Patent Publication Number: US-11649087-B2

Title: Multi-compartment rigid tray with recloseable rigid dome lid

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to snack packages, and in particular to a multi-compartment rigid tray with a recloseable rigid dome lid. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various container and package designs have been used in the past to contain and display snack food products. Among the many existing snack containers and packages, some have contained multiple compartments for separately holding different types of snack products in a single package. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,874, Hustad et al., describes a rigid plastic base tray having at least three compartments covered with a flexible film that hermetically seals each of the compartments. U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,105, Roman et al., discloses a circular container comprised of two compartments hermetically sealed by a film placed over the top of the two compartments. U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,920, Weaver, Jr., discloses a food package consistent of two separate compartments covered by sealing means. However, each of these conventional snack packages provide multiple compartments for holding various snack products that are downwardly formed from an upper flat surface of the rigid container. Flexible film is used them laid across this upper flat surface to provide a seal for the snacks held in the downwardly formed compartments. 
     Unfortunately, this conventional design of multi-compartment snack packages suffers from several disadvantages. For example, the downwardly formed compartments only permit access to the various snack products held therein from the top of each compartment. This can often make it difficult for a consumer to reach down into a compartment to grasp the product, especially if the compartment(s) are relatively deep and the quantity of remaining snack product in such compartment(s) is low. Additionally, the products held in the various downwardly formed compartments are not readily visible to consumers. Thus, if such conventional multi-compartment packages are stacked on a display shelf, consumer may have to pick up a package and turn it in various directions to ascertain exactly what is held in each downwardly formed compartment. Furthermore, such conventional packages with downwardly formed compartments typically form the compartments of flexible or semi-flexible material, which permits easier crushing of the products within the compartments should external forces, including the mere grasping of the container by a consumer, be applied to the sides of one or more of the compartments. 
     Still further, the peelable films laid over the top surfaces of such conventional multi-compartment packages is not typically resealable over the package once it is open. Even in packages where the film can be laid back over the top surface of the package, the consumer&#39;s view of what product(s) remain in the various downwardly formed compartments is again obscured. Moreover, the mere use of flexible films over the top surfaces of such conventional multi-compartment snack packages is a weak material, which can be easily punctured during shipping of such packages or even the stacking of multiple similar packages on a display shelf. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an improved multi-compartment package for holding food products that does not suffer from these and other deficiencies found in conventional packages. The disclosed principles provide such improved package. 
     SUMMARY 
     To overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the disclosed principles provide for new and unique recloseable package, having a rigid multi-compartment tray and a rigid recloseable lid. In one exemplary embodiment, a recloseable package in accordance with the disclosed principles comprises a rigid tray comprising a product surface configured to hold one or more food products thereon. Such a tray may also comprise a raised lip along a perimeter of the product surface and configured to laterally secure the one or more food products on the product surface. The tray may also have a tray skirt horizontally extending outward from a top edge of the raised lip, and one or more dividing features upwardly extending from the product surface and configured to form distinct compartments on the product surface of the tray for receiving the one or more food products therein. Furthermore, such an exemplary package also comprises a recloseable rigid lid having an upper surface substantially coextensive with the product surface, and at least one sidewall downwardly extending from the upper surface. The rigid lid may also comprise a lid skirt horizontally extending outward from a bottom edge of the at least one sidewall, where the lid skirt is coextensive and complimentary in shape with the tray skirt so as to hold the lid on the tray. 
     In some embodiments, a recloseable package according to disclosed principles may have the tray skirt and the lid skirt each further comprise corresponding vertically extending components. The corresponding vertically extending components of the tray skirt and the lid skirt may each further comprise a complimentary shaped securing feature configured to mate with one another to secure the lid on the tray. Also, the complimentary shaped securing features may comprise a plurality of inwardly curved portions horizontally distributed on each corresponding vertically extending component. Alternatively, the complimentary shaped securing features may comprise an outwardly curved portion horizontally coextensive with each corresponding vertically extending component. 
     In some embodiments, the recloseable package may further comprise respective corresponding sealing flanges horizontally extending outward from the corresponding vertically extending components of the tray and lid, where the corresponding sealing flanges are configured to be sealed to one another to hermetically seal the lid on the tray. 
     In some embodiments of a recloseable package according to the disclosed principles, the vertically extending components each extend downwardly. In other embodiments, the vertically extending components each extend upwardly. 
     In some embodiments, a recloseable package in accordance with the disclosed principles further comprises a pull tab horizontally extending outward from respective vertically extending components. In such embodiments, the pull tabs are configured to be grasped by a consumer to remove the lid from the tray. In more specific embodiments, the pull tabs may each comprise textured features to assist the consumer with grasping the pull tabs. 
     In some embodiments, the rigid lid of a recloseable package is semi-transparent. In other embodiments, the rigid lid is transparent. In both such embodiments, the rigid tray may be opaque. 
     In some embodiments of a recloseable package according to the disclosed principles the one or more dividing features of the tray are integrally formed as a unitary piece with the product surface of the tray. Also, in some embodiments, the distinct compartments formed by the one or more dividing features each comprise substantially the same shape and size. In alternative embodiments, the compartments are of varying sizes and shapes. 
     Also, in exemplary embodiments, the one or more dividing features may comprise a downward slope when moving from a center of the tray to the raised lip. Such embodiments allow view of the product from the side of the package when the rigid lid is at least semi-transparent, as well as easier grasping of such product by consumers. In other embodiments, the dividing features may be inversely sloped in the opposite direction or are not sloped at all. 
