Food receptacle

A food receptacle having a tray with a base, a perimeter wall extending therefrom, and a tongue extending from the perimeter wall along a longitudinal axis and a cover adapted to cover the tray. Cover has an opening adapted to receive the tongue therethrough, such that the tongue is inserted through the opening when the tray is covered by the cover. Tongue may include a protrudable portion adapted to protrude away from the longitudinal axis. When protruded, the protrudable portion is adapted to abut the cover. When the tray is covered by the cover, the protrudable portion may be protruded over the top panel to prevent the tongue from being withdrawn from the opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application PCT/SG2019/050102, filed Feb. 25, 2019, designating the United States of America and published in English as International Patent Publication WO 2020/176034 on Sep. 3, 2020, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a food receptacle. For example, a food receptacle with a locking mechanism.

BACKGROUND

It is very common nowadays to use a food box to pack food for takeaways. Typically, the food box for takeaways is made from paper or foam. Due to environmental issues, paper is preferred and more commonly used. The food box may include a tray to contain the food, a top cover to cover the tray and a locking mechanism disposed on food box to lock the cover to the tray. However, as the material used for the box is not durable, it is frequent that the locking mechanism of the box is damaged or does not function properly when the food is packed and therefore the box may not be covered properly. Often, a binder, e.g. rubber band or adhesive tape, is used to prevent the box from opening up. At times, after opening and closing the cover for a few times, the locking mechanism may deteriorate and become damaged.

Besides the above problem, the food box may not be stackable is the content is relatively heavy. When the food boxes containing dense food are being stacked onto each other, the food boxes at the bottom may collapse and flatten under the weight of the food boxes above. As a result, the food within may spill out of the food box, creating a mess and the food becomes unconsumable.

It is thus an object of the present invention to improve or resolve the aforementioned problems, i.e. to provide a food box with a durable and effective locking mechanism to secure the cover of the food box.

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments, a food receptacle is provided. Food receptacle includes a tray having a base, a perimeter wall extending therefrom, and a tongue extending from the perimeter wall along a longitudinal axis, a cover adapted to cover the tray, the cover includes an opening adapted to receive the tongue therethrough, such that the tongue is inserted through the opening when the tray is covered by the cover, such that the tongue comprises a protrudable portion adapted to protrude away from the longitudinal axis, such that, when protruded, the protrudable portion is adapted to protrude over the cover, and such that when the tray is covered by the cover, the protrudable portion is protruded to prevent the tongue from being withdrawn from the opening.

According to various embodiments, the cover may be pivotally attached to the tray.

According to various embodiments, the cover may include a top panel and a front panel extending from the top panel, such that the opening may be disposed on the front panel.

According to various embodiments, the opening may be disposed adjacent the top panel.

According to various embodiments, the protrudable portion may be adapted to rotate away from the perimeter wall of the tray.

According to various embodiments, the tongue may include a body and the protrudable portion may be pivotally connected to the body.

According to various embodiments, the protrudable portion may be disposed within the body and adapted to rotate out of the body.

According to various embodiments, the body may include a front side and a rear side behind the front side, such that the protrudable portion may be adapted to rotate from the front side or the rear side.

According to various embodiments, the tongue may include a window within and having a top edge, such that the protrudable portion may be housed within the window and pivotally attached to the top edge of the window.

According to various embodiments, the perimeter wall may include a window connected to the tongue, such that the protrudable portion extends from the tongue and housed within the window.

According to various embodiments, the tongue may be foldable, such that the protrudable portion may be protruded when the tongue is folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the food receptacle100. Food receptacle100may include a tray110having a base112, a perimeter wall114extending therefrom, and a tongue116extending from the perimeter wall114. Food receptacle100may include a cover120adapted to cover the tray110. Cover120may include an opening122adapted to receive the tongue116therethrough, such that the tongue116is inserted through the opening122when the tray110is covered by the cover120(as shown inFIG.2).

