DESC:
FIELD
The present invention relates to food article packaging methods used while the food articles are being transported, and more particularly to a container with lids.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Door-to-door food delivery is on the rise in urban areas all over the world. This trend coincides with increasing awareness about environmental impact of plastic bags for packaging. Whether in the presence of regulations or otherwise, eco-friendly food packaging options are highly sought after by restaurants. An aluminium foil container with a cardboard lid is the most widely used food packaging means around.
Food articles delivered using aluminium containers may be solid or may even contain liquids, and in most cases packed hot. After placing or pouring food inside the container, the lid is placed on top, followed by crimping the edges of the container over and around the edges of the lid. However, this arrangement is prone to the food articles getting leaked out of the container. This is due to error in manually crimping the edges of the container which varies from person to person, and may be imperfectly done if performed in a jiffy. Also, such an arrangement requires two different components – a container and a lid which also adds to the manufacturing cost.
Hence, a food packaging container is sought, which ameliorates the aforementioned shortcomings as well as fulfils the aforementioned requirements.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment satisfies, are as follows:
A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a container with a lid.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a container with a lid, which can be closed easily.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a container with a lid, which is leak-proof.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a container with a lid, which is economical.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present invention envisages a container for transporting food articles, the container formed by folding a single planar card-board blank along demarcated fold lines on the blank. The single planar card-board comprises a reflective food-compatible operative inner surface and a printable operative outer surface. The single planar card-board blank is configured to be deformed into a housing member having a compartment for storing the food article, a cover member for covering the compartment of the housing member and a lid member for securing the cover member to the housing member.
The blank is folded into a housing section, a cover section, a lid section, a first bridging section and a second bridging section folded along the demarcated fold lines.
The housing member further comprises longitudinal walls defined by folding the blank along longitudinal wall fold lines in one direction. The longitudinal wall fold lines are parallel and spaced apart from each other.
The housing member further comprises lateral walls defined by folding the blank along lateral wall fold lines in the direction of the longitudinal walls. The lateral wall fold lines are parallel and spaced apart from each other.
The cover member is defined by folding one of the longitudinal walls along a cover member fold line.
The lid member is defined by folding the other of the longitudinal walls along a lid member fold line.
A lifting tab is defined by folding the lid member along the lid member fold line.
The container which is defined by folding one of the lateral walls along a first tongue fold line. Similarly, a second tongue is defined by folding the other of the lateral walls along a second tongue fold line.
The container further includes a plurality corners is defined by folding one of the lateral walls along a corner first fold line and one of the longitudinal walls along a corner second fold line.
The plurality of corners is folded along the corner second fold line in the direction of either the first tongue or the second tongue.
The first tongue is tucked inside the corners of one of the lateral walls and the second tongue is tucked inside the corners of the other of the lateral walls. The first tongue is demarcated with a first tucking line and a second tucking line and the second tongue is demarcated with a first tucking line and a second tucking line.
The container includes cover edge fold lines that are demarcated on the covering member to receive the covering member into the housing member. The lid edge fold lines are demarcated on the lid member to receive the lid member into the housing member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
Figure 1 shows a plan view of a paper blank of the container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 shows a plan view of a paper blank of the container of Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates a first step of folding the blank of Fig 2;
Figure 5 illustrates a second step of folding the blank of Fig 2;
Figure 6 illustrates a third step of folding the blank of Fig 2;
Figure 7 illustrates a fourth step of folding the blank of Fig 2;
Figure 8 illustrates a fifth step of folding the blank of Fig 2;
Figure 9 illustrates a top view of the container in an open configuration obtained by folding the blank of Fig 2; and
Figure 10 illustrates the container of Fig 1 with cover member closed.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1000 A container of the present disclosure
100 A blank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
100a Operative inner surface of blank
100b Operative outer surface of blank
C Cover section
L Lid section
H Housing section
F Fold lines
B1 First bridging section
B2 second bridging section
1 Housing member
2a Longitudinal walls
2b Lateral walls
3a cover member
3b lid member
3c Lifting tab
4 Corners
5a First tongue
5b Second tongue
6 cover end wall
7 lid end wall
10a Corner first fold lines
10b Corner second fold lines
12a Longitudinal wall fold lines
12b Lateral wall fold lines
14a first tongue fold line
14b second tongue fold line
16a first tucking line
16b second tucking line
18a cover member fold line
18b lid member fold line
20 Lifting tab fold line
22a Cover edge fold line
22b Lid edge fold line
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or ‘coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Conventional food delivery containers are made of aluminium foil. Such containers need separate lids made of cardboard. Edges of the container need to be folded around and over the edges of the lid to complete the packaging of the food stored inside and ensure leak-proofing. Since the quality of the crimping varies with human skill, this conventional container does not guarantee leak-proofing. Also, the need of two different components adds to the manufacturing cost.
The present disclosure envisages a container 1000 of Figure 1, preferably made of paper/cardboard, which resolves the above issues. Figure 1 shows first embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 1000 is partitioned into a housing section H, a cover section C, a lid section L, a first bridging section B1 and a second bridging section B2 folded along the demarcated fold lines F.
Figures 2 and 3 show the second embodiment of the present disclosure, with the container 1000 formed by folding a single paper/cardboard blank 100. The container 1000 is provided with a cover member 3a and a lid member 3b. The container 1000 also comprises of a housing member 1. The container being made of a single paper/cardboard blank 100 provides requires less material for construction as well as is economical. The second embodiment being similar to the first embodiment, a housing member 1 corresponds to the housing section H of the first embodiment, a cover member 3a of the second embodiment corresponds to the cover section C of the first embodiment, a lid member 3b corresponds to the lid section L of the first embodiment. A first tongue fold line 14a corresponds to first bridging section B1 of the first embodiment, a second tongue fold line 14b corresponds to the second bridging section B2 of the first embodiment. The demarcated fold lines F include corner first fold lines 10a, corner second fold lines 10b, longitudinal wall fold lines 12a, lateral wall fold lines 12b, first tongue fold line 14a, second tongue fold line 14b, cover member fold line 18a, lid member fold line 18b, lifting tab fold line 20, first lid edge fold line 22a and second lid edge fold line 22b. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment as described above with the only distinction being the absence of second tucking line 16b on each of the first tongue 5a and the second tongue 5b. This imparts simplicity to the design of the container 1000, as well as facilitates further cost reduction.
The housing member 1 further comprises longitudinal walls 2a defined by folding said blank 100 along longitudinal wall fold lines 12a in one direction. The longitudinal wall fold lines 12a are parallel and spaced apart from each other. The housing member further comprises lateral walls 2b defined by folding said blank 100 along lateral wall fold lines 12b in the direction of said longitudinal walls 2a. The lateral wall fold lines 12b are parallel and spaced apart from each other. The cover member 3a is defined by folding one of said longitudinal walls 2a along a cover member fold line 18a. The lid member 3b is defined by folding the other of said longitudinal walls 2a along a lid member fold line 18b. The lifting tab 3c is provided on said lid member 3b. The first tongue 5a is defined by folding one of said lateral walls 2b along a first tongue fold line 14a. The second tongue 5b is defined by folding the other of said lateral walls 2b along a second tongue fold line 14b.
The container 1000 includes a plurality of corners 4 defined by folding one of said lateral walls 2b along a corner first fold line 10a and one of said longitudinal walls 2a along a corner second fold line 10b. The plurality of corners 4 are folded along said corner second fold line 10b in the direction of either said first tongue 5a or said second tongue 5b. The first tongue 5a is tucked inside said corners 4 of one of said lateral walls 2b. Similarly, the second tongue 5b is tucked inside said corners 4 of the other of said lateral walls 2b. The first tongue 5a is demarcated with a first tucking line 16a and a second tucking line 16b. Similarly, the second tongue 5b is demarcated with a first tucking line 16a and a second tucking line 16b. The container 1000 further includes cover edge fold lines 22a demarcated on said covering member 3a to receive said covering member 3a into said housing member 1. The container 1000 further includes lid edge fold lines 22b that are demarcated on said lid member 3b to receive said lid member 3b into said housing member 1.
The steps of folding the blank 100 of the first embodiment to form a container 1000 are illustrated through Figures 4 to 9. Figure 10 shows the cover member 3a folded in closed configuration. Figure 1 shows the lid member 3b folded in closed configuration over the cover member 3a.
As illustrated in Figure 4, each of corners 4 is folded along its corner first fold line 10a which passes through a diagonal of the rectangular housing member 1 of the container 1000. By keeping a corner first fold line 10a on the outer side, each of the folded corners 4 are formed while at the same time, longitudinal walls 2a and lateral walls 2b get folded upwards perpendicular to the surface of the housing member 1 along respective longitudinal wall fold lines 12a and lateral wall fold lines 12b.
Each of the folded corners 4 is then folded along corner second fold lines 10b towards the lateral walls 2b to which a first tongue 5a and a second tongue 5b are attached. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, each of the folded corners 4 are folded towards the lateral walls 2b.
Thereafter, the first tongue 5a is folded outwards along the first tongue fold line 14a such that it covers the already folded corners 4 on one of the lateral walls. The first tongue 5a is then tucked inside the corners 4 that remain folded as illustrated in Figure 6. Similarly, the second tongue 5b is folded outwards along the second tongue fold line 14b such that it covers the already folded corners 4 of the other lateral wall, subsequent to which the second tongue 5b is then tucked inside the corners 4 that remain folded as illustrated in Figure 6.
To complete the locking arrangement, firstly, the first tongue 5a is folded inwards along a first tucking line 16a, as illustrated in Figure 7, and secondly, along second tucking line 16b, as illustrated in Figure 8. Similarly, the second tongue 5b is folded inwards along a first tucking line 16a, as illustrated in Figure 7, and secondly, along second tucking line 16b, as illustrated in Figure 8. The first tongue 5a is inserted between corresponding corners 4 and the adjoining lateral walls 2b. Similarly, the second tongue 5b is inserted between corresponding corners 4 and the adjoining lateral walls 2b. This step gives a container 1000 in an open and ready-to-fill configuration, as illustrated in Figure 9.
After filling food articles inside the compartment of the container 1000, the cover member 3a is folded along a cover member fold line 18a inwards while the cover member 3a has been folded along respective cover edge fold lines 22a. The cover member end walls 6 are then inserted into the compartment of the container 1000 until the edges of the cover member 3a are aligned with respective longitudinal edge fold lines 12a. This ensures covering the compartment of the container 1000, as illustrated in Figure 10.
Similarly, the lid member 3b is folded along a lid member fold line 18b inwards while the lid member 3b has been folded along respective lid edge fold lines 22b. the lid member end walls 6 are then inserted into the compartment of the container 1000 until the edges of the lid member 3b are aligned with respective longitudinal edge fold lines 12b.
The lid member 3b is provided with a lifting tab 3c for holding and lifting the lid member 3b for opening and accessing the covering member 3a. The covering member 3a can be opened by holding and lifting one of the covering member end walls 6 to access the food articles stored inside the compartment of the container 1000. This arrangement facilitates receiving the covering member 3a to receive the lid member 3b from the top side, thereby providing a leak-proof solution to transport food articles therein.
According to an embodiment, the inner side of the blank 100 is coated with a wet-proof, reflective sheet of paper, also known as ‘mirror sheet’. The mirror sheet layer prevents the box from absorbing any moisture from the food material stored inside. Also, the reflective mirror sheet layer reflects thermal radiation back into the food thereby retaining heat within the food for a longer period of time.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a container with a lid which:
• eliminates the requirement of a separate lid;
• can be closed easily;
• is leak-proof; and
• is economical.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:
WE CLAIM:
1. A container (1000) for transporting food articles, said container (1000) being formed by folding a single planar card-board blank (100) along demarcated fold lines (F) on said blank (100), said single planar card-board blank (100) comprising a reflective food-compatible operative inner surface (100a) and a printable operative outer surface (100b), said single planar card-board blank (100) configured to be deformed into a housing member (1) having a compartment for storing said food article, a cover member (3a) for covering said compartment of said housing member (1) and a lid member (3b) for securing said cover member (3a) to said housing member (1).
2. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said blank (100) is folded into a housing section (H), a cover section (C), a lid section (L), a first bridging section (B1) and a second bridging section (B2) folded along said demarcated fold lines (F).
3. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing member (1) further comprises longitudinal walls (2a) defined by folding said blank (100) along longitudinal wall fold lines (12a) in one direction.
4. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said longitudinal wall fold lines (12a) are parallel and spaced apart from each other.
5. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing member further comprises lateral walls (2b) defined by folding said blank (100) along lateral wall fold lines (12b) in the direction of said longitudinal walls (2a).
6. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said lateral wall fold lines (12b) are parallel and spaced apart from each other.
7. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover member (3a) is defined by folding one of said longitudinal walls (2a) along a cover member fold line (18a).
8. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said lid member (3b) is defined by folding the other of said longitudinal walls (2a) along a lid member fold line (18b).
9. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lifting tab (3c) is provided on said lid member (3b).
10. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first tongue (5a) is defined by folding one of said lateral walls (2b) along a first tongue fold line (14a).
11. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 10, wherein a second tongue (5b) is defined by folding the other of said lateral walls (2b) along a second tongue fold line (14b).
12. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of a plurality of corners (4) is defined by folding one of said lateral walls (2b) along a corner first fold line (10a) and one of said longitudinal walls (2a) along a corner second fold line (10b).
13. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of corners (4) are folded along said corner second fold line (10b) in the direction of either said first tongue (5a) or said second tongue (5b).
14. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first tongue (5a) is tucked inside said corners (4) of one of said lateral walls (2b).
15. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said second tongue (5b) is tucked inside said corners (4) of the other of said lateral walls (2b).
16. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first tongue (5a) is demarcated with a first tucking line (16a) and a second tucking line (16b).
17. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second tongue (5b) is demarcated with a first tucking line (16a) and a second tucking line (16b).
18. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein cover edge fold lines (22a) are demarcated on said covering member (3a) to receive said covering member (3a) into said housing member (1).
19. The container (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein lid edge fold lines (22b) are demarcated on said lid member (3b) to receive said lid member (3b) into said housing member (1).
Dated this 22nd day of October, 2019

MOHAN DEWAN
of R.K. DEWAN & COMPANY
IN/PA-25
APPLICANT’S PATENT ATTORNEY
TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT MUMBAI