     Numerous embodiments and advantages associated with each such embodiment are discussed in further detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description that follows, by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments, makes reference to the noted drawings in which reference numerals represent the same parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a top view of a first embodiment of a rigid multi-compartment recloseable package constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the package of  FIG.  1    taken along line  2 - 2 ; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a close up cross-sectional view detail view of a portion of  FIG.  2   , which illustrates the lid skirt joined with the tray skirt when the lid is closed onto the tray; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a side view of the rigid multi-compartment package illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 3   ; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an isometric view of the rigid multi-compartment package illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   ; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a top view of a second embodiment of a rigid multi-compartment recloseable package constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the package of  FIG.  6    taken along line  7 - 7 ; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a close up cross-sectional view detail view of a portion of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a side view of the rigid multi-compartment package illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 8   ; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an isometric view of the rigid multi-compartment package illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 9   ; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a top view of a third embodiment of a rigid multi-compartment recloseable package constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the package of  FIG.  11    taken along line  12 - 12 ; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a close up cross-sectional view detail view of a portion of  FIG.  12   ; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a side view of the rigid multi-compartment package illustrated in  FIGS.  11 - 13   ; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates an isometric view of the rigid multi-compartment package illustrated in  FIGS.  11 - 14   ; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a top view of yet another embodiment of a rigid lid of a recloseable package constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the rigid lid of  FIG.  16    taken across line  17 - 17 ; 
         FIG.  18    illustrates a close up detail view of a portion of the rigid lid of  FIG.  16   ; 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a close up detail view of a portion of the rigid lid of  FIG.  17   ; 
         FIG.  20    illustrates a top view of a rigid tray corresponding to the rigid lid of  FIGS.  16 - 19   ; 
         FIG.  21    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the rigid tray of  FIG.  20    taken across line  21 - 21 ; 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a close up detail view of a portion of the rigid tray of  FIG.  20   ; 
         FIG.  23    illustrates a close up detail view of a portion of the rigid tray of  FIG.  21   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In view of the foregoing, through one or more various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features, the present disclosure is intended to bring out one or more of the advantages that will be evident from the description. The present disclosure makes reference to one or more specific embodiments by way of illustration and example. It is understood, therefore, that the terminology, examples, drawings and embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a rigid multi-compartment recloseable package  100  constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. From this top view, this embodiment of the package  100  is formed having four sides, and in the shape of a square. Also, the four corners of the package  100  are rounded off. The package  100  is comprised of a rigid lid  105  fitted completely over a rigid tray  110 . The rigid lid  105  of the package  100  is semi-transparent in this embodiment, which allows visibility of a piece of product  115  being held within the package  100 . As used herein, the terms “rigid” and “rigid material” are used to mean a material having sufficient resiliency to maintain its form or shape even though the material has some amount of flexibility to be temporarily distorted. 
     Also visible from this top view are a lid tab  105   a  and tray tab  110   a , which in this embodiment may be grasped by a consumer and pulled in opposite directions, with the lid tab  105   a  being pulled upwardly and the tray tab  110   a  being pulled downwardly and away from the lid tab  105   a , to separate the lid  105  from the tray  110 . Texture features  105   b  and  110   b  may also be provided on the respective tabs  105   a ,  110   a , to assist the consumer in maintaining their grasp of the tabs  105   a ,  110   a  when used to open the package  100  in this manner. 
     Turning to  FIG.  2   , illustrated is a side cross-sectional view of the package  100  of  FIG.  1    taken along line  2 - 2 . From this cross-sectional view, both the lid  105  and the tray  110  can be seen. Also visible from this cross-sectional view are the uniquely shaped formed raised walls  120  that rise up from the bottom surface of the rigid tray  110  and create the multiple compartments on the tray  110 . 
     In particular, the dividing walls  120  in this illustrated embodiment are tapered or sloped from the center of the tray  110  towards the outer periphery of the tray  110 . This tapered structure for the walls  120  may also be sloped so that the bottom periphery of the tray  110  includes a raised lip  110   c  that helps secure the product  115  held on the tray  110  from sliding off of the tray  110  when the lid  105  is not mounted on the tray  110 . This tapered/sloped structure for the walls  120  also permits partial viewing of the product  115  within the package  100  from the side by a consumer in those embodiments having a transparent or semi-transparent lid  105 . Still further, as mentioned above this tapered structure for the walls  120  allows easier grasping of the product  115  on the tray  110  by a consumer&#39;s fingertips, once he or she has removed the lid  105  from the tray  110 . 
     Formation of the raised walls  120  on the tray  110  can be done in various manners. In this illustrated embodiment, the walls  120  are integrally formed as raised portions of the tray  110 . For example, the tray  110  may be formed in a single, unitary piece of rigid material by vacuum-formation, thermal molding or other technique for forming plastics or similar materials. An injection molding process may also be used to form the tray  110  and raised walls  120  in a single, unitary piece. In other embodiments, the walls  120  may simply be attached to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  110 . In such embodiments, the walls  120  may all be formed in a single piece, and then that piece attached or otherwise affixed to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  110 , or one or more of the walls  120  may be formed separately, and then the two or more pieces comprising the walls  120  attached or otherwise affixed to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  110 . Furthermore, although this illustrated embodiment of the package  100  includes walls  120  that form four compartments on the tray  110 , it is understood that a package designed and constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles may include walls that form any number of compartments on the tray  110  for holding product(s), such as only one wall dividing two compartments or as many walls as needed to create as many compartments as desired. Moreover, it should be noted that while the four compartments created on the tray  110  of  FIGS.  1  and  2    are of substantially equal dimensions and sizes, compartments formed on the tray of a package in accordance with the disclosed principles may of any size and shape with respect to one another, and no limitation to any particular size or shape of the compartments is implied or should be inferred. 