Base112of the tray110may be of a quadrilateral shape, e.g. a square, rectangular, or a shape of another number of sides, e.g. pentagonal, hexagonal. Accordingly, the perimeter wall114which extends from the base112will have the same number of sides of the base112. Referring toFIG.1, the base112may be rectangular such that the perimeter wall114may have four planar walls, i.e. the front wall114F, rear wall114R opposite the front wall114F, a left side wall114L and a right side wall114M. The left side wall114L and the right side wall114M may extend from the front wall114F to the rear wall114R and spaced from each other. Perimeter wall114may include a perimeter edge114T formed by the top edges of the front wall114F, the rear wall114R, the left side wall114L and the right side wall114M. Tongue116may extend upwardly from the front wall114F. The four walls114F,114R,114L,114M may have the same height such that the top edge of each of the four walls114F,114R,114L,114M are disposed within a plane. In this way, the top panel120T may be in contact with the perimeter wall114when the tray110is covered by the cover120. The four walls114F,114R,114L,114M may be of different heights, e.g. the front wall114F and the rear wall114R may be taller than the left side wall114L and the right side wall114M. The four walls114F,114R,114L,114M may lean outwardly from the base112such that each wall may form an obtuse angle with the base112. Alternatively, two of the four walls114F,114R,114L,114M may be perpendicular to the base112and the other two of the four walls114F,114R,114L,114M may form an obtuse angle with the base112. By having a perimeter wall114that leans outwardly from the base112, the perimeter wall114is prevented from collapsing towards the centre of the tray110. As will be explained later, the perimeter wall114will be refrained from leaning away from the base112when the tray110is covered so as to provide a rigid structure to take heavier load on the food receptacle100.

Cover120may include a top panel120T. Top panel120T may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the base112. As shown inFIG.1, the top panel120T may be rectangular having a front edge120FE, a rear edge120RE opposite the front edge120FE and a left edge120LE and a right edge120ME, both the left edge120LE and the right edge120ME extend from the front edge120FE to the right edge120ME. Cover120may have a front panel120F extending from the front edge120FE, a left side panel120L extending from the left edge120LE and a right side panel120M extending from right edge120ME. Cover120may be pivotally connected to the perimeter wall114via the rear edge120RE. Left side panel120L and the right side panel120M may be connected to the front panel120F to provide structural rigidity to the front panel120F. The three panels, i.e. the front panel120F, the left side panel120L, the right side panel120M, may have the same height such that the bottom edge of each panel may be disposed within a plane. The three panels120F,120L,120M may have different heights. For example, the front panel120F may be taller than the left side panel120L and the right side panel120M. Cover120may be pivotally connected to the tray110along one edge of the top panel120T, e.g. the rear edge120RE of the top panel120T, and rotatable between an opened position where the tray110is not covered by the cover120as shown inFIG.1and in a covered position where the tray110is covered by the cover120as shown inFIG.2. Cover120may be pivotally connected to the tray110at the rear wall114R thereof. Alternatively, the cover120may be separated from the tray110as a two-piece configuration such that the cover120may have a rear panel opposite the front panel120F and the left side panel120L and the right side panel120M extending from the front panel120F to the rear panel. Front panel120F may be tapered away from the top panel120T such that the front panel120F may form an obtuse angle with the top panel120T. Left side panel120L and the right side panel120M may also be tapered away from the top panel120T such that the left side panel120L and the right side panel120M may form an obtuse angle with the top panel120T. Top panel120T may be of the same size and shape as the area and shape formed by the perimeter edge114T of the perimeter wall114of the tray110such that the perimeter edge114T of the perimeter wall114may coincide with the perimeter of the top panel120T.

FIG.2shows a perspective view of the food receptacle100inFIG.1in the closed position. As shown inFIG.2, when the tray110is covered by the cover120, the tongue116is inserted through the opening122and adapted to engage the cover120such that the cover120is retained in the covering position, i.e. covering the tray110. Opening122may be disposed on the front panel120F and aligned with the tongue116such that the opening122is displaced towards the tongue116when the cover120is being displaced towards the tray110. Opening122may be disposed adjacent the front edge120FE of the top panel120T. In this way, it is easier for the tongue116to locate the opening122when it is adjacent the front edge120FE. Alternatively, the opening122may be disposed at the top panel120T adjacent the front edge120FE of the top panel120T. It is preferred to have the opening122on the front panel120F than on the top panel120T as it is less likely to have contaminants fall into the food receptacle100.

