Convertible Container

Packaging containers for food products in which the containers can be converted into a receptacle for containing products such as but not limited to food products that may be contained in the packaging as well as a method for making the containers are described. Blanks used to create the packaging containers are also described.

Typically, snack products are stored in flexible packaging with access to the contents generally being effected by separating the front and rear sides at the top or bottom of the package such as by grasping and pulling. While convenient, the opened package generally only provides access to a single person at a time. As a result, it is difficult to share the contents with others. One solution has been to pour the snack product into a bowl. While that is effective, it is generally limited to home use and is not very effective when travelling or on-the-go. It would be desirable to provide a container that can be converted from a packaging container suitable for storing a flexible package containing snack product to a container suitable for retaining the snack product dispensed from the flexible package containing the snack product.

The present inventors created a packaging container that is configured to hold a food product package containing food for future consumption. Upon opening the packaging container, the food product package can be removed, the packaging container can be converted into a bowl-like (bowl-shaped) receptacle (may also be referred to as the receptacle) suitable for containing the contents of the food product package after the food product package has been opened and the contents dispensed into the bowl-like receptacle. The bowl-like receptacle permits 360° access to the dispensed food product.

The following disclosure describes containers for a product such as a food product that includes a front face; a rear face; a first side face connecting a first side edge of the front face and a first side edge of the rear face; a second side face connecting a second side edge of the front face and a second side edge of the rear face; a top face connecting a top edge of the front face and a top edge of the rear face and overhanging the first and second side; and, a bottom face connecting a bottom edge of the front face, the rear face, the first side face and the second side face. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second side faces has an opening adjacent the top face to permit viewing access into an interior of the container.

In some embodiments, the first side face may include a first bottom flap, a first side flap, and a second side flap such that the first side flap connects a first side edge of the front face and the second side flap connects a first side edge of the rear face. Alternatively or in addition, the second side face may include a second bottom flap, a third side flap, and a fourth side flap such that the third side flap connects a second side edge of the front face and the fourth side flap connects a second side edge of the rear face.

In other embodiments, the first side face may include a first bottom flap, a first side flap, a second side flap, and a first upper portion. The first side flap connects a first side edge of the front face and the second side flap connects a first side edge of the rear face. The first upper portion extends from a distal portion of the first side flap and is foldably connected to a first side top flap, such that, when the container is constructed, the first side top flap underlies the top face. Alternatively or in addition, the second side face may include a second bottom flap, a third side flap, a fourth side flap, and a second upper portion. The third side flap connects a second side edge of the front face and the fourth side flap connects a second side edge of the rear face. The second upper portion extends from a distal portion of the third side flap and is foldably connected to a second side top flap, such that, when the container is constructed, the second side top flap underlies the top face and is opposite the first side top flap. In some embodiments the first upper portion and the second upper portion and thus, the first and second side top flaps, are removable from the respective first and second side flaps. It will be appreciated that, in contrast to the earlier described embodiment, this embodiment provides a completely closed container, i.e., the contents of the container are not visible from the exterior of the container.

A perforation may be provided along each top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front face and the rear face so that the top face may be permanently removed by separating the top face from the top edge of the front face and the rear face along the perforation to define an access opening that allows access to an interior of the container and the food product. Accordingly, the food product, which is typically provided in a suitable package, can be removed from the container and the container can be converted to a bowl-like receptacle to hold the food product that is dispensed from the food product package.

The bowl-like receptacle includes a bottom having a centrally located upstanding shelf with a first angled side wall extending from one side of the upstanding shelf and terminating at a bottom edge of a front face and a second angled side wall extending from an opposite side of the upstanding shelf and terminating at a bottom edge of a rear face. A first side face connects a first side edge of the front face and a first side edge of the rear face. A second side face connects a second side edge of the front face and a second side edge of the rear face. A first foot extends from the first side face to the second side face and being defined by an exterior portion of the bottom edge of the front face. A second foot that is substantially parallel to and spaced from the first foot extends from the first side face to the second side face and being defined by an exterior portion of the bottom edge of the rear face. Each of the front face, rear face, first side face, and second side face are angled outwardly with respect to the bottom so that product will be directed by gravity toward the bottom.

