CONTAINERS WITH TRAYS FOR SECURING FOOD ITEMS

Abstract

Containers are provided herein that better restrict the movement of food items therein, limiting damage to these food items. Methods of using these containers are also contemplated. Containers may include a base, tray, and cover. The base may include base receptacles, and food items may be received within internal volumes within the base receptacles. The tray may be positioned relative to the base so that the tray is positioned above the food item(s) and other portions of the base so that a portion of the food item(s) positioned in the base receptacles are allowed to extend through tray opening(s) in the tray. However, the tray openings may be smaller than undecorated portions of food items. Thus, a tray wall of the tray may come in contact with the undecorated portions of the food items, restricting the movement of the food items.

Claims

1. A container for holding at least one food item, the container comprising: a base including at least one base receptacle, wherein an internal volume is defined within each base receptacle of the at least one base receptacle; a cover; and a tray defining at least one tray opening, wherein the internal volume of each base receptacle of the at least one base receptacle is configured to receive a food item of the at least one food item, wherein the tray is positioned between the cover and the base when the container is in a closed state such that the tray is configured to contact the food item received in the internal volume, and wherein the tray is configured to permit a portion of each food item of the at least one food item to extend through the at least one tray opening.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein each tray opening of the at least one tray opening defines a first cross-sectional size, each food item of the at least one food item defines a second cross-sectional size, and the first cross-sectional size is smaller than the second cross-sectional size, thereby preventing the at least one food item from moving fully through the at least one tray opening when the container is in the closed state.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein each tray opening of the at least one tray opening defines a first diameter, each food item of the at least one food item defines a second diameter, and the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter, thereby preventing the at least one food item from moving fully through the at least one tray opening when the container is in the closed state.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a first column, and wherein the first column is configured to contact the tray when the container is in a closed state to cause the tray to maintain contact with the at least one food item.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the first column is configured to avoid direct contact with at least one food item when the container is in a closed state.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the base comprises a support surface, and, when the container is in a closed state, the tray is held in position by contact with the support surface and the first column.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the cover includes a second column, the second column is configured to contact the tray when the container is in a closed state to cause the tray to maintain contact with the at least one food item, and the first column is configured to avoid direct contact with at least one food item when the container is in a closed state.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one tray opening comprises two or more tray openings, and the at least one base receptacle comprises two or more base receptables.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the at least one tray opening comprises six or more tray openings, and the at least one base receptacle comprises six or more base receptables.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein each food item of the at least one food item comprises a decorated portion and an undecorated portion, the tray is configured to contact the undecorated portion of the at least one food item when the container is in a closed state, and the tray is configured to avoid contacting the decorated portion of the at least one food item when the container is in a closed state.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the tray is configured to allow the decorated portion of the at least one food item to extend past the tray through the at least one tray opening while other portions of the at least one food item are positioned on an opposite side of the tray relative to the decorated portion.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the tray comprises a tray wall extending in a first plane.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the tray comprises a tray rim extending radially outwardly from the tray wall, and, when the container is in a closed state, the tray rim is configured to contact a base sealing wall of the base and a cover sealing wall of the cover.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the base comprises four corners, and a base corner tab is positioned at each of the four corners of the base.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the cover comprises four corners, and a cover corner tab is positioned at each of the four corners of the cover.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a wall between each base receptacle of the at least one base receptacle.

17. A method for using a container for holding a food item, the method comprising: providing a tray defining a tray opening; providing a base including a base receptacle, wherein an internal volume is defined within the base receptacle; providing a cover; providing a food item; positioning the food item in the internal volume; positioning the tray relative to the base such that the tray is in contact with the food item and such that the food item extends partially through the tray opening; and positioning the cover in a closed position relative to the tray and the base.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the tray opening defines a first cross-sectional size, the food item defines a second cross-sectional size, and the first cross-sectional size is smaller than the second cross-sectional size, thereby preventing the food item from moving fully through the tray opening when the container is in the closed state.

