Food container

Abstract

A food container includes a base and a lid for releasably engagement with the lid in more than one configuration. The base has a floor, a sidewall and a rectangular base rim having a plurality of comers, each of the comers of the base rim includes a receiving recess and a receiving land, wherein the receiving recess and the receiving land are positioned at different heights from the floor. The lid has an upper surface and a rectangular lid rim having a corresponding plurality of corners, each of the corners of the lid rim includes a comer tab, wherein the comer tab is offset with respect to the comer such that the lid is securely retained on the base by inserting a comer tab in either a receiving recess or a receiving land.

Description

[0001] FOOD CONTAINER

[0002] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application 63 / 610,161 filed December 14, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0004] Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is in the field of food storage containers which have a base and a detachable lid. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a container where the lid can be attached and secured to the base in multiple positions.

[0006] Description of the Related Art

[0007] Although fast food and takeout restaurants typically sell ready-to-eat food in portable containers, an increasing percentage of food prepared in sit-down restaurants is also being sold to customers who carry it out or have it delivered, instead of eating it in the restaurant. Both types of restaurants have an interest in providing ready-to-eat food to customers in containers that will maintain the desirable temperature, texture and other qualities of the food until it is consumed.

[0008] Food packaging containers for takeout and delivery scenarios are usually designed either for very specific applications, or for general and multi-purpose usage.

[0009] Paper Fry Cartons, for example, are rarely covered by a lid and include additional openings to prevent moisture buildup that can render crispy foods soggy over time. These highly vented containers are acceptable in maintaining the desired texture, but cannot retain hot food for long, and cannot maintain all food contents in a desired container compartment during transport.

[0010] Other general purpose food packaging may be designed with leak-resistant closure features to safely transport liquid and saucy foods, but must include some venting features to prevent steam and moisture buildup. The better-sealed all-purpose containers excel at keeping all food contents in place and at a desired temperature, but struggle with maintaining the crunchy texture of crispy foods as well as with reducing internal condensation and moisture accumulation.

[0011] Both specialty and multi-purpose food packaging solutions work better for some applications, but are often inadequate for others.

[0012] For this reason, there are demonstrated benefits to food packaging solutions that can be as effective in transporting saucy and leak-prone foods as well as delivering hot and crispy foods with minimal texture deterioration. Summary of the Disclosed Embodiments

[0013] In embodiments, a food container is disclosed having a base and a lid. The base has a floor, a sidewall and a base rim having a plurality of first comers. The lid has an upper surface, and a lid rim having a corresponding plurality of second comers, and a coupling arrangement for attaching the lid to the base. The lid and base may be attached in a first configuration where the base rim and the lid rim are proximate to each other and a second configuration where the base rim and the lid rim are spaced apart from each other. The coupling arrangement includes pairs of first and second receiving coupling features in each of the first corners or each of the second corners, and single insertion coupling features in each of the corresponding second comers or each of the corresponding first comers. The insertion coupling features may be selectively coupled in a releasable manner with the first receiving coupling features to retain the base and lid in the first configuration and the insertion coupling features may be selectively coupled with the second receiving coupling features in a releasable manner to retain the base and lid in the second configuration.

[0014] Brief Description of Figures

[0015] FIG. 1 A depicts a top perspective view of a rectangular food container in a first configuration, in embodiments.

[0016] FIG. IB depicts a top perspective view of the rectangular food container of FIG. 1A in a second configuration, in embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 2 A depicts a side view of the container of FIG. 1A in the first configuration. FIG. 2B depicts a side view of the container of FIG. IB in the second configuration. FIGS. 3 A - 3C depict steps of changing the food container of FIG. 1A from the first configuration to the second configuration, in embodiments.

[0018] FIGS. 4 A - 4B depict top views of a lid and base of a square food container in relation to each other for a first configuration, in embodiments.

[0019] FIGS. 5A - 5B depict the lid and base of the square food container in relation to each other for a second configuration, in embodiments.

[0020] Detailed Description of the Disclosed Embodiments

[0021] A food container as disclosed may be used to effectively transport both saucy and leak-prone foods where secure sealing is important as well as hot and crispy foods where minimal texture deterioration is a priority. A single container may be used in more than one configuration depending on the type of food placed in the container, and a user may quickly select the correct arrangement of the base and lid of the container with no additional parts, labor, or cost. In particular, the container can be arranged in a venting mode to allow steam from contents in the container to vent to the area outside of the container, and in a non-venting mode to limit the escape of steam from the container.

