CA3153843A1 - Leak-resistant foldable boxes and blanks for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable blank for forming a closable box comprises a substantially rectangular generally planar substantially tetragonal base panel, first sidewalls extending from a first pair of opposed edges of the base panel, and second sidewalls extending from a second pair of opposed edges of the base panel. Each first sidewall is joined to each adjacent second sidewall by an inwardly foldable gusset. Each first sidewall has a terminal inwardly tapering hip shroud closure portion and a first sidewall gusseted portion between the hip shroud closure portion and the base panel. Each second sidewall has a second sidewall gusseted portion extending from the base panel, a terminal ridge closure extension and a slope roof portion between the second sidewall gusseted portion and the terminal ridge closure extension. The hip shroud closure portion and the terminal ridge closure extension can releasably engage to form a roof.

Description

LEAK-RESISTANT FOLDABLE BOXES AND BLANKS FOR MAKING SAME
TECHINCAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to foldable boxes, in particular to leak-resistant foldable boxes and blanks for making the same.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Single-use food packaging is known in the art. Containers for transporting freshly prepared food items, known colloquially as "take-out", from restaurants and more recently grocery stores include disposable plastic and foam containers and trays. These containers offer a liquid barrier to limit leaking that may otherwise occur with wet and/or oily foods.
Additionally, these food containers may come in multiple pieces, for example, a tray and a lid, wherein the food is placed in the tray, and a lid is aligned atop and secured to the tray; in some cases the tray and lid are hinged together. While some of these designs are effective at inhibiting leakage, drawbacks remain. Plastic and foam are often not biodegradable, thereby putting a burden on the environment. Further, pre-formed packaging such as foam and plastic trays can be bulky to transport and store.

[0003] Paper and cardboard packaging for foods is also known in the art. Paper or cardboard packaging can include, for example, pizza boxes or other hinged containers and lids. They can also include a paper or cardboard container or base having a plastic top.
Various shapes for these food containers are also known, for example, cylindrical cardboard containers with plastic lids for soups, smaller versions of the same for sauces, and clamshell containers among others.

[0004] Examples of foldable boxes include, for example, US Patent 5,042,715 issued in the name of McNeill. The McNeill patent discloses a blank sheet of material configured to form a foldable carton having a bottom panel, mutually opposed side panels, and mutually opposed end panels with front and back top panels arranged to be closed over a top opening of the folding carton to close the top opening of the carton and form a carrying handle for the carton.
The folding carton is assembled from a single blank of sheet material without the use of glue or adhesives. While foldable and generally leak-resistant, the disclosed embodiments of the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 foldable box are formed by overlapping the adjacent sides or panels and inserting hooks into various slots thereby securing each adjacent end panel in an overlapping position over the exterior surface of the adjacent panel. The remaining top panels of the carton are then subsequently folded over the fold lines and folded toward each other.

[0005] In another example, US Patent Application Publication US 2012/0234715 Al in the name of Costanzo discloses a one-piece foldable corrugated cooler having a storage portion with a bottom panel, two side panels, two end panels, and four corner panels.
As well, two handle panels form a lid and at least one two-ply locking panel which is adapted to secure the lid in a closed orientation and which is integral with at least one corner panel and at least one handle panel. The Costanzo publication discloses the use of adhesives or another suitable means of attachment to secure the trapezoidal segments to the end panels. The closure of the resulting top opening of the box requires folding the lid segments over the opening and folding the handle segments perpendicular to the lid segments. A locking panel is then folded toward a locking tab.

[0006] However, a need exists for improvement in leak-resistant foldable boxes.
SUMMARY

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a box. The box comprises a generally planar substantially tetragonal base panel, a pair of opposed first sidewalls extending from a first pair of opposed edges of the base panel, and a pair of opposed second sidewalls extending from a second pair of opposed edges of the base panel.
Each first sidewall is joined to each adjacent second sidewall by an inwardly folded gusset. Each gusset is contiguous with its respective first sidewall and second sidewall. Each first sidewall has a terminal hip shroud closure portion and a first sidewall gusseted portion disposed between the hip shroud closure portion and the base panel and extending between respective ones of the gussets. Each second sidewall has a second sidewall gusseted portion, a slope roof portion and a terminal ridge closure extension. The slope roof portion is disposed between the second sidewall gusseted portion and the terminal ridge closure extension, and the second sidewall gusseted portion is disposed between the slope roof portion and the base panel and extends Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 between respective ones of the gussets. The hip shroud closure portions and the terminal ridge closure extension are releasably interengageable whereby the box is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the terminal ridge closure extensions are spaced from one another and are spaced from the hip shroud closure portions so as to permit access to an interior space of the box. In the closed configuration the terminal ridge closure extensions are adjacent one another and are interengaged with the hip shroud closure portions whereby the hip shroud closure portions and the slope roof portions form a roof that cooperates with the first sidewall gusseted portions and the second sidewall gusseted portions to enclose and obstruct access to the interior space of the box.

