Food container

Abstract

A food container includes a top face defining at least one opening having flap(s) and a bottom face positioned substantially opposite the top face. The food container includes a first sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top face at a first edge of the top face and a second sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top face at a second edge of the top face opposite the first edge, and a movable rear wall. The movable rear wall selectively covers a cavity defined by the top face, the bottom face, and the first and second sidewall when the movable rear wall is in a first position and exposes the cavity when the movable rear wall is in a second position. The top face is interconnected with an extension portion that extends beyond the movable rear wall when the movable rear wall is in the first position.

Description

FOOD CONTAINERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 0001 ] This PCT Application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 643,584, filed May 7, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of food containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a multi-use or multi-functional object, particularly food container or packaging. The multi-functional food packaging may have a variety of different uses including holding food, holding an accompanying object to the food (e.g., a condiment), and providing a breakaway or tearaway holder smaller than the original packaging for the object.BACKGROUND

[0003] Traditional food containers often lack the versatility to accommodate additional objects, such as condiments or sauces, leading to a fragmented dining experience and sometimes necessitating the use of extra utensils or plates. Further, food containers or packages tend to primarily only be capable of holding a food object itself. In today’s world, consumers often are performing many tasks at once. Thus, typical food containers or packages may be insufficient to meet the needs of the typical consumer.SUMMARY

[0004] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a food container. The food container includes a top face defining at least one opening having at least one flap extending into the at least one opening and a bottom face positioned substantially opposite the top face. The food container further includes a first sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top face at a first edge of the top face and a second sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top faceat a second edge of the top face opposite the first edge, and a movable rear. The movable rear wall selectively covers a cavity defined by the top face, the bottom face, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall when the movable rear wall is in a first position and exposes the cavity when the movable rear wall is in a second position. The top face is interconnected with an extension portion that extends beyond the movable rear wall when the movable rear wall is in the first position.[0005| In some embodiments, the at least one flap includes a first flap and a second flap. The first flap is coupled to the second flap in a first sealed position, whereby the first flap and the second flap are interconnected with each other.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first flap is coupled to the second flap via a tear line. Upon a breaking or a tearing via the tear line, the first flap is not interconnected with the second flap.

[0007] In some embodiments, the at least one opening comprises a first opening and a second opening. Upon the breaking or tearing, the first opening interconnects with the second opening to form a single opening.

[0008] In some embodiments, the bottom face defines at least one perforation that extends from a first side of the bottom face to a second side of the bottom face. Upon a tearing of the at least one perforation, a portion of the food container is removable from the food container to form a removable holder for an object.

