Patent Publication Number: US-9415902-B2

Title: Clamshell food tray

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The following application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/008,867, filed Jan. 18, 2011, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/295,595, filed Jan. 15, 2010, and the complete contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to food containers, specifically clamshell-style food trays. 
     2. Background 
     Disposable plates and food trays are often used at social gatherings such as parties, sporting events, and business functions, as they offer a convenient way to provide tableware without having to worry about tedious clean-up. In many instances, it is desirable to have clamshell trays with lids to protect food from pests and/or maintain an ideal temperature, especially when outdoors. However, it can be cumbersome for a user to separately carry a beverage container in addition to a traditional food tray, especially in settings when the user is holding the food tray with one hand and cannot easily eat from the food tray with the other hand because the other hand must hold the beverage container. Additionally, it can be difficult for users to determine the contents of traditional clamshell food trays without opening the lid of the food tray. 
     What is needed is a clamshell food tray that addresses these issues. In some embodiments, the food tray can have a window that allows users to view into the interior of the food tray to determine its contents. Also, in some embodiments, the food tray can have an aperture configured to hold a beverage container when the food tray is in either an open or closed configuration, such that a user need not use both hands when trying to hold the food tray and a also a separate beverage container. In some embodiments, a beverage container can act as the closure mechanism for the tray when the beverage container is engaged with the food tray. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in a closed configuration with a cup inserted in an opening. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a top view of an embodiment of a container in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a container having at least one tab member configured to selectively couple the tray members. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in an open configuration, without dividers. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a container in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 8A  depicts a top view of an embodiment of a container in an open configuration, the container comprising a window. 
         FIG. 8B  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in a closed configuration, the container comprising a window. 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a top view of an embodiment of a container in an open configuration, the container comprising a window and an opening for a beverage container. 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in a closed configuration, the container comprising a window and an opening for a beverage container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a container  100 . A container  100  can have a first section  102  and a second section  104  coupled via a hinge mechanism  105 . A first section  102  and a second section  104  can each comprise at least one tray member  106  having sidewalls  108 . A first section  102  can further comprise a raised lip  110  coupled with sidewalls  108   a , and a first rim  112   a  coupled with a raised lip  110 , thus forming a first perimeter edge  111   a . A second section  104  can further comprise a recessed ledge  114  coupled with sidewalls  108   b , and a second rim  112   b  coupled with a recessed ledge  114 , thus forming a second perimeter edge  111   b . In alternate embodiments, the second section  104  can comprise a raised lip  110  and the first section can comprise a recessed ledge  114 . 
     At least one section  102  or  104  can comprise an aperture  116 .  FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a container  100  wherein each section  102  and  104  can have an aperture  116 . In the embodiment shown, apertures  116  can be located proximate to a hinge mechanism  105  such that when a container  100  is in a closed configuration (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), a single opening  118  can be formed. In other embodiments, at least one aperture  116  can be located in any other desired and/or convenient location in a container  100 . 
     A section  102  or  104  can have a relatively squared geometry, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . However, in other embodiments, a section  102  and/or  104  can be rectangular, ovoid, circular, triangular, or can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. Sections  102  and/or  104  can have smooth surfaces, or can have textured surfaces. The exterior surfaces of a section  102  and/or  104  can comprise one or more colors, designs, or any other desired aesthetic feature, and/or can comprise antibacterial and/or antimicrobial coating or properties. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the exterior surface of a section  102  and/or  104  can comprise anti-slip properties and/or coating. 
     In some embodiments, an opening  118  can be adapted to receive at least a portion of a cup  120 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, a cup  120  inserted in an opening  118  can keep a container  100  in a closed configuration (i.e., first and second sections  102   104  are coupled with each other with the first and second perimeter edges  111   a    111   b  in contact with one another). In other embodiments, as described below, a container  100  can be temporarily secured in a closed configuration in any other known and/or convenient manner or via any other known and/or convenient mechanism. 
     First and second perimeter edges  111   a    111   b  can be adapted to selectively couple with each other when pressed together, such that a lip  110  can be in contact with a ledge  114 , and first and second rims  112   a    112   b  can be in contact with each other. In some embodiments, a container  100  can be temporarily secured in a closed configuration via interference fit between first and second perimeter edges  111   a    111   b . In some embodiments, this interference fit closure can be the sole method of closure for a container  100 . In other embodiments, the cup-closure mechanism described above can be used to keep a container  100  in a closed configuration. In alternate embodiments, a container  100  can be temporarily secured in a closed configuration via one or more tab members  506  inserted into slits  508  along a first and/or second perimeter edge  111   a    111   b , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In yet other embodiments, a container  100  can be temporarily secured in a closed configuration via any other known and/or convenient mechanism, including but not limited to: a latch, reusable adhesive, or hook and loop fastening components. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , at least one section  102   104  can further comprise a plurality of compartments  402  formed by raised dividing members  404  coupled with a tray member  106 . Compartments  402  can be used to separate foods or other objects. However, in other embodiments, both sections  102  and  104  can be devoid of raised dividing members  404 , as depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
     A container  100  can be at least partially comprised of paper, corn products, recycled materials, plastic, environmentally-friendly materials, or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials. A container  100  can also have insulating properties, can be made of food-grade material, can be water impermeable (such that liquids cannot leak through), and/or can be biodegradable. In some embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the exterior surface of at least one section  102   104  can have a label  202  that can be used to identify the contents of a container  100 , a person&#39;s name, or any other known and/or convenient identifier. In other embodiments, a container  100  can further comprise a utensil holder. 
