ES2678598T3 - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A package (10) comprising: a tray (11) having a vertical rear wall (16), a bottom wall (14), and a pair of vertical side walls (18) defining an interior to receive products (13) therein, wherein the tray (11) includes free edges (27) comprising a front edge (28) of the lower wall (14), edges (32) of the side walls (18), and an upper edge ( 30) of the rear wall (16), the edges (32) of the side walls (18) include curved portions (48); the free edges (27) of the tray (11) defining an opening (26) towards the inside thereof, the opening (26) having a front opening part (36) and an upper opening part (34); and a cover (12) joined with respect to at least some of the free edges (27) to cover the part (34) of the upper opening and the part (36) of the front opening, characterized in that a rear corner of the Tray that extends between the vertical rear wall and the bottom wall has a rounded configuration.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Container

Countryside

This description refers to a container that has a tray and a cover; and, more specifically, to a container having a tray with a non-flat edge and a sealed cover or lid to the non-flat edge of the tray.

Background

Containers made of flexible material that have a tray or other rigid structure in it are commonly used to store products during transport, display and consumption by a user. A similar anterior package is mass produced from a strip of film material with a cover or cover material adhered to the peripheral edges thereof to seal the tray. Such mass-produced containers generally have a symmetrical, flat, or flat sealing edge arranged around the tray to seal the cover. Although the flat edges of the food container trays are common, they unfavorably lack singularity due to many other similarly configured trays. In addition, they unfavorably limit the area of the continuous visible surface of the roof, which in turn can limit the amount of distinctive marks that may be disposed therein. Another disadvantage of these packages is that they often have a rectangular shape, while food products do not have a rectangular shape, which results in excessive packaging. Mass produced containers may also, unfavorably, have an excess of upper space and an excess of space for food products stored therein for transportation.

A package having the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1 attached is described in US-3 338 723. This package is used to pack sliced and stacked food slices, while preventing the stack from collapsing.

Summary

This document describes a package that reduces the amount of material used for its preparation, adapting, at least partially, to the contents stored therein. The package includes a rigid or semi-rigid tray that includes a bottom wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls. The walls are configured such that the tray has an opening in at least two faces, such as the front and top faces, which are inclined at an angle of less than one hundred and eighty degrees with respect to the other. The opening is defined by free edges of the walls, which include a front edge of the lower wall, an upper edge of the rear wall and edges of the side walls. In addition, the tray optionally includes a peripheral edge that extends from the free edges thereof, for example, inwardly or outwardly therefrom. The peripheral edge provides sealing surfaces to adhere to a cover or otherwise engage with a cover that covers the opening to the tray.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container showing a tray with a sealed cover to an edge extending outwardly thereof;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tray for the container of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tray of Figure 3 showing two rows of food products therein;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the tray of Figure 3 with a partially sealed cover thereon and two rows of food products therein;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 1 showing two products contained therein;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a left side elevation view of the container of Figure 1; the side view in right elevation is a mirror image;

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Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container showing a tray with a sealed cover thereon;

Figure 12 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a tray for the container of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 11;

Figure 15 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 11;

Figure 16 is a rear elevational view of the container of Figure 11;

Figure 17 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 11;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a container showing a tray with a sealed cover thereon;

Figure 19 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 18; the side view in left elevation is a mirror image;

Figure 20 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 18;

Figure 21 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 18 with the container in a vertical orientation supported on a side wall;

Figure 22 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 18 showing an opening characteristic in a closed configuration;

Figure 23 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 22 showing the opening characteristic in an open configuration;

Fig. 24 is an exploded view of a container showing a tray, a row of food products, a cover with an opening marked therein, and a sealing label to cover the opening;

Figure 25 is an exploded view of a container showing a tray, a row of food products, a cover with small and large marked openings therein, and a sealing label with corresponding small and large parts to cover the small and large openings. big;

Figure 26 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 24 showing the seal tag in a closed configuration;

Figure 27 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 24 showing the seal tag in an open configuration;

Figure 28 is a rear elevational view of the container of Figure 18; the front elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 29 is an alternative elevational rear view of the container of Figure 18; the front elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 30 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 18;

Figure 31 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a container showing a tray with a sealed cover thereon in a form for individual serving;

Figure 32 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 31;

Figure 33 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 31, the right side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

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Figure 36 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 31;

Figure 37 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a container showing a tray with a sealed cover thereon;

Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 37 showing two products therein; Figure 39 is a rear elevational view of the container of Figure 37; Figure 40 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 37;

Figure 41 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 37, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 42 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 37; Figure 43 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 37;

Figure 44 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a container showing a tray with a sealed cover thereon;

Figure 45 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 44, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 46 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 44; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 47 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 44; Figure 48 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 44;

Figure 49 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a container showing a tray with a sealed cover thereon;

Figure 50 is a side view in right elevation of the container of Figure 49, the side view in left elevation thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 51 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 49;

Figure 52 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 49; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 53 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 49;

Figure 54 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a container showing a tray with a sealed cover thereon;

Figure 55 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 54, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 56 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 54; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 57 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 54; Figure 58 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 54;

Fig. 59 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a container showing a cup with a concave cover sealed thereto. The ninth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 60 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 59; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

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Figure 63 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 59;

Figure 64 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a container showing a cup with a convex cover sealed thereto. The tenth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 65 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 64; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 66 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 64;

Figure 67 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 64, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 68 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 64;

Figure 69 is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of a container showing a cup with a convex cover sealed thereto. The eleventh embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 70 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 69; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 71 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 69;

Figure 72 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 69, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 73 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 69;

Figure 74 is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of a container showing a cup with a convex cover sealed thereto. The twelfth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 75 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 74; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 76 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 74;

Figure 77 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 74, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 78 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 74;

Figure 79 is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of a container showing a rectangular cup with a concave cover sealed thereto. The thirteenth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 80 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 79; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 81 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 79;

Figure 82 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 79, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 83 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 79;

Figure 84 is a perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of a container showing a rectangular cup with a convex cover sealed thereto. The fourteenth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 85 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 84; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

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Figure 88 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 84;

Fig. 89 is a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of a container showing a hemispherical cup with a convex cover sealed thereto. The fifteenth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 90 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 89; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 91 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 89;

Figure 92 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 89, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 93 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 89;

Fig. 94 is a perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of a container showing a hemispherical cup with a concave cover sealed thereto. The sixteenth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 95 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 94; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 96 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 94;

