Patent Publication Number: US-8523049-B2

Title: Sealed clamshell carton

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/401,593, which was filed on Aug. 16, 2010. The disclosure of the referenced application is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to cartons that may be used in food packaging, and more particularly to clamshell cartons having a tray portion and a lid portion hingedly attached together. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cartons may be employed to store food items. It is generally desired to minimize the possibility for contamination of food items within the cartons. Accordingly and for example, the present disclosure provides embodiments of a carton, such as a clamshell carton, configured to define desirable properties, such as by providing improved sealing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Briefly described, one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a clamshell carton comprising a tray and a lid that are hingedly connected together such that the lid can be hinged closed over the tray to enclose a food product inside the carton. The tray and lid come into contact with one another when the carton is closed. Flanges project outwardly from the tray and lid, and the flanges of the tray can be sealed by heat, adhesive (e.g., hot-melt adhesive), or otherwise to the flanges of the lid, of vice versa, to provide a substantially sealed barrier between the atmosphere outside the carton and the product inside. 
     In one embodiment a carton configured to store a food product is provided. The carton may comprise a tray comprising a first tray panel, a plurality of additional tray panels including a plurality of side tray panels, a front tray panel, and a rear tray panel each respectively extending from the first tray panel, and a plurality of tray flanges. At least one of the tray flanges may respectively extend from each of the side tray panels and the front tray panel. The carton may further comprise a lid hingedly coupled to the tray and moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The lid may include a first lid panel, a plurality of additional lid panels including a plurality of side lid panels, a front lid panel, and a rear lid panel each respectively extending from the first lid panel, and a plurality of lid flanges. At least one of the lid flanges may respectively extend from each of the side lid panels and the front lid panel. The lid flanges may be configured to align with the tray flanges when the lid is in the closed configuration such that a plurality of overlapping pairs of flanges are defined. Further, each of the overlapping pairs of flanges may terminate adjacent another one of the overlapping pairs of flanges. 
     In an additional embodiment a blank configured to form a carton is provided. The blank may comprise a tray portion and a lid portion. The tray portion may include a first tray panel, a plurality of additional tray panels including a plurality of side tray panels, a front tray panel, and a rear tray panel each respectively extending from the first tray panel, a plurality of tray corner features, and a plurality of tray flanges. At least one of the tray flanges may respectively extend from each of the side tray panels and the front tray panel. The lid portion may include a first lid panel, a plurality of additional lid panels including a plurality of side lid panels, a front lid panel, and a rear lid panel each respectively extending from the first lid panel, a plurality of lid corner features, and a plurality of lid flanges. At least one of the lid flanges may respectively extend from each of the side lid panels and the front lid panel. The lid flanges may be configured to align with the tray flanges to define a plurality of overlapping pairs of flanges. 
     In another embodiment a method for forming a carton, such as from the above-discussed blank, is provided. The method may comprise forming a tray and a lid. The forming of the tray may include respectively coupling each of the additional tray panels to an adjacent one of the additional tray panels with the tray corner features. The forming of the lid may include respectively coupling each of the additional lid panels to an adjacent one of the additional lid panels with the lid corner features. The tray and lid flanges may be folded outwardly. There may be relative movement between the tray and the lid so that the folded outwardly lid flanges and the folded outwardly tray flanges respectively cooperate to define a plurality of overlapping pairs of flanges. The overlapping pairs of flanges may be respectively connected together. More specifically, heat and pressure may be applied to the overlapping pairs of flanges to activate hot-melt adhesive and respectively bond the overlapping pairs of flanges together. 
     Thus, in accordance with various embodiments, a carton may be formed which may be sealed shut at overlapping pairs of flanges. Accordingly, evidence of tampering may be visible. Further, a window may be provided in the carton to allow for inspection of a product stored in the carton. Other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale and may be shown schematically. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to illustrate more clearly the embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a blank configured to form a clamshell carton according to a first example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a blank configured to form a clamshell carton, according to a second example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a partially erected clamshell carton illustrating interior portions thereof, according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a partially erected clamshell carton including interior portions thereof, according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fully erected and closed clamshell carton, according to the second embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring briefly to  FIGS. 3-5 , exemplary embodiments of a clamshell carton  1 ,  1 ′ comprise a lid  7  and a tray  9 . The lid  7  and the tray  9  are hingedly connected together and form two clamshell portions of the clamshell carton  1 ,  1 ′. One or more food products, (not shown) or other types of products, can be contained within the clamshell carton  1 ,  1 ′ when it is closed. The food products can be contained in packaging and then placed in the clamshell carton  1 ,  1 ′ or the food products can be placed directly in the clamshell carton for storage, display, and/or heating. The clamshell carton  1 ,  1 ′ may be acceptable for storage and display of any appropriate type of food product including frozen, refrigerated, or non-refrigerated food products. Exemplary embodiments of the clamshell carton  1 ,  1 ′ in accordance with this disclosure will first be described in terms of the paperboard blanks from which they are erected. 
