Food container and method

A compartmented container and method of packaging is provided. The container in one embodiment has first and second compartments and a removable insert to separate the two compartments. In the closed position, the second compartment is on top of the first compartment. The insert is removable when the container is closed and includes a support tab that is insertable into a slot in the container to restrain movement of the insert and to distribute forces through the sidewalls of the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a container. More particularly, in one 
embodiment, the invention relates to a food container having two 
compartments that are especially adapted for separately containing the 
contents of the two compartments. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
For containing certain materials, including various types of foods and 
especially foods that are served at quick service restaurants, it would be 
desirable to have a segregated container or package to keep portions of 
the contained material separate. It would be especially desirable to have 
such a container for food, such as a hamburger sandwich, in which the 
relatively hot (or moist) portion of the sandwich is segregated from the 
relatively cool (or dry) portion of the sandwich, where the sandwich can 
easily be loaded and enclosed in the container. 
In addition, a need exists for such a container or package that is easy and 
simple to utilize, which contains the packaged material or food without 
deformation of the contents and where the contents can be assembled easily 
by the consumer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a container or package that is 
especially suitable for containing food is provided. In accordance with 
one embodiment, the container or package comprises a first or bottom 
compartment defined by a bottom portion and side portions with an open 
portion opposite the bottom portion. A second or top compartment is 
provided that is defined by a bottom portion and side portions and an open 
portion opposite the bottom portion. The second or top compartment is 
adapted to lie over the open portion of the first compartment with the 
open portion of the first compartment facing the open portion of the 
second compartment to close the container. 
A removable insert, which may be a platform, is positionable over the open 
portion of one of the compartments when the container is open. The insert 
has a gripping tab on its periphery that extends beyond at least one of 
the side portions of the container to facilitate removal of the insert 
when the insert is positioned between the first and second compartments. 
Removal is accomplished by grasping the tab portion and pulling the insert 
from the container while the container is closed. The contents of the top 
and bottom compartments are thereby combined, without further handling by 
the consumer. 
The container further includes a support tab that projects from the 
periphery of the removable insert, preferably opposite the gripping tab, 
for supporting the insert in the container. A slot is provided in a side 
portion of the container and is located and dimensioned to permit 
insertion of the supporting tab when the removable insert is in position 
between the open portions to restrain movement of the insert. 
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a container or 
package is provided that is especially suitable for containing the 
sandwich. The package comprises first and second compartments, each of 
which is defined by a bottom portion and side portions with each 
compartment having an open portion opposite the bottom portion. The second 
compartment includes a slot in one of its side portions adjacent the open 
portion of the second compartment. 
A hinge mechanism connects side portions of the first and second 
compartments to permit the second compartment to be folded over and onto 
the first compartment to define an enclosed volume that comprises the 
first and second compartments with the bottom of the second compartment 
defining the top of the closed package. 
A removable platform is provided that is positionable over the open portion 
of the second compartment. The platform has a support tab that projects 
from the periphery of the platform and is dimensioned to allow insertion 
of the tab into the slot when the platform is positioned over the open 
portion of the second compartment for restraining the platform from 
movement and for at least partially supporting the weight of the platform 
and the weight of any contents located in the second compartment. The tab 
further prevents the contents of the second compartment from moving the 
platform away from the second compartment when the package is closed by 
folding the second compartment over and onto the first compartment. 
The package may further comprise a gripping tab on the periphery of the 
platform, opposite the support tab, that extends beyond at least one of 
the side portions of the package when the platform is in position in the 
slot and over the opening of the second compartment, for facilitating 
removal of the platform from the package when the package is closed. The 
gripping tab also facilitates support of the platform in conjunction with 
the support tab and transfers at least a portion of the weight of the 
platform and any contents in the compartment to the side portions of the 
package. 
The support tab, in conjunction with the gripping tab, can serve to prevent 
the platform from being urged into the first compartment when the package 
is closed, thereby preventing contact and deformation of any contents 
contained in the first compartment. 
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method 
of packaging a sandwich that includes top and bottom portions is provided 
The method includes obtaining a container for the sandwich as previously 
described, thereafter placing the bottom portion of the sandwich into the 
bottom compartment and placing the top portion of the sandwich into the 
top compartment, while the container is open. After placing the top 
portion of the sandwich into the second or top compartment, the support 
tab of the insert or platform is inserted into the slot and placed over 
the open portion of the second or top compartment. Thereafter, the 
container is closed by folding the top compartment over and onto the 
bottom compartment while urging the grasping tab against the side portion 
of the second compartment while the supporting tab in the slot prevents 
the insert from moving away from the second compartment. 
