Food box

Abstract

The food container includes a tray having a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom, the peripheral wall including a front wall portion and an opposing rear wall portion. The food container includes a cover adapted to cover the tray, the cover including a proximal cover panel rotatably connected to the front wall portion and a distal cover panel rotatably connected to the rear wall portion, the proximal cover panel and the distal cover panel being rotatable to cover the tray in a covering position. The food container includes a fixing mechanism adapted to fix the proximal cover panel to the tray, and in the covering position, the proximal cover panel holds the distal cover panel in the covering position and is fixed to the tray by the fixing mechanism. The food container includes a handle rotatably connected to the cover, the handle being rotatable between an upright position perpendicular to the cover and a flat position parallel to the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Singapore Patent Application No. 10202250621F filed on July 28, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002]

[0002] The present invention relates to a food box for containing food. For example, a pizza box for containing pizza.

Background Art

[0003]

[0003] Food boxes, such as pizza boxes, are used for transporting food during takeout or delivery. Usually, the food box is placed in a plastic bag so that it can be carried by one hand from the top of the box for convenience. However, the use of plastic bags causes environmental problems.

[0004]

[0004] To reduce the use of plastic bags, there are food boxes with handles on the top of the box, which can be carried by one hand from the top of the box. However, due to the presence of the handle, the boxes cannot be stacked. Therefore, it is difficult to deliver or take out more than two boxes at a time unless plastic bags are used.

[0005]

[0005] Therefore, it is beneficial to devise a solution to solve the above - mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to various embodiments, a food box is provided. The food box includes a tray including a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom, the peripheral wall including a front wall portion and a rear wall portion opposite the front wall portion, the food box including a cover adapted to cover the tray, the cover including a proximal cover panel rotatably connected to the front wall portion and a distal cover panel rotatably connected to the rear wall portion, the proximal cover panel and the distal cover panel rotating to a covering position covering the tray, the food box including a fixing mechanism adapted to fix the proximal cover panel to the tray, in the covering position, the proximal cover panel holding the distal cover panel in the covering position and being fixed to the tray by the fixing mechanism, the food box including a handle rotatably connected to the cover, the handle being rotatable between an upright position perpendicular to the cover and a flat position parallel to the cover.

[0007] According to various embodiments, the peripheral wall further includes a left wall portion and a right wall portion opposite the left wall portion, the left wall portion and the right wall portion being disposed between the front wall portion and the rear wall portion, the fixing mechanism including a left fixing mechanism and a right fixing mechanism, the left fixing mechanism being adapted to fix the proximal cover panel to the left wall portion, and the right fixing mechanism being adapted to fix the proximal cover panel to the right wall portion.

[0008] According to various embodiments, the proximal cover panel includes a left proximal cover end and a right proximal cover end opposite the left proximal cover end, the left fixing mechanism including a left fixing portion extending from the left proximal cover end and a left engaging portion disposed on the left wall portion and adapted to engage with the left fixing portion, and the right fixing mechanism including a right fixing portion extending from the right proximal cover end and a right engaging portion disposed on the right wall portion and adapted to engage with the right fixing portion.

[0009] According to various embodiments, the handle includes a front handle rotatably connected to the proximal cover panel and a rear handle rotatably connected to the distal cover panel, the front handle and the rear handle meeting each other in the covering position to form the handle or rotating away from each other toward the cover to be in the same plane as the cover.

[0010] According to various embodiments, the food box includes a center line that is parallel and equidistant from the front wall panel and the rear wall panel, and the fixing mechanism and the handle are arranged along the center line.

[0011] According to various embodiments, the food box further includes a proximal connector formed as part of the proximal cover panel and rotatably connected to the front wall portion, a distal connector formed as part of the distal cover panel and rotatably connected to the rear wall portion, a proximal receiving portion disposed on the front wall panel, and a distal receiving portion disposed on the rear wall panel. The proximal connector is removable from the proximal cover panel and connectable to the proximal receiving portion of another food box. The distal connector is removable from the distal cover panel and connectable to the distal receiving portion of another food box, and the food box can be attached to another food box.

[0011]

[0012] According to various embodiments, the proximal connector includes a proximal flap, the proximal receiving portion includes a proximal slot, the distal connector includes a distal flap, the distal receiving portion includes a distal slot, the proximal flap is inserted into the proximal slot of another food box, and the distal flap is inserted into the distal slot of another food box, so that the food box can be attached to another food box.

[0012]

[0013] According to various embodiments, the cover includes a fold line, and the cover is configured to be folded along the fold line when the food box is lifted by the handle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a food box.

Figure 2

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a developed view of the food box.

Figure 3A

[0016] FIG. 3A shows the procedure of folding the developed view of FIG. 2 into the food box.

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 3D

Figure 3E

Figure 3F

Figure 3G

Figure 3H

Figure 3I

Figure 3J

Figure 3K

Figure 3L

Figure 3M

Figure 3N

Figure 4

[0017] Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the unfolded view of the food box.

Figure 5A

[0018] Figure 5A shows the procedure of folding the unfolded view of Figure 4 into a food box.