19. The container of claim 17, wherein the cover includes a first column, the first column contacts the tray when the cover is in a closed position to cause the tray to maintain contact with the food item, and the first column avoids direct contact with the food item when the cover is in a closed position.

20. The container of claim 17, wherein the food item comprises a decorated portion and an undecorated portion, and the tray contacts the undecorated portion of the food item when the cover is in a closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1A is a rear perspective view illustrating an example container, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0009] FIG. 1B is an enhanced perspective view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A where example corner tabs are shown that may be used to separate a cover of the container from a base of the container, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a rear view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a right side view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0018] FIG. 10 is a front, cross-sectional view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A where the engagement between the cover, the base, and a tray may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0019] FIG. 11 is a left side, cross-sectional view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A where the engagement between the cover, the base, and the tray may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0020] FIG. 12A is a perspective, cross-sectional view illustrating the container of FIG. 1A where the engagement between the cover, the base, and the tray may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0021] FIG. 12B is a perspective, cross-sectional view illustrating the container of FIG. 1 where the engagement between the tray and the food item may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the base and the tray of the container of FIG. 1A with the cover hidden so that the tray and food items may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0023] FIG. 14 is a rear view illustrating the base and the tray of the container of FIG. 1A with the cover hidden so that the tray and food items may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0024] FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating the base and the tray of the container of FIG. 1A with the cover hidden so that the tray and food items may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0025] FIG. 16 is a right side view illustrating the base and the tray of the container of FIG. 1A with the cover hidden so that the tray and food items may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0026] FIG. 17 is a top view illustrating the base and the tray of the container of FIG. 1A with the cover hidden so that the tray and food items may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0027] FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the cover of the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0028] FIG. 19 is a bottom view illustrating the cover of the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0029] FIG. 20 is a front, cross-sectional view illustrating the cover of the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0030] FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the base of the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0031] FIG. 22 is a top view illustrating the base of the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0032] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating the tray of the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0033] FIG. 24 is a top view illustrating the tray of the container of FIG. 1A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0034] FIG. 25 is an exploded view illustrating an example container including a low-profile tray, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0035] FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating the container of FIG. 25 with the cover hidden so that the low-profile tray and other components may be seen, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0036] FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating the low-profile tray of the container of FIG. 25, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0037] FIG. 28 is a top view illustrating the low-profile tray of the container of FIG. 25, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0038] FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example container where a cover is included without any columns, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0039] FIG. 29B is a bottom perspective view illustrating the cover of FIG. 29B, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0040] FIG. 30A is a top perspective view illustrating an example container having a base and a cover that are attached via a hinge, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0041] FIG. 30B is an enhanced, side-view illustrating the hinge of the container of FIG. 30A when the container is in a closed state, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0042] FIG. 30C is a perspective view illustrating the cover of FIG. 30A in an open state relative to the base, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0043] FIG. 30D is a side-view illustrating the hinge of the container of FIG. 30A, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0044] FIG. 30E is an enhanced, side-view illustrating the hinge of the container of FIG. 30A when the container is in an open state, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; and

[0045] FIG. 31 is a flow chart illustrating a method for using the containers described herein, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments are shown. Other than in the flow chart of FIG. 31, like reference numerals generally refer to like elements throughout. For example, reference number 106, 206 both refer to trays. Additionally, any connections or attachments may be direct or indirect connections or attachments unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0047] FIG. 1A is a rear perspective view illustrating an example container 100, and FIG. 1B is an enhanced perspective view illustrating the container 100 of FIG. 1A where example corner tabs 112, 122 are shown that may be used to separate a cover 102 of the container 100 from a base 104 of the container 100. The container 100 is illustrated in the bottom view of FIG. 2, the bottom perspective view of FIG. 3, the front perspective view of FIG. 4, the front view of FIG. 5, the rear view of FIG. 6, the right side view of FIG. 7, and the top view of FIG. 8. Additionally, an exploded view illustrating the container 100 is illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0048] The container 100 comprises a cover 102, a base 104, and a tray 106. The tray 106 is configured to be positioned between the base 104 and the cover 102. The container 100 has a front side 101A, a left side 101B, a rear side 101C, and a right side 101D.