[0009] In some embodiments, the at least one opening having the at least one flap extending into the at least one opening are located on the extension portion of the top face, such that a separate container placed in the opening does not touch the bottom face.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a food container. The method includes providing a sheet of material, folding the sheet of material via at least one fold line into a container that includes a first face, a second face, and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein the one or more of the plurality of sidewalls extend from the first face and one or more of the plurality of sidewalls extend from the second face, cutting one or moreopenings configured to hold a separate container into the first face, perforating the second face from a first side to a second side of the second face, and coupling the plurality of sidewalls to one another such that the first face and the second face are facing one another in parallel, and the plurality of sidewalls are arranged perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the first face and the second face.[00111 Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a food container. The food container includes a top face defining at least one opening and having at least one flap extending into the at least one opening. The at least one flap is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The at least one opening is configured to receive a first object while the at least one flap is in the second position. The food container includes a bottom face positioned substantially opposite the top face and at least one sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top face at a first edge of the top face to define a cavity. The cavity is configured to at least partly receive a second object.[0012J This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. l is a disassembled view of a food container, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the assembled food container of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the food container of FIG. 2 with an opening to receive a separate container, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the food container of FIG. 3 holding a separate container, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the food container of FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the food container of FIG. 3 in use, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the food container of FIG. 3 in use, according to an exemplary embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0021] Referring generally to the FIGURES, the various embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, methods, and assemblies for a food container or packaging. As described herein, the food container or packaging may include a top face (i.e., a first face) and a bottom face (i.e., a second face) and a plurality of sidewalls. The top face can include or define one or more openings equipped with one or more flaps. The opening may be sized and shaped to receive and hold an additional container(s) (e.g., condiments such as sauces, seasonings, etc.). The bottom face can include a series of perforations that may be torn along, to define a removable holder relative to the food packaging. In one example, the food container is used to hold at least one slice of pizza. In this example, users can tear along the perforations (a perforated tear line) on the bottom face to separate the removable holder portion to hold the at least one slice of pizza. By including a condiment holder defined by the opening of the top face, users can conveniently dip their pizza slices into the retained condiment disposed in the condiment holder while keepingtheir hand relatively grease-free by holding the slice of pizza with the removable holder. In this way, the removable holder serves as a convenient way to hold the food object (in this case, a slice of pizza) while minimizing a potential mess associated with eating the food object. This may be beneficial for users on-the-go, such as through busy areas, who do not necessarily want to cause a mess.[00221 Technically and beneficially, the food packaging or container of the present disclosure provides a single food container with multiple functionalities. Thus, the food packaging of the present disclosure may be appealable to multiple users in multiple scenarios, such as people on- the-go (e.g., in transit) who can conveniently adapt to multiple scenarios, such as a user using the packaging to only hold the food object to then eating the food while walking or moving. In this regard, the packaging of the present disclosure is adaptable to the various needs / wants of the user, including providing a separate container receptacle to accommodate complementary objects to the food (e.g., a dipping sauce). In this way, the food container includes features such as an opening to hold an additional container (e.g., sauces, dipping cups, etc.) and a tearable portion that may be tom away or otherwise removed from a remainder of the food packaging that is used to hold the food contained inside of the food packaging (or a portion of the food contained in the food packaging, or a completely separate piece of food, or yet another object). Thus, the food packaging of the present disclosure includes at least three different functionalities, including providing a separate container holder (e.g., for a condiment), providing a removable holder portion (e.g., for keeping a user’s hands clean or relatively clean while they hold a piece of food), and providing a container for a piece of food. Additionally, and advantageously, the food container may be assembled by an end user or by a manufacturer from a disposable material (e.g., cardboard). This may facilitate recycling and reuse of the container. Further, the food packaging may be shipped in a relatively flat state thereby increasing the amount of food containers that may be provided in a shipping container for subsequent use. This ease of transportability may be appealing to users who use the food packaging of the present disclosure. These and other features and benefits are described more fully herein below.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, a flat or relatively flat depiction of a food container (i.e., in a non-assembled or transportable state) is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Advantageously and prior to assembly, the food container 100 may be provided in a flat or relatively flat sheet and, beneficially a single sheet, of material. The relatively flat sheet of material may enable relatively easy transportation of a box of disassembled food containers 100 by occupying less space compared to the assembled state of the food container 100. In one embodiment, the material may be a paper-based product, such as cardboard. In another embodiment, a different material or combination of material(s) may be used (e.g., plastic and cardboard). In these other embodiments, the description of how to transition from the nonassembled to the assembled state below may be modified or inapplicable to these other material type configurations. In the example described below, the material is a paper-based product and, particularly, cardboard. In some embodiments, the material may be coated in a wax or polymer to make it more durable and resistant to water, oil, sauces, etc. In some embodiments, an end user may receive a non-assembled food container from a manufacturer and may assemble the food container 100 themselves. In other embodiments, the food container 100 may be assembled by a manufacturer using, for example, automated folding and adhesive machines.

[0024] As shown, the food container 100 includes a top face 101, a bottom face 200 coupled to the top face 101, and a plurality of sidewalls including a left sidewall 156 (i.e., a first sidewall) proximate and particularly interconnected with the bottom face 200, a right sidewall 152 (i.e., a second sidewall) proximate and particularly interconnected with the top face 101, and a top sidewall 154 (i.e., a third sidewall, a rear wall). The top face 101 defines or includes an extension portion 204, which may be unitary or integral with the top face 101 or may be a separate member. As shown, the extension portion 204 includes at least one opening 104 and flaps 102. The sidewalls each extend from the top face 101, the bottom face 200, or both. Particularly, one sidewall (e.g., the right sidewall 152) extends from the top face 101, while another sidewall (e.g., the left sidewall 156) extends from a side of both the top face 101 and the bottom face 200. A top sidewall 154 may be formed from a portion of the bottom face 200. In this example, the top sidewall 154 is defined by a portion of the bottom face 200. The described direction of thesidewalls (e.g., left, right, top) and orientation of the food container 100 are based on the view inFIG. 5.[0025J To transition from the non-assembled state (FIG. 1) to the assembled state (FIGS. 2-5) that is structured to enable reception of the food object(s) and the multi-functionalities described herein, a user may assemble the food container 100 by folding along foldable creases and adhering (e.g., gluing) portions of the flat sheet together.

