carrying handle 17. A method of serving food comprising the step of providing an item of food packaging as defined by any preceding claim.18. An item of food packaging substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>