U.S. patent application number 12/592507 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-10 for interconnecting food container system.
Invention is credited to Terry Vovan.
Application Number | 20100140128 12/592507 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39272864 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100140128 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vovan; Terry |
June 10, 2010 |
Interconnecting food container system
Abstract
A container which includes a base (4) with an upper end forming
a base rim (16), and a cover (2) which can lie right-side-up or
upside-down on the base. In the cover upside-down position, a cover
channel (14) opens downwardly and closely receives the base rim
(16), and much of the base recess (7) is left uncovered.
Inventors: |
Vovan; Terry; (Rialto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEON D. ROSEN;FREILICH, HORNBAKER & ROSEN
Suite 1220, 10960 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles
CA
90024
US
|
Family ID: |
39272864 |
Appl. No.: |
12/592507 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11542985 |
Oct 3, 2006 |
7673767 |
|
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12592507 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/0237 20130101;
B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D 43/0229 20130101; B65D 2543/00796
20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/00648 20130101; B65D
2543/00509 20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101;
B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00351 20130101; B65D 2543/00009
20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/501 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A container system comprising: a first tray member: a second
tray member, said second tray member having a bottom surface into
which is formed a shaped channel, the shaped channel being defined
by a floor, an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; and wherein
the rim of said first tray member may be inserted into said shaped
channel so that said second tray member is mechanically held to
said first tray member to form an integrated food container
system.
2. A container system comprising: a first tray member: a second
tray member, said second tray member having a bottom surface into
which is formed a shaped channel, said shaped channel being defined
by a floor, an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall; wherein said
first tray member and said second tray member possess complementary
mating rims that when held together define an enclosure; and
wherein said rim of said first tray member may be inserted into
said shaped channel so that said second tray member is mechanically
held to said first tray member to form an integrated food container
system.
3. The claim as in claim 2 wherein said complementary mating rims
of said first tray member and said second tray member are
releaseably lockable to each other.
4. The claim as in claim 3 wherein said first and second tray
members are releaseably lockable by a snap-fit lock.
5. The claim as in claim 3 wherein said first and second tray
members are releaseably lockable by a threaded connection.
6. The claim as in claim 3 wherein said first and second tray
members are releaseably lockable by tamper-evident,
tamper-resistant features.
7. The claim as in claim 2 wherein said first tray member has a
base that is configured to fit snugly within a cavity formed into
said bottom surface of said second tray member.
8. The claim as in claim 7 wherein the minimum depth of said cavity
is 3/16 inch.
9. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 further including mechanical means
for attaching said shaped channel to said first tray member rim
comprising an interference fit.
10. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 further including mechanical means
of for attaching said shaped channel to said first tray member rim
comprising a snap-fit grip.
11. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 wherein inner and outer sidewalls
are curved, linear or any combination thereof.
12. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 wherein the minimum depth of said
shaped channel as measured from said second tray member bottom
surface is 3/16 inches.
13. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 wherein said second tray member of
the integrated food container system is supported by said first
tray member.
14. The claim as in claim 13 wherein said shaped channel is held to
said first tray rim via a threaded connection.
15. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 wherein the planes of the surfaces
of the inner and outer sidewalls of the shaped channel coincide at
the points beneath the bottom surface of the second tray member to
form an acute angle.
16. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 wherein the material of the first
and second tray members is Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Polyethylene
Terephthalate, Polylactide, Polyvinyl Chloride, or other rigid
polymers.
17. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 wherein the process for
constructing the first and second tray members is taken from the
group consisting of thermoforming, injection molding, transfer
molding and blow molding.
18. The claim as in claim 1 or 2 wherein the container system is
circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, or other polygonal shape
when viewed from above.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a rigid food container
system configuration for foodstuff that preserves and facilitates
the displaying of contents. More particularly, the invention
relates to a food packaging containment system where a first food
container and a second food container are held together by
snap-fit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Restaurants and food markets have utilized rigid containers
to protect and display both perishable and fragile food items such
as sandwiches, salads and bakery items. Rigid plastic food
containers are typically manufactured from Polystyrene,
Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polylactide,
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), or other rigid polymers. They generally
comprise either of two-parts--a tray and lid--or they may be a
one-piece construction with a hinge that modifies one portion of
the container to act as the tray and the other connected portion to
act as a lid. Furthermore, they are available in a variety of
shapes and cross-sections--circular, rectangular, square, and
elliptical, etc.