Figure 97 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 94, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 98 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 94;

Figure 99 is a perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment of a container showing a channel-shaped cup and a convex cover sealed thereto. The seventeenth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 100 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 99, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 101 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 99;

Figure 102 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 99; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 103 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 99;

Fig. 104 is a perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of a container showing a curved tray with an additional curved cover sealed thereto. The eighteenth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 105 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 104, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 106 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 104;

Figure 107 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 104; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 108 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 104;

Figure 109 is a perspective view of a nineteenth embodiment of a container showing a curved tray with an additional curved cover sealed thereto. The nineteenth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

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Figure 111 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 109;

Figure 112 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 109; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 113 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 109;

Fig. 114 is a perspective view of a twentieth embodiment of a container showing a heart-shaped curved tray with an additional curved cover sealed thereto. The twentieth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 115 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 114;

Figure 116 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 114;

Figure 117 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 114, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 118 is a rear elevational view of the container of Figure 114; Figure 119 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 114;

Figure 120 is a perspective view of a twenty-first embodiment of a container showing a heart-shaped curved tray with an additional curved cover sealed thereto. The twenty-first embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 121 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 120;

Figure 122 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 120;

Figure 123 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 120; the rear elevation view of it is a mirror image;

Figure 124 is a left side elevation view of the container of Figure 120; Figure 125 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 120;

Fig. 126 is a perspective view of a twenty-second embodiment of a container with an upwardly curved end showing a triangular shaped tray with a complementary shaped cover sealed thereto. The twenty-second embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 127 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 126;

Figure 128 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 126, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

Figure 129 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 126;

Figure 130 is a rear elevational view of the container of Figure 126; Figure 131 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 126;

Figure 132 is a perspective view of a twenty-third embodiment of a container with an upwardly curved end showing a rectangular shaped tray with a complementary shaped cover sealed thereto. The twenty-third embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 133 is a rear elevational view of the container of Figure 132;

Figure 134 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 132;

Figure 135 is a right side elevation view of the container of Figure 132, the left side elevation view thereof is a mirror image;

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Figure 136 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 132;

Figure 137 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 132;

Figure 138 is a perspective view of a twenty-fourth embodiment of a container with an upwardly curved end showing a rectangular shaped tray with a complementary shaped cover sealed thereto. The twenty-fourth embodiment is outside the scope of the present claims;

Figure 139 is a front elevational view of the container of Figure 138;

Figure 140 is a side view in right elevation of the container of Figure 138, the side view in left elevation

of it is a mirror image;

Figure 141 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 138; Figure 142 is a rear elevational view of the container of Figure 138; Figure 143 is a bottom plan view of the container of Figure 138;

Figure 144 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of Figure 1, but having an inwardly extending edge to which a cover can be sealed;

Figure 145 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of Figure 1, but with a cover having a permanent adhesive along a rear part and a resealable adhesive along a front part with the part raised front of the tray during use;

Figure 146 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of Figure 1, but with a cover having a permanent adhesive along a front part and a resealable adhesive along a rear part with the part rear raised from the tray during use;

Figure 147 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of Figure 1, but with a cover having a permanent adhesive along a central part and a resealable adhesive along the front and rear parts with the front and rear parts lifted from the tray during use;

Figure 148 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of Figure 1, but with a pressure adjustment cover aligned thereto and an optional film, which can be removed, adhered to the tray below the cover;

Figure 149 is a detailed sectional view of the tray of Figure 148 taken along a side edge thereof, but showing the lid attached to the tray;

Figure 150 is a cross-sectional view of a container similar to the container of Figure 1, but with a dividing wall separating two rows of products therein;

Figure 151 is a cross-sectional view of a container similar to the container of Figure 150, but with an alternative partition wall causing a separation between two compartments separated by the wall and an optional backrest attached to the bases of the two compartments;

Figure 152 is a perspective view of a tray similar to the tray of the container of Figure 1, but showing a marking line between the part that can be removed from the edge of the tray and the rest of the tray;

Figure 153 is a cross-sectional view of a container similar to the container of Figure 1, but incorporating the tray of Figure 152, and showing the separable part of the edge that has been separated along the line marked from the rest from the tray and cover opens to access the inside of the container;

Figure 154 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 153, but showing the part that can be removed from the edge that is used to secure the cover in a closed position;

Figure 155 is a left side elevation view of a container similar to the container of Figure 1, but having a series of linear segments connecting the front and top sides thereof instead of the arched segment of the container of Figure 1; Y

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Detailed description

A container 10 having the shape shown in Figures 1 to 43 includes a tray 11 that has a cover 12 attached thereto configured to receive and store content, such as specific food items or products 13. Tray 11 includes a wall bottom 14, a rear wall 16 and a pair of side walls 18. The walls 14, 16, 18 of the tray 11 are preferably integrally connected so that the tray 11 has a one-piece construction. For example, tray 11 can be thermoformed, injection molded, blow molded or the like. The lower wall 14 is connected to the rear wall 16 in a lower rear corner 20 of the tray 11. The side walls 18 preferably extend normally parallel to each other and connect individually to the lower and rear walls 14, 16 in the corners of the lower side 22 and the corners of the rear side 24 of the tray. As shown in the figures, corners 20, 22 and 24 are rounded. Even more preferably, the side walls 18 have a basically identical size and shape, so that the cover 12 extending between the corresponding points of the side walls 18 is basically horizontal.

Configured in this way, the tray 11 includes an access opening 26 defined by the free edges 27 of the bottom, rear, and side walls 14, 16, 18. The free edges 27 include a front edge 28 of the lower wall 14, an upper edge 30 of the rear wall 16, and edges 32 of the side walls 18 opposite the lower and rear walls 14, 16. The opening 26 may include a part of the upper opening 34 normally opposite to the lower wall 14 and a part of the front opening 36 normally opposite to the rear wall 16. In one form, the tray 11 is configured to rest on the lower wall 14. In this way, a consumer can access and remove food products 13 forward, upward or at an angle between them. Alternatively or additionally, the tray 11 can be configured to rest stably on one of the side walls 18 in a vertical orientation.