The method in accordance with the invention can be easily accomplished by a 
human operator and requires only one hand of the human operator to be 
utilized in order to maintain the insert in position against the side 
portion of the top compartment during the closing. 
The method can further include assembly of the contents of the two 
compartments by removing the support tab from its slot and removing the 
platform from the container. Removal of the tab and platform can be 
accomplished while the container is closed by pulling the insert out of 
the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring to the figures generally, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is 
illustrated in perspective view the sandwich container or package 10. 
Sandwich container 10 is illustrated in a closed, latched position and is 
composed of a first or bottom compartment 12, a second or top compartment 
14 and an insert 16, which in this case is an insulating platform. 
First or bottom compartment 12 is composed of a bottom portion or wall 18 
and side portions 20, which in this case are upwardly extending side walls 
that terminate with an outwardly extending lip surface 22, as better 
illustrated in FIG. 5. Side portions 20, as illustrated in FIG. 3, extend 
slightly outwardly as they extend upwardly. 
In the illustrated embodiment, bottom portion 18 includes a trough 24 
extending around the periphery of the interior of bottom portion 18. 
Trough 24 serves to collect any fluids that may drain from the contents 
and raise bottom portion 18 to facilitate removal of the contents. Bottom 
portion 18 could also be ribbed (not shown) in addition or in place of 
trough 24 for providing a space between the contents and bottom portion 18 
as well as for providing for airflow and fluid collection. 
Top compartment 14 includes a top surface 26 and side portions 28 which in 
this case are downwardly extending side walls that terminate at a lip 
surface 30 that is complementary to lip surface 22 of bottom compartment 
12. 
Bottom and top compartments 12 and 14 are joined together by a hinge 
section 32 which can be integrally formed in the material of which bottom 
and top compartments 12 and 14 are formed. Such a hinge is well known in 
the art, for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,344, the disclosure of which 
is hereby incorporated by reference thereto. Hinge 32 is almost as wide as 
sandwich container 10, which promotes stability of and facilitates closing 
of container 10. 
Front wall portions 34 and 34a of bottom and top compartments 12 and 14, 
respectively, have structure that defines a latch mechanism 36. Latch 
mechanism 36 includes a locking aperture 38 in top compartment 14 and a 
locking latch 40 that extends from lip surface 22 of bottom compartment 
12. Locking aperture 38 is dimensioned to receive locking latch 40 
therein. Such a latch mechanism is well known in the art and thus is not 
described in detail. For example, such a latch is illustrated in U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,132,344. 
Hinge 32 allows top compartment 14 to be folded over and onto bottom 
compartment 12 to close sandwich container 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1. 
Hinge 32 also permits the container to be opened by lifting and pivoting 
top compartment 14 about hinge 32 to an open position, as illustrated in 
FIG. 5, for example. 
Insert 16, which in this case is an insulating platform forms part of 
sandwich container 10 and is more completely illustrated in FIG. 2. Insert 
16 generally corresponds to the open portion of bottom and top 
compartments 12 and 14, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Insert 16 
also includes a support tab 42 and a gripping tab 44, which extends the 
periphery of insert 16 beyond the otherwise generally corresponding shape 
described above. Gripping tab 44 may be embossed or otherwise labelled 
with a suitable legend, such as "PULL" as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
Insert 16 can be of any desired shape. A slot or slots complementary to 
such support tab or tabs could also be provided in appropriate locations 
of the container side portions to allow insertion and removal of the 
support tab(s). 
Support tab 42 is insertable into a complementary slot 46 that is located 
in side portion 28 of top compartment 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, 
which restrains movement of insert 16 relative to side portion 28. When so 
inserted, support tab 42 rests on side portion 28 of top compartment 14. 
Complementary slot 46 can be about the same width and/or height as the 
width and/or thickness of support tab 42 to provide a snug fit of support 
tab 42 in complementary slot 46. 
Gripping tab 44 preferably extends beyond at least one of side portions 28 
and 20 of container 10 to facilitate removal of insert 16 from container 
10 when container 10 is in a closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 
and 3. 
FIG. 3 illustrates in sectional view along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1 sandwich 
container 10 which contains a hamburger sandwich H therein. Hamburger 
sandwich H is composed of a bun crown BC, condiments C, which in this case 
include tomato slices T, lettuce pieces L and a slice of cheese CH. Bun 
crown BC and condiments C are contained within top compartment 14 of 
sandwich container 10. 
