Abstract
A container is described having 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, a bottom face connecting a bottom edge of the front face, the rear face, the first side face and the second side face. Upon permanently removing the top face, the container can be converted to a bowl-like receptacle.
Claims
1. A container comprising: 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; wherein the top face is removable and the container can be manipulated to form a bowl-like receptacle.
2. The container according to claim 1 wherein the first side face includes a first bottom flap, a first side flap, and a second side flap, wherein 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.
3. The container according to claim 1 wherein the second side face includes a second bottom flap, a third side flap, and a fourth side flap, wherein 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.
4. The container according to claim 1 further comprising a perforation along each top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front face and the rear face, wherein 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.
5. The container according to claim 1 wherein the first side flap includes a first side tab and the second side flap includes a first side slot to removably receive the first side tab.
6. The container according to claim 1 wherein the third side flap includes a second side tab and the fourth side flap includes a second side slot to removably receive the second side tab.
7. The container according to claim 1 wherein the top face comprises a first top flap connected to and extending from the top edge of the front face toward the rear face.
8. The container according to claim 7 wherein the top face comprises a second top flap connected to and extending from the top edge of the rear face toward the front face and wherein the first top flap is connected to the second top flap.
9. The container according to claim 1 further comprising first and second intermediate sections connecting the first bottom flap and the first side flap.
10. The container according to claim 1 further comprising third and fourth intermediate sections connecting the first bottom flap and the second side flap.
11. The container according to claim 1 further comprising fifth and sixth intermediate sections connecting the second bottom flap and the third side flap.
12. The container according to claim 1 further comprising seventh and eighth intermediate sections connecting the second bottom flap and the fourth side flap.
13. The container according to claim 9 wherein the first and second intermediate sections include a first holding tab that is removably received in a first front slit provided on the front face.
14. The container according to claim 10 wherein the third and fourth intermediate sections include a second holding tab that is removably received in a first rear slit provided on the rear face.
15. The container according to claim 11 wherein the fifth and sixth intermediate sections include a third holding tab that is removably received in a second front slit provided on the front face.
16. The container according to claim 12 wherein the seventh and eighth intermediate sections include a fourth holding tab that is removably received in a second rear slit provided on the rear face.
17. The container according to claim 1 wherein the container is formed from a single piece of single piece of material.
18. The container according to claim 1 wherein 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.
19. The container according to claim 2 wherein the first side face includes a first side upper portion foldably joined to a first side top flap that underlies the top face.
20. The container according to claim 19, wherein the first side upper portion is removably attached to a distal portion of the first side flap.
21. The container according to claim 3 wherein the second side face includes a second side upper portion foldably joined to a second side top flap that underlies the top face.
22. The container according to claim 21, wherein the second side upper portion is removably attached to a distal portion of the third side flap.
23. A method for making a container for a food product comprising: providing a blank; assembling the blank into a container having an interior 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; wherein 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 and wherein the top face includes a first perforation along the first side edge of the front face and second perforation along the first side edge of the rear face.
24. The method according to claim 23 further comprising loading at least one food product into the interior of the container.
25. A bowl-like receptacle for retaining food product comprising: 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 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 first foot extending 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; and a second foot substantially parallel to and spaced from the first foot, the second foot extending 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.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a first side perspective view of a container according to at least one described embodiment is shown.
[0016] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cut away view of a portion of the container of FIG. 1 with the package containing the food product being removed to show the third holding tab engaged with the second front slit of the container.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a first side perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the top face being partially removed.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a first side perspective view of the container of FIG. 3 with the top face entirely and permanently removed.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a second side perspective view of the container of FIG. 3 to show the other side of the container with the top face entirely and permanently removed.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a first side perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 4 or 5 in a partially converted position to depict one step in the conversion of the container to a bowl-shaped receptacle.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 6 and depicting an exemplary operation of the user to complete the conversion from the partially converted position shown in FIG. 6 to a fully converted position, i.e., to a bowl-shaped receptacle, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a first side perspective view of the bowl-shaped receptacle.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a first perspective view of the bowl-shaped receptacle of FIG. 8 with food products from the food product package having been dispensed into the container of FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 10 shows a top view of a container blank according to at least one embodiment in which the container blank, when folded, forms the container of FIG. 1 and wherein, the interior of the container is shown, with the exterior of the container being on the opposite side.
