Mixed material container

Abstract

The invention provides a mixed material container having an integrally molded base made of paper material and an integrally molded lid made of plastic material. The volume of the substrate is defined by a bottom and opposing first sidewalls forming an upper peripheral edge. The base has at least two flaps, one of which extends from each opposing first sidewall and is configured as a ring having a central opening and rotatable relative to its first sidewall. The cover body is dimensioned to be placed on the upper peripheral edge of the base and has an upper surface, opposing second side walls and at least two receiving areas respectively formed on the opposing second side walls, and has a seat dimensioned to releasably engage with the central opening of each flip cover. Each receiving region is angled relative to the upper surface of the cover body so as to completely receive one flap when connected to the seat.

Description

[0001] Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 420,394, filed on October 28, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention belongs to the field of food storage containers with a base and a detachable cover, and more particularly to a mixed material container, wherein the base can be made of a recyclable or biodegradable environmentally friendly material, and the cover can also be made of a recyclable translucent or transparent plastic material. Background Art

[0003] Food storage containers and food packaging have become increasingly common, especially in the take-away food industry. As their popularity increases, so do the environmental challenges they present. As a result, container manufacturers / packaging manufacturers have an increasing responsibility to develop better sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional all-plastic containers.

[0004] Plastics and paper have been used for food packaging for many years due to their inherent properties. Plastics, due to their transparent or translucent properties, can clearly display food and reduce food order errors through simple visual inspection of the container's contents. Plastics can also be precisely formed to create a reliable locking function, thereby firmly fixing the lid and base of the container together during the transportation of packaged food, and even connecting with other containers, while effectively extending the shelf life of the food. Paper (such as pressed pulp) is also a very common packaging substrate because it provides excellent brand display opportunities when printed, good insulation properties when corrugated, cost-effective shipping efficiency when flat-packed, and many other advantages.

[0005] While plastics used in packaging can be recovered and recycled, paper materials are more likely to be recycled or to biodegrade over time. For these reasons and many others, the benefit of developing mixed-material packaging is to minimize the use of plastic without compromising overall performance. These so-called mixed-material containers contain a substrate made of paper and a lid made of a translucent plastic material. The plastic material allows for visual inspection of the food in the container, while the paper substrate makes the container highly practical for a variety of food applications and brand presentation. The combination of these two substrates achieves both functionality and environmental considerations.

[0006] Figure 1-5 A prior art mixed material container 10 is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a prior art mixed material container 10 . Figure 2 yes Figure 1 and Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a front view of a prior art mixed material container 10 . Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art mixed material container 10 . Figure 5 is a side view showing a prior art mixed material container stack. Figure 1-5 It is recommended to review it together with the following instructions.

[0007] The mixing material container 10 includes a base 12 made of paper and a cover 14 made of plastic. The cover can be molded into any desired shape and includes a lip 30 that engages with an upper edge 24 of the base 12. The base also includes a bottom 26, a side wall 22, and an upper edge 24 that engages with the cover 14. The side wall and the bottom define a volume for storing food. The multiple walls are tapered to provide structural integrity to the base and help nesting when stacked.

[0008] The substrate 12 is made of a flat sheet of paper (such as pressed pulp) and then folded into a predetermined shape along a plurality of fold lines 28. The paper material has sufficient rigidity to be used as a food container and may also be coated or laminated on the surface (i.e., the surface forming the interior of the substrate) using a hydrophobic material to limit the absorption of water or oil. As shown in the figure, the substrate also includes a pair of annular flaps (also called handles) with a hollow portion 20 cut out of the annular flaps.

[0009] The cover 14 includes an overhang 32 extending from the lip 30, which is sized to receive the upper edge 24 of the base 12 when the cover is installed in a predetermined manner. The cover includes a top surface 34 and a plurality of reinforcing features 36, such as ribs, protrusions, etc., to provide strength. The cover 14 also includes an upright rail 42 extending from the top surface in a direction away from the base 12. Finally, the cover also includes a pair of receiving areas 44 for receiving portions of the annular flaps 16 on the opposing side walls 22. Each receiving area 44 includes a seat 18, which is sized to engage with the hollow portion 20 of each flap 16. In particular, the receiving area 44 is configured as a recess with an outer seat 18, which is embedded in the hollow portion 20, thereby releasably fixing the flap 16 and the base 12 to the cover 14.