     In this regard,  FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of a blank  5  which may be used to form a clamshell carton in accordance with a first embodiment. The blank  5  may include a first surface  300  and a second surface on an opposing side of the blank. The first surface  300  may at least partially define an outer surface when the blank is formed into a clamshell carton, and the second surface may define an inside surface. The blank  5  has an outer edge that may be considered to define a first edge portion  2  (e.g., along the top of the blank) and a second edge portion  4  (e.g., along the bottom of the blank). 
     Further, the blank  5  may comprise a number of panels interconnected by fold lines or other suitable lines of weakening. Generally, the blank  5  may include a lid portion  77  and a tray portion  99  which may be connected by a fold  31 . The lid portion  77  and the tray portion  99  may be configured to respectively define a lid and a tray. 
     More specifically, the lid portion  77  may comprise an upper front panel  10  (e.g., the front lid panel) foldably connected along fold line  11  to a top panel  20 . The top panel  20  is foldably connected along fold line  21  to upper rear panel  30  (e.g., the rear lid panel). Upper side panels  22 ,  24  (e.g., the side lid panels) are respectively foldably connected to the top panel  20  along respective fold lines  23 ,  25 . Thus, the lid portion  77  may be considered to define a first lid panel (e.g., the top panel  20 ) and a plurality of additional lid panels (e.g., the upper front panel  10 , upper rear panel  30 , and upper side panels  22 ,  24 ). 
     The tray portion  99  may include a lower rear panel  40  (e.g., the rear tray panel) that is foldably connected to the upper rear panel  30  of the lid portion  77  along fold line  31 . The lower rear panel  40  is foldably connected along fold line  41  to a bottom panel  50 . The bottom panel  50  is foldably connected along fold line  51  to a lower front panel  60  (e.g., the front tray panel). Further, lower side panels  52 ,  54  (e.g., side tray panels) are respectively foldably connected to the bottom panel  50  along respective fold lines  53 ,  55 . Thus, the tray portion  99  may be considered to define a first tray panel (e.g., the bottom panel  50 ) and a plurality of additional tray panels (e.g., the lower front panel  60 , lower rear panel  40 , and lower side panels  52 ,  54 ). 
     A glue tab  12  (e.g., a flap for being attached, such as with adhesive material) may be connected to the upper front panel  10  along fold line  13 . The glue tab  12  may abut, but remain separated from (e.g., disconnected from), upper side panel  22  due to a cut line  17  being positioned therebetween. Similar glue tabs  32 ,  42 ,  62  (e.g., flaps for being attached, such as with adhesive material) are connected along fold lines  33 ,  43 ,  63  to upper rear panel  30 , lower rear panel  40 , and lower front panel  60 , respectively. The glue tab  32  extends to but is separated from upper side panel  22  along cut line  27 , glue tab  42  extends to but is separated from lower side panel  52  along cut line  47 , and glue tab  62  extends to but is separated from lower side panel  52  along cut line  57 . A mirror image of this glue tab configuration may be formed along the opposite second edge portion  4  of the blank  5  where glue tabs  14 ,  34 ,  44 ,  64  (e.g., attachment flaps) are connected along fold lines  15 ,  35 ,  45 ,  65  to upper front panel  10 , upper rear panel  30 , lower rear panel  40 , and lower front panel  60 . Glue tabs  14 ,  34  extend to but are separated from upper side panel  24  along respective cut lines  19 ,  29  while glue tabs  44 ,  64  extend to but are separated from lower side panel  54  along cut lines  49 ,  59 . Each of the above-discussed cut lines may be in the form of a slit. 