The tray 11 further includes a peripheral edge 38 extending outwardly and, preferably, normally perpendicular to the adjacent wall 14, 16, 18, from the free edges 27 thereof. Alternatively, the edge 38 may extend inwardly from the walls, as shown in Figure 144, or the upwardly oriented edges of the walls could be used without an additional width added by an edge. In the alternative form with an inwardly extending edge 38, the tray 11 can be blow molded to form the inwardly extending edge 38, although other suitable manufacturing techniques can also be used. The peripheral edge 38 is preferably continuous around the entire opening 26 to provide a continuous sealing surface 40 so that the cover 12 is fixed and sealed to the tray 11. The peripheral edge 38 includes an upper portion 42 extending to along the upper edge 30 of the rear wall 16 and a front part 44 extending along the front edge 28 of the lower wall 14. In the manner illustrated, the upper and front portions 42, 44 of the peripheral edge 38 are practically flat The side portions 46 of the peripheral edge 38 extend between the upper and front portions 42, 44 along the side wall edges 32. In the form extending into the edge 38 shown in Figure 144, the cover 12 can be sealed thereto so that, optionally, there is little or no edge extending out of the cover 12 or the edge 38 extending beyond the walls 14, 16, 18 of the tray 11. This gives tray 11 in this way an optimized appearance.

The use of a variety of types of adhesives and / or resistances between the edge 38 and the cover 12 can provide a different utility for the container 10. In a first example, shown in Figure 145, the cover 12 can seal the tray 11 with a removable or resealable adhesive 15 in parts thereof corresponding to the part of the front opening 36 and a permanent adhesive 17 in parts thereof corresponding to the part of the upper opening 34. In other words, the Cover 12 includes a first part sealed to the tray with a first adhesive having a first adhesive resistance and a second part sealed to a different part of the tray with a second adhesive having a second adhesive resistance. The first adhesive strength may then be greater than the second adhesive strength, such as with a normally permanent adhesive and a removable / resealable adhesive.

As such, a consumer can detach the cover of the tray 11 to expose the part of the front opening 36 and the permanent adhesive 17 prevents or limits the upper part of the cover 12 from coming off the edge 38 to the same extent as the part front cover. In an opposite configuration, shown in Figure 146, the cover 12 can be sealed to the tray 11 with the removable or resealable adhesive 15 on the parts thereof corresponding to the part of the upper opening 34 and the permanent adhesive 17 in the parts thereof corresponding to the part of the front opening 36. By this configuration, a consumer can detach the cover 12 from the tray to expose the part of the upper opening 34, where the permanent adhesive 17 prevents it from being completely removed. According to another approach, the permanent adhesive 17 can only be applied in the middle part or other parts of a pair of opposite edges, as shown in Figure 147, such as in the upper linear parts 50 adjacent to the arcuate parts 48, to allow that a front part and a rear part of the cover 12 open independently to selectively expose one or both of the upper and front opening parts 34, 36, but also to restrict the complete removal of the cover 12. It will be understood that Figures 145 to 147 show the adhesive in an exaggerated manner in the upper part of the cover 12 as well as in the lower part for illustrative purposes. In the case of a non-transparent cover 12, the adhesive would not be visible on the outside of the cover 12.

If desired, the cover 12 may optionally have a line or lines of weakness extending therethrough, such as a line or pattern of perforations, a line or pattern of marks, or combinations thereof. With said configuration, the line of weakness can be used as a folding or articulation mechanism to allow the

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consumer easier access to the inside of the container. Alternatively, or in combination, the line of weakness may allow a consumer to separate a portion of the cover to provide unobstructed access to the interior of the package. Said lines of weakness may be used in combination with any of the containers described herein, included with respect to the containers shown in Figures 145 to 147.

Preferably, the free edges 32 of the side walls 18 include a non-linear or arcuate portion 48, which includes curves. Alternatively, the edges 32 of the side wall can be completely arched. As shown in Figures 1 to 43, the free edges 32 of the side wall may include upper and front linear portions 50, 52 with the arcuate portion 48 therebetween. If desired, the front linear part 52 may be displaced from the vertical so that the front part of the tray 11 and, specifically, the part of the front opening 36, is angled to present an upwardly facing front face.

Configured as set forth above, the side portions of the peripheral edge 46 include non-planar or intermediate arcuate sealing surfaces 54 of the upper and front portions 42, 44. Accordingly, the peripheral edge 38 includes virtually flat parts with the upper and front portions 42, 44 and non-flat parts 54. In other words, an intersection of lines drawn along the planes of the flat parts 42, 44 form an angle of at least ten degrees. When the cover 12 is sealed, adhered or otherwise attached to the tray 11, the cover 12 includes the corresponding flat and arcuate portions 57 that are stretched between the corresponding edges of the side wall 32 and sealed at their top and frontal along the upper and lower portions 42, 44 of the peripheral edge.

As such, the part 36 of the front opening, described above, may refer to an opening defined by the tray 11 and the cover 12, where the cover 12 is sealed to the upper part 42 and open to extend, normally, along the plane of the upper part 42. Similarly, the part of the upper opening 34 may refer to an opening defined by the tray 11 and the cover 12 with the cover sealed to the front part 44 and open to extend, normally, to the length of the plane of the front part 44.

According to another approach, a pressure adjustment cover 41 can be configured to join the tray 11 as shown in Figures 148 and 149. In this way, normally, the cover 41 is preferably rigid, but with sufficient resilience so that it can snap into the edge 38 of the tray and seal the contents of the tray 11 therein. The cover 41 may be made of any suitable material, such as a properly rigid blow molded or thermoformed plastic. The cover 41 in this way includes a base wall 43 and a trim 45 depending on the outer edges of the base wall 43. The edging 45 includes a flange or protuberance 49 that projects inwardly configured to snap into the edge 38 of the tray 11 and secure the cover 41 thereto, as shown in Figure 149. The cover 41 is shown with tray 11 in Fig. 3 and has a corresponding shape to cover the top and front of tray 11, but cover 41 can be configured as desired to fit under pressure in other trays described herein.

The tray 11 having the pressure adjustment cover 41 thereon may optionally have a film 51 sealed to the edges 38 of the tray 11 under the cover 41. As such, even if the cover 41 is removed, the Film 51 would retain a seal on the contents of container 10 before opening.

In yet another approach to opening or closing a container, shown in Figures 152 and 153, the tray 11 may include a removable part 71 of the edge 38. The removable part 71 of the edge 38 can be separated from the rest of the edge along of a line of weakness 73 between them. Preferably, but not necessarily, the removable part 71 of the edge 38 includes some or all of the upper part 42 of the edge 38 or the front part 44 of the edge 38. Some of the other parts of the edge 38, such as the parts of the side edge 48 , 50 and 52 may be included in the removable part 71. As shown in the illustrative embodiment of Figures 152 and 153, the removable part 71 includes the entire length of the front part 44 of the edge 38, as well as adjacent parts of the parts 48 and 52 of the lateral edge, but not a considerable part of the part of the lateral edge 50 adjacent to the upper part 42 of the edge 38.