[0010] Due to the configuration of the cover 14 and the flap 16, when the cover is placed on the base and the flap 16 engages the seat 18 of the receiving area 44, a portion of the flap 16 extends a distance 17 above the cover 14, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As the flip cover 16 protrudes from the cover body 14 , the flip cover 16 is susceptible to accidental contact, which may cause the flip cover 16 to separate from the cover body 14 , thereby causing the base 12 to separate from the cover body 14 . Figure 3 This defect is illustrated showing the bottom protruding area 16A and the top protruding area 16B of the flip cover 16. Therefore, the container 10 of the prior art is prone to accidental separation of the base and the cover after these components are connected.

[0011] In addition, such mixed material containers are preferably capable of being stacked vertically to allow for the alignment of take-out food orders or identical food items for vendor organization, food delivery, and / or convenience for consumer access. Figure 5 As shown, the mixed material container 10 in the prior art cannot be stacked vertically with similar containers because each mixed material container is in a completely horizontal position, and the flip cover 16 affects the positioning of the stacked mixed material containers. Figure 5 As shown, the flip cover 16(1) of the lower mixed material container 10(1) prevents the base 12(2) of the middle mixed material container 10(2) from being flush with the cover 14(1) of the lower mixed material container 10(1), while the flip cover 16(2) of the middle mixed material container 10(2) prevents the base 12(3) of the upper mixed material container 10(3) from being flush with the cover 14(2) of the middle mixed material container 10(2). Therefore, the stacked mixed material containers 10 of the prior art are prone to tipping over. Another problem with the mixed material containers 10 of the prior art is that the flip cover 16 is prone to accidental detachment when stacked, especially for the container at the lower position. Summary of the invention

[0012] The embodiments described herein combine the functional properties of plastics (such as excellent food display, secure product stacking, inherent structural integrity, and high-security locking features) with the many advantages of paper (such as brand display opportunities, sustainable attributes, various trimming and stamping geometries, etc.). In addition, the disclosed embodiments also provide an improved bond between the base and lid of mixed material containers.

[0013] Other objects and features of the present invention will become further apparent through the detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise specified, are intended only to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described in the present invention.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the mixed material container includes an integrally formed paper bottom, the base having a bottom, opposing first side walls forming an upper peripheral edge, and at least two flip covers, each flip cover being configured as a ring having a central opening and extending from a different first side wall of the opposing first side walls and being pivotable relative to its first side wall; an integrally formed plastic cover body, sized to be placed on the upper peripheral edge of the base, and having an upper surface, opposing second side walls and at least two receiving areas, each receiving area being formed on a different second side wall of the opposing second side walls and forming a rear plane, the rear plane forming an angle with respect to the upper surface of the cover body being smaller than the angle of its second side wall plane, each receiving area forming a seat portion, the seat portion being sized to engage with the central opening of one of the flip covers, thereby removably securing the flip cover completely within the receiving area.

[0015] In one embodiment, when the flip cover is secured by its seat, the flip cover does not extend out of the plane of the second side wall of the container.

[0016] In another embodiment, the container is made of a transparent or translucent plastic material.

[0017] In another embodiment, the cover of the container forms a reinforcement ring on the upper surface and may also include a groove formed in the upper surface but not extending above the upper surface.

[0018] In another embodiment, the cover further has a lip that engages the upper peripheral edge of the base and has an overhang extending from the lip, the overhang being sized to receive the upper peripheral edge when the lip engages the upper peripheral edge.

[0019] In another embodiment, the container cover has a plurality of upright rails extending from the upper surface in a direction away from the base, wherein the upright rails are located around at least a portion of the periphery of the upper surface to fully receive the bottom of the stacked second mixed material container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1-4 A prior art mixed material container is shown.

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 1-4 Side view of a prior art mixed material container stack.

[0022] Figure 6 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an improved mixed material container, which is composed of a base and a cover. In an embodiment, the base and the cover are detachably connected together.

[0023] Figure 7 In the embodiment Figure 6A front view of an improved mixed material container.

[0024] Figure 8 In the embodiment Figure 6 A side view of an improved mixed material container.

[0025] Fig. 9 In the embodiment, Figure 7 AA section view of the mixed material container.

[0026] Fig.10 yes Figure 6-9 A side view of a stack of improved mixed material containers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of an improved mixed material container 600, which is composed of a base 612 and a cover 614, and the base 612 and the cover 614 are detachably connected together. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A front view of the improved mixed material container 610. Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A side view of the improved mixed material container 610. Fig. 9 is through Figure 7 AA cross-sectional view of the mixed material container 610. Fig.10 yes Figure 6 A side view of a stack of improved mixed material containers 610(1), 610(2) and 610(3). Figure 6-10 It is recommended to view it together with the instructions below.

