Blank and methods of constructing a food holder from the blank

• US 8,820,621 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2007
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated, HAVI Global Solutions LLC (The HAVI Group LP)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Burke, Bradley John, Mortenson, Rachel K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US11/690,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20070221717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,720 Days
• Field of Search: 229/146, 229/160.1, 229/114, 229/103, 229/904, 229/902, 229/906, 229/87.08, 229/938, 229/107, 426/113, 426/115
• US Class Current: 229/146
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/03 for using only once, e.g. made of paper
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/001 Holders or wrappers as eating aids for fast food, e.g. hamburgers
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/26 Folding sheets, blanks or webs
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/62 by adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/6626 formed by folding extensions of a side panel of a container body formed by erecting a "cross-like" blank
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/667 Lids in the form of an inverted tray
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/36 for bakery products, e.g. biscuits

Abstract

A food holder for retaining a food product is provided. The food holder is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material. The food holder includes a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines. The food holder further includes a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines. The bottom tray is rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line. The top tray is rotatable relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position. The food holder further includes a moveable section including a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel. The moveable section facilitates movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray for retaining the food product.

Claims

1. A food holder for retaining a food product, the food holder is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material, the food holder comprising:

a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines;

a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines, the bottom tray rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line, the top tray rotatable relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position; and

a moveable section including a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, the moveable section facilitates movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray for retaining the food product, and the moveable section includes at least one triangular panel defined within a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, wherein

the at least one triangular panel is at least partially defined by a first oblique fold line that extends obliquely relative to the hinge line,

the first oblique fold line extends toward an intermediate portion of the hinge line,

the hinge line has opposite ends, and

the intermediate portion of the hinge line is positioned between, and distant from each of, the opposite ends of the hinge line;

wherein the moveable section further comprises

a first glue flap extending from the top tray side panel along a second oblique fold line and configured to couple to a portion of the top tray end panel, and

a second glue flap extending from the bottom tray side panel along a third oblique fold line and configured to couple to a portion of the bottom tray end panel;

each of the second and third oblique fold lines extends obliquely relative to the hinge line.

2. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the at least one triangular panel comprises two triangular panels of the moveable section,

the two triangular panels are separated by the hinge line,

the two triangular panels include a first triangular panel defined within a portion of the top tray side panel and a second triangular panel defined within a portion of the bottom tray side panel, and

the hinge line foldably connects the first triangular panel to the second triangular panel.

3. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 wherein the top tray further comprises a locking tab formed within a portion of the top tray end panel and the bottom tray further comprises a hook portion formed within a portion of the second glue flap, the locking tab is configured to engage the hook portion such that the top tray is removably coupled to the bottom tray in the closed position.

4. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 wherein the top tray further comprises a locking tab formed within a portion of the top tray end panel and the bottom tray further comprises a cutout portion formed within a portion of the bottom tray end panel, the locking tab is configured to engage the cutout portion such that the top tray is to removably coupled to the bottom tray in the closed position.

5. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 wherein the food holder includes a pair of tear lines extending across a portion of the top tray center panel and the bottom tray center panel such that the tear lines are configured to facilitate gaining access to the food pro duct.

6. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 wherein the top tray side panel is coupled to the top tray center panel along a top tray perforated tear line and the bottom tray side panel is coupled to the bottom tray center panel along a bottom tray perforated tear line such that the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel are configured to separate from the top tray center panel and the bottom tray center panel.

7. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 in combination with a tray carton formed from a second continuous blank of sheet material, wherein the tray carton is configured to receive at least one of the top tray and the bottom tray.

8. A combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein the tray carton is configured to receive at least one of the top tray and the bottom tray such that the at least one of the top tray and the bottom tray is positioned adjacent to the tray carton.

9. A combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein the tray carton is a clamshell container having a top portion and a bottom portion extending from the top portion along a second hinge line, the top portion is configured to receive the top tray wherein the top tray is positioned adjacent the top portion, the bottom portion is configured to receive the bottom tray wherein the bottom tray is positioned adjacent the bottom portion, and the second hinge line is aligned with the hinge line.

10. A combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein the food holder assembly is rotated between an open configuration and a closed configuration such that the top portion is rotated towards the bottom portion along the second hinge line and the top tray is simultaneously rotated towards the bottom tray along the hinge line.