     In one embodiment, when the side  22 ,  24 ,  52 ,  54 , front panels  10 ,  60 , and rear panels  30 ,  40  of the tray portion  99  and of the lid portion  77  are folded toward one another, the glue tabs move or tuck inwardly to overlie partially the inner surfaces of their respective adjacent side panels, to which they can be attached via adhesive (or other material or method) to form the clamshell configurations of a tray and a lid (e.g., tray  9  and lid  7 ). Alternatively, the glue tabs may be adhesively or otherwise attached to the exterior surfaces of the respective side panels. Thus, glue tabs, or other corner features, may be configured to respectively attach the additional lid panels (e.g., the upper front panel  10 , upper rear panel  30 , and upper side panels  22 ,  24 ) to adjacent ones of the additional lid panels and/or respectively attach the additional tray panels (e.g., the lower front panel  60 , lower rear panel  40 , and lower side panels  52 ,  54 ) to adjacent ones of the additional tray panels. 
     In one embodiment of the disclosure, an upper front flange panel  100  of the lid portion  77  is foldably connected to the upper front panel  10  along fold line  101  and side flange panels  122 ,  124  are foldably connected to upper side panels  22 ,  24  along respective fold lines  123 ,  125 . In similar fashion, a lower front flange panel  160  of the tray portion  99  is foldably connected to the lower front panel  60  along fold line  161  and lower side flange panels  152 ,  154  are foldably connected to lower side panels  52 ,  54  along respective fold lines  153 ,  155 . The fold lines  101 ,  123 ,  125  form a lip of a lid (e.g., lid  7 ) when the blank  5  is erected into a clamshell carton (e.g., clamshell carton  1 ,  1 ′), while fold lines  153 ,  155 ,  161  form a lip of a tray (e.g., tray  9 ). The flange panels  100 ,  122 ,  124  of the lid portion  77  (which may be referred to as lid flanges) may then project outwardly from the lip of the lid to overlie (e.g., overlap, align with) the flange panels  160 ,  152 ,  154  of the tray portion  99  (which may be referred to as tray flanges) around the front and sides when the blank is assembled into the clamshell carton. 
     Optionally, the blank  5  can include an opening  70  that allows one to view the contents within the interior of the clamshell carton and/or permit assessment of the food item or items inside the clamshell carton when the clamshell carton is assembled from the blank. The food item(s) or other item(s) can be disposed in a separate bag if desired, or the item(s) may simply be disposed directly in the clamshell carton. The opening  70  can be covered by a film, plastic, or other covering  72  made of a material that forms a window to allow the product to be viewed or otherwise inspected or assessed therethrough. The covering  72  may be connected to the first surface  300  (e.g., the outside surface) or the second surface (e.g., the inside surface) of blank  5  by an adhesive  74  (or other appropriate means or method) to cover and also to seal the opening  70 . The opening  70  is shown in  FIG. 1  extending into the top panel  20 , across fold line  11 , and into upper front panel  10 . The opening  70  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, sized, and/or configured, or could be omitted without departing from the disclosure. Optionally, opening  70  can comprise multiple openings, which can be covered by a single covering  72  or which can be covered by multiple coverings, or the opening can be a single opening covered by more than one covering. Optionally still, the covering  72  can be formed in any orientation, size, or configuration, and can be provided in any color, texture, or pattern. 
     In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a blank  5 ′ may include features of the blank  5  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and therefore the same reference numbers are used when appropriate to identify common features. Thus, as described above, the blank  5 ′ may include a lid portion  77  and a tray portion  99  which may be connected by a fold  31 . The lid portion  77  and the tray portion  99  may be configured to respectively define a lid and a tray. Further, the blank  5 ′ may optionally include the opening  70 , as described above with respect to the blank  5  of the first embodiment. In one embodiment, the top and bottom panels  20 ,  50 ; front panels  10 ,  60 ; rear panels  30 ,  40 ; side panels  22 ,  24 ,  52 ,  54 ; and flange panels  122 ,  124 ,  152 ,  154  are identical to the same panels of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In this embodiment, however, the corner features comprise foldable gussets  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  270  that span the space between the front and rear panels and their adjacent side panels and connect these panels together, rather than the glue tabs of  FIG. 1 . More specifically, the gussets  200 ,  210  connect the upper side panels  22 ,  24  of the lid portion  77  to upper front panel  10 , and the gussets  220 ,  270  connect the upper side panels  22 ,  24  to upper rear panel  30 . Similarly for the tray portion  79 , foldable gussets  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  connect lower side panels  52 ,  54  of the tray portion to lower rear and lower front panels  40 ,  60  respectively of the tray portion. 