[0028] The base 612 is integrally formed of a paper material, and the cover 614 is integrally formed of a plastic. The cover is molded into any predetermined shape and includes a lip 630 that engages with an upper peripheral edge 724 (e.g., upper edge) of the base 612. The base also includes a bottom 626, a side wall 622, and an upper peripheral edge 724 engaged with the cover 614. The side wall 622 and the bottom 626 define a volume for storing food. The side wall 622 is tapered to provide structural integrity to the base 612 and to facilitate, for example, nesting when stacked before use.

[0029] In some embodiments, the substrate 612 is made of a flat sheet of paper (such as pressed pulp) and then folded along a plurality of fold lines 628 to form a predetermined shape. The paper material has sufficient rigidity to be used as a food container and can also be coated or laminated on the surface (i.e., the surface forming the interior of the substrate 612) using a hydrophobic material to limit the absorption of water or oil. As shown, the substrate 612 also includes a pair of annular flaps 616 (also referred to as handles), each of which has a central opening 620.

[0030] The cover 614 includes an overhang 632 extending from the lip 630, and the overhang 632 is sized to receive the upper edge 724 of the base 612 when the lip 630 engages the upper edge 724, such as when the cover 614 is installed on the base 612 in a predetermined manner. The cover 614 forms an upper surface 634 and may include a plurality of reinforcement features 636, such as ribs, protrusions, etc., to increase the strength and rigidity of the cover 614. The cover 614 also includes a plurality of upright rails 642 extending from the upper surface 634 in a direction away from the base 612 and formed around at least a portion of the periphery of the upper surface 634. Fig.10 As shown, the plurality of upright rails 642 are sized to receive the base 612 of a stacked mixed material container (e.g., mixed material container 610 (2)) positioned on the upper surface 634 of the mixed material container 610 (1). The bottom 726 of the stacked mixed material container 610 (2) is in unobstructed contact with the upper surface 634 supporting the mixed material container 610 (1), (e.g., the bottom 726 is flush with the upper surface 634), and the plurality of upright rails 642 help prevent the stacked mixed material container 610 (2) from sliding off the mixed material container 610 (1), such as when the stacked container is being carried or transported. The upright rails 642 further increase the strength and rigidity of the cover 614.

[0031] The cover 614 also forms at least two receiving areas 644 on the opposite side walls 646, which are configured to receive the annular flaps 616 of the opposite side walls 622. Each of the receiving areas 644 includes a seat 618, which is sized to engage and releasably secure with a corresponding one of the flaps 616 through the central opening 620. In particular, each receiving area 644 is recessed toward the center of the cover 614, recessed in the opposite side walls 646 of the cover 614, and surrounded by receiving area walls 648 that are substantially orthogonal to the plane 908 of the opposite side walls 646. The seat 618 extends rearwardly and outwardly from the receiving area 644 toward the plane 908 of its side walls 646, but does not exceed the plane 908 of its side walls 646. The seat 618 releasably clamps the flap 616 through the central opening 620, thereby releasably coupling the base 612 and the cover 614 together. The angle 902 of the rear plane 904 of the receiving area 644 relative to the upper surface 634 is smaller than the angle 906 of the plane 908 of the side wall 646 thereof. In particular, the angle 902, as well as the depth of the receiving area 644 relative to the plane 908 of the side wall 646 thereof, is sufficient to ensure that the flip cover 616 does not extend beyond the upper surface 634 (or its plane) or the plane 908 of the side wall 646 thereof when clamped by the seat 618. Advantageously, the flip cover 616 is not easily accidentally separated from the seat 618 during operation of the mixed material container 610. In addition, the receiving area wall 648 increases the strength and rigidity of the cover body 614.

[0032] and Figure 1-5 Compared to the prior art mixed material container 10 in the prior art, the mixed material container 610 has many improvements. For example, the receiving area 644 for the flip cover 616 is deeper and more sharply angled than the prior art area 44. In addition, unlike the prior art flip cover 16, the flip cover 616 does not extend onto the upper surface 634 of the cover body 614 when engaged with the seat 618.

[0033] Will Figure 8 A side view of a mixed material container 610 with Figure 3 A further advantage of the mixed material container 610 over the prior art mixed material container 10 can be seen by comparing the side view of the prior art mixed material container 10 shown. In particular, when each flap 616 is engaged with its respective seat 618, the flap 616 has no exposed area, which is different from the exposed areas 16A and 16B of the flap 16 in the prior art. In other words, the receiving area wall 648 of the receiving area 644 where the seat 618 is located is sufficiently inclined inwardly toward the upper surface 634 so that the entire flap 616 will not accidentally come into contact when handling or stacking the mixed material container 610. For example, see Figure 8 6 is a side view of the mixing material container 610 shown in FIG. 6 , wherein the flip cover 616 is not visible.