[0026] FIG. 11 shows a first side perspective view of a container according to at least one described embodiment is shown.
[0027] FIG. 11A is an exploded view of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 1.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a cut away view of a portion of the container of FIG. 1 with the package containing the food product being removed to show the third holding tab engaged with the second front slit of the container.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a first side perspective view of the container of FIG. 11 with the top face being partially removed.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a first side perspective view of the container of FIG. 13 with the top face entirely and permanently removed.
[0031] FIG. 15 is a second side perspective view of the container of FIG. 13 to show the other side of the container with the top face entirely and permanently removed.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a first side perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 4 or 5 in a partially converted position to depict one step in the conversion of the container to a bowl-shaped receptacle.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 16 and depicting an exemplary operation of the user to complete the conversion from the partially converted position shown in FIG. 16 to a fully converted position, i.e., to a bowl-shaped receptacle, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0034] FIG. 18 is a first side perspective view of the bowl-shaped receptacle.
[0035] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the bowl-shaped receptacle of FIG. 18 with food products from the food product package having been dispensed into the container of FIG. 18.
[0036] FIG. 20 shows a top view of a container blank according to at least one embodiment in which the container blank, when folded, forms the container of FIG. 11 and wherein, the interior of the container is shown, with the exterior of the container being on the opposite side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] The described embodiments, apparatuses and methods provide a container 10 for at least one product 200 such 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the convertible container 10 is shown. In this embodiment, the convertible container 10 includes a front face 20, a rear face 30, a first side face 40 connecting a first side edge of the front face 25 and a first side edge of the rear face 33, a second side face 100 connecting a second side edge of the front face 26 and a second side edge of the rear face 34. A top face 160 connecting a top edge of the front face 21 and a top edge of the rear face 31 and overhanging the first 40 and second side faces 100. A bottom face 170 connects a bottom edge of the front face 24, a bottom edge of the rear face 32, a bottom edge of the first side face 41 and a bottom edge of the second side face 101. In this exemplary embodiment the front 20, rear 30, first side 40, second side 100, top 160, and bottom faces 170 define an interior of the container 180. And, at least one of or both of the first and second side faces 40, 100 define an opening adjacent the top face to permit viewing access into the interior of the container. In some instances, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the first and second side faces 40, 100 define a first 42 and second 102 opening adjacent the top face 160, respectively, to permit viewing access into the interior of the container 180.
[0040] In that regard, the interior of the container 180 may contain a wide variety of food products 200, for example snack food products. In some instances, the food products 200 will be contained in flexible packaging 202 intended to maintain the freshness of the food products 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging 202 is depicted as being transparent, to show the food product 200 contained within the flexible packaging 202. Typically, however, the food packaging 202 may 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.
[0041] In this exemplary embodiment of the container, the top face 160 may 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 perforation 22 may be provided at the top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front face 21 and a second perforation 23 may be provided at the top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the rear face 31. The perforations permit the top face 160 to be permanently removed by separating the top face 160 from the top edge of the front face 21 and the rear face 31 along the perforations 22, 23, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, to define an access opening that allows access to the interior of the container 180 and thus, to the food product package 202.
[0042] As better seen in FIG. 10, the top face 160 is formed from and includes a first top flap 161 having a proximal edge 162 connected to a top edge of the front face 21 and second top flap 164 having a proximal edge 165 connected to a top edge of the rear face 31. When the container 10 is constructed as shown in FIG. 1, first top flap 161 overlies the second top flap 164. The first top flap 161 and the second top flap 164 may be connected to or secured to each other in any suitable manner such as, but not limited to, by using a suitable adhesive 163, 166, respectively, as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, adhesive 163 may be provided on the interior portion of the first top flap 162 and, optionally, adhesive 166 may be provided on an exterior portion of the second top flap 164 so that each of the adhesive portions contact each other to secure the first top flap 161 to the second top flap 164. Each of the proximal edges of the first top flap 162 and the second top flap 165 include a perforation 22, 23, respectively, as noted above, to permit the top face 160 to be permanently removed.
[0043] 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.
