Protective hood for carry-out food and foldable blank therefor

Abstract

A protective hood for covering prepared carry-out food including a generally vertically extending sleeve with an open bottom and an overhead covering member. The sleeve is provided with food container support or retention means. The hood is assembled for selective folded or erected condition. A blank comprising a series of sections integrally hinged to each other along common sides includes an overhead cover panel integrally hinged to one of the sections along an upper edge or portion thereof and means for supporting or retaining a food container when the hood is in assembled and erected condition.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for covering prepared food, such as carry-out products of drive-in type restaurants and the like, which food is to be transported away from the location of its preparation prior to consumption thereof. In the carry-out food trade, which is highly competitive, there occurs from time to time shortcomings requiring change in packaging of the food to improve both quality in taste and appearance of the product to enhance the dining pleasure of the consumer. Frequently, carry-out food is found to be undesirably cold, crushed, soggy, dirty, and/or otherwise unattractive. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for shielding prepared food from dust and dirt in the atmosphere. Moreover, it is an object of this invention to provide an enclosure for prepared carry-out food served on a platter, such as meat and vegetables, on a plate, such as a sandwich, or in a tray, such as French fried potatoes, onion rings, or the like.

It is also an object of this invention to prevent carry-out food from becoming crushed.

It is further an object of this invention to provide means for retaining the heat of food which is prepared hot, and to prevent such food from becoming soggy, and to otherwise maintain the pleasing appearance of the food.

In the general practice of the carry-out food trade, in which sandwiches and hot food in platters are wrapped in metal foil or paper, there is a tendency for the food to become crushed. In the case of French fried potatoes and onion rings, which are packaged in paper bags closed or unclosed at the top, these fried foods tend to be unappetizing because of a tendency for the heat to be trapped and steam to be condensed, leaving the food soggy and less desirable to the consumer when the bags are closed. On the other hand, if the bags are open at the top, fried food will be cold and undesirable to the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in summary, the present invention provides a protective hood for covering prepared carry-out food to ensure optimum dining satisfaction commensurate with the skill of the preparer of such food and a blank for assembling such a hood. The hood takes the form of a generally vertically extending sleeve which is selectively foldable to a flat condition for shipment or storage and to an erect condition for stand-by or actual service. In erect condition, the hood has an open bottom and means for supporting and retaining a food container inserted into the hood. The means for supporting and retaining a food container within the hood may take any desired form, such as ledges or the like, though in the illustrated forms, holes are formed in the sleeve in which edge portions of a food container of suitable size may project in supported and retained condition. The hood according to the invention, of necessity, must have an overhead covering member. The covering member may be integrally formed with the sleeve in its entirety or a portion thereof, whereby a lid is provided which may be opened or closed, as desired. To enclose a food container within the sleeve of the hood, the container may be introduced into the sleeve through its open bottom or its top, depending upon various factors, such as shape of the food container, shape of the hood, and other criteria. A further advantage of the protective hood according to this invention resides in the fact that it is of tapered configuration so that a plurality of such hoods may be erected and nested upon each other in standby condition for rush-hour use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of the protective hood, according to the present invention, in erected and closed condition with a food container enclosed and retained therein;

FIG. 2 is a view of the hood of FIG. 1 prior to introduction of a food container thereinto, the food container being illustrated thereover;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the hood of FIG. 1 taken along a vertical plane;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of the hood of FIG. 1 in folded flat condition;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the hood of FIG. 1 may be assembled;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but of a second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view of the hood of FIG. 6 in perspective prior to introduction of a food container thereinto, with the food container illustrated therebelow;

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the hood of FIG. 6 taken along the plane 8--8 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view in perspective of the hood in FIG. 6 in folded flat condition;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a blank from which the hood of FIG. 6 may be assembled;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but of a third embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view of the hood of FIG. 11 in perspective prior to introduction of a food container thereinto, with the food container illustrated therebelow;

FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the hood of FIG. 11 taken along the plane 13--13 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a view in perspective of the hood of FIG. 11 in folded flat condition; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a blank from which the hood of FIG. 11 may be assembled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the protective hood H according to the present invention is seen in FIGS. 1-5. In the preferred embodiment hood H is in the form of a generally vertically extending sleeve 10 with front and rear walls or sections 12 and 14, respectively, side walls or sections 16 and 18, an overhead covering member 20. Extending from one side of side wall 16 and integral therewith along a common edge 11 is an adhesive section 22. Each of the walls or sections 12, 14, 16 and 18 are generally trapezoidal in shape and in preassembled condition, as seen in FIG. 3, are disposed in a series with wall 12 having a free edge 13. Hinge fold lines 15, 17, 19 and 11 extend between and integrally connect adjacent pairs of walls 12 and 18, 18 and 14, 14 and 16, and wall 16 and adhesive section 22 adjacent thereto, respectively. A series of holes 24, 26, 28 and 30 and a notch 32 are formed in adjacent portions of adhesive section 22, and walls 16, 14, 18 and 12 at the fold lines 11, 19, 17, 15 and free edge 13, respectively.

