GB2450354A

GB2450354A - A Food Container with an integral napkin

Info

Publication number: GB2450354A
Application number: GB0711941A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Hardy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-20
Filing date: 2007-06-20
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: GB0711941D0

Abstract

A food container (10) with a lid (14) providing an integrated napkin for collecting spillage when eating. The lid (14) is hinged (18) to the rear main surface (52) of the food container and in the opened position provides a napkin or tray for collecting crumbs, fluid and the like when eating. In a preferred embodiment the lid (14) is folded and can be extended and widened by unfolding these sections.

Description

Improvements in or relating to Food Containers

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the consumption of food and in particular to snacks. More particularly the present invention relates to the provision of a food container which can assist in when food needs to be eaten when a person is not at table or an otherwise convenient position to devour the food.

Background to the invention

Eating and drinking on one's way to work in the morning, in one's car while travelling has become ever more popular, as people continually seek ways to save time while performing various tasks necessary to daily life. Many commuters, busy mums and professionals at work will often skip a meal at work or home and stop at a fast food outlet on their way to a destination. This is equally true whether the person is o commuting in a train, bus or automobile.

The use of convenience stores, fast food outlets, and other establishments for lunch meals and evening meals by commuters and others with busy schedules, is becoming increasingly common in today's culture. Buses and trains will often have cup-holders and trays to support drinks and food items; automobile manufacturers have come to realize the popularity of eating and drinking while driving, and accordingly virtually all cars manufactured today are available with cup holders and the like to assist the motorist During the wait for the express train; in the crush to obtain a seat in the tube and during movement of the vehicle; the emergency braking being performed by the driver, spillage of food and drink while the vehicle is in motion is an expected, if undesirable, by-product of this lifestyle. Spillage of food or drink in the interior of the vehicle is bad enough, but perhaps worse is the possibility of spillage on one's clothing during such a commute to work, with the resulting need to wear stained or soiled clothing for the entire workday -or worse still just before meeting that next big client. Depending upon the nature of the clothing, it may require dry cleaning rather than home laundering, which costs can easily exceed the cost of the meal purchased.

Small children will often be seen wearing bibs and small aprons to protect their garments, but these are not acceptable for adults; napkins may absorb liquids, to a certain extent, but are not necessarily as useful as one would wish. Certainly, more often then not, crumbs and the like are displaced downwardly, where trousers, skirts and dresses are spoiled instead of jackets, tunics, shirts or blouses.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,424,215 (Marvin L. Rowe) describes a Protective Covering For Automobile Drivers comprising a front portion which secures to the upper side and dash of an open automobile to protect the front and lap of the driver. A sleeve is also provided for the protection of the driver's arm. U.S. 4,660,224 (Jeanne Ashcraft) describes a Unisex Bib-Apron for use while eating or drinking in a vehicle. No pockets are provided to capture food or drink spillage therein, and in fact the device specifically CO includes cuts and folds providing for the folding of the edges of the lower, lap protecting 0 portion outward over the upper thighs of the wearer, whereby food and drink spillage 0') will be shed rather than captured. The neck closure, being disposed directly at the back of the neck, is difficult to secure, which is undesirable in a device intended to be quickly CO donned and equally quickly disposed of at the end of the meal. U.S. 5,181,275 (Edwin A. Spulgis) describes an apron to be used in a seated position. The device fails to cover the upper torso of the user, and includes a relatively rigid (or at least shape retaining) cup holder area adapted to be positioned in the crotch of the wearer. Insulating material is also described, to protect the crotch area from discomfort due to hot or cold beverages.

The apron also forms a channel extending from the cup holder, forward and slightly downward between the thighs of the wearer. Thus, any spillage would tend to flow forward along the channel, whereupon it would spill from the apron to soil the user's lower dothirig, shoes, and/or vehicle floor, rather than being retained in the apron.

Swedish Patent Publication No. 311,329 to E. B. William and published on Jun. 6, 1969 describes a bib type device similar to that described in the Holmer publication discussed immediately above, although the material appears to be a laminate. Accordingly, most of the points noted immediately above are seen to be applicable here.

FR2612498 provides a shovel like container-support for food compositions such as sandwiches or pastries and provides a device making it possible to cat sandwiches without getting dirty by means of a container-support intended to collect the debris and sauces which escape from them and to keep the ingredients forming them in position.

1-lowever, it is constituted by an open container comprising a bottom and a rim and food is held between the finger of one hand on a top part and a thumb pressing against the container to grip the food product thcrcbetween. F'R2665882 provides a product making it possible to protect oneself from contamination and dirt whilst consuming sandwiches and comprises a generally rectangular box, with a spirally arranged pre-cut tear-off strip, whereby food can be bitten off in convenient portions. The case serves as a container for any spillage during consumption whilst stationary or whilst walking and is particularly intended for the fast food industry. However, it is likely that crumbs and other food debris would also be dislodged as the tear-off strip is removed.

US5148972 discloses a food container for holding fast food or other similar article; the container is constructed from a cardboard blank which is cut and scored to define a top CO and bottom portion joined by a common back panel which is hinged. The bottom side 0 panels each contain a single punch Out tab whereby a user can insert his thumb to 0) underlie the food article being consumed with his other fingers gripping the top of the food item to be consumed. The container further comprises a flip down front panel CO scored to a levd above the bottom of the food container thereby allowing access to the food item for consumption yet not allowing juices from the food item to emerge from the food container.

Notwithstanding the above disclosures, there is nowhere provided a convenient food support and napkin or other type of arrangement.

Obiect to the invention Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved container for food. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide a fast food container which is particularly adapted for use in automobiles by a driver and/or passengers therein or by people eating with no particular table or other support where food can be safely placed, to protect their clothing and the vehicle interior from food and drink spillage, either while in motion or stationary. The present invention further seeks to provide a container which can serve to catch food and drink spillage therein.

Summary of the invention

in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a food container having an opening with an interior defined by at least one side and a base and a lid, wherein the lid is can be opened to expose the interior and is arranged such that, in a closed position the lid extends around the opening whereby to retain food therein; in a closed position; and is operable to provide a shaped integral napkin depending from an opening of the container in an open position, the lid being shaped so as to be received under the mouth, whereby, in use, a user of the food container may consume food in a fashion such that crumbs and the like can be caught by the lid.

Conveniently the invention is manufactured from a sheet material. The container is conveniently manufactured from card, typically of a 200 -300gsm weight, but this can be varied, dependent upon temperature, weight, moisture and grease content, as well as the quality and type of card. The thickness will be sufficient so as to allow for rigidity (with CO specific reference to the lid), but also to allow enough flexibility to for the product to be 0 pushed through. The material may be treated whereby, food such as butters, fats, sauces 0') and jams does not destroy the integrity of the box whether prior to removal of the food or during use as a container cum napkin. Other suitable sheet materials comprise paper, CO grease-proof paper, plastics, card, cardboard, cellulose and similar materials. Typically, there will not necessarily need to be any rigidity associated with the sheet material, but this may be of assistance in the case of soft foods, such as crepes and the like.

The container can be manufactured from a single piece of sheet material. The sheet material may comprise a multi-ply sheet material. For example an absorbent material may be used or one ply; a water-and/or grease-proof material may be used for another ply. The container can be manufactured such that the lid comprises a flap section, whereby, in use the napkin can extend beyond the length of the lid. The container can be manufactured such that the lid comprises one or more side flap sections, whereby, in use the napkin can extend beyond the width of the lid.

The container can be manufactured from polymer plastics materials and can be integrally moulded, without the need for folding. This form of container would be useful in the case of snacks provide with gravy, sauces or other forms of fluid -although care would need to be taken to ensure that fluid loss does not occur before consumption -that is to say the aperture of the container would need to be positioned so that liquid does not drip out or that it is sealed to prevent loss of fluid.

in accordance with one embodiment, the design has four faces, comprising a generally rectangular main face having an inside and an outside and a base hinge end and an aperture end, with a second face being hingedly connected with the base hinge and extending over towards the aperture end, the main face having two side flaps which attach to the second face to thereby define a container, a lid section is hingedly connected with the edge of the aperture end of the main face; the lid having first and second side edges and a leading edge; the leading edge curving inwardly whereby the lid portion can be easily and reliably be employed to collect crumbs and food debris.

It is convenient to form the container from a folded sheet, with creases defined in a die-board card forming process, as is known; The two sides can be fastened by CC) glue/adhesive to the front (second) section. The lid folds down from the top of the 0 main section and is attached to the front section by means of adhesive or slotted 0") grooves. The container, when constructed, is conveniently tapered (widening from the rear (bottom) to the front (top)) so as to allow the food product to be pushed out during CO consumption. This can reduce the need for the food product to be touched and minimizing the greasing and/or soiling of hands. The particular food stuff to be contained is practically unlimited; if the food is delicate, then a protective card ring may be placed around the food; foods high in moisture content may need appropriate grease-proof card and papers; sausage rolls containers could be made defined as a general cylindrical tube; burger-style foods would need to be similarly shaped, being of a general square configuration; wraps could also be placed in correspondingly shaped containers.

The food container may comprise a base unitary with the sidewall. The container can have two main outside faces, with sidewalls separating said main outside faces; the sidewails being operable to be folded flat, adjacent to the main outside faces. The container can have a plurality of sides. The container can comprise a single sidewall.

Brief description of the Figure

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figures 1 a to c show a first embodiment of the invention in closed, open (plan view) and open (profile); Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention; Figures 3 a to c show how the invention, in accordance with a third embodiment can be used, in three stages; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a sheet that can be folded to form a container in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention; Figures 5 a and b show a container in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 5c shows a container in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figures 6 a and b show one utilisation of the invention; CO Figures 7 a and b show a second utiuisation of the invention, and; Figures 8-8 c show a further embodiment in sheet, open and closed forms. 0)

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

CO There will now be described, by way of example only, the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practice with variations of the specific.

Referring now to Figure Ia of the drawing sheets, there is shown, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a food container 10 comprising a body 12 with a lid 14 in a closed position. In this example, the container comprises a one piece moulded plastics body, formed from a thennoplastics material. Figure lb shows the same container in an open position in a first orientation whereby an inside face 15 of the lid 14, hinged at 18, exposes the contents -for example a sausage roll or Cornish pasty -16 of the interior (indicated generally at 17). The distal edge 19 of the lid -with respect to the hinge 18 is shaped such that it extends in the middle to a reduced extent with respect to the side edge portion. This has been found to provide assistance in ensuring comfortable and intuitive use of the lid as a napkin. Figure Ic shows the foodstuff 16 being urged in direction D towards the distal edge of the lid I 9open lid portion by the application of force F on the closed end of the body 12. Dependent upon the nature of the foodstuff being consumed, it has been found that a thumb or other part of a user's hand my be employed to urge the exposed foodstuff away form the inside face of the lid 15 whereby to assist consumption of the foodstuff. It may be so that the lid 14 may be urged downwardly, in direction d during such handling. Such movement downwards will be dependent upon the rigidity of container as a result of the material and the shape and size of the container.

Figure 2 shows a first alternative container, wherein the width w of the container is similar to the height h -a shape that has been found useful for circular buns and like-shaped objects.

Figures 3 a -c show how a third example of the invention is deformed during use by the CO application of force F (with reference to Figures 3b & c) whereby the foodstuff 18 is 0 urged outwardly, towards the distal edge 19 of the lid. This particular container is made 0) out of a single piece of sheet material and is derived from a piece of general shape as indicated by Figure 4. The Interior of the container is defined by the gluing! welding or 00 otherwise attaching the two opposite edges 41, 42 together. Reference numeral 44 indicates a neck portion of the lid -which is of a length typically determined by the length for the lid. However, it may be possible, to create a longer neck, as may be appropriate for certain foodstuffs, by the use of folds etc in the material -but this is dependent upon the material being used. Solid thermoplastics type materials may not be so amenable to folding as most types of paper.

Referring now to Figure 5a, there is shown a further variant of food container; the container is made from paper with a large lid, which extend towards the lower edge of a first main surface 12 of the container. The rear main surface 52 is connected by side panels 52, & 54 and base panel 58. Crease lines 55 are indicated to show how the sides may fold - in conjunction with the base 58. An alternative form could comprise a rounded base being a continuous sheet from the front 12 to the rear face 52. Figure 5b shows the lid 14 of the container shown in Figure 5a open; inside face of the lid 15 is show. A lower hinge exists where the lid 14 meets with the container body 12; a hinge 57 I i.._.

exists in an area where the lid folds around the front face. It may be appropriate to have stiffening means provided -for example by a piece of card or similar, to provide support, whereby contents of the food container are less likely to be damaged prior to consumption. Figure 5c shows a further variant wherein the lid, when fully opened possesses an overall width greatcr than the width of the body 12 of the container: the lid has wings 51,53 which are folded out for use.

Figure 6a shows a short baguette 60, of the type often sold by sandwich bars and cafes; Figure 6b shows a food container in accordance with the present invention of a shape so as to enclose the baguette in a convenient fashion, having a body 12 and lid 14; no soiling of handbags is necessary -the interior of the container can be applied with an absorbent sheet material, if necessary (depending upon the type of filling within the baguette). The food container can have integral supports such that the container is not easily squashed by the inadvertent placing of loads upon the container. Figure 7a shows a bun 64 as is typically served with beefburgérs and the like. Figure Th shows a food container 65 in CO accordance with the invention comprising a body 12 with a lid 14 adapted to enclose and 0 protect a bun prior to consumption. 0)

0 Figure 8 shows a plan view of a sheet with creases of a still further embodiment, wherein CO the formed container conveniently retains a bun as depicted in Figure 8a. Figure 8a shows a bun 16 placed within the container; the inside face 15 of the lid is clearly shown having a curved distal edge portion operable to be held below the mouth of a user of the food container. Figure 8b shows the lid 14 in a folded position prior to unwrapping.

I lere it is seen that the lid need not cover the food; the food may not need protecting alternatively a piece of cellophane or similar material may be used, whereby the food product may be seen prior to purchase The food container in accordance with the invention can be made form many types of materials, from paper to thermoplastics. Good thermal insulation can be provided, which can be of extreme benefit in certain situations; piping hot pies do not burn the fingers of a user; ice creams can be held in relative comfort. As will be appreciated the name of the product/fast food outlet/ sponsored brand may be applied to the outside and inside surfaces.

In summary, the present invention will be seen to provide an extremely economical means of preventing food and drink spillage from soiling or staining the clothing of a user of the resent Invention. Conveniently, by the use of fingers to urge a foodstuff toward the mouth of a user of the container, no direct finger contact of the foodstuff need be made -which can be extremely important in circumstances where one would not want contact of dirty fingers etc to stain or damage other goods are affecting control surfaces.

The simplicity of the present invention, results in a cost of only a few pennies at most for each container, thereby allowing fast food restaurants or other outlets to provide such containers free with food or drink purchases at drive-up windows. The product could become a service differentiator. The outside and inside surfaces may serve as an efficient form of advertising for the operation dispensing the containers to customers, as well as providing warning or caution information against improper use or disposal. Co

0 The use of paper product in the manufacture means that soiled food containers can be 0) simply be recycled -although many types of plastic are becoming increasingly recyclable as recycling centres use different techniques to recycle. The simple application by CO printing of advertising or display messages during the production process can also assist in keeping the cost of production down.

Claims

Claims 1. A food container having an opening with an interior defined

by at least one side and a base and a lid, wherein the lid and can be opened to expose the interior and is arranged such that, in a closed position, the lid extends over at least some of the opening and across at least part of an outside face of the container whereby to provide a shaped integral napkin depending from an opening of the container.
2. A food container according to claim 1, in which the base is unitary with the sidewall.
3. A food container according to claim I or 2, in which there are two main outside faces, with sidewalls separating said main outside faces; the sidewalls being operable to be folded flat, adjacent to the main outside faces.

00
4. A food container according to any one of claims I -3, wherein the box has a plurality of sides. ow)
5. A food container according to any one of claims I -4, wherein the container 00 comprises a single sidewall.
6. A food container according to any one of claims 1 -5, wherein the container is manufactured from a single piece of sheet material.
7. A food container according to any one of claims 1 -6, wherein the sheet material is comprised of a plurality of ply material comprises a single sidewall.
8. A food container according to any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the lid comprises a folded section, whereby, in use the napkin can extend further.
9. A food container according to any one of claims I -8, wherein lid comprises a flap section, whereby, in use the napkin can extend beyond the length of the lid.
10. A food container according to any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the lid comprises one or more side flap sections, whereby, in use the napkin can extend beyond the with of the lid.
11. A food container according to any one of claims I -10, which is formed from a paper, card, cardboard or cellulose sheet material. Co 0)

CO

11. A food container according to any previous claim, which is formed from thermoplastics material.