Abstract:
Containers are disclosed. A container includes a plate adapted to receive food items during consumption, and a bag adapted to receive food items during transport. The bag includes a hollow portion with an open end, and is further adapted to at least partially receive the plate. Another container includes a bag adapted to receive food items during transport. The bag is convertible into a plate adapted to receive food items during consumption. The bag includes a hollow portion with an open end, and a first cutting line intersecting at a non-zero angle with a periphery of the open end of the hollow portion. Yet another container is adapted to serve either as a bag or as two plates.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Customers of take-out restaurants, fast food establishments, or similar businesses conventionally receive their purchase items in one or more bags. Customers sometimes plan to consume their purchased items at a location where tables are unavailable or when a proper eating surface or surface for food are not commonly found. Such a location may lack a hygienic and convenient place to support or rest the purchased items during consumption. 
         [0002]    During transport, food items are conventionally protected by wrappers, or are otherwise more structurally sound than during consumption. As a result, food items during consumption typically require more support than they do during transport. However, conventional bags do not provide adequate support for food items during consumption. Specifically, materials and designs typically used for manufacturing bags are typically maladapted for containing food items without softening or ripping. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An exemplary embodiment of a container may include a plate adapted to receive food items during consumption, and a bag adapted to receive food items during transport. The bag may include a hollow portion with an open end, and may be further adapted to at least partially receive the plate. 
         [0004]    Another exemplary embodiment of a container may be include a bag adapted to receive food items during transport. The bag may be convertible into a plate adapted to receive food items during consumption. The bag may include a hollow portion with an open end, and a first cutting line intersecting at a non-zero angle with a periphery of the open end of the hollow portion. 
         [0005]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of a container may be adapted to serve either as a bag or as two plates. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates exemplary embodiment of a bag adapted to receive a plate slid against an interior surface of the bag. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container adapted to serve either as a bag or as a plate, in bag mode. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container adapted to serve either as a bag or as a plate, in plate mode. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   a  illustrates an exemplary side view of a container adapted to be formed into one or more eating surfaces. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3   b  illustrates an exemplary side view of a container adapted to be formed into one or more eating surfaces after being separated from another portion of the container. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3   c  illustrates an exemplary top down view of the container as portions are opened. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3   d  illustrates an exemplary side view of the container as portions are opened. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   e  illustrates an exemplary view of the container in a substantially open format. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   f  illustrates an exemplary view of the container in an open format with a depressed container area. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4   a  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container formed with a plate therein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4   b  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container with a plate detached therefrom. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
         [0019]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0020]    Embodiments disclosed herein may provide systems for containing food for transport and consumption. For example, a container adapted to contain food items for transport may be converted into or may serve as a container adapted to contain food items for consumption. An exemplary embodiment of a bag may be adapted to receive a plate slid against an interior surface of the bag. Another exemplary embodiment of a container may be adapted to serve either as a bag or as a plate. Yet another exemplary embodiment of a container may be adapted to serve either as a bag convert or as two plates. Exemplary embodiments herein may assist a user in both transporting food items and consuming them. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment  100  of a bag  110  adapted to receive a plate  120  slid against an interior surface of the bag  110 . The bag  110  may include a hollow portion with one open end. The bag  110  may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible, and may be polyhedral, prismic, or of any regular or irregular shape known in the art. 
         [0022]    The plate  110  may be of any shape known in the art, and may be flat, or with raised and/or angled edges, and/or ridged edges. The plate  120  may be structurally reinforced or otherwise adapted to receive food items. A surface of the plate  120  may be of a material adapted to contain food items without softening or ripping. The plate  120  may alternatively be adapted to be partially cut, torn and/or folded to form edges, and may include, for example, cutting lines. Additionally, it is noted that the plate  120  could be any shape or size, depending on the size of the bag  110  or box containing the plate  120 . In some exemplary embodiments, the plate may be substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially circular, substantially oval, or any other shape, as desired. 
         [0023]    The plate  110  may be wrapped, for example, in a paper or plastic wrapper, for hygienic purposes, and/or to reduce exposure to the elements. The plate  120  may be adapted to slide against an interior surface of the bag  110 . When inside or partially inside the bag  110 , the plate  120  may be coupled to an interior surface of the bag  110 , using adhesive coupling means, magnetic coupling means, hook-and-loop coupling means, or any coupling means known in the art. Additionally, the plate  120  may be secured by folding top portions of bag  110  inward or plate  120  may have some additional flaps that may be used to fold over and secure bag  110 . Alternatively, the plate  120  may be loosely inserted into the bag  110 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 2   a - b  show an exemplary embodiment  200  of a container  210  adapted to serve either as a bag or as a plate.  FIG. 2   a  shows the container  210  in bag mode.  FIG. 2   b  shows the container  210  in plate mode. The container  210  in bag mode may be partially cut or torn to open up the container  210  and convert into plate mode. 
         [0025]    Cutting or tearing may be effected along one or more cutting lines  220 . A cutting line  220  may include a pre-cut portion, a pre-folded portion, or any other cutting line known in the art. Alternatively, a cutting line  220  may be a marking along which a cut may be performed. A cutting line  220  may span one or more sides or edges of a bag  210 . 
         [0026]    One or more portions or sides of the container  210 , such as side panel  230  in exemplary embodiment  200 , may be reinforced or otherwise adapted to receive food items. One or more portions or sides of the container  210 , such as side panel  230  in exemplary embodiment  200 , may alternatively be adapted to be partially cut, torn and/or folded to form edges, and may include, for example, cutting lines. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a container, such as a bag  300 , adapted to serve either as a bag convert or as two plates. The bag may be symmetrically cut into halves. Flaps on two sides of each bag half may be adapted to convert each bag half into a plate, and it may be noted that flaps on one side of bag  300  may have corresponding sections on an opposite side. Referring now to exemplary  FIGS. 3   a - f , another embodiment of a multi-use food container may be shown. In this example, bag  300  may be formed in any desired manner, such as a similar manner to that described with exemplary  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Additionally, it may be appreciated that bag  300  could, alternatively, be a box or any other type of food container, as desired. In this exemplary embodiment bag  300  may have a substantially closed bottom portion  302 , a substantially open top portion  304 , a bottom flap  306  and a perforation  308 . Further, top flap  310  may be disposed on an interior portion of bag  300 . Perforation  308  may run around the entirety of the bag, allowing it to be separated completely in half. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3   b  shows an exemplary side view of bag  300  after it has been separated along perforation  308 . It is noted that there could be a second half of bag  300 , after it is separated along perforation  308 , that the second half of the bag could be utilized in a similar manner as described herein. In exemplary  FIG. 3   c , bottom flap  306  is opened to form sections  306   a  and  306   b , and, along with a portion of bag  300  that was separated, forms flap  314 . Additionally, flap  310  disposed on an interior portion proximate open top portion  304  is opened to form flap  320 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 3   d , which is a side view, flap  306  is opened outwards, forming flap  318  with sections  306   a  and  306   b . Additionally, in this view, flap  310  may still be seen as unfolded, on an interior portion of bag  300 . Exemplary  FIG. 5   e  then shows a top-down view of bag  300  after it has been separated and substantially opened. Additionally, in this view, flaps  306 ,  314  and  318  are opened. Then flap  310  and interior bag portion  320  are opened, forming sections  310   a  and  310   b , as well as flap  322 . Further, center area, or depressed container area  330  may then be substantially formed with wall sections  314 ,  316 ,  318  and  322 . It may be noted that the flaps described herein may substantially fold in place to form a substantially permanent and impermeable border. Alternatively, in some exemplary embodiments, any flaps may be fitted with any other coupling mechanisms, for example adhesives, male and female couplings, and the like. 
         [0030]    As shown in exemplary  FIG. 3   f , bag  300  has now been folded to form substantially depressed container area  330  with perimeter walls  314 ,  316 ,  318 , and  322  coupled to form perimeter wall  328  disposed there around. Food placed within eating area  330  may be substantially contained therein by way of substantially impermeable perimeter wall  328 , which is formed through the folding and coupling of various flaps. 
         [0031]    In another exemplary embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , a plate may be formed in the side of a bag or box. In this example, bag  400  may be similar in size, shape, and structure to that described with respect to bag  110  in exemplary  FIG. 1 . Here, it may be noted that bag  400  may be shown on a side portion, or may have been otherwise detached from other sides and a bottom portion of bag  400 . Further, bag  400  may have plate  410  formed therein. Plate  410  may be any size, for example sized to fit within the dimensions of a side portion of bag  400 . Additionally, plate  410  may be formed in any desired shape, for example substantially rectangular, substantially oval, or any other size or shape. Plate  410  may be formed to be at least partially depressed into an interior portion of bag  400 , or may be formed so as to be at least partially protruding from an exterior portion of bag  400 . This may allow for the plate  410  to have sidewalls  420  which can allow for the containment of food or other items when the plate  410  is used for eating. 
         [0032]    Additionally, the plate  410  may be formed out of any of a variety of materials. For example, the plate  410  can be formed such that it is a thicker version of the material or materials used to form bag  400 . Thus, plate  410  could be formed out of any paper, cardboard, plastic, or any other desired material that may be used to form traditional disposable plates. Additionally, the plate  410  may be formed or otherwise coupled with the bag  400  in any desired manner and the plate  410  and the bag  400  may be formed out of separate materials. For example, the bag  400  may be formed from plastic and the plate  410  may be formed from a reinforced paper, although any combination of materials is envisioned. 
         [0033]    In a further exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the plate  410  may be formed with bag  400  such that plate  410  is removable or detachable from the bag  400 . In such an embodiment, the plate  410  may be formed with the bag  400  having a substantially precut perimeter that allows the plate  410  to be quickly and easily removed or detached from the bag  400 . Alternatively, the plate  410  could be coupled or otherwise attached to the bag  400  in any desired manner, for example through the use of an adhesive. 
         [0034]    The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0035]    Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.