     Still further, the dimensions and slope of the walls  120  can be different from those in this illustrated embodiment. For example, in this embodiment of the package  100 , the walls  120  not only have a thickness that tapers upwardly, where the base of each wall  120  is thicker than the top of each wall  120 , but the walls  120  also have a taper as you move from the center of the tray  110  to the periphery of the tray  110 . The upward tapering of the shape of the walls  120  is typical for those trays and walls manufactured using vacuum forming or injection molding, but may also be so tapered as an ornamental feature. This slight tapering, as well as the illustrated hollow structure of the walls  120 , also assists with both strength of the walls as well as with nesting or stacking trays having such tapered wall formation. Also, the overall thicknesses of the walls  120 , whether at the top or bottom of a wall  120 , or at the center-most or outer-most portion of a wall  120 , can be selected as desired for each application. And similarly, the angle of the slope of each wall  120 , when moving from the center of the tray  110  to the periphery of the tray  110  may also be different from the illustrated embodiment. Such sloping may also be included on less than all of the walls  120 , if desired, and the slope on one or more of the walls  120  may be formed as a straight line, a curved line, or as in this illustrated embodiment, as a combination of partially curved and partially straight when moving from the center to the periphery of the tray  110 . Still further, the slope of the tops of the wall(s)  120  may be reversed so that they slope from the periphery of the tray  110  downward to the center of the tray  110 . Of course, a combination of upwardly and downwardly sloping walls may also be employed in a package constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
     Also visible from the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  2    are a lid skirt  125  and a tray skirt  130 . Each skirt  125 ,  130  in this embodiment of a package  100  in accordance with the disclosed principles is formed in an outward and downward configuration. Additionally, the skirts  125 ,  130  are preferably formed coextensive with one another, and in corresponding complimentary shapes. Such complimentary formation of the lid skirt  125  and the tray skirt  130  allows the skirts  125 ,  130  to be used as a closing fastening feature for the package  100 . Specifically, the lid skirt  125  may be secured over the tray skirt  130  when fitting the lid  105  onto the tray  110 . The rigid materials used to form the lid  105  and the tray  110  provide a minimum amount of resiliency along with flexibility to the corresponding skirts  125 ,  130 . This results in the skirts  125 ,  130  maintaining their overlapping positioning so as to keep the lid  105  snapped onto the tray  110 . However, this also allows the lid skirt  125  to be flexed outwardly, away from the tray skirt  130  temporarily so that the lid  105  may be lifted off of the tray  110 . The outer walls of the skirts  125 ,  130  may also be formed with a securing feature  135  to assist with maintaining the joining of the lid skirt  125  with the tray skirt  130 .  FIG.  3    is a close up cross-sectional detail view of a portion of a portion of  FIG.  2   , which illustrates the lid skirt  125  joined with the tray skirt  130  when the lid  105  is closed onto the tray  110 . From this close up view, the complimentary, outward and downward shapes of the lid skirt  125  and the tray skirt  130  can be seen. Also, the securing feature  135 , which in this embodiment of the package  100  is a concave (inward) curvature on the downward portions of the skirts  125 ,  130 , can also be seen. The concave securing feature  135  assists in securing the lid  105  onto the tray  110  because its curvature is inward (i.e., concave) while the upper curvature of the skirts  125 ,  130  is in the opposite outward direction (i.e., convex). These opposing curvatures work in concert to keep the lid skirt  125  from slipping off of the tray skirt  130 , thereby allowing opening and reclosing of the lid  105  and the tray  110 . The lid tab  105   a  and the tray tab  110   a  may be used by the consumer to pull apart and thereby overcome the securing feature, and thus separate the lid skirt  125  from the tray skirt  130  to open the package  100 . 
     Looking now at  FIG.  4   , illustrated is a side view of the rigid multi-compartment package  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 3   . From this side view, the semi-transparent lid  105  of this embodiment of the package  100  may be seen snap-fitted over and onto the tray  110 . Also seen from this side view, the height of the center portions of the walls  120  may be seen reaching up to and touching the inside upper surface of the rigid lid  105 . Moreover, a portion of the product  115  held on the tray  110  may be seen exposed above portions of the walls  120 , which would be visible to a potential consumer through the semi-transparent rigid lid  105 . To provide the snap-fitting of the lid  105  onto the tray  110 , the securing features  135  are provided on several portions of the lid and tray skirts  125 ,  130 . From this view, the securing features  135  can be seen to comprise a plurality of corresponding lateral indentions from inwardly on the vertical portions of both the lid skirt  125  and the tray skirt  130 . These capsule-shaped indentations correspond in a “spooning” fashion, one lying within the other, to secure the lid  105  onto the tray  110 . Although this embodiment of the package  100  includes eight securing features  135 , with two positioned on each side of the package  100 , other embodiments may include a greater or lesser number of such features. Also, the securing features  135  may comprise different sizes or shapes of such coextensive features. 
     Turning to  FIG.  5   , illustrated is an isometric view of the rigid multi-compartment package  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . From this view, the four compartments in this embodiment of the package  100  can be seen through the semi-transparent lid  105 , as well as the orientation and shape of the walls  120  formed on the tray  110 . Also shown from this view is how the product(s)  115  within the package  100  may be seen by potential consumers from both the side and top of the package  100 . The orientation and locations of the securing features  135  on the two visible sides of the package  100  are also shown from this view. 