     In one embodiment, each gusset  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270  comprises a first gusset panel  202  foldably connected to a second gusset panel  204  along an oblique fold line  205 . The gussets  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270  are connected to respective side panels and to front and rear panels as the case may be along fold lines. More specifically, gusset  200  is connected to upper side panel  22  along fold line  17 ′ and to upper front panel  10  along fold line  13 , and gusset  210  is connected to upper front panel  10  along fold line  15  and to upper side panel  24  along fold line  19 ′. Gusset  220  is connected to upper side panel  24  along fold line  29 ′ and to upper rear panel  30  along fold line  35 , and gusset  230  is connected to lower rear panel  40  along fold line  45  and to lower side panel  54  along fold line  49 ′. Gusset  240  is connected to lower side panel  54  along fold line  59 ′ and to lower front panel  60  along fold line  65 , and gusset  250  is connected to lower front panel  60  along fold line  63  and to lower side panel  52  along fold line  57 ′. Gusset  260  is connected to lower side panel  52  along fold line  47 ′ and to lower rear panel  40  along fold line  43 , and gusset  270  is connected to upper rear panel  30  along fold line  33  and to upper side panel  22  along fold line  27 ′. 
     The gusset panels  202 ,  204  may define generally triangular panels, and the gusset panels may be separated by fold lines  205 . However, the gussets, gusset panels, and fold lines could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and positioned without departing from the disclosure. In some embodiments, fewer gussets overall may be required and in other embodiments a combination of gussets and panels may be used to form the carton. It will be appreciated that the tray  7  and the lid  9  can be formed by bringing the side  22 ,  24 ,  52 ,  54  and front and rear panels  10 ,  60 ,  30 ,  40  of the tray portion  77  and the lid portion  99  toward one another with the gusset panels  202 ,  204  folding along fold line  205 . The gussets  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270  can then be glued and/or otherwise secured in their folded configurations. Further, the gussets  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270  may be glued to the interior or exterior of an adjacent panel. The gussets  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270  may provide a greater barrier seal or an improved barrier seal between the exterior and interior of a carton formed from the blank  5 ′ because of their continuous nature spanning the various panels  10 ,  22 ,  24 ,  30 ,  40 ,  52 ,  54 ,  60 . However, as noted above, one or more of the gussets could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the flange panels  100 ,  122 ,  124 ,  152 ,  154 ,  160  are generally rectangular in profile and can extend an entire length of a respective side panel  22 ,  24 ,  52 ,  54  or respective front panel  100 ,  160  at a respective fold line  101 ,  123 ,  125 ,  153 ,  155 ,  161 . When a carton is erected from an embodiment of the blanks  5 ,  5 ′ disclosed herein and folded shut with the lid overlying the tray, opposing flange panels (e.g.,  100  and  160 ,  122  and  124 ,  152  and  154 ) are in contact with each other and can be secured together in any suitable manner, such as, for example, with an appropriate adhesive (e.g., hot-melt adhesive), one or more mechanical fasteners, and/or in any other suitable manner For example, a hot-melt adhesive may be provided on respective ones of the flanges, and the respective flanges may be pressed together with a hot iron, or otherwise be pressed together and heated in any other suitable manner, so that the hot-melt adhesive is activated and thereafter cools and bonds the respective flanges together. The flanges may be respectively secured together in any other suitable manner. 
     Opposing flange panels may have a similar size in order to maximize a contact area between opposing flange panels and improve a resulting seal between the lid and the tray formed from the lid portion  77  and the tray portion  99 . The flange panels  100 ,  122 ,  124 ,  152 ,  154 ,  160  can have any length and any width necessary to establish an adequate barrier and a seal for the product inside the clamshell carton formed from the blank  5 ,  5 ′. In some embodiments, a typical flange panel length can range from 3.5 to 5.5 inches and a typical flange panel width can range from 0.25 to 1.00 inches. In other embodiments, the flange panels may have a length greater than a width of the side panel or a front panel (e.g., wherein the length of the flange panels and the width of the side and front panels extend along the fold line therebetween). When the flange panels  100 ,  122 ,  124 ,  152 ,  154 ,  160  are overlapped and sealed, a barrier is created between the exterior of the carton and the interior of the carton to help maintain the freshness and safety of the food items within the carton. Further, the sealed flange panels may function as a tamper indicator that, if breached, may indicate that the contents of the interior of the carton have been compromised. 
