Tray with re-closeable lid

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-12, there is shown a re-closeable tray in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, generally indicated herein by reference character10. Tray10comprises a base12and a lid14. Base12defines a cavity16therein (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 tray10may 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 tray10and then subsequently stored therein as the product is used over a period of time.

A section of lid14is fixedly and generally permanently secured to a portion of base12, as will be further described herein. This secure attachment of lid14to base12ensures that the lid will not become misplaced once the tray10has 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 lid14on base12also makes it easier to close tray after use as the lid14and base12will be properly aligned with each other.

The remaining part of lid14is detachably engaged with the rest of base12. Lid14is selectively rotatable between a closed position (FIG. 1) where access to cavity16is prevented and an open position (FIG. 3) where access to cavity16is possible. Lid14is substantially retained on base12via a frictional interaction between the portion of lid14and section of base12. A latching mechanism may be provided to retain lid14in the closed position to secure the food product therein. All of these component parts of tray10will be described in greater detail hereafter.

Base12may 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. Base12includes a bottom wall18and a peripheral side wall20which extends upwardly and outwardly from bottom wall18. Bottom wall18and peripheral side wall20together bound and define cavity16. The peripheral side wall20terminates in a rim22which may be oriented generally at right angles to side wall20. Because base12, as shown, is generally rectangular when viewed from above (FIG. 3), rim22is also generally rectangular and includes a first section22a, a second section22b, a third section22cand a fourth section22d.FIG. 3shows that first section22amay be wider than each of the other sections22b,22c, and22d. Rim22has an interior edge22ewhich bounds and defines an opening to cavity16and has an exterior edge22fwhich forms the outermost peripheral edge of the base12.

Lid14is shaped and sized to close off access to cavity16and since base12is generally rectangular when viewed from above, lid14may also be generally rectangular. As shown inFIG. 3, lid14may be comprised of a frame member24and a film member26. Frame member24includes a first portion24a, a second portion24b, a third portion24c, and a fourth portion24dwhich form a rectangular shape. First, second, third and fourth portions24a,24b,24c,24dtogether have an interior edge24ewhich bounds and defines an opening28which overlaps the opening defined by rim22when lid14is in the closed position. First, second, third and fourth portions24a,24b,24c, and24dalso have an exterior edge24fwhich defines the outermost perimeter of lid14.

Film member26is secured in any suitable manner to frame member24. For instance, film member26may be heat welded to frame member24or may be adhesively secured thereto. Film member26is secured to each of first, second, third and fourth portions24a-24dof frame member24and extends outwardly beyond interior edge24eand toward exterior edge24fthereof. Film member26may be fully or partially transparent so that the food received in cavity16of base12is fully or partially viewable therethrough. Obviously, film member26may, alternatively, be fully opaque and nothing retained within cavity16may be viewed from the outside. Film member26may be sufficiently flexible to allow lid to be moved easily between the open and closed positions. Film member26further is stiff enough and yet flexible enough to effectively seal the opening to cavity16defined by rim22when lid14is moved to the closed position.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, first portion24aof lid14is fixedly and permanently secured to first section22aof base12in any suitable manner. For example, first portion24amay be heat welded or adhesively secured to first section22a. The securement is such that when the lid is moved to the open position, first portion24aand first section22awill not disengage each other. For all intents and purposes first portion24aand first section22abecome a single component once suitably bonded. Alternatively, instead of first portion24abeing secured to first section22a, first portion24aand first section22amay be molded as an integral, single or monolithic unit during fabrication of tray10.

The remaining portions24b,24cand24dof frame member24are not permanently secured to base12but may be selectively and temporarily engaged therewith when lid14is moved to a closed position, as will be discussed later herein. When lid14is moved to the closed position, interior edge24eof frame member24may be disposed adjacent exterior edge22fof rim22or at least proximate thereto. Additionally, frame member24and rim22may be generally aligned along a common plane. In other words, frame member24, except for first portion24athereof, is positioned in the same plane as rim22. As illustrated in the attached figures, frame member24is located a distance laterally outwardly beyond rim22as this provides for the best sealing of the opening to cavity16. However, in other instances it may be desirable for tray10to be configured so that frame member24is located laterally inwardly of rim22.

So, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, frame member24may be bigger than rim22of base12. Referring toFIG. 3, rim22is shown to have a length “L1” and a width “W1” while frame member24is 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”.

As discussed above, during fabrication of tray10, lid14and rim22are molded and bonded together along first section22aand first portion24a. Additionally, a plurality of small bridging elements30extend between interior edge24eof frame member24and exterior edge22fof rim22. The bridging elements retain rim22and frame member24in a common plane and in edge-to-edge orientation relative to each other. There is a small gap defined between interior edge24eof frame member24and exterior edge22fof rim22. Interior edge24e, exterior edge22fand bridging elements30together form a line of weakness in tray10. This line of weakness, identified by the number32inFIG. 1, is generally U-shaped when viewed from the top and originates proximate a first end of the bonded first section22aand first portion24aand terminates proximate a second end thereof.