[0008] In some embodiments, each hip shroud closure portion has a centrally placed slot to releasably engage a corresponding one of a pair of opposed outwardly extending protrusions on the terminal ridge closure extension to form the roof for the closed configuration.

[0009] In one preferred embodiment, the base panel is substantially trapezoidal, more preferably substantially a parallelogram, and still more preferably substantially rectangular.

[0010] In some embodiments, the box has a window cutout on at least one of the first and second sidewalls. The window may have a transparent covering disposed on an interior surface of the box.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pair of terminal ridge closure extensions have an aperture therethrough for forming a handle for the box. The apertures may be formed by a pair of cut flaps. In some particular embodiments, one flap of the pair of flaps extends from the terminal ridge closure extension of one of the second sidewalls and the other flap of the pair of flaps extends from the slope roof portion of the other of the second sidewalls. A
seal may be placed on one flap such that the seal overlaps onto the roof of the box in the closed configuration.

[0012] In some embodiments, the box has a food-resistant coating on the interior surface.

Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30

[0013] A food item may be disposed in the interior space of the box when in the closed configuration. The food item may be, for example, a cooked poultry.

[0014] A flattened, foldable blank for forming the box is also disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an illustrative foldable blank according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIGURE 2A is a top perspective view of a box formed from the foldable blank of Figure 1, with the box in an open configuration;
FIGURE 2B is a top perspective view of the box of Figure 2A in a closed configuration;
FIGURE 3 is a bottom perspective view of the box of Figure 2A in the closed configuration;
FIGURE 4 is a first side elevation view of the box of Figure 2A in the closed configuration;
FIGURE 5 is a front elevation view of the box of Figure 2A in the closed configuration;
FIGURE 6 is a second side elevation view of the box of Figure 2A in the closed configuration;
FIGURE 7 is a rear elevation view of the box of Figure 2A in the closed configuration;
FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the box of Figure 2A in the closed configuration;
FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of the box of Figure 2A in the closed configuration;
FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the foldable blank of Figure 1 with a cooked poultry disposed on a base panel thereof; and Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 FIGURE ills a top perspective view of the box of Figure 2A in the closed configuration with the cooked poultry disposed therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference is made first to Figure 1, in which an illustrative foldable blank for constructing a box according to an aspect of the present disclosure is indicated generally at 100. Preferably the blank 100 is formed from cardboard or cardstock, more preferably from recyclable or biodegradable cardboard or cardstock. The cardboard or cardstock is preferably of sufficient rigidity to form a box while retaining sufficient resilience to flex in the absence of a fold line. The cardboard or cardstock may be, for example, paperboard, paper, recycled bamboo, or non-wood fibre paper. The blank 100 comprises a generally planar base panel 102 that is generally centrally disposed in the blank 100. The base panel 102 may have many dimensions, depending, for example, on the intended contents of the box to be formed from the blank 100. The base panel 102 is demarcated by a first pair of opposed edges 104, 106 and a second pair of opposed edges 108, 110. The base panel is preferably substantially tetragonal, more preferably trapezoidal, still more preferably a parallelogram and most preferably rectangular. In the illustrated embodiment the base panel is rectangular although other suitable polygonal shapes are also contemplated.

[0017] A pair of opposed first side walls 112, 114 extend from the first pair of opposed edges 104, 106. A pair of opposed second sidewalls 116, 118 extend from the second pair of opposed edges 108, 110 of the base panel 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the edges 104, 106, 108, 110 are defined by fold lines in the form of creases or other suitable features to facilitate folding of the first side walls 112, 114 and the second sidewalls 116, 118 relative to the base panel 102.

[0018] Each first sidewall 112, 114 is joined to each adjacent second sidewall 116, 118 by a respective inwardly foldable generally gnomonic or L-shaped gusset 120.
Although the gussets 120 are generally gnomonic, in some embodiments they may have curved outer edges and/or rounded corners. Each gusset 120 is contiguous with its respective first sidewall 112, 114 and second sidewall 116, 118, which facilitates folding and leak resistance of the folded Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 box. Each gusset 120 comprises a first sidewall portion 122 joined to its respective first sidewall 112, 114 at a respective first sidewall fold line 124 and a second sidewall portion 126 joined to its respective second sidewall 116, 118 at a respective second sidewall fold line 128.
The first sidewall portion 122 and the second sidewall portion 126 of each gusset 120 are joined to one another at a respective gusset fold line 130; the first sidewall fold line 124, the second sidewall fold line 128 and the gusset fold line 130 intersect one another, and further intersect the fold lines defining the respective edges 104, 106, 108, 110 to which each gusset 120 is proximal. The fold lines 124, 128, 130 may be formed, for example, by creases or other suitable features.

[0019] Each first sidewall 112, 114 comprises a respective first sidewall gusseted portion 112a, 114a extending between the respective gussets 120 and has a terminal inwardly tapering campanulate or gable-shaped hip shroud closure portion 112b, 114b. The first sidewall gusseted portion 112a, 114a is disposed between the hip shroud closure portion 112b, 114b and the base panel 102. In the illustrated embodiment the first sidewall gusseted portions 112a, 114a are generally rectangular although other suitable shapes are also contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment, each first sidewall gusseted portion 112a, 114a is demarcated from the respective hip shroud closure portion 112b, 114b by a respective fold line 131. The fold lines 131 may be formed, for example, by creases or other suitable features.

[0020] Each second sidewall 116, 118 has a second sidewall gusseted portion 116a, 118a, a slope roof portion 116b, 118b, and a terminal ridge closure extension 116c, 118c. The slope roof portion 116b, 118b is disposed between the second sidewall gusseted portion 116a, 118a and the terminal ridge closure extension 116c, 118c. The second sidewall gusseted portion 116a, 118a is disposed between the slope roof portion 116b, 118b and the base panel 102 and extends between the respective gussets 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the second sidewall gusseted portions 116a, 118a are generally rectangular although other suitable shapes are also contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c are separated from the respective the slope roof portion 116b, 118b by respective fold lines 138. The fold lines 138 may be formed, for example, by creases or other suitable Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 features. In the closed configuration, the slope roof portion 116b, 118b creates a portion of a roof of a box formed by the blank 100, as described further below.

[0021] The terminal ridge closure extension 116c, 118c and the terminal hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b are adapted to interconnect with one another. In some embodiments, interengagement of the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c and the terminal hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b is achieved by way of interengaging slots and protrusions.
In the particular embodiment shown in the Figures, each hip shroud closure portion 112b, 114b has a generally centrally disposed slot 132, and each of the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c is generally trapezoidal in shape with outwardly extending protrusions in the form of protruding ears 134 each forming a respective notch 136 between the ear 134 and the main body of the terminal ridge closure extension 116c, 118c. The ears 134 are adapted to be received within the slots 132, and in the illustrated embodiment have rounded edges for guiding the ears 134 into the slots 132, although other ear shapes are also contemplated.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the blank 100 includes at least one window cutout. In the illustrated embodiment, a single window cutout 140 is formed in one of the second sidewalls 116 and spans the second sidewall gusseted portion 116a and the slope roof portion 116b. In other embodiments, a plurality of window cutouts may be provided, for example one window cutout may be formed in each of the second sidewalls 116, 118, or window cutouts may alternatively or additionally be formed in one or both of the first sidewalls 112, 114. The window cutout 140 enables viewing inside a box formed by the blank 100 to see the contents of the box. Preferably, a transparent or translucent covering 142 extends across the window cutout 140 to limit access to the interior of a box formed by the blank 100 while permitting viewing of the interior of the box. In one preferred embodiment, the transparent or translucent covering 142 is adhered or otherwise secured on a surface of the blank 100 that will form an interior surface of the box; alternatively the covering may be disposed on an exterior surface, or sandwiched between multiple layers of a multilayer blank. Having the covering disposed on an interior surface or sandwiched may provide for improved appearance. The transparent Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 or translucent covering may be made, for example, from food grade acetate or another suitable material.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c have respective apertures 144 therethrough whereby, when a box formed by the blank 100 is in the closed configuration, the apertures 144 cooperate with distal portions 146 of the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c for forming a handle for the box. Though shown as generally rectangular with curved corners in the accompanying Figures, the apertures 144 can take any shape that facilitates grasping and holding the box by the resulting handle, for example oval or obround, among other suitable shapes.

[0024] As shown in the accompanying Figures, the apertures 144 may be formed by a pair of inwardly foldable partially cut flaps 148, 150. These flaps 148, 150 may take the shape of the apertures 144, although the shape of the flaps 148, 150 may also differ from that of the apertures 144. The flaps 148, 150 may have the same shape as one another, or may have different shapes. For simplicity of production, it may be preferable to have the flaps 148, 150 in the same shape as the aperture 144. Alternatively, instead of partially cut flaps, the apertures may be formed by completely cutting away a correspondingly shaped portion of the material forming the blank.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the Figures, one of the flaps 148 is foldably adjoined to the slope roof portion 116b of the second sidewall 116 having the window cutout 140, and the other flap 150 is foldably adjoined to the terminal ridge closure extension 118c of the other one of the second sidewalls 118, more particularly to the distal portion 146 thereof. In other embodiments, this configuration may be reversed, or both flaps may be foldably adjoined to the slope roof portions, or both flaps may be adjoined to the terminal ridge closure extensions.

[0026] Preferably, the blank 100 has a food-resistant coating at least on the surface thereof that will form the interior surface of a box formed by the blank 100.
Preferably the food-resistant coating is both hydrophobic and oleophobic. The coating may be, for example, wax, plastic, compostable plastic, among other barriers. The food-resistant coating can help retain Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 liquids in the interior of the box formed by the blank 100 by inhibiting penetration of the cardboard or cardstock. In some embodiments, the blank 100 also has a coating on the surface thereof that will form the exterior surface of a box formed by the blank 100. This could be the same coating as on the interior surface, or a different coating, for example ink to represent a design and which may also provide additional leak resistance.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the blank 100 is, aside from the covering 142 and coating(s), if any, of monolithic construction.

[0028] A box 200 may be formed from the blank 100 by folding the first sidewalls 112, 114 inwardly toward the base panel 102 along the respective fold lines 104, 106 and similarly folding the second sidewalls 116, 118 inwardly toward the base panel 102 along the respective fold lines 108, 110 such that the gussets 120 fold inwardly along the first sidewall fold line 124, the second sidewall fold line 128 and the gusset fold line 130.
Optionally, the first sidewall portions 122 of the gussets 120 may be adhered or otherwise secured to the first sidewalls 112, 114 or the second sidewall portions 126 of the gussets 120 may be adhered or otherwise secured to the second sidewalls 116, 118. In such an embodiment, prior to assembly of the box 200 the sidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118 not secured to the gussets 120 may be folded over onto the base panel 102 to facilitate flat storage and shipping, and in that case the box 200 may be formed by folding those of sidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118 not secured to the gussets 120 outwardly, away from the base panel 102, rather than toward. The sidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118 may be folded in any suitable order.

[0029] Once the sidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118 have been folded, the result will be a box 200 in an open configuration, as shown in Figure 2A. Optionally, adjacent sidewalls 112, 114, 116, 118 can be secured together with tape, stickers or other suitable fastening at the corners. As can be seen in Figure 2A, the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c are spaced from one another and are spaced from the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b so as to permit access to an interior space 152 of the box 200. The inwardly folded gussets 120 eliminate gaps that would otherwise exist between adjacent ones of the first sidewall gusseted portions 112a, 114a of the first sidewalls 112, 114 and the second sidewall gusseted portions 116a, 118a of the second sidewalls 116, 118 to inhibit leakage from the box 200. For this reason, Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 the gussets 120 preferably extend along at least 50% of the length of the first sidewall gusseted portions 112a, 114a and second sidewall gusseted portions 116a, 118a, more preferably at least 60%, still more preferably at least 70% and yet more preferably at least 80%. In the illustrated embodiments, the gussets 120 extend about 80% of the length of the first sidewall gusseted portions 112a, 114a and substantially the entire length of the second sidewall gusseted portions 116a, 118a.

[0030] The box 200 formed by the blank 100 is movable between the open configuration shown in Figure 2A and a closed configuration, as shown in Figure 2B. In the illustrated embodiment, movement from the open configuration into the closed configuration is achieved by releasable interengagement of the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b and the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c. In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c are folded outwardly along the fold lines 138 and then brought toward one another, causing the slope roof portions 116b, 118b to curve convexly. The hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b, are moved inwardly, optionally being folded inwardly along the fold lines 131, and hooked over the ears 134 of the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c such that the ears 134 are received within and extend through the slots 132 in the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b. The terminal ends 112c, 114c of the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b fit within the notches 136 between the ears 134 and the main body of the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c. In the closed configuration, the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c are adjacent one another and are interengaged with the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b. The interengagement of the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b with the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c maintains the box 200 in the closed configuration. More particularly, the slots 132 and terminal ends 112c, 114c of the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b restrain the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c against upward and outward movement while the ears 134 on the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c likewise restrain the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b against outward movement away from the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c.
In the closed configuration shown in Figure 2B, the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b and the slope roof portions 116b, 118b together form a slope roof 154 that cooperates with the first sidewall Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 gusseted portions 112a, 114a and the second sidewall gusseted portions 116a, 118a to enclose and obstruct access to the interior space 152 of the box 200.

[0031] Figures 3 to 9 show various views of the assembled box 200 in the closed configuration.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the ears 134 have a generally bulbous shape to inhibit unintended removal of the ears 134 from the slots 132. To move the box 200 from the closed configuration to the open configuration, a user would push the terminal ridge closure extensions 116c, 118c toward the base panel 102 while moving the hip shroud closure portions 112b, 114b outwardly to maneuver the ears 134 out of the slots 132.

[0033] As noted above, in a preferred embodiment, one of the flaps 148 is foldably adjoined to the slope roof portion 116b of the second sidewall 116 having the window cutout 140, and the other flap 150 is foldably adjoined to the distal portion 146 of the terminal ridge closure extension 118c of the other one of the second sidewalls 118. In such an embodiment, the flap 148 that is foldably adjoined to the slope roof portion 116b of the second sidewall 116 may be folded over onto the slope roof portion 118b of the other one of the second sidewalls 118, and the flap 150 that is foldably adjoined to the distal portion 146 of the terminal ridge closure extension 118c may be folded through the apertures 144 and then away from the slope roof portions 116a, 118b and over the distal portion 146 of the other terminal ridge closure extension 116c. In one embodiment, an adhesive layer with a peel-away cover may be provided on the flap 148 to adhere the flap 148 to the slope roof portion 118b. More preferably, when closing the box 200 a seal 156, for example a sticker or tape, may be placed partially on the flap 148 that is folded over onto the slope roof portion 118b such that the seal 156 overlaps onto the slope roof portion 118b, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.
The seal 156 may provide tamper resistance, and may also include text matter, such as a time at which the contents of the box 200 were prepared and/or a "best before" date and/or time.
For example, and without limitation, a food item such as cooked poultry 158 such as a whole rotisserie chicken or whole BBQ chicken may be disposed within the box 200, as shown in Figure 11.
The term "whole" includes conventional poultry preparation in which giblets and other undesirable organs are removed but without separating wings, drumsticks and breasts, etc.

Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30 Optionally, the cooked poultry 158 may be placed on a flattened blank 100, as shown in Figure 10, and the blank 100 can then be folded and assembled into box form around the cooked poultry 158. The cooked poultry is merely one preferred example of a food item that may be contained within the box 200, and is not limiting. For example, other food items that may be placed in the box 200 may include, without limitation, French fries, potato wedges, cooked vegetables, roots and tubers, meatloaf, an assoitment of artisanal cheese, salads (including both vegetable and pasta salads), breads (including garlic bread), pasta, legumes, steaks, pork chops, vegan foods, cookies, cakes, pastries and other delectables, sandwiches (including hamburgers and hotdogs), and other suitable lawful comestibles of any kind or nature whatsoever.

[0034] Certain illustrative embodiments have been described by way of example.
It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-30

Claims (69)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A box, comprising:
a generally planar substantially tetragonal base panel;
a pair of opposed first sidewalls extending from a first pair of opposed edges of the base panel; and a pair of opposed second sidewalls extending from a second pair of opposed edges of the base panel;
wherein each first sidewall is joined to each adjacent second sidewall by an inwardly folded gusset;
wherein each gusset is contiguous with its respective first sidewall and second sidewall;
wherein each first sidewall has a terminal inwardly tapering hip shroud closure portion and a first sidewall gusseted portion disposed between the hip shroud closure portion and the base panel and extending between respective ones of the gussets;
wherein each second sidewall has a second sidewall gusseted portion, a slope roof portion and a terminal ridge closure extension, wherein the slope roof portion is disposed between the second sidewall gusseted portion and the terminal ridge closure extension, and the second sidewall gusseted portion is disposed between the slope roof portion and the base panel and extends between respective ones of the gussets;
and wherein the hip shroud closure portions and the terminal ridge closure extension are releasably interengageable whereby the box is movable between:
an open configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are spaced from one another and are spaced from the hip shroud closure portions so as to permit access to an interior space of the box; and a closed configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are adjacent one another and are interengaged with the hip shroud closure portions whereby the hip shroud closure portions and the slope roof portions form a roof that cooperates with the first sidewall gusseted portions and the second sidewall gusseted portions to enclose and obstruct access to the interior space of the box.

2. The box of claim 1, wherein the base panel is substantially trapezoidal.

3. The box of claim 2, wherein the base panel is substantially a parallelogram.

4. The box of claim 3, wherein the base panel is substantially rectangular.

5. The box of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein each hip shroud closure portion has a centrally disposed slot to releasably engage a corresponding one of a pair of opposed outwardly extending protrusions on the terminal ridge closure extension to form the roof for the closed configuration.

6. The box of claim 5, wherein the protrusions have rounded edges for guiding into the slots.

7. The box of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 having a window cutout on at least one of the first and second sidewalls.

8. The box of claim 7, wherein the window has a transparent covering disposed on an interior surface of the box.

9. The box of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein the pair of terminal ridge closure extensions have an aperture therethrough for forming a handle for the box.

10. The box of claim 9, wherein the apertures are formed by a pair of cut flaps.

11. The box of claim 10, wherein one flap of the pair of flaps extends from the terminal ridge closure extension of one of the second sidewalls and the other flap of the pair of flaps extends from the slope roof portion of the other of the second sidewalls.

12. The box of claim 10 or 11, wherein a seal is placed on one of the flaps such that the seal overlaps onto the roof of the box in the closed configuration.

13. The box of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 having a food-resistant coating on the interior surface.

14. The box of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 having a food item disposed in the interior space of the box when in the closed configuration.

15. The box of claim 14, wherein the food item is a cooked poultry.

16. A flattened, foldable blank for foming the box of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4.

17. A box, comprising:
a generally planar substantially tetragonal base panel;
a pair of opposed first sidewalls extending from a first pair of opposed edges of the base panel; and a pair of opposed second sidewalls extending from a second pair of opposed edges of the base panel;
wherein each first sidewall is joined to each adjacent second sidewall by an inwardly folded gusset;
wherein each gusset is contiguous with its respective first sidewall and second sidewall;
wherein each first sidewall has a terminal hip shroud closure portion and a first sidewall gusseted portion disposed between the hip shroud closure portion and the base panel and extending between respective ones of the gussets;
wherein each second sidewall has a second sidewall gusseted portion, a slope roof portion and a teminal ridge closure extension, wherein the slope roof portion is disposed between the second sidewall gusseted portion and the terminal ridge closure extension, and the second sidewall gusseted portion is disposed between the slope roof portion and the base panel and extends between respective ones of the gussets;
wherein the hip shroud closure portions and the terminal ridge closure extension are releasably interengageable whereby the box is movable between:
an open configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are spaced from one another and are spaced from the hip shroud closure portions so as to permit access to an interior space of the box; and a closed configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are adjacent one another and are interengaged with the hip shroud closure portions whereby the hip shroud closure portions and the slope roof portions form a roof that cooperates with the first sidewall gusseted portions and the second sidewall gusseted portions to enclose and obstruct access to the interior space of the box; and wherein each hip shroud closure portion has a centrally placed slot to releasably engage a corresponding one of a pair of opposed outwardly extending protrusions on the terminal ridge closure extension to form the roof for the closed configuration.

18. The box of claim 17, wherein the base panel is substantially trapezoidal.

19. The box of claim 18, wherein the base panel is substantially a parallelogram.

20. The box of claim 19, wherein the base panel is substantially rectangular.

21. The box of claim 17, 18, 19, or 20 having a window cutout on at least one of the first and second sidewalls.

22. The box of claim 21, wherein the window has a transparent covering disposed on an interior surface of the box.

23. The box of any one of claims 17, 18, 19, or 20 wherein the pair of terminal ridge closure extensions have an aperture therethrough for forming a handle for the box.

24. The box of claim 23, wherein the apertures are fomied by a pair of cut flaps.

25. The box of claim 24, wherein one flap of the pair of flaps extends from the tenninal ridge closure extension of one of the second sidewalls and the other flap of the pair of flaps extends from the slope roof portion of the other of the second sidewalls.

26. The box of claim 24, wherein a seal is placed on one of the flaps such that the seal overlaps onto the roof of the box in the closed configuration.

27. The box of any one of claims 17, 18, 19, or 20 having a food-resistant coating on the interior surface.

28. The box of any one of claims 17, 18, 19, or 20 having a food item disposed in the interior space of the box when in the closed configuration.

29. The box of claim 28, wherein the food item is a cooked poultry.

30. A flattened, foldable blank for forming the box of any one of claims 17, 18, 19, or 20.

31. A box, comprising:
a generally planar substantially tetragonal base panel;
a pair of opposed first sidewalls extending from a first pair of opposed edges of the base panel;
a pair of opposed second sidewalls extending from a second pair of opposed edges of the base panel; and a window cutout on at least one of the first and second sidewalls.
wherein each first sidewall is joined to each adjacent second sidewall by an inwardly folded gusset;
wherein each gusset is contiguous with its respective first sidewall and second sidewall;

wherein each first sidewall has a terminal hip shroud closure portion and a first sidewall gusseted portion disposed between the hip shroud closure portion and the base panel;
wherein each second sidewall has a second sidewall gusseted portion, a slope roof portion and a terminal ridge closure extension, wherein the slope roof portion is disposed between the second sidewall gusseted portion and the terminal ridge closure extension, and the second sidewall gusseted portion is disposed between the slope roof portion and the base panel;
wherein the hip shroud closure portions and the terminal ridge closure extension are releasably interengageable whereby the box is movable between:
an open configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are spaced from one another and are spaced from the hip shroud closure portions so as to permit access to an interior space of the box; and a closed configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are adjacent one another and are interengaged with the hip shroud closure portions whereby the hip shroud closure portions and the slope roof portions form a roof that cooperates with the first sidewall gusseted portions and the second sidewall gusseted portions to enclose and obstruct access to the interior space of the box.

32. The box of claim 31, wherein the base panel is substantially trapezoidal.

33. The box of claim 32, wherein the base panel is substantially a parallelogram.

34. The box of claim 33, wherein the base panel is substantially rectangular.

35. The box of any one of claims 31, 32, 33, or 34, wherein the window has a transparent covering disposed on an interior surface of the box.

36. The box of any one of claims 31, 32, 33, or 34, wherein the pair of tenninal ridge closure extensions have an aperture therethrough for forming a handle for the box.

37. The box of claim 36, wherein the apertures are formed by a pair of cut flaps.

38. The box of claim 37, wherein one flap of the pair of flaps extends from the terminal ridge closure extension of one of the second sidewalls and the other flap of the pair of flaps extends from the slope roof portion of the other of the second sidewalls.

39. The box of claim 37 or 38, wherein a seal is placed on at least one of the flaps such that the seal overlaps onto the roof of the box in the closed configuration.

40. The box of any one of claims 31, 32, 33, or 34, having a food-resistant coating on the interior surface.

41. The box of any one of claims 31, 32, 33, or 34, having a food item disposed in the interior space of the box when in the closed configuration.

42. The box of claim 41, wherein the food item is a cooked poultry.

43. A flattened, foldable blank for forming the box of any one of claims 31, 32, 33, or 34.

44. A box, comprising:
a generally planar substantially tetragonal base panel;
a pair of opposed first sidewalls extending from a first pair of opposed edges of the base panel; and a pair of opposed second sidewalls extending from a second pair of opposed edges of the base panel;
wherein each first sidewall is joined to each adjacent second sidewall by an inwardly folded gusset;

wherein each gusset is contiguous with its respective first sidewall and second sidewall;
wherein each first sidewall has a terminal hip shroud closure portion and a first sidewall gusseted portion disposed between the hip shroud closure portion and the base panel;
wherein each second sidewall has a second sidewall gusseted portion, a slope roof portion and a terminal ridge closure extension, wherein the slope roof portion is disposed between the second sidewall gusseted portion and the terminal ridge closure extension, and the second sidewall gusseted portion is disposed between the slope roof portion and the base panel;
wherein the hip shroud closure portions and the terminal ridge closure extension are releasably interengageable whereby the box is movable between:
an open configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are spaced from one another and are spaced from the hip shroud closure portions so as to permit access to an interior space of the box; and a closed configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are adjacent one another and are interengaged with the hip shroud closure portions whereby the hip shroud closure portions and the slope roof portions form a roof that cooperates with the first sidewall gusseted portions and the second sidewall gusseted portions to enclose and obstruct access to the interior space of the box;
wherein each of the pair of terminal ridge closure extensions has an aperture therethrough for forming a handle of the box formed by inwardly folded partially cut flaps; and wherein one flap of the pair of flaps is foldably adjoined to the slope roof portion of a respective one of the second sidewalls and the other flap of the pair of flaps is foldably adjoined to the terminal ridge closure extension of the other one of the second sidewalls.

45. The box of claim 44, wherein the base panel is substantially trapezoidal.

46. The box of claim 45, wherein the base panel is substantially a parallelogram.

47. The box of claim 46, wherein the base panel is substantially rectangular.

48. The box of any one of claims 44, 45, 46, or 47, wherein a seal is placed on one of the flaps such that the seal overlaps onto the roof of the box in the closed configuration.

49. The box of any one of claims 44, 45, 46, or 47, having a food-resistant coating on an interior surface.

50. The box of any one of claims 44, 45, 46, or 47,having a food item disposed in the interior space of the box when in the closed configuration.

51. The box of claim 41, wherein the food item is a cooked poultry.

52. A flattened, foldable blank for foming the box of any one of claims 44, 45, 46, or 47.

53. A box, comprising:
a generally planar substantially tetragonal base panel;
a pair of opposed first sidewalls extending from a first pair of opposed edges of the base panel;
a pair of opposed second sidewalls extending from a second pair of opposed edges of the base panel; and wherein each first sidewall is joined to each adjacent second sidewall by an inwardly folded gusset;
wherein each gusset is contiguous with its respective first sidewall and second sidewall;

wherein each first sidewall has a terminal hip shroud closure portion and first sidewall gusseted portion disposed between the hip shroud closure portion and the base panel;
wherein each second sidewall has a second sidewall gusseted portion, a slope roof portion and a terminal ridge closure extension, wherein the slope roof portion is disposed between the second sidewall gusseted portion and the terminal ridge closure extension, and the second sidewall gusseted portion is disposed between the slope roof portion and the base panel;
wherein the hip shroud closure portions and the terminal ridge closure extension are releasably interengageable whereby the box is movable between:
an open configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are spaced from one another and are spaced from the hip shroud closure portions so as to permit access to an interior space of the box; and a closed configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are adjacent one another and are interengaged with the hip shroud closure portions whereby the hip shroud closure portions and the slope roof portions form a roof that cooperates with the first sidewall gusseted portions and the second sidewall gusseted portions to enclose and obstruct access to the interior space of the box; and a food item disposed in the interior space of the box.

54. The box of claim 53, wherein the base panel is substantially trapezoidal.

55. The box of claim 54, wherein the base panel is substantially a parallelogram.

56. The box of claim 55, wherein the base panel is substantially rectangular.

57. The box of claim 53, wherein the food item is a cooked poultry.

58. The box of any one of claims 53, 54, 55, or 56, having a food-resistant coating on an interior surface.

59. A flattened, foldable blank for fonning the box of claim 53, wherein the food item is disposed on the base panel.

60. A box, comprising:
a generally planar substantially tetragonal base panel;
a pair of opposed first sidewalls extending from a first pair of opposed edges of the base panel;
a pair of opposed second sidewalls extending from a second pair of opposed edges of the base panel;
a window cutout on at least one of the first and second sidewalls; and wherein each first sidewall is joined to each adjacent second sidewall by an inwardly folded gusset;
wherein each gusset is contiguous with its respective first sidewall and second sidewall;
wherein each first sidewall has a terminal inwardly tapering hip shroud closure portion and a first sidewall gusseted portion disposed between the inwardly tapering hip shroud closure portion and the base panel;
wherein each second sidewall has a second sidewall gusseted portion, a slope roof portion and a temiinal ridge closure extension, wherein the slope roof portion is disposed between the second sidewall gusseted portion and the terminal ridge closure extension, and the second sidewall gusseted portion is disposed between the slope roof portion and the base panel;
wherein the hip shroud closure portions and the terminal ridge closure extension are releasably interengageable whereby the box is movable between:

an open configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are spaced from one another and are spaced from the hip shroud closure portions so as to permit access to an interior space of the box; and a closed configuration in which the terminal ridge closure extensions are adjacent one another and are interengaged with the hip shroud closure portions whereby the hip shroud closure portions and the slope roof portions form a roof that cooperates with the first sidewall gusseted portions and the second sidewall gusseted portions to enclose and obstruct access to the interior space of the box;
a food item disposed in the interior space;
wherein each hip shroud closure portion has a centrally placed slot to releasably engage a corresponding one of a pair of opposed outwardly extending protrusions on the terminal ridge closure extension to form the roof for the closed configuration;
wherein each of the pair of terminal ridge closure extensions has an aperture therethrough for forming a handle of the box formed by inwardly folded partially cut flaps; and wherein one flap of the pair of flaps is foldably adjoined to the slope roof portion of a respective one of the second sidewalls and the other flap of the pair of flaps is foldably adjoined to the terminal ridge closure extension of the other one of the second sidewalls.

61. The box of claim 60, wherein the base panel is substantially trapezoidal.

62. The box of claim 61, wherein the base panel is substantially a parallelogram.

63. The box of claim 62, wherein the base panel is substantially rectangular.

64. A flattened, foldable blank for forming the box of any one of claims 60, 61, 62, or 63, wherein the food item is disposed on the base panel prior to folding of the foldable blank to form the box.

65. The box of any one of claims 60, 61, 62, or 63, wherein the protrusions have rounded edges for guiding into the slots.

66. The box of any one of claims 60, 61, 62, or 63, wherein the window has a transparent covering disposed on an interior surface of the box.

67. The box of any one of claims 60, 61, 62, or 63, wherein a seal is placed on one of the flap such that the seal overlaps onto the roof of the box in the closed configuration.

68. The box of any one of claims 60, 61, 62, or 63, having a food-resistant coating on the interior surface.

69. The box of claim 60, wherein the food item is a cooked poultry.