The method of creating the bowl-like receptacle from the container includes permanently removing the top face along first and second perforation lines that are provided at the top edge of the front face and the top edge of the rear face, respectively. Thereafter, the food packaging is removed from the interior of the container. First and second tabs provided on the first side flap and the third side flap, respectively, are removed from or disengaged from first and second side slots provided on the second and fourth side flap, respectively. The front face is moved in a direction away from the rear face during which holding tabs provided on a portion of the first and second faces are removed from or disengaged from respective slits provided on the front and rear faces. A central portion of the bottom face may be pushed from its exterior to create an upstanding shelf on the interior side of the receptacle and to complete the conversion of the container to the bowl-like receptacle.

Where a first and second upper portion are provided as noted above, they may be removed after the top face is removed and prior to disengaging the first and second tabs from the first and second side slots. Alternatively, the first and second upper portion may be removed after the conversion of the container to the bowl-like receptacle is complete.

Advantageously, the container can be formed from a container blank that is a single piece of material having appropriately located fold lines or edges and adhesive. In this regard, a method for making the container includes providing a container blank and assembling the blank into a container having an interior with the container being defined by a front face; a rear face; a first side face connecting a first side edge of the front face and a first side edge of the rear face; a second side face connecting a second side edge of the front face and a second side edge of the rear face; a top face connecting a top edge of the front face and a top edge of the rear face and overhanging the first side face and second side face; and, a bottom face connecting a bottom edge of the front face, the rear face, the first side face and the second side face. In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second side faces has an opening adjacent the top face to permit viewing access into an interior of the container. The top face may include a first perforation along the first side edge of the front face and second perforation along the first side edge of the rear face.

In another embodiment, the container can be formed from a container blank that is a single piece of material having appropriately located fold lines or edges and adhesive. In this regard, a method for making the container includes providing a container blank and assembling the blank into a container having an interior with the container being defined by a front face; a rear face; a first side face connecting a first side edge of the front face and a first side edge of the rear face; a second side face connecting a second side edge of the front face and a second side edge of the rear face; a top face connecting a top edge of the front face and a top edge of the rear face and overhanging the first side face and second side face; and, a bottom face connecting a bottom edge of the front face, the rear face, the first side face and the second side face.

The first side face may include a first bottom flap, a first side flap, a second side flap, and a first upper portion. The first side flap connects a first side edge of the front face and the second side flap connects a first side edge of the rear face. The first upper portion extends from a distal portion of the first side flap and is foldably connected to a first side top flap, such that, when the container is constructed the first side top flap underlies the top face. Alternatively or in addition, the second side face may include a second bottom flap, a third side flap, a fourth side flap, and a second upper portion. The third side flap connects a second side edge of the front face and the fourth side flap connects a second side edge of the rear face. The second upper portion extends from a distal portion of the third side flap and is foldably connected to a second side top flap, such that, when the container is constructed, the second top flap underlies the top face and is opposite the first side top flap.

The described embodiments, apparatuses and methods provide a containerfor at least one productsuch as a food 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.

While the product is described with reference to a food product, the skilled artisan will understand that the container is not limited only to food products and that other products may be contained within the container and the resulting bowl. That being said, it will also be appreciated that the described container and resulting bowl-like receptacle may be particularly applicable to food products.

Referring to, an exemplary embodiment of the convertible containeris shown. In this embodiment, the convertible containerincludes a front face, a rear face, a first side faceconnecting a first side edge of the front faceand a first side edge of the rear face, a second side faceconnecting a second side edge of the front faceand a second side edge of the rear face. A top faceconnecting a top edge of the front faceand a top edge of the rear faceand overhanging the firstand second side faces. A bottom faceconnects a bottom edge of the front face, a bottom edge of the rear face, a bottom edge of the first side faceand a bottom edge of the second side face. In this exemplary embodiment the front, rear, first side, second side, top, and bottom facesdefine an interior of the container. And, at least one of or both of the first and second side faces,define an opening adjacent the top face to permit viewing access into the interior of the container. In some instances, as seen in, each of the first and second side faces,define a firstand secondopening adjacent the top face, respectively, to permit viewing access into the interior of the container.

In that regard, the interior of the containermay contain a wide variety of food products, for example snack food products. In some instances, the food productswill be contained in flexible packagingintended to maintain the freshness of the food products. As shown in, the packagingis depicted as being transparent, to show the food productcontained within the flexible packaging. Typically, however, the food packagingmay not be transparent but may be formed from a multi-layer film to form a flexible package, which may have graphical content on its outer face.

In this exemplary embodiment of the container, the top facemay be provided with a perforation along one or both of the top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front face and the rear face. In other words, a first perforationmay be provided at the top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front faceand a second perforationmay be provided at the top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the rear face. The perforations permit the top faceto be permanently removed by separating the top facefrom the top edge of the front faceand the rear facealong the perforations,, as best seen in, to define an access opening that allows access to the interior of the containerand thus, to the food product package.

As better seen in, the top faceis formed from and includes a first top flaphaving a proximal edgeconnected to a top edge of the front faceand second top flaphaving a proximal edgeconnected to a top edge of the rear face. When the containeris constructed as shown in, first top flapoverlies the second top flap. The first top flapand the second top flapmay be connected to or secured to each other in any suitable manner such as, but not limited to, by using a suitable adhesive,, respectively, as shown in. As shown in, adhesivemay be provided on the interior portion of the first top flapand, optionally, adhesivemay be provided on an exterior portion of the second top flapso that each of the adhesive portions contact each other to secure the first top flapto the second top flap. Each of the proximal edges of the first top flapand the second top flapinclude a perforation,, respectively, as noted above, to permit the top faceto be permanently removed.

The perforation may take any number of forms known in the art. In some embodiments, the perforation is made by perforation wheel, rotary blade or laser scoring. In some embodiments the uncut linking portions of the container material are uniform across the entire perforation. In others, the uncut linking portions are smaller in length, less frequent, or both to assist the user in beginning the removal process for the top face. In some embodiments, the perforation will extend partially through the thickness of the container material, while in others or extend through the entire thickness of the carton material, while in others it will vary at different parts of the perforation.

In some embodiments, the containeris made 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 faces display graphics or information, including product or consumer information. The material of the food packaging container has sufficient strength and rigidity to allow the container to stand up to the rigors of distribution and/or warehousing.

The containermay be sized and shaped in many ways. In certain embodiments, the containeris rectangular, while in others it is square or polygonal. In some embodiments the relative dimensions of the container's height, width, and length are such that the upright storage capability of the containeris increased or maximized. In certain of these embodiments, the height of the containeris larger than the width or length to limit the area taken up by the bottom facewhile still allowing a large volume for the interior of the container. These embodiments of the container benefit the consumer by utilizing shelf or pantry space efficiently while allowing relatively large amounts of storage.

Referring now to, the first side faceincludes a first bottom flap, a first side flap, and a second side flap, wherein the first side flapconnects a first side edge of the front faceand the second side flapconnects a first side edge of the rear face. The bottom flap, at its proximal locationor bottom edge, is connected to the bottom face. As can be appreciated from, the firstand secondside flaps overlie the first bottom flap. And, the first side flapoverlies each of the second side flapand the first bottom flap. In addition, it can be seen from, that when the containeris constructed, each of the first and second side flaps,have a generally triangular shape with a curved portion,, respectively, adjacent the top faceand that, adjacent the top face, an opening,is created to provide visual access to the interior of the container.

Referring specifically to, it shows a top view of a container blankaccording to at least one embodiment in which the container blank, when folded, forms the containerof.shows the portions forming the interior of the container, with the exterior being on the opposite side. With that in mind, it is seen that the first side flapincludes a first side tabprovided on a distal portionof the first side flap adjacent the edge joining the first side flap and the first intermediate section. The first side tabremovably engages with, i.e., is inserted into a first side slotprovided on the second side flapto form, in conjunction with the first bottom flap, the first side face. In other words, when the containeris constructed from the blank, i.e., folded to form the container, the first side tabwill be inserted into the first side slot, as can be appreciated from.

It will also be seen fromthat a first side of the first bottom flapis connected along a foldable edgeto an intermediate section (intermediate section A)which in turn is connected to the first side flapalong a foldable edge. Intermediate section A includes a first intermediate sectionconnected to a second intermediate sectionalong a foldable edgesuch that the first intermediate sectionis disposed between the first side flapand the second intermediate section, which is disposed between the first intermediate sectionand a first sideof the first bottom flap. One or both of the first and second intermediate sections,may include adhesive,, on their exterior portion respectively. Upon folding of the container blankincluding along the foldable edge joining the first and second intermediate sections, the adhesive, when provided, on one or both of the first and second intermediate sections,will be joined to secure the first and second intermediate sections,to each other.

In addition, a first holding tabis provided at the foldable edgejoining the first intermediate sectionand the second intermediate section. It will be appreciated that, when the first and second intermediate sections,are joined upon being folded and adhered together, the first holding tabwill protrude outwardly from the edgeand will be located within the interior of the containeruntil it engages with, i.e., is inserted into a first front slitlocated on the front faceadjacent the edge connecting the front face and the first side flap, as can be appreciated from.

A second sideof the first bottom flapis connected along a foldable edgeto an opposite intermediate section B, which in turn is connected to the second side flapalong a foldable edge. Intermediate section Bincludes a third intermediate sectionconnected to a fourth intermediate sectionalong a foldable edgesuch that the third intermediate sectionis disposed between the second side flapand the fourth intermediate section. The fourth intermediate sectionis disposed between the third intermediate sectionand the first bottom flapand is connected to the second side of the first bottom flapalong a foldable edge. The second side of the first bottom flapis opposite the first side of the first bottom flap. One or both of the third and fourth intermediate sections,may include adhesive on their exterior portions,, respectively. Upon folding of the container blankincluding along the foldable edge joining the third and fourth intermediate sections, the adhesive,when provided on one or both of the exteriors of the respective third and fourth intermediate sections,, will be joined to secure the third and fourth intermediate sections,to each other.

A second holding tabis provided at the foldable edgejoining the third intermediate sectionand the fourth intermediate section. It will be appreciated that, when the third and fourth intermediate sections,are joined upon being folded together the second holding tabwill protrude outwardly from the edgeand will be located within the interior of the container untilit engages with, i.e., is inserted into a first rear slitlocated on the rear faceadjacent the foldable edge connecting the rear face and the second side flap, as can be appreciated from.

Referring back to the first bottom flap, it includes a first concave curvilinear fold line(may also be referred to as a first parabolic curve fold line) that separates a proximal portionof the first bottom flap from a distal portionof the first bottom flap. A top portion of the first concave curvilinear fold lineis apparent in. The first concave curvilinear fold linealong with other fold lines, permits the container blankto be folded along the first concave curvilinear fold lineand together with the other fold lines to achieve creation of the containeras well as the bowl-like receptacle, as will be explained in more detail below.

Referring now to, the second side faceincludes a second bottom flap, a third side flap, and a fourth side flap, wherein the third side flapconnects a second side edge of the front faceand the fourth side flap connects a second side edge of the rear face. The second bottom flap, at its proximal portionor bottom edge, is connected to the bottom face. As can be appreciated from, the thirdand fourth sideflaps overlie the second bottom flapand the third side flapoverlies each of the fourth side flapand the second bottom flap. In addition, it can be seen fromthat, when the containeris constructed, each of the third and fourth side flaps,have a generally triangular shape with a respective curved portion,adjacent the top faceand that adjacent the top facean openingis created to provide visual access to the interior of the container. In some instances, as seen in, each of the first and second side faces,define a firstand secondopening adjacent the top face, respectively, to permit viewing access into the interior of the container.

Referring specifically to, it is seen that a first side of the second bottom flapis connected to an intermediate section C along foldable edge. Intermediate section C is connected on its opposite side to the third side flap along a foldable edge. Intermediate section C includes a fifth intermediate sectionconnected to a sixth intermediate sectionalong a foldable edgesuch that the fifth intermediate sectionis disposed between the third side flapand the sixth intermediate section. The sixth intermediate sectionis disposed between the fifth intermediate sectionand a first side of the second bottom flapand joined along a foldable edge. One or both of the fifth and sixth intermediate sections,may include adhesive on their respective exterior portions,that, upon folding of the container blankincluding along the foldable edge joining the fifth and sixth intermediate sections, the adhesive,when provided on one or both of the fifth and sixth intermediate sections,will be joined to secure the fifth and sixth intermediate sections,to each other.

The third side flapincludes a second side tabprovided on a distal portionof the third side flapadjacent the foldable edge joining the third side flap and the fifth intermediate section. The second side tabremovably engages with, i.e., is inserted into a second side slotprovided on the fourth side flapto form the second side face. In other words, when the containeris constructed from the blank, i.e., folded to form the container, the second side tabwill be inserted into the second side slot, as can be appreciated from.

In addition, a third holding tabis provided at the foldable edgejoining the fifth intermediate section and the sixth intermediate section. It will be appreciated that when the fifth and sixth intermediate sections,are joined upon being folded together and adhered together that the third holding tabwill protrude outwardly from the foldable edgeand will be located within the interior of the containeruntil it engages with, i.e., is inserted into a second front slitlocated on the front faceadjacent the foldable edge connecting the front face and the third side flap, as can be appreciated from.

A second sideof the second bottom flap is connected along a foldable edgeto an opposite intermediate section D which in turn is connected to the fourth side flapalong a foldable edge. Intermediate section D includes a seventh intermediate sectionconnected along a foldable edgeto an eighth intermediate sectionsuch that the seventh intermediate sectionis disposed between the fourth side flapand the eighth intermediate section. The eighth intermediate sectionis disposed between the seventh intermediate sectionand a second side the second bottom flap, and is connected to the second side of the second bottom flap along a foldable edge, where the second side of the second bottom flapis opposite the first side of the second bottom flap. One or both of the seventh and eighth intermediate sections,may include adhesive on their respective exterior portions,. Upon folding of the container blankincluding along the foldable edge joining the seventh and eighth intermediate sections, the adhesive,when provided on one or both of the respective seventh and eighth intermediate sections,will be joined to secure the seventh and eighth intermediate sections,to each other.

A fourth holding tabis provided at the edgejoining the seventh intermediate section and the eighth intermediate section. It will be appreciated that, when the seventh and eighth intermediate sections,are joined upon being folded together that the fourth holding tabwill protrude outwardly from the edgeand will be located within the interior of the containeruntil it engages with, i.e., is inserted into a second rear slitlocated on the rear faceadjacent the edge connecting the rear face and the fourth side flap, as can be appreciated from.

Referring back to the second bottom flap, it includes a second concave curvilinear fold line(may also be referred to as a second parabolic fold line) that separates a proximal portionof the second bottom flap from a distal portionof the second bottom flap. The second concave curvilinear fold line, along with other fold lines, permits the container blankto be folded along the concave curvilinear fold lineto achieve creation of the containeras well as the bowl-like receptacle, as will be explained in more detail below.

Referring now to, a bottom faceconnects a bottom edge of the front face, a bottom edge of the rear face, a bottom edge of the first side face, e.g., a proximal portion of the first bottom flap, and a bottom edge of the second side face, e.g., a proximal portion of the second bottom flap. Referring specifically to, an imaginary line from the first top flapto the second top flapmay be considered to be a longitudinal line or define a longitudinal direction and a line intersecting the longitudinal line at a 90° angle may be considered to be a latitude line or a latitudinal direction. With that in mind, the bottom faceincludes two spaced apart and parallel latitudinal fold lines,that extend from the distal portion of the first concave curvilinear fold lineto the distal portion of the second concave curvilinear fold line. The purpose of the first and second latitudinal fold lines,will be explained in more detail below in connection with the explanation of the conversion of the containerto the bowl-like receptacle.

Turning now to, an alternative container will now be described. This alternative container has all the features and parts of the above-described container, which is also shown in; but also includes a first upper portion, a first side top flap, a second upper portion, and a second side top flap. Accordingly, the same features and accompanying reference numerals used inapply equally to the features shown and described with respect to. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same features. Similarly, an alternative blank is shown inand is used to make the container and bowl shown in. This alternative blank has all the features and parts of the above-described blank, which is also shown in; but also includes a first upper portion, a first side top flap, a second upper portion, and a second side top flap. Accordingly, the same features and accompanying reference numerals used inapply equally to the features shown and described with respect to. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same features.

In addition, since the container and bowl-like receptacle shown in(as well as the blank shown in) have been fully explained, reference can be made to the above description and it will not be repeated. Therefore, only the differing portions of the alternative container will be described.

Turning now to, a containerformed from the blankdepicted inis shown. The containeris, as noted above, the same as the containershown in, except that the exterior of the first upper portionoverlays the second side flapso that the side of the container is closed (as compared to the embodiment depicted in, in which an opening is provided. Similarly, the exterior of the second upper portionoverlays the fourth side flap, as best seen inso that the side of the container is closed.

Additionally, as best appreciated by, a first side top flapis connected to the first upper portionalong fold lineso that the opening defined by the front face, the rear face, the first side faceand the second side facemay be partially covered by the first side top flap, when the containeris in a closed position as in. Similarly, a second side top flapis connected to the second upper portionalong fold lineso that the opening defined by the front face, the rear face, the first side faceand the second side facemay be partially covered by the first side top flap, when the containeris in a closed position as in.

It should be pointed out that the mention of or reference to edges, connecting edges, folded edges, fold lines, and the like refer to areas of the container blank,where the container blank,can be folded from a flat state as shown into a completed container,state, as shown in, to a bowl-like receptacle,as shown inand. 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.