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 5D

Figure 5E

Figure 6A

[0019] FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a food box.

Figure 6B

[0020] FIG. 6B shows the food box of FIG. 6A in an attached configuration.

Figure 6C

[0021] FIG. 6C shows another food box stacked on top of the food box of FIG. 6B.

Figure 6D

[0022] FIG. 6D shows a food box connected to another food box stacked thereon.

Figure 7

[0023] FIG. 7 shows a developed view of the food box of FIG. 6.

Figure 8A

[0024] FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a food box.

Figure 8B

[0025] FIG. 8B shows a front view of the food box of FIG. 8A.

Figure 8C

[0026] FIG. 8C shows a side view of the food box of FIG. 8A.

Figure 9

[0027] FIG. 9 shows a developed view of the food box of FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014]

[0028] In the following examples, reference is made to the drawings in which the same features are labeled with the same numbers.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a food box. The pizza box 100 has a tray 102 including a bottom (not shown in Figure 1) and a peripheral wall 110 extending from the bottom. The peripheral wall 110 includes a front wall portion 112 and a rear wall portion (not shown in Figure 1) opposite the front wall portion 112. The pizza box 100 has a cover 120 adapted to cover the tray 102. The cover 120 includes a proximal cover panel 122 rotatably connected to the front wall portion 112 and a distal cover panel 124 rotatably connected to the rear wall portion. The proximal cover panel 122 and the distal cover panel 124 can rotate to cover the tray 102 in a covering position. The pizza box 100 has a fixing mechanism 140 adapted to fix the proximal cover panel 122 to the tray 102. In the covering position, the proximal cover panel 122 holds the distal cover panel 124 in the covering position and is fixed to the tray 102 by the fixing mechanism 140. The pizza box 100 has a handle 130 rotatably connected to the cover 120. The handle 130 is rotatable between an upright position perpendicular to the cover 120 and a flat position parallel to the cover 120. As shown in Figure 1, there is no fixing mechanism on the distal cover panel 124. The distal cover panel 124 may include a fixing mechanism for fixing to the peripheral wall 110. The proximal cover panel 122 and the distal cover panel 124 may be of substantially the same length. The proximal cover panel 122 and the distal cover panel 124 may be of different lengths. For example, the proximal cover panel 122 may be longer than the distal cover panel 124.

[0015]

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the peripheral wall 110 includes a left wall portion 116 and a right wall portion (not shown in FIG. 1) facing the left wall portion 116. The left wall portion 116 and the right wall portion are arranged between the front wall portion 112 and the rear wall portion. The left wall portion 116 and the right wall portion may be connected to the front wall portion 112 and the rear wall portion to form a space for accommodating food within the peripheral wall 110. The fixing mechanism 140 includes a left fixing mechanism 140A and a right fixing mechanism (not shown in FIG. 1). The left fixing mechanism 140A is adapted to fix the proximal cover panel 122 to the left wall portion 116, and the right fixing mechanism is adapted to fix the proximal cover panel 122 to the right wall portion. In FIG. 1, the food box 100 is shown in a rectangular shape, but the food box 100 may have other shapes, such as hexagonal, octagonal, etc.

[0016]

[0031] The proximal cover panel 122 includes a left proximal cover end 122L and a right proximal cover end 122G facing the left proximal cover end 122L. The left proximal cover end 122L and the right proximal cover end 122G may be perpendicular to the front wall portion 112. The left fixing mechanism 140A includes a left fixing portion 142 extending from the left proximal cover end 122L and a left engaging portion 116N disposed on the left wall portion 116 and adapted to engage with the left fixing portion 142. The right fixing mechanism includes a right fixing portion extending from the right proximal cover end 122G and a right engaging portion disposed on the right wall portion and adapted to engage with the right fixing portion. Instead of the above configuration, it is also possible that the left fixing portion 142 extends from the left wall portion 116, the left engaging portion is disposed on the proximal cover panel 122, the right fixing portion extends from the right wall portion, and the right engaging portion is disposed on the proximal cover panel 122. The left fixing portion 142 and the right fixing portion may be flaps, straps, bands, strings, etc. as shown in FIG. 1. The left engaging portion 116N and the right engaging portion may include openings, clips, hooks, etc. as shown in FIG. 1.

[0017]

[0032] The handle 130 includes a front handle 130F rotatably connected to the proximal cover panel 122 and a rear handle (not shown in FIG. 1) rotatably connected to the distal cover panel 124. The front handle 130F and the rear handle meet each other at the covering position to form the handle 130, or rotate away from each other toward the cover to be in the same plane as the cover 130. The food box 100 includes a center line 200C parallel and equidistant from the front wall panel 112 and the rear wall panel. The fixing mechanism 140 and the handle 130 are arranged along the center line 200C, and the handle 130 is aligned with the center of gravity of the food box 100 so as to maintain the balance of the food box 100 when lifted by the handle 130.