FIG.2Ashows a front cross-sectional view of food receptacle100inFIG.2. As shown inFIG.2A, the perimeter edge114T of the perimeter wall114may abut against the front edge120FE (not shown inFIG.2A), the left edge120LE and the right edge120ME of the top panel120T. In this way, the perimeter wall114, i.e. the four walls114F,114R,114L,114M, may be immobilized by the cover120, i.e. by the front panel (not shown inFIG.2A), the top panel120T (attached to the rear wall114R), the left side panel120L and the right side panel120M, such that the perimeter wall114may be locked into a fixed position and restrained from bending away from the base112. Due to the immobilization of the perimeter wall114, the food receptacle100is able to withstand higher load thereon compared to conventional food boxes, e.g. clam shell box.

FIG.3Ashows an enlarged view of the tongue116as shown inFIG.1. Tongue116may include a restrictor116R adapted to restrict the tongue116from being withdrawn from the opening122after it is inserted therein. Restrictor116R may be disposed at about a centre portion of the tongue116such that the restrictor116R may be disposed above the opening122when the food receptacle100is closed. Restrictor116R may be adapted to catch an edge of the opening122to restrict the tongue116from being withdrawn from the opening122. Restrictor116R may include a pair of barbs116B formed on the tongue116. Pair of barbs116B may be disposed at a position where, when the tray110is covered by the cover120, the pair of barbs116B may be disposed above the opening122. Pair of barbs116B may be pointed towards the base112to allow the tongue116to be insert through the opening122easily but prevents the tongue116to be retracted from the opening122easily. In this way, the cover120may be locked onto the tray110. Opening122may be an elongated slot and slightly wider than the width of the tongue116. Opening122may have a trapezoidal profile where one longitudinal side of the opening122is longer than another longitudinal side. The shorter longitudinal side may be adjacent the front edge120FE of the cover120. In this way, the lateral sides of the opening122may be tapered to allow the tongue116to enter the opening122more easily. To open the food receptacle100, the tongue116may be retracted from the opening122by adjusting the pair of barbs116B to enter the opening122and/or by applying a slight force to dislodge the pair of barbs116B from the opening122.

FIG.3Bshows a side sectional view of the food receptacle100inFIG.1. Referring toFIG.3B, the angle of the front panel120F, being protruding outwardly from the top panel120T, is able to overlap or extend beyond the tongue116when the cover120is covering the tray110. In this way, the tongue116may be accommodated within the cover120. When in contact with the tongue116, the front panel120F guides the tongue116towards the opening122. When the tongue116reaches the opening122, the tongue116may automatically be inserted into the opening122without any user assistance. Tongue116may be guided into the opening122even if the opening122is disposed on the top panel120T of the cover120and adjacent to the front edge120FE of the top panel120T.

FIG.4Ashows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the food receptacle400in an opened configuration where the tray410is not covered by the cover420. Food receptacle400is identical to the food receptacle100inFIG.1except that the tongues116,416of the food receptacles are non-identical. As such, the same features in the embodiment have the same last two digits in their references.

As shown inFIG.4A, the food receptacle400has a tray410having a base412, a perimeter wall414extending therefrom, and a tongue416extending from the perimeter wall414along a longitudinal axis416A and a cover420adapted to cover the tray410. Cover420has an opening422adapted to receive the tongue416therethrough, such that the tongue416is inserted through the opening422when the tray410is covered by the cover420. Tongue416may include a protrudable portion424adapted to protrude away from the longitudinal axis416A.

As described inFIG.1, the base412of the tray410may be a quadrilateral or a shape of any number of sides and the perimeter wall414which extends from the base412will have the same number of sides of the base412. Referring toFIG.4A, the base412may be rectangular such that the perimeter wall414may have four planar walls, i.e. the front wall414F, rear wall414R opposite the front wall414F, a left side wall414L and a right side wall414M. Left side wall414L and the right side wall414M may extend from the front wall414F to the rear wall414R and spaced from each other. Perimeter wall414may include a perimeter edge414T formed by the top edges of the front wall414F, the rear wall414R, the left side wall414L and the right side wall414M. Tongue416may extend upwardly from the front wall414F. The four walls414F,414R,414L,414M may have the same height such that the top edge of each of the four walls414F,414R,414L,414M are disposed within a plane. In this way, the top panel420T may be in contact with the perimeter wall414when the tray410is covered by the cover420. The four walls414F,414R,414L,414M may lean outwardly from the base412such that each wall may form an obtuse angle with the base412.