     In one exemplary method, the first embodiment of the blank  5  may be formed into the corresponding first embodiment of a carton  1  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in which a second surface  400  that defines an outer surface of the carton is shown . In particular, the carton  1  can be erected from the blank  5  by folding the respective side panels, front panels, and rear panels toward each other along the connecting fold lines to form the lid  7  and tray  9 , as may be understood with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 . At the first edge portion  2  of lid portion  77 , glue tab  12  is folded along fold line  13  and tucked under or inside side panel  22 , and glue tab  32  is folded along fold line  33  and tucked inside upper side panel  22 . At the second edge portion  4  of lid portion  77 , glue tab  14  is folded along fold line  15  and tucked inside upper side panel  24 , and glue tab  34  is folded along fold line  35  and tucked inside upper side panel  24 . Upper front panel  10  is folded along fold line  11 , upper rear panel  30  is folded along fold line  21 , upper side panel  22  is folded along fold line  23 , and upper side panel  24  is folded along fold line  25 . An adhesive (e.g., a glue or a heat sealed adhesive) is applied to, or otherwise activated at, the glue tabs  12 ,  32 ,  14 ,  34 , and/or to the corresponding upper side panels  22 ,  24 , respectively, to secure the glue tabs in place to form the lid  7 . For example, an adhesive may be applied to, or otherwise activated at, the first surface  300  (e.g., the outer surface) at the glue tabs  12 ,  32 ,  14 ,  34  and/or to a second surface (e.g., the inner surface, opposing the first surface) at the corresponding upper side panels  22 ,  24 . In  FIG. 1 , adhesive material is schematically illustrated by dashed lines on the glue tabs. 
     Similarly, at the first edge portion  2  of tray portion  99 , glue tab  42  is folded along fold line  43  and tucked inside side panel  52 , and glue tab  62  is folded along fold line  63  and tucked inside side panel  52 . At the second edge portion  4  of tray portion  99 , glue tab  44  is folded along fold line  45  and tucked inside side panel  54 , and glue tab  64  is folded along fold line  65  and tucked inside side panel  54 . Lower front panel  60  is folded along fold line  51 , lower rear panel  40  is folded along fold line  41 , side panel  52  is folded along fold line  53 , and side panel  54  is folded along fold line  55 . An adhesive (e.g., a glue or a heat sealed adhesive) may be applied to the first surface  300  (e.g., the outer surface) at glue tabs  42 ,  62 ,  44 ,  64 , and/or to the second surface (e.g., opposite the first surface) at corresponding sections of lower front panel  60 , side panel  52 , lower rear panel  40 , and side panel  54 , respectively, to secure the glue tabs in place to form the tray  9 . Note that although the glue tabs are generally shown and described above as being folded inside of the corresponding panels such that the glue tabs are positioned on the inside of the carton  1 , the glue tabs may alternatively be folded outside of the corresponding panels such that the glue tabs are positioned outside the carton. In this regard, adhesive may be applied to, or otherwise activated at, the first surface  300  (e.g., the outer surface) of the panels or the second surface (e.g., the inner surface, which opposes the first surface) at the glue tabs in embodiments in which the glue tabs are folded outside of the corresponding panels. 
     The second embodiment of the blank  5 ′ (see,  FIG. 2 ) may be formed into a carton  1 ′ of a second embodiment, as illustrated in an open configuration in  FIG. 4 . In order to form the carton  1 ′, two clamshell portions, lid  7  and tray  9 , are formed by folding the various side, front, and back panels along connecting fold lines, as may be understood with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4 . At the first edge portion  2  of lid portion  77 , gusset panels  202 ,  204  of gusset  200  are folded along fold lines  13 ,  17 ′,  205  extend from the first surface  300  (e.g., the gusset panels may be folded toward one another such that the gusset is positioned on the outside of the carton  1 ′), and gusset panels  202 ,  204  of gusset  270  are folded along fold lines  33 ,  27 ′,  205  toward the first surface  300 . At the second edge portion  4  of tray portion  99 , gusset panels  202 ,  204  of gusset  210  are folded along fold lines  15 ,  19 ′,  205  toward the first surface  300 , and gusset panels  202 ,  204  of gusset  220  are folded along fold lines  35 ,  29 ′,  205  toward the first surface  300 . Upper front panel  10  is folded along fold line  11 , upper rear panel  30  is folded along fold line  31 , upper side flap  22  is folded along fold line  23 , and upper side flap  24  is folded along fold line  55 . An adhesive (e.g., glue or a heat sealed adhesive) may be applied to, or otherwise activated at, the first surface  300  (e.g., the outer surface) at the gusset panels  204  or at a portion of the first surface at the side panels  22 ,  24  and the gussets  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  270  may be folded and secured in place to form the lid  7  of the clamshell carton  1 ′. 