[0044] In some embodiments, the container 10 is 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.
[0045] The container 10 may be sized and shaped in many ways. In certain embodiments, the container 10 is 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 container 10 is increased or maximized. In certain of these embodiments, the height of the container 10 is larger than the width or length to limit the area taken up by the bottom face 170 while still allowing a large volume for the interior of the container 180. These embodiments of the container benefit the consumer by utilizing shelf or pantry space efficiently while allowing relatively large amounts of storage.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 10, the first side face 40 includes a first bottom flap 50, a first side flap 80, and a second side flap 90, wherein the first side flap 80 connects a first side edge of the front face 25 and the second side flap 90 connects a first side edge of the rear face 33. The bottom flap 50, at its proximal location 69 or bottom edge, is connected to the bottom face 170. As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, the first 80 and second 90 side flaps overlie the first bottom flap 50. And, the first side flap 80 overlies each of the second side flap 90 and the first bottom flap 50. In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 1, that when the container 10 is constructed, each of the first and second side flaps 80, 90 have a generally triangular shape with a curved portion 81, 91, respectively, adjacent the top face 160 and that, adjacent the top face 160, an opening 42, 102 is created to provide visual access to the interior of the container 180.
[0047] Referring specifically to FIG. 10, it shows a top view of a container blank 11 according to at least one embodiment in which the container blank 11, when folded, forms the container 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 shows the portions forming the interior of the container 180, with the exterior being on the opposite side. With that in mind, it is seen that the first side flap 80 includes a first side tab 82 provided on a distal portion 83 of the first side flap adjacent the edge joining the first side flap and the first intermediate section 84. The first side tab 82 removably engages with, i.e., is inserted into a first side slot 92 provided on the second side flap 90 to form, in conjunction with the first bottom flap 50, the first side face 40. In other words, when the container 10 is constructed from the blank 11, i.e., folded to form the container 10, the first side tab 82 will be inserted into the first side slot 92, as can be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0048] It will also be seen from FIG. 10 that a first side of the first bottom flap 51 is connected along a foldable edge 53 to an intermediate section (intermediate section A) 52 which in turn is connected to the first side flap 80 along a foldable edge 84. Intermediate section A includes a first intermediate section 54 connected to a second intermediate section 56 along a foldable edge 59 such that the first intermediate section 54 is disposed between the first side flap 80 and the second intermediate section 56, which is disposed between the first intermediate section 54 and a first side 51 of the first bottom flap 50. One or both of the first and second intermediate sections 54, 56 may include adhesive 55, 57, on their exterior portion respectively. Upon folding of the container blank 11 including along the foldable edge joining the first and second intermediate sections 59, the adhesive, when provided, on one or both of the first and second intermediate sections 55, 57 will be joined to secure the first and second intermediate sections 54, 56 to each other.
[0049] In addition, a first holding tab 58 is provided at the foldable edge 59 joining the first intermediate section 54 and the second intermediate section 56. It will be appreciated that, when the first and second intermediate sections 54, 56 are joined upon being folded and adhered together, the first holding tab 58 will protrude outwardly from the edge 59 and will be located within the interior of the container 180 until it engages with, i.e., is inserted into a first front slit 27 located on the front face 20 adjacent the edge connecting the front face and the first side flap 25, as can be appreciated from FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2.
[0050] A second side 60 of the first bottom flap 50 is connected along a foldable edge 62 to an opposite intermediate section B, which in turn is connected to the second side flap 90 along a foldable edge 93. Intermediate section B 61 includes a third intermediate section 63 connected to a fourth intermediate section 65 along a foldable edge 68 such that the third intermediate section 63 is disposed between the second side flap 90 and the fourth intermediate section 65. The fourth intermediate section 65 is disposed between the third intermediate section 63 and the first bottom flap 50 and is connected to the second side of the first bottom flap 60 along a foldable edge 62. The second side of the first bottom flap 60 is opposite the first side of the first bottom flap 51. One or both of the third and fourth intermediate sections 63, 65 may include adhesive on their exterior portions 64, 66, respectively. Upon folding of the container blank 11 including along the foldable edge joining the third and fourth intermediate sections 68, the adhesive 64, 66 when provided on one or both of the exteriors of the respective third and fourth intermediate sections 63, 65, will be joined to secure the third and fourth intermediate sections 63, 65 to each other.