Overhead covering member 20 is in the form of a lid which may be selectively opened or closed and is integrally hinged to wall 14 along fold line 21. Covering member 20 includes a tuck flap 34 integrally hinged thereto along line 36. Side walls 16 and 18 are provided with foldable side flaps 38 and 40 extending therefrom along fold lines 42 and 44, respectively. Side walls 16 and 18 also include hinge lines 46 and 48 extending from top to bottom thereof, respectively, to facilitate folding of the hood 10 for shipment or storage condition. For the convenience of the consumer, a scored tear strip 50 is provided on adhesive section 22. The assembled sleeve 10 includes an open bottom 55 and an upper opening 56.

To facilitate assembly, adhesive section 22 is formed with a straight edge 52 which may be squared with edge 53 of wall 12 and hole 24 and notch 32 in superposed registered relationship after which section 22 is adhered to wall 12 to form sleeve 10, which may be stored or shipped in a folded flat condition as seen in FIG. 4.

When the hood H is to be put to use, it is erected from the folded condition of FIG. 4 to the erect condition of FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 5, walls 12 and 14 converge in the downward direction. While not shown, it is clear that walls 16 and 18 also converge in the downward direction and thus facilitate a nested stacked relationship of erected hoods H for standby use. When it is desired to introduce a food container T, such as a tray, of suitable size into sleeve 10, the container or tray T is introduced at the top since the opening 56 is larger than opening 55. The sleeve 10 is particularly suitable for use with a container T which has a tapered configuration so that it may be lowered into the sleeve until corner edge portions of the tray T are received in holes 24, 26, 28 and 20 and are supported and retained thereby in a wedge relationship. As seen in FIG. 5, the tray T is fully surrounded by sleeve 10 whereby the food contained therein is shielded from dirt and wind in the atmosphere and will not become crushed. Additionally, if the food in tray T is French fried potatoes, the holes 28 and 30 will allow a slight amount of ventilation to thereby prevent condensation of moisture so that the potatoes will remain crisp instead of becoming soggy. When the food is to be eaten, access thereto may be had by pulling tear strip 50 after which sleeve 10 unwinds and exposes the food in container T. The open bottom 55, in addition to allowing entry of food, effects a saving in material.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

A second embodiment of the present invention is presented in FIGS. 6-10, wherein a protective hood H' is provided in the form of a sleeve 110. The sleeve 110 is generally in the shape of a truncated cone diverging in the downward direction, as seen in FIG. 8. Because the sleeve 110 diverges in the downward direction, it has a bottom opening 155 of larger dimension than would be at the top of the sleeve 110. Consequently, a food container P of suitable size is introduced into sleeve 110 through bottom opening 155. Protective hood H' is particularly suitable for enclosing platter type food containers P and includes a plurality of spaced apart holes 124 and 126. Holes 124 and 126 are in the form of horizontally elongated slots and include a plurality of semi-circular extensions 125 and 127.

As seen in FIG. 10, a blank B' from which hood H' may be assembled, includes a series of generally trapezoidal walls or sections 112 and 114 integrally hinged to each other along a common side 115. On one side 117 of wall 112 is an adhesive section 122 integrally connected thereto and extending therefrom. Also extending from one side of section 114 and integrally hinged thereto along fold line 118 is an end wall or section 116 of considerably reduced length compared to walls 112 and 114. Blank B' also is provided with a plurality of extension portions along upper edges of wall sections 112, 114, and 116, namely, inwardly foldable front flap 130, inwardly foldable side flap 132, overhead covering member 120 and inwardly foldable side flap 134. Front flap 130 is integrally hinged to wall section 112 along fold line 131; side flap 132 is integrally hinged to adjacent portions of wall sections 112 and 114 along continuous fold line 133; overhead covering member is integrally hinged to wall section 114 along fold line 121; and side flap 134 is integrally hinged to adjacent portions of wall sections 114 and 116 along continuous fold line 135. Overhead covering member 120 is formed with a pair of lock tabs 140 which in use are inserted into slits 142 formed along fold line 131 for securing covering member 120 in closed condition. Semi-circular cut-outs 143 and 145 are formed as extensions to side flaps 132 and 134 along upper edges of wall sections 112 and 114 and 114 and 116, respectively. The cut-outs 143 and 145 may be adjusted to vent or closed condition. Fold lines 115 and 119 extend between wall sections 112 and 114 and through side flap 132 and between wall sections 114 and 116 and through side flap 134, respectively, to facilitate folding. A tear strip is also provided in adhesive section 122. Assembly of hood H' is achieved much in the same manner that hood H, the preferred embodiment, is assembled, as described above.