11. The food holder of claim 1 wherein the food holder is sized to be received within a container that surrounds an entirety of the food product and food holder.

12. The food holder of claim 1 wherein the food holder is sized to conform to the shape of the food product.

13. The food holder of claim 1 wherein the food holder facilitates discharge of the food product out of the food holder.

14. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one triangular panel is at least partially defined by the hinge line, the first oblique fold line is defined within the at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, and the first oblique fold line is proximate the hinge line.

15. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first oblique fold line extends outwardly from the intermediate portion of the hinge line.

16. A food holder in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second oblique fold line foldably connects the first glue flap to the first triangular panel.

17. A food holder for retaining a food product, the food holder is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material, the food holder comprising:

a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines;

a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines, the bottom tray rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line, the top tray rotatable relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position; and

a moveable section including a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, the moveable section facilitates movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray for retaining the food product, and the moveable section includes at least one triangular panel defined within a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, wherein

the at least one triangular panel is at least partially defined by an oblique fold line that extends obliquely relative to the hinge line,

the oblique fold line extends toward an intermediate portion of the hinge line,

the hinge line has opposite ends, and

the intermediate portion of the hinge line is positioned between, and distant from each of, the opposite ends of the hinge line, wherein;

the top tray and the bottom tray in the closed position form a cavity wherein the cavity is sized to receive the food product,

the top and bottom trays cooperate with one another to together define an opening to the cavity so that said opening is defined through both the top tray and the bottom tray, and

said opening is configured for having a portion of the food product project through said opening.

18. A food holder in accordance with claim 17 wherein the moveable section is moveable from a first configuration to a second configuration when the top tray and the bottom tray are moved towards one another, wherein the hinge line moves away from the cavity and the side panels rotate about the hinge line when the moveable section moves from the first configuration to the second configuration.

19. A food holder in accordance with claim 17 wherein while the top tray is in a closed position, said opening is at least partially defined by:

an edge of the top tray center panel,

an edge of the top tray side panel,

an edge of the bottom tray center panel, and

an edge of the bottom tray side panel.

20. A food holder for retaining a food product, the food holder is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material, the food holder comprising:

a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines;

a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines, the bottom tray rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line, the top tray rotatable relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position, wherein the top tray and the bottom tray in the closed position form a cavity that is sized to receive the food product; and

a moveable section including a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, the moveable section facilitates movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray for retaining the food product, wherein

the moveable section is moveable from a first configuration to a second configuration when the top tray and the bottom tray are moved towards one another,

the hinge line moves away from the cavity and the side panels rotate about the hinge line when the moveable section moves from the first configuration to the second configuration, and

the moveable section includes three adjacent triangular panels coupled together along a plurality of fold lines, the three adjacent triangular panels include a first triangular panel defined within a portion of the top tray side panel, a second triangular panel defined within a portion of the bottom tray side panel, and a third triangular panel defined within a portion of the top tray side panel, the second and third triangular panels are separated by the hinge line, the first and third triangular panels are separated by a fold line that extends away from the hinge line, each of the three adjacent triangular panels includes an interior surface and an exterior surface.

21. A food holder in accordance with claim 20 wherein the moveable section moves from the first configuration to the second configuration by:

moving the top tray and the bottom tray toward each other causing the third triangular panel to rotate inwardly towards the cavity such that the exterior surface of the third triangular panel is in a face-to-face relationship with the exterior surface of the first triangular panel when the moveable section is in the second configuration, and the interior surface of the third triangular panel is in a face-to-face relationship with the interior surface of the second triangular panel when the moveable section is in the second configuration, the moveable section conforms to the food product and facilitates the discharge of the food product from the food holder.

22. A food holder for retaining a food product, the food holder is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material, the food holder comprising:

a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines;

a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines, the bottom tray being rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line, so that the top tray is rotatable about the hinge line relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position, wherein while the top tray is in the closed position, simultaneously

a cavity is defined by and between the top and bottom trays for receiving the food product, and

the top and bottom trays cooperate with one another to together define an opening to the cavity so that said opening is defined through both the top tray and the bottom tray, the top tray partially defines said opening, the bottom tray partially defines said opening, said opening is positioned between the top and bottom trays, and said opening is for having a portion of the food product project through said opening while the top tray is in the closed position; and

a moveable section including a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, the moveable section being adapted for facilitating, while the top tray is in and remains in the closed position, movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray, for retaining the food product.

