U.S. patent application number 11/743682 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for food container having an integrated napkin housing.
Invention is credited to Bruce Anderson, Aleardo Cimini.
Application Number | 20080272016 11/743682 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39938787 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080272016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Bruce ; et
al. |
November 6, 2008 |
FOOD CONTAINER HAVING AN INTEGRATED NAPKIN HOUSING
Abstract
Disclosed is a container for holding food, the container
comprising a food-receiving compartment defined by a top panel, a
bottom panel and at least one side panel. There is a separable
section defined within one of the top, bottom and at least one side
panel. A housing is associated with the separable section, the
housing adapted to house a single napkin or multiple napkins that
are interleaved within one another. An opening or slit is defined
in the housing wherein when the separable section is separated from
the panel, the opening is exposed and napkins can be withdrawn
singly therethrough. The housing may be positioned in the
food-receiving compartment or in a double-layered panel. The
housing may be a plastic film retainer or a foil pouch. The
container is especially useful as a pizza delivery box or a
take-out food box.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Bruce; (Thunder
Bay, CA) ; Cimini; Aleardo; (Thunder Bay,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARKS & CLERK
P.O. BOX 957, STATION B
OTTAWA
ON
K1P 5S7
CA
|
Family ID: |
39938787 |
Appl. No.: |
11/743682 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/233 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2585/366 20130101;
B65D 75/5833 20130101; B65D 83/0894 20130101; B65D 75/5894
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/233 |
International
Class: |
B65D 69/00 20060101
B65D069/00 |
Claims
1. A container for holding food, the container comprising: a
food-receiving compartment defined by a top panel, a bottom panel
and at least one side panel; a separable section defined within one
of the top, bottom and at least one side panel; a housing
associated with the separable section, the housing adapted to house
a napkin; and an opening defined in the housing; wherein when the
separable section is separated from the panel, the opening is
exposed and the napkin can be withdrawn through the opening.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the housing is positioned in
the food-receiving compartment.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the housing is a foil
pouch.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the panel having the separable
section is a double-layered panel and the housing is in the
double-layered panel.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein the housing includes a plastic
film retainer.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the separable section is
defined by perforated lines therearound that are punctured to
separate the section and expose the opening.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the separable section is
defended by perforated lines around a major portion therearound,
and the separable section further comprises a fold line so that
when the perforated lines are punctured, the separable portion can
be folded along the fold line to expose the opening.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the separable housing is a
peelable cover.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to
house multiple napkins.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the multiple napkins are
interleaved between one another.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the opening is a slit and
the multiple napkins can be withdrawn singly therethrough.
12. The container of claim 1, wherein the housing is removable from
the food container.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein the napkins include logos
thereon.
14. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is a pizza
delivery box.
15. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is a take-out
food box.
16. The container of claim 1, wherein the separable section
includes printed winners rewards on the underside thereon for use
in conducting a contest.
17. A container for holding food, the container comprising: a
food-receiving compartment defined by a top panel, a bottom panel
and at least one side panel; a separable section defined within one
of the top, bottom and at least one side panel; a housing
associated with the separable section, the housing adapted to house
multiple napkins that are interleaved within one another; and a
slit defined in the housing; wherein when the separable section is
separated from the panel, the slit is exposed and napkins can be
withdrawn singly through the slit.
18. The container of claim 17, wherein the housing is positioned in
the food-receiving compartment.
19. The container of claim 18, wherein the housing is a foil
pouch.
20. The container of claim 17, wherein the panel having the
separable section is a double-layered panel and the housing is in
the double-layered panel.
21. The container of claim 20, wherein the housing includes a
plastic film retainer.
22. The container of claim 17, wherein the separable section is
defined by perforated lines therearound that are punctured to
separate the section and expose the opening.
23. The container of claim 17, wherein the separable section is
defined by perforated lines around a major portion therearound, and
the separable section further comprises a fold line so that when
the perforated lines are punctured, the separable portion can be
folded along the fold line to expose the opening.
