TRIANGULAR VENTED TRAY

• US 20110114715A1
• Filed: 11/16/2010
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: House, Richard F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,814,033 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 229/120
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/15 using wave energy, irradiation, electrical means or magnetic fields, e.g. oven cooking or roasting using radiant dry heat
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2205/02 Venting holes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3406 Pizza or bread
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3421 Cooking pop-corn
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3437 specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3444 Packages having devices which convert microwave energy into movement
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/0005 of variable capacity
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2028 triangular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4295 Ventilating arrangements, e.g. openings, space elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5445 for dividing a tubular body into separate parts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/606 Bags or bag-like tubes loosely glued to the wall of a "tubular" container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/68 Telescope flanged lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3453 Rigid containers, e.g. trays, bottles, boxes, cups

Abstract

A package for holding a food product. The package comprises a tray comprising a plurality of tray panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the tray. The plurality of tray panels comprise a tray central panel and at least one tray side panel foldably connected to the tray central panel. The package also comprises a lid comprising a plurality of lid panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the lid. The plurality of lid panels comprise a lid central panel and at least one lid side panel foldably connected to the lid central panel. The lid cooperates with the tray to at least partially close the package when the package is configured in a closed position and a venting position. Venting features are operable to vent the package when the package is configured in the venting position.

Claims

1. A package for holding a food product, the package comprising:

a tray comprising a plurality of tray panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the tray, the plurality of tray panels comprising a tray central panel and at least one tray side panel foldably connected to the tray central panel;

a lid comprising a plurality of lid panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the lid, the plurality of lid panels comprising a lid central panel and at least one lid side panel foldably connected to the lid central panel, the lid cooperating with the tray to at least partially close the package when the package is configured in a closed position and a venting position; and

venting features operable to vent the package when the package is configured in the venting position.

2. The package of claim 1, further comprising an insert comprising a plurality of insert panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the insert, the plurality of insert panels comprising at least one insert side panel.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the at least one insert side panel is disposed in the interior of the tray adjacent at least a portion of the at least one tray side panel, and at least a portion of the at least one insert side panel is disposed in the interior of the lid adjacent at least a portion of the at least one lid side panel.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the plurality of insert panels comprises an insert central panel foldably connected to the at least one insert side panel and at least partially in face-to-face contact with the lid central panel.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a plurality of tray side panels, the at least one lid side panel comprises a plurality of lid side panels, and the at least one insert side panel comprises a plurality of insert side panels, wherein the tray central panel is substantially the same size as the lid central panel so that an upper edge of each of the tray side panels abuts a lower edge of a respective one of the lid side panels when the package is configured in the closed position.

6. The package of claim 3, wherein the venting features comprise at least one opening defined in the at least one insert side panel.

7. The package of claim 6, wherein the lid is adjacent the tray and the at least one opening is adjacent an inner surface of the at least one tray side panel when the package is configured in the closed position, and, when the package is configured in the venting position, the lid is spaced apart from the tray and a venting portion of the at least one insert side panel is exposed between the lid and the tray, the opening being disposed in the venting portion of the at least one insert side panel.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a first tray side panel, a second tray side panel, and a third tray side panel, the at least one lid side panel comprises a first lid side panel generally aligned with the first tray side panel, a second lid side panel generally aligned with the second tray side panel, and a third lid side panel generally aligned with the third tray side panel, and the at least one insert side panel comprises a first insert side panel at least partially in face-to-face contact with the first tray side panel and the first lid side panel, a second insert side panel at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second tray side panel and the second lid side panel, and a third insert side panel at least partially in face-to-face contact with the third tray side panel and the third lid side panel.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the at least one opening comprises at least three openings disposed in each venting portion of each of the first, second, and third insert side panels.

10. The package of claim 2, wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a first tray side panel foldably connected to a first tray corner panel and a second tray side panel foldably connected to a second tray corner panel, wherein the first tray corner panel is foldably connected to the second tray corner panel, and the first tray corner panel is at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second tray corner panel to at least partially close a first corner of the tray.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein the first tray side panel is foldably connected to a first tray reinforcement flap and the second tray side panel is foldably connected to a second tray reinforcement flap, the first and second tray reinforcement flaps being at least partially in face-to-face contact with the respective first and second tray side panel.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein the first tray corner panel is in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the first tray side panel and the second tray corner panel is in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the first tray reinforcement flap.