[0018]

[0033] Since the handle 130 can be folded flat against the cover 120, the food boxes 100 can be stacked on top of each other. As shown below, the fixing mechanism 140 can have an anti-tampering function, and by providing the food box 100 with an anti-tampering function, it can be ensured that the pizza delivered to the customer has not been tampered with. The food box 100 is suitable for various types of food such as pizza, sushi, and cup cakes.

[0019]

[0034] The food box 100 can be formed from a single unfolded view. As shown below, the food box 100 can be made by folding the unfolded view 200. The unfolded view 200 may be made of cardboard.

[0020]

[0035] FIG. 2 shows an unfolded view 200 of the food box 100 of FIG. 1. The food box 100 includes a bottom panel 250 having a periphery 250P. The bottom panel 250 forms the bottom of the food box 100 of FIG. 1. The periphery 250P includes a front edge 250PF, a rear edge 250PR opposite the front edge 250PF, a left edge 250PL, a right edge 250PG opposite the left edge 250PL, and a center line 200C between the front edge 250PF and the rear edge 250PR.

[0021] The food container 100 further includes a front panel portion 212 extending from the front edge 250PF, the front panel portion 212 including a front bottom edge 212B connected to the front edge 250PF and a front upper edge 212T opposite the front bottom edge 212B, a rear panel portion 214 extending from the rear edge 250PR, the rear panel portion 214 including a rear bottom edge 214B connected to the rear edge 250PR and a rear upper edge 214T opposite the rear bottom edge 214B, a left panel portion 216 extending from the left edge 250PL, the left panel portion 216 including a left bottom edge 216B connected to the left edge 250PL and a left upper edge 216T opposite the left bottom edge 216B, a right panel 218 extending from the right edge 250PG, the right panel 218 including a right bottom edge 218B connected to the right edge 250PG and a right upper edge 218T opposite the right bottom edge 218B, a proximal cover panel 222 extending from the front upper edge 212T, the proximal cover panel 222 including a proximal front end 222F, a proximal rear end 222R connected to the front upper edge 212T on the side opposite the proximal front end 222F, a left proximal cover end 222L, and a right proximal cover end 224G opposite the left proximal cover end 224L, the left proximal cover end 222L and the right proximal cover end 224G extending from the proximal front end 222F to the proximal rear end 222R, including a left fixing portion 242 extending from the left proximal cover end 222L and a right fixing portion 244 extending from the right proximal cover end 222G, the left fixing portion 242 and the right fixing portion 244 being adapted to fix the proximal cover panel 222 to the tray 102, including a front handle 230F disposed at the proximal front end 222F, a distal cover panel 224 extending from the rear upper edge 214T, the distal cover panel 224 including a distal front end 224F, a distal rear end 224R connected to the rear upper edge 214T on the side opposite the distal front end 224F, a left distal cover end 224L, and a right distal cover end 224G opposite the left distal cover end 224L, the left distal cover end 224L and the right distal cover end 224G extending from the distal front end 224F to the distal rear end 224R, including a rear handle 230R disposed at the distal front end 224F. The proximal cover panel 222 includes a proximal line 222C, and the front handle 230F is foldable along the proximal line 222C. Similarly, the distal cover panel 224 includes a distal line 224C, and the rear handle 230R is foldable along the distal line 224C.Each of the left fixing part 242 and the right fixing part 244 includes a T-shaped protrusion having a narrow first end 2422, 2442 and a wide second end 2421, 2441 on the opposite side of the first end. The first ends 2422, 2442 of the T-shaped protrusion are connected to the left panel part 216 and the right panel part 218. There are a pair of wings forming the T-shaped protrusion at the second ends 2421, 2441. The front handle 230F may include a handle fixing part 230S connected to the front handle 230F. The handle fixing part 230S is formed within the front handle 230F and is adapted to fix the front handle 230F to the rear handle 230R. The front panel part 212, the rear panel part 214, the left panel part 216, and the right panel 218 form the peripheral wall 110 of the food box in FIG. 1, and are the front wall part 112, the rear wall part, the left wall part 116, and the right wall part respectively.

[0022]

[0036] The fixing mechanism 240 may include a fixing portion and an engaging portion that engages with the fixing portion. The fixing portion may include a left fixing portion 242 and a right fixing portion 244 extending from the proximal cover panel 222. The left fixing portion 242 may extend from the left proximal cover end 222L, and the right fixing portion 244 may extend from the right proximal cover end 222G. The left fixing portion 242 and the right fixing portion 244 may be arranged along the proximal line 222C so as to follow the fold line of the front handle. The engaging portion may include a left engaging portion 216N and a right engaging portion 218N arranged on the left panel portion 216 and the right panel 218, respectively. The left engaging portion 216N and the right engaging portion 218N may be arranged along the center line 200C. The left engaging portion 216N and the right engaging portion 218N may be through holes, may include cut-out flaps to cover the through holes, and the through holes may be formed when the cut-out flaps are pushed out from the through holes. Each of the left engaging portion 216N and the right engaging portion 218N may include restricting portions 216E, 218E adapted to restrict the left fixing portion 242 and the right fixing portion 244 from coming off after being inserted into the left engaging portion 216N and the right engaging portion 218N, respectively. The restricting portions 216E, 218E may extend from one side of the through hole and may include protrusions about one-fourth of the height of the through hole. The left fixing portion 242 and the left engaging portion 216N form a left fixing mechanism. The right fixing portion 244 and the right engaging portion 218N form a right fixing mechanism.