     The unique structure of the package  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 5   , as well as the embodiments discussed in detail below, offer significant advantages over conventional food product packages. For example, conventional packages typically include downwardly formed compartments in a rigid or semi-rigid tray, where the food product is placed down in the compartments. A thin, flexible film is then laid over the top surface of the conventional tray to cover the top openings of the downwardly formed compartments, and thus cover the product held within those compartments. However, the rigid tray  110  having sloping walls  120  extending upwardly, rather than the downwardly formed compartments typically found in conventional packages, permits easier visibility of the food products  115 . Moreover, by employed sloping walls  120  when moving from the center of the tray  110  towards its perimeter, the product  115  held on the rigid tray  110  is easily graspable by a consumer. 
     Additionally, instead of the thin flexible film used in conventional packages, the disclosed principles provide packages having a rigid lid, which thus offers far better protection for the enclosed products. Moreover, the rigid lid in the disclosed packages is recloseable on to the rigid tray, which allows the unique disclosed packages to be reusable if desired. Also, the rigid material comprising the disclosed trays prevents crushing of food products as often occurs in downwardly formed compartments found in conventional packages, which are formed of thinner, less rigid materials. Still further, the upwardly formed walls of the disclosed packages may be formed as hollow walls, as shown in  FIG.  2   . Such hollow formed walls, combined with the raised lip  110   c  of the tray  110  having a slight taper, also as seen in  FIG.  2   , which allows multiple trays  110  of the same embodiment of the package  100  to be stackable/nestable. Likewise, the slight taper to the rigid lid  105 , again shown in  FIG.  2   , allows multiple lids  105  of the same embodiment to also be stackable. Such ability to stack multiple lids and trays of a disclosed package is particularly useful if the rigid material used to construct the lids  105  and trays  110  is washable and reusable, since many packages  100  can thus be cleaned and saved for repeated use by a consumer. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the rigid tray  110  having the sloped upwardly extending walls  120  creates a unique package where the product(s) held in the tray compartments is more readily visible from the side of the package  100 . The rigid lids  105  may also be formed of transparent or semi-transparent material, which also viewing of the product(s)  115  therein by consumers without having to open or even pick up the package  100 . As such, packages in accordance with the disclosed principles provide for unique product displaying to the surrounding environment versus conventional snack packages, such as the conventional downwardly formed trays mentioned above, or even stand up snack bags, because the product(s) is more readily visible from the package&#39;s surroundings and because of the unique shapes of the rigid lids  105  and trays  110 . All of these advantages, and even further advantages discussed below, may be achieved with all of the various embodiments of the rigid packages in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , illustrated is a top view of a second embodiment of a rigid multi-compartment recloseable package  200  constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. This embodiment of the package  200  is again formed having four sides, and generally in the shape of a square when viewed from the top, with the four corners of the package  200  again rounded off. The package  200  again comprises a rigid lid  205  fitted completely over a rigid tray  210 . The rigid lid  205  of the package  200  is also semi-transparent in this embodiment, which as before allows visibility of a piece of product  215  being held within the package  200 . 
     This embodiment of the package  200  again includes a lid tab  205   a  and tray tab  210   a , which may be grasped by a consumer and pulled in opposite directions so that the lid tab  205   a  is pulled upwardly and the tray tab  210   a  is pulled downwardly to separate the lid  205  from the tray  210 . A texture feature  205   b  may also be provided on the lid tabs  205   a  as before, to assist the consumer in maintaining their grasp of the tabs  205   a , or such texture features may be provided on both the lid and tray tabs as in the embodiment discussed above. 
     Turning to  FIG.  7   , illustrated is a side cross-sectional view of the package  200  of  FIG.  6    taken along line  7 - 7 . From this cross-sectional view, both the lid  205  and the tray  210  of this embodiment of the package  200  can be seen. As before, this view again shows the uniquely shaped raised walls  220  that extend from the bottom surface of the rigid tray  210  to the underside of the lid  205  to create the multiple compartments on the tray  210 . 
     In this embodiment, the dividing walls  220  again are tapered or sloped from the center of the tray  210  towards the outer periphery of the tray  210 . The slope of the walls  220  are again such that the bottom periphery of the tray  210  includes a raised lip  210   c  that helps secure the product  215  held on the tray  210  from sliding off of the tray  210  when the lid  205  is removed. This tapered structure for the walls  220  again permits partial viewing of the product  215  within the package  200  from the side by a consumer in those embodiments having a transparent or semi-transparent lid  205 . As also mentioned above, the sloped walls  220  allow easier grasping of the product  215  on the tray  210  by a consumer&#39;s fingertips once the lid  205  is removed from the tray  210 . 
     Formation of the walls  220  and the tray  210  can again be done in a single, unitary piece of rigid material by any viable plastic formation technology, or the walls  220  may simply be attached to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  210 . In such latter embodiments, the walls  220  may all be formed in a single piece, and then that piece attached or otherwise affixed to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  210 , or one or more of the walls  220  may be formed separately, and then the two or more pieces comprising the walls  220  attached or otherwise affixed to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  210 . As with the package embodiment of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , this embodiment of the package  200  may include walls  220  that form any number of compartments on the tray  210  for holding product(s)  215 . And it should be noted that while the four compartments created on the tray  210  of  FIGS.  6  and  7    are of substantially equal dimensions and sizes, compartments formed on the tray of a package in accordance with the disclosed principles may of any size and shape with respect to one another, and no limitation to any particular size or shape or even the number of compartments is implied or should be inferred. 
