U.S. patent application number 16/782513 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-04 for tray with re-closeable lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to Biery Cheese Co.. The applicant listed for this patent is Biery Cheese Co.. Invention is credited to Benjamin H. Biery.
Application Number | 20200172300 16/782513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58097553 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200172300 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Biery; Benjamin H. |
June 4, 2020 |
TRAY WITH RE-CLOSEABLE LID
Abstract
A tray for displaying a product for sale, where the tray
includes a re-closeable lid. The tray includes a base having a
peripheral side wall with a rim bounding an opening to a cavity
which retains the product. A portion of the lid is permanently
engaged with a section of the base. The rest of the lid is
selectively engageable with the rest of the base and is movable
between open and closed positions. When closed, a part of the lid
is positioned laterally adjacent the rim and is located in a common
plane therewith. The edges of the rim and lid frictionally engage
each other to secure the base and lid together. The movable part of
the lid, which includes a frame member and flexible film, rotate
about a living hinge in the frame member. A latching mechanism is
engaged to keep the lid and base engaged.
Inventors: |
Biery; Benjamin H.;
(Louisville, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Biery Cheese Co. |
Louisville |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Biery Cheese Co.
Louisville
OH
|
Family ID: |
58097553 |
Appl. No.: |
16/782513 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16416360 |
May 20, 2019 |
10589906 |
|
|
16782513 |
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|
14836171 |
Aug 26, 2015 |
10329064 |
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16416360 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/566 20130101;
B65D 75/36 20130101; B65D 85/76 20130101; B65D 2575/368 20130101;
B65D 75/366 20130101; B65D 43/162 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/16 20060101
B65D043/16; B65D 75/36 20060101 B65D075/36 |
Claims
1. A re-closeable tray comprising: a base having a bottom wall, a
peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and
terminating in a rim; wherein the base defines a cavity adapted to
receive an article therein, and wherein the rim defines an opening
to the cavity; and wherein the bottom wall includes: at least a
first section and a second section, wherein the second section
angles downwardly from the rim toward a first end of the first
section.
2. The tray as defined in claim 1, wherein the first section is
planar and is oriented generally parallel to the rim of the
base.
3. The tray as defined in claim 1, wherein the second section is
oriented at an obtuse angle relative to the first section.
4. The tray as defined in claim 1, further comprising a depression
defined in the second section.
5. The tray as defined in claim 4, further comprising a ramp
extending upwardly from the first section and into the
depression.
6. The tray as defined in claim 5, wherein the ramp is spaced a
distance away from the second section such that a gap is defined
between an exterior side wall of the ramp and an interior side wall
of the second section that defines the depression.
7. The tray as defined in claim 5, wherein a top surface of the
ramp is oriented at an angle relative to the first section that is
different to the angle between the second section and the first
section.
8. The tray as defined in claim 1, wherein the bottom wall further
comprises a third section that angles downwardly from the rim
toward a second end of the first section.
9. The tray as defined in claim 8, wherein the first section and
the third section are oriented at an obtuse angle relative to each
other.
10. The tray as defined in claim 8, wherein the second section is
oriented at a first obtuse angle relative to the first section, and
the third section is oriented at a second obtuse angle relative to
the first section, and wherein the first obtuse angle and the
second obtuse angle are different.
11. The tray as defined in claim 10, further comprising at least
one depression defined in the third section.
12. The tray as defined in claim 11, wherein the at least one
depression comprises a first depression and a second depression
defined in the third section, and wherein the first depression and
the second depression are laterally spaced from each other.
13. The tray as defined in claim 11, further comprising a ramp
extending upwardly from the first section and into the at least one
depression; and wherein the ramp is spaced from an interior side
wall of the third section that defines the at least one
depression.
14. The tray as defined in claim 13, wherein a top surface of the
ramp is oriented at an angle relative to the first section that is
different from the angle between the second section and the third
section.
15. The tray as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of ribs provided on an interior surface of the peripheral side
wall.