24. The container of claim 17, wherein the separable housing is a
peelable cover.
25. The container of claim 17, wherein the housing is removable
from the food container.
26. The container of claim 25, wherein the napkins include logos
thereon.
27. The container of claim 17, wherein the container is a pizza
delivery box.
28. The container of claim 17, wherein the container is a take-out
food box.
29. The container of claim 17, wherein the separable section
includes printed winners rewards on the underside thereon for use
in conducting a contest.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to containers for holding
food. More specifically, the present invention relates to a food
container having an integrated napkin housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well acknowledged that the fast-food and take-out food
industry is enormously popular and competitive. Various vendors
must increasingly improve their service to grow and maintain their
market share.
[0003] Sometimes customers find themselves without any napkins or
serviettes to wipe and clean themselves with. This can be quite
messy and distressing, especially when one is "eating on the run".
Alternatively, some vendors provide napkins on a self-serve basis,
resulting in customers taking large bundles of napkins. This
results both in wastage and added expense for the vendor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, disclosed is a container for holding food
having an integrated napkin housing. In this way, when a customer
picks up or receives a food container, the customer also has a
predetermined number of napkins available.
[0005] Thus, according to one aspect, the invention provides a
container for holding food, the container comprising: a
food-receiving compartment defined by a top panel, a bottom panel
and at least one side panel; a separable section defined within one
of the top, bottom and at least one side panel; a housing
associated with the separable section, the housing adapted to house
a napkin; and an opening defined in the housing; wherein when the
separable section is separated from the panel, the opening is
exposed and the napkin can be withdrawn through the opening.
[0006] The housing may be positioned in the food-receiving
compartment, and housing may be a foil pouch. Alternatively, the
panel having the separable section may be a double-layered panel
and the housing may be the double-layered panel; the housing may
include a plastic film retainer.
[0007] The separable section may be defined by perforated lines
therearound that are punctured to separate the section and expose
the opening. Or the separable section may be defined by perforated
lines around a major portion therearound, the separable section
further comprising a fold line so that when the perforated lines
are punctured, the separable portion can be folded along the fold
line to expose the opening.
[0008] The housing may be adapted to house multiple napkins, and
the multiple napkins may be interleaved between one another. The
opening may be a slit permitting the multiple napkins to be
withdrawn singly therethrough.
[0009] In one embodiment, the housing is removable from the food
container. This permits any unused napkins to remain in the housing
for use at a later time, such as in the car or a lunchbox. This is
an environmental feature and exhibits to the public that the vendor
has "green" concerns.
[0010] In one embodiment, the napkins include logos thereon. This
has the added benefit of increasing advertising the vendor's
product, especially if combined with the removable housing feature
such that logo napkins will continue to be used.
[0011] Embodiments of the invention are useful in a large variety
of food containers such as fast-food and take-out food containers.
Examples include a pizza box or a Chinese take-out food box.
[0012] There are many advantages in using a food container in
accordance with the teachings of this invention. By pre-loading a
set amount of napkins in a removable, sealed housing or package
attached to the food container, the fast food producer: can
predetermine and control the costs normally associated with the
acquisition, handling and distribution of napkins. Embodiments of
the invention may also serve to reduce waste by eliminating the
problem of napkins that become unacceptable for distribution due to
improper handling and storage. Further, the operation at a pick-up
and delivery outlet is simplified by eliminating the necessity to
order and inventory napkins.
[0013] A food container in accordance with the teachings of this
invention permits the control of the quantity of napkins supplied
with the product sold (no more handfuls passed out to customers
because it is the easy thing to do) and ensures that all customers
ordering from a hotel room or picking up for a meal en route will
have napkins for their convenience.
[0014] In one embodiment, since napkins are withdrawn singly, waste
caused when a soiled hand attempts to retrieve a single napkin from
a pile of napkins and soils two or more napkins in the attempt is
alleviated.