[0026] With reference primarily to the view in FIG. 1, the sequence of assembling the food container 100 from the disassembled state of FIG. 1 to the assembled state of FIGS. 2-5 may be described as follows. In operation, the right sidewall 152 for the assembled state may be formed by folding the right sidewall 152 upright along fold line 162 (i.e. a first edge or a second age) towards the top face 101. As shown, the right sidewall 152 may define a tab 186 (e.g., projection, protrusion, etc.) extending towards the top side of the food container 100 (away from the top face 101). This tab 186 may be folded inward along fold line 158 toward the right sidewall 152 to secure the right sidewall 152 to other sections of the food container 100. Next or previously, the top face 101 may be folded along fold line 164 (i.e., a first edge or a second edge) towards the bottom face 200. In some embodiments, an additional fold may be made at a bisecting angle between fold line 162 and fold line 164 (e.g., bisecting fold 183). In this way, a user may put pressure on the left sidewall 156 and right sidewall 152 to push the bisecting fold 183 outward, away from the food contents of the food container 100. Advantageously, the bisecting fold 183 may provide a user with additional flexibility when opening and accessing the contents of the food container 100. This embodiment is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6.

[0027] The bottom face 200 may define a side flap 180. The side flap may be folded inward, towards the bottom face 200. The top sidewall 154 may be formed by folding downward and inward, towards bottom face 200, along fold lines 176 and 178. In this way, a surface, and particularly a rectangular-shaped surface, is defined to form the top sidewall 154. The bottom face 200 may be folded along fold line 168, towards the top face 101. In some embodiments an additional fold may be made at a bisecting angle between fold line 174 and fold line 168 (e.g., abisecting fold 183). This bisecting fold 183 may be made alone, or in addition to a fold bisecting the top face 101.[0028J With the top face 101 and bottom face 200 being folded along fold lines 164 and 168, the two faces are positioned perpendicular or substantially perpendicular relative to the left sidewall 156. In this example, the top face 101 and bottom face 200 are spaced apart from each other and are substantially parallel to one another. The top face 101 and bottom face 200 are positioned to face one another, with the left sidewall 156 separating the top face 101 from the bottom face 200. The left sidewall 156 interconnecting the bottom face with the top face at a first edge of the top face may define a first edge of the top face.

[0029] In some embodiments, the left sidewall 156 includes a tab 184 on the top side and bottom side (e.g., the apex) of the food container 100. The tabs 184 and 186 may include one or more coupling portions configured to enable a coupling between various parts of the food container 100. In the example shown, the coupling portions are shown as glue spots 170. In operation, the at least one glue spot 170 receives a glue amount (e.g., epoxy, hot glue, etc.) in order to secure various sides of the food container 100 in place. For example, the side flap 180 may be coupled to the inside of the right sidewall 152 by folding and gluing the tabs defined by the left sidewall 156 down to the side flap 180 and the right sidewall 152. The right sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top may form a second edge of the top face opposite the first edge (defined by the left sidewall 156). In another example, the side flap 180 receives a glue amount and is adhered to the right sidewall 152. In this example, both the side flap 180 and the tab 184 are adhered to the right sidewall 152 during assembly of the food container 100. In other embodiments, a different coupling mechanism may be used: for example, a fastener may couple the sides together (e.g., a staple, a pin, etc.), the sides may be welded together to form a joint (e.g., heat welded), and so on. Thus, the use of glue in this example is not meant to be limiting. In alternate embodiments, the left sidewall 156 may not form tabs. In this embodiment the left sidewall would not extend past the top face 101 and the bottom face 200. In this example, the side flap 180 may be fastened directly to the right sidewall 152.

[0030] Once folded and fastened, the top sidewall 154 (i.e., a “movable rear wall”) may be tucked into the interior space formed between the top face 101 and the bottom face 200, thereby defining a prism, and particularly a triangular prism, to form the food container 100 shown in FIGS 2-6. Although the present figures show a triangular prism, the food container 100 may also be formed in the shape of a rectangular prism. In this latter alternative example, the top face 101 and bottom face 200 would define rectangles rather than the triangular shapes shown. Here, as mentioned above, the food container 100 may be used to store at least one pizza slice. But, in other embodiment, the packaging of the present disclosure may be structured to hold other objects or foodstuffs (e.g., lasagna, chicken wings, napkins, etc.). In these embodiments, the multi-use aspects of the present disclosure may be retained while the size and shape of the packaging itself may differ from that shown and described herein.