[0023]

[0037] The exploded view 200 includes connection flaps extending from the left panel portion 216 and the right panel portion 218, or the front panel portion 212 and the rear panel portion 214, and the left panel portion 216 and the right panel portion 218, and the front panel portion 212 and the rear panel portion 214 may be connected to each other. The exploded view 200 may include a proximal left connection flap 216P and a distal left connection flap 216D extending from opposite ends of the left panel portion 216, and a proximal right connection flap 218P and a distal right connection flap 218D extending from opposite ends of the right panel 218. Each of the connection flaps 216P, 216D, 216P, 218P may include a locking portion adapted to lock the connection flap to the front panel portion 212 or the rear panel portion 214. The front panel portion 212 and the rear panel portion 214 may each include a receiving portion for receiving the locking portion. The proximal left connection flap 216P includes a first end 216P1 connected to the left panel portion 216, a second end 216P2 opposite the first end 216P1, and a proximal left locking portion 216PK extending from the second end 216P2. The proximal right connection flap 218P includes a first end 218P1 connected to the right panel 218, a second end 218P2 opposite the first end 218P1, and a proximal right locking portion 218PK extending from the second end 218P2. The distal left connection flap 216D includes a first end 216D1 connected to the left panel portion 216, a second end 216D2 opposite the first end 216D1, and a distal left locking portion 216DK extending from the second end 216D2. The distal right connection flap 218D includes a first end 218D1 connected to the right panel portion 218, a second end 218D2 opposite the first end 218D1, and a distal right locking portion 218DK extending from the second end 218D2. Each of the front panel portion 212 and the rear panel portion 214 may include a pair of through holes adapted to receive the locking portion. For example, the front panel portion 212 includes a left front through hole 2121 for receiving the proximal left locking portion 216PK and a right front through hole 2122 for receiving the proximal right locking portion 218PK, and the rear panel portion 214 may include a left rear through hole 2141 for receiving the distal left locking portion 216DK and a right rear through hole 2142 for receiving the distal right locking portion 218DK.Each of the through-holes 2121, 2122, 2141, 2412 may be covered by a cut-out flap, and the through-holes 2121, 2122, 2141, 2412 are formed when the cut-out flap is pushed out from the through-holes. Each of the through-holes 2121, 2122, 2141, 2412 may be a slot.

[0024]

[0038] The left fixing portion 242 and the right fixing portion 244 may be disposed at the front end 222F. The proximal cover panel 222 may include a proximal side panel 222S extending from the left proximal cover end 222L and the right proximal cover end 222G. The left fixing portion 242 and the right fixing portion 244 may be formed as a part of the proximal side panel 222S. The proximal cover panel 222 may include an overlapping panel 222V extending from its front end 222F. The distal cover panel 224 may include a distal side panel 224S extending from the left distal cover end 224L and the right distal cover end 224G. The distal cover panel 224 may include an overlapping panel 224V extending from its front end 224F.

[0025]

[0039] FIGS. 3A through 3N show the procedure of folding the developed view 200 of FIG. 2 into the food box 100. The developed view 200 is designed to be folded in a natural order. Referring to FIG. 3A, the distal side panel 224S may be folded along the left distal cover end 224L and the right distal cover end 224G. By folding the distal side panel 224S, the rigidity of the distal cover panel 224 is improved. Referring to FIG. 3B, the rear panel portion 214 may be folded along the rear bottom edge 214B, and the distal cover panel 224 may be folded along the rear upper edge 214T. The left panel 216 and the right panel 218 may be folded along the left bottom edge 216B and the right bottom edge (not shown in FIG. 3B), respectively. The folding in FIG. 3B can be performed simultaneously using both hands. Referring to FIG. 3C, the distal cover panel 224 is in the covering position, and the overlapping panel 224V overlaps the center line 200C. Referring to FIG. 3D, the distal left connecting flap 216D and the distal right connecting flap 218D may be folded over the rear panel portion 214. Referring to FIG. 3E, the distal left lock portion 216DK and the distal right lock portion 218DK may be pushed into the left rear through hole 2141 and the right rear through hole 2142, respectively, to lock the distal left connecting flap 216D and the distal right connecting flap 218D to the rear panel portion 214. After this step, the left panel portion 216 and the right panel 218 are fixed to the rear panel portion 214, forming the rear wall portion 114, the left wall portion 116, and the right wall portion 118 of the food box 100 in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 3F, the rear handle 230R may be folded along the distal line 224C to an upright position. The distal line 224C may be in the same plane as the center line 220C. The steps from FIG. 3D to FIG. 3E can be performed in a continuous operation using both hands.