In accordance with another aspect, the invention may provide one or more lift tabs34which extend outwardly beyond the exterior edge24fof frame member24. Lift tabs34may be provided adjacent the corners of frame member24where second and third portions24b,24cand second and fourth portions24b,24dmeet. Lift tabs34may additionally or alternatively be provided anywhere else on frame member24. Each lift tab34may be curved so as to reduce the likelihood of hurting a user who attempts to grasp the same to open lid14. Lift tabs34provide the user with an enlarged gripping surface to grasp when they move lid14from the closed position to the open position or vise versa. The possible movement of lid14is indicated by arrow “A” inFIGS. 11, 12 and 14.

During opening of tray10for the first time, lid14is lifted upwardly and outwardly in the direction of arrow “A”. This motion moves frame member24out of alignment with rim22and causes bridging elements30to break, thus permitting frame member24to move independent of rim22. The lifting motion causes frame member24to bend back over the bonded first portion24aand first section22a. The bending occurs along an axis which passes through two regions of frame which are identified inFIGS. 11 and 12by the reference character36. These regions are part of frame member24and because the bending motion occurs along these regions, these regions act as living hinges36. Because film26is secured to frame member24, as frame member24pivots about an axis running along living hinges36, that portion26aof film26which extends between the two living hinges36will tend to fold and lid14is therefor openable to the position shown inFIG. 3. When lid14is in this open position, the product within the cavity16is accessible to the user.

Lid14may be closed by reversing the steps identified above, In this instance, frame member24of lid14is rotated about the axis extending along living hinges36until second, third and fourth portions24b,24c,24dthereof are once again generally aligned along a common plane with rim22. Second, third and fourth portions24b-24dare located laterally outwardly of rim22and in such a way that exterior edge22fof rim22is located adjacent and generally parallel to interior edge24eof frame member24.

Tray10may be provided with a latching mechanism to aid in retaining lid14in 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 lid14and rim22and one or more complementary bosses provided in the other of the lid14and rim22. As illustrated herein, depressions38are defined in an uppermost surface of rim22proximate exterior edge22ethereof and adjacent the corners of tray10opposed to bonded first portion24aand first section22a. Complementary positioned, shaped and sized bosses40are provided on the inside surface of frame member24. Apart from the secured first portion24aand first section22a, the only region that frame member24overlaps any part of rim22is a small area proximate each of the two corners of tray10where the bosses and depressions are located. As illustrated in the attached figures, particularlyFIG. 3, the depression38and boss40are discrete area located in the proximity of the corners of frame member24and lift tabs34. When lid14is moved to the closed position, the user will run their hand along the uppermost surface of frame member24. This will cause frame member24to align with rim22and will cause bosses40to enter depressions38. Bosses40will snap-fit into depressions38. Thus, lid14is retained in a latched position relative to rim22by friction between interior and exterior edges24e,22fand depressions and bosses38,40. Even remnants of the bridging elements30, which had to be broken during initial opening of lid14, add in frictionally latching frame member24and rim22together. Thus, moving lid14to the closed position and smoothing the same to cause latching engagement between frame24and rim22closes and at least somewhat seals tray14because film member26is brought into sealing contact with the uppermost surface of rim22. The slight downwardly pressure provided on frame member24also creates a type of minor vacuum seal of film member26to rim22.

In accordance with another aspect, the invention may provide a hang tag42on one or both of lid14and base12. As illustrated herein, hang tag42is provided only on lid14. Hang tag42permits tray10to be suspended in a product display in a store. Lid14will not pop open when tray10is suspended via hang tag42because the bridging elements30remain intact until a consumer purchases tray10and its product contents and opens the same. Once the bridging elements30are broken, using the hang tag42may cause the tray10to accidentally pop open.

In accordance with another aspect, the invention may provide a base12having 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 tray10which 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 base12may be utilized in conjunction with the re-closeable and re-sealable lid14.