[0049] The cover 102 is illustrated in isolation in the bottom perspective view of FIG. 18, the bottom view of FIG. 19, and the front, cross-sectional view of FIG. 20 taken about line A-A of FIG. 8. The cover 102 includes a body 103, cover sealing wall 108, a cover rim 110, a cover corner tab 112, and columns 118A, 118B.

[0050] The cover sealing wall 108 extends around the perimeter of the body 103, and the cover sealing wall 108 is configured to engage with a corresponding scaling wall within a base (e.g., base sealing wall 142) and/or a wall of a tray (e.g., the wall forming the tray rim 144). Through this engagement, the cover sealing wall 108 is configured to form a seal for the container 100 to protect food items within the container 100 from outside moisture, debris, particles, etc.

[0051] The cover rim 110 extends outwardly from the cover sealing wall 108, and the cover rim 110 extends around the cover sealing wall 108 for the entire cover 102. When the container 100 rests in an upright orientation, the cover rim 110 extends in a horizontal plane.

[0052] The container 100 also defines four corners positioned between each of the sides 101A-101D, and cover corner tabs 112 are positioned at each of the corners. The cover corner tabs 112 are each attached to the cover rim 110. The columns 118A, 118B of the cover 102 is described in greater detail in other portions of this disclosure.

[0053] The cover 102 also includes an upper front wall 114, and the base 104 includes a bottom front wall 128. These walls 114, 128 are present on the front side 101A of the container, but similar walls are not present on the left side 101B, the rear side 101C, and the right side 101D. Portions of the walls 114, 128 possess relatively flat and smooth surfaces, and these surfaces may be ideal locations for placement of labels with logos, nutritional information, or other information.

[0054] The base 104 is illustrated in isolation in the perspective view of FIG. 21 and in the top view of FIG. 22. The base 104 includes six base receptacles 126, and each of these base receptacles 126 defines an inner volume 146 configured to receive a food item 136. The food item 136 is a cupcake, but other types of food items may be received within the inner volumes 146. Each of the base receptacles 126 are separated from each other by a wall 150, with the wall 150 being configured to hold food items 136 in position and to prevent food items 136 from coming in contact with each other. Seven walls 150 are included in the base 104. However, in other embodiments, a different number of base receptacles 126 and walls 150 may be included in the base 104. Additionally, the shape and size of the base receptacles 126, the walls 150, and/or the inner volumes 146 may be different in other embodiments. The base 104 also includes support surfaces 148. The support surfaces 148 are positioned at central locations of the base 104, and the support surfaces 148 are positioned at a location where four of the walls 150 meet.

[0055] The base 104 also includes a base sealing wall 142 and a base rim 124. The base sealing wall 142 extends around the perimeter of the base 104, and the base sealing wall 142 is configured to engage with a corresponding sealing wall within the cover 102 (e.g., cover sealing wall 108) and/or a wall of the tray 106 (e.g., wall forming the tray rim 144). Through this engagement, the base sealing wall 142 is configured to form a seal for the container 100 to protect food items within the container 100 from outside moisture, debris, particles, etc. The base rim 124 extends outwardly from the base sealing wall 142, and the base rim 124 extends around the base sealing wall 142 for the entire base 104. When the container 100 rests in an upright orientation, the base rim 124 may generally extend in a horizontal plane. The base 104 also defines four corners positioned between each of the sides 101A-101D, and base corner tabs 122 are positioned at each of these corners. The base corner tabs 122 are each attached to the base rim 124. The base corner tabs 122 and the cover corner tabs 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 1B) may be used to assist in opening the container 100 and to disengage the base sealing wall 142 from the cover sealing wall 108. For example, a user may grip a base 104 at the base corner tab 122 and a cover 102 at cover corner tab 112, and the user may then separate the corner tabs 112, 122 to separate the cover 102 from the base 104 and to open the container 100.

[0056] Tray 106 is illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 23 and in the top view of FIG. 24. The tray 106 includes a tray wall 130, and six tray openings 138 are positioned on the tray wall 130. The tray openings 138 each possess the same size, and the tray openings 138 are evenly spaced apart from each other. The tray wall 130 also defines contact areas 140. These contact areas 140 are positioned at portions of the tray wall 130 that are positioned between four different tray openings 138. The contact areas 140 are described in greater detail in reference to other figures herein.

[0057] The tray 106 also includes a tray perimeter wall 156 and a tray rim 144. The tray perimeter wall 156 extends around the perimeter of the tray wall 130. When the tray 106 is oriented in an upright manner, the tray wall 130 extends in a horizontal plane, and the tray perimeter wall 156 extends upwardly (e.g., vertically or at an angle) from the tray wall 130. The tray rim 144 also extends around the perimeter of the tray perimeter wall 156. When the tray 106 is oriented in an upright manner, the tray rim 144 may generally extend in a horizontal plane. When the tray 106 is positioned between the cover 102 and the base 104 and the container 100 is closed, the tray rim 144 may be positioned between horizontally extending portions of the base sealing wall 142 and the cover sealing wall 108, and this may restrict movement of the tray 106. The inclusion of the tray rim 144 may also enable users to easily separate the tray 106 from the base 104 as the user may separate the tray rim 144 from the base 104 and may then pull the tray rim 144 to separate it from the base 104.

[0058] FIGS. 10, 11, and 12A allow the columns 118A, 118B of the cover 102 to be seen in greater detail. The container 100 is illustrated in a front, cross-sectional view taken about the line A-A (see FIG. 8) in FIG. 10, the left side, cross-sectional view taken about the line B-B (see FIG. 8) in FIG. 11, and the cross-sectional view taken about the line C-C (see FIG. 8) in FIG. 12A. When the container 100 is closed and oriented in an upright manner as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12A, the columns 118A, 118B extend downwardly from the body 103 of the cover 102, and the bottom walls 120A, 120B of the columns 118A, 118B are configured to come in contact with the contact areas 140 of the tray wall 130 to retain the tray wall 130 in place. As a result of the contact between the columns 118A, 118B and the contact areas 140 of the tray wall 130, the tray 106 is held in position so that the tray 106 does not move towards the cover 102. This may also prevent food items 136 within the base receptacles 126 from coming in contact with the cover 102, with the tray 106 engaging the food items 136 to restrict movement of the food items 136 relative to the cover 102. The bottom walls 120A, 120B refrain from coming in direct contact with the food items 136 at either the decorated portion 132 or the undecorated portion 134.

[0059] The container 100 is illustrated in perspective, cross-sectional view of FIG. 12B about the cross-section defined by line D-D (see FIG. 8), with FIG. 12B allowing engagement between a tray 106 and a food item 136 to be more easily be seen. The tray 106 includes different tray openings 138, and each of these tray openings 138 may define a diameter D1. However, in other embodiments, the tray openings 138 may have a non-circular shape. The top of the undecorated portion 134 of the food item 136 defines a diameter D2. However, in other embodiments, the food items 136 and the undecorated portion 134 thereof may possess a different shape. The diameter D1 may be made large enough to allow a decorated portion of the food item 136 to extend through the tray opening 138. However, the diameter D1 may be made smaller than the diameter D2. As a result, positioning the tray 106 above the undecorated portion 134 of the food item 136 may restrict movement of the food item 136. As the container 100 is moved around, the tray 106 may restrict movement of the food item 136 to prevent the decorated portion 132 and other portions of the food item 136 from experiencing any significant damage.

[0060] The tray 106 may be retained in its position due to its engagement with the cover 102 and the base 104. The tray rim 144 may be positioned between the cover sealing wall 108 and the base sealing wall 142 so that movement of the tray rim 144 and the remainder of the tray 106 is restricted. The tray 106 may prevent food items 136 from moving towards the cover 102, and tray 106 may also tend to prevent lateral movement of the food items 136 in conjunction with the walls that form the base receptacles 126.

[0061] In FIGS. 13-17, the cover 102 is hidden so that features of the base 104, the tray 106, and the food items 136 may be seen. The base 104, the tray 106, and the food items 136 are each illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 13, the rear view of FIG. 14, the front view of FIG. 15, the right side view of FIG. 16, and the top view of FIG. 17.

[0062] While only one food item 136 is illustrated in FIG. 12B, a food item 136 is positioned in each of the inner volumes 146 of the six base receptacles 126 in FIG. 13. Similar to what is shown in FIG. 12B, the decorated portion 132 of the food items 136 are allowed to extend upwardly through the tray openings 138, with the decorated portions 132 being positioned within an area smaller than the area defined by the tray opening 138. However, the undecorated portion 134 of the food items 136 are larger in size and diameter than the tray openings 138, so the undecorated portion 134 of the food items 136 are restricted underneath the tray 106. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the placement of the base receptacles 126 and the tray openings 138 may keep the food items 136 separated from each other. By preventing the food items 136 from contacting each other, the food items 136 may be protected from damage.

[0063] In some embodiments, a low-profile tray may be used. FIG. 25 is an exploded view illustrating an example container 200 including a low-profile tray 206 instead of a tray 106. FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating the base 104 and the tray 206 of the container 200 of FIG. 25 with a food item 136 received within an inner volume 146 of a base receptacle 126 within the base 104 and with the food item 136 extending upwardly through a tray opening 238 in the tray 206. Additionally, the tray 206 is illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 27 and in the top view of FIG. 28.

[0064] The container 200 has a front side 201A, a left side 201B, a rear side 201C, and a right side 201D similar to the container 100. The container 200 includes a cover 102, a tray 206, and a base 104. The cover 102 and the base 104 of the container 200 are identical to the cover 102 and base 104 used in the container 100.

[0065] The tray 206 includes a tray wall 230, and six tray openings 238 are positioned on the tray wall 230. The tray openings 238 each possess the same size, and the tray openings 238 are evenly spaced apart from each other. The tray wall 230 also defines contact areas 240. These contact areas 240 are positioned at portions of the tray wall 230 that are surrounded by four different tray openings 238. The contact areas 240 are described in greater detail in reference to other figures herein. The tray openings 238 may possess sizes and positions on the tray wall 230 that are similar to the sizes and positions of tray openings 138 on the tray wall 130.

[0066] Food item 136 may have a larger diameter or size at the top of the undecorated portion 134 relative to the diameter or size of the tray openings 238. As a result, positioning the tray 106 above the undecorated portion 134 of the food item 136 may restrict movement of the food item 136. However, the diameter D1 may be made large enough to allow a decorated portion of the food item 136 to extend through the tray opening 238. As the container 200 is moved around, the tray 206 may restrict movement of the food item 136 to prevent the decorated portion 132 and other portions of the food item 136 from experiencing any significant damage.

[0067] The low-profile tray 206 may be used as an alternative to the tray 106. Where the tray 206 is used with the cover 102, the contact areas 240 of the tray wall 230 may be configured to be contacted by the columns 118A, 118B to retain the tray wall 230 in place. As a result of the contact between the columns 118A, 118B and the contact areas 240 of the tray wall 230, the tray 206 is held in position so that the tray 206 does not move towards the cover 102. This may also prevent food items 136 within the inner volumes 146 of the base receptacles 126 from coming in contact with the cover 102, with the tray 106 engaging the food items 136 to restrict movement of the food items 136 relative to the cover 102. The bottom walls 120A, 120B of the columns 118A, 118B refrain from coming in direct contact with the food items 136 at either the decorated portion 132 or the undecorated portion 134.

[0068] An example container 300 where a cover 302 is included without any columns is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 29A and in the bottom perspective view of FIG. 29B. The container 300 is generally similar to the container 100. The container 300 extends from a left side 301B to a right side 301D. The container 300 includes a cover 302, a base 304, and a tray 306. The cover 302 includes a body 303, cover corner tabs 312, and a cover sealing wall 308, and these features are similar to the body 103, the cover corner tabs 112, and the cover scaling wall 108 of the cover 102. The base 304 includes base corner tabs 322, base receptacles 326, and base sealing walls 342, and these features are generally similar to the base corner tabs 122, base receptacles 126, and base scaling walls 142 of the base 104. The tray 306 includes a tray wall 330 that defines tray openings therein, and the tray 306 includes a tray rim 344. These features are generally similar to the tray wall 130, the tray openings 138, and the tray rim 144 of the tray 106. A food item 336 is also illustrated in FIG. 29A, with the food item 336 being received within a base receptacle 326 within the base 304. The food item 336 includes a decorated portion 332 and an undecorated portion 334, and the food item 336, the decorated portion 332, and the undecorated portion 334 are similar to the food item 136 and the decorated portion 132 and undecorated portion 134 of the food item 136.

[0069] While the container 100 includes columns 118A, 118B that extend downwardly from the body 103 of the cover 102, the container 300 includes a cover 302 having a body 303 without any columns. Even though the container 300 does not include any columns, the tray 306 is still held in position so that the tray 306 generally does not move towards the cover 302 when the container 300 is in a closed state. The tray 306 comprises a tray rim 344, and this tray rim 344 is positioned between the base sealing wall 342 and the cover sealing wall 308 when the container 300 is in a closed state, thereby restraining movement of the tray rim 344 relative to the cover 302 and the base 304. Restraining movement of the tray rim 344 relative to the cover 302 and the base 304 may generally restrain movement of the tray 306 as a whole, thereby preventing the food item 336 within the base receptacle 326 from coming in contact with the cover 302. The tray 306 may engage the food item 336 to restrict movement of the food item 336 relative to the cover 302.

[0070] While the tray 306 and other trays described in various embodiments are not integrally attached to the cover 302, trays and covers may be integrally attached together in other embodiments. Where the cover and the tray are integrally attached together, this may increase the case of use for users as users may not be required to position any tray before moving the cover to a closed position.

[0071] In some embodiments, a container may be provided with a base and a cover that are attached via a hinge. An example container 475 having a base 404 and a cover 402 that are attached via a hinge 452 is illustrated in the top perspective view of FIG. 30A. The hinge 452 is illustrated in a closed state in the enhanced, side-view of FIG. 30B. The cover is illustrated in an opened state relative to the base 404 in the perspective view of FIG. 30C and in the side-view of FIG. 30D. The hinge 452 of the container 475 is illustrated in the enhanced, side-view of FIG. 30E when the container 475 is in an open state.

[0072] The container 475 is generally similar to the container 100. A tray may be included as part of the container 475 in some embodiments, but the tray is hidden from the various views of the container 475 so that other features may be seen. Looking first at FIG. 30A, the container 475 has a front side 401A, a left side 401B, a rear side 401C, and a right side 401D. The container 475 includes a cover 402, a base 404, and a tray (not shown), and the cover 402 and the base 404 are attached together via a hinge 452. The cover 402 includes a body 403, with two columns 418A, 418B. When the container 475 is closed and oriented in an upright manner as illustrated in FIG. 30, the columns 418A, 418B extend downwardly from the body 403 of the cover 402 and may come in contact with the tray. The cover 402 also includes a cover sealing wall 408, a cover rim 410, cover corner tabs 412, and a front wall 414. The cover sealing wall 408, the cover rim 410, the cover corner tabs 412, and the front wall 414 are each similar to the cover scaling wall 108, the cover rim 110, the cover corner tabs 112, and the front wall 114 of the cover 102. However, in the cover 402, cover corner tabs 412 are positioned only at a first corner between the front side 401A and the right side 401D of the container 475 and at a second corner between the front side 401A and the left side 401B of the container 475. The base 404 comprises base corner tabs 422, a base rim 424, and base receptacles 426. The base corner tabs 422, the base rim 424, and the base receptacles 426 are each generally similar to the base corner tabs 122, the base rim 124, and the base receptacles 126 in the base 104. However, in the base 404, base corner tabs 422 are positioned only at a first corner between the front side 401A and the right side 401D of the container 475 and at a second corner between the front side 401A and the left side 401B of the container 475.