[0031] Referring more particularly now to FIGS. 2-4, top perspective views of the assembled food container of FIG. 1 are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. As mentioned above, the top face 101 includes an extension portion 204 that extends beyond or past the top sidewall 154 and the bottom face 200, according to some embodiments. As shown, the extension portion 204 extends longitudinally beyond an end portion of the food packaging (e.g., defined by the top sidewall 154 while folded inwards). The extension portion 204 is shown to be generally rectangular shaped with an arcuate end portion. Beneficially, the rounded comers that define the arcuate end portion may be easier to grab and handle by users without potentially poking themselves with relatively sharper comer ends. That said, in other embodiments, a different shape may be used with the extension portion 204 (e.g., a purely rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, etc.). The extension portion 204 is shown to be generally flat in structure. Beneficially, this enables the stacking of things on the extension portion 204. Further, and with being relatively flat, the extension portion 204 is positioned above the bottom face 200 and separated by a distance of the width of the top sidewall 154. Thus, the extension portion 204 overhangs the end of the top sidewall 154 (e.g., while folded / assembled). In other embodiments, the amount of overhang may differ from what is depicted.

[0032] As shown, the extension portion 204 of the top face 101 (which, as depicted is integral or one-piece component with the top face, but in other embodiments may be multiple components), may include or define one or more openings 104. The one or more openings 104 in the top face 101 may be at least partly obstructed flaps 102 (e.g., doors, movable elements, etc.). As shown, two flaps 102 are disposed in the extension portion 204 of the top face 101. In other embodiments, a different number of flaps 102 may be disposed in the top face 101 (e.g., one, three, four, etc.). For example, the flap 102 may be a unitary member. When in the sealed position of the flaps 102 as shown in FIG. 2, the flaps 102 define openings 104 that may receive a portion of the user’s finger or fingers (or other objects). In the two-flap depicted embodiment, the flaps 102 are coupled to each other via a perforated edge 106 (e.g., a tear line, a perforation portion, a perforated line, etc.). Upon receiving a force from a user (downward in the view shown in FIG. 2, which is away from the top face 101), the flaps 102 break away from each other via the perforated edge 106. In other embodiments, the flaps 102 may not be coupled via the perforated edge 106 to form a sealed configuration. Rather, the flaps 102 may simply abut one another and are selectively moved away from one other. In other words, a user may separate a unitary support member by pushing through or tearing along the perforated portion of the unitary support member, thereby defining or forming the two separate flaps 102. As shown in FIG. 3, the flaps 102 may each be pushed downwards so that a user may access an entirety of the opening 104. In this way, the openings 104 of FIG. 2 are disconnected when the flaps 102 are in the sealed state (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3) and opened to connect to each other to define one opening 104 when the flaps 102 are torn or otherwise moved apart from each other.