16. A method of selling and storing food for later usage comprising
steps of: providing a tray comprising a base defining a cavity for
receiving the food therein; and a lid, where a portion of the lid
is fixedly secured to a section of the base and a rest of the lid
is retained on a remainder of the base by friction and a plurality
of bridging members that extend along a line of weakness in the
lid; displaying the tray in a store; lifting the rest of the lid
away from the remainder of the base to break the bridging members;
rotating the lid to an open position about an axis which extends
along at least one living hinge on the lid; removing part of the
food from the cavity; rotating the lid to a closed position to
where an interior edge of a frame member of the lid is positioned
adjacent an exterior edge a rim of the base; and frictionally
retaining the lid and base together.
17. The method as defined in claim 16, further comprising a step of
inserting a boss on the lid into a complementary depression on the
base to lock the lid and base together.
18. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising a step of
moving a frame member of the lid into a common plane with the rim
on the base.
19. The method as defined in claim 18, further comprising a step of
smoothing the frame member into alignment with the rim on the base
and creating a suction on a film member provided on the lid.
20. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the step of
displaying the tray in a store includes hanging the tray on a store
display using a hang tag provided on one other the other of the lid
and base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/416,360 filed May 20, 2019, which is a
divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/836,171, filed
Aug. 26, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates generally to devices used to display
articles for sale and which may subsequently be used to temporarily
store the articles as they are used over a period of time. More
particularly, this invention is directed to a device utilized in
the sale and subsequent temporary storage of food products such as
cheese or cold cuts of meat. Specifically, the invention is a tray
including a base and a re-closeable lid, where part of the lid is
permanently attached to the base and another part of the lid is
movable between an open and closed position about a living hinge
and when in a closed position is retained in side-by-side
engagement with the base by friction.
Background Information
[0003] Food products, such as cheese, may be sold in stores in a
variety of different ways. In some instances, blocks of cheese may
be vacuum packed or shrink-wrapped in plastic packaging that then
closely approximates the contours of the cheese block or slices. In
other instances slices of cheese or grated cheese is packaged in
plastic bags under vacuum or modified atmosphere conditions. These
bags may include a zipper structure which enables the bags to be
reclosed after initial opening. The bags may also include a hang
tag that permits the bag to be hung on a display in a refrigerated
unit.
[0004] In other instances, blocks or slices of cheese or cold cuts
of meat may be placed in thermoformed polypropylene trays that are
sealed with a flexible film or with a rigid film. The food product
is retained within a modified atmosphere within the interior of the
tray. In some instances, the trays may include detached lids which
enable a consumer to open the tray, remove the food product
therefrom and then snap-fit the lid back onto the tray, locking the
food product within the interior.
SUMMARY
[0005] There is still a need in the art for a simple and relatively
inexpensive re-closeable container that may be used to both display
a product for sale and store that product for use over a period of
time.
[0006] A tray for displaying a product for sale, where the tray
includes a re-closeable lid. The tray includes a base having a
peripheral side wall with a rim bounding an opening to a cavity
which retains the product. A portion of the lid is permanently
engaged with a section of the base. The rest of the lid is
selectively engageable with the rest of the base and is movable
between open and closed positions. When closed, a part of the lid
is positioned laterally adjacent the rim and is located in a common
plane therewith. The edges of the rim and lid frictionally engage
each other to secure the base and lid together. The movable part of
the lid, which includes a frame member and flexible film, rotate
about a living hinge in the frame member. A latching mechanism is
engaged to keep the lid and base engaged.
[0007] In one aspect, the invention may provide a re-closeable tray
comprising a base having a peripheral side wall with a rim, said
base defining a cavity adapted to receive an article for sale
therein, and wherein the rim defines an opening to the cavity; a
lid, wherein a portion of the lid is permanently engaged with a
section of the base and the rest of the lid is movable between an
open position where the cavity is accessible and a closed position
where the cavity is not accessible; and when the lid is in the
closed position, a part of the lid is positioned laterally adjacent
the rim.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention may provide a tray as
described above wherein the part of the lid and the rim are located
in a common plane or where the rim is located substantially at
right angles to the peripheral side wall of the base and the part
of the lid is similarly oriented when the lid is in the closed
position.
[0009] In another aspect the invention may provide a tray as
described above wherein an exterior edge of the rim is laterally
adjacent an interior edge of the part of the lid when the lid is in
the closed position or wherein an exterior edge of the rim and an
interior edge of the part of the lid frictionally engage each other
when the lid is in the closed position.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention may provide a method of
selling and storing food for later usage comprising the steps of
providing a tray comprising a base defining a cavity for receiving
the food therein; and a lid, where a portion of the lid is fixedly
secured to a section of the base and the rest of the lid is
retained on the rest of the base by friction and a plurality of
bridging members which extend along a line of weakness in the lid;
displaying the tray in a store; purchasing the tray; lifting the
rest of the lid away from the rest of the base to break the
bridging members; rotating the lid to an open position about an
axis which extends along at least one living hinge on the lid;
removing part of the food from the cavity; rotating the lid to the
closed position to where an interior edge of a frame member of the
lid is positioned adjacent an exterior edge a rim of the base; and
frictionally retaining the lid and base together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A sample embodiment of the invention is set forth in the
following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly
and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended
claims.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food storage tray in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention showing a lid of
the tray in a closed position on a base of the tray;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the tray of FIG. 1 with
a transparent film of the lid removed therefrom;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of the tray with the lid moved to an
open position and showing a cavity defined in the base;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the tray in the closed position;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a left side view thereof;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a right side view thereof;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a first end view thereof;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a second end view thereof;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross-section taken along line 10-10 of FIG.
4;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a second end view of the tray with the lid
thereof in a partially opened position;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the tray as shown in
FIG. 11;
[0024] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the highlighted region of
FIG. 1; and
[0025] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the highlighted region of
FIG. 12.
[0026] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, there is shown a re-closeable tray
in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, generally
indicated herein by reference character 10. Tray 10 comprises a
base 12 and a lid 14. Base 12 defines a cavity 16 therein (FIG. 2)
which is shaped and sized to receive one or more articles or
products for sale and use therein. One such article or product may
be a food product such as a block or slices of cheese or cold cuts
of meat. It will be understood however, that tray 10 may be used to
display and store a wide range of products, such as fasteners, for
example. The terms "product", "article", food product", or "cheese"
used herein should be understood to be representative of any type
of article or product that may be displayed and/or sold in tray 10
and then subsequently stored therein as the product is used over a
period of time.
[0028] A section of lid 14 is fixedly and generally permanently
secured to a portion of base 12, as will be further described
herein. This secure attachment of lid 14 to base 12 ensures that
the lid will not become misplaced once the tray 10 has been opened.
There is also less likelihood of contamination because the user
does not have to place the lid on a surrounding surface. The
securement of lid 14 on base 12 also makes it easier to close tray
after use as the lid 14 and base 12 will be properly aligned with
each other.
[0029] The remaining part of lid 14 is detachably engaged with the
rest of base 12. Lid 14 is selectively rotatable between a closed
position (FIG. 1) where access to cavity 16 is prevented and an
open position (FIG. 3) where access to cavity 16 is possible. Lid
14 is substantially retained on base 12 via a frictional
interaction between the portion of lid 14 and section of base 12. A
latching mechanism may be provided to retain lid 14 in the closed
position to secure the food product therein. All of these component
parts of tray 10 will be described in greater detail hereafter.
[0030] Base 12 may be fabricated in a suitable material, such as a
plastic, for instance PET/EVOH/PE; and may be formed in any one of
a variety of different shapes. One of these possible shapes is the
generally rectangular shape illustrated in the attached figures.
