Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Compartmented
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-02
2001-04-10
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Compartmented
C229S917000, C229S904000, C229S136000, C493S331000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213389
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Take-out carriers or meal trays for the accommodation of multiple separate foodstuffs are commonly used in fast food restaurants, cafeterias and the like.
Such carriers are basically of a rectangular configuration with a large open compartment for the main foodstuff such as hamburgers, chicken pieces, and the like, and one or more secondary compartments with top panels having openings defined therein for receiving smaller containers for drinks, french fries and like foodstuffs.
These carriers are conventionally formed of folded paperboard or like sheet material, and unless preassembled at the point of manufacture, must be assembled or erected at the point of sale, either by the server or the customer. Heretofore, this has involved a rather elaborate manipulation or series of manipulations to align specifically provided locking tabs with a series of companion openings or slots, and an engagement of the tabs through the slots. As this is being done, the basic “box” portion of the carrier must be maintained to allow for substantially simultaneous engagement of the tabs. There is also the possibility of the tabs disengaging as the carrier is handled, particularly during use. While the procedures involved in erecting carriers with locking tabs appears quite straightforward, some degree of skill is involved in both properly aligning all of the involved tabs and ensuring that each tab is firmly and correctly inserted through the appropriate slot. If this is done by the serving establishment, it will probably be done innumerable times in a relatively short period of time, again requiring the exercise of a degree of skill by the serving personnel. If the tray is to be erected by the customer, as in a cafeteria environment, a lack of familiarity with the steps of aligning and engaging the tabs with the slots could be a problem.
Multiple compartment meal trays have also been proposed wherein adhesives have been used. However in such cases substantial assembly prior to shipping is involved, and relatively extensive modifications are required in the manufacturing procedures as compared to the basic tab and slot construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The take-out carrier of the present invention, while retaining the basic configuration and appearance of the conventional carrier or carriers with locking tab and slot assembly, substantially improves thereon in several aspects, including simplified manufacturing procedures, and an assembly procedure which is trouble-free and insures a proper erection of the carrier in a fool-proof manner even by unskilled personnel. The erected carrier, that is the carrier in its usable configuration, cannot inadvertently collapse, has no projecting tabs as might be accidently disengaged, and, when erected, provides substantially greater strength and stability.
These particular advantages are achieved with only very minor modifications in the conventional manufacturing equipment, and in fact utilize manufacturing techniques which are in some instances simplified. Manufacture of the carriers of the invention will involve only conventional equipment currently in use, while at the same time producing the superior product of the invention.
The carrier or carriers of the invention, as in the conventional carriers, include at least two compartments formed in a tray by one or more transverse partition walls folded downward from a top panel at an intermediate point along the length of the tray. The partition includes a laterally directed edge flange. In the conventional carton, the edge flange will have outwardly directed end tabs receivable within slots in the opposed side walls of the tray. Such an attachment means is rather difficult to engage, is not particularly secure, and does not provide for a positive seal along the base of the partition wall.
In the construction of the invention, the end tabs are eliminated and the undersurface of the partition wall flange is provided with a cold seal or cohesive coating along the full length thereof. Such a coating remains dry and non-sticking when touching any surface other than a similar cohesive coating. When touching a similar coating, there will be an immediate bonding therebetween which can be enhanced by a little finger pressure on the overlying portions. A similar coating is provided transversely across the upper surface of the bottom panel of the tray at a point corresponding to the desired upright position of the partition wall. Thus, in order to complete the erection of the carton of the invention, one need merely downwardly fold the partition wall until the edge flange thereof, with the cohesive coating thereon, engages the cohesive coating on the bottom panel, at which point a bonding is effected and a proper orientation of the partition wall is automatically achieved. The full length engagement of the coated flange and bottom panel effects a positive seal between the compartments to avoid any leakage therebetween and provides enhanced strength to the overall carton or carrier, and at the same time avoids any possibility of accidental disassembly. These factors are particularly significant in view of the relatively lightweight nature of the carrier and the relatively heavy products to be carried therein.
Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description.
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patent: 5890648 (1999-04-01), Cai
Dennison, Scheiner Schultz & Wakeman
Dopaco, Inc.
Mai Tri M.
Shoap Allan N.
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