Container

A uniquely shaped container for products, particularly food products, for containing food products within the container as well as a method for making the container are described. A blank used to create the container is also described.

Product containers and, in some instances, containers for retaining food products for dine-in eating experiences typically have a square shaped clam-shell configuration. It will be appreciated that because of the clam-shell configuration, such a container may be useful for take-out, delivery, or removal from the vending location. As a non-limiting example, it is known to provide condiments onto snack products, for example, providing melted cheese onto tortilla or tortilla-style chips (sometimes referred to as loaded chips). Providing a container that is suitable for supporting the loaded chips, while being configured to retain the loaded chips and to secure the loaded chips during movement or travel would be desired.

The following disclosure describes a uniquely shaped container for a product formed from a single blank. The container includes a base having a bottom with a first perimeter (bottom or base perimeter). In one instance the bottom of the base has a perimeter in the shape of a triangle and, in one embodiment the perimeter is in the shape of an equilateral triangle. A plurality of side walls extend from the bottom of the base to define an interior of the container. The plurality of side walls extend from the base such that the distal portion of the plurality of side walls define a second perimeter, wherein the second perimeter has a shape that differs from the first perimeter. In addition, the second perimeter has a length measurement that is greater than the first perimeter. In one embodiment, one of the plurality of side walls includes a slot to receive a locking tab that is provided on one side of the lid, when provided.

Where the bottom of the base is in the shape of a triangle, the plurality of side walls may include six side walls with three of the six side walls extending from respective vertices of the base and other three of the six side walls extending from the respective sides of the base. In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that the distal portion of the plurality of the side walls will define a perimeter having six sides. In one instance, where the bottom of the base is in the shape of an equilateral triangle, the distal portion of the plurality of the side walls will define a ditrigon shape. A ditrigon shape is a shape that has six vertices and six sides that alternate between two edge lengths, with each vertex joining one side of each length. In this instance, the plurality of side walls includes six side walls such that three shorter side walls extending from each vertex of the base, respectively, and three longer side walls extend from each side of the base.

The container may include a lid having a third perimeter (or lid perimeter) that is substantially similar to the second perimeter so that the lid can substantially cover the top of the base to alternately provide access to the interior of the container. It is also contemplated that the container does not have a lid or that the lid is removable from the base. In one embodiment, the lid may have one or more side flaps that extend from the lid and, when the lid is engaged with the base, the one or more side flaps will be adjacent to and, in some instances, be in contact with one or more sides of the base. The lid may be separate from the base, i.e., may be entirely removable from the base. Alternatively, the lid may be attached to the base such that, in one instance, one side of the lid may be hingedly attached to a distal portion of one side of the base (in one instance to a longer side wall of the base, i.e., the rear side wall) so that the lid can be moved from a closed position to an open position providing access to the interior of the container.

As noted above, the lid and, in particular, at least one side of the lid is provided with a locking tab that removably engages a slot provided on a corresponding side wall of the base. In some instances, in conjunction with the locking tab, a pull tab may be provided adjacent to the locking tab and may be oriented generally perpendicular to the locking tab. The pull tab allows a user (a consumer) to grip the pull tab and, by pulling the pull tab, the lid can be unlocked from the base to provide access to the interior of the container.

Advantageously, the container can be formed from a container blank that is a single piece of material having appropriately located fold lines and cut outs. The cut outs may include a slot provided in one of the side walls to removably receive a locking tab. The cut outs may also include areas where the material is not joined and, in this regard, three flaps are created adjacent each vertex of the base so that when the base is folded, each flap may be joined to a side wall to form a base with a plurality of side walls to define an interior of the container.

A method for making one embodiment of the container includes providing a container blank and assembling the blank into a container having (a) a base with a plurality side walls and (b) a lid hingedly connected to one side wall of the base. In one embodiment, the number of side walls is greater than the number of sides of the base. Advantageously, when assembled, the containers can be stacked such that an outer side (exterior) of the base will be lie on top of an inner side (interior) of an adjacent base so that a number of containers can be stacked and shipped.

The described embodiments and methods describe a container for at least one product and a method of making such a container. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the described container or of certain embodiments of the container will be further understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments.