[0073] The hinge 452 of the container 475 may be seen in greater detail in the enhanced, side-view of FIG. 30B. The hinge 452 comprises several segments, including a first segment 452A, a second segment 452B, a third segment 452C, a fourth segment 452D, a fifth segment 452E, a sixth segment 452F, and a seventh segment 452G. The first segment of the hinge 452 is connected to the base rim 424 of the base 404, and the seventh segment 452G of the hinge 452 is connected to the cover rim 410 of the cover 402. Remaining segments 452B-452F are connected directly or indirectly to the segments 452A, 452G, and some or all of the segments 452A-452G may experience bending as the hinge 452 transitions from an opened state to a closed state and vice versa. While the segments 452A-452G and the hinge 452 are illustrated as having a particular shape in the figures, the segments 452A-452G and the hinge 452 may possess different shapes in other embodiments. For example, certain segments may have a rounded shape or a different thickness. In other embodiments, a different number of segments may be included in a hinge.

[0074] Additionally, methods of using containers that restrict the movement of food items are also contemplated. One example method 500 is illustrated in FIG. 31. At operation 502, a tray, a base, a cover, and food item(s) are provided. These components may be similar to a respective tray, base, cover, and food items described herein.

[0075] At operation 504, one or more food items may be positioned in one or more of the base receptacles within the base.

[0076] At operation 506, the tray may be positioned relative to the base. The tray may be positioned above the food item(s) and other portions of the base so that a portion of the food item(s) positioned in the base receptacles are allowed to extend through tray opening(s) in the tray. However, as described herein, the tray openings may be smaller than undecorated portions of food items. Thus, a tray wall of the tray may come in contact with the undecorated portions of the food items, and this may restrict the movement of the food items without causing damage to the food items.

[0077] At operation 508, the cover may be positioned in a closed position relative to the tray and the base. In this closed position, cover scaling walls of the cover may engage with the base sealing walls and/or the tray rim. When the cover is positioned in the closed position relative to the tray and the base, the bottom wall of the column in the cover may engage with a contact portion on a tray wall of the tray. This engagement may prevent the tray from shifting towards the cover. Additionally, because the tray wall remains in contact with the food items, the food items may be prevented from moving vertically towards the cover. By having the tray wall remain in contact with the food items, the walls that form the base receptacles 126 may remain in contact with the food items to generally restrict horizontal movement of the food items. As such, the food items may be carried without being damaged, and any decorated portions of food items may be protected.

[0078] Additionally, the cover sealing walls and the base sealing walls may engage each other to form an effective seal around the perimeter of the container, and these sealing walls may engage the tray rim to help to retain the tray in position. However, in some embodiments where a low-profile tray is used, the cover sealing walls of the cover may only engage the base sealing walls of the base, and the columns of the cover may be relied upon to hold the tray in position.

[0079] The method 500 of FIG. 31 is merely exemplary, and the method 500 may be modified in various ways. For example, the operations may be performed in different orders, and some of the operations may be performed simultaneously. Some of the operations from the method 500 may be omitted in some embodiments, and additional operations may be added in other embodiments.

CONCLUSION

[0080] Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.