     Similarly, the dimensions and slope of the walls  220  can also as before be different from those in this illustrated embodiment. Thus, the package  200  has walls  220  may not only have a thickness that tapers upwardly, where the base of each wall  220  is thicker than the top of each wall  220 , but also have a taper as you move from the center of the tray  210  to the periphery of the tray  210 . The overall thicknesses of the walls  220 , whether at the top or bottom of a wall  220 , or at the center-most or outer-most portion of a wall  220 , can again be selected as desired for each application, as may the number, angle and line of the slope of each wall  220 . 
     Also in this embodiment of the package  200  are a lid skirt  225  and a tray skirt  230  to be used as a closing feature for the package  200 , in the manner discussed above for the prior embodiment, and are again each formed in an outward and downward configuration and coextensive with one another in corresponding complimentary shapes. However, this embodiment of the package  200  differs from that of  FIGS.  1  and  2    in that the ends of the skirts  225 ,  230  each further include a flange  225   a ,  230   a  laterally extending outward from the bottom ends of each skirt  225 ,  230 . The flanges  225   a ,  230   a , in this embodiment, are formed coextensive with one another, and may be used create a seal for the package  200  that may be pealed apart by the consumer. It should be noted that while the illustrated flanges  225   a ,  230   a  are formed horizontally coextensive, in other embodiments either the lid or tray flange may be formed laterally extending beyond the other, if desired, which can assist with separating the flanges when opening of the package is desired. The formation of such a seal using the flanges  225   a ,  230   a , which is discussed in co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/802,561 (Patent Application Publication US 2019/0135520), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, can be provided at the factory packaging the products  215  for sale in the package  200 , and thus permits the package  200  to hold any of the types of food products requiring hermetic sealing. Also, in this embodiment, the flanges  225   a ,  230   a  extend horizontally from their corresponding skirts  225 ,  230 ; however, the disclosed principles are not so limited. Thus, similar flanges  225   a ,  230   a  may be formed to extend in other directions as well. Moreover, although the flanges  225   a ,  230   a  are flat in this embodiment, a package in accordance with the disclosed principles may also include flanges  225   a ,  230   a  having a different shape, such as curved in either an upward or downward direction. 
     Turning briefly to  FIG.  8   , illustrated is a close up cross-sectional detail view of a portion of  FIG.  7   . This close up view illustrates the joined lid and tray skirts  225 ,  230  joined together when the lid  205  is closed onto the tray  210 . From this close up view, the complimentary, outward and downward shapes of the lid skirt  225  and the tray skirt  230  can be seen. Thus, as before, the rigid materials used to form the lid  205  and the tray  210  provide a minimum amount of resiliency along with flexibility to the corresponding skirts  225 ,  230 . This results in the skirts  225 ,  230  maintaining their overlapping positioning so as to keep the lid  205  snapped onto the tray  210 . However, this also allows the lid skirt  225  to be flexed outwardly, away from the tray skirt  230  temporarily so that the lid  205  may be lifted off of the tray  210 . Also, securing feature  235 , which in this embodiment are again formed as corresponding concave curvatures on the downward portions of the skirts  225 ,  230 , can also be seen. As discussed above, these securing features  235  assist in securing the lid  205  onto the tray  210 . To open the package  200 , the lid tab  205   a  and the tray tab  210   a  may be pulled apart by the consumer to overcome the securing features  235  and thus separate the lid skirt  225  from the tray skirt  230  to open the package  200 . Of course, other shapes for securing features on the package  200  may also be employed. 
     Looking now at  FIG.  9   , illustrated is a side view of the rigid multi-compartment package  200  illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 8   . From this side view, the semi-transparent lid  205  of this embodiment of the package  200  is shown snap-fitted over and onto the tray  210 . Also seen from this side view, the height of the center portions of the walls  220  may be seen again reaching up to and touching the inside upper surface of the rigid lid  205 , although as before, the walls  220  may be provided at different heights as well. A portion of the product  215  held on the tray  110  may also be seen exposed above portions of the walls  220 , which would be visible to a potential consumer from a side viewing of the package  200  through the semi-transparent rigid lid  205 . To provide the snap-fitting of the lid  205  onto the tray  210 , the securing features  235  are provided on several portions of the lid and tray skirts  225 ,  230  around the perimeter of the package  200 . From this view, the elongated capsule shape of the securing features  235  can be seen, which are provided on several areas of both the lid skirt  225  and the tray skirt  230 . As described above, these capsule-shaped indentations correspond to secure the lid  205  onto the tray  210 . Although this embodiment of the package  200  again includes eight securing features  235 , with two positioned on each side of the package  200 , other embodiments may again include a greater or lesser number of such features  235 . Also, the securing features  235  may comprise different sizes or shapes of such coextensive and corresponding features formed on the skirts  225 ,  230 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  10   , illustrated is an isometric view of the rigid multi-compartment package  200  illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 9   . From this view, the four compartments in this second embodiment of the package  200  can be seen through the semi-transparent lid  205 , as well as the orientation and shape of the walls  220  formed on the tray  210 . As before, this view illustrates how the product(s)  215  within the package  200  may be seen by potential consumers from both the side and top of the package  200 . The orientation and locations of the securing features  235  on the two visible sides of the package  200  are also shown from this view. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  11   , illustrated is a top view of a third embodiment of a rigid multi-compartment recloseable package  300  constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. This embodiment of the package  300  is again formed having four sides, and generally in the shape of a square when viewed from the top, with the four corners of the package  300  again rounded off. The package  300  again comprises a rigid lid  305  fitted completely over a rigid tray  310 . The rigid lid  305  of the package  300  is again semi-transparent in this third embodiment, which as before allows visibility of a piece of product  315  being held within the package  300 . 