Referring to, an exemplary embodiment of a container blankthat is used to form the containerofis shown. As depicted in, the interior portions of the base and lid are shown with the exterior portions being on the opposite side. In this embodiment, the container blankmay be formed from a single piece of paperboard, fiberboard, cardboard or card stock. In some of these embodiments, the material is corrugated. In certain embodiments the material is laminated, glossed, coated in wax, or treated with wet strength resins. In certain exemplary embodiments, some or all of the exterior portion of the formed container may graphics or information, including product or consumer information. The material of the container has sufficient strength and rigidity to allow the container to stand up to the rigors of distribution and/or warehousing. And, when constructed, the container is stackable within other containers such that the exterior portion of the base of one container is adjacent to or abuts the interior portion of the base of an adjacent container.

When viewing, it will be noted that the dashed lines formed at various edges of the container blank depict areas where the container blankcan be folded from a flat state as shown into form a completed container, as shown in. To this end, the fold lines may be creased or perforated to ease the folding process. Thus, it should be understood that if the following description or claim refers to an edge, it refers to a foldable edge, unless it is otherwise clear that it is not a foldable edge. It will also be appreciated that the solid lines represent areas that are completely cut, e.g., the entire outer periphery of the container blank, which has been cut from a provided piece of material.

The container blankand thus, the containerincludes a basehaving a bottomthat, when the containeris created, defines an interior. In that regard, the interior of the container may contain a wide variety of products, for example snack food products. In some instances, where the products are food products, they may be contained in flexible packaging intended to maintain the freshness of the food products. The flexible packaging may then be opened and the food product may be dispensed into the interior of the container, i.e., onto the interior bottom of the base. It is also contemplated that the interior of the container may contain or retain one or more condiments in a suitable package that has a suitable shape to mate with a portion of the base of the container. As one example, the snack product may be a tortilla or tortilla style chip and the condiment may be a salsa or cheese. Throughout this description and for ease of description, the product may be referred to as a snack product; however, the skilled artisan will appreciate that reference to a snack product is not and should not be limited to any particular kind or type of product.

Turning back to, the bottomhas a plurality of edgesthat, as shown in, may include a first edge, a rear edge, and a second edge, which are respectively joined by a plurality of vertices, that may include a front vertex, a first vertex, and a second vertex, all of which may define a base or first perimeter. In the depicted embodiment, the front vertexjoins the first and second edge,; the first vertexjoins the first and rear edge,; and the second vertex joins the rear and second edge,. Also, it will be appreciated that the first edge, a rear edge, and a second edge, along with the front vertex, a first vertex, and a second vertex, define a triangle shaped perimeter. In one instance, the triangle shaped perimeter is an equilateral shaped perimeter.

Extending from each of the bottom edges,,and vertices,, andare a plurality of side walls. In the embodiment depicted in, there are six side walls including a front wall, a first side wall, a first corner wall, a rear side wall, a second corner wall, and a second side wall.

The front wallhas a proximal portion edgethat extends from the front vertexand terminates at a distal edgewhich, when the containeris constructed will define a top of the baseof the container. The front wallhas a first side edgethat is contiguous with a second side edgeof the second side walland has a second side edgefrom which a front flapextends. As will become evident, the front flapwill engage with or be attached to an exterior portion of the first side wall, when the container blankis formed into the container. Disposed adjacent the proximal edgeof the front corner walland located between the first and second side edges,is a locking slot or slitthat, as explained later, will removably receive a locking tabdisposed on the topof the container. In addition, it will be appreciated upon viewing the container blank depicted in, that the distal edgetogether with the first and second side edges,define a triangle shape.

The first side wallhas a foldable proximal edgethat is contiguous with the first bottom edgeand that extends from the first bottom edgeand terminates at a proximal edge distal edge. The first side wall has a first side edgethat is unattached and that, when the container is constructed, will abut the internal portion of the second side edge.

Adjacent and foldably connected to the first side wallat a second side edgeis a first corner wallhaving a proximal portion edgethat extends from the first vertexand terminates at a distal edge. The first cornerhas a foldable first corner side edgethat is contiguous with a second side edgeof the first side. Opposite the first corner side edgeis a second corner side edgefrom which a first rear flapextends. As will become evident, the first rear flapwill engage with or be attached to an exterior portion of the rear side wall, when the container blankis formed into the container.

Adjacent the first corner wallis a rear side wallhaving a proximal side edgethat is contiguous with the rear edgeof the bottom. In some embodiments and as depicted in, the rear sidehas a distal side edgethat is contiguous with a top rear side edgeof a hinged top or lid. The rear sidehas a first sideadjacent the first cornerand a second sideadjacent the second corner, with both of the first and second sides,being unattached.

