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US20060231601A1 - Combination prepared food container and eating tray - Google Patents

Combination prepared food container and eating tray Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060231601A1
US20060231601A1 US11/106,083 US10608305A US2006231601A1 US 20060231601 A1 US20060231601 A1 US 20060231601A1 US 10608305 A US10608305 A US 10608305A US 2006231601 A1 US2006231601 A1 US 2006231601A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
panel
extending
bottom panel
eating tray
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
Application number
US11/106,083
Inventor
Roselyn Buchanan
Robert Jordan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/106,083 priority Critical patent/US20060231601A1/en
Publication of US20060231601A1 publication Critical patent/US20060231601A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/64—Lids
    • B65D5/66—Hinged lids
    • 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
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/36—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents

Definitions

  • a combination food container and eating tray suitable for use in the catered and prepared food industry formed from a container with two access openings. More particularly, a food container having an eating tray which is formed by folding down the front panel of the container.
  • the box lunch container well known in the catered and prepared food industry, generally comprises a cardboard food container that opens at the top for easy removal of food items to be consumed.
  • the box lunch container and other similar prepared food containers require sufficient table space upon which to place the food items for consumption and often require additional materials such as paper plates to avoid soiling the table. This problem is particularly acute in a conference or seminar setting where conference materials already occupy a substantial portion of the table space.
  • Applicant has devised the present invention to solve such soiling and space and problems by extending the prepared food container to include a suitable eating tray in a single novel design, dimensioned to accommodate typical prepared meals.
  • the present invention comprises a box with two access openings.
  • One such opening is the hinged top panel which provides access to the food items within the container.
  • the second such opening is the hinged front panel which provides an eating tray in combination with the bottom panel of the container.
  • Drawing sheet 1 of 1 shows a perspective drawing of the combination food container and eating tray with the top panel and eating tray opened and extended as they would be during use.
  • one embodiment of the combination prepared food container and eating tray comprises a bottom panel ( 11 ), a rear panel ( 12 ) extending from the bottom panel, a first opposing side panel ( 13 ) extending from the bottom panel, a second opposing side panel ( 14 ) extending from the bottom panel, a hinged closable top panel ( 15 ) extending from the rear panel, and a hinged closable front panel with rim on three sides ( 16 ) extending from the bottom panel and providing the eating tray area, all panels dimensioned to accommodate typical catered meals.
  • One size of the present invention corresponding to a typical box lunch container, is a first and second opposing side panel dimension of three (3) inches high and five (5) inches wide, with the bottom panel nine (9) inches long, and bottom and rear panels of corresponding dimension, and with the top panel five (5) inches wide and nine (9) inches long such that it completely closes the top opening of the box.
  • the front panel in this configuration is three (3) inches high and nine (9) inches long with a rim of one-half (1 ⁇ 2) inches in height.
  • Alternative embodiments include other dimensions to accommodate prepared meals of various sizes, to provide a suitably sized eating tray, and to maintain the proper dimensions to enable the box to completely close.
  • top panel and front panel closures including but not limited to adhesive materials, hooks, string, ribbon, and tab and slot.
  • Still further embodiments include manufacture of the present invention from a unitary blank which is scored and folded and manufactured from commercially available paperboard which may also be laminated or coated.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cartons (AREA)