     This embodiment of the package  300  again includes a lid tab  305   a  and tray tab  310   a , which may be grasped by a consumer and pulled in opposite directions so that the lid tab  305   a  is pulled upwardly and the tray tab  310   a  is pulled downwardly to separate the lid  305  from the tray  310 . However, this embodiment of the tabs  305   a ,  310   a  are formed in a rectilinear shape, whereas a triangular shape was used in the prior package embodiments discussed above. Texture features  305   b  and  310   b  may again be provided on the respective tabs  305   a ,  310   a  as before, to assist the consumer in maintaining their grasp of the tabs  305   a ,  310   a . In this embodiment, the rectangular shape of the tabs  305   a ,  310   a  permits an elongated shape for the texture features  305   b ,  310   b , whereas in prior package embodiments, the features were formed in an angular shape corresponding to the triangular shape of the prior texture features. 
     Turning to  FIG.  12   , illustrated is a side cross-sectional view of the package  300  of  FIG.  11    taken along line  12 - 12 . From this cross-sectional view, both the lid  305  and the tray  310  of this embodiment of the package  300  can be seen. As before, this view again shows the uniquely shaped raised walls  320  that extend from the bottom surface of the rigid tray  310  to the underside of the lid  305  to create the multiple compartments on the tray  310 . As before, while four product compartments are again provided by the walls  320  in this embodiment, any number of compartments for the package  300  may also be provided within the scope of the disclosed principles. 
     In this embodiment, the dividing walls  320  again are tapered or sloped from the center of the tray  310  towards the outer periphery of the tray  310 . The slope of the walls  320  are again such that the bottom periphery of the tray  310  includes a raised lip  310   c  that helps secure the product  315  held on the tray  310  from sliding off of the tray  310  when the lid  305  is removed. This tapered structure for the walls  320  again permits partial viewing of the product  315  within the package  300  from the side by a consumer in those embodiments having a transparent or semi-transparent lid  305 . As also mentioned above, the sloped walls  320  allow easier grasping of the product  315  on the tray  310  by a consumer&#39;s fingertips once the lid  305  is removed from the tray  310 . 
     Formation of the walls  320  and the tray  310  can again be done in a single, unitary piece of rigid material by any viable plastic formation technology, or the walls  320  may simply be attached to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  310 . In such latter embodiments, the walls  320  may all be formed in a single piece, and then that piece attached or otherwise affixed to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  310 , or one or more of the walls  320  may be formed separately, and then the two or more pieces comprising the walls  320  attached or otherwise affixed to the interior, bottom surface of the tray  310 . As mentioned above, the walls  320  maybe be formed to provide any number of compartments on the tray  310  for holding product(s)  315 , as well as that the compartments created on the tray  310  can be or substantially equal dimensions and sizes, or may be formed in any size and shape with respect to one another. Similarly, the dimensions and slope of the walls  320  can also as before be different from those in this illustrated embodiment, in the same manner as discussed above for the prior embodiments of package constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. 
     Also once again included again in this embodiment of the package  300  are a lid skirt  325  and a tray skirt  330  to be used as a closing feature for the package  300 , in the manner discussed above for the prior embodiment. However, in this embodiment of the package  300 , the skirts  325 ,  330  are now shown as being formed in an outward and upward configuration and coextensive with one another in corresponding complimentary shapes. Despite having skirts  325 ,  330  that are formed upwardly, this embodiment of the package  300  again includes a flange  325   a ,  330   a  laterally extending outward from the ends of each skirt  325 ,  330 , similar to the package  200  of  FIGS.  6 - 10   . The flanges  325   a ,  330   a  in this embodiment are again formed coextensive with one another, and may be used create a seal for the package  300  that may be pealed apart by the consumer. The formation of such a seal using the flanges  325   a ,  330   a , as mentioned above, allows the package  300  to be used for any of the types of food products requiring hermetic sealing. Also as before, the flanges  325   a ,  330   a  in this embodiment are flat and extend horizontally from their corresponding skirts  325 ,  330 ; however, they may also be formed extending in other directions as well, and may be formed having a shape other than flat. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a close up cross-sectional detail view of a portion of  FIG.  12   . This close up view illustrates the joined lid and tray skirts  325 ,  330  joined together when the lid  305  is closed onto the tray  310 . From this close up view, the complimentary, outward and now upwardly formed shapes of the lid skirt  325  and the tray skirt  330  can be seen clearly. As before, the lid skirt  225  may be secured over the tray skirt  330  when fitting the lid  305  onto the tray  310 . Also as before, the rigid materials used to form the lid  305  and the tray  310  provide a minimum amount of resiliency along with flexibility to the corresponding skirts  325 ,  330 . This results in the skirts  325 ,  330  maintaining their overlapping positioning so as to keep the lid  305  snapped onto the tray  310 . However, in this embodiment the small amount of flexibility in the materials allows the lid skirt  325  to be flexed inwardly, away from the tray skirt  330  temporarily so that the lid  305  may be lifted off of the tray  310 . Also, a securing feature  335  may also be seen on the package  300 ; however, in this embodiment, the securing feature  335  is formed as corresponding convex (outward) curvatures on the upward, vertical portions of the skirts  325 ,  330 . While this securing features  335  again assists in securing the lid  305  onto the tray  310 , this embodiment of the securing feature  335  is provided as a single set of corresponding curved features that are formed around the entire skirts  325 ,  330  of the lid  305  and tray  310 . Opening the securing feature  335 , however, is similar to other embodiments in that the lid tab  305   a  and the tray tab  310   a  may be pulled apart by the consumer to overcome the securing feature  335  and thus separate the lid skirt  325  from the tray skirt  330  to open the package  300 . Of course, other shapes for such a securing feature  335  that circumscribes the skirts  325 ,  330  of the package  300  may also be employed. 