A second side wallis adjacent the rear side walland the front corner walland is foldably connected to the front corneralong a second side edgethat is contiguous with the first side edgeof the front corner. The second side wallhas a foldable proximal edgethat is contiguous with the first bottom edgeand that extends from the first bottom edgeand terminates at a distal edge.

Adjacent and foldably connected to the second side wallis a second cornerhaving a proximal portion edgethat extends from the second vertexand terminates at a distal edge. The second cornerhas a foldable first corner side edgethat is contiguous with a side edgeof the second side. Opposite the second corner side edgeis a second corner side edgefrom which a second rear flapextends. As will become evident, the second rear flapwill engage with or be attached to an exterior portion of the rear side wall, when the container blankis formed into the container.

As noted earlier, a top or lidhas a foldable rear side edgethat is contiguous with the proximal edgeof the rear side wall. As will be appreciated from the following description, the top or lid can, when the container is constructed, be moved from a closed position to an open position, to permit access to the interior of the container. In the embodiment depicted in, the tophas a front edgethat extends from a first vertexto a second vertex. A locking tabextends from and away from the front edgesuch that, when the container is formed and the topis moved to a closed position, the locking tabmay removably engage the locking slitto help in retaining the top or lidin a closed position. Also, a foldable pull tabis foldably connected at a foldable edgeof the front edgeand may extend away from the front edge. The foldable pull tabmay be grasped by a consumer to lift the top or lidand to remove the locking tabfrom the locking slitto permit access to the interior of the container.

The first vertexjoins the front edgeand the first side edge, The first side edgeis foldably connected to the lidto define a first side flaphaving a proximal portion foldably connected to the top or lid. The first side edgeextends from the first vertexto a first vertexat a first cornerthat, in turn, is connected to the rear side edgeat a second vertexof the first corner.

The second vertexjoins the front edgeand the second side edge, The first side edgeis foldably connected to the lidto define a second side flaphaving a proximal portion foldably connected to the top or lid. The second side edgeextends from the second vertexto a corner first vertexat a second cornerthat, in turn, is connected to the rear side edgeat a second vertexof the second corner.

It should be pointed out that the reference to edges, connecting edges, folded edges, foldable edges, fold lines, and the like refer to areas of the container blankwhere the container blankcan be folded from a flat state as shown into a completed container, as shown in. To this end, the fold lines may be creased or perforated to ease the folding process. Thus, it should be understood that if the following description or claim refers to an edge, it refers to a foldable edge, unless it is otherwise clear that it is not a foldable edge.

Turning to, another embodiment of a container blankis shown. This container blank is identical in all respects to the container blank depicted in, except it does not include the first and second flaps,.shows a containerformed from the blankdepicted in, where the containeris in a closed condition.shows a containerformed from the blankdepicted in, where the containeris in an open condition permitting access to the interior of the container.

Turning to, yet another embodiment of a container blankis depicted. It will be appreciated that has similar features as the container blankdepicted inand so the similar features are identified with the same reference numerals. The differences are that this containerdoes not include the first and second flaps,. In addition, this containerdoes not include the locking taband the pull tabas shown in, or the locking slitprovided on the front wall. Instead, the topincludes a first side wall locking tabthat extends from the first side edgeof the topand a second side wall locking tabthat extends from the second side edgeof the top. The first side wallincludes a first side wall locking slitto removeably receive the locking tab, when the container is constructed and container is in a closed position. Similarly, the second side wallincludes a second side wall locking slitto removeably receive the locking tab, when the container is constructed and container is in a closed position.

Other aspects relate to a method for making the uniquely shaped containerfor at least one product, e.g. a food product. Any step of the method may include one or more aspects of the containers described above, or any additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the container. As will be evident from the above description of the blank and the following description of the container, the containermay have varying sizes with respect to its volume, length of its sides and height of its side walls.

The method includes providing a container blankas shown in. The blankmay be assembled into the containershown in. Referring to those figures, the containerhas been assembled and is shown in a closed configuration.shows a top view of the containerwith the exteriorof the top or lidenclosing the bottomof the container. The exteriorof the tophas a perimeter (a lid perimeter) defined by the front edge, the first side edge, the first corner edge, the rear edge, the second corner edge, and the second side. In this embodiment, the perimeter defines a ditrigon shape. It will be appreciated that the first flapand the second flapextend into the interior of the container and may contact of abut an interior portion of the firstand secondside of the bottom.