[0051] A second holding tab 67 is provided at the foldable edge 68 joining the third intermediate section 63 and the fourth intermediate section 65. It will be appreciated that, when the third and fourth intermediate sections 63, 65 are joined upon being folded together the second holding tab 67 will protrude outwardly from the edge 68 and will be located within the interior of the container until 180 it engages with, i.e., is inserted into a first rear slit 35 located on the rear face 30 adjacent the foldable edge connecting the rear face and the second side flap 34, as can be appreciated from FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2.
[0052] Referring back to the first bottom flap 50, it includes a first concave curvilinear fold line 71 (may also be referred to as a first parabolic curve fold line) that separates a proximal portion 69 of the first bottom flap from a distal portion 70 of the first bottom flap. A top portion of the first concave curvilinear fold line 71 is apparent in FIG. 1. The first concave curvilinear fold line 71 along with other fold lines, permits the container blank 11 to be folded along the first concave curvilinear fold line 71 and together with the other fold lines to achieve creation of the container 10 as well as the bowl-like receptacle 12, as will be explained in more detail below.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 10, the second side face 100 includes a second bottom flap 110, a third side flap 140, and a fourth side flap 150, wherein the third side flap 140 connects a second side edge of the front face 26 and the fourth side flap connects a second side edge of the rear face 34. The second bottom flap 110, at its proximal portion 129 or bottom edge, is connected to the bottom face 170. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5, the third 140 and fourth side 150 flaps overlie the second bottom flap 110 and the third side flap 140 overlies each of the fourth side flap 150 and the second bottom flap 110. In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 5 that, when the container 10 is constructed, each of the third and fourth side flaps 140, 150 have a generally triangular shape with a respective curved portion 141, 151 adjacent the top face 16 and that adjacent the top face 160 an opening 102 is created to provide visual access to the interior of the container. In some instances, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the first and second side faces 40, 100 define a first 42 and second 102 opening adjacent the top face 160, respectively, to permit viewing access into the interior of the container 180.
[0054] Referring specifically to FIG. 10, it is seen that a first side of the second bottom flap 111 is connected to an intermediate section C along foldable edge 113. Intermediate section C is connected on its opposite side to the third side flap along a foldable edge 144. Intermediate section C includes a fifth intermediate section 114 connected to a sixth intermediate section 116 along a foldable edge 119 such that the fifth intermediate section 114 is disposed between the third side flap 140 and the sixth intermediate section 116. The sixth intermediate section 116 is disposed between the fifth intermediate section 114 and a first side of the second bottom flap 111 and joined along a foldable edge 113. One or both of the fifth and sixth intermediate sections 114, 116 may include adhesive on their respective exterior portions 115, 117 that, upon folding of the container blank 11 including along the foldable edge joining the fifth and sixth intermediate sections 119, the adhesive 115, 117 when provided on one or both of the fifth and sixth intermediate sections 114, 116 will be joined to secure the fifth and sixth intermediate sections 114, 116 to each other.
[0055] The third side flap 140 includes a second side tab 142 provided on a distal portion 143 of the third side flap 140 adjacent the foldable edge joining the third side flap and the fifth intermediate section 144. The second side tab 142 removably engages with, i.e., is inserted into a second side slot 152 provided on the fourth side flap 150 to form the second side face 100. In other words, when the container 10 is constructed from the blank 11, i.e., folded to form the container 10, the second side tab 142 will be inserted into the second side slot 152, as can be appreciated from FIG. 5.
[0056] In addition, a third holding tab 118 is provided at the foldable edge 119 joining the fifth intermediate section and the sixth intermediate section. It will be appreciated that when the fifth and sixth intermediate sections 114, 116 are joined upon being folded together and adhered together that the third holding tab 118 will protrude outwardly from the foldable edge 119 and will be located within the interior of the container 180 until it engages with, i.e., is inserted into a second front slit 28 located on the front face 20 adjacent the foldable edge connecting the front face and the third side flap 26, as can be appreciated from FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, and 5.