     Looking now at  FIG.  14   , illustrated is a side view of the rigid multi-compartment package  300  illustrated in  FIGS.  11 - 13   . From this side view, the semi-transparent lid  305  of this embodiment of the package  300  is shown snap-fitted over and onto the tray  310 . Also seen from this side view, the height of the center portions of the walls  320  may be seen again reaching up to and touching the inside upper surface of the rigid lid  305 , although as before, the walls  320  may be provided at different heights as well. A portion of the product  315  held on the tray  110  may also be seen exposed above portions of the walls  320 , which would be visible to a potential consumer from a side viewing of the package  300  through the semi-transparent rigid lid  305 . To provide the snap-fitting of the lid  305  onto the tray  310 , the securing features  335  can be seen being formed all the way around the lid and tray skirts  325 ,  330  of the package  300 . Although this embodiment of the package  300  includes only a single securing feature  335  form around the perimeter of the skirts  325 ,  330 , other embodiments may include two or more such features  335 . Also, the securing features  335  may be comprise of a combination of the illustrated securing feature  335  along with one or more other features, such as the capsule shaped securing features of the prior discussed packages  100 ,  200 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  15   , illustrated is an isometric view of the rigid multi-compartment package  300  illustrated in  FIGS.  11 - 14   . From this view, the four compartments in this third embodiment of the package  300  can be seen through the semi-transparent lid  305 , as well as the orientation and shape of the walls  320  formed on the tray  310 . As before, this view illustrates how the product(s)  315  within the package  300  may be seen by potential consumers from both the side and top of the package  300  due to the transparent or semi-transparent rigid lid  305 . The orientation and location of perimeter securing feature  335  on the two skirts  325 ,  330  of the package  300  is also shown from this view. The sealed flanges  325   a ,  330   a  horizontally extending from the lid  305  and tray  310  may also be seen, although as discussed above, these flanges  325   a ,  330   a  may also be formed to extend in other directions, while still falling within the breadth and scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  16   , illustrated is a top view of yet another embodiment of a rigid lid  400  of a recloseable package constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. In addition,  FIG.  17    illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the rigid lid of  FIG.  16    taken across line  17 - 17 . As with other embodiment, the rigid lid  400  in this embodiment again includes a dome, which is again a square-shaped dome, comprised of top surface  405  and at least one sidewall  410 . As a square-shaped dome, the lid  400  includes four sidewalls  410  with rounded corners  410   a  joining the sidewalls  410  and the top surface  405  integrally formed with the top edges of the sidewalls  410 . 
     In addition, the rigid lid  400  includes a lid flange  415  laterally extending outwardly from a lid skirt  420 . The lid skirt  420  extends outwardly and then downward from the bottom edges of the sidewalls  410 , and again extends around the perimeter of the lid  400 . The lid flange  415  then extends outwardly from the bottom edge of the downward portion of the lid skirt  420 . Also, as seen from the top view of  FIG.  16   , the lid flange  415  in this embodiment of the package includes an inset portion  415   a  on two, opposing portions of the lid flange  415 . As shown, the inset portion  415   a  longitudinally extend along substantial portions of the lid flange  415  on two sides of the lid  400 . Functionality of the these inset portions  415   a  is discuss further below, with reference to the corresponding rigid tray of this embodiment of the package. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  18   , illustrated is a close up detail view of a portion of the rigid lid  400  of  FIG.  16   . This close up view is a top view of one of the corner areas of the square-shaped rigid lid  400  of this embodiment. From this detailed view, a portion of the top surface  405  may be seen, as well as portions of two adjoining sidewalls  410 . The rounded corner  410   a  joining these sidewalls  410  can also be seen. In addition, a portion of the lid flange  415  may be seen along with a round corner of the flange  415  in this embodiment of the lid  400 . A portion of the one of the flange inset portion  415   a  is also visible from this view. Two lid securing features  425 , which are discussed further below, may also be seen in this detail view. 
     Also visible in  FIG.  18   , indented portions  420   a  of the downwardly formed lid skirt  420  have been formed. More specifically, the indented portions  420   a  of the skirt  420  can be seen as slightly tapered inward from the rounded corners  420   b  in this embodiment. Such rounded corners  420   b  combined with the indented portions  420   a  of the skirt  420  having a different inward taper can increase the structural strength and stability of the rigid dome lid  400 . Moreover, providing the illustrated larger radii for the rounded corners  420   b  (larger as compared to the radii the corners would have if they were formed with the same inward taper as the indented portions  420   a  of the skirt  420 ) assists with the nesting or stacking of multiple lids  400 . For example, the larger rounded corners  420   b  not only permit easier separation of nested lids, but also provides added stability for a larger stack of many nested lids. 
       FIG.  19    illustrates a close up detail view of a portion of the rigid lid  400  of  FIG.  17   . From this close up view, a profile of the lid skirt  420  and the laterally extending lid flange  415  can easily be seen. Also, the indented taper of the downward portion  420   a  of the skirt  420  can be seen from this profile view, as well as the rounded corners  420   b  of the skirt  420  having less taper than the indented portions  420   a . Additionally, this view illustrates the lid component of a securing feature  425  of the package, for securing the lid  400  onto a rigid tray. In this embodiment, the securing feature  425  is again formed as a concave curvature on the downward portions  420   a  of the lid skirt  420 . The portion of the securing feature  425  on the tray is discussed in detail below. 
