Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Including a sector-shaped wall
Patent
1997-02-18
1999-01-19
Elkins, Gary E.
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Including a sector-shaped wall
229938, 22911724, B65D 500
Patent
active
058605878
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to packaging which can be utilised as a food holder and in particular which can be used with such items such as hamburgers, steak sandwiches, sandwiches, hot dogs and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, various forms of packaging have been proposed for use with food items of the form referred to above and examples of such packaging are disclosed in British patent specification 979302, U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,054 and Australian patent specifications AU-A-39049/89, AU-A-89900/91 and AU-A-89269/91.
A common difficulty with food items of the form described above relates to spillage that occurs while they are being consumed. It is a common occurrence that as one eats the item from one side, the contents and/or sauces or condiments within the food item spill from the other sides. This creates provides a significant disadvantage in the marketing of such products where the customers are concerned about the state of their clothing after they have consumed such a food item. It is highly desirable property of packaging which is utilised with food items of the type referred to above, that the packaging be capable of accommodating the spillage of any materials from the food item, such as sauce or condiments, and that the packaging limits the loss of contents from the food item during its consumption whereby on completion of the food item, the packaging can be disposed of together with any spillage that has occurred.
A further difficulty with food items of the form referred to above relates to the production of those items and after their production, the transferral to the packaging in which they are to be delivered to the customer. It is usual practice that the food item is assembled on a bench and on its completion is then transferred to the packaging either immediately or at the time of delivery to the customer. This method of assembly creates significant difficulties particularly where the contents between the two outer layers is bulky. It is common that during the assembly of the food item, considerable spillage can occur onto the bench surrounding the area in which it is being assembled and that on transferral of the completed food item into the packaging or to the point of delivery, further loss of contents can occur. This detracts from the need to maintain a clean environment in food preparation areas. In addition, there is the overriding requirement that during the assembly of the food items, there be minimal contact by the personnel involved to reduce the likelihood of contamination of the contents. It is highly desirable that the amount of contact with the contents being introduced into the food item and that the food item itself, be minimised.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide packaging for a food item which assists in overcoming some of the difficulties referred to above.
Throughout the specification, the term food item shall be taken to include a burger, steak sandwich, sandwich, hot dog or the like item.
Accordingly, the invention resides in a packaging for accommodating a food item comprising a lower panel and an upper panel which are supported to be spaced apart to provide a space which is intended to support the food item, a side wall element between the upper and lower panel to substantially surround the space and having at least a portion which is capable of being moved across the space from one side of the space to the opposite side of the space, said side wall at said other side being open or capable of being opened to permit the movement of the food item from the other side with movement of said portion of the side wall, said upper panel being removable to provide access to the space.
According to a preferred feature of the feature, said side wall at said opposite side comprises at least one further portion capable of being folded outwardly from said opposite side to open said side wall.
According to a further preferred feature, an outer portion of the upper and lower panel in the region of the oppo
REFERENCES:
patent: 1844066 (1932-02-01), Hughes
patent: 3355082 (1967-11-01), Wood
patent: 4189054 (1980-02-01), Liu et al.
patent: 5181649 (1993-01-01), Frost
patent: 5507579 (1996-04-01), Sorenson
Elkins Gary E.
Mai Tri M.
Orphean Nominees Pty Ltd.
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