Transparent egg carton

Abstract

The present invention provides an egg carton having a tray having a first row of a first plurality of spaced egg compartments and a second row of a second plurality of spaced egg compartments, the first row of egg compartments being disposed in parallel spaced relationship to the second row of egg compartments; a plurality of spaced tower elements extending along a centerline of the tray and extending vertically from a plane of the tray, each tower element having four egg contacting surfaces; a plurality of spaced post elements extending along a front edge of the tray and extending vertically from a plane of the tray, each post element having two egg contacting surfaces; and a lid hingedly connected along a rear edge of the tray and movable from an open condition to a closed condition.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present invention provides an egg carton and more particularly an egg carton of a transparent polymeric material.[0003]2. Background of the Invention[0004]Conventional egg cartons in wide use today are typically made either of a fibrous material, such as cardboard, or a foamed polymeric material, such as foamed polystyrene. While these materials are inexpensive to prepare they share the same disadvantage of being opaque, requiring a consumer to open the lid of the egg carton to inspect the eggs for damage.[0005]Egg cartons made of a transparent polymeric materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymers have also come into use, although to a more limited extent than cardboard and foamed polystyrene cartons. Such transparent egg cartons exhibit various disadvantages that result from the properties of the materials used. For example, while these materials are recyclable, they are not biodegradable.[0006]Transparen...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

While these materials are inexpensive to prepare they share the same disadvantage of being opaque, requiring a consumer to open the lid of the egg carton to inspect the eggs for damage.

Such transparent egg cartons exhibit various disadvantages that result from the properties of the materials used.

For example, while these materials are recyclable, they are not biodegradable.

However, this design does not eliminate the problem of bending of the egg carton when grasped from the end.

One observation of some transparent egg cartons is it is difficult for consumers to release the lid from the interlocking tabs and holes.

However, if the flap and lid are made of typical transparent polymeric materials, which are more pliable than cardboard or foamed polystyrene, pulling the front surface of the lid forward from the middle creates a bow action that results in bowing of the middle of the flap outward and the lateral sides of the flap inward, making it difficult to release the lid from the button tabs on the flap.

A problem with this design is that more material is required to form the flap.

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