[0015] In another embodiment, the separable section may be used in
conducting a contest by printing winner's rewards on the underside
of the perforated separable section on the container which may then
be removed and brought to a franchisee for verification.
[0016] Other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the invention
will be readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art
upon a review of the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a typical food container in the form
of a pizza box having a housing for holding napkins in accordance
with the teachings of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically an embodiment wherein the
housing is positioned in the food-receiving compartment of the food
container and the housing is in the form of a foil pouch;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically an embodiment wherein the
housing is positioned in a double-layered panel and the housing is
in the form of a plastic film retainer;
[0021] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two embodiments of the separable
section that is separated to gain access to the housing;
[0022] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a typical food container in the
form of a take-out container having a housing for holding napkins
in accordance with the teachings of this invention; and
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the separable
section that can be used in accordance with the teachings of this
invention.
[0024] This invention will now be described in detail with respect
to certain specific representative embodiments thereof, the
materials, apparatus and process steps being understood as examples
that are intended to be illustrative only. In particular, the
invention is not intended to be limited to the methods, materials,
conditions, process parameters, apparatus and the like specifically
recited herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] In accordance with the teachings of this invention, there is
provided a food container with an incorporated napkin housing. In
this way for every food order, a customer would be assured of a
convenient supply of serviettes which almost all fast food products
require. The value to the food supplier is that the dispensing of
serviettes at the time the food product was ordered and delivered
is dispensed with and there would be no wastage of serviettes, as
each order would have a fixed number of serviettes with it in the
package.
[0026] It is believed that there would be little or no extra cost
to the fast food supplier as the cost of the supply of serviettes
would be controlled and there would be a savings in the cost of
serviettes due to the reduction in wastage.
[0027] Embodiments of the invention will be useful in a variety of
different types of food containers as known in the art. This
includes various fast-food and take-out food containers. Examples
include a pizza box or a Chinese take-out food box.
[0028] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a typical food container 10 useful
for delivering pizza. The food container 10 has a food-receiving
compartment 12 defined by a top panel 14, a bottom panel 16 and
side panels 18a, b, c, d. A separable section 22 is defined within
one of the top 14, bottom 16 and side 18a, b, c, d panels. In the
example shown in FIG. 1, the separable section 22 is in the top
panel 14. However, the separable section can be in any suitable
panel. For example, in a fried chicken or Chinese take-out box, the
separable section could be defined in a side panel. FIGS. 8 and 9
illustrate a typical food container in the form of a take-out
container having a housing for holding napkins in another
embodiment according to teachings of this invention.
[0029] In accordance with the teachings of this invention, the food
container 10 includes an incorporated napkin housing, generally
designated 30. The housing 30 is associated with the separable
section 22, the housing 30 being adapted to house a napkin 25. The
housing 30 includes an opening 32, wherein when the separable
section 22 is separated from the panel 14, the opening 32 is
exposed and the napkin 25 can be withdrawn through the opening
32.
[0030] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 22 is
positioned in the food-receiving compartment 12. This embodiment is
shown schematically in FIG. 4. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 5,
the panel 14 can be a double-layered panel and the housing 30 could
be in the double-layered panel itself.
[0031] The housing 30 to hold the napkins 25 could be a sealed
paper or foil pouch 35 (seen in FIGS. 2 and 3) attached to the
underside of the panel of the food container. The pouch 35 could be
fastened to the container 10 by a pressure or heat sensitive
adhesive. The use of a foil pouch 35 is particularly useful in the
embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0032] In another embodiment, wherein the housing could include a
plastic film retainer 37. This is particularly useful for use with
the embodiment of FIG. 5. Use of the foil pouch and plastic film
retainer are just two examples of suitable materials that can be
used as the housing. It will be appreciated that any suitable type
of material which would not affect the food in the box and at the
same time protect the serviettes from becoming moist from the food
in the container can be used. In any of these embodiments, the
opening 32 can be a slit, as illustrated in the figures.