The attached figures illustrate one possible configuration for the molded base12. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, base12includes a bottom wall18(FIG. 2) and side walls20. Bottom wall18includes a first section18a, second section18b, and a third section18c. First section18ais generally planar and second and third sections18b,18cangle outwardly away from opposite ends of first section18aand generally in the same direction.FIGS. 6 and 7show that second section18bmay be longer and of a shallower angle than third section18c. First section18amay be molded to include a pair of laterally spaced apart projections18d. Projections18dappear as depressions on the interior surface of second section18b(as shown inFIG. 2) and as projections on the exterior surface thereof (as shown onFIG. 6). Each projection18dmay be generally rectangular in shape when viewed from above as inFIG. 3. The projections18dmay be generally triangular when viewed from the side (FIGS. 6 & 7).FIG. 2shows that a generally triangular detent42may be molded into the interior of each projection18d. Detent42extends inwardly into the depression on the interior surface of second section18dand may appear as a recess on the exterior surface of second section18d(as illustrated inFIG. 3). Detent42tapers in height from a back wall of projection18dto the front opening thereof. A generally semi-circular shelf44may be molded into each of the corners of second section18b. Shelves44appear as recesses within the interior of tray14but as projections on the exterior thereof. This may be seen inFIGS. 6 and 7. Second section18bof bottom wall18may form all or part of the upper end wall of tray10.

Third section18cis molded to include a single projection18ewhich takes the form of a depression on the interior surface of base12and a projection on the exterior surface of base12. Projection18eis generally rectangular when viewed from above and is generally centered longitudinally between projections18d. Projection18eis generally triangular when viewed from the side (FIGS. 6 and 7). A generally triangular detent46is molded into a central region of projection18eand this detent46tapes in height from a back wall of projection18etoward a front opening therein. Detent46may appear as a projection on the interior surface of base12and as a recess on the exterior surface thereof. Generally semi-circular shelves48may be molded into the corners of third section18cand may appear as recesses within the interior of tray10and projections on the exterior surface thereof as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7.

Base12also includes side walls20which are connected along their lower edges to second section18b, first section18a, and third section18cof bottom wall18. Each of the first and second side walls20may include strengthening ribs50molded into the same. Each rib50may project outwardly from the exterior surface of base12and may comprise a groove defined in the interior surface thereof. Ribs50may be substantially parallel to each other and oriented generally at right angles to first section18aof bottom wall18. Rim22is provided at the uppermost ends of each side walls20, second section18band third section18cof bottom wall18. The rim22may be oriented generally parallel to first section18aof bottom wall18.

Tray10is used in the following manner. An article for sale is placed within cavity16of tray10, and if necessary or desirable, a thin protective film (not shown) is bonded to a portion of rim22to seal the article for sale within cavity16. The atmosphere between the thin protective film and bottom and side walls18,20of tray10may be modified to increase the shelf life of the product retained in cavity16if 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.

Lid14is applied to base12, first portion24aof lid14is bonded to first section22aof rim22and bosses40are frictionally engaged in depressions38. (At this point bridging members30remain intact). Thus, film member26may be positioned outwardly of any thin protective film used to seal the article for sale within tray10. Tray10and its contents are ready for shipping and display. When tray10reaches the store in which it is to be sold, several trays10may be stacked one on top of the other with the base12of an upper tray10being placed on the lid14of the tray10immediately below it. Alternatively, hang tag42may be utilized to suspend tray10on a store display.

Once a consumer has purchased the tray10and its contents, they are able to open up tray10to access the contents thereof. The user will grasp one of lift tabs34and will pull lid upwardly (FIG. 9). Because of the frangible nature of frame member24(by virtue of the line of weakness32and small bridging members30), frame member24will pull away from rim22on base12breaking bridging members30as it is pulled upwardly. Since frame member24is permanently sealed to only the first section22aof base12, the rest of frame member24(portions24b,24c, and24d) will move away from rim22and rotate about living hinges36to the position shown inFIG. 3. If a thin protective film has been secured to rim22, then that film may now be pulled free and discarded. The user is now free to gain access to the article retained within cavity16of base12.

If it is desired to close tray10so that some of the article retained within cavity16may be utilized at a later time, the user will rotate lid14back to the closed position. Once frame member24is generally seated adjacent rim22, the user will smooth down lid14by running their hands along each of the second, third, and fourth portions24b,24c, and24dof frame member24, as described earlier herein. This smoothing action may occur in the direction indicated by arrows “B” and “C” inFIG. 4. This smoothing motion will cause frame member24to move back into a common plane with rim22and will cause bosses40to enter and become engaged in depressions38. Film member26not only allows the contents of tray10to 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 member26along rim22creates a slight suction which helps retain lid14on base12, thereby effectively sealing tray10. After opening, tray will typically be stored so that the bottom wall18aof base12will rest on a flat surface.

Other modifications to tray10may be possible. For instance, frame member24may be provided with strengthening ribs which run either parallel to the length of one of the portions24b-24dor at right angles thereto. Additionally, instead of discrete depressions38and bosses40, the opposing surfaces of rim22and frame member24may be provided with an interlocking groove and ridge to help latch lid14to base12.

Moreover, the description and illustration set out herein are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.