[0033] In FIG. 4, the separate container 108 that may be received by the opening 104 is now depicted relative to FIG. 3. In this way, a user may place a container 108 into the opening 104, such that it is held in place by the edges, or portions thereof, of the extension portion 204 of the top face 101 that defines the opening 104. It should be understood that a variety of objects may be received by the opening 104 after the flaps 102 are opened and positioned apart from each other. In the example shown, a generally cylindrically-shaped container is received. In other embodiments, a different shaped container may be received. Thus, the shape of the opening mayvary to accommodate differently shaped containers. In the example shown, the container 108 is a condiment container (e.g., for marinara or another sauce that may be used with the food object(s)). In this way, by placing a separate container in the opening 104 of the top face 101, users can conveniently dip their food into the contents of the separate container. For example, by placing a condiment container in the opening 104 of the top face 101, users can conveniently dip their pizza slices into the condiment. Thus, the food container 100 may now concomitantly hold at least one food object (e.g., a pizza slice) and at least one other object (e.g., a condiment container). One hand may be used to hold the food container 100 thereby making usage of these multiple uses relatively easy for the user.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 5, a bottom perspective view of the food container 100 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The top sidewall 154 may be untucked from the inner space (i.e., the cavity) between the top face 101 and the bottom face 200 to create an opening between the top face 101 and the bottom face 200. A cavity (e.g., the cavity 250 shown in FIG.7) is revealed (e.g., exposed, uncovered, etc.) when the top sidewall 154 is untucked / extended outward away from the bottom face 200 may receive a food object. A user may insert the food object into the cavity 250, then fold the top sidewall 154 downward towards the bottom face 200 and tuck the top sidewall into the cavity 250, thereby sealing / closing the food container 100.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom face 200 may include perforations 202 (e g., a tear portion or cut portion). The perforations 202 may form a relatively linear pattern that extends through (e.g., is continuous through) the left sidewall 156 and the right sidewall 152 (shown in FIG. 1). In this example, a user may tear away the portion of the food container above the perforated line to access the food inside of the container. In another example, a user may untuck the top sidewall 154 from the inner space (i.e., the cavity 250) between the top face 101 and the bottom face 200 prior to tearing the portion of the food container above the perforated line. Advantageously, the user may use the tom away portion (e.g., a removable holder 203 as shown in FIG. 7) to hold the food inside of the container, thereby keeping their hands clean.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of the food container 100 in use is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in this view, a user may open the food container 100 to place food in the cavity 250, and subsequently may access food stored therein. To access the cavity 250, the user may untuck the top sidewall 154 from the interior space / cavity 250 formed between the top face 101 and the bottom face 200. A user may alternatively access the food stored in the food container 100 by tearing along the perforations 202. In either situation, the food container 100 may hold a food object and selectively seal the food object in the food container 100. In order to change the shape of the cavity 250, and the food container 100 generally, the user may apply pressure to the left sidewall 156 and the right sidewall 152, thereby pushing the bisecting fold 183 outward and increasing the width of the opening formed between the top face 101 and the bottom face 200 (e.g., the cavity 250). In this view, the flaps 102 are pushed toward the bottom face 200 to reveal the opening 104. This creates a conical or general conical shape for the food container 100. This may be useful in receiving and / or holding other-shaped objects, such as a snow-cone. In some embodiments, the flaps 102 may be pushed away from the bottom face 200 to reveal the opening 104. 0037] As mentioned herein, the food container 100 of the present disclosure may provide multiple functionalities. As shown in FIG. 6, the food container 100 may hold one or more objects, such as food objects, within the general cavity 250. Use of the general cavity 250 may enable storage and transportation of the object. Further and with reference to FIG. 4, the food container 100 may create a compartment (e.g., opening 104) adapted to receive a separate container 108 (e.g., condiment container). As alluded to above, the food container 100 may include even further functionalities and capabilities.

[0038] In this regard and referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the food container 100 with a removable holder 203 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in this view, a user may tear along the perforations 202 to remove a top portion of the bottom face 200 from a bottom portion of the bottom face 200 to create the removable holder 203. This enables a user to fold over the torn away portion of the bottom face 200 and use the torn away portion as a removable holder 203 relative to a remainder of the food container 100. This enables the user tohold an object while keeping their hand / fingers relatively clean. This provides an additional capability relative to traditional food containers / holders.[0039J Based on the foregoing, a brief description of operation may be described as follows. A user may place a container (e.g., a sauce container) into the opening 104, such that it is held in place by the edges, or portions thereof, of the extension portion 204 of the top face 101 that define the opening 104. The user may open the top sidewall 154 to provide access to the cavity 250 to add a food object, which, in this example, is a piece of pizza. The user may then close the wall to seal or substantially seal the cavity with the piece of pizza therein and transport the food container 100 with the pizza. When the user desires access to the piece of pizza, the user may untuck the top sidewall 154 from the food container 100 to provide access to the cavity 250. Then, the user may access and grab the piece of piece for consumption. The user may place a container of desired dipping sauce in the opening 104 and may dip their pizza into the dipping sauce container. If desired, the user may tear away the removable holder 203 from the food container 100 to keep their hands / fingers relatively clean while holding the piece of pizza and dipping it in the sauce container. Beneficially, the food container 100 provides many capabilities from a conveniently-shaped package. In this way, the food container 100 provides multiple functionalities: the food container 100 holds food internally via the cavity 250, provides a removable holder 203, and provides a container holder via the opening 104. 0040] As utilized herein with respect to structural features (e.g., to describe shape, size, orientation, direction, relative position, etc.), the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.[0041 J It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).[00421 The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or movable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.[0043 J References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.[0044j Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above.[0045J It is important to note that any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of anelement from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A food container, comprising: a top face defining at least one opening and having at least one flap extending into the at least one opening; a bottom face positioned substantially opposite the top face; a first sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top face at a first edge of the top face; a second sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top face at a second edge of the top face opposite the first edge; and a movable rear wall that selectively covers a cavity defined by the top face, the bottom face, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall when the movable rear wall is in a first position and exposes the cavity when the movable rear wall is in a second position; wherein the top face is interconnected with an extension portion that extends beyond the movable rear wall when the movable rear wall is in the first position.