To use the hood H' as a protective hood, it is erected and placed above a platter P of suitable size, as shown in FIG. 7 and lowered over the platter P until the platter enters bottom opening 155, which is larger than an opening would be at the top of sleeve 110, and edge portions thereof pass into holes 124 and 126 and are supported and retained therein. To completely enclose the food front flap 130, side flaps 132 and 134 and diverting member 120 are folded inwardly with the latter being on top and lock tabs 140 inserted into slits 142. Semi-circular extensions 125 and 127 of holes 124 and 126, respectively, will allow some influx of air and cut-outs 143 and 145 may be adjusted to open or close position to control the volume of air circulated through the hood H'.

A third embodiment of the present invention is manifested in FIGS. 11-15 wherein a hood H" particularly adapted for shielding and protecting food or sandwiches from the atmosphere, from crushing and to maintain the food or sandwiches at an optimum temperature. The hood H" is generally in the form of a truncated cone sleeve 210 which diverges in the downward direction as seen in FIG. 13 and thus insertion of a suitable size plate P' is achieved through bottom opening 255.

As seen in FIG. 15 a blank B" is provided from which the hood H" may be assembled. Blank B" includes a series of walls or sections 212, 214 and 216 integrally hinged along adjacent fold lines thereof. An adhesive section 222 is integrally hinged to wall 212 along one edge thereof. The adhesive section includes a tear strip 250. Walls 212 and 216 are generally trapezoidal except wall 214, which extends between and connects walls 212 and 216 is of about twice the length of wall 212 or 214 and has a pair of extensions hingedly connected along upper edge portions thereof, namely side flap 232 and covering member 220 along fold lines 233 and 221, respectively. Covering member 220 includes a tuck flap 240 extending at the free end thereof. Wall 216 is provided with a side flap hingedly connected thereto along fold line 235.

Additional features of blank B" include an elongate hole 224 and 226 in wall 212 and 214, respectively, and semi-circular cut-outs 243 and 245 in walls 214 and 216, respectively. The cut-outs 243 and 245 may be open or close depending upon whether or not ventilation is desired. Semi-circular cut-outs 227 are also provided in elongate or slotted hole 226.

The hood H" is assembled to form a foldable flat sleeve 210, as seen in FIG. 14, which may be erected for stand-by condition or for use as seen in FIGS. 11-13. The sleeve 210 diverges in the downward direction so that it is generally in the form of a truncated cone with a large bottom opening 255 through which a plate P' containing a sandwich or other prepared food may be inserted into the sleeve 210. As in the second embodiment described above, projecting edge portions of plate P' enter elongate holes 224 and 226 on opposite sides of sleeve 210 to be supported and retained therein. With overhead covering member 220 being hinged to open position an empty plate P' may be manipulated from both ends of sleeve 210 until secured therein after which food may be deposited on plate P' and covering member 220 closed thereover to completely shield the food.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A protective hood for use in covering prepared food while same is held in a container and carried to destination prior to consumption thereof, said hood being foldable to a flat shipment or storage condition and erectable to a service or stand-by stacked condition and comprising:

a. a generally vertically extending sleeve with means for supporting and retaining a food container enclosed within said sleeve;

b. an open bottom; and

c. an overhead covering member.

2. The hood of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting and retaining a food container comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned holes spaced around said sleeve for reception of projecting portions of a food container of suitable size enclosed within said sleeve.

3. The hood of claim 2 wherein said sleeve is truncated in vertical cross-section with side wall portions thereof inclined slightly with respect to a vertical axis whereby a food container plate or tray may be introduced into said sleeve and inserted therein until edge portions of such plate or tray project becomes aligned with and project through said plurality of holes and are retained therein.

4. The hood of claim 3 wherein said side wall portions and said sleeve converge in the downward direction.

5. The hood of claim 4 wherein said side wall portions are formed with intersecting edges with one of said plurality of holes located at each of intersecting edges.

6. The hood of claim 5 wherein said sleeve is formed with said side wall portions including a first side wall having a free edge and an edge integral with and hinged to an intermediate side wall and a side wall intersecting said first side wall at the free edge thereof.