[0057] A second side 120 of the second bottom flap is connected along a foldable edge 122 to an opposite intermediate section D which in turn is connected to the fourth side flap 150 along a foldable edge 153. Intermediate section D includes a seventh intermediate section 123 connected along a foldable edge 128 to an eighth intermediate section 125 such that the seventh intermediate section 123 is disposed between the fourth side flap 150 and the eighth intermediate section 125. The eighth intermediate section 125 is disposed between the seventh intermediate section 123 and a second side the second bottom flap 120, and is connected to the second side of the second bottom flap along a foldable edge 122, where the second side of the second bottom flap 120 is opposite the first side of the second bottom flap 111. One or both of the seventh and eighth intermediate sections 123, 125 may include adhesive on their respective exterior portions 124, 126. Upon folding of the container blank 11 including along the foldable edge joining the seventh and eighth intermediate sections 128, the adhesive 124, 126 when provided on one or both of the respective seventh and eighth intermediate sections 123, 125 will be joined to secure the seventh and eighth intermediate sections 123, 125 to each other.
[0058] A fourth holding tab 127 is provided at the edge 128 joining the seventh intermediate section and the eighth intermediate section. It will be appreciated that, when the seventh and eighth intermediate sections 123, 125 are joined upon being folded together that the fourth holding tab 127 will protrude outwardly from the edge 128 and will be located within the interior of the container 180 until it engages with, i.e., is inserted into a second rear slit 36 located on the rear face 30 adjacent the edge connecting the rear face and the fourth side flap 34, as can be appreciated from FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 5, and 10.
[0059] Referring back to the second bottom flap 110, it includes a second concave curvilinear fold line 131 (may also be referred to as a second parabolic fold line) that separates a proximal portion 129 of the second bottom flap from a distal portion 130 of the second bottom flap 110. The second concave curvilinear fold line 131, along with other fold lines, permits the container blank 11 to be folded along the concave curvilinear fold line 131 to achieve creation of the container 10 as well as the bowl-like receptacle 12, as will be explained in more detail below.
[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 10, a bottom face 170 connects a bottom edge of the front face 24, a bottom edge of the rear face 32, a bottom edge of the first side face 41, e.g., a proximal portion of the first bottom flap, and a bottom edge of the second side face 101, e.g., a proximal portion of the second bottom flap. Referring specifically to FIG. 10, an imaginary line from the first top flap 161 to the second top flap 164 may 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 face 170 includes two spaced apart and parallel latitudinal fold lines 171, 172 that extend from the distal portion of the first concave curvilinear fold line 72 to the distal portion of the second concave curvilinear fold line 132. The purpose of the first and second latitudinal fold lines 171, 172 will be explained in more detail below in connection with the explanation of the conversion of the container 10 to the bowl-like receptacle 12.
[0061] Turning now to FIGS. 12-19, 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 FIGS. 1-9; 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 in FIGS. 1-9 apply equally to the features shown and described with respect to FIGS. 12-19. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same features. Similarly, an alternative blank is shown in 20 and is used to make the container and bowl shown in FIGS. 12-19. This alternative blank has all the features and parts of the above-described blank, which is also shown in FIG. 10; 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 in 10 apply equally to the features shown and described with respect to FIG. 20. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same features.
[0062] In addition, since the container and bowl-like receptacle shown in FIGS. 1-9 (as well as the blank shown in FIG. 10) 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.
[0063] Turning now to FIG. 11, a container 10a formed from the blank 11a depicted in FIG. 20 is shown. The container 10a is, as noted above, the same as the container 10 shown in FIG. 1, except that the exterior of the first upper portion 300 overlays the second side flap 90 so that the side of the container is closed (as compared to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, in which an opening is provided. Similarly, the exterior of the second upper portion 320 overlays the fourth side flap 150, as best seen in FIG. 15 so that the side of the container is closed.