[0022] Referring generally to FIGS. 1 A and IB, a food container (also referred to as a ventable food container) 100 is depicted in a square-shape configuration and includes a base 102 having a base rim 110, a sidewall, and a lid 104 having a lid rim. Base 102 and lid 104 may be releasably attached or secured to each other in more than one configuration to retain food inside container 100. The configurations differ in the proximity of the base rim and the lid rim to each other.

[0023] In the disclosed embodiments, two configurations are described, but additional configurations could be easily envisioned by those with ordinary skill in the art. As shown, the base rim and the lid rim have two edges aligned with an X axis and two edges aligned with a Y axis, and corners that have a length along a line that forms an angle to both the X and Y axes. Edges and corners may form sharp angles where they meet, or may meet in a gradually curved angle as shown in FIGS. 1 A and IB.

[0024] Each comer of the lid and base includes part of a coupling arrangement used to releasably attach the lid to the base. The coupling arrangement includes pairs of adjacent first and second receiving coupling features 116, 118 in comers of either the lid or the base, and single insertion coupling features 120 in corners of the base or the lid, respectively. The insertion coupling features may be coupled with the first receiving coupling features to retain the base and lid in the first configuration (see Fig. 1 A) and the insertion coupling features may be coupled with the second receiving coupling features to retain the base and lid in the second configuration (see Fig. IB).

[0025] In embodiments, both base 102 and lid 104 may be made from a plastic material which provides benefits such as food display, product stacking, structural integrity, and secured locking features. In embodiments, base 102 may be made of an opaque material while lid 104 may be made of a transparent or translucent material.

[0026] Representative embodiments will now be described. For clarity, the discussions below will refer to the illustrated embodiment where the pairs of receiving coupling features are part of the base rim and the single insertion feature is part of the lid rim. The reverse configuration, where the pairs of receiving coupling features are part of the lid rim and the single insertion feature is part of the base rim is also encompassed by the discussions herein. FIG. 1 A depicts a top perspective view and FIG. 2 A depicts a side view of a rectangular-shaped food container 100 in a first configuration that may be considered a closed configuration. FIG. IB depicts a top perspective view and FIG. 2B depicts a side view of the rectangular-shaped food container 100 in a second configuration that may be considered a vented configuration. FIGS. 1 A, IB, 2 A and 2B are best viewed together in the following discussion.

[0027] Base 102 may be integrally formed to have a floor 106 and sidewalls 108 forming a receptacle for receiving a food item. Sidewalls 108 extend between floor 106 and base rim 110, which surrounds the perimeter of base 102. Each comer of base rim 110 includes both a receiving recess 116A, 116B, 116C or 116D and a receiving land 118A, 118B, 118C or 118D within the length of a corner. Receiving recesses 116A - 116D extend from the surface 111 of base rim 110 in the direction of floor 106. Receiving lands 118A - 118D extend upwards from surface 111 of base rim 110 in the opposite direction of receiving recesses 116A - 116D. The provision of both a receiving recess and a receiving land in each corner of base rim 110 allows lid 104 to be selectively attached to base 102 to provide for different spacing configurations between lid 104 and base 102.

[0028] Base 102 is shown throughout the figures as including various features that have differing depths. The exact configuration of base 102 as shown in the figures is for purposes of illustration only; any of the features shown may be removed or different features may be added. In the discussions herein, base rim 110 should be understood as a surface generally parallel to floor 106 and extending from an outermost edge of base 102 to a sidewall 108. Base rim 110 generally extends around the perimeter of base 102.

[0029] Details of receiving recesses 116A - 116D will be described in conjunction with receiving recess 116A in FIG. IB but it should be understood that this description also applies to receiving recesses 116B - 116D. Receiving recess 116A in base rim 110 includes recess floor 124 that is bounded by recess sidewalls 122. Recess sidewalls 122 are generally positioned on three sides of receiving recess 116A such that a fourth side of receiving recess 116A is open to the interior of base 102. Recess floor 124 is positioned at a distance below surface 111 of base rim 110 in the direction of floor 106. Receiving recess 116A is dimensioned for releasable engagement with corner tab 120 A when lid 104 is secured to base 102 in the first configuration of FIG. 1A.

[0030] Details of receiving lands 118 A - 118D will be described in conjunction with receiving land 118A in FIG. 1A but it should be understood that this description also applies to receiving lands 118B - 118D. Receiving land 118A includes land floor 128 that is bounded by land ridge 126. Land ridge 126 is generally positioned on three sides of receiving land 118A such that a fourth side of receiving land 118A is open to the interior of base 102. Land floor 128 is positioned at a distance at or above the surface of base rim 110. Receiving land 118A is dimensioned for releasable engagement with corner tab 120C when lid 104 is secured to base 102 in the second configuration of FIG. IB.

[0031] Lid 104 may be integrally formed to include an upper surface 112 and lid rim 114. Lid 104 is shown throughout the figures as having a domed configuration with various features that have differing heights. The exact configuration of lid 104 as shown in the figures is for purposes of illustration only; any of the features shown may be removed or different features may be added. In the discussions herein, lid rim 114 should be understood as outermost edge of lid 104, and upper surface 112 should be understood as a surface inside of lid rim 114. Lid rim 114 extends around the entire perimeter of lid 104 and is separated from upper surface 112 by channel 115, which extends downward from lid rim 114 away from upper surface 112. In embodiments, channel 115 is sized and shaped to fit snugly within base rim 110 in the first configuration but not in the second. One or more vent holes 136 may be provided in upper surface 112 for additional venting if needed in either configuration. As shown, vent holes 136 are C-shaped cuts in the upper surface 112 that allow steam to escape from inside container 100, but other shapes are contemplated. Each comer of lid 104 includes comer tabs 120A, 120B, 120C and 120D that are offset with respect to the length of the respective comer.

[0032] Details of corner tabs 120 A - 120D will be described in conjunction with corner tab 120 A in FIG. 1A but it should be understood that this description also applies to corner tabs 120B - 120D. Corner tab 120A includes tab floor 134 that is bounded on three sides by tab sidewalls 132. Tab floor 134 is approximately parallel to upper surface 112 and below lid rim 114. In embodiments, tab floor 134 forms a part of channel 115. Tab floor 134 is dimensioned for releasable engagement with either receiving recess 116A or receiving land 118C of base 102 when a comer tab is inserted into a respective receiving recess or receiving land. One or more of corner tabs 120A - 120D may include a grip feature 130 to assist a user in separating lid 104 from base 102.

[0033] Recess sidewalls 122 of recesses 116A - 116D and tab sidewalls 132 of corner tabs 120A - 120D may include corresponding features that snap together so that lid 104 is releasably and securely retained on base 102 in the first configuration. Similarly, land ridges 126 and tab sidewalls 132 may include features that snap together so that lid 104 is releasably and securely retained on base 102 also in the second configuration. FIG. 1 A shows lid 104 in a first configuration where corner tabs 120 A - 120D are positioned in receiving recesses 116A - 116D. In this configuration, lid rim 114 is generally placed against base rim 110 so that channel 115 extends down into base 102 and fits snugly within recessed area 113 between sidewalls 108 and surface 111 to preserve heat within container 100 and minimize leaks. FIG. IB shows lid 104 in a second configuration where comer tabs 120 A, 120B, 120C, and 120D are positioned in receiving lands 118C, 118D, 118A, and 118B, respectively, so that the lid 104 is vertically offset from the base 102 to provide a vent gap 138 between lid rim 114 and base surface 111 of base rim 110. The vent gap 138 in the second configuration minimizes significant moisture buildup that can render crispy foods soggy during transport.

[0034] FIG. 2 A shows a side view of the first configuration of container 100 where corner tabs 120 A - 120D of lid 104 are positioned in receiving recesses 116A - 116D of base 102. Base rim 110 and lid rim 114 are proximate to each other such that the first configuration is a closed configuration.

[0035] FIG. 2B shows a side view of the second configuration of container 100 where corner tabs 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D of lid 104 are positioned in receiving lands 118C, 118D, 118A, and 118B, respectively, of base 102 to form vent gap 138. Base rim 110 and lid rim 114 are spaced apart by a width I / I2such that the second configuration is a vented configuration.

[0036] FIGS. 3 A - 3C depict steps of changing the food container of FIG. 1A from the first (closed) configuration in FIG. 3 A to the second (venting) configuration in FIG. 3C. As explained above, lid 104 may be used in both configurations without modification. Changing from the first configuration of FIG. 3 A to the second configuration of FIG. 3C is accomplished by rotating the lid and base with respect to each other, such as rotating the lid 104 by 180° as shown by arrows 140 in FIG. 3B. As shown in FIGS. 3A - 3C, container 100 is generally rectangular having an length and a width that are not equal. Any ratio of length to width may be used.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 A - 3C, container 100 is rectangular such that the edges along the X axis have a different length than the edges along the Y axis and the pairs of adjacent first and second receiving coupling features have the same spatial relationship in each of the comers.

[0038] Principles of a food container as disclosed herein may also be used with square containers. FIGS. 4 A - 4B depict top views of a lid 204 and base 202 of another version of the food container 200, which is generally square with equal dimensions along the X and Y axes, and truncated comers. Pairs of adjacent first and second receiving coupling features have the same spatial relationship in two of the first or second corners and a reversed spatial relationship in the other two of the first or second comers.

[0039] FIG. 4A shows lid 204 adjacent to base 202 in FIG. 4B. Both lid 204 and base 202 are shown in an orientation such that if lid 204 is lifted and placed on top of base 202, container 200 will be placed in the first configuration similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A and 2 A. Upper surface 212 is an example of upper surface 112, rim 214 is an example of rim 114, and corner tabs 220A - 220D are examples of corner tabs 120A - 120D of container 100. Discussions of container 200 are also applicable to container 100.

[0040] Lid 204 is generally square with equal dimensions along the X and Y axes and truncated corners. Side A between corner tabs 220B and 220C parallels the X axis. For clarity of illustration, the remaining sides of container 200 are not labeled in FIG. 4A but would be understood as being located between corner tabs 220C and 220D parallel to the Y axis, between corner tabs 220D and 220A parallel to the X axis, and between comer tabs 220A and 220B parallel to the Y axis. All four sides of container 200 around lid rim 214 have generally equivalent dimensions.

[0041] Comers of container 200 are formed along a quasi-diagonal line that forms an angle with the X or Y axis that is generally between 30° to 60°. As shown in FIG. 4A, this angle is approximately 45° for a square container. Two of the truncated comers of container 200 are referred to as side Bl and include corner tabs 220A and 220C. The other two truncated corners are referred to as side B2 and include corner tabs 220B and 220D. Comer tabs 220A and 220C are not centered on their respective side Bl, instead they are offset on side Bl and each are closer to the X axis. Comer tabs 220B and 220D are not centered on their respective side B2, instead they are offset on side B2 and each are closer to the X axis. Lid 204 is rotationally symmetric when rotated by 180° but it is not rotationally symmetric when rotated by 90°.

[0042] FIG. 4B depicts a top, or interior view, of base 202. Floor 206 is an example of floor 106, rim 210 is an example of base rim 110, receiving recesses 216A - 216D are examples of receiving recesses 116A - 116D, and receiving lands 218A - 218D are examples of receiving lands 118A - 118D of container 100. Base 202 also includes sides A, Bl and B2 around the perimeter of rim 210 as described above for lid 204. Two sides Bl are on diagonally opposite corners of base 202 include both receiving recess 216A and receiving land 218A, and receiving recess 216C and receiving land 218C, respectively, where receiving recesses 216A and 216C are closer to the X axis. Two sides B2 of FIG. 4B also include both receiving recess 216B and receiving land 218B, and receiving recess 216D and receiving land 218D, respectively, where receiving recesses 216B and 216D are also closer to the X axis. Thus, base 202 is symmetric relative to both the X and Y axes, and rotationally symmetric when rotated 180° but not rotationally symmetric when rotated by 90°.

[0043] To use container 200 in the first configuration, lid 204 of FIG. 4A would be placed on top of base 202 of FIG. 4B without rotation so that comer tabs 220A - 220D are releasably engaged with receiving recesses 216A - 216D, respectively. Indicia 242 may be provided along rim 210 of base 202, for example, the word “CRISPY” with one or more arrows. Similar indicia 244 may be placed on lid 204. Because FIGS. 4A - 4B are illustrating the first configuration (closed) of container 200, where rim 214 of lid 204 is seated around the entire perimeter with rim 210 of base 202, the indicia 242 and indicia 244 are not aligned.

[0044] FIGS. 5A - 5B depict a lid 204 and base 202 of a food container 200 positioned for use in a second (venting) configuration. Lid 204 has been rotated 90° from the orientation as shown in FIG. 4A while base 202 is in the same orientation. As shown in FIG. 5 A, corner tabs 220A - 220D are now closer to the Y axis, so that they will align with receiving lands 218A - 218D. When lid 204 as shown in FIG. 5 A is placed on top of base 202 in FIG. 5B without rotation, container 200 will provide a vent gap 138 between lid 204 and base 202 as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0045] As disclosed herein, base 102 of container 100 is similar to base 202 of container 200 in that the positions of receiving recesses and receiving lands are symmetric across the X and Y axes. However, to achieve the same function of releasably engaging lid 104 to base 102 as described above, the comer tabs of lid 104 are rotationally symmetric when rotated both 90° and 180°, as shown in FIGS. 1A and IB. Changing between the first configuration and the second configuration for container 100 uses a 180° rotation instead of a 90° rotation as described for container 200.

[0046] Any features described for one embodiment may be understood as being applicable to the other embodiments. Other features may be incorporated in either embodiment. For example, base 102 / 202 may be provided with an indented area and lid 104 / 204 may be provided with a corresponding raised area so that containers are stable with stacked in a vertical orientation such that carry-out food orders, or identical food products, can be arranged for vendor organization, food delivery, and / or easy consumer access. The floor and sidewalls of a base as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5B may be dimpled to provide structure or other features to enhance the quality of food placed within container 200. Ribs and troughs may be incorporated at various locations on both the base and lid in order to provide structural integrity, separation tabs, or other features. Principles disclosed herein may be applied to containers having any shape or dimension.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A food container, comprising: a base having a floor, a sidewall and a base rim having a plurality of first comers; a lid having an upper surface, a sidewall and a lid rim having a corresponding plurality of second comers; and a coupling arrangement for attaching the lid to the base in a first configuration where the base rim and the lid rim are proximate to each other and in a second configuration where the base rim and the lid rim are spaced apart from each other, the coupling arrangement comprising: pairs of adjacent first and second receiving coupling features in each of the first comers or each of the second corners; and single insertion coupling features in each of the corresponding second corners or each of the corresponding first comers; wherein the insertion coupling features may be selectively coupled with the first receiving coupling features to releasably retain the base and lid in the first configuration and the insertion coupling features may be selectively coupled with the second receiving coupling features to releasably retain the base and lid in the second configuration.

2. The food container of claim 1, wherein the base rim and the lid rim have two edges aligned with an X axis and two edges aligned with a Y axis, and the first and second corners have a length at an angle to both the X and Y axes.

3. The food container of claim 2, wherein: the first receiving coupling feature comprises: a receiving recess in the base rim that extends towards the floor; or a receiving recess in the lid rim that extends towards the upper surface; and the second coupling feature comprises: a receiving land in the base rim that extends away from the floor; or a receiving land in the lid rim that extends away from the upper surface.

4. The food container of claim 3, wherein the receiving recess further comprises: a recess floor bounded by recess sidewalls, wherein the recess floor is positioned below the base rim and closer to the floor; or a recess floor bounded by recess sidewalls, where the recess floor is positioned above the lid rim and closer to the upper surface.

5. The food container of claim 3, wherein the receiving land further comprises: a land floor positioned at or above the base rim and a land ridge extending away from the base rim; or a land floor positioned at or below the lid rim and a land ridge extending away from the lid rim.

6. The food container of claim 2, wherein the insertion coupling feature further comprises: a comer tab in the base rim offset with respect to the length of a first comer; or a comer tab in the lid rim offset with respect to the length of a second comer.

7. The food container of claim 1, wherein the first configuration is a closed configuration and the second configuration is a vented configuration.

8. The food container of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises vent holes in the upper surface of the lid.

9. The food container of claim 2, wherein the base and lid are rectangular such that the edges along the X axis have a different length than the edges along the Y axis.

10. The food container of claim 9, wherein the pairs of adjacent first and second receiving coupling features have the same spatial relationship in each of the first or second corners.

11. The food container of claim 9, wherein the insertion coupling features are offset with respect to the first or second comers.

12. The food container of claim 9, wherein the base or lid is rotationally symmetric when rotated by both 90° and 180°.

13. The food container of claim 2, wherein the base and lid are square such that the edges along the X axis have a same length as the edges along the Y axis.

14. The food container of claim 13, wherein the pairs of adjacent first and second receiving coupling features have the same spatial relationship in two of the first or second comers and a reversed spatial relationship in the other two of the first or second corners.

15. The food container of claim 13, wherein the insertion coupling features are offset with respect to the first or second comers.

16. The food container of claim 13, wherein the base or lid is rotationally symmetric when rotated by 180°.

Images