Cover420may include the top panel420T with a shape that corresponds to the shape of the base412. As shown inFIG.4A, the top panel420T may be rectangular having a front edge420FE, a rear edge420RE opposite the front edge420FE and a left edge420LE and a right edge420ME, both the left edge420LE and the right edge420ME extend from the front edge420FE to the right edge420ME. Cover420may have a front panel420F extending from the front edge420FE, a left side panel420L extending from the left edge420LE and a right side panel420M extending from right edge420ME. Left side panel420L and the right side panel420M may be connected to the front panel420F to provide structural rigidity to the front panel420F. The three panels, i.e. the front panel420F, the left side panel420L, the right side panel420M, may have the same height such that the bottom edge of each panel may be disposed within a plane. The three panels420F,420L,420R may have different heights. Cover420may be pivotally connected to the tray410along one edge of the top panel420T, e.g. the rear edge420RE of the top panel420T, and rotatable between an opened position where the tray410is not covered by the cover420as shown inFIG.4Aand in a covered position where the tray410is covered by the cover420as shown inFIG.4B. Cover420may be pivotally connected to the tray410at the rear wall414R thereof. Alternatively, the cover420may be separated from the tray410as a two-piece configuration such that the cover420may have a rear panel opposite the front panel420F and the left side panel420L and the right side panel420M extending from the front panel420F to the rear panel. Front panel420F may be tapered away from the top panel420T such that the front panel420F may form an obtuse angle with the top panel420T. Left side panel420L and the right side panel420M may also be tapered away from the top panel420T such that the left side panel420L and the right side panel420M may form an obtuse angle with the top panel420T. Top panel420T may be of the same size and shape as the area and shape formed by the perimeter edge414T of the perimeter wall414of the tray410such that the perimeter edge414T of the perimeter wall414may coincide with the perimeter of the top panel420T.

FIG.4Bshows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the food receptacle400in a closed configuration where the tray410is covered by the cover420.FIG.4Balso shows an enlarged view of the locking mechanism comprising the tongue416and the opening422. As shown inFIG.4B, the protrudable portion424is adapted to protrude away from the longitudinal axis416A, such that, when protruded, the protrudable portion424is adapted to protrude over the cover420(seeFIG.4C). When the tray410is covered by the cover420, the protrudable portion424may be protruded over the top panel420T to prevent the tongue416from being withdrawn from the opening422. As shown inFIG.4B, the tongue416may include a body416B and the protrudable portion424may be pivotally connected to the body416B. Protrudable portion424may be rotated from the body416B to protrude from the body416B such that the protrudable portion424may be disposed above the cover420and prevent the cover420from being lifted from the tray410. In other words, the food receptacle400is being locked and prevented from being opened. Protrudable portion424may be rotated away from the perimeter wall414of the tray410or rotated upwardly from the body416B of the tongue416. As mentioned above, the tongue416may be guided by the front panel420F of the cover420into the opening422. Therefore, as the protrudable portion424is rotatable downwardly toward the body416B, when the tongue416is being inserted through the opening422, the protrudable portion424may be pushed back towards the body416B by the opening422and the protrudable portion424passes through the opening422. In this way, the tongue416may be inserted through the opening422without being obstructed by the protrudable portion424. If the protrudable portion424is rotatable in the opposite direction, the protrudable portion424may obstruct the insertion of the tongue416through the opening422. Protrudable portion424may be disposed within the body416B and adapted to rotate out of the body416B. Tongue416may include a window416W within or a through hole having a top edge such that the protrudable portion424is housed within the window416W and pivotally attached to the top edge of the window416W. Protrudable portion424may be a flap adapted to fill the window416W.

FIG.4Cshows a truncated side view of the food receptacle400as shown inFIG.4B. As shown inFIG.4C, the protrudable portion424is adapted to protrude away from the longitudinal axis416A, such that, when protruded, the protrudable portion424is adapted to abut the cover420. When the tray410is covered by the cover420, the protrudable portion424may be protruded to prevent the tongue416from being withdrawn from the opening422(not shown inFIG.4C). Opening422may be disposed at the top panel420T of the cover420and the tongue416may be inserted through the top panel420T of the cover420. Body416B may include a front side416B2and a rear side416B1behind the front side416B2, such that the protrudable portion424may be adapted to rotate from the front side416B2or the rear side416B1. Front side416B2may be the side of the tongue416that faces away from the base412of the tray410. Rear side416B1may be the side facing the base412of the tray410. When the protrudable portion424protrudes from the rear side416B1, the protrudable portion424may abut onto the top panel420T of the cover420. When the protrudable portion424protrudes from the front side416B2, the protrudable portion424may abut onto the front panel420F of the cover420, thereby locking the cover420onto the tray410. To unlock the food receptacle400, the protrudable portion424may be retracted, e.g. pushed back, to align the protrudable portion424with the body416B of the tongue416. Thereafter, the cover420may be lifted to allow the tongue416to be retracted from the opening422, hence allowing the food receptacle400to be opened.