When the removable part 71 of the edge 38 is separated from the rest of the edge 38, the cover 12 remains adhered to the removable part 71, optionally, with a more resistant adhesive compared to that between the cover 12 and the rest of the edge 38 or the upper part 42 of the edge 38. This allows the removable part 71 to be used as a tongue to open the cover 12. In addition, the removable part 71 can be used to secure the cover 12 in a closed position. As shown in Figure 154, it is preferred that there is a slight separation in the seal of the cover 12 and at least the joined part of what formed the front part 44 of the edge 38, but now forms the removable part 71. This space can be used to receive the rest of the front part 44 of the edge 39, to secure the cover 12 in the closed position.

An advantage of this configuration is that the cover 12 or 41, when attached to the tray 12, can provide a surface without breaks (i.e., without discontinuities such as folds, corners, flanges, etc.), all of it can be seen in an area of vision of almost 90 degrees. This is especially advantageous when the package 10 is shown for sale on a shelf, such as in a supermarket or a convenience store. The 90 degree viewing area will provide a consumer with an uninterrupted view of the roof, and any graphics, propaganda, text, or the like on it, normally, regardless of the height of the consumer.

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This provides a greater uninterrupted area for graphics, distinctive markings and other information that will be displayed compared to traditional packages that have distinct lateral upper parts.

The cover 12 provides a better viewing surface if it is practically wrinkle free over its entire specific surface. This can be achieved with relatively thicker materials, such as cardboard, a relatively high gauge film or rigid or semi-rigid plastic. However, these materials increase the costs of the materials in each package 10. Another wrinkle-free cover may be a relatively low gauge film. With said low gauge film, the container 10 can have its atmosphere modified during its manufacture, so that the sealed interior of the container has a positive pressure with respect to the ambient pressure. The positive pressure is pressed against the thin film and softens any wrinkles formed in the film because the film lacks support inside the peripheral edge 38.

In an alternative to have an arcuate segment 48 of the edge 38, a series of linear intermediate portions 61 may extend between the upper and front portions 42 of the tray 11, as shown in Figures 155 and 156. The series of parts 61 Linear intermediates are at angles not parallel to each other and with the upper and front parts 42, 44. As such, the sealing surface 40 of the tray 11 in this way does not have arcuate portions or does not only have arcuate portions. As such, the cover 12 may have one or more bends or grooves 47 that extend therethrough and align with the corners 63 joining the linear intermediate portions 61. For this and other trays, the free edges have first and second parts that are angularly offset from each other. They may be directly connected or separated by one or more continuous arcuate segments, a series of linear or flat angular segments or a combination thereof. For example, as can be seen in Figure 155, the upper and front linear or flat portions 42, 44 are angularly offset from each other, for example, they are in non-parallel planes. In Figure 155, the upper and front linear parts 42, 44 are joined by the series of intermediate parts 61, while in Figure 8 they are joined by arcuate parts 59.

Returning now to the specific forms of the tray, many different configurations are possible, the examples of which are set forth herein. In a first form, tray 11 is configured to receive a row 55 of products 13. An ideal product for storage in tray 11 is a cookie with a normally annular side wall 56. Cookies 13 can be individual or layered with a filling, as shown. However, tray 11 can be configured to receive any other food product or other inedible products. For example, a food product contained within individual wrapping or an individual container can also be stored in tray 11. Cookies 13 are stacked and placed in row 55 on their faces within tray 11.

With these products having normally annular side walls 56, the lower rear corner 20 of the tray 11 can be curved to be complementary to the curvature of the faces 56 of the cookies 13. This curvature can advantageously minimize the material of packaging and can provide better support for cookies 13 to protect against damage that may result from contact between cookies or upon impact on tray 11 or by impacts with other cookies due to excess space in tray 11.

The lower rear corner 20 can take several forms. In a first form, shown in Figures 1 to 10 and 31 to 36, the bottom wall 14 and the rear wall 16 are normally perpendicular to each other so that the corner 20 is normally rounded at a 90 degree angle. In other forms, shown in Figures 11 to 30, the lower wall 14 and the rear wall 16 are at an acute angle to each other. As such, corner 20 is rounded at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees. If desired, the bottom and rear walls 14, 16 could normally extend parallel to each other so that the rounded corner covers approximately 180 degrees.

To retain the cookies 13 inside the tray 11 when the opening 26 is uncovered, the bottom wall 14 may include a front part or flange 58 that narrows upwards. The narrowing up of the flange 58 prevents the cookies 13 from sliding out of the part of the front opening 36 when the tray 11 rests on a normally uniform surface. In the form of Figure 6, the flange 58 is a normally flat part of the lower wall 14. Preferably, the flange 58 begins to narrow upwardly in a position closely adjacent to a contact point 60 of the cookies 13 so that the cookies 13 do not have considerable space to move while they are contained within tray 11.

In another form shown in Figure 38, the bottom wall 14 includes a flange 62 or an upwardly curved front. With this curved flange 62, the front part of the tray 11 can be curved to be complementary to the curvature of the annular side wall 56 in addition to the lower rear corner 20. As with the narrowing flange 58, the flange curved 62 preferably begins curved upwardly adjacent to the lower contact point 60 of the cookies 13. In an alternative form, instead of the flanges 58, 62, the tray 11 may include a front wall, such as with a relatively small height , to prevent food products 13 from rolling or separating from the front of tray 11.

Trays 11 in Figures 1 to 10 and 37 to 43 were designed to receive two rows of products 13 therein. The tray 11 can be configured so that the bottom wall 14 is normally flat back of the flange 58, 62. As such, the rows 55 of the cookies 13 are adjacent to each other without any additional structure between them.