[0003] These traditional roles of plastic packaging are now the
minimum expected standards, and the requirements placed on plastic
food packaging continue to expand as increasing demands are placed
upon it. Presentation, brand presence, consumer desires, added
value to enhance commercial competitiveness, differentiation,
imagery and psychology have resulted in the design and application
of plastic packaging becoming more challenging. Convenience and
versatility continue to shape the future of packaging, with
consumers gravitating toward packaged convenience items that
minimize the impact on their behavior. This has forced packaging
manufacturers to include social and environmental considerations
into their development process. The growth of fast food restaurants
and the competitive response from food markets offering packaged
meal product for consumers "on-the-go" is such an indication of
this trend. However, there is a growing body of evidence that
consuming fast food product while driving presents enormous
hazards. Despite regulation that requires at least one hand on the
wheel at all times, much of currently available food product and
its packaging is not designed with this regulation in mind. It is
difficult, if not impossible, for example, for one to safely
consume a food product that may need a condiment or other
taste-enhancing feature. Additionally, this form of food consuming
has gained more attention since the banning in some areas of
handheld cell phones--representing a belief that mufti-tasking when
driving is hazardous.
[0004] Despite these concerns, this trend is unlikely to stop as
consumers lifestyles evolve. The fast food industry is growing and
the automotive industry continues to provide in-vehicle accessories
and interiors to promote eating and drinking. All this presents
opportunities to packaging manufacturers and their food processing
clients to develop packaging integrated food solutions especially
for convenience-oriented consumers while in transport.
[0005] There is a need to offer a variety of convenience-enhancing
multiple compartmentalized food trays that take into account driver
ergonomics, including the encumbrance consuming food while driving
places on the driver and passengers, and existing accessories that
currently exist in vehicles. This invention provides for a unique
approach that achieves this objective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the food
container system comprises a first tray member and at least one
smaller tray member, wherein the smaller tray member is formed with
a shaped channel into its underside so that the rim of the first
tray may be inserted into the shaped channel. The first tray member
acts as the primary supporting means for the smaller second tray
member so that a complementary combination of food items may be
associated more effectively and will further be efficiently handed
from one person to another. For example, the first tray member may
contain corn chips or vegetables and a smaller second tray may
contain a complementary condiment thereby providing enhanced
utility to consumers. Ideally, the weight distribution between the
first and the at least one smaller tray member is such that when
they are integrated together by inserting the rim of the first tray
member into the shaped channel of the smaller second tray member,
the integrated food container system is able to stand alone and be
held up by the base first tray.
[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, the food container
system comprises a first tray member and a lid member, that when in
its typical market display mode, the food container system stands
upright with the base of the first tray member supported on, say, a
shelf and the mouth of the lid member is attached to the mouth of
the tray member in order to protect its contents using a detachable
interlocking arrangement. The detachable interlocking arrangement
may be a releaseably lockable snap-fit lock mechanism that ensures
that the lid member and the tray member are held firmly together as
the food container system is transported. Further, the lid member
is formed firstly with a raised roof such that when the said lid
member is inverted, it acts as a second smaller tray that can be
used to hold additional foodstuff, and secondly with a shaped
channel into which the rim of the first tray may be inserted. As in
with the prior embodiment, the weight distribution between the
first and second tray members are such that the integrated food
container system is held up by the base tray when placed on a
supporting surface, such as a table. Alternatively, the first tray
member may be formed so that it can be held by the consumer with
one hand, thereby leaving the consumer's other hand to access the
food items in both tray members.
[0008] This invention is a novel plastic packaging solution that
improves significantly on the convenience and therefore
marketability of food product.
[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present
invention showing the disassembled smaller second tray member and
first tray member.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled container
system in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the container system in FIG.
1 but with the smaller second tray member inverted.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the container system in FIG.
3 assembled ready for use by the consumer.
[0015] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the assembled container
system in FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 4B is an exploded fragmentary sectional view of area
P-P of the container system in FIG. 4A.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
present invention showing the disassembled smaller second tray
member and first tray member.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the container system in FIG.
5 but with the smaller second tray member inverted.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the container system in FIG.
6 assembled and ready for use by the consumer.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an elevation side view of another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the container system in FIG.
8 showing the smaller second tray member assembled to the first
tray member.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the smaller second tray
member of the container system in FIG. 8.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the container
system in FIG. 8 taken along the line N-N in FIG. 9.
[0024] FIG. 12 is an elevation side view of another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the container system in FIG.
12 showing the smaller second tray member inverted and assembled to
the first tray member.
[0026] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the smaller second tray
member of the container system in FIG. 12.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of the container
system in FIG. 13 taken along the line 0-0.
[0028] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the container system in FIG.
16 showing the smaller second tray member inverted and assembled to
the first tray member.
[0030] FIG. 18 is an elevation view of the container system in FIG.