[0064] Additionally, as best appreciated by FIGS. 14 and 15, a first side top flap 304 is connected to the first upper portion 300 along fold line 306 so that the opening defined by the front face 20, the rear face 30, the first side face 40 and the second side face 100 may be partially covered by the first side top flap 304, when the container 10a is in a closed position as in FIGS. 11 and 12. Similarly, a second side top flap 324 is connected to the second upper portion 320 along fold line 326 so that the opening defined by the front face 20, the rear face 30, the first side face 40 and the second side face 100 may be partially covered by the first side top flap 324, when the container 10a is in a closed position as in FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0065] 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 11, 11a where the container blank 11, 11a can be folded from a flat state as shown in FIGS. 10 and 20 to a completed container 10, 10a state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, to a bowl-like receptacle 12, 12a, as shown in FIGS. 6-9 and FIGS. 16-19. 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.
Method of Converting the Container to a Bowl-Like Receptacle
[0066] As intimated above, the described container 10 can be converted to a bowl-like receptacle 12 after permanently removing the top face 160 and any food packaging 202 that may be present from the interior of the container 180. Similarly, the described container 10a can be converted to a bowl-like receptacle 12a after permanently removing the top face 160 and any food packaging 202 that may be present from the interior of the container 180. In this regard and with reference to FIGS. 3-9, the method of converting the container 10 to the bowl-like receptacle 12 will be described and, thereafter, with reference to FIGS. 11-19, the method of converting the container 10a to the bowl-like receptacle 12a will be described.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 3, the top face 160 of the container 10, which may include a perforation along each top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front face 22 and the top edge of the rear face 23, may be permanently removed by separating the top face 160 from the top edge of the front face 21 and the rear face 31 along the perforations 22, 23 to define an access opening that allows access to an interior of the container 180, in which the food package 202 can be accessed and removed, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. When the food package 202 has been removed, the first side tab 82 and the second side tab 142 may be removed from the first side slot 92 and second side slot 152, respectively. Thereafter the front face 20 and rear face 30 are moved in a direction away from each other, as shown in FIG. 6. In other words, the front face 20 and rear face 30 are moved from a generally vertical orientation to an angled orientation, assuming the bottom face 170 is located on a horizontal surface. This movement causes each of the first, second, third, and fourth holding tabs 58, 67, 118, 127 to separate from or disengage from the first, second, third, and fourth side slots 27, 35, 28, 36, respectively. It will be appreciated that each of the holding tabs 58, 67, 118, 127 will move from a folded position, i.e., a direction in which they were parallel to the first and second side faces 40, 100 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 40, 100 (or first, second, third, and fourth side flaps, as shown in FIG. 6. This position may be referred to as a partially converted container.
[0068] To complete the conversion of the container 10 to the bowl-like receptacle 12 shown in FIG. 8, the exterior of the partially converted container is pushed in the exterior area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines 171, 172 and adjacent the edge of the bottom face and the proximal portion of the first bottom flap 69 and adjacent the exterior edge of the bottom face and the proximal portion of the second bottom flap 129 so that the area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines 171, 172 is forced away from the other portions of the bottom face 170, as shown in FIG. 6, to assume the bowl-like receptacle 12 configuration as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0069] With this in mind, it can be considered that FIG. 8 shows an interior of the bowl-like receptacle 12 where the area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines 171, 172 forms an upstanding shelf 210 having opposed first and second angled sides 212, 214 that connect the bottom edge of the front face 24 and the bottom edge of the rear face 32, respectively. It will also be appreciated the upstanding shelf 210 is created by the action shown in FIG. 7, where the exterior portion of the area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines 171, 172 is pushed from a flat or nearly flat position to the position defining the upstanding shelf 210.
[0070] It will also be appreciated that the creation of the bowl-like receptacle 12 includes the creation of two feet 216, 218 to support the bowl-like receptacle 12 on a generally horizontal surface, e.g., a table. The first foot is created by the bottom edge of the first face 24. The second foot is created by the bottom edge of the second face 32. It will be appreciated from FIG. 8 that the area between the two feet are not in contact with the surface on which the first and second feet 216, 218 are in contact with. Further, because of the first and second parabolic curve lines 71, 131, a side view of the exterior side of the receptacle 12 between the first and second feet 216, 218 will evoke a generally curved bottom with spaced apart feet. In other words, a side view of the exterior of the receptacle 12 has a generally W shape except that the middle A shape is parabolically curved.
[0071] Referring back to FIG. 8, it will be noted that the interior of the container in the bowl-like receptacle configuration generally includes a bottom 220 and four sides. The bottom is defined by the bottom face 170, which because of the creation of the upstanding shelf 210, contains a first trough 211 and a second trough 213 that are separated from each other by the upstanding shelf 210. Each of the four sides of the receptacle 12 are generally defined by the front face 20, rear face 30, a first side defined by the combination of the first side flap 80, the first and second intermediate sections 54, 56, the first bottom flap 50, the third and fourth intermediate sections 63, 65, and the second side flap 90 and a second side defined by a combination of the third side flap 140, the fifth and sixth intermediate sections 114, 116, the second bottom flap 110, the seventh and eighth intermediate sections 123, 125, and the fourth side flap 150.
[0072] After the receptacle 12 is created, the food packaging 202 may be opened and the food contents 200 may be dispensed into the receptacle 12, as shown in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated that the receptacle 12 provides total, unlimited, 360 access to the food product 200 within the receptacle 12.
[0073] With the above in mind, the receptacle has an interior defined by a bottom having an upstanding shelf 210 that is generally parallel with and spaced from a surface upon which the receptacle 12 is supported. A first and second angled wall 212, 214 are located on opposite sides of the upstanding shelf 210 and 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 24, 32, 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 216, 218 that support the receptacle 12 on the support surface.
[0074] The front and rear faces 20, 30 form two opposite sides of the receptacle and are angled with respect to the plane of the upstanding shelf 210. As noted above, the first side face is generally defined by a combination of the first side flap 80, the first and second intermediate sections 56, 56, the first bottom flap 50, the third and fourth intermediate sections 63, 65, and the second side flap 90. The first side is angled upward and outward with respect to each of the front face 20, the bottom 220, and the rear face 30 so that product 200 in the receptacle 12 is funneled by gravity toward the bottom. Similarly, the second side is defined by a combination of the third side flap 140, the fifth and sixth intermediate sections 114, 116, the second bottom flap 110, the seventh and eighth intermediate sections 123, 125, and the fourth side flap 150. And, the second side is angled upward and outward with respect to each of the front face 20, the bottom 220, and the rear face 30 so that product 200 in the receptacle 12 is funneled by gravity toward the bottom 220. Because each of the sides of the receptacle are angled with respect to the bottom, it will be appreciated that product in the receptacle is funneled by gravity toward the first and second troughs 211, 213, which will help to retain product 200 within the receptacle 12.
[0075] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 13, the top face 160 of the container 10a, which may include a perforation along each top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front face 22 and the top edge of the rear face 23, may be permanently removed by separating the top face 160 from the top edge of the front face 21 and the rear face 31 along the perforations 22, 23 to expose each of the first side top flap 304 and second side top flap 320, each of which can be moved from their closed position (oriented perpendicularly to the first side face 40 and the second side face 100) to an open position, as depicted in FIGS. 14 and 15 and to define an access opening that allows access to an interior of the container 180, in which the food package 202 can be accessed and removed, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. When the food package 202 has been removed, the first side tab 82 and the second side tab 142 may be removed from the first side slot 92 and second side slot 152, respectively. Thereafter the front face 20 and rear face 30 may be moved in a direction away from each other, as shown in FIG. 16. In other words, the front face 20 and rear face 30 are moved from a generally vertical orientation to an angled orientation, assuming the bottom face 170 is located on a horizontal surface. This movement causes each of the first, second, third, and fourth holding tabs 58, 67, 118, 127 to separate from or disengage from the first, second, third, and fourth side slots 27, 35, 28, 36, respectively. It will be appreciated that each of the holding tabs 58, 67, 118, 127 will move from a folded position, i.e., a direction in which they were parallel to the first and second side faces 40, 100 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 40, 100 (or first, second, third, and fourth side flaps, as shown in FIG. 16. This position may be referred to as a partially converted container.
[0076] At this time it is contemplated that that one or both of the first upper portion 300 and second upper portion 320 can be separated from (removed from) the first side flap 80 and the third side flap 140, respectively, before completing conversion of the container 10a to the bowl-like receptacle 12a.