13. The package of claim 10, wherein the at least one lid side panel comprises a first lid side panel foldably connected to a first lid corner panel and a second lid side panel foldably connected to a second lid corner panel, wherein the first lid corner panel is foldably connected to the second lid corner panel, and the first lid corner panel is at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second lid corner panel to at least partially close a first corner of the lid.

14. The package of claim 13, wherein the first lid side panel is foldably connected to a first lid reinforcement flap and the second lid side panel is foldably connected to a second lid reinforcement flap, the first and second lid reinforcement flaps being at least partially in face-to-face contact with the respective first and second lid side panel.

15. The package of claim 14, wherein the first lid corner panel is in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the first lid side panel and the second lid corner panel is in face-to-face contact with at least a portion of the first lid reinforcement flap.

16. The package of claim 13, wherein the first and second tray side panels are respectively foldably connected to a third tray corner panel and a fourth tray corner panel, and the at least one tray side panel comprises a third tray side panel foldably connected to a fifth tray corner panel and a sixth tray corner panel, the fifth tray corner panel foldably connected to and at least partially in face-to-face contact with the third tray corner panel to at least partially close a second corner of the tray, and the sixth tray corner panel foldably connected to and at least partially in face-to-face contact with the fourth tray corner panel to at least partially close a third corner of the tray.

17. The package of claim 16, wherein the first and second lid side panels are respectively foldably connected to a third lid corner panel and a fourth lid corner panel, and the at least one lid side panel comprises a third lid side panel foldably connected to a fifth lid corner panel and a sixth lid corner panel, the fifth lid corner panel foldably connected to and at least partially in face-to-face contact with the third lid corner panel to at least partially close a second corner of the lid, and the sixth lid corner panel foldably connected to and at least partially in face-to-face contact with the fourth lid corner panel to at least partially close a third corner of the lid.

18. The package of claim 17, wherein the at least one insert side panel comprises a first insert side panel disposed at least partially in the interior of the tray adjacent the first tray side panel and at least partially in the interior of the lid adjacent the first lid side panel, a second insert side panel disposed at least partially in the interior of the tray adjacent the second tray side panel and at least partially in the interior of the lid adjacent the second lid side panel, and a third insert side panel disposed at least partially in the interior of the tray adjacent the third tray side panel and at least partially in the interior of the lid adjacent the third lid side panel.

19. In combination, a tray blank, a lid blank, and an insert blank for forming a package for holding a food product,

the tray blank comprising:

a plurality of tray panels comprising a tray central panel and at least one tray side panel foldably connected to the tray central panel;

the lid blank comprising;

a plurality of lid panels comprising a lid central panel and at least one lid side panel foldably connected to the lid central panel, the lid cooperating with the tray to at least partially close a package formed from the tray blank, the lid blank, and the insert blank when the package is configured in a closed position and a venting position; and

the insert blank comprising venting features operable to vent the package when the package is configured in the venting position.

20. The combination of claim 19, wherein the insert blank comprises a plurality of insert panels comprising at least one insert side panel, the venting features comprising at least one opening defined in the at least one insert side panel.

21. The combination of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the at least one insert side panel is for being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the at least one tray side panel, and at least a portion of the at least one insert side panel is for being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the at least one lid side panel, and wherein the plurality of insert panels comprises an insert central panel foldably connected to the at least one insert side panel, the insert central panel for being disposed at least partially in face-to-face contact with the lid central panel.

22. The combination of claim 21, wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a plurality of tray side panels, the at least one lid side panel comprises a plurality of lid side panels, and the at least one insert side panel comprises a plurality of insert side panels, wherein the tray central panel is substantially the same size as the lid central panel.

23. The combination of claim 20, wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a first tray side panel, a second tray side panel, and a third tray side panel, the at least one lid side panel comprises a first lid side panel for being generally aligned with the first tray side panel, a second lid side panel for being generally aligned with the second tray side panel, and a third lid side panel for being generally aligned with the third tray side panel, and the at least one insert side panel comprises a first insert side panel comprising at least one first opening, a second insert side panel comprising at least one second opening, and a third insert side panel comprising at least one third opening.

24. The combination of claim 20, wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a first tray side panel foldably connected to a first tray corner panel and a second tray side panel foldably connected to a second tray corner panel, wherein the first tray corner panel is foldably connected to the second tray corner panel, and the first tray corner panel is for being disposed at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second tray corner panel to at least partially close a first corner of a tray formed from the tray blank.

25. The combination of claim 24, wherein the at least one lid side panel comprises a first lid side panel foldably connected to a first lid corner panel and a second lid side panel foldably connected to a second lid corner panel, wherein the first lid corner panel is foldably connected to the second lid corner panel, and the first lid corner panel is for being disposed at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second lid corner panel to at least partially close a first corner of a lid formed from the lid blank.

26. A method of forming a package for holding a food product comprising:

obtaining a tray blank comprising a plurality of tray panels comprising a tray central panel and at least one tray side panel foldably connected to the tray central panel;

forming an interior of a tray by folding the at least one tray side panel relative to the tray central panel;

obtaining a lid blank comprising a plurality of lid panels comprising a lid central panel and at least one lid side panel foldably connected to the lid central panel;

forming an interior of a lid by folding the at least one lid side panel relative to the lid central panel;

obtaining an insert comprising venting features;

positioning at least a portion of the insert in the interior of the lid or the tray; and

positioning the lid relative to the tray to at least partially close the package, wherein the lid is movable with respect to the tray for configuring the package in a closed position and a venting position.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the insert comprises a plurality of insert panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the insert, the plurality of insert panels comprising an insert central panel and at least one insert side panel foldably connected to the insert central panel, and wherein the positioning at least a portion of the insert comprises positioning the insert central panel at least partially in face-to-face contact with the lid central panel and positioning at least a portion of the at least one insert side panel in the interior of the lid adjacent at least a portion of the at least one lid side panel.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the venting features comprise at least one opening defined in the at least one insert side panel.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the positioning the lid relative to the tray comprises aligning the lid central panel with the tray central panel and abutting an edge of the at least one lid side panel against an edge of the at least one tray side panel so that at least a portion of the at least one insert side panel is disposed in the interior of the tray adjacent at least a portion of the at least one tray side panel.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a plurality of tray side panels, the at least one lid side panel comprises a plurality of lid side panels, and the at least one insert side panel comprises a plurality of insert side panels, wherein the tray central panel is substantially the same size as the lid central panel.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a first tray side panel foldably connected to a first tray corner panel and a second tray side panel foldably connected to a second tray corner panel, wherein the first tray corner panel is foldably connected to the second tray corner panel, and wherein the forming the interior of the tray further comprises closing a first corner of the tray by folding the first tray corner panel to be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second tray corner panel.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the first tray side panel is foldably connected to a first tray reinforcement flap and the second tray side panel is foldably connected to a second tray reinforcement flap, and wherein the forming the interior of the tray further comprises folding the first and second tray reinforcement flaps to be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the respective first and second tray side panel.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one lid side panel comprises a first lid side panel foldably connected to a first lid corner panel and a second lid side panel foldably connected to a second lid corner panel, wherein the first lid corner panel is foldably connected to the second lid corner panel, and wherein the forming the interior of the lid further comprises closing a first corner of the lid by folding the first lid corner panel to be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the second lid corner panel.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the first lid side panel is foldably connected to a first lid reinforcement flap and the second lid side panel is foldably connected to a second lid reinforcement flap, and wherein the forming the interior of the lid further comprises folding the first and second lid reinforcement flaps to be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the respective first and second lid side panel.

35. The method of claim 26, wherein the insert comprises a plurality of insert panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the insert, the plurality of insert panels comprising an insert central panel and three insert side panels respectively foldably connected to the insert central panel, and wherein the at least one tray side panel comprises a first tray side panel, a second tray side panel, and a third tray side panel, and the at least one lid side panel comprises a first lid side panel, a second lid side panel, and a third lid side panel.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the venting features comprise at least three openings disposed in each of the first, second, and third insert side panels.