Base 12 includes a bottom wall 18 and a peripheral side wall 20
which extends upwardly and outwardly from bottom wall 18. Bottom
wall 18 and peripheral side wall 20 together bound and define
cavity 16. The peripheral side wall 20 terminates in a rim 22 which
may be oriented generally at right angles to side wall 20. Because
base 12, as shown, is generally rectangular when viewed from above
(FIG. 3), rim 22 is also generally rectangular and includes a first
section 22a, a second section 22b, a third section 22c, and a
fourth section 22d. FIG. 3 shows that first section 22a may be
wider than each of the other sections 22b, 22c, and 22d. Rim 22 has
an interior edge 22e which bounds and defines an opening to cavity
16 and has an exterior edge 22f which forms the outermost
peripheral edge of the base 12.
[0031] Lid 14 is shaped and sized to close off access to cavity 16
and since base 12 is generally rectangular when viewed from above,
lid 14 may also be generally rectangular. As shown in FIG. 3, lid
14 may be comprised of a frame member 24 and a film member 26.
Frame member 24 includes a first portion 24a, a second portion 24b,
a third portion 24c, and a fourth portion 24d which form a
rectangular shape. First, second, third and fourth portions 24a,
24b, 24c, 24d together have an interior edge 24e which bounds and
defines an opening 28 which overlaps the opening defined by rim 22
when lid 14 is in the closed position. First, second, third and
fourth portions 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d also have an exterior edge
24f which defines the outermost perimeter of lid 14.
[0032] Film member 26 is secured in any suitable manner to frame
member 24. For instance, film member 26 may be heat welded to frame
member 24 or may be adhesively secured thereto. Film member 26 is
secured to each of first, second, third and fourth portions 24a-24
d of frame member 24, and extends outwardly beyond interior edge
24e and toward exterior edge 24f thereof. Film member 26 may be
fully or partially transparent so that the food received in cavity
16 of base 12 is fully or partially viewable therethrough.
Obviously, film member 26 may, alternatively, be fully opaque and
nothing retained within cavity 16 may be viewed from the outside.
Film member 26 may be sufficiently flexible to allow lid to be
moved easily between the open and closed positions. Film member 26
further is stiff enough and yet flexible enough to effectively seal
the opening to cavity 16 defined by rim 22 when lid 14 is moved to
the closed position.
[0033] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, first portion
24a of lid 14 is fixedly and permanently secured to first section
22a of base 12 in any suitable manner. For example, first portion
24a may be heat welded or adhesively secured to first section 22a.
The securement is such that when the lid is moved to the open
position, first portion 24a and first section 22a will not
disengage each other. For all intents and purposes first portion
24a and first section 22a become a single component once suitably
bonded. Alternatively, instead of first portion 24a being secured
to first section 22a, first portion 24a, and first section 22a may
be molded as an integral, single, or monolithic unit during
fabrication of tray 10.
[0034] The remaining portions 24b, 24c and 24d of frame member 24
are not permanently secured to base 12 but may be selectively and
temporarily engaged therewith when lid 14 is moved to a closed
position, as will be discussed later herein. When lid 14 is moved
to the closed position, interior edge 24e of frame member 24 may be
disposed adjacent exterior edge 22f of rim 22 or at least proximate
thereto. Additionally, frame member 24 and rim 22 may be generally
aligned along a common plane. In other words, frame member 24,
except for first portion 24a thereof, is positioned in the same
plane as rim 22. As illustrated in the attached figures, frame
member 24 is located a distance laterally outwardly beyond rim 22
as this provides for the best sealing of the opening to cavity 16.
However, in other instances it may be desirable for tray 10 to be
configured so that frame member 24 is located laterally inwardly of
rim 22.
[0035] So, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention,
frame member 24 may be bigger than rim 22 of base 12. Referring to
FIG. 3, rim 22 is shown to have a length "L1" and a width "W1"
while frame member 24 is shown to have a length "L2" and a width
"W2". Length "L2" is greater than length "L1". Similarly, width
"W2" is greater than width "W1".
[0036] As discussed above, during fabrication of tray 10, lid 14,
and rim 22 are molded and bonded together along first section 22a
and first portion 24a. Additionally, a plurality of small bridging
elements 30 extend between interior edge 24e of frame member 24 and
exterior edge 22f of rim 22. The bridging elements retain rim 22
and frame member 24 in a common plane and in edge-to-edge
orientation relative to each other. There is a small gap defined
between interior edge 24e of frame member 24 and exterior edge 22f
of rim 22. Interior edge 24e, exterior edge 22f, and bridging
elements 30 together form a line of weakness in tray 10. This line
of weakness, identified by the number 32 in FIG. 1, is generally
U-shaped when viewed from the top and originates proximate a first
end of the bonded first section 22a and first portion 24a and
terminates proximate a second end thereof.
[0037] In accordance with another aspect, the invention may provide
one or more lift tabs 34 which extend outwardly beyond the exterior
edge 24f of frame member 24. Lift tabs 34 may be provided adjacent
the corners of frame member 24 where second and third portions 24b,
24c and second and fourth portions 24b, 24d meet. Lift tabs 34 may
additionally or alternatively be provided anywhere else on frame
member 24. Each lift tab 34 may be curved so as to reduce the
likelihood of hurting a user who attempts to grasp the same to open
lid 14. Lift tabs 34 provide the user with an enlarged gripping
surface to grasp when they move lid 14 from the closed position to
the open position or vice versa. The possible movement of lid 14 is
indicated by arrow "A" in FIGS. 11, 12 and 14.
[0038] During opening of tray 10 for the first time, lid 14 is
lifted upwardly and outwardly in the direction of arrow "A". This
motion moves frame member 24 out of alignment with rim 22 and
causes bridging elements 30 to break, thus permitting frame member
24 to move independent of rim 22. The lifting motion causes frame
member 24 to bend back over the bonded first portion 24a and first
section 22a. The bending occurs along an axis which passes through
two regions of frame which are identified in FIGS. 11 and 12 by the
reference character 36. These regions are part of frame member 24
and because the bending motion occurs along these regions, these
regions act as living hinges 36. Because film 26 is secured to
frame member 24, as frame member 24 pivots about an axis running
along living hinges 36, that portion 26a of film 26 which extends
between the two living hinges 36 will tend to fold and lid 14 is
therefore openable to the position shown in FIG. 3. When lid 14 is
in this open position, the product within the cavity 16 is
accessible to the user.
[0039] Lid 14 may be closed by reversing the steps identified
above, In this instance, frame member 24 of lid 14 is rotated about
the axis extending along living hinges 36 until second, third and
fourth portions 24b, 24c, 24d thereof are once again generally
aligned along a common plane with rim 22. Second, third and fourth
portions 24b-24d are located laterally outwardly of rim 22 and in
such a way that exterior edge 22f of rim 22 is located adjacent and
generally parallel to interior edge 24e of frame member 24.
[0040] Tray 10 may be provided with a latching mechanism to aid in
retaining lid 14 in this closed position. One suitable type of
latching mechanism is illustrated herein and comprises one or more
depressions formed in one or the other or both of lid 14 and rim 22
and one or more complementary bosses provided in the other of the
lid 14 and rim 22. As illustrated herein, depressions 38 are
defined in an uppermost surface of rim 22 proximate exterior edge
22e thereof and adjacent the corners of tray 10 opposed to bonded
first portion 24a and first section 22a. Complementary positioned,
shaped, and sized bosses 40 are provided on the inside surface of
frame member 24. Apart from the secured first portion 24a and first
section 22a, the only region that frame member 24 overlaps any part
of rim 22 is a small area proximate each of the two corners of tray
10 where the bosses and depressions are located. As illustrated in
the attached figures, particularly FIG. 3, the depression 38, and
boss 40 are discrete area located in the proximity of the corners
of frame member 24 and lift tabs 34. When lid 14 is moved to the
closed position, the user will run their hand along the uppermost
surface of frame member 24. This will cause frame member 24 to
align with rim 22 and will cause bosses 40 to enter depressions 38.