[0033] The separable section 22 can be adapted to be separated from
the panel 14 in any suitable manner. Referring to FIG. 6,
preferably the separable section 22 is defined by perforated lines
40 therearound that are punctured to separate the section 22 and
expose the opening 32 in the housing 30. Optionally, a fold line 44
could be included to aid in the separation. In another embodiment,
referring to FIG. 7, the separable section 22 is defined by
perforated lines 40 around a major portion 42 therearound, and the
separable section 22 further comprises a fold line 44 and a second
fold line 45 so that when the perforated lines 40 are punctured,
the separable section 22 can be folded along the fold lines 44 and
45 to expose the opening 32.
[0034] The use of the fold line(s) 44 and 45 permits the separable
section 22 to be separated and folded back such that the separable
section 22 does not have to be disposed of, but could remain part
of the total box container 10. This is an environmental feature in
that the separable section 22 would not be thrown away when
separated from the panel 14 and container 10. Also, the folded
separable section 22 could be replaced within the panel 14 to not
only protect the remaining serviettes or napkins located in the
housing 30, but also to restore the name or trademark logo of the
supplier of the food, which is likely to be displayed on the food
container 10.
[0035] The separable section 22 is illustrated as being an oval
shape. However it will be appreciated that the separable section 22
can be in any suitable form and/or shape.
[0036] In another embodiment, the separable section 22 can be in
the form of a peelable cover 50 as illustrated in FIG. 10. The
peelable cover can be any suitable material such as foil or
plastic, and is peeled away from the panel to which it is attached
in order to expose the opening of the housing.
[0037] As mentioned above, the housing 30 can be adapted to hold
one or more napkins. The number of napkins would be determined by
the size of the food product. For example a pizza box would contain
four, six or eight or more serviettes depending on the size of the
pizza in that particular container.
[0038] In one embodiment, if the housing 30 holds multiple napkins,
the multiple napkins could be interleaved between one another. In
the case that the opening is a slit, the multiple napkins can be
withdrawn singly therethrough. In this embodiment, since napkins
are withdrawn singly, waste caused when a soiled hand attempts to
retrieve a single napkin from a pile of napkins and soils two or
more napkins in the attempt is alleviated.
[0039] In both embodiments of using either a flexible film or foil
pouch, the housing can be attached to the food container by an
adhesive which would facilitate the removal of the napkin housing
from the box. Wording such as "remove and recycle this package"
could be added to the napkin housing to remind the user to take any
unused napkins which might remain in the housing for further
use.
[0040] As well, by removing the napkin housing from the container,
enables the container to be more easily recycled while at the same
time leaving the napkins in a housing which could be kept for use
in the car, at home or in a lunch box. If the napkins include a
logo thereon, then keeping unused napkins for future use offers the
additional benefit of further advertising for the fast food
producer.
[0041] By pre-loading a set amount of napkins in a removable,
sealed housing or package attached to the food container, the fast
food producer: can predetermine and control the costs normally
associated with the acquisition, handling and distribution of
napkins. Embodiments of the invention may also serve to reduce
waste by eliminating the problem of napkins that become
unacceptable for distribution due to improper handling and storage.
Further, the operation at a pick-up and delivery outlet is
simplified by eliminating the necessity to order and inventory
napkins.
[0042] A food container in accordance with the teachings of this
invention permits the control of the quantity of napkins supplied
with the product sold (no more handfuls passed out to customers
because it is the easy thing to do) and ensures that all customers
ordering from a hotel room or picking up for a meal en route will
have napkins for their convenience.
[0043] In another embodiment, the separable section may be used in
conducting a contest by printing winners rewards on the underside
of the perforated separable section on the container which may then
be removed and brought to a franchisee for verification.
[0044] Numerous modifications may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims.
* * * * *