     Along the first edge portion  2  of tray portion  99 , gusset panels  202 ,  204  of gusset  250  are folded along fold lines  63 ,  57 ′,  205  toward the first surface  300  (e.g., the gusset panels may be folded toward one another such that the gusset is positioned on the outside of the carton  1 ′), and gusset panels  202 ,  204  of gusset  260  are folded along fold lines  43 ,  47 ′,  205  and extend outwardly from the first surface  300 . At the second edge portion  4  of tray portion  99 , gusset panels  202 ,  204  of gusset  230  are folded along fold lines  45 ,  49 ′,  205  and extend outwardly from the first surface  300 , and gusset panels  202 ,  204  of gusset  240  are folded along fold lines  59 ′,  65 ,  205  and extend outwardly from the first surface  300 . Lower rear panel  40  is folded along fold line  41 , lower front panel  60  is folded along fold line  51 , lower side panel  52  is folded along fold line  53 , and lower side panel  54  is folded along fold line  55 . An adhesive (e.g., a glue or a heat sealed adhesive) may be applied to, or otherwise activated at, the first surface  300  (e.g., the outer surface) of gusset panels  204  or a portion of the first surface at the lower side panels  52 ,  54  and the gussets  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  folded and secured adhesively in place to form tray  9 . Since the gussets are continuous from their respective side panels to their respective front or rear panels, this embodiment may form a better seal than the embodiment of  FIG. 1  wherein the glue tabs are separated from the side panels along cut lines (e.g., slits). 
     Note that although the gussets  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 ,  270  are generally shown and described above as being folded such that the gusset panels  204  are adhered (e.g., glued, or heat sealed) to the side panels  22 ,  24 ,  52 ,  54 , in other embodiments the gussets may be configured such that the gusset panels  202  are adhered to the front  10 ,  60  or rear  30 ,  40  panels with adhesive (e.g., a glue or heat seal) applied to, or otherwise activated at, the second surface at the gusset panel  202  or the corresponding portions of the front and rear panels. Further, in another embodiment the gusset panels  202 ,  204  may be folded inwardly such that the gusset is positioned on the inside of the carton). Accordingly, adhesive (e.g., a glue or heat seal) may be applied to, or otherwise activated at, the second surface at one of the gusset panels  202 ,  204  and/or the corresponding side  22 ,  24 ,  52 ,  54 , front  10 ,  60  or rear  30 ,  40  panels. 
     At any suitable time during the forming of the carton  1 ,  1 ′, flange panels  100 ,  122 ,  124 ,  152 ,  154 ,  160  may be folded outwardly (e.g., away from the inside of the carton) about fold lines  101 ,  123 ,  125 ,  153 ,  155 ,  161 , respectively. 
     Once the lid  7  and tray  9  are formed, the lid and tray can be articulated, hinged, or folded toward each other along connecting fold line  31 . The lid  7  and tray  9  can be hinged along line  31 , to initially close the carton, or can be re-hinged to reclose the carton as desired. Line  31  may be formed as a cut crease or as multiple fold lines that, when folded, offers relief to the area of and surrounding line  31  to eliminate fight back of the carton (such as resistance to opening or closing of the lid  7  and tray  9  with respect to one another). Further, if desired, the lid  7  and tray  9  can be separated along line  31  to form separate portions (providing additional use benefits, such as allowing one portion to be available for use as a bottom tray or insulation surface or to provide separate trays for food items, condiments, or the like). That is, the fold line  31  (or one or more portions thereof) may optionally be a tear line. Alternatively, the fold line  31  may be a cut line (e.g., slit), and flange panels that are for being connected to one another (e.g., for being sealed together) may be respectively foldably connected to the lower rear panel  40  and the lower front panel  60 . 
