Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Including a polygonal – nonrectangular wall
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-19
2001-10-09
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Including a polygonal, nonrectangular wall
C229S125280, C229S902000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299059
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
In the fast food industry, trays having tapered sides are recurring packaging shapes. Also sometimes termed boats, they are widely used in the industry. They frequently hold uncovered food products and there is generally no provision made for covering the tray. However, it is not uncommon to find this type of package having an integral tuck top lid for a cover. Often, a second boat or tray is turned upside down and used as a cover for the base or lower tray which holds the food product. A variety of mechanical locks and other means has been developed to unite the base tray and lid or upper tray, thereby locking them together for delivery of the food item.
It is a general requirement of the industry that any packaging for fast food delivery be simple and easy to use so as to make speedy the meal service.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A two piece container includes a mechanical locking tab and groove or notch arrangement that enables the rapid joining of two tapered trays each having upstanding side walls. Each tray is of triangular shape suitable for packaging a slice of pizza. The purpose of the tray and locking construction is to quickly and effectively join two tray halves thereby forming a fast food package. In general, the walls which are joined by the locks are tray side walls which extend from parallel top and bottom tray central sections. The upper tray telescopes onto the lower tray, with the side walls of the two trays being in at least partial surface to surface contact. The upper or cover tray sidewalls carry over center toggle tabs which are manually pushed down to engage certain slanting edges of respective notches on the lower tray sidewalls.
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Elkins Gary E.
International Paper Co.
Nicastri Christopher
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