[0034] although Figure 6-10 The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 shows the flap 616 terminating below the upper surface 634 , but the flap 616 may terminate on the upper surface 634 but not higher than the upper surface 634 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0035] The cover 614 may also include a reinforcement ring 640 formed on the upper surface 634 and located in a central position to provide additional support for stacked mixed material containers. In this embodiment, the reinforcement ring 640 is a groove formed in the surface 634. Advantageously, the upper surface 634 of the cover 614 located between the guide rails 642 is substantially planar to allow stacking of the mixed material containers 610. In addition, the flip cover 616 is completely contained in the receiving area 644 when secured by the seat 618 and does not extend upwardly above the upper surface 634 (unlike the upper surface 634). Figure 3 ), each container 610 can be in a completely horizontal state when stacked vertically (for example, the bottom 626 of the base 612 of the stacked mixed material container 610 is coplanar with the upper surface 634 of the cover 614 of the stacked mixed material container 610), as shown in FIG. Fig.10 This allows for more efficient use of counter or refrigerated display space while reducing the likelihood of tipping over during transportation of the stacked mixed material containers 610 (e.g., for takeout delivery).

[0036] The improved mixing material container 610 can be described as having: an integrally formed base made of paper, having a bottom and opposing side walls having an upper peripheral edge and defining a volume; and at least two flaps, one flap on each opposing side wall, each flap being rotatable relative to its side wall, wherein each flap is configured as a ring having a central opening.

[0037] A cover body integrally formed of a transparent or translucent plastic material and sized to be placed over the edge of the base, the cover body having an upper surface, side walls, and receiving areas on at least two opposing side walls, the receiving areas being defined by receiving area walls and being angled relative to the upper surface of the cover body and having a seat having a size designed to releasably engage with a ring of each flap of the base, wherein the receiving area fully receives each flap when the flap is connected to the seat.

[0038] Thus, while the essential novel features of certain embodiments have been shown, described, and pointed out, it is to be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made to the form and details of the described apparatus and its operation by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, all combinations of those elements and / or method steps which expressly perform substantially the same functions in substantially the same manner to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be recognized that, as a general matter of design choice, structures and / or elements and / or method steps associated with any disclosed form or embodiment may be incorporated into any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment. It is therefore intended that the invention be limited only to the extent indicated in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A mixed material container, comprising: An integrally formed substrate made of paper material and having bottom, opposing first side walls forming an upper peripheral edge, and At least two flip covers, each flip cover is configured in a ring shape with a central opening, and extends from one of the two opposite first side walls, respectively, and is rotatable relative to the first side wall; and An integrally formed plastic cover sized to rest over the upper peripheral edge of the base and having An upper surface, an opposite second side wall, and At least two receiving areas, each receiving area is formed on one of the two opposing second side walls and has a rear plane, the rear plane forms an angle with respect to the upper surface of the cover body that is smaller than the angle of the plane of its second side wall, each receiving area forms a seat portion, the size of the seat portion is designed to engage with the central opening of one of the flip covers so as to fully detachably fix the flip cover in the receiving area, wherein, The flap is completely contained within the receiving area when secured by the seat.

2. The mixing material container of claim 1, wherein each flip cover does not extend beyond the plane of the second side wall when secured to the seat.

3. The mixing material container of claim 2, wherein each flap does not extend above the plane of the upper surface when secured to its seat.

4. The mixed material container according to claim 1, wherein the plastic material is one of transparent and translucent.

5. The mixed material container of claim 1, wherein each seat portion extends outward from its corresponding rear plane and does not extend beyond the plane of its second side wall.

6. The mixed material container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a reinforcement ring formed on an upper surface thereof.

7. The mixed material container of claim 6, wherein the reinforcement ring includes a groove formed in the upper surface but not extending above the upper surface.

8. The mixing material container of claim 1, the cover further comprising a lip engaged with the upper peripheral edge of the base and an overhang extending from the lip, the cover being sized to receive the upper peripheral edge when the lip engages with the upper peripheral edge.

9. The mixed material container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a plurality of upright rails extending from the upper surface in a direction away from the base.

10. The mixed material container of claim 9, wherein a plurality of upright rails are formed around at least a portion of the periphery of the upper surface to completely receive the complete bottom of the stacked second mixed material container.

11. The mixed material container of claim 1, wherein the bottom and the opposing first side wall define a volume.

12. The mixed material container of claim 1, wherein each receiving area is surrounded by a receiving area wall that is orthogonal to the plane of the second side wall thereof.

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