[0026]

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3G, the proximal side panel 222S may be folded along the left proximal cover end 222L and the right proximal cover end 222G. By folding the proximal side panel 222S, the rigidity of the proximal cover panel 222 is improved. The left fixing portion 242 and the right fixing portion 244 may be punched out from the proximal side panel 222S and left without being folded. Referring to FIG. 3H, the front panel portion 212 may be folded along the front bottom edge 212B, and the proximal cover panel 222 may be folded along the front upper edge 212T. At the same time, the front handle 230F may be folded along the proximal line 222C to an upright position or a position substantially perpendicular to the proximal cover panel 222. The handle fixing portion 230S may be folded simultaneously with the front handle 230F. Referring to FIG. 3I, the proximal cover panel 222 is in the covering position, and the front handle 230F meets the rear handle 230R to form the handle 130. The overlapping panel 222V overlaps the center line 200C and overlaps the overlapping panel 224V (not shown in FIG. 3I) of the distal cover panel 224 to cover the gap between the proximal cover panel 222 and the distal cover panel 224 and prevent unnecessary substances from entering the food box 100. Referring to FIG. 3J, the proximal left connection flap 216P and the proximal right connection flap 218P may be folded onto the front panel portion 212. The proximal left lock portion 216PK and the proximal right lock portion 218PK may be pushed into the left front through hole 2121 and the right front through hole 2122 respectively to lock the proximal left connection flap 216P and the proximal right connection flap 218P to the front panel portion 212. After this step, the left panel portion 216 and the right panel 218 are fixed to the front panel portion 212 to form the front wall portion 112 of the food box 100. Referring to FIGS. 3K and 3L, the left fixing portion 242 and the right fixing portion 244 may be fixed to the left panel portion 216 and the right panel portion (not shown in FIGS. 3K and 3L) respectively. Referring to FIG. 3K, the left engaging portion 216N may engage with the left fixing portion 242, and the right engaging portion (not shown in FIG. 3K) may engage with the right fixing portion 244. Both wing pairs 240W of the left fixing portion 242 and the right fixing portion 244 may be folded downward before inserting the wing pairs 240W into the left engaging portion 216N and the right engaging portion (not shown in FIG. 3K).Referring to Fig. 3L, when the left fixed part 242 and the right fixed part (not shown in Fig. 3L) are inserted into the left engaging part (not shown in Fig. 3L) and the right engaging part (not shown in Fig. 3L), both pairs of wings (not shown in Fig. 3L) spread within the left engaging part and the right engaging part and are engaged there. The left fixed part 242 and the right fixed part are pushed beyond the left limiting part 216E and the right limiting part (not shown in Fig. 3L), and are respectively restricted from disengaging from the left engaging part and the right engaging part. Referring to Fig. 3M, the handle fixing part 230S may be folded from the front handle 230F over the rear handle 230R to fix the front handle 230F to the rear handle 230R to form the handle 230. Fig. 3N shows the assembled food box 100 shown in Fig. 1. The restricted engaging and fixing parts 242, 244 can be an anti-tampering fixing mechanism. Since the fixing parts 242, 244 cannot be easily disengaged from the engaging parts 216N, 218N, it is necessary to damage the fixing parts 242, 244 in order to open the food box 100. Therefore, if the fixing parts 242, 244 are damaged when delivered to the customer's location, it is clear that the food box 100 has been opened or pre-tampered with.

[0027]

[0041] Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the unfolded view 400 of the food box 100. The unfolded view 400 of Figure 4 is the same as the unfolded view 200 of Figure 2, except that the proximal left connection flap 416P and the proximal right connection flap 418P extend from the opposite ends of the front panel 412, the distal left connection flap 416D and the distal right connection flap 418D extend from the opposite ends of the rear panel 414, the left panel 416 further includes a left fixed panel 416S extending therefrom, and the right panel 418 further includes a right fixed panel 418S extending therefrom. As shown in Figure 4, this embodiment does not include a locking portion adapted to lock the connection flap to the front panel 412 or the rear panel 414, nor a receiving portion for receiving the locking portion. Each of the left fixed panel 416S and the right fixed panel 418S includes a fixing protrusion 416U for fixing the left fixed panel 416S and the right fixed panel 418S to the bottom panel 450. The bottom panel 450 may include two slots 450S adapted to receive the fixing protrusion 416U.

[0028]

[0042] Figures 5A through 5E illustrate the procedure of folding the developed view 400 of FIG. 3 into the food box 100. Referring to FIG. 5A, the proximal left connection flap 416P, the proximal right connection flap 418P, the distal left connection flap 416D, and the distal right connection flap 418D are folded upward from the front panel 412 and the rear panel 414. Referring to FIG. 5B, the front panel 412 is folded along the front bottom edge 412B, and the rear panel 414 is folded along the rear bottom edge 414B. At the same time, the proximal cover panel 422 is folded along the front upper edge 412T, and the distal cover panel 424 is folded along the rear upper edge 414T. When the front panel 412 and the rear panel 414 are folded to the vertical position, the proximal left connection flap (not shown in FIG. 5B), the proximal right connection flap 418P, the distal left connection flap (not shown in FIG. 5B), and the distal right connection flap 418D are respectively arranged along the left bottom edge (not shown in FIG. 5B) and the right bottom edge 418B. Referring to FIG. 5C, the left panel portion (not shown in FIG. 5C) and the right panel portion 418 are folded along the left bottom edge (not shown in FIG. 5C) and the right bottom edge 418B. Referring to FIG. 5D, the left fixed panel (not shown in FIG. 5D) and the right fixed panel (not shown in FIG. 5D) are folded inwardly along the upper left edge (not shown in FIG. 5D) and the upper right edge 418T towards the inside of the left panel portion (not shown in FIG. 5D) and the right panel portion 418, sandwiching the proximal left connection flap (not shown in FIG. 5B), the proximal right connection flap (not shown in FIG. 5B), the distal left connection flap (not shown in FIG. 5B), and the distal right connection flap (not shown in FIG. 5B), and connecting the front panel 412 and the rear panel 414 to the left panel (not shown in FIG. 5B) and the right panel 418 to form the peripheral wall 110. The remaining procedure to reach the folded food box 400 shown in FIG. 5E is described in the procedure shown in FIG. 3.

[0029]

[0043] FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a food container 600. The food container 600 is identical to the food container 100 of FIG. 1 except for the following features. The food container 600 may include a proximal connector 660 formed as part of a proximal cover panel 622 and rotatably connected to a front wall portion (not shown in FIG. 6A). The food container 600 may include a distal connector 670 formed as part of a distal cover panel 624 and rotatably connected to a rear wall portion 614. The food container 600 may include a proximal receiving portion (not shown in FIG. 6A) disposed on a front wall panel and a distal receiving portion 674 disposed on the rear wall panel 614. The proximal connector 660 is removable from the proximal cover panel 622 and can be connected to the proximal receiving portion of another food container (not shown in FIG. 6A) as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D. The distal connector 670 is removable from the distal cover panel 624 and can be connected to the distal receiving portion 674 of another food container as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, and the food container can be attached to another food container. The proximal connector 660 may be directly opposite the distal connector 670. The proximal receiving portion may be directly opposite the distal receiving portion 674. The proximal receiving portion may be disposed within the proximal connector 660, and the distal receiving portion 674 may be disposed within the distal connector 670. The proximal receiving portion may be disposed along the upper rear edge 614T of the rear wall portion 614, and the distal receiving portion 674 may be disposed along the upper front edge 612T of the front wall portion.

[0030]

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6A, the proximal connector 660 is formed as part of the proximal cover panel 622. The proximal connector 660 may be formed by a perforation line 662 on the proximal cover panel 622, and the proximal connector 660 can be removed from the proximal cover panel 622 by tearing it along the perforation line. Similarly, the distal connector 670 is formed as part of the distal cover panel 624 and may be formed by a perforation line on the distal cover panel 624. As shown in FIG. 6A, the distal connector 670 has been torn along the perforation line and removed from the distal cover panel 624.

[0031]

[0045] The proximal connector 660 includes a proximal flap, and the proximal receiving portion may include a proximal slot. The distal connector 670 includes a distal flap, and the distal receiving portion may include a distal slot. The proximal flap is inserted into the proximal slot of another food box, and the distal flap is inserted into the distal slot of another food box, so that the food box 600 can be attached to another food box.

[0032]

[0046] FIG. 6B shows the food box 600 of FIG. 6A in an attached configuration. In the attached configuration, the proximal connector 660 and the distal connector 670 are removed from the proximal cover panel 622 and the distal cover panel 624, respectively, and rotated to a substantially upright position. As shown in FIG. 6B, the proximal connector 660 may include a proximal connection portion 660C rotatably connected to a front wall portion (not shown in FIG. 6B), and a proximal engagement portion 660E rotatably connected to the proximal connection portion 660C and adapted to be received in a proximal receiving portion 664 of another food box. The distal connector 670 may include a distal connection portion 670C rotatably connected to the rear wall portion 614, and a distal engagement portion 670E rotatably connected to the distal connection portion 670C and adapted to be received in a distal receiving portion 674 of another food box. The proximal connection portion 660C may be a part of the proximal flap, and the proximal engagement portion 660E may be a foldable portion of the proximal flap. The distal connection portion 670C may be a part of the distal flap, and the distal engagement portion 670E may be a foldable portion of the distal flap. In the attached configuration, the handle 630 may be flat and in close contact with the cover 620.

[0033]

[0047] FIG. 6C shows another food box 600A stacked on top of the food box 600 of FIG. 6B. When another food box 600A is stacked on top of the food box 600 and aligned with each other, the proximal connector 660 of the food box 600 is aligned with the proximal receiving portion 664 of another food box 600A, and the distal connector 670 of the food box 600 is aligned with the distal receiving portion (not shown in FIG. 6C) of another food box 600A. The handle 630A of another food box 600A is arranged in an upright position and is used to lift another food box 600A and the food box 600 when attached.

[0034]

[0048] Figure 6D shows a food box 600 connected to another food box 600A stacked thereon. When the proximal receiving portion 664 and the distal receiving portion (not shown in Figure 6D) of another food box 660A receive the proximal connector 660 and the distal connector (not shown in Figure 6D) of the food box 600 respectively, the food box 600 is connected to another food box 600A. In the connection configuration, the proximal connection portion 660C of the food box 600 is disposed relative to the front wall portion 612 of another food box 600A, and the proximal engaging portion (not shown in Figure 6D) of the food box 600 is received in the proximal receiving portion 664 of another food box 600A. Similarly, the distal connection portion (not shown in Figure 6D) of the food box 600 is disposed relative to the rear wall portion (not shown in Figure 6D) of another food box 600A, and the distal engaging portion (not shown in Figure 6D) of the food box 600 is received in the distal receiving portion (not shown in Figure 6D) of another food box 600A. As shown in Figure 6D, the proximal flap of the food box 600 is disposed relative to the front wall portion 612 of another food box 600A, and its foldable portion is inserted into the proximal slot of another food box 600A. The distal flap of the food box 600 is disposed relative to the rear wall portion of another food box 600A, and its foldable portion is inserted into the distal slot of another food box 600A. The proximal connection portion 660C and the distal connection portion 670C may be at the same height as the front wall portion 612 and the rear wall portion of the food box 600 respectively. The proximal connector 660A and the distal connector 670A can be removed from the proximal cover panel 622A and the distal cover panel 624A respectively, and can be connected to the proximal receiving portion and the distal receiving portion of a third food box (not shown in Figure 6D), and it is conceivable to connect another food box 600A to the third food box. Depending on the weight of the food, as many food boxes as possible can be connected, and multiple food boxes can be carried with the handle of the topmost food box with other food boxes attached. When another food box 600A is stacked on the food box 600, the handle (not shown in Figure 6D) of the food box 600 lies flat against the cover (not shown in Figure 6D) of the food box 600, and another food box 600A can be stacked thereon.

[0035]

[0049] Figure 7 shows an exploded view 700 of the food box 600 of FIG. 6. The exploded view 700 is identical to the exploded view 200 of FIG. 2, except for the following features. The food box 600 may include a perforation line 762 that separates the proximal connector 760 on the proximal cover panel 722, and a perforation line 772 that separates the distal connector 770 on the distal cover panel 724. The perforation line 762 extends from the front upper edge 712T of the front panel portion 712, and the perforation line 772 extends from the rear upper edge 714T of the rear panel portion 714. The proximal connector 760 includes a proximal connection portion 760C and a proximal engagement portion 760E. The distal connector 770 includes a distal connection portion 770C and a distal engagement portion 770E. The proximal connector 760 and the distal connector 770 may be tapered. The proximal connector 760 may include a tab 760T that protrudes from the proximal engagement portion 760E and is formed within the proximal connection portion 760C. The distal connector 770 may include a tab 770T that protrudes from the distal engagement portion 770E and is formed within the distal connection portion 770C. When the proximal engagement portion 760E and the distal engagement portion 770E are folded, the tabs 760T, 770T protrude outward from the cover (see 660T in FIG. 6D), and by the user pulling the tabs 760T, 770T, the proximal connector 760 and the distal connector 770 can be easily removed from the proximal receiving portion 764 and the distal receiving portion 774. The food box 600 may include a proximal receiving portion 764 disposed along the front upper edge 712T. Alternatively, the proximal receiving portion 764 may be disposed on the front wall portion 712 or the proximal cover panel 722. The food box 600 may include a distal receiving portion 774 disposed along the rear upper edge 714T. Alternatively, the distal receiving portion 774 may be disposed on the rear wall portion 714 or the distal cover panel 724. Preferably, the front handle 730F, the proximal connector 760, the proximal receiving portion 764, the distal receiving portion 774, the distal connector 770, and the rear handle 730R are aligned along the longitudinal center line 700C so as to be balanced when the food box 600 is carried or attached to another food box.

[0036]

[0050] FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the food box 800. The food box 800 is identical to the food box 100 of FIG. 1 except for the following features. The cover 820 includes a fold line 820H adapted such that the cover 820 folds when the food box 800 is lifted by the handle 830. When the food box 800 is lifted by the handle 830, the central portion 820C of the cover 820 around the handle 830 is lifted and moves away from the tray 802. Since the cover 820 can be folded along the fold line 822H, the cover 820 folds as the central portion 820C rises. The rear end 822R of the proximal cover panel 822 is connected to the front wall portion 812, the left proximal cover end 822L is fixed to the left wall portion 816, and the right proximal cover end 822G is fixed to the right wall portion (not shown in FIG. 8A). Also, the rear end 824R of the distal cover panel 824 is connected to the rear wall portion (not shown in FIG. 8A), and the left distal cover end 824L and the right distal cover end 824G are held by the front cover panel 822. Therefore, when the food box 800 is lifted by the handle 830, only the front ends 822F of the proximal cover panel 822 and 824F of the distal cover panel 824 are lifted at the central portion 820C.