A hamburger patty HP and a bun heel BH are contained within bottom 
compartment 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3. 
In the illustrated embodiment, the contents of the bottom compartment are 
relatively hot and the contents of the top compartment are relatively 
cool. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, insert 16 serves to separate and insulate bottom 
compartment 12 and its contents from top compartment 14 and its contents. 
Moreover, insert 16 carries the weight of the contents of top compartment 
14 since the contents, in this case bun crown BC and condiments C rest on 
insert 16. The weight of the contents of top compartment 14 and the weight 
of insert 16 is at least partially carried by side portions 20 and 28 of 
container 10. The support formed by support tab 42 and gripping tab 44 
which transmits at least a portion of the weight to the side portions of 
sandwich container 10 restrain insert 16 from being displaced into bottom 
compartment 12. This has the effect of preventing or substantially 
preventing insert 16 from contacting and deforming the contents of bottom 
compartment 12, which in this case are hamburger patty HP and bun heel BH. 
Support tab 42 and gripping tab 44 provide other advantages as hereinafter 
described. 
When the consumer desires to assemble and consume hamburger sandwich H, 
insert 16 is removed from container 10 merely by grasping gripping tab 44 
and pulling insert 16 in the direction of arrow R without handling by the 
consumer. 
FIG. 4 illustrates sandwich container 10 with insert 16 removed. The effect 
of removal of insert 16 is to assemble the sandwich by causing the 
contents of top compartment 14 to contact the contents of bottom 
compartment 12. In this case, bun crown BC and condiments C of hamburger 
sandwich H contact hamburger patty HP. Upon opening sandwich container 10 
by releasing latch mechanism 36 and lifting and pivoting top compartment 
14, hamburger sandwich H is presented in a configuration ready for removal 
and consumption (not shown). 
The loading and packaging of hamburger sandwich H into sandwich container 
10 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. 
In FIG. 5, sandwich container 10 is in the open position and bun crown BC 
and condiments C have been placed with the condiments C face up in top 
compartment 14. Bun heel BH and hamburger patty HP are placed in bottom 
compartment 12 with hamburger patty HP facing upwardly. After bun crown BC 
and condiments C are placed in top compartment 14, insert 16 can be placed 
over top compartment 14, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Insert 16 is placed in 
position by inserting support tab 42 into complementary slot 46 and 
otherwise placing insert 16 so that it covers or substantially covers the 
opening of top compartment 14. Placing insert 16 in position can occur 
either before or after the loading of bun heel BH and hamburger patty HP, 
as will be readily appreciated. 
After hamburger sandwich H has been loaded into container 10, and insert 16 
is in place, container 10 is ready for closing. Closing of container 10 is 
illustrated in FIG. 7 where a human operator HO grasps gripping tab 44 and 
lip surface 30 between thumb T and finger F. Top compartment 14 is lifted 
and rotated about hinge 32 in the direction of arrow R' while gripping 
gripping tab 44 and lip surface 30 as aforesaid until top compartment 14 
is over bottom compartment 12 and sandwich container 10 is closed. 
Thereafter, latch mechanism 36 can be engaged by inserting locking wedge 
40 into locking aperture 38. Sandwich container 10 with hamburger sandwich 
H contained therein is ready for storage or delivery to a customer. 
Sandwich container 10 can be constructed of materials as desired. Suitable 
materials include polystyrene, which may be foamed as well as other foamed 
material. Foamed material is advantageous because of its insulating 
properties. Other materials can be of course used as those skilled in the 
art will recognize. For example, other plastics, paper, cardboard and 
similar materials can be used. 
Compartments 12 and 14 can be fabricated from a single piece of material as 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,344. 
The specific embodiments shown and described are only illustrative of the 
present invention. Changes in the structure and method of the present 
invention would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. For 
example, a sandwich container in accordance with the invention can be 
formed of separate top and bottom compartments that are not connected by a 
hinge but could be connected by, for example, a pair of latch mechanisms 
which could be similar to latch mechanism 36, one on either side of the 
container. The shape of the container in accordance with the invention can 
of course be as desired. 
In describing various embodiments herein, the compartments and portions of 
the container are sometimes referred to as top and bottom. It is to be 
understood that such relative positions can be reversed or could be 
otherwise described and the particular orientations utilized herein are 
for convenience and are not to be construed as a limitation upon the 
invention. 
While the invention has been described with respect to specific 
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of 
numerous modifications, rearrangements and changes and such modifications, 
rearrangements and changes are intended to be covered by the scope of the 
appended claims.