     Once folded along line  31 , the lid  7  and tray  9  can be disposed in a closed configuration as shown in  FIG. 5  to enclose a food item in the resulting carton. Although the second embodiment of the carton  1 ′ is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first embodiment of the carton  1  is also configurable to the closed configuration. In the closed configuration, opposing flange panels, e.g.,  100  and  160 ,  122  and  124 ,  152  and  154  project outwardly from the tray and lid to overlap one another and can be aligned. Thus, the lid flanges  100 ,  122 ,  124  may align with the tray flanges  160 ,  152 ,  154  when the lid  7  is in the closed configuration such that a plurality of overlapping pairs of flanges  100  and  160 ,  122  and  124 ,  152  and  154  are defined. As further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , each of the overlapping pairs of flanges  100  and  160 ,  122  and  124 ,  152  and  154  terminates adjacent another one of the overlapping pairs of flanges. The overlapping pairs of flanges  100  and  160 ,  122  and  124 ,  152  and  154  may be heat sealed or otherwise adhered and/or fastened together to form a barrier or seal between the atmosphere on the exterior of the carton and the food in the interior of the carton, and/or function to provide evidence of tampering. As a more detailed example, for each of the pairs of flanges  100  and  160 ,  122  and  124 ,  152  and  154 , one or both of the opposite surfaces facing one another may have been previously at least partially coated with a hot-melt adhesive, such as when the blanks  5 ,  5 ′ where originally manufactured or at any suitable time thereafter. Then, when the overlapping pairs of flanges  100  and  160 ,  122  and  124 ,  152  and  154  are defined, for each overlapping pair, the flanges may be simultaneously pressed together and heated, such as with a hot iron, or in any other suitable manner, so that the hot-melt adhesive is activated and thereafter cools and bonds the respective flanges together. Cartons  1 ,  1 ′ can be formed, closed, and/or opened by other alternative methods and steps without departing from the disclosure. 
     Blank  5 ,  5 ′ can be provided in any size or configuration as desired, with one exemplary embodiment including a length between flange panel  100  and flange panel  160  of about 13.75-inch, a width between peripheral portions of flange panels  122 ,  152  and flange panels  124 ,  154  of about 7.375-inch, and a width between peripheral portions of side panels  22 ,  24  and side panels  52 ,  54  for about 6.375-inch. In this example, panel  20  has a width between fold lines  23 ,  25  of 3.625-inch, side panel  22  has a width from fold line  23  to fold line  123  of 1.375-inch, and side panel  24  has a width from fold line  25  to fold line  125  of 1.375-inch. Also, in this example, bottom panel  50  has a width between fold line  53  and fold line  55  of 3.625-inch, side panel  52  has a width from fold line  53  to fold line  153  of 1.375-inch, and side panel  54  has a width from fold line  55  to fold line  155  of 1.375-inch. Upper front panel  10  has a length between fold line  11  and fold line  101  of 1.375-inch, top panel  20  has a length between fold line  11  and fold line  21  of 1.375-inch, top rear panel  30  has a length between fold line  21  and line  31  of 1.375-inch, bottom rear panel  40  has a length between line  31  and fold line  41  of 1.375-inch, bottom panel  50  has a length between fold line  41  and fold line  51  of 3.625-inch, and lower front panel  60  has a length between fold line  51  fold line  161  of 1.375-inch. Flange panel  100  has a width between fold line  101  and a peripheral portion of 0.5-inches and has a length of 4.397-inches. Dimensions of flange panels  122 ,  124 ,  152 ,  154 ,  160  may be substantially similar. These dimensions are provided for exemplary purposes only and should in no manner limit the blank, carton, or package detailed herein. The above-discussed dimensions may each be approximate, and each may vary by a percentage, such as by plus or minus ten, twenty, thirty and/or any other suitable percentage. 
     The clamshell cartons of the various illustrated embodiments are useful in providing a package for containing a food product, the package comprising a tray and a lid. The tray may be configured to be folded flat and used as a placemat for placing the food product during consumption or storage. The carton is generally a rectangular prism in shape. 
     The blanks according to the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blanks can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blanks may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blanks may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blanks may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blanks can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blanks can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections. 
     In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding there-along. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. 
     As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure. 
     The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place. 
     Directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, front, back, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) have been used in this disclosure for ease of understanding and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, while the present disclosure has generally been provided in terms of certain illustrated configurations, directional references related thereto are provided only for example. Also, in considering the scope of this disclosure, each of the features of this disclosure should be considered as applicable in isolation, and in various combinations and subcombinations. 
     The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.