Referring to, it should be appreciated that the container blankwhen folded along the fold lines, each of the front wall, first side wall, first corner wall, rear side wall, second corner wall, and second side wall, extend from the bottom. For ease of reference, these walls may be described as extending upward (assuming the bottomis supported by a surface, i.e., the bottomis resting on a surface). In this regard, each of the walls,,,,, andextend from the bottomupwardly and outwardly from the bottom such that an angle measurement taken from the interiorof the bottom to an interior of the walls,,,,, andwill be obtuse. In some instances, the angle measurement for each of the walls,, andwill be same or about the same and the measurement angle for each of the walls,, andwill be same or about the same. Further, in some instances the angle measurement for each of the walls,, andwill be same or about the same and will differ from the measurement angle for each of the walls,, and, which will be the same or about the same. In one embodiment, the angle measurement for each of the walls,, andis about 120° and the angle measure for each of the walls,, andis about 105°. Providing these walls with an outwardly sloping configuration will act to direct, by gravity, product within the bottom of the container toward the center of the bottom of the container; thus aiding in retention of the product within the container.

After each of the walls,,,,, andare folded upward, the front flapmay be folded and connected to the first side wall. In addition, each of the first rear flapand second rear flapmay be folded and connected to the rear side wallto complete the construction of the bottomof the container. The flaps may be connected in any suitable manner such as, but not limited to gluing or adhering in a known manner.

After creation of the bottom, the topmay be folded to any suitable position such as that shown in, which depict a closed configuration of the container. Alternatively, the topmay be folded to a position such as that shown in, which depicts an open configuration of the container.

Advantageously, because the walls,,,, andare outwardly tapered, containerscan be stacked within and on top of each such that the exterior of one container is opposed to the interior of an adjacent container. It will be appreciated that, because the containers can be stacked, they can be more easily shipped or transported. Further, it will be appreciated that the shown and described container can be assembled and stacked very quickly. In certain of these embodiments, the container is assembled and stacked on a high speed container line or with other high speed container equipment.

In addition, each of the firstand secondflap may be folded inward or downward as shown inso that they will be located within the interior of the bottomof the container, as can be appreciated by. Also, the pull tabmay be folded in a direction opposite that of the first and second flaps,.

Referring back to, it will be seen that the exteriorof the bottom(and likewise the interior) has a base perimeterdefined by the first edge, rear edge, and second edge. As depicted in, the base perimeteris a triangle and in some instances, it may be an equilateral perimeter.

Turning to, it can be seen that the distal edges,,,,, andof the front side wall, the first side wall, the first corner wall, the rear wall, the second corner wall, and the second side wall, respectively define a distal perimeterof the distal portion of the side walls. Further, it will be appreciated that the distal perimeterhas a shape that differs from the base perimeterand the perimeterhas a total perimeter length that differs from the base perimeterand, in this instance is greater.

Turning now tooperation of the locking taband pull tabis depicted. In, the container is in a closed configuration with the locking tabengaged with or inserted into the locking slit. It will be appreciated that, in this configuration, the top or lidis removably retained in position to protect the contents from egress. When it is sought to open the container to permit access to the contents, the pull tabmay be grasped and pulled in a direction away from the base (e.g., upward) to disengage the locking tabfrom the locking slit. Because the lid is foldably connected to the bottom, the lid can be moved to the position shown into a position shown in, or any other position, to permit access to the product.

Although not shown, it is contemplated that a condiment container having a shape complementary to that of the first or second corner wall,, may be contained within the container.

These descriptions of the container and method of making the container are merely exemplary. In certain embodiments, the container comprises additional combinations or substitutions of some or all of the components described above, e.g., the lid may or may not be present. Moreover, additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the container will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

These method descriptions are merely exemplary. In certain embodiments, the method may include additional combinations or substitutions of some or all of the steps described above. Moreover, additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the method will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

While the invention has been described in terms of specific or particular embodiments, it should be apparent that alternatives could be adopted by one skilled in the art. In addition, the invention encompasses additional or alternative embodiments in which one or more features or aspects of a particular embodiment could be eliminated or two or more features or aspects of different disclosed embodiments could be combined. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any embodiment described herein or illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the purpose of the above detailed description and the phraseology and terminology employed therein is to describe the illustrated embodiments, and not necessarily to serve as limitations to the scope of the invention. Finally, while the appended claims recite certain aspects believed to be associated with the invention, they do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention.