A thermoformed packaging container includes a base section having a bottom surface and spaced apart inner and outer wall segments with a base rim therebetween. The outer wall segment has a deformable flange extending laterally and outwardly therefrom. A cover section includes a top surface, a cover rim, and a side wall portion, wherein cover section adapted to cover said base section when in a closed state. The packaging container includes a closure and release mechanism including an aperture formed within said outer wall segment of the base section, a projection extending inwardly from the side wall portion of the cover section operable to engage the aperture. The closure and release mechanism retains the cover section over the base section and securing the packaging container in a closed position. The projection is released from the aperture by depressing the deformable flange, thereby opening the thermoformed packaging container.

Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.

A tamper-evident container formed by thermoforming includes a tub having a bottom and a sidewall forming an interior volume. The container has a lid with an edge extending peripherally outward therefrom which is configured to mate with the tub edge to close the container. The lid edge has an inner portion and an outer portion with a perforated section therebetween. The perforated section extends continuously around the entire periphery of the lid, whereby the outer portion forms a tamper-evident seal removable from the inner portion for removing the lid from the tub.

A tamper-evident container formed by thermoforming includes a tub having a bottom and a sidewall forming an interior volume. The container has a lid with an edge extending peripherally outward therefrom which is configured to mate with the tub edge to close the container. The lid edge has an inner portion and an outer portion with a perforated section therebetween. The perforated section extends continuously around the entire periphery of the lid, whereby the outer portion forms a tamper-evident seal removable from the inner portion for removing the lid from the tub. Texture elements are distributed around the outer portion of the lid edge which are configured to provide a visual indication of the presence of the tamper-evident seal. The tub edge is disposed beneath the outer portion of the lid edge and extends peripherally outward so that a substantial part of the outer portion of the lid edge does not extend below the tub edge in a vertical direction of the container in an upright orientation. A tab extends from the outer portion of the lid edge and below the tub edge in the vertical direction of the container.

A child resistant packaging container having a closure and release mechanism is provided having a base section and a cover section, with the cover section adapted to cover the base section when in a closed state. The closure and release mechanism includes an inner aperture formed within an inner wall segment of the base section and an outer aperture formed within an outer wall segment of the base section, which is aligned with the inner aperture. A projection extending inwardly from a side wall portion of the cover section is also provided for engaging the outer aperture and the inner aperture of the base section. Thus, the closure and release mechanism retains the cover section over the base section and secures the packaging container in a closed position. The projection is released from the outer aperture by depressing a deformable flange and applying inward pressure to the outer wall, thereby opening the packaging container.

A combination of a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container may include base and a first cavity in the base. A first food item may be nested in the first cavity. The first food item may include a decorated section. The first food item may include a disposable wrapper having an exposed upper wrapper edge. The container may include a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position. A first retainer may be on the lid. When the lid is in the closed position the first retainer may overlie a first portion of the upper wrapper edge. When the container is inverted with the lid in the closed position relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity may be limited by contact between the first retainer and the upper wrapper edge.

A container includes a base with base walls and a cavity defined by the base walls, a receptacle on one of the base walls, and a retainer selectively coupled to the receptacle. The retainer is configured to support a plurality of tools within the cavity. The base is sized to receive only a single retainer.

Products and methods of increasing the Rigidity and Rim Stiffness of disposable containers are provided. The containers have an outer flange portion extending outwardly with a brim portion sloping downwardly defining a declivity angle with respect to a horizontal generally parallel to the bottom portion and generally include an outward turn at the periphery of the container. A preferred method of improving rigidity includes press-forming: (i) a brim transition portion adjoining the downwardly sloping brim portion of the container and (ii) an outwardly extending annular evert portion adjoining the brim transition portion extending outwardly at an eversion angle of at least about 25 degrees with respect to the downwardly sloping brim portion of the flange.

A packaging container having a closure and release mechanism is provided having a base section and a cover section, with the cover section adapted to cover the base section when in a closed state. The closure and release mechanism includes at least one first aperture formed within an inner wall segment of the base section and at least one second aperture formed within an outer wall segment of the base section, which is aligned with the at least one first aperture. At least one projection extending inwardly from a side wall portion of the cover section is also provided for engaging the at least one first aperture and the at least one second aperture of the base section. Thus, the closure and release mechanism retains the cover section over the base section and secures the packaging container in a closed position. The at least one projection is released from the at least one first aperture and the at least one second aperture by depressing a deformable flange, thereby opening the packaging container.

A packaging container having a secure closure includes a base section and a cover section, with the cover section adapted to cover said base section when in a closed state. The closure mechanism includes a first aperture formed within an inner wall segment of the base section and a second aperture formed within an outer wall segment of the base section. A projection extends inwardly from a side wall portion of the cover section for engaging the first and second apertures of the base section, wherein the closure mechanism retains the cover section over the base section and securing the packaging container in a closed position.