Bosses 40 will snap-fit into depressions 38. Thus, lid 14 is
retained in a latched position relative to rim 22 by friction
between interior and exterior edges 24e, 22f and depressions and
bosses 38, 40. Even remnants of the bridging elements 30, which had
to be broken during initial opening of lid 14, add in frictionally
latching frame member 24 and rim 22 together. Thus, moving lid 14
to the closed position and smoothing the same to cause latching
engagement between frame 24 and rim 22 closes and at least somewhat
seals tray 14 because film member 26 is brought into sealing
contact with the uppermost surface of rim 22. The slight downwardly
pressure provided on frame member 24 also creates a type of minor
vacuum seal of film member 26 to rim 22.
[0041] In accordance with another aspect, the invention may provide
a hang tag 42 on one or both of lid 14 and base 12. As illustrated
herein, hang tag 42 is provided only on lid 14. Hang tag 42 permits
tray 10 to be suspended in a product display in a store. Lid 14
will not pop open when tray 10 is suspended via hang tag 42 because
the bridging elements 30 remain intact until a consumer purchases
tray 10 and its product contents and opens the same. Once the
bridging elements 30 are broken, using the hang tag 42 may cause
the tray 10 to accidentally pop open.
[0042] In accordance with another aspect, the invention may provide
a base 12 having a sloped and shaped bottom wall and side walls.
These sloped and shaped walls may serve multiple purposes including
providing surfaces within the interior of tray 10 which will better
display a product to be sold therein. Additionally or
alternatively, the sloped and shaped walls may provide for improved
air circulation around a product retained within tray or may
provide areas for liquids from the product to drain into and
thereby keep the product out of the same. A variety of different
shapes and configurations of base 12 may be utilized in conjunction
with the re-closeable and re-sealable lid 14.
[0043] The attached figures illustrate one possible configuration
for the molded base 12. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, base 12
includes a bottom wall 18 (FIG. 2) and side walls 20. Bottom wall
18 includes a first section 18a, second section 18b, and a third
section 18c. First section 18a is generally planar and second and
third sections 18b, 18c angle outwardly away from opposite ends of
first section 18a and generally in the same direction. FIGS. 6 and
7 show that second section 18b may be longer and of a shallower
angle than third section 18c. First section 18a may be molded to
include a pair of laterally spaced apart projections 18d.
Projections 18d appear as depressions on the interior surface of
second section 18b (as shown in FIG. 2) and as projections on the
exterior surface thereof (as shown on FIG. 6). Each projection 18d
may be generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above as in
FIG. 3. The projections 18d may be generally triangular when viewed
from the side (FIGS. 6 & 7). FIG. 2 shows that a generally
triangular detent 42 may be molded into the interior of each
projection 18d. Detent 42 extends inwardly into the depression on
the interior surface of second section 18d and may appear as a
recess on the exterior surface of second section 18d (as
illustrated in FIG. 3). Detent 42 tapers in height from a back wall
of projection 18d to the front opening thereof. A generally
semi-circular shelf 44 may be molded into each of the corners of
second section 18b. Shelves 44 appear as recesses within the
interior of tray 14 but as projections on the exterior thereof.
This may be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. Second section 18b of bottom
wall 18 may form all or part of the upper end wall of tray 10.
[0044] Third section 18c is molded to include a single projection
18e which takes the form of a depression on the interior surface of
base 12 and a projection on the exterior surface of base 12.
Projection 18e is generally rectangular when viewed from above and
is generally centered longitudinally between projections 18d.
Projection 18e is generally triangular when viewed from the side
(FIGS. 6 and 7). A generally triangular detent 46 is molded into a
central region of projection 18e and this detent 46 tapes in height
from a back wall of projection 18e toward a front opening therein.