[0077] Alternatively, and as depicted in FIGS. 16-19, one or both of the first upper portion 300 and second upper portion 320 may be retained until after the bowl-like receptacle is created. With this in mind, to complete the conversion of the container 10a to the bowl-like receptacle 12a shown in FIG. 18, the exterior of the partially converted container is pushed in the exterior area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines 171, 172 and adjacent the edge of the bottom face and the proximal portion of the first bottom flap 69 and adjacent the exterior edge of the bottom face and the proximal portion of the second bottom flap 129 so that the area between the two parallel latitudinal fold lines 171, 172 is forced away from the other portions of the bottom face 170, as shown in FIG. 16, to assume the bowl-like receptacle 12a configuration as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. As noted above, at this time the first upper portion 300 and the second upper portion 320 may be removed so that the bowl-like receptacle 12a will look similar to the bowl-like receptacle 12 of FIG. 8.
[0078] After the receptacle 12a is created, the food packaging 202 may be opened and the food contents 200 may be dispensed into the receptacle 12a, as shown in FIG. 19. It will be appreciated that the receptacle 12a provides total, unlimited, 360 access to the food product 200 within the receptacle 12a.
[0079] Advantageously, each of the described containers may be formed from a single container blank that has been folded along provided fold lines to create a container suitable for containing food packaging. And, when the container is opened by permanently removing the top face, the food packaging can be removed and the container can be converted to a bowl-like receptacle that is suitable for containing and retaining food product dispensed from the food packaging (or from other sources, if desired).
Method of Making the Container
[0080] Other aspects of the invention relate to a method for making a container 10 for at least one product 200 such as 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.
[0081] In this aspect of the invention, the method includes providing a container blank 11 or 11a, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 20, respectively. The blank 11 or 11a may be assembled into the container 10 or 10a of FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively, having a front face 20, a rear face 30, a first side face 40 connecting a first side edge of the front face 25 and a first side edge of the rear face 33, a second side face 100 connecting a second side edge of the front face 26 and a second side edge of the rear face 34, a top face 160 connected to a top edge of the front face 21 and a top edge of the rear face 31 and overhanging the first side face 40 and second side face 100, and a bottom face 170 connected to a bottom edge of the front face 24, rear face 32, first side face 41 and second side face 101. The front, back, first side, second side, top and bottom faces define an interior storage cavity 180. The top face 160 may include a perforation 22, 23 along each top edge of the top face connecting the top edge of the front face and the rear face, such that the top face 160 may be permanently removed by separating the top face 160 from the top edges of the front face 21 and the rear face 31 along the perforations 22, 23 to define an access opening that allows access to an interior of the container 180.
[0082] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the container 10 shown in FIG. 1 will provide that at least one of the first or second side face has an opening adjacent the top face to permit viewing access into the interior of the container.
[0083] Alternatively, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 20, the container 10a shown in FIG. 11, is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but the first side face 40 also includes a first upper portion 300 attached along a perforation line 302 to the first side flap 80. Not seen in FIG. 11 but visible in each of FIGS. 14 and 15, a first side top flap 304 is foldably connected to the first upper portion 300 and such that, when the container is constructed, the first side top flap 304 underlies the top face 160. Alternatively or in addition, the second side face 100 includes a second upper portion 322 attached along a perforation line 322 to the third side flap 140. Not seen in FIG. 11 but visible in each of FIGS. 14 and 15, a first side top flap 324 is foldably connected to the first upper portion 320 and such that, when the container is constructed, the second side top flap 324 underlies the top face 160 and is opposite the first side top flap 304. In some embodiments the first upper portion 300 and the second upper portion 320 and thus, the first and second side top flaps 304, 324, are removable from the respective first and second side flaps 80, 140. 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.
[0084] It will be appreciated from FIGS. 10 and 20 that the faces and/or flaps of the blank are foldably connected by fold lines, which as noted above may be creased or scored in a known manner. Further, it will be appreciated that the shown and described container can be assembled and loaded with the food product packaging very quickly. In certain of these embodiments, the container is assembled and loaded on a high speed container line or with other high speed container equipment.
[0085] These descriptions of the packaging container, receptacle, and method of making the container are merely exemplary. In certain embodiments, the packaging container comprises additional combinations or substitutions of some or all of the components described above. Moreover, additional and alternative suitable variations, forms and components for the packaging container will be recognized by those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
[0086] 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.
[0087] 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.