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In an alternative form shown in Figure 41, the bottom wall 14 may include a divider 64 that projects upwardly to separate rows 55 from each other. The divider 64 may be formed in the bottom wall 14 or attached thereto by suitable methods, such as adhesive, hot stamping, ultrasonic welding, or the like. Preferably, the surfaces 66, 68 facing forward and backward of the spacer 64 are curved to be complementary to the annular side wall 56 of the cookies 13. As such, the rear row 55 is captured between the rearwardly oriented surface 68 of the divider. 64 and the lower rear corner 20 of the tray 11 and the front row 55 is captured between the forward-facing surface 66 of the divider 64 and the flange 58, 62. In other ways, shown in Figures 11 to 36, the Tray 11 is sized to receive a single row 55 of cookies 13. As such, in this way, the single row 55 is captured between the lower rear corner 20 of the tray 11 and the flange 58, 62.

Additional options for separating rows 55 of products from each other are shown in Figures 150 and 151. Tray 11 may include a dividing wall 65 that extends upwardly from the bottom wall 14 of the tray. The partition wall 65 may, optionally, extend the entire height of the tray 11 and have a sealing surface 69 that faces upwards. As such, the cover 12 can be sealed to the sealing surface 69 of the partition wall 65 together with the edge 38 of the tray 11. The result is that two separate compartments, each optionally accessible individually, can be formed by the wall partition 65. The partition wall 65 may be integrated with tray 11 or it may be a separate component attached to tray 11 by a suitable method, such as an adhesive. Multiple partition walls 65 can be used to provide more than two compartments, such as two partition walls 65 for three compartments, three partition walls 65 for four compartments, etc.

In the example of Figure 150, the dividing wall 65 normally extends parallel to the rear wall 16 to divide the inner tray into two parts to receive rows 55. If desired, the dividing wall 65 can include bevelled surfaces 67 or curved on a lower part thereof so that the cookies 13 are partially supported, as described above with respect to the divider 64.

In the example of Figure 151, the dividing wall 65 is formed of an inverted U-shaped part of the bottom wall of the tray 11. The result of the inverted part, generally U-shaped, is a flat region in the U-shaped bottom (upper part in the inverted orientation of Figure 151) to provide the sealing surface 69 facing up. At the top of the U-shape (bottom in the inverted orientation of Figure 151), there is a space between the legs of the U-shape. Said dividing wall 65 with an inverted U-shape allows the tray 11 to be manufactured by thermoforming, although other manufacturing methods can be used. An optional backing sheet 25 can be adhered to the bottom wall of each tray compartment 11 to provide additional rigidity to the container, such as by limiting the pivoting of the compartments with each other around the region of the sealing surface 69 of the dividing wall 65.

These examples of multiple compartments of tray 11 may further include the first and second adhesive mentioned above. For example, the first adhesive, which can be a normally permanent adhesive, can be used on the sealing surface 69 of the partition wall 65 and the second adhesive, which can be a removable / resealable adhesive, can be used on one or both parts of the peripheral edge 38.

The packages of Figures 150 and 151 can optionally be configured to have the two compartments separable from each other. For example, a line of weakness 19 can be formed on the cover 12 of the container of Figure 150 on one side of the dividing wall 65 and a line of weakness 21 can be formed on the bottom wall of the tray 11 on the same side of the dividing wall 65. The right side compartment of the container of Figure 150 can be separated from the left side compartment along the lines of weakness 19 and 21. This will cause the right side compartment to open to access the food product 13 inside, and the left side compartment remain sealed. Weakness lines 19 and 21 may alternatively move to the opposite side of partition wall 65 or may be placed on both sides of partition wall 65. With respect to the example in Figure 151, a weakness line may be formed 19 on the cover 12 adjacent to the sealing surface 69 of the U-shaped partition wall 65, as well as another line of weakness 23 in the underlying part of the partition wall 65. If present, the support sheet 25 may present a line of weakness 29 in the space of the dividing wall 65. The lines of weakness 19, 23 and 29 can be broken to divide the container into two compartments, which can remain sealed after their division.

These examples of tray 11 explained with respect to Figures 150 and 151 may further include the first and second adhesives described above. For example, the first adhesive, which can be a normally permanent adhesive, can be used to secure the cover to one or both rear and front walls 77, 89 or another separator, and the second adhesive, which can be a removable / resealable adhesive, it can be used in other parts of the peripheral edge 38. In addition, the partition walls 65 can be used with any of the containers described herein.

If desired and as shown in Figures 11 to 17, the tray 11 may include one or more outward projections or legs 53 configured to extend from the rear wall 16 and / or the corner 20. The projections 53 may be integrated with Tray 11 or can be attached to it by any suitable method. The projections 53 provide support for a stable position of the tray 11 (ie, it rests on the bottom wall 14). In the illustrated manner, tray 11 includes two separate protrusions 53, but may have more or may be used.

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wider projections as desired. The projections 53 are ideally configured to support a tray, such as that shown in Figures 11 to 17, which only contains a single row of products 55.

Each of the tray designs includes one or more stability positions (that is, the containers rest stably in the position). For example, the tray 11 of Figures 1 to 10 can be supported on the lower wall 14, each of the side walls 18, and on its upper part based on the upper parts 42, 50 of the peripheral edge; the tray of figures 11 to 17 can rest on the bottom or rear walls 14, 16, where the projections 57 provide support for any position; and the tray of Figures 18 to 30 can be supported on any of the side walls 18, where parts 48, 50, 52 of the side edge provide support for the stability positions on the side walls 18. As shown in Figure 21 , the edge 38 can also be cut or formed to hold the container 11 at an angle.

According to one approach, tray 11 may include tabs or curls 70 therein. The tabs 70 may add resistance to the compression and stacking force of the tray 11. In addition, the tabs / corrugations 70 can provide a visual indication of the number of products 13 within the tray 11. For example, the tray 11 may include a rib / wave 70 for some or all individual products 13 within tray 11, and to align with them. If desired, the corrugations 70 can be sized and separated to accept a user's fingers therein as a gripping part for the container 10. In the form where the tray 11 receives the row 55 of products 13, the corrugations 70 can extend in the machine direction, that is, from front to back along the lower wall 14 and from the bottom up along the rear wall 16. With this configuration, the undulations 70 normally extend parallel to the walls annular sides 56 of the products 13. As shown, the ribs / undulations 70 do not extend to the lower rear corner 20. However, if desired, the ribs or corrugations 70 may extend continuously from the bottom wall 14 to the rear wall 16 through the corner 20. The corrugations 70 may extend along the entire width of the tray 11 or at Long parts of this.

As considered above, the cover 12 is sealed to the peripheral edge 38 of the tray 11. This can be achieved by any suitable method, including hot, cold, induction sealing and adhesive sealing. To access the products 13, a user can partially or totally remove the cover 12 to expose the opening 26.

According to one approach, a pressure sensitive adhesive or the like can be used to seal cover 12 to tray 11 so that cover 12 can reattach to tray 11 during sequential consumption of products 13. As such, the cover 12 may include the coated adhesive along a perimeter thereof, or the adhesive may be coated on the peripheral edge 38. Alternatively, less than the entire cover 12 can be configured to open and allow the consumer to access the products 13 inside the tray.

An illustrative configuration is shown in Figures 21 to 23. In this form, an opening feature 72 includes a tongue 74 projecting out of the peripheral edge 38, such as in one of the side walls 18, or closely adjacent to the same. The tongue 74 is configured so that a consumer can hold it and manipulate itself to pull it through the cover 12. The tongue 74 can be separated from the peripheral edge 38 or can be integrated therewith. For the integrated form, in order to facilitate the separation of the tongue 74 from the rest of the peripheral edge 38, the opening feature 74 may include a notched or weakened / marked line or pattern 76, so that when manipulating the tongue 74 back on the cover 12 breaks the tongue 74 of the rest of the peripheral edge 38. The notch 76 can be cut at the edge 38 or a line of weakness can be marked or cut through the tongue 74, where the tongue 74 joins the rest of the peripheral edge 38, for example, by laser or mechanical methods. Preferably, the cover 12 extends over the tongue 74 such that when the tongue 74 is separated from the tray 11, the tongue 74 can be used to tear the cover 12, usually in the machine direction through the cover 12 When the tongue 74 is pulled a sufficient distance to tear an access opening 79 in the cover 12, a consumer can remove one or more products 13 from the tray 11.

Preferably, the cover 12 includes marked lines 81, normally aligned with the tongue 74 to define a flap 83. Thus configured, when a user manipulates the tongue 74 back over the cover 12, the cover 12 is torn along the lines marked 81 to show the access opening 79. When a desired quantity of products 13 has been removed, the consumer can then put the tongue 74 back to its original position to cover the access opening 79. Preferably, the tongue 74 includes a resealable adhesive aligned with the peripheral edge 38, so that the opening feature 72 can be resealed.

In an alternative form shown in Figures 24 to 27, an opening feature 78 includes an access opening 80 that extends through a portion of the cover 12, such as in the direction of the machine adjacent to one of the side walls 18. The access opening 80 is preferably defined by marked lines 85, so that the cover 12 includes a flap 82 of marked material therein that can be opened cleanly along the defined edges without causing breakage uncontrolled along the cover 12. Preferably, the marked lines 85 end in a hook or curve of Shepard 87 at the ends thereof.

Next, the opening feature 78 may include a sealing layer or tag 84 adhered to the cover 12 so that the tag 84 completely surrounds the access opening 80. Tag 84 may also include

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a tongue 86 protruding beyond the peripheral edge 38 so that a consumer can easily hold it on an opposite side of the opening 80 of the curves 87. As such, when a consumer holds the tongue 86 and pulls the tag 84 through the cover 12, the label 84 breaks the marked lines 85 that define the opening 80, if attached, and detaches the flap 82 from the rest of the cover 12 until the curves 87 are reached to expose the opening 80. The curves 87 prevent that the sealing tag 84 be separated from the container 11. Then, when a desired amount of cookies 13 has been removed through the opening 80, a consumer may place the tag 84 back through the cover 12 to reseal the opening and keep and store the remaining cookies 13.

In another form, the cover 12 may be made of a two-layer material, such as a two-layer film, where the sealing layer or tag 84 can be cut or marked from an upper layer of the film and the access opening 80 it can be cut or marked from a lower layer of the film into the label 84. In this way, the tongue 86 can also be cut or marked from the upper film layer, so that a consumer can hold the tongue 86 and detach the label 84 of the remaining parts of the cover 12. The label 84 breaks along its edges and, due to the adhesive between the layers, pulls the tongue 82 with it, exposing the opening 80 so that a consumer can access to the cookies 13 inside the package 10. Similarly, the label 84 facing out of the flap 82 may have a resealable adhesive disposed thereon (or disposed on the corresponding bottom layer of film) to keep so that a consumer can reposition the tag 84 over the opening 80 and seal the tag 84 thereto.

The package shown in Figure 25 includes the smallest opening feature 78 described above, as well as a larger opening feature 91 surrounding the smaller feature 78. In this form, the package 11 includes a large sealing layer or label 91 having a tongue 93, and of which the smaller sealing label 84 is part. The large sealing label 91 is preferably similar in size to of the cover 12 to cover virtually the entire specific surface of the cover 12. Alternatively, the large seal tag 91 could cover 75 percent, 50 percent or less. In addition, the smaller seal tag 84 may be a separate tag attached to the top of the large tag 91, if desired.

Next, the cover 12 includes a large marked or cut line 95 defining a large access opening 97. The ends of the marked line 95 preferably include the curves 87 so that the large seal tag 91 is not removed from the container 11 when it is opened. Configured in this way, if a consumer wants more than one or two cookies 13, the consumer can hold the tab 93 and pull the large seal tag 91 again through the cover 12. When the tag 91 is pulled, the marked lines 95 are broken in such a way that a flap 99 adheres to the sealing tag 91 and detaches along with it. Therefore, the access opening 97 is shown so that the consumer can access virtually all products 13. Advantageously, if a consumer wants a smaller size, then the consumer can simply use the smaller seal tag 84. The large seal tag 84 may have any of the forms described above.

The opening characteristics have been described above with respect to Figures 21 to 27, but it will be understood that the opening characteristics can be used similarly in any of the packages described herein.

In an alternative form of the container 10, the bottom and rear walls 14, 16 are connected by an intermediate wall 88. As shown in Figures 44 to 48, the side walls 18 may have a small non-flat or arched part 48 and parts 50, 52 relatively longer linear lines, so that the side wall 18 has a normally triangular appearance. The package 10 can be configured to rest on the intermediate wall 88, as shown, or it can be configured to rest on the side walls 18, or the cover 12. As such, the cover 12 can be opened from either side to expose the products within the container 10. Preferably, the peripheral edge 38 is large enough to extend and be lateral to the intermediate wall 88. With this configuration, the cover 12 does not have interruptions by folds, flanges, edges or the like from viewpoints horizontal, vertical views and any angle between them.

As shown in Figures 49 to 58, the package 10 with the intermediate wall 88 mentioned above may further include a side wall 18 with two flat or arcuate portions 48, such that the side wall 18 includes a linear third part 90 which extending between the arcuate portions 48. Therefore, the peripheral edge 38 includes two corresponding arcuate portions, such that the cover 12, when sealed to the edge 38, includes side portions 92 and an upper part 94 to provide a cover without interruptions (that is, by folds, edges, flanges, etc.) that extends on two sides of the container. As with the previous triangular shape, this shape provides a cover 12 that is visible from the wide range of angles to provide product differentiation and a different appearance on a shelf.

Returning to other forms of packages shown in Figures 59 to 88 and 99 to 103. In these forms, a package 100 includes a base tray or a cup 102 having a side wall or vertical side walls 104 and a bottom wall 106. As with the above forms, the container 100 includes a peripheral edge 108. The peripheral edge 108 extends outwardly or inwardly from a continuous upper edge 110 of the side wall (s) 104 to provide sealing surfaces 112 normally oriented upwards. Alternatively, an upwardly oriented edge of the side wall (s) 104 could be used as a sealing surface. A cover 114 is

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sealed to the sealing surfaces 112 of the peripheral edge 108 to seal the contents, such as any of the products 13 described above, into the cup 102. The upper edge 110 of the side wall (s) 104 It is arched continuously vertically. As such, the peripheral edge 108 projecting outwardly thereof is arched continuously in radial and axial direction. Preferably, the arcuate pattern is configured such that the opposite points of the peripheral edge 108 have the same height or distance from the bottom wall 106 and the same radial distance from a central point C of the cup 102.

One form, shown in Figures 59 to 78, includes a normally circular bottom wall 106 and a normally annular side wall 104 extending upward therefrom. As shown, the size of the bottom wall 106 and the height of the side wall 104 may vary as desired or required for a particular product or to achieve the desired container shape. In the illustrated forms of Figures 59 to 73, the side wall 104 narrows outwardly so that the upper edge 110 of the side wall 104 is separated a greater distance than in the connection of the wall with the bottom wall 106. cup 102 can be configured so that the cover 114 is concave (figures 59 to 63) or convex (figures 64 to 78).

The peripheral edge 108 includes opposite low points 118 and opposite high points 120 separated equidistant from each other, for example, usually 90 degrees. For the concave cover, the edge 110 is configured such that the cover 114 extends horizontally between the low points 118 and extends laterally upwards to the raised points 120. For the convex cover, the edge 110 is configured in such a way that the cover 114 extends horizontally between the raised points 120 and extends laterally downwards to the lower points 118.

An alternative cup 102 is shown in Figures 89 to 98. As in the previous form, the upper edge 110 of the cup 102 and the peripheral edge 108 can be configured to provide a concave or convex cover 114, as desired. However, in this form, cup 102 includes a hemispherical bottom portion 116. This cup 102 will ideally be configured to contain a spherical product and at the same time provide a characteristic packaging while minimizing the packaging material avoiding packaging waste in the lower parts of the container.

Another cup 102 is shown in Figures 79 to 88. In this form, cup 102 includes a normally square or rectangular bottom wall 106 and four parts of the side wall 104 extending upwardly from the edges thereof. As shown in the various embodiments herein, the bottom wall and the corresponding side wall (s) can take any desired shape, including triangles, other closed polygons, curvilinear shapes or combinations of these.

With this configuration, the edges 110 are equally spaced from each other, but do not have a uniform separation from the central point C around the entire edge 110 with the annular configuration. Square cover 114 includes points 118, 120 high and low to provide concave and convex covers, configured as described above. However, as with the previous forms, the high and low points 120, 118 are separated from the central point C of the cup 102 in relation to each other and are at the same distance from the bottom wall 106.

In another form, the cup 102 includes a bottom wall 106 in the form of channels, such that the side wall 104 includes the corresponding curved ends 122 and intermediate straight sides 124. As shown in Figures 99 to 103, the raised points 120 of the upper edge 110 are normally centered on the faces 124 and the low points 118 are normally centered on the curved ends 112 to provide a convex cover 114. As with the In other ways, these high and low points 120, 118 may be interchanged to change the orientation or configured to provide a concave cover as desired above.

We now return to another container 200, which is shown in the figures, 104 to 119. In these forms, the package 200 includes arcuate lower walls 202 with side walls 204 that normally extend perpendicular thereto. Preferably, the side walls 204 have a normally uniform height such that an upper edge 206 thereof includes an arcuate structure normally complementary to the lower wall 202. A peripheral flange 208 extending outwardly or inwardly from the upper edge 206 provides sealing surfaces 210 so that a cover 212 seals thereto, as previously considered. Alternatively, the upwardly oriented edges of the side walls 204 could be used as a sealing surface.

As such, when viewed from the side, the container 200 includes lower and upper surfaces that have normally complementary arcuate surfaces. This provides characteristic packaging that attracts the attention of the consumer when they see them on shelves in a different way than those of traditional continuous wrap packages. In the form shown in Figures 103 to 108, the bottom wall 202 and the cover 212 have a single convex curve, while in the shape shown in Figures 109 to 113, the bottom wall 202 and the cover 212 They have two convex curves with an intermediate concave curve between them. Other undulating configurations could also be used.

In addition, the bottom wall 202 can have any suitable configuration. For example, as shown in Figures 114 to 119, the bottom wall 202 may have a heart-shaped configuration with walls

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laterals 204 extending upwardly from the edges thereof. The undulating surfaces can be used to provide a characteristic packaging for any suitable novel form.

Alternatively, a container 250 may include a normally flat bottom wall 252 with side walls 254 and end walls 256 extending upward therefrom, as shown in Figures 120 to 125. In this way, the top edges 258 of the side walls 254 have corresponding corrugating patterns 260 so that the opposite edges 258 of the side walls 254 have a normally equal height. The package 250 includes peripheral edges 262 extending outwardly from the upper edges 258 of the side walls 254 and the end walls 256, but could alternatively be configured, as described above. As shown, the undulating patterns 260 should not necessarily be uniform along the side wall 254, which have different wavelengths and depths.

Another type of package 300, shown in Figures 126 to 143, includes an end 302 that projects upwards. This package 300 includes a bottom wall 304 with a normally flat front part 306 that the package 300 is configured to rest on, and an upwardly curved rear part 308. The side walls 310 extend upwardly from the edges 312 of the lower wall 304 to the upper edges 314. The side walls 310 can extend perpendicularly from the bottom wall 304 or can be moved from there. A peripheral edge 316 extends from the upper edges 314 of the side walls 310 to provide sealing surfaces 318 for a cover 320, as described above. The upper edges 314 of the side walls 310 generally follow the configuration of the lower wall 304, so that the cover 320 includes a flat front part 322 and a corresponding curved rear part 324. The rear curved portion 324 provides a specific, normally vertical surface that can be used for distinctive text, graphics or marks that capture attention and differentiate the package 300 from conventional packages with flat top surfaces. In the form of Figures 126 to 131, the bottom wall 304 and the cover 320 are normally triangular, while in the shapes of Figures 132 to 143, the bottom wall 304 and the cover 320 are normally rectangular. However, it will be understood that other shapes and configurations could be used, including other closed polygons, curvilinear shapes or combinations thereof.

The trays and cups described herein may be constituted of any suitable material by any appropriate method, for example, thermoforming, injection molding, blow molding, cardboard, resin, impregnated cardboard, or the like. Similarly, the covers described herein can be formed of any suitable material, for example, paper, a combination of laminated paper, metallized paper, a multilayer laminate, plastic, or the like.

A manufacturing method, such as in a commercial and high-speed packaging operation, of any of the packages or containers described herein may include the steps to form the tray, insert a plurality of specific food items into the tray, and attach the cover to the tray to seal the food items in the package.

Optional steps include tray thermoforming from a polymer sheet. The polymeric sheet may be a segment of a band of polymeric material. The tray can be separated from the web after thermoforming. The cover can be attached to the tray after the tray has been thermoformed and before the tray has separated from the band, or the cover is fixed to the tray after the tray has separated from the band. Non-limiting examples of packaging manufacturing methods are described in the reference publication of this US Pat. UU. Appl. No. 61 / 608,080, filed on March 7, 2012.

All of the packages described herein provide a characteristic packaging that can attract the attention of consumers when they are displayed on a shelf next to continuous wrap packages or traditional packages that have a flat or flat tray and lid. The distinction on a shelf is key to product development, and the packages described herein provide this benefit while maintaining profitability by minimizing the material of the package.

Claims (11)

1. A package (10) comprising: 10 fifteen 2. twenty a tray (11) having a vertical rear wall (16), a bottom wall (14), and a pair of vertical side walls (18) defining an interior to receive products (13) therein, where the tray (11) includes free edges (27) comprising a front edge (28) of the lower wall (14), edges (32) of the side walls (18), and an upper edge (30) of the rear wall (16) ), the edges (32) of the side walls (18) include curved portions (48); the free edges (27) of the tray (11) defining an opening (26) towards the inside thereof, the opening (26) having a front opening part (36) and an upper opening part (34); Y a cover (12) connected with respect to at least some of the free edges (27) to cover the part (34) of the upper opening and the part (36) of the front opening, characterized in that a rear corner of the tray It extends between the vertical rear wall and the lower wall has a rounded configuration. The package (10) of claim 2, wherein a peripheral edge (38) extends from the free edges (27) of the tray (11) and defines sealing surfaces (54) front, side, and top, having the side sealing surfaces arched parts corresponding to the curved parts (54) of the edge of the side wall. 3. 25 30 Four. 35 5. 6. 40 7. Four. Five 8. fifty 9. 55 10. 60 11. The package (10) of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the products (13) are normally cylindrical with curved outer edges and the tray (11) is configured to receive two rows (55) of the normally cylindrical products (13) at the edge in rows (55) in a horizontally stacked orientation, and the bottom wall (14) includes an upwardly oriented contour (64) that divides the bottom wall (14) into two parts to individually receive the stacked rows of the products, and where the contour (64) that projects upwards optionally has curved side walls that are complementary to the curved outer edges of the normally cylindrical products (13). The package (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bottom wall (14) includes a front part (58) that narrows upwardly configured to retain the products (13) within the tray (11) with the part ( 36) open front opening. The package (10) according to claim 4 wherein the front part (58) that narrows upwardly is sized so that an outer edge of a peripheral edge (38) extends outwardly from the front edge (28) The bottom wall (14) acts as a stabilizer support for the tray (11). The package (10) of any of the preceding claims wherein the part (30) of the front opening and / or the part (34) of the upper opening are sized and configured so that the products (13) can be accessed inside the tray (11) individually and can be removed through it with the other part (34) of the upper opening and the part (30) of the covered front opening. The package (10) of any of the preceding claims wherein the tray (11) further includes one or more projections (53) extending outwardly from the rear wall (16), the projections (53) provide a support for a stability position. The package (10) of any of the preceding claims wherein the cover (12) includes an access opening (26) therein and a sealing layer (84) sealed around the access opening (26). The package (10) of any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the peripheral edge (38) includes a breakable tongue (74); and the cover (12) extends to the tongue (74) so that the tongue (74) can be broken from the peripheral edge (38) and can be pulled out through the cover (12) to tear an opening (72) cover access (12). The package (10) of claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the package (10) is configured to rest in a vertical orientation on the side wall (18); and the access opening (73) is adjacent to the side wall (18). The package (10) of any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the access opening (78) is sized to allow two or less products (13) therethrough where the withdrawal of other products (13) is restricted by the cover (12) adjacent to the access opening (73). The package (10) of any of the preceding claims wherein the tray (11) further comprises a dividing wall (65) that extends between the side walls (18) thereof and the cover (12) makes a sealing coupling to an upper surface of the dividing wall (65). 13. The container of claim 1, wherein the vertical rear wall (16) is normally perpendicular to the bottom wall (14). The package of claim 2, wherein the cover (12) is attached to the peripheral edge (38) to cover the part of the upper opening (34) and the part (36) of the front opening, the cover includes a flat upper part attached to the upper sealing surface (42) and parts of the lateral sealing surfaces (54), a part flat front attached to the sealing surface (44) frontal and parts of the lateral sealing surfaces (54), and a curved portion (59) extending therebetween joined to the arcuate portions 10 of the surfaces (54) of sealed sideways so that the flat top and the part Flat frontals meet at an angle to each other to form an angle of at least ten degrees. fifteen. fifteen The package of claim 2, wherein the cover (12) is attached to the peripheral edge (38) to cover the part (34) of the upper opening and the part (36) of the front opening so that the cover (12) It has an uninterrupted surface throughout its length and width.