7. The hood of claim 6 wherein said side wall intersecting said first side wall is hinged to an extension which extend beyond said free edge of said first side wall and is in lapped relationship therewith.

8. The hood of claim 7 wherein said extension is adhesively adhered to said first side wall and further includes a scored tear strip.

9. The hood of claim 8 wherein said sleeve includes an overhead opening through which a generally rectangular food container may be introduced and lowered into said sleeve until corner portions thereof project into said holes and the container is thereby retained and supported.

10. The hood of claim 9 wherein said overhead covering member is integral with one of said side wall portions of said sleeve along a hinge line and extends to an opposite side wall portion and further includes a hinged flap which may be tucked within said sleeve against said opposite side wall portion.

11. The hood of claim 10 wherein a pair of oppositely situated ones of said side walls each has a generally vertically extending hinge lines bisecting the respective ones of said side walls.

12. The hood of claim 3 wherein said side wall portions diverge in the downward direction so that a food container may be introduced through the bottom of said sleeve.

13. The hood of claim 12 wherein said sleeve is generally in the form of a truncated cone.

14. The hood of claim 13 wherein said plurality of holes are in the form of elongate slots situated opposite of each other whereby a round edge food container introduced through the bottom of said sleeve may be moved upward into said sleeve until its opposite edges project through said elongate slots and is thereby supported and retained.

15. The hood of claim 14 wherein said sleeve is formed with a pair of generally vertical hinge lines spaced 180.degree. apart whereby said sleeve may be folded into flat condition.

16. The hood of claim 15 whereby said sleeve is formed with one or more apertures provided for ventilation to prevent condensation of steam within said hood.

17. The hood of claim 16 wherein said sleeve includes an overhead opening through which food may be placed on a container after the latter is introduced into and retained in said hood.

18. The hood of claim 17 wherein said overhead covering is integral with said sleeve and extends along a hinge line.

19. The hood of claim 18 wherein inwardly foldable flaps hinged to said sleeve are provided to each side of and to the front of said overhead covering.

20. The hood of claim 19 wherein said inwardly foldable flap to the front of said overhead covering is hinged to said sleeve along a crease line and slit means are formed in said crease line, tuck flap means extending from the front edge of said overhead covering adapted to be inserted into said slit means.

21. The hood of claim 20 wherein said sleeve includes a scored tear strip formed thereon.

22. The hood of claim 18 wherein inwardly foldable flaps hinged to said sleeve are provided to each side of said overhead covering.

23. A blank of foldable cardboard or like material for forming a protective hood for covering carry-out food comprising a plurality of generally quadrilateral sections disposed in a series, each of said sections being integrally hinged to adjacent ones of said sections along a common side, a plurality of spaced-apart holes in at least two of said sections for receiving projecting edge portions of a food container when the blank is assembled and erected for use, a generally rectangular section integral with and extending from one of said sections along a hinge line not in said series, said generally rectangular section forming an overhead covering in the assembled hood, each of said spaced-apart holes being situated in adjacent sections at the common side thereof, and at one end of said series an end section of said series having a free edge and at the other end of said series an adhesive section having a scored tear strip and being integrally hinged to the section at said other end of said series along a common edge.

24. A blank of foldable cardboard or like material for forming a protective hood for covering carry-out food comprising a plurality of generally quadrilateral sections disposed in a series, each of said sections being integrally hinged to adjacent ones of said sections along a common side, a plurality of spaced-apart holes in at least two of said sections for receiving projecting edge portions of a food container when the blank is assembled and erected for use, a generally rectangular section integral with and extending from one of said sections along a hinge line not in said series, said generally rectangular section forming an overhead covering in the assembled hood, said spaced-apart holes being in the form of elongate slits situated in the proximity of a lower edge of the respective section for reception of projecting edges of a food container in the assembled hood, one of said sections having a generally rectangular panel integrally hinged thereto along an upper edge portion thereto with said rectangular panel forming a covering member for the assembled hood, and a generally trapezoidal panel disposed on opposite sides of said rectangular panel and integrally hinged to an upper edge portion of one of said sections.

25. The blank of claim 24 wherein each of said generally trapezoidal panels has a semi-circular extension along its lower edge and cut-out from the section to which it is integrally hinged whereby an aperture may be opened in the assembled hood to allow for breathing and to prevent condensation of steam.

26. The blank of claim 25 wherein a free edge extends along the section at one end of said series and an adhesive section with a scored tear strip is integrally hinged to the section at the other end of said series.