FIG.4Dshows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the food receptacle400. Further,FIG.4Dshows an enlarged view of the locking mechanism comprising the tongue416and the opening422of the cover420. As shown inFIG.4D, the tongue416may be foldable, such the protrudable portion424may be protruded when the tongue416is folded. Tongue416may be adapted to fold towards or away from the top panel420T of the cover420. When the tongue416is inserted through the opening422and the protrudable portion424is above the top panel420T of the cover420, the tongue416may be folded toward the front panel420F and the protrudable portion424may protrude above the top panel420T and hence abuts the cover420and prevents the cover420from being lifted from the tray410. When tongue416is folded towards the top panel420T, the protrudable portion424may protrude above and abut the front panel420F to prevent the cover420from being lifted from the tray410.

FIG.4Eshows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the tongue416inFIG.4D. Tongue416may include a folding line416F such that the tongue416may be folded along the folding line416F. Folding line416F may be parallel to a top edge414FT of the front wall414F of the tray410. Folding line416F may pass through the top part of the protrudable portion424such that, when the tongue416is folded, the protrudable portion424may protrude from the body416B of the tongue416. Folding line416F may pass through the protrudable portion424at any point along the protrudable portion424. In the embodiment where the tongue416includes a window416W, the folding line416F may be disposed at the top edge of the window416W as shown inFIG.4E. Folding line416F may be disposed between the top edge and the bottom edge of the window416W. Tongue416may be folded and the protrudable portion424, i.e. the flap, may be rotated out of the window416W (seeFIG.4F) and away from the body416B of the tongue416. Tongue416may be divided into a folded portion416FP above the folding line416F and base portion416FU below the folding line416F. Flap may be in the same plane as the folded portion416FP of the tongue416.

FIG.4Fshows a truncated side view of the food receptacle400inFIG.4E. As shown inFIG.4E, the tongue416may be folded away from the top panel420T of the cover420. As the folded portion416FP is being folded away from the top panel420T, the protrudable portion424may protrude over the top panel420T of the cover420. In this way, the protrudable portion424may protrude over the top panel420T and abut the top panel420T when the cover420is being lifted from the tray410. Folded portion416FP of the tongue416may be folded to be at an obtuse angle from the top panel420T of the cover420. Protrudable portion424may be pushed out of the window416W (not shown inFIG.4F), e.g. by a user's finger, such that the protrudable portion424is bent (along the folding line416F (not shown inFIG.4F)) with respect to the folded portion416FP of the tongue416. When the protrudable portion424is abutting against the top panel420T of the cover420, the folded portion416FP may be maintained in the folded position. Folded portion416FP may also be biased towards the unfolded position due to the elastic property of the material of the tongue416. In this way, the protrudable portion424may be forced against the cover420to keep the cover420onto the tray410. Top panel420T may slide between the body416B and the protrudable portion424as the cover420moves upwards such that the top panel420T may be jammed therebetween, hence the cover420is securely locked by the tongue416. To unlock the food receptacle400, the tongue416may be straightened to retract the protrudable portion424towards the body416B of the tongue416. Referring toFIG.4F, the folded portion416FP may be unfolded by bending the folded portion416FP to be aligned with the base portion416FU of the tongue416. Alternatively, the protrudable portion424may be pushed back into the window416W to align the protrudable portion424with the base portion416FU. When the protrudable portion424has been retracted, the cover420may be lifted so that the tongue416may be retracted from the opening422(not shown inFIG.4F) thereby allowing the tray410to be uncovered.