17.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view of the container
system in FIG. 18 taken along the line P-P.
[0032] FIG. 20 is an elevation side view of one container system of
the container systems in FIG. 16 stacked upon another identical
container system.
[0033] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are described. This
invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein; rather, the embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0035] Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there
is shown a rigid polymer construct food container system 1
according to the present invention. The food container system 1
comprises a first tray member 4 and a second smaller tray member 2.
The second smaller tray member 2 is designed to also act as a lid
member when it is inverted as shown. To achieve an assembled,
"ready-for-sale" condition, the smaller second tray member rim 8 of
the food container system 1 is configured so that it mates with the
first tray member rim 16. Such attachment is achieved by the use of
an annular snap-fit lock mechanism wherein the smaller second tray
member rim 8 is releaseably lockable to the first tray member rim
16. The second smaller tray member 2 comprises a planar surface 3
that is lower relative to the smaller second tray member rim 8 but
above the floor footing 5 thereby forming a cavity 23 in the second
smaller tray member 2, and a curvilinear shaped channel 14 that is
further configured to be similar to that of the first tray member
rim 16. The shaped channel 14 is further defined by inner sidewall
10 and an opposing outer sidewall 12 between which the first tray
member rim 16 is inserted. This feature is exemplified in more
detail in FIGS. 3 & 4. Turning first, however, to FIG. 2,
therein is shown a cross-sectional view of the assembled,
"ready-for-sale" container system in FIG. 1. The snap-fit lock
mechanism that is used to releaseably lock the smaller second tray
member 2 to the first tray member 4 is further exemplified here.
Snap-fit locks have in common the principle that a protruding part
of one component, e.g., a hook, stud or bead, is deflected briefly
during the joining operation and is lodged in a complementary
configured depression in the complementary mating component. In
this instance, the snap-fit lock mechanism, as shown, is of an
annular ring type wherein a continuous circumferential female
groove 9 is formed immediately adjacent to the second smaller tray
member rim 8 and which that mates with a complementary continuous
circumferential male rib 11 formed at the first tray member rim 16.
When the smaller second tray member 2 and the first tray member 4
are assembled in this manner with foodstuff within it, the
container system 1 is in a "ready-for-sale" condition. It will be
appreciated that the annular ring snap-fit approach provides
resistance to leakage that would not be offered by discrete or
non-annular (e.g. hook, stud) type snap-fit lock mechanisms. The
planar surface 3 of the second smaller tray member 2 is elevated
above the second smaller tray member rim 8 by distance H. The
distance h between the floor 18 of the shaped channel 14 and the
plane of the first tray member rim 16 is preferably not greater
than the distance H.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 3, therein is shown the embodiment in
FIG. 1 but with the second smaller tray member 2 inverted. The
second smaller tray member 2 is shown inverted to display tray
recess 19 into which other foodstuff may be placed. For
illustrative purposes, shown is a polymer film or foil 25 that may
be used to optionally retain the foodstuff within its respective
tray recess 7 of first tray member 4. In a similar manner, the
foodstuff in the second smaller tray member 2 may optionally be
retained within its tray recess 19 with a foil (not shown). Turning
to FIG. 4, therein is shown the container system in FIG. 3 with the
inverted second smaller tray member 2 attached to the first tray
member 4 to form an integrated food container system 21. Attachment
of the inverted second smaller tray member 2 to the first tray
member 4 is achieved by inserting any segment of the first tray
member rim 16 into the shaped channel 14 of the inverted second
smaller tray member 2 and causing an interference fit between the
inner and outer sidewalls 10, 12 of the second smaller tray member
2 and the first tray member rim 16. FIG. 4A shows an elevation side
view of the assembled container system in FIG. 4. Turning now to
FIG. 4B, therein is shown an enlarged cross-sectional view of the
area P-P in FIG. 4A showing the interlocking arrangement between
the first tray member rim 16 of the first tray member 4 and the
inverted second smaller tray member 2. The inner sidewall 10 and
outer sidewall 12 are formed at an angle toward each other so that,
together, they enable an interference fit with the first tray
member 4 at the tray inner wall 13 and at the first tray member rim
16. Further, as shown, when inserted fully, the shaped channel
floor 18 preferably sits on the first tray member rim 16 so that
the planes of the mouths of the second tray member 2 and the first
tray member 4 approximately coincide. The consumer has then a
number of options including placing the base of first tray member 4
into, say, an automobile center consol cup-holder or holding the
first tray member 4 with one hand while using their free hand to
access the foodstuff in both the first and second tray recesses.
For example, sliced carrots may be placed into the first tray
member recess 7 and a salad dressing placed into the smaller second
tray member recess 19.
[0037] Turning now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, therein are shown
renditions of another embodiment of the present invention. In these
renditions, when the second smaller tray member 2 is inverted, the
curvilinear configuration of the shaped channel 14 is such that it
will mate with the first tray member rim 16 only at the
complementary curvilinear extended tray rim segment 28 of the first
tray member rim 16 as only here is the radius of the shaped channel
14 similar to that of the curvilinear extended tray rim segment 28.
Additionally, the shaped channel inner sidewalls 10, 26 & 20
and opposing outer sidewalls 12, 24 & 22 are formed at an angle
toward each other so that, together, they make a mechanical
attachment with the first tray member rim 16 when said curvilinear
extended tray rim segment 28 is inserted into the shaped channel 14
in a similar manner as exemplified in FIG. 4B. In this embodiment,
the cross-sectional area of the mouth of the tray member defined by
the first tray member rim 16 is less restricted as compared with
the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1.
[0038] Turning to FIGS. 8 & 9, therein are illustrations of a
preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the smaller second
tray member 2 and first tray member 4 are secured to each other
using screw thread connections to achieve a "ready-for-sale"
condition.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows the second smaller tray member 2 inverted and
attached to the first tray member 4 to form an integrated food
container system 21, and as illustrated, the male helical thread 40
in the second smaller tray member 2 is formed on the tapered
surface 41, and designed to engage a similarly configured but
complementary helical female thread 38 formed on the inner wall 13.
When engaged in this manner, the faying surfaces 34, 36 of the tray
members 2, 4 respectively, in concert with the threaded
connections, makes leak-resistant the container system. Turning to
FIG. 10, therein is illustrated an isometric view of the second
smaller tray member 2 of the embodiment in FIGS. 8 & 9. As
shown, a discrete male rib thread 42 is formed on the outer
sidewall 12, and that is used to secure the inverted second smaller
tray member 2 to the first tray member rim 16. The manner of
engagement of the inverted second smaller tray member 2 is further
exemplified in FIG. 11 which is a cross-sectional view of the
container system 1 in FIG. 10 taken along the line N-N. Attaching
the inverted second smaller tray member 2 to the first tray member
4 is achieved by placing the first tray member rim 16 into the
shaped channel 14 and then sliding said shaped channel 14 along the
tray rim so that the discrete male rib thread 42 slides along the
female groove thread 38 of the first tray member 4; and the
opposing resistance caused by the force between the inner sidewall
10 and the first tray member rim 16 results in an interference fit
that firmly holds the inverted second smaller tray member 2 and
first tray member 4 together.
[0040] Turning now to FIGS. 12, 13, 14 & 15, therein is shown
renditions of another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment
possesses all the features of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8,
9, 10 & 11, except that securing the inverted second smaller
tray member 2 to the first member 4 is further facilitated by a
discrete male protuberance 44. Commonly referred to as a stud
snap-fit lock, securing the inverted second smaller tray member 2
to the tray is achieved by sliding the shaped channel 14 along the
first tray member rim 16 as previously described and exemplified in
FIGS. 8, 9, 10 & 11, and by further ensuring that the discrete
male protuberance 44 in the smaller second tray member 2 "snaps"
into the complementary female depression 46 of the first tray
member 4.
[0041] Turning to FIGS. 16, 17, 18 & 19, therein are shown
another rigid polymer construct embodiment of a further enhancement
of the previously described embodiment of the present invention,
the enhancement being the formation of a male protuberance 53 that
is formed into the floor of the shaped channel 14 and a
complementary female slot 54 formed to accept the male protuberance
53. The coupling of the two tray members is further enhanced by the
use of a snap-fit grip mechanical means. In these illustrations,
shown formed into the male protuberance 53 is a discrete rib edge
56 that mechanically engages a corresponding complementary ledge 58
in the female slot 54 to help secure the smaller second tray member
2 to the first tray member 4.
[0042] Turning to FIG. 20, therein is shown a first container
system 50 stacked upon a second container system 52 of the present
invention. The dimensions and configuration of the base 48 of the
tray member 4 are such that it permits a close fit with cavity 23
formed in the top of the lid member 2. The stacking feature of the
container system to facilitate transportation, as well as display
at the market.
[0043] FIG. 21 shows a different embodiment of the present
invention that does not utilize the smaller second tray members to
act as a lid that mates with the mouth of the first tray member. As
shown, there is illustrated a first tray member 4 to which is
attached two smaller tray members 60, 62. The manner of attachment
of the smaller tray members 60, 62 to the first tray member 4 have
previously been described.
[0044] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *