Abstract:
A clamshell-style food container having a beverage holder that can also act as a closure mechanism for securing the container in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the food container also has multiple compartments for separating food items.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The following application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/295,595, filed Jan. 15, 2010, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to food containers, specifically a clamshell-style food tray with a cup-based closure mechanism. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Disposable plates are often used at social gatherings such as parties, sporting events, and business functions, as they offer a convenient way to provide tableware without having to worry about tedious clean-up. In many instances, it is desirable to have plates with lids to protect food from pests and/or maintain an ideal temperature, especially when outdoors. It is also desirable to have a food tray that can hold a beverage container, such that a user need not use both hands when trying to hold the food tray and a cup or other beverage vessel. It would also be convenient to have a food tray wherein a beverage container can act as the closure mechanism for the tray. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a clamshell-style food tray that can accommodate a beverage container when the tray is in either open or closed configurations. The beverage container should also be able to keep the food tray in a closed configuration when the beverage container is engaged with the tray. In some embodiments, the food tray should have multiple compartments for separating food items. In yet other embodiments, the food tray should be disposable and made of eco-friendly corn products or recycled materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in an open configuration. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in a closed configuration. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a closed configuration with a cup inserted in an opening. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a top view of another embodiment of the present invention in an open configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  depicts a side view of one embodiment of the present invention having at least one tab member to selectively couple the tray members. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in an open configuration, without dividers. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of one embodiment of the present invention in an open configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the present invention. A container  100  can have a first section  102  and a second section  104  coupled via a hinge mechanism  105 . A first section  102  and a second section  104  can each comprise at least one tray member  106  having sidewalls  108 . A first section  102  can further comprise a raised lip  110  coupled with sidewalls  108   a , and a first rim  112   a  coupled with a raised lip  110 , thus forming a first perimeter edge  111   a . A second section  104  can further comprise a recessed ledge  114  coupled with sidewalls  108   b , and a second rim  112   b  coupled with a recessed ledge  114 , thus forming a second perimeter edge  111   b.    
         [0015]    At least one section  102  or  104  can comprise an aperture  116 .  FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a container  100  wherein each section  102  and  104  can have an aperture  116 . In the embodiment shown, apertures  116  can be located proximate to a hinge mechanism  105  such that when a container  100  is in a closed configuration (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), a single opening  118  can be formed. In other embodiments, at least one aperture  116  can be located in any other desired and/or convenient location in a container  100 . 
         [0016]    A section  102  or  104  can have a relatively squared geometry, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . However, in other embodiments, a section  102  and/or  104  can be rectangular, ovoid, circular, triangular, or can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. Sections  102  and/or  104  can have smooth surfaces, or can have textured surfaces. The exterior surfaces of a section  102  and/or  104  can comprise one or more colors, designs, or any other desired aesthetic feature, and/or can comprise antibacterial and/or antimicrobial coating or properties. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the exterior surface of a section  102  and/or  104  can comprise anti-slip properties and/or coating. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, an opening  118  can be adapted to receive at least a portion of a cup  120 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, a cup  120  inserted in an opening  118  can keep a container  100  in a closed configuration (i.e., first and second sections  102   104  are coupled with each other). In other embodiments, as described below, a container  100  can be temporarily secured in a closed configuration in any other known and/or convenient manner or via any other known and/or convenient mechanism. 
         [0018]    First and second perimeter edges  111   a    111   b  can be adapted to selectively couple with each other when pressed together, such that a lip  110  can be in contact with a ledge  114 , and first and second rims  112   a    112   b  can be in contact with each other. In some embodiments, a container  100  can be temporarily secured in a closed configuration via interference fit between first and second perimeter edges  111   a    111   b . In some embodiments, this interference fit closure can be the sole method of closure for a container  100 . In other embodiments, the cup-closure mechanism described above can be used to keep a container  100  in a closed configuration. In alternate embodiments, a container  100  can be temporarily secured in a closed configuration via one or more tab members  406  along a first and/or second perimeter edge  111   a    111   b , as shown in  FIG. 4A . In yet other embodiments, a container  100  can be temporarily secured in a closed configuration via any other known and/or convenient mechanism, including but not limited to: a latch, reusable adhesive, or hook and loop fastening components. 
         [0019]    As depicted in  FIG. 4 , at least one section  102   104  can further comprise a plurality of compartments  402  formed by raised dividing members  404  coupled with a tray member  106 . Compartments  402  can be used to separate foods or other objects. However, in other embodiments, both sections  102  and  104  can be devoid of raised dividing members  404 , as depicted in  FIG. 4B . 
         [0020]    A container  100  can be at least partially comprised of paper, corn products, recycled materials, plastic, environmentally-friendly materials, or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials. A container  100  can also have insulating properties, can be made of food-grade material, can be water impermeable (such that liquids cannot leak through), and/or can be biodegradable. In some embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the exterior surface of at least one section  102   104  can have a label  202  that can be used to identify the contents of a container  100 , a person&#39;s name, or any other known and/or convenient identifier. In other embodiments, a container  100  can further comprise a utensil holder. 
         [0021]    In use, and according to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a user can place food on a tray member  106   a  when a container  100  is in an open configuration. In embodiments having compartments  402 , a user can divide food or other objects amongst compartments  402 . The user can then bring a second section  104  over a first section  102  such that first and second perimeter edges  111   a    111   b  can be in contact with each other. In some embodiments, a user can then press perimeter edges  111   a    111   b  together to temporarily couple sections  102   104 . A user can also insert a cup  120  into an opening  118  such that a cup  120  can hold sections  102   104  together, as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0022]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.