FIG.4Gshows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the tongue516of the food receptacle400inFIG.4D. Perimeter wall514may include a window516W connected to the tongue516such that the protrudable portion524may extend from the tongue516and housed within the window516W. Protrudable portion524may extend into the front wall514F of the tray510. Tongue516may be foldable along a folding line516F that may be along the top edge514FT of the front wall514F of the tray510. Folding line516F may be disposed at the top edge of the window516W as shown inFIG.4G. Window516W may have a bottom edge516WB spaced from the folding line516F. Folding line516F may pass through the top part of the protrudable portion524such that, when the tongue516is folded, the protrudable portion524may rotate from the front wall514F along the folding line516F and rotated out of the window516W (seeFIG.4H). When the tongue516is substantially parallel to top panel520T of the cover520(not shown inFIG.4G), the protrudable portion524may be substantially parallel to the top panel520T of the cover520as well (seeFIG.4H).

FIG.4Hshows a truncated side view of the food receptacle400inFIG.4G. As shown inFIG.4H, the tongue516may be folded away from the top panel520T of the cover520. As the tongue516is being folded away from the top panel520T, the protrudable portion524may protrude out of the window516W (not shown inFIG.4H) and protrude over the top panel520T of the cover520. As shown inFIG.4H, the protrudable portion524may be rotated towards the top panel520T. In this way, the protrudable portion524may abut the top panel520T when the cover520is being lifted from the tray510. When the tongue516is being folded away from the top panel520T, the protrudable portion524may be prevented from protruding out of the front wall514F as the protrudable portion524may be slightly below the top panel520T when the food receptacle400is covered and may be obstructed by the opening (not shown inFIG.4H) of the cover520from protruding. However, as the protrudable portion524is relatively short and is therefore rigid, the protrudable portion524may be rigid enough to be forced out of the opening522and onto the top panel520T of the cover520when the tongue516is folded away from top panel520T. Tongue516may be folded to be substantially parallel to the top panel520T of the cover520such that the protrudable portion524, e.g. the flap, may extend parallelly to the top panel520T of the cover520thereby protruding over the top panel520T of the cover520. When the protrudable portion524is abutting against the top panel520T of the cover520, the tongue516may be maintained in the folded position. Tongue516may also be biased towards the unfolded position due to the elastic property of the material of the tongue516. In this way, the protrudable portion524may be forced against the cover520to keep the cover520onto the tray510. As shown, the tongue516in the folded position may itself obstruct the cover520from opening. Protrudable portion524may maintain the tongue516in the folded position to improve the locking capability of food receptacle400. To unlock the food receptacle400, the tongue516may be straightened to be substantially parallel to or in line with the front wall514F of the tray510so as to retract the protrudable portion524towards the front wall514F, e.g. into the window516W. Protrudable portion524may be obstructed by the top panel520T from returning into the window516W. In this case, the cover520may be depressed slightly when the tongue516is being straightened to allow the protrudable portion524to be retracted into the window516W of the front wall514F. As shown inFIG.4H, the protrudable portion524may be retracted towards the front wall514F. When the protrudable portion524has been retracted, the cover520may be lifted so that the tongue516may be retracted from the opening522(not shown inFIG.4H) thereby allowing the tray510to be uncovered.

FIG.4Jshows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the tongue616inFIG.4D. The exemplary embodiment inFIG.4Jmay be a combination of the exemplary embodiments inFIG.4EandFIG.4G. Referring toFIG.4J. Tongue616may be foldable along a first folding line616F1that may be along the top edge614FT of the front wall614F of the tray610. Protrudable portion624may extend along the body616B of the tongue616and into the front wall614F of the tray610. First folding line616F1may pass through the protrudable portion624at any point along the protrudable portion624. Similarly, the window616W may be disposed on the body616B of the tongue616and extend into the front wall614F. First folding line616F1may pass through the window616W as shown inFIG.4J. Window616W may have a bottom edge616WB spaced from and below the first folding line616F1. First folding line616F1may be disposed between the top edge and the bottom edge616WB of the window616W. Tongue616may include a second folding line616F2that passes through the top edge of the window616W. Protrudable portion624may include a rectangular flap that is pivotally connected to the body616B along the second folding line616F2and extends from the top edge of the window616W and into the front wall614F. Protrudable portion624may include a thin portion disposed within the front wall614F. Protrudable portion624may be pivotally connected to the body616B and adapted to be rotated out of the window616W along the second folding line616F2. When the tongue616is folded away from the top panel620T (not shown inFIG.4J) along the first folding line616F1, the protrudable portion624may be rotated out of the window616W and protrude from body616B and the front wall614F of the tray610. As the same time, the protrudable portion624may be pushed by the user, e.g. using a finger, towards the top panel620T of the cover620. Tongue616may be divided into a folded portion616FP above the second folding line616F2and the base portion616FU below the second folding line616F2. Flap may be in the same plane as the folded portion616FP of the tongue616.

FIG.4Kshows a truncated side view of the food receptacle400inFIG.4J. As shown inFIG.4D, the tongue616may be folded away from the top panel620T of the cover620. As the folded portion616FP is being folded away from the top panel620T, the protrudable portion624may protrude over the top panel620T of the cover620. In this way, the protrudable portion624may abut the top panel620T when the cover620is being lifted from the tray610. Similar to the embodiment inFIG.4G, the protrudable portion624may be obstructed by the opening (not shown inFIG.4K) as it is below the top edge (not shown inFIG.4K) of the front wall614F. By folding the tongue616further away from the top panel620T, the protrudable portion624, being slightly below the opening, may forcibly be protruded out of the opening622(not shown inFIG.4K). Compared to the earlier example inFIG.4G, the length of the protrudable portion624is longer and therefore may be bent more easily and elastically and allow the protrudable portion624to overcome the obstruction by the opening622more easily. As the protrudable portion624is substantially longer than the protrudable portion524inFIG.4G, the protrudable portion624may be more bendable and hence easier to be pushed out of the opening422. Alternatively, the protrudable portion624may be pushed out of the window616W by a user, e.g. using a finger of the user. When the tongue616is folded to be substantially parallel to the top panel620T of the cover620such that the protrudable portion624, e.g. the flap, may extend parallelly to the top panel620T of the cover620. When the protrudable portion624is abutting against the top panel620T of the cover620, the folded portion616FP may be maintained in the folded position. Folded portion616FP may also be biased towards the unfolded position due to the elastic property of the material of the tongue616. In this way, the protrudable portion624may be forced against the cover620to keep the cover620onto the tray610. Top panel620T may slide between the body616B and the protrudable portion624as the cover620moves upwards such that the top panel620T may be jammed therebetween. Hence, the cover620may be securely locked by the tongue616. As shown, the folded position of the tongue616may itself obstruct the cover620from opening. To unlock the food receptacle400, the tongue616may be straightened to retract the protrudable portion624towards the body616B of the tongue616. Referring toFIG.4K, the folded portion616FP may be unfolded by bending the folded portion616FP to be aligned with the base portion616FU of the tongue616. When the protrudable portion624has been retracted, the cover620may be lifted so that the tongue616may be retracted from the opening622(not shown inFIG.4F) thereby allowing the tray610to be uncovered.

Food receptacle400as shown in any one of the embodiments above is easy to use, e.g. easy to cover and lock. For example, after the content, e.g. food, is placed into the tray410of the food receptacle400, the cover420may be placed or rotated onto the tray410. As the cover420approaches the tray410, the tongue416may be guided by the cover420towards the opening422and the tongue416may eventually be inserted through the opening422when the tray410is covered by the cover420. Thereafter, for the embodiment where the tongue416has a window416W, the protrudable portion424may be pushed out of the window416W to be protruded from the body416B of the tongue416and/or the tongue416may be folded away from the top panel420T to protrude the protrudable portion424over the top panel420T of the cover420. Consequently, the protrudable portion424prevents the cover420from being lifted from the tray410thereby locking the cover420onto the tray410. To open the cover420, the protrudable portion424may be pushed and rotated back towards the body416B of the tongue416to streamline the protrudable portion424to the body416B of the tongue416so that the opening422may pass over the protrudable portion424and the tongue416may be withdrawn from the opening422. In this way, the cover420may be lifted, and the food receptacle400may be opened. Furthermore, the food receptacle400may be able to withstand a heavier load thereon compared to conventional food boxes. In this way, it is possible to stack more food receptacles onto one another to allow less carriers, e.g. plastic bag, from being used to carry the food receptacles.

A skilled person would appreciate that the features described in one example may not be restricted to that example and may be combined with any one of the other examples.

In the following examples, reference will be made to the figures, in which identical features are designated with like numerals.

The present invention relates to a food receptacle generally as herein described, with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.