Abstract

A combination prepared food container and eating tray comprising a bottom panel, a rear panel extending from the bottom panel, a first opposing side panel extending from the bottom panel, a second opposing side panel extending from the bottom panel, a hinged closable top panel extending from the rear panel, and a hinged closable front panel with rim on three sides extending from the bottom panel and providing the eating tray area, all panels suitably dimensioned to accommodate typical prepared meals.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • A combination food container and eating tray suitable for use in the catered and prepared food industry, formed from a container with two access openings. More particularly, a food container having an eating tray which is formed by folding down the front panel of the container.
  • 2. Description of the Prior Art
  • The expansion of the catered and prepared food industry over the last several years has increased demand for suitable containers. The box lunch container, well known in the catered and prepared food industry, generally comprises a cardboard food container that opens at the top for easy removal of food items to be consumed.
  • The box lunch container and other similar prepared food containers require sufficient table space upon which to place the food items for consumption and often require additional materials such as paper plates to avoid soiling the table. This problem is particularly acute in a conference or seminar setting where conference materials already occupy a substantial portion of the table space.
  • Applicant has devised the present invention to solve such soiling and space and problems by extending the prepared food container to include a suitable eating tray in a single novel design, dimensioned to accommodate typical prepared meals.
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention comprises a box with two access openings. One such opening is the hinged top panel which provides access to the food items within the container. The second such opening is the hinged front panel which provides an eating tray in combination with the bottom panel of the container.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
  • Drawing sheet 1 of 1 shows a perspective drawing of the combination food container and eating tray with the top panel and eating tray opened and extended as they would be during use.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Referring to drawing sheet 1 of 1, one embodiment of the combination prepared food container and eating tray comprises a bottom panel (11), a rear panel (12) extending from the bottom panel, a first opposing side panel (13) extending from the bottom panel, a second opposing side panel (14) extending from the bottom panel, a hinged closable top panel (15) extending from the rear panel, and a hinged closable front panel with rim on three sides (16) extending from the bottom panel and providing the eating tray area, all panels dimensioned to accommodate typical catered meals.
  • One size of the present invention, corresponding to a typical box lunch container, is a first and second opposing side panel dimension of three (3) inches high and five (5) inches wide, with the bottom panel nine (9) inches long, and bottom and rear panels of corresponding dimension, and with the top panel five (5) inches wide and nine (9) inches long such that it completely closes the top opening of the box. The front panel in this configuration is three (3) inches high and nine (9) inches long with a rim of one-half (½) inches in height.
  • Alternative embodiments include other dimensions to accommodate prepared meals of various sizes, to provide a suitably sized eating tray, and to maintain the proper dimensions to enable the box to completely close.
  • Further embodiments include top panel and front panel closures, including but not limited to adhesive materials, hooks, string, ribbon, and tab and slot.
  • Still further embodiments include manufacture of the present invention from a unitary blank which is scored and folded and manufactured from commercially available paperboard which may also be laminated or coated.
  • A person familiar with the art and use of the present invention may recognize that other modifications and changes are possible. Such modifications are envisioned by applicant as being part of the scope of the present invention and claims.

Claims (2)

1. A combination prepared food container and eating tray comprising a bottom panel, a rear panel extending from the bottom panel, a first opposing side panel extending from the bottom panel, a second opposing side panel extending from the bottom panel, a hinged closable top panel extending from the rear panel, and a hinged closable front panel with rim on three sides extending from the bottom panel and providing the eating tray area, all panels suitably dimensioned to accommodate typical prepared meals.
2. A paperboard box with two or more separate access openings wherein one such opening is a panel which serves as an eating tray when extended to the open position.
US11/106,083 2005-04-14 2005-04-14 Combination prepared food container and eating tray Abandoned US20060231601A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/106,083 US20060231601A1 (en) 2005-04-14 2005-04-14 Combination prepared food container and eating tray

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/106,083 US20060231601A1 (en) 2005-04-14 2005-04-14 Combination prepared food container and eating tray

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060231601A1 true US20060231601A1 (en) 2006-10-19

Family

ID=37107534

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/106,083 Abandoned US20060231601A1 (en) 2005-04-14 2005-04-14 Combination prepared food container and eating tray

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20060231601A1 (en)

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US206824A (en) * 1878-08-06 Improvement in cigar-boxes
US474062A (en) * 1892-05-03 George b
US1568010A (en) * 1921-06-14 1925-12-29 Tigerstrom Joseph Folding case
US2180691A (en) * 1938-06-06 1939-11-21 Great Southern Box Company Inc Folding display carton
US2642218A (en) * 1948-02-16 1953-06-16 Platt Samuel Folding box locking structure
US2776083A (en) * 1953-12-22 1957-01-01 Derman Sam Knockdown container
US3189245A (en) * 1963-05-09 1965-06-15 Mead Corp Carton
US4240576A (en) * 1978-05-10 1980-12-23 Duni Bila Ab Distribution package
US4817861A (en) * 1987-02-24 1989-04-04 Henrikson Gregory A File storage carton
US6073760A (en) * 1997-06-23 2000-06-13 Champion International Corporation Corrugated fibreboard container with at least one hinged side and blanks for assembling said container

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US206824A (en) * 1878-08-06 Improvement in cigar-boxes
US474062A (en) * 1892-05-03 George b
US1568010A (en) * 1921-06-14 1925-12-29 Tigerstrom Joseph Folding case
US2180691A (en) * 1938-06-06 1939-11-21 Great Southern Box Company Inc Folding display carton
US2642218A (en) * 1948-02-16 1953-06-16 Platt Samuel Folding box locking structure
US2776083A (en) * 1953-12-22 1957-01-01 Derman Sam Knockdown container
US3189245A (en) * 1963-05-09 1965-06-15 Mead Corp Carton
US4240576A (en) * 1978-05-10 1980-12-23 Duni Bila Ab Distribution package
US4817861A (en) * 1987-02-24 1989-04-04 Henrikson Gregory A File storage carton
US6073760A (en) * 1997-06-23 2000-06-13 Champion International Corporation Corrugated fibreboard container with at least one hinged side and blanks for assembling said container

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION