Pop up tray container

• US 20060266811A1
• Filed: 05/28/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Americhip Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Americhip Incorporated
• Inventors: Clegg, Timothy, Rosendale, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,475,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 229/116.100
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2057 Inter-engaging self-locking flaps B65D5/4254 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/242 the gussets folds comprising more than two gusset panels
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46128 two opposite closure flaps being provided with handle elements which are in contact with each other

Abstract

A food container has a box base with four side panels and four bottom flaps extending from the respective side panels to close the floor of the box base leaving the top open. The bottom flaps are so designed and glued together that the box sides can be folded flat for stacking and then unfolded into a box structure having its bottom wall closed automatically. The box base provides food-receiving area while carrying and serving the eatery. Raised from the top of the box base are circumferential edges defining a tray top. The tray top carries out the decorative role when it is popped open as is possible thanks to the inventive folding scheme implemented in the tray top. The tray top also has carrying handles for the user. The front face of the tray top in the serving mode can be decorated with various cutouts shaped as interesting objects.

Claims

1. A pop up tray container comprising:

a. a box section having four rectangular side panels and bottom flaps extending from each of said side panels to define an open container to retain food, said bottom flaps being engaged at selective areas thereof to form a bottom closure, which can be folded flat laterally to said side panels;

b. a tray section having four panels disposed radially on edges of said box section including a pair of opposite rectangular panels and a pair of opposite side panels each having triangular sections defined by a plurality of fold lines converging into a point to allow for closure of said rectangular panels at their tops to said converging points; and

c. said four panels of said tray section being connected to each other by corner panels extending from adjacent side edges, whereby said food container can be closed with said side and corner panels folded into said converging points, wherein said rectangular tray panels meet when said plurality of folds are opened.

2. The container set forth in claim 1, wherein said box and tray sections are made of paper.

3. The container set forth in claim 1, wherein said rectangular panels of said tray section have handles with central cut-outs, which are releasably locked together.

4. The container set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray section has a footprint no more than the area of said box section when said tray section is closed.

6. The container set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray section is decorated with pop up elements.

7. The container set forth in claim 1, wherein said tray section is decorated with paper mechanized designs elements.

5. The container set forth in claim 5, wherein said tray section has a footprint at least twice as large as when said tray section is closed.

8. A pop up tray container comprising:

a. a box section having four rectangular side panels and a bottom to define an open container;

b. a tray section having four panels disposed radially on upper edges of the box section including a pair of opposite rectangular panels and a pair of opposite side panels each having triangular sections defined by a plurality of fold lines to allow closure; and

c. corner panels extending from adjacent side edges connecting each of the four panels of the tray section to each other, wherein the corner panels have folds that bias the container in open position when the panels are opened past equilibrium position.

9. The container set forth in claim 8, wherein said box and tray sections are made of paper.

10. The container set forth in claim 8, wherein said rectangular panels of said tray section have handles with central cut-outs, which are releasably locked together.

11. The container set forth in claim 8, wherein said tray section has a footprint no more than the area of said box section when said tray section is closed.

12. The container set forth in claim 8, wherein said tray section has a footprint at least twice as large as when said tray section is closed.

13. The container set forth in claim 8, wherein said tray section is decorated with pop up elements.

14. The container set forth in claim 8, wherein said tray section is decorated with paper mechanized designs elements.

15. A pop up tray food container comprising:

a. a box section made of water resistant paper having four rectangular side panels and a bottom to define an open container;

b. a tray section having four panels disposed radially on upper edges of the box section including a pair of opposite rectangular panels and a pair of opposite side panels each having triangular sections defined by a plurality of fold lines to allow closure; and

c. corner panels extending from adjacent side edges connecting each of the four panels of the tray section to each other, wherein the corner panels have folds that bias the container in open position when the panels are opened past equilibrium position.

16. The pop up tray food container set forth in claim 15, wherein said tray section has a footprint no more than the area of said box section when said tray section is closed.

17. The pop up tray food container set forth in claim 15, wherein said tray section has a footprint at least twice as large as when said tray section is closed.

18. The pop up tray food container set forth in claim 15, wherein said tray section is decorated with pop up elements.

19. The pop up tray food container set forth in claim 15, wherein said tray section is decorated with paper mechanized designs elements.