As intimated above, the described containercan be converted to a bowl-like receptacleafter permanently removing the top faceand any food packagingthat may be present from the interior of the container. Similarly, the described containercan be converted to a bowl-like receptacleafter permanently removing the top faceand any food packagingthat may be present from the interior of the container. In this regard and with reference to, the method of converting the containerto the bowl-like receptaclewill be described and, thereafter, with reference to, the method of converting the containerto the bowl-like receptaclewill be described.

Referring to, the top faceof the container, which may include a perforation along each top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front faceand the top edge of the rear face, may be permanently removed by separating the top facefrom the top edge of the front faceand the rear facealong the perforations,to define an access opening that allows access to an interior of the container, in which the food packagecan be accessed and removed, as shown in. When the food packagehas been removed, the first side taband the second side tabmay be removed from the first side slotand second side slot, respectively. Thereafter the front faceand rear faceare moved in a direction away from each other, as shown in. In other words, the front faceand rear faceare moved from a generally vertical orientation to an angled orientation, assuming the bottom faceis located on a horizontal surface. This movement causes each of the first, second, third, and fourth holding tabs,,,to separate from or disengage from the first, second, third, and fourth side slots,,,, respectively. It will be appreciated that each of the holding tabs,,,will move from a folded position, i.e., a direction in which they were parallel to the first and second side faces,to an unfolded position, i.e., a direction in which they are angled away from or generally normal to the first and second side faces,(or first, second, third, and fourth side flaps, as shown in. This position may be referred to as a partially converted container.

To complete the conversion of the containerto the bowl-like receptacleshown in, the exterior of the partially converted container is pushed in the exterior area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines,and adjacent the edge of the bottom face and the proximal portion of the first bottom flapand adjacent the exterior edge of the bottom face and the proximal portion of the second bottom flapso that the area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines,is forced away from the other portions of the bottom face, as shown in, to assume the bowl-like receptacleconfiguration as shown in.

With this in mind, it can be considered thatshows an interior of the bowl-like receptaclewhere the area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines,forms an upstanding shelfhaving opposed first and second angled sides,that connect the bottom edge of the front faceand the bottom edge of the rear face, respectively. It will also be appreciated the upstanding shelfis created by the action shown in, where the exterior portion of the area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines,is pushed from a flat or nearly flat position to the position defining the upstanding shelf.

It will also be appreciated that the creation of the bowl-like receptacleincludes the creation of two feet,to support the bowl-like receptacleon a generally horizontal surface, e.g., a table. The first foot is created by the bottom edge of the first face. The second foot is created by the bottom edge of the second face. It will be appreciated fromthat the area between the two feet are not in contact with the surface on which the first and second feet,are in contact with. Further, because of the first and second parabolic curve lines,, a side view of the exterior side of the receptaclebetween the first and second feet,will evoke a generally curved bottom with spaced apart feet. In other words, a side view of the exterior of the receptaclehas a generally W shape except that the middle A shape is parabolically curved.

Referring back to, it will be noted that the interior of the container in the bowl-like receptacle configuration generally includes a bottomand four sides. The bottom is defined by the bottom face, which because of the creation of the upstanding shelf, contains a first troughand a second troughthat are separated from each other by the upstanding shelf. Each of the four sides of the receptacleare generally defined by the front face, rear face, a first side defined by the combination of the first side flap, the first and second intermediate sections,, the first bottom flap, the third and fourth intermediate sections,, and the second side flapand a second side defined by a combination of the third side flap, the fifth and sixth intermediate sections,, the second bottom flap, the seventh and eighth intermediate sections,, and the fourth side flap.

After the receptacleis created, the food packagingmay be opened and the food contentsmay be dispensed into the receptacle, as shown in. It will be appreciated that the receptacleprovides total, unlimited, 360° access to the food productwithin the receptacle.

With the above in mind, the receptacle has an interior defined by a bottom having an upstanding shelfthat is generally parallel with and spaced from a surface upon which the receptacleis supported. A first and second angled wall,are located on opposite sides of the upstanding shelfand extend from the upstanding shelf toward the supporting surface at an angle and are joined at the bottom edge of the front and rear face,, respectively. As a result, the exterior side of the first and second angled walls terminate in contact with the supporting surface and with the exterior surface of the front and rear faces, respectively, to define spaced apart latitudinal feet,that support the receptacleon the support surface.