23. A food holder in accordance with claim 22 wherein while the top tray is in and remains in the closed position:

the moveable section is moveable from a first configuration to a second configuration when the top tray and the bottom tray are moved towards one another, and

the hinge line moves away from the cavity and the side panels rotate about the hinge line when the moveable section moves from the first configuration to the second configuration.

24. A food holder in accordance with claim 22 wherein while the top tray is in the closed position, said opening is at least partially defined by:

an edge of the top tray center panel,

an edge of the top tray side panel,

an edge of the bottom tray center panel, and

an edge of the bottom tray side panel.

25. A food holder for retaining a food product, the food holder is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material, the food holder comprising:

a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines;

a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines, the bottom tray being rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line, so that the top tray is rotatable about the hinge line relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position, wherein while the top tray is in the closed position, simultaneously

a cavity is defined by and between the top and bottom trays for receiving the food product, and

the top and bottom trays cooperate with one another to together define an opening to the cavity, so that the top tray partially defines said opening, the bottom tray partially defines said opening, said opening is positioned between the top and bottom trays, and said opening is for having a portion of the food product project through said opening while the top tray is in the closed position; and

a moveable section including a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, the moveable section being adapted for facilitating, while the top tray is in and remains in the closed position, movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray, for retaining the food product, wherein the moveable section includes three adjacent triangular panels coupled together along a plurality of fold lines, the three adjacent triangular panels include a first triangular panel defined within a portion of the top tray side panel, a second triangular panel defined within a portion of the bottom tray side panel, and a third triangular panel defined within a portion of the top tray side panel, the second and third triangular panels are separated by the hinge line, the first and third triangular panels are separated by a fold line that extends away from the hinge line, each of the three adjacent triangular panels includes an interior surface and an exterior surface.

26. A food holder for retaining a food product, the food holder is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material, the food holder comprising:

a top tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines;

a bottom tray including a center panel, a side panel, and an end panel coupled together along a plurality of fold lines, the bottom tray being rotatably coupled to the top tray along a hinge line, so that the top tray is rotatable about the hinge line relative to the bottom tray from an open position to a closed position, wherein while the top tray is in the closed position, simultaneously

a cavity is defined by and between the top and bottom trays for receiving the food product, and

the top and bottom trays cooperate with one another to together define an opening to the cavity, so that the top tray partially defines said opening, the bottom tray partially defines said opening, said opening is positioned between the top and bottom trays, and said opening is for having a portion of the food product project through said opening while the top tray is in the closed position, wherein said opening, which is defined while the top tray is in the closed position, is at least partially defined by

an edge of the top tray center panel,

an edge of the top tray side panel,

an edge of the bottom tray center panel, and

an edge of the bottom tray side panel; and

a moveable section including a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, the moveable section being adapted for facilitating, while the top tray is in and remains in the closed position, movement of the top tray relative to the bottom tray, for retaining the food product.

27. A food holder in accordance with claim 26 wherein the moveable section includes at least one triangular panel defined within a portion of at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel.

28. A food holder in accordance with claim 27 wherein the at least one triangular panel is at least partially defined by the hinge line and an oblique fold line, the oblique fold line is defined within the at least one of the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel, the oblique fold line extends obliquely relative to the hinge line, and the oblique fold line is proximate the hinge line.

29. A food holder in accordance with claim 26 wherein the moveable section includes two triangular panels that are separated by and at least partially defined by the hinge line, the two triangular panels include a first triangular panel defined within a portion of the top tray side panel and a second triangular panel defined within a portion of the bottom tray side panel.

30. A food holder in accordance with claim 26 wherein the food holder includes a pair of tear lines extending across a portion of the top tray center panel and the bottom tray center panel such that the tear lines are configured to facilitate gaining access to the food product.

31. A food holder in accordance with claim 26 wherein the top tray side panel is coupled to the top tray center panel along a top tray perforated tear line and the bottom tray side panel is coupled to the bottom tray center panel along a bottom tray perforated tear line such that the top tray side panel and the bottom tray side panel are configured to separate from the top tray center panel and the bottom tray center panel.