Detent 46 may appear as a projection on the interior surface of
base 12 and as a recess on the exterior surface thereof. Generally
semi-circular shelves 48 may be molded into the corners of third
section 18c and may appear as recesses within the interior of tray
10 and projections on the exterior surface thereof as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0045] Base 12 also includes side walls 20 which are connected
along their lower edges to second section 18b, first section 18a,
and third section 18c of bottom wall 18. Each of the first and
second side walls 20 may include strengthening ribs 50 molded into
the same. Each rib 50 may project outwardly from the exterior
surface of base 12 and may comprise a groove defined in the
interior surface thereof. Ribs 50 may be substantially parallel to
each other and oriented generally at right angles to first section
18a of bottom wall 18. Rim 22 is provided at the uppermost ends of
each side walls 20, second section 18b, and third section 18c of
bottom wall 18. The rim 22 may be oriented generally parallel to
first section 18a of bottom wall 18.
[0046] Tray 10 is used in the following manner. An article for sale
is placed within cavity 16 of tray 10, and if necessary or
desirable, a thin protective film (not shown) is bonded to a
portion of rim 22 to seal the article for sale within cavity 16.
The atmosphere between the thin protective film and bottom and side
walls 18, 20 of tray 10 may be modified to increase the shelf life
of the product retained in cavity 16 if that product is, for
instance, a food product such as cheese or meat. The particular
atmospheric modification will be selected based on the food
product, as is well known in the art.
[0047] Lid 14 is applied to base 12, first portion 24a of lid 14 is
bonded to first section 22a of rim 22, and bosses 40 are
frictionally engaged in depressions 38. (At this point bridging
members 30 remain intact). Thus, film member 26 may be positioned
outwardly of any thin protective film used to seal the article for
sale within tray 10. Tray 10 and its contents are ready for
shipping and display. When tray 10 reaches the store in which it is
to be sold, several trays 10 may be stacked one on top of the other
with the base 12 of an upper tray 10 being placed on the lid 14 of
the tray 10 immediately below it. Alternatively, hang tag 42 may be
utilized to suspend tray 10 on a store display.
[0048] Once a consumer has purchased the tray 10 and its contents,
they are able to open up tray 10 to access the contents thereof.
The user will grasp one of lift tabs 34 and will pull lid upwardly
(FIG. 9). Because of the frangible nature of frame member 24 (by
virtue of the line of weakness 32 and small bridging members 30),
frame member 24 will pull away from rim 22 on base 12 breaking
bridging members 30 as it is pulled upwardly. Since frame member 24
is permanently sealed to only the first section 22a of base 12, the
rest of frame member 24 (portions 24b, 24c, and 24d) will move away
from rim 22 and rotate about living hinges 36 to the position shown
in FIG. 3. If a thin protective film has been secured to rim 22,
then that film may now be pulled free and discarded. The user is
now free to gain access to the article retained within cavity 16 of
base 12.
[0049] If it is desired to close tray 10 so that some of the
article retained within cavity 16 may be utilized at a later time,
the user will rotate lid 14 back to the closed position. Once frame
member 24 is generally seated adjacent rim 22, the user will smooth
down lid 14 by running their hands along each of the second, third,
and fourth portions 24b, 24c, and 24d of frame member 24, as
described earlier herein. This smoothing action may occur in the
direction indicated by arrows "B" and "C" in FIG. 4. This smoothing
motion will cause frame member 24 to move back into a common plane
with rim 22 and will cause bosses 40 to enter and become engaged in
depressions 38. Film member 26 not only allows the contents of tray
10 to be seen from the outside but also acts as a protective
barrier against contamination of the contents thereof from outside
sources. Additionally, the smoothing motion of film member 26 along
rim 22 creates a slight suction which helps retain lid 14 on base
12, thereby effectively sealing tray 10. After opening, tray will
typically be stored so that the bottom wall 18a of base 12 will
rest on a flat surface.
[0050] Other modifications to tray 10 may be possible. For
instance, frame member 24 may be provided with strengthening ribs
which run either parallel to the length of one of the portions
24b-24d or at right angles thereto. Additionally, instead of
discrete depressions 38 and bosses 40, the opposing surfaces of rim
22 and frame member 24 may be provided with an interlocking groove
and ridge to help latch lid 14 to base 12.
[0051] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0052] Moreover, the description and illustration set out herein
are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact
details shown or described.
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