[0037]

[0051] FIG. 8B shows a front view of the food box 800 of FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C shows a side view of the food box 800 of FIG. 8A. As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, when the food box 800 is lifted by the handle 830, the central portion 820C of the cover 820 is lifted, and the edges of the cover 820 are either connected to the peripheral wall 810 or held by the front cover panel 822. The fold line 820H of the cover 820 helps to guide the folding of the cover 820 when it is folded by the weight of the food box 800 or the box containing food therein.

[0038]

[0052] Figure 9 shows the unfolded view 900 of the food box 800 in Figure 8. The unfolded view 900 is identical to the unfolded view 700 in Figure 7 except for the following features, which are also applicable to the unfolded view 200 in Figure 2. The food box 800 includes a fold line 920H. The fold line 920H includes a left proximal fold line 922Y that diagonally extends from the left proximal cover end 922L to the front handle 930F near the rear end 922R of the proximal cover panel 922, and a right proximal fold line 922X that diagonally extends from the right proximal cover end 922G to the front handle 930F near the rear end 922R of the proximal cover panel 922. The fold line 920H includes a left distal fold line 924Y that diagonally extends from the left distal cover end 924L to the rear handle 930R near the rear end 924R of the distal cover panel 924, and a right distal fold line 924X that diagonally extends from the right distal cover end 924G to the rear handle 930R near the rear end 924R of the distal cover panel 924.

[0039]

[0053] One skilled in the art will understand that the features described in one example are not limited to that example and can be combined with other examples.

[0054] The present invention relates to the food box generally described herein and is also referred to or shown in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A food box, a tray including a bottom and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom, the peripheral wall including a front wall portion, a rear wall portion opposite the front wall portion, a left wall portion, and a right wall portion opposite the left wall portion, the left wall portion and the right wall portion being disposed between the front wall portion and the rear wall portion; a cover adapted to cover a tray, the cover including: a proximal cover panel pivotally connected to the front wall portion; and a distal cover panel pivotally connected to the rear wall portion, the proximal cover panel and the distal cover panel being rotatable to cover the tray in a covering position, the proximal cover panel including a left proximal cover end and a right proximal cover end opposite the left proximal cover end; a securing mechanism disposed on the proximal cover panel, the securing mechanism adapted to secure the proximal cover panel to the tray, wherein in the covering position, the proximal cover panel is secured to the tray by the securing mechanism and holds the distal cover panel in the covering position; Equipped with the fixing mechanism includes a left fixing mechanism and a right fixing mechanism; the left securing mechanism is adapted to secure the proximal cover panel to the left wall portion; the right securing mechanism is adapted to secure the proximal cover panel to the right wall portion; the left locking mechanism includes a left locking portion extending from the left proximal cover end and a left engagement portion disposed on the left wall portion and adapted to engage with the left locking portion; the right locking mechanism includes a right locking portion extending from the right proximal cover end and a right engagement portion disposed on the right wall portion and adapted to engage with the right locking portion; The food box, wherein the distal cover panel does not have a securing mechanism.

2. The food box according to claim 1, a handle pivotally connected to the cover; the handle is rotatable between an upright position perpendicular to the cover and a flat position parallel to the cover; the handles include a front handle pivotally connected to the proximal cover panel and a rear handle pivotally connected to the distal cover panel; The food box wherein the front handle and the rear handle meet in the covered position to form the handle or rotate away from each other towards the cover to be flush with the cover.

3. The food box according to claim 1, a handle pivotally connected to the cover; the handle is rotatable between an upright position perpendicular to the cover and a flat position parallel to the cover; a centerline parallel to and equidistant from said front wall portion and said rear wall portion; The securing mechanism and the handle are disposed along the centerline.

4. The food box according to claim 1, a proximal connector formed as part of the proximal cover panel and pivotally connected to the front wall portion, a distal connector formed as part of the distal cover panel and pivotally connected to the rear wall portion, a proximal receiving portion disposed on the front wall portion, and a distal receiving portion disposed on the rear wall portion; The food box, wherein the proximal connector is removable from the proximal cover panel and connectable to the proximal receiving portion of another food box, and the distal connector is removable from the distal cover panel and connectable to the distal receiving portion of another food box, allowing the food box to be attached to another food box.

5. The food box according to claim 4, the proximal connector includes a proximal flap, the proximal receiving portion includes a proximal slot, the distal connector includes a distal flap, and the distal receiving portion includes a distal slot; The food box, wherein the proximal flap is insertable into the proximal slot of another food box and the distal flap is insertable into the distal slot of another food box to attach the food box to the other food box.

6. The food box according to claim 2, The food box, wherein the cover includes a fold line, and the cover is adapted to fold along the fold line when the food box is lifted by the handle.

7. The food box according to claim 1, The food box, wherein the proximal cover panel includes a proximal side panel extending from the left proximal cover end and the right proximal cover end, and the left securing portion and the right securing portion are formed as part of the proximal side panel.

8. A food box according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The food box, wherein the left fixing portion is insertable into the left engaging portion, and the right fixing portion is insertable into the right engaging portion.

Images