2. The food container of claim 1, wherein the at least one flap includes a first flap and a second flap, and wherein the first flap is coupled to the second flap in a first sealed position, whereby the first flap and the second flap are interconnected with each other.

3. The food container of claim 2, wherein the first flap is coupled to the second flap via a tear line, and wherein upon a breaking or a tearing via the tear line, the first flap is disconnected with the second flap.

4. The food container of claim 3, wherein the at least one opening comprises a first opening and a second opening, and wherein upon the breaking or tearing, the first opening interconnects with the second opening to form a single opening.

5. The food container of claim 1, wherein the bottom face defines at least one perforation that extends from a first side of the bottom face to a second side of the bottom face, wherein upon a tearing of the at least one perforation, a portion of the food container is removable from the food container to form a removable holder for an object.

6. The food container of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening is defined by the extension portion of the top face, such that a separate container placed in the at least one opening does not touch the bottom face when the at least one opening receives at least part of the separate container.

7. A method of manufacturing a food container, the method comprising: providing a sheet of material; folding the sheet of material via at least one fold line into a container that includes a first face, a second face, and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein one or more of the plurality of sidewalls extend from the first face and one or more of the plurality of sidewalls extend from the second face; cutting one or more openings, configured to hold a separate container, into the first face; perforating the second face from a first side to a second side of the second face; and coupling the plurality of sidewalls to one another such that the first face and the second face are facing one another in parallel, and the plurality of sidewalls are positioned perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the first face and the second face.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing at least one flap extending into the one or more openings of the first face.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one flap includes a first flap and a second flap, the method further comprising coupling the first flap to the second flap via a perforated edge.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing an adhesive on at least a portion of the sheet of material to couple the plurality of sidewalls to one another.

11. A food container, comprising: a top face defining at least one opening and having at least one flap extending into the at least one opening, the at least one flap selectively movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the at least one opening is configured to receive a first object while the at least one flap is in the second position; a bottom face positioned substantially opposite the top face; and at least one sidewall interconnecting the bottom face with the top face at a first edge of the top face to define a cavity configured to at least partly receive a second object.

12. The food container of claim 11, further comprising: a movable rear wall that selectively covers the cavity defined by the top face, the bottom face, and the at least one sidewall, the movable rear wall movable between (a) a first position substantially covering the cavity and (b) a second position exposing the cavity; wherein the top face comprises an extension portion that extends beyond the movable rear wall when the movable rear wall is in the first position.

13. The food container of claim 12, wherein the at least one opening is positioned on the extension portion, such that the at least one opening is positioned beyond the movable rear wall when the movable rear wall is in the first position.

14. The food container of claim 11, wherein the bottom face defines at least one perforation that extends from a first side of the bottom face to a second side of the bottom face, wherein upon a tearing of the at least one perforation, a portion of the food container is removable from the food container to form a removable holder for the first object or another object.

15. The food container of claim 14, wherein the at least one sidewall defines the at least one perforation, such that the at least one perforation extends from a first side of the bottom face to a second side of the bottom face and from a first side of the at least one sidewall to a second side of the at least one sidewall.

16. The food container of claim 11, wherein the at least one flap includes a first flap and a second flap, and wherein the first flap is coupled to the second flap in a first sealed position, whereby the first flap and the second flap are interconnected with each other.

17. The food container of claim 16, wherein the first flap is coupled to the second flap via a tear line, and wherein upon a breaking or a tearing via the tear line, the first flap is disconnected from the second flap.

18. The food container of claim 11, wherein at least one of the top face or the bottom face define a bisecting fold line configured to change a width of the cavity defined by the top face, the bottom face, and the at least one sidewall.

19. The food container of claim 11, further comprising at least one tab interconnected with the at least one sidewall, the at least one tab configured to couple the at least one sidewall with at least one of the top face or the bottom face.

20. The food container of claim 11, wherein the at least one sidewall is interconnected with at least one of the top face or the bottom face.