     In use, and according to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a user can place food on a tray member  106   a  when a container  100  is in an open configuration. In embodiments having compartments  402 , a user can divide food or other objects amongst compartments  402 . The user can then bring a second section  104  over a first section  102  such that first and second perimeter edges  111   a    111   b  can be in contact with each other. In some embodiments, a user can then press perimeter edges  111   a    111   b  together to temporarily couple sections  102   104 . A user can also insert a cup  120  into an opening  118  such that a cup  120  can hold sections  102   104  together, as depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, and 9B  depict alternate embodiments of containers  100  having windows  800 . In some embodiments, the first section  102  and/or second section  104  can comprise one or more windows  800 . By way of a non-limiting example,  FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict an embodiment of a container in which the second section  104  has a window  800 .  FIG. 8A  depicts a top view of an open container  100  having a window  800 , and  FIG. 8B  depicts a perspective view of a closed container  100  having a window. Similarly,  FIG. 9A  depicts a top view of an open container  100  having a window  800 , and  FIG. 9B  depicts a perspective view of a closed container  100  having a window. 
     In some embodiments, the container  100  can have one or more windows  800 , and apertures  116  that form openings  118  for beverage containers  120  can be absent, as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . In other embodiments, the container  100  can have one or more windows  800 , and can also have apertures  116  that form openings  118  for beverage containers  120  as discussed above, as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . The apertures  116  and opening  118  can be proximate to the hinge mechanism  105  as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , or can be located at any other desired position in the container  100 . In still other embodiments, the window  800  can be absent, as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     The window  800  can comprise a panel  802  that fills a window opening in the first section  102  or second section  104 . The window  800  can allow a viewer to look through the panel  802  into the interior of the container  100  when the container  100  is in a closed configuration. By way of a non-limiting example, a user can look through the window  800  to view the contents of the container  100 . The panel  802  can be a transparent or translucent member that encloses the window opening in the first section  102  or second section  102  to form the window  800 . In some embodiments, the panel  802  can be a clear plastic sheet. In other embodiments, the panel  802  can be cellophane, film, mesh, glass, acrylic, polymeric material, or any other desired material. In some embodiments, the panel  802  can be coupled with the first section  102  or second section  104  at the edges of the window opening with adhesives, tape, fasteners, or any other desired connection method. In alternate embodiments, the panel  802  can be positioned between different layers of the first section  102  or second section  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the window  800  can be substantially the same shape as the general shape of the top or bottom surface of the first section  102  or second section  104 . By way of a non-limiting example, the window  800  shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  is substantially rectangular and matches the generally rectangular shape of the top of the second section  104 . By way of another non-limiting example, in embodiments having an opening  118 , the window  800  can be substantially straight on three sides, with the fourth side contoured to match the contours of an aperture  116  in the top of the second section  104 . In other embodiments, the window  800  can be circular, ovoid, rectangular, square, polygonal, have the shape of a logo or other design, or have any other desired shape. By way of a non-limiting example, the window  800  shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  is substantially rectangular and is positioned on the top of the second section  104  away from the opening  118 . 
     As discussed above, the container  100  can be folded at the hinge mechanism  105 , and the second perimeter edge  111   b  can be put in contact with the first perimeter edge  111   a  to put the container  100  in a closed configuration. As discussed above, in some embodiments one of the first section  102  or second section  104  can have one or more tabs  506  on a perimeter edge  111  that can be inserted into one or more slits  508  in the perimeter edge  111  of the other one of the first section  102  or second section  104  to keep the container  100  in the closed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 8B . In other embodiments that have apertures  116  that form an opening  118 , the tabs  506  and slits  508  can be absent, and the presence of a beverage container  120  inserted into the opening  118  can keep the container  100  in the closed configuration. In still other embodiments, the container  100  can comprise tabs  506  and slits  508  in addition to apertures  116  that form an opening  118 , or have latches, snaps, or any other desired connection mechanism to keep the container  100  in the closed configuration. 
     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.