     Looking now at  FIG.  20   , illustrated is a top view of a rigid tray  450  corresponding to the rigid lid  400  of  FIGS.  16 - 19    for this embodiment of a package according to the disclosed principles. From this view of the rigid tray  450 , the integrally formed vertical dividing walls  455  can be seen. In this embodiment, the tray  450  includes four dividing walls  455  outwardly extending from the center of the tray  450  and aligned perpendicularly. 
     With this formation, the dividing walls  455  define four compartments  460  for receiving and holding products (not illustrated) on the tray  450 . With the dividing walls  455  aligned perpendicularly and each extending from the center of the tray  450 , the compartments  460  are formed with each having substantially the same size and shape. In other embodiments, not only may a different number of compartments  460  be created by using a different number of walls  455 , but each such compartment  460  may be formed having a different size and/or shape, depending on the placement and orientation of the dividing walls  455  employed. Also partially visible from this top view are a plurality of tray securing features  480 , which correspond with the lid securing features  425  discussed above to secure the lid  400  on the tray  450 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  21   , illustrated is a side cross-sectional view of the rigid tray  450  of  FIG.  20    taken across line  21 - 21 . From this side view, the dividing walls  455  can be seen being integrally formed with the remainder of the tray  450 , and rising up from the bottom surface of the tray  450 . Also rising up from the bottom surface of the tray  450  is a raised lip  465 . This raised lip  465  along with the dividing walls  455  form the multiple compartments  460  of the tray  450 . A slight variation in tapering of inner portions  465   a  of the raised lip  465 , versus the rounded lip corners  465   b  may also be seen from this view. 
     Also visible from this side view of the rigid tray  450  are the downward slopes formed in the walls  455 , when moving from the center of the tray  450  to the raised lip  465 . Although not required, by providing such slopes to the dividing walls  455 , the product held in the compartments  460  can be more easily viewed and grasped by a consumer, as discussed in detail above. Outwardly extending from the raised lip  465  is a tray skirt  470  surrounding the periphery of the tray  450 . In this embodiment, the tray skirt  470  includes a horizontally extending portion and a downwardly extending portion extending therefrom. The tray securing features  480  may also be partially visible on the downward extending portions of the tray skirts  470 . In addition, the rigid tray  450  includes a tray flange  475  laterally extending outwardly from a tray skirt  470 . The tray flange  475  extends outwardly from the bottom edge of the downward portion of the tray skirt  470 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  22   , illustrated is a close up detail view of a portion of the rigid tray  450  of  FIG.  20   . This close up view is a top view of one of the corners of the square-shaped rigid tray  450  of this embodiment of a recloseable package according to the disclosed principles. From this detailed view, a portion of one of the compartments  460  for holding product may be seen, as well as a portion of the raised lip  465  and tray skirt  470  formed around the periphery of the tray  450 . The rounded corner of both the raised lip  465  and the tray skirt  470  can also be seen. In addition, a portion of the tray flange  475  may be seen along with a round corner of the flange shape used in this embodiment of the tray  450 . Two of the tray securing features  480  discussed above may also be seen in this detail view. 
     Turning finally to  FIG.  23   , illustrated is a close up detail view of a portion of the rigid tray  450  of  FIG.  21   . From this close up view, a profile of the tray skirt  470  and the laterally extending tray flange  475  can easily be seen. Also, the curvature of the downward portion of the tray skirt  470  can be seen from this profile view. Additionally, this view illustrates the tray portion of the securing feature  480  of the package, for securing the lid  400  onto the tray  450 . The lid securing features  425  and the tray securing features  480  are again formed as corresponding concave curved features formed into the downward portions of the lid skirt  420  and tray skirt  480 , respectively. These corresponding curvatures cooperate as discussed in detail above to secure the lid  400  onto the tray  450  when the package is closed. 
     In other embodiments discussed above, grasping tabs are provided on corner portions of the lid and tray flanges for grasping by a consumer to pull in opposite directions and overcome the securing features to lift the lid from the tray. However, in this embodiment of a package, grasping tabs are not provided on the flanges  415 ,  475 . Instead, the inset portions  415   a  of the lid flanges  415  do not laterally extend as far out as the tray flanges  475 , while the other portions of the lid flanges  415  are coextensive with the tray flanges  475 . As such, portions of the tray flange  475  are exposed when viewing the package with the lid  400  secured onto the tray  450 . With this non-coextensive portion of the lid flange  415 , a consumer is able to easily separate the tray flange  475  from the inset portion  415   a  of the lid flange by simply pressing down on the exposed portion of the tray flange  475 . By slightly pressing down this area of the tray flange  475 , the consumer can then easily separate the lid flange  415  from the tray flange  475  with enough force to overcome the securing features, and then pull the lid  400  off of the tray  450 . As with other embodiment of packages formed as disclosed herein, the flanges  415 ,  475  in this embodiment may again be used create a seal for the package that may be pealed apart by the consumer. The technique used to form such a seal may be as described above. The formation of such a seal using the flanges  415 ,  475  allows the package to be hermetically sealed, and usable for any number of food products. To reclose the package, the consumer can simply place the lid  400  back onto the tray  450  and press the lid skirt  420  down onto the tray skirt  470  until to the two come together and the securing features reengage, as with the other embodiments of a disclosed package described above. 
     In the numerous embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein, such embodiments may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. 
     The description has made reference to several exemplary embodiments. It is understood, however, that the words that have been used are for description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure in all its aspects. Although this description makes reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the disclosure extends to all functionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.